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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

No._.4-2-^-S____ dateJ2._188 S.
Source_A.IlliBJJJ— JaLI-UIs ,..

ilu (Sarden^r'fi pontWir.

AND

HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE, BOTANY AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN,

FoEMERLY Head Gardener to Cai^eb Cope, Esq, at Spkingbrook, and at the Bartram Botanic Gab-
den, NEAR PHILADEIiPlIIA; GRADUATE OF THE ROYAI- BOTANIC GARDEN, KeW, (I.ONDON,) ENGLAND,

Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Author of "The American Hand-
book OF Ornamental Trees," &c.

VOLUME XI, 1869.

TERMS. Two Dollars per Annum, Invariably in Advance.

PHILADELPHIA :
BRINCKLOE & MAROT, PUBLISHERS,

No. 23 North Sixth Street.
1869.

Gr

CHAPEL

ILLUSTRATIONS.

FroMti?piece Cornell's Fancy Apple.

A.

Althca, Buist's Variegated 207

Anyrei's Quince 103

Apple, Fannj'^ 25

Kansas Queen *^'3

Axial Development of Buds 334

B.

Bejronia Sandersii 303

lUiddinir, New Mode of 300

Buds. Axial Development of 334

liuiist's Variegated Altliea 267

C.

Calvpso Borealis. 137

Colfax Strawberry 90

Cut Flower Stand — •• 53

D.

Decorations, Lawn -211

F.

Fanny Apple 21

F..I (in i: House, A New Style of 100

Fiuit Tree Label, Perniauent 2G0

K.

Kansas Queen Apple 312

Kinlucky Strawljerry .....280

L.

Lil)e] for Fruit Trees, Permanent. 200

Lawn Decorations 211

N.

New Mode of Buddinjr .' 300

'• Style of Forcins; House....... 1^0

Norway Sprace, Wales' Weeping ITG

P.

PassifloraTrifasciata. 337

IVruianenl Label for Fruit Trees m 260

Plant Prote-Jtor 134

Pruner, Tree 241

Q.

Quince, Anger's 103

S.

Stand for Cut Flowers 53

Strawberry, Colfax 90

" Kentucky 280

T.

Tree Pruner 241

Trellis, Yeoman's Vine. ''S

V.
Variegated Allliea, Buist" s 267

w.

"Wales' Weeping Norway Spruce 176

Wilton House.". 69

Y.

Yeoman's Vine Trellis 78

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XL

JAJVUABY, 1869. New Series. Vol. II. No. I.

HINTS FOE JANUARY.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Everybody knows that January is but the in-
troductory chapter to our new year's work.
Every book has its preface— every job has, or
should have, its plan. We have our work mark-
ed out, good reader, for our monthly hints for the
next year, as we trust you will, on your part,
have yours for the gai'den. Now is tiie time to
settle on what is to be done in the way oi main-
tenance, alteration or improvement. A chapter
might be written on the very frequent want
of foresight exhibited by those who would have
gardens.

Every one likes gaidening. But it is not un-
usual to find many who pretend to have found it
an expensive luxury : and not all pretension,
either, — for we often see money so uselessly
wasted, that we wonder people do not sometimes
tire before they do. One half our people have
gardens too large ! Even the closest calculators
seldom find their facts within their figures, either
iu first cost or subsequent maintenance ; and we
would earnestly recommend all who propose to
have gardens and pleasure grounds, to lay out only
half the space, or expense they think they can
afford. If your ideas run on fifty acres, make it
twenty-five ; or, if you think it will cost you two
thousand a year to maintain it annually, cal-
culate so that you may have four thousand to do
it well.

One half the gardens in our country are dis-
graces ; and it is generally through such miscal-
culations as those we have referred to. Neatness
and excellence in everything should be the aim,
— not extent. Now, we seriously propose to our
readers to look over their grounds at this season,
and see what parts can be dispensed with ; for we

do not doubt that many of them have looked too
often to their purses, without the heart going
with the action.

Some part may be turned into the adjoining
farm ; or some other disposition made by which
to turn it into a profit. But, if nothing of this
kind present itself, it may be turned into some
pretty feature, that would not be so expensive as
the keeping of it regularly dressed and attend-
ed to. One of these is, to plant large belts or
clumps of trees. These, if planted thickly, soon
cover the ground, and take care of themselves.

Trees always give a great value to an estate, —
and, as they grow up, not only really add to the
beauty of the place, but much lessen its working
expenses. They also givea little wildness to the
spot, which is in itself a beaut}^ ; for, when we
speak of neatness as essential in a garden, we mean
of course, those parts which one would be expect-
ed to keep neat, and which will look all the more
neat for having a little wildness to contrast with
them.

For planting such places with trees, amongst
evergreens which we would recommend, are
Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine,
White Pine, Hemlock Spruce, Balm of Gilead
Fir, Silver Fir, American Arborvitse, Red Cedar;
and amongst deciduous trees, the Ashes, Maples,
Lindens, Chestnuts, Oaks, Walnuts, in their va-
rious species, as well as the Catalpa, Kentucky
Coffee, Robinia, Paulownia, Magnolias, Tulip
Tree, Birches, Beeches, Mulberries, Gums and,
where the leaf worm does not exist, the Elm.

Clumps of shrubbery often have a beautiful ef-
fect, and, once planted, require no care for many
years. They may be selected from amongst the
Spiraeas, Lilacs, Syringas, Mock Orange, Upright
Hon ey suckles, Weigelas, Deutzias, Forsythias

^

THE GARDEA^ER'S MOJ^'TKLY. Jcaiuary,

Elfegnuses, Pyrus japonica, H3'pericus. "Willows,

Almonds, Calycanthus, Dwarf Horse Chestnuts,

Dogwoods, Purple Hazels, Snowdrop Trees, Bird

Cherries, &c.

Very often, besides too mucli garden to clean,

or lawn to mow, there is too much of walks or
roads to look after. These are frequently a
source of great expense, and should be carefully
studied in the first arrangement of the place.
Landscape gardeners, especially such of them
as are more properly architects, love to introduce
them in their plans. They usually help the pic-
ture very much.

Before any walk is located, be sure it is abso-
lutely required. A pretty outline should be sub-
servient to this. Utility is the essence of beauty
in a "arden walk. With these general hints on
first cost and maintenance we can only give, this
month, the more practical advice to get ready for
regular work.

The manure heap is one of those items that
can receive attention at this season to advantage.
Without a good pile of rich compost, very little
success can be hoped for in any kind of garden -
ino- aftairs. Leaves and litter of every descrip-
tion should be collected whenever possible, and
stored in suitable places, where they will not be
oftensive by their littery appearance. For flowers,
generally leaf mould from the woods is very ac-
ceptable—not the half-rotted leaves that are im-
mediatelv on the surface, but such as have been
powdered by age, and amongst which the roots of
the trees have already penetrated, and rendered
of a spongy consistence. We like all manures to
be thoroughly decomposed before using, if the
warden soil is already light and friable ; and to
this purpose the manure heap should be occa-
sionally turned over and lightened, to assist fer-
mentation. This, also, is aided by watering the
heap with a solution of potash, and which also
gives additional value to the manure.

It is a very good practice to cover lawns with
manure at this season. Two good results flow
from this course : the frost is prevented from pen-
etratin"' so deeply, and the ground being warmed
much sooner in spring, is green and cheerful some
time before unprotected lawns, and then the
grassitself is strengthened, and its color bright-
ened by the operation. But stable manure has
the objection of introducing many coarse kinds
of weeds, that would not otherwise exist on the
lawn ; and so where the grass grows poorly, and
strength and luxuriousness are desired, guano
and the phosphates are preferred. Many use

bone dust, ashes, etc. ; but the mowers are apt
to feel somewhat indignant, in mowing time,
through this material taking the edge off their
scythes.

Manure for flowerbeds, borders, etc., may be
hauled convenient to where it is likely to be
wanted in spring. Many spread it on at once —
but if the soil is frozen very thick, it prevents the
early thawing of the soil in the spring, and so no
time is gained.

Evergreens set out last fall in windy or exposed
situations, will be benefited by a shelter of cedar
branches, corn stalks; or mats, set against them.
Whether hardy or tender, all wiU be benefited
thereby.

Wherever any part of a tree does not grow
freely, pruning of such weak growth, at this
season, will induce it to push more freely next
year. All scars made by pruning off"large branch-
es, should be painted or tarred over to keep out
the rain. Many fruit trees become hollow, or
fall into premature decay from the rain pene-
trating through old saw cuts made in pruning.
Also, the branches should be cut close to the
trunk, so that no dead stimips shall be produced
on the tree, and the bark will readily grow over.
Many persons cut oflT branches of trees in mid-
summer,in order that the returning sap may speed-
ily clothe the wound with new bark ; but the loss
of much foliage in summer injures the tree ; and,
besides, painting the scar removes all danger of
rotting at the wound.

GKEENHOUSE AND WINDOW PLANTS.

The temperature of the greenhouse at this sea-
son should be maintained at a])out jO deg., al-
lowing it to rise 10 or 1;j degrees under the full
sun, and sinking 10 degrees or so in the night.
Though many of our practical brethren differ
from us — men, for some of whose opinions we en-
tertain the highest respect — we do not recommend
a very great difference between night and day
temperature, we think 10 degrees ample allow-
ance. It is following nature, no doubt, but we
would rather strive to beat nature. She can not
make the specimens we do, nor flower them so
beautifully or profusely ; and in many other re-
spects we think the practical gardener can much
improve on her red tape notions and old-fashion-
ed courses.

Many plants will seem to be full of roots, and
the temptation to repot will be very great ; but
if a plant is desired to flower freely, the fuller of

1869.

THE GARDEJyER'S MOJYTHLY.

3

roots the pot is the better. Continual pot-f ermgr
is the bane of plant culture. If the soil is so very
much exhausted that the flowers are likely to be
small and poor, a half inch of the old soil in the
pot, on the surflice, may be replaced by a top-
dressing of rich compost. But watchfulness
must be afterwards exercised, or the plant will get
over-dry, as the loose soil on the top will often
appear wet, when, in reality, all below is as dry
as a powder horn.

In many greenhouses, we have noted lately,
more attempts at a tasteful arrangement of the
plants, than used formerly to prevail, when the
only object of a greenhouse seemed to be a mere
store place for border flowers during winter.
This is very commendable, and might be much
more improved on. Every few weeks the plants
may be reset, and the house made to appear quite
diflerent. In the end where the lowest plants
once were set, now the taller ones may be placed,
here a convex group, and there presenting a con-
cave appearance. Drooping plants on elevated
shelves, and hanging baskets from the roof, make
little paradises of variety in what was once un-
bearable monotony.

Gardeners often wish to know the secret of
maintaining a continued interest on the part of
their employers, in their handiwork ; and this is
one of the most potent — continued change and
variety in the appearance of everything. Beau-
tiful flowers, graceful forms, elegant combina-

tions, all developing themselves with a healthy
luxuriousness and everchanging endlessness, will
wake up an interest in the most indifterent
breast.

Window plants sufter much at this season from
the high and dry temperature at which it is ne-
cessary for human comfort to keep our dwellings.
Air can seldom be admitted from the lowness of
the external temperature. Saucers of water
under the plants do much to remedy the aridity
from which room plants suffer. In such cases,
however, so much water must not be given to
plants as to those without saucers. The water
is drawn up into the soil by attraction ; and
though the surface will appear dry, they will be
wet enough just beneath.

The more freely a plant is growing, the more
water will it require ; and the more it grows, the
more sun and light will it need. In all cases,
those which seem to grow the fastest should be
placed nearest the light. The best aspect for
room plants is the south-east. They seem like
animals in their affection for the morning sun.
The first morning ray is worth a dozen, in the
evening. Should any of our fair readers find her
plants, by some unlucky calculation, frozen in
the morning, do not remove them at once to a
warm place, but dip them in cold water, and set
them in a dark spot, where they will barely escape
freezing. Sunlight will only help the frost's de-
I structive powers.

COMMUNICATIONS.

REMARKS ON HYBRIDIZATION.

BY HON. MARSHALL P. AVILDER, PRESIDENT OF
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Impressed by the remark of Dr. Lindley,
quoted in my last article on hybridization, may
we not say, how vast and grand is the domain of
nature ! The very thought of it is overwhelming ;
and when we consider the undefined and possible
powers of the human mind, who shall set bounds
to what can be accomplished by the hand of man
in the cross-fertilization and improvement of
plants ?

Starting from a standpoint that all organized
beings are resolvable to a few simple forms, it is
impossible, with our present state of knowledge
or of facts, to define the precise limits where an

expression of nature begins or,ends : so that what
naturalists have called genera and species are but
dictionary terras, which enable us to classify them
in some convenient manner for the study and in-
vention of the human mind. Botanists have so
ingeniously arranged species and genera as to
furnish an almost entire series of forms, from the
original to its most outward semblance, and have,
not unfrequently attempted to supply a lost link
which science had failed to discover. Thus we
endeavor to give a description of those variations
in the plant world, which are so constantly com-
ing to our notice under cultivation or domesti-
cation.

Plants which seem, in a sexual sense, to be
repugnant to each other, may be brought closer

J^

THE GARDENER'S MOJVTHLY.

Jcnnianjf

by the changing effects of culture, produced by
artificial soils, temperature and moisture; so
much so, as to alter the size, structure, seed, and
character of the plant. These deviations some-
times appear like distinct and new creations ;
and, although they may sometimes be traced
back to a common type, they are evidences of
what can be done by the hand of man.

Although not in connection with hybridiza-
tion, we may note, in support of what I have
written, that the effects of this culture are seen
in the innumerable new plants derived from
sports — being no more or less than the results of
unnatural or uncongenial culture. Thus we have
other sports of plants made into varieties by
"fixing the graft" — that is, grafting off the sport-
ing branches, and thus perpetuating it.

And, just here, let me say, that these sports or
aberrations, when grafted off, become less liable
to sport again than the flowers of the mother j
plant. In those sports taken from the Camellia
Mrs. Abby Wilder, I have two self-colored
sports which have, by this process of grafting,
become true and permanent varieties. Although
the flowers of the mother plant are white, with a
pink stripe, one of the sports thus taken off*
(Grace Sherwin Wilder), is a deep blush, several
shades darker than Camellia Lady Hume ; the
other ( Abbie Tryphosa Wilder) is of a clear pure
rose color, and both are as perfect in form as the
old Double white, and as true and \ ersistent in
color, not having varied at all during a period of
more than ten years.

And what may we not expect, in the way of
aberration, in structure, color, etc. Who would
have thought that, from the single Scarlet Pelar-
gonium, we should have derived the new double
P. Gloire de Nancy V Or that, after twenty years'
trial, the Pelargonium hedersefolium at last con-
sented to be impregnated with P. zonale !

From such incidents, and there are many, it
may not be deemed rash or visionary to have
tried the Gloriosa superba on the Lilium lanci-
foliura.

SOME WINTER FAVORITES.— No. 4.

BYJAS. C. JOHNSTON.
GERANIUMS.
In former numbers of this journal, attention
has been directed to this invaluable floral re-
source for winter decoration. The present series

*A similar sport from the Camellia Mrs. Abby Wilder,
has been named, in England, the Queen of Beanty.

of papers would be very incomplete, without
passing in review a selection of those we deem
the best, even at the risk of repetition. Writing
as we do, September 17th, it will be too late to
reduce any of our suggestions to practice, so far
as cultivation is concerned, tut not too late to
obtain the plants. However, some brief outlines
of experience may be acceptable without refer-
ence to seasons.

First, as to Zonales. It is a mistake to sup-
pose that all these are eligible as winter bloomers.
Some are extremes — shy and sparing of their
trusses ; others have a most undesirable habit of
growth, gross in foliage, and with lanky stems.
Compactness is wanted, Avith a generous tenden-
cy to early and continuous blooming.

We have tested, under gkvss, many hundreds
of sorts ; rejected as many, and place our chief
reliance on a few faithful stand-byes. In the
next place, it is usual to depend on the flower
beds to furnish a supply of Zonales for the green-
house, just before the advent of frost. That is a
shabby resource, and, like all shabby practices,
comes to no good. They lift badly, balls being
out of the question, and are a long time in re-
covering from the shock. During this ordeal
most of the leaves are lost. The plants are saved,
to be sure ; but few, of any size, are ornamental
until March or April.

But we want flowers, lots of them, in Novem-
ber, December, January and February. With
that object in view, young stock must be propa-
gated at intervals, say from March to June, and
forwarded in pots. Commence with the very
smallest size ; shift occasionally, but always ad-
here to the next in rotation, and never indulge ia
large shifts. The eflect of this treatment is to
obtain stocky plants, and prevent premature
blooming , frequent shTfts having that effect. In
no other way can fine specimens of Zonales be
gi'own to bloom in winter. The last shift should
be in August, for the largest sized plants ; Sep-
tember for the next size, and October for the
last.

As the Scarlets increase in size they require
larger pots than all the other colors. ThePaiuted
Zonales thrive best in a contracted space ; so do
most of the Pinks, Salmons and Whites. Pinch
off every flower truss as they appear, until the
pots are removed into the house.

Be in no hurry to do so, if you have cold pits
as a city of refuge, when the nights begin to hold
communication with Jack Frost's couriers. Give
a little weak manure water to the Painted Zo-

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

nales in Kovember, but not afterwards If the
compost is right, the high colors are better with-
out liquid manure, as it stimulates leaf growth
more than the development of flowers.
Alice— Scarlet Zonale.
There are some other Scarlets with a larger
truss and more perfect flower*, but we do not
know any to surpass, scarcely to equal, this ad-
mirable sort. It blooms abundantly and contin-
uously ; the color is exceedingly vivid, the trusses
finelj' rounded, and the habit of growth all that
could be desired. For large specimens we give
it the preference.
Excellent.
Very deep cerise, nearly scarlet. As good, in
its way, as Alice — we could dispense with neither.
Small, medium and large specimens, blooms
finely.

Other Scarlets — Provost is good ; Dr. Lindley
not at all good, with us ; Leonidas, capital, but
not sufliciently proven ; so of other late intro-
ductions.

TuENTHAM Rose, (fine Cherry Red.)
"Old, but has not been beaten." So says Shirley
Hibberd,the best authority inEngland.and we en-
dorse his opinion. If it has a fault under glass, it
is, liability to grow too fast. But others are
much worse in that respect ; for instance, Donald
Beaton, — give T. Rose ample room, elbow room,
we mean, — and it will repay you for the space-
If Donald Beaton would keep within bounds, he
is grand ; indeed, we can't spare him for back
tier purposes. He mounts uj) aloft, between
White Camellia, 5 feet high, and the contrast is
superb.

Souvenir DE Sir Joseph Paxton, (Rosy
Pink.)
In our estimation, this is the best Zonale of its
color for winter purposes ; indeed, it has no fault,
except its absurd name. Habit compact, trusses
very large and finely shaped.
Mrs. Wm. Paul.— Pink.
Almost equal to the Souvenir, only paler in
color, but a most charming subject under glass.
Next tojthe preceding couple, Beauty de Suresne
may be adopted — a very good Pink.

Madame Rudersdorf. — Carmine salmon,
white edge.
This is, perhaps, the most showy, useful and
persevering winter bloomer of all the Zonales.
All sizes of plants bloom finely, from 9 inches to
\^ feet high. The dark zone foliage is also very
handsome. There is a still newer one, of the
same color, which goes ahead of Madame in the

perfection of its flowers — the " Lass O'Gowrie."
This superb Zonale is not yet distributed by the
raiser. Bridesmaid is a verj' effective salmon in
February and March. ]S'ot yet superseded in
its particularly bold shade of color.
Crystal Palace Gem — Cerise.
The excellence of this Zonale ought to satisfy
the most exacting critic. We allude only to its
merits under glass.

Among a few others we are www illing to dis-
pense with, we mention Indian Yellow ; most
useful in small pots. The color decidedly differ-
ent from all the other Red Zonales.

Princess of Wales— Zonale occulate.
Still one of the best ; pure white edge, with a
distinct cerise eye. The occulates bloom sparing-
ly after a certain age. The best plants are those
struck in March, and rather encouraged than
checked in all stages ot growth, taking care to
remove all bloom buds whilst out of doors.
Madame Werle— Occulate.
A delicate, choice flower when well done. It
is not a true occulate, having only a narrow
stripe of carmine pink on the edges of the petals.
Small plants do best.

White Perfection.
There is no better White Zonale than this ;
and, perhaps, it is not superior to Madame
Yaucher, although, if there is a difierence, we
prefer the former. White Tom Thumb is not to
be despised, and we have had fine trusses on
Snowball.

The above are a sufficient variety of Zonales
to furnish an uninterrupted succession of bloom,
and plenty of it, from the middle of N'ovember
till the 1st of May. But we must do justice next
to the Nosegay Geraniums, in which section will
be found some of the very best sorts for prolific
blooming during winter.

Carminata Improved— Vivid carmine.
This is a very choice subject ; so good that,even
in a small house, there ought to be not less than
half a dozen pots in bloom at the same time.
Scarlet Gem.
Well named. An exceedingly attractive and
striking flower ; does well in small pots. Moni-
tor is likewise good ; so is Lord Palmerston ; but
Carminata Improved is better. Lady Galium,
for a poorly shaped flower, is by no means to be
despised. The color, which is a rather dull pink,
is marked by thin stri^DCS of dark red, and is very
effective.

Rival Nosegay. — "Crimson Scarlet."
In a former article we have endorsed this su-

6

THE GARDEJVER'S MO^'THLY. January,

perb Geranium in terms that require no repetition
here. It heads the race, leaving scores of ne^-ver
competitors far in the rear.

There is a prodigious ftirore, in England, at
present, over Tri-colored Zonales, and fabulous
prices are paid for the latest novelties. Mrs.
Pollock is pretty well known here, which led the
van, with a host of followers. We failed in turn-
ing her to any good account last winter ; so also
of Mrs. Benyon and others.

But the Sulphur-leaved and Silver-edged are
extremely useful— indeed, they are indispensable.
A few pots of the former, well grown and redolent
of foliage, have a charming effect amongst the
dark green leaves of other plants. AYe are en-
tirely satisfied with Mrs. Milford and Goldfinch.
Both have light sulphur foliage, slightly zoned
with pale chestnut. Their habit is good— so good
that, if properly i^rown, there is a mass of finely
arranged leaves from the surface of the pot to
the top of the plant. They flower sparingly, but
are much better without any.

The Silver-edged Zonales are also very useful
scattered up and down amongst masses of solid
green. Alma, a very old sort, we find better for
Avinter use than any other. There is a gem, in
this way, not yet grown here, ItaVm TJnita, with
a very pure edge of silvery white, and rays of
pinky red diverging from the green centre. But
it is very shy as a grower— at least we find it so.
The Double Zonales are more curious than
useful. Gloire de J^'ancy bloomed very well with
us last winter, but there is nothing decidedly at-
tractive in it. The petals are so crowded, they
give one the idea of being dwarfed. One of these
days we shall have doubles, with individual
blooms an inch in diameter and over.
14. Primula acatjlis, fl. pleno.
In Europe, this is a hardy perennial ; here, it
does toleraljly well in a cold frame, blooming in
April. But we enlist it for service in the conser-
vatory in January and Eebruar)\ These are
White, Sulphur, Lilac and Crimson selfs. The
first two are the best, especially the White. When
I'udiciously grown, .30 or 40 blooms from one
plant is not uncommon, growing in succession,
half a dozen at a time. The exquisite purity of
the white, and its modest habit of growth, always
elicits warm commendations.

Like all plants requiring little protection, this
Primula must not be coddled or forced. The
result of that treatment is. slender footstalks
unable to sustain even puny flowers ; and these
are often too weak to expand, and so wither up

prematurely. When introduced into the house,
(not before the first sharp frost), place on a shelf,
within 12 or 15 inches of the glass, and in the
coolest locality that can be selected. Administer
weekly a dose of manure water (by no means
strong). J^ever allow the pots to become dry,
nor aphis to obtain a lodgment. As the pips
begin to peep up among the leaves, tm-n the fots
every day, so that they may not grow all to one
side. As they expand, remove to favorable
blooming positions, not failing to turn the pots
daily, nor to remove every flower stem as it
fades.

Our mode of cultivation is. to divide the plants
immediately after the blooming season; re-sotting
them, pairs or a trio, in small pots. The com-
post must be generous, and not too porous. A
little cocoa fibre added is well bestowed, as it en-
ables the plants to resist the injurious effects of
extreme heat.

The collar of each plant should be set about
half an inch below the surface of the soil, and be
kept in that position ; for, if exposed to light and
heat, they are apt to droop, and perish during
the hot sea^n out of doors. If the subdivision
and replanting is effected in March, growth will
commence immediately. Then, after removal
out of doors in May, shift into pots one size
larger, and set these in the coolest locality you
have, and least exposed to the sun. But under
trees will not do, — their shadow would often be
acceptable, but drip, during heavy rains, is death
to the Primula.

{To he Continued.)

GRAPt: VINE BORERS.

BY A. J. H. YINELAND, N. J.

On page .354 October number of Agrwidiurist.
reference is made to a " vine borer " in Missouri
that cuts oft" vines below the surface. It is also
mentioned and partially described in the last
Gardener''s Monthly. This "borer" is an old
friend (?) of mine. It is found principally in old
rotten oak stumps ; I hardly ever dig one out
without finding several of these worms. They
are about 2 inches long, tapering from head to
tail, white bodies and black heads. I lose on an
average about 50 vines and dwarf pears annually
by these little villains ; probably twice as many
pears as vines. I have had several apple trees
cut off by them, and one standard pear. The
tree roots seem often to be eaten entirely up, but

1869.

THE GARDEJVERS MOJVTELY.

the vine roots are only cut through as if they
had obstructed the line of travel.

This is no new insect, but will I think probably
be found troublesome whenever dwarf pears and
vines are planted among decayed oak stumps.

THE SEM^AEY OF ST. CHARLES OF
BORROMEO.

■

BY WALTER ELDER, PHILADELPHIA.

The Seminary of " St. Charles of Borromeo,"
which is just erected and roofed in, and now
having its interior floored and divided into apart-
ments, will be, when finished, one of the most
magnificent and beautiful school edifices in the
country. And when the grounds are improved
and embellished in a manner to correspond with
its grandeur, it will then be an institution of
which a. nation of equal rights may well be proud.
The building stands upon an eminence, equi-
distant from the Lancaster turnpike road,
and the Central Pennsylvania Railway ; in
Montgomery county, and 5i miles west of Phila-
delphia. In a whole, it is in the form of the let-
ter M. The front is entire, with the centre and
two ends slightly projecting and higher, and sur-
mounted with domes supporting golden crosses.
The views of the surrounding landscape from the
domes, are extensive and very beautiful. On the
east, the City of Philadelphia is descried, with
its many spires and towers ; on the south, the
silvery Delaware appears with its rich commerce
gliding upon its bosom ; on the north, the rug-
ged banks of the Schuylkill, and the heights of
Gerraantown, Chestnut Hill, and Mount Airy
are seen ; the westward looks like a boundless
expanse of wealthy grandeur. An immense
sum of money has already been spent for labor
material, and a vast deal more will l)e spent be-
fore the whole place is finished. A praiseworthy
liberality has been, and still is shown individ-
uals of different christian denominations in the
expenditures.

The grounds comprise 150 acres, (I have been
toll,) all beautifully rolling, and the soil] a fertile
loam ; a water stream runs through part of the
grounds, and a pond or dam has been made and
a house with a steam engine is erected upon it,
and throws up the water to the house, (now
largely used by the plasterers.) A large portion
of the foregrounds is in lawn, with many hand-
some transplanted trees, half-grown. Immedi-
ately around the structure, the land is very un-

even, but the master mind that conceived the
idea of erecting such a spacious edifice for such a
purpose, well can devise a plan to smooth the
lands around it, and embellish them in a way
that they will impart to it the elegance it so richly
deserves ; then the trees will rise in their best
grandeur, shrubbery will smile with profusions
of blossoms, and the smaller flowers will glitter in
the sunshine with colors of every hue, and the
air will be made odoriferous by the fragrance
they exhale.

When the whole is finished, it will serve as a
lasting monument of grateful remembrance for
its generous founder, (the present Bishop of the
Diocese of Philadelphia, the Right Reverend
James F. Wood,) as did the great temple of
Solomon, in keeping alive a pleasing memorial of
the great Jving of Jerusalem, and the wise men
of the Bible.

Solomon was not only large minded for having
a grand temple, but was also an ardent admirer
of the beauties of vegetation, with which the all-
wise Creator decorated the face of the earth to
cheer the life of man. He caused splended gar-
dens to be made around all his fine buildings,
and had them richly embellished with trees,
shrubbery, and smaller flowering plants. He
admired trees for their magnitudes, and shrub-
bery for their profusion of blossoms ; he extol-
led "smaller flowers for their beauties and sweet
odors, and had collections set out to bloom all
the g.-owing seasons.. He often compared them
with the purity of God's holy worship ; how
touchingly beautiful he likened his church to
flowers. After recovering from a severe tribula-
tion, here is a brief quotation of his own address :
" Lo the winter is past, the flowers appear on
the earth, the time of the singing of the birds is
come ; the fig tree putteth fprth green figs, and
the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
I am the Rose of Sharon, and the lily of the val-
leys. My love is white and ruddy, his cheeks
are like beds of sweet flowers, his lips dropping
sweet smelling myrrh. My beloved is mine, he
is gone down to the gardens to gather lilies, and
to feed among the lilies."

I wish that all our modern professors of reli-
gion,would show as much love for the beauties of
vegetation as did Solomon the wisest, and David
the most devout. Churches, Seminaries, and
other fine edifices would then no more look for -
lorn like shipwrecks in the tempests. Let Botany
in the future^ he a necessary branch of education.

8

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOiN'lHLY. January ,

A GOOD SEED DRILL.

BY MR. L. KAUFFMAN, IOWA CITY.

In the Monthly for Kovember, I notice inquiry
from a correspondent of Indiana, for a "Seed
Drill" to sow Apple and Osage seed. Two years
ago I extemporized a seed drill to sow apple seed,
which I have now used two years, and with
which I am highly pleased. I can with a team
plant ten acres per day, covering the seed com- :
pletely. I planted with this drill last spring !
forty-seven acres in apple seed. One of my j
neighbors planted five acres with it. I then |
hired it to other parties, who planted forty-two
acres with Osage seed. 1

The drill does its work perfectly, distributing '
the seed very evenly. These fields of apple !
stocks were visited by a number of persons j
during the summer, among whom was Mr. F. I
K. Phoenix, of Bloomington, Illinois. All of j
them expressed themselves astonished at the i
evenness of the distribution of the seed, and the j
uniform growth of the stocks. There could not i
have been a lialf an acre picked out that mate- I
rially differed from the whole field. As there is |
no patent on this seed drill, and none applied for,
I will give a brief description of it, which will
enable any one who has an ordinary amount of
mechanical ingenuity to make one.

The drill is placed upon two wheels. Mine
plants three rows at a time, twenty inches
apart, (two feet is a better distance between
rows). The machine may be made to plant any
number of rows desired, by widening the ma-
chine. The planters should be so arranged in
distance from the wheels, that in driving back
and forth, the same wheel would return in the
same track, thereby making a track to go b}^
If it is intecded to plant the I'ows two feet apart,
the outside planters should be one foot from the
wheels. The shaft may be stationary on the
wheels, with a joint in the middle, or the wheels
may be made to revolve around it, as in ordinary
wheels. The former plan being much the
cheapest. On these wheels is rigged a frame,
and on the frame, about twenty inches behind
the £,haft connecting the wheels, is a box to con-
tain the seed. Through this box runs a shaft,
and into this shaft are di'iven nails or wood
screws, these screws should stand out about an
inch, and are intended to agitate the seed. The
screws should be placed the distance apart on
the shaft that it is intended to plant the rows.
In the bottom of the box are holes to correspond

with the screws on the shaft. In this seed box
and on the bottom, is a slide the length of the
box running through one end. On the slide is
fixed a lever to regulate the feed or shut it off in
turning, into this slide are holes cut to corres-
pond with the holes in the bottom of the box.
There are hoes attached to the drill similar to
those in ordinary wheat drills, only the hoes
are four inches wide and can be made of com-
mon cultivator teeth. The seed is conducted
through leather tubes immediately behind these
hoes, the dirt displaced by the hoes will fall
back and cover the seed sufficiently if the ground
be mellow, if the seed is not covered sufficiently
a small light drag can be attached to the drill.
On one of the wheels is fastened a cog wheel,
about one-half the diameter of the wheel, and on
the end of the shaft running through the feed
box is a pinion, by this gearing the shaft is put in
motion, and the feed is steady and uniform.

Apple seed is usually prepared in the winter.
I take one bushel of sand or saw-dust to half-
bushel apple seed, of this mixture I sow four
and a half bushels to the acre, giving me one
and a half bushels apple seed to the acre. I
might probably add, to sow four and a half
bushels of this mixture per acre, requires feed
holes one-half inch wide, and three inches long.

A:?^ "ILLUSTRATED HORTICULTURAL
JOURNAL " ILLUMINATED.

BY VITIS.

There is occasionally a complaint in the Gard-
ener''s Monthly, from some one of its subscribers,
I suppose, that some of its advertisements do
not prove reliable. Having been a subscriber
and constant reader to the Monthhj from its
commencement, I think its subscribers have
had very little cause for complaint on this ac-
count, much less than the subscribers to some
other horticultural journals, or rather to one of
them, for in this particular I think it stands alone.
To show how this one journal has managed
one case of this kind, I will give extracts from its
pages.

First. — To show what it promised.

Second. — To show how it fulfilled its promises.

The journal alluded to has not enjoyed a very
long existence, it first number bears date Jan-
uary, 1867. In its prospectus or advertisement
it said: — "With this number we begin the
publication of an Illustrated Monthly Magazine,
devoted to Horticulture. For a long time the

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

9

demand has been felt for a journal in this de-
partment, of high tone and liberal ideas, employ-
ing not only the best talent in America, but the
selection of all that is good from the English,
French, German, and other foreign works. This |
demand we design to supply. " I

In its introduction, page 3, it is said, " |

but, as editors, we shall cordially welcome any I
contributions from any source ; and we ask the {
aid of all interested in horticulture in carrying
out our plans."

"Our pages will ever be open for discussions on
subjects of horticultural interest, in which, while
avoiding all personalities, it will be our aim to
develope the truth."

"•Our course will be independent. Having no
interest in any horticultural establishment, we
shall aim to do justice to all."

Trusting that these explicit declarations would
be adhered to, a subscriber to the journal, in
September, 1867, sent to the publishers a short
communication giving an account of origin of
the so called "Main's Seedling Grape," showing
from its owner's own words and advertisements,
that it was the well known Concord, neither
more nor less, and that its earliness was owing to
its location. The communication was promptly
published in the October number of the journal,
pages 233 and 254, with the following remarks :

[" We publish the above communication from
one of our subscribers, who does not hesitate to
give his name, because we believe it to be true ;
and we hold it to be our duty, as an independent
journal, to denounce imposition and humbug in
horticultural matters whenever it comes to our
notice. We believe the ' Main Seedling ' or
' Main Grape ' to be the Concord, notwithstand-
ing the rose-colored advertisements that have
from time to time been published, and so re-
marked to our friends. To better satisfy our-
selves, we bought a vine of a well known nursery
firm of this city, who had vines of 3Ir, Main,
and we are confirmed in our opinion. A nursery-
man and large grape grower said to us the other
day, that he would furnish the ' Main Grape ' by
the hundred or thousand at a low price, as he
had plenty of Concord vines on hand. Varieties
that have not been fully indorsed by some com-
j^etent committee of pomologists should be
looked upon with suspicion. — Ed."]

This, of course, was not agreeable to the owner
of the " Main Grape," for he had been at great
expense within a year previous in erecting a
large propagating house for growing his vines, |

and had increased his stock to a number of
thousands, ready for the fall trade. If the article
and remarks upon it were believed, it would in-
jure the sale of the vines very much, for the
journal claimed to have a "circulation larger
than all other Horticultural Magazines com-
bined," therefore, something must be done. An
advocate was "retained to defend the "Main
Grape, "so I was informed by the person thus
retained. A commvmication was sent to the
publishers of the journal, but for some reason
was not published. The retained agent then
sent a person to see the publishers about the
business; the result was, "the publishers made it
all right, and promised not to publish any more
communications about the grape from either side,
but they would advertise the grape as much as
its owner desired," so I was told by the agent
himself.

I could not believe that the publishers of an
"independent journal" whose "aim was to
devlope the truth" would make such a promise
as this. I thought there must be some mis-
understanding. I am sorry to say, that from
what was afterwards published in the journal,
I was compelled to think that I was mistaken
myself.

Only a few days before this promise was said
to have been made, the transactions of the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society for 18G7, were
published, in which will be found the following
extract from the report of the committee on

fruits :

"The 'Main Grape,' so called, was received

from several sources, from vines sold by Mr.
Main. The fruit and foliage so exactly corres-
pond with the Concord, there can be no doubt of
its identity. After receiving a good deal of evi-
dence, your committee is compelled to say that
this sale of the Concord under a new name is a
gross outrage upon the public."

That the publishers of this "high toned
journal" knew of this report, and what it con-
tained in relation to the Main Grape, is evident,
from the fact that the number of the journal for
March, 1868, pages 183 to 187, contains the en-
tire report with the exception of what is said
upon the grape, and three or four other short
paragraphs. All that is said in the reports about
grapes, including the above extract, is suppressed.
Now why should the report be mutilated in this
way ? Had the grape fever come to an end by
a sudden death ? One would not think so from
the advertisements in this same journal. Turn-

10

THE GARDE JVER'S MOJVTSLY.

January,

ing to page 30 of the advertising sheets of this
same number we find this advertisement :

" The Main Grape.— The finest Grape that
is now grown in the United States for domestic
use. See advertisement. "

Turning to page 45 of the same advertising
sheet we find the whole page occupied with read-
ing matter and a cut of the "Main Grape."
Turn again to ijage 3 of the special advertising
sheets, and we find half of the page occupied
with a report of a committee about the " Main
Grape." Is not this advertising as much as the
owner of the Main Grape would be likely to
desire in one number of the journal ? Does this
account for the mutilation (,f the report of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society ? I leave
the matter for every one to form their own
opinion.

GEAPE N^OTES FROM THE PARSONAGE.

BYW. H. W., READING, MASS.

After another year's experience in the garden
culture of many varieties of the native grape, I
will comply with your request and give 3'our
readers the benefit of what facts I have dis-
covered. The season here in New England
has been quite backward in consequence of the
cold and rainy spring ; but on the whole, very
much better than that of 18G7. Then mildew
and rot abounded on every side. But this year
I have not seen a dozen rotten berries in my
garden, and not the slightest trace of mildew
upon any but a single vine. The behavior of
some of the different varieties has been as
follows :

1. Delaware. — I put this first, because in my ex-
perience it stands at the head of the entire list.
The secret of success with it seems to be high
culture. No other vine m my grounds has borne
this year so abundantly as the Delaware, and the
clusters and berries were, very many of them, as
large as ordinary Dianas. In the spring of -67 I
applied to one vine a wheel-harrow load of hen
manure, spreading it six or eight feet from the
stem, and this vine presented this year one of
the most splendid displays of fruit that ever
gladdened a gardener's eyes. If I could have
but one variety of grape it would certainly be
the Delaware.

2. Diana. — Strong growth, entirely healthy,
but not so fruitful this year as usual. This is
probably the result of mildew last year ; but
what fruit it has borne has ripened with remarka-

ble uniformity and deliciousness. It is very
nearly, if not quite as good, to my taste, as the
Delaware.

3. Rogers^ Hybrid JVo. 1.5. — There is no other
variety in my collection that has so improved
upon acquaintance as this. When it first fruited
I thought seriously of digging it up and throwing
it away. And in my last year's report I said,
'■ How Mr. R. can consider this the best of his
hybrids (except Salem), I am at a loss to under-
stand." But I understand it now. It has this
year seemed almost like a new grape. My
family and very many of my friends have pro-
nounced it the best grape in tny garden. It is a
very strong grower, and is an abundant bearer of
fine large clusters and berries. I found perhaps
half a dozen rotten berries upon the vine, but
with this exception it has shown not the slightest
indication of disease. I advise all my friends to
plant Rogers' 15, as I shall certainly plant more
myself. It is, as Mr. R. says, the best of his
hybrids.

4. lona. — I have been disappointed in the
opposite direction with this variety. Last year
I spoke very favorably and hopefully of it ; but
this year, truth requires me to give a different
report. It has proved much later than I honied.
standing on the south side of my house, on a
bank three feet high and ten feet wide, it was not
nearly ripe, October ITch. Diana and Union
Village on the same trellis were both in advance
of it, the former fully ripe. In quality it is all
that could be desired ; and it has the same pecu-
liarity as the Diana, of being very eatable long
before maturity. Indeed the most palatable
grape I could find on the 1st of September was
an occasional lona. I most fervently hope that
it may yet prove a much earlier grape than my
experience this year would lead me to expect.
If so, it will prove invaluable. Healthy and pro-
ductive on good strong soil, but it needs high
culture like the Delaware planted in 'G3.

5. Israella. — This is the first season that I
have been able to make the Israella grow with
any vigor. My vines have not yet borne ; but a
friend gave me a few fine bunches from which I
obtained an entirely new impression of the
quality of the grape. It has a peculiar twang,
which to me is decidedly offensive. If this is its
uniform characteristic, one vine of Israella will
be quite as much, if not more, than I shall want.
But Rogers' 15 has taught me patience and hope-
fulness in regard to any grape so highly praised
by good judges as Israella.

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

11

6. ATnold''s Hybrids Kos. 1, 2, 5, 8, and 16. —
These new candidates for public favor have all
shown entire healthiness and vigorous srrowth.
N'o. 2, or Cornucopia, is the only one of my own
vines which has yet shown fruit. This bore two
small bunches, but the birds, for some unac-
countable reason, helped themselves to nearly
every berry, while Delawares at their side were
untouched. But Mr. Arnold sent me specimens
of all five varieties from Canada ; they were all
fully ripe September 20. I was more pleased
with their quality than last year. They have no
perceptible pulp, and are very spirited and juicy.
Several amateurs, to whom a few grapes of each
variety were given, were unanimous and em-
phatic in commendation of their quality. Rev.
H. W. Beecher says of them, " If I could have
but one variety, I should take No. 8," (I should
say No. 16, ) hut with the exijress understanding
that N'o 5 should go with it. From my present
knowledge I consider them some of the most
promising grapes now before the public.

7. Fedora. — This is a new seedling, probably
from the Chasselas. The vine needs winter pro-
tection like Allen's Hybrid. It is a white grape
of very fine quality, superior to Rebecca, and
some good judges have said superior to Delaware.
The berries are about the same size as Allen's
Hybrid, but the bunches are from six to eight
inches in length. The leaf is exceedingly beau-
tiful, plainly showing vinifera blood, but it has
never been seriously affected with mildew during
the five or six years I have grown it. It ripens
about with the Delaware, and is a most abundant
bearer. It requires good soil and generous cul-
ture, and will then most richly repay its owners
care,

8. Queen of Sheha. — This is another aspirant
for the crown. I have never seen the fruit, but
an experienced amateur in Connecticut, who is
familiar with all our best varieties, tells me, that
in color and flavor it is almost identical with the
Delaware ; while in healthiness and vigor of
vine, and size of bunch and berry, it is much
more like the Concord. My vine, se.t this spring,
has grown very vigorously, and appeared in all
respects as well as anj' one could desire. If the
fruit is indeed as large and fine as my friend
considers it, (and he has seen and tasted it and
is thoroughly competent to judge,) then we shall
have found a treasure indeed.

9. Eumelan. — This is Dr. Grant's new pro-
tege. The vine was set last spring, and has
made a very strong and entirely healthy growth.

The wood is very short jointed and has a deci-
dedly foreign appearance. The fruit, (sent me
by Dr. G.,) is very delicate and high-flavored,
reminding one very strongly of one or two of
Arnold's Hybrids. If the Eumelan shall ripen
as early as is represented, it will prove a very
valuable addition to our list of hardy grapes.

I have quite a number of other and new vari-
eties. Challenge, Conquerer, Diana Hamburgh,
Hine, Weehavvken, Saratoga, Fancher, &c,, &c.,
but my article is already too long, and as nearly
all of these are still too young to have developed
any special characteristics, I will defer my report
upon them until next fall.

ARTIFICIAL IMPREGNATION.

BY JOHN L, RUSSELL,

In somg interesting remarks on Mr. M. P.
"Wilder's paper on Japan Lilies, j'^ou state as
your belief, Mr. Editor, that the Golden Bell, or
Forsythia viridissima, produces no seed vessel
unless by impregnation of foreign pollen.

Six or seven years ago I plucked several fine
ripe pods from a large plant growing remote from
any other of the same or other species, and
which must have perfected its seeds unaided.
The incident is perhaps trifling in itself, but
has some bearing on infertile conditions of culti-
vated and even wild plants, or those supposed to
be so.

The successful impregnation of Passiflora
coerulea not only by Disemma, but by P. coc-
cinea and two or three other species was efft cted
by John Scott, of the Edinburg Botanical Gar-
den, and a translation of the account may be
found in one of the late volumes of the " Annales
des Sciences Naturelles," of Paris, France.

I have always been struck Avith the resem-
blance of Lilium tigrinura to L. lancifolium or
Japan lihes, and am by no means surprised by
President Wilder's success. I do not remember,
however, of seeing a ripe pod of the Tiger lily
from its own impregnation, but your better expe-
rience may suggest many. My friend ^Ym. C.
Harding, of Boston, kindly presented me with a
fine, plump pod of L. lancifolium impregnated
by L. auratum; but I am assured that this latter
lily crosses very unwillingly with L. candidum
and some others. My success in impregnating
the stigmas of Pceonia officinalis flore pleno, with
the abundant pollen of several single kinds has
been uniform and gratifying.

The impregnation of L. lancifolium rubrum

n

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY. January,

with Gloriosa superba, while interesting, only
confirms the suspicion of many botanists that
this splendid flower is one of the Tulipea, an
order of the Lilies, and closely allied, although
Lindley thinks that it hardly belongs there. But
as I am informed, the young plants grow very
slowly, as if hesitating about the legitimacy of
their origin, and protesting again&t the act which
brought them into being.

The impotent nature of the pollen grains of
cultivated plants, especially varieties, should
never surprise any student of philosophy, see-
ing that cultivation not only can change stamens
into petals, but deprive fruits of seeds altogether,
as well as render others destitute of the germina-
ting power, as in the Fuchsias, sometimes ; and
to seek for healthier and more vitalizing pollen
is as philosophical as it is wise in the repro-
duction of valuable kinds of plants.

[We have no recollection of seeing a seed
vessel on Lilium tigrinum.

Our Forsi/thia viridissima impregnated with Z.
susjyensa, matured their seed vessels, and were
filled with large wingless seeds, much resembling
grains of white wheat ; but on dissection found
they were filled with a dry powdery matter,
and worthless for germinating purposes. It
would be interesting to know whether Mr. Rus-
sell's plant perfected, or only apparently per-
fected its seeds. We are more puzzled than ever
about the matter. With some two hundred For-
sythias side by side covered with blossoms, and
many score of flowers on the plants from which
we took the pods, yet the only ones produced
were those on which the pollen of L. suspensa
were used. It is fair to suppose it had an in-
fluence, yet how account for the imperfect seeds?
-Ed.]

removi:n^g old putty.

BY VITIS.

Those who have plant houses, frames, &c.,
know how difficult it is to remove old putty from
sashes without injuring the sash. I have seen
it stated in some journal, that it could be remov-
ed very easy by applying a hot iron to it. I
tried the experiment a few days ago for the first
time, and was quite surprised to find how
easily the most indurate old putty could be cut
out after being well warmed up by the applica-
tion of a red hot iron. Try it.

scupperno:n^g wi]S"e.

BY J. M. D. MFLLER, lUKA, MISS.

Permit me to correct a serious error of the
printer, in 5'^our March number, where I am
made to say that " a quart of brandy and sugar
are added to each gallon of juice." I wrote, "a
part of brandy and sugar."

This is a very material difference ; yet I would
not have alluded to it, believing the reader
I Avould see the error, had you not quoted it. in
j your last number, in your editorial on my Scup-
i pernong article. Besides, when writing this, I
j had my mind on ordinary home-made wine, — of
Blackberries, Muscadines, Elderberries, «&c., as
well as the Scuppernong — and wrote only for the
masses ; and was, consequently, as brief as pos-
sible.

I now beg leave to say, that I do not recom-
mend whisky or apple brandy in any way, for
any purpose, having never used either, at home
or abroad, under any circumstances ; and would
here say that this mode of making it has my
most emphatic condemnation — and Avould sub-
stitute, at present, the following formula :

For sparkling Scuppernong, add 2 oz. of the
syrup of double refined loaf sugar, and 2 oz. of
Scuppernong brancty, graduated liquid measure,
to each quart bottle, after fermentation. Still
wine may be made by adding one pound of best
white sugar to each gallon of fresh juice ; or, by
adding one pint of the grape brandy to each gal-
lon of the wine, after fermentation has nearly
ceased, — say in two weeks from the time of bar-
reling. It may also be made with part sugar and
part brandy. I would give the particulars in
detail, if I thought it would be of interest to you
or your readers.

You wish to know if this great grape will make
wine without an}'^ adulteration. It will most
certainly make a wine, not surpassed by any in
America, without any addition to the pure juice
of the grape, except a small portion of spirits dis-
tilled from the Scuppernong juice itself, obtained
from the refuse of the press.

Wine thus made has no taste or flavor, save
the Scuppernong, and has oftentimes been pro-
nounced equal to the wines of France and the
Rhine — as good Hock, and as fine Santerre, can
be made as has ever been made on the Rhine, or
in the world. That a grape so sweet, so rich in
aroma, and all the properties that constitute a
first-rate wine, when fully ripened and judiciously
managed, should not make a superb wine, — an

]SG9.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

13

article that, with age, would rival the nectar of
the gods — is simply absurd.

J. Van Buren says, " no foaming wines that I
have ever seen and tasted can compare, in de-
licious, honeyed flavor and bouquet, to that made
from the Scuppernong. "

But you say, "that Northern writers usually
consider that only as true wine which is made
from the pure juice of the grape." If this be
true, and I do not deny it, then I must say that
Northern drinkers drink hut little true wine, either
native or foreign. Imported Cliampagne is
never made without additions of saccharine mat-
ter in some form or other. Good old Madeira or
Sherry contains twenty per cent, of brandy — not
grape brandy either.

If Northern writers will show me one gallon
of pure grape juice wine, without the addition of
any extraneous substance, I will show them 100
gallons with it. It is very prettj^ in theory, to
talk of pure grape wine, but it is not half so pal-
atable, in ■practice, to drink it.

If wine must be only pure grape juice ferment-
ed, why not have pure whisky only distilled corn
juice ; or pure brandy the juice only of the apple
or peach ? Does any sane man pretend to say
that pure bacon, pure pork, pure beef and mut-
ton, is half so palatable without any condiment
as with it ! How would pure bread, pure tea
and pure coffee taste ? Is there one in a thou-
sand who prefers any or all of these eatables pure?
Why, then, should they approve of pure grape
j uice !

The fact is, they do not, and never will. Spice
is the variety, of life — food and drink must be
apiced: so must wines. Ask wine makers and
liquor manufacturers, how much of the true, un-
adulterated ever leaves their vaults. Most of
American wines is made in Cincinnati, where
one of these usual Northern writers reside. Let
them say for what purpose was built the grape
augar factory in their city. What becomes of the
tons of grape sugar annually made ? Of course
it is not used in their wines : oh, no ! they must
have pure, unadulterated grape juice ; nothing
else would be wine. And j'et every competent
wine maker knows that sparkling wines of a high
excellence cannot he made at all without the ad
dition of '■'■liquor'''' or pure syrup. Sherry, Malaga,
Madeira and " Lachryma Christa," are all adul-
terated.

Pure fermented grape juice, — Northern writers'
imaginary, theoretical, ideal wine, — seldom, if
ever, leaves a Portuguese, Spanish or French

port. Spanish wines always contain 14 to 17 per
cent, of alcohol ; and many of them, also, con-
tain sugar enough to prevent fermentation.

It is to prevent acetous fermentation that sugar
is added, and not to sweeten the wine of the
Scuppernong, as many seem to imagine ; for, of
all grapes, it has the sweetest, most delicious
honeyed taste. The most celebrated wines of the
world owe not their celebrity to the superiority
of the grape, so much as to the superior skill of
the wine makers.

The most celebrated firms of Spain and Portu-
gal add to the fermented juice arrope, or syrup,
made by evaporating fresh juice, and spirits dis-
tilled from the pomace or refuse of the press.
Wine makers of less note, use deodorized spirits,
and syrup made of sugar ; and, very frequently,
starch sugar syrup, because they are less costly
than grape syrup and grape spirits. Much, if
not nearly all, American wine is made in accord-
ance with this practice. In France and on the
Rhine, still wines are made, theoretically, of the
fermented juice only ; but practically, some of
the best wines are made by intermixing high-
flavored sour wines with less flavored sweet
ones.

Different wines maj'- be made from the same
grape must, by different modes of fermentation.
Wine, like most other beverages, is an artifici?J
product. For a long time, a certain celebrated
wine, made near Cincinnati^ was represented to
be pure juice onl}^. Now, it is well known that
saccharine was added. The wine and the maker
ax-e both highly popular with the wine drinkers,
and especially with Northern wine writers,— and
they both deserve to be.

A little sweetening is popular in many other
respects than in wine. The whole truth is, that
many wine writers. North and t^outh, know but
little of wine-making, save in theory. I write
not for the wine-maker or vinist, but for the
masses,

[The "printer " and "proof reader" often come
in for a just share of blame for blunders ; we are
not so sure that they are always to blame. Our
friend, it seems, wrote "a part of brandy, "instead
of a "quart of brandy." Now, it is well known
that a good proot reader goes by sense. No man
always writes his words so plain but that he him-
self sometimes would fail to decipher a detached
sentence. When Horace Greeley wrote "Virtue is
its own reward," and the printer set it up
"Washing with soap is absurd," no one blamed
the printer. Horace himself, were he one of the

u

THE GARDEA^EU'S MONTHLY.

January J

craft, could not have made anything else of it, —
but the proof reader ought to have known it did
not nuike sense with the rest of the paper.

Now, in the present instance, we cannot blame
either the printer or proof reader ; for, if even tlie
former had set up '"part," a proofreader would
be most likely, if the " copy" were at all ambigu-
ous, to change it to " quart." However, we are
obliged by the correction, whoever caused the
error.

With regard to adulterating wines with Ijrandy
or whisky, no one denies that it is done. But
our friend must not forget that the same "Xorth-
ern writers who condemn it in the Scuppernong,
at the South, condemn it as strenuously in tiie
Catawbas or Concords of the Xorth, They as-
sert that pure wine — let it be one gallon to one
hundred, if our friend pleases — is made ; we want
to know, as a matter of information, whether the
Scuppernong will do this ?

It may not be out of place to note why this in-
formation is important. There is a large class
in the community who — though they are not par-
ticular whether their tea or coflee is "adulterated
with sugar," and so on through our correspond-
ent's list — do believe that drunkenness has caused
more misery in the world than ever intoxicating
liquors gave happiness. All agree to this, but
they are divided into three classes : 1st. Those
who think " a man ought to know when he lias
had enough ;" 2d. TUose who think many "don't
know," and wage a war against alcoholic drinks
in every form ; 3d. Those who think men can
never be made totally to abstain ; and who would
replace spirituous drinks with pure wine, because
it is comparatively harmless.

The writer's sympathy is with the two latter
classes. He tried the first years ago, and it was
an ignominious failure, although blessed b}^ na-
ture with an iron will. The party opposed to the
use of spirits as a drink is so strong, that we are
sure wine making never would be so popular as
it is now in the United States, only for the wide-
spread belief that, when pure, grape wine will
rarely lead to drunkenness.

Sugar in tea rarely intoxicates. When used in
wine, it becomes rum, and then it does. Can-
not our friend perceive the difference ? When
our correspondent shall have succeeded in proving
that a good drinkable wine — pure wine — cannot
be made without sugar, brandy, or any other
spirituous adulterations, it will be a strong blow
against wine making in the United States. — Ed]

PURSH'S jour:n^al.

{Continued.)

I crossed the Tunkhannock & proceeded on up
Martin Creek : on the heath waters of this is the
place called Hop bottom, where Mr. Milbourne
lives, & where I intended to make some stay, to
make excursions for further observations. — all
this country has been lately began to be settled,
the roads are heavy bad & difficult to pass & so
much more to find, as the most of them are only
blind paths. — It got evening when I came to'Hop
bottom creek, «&; I give up the idea of reaching
Mr. Millbourns place, as it was three miles
further on : but finding on enquire Mr. Mill-
bourne to be at a house there himself, & just
now ready t© go to his place, I went there & de-
livered my letter from Mr. Hart, he offered me
his horse to ride to his place but I only accepted
of the offer of carrying my wallet on his horse, as
I was exceedingly fatigued, & he riding slowly on
I made the rest of the road to his house, through
a very bad piece of road, full of roots & mire
holes, in the dark. He appeared to be a very
fine man, though of but little education, yet of
a great deal of natural good sense. Mr. Hart
had mentioned in his letter, to make me ac-
quainted with the Leek & the Pigeon berry of
this country, which he told me he would venture
to show me, but thought that both of them were
dyed down, as both are the earlyest productions of
the season. N. B. The Tiarella cordifolia is as
common to this country, as it is to the great
swamps of Wilksbarre. They call it here Rough
leaf.

2ij.— This morning I took an excursion ac-
companied by Mr. Millbourne who wanted to
show me the Leek & Pigeon pea, as he calls it.
We could not find either of them, though he
brought me to places where he said they were
found in great plenty. We tore up the ground
in several places, & at last succeeded to find some
of the roots of the leek ; it is a long bulb, of a very
strong garlick smell, with a black skin outside ;
the leaves are broad & long as he says, & appear
the earlyest of any thing in this country ; it
grows in moist, shady places along side the hills,
near the bottom of the creeks : I cannot suppose
it to be Allium tricocca, as that prefers a rocky
situation. By the way in looking for these I
observed Streptopus lanuginosus & roseus (:p fl:)
Botrypus virginiosus, Scandix dulcis, — Trillium
erythrocarpum (:p fl:) — which flowers white &
red here, & is calld Bathroot & though to
possess great power in diseases of the lungs &

1869.

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTHLY.

15

liver. Acer montanum, very common through
these woods called Elkwood.— Orchis bifolia ?
This ver}' singulare plant, has without doubt, the
handsomest leaf, of any of our natives : the two
leaves lay opposite one another flat on the ground,
are nearly circulare of a handsome lurid green
with darker longitudinal nerves & sometimes 6.
inches wide : the underside of those leaves
seems to be beset with very minute cristalliza-
tions, which when magnified are nearly of the
structure of the Ice plant, which gives it a very
brilliant appearance. The stock is generally
from 12 to 15. inches high, angulated & naked.
The spike of flowers is considerable long »fc loose;
the bracte is lanceolate linear, acute, of the
same texture as the leaf only finer,& as long as the
germes. The germen is lineare efe lively green ;
the corolla silvery white, with a green hue over
it, «& very open when in full bloom. The 3. out-
side petals or calyx leaves, are more greenish
outside than the rest, the upper one is broad,
ovate deltoide, or of a heart shape without sinus,
& acuminate, the other two side petals are longer
«& oblique, seemingly only the half of the shape
of the upper one, the three inside petals are
narrower, the two upper ones oblonge & acute &
oblique on their base : about the length of the
upper outside one, the lower one or the labium
longer than the rest lineare oblonge & obtuse : —
the spur is longer than the germen, & thicker
toward the end : the anthers 2. laying in a groove
on the upper edge of the nectary or stigma,
which seems to be only a continuation of the
labium : they are of a clavate form, & at the
time of fecundation burst out of their cases, &
attach themselves to any part of the flower by way
ot a kixid of clasper or foot on one end which will
get hold of any thing, in the same manner as the
claspers of Bigonia radicans will do to a wall.
This emigration of the anthers is very easely &
distinctly seen in this species : Sometimes even
the anthers will stick to the stem or the bracteis,
or almost any part of the flower : It is almost
certain, that it is not possible any impregnation
can find place, untile they have burst out of their
cases, as they are veiy close confined there.
This plant is called here Allheal or llealall &
used by the people in fi'esh wounds, where it is
found the most healing thing, they would wish
to have, they use the leaf & suppose one side
will draw and the other heal, but I could not
learn which sides they were : it is exactly the
same talk about the leaf of Erythrorrhiza in
Virginia. — The root is fleshy & strong fibrous

with an ovate small & white bulb like bud in the
centre, for the next year plant. •

Mr. Millbourne toUd me, that two years ago,
one of his neighbors having himself cut very
badly, with an ax applyed to him to get him
some of the Healall, but as those leaves had
decayed at that season, he took a leaf seemingly
allyed to the true one in respect to texture, &
succeeded with curing the wound in a very short
time ; after that he said he tKought as much of
that plant & more : as the leaves could be got at
any season than of the true Healall (Orchis
bifolia) when he showed me this leaf, I found it
was the same species of Viola I had taken notice
to, in Wilkesbarre swamp, with large spreading
cordate & very thick fleshy leaves, which grow-
ing then in company of a white flowering Violet
of another species alltogether, I was mislead to
take only for outgrown & old leaves of that same
white Viola. But no other Viola leaves appear-
ing in the neighbourhood of those plants, shewn
to me by Mr. Millbourne, I began to suspect my
error ; On examination I found young flower
buds & at the same time half formed seed vessels
on some of these plants, which brought me to
the determination of examining this doubtful 1
plant more closely & as it grew plenty & near
hand : I deferred his examination for another
day.— Ginseng was in berries — Uvularia perfo-
liata & sessilifolia (;p fl) Geum rivale — Slum
canadense (:a fl:) Orchis spectablis (p fl:) Urtica
spec— Black & Red Raspberries in flower — The
Pigeon berries or Pigeon peas we could not find,
untill we returned to the house, where a place
was where they commonly grow : in howing up
some ground they showed me the roots by which
I found them, to be probably nothing else, than
the tuberculis of a species of Glycine, resembling
marrowfat peas very much : the pigeons scrach
them up at certain times of the year & feed upon
them very greed yly.

27. '1 he iieath waters of Martin creek come out
of several ponds laying in the highest part of the
beach woods, 1 was very desirous of seeing them;
Mr. Millhouse in expectation of getting some
Venison dit go along with me ; as there is no
load or path leading in particular to those ponds,
I was very glad to get him as guide : though I
would have been able to find them, it would have
taken me a night to stay on the road, which was
now unnecessary as he could find a more direct
course to them, without following the water, as
I would have obliged to do. — We ascended
gradually, crossing some of the branches now

16

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

January J

& then, on one of which was a very handsome
cascade, on whose banks nearly the same
plants grew, which I found about the falling
springs, at Lawahannock — The Oxalis acetosella
frequently occurs here with quite purple flowers,
which colour in some instances is quite deep. —
Mr. Millbourne made rae attentive to a root,
which he calls Fepperoot — 'Tis a white long «&
articulated root, creeping on the surface of the
ground, under the Fotton leaves, & has but one leaf
which is three lobed ; I could not find any signs of
flowering or any remains of a flower past, on it ;
but I suspected it, to be species of Dentaria ; the
root especially the young shoots have a very

agreeable pungent taste : it grown very plenty
here, in shady moist places. — when he came to
the first pond, we kept ourselves quiet to watch
for deer coming in sight, we seen two, but both
out of reach, on the other side of the pond ; here
I observed nymphsea lutea & odorata in flower,
the latter only beginning to expand ; — Pontedera
cordata (a fl:) which I did not expect to find
here. Brasenia peltata (:a fl:)— this plant I
always had an Idea to be a more Southern one,
but it grows here to great perfection. Scho-
enus cyperoides ? &c.

To he Continued.

EDITORIAL.

GOOD GAKDENERS.

Of course every one understands that he who
knows his business is the cheapest man to
employ ; yet when we look around us and see
''gardening" done, we often wonder if this good
principle is ever acted on in this branch of the
public wants. "VVe suppose the reason is that
the great public know nothing whatever of gard-
ening practically; hence, a man is a man, and it
would seem that the only thing to be done in
making a first-class selection, is to higgle about
the wages.

"VVe are very sorry for the sake of gardenin<»
that something cannot be done to distinguish
the really good gardeners from the bad ones. As
it is at present, too many good gardeners feel that
the chances of any man, irrespective of his abili.
ties,getting a situation, is as good as another. that
rather than compete Avith brazen-faced impu-
dence they leave the profession for other fields.
Hence it becomes exceedingly difficult to find
good gardeners for good places at the time they
are needed; and many gentlemen really capable
ot appreciating a good one, have to take so
many poor ones, that they tire of gardening as
a too troublesome luxury.

We happened to see a remarkable contrast re-
cently between two gardeners in different places
lifting large trees. It so happened that in both
instances the ground had been filled up several
feet, and the trees had to be elevated to the new
surface. There was not much difference in the

size of the trees, — about 3 or 4 feet in circumfer-
ence, and 25 to 30 feet high.

In one case the ''gardener" had six men,
and had accomplished a great deal of grubbing
about the roots. He had erected a tall triangle
of very heavy timbers, expensively bolted to-
gether for the occasion, and with block and
tackle had all hands tugging away at the rope to
see "if she would'nt stir yet." The other
gardener had but two men. He had dug a circle
all round the tree three feet below the surface,
I and wide enough to work well. By the aid of
a digging fork he very soon had the tree under-
mined and balanced on a slender column of
earth. By the aid of a rope fast to the top of
the tree, the latter with its ball of roots was
easily drawn over to one side. A little earth
was then thrown under, and then drawn back,
so as to lean over on the contrary side, then
more earth thrown under, and the tree drawn
back again. This zigzag mode of leaning over,
and gradually filling under was continued until
the tree was self-raised^ as it were, to the surface.
In less than one day the job was finished, costing,
we are quite sure, less than $5. When we saw
the other the day was far spent, and it had not
yet "riz." Our calculation was that some
thirty dollars would be spent before the job was
finished, with slim chances of life afterwards.

We have no doubt the same relative capacity for
business is exemplified in all the gardening of
both these men. The one is better worth $2000

1869,

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^THLY.

a year than the other is worth S200, j^et we be-
lieve both these men have about the same wages.
The good one is no more appreciated than the
other would be. If the place were vacant, the
latter would have as good a chance for it as any
other one.

It is clear the only remedy for this state of
things, is for gentlemen to inform themselves a
ittle more as to what constitutes a good gard-
ener. They already know that the best is by all
odds the cheapest. When they are able to dis-
tinguish the genuine from the counterfeit, a great
step towards true gardening will be made.

TENDRILS OF CUCUMBERS.

In a recent issue of the French Comptes Benchis,
M. Lestiboudois has a paper on the " Homologies
of the tendrils of curcubitacse,"in which he prove .
that the tendrils in all this tribe of plants, ara
but modified leaves.

It has been customary in the United States to
look on the tendrils of the grape vine as abor-
tive bunches, because sometimes a few flowers
are found on them, — but as they grow on shoots
which cannot possibly bear fruit, they are most
likely but metamorphosed leaves also.

Cassimer De CandoUe has recently written a
paper, to show that leaves are a changed form of
branches, — so that probably the true relation of
a tendril, will be between a branch and a leaf, —
a sort of skeleton leaf as it were.

A NEW GRAPE DISEASE IN FRANCE.

M. Bazille, presented a memoir to the French
Academy on August 3rd, detailing a new dis-
ease which he says is likely to prove more disas-
trous than the famous vine mildew. This new
enemy is not a fungus, but a minute aphide^
which he calls a Rkizohius, and which forms
yellow parasitic patches on the roots of the grape
vine.

RAISED GRAPE BORDERS.

In an Editorial, over a year ago, the Garden-
er''s Monthly, pointed out that if we are ever
to be a great grape growing people, we must rec-
ognize the fact that the roots can scarcely be kept too
dry, — and that the very best way to accomplish
this on flat land, is to raise the soil above the
natural level.

There are some varieties more impatient o^
wet than others ; and there are some which dis-

ease will attack however healthy ; but the expe-
rience of another year has confirmed' the great
generallesson,— and we have no doubt but that
many of the finer kinds of grapes, now already
abandoned, might be grown to advantage, if
care were given in this respect.

Take for instance the lona, for the sending
out of Avhich so much abuse has been showered
on the head of its originator. There is no doubt
about its being a grape of the very highest excel-
lence,—as it is equally true that it is more ten-
derly constituted than perhaps the majority of
grapes. The public will be slow to forgive the
originator for the attempt to build up his pet at
the expense of all other varieties, — but this need
not blind us to the fact that it is a first class fruit,
wherever it can be obtained ; and is well worth
our while to inquire whether there is not some
way by which success with this delicious variety
may not be fully assured.

AVe believe that planting it on a dry border
would have this effect. We have seen the past year
many corroborations of this. In Germantown,
Mr. J. Laws, on his dry rotten rock, has had lonas
which have been the wonder of the place, and
just pride of the grower. Others in the regular
way have failed with it, though Concords along
side have done well, so also we find in other
places.

On this subject we have the following from a
well known correspondent in Dubuque. We
value it particularly because it is written in a
truth loving style, anxious onl}^ for the facts ;
and to ascertain the true causes for the facts ;
a spirit rarely shown by writers who generally
make too much haste to praise or to condemn.
T. J. P. says :

"Mr. Editor, your cori*espondent in the Novem-
ber number, J. K., of Dubuque, Iowa, who we
recognize as no other than "Judge King" of
Dubuque, a practical /ruif grower, and vineyard-
ist, in '■'■agonizing''^ over his failures with the
"lona Grape, has our profound sympathy. I
have the lona three years planted, no fruit yet,
and but small feeble growth ; am improving the
vines by "layering" the new wood to increase
the roots.

But a neighbor of mine has one "lona" vine,
three years planted on a ^'■raised borjer,^^ on the
south side of his house, that this year bore four
very large nice clusters eight to nine inches in
length, (though rather loose,) they are truly
worthy of "•jsraige." That the lona is a good
grape needs but to be seen and tasted. That it

18

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY. January,

can be grown and fruited, is just as certain and
plain."

We may observe that our correspondent took
the wrong course to strengthen his vine by layer-
ing it, if he took the layers off after rooting. If he
leave them attached to the mother plant it will
be a benefit.

ORIGIN OF FRUITS.

Prof Karl Koch of Berlin, in a recent paper
before the Norwich meeting for the advance-
ment of Science, has proved that the almond is
the parent of the Peach, as has long been sup-
posed. He did not believe the Green Gage Plum
was derived from the same parent as the Dam-
sou and ordinary Plums, — he thought it came
from a distinct species. He thought all the cul-
tivated cherries came from one species.

CALLOUSING CUTTINGS.

It is strange that so many should write to us
as they do, that they do not know why it is that
their cuttings seem to "callous" well, andjj-etdie
afterwards.

It should be generally known by this time that
the two operations of callousing and rooting are
entirely distinct, and have no connection one
with another. There is therefore nothing sur-
prising in the fact that many cuttings which
callous easily, should not yet root.

Callousing is rather a bark forming process.
It is an effort of nature to repair an injury. It
is a cellular out-growth, — the roots springing
from the woody system of the tree.

In so far as the callousing process indicates a
vigorous vital activity, it affords good evidence
for expecting roots ; for if there is no sign of bark
healing, the vital principle is very low. Again,
in many cases,from some peculiarity of the plant's
structure not yet understood, many plants will
rather push their young roots though the soft

cellular matter of the callous than through the
bark. But this is not by any means the rule, as
a large number, probably the majority of plants,
will root out of anj' part of the bark, as well as
through the injured part which is healing, and
termed the "callus."

We supposed this matter was better under-
stood ; but we have recently read in some n ew
books of very high pretensions and really intel-
ligent treatment of their subjects generally, direc-
tions which show their authors know nothing
about this. Rules are laid down for callousing
as if it were identical Avith rooting ; and opera-
tions made dependent on the one, which really
have reference to the other.

We have societies for the advancement of sci-
ence, and many other societies of practical value;
but another is badly wanted, namely one to keep
continually before book writers all the ascertained
truths that science has already found.

NATURAL INARCHING.

It is often a matter for astonishment how trees
can inarch their branches together as they often
do in their native woods. The winds are con-
stantly swaying them to and fro, and one would
think they would be still scarcely long enough to
unite. If this motion was constant they could
not of course grow together. But the union is
all accomplished within ten days or so, during the
most active time of the new wood formation,
which is about the end of June. At this time
there is often stillness for this length of time.
Union is very rapid when it goes on ; and the
strength so soon after adhesion is one of the won-
ders of nature. We have often tried a strong
Pear and on a vigorous Quince within a week
after "budding," when it has been impossible to
draw it off the Quince without tearing it to
pieces, —remembering this, one can understand
how easy it is for these inarches to take place,
if together just at the right time.

SCIIAPS AND QUERIES.

Late Flowering Fruit Trees— Dr. Hol-
brook, Editor Herald of Health, says : "The
Gardener''s Monthly contains a query from one of
its readers, as follows : 'Is there any way to
prevent apple blossoms being destroyed by early

spring frosts,' to which the editor of the 3Ioi\ih
ly makes this relpy : 'Plant late blooming varie-
ties is the surest remedy. In this vicinity,
Raule's Janet often bears when others do not,
because its late flowers escape.'

1869.

THE GARDEJ^TER'S MOJVTHLY.

19

The evil for which a remedy is asked is a very
wide-spread one, and if there is any remedy,
whoever discovers it will be a great benefactor to
the fruit-growing public. We have had in our
mind for many years a remedy which, it seems
to us, will prove efficacious. It was suggested
by the following facts : Many years ago, a se-
vere frost occurred on the night of June 4th,
killing the wheat, corn, and fruit over a large
extent of our Western country. On that night,
in an orchard, a cow happened to be lying under
a large apple tree. The fruit on that tree was
saved, while on all the others in the orchard except
it was killed. The warmth from the cow's body
and breath, rising into the tree and spreading
among the leaves and branches, kept the tem-
perature elevated above the freezing point. A
hog lying under a pear tree saved the fruit on it.
Now from these facts we draw this conclusion.
The heat generated from this cow Avas not more
than would be generated in open air by the burn-
ing of a few pounds of grass, or a small amount
of grain. The only point was to so plan it, that
the heat should be formed in the right quantitj^,
and distributed evenly during the night. A lit-
tle experimenting showed that this could be best
accomplished by placing under each tree at the
time required burning kerosene lamps, boxed up
so as to be safe from wind or accident. We have
not had the opportunity to decide just how much
kerosene or other fluid will be required, but cer-
tainly not enough to be very expensive. A little
skill and experience would fix this question.
Perhaps two lamps might sometimes be required,
or perhaps it would be better still to have one
made on purpose. We know it will work and
we give the hint, hoping that it will be tested
thoroughly."

Suspension of Hovey's Magazine.— We
find in the Bostoia Journal the following notice of
a combination extraordinary :

" It will be seen, by an advertisement in an-
other column, that the two magazines now known
as The American Journal of Horticulture and
Hoveifs Magazine of Horticulture will, after this
year, be consolidated, with the name of Tilton''s
Journal of Horticulture and Floral Magazine.

Hovey'>s Magazine was first published in Janu-
ary, 1835, and has been continued, by its present
editor and proprietor, up to the jjresent time.
We believe it was the first journal devoted to
horticulture ever published in this country, and
it has lived to see the rise and fall of many others

which have attempted the same field. It has
exerted an influence and power in the horticul-
tural world which may never again be held by
one man. It has reached an age which is seldom
attained by journals in this country under one
management ; and now that the cause for whicli
Mr. Hovey has labored so long and advanced so
materially, has grown into a power affecting the
whole country, he feels that the press of other
duties and other cares, which his large and ever-
increasing business brings upon him will be an
excuse for resigning this work into younger hands
— and this leads us to speak of its successor, —
Tilton''s Journal of Horticulture^ the organ whicli
Mr. Ilovey has chosen to carry on his good
work.

This journal appeared with its first number in
January, 1867, and came into the field with the
energy and prescience of success. It has struck
out new ideas and opened new paths ; it has
adopted a plan which, we believe has never been
followed by any other horticultural magazine in
America,viz. : giving original illustrations of new
fruits, flowers and vegetables ; it gave the first
illustration of the Early Rose Potato, which has
since become so famous ; and in the space of two
years it has gained a circulation larger than all
other horticultural magazines combined ; and
now that this, the youngest of horticultural mag-
azines, has become united with the oldest, in-
creasing its circulation by many thousands, we
predict a success for the new journal which the
energy and determination of its editors and pub-
lishers deserve

It will be well to state here that the publishers
of the Journal^ Messrs. Tilton & Co., have pur-
chased of Col. Wilder the entire stock of his new
seedling Strawberry, "President Wilder," and
which is said to be the best Strawberry yet pro-
duced in this country, which they propose to give
to their subscribers of 1869, — thus endorsing the
new magazine with the two highest names in
horticulture, Marshall P. Wilder and Chas. ^I.
Hovey."

[Some one one will have to hold our Boston
friends or they will assuredly hurt themselves.
What with "extraordinary " combinations, their
" new ideas," and " new paths ;" — the happy in-
vention, the wonderful invention, the "extraor-
dinary" invention of "giving original illustra-
tions," " never followed by any other horticultu-
ral magazine ;" the " first illustration of the
Early Rose Potato, which since (and, consequently^
of course,) became so famous :" the "circulation

^0

THE GARBEJYER'S MO^''THLY.

January

larger than all other horticultural magazines
combined ; the increasing this already wonderful
circulation "man}- thousands " (upon thousands)
by this "extraordinary combination," is all truly
wonderful. TVe miss the "enormous " price paid
for the Strawberry ! !

AVell, we are sorry to miss Ilovey's Magazine
from our exchange table, and trust the "extraor-
dinary combination" may lead to improvements
in our contemporary's manners, when we shall
cordially rejoice at its success, as we do of all our
other fellow laborers in husbandry.]

have thought that sometimes some of our beau-
tiful and rare Evergreens might be grown there
to enliven the lonely spot, where this beautiful
Cumberland Yalley would lay open to view."

[As a rule, we do not answer letters coming to
us in our Editorial capacity, privately ; but this
being from a personal friend, we have done so,
and only publish it here that some one who has
had 2>ractical experiencein such matters may favor
us with his observations.]

Effect of Altitude on Fruit Growing.
— D. M., Green Hill, Carlisle, Penna., says:
•'I have been exploring the Blue Eidge range of
Mountains, to find a place where most of our
fruits would do well. The result is, I have
found fertile soil, of good body and pretty deep,
which, from my observation and judgment,would
grow Grapes, Peaches, Cherries and berries. As ,
to Apples, there are old trees on it about 2 feet '
in diameter, planted I could not tell how long !
ago, as it has been closed up and neglected per- |
haps half a century, on account of its inconve- i
nience for agricultural purposes, and no one ever
thought of fruit.

There are some 50 acres of arable and cleared
land on the summit of this part of the B'ue
Ridge, at an altitude of somewhere between 700
and 1000 feet above the Cumberland Valley. I
would put it at 800 feet. How ''uch soil ever got, or
remained there, I cannot say ; but it is almost
level, or just rolling enough to carry off excess of
water, and has some small springs near the sum-
mit.

Now, we know that altitude holds the snow
perpetually in some of our extremely lofty moun-
tains, and the question I wish to ask is, whether,
iu your judgment, this altitude would bring any
de<^ree of chilling atmosphere injurious to fruit ?
I would have thought that during our extremely
cold, calm Avinter nights, it would not drop mer-
cury near so low as in the valley, but thought,
perhaps, that running up to this extreme, might
change the matter ; hence, Avrite you on the sub-
ject.

If 800 feet would give a temperature in the
proportion that 50 feet does. Peach, Raspberries,
&c., would never suffer on the mountain. I will
yet add that the North and West is somewhat
sheltered by standing forests, which I would
purchase along and leave as a \ rotection. I

Best Early White Grape.— T. J. B., Du-
buque, Iowa, asks for " the best (so-called) white
Grape, the earliest, hardiest and most prolific,^ ^

[Limited to these three very good points, we
think Martha is the best we have had any expe-
rience with.]

Whortleberry Seeds or Plants. — T. J.
B., Dubuque, Iowa, wants to know where these
can be obtained ? If any one has them, we
shall be clad to announce it in this column.

Pear Leaf Blight. — A correspondent sug-
gests that this fungus, so fatal to young Pear
tree raising, will only germinate at a high temper-
ature, and asks the readers of the 3Ionthly to
note, by thermometrical experiments, next year,
the temperature at which the fungus makes its
appearance.

Pegging doavn Roses.— Our agricultural
contemporaries are reporting the discoveiy, "two
or three years ago," by a Mr. Jean Sisley,' of
Lyons, France, that Roses may be grown to
great advantage by being pegged down. Mr. S.
is rather late with his " discovei-y. " We shall
soon hear of some other Frenchman who has
"discovered" that the Potato may be grown from
pieces of the tubers or cut sets.

A Seed Store Burned. — The old firm of
Jones & EUinwood, of Chicago, was burned out
some months ago ; but we are happy to learn
they are flourishing again at No. 47 State St.

"Steuben." — Recently, under this signature,
a correspondent gave our readers some valuable
information about Grape lands in Virginia. We
have many letters hoping the writer would give
some further account of them. Two gentlemen.

1869.

TEE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTHLY.

n

Mr. G. T. Robinson, of Neversink, I^". J., and
Mr. G. Calkins, of Bricksburg, N. J., would be
glad to correspond personally with "Steuben," if
he has no objection.

Chamberlin's Level. — A correspondent of
the London Gardeners'' Chronicle,, referring to
the notice in the Gardener''s Monthly of this in-
strument, says :

"Chamberlin's Level. — Being much inter-
ested in the measurement of trees, will you allow
me to ask 'D. K. K.,' who introduces Chamber-
lin's Square and Level to our notice, when he
uses it for taking the height of trees, for which
he says it is so well adapted, what provision is
made for unlevel ground ? He must know that
the point where the angle of 45° strikes the ground
may be considerably above or below the base of
the tree, and will, consequently, affect the per-
pendicular height, either by adding to or dimin-
ishing, as the case may be. Again, the highest
point of an Oak or Elm, 80 or 100 feet high, is
not always (I may say never is) perpendicular to
the base. This being the case, the measurement
will fall short or exceed the true height in exact
proportion as the top sighted is distant from the
jjerpendicular. The principle is right, but diffi-
cult as applied to trees, and ' D. K. K. ' makes no
allowance for these contingencies. 8. Wills.
Holme Lacy, Hereford^ Oct. 31."

We refer to the matter in case any of our read-
ers should overlook the difficulty suggested by
Mr. Wills, though it is scarcely necessary to our
readers, as we gave the principle, and an " im-
provised " method of carrying it out, in our first
volume. It will do no harm to repeat, that those
using the Level for trees must not always take
the trunk for the perpendicular side of the tri-
angle, but the perpendicular of the part of the
tree seen as its highest point, which may, at
times, be a few feet within the base point of the
trunk ; also to take the observation from a point
level with the base of the tree.

The Seckel Pear. — We often wonder where
great " historical facts " come from. Colman''s
Eural World treats its readers to the history of
the Seckel Pear. The discoverer " kept an old
sickle hanging on the tree, and hence called it
the Seckel Pear." (!) The wonder is Avhy he did
not call it Sickle at once. Of course our readers
know that Seckel is the name of an old Philadel-
phia family.

Price of Rare Seeds.— jTfr. Bull advertises
seed of the new Coleuses at half a dollar a seed.
As the seed is " smaller than a grain of mus-
tard," they must be worth their weight in gold,
— by so much beating our new potatoes.

Our Late Frontispiece. — AVe receive nu-
merous congratulations from our subscribers on
the liberality of the publishers of the Gardeyier'>s
Monthly, in giving the beautiful colored frontis-
piece last month. Some think it must have cost
an " enormous " price. Perhaps it did; but if
our friends will make the Monthly known to their
acquaintances, we shall feel fully rewarded for
the cost.

Mr. Durand, the well-known Botanist, informs
us that he has gathered this beautiful mush-
room in the vicinity of Philadelphia in past
years.

Sparganium ramosum for Budding, &c.—
A correspondent of the Gardeners'' Chronicle Rndn
this the very best material, after cutting and dry-
ing like hay, for tying in buds. This is a species
of the common Burr Reed, of which we have
several species in our swamps. It is a valuable
hint.

The Vermont Farmer.— This excellent ag-
ricultural newspaper has strengthened itself by
the addition of Mr. Horace Hubbard on its edi-
torial staff.

The Eumelan Grape.— We have, from Dr.
Grant, a plant of this new variety, which we will,
with pleasure, give a "good chance to grow," as
requested.

Hollyhock and Pelargonium Fungus.—
The Hollyhock fungus is very bad in the United
States. It has been found as bad in Australia.
Mr. Berkely says another one is parasitic on the
Pelargonium in England. He comes to the con-
clusion which we have recommended so often,
namely : whenever any of these fungoid leaves
appear, hum them at once.

LoNiCERA BRACiiYPODA.^We recently made
some remarks on the value of this plant as
adapted to making of "lawns," under the shade
of trees, where nothing else but Periwinkle will
^vo\y. W^e had some little doubt, \yh\\e writing

THE GABDEJS^En'S MOJVTHLY. January,

about the identity of the plant with this name,
— although it is the one generally adopted,— and
we termed it the Lonicera brachypoda of the
gardens.

We see now that the editor of the London
Gardeners'' Chronicle, believing in some confusion
of names, has examined the Kew Herbarium,
and finds that what we have always called the
L. flexuosa, of Thunberg, (Chinese Evergreen
Honeysuckle) is not correct, that name belonging
to this plant. L. brachypodum is a synonym.
We have yet to learn what is the true name of
the so-called L. flexuosa of gardens. Probably,
like the Hall Honeysuckle, it is but a form of L.
japonicum.

SPRnsTG ij^ IJ^Ew Zealand, a correspondent
of the Cottage Gardener says, commences about
August 1st. He gives the following list of
"spring flowers," which would look odd to see
blooming with us about midsummer :

"Jasminum nudiflorum, trained against my
house,with some hundreds of yellow flowers open-
ing and fully expanded. Berberis aquifolium,
flowers nearly open ; Yiburnum tinus and Y.
tinus lucidum, going out of flower, had been
in flower all winter. Snowdrops opened their
flowers for the first time to-day ; j-e .low Crocuses
the same ; Hyacinths, nibs just showing color.
Upright and spreading Cypress, Virginian Cedar,
and Arborvitse, new male and female flowers
nearly expanded, most of them shedding seeds
out of the old cones. Botany Bay Myrtle (Ve-
ronica), with its beautiful azure blue spikes in
flower all winter, in sheltered parts of the gar-
den. Buddlea salvifolia, going out of flower,
having been in flower all through the winter.
Amaryllis belladonna, and A. l^elladonna minor,
now growing vigorously after flowering profusely
late last autumn ; Sternbergia lutea and S. Clu-
siana doing the same. Xerine sarniensis, now
producing verj^ healthy leaves, after resting all
winter. Yellow Primrose in flower all winter in
a warm, sheltered place. Spiraea prunifolia flore
pleno, little white flowers, nearly expanded, flow-
ers profusely in this part of the world. Bosemary
bushes very full of flower, Pyrus japonica.white
and red, now in full flower. Common Box Tree
in flower beautifull3\ Flower buds of Fortune's
Double White Peach, Almonds and garden Peach
l>eginning to swell,"'

RussiAK Horticulture,— We are indebted
to some kind friend in Europe for a programme
of the Great International Horticultural Exhibi-
tion, to be held by order of the Czar of Russia,
on the last of May of the present year, at Moscow.
The pamphlet is in Russian and French.

Adulteration of Seeds.— The Boyal Hor-
ticultural Society of England has been investi-
gating tho charges of adulteration in seeds. They
quietly bought up packages from the leading
wholesale houses, and had the packages tested,
pul)lishing the proportion of good seeds to bad
from each package from each house. In many
cases, only ten per cent were good, and very few
went over fifty per cent. The most common
forms of trickery appear to be that, when a stock
on hand is short, and the demand good, some
worthless kind is roasted enough to destroy the
germ and mixed with a few of the desired thing,
— which, of course, is the only lot that grows.
The purchaser gets his "pound of seed," but only
an ounce or two comes up. These adulterations
are defended, on the ground that the public will
have the lowest price seeds, and that all have to
do " what the others do," in order to be able to
sell at all. There are a few, it appears, who sell
good seed, and these have, after a struggle at
first, found that " Honesty is, after all, the best
policy."

Death of a Young Botanist. — Possibly
few 3'oung men promised a life of greater useful-
ness to Botanical science, than Mr. Horace
Mann, of Cambridge, Mass, Although but 24
years of age, he was possessed of great Scientific
intelligence, and was engaged on a Flora of the
Sandwich Islands, running through the numbers
of the Essex Institute Proceedings, We are
very sorry to learn from a private letter of his
death.

The above notice was written for our last num-
ber, but "crowded out," since then we have re-
ceived several other letters in reference to the
decease of Mr. Mann, and have read of the ac-
tion of several Societies, showing how wide felt
is the loss of this estimable young man.

1869.

THE GARDE:N'ER'S MOJ^THLY.

23

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Popular Deciduous and Evergreen
Trees and Shrubs ; For planting in Parks,
Gardens, Cemeteries, &c. By P. R. Elliott,
Landscape Gardener and Pomologist : Author
of " Western Pruit Book," &c. New York :
Published by Prancis W. Woodward, office of
Horticulturist.

We were much pleased with the appearance of
this little book ; it is got up in the usual hand-
some style which characterizes all Mr. Wood-
ward's publications. We were much disappoint-
ed in the matter. The errors of fact are so nu-
merous— the style so obscure ; the grammar —
especially the punctuation — so bad, and the en-
graving so execrable, that we cannot help feeling
it would help Mr. Elliott's reputation if he sup-
press the whole thing.

Mr. E. now has considerable reptutation as an
artist— how he could " abide " these engravings
is a mystery. What at a rough guess one might
take for the Rosemary-leaved Willow, we are
told is "Evergreen thorn," and that like a rag
weed is "Kalmia"-for "Rhododendron, "we have
something certainly more like a bunch of Holly-
hocks,—another which we took for a little Dwarf
Pear Tree as usually seen on Nursery envelopes,
we are told is an "Azalea." The Clethra should
have been marked Laminated Sea Weed ; the
Gordon's Currant looks far more like a poor root
grafted apple tree blown over. The "Dwarf Horse
Chestnut," a fossil Fern — but probably the great-
est caricature of all is the 'Magnolia purpurea,"
which must have been sketched from a piece of
Sphagnum Moss. Certainly Mr. Elliott is
capable of something more creditable than this
book indicates.

The Tim Bunker Papers. Orange Judd &
Co., New York.

Orange Judd & Co., are doing good service to
agriculture. Their American Agriculturist is the
most popular agricultural journal in the world.
The engravings would do credit to the highest
pretensions of any art journal.

These Tim Bunker papers, have already "run"
through the Magazine, and are now issued in
book form. It is an attempt to teach agricul-
ture in a sort of Nasbyish style ; by making the
errors of old fogy farming appear ridiculous in
both language and ideas. We cannot say that

we admire this style of teaching ; but we have to
to remember that it is not intended for a class of
readers who are " such as we," but for one
with whom it is undoubtedlypopular and instruc-
tive. One of the younger members of our house-
hold, to whom agriculture is too dry a subject
for his tender years as generally presented, reads
Tim Bunker with avidity— and we know is re-
ceiving thereby the seeds of agricultural love we
like to see sown there.

The Wine Makers Manual.— By Charles
Reemelin. Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati,
Ohio.

Mr. Reemelin is well known as the author of
the "Wine Dresser's Manual," and other works
connected with the grape, which have been re-
ceived with ' so much satisfaction, that the au-
thor's name will alone guarantee the value of the
work. It is a small octavo of 100 pages, and
discusses in detail wine making with all classes
of fruits.

The Diseases of Sheep ; Explained and de-
scribed, with proper remedies to prevent and
cure the same, with an essay on Cattle Epidem-
ics. By Henry Clok, V. S., late veterinary
Surgeon in Chief U. S. A. Philadelphia :
Published by Claxton, Remseu & Co.
We have perused this little book with much
pleasure. Though the author says that one of
his objects in writing the book was " to induce a
higher opinion of veterinary science and its dis-
ciples than hitherto prevailed," there is noth-
ing in it of a technical character— but every thing
is told in a plain, understandable style ; and is
treated in a very common sense manner. It
will be found a valuable addition to the country
library.

Annual Report of the American Insti-
tute FOR YEARS 1866 and '67.
This active and useful institution issues a vol-
ume of transactions equal at least in value and
beauty to any in the country, — superior to, and
we trust the authorities at Washington will par-
don us, the usual volume from the department
of Agriculture.

The institution has our thanks for the copy,
although now some months delayed.

^4-

THE GARBEJ\''En' S MONTHLY.

January,

Report on the trial of Plows, held at
Utica, N. Y., 1867.

Seport on the Rinderpest or Cattle
Plague.

Both of these are published by the New York
State Agricultural Society, the most useful insti-
tution of this character we have. We are very
much obliged to the attentive Secretary, Mr. B.
P. Johnson, for these copies.

The American Naturalist. — This beauti-
ful magazine of Popular Science, is now passing
into its second year. The December number has a
highly interesting paper on "Bird Eyes," — the
'•Striped Turnip Fly,"— "Ferns," by John A.
Russell, — Earthquakes, — and the Fauna of Mon-
tana Territory, besides many reviews and small-
er items of interest to those who like scientific
knowledge, but yet abhor dry technicalities
It is published at Salem, Mass., — is four dollars
a year, single numbers 35 cents, and clubs much

lower ; and should be generously supported.

Hearth and Home is a new monthly pro-
jected by Messrs. Pettengill, Bates & Co., of
New York. Donald G. Mitchell, whose pleasant
writings as Ike Marvel, and Mrs. II. Beecher
Stowe, are announced as resrular contributors.

The American Entomologist for Decem-
ber contains a complete history of the seventeen
and thirteen year locusts. It is probably the
most intelligent and exhaustive treatise ever be-
fore published on the subject.

ElLTV ANGER ^VND BARRY'S CATALOGUE OF

Fruits. Very few good descriptive lists have
come to our book table, while trade catalogues
are so numerous, that we have not been able to
note them all. This one of Messrs E. and B. is
very valuable to any fruit grower.

NEW AlVD RAIIE FRUITS.

Rea's Seedling Quince. — The Rural Nevo
Yorlcer gives an engraving,and says : "The va-
riety we illustrate was originated by Joseph
Rea, Green Co., N. Y. It is a splendid Iruit,
averaging considerably larger than the apple or
orange quince. The quality is good, and the tree
a strong grower, with large, dark foliage. In
planting for market we should choose this and
the orange or apple shaped variety."

The Yellow Canada Raspberry is the
name given to the variety which has been re"
ferred to in our columns as Arnold's No. 1.

The Isabella Pear. — Was fruited by the
raiser Dr. Shurtleff, of Brooklyn, in 1866.
The Journal of Horticulture says it ripens about
the middle of October, continuing about four
weeks in eating.

Grimes' Golden Pippin Applle. — We have
several times during the past few years, had oc-
casion to note the great value of this apple ; and
some samples recently received from Mr. Mar

shall, brings the variety again before us. It is
not in our estimation, of the most superior fla-
vor,— and indeed if it were, we should doubt its
general value, — for we have to often found these
very highly flavored fruits wanting in most other
merits which entitle them to general cultivation.
But it is of sufficiently high flavor to give it ex~
cellence, and in consideration of all its other supe-
rior qualities, as a productive bearer, and vigor-
ous grower, it will take rank with our most popu-
lar varieties.

Westbrook Apple. — We have the follow-
ing additional information from Mr. Blodget :

"I was for many years connected with Agricul-
tural Societies, in New York and this State 5
was a member of the U. S. Agricultural Society,
from the beginning, and for some j^ears a mem-
ber of the Phila. Society. Taking Agricultural
journals, several of them, and for more than
thirty years in some cases, I know this apple
has never been described.
It originated in one of the tributary valleys of the
Upper Susquehanna,and was taken by my father,

1869,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

25

Aba Blodget, to Chatauqua County, New York,
about 1820. He grafted a large number of trees
in his orchard, now mine ; and it was to some
extent spread botla there and in Ontario Co., iN".
Y., wliere several of my family reside. "

It would appear from this, that either this is not
the same as the Westbrook of Virginia, or else
it is an error to suppose the Westbrook is a
Virginia apple.

Can Dr. Warder give any information, as we
see he includes Westbrook in his list.

We wish to avoid synonyms as much as possi-
ble. It is also called the Speckled.

The Fanny Apple. — A beautiful and excel-
lent summer apple but little known out of the
neighborhood where it originated some fifty
years since. Dr. J. K. Eshleman of Downing-
town, Chester Co., Pa., who brought it to notice,
and sent specimens at various times to several
pomologists for identification, says that all at
first pronounced it Red Astrachan, being some-
what similar to it in appearance, «fec., but it has
proved a distinct fruit. It is larger in size, of a
deeper red color, two weeks later in ripening,
and continues a month or more in good condi-
tion, and quality equal if not superior. It is a

FANNY APPLE.

showy fruit, valuable for family use, and com-
mands a high price in the market.

The Dr. informs me that the original tree* is
still growing near Strasburgh,Lancaster Co.,Pa.,
on property formerly owned by Jacob Beam, and
not one hundred yards from the spot where the
Gate or Belmont apple originated.

Tree vigorous, healthy, spreading, and very
productive, young wood dark grayish brown,
downy.

Fruit medium to large, oblate, slightly inclin-
ing to conic, obscurely angular ; skin deep rich
crirasori in the sun, and rather indistinctly
splashed and striped with light and dark red on
the sliaded side and moderately sprinkled with
light dots and covered with a thin bloom ; stalk

*The original tree bears evidence of having been planted in its
present position, because it is in a row with three others, all of
which are unrecognized varieties. — J. K. E.

short and small, inserted in a large deep even
cavity ; calyx closed ; segments short to a point ;
basin somewhat abrupt, quite deep and uneven ;
flesh white, sometimes stained next the skin, juicy*
tender, with a very pleasant sub-acid flavor ;
quality very good at least ; core small. — C.
Downing.

The Rulander Grape— J^. H. F.^ of iVasZi-
vllle, Tenn., writes : "Among the various wines
shown at the Annual Exhibition of the Tennes-
see Horticultural Society, none attracted the same
interest and attention as the "Rulander," ex-
hibited by George Hussman, of Herman, Mo., to-
gether with a collection of other wines sent by
him, but which was received by the Society
without any advice as to the exhibitor. A spe-
cial premium was awarded to the Rulander as
the best native wine yet shown. Since then it

^6

TRIE GARDEJVER'S MOJVIHLY. January,

has been awarded the first premium by the Wine
Grower's Association, over the largest collection
of native wines ever before shown in Cincinnati.
Speaking of the "Rulauder," Mr. Hussman
states, the vine is not very productive, but more
than makes up for that deficiency by its other
good qualities. While yielding only about 250 gal-
lons of wine to the acre, its exemption from mil-
dew and other diseases would render it a great
acquisition for the climate which we think will
be favorable for its growth. The first premium
for native wines made in this State, was given to
Dr. D. German. His method of expressing the
juice from the grape (after it had become partly
dry) led the committee to believe that sugar
had been used but they were satisfied that his
Catawba was "very luscious," his Isabella the
reverse, and both free from the aid of sugar in
making. For Norton's Virginia Mr. Hussman
was awarded a certificate ;but no other wine ex-
hibited excited the same interest as the Euland-
er ; and we would like to learn further of this, to us
new aspirant for public favor, which seems thus
quietly to have taken the first place among our
native wines.

Golden Champion Gkape.— " It is not only
a decided novelty, but a novelty of.the very high-
est excellence. Free and robust in growth; hardy
and prolific in habit, magnificent both in berry
and in cluster, and exquisite in flavor, what more
can be desired? In truth, its merits are of so
high an order, that they leave little to be wished
for.

" The bunch of the Golden Champion is mod-
erately large, compactly-shouldered, and some-
what tapered, with a stout fleshy stalk. The
berries are very large, with stout warted foot-
stalks, some 2 inches long, and 3i inches in cir-
cumference ; they are generally of an ovate shape,
but occasionally somewhat roundish, and they
have a thin, pale yellowish green skin, which ac-
quires a rich golden amber tinge with a slight
bloom when they are fully ripe. The flesh is
tolerably firm, but tender, with few seeds, very
rich and juicy, with a flavor which, though com-
pared with that of the Black Hamburgh, is, to
our taste, much more saccharine and luscious
than that variet}^ even when grown on the same
stock.

"This new. Grape supplies, so far as can at
present be judged of it, a long-felt desideratum —
namely, a high-class free-growing white grape,

of hardy constitution, suitable for general culti-
vation as a companion to that best of all Grapes
for general purposes, the Black Hamburgh. It
was raised by Mr. W. Thomson, of Dalkeith,
some five years since, from a seed taken from a
Grape that was itself a cross between the Cham-
pion Hamburgh and the Bowood Muscat, and
has been freely exhibited during the present year,
when, among other awards, it has received a
first-class certificate from the Fruit Committee
at South Kensington. The foliage is very slightly
lobed, and deeply and sharply serrated." — Flo-
rist and Pomologist.

JoPLiN's Peak& of Otter Grape. — Mr.
J. Jojjlin, sends the following note to the Presi-
dent of Virginia Horticultural Society :

I send you a small package of Joplin's Peaks
of Otter grapes, a native grape of the Blue Bidge
in Virginia, I have cultivated thirty-five years
in my garden and on the farm, on rich low
grounds and other places.

I have never had a failure— always had a good
crop, and have never known it to mildew or rot,
nor any other disease. The vine is a luxurious
grower and great bearer. It makes fine wine
without the addition of anything. The leaves
and other things plainly show it is none of the
fox grape species.

The grapes sent are not fully ripe, and would
not be under two weeks. — Exchange.

Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat Grape. —
Will, I think, prove worthy of all that has been
advanced in its fovor. So convinced am I of its
good qualities, that I am planting one house en-
tirely with this variety, and in another house I
am planting it alternately with varieties of Ham-
burghs ; so that, should Mrs. Pince realise my
present good opinion of it, I may cut away the
Hamburghs at some future time, I first saw this
Grape growing in Messrs. Pince & Co.'s nursery
at Exeter, in June last year. It then promised
well, but was evidently overburthened with fruit,
and this accounts for its condition as described
by 3Ir, Fish, and in which I found it during a
visit I made there last month. The fruit was
fairly colored, tiie flavor delicious; the bunches
numerous, but small, and loose. About ten days
ago I visited Mr. Meredith's vineyard near here,
and was truly surprised with the wonderful A^ine
which has already been faithfully described in
the Gardeners^ Chronicle ; and tlie thousands of

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

n

fine healthy young Yines of this variety growing
here is a practical jjroof of the high estimation in
which it is held by Mr. Meredith. The bunches
on Mr. Meredith's young Vine have much the
appearance of well-grown Lady Downe's. Its
properties maj'', I think, be enumerated as fol-
lows : the finest and strongest growing Yine in
cultivation ; very free setter : bunches medium
size, berries ditto ; color black, with a thin blue

bloom ; flavor rich Muscat ; flesh firm ; skin
rather thick ; the berries on very short stout foot-
stalks. The last properties would indicate it to
be, what it has been described as, one of the best
late-keeping Grapes known, if not the best. If
good for nothing else, it is the best stock grown
for working late-keeping and weak-growing va-
rieties upon. — J. Tyerman, Botanic Garden, Liver-
pool, in Gardeners'' Chronicle.

NEW AND EAEE PLANTS.

Gesnera exoniensis, which Messrs Lu-
combe, Pince, and Co., of Exeter, are now ofier-
ing as a novelty, deserves better attention than
has hitherto been bestowed upon it ; for it is one
of the most noble plants of the race to which it
belongs, and one of the best winter-flowering
plants in cultivation. The figure published as
an advertisement of its merits conveys but a poor
idea either of the superb velvety leaves or bril-
liant clusters of scarlet flowers by which, when
well grown, this plant is distinguished. When
we first met with the plant at the Taunton Flow-
er Show, it was notable for richness of leafage
and distinctness, of character ; but it is in the
season of mid-winter and early spring that its
merits become most strikingly apparent, the
subdued light evidently tending to enhance its
vigor and beauty. We strongly recommend this
plant to cultivators in need of first-class winter
flowers. — Gardeners^ Weekly.

AcALYPHA TRICOLOR is a grand decorative
and exhibition plant. I have not yet met with
any specimen of this equal to my own. My
plant which is in a 13- inch pot, is 6 feet through
and 4^ feet high, charmingly colored, and is the
admiration of every one who has seen it during
the past few weeks ; it grows very freely — indeed,
so freely, that I shall be compelled to cut my
plant down, otherwise it will soon be too large to
be got through the doorway of the stove. The
Editors of the Gardeners^ Chronicle were quite
correct in describing it as a most interesting ac-
quisition to our variegated-leaved plants. This
will prove a grand plant for Mr. Gibson's sub-
tropical garden at Battersea Park, its color being

so very attractive. — Edward Bennett, Osberton
Hall, Workshop.

[The leaves of the Acalypha tricolor sent by our
correspondent amply bear out his statement.
Some of the specimens are almost as brilliant as
the leaves of a Liquidambar in autumn, while
others have a ruddy bronze tint that is very
striking. — Eds. Gar. CJironicle.]

Gnaphalium involucratfm. — I have used
for edgings the hardy Gnaphalium involucratum,
or ordinary "everlasting flower," with capital
efiect. I like it much better than G. lanatum ;
it is so much better and easier to manage. I
merely take up the old stools in the spring, heel
off" the shoots when about two inches long, and
dibble them in. The result is a first-rate edging,
which, for compactness, easy management, and
pretty effect, cannot easily be beaten. — Corres-
pondent of Gardeners'' Magazine.

New Koses for 1868, 1869.— Eugene Yerdier
recommends : Tea JBoses— Adrienne Christophie,
La Tulipe, Celina Noirey, Marie Ducher, Marie
Sisley, Monplaisir. Hybrid Perpetual— Andre
Leroy d' Angers, Berthe Baron, Charles Fon-
taine, Devienne Lamy, Dupuy Jamain, Henri
Ledechaux, Julia Touvais, Madame de Caa-
robert. Marquis de Mortemart, Monsieur Jour-
neaux. Rose do la Reine Blanche, Thyra Hara-
raerick, Yictor Le Bihau, Yictor Trouillard
pere. Hybrid N'on-Perpetual—Ma.dsime Lauri/^'
de Barny.

28

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^^THLY.

January,

Xew Plants at the Royal Horticultural Show
at Leicester, last July :

JVoi-e?<«Vs .-—Messrs. Veitch & Son, of Chelsea,
London, were the only exhibitors who made a
large display of new plants, and the collection
from this firm was one of the best specialties of
the exhibition. As it comprised several subjects
we have not reported on in the account of any
former show, we shall transcribe a few of the
more important of the notes we made upon them.
And first, we must speak of a pair of :Nrepenthes
Rafflesiana, not shown as novelties, of course,
but they were most beautifully grown, and were
so placed as to be seen to the fullest advantage,
the pots being in baskets mounted high upon a
sort of ornamental tripod. Thus placed the pit-
chers hung down all around most elegantly.

Amongst the very new plants occurred a Vir-
ginian Creeper, labelled Ampelopsis Veitchi, a
pretty small-leaved kind, showing in its leafage
a number of colors,— tints of blue, light green,
and purplish red ; what color it will die off in
autumn remains to be seen ; but in its summer-
growing garb it is quite a gem. This was ex-
hibited clinging to a miniature wall, built up in
the pot the plant was in, to accommodate its
habit of clinging to a rough surface. Leptopteris
superha., loveliest of ferns, is beginning to be well
known ; the same may be said of the brilliant
Anthurium Scherzerianum. The once promising
Ddlecliampia BoezUcna rosea was shown with
scarcely any color. What the deuce is the matter
with this plant ? Is it ashamed of itself, or fright-
ened of us, that the color goes from its face ?
Dracoena regina is a broad-leaved species, with
distinct and bold variegation.

Adiantum concinniim talum is a pretty variety
of an old favorite. Caladium Chelsoni has curi-
ous pale leaves, the margins dusty green, the
centres dusty pink or carmine. Sanchezia nobil-
is makes a good plant without flowers, but better
perhaps with them. Croton irregulare has long,
narrow, variable leaves, dark green with yellow
stripes. Croton HUH is a fine one, showing a
mixture of green, bronze, and deep reddish
orange. Croton maximicm has handsome leaves,
ground color vivid green with lemon-yellow mid-
rib and veins. Croton Veitchi appears to be the
best of Messrs. Veitch 's new batch; the leaves
are rather long, clean, pleasing ground color,
midrib brilliant carmine, the side veins reddish
buff, quite new in character and color, a start-
ling subject for exhibition. Alocasia Jenningsi
is a gem in its class, the leaf most elegant in

form, like a green shield, with jet-black quarter-
ings. Begonia Veitchi, with lively red flowers,
stood the frost last winter out of doors at Clielsea.
no severe test certainly, but something for a Be-
gonia. Adiantum rubellum is a lovely novelty,
surpassing A. tinctum, A. fulvum, and all the
rest of the rosy-tinted maidenhair ferns, for it is
of short neat growth, and almost every frond,
young and old, is tinged with a soft rosy bronze
color;abatch of new Coleus,a, bit of Gyraiwgramma
Pearci, and a lovely lot of Dioncea riiuscipula,
made up as pleasing a group as any in the ex-
hibition.

Orchids were of course, few, but such as were
shown were acceptable. A splendid group came
from Mr. Warner, gardener to A. Turner, Esq.,
of Leicester, comprising Dendrobium chrysotox-
um, Aerides affine, Aerides odoratum majus, a
gigantic specimen of Vanda teres, in beau-
tiful condition, and with about sixty flow-
ers ; Saccolabium guttatum, with ten spikes ;
Cattleya Leopoldi, Aerides aftine rubrum. A
beautiful group of twelve came) from Mr. B. S.
Williams, of London, comprising Lselia Schille-
riana, Fhalsenopsis roseum, Cattleya labiata,
with thirteen flowers ; Aerides quinquevulnerum,
the curious and beautiful gold-lace orchid Den-
drochilum filiforme, with twenty-five spikes of its
trembling filigree flowers ; Cypripedium barba-
tum superbum, fine. From Mr. Williams came
a splendid group of six, comprising Odontoglos-
sum caudatum, the distinct and peculiar Cypri-
pedium superbiens, the peculiar Odontoglossum
Schlieperianum, with lively greenish-yellow
flowers ; Anguloa Ruckeri, Vanda suavis. Mr.
Baines, gardener to H. L. Nichols, Esq., Bow-
don, presented pretty small plants of the ever-ac-
ceptable Calanthe veratrifolia, Cj'pripedium bar-
batum, Oncidium flexuosum, Cattleya interme-
dium.

'Exotic Ferns were shown in abundance, and
amongst the collections were several that could
scarcely be surpassed in any part of the country.
E. J. Lowe, Esq., took Mr. Turner's prize for
the best six greenhouse ferns, with beautiful ex-
amples of Lomaria gibba, Aspleuium fabianum,
A. lucidum, A. axillare, Neottopteris austral-
asica,PterisKingiana. The second prize, given by
J. Baines, Esq., was taken by Mr. Burnett, gar-
dener to Thomas Goaby, Esq., Hinckley, with
neat and good plants of Dicksonia antarctica,
Hypolepis repens, Platycerinm alcicorne, Pteris
scaberula, Lomaria gibba, Gymnogramma chry-
sophylla. In the general prize list there was a

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

^9

good competition. Mr. Bolton, gardener to W.
Worswick, Esq., had a pretty nine, consisting of
Dicksouia antarctica, Cibotium glancescens,
Adiantum trapsziform^, Sbanoclilseaa scandens,
finely done ; Phlebodium sporodocarpuui, Blech-
nuin corcovadense, Adtantuni cuneatum, A. for-
mosa, Loinaria gibba. From Mr. Moore, gar-
dener to E. Corah, Esq., came Onoclea sensibilis
(scarcely a greenhouse fern, but we will not split
hairs about it), Blechnum braziliense, Cyrtomi-
ura falcatum. Mr. Charlesworth presented a
fine Lomaria gibba, Adiantum concinnum, A.
trapeziforme, Stenochlsena scandens, Blechnum
corcovadense, &c. Mr. Lambert sent Pteris
longifolia, P. argyrea, Blechnum occidentale, &c.
Mr. Lowe sent "Woodwardia radicans, Pteris
serrulata conspicua, with broader pinnules than
the species ; Gymnogramma pulchella, Osmunda
Claytoniana (questionable if a greenhouse fern).

Lygodium scandens, Dicksonia antarctica, Phle-
bodium sporodocarpum, &c.

In the class for tree ferns, Mr. B. S. Williams
contributed a remarkably fine pair of Dicksonia
antarctica, with tall straight stems ; and a good
j)air of the same came from Mr. McLean, the
head gardener of Donnington Park. Of Lyco-
podiums there were two good collections ; one
from Mr. T. Charlesworth, of Westbridge, Lei-
cester, comprised efiective pj-^ramid specimens of
Denticulatum, Caesium, Csesium arboreum, Caul-
escens, Pormosum, and the variegated Denticu-
lata, which now is of a light green color slightly
paler at the points, but in winter is quite white
at the points. The other group came from Mr.
J. Bolton, gardener to W. Worswick, Esq., Lei-
cester. It comprised Erecta, Denticulata, Cee-
sium, Stoloniferi, Wildenovi, and Erecta com-
pacta.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Wine Grape for the South.— Mr. Van
Buren says in the Southern Cultivator :

"In reply to the enquiries of "Hibernicus, " we
would advise the planting of the Hartford Pro-
lific, Perkins, Concord, Scuppernong and Thomas
Grape vines to form an arbor, ripening in succes-
sion from July to October. — The Scuppernong is
a large white grape, ripening in September. The
Thomas grape is a seedling from the Scuppernong,
and ripens earlier, Ave are informed, and of black
color. The Flowers is also a seedling from the
Scuppernong — ripens near a month later. The
berry is smaller and sweeter and the clusters lar-
ger than its parent."

The Mottled Grape.— Mr. F. E, Elliott,
says, will rank with Diana, as a first-class keep-
ing grape. It originated with Charles Carpen-
ter, of Kelley's Island.

A Curious Tree. — Under this head the
Richmond Whig^ says : a wonderful thing has
sprung up in "Lipscomb's store yard," as rapid
as Jack's Bean Stalk ; and none of the curious
know it. They have no doubt caught a Paulow-
nia.

Grape Disease in the South. — The South-
ern Ruralist says : in Alabama "each one " of
the newer grapes introduced the few past years,
rot as bad as Catawba, — that kind is as successful
on the average as any of them.

Tfie Ohio Farmer, comes out now in a neat
paper cover, and has added Mr Blakelee to its al-
ready strong Editoral columns.

Katural Phosphates in South Caroli-
na.— The cretaceous deposits along the coast of
South Carolina, have been found of great value
in agriculture. Thej' underlie the surface in
layers of from 6 inches, to 12 feet thick, and ex-
tend forty or fifty miles inland.

A Valuable New Potato. — Mr. A. S.

Fuller in the Sun, says : a friend of his has the
"whole stock" of a grand new thing, that he
dont want to sell at so low a price as $50, a
tuber ; but is willing to do so by way of accomo-
dation to "a few "of his friends.

Grapes near Hammondsport, N. Y. —
Mr. M. M. Pomeroy, writing to his La Crosse
Democrat, gives a glowing account of the great
success of vine culture in this region. The dry
gravelly hill-sides, not worth S"20, per acre a few
years back, are now scarce in the market at $200,
per acre. There are about 4000 acres in grapes ;
they yield about 2| tons to the acre, and bring
the growers from nine to fifteen cents per pound,
an average of years shows an average cost of
raising them at five cents per pound. Of the
millions of bottles of wine made here, Mr. Pome-
roy, guarantees they are all the pure juice of the
grape.

30

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY.

January,

POEEIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Culture of Conifkes. — As regards culture
of Conifers, Mr. Frost's practice is to top-dress
with old potting soil, the refuse of the flower gar-
den when well rotten, or some mixture of that
sort. This applied occasionally he finds to greatly
improve the trees. In planting he always digs
the hole in which the tree is to be put 3 feet deep,
and fills up 3 feet above the ground level. There
is therefore 6 feet of soil, which leaves the plant
on a knoll, and by supplying material for top-
dressmgs, the knoll in time gradually slopes off to
nothing. The subsoil at Dropmore is for the
most part a rocky gravel, and befor planting as
many as 50 cartloads of bad material are some-
times removed from one hole, and replaced with
a still lai'ger amount of rough sods obtained from
the roadsides or elsewhere — " the rougher the
better, " says Mr. Frost, who adds that "• under
these conditions the trees keep in exceedingly fine
health. " As to planting, he has done that at all
times of the year ; but he prefers October, or
early March, to any other period for the opera-
tion.— Gardener'' s Chronicle.

The Blue Amaryllis. — It may interest
you and some of your readers to know that the
Blue Amaryllis, sold under the name of Empress
cle Brazils, is now in bloom in this place. The
plant is about thirty inches above the top of the
pot, and presents the appearance of a huge stiff-
necked onion, being twenty-four inches to the
top of the bulb or stem ; at that height above the
pot there is a cluster of light pea-green flag-
shaped leaves which hang down on each side,
curving gracefully towards the pot. From the
centre of these leaves rises the flower-stem, which
is about twelve inches in length, and bearing in
this instance one flower. Three of the petals are
long and sharp-pointed, and three comparatively
short, and teiminate abruptly. The former are
six inches, and the latter four and half in length,
and are rather more than an inch across the
widest part. The color is a beautiful light blue,
not much unlike Clematis lanuginosa, gradually
becoming paler as it approaches the centre of the
bloom, and pure white at the base. Could you,
or any of your correspondents, say whether it has
previously flowered in this country ?— Thomas
Jones, Gardener to J. E. Taylor, Esq., Rus-
holrae, Manchester.

[We believe this is the first instance of the

flowering of the Blue Amaryllis in this country.
We saw Mr. Jones's plant at the Leicester Show,
and it struck us as being more curious than
beautiful, but likely to prove of the utmost value
to cross with other species, with a view to the
enlargement of the range of colors. — Ed. English
Go?-(7ener's Magazine,]

Window Plants.— A correspondent of the
London Gardener''s Weekly, gives the following
advice.

The first thing to be attended to is procuring
proper plants ; and as there are many which
would defy the skill of the most experienced gar-
dener to keep any length of time in health in un-
favorable situations, a list of plants is given, the
most suitable for the purpose of window cultiva-
tion, being easily obtained and not difficult to
manage : —

Calceolarias Petunias

Canary Creeper Pansies

Canterbury Bell Pinks

Candytuft Sweet William

Fuchsias Stocks

Geraniums Sweet Peas

Heliotrope Snapdragon

Lobelia Virginia Stocks

Musk Verbenas

Myrtles British Ferns, such as

Mignonette the Common Poly-

Nasturtmms(Tropfcolums) pody,the Holly Fern,
Xemophila and the Male Fern,

may be well grown
in the window.

Select List of Eoses.— Rev. Radycliffe,
gives the following, in the London Journal of
Horticulture :

Bose-colored H. P.''s. — Anna Alexieff, Comtc
de Nanteuil, La Ville de St. Denis, *John Hop-
per, *W. Grifliths, Victor Verdier, Duchess de
Morny, *Gloire de Vitry, splendid on its own
roots ; *Charles Rouillard, first-rate, extra ;
*Comtesse Cecile Chabrilliant, extra, but not so
hardy as the above.

Crimson — *Charles Lefebvre.*SenateurVaisse
*Duchesse de Caylus, *Lord Macaulay, *Lady
Suffield, new, first-rate ; Dr. Andry, Francois
Lacharme, Baronne Adolph de Rothschild,
*Jules Margottin, George Prince, Dr. Spitzer,

1861.

TEE GARDEJyER'S MOJYTHLY.

SI

Duke of "Wellington, John Keynes, new, large,
and fine ; *Madame Victor Verdier, Madame
Boutin, Madame Crapelet, Madame C. Wood,
Madame Clemence Joigneaux, Madame Moreau,
and Madame Julie Daran.

Dark Crimson, 3Iaroon, Plum Purple., or Shade,
thereof. — Vicomte Yigier ; *Pierre Notting, ex-
tra ; *Prince Camille de Rohan, extra ; *Black
Prince, new, very fine ; *Duc de Cazes ; Tri-
omphe de Paris ; Souvenir Dr. Jamain, new,
beautiful ; Duchesse deMedina Coeli.

Manuring Conifers.— In England an idea
prevails that manure is hurtful to Coniferfe ; the
idea originating from the fact that, wild, they
usually grow in barren, sandy places. We do
not think this idea has much of a hold on Amer-
ican tree growers, but if so we may say our exper-
ience accords with the following from the Gar-
dene^'s'' Chronicle :

"I see (p. 856) that Mr. Frost says, '• he would
not use manure for Pinuses." He may be right,
but I have seen or fancy I have seen, good well
rotted dung do Conifers a deal of good. Some
three or four year ago I transplanted a large Sil-
ver Fir, 10 to 12 feet or more in height. I did
not take any personal trouble about it, but left
the operation to my gardener (who is only a com-
mon laborer) and to another laborer. 1 he plant
was moved, and grew, but looked very shabby
and miserable all the next summer, when I had
two barrow-loads of old Cucumber frame dung
pricked in over its roots, and gave it a good
soaking in water, and I was surprised the next
season to see how vigorous it became. I had an
Araucaria and a Cryptomeria which did not
grow oi look as they ought, and I gave them a

similar dose, and had every reason to be satisfied
with the result. I never hear the question of
using manure for Conifers discussed, without
thinking there is a wide difference between the
use and abuse of everything. In growing timber
I would discard the use of all artificial stimu-
lants, but in growing garden trees, the judicious
use of them now and then saves time, if it does
nothinsr else.— C. F. P.

Death of Mr. John Waterer, the
Rhododendron Grower. — A well known and
much respected nurseryman, Mr. John Waterer,
of Bagshot, died peacefully on the 2d inst., at the
patriarchal age of 85. For the last 20 years Mr.
Waterer has contributed the annual display of
Rhododendrons to the Royal Botanic Society,
Regent's Park.

Small Size of Fungus Spores. — A corres-
pondent of Gardeners'' Chronicle, gives the fol
lowing measurements :

Having paid particular attention to the spores
of the larger Fungi for some time past, perhaps
the following notes may be found of interest by
some of your readers. Fungus spores vary ex-
ceedingly in size, color, shape, and substance;
some are very persistent, others speec^ly collapse;
some are sticky, others dusty and dry ; some
harmless, others poisonous.

In the accompanying illustration are figures of
the pale blue spores of Polyporus csesius. The
extreme length of a single spore is one 10,000th
of an inch, and the width one 20,000th of an inch.
By a very simple computation it will therefore be
seen that it requires the inconceivable number of
200,000,000 of spores to cover 1 inch superficial.
This Polyporus is not uncommon on old Larch.

HOUTICULTUML NOTICES.

FRUIT GROAYERS' SOCIETY OF PA.

As announced last month, this Society will
hold its annual meeting on the third Wednesday
in January.

We understand that some members intend to
bring forward some measures which will tend
to highly increased usefulness on the part of the
Society, and as many of the members as possi-
ble are desired at Harrisburg, to sanction the
proposed changes.

ALTOJ^" HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At the November meeting, many interesting
matters were discussed. Of Pear blight Dr.
Hull said :

I have frequently made statements that root
pruning was a sure preventive of blight in the
pear, and have tried, in the different places I
have visited this summer, to have committees
appointed who would thoi-oughly test the matter
and report. And I would now move that this
Society appoint a committee whose duty it shall
be to ascertain the facts, either for or against the
practise and report the same.

The President apppointed said committee.

3^

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY. January,

D. E. Brown — Dwarf trees blight as bad as
any. In ray judgment the true theory is this :
root pruning forces the roots to go down deep
where there is plenty of moisture. Give a pear
tree deep soil and the roots will run down as far
as top will run up, and never blight. The pear
trees on the American Bottom will illustrate
this : they have deep soil and never blight. Mr.
Barry has a peach orchard near where we now
are: trees planted from one and a half to two
feet deep never blight. From my observation I am
fully convinced that the secret of successful pear
culture lies in deep rooting.

Mr. Snedeker — I observe on some of my pear
trees that the bark near the base of the trees
looks as if they had the erysipelas ; the bark will
become black, and when it extends around the
tree, the tree dies. It dies at the base first, before
the top shows much sign of disease. I wish to
know if it is what is called blight ^

Dr. Hull — I am really afraid Mr. Snedeker's
has the root blight of Southern Illinois : it would
be impossible to tell, however, unless the trees
were dug up and examined. In Southern Illi-
nois they have what is called rotten root — the
trees are apparently healthy in foliage but dead
at the root, I have inoculated and killed two
troes on my place with the disease.

On motion of Dr. Hull, the topic for discussion
at next meeting will be ' The best methods of de-
stroying our insect enemies.'

Dr. Hull — Before the Society adjourns, I wish
to bring up one other matter, and that is the
course pursued by the Journal of Horticulture, in
pufling unknown and probably worthless fruits
into notoriety. (He mentioned several instances ,
among them the 'Wilder Strawberry.') A large I
portion of each number is taken up with pufts of I
this fruit which has never been fruited out of the
ground of the originator, and, for aught they
know, may be perfectly worthless anywhere else. I
I believe the course being pursued by the Journal '
is a proper subject for the censure of all Horti-
cultural Societies, and would move that this So-
ciety condemn the action of the editors in the
matter spoken of.

E. A. Riehl — I second the motion. I am per-
sonally cognizant of the fact that they have
written to a person in this neighborhood, en-
gaged somewhat in growing nursery stock, so-
liciting advertisements of any new thing he may
have which they will illustrate and puff into noto-
riety. They do this regardless of whether the ar-
ticle is worthy of notice or not. I think such a

method of conducting a Horticultural or Agri-
cultural journ\l is deserving of censure, and for
one I shall vote for it.

Mr. Pearson opposed the motion in some verj^
able and animated remarks.

Several members, while condemning the course
of the Journal, in respect to its want of princi-
ciple, were opposed to the motion, believing that
the Society Avould be acting outside of its legiti-
mate sphere by passing it.

Dr. Hull— I withdraw the motion. I simply
offered it to get an expression of the Society in
regard to the matter, and have accomplished all
I desired.

Society adjourned to meet the first Thursday
in December, at the residence of J. Snedeker,
Jerseyville, at which time he hopes to see a gen-
eral turn-out of all interested in Horticulture. One
hundred and fifty dined together on the present
occasion."'

B. L. Kingsbury, Secretary.

— ' — ' —m*r —

THE OHIO STATE HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY

Have held an interesting sessionatCo'unbus,
Ohio. They changed their title last year fi'om
Pomological to Horticultural, so. outside of fruits,
it appears from reports which we find in the
Columbus papers, that other horticultural topics,
such as Potatoes, and Evergreens were discuss-
ed. Mr. F. R. Elliott, spoke of the "American
Spruce," as a substitute for Xorway. Manning
had found the Hemlock desirable in that region.
Mr. Bateham, showed the advaiitages of Ever-
green belts to Orchard.

Of Blackberries, the experience of the speakers
were :

Colonel Richmond that his plants (Wilson)
last winter were not hardy. Mr. Campbell re-
ported the same. Mr. Warder found it early,
not superior in quality. Mr. Campbell reported
the Kittatinny, strong, hardy, good fruit. Mr.
Richmond said the variety was not satisfactory
as to size. Mr. Warder said in Xew Jersey it
was very fine.

Of Potatoes the Harrison, Pink Eye, Rusty
Coat, Early Rose, and the "White" Peach Blow
were commended. The Early Goodrich, owing
to the late season, the members thought had no
been as good as heretofore.

Of Grapes, Mr. Elliott defended the Catawba.
We have not the concluding reports at the time
of going to press.

DEVOTED TO

Rorticulture , Arhor-i culture, Botany and Fatral Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XL FEBRUARY, 1869. New Series, Vol. 11. No. 2.

HIIXTS FO]^ FEBEUAM.

FLOWEK GARDEX AXD PLEASURE
GROUXD.

The great trouble with the most planters is,
not so much how to plant as what to plant. Our
readers pretty much understand tliat it is in bad
taste to plant large growing trees in small places,
except with the view of ultimately cutting them
away. Also they choose evergreens to plant
where warmth and shelter in winter mostly de-
mand ihem, — and deciduous trees, where light-
ness and gaiety are more required in Summer.
They also employ more shrubbery for massing
and filling up than formerly. These lessons we
have repeatedly taught, aiid it now occurs to us
that what to plant will be in season.

Amongst lai'ge sized trees of the evergreen
class, that are almost indispensable in grounds
of any size, are the White or Weymouth Pine,
Austrian Pine, Scotch Pino, all well known ; but
there are a few others which are scarcer, but
which when common enough to be cheap, will
be quite as much appreciated as these. Amongst
these are the Bhotan or Himalayan Pine, Pinus
exctlsa. This has been unpopular because of a
few fine specimens having been killed by some
insects or fungus, it is not clear which, — but we
know some specimens thirty feet high, and be-
lieve they are no more subject to disease than
the White Pine. Pinus Australis; the long leaved
Pine of the South, is hardy in Philadelphia, but
it has to get strongly rooted before it grows fast,
and has to reach age before it branches much, we
cannot speak of its value in ornamental garden-
ing. Pinus maritima, is somewhat like it in its
long leaves, but is the most rapid of all pines.
It is not pretty when 3''oung ; but makes a very
striking appearance with age on large lawns.
It is just hardy in Philadelphia, but we suppose

would be too much injured to be popular north
of this generally.

Pinus mitis and Pinus rigida, are two ver}-
pretty native Pines of large growth, ecyial in
beauty to any foreign kinds, but so rarely grown
in nurseries that we are afraid to name them
here, as we do not know where the planter could
obtain them. Pinus pyrenaica, is much like tlio
Austrian, but has longer and finer foliage, and
the wood is reddish instead of a grey brown, as
in the common Black Austrian. Amongst the
spruces the best known and most essential is the
Korway. Then we may use the White Spruce,
and, in northern regions, the Black Spruce. We
believe it does no good south of this point.

The Ilimilock Spruce is ver}^ desirable so far
south as North Carolina, below that it dwindles
away. Amongst the rarer ones are A. Menzicm,
and south of Philadelphia, A. Douglasii, Of the
fir tribe the Silver is extremely desirable, and tlvi
Balsam Fir in northern regions, or in low rich"
soils, but not wet. Amongst the rarer ones very
desirable is the Siberian, the IN'ordmann, and the
Cephalonian Silvers, — the last the tenderest we
believe, the Nohilis and Grandis will also prove
very hardy and desirable, although we have
seen no very large specimens. We think we
may class the Cryptomerla jajjonica amongst the
larger class of Evergreens which is hardy and
desirable, and then close our list, no very exten-
sive one. Of Evergreens which make only a me-
dium sized tree, we also have Pines, Spruces,
and Firs, — of the former, the Cembran Pine is
indispensable ; and if we could find them in our
nurseries, we would like to add Pinus inops and
Pinus BanJcsiana. Of Spruces we have no com-
mon ones of medium height, but a rather rare
one, Abies orientaUs ought to be in every sma 1

34

THE GARDEKER'S MOJVTKLY.

February,

garden where choice and good things are desira-
ble. When we get to the smaller size evergreens
or dwarfs, we have a great variety amongst
Junipers, Arborvitfes,Yews. Of this class how-
ever are three which deserve especial mention,
because we think that any one who will make
them common enough to plant cheaply every-
where, will be public benefactors. We mean
Lawson's Cypress, Nutkfe Sound Arborvitse,
and the Libocedrus decurrens, all hardy and very
beautitul evergreens of medium gTOwth.

Though limited pretty much in evergreens,
there is a great variet}- in deciduous trees from
which to choose. We have, at least here in the
East, to drop three beautiful trees — the Elms,
through their foliage being so disfigured by the
leaf slug, — the Plane tree, which has its early
foliage destroyed in Spring by a fungus, — and
the European Linden, whose trunk soon becomes
the prey of borers. Buc we have left the Ameri-
can Linden, — the European plane, — the Oak in
its many forms,— the Ash, of which we have
half a dozen kinds in the nurseries,— the Beech
with their many forms of foliage, especially the
blood-leaved and the weeping. — Poplars, Horse
Chestnuts, Birches, Maples, many varieties,—
Chestnuts, Sweet Gums, Kentucky Coffee, -Wil-
jows, Magnolias, Tulip trees, Cypress, and Larch,
are amongst those easily to be obtained.

About Shrubs — of those which are beautiful
and can be readily and cheaply obtained, we may
name Dwarf Horse Chestnut, llowering in June ;
the different Dog-woods, Cornus Florida, C. '
sanguinea,C.mascula,C. alba, and particularly the
variegated English; theHawthorns are verypretty
when in a cool soil and situation, partially shaded
fromthe sun in summei* — there are manyfine dou-
ble varieties of the English which do best when
grafted on American stocks ; the Double White
and Double Ked and Pink are particularly desi-
rable ; the Laburnum is rather a strong-growing
shrub ; also wanting a cool soil and situation.
When the season happens fovorably, it is the
most ornamental shrub we have. The Sea Buck-
thorn is very desirable for its pretty silver foliage;
but it should not be set on a lawn, as it suckers
somewliat : the shrubbery border is the place for
it. Of the .silver-leaved class, the Oleasters are
very desirable. The yellow is not hardy north
of Xew York ; but the small-leaved {^Elearjnus
■parvifoUa) is perfectly so; it has in addition very
sweet flowers and pretty berries to recommend
it. The Silver Bell or Snow-drop tree is also a
large shrub ; but its early white flowers give it a

claim on most shrubberies, especially as it blooms
quite young. The Magnolias, purpurea and
glauca, are very desirable. The latter, as it
grows in swamps when wild, is not often seen
cultivated, as it is supposed it will not do in dry
soil. This is a mistake. In a deep rich soil it
thrives amazingly. It requires a free us.e of the
pruning-knife on transplanting. The European
Bird Cherry is one of the handsomest strong-
growing shrubs of its season— June. For a
single specimen on a lawn it is not to be excelled.
Its habit is good, and its flowering abundant; its
berries are also very enticing to birds, which form
no mean addition to the pleasure of a garden.
The Pyrus japonica every one knows : the white
variety is desirable, though it is more pink than
white. The Mist tree is indispensable, from its
striking peculiarity of flowering. The White
Fringe, with leaves like the Lilac, and large pen-
dant clusters of white flowers, no less so. There
are several Willows which, as shrubs, we would
on no account be without, for their flowers large
and sweet, so early that the first sun that thaws
the March snow, bring them out also. The
Goat Willow and the Villars Willow— male va-
rieties of course— are especially to be mentioned.
The Indian Cherry {Amelancliler), following the
Willow in flowering, and very beautiful; and the
Double Pink, and Double White Dwarf Almond,
are also early and pretty. The Yellow White
and Crimson Azaleas, are magnificent, but so
scarce in nurseries, we are almost afraid to have
them in this list. The different Berberries can
be scarcely spared for their pretty red berries in
fall. The Sweet Shrub or Virginia Cal3-eanthus,
is one of the sweetest of all ■ flowering shru1}s ;
though its color is dull. The Bladder Senna is
very desirable for its love of our summer heat,
flowering profusely during July and August.
The Mezereon is particularly sweet and attrac-
tive, blooming very early, but like the Azalea,
rather scai'ce in nurseries.

The Deutzias are well known, — scabra and
gracilis are the two best'. The Burning bushes
are beautiful in the fall, — the Mississippi Purple
[atrojvirinirea), and the European, are two most
desirable. The Golden Bell and earl)- Spiroeas,
(pruniiolia, Blumeana and Reevesii), every one
wants, as well as the "Weigela rosea. The jjub-
lic taste' is divided on the Althea, yet there are
few gardens without some one variety or other.
The variegated leaved is scarce, but as desirable
as any shrub grown. The Oak leaved Hydran-
gea makes a very striking object in a collection ,

1869.

TEE GAUDEKER'S MOJYTELY,

35

and the common garden Hydrangea indispensa-
ble for dense shade. For flowering in August,
and for dwarf compact habits, Hypericum Kal-
niianum, or the H. prolificum, is perhaps un-
rivalled. A rather scarce, but particularl}^ pretty
native shrub is Itea Virginica, which, like the
^Eagnolia glauca, a swamp plant, cultivates well
in dry ground. The Jasminum nudiflorum
should be trained to a stiff stake, and get a pru-
ning with the shears twice a year ; it then gi'ows
rery compact, and will support itself after the
stake rots away ; then it makes one of the pret-
tiest shrubbery bushes imaginable. As an ori-
ental looking plant, the common privet is good ;
indeed, its pure white flowers, fragrant as they
are, and jet black berries, always attract atten-
tion. It is a plant that will thrive in the most
gravelly soils. The Upright Honeysuckles are
jDerhaps the most common in gardens ; the Tar-
tarian deservedly so — few things are prettier.
The Fly Honeysuckle is also desirable, for
though the flowers are not quite as showy as the
Tartarian, the habit is most graceful. Then the
]\Iock Oranges'or Philadelphus, though all white-
flowering, afford, by their diversity of habit,
many good shrubs. The sweet one, [P. corona-
rius^) one of the oldest and best, is least common.
The Large-flowered and Gordon's Upright are
the two next best. The Tree Pseonies, though
rather expensive, every one wants. The Eed
and White Snowberry make good show in winter
by their interesting fruit. As for the Lilacs, we
need scarcely recommend them. Common as
they are, no garden is complete without them.
The Persian is a very distinct one from the com-
mon kinds. There are many new varieties, but
they are but shades of old colors.

There are a few new kinds which might be
added ; Deutzia crenata pleno, Forsythia suspensa,
and Callicarpa purpurea^ are amongst the best.

FRUIT GARDEN".

Here "what shall I plant," becomes bewilder-
in*^. Yarieties vary so in various localities,
and even in the same localities according to cul-
ture. The Concord and Clinton, amongst grapes,
are the two easiest grown of any good kinds that
have been generally tried* — and the Delaware,
lona, Catawba, the Roger's Hybrids, and Creve-
ling, do well in isolated instances, and under pe-
culiar treatment. Of the many other good kinds,

we hear of them doing well at times, — but we
think less frequently than those named;

Of Strawberries,— Wilson's Albany, Triomphe
de Gand, and Agriculturist, have yet the great-
est run of popularity. In some districts .Jucun-
da, in others La Constante, and again elsewhere
other things, are favored with enthusiastic cham-
pions and friends. Of Blackberries.— Lawton,
I^orchester, Kittatiuny, and Wilson's Early, arc
all generally popular.

In Raspberries,— the Philadelphia, is still the
hardiest Raspberry, and the easiest to grow ;
and when not too much dug about, and when
well surface manured, is alnijost equal to the
best in flavor. Of the foreign kinds we can
name no one that is especially popular. The
Hornet, Brinckle's Orange, Frauconia, and Gene-
see Antwerp, stand about where they have been
the past few years. Ihe Clarke is highly spoken
of, but we believe has not been much tried out-
side of those who propagate plants particularly
for sale. Many of these arc honorable men, and
their opinion of its value as good as any one
else's ; but we are naming only those which the
voice of the whole country recommends.

In Gooseberries, there is nothing better than
Houghton's Seedling, and American Cluster,
which are not identical, as some nurserj-men be-
lieve. Of Currants— Red Dutch, White Dutch,
and La Versailles, will please every one. Raby
Castle Red, is a good late. Of Apjjles — takin<T
the latitude of Pennsylvania, the following will
please : Red Astrachan, Ridge Pippin, Smith's
Cider, Early Joe, Baldwin, Cornell's Fancy
Maiden's Blush, Porter, Raule's Janet, Hagloe
Northern Spy, King of Tompkins County, Of
Pears— BarLlett, Seckel,Early Catharine, Buffum
Beurre d'Anjou, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Belle
Lucrative, Lawrence, Sheldon, Tyson, L^^rban-
iste, and generally Vicar of Winkfield.

In Cherries — we may name Early Purple
Guigne, May Duke, Black Tartarian,Elton, Belle

Magnifique, and Kentish Morello. Peaches

Hale's Early, Gros Mignonne, Crawford's Early,
Old Mixon, Late Heath, Early York.

In order to grow good fruit, we need only re-
peat in a general way, that trees require as much
food as a crop of corn, or potatoes ; but it is very
important to keep the feeding roots at the sur-
face, and therefore that the very best way to
manure fruit trees, is by surface dressino-.

S6

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY. February,

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In managing the vegetable garden the highest
excellence should be aimed at. This is the chief
source of pleasure in a garden. If one can take
no pleasure in hi » garden, — if the watching of the
beautiful processes of nature in furnishing him
food — and the many lessons they teach him,
which he in a thousand ways can so pleasurably
and profitably apply, have no charms or attrac-
tions for him, he had better give up gardening ;
for assuredly, in most cases, — even to 99 in 100
instances, — the market gardener Avill bring the
vegetables to his own door cheaper than he can
crow them. Amateur gardening should prima-
rily be pursued for the lessons it teaches, and the
pleasure it affords ; when it ceases to do this it
should be abandoned.

In the Middle States the work for February i
will, for the most part, consist of preparations |
for future operations, and particularly for dealing I
with the manure question. All those kinds that j
are grown for their leaves or stems require an !
abundance of nitrogenous manures ; and it is
useless to attempt vegetable gardening witho>-.t
it. To this class belong Cabbage, Lettuce,
>^pinach, etc. The other class, which is grown
principally for its seeds or pods, (as Beans, Peas,
etc.,) do not require much manure of this charac-
ter ; in fact they are injured by it. It causes too
"•reat a growth of steam and leaf, and the earli-
ness — a great aim in vegetable growing — is inju-
riously affected. Mineral manures, as wood
ashes, bone-dust, etc., are much better for them.
For vegetables requiring rich stable manure, it
is better that they have it well rotted and decay-
ed. Nothing has yet been found so well fitted
for the purpose as old hot-bed-dung : though to
the smell, no trace of "ammonia" remains in
it.

One of the most interesting parts of a vegeta-
ble garden is a hot-bed for starting seeds early.
The end of the month will be time enough for
those who have not command of a large supply
of stable manure, as the very low temperature
we often get at the end of the month, soon ab-
sorbs all the heat the hot-bed possessed. It is in
any event best to put up the beds in the warmest
and most sheltered spots we can find, and to keep
cold winds from the manure, by covering it with
branches of trees or mats ; and the glass should
always be covered with mats at night. Toma-
toes, Egg-plants, Peppers and Cucumbers, are
are the first seeds to be sown this way. Cooler

frames can be got ready for Cauliflower, Lettuce,
Beets, Celery and Early York Cabbage, a little
of which may be sown about the end of the month
for the earliest crop. The Cauliflower is a par-
ticularly valued vegetable, and no expense spared
to get them in perfection Avill be regretted when
one's efforts are successful.

In the open air, should the weather prove
favorable, as it often is about the end of the
month. Peas and Potatoes may be planted.
Frost seldom gets deep enough in new dug ground
to injure them after this date.

In the more southern States, the gardener will
lose no time in getting in his Potatoes, Beets,
Carrots, Parsnips, Peas, Spinach, Radishes, Let-
tuce, Onions, and Salsafy. These should be the
first crops put in after the season breaks up for
good. The earlier they are in the better. As-
paragus, Rhubarb and Horse Radish beds may
now be made. Asparagus roots are generallv
planted loo thickly to produce fine shoots, — they
starve one another. A bed five feet wide should
have three rows, and tlie plants set about eighteen
inches apart. A deep soil is very important, as
the succulent stems requii-e every chance they »
can get for obtaining moisture. About four in-
ches beneath the soil is sufficient to plant them.
Rhubarb also requires a deep, rich and moist
soil. IIorse-Radish beds are best made by taking
pieces of strong roots, about one inch long, and
making a hole about a foot or fifteen inches deep,
with a dibble, and dropping the piece to the bot-
tom of the hole ; a clean, straight root will then
rise up through the soil. Crowns or eyes an^
better than pieces of roots, — where they can be
had,— and a rich clayey soil better than a light,
sandy one.

About the middle or end of the month, or still
later in the North, — say the middle of March,—
Celery and late Cabbage may be sown. Here, we
usually sow the second week in March.

In the Northern States, Broccoli, and Cauli-
flower when sown in March as recommended, do
not head early enough in Fall. It should be
sown about the time of Early York Cabbage, in
the hot-bed, during this month.

GREENHOUSES.

This is the season when many things will re-
quire re-potting. Many have a set time and sea-
son to do this; but some things require re-potting
at various seasons. The best time is just before
they are about to make a new growth, Camel-

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

Has, Azaleas, and many plants, for instance,
start at this season. It is not necessary to re-
pot so often as some think, especially if bloom,
and not very large specimens, is chiefly wanted.
If. the pot is very full of roots, and the plant
growing weak, it may need re-potting.

In potting see that some provision is made for
allowing the water to readily to escape, by put-
ting broken crokes over the hole. Use soil
rather dry, and ram it firmly about the old ball.
Prefer pots only a little larger, to very large
shifts, as less liable to accidents. Trim the plants
in a little, if unshapely, to encourage the new
growth where wanted.

Many who have but small houses and wish to
have a variety, are troubled with valued plants
becoming too large. To keep them low, as soon
as the plant has matured its growth, cut it down
as low as may be desired. As soon as it shows
signs of breaking forth into a new growth, turn
it out of the pot ; shake or tear away the old ball
of roots and put it into a small pot as it can be
got into ; and Avhen it grows again, and fills the

pot with roots, re-pot again as before.

Sometimes the plants get "sick," which is
known by unhealthy, yellow leaves. This is
usually by over-watering, generating a gas, or,
as gardeners term it, a "sourness, " destructive
to the roots. The remedy is to cut the plant
back a little, shake out the soil, and put the plant
in a small pot with new soil and place the plant
in a house only moderately warm, and which is
naturally moist, — so that the plant can live for a
while without requiring much water. It will
generally recover.

Every one interested in plant growing must be
continually on the watch for small insects, which
destroy more plants than many are aWare of.
The little Black Thrip is very troublesome to
Azaleas ; the green fly to all soft-wooded plants ;
the scale to Camellias, Oleanders, Cactuses, and
the mealy bug to almost all hot house plants.
Continual syringings with warm, greasy water,
in which sulphur has been mixed, is the best
remedy. Tobacco smoke is still the most ap-
proved mode of destroying green fiy and thrip.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE CLASSIFICATIOX OF THE GRAPE.

BY DR. J. STAYMAIST, LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

That the grape is effected by temperature and
moisture, we have full}' shown, but notwithstand-
ing this is true, some species are better adapted
to variation of temperature and moisture than
others, which we now shall endeavor to show and
classify ; but before doing so, we will refer you to
the following remarks of Mr. S. B. Buckley,
on the classification of the grape :

"Although much has been published about
the indigenous grapes of Xorth America, still
they are far from baing well known, and bota-
nists are not agreed as to the names which should
be given to the different species. The descrip.
tions of them by old botanist were so brief, that it
is often impossible to tell the particular species
intended to be described. To increase the difficul-
ty, mere varieties of one species were sometimes
described and made into two or more species.
The writer has paid particular attention to them
during the many years of extensive travel, for
the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the
botany of the country, especially its trees and
grapes ; neither of which can be well understood

without an extensive observation of them in
their growing condition.

The grapes are so varied in the shape of their
leaves that it is difficult for the closest botanist
to distinguish their species from mere specimen-
in the herbarium. The same vine often has en-
tire leaves and also those which are deeply lobed
with many intermediate forms. The fruit which
is one of the most characteristic marks of species
is frequently wanting in the, herbarium, or if
there in its dry state, it has nearly lost all its
distinguishing characters. There are but five
native species of the true, grape growing east of
the Mississippi river, which are known and re-
cognized as such by the best botanists. Tliervi
are the]SrorthernFox G^ape {Vitl^lahrusca). the
Carr.ibean Grape {Vitls Carrihea), the Frost or
Summer Grape ( Vltis cestivalis), the Winter
Grape ( Vitis cordifoUa), the Muscadine or Scup-
pernong Grape ( YUis rotundifolia).

All other species whiclihave been described o:
named, and said to be indigenous east of the Mis-
sissippi, are varieties or forms of some one or
other of the above. In addition to those five
species of grape, there are four which are pocu ,

38

THE GARI)E:hfEIV S MOJVTELY.

F^hruary ,

liar to Texas, of which three are now first de-
scribed. The California Grape [Vitis Callforni-
ca) completes the list of species of the grape,
which are known to be natives of North Ameri-
ca north of Mexico, making in all ten species of
the true gra2:)e."

From the above remarks, we see the difficulty
of botanists determining the different species of
the grape; and from the descriptions given, it is
equally as difficult to determine the species a va-
riety belongs to. " Positive character can only
be founded upon evident facts, and never upon a
Dresumption of the existence of facts derived
from analogy. For it is contrary to true philos-
ophy to suffer hypothetical reasoning to usurp
the place of direct observation of facts." All real
science in Botany must rest upon constant character.
How vague and imperfect must the description
of the different species of the grape be, Avhen such
talented and close-observing men as James S.
Lippiucott, of Haddonfield, IST. J., will class the
Clinton grape with Vitis cestivalis, and William
Saunders, Superintendent of Experimental Gar-
den, Washington City, class it with Vitis corJi-
.foZia, and such an able botanist as Prof. Gray to
class the Isabella with Vitis lahrusca.

It is not our object to enter into a controvers}-
upon the subject, but to call your attention to
the facts. If botanists have been unable to give
a satisHictory classification, they have been una-
ble to find constant characters upon which to found
a species. Having presented the opinions o^
able botanists respecting the classification of
the grape, we shall take the liberty of introdu
cing some additional matter upon the subject.

The Fox Grape, Vitis luhrusca, "grows as far
north as Canada, and in all the Atlantic States
to Florida," along the streams andrivers amongst
the thickets and brambles in loio, moist and wet
places, in sand\^ gravelly soil, also on high dry
free stone and shaley lands. We ha^•e never
found it growing Avild on rich limestone clay, but
have seen a creek that divided the limestone
from the freestone lands, prescribe its boundary,
never crossing unless on similar soil. We have
gathered this grape in perfection in seasons of the
greatest rain. When the vines were surrounded
by running water, I always found them hardy
and healthy. This grape must "be rare in Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas,
for we have been living and traveling in those
States for more than 25 years, yet have never
found it growing Avild in either of them. Although
this grape varies much in size and color, its char

acter is very distinct in bunch, berry, skin, pulp,
and seed, also in wood and foliage, and when
ripe always drops its fruit. All its seedlings
have the same pecidiarities and never change.
Some are of the largest size; they ripen from Au-
gust to October.

Winter or Frost grape {Vitis cord'folia), this
grape has a more extended range than anj'- other
species, and grows perhaps in every State east of
the Eocky Mountains. It is found on the banks
of creeJcs and rivers, on rich bottom land, and also
on high bluffs bordering the streams. It occu-
pies the highest and lowest land, and is not so of-
ten found in the intermediate. It is very dis-
tinct in foliage, bunch, berr}^, seed and wood,
and is the most hardy grape of all the species,
having smooth, thin, deeply serrated leaves, and
also smooth fibrous bark, which does not sepa-
rate easily from the wood ; the bunches are long,
simple and compound, also loose and compact ;
seeds small and soft, berries juic}^, no pulp, both
sweet and sour, and never drops from the bunch.
The fruit is small and ripens from July until
October.

Summer Grape, ( Vitis wstivalis). This is the
most varied and obscure of any species, and the
most fickle in its character. We always found it
on dry land. The difficulty in defining this grape
is it has been classed with other species. It has
many of the peculiarities of cordifolia, except
the foliage, and is not as health)' and hardy, and
does not grow so far uoi'th.

AYe have a species common to Kansas, which
we never found growing on low land, but gener-
ally on high and dry, rolling brushy land, which
cannot be distinguished from^NTorton's Virginia,
in bunch, wood, or manner of growth, and like
it will not grow from cuttings. This species is
so well max'ked in the above characteristics and
it comes true from seed, that we think it distinct,
and name it. ViP's Virginica, as Norton's Vir-
ginia has evidently cofne from this species. It
is hard}^ but requires a Ions; warm season to ma-
ture the wood and fruit: ripens in October. We
have several other species indigenous to Kansas,
but like some others not within the range of this
article.

European Grape {Vitis vinifera). This spe-
cies does not belong to this country, but it is so
intimately connected with our subject, that we
cannot pass it by, as we have a number of varie-
ties hybridized with it. This grape is the most
sensitive to change of temperature and moisture
of any known species. It will not endure much

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

39

rain or grow on wet land. It is only in a dry
climate and on high rolling situations that it will
succeed, where there is not more than 31 inches
of an annual rain fall, and for the growing and
maturing season more than 15 inches. There-
fore it will not succeed in the Atlantic States,
where we have an annual rain fall of 39 inches,
and for growing and maturing seasons 25 inches,
but it will succeed in California, when there is
but 13 inches of annual rain fall, for the growing
and maturing season but one inch.

Nearly all the grapes we have in cultivation
are crosses or hybrids of some of the above spe-
cies. The Concord, Hartford Prolific, Dracut
Amber and Ives' Seedling are hybrids o^lahrusca.
We may differ here with many persons, but it
should first be shown that a species will produce
seedlings of different characteristics without cros-
sing or hybridizing; color and size may change,
but when its constancj) is once broken up by cros-
sing or hybridizing, then we have innumerable
varieties.

We shall see what Mr. E. W. Bull has to say
upon the subject. He raised the Concord grape,
and its history, we think warrants, our conclu-
sions. He says, " I was led by the impossibility
of ripening any of the grapes then on the list,
living as I do in the valley of the Concord. I
turned my attention to our natives, believing
that good grapes could be had of this stock. I
wanted a grape that sliould be vigorous, liardy,
productive, early, with as good quality as possi-
ble. I found such a grape, a good eating grrape
for a wild native, and began with this. In five
or six years the seedlings bore fruit ; the seed of
this were 2)lanted again, and from the latter I ob-
tained the Concord. And from the Concord in
the third generation I have grapes of great varie-
ty. The original loiJd habit seems broken up, for
from stock as black as night, I have obtained
grapes as white as the Chasselas, delicate in tex-
ture and flavor."

The italics are our own, we should want no
better evidence of hybridization or crossing than
the above, without knowing it to have been done.
There is not one fact in the whole history that
shows the Concord to be only an improved Fox
grape [Vitis lnbrusca).\)\xt everything to the con-
trary ; the one he found ii^as a good eating grape,
which cannot be said of the Fox. He had tried
" all on the lists," so he likely had some on his
place at the time he was raising seedlings. The
original habit loas broken in the third generation.

Then it had lost the constancy of a species and
must have been crossed.

Nature is rich in her resources, and has pro-
duced different species for the purpose of break-
ing up their own constancy,and producing varie-
ty to suit the increasing wants of man. In her lab-
oratory,silent, but not alone, is the process of hy-
bridization going on, which the inconstancy of
her varieties prove.

Admit this theory, and all mystery will disap-
pear, and we can reason and philosophise upon
this subject; b}-- knowing the character and habits
of the different species, we can predict with al-
most certainty the fate of any variety from its
parentage. Having described the habits and
susceptibilities of different species of the grape,
and hybridizing for the purpose of changing the
constancy and producing better varieties, we
now shall contemplate the result of hybridizing
with the different species.

Had the law of species been properly consid-
ered and their natural habits and sensitiveness
been better understood, we would not have con-
tinued discussing the origin of the Delaware
grape, or classified the Catawba and Isabella
with the Vitis lubrusca, or declared that Koger's
hybrids, Kebecca, Clara and others, were simply
natives. Neither would we have contended for
the hardiness and certainty of the Catawba, Isa-
bella and Delaware or their seedlings, or have
expected a hardy healthy grape by hybridizing
them with the foreign grape Vitis vinifera,OY have
even supposed that the Norton Virginia was a
cross between the Bland and Miller's Burgundy 1

There is no law in nature to divert the species
from their natural habits, we may produce in-
numerable varieties ; but where is there an ex-
ample of increasing their health, vigor or hardi-
mess, or imparting to them different constitutions
and conditions from their parents? This being
the case, the Catawba, Isabella and Delaware
must be hybrids or seedlings from them, because
they have characteristics common to more than
one species, and not the constancy of any. That
a pure seedling of the Vitis lubrusca could loose
its pubescense, tough skin and pulp, short plump
seed, musky taste, and its natural habit of en-
during extremes of temperature and moisture, and
become so delicate in texture, fine in quality,
long and large in bunch, berries adhering with
such tenacity and only succeed in a dry warm
soil, with average rain fall, and without having
any intermediate links, is beyond our imagi-
nation. The only reasonable conclusion we can

-/

!iO

THE GARDEJYER'S MOKTKLY. Fehruary,

come to, is that they are accidental hybrids, like
Rebecca and Clara.

From the foregoing remarks its follows, thai
hybrids between labrusca and conlifolia are the
most desirable and valuable, as they cover a
greater range of country than any other species,
possessing health, hardiness and vigor, enduring
extremes of temperature and moisture, having
size, tenderness of pulp, consistency and sub-
stance, maturing early and late, and being equal-
ly adapted for Avine or market.

Although the Yitis vinifcra and oestlvalis are
desii-able species under favorable conditions of
temperature and moisture, 3'et hybrids from
them cannot occupy the same range of country
as the above species, consequently they will be
more local in their characters and not adapted to
the same vicissitudes of climate.

The Vitis virginica is a very valuable species,
but requires a long, dry and warm season to
ripen and fully mature its fruit and wood. When
once estaljlished it is as vigorous, healthy, hardy
and productive, making wine in less quantity,
but greater in body and finer in quahty, than any
of the native species, possessing value to hybri-
dize with the cortlifoUa where wine is an object,
to lessen the acid and thicken the leaf of that
species. From these we may expect the richest
and finest wine, and from the kfez-Ksca the largest
and finest market grapes, adapted to the varia-
ble chmate of the United States.

Having shown the natural habits of the spe-
cies of the grape,and the results of hybridization,
Ave shall now endeavor to classify some of the
most important varieties, giving their value in
proportion to their hardiness, vigor, health and
range of country they are adapted to. In doing
so we shall be governed in our classification by
the habits and chai'acteristics of the species. Pro-
perly speaking we have no improved grapes, but
new varieties resulting from hybridizing and
crossing.

Varieties bear to each other the same relation
that species bear to each other ;and as no species of
grape can be said to be an improved species of
another, so no variety of the grape can be said
to be an improved variety of another. If our
reasoning is correct, it follows that no variety is
an improved Vitis labrusca or Fox grape, and
the first grape showing different characteristics
Avas a hybrid.

The Concord, Hartford Prolific and Ives' Seed-
ling, as we before remarked, are either seedlings
from hybrids or pure hybrids of labrusca and cor-

cVfolia. These coA'^er a greater range of country
and are the best market grapes we have, being
very Aagorous, healthy, hardy and productive,
and always reliable, making fair Avine. From
these Ave may expect our best market grapes. We
differ ver}'^ much with those who say that the
Vitis labrusca is the most sensitive to mildew
and rot of any of the species.

That accidental hybrids exist, we shall give an
instance. Some 5'ears ago we procured a grape
in Illinois, which Avas noted for its great hardi-
ness. The bunch was small, the berries medium,
very pulpy and always dropped from the bunch;
the foliage and general character like a Fox
grape, except it Avas more hardy and the wood
darker and smoother and greAV more readily
from cuttings ; while seedlings from it had long
bunches, small juicy berries, which never drop-
ped,the leaves smooth and deeply serrated in every
respect like cordifolia. *

The Clinton and Taylor belong to the Vitis
cordifolia species, and are the only A'^arieties in
this class that we think worth naming. They
cover a greater range of country than any other
varieties, are vigorous, healthy and hardy, much
better adapted for Avine than market, but they
do not possess that fine aroma of some other A'a-
rieties-

Norton's Virginia and Cynthiana avc believe
are hybrids of Vitis virginica and cordifolia.
These varieties are only valuable for wine and
have the finest aroma of any A'arieties, and pos-
sess great body and substance, but the great de-
fect of these, they are only adapted to a high
range of temperature and a late fall. No other
grape can take their place for wine in regions
favorable to their maturity, because no other
varieties possess such high aroma and rich qual-
ities.

The Delaware is no doubt a hybrid of Vitis
virginica and vinifcra, possessing the characters
of both species. Therefore it is uncertain, and
adapted only to favorable temperature and mois-
ture, and too much like the European grape to
be generall}' successful.

The Catawba and Isabella are also hybrids of
Vitis labrusca and vinifcra, and their seedlings,
Diana, lona, Israella and Adirondac are likewise
uncertain, except under very favorable condi-
tions. They are adapted to a very limited range
of country, like the DelaAvare.

That the above are hybrids Avith vinifcra, Ave
shall endeavor to show. They are generally be-
lieved to be improved varieties of labrusca^ but

1869.

THE GARBEJ^EIVS MOJVTHLT.

41

how or when they were improved has not been
shown, and where are the intermediate links ?
When does nature make sucli a leap from the
most indifferent, to that of the highest excellence.
They have been found just as they now are,
without any chance of development, enduring
less moisture and being of better quality than any
native species.

We have on the contrary, the strongest evi-
dence of immediate effect of hybridizing with
European grapes by Rogers' and Allen's hy-
brids and the Rebecca and Clara. The oblong
shape of the fruit, is a very strong presumptive
evidence of the fact. We have no species with
that shaped fruit, and we have no example of a
pure native grape hybridized by a pure native
species, change the shape of the fruit, while we
have oblong fruit from hybridizing with European
grape. There are many other peculiarities |
which can be better seen than described, which i
are equally as striking. I

If we are correct in our classification, much of
the mystery and also the difficulty connected
with the cultivation of these varieties will disap-
pear, seeing they owe much of their sensitive-
ness and uncertainty to the European grape,
which will only succeed under the most favor-
able circumstances. We will likewise be able to
judge of the success of hybridizing such varieties
as Delaware, Diana, Catawba, &c., with the
Vitis vinlfera. We jiredicted years ago such re-
sults failures ; and each season's observation
since has fully verified it. A theory so much at
variance with physiology and the laws of health,
that diseased constitution can produce healthy
offspring, we cannot admit.

There may be some hope of success, when one
of the species is vigorous, healthy and hardy, like
Rogers' hybrids, for some may perhaps partake
of the hardy nature of the lahrusca^ but even in
these we have no such an example.

[This suggestive paper of Dr. Stayman's is also
being published in the St. Louis Journal of Agri-
culture. We suppose some friends, wliile assent-
ing to most of Dr. S. 's deductions, will dissent
from a few of the points pres3nted ; but we leave
the correspondent and any controvertists to have

their own say for the present. — Ed.]
««•««

KEEPIXG CABBAGE IX WINTER.

BY J. W. CLARKE, GREEX SAY, WIS.

Being one of those who have eaten all, or near-
ly all of the various branches of the Brassica or
Cabbage tribe, I have in successive years tried a

number of the so-called ''safe" modes of keeping
cabbage during winter, and particularly, in the
latter half of February and first part of March ;
but such trials have resulted in only incomplete
success till the winter of 1867 and '68, and that
we are now passing through.

One year Cabbage were inverted and covered
with earth, beveled to a ridge ; the ground de-
scending considerably, so that as water flowed
from the ridge, it also flowed from both sides of
the trench. By this plan I saved about one half
of the cabbage,— not more. Boards on either side
of cabbages inverted on the ground, the upper
edges of the boards leaning together, were also
tried with only about similar success.

Hanging the cabbages in pairs, root upward,
in the upper part of a cellar, was tried, but here
thejf wilted so much as to become tough and un-
palatable. At this stage I thought of trying the
plan in use by P. Henderson, as suggested in his
curt and concentrated work on Gardening for
Profit ; but another idea interposing, I did not
try Mr. H.'s method.

Last winter I succeeded well by the follpwing
simple means : The Cabbage, roots on, were
taken to the wood lot, piled as compactly as pos-
sible in a conical heap about four feet high, then
covered with a coating of leaves, about two feet
thick, over all parts of the heap, aud the heap
topped off with a pitch of coarse refuse hay.

Results, 1st. The Cabbage kept fresh and
sound, till middle of March. 2nd. They were
very acceptable all winter, as wanted for use.
3rd. The time and trouble involved by this plan
were less than half that required by any other,
while the success was so complete, that I am
keeping our cabbage in the same manner the pre-
sent winter.

The question having arisen that I now might
have contributed to the success of keeping cab-
bage with good success as above, it may be stated
that there was no covering of snow, and the suc-
cess is entirely due to the protecting influence of
forest tree leaves.

LAWKS.

BY 11. AV. SARGEN^T, E^Q., WODENETHE, N. Y.

I perfectly agree with your views, in the De-
cember Ilonthli/, about top-dressing Lawns
"with fine soil," as I think the constant top-
dressing during the summer, by allowing the
grass to fall is not sufficient in itself, without oc-
casionally the heavier food, of the "fine soil,''
once in three or four years— applied during the

4

9.

TEE GARDE J^'ER'S MOJ^IHLY. February,

winter. But in my neighborhood, and generally
throughout the country, an application of soil,
as a top-dressing, invariably brings in a great
accession of that destructive weed, " The Sum-
mer or Crab Grass."

It seems so peculiarly congenial to our places,
that I am afraid even to use any fresh or even
old soil, unless where it can be kept cleaned or
weeded. The older our lawns, the more com-
pletely (from July to IGth September) are they
overrun with this pernicious weed.

For two years, while I was abroad, at the sug-
gestion of Prof. Gray, I did' not -cut my lawn,
after 1st of June until October, hoping to crowd
it out, and I did to some considerable extent ;
but still last September, I had six men for three
or four weeks, digging out what remained. —
Should I now top-dress my lawn heavily with
"fine soil," I should have it as bad as it was
three years ago, and yet I have sufficient fine
soil from an old grape border, to cover it half an
inch thick,— but I am afraid to use it,— though
my lawn requires it, and as the grass has very
much run out, and though the lawn is very green
yet its verdure is principally from moss, veronica
and other creeping weeds.

By far the cleanest and softest and greenest
lawn in this or any other country, is Mr. Hunne-
well's, at Wellesley. Neither summer grass, dan-
deUon or any \^eeds are ever seen there, and
yet his lawn is constantly top-dressed with soil,
but soil that has been burnt.

Mr. Hunnewell is in the habit of getting out of
a swamp vast quantities of muck,and stocking it
in alternate layers with old brush— when quite
dry — it is set on fire and damp brush kept con-
stantly heaped upon it to dampen the flames ;
tliis is kept up for several weeks, a smouldering
fire. By the autumn, it is turned over several
times, and then spread upon his lawn. The seeds
of all weeds are probably destroyed, and I am
satisfied that where crab grass or summer grass
prevails as it does in this State, the soil used as
top-dressing must be either burnt or else turned
over so often as to vegetate and destroy all seeds.

SOME WINTER FA\^OEITES.

BY JAS. C. JOHNSTON.

[Continued.)

GESNERIA OBLONGATA.

A more indefatigable winter bloomer does not
exist. Its show}'' orange tubes are forthcoming
in November, and there is no such a thing as cut-
ting a huet during four months at least. It is a
stove plant, but does very well in the snuggest
part of a greenhouse. A draught of cold air
or a very low temperature at night, causes it to
droop quickly. In all other respects it is a most
easily managed plant. Soil: leaf mould two-
thirds, perfectly decayed sod one-third, to which
add a sprinkling of very old cow dung or hot bed
manure, and a liberal allowance of silver or mar-
ble sand.

Plants may be had by subdivision, but thej'
are inferior compared to those raised from cut-
tings. These will start readily in moderate heat
during March and April. When rooted, plant
in small pots, and after the first shift, decapitate
to the second joint, which induces shoots to
spring in pairs from the first and second. En-
courage growth throughout the whole season,
shortening back occasionally and shifting as the
pots fill with roots.

ACUBA JAPONIC A.

This fine evergreen is much less known, or
used with us, than its merits deserve. The foli-
age —which is heavily and gracefully massed on
extremely dark green stems — is of a rich, gloss}""
green, splashed or blotched all over with gold.
It is one of the most showy variegated shrubs,
as well as the most useful, with which we are ac-
quainted. Our specimens — which are large —
are turned out of the pots, end of April, and
planted in conspicuous positions, out of doors,
under the shade of trees (not too dense), when
the}' thrive without any attention whatever. In
October they are lifted, and the roots— whose
name is legion — are unsparingly reduced so as
to render storage in a pot practicable. This or-
deal should not be inflicted during a dry, hot
spell, or windy weather; but rather on a cloudy,
damp day, which goes far to counteract the
severe check. Any light porous compost will
answer, but the best is leaf mould, with a por-
tion of peat and a good sprinkling of sharp sand.
Manure is not required ; but cocoa fibre is grate-
fully received and app -eoiated. A shady and
well sheltered position is indispensable, Avith a

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

43

sufficiency of water (in the absence of rain), until
the first appearance of frost, when a transfer to
the conservatory becomes necessary. Whilst
the pots remain out of doors they must be plunged
to their rims.

Kew varieties have been lately introduced
from Japan, producing very showy berries, for
which large prices was demanded. The follow-
ing extract from Wm. Bull's catalogue of New
and Bare plants, may be interesting : "It may
be as well to state that the Acuba is a dioecious
plant, that is to say, some of its individuals pi'O-
duce only male, others only female flowers, and
that some 80 years ago, the ordinary Acuba was
introduced from Japan, but the plant or plants
so introduced happened to be females ; by propa-
gation, the whole stock in Europe sprang from
the original introduction, and Japan from that
time being a sealed country, the male plant could
not be obtained. To the celebrated traveller and
collector, Eobt. Fortune, is due the merit of in-
troducing the first male plant. Lately there
have been several most important and distinct
varieties introduced by Dr. Von Siebold, inclu-
ding male and female kinds, with plain green un-
spotted leaves, also others in both sexes, having
blotches of variegated foliage."

BULBS.

We attach a peculiar interest to the advent of
Xarcissus and Hyacinths, at the close of the
year. They are the avant couriers of spring,
making haste ere winter has fully overtaken us,
to herald the approach of opening buds, the ten-
der blades of upspringing grass, under the pro-
tecting hedge rows, and the lullaby of bees. The
first expansion of the well known flowers, is like
the familiar face of old friends come back from
afar to gladden our hearts once more. The Con-
servatory in winter, without a sprinkling of bulbs
in bloom, Avould be in the same plight as a well
spread breakfost table, with bread and butter
wanting.

Hyacinths.

Among scores of sorts we much prefer one of
the oldest and cheapest for blooming in pots, dur-
ing December, January and February. There
may be others, equally good, but we have not
found them yet. It is Grand, Vanquier, single
white. The Spike is so large and full, so mas-
sive, that to be double would be no improvement.
It is a robust grower and seldom fixils — as many
other kinds do — to flower in perfection if treated
with common iustice. The following also do

well, Gi-ootvoorst, Lord Wellington, Waterloo,
Double Red, of different shades, Pompone Su-
perbe. Double purple; Keiser Alexandre, Double
Blue ; Anna Maria, Double White with violet
centre.

Deep narrow pots are best for Hyacinths.
Soil: old and decayed manure, decayed turfy
loam and leaf mould, in equal proportions, with
a liberal allowance of sharp sand and a few lumps
of charcoal at bottom, over the drainage. The
first batch ought to be potted as eai-ly as the
bulbs can be obtained; the second, three weeks
later the third and last, early in ISTovember.
Plunge the first batch in a warm situation — such
as a cold frame fully exposed to the sun, or a
vine border — at such a depth that the bulbs may
receive the stimulus of warmth with total exdu-
sionfrom ligJit. The first indispensable process
required of them, is the development of roots only,
without which fine blooms are out of the. ques-
tion. When these are formed, forcing may com-
mence by removing the pots into the greenhouse
and placing them adjacent to the hot pipes in
some unobtrusive corner. We had nearly omit-
ted to state that the top of the' bulT)s should be
on a level with the surface of the soil in the pots,
when the whole has been firmly pressed down.
After growth has fairly begun within doors, ap-
ply weak liquid manure twice a week till the
spike is fully expanded. The second batch, if
in a cooler position, or placed at a greater depth
than the first, may be removed to the house, ten
days later, and so on with later jDlan tings. Three
bulbs in a pot are most effective, but even one
of Grand Yanquier will command respectful at-
tention. As the spikes rise, each must be care-
fully supported on slender sticks, before the
stalks become in the least crooked.
Karciss.
The Polyanthus Narcissus is most easily grown,
treated similarly to the Hyacinth, with this ex-
ception, that the bulbs must be set deeper in the
pots, say with one inch of surface covering. —
Our favorites are Grand ITonarque, white with
yellow cap ; Grand Sol/'cl cV Or, yellow ; Double
Boman, yellow and white, very early. There is
a little gem called N". Bidhocadmm, a dwarf,
said to be hardy, but very pretty in pots.
Orhithogaltjm.

There are some half dozen fine sorts described
in the Entzlish catalogues, as well adapted for pot
culture. We imported two of these, and bloom-
ed them last winter. O. Thyrsoides (pyramidal)
is very fine, with a long spike, in the style of a

u

THE GARBEJVER'S MOA'TBLY. February,

hyacinth, but bearing? roots the resemblance
thereto. The color is white, with purple centre.
O. aureum, gold and purple, is superb.

These bulbs are tardy in starting. "VYe treat-
ed them like the Hyacinth, but their growth was
tedious and slow. They continue growing all
the year round apparently, and we presume are
to be treated like Lilium auratum, whose roots
ought not to be disturbed. Our Ornithagalums are
now pushing vigorously in the pots as originally
started and in these they shall remain with only
a top-dressing of rich stuff.

OXALIS.

A most useful subject under glass with cultur^
the simplest. Half a dozen bulbs to be plant-
ed in each pot. They need not be plunged under
the surface. O. Lutea, fine yellow ; O. floribun-
da, rose ; O. Boweii, crimson, very fine.
Alstrcemeria,

Does well in doors. A profuse and long endur-
ing bloomer, " with elegant trusses of Gladiolus
like flowers in umbels."

PUESH'S JOURJn'AL.

( Continued. )
On the second pond I went on a Granberry
marsh, which produced nearly the same plants,
as those mentioned on the marsh on Pokono
mountain ; Mr. Millbourne told me that he had
seen quit white C^-pripediums on this marsh &
by his account, it seems to be a sort nearly re-
lated to the C. acaule. The borders of those lakes
are very difficult to come at, excepting on those
marshes, where you have to wate through the
swamps & mire sometimes to the middle. We
went up to the third pond, which is the highest :
nothing new, but a species of red currants with
hispid fruit, quit new to me ; it grows in wet
marshy ground, I found it afterwards in de-
scending from those lakes or ponds quite in a
hollow on one of the branches of creek in a
marshy muddy rich land ; the berries are very
good to eat, as they say ;— IsTephrodium Filix
mas as I suppose grows here very tall & fre-
quent.— Besides this a variety of the more com-
mon ferns. We returned to the middle pond in
expectation of seeing deer, but finding none there,
Mr. Millbourne being provided with hook &
line, made a dr3'^al at fishing, as it were on the
top of the mountain — He soon brought out some
fine sunfish & gold Pearch & a fish they call here
Bull or Hornfish, it resembles a catfish very much
& Sfvows sometimes to the lenght of 12 to 14. in-

ches ; the skin is black ; he has 4. feelers above &
4. below the mouth, two of the upper ones are
very long, the two breast finns are very hard, &
bony, from which it has been calld Hornfish.

On our return from the ponds, we came across
a stoud bear, which we killed, but it getting late
& begining to rain we were obliged to hang him
on a tree & leave him there till the morning next:
— Before we reached home we got wet all through
& it goi so dark that we had a good deal of trou-
ble to come through the bushes without running
ones eyes out.

About the, ponds Lycopodium complanat.
& Circaea alpina, Hydcot3'le americana. Dro-
sera rotundifolia were frequent, the latter had
the most of her leaves containing a fly or musci-
doe which they ketch in a similar manner as the
Dioncea does. — I dont think any place can be
more infested with muscidoes & gnats or as they
call them here Punks, as this country is, the peo-
ple are obliged to make fires before their doors to
keep them out of the houses, & them, who
milk cowes are obliged to kindle fire & make a
smock to be able to stand milking, in the evening
and morning.

28. — This day I was busy iu drying & arranging
the plants collected since I came here ; Mr. Mill-
bourn went to the place where we killed the bear
to fetch him home ; he weighed 208. pound with
the skin, his meat tasted most excellent. In a
small excursion I made I found plenty of the All-
heal & Pyrola secunda beginning to show his
flowers. I collected a number of plants of the
Yiola with thick leaves, to have a close exami-
nation of it in the house which made me sure,
that it is a new species, very easy to be overlooked
by almost any botanist on account of its singular
way of flowering ; the fleshy root is full of tuber-
culis, between which the numerous fibres have
their origin, between the footstalks of the leaves
on the top of the roots are several lanceolate
stipulis, or scales involving the footstalk. From
three to G. leaves spread themselves out flat on
the ground, their footstalks are long semi-cylin-
drical & smooth ; The leaves are ovate, cordate,
repand, crenate, nervous ; the sinus on their base
small and narrow; the upper side hirsute or cov-
ered with scattered single short hair, the under-
side nearly smooth ; they are of a strong flesh}'
texture, more so than any of the other species of
this genus, to my knowledge ; the flower stem or
scape comes out between the leaves & creeps close
to the surface of the ground, mostl}'^ under cover
of the leaves almost in the manner of stolones.

1869.

THE GAnnEJTER'S MOJYTHLY.

Ji5

he is cylindrical & sparsedly beset with lanceo-
late bracteis, of a membranacous texture & most-
ly a purplish brown colour ; near the end of those
seeming stolores most commonly they have a
small leaf similar to the longer ones in whose
axilla a partial pedunclel is formed, which with
its flower on the end bends down to ground &
almost covers the flower in the ground : from
there the peduncul goes on in a similar man-
ner with opposite bracteis & one partial peduncul
on each joint, so that it forms a kind of racem
with 3 or at most 4. flowers ; in this manner of
flowering it differs from all the rest. The flow-
ers are small & very inconspicuous, they are all-
vfays nodding down & never open entirely ; the
calyx consist out of 5 uneqaal leaves in size but
equal in length ; they are acute & two or three
of them have a projection behind, in the same
manner as some of the plants of tetradynamia
siliquosa have : they are of a purplish green &
very frequently spotted. The 5 petals are lineare
& acute : the upper one is the longest, but only
equal in length to the calyx, & likewise
the broadest, generally white with red &
purple stripes, & red or pink towards the
j)oint ; the two lateral ones shorter and nar-
rower, white with but little red in them ; the two
lower ones very short & very narrow & white.
The 5 stamina have purple filaments & large
yellow anthers with a conical white projection ^^
process on the top : they are entirely free, the
germen is as long as the filament 3-angulare «&
greenish. The style short & with his hairy stig"
ma only the length of the filament. The cap-
sule is 3-angulare with rounded angles, smooth
& considerably large for the size of the flower ;
it is green spotted with purple »& sometimes en-
tirely purple. The seeds round & white. I call this
species, as I really think it to be a new one, from
its singular & hidden way of flowering Viola
clandestina or if this would not be applicable, I
should propose the name, though not used before
V. stoloniflora — It grows in rich stony & shady
woods.

In the same places I observed another species
similar to the former, yet materially different,
which I called V. asarifolia in the collection. I
regretted very much, not to have been earlyer in
the season in this very interesting couniry ; A mo-
nographia of Viola would give a beautifuU & in-
teresting work if it were possible to collect them all
together, from all parts of the world, as they seem
to be very generally dispersed ; I think we could
muster above twelve species towards it. — This

day kept on cloudy, with showers, & the evening
got to be very cold for the season.

'29. — I had intented to proceed on my yourney
to day, but it looked to much for settld rain, I
staid. My intention was to go from here over
the high lands which divide the north & south-
ern waters of Susquehannah & then strike to the
left down Meshopen creek, where there some
Kew England people settlements are, which
would have brought me out below Tyoga point.
But by advise of the people who stated the bad-
ness & intricacy of the roads besides the temper
of those settlers at this time, being very yealous
of their settlements, having them lost by a law-
suit, which has made them swear to kill any
man, who would undertake to survey the grounds,
this made me abandon the project, & I concluded
to go to the Big bend & down the Susquehannah
to Tyoga. — In an excursion to the woods I found
Kephrodium Dryopterioides, Mx as I suppose, I

never observed this Fern before.

In the afternoon I went to a place where I un-
derstood the Cypripedium spectabile or cana-
dense of Michx grew : I found but one bunch of
it ; This beautifull plant is the same I observed
last year at Capon springs.

30. — Still rainy ; but looking again noon some-
what better, I took the road ; this led up through
winding valleys to the highlands, where I found
considerable settlements ; nothing new — The
Ranunculus acris is here sometimes so plenty,
that it destroyes the natural meadows. I seen
whole meadows looking at a distance like a field
of Rape in flower, with it. Here I first some of
Cistus canadensis in flower : — I had put up about
10. m. from the Big bend, on account of the fre-
quent showers, ^t one Mr. Carr I seen to day a
few plants of Cornus canadensis out of flower.

Jid^j 1. — From here I soon reached the Sus-
quehannah : the road leads close along the north
side of the river ; Oak & Pine are more prevalent
here & along with them the wet spots are more
covered with Osmundas, whereas in the Beach
woods & similar places where Beach & Hemlock
makes the chief timber, the several species of
iSTephrodiura occupy the places of the Osmunda —
Pentstemon pubescens & Scrophularia nodosa in
great plenty along the banks — I made my way
as far as Chenango a very handsome little village.
July 2. — From Chenango I would have had a
strait road to the Salt lakes, but my appointed
place was at Tyoga. I proceeded on, down the
River, Populus tremuloides, Tilia americana—
Crataegus Crus galli, Cornus aspera— & fastigiata,

46

THE GARDE JfER'S MONTHLY. February,

— Thalictrum nigricans— were the plants not ob-
served before. The Banks on both sides of the
river alternately are higher & lower & the moun-
tains, especially on the south side — which ap-
proach near the river ; in some places consider-
able high. The timber on high places is chiefly
Oak, mixed in the most places with pitch pine,
more or less according to the soil. I staid this
night at Owego, a small village, situated in a
very beautifull place. Close to the water-edge of
the river I found plants which in foliage appear-
ed to be Potentilli anseriua.

THE GLADIOLUS.

BY MR. GEORGE SUCH, SOUTH AMBOT, K^. J.

A good deal has been written with regard to
raising the Gladiolus from seed, the general
summing up of which is that many of the
seedlings are equal to fine named French varie-
ties. This is, of course, very good encourage-
ment ; but for the benefit of those who want
some more definite idea of what their ellbrts are
likely to produce, I write these few hints based
upon my own experience.

The seed I used was saved from such good va-
rieties as Cerise, Le PoKssin, Ophir, Prince of
Wales, Flora, Madame de Vatry, and others of
that character ; none having been taken from
Couranti fulgens, Don Juan, Louis Van Houttee,
and such like.

It has been generally remarked that pink will
be found to be the predominating color in a
bed of seedlings, and this is true ; but the flow-
ers will vary so much in shade of color, shape,
size, and the manner in which they are attached
to the stem, that almost every spike will have a
distinctive character.

There will be many reds, crimsons, and scar-
lets, butcomparatively few very bright scarlet
flowers ; and large, well-shaped, dazzling scarlet
blooms, nicely arranged on the spike, will be rare.
Some reds and scarlets with large dull yellow
throats, will be seen here and there : these are
ususally male flowers, resembling in texture the
old Gandavensis, though always rather better
than this ancestor of theirs.

There will be many more white varieties, more
or less variegated, than one would think, and
many more light yellow. Among the spikes of
yellow, I have noticed that the buds, just when
they show color, would lead one to suppose the
flowers would ^be a very rich yellow, whereas
they often prove to be so light colored as to be

nearly white. A dark, clear j'ellow is therefore
somewhat of a rarity. Even in the long lists of
French named varieties, only three or four of
this color are really fine.

If seed has been saved from kinds fully as good
as those above mentioned, there will be few
' white flowers not considered worth keeping. In
my beds I have always found many that would
I hold their own by the side of good Frefich kinds,
and some that might hold up their heads among
best.

Among the ros}" colors and shades of rosy lilac
will be some lovely tints. To my taste, the very
best of the seedling^ I bloomed last year, was
pure rose color, of that delicious tone noticeable
in the flowers of Lapageria Hosea.

All the remainder of the seedlings will consist
chiefly of peculiar variations of color, mostly
pleasing, but generall}^ difficult to describe.
From this class may be expected quite as much
satisfaction as from any of the others. Among
min'i,I have one superb novelty, unsurpassed for
size, shape, and vigorous growth. The prevail-
ing color is a ver}- delicate nankeen, flushed with
pink ; the throat of the flower being rich cream
color, and the whole delicately dotted and striped
with pure vermilion.

It is interesting to note how great a variety of
flowers will come from seed taken from the same
pod. All will be quite different, and yet among
many, a resemblance will be readily seen that
will show them to be related ; just as it is in a
human family in which no two members look
aliki, although some points of similarity will
run throuirh all of them.

"LESSONS OF THE YEAK."— "DISEASED
VINE LEAVES."

BY A. IIUIDEKOPER, MEADVILBE, BEXXA.

In two consecutive articles in the December
number of the Monthly, pages 364 and 3G5, phe-
nomena are accounted for under appropriate
heads, that seem to me to admit of a different
and better explanation than that given.

Mr. Fendler accounts for the splitting of trees
in the winter, by the freezing and expansion of
interior sap vessels, having more of water in
them than cells nearer the bark. I would ask
of him, if the effict is not rather simply one of
shrinkage ?

Heat and cold are, when excessive, ver}- simi-
lar in some of their effects. Now if a green, log
be laid before a fire it will split at the surface ;

1869.

THE GARBEKEKS MOjYTELY.

If7

-^

why ? simply because the outside contracts in
drying faster than the interior. So when the
dry cold air of winter, acts on the outside of a
tree, it splits with such force that the crack be-
comes a deep one ; a result just similar to that
produced when the disrupting agency is heat.

"J. S. accounts for the diseased vine leaves
of JT. H. R. , over the gravel walk, by suggesting
that the conditions gave less of moisture and
more of heat. If ^N". H. R. will examine closely
another j^ear, he Avill proba])ly find it a combined
result of heat and insects, the one leading to the
other.

The thrip loves warmth, and grows and ma-
tures quicker in warm places. I have seen the
same results in a cold grapery, where the working
of the insect was expedited by the heat of the
brick chimney, the leaves being injured sooner,
and to a sireater extent than elsewhere.

were specimens of these. They were about 7
feet high, and loaded with hundreds of their Sweet
Bells. The plants however are many years old ;
still young plants grow up and flower in one year
if put in a hot place out of doors and a rich soil.
They can be taken up in fall, all the leaves cut
off, and put in a common box of earth and kept
in any cellar, free from frost. — Ed.]

A LARGE BRUGSMAKSIA.

BY DK. n. G. Lr^XGREN, VOLUSIA, FLORIDA.

I have growing in my garden at Yolusia, Fla. ,
a plant of Brugsmansia or Datura Arborea,
which is two years old from the cutting. I give
the following measurements of it : — Height to
highest lateral branch 7 feet ; circumference of
whole plant 32 feet ; circumference of stalk at
ground 12 inches ; same at first lateral branch
10 inches.

This plant has now on it 143 open flowers, and
innumerable buds. It grows in what is called
'' poor white sandy land, " such as is pecular to
some parts of Florida; has never had a particle
of manure in any shape or form, applied to it.
Over 100 cutttings have been taken from this
plant. It stands about 20 feet from my dwelling,
and the perfume at night from it is so powerful
as to be quite annoying. It has bloomed three
times a year since the first year of its growth.
Has stood in open border ever since cutting was
planted, and does not suffer from our light frosts.
It appears to be steadily growing on, and by
next spring I will give the increased measure-
ment.

[We are glad our correspondent has called at,
tention to this old, but beautiful plant. When
it comes to be a large bush it must be a beautiful
thing. Here in the ^STorth it ought to be very
common in gardens, as it is as easily kept over
winter as an Oleander. The most ornamental
things on the beautiful grounds of Mrs. George
W. Carpenter, in Germautown, the past summer,

YxVRIATIONS IK EPIG^A REPElN'S.

Read before Philada. Acad. Natural Sciences, May, I865.
BY THOMAS MEEHAK.

There are yet many botanists who regard va-
riations as accidents. They speak of a normal
form as something essential ; and departures
from their idea of a type, they refer to external
causes, independent of any inherent power of
change in the plant itself. Hence, when a change
of form occurs to them, it is usually referred to
shade, to sunlight, to an unusual season, situa-
tion, or some geological peculiarity of the soil.
Cultivation is denounced as interfering with bo-
tanical science ; introducing and originating in-
numerable forms, defying the skill of the botan-
ist to classify or arrange. My experience in
plant culture, and as an observer of plants in a
state of nature, leads to the conclusion that there
is no greater power to vary in the one case than
in the other ; that there is as much variation in
the perfectly wild plant, as in those under the best
gardener's skill. To illustrate this,. I gathered
a great number of specimens of A«te7inajwj>Za«-
ta(;inifolia\ which, though I do not believe has a
greater average power of variation than any
other plant, affords a good example for the fol-
lowing reasons : The small seeds, I believe, re-
quire a clear surface of ground to vegetate, and
young plants therefore never appear in a meadow
or grassy place. In such positions plants only
exist that had a footing in advance of the grass.
They then propagate exclusively by runners.
After being two or three years in this situation
they form patches of one or several square feet
each. Now it is not easy to appreciate a minute
difference between one single specimen and
another ; but when a score or more of specimens
of one are matched against a similar number of
the other, the minutise make an aggregate which
is readily estimated. So we shall find in the case
of a two or three year old meadow, filled witli
this plant, that not only are no two imtches alike.,
but that the eye convinces us of the fact on the
first glance over the field. Plain as the difieren-
ces thus presented were, I found, however, some

1^8

■H-

THE GARDEjYER'S MOJYTHLY.

Fehruary ^

difficulty iu describing them in language ; and
besides being a dioecious plant, there might be
brought in the objection of intercrossing between
allied species of this or neighboring gansra if not
of the individuals of the opposite sexes them-
selves, to account for so many forms. I there-
fore chose Epigce'i^ as balonging to a natural
order exclusively hermaphrodite ; containing
only one natural species ; not very closely allied
to any of the neighboring genera, Andr07neda,
Clethra, Gaultheria, &c. ; none of which, at any
rate, flower at the same time with it.

On the 19th of April I gathered specimens
from sixteen different plants on the Wissahickon
without taking any pains to make any particular
selection of varieties. The following descriptions
show their variations :

1. Tube of the corolla half inch long, con-
tracted in the middle : segments of the corolla
])roadly ovate, one-third the length of the tube,
incurved, pure white. Scales of the calyx two-
thirds the length of the tube, narrowly lanceolate,
interior ones white and membranaceous with a
crimson base.

2. Tube half inch, regularly cylindrical ; seg-
ments half as long as the tube, triangularly ovate,
light rose, incurved. Scales one-third the length
of the tube, white coriaceous.

3. Tube quarter inch, thick(one-eighth wide),
cylinarical ; segments rather longer than the
tube, triangularly ovate, incurved, deep rosy
pink. Scales three-fourths the length of the tube,
rosy red, with white margins.

4. Tube nearly half inch, contracted at the
summit ; segments very short, scarcely one-six-
teenth of an inch, forming nearly five ovate re-
pand teeth, purplish white. Scales greenish
white, simply acute.

5 Tube quarter incli long, one-eighth wide ;
segments lanceolate, erect, two-thirds as long as
the tube, rosy purple. Scales brown, not mar-
gined, drawn out to a long fine point.

G. Tube quarter inch, cylindrical : segments
oblong ovate, recurved, as long as the tube. One
of the anthers slightly petaloid. Scales prolonged
into almost an awn.

7. Tube much narrowed at the summit, quar-
ter inch long ; segments less than one-sixteenth
of an inch long, pale purple. Scales greenish
brown, very narrow.

8. Tube near half inch, contracted in the mid-
dle ; segments quarter inch, linear lanceolate,
bright rose. Scales half the leuf^th of the tube,

broadly ovate, membranaceous, simply sharp
pointed.

9. Tube half inch, cylindrical ; segments
quarter inch, of v/hich there are but three broadly
ovate white.

10. Tnbe nearly three-quarters inch, cylindri-
cal ; segments quarter inch, narrowly ovate.
Scales as long as the tube, linear lanceolate, pale
green.

11. Tub3 less than quirtor inch, and shorter
than the luxuriant foliaceous, mucronate scales.
Segments of ths corolla two-thirds as long as ths
tube, broadly ovate, pure white.

12. Tub3 quarter inch, increasing slightly in
width upwardly (funnel-shaped), one-eighth
thick at the top of the tubo ; segments short,
ovate, reflexed, light pink. Scales longer than
the tube, green, white margined.

1.3. Tube quarter inch,much contracted in the
middle ; segments quarter inch, broad ovate.
Scales half the length of the tube, brown, with
white margins.

14. Tube under half inch, thick perfectl}*
cylindrical ; segments quai'ter inch, broad linear,
and rounded at the apex, waxy white. Scales
quarter inch long, brown, with membranaceous
margins.

15. Tube full three-quarters inch, cylindrical;
segments quarter inch, triangularly ovate, pale
rose. Scales half inch, narrow and drawn out
to an awn-like point.

IG. Tube half inch, cylindrical Scales less
than one-sixteenth of an inch, broad ovate, green,
and barely pointed.

On again examining Xo. 12, after making
these notes, I was surprised to find no trace of
stamens, but with the pistil perfect ; and on ex-
amining the other specimens, I found three out
of the fifteen were pistillate also. Another re-
markable foct was that all these pistils had the
fine cleft stigmas strongly recurved, exposing a
glutinous surface ; while the iiermaphrodite ones
kept the apex of the pistils closed. The ovaries
of the pistillate forms were also evidently better
developed than those in the hermaphrodite con-
dition, and the inference was that the plant was
practically dicecious.

On the third of May I returned to the locality
and found this hypothesis in all probal)ility cor-
rect. The pistillate plants were in proportion
about one-third that of the hermaphrodite, and
could be readily distinguished after the flower
had fiided by the recurved stigmas above noted.

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVIHLY.

49

All the plants that had shed their corollas Avere force is to preserve the existing form ; the other,
pistillate ; the apparently hermaphrodite plants I to modify, and extend it to newer cliannelf. The
having their corollas dry on the receptacles from | first we represent by the term inheritance, the

which it was not easy to separate them — the
scales of the calyx and a part of the stem coming
away with them. This is so well known a fea-
ture of impregnation in the development of a
fruit, that I need not dwell much on the impor-
tance of thisfacl, as showing the fertility of the
pistillate, and the sterility of the opposite form.
I engaged friends to furnish me specimens
from other places, Dr James Darrach finds
them, as I have above described, in another lo-
cality on the Wissahickon. Miss Anderson
ssnds me ten specimens from Edge Hill, Mont-
gomery County, Pa,, amongst which two are
purely pistillate, the rest varying much as in the
Wissahickon specime'ns. Mr. Isaac Burk finds
pistillate plants abound at Mount Ephraim, Xew
Jersey, but there are abortive filaments without
anthers, and he sends me one specimen of this
character. Mr. Charles E. Smith sends me a
dozen or so specimens from Haddonfield, h( r-
maphrodite, and so exactly alike that they prob-
ably all come from one plant . Mr. E. Ditfen-
baugh sends ten specimens from another place
in Xew Jersey, all with anthers, but varying from
nearly none to filaments three-eighths of an inch
long ; varying also in the proportionate lengths
of scales, tubes and segments ; but not near as
much as in the Wissahickon specimens. Prof,
Cope sends samples from Delaware County, Pa.
These are varied like the Wissahickon ones; and
Mr. Cope remarks to me that the pistillate forms
are so distinctly characterized, by the vasiform
recurved corollas and other characters, that he
can re:idily distinguish them as he walks along.
Has this i^eculiarity of Epigoea repenn been
overlooked by the many botanists who must have
critically examined it heretofore ^ Or has the
plant reached a stage of development when germs
of new forms spring actively into life ?

In a paper on Lopezia. published in the last
volume of the Proceedings, I showed that the
sexual organs of that genus were admirably ar-
ranged to prevent the pollen of a flower falling
on its own stigma. This behavior of Epigrea
adds another to the list of plants, now so exten-
sive, known to have an abhorrence of self-ferti-
lization. It may not be out of place to hazard a
I'eason for this course :

There would seem to be two distinct princi-
ples in relation to form going along together with
the life of a species. The tendency of the one

other we understand as variation. Inheritance
struggles to have the plant fertilize itself with its
own pollen ; whilst ihe efforts of variation are
towards an intermixture of races or even neigh-
boring individuals, rather than with members of
the one brood or family. May it not be possible
that at some time in their past history all species
of plants have been hermaphrodite V that Dioe-
cism is a later triumph of variation, its final
victory in the struggle with inheritance ? There
are some difficulties in the way of such a theory,
as there are with most of these theories ; but it
seems clear from this case of Epigc^a that culti-
vation has not as much to do with changes as it
gets credit for, and we may readily believe that
independently of external circumstances, there is
a period of youth and a period of old age inform
as well as in substance^ and that we may there-
fore look for a continual creation of new forms
by a process of vital development, just as
rationally and as reverently as for the continued
succession of new individuals.

The discovery of dicecism in Epiga'a is interes-
ting from the fact that it is probably the first in-
stance known in true Ericacoea. In the EricaU
suborder of Francoacma, abortive stamens are
characteristic of the family, and in the Pyrolaca^a
antherless filaments have been z-ecorded.

SWI^^DLES IX ORAJfGE QUINCE.

BY T. T. SOUTIIAVICK, DAIJSVILLE, X. Y.

Indignation is from time to time expressed
concerning the frauds committed by the sale of
"new things" at fimcy prices, which prove to
be worthless.

Other frauds are being constantly iiorpetrated
in a more quiet way.

Allow me to name one (likely to increase), and
place the readers of the Monthly, on the guard.
The planting of the Quince for its fruit has been
largely on the increase for some years past. The
demand for plants of " Orange Quince, " has ex-
ceeded the supply. This fact has been taken ad-
vantage of by a set of villians,who sell " Angei 's
[Quince" for "Orange.'" The temptation will
; be acknowledged, when we ren em')er thatwtli
1 grown plants of "Anger's " can be bought ftn-
iif2o per 1000, whilst "Orange" are worth ^'2'S)
■ and upwards per 1000.
I Allow me to note one of several instances Wv-ai

50

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJVIHLJ. February,

have come to my personal knowledge the past
season.

In a neighboring count)' an enterprising man
undertook to fill the demand' for ' Orange Quince. '
To this end, he bought an abandoned and over-
grown block of Anger Quince Bushes, at the
cost of digging them. Then going to the con-
fiding, surrounding farmers, he sold them at the
modest price of Four Hundred Dollars a thous-
and. One Farmer invested .$350, others from
§100 to .'?200 each, in this precious trash. A
slight accident— one not likely to again occur —
awakened suspicion on the part of one party who
had been duped, and the nice little enterprise and

the originator were brought to grief. But when
it is borne in mind the large diflerence in the cost
of "Angers "' and " Orange," and how hard it is
to tell one from the other, until years after, it
will do for the buyer to be on guard.

It may not be out of place to say that the An-
gers Quince is not worthless, as many suppose.
The French prefer it to "Orange ; " it is of
higher flavor,and good for flavoring sauces and jel-
lies, and its bad points being a tardy and shy
bearer, (1 know an oi chard twelve (12) year old,
not yet in bearing). Tree tender, and fruit not
saleable in market.

P. S. I have no Quince for sale.

EDTTOHIAL.

THE FEEDING BOOTS OF TREES.
It is not without some pride that the Editor of
the Ganl€ner'>s Monthlij finds so many of his ob-
servations and opinions, which, on their first
promulgation regarded as wild theories, finally
come to be received as scientific truths. He
owes his success in these matters to being in no
liaste to publish his views. In many cases he
has spent several years in endeavoring to be sure
of his facts, before uttering a word. These facts
he prefers to gather with his own senses from
the great book of nature, rather than to reading
about them in the best libraries ever formed.
There is no other way in which one can properly
advocate a point, if he would not be at the mercy
of every critic that chooses to object to him. The
onl)' inconvenience is, that pressing our views
with the positiveness of one who knoAvs he is
right, and believes in the value of what he
teaches, we lay ourselves open to charges of
vanity, perversity, or notoriety seeking. The
following from Colman''s Bural World is an
"illustration :"

The Gardener's Monthly seems to wish to make itself
notorious, by advocating tlie growing of fruit in grass,
or liaving tlie roots very near tlie surface, and not to
cultivate as we would a tield of corn. We consider sucli
advice and teachings a damage to fruit growing. It
leads many, whom we think otherwise would cultivate
anel grow fruit, to meet with failure of time, and faith
in fruit growing in many sections of our country. This
new system of non-cultivation and pruning may an-
swer very well for some limited localities, but for us, of
the West, will not answer. To be successful— when our
trees come into bearing— they need long roots, that go
down into the damp clay, to keep life and vigor in

them through our long summers of intense heat and
and dryness. A tree to acquire vigor, health and long
life, should be thorough!}/ cultivated. How often do we
see old and inflrm orchards bi'ougiit to renewed life —
recuperated from almost barrenness, to thrifty, pro-
ductive orchards, by plowing up the grass, manuring
and cultivating the sanie.

IN'ow we thank all who point out any errors we
may start, as cordially as we value the commen-
dations of adiuirers. Of course it is pleasant to
have these objections made in a friendly spirit ;
but yet better have an error flayed out of the
public body, even though a sugar pill would do
as well, than have a festering sore remain.

Xow in the extract we have above given, there
is nothing much that we can say here without
great repetition; of course our readers know that
we don't care for the grass in an orchard. If
this writer chooses to put enough compost on
his fruit orchard annually to prevent a blade of
grass from growing, we should say he did
very well, much better than by letting the grass
grow. The grass we have spoken about, is but a
means to an end. If that end can be better ac-
complished by other means, so be it.

Xow it is strange that this cry about the
damage our views about fruit growing would do
if adopted generally, should come from the
West along with another cry that fruit growing
is no%o a failure. President Brown, of the Illinois
Horticultural Society, says in a recent si^eech,
that Fruit-growers' Societies, originally insti-
tuted to tell us " what varieties to plant," now
have a graver duty, to tell us " how to grow
fruit trees.'' He speaks of failures every where.

869,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

51

lo in the East, the advocates of deep rooting are
every where admitting their failure ; but we
shall not enter into this matter here, our present
object being to show where those who think as
the writer of the extract above thinks, are radi-
cally wrong.

Nearly twentj^-five years ago we found that
the root fibers of trees were only annual — like the
leaves, they died every year. In 1853 we pub-
lished it as a fact ; we have fought it through
until we believe it is now accepted as scientific
truth. They have the same relation to the main
roots as the leaves have to the branches, except
that while the leaves are the preparers of the
food— the cooks, — the fibers are the providers
— the husbandmen for the cooks. Just as the
branches are of use only as supporters of the
leaves, which, like the ancient rib of Adam,
are formed by morphological laws out of tree
bodies ; so the main roots are only of benefit in
so far as they afford the material out of which
fibers are formed, to hold the tree in position,
and possibl}'^, in a very small degree, to draw in
moisture.

Kemembering this, now take up very carefully
a young tree, and we find that the fibers are
nearly all on the surface, and that they decrease
in number and importance with every inch of
depth. In the largest trees scarcely a fiber will
be found one foot from the top, large roots— tap
roots— you may and will find, but no root that
is of the slighest benefit to the nutrition of the
tree. How then a tree can be benefited by the
destruction of this large army of agricultural
laborers, toiling at the surface to maintain the
growing nation thriving in its many industrial
occupations above them, we do not understand.

When we look back and see that it has already
taken twenty years to have these simple truths
generally recognized as correct, we hardly expect
to live to see the credit awarded to us of being the
founder of an entirely new system of fruil cul-
ture ; but we do feel that after we are dead and
gone, the new generation will wonder why the
old one was so stupid as to cling to a system,
which they continually acknowledged a failure ;
which took its rise from, and had no better au-
thority than the fables of ^sop ; and which
they were shown was clearly opposed to princi-
ples, the truth of which they could not dispute.

THE BERBERRY AND WHEAT RUST.

There is nothing more interesting than the
fact that practice is so often in advance of
science. It is becoming quite common to find
matters which intelligent men scoff at as vulgar
errors, become admitted as scientific truths. A
valuable lesson should be derived from this.
Scientific men should feel how little they really
know ; and, while not more ready than now to
admit any thing as true till rigidly proved so,
yet be more disposed to aid practical men to
prove their facts, than to deride their improba-
bility.

We all know how the very best hot house vine
growers of the past generation, laid great stress
on the importance of cutting off grape tendrils as
fast as formed; and we also know how the younger
race, with a smattering of philosophy, have
amused themselves with what they called the old
fogy notions of their fathers ; yet Mr. Meehan
has shown in one of his recent papers in the pro-
ceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia, taking Mr. Darwin's discovery
of motion in tendrils for the basis of his argu-
ment, that our forefathers were right, and their
practice founded on true physiological law. It
now appears that the farmer was right when he
asserts that the Berberry will introduce rust in
wheat.

This has been for ages a topic of universal
interest, and has generated quarrels of not much
less importance to us, at least, than the " siege
of Troy.'* We came across a case in Illinois
last year. A Massachusetts woman brought the
Berberry from her old home and made a hedge.
Neighboring farmers suffered terribly from wheat
rust, laid the blame on the Berberry, and de-
manded its I'emoval. The lady refused, and the
farmers came together one night and dug it all
out by Lynch Law. The lady appealed to a
higher tribunal. The lady's attorney applied
hard for damages ; but the jury and judge came
near justifying the case, when a number of the
old Genesee Farvier was produced in court,
wherein it was shown conclusively, that the Ber-
berry rust and the wheat rust were two distinct
plants. Thus the lady gained her case. We sho.Ud
have so decided also at that time, and even
now we are not taught better ; for it is still a
fact that the two rusts are very distinct forms —
the great lesson is, that though two distinct
forms, they are both the same thing for all.
During the few past years Prof. Oersted, a Dan-
ish botanist, has been studying the history or

52

THE GARBEJS'-ER' S MONTHLY. February,

the lower order of fungi, and he has discovered
that some species have the power of producing
differcmt forms in alternate generations— that is
that there are two species bound up in one indi-
vidual,and that each species enjoys the privilege of
alternately producing its spores, yet these spores
though from one plant, will only germinate and
become parasitic on its own favorite victims.
Thus he has proved thai a little parasite, which
breeds on the apple and the white thorn, and
has been known as liccsteUa pencillata, jjroduces
at its first crop of spores the germs of another
" genus," Poc/isomactovarce/orma, which choses
to grow on the Juniper ; Podisoma Sabina which
throws on the Savin Juniper, and Rcestelia cancel-
lata, which is a Pear parasite, also have a commu-
nity ot origin. Podiaoma juniper inum also on the
.Juniper, and Bcestelia cornuta, are also corres-
ponding forms of one another, as is also the
Puccinia gramiais, the red rust of wheat, and
yEcidiurn herheridis^ the red rust of the Ber-
berry.

We find these interesting fticts in the Decem-
ber number of the A7nericanKatural>st, referring
to Dr. Oersted's papers in the proceedings of the
Eoyal Danish Acadennj of Science of Copenha-
gen.

The only thing which may not be clear to the

'"■eneral reader, is the exact meaning which is to
be placed on the phrase, alternate generations.
Mr. J. L. Russell, Professor of Botany to the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, is a deeply
interested student in this branch of science, and
we have obttvined from him a fuller account of
the process than is given in the Naturalist, and
will be read by our readers with deep interest.

Mr. Russell says :

The Puccinia graminis, (and a few other
species of Puccinia,) infests the stems and leaves
oftrrain or "corn," in "English." It resembles a
slit or crack filled with a black dust ; each par-
ticle of this dust is a compound spore of two
parts. AVhen this germinates it pushes out of its
upper segment a thread which eventually divides
into segments, and produces spirals bearing sj^ot
ridia. These sporidia find their way to the leaf of
the Barberry, and, gcrnnnating, in turn enter the
stimates by a filament, which growing into a
Mycilium feeds upon the contents of the cellular
tissues. From this Mycilium springs the ^Eci-
dium, at first a pale spot under the cuticle, and
developing into a cluster of fringed cup-like
bodies or sori. each filled with orange-colored
ovate spores. These spores on germinating do not

produce ^cidia, but a second stage of growth —
once making the genus Uredo, consisting of clus-
ters of little irregular cells, filled with simple oval
spores, composing a lenifOrmed dish or stoma.
The spores ot the Uredo on germinating attack
the leaves of the Graminea, and by a mycilious
system riot on their tissues until the perfect or
finished condition ends in Puccinia with its two
pointed and 2)^<iicelled spores, and the circle is
complete.

Puccinia graminis has three (3) stages of
growth, viz :

1. ^cidium.

2. Uredo.

3. Puccinia.

The grasses are attacked by other Puccinia.
such as P. coronata, P. straminis, (Pers,) which
in the Uredo and ^cidium stages appear on the
Boraginous plants, on Rhamnus Parraxicum,
Urtices, Ranunculus, etc., etc., and according to
Luthen's, in American Naturalist, 1. c, Prof.
Oersted has found a sexual (barren) condition of
Roestelia, (a genus of ^Ecidiacious plants,) orig-
inating from Podisoma, which in shape of spores
reminds us of Puccinia.

This seeming anomaly of a perfected condition,
finding its earl}' growth dependent on quite a
distinct plant, from which it is itself parasitic,
has been termed by de Bar}' and Tulasne hetero-
ique ; its importance in an agricultural view,
must stimulate inquiry into what are the several
plants in which the heteroique or heterogenetre
condition obtains.

This interesting subject is treated at length in
Annales de Sc. Nat., for 1860, by Professor de
Bary, and in Comptes Rendus, &c., Berlin, for
ISG.j.

CUT FLOWER STAND.

We give below sketches for a very pretty and
convenient flower dish, designed by Mr. C. W.
Trotter, a distinguished amateur in gardening,
of our city.

The stand is the chief point of mterest, and
consists of two surfaces of galvanized wire net-
ting, the meshes occupying aliout three-quarters
of a square inch. The lower surface is about
one inch below the upper, and its use is to hold
the stems in position after they have been placed
through the upper ones.

The merit of the plan is, that the flowers can
not only be fixed firmly in position, but that the
stand can be lifted out entirely every morning

1869,

TEE GARDEJfER'S MOJYTHLT.

and the water changed, which ensures the pre-
servation of the cut flowers to the longest possi-
l>Ie period.

Fig. 1 shows the dish with the interior stand,
ready for the reception of the flowers.

Fig. 2 shows tlie interior stand with its double
setting:, through which to set the flowers.

The dish is about 12 inches by 8, and about
two inches deep, of tin, painted tastefully.

We are much obliged to the kind friend who
handed us the stand from which we make our
illustration, for we regard it as one of the most
useful parlor ornaments we have lately seen.

Fig. 3.

Fi?. 1.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

BiGNONiA Capbeolata.— A correspondent
at Tipton^ Ind., sends us the following about a
climber, which is the Bignonia Capreolata. We
give what he says about it in full, in the hope
that it may lead to a bej;ter appreciation of a
very beautiful but much neglected vine.

"Again I come to you for information ; may I
get answers to my "queries in the February
number of the Monthly ?"

In the White River Valley in Southern Indi-
ana, I found this fall a plant climbing up trees
to the heighth of from 30 to 40 feet ; the
same seems to belong to the Bignouia tribe,
although the leaves differ materially from those
of other species of that family. The foliage of
this said climber hangs on the vine till late in the
fiill, and was, about the 1st of Kovember, as
fresh a& in midsummer. The leaves are from
5 to 7 inches iu length, and 2 to 3 inches wide ; on
the upper side they are \ glossy dark green, while
the underside of the same are purplish green.
The seed vessels, which were mostly hanging on
yet, are about 8 inches long and three quarters
of an inch wide, not rounded like those of the
Bignonia radicans, but flat and of a light

leather color. I made a rough sketch of part of
a vine, exhibiting the leaves and tendrils, which
may assist you in identifying the plant and
giving me the botanical name thereof.

In the same neighborhood I also found a
species of Orchids, here popularly known as
"Adam and Eve. " The sketch I made of it has
been misplaced, wherefore I cannot send it now.
Do you know a plant by that name and what is
it botanically ? Has it any value as a flowering
plant?"

[Some of the Aroideea are called " Adam and
Eve," as well as many other plants. Some
further clue would be necessary to name it.]

GladioTjUS BuLBLETS. — 6r. O. 3f., Philadel-
phia, asks : "I notice in a book on " bulbs," that
the author states that the little bulblets from
Gladiolus should be kept over one season — to
insure the growth of all— that if planted the first
season after production, not one in a hundred
will grow. This seems so unnatural that I de-
sire to ask for your experience. Have no doubt
others would like to know too ?''

[We keep them damp all the winter by mixing

5Jf

THE GARBEJ^EKS MO^^THLY.

F^hriiay,

them with earth in a box, put them in a
cellar, and they seem all to grow very well. That
they did not grow under a year in the experience
of the author of "Bulbs," was owing doubtless
to some other circumstance, and not merely
a question of time.]

The Salem Grape seems to attract attention.
The Rochester Evening Expreas says of the Ex-
hibition of the Xew York State Grape Growers'
Asssociation :

"T. L. Harris, of Salem on Erie, near Broc-
ton, exhibited the Salem, one of Rogers' Hy-
brids, and said to be his best. The fruit is de-
licious. Mr. Harris has 3U acres planted with
this variety, and it is the most vigorous and
uniformly healthy and hardy of any kind
grown in his extensive vineyard. It will be ex-
tensively fruited next year, and we think the
demand for it will rapidly increase."

And we notic 3d a similar paragraph in the
Painesville, O. Telegraph, about its exhibition
there at the Ohio Lake Shore Grape Growers'
Association.

Raising Gextiaks from Seed.— F. S. Tipton,
Indiana, writes :

" AVhat may be the cause that, with all possi-
ble care, I have not yet had success in raising
the Gentiana acaulis from seed ? For the last
five years I have been buying and sowing;, (in
hotbeds and the open border,) the seed of this
lovely plant, and have not yet had the good for-
tune to see a singliseed of it germinate. Can you
explain this, or advise a special mode of treat-
ment of this seed ? Or, if not, can you inform
me of whom I could get plants, as I like the
Gentiana acaulis so well ?"

[Possibly the seed have not been properly
fertilized, although apparently j^erfect. Have
any of our readers been able to raise Gentian
s ;ed ?1

Change of Fmiis.— Mr. E. Bronson retires
from the firm of Bronson, Gravef,, SeJover & Co.,
of Geneva, I^. Y., and, though going into busi-
ness on his own account, leaves his good wishes
with his former co-laborers.

Mr. Knox, of Pittsburg, gives up the seed
business and seed store in that city to his son,
who has practically had charge of it for a long
time. We know the young man personall}', and
feel sure the reputation of the father will suffer

nothing at the son's hands. Mr. Knox, the
elder, will of course keep on with the small fruit
culture, in which he has so well earned a fame.

Cranberry Culture. — Jlr. F. Tr(nclridge,of
New Haven, Conn., has issued small pamphlets
on Cranberry culture, which he sends free to all
who are interested in the subject.

American Evergreens. — We suppose it is
generally known that Messrs. Douglass & Sons,
of Waukegan, 111., are successfully competing
with Euj-opean nurseries in the raising of young
evergreen seedlings. We are glad to hear that
they feel very much encouraged. We gave a
call there last year, and calculated that there
must be thirty viiles of seed beds if stretched
out one foot wide. We never expected to see so
sreat a success.

Death of Mr. Thomas Affleck. — Our
readers will be sorry to learn of the death of this
gentleman, one of our earliest contributors, and
always a warm friend of the Gardener''s Monthly.

He was a native of Scotland, but settled many
years ago in Mississippi, and had his who'e
heart and soul bound up in Horticulture, and
what he believed to be the interest of his sec-
tion of the country. For these he seemed
almost to live ; and we have no doubt that the
present state of affairs, so different from what
he would wish them to be, had much to do with
the congestion of the brain, of which he died, at
his home at Brenham, Texas, not much beyond
middle age.

We always felt that we could very well afford
to let our friend enjoy his decided idea of things,
in view of his warm-hearted nature, generous
impulses, and enthusiastic devotion to every
thing good and ennobling as he considered it to
be ; and feel that in him, not only the horticul-
ture of the South, but of the whole Union, has
lost a distinguished friend.

Tomato Sugar. — Mr. Joseph S. Williams^
Cinnaminson, N. J., writes : — It is no uncommon
3-ield to take 1000 bushels of tomatoes from an
acre, and that 100 bushels will press 4000 to 5000
gallons of juice, which, if distilled after the
proper ingredients are added, with due time to
complete fermentation, from 500 to 700 gallons of
proof spirits, which have, by liquor dealers not
knowing the liquor, been pronounced new peach

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTELY.

braudy, apple brandy, &c. I have made it an
object to get the opinion both of the physician
and liquor judges ; and believe it to be a liquor
which is healthy and medical, and can be manu-
factured at lower figures in larger quantities, and
with tenfold the certainty of any other fruit
spirits, and must in time be the great resource
for obtaining alcoholic spirits, as there is no crop
which will yield as many bushels per acre with
same certainty, with as little expense.

State Entomologist of Missouri. — Mr. C.
V. Riley's selection to this office seems to give
general satisfaction. A Western paper says :

"We have been truly astonished at the degree
of interest which has been manifested in his
work, and the general approval which his labors
have met with, not only in our own State, but
in surrounding States. It has proved the most
popular act of our last Legislature, and we hope
the coming Legislature will establish the office
on a permanent foundation "

Destruction of Insects. — Immense num-
bers of insects might be destroyed in a garden
or orchard, by using bottles of sweet liquid sys-
tematically. This is quite common in England,
where they do not let every fruit enemy run
riot, and then sit down and cry about having no
crops ; but work to get the good fruit they boast
of.

Dishonest Dealers, — A Tennesee corres-
pondent writes, that he sent $20 to a firm m
Xew York for seeds a year ago. He received
an acknowledgment that the money was re-
ceived, but cannot get any other satisfaction.
He adds, that he will send a full statement of the
affair to us if we will publish it.

We do not think this will help our friend to
get his money back. He had better send the ac-
knowledgment to a collecting lawyer, and let
him sue for the return of the money. Fairthorn &
Rand, of Philadelphia, is an honorable law firm
of this class. It is best never to send money to
any one except in a draft or Post office order, so
that proof can be made that money had been
sent.

Artificial Fertilizers for Strawber-
ries,—Gr. C, ii,, Washington, D. C.

" What commercial fertilizer is best to use on
a proposed acre of strawberries in the absence of

barnyard manure or ashes ? N'either of the
latter can be obtained in suitable condition or
quantities."

[We have found strawberries very much bene-
fitted by guano sowed over the beds soon after
the leaves have pushed, and just before a rain.]

Parasite on the Pear. — S., Dansville, N.
y., says : (1) I send by this mail a pear stock,,
having on it a queer parasite plant. AVhat is it ?
A number were found near each other, (2) If
one plant will grow and live independently on
the stock, why will not some other form grow on
the leaf, and cause its blight ?

[1, The parasite is the Dodder, a fine thread-
like plant, which first germinates in the earth,
and lives there until it finds a plant to climb
over, when it cuts loos3 from the earth and feeds
altogether on the kindly aid which it found in
''getting up in the world," It can only propa-
gate from seed, and cultivators should watch for
its appearance, and destroy it early, before it
has a chance to ripen its seeds. It will be a pest
to the pear seed grower, if it gets ahead. It evi-
dently is taking a liking to the pear, as we have
seen it in many seed beds the past year,

2, Your inference is correct. Indeed, we sup"
pose a man can now scarcely lay claim to intelli-
gence who does not know that the leaf blight in the
pear, so called, is nothing else but the growth of
a parasite plant. This view, originating in Eng-
land, with' Rev. Wm. J, Berkeley, early com-
mended itself to our approval; and we look with
pleasure on the influence which the Gardener's
Ifonthly ha.s had in directing the Amei'ican people
to a knowledge of this fact, which is destined yet to
have a marked influence on successful fruit
culture.1

Deaths of • European Botanists.— Our
foreign exchanges notice the decease of some
distinguished botanists.

Von MartiUvS. — Died on the 13th of Decem-
ber, at Munich, aged 75. He is best known by
his magnificent pul)lication on the flora, the geo-
graphy, the political economy, and other matters
connected with Brazil, His monograph on
Palms, his " Flora Braziliensis," and scores of
other publications, not forgetting his treatise on
the potato disease, amply justify the reputation
in which he was held. He was born at Erlan-
gen, studied medicine in the University of that
city, and afterwards traveled in Brazil, and on

'6

THE GARDE JEER'S MO^'THLY. February.

]us return published the fruits of his journey as
above mentioned.

PcEPPiG —Dr. Edward Poeppig died on the
4th of December, at Leipsic. He was born at
Planeu, and was 70 years at his death. During
the interval between 1827 and 1833 he made ex-
tensive explorations in Chili, Peru, and the Am-
azon country, the botanical results of which
were published by him, in conjunction with End-
licher, in the "Xova Genera et Species Plauta-
rum quos in regno Chilcnsi, Peruviano, &c ," a
valuable work, illustrated by 300 colored plates
of new plants. After his return from America
he occupied the chair of zoology at Leipsic.

PpaxCE Edward Oats.— We have a sample of
these from Messrs. Landreth, and feel that a
crop of just such grain as this would make the
coldest farmer's heart warm with enthusiasm. It
is only recently that improvement has been
started in the oat. It seems to be successfully
prosecuted.

Timber Growing at the West.— Some of
our Western horticulturists are earning the title
of public benefactors by their labors in behalf of
tree planting. D. C. Schofield, of Elgin, 111., is
conspicuous in this good work.

We see also an excellent series of articles in
the Omaha Herald, by Mr. J. T. Allen, on the
same subject.

Our Thanks are due to many friends who, at
this season renewing their subs -riptions, kindly
add good words. Especially do we thank those
friends who, beside this, have showed where, in
their view, Ave might add to the value of our
magazine. Any one may compliment, but only
a true friend thinks it worth while to criticize.
We cannot alwajs carry out suggestions made,
but we sometimes may, and are therefore very
glad to have them made to us.

Influence or the Stock ox the Fruit. —
The Gardener^s Chronicle notices the fact of an
apple, suiiposed to be small naturally, suddenly
assuming the character and proportions of a
tirst-cla?s fruit, by being grafted on a sort of
"Pearmain." We find in America that some
pears are thus influenced. For instance, the
Duchess D'Angouleme pear is almost worth-
ess on thepear, but tolerably good on the quince;
and other instances will suggest themselves to
fruit growers ; but yet the matter is worthy of a
much closer examination than has yet been
given it.

Horticultural Party for the South.—
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, and Messrs. Barry,
Ellwanger, Manning, and others, have been en
joying themselves by a trip South. Xo doubt
they will find a return favor in a liberal attend-
ance of Southern friends next fall, at the Na-
tional meeting in Philadelphia.

It will gratify the many friends of Mr. Wilder
to know that, notwithstanding his great age, he
is in excellent health, and working at his favorite
pursuits with a will. We see by the papers that
he i)resided at the annual meeting of the New
England Genealogical Society i-ecently, of which
he has been for many years annually re-elected
President.

Wine from the Franklin Grape — A West-
ern Pennsylvania correspondent sends us a sam-
ple of wine only three months old, which we have
placed before good judges, who consider it equal
to much of the high brand European clarets. In
our friend's hands the Franklin seems to be a
very valuable wine grape. Here it rarely pro-
duces a berry, through some imperfection in the
blossom.

Tomato Trellises. — Samuel Allen says, on
the Tomato Trellis question :

" I don't feel as justice was quite done me ;
since the sun is admitted generally to be, and in
the editorial on that article, is " siq)2iOstd to 6e"
the great flavorer. Flavor was the main point
in the argument, I think ; but I am satisfied. I
should like very much to see them trained, and
bearing in such abundance as stated in the
Monthhj. and would gladly adopt the pole sys-
tem, if that is the cause of the enormous yield.''"

The Thornless Honey Locust Tree. — A
correspondent in the American Naturalist, wish-
es to know if it is an unusual fact to find the
honey locust without thorns— as he has found
four trees on his farm, with no thorns upon any
of them. The editor of the Naturalist answers :
" A very obscure torm without thorns, which by
some is supposed to be a new species, has been
known to exist in the Western States."

It does not seem to be generally known that
seedling honey locusts, though the seed be all
taken from one tree, produces plants varying from

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

57

very thorny to unarmed. It is no doubt owing
to varying constitutional vigor. We believe the
most productive trees produce the fewest thorns.
Man}' individual honey locusts have imperfect
flowers and perfect few seeds ; these, we think,
have the most thorns. At one time the thorn-
less forms were supposed to constitute a distinct
species, and it was called Gleditschia inermis^ but
the facts above given have dissolved the species.

Inside Grape Borders.— -En^Hire/-, Ban-
ville, Pa., writes : "Will you kindly inform me
through the medium of your Gardener'' s Monthly,
if it is in your opinion advisable to make an in-
side border for grape culture in this country ? I
amsiluate in a hilly district in the State of Penn-
sylvania, and am following out the practice as in
England, which is in every way a success. I
have been repeatedly told by a person in the nur-
.sery business, the same thing will not answer
here. I cannot ascertain the reason why, only
that this individual has seen a place where an
inside border failed. ISTow, I should be great-
ly obliged if you or any of your numerous
correspondents could inform me if such a failure
is general in the States, and if so, why is it that
a vine will not answer as well, or better, with in-
side culture, with good drainage and a good bor-
der, than with the same preparation and the
roots on an outside border."

[Inside grape borders in the United States are
found unnecessary. They are a heavy expense,
and it is found that the roots will not stay in
them, if by any possibility they can get into the
open air. Our dry climate makes it necessary
to water these inside much more than is done in
England, and there is danger, unless the border
is very well drained, which is rarely done, that
the soil will " sour " under this treatment, when
mildew, shanking, and rot, invariably follow.
If our correspondent makes the drainage good,
he may succeed, but it must be done hetter than
ninety per cent, of those we have seen.]

he shows that this is so, you ought to help him
to a fair hearing, and set him right with your cor-
respondent and the public. This will redound
to your honor and is dictated by conscience."

[We have no personal matter in this case
either way. It was sent to us by a highly re-
spectable correspondent, as a matter of great
public concern, and we could see no ground for
refusing its publication. We shall very cheer-
fully give place to anything that will place the
matter in a better light.]

Seed Drill. — S. Allen says :

"I notice in a late number, an inquiry for a
seed drill for apple and osage-orange seed, I
have been using a drill for two years of my in-
vention, and which has lately been patented.
The necessity of finding some good plan for dis-
tributing guano and other special fertilizers,
evenly and rapidly, and without regard to winds,
led to its invention. I have sowed all my peas
and beans, and special fertilizers, with it for two
years past, also turnips, &c. I think it perfect for
everything between turnips and seeds, one-half
inch in diameter, inclusive. In sowing fertilizers
it rejects all lumps more than one-half inch in
diameter, never clogs, always sows evenly, and
will sow from 1 pound to 1000 pounds per acre,
with no change but turning the set screw. It is
simple, efficient, and inexpensive, I think they
will cost near S20. They hold 12 quarts of seed,
however, or 25 to 30 pounds of fertilizer, and do
not get out of repair easily. Pushes very easily
when full, &c. But too much already. I intend
getting some up during the winter."

J. A. A., Kingston, Canada, says : "I should
be deeply grieved to think that the editor of the
Journal of Horticulture could have so descended
from his high position of truih and impartial ar-
biter, as to act in the manner charged against
him by your correspondent, and hope that he
will explain the circumstances to us all ; for no
man should be above exempting himself, and
showing the jiublic that he is above suspicion on
all grounds of having but honest judgment. If

Late Blooming Apple Trees. — F. S., Tip-
ton, Ind.,sa,ys : "In reply to a qtiery as to a pre-
ventive of " apple blossoms being destroyed by
spring frost," you advise the planting of late
blooming varieties as the surest remedy, and
name Raule's Janet as one of those varieties;
allow me to name another late blooming variety of
apples, the " Borsdorfor," one of the best apples
in existence, it being of the finest flavor, and
keeping longer than any other apple known to
me. The tree is hardy and prolific, and the fruit
succeeds equally well on standard or dwarf trees.
The apple originated in my home country (Ger-
many), and has not, to my knowledge, been im-
ported by any nurseryman, except Messrs, Ell-
wanger & Barry, of Kochester, N". Y., who
could, after having tried the " Borsdorfor " in

58

TEE GARDEJYER'S MONTHLY.

February,

this couutr}^ give reliable testimony in reference ;
to the good qualities of said variety, especially
as to their late blooming."

[We have so often heard this apple praised by
Germans, that we imported a few, a few 5'^ears
ago, which have not bloomed yet. We are very
glad to hear that in addition to its other merits,
it has another, unknown to us before.]

Zixc Labels. — A correspondent enquires
where he can procure the ornamental printed
zinc labels, which we noticed in our paper re-
cently. The circular, we believe, contained no
address, but we have some samples from Hon.
J. D. Defrees, Congressional Printer, Washing-
ton, D. C, who could probably give the desired
information.

our last number, complains, among other things,
that a contemporary should editorially say, '"The
Main Grape — the finest grape now grown in the
United States, for domestic use. See advertise-
ment," while knowing that it was nothing but
Concord. Since this article appeared in our col-
umns, some Boston friend sends us the November
number of the magazine referred to, with a par-
agraph marked on page 320, wherein the editor
says the grape is the same as Concord. So far
as this may indicate a disposition to repair a
great wrong done the public, it is but just that
our contemporary get the credit of it.

The Maist Grape — A correspondent in our

The BLrFFTOx Wixe Company. — By the
report of this Company, we see that Mr. Samuel
Miller leaves the oflftce of Superintendent, and
we believe starts grape growing on his own ac-
count.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Gardenin^o for tite SorTH. By W. W.

White, Xew York; Published by Orange,

Judd & Co.

This is a revised edition of an indispensable
work. Mr.AVhite, the author, died during its
progress, and it was finished by Mr. J. Van Bu-
ren and Dr. James Camak, two well known
names, distinguished in southern horticulture.
A portrait of Mr. White is given as a frontis-
piece.
The most striking feature of the work is its pecu-
liar practical character, and yet combined with a
common sense philosophy, which after all is not
common, at least in works of this kind. Mr.
White seldom indulges in the reasons for his
rules, generally resting sufficient with plain di-
rections for doing what he has already done ; but
when he does depart from this plan, the scien-
tific elucidations are generally clear.

It is very interesting to note in following him
through, that the operations of southern gar-
dening are very similar to those in vogue at the
Xorth; and the crops and kind popular here, are
equally so there. The chief difference is in the
time to work, usually a month earlier or later,
according to whether it is a hot or cold country
plant which is to be operated on.

It is also very easy to see that the author did not
complete his own work, and we can readily enter
into the delicacy of the position assumed by his
two friends. No man but an author can do jus-
tice to his own theme. To alter or add but a
little, does not do justice to the editors; to do
more, they endanger the reputation of their
friend ; and yet we hardly think, if Mr. AVhite
were now living, he would totally ignore the ex-
istence of that annoying plague to the pear cul-
turist, the leaf blighi ; or suggest as the most
reasonable cause of fire blight that the pear had
got a poison virus through its whole system,
through the "unnatural practice '' of budding
on the quince.

We also doubt whether in the face of such suc-
cesses as have been reported by Mr. Berckmans
and others in the South, he would pronounce
grape culture a failure, except with the Scupper-
nong; or allow his usually cautious statements
to be weakened by giving two hundred andffty
bushels of grapes as a produce of one Scupper-
nong vine.in one year. Again, he might have
believed at one time that hermaphrodite straw-
berries will only produce a good crop in favor-
able seasons; that it is to the pistillate varieties,
fertilized with the hermaphrodite, that we have

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTHLY.

59

to look for large crops of fruit, but scarcely
think so now ; and pen the remarkable con-
clusion, that '"most of the old ones are now
superseded by new and improved varieties,
among which stand pre-eminent Wilson's Al-
ban}'^, Jucunda, Agriculturist, Dr. Nicaise, Down-
er's Prolific, McAvoy's Superior, and some
others," none of which but the last are pistil-
late, and that last not by any means popular.

All of these little antedeluvian ideas we regard
as irreparable, from the great horticultural loss
of the author, while at his task, and do not by
any means detract from the value of the book,
which is equal in interest to any which has come
on our table for a long time, and which we all of
us will cherish as the last legacy of a good man,
to the cause he loved.

In looking over the list of garden implements,
we are reminded of what we have several times
intended to call our readers' attention to— the
Mendenhall Dibble, figured in our first volume,
and which we here reproduce, but which seems
to have been overlooked by cultivators.

It is a flat dibble, and made of polished
steel, and we regard it as one of the most useful
implements ever invented. No one who has ever
used it but would vote to consign all the round
dibbles to the "tomb of the Capulets," if, in-
deed, he cared aught where they all went to.

Guide to the Study of Insects.— By A.
S. Packer, M. D. Published by the Salem In-
stitute, Mass. We have before noticed this very
useful book. Part 5 is now before us.

Hearth and Home. —We noticed the pros-
pectus in our last, and now have several weekly

issues before us. The first number was not
above criticism. It was not easy to understand
how a vegetable garden could be " improved "
by cutting it up into triangles, which no garden-
er or ploughman could worli^ however pretty
such a plan might look on paper ; nor was it
clear to understand how putting " crocks " in a
flower pot for drainage could be a, positive injury
to the plant, although it may be questionable
whether in very small pots it has much value.
The succeeding numbers, however, contain so
much of real value, that we feel it would be un-
just to dwell on its weak points.

We have long believed that there was a great
want of a family paper, which should carry hor-
ticulture into the most cultivated drawing-rooms,
and commend itself to the highest order of the
literary intellect. Hearth and Home does this in a
great measure, and we wish it every prosperity
and success.

The Dixie Farmer.— Ever}^ year during the
past few years, so many new agricultural papers
have started, that it is hard to keep the run of
them all. Some maintain their existence with
difficulty, others seem to fill a want, and go on
swimmingly. Amongst these last is the Dixie
Farmer, of J^ashville. It had a " hard " look
at first, but there was originality about it which
was a good augury of success. So many like to
imitate others. If one paper calls itself
"Jacobs," we then have the "or/^ymaZ Jacobs,"
the " original original .Jacobs," and so on " i^ifi-
nitum.''-' These gentlemen boldly launched out
a.s the ''Dixie Farmer,'-' cutting adrift from all
other bases, and going out on a career of their
own. Paper, printing, matter, everything has
been gradually getting better and better, till now
we have it with a very neat heading, as neat and
as charmingly original as its name. We admire
this honest look, and feel it will have all the suc-
cess its best friends can wish.

MW AlVD EAM FEUITS.

GisbornePlum.— Of Plums, one of the princi-
pal varieties cultivated by Mr. Dancer is Gis-
borne's, a rather shabby-looking, medium-sized,
oval, yellow Plum, with a rather firm yellow
flesh, not very juicy; neither is it of a very excel-
lent flavor in general. In the past summer,
however, I tasted some fruit which were very

fine indeed, and they were of an extraordinary
size, although the trees were all very heavily la-
den with the crop. They were so large and so
highly colored that they could scarcely be dis-
tinguished from the fruit of the Jefferson. The
flesh parts freely from the stone, whereas the Jef-
ferson is somewhat of a clingstone. — English
Journal of Horticulture.

60

TEE GABDEJVER'S MOJfTHLY. Fehruary,

The Stark Apple.— Was brought to the
notice of the Ohio Pomological Society, in 1861,
by II. P. McMaster, of Delaware County. It
was at first thought to be identical with the Lib-
erty, a seedling of that County, but was soon
found to be distinct, and being highly reccom-
niended by Mr. M., became quite largely planted
in his locality. The tree is a vigorous, upright
grower, bears very early, and continues healthy,
bearing large crops to an old age.

The fruit resembles Raule's Janet somewhat,
but is larger, is as good quality, and keeps until
other apples are mostly gone, when its size and
fine appearance, make it valuable for market.
The fruit may be used in December, but keeps
Avell until June.

[We have the above note, with a box of the
fruit from Mr. Hanford, of Columbus, Ohio. It
is a valuable variety, and we are glad to see it
coming into general notice. — Ed.]

J. S. Downer & Son. Fruit medium, flattened,
conical irregular, surface smooth, waxen-yellow,
covered with lake ; splashed darker, overspread
with a heavy bloom; resembling Northern Spy in
its coloring ; dots scattered, gray, basin abrupt,
eye medium, closed ; cavity wide, green ; stem
long ; core regular, closed ; seeds long, plump,
dark ; flesh deep yellow, breaking, tender, fine
grained ; juicy ; flavor, sub-acid ; rich aroma-
tic. Use, table; quality very good ; season early
winter. — American Journal of Horticulture.

Texder Skin Apple.— Supposed to have
originated in South Carolina, and received from

The President Wilder Strawberries. — As
we have already informed our readers there are
two Strawberries so named — one American, one
European.

The January number of the American Journal
of Horticulture^ gives sketches of each so that
confusion may be rectified somewhat.

The American is ovoid, from the colored
figure, appearing like the Austin or the Shaker.
The European is long, with a neck more like
Peabody.

NEW AND EAEE PLANTS.

Rhododendron fragrantissima.— Rhodo-
dendron Gibsoni is well known in gardens as a
hybrid between Rhododendron and an Azalea.
It will be seen by the following note by Messrs.
Rollison's of Tooting, London, that this has
again been made to hybridize with the Hima-
layan Rhododendron Edgworthii. If there is no
mistake about the pedigree, it is a great blow to
the theory, tliat hybrids are infertile. Of course
it will not be hardy in the Northern States, but
will be avaluAble addition to our greenhouses.
We hope some of our enterprising importers
will soon get us a plant to look at.

"This splendid Hybrid Sikkim is the result of a
cross made between R. Edgworthii and R. Gib-
soni, the flowers partaking of the delicious fra-
grance of the former, while the plant retains the
shrubby habit and abundant flowering qualities
of the latter. The flower, which is of great sub-
stance, and measuring upwards of 5 inches in
diameter, is of the purest white, with the excep-
tion of the upper petal, which is lightly spotted
with ochre ; the back of the flower is neverthe-
less very beautiful, being most delicately pen-
cilled and shaded with rose on a glistening,
5ilabaster-like ground.

Prom the splendid habit and profuse blooming
qualities of this Hybrid, we feel confident it will
prove a very formidable rival, as an exhibition
plant, to the Azalea indica, comprising, as it
does, the same freeness of growth, good habit,
and free-flowering qualities, accompanied with
one of the most exquisite perfumes it is possi-
ble for any flower to possess. It was awarded a
First-class Certificate by the Committee of the
Royal Horticultural Society at Kensington, and
has since been admired by all who have seen it.

BouvARDiA ELEGANS.— Originated last winter
in a " sport " from B. Hogartk, which it resem-
bles in color, only the shade is brigiitcr and
clearer, and may be described as a light scarlet
carmine, but its extraordinary novelty and
merit consists in its immense size of flower and
truss, which far exceeds that of any other known
variety — many of the trusses measuring from
four to five inches in diameter. It has also the
valuable quality of coming true from the root
cuttings. — Peter Henderson^s Catalogue.

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

61

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Dwarf Crab Apples. — M. A. McMasters,
of Darien, Walworth county, Wis., raised this
year sixteen beautiful apples of Paradise, a spe-
cies of large Siberian crab apples, on a tree only
six inches high ! This remarkable fact is vouched
for by responsible parties. — Western Pcqer.

Georgia Dried Peaches. — The Rome Cou-
rier says, 152,556 pounds of dried peaches have
been shipped from that city, which at ten cents
per pound, were worth fl5,555,G0,and the crop is
not yet half in. The Marietta Journal says an
equal amount has been shipped from that town.

Gas Lime as a Manure.— The Wisconsin
Farmer devotes a chapter to the consideration of
gas lime as a manure, and the proper time for its
application. The lime, taken fresh from the gas
works, contains sulphur in the form of a sulphite
or hyposulphite of lime, and, in this condition, is
a deadly poison. Being soluble in water, it is
carried down to the roots of plants by the rain
and kills them — if the supply be large. If left in
aheap, forsevei'al months, or spread upon the
ground in the fall, the elements will make such
changes in it as to render it conducive to the
growth rather than to the death of plants.

t'cular season ; it is as just as well done in thp
fall when the hurry is over. The dirt is never ta-
ken away from the trees— in foct it cannot be re-
moved without injury to the tree — for young
rootlets each year keep climbing up through this
mound. I had occasion to remove one of these
mounds a few days since and found it a mass of
healthy roots. — Correspondent of Journal of Ag-
riculture.

MouxDiXG UP Peach Trees.— The mound-
ing system was first practiced, so far as I know,
by Isaac Bolmar of Warren county, Ohio. I
visited his orchards some years ago — acquainted
myself with his system — and concluded to try it
upon my orchard of 4,000 fo trees^then one year
planted. I plant my trees in the fall, and in the
spring following cut them back to six inches
above the bud. The tree then instead of having
one body has several — from three to six. The
second summer I plow both ways, turning the fur-
rows toward the trees. The men follow Avith
shovels, throwing the loose soil around the tree
to the height of about one foot. In the fell I cut
the trees back, taking off about one-third of the
year's growth. The next spring or summer I
pursue the same method, raising the mound about
one foot higher ; cut back in fall, and the third
summer repeat the process, raising the mound
another foot, which finishes the job. The mound
will then be about three feet high at its apex and
six feet in diameter at its base. The mounding
need not be done in the summer, or at any par-

Kentucky Apples. — The Dixie Farmer says
one of the handsomest collections ever seen in
the South or West, was contributed to the late
exhibition at Nashville, by Messrs. Downer tk,
Sons, of Todd county, Ky. It embraced 104
varieties. The first premium of $20 was award-
ed them.

The Home of the Concord Grape. -A corres-
pondent of the Journal of Horticulture says Mr.
Bull has raised some valuable seedlings from the
Concord, of which the Cottage and the Una are
esteemed the best.

A New Potato.— Mr. Heffron say in the
Journal of Horticulture that the foliage of Early
Rose burned last year slightly, and that his
'■• Climax " was unaffected.

Victoria Reoia.— This was on exhibition at
Nashville, from the Insane Asylum, where
grown, as Mr. Sharkey assures us, without a par-
ticle of artificial heat. The leaves were over six
feet in diameter, forming a perfect circle. There
were three blooms of proportionate magnitude
and richness. We have never heard of this
great flower being grown with such success with-
out artificial heat, in so Northerly a latitude as
this, and doubt if it has ever been done. Mr.
Sharkey may well feel proud, therefore, of his
success. — Dixie Farmer.

Pomology in Spain. — Mr. Cabot,writing to the
Journal of Horticulture^ says, apricots are plenty
in Spain ; figs flourish luxuriantly. Pears are
said to be very good. Clingstone peaches are
generally grown, but not good ; but in Grenada
they have better kinds. Pomegranates, almonds,
oranges, and grapes, are the chief fruits export-
ed. The strawberry and cherry are sparingly
grown, but good, what there are of them. The
Spaniards are not very enterprising in introduc-
ing new varieties.

62

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTHLY. February^

POREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

PucnsiA FULGENS.— H.— This line old Fuch-
sia is not half so much grown as it ought to be.
lu these daj's of foliage decoration it ought to
come into a sood place, for the sake of its fine
leaves. It is one of the easiest things to grow.
There can be no better way of managing it than
to plant out young well-rooted plants in a moist
bed. enriched with a good deal of leaf-mould and
well-rotted cow-dung. There let them grow and
bloom as they like, and in a dry season give
plenty of water : it can hardly have too much if
the drainage is good. At the end of October take
them up, cut them close over to the crown, and
stow their roots in boxes with some poor sandy
soil shook well amongst them, and kept just moist
enough to prevent shrivelling. Put the box on
the top of a tiue as soon after Christmas as you
like, and keep it there till the roots throw up new
(growths, from which take as many cuttings as
you want, and strike with a pretty good bottom-
heat. These will make fine pot-plants, which
are to have good shifts as they require it, and a
saucer to each for water after the middle of May.
The roots from which the cuttings have been
taken may be potted, and got hard by May to be
planted out again. Clumps of four or five plants
to^'ether in the front of a mixed border look fine.
For all other purposes it maybe grown the same
as any other fuchsia. — Gardener'' s Weekly.

Tree Ciirysaxthemums. — In rear of the
specimen plants on the side shelves, Mr. Forsyth
has a number of fine standard Pompons with
stems about 3 feet high from the pot, and fine
heads of bloom. The Pompons are well suited
for this mode of training, and as grown and
flowered by Mr. Forsyth, are very eftective in
the conservatory. Among the specimens trained
in this manner were fine examples of Bob, crim-
son ; White Trevenna, a remarkably free-bloom-
in"' variety, and excellent for the purpose ; Ccdo
Nulli and liilac Cedo NuUi, of which the same
may be said ; Andromeda, Aurore Boreale,
General Caurobert, Duruflet, and Lilac Gem.
Several Anemone-flowered Pompons, are also
"•rown in the same way. Among the newer
Pompons, in addition to Little Gem, the most
notable are Madge Wild-fire, red with golden
tips ; Little Creole, brownish orange ; and St.
Michael, golden yellow ; and of older kinds Sala-
mon, Mustapha, Florence, and Browii Cedo
NuUi — 'Jottaje Gardener.

Eakly Peaches in England.— A correspon-
dent of the Cottage Gardener, contributes the fol-
lowing notes :

As to Peaches, the earliest to ripen this yea^*
was Early Beatrice, which ripened on the 2nd of
July. The plant I received from Mr. Rivers was
very small, but ripened perfectly two fruit, which
were of good flavor. Early Rivers did not bear
any fruit, but I hope to prove both sorts fully
next year. Early York was the next to ripen,
on the 16th ; this sort is always to be depended
upon; the fruit is excellent, audit always bears a
good ciop. Early Grosse Mignonne has been
very fine, one would therefore suppose that it re-
quires a considerable amount of sun to ripen it
well ; this ripened on the 25th of .July. Dr. Hogg
came in on the 2nd of August, and promises
well ; Royal George came in on the 5th, Belle-
garde on the 13th, Violette Hative on the 17th.
At the same time ripened Golden Rareripe, beau-
tiful in color, but worthless as regards flavor.
Exquisite ripened on the 25th,a large yellow-
fleshed variety of excellent flavor. It was closely
succeeded by Prince of Wales, of which I have
not yet formed a very f ivorable opinion. Prin-
cess of Wales and Walburton Admirable ripened
on the 31st of August ; both are excellent. The
first two fruits of the last-named weighed to-
gether 19 ozs. After an interval of four weeks
Salway ripens.

Fruits for Table and for Market. —
They find in England the distinction is as impor-
tant as here. A correspodent of the Loudon
Journal of Ilorticidture, says :

There is I may premise, a very great difference
between growing fruit for market and growing
fruit for a gentleman's table. The method of
cultivation, and the end desired — good fruit,
may be the same, yet the one is genei'ally for
quantity, while the other is for quality and varie-
ty. The best fruit in quality are seldom the
most profitable for general market purposes.
Usually the highest-flavored are the most deli-
cate growers and less productive ; and again, a
certain variety may have all the <xood qualities,
3'et if it is not known in market it will not sell.
A fruit to become a profitable market variety
must be well known. A particular color, even,
will frequently cause its rejection in Covent Gar-
den. Tastes change, however, and a variety
which may at one time be much disliked may af-
terwards become very popular. The masses of
the people, however, the London mechanic and
his wife, who are the great consumers of Covent
Garden fruit, appreciate and care but very little
whether a fruit is fully up to any horticultural
standard of perfection or not, provided they have
plenty for their money. Quantity is evidently
more prized than quality, especially if the latter
is attended with scarcity.

1860,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

63

The Hampton Court Vine — Is another il-
lustration of the " truths^" of history. Tlie Edi-
tor of the Gardener'' s Chronicle says :

The old Vine at Hampton Court is still alive,
and looking well. It has been this season rather
more vigorous that usual. We learn on good
authority that there have been about 1200 bun-
ches produced upon it during the past season,
whicli nearly averaged a pound weight each. In
some of the old guide-books it is stated that this
Vine bears over 25,000 bunches in a year, which
is true ; but this is in reality from two crops, as
the ripe fruit of the one season has been seldom
cut until the month of January of the following ;
consequently, the Vine may have had 2,500 bun-
ches on it in the course of twelve months. By
this little bit of artfulness, the Vine has received
a great deal of praise which is not due to it.

Best Chrysanthemums. — In a large nursery
the London Journal of Horticulture noticed the
following as the most conspicuous for their size,
colors, and beauty— viz.: Prince of Wales and
Virgin Queen, magniiicent, the one purplish vio-
let, the other pure white, and nearly 5 inches
across ; John Salter, Prince Alfred , Queen of
Whites, with some splendid blooms ; General
Bainbridge, Crimson velvet. Cherub, Beverley,
Golden Dr. Brock, Defiance, as a fine specimen ;
Lord Clyde, crimson ; Lord Ranelagh, Rifleman,
Sir G. Bowyer, Lady Hardinge, Hereward, Don-
ald Beaton, Pandora, Prince Albert, Anaxo,
Rev. J. Dix, Sam Weller, Jardin des Plantes,
Antonelli, Countess of Granville, Raymond, St.
Columba, golden amber; Yellow Perfection,
Julie Lagravere, Oliver Cromwell, Mr. Wyness,
and Golden Beverley.

HORTICULTURAL JN^OTTCES.

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
It having, upon consultation with some of the
[ Fruit Committees, been deemed advisable to hoLt
a special meeting of the officers and committee-
men of the American Pomological Society, for
the purpose of a careful revision of the Catalogue,
the undersigned hereby give notice that such
meeting will be held on the 10th day of February,
1S69, 10 o'clock, A. M., at the rooms of the
American, Agriculturist (which have been gen-
erously tendered to tha Society), in the City of
New York.

It is hoped that every one will recognize the
importance of our Fruit Catalogue, and also see
the necessity of a special meeting for its revision,
and be present thereat, to aid and assist, pre-
paratory to the next session of the Societ3', to be
held in Philadelphia, Sept. 15, 1869. Should it
be impossible for any one to attend in person, he
is urgently requested to write out his views and
opinions, and forward the same to F- P. Elliott,
care of Charles Downing, Newburgh, N". Y.

Contributions of fruits are also specially Invited,
in aid of the work to be performed. These may
be directed to " American Pomological Society,
care of Orange Judd & Co , Broadway J^Tew
York.'' •

Marshall P. Wilder,

President.
F. R. Elliott,

Secretary,

CHICAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This institution recently held its third annual
meeting, and seems prospering; although com-
plaints are made that it does not receive the sup-
port of the Chicago horticulturists, which it has
a right to expect. We hope the officers will feel
better encouraged in this respect henceforth.
The following is the list for this year :

President, Edgar Sanders ; Vice-president, C.
W. Ross ; Recording Secretary, R. A. Meers ;
Corresponding Secretary, W. J. EUenwood; Treas-
urer, Daniel Worthington ; Librarian, H. Lum-
bard, Executive Committee, Andrew Miller, Geo.
Lambden, A. Morrison, F. Sul'zer, and J. C.
Grant.

GRAND PRAIRIE HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY, ILLS.

This is a new institution. The inauguration
will take place on the 10, 11, and 12th of Feb.,
and a grand time is expected. Some of the lead-
ing Horticulturists, Botanists, and Entomolo-
gists of the West will be present, and speak.

E. Daggy, Tascola, Ills., is President, and
John D. Van Norman, Onarga, Ills., Secretary.

KANSAS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At the annual meeting, onthe 15th January,

President Tanner said he believed in the supe-

GJf

THE GARBEJVER'S MOJVTHLY. February,

riority of Kansas fruits, in point of beauty and
quality, over those of the Middle States, and
thinks that an exhibition of those fruits at the i
National Pomological Congress, would bring |
many of the best horticulturists to the State of i
Kansas. |

The Secretary, G. C. Bracket, then read his |
report, wherein he states that, as a general thing, j
the horticulturists of the State had not responded ,
to his enquiries. [

The officers, for the ensuing year, are Presi- j
dent, W. C. Tanner, Leavenworth ; Vice Presi- j
dent, C. B. Lines ; Secretary, G. C. Bracket, of j
Lawrence ; Treasurer, S. T. Kelsey, Ottawa.

The following are the varieties of apples recom- <
mended for general cultivation in Kansas : (We [
think the list a good one for Western Missouri.) ;
Summer — Carolina Red June, Early Harvest, :
Sweet June. Autumn — Maiden's Blusii,Fameuse, I
Fall Wine, Hanibo, Belmont, Dyer, Bailey |
Sweet. Winter — Pennsylvania Pted Streak, Win- !
ter Swaar, Ortley, White Winter Pearmain, ;
Winesap, Romanite, Raule's, Janet, Rome Beau- j
ty, Ben Davis, 2Se\v Missouri — also called Mis- j
souri Keeper. This latter tree is represented as
hardy, and early bearer, and the fruit as every .
way desirable, and a great keeper, I

The Jonathan was voted down because of its |
showing spots of dry rot. The Willow Twig |
was added to the list. j

The report of Committee on Pears only devel- j
oped the flvct that there was a general and entire
failure of the crop throughout the State in 18G8.
The following list was recommended on the
quince, or as dwarfs : Doyenne d' Ete, Rostie-
zer, Tyson, Belle Lucrative, Louise Bonne de
Jersey, Swan's Orange.

On the pear-root, as Standards, Bartlett, Flem-
ish Beauty, Doyenne d' Etc and White Doyenne.

Of grapes only t\#> varieties were recommended
for general cultivation, viz. : Concord and ILart-
ford Prolific. The amateur list embraces lona,
Delaware, Rogers' No. 1, Allen's Hybrid, Creve-
ling, Diana, Israella, Rogers' No. 3. Wine List
(general) : Concord, Clinton. Amateur Wine
Jjist — Ives, Norton's Virginia, Catawba and
Martha.

Of Peaches we make only one notice. Dr. I
Ilousely spoke of a peach raised in Kentucky, !
which he calls the MrCormicl:, very similar to ,
the Indian Peach, of Illinois, a dinrj^ which never |
fails to re-produce itself from the seed, and for i
which vhe Dr. claims all the excellencies of a late |
peach.— Condensed from Bural ^^'(>rl^l. j

IOWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Pears have not, as a general thing, been a suc-
cess, yet in a few localities and upon clay soils
they have done well, and in some instances ex-
traordinary well, but in the central and westei-n
portions of the State they have not proved remu-
nerative to the planter.

Cherries, all except the Morello varieties, are
a failure.

All the varieties of sweet Cherries grow too fast
and consequently winter kill.

Nearly all the varieties of plum grow well; a 1
are hardy, bear early and full crops, but the "lit-
tle turk'' destroys the fruit.

Peaches in the south east part of the State have
been in some years highly productive and of
course very remunerative, but throughout the
State very unreliable.

All the varieties of currants prove to be a suc-
cess in all parts of the State. So, too, with
American varieties of gooseberries. English
sorts are of no account.

Raspberries and blackberries, so far as tried,
are better f.-r winter protection.

Grapes seem to be a natural product of Ameri-
can soil, and Iowa will yet make a sensation in
grape growing.

The Concord, "the noble Concord," is the
grape for the 1,200,000 people of Iowa. It is
extensively planted in all parts of the State. It
is such a good grower and so prolific a bearer
that the popular mind is almost satisfied.

The Delaware, well cared for, and the Clinton
and Hartford Prolific also do well.

Wine making has not been much practiced in
the State, except in a few places along the Missis-
sippi.

The Rogers' Hybrids, lona, Israella, Adiron-
dac, and some other new and hhjh toned sort?,
have been tried in many localities, but have ncr,
so far, proved profitable.

In the immediate vicinity of Des Moines there
are perhaps not less than 100,000 vines in vine-
}'ard, and still more are being planted, and ninr-
teen-twentieths are Concord.

Strawberries have not received such attention
as they deserve. This seems to be sheer neglect,
for wherever tried they have done well.

I have given no exaggerated accounts of fruit
crops ; but suffice it to sa^, that !i?900 per acre has
been realized for a single crop of apples, and $1,
500 for the crop of an acre of grapes.— From the
address of President KaujjfnKtn.

®Iie €itr (Idler's p:oiitW]|*

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arhoriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAX.

Old Series, Vol. XL

MARCH, 1869. ^^ew Series, Vol. II. No. 3,

HIKTS FOE MARCH,

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUNDS.

With March, in the Middle States, comes the
annual clearing up, — the final dressing over the
grave of buried winter, and the planting of it
with spring flowers and green things. The lawn
is always the first consideration, for the " strip
of green grass " is often the vivifying germ which
warms the citizen's heart into active love for
country life. Much as the lawn plays a part in
English gardening, it is of much more account
with us. Our heats render the grass particular-
ly refreshing. Our droughts are somewhat
against our great success, — but the charms of
having it, makes every effort for its attainment
desirable.

Our readers all know that the soil should be
made as deep as possible, because a deep soil is
generally a reservoir of moisture, from which is re-
placed the waste from the drying surface, under
the summer heats, and thus the grass is kept
from burning out. But this is not all. Lawns soon
become impoverished by exhaustion of the soil,
and by continual mowing, — and this has to be
provided for. Mowing machines particularly
injure lawns, by their very close and continuous
cutting. But this must not be an argument
against the machines. We cannot do without
them. One should be on every lawn of any ex-
tent. But we must in some way provide a coun-
ter advantage to check the weakening infiuence
which they undoubtedly exert. One of the trou-
bles of close mowing is that the grass is so weak-
ened in vitality, that little, low, vile weeds soon
advance their forces, and choke out the grass.
Allowing the grass to grow up without mowing
for a year will give renewed vigor to the grass,
and be death to the little pests ; but in a year or
two the old sod will be as bad ever, and it is
doubtful whether the advantages of the plan
compensates for the untidiness.

We think the best plan to do with these worn
out lawns, is to top dress with rich burnt soil, as
recommended last month by Mr. Sargent, and
sow new grass seed with the top-dressing— in
the South and Middle States using blue or °reen
grass (Poa praUnsis) and in the North perennial
Rye grass [Lolium perenne). Even in this waj"
we expect a lawn will not endure for ever ; but
when this fails, we would plow or dig up the
whole thing, add some enriching matter, and
seed down again at once. LaM^ns sown in spring
soon get green, and require little more attention
than to pull out the coarser weeds, and to have
a rolling occasionally in dry weather.

AValks and roads are not used as much to add
mere embellishment as in Europe. They are
costly to make and to keep in order. In Amer-
ican gardening they are only employed where
absolutely necessary, and then turned and twist-
ed as little as may beautify, without losing
sight of their necessary duties. Old tan bark
makes a very cool and delightful walk under the
shade of trees. It must be laid on a dry bottom,
or it becomes very unpleasant in wet weather.
Slag from furnaces, ground up with ashes is the
very best material for garden walks, and the
color is far more agreeable in hot weather than
gravel. Notwithstanding its dark color, it is
not so hot, as it does not pack quite so hard as
the regular road material. Sand, on the other
hand, though it do^ not pack at all, is very hot,
on account of the very hard nature of its parti-
cles.

Along the sides of paths or walks, long narrow
beds for flowers are appropriate. The Enghsh
have what they call the Ribbon System, wherein
they employ many kinds of colored leaves
and flowers in long lines or masses, as in a
ribbon. The same kinds of plants do not
do well here as there ; but when more tropical
things are used they do pretty well. The Irisene,

66

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOjYTHLY.

Marc

the Coleus, and the Centaurea ragusina have
been found very good, and some very pretty
effects can be had from the variegated large
Periwinkle.

Annuals are sown this month as soon as the
soil gets dry and warm. "We have in past years
given the best common kinds, — there are a few
newer ones announced this year, which we think
may be found good additions. The Chinese
Pinks, noticed in the reports of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society last year, proved very good
things to have. There is also said to be a Rose-
colored Escholtzia out. Mimulus repens has
purple flowers. Modiola geranoides, has purple
flowers like our native Geranium maculatum,
Palava flexuosa is spoken highly of. The Viola
cornutaof past seasons proves a very good thing
for our borders. Besides, there are older ones
which are fully described in most respectable
seed catalogues advertised in our columns by the
seed firms. We can give our seed-sowing read-
ors no better advice than to get one of these An-
nual seed lists. What are called the tender an-
nuals, and which are usually designated in the
seed lists, should not be sown before the weather
gets very warm — about the middle of next
month.

The following from our March hints of last
year, will bear repeating here :

Planting trees will require particular attention
now ; but do not be in a hurry the moment the
frost is out of the ground. Cold winds are very
hard on newly set out trees. AVait till they are
gone. Always shorten in a little the shoots of
all trees planted. They will grow the faster for
it, and are more certain to live. Evergreens
should be left to the last.

Shrubs are not near enough employed in plant-
ing small places. By a judicious f election, a
place may be had in blooming state all the year ;
and they, besides, give it a greater interest by
their variety, than is obtained by the too fre-
quent error of filling it up with but two or three
forest trees of gigantic growth. Plant thickly
at first, to give the place a finished appearance,
and thin out as they grow older. Masses of
shrubs have a fine eflect on a small place. The
centre of such masses should be filled with ever-
green shrubs, to prevent a too naked appearance
in the winter season.

Ornamental hedges, judiciously introduced in
to a small place, add greatly to its interest. No
easier method oft'ers whereby to make two acres

of garden out of one in the surveyor's draught.
The ArborvitfB, Chinese and American ; Hem-
lock, Holly, Beech, Hornbeam, Pyrus japonica,
Privet, and Buckthorn may be applied to this
purpose.

Herbaceous plants do badly if several years in
one place. Every second year, at this season,
take up and divide them. Sow as soon as possi-
ble some hardy annuals. The cai'lier they are
in the ground after the frost leaves it, the finer

they bloom.

■■■»>

PRUIT GARDEN.

Whatever may be said of birds and their evils
when the fruit is ripe, there can be but one
opinion about their value nmo. They have no-
thing but insects to live on, and they eat them
by the millions. Insects are a far greater scourge
to the fruit grower than birds, — it will be wise
to encourage them. We see the English spar-
row is getting naturalized in various parts of the
country. We expect to hear in time great com-
plaints from its graminivorous propensities ; but
this can be better guarded against than the at-
tacks of insects.

It seems as if we are again to have plums and
cherries, for the plum knot is readily kept down
now that its true nature is understood. The
curculio is now the only formidable enemy left,
and he falls back before " eternal vigilance."
Our markets were loaded with plums last year.
Somebody grows them.

In planting fruit trees aim to have them so
that the hot dry sun will not have full effect on
the ground about the roots. The great heat in
this way injures the trees. Many Avho have trees
in gardens plant raspberries under them. The
partial sliade seems to be good for the raspber-
ries, and helps the trees. Blackberries would no
doubt do well in the same situation ; and straw-
berries it is well known do not do badly,
grown in the same way.

It has been noted that the grape vine thrives
amazingly when it gets into an asparagus bed.
These are generally elevated, and are thus dry, —
while the rich soil necessary for asparagus, is
also good for grapes.

The gooseberry and currant also do well in
partial shade. In fact if you would have the
gooseberry and currant in great perfection, get
a lot of old brush wood and cover the rows close-
ly, so that the plants will have to push through
and you will be astonished at the growth and

1869.

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY.

67

healthfulness of the bushes. The decaying wood
also furnishes an excellent manure for them. The
finest currants ever grown can be had by mulch-
ing with old chestnut burrs, or even saw dust.

In fruit growing remember that fruits are like
grain and vegetable crops, in this, that they must
have manure to keep up fertility. Unlike vege-
tables and grain, however, their feeding roots
are mostly at the surface. It is best, therefore,
annually to top-dress fruit trees. If manure
cannot be had, any fresh earth from ditches or
road sides, spread a half an inch or so under the
trees, will have a wonderful effect. Indeed, we
do not know but that for the pear tree a thin
layer of road sand is one of the best of manures.
We have seen apples thrive amazingly with a coat-
ing of coal ashes.

Whitewashing the stems of orchard trees has
a very beneficial effect in clearing away old bark
and destroying the eggs of innumerable insects.
The white color is bad ; throw in a little soot or
some other matter to make it brown. In green-
houses sulphur has been found of benefit iu keep-
ing down mildew. Possibly if mixed with the
whitewash in tree dressing, it might do good
against fire blight, and such like fungoid troubles.

VEGETABLE GAKDE:N'.

Deep rich soil, now so generally condemned
for fruit gardens, is of the first importance here.
Soil cannot be too deep or too rich, if we
would have good vegetables. It is indeed re-
markable, that in many respects we have to go
very differently to work to get good fruits, than
we have to perfect vegetables. While, for in-
stance, we have to get sunlight to give the best
richness to our fruits, our vegetables are usually
nest when blanched or kept from the light. So
also as we keep the roots as near the surface as
we can in order to favor the woody tissue in
trees, we like to let them go deep in veo-etables
because this favors succulence.

It is best not to sow tender vegetables to soon,
they get checked, and the last will be first. As-
paragus is one of the earliest crops to set out.
It was at one time believed that the varieties of
this would not come true from seed, and that
there was but one best kind. We are not so sure
of this now. Many plant them too deep and
fail ; four inches is enough, rows 20 inches, and
plants one foot apart will do. Make the soil par-
ticularly rich.

Beets also may now go in. Extra Early Bas-
sano is found a good variety for this district.
Henderson's Pine Apple we have heard well
spoken of. The Swiss Chard is a kind of beet
grown for its succulent, white leaf stalks, which
are cooked like Asparagus.

To have Brocoli it has to be sown very early, or
it will not head. The purple Cape, and white
AValcheren are the most popular varieties.
In Cabbages there have been many new varie-
ties the few past years. ]t is hard to decide^on
the best. The Early Dwarf York is still largely
planted for a first crop, and the Large Early
York planted for a second coming in. The Early
Wakefield is, however, very jDopular in some dis-
tricts. The Winningstadt is approved as a sum-
mer sort, and its tender quality is appreciated.
For late crops the Marblehead varieties have
justly earned a good reputation, although the
Large Late Drumhead, and Flat Dutch are still
largely planted. The Savoy's and Red Dutch
are also sown now. For protection against the
Cabbage fly we find nothing so good as water
slightly impregnated with coal oil, and syringed
over the seed beds.

Early Horn Carrots may be sown now, — the
Long Orange about the end of the month, for a
winter crop.

Celery for the main crop will do about the end
of the month, but a little may be sown now. We
have never been able to make up our mind
whether there is such a thing as an absolutely
solid variety of celery ; or whether pithiness in
any degree depends on soil or culture. Certainly
we buy all the most approved " solids " every
year, and never yet found one satisfactory
throughout. We cannot say which is the best
of the many candidates.

In Corn, we found last year, Olcott's a superi-
or variety, but this had better, not be sown be-
fore middle of April.

Cucumbers must also be kept back, but a few-
may be sown to come on early. Hot beds may
be got ready for thege, and for Egg plants, Pep-
pers, Tomatoes, «&c. A very liUle protection in
this way brings things along beautifully.

Lettuce cannot be sown too early, or on too rich
a soil. The early Tennis is good for a first crop.

Onions, Parsley and Parsnips all like early sow-
ing.

As for Peas, the novelities are legion surely.
We are unable to decide on the merits of the
rivals. We are not sure that for earliness any
thing is better than the usual " Extra Earlies "
of our leading seedsmen. One thing is^ clear
wherever one can get Pea sticks easy, the kinds ■

68

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJ^THLY.

March,

that " need no sticking" are tlie least desirable.
Eadish and Spinage must also be early sown,
and on rich ground.

In sowing seeds, keep them as near the sur-
face as is consistent with moisture. Rotting
from deep planting is often the cause oihadseede*

GREENHOUSE PLANTS, &C.

Dahlias should now be brought forward. A
crood plan is to sliorten the extremity of the roots,
put them in six inch pots and place in a warm
greenhouse. In a few weeks they will sprout,
when they should be shaken out, divided with a
piece of root to each sprout, and separately pot-
ted in four inch pots.

Camellias will require rather more water while
trrowing than at other times. Just before they
crrow is a good season to graft. Cut down the
stock, cleft graft in the crown, wax and plunge
in a bottom heat of 70°. A great many kinds
may be had on one plant by the bottle system,
practised by the writer's fither, thirty years ago.
A shoot about to grow is obtained and attached
to the stock as in inarching, the end of the shoot
being put in a small phial of water suspended
beneath it. This plan does best, however, with
the young wood in July.

Azaleas succeed well by grafting with the half-
ripe shoots of the present season's growth on
plants raised either by seeds or cuttings. Old
wood does not take readily.

Chrysanthemums should now be raised from
cuttings for fall flowering. Tliey make better
blooming plants than off-sets.

Fuchsias may now be readily struck from the

young growth from the old plants, which will
make excellent blooming plants for the next sum-
mer season.

Geraniums, Pelargoniums, Cinerarias, and
Chinese Primroses must be kept as near the glass
and light as possible ; they do little good in
shady places. Keep off the green Aphis— for
this on a small scale there is nothing like hot
water ; on a large scale, tobacco-smoke in several
successive light doses is still the best remedy.

Auriculas, Carnations, Pinks and Polyanthus
— the prettiest of florist's flowers — must be kept
cool, just free from frost, with plenty of air,if the
best results are desired.

New Holland and Cape plants, such as Epa-
cris, Acacia, Heaths, etc., are now the glory of
the greenhouse ; hot bursts of sun on them should
be avoided, as it lays in them the seeds of '' con-
sumption," which frequently carries them o%
the following summer.

Look out for a good stock of bedding plants in
time ; by striking cuttings of such Uiings as grow
rapidly and speedily, and sowing seeds of such
annuals as may be advanced to advantage.

Pansies are coming now into flower. Thej^
like an airy frame, where they will not be roast-
ed at midday nor exposed to drying winds, and
yet have a free circulation of air and plenty of
light. Planted out in such a frame, and the old
shoots cut away as soon as the plant has done
flowering, f he plants will keep healthy over till
the next season.

Superior varieties can be raised from seed.
Choose those with the roundest petals, best
colors, and the first flowers that open, to raise
seed from.

C 0 M M U N I C A T I 0 Ts^ S .

FOREIGN REMINISENCES.

No. 7.

ITALIAN GARDENS.

BY H. W. SARGENT, WODENETHE, N. Y.

I am not sure but what there are more Italian
Gardens in England than in Italy itself.

There is hardly a place large or small of any
sort of pretensions, but what has this new fea-
ture among its adornments *, and in fact the pre-
sent fashion of ribbon gardening seems peculiarly

adapted to the long stately terraces and formal
figures — parterres of embroidery set in stone and
surmounted by balustrades and vases, as in the
annexed view of Wilton House. An English
place, as a general rule, consists first of its Park,
the outer portion of which is often a rough
forest or cha.se filled with game, abounding in
cover. One passes from this into the Home or
Deer Park where the picturesque beauty and
wildness of the chase give place to stately groups

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTBLY.

69

and masses of trees — grand vistas and glades of
soft verdant turf kept short and fresh by herds of
cattle and deer, and flocks of sheep feeding up to
the very entrance gate.

Of course there are not on this side of the
house any flowers or shrubs or ornamental
plants ; everything is quiet and simple, and, in
places of size, grand and stately. Should the
house fixce the east, on the north side is usually
a dense mass of Evergreen plantation, concealing
the offices, stables, and stable yard, (this last an

important feature in England) and separated
from the Park which surrounds it by a Ha Ha,
a brick wall, or a wire fence.

On the south and west sides extend the Italian
Gardens, if possible in terraces, the west garden
being 2 or 3 feet higher or lower than the
south, the whole surrounded by a low brick
or stone wall surmounted by a heavy stone
balustrade, with vases on the pilasters every fif-
teen or twenty feet, filled with splendid specimen.
Geraniums, or Yuccas and other formal plants.

WILTON HOUSE.

Around the outer portion of the garden runs
a walk, 10 to 20 feet wide. Adjoining the balus-
trade, and immediately bordering it are long-
formal beds, densely planted in ribbons. Cen-
taurea candidissima, Mrs. Pollock Geranium,
Silver Queen Geranium, Tom Thumb Geranium,
and Lobelia Paxtonii, the Lobelia and Cen-
taurea coming together forma beautiful contrast,
the edging of these beds being white marble or
stone, six inches high and as wide. Erom this
outer grade or platform, you descend perhaps
three or four stone steps to the centre garden,
which is sunken to this extent, and this is en-

tirely filled by charmingly arranged patterns or
figures of architectural designs ; sometimes in
scrolls or arabesque forms in stone or marble
edgings, precisely as we employ box in this
country,— the beds themselves forming a species
of embroidery from each representing one color.
The broad straight walks are likewise bordered
at intervals by tubs or square boxes containing
Irish Yews or Junipers, and Portugal Laurels cut
into round headed balls. The whole of these
gardens abound in fountains, statues, vases, and
china seats; and being all in immediate connec-
tion with the house, from being on the same level

70

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

March}

as the flooi- of the living rooms, with which tliey
communicate by French windows opening to the
ground, the effect is most captivating.

In fact tlie Englisli Italian Garden is an out-
side drawing room thoroughly isolated from the
Park — generall}^ four or five feet above it — acces-
sible only from the different rooms of the house,
except through a gate from the Park, which is
always kept locked. It is reserved entirel}^ for the
family and their friends ; and being always in
evidence, is kept in scrupulously nice order.

While there is something dreary and unsafe in
windows opening upon a lawn exposed to cattle
or intrusive strangers as we have them in this
country, you entirely lose the feeling in England,
from, as I have said, the gardens being raised
several feet above the rest of the place ; and in
addition having a wall and balustrade with per-
haps a Ha Ha beyond so as to render the garden
inaccessible to outsiders.

Prom the Italian Garden you descend by a
flight of steps, through a locked gate to the plea-
sure grounds, Arboretum, Pinetum, Kosarium,
Kitchen Garden, &c., all separated from the
Park by the brick Avail or inaccessible Ha Ha.

PUKSH'S JOURN^AL.

( Continued. )
July 3. — Prom Owego I had but 17 m. to Tyo-
ga point— Hieracium venosum, Cistus canadensis
Cornus fastigiata?-the Asclepias quadrifolia-this
plant dit grow in the late cleared grounds higher
here, than I seen it any where else. -I found sev-
eral specimens branching out in a number of um-
bellas, that it appeared to be quit a different
plant.— While I was walking along the river this
morning a black squirrel crossed the river, which
I anxious to know what it were dit kill. It
seemed strange to me for a squirrel to take tbe
water. CEnothera fi-uticosa & parvitlora in flower.
A little after noon I arrived at Tyoga, & but up
at Mr. Tuttles, where I had directed my trunk
to be sent to ; it had not arrived. On my call-
ing on the post office I found a letter from Dr.
B. S. B. with instructions to proceed on to
Onondaga.

July 4. — I took an excursion from the house to
the point, its meadows & banks of the river. —
Along the river I found similar petrefactions in
the loose rolling stones similar to those at Wilkes-
barre ; some specimens I laid aside if I should
find opportunity to sent a collection from here ;
they were some beautifuU large shells, remarka-

bly well preserved. Several large stones were run
over with a calcareous shell or cover on which
smaller peples had attached themselves, in a man-
ner of rough cast. — Anemone dichotoma — Galium
muUugo ? Smyrnium integerrimum — Euphorbia
corollata— Thalictrum nigricans which has a very
heavy smell— Lobelia Claytoniana & Heracleum
lanatum were in flower. — I seen a species of Hy-
perictim along the river which I supposed to be
the H. ascyroides. — in the same places Pulmona-
ria Yirginica Acer glaucum-a species of Chestnut
Oak & large bushes of Cratoegus coccinea. — All-
together I dit not find this place as far as I had
seen answering my expectations & concluded not
to delay any time in or about it, but to proceed
on to more interesting scenes.

July 5. — This day I devoted to writing & dry-
ing plants : — small excursion : nothing new.

6— Left Tyoga, up Cayuta Creek — Apocynum
andrasaemifol : (.b.) very plenty in the cleared
lands ; in the Oak Woods I observed the Lily,
often seen before, but I cannot recollect which
species it is ; it is Lilium foliis sparsis verticilla-
tisque : caule unifloro ; floribus erectis : corollis
campanulatis, semipatentibus ; petal is unguicu-
latis. —

The valley, formed by Cayuta Creek is in soil
& vegetation similar to the beech woods — Oxalis
ascetosella, but not plenty — Dracaena borealis —
Helleborusviridis— Orchis fimbriata in full bloom
— Dalibarda violoides in fruit. — The woods
abount with Sugar Maple ; The valley is in some
places very e arrow & the creek very winding
wliich obliged me to wate it several times to keep
the road — I heartyly expected to reach the house
this night, M'hich had been recommended to me,
to stay at, but I dit come to it before it got dark.
— I observed in a small run a species of Sium as
I suppose, without flowers whose leaves under
the water were very fine divided, & the upper
ones only pinnate ; I call it S. heterophyllum.
Prom a small tavern, which is kept here, it is
about 22. miles to the head of Cayuga, which
I intend to reach to morrow. —

7. Having opportunity of going in company
of a wagon, who would carry my things, I set
out earl}' this morning. The road leads through
a very romantick valley, the mountains some-
times very high. After following the course of
Cayuta cr. : for 9. miles, we turned oft to the
right. The vegetation similar to what I men-
tioned yesterday, 8. miles this side of Cayuga
city or as it is called sometimes Ithaca we crossed
lorobably settled by Indians, but it is now grown

1830.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

71

a place very beautifully situated calld Sapony
Hollow : this place has been once cleared Sc
up with small white pine very handsomely mixed
with Populus tremuloides & Magnolia acuminata.
The last is very scarce about here & the trees
here in this place «& two or three others I seen
are of a creeply, small & old growth, nothing like
to what they are in Virginia. At this place we
refreshed ourselves and feed the horses, as far as
this I had this days travel very agreeable, as on
a -count of the roughness of the road & the deep
mire holes in some places the wagon could not go
on as fast as I could walk, having plenty of time
to look about myself: besides being unincumbered
with any baggage. But the road getting now
good & evening drawing nigh, I had to get into
the wagon & we travelled tolerably fast. — About
3 or 4 miles from Sapony Hollow the timber chan-
ges into Oak & from there to Ithaca it is all Oak
timber mixed with pine, with the rest of plants
similar to Tyoga point. We arrived at Ithaca
at night fall.

8. — Being now on the heath of Cajaiga I re-
membered your information about Erica caerulea
growing on the high lands between Cayuga &
Seneca lake ; I was very anxious of seeing this
plant in its native place, but having not received
the particular directions for finding the place, as
I had been promised of, besides that, being rath-
er afraid of running myself out of money neces-
sary to come to Onondaga, as my pocket was
low & the distance considerable, I had to my
own mortification, to give up all Ideas of a search
for it. The morning Avas rather suspicious for
rain, as it had rained some all night, I was de-
tained at Ithaca until 11 o'clock, when I set out
for the lake, which is only 2 miles distance. My
route was going on the east side of it. After
having crossed Cayuga creek, with a great deal
of difficulty, to perform it, & coming on the
rising grounds, on the other side, I heard a very
strong noise of falling water : I followed the sound
& came to one of the most romantick & beautiful!
falls of this Creek, I ever had seen ; the access- '
even only to a sight of it is very difficult ; but
regretted very much, that I had not had the
least information about these falls at the town,
as I should have made it my business, to visit
them unincumbered with m}" baggage though I
might have spent the diy by it. The ledge of
rocks confined in a very narrow cove, & sur-
rounded by high hills : imposible to ascend, with
a load on my back on account of the steepness ;
over which this considerable stream drows itself

down, is a very interesting scene, & I doubt not
if time «fe opportunity had allowed me to make
an examination of it, I might have been paid for
the trouble with something or other interesting
or new in my line ; but to go back to the town, I
thought to be to much ; so I had to go on & be
satisfied with having had only a peep at it. I got
in my road again, where I observed along the
banks of the creek plants of Pentstemon pubes-
cens. About a mile further I came to the banks
of the lake. The shore which 1 came to was
clear & gravelly with some common weeds grow-
ing near it as Thistles, MuUiens, &c. I followed
the shore of it, for several miles, being in my
route. It is generally covered with oak, maple
& hickory. Buphthalmum helianthoides is .the
first yellow syngenesia plant I seen this year,
Taraxacum excepted. A small Kosa similar to
the one which I called last year R. monticola is
very plenty here, & spreads a most agreeable
fragrancy through the air. A species of Crataegus-,
-Ludwigia nitida-Ceanothus americanus-Lilium
canadense — Apocynvuii androsaemifolium with a
tall Molugo? — Orchis fimbriata — Cornus with
white berries, Erigeron corymbosum ! P. — Ty-
pha angustifolia-Smyrnium cordatum — Mimulus
alatus — Galium hispidum, V^eronica scutellata &
some more common plants, I observed in the
meadows leading to the lake. I travelled as far
as the town of Milton, where I stood over night.
The road, as soon as I had left the banks of the
lake began to be quit interesting, as the fences
on both sides & cultivated fields, with continued
plantations, & farms occasion the road only to be
covered with common weeds, amongst which the
Verbascum thapsus. Authemis cotula, & Polygo-
num hydropiper have the upper hand. — In one of
the woods on this road I collected specimens of
Niphrodium filix mas? —

9. I set out early this morning to make as
much way as possible through this for my pur-
pose to much settled country : Carpinus ameri-
cana & Ostrya, which last I calld C. hispida
on account of the cover of the young branches,
with stiff hairs, are common in the woods : the
timber very frequent beach & Betula Innulosa,
mixed now & then with Oak — Morus rubra fre-
quent. On one or two farms I observed the mul-
berry cultivated in orchards maybe for the raising
of silk worms, as the trees were low & planted in
regular close rows. — Cicuta maculata I found on
the road side in several places. — Nothing in
flower. — Lodged about 8. m. this side of Harden-
bergs corner or the outlet of Owasco lake.

72

TEE GARDEA'ER'S MOJYTHLY.

March,

10. About 10. o clock I arrived at Harden-
bergs corner or the outlet of Owasco : the day
got exceeding hot, more so than I had experi-
enced this season; I stayed to rest myself, feeling
exceeding jflxtigued, about 11, a stage from Can-
andagua came in «& as I found the road but very
little interesting, being all a continued range of
cultivated land, I concluded to take a seat in
the stage, which would bring me to Onondaga
this night yet, which I would not have been able
to accomplish untill tomorrow night, the distance
being 22 or 23. miles. Here I observed the first
plants of the Myosotis lappula, for this season ;
growing along the road side in great plent}^ as a
common weed. At Skeneateles lake we took
dinner. This is a most charming situation. At
evening we arrived at Onondaga hollow, having
had two hours rain before we came there. Here
I took up my lodging with John Adams. The
post office being nearly opposite of this, I en-
quired for letters but to my great disappointment
found none.

11. This day I rested & made some necessary
arrangements about specimens which I had col-
lected, either dry or in their green state— inquired ]
for the places of Capt Webster & Squire Geddcs.

July 12 Ver}' anxious of seeing the Salt
springs which are onl}^ .5. m. from this place to
the north, I took a walk to them ; but being Sun-
day & knowing that I Avould have further oppor-
tunity of collecting specimens. I dit not provide
myself with the tin box to collect any to day. The
road goes chiefly through Oak woods, and crosses
a considerable piece of swamp, through M'hich
Onondago creek runs close to the road side. I
observed plenty of Zanthoxylum fraxinifol. on its
banks — several sorts of Carex & Scirpus— Samo-
lus Valerandi, Asclepias tuberosa — Turritis
falcata, Opocynum androsfemifol — &c.

When I came to the springs, the place is called
Salt Point I found them to be situated in a low
piece of swamp which is clear for a great part of
all timber ; The works for boiling being erected
along the edge of this swamp, on a high bank. &
the water conveyed to them in pipes from a pump
work, which is erected near one of the princiiiall
springs : some of the works are supplied by other
smaller springs, the water being pumped by liand.

They boil the salt in potash kettles holding
from (30 to 100. gallons ; G or_8. kettles from what
they call a block which has two fires to it ; each
kettle produces from a bushel to a bushel and a
half of salt each boiling— The water is by far
superior to any water I have tasted where salt is

manufactured. N'ear the springs themselves the
Salicornia herbacea, is the only plant which
grows, but further oft in the mash a variety ot
various plants I am in expecting to find, but as I
had only shoes on to day & intended to be back
to my lodging I deferred the examination of the
mash to another day.

To be Continued.

GRAPES & WIXE TX WEST VIRGINIA.

BY B., WHEELING, VIRGINIA.

In the vicinit}^ of Wheeling, AVest Virginia,
there are in cultivation over one thousand acres
of thrifty vineyards — mostly located upon the
warm, southerl3'^-exposed soft or shale limestone
hillsides near the Ohio river. Among the vine-
yards are a few of over twenty years' bearing
which have not missed yielding a good crop in
all that time. Of course, on this soil the Catawba
is all that that excellent grape can be under the
most favorable circumstances ; and the Ives',
Concord, Creveling, Norton's Virginia, Isabella.,
and, indeed, almost every variety yet tried flour-
ish admirably. At a meeting of the Eastern
Ohio and West Virginia Horticultural Society,
on the 26th of December, very excellent speci-
mens of wine from the Delaware, Creveling,
Ives' Seedling, Concord, Isabella, Catawba, and
other varieties were presented from more than a
dozen diflerent cellars, and of the vintages of
1866, '67 and '68. Mr. Thomas Hombrook, an
energetic Horticulturist, was elected President
of the Society for the 3'ear 1869, and Lewis
Baker, the enthusiastic small-fruit cultivator of
the Elm Ford Fruit Farm, Secretary. This So-
ciety is entering the new year full of vigor and
hope. It has a hard field of labor, but its lead-
ing members are confident that some good can
be brousrht out of even this "Nazareth.'

NEARLY FIFTY YEARS' EXPERIENCE
IN FRUIT GROWING.

BY JAS. A. NELSOX, MERCER, PA.

Having given a great deal of attention to the
improving, culture, and growing of fruits ; my
experience, in a great many cases, has fully con-
vinced me that the ideas and directions, as for-
merly held by most authors, for preparing the
ground, planting, after culture, &c., have been a
great hindrance in general to the fruit interest.
I well remember the time, and even yet it is con-
sidered, to go into the fruit or grape growing
business, a man must be very rich, the ex-

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

73

penditures and labor being so great that any-
common or poor man need not undertake it.
The fact is, the greater part of all the losses that
have occurred to fruit growers, have been lost
either by over kindness, enriching tlie soil too
much, or by neglect to cultivate, and want of
care. Some twelve years ago, I bought S50
worth of the different varieties of the best grapes
known at the time. I prepared the ground as
recommended by digging out holes some two and
a half feet deep, and some four feet m diameter,
filling them up again with stone, brick and all
the rubbish I could collect, covered over with
soil from the woods, then planted my vines, and
during nine years I never got a bushel of good
grapes. Three years ago, what vines were
growing I removed to another place ; but it
happened in the first planting, getting tired of
the labor, we planted three of the vines — an
Isabella, a Catawba and a Diana, witliout pre-
paring the ground, any more than making the
hole shallow, and large enough to receive all the
roots. The Diana was planted on very poor
ground, and such bunches of Dianas I have
seldom met with. The Isabella was planted on
rich ground, and it appears to grow too much to
wood. Some eight years ago I bought three
dozen of one year old single eye, Delaware grape
vines ; set them out in ground well prepared
with a compost strong with well-rotted manure.
The season being a very dry one, in the fall, I
found but three plants remained alive. Of all
kinds of fruit trees, I think the Apple will with-
stand the most forcing with rich manures, and
be satisfied with good cultivation. About the
Pear Blight, that has been so much talked of
lately, I have a great many bearing trees, and
for the last twelve years have grown a great
many thousand in the nursery, and never had
any blight except on one tree that was grown on
very rich ground. As soon as I discovered the
blight, I cut down, and top grafted with the
Seckel Pear, removed the surface soil away from
around the tree, and filled up again with rather
poor light soil. The tree has done finely since.
I know a gentleman that has lost a fine lot of old
Pear trees, within the last two years, by too
liberally manuring them. Some fruit growers
recommend root pruning, others say deep plant-
ing, getting the roots down into the poor soil.
Both of the above plans mean neai'ly the same
thing. The idea is to check the growth of the
tree — why not plant at first in lighter ground ?
Or, if strong and rich, remove the soil for some

distance around the tree, and fill up again with
poorer soil. I find that good cultivation to nearly
all kinds of fruit trees, vines, &c., is far better,
and healthier, than any kind of very strong
manure, applying it only at intervals in not too
large quantity, as the soil appears to exhaust
from cultivation, or by being taken up by the
roots of the trees, &c.

CHINESE YAM.

BY W^ R. PRINCE, FLUSHING, N. Y.

At this time, when a great excitement is being
awakened as to the culture of this important
Esculent, it would seem proper to make some
explanations, by way of advice, to those who^
have not hitherto possessed any opportunities to
awaken them to its merits. An Esculent pos-
sessing such inestimable claims to every point of
superiority over the Potato, that it is most surely
destined to supersede and banish that Tropical,
diseased, and unreliable root from all our j^ortli-
ern and Western States, and from the entire
British American Dominion, can no longer allow
that its merits should be ignored by any class of
our citizens. I shall, however, be compelled by
your limit of space to a very short summary on
this occasion. This most hardy of all Esculents
is a native of Northern China and Tartary, and
will sustain the rigor of the severest northern
climes in the open ground. In its native region
there are more than fifty varieties, regularly cul-
tivated, comprising every form, round, short
ovate, oval and oblong, with flesh snow white,
pale and deeper yellow, and pink tinged, and all
these are described fully in the Agricultural
Works of the Chinese writers; and the immense
importance attached to the culture of this plant,
may be in some degree estimated by the fact,
that more pages in their great Agricultural Pub-
lications are devoted to this Esculent than to
any other object whatever. And when we real-
ize the astounding fact, that more than three
hundred millions of people of the most populous
nation of the earth, subsist on this root, without
the use of meat; and that for countless ages they
have been thus sustained free from all famine, at
the rate of a half cent cost per day, whilst other
nations far — very far inferior in territorial popu-
lation, have been ravaged by famine, and misery;
the mind becomes astounded by the conviction,
that God and Nature consummated this benign
provision for these teeming raiUions, by placing
within their clime, the most estimable vegetable

7^

THE GARDEJ\''ER'S MOJVTHLY.

March,

boon as food which has ever been bestowed on
man. I will confine myself here to the enumer-
ation of some of its prominent claims to an uni-
versal adoption.

First. Its hardihood, being suited to the most
northern climes.

Second. Its culture, so very simple and easy
in all soils, and more especially its adaptation to
such soils as are usually deemed valueless for
other Agricultural purposes.

Third. Its productiveness and cheapness; the
crop in proportion to its actual value and impor-
tance, being the most cheaply produced of all
food.

Fourth. Its ]N"utritious and Farinaceous quali-
,ties; filling the positions of both Meat and of
Wheat; with its distinctive character over all
other Vegetables, by its combination of Xitrogen,
the same nutrimeut as exists in meat, which thus
becomes united with properties the same as. are
found in Flour and in Corn Starch.

Fifth. Its unexceptionable excellence of flavor.

Sixth. Its freedom from all rot, and keeping
perfectly sound and excellent for above a year,
as tested by myself.

Seventh. It is a purifying constitutional food.

At present I have the round, and several oval
varieties under culture, as well as the oblong va-
rieties.

[Cultivators will probably agree with most
that Mr. Prince says except about its cheapness.
We attempted to dig out a few one day, and con-
cluded we would rather live like an Indian by
what game we could hunt and take our chances
of starvation, than live in plenty on Yams, like a
Chinaman. Perhaps friend Prince will let us
know whether he ever dug any, and how many
bushels he turned out in an hour ? — Ed.]

GHAPE vine TENDRILS.

BY JAMES CHARLTON, ROCHESTER, N. Y.

I quite agree with De CandoUe in assigning
the leaves of plants to be "but a modified, or
changed form of branch ;" and likewise am quite
willing to agree with Mons.Lestiboudois that the
tendrils of the grape vine(I have not experimented
with the tendrils of any other class of plants) are
nothing more than homogeneous branches, not
leaves, skeleton leaves, as you were pleased to
designate them in the January number of the
Monthly. The reason I claim such to be the
case is this : — I have repeatedly taken the leaf of
the Grape Vine, and after detaching its petiole

from the stem have rooted it (the leaves) with the
same degree of certainty as the cuttings of the
branches are rooted ; although I must confess that
they are longer in rooting, (and much longer in
throwing up a bud from the collar of the leaf,)than
the ordinary cuttings are; but they will eventually
throw up a bud, and ultimately make as good a
plant, as the plant grown from a single bud.
After being so successful with the leaves I thought
that I would take the tendrils in hand, and try
and see what I could make out of these. I ac-
cordingly (the past season) put in several pots of
tendrils of the Rogers No. 4 variety, and after a
long time was highly gratified to find that the
majority of them had emitted roots, and after
being potted oft' singl}', several of them actually
made leaves, and filled the pots with fleshy,
healthy roots, but did not show any buds, before
the cold weather set in and stopped their grow-
ing. I am sorry to state, however, that I have
lost these plants that I had intended to have
grown on next season. (It will be noticed that I
have called these rooted tendrils, plants ; I call
cuttings of anything 3'oung plants, as soon as
they have made roots). Having set my help to
clean out the house they were in, and my man
not being cognizant of these same plants, threw
them awaj^ with the refuse; and it was about two
weeks afterwards beibre I became aware of my
loss, and the most diligent search failed in finding
them. I will, however, endeavor to root more
this coming season, and forward the same to you,
Mr. Editor, for your inspection. If any other
experimentor has been successful in this matter,
I wish that he would give his experience to the
readers of the MonthJy^ and oblige me, as well as
others of your readers.

THE PLEASURES AND BENEFITS OF

THE CULTURE OF EXOTIC PLANTS

FOR GLASSHOUSES IN AVINTER.

BY WALTER ELDER.

Sead before the Fennsylvania Horticultural
Society, February 2, 1869.

This is one of the most fascinating branches of
ornamental gardening, in which the most fas-
tidious lovers of plants can please their fancies,
either in city or country, where sunshine enough
can be had to benefit the plants. A very nume-
rous variety of genera and species may be grown
in a small space ; some have foliage with varie-
gations of colors most beautiful ; others with
blossoms in great splendor. Some emit fragrance

1869,

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTHLY.

i o

from leaves and flowers most delightful ; others
have habits interestingly curious. A few move
like animals when touched.

Glass-houses with flowers, in gardening, are
as diamonds in jewelr}', they bespeak wealth,
liberality and refinement in the owners ; they
are home amusements, making summer all
through the winter, and that without storms.

Teach youths the rudiments of Botany, and
give them a treatise on the subject to study, and
the open gardens in summer, and glass-houses in
winter, will be to them sources of healthful re-
creations, where they can learn a new lesson
from fresh flowers daily, and thus enjoy a con-
tinual intellectual feast ; as from illustrated books
with a new picture on every leaf, which will
tame down the roving propensities of sons and
win them from follies and vices; ward off longings
and cravings in daughters ; entice wives to stay
at home, and save them from becoming wander-
ing spendthrifts ; heal the sick, and cheer the
infirm and aged. Home is made sweet home
where cordiality and aftectionate love prevail.

Philosophers and physicians tell us that amuse-
ments are essential for the promotion of human
health ; and home attractions are the most
rational, th(i safest, and the best.

The study of the physiology of plants makes
us love to grow them, and excites a reverential
awe for the all generous Creator, who com-
maiided the earth to "bring forth the grass, the
herb and the fruit tree,'''' to feed and to cheer the
the life of man ; and he who was " according to
God's own heart," so much enamored at their
beauties and virtues, gratefully exclaimed, "Oh
praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children of men."

Artists who never grew living plants, so much
admire them that they ornament their various
Avorks with leaves, flowers and whole plants.
Painters, printers, and Dyers, give colors to their
wares in imitation of those of foliage and blos-
soms, and are the more costly, as well as more
beautiful for such ornamentations. Perfumers,
too, extract all the sweet scents from plants.
When we consider the large sums of monies
spent by wealthy families for such imitations
and extracts, we are surprised that they neglect
the culture of living plants, from which they can
have all the beauties and sweet perfumes in
reality, freshly supplied to them every day
throughout the year at small cost.

We often wonder at the short-sightedness of

the heads of wealthy families, in not having
tender exotics in culture in glass-houses in win-
ter, under the false supposition that they are
costly ; and yet, when we count the cost of other
amusements with their usual accompaniments,
which wealthy families indulge in ; the short
time they last, and the stings often left by emu-
lations, disappointments and ingratitude, we
find this the least disappointing, longest lasting,
the most edifying, the cheapest and the best of
all.

The cost of erecting glass-houses and filling
them with choice plants is quite a sum at the
beginning, but the cost is small afterwards, com-
pared to the pleasure afforded ; yet the first cost
is a " lion in the way " to weak minds, — but those
of strong and liberal hearts and clear sights, go
right into it, and live in pleasing enjoyment
thereof.

A moderate priced collection will afford blooms
and fragrance from October to June. Many of
variegated foliage are always pretty, and those
of curious habits always interesting. Some are
in bloom many months, others have fragrant
foliage all the time. Here is a small list of
annual bloomers which follow each other in
succession, and vary the scene as time passes on:

Say two dozen Chinese and Japan Chrysan-
themums for show, with a few pots of Mign-
onette and Tuberose for sweet smell,— they will
last till Christmas, when Stevias and Epiphyl-
lum truncatum and violaceum will succeed
them ; next comes Euphorbia of sorts ; and
Camellia, for show ; and Daphne odorata for its
delightful fragrance. Chinese Azaleas, Begonias
and Bouvardias next come with blossoms in
great profusion ; and Olea fragrans gives sweet
scent ; then follow Acacias, Kenuedyias, Cor-
onilla ; and Correa for show ; with Jasmines and
Myrtles for fragrance. Orange and Lemon trees
come next with blossoms both beautiful and
odoriferous. Khododendrons and Fuchsias follow
with flowers in splendor, and are enlivened with
the sweet perfumes of Gardenias.

The above are accompanied by the following
herbaceous tribes : Cinerarias, Calceolarias,
Mimulus, Pelargoniums, Bletias, Callas, many
of the Cactus tribe, ect., for show ; and Helio-
tropiums, Wallflowers, Gillyflowers, ect., for
fragrance. The following are dwarfs : English
and Chinese Primroses, Daisies, Polyanthus and
Auriculas with blooms ; and Sweet Violets and
Musk plant with sweet odors. The following

76

THE GABI)i:J\^En' S MOA^THLY.

March,

are bulbous plants : Cyclamens, Oxalis and Spar-
axis bloom early, and Amaryllises, Achimenes
and Gloxinias are later. Hyacinthsand double
white iN'arcissus may accompany them all with
their delightful perfumes. Climbers are also
in bloom all winter. Passifloras, Bignonias and
many others clothe the rafters with flowers.
OrcJiidea^ or air plants, are always curious to
look at, and some are always in bloom ; and the
class with variegated leaves are always beautiful.
The Sensitive plant and Dionefe muscipula move
wlien touched as if they had animation. The
Pitcher plant and water-holding Pine absorb
moisture from the atmosphere, and hold the
waters in their cells even when other species
droop with dryness ; in short, the pleasure of
glass-house culture has no end while life lasts.

We now come to the benefit of this health
giving pleasure.

The furnishing of cut flowers for families for
the various purposes which floral decorations
are now used, may save an expense greater than
would be needed for repairs and material to keep
the culture and houses in good order, besides the
pride and pleasure of being ones own produc-
tions, and the high honor of giving to neighbors
in case of marriages, births and deaths. If the
^lass-houses are in the country, and families
live in cities, the pleasure of riding out to see
them during the dormant season, is good for the
health.

Seeds and cuttings of new plants can be pro-
pagated into well rooted plants in glass-houses,
and set out when the weather gets warm enough,
and all the bedding plants for the summer par-
terres are multiplied and ready to set out for sum-
mer decorations when the proper season comes
round ; and many tender summer blooming plants
in large pots and tubs may be safely kept under the
stages, such as Plumbago capcnesis, Lagerstroe-
mias, IN'eriums, Pomegranates, &c. Dahlia roots,
tender bulbs, &c., are also safely preserved in the
glass-houses during the winter. All that may
be a saving of more money than the cost of the
gardener's wages for the winter months, besides,
he being upon the place, does much needfuj
work in making pea-stakes, bean-poles, labels,
tieing up sticks, &c. ; pruning, manuring, &c. ;
all of which maj-- save the necessity of hiring
an extra hand two months in the spring. The
gardener, toe, is equal with farmers who
take shelter from storms in barns and stables ; he
takes shelter in the glass-house and does much
useful work therein.

To make good gardeners, give them employ-
ment all the year, and something to stimulate
a love and care of their professions, and we will
soon have as skillful and honorable gardeners
throughout our nation, as their brother craft are
in other lands.

In Greenhouses and HotJwuses, as we commonly
call them, the plants are all grown in pots, and
set. upon stages and shelves near to the glass for
light— and a great variety is there grown in a
small space.

Conservatories are built higher and made more
ornamental, to grow larger specimens of plants,
where they are to be groAvn in large tubs ; the
floors are paved, and the plants so arranged that
all will enjoy the sunshine, and to give a pleas-
ing effect when passing along the gangways. If
the plants are to be grown in beds and borders,
without tubs or pots, the house is made all glass,
except the frame-work, from a foot above ground,
the foundation Avails are of strong mason work,
of stone or brick, and are arched or pigeon-holed ;
underground borders are dug two feet deep both
inside and outside of the walls, and are filled up
with well prepared compost, made up of such
materials as are best suited to nourish the kinds
of plants to be set in them. The outside borders
may be of such breadth as are wanted to grow
bedding plants for summer bloom. The inside
borders are made two feet broad, and next to
them is a space thirty inches wide and dug
thirty inches deep, and there the smoke-flue or
hot water pipes are placed ; the sides are walled
with brick as high as the surface of the border,
and on top a frame of open wood-work is laid
for a gangway, and the heat from flue or pipes
freel}' ascends and heats the whole house ; the
middle space inside of this is aifferently orna-
mented, the soil is dug out three feet deep, and
compost is tilled in, then large growing plants
are set in it, the taller in the centre and the
more dwarf around them— but, in a way that all
will attain their full size without over-shading
each other too much. They all grow very
rapidly, and bloom in great splendor ; the borders
are planted with a mixed variety to give a good
show and pleasant perfume all through the
winter. Climbing vines of constant and pretty
blooms are set at the posts of the frame-work,
and climb up wires made for them, and clothe
both posts and rafters with foliage and blossoms
all throughout the winter ; their roots run
through the arches or pigeon-holes in the walls
under ground, and feed in the outside borders as

1S60.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

77

well as the inside borders. Hanging baskets
full of growing plants are hung upon the fi"ame-
work at such points as will give a pleasing ap-
pearance to the whole. Fancy cages with birds
of sweet song are also hung up at proper points,
and they fill the house with their music.

Let us now suppose that the centre of the
middle bed is planted with Camellias, and
Chinese Azaleas set between them and the edge,
with a few Daphnes and Pittosporums for sweet
scent ; there we have an evergreen grove such
as we may find upon the borders of China and
Japan, and to give us blossoms and sweet odors
for four months during winter and early spring.
Or suppose the bed is set with Orange and
Lemon trees, to ripen their golden fruit all the
year through, and blossoms for three months
both beautiful and fragrant. The above will al
thrive in a temperature of from fifty to sixty
degrees of heat, and the borders in such tempe-
rature may be set with Hyacinths, Wallflowers,
Gillyflower, Mignonette, Sweet Alyssum, &c.,
for SAveet smell ; and many showy flowering
species for show. For a higher temperature set
Coryphias in centre, with other species of lesser
growth around them ; Olea fragrance and Gar-
denias will furnish fragrance in abundance ; and
in the border in this temperature set Heliotro-
pums, Sweet Violets, ]SIusk plant, and many of
those mentioned for lower heat, will all perfume
the atmosphere of the house. There are many
showy blooming plants to be set among the
sweet scented species, so as to feast the sight and
scent equally well.

Or suppose a rock work be made on middle
bed, and built with various kinds of pretty
stones Pud shells, and filled up inside with rich
compost, and planted with such species as will
thrive upon it. We may name the winter bloom-
ing Epiphylluras and Euphorbias Avith many of
the summer blooming Cactus tribe, Hoya cor-
nosa, Sedums, Saxafragas, Sempervivums, dwarf
Aloes, &c., Avith Ferns and Lycopodiums around
the base. A basin or case may be framed on
top, in which set the Poinsettia pulcherrima,
Avith its leaA'es of dazzling scarlet, for fine show
during Avinter ; and when its beauty is over, re-
moA'e it and set some other show species in its
place ; and continue removing and resetting
when required, so as to keep up a highly orna-
mental head all the year round.

By another mode, an ornamental fountain
with fancy jets may be erected— the waters may
be thrown up to fall down in spray— the gold

and silver fishes may swim in the Avater, and the
Victoria l?e(/ia,and other pretty blooming aquatic
plants may be groAvn in the fountain ; and the
borders can be set Avith such plants as prosper i
a moist atmosphere, so there would be beauty,
SAveet scent and amusement.

It was by the skillful ingenuity of Mr.
Ellis then Mr. Cope's gardener, that the Vic-
toria Regia was first brought into bloom in
this country; and since then many wealthy fami-
lies have had conservatories erected, and foun-
tains put up in them, and now succeed in
groAving and blooming the Victoria in great
splendor.

We now have every desirable mode of culture
in successful operation in Glass-houses through-
out our nation, so it is folly to not put up
glasshouses for fear they may become failures ;
we have plenty skillful gardeners to take good
care of them, and make them pleasures to their
owners.

What an unspeakable pleasure this culture of
Exotic plants in winter affords to those who have
the means and liberality to encourage it. What
a beneficial change for the lungs, to leave the
arid air of sitting rooms, and go into the moist
and sweetly perfumed atmosphere of plant
houses ; and hoAv y^leasant for the eye-sight after
being wearied Avith looking long ujoon books, to
go and look at the green foliage of the groAving
plants and their beautiful blossoms of many
colors.

I verily believe that the wealthy could add ten
years to the length of their lifetimes by a mode-
rate indulgence in this health giving pleasure.
We liaA'e often cause to mourn over the loss of
kind Avealthy friends who haA'e allowed avarice
or narrow mindedness to deprive them of the
benefits of this life preserving amusement. A
bounteous providence has provided the mate-
rials— man has devised the means for success —
what else is needed ? nothing but the spending
a part of an over-stock of " filthy lucre " which
no one can carry to the grave with him.

" Turn ye, turn ye, why wilt thou die ?" said
he who came to save us.

A NEW VINE TRELLIS.

BY MR. T. G. YEOMAKS, AVALAVOKTH, N. Y.

No argument is necessary to convince a prac-
tical grape grower that a firm, tight trellis is
indispensable to the most successful culture of
the grape. How most readily to construct it

78

THE GAEBE^fEB'S MOJ^IBLY.

March,

and make it permanent is the object of the im- again bringing the wires to precisely their orig-
proveraent, illustrated by the following cut, which inal position and tension when desired. This

in winter for its | invention provides not only the most simple
and ready means of slacking the wires, so as to
avoid all strain or damage to the wires or posts;
but the equally simple and easy method of bring-
ing them again precisely to their former position
and tension ; and with such facility and ease
can the operation be performed, that a boy may
readily loosen or tighten many acres of trellis
per hour.

The end posts of a trellis being lirmly set and
braced, nearly all the intermediate posts which
are usually set about two rods apart, and which
need to be good posts in a common trellis
where the wires are not kept firmly in position,
may with this improvement be dispensed with :
say in a trellis forty rods long,one middle or inter-
mediate post and eighteen good fence stakes are
entirely sutficient, the fence stakes serving per-
fectly the purpose of keeping the wires proper
distances apart, while the tension of the wires
produced by the use of the levers serves to keep

shows two vines slackened as
protection.

The levers attached to the wires are for
putting the wires in position, where they are
kept by slipping the rings on the wires over the
ends of the levers, or slackened by slipping them
off.

It will be readily understood that a wire trellis,
tightly put up to substantial posts, must by
some means be relieved from the strain that
would result from the contraction of the wires
in cold weather, which would either break the
wires or draw the posts out of place, so that in
the following spring the wires would be loose
and vines could not be well trained thereon.

Various plans have heretofore been deviled to
relieve the trellis from such strain, but no one
has been found simple and practical enousih to
commend it to public favor, or to be put into
creneral use even after being attached to a trellis;
and non of them provide ^ ready means of

YEOMAN'S VIXE TRELLIS.

the stakes in a perpendicular position, instead
of tending to pull or sway them out of place as
slack wires would do ; and which will save for
every forty rods of trellis the cost of about
eighteen posts and setting them, and only re-
quiring in their stead eighteen good fence stakes
worth but a few cents each, which should be set
with an iron bar or hop-bar, thus diminishing
the expense of such a trellis at least five dollars,
besides the satisfaction and advantage of having
a very superior trellis always in good condition, j
The item of posts has heretofore in most j

places been the chief or most important part of
the expense, as well as the most difficult to
supply. But this improvement will not only
diminish the expense of trellising a vineyard
some thirty or forty dollars per acre, but greatly
facilitate the labor of construction.

[Conceiving there was more merit in this,
though so simple, than usual in " contrivances "
of thisnature, we asked Mr. Yeomans to give us
a fuller account of it, which he has done above.
— Ed.1

1869.

THE GARDEJyEn'S MOJVTELY.

79

GRAPE LANDS IN VIRGINIA.

NOTE FKOM " STEUBEN."

In a tew hasty notes on grape land and grape
culture in Virginia, which I sent you in the
fall, I think I promised lo renew my visit to
Virginia, and if what I learned could promote
the interest of my Northern brethren, who like
myself have been devoted to this, to me delight-
ful pursuit, I would again write you.

I am encouraged to do so by a short editorial
in your January number, in which you say,
"We have many letters hoping to hear more
from Steuben relating to Grape Lands in Vir-
ginia."

I think my last was dated in Fairfax County,
Virginia, in September, just as the grapes were
ripening.

Soon after I sent you that communication, I
left Virginia for my home in the Lake District
of New York, where I have long cultiva-
ted a vineyard. The loss from early frosts in all
the lake region has been fearful for two years
past, so that I have determined to plant no more
vines in the State of New York.

1 left there in October — after examining a great
number of carefully cultivated vineyards, near
Crooked Lake, where the grapes were frozen
during the cold night of the 14th of October, —
taking with me some 10,000 grape vines to plant
in Virginia.

I reached Fairfax county, and have selected a
location about four miles south-east of Centre-
ville, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
at a station called Clifton, where there seems to
be an enterprising colony from New York,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The vmes in this region have escaped mildew,
and the fruit the rot. The vines have had a
beautiful growth, and I predict that the hills
around " Pones Head " will be covered with our
choice varieties of grapes.

The soil is of a clayey loam, underlaid with a
soft rock, giving a perfect underdrainage. This
shale is also mixed with the soil, and is easily
dissolved by the action of frost and sun, forming
a natural manure. It is largely impregnated
with iron and magnesia, and is of volcanic for-
mation probably.

Catawbas near Clifton ripen without fear of
frost in September. lona, Israella, Diana,
Roger's No. 15 and 19, Delaware, Concord were
about equally healthy. No blight or mildew. I do
not think that there is any better soil or climate

in either Europe or America, and I have examined
vineyards in both countries for vine culture.

The Peach, Nectarine, Pear and Apple all do
well.

The markets of Washington and Baltimore
are within about one hour and one and a half
hours, respectively.

They received and sold a very large amount of
grapes this year from the West. I find I can
purchase the best grape lands at $25 per acre.
I see no reason why they will not be worth two
hundred.

The climate is celebrated for its salubrity.
AVeak lungs are healed ; to this I can testify, as
I found two parties from near Crooked Lake, N.
Y., who consider themselves almost cured.

The station agent at Clifton can be relied on,
he is from Chemung county, N. Y. I think
there is less crime and disturbance here than at
the North.

Property is perfectly safe, and people very
friendly. The country through neglect is almost
a wilderness, but is cheaply reclaimed.

P. S. — Distance from Washington twenty
miles— about 600 feet above tide ; this may ac-
count for mildew on the Potomac, and none on
'•Popes Head."

At Clifton, the station agent here will answer
any inquiry, his name is E. B. Georgia.

In my next I will tell you what was done
down here during the war in grape culture.

CULTIVATION OF .NDIGENOUS
PLANTS.

BY A CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT.

Reader, has it never occurred to you during
your rambles through the fields, or along the
green paths in the deep shades of the primeval
forest, that many of the flowers and shrubs j-ou
tread under your feet, or brush aside from your
path, might, with a little care, be made to add to
the attractions of your home ? Thoughts such as
these seem to have occupied the attention of some
who have long been gathered to the resting
places of their and our forefathers in those sea-
girt isles whence so many of us have sprung.
With them, thought ripened into action, and
many of the floral treasures of our country have
long since become familiar as household words
among the cottagers of Great Britian.

As long ago as the reign of Charles 1st, Tra-
descant, the king's gardener, and in the next
century, Catesby a distinguished Naturalist,

80

THE GARDEA^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

March.

who "twice crossed the Atlantic (in 1712 and 1722-
to examine the natural productions of this con
tinent, made collections of American plants and
seeds and introduced them into England, Avhere
they were highly prized and very shortly gener*
ally cultivated. Both these men have had their
names handed down to posterity in connection
with the flower they loved.

Tradescant's name was given to the Spiderworts
(Tradescantia) one variety of which, Tradescan-
tm Virginka, is noAV a very common flower in
English cottage gardens, although not so gener
erally cultivated in this country. Catesby drew
attention to the wild lily of the Southern States
[Lilium Catesbcei) which bears his name. These
men have been succeeded by many others who
have wandered East and West, North and South
over our country, until thei'e is hardly a plant
to be found which is not delineated in one or
other of the publications of these indefatigable
plant hunters. And this seai'ch after and intro-
duction of our plants into cultivation in other
countries is still going on ; even within the last
ten years, well known Canadian plants have ap-
peared among the novelties, oftered by leading
seedsmen in England and the United States to
the public. Among others thus recently brou^t
to notice may be mentioned the Scarlet Lobelia
{Lobelia cardinalis), the Pitcher Plant {Sarra-
cenia j;i'urpnrea) and a variety of wild bean
{Apios tuherosa).

It ' was somewhat bitterly remarked by an
American, somey.irs since, on seeing the Amer
ican plants at one of the Horticultural Exhibi-
tions in London, that the L'''nited States was then
almost the only place in the civilized world
where a collection of American plants could not
be found. Our trees and shrubs : our Kalmias,
our Cypripedias, our Asters, our Trilliums, and
scores of other pianis are cultivated in England,
but where can they be found, save in the wild
wood, in An.erica. If we had nothing worth
cultivation the case would be different; but it is
not so, from early spring until the frosts of au-
tumn bring our horticultural season to a close,
we have a constant succession of flowers beauti-
ful in their wild state, and doubtless, capable of
great improvement by judicious cultivation.

Taking them in the order of flowering, I will
mention a few, and only a few, of our wild flow-
ers,^ which would be an ornament to any garden.
First in order comes the Ilepatica [Hexjatka tri-
loba and acutiloba), which pushes its flowers
through the leaves scattered over the soil by the

winds of the last autumn, almost before the snow
has left the ground. "We have the Ilepatica of two
colors, shades of blue and pink running almost to
pure white. The flower does not remain long in
bloom, but as the blossoms t\xll ofi" the, at first
woolly looking, but afterwards dark gloomy
leaves, burst forth and retain their freshness till
the snow comes again. The Hepatica may be
grown as an edging or in single roots scattered
along the borders. Like most of our indigenous
plants, it requires to be somewhat shaded.

Xext to the Hepatica may be mentioned the
Canadian Blood-root [Sanguinaria Canadensis),
a showy flower with large white petals, and
palmate leaves of bluish green. The Blood root
improves much by cultivation, it requires rather
rich soil, leaf-mould is perhaps the best, and not
too much sun. The root of this plant is used as
a dye and is also &aid to be useful in the cure of
coughs. It is besides used as an emetic, but in
large doses is alleged to be poisonous.

The Trilliums, Bed {Trillium erectum), White
{T. grandiflorum) and Painted {T. erythrocar-
2mm), may also be noticed here. All three va-
rieties grow well and, with care, will improve by
cultivation. These flowers from the three-fold
division of the leaves, sepals, and petals, are
readily distinguished, even by persons who have
but a slight acquaintance with botany. The Red
Trillium is very generally found by the edge of
woods or under the shelter of detached clumps of
bushes on old pastures. The Painted Trillium
prefers the sides of rocky hills or ground from
which the timber has recently been burned.
The White Trillium seems to require a good soil
and is, in places suited to it, ver}^ profusely scat-
tered through the open woods, its snow^y blos-
soms almost rivalling the White Lily {Lilium
Candidum) in size.

The Golden Corydalis {Cordyalis aurea) must
not be overlooked, more particularly as it flow-
ers very freely and remains in bloom until
scorched up by the heat of July. This plant
prefers limestone debris and will do well on rock-
work. It does best in an exposed situation as it
is apt to run too much into foliage if shaded.

The Canadian Columbine {Aquilegia Canaden-
sis) is well worth a place in any garden, its
showy red and orange corolla is very handsome.
The Columbine thrives best on rocky slopes, but
is not by any means unwilling to adapt itself to
more cultivated localities.

In spring the flowers succeed each other so
rapidly that I had nearly overlooked the Dog-

1869.

THE GARDE JfER'S MOJVTRLY.

81

tooth Violet {Erythronium Americanum), one
of our earliest and gayest spring flowers. I have
not succeeded very well in the cultivation of this
flower, but I have no reason to suppose that it
will prove more diflicult to manage than any of
the foregoing. In its wild state it seems to thrive
equally well in the field or on the hillside, and as
it blooms very early, it might be made to add
greatly to the attractions of the flower garden at
a time when flowers are scarce.

I might go through a long catalogue of plants,
each of which possess beauties sufficient to war-
rant its introduction into our gardens, but pro-
bably enough have been named to show that

there is no lack of choice, seeing that the list of
spring flowers is by no means exhausted whilst
the representatives of summer and autumn are
wholly untouched. There can indeed be no
doubt but that a fair show of flowers, all indig-
enous, might, with care, be obtained throughout
the season. It will be found with wild flowers,
as with cultivated ones, that one of the main
points to be looked to is situation. Many plants
will not do well in the full glare of the sun from
morn till eve ; and this will be found especially
true of native plants, many of which are found
in the shade of our forest trees and soon die out
when that shade is taken from them.

EDITORIAL.

CHAEACTEES OF NEW FRUITS.

In accordance with our practice to give in our
pages all matters of public interest, that it is at
likely any large portion of our readers may be inter-
resten in, we gave last month a report of some pro-
ceedings of the Alton Horticultural Society, in
which appeared some strictures on the way new
fruits are brought out. It is of vast importance
that the sources ot our Horticultural intelligence
should be kept free from suspicion ; and it is not
to be wondered at that a respectable society like
the Alton, reading a year ago that the public
had become tired of having journals edited by
persons " connected with horticultural establish-
ments," should now find the publishers of this
statement more deeply " interested " in the char-
acter of a new fruit, than ever was any of the
other horticultural journals whose morality this
one was born to enlighten. This Society now
finds these gentlemen binding their journal and
a new fruit so tightly together, that they must
become pecuniarily interested in all that is said
in its favor, and very averse to admitting any-
thing that might be said against it. Having
been educated to abhor this interested immoral-
ity, the Alton Horticultural Society, or some ot
its members, had a right to hold up their hands
at the lapse from virtue exhibited by their
teacher.

Now this we take to be the great point of the

discussion, although by the way in which the
name of the Wilder Strawberry is brought in, it
might seem as if this Society was prepared to
place this variety at once on the " worthless "
list. AVe did not understand it in this way ; and
we did not suppose any one else would, for we
took it for granted that every one knew that this
variety has not yet been sent out,— that Dr. Hull
nor any one else has had any chance to test it,
and that, therefore, these gentlemen could only
have meant to speak of the general principle of
the thing. But we see that Mr. Fuller in Whit-
lock's Recorder, seems to overlook this point, and
we therefore suppose that others may. Mr. Ful-
ler copies the notice, and refers to his former
opinions of the necessity ef having some good
authority to give a character to fruits before they
are sent out. Certainly in this case no one
could want better authority for the value of a
fruit than the distinguished and honored gentle-
man whose name has been unfortunately mixed
up with this discussion. Mr. Fuller must have
forgotten this when he penned the remarks, for
we are sure he has as high a regard for the
worthy President of the American Pomological
Society as we have.

Surely we have no cause to defend The Boston
Journal of Horticulture. No one would expect us
to do that favor for one which commenced its
career by insulting its contemporaries ; but we

8^

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

March,

must do it the justice to say. that if the authority
which Mr. Fuller contends for is all that is ne-
cessary to give a strawberry the character that
it will do well all over the Union, the publishers
of the Journal should have his praise rather
than his blame. For ourselves, we have no doubt
this strawberry is all that Mr. Wilder claims
for it, — but every ones knows how frequently a
strawberr}' fails outside of a few favored locali-
ties. Whether this one will or not remains to
be seen.

We now come to the main question : ' How,
shall we relieve the market of the many worthless
things annually sent out ?" Sending plants to
different localities to be tested will not do. We,
and we doubt not the intelligent reader, can see
much against it. Authority, — and especially
the authority of Societies— will not, for that has
been tested and failed, and we suppose the ad-
vocates of this method will scarcely care to ask
us to give the instances. We must go for a
remedy to the source of the troubles, which is
the great haste of people to get ahead of their
neighbors with a new thing. Everything that
is advertised, they must buy, no matter how un-
known the characters of the parties " bringing
out " the novelty, for fear it " may " be good,
and they not be in the ring to participate in the
"big profits." When deceived they cry out for
'• remedies."

For our part, we have no sympathy with these
people. We have no remedy to propose. Let
them sufter. If horticultural Journals which
wait for the information from all quarters, before
venturing to recommend a thing for general
cultivation, are too slow for their fast friends,
they must study out some better plan for them-
selves. We shall try to see that those who do
wait until we can tell them something, shall at
least not be deceived.

MANURE AND VITALITF.

Mr. William Saunders contributes an excellent
paper to Hearth and Home, illustrating, by some
anecdotes of Lawton Blackberrries, what we
have long taught our readers, that hardiness is
not so much owing to mere temperature, as to
other conditions of culture and climate. Every
attention was given to the blackberries planted on
"highly enriched soil," " kept clean and culti-
vated." For two successive winters the plants,
prov'ng ' tender," were killed to the ground.

The bed was abandoned— " grass and weeds
were allowed to grow " — a " thickly matted sod
occupied the entire surface." All this was
" mowed out " during the end of summer, and
the strong canes left were found "hardy" next
year. For "several years' this was kept up.
" Subsequently a top-dressing of manure was
spread over the surface," and " now " this is a
portion of the yearly routine ; and the Lawton
Blackberry is esteemed a " hardy " and " valu-
able " fruit.

A\"e trust that if we have yet left any Western
friends, who believe that that " notorious Gar-
dener''s Monthly is giving advice and teaching
which will prove a great blow to fruit culture,"
they will read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest
these facts, — and if their hunger still remains un-
satisfied, we have no doubt but Saunders could
provide them a little more food of the same sort.

On this subject we begin to feel that we have
finished our fight, and done the work which it
was given us to do. So many intelligent pens
are enlisted in the cause, that we may safely
leave it to them, and turn our arms away — not
to rest— but to combat another error from an-
other quarter ; but which has had no less an
evil influence on successful fruit culture. This
error is, that a rich soil is fatal to the health of a
tree.

Mr. Saunders, whose friendly aid in our gene-
ral views, we have impressed into our service,
echoes the universal error in this particular
point, in the same chapter, when he thus puts
the case : — People treat plants to high stimu-
lants, hoping thereby to enhance the value of the
fruit, but this stimulus weakens the vigor of the
plant. " High stimulants " are further explained
to mean, "sufficient m^anure to induce a succu-
lent growth of immature wood, to be killed
during the winter."

Well, we confess we once believed in this too ;
but we have had the luck to see manure heaps
piled up annually around pear and apple trees
near dung-yards ; to see Blackberries thrivmg in
amazing health in neglected corners near com-
post heaps ; Raspberries in joyous luxuriance
near old hot bed grounds ; and in many other
instances have watched and noted that where-
ever the surface roots are never disturbed —
wherever the manure is served as a top-dressing
and never dug in, plants never get too much
" stimulants "—never get unhealthy except from
epidemic causes ; but always grow in health and
vigor and never cry "enough." We know why

\

J869.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOJ^TELY.

8S

this is so, but will not philosophize now. We
will, however, express our decided opinion, that
this plan of half starving things to make them
healthy, will go the way of the theories about
half feeding and half clothing children. We

now give them warmth and exercise, and feed
liberally ; and so with trees, no matter how
much food you give them, only let them have
fibrous r,iots enough to take UiJ, and leaves
enough to digest, and all will be well.

SCI^APS AND aUERIES.

Deaths of Philadelphia Horticultu-
rists.—As we go to press, the death of Vice
President Harmer, of the Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society, at the early age of 42, is an-
nounced. In these latter days no one has done
so much for Philadelphia Horticulture as he.
The new Hall — the pride of Philadelphia Horti-
culturists— would perhaps never have succeeded
but for his determined energy in pushing it
through, des; ite obstacles that would have fright-
ened many a less brave man. He looked forward
with pride to the Union of the Pomologists un-
der its roof next September; and his associates,
in preparing for the great national festival,
could meet with no greater loss.

Mr. Joshua Longstreth, who, for nearly half a
century has been one of the most liberal exhibitors
of rare plants, fruits, and vegetables, has at last
passed away, after having had his span of life
lengthened on pretty well towards a century. This
Society has few good men to spare, though its
nominal members exceed six hundred. To have
its youngest and best blood, and its oldest and
most untiring supporter, both go down in one
week to the grave together, is a heavy blow to it.

Christine Grape.— We have the following

note : , . . ,

'' Hesionville, Jan. 2Qth:—L notice m a late

issue of the Telegraph, that my friend John
Kutter, of West Chester, has been drawn into a
controversy about the Christine, or Telegraph
Grape. 1 would state that for two years past T
have secured all the spare cuttings of the original
Christine, as well as many others grown imme-
diately from it, and sent them to him for propa-
gation, r also gave Major Freas a vine from the
original a few years ago.

Considering this due Mr. Rutter, without dis-
cussing the merits of the Grape,

I am Respectfully,

Edward W. Heston."

[We have noticed the controversy referred to,
but have not referred to it,because it was evident
to us that none of them who had written about
the matter, had read the article complained of ;
if they had, they must have seen that no injustice
whatever had been done to Mr. Rutter. Our cor-
respondent simply asked, in his own way, whether
Mr. Rutter did not know that a Grape, supposed
to be unnamed, and therefore called the Telegraph,
was afterward found to be already named
Christine ? Or, as a gentleman of intelligence,
acquainted with Pomological rules, knowing
that Christine was the proper name of the
Grape, — had he another Grape distinct from the
other, called Telegraph ?

We think "Hestonville" justified in asking the
question; and instead of any injustice to Mr.
Rutter in having it asked of him, the injustice
comes from those who have declined to answer
the question. "Hestonville" can, however,
take care of himself.]

Dishonest Nurserymen.— It is very easy to
get a bad name with some people. A correspon-
dent of an agricultural journal writes that he
sent money to a distinguished Southern nursery-
man for fruit trees. By miscalculation he sent
more money than necessary — three dollars. To
balance the bill the nurseryman sent eleven trees
of one kind instead of three as ordered. The
correspondent "put this down as a Yankee trick. ' '
That variety "was no good or he would not have
selected that one to send so many of." True, he
afterwards found it was a good thing; but it
shows on what a slender thread a man's reputa-
tion may hang, and adds one more reason to the
many we already have for our general rule, to
I refuse these personal matters in our columns.

Pomological Patents.— This subject was

j brought up at the recent meeting of tiie frui

committees, of the Pomological Society in New

84

THE GARDEJSTERS' MOJVTHLY.

March

York, and very properly decided by President
"Wilder to be out of order ; as meeting for a spe-
cial purpose, to represent the Society by it? au-
thority, they would transcend their authority by
considering any other subject, than the revision
of their fruit list. To meet the objection, im-
mediately on the adjournment of the regular
session, the members formed themselves into "a
meeting of fruit growers," with Mr. William
Parry as Chairman, and F, R. Elliott as Secre-
tary, and it was, without a dissenting vote,
resolved, that such a law would not be practicable or
desirable. It is perhaps fair to say that Mr Cay-
wood, and Mr. Puller, two advocates of the
measure, were not present when this plan .of
meeting Mr. Wilder s objection was thought of.

DiGGiKG Amongst PRriT Trees.— This sub ■
ject is at length awakening attention even in slow
and staid old England, where it is so very hard
to get the wagon of progress out of the venerated
old ruts. In a discussion of the subject recently
in one of their journals, a correspondent says
that one of the most successful Strawberry grow-
ers of his time, the late Mr. Keen, raiser of Keen's
Seedling, after a litetime of observation had
come to the conclusion that shallow digging was
the best for the Strawberry crop ; although the
correspondent himself thought it absurd not '"to
let in the atmosphere" by deep digging.

Mildew on Eoses.— if. C. H., McGregor,
Iowa. — "Will you please to tell how to rid my
rose bushes of a white mould like substance that
comes on the young leaves and stems. Soon after
its appearance the leaves wither and will crum-
ble to the pressure of the fingers. Have tried
syringing with water, with soapsuds, and with
sulphur mixed with water, but all to no purpose.' '

[Mildew is very often the consequence of dis-
ease—in roses particularly so. You will most
likely find, on examination of your rose roots,
that iha fibres have been destroyed by over water-
ing. The best remedy will be to take them at
once out of the sour soil, re-pot in sweeter earth,
and be very careful about watering, until the
pots get full of new roots. Sulphur in water or
soapsuds will frequently cure mildew when it
spreads without much root disease.]

Enquiries about Shade Trees. — St. Louis
is — perhaps — for a city of her age, one of the
worst shaded and poorest ornamented cities in the
Union. Not but thousands and thousands of

trees have been planted, but the legion of foes,
living and dead, render success a very up-hill
business. Formerly the Yellow Locust was
largely planted, but the borer became as univer-
sal as the trees, and swept them out of existence,
so that scarcely a vestige of them remains.

Of late years the leading street trees have been
the White Elm, the Silver and Scarlet Maples,
with a sprinkling of Silver and Lombardy Pop-
lar, Catalpa and Ailanthu8,Tulip Tree, Sycamore
and some others ; but the drop worms are now
becoming so exceedingly numerous and trouble-
some, as almost to threaten annihilation, es-
pecially on the Elm and jMaple, less so on the
Poplars and Sycamore ; while on the Catalpa
and Ailanthus I do not observe any ; the insect
apparently does not attack these two at all.

But a worse enemy than the drop worm (I
think,) because more insiduous, is the Eed
Spider, which pest, two hot and dry summers,
has produced a most baneful effect, on some kinds
of trees ; the Elm and Maple also get it, the
foliage of the whole tree turns a rusty color, is
thin and shrunken, casts but little shade, and
altogether wears a most sickly aspect ; all of
which I think is the work of the Red Spider. T
called the attention of our State Entomologist to
this last summer, and he gave it as his opinion
that Red Spider never attacked trees in open air;
(but I knovv it does) he promised to investigate
it, but presume he has not yet found time.

Here again certain trees show exemption, first
of which is the offensive Ailanthus, next the
Catalpa, neither of which appear to be touched,
while the Lombardy Poplar maintains its foliage
dark and shining, apparently unharmed also,
and so of the Silver Poplar and Sycamore. For
a season or two past the Sycamore appears to be
in great demand, doubtless for three reasons :
first, because it is easily piocured; second, be-
cause it bears transplanting well ; and third, be-
cause so far it appears to do well in our streets.

But I notice by your "Hand-Book,'' now 16
years old, you say, "This tree was formerly in
much demand for its shade ; latterly (suffering
from late frosts, probably) it has fallen into dis-
rejiute trom its unhealthiness. I (you) believe it
carries the disease with it even to other coun-
tries'"

How does this disease manifest itself perma-
nently— have never observed any here, nor injury
from frosts that I know of?

What is the latest in regard to this tree, as a
city tree, and what has been found to be best in

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

85

Philadelphia and Ifew York City; and what of
diseases, insect foes, and remedies. I have heard
long ago, you had the drop worm bad ?

There are a few examples of the beautiful
Tulip Tree doing well here in the City ; what of
it also, as regards insects, coal-gas, lime-dust,
&e., &c. Respectfully,

Carew, St. Louis, Mo.

[We have not examined critically, but have
seen what we believe to be the Red Spider, and
if not that, some near all}', on trees in many
parts of the United States. High upon the
Allegheny Mountains we have observ^ed them so
numerous, that we have paused to inquire if it
was really an instance of wonderful spreading of
an introduced insect, or whether it was really in-
digenous. In this "wild state" it seems most
fond of clover and oxalis, and has no doubt
spread with these plants together. We do not
know how to help their ravages on this immense
scale. As for the drop worm that is so easily
gathered off, that any city that refuses to compel
its citizens to take them off, deserves to have no
shade trees. The Sycamore (Platanus) every-
where that we have seen east of the Ohio is sub-
ject to the disease mentioned. At the writing
referred to, it was believed to be early frost ; but
now it is understood to be a fungoid effect. We
should be glad of the experiences of others as to
the best trees for cities, and will then add our
own to the rest.]

Gardenkrs and Situations.— In the course
of the year, hundreds of letters reach us about
these things, most of them kindly offering to re-
munerate us for our trouble. We have usually
replied to these friends that we have not time to
attend to it, but the labor of such writing is grow-
ing so onerous, that we are compelled to announce
that ive cannot even reply to letters of this kind. Why
do not some Horticulturists establish a reliable
agency of this class ? Pasehall Morris what do
you say ?

A Story with a Moral.— Once upon time a
being, who had probably descended from an
orang-outang or chimpanzee, might have been
seen in company with a woman of singular grace
and beauty- The contrast was so striking that
irreverent urchins could not but utter as they
passed, "Beauty and the Beast," much to the
wonder of the homoidal development, who could
not see " why they thought his wife so ugly."

We suspect the foundation for this story was

discovered in Boston, where a journal — possibly
an "enemy," or a " rival,"' who for a long time
had been taking special pains to depreciate "all
its contemporaries," — to point its virtuous finger
at their "low tone," and pout its youthful
lips at the bare thought of their "interested con
nectious," has " once on a time," and that last
month, been seen to stop and wonder at the
"alacrity " with which its own lack of lovliness
is commented on! Well, if it ends in an im-
provement of its manners, we shall not regret our
share in the " advertisement " it affects to be so
much pleased with.

Cultivation. — It is strange that the barbar-
ous system of "cultivation." which has produced
the almost utter failure of fruit culture all over
the United States, should find a single advocate
among intelligent men, instead of the many
scores which we do find. Day by day, however,
we find them coming over to our assistance, and
giving the old heresies some pretty hard hits.
The following "sledgehammer" blow from the
pen of our friend, Henry Ward Beecher, is one of
the best we have lately seen. It is put in the
shape of a "cure for Canada thistle," and is true,
every word of it, and as true of fruit trees as of
Canada thistles :

"The only way to exterminate the Canada
thistle is to plant it for a crop, and propose to
make money out of it. Then worms will gnaw
it, bugs will bite it, beetles will bore it, aphides
will suck it, birds will peck it, heat will scorch
it, rains will drown it, mildew and blight tvill
ride it. All nature helps weeds and runs down
crops." We have not the least doubt in the
world but that, if the same system of culture, as
is generally given on fruit crops, was given the
Canada thistle, it would die out in two seasons.

Tomatoes. — We have from our correspondent
Mr. Blodgett, Jan. 20th, some Tomatoes kept on
the plan before given us; they were very superior,
showing how easily they may be kept if well
ripened, which is the peculiar merit of the plan
he recommends.

Plums— iJ. JS. S.—We doubt whether much
can be done by merely planting a few trees in
chicken yards to keep oft' curcul Better to
plant a few dozen, in a proper plaoe and enough

86

THE GARDEA^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

March,

to make it worth while to shake off the insects on
the Dr. Hull or Barvy plan.

Gextiana ACArLis.— J. 5., New Tw'k, says:
liaising Gentiana from seed, — a flat seed pan
placed in a large saucer always full of water, —
seeds sown when newly gathered, and covered
very lightly, or sown in chopped moss, will ger-
minate freely, — old seed of little or no value. I
may be able to help your correspondent, P. S.,
Tipton, Indiana, to a small pinch of Gentiana
acaulis, but could not positively promise till I
see how it comes out in April, as it is perfectly
hardy and only suffers in the hot dry weather.

Persiax Plaxt. — A correspondent from
Adam's Eun, South Carolina, sends a leaf for
name, with the following note: "a beautiful and
fragrant evergreen, known here as the 'Persian
plant,' introduced into our gardens by my grand-
father, where from I cannot say. It is hardy,
and contrasts well with the darker evergreens,
and stands clipping well."

It appears to be Illicium floridanum; but it may
be J. religiosum, which looks very much like the
other in foliage. It is hard to name a thing from
a sinsrle leaf.

The American Pomological Society. —
The meeting for the revision of the Society's
fruit catalogue was very well attended, and was
exceedingly harmonious and pleasant through-
out. It was to be held in the rooms of the "^(/rj-
culturityt,^'' but too many for the room responding
to the call, that journal liberall}' engaged rooms at
the Astor House. Very few new fruits were added
to the old list — a few were taken off altogether,
and others found to do well in other States were
added. The work accomplished will greatlj' fa-
cilitate business at the regular session in Phila-
delphia, next September. Messrs. Wilder, Barry,
EUwanger, and Manning, who had just returned
from a tour South, speak feelingly of the kind-
ness with which they were everywhere met ; and
though the Southern Pomologists are yet poor,
so many expressed their determination to come
to Philadelphia, that a very interesting time
is expected.

Gardeners in the South. — Recently a cor-
respondent from Nashville wrote to us that
gardeners would be disappointed going South.
A correspondent of the Dixie Farmer noticing
this says :

" There has been no time since the war when
there was not a demand for a first-class gardener
in this vicinity. "VVe want the best the North
affords. No time, as you know, in the history of
Tennessee has horticulture or floriculture been
in a more flourishing condition. Nurseries and
greenhouses are springing up in every direction,
and plenty room for more."

PuRSii's Journal. — "We have been asked to
give a portrait of this early pioneer of American
botany ; but so far as we know, there is no
portrait in existence.

"De Profundis." — "We are amused at the
great depth of thought exhibited at times by our
horticultural friends. In a speech on the grape,
a certain learned Doctor says, the wine of Nor-
ton's Virginia "harmonizes unity," and that of
the Diana " exceeds in harmonious refinement,
&c."

Well! well ! "larninEr is a creat thing."

New Potatoes. — A few years ago the Early
Goodrich was to be ten 'da3S earlier than any
other ; then Early Rose was to be fourteen days
earlier than Goodrich ; Early Prince is now to
be ten days earlier than Early Rose. Thirty-
four days is an enormous advance in six years !
but does any body believe it ? Gentlemen, take
warning by the Tomato men ; you have our en-
couragement in your endeavors to improve the
breeds of things — we hope you will be paid well
for every thing— except those marvelous state-
ments, which we hope will not be charged for in
the bill.

KAL3IIAS. — Mrs. M. G B., Wef,t Philadelphia,
asks : — '• Is there no way to cultivate Laurels ?
I have had them planted very carelully from the
woods ; but though they live for a few years,
they finally dwindle away."

[To succeed in transplanting Kalmias, they
should be cut back one-half at transplanting,
and set on, or nearly on the surface of the
ground, with the soil drawn up and pressed
tightly around them.]

The Mendenhall. Dibble. — A Baltimore
subscriber asks : — " In the February nimiber of
the Gardener''s Monthly, among the notices of
books, &c., you mention the Mendenhall Dibble.

1860.

THE GARDEJVERS MOJVTELY.

87

I would like to know where one could be ob-
tained. I have never met with them at Imple
ment stores, nor seen them described in the cata-
logues. I have for some time used a worn out
bricklayers trowel in preference to the round
Dibble ; but judging from the representations of

the Mendenhall Dibble, I think if I could get
one I should appreciate it.''

[The implement was sent us by Mr. Menden-
hall, of Richmond, Indiana. We believe there
is no patent on it, and any blacksmith can make
on».l

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Decandolle's Prodromus, part 16. second
section, containing among other things the
Coniferce, by Professor I'arlatore.

This work of DecandoUe, wholly on descrip-
tive botany, and in Latin, would require from us
usually only a general notice, for the benefit of
those of our readers engaged in the higher
studies ; but the Coniferous family has such a
wide spread interest for horticulturists, that any
thing in reference to it has a wide spread
interest. In Europe, practical works on this
tribe of plants are of little use without some
pretentions to scientific accuracy : and both there
and in our country the recent work of Josiah
Hoopes takes a high stand, both amongst scientific
men and all classes of practical arboriculturists.
In view of these facts, we think we shall serve a
very large number of our readers, if we make for
them a condensed view of the chief points of Par-
latores Monograph, we are sure it will interest the
American lovers of this beautiful class of trees.

He divides the whole natural order of Coni-
ferse into 33 genera : Araucaria, Dammara,
Pinus,Cunninghamia, Arthrotaxis, Sciadopitys,
Sequoia, Cryptomeria, Glyptostrobus,Taxodium,
Widdningtonia, Actinostrobus, Frenela, Callitris,
Libocedrus, Thuya, Thujopsis, Biota, Diselma,
Fitzroya, Chameecyparis, Cupressus, Juuiperus,
Dacrydiilm, Phoerosphora, Lepidothamnus,
Saxegothtea, Phyllocladus,Taxus, Cephalotaxus,
Torreya, Ginko, Podocarpus, are all he recog-
nizes. Our familiar names become, synonyms —
Picea, Abies, Larix, Cedrus, Tsuga, Pseudola-
rix, Ketelaria are all Finns, although these
names are retained to distinguish sections. Re-
tinosi^ora goes into the the old Chamaecyparis.
Then, although names of other genera are re-
tained, the species are changed to other genera.
Glyptostrobus pendulis (Sinensis, syn.), is
carried to Taxodium, where, as Mr. Meehan has

shown in his papers in the Proceedinrjs of Phila-
delphia Academy of Natural Sciences, according
to his laws of adnate folial evolution, it ought to
be classed. Glyptostrobus is retained, however,
in its single representative, G. heterophyllus, the
author considering the crenate scales and semi-
circular disc or crown at the apex of the scales
in the cones, a good distinguishing mark. Cu-
pressus Lawsoniana is Champecyparis Lawso-
nia ; Thujopsis borealis. Chamcecyparis 2^ut-
ksensis ; and all the Retinosporas are found
here.

The greatest slaughter, however, is amongst the
specific names ; many things we hold distinct,
and others that we have known by certain names
for a quarter of a century, are buried ; and their
rights and possessions given to a fossil name,
which the learned research of the author has
dug out of the depths of the literary earth. In
Pinus particularly, we hardly know where to
look for a plant we have long known. Pinus
Premontiana is P. 3£onophylla, which we had
already learned to believe. P. Murrayana is P.
Muricata. Pinus variabilis of Lambert, is P.
inops. White Pinus variabilis of Pursh, is P.
mitis. Pinus rupestris, or P. I^anksiana, as it
is called, is said to be P. hudsonica, of Poirel.
This will very much interest cultivators, as the
R. (picea) hudsonica in cultivation generally is
a very dwarf form apparently of P. Frazeri,
and a totally different looking thing to our
" Grey Pine." P. Hamiltoni, and P. Lemonia
are varieties of P. pinaster. P. brutia, P. Loisel-
uriana are synonyms of P. pyrenaica, which is
considered a good species ; while P. austriaca is
considered a variety Nigricans, of P. Laricio.
Pinus maritima, of Alton, is also considered
one with P. laricio. Fenzlii, taurica, leuco-
dermis, Magellensis and Dalmatica are also
synon^'mous with variety nigricans. P.Pallasiana

88

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTHLY.

March,

is also made a variety of Laricio. Pinus Muglio
and P. puuiilio are synonyms of P. Montana^
which has also a host of less known names. P.
Massoniana, of Siebold and Zuccarini, is P.
Thiinbergii ; but P. Massoniana, of Lambert,
IS a good Chinese species. P. lophosperma,*of
Lindley, a Californian species, is regarded d's-
tinct from P. Sabiniana ; while Pinus palustris
has got back again to P. australis. Pinus iu-
hercidata is regarded as a good species. Pimis
ponderosa has numerous kinds given to it ;
amongst other constituens of Hartweg, Brachy-
ptera of Eugelman, Eugelmanni of Tori-ey,
Bearsdsleyi of Murray, Benthamiana of Hart-
weg, Sinclairana of Hooker, Parryana of Gordon.
P. Gregri is a new species of Engelmann, allied
to P. Teocote, from the mountains in Mexico.
P. Teocote is one to which eight of Koezl's names
are given as synonyms. Under P. cembroides
we have Edulis (of Carriere), L. laveana and
osteosperma of Engelman ; P. Edulis of Engel-
man, the author says is " certainly distinct from
P. cembroides." Under P. 3Iontezumce come
forty-one of Koezl species, reminding us un-
pleasantly of money we invested in encouraging
his " enterprize." It is remarkable that not
one of Roezl's names have been left to stand.
P. Ehrenbergi and P. montezumse, of Gordon,
are P. Ilartwegii. P. leiophylla, a mountainous
Mexican species, is also honored by a long list of
Boezlian names. Pinus Cemhra is one of the
very few well known Pines without a syuonym.
It seems to be extended from the alpine regions
of Austria, to the borders of Russia. Pinus
albicaulis, of Engelman, is considered the same as
P. flexilis. Pinus pence, and P. longifolia, of
Griffith, are the leading synonyms of Pinus ex-
celsa, — its cousin, P. strobus, has none. P.
monticola is regarded as distinct from P. strobus.
P. Loudoniana of Gordon, Strobiliformis of
Eugelman, is the Mexican P. ayacahuite.
To be continued.

Practical FLORicrLxrRE. — By Peter Hen-
derson. Published by Orange Judd & Co.,
New York.
"We were very much pleased, in a recent visit
to Mr. Henderson's place, to note the spirit of
enterprise with which he is imbued, and the suc-
cess which follows his undertakings. Twelve
acres, not devoted to, but covered by glass, all
erected in the most substantial manner, and
every thing carried on with strict order and
neatness, is not a sight to be seen every day.
Opinions may differ as to the merits of this or
that method of practice adopted by Mr. Hen-
derson, but the fact remains the same, that the
education such a business must give a shrewd
intelligent man, ought peculiarly to fit him for
such works as Mr. Henderson's name is identi-
fied with.

This new attempt of Mr. Henderson's will,
we have no doubt, prove as acceptable and as
useful to the public as his former one.

Physical Survey of Virgixia. By Com-
modore W. F. Maury.-
It is remarkable, that a State so much favored
by nature for agricultural and commercial pro-
gress, should not have risen to greater eminence
than it has, in spite of social circumstances. It
is gratifying to find leading men like Governor
Wise now acknowledge the fallacy of their old
ideas, and lend their aid to a better order of
things. Such labors as this of Lieut. Maury
will do much to open the eyes of the nation to
Virginia's great resources.

The Horticulturist. — In our last we briefly
noted the fact that our contemporary had again
changed hands. The January number is now
before us. The new Proprietor, Mr. "Williams,
has introduced some new features of interest,
and although it is now nearly a quarter of a
century since its first establishment by Mr.
Downing, it has evidently yet a long career of
usefulness before it. "We wish our new " Broth-
er of the Press " every success.

Illustrated Annual Register of Rural
Affairs, for 1869. By Luther Tucker &
Son, Albany N. Y.

The pressure on our " Book Column " has
kept from notice a few which deserved an earlier
acknowledgment. This is one. This is the fif-
teenth annual volume, edited by J. J. Thomas,
one of the editors of the Country Gentleman.
Whatever the publishers and editors of this ex-
cellent magazine do, is always so well done, and
withal so modestly done, that to say this is their
work, is sufficient to recommend it. " Fruits
and their culture" will particularly interest our
readers.

1869.

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJ^TELY.

89

Americax Horticultural Annual.
American Agricultural Annual.

Published by Orange, Judd & Co., New York.

The third year of the series. They contain
epitomes of the leading discoveries in the science
and practice of agriculture and horticulture for
the past year. Xo other annuals attempt this,
"^hich,after all,is the proper idea of an "annual."
They stand alone in their usefulness, and are,
therefore, essential to any one who would keep
the run of what has been done in the world of
farm and garden culture.

Washburn's Amateur Cultivator's

Guide.
Every one has heard of the beautiful Horti-

cultural Hall at Boston, and of the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society, and its great influ-
ence in the horticultural taste of the country.
Part of the hall is leased by Washburn & Co.,
seedsmen, and whether it is the influence of the
hall, or of the Horticultural Society, or of the
natural good taste of these gentlemen, or alto-
gether, we cannot say ; but so it is, their cata-
logue is one of the most beautiful we have ever
seen. Beautifully bound, beautifully and pro-
fusely illustrated, well filled with capital rules
and recommendations ; it is equal in value and
ornament to some of the best enterprizes of pub-
lishers of standard works. Washburn & Co.,
stand high as seedsmen, and we have no doubt
must do an enormous business to justify so beau-
tiful a " catalosue."

NEW AND EAUE FEUITS.

Myer's Nonpareil Apple. Synonyms.—
Ohio Nonpareil, Western Beauty (?) Cattail Ap-
ple, Myer's Nonpareil.

This is supposed a native Ohio seedling —
but as large old trees of it are to be found in
New Lisbon, Massillon, and other towns in
Ohio, its exact history cannot be traced. It
was presented to the Ohio Pomological Society
in 1847, and is described in the Society's Trans-
actions of that year as the Ohio Nonpareil. Sub-
sequently it was found that a Mr. Myer's —
the owner of one of the oldest trees of its kind
— had propagated and disseminated it as the
Myer'c apple, and hence pomt)logists have since
decided to call it Myer's Nonpareil. In quality it is
one of the very best dessert apples of its season-
The tree is a strong, vigorous grower, with large
stout young shoots, having full, round buds, and
large broad coarse thick leaves, giving promise o^
its ability to endure great and severe changes of
climate. As an orchard tree it is of a regularly
open and round spreading head, bearing annually
crops of even sized fruit, scattered on spurs and
twigs evenly over the whole surface. So far as it
has been tested, no complaints have been made of
its want of hardihood. The fruit is described in
the Agricultural Department Report as follows :

Size, large ; form, roundish flattened ; color,
red and yellow marbled and splashed, and with
many scattered gray dots ; stem, short to me-
dium, small ; cavity, regular, open ; calyx,

partially open ; basin, medium depth, smooth
and regular ; flesh, j^ellowish white, juicy, rich,
lender, mild, sub-acid ; core, regular, partially
open ; seeds abundant, plump and full ; season,
last of September to early December. — Western
Farmer.

DucHESSE DE BORDEAUX Pear.»-A first-class
winter Pear is badly needed. Dr. Houghton
has found this an excellent variety, and remark-
able well suited to our climate. It is thus de-
scribed :

Medium sized, two and a half inches long and
seven and a half in circumference ; form, round-
ish, irregular, imbricated, very often swollen on
one side, flattened and sometimes even, drawn
in on the other, and divided from the latter by a
deep suture, which reaches from the eye to the
stem ; it is dented and its surface is uneven.
The stem is about three-quarters of an inch
long, bent and planted in its surface, but bearing
at its insertion on one side only a small nipple,
fully characteristic. The eye is largo and big
enough, placed in a deep cavity. The skins is very
thick and rough, of a deep brownish yellow, but
some parts of it, however, of a lighter yellow.
As to the form and color, it bears some like-
ness to the Portunee Pear. The flesh is of a
yellowish white, fine and melting, sweet and
very juicy. It is a delicious pear, equal in
quality, and is in truth superior to any kind of

90

THE GABDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

March'

winter pear, without excepting the Easter
Beurre. It begins to ripen in February, and
continues in perfect state through March and
April. Originated by M. Secher, near Angers,
from a lot of wild pear seeds. It is very produc-
tive.

Colfax Strawberry. — AVe have received
from Messrs. Purdey & Johnson, Palmyra, New
York, the following cut of the Colfax Strawberry.

It was raised in the garden of Vice President
Colfax at South Bend, from some seedlings given
him by a friend.

[COLFAX STRAWBERRY.]

Messrs. P. & J., in their letter to us, say it is a
medium sized fruit, of symmetrical form,growing
in clusters ; sub-acid, juicy ; not hard fleshed.

The plant is of the stocky class, as in Agri-
culturist, and it is represented as a very abun-
dant bearer, and a first class amateur variety.
Its claims are moderately presented, and which
in these days of exaggerations, may add to its
value.

Sable Queen Blackberry.— This variety
is said to have been found twenty years ago in
an old pasture in Essex cou!ity, Mass., and has
been cultivated ever since by a gentleman near
Boston. AVe have no specific description of the
fruit ; the only reference to its size is, that it
sometimes grows as "thick as a rake handle. "
From all we learn we believe it to be a very
promising kind.

1869.

TEE GAnDEJ\''ER' S MOKTRLY.

91

The Stark Apple, of which we gave an
account last month, proves on further acquain-
tance to be the Pennock. It has failed in our
district so long and so badly, that we did not re-
cognize it in these very fine specimens from
Ohio ; but have now no doubt about the identity
of the two.

Fourth of July and Tetofsky Apples. —
We have the following note from Mr. Hanford :

"It has been claimed by some of our prominent
poraologists, that the first is but a synonym of
the latter. In some works on Pomology, and
some of our most reliable catalogues, it has been
so stated. 1 think it is a mistake, and that they
are two distinct varieties. The first is similar,
and might easily be mistaken one for the other,

but the growth of the tree is different, — the first
sending out long strong shoots of very dark
color ; the latter, short, thick and quite red.
One of our most noted Pomologists, to whom
some of the fruit was sent, felt sure it was the
Tetofsky, yet on seeing the tree, he wrote, "The
fruit and leaves are very much alike, but the
wood is distinct;" " I am glad the mistake has
been discovered before it was fully made public."
Another well known Pomologist was at my place
this summer, and picking some of the fruit from
the tree, said he could easily call the fruit Te-
tofsky, but the tree was not. Mr- Bateham
always claimed that they were two distinct va-
rieties, and comparing the two kinds of fruit
together, says the Fourth of July is larger,
longer and handsomer."

KEW AND RARE PLANTS.

Myrsipiiyllum Asparaginoides. [Similax. )-
There is no climbing plant in cultivation that
surpasses this in the graceful beauty of its foli-
age, and its peculiar wavy formation renders it
one of the most valuable of all plants for vases
or hanging baskets, as it can be used either to
climb or to droop as required ; in cut flowers,
particularly for wreaths, it is now considered in-
dispensable by all florists.

This we have before noticed in our journal ;
very old, but very valuable, as Mr. Henderson
states.

The following are also from Mr. Henderson's
catalogue :

Arunda conspicua. — Another grass some-
what resemblmg the Pampas, but growing higher,
with the flower stems drooping to one side, it is
entirely hardy ; two large plants having stood in
an exposed place in our grounds for the past
winter, each producing over 20 flower spikes,
which were much admired.

Centaurea gymxocarpa. — This is another
valuable ornamental leaved plant, which is yet
comparatively scarce. It forms a diameter of
two feet, forming a graceful roundish bush of
silvery grey, for which nothing is so well fitted
to contrast in ribbon lines with dark-foliaged
plants. As a plant for hanging baskets it is also
unsurpassed, its drooping, fern-like leaves being
very eftective.

Panicum Variegatum. — A variegated grass
of drooping or creeping habit, one of the most
valuable plants for baskets or vases that has
been introduced for many years,its style of growth
is peculiarly graceful, somewhat similar to the
Torrenia asiatica; the color of leaves may be
described as dark green, white and rose, the
white and green being about equally divided, the
rose shade margining the white slightly ; it at-
tains a diameter of two feet in a few months
growth, and thus developed is exceedingly beau-
tiful. When exhibited in 1867, it obtained a
a first-class certificate from the Floral Com-
mittee of the London Horticultural Society.

LiBONiA FLORiBUNDA. — A neat growing
greenhouse shrub, attaining a height and breadth
of 12 or 15 inches. The flowers, which are
about an inch in length, are scarlet orange at
the base, running into deep yellow at the top,
in some degree resembling a Manettia. It
blooms in the greatest profusion from December
to May, and is a great acquisition to our winter
blooming plants.

Hydrangea deutz^efolia. — Introduced in-
to this country from Japan in 1865, but as yet
very scarct. It is one of the most valuable ad-
ditions to our hardy shrubs that has been made
in many years ; it is of spreading, slender

92

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJfTHLY.

March

growth, plants of two years old being often three
feet in diameter and of not more than one foot
in height. The flowers, which are borne in pani-
cles six inches wide, are snow white, remaining
in perfection on the plant from August to Oc-
tober.

Rose — " Gem of the Prairies.''''— It is one of
the most valuable acquisitions made to our col-
lection of Roses that has been originated in the
last ten 3-ears. Being a hybrid between the well
known climbing rose, Queen of the Prairies, and
the Hybrid Perpetual, Madame Laffay ; it pos-
sesses the climbing qualities of the Prairie Rose,
with the richness of color and delicious fragrance
of the Hybrid Perpetual. The color is of a
light shade of crimson, occasionally blotched
with white. The flowers are large, perfectly
double, and of fine form, which are bo'/ne on
trusses, numbering from ten to twenty buds on
each. This will, no doubt, become a standard
sort, possessing, as it does, all the free growing
character of a climber, with the color of the
hybrid perpetual class.

Chrysaistthemum, Louise Honoratty. —
An entirely novel variet}-, never exceeding one
foot in height. The flowers, which are produced
in great abundance, are deep carmine. The
plant, when properly grown, is most attractive,
forming a bush one foot in height by eighteen
inches in diameter, literally covered with flowers.

Clereodendron. Balfourii. — A Stove
Climber of great beauty. The flowers, which
are of a bright scarlet, are encased by a bag-
like calyx of pure white, the trusses or panicles
of flowers are upwards of six inches in width,
and when trained upon the rafters and hanging
down, have a rich and elegant appearance. Al-
though a Climber, it may be grown as an ordi-
nary specimen plant in a pot, it being suscepti-
ble of being trained in any way. It is continu-
ally In bloom, although most profusely during
the winter months, when it may be used as a
novel ingredient in the formation of bouquets, &c.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Number of Seeds i:n^ a Pound. — A corres-
pondent asks how many seeds there are in a
pound of Locust seed ? Weigh half an ounce,
count them, multiply by thirty-two, and the
product will be the number desired.

The Pacific R. R. — The Dubuque Times con-
tains an article by Judge King, showing that
Mr. John Plumbe, of that town, was the orig-
inator of the Pacific R. R.

Death of Mr. W. W. Beebe. — This ener-
getic Western Horticulturist recently died at
Dubuque. Articles from his pen have several
times appeared in our journal. At the time of
his death he was Secretary of the Iowa Horti-
cultural Society.

Apples for Iowa. — Mr. Kauffman gives
this list: "Red June, Red Astrachan, Early
Harvest, Sweet June, Benoni, Early Pennock,
Duchess of Oldenburg, Dyer, Fameuse, Trenton

Early, Lowell, Rawles' Janet, Westfield Seek-
no- further, Talman's Sweet, Rome Beauty, Wil-
low Twig, Wagner, Ben Davis, Jonathan, Wine
Sap, and a few others. A few of these are com-
paratively new, but promise well."

Breezes N'o. 1 Potato. — Our exchanges say
is the best potato ever offered, fifty dollars hav-
ing been paid for a single tuber.

The Cherry Currant.— Mr. Fuller says,
sold readily in New York markets last season
for twenty-five to thirty cents per lb.

Peaches in Yineland. — Mr. Mabbett sold
from his peach orchard last fall 31 l-4th bushels,
netting him a total return of S174.39, an average
of nearly $G per bushel. His blackberries netted
about $90. Mr. M. has only five acres of land,
and as he raises many other articles which we
have not enumerated, his receipts exceed those
from not a few 100 acre farms in the Northern
or Eastern States. — Vineland Independent.

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

93

Long Keeping Apples. — Among the many
young farmers that plant orchards for the first
time, tliere are few that know the value of having
au apple that will keep fresh for the table through
winter, and into the months of May and June.
Indeed, there is nothing in the culinary depart-
ment so healthy and delicious, as a well baked or
stewed fresh apple, at this season of the year
I will now name a few of those valuable apples,
but little disseminated, and their value over-
looked. It will strike the unobservant man as a
singular fact, that nearly all these apples have
their origin in the South. The "Baccolinus," a
rather small, handsome, I'ed apple, juicy, just
acid enough to be pleasant, and full of vim is
during the entire months of May and June in
good eating condition ; the tree hardy, vigorous,
and a great bearer, comes in bearing as soon as
any apple I am acquainted with. "Bentley's
Sweet," a handsome, large, striped, sweet apple,
of fair quality, keeps fresh till the middle oi June;
tree hardy and productive.

The Chronicle, originating with "Reuben Ra.
gan," is being introduced into Wisconsin, Iowa,
and Southern Minnesota, where it proves as hardy
as the Wine Sap, and keeps a month or six
weeks longer than that valuable fruit. It is a
large, rough-skinned Pearmain— shaped apple
often splashed and striped with a dull brick-red
color, retaining its spicy flavor to the last ; not
equal in spirit to the Baccolinus, but quite as
valuable a fruit. The "Stark Apple" I have
never seen, but know it to be grown extensively
in Ohio, where its popularity is becoming very
great. It is described as an aromatic, rich, sub-
acid apple, about the color of our well-known
Rawle's Janet, and tAvice as large, keeping fresh
through May. The tree hardy, vigorous and pro-
ductive.

The " Illinois Sweet," ripening to the palate
through March, April and May, is extensively
grown in the Southern part of our State ; is a
large, yellow, sweet, firm apple that will, I think,
prove a valuable keeper here in our Northern
orchards. The " Shockley '' is of average size —
or, perhaps, a little under — striped, red apple,
sub-acid, fair-flavored, a moderately good one,
rivaling the Ben Davis in its excellent qualities
of productiveness, hardiness of tree, and early
bearing ; will, in all probability, win its way into
our Northern nurseries, and into our Northern
orchards.

Among our proved Northern keepers, too well
known to need description, I will name "Little

Red Romanite." "Sweet Romanite," "Rawles"
Janet," "Wine Sap." "Ben Davis," and, most
valuable of all, for its lasting qualities, the "Wil-
low Twig."— J. W. C, in Prairie Farmer.

Weight of Canadian Apples. — A corres-
pondent of the Canada Farmer gives the follow-
ing weight of some of the apples from Ontario,
exhibited at the Nova Scotia Provincial exhibi-
tion : 6 Canada Gravensteins weighed 1 lb. loj
oz.; 6 Nova Scotia Gravensteins weighed 2 lbs.
If oz.; 6 Canada Belle Fleur weighed 2 lbs. 13
oz. ; 6 Nova Scotia Belle Fleur weighed 3 lbs. 3J
oz.; 12 Canada Belle Fleur weighed 3 lbs. 3 oz.;
12 Nova Scotia Belle Fleur weighed 6 lbs. Of oz. ;
6 Gloria Mundi— cailed in the Canadian List ;—
White Spanish Reinette, weighed 2 lbs. 13^ oz.;
6 Nova Scotia Gloria Mundi weighed 6 lbs. 2^
oz.; 1 Nova Scotia Gloria Mundi weighed 1 lb. —
circumference, 13 3-8.

Fruit Culture in tub South is encoura-
ging. At Ridgeway, N. C , last fall, amongst
many others, one
trees.

man set out 200,000 Peach

Peaches for Central Illinois.— Mr. Ben-
ton, of Quincy, gives the Journal of Agriculture
the following list, which ripens in succession for
market. Those marked with a single star are
commend ed specially ; those with a double star
still more highly : *Troth's Early Red, red ;
Honest John (Yellow), yellow ; **Crawford's
Early, yellow; ** Yellow Rareripe, yellow; **01d-
mixon Free, red ; *Reeve's Favorite, yellow ;
*Jacques' Rareripe, yellow ; *President, white ;
**Late Admirable, white or Green; *Beer's Late
Melocoton, yellow; **Stump the World, red;
*Crawford's Late, yellow; **01dmixonCUng,red;
**Philadclphia, yellow; * Ward's Late Free, red;
**Scotfs Nonpareil, yellow; *Heath Free, white;
*Gaskiil's Late, white ; *Sniock, Free, yellow ;
*Beer's Smock, yellow ; ** Allen's Late October,
white ; *Heath CUng, white ; Molden's White,
white.

The Pyracantha Hedge succeeds in the
South. Its only objection is a rather slow
growth, and being raised from cuttings, will
always be costly compared with anything which
can be rapidly raised from seed. In some cases
it seems to grow tolerably quick. In a recent
Southern Cultivator, Si correspondent says: "I
have a hedge planted in November, 18G6, which

94

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

March,

is now three feet in breadth, and measuring to
the top of this year's sprouts, four feet in height,
although it was cut do vn to witliin twelve inches
of the ground last Spring, Like most hedges, it
must be kept down for the first few*seasons."

Gift to the Massachusetts HoRTicrLTU-
RAL Society. — Mr. Josiah Stickney, of Boston,
has given the sum of twelve thousand dollars to
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. It is
stipulated that the Society shall hold this sum
for the term of thirty years, and from the income
appropriate seven hundred dollars annually in
the purchase of works on botany, horticulture,
landscape gardening, architecture in connection
with horticulture, and other kindred subjects ;
the books to be labelled, " The Stickney Library
Fund." The Society, as soon as the mortgage
on Horticultural Hall shall be paid off, is to in-

vest the sum in stocks. At the expiration of
twenty years the Society is to pay over the
amount to the President and Fellows of Harvard
College, to be held by them and their successors
forever in trust, the income for the support of the
Lawrence Scientific School, the better endow-
ment and support of a professorship of botany in
said college, or for the improvement of a botan"c
garden in connection with the college, or for fur-
nishing additional instruction in botany and
horticulture, or for the purchase of works on these
subjects for the college library.

The Worcester Seedling Potato. — The
Journal of Horticulture says a committee of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society unanimous-
ly decided to be " the best table Potato otfered,"
at that meeting, we presume.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

The Cochineal Insect. — Several fine plants
of the prickly pear, covered with living cochi-
neal insects, have just arrived at the Royal Bo-
tanic Gardens, Regent's Park, from Madeira.
Both plants and insects are in a more healthy
state than specimens usually imported. The
specimens are paced in the greenhouse devoted
to the cultivation of tropical plants used in do
mestic economy — a collection which is daily be-
coming of more value and interest now that the
importance of technical education is being ac-
knowledged.— Gardener's Magazine.

International Horticultural Exhibi-
tion IN Germany.— It is intended to hold an
'• International Horticultural and Floricultural
Exhibition" at Hambui-g, early in the September
of next year. Prizes are to be given for culti-
vated Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers, Garden
Buildings and Appliances, and for Seeds and
other articles. The proposed site for the Ex-
hibition is in a park on a bank of the Elbe. Ex-
hibitors will be invited from all Europe, America
and elsewhere. Dr. C. H. Merck has been ap-
pointed Chairman of the Committee ; Senator C.
De Chapeaurouge its Vice-Chairman, and Mr.
E. L. Behrens, Treasurer.

All communications should be addressed to
Dr. Donnenberg and Dr. Gotze, Advocates,
Hohe Bleichen, 16, Hamburg.

A Large Bunch of Pears, seven in num-
ber, and weighing in the aggregate over six
pounds avoirdupois, has for some time past been
exhibited by Mr. Perkins, nurseryman, Avenue
Road, Leamington. They all grew on one stem,
scarcely thicker than acouimon lead-pencil. The
variety is the well-known Uvedale'sSt. Germain,
or Belle de Jersey. It is not an unusual thing
to see single specimens of this variety weighing
upwards ot 3 lbs. — Gardener'' s Weekly.

An English Ouchard House. — Mr. Rivers
gives the following in London Journal of Horti-
culture: To illustrate what our well-abused Eng-
lish climate can do with the assistance of glass,
I may perhaps be allowed to give the produce of
an orchard-house at Ely, Cambridgeshire, in the
garden of Mr. E. W. Harlock. This house, 100
feet long and 24 feet wide, thus occupying an
area of only "2400 feet, has produced this season
nearly 40' bushels of peaches, nectarines, and
apricots, besides a large quantity of choice pears
and plums. To a certainty no walled garden in
France or in the world has ever produced from
the same area a tithe of this quantity of fruit.

1869.

TEE GARDEKEWS MOJ^TSLY.

95

Cracking of the Stan wick Nectarine.
— A correspondent of the London Journal of
Horticulture says : " A few weeks ago I saw a
system pursued to prevent the Stanwick from
cracking, which seemed to be very successful.
Being on a visit at Balbirnie Gardens, near
Markinch, in Fife, T observed a very fine crop
just on the point of ripening. I inquired of Mr.
Temple, the gardener at that place, the means
which he employed to obtain such fine fruit,
when he drew my attention to a notch cut under
each of the fruit about half through the wood.
By this method the flow of sap is arrested, and
the fruit ripens perfectly without cracking. Mr.
Temple also informed me that he prevents the
cracking of the fruit in Chasselas Musque Grape
by the same simple method.

Vegetable Products of N. W. America
— The seeds of many plants are used as cereals.
Thus the seeds of various species of Pinus (P.
flexilis, Torr ; P. Sabiniana, Dougl., and P. Lam-
bertiana, Dougl.), are all eaten in the parts of
the country where they prevail, and are accord-
ingly the " nut pine" of that part of the country,
though the name is often thought to apply to P.
Sabiniana alone — a fertile source of error. The
Indian climbs the tree and throws down the
cones to the squaw beneath, who carefully se-
cures them, otherwise the squirrels would make
short work with them. The cones are then
scorched to open them, and destroy the trouble-
some resin, so that the winter supply of Pine-
seeds, which it has been thought would supply
such a harvest to the botanist, is perfectly use-
less, the vitality being extinct in them. When
I vi&ited Oregon in 18G5, I found that in P. Sa-
biniana, as in nearly every other conifer, the
" Pine-seed harvest' ' had failed, and the Indians
suffered much. One of these Pines ( P. Lamber-
tiana, the " sugar-Pine") yields a sugar, which
is occasionally eaten, though it has cathartic
properties. It is only found on scorched trees,
and in very small quantities. I have, however,
heard of a man who devoted Ijiraself for a few
weeks to the business of collecting it, and ob-
tained 150 lbs. It can scarcely be distinguished
from the manna of the shops, except by a slight
terebinthine flavor. In times of scarcity, the
Indians will eat the liber of Pinus contorta,
Dougl. Along both sides of the trail, in the
passes of the Galton and Rocky Mountains,
many of the young trees of this species are strip-
ped of their bark, from a foot or so above the

ground to a height of six or seven feet. This is
done by the Indians during their annual buffalo-
hunting expeditions from the Kootanie and Kal-
ispelm county to the plains east of the Rocky
Mountains, for the sake of the inner bark, which
they use as food, as well in its fresh state as
when compressed into thick cakes, £0 as to ren-
der it portable (Lyall, Linn. Journ. Bot. vii. p.
141). I am not aware that the coast Indians
make any use of it for food. The seeds of Vicia
gigantea, Hook, are also eaten. Many species
of Grass-seeds {e.g., Elymus arenarius, L.) are
collected for food. They are ground in a mor-
tar, or roasted and made into soup. The seed
of the wild Rye (Hordeum jubatum, L ) is espe-
cially held in request among the Shoshones of
Southern and Eastern Oregon ; and a staple
article of diet among the Klamaths, near the
Klamath Lake, in the same section of country,
are the seeds of the yellow Water Lily (Nuphar
ad vena, Ait.), the gathering and preparation of
which 1 described in one of my published let-
ters.— B. Brown in '■^ PharmaceuticoX Journal.''''

Products of an Orchard-House.— This
for your column of facts. The weight of fruit
raised from my orchard-house, twenty-one feet
by fourteen feet during the last four years. All
the trees are in pots.

1865.
oz.

Apricots 24^

Peaches 38634

Nectarines 86

Plums 259

Pears 74^-3

Grapes 69

Figs 23

922'

=571b.
5oz.

1866.

oz.

20
3381.^

20

20

28%

4273i=

1867.
oz.
591^
293 >i
913^

41. ■<

=261b.
6oz.

519^^=321b
4oz.

1868.

oz.

1221^

299?^

291Vi

965%=

=601b.
3oz.

I gave up grapes in pots in 1866 and plums in
1867, and have since added nectarines, finding
them to bear better than peaches. I practice a
regular system of potting and pinching, and
never allow the trees to root into the border and
use for syringing a powerful force-pump, which
supplies water to all my garden. I should like
to know the results from other growers of fruit
in orch'ard-houses.

John Marten,

Chilham, near Canterbury.

In Gardener^s Magazine.

Chestnut Grafted on an Oak. The

Bevue Harticole records a successful instance.

96

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVIHLY.

March,

The Pehsimmon in England.— The editor
of the London Journal of Horticulture says : " In
England the Persimmon will only ripen its fruit
under glass."

LiGN Aloes. — The new and popular hand-
kerchief perfume, known in England as the " Sac-
red Lign Aloes," is derived from a Mexican
tree called Bursera.

HOETICULTURAL NOTICES.

THE ERUIT-GROWERS' SOCIETY OF
PENXSYLVANIA.

The annual meeting was held at Harrisburg
on the 21st of January. The meeting was
scarcely as well attended as in former years, but
yet was considered a success. It was voted to
adopt the itinerant system— moving from place
to place. The next meeting will be held at Lan-
caster in January, 1870.

In the discussional part of the business of the
meeting, the most noticeable feature was — there
were no new fruits introduced for recommenda-
tion. Under this head, the discussion was con-
fined to the Clarke raspberry, which Mr. Parry
had found to lose its leaves in summer — other-
wise it was as good as formerly.

The interest rather centered in " how to grow
fruit,'' than how to get new varieties. The talk
on peaches was perhaps most interesting — the
general impression being that Pennsylvania,
contrary to repute, was a good peach State.
Many instances of success were reported. In
most cases they were of those who top-dressed
with compost, and kept the roots near the sur-
face. Most thought that grass was an injury to
the peach ; but all agree on the necessity of rich
soil on thQ surface. An orchard at Odessa,
Delawai-e, was referred to, which was annually
top-dressed, and this year was the only one in
the State which was a success. With the best
of conditions, however, it was thought peaches
Avould sometimes fail from external causes — with
great cold or late frosts. Some preferred low
heads— some high heads, some one aspect, some
another — some high elevations, others low
ground ; but there seemed a more general agree-
ment on the manuring and surface-rooting ai*-
gument. The apple and pear came in turn into
the discussion, and nearly the same arguments
used. Under-draining was recommended for
orchards by some ; but others, while agreeing
that fruit trees did best on dry land, thought the
expense of under-draining greater than the pro-
fit, and preferred surface-drains. i

In the destruction of insects much talking was
expended, but little learned. Whitewash had
been found good for the white scale, and lime-
water for the aphis which infests the roots of ap-
ple trees. Coal oil applied to the branches of
trees, beforj the buds pushed, had been found
not injurious to fruit trees, while it destroyed
the eggs of all insects on the bark.

Quite a discussion was had on the bird ques-
tion, but opinions diflered whether they were or
were not more good than harm. Mr. Kessler,
of Reading, said that the English sparrow was
now naturalized about that place, supposed to
have emigrated from the Central Park.

In grape culture, Mr. Meehan gave his ex-
perience in the following formula : To have good
success, a soil could scarcely be too warm, too
dry, too shallow, or too rich. The enunciation
of this radical platform occasioned some sur-
prise ; but not more so when it was found the
experience of nearly all the speakers confirmed
it. Rev. Mr. Colder said at Harrisburg his Con-
cords on low lands did poorly ; on dry land they
did well. Mr. Kessler found just the same ex-
perience at Reading. Mr. L. Reist reported the
same of Delaware grapes in his vicinity. The
best Clintons Mr. Kessler ever saw were grow-
ing in an old stone heap. Dr. Gross did not ap-
prove of shallow soils, but found it best not to .
dig them deep, but to fill up on the surface. Mr.
Hildrup, of Harrisburg, had had great success
by planting on a very dry soil well enriched with
stable manure ; he had made last year 30 gallons
of wine from 400 vines. Others gave similar ex-
perience.

The feature of this meeting was the frequent
discussions of scientific questions in connection
with fruit-growing. Thus the fertilization of
fruit — why fruit trees so often bloom and pro-
duce nothing — why trees split in winter — why a
tree healthy and perfect, can often exist side by
side with one diseased— for which we have no
space in our columns, but which will appear iu
the society's transactions which it prints for its
members.

V^ I<r«sp» i»

XSincioij-' iitKTKilji

CALADIUM LEAVES

gro-wiL "by Penr.ocKi Bros. Phaladelplaia

DEYOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XL

APRIL, 1869. New Series, Vol. IT. No. 4.

HINTS FOU APRIL,

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

We read that, in England, the taste for rare
and curious plants is declining. Large green-
houses and stoves for these plants are becoming
less common every day. On the other hand, or-
namental gardening is on the increase. The so-
called ''Florists' flowers" are not so much sought
for. The Tulip, Auricula, Pansy, and so forth,
which one time were so valuable for their perfect
forms or lovely tints, are passing away. The
lords, dukes and duchesses, who felt honored by
having their names attached to these varieties of
flowers, care nothing for them now ; but the out-
door plants — those which come into use in
decorative gardening— are more fashionable than
ever.

The cause is there as here : — the more general
dift'usion of wealth in proportion to the popula-
tion. Fewer can afford the highest luxuries of
art, while many more than formerly can enjoy it
in some degree. Thus, while gardening on the
average is more popular than ever, the higher
classes of the art are daily dying away.

Thus we see why flower gardening is so popu-
lar. It can be enjoyed at so much less a cost,
and there are therefore so many more to patron-
ize it. With us, at any rate, flower gardening is
becoming one of the most important features of
the art ; and, particularly at this season, inge-
nuity is stretched to devise new ways of arrang-
ing the flowers, and every information sought
out, as to what kinds are best to plant.

We have suffered much in our gardening from
adopting too much the plants which have been
found to do well in Europe; but our hot dry atmos-
phere soon destroys plants which last there
through the season. The Calceolaria, for in-
stance, which serves so important an use in
English arrangement, is of no value here.

The best plants for us are what are called tro-

pical plants. Of these, valued for their colored
leaves, are the Coleuses, Achyranthes, Irisene
Caunas, Dracoenas,Alternanthera and Centauria
ragusina.

Of flowering plants which thrive well in our
climate, we have a good selection. The Gerani-
ums are amongst the best, although, botanically
they are not distinct from Pelargoniums ; yet it
serves a good purpose to retain the name as a
popular designation of an useful class in flower
gardening. The Verbena used to be the main
reliance for bedding— but the great ravages
of the verbena, rust, has made it somewhat
unreliable; and, although it is indispensable yet,
it does not take the front rank as formerly.
There are now double varieties ; but for flower
gardening purposes, double flowers are inferior.
These varieties do not flower as freely as the
single ones. This has proved to be the case with
the Petunia, the Pansy, and other things, and
we suppose the rule will hold good here. The
RoseGeraniums flower somewhat steady through-
out the year, and are indispensable for their
delightful fragrance and elegant foliage.

In the class of scented flowers, the Heliotrope,
the Mignonette, and the Sweet Alyssum, com-
mand a prominent place. The last is liable to
suffer much from the cabbage-fly. A syringing
with water, in which a few drops of coal oil has
been spread, soon settles his business. There
is a variegated Sweet Alyssum which is very
pretty.

Lantanas are very desirable ; but to have the
best results from them, they should be planted in
poor soil. A very pretty species, trailing like a
Verbena, but not much known, is L. Sellown.
The varieties of Lobelia make fair bedding plants
if not put in too dry a soil, or too warm a situ-
ation.

The old douhle white Feverfew is one of the
most desirable of bedding plants. White flowers

98

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^'TELY.

April,

can be cut from it all summer, and yet have
plenty left to bloom. The Petunia, though of
no account for cutting, keeps up a brilliant show
the whole season. They do also very well in hot
places where little else will do. The singles give
the most flowers. For cutting purposes, the
Monthly or Tree Carnations are lovely things,
though they are ugly growing plants, and do not
make much show on the grounds. The blue
Ageratum is not very showy, but blooms
so profusely, that every one likes to have
it. The old Nierembergia gracilis is another not
very showy plant, but flowers so well, and is so
satisfied with indifferent treatment, that one can-
not let it go. The Gazania is curious, and
makes a brilliant show of orange and black on a
fine day, but is not well adapted to a hot place.
The little Cnphea pMycentvaha.^ rather too much
green for a show plant ; but if the soil is not too
rich, gives fair satisfaction.

For late summer and fall blooming, we have
Gladiolus, (excellent for cutting for baskets and
plates of flowers,) Tuberoses, (ditto,) Chrysan-
themums, Dahlias, and particularly the Scarlet
Sage, without which no garden is complete.
These are all very well known and popular bed-
ding plants.

Besides these, there are some not so well
known, but which will, perhaps, become as pop-
ular for some purposes as the others. The Ivy
Geraniums are being much improved, and are just
the things for vases and growing over mounds or
elevated places. All the forms of Sedums
are also excellent for vases and dry places,
— as are also several varieties of hardy Cactuses,
half hardy Echeverias and other succulents.

Aloes of many kinds suit the centre of
these vases and flower beds remarkably well.
The variegated Geraniums, and variegated leaved
plants generally, do only where protected from
hot suns. The common Perilla, with dark col-
ored leaves, however, does best in the full sun.
The shrubby New Zealand Veronicas flower
most of the season, and are suited to many local-
ities.

The new hybrid Dianthuses promise to be
amongst the most popular of bedding flowers.
The Bouvardia leiantha and other Bouvardias
are rather ragged growers, and seldom have many
flowers on at a time ; but one can cut for ever
from them, and new flowers rapidly succeed.
The Viola cornuta does not make much show, but
blooms well in our climate all summer.

There is quite an excitement on new Clematises
as summer blooming plants. They bring yet
very high prices, and have to be tested more in
our climate, though they will probably be a suc-
cess. In Chrysanthemums, a great advance has
been made in the production of an earlier class of
bloomers. It has always been against the Chry-
santhemums that they have been a little too late
for decorative gardening. Lilies of all kinds are
also growing in popularity and cheapness, and
there are some double rose-colored Fevei'fews
that add much to the beauty of a flower garden.

There are many hot house plants, also, which
seem only just to have had their merits, as sum-
mer bedding plants, discovered. Of such are
Mada-^ascar Periwinkles, Chinese Hibiscus, To-
renias, Angelonias, &g. This list might be much
added to, and we should be much obliged if our,
correspondents would, from time to time, let us
know of any they find to have merit in this
respect.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Grafting can be continued till the buds of the
trees are nearly pushed into leaf. Sometimes,
from a pressure of other work, some valuable
scions have b<?en left on hand too late to work.
It may be interesting to know, that if such scions
are put into the ground, much the same as if they
were cuttings, they will keep good for six weeks
or two months, by which time the bark will run
freely, when the scions may be treated as buds,
and will succeed just as well as buds taken from
young summer shoots.

In planting dwarf Pears, it is very important
to have them on a spot that has a moist (-ubsoil,
either naturally or made so by subsoiling or mix-
ing somo pjaterial with the soil that will give out
moisture in dry weather. Trees already planted
on a dry gravelly subsoil, should have a circle
dug out two feet deep, and two or three feet from
the tree. This should be filled up with well-en-
riched soil. If the dwarf Pear does not grow
freely, it is a sign that somothing is wrong. It
should at once be severely pruned, so as to aid
in producing a vigorous growth.

Strawberry beds arc very frequently made at
this season, and though they will not bear fruit
the same year, are much more certain to grow,
and will produce a nmch better crop next year
than when left till next August. Though it is a
very common recommendation, we do not value a
highly manured soil. It should be well trenched

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

99

or subsoiled : this we consider of great value. In
rich soils there is too much danger of having more
leaves than fruit.

Buds that were inoculated last fall should not
be forgotten ; but as soon as vegetation has
pushed forth, the buds should be examined, and
all other issues from the old stock taken away.
It may also be necessary to make a tie, in
order to get the young shoot of the bud to go in
the way from which you would not hereafter have
it depart.

Above all,do not allow the month to pass with-
out posting yourself afresh on the various meth-
ods recommended for destroying insects, or pre-
venting their attacks. The advantage of a stitch
in time is never more decided than in the great
struggle with fruit destroying insects. A mass
of information on this point lies scattered through
our past volumes, that Avill well repay a careful
reperusal for the purpose alone of refurnishing
one's ideas in that line.

VEGETABLE GAKDEJ^.

South of Philadelphia, the more tender kinds
of garden vegetables may now be sown — beans,
corn, cucumbers, squashes, &c., — that it is not
prudent to plant in this latitude before the first
of May ; and tomato, egg plants, etc., may also
be set out in those favored places. Cucumbers,
squashes, and such vegetables can be got forward
as well as tomatoes, egg plants, etc., by being
sown in a frame or hotbed, and potted off into
three inch pots. They will be nice plants by the
first week in May. Eotten wood suits cucumbers
and the squash tribe exceedingly well as a ma.
nure. Tomatoes and egg plants that are L.esired
vei-y Cctrly, are best potted, soon after they come
up, into small pots. They can then be turned out
into the open air without any check to their
roots. Of course they should be gradually in-
ured to the open air, — not suddenly transferred
from a warm and moist air to a very dry one.

Bean poles may be planted preparatory to

sowing the Lima Bean in May. Where bean
poles are scarce, two or thrae hoop poles, set into
the ground one foot from each other, and tied to-
gether at the top, make as good a pole, and per-
haps better.

Dwarf beans should have very warm and deep
soil— sow them only 2 inches apart. The Valen-
tine is yet the best early, take it all in all.

Peas should be sown every two weeks for a
succession, — do not make the soil very rich for
them.

Lettuce, for a second crop of salad, should be
sown about the end of the month. The Drumhead
cabbage is usually sown for a summer crop ; but
the old kinds of Cos lettuce would, no doubt, be
found very valuable in rich soils.

Early York Cabbage for early use should be set
out early this month. It is an excellent plan to
make the holes with a dibble first, where the cab-
bage is to be set ; then fill up the holes with ma-
nure water, and, after the water has soaked away,
set in the plants. It is rather more laborious
than the old way — but the cabbage grows so rast
afterwards that it pays pretty well.

It is not a good plan to cut all the Asparagus
as soon as they appear. A few sprouts should
always be left t© grow from each, to strengthen
the plants.

Celery, with most families, is an important
crop, and should be sown about this period. A
very rich, moist spot, that will be shaded from
the mid-day April sun, should be chosen, — or a
box in a frame, by those who have the conveni-
ences.

Few things mark a well-kept garden better than
an abundance of all kinds of herbs. Now is the
time to make tlie beds. Sage, Thyme and Lav-
ender grow from slips, which may be set in now,
precisely as if an edging of box were to be made
of them. They grow very easily. Basil and
Sweet Marjoram must be sown in a rich, warm
border. Salsafy and Scorzonera like a damp,
rich soil.

100

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

April,

COMMUNICATION'S.

A NEW STYLE OF EOKCING HOUSE.

BY W. C. STRONG, BRIGHTON, MASS.

Within a few years great changes have been
made in the construction of greenhouses. At
the present time the form known as the ridge
and furrow, as strenuously advocated and prac-
ticed upon, with decided success, by Peter Hen-
derson, is prevailingly popular. This form, for
many purposes, has many advantages, and is
undoubtedly the best yet devised fcr growing
small stock upon level sites. I will not dwell
upon its disadvantages, but will proceed to men-
tion some advantages secured by another plan,
which I have adopted the past season.

The site foi the house is a hill-side at an angle
of about 25^ facing south. The length of the
house was staked out at 65 feet, and the width
was 93 feet running down the hill. This lot is
enclosed by a stone wall, averaging about 4 feet
in height above the surface of the ground ; the
wall being banked up to its height all around on
the outside, excepting those spaces for doors.
Here we have a shallow cellar on a hill-side, con-
taining about 6000 square feet of surface.

Now for the style of roof. I have another
house of about the same size and someAvhat
similarly situated, which has had a wide un-
broken roof up to this year ; but the accumula-

tion of stiow at the bottom, aod the difficulty in
ventilation caused some trouble, and induced me
to break the roof into three the past fall, to my
entire satisfaction. But in this new house the
roof is broken into seven, so that a birds-eye
view of the roof woiild make seven houses, with
a back ventilator running the entire length of
each. The method of construction of the roof,
as also the inside ground plan, will be best un-
derstood by a simple diagram, exhibiting a per-
pendicular section of the house, running south,
down the hill.

There is need of but little explanation. The
long slope, of course is glass, and may be either
fixed bars or large sashes, as in my case, where
plants requiring summer exposure are grown.
My sashes are 10^ feet square, requiring four

persons in removal. The gutters seen in the
plan are spruce plank 8 inches wide. The
short hips are wooden ventilators, 18 inches
wide, and in one piece, running the whole length
of 65 feet. Such an amount of ventilation will
only be required during the burning heat of
summer.

Ko heating apparatus is apparent in the plan.
Herein consists one considerable advantage of
this method. At the south-east corner of the
lower house a cellar is dug, sufficiently large for a
stock-hole and a furnace ; this is tightly boarded
over head, so that plants flourish directl}^ over
the furnace, equally as well as in any part of the
house. The furnace is for hot air. T procured
a section of an old steam boiler, making an arch
5 feet long, four feet across, and of about the

1869,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

J 01

same height, at the rather high cost of ;^20.
This arched the commou brick fire-place, having
fire-bars 2^ feet long. The hot air chamber
above and around the arch was encased with
brick. A cold air drain was laid from the cen-
tre of the house under ground, coming out under
the furnace. From the top of the furnace two hot-
air pipes branched, one running up the east side
and the other up the west side ot tae house, also
laid under ground in dry sand, as a non-conduc-
tor of heat. The smoke flue, an admirable con-
crete pipe made of gravel and cement, manufac-
tured by Day & Collins, of Boston, (which is far
superior to and cheaper than brick flues,) runs
under the only table which is in the house, in
the front of the lowest division, and under th^
only ascending walk, which is on the west side.

So much fur description, and now for the ad-
vantages claimed, and the results attained. The
first look at the house shows an advantage in
heating. The roof lies, as it were, on the sur-
face of a south hill-side, the sides of the house
all around being banked with earth, so that only
the roof is exposed to cold. The sun's rays
striking directly upon so large a surface inside,
warms the earth thoroughly, which heat is re-
tained to a considerable extent, and does not
cool off suddenly, as in small or in ridge and
furrow houses. Moreover the frequent breaks
in the roof, and the ease in walking in the gut-
ters and upon the ventilator, tempts one to make
use of the cheap and slight, but yet serviceable
protection of bass mats. We unroll from end
to end, and hitch to buttons to prevent blowing.
Our furnace is quite powerful enough without
tbis, and yet the time of two men for twenty
minutes in covering, is well spent on a bitter
cold night.

Again, the cost of the heating apparatus is in-
considerable, not exceeding ^150. Do I hear some
one ask how it works? Let me tell you. In the
first place we find the cold spot in the house to
be Just over the door, or rather over the coal bin in
front of the furnace. But the diflerence is onl}'
4 or 5 degrees, and is desirable for the short
space thus effected.

The rest of the house from end to end, and
from top to bottom, does not vary more than a
degree or two, let the weather be what it will.

With the exception of the southeast corner,
the centre of the house is a degree or two lower
than the rest ; and it is from this point that the
cold air drain receives a supply for the furnace.
Openings are made at each of the walks, at each

end of the house, into the hot-air pipes. We
have kept the temperature at about 54'^ at night.
Thirteen tons of coal were stored in the fall,
which will more than suffice to carry the house
through the winter, according to present appear-
ance. It must be admitted that this is remark-
able economy of fuel.

With slight exception, the trees and plants in
this house are planted. The supply of water is
from reservoirs, fed from greenhouses higher up
the hill ; consequently, there is no need of send-
ing a man to the pump. A hose attaehed to a
stop-cock in each walk, will cause a shower as
delightful as June, and reach every corner in
twenty minutes.

The vigor of the newly planted Roses, of the
Carnations, Peach trees. Lilies, Potatoes, and
various other plants, is unmistakable proof that
all conditions of plant growth ai*e here f ecured.

I will raise one or two objections to this plan,
in order that I may answer them. First, it may
be asked, if the snow will not trouble such a
house ? Any one who has tried the ridge and
furrow system will not ask this question. The
roof is very strong — the snow quickly slides into
the gutter ; and, in ordinary winter weather, in
such a south exposure, will quickly disappear.
A fall of over a foot, early in January, and some-
what drifted, was not disturbed with the shovel.
In an excessive storm, doubtless, the shovel
would be desirable, in order to obtain sunlight.

Again, will not the width of wood work, the
gutters and the ventilator cast too heavy a
shade ? No. The ventilator lies in a direct
line with the sun's rays, at its mid-day altitude,
in winter, and its shadow is almost always wrth-
in the gutter. Indeed, the shadow of the gutter
falls within the walk above, during the most of
the day, so that the space under the gutter is as
serviceable as any part. There is absolutely no
loss of space, as is under the gutter of the ridge
and furrow house.

A final comment is made, that this plan is well
suited for the situation, but it would not do for
level spots. As well might you say, that a model
factory, whose machinery was in full play, under
the mighty power of a rushing river, would not
work as well on the top of a hill. There are
sites for greenhouses as well as for factories. If a
hillside is best, why not secure the hestf It is
high time, in horticulture as in other arts, that
the very best conditions be obtained.

I submit this plan as an indication of the value
of hill-side sites; and in the confident belief that,

102

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJVIHLY.

April,

in such position, it will be found that, for work
generall}' known as " winter forcing," larger re-
sults can here be obtained, upon a given cost,
than in any other position.

I will only add, that the total cost of the above
described house was under S2000, including the
furnace, and brick and concrete walls fur the side
of the walk, and also the plumbing. I trust that
this full statement will obviate any necessity of
answering inquiries about the mode of building.

EEMOVING OLD PUTTY.

BY JASPER STANDSTILL,

In your January number, page 12, I notice a
method for removing old putty. In 1852, T took
charge of an extensive private establishment in
England. One range of vineries, containing
about 4000 square feet of glass, was in a very
patched and poor condition — the wood being hard
pine was in an excellent state of preservation. I
determined to take out all the glass, and replace
with new. But the taking out, — there was the
rub. The tradesman's item for that part alone
was rather too formidable.

Now, I don't know whether I read, or whether
I was told it; and I suppose I must, for my head
is too thick for much invention. At any rate, I
stacked all the sashes in one pile, and smothered
the whole with stable manure, just fit to make
hot-beds, and shortly it steamed and smoked
bravely.

After a few days of this sweltering process,
examination showed the putty had become soft
and rotten, and the glass waa removed as easily
as it it had never been a fixture. The sashes
were sprinkled with water, and scrubbed with,
heather brooms, and made to look as bright and
innocent of paint and putty as when they left
the carpenter's hands ever so many long years
before.

HOW CAX WE HELP IT ?

BY MB. CHAS. ARXOLD, PARIS, CANADA WEST.

It is doubtful whether there is now in existence
one enterprising nurseryman in America, who
has introduced to the public any new, valuable
variety of tree, plant or vine, but has had his
mind perplexed with the above question, in con-
sequence of the villainous conduct of some of
those smooth-faced, picture book, tree agent

gentry, who are constantly selling spurious arti-
cles of everything new and valuable for the gen-
uine. And I feel confident, from several years'
observation, that it is a very rare case where the
originator or introducer of any new fruit, propa-
gates and sells one thousand plants of the genuine,
before ten thousand spurious ones are sold by
dishonest dealers.

My mind has dwelt upon this subject consid-
erably of late, in consequence of learning, from
good authority, that some scamps in the AVestern
States had been taking orders for large quantities
of my Hybrid Grapes and Raspberries, at prices
much lower than I have ever sold them for ; and
as I have never yet sold to any one person more
than six plants of each variety of Grape, and not
more than one hundred each of these Grapes and
Ilaspberri.3S in the whole United States and
Canada — and these not until late last fall— it "will
appear quite evident that no person can have
any quantity of these plants for sale but myself

It is not the loss of the sale of a few plants
that makes these things so annoying ; because it
is doubtful, in many cases, if the persons who
buy these spurious articles would ever buy any
plants at all, unless they were forced upon them
by these cheats. But when these spurious articles
come into bearing, to have one's name bandied
about,andcadedhumbug,and everything else that
is bad, — by honest men, perhaps, but men who
have never seen the true plants that bear the
name of the person they so thoroughly berate.
This is really annoying ; hence the question^'How
can we help it ?"

One person suggests, "•publish the name of the
scamp in the horticultural papers ;" but it is
doubtful whether this would prevent the fraud,
from the fact that the victims in these cases do
not generally read these papers.

The plan that I have thought of following is
this : find out the name of the nearest local news-
paper where these scoundi'els have been ope-
rating, and deny, through these papers, that these
men have any of my plants for sale. Or to find
out some person in each neighborhood, that has
given his orders to these agents, and to offer the
genuine article to the person who shall have the
scoundrels arrested for swindling.

Please say, Mr. Editor, which of these two
plans you appi'ove of, or if you approve of either.
If both the plans are adopted, it is feared the
former will deleat the latter, by frightening the
fellows from delivering their orders at all.

I

T869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTHLY.

103

AKGERS QUINCE.

BY J. H. CREIGHTON, IRONTON, O.

A writer in the Feb. number of the Monthly
expresses indigiiation, or says it is expressed
asfainst persons that liave soldAngers Quince for
fruiting. I will leave others to settle this, — I
write to state a few facts :

Twelve years ago I tried, in vain, to find out
the fruiting quality of the Angers, but nobody in
this country could tell. I then wrote to M. Le
Roy, of Angers, France, who sent me a drawing
—a copy of which is enclosed — and the following
as to the fruit :

" We consider this kind as the best one, as to
the productive quality and size of fruit. This is
cultivated on a large scale in our country as

being the most advantageous for the market
fruitt''

I will further state that we have a good many
bearing trees that were grafted with pear, but
failed. These are now about 15 years old. They
were from Ellwanger & Barry. They bear as
well as Orange, but vary much in size and qual-
ity and earliness. Some of them are much su-
perior in quality to Orange, and about equal in
size. We see no difi'erence in the hardiness of
tree.

Some are small, some are a little later — but
take the whole lot, perhaps 25 trees, they do not
differ much from Orange. One thing is certain,
that a selection could be made from them that
would surpass Orange in quality very much.

ANGERS QUINCE.

QUERIES ABOUT FLOWERS.

BY ANNA GRISCOM, BALTIMORE, MD.

We are very much interested in the Amaryllis,
and having quite a number, would like to learn
the best treatment for them. We have been

truly successful only with the Johnsonii, but have
Vittatii, Ackermanii, Longiflora, Lutea, Buistii,
— a new one from Europe, the Datuii, — and
three said to be Aulicas, but all differing : one
having coarse dark leaves, another has fine glos-

104

THE GARDE:N'ER'S mojvthly.

April,

sy, medium green leaves, with a sharp keel to
them ; and another with long, narrow leaves, of
a fine texture. The latter Avas bought of a gar-
dener experienced in Amaryllis, who told us it
was the real Aulica.

Those called Aulicas here have large, coarse ,
looking bulbs, and bear two flowers, of a dark
scarlet, with a green base to the petals. Besides
these, we have three (name unknown) resembling
Longi flora in the leaves. "We have not been able
to grow them with much success. We have seve-
ral, said to be from Florida, which have become
•'small by degrees, and beautifully less."

We have bloomed one with short, variegated
leaves. The flower is orange colored, with a
light green base to the petals which forms a pret-
ty star when the flower is fully out. It bears but
2 at a time. It rots oft' easily. We had, former-
ly, one nearer a salmon color, which died. The
names of both are unknown to us.

We have three varieties of the A. Yallotta pur-
purea, two of them obtained lately. The last one
was taken from a bulb imported from Europe last
year. It has a darker green leaf, and a more
purple stem than the others. The preceding one
has thicker and longer leaves than either of the
others, and seem to be of a larger growth. We
have bloomed but one kind. One bulb bearing 2
stems, with 6 flowers on each, which are cup-
shaped, and [do not spread open as the other
Amaryllis do. We would like to know, if all the
three varieties bear scarlet flowers. We have lost
several of these by rotting.

Our Yittatii started a bud last winter, which
remained just above the bulb for a long while,
and then decayed. This winter, the bulb was
covered with small scarlet spots, which we find
on the leaves of nearly all the bulbs we have. Are
they made by a minute spider, or by too much
dampness ?

We would like to learn the habits, situations,
soil, and the sun and shade and temperature re-
quired. Do they bear much variation of temper-
ature ? Do they require different soils and dif-
ferent treatment ?

We would like to get a white Amaryllis ; also
a pink one. Where can they be had ? Our
friends have seen them in bloom. We would
willingly exchange a blooming bulb of Johnsonii
or Vallotta purpurea for either. By the way, we
have some forty young ones of the latter we would
gladly give to any one wanting them— most of
them quite small, however.

We have successfully bloomed a bulb we take
to be Amaryllis longifolium. Ft had two stems,
with 18 tube-like white flowers, with a maroon
tinge at the base, on each. Some of the leaves
were a yard and a half in length. We bought it
of a German gardener, who had bought it of a
Holland travelling agent, for a very rare lily,
bearing scarlet and yellow flowers. We bought,
lately, Amaryllis rosea and A. alba, but when re-
ceived they resembled so much the A. longifolia,
that we fear a second hoax. We paid $1.50 for
the first, and 50 cents each for the A. rosea and
A. alba.

Our A. longifolia Avas groAvn in a ver}'^ large
glazed pot, in the mixture of earth advised by
Buist, viz. :— 3 parts loam, 1 of waods earth, 1 of
sand, and 1 of Avell rotted manure.

We have seen very large bulbs of Johnsonii,
which were planted in powder kegs, and grown
in a mixture (without regular proportions,) of
loam, (clayey) woods earth, (sometimes scrapings
from under a wood pile,) chicken manure, and
sand. The flowers were frequently 7 inches in
diameter, and the stems a yard high. They
bloomed once a 5'ear, with one stem at a time.
They were never dried off", and seldom repotted ;
but were top-dressed once or twice a year.

They were in chamber windows, with a west-
ern exposure. The room was heated by hot air,
from a sort of furnace stove in the room below ;
but the temperature was, in severe weather, often
down to near the freezing point. Do you think
the wooden vessels, in which they were planted,
kept the roots warmer ?

AVe fancy ours grow best in glazed pots. Ours
bloom earlier than those described — often in Jan-
uary and February have two stems, with 4 flow-
ers each. We also have had them 7 inches
across, but only once or twice.

We use the mixture of earth advised by Buist.
Band says, use no woods earth, but loam, with
one-sixth of sharp sand. A friend in Pennsylva-
nia put hers out in the flowerbed ; in the fall she
potted it in the scrapings of earth under a wood
pile. It had 3 stems at once, and 14 blossoms.
Another lady had hers put out in summer. In
the fall, the leaves were cut off", the bulb potted,
and kept nearly dormant till spring. It was
again put out in the bed,— it had 3 stems at a
time, blooming once. Another lady here keeps
hers in sand all winter, and puts them out in the
flower bed in the spring, where they bloom. We
have kept some small ones successfully in sand
for two winters.

1869.

TEE GARDE^TER'S MOJ^THLY.

105

We fear we have made our queries too length}- »
but wish there were more who would take inter-
est in these beautiful Lilies. We find even the
gardeners confused in their descriptions of them.
We heard an enticing description of some new
ones imported by Feast & Sons, of this City. If
as represented by the exquisitely colored draw-
ing we saw, they must surpass any yet seen here.

[Our correspondent gives so much information,
that it is too interesting for our minor depart-
ment of queries. We give it therefore a promi-
nent place here, — and will refer to the queries
elsewhere. — Ed. ]

XEW METHOD of PRESERVING FRUIT.
BY J. s. HouG^To^r, phila.
Mr. Charles B. Rees, of this city, has perfected
an apparatus for preserving fruit, by the aid of
ice, which promises to be of groat value to po-
mologists, and also to dealers in fruit. Mr. Rees
has, for many years, been employed as superia- i
lendent of a large Tee Company, and was en-
gaged, during the war, in packing meat and food
for the Southern Atlantic fleet and Gulf Squad-
ron ; during which time many experiments were
tried, under the direction of scientific men, in
the construction of ice-chambers.

Out of this experience was developed a method
of cooling a fruit room, by the aid of ice, to a very
low degree of temperature ; obtaining, at the
same time, perfect dryness of the atmosphere,
without any artificial absorbent or dryer. This
is all done upon philosophical principles, by the aid
of apparatus which removes every particle of
moistuic to such an extreme degree, that when
the bare wet ice is fully exposed to the air of the
fruit room, the doors will shrink as if exposed to
hot air, and the floor becomes so dry that a matcli
may be readily ignited by rubbing it upon the
boards.

The apparatus requires no power to work it,
and but little attention. That this invention is
a perfectly practical one, is proved by the fact
that more than a dozen Fruit and Meat Rooms
of this description have been in successful opera-
tion for more than one year, in the market
houses and principal fruit stores of Philadelphia;
and they are, I believe, the only successful ones,
of this character, in the country.

The principle of cooling and drying the air,
invented by Mr. Rees, has also been applied to
ihe brewing of ale, in hot weather, and to the

packing and curing of pork in summer, with en-
tire success. Two of the largest breweries in
Philadelphia have their brewery rooms and ale-
vaults cooled in this manner, with great satisfac-
tion and advantage. One of these breweries is
that of Collins & Massey, Tenth and Filbert
Streets.

The apparatus can be applied to large or small
rooms, or even closets and refrigerators, with
equal ease and success ; and from the very nature
of things, — as it is based upon the strictest natu-
ral laws, — it is the only plan that can produce a
a perfectly dry atmosphere, without introducing
fresh air into the chamber, or using an artificial
absorbent.

Fruit in a state of moist decay, on being put into
this fruit room, directly becomes dried to such a
degree, that all the moisture upon the decaying
spots disappears, and the spots themselves be-
come covered with a dried pellicle, like court-
plaster, and the rot ceases. The drying, how-
ever, is not such as to produce shrivelling in
apples and pears, for the reason that only the ex-
ternal moisture is removed, and the interior flesh
of the fruit remains unchanged.

In this connection, we may demonstrate the
fallacy of the common idea, that fruit, just gath-
ered from the tree, must undergo a process of
sweating before it is fit to be put into the cellar or
fruit room. The simple truth is, that fruit which
has been cooled by any means, will always sweat
when it is brought into a warm atmosphere; not
because the juice passes out of it, but because the
moisture :n hot air always condenses on a cold
surface. The process of sweating in apples may
be repeated a hundred times, by cooling the
fruit in a cellar, and then bringing it suddenly
into a hot room.

Mr.Rees,the inventor of this new fruit room,pro-
poses to superintend the construction of houses
himself, and being a plain, practical man, is dis-
posed to labor in this work for a very moderate
compensation.

A card from Mr. Rees will be published in the
advertising page of the Monthly.

A PROPOSITION^.

BY JOSEPH AMRAM,

Friend Editor :

■ ! ustomary with congregations to send

their Pastors abroad, on pleasure trips, for the

benefit of their health. Can't you get your

parishioners to send you away ? 1 would like

106

THE GARDEJ^UR'S MOJVTELY.

Avril,

to see you off for a while from your post — only
on one condition though, which is, that I fill the
seat while you are away. Will you go ? I have
often thought I was born for an Editor. I know
I could manage a paper or magazine first-rate,
and should very much like to try. When I
look around and survey all the various Horti-
cultural and Agricultural magazines, I wonder
where they find readers with patience to read
them. 1 he Gardener''s Ilonthly I consider the
best of them — but pray pardon me, you know
how plain I speak — it is not near what it ought
to be ; nor what I think I could make it, if you
Avould only show me a chance. High as it is
above all its contemporaries, it is usually half
filled with rubbish, which ought not to be in it ;
while nice stuff, which would do credit to its
pages, never appears. It is six years since I
wrote an article for you. I left off disgusted. I
determined to bestow my genius on other papers;
])ut though I now return to my first love, I only
do so through a sense of consideration on my
jjart. I did think you would beseech me to come
back. At least I thought you would write to
know why my name appeared no more within
the galaxy of your contributors. But I know
all ! Your pride would not let you ! I now con-
descend to wound that pride. Will you let me
be heard ?

If I will come to the point, you say; well, here it
is : If you want to go on a tour any where, I
will manage your paper six months for you for
nothing. What do j^ou say '? A prcttn fi^^ I
ivould make of it I No, friend Editor, don't think
so hard of me. I know I would revolutionize
things ; but the new order would be popular.
Eor instance, I would at once abolish all the de-
partments you have established, and just turn
them inside out. Instead of new or rare i^lants^
I would head the chapter, " Common old
things," and here I know I shall have all the
genuine plant lovers with me. Why not tell
about the old Primrose and Cowslips, " Polyan-
thuses " we used to call them. Evei-ybody
knows, perhaps, that " everybody has these ;"
but everybody does not know that the}' thrive
best in rich garden soil that is moderately shady;
and above all, that they must be in soil which
does not get dry or hot in summer. Another
kink in their successful culture, is that they like
a change of soil once in a while, because, like
the strawberry, they increase upwards ; the
lowest parts dying away after a few years, and
the new roots come out from the last fall's for-

mation of stem. So they must be either set
down into the soil, or have a top dressing eleva-
ted vip about them. But the transplanting is
much the best thing. The change suits them,
as it would you. and I could take your place for
a while.

Now, also, everybody knows that there are
many kinds of colors among these Polyanthuses;
but everybody does not know that they can get
all these colors for themselves by a very little
management. That management is this. There
are two kinds of flowers among them ; one is
called the "pin-eye," which has a pin-like
centre, caused by the pistil protruding : the
other, in old garden language, as I read in
"Hogg's Treatise on Florist's Flowers," (an
Editor, as I want to be, should be particular
about references), is called " thrum-eyed." This
has a closed orifice to the tube in the centre of
the flower, and is caused by the anthers or male
parts projecting up higher than in the other
case.

Now, again, is a curiosity. The Pin-eyed and
the Thrum-eyed Polyanthus both have the male
and female organs perfect in each flower : bolh
are Hermaphrodite —but the Pin-eyed flower is
the only one that seeds ; and this will not seed
unless the Tlirum-eyed one is grown closely in
vicinity with it. The pistil in the Thrum-eyed
one is perfect, but its own pollen has no effect on
it ; and the mouth being closed up bj^ its own
anthers, it cannot get the pollen from its neigh-
bor flowers.

Now, thirdly, having arranged to get seed, it
will be found ripe about July. Break it out of
the seed vessel and prepare to sow at once. The
best thing for this is a soap box, with holes bored
in the bottom— fill with any rich garden earth —
sow the seed on the surflxce, water well ; put
about one-eighth of old moss over the seeds,
and set the box under a north wall, or under the
shade of a hedge, or "anywhere " in just such
a place. By September they will be tolerably
nice plants, and the}' ma}' be dibbled out about
four or six inches apart in a very rich shady
piece of ground, and covered with any material
in winter which will ktep them from being
thrown out by the frost. Many will flower in
the Spring and produce as much variety of color
as a row of bottles in an Apothecary's shop.
There is nothing gives so much pleasure as rais-
ing of these new things ; and it is so simply and
surely done in this way, that that is what I

1S69.

THE GARDENER'S MOJYTELY.

107

would tell the people if I were in the position
you occupy.

Now what do you say ? "Will you give me a
chance ? Just as you please — you can take me,
or leave me. I can go again into oblivion as I
have been lately, or rise into a blaze of glorious
usefulness. It makes little odds to me.

[We haven't the least doubt about our
friend thinking he could edit a newspaper—
everybody thinks that. As to our giving up to
him for six months, we don't know. "Our
parish " has not spoken to us about this treat ;
we will wait till it does.

We did'nt like this criticism at first, and once
actually threw it in the rubbish basket ; but re-
membering how one month we said, "better
have our errors burnt out of us,'' than other-
wise, "who knows," thought we, "but Joseph has
acted on the hint." So we took it up and read
it through, and made notes, and grinned a time
or two, and commenced to criticize. "Ah!"
thought we, "a fellow writing f/ie pleasure of
neiu things^ complaining that we have heads for
iieio and rare plants ; a pretty consistent fellow
for an Editor."

But while our back was momentarilj'^ turned,
one who had been for some time loafing in
our office, waiting for a chance to engage us to
puff up his magnificent new tomato, accidentally
used our notes for a cigar lighter; so we feel com-
pelled to send the pages to the press just as they
are, for our readers to form their own opinion,
whether Joseph Amram would or would not be
a fit Editor of this journal in our absence. — Ed.]

SHEINKAGE OF TREES IX WINTER.

BY A. FKNDLER.

In response to a question asked of me in the
February number of the Gardener's MonihJi/,Y)a.ge
46, if the splitting of trees in winter is not simply
the effect of shrinkage, I wish to say that it is
no difficult matter for an observing backwoods-
man, who has lived during many a cold winter
in the forests of our Northwestern and Western
States, to tell whether the splitting of a tree is the
effect of expansion going on in the interior of its
trunk, or whether it is done by shrinkage of the
trunk at its surface.

Wherever the splitting of green logs from
shrinkage has come under my observation, I
found the opening of the wood to commence
simultaneously in many different places of the
log's surface, to go on gradually without

explosion, and to take place most effectually
when the bark had previously been removed, or
else had been loosened by decay. That in the
trunks of living trees the operation of splitting
proceeds in the same manner, I have no knowl-
edge of; but I do know that in trees, the interior
of which consists of a mass of partially decay-
ed, more or less spongy wood, saturated with
water, bursting of the tree in very cold winters
is at times so powerful as to throw large splinters
to a considerable distance by the freezing of the
water contained in the interior of the tree.

If, as Mr. Huidekoper seems to think, there is
no other cause from which a tree should split in
cold weather but shrinkage, because the outside
of a green log laid before the fire will split at the
surface on account of the outside contracting
faster than the interior, we cannot see how by
mere shrinkage the bursting of a living tree can
take place with such violence, energy and noise
as may frequently be observed in extremely cold
weather, and why this sudden bursting does not
occur rather in the hot dry summer air, during
droughts so severe that trees actually die from
want of moisture.

If ever a tree splits from shrinkage on the out-
side, there will be a poor chance for its living
aftei'wards ; but trees bursting from freezing, as
sometimes happens in northern latitudes, con-
tinue in pi'etty good health, which may prove
that this kind of splitting was not caused by
shrinkage of the outside.

THE FRUIT REGION OF GRAND
TRAVERSE, MICH.

BY A. C. TUTTLE, GRAND TRAVERSE, MICH.

I dislike to write for your journal, as I am not
versed in technicalities, nor have I the use of
language to make an article pleasing ; still I
would like to remark a little upon this new fruit
region, which is just developing. We are about
five degrees north of Philadelphia, still we can
raise any thing here without winter protection,
that you can there. The Hybrid Perpetuals, and
most of the Bourbon Roses, can be successfully
grown here, — the Prairie Queen needs not to be
taken down from its trellis.

We grow the Apricot and Nectarine; the finest
of Plums, large crops, annually ; Cherries are
perfectly healthy, no gum exuding ; Pears do re-
markably well ; Peaches are a sure crop, beauti-
fully tinted in coloring ; but Apples, this is the
home of the apple, I never saw them equalled ;

108

THE GARDEJV'ERS' MOjYTHLY.

April,

fair, high-colored and flavored, free from the black
fungus which is so generally found upon apples
grown in southern Michigan. Apples, grown here
are remarkable for their keeping qualities. I
have eaten perfect specimens of the Westfield
Seek-no-further in July.

The E. Golden Russet will keep a year ; we
can place the Eusset, Baldwin, and other good
keepers in Chicago,. and Bufialo markets, on the
first of June, in perfect order.

This fruit region comprises the two peninsulas
and the land bordering on, and under the influ-
ence of the Grand Traverse Bay, and Lake Michi-
gan.

The inner peninsula, is admitted by all to be
the best fruit point. The portion above the el-
bow has all the advantages of an island, wind
from any direction passing over water, before
reaching us ; then the outer peninsula being
much higher than this, the sharp winds from
Lake Michigan are broken off from us in a great
measure.

The Bay is very deep, 600 feet by Government
survey,and sometimes does not freeze over— never
till sometime in February. The influence of its
waters prevents the damaging effects of early and
late frosts; peaches are thereby sure, as far as in-
jury from frosts is concerned. The ground is
protected by snow, which generally lies on all
winter, and the ground does not freeze. The
average temperature, at 7 o'clock, A. M., for the
mouths of December and January last, was 20"
above zero. The warmest, 40' a])0ve ; the lowest
2^ above zero.

The soil is light sand mixed with lime, with a
clay sub-soil. Some places the surface soil is
mixed with clay. All the gravel and stone are
lime. All kinds of root crops grow enormously,
and of good quality. The best winter wheat I
ever saw grew here; often realize 30 bushels per
acre. This is emphatically a timber country ;
mostly birch and maple, with tall straight trunks,
70 and 80 feet to the limbs.

Occasionally a basswood, an elm, an ash, and
an enormous hemlock ; and near the beach we
find the American Arborvitse, the Balsam Fir,
and the White Pine.

Our markets will chiefly be Chicago and Mil-
waukie, same as at St. i Josephs, Mich. With
water transportation, our peninsula being nar-
row,there need be very little land transportation;
this item of itself is, I think, next in importance
to the fact of raising the fruit. The largest boats
of the Lakes can float at our docks.

I think our protection by water from frosts,
gives us a decided advantage over St. Josephs,
as there, three full crops in five, is remarkable.
If the wind should blow from the land, during
the late, cold nights of spring, at St. Josephs the
peach crop is destroyed. Here we know of
nothing of the kind.

Those looking for fruit locations, I think,
would find it to their advantage to look at this
point before purchasing. I have not a foot of
land for sale, consequently no axe to grind.

ESSAY UPOX ANNUAL FLOWEKS.

BY -WALTER ELDER.

Mead before the Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety, March 2, 1869.

Annuals are more generally grown than the
other classes of flowex's. The species and vari-
eties, in numbers, are now so multitudinous, with
habits and natures so various ; they are adapted
for all climes, soils and modes of culture, and
everj' purpose of ornamentation, and bloom the
5'ear the seeds are sown. By an a 1-wise ordin-
ation, the various genera bloom at difierent
times, and follow each other in regular progres-
sion, with a rich display of flowers and sweet
scents from the opening of spring to the closing
of autumn. It would require a large volume to
expatiate on their beauties ; suflice to say,
they adorn alike the yard of the cot and the
garden of the palace ; even the unimproved
spe?ies are admired at the dwellings of the poor,
though growing in a state of confusion. How
much more the new varieties in the neatly fram-
ed and nicely kept parterres of the tasteful and
wealthy, under the culture of the anxious ama-
teur and skillful gardener.

The extraordinary improvements the new va-
rieties show over their original species, far sur
pass the fondest anticipations and keenest con-
ceptions of man. From species of single cor-
alla, or one row of petals, with colors uncomely
and dim, varieties have been produced with
flowers as double as Dahlia and rose, of colors,
and mixtures of colors of the most dazzling bril-
liance. Observe the difference between the
single Queen Margarets, and their progeny the
double German Asteis; or to bring the case more
to ourselves, compare the single Lady Slipper,
growing wild at our road-sides, with its oft-
spririg, the double Balsayn, which gilds the royal
and pub'ic gardens around Paris with great
splendor, where it is tilled. "Fleur de la Heine
Marguerite," in Edinburg it is grown by thou-

1869,

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTELY.

109

sands in glasshouses, and when in bloom in eight
inch pots, it sells for a half a crown (60 cents),
apiece. I for three consecutive years grew and
sold it there by thousands annually, and never
had one left to bear seeds.

Some annuals are dwarf creepers ; some are
stately and erect, others are climbing vines that
ornament lattice works with foliage and flores-
cence all the growing season ; some are admired
for profusion of blossom ; some for peculiar hab-
its, and others for their sweet odors.

Anagallis grows two inches high ; Sunflower
is ten feet tall ; Gourds climb fifty feet high ;
Convolvulus gives glory to the mornings ; Mira-
bilis imparts delight to the evenings, and both
convolve their blooms during the heat of the day.
Others bloom only in the hot sunshine ; some
bloom only in the spring, others in the cool of
autumn. It is a remarkable fact, that no genus
produces both blue and yelloio blooms. Lark-
spur, Nigella, Convolvulus and Maurandia
dress largely in blue, but never wear yellow.
Calliopsis, Eschscholtzia, Marigold and Sun-
flower are profuse in yellow, but barren of blue.
In all the works of creation the hand of omni-
potence is visible ; who can doubt the existence
and omnipresence of an Almighty Ruler ?

There are different times and modes in sowing
the various species, yet all seeds are put a depth
in the ground in accordance with their sizes ; for
example, Lupin and Sweet Pea seeds are put an
inch deep. Poppy and Portulacca are only
under the surface. For all kinds the soil should
be rich and finely dug ; where manure is scarce
use the concentrated fertilizers liberally, they
both enrich the soil and destroy insects lodging
in it, and an abundant bloom follows their ap-
plication. I commend Harrison'' s Plant Fertil-
tzer, Poudrette, Peruvian Ouano, Flour of Bone
and Super Phosphate, when honestly com-
pounded.

Class 1. — Calliopsis, China Pink, Eschscholtzia,
Rocket Larkspur, Silene, Pansy, &c., bloom
earlier and more profuse if sown in the autumn.
Class 2. — Anagallies, Alyssum, Candytuft,
Groves Love, Drummond Phlox, Mignonette,
Portulacca and other dwarfs are sowed in
patches.

Class 3.— Branching Larkspur, Nigella, Gil-

lia, Collinsia, Sweet Peas, Poppies, and such of

upright growth are sowed in round rings a foot

in diameter.

Class 4.— Centaurea, Aster, Gaillardia, Mar-

vel of Peru, Prince Feather, Love lies bleeding,
&c., are sowed in rows in a warm border, and
when the plants are large enough, they are trans-
planted single to where ihey are to Vjloom.

Class 6. — Antirrhinum, Balsam, Browallia,
Ageratum, Cockscomb, Globe Amaranthus, Gil-
liflower. Pansy, China Pink, Sensitive Plant, Ice
Plant, Zinnia, Maurandia, Thunbergia, Tro-
poeolum, &c. are sowed in cold frames with glass
sashes, and kept very warm until the plants get
four leaves, and when large enough and weather
warm, they are planted out, all singlj'^, except
Maurandia, Thunbergia and Tropoeolum, they
should be moved in bunches with a trowel.

Class (5. — Convolvulus major. Cypress vine,
Common Nasturtium, Hyacinth Bean, Scarlet
runner Bean and Gourds are planted where they
are to grow up and bloom — they are ail climbing
vines. Every species and variety should be
labeled when sown, and those needing supports
should have stakes or frames stuck in beside
them, to tie them to as they progress in growth,
and they show their blooms better.

[There are large factories for making labels of
wood and fancy trames of galvanized wire, and,
also, lattice works for supports for flowers ; they
are of many sizes and forms, and very ornamen-
tal ; and are for sale in the seed stores, they add
elegance to the beauties of flowers.]

The beauties of Parterres are greatly enhanced
by judicious arrangements of the sizes and habits
of the plants, and the nice blending of the colors
of their blooms to make a pleasing contrast,
and in mixing well those of sweet perfumes with
the more showy in a way that beauty and fra-
grance will be well united in all the different
parts of the flower gardens.

Inexperienced lovers of flowers would be bene-
fitted and grow them more plentifully if the seed
catalogues were dotted with abbreviations of the
habits of plants, the heights they grow, their
times of blooming and the colors of their flowers;
and if to be transplanted, and whether Annuals,
Biennials or Perennials. Some Biennials bloom
the year they are sown, Antirrhinum, China
Pink, Gillyflowers, &c., for example, they may
be classed vvith both Annuals and Biennials.
Some of our seedsmen are commendable in hav-
ing abbreviations, but they do not go quite far
enough; the "Hortus Britannicus" mode should
be fully followed out.

We cannot too highly applaud the laudable
enterprises and intellectual endownments which

110

THE GARDEJfER'S MOjYTELY.

April.

our younger class of seedsmen and florists have
brought into play to promote their business and
inspire a more general love for gardening, by the
glowing descriptions and tine illustrations of
new products they give in their yearly cata-
logues ; by that all the different departments
have been raised to higher standards, and a
more lively animation has been infused into our
body Horticultural, which, I fain hope, in a few
years hence, will excell that of every other na
tion in the universe.

All hail to you, young friends, a glorious
and grateful future awaits to crown you all with
glory.

PURSH'S JOURXAL.

[Continued.)
Jul}' 13. My anxiety of seeing a letter from
Dr. Barton Avas so great, that I thought it would
be best to call on Squire Geddes to-day, and see
whether there was not one in his hands. He
lives about 6 m from the Hollow, northwest i
I set out for it, near Onondaga Court house. I
observed plenty of Cynoglossura otlicinale, calld
Tory weed & Myosotis lappula, which is evei-y
when; common along the streets Verbascum
Thapsus common on the waste grounds, & V.
Blattaria flore albo is here and there to be seen
abotit Onondaga. Epilobium parviflorum with
red & white flowers among thj Sonchus Cana-
densis, which covers all clear spots in the woods:
the Sonchus is the same as they call to the south
Richweed, Milkweed & Butterweed. Cornus
scabrosa? & fastigiata? Silphium laciniatum— not
yet in flower. — Verbena urticifolia —V. hastata
— Triosteum perfoliatum, Asclepias multium, —
bellata P. tlie same as I calld so last j'ear from
the Peaked mountain — A. umbellis pluribus nu-
tantes laxiflnribus, longe pedunculatis ; calyx
laciniis acutissimis ; petalis reflexis cal3^ceduplo
longior, ovato oblougis, virescentes extus purpu-
rascens : columna nectarifera basi purpurea, nec-
taria ovoidea alba, crassa, corniculis longis,
convergentibus. — Asclepias syriaca is common
about here. — I likewise observed a plant which
only seems to be common to limestone laud &
which I had observed last year throughout the
great valley of Virginia frequent, but never had
a chance then to see its flowers and seeds : it is
the one which I have calld in Dr B. collection'
but suppose wrongly, Lithospermum latifol. of
Michaux : this plant is as I then supposi-d a
Cynoglossum & I calld it in my journal last year

C. parviflorum, which name I shall use for it in
the future^Cynoglossum corollis pallide cceru.
leis calyce subaequantes urceolaiis fauce callis
clausa : antlieris intra tubum coroUse, nigrican-
tes. In fact I see no difference in the parts of
fructificatiou among this species, the Cynoglos
sum officinale & the plant which I take to be
Myosotis Lappula. — Tlie seeds of these t hree
plants are very much alike in structure likewise
for which reason I think, the Myosotis Lappula
to be a Cynoglossum too. — Xear Mr Geddes I
found the Blsttum virgatum in fruit, «& in his
mill dam a monstrous thick cover of Chara fra-
I gilis,w'hich emitted a most horrid smell, the Dam
1 being broke «fc dr}', & the whole of this Chara
turu'd to ihe sun, & changed its green colour,
I which it has, when under water, to a clear white;
at mj first coming to the creek I thought the
bottom of the pond or dam was a kind of marie
by its colour ; but getting down to it, I found it
to be the Chara which had covered the bottom
all over.

Mr Geddes was not at home «fc would not re-
turn untill next day : Mrs Geddes however told
me, that if any letter of the kind I expected had
been come to her husband's hands, she should
have heart something about it ; but she had not
I therefore returned towards the Hollow again'
I observed plenty of Chenopodium anthelminti-
cum along the roadsides, which is very common
about here ; Potentilla hirta or Xorwegica —
Geum floribus albis parvis & the Thalictrum
dioicum mas & femina in full flower.

14. This day I visited Capt Webster, he lives
about 3 ra south of the hollow : I found him to
be a plain friendly man, he was to bussy occu-
pied in his work else he would, as he said, take
a walk with me through the woods : but if I
would come «fc see him again, he would go with
me to the Indian village which I was an.xious to
see : I enquiied about the Indian dog : but he
told me that not one genuine one was to be found
among those Indians ai^y more, having degene-
rated by mixing with others to such a degree
that hardyly the traces could be seen in them .
The Hydrastis canadensis grows in great abun-
dance in the woods here, they call it Curcume:
SaiiiculaMarylandica, Geum flore albo. — Polym-
nia canadensis — Elymus canadensis— Poten-
tilla Norwegica— Asclepias tuberosa —Galium
circKzans &c were in flower : — The Caulophyl-
lura thalictroides grows in abundance in these
woods, it is called here Cohosh. Capt. Webster

18G9.

THE GARDEjYER'S MOJVTHLY.

Ill

informed me, that there was one sort of Cohosh
growing here with red berries, wliicli I suppose
to be tlie Actea spicata : I dit not see any : The
Botrypus virginica, which is plentj-^ here is used
by the Indians as a principal remedy in the ve"
nereal disease. On ni}' return to the liollow 1
observed Cornus alteinifolia, which is calld
Green Osier, the otlier species of Cornus wliose
brandies are always speckled, & which 1 suppose
to be the sort with white berries grows plenty in
the woods hereabouts.

15. — As 1 had to get my boots mented I kept
the house all day & wrote a letter to Dr B having
as yet heart nothing from him. In the evening I
took a walk to a store to get some paper. In
going alongOnondaga creek I observed a species of
Potomogeton which I suppose either the mari.
num or graminifol. I describe it Potomogeton
ramis dichotomis, foliis longis, crasis gramineis
?uperioribus vaginantes. cum ligula longa mem-
branacea spica pedunculata, anthersB 4. crassa,
subsessiles 2 loculares foliolis calycis opposita,
alba, stylis 4. stigmata peltata atrorubra. This
species abounds hereabouts very much.

16. This diiy I set out to have a thorough ex-
amination of the Salt marshes on Salt point : In
going through the swamps between the Hollow
& the Point, I observed the Mimulus alatus in
great plenty ; Ranunculus aquatilis in flower, on
the branches of the creek : at the point I went
along a Causeway made through the marsh &
occas onally in the marsh itself, whenever I could
get to it ; but this season having been so much
rain, makes it almost impossible to jiet in, last
year I was informed one might have went every
where tlirough it without much trouble, the
season having been so very dry. Cephalan-
thufe cccldentalis & Osmunda regalis, fill up a
great part of the swamp where any bushes grow,
Utricularia minor I found but only one specimen
in flower. Potomogeton gramiueum, Lemna
arrhiza & polyrrhiza, Triglochin maritimum
calyx 3 phyllus, antherai 3. calycis foliolis oppo-
sita & briviora, sessiles, squamis3. basi genminis
inserte eoque adpressa germen longum 3 gonum,
stigma barbatum. — Ipomcea rosea fohis hastatis:
Vicia Cracca & Lathy rus ?— Xanthium spino-
sum ? Campanula eriuoides, Veronica scutellata,
AUsma Piantago, Sagittaria sagittifolia ? Ga-
lium JSIolugo & Galium foliis quateruis liueari-
bus —Hibiscus palustris, putting forth his flow-
ers. Polygonum amphibium — J uncus «& Scirpus
jacustris, Galium 3. fidum a very small leaved
species & truely 3 fid & triandrous. — Eanuncu-

lus a very small creeping sort, in the salt marsh
with leaves like Chrysospplenium I calld itR. sto-
loniferus ; it grows in thick tuffts together, Sc
covers the ground. Asclepias syriaca & purpu-
rascens ? — Scutellaria galericulata—Lysiraachia
racemosa, -Glycine apios, without flowers. Apoyc-
num cannabium— which is used by the Indians
as a purifyer of the blood. Sparganium rarao"
sum— Arundo— Panicum — Scirpus &c. Eupt. -
toriumperfoliatum & maculatum — A grass which
I suppose to be a species of Trachynotia of Mi-
chaux. This is a grass I never seen before. A
species of Slum fills up a great part of the marsh
it appears the same as I observed at Cayta creek
«& calld S. heterophyllum. — Sisymbrium amphib-
ium very frequent. — Lysimachia racemosa, this
appears to be the same as the bulbifera ; I dit
not find one single specimen with bulbs here,
though I purposely searched for it, may be they
are different after all? ? A species of Rosa
growing pretty tall grows in the most wet places,
among Sparganium and Typha, which appeared
very strange to me, it is in great abundance
through the swamps. ARumex,which for want
of a name I call R. Polygonoides is very plenty
in the marsh. A plant unknown to me I found
near the Salt works in the marsh amongst Iris
& Scirpus with a long broad radical leaf like a beet
& the stem some what like Lythrum verticillatum ,
no flowers to be seen. Having myself suffic'jeitly
satisfied for this day in this very disagreeable &,
stinking marsh the day besides being very hot, I
took some refreshments, & went towards my
lodging at the Hollow again.

In my return through the swamps I observed
Pyrola rotundifolia— Epilobium angustifolium,
l)eginning to flower — Aster conyzoldes—Chara —
Monarda coccinea & beautifuU plants of Lilium
superbum. — In going to the point this morning
I observed a Geranium in foliage like the C car-
olinianum, but with considerable large red flow-
ers : I took but a small sprig of it, intending to
collect some on my return, but I could not find
the plant again.

17. This day I was bussy of drying & batting
by the plants collected yesterday. I received a
letter from Dr B .. including 20 dollars, which
I was very much in want of.

18. Having promised, this day to see Capt
"Webster I set out for his place : We took a walk
to the Castle or Indian Village : this tribe is but
very weak, they are very genteel & well behaved
people & industry beginus to propagate among
them : they have some very good fields of corn

m

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTHLY.

April,

which they keep in good order. Mj' object was
for a great part, of learning the name of some
herbs in their language : but Capt. Webster told
me he knew the name of most trees himself &
some of the more noted plants, which he could
give me by & by. Phryma leptostachia grows
very tall & large here : — Polygonum aviculare
the variety with upright stem & large leaves.
Cicuta niaculata grows in great abundance
throughout Onondaga : the Indians use it to
poison themselves, when they have an inclination
•in going out of this world ; it is a most powerfuU
poison, as Capt Webster tells me who has seen
the case on some Indians which had eaten the
root, & was lost without being able to get any-
thing as a remedy against it, it occasions Lock-
yaw & the patient is soon done. Elder bark or
a Muskrat skin choppd fine, with the hair on is
reckoned a remedy if soon applyed to. Buthal-
mium helianthoides in full bloom — Hedysarum
acuminatum & a species of Lespedeza without

flowers —Circtea alpina ? Triosteummajus— Ne-
phrodium dentatum — Asplenium salicifolium «&
polypodoides, P — the former I could not find with
fructifications.— On my return I observed the
same plant which puzzled me so much last year:
and which I took then to be a species of Batschia.
^t happened as then that I came too late for see-
ing its flowers, but foliage & seeds indicate it, to
be very nearly related to it : after diligent search
I found one small flower on the top of a young .
shoot remaining, which I carefully examined »&
found the following character Batschia parviflora
P. — corallis pallide luteis, tubus calyce subje-
quante, limbus subclausus, callosus : staminibus
inclusis. The Cynoglossum parviflorum in
plenty. — this night Sqr. Geddes calld on my
lodging, having returned from his yourney &
hearing at the post office, a stranger having en-
quired for him. I promised to be at his place in
a day or two.
July 19 Bested myself & wrote &c.

EDTTOEIAL.

PILE A MUSCOSA.

One of the creat attractions of gardening is,
the insight which it affords its followers of the
workings of nature. The mere color of gay
petals, the graceful forms of foliage, or the beau-
ty of masses of flowers in the garden, allow of
much pleasure in their way, — but nothing com-
pared to that which is given to tlie curious souls
who penetrate deeper into nature's hidden mys-
teries.

There is in very common cultivation, and
used very much for hanging baskets and shady
places where other things will not do well, a
small-leaved, somewhat succulent plant, which
is known to florists as TiUcea muscosa. It is
chiefly valued because it is rather graceful as com-
pared with Begonias and other fat things ; and
because it is so accommodating in its require-
ments of growth. Some little interest also at-
taches to it, when the owner remarks to the visi-
tor, that it " has the smallest perfect flower that
blooms."

Now, there are a good many matters of inter-
est about this common little plant which might
make it still more interesting to those who al-
ready admire it. In the first place, its usual
name is not the riglit one. It is a Pilea, not a
Tilloea. The last is a little, minute plant, of the

house-leek family. This' one belongs to the
nettle tribe. Almost all of this class are not very
friendly in their disposition. They are clothed
with hairs, containing little bags of acrid juice,
which burst when even lightly touched, and give
as much pain as the bite of a musquito. Almost
every English boy has made this unfavorable ac-
quaintance with the stinging nettles, — and proba-
bly many Americans, as this plant is now natu-
ralized in many parts of the United States.

Someof the stings of the West Indian species are
particularly bad. We have seen one, a Jatropha,
sting a man's hand so bad that he was unable to
use it for weeks. This little fellow is quite harm-
less,— and thus, as in the virtues of many good
people, possesses a sort of negative goodness. In
the arts, plants of the Nettle family have their
use, in the tenacity of their fibres ; yielding ma-
terial for ropes and textile fxbrics.

The little Pilea has a great interest in the new
discoveries of Darwin, in reference to the cross-
fertilization of plants. The theory now is not as
it once was. Formerly, people thought they
could see a wonderful arrangement in the plant
to impregnate itself. In the Fuchsia, for in-
stance, where the pistil is so much longer than
the stamens, it would be said that the flower
hung down in order that the pollen might fall on

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY,

lis

the pistil. Bui now, since Darwin's papers have
appeared, it is known that these instances are
the exceptions — that the plant, apparently, has a
great horror of breeding in-and-in, and that it
usually makes every eftbrt to avoid self-impreg-
nation.

N'ow, plants of the Nettle family have long
been known to throw open their flowers with a
sudden elasticity ; and it is very curious and in-
teresting to watch the process. In the stinging
Nettles, however, it is no pleasant pastime. Our
little friend, the Pilea, which has no stings, gives
us a good chance to watch the process. With a
good lens, on a fine, sunny day, at this season,
one can amuse little children, as well as instruct
children of a larger growth, by watching
the opening process. There are thousands of
little pin head like buds on the plant.
Watch for one which has a faint streak of
white across its rosy head, and at once apply the
lens. In a few seconds, it will be found to par-
tially open its four cleft fold, and, in an instant,
its four long stamens spring out, and thiow the
pollen out a long way.

The force possessed by these minute organs
must be tremendous. On one occasion, we saw,
in the sunlight, a streak of pollen, like a little
puff of steam, eighteen inches from the stamen,
seemingly at the same instant that it had been
ejected from the pollen cells ; and so strong was
this force that, apparently, every particle of pol-
len had been thrown out in the effort.

One may have some idea of this tremendous
force, by comparing these little flowers, so small,
with that of a tulip or magnolia. If they pos-
sessed force in the same proportion, they could
throw their pollen hundreds of yards.

Why does this little plant take all this trouble ?
Why throw its pollen away so clean, that not a
particle falls on its own flower ? The answer is,
that it is dioecious, or belongs to that family oi
plants, which has male or female flowers on differ-
ent plants. Our cultivated plant is the male
form, and it throws its pollen away from its own
structure, where it can be of no possible use, in
order to meet the chance of its pistillate affinity
elsewhere.

The stamens themselves afford an interesting
study. Folded in the flower, they have ap
parently two joints, forming three plaits or laps.
These, in springing open, present a thoroughly
straightened out appearance on the instant, and
become at once rigid, and will not bend back

again as they were the moment before without
breaking !

It is just such little things as these which give
more than usual interest to a garden. They
serve to beguile many a weary hour,— and not
killing time merely, but giving one a little in-
sight into the wonderful workings of this wonder-
ful world.

CALADIUMS AS BEDDING PLANTS.

It is very common, both in our horticulture
and agriculture, to continually bemoan our mis-
fortunes in not being able to have things as we
see them in the mother country. We have
brought our language, our traditions, our gene-
ral education, from Europe; and we are too prone
to want to see everything repeated here as they
exist there.

Though rejoicing in our escape from bondage,
we yet feel an occasional hankering after the
onions, the cucumbers, and the flesh-pots of
Egypt. But around us are beauties the old world
never dreamed of— facilities for striking out new
paths in art and science, which our transatlantic
friends would seize with avidity, and which are
all lying loose, waiting for some original mind
to gather them together into multitudes of useful
things.

In our flower garden decorations, particularly,
we are much at fault. In the moist and cool
climate of Britain, they have, by generations of
experience, found out exactly what will suit
them. We have rather copied from them, and
our very arid climate gives us little success with
the same plants. We have rather to look f<>r our
decorative plants from the tropical regions ; and
there are, at this time, scores of plants tenderly
nurtured in stoves and hot houses, which only
on€ person in a thousand ever gets the chance to
see, waiting to be turned into common florists'
plants, serving their turn to bring pleasure to the
homes of millions.

Little by little, we are learning this. Once in
a while, some one, deserving the honor of being
classed as a public benefactor, adds to our light.
Worthy of this distinction is, certainly, Messrs
Pennock, whose beautiful advertisement of Cala-
diums, as bedding plants, is deserving of all
praise.

Every one will remember how very recently it
has been that the Caladium was supposed to re-
quire one of the most expensive houses to gi-ow
it in. That beautiful house, erected especially

114

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJ\'TKLY.

April,

for the Victoria rcgia, some years ago, by Mr. Caleb
Cope, — which those of us who had the good for-
tune to see. will never forget — did not seem com-
plete without the numerous bi-colored."Caladiums
which were studded around on every side. ^Now,
to know that we can have all these beautiful
things to grow in our gardens aud grounds, as
easily as Indian Corn, is certainly a great tri-
umph for American gardening.

Messrs. Pennock also deserve great credit for
another new feature introduced now for the first
time, namely : the giving of colored drawings of
the plants he advertises in the magazines. So
far as catalogues are concerned, this is, indeed,
no novelty ; for Hovey, Washburn, Dreer, Yick,
and some others of our advertisers, have already
occupied the field — but in this more public plan,
Messrs. Pennock lead the way. They have been at
great expense to do it ; but, believing heartily, as
we do, that Caladiums will become popular bed-
ding plants, Messrs. P. could not have taken a
better plan to make their beauties known ; which,
after all, is the source of genuine profit in adver-
tising.

PHILOSOPHY OF DIGGI:N^G.

When one wishes to pour a full measure of
stupidity on some luckless laborer, he is often
told "he is only fit to handle a spade." Kow, it
is very rare to see a man who can handle a spade
in the true, professional sense of one who feels a
pride in his work. Perhaps, after all, this is not
to be wondered at ; for in every profession — gar-
dener, lawyer, physician, or " digger,"— not ten
per cent, really know their business, or care for
their business beyond the amount of the fee or
wages they are to get for so many hours' work ;
and, usually in such cases, the amount paid is in
inverse ratio to the amount of real good accom-
plished.

These thoughts pass through our mind while
reading a paragraph in a recent issue of Hearth
and Home. In our notice of it, we gently criti-
cised its triangular vegetable plots, on the ground
that no gardener or farmer could either dig or
plough them. Criticism of the Hearth and Home
was rather distasteful to us. It is just the very
thing that is wanted. A real first-class paper of
intelligence, destined, as we hope, to carry a love
of rural life into hearths and homes where, now,
no horticultural influences enter. Its " high
tone," also, is not of the counterfeit order, but
has the genuine ring.

But </iai vegetable garden did excite much mirth
amongst practical men. AVe barel}' hinted at it,
supposing this would be enough for our friends
to see their error. Judge of our surprise to find
them defending it. That plan, it tells us, not only
looks well on paper, but is actually in practice ;
and the gardener finds no unsurmoun table diffi-
culty in working it. We guess not. As we have
said there are ninety per cent, in every profession
who never find any "unsurmountable obstacles."
They are as ready to lay out grounds, grow or- '
chids, force grapes, or propagate I^Tew Holland
plants, as to dig ground or milk cows. There is
no " unsurmountable obstacle " any where to
them. Any office in this Republic, from Po-
liceman up to President, or Ambassador to
England or Hayti, they feel themselves entirely
competent to fill.

We will venture a great deal that this intelli-
gent gardener, who finds no obstacle in digging
a triangle, is just one of these brave fellows,
whose pluck is certainly praiseworthy, even
though their work ends in the mole hill.

We have seen some of these little Davids work-
ing at a triangle. As the earth gathers in the
corners, as it must, they lay down the spade and
take to the rake, and pull back into the trench
the accumulating earth, which otherwise would,
in time, leave a chasm large enough to bury aU
the dead horses from a moderate-sized battle-
field. These old fellows have mostly "larned their
bis'ness." For the benefit of younger men, how-
ever, we thought a few hints on digging would
not be out of place.

The first thought is, how to do the most
and best work with the least amount of
bodily labor ; and to this end the first thing is
to form or strike out a plot at right angles, — a
square or parallelogram. Let the following let-
ters represent the plot to be dug :

/

h

With a garden line, divide the lot into two
equal parts, from 6 to /i ; then dig out all the soil
two spades wide, from a to 6, throwing it on to
the space between h and c. Then continue dig-
ging down between a and h io g and /t, where

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTELY.

115

will be a trench the size of the one thrown out at
top. This trench is filled in with earth from a
new trench between 7i and ?', and that part is
then dug back to h and c, where the earth from
a to 6 is ready to finish the job. If the plot to be
dug is very wide, three or more of these divisions
may be made.

So far, all this is done to keep the ground level
without any digging, raking or wheeling. For
every square foot of soil thrown out, there is ex-
actly the square foot left to throw in. This is
the theory and practice of scientific digging. No-
thing but a right angle will admit of this.

We have said, throw out a trench two spades,
— technically, two sjAi?,^ — wide. This will give a
wide trench, without which it is impossib'.e to
bury weeds well, or properly turn the bottom soil
up, — wiiich is essential to good digging. The
width of the spit depends on the hardness of the
soil. It should be no wider than will permit of
the spade being sent down the full length of the
tread, at one thrust of the foot. If two or more
thrusts are spent on one spadeful, digging soon
becomes very hard work. About three to four
inches is usually quite enough.

Generally, the eye of the handle is in the left
hand, the right near the blade. In lifting, the
nearer the blade the right hand is kept, the easier
the spit is handled. As soon as the spit is
thrown out, the right hand is slid up to near the
left, where it remains Avhile the foot is treading
it in for another operation. If the earth is very
hard, the spade is lifted by the left hand and
thrown down perpendicularly before the foot is
added to give the thrust. On penetrating the
earth after this throwing down, the handle is
drawn towards the digger. This opens the spit,
and the foot then added makes it very easy work.
Some diggers, used to this mode, prefer to work

in hard ground, and will actually do more, with
less fatigue, than a greenhorn will in lio-ht
earth.

In digging with the left hand on the eye of the
handle, the digger commences at the left hand
of the plat, and moves to the right, always
careful to dig as straight a line as a good
farmer would a straight furrow. In throwing
the soil from the spade, however, it is turned
from right to left, and and a very dexterous twist
is necessary to turn it easily, and exactly upside
dotvn. But this is soon learned by practice.

As soon as the spit is turned, one or two
thrusts of the large blade is given to break it
through, and another side stroke with the corner
of the spade, strikes it on the surface, and makes
it exactly level with all that has been dug be-
fore. A good digger rarely gives more than two
cuts to break the spit, and one blow with the
corner to level and pulverize it.

Our directions have been given spade in hand;
but the four-tined digging fork, we have so per-
sistently advocated, is now in almost general use
—and by it, three times the work can be done,
with more ease, than with the spade.

We havenow given the philosophy of diggino-

one of the easiest, prettiest and most interesting
operations of gardening, when well understood.
The writer used to take as much pleasure in
it, when a boy, as in town ball, cricket, or pugi-
listic encounters ; in all of which he was account-
ed, by other boys, "some." And, even now,
grey-haired, old and tottering,— as, after thirty
years of hard pen labor, most of his distant
friends think he ought to be,— he never sees an
awkward digger, without feehng an almost irre-
sistible impulse to offer himself as a challenge
spademan, to add, with the prize hogs, to the at-
tractions of some country fair.

SCEAPS AND aUERIES.

Pasteur's Discoveries IN Wines.— IT. K.
Newton, 31ass., writes : " A few months ago I
read some account of what was deemed an im-
portant discovery of a Frenchman, Mr. Pasteur,
of a mode of preserving Wine by heating to a cer-
tain degree ; but particulars I could not learn
trom the articles. 1st. The degree of heat, and
2nd., tow long the heat was to be continued,
and 3id, and most important of all, whether the
heat was given before fermentation or after. I

presume, however, not till after fermentation,
and the wines become clear. Kor can I yet find
out all these particulars. I learn by letter from
Capt. Anderson, to whom I wrote since, as the
proprietor of Longworth's Wine factories, and
after I had seen the printed account, in some of
our Journals of that establishment. I desired
him to inform me of all particulars,— as I
had read that a large part of the " Still Wines "
of that establishment were preserved by

116

THE GARDEMIER'S MOJVTELY.

dpi i\

Pasteur's Freuch mode, (or La Pasteur.) That
it was preparing, and thus now and there on a
large scale, if not extensively, and in rooms pre-
pared by heating, I also learned that the Wine
thus prepared and in bottles deposited no sedi-
ment ; while Wines (8till Wines) as prepared by
ordinary modes, deposited a sediment when
bottled.

Capt. Anderson politely answered my letter,
that the heat required by La Pasteur's process,
" 60^ Centigrade," equal to " 140^ Fahrenheit."
But in what stage of the Wine the heat was to
be applied, or how long to be continued, he did
not state, but referred me to '■'SmidVs Wine Be-
2)orter, published in Kew York. I since have
written to Mr. Smidt, Editor of the Wine Bepor-
ter, New York, about three month ago, but got
no answer. Prof. Gamgee (English), in his
lecture lately delivered on Boston, on preserving
meat by a new mode, fresh as at first all
summer by sulphur, etc., respectfully names
Pasteur and others as having made new and
important discoveries, by the aid of heat, etc.,
but he gives no other light on Pasteur's mode.

By the way Capt. Anderson informed me that
to convert Fahrenheit degrees into the equiva-
lent of Centigrade, we must first deduct 32 from
Fahrenheit and then multiply by 5 and divide
by 9 ; thus you see 140' Fahrenheit, is equal
60° Centigrade. I deem the process of Pas-
teur's very important, and I think you will
ao a very great public service by searching it out
and publishing it in your excellent magazine, and
thus oblige many, and render great service to the
country.''

[Before noticing Pasteur's discovery, it is pro-
per to observe, that after fermentation the seeds
ot a minute fungus, a species of mycoderma are
generated, which afterwards germinate and grow
in the wine, and which has a tendency to acidu-
late it. Pasteur's discovery is no more than this,
that heat will destroy these germs without in-
juring the wine. 140° was Pasteur's original
temperature, but he has since discovered that
for fine wines, 120° Fahi*., is sufficient. We judge
that th e temperature may vary from 120° to
140°, without any injuiy. A few minutes at
that temperature is sufficient to destroy the
germs.]

Weather ik Florida — A correspondent at
lliheriiia, Jfarc/i 10//i, says : — "While you have
been enjoying a mild winter, we have had a very
cold and wet one for this district. Last week at

Enterprise, 150 miles south of this port, there
was ice on two mornings. I heard of its freezing
at Lake Harney, a considerable distance further
south. The freezing weather at New Years de-
stroyed almost all the oranges on this river, to
the great loss of the owners of orchards ; and I
fear the last freeze has settled the matter for the
next year's crop, as the blossoms have been well
formed and some were fully developed for a week
or two past, and a very large number of them
are now evidently destro3'ed.

Yet notwithstanding the backwardness of the
season, we have had many plants in bloom, and
others are coming on. The wild plum, the beau-
tiful yellow jessamine, and other of the earlier
blooming shrubs are now out of flower ; the Dog-
wood, Halesias and wild Honeysuckle (Azalea)
are just coming out, and the ihorn bushes are
budding. Even without the flowers there is
much to please. Cloae by the house here is an
Oleander some 25 ft., in height, and measuring
in diameter, one way, 28 ft., and the other 31 ft.

Just think of a specimen of this plant 90 ft.,
in circumference. Not far off is a Live Oak
having a trunk about 4 feet in diameter, whose
branches extend about 45 ft. on every side.
Nothing can be more beautiful than the " river
walk " here, which extends along the shore for
three-quarters of a mile, shaded by fine live and
water oaks, pines, etc., and set oft" by beautiful
clumps of holly, palmetto and other shrubs.
How I wish you could see it."

Transplanting Trees.— A Louisville, [Ky.)
correspondent sends us a slip from the New York
Observer, arguing on the great importance of the
tap root. Our correspondent asks our opinion.
In answer to another correspondent, we have
already said what we think ot this tap root ques-
tion. The Observer says :

''Hundreds of fruit growers have learned, at a
costly rate, that when the tap root is severed, we
interfere with the habit of the growing plant or
tree. Thousands upon thousands of fruit trees
of all kinds, grape vines, expensive evergreen
trees, and particularly nut-btaring trees, have
been transplanted after the tap root was severed,
have lived and grown a trifle each year, for a few
years, and then appeared to be aftected with some
disease, which prevented the usual luxuriance
and productiveness. The tap root was gone. If
the root were not essential to the thrift and life
of a tree, nature would not have made that tree
or vine to send down such a root.

1869.

THE GARDEJyER'S MOJVTHL Y.

117

Practical fruit growers are waking up to the
importance of this subject, and purchasers are
beginning to see their error. Many of our agri-
cultural editors, who once relied upon interested
persons, when they said, ^' let the tap root be cut
off," now take sides with the backwoodsman,
who contends that the tap-root is es-ential to the
life and health of the tree, as it goes down deep
into the earth to supply the growing stem with
moisture and mineral matter during the dry sea-
son of the year, when the Z«feroZ roots cannot find
half.so much moisture as escapes from the leaves.
Therefore, every tap root should be retained as
perfect as practicable, and be encouraged to
grow. A large hole should be made with a crow-
bar, several feet deep, where the tree or vine is to
stand, and a lateral root, (when there is no
tapJ-root,) should be encouraged to grow in the
hole."

It may be a sufficient answer to this, perhaps,
to say that, if " agricultural editors " would rely
on their own knowledge and experience, instead
of the "knowledge of interested persons," or any
other persons, they would find that many "fruit"
and "evergreens," " grape vines," and so forth,
have no tap roots. We begin to think that some
who are arguing about this, do not even know
what tap-roots are.

How Can "WE Help it ?— Under this head
Mr. Chas. Arnold (see page 102) asks how to stop
counterfeits of genuine fruits. The plans proposed
are very good, so far as they go, but would not
begin to check the evil. The best thing we
know is to encourage every one to read the papers.
And here let us speak a truth we have never
liked to teU before, namely : as a rule, those most
opposed to the spread of horticultural magazines
are nursery and seedsmen.

Nothing astonished us more, in our first year's
connection with this magazine, than to find that
with perhaps a dozen noble exceptions, the whole
of this class did no more than send their own sub
scriptions. They — each one — would not be
withoub it for the world ; but each acted as if it
was only for him — not fit for his neighbor to read.
We will guarantee that one may travel from Lab-
rador to the Equator — from Philadelphia to the
Rocky Mountains, and not find a score of seed-
stores or nursery offices, where a customer may
see any one of the three horticultural journals^ al-
though horticultural books are alwaj'S on hand.

We have even had letters from nurserymen and
seedsmen, stopping their subscriptions, on the

ground that our journal was teaching the people
too much.

We are not scolding about this. Every one
must be the best judge of his own business. But
the naked truth is as we tell it. If our friends
think it is not to their profit for every one to read
the papei-s, " How can we help it ?" remains a
mystery to us. If all would read the Monthly^
the trouble would cease.

Retention of Leaves in Winter— J" A.,

Grand Traverse, Mich., asks : "why is it in some
oaks and apples, the leaves will be retained all
winter, while with most they drop in the ftiU?"

[As we do not know that the explanation has
ever been given in any work or article on leaves,
we will try to make the matter clear.

At the place where the leaf separates from the
stem is the articulation or joint. When in the fall
vitality ceases in the leaf, it does so down to the
joint. Vitality continues of course in the part be-
low the articulation, and generally there is also
a little growth continued after vitality has ceased m
the leaf. This causes the leaf to fall. The leaf
(above the articulation) does not swell,-the stem
(below the articulation) does, and thus the two
parts separate, and the leaf falls. In those cases
however, where the leaf stays on all winler
growth ceased about the articulation, at or before
the less of vitality in the leaf. There is therefore,
no power to throw it off until the spring, when
the swelling bark does for it, what in other cases
it accomplished in the fall.

If two branches are taken from two oaks, both
of one species, it will readily be seen that in the
one which has shed its leaves in the fall, the buds
are very plump and well developed ; while in
those which have retained the leaves, the buds
in the axils are much smaller.

As a practical matter, those which shed their
leaves will be found hardier than the others,
their vitality is more powerful.]

Tap Roots— L. S.B., Chicago, Til.— In a re-
cent number of the Gardener''s Monthly, remark-
ing oh roots, I was interested in what you say
about tap roots. ¥ou seem to place very little
value on them. I have been led to believe them
very essential, and always give my gaidener as
my advice, to save the tap roots, when we are
transplanting anything on our lawn. Was your
remark intended to have the weight it seems to
bear, or a slip of the pen .-' I have read so often
of the great value of tap roots, that I want to be

118

THE GARD EATERS' MOjYTHLY

April,

surt? I understand you. It would seem as if na-
ture would hardly make them, if they were of no
use.''

[No one disputes theHast point— "nature makes
every thing of some use." Beards are of some
use ; perhaps to exercise our industry to keep
them shaven away. As to tap roots, our cor-
respondent understood us correctly to say that
,they are not of the slightest service towards
the nutrition of the tree. The shortening of a
tap root is of no more injury to a tree, than is
the shortening of the tiuger nails to a man. This
matter was settled by Senebier and others over
a hundred years ago. Their experiments we
have repeated; and no intelligent man teaches
any other doctrine.]

Edgings.— J: B., Baltimore, 3Id., writes:—
" What could I use, as an edging in the place of
Box, as an edging to a few flower beds. I like
Box very well, but would rather have some flow-
ering plant, if anything can be had that would
make as good a border as Box."

[We fear there is nothing that will make as
good a border as Box, or some of the dwarf Ar-'
borvita?s. Of flowering jilants, the best is the
Perennial Candytuft. This will tlower in April.
The mountain or Moss Fink— Phlox suhulata is
a very pretty, very dwarf edging ; it flowers in
April and May. The old Scotch Pink is also a
very good thing, as are also some dwarf Irises.
The Periwinkle may do ; also the Achillea mille-
folium rubrum and io»ie)Uo.si(?n— thelast a pretty
yellow. Indeed, any of the tufted growing pe-
rennials, like Betony, Lobelia, Phlox, and soon,
would do tolerably well, but none of them will
ever look so neat as tlie ordinary Box or Arbor-
vita? edging ; and all ought to be taken up and
replanted every other year.]

enough in the pursuit; and what future rewards
or punishment is to be given to our reputation
concerns us little now. However here is what
our friend says :

'' I should be glad to be known to you in other
ways, and hope some daj^ to see you face to face,
to thank you for the strength I have had from
your writings. I do not like to say that you
have broken into the old *'schoil" ideas, or formed
a new ''school," for I dislike the word "school"
always as much as I do '• clique " or " party. "
But I do say, that I always find what you say
of soils and culture true, wlien I commence to
dig and when I get through digging — and you
are certainly one of the ftw who have adapted to
us the best English cultivation. You also have
the rare fiiculty of awarding praise as well as
blame, and making it acceptable as well as useful-

Your writings are such as will be collected —
and ought you not yourself to do it — you, \\ ho
are so entirely catholic in Horticulture ?"

Collecting Essays— A Connecticut corres-
pondent writes as follows to the Editor. It is
pleasant to feel that we do not labor in vain for
the pleasure and profit of our readers. But as
to collecting our writings we doubt the propriety.
We have never yet met with such a work that
was worth reading twenty years after the author's
death ; and in these days the progress of scien-
tific discovery is so rapid, that the best of writers
can take little pride in his own works very long
after they appear. Sometimes we filucy there
are a few things ,we would like to have credit for
in the future, but on the whole feel pleasure

jNIr. William Day has invented a patent
"velocipede" cultivator and strawberry scuffle
hoe combined, for which he claims the following
merits :

It will plow and harrow the ground both at
once, thoroughly pulverize the soil from 3 to 10
inches deep at the will of the operator, and do this
without turning any furrow or covering the
smallest plant. It will adjust to any width be-
tween rows from 1 to 4 feet ; is easy of draught —
strong and not liable to get out of repair. It
will do the work better and faster than 15 men
could do it by hand in a given time. It will
work up the soil between rows of onions, corn,
beets parsnips, carrots, turnips, cotton, tobacco
or strawberries, as soon as the rows can be dis-
tinguished. It is not possible to clog it, working
equally as well in fine garden mould or a stiff
clay. It leaves no lumps. Any boy that can
plow can work it.

Ridge and Eurrow B.oors.— Ignoramus,
Stockbridge, Mass., ask : 'i What are ridge and
furrow roofs to greenhouses ? I often see the
terra used in Horticultural journals and want to
know."

[We do not know of any specimens in this
country to refer you to as an illustration. In
Europe it signifies a single roof, on a single green-
house, which is composed of a number of small
roofs, instead of the one plane, as we usuall}' see
greenhouse roofs; it then appears as a succes-

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

no

sion of small roofs and turrows, looking like a
lot of small span roofed houses, set on the roof of
a single greenhouse. This is as near as we can
come to the idea, without either a very elaborate
description, or a cut as an illustration. Do any
our readers know of a ridge and furrow houses
in the United States ?

Oiled Linex for Packing Plants— JIfr.

George Such, South Amhoy, writes : I send
you by this mail a bundle containing two plants
of Euonj'mus. My object is to call your atten-
tion to the water-proof material in which these
plants are packed, as it is both cheap and good.
It seems to be a sort of rough cotton imitation of
oiled silk and conies from France and elsewhere,
as a protection to the cases of silks and fine
goods generally. I buy the stuff from men who
deal in second-hand boxes, old rope, bagging, and
other trash from the dry goods scores, and pay
from 8 to 10 cents a pound for it.

Perhaps to many of your readers this is nothing
new, but others may be glad of the hint.

In my article on the Gladiolus in the February
number, I wrote "small flowers," not "male
flowers," as printed.

[The plants arrived in excellent condition ]

Oyster Plant. — An English gardener, Pitts-
burg, Pa. — "Excuse my ignorance in asking
what of course is a very simple question to you,
but I have been in the country only a few months,
and found a plant in much request on the place
where I am employed. Is it a native of the
United States ? and why called oyster plant ?
AVhat time to sow the seed ?"

[It is a wild plant of England, where it grows
in wet meadows. Our correspondent may know
it better as "Salsify," in the English gardens,
where it is sometimes grown, though not so pop-
ular, nor do we think growing so fine as here.
It is boiled, and then made into balls and fried,
when it has a fancied oyster flavor, whence its
name. It likes a very rich, rather moist soil,
and must be sown amongst the earliest seeds in
spring.

Collection of Cones of Pines.— AVe see
by the English papers that a collection of Amer-
ican Pine cones has been received, and highly
prized, by the British Museum in England. It
is pleasant to notice that Americans, while lib
eral to other nations, do not forget their own
country. Mr. Josiah Hoopes, of West Chester-

has presented his collection of Cones to the Acad-
emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia ; and
Messrs. J. M. Thorburn & Co., the enterprising
seedsmen of New York, have donated Cones of
the following rare species : Pinus muricata, P:
insignis, Pinus Coulterii, Cedrus Atlantica, to
the same institution.

If any have anything rare in this way they
would like to donate, we would cheerfully present
them in their name.

Grass in Box Border.— J. B. Baltimore,
Md., inquires : "Around one of my flower beds,
on a grass plat, I have an edging of Box. I find
much difficulty in keeping out the grass. Al-
most every week, during summer, I pull at it,
till my fingers are soi'e, and yet it always has an
untidy look. Can anything be done to preven
its growth ?"

[We can answer this with more satisfaction than
our correspondent's last question. If she will have
the grass turf cut away back from the Box, say
two or three inches, so as to leave the Box, as it
were, an inch or two in cultivated ground, she
will have no difficulty in keeping out, and keep-
ing down the little that may come up in the Box,]

Growing Larch Seed., S. If.— " I have a
pound of European Larch seed •; will you please
inform me, through the Monthly, how I shall
treat them and the young plants the first year ?
Also will the Larch grow on stony land, not
rich ; and will they flourish on rich new land ? I
intend them for future grape stakes or posts. By
giving the above information, you will oblige
your Bluffton friend.

[Larch is very easy to grow. Sow as soon as
the ground is dry enough to sow any seeds in
the spring, in light sandy soil ; cover with brush
wood or anything that will make a partial shade
through the summer. They usually sprout in
about G weeks, and before fall will be one or two
inches high. Your soil is excellent.]

Amaryllis. — A Baltimore friend has much
trouble to name and distinguish them. We do
not wonder. There are so many natural varia-
tions and hybrids, and specimens prepare so
badly for herbariums, that it is not easy to name
them, even when the plant has been growing,
and is in flower under our eye. We can hardly

120

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

April^

help her in her doubts from the descriptions. If
any of our correspondents have a fair collection
of Amaryllis, which they believe to be properly
named, and which they have had fair success in
growing and flowering freely, we should be very
glad to know all about it.

Improved Hanging Basket— 3fr. Suther-
land hands us a basket he has patented, which
is a great improvement over all that have gone
before. A serious objection to all other kinds is
that in watering they have to be taken out to
drain, or the dripping water seriously annoys the
tidy housekeeper. In this plan a handsome rus-
tic dish encloses the basket proper, and is so
neatly arranged as to look like the real basket
itself. The only drawback we note is, that this
double lining adds to the weight, but possibly
the articles could be made much thinner than in
the one before us.

Transplanting Cabbage Plants—^. F.

B., Beading, Pa. — '' Is it necessary that cabbage
plants, for cold frames, should be first sown in
open border and then transplanted into the
frames — would the}' not do as well if they were
sown in the frames, and not transplanted ?"

[If they were sown very thin, and had extra
protection from frost, they would do as well.

The transplanting adds to their hardiness ;
every pan of the plant becomes exposed to the air
and light, ahd becomes what Gardeners term
" hardened." A very little frost will kill plants
that are huddled together in a seed bed.]

Sale of Iona Island. — By an advertisement
in another column, we learn that Iona Island
passes from the hands of Dr. Grant to Messrs.
Hasbrouck and Bushnell. During the reign of
the late proprietor, it has had many warm friends
and bitter enemies. For our part we always
prefer to dwell on a man's good deeds than his
failures. Whatever these last may have been,
there is no doubt but Iona Islands deserves a
very prominent place in the panegyric on the
actors in America's grape history, when it comes
to be delivered. "We wish the new proprietors
every success.

Name of Plant.—/. L. H. F., Dayton, 0.—
Enclosed please find a twig of a vine which I
have in my office, entwining a picture of Lincoln.
It is neat and graceful. It flourishes in my office

wherein I burn coal in a stove ; the air is dry
and sometimes dusty and smoky. It don't seem
to do so well when exposed to the direct rays of
the sun. AVhat is the name ?"

[Ficns stipuJata, — next to the Tvy,the most use-
ful parlor plant one can have.]

Berries of Aukuba Japonica. — A few
years ago only the female variety was in cultiva-
tion. Recently we have had the male introduced;
and in England berries have been produced,
which as we have shown by extracts, are esteem-
ed highly ornamental. We can confirm this by
having received a few berries from Mr. Geo.
Such. They^ are probably the first raised in this
country. An intelligent correspondent of the No-
va Scotia Journal of Agriculture, quotes us as say-
ing "The Aukuba [Aucuba) is not described in
De Candolle or Wa'pers." We think we have
never said so. It is in the 4th vol., D. C. Prod-
romus, classed with the dogwood famil}'. From
a slight examination of the seeds, sent by Mr.
Such, however, we suspect it has as much rela-
tion to the Holly as to the Dogwood class.

The Cineraria. — English reports say that
the Cineraria, as a florist's flower, is retrograd-
ing. No new ones have beeii raised superior to
the old old ones. They are seldom now named
and sold as distinct kinds. In this country, named
kinds have never been very popular, owing to
the difficulty of keeping them over our hot sum-
mers. Still they are indispensable ornaments to
our spring windows and greenhouses. They are
mostly raised from seed sown in August and
September.

Pears for Central Illinois. — We should
be much obliged if any of our correspondents will
send us the names of three each, of the best sum-
mer, fall and winter pears, for Central Illinois,
for marTiet pur])oses. Of course we have no per-
sonal experience, and we find the material in our
possession very contradictory. We want the in-
formation for a valued correspondent.

The Greeley Grape Prize.— Mr. Greeley
does not seem satisfied that his ^100 prize was
awarded to the Concord. At a public meeting
in New York, he recently said, "all my money
did, was to advertise a grape already known ;
thus improvement was checked, — not stimulated.
I am a little discouraged by the result, and do
not propose to offer another bank note for a
plate of common grapes.''

1S69.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

121

Destructive Fire.— We regret to learn of
the total destruction, by fire, of the residence of
E. H. Skinner, of Marengo, 111., involving a loss
of about $16,000, on which he had an insurance
of ^10,000. Mr. S. has been largely engaged,
and is widely known as an extensive propagator
and tester of new varieties of fruit, having now
over two thousand varieties growing on his
place. He Avill have the sympathies of his ac-
quaintances and professional brethren. — Western
Rural.

Pride of Chika. — J. B., Baltimore, Md. —
This is not an American, but an East Indian
tree. Botanically, it is Melia Zederack. It will
live, but not get up to be a tree near Philadelphia
and we suppose will not in Baltimore ; but it
does well so far north as Richmond, Virginia.
It is about as hardy as the Crape Myrtle, which
is also a native of the same region as the other.

MEXDE>fiiALL Dibble. — We have many in-
quiries about this Dibble, figured in our January
No. Any blacksmith could make one from our
illustration. We do not know any one who
keeps them ready made. We are sure it would
pay some one to do so.

The Language of Flower.— Isaac Pool,
of the Botanical Gardens, Chicago, has added to
his catalogue, a list of the representative flowers,
collected from Darwin's " loves of the Plants,"
which will interest many of our readers. Cata-
logues gratis.

Blooming of the Oldenlandia— J. W.
X., Philadelphia, finds this well known early
blooming native plant, in bloom at Laurel Hill,
on 14th of March — as early a date as we know of.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Decandolle's Prodromus, part 16, second
section, containing among other things
the Coniferce, by Professor Parlatore.
( Concluded. )

The author has, while throwing all the Firs,
Spruces, Cedars, and so forth into Pinus, been
obliged to form anew, what he terms, subgenera.
AVith the last named Pine, ends his first sub called
Pinea, which he characterizes chiefly by the thick-
ened apices of the cone scales, and proceeds to
sapinus, which are in the main marked by thin
scales, and which have cones maturing in one
year, unlike the Pince which take more. Our
Cedar of Lebanon then becomes Pinus cedrus, of
which glauca and atlantica are considered dis-
tinct varieties. Cedrus Deodara is Pinus Deo-
dora- The American Larch is Pinus pendula,
and so on with all the Larches, P. lari'x, being
the common European one.

Professor Parlatore still sticks to the ortho-
dox doctrine of making Picea mean the spruces,
and Abies the firs, although it seems almost like
insisting that we shall not call the sun he or the
moon she, to push the point. It is wrong, we
know, but it does not matter here, for both Abies

and Picea are abandoned by the author. Our
White Spruce is Pimis alba; Red, Pinus rubra,
and Black, Pinus nigra, — he classes them all as
distinct species.

Pinus obovata, he regards as distinct from P.
orientalis, but says nothing about "P. Whit-
manniana,'' which is regarded in cultivation as
a lawful synonym of the latter. Our old friend
Norway Spruce, we hardly recognize, as Pinus
picea ; Abies Engelmannii of Parry is Pinus
commutata, newly named by Parlatore, because
Carriere had used the name for something else.
Under Pinus Menziesii comes Abies Sitkcnsis,
Picea ajavensis, Abies Jezoensis, Abies micro-
sperma. The common Silver Fir is Pinus abies;
P. Nordmanniana he does not afford even the
doubtful honor of a variety, but gives it abso-
lutely as the Silver Fir. Cephalonica, however,
he deems but a slight variety of Pinus abies of
which Appollonis, Panachaica, Reginse amalia,
Peloponnesiaca are all one. P. pinsapo, however,
is a distinct species, as also is Pinus cilicica,
which constitutes vast woods in the Taurus, as-
sociated with Pinus cedrus, and extends far into
Affghanistan in the East Indies. Pinus Balsa-
mea has no synonyms ; but Pinus firma has

m

THE GARDE^'ER'S MOJVTELY.

April,

under it Picea homolepis, and Abies bifida. Un-
der Pinus Webbiana, we find Abies densa,
Abies spectabilis, and A. Cliilrowensis. Pinus
sibirica was not familiar to us, but here we find
our Avell known friend Picea pichta. Abies
lasiocarpa is the synonym of Pinus amabilis,
here also we find Murray's Abies bifolia, Abies
magnifica, and A. grandis, which, however, is
another thing from the real Abies (now Pinus)
grandis of Douglass. Under this last comes
Picea Lowiana of Gordon, and Abies Gordo-
niana of Carriere. Picea Veitchii he says, it
is not possiole to retain, "because Roezl gave
that name to another," so he re names it Pinus
selenolepis.

We now get to the Hemlock (Tsuga) section.
The first Pinus Tsuga, was once Abies Tsuga,
and Tsuga Sieboldii of Carriere. Pinus Cana-
densis, our Hemlock, has no synonym of impor-
tance. Under Pinus Mertensiana we find many
fine names, Murray's Abies albertianajKellogg's
A. Bridgesii, Jeffrey's A. taxifolia. Abies
Brunoniana is given to Pinus dumosa of Don ;
Abies Williamsoniana, Abies Hookeriana and
Picea californica of Carriere, are given all to
Pinus Pattoniana ; Pinus Douglasii has no syn-
onym of importance. Keteleria Fortunii and
Abies Jezoensis of Lindley, are one with Pinus
Fortunii. The genus Veitchia, was founded on
an abnormal branch of some other species found
in Lindle3^''s herbarium from Veitch's collection
in Japan. Sequoia gigantea is retained on the
oldest authority, "Torrey in Silliman's Journal,''
although this is disputed.

Under Taxodiums, besides T. distichum, under
which as var. microphyllum he includes Glyptos-
trobus pendulus, we have another T. mucrona-
tum, described by Tenore in 185.3, inhabiting the
temperate parts of Mexico, in latitudes from
5000 to 7000 above the level of the sea.

Gordon's and Carriere's blunders, which we
have for so many years labored to show, nre here
recognized, and their Thuja gigantea, given as
synonym of Libocedrus decurrens; while Thuya
Lobbii, Thuya Standishii of Gordon, Thuya
Menziesii Douglass, Thuya plicata Lambert,
Thuya Douglassii Nuttall, are all referred to
Thuya gigantea of Nuttall. Thuya plicata of
Don is, however, retained, and T. Wareana of
Booth given to it. The only Thuyopsis left
alone, is T. dolabrata. The Chinese Aborvitte
is still preserved as Biota, varying into its nu-
merous varieties Aurea, Nepalensis, Tartarica,
and many others. Gordon's tartarica is, how-

ever, a form of Thuja occidentalis. The weep-
ing variety. Biota pendula, is the only form he
describes as a distinct variety. The Junipers
and Yews are all now left that will especially in-
terest our readers.

Under J. communis, he gives a variety /osi'-
giata, which includes suecica and hibernica, " ob-
longa " of Gordon is Far rejiexa. The true va-
riety oblonga is a Caucasian variety. Yar. htm-
ispherica is a dwarf form, originally found in
Mount Parnassus in Greece. The Var. alpina,
is the trailing form found in the mountains of
J^orway, the Pyrenees, in the Sierra Nevada, in
Sardina, Dalmatia and the Caucasus, the
Ilimalayans of Asia, in Ivamskatka,around Lake
Michigan and Lake Huron, and along the range
down into Xew Mexico — a wonderful distribu-
tion. Juniperus squamata is given a& a variety
of/, recuvva. Under Juniperus Sabina, we have
the creeping forms of "Lake Huron," which
cannot be. They maj"^ be good varieties, but
not synonyms. Under the Red Cedar, J. Vir-
giniana, but two distinct varieties are given,
glauca and Bedfordiana ; but either these two
are unnecessary, or there should be scores of
others.

Under the bead of Taxus, T. baccata of Europe,
T. globosa of Mexico, T. canadensis of the East,
and T. brevifolia of the West North America,
T. cuspidata and T. tardiva of Japan, are all,
and all held distinct species.

We supposed it was understood that Cephalo-
taxus Fortunii and C. drupacea were male and
female forms of the same thing,. but Prof Parla-
tore describes the male and female organs of
each, so they must be distinct. The Podocar-
puses are very numerous, no less than 65 good
species being described ; most of these would be
too tender for culture in the northern States.

There will be widely different opinions about
the wisdom of this arrangement herein made.
One thing is clear. Prof. Parlatore is one of
those sterling men, who planting themselves on
the i-ock of eternal truth, insist on justice, though
the "heavens flill." It is a recognized right
amongst Botanists that priority of description,
shall have the priority of name. No matter how
time-hallowed a wrong may be, it must give
way to an established priority of right. In the
nomenclature of Coniferee, unjust names have
become so generally diffused, that most botanists,
in view of the utter hopelessness of a change;
would liave surrendered principle, and made
things to suit the circumstances. We cannot

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOMTELY.

ns

but admire this spartan courago in the present
case, however much we may feel the virtue almost
thrown away.

We cannot agree with Dr. Parlatore in the
propriety of Pinw.sing Larches, Firs and Spruces
together. There may be points where they all
meet so closely as to make it difficult to decide
to which any form may belons:. But genera are
not natural divisions, but arbitrary divisions to
aid the mind. The whole vegetable kingdom
rvms more or less into an unity. " Larch, Spruce,
Pine, Fir, etc.." convey distinct ideas to the
mind, and we do not see that anything is gained
merely by taking these names from a generic
idea, while retaining them to represent sub-divi-
sions in the same thing,— especially after so long
a use of them in the way they have been.

As to the synonyms we agree in the main
with the general justness of the author's refer-
ences. The monograph shows how much of the
great confusion in the names of Cf^niferse, we
owe to either the hot haste of our English or
French friends to name Pines from very imper-
fect material, for fear others should have a chance
to claim priority of right in naming them, or else
from an absolute incapacity to name plants
through lack of a practical acquaintance with
laws of variation, a knowledge of which would

give them the jDOwer to distinguish a temporary
and recent change, from a long established form
— the only real difference between a species and
a variety.

The Gekmantown Telegraph. P. R.
Freas, Editor and Proprietor.

Amongst the hundreds of exchanges that come
to an Editor's table, are always a few that are
eagerly hunted for by those favored friends who
are fortunate to get the privilege of the " sanc-
tum." The Germantoion Telegraph is always
one of these ; and if our Monthly^ on the table of
our contemporaries, is as much quarrelled over
as to who shall have the first reading of it, as
this is on ours, we should want no better. test of
its value. It is curious also to note that of the
hundreds of " fxmily new.spapers," which have
columns for farmers, the Germantoum Telegraph
is the only one which is received by the agricul-
tural press into their circle. In the list of Agri-
cultural periodicals recently given in the De-
partment of Agriculture, the Telegraph stands
alone in this respect. Mr. Freas may well be
proud of his prominent position, and as we no-
tice the last num^^er commences his Fortieth an-
nual volume, it seems a fitting time to compli-
ment him on his success.

NEW AM RAHE ERUITS.

Missouri Superior Apple {Syn. Large
Striped Pearmain?) — Specimens exhibited at the
Illinois Horticultural Society, at Bunker Hill,
Dec. loth, 1868, by A. M. Lawver, from near
Kansas City. This appears to be a favorite in
Missouri. The Committee declared it to be very
like the Large Striped Pearmain, of Kentucky,
and supposed it the same.

Fruit globular, sometimes oblate, regular, very
large and handsome. Surface smooth, yellow,
covered with mixed red, and splashed or striped
carmine, the whole so mixed and tempered as to
appear gray ; dots numerous, small, yellow, in-
dented'.

Basin shallow, wavy; eye long, medium, closed.

Cavity acute, deep, wavy and brown ; stem
medium or short.

Core wide, open, regular, meeting ; capsule,
large ; seeds numerous, long, dark ; flesh yellow
breaking, juicy ; flavor sub-acid ; use market,

kitchen, and perhaps table ; quality, from good
to very good perhaps ; season December to Feb-
ruary.

It is probably only a form of Large Striped
Pearmain.

SiGLAR Grape is said to resemble Delaware,
but fruit said to be twice as large.

Grant Raspberry is a new variety from
Auburn, X. Y. Color " red," size " large,"
shape "conical." Ripens with Red Antwerp.

Tetofsky and Fourth or July Apples. —
Mr. Hanford wishes us to correct the statement
made by him in the March number, that, in
some works on Pomology, and some of our most
reliable Catalogues, it has been stated that the
Fourth of July was a synonym of Tetofsky.

[Dr. Warder says Fourth of July is sup2)0sed
to be a synonym of Tetofsky.]

njf

THE GARDENER'S MOKTELl:.

April,

The Stark Apple. — Mr. Hanford, Cohmi-
hus, Ohio, writes: May it not be possible
that the Stark is not the Pennock ? Mr. McMas-
ter, who has made the Stark his study for years,
does not think it is. He says the Stark and Pen-
nock have grown side by side for fifty years, and
he knows both varieties very well. He has ex-
hibited the Stark at various times ; has compared
it witli others ; has endeavored to find it identi-
cal with some known variety, but has not been
able to do so. Specimens of Stark and Liberty
have been placed together, and they could not be
told apart. Stark and Rawle's Janet have been
placed together, with the same result. It resem-
bles the Pennock ; so it does the Minkler.

Most of the members of the Ohio Pomological
Society were probably familiar with the Pen-
nock, yet, after repeated efforts to identify the
Stark, it was acknowledged to be a variety they
did not know-
He says that it has the same formation of top
and longevity as the Pennock, continuing vigor-
ous and healthy, while many other varieties fail
near them. But the young growth and foliage
is different, — that of the Stark more resembling
the Baldwin ; the leaves being large and dark,
and the growth strong. The fruit resembles the
Baldwin, but is not so good ; also the Pennock,
but is better ; coming nearer to the shape of the
Baldwin than the Pennock, and nearer the color
of the latter than the former."

[We can only say that, so for as the fruit is
concerned, we could not but agree with our
friends at the Pomological meeting. Some, who
had just returned from the South, handed the
writer an anple, to inquire its name ; and we
pronounced it a "Stark, from Ohio," and were
assured they were the Pennocks of the South.
The Pennock has almost disappeared from our
section, and we did not, at first, recognize the
similarity, but could not dissent after recalling
it. Yet it may be, as Mr. Hanford says, dis-
tinct. The Albemarle Pippin cannot be distin-
guished from the Xewtown Pippin, by the fruit,
yet it is known to be a distinct seedling, with a
stronger constitution. It will do well where
the Xewtown Pippin will not. The Stark may
be another case. — Ed.]

BoRSDORFER AppLE. — I agree with F. S., of
Tipton, Ind,. when he calls the Borsdorfer, in the
Gardener'' s Monthly for February, "• on3 of the
best of apples in existence,"— if he means the
Borsdorfer as it is in Germany — in the texture of
its flesh, and flavor, it is incomparable ; it is the

Seckel of Apples. But, alas ! it is the next thing
to being worthless in this country, so far as my
experience goes.

C. F. Yaeger, Esq., of Columbus, Ohio, has a
specimen of the Borsdorfer in his garden, which
he imported from Germany some 15 or 20 years
ago. It is a large tree, about 10 inches or a foot
in diameter ; but it carries the excellent quality
of late blooming so far, that it has not com-
menced bloomins yet worth speaking cf. It
bears a few stunted, very small, apples, ^vhich
are of no account.

If I were to plant out an orchard of Apple trees,
the Borsdorfer would not be among them, ex-
cepting, perhaps, one or two specimens, to see if,
by some chance or other, they might happen to
do well. — Frank Rover, Dayton, O.

Fourth of July Apple. — Mr. Yaeger,
above named, is an enthusiastic horticulturist,
who imported the Fourth of July Apple, which,
as he claims, was raised from seed in his
brother's garden in Cassel. I have seen the tree
(Fourth of July) bear a full crop of apples, when
all the other varieties, at the same time and in
the same place, failed to have any fruit, and that
in an orchard where the Red Astrachan was
among the varieties. The apple is above medi-
um size, looks very handsome, and is sweeter
in flavor, but not so coarse in flesh, as the Red
Astrachan. The tree makes a fine appearance,
resembling, with its large, dense, dark foliage, a
European Linden somewhat in shape.

;Mr. Yaeger has raised several fine peach seed-
lings, but they seem to be " born to blusli un-
seen,"" because Mr. Yaeger is too modest to make
much noise about them, for fear he might be sus-
pected of having an axe of his own to grind by
doing so. — Frank Rover, Dayton, O.

Park's Keeper Apple — The history of this
apple is, that it was grown from seed; probably
of M. Superior, which it much resembles,
but from which it differs, as we are informed by
Mr. Lawver, in the tree growth.

Fruit lai'ge, globular, or oblate ; regular ; sur-
face smooth, yellow, covered with mixed red,
splashed with carmine, and with a gray shading ;
dots rather numerous, small, yellow.

Basin shallow, regular ; eye small, closed, long ;
calyx reflexed.

Cavity acute, deep, wavy brown; stem medium,

Core medium, regular, open, clasping the eye ;
capsules large ; seeds numerous, long, pointed ;
flesh very yellow, breaking, firm, juicy ; flavor
sub-acid, aromatic ; uses, market and kitchen ;
quality quite good ; season December to March,
or longer. — Dr. Warder, in Journal of Agriculture.

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

125

DOEISTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Apples nsr Minnesota. — A meeting of the
Minnesota Horticultural Society was held at the
rooms of the State Historical Society, Capitol
Building, in St. Paul, January 27th, 28th. The
large attendance, and the great earnestness
manifested in the discussions, demonstrated the
growing interest in the cultivation of fruits in
Minnesota.

The question of varieties of apples suited to
Minnesota soil and climate, occupied most of the
attention of the meeting. The old standard
question," Is the Duchess of Oldenburg perfectly
reliable ?" came in for its usual share of discus-
sion, the sense of the meeting being, as usual, in
favor of its entire reliability, especially when
young trees, — that is, one or two years old, — are
planted.

The Tetofsky was generally considered hardy.

The following varieties were recommended for
further trial : Talman Sweet, Sweet Pear, Fam-
euse, Ben Davis, Blue Pearmain, Fall Orange,
Golden Russet, Perry Russet, Red Astrachan,
Price's Sweet, Bailey Sweet, and St. Lawrence.

Several promising Seedlings were exhibited.
The cultivation and improvement of the Sibe-
rian Crab family, was very earnestly recom-
mended.

The following varieties of the small fruits were
recommended for cultivation ; Currants, — Red
Dutch, White Dutch, Victoria, White Grape
and Black N^aples. Gooseberries, — American
Cluster, Houghton Seedling and Downing. —
Strawbe, ries, — Wilson, Green Prolific and Dow-
ner ; also for trial, Jucunda, Russell, Agricultu-
rist, and others. Baspberries, — Doolittle, Miami,
Seneca, Philadelphia, Minnehaha, Kirtland, Pur-
ple Cane, and Native Red. Grapes, — Concord?
Delaware, lona, Rogers' Kos. 4, 15, 19, Cre-
veling. Muscadine, Hartford and Clinton. — West-
ern Bural.

The Cincinnati Horticitltural, Society.
— A Chicago speaker thus compliments this in-
stitution : ''The Cincinnati Horticultural Society
numbers one thousand members, and I very much
doubt if their average attendance is as large as
ours. Of working members, I am confident they
will not average as large an attendance as this

society. Among the life members, there are a great
many who never attend the meetings ; and of
those who pay their regular annual fee, there are,
doubtless, a great many who seldom, if ever, see
the inside of the Society's rooms.

The citizens of Cincinnati are liberal and en-
terprising, and take a just pride in their local in-
stitutions ; and with a commendable generosity,
help to sustain and build up their local Horticul-
tural Society. They have done it for years, and
it is through the liberal and enterprising spirit
manifested by the citizens of Cincinnati, that the
Horticultural Society of that city stands among
the first in the land, in point of talent and enter-
prise."

CuRCULio, — Another Mode of Relief. —
William Day, of Morristown, N. J., spoke at the
Farmers' Club, of a German gardener of his ac-
quaintance,whose plum trees bear, notwithstand-
ing the curculio. He puts under his trees a tub
partly filled with potash water, or very strong
soap-suds. On the water floats a small candle
fastened to a block. The light is near the water,
and as the insects fly near it, many of them dip
their wings and perish.

Flora of Central Illinois. — Mrs. Edw.
N. Greene, in American Naturalist, notes the fact
that in this region, there are only two representa-
tives of Ranunculacece— Anemone Pennsylvanica
and Anemone Cylindrica. Only one Violet —
Viola cucculata, the common dog violet ; not a
single representative of the large American order
of Ericacsea ; but three Orchids. The Aster
family, however, are very much at home.

The Delaware Grape.— We have seen this
grape, grown on clay shale land, well manured,
ripen, or rather color, its fruit as early as the
Hartford. On *andy and gravelly soil, while one
or more berries have colored early, the main part
of the bunch has not matured any earlier than
the Concord — Horticulturist.

Malinda Grape is said to be a new early
white variety, as good as Rebecca.

126

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOjYTELY.

April,

Good for the Florist.— A correspondent
of the Mobile Advertiser says that, in Xew York,
the past winter, the biggest fortunes hav^e been
made by the Jiddlers said Jiorists.

Large Peaches in the Southwest.— The
Dixie Farmer says some peaches were thirteen
ounces each. Hundreds of bushels were sold at
Columbia, Tenn., the past season.

Pears for Maine. — Bartlett, Brandywine,
Doyenne d'Ete, Dearborn's Seedling, Rostiezer,
BufFum, Flemish Beauty, Fulton, Louise Bonne
de Jersey, Xickerson, Beurre Diel, Duchesse
d'Angouleme, Passe Colmar,Yicar of Winkfield,
McLaughlin. "Winter Nelis, Clapp's Favorite
Goodale. — Maine Farmer.

HOPxTICULTURAL NOTICES.

PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting for March was held on
the 16th inst. 'I he competition was not as brisk
as usual, but on the whole, ver}- interesting.
Mr. Kelley, gardener to F. R. Starr, had a A^ery
■ neat collection of pot plants very well grown.
Amongst them was a specimen of Jasminium
triumphans, a species or variety between J. re-
voiutum and J. grandiflorum. The rare and very
interesting Azalea Rinzii, was also among them.
This is a distinct species from the regular Indian
form. The flowers are like small forms of the
common mountain Laurel, and indeed, as our
intelligent readers know, except in the number
of stamens, there is not much difference between
an Azalea and a Rhododendron — the former hav-
ing 5, the latter 10.

The Indian Azaleas were very good, but not
equal to former exhibitions. The dwarf Cinera-
rias were very pretty, and deserve more attention
than they usually get. 'Mv. Dreer had a beauti-
ful collection. Mr, J. Huster, gardener to J. B.
Heyl. and Mr. McDonald, gardener to Mr.
Baird, also had collections.

A collection of well-grown Hyacinths, in pots,
came from Mr. Dreer, who also had a cut flower of
a new yellow Tea Rose, the Queen of Portugal. It
bids fair to rival Marshal Niel. The Pausies in
pots, from Mr. Dreer, were the best grown pot
plants we ever saw.

Mr. Thomas McKenzie had a very pretty col-
lection of cut Camellias. We noted the following
dozen of them among the best in the lot : Duch-
ess d'Orleans, blush striped •, Dunlap's White,
Mrs. Bliss, deep rose ; Wm. Penn, light rose ;
Town's Blush, Old Double White ; Reine des
Fleurs, carmine rose ; Jenny Lind, blush white,
delicate pink stripe ; Imbricata Red, white spots;
Marie Piccolomini, light rose ; Candidissima,
white ; Miniata, pale rose.

Mr. Joshua Pierce, of Washington, D. C, sent
cut flowers of Harriet Lane. This is a salmon
with deeper stripes ; something like old Macula-
ta, but a better thing.

The vegetables were not very full ; but a choice
collection by Mr. J. McDonald, was very credit-
able. Amongst them were Tomatoes, Mush-
rooms and Cucumbers, of this season's growth.
His Early Butter Lettuce was excellent.

No fruits were shown.

NAMES FOR THE ROGERS' GRAPES.

At the earnest solicitation of the Lake Shore
Grape Growers' Association, and the often ex-
pressed wish of other horticulturists, Mr. E. S.
Rogers, of Salem, Mass., has consented to give
distinctive names to the leading varieties of his
h3'brid grapes, in place of the numerals by which
they have been heretofore designated. He pro-
poses the following, with the intimation that
other numbers may be named hereafter, if
deemed desirable :

For No. 1 — Goethe, No. 19 — Merrimack,
" 3— Massasoit, 28 — Requa,

" 4— Wilder, 41— Essex,

" 9 — Lindley, 43 — Barry,

" 14 — Gaertner, 44— Herbert.

" 15 — Agawam,

I witnessed very fine displays of the Rogers
grapes, the past fall, at the New York and Ohio
State Fairs ; also at Knox's Grape Show at
Pittsburg, and the Lake Shore Exhibition,
Painesville, giving me a much more favorable
impression of these varieties than I formerly had.
Number 28, at Mr. Knox's, closely resembled
Salem, in appearance and quality ; and there, as
well as at Rochester, numbers 33, 36, 43 and 46,
are large black varieties, much like Nos. 4
and 19.

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

127

The following remarks on the success of the
Rogers and other Grapes, were made at the meet-
ing of our Lake Shore Grape Growers' Associa-
tion, at Cleveland, the past month.

M. B. Bateham, /Sec'y.

GRAPES OF THE LAKE SHORE IN 1868.

Around Sandusky, Mr. Richmond said the
grapes fared about the same as on Kelley's Island:
Catawba a general failure ; Hartford, Concord and
Ives rotted some, but ripened a small crop ; Del-
aware set pretty well and escaped rot, but foliage
not very good, and fruit ripened poorly ; lona
and Rogers' Hybrids rotted considerably, and
leaves suftered. Weather of June very bad ; some
better at Castalia and eastward.

At Vermilion, Mr. Summers said the Catawba
ripened a fair crop on the best localities— dry
clay soils — but generally failed to ripen, and suf-
fered injury by frost, the 17th of October. Dela-
ware, Isabella and Concord produced a fair crop,
and the lona, Avhere fairly treated, proved quite
satisfactory. All suffered more or less from the
rain storms of June, but not as much as at San-
dusky and the Islands.

At Berlin, Mr. Lowry said there was a fair crop
of Catawba on the elevated lands, and some
ripened so as to be saleable, though not very
sweet ; and a good deal was injured by frost be-
fore fully ripe. Delaware, lona and Israella pro-
duced fair crops. Mr. Phillips, of Berlin
Heights, had a good crop of Concord, Delaware,
and lona.

At Brownhelm, Mr. Hopkins had a good crop
of Delaware, Concord and lona. Catawbas
looked well, but did not ripen perfectly on sandy
ridge, three miles from the Lake. The lona
held its foliage well, — better than the Delaware ;
fruit ri pelted a little later,— earlier than the Ca-
tawba ; vine as healthy as Catawba, next to
Concord.

At Sheffield and Avon Point, it was reported
the Catawba set a moderate crop, though some
vineyards on low ground, or not well-drained,
suffered from rot ; a portion of the fruit ripened
so as to be marketable, but the greater part was
overtaken by frost, as elsewhere. Mr. Terrell, on
Clay Ridge, four miles from the Lake, had a fair
crop of Isabella, Delaware and lona ; Catawba
seldom ripens with him. Has frost earlier than
on the Lake Shore.

At Dover Bay, Mr. Mottier and others said the
crop of Clinton, Concord, Ives and Delaware was

quite good ; Catawba rotted a little, did not ripen
perfectly.

At Rockport, Captain Spalding said, on his
drj-est clay land, Catawbas ripened fairly, though
not as sweet as usual. Concord and Norton's
Virginia a fair crop. lona bore too much fruit,
and foliage fiiiled before it ripened. Delaware
much the same— both should have been thinned.
Rogers' Nos. 3, 4 and 15, did pretty well, but fo-
liage mildewed somewhat. Adirondacand Isra-
ella had grown poorly with him.

Dr. Kirtland said he was much pleased wiih
the Rogers grapes ; had various numbers, all of
them good. No. 8 was quite rare, and was a
good fruit, not tested in many localities ; it had
done well with him until the past season it rail-
dewed badly, perhaps owing to severe summer
pruning, which he would not practice again.
He has found advantage from thinning his Ca-
tawba and other grapes when set at all full ; and
practices manuring all the moderate growing
sorts, with very good results. He astonished his
friend Carpenter, at the State Pair last fall, with
his bunches of Mottled— t\\Q results of thinnihg
and manuring.

J. A. Harris of Cleveland, has a vineyard on
the lake shore in Rockport, soil a slialey clay.
Catawba promised pretty well, but did not ripen
perfectly, and was injured by frost. Delaware,
a good crop and healthy vine. lona, very good
crop and foliage better than Delaware; prefers it
to all others for his own and family use. Gather-
ed the lonas after the first frost ; the fruit was
so ripe it was not injured. Rogers' 15 ripened
well. Rebecca had done well with him ; Adiron-
dac rather a poor grower.

At East Cleveland the Catawba had not ripen-
ed well, especially on level or sandy soils. On
dry, clayey lands, the crop was fair, Concord
and Delaware ripened a good crop.

On Collamer ridge. Dr. Dunham said, the Ca-
tawba suffered no material injury by rot, and in
most of the vineyards the fruit ripened so as to
sell at fair prices, though not as sweet and rich
as the previous year ; and some of the fruit left
to ripen more on the vines, was damaged by the
frost in Ootober. Delaware and lona had not
done very well with him.

At Mr. Leick's vineyard, on the same ridge, it
was reported, Concord, Ives, Norton, Delaware
and lona had done well. The Norton and Dela-
ware were much prized by Mr. L. for wine.

128

THE GARDENER'S MOJVIELY.

April,

At Willoughby, Mr. AVilliams said, all the va-
rieties had done quite well, excepting that Cataw-
bas did not rij^en fully, though in some localities
the fruit was fair and saleable. He had a little
vineyard of Concord that yielded a splended crop;
over two tons of fruit from half an acre of land,
and selling for .$400 besides cost of transporta-
tion. Delaware and lona did well where well
cultivated and not allowed to overbear. Mr.
Tryon's young vineyard, near Kirtland, on ele-
vated clay soil, ripened a very fair cropof Cataw-
bas, the best in that region.

At Mento, Mr. King's vineyard of Delaware
ripened a full crop quite well, though the vines
were overloaded the year previous. Catawbas
did not ripen well.

At Painesville, Mr. Bateham said Catawba
and Isabella did not ripen well, but the earlier
kinds were quite satisfactory. He had some
mildew on one or two varieties ofEogers' Hy-
brids and Allen's hybrid, but Delaware and lona
had done finely, also most of theEogers varieties,
with Concord, Hartford, Creveling, etc. He
could say about the same thing of Madison, Gen-
eva, and other locahties beween Euclid, and
Erie.

At Northeast, Mr. S. Griffith said, their young
bearing vineyaras of Delaware, Iona,and Israella
had done finely, foliage and fruit quite free from
disease. But they made a mistake in allowing
too much wood to remain last spring, and too
ranch fruit in the summer, consequently it did
not ripen as early and fully as is would other-
wise have done ; still the result was such as to
confirm the high expectations they had formed
respecting those varieties.

Mr. ISIottier of Northeast, said the earliest Ca-
tawba fruit, gathered just before the frost, was
so well ripened that the must weighed 85 deg.
Delaware ripened finely, must weighing 90 to 92
deg. Ives also ripened well. lona on three
years old vines, very good ; must weighed 94.
Approves it very highly ; never tasted better
wine.

Mr. J. J. Dunham spoke of the thirty acres of
Salem vines, at Salem-on-Erie, one and two
years planted. Never saw better growth ; no
mildew or injury from any cause. He felt great
confidence in the Salem grape and the Salem-on-
Erie vineyard. Others who had visited the place,
and had elsewhere seen the Salem fruit, spoke
very favorably of the vines and fruit, and referred
10 the fine show of that variety at the exhibition

at Painesville last fall, where it gained the first
premium, "quality to rule."

At Fredonia, Mr. Hubbard said Hartford,
Isabella, Concord and Delaware colored well and
sold well. Catawba did not ripen Adirondac
ripened before Hartford ; lona later than Dela-
ware.

At Lockport, Mr. Hoag said grapes had done
as well as usual the past season. Catawba was
not grown there. Delaware and lona first i-ate.
His lonas, 3d and 4th crop, yielded 10 lbs. of
fruit to the vine. Thinks highly of Salem and of
Kogers' No. 4, 30 and 34, also believes that
Martha will prove valuable as a market variety.
The vine is very thrifty, hardy and productive.

At Pittsburg, Mr Batehara said, he attended
the Grape Show at Mr. Knox's, in October,
where seventy varieties were exhibited on the
tables, and on the vinos, most of the specimens
well grown and ripe. Twenty of these were
Rogers' Hybrids, embracing nearly all the ap-
proved numbers, including Salem, (No. 22,) and
making altogether the finest show of these grapes
that he ever saw. The consequence was, he had
a much higher opinion than formerly of the
Rogers' Hybrid grapes, and he felt like advising
his friends to plant of the Salem and all the
other leading kinds, at least by the way of ex-
periment, especially where there was difficulty
in growing the finer varieties, like the Delaware .
and lona. The Martha, too, is largely grown
by Mr. Knox, who calls it the AVhite Concord,
on account of its great thrift and ability to with-
stand hardship. But the greatest glory of the
Knox vineyards is still the Concord which he
finds the greatest of all for }ield and profit.
Delaware and lona do but fairly, being liable to
fail somewhat in foliage. Creveling is one of
his best early grapes, the bunches Auch more
perfect than commonly seen elsewhere. Hart-
ford and Ives also succeed admirably. Catawba
not very reliable.

At Rochester, N. Y., the show of grapes at
the State Fair was reraarkbly fine. He was es-
pecially interested in the display of Rogei'S' Hy-
brids, grown by EUwanger & Barry, larger
bunches than Mr. Knox's and also a number of
new seedlings grown by them and not yet named
or disseminated. The Eumelan of Dr. Grant
was also exhibited there, and impressed him
quite favorably, the specimens being better than
those exhibited at the Ohio State fair and at
Cincinnati.

tSjMl.u-»Uii?lv«VJ*

CALADIUM LEAVES

^ro-v/n. "by Pemji-ook Bros. Philadelpliia

ardciicr's llontlilir.

DEVOTED TO

Rortioulture, Arhori culture, Botany and Rural Affairs

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XL

MA Y, 1869. New Series, Vol. II. No. 5.

HUNTS FOR MAY,

I

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Why are not the class of succulents used more
for bedding purposes ? We do not mean that
they should supplant flowering things of course.
Succulents generally have no blooms adapted to
cutting. Usually, in fact, they are very shy of
blossoming ; but they aftbrd much varied form,
and many of them have strikingly gay colors.
They grow so well in our climate— asking no
care — giving really so much in return for so little,
that certainly we should make more use of them
than we do. Eor vases, rock work, &c., they
are almost indispensable. Amongst Sedums,
Opuntia, and Mammillaria, are some quite hardy
species,— so that winter or summer, they are
self-supporting contributors to our floral pleasures.
Then again, the dwarf evergreens are not
made as much use of as they might be ; chiefly,
because we employ them too sparingly. It is
usual to plant them mainly for their botanical in.
terest. We find persons pride themselves on
havins: this or that rare thing in their "collec-
tion," just as the numismatist values his old
coins ; not for the use he can make of the rare
penny, but because so few possess one. The
real value of these plants is their capacity for
adornment, and this is seldom brought out, un-
less they are used in groups or masses. It may
be said that they are frequently too expensive to
be used on a large scale ; but it is the limited de-
mand for them which keeps up the price. If one
has not the means to buy them by the dozen at
once, they may be increased on one's own ground
Almost all these dwarf evergreens root very readi.
ly by layers. A slit may be made in their stems
near the ground, in June, and good rich earth
mounded up about them, and generally they will
be rooted by the next season. Some may be in-
creased by inarching. Common kinds may be
Bet against the rare ones. A little bark cut

away from the stock, and from the kind to be in-
arched, and then the two cut places brought face
to face together and tied with bark, woolen string,
or any thing of that character, and they will be
firmly united together before fall. Or they may
be grafted on other things growing at a distance,
by burying a small bottle till the mouth is level
with the ground, at the base of a little plant to
be grafted, fill it with water, then put a branch
of the choice kind in the bottle, and tie together
as in inarching, which it really is.

This grafting, inarching, and layering business
is a very pleasant occupation, and affords much
enjoyment to those who practice it. A very
useful plant to practice on is the American
Arborvitre ; a few hundred may be bought at
very low prices ; and on these little things may
be grafted Golden, Siberian, Globe, Hovey, or
others ; even allied genera like Retinospora, Li-
bocedrus, &c., take readily on it.

With a good stock of these things, they may be
bunched or massed together, and very pleasing
results attained. Some of these plants are usual-
l}"- sold cheap enough to by a large lot at once
Of these Pinus 2mmilio is a good illustration.
Some of the prettiest effects in the Central Park
are derived from it. Much of its value however
depends on position ; it looks best on mounds, or
in rocky places.

Though we would not plant evergreens, as they
are usually, solely for botanical interest ; we
would plant other things for this purpose. Beau-
tiful flowers surely should afford some other
pleasure, than that given by mere color, or ele-
gance of form. The structure and beautiful ar.
rangements, and the relation and adaptation of
parts one to another, give a great field of enjoy-
ment to the cultivator. In this respect the pret-
ty wild flowers are often as well worthy of a
place in our garden, as the rarest exotic. Strange
as it may seem, these wild children of the forest

ISO

THE GARDEJ^ERS' MOJ^^IELY.

May,

are often found more difficult to civilize in our
garden borders, than the introduced foreigner.
They will even do better in foreign lands than in
their own, as if nature had advanced and left
them a long way behind. Yet if we humor them
a little they do pretty well. They mostly want
a partial shade in summer, and a soil which is
never very wet, and yet never dries — what gar-
deners uderstand as a " cool soil."

The greatest mortality is in winter, when they
get drawn out by frost. The best way to grow
them is to have them in beds enclosed by box
edging. This then retains snow, or leaves, and
thus they have a covering something like the
protecting leaves or roots of the forest, or waste
vegetation of meadows or weedy fence rows.

In preparing flower beds, we often notice a
mistake made in copying from European garden-
ing. There is too much earth in them.

In planting out flowers don't take them at
once from the hot house to the open ground, set
the pots out for a few days in a cold frame with
plenty of air, or under a tree in a sheltered place.
Before turning them out of pots, water ; and
when set in the earth, press the soil very hard
about the flower roots. If the ground be dry, the
earth cannot be pressed too hard.

Don't make the beds very high, or the rains
in summer will run off too rapidly. After
smoothing the surface peg down the plants as
much as possible so as to cover the surface soon.
The plants also push out side shoots easier-
Where small twigs can be had, split and double
them like hair pins, for pegging down ; where
these are not at hand, small peices of bast mat
or twine, doubled and dibbled in the earth by the
ends, make very fine pegs.

In this climate. Hothouse plants often make
noble bedders. The Chinese Rose Hibiscus, is
a first class thing, making a gorgeous show all
summer. The Geranium, also is getting immense-
ly popular. The tree Carnation is also in
much request. The Madagascar Periwinkle,
rose and white, is also now often seen in beds
and masses.

Climbing plants grow faster on trellis than left
to themselves ; stick them in as soon as the
climbers are set out.

Deciduous trees can be safely transplanted after
the leaves have pushed, and up to the first of
June ; but the new leaves must be taken off, and
the young shoots shortened. In a few weeks
they will push out a new crop of leaves. Accor-

ding to " natural laws " as laid down in the
books, it would injure the trees verj' much ; but
after a ten year's observation of the facts, we do
not find it hurts the vitality of the trees very
much, while few ever die so treated. Evergreens
seem to do better in May than in any other spring
month. Of the newer evergreens, Thujopsis bo-
realis, Cupressus Lawsoniana, Libocedrus decur-
rens, Thuja ericoides, are really good additions
to our list.

Tuberoses, Gladiolus, Tigridias, Dahlias, and
other bulbous things which cannot be put out
till the ground gets warm, ought not to be kept
out of the earth any longer than necessary. It
was once supposed they thrive best in poor soil —
an error ; they love rich food.

Mow lawns very early the first mowing ; or at
every subsequent mowing, the lawn will look
brown ; a thin sprinkling of salt is good for the
lawn, just enough salt to see the grains on the
surface about a quarter of an inch apart. An
over-dose will destroy the grass. Frequent rol-
ling is one of the best ways to get a good close
sod. When coarse Aveeds get in the lawn, hand
weeding is the best remedy.

FRUITS.

With the month of May comes in the true
fruit season, when we may expect to reap some-
thing for our labor. We commence with the
strawberry and find it is one of the most certain
of fruits to bring us some return for our care and
watchfulness.

If we look back over the past century, we think
this fruit really has improved a little. In a hun-
dred years we have advanced so that we now have
fruit a few days earlier, a trifle sweeter, a very
little more productive, and just a fraction larger
in size. One would suppose that if this is all,
there must have been some very extravagant pre-
tensions during this time, as regards every new
variety that has been brought out. But, yet we
think all this can be justified.

There is no longer any doubt but that Knight
was correct in the view that varieties in time die
out. Some may keep healthy a thousand years;
others a hundred, and some not a score; just as
they may happen to be endowed, with a strong or
weak constitution. But that there is a limit to their
existence is beyond a doubt. The newer varie-
ties thei'efore, may not contrast with the older
when in their prime ; but in their decline they

1869.

TEE GARDE:N'ER'S MOJVTHLY.

131

show to advantage. Kew kinds therefore, is a
natural law ; not perhaps that we are to pro-
gress much ; hut really to keep ourselves trora
running behind.

To keep fruit varieties healthy we must watch
every symptom of disease, and promptly check
it. The strawberry particularly is liable to a
disease called " burning in summer." This is a
fungoid disease ; it only propagates in a very
high temperature, and the best guard against it
is a partial shade.

Where a bed of strawberries is liable to this dis-
ease, the best plan is to liave a few rows of corn
planted at intervals across the beds, to guard
against the hottest of the sun's rays.
The grape and the strawberry are excellent crops
to have togetlier for this reason ; that the
grape trellisses give a little shade to the strawber-
ries, while the strawberries make a dry and cool
surface, which is so much appreciated by the
vine.

Where any spotted leaves appear on any plant,
arising from mildew or rusn, it will be well to
pluck them off immediately. It will often keep it
from spreading badly.

Watch all young fruit trees against bearing too
abundantly while young, or the first season after
planting. There can be no objection to the ripen-
ing of one or two fruits on a tree the first season
of setting out, in order to test the kind, or to ad-
minister to curiosity, if the tree be otherwise
growing freely. If little growth is making, no
fruit at all should be permitted. It is a better
practice to disbud or take out soon after shooting
all shoots that are needless to the perfect shape
of the tree, than to wait ;till fall or winter. The
pruning knife need then only be used to shorten
a branch in to where several branches are desired
to push, or to induce a more vigorous growth
from the pruned parts. In the gooseberry, rasp-
berry and strawberry also, no more shoots should
be suffered to grow than will be required to bear
the next season.

Where water can be commanded, there is no-
thing so profitable as to well soak the soil about
small fruits ; first about the time that they have
set their fruit. Much of the value of this opera-
tion, however, will depend on the nature of the
soil. The advantages are least in a tenacious,
and greatest in porous soil. It is said that an
animal derives most benefit from food when it is
hungry before it begins to cat ; it is certainly so
with plants. Water applied to soil ^already wet

is an injury ; and water never has so telling an
advantage on vegetation as when every leaf is
about to wither up for the want of it. A plant
that never seems to want water is in a very
doubtful condition in regard to its health.

In summer pruning or disbudding, it is also
worth while to watch for shoots pushing stronger
than others, and always take them out. This is
the only way that shoots of equal strength can
be encouraged in every part of the tree. This is par-
ticularly true of grape-vines. If a shoot once get
the start of the others in strength and vigor, the
others will gradually get weaker to the other's
increasing luxuriance.

VEGETABLE GAKDEIf.

In the cultivation of garden crops, the hoe and
rake, should be kept continually at work. Weeds
should be taken in hand before they are barely
out of the seed-leaf, and one-half the usual labor
of vegetable gardening will be avoided. Hoeing
or earthing up of most garden crops is of im-
mense advantage in nearly every case. One
would suppose that in our hot climate flat culture
would be much more beneficial ; but a fair trial,
say on every other row of a bed of cabbages, will
show a great diflerence in favor of the earthed-
up plants. It would be easy to explain the rea-
son of this, but in this column we try to confine
ourselves to "hints, " and leave reasons to our
other departments.

Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Brocoli, are now
set out for fall crops, and Endive sown for winter
tSatad. Lettuce also for summer and fall use
This, however, must be sown in very rich soil
and in a partially shaded situation, or it will o-q
to seed. Peas, Beans, and other crops, should be
sowed every two weeks. They do much better
than when a large crop is sown at one time, and
then have too many on at one time to waste.

Melons, Cucumbers, Corn, Okra, Squash
Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans, Pepper,
Egg-plants, Tomatoes and other tender vegeta-
bles that do not do well till the sun gets high,
and the ground warm, should go into the soil
without delay.

Bean poles should be set befoie the beans are
planted ; and near cities where they are compara-
tively high priced, their ends should be charred.
This will make them last some years.

132

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

May,

HOT AND GREEXHOUSES.

" 1st of May " is the usual time in this region,
for putting out tubs and large pots kept under
cover through winter, and used in summer for
decoration of the grounds. Oranges, Lemons,
Pomegranates, Crape myrtles. Pittosporums,
Agaves, Aloes, and Sago palms are particularly
employed for this purpose. Many are very much
t oubled about repotting them ; but unless very
healthy, they are often injured by too much pot.
ting. It is safest to put a few inches of well de-
cayed cow manure on the surface, and the water-
ing will carry the nutriment down to the roots.

Almost all plants do better in the open air in
summer than under glass ; but with what are
called hard-wooded plants, like Heaths and Epa"
crises, the dry heat of our climate does not seem
to agree. A partially shaded place is the best
for most of them, but not under the drip of trees,

though many persons put them out under trees,
as such shade with drip, is better than the hot
sun. Plants are better also with their pots plung-
ed into the soil, but they ought to be twisted
around or taken up and reset about once a month;
or the roots will so many go through the bottom
of the pot as to injure the health of the plant
when taken up and so many broken off at once in
the fall. Azaleas usually flower better when
plunged in the full sun.

There are some things which do well kept un-
der glass all summer, as Achimenes, Gloxinea,
Begonias, Ferns, &c., but it will be best to try
to get as much as possible in the open air, in the
first place because they are more enjoyable thus,
in summer, and, in the next place, because^ they
usually keep hardier, and clearer from insects^
which are very hard to contend with, under glass,
in hot weather.

C 0 M M U K I C A T I 0 ]N^ S .

BARTRAM'S DIARY

BY J. H. L.

The perusal of the notes from Pursh's Diary,
now publishing in your valuable Monthly^ and
the recent mild winter, have forcibly reminded
me of my long-promised contribution to your
columns, from the precious memoranda of dear
old AVilliam Bartram. This " Calendar for
the year of our Lord, 1802 " opens with Janu-
ary 1, and runs nearly through the six fol-
lowing years, closing with Sept., 1808. It was
recommenced January, ISl-l, and ran out 14th
Peb. A wide hiatus occurs, and in January,
1818 he again observes and notes with spirit,
and closes with December, 1822. Ten years of
almost daily notes are thus embodied in this
thick old, brown, well-worn, octavo-post manu-
script volume, which, devoted as they are, al-
most exclusively to jottings of the weather,
arrival and departure of birds, appearance of
insects, &c., are not without interest even at this
day, though, I am sorry to say that, owing to
almost total absence of thermometrical notes,

for it would seem the good man did not boast

this needed instrument until 1803, and used it
very charily for several years.— they are thereby
shorn of much of the value they might otherwise
have, for accurate comparisons with modern ob.
sfixyations.

How patiently did this fine old man jot down
his observations of the changing phases of dear
old mother Nature he loved so well, and to whom
he lived so near. Commenced in his 62d year,
and closed in his 82d, the year before his death,
they evince the strength and constancy of that
allection for every living thing, which age
could not chill, nor growing infirmities abate.

The first entry is a remarkable one :

Jan. 1st, 1802. " The weather serene and
warm as in the month of May ; after a white
frosty morning ; the fields and gardens green
with growing vegetables ; several species in flow-
er, and abundance of insects sporting in the air,
and birds singing as in the Spring of the year ;
frogs lively about springs. Wind South East."

"2d. Slight white frost : the day exceedingly
warm and pleasant as yesterday. Wind S. S. W
Spiders darting their webs : wasps f\ying about
(Vespa annularis); the blue bird sings (Motacilla
sidlis); evening calm and warm. Mocking-bird
(Turdus polyglottus) not yet left us on his pas-
sage to the South."

"6th. White frost this morning, and some ice,
but mid-day was warm and pleasant. Birds nu-
merous, as Snow-birds, Sparrows, Wood-peckers-
Golden-crowned Wren, Tit-mice Nut-hatch,
Crows, Hawks, Blue-birds, Robins and an endless
variety of insects.''

1869

THE GARDEJVERS MOJ^THLY.

133

"7tli. * * * The Frogs whistle, the Spar-
row-hawks scream." A storm appeared on the
9th, but oa the " 15th clear and warm as May-
day. ]Sro ice to be seen in the river. Bees out
till evening flying about. Sparrow-hawk and
Blue-birds : Crocus verna, Narcissus, Snow-drop5
and Tulip above ground. Hamamelis in fuP
bloom. AVind S. TV." The month continues
mild with a few cold days near the close, and he
notes on the "31st. Clear, pleasant and moderate
weather. ]S'o frost ; the field and pastui-es green
as in spring, grass and grain growing night and
day. Spring Aconite (Helleborus) in flower in
the garden. Large flocks of ducks in the Schuyl-
kill." * *

Thus passed January, 1802, at Bartram's
Garden.

February was attended by her northern servi-
tors, snow and northern winds, which did not
however, chill the rivers so greatly as to prevent
people from swimming in the Schuylkill on the
21st, as we find noted on that day ! '

"April 3rd. Peach trees begin to bloom.'' The
arrivals of birds are here largely, noted, and the
appearance of the bloom of wild plants minutely
recorded in April and May.

Ap. 21st. Pears in full bloom, and apples be-
ginning to flower.

" May 5th. A bull-frog swallowed a large mole
instantly."

The mild winter of 1802 was followed by a
Spring, described as "the coolest hitherto."
"Vegetation almost suspended ; esculent vines,
such as cucumbers, melons, squashes, &c , that
have come up, mostly destroj^ed by the cool rains
and chilling air : all other kitchen vegetables
much injured by the cold."

"May 31. Strawberries beginning to ripen."

What an advance in horticultural knowledge
and wide extension of the culture of this plant is
suggested by this simple entry of the ripening of
the few strawberries even skillful William Bar-
tram could command, nearly seventy years ago !
A few hautbois or scarlets were, perhaps, all he
could produce, and these diminutive specimens —
though as respects the latter, flavored as are but
few of our boasted monsters.

Very frequent entries of dates of bloom of many
wild plants appear, proving a close and interest-
ed observer and industrious recorder. Such
notes sometimes cover an entire page for one day.
His remarks on insects are peculiar and minute :
thus, on "July 7th, Grasshoppers begin to screep
in the evening."

"July 9th. Many cases of Yellow Fever in the
city, said to be brought in a vessel from the Isle
of St. Domingo."

"July 23. WehaveaplantofLiliura superbum
in the garden, the stem of which is upwards of
eleven feet high, terminatmg in a pyramid at
top, composed of 32 perfect flowers, and exhibits
a truly superb spectacle. ' '

"Aug. 7. Malignant fever rages in Philadel-
phia and Baltimore. * * Fever ceased middle
of November. "

"Dec. 31. Pleasant day ; no ice in the Schuyl-
kill. Wasps flying, and moles throwing up
earth, and Frogs in springy places. Dracontium
foetidum above ground."

The summer of 1802 does not appear, from the
notes, to have exhibited any unusual 'extreme.
With this remark, we close, for the present, this
record of patient observations, which recalls the
eulogy of Coleridge, on reading our botanist's
"Travels in North and South Carolina and Flor-
ida,''— "It is a dehghtful specimen of the enthu-
siasm with which the lover of nature, and par-
ticularly the botanist, surveys the beautiful and
wonderful productions scattered over the face of
the earth."

More anon.

NOTES FROM LOUDON CO., YA.

BY J. G. K. K.

Should any readers of the Monthly be fond of
variety, I would ask them if they ever saw the
mellow tinted Crocus presenting its golden chal-
ice at the shrine of Flora, and at the same time,
the Frost King binding, in icy fetters, the crys-
tal fountains, till they could, standing on the
iceberg, gather a vernal nosegay^
This is no ideal phantom; for, to-day, March 8th
I have ice 3 inches thick, to fill my ice house,
from a mill-dam, where the water had not flown
more than 3 miles from the farthest mountain
spring, and perhaps one-fourth of it not more

than half a mile.

In my garden, the Crocus, Snowdrop and Jas-
mine are, or were, in full bloom. The bees had
been busy among the tiny flowers of the chick-
weed. The Apricot and Peach seem almost
ready to burst into bloom.

Can we have any fruit after such weather ? I
have not had time to day to examine the buds ;
but a few days ago they were all alive and fresh.
The weather, during most of its recent coldness,
has been dry. We have had one or two conside-

ISJi,

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^THL^.

May,

rable white frosts, which have told on the hue of
the evergreens.

The Cr3ptomeria japonica is surely a very
sqearaish evergreen ; for it had browned in the
early part of the winter, and some of the more
tender branches were killed. And, notwith-
standing all the fine balmy weather we have had,
it has persisted in looking brown and lifeless ;
while the Yellow Jasmine vine, just a rod from
it, has not lost a point, but is fresh and full of
bloom now.

I should like to gossip frequentlj^ with the fra-
ternal readers of the Monthly, and hope, some
time, perhaps, to have the leisure to say a word
now and then in season.

PLANT PROTECTOE.

BY B. L. RYDEK, CHAMBERSBURG, PA.

I herewith send you model and description of
ray Plant Protector, for guarding squash, melon,
cucumber plants, &c., from the attacks of the
Yellow-striped Bug, the Black Flea Beetle, &o.

|li|||ll^^llllll!l|i|i|il!!|!|'llll!!!!li!lll!l!!llll!ill!ll|li

WM

l|!!|i!l!ll^1ii|'|!il|ll|||lllll!!il!liil!ti!nmiW;^lliPl

B

H 1 l|il!!!'ii!ll!l!l'''i''ir':'^il !'!::&';

!:^i;iiiH!i'::i!''!:!|"i[!i;:;iii::::ii^'i'i:M::[!Hii!ii^
...::.^^»... J

The Plant Protector consists of a hoop iron
stake, shown in the cut at A, which is bent round
at the top so as to form a long loop, into which
are fastened both ends of the veneer b, formed
into a square box, as at E ; or, bent round like a
hoop, this box is set over the hill containing the
seeds or plants, And the arm of the stake thrust
into the ground, to prevent its being blown off by
the wind. A square of millinett, or fine mosqui-
to bar netting, d, is thrown over the top of the

hoop or box, and the hoop c hooked together and
put on like the rim of a box lid, which fastens the
netting, and completes the Protector for use.

Thus the plants are perfectly secure from the
ravages of insects, as well as protected from cold
winds, until sufficiently strong to endure the open
air. When the plants have made their fourth
leaves, the striped bugs seldom attack them.

Protecting plants in this way is not an original
idea, having seen, and practised, the same thing
for many years, by tacking the netting over wood-
en frames or boxes. The improvement consists
in the employment of a very cheap and portable
arrangement— so cheap and convenient, as to be
within the reach of, and a necessity for, all gar-
deners and truckers.

Scores of the manufactured article, ready for
use, can be packed in a small box, and taken to
the field or garden, and put over the plants ; and
when no longer required, can all be taken up and
packed away until wanted again ; and, with a
little care, will last a number of years.

As I suppose every one is entitled to some ben-
efit for his ideas, I have filed application for a
patent.

PURSH'S JOURNAL.

[CoiHinned.)

20. To day I took the excursion to Sqr. Ged"
des, & intend to go from there across the country
to the Saltpoint again. — The Viola circfeifolia
P. as mentioned in the beach woods, is yet in
flower here : I observed all above before men-
tioned plants on this route & the remains of
Sanguinaria. The Carpinus Ostrya is calld
Ironwood here & sometimes Leverwood — the
Carpinus Americana is in common Watei-beach-
— In a swamp near Mr Geddes's the Cupressus
thyoides grows In a Hemlock wood— Pyrola ro-
tundifolia & Orchis bifolia.

Mr Geddes brought me to a deep valley about
1. m. from his house, where we ascended a steep
very rocky hill ; here large masses of rocks seem
to be piled up, or tumbled over one & another in
such a confused manner, that it has left large
chasms between them, which sometimes appear
like caves : as it has a north aspect & over-
shadet with trees, all the rocks are covered with
moss and vegetables : & I suppose this must be a
very interesting place for the botanist in the
spring, the walking is very precarious, as in
some places large holes are hid by weeds &

1S69.

TEE GARDEJTER'S MOJVTHLY.

135

bushes, & every step, one is in clanger of break
ing a leg or falling into a gulph. — Here I found
plenty of Actea spicata, chiefly wiLh red berries?
but some of the plants had beautifixU white ber-
ries, looking like waxwork. — This is the Red &
White Cohosh : the blue Cohosh likewise grows
in plenty here : Xylosteum tartaricum is in
abundance, Ptelea trifoliata, Geranium Robert"
ianum, Lonicera glauca, with very narrow
leaves, Taxus baccata or procumbens calld
Ground Hemlock— Polypodium Dryopteris a
species of Clematis seemingly new to me. Saty-
rium repens— Circtea alpina — Chrysosplenium
alternifolium — Pyrola umbellata in flower. —
Arum triphyllum, Asplenium rhizophyllum &
what I thought the most of Asplenium Scolopen-
drium— this fern which I dont find mentioned by
any one to grow in America I all ways had a no-
tion to be here ; & indeed I was quit enjoyed to
find my prejudice so well founded in truth. It
appears to be the same as the european, only
smaler ; query ? is the europaean auriculated at
the base like this species ? — The Choak cherry is
in plenty on these rocks & another species of
Prunus — A species of Urtica or Boehmeria,
which I got from Virginia in similar places
likewise. — In going towards Mr Geddes' house
again I observed a Rxnunculus which I call R
geoides. Dirca palustris, grows here likewise.
On the old rotten wood I observed a very sin-
gular Clavaria. — I stood this night at Sqr. Ged-
des.

July 21 — After breakfast I set out from here
to Saltpoint ; — On the road there I observed
nothing but what I have mentioned before :
Along road sides in general here Card u us
lanceolatus, —Verbena hastata — Cynoglossum of-
ficinale & parvifolium. Myosotis lappula — Ver-
bascum Thapsus — Polygonum Persicaria, — Au-
themis Cotula &c. cover the ground, at the Point
I crossed the mash, to visit the banks of the
Lake — here I observed Potentilla anserina—Sta-
chys spec. — Sisyrinchium bermudiana : Cornus
albida. — Viburnum Opulus calld Cranberry tree
— Plantago major — Teucrium canadense — I
think this is materially difterent from T. virgini-
cum — Solidago odora-Galium floribus ochrolucis,
petalis acuminatis — a very tall species of Soirpus
— & several other plants mentioned before. In
my return I found some more of the unknown
plant, which looked like Lythrum verticillatum
^it had flower buds in the axillis, which by dis-
section showed plainly to be Lythrum, & I sup-
pose that very species I supposed. —

On the shore of the Lake I visited, several
salt works are erected, which are supplied from
the main works with water, which is carried for
that purpose about \^ mile. As it was late
when I returned to the point I stood there over
night.

July 22. Returned to the Hollow where I ex-
amined & dryed those plants collected the last
two days.

23 I — It being rainy I was conflned to the

24 J house, writing, dr3'ing plants &c.

25 Made an other excursion to Salt point. As
I observed nothing new through the swamp &
marsh, I went on to a place calld Ireland or
Liverpool — Here they have Salt Springs on the
edge of the lake, most of them covered by the
fresh water of the lake ; there are about 150 ket-
tles at work here : The shore of the lake & the
bottom near the shore consists entirely of a white
calcareous mud, which in some places is tolera-
ble hard ; this sediment is formed of disorganized
shells & snails & is the same process as, I sup-
pose, by which in times of old our present lime-
stone beds are formed : I sometimes thought it
would be more common to see petrifaction or im-
pressions on the limestone, as it really is, if it had
been formed this way, by the sediment of discom-
posed shells & snails ; but since I have seen nature
going on here, in a manner demonstrative to the
eye, all my doubts are over : this sediment in
some places especially a little below the surface
is such a complete pap of lime or calcareous
earth that it wants nothing else, than the drain-
ing of the lake, to form a very soUd bed of lime
stone I think in a very little time —Observed
nothing new in flower to day, except the Cimi-
cifuga serpen taria, a species of Ilelianthus, very
common & Ceanothus americanus.

July 26. Spent the Sunday iuthe house having
only this morning returned from Salt point, very
much fatigued.

27. Was bussy among the specimens I ex-
pected to day a letter from Dr. B. but was disap-
pointed again.

28. Having contemplated to go & visit Oswego
& the lake Ontario, as I dit not find it well to
spent so much time without having some thmg
more interesting than to see the same thing &
same places over & over again : but I was disap-
pointed by rain consequently kept close house.

29. It looking likely to get fair again I set out
for Oswego : when I came to the Salt Point I
concluded to go down, with one of the boats which
steady go from here in the Salt trade ; but waiting

136

THE GARDEJYER'S MQJsTRLY.

May.

«fe waiting for one to go, I was obliged to stay
over night on the point.

30. Xo boat being ready to go this morning, I
took my way on foot as far as Liverpool 3. miles,
the road was good & I was acquainted with it :
here I took breakfast : & from here a path be-
ginns, cut through the woods, leading down the
river to Oswego : I observed Gerardia flava &
Helianthus squarrosus in flower :— After getting
rightly into the path, I found the woods in re-
spect of timber & vegetation as well as in respect

o bad miry road similar to the Beach Woods :
The land is springy and very rich ; the path
sometimes comes close to Seneca river «& some-
times is pretty distant from it : the travelling ex-
ceeding fatiguing having to go for several rods
round mire holes, to find a place to cross, & then
to look with all precaution to get in the right
path again : it is very seldom travelled, & in
some places so blind, as if never a man had went
that road. Dalibarda violoides I found yet in
full flower; the flowers are exceeding handsome
«& neat.— I observed a Jungermannia not noticed
before.— Specimens preserved. — JSTothing new.—
After a tedious journey, I came to three Kivers
point.— This is a beautifuU place— but only one
house, who keps tavern near it— here I took
dinner. Seneca river from the S. W. & Ononda-
ga River or the outlet of Oneida Lake from S. E.
come here together nearly at right angles & form
the Oswego River to the North.— Finding com-
pany at the tavern, in a man who was going as
far as Oswego ftills, with a couple cattle, having
1 ately removed, to Uve there; I undertook to take i^t
through with him,through the distance of 12.miles
in such bad road, at so late an hour, was rather
more as I should have undertaken without it.
After crossing Oneida River or as they call it
Onondaga river which I think very wrongly. I

ound plants of Auona triloba, the first I seen this
season ; Crataegus Crus-galli is very frequent
here, & varies in the shape of its leaves most
wonderfully, according to the more rich & poor

or wet & dry soil it grows in ;— I had to drudge
on as well as I could since I once had undertaken
to go along ; the man who drove the cattle was
on horseback, but walked the chiefest part of the
way, as it was almost as tedious to write, as it
■was to walk.— We liked to be overtaken by night,

but were Inky enough just to clear our distance ;
when we came to the falls, which are but very
s nail, I had to go a mile farther to come to a
tavern at the landing place below the falls, the

man who had moved there was in a situation not
able to accomodate me ; But though it was dark
I had the comfort ot a good road, as all the salt
is here carried from the head of the falls, to this
landing by carts. At the landing I took up
lodging for to night ; being in a manner almost
worn down with fatigue. — I collected to day the
round leaved variety of Veronica serpyllifolia.
[To be Continued.)

THE CHINESE YAM.

BY AV. R. PRINCE.

I perused, with regret, (in the March number
of the Monthly,) your comment at the conclusion
of my article on the Chinese Yam, in which you
refer to facts that occurred ten j'ears ago, when
we had but the one very long variety of this es-
culent. I had supposed you to be au fait, and
that you had full knowledge of all the new vari-
eties introduced since ; and as I specially referred
in ray published article, to these, and to the fact
that there are more than fifty varieties, of every
form and of various colors, described In th
Chinese works.

I cannot realize with what justice your re-
marks can apply, — as the most of these varieties
grow only 3 to 4 inches under the surface, and
require only slight and trivial labor to dig or hoe
them out.

I will now add to my former communication,
a few points which I deem important to the cul-
tivator.

As the root is perfectly hardy, the crop may,
when so desired, be allowed to remain in the
open ground during the entire winter. A field
appropriated to this esculent does not require re-
planting annually, but will renew itself from the
small pieces of roots and the tubers which are
left in the ground, — in the same way as with our
Horse Radish fields.

In China, a field of this esculent is called "A
Magazine of Food," and it is ready for use at all
seasons ; and fresh Yams (the same as new po-
tatoes) are dug for regular family suppliea as often
as required.

The ordinary product from tubers or sections
of root, is 40 to 50 fold in increase of roots and
tubers. John Raynor, of this county, grew, in
two 3'ears, from ten tubers, a total of 2650 tubers,
and 109 large roots, valued at $450. I have re
cently received the following letter from Charles
Downing, who had long previously expressed his

1869.

THE GARDEJ^TER'S MOJVTHLY.

137

encomiums on tliis Yam, and had expressed his
amazement that its general culture had not been
adopted.

^^ Newhurgh, March, 1869.

Your favor is before me. I have nothing to
add to my former views of the Chinese Yam, It
is still free from disease ; perfectly hardy, re-
maining in the ground during winter ; very pro-
ductive and, to my taste, equal, if not superior,
to every potato I have seen. I find the quality
of those of three years' growth much better than
those of one and two years ; and at this age they
often weigh eight, ten and twelve pounds each.
CnAS. Downing."

I have also received a letter from F. R. Elli-
ott, of Cleveland, Ohio, in which he makes the
following comment : "I note your remarks about
the Chinese Yam, and only wonder our people
do not take hold of it. Once understood, the
Potato would be nowhere. Downing and I
talked of it, and as he has grown them, he coin-
cided."

In conclusion, I feel very positive as regards
the future of this esculent for all northern
countries, as there exists another great advan-
tage :— we can grow an interminable number of
varieties from seeds, and thus acquire such new
ones as will suit every region of the Temperate
Zone, in both Hemispheres.

[Mr. Prince has caught us in ignorance. "We
had no acquaintance Avith any lateral growing
varieties; Such kinds would make this a very
desirable vegetable. — Ed.]

found in Xova Scotia and on the banks of the
Columbia River ; by Hooker, in Nova Scotia,
Hudson's Bay Territory as far west as the Rocky
Mountains. Torrey and Gray, however, (Nat.
Hist. State of New York,) only mention three
places in the United States where it has been
collected, namely : Jefferson and Lewis Counties,
in the State of New York, and the State of Ver-
mont (locality not given) ; so that, with a habitat
almost co-extensive with the continent of North
America, north of 40^, the Calypso may be said
to be a rare plant.

CALYPSO BOREALIS, Salisb.

BY H. W., OTTAWA, C. W.

If Canada cannot vie with Brazil or the East-
ern Archipelago, in the beauty of her flora, she
can, from the depths of her vast forests, produce
gems which, if they do not impress us with
their grandeur, at le^st charm us by their sim-
plicity.

Hidden under the shade of the Cedar (Thuja
occidentalis,) and the Balsam (Abies balsamea),
or clustered around the roots of the Tamarac,
(Larix Americana), in the mossy swamps of the
Canadas, may be found many very beautiful rep-
resentatives of the Flora of North America.

Foremost amongst these, both on account of
its beauty and its rarity, stands the Calypso
borealis, one of the most delicate and graceful of
the Orchids. This plant is said, by Pursh, to be

The writer of this notice has only found Ca-
lypso borealis in one locality, and there the plants
are chiefly confined to a small hollow, of a few
yards in diameter ; and it is, perhaps, worthy of
notice that, whilst Professor Gray and others
state ;that the Calypso is found in sphagnous
swamps, the [spot in which it was found by the
writer is a slight depression on the top of a lime-

138

THE GARBEJVER' S MOJVTHLY.

May,

stone ridge, (the highest ground in the vicinity,
sparsely covered with White Pine.

Tlie plants were grown in turnovers, as they
are commonly called in Western Canada ; that
is, in the holes caused by the tearing up of the
roots and superincumbent earth when forest trees
are uprooted by storms. The leaves of the Pine
having collected in these holes, and decayed
there, have formed a rich vegetable mould, cov-
ering, to a depth of five or six inches, the broken
fragments of limestone left in the hole.

The Calypso would seem at least as well worth
cultivation as the Cypripedium, which may fre-
quently be seen in the greenhouses and gardens
of amateurs. But, probably, the trouble of col-
lecting the plants may be a serious obstacle to its
introduction.

FOKMULA FOR PLAXT DESCRIPTION

BY J. TV. L., PHILADELPHIA.

Having found that a printed form, such as I
herewith enclose, proved, last year, a great aid
in the systematic study of flowers, I have
thought that those of your readers who are bo-
tanically disposed, might derive a similar advan-
tage from using it.

After the student has identified a flower by the
Manual, he can make a permanent record — with-
out necessarily copying the phraseology of the
book — of each part thereof, as well as of the
leaves and stem ; and, if he possesses a good mi-
croscope—which is an invaluable collateral help
— the appearance of the pollen, tissue, and simi-
lar items not cognizant to to the unaided sight,
may be also noted. The memoranda may be
primarily made in pencil, and upon a subsequent
re-analysis in a following year, the pencilling can
be written over with ink ; noting, at the same
time, in their proper places, any additional pecu-
liarities that may be observed, or making record
of such upon the back of the form.

As an example, I have made a transcript from
my own notes of the analysis of (nearly) the first
"wild flower" of spring, — a visitor, by the way,
much maligned on account of the peculiarity of
its fragrance ; but possessing, with its purple
hood, a blossom both unique and beautiful.^

Touching the expense, I may mention that
500 of the forms — the printer supplying the paper,
—cost but S2.50 ; the binding of 300, for 1868,
(lettered on the back, " Floral Analyses, 1868,"
cost 60 cents.

[To be bound together at the top.]
Date, April 9, 1868.

Name, — Symplocarpus fcetidus, " Skunk Cab-
bage. ' '

Order — cxii, Aracese.
Locality — Edgely ; marsh.

Boots, — Numerous and coarse, deep in the
ground.

Stem, — An herb ; smooth, rank, smelling.

Leaves, — Coming somewhat after the flower ; rad-
ical, smooth, entire, ovate, becoming vei*y
large ; convolute in vernation.

The spiral tissue is present in large quan-
tities, as shown when the veiny structure is
torn apart.

Flowers, — On a globose spadix, which is shielded
and nearly concealed by .the hooded spathe, —
the latter purple, yellow, or green-streaked or
spotted.

Sepals— 4:, hooded.

Petals— 'Hone.

Stamens — 4, opposite the sepals. Fils white,
flat ; anths. extrorse, 2-celled. Pollen pointed,
elliptical.

Pistil — 1 ; shorter than stamens, only the tip of

stigma being visible ; fleshy and 4-sided.
Ovary —

March 14, 1809. — Spathe protuberant above
ground at Edsely.

3farch 19, 1869— In flower at Edgely. But an
inch or two only of apex of convolute leaves
yet visible.

Noted a deep purple variety of spathe en-
tirely unstreaked or unspotted without or within.
Not mentioned by Gray or AVood.

Under the microscope, in the expressed sap
from midvein of the thick, out-most leaf, were
what appeared to be short, linear crystals,
though they may have been young, detached
cells of the woody fibre. (?)

1869.

THE GARDENER'S ^WJ^TELY.

139

E D T T 0 E I A L.

THE CHAJ^GED CONDITIO?^ OF AMERI-
CAN GARDENING.

It cannot be denied that of the great mass of
first-class European Gardeners which come to
our shoms, the larsjer part fail. They eitl^r
find no places to suit their ideas, get dissatisfied
with the way they are treated, or get their em-
ployers dissatisfied with them.

What we call " second-class gardeners " on
the other hand, are those who succeed very well.
Very many of our best places ultimately fall into
their possession, and most of our successful
nursery and seedsmen, landscape and jobbing
gardeners are recruited from their ranks. There'
are some few exceptions to this,but it is geoerally
true.

It is the part of wisdom to recognize facts, to
study out why they are as they are, and to
govern ourselves accordingly. Merel}' regretting
that "gardening in America is not like what it
is in the old country," or exclaiming that
" Americans dont know how to tell a good
gardener from a bad one, does little good ;'' it is
best to find out really what is wanted, and gov-
ern ourself accordingly. Why should it be that a
thoroughly educated gardener should not do as
well as the inferior article. There is no reason —
no real reason — nothing but his want of appre-
ciation of the facts.

There is one thing which should particularly
strike the new comer, that Americans seldom
feel so much at "home" as Europeans. The
great hope of the latter is to get leisure — to " re-
tire and live like a gentleman with nothing to
do." The American mind, on the contrary is
cast in ceaseless activity. The man with "noth-
ing to do " is rather despised. The American
gentleman as a rule works far harder than those
whom he employs. Bent on developing the re-
sources of the country, he needs money ; for its
own sake he cares nothing for it. Ko one is
more lavish or profuse iq, his expenditures when
he has it, than he. But, not knowing when he
might want to command his whole means in
some great enterprize, he hates to lock it up
where he could not readily get it if ^he wanted it.
He is ready at any time to sell out house and
home "if he can get a good price ;" hence, even
in planning his domestic arrangements he keeps

an eye on making a saleable article. The larger
and the grander the house and grounds, the fewer
would be the number of bidders in case he wished
to " realize; " hence very few build such places.
Even where these large establishments are found-
ed, the owner frequently finds himself in a "tight
place" in money matters, and the garden be-
comes a source rather of trouble than delight,
and an annoyance to the excellent gardeners en-
gaged on them.

The great field for first-class gardeners who
come to America, is therefore, not here. They
should abandon at once all idea of grand places,
with high wages, and little to do. It is in the
nursery, the florists' greenhouse, the seed store,
and the fruit garden; in laying out country
seats, parks and grounds. First -class men are
wanted in these fields by the hundreds, and after
that there is room for more, and more.

We never have men come to us with their pock-
ets filled with testimonials from the Vicar of
Wakefield, the Duke of this, or the Earl of that,
but we pity them. Had they been from such men
as Rivers, Booth, or Leroy, showing that they
had been a few years with them, and had master-
ed their business in " all its branches," their
good fortune would be secure.

It may be right or it may be wrong, we are
not going to argue that here, but the fact is and
always will be, that the American gentleman
will to a great extent be his own gardener. The
one he employs ranks practically as little more
than a foreman; and that independence and pride
in "knowing his business, '' which has thrown
so much glory around the European gardener,
and made his profession rank with the Lawyer,
Doctor, or Clergyman, is gone forever here. We
feel that this is so, with sadness. We would
like to see those majestic establishments— perfect
in every department of the arts— patrons of every
thing great and glorious in horticulture, still live.
We should like to feel that all this should not,
like the ancient palaces and castles, also pass
away.

But we are consoled by the fact that all is not
lost with these. That gardening itself will not
pass away. Its principles are innate with hu-
manity. It will ever be a passion with mankind ;
but like all earthly things, it must progress into

Uo

THE GARDEJVERS' MOJV'THLY.

May,

new forms and new channels, flowing into new
and perhaps higher fields of glory of which even
the great gardeners of the past have never dream-
ed. Even now we are in this transition state.
The flood-gates of the past are breaking away.
Drfts from new lands are washed along our
shores. Those gardeners now will be most suc-
cessful who note well these signs, and like Col-
umbus of old, launch boldly into the ocean,
and go in the way the drift marks show to them.

THE BED MAPLE.

It is somewhat strange that such a beautiful
tree as the Red Maple is not m^re often seen in
ornamental planting. The rage for fast growing
trees has blinded our people to real beauty. If
this barbaric taste increases in the ratio it has
done, there will be small chance of little women
marying, no matter how attractive they may be.
Only the coarse, which grow up like the gourd of
the Ninevite, in a night, will have any charms
in they eyes of man.

But as in most such cases, a depraved taste
usually punishes itself; so in thus giving the Red
Maple the go-by because it is slow, those who
thus despise it know not what they do. For
this tree, though it may not shoot up with the
rapidity of a Poplar, or grasp out all around as
greedily as its twin brother the Silver or White
Maple, yet it grows faster than most trees which
happen to be more popular than it. Certainly
it grows as fast as an Ash, or a Linden, and
compared with a Horse Chestnut, it is like run-
ning a !N'orman Horse against Dexter, or some
famous Arab Steed. Indeed if we had to divide
all the trees into two classes, the fast and the
slow, without any intermediate kind, we should
have to put the Red Maple with the fast growing
trees.

But we have heard the objection made that the
Red Maple only does well in swamps — is indeed
the sivamp maple, and that it is no use to plant
it in dry ground. It is chielly because of a dis-
covery we have made about this, that we thought
to write this article. We like our readers to
have continually the benefit of any new Horti-
cultural discoveries. It is much pleasanter to
us than to be repeating over and over again what
some Jonathan Oldbuck discovered some hun-
dred or two years ago.

It is a fact, that the Red Maple [Acer ruhnim),
is almost always found in swamps or wet shady
places. Very rarely do we find it in its native

places in dry or high ground. But in our explo-
rations through the country, we have often
wondered why it was that whenever we did find
a Red Maple in these places, it was always
healthier, more vigorous, and every way finer
than when grovnng in luet lands. It really did
seem as if nature had made a grand mistake in
making a tree seem to prefer a situation in which
it certainly did not do best. It was generally
found in a wet place, but evidently did not like
it. We pondered on this, as the occasion offer-
ed for many years, in the hope to fine some clue
to it ; but only recently have we found the key
to the mystery, and it is this :

In our experiments in seed raising, we have
had more difficulty in sprouting Red Maple than
in almost any thing else. If we covered the
seed but a quarter of an inch, it would rot before
it came through ; if we put it nearer the surface,
it would dry up and never sprout at all. At
length we found that by sowing it on the surtace,
beating it down with the back of the spade into
the moist earth, and then covering thickly with
very small brush-wood, so as to keep the surface
of the seed-bed moist and dark, they grew nicely;
and when sown on a box of earth and put under
a dark and damp greenhouse stage, they grew
prettily enough to delight the heart of the most
cold-blooded propagator.

We suspect our readers now begin to see into
the m3^stery of the locality question. Trees can-
not be found often in dry or open localities, he-
caiise the seed will not germinate there. The trees
really do not want to be in the poverty and
wretchedness of a swamp, but the great fiat of
nature has gone forth — go there, or die !

There seems to be in all nature as well as
amongst man, those which are to toil in hovels,
and drink of the brack waters of misery— not
that it is best for them to do so, but in pursuance
of some mysterious optimism which human rea-
son cannot fathom.

This great lesson of the Red Maple, should
lead us into many Horticultural truths. One
which it would strongly inculcate is not to be led
away by the foolish pry of " follow nature."
We should use rather our reason and judgment ;
our eyes and our brains. Nature has her mis-
sion to fulfil, and we have our objects to gain*
We see and know that nature does not do all for
the best, for our purposes, whatever she may do
for her own. And so Avhether in cultivating
fruit trees, or in growing Red Maples, we must

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTRLY.

141

learn from our own lessons rather than from
hers.

Seeing then that the Ked Maple is not a slow-
grower, and is not by preference a swamp tree^
all that remains to it are unquestioned beauties.
It has a charmingly regular form. There is no
tree which so admirably combines the usually
opposing characters of vigorous strength with
graceful gentleness— the Elm not excepted. For
in this last, there is too often an absence of that
gradation which we like to see, to make '' har-
monious unity " as our grape friend would say.
In other words there are not enough main
branches to proportionate fairly with the nume"
rous small branchlets, which ever delight to push
out like parasitic Mistletoes along the huge stems.
The Red Maple has great advantage here ; and
at this season, clothed as most of them are with
its rich colored opening blossoms, it is a picture
only after its own kind.

We have, now another lesson Avhich we can

teach our readers in a few lines, but which it

took us many years to learn. One of the greatest

beauties in the Red Maple is that of its leaves

turning to such beautiful colors in the fall.

Some are of the richest crimson, but others are of

only a tawny brown. Of course those which

have the most dark glowing crimsons are most

highly esteemed, but no one know show to choose

them ; when they are in leaf they seenl all alike.

So far, the only course has been to mark them

just as the leaves are falling. Kow it will be

found that amongst the flowering trees in April

the shades of color are as varied as the leaves.

Some are almost green, others a foxy brown, all

the way up to the deepest crimson. Those which

have the darkest flowers in spring have the deepest

Jiued leaves in fall.

The Red Maple flowers quite young ; usually
most of them eight feet high, will show bloom in
the nursery rows, so that any one with the
Gardener''s Monthly before him need not hence-
forth wait till fall to select his crimson leaved
maples ; but go on with the other things, in the
regular planting time.

WILLIAM ROBERT PRINCE.
In our present number we have an article from
"TtCr. W. R. Prince, on the Chinese Yam. Mr.
FmiMG had received much abuse in connection with
the introduction of this root. As in many similar
cases it always seemed to us that the prejudices
which may or may not have had a just origin,
were blinding the public to the real merits of this

root, and on the principle which we have evenly
adopted for our guide in the management of this
journal of strict justice to all, we have always
allowed him a hearing. This ever seemed a
source of pleasure to Mr. I?»«ee, and but a few-
days ago, from the time of penning this sketch,
we received a very pleasant note of thanks for
what he regarded as a " chance to be heard in his
own defence, which had been denied him by
other papers. " To day the mail brings us news
of his death, and we feel that with aU his excen-
tricities, full justice had never been done to his
real worth to the Horticultural cause. For our
part we feel that if any one has had a right to
complain of Mr. i;w«ee"s harshness of manner it
should be the writer of this. He had to breast
for a while the full strength of Prince's vigorous
pen. Yet we have never allowed ourselves to
feel otherwise than that under this rough exterior,
much that was really valuable remained.

We now have notice of his sudden death, on
the 28th of March. He had been in perfect
health the night before, engaged as usual in writ-
ing. His father, AVtHmm.Prince, was the founder
of the Linntean Nurseries, at Flushing, probably
the oldest of any existing, and in connection with
these W. R. Prince has been known for nearly
fifty years. In 1827 he distinguished himself in
a controversy in Loudon's Gardener'' s Magazine.
Some Philadelphia florist had attacked him, and
and he defended himself in a manner which lost
none of its force during his life. In 1830 he pub-
his "Treatise on the Vine," unquestionably the
ablest work on the subject yet published in the
United States. Then followed (our copy is the
second edition published in 1832) " Pomological
Manual," dedicated to the Massachusetts Hor-
ticultural Society. This is a description and
history of all the fruits cultivated in the United
States, in a very similar style to that adopted
by Downing. A. great amount of labor has been
bestowed on this work, and were such an one to
appear in modern days of bookmaking, the au-
thor would achieve high prominence.

As a nurseryman, Mr. PfRWe did not maintain
the reputation of his father. Other establish-
ments became far more popular than the old
Linnsean Nurseries. He failed in business soon
after his accession thereto, and went to Califor-
nia during the height of the Gold excitement.
While there he did not, however, neglect his
favorite studies, but acquired an excellent know-
ledge of the trees and plants of that region. He
returned subsequently to the family home, and

u%

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

May,

made great eftbrts to retrieve the Horticultural
fame of the nurseries, with but indifferent success.
We have often been astonished at his remarkable
knowledge of things. In his correspondence he
would refer to trees growing in particular spots
or places, describing exactly where they could be
found in many parts of the Union, — places where
we are sure he never visited, — and which he
could only have known of from casual conversa-
tion with others, and yet almost always we have
found the information accurate.

His spirit was particularly a combative one ;
and like all such raised opposition, which in its
zeal to " put down Prince," was not over nice
in its weapons. He may have made exaggerated
statements at times, but we know that some who
have disputed them, have proved far less worthy
of credit. Indeed it is a remarkable fact that in
most of his controveries he came out victorious,
far oftener than his contemporaries had any idea
of. His peculiar style seemed to obscure the real
facts. A remarkable instance of this occurred at
one of the Pomological Conventions in !N^ew
York. A "new " seedling Cherry was brought
forward, and pushed with grand flourish. Prince
at once pronounced it an old variety, and gave its
name. This raised a great storm against him,
but he insisted that it was one "imported by his
father." The discussion brought out where the
tree was growing — somewhere in the East — when
he immediately asserted that that tree must have
been the originally imported tree, which, to prove
it, he said was "one worked on a Mahaleb stock."
We believe Prince was cried down, but that

"new seedling" cherry was afterwards found to
be really growing on the stock as described.

Of late years he gave up most of his time to
"SpiritaMism," and the preparation of patent
medicines, occasionally writing to us on some
horticultural topic. A few years ago, after re-
cieving some of his articles, which with all our
desire to deal liberally with our correspondents,
we could not pass for publication, we gently
hinted in our pages that our readers should deal
gently with Mr. Ifsiwee, as age had probably
somewhat impaired his intellectual faculties.
From this date he seemed to delight in frequent-
ly writing to us to show how much work he was
doing, how strong he was, and the great things
he yet proposed to do. Now arguing some dis-
puted point in his Spiritualistic enthusiasm, now
referring to the great fortune he was steadily
amassing in his new medical sphere. On the
last point he j^lways' insisted that he did not care
for the money for its own sake, but he wished to
get together enough to found an immense Or-
phan Asylum, which should bear his name. He
died of apoplexy in his 74tb year, yet in the]feel-
ing that he had many more j'ears allotted to him
which his great vigor, in the natural course of
things, might seem to justify.

In many quarters he was so unpopular, that
we suppose his death will be passed over in a
brief newspaper paragraph; but feeling his mem-
ory deserves more than this, we have taken upon
ourselves to do justice to his good deeds, leaving
to others any other portion of the task.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Dr. St ATM an 's Essay. — 3Ir. F. Muench, in
the Journal of Agriculture, has a few words to
say on Dr. Stayraan's essay, published in that
excellent magazine, and our own paper. Mr.
M., introduces his article by observing :

"Just as the human skull was changed grad-
ually from the ape-like form— which it had, per-
haps, a hundred thousand years ago— into its
present refined shape, and as man has by and by
from his original brutal state been developed into
the thinking and moral being he now represents,^
so whatever of nature's works man takes under
his fostering hand, appears to unfold new quali-

fications and accomplishments. Hybridization
is by no means the only way to attain the object."

The asterisk refers to the note by the Editor.

*" Our readers will bear in mind that corres-
pondents alone are responsible for the sentiments
they utter. — Ed."

Certainly the note was very necessary in a
case where a correspondent would have us believe
a horticultural proposition on the strength of the
supposition that " the human skull changed from
an ape-like form." If horticulture is to be sus-
tained by such " facts " as these, the sooner we
learn all about such facts the better. It is just

1869.

THE garde:n'ews MOJVTELY.

J4S

here where the value of such labors as those of
Mr. Darwin comes in. He shows that every
thing has developed from some unknown point.
The man and the ape,accordin2 to Mr. Darwin,
may have had a common origin — may all even
be traced to one source, the dust of the earth, —
but he shows clearly that whatever is distinct noio,
never could have come from one another. A new
form is like a new individual, it only springs into
life on the approaching dissolution of the old one.
There is not the slightest evidence or proba-
bility that "man sprang from a monkey;" and
we trust these vague notions are not going to be
brought in to prove horticultural truths.

recommend our coriespondent to get Barry's
Fruit Garden and Thomas' Fruit Culture.]

Correspondence. — A friend complains that
he sent us a communication on Tomatoes a year
ago. He has since been inundated with letters,
some asking for seed, some wanting to know
"more about the matter," and others asking the
simplest and most ridiculous questions. He asks
" what can be done to stop this nuisance."
"We should recommend in all cases to take no
notice whatever of such letters. No gentleman
addresses another without some introduction or
prior assurance in some way that his intrusion
will be agreeable. The same rules apply to cor-
respondence. If one is so ill-bred as to thrust
himself uninvited on another's attention, he can-
not complain if the door be shut in his face.

Practical Gardening.— i?. T. TF,, Louis-
ville., Ky., asks, "Would it be safe for a man
having a pretty thorough theoretical knowledge
of fruit growing, but no experience, to plant an
orchard, and depend on Horticultural papers and
the farmers of his vicinity for the needed infor-
mation. AVhat book on the pear and peach shall
I read ? Your theory of roots is new to me."

[ We hold that without some practical knowledge,
success of any kind is uncertain. As to books, pa-
pers and magazines, they are usually an injury
without the reader has some little experience of his
own. The best plan for a novice is to follow the
practices of his neighbor. These may not be
by any means perfect, but they will insure
some degree of success. Books and periodicals
are revolutionary. They are intended to im-
prove on old practices, and unless the reader has
had some experience in old practices, he is not
likely to understand the new suggestions. Books
and experience should go together. We would

IS'EW Hand-Glass.— Silas St. John has in-
vented a Hand-glass for covering early vegeta-
bles, which seems to be a good idea.

The apparatus consists of two flat glasses,
with suitable frames, and are hinged or pivoted
together at their adjacent edges, the two glasses,
thus connected, being furnished with end pieces
of flexible material, in such a manner that the
glasses may be spread apart at an angle to each
other, with the end pieces expanded, so that the
device may cover and surround the plant or bed,
as the case may be, or have its glasses brought
parallel and closed together, with the end pieces
folded between them — the whole being thus made
to occupy but very little space when not in use.

Name of Plants.— P. S. Wright, {no Post Of-
fice. ) — " Please name these seeds for me. I believe
they are the seeds of a forage plant from the
Meditteranean."

[The common Lentil of commerce and ancient
history.]

K.B. S., Baltimore, 3/cZ.— " What is the enclos-
ed ? Is it used for any purpose than beauty ?
I was told it was a medical plant.''

[Valeriana dioica — it has some repute as a hea-
ler of cuts and wounds.]

Early Peas. — A Murfreesboro correspondent
sends us a sample of peas of the marrowfat sec-
tion, which planted beside Daniel O'Eourke, and
the usual extra Earlies, ripens before them.
This should be a valuable acquisition.

A New Cultivator. — These have rapidly
improved the few past years. Mr. D. B. Wier,
has now invented another style, which by the
description, we should judge very useful. He
calls it the "Nurseryman's Friend," and thus
speaks of what it is to do :

I have adopted the above name for a Cultiva-
tor of my invention, that will without doubt
revolutionize the nursery business, doing away
with almost entirely the drudgery of hoeing and
other tedious expensive and laborious modes of

UJ^

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

May,

cultivation. With its help an acre of root grafts
or stocks in bud, can be cultivated thoroughly
and kept free from weeds, with as little labor as
an acre of corn can with a riding or Shanghea
cultivator, and seedlings can be cultivated with
from one tenth to one twentieth of the work they
can be with any other machine or cultivator I
have seen or heard of, with the exception of
Prof. Turner's Seed Drill and Cultivator com-
bined. With a very imperfect machine we culti-
vated last year 100,000 apple root grafts— 15,000
cherry and pear in bud, 80,000 yearling apple,
and 20 acres of seedlings, completely and thor-
oughly without the use of a hoe. In very weedy
ground of course the weeds have to be picked
from among the seedlings by hand, the same as
they would have to be if cultivated with a hoe.
All Xurserymen know the difficulty of plowing
among stocks in bud, the first spriug ; with this
machine acres of them may be thoroughl}^ culti-
vated without breaking ofl'a bud— 10 acres a day,
with two men and one horse, of buds or root
grafts can be easily and thoroughly cultivated
with the help of this machine. For cultivating
young corn, we will warrant it to do twice the
work, and in a more perfect manner than any
other cultivator.

Yucca Gloriosa— In the last number of
the Journal of Horticulture, Hon. M. P. Wilder
gives a very interesting account of his Southern
tour. He speaks amongst other things of a Y^icca
Qloriosa with a stem ten inches in diameter,
and arms twenty feet long. It is not generally
known that this picturesque plant can be made
hardy here in the North, by a peculiar process.
It usually commences to throw up its flower
stems just about the advent of frost, which easily
freezes, and the stem then rots away ; but if
this flower stem be cut out early, the plant is
saved. Thus we may have the plant North, but
only at the sacrifice of bloom.

Season for Grafting.— J. D., Cleveland,
Ohio. — " I am an amateur horticulturist, but de-
light to do a little gardening sometimes, as an
amusement. I have a few cherries, a present
irom a friend, which I wish to graft. Some tell
me the earlier cherries are grafted the better.
Others say they do best just before the buds
burst ; what is the best time for grafting general-
ly ? "

[For "grafting generally," anytime is good
when growth is going on, and there is not too
much sap in the scion ; the amount in the stock
makes less difference. If there is much in the
scion, it is liable to rot before union takes place.
If scions are taken from healthy trees, and kept
from drying, sprouting or other injuries, graft-
ing may go on from early spring till mid-sum-
mer. Those who praise one week more than
another, are those whose "unlucky" ii'me has
rather been due to other circumstances.]

Pltjm Knot— .4. W. C, Plymouth.— '' In
the March number it is stated, it seems as if we
are again to have plums and cherries, for the
plum knot is readily kept dowu,now that its true
nature is understood — and please to state the
process by which it can be kept down."

[Early in May the bark will be found burst-
ing, and a sappy exudation forming. This is
caused by the germination of the fungus spores.
At this time they can readily be rubbed out by
the finger and thumb ; this may have to be re-
peated every week for several weeks. The next
year very few will appear, and the year follow-
ing probably none. At one time we supposed
the spores from our neglectful neighbor's trees
would float over and make things as bad as
ever ; but more recent experience leads U3 to the
conclusion that these spores do not travel as fast
as we might suppose.

In some cases trees may be too large to go
over and pinch out the developing fungi. In
such cases where the ti-ees are badly infested, it
will be well to head them back ; get a new
growth of shoots within reach and watch them —
or in very bad cases, cut away altogether and
plant young trees] .

Annual Eoot Fibres.— S. E. T., JSfeio York,
writes : " The Ilonthly says, ' that it is a scien-
tific fact that the root fibres of trees are produced
annually, like leaves.' I never doubted it. I
have no evidence that it is not so. But th
idea has been controverted, by men who are
supposed to know far more than myself ; and I
have heard them affirm that the Editor of the
Gardener'' s Monthly is a humbug, in this re-
gard.

With all confidence in your ability to prove,
satisfactorily to the doubting, that this is a fact,
I write to ask that, for the sake of stopping the

1869.

THE GARDEJy'ER'S MOJVTELY.

Ijf5

mouths of caviling theorists, you will show the
proof to substantiate the assertion."

[It is impossible to "stop the mouths" of some
people. There are yet some who believe in
witchcraft and sorcery. They are useful people
in their way. They serve as landmarks, to show
how far the world has gone ahead of them.
There are some, however, whom it will interest
to be able to prove that fibres are but annual.

Their best plan will be to take a grape vine
which has been growing in a pot six motths ;
turn it out, and show the "cavillers" the"roots"
— perhaps 50 little things, perhaps more, all
starting within, say 6 inches of the base of the
cutting. If these did not die, there ought to be,
" perhaps 50 " strong roots, starting within 6
inches of the base of a cutting after a growth of
two years. Did any one ever see 50 main roots
so situated on a two-year old vine ? Forty ?
Twenty ? Rarely a dozen ! Where have all
these little root fibres of the first six months
gone to ? Perhaps the " cavillers " can tell I
We are afraid our friend S. E T. has been in
bad company. There is, and always will be a
class whose abuse is far more complimentary
than their praise would be.]

Plants for Cutting Flowers in Winter.
A " Brooklyn reader " asks for " three indis^jen-
sable plants for this purpose." A rather hard
question. We should not like to be limited to
three. However, with Poinsettia pulcherrima,
Stevia, and a few light colored Camellias, we
might make a beginning for a small bouquet.
They are indispensable, though a few more would
not be less 30.

American Horticulture. — The London
Journal of Horticulture has an American corres-
pondent who is contributing a series of papers on
American gardens, in reference to American
climate and soils. Frequently American '' cor-
respondence " comes from some one who has
come here, and been weighed in the balance and
found wanting. But these letters give the fairest
and best account of any we have seen ; and we
must compliment our English contemporary who-
ever its correspondent may be.

Gardening in Ireland. — Ireland is to have
a horticultural paper at last. The Gardener's
Secord has made its appearance there.

Gas Tar on Fruit Trees.— U. S., Boches-
ter, N'. Y. — " Is gas tar injurious to fruit trees ?
I want to keep out the apple borer ; but some
friends say it will kill the trees — but I often
see it recommended in the agricultural_.papers."

[Some tar has more Creosote in than others ;
in which case it is dangerous, especially on green
lark. The bark of apple trees lives -about 7
years ; after that, the surface is but dead bark,
and tar will not hurt it. The safest plan is to
put brown paper around the collar of the tree,
and tar that. It is as effectual to keep out
borers, — and will certainly not then hurt the
trees.]

Ipecachuana. — It is remarkable that some
attempt to cultivate this plant is not made in the
Southern States. It ought to grow well there.
There is a lively market for it all over Europe
and America. In the London market, the most
offered is from Brazil. It is quoted there at 9
shillings a pound. The botanical name is Ce-
phcelis Ipecachuana, and belongs to the same
family as the Cinchona, which yields quinine;
and the Coffee plant. It is a low bush, and has
numerous creeping roots. A package of a few
seeds from Dr. Carson, reminds us to say this
much about it.

Manure for Grapes. — Some ingenious youth
out West has, made the wonderful discovery that
the very best manure for grapes is the plants'
own trimmings,— dried, ground, and reduced to
powder. Whether the " idea " is patented or
not, is not stated.

A similar wiseacre in England has found out
that " Pert Wine " is a remarkable- fertilizer for
the grape. The plant, he says, ''seems to thrive
on the elements of its own body." Innocent
fellow ! Does he suppose the grape vine does not
know brandy from grape juice ? Or would our
Jersey Elderberry wine, made from the " true
Samburg grape in John Smith's Vineyard " be
as prolific in results as the genuine un-Gallicized
article V

Crested Dog-tail for Lawns. — We have
seen this grass recommended for American
lawns. Do any of our readers know of a lawn
made with it in this country ? Or, is it a recom-
mendation founded simply on some English
work ?

U6

THE GARDEJSfERS' MOJVIELY.

May

Draft or Flues. — A correspondent at Lan-
singburg, Xew York, has a house heated by hot
water pijoes from a saddle boiler. The boiler is
14 inches wide across the grate bars, and about
the same height inside. The top of the boiler is
two feet below the level of the flue. A brick
throat 6 feet long connects the furnace with the
flue pipes, which extend 89 feet to the wooden
chimney at the end. The fire does not draw
right. What is the cause ?

[This question of draft in flues is a very diflScult
one in practice. The principle is clear enough,
but, there are so many things which in practice
interferes with the proper working of the prin-
ciple, that even with all the facts before ones
eyes it is not easy for the most practical man to
make a flue work as he would want it, with cer-
tainty and precision. Our reply to our corres-
pondent must therefore, take in a very general
character.

First, heat travels through a flue on the prin-
ciple of gravitation, The continual pressure of
the heaviest liquid downwards, forces the light-
est to the surface. The warm air, being the
lightest, is thus made to swim on the surface of
the coldest, by the pressure of the coldest down-
ward, just as the pressure of water downward is
what makes a stick rise upwards to the top.
When therefore, there is no draft in a flue, the
broad reason is that the heaviest air is at the
chimney end, instead of at the furnace end
and thus the light air is driven back instead of
forward. Sometimes lengthening a chimney will
add to the dratt, because it carries the opening
up mto a lighter stratuqi of air ; but unless the
chimney opening is in a place where the air lies
cold and heavy, a long chimney is no better than
a short one. A deficiency of fire is often a source
ot want of draft, especially in cases where the
pressure of cold air downwards is about equally
balanced by the pressure upwards. A very good
fire at the one end is necessary to break up this
equal division of power. We have frequently
seen fires wnich would not draw at all with brick
flues, do " beautifully " when the bricks were re-
moved and thin pipes used in their stead. There
was less heat absorbed by the pipes than by the
bricks, and thus more could be employed in
warming the air in the pipes. Then again, a
dry flue will draw better than a damp one, be-
cause water absorbs so much more heat than a
dry substance ; a flue "high and dry" will there-
fore di'aw better than ©ne flat on the ground.

For the same reason a flue which proceeds
from a furnace which has to heat at the same
time a hot water boiler, never draws so well as
one of equal length which has no boiler to heat,
because the water takes away a great amount of
the heat, which would otherwise be spent on
draft.

We thought it were likely our correspondent
could be assisted by these general remarks better
than by any specific directions; though we incline
to believe that in his case a larger fireplace, so as
to burn more. fuel, would probably remove the
difficulty. The " brick throat, " and the boiler
together we judge take up all the heat the little
furnace gives, and there is nothing left for the
draft, which has evidently got to contend with a
very depressing current at its outlet besides.

Sudden Death of Melons. — Henry Ward
Beecher, writes : — " Can you, or can any of your
correspondents help me in the matter of melons,
in the open ground ? Mine do well until about
the time the fruit begins to ripen, then without
warning, one by one they suddenly die off". At
night the vine will be hearty, in the morning the
leaves will droop, and before night the whole
thing is dead,

I can find no enemy, — I have examined many
vines, knife in hand, expecting to find grub or
beetle boring the stem, but can trace nothing.
I have never seen anything upon the outside that
seemed to be feeding on the vines.

I have tried putting earth on about a foot of
the vine, at the hill, to protect them. I have
drenched them with whale oil soap suds ; I have
yellowed them with sulphur, whitened them
with plaster of Paris,and am now at my wits end.
Can you give me hint, suggestion or know-
ledge?"

[Like Jonah we have often felt disposed to
anger at the loss of our gourds all in one night,
and, remembering that it was a " worm " which
taught him the sad lesson, have endeavored to
profit by his experience, and hunt up said worm,
in order to give him a chance to go into some
hen's belly, where he would not probably have
the same luck as Jonah had, and our vines would
be safe from his further depredations. But, like
Mr. Beecher, we could never catch him. We
now think he is seldom there ; and do not give
the poultry the same liberty about the squash
plantation they formerly enjoyed. We incline to
think that this disease to which the whole family

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJV'THLl.

U7

of cucumbers, melons, and gourds are liable, is
of fungoid origin. But we have not examined
any case recently, and it is but recently that we
have learned any thing much of the operation of
these minute organisms on healthy plants. Our
recollection is, that on the roots of gourds which
suddenly die in this way, there is a minute yel-
low powder, and we have little doubt, if our
memory is correct, this will be found to have
something to do with the trouble. We are not
able with our present feeble knowledge of these
kinds of plant diseases to suggest any remedy ;
but if it should be found really the cause, some
good preventive will surely follow] .

Prices of Plants in Europe and America.
— It is a remarkable fact that the prices of most
things are much lower here than in Europe, un-
less it is the very common plants, small, which
are sold in 1 irge quantities. We have before us
an advertisement of Messrs. Waterer, where the
prices are put "low," to close out stock. Abies
orientalis, from 5 to 10 feet high, $2.50 to $18
each. Abies Douglasii, 5 to 8 feet high, $1.25 to
$2.50. Picea nobilis, 4 to 10 feet, $10 to $30
each. P. Nordmanniana, 3 to 8 feet, $3 to $6
each. P. pinsa2)o, 3 to 5 feet, $13 to $30 each.
Pinus Gembra, 8 to 10 feet, $3 to $5. Cupressus
Lawsoniana, 9 to 10 feet, $2 to $3 each ; and
others in similar ratio. When we remember that
this is in gold, that their climate is so favorable
to the growth of Evergreens, American prices

seem very low.

Surface Cropping of Vine Borders is
receiving great attention now in England. Both
parties to the discussion seem to agree that the
roots must be kept near the surface ; and that
digging, by destroying surface fibres, is a great
injury. But one side insists that the borders
may be mulched with shallow-rooted bedding
plants ; the other would have no living plants,
but mulch with light, decaying material or fresh
soil.

Tea in the South. — Tlie Tribune believes in
Tea in the South. It has had some from there,
and found it good. There is no doubt of this.
It was proved before the rebellion. The trouble
was, that even with slave labor it could not be
produced as cheaply as imported from China.
With free labor, now the difficulty will be still
greater. Here will be another question for the
politicians — whether it will or will not pay to
protect this new interest.

terior. The only cure is to watch for its first ap-
pearance, and cut away and burn the infested
leaves. It first makes its appearance in the form
of yellow spots on the leaves; after sometime it
perfects itself, burst its sacs of spores, which take
hold of the leaves and go on in like manner. It is
not a rapid propagator ; and if taken in hand in time
can be easily kept under; but if allowed to spread,
is very troublesome. Many persons who sup-
pose their trees are suffering from "bad soil,''
"frost," and so forth, have really nothing but

this pine fungus.

Camellias in England. — English nursery-
men do not supply anything near the number of
plants sold in that country. They draw their
chief supply from Belgian gardens, and we un-
derstand some even go from the United States.

Cyclamens. — The latest novelty in England
is hybrid Cyclamens : Cyclamen Persicum being
the female parent. It is surprising that this
plant has not been broken into before, as it is
one of the most beautiful greenhouse plants, and
of very easy culture. It is also an admirable
room plant, flowering profusely all the late win-
ter and early spring months.

Austrian Pine Disease. — 8. Cincinnati^
Ohio. The Specimens sent, are infested by a
parasitic fungus which germinates we believe on
the exterior of the leaves, and penetrates the in-

Hardiness of the Osage Orange.— C.
Duncannon, Pa., asks : — " Is the Osage Orange
hardy enough for a hedge in this section f Some
plants I have from seed sown last spring, have
died back considerably the past winter."

[Many things which are ranked as perfectly
hardy even so far north as Canada, die back a
little in winter. The Osage Orange seedlings
one year old, we think quite likely to die back a
little, even in its native wilds of Arkansas and
Texas. It gets hardier with age. Certainly it
is hardy any where in Pennsylvania, and we
suppose any where up to the Canada line. A
few tops may be injured, but we suspect that
there is no place in which an established hedge
would be killed, and no place but what the plants
would increase in size every year in spite of dead
tops,— we are not speaking of the North-west
In Minnesota and ISforthern Iowa, we believe it
is not hardy].

President Wilder Strawberry.— We
understood that Col. Wilder's seedUng of this
name, had not yet been sent out by its present
owners, and that it was only to be given away a
few at a time next fall. But we see a nursery
firm in the West is already advertising it, and
guarantees that he will have plants " ready for
delivery on or about Sept., 1st, at $1 each, or $6
per dozen."

U8

THE GARDEJV.ER'S MOjYTELY.

May

A Beautiful Country Seat.— In our ad-
vertising columns is an offer of a country seat
for sale on Chestnut Hill, by W. G-. Littleton.
We happen to know this place well ; its owner is
one of our leading Horticulturists, and much care
and knowledge has been spent on making it every
way worthy of its Horticultural fame.

The site is absolutely charming. All who
have any knowledge of gardening, know how
long it takes to get trees up to a bearing age, or

to an age when their beauty begins to attract
admirers, l^o man ever feels so much the short
ness of life, as when he is about to plant
a tree. To get a place like this, modern, well
built, and just budding into virgin beauty, al-
ready perfect to admiration, is like having twen-
ty years added to one's life. We hope some Hor-
ticulturist will get it, with the spirit and means
to carry on what has been so happily begun.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES,

Catalogue of Orchids. By A. F. Chatfield
Albany, K. Y.
It gives us great pleasure to look over this list.
We believe it is the finest collection of these
curious and beautiful plants in the United States.
A collection of over five hundred species and va-
rieties, is very creditable. We hope his enter-
prlze is well sustained.

&c.

My Te?t Eod Farm, or How I became a Florist.
By Maria Gihnan. Published by Loring,
Boston.

This is one of a class of works which have
sprung into existence during the past few years,
of which "Ten Acres Enough," ''My Vineland
at Lake View " are familiar examples. We are
not sure about the morality of the thing. There
is no doubt that truths can be oftener better
taught by fiction than by facts. Even the great
teacher spoke often to the people by parables ;
but we doubt whether he would have felt justi-
fied if he had attempted to make his hearers be-
lieve that when he spoke to them of the prodigal
son, of the ten talents, of the foolish virgin, or of
the king and the marriage feast, he was relating
events that had actually occurred.

The only fault we find with this work is, that
it is evidently the intention to make the world
believe that it is a woman's experience, and writ-
ten by a woman ; but any one who has made

woman a study ; who is familiar with a woman's
heart, and a woman's ways, will feel that it is
not a woman's work. The masculine finger is
every now and then plainly visible guiding along
the pen.

We think it due to fairness to say this, and
then be done with that side of the matter ; for
taking it as what a woman can or might do, it is
an excellent little thing. Human nature in some
of its phases is remarkably well portrayed, and
the author shows considerable power in drawing
up his characters. Its moral is excellent. We
should like to see hundreds of Maria Gilmans,
as there very well might be. We should like to
know that every lady had a copy of the book.
It will do much good.

The Western Kurai., Chicago, Illinois.
Those of our friends who want to keep up to
the times in their knowledge of Western agricul-
ture, will find the Western Rural an excellent
magazine ; very well conducted, filled with in-
formation, and what is of much importance to
reader and publisher, has a very heavy circula-
tion everywhere. There is a great amount of labor
bestowed on it — well directed labor to. Agri-
culture is the pioneer of Horticulture, and we
feel it our interest as gardeners, to see first-class
Agricultural Journals well supported.

KEW A]VD EAEE FRUITS.

The Sugar Peach.— The Sugar Peach is
said to have originated on the farm now owned
by Mr. Jacob Cribbs, of Bainbridge, Berrien Co.,
Michigan. An old peach-budder affirms that it
and the Jenny Lind are identical. It is said to
produce the same from the seed more freely than
other varieties. The Peach is well known in
this vicinity. It is large, yellow, late, sweet,
makes a good show as a market variety, and
will bear when other kinds are winter-killed. —
Western Bural.

The Stark Apple. — A report is going the
rounds of the agricultural press that the Com-
mittee of the American Pomological Society, at
a recent session, pronounced the Stark and
Pennock to be the same ; which is a most ridicu-
lous conclusion, and shows that said committee
were either humbugged with bogus Starks, or
else knew nothing of the two apples in the West,
as the fruits of the two varieties differ vastly
from each other, in almost every respect, except-

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTELY,

149

ing that both are large, and more or less red in
color.

Pennock is larger, flatter, and more highly col-
ored than Stark, is almost always aflfected by
bitter rot, and is in season in mid-winter. The
tree is an irregular, crooked grower, and not re-
markably hardy. The Stark apple is much more
conical or oblong than the Pennock, remarkably
fair, and perfect in almost every case ; keeps
readily till midsummer, and the flesh is much
finer grained and better than the Pennock. The
tree is a very strong, upright, symmetrical
grower, making naturally a fine, round, open-
headed tree, and we believe is one of the very
hardiest of our cultivated varieties. — E,Y. Tkas,
Richmond, Ind. , in Prairie Farmer.

CtNTHIANA & l^ORTON'S VlRGIKIA GrAPES.

— A correspondent of the Rural World says that,
in 1859, he planted out 5 Cynthiana vines, from
wood obtained from Mr. Husman. They were

so much like the ISTorton, in every respect, that
they were regarded as identical, and treated as
such till they fruited. The fruit was found to be
juicier, the juice more limpid and sweeter than
that of the Norton.

We have taken excellent judges of grapes
through the vineyard, and given them the fruit
from the Norton row of trellis ; then, directly op-
posite, eight feet apart, from the Cynthiana, and
they at once, without any previous hint, remark-
ed the superiority of the Cynthiana. The Sac-
charometrical test shows a similar difference in
the weight of must. How far this difference is
sufficient to maintain a distinction, is for each
individual to judge. Between the two, we prefer
the Cynthiana.

Apple, Red Cheek.— Mr. H. P. Grotjan, of
Dalton, Mo., describes this Apple as follows:
This apple is of medium size, color bright yellow,
light red cheek ; flavor sweet ; will keep till first
of March. It is one of the best sweet apples for
this part of Missouri, in my knowledge. Scions
of the above received.— J2«mZ World.

NEW AND EAEE PLANTS.

ACHYRANTHTTS AUREUS RETICULATUS.— This

is a "sport" from A. Verschaffelti, as it resem-
bles it in every particular, except in its beautiful
leaf markings, which, instead of being of the
rich crimson of A. Yerschaffelti, is light
green, regularly marked with a network of yel-
low, though occasionally a part of a leaf will
retain the crimson shade of its origin. The
stems, which are purplish carmine, form a
marked contrast to the prevailing golden shade
of the leaves. In the cool months of spring and
fall it forms a striking contrast when massed
with the parent variety or with Coleus or other
dark-foliaged plants. As a plant for hanging
baskets, or a pot plant for green-house decora-
tion, is very desirable.

ACHYRANTHUS VeRSCHAFFELTI. GiLSON. —

Like the preceding is a sport from A. Ver-
schaffelti, originated by Mr. Gilson, gardener to
Mrs. Barton, of Barry town, N. Y., in 1868. It
is so much better in every respect, than the orig-
inal,\that there is no [doubt it will entirely super-
sede it ; it is of a rather more spreading and
much dwarfer growth. The color is entirely
free from that dullness so objectionable in the
old variety, a bed of it in our grounds the past

season was more admired than any of the other
ornamental leaved plants there. The leaves are
a bright shade of carmine, stems pinkish violet.
It will be exceedingly useful as a plant for
baskets or vases, as well as for massing in the
flower beds.— JBTencJerson's Catalogue.

ACRIDOCARPUS NATALITIUS.— J5o«. Mag., t.

5738._Malpighiace8e. A handsome sub-tropical
or warm greenhouse climber, with, oblong orobo-
vate, obtuse, coriaceous leaves, and simple elon-
gated terminal racemes of pale yellow flowers-
consisting of five rounded cuneate petals, cre-
nately-toothed at the edge. A native of Natal,
and introduced by W. Wilson Saunders, Esq.

Keteleeria roRTUNEi.— Beu. Hort, 1868,
132, with fig. Coniferse. Under this name M.
Carriere figures the plant generally known in
gardens as Abies jezoensis, which he separates
as a new genus, relying chiefly on the characters
of its erect cones, and their persistent, not ca-
ducous, scales. It is nearly hardy in the climate
of Paris.

150

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLl.

May,

Xe"W or Eare Plants." -We have before us
JVIr, Peter Henderson's catalogue, in which we
find some things of interest, which we have over-
ooked in making our regular notes from our
foreign exchanges— all the better, perhaps, as
people can get tKem from home instead of im-
porting them. Amongst them are :

DiANTHUS QuERTERi. — A large double crim-
son variety, much resembling in habit and
growth the well known Sarah Howard Pink. It
is of clean healthy growth and of dwarf com-
pact habit, blooming abundantly, and without
intermission, from July to November in the open
groimd, and if lifted and potted continuing to
bloom throughout the winter months. A most
valuable addition to any collection of plants.

POA TRiviALis ARGENTEA. — (Silver-leaved
Meadow Grass. ) — One of the prettiest grasses
we have yet seen, perennial in habit, forming a
dense and compact growth, rendering it one of
the most unique and graceful plants for vases or
hanging baskets ; the clearly defined lines of
white and green on each blade or leaf giving it a
peculiarly glittering effect. Hardy.

This we have before noticed in the Monthly^
and saw fine plants growing last year in the col-
lection of Mr. John Pollock, Florist, of Philadel-
phia.

Delphinium Bicolor Grandiflorum. —
This beautiful variety is increased by seeds,
equally so as the well known D. fonnosum, which
it x'esembles in many respects, but with the im-
provement of having a much larger and clearer
defined white centre, encircled by the richest
shade of deep azure blue. It blooms almost
without intermission from July to October, and,
being entirely hardy, is a valuable acquisition
to our herbaceous plants.

Magnolia Campbelli — Has been introdu-
ced into England. Dr Hooker thus discribes it
in Illustrations of Himalayan Plants :

"This superb tree, which forms so conspicuous
a feature in the scenery and vegetation of Dorji-
ling, was chosen by Dr. Thomson and myself to
commemorate the eminent services or our friend
Dr. Campbell, resident at Dorjiliug,in connexion
with the rise and progress of that important
Sanatarium, as also his many contributions to
our knowledge of the geography and natural pro-
ductions, arts, manufactures, and races of the
Nipal and Sikkim Himalaya.

''■The Magnolia Co.mphelli was discovered by
Dr. Griffith in Bhotan. It is a large forest tree,

abounding on the outer ranges of Sikkim, at ele-
vations of 8,000 to 10,000 feet, appearing on the
road above Pacheem, and thence ascending to
the top of Sinchul, 8,000, and Tonglo, 10,000 feet;
though occasionally seen on the central ranges
at the same elevations, it is much less frequent.
The trunk is straight, often eighty feet high, and
twelve to twenty in girth, covered with black
bark ; the wood is soft, and almost useless. The
flowers are produced abundantly in April, at the
end of all the branches, when the tree is as yet
perfectly leafless; they vary from white to deep rose
color, or almost crimson, and in size from 6 to 10
inches ; the scent is faint. In May the tree is in
full leaf, and the fruit ripens in October, when a
few small and often deformed flowers are some-
times produced. The flowering branch drawn in
Mr. Cathcart's collection is nearly twice as large
as that represented. Young plants have the
leaves perfectly glabrous ; those of older trees
are more or less silky on the under surface.

"There are two other species of this genus in
India ; one [M. globosa, H. f. et T.)has hitherto
only been found in the interior valleys of Sikkim,
where it inhabits the skirts of woods, 9,000 to
10,000 feet elevation, It is a small, also decidu-
ous-leaved tree, with globose flowers, snow-white,
and as large as a small fist, which appear with
the leaves in June, and are very sweet scented.
It is closely allied to the Japanese M. conspicua
of our gardens. The third Indian species, M.
s]ihenocarpa„ Koxburgh ("Coromandel Plants,"
vol. iii., pi. 266), is a native of Chittagong, the
Khasia Mountains, and Nipal, where it inhabits
subtropical valleys. The M. Camphelli and glo-
bosa would no doubt prove hardy in England,
but M. sphenocarpa will require an almost tropi-
cal heat."

Beta Chiliensis. — Wherever space can be
aftbrded for subtropical or other plants, that are
remarkable for the grandeur of their foliage, this
noble variety of beet should be with them. The
closer you inspect it, the more striking is its
beauty. Its growth is very robust, the leaves
very large ; the mid-rib is broad and thick, and
the orange carmine or scarlet hue is rich in the
extreme. Moreover, this beet appears to be quite
hardy ; at all events, the plants left out last win-
ter were fresh and unhurt when spring returned,
and, at the present moment, those in the open
ground are nearly as good as if frost had never
touched them.— Jno. F. McElroy, in Garden-
ers^ Weekly.

1869.

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTHLY.

151

'S-Ew Bedding GERANnjMS IN England —
Of bedding Pelargoniums, the double-flowered
section has received some fine additions in the
way of pink flowers, — Madame Lemoine and
Sparkhill Beauty being the most distinct. Of
crimson shades, in which there is yet much room
for improvement, Triomphe de la Seine is a good
acquisition. Of golden-edged Yariegeted Zonals,
Ettie Beale, Mdlle. Christine Xilsson, Mrs. Dun-
nett, and Sir Kobeit I^apier, are all fine addi-
tions, the latter having much novelty of charac-
ter. White-edged Variegated Zonals are much
strengthened by the addition of Mrs. John Glut-
ton and Mrs. Col. Wilkinson, both of which have
taken the highest honors.

In the gold and bronze section there are some
very promising kinds, of which Crown Prince
Harrison Weir and Stanstead Beauty promise to
achieve as high a reputation as their immediate
predecessor, Kentish Hero. The golden-leaved
sections are yet open to great improvement,
though there has been no lack of new introduc-
tions.

The bedding class is strongest with new Nose-
gay kinds. Masterpiece and Lizzie are two very
fine varieties — the latter being novel in charac-
ter ; while Fire King and B, K. Bowley complete
a fine set of new kinds ; the two last named es-
pecially noticeable for their rich and vivid hues
of color. Mr. Wills' hybrids of Lateripe are yet
comparatively unknown ; they represent a fortu-
nate break, that is likely to yield us a most use-
ful race of Pelargoniums.

JAMESI4. Americana. — By the kindness of
Dr. Parry, we once had seed of this beautiful
plant, but failed to raise them. We see that our
English friends have been more successful. The
following, from an English advertisement, cor-
rectly describes it :

Jamesia Americana. — This is a neat, dwarf,
deciduous shrub, belonging to the Hydrangea
section of the Saxifrage iribe, and attaining a
height of about 3 feet. It produces opposite-
ovate, serrated foliage, whitish beneath, with
terminal cymes of neat, white. Saxifrage-like
flowers. A very rare plant, being found, appa-
rently, in only one locality in New Mexico, in the
vicinity of the Rocky Mountains.

New Yellow Bedding Fuchsia — Having
seen my friend Clarke's kindly notice of my seed-
ling fuchsia, and the request for its name, I re-

ply, " Royalty," it being named so from its gor-
geous crimson and gold hues, when first set aside,
for trial and cultivation. Trials it has had (and
most fully proved its right to such a constitutional
name), but of cultivation very, very little ; its
hardy endurance has alone induced me still to
preserve it against the pooh-poohing it, or I,
have had when daring to claim a notice for my
poor child from those who have such (leai\ dear
pets of their own, and are not over-anxious to
place other children in competition with them.
It just most forcibly occurs to my mind the wood-
cut of the boy on the Ladder, and the motto "a-
top," "Try again ;" and hence, all well, I will
try Royalty again ; and it may be my "Royalty''
will gain a "Crown," ay, many crowns, and
shine forth right royally among good and useful
yellow bedding plants, and prove "J. C. C.'s"
hope, there may, be even a good yellow bedding
fuchsia. I enclose you a plant for trial, noting
I do not expect to send it out before August
next, meantime hoping to give it cultivation as
well as trial before ofiering it for sale. — R. W.
Poynter, in Gardeners'' Weekly.

Camellia Harriet Lane— iinncean WM^
near Washington, D. O., March 1st 1869. I
yesterday forwarded to you, through the Post
Office, a flower of my Camellia Harriet Lane. I
will give you the history of it :

Some ten years ago I found in my greenhouse
a small plant of Touli Camellia which had been
inarched on what I believe to be a seedling ; be-
low the point of junction there was a small
branch with a flower bud on it ; concluded to
keep my eye on that bud, and see the result; it
seemed to be unique, that I cut away the Touli,
and then threw all the growth into the one
branch, and proceeded to propagate from it. I
had a lot of Camellias, 6 in number, that I had
bought as imported French plants, could this
have been one of them raised from cuttings and
mistaken for a seedling? From its peculiarities it
is certainly an acquisition. I have met with no
one who has seen it before, and I concluded that
it is entirely new. Joshua Pierce.

[This is a beautiful flower, unknown to us as
any named kind. The flower is a peculiar mot-
led salmon, and looks as if it were made up o
hall a dozen small flowers in one.]

152

THE GARDEjyER'S MOJVTHLY.

May,

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Mr. H. Page, of Lawrence, 111., last year,
raised one hundred and forty pounds of sage,
on one-eighth of an acre of ground, from which
he realized $140-

Strawberries are beginning to be pretty
abundant in New Orleans market ; but, notwith-
standing the supply, the prices still keep up.
Ninety cents for a small box full is the tariff.
Hundreds of saucers of this favorite berry are
made way with daily at the Canal street confec-
tioneries, at the rate of fifty cents per saucer.
That most delicious and delicate plum, the Mes-
pilus, is beginning to put in an appearance. The
crop of this fruit does not promise to be very
abundant this season.

Notwithstanding the recent cold weather,
the fruit geneially, with the single exception of
the peaches, is in a very satisfactory condition.
The crop of the latter will probably be short. —
Henderson [Ky.) Bep.

Apples for Ohio. — The following list was
adopted at a recent meeting of the Cincinnati
Horticultural Society :'

For marl-et and family — Summer Fruit. — Red
Astrachan, Prince's Early Harvest, High Top
Sweeting, Carolina Red June, Early Strawberry,
Summer Queen, Drap d'Or, Bohemia, Williams'
Favorite, Summer Pearmain.

Amateur Fruit for Family use. — Yellow June,
Summer Rose, Red Juneating, or Early Red
Margaret, Early Bough, Primate, Early Ash-
\ more.

Fall Fitdt.—FsiW Pippin, Western Beauty,
Maiden's Blush, Rambo, Lowell, Porter, Domine,
Gravenstein, Fall Wine, Gates or Belmont, Glo-
ria Mundi, Rhode Island Greening.

Winter Fruit. — Newton Spitzenberg, Red Can-
ada or Steele Red, New York Vandevere, Bald-
win, Winesap, Tulpehocken or Fallawater,
Broadwell Sweet, Peck's Pleasant, Jonathan,
White Pippin, Smith's Cider, Rome Beauty,
Rawle's Janet, Romanite, Willow, Vandevere
Pippin or Smokehouse, Putnam Russet, Milam,
Ohio Nonpareil, Newtown Pippin, (yellow,)
Esopus Spitzenberg, Hubbardson's Nonsuch,
Pryor's Red, Yellow Bellfiower, Golden Russet,
Newtown Pippin, LadyApple, White Winter Pear-
main, White Belleflower or Ortley Pippin, Cider
Apple, Hughs Crab, Harrison, Campfield.

EOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Grape Aphis in England.— We are ex-
tremely sorry to find that the root Aphis of the
vine seems to be spreading through the country.
We have just received some Vine roots in a
dreadful state of disease ; for, though the wood
is still living, the whole of the bark is decom-
posed, and turned into a state of shapeless brown
powdery matter, mixed with insect dung. Our
correspondent informs us that he has found the
root-aphis upon the bark, and we can confirm his
observation, having found a living individual,
which accords both in structure and dimensions
with the insect as figured by Professor Westwood
in the Gardener''s Chromde, p. 109.

Here, at least, we have the same insect as that
which produces galls on the leaves, but it is pos-
sible that a second species, belonging to the
same genus, may exist, — as we have found such

a great difference in the comparative size of the
eggs.

We are promised a fresh supply of specimens,
which we hope to examine carefully at some fu-
ture time, as the matter is really of great impor-
tance, inasmuch as it is clear that, where the
insect gains ground, cultivation of Vines will
become extremely precarious ; and, should it be
found that the insect of the leaf-gall travels down
to the roots, it will be absolutely necessary that
every affected leaf should at once be burnt. — Gar .
Chronicle.

The Aukuba Japonica. — Having seen in
the Journal of March 4th, several remarks and
queries as to the management of the Aukuba, I
will state how successful our management of it
has been here.

1869.

THE GARDENER'S MOJYTHLY.

153

In the grounds at this place are many large
plants of the old Aukuba japonica. Last year,
one small plant of the male Aukuba was placed
on an inverted Sea-kale pot, close to one of the
old plants. It remained there, perhaps, for a
fortnight. It was then removed for only a few
days to some young plants of Aukuba, under
the trees in the fine old avenue here. The bush
near which the male plant was first placed, has
no\V upon it a profusion of large brilliant scarlet
berries.

The plant in the avenue had only a few, which
have been gathered to preserve for sowing ; but,
near these smaller bushes, (distance perhaps
about 100 yards,) is a fine old plant, with a very
considerable number of the fruit upon it. I have
no recollection of having placed the male plant
near this large old one at all. If this be so, the
pollen muht be carried by bees, and to a consid-
erable distance.

At the time the bush, near which the male
plant was first pfaced, was in flower, the old
plant was much covered with a greenish, metal-
lic-looking fly, which, no doubt, tended much to
facilitate impregnation. This year the male
plant is already in flower— it was unfortunately
placed under a warm wall in the kitchen garden.
The old female plants have a profusion of budj,
but these have not yet opened^ I have every
reason, however, to hope that they will be in
blossom before the male blossoms are oyer.

With regard to the propagation of the Aukuba
I believe, from experience, that it is as easily
propagated in the spring as the common Laurel.

I hope, also, that birds do not very much like
the fruit. Several of the berries here have fallen,
but they are becoming over -ripe. Some of these
appear as if they had been attacked by birds ;
but they certainly are not a favorite food, for, al-
most touching the Aucuba plant, now brilliant
with its scarlet berries, is a Holly bush, the
nightly roost of hosts of sparrows. If they had
liked the fruit, the Aukuba plant would have
been stripped. But, certainly, this has been a
most unusually mild winter, and food for the
feathered tribe has been plentiful. — N. E. Owen,
gardener to W. W. E. Wynne, Peniarth
Towyn Merioneth, in London Journal of Horti-
culture.

The Kumquat. — At a recent meeting of the
Eoyal Horticultural Society, Mr. E. Fortune
gave some additional particulars about these

plants. It would appear to be a very desirable
thing to introduce into the United States, if, in-
deed, some of our enterprising nurserymen have
not already got it.

He says, "It is now rather more than a quar-
ter of a century since I had the honor of being
sent out to China in the service of the Society.
Before that time (1842) China had been all but a
sealed-up country to the rest of the world.
Amongst other plants which I discovered and
introduced, while on the mission, was the Citrus
japonica, or Kumquat, the plant whose fruit was
exhibited by ]\Ir. Bateman at our last meeting.
I found it cultivated over a large tract of country
in China, but it was evidently most at home in
the more temperate parts, such as the islands of
the Chusan Archipelago.

Here large plantations were met with on the
slopes of the hills, and very beautiful they ap-
peared in autumn, winter and spring, covered
with their golden colored fruit, and deep green
leaves. The fruit is much liked by the natives,
who eat the skin as well as the pulp. Its chief
value, however, is when used as a preserve. A
large quantity is exported annually to Europe
and America, preserved, and sent home in near-
ly the same way as the better-known China
ginger. Such shops as those of Fortnum &
Mason, in Picadilly, have always a supply. I
believe some of the Fellows of the Society tasted
the preserve in this room about two years ago,
when Mr. Bateman also exhibited fruit which
had ripened in his garden.

In a horticultural point of view, however, in
this country, we must look at the Kumquat as
an ornamental plant only ; and I think if our
gardeners would set about its cultivation in the
right way, they would find it easy to grow, and
that it would amply repay them by being one
of the most ornamental plants for winter deco-
ration.

I will just add a few remarks on the cultiva-
tion of the Kumquat in this country. From
what I have stated of its native country, you
will naturally come to the conclusion that it is a
much hardier plant than the common Orange.
In the country where the Kumquat is found in
the highest perfection, the common Orange will
not survive the winters. And, on the other
hand, the Kumquat when cultivated in the south
of China does not succeed, although the common
Orange is found, there in the greatest perfec-
tion.

15Ji,

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJfTHLY.

May

The cold winters of the north, which kill the
Orange, are favorable to the constitution of the
Kuinquat. Both plants require warm summers
— indeed, the northern summer is frequently {
hotter than the southern one, A hot, summer
temperature, ranging from 80° to 100° Fahr,, is j
necessary to enable the Kumquat to form its !
growth, and ripen its new wood. In winter, it |
will bear, without injury, from 10^ to 15° of
frost." 1

roRMiJsTG Pyramidal Apple Trees. — The
London Journal of Horticulture, in answer to a
query, says : " Your maiden trees, 4 feet high,
should be cut back to a bud 12 inches from the
ground. This proceeding will cause the produc-
tion, in spring, of a number of shoots, which
are all to be stopped when they have made six
leaves each, except the shoot from the uppermost
bud, which is to be trained upright, and not
stopped until it has grown 12 inches. When it
has attained this length, before July, take out its
point, and it will most likely push laterals, one
of which is to be trained as the leader, and the
others stopped at the third leaf. All the shoots
stopped at the sixth leaf, if the}' push after being
stopped, are to have the shoot nearest the end of
each pinched at the third joint ; but the other
laterals are to be stopped when they have made
two leaves.

The shoots should be disposed so as to form a
symmetrical p3^ramid, widest at the base, and
gradually tapering upwards. The shoots, if in-
clined to grow erect, and to cross each other,
should be tied down, and so regulated as not to
be nearer than 6 inches, nor further apart than
9 inches. The leader, if it exceed 12 inches in
length, without side shoots, ought to be shortened
to that length above the highest side shoot, and
these should be cut back, if necessary, to give a
symmetrical head.

Any laterals on the side shoots, not required
for extension, should be cut back to within half
an inch from whence they proceed. The subse-
quent treatment is similar to that in the previous
year, and this must be persisted in until the trees
are of the height required. The trees should now
be mulched round the stems with three inches
thick of littery manure ; and in March they
ought to have a top-dressing of rich compost or
rotten manure, to the depth of about an inch."

Grafting Spik^as on Pltjm Stocks.— Mr.
Berkeley said, at a recent meeting of the Royal

Horticultural Society, that Mr. Standish had
succeeded in grafting Spiraea Thunhergia on
Plum stocks.

[Probably many other Spiraeas might be in-
duced to do this. If so, some very beautiful lawn
ornaments might result. — Ed. G. M.]

Cyclamens are now popular exhibition plants
in England. At a recent meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society, Mr. Wiggins, gardener to
W. Beck, Esq., oflsleworth, sent a splendid col-
lection of 78 pots, many of them containing from
one hundred to two hundred blooms, throwing
all other exhibitors of these beautiful flowers into
the shade. Mr. Edmunds, of Hayes' Nursery,
and Mr. James, of Isleworth, were second and
third respectively. Mr. Buck, of Covent Garden,
sent a pot in which there were two colors of
flowers — the inference being that they were from
the same corm. Mr. Turner also exhibited a col-
lection in small pots.

The Kumqtjat or Citrus Japonica seems
to be much valued in England. At a recent
meeting of the London Royal Horticultural So-
ciety, with reference to the Kumquat, the Chair-
man requested to know if anybody to whom
cuttings had been sent last year had succeeded in
grafting it. The most suitable stock for it was
Limonia trifoliata. Major Clarke had succeeded
in raising a seedling of it ; it was a plant in every
way worthy of being increased, — as, though
worthless when grown in pots, yet when planted
in a conservatory border, it forms a very orna-
mental shrub.

Mr. Bateman stated that he should be happy
to supply any of the Fellows with grafts Avho
miofht require them. Allusion was then made to
the Pakington plant trainer, as an ingenious
contrivance, adapted to any size pot, and readily
shifted from one to the other. In conclusion,
Mr. Bateman remarked that Primula denticulata
seeds freely in North Staftbrdshire.

Propagation of Minute Fungi.— Mr. Ber-
keley at a meeting of tlie Ro3'al Horticultural
Society, said that on some seeds of a Pyracan-
tha from Russia, were some minute fungi, not
before known in London. Young plants had
been raised from these, and when they bore
fruit, these also were affected by the same fungus,
showing the probability of the spores remaining
within the system of the plant all that time.

1869

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

155

Fuchsias. — Whenever a stock of young plants
is required for blooming through the latter part
of the coming summer, preiiarations for raising
them must be commenced forthwith. Start a
few old plants that were put to rest early in the
autumn by placing them in a temperature rang-
ing from 50° to 60^, and keep them well syringed,
to enable the buds to break strong and vigorous.
When the shoots are about a couple of inches in
length, take them off, and strike in a brisk bot-
tom-heat. The old plants will be valuable for
blooming in May and June, and will save the
specimens from being hurried into bloom early.
They should be shaken out of the old soil, the
roots pruned, and potted in the same size pot
again. Use good turfy loam, with a liberal pro"
portion of leaf mould and rotten dung. If there
is a scarcity of leaf mould, use cocoa-nut refuse
in its place, or peat, for the fuchsia is impatient
of its roots being in close stuff, and grow on in a
genial temperature. If the old plants are not so
well proportioned as may be desired, they will
help to relieve the flatness of the pelargoniums,
and other dwarf-growing plants which will be in
flower at the above-mentioned season. In un-
favorabfe weather push on all indoor work, such
as tying out specimens, preparing labels, making
flower- sticks, washing pots, and other operations
of a like nature. It is far better for the men to
do this in bad weather than to be kept out of
doors, to the injury of their hea'.th, and leaving
these things to be done in fine weather, when
they ought properly to be out of doors. — Garde-
ner^s Weekly.

Deaths of English J^urserymbn. — Mr.
Edward Parke Francis, the well known nursery-
man of Hertford, died at his residence on the
11th inst. Mr. Francis was for many years an
exhibitor of roses, and one of the first who
adopted the Manetti stock. He carried on busi-
ness successfully for for forty years at Hertford,
where he was much and deservedly respected.

Mr. James Backhouse, senior partner in the
firm of James Backhouse and Son, nurserymen
and seedsmen, of York, died at his residence,
Holdgate House, near York, on the 20th inst.
Mr. Backhouse long ago established himself in
the favor of lovers of plants, and probably very
few amongst our most enterprising traders have
exercised a more healthy and powerful influence
on horticultural taste than it was his good for-
tune to accomplish. He had attained to his 75th
year. — Gardener^s Chronicle.

Winter Flowers.— Libonia Floribtjnda.
—The above beautiful and free flowering green-
house plant may be included in the list of the
most useful that afford us bloom during mid win-
ter. Although it is by no means a new plant,
yet it does not appear at present to be very ex-
tensively cultivated. It partakes somewhat of
the character of that once-popular plant Cwphea
platycentra, for both the habit of plant and
shape of flowers are similar. Its numerous
flowers are diftused over the whole of the plant,
which at this period of the year gives it a very
striking and pleasitig effect, if intermixed with
other flowering plants. It is very easy to pro-
pagate and grow. Cuttings of the young wood
should be inserted early in the spring, and treat-
ed in the same way as you would the ordinary
kinds of soft- wooded plants, the pot being plung-
ed in a nice bottom heat. The plant, being very
compact and short jointed, does not need after it
is potted to be so frequently stopped ; the great
thing is to get the lower part of the plant well fur-
nished with branches in its first growth. It is in
the earlier stages only that the stopping of shoots
is essential. It will thrive in good rich loamy soil,
and may stand out of doors with the majority of
greenhouse plants during the summer months.
In common with many other winter flowering
plants (as for example the Poinsetta) the Libo-
nia loses its leaves if kept too cold in October and
November. The leaves may not fall at the time,
but afterwards, when the plant is in flower, it
will be found that many of the leaves were dead.
The fact is, we are apt to be careless in allowing
blasts of cold air amongst stove-plants at
this time of year, forgetting what we ought al-
ways to keep in mind— that plants take cold as
we do, and none more quickly than those that
come from tropical climates and are in active
growth during our winter. Excess of damp or
too low a temperature in winter will very much
mar the beauty of this useful plant.— Gar cierier's
Weekly.

Grafting Epiphyllums.— The London
Journal of Horticulture says to a correspondent :
"You may graft a Pereskia aculeata, the thick-
ness of a pencil, with the Epiphyllum truncatum.
Whip grafting is the best method, though side
grafting will answer well, leaving a portion of
the stock to which the graft can be secured after
insertion. It should be done before the Epiphyl-
lum begins to grow. The graft should be se-
cured with mat8,and have a little moss placed

156

TEE GARDEJSTER'S MOJYTELY.

May,

over it and secured. It is well to have the stem
of the stock and the graft of the same thickness
at the point of union, and the outer edges on one
side, at least, corresponding. If the plant be
placed in a mild bottom heat, and be kept moist
and shaded from bright sun, the graft will take
more speedily.''

Fertilization of Sea Weed's.— Mr. Brong-
niart in his recent "report on the progress of
French Phytology," shows that the fact is now
well established that Sea Weeds have as distinct
sexual forms as higher p'ants, — but that the pro-
cesses of fertilization are much more wonderful-
ly complicated.

Horticultural shows in England— The
future of Flower Shows is one of tlie dfflcult
questions of our time. As a rule they do not
pay, and the problem to be solved is this — Why
not ? They were in former days a source of pro
fit : now too often end in loss. What can make
this difference i Certainly not that horticulture
and floriculture have retrogaded, or even that
the cultivators have stood still. Certainly not,
we think, that fewer persons than formerly take
an interest in matters connected with garden-
ing. — Gardener's Chronicle.

Pronukciation of Bouquet.— Hearing a
good linguist pronounce this word, the other day,
as if it had been spelt bo-kay, I was induced to
ask him his reason for doing so, when he gave
me the following information, which may interest
some of your readers. The word, as we are ac-
customed to seeing it spelt, is a French perver-
sion of two Tartar- Arabic words, 60, beautiful,
and ka, perfume : hence, the original meaning of
the word bouquet is, anything which possesses a
beautiful perfume.

In like manner, the lusciousTokay wine'(of which
the Austrian Emperor is reputed to be as fond as
the King of Prussia was of Champagne) is indebt-
ed for its name to the two Arabic words, to, royal
or imperial, and ka, perfume. When, therefore,
connoisseurs speak of their wines having a
"beautiful bouquet," they are correctly using the
word in its original sense, but they are incorrect-
ly and unwittingly using the adjective twice, —
first in EngUsh, and then in Arabic— W, T., in
Gard. Chron.

Destruction of Cells by Frost. — It seems
probable that frost causes some more subtle al-
teration in the arrangement of the atoms of
which those cells consist. To put the case as
simply as possible, we may state that the cells
are so many bladders of a membrane allied to
starch in chemical constitution, and lined with a
thick albuminous fluid, which forms a sort of
interior lining to the bladder, and which itself
encloses a watery juice.

The cells thus constituted, when in a healthy
state, although they are permeable bj' fluids, un-
der certain conditions, yet offer resistance to any
passage of fluids, into or out of them, if these
conditions be not complied with. Thus, we see
cells containing colored juices, in juxtaposition
with others with colorless juice, and yet there is
no admixture of the contents of the adjacent
cells. So we see starch, or gum, or oil, or poi-
sonous matters stored up in one cell, when its
next door neighbor may be quite destitute of
them.

But, when frost comes, and is succeeded by a
rapid thaw, this state of things is altered — filtra-
tion of the contents of the cells, through their
walls, takes place, the colored juices mingle with
the colorless, the poisonous with the harmless,
and so on ; because the molecular structure of
the cell- walls is so altered that they become po-
rous. A kind of crystallization takes place in
the covering of the cell ; its watery element sepa-
rate from its solid atoms, and these latter become
aggregated into masses, leaving interspaces or
pores between them, through which the liquid
contents of the cell pass ; and hence the flabby,
oozing condition of leaves, and other soft parts
of plants when thawed raj^idly.

If the thaw takes place gradually and slowly,
then there is a chance of the old state of things
being resumed ; but if the thaw be sudden, the
molecular changes are too great to allow of the
resumption of the old ways. This seems a
plausible explanation of well known facts and it
is borne out by experiment ; still it is not the
whole truth, because it affords no explanation of
the case of the Mosses already alluded to, neither
does it satifactorily account for the fact that a
plant which will survive one frost and one thaw,
even if tolerably rapid, will nevertheless succumb
shortly after to a frost of less intensity. — Gar-
deners'' Chronicle.

The Fir Cone Gatherers of the Hartz
Mountain. — The Germans utilize the forests of

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

157

the Hartz mountains in a great variety of ways.
Manufactories are established among them for
carrying on work in all its branches, while tree
culture is systematically pursued to prevent ex-
haustion of the forests. Among the various
workers, says a letter in the New York Post^ is
one of more than ordinary interest, the flr cone
gatherer, who gathers the cones from the pine
trees in order to obtain their seed for planting.
The pines have their fruit on the high branches,
and in order to procure them in a proper condi-
tion for seed, these must be gotten by skillful
climbers, who, with iron hook and cord, manage
to get up to the very topmost branches, where they
reap their harve&t. They are called "workers in
the air" and are remarkable for their monkey-
like dexterity. It costs too much labor in climb-
ing a high tree for them to think of going
through the process many times during the
course of a day, and therefore when they wish to
transport themselves to a neighboring tree, they
set the branch they are on in violent motion
and, by a well timed spring, alight upon the
branches of the other. Of course there is much
danger attending this work, and mauy a grave-
stone in the village churchyard tells the fate of
these "airy workers."

Soutliampton. [This is by far the most varied
and interesting set which has come under our
observation. The doubles are mostly shades of
French white, large and full, and some of them
nicely flaked with rose. They have a typical fo-
liage. Among the single forms with typical
leaves are some very fine striped forms, good
whites, of rich rosy-purple,and one almost wholly
pink. The Fern- leaved forms vary from rosy-
purple to various tints of the carminata hue, and
to blush white and purplish lilac. All have a
very prominent greenish- yellow star-like eye,
this eye being, in some instances, nearly three-
quarters of an inch across. One of these double-
flowered Chinese Primroses set against a moder-
ate sized leaf, makes one of the prettiest button-
hole bouquets imaginable ; and so, indeed would
the single ones, if they were less liable to fall
from the calyx.— Eds. Gardener^s Chronicle.]

Opening the Cones of the Lebanon Ce-
dar.— The cone of the Cedar is remarkably
tough, and will not discharge its seeds by expo-
sure to heat like those of other Firs. I have
tried various methods of extracting the seeds,
find the following most effectual : — Fix the cone
in a vice, and saw ofl" about three-quarters of an
inch top and bottom ; then with a mallet and
cold chisel divide the cone into quarters, which
must be separated into smaller portions. Place
these in the kitchen screen for say twenty -four,
hours, and they can then be separated without
much difficulty. If very tough use a pair of
wire nippers to open them. A good cone con-
tains from forty to sixty seeds. — London Journal
of Horticulture.

Chinese Primroses. — We forward specimen
blooms of our strain of Primulas, with foliage of
each, and which you see will consist of at least
12 varieties. These are all fixed, and come per-
fectly true from seed. We also include some of
the double flowers obtained from seed this sea-
son. Windeiank & Kingsbury^ Bevois Valley,

Anthurium Scherzerianum. — The beauti-
ful Anthurium Scherzerianum will, under proper
treatment, be pushing up more flowers about
this time, (March) and should therefore have
the lightest and most prominent position in any
suitable intermediate house. It should only
have a moderate amount of water at the root at
this season, though in the absence of any great
supply of moisture in the atmosphere, or actual
syringings, occasional moistenings, would be
very beneficial, and might be readily applied by
running a moist sponge over the leaves. Too
much attention cannot possibly be given to such
a gem as this. — Gardener'' s Chronicle.

Ferdinanda eminens, (Crescentia macro-
phylla of Johnson's " Cottage Gardeners' Dic-
tionary,") An excellent plant for sub tropical
gardening. Large, bold foliage. Having a no-
ble appearance, and being tall, it is well adapted
for the centres of beds and backs of borders. It
should be sown early in March, in a good, brisk
heat, forwarded in heat, and thoroughly hard-
ened-off" previous to being planted out. A com-
post of two-thirds turfy loam, and leaf mould and
old cow dung ; or well rotted manure one-third,
with a free admixture of sharp sand suits it.
The plants ought not to be planted out until the
beginning of June, and should have a sheltered
situation. It attains the height of from 8 to 12
feet. The Ferdinanda is a perennial, but may
be treated as an annual or biennial. — London
Journal of Horticulture.

158

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

Mai/f

Pnsrus TAMRAC is described in the Gardeners''
CJironide, by Mr. A. Murray, from a single cone
brouglit there by Mr. Warren. It is alUed to P.
muricata.

He describes it as a tree of moderate height
and pyramidal form, the leaves in pairs, stifi' of
a glaucous green, with the sides slightly ser-
rated ; the cones reddish, fawn-colored, pendant,
from li to If inches long, one side being longer
than the other, — giving them an incurved shape,
the scales being hooked at tbe extremity in some
specimens, and in others terminating in a long,
awl-shaped spine, not larger than a thread. This
difference in the cones appears to indicate that
two species have been confounded together. If
not so, it is a curious circumstance that such a
marked difference should exist in the cones of the
same species.

[We have only just been able to decide that
Pinus Coulteri and P. Sabiniana, also described
in a hurry, are the same. Will this one prove
any more distinct ? Our English friends do not
seem to understand the natural variations in
American cones. — Ed. G. 31.]

New Varieties OF Eicinus.— The common
Castor Oil plant is much valued for its stately ap-
pearance, in English gardening. New kinds are
being introduced— some species, others but vari-
eties ol known kinds. The following is a list of the
most distinguished. They are splendid plants for
making bold and noble beds, when well grown
attaining a heislit of 12 feet, with leaves nearly
a yard in width. Very ornamental, and easily
grown :

Bicinus Africamis^ large green foliage ; R. Jf-
ricanus albidiis, silvery stems and veins ; S. Be-
lot de Fougeres^ excellent variety, large glaucous
foliage, and dark green fruit ; jB. Bourbonenfiis,
superb large ornamental foliage ; R. BrazUiensis
viridts, fine large foliage, with green fruit ; R.
compacta, very elegant, leaves bright green ; _R.
insigfiisj foliage and fruit dark glaucous green :
B, rtiacrocarpus, mulberry stems and foliage ; R.
Obermanni, large, dark foliage, one of the best ;
K. purpureus Cinare.'icens, dark foliage, splendid
variety ; R. sanguineus tricolor, fine red foliage
and fruit ; Species from the Philippine Islands,
splendid foliage, tinged with purple.

Solanums. — These are being used in England
in '' their " sub-tropical gardening. The follow-
ing are some of the principal kinds employed.

Of course most of our readers know that these
ornamental varieties partake of the Tomato and
Egg-plant character. Some have small red
berries, of a Capsicum character, which are all
Solanums :

Solanum Balbisi, large white flowers, showy
foliage ; S. hetaceum, large, bright green leaves
veined purple ; S. laciniatum, beautifully cut
green foliage ; S. macrocarpum, large dark blue
flowers and fine foliage ; (S. rohiistum, large,
bronzy foliage, with yellow spines ; *S verbascifo-
lium, dark blue flowers, large lanceolate whitish
foliage.

The following have very pretty fruit, and are
suitable for growing in pots, for table or green-
house decoration :

S, Acanthocarpum, a new variety, of excellent
habit. The branches are whitish, and armed
with strong spines, the leaves being silvery and
tomentose on the under surface, and green on the
upper. The fruit, which is produced in abun-
dance, is of the size of small oranges. S. capsi-
castrinn, oracge-scarlet fruit ; S. cornuliccBlum,
very large, showy fruit, bright j^ellow, like small
Custard Marrows in shape ; S. Sodomceum, very
handsome fruit ; S. Texanum., fine scarlet fruit ;
WeatherilVs New Hybrid, an exceedingly fine va-
riety, growing to a height of 18 to 20 inches,
dense and compact, with free branching habit,
and producing a great abundance of beautiful
berries, whiQh vary in size and shape, some being
perfectly round, others cordate, with many other
intermediate forms.

Cypeipedium HAKKisiANrM, [bavbato villo-
sum). — The leaves of this hybrid are ligulate,
much narrower than those of C. barbatum,
broader than those of C. villosum ; tridentate,
with a bristle-lilic middle tooth, as in C. barba-
tum, glossy, as in C. villosum, and marked with
numerous tesselated dark green hieroglyphical
markings, as in C. barbatum. The peduncle is
quite that of C. villosum. The bract is that of
the same, carinate, ancipitous, sheath-like, but
only half of the length of the ovary, having less
hairs than that of C. villosum, green and viola-
ceous. The upper sepal has a broader base than
that of the said species, and comes nearer to that
of C. barbatum, but it is covered with a denser
pubescence. The atroviolaceous streaks, in lieu
of being distinct, are confluent, so that the
greater part of it appears of a blackish-purple,
and only whitish near the top. It is very
glossy.

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

159

The inferior sepal is ovate triangular, whitish
green, with green nerves, and some purplish
streaks near the limb, not glossy. It is quite in-
termediate, in this respect, between its two
parents. TJie petals are spread at a right angle,
and are ligulate ovate acute, hairy on the upper
and under limb, as in C. barbatum ; narrower
than in C. villosum ; very shining, port-wine
colored, with a very dark line on the middle
nerves. Nerves green beneath, dark atroviola-
ceous above.

These organs are intermediate between those
of both parents ; but, if one overlooks the bristles
on the margins, they stand nearer to those of
Cypripedium villosum. The lip has a conical
sac, witli two erect, blunt, lateral horns on its
orifice ; the limb of the unguis is involved. It is
of a light port wine color, with a tinge of light
green here and there. It has dark brown spots
on both sides of the limb, bristles around the
mouth of the sac, and fine dark bristles internal-
ly. It is very glossy at the base of the unguis,
but elsewhere it appears nearly opaque.

The staminoilium is very like that of C. bar-
batum, transverse, emarginate at its base, and the
basilar lobes descend and approximate on the
back side, as in C. barbatum. The anterior part
is three-lobed, with blunt side lobes, (in lieu of
the acute ones of C. barbatum), and has an acute
middle tooth. On the disc there are some reti-
culate dark green veins, and a very little hooked
ancipitous callosity, instead of the large one of
C. villosum. The stigmatic lamina is abruptly
stipitate, as in C. barbatum. Stiff" bristles stand
around the base of column, as in C. villosum.

This hybrid was obtained by applying the pol-
len of C. barbatum to the stigma of C. villosum.
Ihe colors are much brighter aud darker than
those of C. villosum. The flower is smaller
than that of C. villosum, and as large as those
of the largest varieties of C. barbatum.

There are various opinions as to the value of
hybrids. We hear there are some gentlemen who
shrink from the apparition of such plants even
among Orchids. No doubt, hybrids of doubtful
origin, which make their appearance without
certificates of birth and parentage, are most
troublesome both to men of science and to ama
teurs. Thus the study of garden specimens of
Pelargoniums, Cacti, Ericas, is very irksome and
often impossible. But if the origin of all these
doubtful plants were known, would it not be a

grand thing for science ? And so it is with
Orchids.

We have to thank Messrs. Yeitch for some of
the showiest plants ever obtained in gardens.
They have, from the beginning, candidly stated
what kind of plants they were. May such inter-
esting experiments be often repeated. It is not
only the desire of getting valuable novelties that
we allude to. No : a higher wish is, that by
such continuous experiments we may, by-and-by,
get quite new views about the limits of both gen-
era and species. The grand questions about the
limits of species will be more and more elucidated
by such cross-fertilization. Some grave doubts
about the limits of genera, apparently weakened
by some so-called species, will be solved by the
knowledge of the hybrid nature of the intermedi-
ate connecting links.

These splendid acquisitions are due to the un-
rivalled skill and sagacity of Mr. Dominy, Now,
we are told it was Dr. Harris, of Exeter, who
gave Mr Dominy the idea of hybridizing Orchids,
at a time wlien we knew nothing about the Eu-
ropean Orchid mules, and when there was not
the least indication of the present great excite-
ment of mind as to the limits and origin of spe-
cies. The showy plant now described, could not,
as Mr. Dominy well observes, bear a better name
than that of Cypripedium Harrisianum, in honor
of the gentleman to whom we are indebted for so
much.— H. G Rchb. fil.

Caxxas.— The following is a list of the best
kinds used in English gardening :

Canna Annei Orange, glaucous foliage, deep
orange flowers ; Superha, dark purple foliage,
salmon flowers ; Bihorelli, dark foliage, orange-
red flowers, fine ; Chatei sanguinea, dark foliage,
dark red flowers ; Commutata, large green foliage,
with showy red flowers ; Discolor florihiuida,
green foliage, veined purple ; Hybrida Warsce-
wiczoides, beautifully veined foliage, with red
flowers ; Keteleeri, a superb new variety ; Kre-
lagei discolor, fine purple foliage and britrht red
flowers ; Lemonei, red flowers, a splendid new
variety ; IluscefoUa, splendid large green foliage,
red flowers ; Peruviana, bright green foliage, ver-
milion flowers ; Purpurea hybrida, dark foliage,
veined crimson ; Rendatleri, fine bronzy foliage,
orange flowers ; Rodezii, excellent large-leaved
variety , Botundifolia rubra, dark purple foliage
and scarlet flowers ; Seelowii, green foliage, scar-
let flowers ; Warscewiczii sanguinea, blood-red
flowers, fine ; Bosea, handsome green foliage,
rose flowers ; Warscewiczoides grandiHora, dark
red flowers, fine ; Nova, a magnificent variety,
with bright crimson flowers. Finest mixed,
various.

160

THE GARDEJ^ERS' MOJSrTHLY.

May,

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

PENNSYLYAKIA HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

The April exhibition was a fair average one.
The collections of Joshua Longstreth, (which for
nearly half a century have added to the monthly
interest of these meetings, now ceasing with his
death,) were very much missed. It is to be
hoped that Mr, S. S. Price, who inherits the
family taste for horticultural pursuits, will main-
tain the ancient supremacy of the house in these
matters.

On this occasion, the large, overgrown plants
which sometimes appear, were wanting. This is
no loss. Years ago, when gardening was all
within a mile or so of the place of meeting, it was
well for the Society to encourage this style of
floriculture. Now, when most of its members
are miles away, the articles for competition
should be smaller, — such, for instance, as one
could bring in on a railroad car. Where pot
plants are called for, the premiums should be
offered for the best plants grown in the
smallest pots. The Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society was the first Society to make any move
at all in this direction. It has stood still since
that time, if not gone a little backwards ; while
the Royal Horticultural Society, of London, has
taken up the idea, and pushed it to excellent
results.

The pots in which the collection of Mr. F. R.
Starr was exhibited, were quite large enough —
eight or ten inch. Two or three of the Azaleas,
trained as small pyramids, were models of beauty.
Several of the varieties were of first-rate excel-
lence ; amongst these especially. Queen Victoria,
Baron de Rhet, Toilet de Flore, Magnet, and
Exquisita pallida. They were very creditable to
Mr. Kelley, the gardener.

The plants from Mr. McDonald, gardener to
M. T. Baird, Esq., were also much admired for
their compact beauty. Specimen of the
'Abutilon vexillaris, still somewhat rare, trained
on an oval cylindrical trellis, and covered with
blossoms, was very well grown. The Rhynco-
spermum jasminoides, with its sweet white flow-
ers, and very easy growth, was also good, be-
cause well grown in a small space. The Begonia
nitida semperflorens is also a good show plant for
this season.

The same exhibitor had beautiful specimens of
the bi colored and tri-colored Zonale Geraniums.
These are particularly fine plants for evening
decoration. To our mind, their effect by gas-
light is even better than that from flowers.
Virgin Queen, Meteor, and Silver Star, were
among the best varieties in the collection. The
various Dracoeuas in this collection also showed
this class of plants to be also unique for this pur-
pose.

Some of the best grown Cinerarias we have
ever seen at these meetings, were here on this
occasion, from Gebhard Huster, gardener to J-
B. Heyl, and from Mr. H. A. Dreer, who is one
of the most regular of the contributors of the
Philadelphia florists to these meetings.

Mr. Heyl's Cinerarias were peculiar, from the
fact that the flowers were arranged in separate
heads, giving the plants the appearance of being
made up of a dozen or more small bouquets, with
green leaves between each bunch. Mr. Dreer's
were of the ordinary dwarf kind. He had also
very well grown Pansies, and th following beau
tiful Zonale Geraniums :

Mrs. Pollock. Victoria, Bicolor, Mrs. Whitty,
Lucius, Lord Chancellor, Beaton's ludian Yel-
low, Waltham Seedling, Etoile de Matin, Princess
Lichtensteiik, Christine, Minstrel.

The named Verbenas were also equal, at least ,
to any similar collection, and consisted of Loy-
alty, Sadowa, Pluto, Scarlet Cushion, Gem of
the West, Star of the Union, Rover, Boule de
Neige, Giganti, Bizarre, Robin Adair, King of
the Blacks.

The Vegetables were very good for the season
— but the two dishes of forced Strawberries, from
D. W. Herstine, and from J. McDonald, gar-
dener to M. T. Baird, Esq., were particularly
nice to look at.

Mr. Herstine's were chiefly .Jucunda and
Wilson's Albany , and Mr. McDonald's, French
and Triomphe de Gand. The latter had the one
good point of superior flavor. The last, with
very good flavor, had the additional points of
size and beauty. Some of the berries, though
forced, were indeed nearly as large as the mam-
moth berries for which Mr. Knox has become so
justly famous — these had the first premium. Mr.
McDonald also had fine Oranges and Lemons,
from Mr. Baird's collection.

DEVOTED TO

Eorticulture, Arhoriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAX.

Old Series, Vol. XL

JUJVE, 1869. ^ew Series. Vol. IT. No. 6.

HINTS FOR JUNE,

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Annually as June comes, and the roses begin
to bloom, we are beset with inquiries what to do
for the Rose slug, the nasty little fellow which
eats out all the green and leaves the eaves beau-
tifully skeletonized. Nothing is more easily
kept down. Watch for their first appearance
and crush them, a few minutes on each plant
will do. The Rosebug is another troublesome
thing on the flowers, these are easily shaken off
into a bowl of water. All through the garden
handpicking and watchfulness will be found the
best remedy for all the larger class of insects.
Speaking of Roses, we suppose all our readers
know that the flowers of the Perpetual kinds
should be cut away as soon as the petals are
faded. The buds then push out again, and flow-
ers come from the new growth.

Rare roses are increased by layers, buds and
cuttings ; layers are made of the strong growths
as soon as the wood gets a little hard, a slit is
cut in the upper side of the shoot, to be layered,
and it is bent down into rich soil. Everything
roots soorer in rich than in poor soil. The cut
used to be made on the under side, but they are
then liable to break on bending dowu. Budding
is done by taking out a piece of bark with an
eye, and inserting it under the bark of another
kind and then tied in. It is nice amusement for
ladies, and any florist will explain the process
to those who do not know. Budded Roses are
not very popular owing to the tendency of the
kinds used for stocks to throw up suckers,
which, unless the intelligence of the grower is
equal to keeping them off, in the end kill the kinds
budded on them. Rose cuttings are generally
easily raised by those who know little about it.
In proportion as one becomes a skilful florist, the
failures to strike Rose cuttings increase. Al-
most every one who puts in a few "slips," o"
half ripe wood into a pot of earth, and sets the

pot under a shady fence, succeeds ; but as soon
as he or she knows "all about it,'' they can't
strike Roses. Here at least is an encourage-
ment to the new beginner.

In nothing has progress in gardening been
better indicated than in the use of the pruning
knife on Evergreens. Up to the existence of the
Garderter'.s Monthly., one might prune any trees
except evergreens. Few articles ever took the
public more by surprise, than our first paper
showing that pruning benefited these plants.
Now it is generally practised, and it is believed
to be followed with more striking results than
when used on deciduous trees. In transplant-
ing evergreens of all kinds from the woods, the
best way to save their lives, is to cut them half
back with a hedge shears, and when any come;
from the nurseries with bad roots, or roots which
have accidentally got dry, a severe cutting back
will save them. And then if we have an un-
sightly evergreen, — a one sided, or sparsely
clothed evergreen, if it is cut back considerably
it will push out again green all over, and make
a nice tree. It must be carefully remembered
however that in all these cases the leading shoot
must be cut away also, or the side branches will
not come out well. An idea prevails that a new
leading shoot will not come out on the Pine
family after one has lost its first. But this is a
mistake, ; sometimes they will not show a dis-
position to do so, side shoots near the leader's
place will seem to put in a rival claim for the
leadership the following year, but if these are
then cut away they will not make a second at-
tempt, and the real leader will then push on into
its path of destiny.

The Scotch Piue and the Chinese Arborvitae,
are two plants which derive wonderful benefit
from the pruning knife. Both these are very
liable to get ragged when left entirely to their
natural inclinations, but grow with a beautiful
compact luxuriance under the occasional appll-

162

THE GAIiDE:N'EKS MOJYTHLY.

June,

cation of the knife. Indeed the Scotch Pine
with judicious pruning makes one of the most
heautitul ornaments of the lawn and pleasure
ground. It can be made to take many odd
forms, one of the most picturesque is obtained by
cutting off its head when about ten feet high,
and never let another leader grow. The side
branches are all cut away except the upper tier,
these spread then outwardly, — not exactly creep-
ing but flowing forward in the most luxurious
green imaginable, making a much prettier arbor
thau any weeping tree we ever saw.

These peculiar objects are very striking in a
flower garden, and other things beside evergreens
will furnish them. Deciduous shrubs may often
be trained into interesting forms. The AYisterja
sinensis, for instance, makes a very interesting
object trained as a small tree. If tied up to a
stake for one or two years, and then suffered to
stand alone, it will make a pretty round head,
and when in Spring the pendant blossoms are in
profusion, it makes an unique ornament on a
lawn.

Increased attention has been given the Rhodo-
dendron and Azalea the few past seasons, as the}^
prove to be much more easy to manage than
people formerly thought. It is found to be a
mistake that they need shade. It is only a cool
soil they require. This is made by deepening it,
and adding to it material, which will keep it open
and porous at all seasons. We accomplish this
by adding fine brushwood with the heavy clay
loam. Those who have them in good growing
order should take care to keep them in good
health by occasional top-dressing. This they
enjoy, as the little hair like roots fancy feeding
in cool places, near the surface. Mr. Kelley, an
excellent landscape gardener of Philadelphia, in-
forms us that he has seen well-decaj'ed cow ma-
nure used to very great advantage as a dressing
for these plants.

For most plants cow manure, well decayed, is
among the best of fertilizers. It seems to have
the power of keeping moist longer than most
other manures, and of course no fertilizer is of
value, only as a plant by moisture is enabled to
take in the fertilizing particles into its system.

Summer bulbs like Tigridias, Tuberoses, and
Gladiolus have mostly been planted by this time,
but many to have flowers late keep them tilljuue
before planting.

Evergreen hedges will require attention as they
grow. Where the height desired has been at-

tained the top and strong growths should be cut
back while they are still watery. The side shoots
need not be touched till past midsummer. All
wise people noAv employ the conical shape for
hedges. In cutting back the top growth at this
season, the conical form can still be preserved.

Flower beds should be hoed and raked as soon
as the ground dries after a rain. Loose surface
soil prevents the under-stratum drying out. Peg
down bedding plants where practicable. Split
twigs make the best pegs. In dry weather do
not water flower -beds often ; but do it thorough-
ly when it is done. See that the water does not
run ofi", but into and through the soil.

Peg down Poses where a heavy mass of flow-
ers is desired. The side shoots push more freely
for this treatment.

All those who have set out trees the past
Spring, should take the first chance of a dry spell
to loosen the soil dee^jly about them with a fork,
and immediately after beat it down hard again
with the heel, or some better "clod-crusher."
Innumerable lives of trees may be saved by this
simple practice.

Many parties have a difficulty in keeping trel-
lisses, when covered witii a weight of vines, from
becoming 'top heavy,' and blowing over in a
wind. This can be remedied by nailing a cross
piece to the trellis a few inches long, just above
the ground, or even two pieces, making four
cross-shaped arms. This will eventually pre-
vent 'swagging,' no matter from what part of
the compass the ludest winds may blow.

Dahlias must not be allowed to bloom too early.
Keeping them growing well till fall, at any cost.
If they become stunted by early flowering, a few
miserable sun dried July flowers will be the poor
reward.

Herbaceous plants should be staked, to keep
from wind-blowing. White Pine stakes, with
their ends charred by being slightly burned in a
furnace, will last for many years — as long, in
fact as the best painted cedar — a good hint for
bean poles, trellises, «&c.

After bulbous roots have done flowering, they
should be at once taken up, carefully dried, and
placed away in paper bags till wanted next fall.
If suffered to remain in the ground, the rains we
get through the summer keep their activity exci-
ted, and is unfavorable to that rest necessary to
make them bloom finely next year.

ISSJ.

THE GABDEJVER'S MONTHLY.

163

FRUIT garde:n'.

Whoever grows wheat or any other farm crop,
knows that the soil will not maintain its fertility
without manure. He knows that however rich
a virgin soil may be, it cannot long remain rich
without his artificial aid. Hence, an annual
manuring becomes, in time, as necessary as an
annual sowing of seeds. How few remember
this in orchard management. The tree has to
flourish in the same soil for years, — or perchance
after all the best of the soil has been taken away
by regular farm crops, and then comes the
" Wonder why our climate will not grow trees as
it once did." Soils cannot well be too rich for
fruit trees ; not to have manure dug deeply in,
but spread on the surface. Possibly we suffer
more from the Apple and Plum borer than we
one time did, but these are so easily kept out by
oil paper about the collar of the tree, that ex-
cuses for not raising fruit, on account of injury
to the trees by borers, is only exhibiting one's
laziness. Fire blight and plum knot may be easily
kejit under, and the curculio "fixed'' by Hull-
catchers, The codlin moth may be pretty well
kept under by persistence in destroying wormy
apples, so that with the exception of leaf blight and
injuries from frost, there is really no formidable
obstacle to the waj' of successful fruit growing.
Leaf blight is not yet mastered. If it is True as
appears probable, that the fungus which produ-
ces the effect we see, can only germinate in a
high temperature, we may, by taking steps to
keep the great reflection from our summer sun
parched soil from operating on the leaves, yet
master this last great evil.

The evil effects of severe Summer pruning on
fruit trees are also now clearly recognized. All
pruning, winter or summer, is an injury to vi-
tality. Frequently the injury is so slight that
the tree soon recovers, and some other advantage
being gained, pruning on the whole may be a
benefit. It is well, however, to always keep in
view the principle that pruning always weakens,
in order to do as little of it as possible, consis
tently with what we wish to accomplish. At
this season we may do some good in saving the
necessity for winter pruning, by pinching out

shoots we may not want, while they are in a
young and immature state.

Grapes first coming in bearing should not be
permitted to perfect large crops of fruit while
young. It is excusable to fruit a bunch or so on
a young vine, " just to test the kind,"' but no
more should be permitted till the vine has age

and strength. Vigorous growth, and great pro-
ductiveness, are the actipodes of the vegetable
world. Encourage as much foliage as possible
on the vines, and aim to have as strong shoots
at the base as at the top of the cane ; this can be
done by pinching out the points of the strong
shoots after they have made a growth of five or
six leaves. This will make the weak ones grow
stronger. Young vines grow much faster over
a twiggy branch, stuck in for support, than over
a straight stick as a trellis, and generally do
better every way. Where extra fine bunches of
grapes are desired, pinch back the shoot bearing
it to about four or five leaves above the bunch.
This should not be done indiscriminately with
all the bunches. Too much pinching and stop-
ping injures the production of good wood f<^
next season. These hints are for amateurs, who
have a few vines on trellisses ; for large vine-
yard culture, though the same principles hold
good as far as they go, they will vary in their
application.

Grapes in cold vineries will now be of a size
fit for thinning. In those cases where the
bunches are intended to hang long on the vines,
they should be thinned out more severely than
those expected to be cut early. A close, com-
pact bunch favors mildew and early decay.

Fine, rich color is always esteemed as one of
the criterions whereby to judge of the excellence
of a fruit. Sun light is of first importance ; but
it is not generally known that this is injurious
when in excess. In a dry atmosphere, with
great sun-heat, where the evaporating process
goes on faster than the secretive principle, what
should become a rich rosy blush in a fruit, is
changed to a sickly yellow ; and the rich jet
black of a grape becomes a foxy red., Some Grape-
growers of eminence, in view of the facts, shade
their vineries during the coloring process ; but
others, instead, keep the atmosphere as close
and moist as possible. The latter cour.se detracts
from the flavor of the fruit. The best plan is
that which combines both practices.

Watch newly planted fruit trees. If they have
but a few weak leaves only, it shows the roots
have been injured ; then prune them severely,
which will mal<e them grow freely. It should
be a main object to make all transplanted trees
not merely have leaves, but have new shoots at
the earliest possible moment. If they are grow-
ing very well, they may be allowed to perfect a
few fruit. Overbearing on a newly planted tree

lejf

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELl.

June,

is, however, one of the best ways of making it
stunted for j-ears

Strawberries, when in grown hills, -the most la-
borious but most productive method of growing
them, — should have runners cut off as they grow,
and the surface soil kept loose by shallow hoe-
ings occasionally. Short litter, half rotten as a
mulch, is also beneficial. Lawn mowings are
often applied, but Avilh little benefit. Where
they are grown in beds, they should not be too
thick, as they starve one another, and the crop
next year will be poor.

Blackberries are not always ripe when they
are black. Leave them on till they part readily
from their stalks.

Currants are so easilj' grown as to require few
l^nts for their management. If they throw up
many suckers, take out a portion now, instead
of waiting till Winter to cut them away. The
Currant borer is a great pest, eating out the
pith of the young shoots, and causing them to
grow poorly, and bear but small fruit uext3-ear.
Gummy "fly-paper'' is, we think, the best thing
to catch them.

Gooseberries should have the soil, and even
the plants, if it were practicable, shaded a little
Dry air about them is one great cause of mildew.

In the interior department. Peaches that have
been slightly forced will be about maturing, and
the atmosphere must be allowed to become dryer,
by admitting more air and using the syringe less
Ireely. This is necessary, not only to perfect
the flavor of the fruit, but to mature the wood
properly for next season's fruit. All of this has
to be done with caution, as a sudden change
from moist system of culture to a dry one will
be certain to injure the tissue and breed disease.

Eed-spider and other insects closely follow on
the heels of a dry atmosphere. They must be
watched, and nothing suftered to injure the
leaves till by natural maturity the plant has no
longer use for them.

VEGETABLE GARDEX.

Peas for a fall crop may be sown. It is, how-
ever, useless to try them, unless in a deeply
trenched soil, and one that is comparatively cool
in the hottest weather overhead, or they will
certainly mildew and prove worthless In En-
gland, where the atmosphere is so much more
humid than ours, they nevertheless, have great
difficulty in getting fall peas to get through free
from mildew ; and to obviate these drying and
mildew-producing influences, they often plant

them in deep trenches, made as for celery, and
are then much more successful with them.

Cabbage and Broccoli may still be set out for
fall crops, also requiring an abundance of ma-
nure to insure success.

Lettuce, where salads are in much request,
may yet be sown. The Curled Indian is a favor-
ite summer kind ; but the varieties of Cos, or
Plain-leaved kinds, are good. They take more
trouble, having to be tied up to blanch well.
Many should not be sown at a time, as they soon
run to seed in hot weather.

Endive is becoming very popular as a winter
salad. !N'ow this is the time to sow. The Curl-
leaved is the most desirable. Sow it like Lettuce.

Celery for early use is often planted out this
month, though for winter use July or August
will be early enough. It is best to set out in
shallow trenches, for convenience in watering,
the celer}^ being fond of hydropathic appliances.
If the ground has been deeply subsoiled, and the
subsoil well enriched, the trenches may be near a
foot in depth, for convenience in blanching ; but
beware of planting down in poor, barren subsoil-
Many plant in double rows. Where very supe-
rior celer}' is not an object,' this will do, but the
single row system is the best for excellence. The
season is now an-iving when the advantages of
subsoiled ground will be apparent. In such soil
plants will grow freely though there be no rain
for many weeks. Some of our best growers now
plant entirely on the surface, and depend on
drawing up the soil, or the emplo3a'nent of boards
or other artificial metliods of blanching.

Cucumbers for pickling may be sown this
month.

P irsly for winter use may be sown now in
boxes of rich soil, and set in a cool, shady place
till it germinates.

Asparagus beds should not be cut after the
stalks seem to come up strong, or there will be
but a poor crop the next season, and the beds
will 'run out,' in few years.

The Swede Turnip or Ruta Baga should be
sown about the end of the month. A woll-en-
riched piece of ground is essential, as by growing
fast they get ahead of the ravages of the fly.
Manures abounding in the phosphates — bone-
dust, for instance, — are superior for the Turnip.

Sweet Potatoes must be watched, that the
vines do not root in the ground as they run,
which will weaken the main crop of roots. They
should be gone over about once a month, and
with a rake or pole, the vines disturbed some-
what from their position.

1869.

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJ^TRLY.

J 6b

COMMUNICATIONS.

SHRINKAGE OF TREES IN WINTER.

BY MR. A. HUIDEKOPER.

It was not expected by me when I made a sug-
gestion on the above subject, in the February
number, page 46, that I should be drawn into
any discussion about it, nor do I entertain the
opinion attributed to me by Mr. Fendler, (April
number, page 107,) " that there is no other cause
from which a tree should split in cold weather
but shrinkage." When trees are in the condi-
tion spoken of by Mr. Fendler, at page 107, viz :
"The interior of which consists of a mass of par-
tially decayed spongy wood, saturated with
water," I can readily conceive that the interior
water crystallizing into ice, might disrupt the
outer walls of the tree surrounding it, but this
is not the case put in December number, 1868
at page 3<54, where the result is attributed to
water taken up by capillary attraction in the in-
terior sap vessels," the freezing of which was
said to have caused the bursting of the trees,
and to which my suggestion was intended to
apply.

Although I have lived many years amid West-
ern forests; and have seen many trees that have
been split by the hard freezing, I am free to con-
fess that I have not examined them with a criti-
cal eye, to detect the exact modus operandi of the
frost.

One of the difficulties in getting at a satisfac-
tory conclusion in this matter is, that to the eye,
the results would so often appear to be the same,
whether the cause be external shrinkage or inte-
rior expansion.

A theory, however, to be true, must adapt it-
self to all the ficts of the phenomena under in-
vestigation, and so I mention a few facts illustra-
tive of what I suppose to be the contractive ten-
dencies of dry cold winds

During a dry, cold spell in the winter of 1865-6,
(see Cleveland JIe7'ald, February 9, 1866.) the
ground at Cleveland, Ohio, showed long rents,
three inches wide and several feet deep ; one of
these rents passing through the house of a Mr.
Mcllrath.

In extreme cold nights it is not uncommon for
ice of considerable thickness on ponds of water
or lakes, to be rent asunder, the fracture being
attended with loud explosive-like sounds.

In laying the iron on rail roads considerable

allowance is made for the summer elongation and
the winter contraction of the rails

Not to multiply illustrations, I would say that
Mr. Fendler and myself do not quite coincide in
our observations in some things referred to by
him. He says green wood before a fire splits in
many places, gradually, and without noise. I
have often noticed it to part with one long frac-
ture and with considerable noise, which would
be larijiely increased on the more extensive scale
of a whole tree.

Many persons must have noticed how green
furniture, subjected to furnace heat, sometim
cracks with a noise almost equal to that of a pf
tol. That fragments of the trees split by frost
are ejected with violence, is not quite conclusive
on the point under discussion, for when trees
are being split by wedges applied at the surface,
owing to a complication of forces, cross-grain in
the wood, &c., fragments are often thrown out
with considerable force.

Mr. Fendler says he cannot see why, if shrink-
age is the cause of trees splitting, it does not
rather occur under the dry, hot summer air.
I'ossibly the answer to this may be that summer
cii-culation distributes as well as qualifies the
heat, while the drying process would contract the
outside of a tree, summer heat would expand it,
and thus a proper relationship of all the parts
is kept up. On the other hand, in the winter,
cold winds abstract heat, and dry winds abstract
moisture, and here are two co-operative contrac-
tile forces at work to produce the alleged

shrinkage.

Mr. Fendler says if a tree split from shrinkage
it will have a poor chance for its life ! but he does
not say why.

He further says that trees bursting by freezing
do live, which proved that the injury is not the
result of shrinkage The quod erat demonstran-
dum of this proposition is no clearer than the

other.
I make these remarks not to antagonize Mr.

Fendler, for I wish no useless discussion of the
matter, but simply in the hope that he, and any
others of your readers who may be disposed to in-
vestigate the subject, may carry the two hypothe-
ses in their minds, and when they come across
facts bearing on the question, may adopt that
theory with which those facts seem best to har-
monize.

166

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

June,

XOTE ON CUECULIO.

T5Y WM. ARCHER, TREXTOX FALLS, N. Y.

I see in your columns several plans advanced
for the destruction of the curculio. If some of
your readers will adopt the plan that I have
practiced for the last 15 years, icith entire success,
the curculio wont deter them from planting on as
larixe a scale as they please.

Take an old tin pail, punch holes in the bottom
like a sieve; procure a pole long enough to reach
above your trees, tie the pail on the top of the
pole, put some air-slacked lime in the pail, raise
it over the top of your trees, strike the pole with
your hand, and you will send a shower of lime
a'l over the trees ; the operation ought to be per-
Ibrmed about three times ; first when the flower
oegins to expand, and again in four or five days;
three times is about enough ; each operation
must be performed in the morning, when the
dew is on the trees.

PURSHS JOURNAL.

(Continued.)

July 31. This morning after breakfast, I Avent
down the river on board a boat : This River
though deep & large having all the body of wa-
ter in it, which is discharged by all the small
lakes, is very much impedet by rifts or ledges of
rock, which go across it, sometimes for a consid-
erable distance ; the bottom is in deep & shallow
water covered with aquatic plants, some of them,
chiefly Potamogetons grow to an exceeding length
in deep water.— Eels & Water snakes both of a
most enormous size are the chief inhabitants of
it. — I thought to have observed some leaves of
Valisneria floating on the water. — The banks of
the river are very romantick : in showing the
woods & River in its primitive state, exactly as
much so as when it was not known to white people.
Here is no house or any sign of cultivation to be
seen, untill you come near Oswego. At Oswego
Rift, I qui ted the boat, being only a mile to that
place then by land : when I came ashore I ob-
served a species of Ilydrocotyle. with peltated
eaves, without flowers, growing along the edge
of the water, my walk dit go along the shore
which was covered with Chesnut, Oak, Hem-
lock—Populus candicans, heterophylla & tremu-
loides — Scrophularia nodosa in flower — Hyperi-
cum perforatum even has found his way to this
retired place, in company of some more obnox-
ious foreign weeds. — Soon after my arrival & hav-
ing refreshed myself at Oswego, & went to see

the lake, which indeed has a noble & grand appear-
ance, & without knowing it previous to be only a
lake, one would take it for the shore of the main
ocean : Tho shore here is rocky & pretty high :
as I wished to get something to eat & nothing
had been ready, before I went, I could only make
a small excursion. I soon found Hippophae can-
adensis which is a very singular shrub. — The
different above mentioned Poplars mixed with
other wood make the timber. Cornus several
sorts among which is the Osier rouge or Red
Osier one, which has white berries, several sorts
of Salix — Rubus odoratus in flower «& fruit — Ha-
mamelis virginica &c. form the shrubbery — a
species of Gnaphalium, unknown to me, & very
handsome is in plenty. Yaccinium frondosum
& Pensylvanicum — Hj'cracium Kalmii, — Solida-
go spec. Equisetum Sylvaticum &c. I collected
here. — I had to wait, till nearly sunset, before I
could get any thing to eat & then it was nothing
but eel, which I never could eat. I had to do as
well as I could, among people, whose life was
very rough, & who think about nothing but
making some money, by the little trade they have
here, which is chiefly salt : it is a place, I dis-
like the most of any I ever have been at, in the
United States : I was not able to get one civil
man by whom I could get some information.

Augt. 1. Yesterday & to day I made enqui-
ries about a sandy beach ; but all information I
could get, was, that it was above 30. miles dis-
tance : though I was anxious of seeing such a
place here I had to give up the Idea, as I had
inured one of my feet very much on the day be-
fore yesterday: The big toe had inflamed itself
to an alarming and painfull degree, the chief part
of her skin having been rubbed off in travelling.
I took another walk towards the lake, hat ob-
served nothing more than mentioned before : In
the town, the Hyoscyamus niger grows as a
common weed in the streets . There are several
specimens of very curious granit on the Lake
shore in large blocks, they are red, mixed with
black, greenish black & white, they would look
beautifull if worked into some monument : a small
peple of similare construction I kept as a speci-
men. It does not appear to be any limestone in
the banks of this lake, but I only seen a very
small part of it, so I can not exactly tell. — My
foot getting exceeding sore I concluted to return
as the place altogether was disagreeable to me.
I could not stay to get it well here, & so I sooner
might return, than stay, as I could do noth-

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

167

ing here : I got on board a boat & proceeded up
the river.

At Osvrego rift the Justicia pedunculasa was
in flower — pedunculis longitudine foliorum, flori-
bus capitatis, calyx 5 — phyllus, subaequalis : foli-
olis lauceolatis tubo corolljE longior : corolla bi-
labiata, lab : sui^erius planum, apice reflexum
purpurascens, bifidum 1. emarginatum ; lobis
iateralibus erecto patentes, oblougo rotiiudato
obtusse. Lab, inferius ovato oblongura, obtusum
lateribus reflexum, eleganter rrfbro-purpurascens
punctatum anthersje gemince. I fished up seve-
ral specimens of Valisneria, which grows in
great abundance in this river. Planiago major
grows on the banks & sometimes in tlie water
itself with leaves so large as the Pothos fostida.
I at first could hardly believe it to be Plantago :
Pontederia cordata is very frequent. Potamo-
geton natans, gramineum, & crispum cover the
bottom of the water in large beds The naviga-
tion up this river is very tedious on account of
the rappids or rifts : we arrived in the evening at
Oswego falls where I stood over night.

Augt. 2. No boats going up to day, it being
Sunday, I stood at the falls, as 1 was not able to
undertake it on foot, on account of my sore toe ;
to spent the time to some purposs I got into a
small boat & went in pursuit of aquatic plants.
In a cove, the river forms here, I found a field o^
Xymphcea odora, beautifully in bloom. It is as-
tonishing in how deep water some of then', grow
I pulled up flower stems 11. feet long, which dit
not seem to be entire nighter ; — Potamogeton
pectinatum P. had done flowering. I observed
this plant likewise last year in Virginia. — A
species of Equisetum growing in four feet water
seemed to me strange, may be it is a stem of the
Hippurus ? Sagittaria lancifolia this plant was
quit new to me, having never seen it before : —
A singular aquatic plant, with serrated leaves,
I never could make out, what this is. I seen it
frequently in New River last year. On some of
tlie stones I found a curious plant attached to
the rocks under water : it is articulated & consist
of green joints like blatters ; may be it is a
zoophyte ! Ranunculus aquatilis &c.

On a gravelly Island I seen the Lobelia cardi-
nalis in flower. About the shore I observed a
Silene without flowers, specimens preserved.

Augt. 3. This morning I got on board a boat
again : observed nothing new excepting a long-
leaved grass which was floating on the water,
the boatmen calld it Wild rice «& said I would
see ; plenty higher up : which was the case, it

covers here the shore & is when in flower quit
upright : I suppose it to be the Zizania fluitans —
at any rate it is a Zizania — Water snakes are
very plenty in this river & lay sometimes on the
logs in the watt^r in swarms, it is very disgusting
to see them & eat eel afterwards : — It soon be-
gan to rain, & I was exposed to it all this day,
till we come to Three River Point where we
stopped & took dinner it keeping on raining we
stood here over night.

4. We left Three R. Point this morning : I
seen several ducks which are apt of alighting on
trees ; for this they are calld wo(jd ducks ; as we
had good wind, I had not much oportunity of
obseiving any water plants : all I seen however
were the same observed yesterday ; When Ave
came to the outlet of Onondaga lake, the Creek
was covered at its bottom with Chara, which the
boatmen call Feather beds. — The lake has ex-
ceeding clear water & a white bottom, which I
suppose" consist of the sediment of shells as above
mentiouBd. We arrived at the Salt point about
noon. Having taking something to refresh my-
self here, I proceeded on to the point, being very
anxious of getting a letter which would alHw me
to proceed on my yourney, as I thought this
place «& neighborhood sufficiently explored ; I
found a letter from Dr Bn. containing 10 Doll,
but not leave to go on, or any direction what-
ever, I likewise got letters from Mr. Hart at
Wilkesbarre & Mr Wagner at Easton concern-
ing my trunk, which I intend to order to be sent
back to Philadelphia, as it is only a vexation of
letting it fallow on.

51 Having plenty of plants to take care of,

6 I I devoted the first part, to it. AVrote let-

7 I" ters &c: These 4 days were constantly

8 J raining; I was not able to do any thing out
of doors.

9. Having no other persuit and the weather
getting fair again, I went to Salt Point. I ob-
served, besides the plants mentioned before, a
species of Audropogon, very tall — Monarda clin-
opodia, as I suppose, the stem is solid & looks
different from M. allophylla — Hydrophyllum
canadense Stag cabbage— Blitum — Silene x)ensyl-
vanica — Chenopodium anthelminticum — Aster
conyzoides — Hieracium spec. Hed3^sarum nudi-
cale — acuminat. & a very tall large flowering s( rt,
which makes a very fine show. — Urtica procera P.
which I seen with Mr. Hamilton who calls it U.
gracilis. — This evening set in raining again,
which obliged me to stay at the Point.

10. Rain ail day, was confined to the house
in consequenc. — [To he Continued.)

168

TEE GAni)EJ\''ER&' MOJ^^IKLY.

June,

FRUIT CULTURE.

BY J. A. IsELSON", MERCER, PA.

" "We cannot raise fruit now as we could in early
days." This is the general opinion ofraost all fruit
growers ; the only difficulty in the way then,
was the late spring frost Avhich often occurred
and destro3^ed the fruit, as well as in later years,
but then the numerous insects and fruit worms
were unknown. It was also a rare thing that
the fruit buds of the most tender varieties were
ever winter killed, although the winters appeared
very hard and cold, with often a great depth of
snow, setting in a month earlier in the fall, and
continuing on, mostly with a regular freeze, till
a break-up sometimes about the latter part of
February. Xow our fine and moderate weather,
continuing on so much later in the fall, that it
brings on too forward the Peach and other ten-
der fruit buds, that makes them more apt and
easy to be killed by the sudden changes of the
weather.

When Avinter-killed, among the large and most
forward Peach buds, may be found some quite
small ones not injured.

The autmn of '65 was so favorable that along
in the month of October might be seen the Cher-
r}^, Plum and Apple trees out in bloom, the con-
sequence was the next season there was but a very
light crop of Peaches.
Another thing more favorable for fruit in earlier
da3S, was that the country was new, and the sur-
face soil not worn out, but mellow and light,
well adapted to spreading of the roots. Old
tilled land becomes more solid and compact, that
it requires occasiouall}' a stirring up to loosen
the soil and promote the growth of the roots ;
and then there was far more wood land, that was a
great protection and shelter, as such a situation
appears much warmer in winter than out on the
open grounds. Our fruit tz'ces, to do well, must
be as hardy, if not hardier, than our forest trees;
if we transplant the latter on to open ground
for shade trees, if they do live, which is not al
waj's the case, they never make more than a poor
dwarf, scrubby oak or hickor}'-, for they need
their former protection from the scorching sun
of summer and the piercing winds of winter ;
also the light loose forest soil instead of the heavy
hard, compact earth.

If we take our nursery fruit trees, that have
been grown on the best of enriched soils, and had
the best of culture, and been partly sheltered by
others while in ihe nursery, and transplant them

out into open ground. probably in poor,indifFerent,
old worn out soil, with out any protection, and then
give them but little attention or cultivation after-
wards, it is no wonder they dont do well. When
a nurseryman's catalogue says his trees were
grown on the best of soil that could be made, I
would not wish to buy an}' of his trees, without
I had good soil to transplant in, and would give
them good cultivation afterwards, for it might be
like taking a pig out of the pen where it had been
well fed, and turn it out into a pasture lot, and
let it take care of itself. How seldom do we lind
any well-cared for, thrifty, fine-growing, healthy-
looking orchards ; but any amount of old, decay-
ing and neglected ones, with all the owner's
stock, perhaps, turned into them, to eat up the
pasture, and tramp the ground over the roots,
nearly as hard as the public road. Little wonder
fruit growing is a failure.

From my own experience, and the close obser-
vations of others, I might as well expect a good
crop of corn after planting, giving it no further
attention or cultivation, as to expect fruit after
planting the trees and give them but little atten-
tion afterwards

It costs a great deal more- labor and attention
to grow fruit now, than it did many years ago,
but the demand and prices have greatly in-
creased, that it pays well, and no doubt may con-
tinue on so for a long time to come, which should
encourage every one to plant more fruit trees,
grapevines, &c.

LETTER FROM WM. R. PRINCE.

The following is probably the last letter on a
horticultural subject, written by the late Wm. R.
Prince, (about our note at the foot of his Yam
article,) and we publish it just as received :

Flushing, February 10, 1809.
Friend Meehan : —

Yours of the l.ith received, and I am gi-ateful
for its kindly tone to an old worker, and I am
specially pleased in regard to you being one who
has intelligence and candor to do justice through-
out.

Permit me, my dear sir, to argue with you
even on the point of cheapness. You are think-
ing of the o d variety, which when we began, we
befooled ourselves to making it run as deep in
the earth as possible, just as if we were as scant
of land as the Chinese. Had we grown them on
ordinary ploughed soils, the length in such is
but 10 to 12 inches. Therefore, any one can
grow even the old long variety, just to suit him-
self—10 inches, 12 do., 13 or 20 inches. 'Tis

1869.

TEE GAREEJVER'S MOJYTELY.

169

said that in China tliey make it run down 40
inches, by putting all nutriment (manure) at the
bottom, and having only sand above.

But, my dear sir, we are otherwise provided
in every way. Among the kinds I have culti-
vated for 2 years', there is one round, like a Po-
tato, measuring 2^ to 3 inches through — there
are ovate ones, about 6 inches long and 3 in dia-
meter, and a beautiful oblong variety, averaging
about 7 inches in length; and amoncr received
from Northern China last week there are all
shapes and sizes — one kind is a short ovate,
each weighing about 3 lbs— solid now as a rock,
but with a few eyes swollen. They are of vary-
ing shades — snow white, pale lemon, yellow, pink
tinge, &c.

I think this explanation will be interesting to
your readers, if in time. It is best to plant in
March, as the prolonged season enlarges the
size very much. Yours respectfully,

TVm. R. Prince,

P. S. You thus see that expensive digging will
only apply to one variety, and to that class of
persons who delve into the earth beyond all ne-
cessity, and who are of the same class with the
first settlers of our great city, then called Kew
Amsterdam, who, on landing from their Dutch
barques, immediately commenced dyking out in
our bay, although there was more land already
made by Nature, than would last them ten
thousand years. P.

Further as to cheap digging ; the round, the
ovate and oval yams grow nearer the surface of
the soil than potatoes do, and as there at least
three times as many on the same average of
land, I think this a pretty fair average evidence
of cheap digging, when compared with potatoes,
and it is with them, I presume the comparison
will be held. W. E. P.

This was scrawled at last moment, and put in,
as the thought came to ma so plainly.

THE CINCINNATI HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

AVe extract the following from the inaugural
address of President Anderson, as containing
matter of interest to all our readei-s :

In some cases heretofore, of the election of
President of the Society, it was considered a
duty of the newly elected officer to offer a paper
as an inaugural address, connected with the his-
tory of the in- titution, or on subjects connected
with the science of horticulture.

This I conceive to be a good custom, and one
which I am disposed to encourage, and not to
avoid by any neglect of mine on this occasion of
assuming the duties of President for the ensuing
year.

I will therefore ask your indulgence while I
appropriate a portion of the time at this meet-
ing in the observance of the custom heretofore
adopted ; and although I may not engage your
attention so profitably as others have done on
similar occasions, yet I will at least attempt to
keep up the habit, that those who come after me
as Presidents elect, may also consider it a part
of their duty.

In submitting these inaugural remarks, I can
not do better than to remind some of our new
members of the origin of the Society, and the in-
fluence it has had in this community, at the
same time giving a brief notice of some of the
fruits and flowers which we cultivate : how the
migration of plants has accompanied the migra-
tion of civilized man to various regions of
the world, and the astonishing progress made
on this continent in the pursuits of agricultural
and horticultural industry, as exhibited to us by
the census of 1860, and by other reliable sta-
tistics.

The Cincinnati Horticultural Society was or-
ganized in 1843, and since that time up to the
present, it has continued to hold weekly meet-
ings ; and for the most of the time the proceed-
ings have been given to the public through the
prints of the city, or through periodicals issued
by the Society.

It was the main object of those who organized
the institution to improve the fruits, vegetables
and agricultural productions of this region,
which appeared to be neglected ; and although
some good fruits had been introduced by the
early pioneers, yet in 1843 it was fast disappear-
ing, and a new stimulus was required to culti-
vate a taste for new fruits, new flowers, and
better vegetables, to meet the requirements of
the growing city.

To improve the taste of the public, the mem-
bers procured from diflferent regions seeds, grafts
and roots, which were distributed freely, with-
out charge, to those who applied for them, and
the public appreciating these donations, and the
enterprise of the members of the society, our
markets were soon filled with fine fruits and veg-
etables, which have continued, making our city
famous in all parts of the Union for the excel-
lence of its berries, its vegetables, and especially

170

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOKTKLY.

June,

the grapes of the Ohio galley. With new varie-
ties of fruit, and improved culture, horticulture
was made profitable, and our climate at that
time being considered highly favorable to grape
growing, many of our members entered largely
into the production of wine from native grapes,
at the same time, raising the best of fruits. The
Queen City, therefore, was soon known as the
great wine market for native wines, and the
great fruit and flower market of the Valley of the
Mississippi.

We now find, by Mansfield's statistics of Ohio,
in 1862, that half the native wine made in the
United States is made in the Valley of the Ohio,
and half the residue in California Ohio, in
1860, was the first wine State in the Union, hav-
ing produced in that year nearly 600,000 gallons
of native wine, much of which was produced by
members of this Society. The success of grape
culture and fine fruit has continued to foster a
taste for ornamental trees and flowers, which
led to fine landscape gardening. This taste has
given us the beautiful settlement of Clifton, and
in addition to our suburban ornaments, it has
given us our cemetery of Spring Grove, which is
unequaled for beauty, the charter of which came
through this institution.

It is to the efforts of this organization that the
citizens of Cincinnati are indebted for the great
abundance of strawberries, and all the varieties
of small fruit, which, in the proper season of the
year, not only fill our own market, but supply
all the principal towns of the West and North
with early and delicious fruit.

With horticulture and a fine taste for cultiva-
ting the productions of nature, we find that agri-
Culture, mechanical industry, the fine arts, and
our admirable system of education, are all here
in the highest perfection, to erect the columns of
the most refined and stately structure of society.
As evidence of this taste for the beautiful, we
find an important daily commerce carried on in
roots, flowers and hot-house plants, independent
of our fruit market, thus diffusing a taste for
new flowers and pot-plants, which may be seen
in every part of the city, either in door-yards, or
often on the window-sills of those who have no
other place to display them.

The discussions at our meetings on horticultu-
ral subjects, and our published proceedings have
always interested portions of the reading public,
not only in this vicinity, but in other portions of
the Union, and in Europe. As an evidence of {
this interest taken in France in our proceedings, i

allow me to refer to the estimation in which this
institution was held by the distinguished botan-
ist and naturalist, Michaux of Paris, who was,
in his lifetime, an honorary member of our so-
ciety, and published the great work on the for-
est trees of America ; who, for his exalted char-
acter as a scientific man, was presented by the
Government of France, through the Emperoi*,
with a gold medal, as a mark of the highest
honor which the people could confer upon him.
Some years after this medal had been received
b}' him, when on his deathbed, by his will, giv-
ing strict directions to be carried out, the same
medal was awarded to the Horticultural Society
of Cincinnati, as the most proper institution of
all others, to be the depositary of this valued
gift. Accordingly, the medal was sent to us,
and is now in our possession.

Permit me now to direct your attention to some
of the flowers cu tivated in this vicinity, and of
foreign origin. The Tuberose was brought from
the East Indies, where it grows wild. A very
large proportion of our ornamental roses are from
France. Our Tea Roses are from China, and
many of our hardy roses are from England ;
many of our ornamental shrubs are also from
France, Great Britain, Germany, and some of
the most beautiful from Australia. The Crown
Imperial was brought in the sixteenth century,
from Persia. The French Marigolds are natives
of Peru, South America. The Victoria Regia
Lily is from Brazil. The Dahlia is from Mexico,
where it is a single flower ; but when cultivated
in this climate a beautiful double flower of vari-
ous colors. The Ranuucules, it is said, was
brought from Asia, and from Marseilles, in
France, dispersed over Europe.

Our Tulips cultivated in this country are from
Holland, where the people were once under such
a state of excitement to possess new varieties,
that tulip bulbs sold at enormous prices.

The H3'acinth of Europe was also introduced
from Holland, and at one time in Virginia the
bulbs were sold at fabulous prices, for ornament-
ing the gardens of rich planters.

I pass without notice the endless variety of
our own native flowers of almost every variety
known, all of which may be improved by culti-
vation. To give a botanical list of the beautiful
flowers, which in the' summer season cover our
extensive and magnificent prairies, would be an
endless task. No other region of the world can
equal our great West in the beauty and diversi-
fied forms of the flora, to be seen in our Western

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY,

171

prairies, nor can any region equal the West in
the richness of its soil.

Look next to the fruits from foreign countries.
The Apple was introduced into Britain by the
Romans, to whom twenty varieties were known
in Pliny's time. The original was probably the
crab. and from Asia. Tlie pear tree is another spe-
cies of the same genus as the apple, and like that
tree in its wild state, thorny, but differs from it
in its mode of growth.

The Medlar is a native of the south of Europe.

The Quince is a native of Austria, and other
parts of Europe.

The Peach is a native of Persia, and when
first brought to the Roman Empire, possessed
deleterious qualities, which probably arose from
the prussic acid. Cultivation has made them
the delicious fruit now known to us.

The Cherries are said to come from Cerasus, a
city of Pontus ; whence Lucullus brought them
after the Mithridate "War, and were introduced
into England in the first century. The iN'ecta-
rine is a native of Persia, introduced into En-
gland in the sixteenth century.

The Plura, including the Prune and all other
varieties, is supposed to have come from Asia,
and introduced into England at an early day.

The Gooseberry and Currant are native on the
banks of rivers in England and Scotland.

The vine now cultivated in Europe does not
belong originally to that region ; it grows wild
on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, and perhaps,
like most of the acclimated fruits, is a native of
Persia.

The Apricot is supposed to have originated in
Armenia. It is also found in Japan, and on the
mountains west of Pekin, in China-

The vegetables which forms so large a part of
the food of animals can not be enumerated here;
it will only be necessary to notice some of the
most prominent in our market gardening.

Asparagus— This plant is a native of the
British Isles. According to Loudon's Encyclo-
pedia many of the steppes of Russia, in the south-
ern part, are covered with this plant, which is
there eaten by the horses and oxen as grass. In
its native state it is so dwarfish, even when in
flower, that none but a Botanist would consider
it the same species with our cultivated plant.
It was a favorite with the Romans, where it
grew to large size.

Celery — This valuable vegetable is a native of
Britain, and was found originally in ditches and
marshy ground. The seeds and whole plants, in

its native state, were acrid and dangerous, with
a peculiar strong taste and smell. By culture it
becomes the mild and grateful garden celery, for
which improvement in cultivation, the British
are indebted to the Italians.

Cabbage grows wild on the sea-shore on differ-
ent parts of England, and it is probable that the
Romans introduced a variety of cabbage into
South Britain.

The Turnip is a native of Britain, and the
different varieties are extensively cultivated on
that Island, and in all the districts of Europe.

The Water-melon and the Squash are native
to the new world.

The Potato is another article of vegetable tood
originating in America, and, probably, the most
universal article of food used.

Thus, America has partially repaid her debt
to the Eastern Continent. Maize and the Pota-
to are very valuable additions to the field agri-
culture of Europe ; and the Tomato is no mean
sift to the kitchen gardens of the Old World.

VARIATIONS m TAXODIUMAKD
PINUS.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

{From JProc, Acad. Xat. Sciences, of Philada. Oct. 1868.)

In some remarks before the Academy on July
14th, in reference to adnation in the leaves of
ConiferjB, I said that the power to branch was
the test of vigor ; and with increased vigor came
proportiouately the power of adnation. I point-
ed out that this was the universal law through
all Coniferte, so far as I had been able to exam-
ine them ; and that it fully accounted for the
specific identity of many forms supposed to be dis-
tinct. I went so far as to suggest that Taxodium
disUchu7n, Richard, and Glypto^trohus sinensis,
Endl., were no doubt the same thing, because
4he only difference between the growing plants
was in the different degrees of adnation in their
foliage ; and because with this adnation was the
increased power to branch observed in all other
cases. The two points, going along together,
seemed to indicate that this could not be a soli-
tary exception to so clearly marked a law. I ex-
hibited specimens taken from Taxodium, and
from Glyptosfrobus, showing the approach of the
two in the manner the theory indicated.

Since then some new facts have come before'
me confirming this view in a remarkable man-
ner. On the nursery grounds of Mr. Robert
Buist, of the Darby Road, near Philadelphia,
are a few trees which I supposed to be the Glyp.

172

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY.

June,

tostrohus, but which Mr. Buist assured me were
many years ago selected by him from a bed of
some thousand Taxodium on account of their pe-
culiar appearance. I exhibit specimens from
eleven different trees. It will be seen the sup-
pression of the leaf blades or adnation is in exact
proportion to vigor, or the power of forming
branchlets, and with this increased vigor the
Taxodium becomes Glypfostrohus, so far as any
comparison of leaves and branches can identify
anything.

At the conclusion of my paper on the laws of
adnation^ read before the meeting of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advancement of Science,
at Chicago, Dr. J, S. Xewberry kindly pointed
out that, in a fossil state. Glyptostrobits and Tax-
odium were often found side by side, but always
with so much difference between the scales of the
cones that, while assenting to the general prin-
cii^les of the paper, he could not regard these
two plants identical. As cones are nothing more
than metamorphosed stems and branches, it is
not surprising that the same laws of adnation
which might operate in making the Taxodium
GlyxAostrobus, and which make them look so
very distinct in the different stages of adnation,
should also operate on the fruit, and make it ap-
pear, when at the widest point of divergence, as
really difierent. It should in fact do so, and in-
stead of the difference iu the cones of these fossils
being any proof of their specific distinctness, it
must be received as a natural sequence of the
law I would evolve.

The specimens I now exhibit show at any rate
that the tivo plants are identically the same.
This granted, it completely refutes the generally
received theory, that no one siDccies of Coniferte
inhabits at once the eastern and western worlds

In my paper on variations in EpU^cea repjens^
presented for publication last May, 1 endeavored
to show that "cultivation" and "external cir-
cumstances" would not account for variations
in form to the extent they usually received credit
for ; but that there was rather a regular princi-
ple of growth in form, as well as in substance,
independent of outward agencies, which agencies
were calculated quite as much to preserve as to
originate the growing forms.

Those accustomed to study chiefly from herba-
ria, and little from living specimens, have no
idea of the great variations from one type which
many species present. These comparative dif-
ferences are often so insensibly blended, that it
is only when we meet with some very extreme

foims that they attract our attention, and then
only to note their extreme differences. Even
j when noted they are contemned as obstructing
j classUication, rather than welcomed as invalua-
ble aids in resolving the laws of form.
I In a recent review of part 16 of Decandolle''s
Prodromus, which has lately appeared, with the
^ Coniferte by Prof Parlatore, the reviewer says :
j "It must be clear to every one that a great num-
j ber of so-called species are varieties of one strain,
1 doubtless produced by localization in different cli-
matal or natural conditions.'''' {Gardener'' s Chron-
icle, page 922, 1868. ) As this review is under-
stood to be by one who is himself known as a
describer of many Coniferje, which are doubtless
varieties of one strain, it may be worth while to
point out, in some Coniferce, that neither clima-
tal nor any external condition has as much to do
witti variation in form as an innate power of de-
velopment, independent of either climatal or local
causes.

In one of our commonest pines — Pinus inops —
a very careful comparative examination will
show scarcely any two trees to be exactly alike ;
the habits of the tree, the shade of color, or the
length of the leaves, the size or form of the cone,
the scales, or seeds — in some one point a differ-
ence may be found which cannot easily be describ-
ed in words. When extremes are brought together
the differences are quite as great as characterize
different species. By descriptions alone they
would be fairl)^ entitled to rank as distinct. The
mind fails to unite them. It is only the edu-
cated eye which perceives their identity. I ex-
hibit two cones from two trees growing on the
banks of the Susquehanna, near Harrisburg.
One is very long and narrow — three and a half
inches in length, by only three fourths of an
inch Avide at the base, and the scarcely project-
ing scales barely spinescent, the other nearly as
wide, but only halt the length, and with strongly
projecting scales and spines. Unless with pre-
vious acquaintance of Pinus inojjs in its natural
places of growth, a botanist might well be par-
doned for considering these distinct species, yet
with the multitude of intermediate forms, all un-
der the same external conditions, how can any
"localizations" account for the varieties? I
have the same experience with Pinus rigida and
P. pungens ; and it is doubtless true of other spe-
cies.

I have noted some interesting variations
in Pinus Banksiana^ which in some wa}' do seem
to be connected with location, although I have

1S69.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

178

no doubt that ages of geographical travel from a
central point conjoined with the principle of in-
heritance, might find the natural inherent laws
of variation sufficient to account for them. Dr.
Gray says, in the last edition of his "Manual of
Botany," it is a shrub or low tree 5 to 20 feet high,
giving N". Maine, N. Michigan and Wise nsin,
and northward as the localities. I did not col-
lect in northern Illinois, but friends tell me it
grows some thirty miles from Chicago, only as a
bush. Michaux observe that in Labrador it
shows signs of decrepid old age at 3 feet, and in
no part of America did he find it over 10 ft. Dr.
Richardson, in Franklin's narrative of a journey
to the shores of the Polar Seas in 1819 — 1822, de-
scribes it as 40 feet high in favorable situations,
but the diameter of its trunk was greater in pro-
portion to its height than in any other pines of
the country. Douglass found it to have longer
leaves on the Rocky Mountains than elsewhere.
In company with Mr. Wm. Canby, I had the op-
portunity of examining large forests of them
growing on the neck of land between Escanauba,
on Lake Michigan, and Marquette, on Lake Su-
perior, where we found them just the reverse of
Dr. Richardson's experience. Here they were
more slender in proportion to their height, not
only than any pine of the country, but probably
than any pine elsewhere. Most of the trees were
from 30 to 40 feet high, remarkably straight, but

only from 6 to 12 inches in diameter. We rough-
ly measured one at Escanauba which was about
twenty inches in diameter, and perhaps sixty
feet high, little shorter than in fact a very fine
Finns resinosa, about two and a half feet through,
growing near it.

Now these variations have relation to only one
particular, that of size ; there would no doubt
be found others in many respects ; but even in
this one character no theory of climate or soil
will account for them. If a low temperature
dwarfs the Labrador specimens, what is to ac-
count for the small bushes in Illinois or southern
Wisconsin, in lat. 42° ? And again, why are
these latter in the rich soils of this district so
-li.all in comparison with the almost timber trees
' a few hundred miles farther north, and in
which is usually considered the poorest land of
the north-west ? Soil and climate may have
some influence in aiding variation, but facts
show the origin is deeper than these, namely, a
native power to change, kept in check only by
inheritance and perhaps external circumstances.

I have heretofore reported Pinus ^iungens as
growing at Port Clinton ; I find it now abun-
dantly on the hills about Harrisburg ; so it may
be set down as native to the whole interior of
the State of Pennsylvania.

E D T T 0 E I A L.

THE KATIOITAL POMOLOGICAL SO-
CIETY.

Sometimes we have to keep reminding our
readers when good things are to be spread before
them, and are often astonished that so much
talking to should be necessary before people can
see their own good. In the case of the meeting
of the American Pomological Society, which is
to meet next September, in Philadelphia, we have
however a remarkable exception to this, for we
see by our exchange papers everywhere that the
whole country is fully alive to it, and the pros-
pects are that it will be one of the most enthusi-
astic meetings ever held. From the East. West,
and South, the sound of busy preparation comes,

and as the prospects so far, is for one of the
most abundant fruit seasons known for a long
time, the meeting will be doubly interesting. In
some quarters, the States have taken the matter
officially in hand. The Kansas government has
voted a sura of money to enable that State to be
creditably represented, and we doubt not much
will be done elsewhere of a similar character.
The Fruii Growers Club of New York, has voted
to represent itself in the German Horticultural
meeting this summer at Hamburg,so we may feel
sure that it will do no less for our home society,
and we hope its delegation will be back time
enough to tell us how our aflliir compares with
the European one.

T7Jf

TEE GARDEJVERS' MOJVTELY.

June,

The enthusiasm manifested in behalf of the
American Pomological Society must be very
cheering to its veteran President Wilder. It
will give renewed youth to his vigorous frame.
It is remarked with pleasure by his friends, that
notwithstanding his continued labors with them
in horticultural pursuits, time deals so leniently
with him.

THE PATIENCE DOCK, AND THE POKE
PLANT.

Neglected vegetables. Much has frequently
been said about the introduction of the Phyto-
lacca or Poke weed into the vegetable garden.
But we doubt whether it will be very popular,
because while in flavor it is so like asparagus as
to be hardly distinguished, it cannot be culti-
vated with the same ease as the asparagus. No-
thing whatever is therefore gained, we do not
add to the variety of our tastes, while we add to
the trouble and labor of the garden.

Now the reverse of all this is the Patience
dock, Bmnex patknta. In flavor this is so much
like spinage, that by the taste alone we should
never recognize it, but yet we can tell the differ-
ence in eating, for the spinage has a certain
grittiness which to many persons is annoying,
and from which Fatience is entirely free. It
comes quite as early as spinage. Here in the
vicinity of Philadelphia, it can be used all
through April, which is all we can do with the
other vegetable. Its great advantage over spin-
age is that it is a pt;?-ennia?, and like asparagus
gives no trouble after once planted for a number
of years. An annual forking among, and ma-
nuring just as in asparagus, is all the culture it
requires.

It is a mystery to us why so useful a vegetable
was ever allowed to go out of cultivation. It
seems long since it was admitted as a regular
garden crop. Abercrombie makes no mention
of it amongst his list of garden vegetables, and
those authors who notice it all speak of it as
something "formerly cultivated.'' It was not
without some difficulty that we could obtain a
plant to experiment with, and by saving seed
for a season or two, getting enough to make a
bed of, --but now having given it a fair trial, we
must say that we see no reason why it should
not take its place in gardens as one of the most
valuable of early vegetables.

MICE GNAWED TREES.

Few things are more annoying than to find in
spring, some favorite tree girdled by mice. Many
expedients have been resorted to in order to save
them, and amongst these grafting a piece or
pieces of bark over the disbarked places is most
popular. We find liowever, in practice that
this fails more frequently than it succeeds, from
a shrinkage of the bark which not all the tying
possible will prevent- It is a much better plan
to get a piece of the wood as well as the bark,
and insert it with a slight arch, and then tie
across from the centre of the arch. This will
keep the piece firmly in place. The edges of the
inserted piece must of course be wedged so as to
insert firmly under the bark and into the wood,
so as the bark of the tree and inserted piece
unite just as in common grafting. The whole
may be covered with earth so as to keep out the
dry air.

We give a cut of a plan proposed some j'ears
ago, by Mr. R. Cornelius, for grafting the grape.
Kji The idea is precisely the same as here

indicated for this girdling business.

In manj'- cases it is not necessary to
graft anything over the barked place in
order to save the tree's life. Every one
knows that a girdled branch will live one
year, so will a girdled tree generally.
The injury is generally at the surface of
the ground,— and earth can be drawn
easily about the wounded place. In a
few weeks roots will push out from the
injured bark, and the tree go on with but
a very slight check. In such cases how-
ever,it is best at the same time to shorten
back some of the branches. In fact the
tree is nothing but a cutting, and has to
be treated precisely as we would a cut-
ting. It has no roots, and too much top
will evaporate the juices too rapidly. We cut
back to check evaporation until new roots push
out.

MAHONIA JAPONICA.

Of all the beautiful things introduced from
Japan during the past few years, none have more
interest than the 3Iahonia Japonka. It stands
our severest winters (Philadelphia) entirely un-
injured, not a part of a leaf getting injured.
These leaves are of a leathery texture, twice the
size and thickness of the Californian {Mahonia

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

175

aquifolia), and of a bright, shining green. Un-
fortunately, it is very difficult' to propagate in
quantity, as the plant makes but a few strong
shoots a year. As soon as seeds can be had,
they can be easily raised in that way, and then
it will become common. Near Philadelphia, the
flowers come out so early that they usually get
caught by a late frost, but further down South
it ought to do well in this respect. Hei'e is a
line chance for our Southern nurserymen to make
a good trade for their section.

*•••*

NURSERY AUCTIONEERS.

"We do not know of anything more absurd than
a man who does not know a peach tree from a
pumpkin vine, selling nursery stock by auction.
Yet we see it everywhere in all our large cities
and towns. The loss to those who have nursery
stock to sell, is immense.

A nursery auctioneer would do an immense
trade, and soju bacoms rich, if he Avere a man
of integrity, in whom the public and customer
alike could place confidence. Why cannot our
tree brokers, who have some experience in allied
branches of trade, add this one to it, and send
agents out when required.

Where are Wright, Dewey, Whitlock, Brown-
ing, and the rest ? In England this has been
found to be an excellent arrangement. There a
candidate for the gallows would as soon expect
some other than Calcraft to have the pleasure of
lianging him, as a nurseryman to be sold out by
any one than Prothero & ^lorris, who have been
in this nursery auctioneer business for the whole
English people for near forty years.

«••«*

AMERICAN SUMAC.

We have on several occasions urged our people
to attend a little to the mine of wealth about
them in tlie shape of native sumac, instead of
importing at the present prevailing enormous
prices. We are glad to see that something is
now being done.

Mr. A. S. McRae, Oil and Produce Broker,
Liverpool, writes to the New York Journal of
Commerce that he received a lot of American
Sumac from Philadelphia, a sample of which was
analyzed for him by Huson & Arrott, chemists
of Liverpool, with the following result :

Tannin 20. 80 )

Sand 75 > 100.

Vegetable matter 78.-1J )

On this result Mr. Macrae says : " The ave-

rage of tannin in the best Sicily sumacs, as
stated in my last letter, is 16 per cent, (author-
ity. Professor Muspratt.) Our first commercial
analyists have seen it as high as 26 per cent,
(and this only one sample within the last twelve
irkonths,) and America (Philadelphia) is produc-
ing at 20 per cent. Now for value. The lowest
sumacs of any kind yields 7 per cent, tannin,
and sells at £'8 lUs. per ton — this is French.
The Sicily sumac, giving 16 to 26 per cent., sells
at £13 to £24 per ton. American, therefore,
with 20 per cent, tannin, should command (and
will in time) £16 per ton !"

The sumac sent from Philadelphia was the
Bhus glabra, which abounds on dry hills from
Canada to Florida, and may be had for the gath-
ering. There is no doubt but a fine business
may be done with it.

GRAFTING THE PEAR ON THE WHITE
THORN,

Much attention is being given in some parts
of the West, to grafting the Pear on the White
Thorn. '■'■White Thorn,'''' with the English, is
confined to one species of Crataegus — C. oxy-
cantha ; but liere in our country almost all the
species of Crataegus are classed as White Thorns,
and one writer often does not mean by the same
name the same thing. We have seen five differ-
ent stocks used all as " White Thorns," and yet
all having different ratios of growth, which will
materially affect success, as the Pear seems to
take freely on all the Crataegus tribe. The
strongest grower of all these thorns is the Cra-
tcegus coccinea. This in the Western States is
most commonly known as " White Thorn." It
will often make a tree as large as a moderate
sized Plum tree.

The next most vigorous is the'C. cordata, its
most general name being " Washington White
Thorn.'' Then comes C. tomentosa, with its
numerous varieties, common all over the United
States, and known as "Black Thorn," "Pear
White Thorn," and some otliers. The Cockspur
Hawthorn, Crataegus crusgalli, comes next, and
then then the English Wliite Thorn, C. oxy-
cantha.

A beautiful, small-growing Tliorn, very vigor-
ous in its shoots, and yet a low, dwarf-grower,
is the C. parvlfolia. We have not seen the Pear
tried on this, but have no doubt of its success,
and it would be just the thing for small dwarfs.
We have seen it growing wild abundantly through

176

THE GARDEJ^'ER'S MOjYTRLY.

June,

WALES' WEEPIKG I^ORWAY SPRUCE.

1869.

THE GARDEJTEWS MOJYTHLY,

177

New Jersey, and it is no doubt plentiful South
and Southwest.

We do not know what will be the eliect of a
general trial ot the Thorn for a stock. It is not
so easy to raise as Pear or Quince, and it has
the disadvantage of being like the Quince, very
liable to attacks from a borer. If it is found to
do very well, and be really desirable as a success-
ful stock, the English White Thorn, which can
be imi^orted in large quantities for a small figure,
might be the best.

We are not sanguine, however, that any stocks
yet named will supersede the common Pear and
Quince stocks.

ENGLISH AND AMEKICAN PEACHES.

It is one of the "curiosities" of gardening
literature, that our English friends cannot be
made to believe that their Peaches are inferior to
the best American. True, the comparative ease
with which America grows Peaches, throws
much trash into market, which probably even an 1
English hog would not eat ; so that the
average of the Peaches that find their way to
market in England, is higher thau the average
of American market Peaches. But in selected
fruit, for a fair competition, English Peaches
would be simply " nowhere."

The following notice from the English Journal
of Horticulture shows how deep-rooted is the con-
viction in England, that Americans don't know
a good peach.

" Mormon Peaches. — In vol. i. of the same
work, Mr. Dilke gives the Mormons' opinion of
our Peaches. By the way, I think it quite prob-
able that but few of the " brethren " ever tasted
a Peach in England. He says that the Peaches-
gathered from standard trees from Mormon gar-
dens, were so mellow, that their flavor would
reduce our English gardeners to despair. More-
over, his Mormon friends said that our English

Peaches ripened against walls were roasted
on one side and frozen on the other. Mr. Dilke
should have tasted some well-ripened Peaches
from an orchard-house before he wrote about
'mellow' Peaches. — Persica."

It is a curious commentary on this paragraph,
that the large majority of the Mormons are En-
glish emigrants, and probably many of them
whose opinions Mr. Dilke thought worth noting
were "brethren," who had sat around the same
mess of Peaches together with "Persica," and
should know something of the things whereof
they spoke.

It is a pity the Peach is so perishable that we
cannot ship a few steamer loads to England. It
was hard for England to come down on the apple
question ; but those Newtown Pippins, from the
famous old Pell orchard, settled that question.
An Englishman can rarely believe any one else's
eyes but his own; but let him once see and be
convinced by his own senses, and no one will
more readily or more handsomely acknowledge
defeat than he. We should like to show them
some of our best Peaches.

WALES' WEEPING NOKWAY SPRUCE.

In our first volume we had a drawing made of
a very beautiful weeping variety of a Norway
Spruce, raised by Mr. Wales. Unfortunately,
an attempt to transplant the tree failed, and the
stock became nearly lost. A young one had
been raised however, and from this a fair stock
has been propagated, and we hear that in 1870 it
will be put on market. We do not know any-
thing more beautiful in its way than this, and
we are veiy glad that it has been preserved, as
knowing that the original plant was lost, very
little public attention has been given it ; hence
our engraving has been probably forgotten. We
reproduce it on the opposite page, as under the
circumstances it will have all the freshness of an
original.

SCRAPS AND aUEEIES.

Growing Gooseberries —U. F. F., North
Fast, Maryland asks : "Can gooseberries be
grown without mildewing ? I have tried repeat-
edly and failed. I am told that this is always
the case ; I want to grow for market. I see
plenty in the Philadelphia markets. How is it
done ? Some body must grow them."

[Just so. Nothing is easier than to grow goose-
berries. It is a mountain fruit, and does not like
a hot soil. Plant it so that the hot sun will pour
down on the clearly cultivated earth, so hot that
you can fry a beefsteak or poach an egg on it,
and you cannot get gooseberries. But set your
plants across the lot in a pretty thick row, and

178

TSB GARJDEJVER'S MOjYTRLY.

June,

pile up about the plants five or six iuches deep of
old brush wood, old corn roots, old leather boots,
pots, or kettles, even if you cannot get anj'tbing
else, so that the roots will always be near the sur-
face,and yet cool; and we will guarantee you a for-
tune, if you choose to plant enough. In the best
gooseberry plantations of Philadelphia, it is no
unusual sight to see rows of them which
have been in one place perhaps twenty years, so
mounded up with this rubbish, that they look as
if they were planted on ridges two or three feet
above the level of the earth, and every year bear-
ing abundantly. ISTot only in the gooseberry, but
in all fruits, the public must come to this great
fact, that their roots must be kept cool and at the
surface.']

Variegated Vixes.— Jfi-s. 3/., Abingdon,
Virginia : "I have tried to make a border of the
variegated Honeysuckle around a bed of Hy-
drangeas, thinking the effect would be very
pretty ; but the sun seems to burn the leaves,
and the plants look shabby. I am told there is
a variegated Ivy which will not burn. Is it so,
and can it be had?" [We suppose the Gold Vein-
ed Honeysuckle is referred to. It burns as de-
scribed also here, unless in shady situations; but
as Hydrangeas are spoken of as doing well, we
should suppose the Honeysuckle would do well
with it, as both like partial shade.

There is however an Ivy variegated with white
in most full nurseries ; but it has the habit of
going hack, that is in time it produces only the
green leaves. We have however seen another
variegated kind, in Mr. Geo. Such's collection at
South Amboy, in which the leaves come out
green, but as they mature become penciled with
white. This seems to endure the sun pretty
well. These are the only variegated Ivys we
know.]

Paradise Apple Stocks.— Considerable dis-
cussion has taken place in England, as to what
is the Paradise stock, and whether or not it is a
distinct species or marked variety. The general
impression has been that it is a wild form from
Russia. M. Decaisne says about this :

It i.s by no means proved that the P. Malus pnecox of
Pallas is a M'ild species peculiar to Russia ; the contra-
ry seems shown by the total absence of any Russian
name for the plant, and which it would certainly pos.
sess if it were wild. Pallas himself simply calls it by
German names, while the common Apple and the Ma-
lus baccata have Russian, Mongolian, Tartar, and other
vernacular appellations.

It is curious what strange notions often prevail

about species. One finds an extra curl in a leaf,
another an extra hair or two on the stem, and
then imagine they have another thing. In this
Paradise case,belief is general that it is a distinct
species, because it is more readily raised from
cuttings than the common Apple. The same
reasoning would make the single Camellia a diff-
erent species from the double, because it can be
struck easy enough to make it profitable to graft
the double ones upon. On this matter M. De-
caisne has some pertinent remarks. He says :

In my own opinion there is only a single species of
wild Apple in Europe, and this tree varies like all
otliers. Nature has not two methods of procedure. She
carries on her operations in the flelds in the same way
that she does in our gardens. She multiplies species
by modifying more or less profoundly their forms.
This is a point which seems too often ignored or forgot-
ten. It is a mistake to suppose that our wild Apples
can be divided into two well-marked groups— the one
with pubescent leaves and sweetish fruits (Malus com-
munis), the other with glabrous leaves and sour fruits
(Malus acei'ba). No liue of demarcation can be ob-
served when numerous specimens from different local-
ities are examined. I have before me bunches of wild
Apples bearing fruits and leaves, some of the latter
glabrous, the others downy, although all the fruits are
yellow, and have already pointed out that for 300 years
the Apple has been propagated by cuttings :* race has
been established. Gardeners are too much inclined to
dogmatize.and to take the exception for the rule. When
they see that a particular variety does not succeed with
them, immediately the.v.iump to the conclusion that it
is degenerating, and that it is so everyAvhere. There have
been no important and comparative experiments what-
ever on the grafting of the Apple or of the Pear; all that
has l)een done in this direction has been coutined to
individual observation, the results of which have been
taken as proved without verification. What nonsense
has been printed on the subject of the degeneration of
varieties, and of their more or less complete recovery
on the Paradise or on the Doucin, and on the free stock
or on the Quince, in the case of the Pear.

To Correspondents. — We have to lay over
for next month some replies to correspondents,
which require some consideration. We may
say that we are very much obliged to those
friends who send us onarked papers from their
district in which may appear anything of inter-
est to the progress of Horticulture This species
of attention from our friends has much increased
of late, Avhilc the receipt of long essays has
rather fallen behind. This gives us much more
variety, and is perhaps more in keeping with
what .a horticultural magazine should he^-an im-
prover, and not a mere teacher of the rudiments
of gardening, which can be easily obtained from
elementary horticultural works. Yet we are al-
ways glad to hear in any way from our friends,

1869.

THE GARDEMER'S MOJVTHLY.

179

in either long or short articles; and now that the
husy season of gardening operations is passiug,and
the cool summer evenings coming on, we hope to
hear more frequently from our friends all around
us, as to what is doing in their immediate vicin
ity. People are deterred from writing, fearing
they have nothing new; but often this is just
what friends at a distance want.

The Oracular Dandelion.— It has been
well remarked by thinking men that the prac-
tices of an age will exist in the future, long after
the reasons which instigated them have
been forgotten. Thus the worship of the gods
by the ancient Greeks originated at first in the
simple necessities of language. Words applied to
heavenly bodies, derived from human experience,
became at last the things themselves. We see this
repeated every day in a smaller style. Children
blow at Dandelion seeds, not one in ten thousand
knowing why they do so. The origin of this is
thus given by an old writer :

"Are you separated from the object of your
-Ove ?— carefully pluck one of those feathery
spheres ; charge each of the little feathers com-
posing it with a tender thought ; turn towards
the spot where the loved one dwells ; blow, and
the little cerial travellers will faithfully convey
your secret message to his or her pet. Do you wish
to know if that dear one is thinking of you, as you
are thinking of him or her, blow again ; and if
there is left upon the stalk a single aigrette, it is
a proof that you are not forgotten. ' ' The author
adds, " but this second trial must be conducted
with great caution. You must blow very gently;
for, at any age, even at that which love renders
most resplendent, it is wrong to dispel too rudely
the illusions which embellish life."

California Nutmeg. — The agricultural pa-
pers are filled with accounts of the nutmeg being-
found in the Sierra Nevada range of Mountains
in California, and are looking to it as one arti-
cle of trade over the Pacific Rail Road just fin-
ished. This Nutmeg is a species of the Yew
family, Torreya myristica. It resembles in many
respects the true Nutmeg or myristica, but we
do not know that its qualities will make it a per-
fect substitute for the true Nutmeg of the Ma-,
laccas. We should like to have more informa-
tion on this point.

Annual Root riBRES. — Last month a Brook-
lyn correspondent kindly ^informed us that the
Gardener'>s Monthly was voted a "humbug" by
some of the brilliant luminaries who, as we
understood, make a weekly dazzle about the
"Farmers Club," because we teach that root
fibres are annual. To be sure we are not able to
point to any "authority," and if we could al-
ways do this for everything, we should think the
Gardener'>s Monthly of little use, — Hash does not
suit our readers.

It appears however, these ideas are progress-
ing, and we shall soon have the requisite "au-
thority" for them. A very intelligent writer on
Vegetable Physiology in our sprightly young
contemporary the Lancaster Farmer, says :

"To have as much of a growth in the root
each year as there is in the branch, would make
too much root, and throw it out of proportion as
well as out of character. To meet this emergen-
cy during the period of active vegetation, there
iLve fibrils, or hair-like rootlets thrown out from
the main branches, which are simply elongations
of the cells of which the surface of the root is
composed. These rootlets form an immense ab -
sorbing surface. They do not interfere with the
natural growth of the root, but live during the
active circulation of the plant, and when vegeta-
tion ceases in the fall they die and are destroyed."

The Skbi^ticism of Science.— Scientific men
are hard to be convinced of anything that does
not directly fall in with their own peculiar line
of observation. This is well illustrated by M.
Decaisne, a noted French botanist. M. Carriere
another French writer of some celebrity, recent-
ly wrote a paper on the Bajjhanus raphinas-
trum, an allied species to the one from which our
common radish was "improved from." He o-ave
an account of some carefully conducted experi-
ments, by which, after a series of years, he ob-
tained from a hard, wiry root, soft, cellular ones,
just like the other radishes, with a " flavor be-
tween a radish and a turnip," and gave with his
paper, drawings of the roots so obtained. M. De-
caisne, in a paper to the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety, England, writes that he does not believe it.

We give the following extract, in which well
ascertained facts are mixed up with visionary
notions, and then, skilfully placed on the same
parallel, the whole doubled together. M. De-
caisne says :

180

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJSTTELl.

June,

I have accumulated materials which do not permit
me to adopt the theory of the transformation of one
species into another, though I admit that species are
very variable. The "'Malus" remain Apples, as the
' Pirus " remain Pears, in spite of the diversity of their
forms and the infinite number of their varieties.
Neitlier do I believe in the nietamorpliosis of Raphan-
istrum into Raphanus, any more tlian I have credited
the change from the wild form of the Carrot into tlie
yellow Carrot, or that of the wild Cabbage of our clialk
cliffs into a cultivated Cabbage, or that of Oats into Rye,
that of ^gilops into Wheat, &c:, of which the journals
contain so many accounts. Plants do not get so mixed
up in Nature.

Horse Kadish Plants,— iJ. <S'., Brooklyn,
N Y. There are many plans of setting out
Horse Radish. The best one is to cut the roots
into pieces of about an inch in length , make a
hole, about one foot deep, with a crowbar,
let the small piece in, down to the bottom,
and then with very rich earth or manure from a
wheelbarrow, fill in the hole. The sprout will
come up through this, and make a dean, straight
growth, one of the merits of good Horse Radish.
You ask "whose method " is the best. We do
not know that this plan has anybody's particular
name. It is, we think, originally a German plan.
"We -believe we have given it long ago in the
Gardener'' s Monthly. It is not, however,
found in the regular gardening books, and if you
want a name for it, you may call it the Gard-
dener''s Monthly plan.

Burning of the St. Louis Academy or
Science. — This, the finest scientific institution
in the West, has suffered a severe loss by fire on
May 10th, ; nearly the whole collection has been
consumed, the Library however pretty much
saved, many of the books damaged by Avater.
What with the loss of the Smithsonian,the Chi-
cago, and the Portland collections within the
past few years, our scientific institutions will see
the necessit}' of taking unusual precautions to
ensure the safety of the valuable specimens en-
trusted to their care. Dr. Shuman, the well
known geologist, who did so much to establish
the St Louis Society, died but a few weeks pre-
vious to the fire.

The Black Knot. — R. B., Cleveland, Ohio,
says : "I see you talk about the Black Knot
being caused by a fungus, you can easily con-
vince yourself that you are in error by opening a
few knots, 3^ou will find insects in all of them,
plainly showing that this is the cause." [Well !

Well ! AVe get almost disgusted with editing a
gardening journal sometimes. We thought we
had pointed out how this is a fallacy over and over
and over again, aye tenfold and over that !

Perhaps if our correspondent finds maggots
in a dead dog, he "knows" that the insects
made the carcass ? This we know smells rather
strong, but it is the only way we can get ideas
at times into some people's heads.

The Oak Silk Worm. — In the Journal of the
Royal Buhlin Society, is a very interesting paper
by Dr. De Picci, on a Jajianese silk worm which
feeds on the oak. It is called Bombyx Tama-
mai. This worm was known to the naturalist
Thunberg, at the end of the last century. The
Japanese have guarded this worm most jealously,
keeping it expressly for silk, for the use of the
Tycoon. Every attempt to procure it 1ms failed,
as the Japanese have refused every advance to
part with it. The "happy despatch" availed
any one detected in carrying off the eggs. The
Emperor of the French tried his diplomatic hand,
and that also failed. One of his subjects. Dr.
Pompe Van Voort, has, however, succeeded, in
smuggling it through Japanese law, and the in-
sect is now in Europe, It is considered a great
thing in Europe^ as the silk is much finer than
that obtained from either the mulberry or the
ailanthus silk worm ; while the abundance of the
oak in many parts of Europe will afford cheap
food for it.

Attempts have been made to raise them in
Ireland, where from the similarity of climate
to that of Japan, it was supposed they might do
well. The result has exceeded all expectations
and great good is expected from their introduc-
tion. The chief difliculty found was that the
eggs hatched rather before the leaves of the Irish
oak put out, but this is a point which will be in
favor of America, when the worm shall have
been introduced here.

Barren Polyanthuses. — Some surprise has
been occasioned by our stern correspondent Jo-
seph Amram's remark that Polyanthuses will
not fertilize by their own pollen A recent num-
ber of the Gardener''s Chronicle, has a note con-
firming the observation. A correspondent says :

I have lately become a grower of Polyanthuses.
Can you inform me in the Gardener''^ Chronicle
if it is necessary to sow any of the pin-eyed flow-

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

181

ers to impregnate the thrum-eyed flowers, as I
am in doubt whether the pin eyed flowers are
male or not ? B. B. [We leave our floricultural
friends to answer the above questions from their
own point of view. In the mean time we would
refer our correspondent to the elaborate experi-
ments of Mr. Darwin, published in the 'Journal
oftheLinnean Society,' and alluded to in our
columns, 1861, p. 1048. The general results of
Mr. Darwin's experiments are that the greatest
number of good seeds are produced when pollen
from a 'thrum-eye' variety is placed on the stig-
ma (or pin head) of the pin-eyed flower, or vice
versa. When pollen from either a thrum-eyed
or a pin-eyed flower is placed on the stigma of
another flower of the same variety, the results
are not so satisfactory, and still less so when a
flower's own pollen is used to set its own stigma.
Eds.]

Pile A Muscosa, — We recently gave some
notes of curious phenomena connected with this
little plant. The London Cottage Gardener has the
following note in reply to a correspondent about
the same thing :

"Artillery Plant (/. W. C.).— Also called
the Pisiol plant, is Pilea muscosa. It is a small
stove suceulent, requiring the same treatment as
the Cacti, and is readily propagated by cuttings.
It looks like a Lycopodium, and if the flower
buds are wetted the anthers burst, and the pol-
len is discharged iu a smoke form."

Commission Men —A correspondent of the

Country 'Jentleman, says that some commission-
men have a plan of averaging sales, and sharing
out the proceeds to all consignees alike, no mat-
ter about quality. "A. whose grapes are put up
in extra style, and sell for say 20 cents per pound,
gets only the average of the day's sales, say l5
cents, while B, who puts up, or rather does not
put up his grapes, but just tumbles them into
big boxes, whose fruit is sold for 10 cents, gets
15 cents also "

This is an important matter to those who have
fruit to sell, and care should be taken in choos-
ing an agent to whom to send, to have an under-
standing about the mode of doing business.

cause has been assigned to it. At a recent meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society, the mat-
ter came up.

"Dr. Master then laid on the table some speci-
mens of fascinated branches of Sycamore which
had been sent by Mr. D. T. Fish, and stated that
one probable cause of the formation of such
growths was some check given to the terminal
bud, resulting in the formation of a large num-
ber of secondary buds, which became fused to-
gether as they grew, and ultimately became sep-
arated one from the other. — Rev. M. J. Berke-
ley stated that he had ascertained in one instance,
in a species of Sambucus, that a parasitic fungus
(^cidium) was the cause of the mischief. — In
reply to a question, Dr Masters stated that the
condition was occasionally reproduced in seed-
ling plants, but was not, so far as he knew, per-
petuated by grafting or budding. Various
speakers alluded to the frequency of the occur-
rence in some plants, as the Ash, the Cotoneast-
er. &c Allusions was also made to the Cocks-
comb and the Sedum cristatum [M. Lemaire,
of Ghent, has recently called attention to the
similar malformation which exists in some Cac-
tuses, and which he calls Lophocauly. — Eds."]

Bunched branches — Branches which take
a fancy to bunch out like a crow's nest on differ-
ent kinds of trees are not uncommon, but no

The Spading Fork— We are glad to find
that our effort to introduce this implement as a
substitute in so many cases for the clumsy spade,
has been so generally successful. We see them
now in general use. A correspondent of the
Joui'nal of Agriculture, says of it :

"I know of no tool that has been introduced
within a few years that is so useful as the spad-
ing fork. On an average, I believe a man will
do one third more work with it than with the
common spade, and do it easier E^nd better also.
I speak of digging over the garden, preparatory
to planting, or working among currant bushes
and the like ; and then for digging potatoes, I
have found it one of the best tools I ever used-
It may be used also in the cultivation of any
garden crop when one has iio horse, or has not
room to use him. There are always Utile patches
that must be worked by hand, and no tool is so
useful for this purpose as the spading fork."

We have had some difficulty in getting them
good — many breaking off" with heavy work at
the neck. There is a kind found in some of the
hardware stores of Philadelphia, made by the
"WiUiamsport Fork Company,', which are as
near perfect as anything can well be.

182

THE ajlliDEJsfEWS MOJTTHLY.

June,

Lettuce.— if. B., Essex, Mass , says : "Have
any of your many correspondents ever tried
beds for growing Lettuce, Cucumbers, etc., heat
ed by hot water ? If you have any information
on the subject in any back numbers will you
please mention it through the magazine or other-
wise. I want something of the kind, to grow
for market, some plan that will give me more
surface than is given in the ordinary pits. I
have a plan of ray own, but still I would like the
experience of others first."

[There has been little done in this way. Let
us have your plan.]

JSTame of Plant— TF. L. A., Johnstown,
Cambria Co., Pa. : "Enclosed a small branch
of an evergreen growing in some parts of the Al-
leghany Mountains. It appears to be rather a
trailing shrub, and propagates itself freely by
layering. I think it is very beautiful, and would
be very glad to know if it is a Taxus or an
Abies."

[Taxus canadensis, or ground Hemlock, a
beautiful plant, and should be more cultivated ]

without forming any roots, is entitled to the ap-
pellation of grape vine, or whether it is only an
old wood cutting ? Whether such a piece of
wood is superior in any respect, or any more
likely to grow when planted again than a cut-
ting of young wood or the growth of the previ-
ous season ? With any explanation relative to
the matter that you feel disposed to give."

[ A piece of old wood that has been one year
in the ground, is in a better condition to root,
than a new piece fresh taken off ; but without
any roots, is cleai'ly not a plant. As a question
between logicians, we suppose if a quarter of an
inch of root could be discovered, the cutting
would be proved to be a plant ; but as a question
between buyer and seller, a cutting is not prac-
tically a plant, until it has made i-oots enough
to enable the thing to grow without the neces-
sity of its making any more roots from the main
stem. In other words if it has not roots enough
to support growth without the necessity of mak-
ing more first, it is no plant, and we think any
jury should so decide.]

Protection Against Horticultural
Swindlers.— We recently stated that if nur-
serymen wQuld guard themsglves againt swin-
dlers the best thing they could do, would be to
induce all those over whom they had any influ-
ence, to subscribe to agricultural or horticultu-
ral papers. The Bural New Yorker, seems of
the same opinion. It says : "That the best pro-
tection farmers can have against swindlers is
their own protection ; let them well inform them-
selves and not be swindled by plausible men. It
is well to try new things, but it is not well to in-
vest a large sum of money in such new and un-
tried things."

The Paulotvnia.— As we write, (5th of May, )
is perfuming the air for many yards around with
the delightful odor of its brilliant large blue blos-
soms. What a pity that a tree which grows so
fast, and has so much floral attraction, should
be so excessively ugly. But so it is, nature
makes nothing jierfcct."

Grape Cuttings. —jEZop/L-msi!i7/e, Ky., asks:
"Will you please to state through the columns
of your excellent Journal, what constitutes a
grape vine ? The diflerence between a grape
vine, and a grape cutting ? Whether a piece of
grape wood that has lain in the earth one season

The Stark Apple Question is getting
quite lively. We have endeavored to give both
sides fairly, leaving out of question our own de-
cided opinion that they are identical. The lat-
est phase is that the " Pomological SodTety must
have been humbugged by false Starks;" but Mr.
Hovey, in the Horticulturist, has come up to this
latest Giolath of an argument, by showing that
the descriptions of the Stark and that of the Pen-
nock, by Warder, are materially identical. We
think the pebble has sunk into the giant's forehead.
If the Stark Is proved distinct, the next question
to come up will be, " is the Pomological Society
humbugged by descriptions ? " One way or
another, the committee is safe.

The Mexican Everbearing Strawberry.
— Our Western exchanges have been filled with
accounts of a new variety under the above name.
So far as we are able to judge by the engravings
given, we be believe there is some novelty in it,
but of how much value, not having seen an}'
specimens, we are not prepared to say.

Muscat St. Laurent Grape. — This grape
is of French origin. Its chief recommenda-
tion is that it posseses in flavor that delicious
muscat tone which belongs usually to those
which require a far higher temperature in order
to perfect them for the table. The berries are of

1869.

THE GARDEJy-ER'S MOJ^TRLY.

a greenish yellow, not large, nor are the bunches
large. It is more than ten years since I procured
a plant, yet I have not met with it elsewhere un-
der cultivation, so that I think its value is not
quite appreciated, or it would be more generally
grown. For a cool or orchard house it would be
found invaluable, as it does not require fire heat
to finish it. The foliage is small compared with
other kinds of vines, but the shape of the leaf
is rather interesting, as in its formation it differs
so much from that of other vines as to have at-
tracted the notice of Mr. Hart, R. A., one of
our most eminent artists, when passing through
the house where it was cultivated with other
vines. — Cor. of Gar. Weekly.

WoiiAN's Rights. — The Reverend John
Fountaine, of Southacre, Brandon, Scotland,
has published "a new method of growing fruit,"
which is intended for the perusal "solely of gen-
tlemen."

What there can be in fruit growing which is
not fit for ladies to read, is a subject which
should have the immediate attention ot our "So-
rosis" Societies.

A Beautiful Yucca.— JP. A. JSf., '■^Bosen-
sink Gardens,^'' Magnolia, N. G., 31ay i'ith, 1869,
writes : ''As your Monthly makes its regular ap-
pearance and I note with pleasure any remarka -
ble plants noticed, I have taken the liberty to
say that I have growing in front of my office one
plant of the Yucca Stricta (or Bean Grass,) 0 feet
high and on it 446 buds. Can any of your friends
beat this ?

The Best Strawberry. — The Strawberry
season is now opening. We shall look forward
with much interest to a solution of the vexed
question, what is the best ? We notice that al-
most all our exchanges continue to say "Wilson
is the best.''

Tomatoes. — Brooklyn Subscriber: As in Horse-
radish, it is hard to tell the best way to get good
Tomatoes ; but a good way to get good Toma-
toes, is to tie them up to strong stakes, as recom-
mended in this Journal last year.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, & C.

HoopEs' "Book of Evergreens."— It is
not often Mr. Barry is caught sleeping, but sure-
ly he was not as wide awake as usual when he
wrote that criticism of Hoopes' views of Pinus
Benthamiana for the Journal of Horticulture.
Because "Carriere and Gordon express no doubt
as to the distinctness of Pinus ponderosa from
P, Benthamiana," the inference is taken that
Mr. Hoopes must be wrong. Xeither of these
two men are botanists, although they have made
up readable works. Mr. Hoopes has the advan-
tage of being a botanist of good standing, and
the "Book of Evergreens " in Europe is admit-
ted to be of greater authority than either of the
other two. The variations in the leaves of these
two Pines are no greater than often take i)lace
in a bed of seedlings. Even Mr. Barry's Tom
Thumb is from a bed of American arborvitse.

Of course the question is one of specific iden-
tity. If every leaf variation made a species, we
should soon have plenty of them.

We cordially agree with Mr. Hoopes' view
that Pinus Benthamiana and Pinus ponderosa
are essentiallij the same.

Catalogues.— Gmi-es, Selover, Willard <fc
Co., Geneva.,N. Y, — We have taken several occa-
sions to approve of the general accuracy and
beauty of the catalogues of the American nursery
men. A few years ago, they were quite the re-
verse of this— now they compare favorably with
any in Europe. We are reminded again of it
by this very nice descriptive catalogue of orna-
mental trees and shrubs. It is very creditable
to the enterprise of this energetic firm.

Guide to the Study of Insects. — By Dr.
Asa Packard, of the Essex Institute.
Part sixth and seventh of this valuable work is on
our table. It is filled as usual with beautiful en-
gravings of the insects necessary to illustrate the
different orders and sections, the descriptions
of which are in so popular a style, as to com-
mend the study of this branch of science to the
million.

18Jf

TEE GARBEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

June,

NEW AND EAEE PLANTS.

EcHEVERiA 3IETALLICA.— For edging, and
various other purposes, the broad bronzy leaves
aftbrd a very striking and beautitul contrast,
quite distinct from any other plant yet used for
bedding purposes.

Iresine LnsTDENi.— This fine ornamental fo-
liage plant, which has been justly termed " the
gem of the season among bedding plants,"
has obtained prizes at Brussels, Liege, Louvain,
and the Crystal Palace, Sydenham ; also certifi-
cates of Merit from the Societe Imperial d'Hor-
ticulture of Paris, Koyal Horticultural Society,
and Eoyal Botanic Society, Eegent's Park.

New Nosegay Geraniums.— i?zzfe {G. 8.).
— A novel colored and desirable variety, having
salmon colored flowers, suffused with orange in
the centre, dashed with violet at the tips. Quite
new in color, and a fine acquisition to the nose-
gay class. Pine habit ; foliage heavily zoned.

Masterpiece [G. >S.)— This flower is of novel
color, the pips large, salmon-crimson around the
centre ; the edges of the young blooms orange-
crimson ; immense trusses, and globular ; foliage
slightly zoned, extra fine habit.

Victor {G. >S)— Bright orange-scarlet flowers,
large, and very double ; free blooming, and the
most compact and beautiful double variety yet
raised.

Styrax JAFOmcA.—Gartenflora, t. 583. Sty-
racacese. A pretty hardy shrub, growing 4 to 6
feet high, with elegantly spreading branches,
bearing bright green elliptic-lanceolate leaves
and a profusion of white flowers, resembling
Snowdrops, from the points of the young branch
lets. It should be a pretty object for forcing with
Buch plants as Deutzia gracilis and its allies. A
native of Japan, and introduced to our gardens
by way of St. Petersburgh.

Letvisia EEDiviviA.-This is a plant supposed
to be found in California or on some portion of
the Pacific coast, we think it is known in Wash-
ington Territory, and also in British Columbia.

Dr. Hooker, of the Royal Botanic Gardens at
Kew, London, says : " Among the plants eaten
by the Kotanier, Colville, and other tribes in
that part of British Columbia and Washington

Territory, is the beautiful Lewisa Redivivia, the
roots are gathered in great quantities, and boiled
or eaten like Salep or Arrow-root. In this state
they are not unpleasant to the taste, slightly bit-
ter, but are valued by the Indians as a nutritious
food for carrying on long journeys, two or three
ounces a day being sufficient for a man, even
though under great fatigue.

These Indians call it '■'■ SjMt Lum"> or
" Ptleem-asd.ilse-ne-mare," and look upon it as
one of the great gifts of the Supreme Master of
life. " — California Farmer.

Magnolia Campbelli. — Fhre des Serres, t.
1282-5. Magnoliacese. A splendid deciduous
hardy, tree, with oval or ovate leaves, silky be-
neath, and immense flowers produced before the
leaves, of a brilliant crimson externally, and a
pale delicate tint of rose within. It is a native
of the Sikkim Himalaya, at 8,000 to 10,000 feet
elevation, and has been introduced by Mr. Bull.

Lasiandra 3IACRANTHA. — The flowers of
this plant are truly marvelous, 1^ feet in circum-
ference ! Are produced nearly throughout the
year, and on plants when only an inch or two
high. Some blooms of it were sent at Christ-
mas to the Editor of the Gardeners^ Chronicle,
and the following remarks were made in the col-
umns of that journal, January 2d, 1869 : —

" We have before us fine blooming specimens
of the noble 'Lasiandra macrantha,' sent us by
Mr. Bull, which shows that the flowers of this
grand plant may be had in winter as well as in
summer, which is an additional recommendation.
Notwithstanding what may seem to be an unfav-
orable season, the blossoms are even now nearly
5 inches across, and are of the riche-st violet
blue, a tint which has not been reproduced in
any of the illustrations which have 3'et appeared. ''

ACROCOiVnA SCLEROCARPA. — L''IUust. Hort.
t. 547. Palmeae. An elegant stove-plant, attain-
ing in age a considerable height, and bearing a
head of spreading pinnate leaves, with the ra-
chides and petioles aculeate, and the leaflets lin-
ear, taper-pointed, subglaucescent, and nearly a
foot in length. It is one of the many Brazilian
species of this noble family.

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

185

Allamanda nobilis. — Flor. and Pomol.
1869, 25, with fig. Apocynacete, A fine-colored
representative of this, one of the finest of all gay-
flowerecl, stove, woody climbers. It has smooth,
scandent branches, oblong, abruptly acuminate,
membraneous leaves, and a profusion of im-
mense, clear, bright yellow, agreeably fragrant
flowers, pubescent outside, and remarkable for
their broad, round, prominent segments. It
was introduced from the Rio Branco, Brazil, by
Mr. Bull.

Areca Aurea. — Flore des Serves, t. 1738
Palmffi. A fine ornamental stove Palm, of erect
habit, with gracefully spreading leaves, remark-
able for the yellow color acquired by the stripes
when grown in a temperate house. It is of light
and elegant character, with pinnate leaves, hav-
ing long, narrow distant leaflets. The plant
comes from the Seychelles Island.

Areca Baiteri.— -Bot 3£ag. t. 5735. A re-
markably beautiful Palm, closely allied to A. sa-
pida, and long confounded with it, but distin-
guished by its greater size, its larger and broader
jDinnse, and more globose scarlet berries. It has
a tall, clean, ringed stem, and a crown of elegant
pinnate leaves, 6—9 feet long. A native of Nor-
folk Island.

Berberis Wallichiana. — L^Hort Franc.
1868, 269, t. 8. BerberidacesB. A pretty bushy-
habited, evergreen, hardy shrub, 6 to 8 feet high,
with spiny branches, bearing in the axil of the
spines a r'6sette of persistent, oblong, coriaceous,
spiny-toothed leaves, and from the centre of the
tuft a fascicle of clear pale yellow flowers. It is
known in gardens as B Hookerii. and B raacro-
phylla, and is a native of Kepal.

Caryota CuMiNGn. — Bot. Mag. t. 5762. Pa,l-
mese. A beautiful stove Palm, with an erect
trunk 10 feet high, and large, spreading, bipin-
nate leaves of a dark green, with the pinnules
8-10 inches long, subfalcate, obliquely wedge-
shaped below, and erosely toothed upwards.
The spadices hang in drooping tassel-like tufts
from the axils of the leaves, those in the upper
axil flowering first. Introduced from Singapore
by the late Mr. Hugh Cuming.

CoBCEA pejSTduliflora. — Bot. Mag. t. 5757.
Polemoniacese. A graceful, slender, glabrous
climber, requiring a cool stove, the leaves formed
of two pairs of small oblong acute leaflets, and
terminating in a branched, tortuous tendril, and
the flowers axillary, solitary and pendulous, on
long peduncles, with a green campanulate corolla,

having the tube an inch long, divided at the edge
into five strap -shaped, pendulous, wavy lobes,
.3-4 inches long, which give the flowers a re-
markably distinct appearance ; the filaments are
red, and the anthers yellow. It comes from the
mountains of Caraccas, at about 6000 feet eleva-
tion, and has flowered in the cool end of the
Palm stove at Kew.

DEL0ST03IA DEXTATUM — Bot Mag. t. -5754.
Bignoniacete. A somewhat robust habited and
handsome stove shrub, with large, opposite, ob-
long bluntly serra,ted leaves, and erect racemes
of three or four subcampanulate blush white
flowers, having a limb nearly 2 inches across of
spreading orbicular lobes It is a native of Gua-
lesca, near Cuenca,in Ecuador, and was sent by
Prof Jameson to Isaac Anderson Henry, Esq. ,
of Edinburgh.

Erythronium giganteum. — Bot Mag. t.
5714 Liliacese. A beautiful dwarf hardy peren -
nial, producing a pair of obovate oblong leaves,
blotched with dark brown, and a tall scape, sup-
porting two or three large flowers, of which the
petals are ovate lanceolate, recurved, white, yel-
low at the base, and marked with a transverse
orange band. It is an old plant reintroduced
from North West America

HYDRA5«rGEA Imperatrice Eugenie. — Bev.
Hort. 1868, 469, with fig. HydrangeacefB. A
hardy floriferous branching deciduous shrub,
forming a bush, bearing leaves like those of H.
Hortensia, and flowers of two forms, disposed in
umbels, the external ones about an inch broad,
its segments of a lively rose color, the internil
numerous ones small, and of the same bright
rosy color. It is a native of .Japan, whence it
was introduced to the French gardens by Siebold,
by whom it was dedicated to the Empress Eu-
genie

Hypericuji patulun. —iJot. 3£ag. t. 5693.
Hypericacese. A fine showy hardy shrub-
by perennial, of dwarf stature, with red stems,
bearing opposite oblong-ovate leaves, and termi-
nal cymes of large bright yellow cup- shaped
flowers. It is a native of Japan, and has been
flowered at Kew.

Passiflora trifasciata.- -L^Illust. Hort.
t. 544. Passifloracese. A rather interesting
stove climber, of which the flowers are, we be-
lieve, not yet known, but which has the dark green
trilobate leaves marked down the centre of each
lobe by a broad band of reddish purple, the back
of the leaf being of a deep sanguineous hue. In-
troduced by M. A. Verschaffelt, from Para.

186

THE GABBE^TEB! S MOJYTHLl.

June,

PRiO]srnJii PAL^nTA. — Bot. Mag. t. 5722, Jun-
cacefe. A curious and not inelegant irreenhouse
subaquatic plant, with the habit of a Pine-apple
and the flowers of a Rush. It has an erect
shrubby stem, elongate ensiform keeled spinulose
leaves, and a terminal erect panicle of gluma-
ceous flowers. The Palmita grows in running
streams in such masses as to form a sort of float-
ing bridge, and the fibrous matter at the base of
its leaves is used for brush making. A native of
South Africa.

RhODODEXDRO^ST CAUCASICUM FLAVIDU3I —

Gartenftora, t. 560. Ericaceae. A handsome
hardy evergreen shrub, bearing obtuse elliptic -
ovate coriaceous leaves, and heads of several

largish broad-lobed straw-colored flowers, thickly
spotted on the upper segments with deep green
dots. It will add a new and interesting feature
to our showy hardy Rhodendrons. Xative of
Caucasus, and introdiiced to the St. Petersburgh
Botanic Garden.

Spik^a palmata. — Bot. Mag. t. 5726. Ro-
sacese. A beautiful hardy perennial, with bright
red furrowed stems, palmately 5-7 lobed leaves,
having ovate lanceolate sharply serrated lobes,
and numerous corymbs forming a large broad
head of deep crimso^i remarkably attractive
flowers. A Japanese plant, recently distributed
by Mr. C. Koble. — Gar. Chronicle.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

The Century Plant at Rochester. — The
flowering of the Great American Aloe, known
as the "• Century Plant," has always been re-
garded with much interest, not only in this
country, but in Europe. The flowering of the
Messrs. Frost's plant brings to my mind some
circumstances connected with these plants.

In the month of December, 1840, Mr. M. B.
Bateham, now of Paiuesville, Ohio, then a part-
ner of Wm. A. Reynolds of this city, conduct-
ing a seed business in the Arcade, under the firm
name of Reynolds & Bateham, wrote to Hovey's
Magazine of Horticulture, in Boston, among
other items of a horticultural interest in West-
ern New York, that, in the greenhouses of Jno.
Greig, of Canandaigua, there was the largest
plant of the striped-leaved Agave he had ever
seen, and that Mr. Greig intended to t;^ke some
measures to induce its flowering. The plant
then, almost twenty-nine years ago, referred to,
is, I think quite likely, the one about to bloom
at the Messrs. Frost's.

I saw the Van Rensselaer plant, which has
been referred to in your columns. Its flowering
took place in the autumn of 1842. The X. Y.
State Agricultural society was holding its second
annual Fair, that year, at Albany, and it was
while attending that Fair that I "visited the
plant in question. It was exhibited for the ben-

efit of the Albany Orphan • Asylum. After re-
maining in Albany till the public curiosity was
satisfied, it was removed, some time in October
I think to New York, to the seed store of Geo.
C. Thorburn, in John street, and there exhibited
for the benefit of the Albany Orphan Asylum.

The Van Rensselaer plant was the common
green leaved one, not the variegated.

I think that the Frost plant is the first varie-
gated leaved one that has ever bloomed in this
country. [No. — Ed. G. 3/.]

A few years ago there was in the collection of
Ellwanger & Barrj'^, a very large plant, 30 or 40
years old ; but it was destroyed for the want of
a suitable place for it, and on account of the
difficulty of handling it.

I would take this occasion to suggest to the
Messrs. Frost to erect a tent on their lawn, un-
der which to exhibit their plant. This is the
only place its grandeur can be advantageously
seen. The season during which it will be in
bloom will be favorable for this arrangement.

P. Barry.
— Bochester, iV. Y. Express, May 11, '68.

The Red Canada Apple. — A farmer of
Oakland county, Mich., sold a load of Red Can-
ada apples, in Detroit, on A.pril 28th, at seven
dollars per barrel.

1869.

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJV'THLY.

187

In Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, etc., the Red j
Canada is mostly known by the synonym of I
"Steele's Red Winter," under which name it is j
very popular in the markets, and large orchards •
of this variety have been planted in these States
during the past decade, and it is becoming more
highly prized every year.

The Baldwin and Red Canada are distinct va-
rieties, but in some places they have been con-
founded with each other on account of the syno-
nym, " Steele's Red Winter " being attached to
both. The Baldwin, which is exceedingly pro-
ductive in Kew York and the Kew England
States, is known there as Steele's Red Winter.
In Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, etc., the Red
Canada is known as Steele's Red Winter, a name
which in these States is never applied to the
Baldwin.

Fruit dealers say that they can get a more
ready sale for red apples than for those of any
other color, and latterly orchardists have found
out this peculiarity of the demand, and have
planted and are planting largely of red varieties,
such as the Baldwin, Red Canada, Snow Apple,
Spitzenberg, King of Tompkins County, etc.
The latter is a splendid apple, but in some local-
ities the tree is a sparse bearer. It is said to
have originated in Tompkins county, New York.
The Red Canada is better suited to the soil of
Michigan, Illinois, etc., than the King of Tomp-
kins County, although the latter is a fine fruit,
well worthy of a place in every orchard. — Wes-
tern Rural.

PuRDY & Johnston's Nurseries. -A cor-
respondent of the Country Ge7itleman thus writes
about the nurseries of Purdy & Johnston, Pal-
myra, N. Y. :

" I found their grounds about three miles south
of the town, on the road to Canandaigua. The
grounds are protected by hills and woods on the
north and west, and comprise 1.30 acres, 60 of
which are now planted with the various kinds of
small fruit, to be increased to 100 acres this
spring. They have been on the place I think
but two years, and their grounds are not yet all
improved. They have, to bear next year, 36 va-
rieties of strawberries, IG of raspberries, 6 of
blackberries, 20 of grapes, together with cur-
rants and gooseberries. It would do a great
many of our farmer friends good, who think
they cannot take care of a fruit patch large
enough to supply a family, to see so many acres

kept as clean as their corn-fields were just after
hoeing. They believe in hill culture for straw-
berries, they being set in rows about 3^ feet by
1 ; but as their chief business is the propagation
and sale of plants, they do not adhere strictly to
this system, but let the runners root around the
hills, still keeping the rows open to admit the
passage of the cultivator.

Some Strawberries. — We notice that some
of our exchanges are publishing a paragraph
about a strawberry vine (of the Wilson Albany
variety) down in North Carolina, upon which
were recently counted between ninety and one
hundred berries. This is a fair exhibit for one
vine, but it falls far behind what can be shown
in this neighborhood. On a well cultivated farm
in Chesterfield county near this city, may be
found as tine a growth of vines and as promis-
ing a prospect for fruit as one could well desire
to see. The proprietor cultivated the straw-
berry in hills— keeping the vines clear of weeds
as well as of runners, and the consequence is a
manifest improvement in the growth of the vine,
as well as in the yield of fruit. On a single vine
of the kind above mentioned, the proprietor, a
day or two since, counted one hundred and eighty-
four perfectly formed berries, besides some
twenty or thirty blossoms When properly at-
tended to, the Wilson strawberry is a most pro-
lific bearer, as is shown by the above, and as
can be proven by every person who has a square
of ground to try it on. — Petersburg Index.

Big Apple Tree. — Probably the largest
apple tree in Virginia, is now standing, in a di-
lapidated condition, on the farm of Mr. O. W.
Purvis, in Albemarle county, three miles south
of the Southwest Mountains, near the three-
notched road to Richmond, and two and a
half miles from Keswick Depot. The soil that
produced this noble old patriai'ch is loamy,
of a mulatto color, and a little mixed with small
yellow gravel-clay subsoil, and immediately the
only bed of limestone between the ocean and the
mountains. This tree is upwards of three feet
in diameter three feet above the ground — it has
three main prongs branching off some five feet
above the ground, and its present height is not
less than thirty- five feet. One of its large
branches has decayed and fallen oii". The tree
still bears fruit of a medium size and indifferent
flavor, but makes good cider. — Southern Planter.

188

THE GARDEJVERS' MOJVIHLy.

June,

Apples in ITew Jersey.— The Middlesex
Farmers' Club recommend the following varie-
ties of apples as successfully grown in the vicin-
ity of Kew Brunswick : The Orange Pie Apple,
Ladies' or Maidens' Blush, Seek no further,
Michael Henry, Baldwin, Newark Winesap,
Rhode Island Greening, King of Tompkins
County, Red Cheek or Monmouth Pip .in, Sweet
and Sour Bow, Pomme Roy ale or Dial Apple,

Orange Pippin, and the Golden Sweet, Htibbard-
ston Nonsuch, and Red Astrachan.

Hon. Marshall P. Wilder was President of the
Norfolk county, Mass., Agricultural Society for
twenty years, resigned his position at the recent
annual meeting of the Society, at which meet-
ing resolutions of thanks for his services were
adopted.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Tulips —Notwithstanding the many new va-
rieties of Tulips, the old ones seem to retain
their supremacy. The Ganlener^s Chronide no-
ticing the various Tulip collections near Lon-
don, gives as the best, the following very old
kinds : Rex rubrorum, Tournesol, Rosine, Titi-
an, La Candeur, new yellow Tournesol, and Roo-
zenkroon, double ; Vermilion Brilliant, and
YelloAV Prince, single.

A Good Late-Keeping Hothouse Grape.
— A report of a recent meeting of the Royal
Horticultural Society says :

Mr. W. Gardiner, gr. to E. P. Shirley, Esq.,
Eatiugton Park, Stratford-on Avon, sent one
bunch each of Lady Downe's Seedling and Kerap-
sey Alicante Grapes in fine condition ; the fla-
vor of the Ladj' Downe's Seedling, especially, was
remarkably fine, considering that they must have
been kept at least six mouths ; a Special Certifi-
cate was awarded."

Truffle Hunting. —The pig was formerly
employed in all parts of France in hunting for
this precious tuber, which has just appeared in
the Paris markets, and in an abundance which
has not been equalled for the last 60 years.
There is a celebrated caricature of Gavarni's, in
which two women of the people are represented
as discussing the vintage. " They say there will
be plenty of wine this year,'' says the first lady ;
and the other replies, "How shall we get troun-
ced !'' Looking at the plentiful supply of Truffles,
gourmet and gourmond will probably exclaim,
"How we shall sufter from indigestion!" In
Provence, the ancient country of the troubadour
and ballad, the pig is still employed in searching

for the Truffle. It is a lean sort of animal, very
clever in its way, and is called a j^orc cle course, or
racing pig, who is duly trained to his business'
and for every tuber he discovers he is rewarded
with an acorn — he finds a fish, and he is offered
a serpent. In the department of Haute-Marne
the pig has been replaced by the dog ; the ordi-
nar}^ cur of the country is trained for the pursuit,
and readily masters his craft ; his training is
neither long nor costly, and his education con-
sists in his being kept for a certain time without
food, and then set to discover a Truffle placed
with a piece of bacon in a sabot filled with earth.
As soon as the dog has found the Truffle, he is
rewarded with a small bit of bread, and the ma-
noeuvre recommences. After a few days of this
exercise the dog is generally found to be suffi-
ciently trained, and his value reaches as high as
4Z. at times. There are peasants who make this
system of education their trade. A curious fact
has lately come to light, which proves that the
dog and the pig have not the entire monopoly of
finding Truffles. The Truffle poachers trust to
a certain fly to guide them to the beloved tuber.
A paper an the subject of this fly has been ad-
dressed to the Botanical Society of France by
M. Gubler, who reports that the insect is large,
that he ever returns to the same spot, and, after
numerous circuits, settles, and where he settles,
a Truffle is sure to be found. — Land and Water,
Nov. 7.

Passion flowers.— It is well known to hy-
bridizers that some species of Passion flower do
not set their fruit if fertilized with their own
pollen, while they readily do so if the pollen is
from an allied species. Thus Mr. Munro has

1869.

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJYTRLY.

189

forwarded us a fruit of Passiflora alata fertilized
by P. coerulea, previous attempts to set tlie fruit
with its owu pollen having failed in his hands as
in those of other exrerimenters. It maybe in-
teresting to cite the summary of evidence on this
point, drawn up from the records in our own
columns, and from other publications, by Mi\
Darwin, in that storehouse of facts for physiolo-
gists and thoughtful cultivators, the " Vai-iation
of Animals and Plants under Domestication,'"'
vol. ii., p. 137 :

"In the genus Passiflora it has long been
known that several species do not produce fruit
unless fertilized by pollen taken from distinct
species ; thus, Mowbray found that he could not
get fruit from P. alata and racemosa except by
reciprocally fertiUzing them with each other's
pollen. Similar facts have been observed in
Germany and France ; and I have received two
authentic accounts of P. quadrangularis, which
never produced fruit with its own pollen, but
would do so freely when fertilized in one case
with the pollen of P. coerulea, and in another
case with that of P. edulis. So again, with re-
spect to P. laurifolia, a cultivator of much expe
rience has recently remarked that the flowers
'must be fertilized with the pollen of P. coerulea, or
of some other common kind, as their owu pollen
will not fertilize them.' But the fullest details on
this subject have been given by Mr Scott ; plants
of Passiflora racemosa, coerulea, and alata flow-
ered profusely during mau}^ years in the Botanic
Gardens of Edinburgh, and though repeatedly
fertilized hy Mr. Scott, and by others with their
cwn pollen, never produced any seed ; yet this
occurred at once with all three species, when
they were crossed together in various ways.
But in the case P. coerulea, three plants, two of
which grew in the Botanic Gardens, were all
rendered fertile, merely by impregnating the one
with the pollen of the other. The same result
was attained in the same manner with P. alata,
but only with one plant out of three. As so
many self-sterile species have been mentioned, it
may be stated, that in the case of P. gracilis,
which IS an annual, the flowers are nearly as fer-
tile with their own pollen as with that from a
distinct plant; thus 16 flowers spontaneously,
self fertilized produced fruit, each containing on
an average 21. 3 seed, whilst fruit from 14 crossed
flowers contained 24. 1 seed. Keturning to P.

alata, I have received (18G6) some interesting
details from Mr. Eobertson Munro. Three plants,
including one in England, have already been men-
tioned, which were inveterately self-sterile, and
Mr. Munro informs me of several others which,
after repeated trials during many years, have
been found in the same predicament. At some
other places, however, this species fruits readily
when fertilized with its own pollen. At Tay mouth
Castle there is a plant which was formerly graft-
ed by Mr, Donaldson on a distinct species, name
unknown, and ever since the operation it has
produced fruit in abundance by its own pollen ;
so that this small and unnatural change in the
state of this plant has restored its self-tertility !
Some of the seedlings from the Taymouth Castle
plant were found to be not only sterile with their
pollen, but with each other's pollen, and with the
pollen of distinct species. Pollen from 'L'aymouth
plant failed to fertilize certain plants of the
same species, but was successful on one plant in
the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. Seedlings were
raised from this latter union, and some of their
flowers were fertilized by Mr. Munro with their
own pollen ; but they were found to be as self-
impotent as the mother-plant had always proved,
except when fertilized by the grafted Taymouth
plant, and except, as we shall see, when fertil-
ized by her own seedlings For Mr Munro fer-
tilised 18 flowers on the self-impotent seedlings,
and obtained, remarkable as the fact is, 18 fine
capsules full of excellent seed ! I have met with
no case in regard to plants which shows so well
as this of P. alata, on what small and mysterious
causes complete fertility, or complete sterility
depends."

The relationship thus existing between graft-
ing and fertility is a novel and most interesting
fact, which will, we hope, urge on our experi-
mentalist to renewed eftbrts. If the scientific
interest is great in such a case, are not the prac-
tical ends which may be confidently hoped for,
at least as important in their way ?

We may add, that an account of Mr. Muuro's
experiments was laid before the Botanical Socie-
ty of Edinburgh last autumn, for a digest of
which see p. 819. Mr. Munro's results are so
beautiful, as well as interesting, 'that we trust
he will persevere in his eudeavors. — Gardener^s
Chronicle.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

DAYTON, (O.,) HORTICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.
This seems to be a very prosperous institution.
The meetings are held on the grounds of the
leading members. The May meeting was held
at the residence of Ni(!holas Ohmer, Jr., and
from all accounts was a very pleasaut affair. A
correspondent who was present, describes the
mansion as of brick, two stories high, and of

the most approved style of latter day archi-
tecture, combining the useful, the ornate, and
the convenient in such proportions as to leave
little or no room for intelligent criticisni. It is
a very handsome structure, viewed from the av-
enue ; and the furniture and adornments of the
interior conform to a high standard of taste.
Persons who have made severe inspection of the
edifice, from the deep wine cellars through to the

190

TSE GARDMJVJER'S MOJVTHLY.

June.

roof, (where they could see a purple, dreamy haze
haniring over the city !) pronounce it one of the
most complete, in all its appointments, of any
establishment in the Miami Valley. That its
proprietor is a generous host, his estimable wife,
a refined and entertaining hostess, and his family
among the most interesting and obliging in the
land, the scores who visit " Floral Hill " will
gladly testify— and none more cheerfully than
the horticultural guests who were so agreeably
entertained there on Wednesday.

Some idea may be had of the extent and im-
portance of President Ohmer's grounds by a run-
ning inventory of the horticultural situation :
At the left of the carriage avenue as you enter
into the grounds, is a two-acre vineyard of extra
grapes, put up on wire trellises, supported by
staunch posts, the vines being firmly attached to
the trellis, and growing very finely. To the right
of the avenue, as you enter, is an orchard of four
hundred and fifty pear trees, comprising the
Bartlett, Doyenne d'Ete, Flemish Beauty, Louise
Bonne, Swan's Orange, Tyler, Seckel, and other
varieties. Still further on is a fetite apple orchard,
with three hundred and fifty thrifty Virginia
Crab, King of Tompkins County, and Rome
Beauty apple trees. Nearly on a line with the
front of the mansion, the carriage avenue turns
at right angle to the east, passing through an ex-
tensive grape arbor ; then circling around the
house, it runs due north, passing neat and nu-
merous outbuildings, stables, barn, etc., and
reaches away over to the neighborhood of the
Xenia pike. On either side of this lengthy ave-
nue, the fruit trees, now in bloom, and the
shrubs and berries, just swelling to blossom, are
so abundant and so thickly studded over the
the grounds, as to seem to be illimitable. We
will state, for instance, that on the central ave-
nue are successive orchards, comprising, alter-
nately, 400 quince trees, 800 pear, 600 cherry,
350 apple trees — then 600 more pear. 1,.500 peach,
and 500 apple trees ; and all of the finest varie-
ties of fruit —tested by actual production.

Many ladies were present in full force. The
last year's annual horticultural exhibitiou Avas
hot pecuniarily successful, but the Society will try
again this year.

R. W. Steele, Esq., made an effective address
on horticultural manias, going from the tulip,
the Morus multicaulis, and the '" Wine plant, '
to the Grape, of which he said :

-'The Grape mania is another which has not
yet quite spent its force, although there is a per-

ceptible diminution of the fever. For two or
three years past, the columns of our horticul-
tural niagazines and papers have been crowded
! with glowing accounts of seedlings which were
I to eclipse and displace all the old standard
[ kinds. Of the hundreds of seedlings which ob-
tained a temporary notoriet3^ and sold for large
I prices, but few have proved of real value, while
many are utterly worthless. Some of us know
. from real experience the annoyance of finding,
[ after three or four years of patient Waiting,
I worthless vines, purchased at high prices, and
of great pretentions, cumbering the ground that
I might have been occupied with Delaware or
Concord.''

In this, however, he can scarcely mean to in-
clude the Gardener''s Monthly, whose conserva-
tism, rather than its enthusiasm on " every new
thing," has been the rather blamed.

An interesting discussion on Blackberries ar.d
Raspberries ensued. Mr. J. H. W. Mumma
said the Hubbard or '" Local Red Antwerp '' pro-
duced better than the Philadelphia. President
Ohmer and others recommended highly the Phil-
adelphia for that district. It grows there best
on sandy soil. The Naomi, so far as tested,
promised well. Several members remarked that
the promises of many fruits, when discounted in
advance, were very often not 2)0,id at inaturity, and
the Allen was named as one whose • notes were
protested for non-payment. Catawissa was high-
ly praised for a full crop, and the resolution be-
ing brought up for a vote, the Miami Black cap
and Local Red Antwerp (not Hudson River)
were recommended, while the Doolittle was con-
demned by a full vote. On motion, the Purple
Cane was recommended for amateur cultivation .
When the Blackberry was brought up, many of
the members complained that the Lawton was
"tender."

Capt. Wambaugh said the Lawton succeeded
the best in sandy soil, and they had never been
winter killed for him. His canes were planted
in rows, and were large and hardy, and yielded
well. He didn't approve the plowing of Black-
berries. The roots were cut, and the berries
were deteriorated by suckers growing up The
weeds should be kept out by hoeing and mowing.
They didn't need any cultivation, but should be
mulched. The rows should be eight feet apart,
and the plants about eighteen inches or two feet
apart. If cultivated at all, it should be very
shallow. The roots are easily cut, and shoots

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELT.

191

spring up. Spring i)lanting is best — before the
buds start.

J. H. W. Mumma had the Kittatinny berry,
but tliey were not equal to tlie Lawton, as bear-
ers. They were both liardy, however ; and he
thouglit there would be a come out in the Kit-
titinny's.

General Schenck was present at the meeting,
and distributed among the members of agricul-
tural bearings, some valuable seed from the Ag-
ricultural Bureau. Mr. Steele also presented
the members with- a variety of rare garden seed,
which were gladly received.

THE COLLATION.

About 3 o'clock, p. m., the meeting adjourned
to the mansion, where the hostess, assisted by
her lady guests, provided a superb collation, and
it is only necessary to say, in this connection,
that it was met with the most severe justice, by
the large company, who sat down at the " fes-
tive board.'' We will not attempt to describe
the occasion, which was noticeable for its wit as
well as for the excellence of the viands.

NEW MEMBERS.

The following members were added to the list:
Mrs. M. S. Gunckel, Mrs. John Clingman,
Messrs. B. N. Davis, John H. Scheffel, H. H.
Tillottson, C. L. Jauncy, E. R. Dickey, John
Wolf, John Howard, Talbott Chambers.

DOVER (DELAWARE) FRUIT GROWERS,
ASSOCIATION^.

The peach and berry crop is now the fruitful
subject of discussion among a large class of the
citizens of this portion of Delaware as well as
parts of Queen Anne and Kent counties, Mary-
land. In view of the prospect ot a large yield of
peaches and berries this season, a special
meeting of the Peninsular Fruit Growers' Asso^
elation was held May 18th, in the State House at
Dover. The trains which arrived at that place
prior to 2 o'clock P. M., brought the owners of
peacli orchards from various sections of the
State in large niunbers, and also parties from
New York, Philadelphia, and other cities inter-
ested in the canning and preserving of peaches.

A number of growers brought with them
branches from their trees, loJided with the young-
fruit, and all showing that, unless some adverse
circumstances should occur, the yield will be
greater than ever before known in this State.
Two years ago the shipments from Stations ale ng
the line of the Delaware Railroad reached about
1,500,000 baskets, and it is expected that the

present season will yield about 2,000,000. This
may be increased nearly 100,000 baskets if the
Queen Anne and Kent Railroad is completed in
time to bring the fruit from those two counties,
and there is every prospect that this will be ac-
complished.

The best and most productive peach orchards
are to be found in the section of country south
from St. George's in New Castle county, in the
upper part of Kent, and from the Sassafras river
across to the Delaware river, between Delaware
City and Port Penn, and extending along the
river to near the mouth of Smyrna creek. The
peach crop in the vicinity of Middletown, Dela-
ware, was much damaged on Sunday last by a
heavy hail storm which extended over a strip of
country about two mile's wide. The trees were
badly cut, and the fruit knocked from the trees,
but notwithstanding this fact, it is estimated
that 150,000 baskets will be gathered in this
neighborhood. This fact alone shows how liat-
teeing is the prospect to the grower, and also
holds out the hope that prices will be low enough
to allow all classes in our large cities to enjoy
this healthy fruit.

The Delaware, Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore, and the Camden and Amboy Rail-
road Companies are making extensive arrange-
ments to convey the fruit to market. A large
number of cars have been constructed, so venti-
lated as to prevent as far as possible loss by de-
cay, while the fruit is in transit to Philadelphia
or New Ybrk. The Camden and Amboy Com-
pany expect to have nearly 300 cars, and the
Philadelphia road nearly 200, and run on the
Delaware road about four trains a day.

The Association met at 2 o'clock P. M., Mr.
John P. Cochran in the chair and Mr. J. A.
Fulton acting as Secretary. Mr.' Samuel Town-
send, chairman of the committee on transporta-
tion, reported that the railroad companies were
preparing their cars so that each car will carry
540 baskets, each basket containing 20 quarts.

The chairman stated that the Philadelphia
and Wilmington Railroad Company would carry
peaches from Dover to Jersey City at $130 a car,
and at the same proportion- for longer or shorter
distances. Each car to carry 540 baskets, each
basket weighing about 28 pounds. It was also
stated that there would be a deduction of ten per
cent, on the freight if the production should ex-
ceed 1,50.0,000 baskets, and the freight would be
increased if the crop fell off. A long discussion
ensued upon the subject of freight, the character

192

THE GARDEJVERS' MOJ^^THLY.

June,

of commission merchants in New York, and
other matters of peculiar interest to peach grow-
ers.

The following estimates wex'e given as to the
number of trees, and the number of baskets likely
to be sent from each station. No. of trees one
year old, 301,410 ; do. of trees two years old,
239,974 ; do. of trees three years old, 293,856 ;
do. of trees four years old and over, 1099,590,
making a total of 1,974.830. The following esti-
mates of the number of baskets of peaches to be
sent from the various stations were made by
members of the association growing peaches in
several localities : St. George's, 10,000 baskets ;
Mt. Pleasant, 75,000 do.; Armstrong's Corner,
150,000do.; Middletown, 175,000 do. ; Townsend,
140,000 do. ; Blackbird, 45,000 do. ; Sassafras
80,000 do. ; Clayton and Smyrna, 150,000 do. ;
Brenford, 25;000 do. ; Moorton, 150,000 do ; Do-
ver, 200,000 do.; Camden, 125,000 do.; Willow
Grove, 20,000 do, ; Canterbury, 50 000 do ; Fel-
ton,G0.000 do.; Harrington, 10,000 do.; Farming-
ton, 20,000 do.; Greenwood, 35,000 do; Bridge-
ville, 20,000 do.; Seaford, 40,000 do.; Laurel,
5000 do.; Princess Anne, 10,000 do.; Kingston,
2000 do.; Milford, 50,000 do.; Georgetown, 15,-
000 do. No reports were received below Laurel,
as the crops in that section of the country were
stated to be failures, in consequence of a snow
storm early in April. The total number of bas
kets estimated is 1,607,000.

The following is the estimate of the berries
likely to be sent over the road : — Strawberries,
1,018,750 quarts ; blackberries, 74,500 do.; rasp-
berries, 21,000. This does not include tlie wild
berries, gathered in various parts of the State.

The freight on 1,500,000 baskets of peaches
will amount to about ^500,000, and this amount
is realized in about six weeks. About 400,000
baskets ivill be sent by water to this city. — Pliila.
Ledger.

VIRGINIA HORTICULTURAL AND PO
MOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Meeting of the Executive Committee.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of this
Society was held at their rooms on the evening
of the 15th of April last. A very encouraging
report was received from the canvasser, and it
was, thereupon, decided to ofl'er a premium list
amounting to eight hundred dollars.

The following Standing Committees were an-
nounced (the first named of each Committee be-
ing Chairman) •

Floroers—Dv. J. T. Johnson, Dr. Thomas H.
"Williams, Dr Richmond Lewis, Wm. G. Taylor,
and Dr. C. W. P. Brock.

Vegetables — Joseph R. Rennie, L. Chamber-
layne, Wm. L. Harrison, J. O. Austin, and J.
W. Gordon.

Wines— \Ym. H. Hexall, R. L. Christian, J J.
Werth, M. B. Buck, and Col Wm, Gilham.

F/niiis— Franklin Davis, Chairman ; the oth-
ers to be announced.

Essays -Dr. S. P. Moore, Hon. R M. T. Hun-
ter, Gen B. T. Johnson, Hon, B, Johnson Bar-
bour, and Professor Mallet.

Statistics—Frof Wm. Allan, Jacob Fuller,
Jed. Hotchkiss. Rev. L Rosser, and J. T. Griffin.

Horticultural ImplemeMs—l. S. Tower, E. B.
Addison, John Asher, A. P. Routt, and John T
Early.

Arvangemenfs~C3iY)t. C. H. Dimmock, T. A.
Brander, John Poe, Jr., and M. T. Clarke.

In consequence of the illness of S. P. Moore,
Chairman of the Committee on Premiums, the
list was not acted on. but was deferred to a fu-
ture meeting.

On motion of Dr. Johnson, a committee of six
was appointed to make the- necessary arrange-
ments for a strawberry and tlower exhibition
during the season.

The President appointed the following com-
mittee : Dr. J. T. Johnson, Franklin Davis, J.
E. Stansbury, John Morton, Rev. Leonidas Ros-
ser, and Col. J. J. AVerth.

*••••

KENNEBEC HORTICULTURAL

SOCIETY.
The officers of this uew Society, incorporated
by the las I Legislature, have decided to hold an
exhibition the coming autumn, and met in this
city last week to perfect a list of premiums.
They have entered upon the work before them
with zeal, and we have no doubt their Fair will
be a success. We have material enough in the
county to make such a society and such an ex-
hibition as it will hold financially and practically
successful, and in the hands of the present com-
petent board of officers, we feel sure it will be
done. It is designed to hold the exhibitions
alternately in the cities of Augusta, Hallowell,
and Gardiner. The premium list for the first
exhibition will amount to something like five or
six hundred dollars. Hon. Jas. W. North of
this city is I'resident of the Society, and David
Cargill, Esq., of East Winthrop, Secretary. —
Maine Farmer.

DEVOTED TO

Rorticitlture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAX.

Old Series, Vol. XI.

JULY, 1869. New Series, Vol. IT. No. 7.

HINTS FOU JULY,

FLOWER GARDEN A^T> PLEASURE
GROUND.

We have so often spoken of hedge manage-
ment in these hints, that it seems to us as if
every one ought to know about it ; but it is won-
derful how few do. Only recently one whom we
know to be one of our most attentive readers, and
to have been one from the beginning, remarked as
he passed, what everybody calls a very beautiful
Korway Spruce hedge on our grounds, that it
was reall}'^ beautiful, but it was a great error to
have it so unnecessarily wide at the base. This
hedge is five feet high and five feet wide at the
base, which makes it rather wider than it is
high ; of course it is trimmed in to a truncate
triangular form.

Now it is one of the essentials of a permanent
prosperous hedge, that it must be at least as wide
at the base as it is high, and that it must be
trimmed with a flat or gently curved surface to
a point at the top. The ligkt then has a chance
to x^loy directly on every part of the leaf surface.,
without which, it is impossible to have a hedge
long in order. Eor that part which receives the
greater share of sunlight, will get stronger, and
that which gets the least gradually grows weaker,
till a thui, poor base is the final result. This is
one great object in pruumg to remsdy.

Another strong point to be gained is to weaken
tlie strong upward tendency which, every one
knows, is the weakness of hedge growing. Noth-
ing weakens a plant more than to have its leaves
taken oil while young, just after they push,
and before they are fully mature. If, therefore,
the shoots towards the top of the hedge are taken
oft' about the first week in June, while they are
yet soft, that part of the hedge will be weakened,
and the base, which for some months we leave

uncut, will be correspondingly benefited thereby.

The same principles of pruning can be kept in
view in the treatment of shrubbery where low,
bushy-headed plants are required.

Keep the pruning knife busy through the trees
and shrubs, with the object of securing good
form. Judgment will soon teach one which
shoots would spoil the shape, if not taken out.

The lawns, walks, and fiower beds will still re-
quire constant care, and attention can be bestow-
ed at this season on improving the form of trees
and shrubs. In some parts of a large garden,
trees are in better keeping with surrounding
scenery when suffered to grow wild and pretty
much to themselves ; but near buildings, or in
any part of a garden which is to denote high
keeping, symmetry will ever be considered a chief
element in beauty, and the aim be^ what after all
is the true object of gardening, an improvement
in fact over the prettiest natural scenes. Trees
and shrubs can be made as regular as we wish,
by traing a shoot here, and tying one there — now
using a stake, ;md at another time, employing a
string. After a few weeks they will grow as you
have placed them, and exemplify the adage, that
"as the twig is bent the tree's inclined " The
most malformed or ugliest specimen of an ever-
green may be made an exquisite "thing of
beauty " by such trifling care.

Plants set against walls and piazzas frequently
sufier from want of water at this season, when
even ground near them is quite wet. Draw away
the soil around each each plant so as to form a
basin ; fill in with a bucketful of water, allowing
it time to soak gradually away, and when the
surflice has dried a little, draw in loosel}- the
soil over it, and it will do without water for some
weeks. This applies to all plants wanting water

ip^

THE GAEDEJsfEWS MOJYTHLl.

July,

through the season. If water is merely poured
on the surface, it is made more compact by the
weight of water, and the harder the soil becomes
the easier it dries ; and the result is, the more
water you give the more is wanted.

The time is coming when transplanted trees of
the past fall and spring will suffer more than du-
ring any other part of the season. If they show
'ii vigorous growth of young wood, no danger
need be apprehended, as it indicates that the
roots are active, and can supply all the moisture
the foliage calls for ; but if no growth has been
made, no roots have been formed, ana the leaves
are living for the most part on the sap in the
wood and bark; and hot, drying weather will tell
with injurious effect on such trees. This is gen-
erally first shown by the peeling off of the bark
on the southwestern side of the tree, — the most
drying aspect ; and where such exhaustion ap-
pears probable, much relief may be afforded by
cutting back some of the branches, syringing
with water occasionally, shading the trees where
practicable, or wrapping the trunk in haybands
or shading the southwest with boughs or boards.

Amateurs may have some rare or choice shrub
they may desire to increase. They may now be
propagated by layers. This is done by taking a
strong and vigorous shoot of the present season's
o-rowth, slitting the shoot a few inches from its
base, and burying it a few inches under the soil,
or into a pot of soil provided for the purpose. Any
thing can be propagated by layers ; and it is an
excellent mode of raising rare things that can be
but with difficulty increased by any other.

Hollyhocks will be coming into bloom at this
season. They have now become so much im-
proved as to be one of the most popular flowers
for the summer decoration of the flower garden.
If the kinds are kept carefully separate, any par-
ticular variety will reproduce itself from seed.
They may be more certainly kept pure by cutting
of the flower stem ; each bud will make a plant.
The seed should be sown as soon as ripe in a
lif^ht, rich soil, in the open air. If retained till
late in the season, they will not probably flower
until the next year.

The Chrysanthemums should be examined, and
if the shoots thrown up are thickly together, some
of them should be rooted out. If the flower-
shoots are layered into four or six inch pots, they
make very pretty dwarf plants, that are well
adapted to neatly ornament a room or small con-
servatory, where larger plants would be objection-
able.

The next two months will be the trying time
with such plants as Auriculas, Cinerarias, Cal-
ceolarias, and others which cannot endure the
dry atmosphere of our summers. We keep our
Auriculas all the year round under glass, with
the best results. They would do as well under
any light enclosure that would prevent the too
rapid escape of moisture. A sunk pit would be
an admirable contrivance for them, besides mak-
ing a good i^lace to store away half hardy plants
through the winter.

In most kinds of soil the keeping the surface
loose by hoeing and raking in dry weather, will
be an excellent method of keeping the main body
cool and moist, — admitting the air, which is a
good non conductor In soils, however, which
are deficient in loam, and in which sand prevails
to a great extent, frequent stirrings have a dry-
ing tendency, and a mulching of short grass, or
decaying vegetable matter of any kind will be
found very useful around transplanted trees,
shrubs and other things.

The Gladiolus has become one of our most pop-
ular summer flowers. Those who have collec-
tions of them arrange the varieties very tastefuLy
according to their colors. Take a list of colors
as they flower, so as to arrange them properly
next year. AVe give the same advice for Petu-
nias, Verbenas, and Geraniums. The various
shades of colors of these varieties properly ar-
ranged, make beds peculiarly pleasing. This is
one of the arts of modern flower-gardening, to
arrange flowers properly according to shades of
color.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Those who have orchards or fruit trees in grass
must remember that around about the trees it must
be kept short. The grass itself is of no especial
benefit to the tree, except so far as its decaying
roots may furni&h a manure, and in so far as it
aftbrds a cool medium for the encouragement of
fine fibrous roots near the surface. The very hot
soil which the usual clean surface favors is unfa-
vorable to American fruit trees, — and the grass
makes a favorable, cool, permanent shade,— but
if this grass is suffered to grow long, the roots
rim deep, and the}'- draw out too much moisture,
doing as much harm by the extra dryness as they
do good by the shade. Another point in good
orchaid management is to go over them at this
season, and pull out any strong shoots that may
spring out through the center of the trees. If

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTBLY.

195

these remain, they eventually absorb all the best
sap to themselves, and by so much weaken the
outside fruit bearing branches. Every farmer
knows this, and every four or five years goes
through with saw and hatchet, cutting them out
in winter. But such severe pruning all at once
is a heavy blow to the vitality of the tree. It is
best to go over the trees every year, and at this
season stripping out while j'oungall those sprouts
that may not be permanently required.

Where new Strawberry beds are required to be
made that will bear well the next season, the
very first runners of the season should be select-
ed, and layered into small pots, or what is much
better, the Ryder plant boxes, recently noticed in
the Montlily. In about three weeks they should
be cut from the parent stem, and left to a sepa-
rate and independent existence for a few days.
After preparing the ground properly for their re-
ception, the pots should be well watered and the
plants turned out into spots designed for them.
They will then grow finely the present season,
and bear surprising crops of fine fruit the next
spring.

A warm sandy loam is the best for a Straw-
berry bed. A low and damp one is of all the
most objectionable. Though warm and dry in
one sense, it should be rendered capable of retain-
ing moisture in the dryest weather, and this can
only be perfectly accomplished by draining and
suljsoiling. If the latter is done three feet deep,
all the better.

Unless in a very sandy soil, a very heavy dres-
ing of stable manure is objectionable. Wood
ashes, ground bones, and matters of a mineral
nature are far more advantageous.

Strawberries for forcing are treated in pots, as
we have already described ; but instead of being
transferred to the open ground, when well rooted
in the small pots, are repotted into five or six
inch pots, and these latter plunged in the ground
to their rims in a spot the most favorable to
Strawberry growth.

After having grown well, and when they show
signs of having formed a good strong crown, they
are to be taken out of the open ground and gradu-
ally ripened by withholding water, — taking care
that it is not done so suddenly as to make the
plants wither, or they will sutter much. Towards
Avinter they can be set in a cold frame and cov-
ered with dry leaves for a slight protection from
the frost till wanted. Many commence to force
at the beginning of the new year, when they are
brought into the sfreeuhouse and must be set near

the glass. A high temperature is fatal. 45^^ to
50^ is sufficient for a few weeks, and 55° to
60^ when the fruit is fiirly set. They love to be
frequently syringed, and guarded against Red-
spider, which is their greatest pest. Where there
is not the convenience of a greenhouse to force
Strawberries, they may be had a few weeks ear-
lier than usual by making a piece of ground slope
to the southeast, planting out as already de-
scribed for garden culture, and then setting a
glass frame over them. The nearer the frame
and glass can be brought to the soil, the better
and earlier will the crop be. Protecting from
frost in Winter also adds to the earliness of the
crop. The earliest variety to be had in the lo-
cality should be employed.

It is very remarkable that after so much iu this
way has been done by a few cultivators,
more do not practice this cold frame forcing.

Mr. D. W. Herstine has done a great deal in
this vicinity, by exhibiting his beautiful cold
frame fruit, so often before the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Societv.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In many amateur's gardens late Peas are
valued. It is essential that they be planted in
the coolest part of the ground. The Pea is a
cool country plant, and when it has to grow in
warm weather, it mildews. The Marrowfat
class are usually employed for late crops. They
need support. All Peas grow better and pro-
duce more, when grown to stakes. Bush Beans
may be also sown for late crops. A very deep
rich soil is necessary to tender crisp pods. The
Lima Bean will now be growing rapidly. It is
time well spent to tie them to the poles as they
grow. The poles should not be too high, about
eight feet is enough. They conlmence to bear
freely only when the top of the pole is reached.

The Lettuce is another cool country plant. It
can only be grown well in hot weather when in
very rich and cool soil. For winter use Beets
are occasionally sown now, and alsoCucumbers for
pickling purposes ; but not often ; and at any
rate it must be attended to early in the mouth.
Tomatoes trained to stakes give the sweetest
fruit, and remain in bearing the longest ; buc
many cultivators who grow for size and quantity
only, believe they have the best results when
growing them on the level ground. Celery is
the chief crop requiring attention. The great
point is to get short thick growing varieties, as

196

THE GARDEJYERS' M0JV1HL7.

July,

the long kinds require so much more labor to
blanch. The Boston market variety is therefore
popular, and is really very crisp and nutty fla-
vored variety. After so many trials with differ-
ent ways of growing them, those M'ho have their
own gardens ; amateurs, for whom we write,
find that the old plan of sinking the plants in
shallow pits is about the best. Trenches are
dug about six inches deep, and three or four
inches of manure then dug in, of which cow ma-
nure is the best. They can be watered better
this way in dry weather, when in these trenches,
and it is so much easier to fill the earth about
them for blanching jjurposes than when grown

on the level surface. Salt in moderate doses is
usually a wonderful special fertilizer for the
Celery plant.

Late Cabbage is often planted in gardens be-
tween rows of potatoes, where it is an object to
save space. Some fancy that that the Cabbage is
better preserved in this way from the Cabbage
fly, which they say prefers the potato ; but on
this point we are not sure. We do not think the
Cabbage do quite as well as when they have the
whole ground to themselves ; but of course a
double crop could not be expected to be quite so
fine.

C 0 M M U N I C A T I 0 2\ S

EULOGY OF JOSHUA LONGSTEETH.

BY THOMAS MCCUEN, 31. D.
Bead before Penna. Horlicumiral Society, May Ut, 1860.

At the beginning of the present year (18G9),
there remained eight only of the seventy-nine
members whose names are recorded on the foun-
dation of this Society, December 21st, 1827. We
are now called to deplore the loss of one of these,
whose love of floriculture and the kindred arts
was remarkable, even at a much earlier period.

There can be few jiersons inspired with the
love of nature, and whose recollections go back
to the first twelve years of the century, who do
not find among the most vivid, those of visits to
the gi-eenhouse of Joshua J^ongstreth ; and who
will not associate with the display of a rare plant
or an attractive flower, the cordial reception and
the genial smile with which they were met by
tlie host.

Among the flowers seen there by many no
doubt for the first time, the Cereus grandiflorus,
by its size, beauty, and color, not less than the
mysterious hour of its expanding and closing,
was among the more remarkable.

The greenhouse above alluded to, was an ap-
purtenance of the houses numbered 513 and 515
Arch street, which Mr. L. built in 1809, when
his success in business enabled him to indulge
his favorite taste ; it long continued to be a,
source of enjoyment to him, and has existed
(though lately not used) till the present year,
when a new disposition of the property requires
its removal.

After residing eighteen years in the house in i
Arch street, Mr. Longs treth left it to live in the '

countr}', but continued to spend his mornings in
the city. Eor his convenience at these times, a
room adjoining the greenhouse was fitted up as
an office, a window of which was so contrived
that even in his hours of occupation he had be-
fore his eyes the objects of his predilection.

In the country his first employment was an
early stroll in the garden, where he collected the
opening flowers, to give them, in the course of
the day, to the persons he met in the ordinary
intercourse of life. As the recijiients of such
favors, he selected those to whom flowers were a
rare enjoyment ; for invited guests the floral de-
corations received his careful preparation.
Mr. Longstreth was not unfreqently heard to
i say that he did not wish to outlive his fondness
for flowers. It did not abandon him but during
two severe attacks of sickness ; its return was a
concomitant of his recovery.

Between the years 1825 and 1830 Mr. Long-
streth occupied two country-seats he had pur-
chased, in succession— the latter was Pecnbrook
(now the German Hospital). In the latter year
he became i)ossessor of the adjoining place, Bar-
clay Hall, where he spent, with little exception,
the remainder of his long life.

In 1835-'3G he made a journey to Europe, in
company with liis friend, Mr. Caleb Cope. The}''
were absent about eighteen months— visited
England and France ; and, as may be supposed,
Mr Longstreth lost no opportunity of inspecting
the flower gardens of those countries.

Barclay Hall possessed many advantages of
position ; a comparison with the seats Mr L.
had left, evince his taste and judgment, as his

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

197

removal at his then rather advanced years,
proves the energy of his character. Most men,
at that time of life, would shrink from such an
effort.

Some of the advantages of the situation were
that a superior residence on either side kept out
of view what was unattractive. A wood of
about twenty acres in extent, consisting of a
great variety of forest trees of vigorous growth,
afforded shelter from the northeast winds, and
added highly to the embellishment of the land-
scape.

The mansion stood on ground somewhat low-
er than the points of entrance to the estate ; yet
the distance was considerable, and the avenue
at first descended rapidly to a brook, from which
the subsequent rise was sufficient to prevent the
unfavorable effect such a diflt'erence in levels would
otherwise have produced.

Mr. L. made some additions, chiefly for the
accommodation of his beloved plants. They
were a greenhouse and a hothouse, each of about
130 feet in extent, with two smaller glass houses.
These were systematically disposed, as far as
the older edifices allowed — comfort and conveni-
ence were, however, the prevailing features
throughout all his arrangements. Many plants
were collected here, which then uncommon, at-
tracted numerous visitors, and generally formed
no small part of the interest in the exhibition of
the society at the periods of their splendor, soon
we hope to be renewed in our spaciou.s Hall.

An enumeration of these plants would be now
of little interest ; the two climbing roses, Tri-
omphe de Luxembourg, and a j^ellow tea, how-
ever, still flourish, festooning the vestibule of the
greenhouse. The Giant Cereus Peruviana of
which the height is only limited by the glass
that covers it, never fails to excite wonder. We
must all hope that on the dispersion of these ob_
jects now soon to take place, with a suitable
abode it may again find the congenial treaiment
that has enabled it to endure ninety five years
under an adverse sky. Within a few years Mr.
L. has mentioned it was exactly of his own age.

The scene thus faintly sketched, is now al-
ready disappearing ; these natural beauties and
their judicious appropriation to the elegancies of
life will hardly survive him who so long enjoyed
them, and delighted in showing that enjoyment
with his friends. The pure waters and neatly
kept banks of the brook, are invaded by foul
streams from neighboring factories creeping in a
noisome gully. Brick yards deface the surface

of the ground,and the smoke of brick kilns black-
ens the air. The noble trees ot the adjacent
grove are falling before the axe ; in a few months
not one will remain standing. At a period prob-
ably not much more remote, Barclay Hall will
disappear before an advancing street. For a
year or two to come, what of this region lately
so beautiful, is not covered with rows of brick
houses, will most probably be a forbidding com-
mon.

Joshua Longstreth, whose name will ever be
memorable in connection with this beautiful seat,
was the third son of Joseph Longstreth and
Susan Morris Longstreth. He was born on the
20th of June, 1775,

His grandfather, Bartholomew Longstreth,
emigrated from the town of Settle, Yorkshire,
England, in 1093, and purchased a large f ract of
land of the Penn family, in Bucks Co., Penua.,
where he married Anne Dawson. Joshua re-
ceived a plain English education, and removed
to Philadelphia at an early age, where he en-
gaged in the dry goods business with his cousin
Susannah Longstreth on Third street.

He was in partnership at one time with Ed-
ward Wilson, father of the gentleman to whom
the collection of objects of Natural Science and
libraries on that branch of knowledge ar'e indebt-
ed for the most liberal contributions.

In 1800 Mr. Longstreth married Sarah daugh-
ter of Jesse Williams. His business was extend-
ed to important mercantile operations, and so
successful that, after a few years, he was able,
as already mentioned, to follow the bent of his
inclination in his mode of living ; the culture of
flowering plants, giving the direction to many of
his plans.

Mr. Longstreth continued in the religious ten-
dencies of all his ancestors, always maintaining
their connection with the Society of Friends.
He was entirely unostentatious in his charities ;
those who knew him best, believe that his con-
tributions to the benevolent movements of the
day, were a liberal portion of his means. He
was 19 years old ai the time of the second elec-
tion of Gen Washington to the Presidency, was
thus naturally brought up in the political princi-
ples of the sage and patriot. He watched with
deep interest the progress of national events, and
the course of aftairs in his native city. It was a
cheering reflection to him in his last days that he
had been able to cast his vote for the present
honored chief Magistrate, and that from the be-
ginning of the century when his age qualified

198

TEE GARBE:h'ER'S MOJVTELY.

July,

him for that duty, he had never failed to vote at
a presidential election.

In other concerns of life, his persistence was
not less remarkable ; he was for fifty years a Di-
rector of the Philadelphia Contributionship for
the Insurance of houses from loss by fire ; a Di-
rector of the Philadelphia Bank, from its begin-
ning till 1862.

As these traits indicate, his local attachments
were strong ; love of kindred formed a prominent
feature in his character ; his relation from the
nearest to the most remote, shared his affection-
ate regard. He outUved his children, three
daughters and the husbands of two of these
ladies ; the loss was in a measure assuaged by
the filial care of several grandchildren. Thus the
devoted attention of two generations of descend-
ants, joined to his equable temper, spared him
many of the sorrows of age. He retained his
clearness of mind almost to the last, and much
bodily strength till within a few weeks of his
death, which occurred at Barclay Hall, January
27th, 1869, in the 94th year of his age.

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
AT WASHINGTON.

BY J. B.J WASHINGTON, D. C.

I enclose you an account of some matters
which are being done by the agricultural depart-
ment, which I think will have some interest for
the readers of the Gardemr^s Monthly. As an
additional item, I may remark that the Smith-
sonian Institution has turned over to the depart-
ment a great number of specimens of plants,
and that Mr. Capron has employed Dr. Parry to
arrange and lay the foundation of this national
herbarium. Dr. P. has already spent two
months on his task, which will give you some
idea of the size of this Uttle 'nucleus." From
all I can learn, Mr. Capron is endeavoring to
make the department a credit to the agriculture of
the country, and although many things perhaps
have not been done that many might think
ought or could have been done, most of those
who know his difficulties think he has done all
he or any else could. If you think any of these
facts worth publishing, you are welcome to use
them. I think it would be worth your while to
pay us a visit ; I never heard of your being here:

Few who have had occasion to visit this beau-
tiful area, south of the canal and between
Twelfth and Fourteenth streets, cannot but have
noticed the activity displayed in the work of

planting trees, transplanting of rare flowers, and
various other operations tending to beautify and
adorn the reservation allotted to the Depart-
ment. Commissioner Capron is a close student,
a progressive man. and thorough botanist ; and
will, if supported by the co-operation of Congress
in meeting his estimates and appropriating
therefor, make these grounds equal, if not supe-
rior, to similar gardens now receiving so much
attemion in other countries.

THE FLOAVER GARDEN.

Immediately in front of the building a flower
garden of architectural beauty is formed. This
is in perfect keeping with the surroundings, and,
when a stone wall is substituted for the present
sodded terrace, with balustrades and vases and
other decorative accompaniments on the pedi-
ments, will present a fine appearance, and afford
an example of harmonious arrangement such as
is only met with in the higher branches of
design.

THE ARBORETUM.

One of the greatest features, however, will be
the arboretum or collection of trees. This will
embrace a single specimen of every tree and
shrub that will exist in this climate, and in their
disposal a twofold arrangement has been kept in
view, that of a strictly botanical classification of
families, species, and varieties, and the produc-
tion of a high degree of landscape gardening.
This has necessarily involved a vast amount of
time and study. The botany of all nations had
to be ransacked in order to call out every suita-
ble plant and tree. The fasciculi for this ar"
rangement coveis over 200 pages of closely writ-
ten foolscap. As a collection of hardy plants it
will be unequaled ;by anything in existence at
the present time. To combine a strictly scien-
tific arrangement with artistic effect required no
ordinaiy amount of skill and foresight ; )^cars,
however, will be required before the ultimate ef-
fects will be fully produced so far as the develop-
ment of individual forms and combinations of
growth are concerned.

THE PROGRESS OE PLANTING.

Much has already been accomplished in the
planting of trees and shrubbery. With the com-
pletion of the planting of the present season
about three-fourths of the entire collection will
be set out. Many of the ^ilants, especially those
of our Western States and Territories, will be
difficult to procure, not being in cultivation as
yet ; they are not to be found in ordinary nurse-
ries. Some of the family groups are alread}'

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

199

completed — the elms, for instance, number over
fifty specimens, all distinct. Of ashes there are
forty, of willows over one hundred, oaks seventy,
maple about fifty, and others are equally well
represented. Th^ pines and other evergreen
species are now being planted.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS COLLECTION.

The possession of this collection will enable the
department to answer many important questions
with reference to the value of trees for wood, v\-
pidity of growth, &c. , (a point of great impor-
tance in the treeless tracts in the West,) and the
most suitable plants for live fences and other
subjects of equal i^rominence.

To the artist it will be of great attraction
The various forms of growth, the individual pe
culiarities of foliage and combinations of forms
will aflford a delightful study, and the mere visi-
tor will be arrested by forms and beauties of foli-
age such as can rarely be found available ; and
the student in botany cannot possibly find a
source of elementary knowledge at all compara-
ble with that of being brought directly face to
face with the living plant.

OTHER PROJECTS CONTEMPLATED.

Valuable and complete as this collection of
plants will be, it is only a link in the chain of
improvements contemplated by Commissioner
Capron. Convinced that this country possesses
localities and climates fitted for the growth of
plants from other quarters of the globe, he is
now having prepared a list of all plants whose
products are used in medicine. When these are
procured and their habits and requirements
studied, they will be propagated and sent to
such points as may be considered more suitable
for their growth. The same strictly botanical
classification as prevails in the Arboretum will
be followed in the arrangement and disposition
of these, so that scientific visitors of all nations
will meet an arrangement which they can recog-
nize. This feature of introducing systematic
classification in collections of plants brought to-
gether for purely utilitarian purposes is of great
moment, and must impart a degx'ee of interest
and value not generally attached to plants in
our green houses and pleasure grounds.

OTHER PLANTS.

A similarly arranged collection of all plants
employed and grown for the value of their textile
qualities, for dj'cs, and for all purposes of arts
and manufactures will be completed as rapidly
as means will admit. Of course to cultivate and

extend exotic plants glass structure will be re-
quired. A beautiful architectural design for a
series of hot-houses and green-houses has been
made under the direction of the commissioner,
which now hangs in his office, and is universally
admired.

APPROPRIATIONS.

The small appropriation asked for the comple-
tion of this plan not having been entertained by
Congress, no progress has been made in the erec-
tion of these structures.

ECONOMY STUDIED.

One of the greatest points in connection with
all these improvements is the economical manner
in which everything is being managed, together
with the thoroughly substantial character of the
^ork. Estimates of every item are preconsidered
and the work done within them— no leaving of
half-finished jobs because of under-estimating
the cost. The result is that an apparent finish
is constantly met with, and in reality exists in
the various progressive details of contemplated
finished design.

EXTENT OF GROUNDS.

The extent of grounds occupied by the Arbo-
retum proi^er embraces about twenty acres.
This is considered sufficient to allow of free de-
velopment for the trees and plants for thirty or
forty years growth. It is hoped, however, that
an additional space will be secured within the
next ten years to allow of the removal of certain
entire orders of families of the trees, which can
be done without injury to the plants or to the
system adopted, and at trifling cost. This addi-
tion, it is to be hoped, will be granted, as there
is abundance of unimproved Government proper-
ty contiguous awaiting this combination of land-
scape gardening and botanical skill.

These are but a small enumeration of the
many projects entertained by the Commissioner
for the improvement of the grounds of his de-
partment. For the system and radical changes
already introduced the Conmiissioner deserves
the thanks of the whole country.

THE GARDENER IN CHARGE.

Mr. William Saunders has had the general su-
perintendence of all improvements thus far ef-
fected. Mr S. has given this class of business
his life-study, and seems to be thoroughly posted,
both in the requirements of a first class garden
and the manner in which it should be managed.

[We have taken the privilege accorded us of
publishing "any part" of this private letter, to

200

THE GARDEJVERS' MOJVTHLY.

July,

give tlib whole, as there is notliing in it not of
interest to tiie pubhc eye ; especially as our cor-
respondent is not concerned with any of the
public departments at Washington, and has no
interest in "puffing" anything ahovit which he
writes.

We are very much pleased at the activity of
the agricultural department. We have always
kept clear of Washington, having no taste for
party politics, and political intrigue, of which
this city always seemed to us to be wholly built-
but if there is to be so much real interest to the
horticulturist, we may possibly take it into cur
circle of travel one these days. — Ed ]

"YE SHALL BE AS A GAEDEX THAT
HAIII NO WATER."

BY ir ALTER ELDER, PniLADELPHTA.

The prophet Isaiah, was well skilled in various
branches of husbandry, and knew the essentials
requisite for the successful culture of the dilSer-
ent departments In predicting the unfortunate
fate of his beloved land, Judea, he could not por-
tray her future ruin with greater serenity, than
by the words of our heading ; which he addressed
to her, "Ye shall be as a garden that hath no
water." What a desolate looking spot a garden
would be without water ! Verdure would disap-
pear, and beauty would lurn into deformity.
The health of the people would fail them for
want of wholesome vegetables, and a nation
would become a ruin. Science and art were less
understood in the days of Isaiah, than in our
time. By Hydrology and the process of jilumb-
ing,we can now make water come into our gardens
from great distances, and deep hollows at our
biddings, so our gardens need not lack water.

This lead^ us to enquire, what kind of waters
are most beneficial for growing crops ? When
and how should ' they be applied ? The waters
from rains and snow are the best. They get
softened by passing through space ; and in their
fall thoy bring down fertilizing matters which
ascend from the earth, and are held in suspense
by being lighter than the atmosphere. No arti-
ficial waterings give such immediate vitality to
fading crops by great draughts as the rains do.
Much of the rain that falls upon' buildings may
be carried into cisterns in our gardens, to be used
when needed. We know of several large estab-
lishments where such is the case ; and also sur-
plus waters of land, and waste waters from
households, are carried into gardens by under

drains, and held in cisterns for use : and so it
should be from barnyards. Waters from run-
ning streams are next best, as they are composed
of various matters from springs. Washings of
lands gain by the way, and are softened by tra-
vel. They, as well as the rain are of the same
temperature as the atmosphere. The waste
waters of many kinds of manufxcturing establish-
ments are very fertilizing : Currier shops, Mo-
rocco dressers, Tanneries, Slaughter houses. Dis-
tilleries, Breweries, &c-, are very fertilizing.
Water from deep wells is poor of itself, as it is
too cold in the growing season, but when put
into large tanks, and exposed at least twenty-
four hours to the light and air, they get softened
and warmed ; and by mixing guano, poudrette,
and other fertilizing matters with them, their
value is made thereby ten times greater.

What times are best to apply any of these wa-
ters ? Any time when the crops are in need of
them ; and given in the evenings during summer.
To plants in glass houses, or other forcing ar-
rangements, in cool weather, give water in the
forenoons. Syringing plants over head is of great
benefit Nature teaches us that, by watering
the soil by showers, to wash- and refreshen the
foliage, as well as moisten the ground for the
roots.

Plants can only take nourishment from the
soil when it is moistened with water. Many
cultivators, from necessity, use well water ; and
some persons contend that it is as good as any,
even if cold ; but good sense and sound philoso-
phy condemn such notions.

Trees, shrubbery, and many other transplanted
plants are most in need of artificiil waterings in
dry weather, they having no dipping roots to
sustain them during severe droughts, are wholly
dependent upon their fibres for sustenance : and
the fibres being all within a IFbot of the surfixce,
artificial waterings are essentially necessiry, and
they should, if possible, be applied in the even-
ings, and the foliage syringed. A mulch, over
the roots of trees, shrubbery, etc., is valuable in
retarding evaporation of moisture from the soil,
and waters are longer retained about the fibres.
Coarse leaf mould, decayed tan-bark and saw-
dust, are best for mulching woody plants ; but
if these are not to be obtained, straw, manure,
etc., can be used. Culinary vegetable crops need
frequent watering, such as lately transplanted
cabbage, lettuce, etc. , the water has to be poured
at the roots ; but celery being set in shallow far-
rows, the waters can be more expeditiously ap-

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTRLY.

201

plied, and it does more good. If shallow drills
were made for all transplanted crops, artificial
as well as natural, waterings would be more
beneficial, if, when planting, a man with a hose
could walk along a row with ease and water both
leaves and roots, and by saving labor would
double the value of crops.

SHADE PLAN^TS IN THE SUI^.

BY B , BORDENTOWN", N. J.

I am sure, I may thank you in the name of
many readers of the Monthly for your highly in-
structive article on the Red Maple, in a recent
number of the Gardener''s Monthly. It puts me
in the mind to say a word or two on the subject
of plants growing in the shade, that I have long
wanted to say, but saw no encouragement to do
so before. For however we may feel we are
right in our own ideas, it is not so pleasant to be
thouofht a fool by others.

o^ow I have sometimes visited some of my
friends who have small woods about their houses,
and it is quite likely that I hear them say " here
you see is a shady spot I have selected for liho-
dodendrons — just the place for them. They like
shade, you know." But I am sure they do very
much better in the sun, although I have to ad-
mit they do grow naturally under the shade of
trees.

I do not care to go into a discussion of
whether we should imitate l^ature or not. I
suppose in a matter of mere school logic it migiit
be very interesting ; but I do know from my ex-
perience with greenhouse Azaleas, that a some-
what sunny place is in a long thing the best place
for them. I repot just as they go out of flower,
and set them out at once in a place where they
get the full sun from ten o'clock to sunset until
October ; and no flowers can be larger, finer or
more abundant than they. The plants are plung-
ed up to their rims in the soil, and care taken
that they do not dry up. I once used to keep
them for the summer under the shade of a large
maple tree, but they did not bloom half so well,
nor were the roots so healthy-looking and nice as
they are now.

I have reasoned on this ; and thought that we
do wrong with many of our wood plants, such
as Rhododendrons and many shrubs, in putting
them in similar places to which they grow. I
have seen Rhododendrons in England, trans-
planted from America, put in the full sun, and
nothing can be finer. True, it is not quite as hot

as it is here, but yet hot enough at times to in-
jure such things if they were the truly shade-
loving plants they are supposed to be.

I thought to say chiefly that no doubt the rea-
son that they are found Avild in the shade of
woods, is for the same one 3'ou give for the Ma-
ple in the swamps, that the seeds will not sprout
anywhere else, and of course the plant has to
stay where its seeds first start it.

The seeds of Rhododendrons and Azaleas are as
fine as powder, and of course could not sprout
anywhere, except in very cool and moist shady
places.

It is surely true, whether this said sprouting
business is true or not, that what I have seen of
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and others in full sun-
ny spots is very satisfactory; much more so than
when the plants grow in their native wild places;
and I think cultivators will find it so also if they
examine it carefully as I have done. iN'ot only in
these plants, but in other shrubs which I have
taken out of the woods and put in the full sun, I
have seen the great advantage. Some swamp mag-
nolias which I have, are certainly very much im-
proved in their open sunny spots over the shaded
swamps in which they are usually found.

ADVICE GRATIS.

BY A NEW YORK " NURSERY^IAX. ' '

Some months ago you had a few words in the
answers to correspondents, about people applying
to you for gardeners, and finished up by saying
why do not some persons establish a horticultu-
ral agency. I hoped to see the subject discussed
further, for to me it is one of the most interest-
ing broached for sometime. I have no remedy to
offer for what I consider one of the greatest
plagues of nursery life ; but rather than see the
subject die out, let me at least "throw on a little
more fuel to the flame," as the poets say.

It is said that nothing costs us so much as
that which we get for nothing, and every body
knows that this is true. I also know to ray sorrow
that in my business, nothing has ever cost me so
much as advice I give for nothing, whether in
the recommendation of gardeners, or in the
management of things bought of me. I have
in fact often threatened to place on my business
cards, '' No gardeners recommended," " No ad-
vice given." I have had many excellent regu-
lar customers until some unlucky star induced
them to apply to me for a gardener, when in the
great majority of cases I have immediately lost

202

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJ\rTHLY.

July,

the trade. There are many reasons for this. In
some cases your friend feels under some obliga-
tion, and if things are not exactly suited to his

mind, says to himself, "I do not like this

Messrs. have sent me, but they have been kind

enough to get me a gardener, and I don't like to
complain-" If he had complained, the firm
would probably have thanked him. They could
have set the whole thing right. But smothered
dissatisfaction never dies. The next order he
gives to some other, where he feels free to object
if he wishes.

Another case : Gardeners have often their own
notions about what are their rights. They are
frequently under the impression that besides the
pay from their employers, they are entitled to
commissions from the nurserymen who supply
the trees and plants. There are some nursery-
men who rather than miss sales will do this, and
there are others who will not. It matters not
for my present argument whether I am one of
this class or not. If the gardener I send is one
of the commission class,— and as we have not the
power of reading hearts, we do not know how
this is— he hates to ask for it, or take it from one
who has got him the good situation, so he con-
trives to go elsewhere. .Or, if he is one of these
honorable men who, when he undertakes for a
named salary to serve his superior faithfully, he
feels that it "looks " rather like gratitude to the
nurseryman who has done him a service to do
much for him in the way of custom. If the em-
ployer should object to anything,he dare not cor-
rect the misunderstanding— it looks like favor.
Any way the nurseryman suffers. At least this
has been my case. I know I have lost scores of
good customers, and many of them from just
such feelings as these.

Again in the matter of advice. I scarcely get
a hundred orders, in which half of them are not
applications for advice as well. We do our best
to accommodate. Those who get advice gratis
never follow it. They think they do. If they
paid for it, they would recollect the details of
the advice better. But here is the rub. ISText
year you get something like this: "The plants
I got from you last died. As I followed your
advice closely, it is clear something was the
matter with them before they reached me, and
we have no doubt you will replace them." A
striking case of the loss by "advice " occurred
this season. We received an order for some trees
and a postscript for advice, which,at the expense

of half an hour's time, we gave. A few days
after we got a reply — " I am obliged for the in-
formation about the plants. It so happens that
we have no conveniences to treat them as recom-
mended, and as therefore they are no use to me,
I have sent them back to you, paying the return
freight," which was so far kind enough but as
our nursery is six miles from a railway station,
to which we have to deliver our stock by our own
wagons, and we had no immediate occasion to
send for anything there, the box of plants re-
mains there to this day ; the whole thing a bad
debt. Of course, n'e shall be told we could "sue
it out ; " but we prefer to let it alone.

Now what are we to do ? We continue to re-
commend gardeners, and to give advice when
asked, yet we feel that it is all wrong, — a great
injustice to ourselves. I have advised the other
members of our firm not to do it, but we cannot

agree to abandon it. B says, " let us do

right, anyhow. Help our friends when we can,
even though we suffer, for I have found that
those who do wrong, or act selfishly, suffer in the
long run, at least as much as those who are ac-
tuated by generous impulses."

Perhaps he is right. At any rate I shall hail
the day when advice gratis, and getting of gar-
deners, are not considered amongst the duties
of nurserymen.

Another thought. Perhaps you might think
we wish you to think us amongst the self righ-
teous. I don't therefore enclose my name. I
know it is customary with newspaper Editors to
expect this. If you conclude to publish it, there-
fore, without this rule being complied with, I
shall be glad. It seems to me a case where the
matter might be allowed to stand on its own
merits.

PURSH'S JOURNAL.

[Continued.)

11. Returned to the Hollow. Being sick & tired
of this place, I expected to find letters for me
which would put me in a way to leave it; but was
disappointed.

12. Having been informed about the tower of
Pompey having the highest land in this nigh-
borhood I concluded to visit it, a^ I had nothing
else to do ; accordingly T set out, & arrived there
about noon : the rise which the road makes, after
leaving the main turnpike is indeed astonishing
before reaching the highest part of it, I had a
view of Onondaga & Oneida lake ; the whole of
the hill is under cultivation, consequently no

1869.

THE GARBEKEWS MOJYTELY.

203

very well answering my persuils. "When I ar-
rived at the town every thing was in a bustle
about the militia parade, for to draft the number
required, towards the IST. Y. militia as required
by proclamation — I spent the afternoon in look-
ing at their proceedings : nothing new this day.
A Sonchus common almost every where grew
here to the astonishing hight of 10. feet & more.
The ground generally is exceeding rich & the
timber to the highest top of the hill is beach &
maple. — Very handsome formed trees of Cratae-
gus Crus-galli, I observed very frequent. — Ur-
tica procera — Ilelianthus squarrosus— Rudbeckia
laciniata — Circaea-alpina, &c.

Augt. 13- Having been informed about a very
high fall of water at Pratts Mills, I went to see
^ it ; it is about 3 m. from the place I stood at over
night, I crossed several high lands, interrupted
by vallej-s & came to the little stream which
forms those falls : when I came to it, I could not
perceive where it could have so poAverfuU a fall, as
it was told me, as the ground seemed to go very
gently downwards as far as the eye could reach,
& bordered at the East & West or rather hemd in
by a ridge, over which it could not run, &
through which there was no opening to go
through ; but when I came to the mill I was very
agreeably surprised, by seeing the water fall
down a precii^ice nearly perpenticulare to the
depth of above 300. feet in a deep gloomy hollow
all at once ; I was anxious of getting down to the
bottom, which I with some difficulty dit & indeed
a more romantick scene I never beheld ; the vege-
tation is chiefly, Hemlock & Mapple — I observed
here a toautifuU species of Hypnum, which cov-
ers the ground : Pyrola secunda & umbellata in
great plenty : Lycopodium serratum & complana-
tura likewise : — Nothing new in vegetation — I
expected to find some impressions hei'e, as the
bed of the brook looked somewhat like slate ob-
served at Wilkesbarre but I turned up several
stones and found none. — The rocks consist of
of a grey slate, which sometimes gives very good
wetstones.

This hollow follows the run with very steep
banks as far as I dit trace it ; From here, after
having my curiosity satisfied I proceeded down
the hill again & arrived at night at Onondaga.
In my way there I observed Onosmodium-Ama-
ranthus albus, &c.

14. 1 These three days being very much in-

15. I terrupted with rain I dit but little go out ;

16. 1 & when I dit seen nothing worth notic-

ing : — My anxiety of getting away from here is
beyond all description.

17. This day all the place was alive with the
muster of militia for a drafting of them. I was
not well all day.

18. Having nothing else to do, and being al-
most out of patience of staying any longer at
this place, I took a walk to Salt point, went
throusrh the marshes and along the banks of the
lake, without any thing materially worth notice:
I had not before observed the Gymnocladus can-
adensis grows on the banks of this lake, but I
dit not see one large tree of all being very criply
& small.

I found Lobelia Claytoniana— Gerardia pur-
purea— Lysimachia ciliata &c. most every body
in this place is inflicted with a bad cold or ca-
tarrh which they call the influenza.

19. ] Those days I spent in expectation of

20. \ letters for my departure : not being able

21. ] to account for the delay I was out of all
patience & if it had not been for want of money
I should return to Philadelphia the nearest route
I could find. I wrote the 21st to Dr. B. on the
the subject. — I have not the heart of doing any
thing for spleen & sorrow. — On a walk I found
near Onondaga court house Dipsacus laciniata ?
wild.

22. To day at last I received a letter I so long
had looked for, with anxiety including 20 Dll —
As my bill and expences here were very high, not
much was left to me to go upon ; but still when
I am on the Eoad, I can make my way cheaper,
than when I stay at a place : I set about prepar-
ing myself immediately & beginn my journey to
Vermont on Monday next.

23. This morning I found myself very ill ; the
Influenza prevalent to a very high degree here-
abouts got hold of me likewise, & attacked me
with the most violent headache, ever I have felt,
I was forced to lay down ; as soon as got some-
what over the fever, I got some Thoroughwort
set up with gin, which 1 used very freely, bath-
ed my feet at night, in warm water & drank a
large portion of sage thee ;

24. Felt somewhat better this morning but af-
fected with violent headache still all apetit3 for
eating lost ;

2j. Somewhat recovered ; headache ceasing :
so I found people getting more & more sickly I
concluded to leave this, as soon as I could any
ways be able to ttand the yourney.

26. \ Eecovering some I prepared lor leaving
27. ) this tomorrow, with the stage, as I

204

THE GARDEJ\^ER'S MO:h'TELY.

July,

thought it tlie best way in my present situation
to go on with it as for as it would be in my route-

28. Having inclosed specimens, seeds and min-
erals in a good box which I left to the care of
Mr. Geddes I settled my bill here, & in the even-
ing went off with the stage which only goes
about 7. m. further on from here.

29. This morning we passed through the beau-
tifuU village of the Oueidas ; it lays in a most
charming situation. At night arrived at Utica:
as the stage lays here over Sunday, I had to stay
to ; which would give me a chance of seeing
some of the plants of this nighborhood.

30. Took an excursion about the town, among
other common plants I observed here Clematis
virginiana, Inula helenium, Rudbeclda lacin-
iata, &c. but nothing worth any particular no-
tice, in my Avalk I experienced the weakness
which my sickness had occasioned, very much
which lowered my spirits very considerable, as I
thought what a situation I must come to if I
should fall sick now, & be deprived of going on
in my persuits ; I really never have been more
alarmed by my illness, than I am now, which
must be owing to the relaxation & debility of all
the frame, which this Influenza occasions.

31. From Utica I had about 50 m. to come
where the road turns off to Johnstown, the route
r3Commended me to go, to Ruttland & the heath
of lake Cham plain. I arrived at the falls of
Mohock, where we dined about 2. o'clock ; while
they were preparing dinner I took a short excur-
sion back to the falls ; Here I observed Verbena
officinalis, Verbascum Blattaria, Mentha spec.
Potamogoton natans & several species of Aster
& Solidago all very familiar to me ; different
sorts of the more common ferns covered the
rocks : viz : Polypodium vulgare, Nephrodium
dentatnm, marginale &c. Here I left the stage
& took up my lodging at the tavern for night,
with intentions of going on towards Saratoga on
foot to morrow.

Sept. 1. From Palatine church, where I stayd
last night, I proceeded this morning on foot to the
left of the'stage road : the road leeds through aPine
woods, consisting chiefly of white Pine. & in place
of beech & Hemlock ; the Coreopsis bidens or I sup-
Ijose what is calld now connata, got very common
along the road side, in wet places. In the same
situation Guaphalium inundatum is common,
where the water is more plenty the Leersia ory-
zoides among the species of Juncas & Scirpus
species is a common grass. I observed along
fences a species of Galeopsis with flowers diflfer-

ent from a 1 the european, as I recollect. Hy-
droctyte americana is common here. After
reaching Johnstown, a considerable village, I
went on about 6 or 7. m. further where I put up
for night. — Along the road sides here Tanacetum
vulgare, Inula helenium, Sonchus canadensis
&c. are common plants. In the valleys the pro-
ductions are similar to the beech woods.

2. This day I travelled through nothing but
Pine Woods interspersed here & there with bar-
rens of Dwarf Oak (Quercus prinos pumila :)
nothing new. The plants in flower mentioned
in the general Index, arrived at night at Ball-
town.

3. Balltown springs lay in a deep hollow.
The situation very romantik. I expected to get
something curious about this place and Sarato-
ga.— The excursions about the grounds produced
nothing new, I observed Veronica Anagallis
aquatica — Bidens frondosa & bipinnata-Clematis
virgin. Bupthalmum heliauthoides— Mimulus
alatus — Veronica scutellata. The road from
Balltown to Saratoga, goes through barren pine
woods, where 1 observed a species of Hieracium
which I suppose is called H. scabrum Mich. —
Glycine comosa is frequent. About Saratoga
springs Campanula erinoidcs — Rudbeckia lacini-
ata, several species of Nephrodium — Spirrea sa-
licifolia-Eupatorium maculatum-Conium macu-
latum ? in great abundance. One of the springs
calld the Rockspring at Saratoga is a great nat-
ural curiosity. — The rock projects in the shape of
a flat cone about 4. feet above ground, & has an
apature of about 10. inches in the middle out of
which they get the water, which is about 3. feet
down & makes a continued noise, like it were boil-
ing.— The country about here is barren & not
answering my expectations of finding some cu-
riositys. The soil is full of limestone & the
rocks chiefly consist of this and a species of gray
eranit like wake mixed' with calcareous particles.

4. Left Saratoga the road through barren pine
woods mixed sometimes with Shrub Oak, Pod-
alyria tinctoria, Helianthus frondosus — Lobelia
Claytoniana &c. nothing new. stayed over night
G. m. from Glems falls.

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

20:

STRAWBEERIES.

BY EDWIN SATTERTHWAITB.
Read before the Pennsylvania Hort. Society, June, \st, 'G9.

It was not until 48 hours since that I knew of
my appointment as the essayist of this evening.
Just two days ago I accidentally came into pos-
session of the information that I had been ap-
pointed to prepare an essay to be read this even-
ing before this society, on the subject of Straw-
berries. I should have taken pleasure in endeav-
oring to perform with credit the task assigned to
me, had I received timely notice of my appoint-
ment. As there is no subject connected with
horticulture that I feel more interested in, and
having been for twenty years pretty largely en-
gaged in the culture of Strawberries, and having
given it the closest personal attention, I feel, I
confess, entirely familiar with the subject. Had
time been allowed me I should have taken pains
to collect statistics which would show that this
is really a subject of great importance, and well
worthy of an evening's discussion. It is within
the memory of many of the members of this so-
ciety, that the culture of what is called small
fruit, at the head of which stand Strawberries, has
grown up to be, what it now is, a very impor-
tant branch of productive industry. Twenty
five years ago the culture of Strawberries in
large quantities as a market product, was almost
unknown. Kow hundreds of acres in the vicini-
ty of this place are devoted to this purpose ; af
fording a remunerative occupation to the culti-
vators, and healthful employment to thousands
of our needy population in gathering the crop.
Perhaps the first noticeable epoch in the history
of the Strawberry, was the production some
twenty-five years ago of the far famed "Hovey's
Seedling, " by the celebrated horticulturist
whose name it bears. This was a great step in
advance, and seemed to give a stimulus to the
production of improved varieties,that ha3 gone on
increasing in an accelerated ratio, until the num-
ber has become so great as to make it quite out
of the power of any one cultivator to make even
a collection of all the celebrated varieties, much
less to test their value.

The next great epoch in Straw bei'ry culture
after the advent of the "Hovey," was the intro-
duction some twelve years ago of that wonder-
fully productive variety, the "Albany Seedling."
The production of this fruit will justly immortal-
ize the name of its propagator, John Wilson of
Albany. Brought out as it was, modestly, with-

out anj' flourish, it has done more by far, than
any other variety, to establish the business of
growing Strawberries in this part of the world,
as a permanent and profitable branch of terracul-
ture. The "Hovey Seedling,'' opened the eyes
of horticulturist to the capacity of the Straw"
berry for improvement in all the good qualities
of the fruit, and the "Wilson's Albany" demon-
strated that it was capable of pro.tuoing an
amount of food per acre, that is exceeded but by
few products of the soil

It may seem strange, and certainly it is to be
regretted, that as largely as this fruit is now
cultivated, and with the great number of fine
varieties that we now have, varying in their
habits, so that some may be found adapted to
every variety of soil and situation, its cultiva-
tion is very far from being as general as it should
be. A long and extensive experience in the cul-
ture of this fruit, enables me to speak with confi-
den-^e, when I say, that no product of the soil
that I am acquainted with, yields a more bounti-
ful and sure return for the labor bestowed, when
that labor is intelligently and skilfully directed.
And certainly there are few, but who will agree
with me that no other fruit or vegetable is more
giateful to the appetite or more wholesome, —
coming as it does, the first fruit of the season,
and at a season of the year when fruit is not
only the greatest of luxuries, but absolutely ne-
cessary to health.

To me, it has long been a subject of araaz( -
ment, that a very large proportion of the culti-
vators of the soil in this country neglect to grow,
as they should do, a bountiful supply for their
families of this delicious fruit. There really is
no good reason, why Strawberries should not be
grown in sufiicient abundance every year, on
every farm in the country ; for the culture of this
fruit is attended with less real difiiculty than
that of any other fruit. I speak advisedly when
I say this. In the culture of all other fruits,
difficulties are encountered that are sometimes
insurmountable, and failure often unavoidable.

In this part of the world, all our tree fruits
have become almost worthless from the ravages
of the curculio, and for this, no remedy has been
devised, and no amount of skill or labor can over-
come the difficulty. Other small fruits are liable
to fail from the severity of the winter, or late
frosts, or cold storms in the spring. The Grape
has innumerable maladies, that seem to be with-
out remedy, and with it, with all the care that
can be bestowed, failure is the rule, and success

206

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

July,

the exception. Drought, which sometimes cuts
short the crops of other small fruits, affects but
slightly the Strawberry crop, if they have receiv-
ed proper attention. Strawberries require a
certain amount of intelligent labor, but with
that they never fail ; unlil<e all other fruits they
appear to have no insect enemies. In twent}'
years experience in the extensive culture of all
kinds of agricultural and horticultural products,
I have found this to be the most certain of all.
I have never failed in growing an abundant
crop.

It is in the country and on the farm alone,
that the Strawberry can, and ought to be enjoy-
ed in its greatest excellence, and the almost total
neglect that it there receives seems to be utterly
inexcusable, though not altogether unaccounta-
ble. There are I suppose but few cultivators of
the soil, but who, sometimes in their lives make
the attempt, generally unsuccessful, to grow
Strawberries. And it shall be my object in the
few remarks to which I am confined, by the
limited time allowed in their preparation, to en-
deavor to point out some of the causes of this
failure. I have said that the actual labor neces-
sary to produce a crop of Strawberries is not so
great, if that labor is guided by skill and intelli-
gence. And the great trouble is, that most per-
sons go into it with their heads full of erroneous
ideas upon the subject, derived from theoretical
essayists, who have no practical knowledge of
what they are writing about. It is much to re-
gretted, but seems to be unavoidable, that all
the useful information obtainable from the mass
of stuff daily printed, upon agricultural subjects
is like a grain of wheat in a bushel of chaff. This
is because people who write seldom work, and
those who work, have no inclination to write.
I have noticed that all, of the many writers who
constantly undertake to enlighten the public up-
on this subject through the newspapers, recom-
mend Summer ar Fail planting; this is the first
great mistake. When Strawberries are ripe, the
fortunate possessor of a farm or garden thinks it
would be delightful to have a supply of this de-
licious fruit on his own premises, and makes up
his mind to grow a crop next year. The idea of
waiting two years for a crop of anything is ut-
terly out of the question with most cultivators.
Having read in the Tribune that August was
the proper time to plant Strawberries, he goes to
work at once to prepare for the crop It is in
vain he is told by the market gardener where he
goes to procure his plants, that the Spring is the

proper time to plant Strawberries He has read of
the wonderful crops obtained the next year from
plants set out in the fall, and he can't think of
losing a whole jesLV. So the plants are procured,
and with much patient care and time spent in
watering and nursing them, a few are persuaded
to live, and some even make a feeble growth-
The next Spring, the Strawberry patch presents
a rather unpromising appearance, with here and
there a feeble looking plant, and huge intervals
of empt}' space in the rows. Still the hopeful
proprietor is sanguine of at least apart of a crop.
He is sure he has earned it, as he has spent a
deal of labor, and done everything laid down in
the books to insure success. Great is his disap-
pointment to find his crop of fruit barely a taste
for the neighboring Catbird or Robin Still he
is not read}^ to give the matter up. He is deter-
mined that all the hard labor he has bestowed in
digging and trenching and hoeing and watering
and weeding, and money spent for plants and
for phosphates and fertilizers, shall not be
thrown away. He thinks the fall must have
been too dry, or the winter too severe, or the
spring too unfavorable, and the crop will be a
sure thing next year. Accordingly he goes to
work as soon as a few runners have taken root
to fill up the gaps in his rows. He finds now the
soil hard and unpromising in appearance, and
the plants now set out have even a harder strug-
gle for existence than their predecessors. The
prospect is not encouraging. The owner finds a
vast amount of tedious labor necessary to save
hisN Strawberries from being choked to death
with other vegetation. All the weeds known
and unknown persist ia growing there ; and all
the grasses, cultivated and uncultivated spring
up from the manure used as a mulch, to use a
homely expression, as thick as the hair on a dog.
For a time, the warfare against these is dogged-
ly kept up, but human patience has its limit.
By and by the idea of Strawberries becomes as-
sociated in his mind with unpleasant recollec-
tions of fatiguing and unprofitable toil, and the
Strawberry patch finally abandoned to its fate,
becomes a sod. The owner avoids its sight as
nmch as possible. Strawberries are a humbug,
his mind is made up about that, and he never
wants to hear the word mentioned. When the
Strawberry season comes round again and the
good wife comes to look for the long wished for
fruit, she is rewarded after much patient re^
search, of the sight deep down amongst the clo-
ver, of a few pale acid berries. A crop of grass

1869.

TEE GAREEJYEFl'S MOJV'TELY.

S07

is gathered instead of a crop of Strawberries,
and thus the experiment is ended. In nineteen
cases .out of twenty of the attempts to grow
Strawberries this is about the result.

The main cause of failure in this case, was, as
I have said, planting in the wrong season of the
year. Had this man been willing to wait till ]
spring, and bfeen contented to obtain a full crop of
fruit the following year, he would no doubt have
found, that Strawberries require a deal of work,
but with quarter of the labor actually bestowed, he
would have had a crop at least sufficient to have
encouraged further efforts.

I have mentioned this cause of failure particu-
larly because I have noticed it to be more com-
mon than any other. There are of course many
other mistakes that are commonly made, which
I have not time now to speak of.

Next to the season of planting, the most im-
portant matter and about which the most mis-
takes are. made, is in obtainiug the proper varie-
ties. Some will have only a certain sort, that
they have seen extensively puffed, and which is
perhaps a miserable grower at best, and will not
do at all in their soil ; with others, all Strawber-
ries are alike, and they plant such as they can
get the cheapest, perhaps from some ignorant
market gardener who has some old worthless va-
riety that has been in the family lor a quarter of
a century. I have known a farmer to save the
cost of a few plants, to dig up wild ones and
plant them; he might as well gather the seeds of
wild carrots from his fence rows and plant them
to save the expense of a few seeds.

It must be admitted, that amateur Strawberry
growers are oftimes cheated in the plants they
purchase Many nurserymen are careless enough
to let their varieties get mixed and send them
out in that condition ; sometimes with a few
plants of some strong growing and worthless
sort amongst them, which soon get possession of
the whole bed. I have very otten known this to
happen. I have invariably found the Albany
Seedling to be sent out by nurserymen in this
condition. Some nurserymen have also done
much harm to the cause of Strawberry culture
by sending out a great number of worthless
seedlings with high recommendations. I could
name one establishment in particular, near New
York, that has intlicted immense trouble and
loss upon experimental culturists, by this abom-
inable practice of sending out hundreds of new
seedlings, each one represented to be better than
any other, and all of them worthless.

While on the subject of varieties, I may as well
say all thiit I have to say on that subject. The
number of fine varieties is now infinite, and to
choose the proper sorts to plant, has become the
most perplexing part of the whole business. It
would, I think, in the present state Of Strawberry
culture, be wrong to recommend unreservedly
any particular varieties, as some are best adap-
ted to some soils and situations and modes of
culture, and some to others, and none are suitable
for all. The varieties that do well in our Penn-
sylvania loams with high cultivation, rarely do
well in the light sandy soils of New Jersey, and
vice versa, even in the same locality, and where
there is no apparent difference in the soil or sur-
roundings, I have noticed the most striking dif-
ference in the productiveness of the same variety;
so that it seems impossible to say with any de-
gree of certainty that an}^ particular variety will
do best in any location. My remarks therefore
on this subject must be very general. In select-
ting varieties for planting for market purposes,
the first requisite is large size. They should
a' so be firm-fleshed and as nearly as pos.sible of
a bright scarlet color. If it has these properties,
the flavor is not of much consequence, at least
that is my experience. All Strawberries are
good enough, the only thing required is that
they should present a fine appearance. Of course,
for profit, in additioti to the above qualities, they
must be productive, and what I have found to
be of great importance, the}'^ should be strong
growers, as I have found by experience that
strong growing varieties require far less labor in
cultivation. I have been reluctantly compelled
to abandon the Albany Seedling almost entirely
on this account, it being comparatively a poor
grower and requiring too much labor in its cul-
tivation. I would say also that, I never knew
any foreign variety to do well for any length of
time ; I would therefore not recommend them.
The best plan would seem to be for every one to
experiment a little with those sorts that he sees
doing well and continue to cultivate those that
do best for him. I will however name a few of
the sorts that I have found on several years trial
to continue the most profitable of a great many
sorts that I have tried.

The first of these is the Lady Finger. It is too
well known to need description. It is not of the
largest size, but of a most beautiful color, and
bears carriage to market better than any other
variety that I am acquainted with. It has
proved with me a most abundant bearer, and

^08

THE GARDENER'S MOjYTELY.

July,

one of the best growers that I know. It grows
with me so luxuriantly as to requre very little
labor in weeding. I have had beds of it in bear-
ing for five years, which kept perfectly clean with
almost no labor, and bore abundant crops to the
jast. Though this variety has done so well with
me, I cannot recommend others to plant it large-
ly without a trial, as from some reason I cannot
explain, it does not generally give satisfaction.
In the light soils of ^S'ew Jersey, where it grows
with much less foliage, it color is too dark to sell
■well.

Next in point of profit I must name the Rus-
sell's Prolific. It is of of very large size, and has
proved with me exceedingly productive, and is
an excellent grower.

The Agriculturist I find a valuable variety,
very large, productive, and a good grower.

I also continue to cultivate, to some extent.
Downer's Prolific, Austin, and a few other old
sorts which continue to do well. I have also on
trial a number of new sorts that promise well.

This is my plan as regards varieties I tr3^ then
judge for myself, and this is what I would re-
commend to others. I find that I have nearlj" ex-
hausted my t^me, and have as yet said nothing
upon the most important part of the subject,
that of cultivation, and perhaps all that I may
say upon this subject will not be of much ac-
count, as my belief is, that the cultivation of
anything can only be learned by practical obser-
vation and experience. I do not consider anj'^
pai'ticular preparation of the soil necessary for
Strawberries. The ground should be prepared
as for planting other garden products ; my plan
is to plant in rows 2^ feet apart, and from one
to two feet in the row, always in the month of
April. As soon as the weeds start to grow, the
horse cultivator is put in, and we continue to use
this the whole season; the row of course must
be cleaned out perfectly clean with the hoe and
by hand, this is all that is necessary. Tlie cul-
tivator will draw the runners along the row and
keep the space open between them As the sea-
son advances, the rows gradually widen by the
runners taking root, and in the fall they should
have formed beds from Ih to 2 feet in width. The
cultiA'ator, of course must be gradually narrowed,
and finally but one tooth is used.

The following j'ear, alter the picking season is
over, if the beds are to be kept for another year,
the cultivator with one tooth is used to keep open
the walks, the beds must be weeded by hand.
We commonly pick our beds for two seasons,

sometimes more and sometimes only once, accord-
ing to the state they happen to be in. In the
winter, when the earth is hard frozen, the whole
ground, the walks as well as the beds, is covered
evenly and carefully with stable manure. The
plants grow up through this in the spring, and
it serves to keep the fruit clean. Great care must
be taken to get manure that is cleaf of hay seed,
as grass is the one great enemy of the strawberry.
I have followed this plan for 20 years, and
have never seen any cause to wish to change it
for any other.

The large Strawberry-growers of ]S'ew Jersey
and other places, cultivate in beds double this
width, and I suppose find that to suit them best.
The much talked of plan of growing in hills, I
never had any faith in. I have tried it on a small
scale, without success. The great Strawberr}-
grower, Mr. Knox of Pittsburg, advocates this,
as the only true plan, and he certainly grows
one, and I believe only cne, variety with great
success. I do not profess, as he does, to grow
strawberries by the fifty acres ; but I am sure,
when I saw his Strawberry crop, three years
ago. there was not as much fruit on his whole
fifty acres, as I can now show on three acres. I
no not mention this in any spirit of boasting,
but merely as a means of comparing the two
S3'stems of cultivation. I wish it to be und^-
stood. that in making these remarks I am not
advocating any particular S3'slem of culture as
better than any other. The essential part, so
far as mere cultivation is concerned, seems to be
to keep the beds clear of weeds and grass ; and
any system of cultivation that will do this per-
fectly, and with the least labor, is the best. I
might add, that I think it important that the
ground should be stirred, and the runners train-
ed along the rows, so that the beds will be com-
pact, and the walks between them kept open. I
know of no implement that will do this so ettec-
tually, and with such fhcilit}^, as the common
horse cultivator; and i will just say here, that 1
consider horse culture, or, what is better, mule
cultui'e. b\' far the best for everything of the
kind, as it stirs the ground more thoroughly than
is ever done with rhe hoe.

The question of wide or narrow beds is only
important as it regards the facility of gathering
the fruit in the best conditioti, and would be
worth discussing, it time allowed.

The relative merits of the "■ Hill " and '' Bed ''
sj-stems have been so thoroughl}- discussed that
there is probably nothing new left to be said oa
that subject, and nothing but facts can settle it.

There tire a thousand other questions connected
with this subject, which it would be interesting
to discuss, but fearing that I have already tres-
passed too loug on j'^onr patience, I will leave to
others the further discussion of the subject.

1869,

THE GARDEJVER'S MONTHLY.

209

EDITORIAL.

THE CHAJ^GED CONDITION OF AMERI-
CAN GARDENING.

An intelligent English gentleman connected
with one of the London papers, an ardent horti
cnlturist, and well acquainted with the present
status of gardening in England, recently called
at our office, and taking up a recent number of the
Gardener''s MjntJily, read the article on the above
subject. He remarked that there was not so
very jnuch difference now between America and
Europe in the tendency of gardening things.
That when Americans said "gardening in Amer-
ica is aot what it is England," they might with
more truth say it is not as it was in England.
He thought that people when they left a country,
always thought of that country as they would of
a beautiful picture they once saw, which remain-
ed the same in their minds as yesterday so to
day, and forever. They forget that as people
were moving on here, they were also moving
there ; that the main springs of progress were
nearly the same in both countries, and hence the
results of these principles of marching civiliza-
tion were very nearly the same.

Indeed results were there nearly the same as
here. Gardeners were not there what they were
once. The places where the utility class were
required ; men who can mow or milk, or grow
grapes and drive carriage, had wonderfully in-
creased during the past twenty years, while the
great places where the true artists in horticulture
were once engaged, and threw such lustre on
the profession, were rapidly decreasing in num-
bers, and he feared in a few generations would
pass away. Horticultural journals which once
received their chief support from gardeners, now
had lopg lists of amateurs for their chief subscri-
bers ; and instead of the long catalogue of first
class gardeners who communicated their know-
ledge to the papers, these had to depend on men
of science and general literature for their best
communications. Horticultural societies which
were once the wonder and admiration of the
wor ]<1, had dwindled down to be supported only
by a few score of leaders, — and the societies
themselves only lived by invested funds laid by
during their former greatness, or else eked out a
doubtful existence under the shadow of great
names. The old race of men who built up the

reputation of the English exhibitor for the honor
and glory of the thing, had passed awav, and no
new men had followed,because "honor and glory
did not pay."

The whole machinery of gardening had
changed. Formerly the nursery and seedsmen
were the great mediums through which garden-
ers obtained situations. This all helped to keep
gardening together in one bond of interest. Now
no places of any consequence were obtained in
this way. The greatest part of the whole thing
was done by advertising. A nurseryman hardly
knew any more where to get a good gardener.
Everybody went on their "own hook " The
business had become individualized. Under the
old plan which made the nurseryman in a certain
sense responsible, he sent only those whom Jie
knew to be good gardeners ; and his knov^^ledge
of what a good gardener ought to be, enabled
him to select really good gardeners ; but under
the presetit individualized system, one man was
nearly as good as another. He who did the
most "blowing,'' and advertised the most per-
sistently, generally got the best places.

How in all this can\iot we see the mirror of
our own circumstances ? And may we not profit
by it ? Because gardening is not what it once
was, is that any cause for repining ? If our hor-
ticultural societies, and fruit conventions are not
as well sustained as formerly, let us not there-
fore think gardening is declining. It is but fol-
lowing the law of progression which permeates
and governs all things.. It is but urging us^ on
to other forms and other courses. The Onions
and the cucumbers and the flesh pots of Egypt
were very well in their day ; but if we by leaving
these are to get to a land flowing with milk and
honey, probably we shall lose nothing by the
change.

GARDEN STRAWBERRIES.

We give this month an essay by Mr. Satter-
thwaite, on Strawberry culture, which has un-
usual merit in this that it throws out some entirely
new points. If we take up new books on the
Strawberry, or the more recent newspaper arti-
cles, we find all but thrice told tales. It is a
great relief to turn from these to an original pro-

210

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

July,

duction like this, ■which gives us something to
think over and ponder on. ;

One of the strongest of the original features in
this essay, is the unqualified condemnation of
fall planting Like everything which flows from
Mr. Satterlhwaite's mind, this idea has strong
reasons to sustain it. Indeed from his stand-
point, the market gardeners, it is unanswerable. '
We think for market purposes, fall planting de-
cidedly does not pay. We also go a great length
with him in believing that in many cases in
amateur gardening fall planting is a failure ; but
■we cannot go the whole way and condemn full
planting under any and every circumstance.

Garden culture is a different thing from field
culture. It is in fact quite another art. The
one is a genuine part of Horticulture ; the other
partakes rather of an agricultural cast. Agri-
culture and horticulture may be as Mr. Wilder
beautifully suggested to Mrs. SiL'Ourney "twin
sisters ;" but they differ in constitution, and taste,
and dress. The one is satisfied to be clothed in
homespun, and is happy in having enough to
eat ; the other must have the nicest delicacies of
the season, must display costly and tasteful or-
naments, and must adorn its home with all the
choicest luxuries of life. The one cannot judge
of the wants of the other, except in so far as it
can enter into its spirit which in fact it seldom
does.

II the market gardener can heap his measure
and swell his bank account, it is well ; and he is
unable to understand the little delicacies of spirit
and taste which are satisfied with the prettily
garnished plate on the dinner or supper table.
A Strawberry is a Strawberry, would say the
market man ; it is not a matter of fruit, but of
sugar and cream. This is true much oflener
than we willingly believe, but not by any means
is it the whole story.

The fact is, true horticultural taste as distin-
guished from agricultural operations places ex-
cellence as its highest aim. Pecuniary profit is
not its divinity, Mammon worship is not its
crime. !No operation of gardening can be mea-
sured by dollars and cents, no more than we can
place a price on the i)leasure of a good picture,
or the enjoyment we find in the company of an
agreeable friend.

And thus it is in the true horticulture of the
Strawberry ; we would have fall planting one of
its most esteemed operations, — not as it is often
done, and as badly done as Mr. Satterthwaite
paints it, — but as an operation rightly performed,

which will give a great amount of pleasant satis-
faction. The proper way to proceed is to la3er
the strongest runners into small pots, or better
still as our "hint" writer says, in small square
boxes, in rich soil, as soon as they are strong
enough to peg down ; then in September take
them out and plant in the good garden ground
prepared for them. In this way one can have
the next spring nearly as good a crop as in
spring planting, and with the certain gain of a
year's time in the oj)eration.

Another matter strikes us in reading over Mr.
Satterthwaite's essay, — we mean the very little
real gain there has been in Strawberry improve-
ment. It is as true of all other branches of po-
mological science as of this. We begin to won-
der what has become of all the great labors in
fruit improvement about which our patent
friends tell us. Do we really owe much to those
who have tried to raise new fruits ? Or has all
that we most prize been the result of chance ?
Keen's Seedling so long the leader, was a chance
seedling. Hovey's Seedling, as we believe, was
not the offspring of a very labored effort. Alba-
ny Seedling was so little anticipated, that the
raiser or owner up to the time of his death hard-
ly knew he had anything of value In truth ail
our best fruits are accidents ; and the earnest ef-
forts of our hybridizers and improvers from
Kugiht and Yan Mons to the present hour, have
brought us nothing permanently of exceeding
value. We begin to smile when we listen to
Sophomoric speeches on horticultural occasions,
about the "grand powers of those giants in hor-
ticulture who through long 3-ears of patient skill
have changed the sour Crab into the delicious
Baldwin, or the choke Pear into the most deli-
cious of all fruits ;" and lialf quarrel with Dar-
win, for the estimate he places on domestication,
and the izardener's skill, in making new types,
and indeed almost creating new species. Eeall)^
there is little in our art to be thankful for. In
nature everywhere, far away from the range of
the gardener's skill, the attentive devotee man\'
see changes as great as in the most skillful gar-
den. The great laws of change are contiuualh"
going on. New species, new forms, as new in-
dividuals, evolve it their own proper time. All
art can do is to better foster and protect than
nature can. In the struggle for life, many new
forms get crowded out, which the gardener can
save. He can weed out what he does not want,
and save that -which he does, and allow it every
t'hance to do something for itself. This is all

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

211

But some will say, how, if all this is true, will
you encourage us to introduce new things ?
Simply by continuing to raise seedlings by the
hundreds and thousands ; watching for, and se-
lecting the best ; and not by feeling that some
horticultural inspiration is necessary to clothe a
man with the necessary ability to raise them.

There are some other matters in Mr. Satter-
thwaite's paper, which are very suggestive ; but
with these two reflections we will leave the sub-
ject for our readers to digest the balance.

LAWN DECORATIONS.

Nothing is more amusing than the piles of
building stone we sometimes see thrown together
with a little "dirt" between them, on some oth-
erwise well kept lawn, under the name of a
rocTcery. Perhaps under some " principles of
beauty " these abortions might be brought in to
figure prominently, — but we have rather a dis-
like to beauty from an j'^ point in philosophy ; it is
enough to know that they who follow most closely
"natural principles'' usually fail in pleasing any

'^^■^i^/rsr. sc. /=f-i"-^-

one but themselves. The stone heap principle
may be a "natural one," — may be consistent
with the aphorism that *' nature, unadorned, is
adorned the most," — and so on ; but to our mind
there is great beauty in a thoroughly artificial
rockery, when in place and character with every
thing about it. We take the bes-t test of the cor-
rectness of a principle to be, not so much an
analysis, as the great popular verdict. What is

universally conceded to be pretty, is a bette
judgment than all the accords with " natural
laws.''

We give herewith an illustration of a piece of
Rockwork on the grounds of Mr. W. E. S. Baker
of Germantown, which, tested by the laws ot
beauty we have laid down^ has been pronounced
a beautiful piece of work. It is in the fi'ont yard,
between the windows and the street. The loca

^12

TEE GARBEA'-ER' S MOJVTELY.

July,

tion, of course, has something to do with the
effect. In reply to our inquiry for permission to
take a sketch of it for our journal, Mr. Baker
thus gives an account of its construction :

••' Our Eockery will not have it summer dress-
ing until say Ttiesday next, when you can have
it photographed or drafted at any time. It is
oval ; extreme length 10 feet, width 5 feet, height
4 feet, vase at top 2 feet across outside. It was
my own getting up, huilt from two perch of stone
and one barrel of cement, in 1860, — cost then
S12, has not cost a penny since, and I never saw
so cheap a thmg to give so much pleasure ; in
fact, it has been admired by thousands, and
copied all over the country. The stones are six

inches under ground but each hole forms a com-
plete flower pot, large and small ; stones put to-
gether with cement ; top vase held together with
a hoop until dry. After all the stone-work was
done, I threw with hand, strongly, against the
stones a mixture of cement and water, which
soon solidified, giving it the appearance of a solid
piece of masonry. ' '

AVe have given, in some of our back volumes,
directions for making these rockeries with ce-
ment and small stones ; but, as Cobbett says, an
"ounce of example is worth a ton of theory,"
and this prettj' piece of Mr. Baker's will make the
idea more popular than our mere writing for a
year would do.

SCEAPS AIN^D QUERIES.

Ehubakb poisonous.— Jf. L. L, Chester,
Del. : "There is some excitement in this part of
the country about pie plant being poisonous to
swine. It is said that about fifteen miles from
here a large lot of hogs died from eating the
leaves. We have always esteemed the plant for
early spring tarts, but our family are now afraid
to use it. My husband suggests that you could
tell us more about this."

[We have seen some accounts "going the
rounds" about this "poisoned flock of pigs ; "
but we suspect the death of these innocents was
owing to oiher causes It is a relic of old time
barbarism, to look to what we "eat last,'' after
we get sick, and be sure that's it. You know
perhaps the story of the oyster shells under the
sick man's bed from which the wise doctor infer-
red that his patient had been eating these injurious
bivalves, and prescribed accordingly, when all the
time the patient had been innocent of the luxury.
We have known Ehubarb leaves from time im-
memorial to be thrown into the "hog slop," and
are quite sure the hog woulcl not wait till 1869 to
show the first ill effects thereof.

There is "poison'' to be sure in Ehubarb
leaves ; oxalic acid. There is poison perhaps in
everything we eat. There is poison certainly of
the deadliest kind in the potato, and many other
things ; but in all these things there is no more
injury to the system when used in the proper
way, than in the slight disagreements with the

system, which some people find to result from
everything at times, and which are only known
to individual experiences.]

The Buttonwood Disease. — ^'Oblige an
Elizahethtown, Pa , correspondent, by saymg
through the Monthly if you know of any remedy
for the Buttonwood disease, or if it is a disease ; or
an3-thing more than the result of early frosts ? I
have a very pretty old tree on my farm, and
would do a good deal to remedy its unsightliness
in spring.''

[We are not able to answer our correspondent,
as we have not had the time to examine person-
ally the subject close enough to be sure of the
facts, and do not know of any one who has. We
were told some years ago that Mr. Febiger, a
microscopist of Wilmington, Del., had given
some attention to it, and had clearly traced the
cause. We should be glad to know whether this
is so, and what his results were. Certainly it is
not "frost.'' From analogy it may be of fungoid
origin, although the appearance is very much
like that resulting from the Steel Blue Beetle on
the grape vine. An insect may be the cause,
though we could never detect any. An interest-
ing fact in connection with this subject is, that
the European form was once exempt from the
"disease ;" but this year we notice many cases,
not so bad as in the other, but bad enough where

1869.

TEE GARDEJTER'S MOJ^TELY,

218

the Platanus orientalis is suffering like his strong-
er American brother.]

DiNGEE & CoifRAD'S KURSERY AT WEST

Grove, Pa.— West Grove, on the Baltimore
Central E. E., is about two hours ride from
Philadelphia, and well situated for a first class
nursery. The members of the firm have a well
earned reputation for intelligence and enterprise
in their profession, and being in the vicinity re-
centl}'', we stejj'd in to see what they were doing.
Unfortunately it rained heavily, and prevented
a full examination of the grounds. Signs of
prosperity were however abundant ; not one of
the least of which was a very elegant dwelling
house just finished b}^ the Senior partner, which
for taste and beauty, will compare favorably
with any in the vicinity.

On the grounds we found one of the heaviest
stocks of Irish and Swedish junipers we have
seen, now entering on their second years growth.
Other popular evergreens such as Siberian arbor-
vitae were also in great abundance. The firm is
famous for its Roses, which they propagate from
winter cuttings very successfully. They are
potted early, and kept in the houses until June,
when they are grown all summer in the open
ground They were at this time setting out the
last. They have also great success with the
Blood-leaved Beech which are stock grafted, by
the whip mode under cover during winter, and
set out early in spring. Many hundreds were
pushing out beautifully.

The leading stocks of the firm are Peaches and
Apples, of which many thousands are grown an-
nually ; but owing to the bad weather, we were
unable to see any of these portions of the grounds-

Sweet Briar Hedges — J. S., Loxu'sville,
Ky. — "I am told that in Europe hedges are
made out of the Sweet Briar, do you know how
it is in this country. I am much interested in
ornamental hedges."

[Hedges are made of it in Europe, and some
times are seen in the United States ; but become
jn time unsightly by many branches dying out,
and leaving gaps. There is however so much
that is beautiful in the Sweet Briar, so much to be
enjoyed in its sweet blossoms, and still sweeter
fragrance during the whole growing season, that
we could endure a little unsightliness on its ac-
count. Possibly it may be that some severe sys-
tems of pruning have had to do with the occa-

sional dying out of branches. We have not had
a hedge of it under our eye for some years.
Have any of our readers one ? And will they
tell us how it behaves ?]

The Cherry and Versailles Currants.
— -B., Laporte^ Indiana : "Is there any distinc-
tion between the Cherry and Versailles Currants.
I have bought them both several times from re-
spectable nurseryman, and they always come
identical. If they are really the same as I sup
pose, is it not time one or the other name was
dropped from catalogues.''

[They are not at all the same in any respect but
the size of the berry, which in both instances
are of the largest size. The Versailles has a
bunch nearly double the Itmgth of the Cherry ;
the berries are also sweeter, while the Cherry is
very sour. Indeed the Versailles is little inferior
to the Old Rad Dutch in good properties, while it is
nearly one third larger. The "Caucasian" and
"Macrocarpa" we believe to be the same as the
Versailles ; but the Cherry, by no means.]

The Agave Americana— Flowering at
Messrs Frosts and Co., Rochester, N". Y. — was a
great treat to the Rochester people. Thousands
of persons went to see it. It is altogether a very
interesting thing. It seems strange that a plant
should have to live for so many years to store to-
gether vitality enough for the one great eflbrt of
its life. But when we know the immense strain
on it which the flowering occasions, it is not so
much a surprise. Messrs Frost furnishes us with
some figures showing its rate of growth. Vital
force must have stored up immense power to be
able to do so much in a short time. From May
oth to May ISth, the following was the progress :
May 5, 7 a. m., height of flower stem, - 4 feet.
" 6, 7 " growth " " " - 3 inches.
u 7 7" " " " " _ Qi. "

" 3 7" " " " u .4 u

a 9 9" " " " " - 4-1 "

u 20 7 " " " " *' - 4 "

C4 Y^ 7 a a £i u u . 47 a

" 12 7 "

" 13, 7 "

" 14,7 "

" 15,7 "

" 16,8 "
u 1^7^ 7 u

" 18,7 "
It is unpleasant to feel that this great effort

((

a

(1

u (( u cc

ci u (C u

(( U (C tl

iC (( (( c:

U (C (C ((

u u U ((

- Of

-3|

- II

^14

TEE GABDE JEER'S MOJ^TRLY.

Jit hj,

should be the last throw of vitality, — that it
must die after producing these flowers, especially
after the many years of watching and care on
the part of the gardener, but thus

"Tli&fair beings we most fondly cherish,

Are placed within our breasts; but placed to perish.''

BiGNONiA CAPREOLATA — C & K.,Abingdon,
Fa , writes : "What is the name and nativity
of the enclosed vine ? It is hardy, and evergreen.
Is it worth propagating."

[It is Bignonia capreolatn, the golden or ever-
green trumpet vine. Native of Virginia, Ken-
tucky, Tennessee, and probably other Southern
States. It is a very pretty thing, scarce in culti-
vation ; but very desirable on account of its pow-
er of clinging to walls or buildings like ivy, with-
out any support. We think the nursery trade
would be glad to know that s;ocks could be had.
It can be readily propagated where roots can be
had in abundance, by cutting them in pieces about
an inch long, and setting them out in a rich piece
of ground in spring, covering them only about
half an inch deep.]

Variations in the Bloodroot.— J. W. i.,

Philadelphia, writes : "A Sangv.inaria Cana-
densis, transplanted a week ago from the field to
my house, where it was potted, developed at an
inch and a half above the soil, a flower with but
four petals. None of the authorities consulted
speak of less than 8, (or occasionally 7) petals. A
return to 4 (possibly the normal number) is coun-
ter to the tendency observable in domestication,
as it is also another example of the numberless
variations in wild flowers."

[We are very much obliged by this note, which
we can turn to good account at some future time.
Domestication has not near as much to do with
change as it gets credit for. We see more, be-
cause we take care to preserve, and multiply the
oddities. All our most curious double flowers —
double Crowfoots, double Brambles, and so forth
— were from families never cultivated, but were
found wild. Mr. Meehan has shown this, in
past numbers of the American Naturalist. Hor-
ticulture has treated nature very unjustly. She
has taken to herself numberless credits, to which
she is in no way entitled ]

Pyrtjs Japonic a cuttings. — "^ nursery rea-
der,''^ 'Rochester, N. !F, writes: "I never could
raise Pyrus japonica from cuttings, and have
been told that the best way to grow them is from
pieces of roots. I cut up a few, and put them in
a box in a propagating house this spring. Truly
they pushed out and I had high hopes ; but they
died back afterwards. I saw no new roots com-
ing out. If it is no "trade secret," would you
tell me through the Monthli/ how they are raised. "

[The Gardener's Monthly has no secrets. We
are always ready to tell in its pages all we know,
so far as our limited knowledge goes. As to Py-
rus japonica, there is no trouble_,iu growing thern.
Burn your propagating box, and spread the
ashes over a piece of ground in your garden ;
then get Pyrus roots and cut them into lengths
of three inches, and dibble or set them in this
nice piece of ground, so that the top of the root
cutting will be level with tiie ground, and they
will "all and each, in the maimer aforesaid"
grow like willows. This is the law of success
There is to much "fooling" with propagating
boxes in some quarters. Xo need of half the
mystery tliat is prevalent about some things ]

Solvent FOR Tar. — A correspondent of the
Gardeners'' Chronicle recommends oil as the best
means to remove tar.

Rogers' Hybrid Grapes. — T. K., Eock Is-
land, 111., asks : " Will you please to tell through
the Gardener'' 8 Monthly what varieties of Vitis
labrusca and Vitis vinifera have been used by
Mr Rogers to produce his Hybrids ?"

[We Should be much obliged if Mr. Rogers
would give us a full account of his experiments.
Little pieces of the history have from time to time
appeared ; but nothing, we believe, in one whole
together. When Mr Rogers first announced his
hybrids, he was met with much ridicule from
those who "knew the impossibility" of grapes
hybridizing. The Gardener''s Monthly was, we
believe, amongst the first to show that these
were real hybrids : and it is gratifying to find
that the " impossibility " of grape hybrids has
no believers of consequence now.]

North Carolina Plants.—/. L., Lenoir,
Caldwell Co., JV. C, writes : "A week ago in
rambling through an unfrequented mountain
glen, I came upon a cluster of "Azaleas" (I be-
lieve I've got the right name) quite difterent from
any I ever saw before. The specimen which I
enclose is badly dried, and gives but a poor idea
of the richness of the original color, which was a
rich buff" tinged with pink. It may be, the va-
riety is well known to florists. I confess my own
great ignorance in regard to cultivated flowers

1869,

THE GARBEjYERS MOJVTELY.

'215

and shrubs, but if not generally known it would
be quite an acquisition, both on account of its
color, and because the fact that it is in bloom
two to four weeks later than the pink and pur-
ple varieties, which grow in profusion in all the
woods of Carolina.

I enclose also a specimen of a Fern, which is
to me a new and interesting species I am so
xmfortunate as to be in a portion of country,
where everybody is as ignorant of such matters
as I am myself, so that I can gain no informa-
tion by consulting the resident citizens.

I send these specimens to the editor of the
Gardener''s Monthly, knowing that if they are
■netv or rare species, they will be received with
pleasure ; and if they are not new, it will not con-
sume much time to consign them and my letter
to the waste basket."

[The Azalea is A. ccdendulacea, and well wor-
thy of the attention of cultivators in the districts
where they grow wild. Many hundreds are im-
ported/rom Europe every year, by our leading
nurserymen; as the plant is becoming annual
ly more in demand ; and if they could be sold at
lower prices, would be in still greater request.
They bring from $1 to $2 each ; flowering plants.
The best way is to get them from the woods
early in spring ; set them rather closely in rows,
and cut them back about one half or two thirds.
They will push out again, and in about two
years would make saleable flowering plants.

The pretty fern is (Jlxeilanthus tomentosa. We
trust our friends will get over their horror of our
"waste basket..' It is very rarely that we re-
ceive a note from even the most ignorant, that
we do not ourselves profit by.]

Groukd Almonds— /Si(&scr(&er , Yonkers, ISf.
Y. — " Will you please state through the Monthly
the botanical name, natural order, and native
country, of what is sold in the seed stores under
the name of Ground Almonds ? A brief descrip-
tion of its proper cultivation would be quite wel-
come, but if not convenient, the answer to the
above question will be sufflcieAt. And as I am
addressing you, allow me lo return my thanks to
you for the article in the January number on
'Good Gardeners.''

[The Ground Almond, or "Earth-nut," is a
native of the sandy shores of the Mediterranean,
and is a Cyperaceous plant, or that family which
is represented so abundantly in meadows and

and woods everywhere as "Sedge grasses." This
one is Cyperus esculentus.

The "nuts "are small tubers, which it pro-
duces like potatoes,and resemble almonds in taste
and form.

Many of our native Cyperus have tubers also,
but are not of any value. The cultivation is easy
enough ; for they are as hard to get rid of as
Garlic or the Canada Thistle. Probably, how-
ever, they would not endure the winter at Yon-
kers, and hence would not be troublesome on
that score.]

Carnations— JT. C, fla rns&wrgf, Pa.— -"Can
you tell me what is the matter with my Carna-
tions ? They seem to do well for a year, and
then dwindle and die away ? I have now but a
dozen left of a hundred I had several years ago,"

[To have Carnations in good order, new plants
should be made by layering every year. In May
cut a slit in the side shoots near the ground, and
mound up about them with rich earth, into
which they will root from the slits. They may
either be cut off" and planted elsewhere in the
spring, or left to flower where they are.]

SoLANUM Fendlert. — We are indebted to a
friend for a few tubers of this potato, which is a
native of New Mexico, and is very closely allied
to the common potato, S. tuberosum. The plant
and flowers, of which we have dried specimens
from further south, are very much like those of
the common potato. These tubers are small ;
about the size of bush beans, and are distinct
from the common species of potato, in having
glandular dots profusely covering the surface.

Elm and Maple Skebs— Several Inqufrers,
— Elm and Red Maple will keep till spring.
Silver or soft Maple must be sown as soon as it
matures.

Preserved Fruits. — Our attentive and
courteous friend, Mr. L. Blodgett, sends us some
fruits from the Helling's Preserving-house,
which, though the middle of May^have their stems
as fresh and green, and their skins as i^lump and
blooming,as if fresh gathered from the tree. The
flavor was not quite equal to fresh gathered
fruits, except perhaps that of the Korthern Spy
apples,— these were delicious.

216

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTELl,

Jidiff

Tritolium incaknatum. — -4. & J.,, Bich-
mond, Va., write : "Please give us the botanical
and commercial names for the enclosed. It is a
species of clover, in cultivation by the German
milkmen in this neighborhood, the seed having
been brought over by their ancestors, and the
name is not known. They sow it in August,
and as you see, it is now in full bloom, yielding
a large amount of green foi-age, or hay, being
much earlier than the ordinary Red clover. They
say it is an annual. We wish to procure the
seed, in this country if we can, if not, in Europe. "

[This is Trifolium incarnatum. It has long
been grown in gardens of the north, more on ac-
count of its rich blossoms, as an ornamental
garden plant. Seeds can be had of most large
seed stores, though we believe only in limited
quantities. In northern or central agriculture,
it seems to supply no want. In the South, where
the great want is for good forage plants, it is well
woi'thy of more attention.]

Feeding Roots. — We find the following in
our exchanges :

" The idea that the extreme ends, or spongioles, of the
roots supply all or most of the plant food for trees, iB
controverted by Mr. Suel Foster, in the Western Rural.
He says that -while the tree is growing all the roots, the
stalk, branches and leaves are at work, and he believes
uat every part of the root coming in contact with the
moist soil, absorbs moisture, and that in all this mois-
ture there is plant food,"

Mr. Foster is right, of course. A cutting of
an Oleander, without any roots at all, will live
in a bottle of water for a year, and to that extent
will absorb "food ;" and yet, it is equally trtie,
that it will not add much to its size hy growth,

until it throws out fibrils- from the points of
which the real plant food is undoubtedly taken
in, whether the old theory about spatigioles be
true or not.

Seedliistg CAI.CEOLARI as.— Messrs. Elliott
Bros. & Burgess, Pittsburgh, Pa., send us very
pretty specimens of their Seedling Calceolarias.
These pretty summer flowering plants are not as
common as they ought to be ; their culture not
being understood. They do not like very hot
weather, and to grow them successfully they
should have as cool a place, with plenty of light,
and yet shaded from the hot sun.

Agaricus 3iuscARirs.— Alluding to the Tjeau-
tiful fungus of which we gave an illustration in
our last Decembei number, an exchange says it
supplies 40,000,000 of the inhabitants of Siberia
and northern Asia with means of intoxication.

The A3iERicA7sr Pomological Society. —
Utah, we see by the AVestern papers, will send
delegates to the Philadelphia Convention. A
California paper says some will come from Eng-
land, naming Rivers as one ; but this we believe
an error.

Russian International Horticultural
Exhibition opened at Moscow on May 16. The
English and Ghent plant growers have carried
off many of the premiums.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Paesons ON THE Rose. By S. B. Parsons. NeM-York:
Orange Judd & Co. A New Edition.

Recently Dr. Rush, the second great man of
the name and profession in Philadelphia,
died, leaving to that city nearly one million of
dollars towards establishing a great free library.
In his will bequeathing this sum, he gave details
as to how he would like his wishes carried out.
Amongst other things, he objected to reviews,
magazines, and newspapers forming part of the
collection, as encouraging too much a class of
^'dhjointed thinkers;'^ and of course many serials
devoted to this class of literature, take offence at
the phrase. If we look at a large portion of the so
called "books" which Dr. Rush's will would

encourage to the exclusion of these objectionable
papers, one might be amused at the idea of the
one being advanced at the expense of the other,
—but looking at the matter in the light which
no doubt induced the legator to write what he
did, namely, a desire to encourage a higher and
more intelligent class of writers to enter the lit-
erary field, few will object to the expression. But
it is not only magazines and reviews which afford
specimens of " disjointed thinking." Our library
shelves are borne down by books, which, valua-
ble as they are in a practical sense, bear no com
parison with those of the past age in literary
merit. Indeed it has become fashionable with
many modern authors to claim as among their

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

217

excellencies an ignorance of fine writing, — ^just
as the rude boor excuses himself for his want of
goood manners, on account of the goodness of
his heart. No doubt much of all this is due to
the tendencies of the time. In the past age
knowledge was the privilege of wealth. The in-
telligent were the idle, and to labor was synony-
mous with poverty and ignorance. Thus literary
merit became associated with the impracticable ;
and one who had to earn his bread by his own
labor at a trade or profession, actually injured
himself by engaging in literary work. He lost
caste with his patrons at once, and ran the risk
of starvation. The great Dr. Darwin, who had
to get his living by the practice of medicine, re-
duced so much the number of his pa-
tients by the publication of some of his works,
that he was for a long time afraid to publish his
"Botanic Garden, '' by which he afterwards be-
came so well knoivn ; and in our own city, the
father of the Dr. Rush now in question, one of
the most learned of the medical authors of his
day, had precisely the same experience. He and
the well-known Dr. Barton, the father of medi-
cal botany in this country, and the contemporary
of Dr. Rush, lost patients exactly in proportion to
the increasing popularity of their literary works.
But when education broke through the narrow
shell which confined it, and exhibited its gay
plumage to the admiring crowd, the order of
things was changed Practical men first admired
authors, and ultimately entered the ranks them-
selves. With a just contempt for the "'learning
of the schools," they unfortunately learned to
despise dignity and good taste ; and thus grace
and elegance, and purity, gave way to general
utility alone. Gardening particularly has sufiered
from this cause. It is veiy rare that we take up
a book of the more recent time that aftbrds any
pleasure beyond the mere practical knowledge
it imparts. We have to go back to the time of
Price or Whately if we would drink fully of the
pure waters of intellectual life. Were it not for
Downing and Lindley we should have had no
SDul to connect our period with the past living
age. Nothing but the dryest and dreariest detail
of dead facts.

It is a pleasure to note that highly cultivated
pens are again engaged on our cause. Writers
like Parkman and Parsons, carry us back to the
good old days, with the additional advantage of
a thoroughly practical knowledge added to the
literary charm they throw around their task.
With Parsons on the Rose, Parkman on the

same, and Downing's Landscape Gardening, we
shall not so much miss " Essays on Modern Gar-
dening," whenever we hunger and thirst after
some relaxation from the perusal of the rough
and uncultivated books with which modern gar-
dening in common with all modern arts, abounds.
'■^Parsons on the Rose " has always been a fa-
vorite with us. The author seems to have felt
under the necessity of bending a little to the util-
itarian spirit of the age, and tells us he has left
out much of the poetry in this edition. We do
not know that this will be a permanent advan-
tage. No one can truly love the rose without
having the essence of poetry in his nature ; and
the poetry of the rose will live for years, — long
after many of the varieties so minutely described
in the book shall have passed into the grave of
time. And we should like to quarrel about a few
other thngs, only that we remember that how
long and bloody wars have arisen in which roses
have borne a conspicuous part ; and we have no
taste for a long fight. Yet we cannot but think
that the author might have honored a little more
the Rose prophets of his own country, even
though he left out a little of that given to the
sages of other lands. He has, for instance, fol-
lowed in the wake of some English author who,
having once confounded the Eglantine with the
Sweet Briar, has been imitated by most of the
copying book makers since that time. It is
strange that Mr. Parsons himself has not detect-
ed the error, as he has noticed that the best En-
glish growers refer to the "Dog Rose or Eglan-
tine," (see page 121), as the best stock to bud
tree Roses on, and intelligent Rose men like Mr.
Parsons must know that the Sweet Briar is not
and never has been used as a stock ; and that
therefore Dog Rose and Eglantine are erroneously
employed as synonymous terms. We know that
almost all English writers of the past fifty years
give the Eglantine to the Sweet Briar ; but the
practical Rose growers, and the peasantry of
England, — the best authorities for vulgar names
— tell a different tale.

The Practicai, Poultry Keeper. By L. Wright, from
Orange Judd, & Co., New York.

Once we thought we should never love chickens.
We almost despised any gardener who said he
could love chickens. Had we had the tormenting
of Job, we should have sent chickens amongst his
rare seeds in the garden. But we have lived to
repent. AVe have returned from our evil ways ;
and it happened in this wise. The writer al-

218

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MO.\THLY.

July,

lowed himself to be pursuaded by one to whom in
his heart he had no inclination to deny much,
that "Bantams would'nt scratch,'' and they
were allowed the privilege. Gradually they grew
to Hamburgs, and eventually to Shanghais and
Brahmapootras, until we began to take as much
interest in the thing as the ladies themselves.
We lound that it was not the thing to complain
about Satan. Satan must be ; and it is bet
ter to charm the old fellow and make him work
to our advantage, than die in the vain struggle
to cast him out. So we built the chicken house
and the chicken yard, and we found the old Sa-
tan which had troubled us so many years, was
not half so black as he was painted ; indeed we
do not know but we shall soon be ready to advo-
cate that a chicken yard is one of the most in-
teresting and profitable adjuncts to every well
ordered garden.

Our yard is small, but yet we find by digging
over the earth about once a week, the feathered
inhabitants are kept perfectly healthy. Ihe soil
thus imbued with fertilizing matter is hauled
completely out in spring, and grows immense
vegetables. New soil from any old bank is
hauled in, and furnishes the manure pile for
next year. At certain seasons the fowls are let
out when they can do no injury to the crops,
and they pay well by the immense amount of
larvje they consume ; while the young chicks,
not too large to hurt by scratching, will earn
their keep by eating insects all the day from
every opening leaf and flower. To be sure we
have to endure many a taunt for our obstinancy
so long. 'We might have had fresh laid eggs
every "morning in spring;" "curcuUos might
have been kept down, and we might have had
lots of cherries and apricots, "and so on • 'long ago"
only for our blindness to "the real facts ;' but as
we know we deserve it all, we take the punish-
ment, and are thankful it is no worse.

We welcome this beautiful book therefore, as
a good addition to our horticultural library ;
for though we now think we know "some" about
chickens, we are not yet too old to know more ;
and after a very pleasant run through this work
we feel that in our ignorance of some things we
shall by no means stand alone. Many of our
readers will profit as much by it as we have. It
is an English book which there is so popular
as to have already run through three editions.
Messrs Judd & Co., have got this American
edition out in beautiful style, and with the illus-
trations as perfect as the firm is usually famous
for.

The American Extomologlst.

We have frequently referred to this monthly
now approaching the end of its first year. It is
doing a most useful work. There is nothing
equal to it in the interest which it throws about
its special subjects, either in this country or in
Europe. We believe it is achieving wide/spread
popularity, which it every way deserves. AVe
suppose every reader of the Oardener''s Monthly
subscribes to it, and this notice will not make
them the more highly appreciate it ; we only re-
fer to it therefore to suggest to our readers that
they push it amongst their friends. ^

Hearth and Home.

This new enterprise is now in its first half
year's existence, and we are glad to see has the
affections of the popular heart. It has pursued
steadily the object with which it started, and is
carrying a taste for horticulture and the Rural
arts into the higher classes of society, a field
which badly needed cultivating ; and we are very
glad that it is meeting with the success its merits
deserve.

KEW AlVD PxAUE FRUITS.

The Mexican Strawberry.— We noticed
in ourlasijthat this appeared, from the published
descriptions, something new. We have also seen
it described since then as a new species, by Mr.
Clinton of Bufialo, as Fragaria Gillmani.

We are now favored with specimens, and find
it is but the well known form of F. vesca, the
common Strawberry, which, under the names of

F. collina, F. sonperjlorens, and so on, other
botanists in years past, have failed in making
permanent species of.

Under the name of Alpine Strawberries, these
forms are well known in Europe, Though there
is certainly no grounds for a new species in this
case, there is no reason why this breed of the
common Strawberry may not be improved ; and

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOjYTELY.

219

though botanically this cannot be regarded ag a
novelty, it may be an interesting liorticultural
introduction for all. It may be larger, or sweeter,
or more prolific than any monthly Alpines we
have had before. About this we can say nothing
until we see the fruit.

Some doubt about its hardiness because it
comes from Mexico ; but it should be remembered
that the Strawberry of Europe, F vesca, is a na-
tive of both Europe and America ; and that it is
found indigenous all through the mountain
ranges of this country, from Canada to Peru.
In the course of countless ages it has no doubt
emigrated south, and hence its hardy character
when brought from there.

Gridley Cherry. — Of late more attention is
paid to the Heart and Bigarreau Cherries than
formerly, and of the many varieties fruited by
us none are more worthy of especial mention
than the Gridley. This variety was at one time

grown quite extensively near some of the eastern
cities as a market sort, but somehow or other it was
placed on the rejected list by the American Po-
mological Society, since which time it has not,
we believe, been propagated at the East, at least
to any great extent. The tree is a rapid, upright
o-rower. It maintains a main or vertical stem,
from which the branches incline upward at an
angle of about three degrees. Thus unaided it
forms a broad open head. In this respect it is
not excelled by any other variety. Trees, when
annually or once in two years subjected to our
system of disbudding, produce fruit which (for
size) is equalled only by one or two other sorts.
Fruit, obtuse, heart shaped ; skin deep black ;
flesh firm, and when fully ripe very sweet, losing
the piquant bitter which characterizes this cherry
when first colored. Ripens fifth to fifteenth of
June, or about eight days after Black Tartarian.
— E. S. Hull, Journal of Agriculture.

IXEW AND EARE PLANTS.

Xe"w Clematises — The lai-ge Japan Clemat-
ises are found to hybridize very well together,
and new varieties are becoming very numerous
in England. They are truly beautiful, at least
those which we have seen, and bid fair to be-
come most popular ornaments for American
grounds.

In the collection of Alfred Cope near Philadel-
phia, we recently saw three varieties in bloom
together. These however are some of the direct
importation of* Mr. Fortune, and not of the im-
proved English varieties, although all of the
same race. Clematis /acA-inani was a very large
white, nearly six inches across, and very showy
for a white. C. Fortunii we have figured in one
of our back volumes. This is very large, and
has several rows of petals incurved or cupped
like a rose. The color is white with a rosy tint.
But the loveliest of all in our estimation was C.
Standishii, which is double the size of our
common C. azurea, and of a dazzling purple
blue. These three, all blooming together, made
a very fine set. There were others, but not yet
in flower.

These Clematises will be rather expensive for
some years ; but in the mean time cultivators
should grow the old Clematis azurea which is
now one of the prettiest of rather common things.
By familiarizing themselves with the great

beauty of this kind, they will better appreciate
the great advance made by these new Japan in-
troductions.

Viburnum plicatum,— We refer in another
paragraph to some beautiful clematises we saw
in the collection of Alfred Cope. Another beau-
tiful thing we saw there was the Viburnum pli-
catum, or Japan Snowball. Our common Snow-
ball also a Viburnum, is very interesting, but it
is not near as charming as this variety. The
flowers are of a very pure paper white, and not
mashed into a solid body as in the common form,
and the green glossy plaited leaves, and good
bushy habit of growth is far superior in this new
variety. It will certainly become a very popular
nursery plant.

Some of our readers may not know that the
Snowball is only a male variety of Viburnum op-
ulua. The female plant bears red berries, known
as "mock cranberry," and used for tarts; and
has small not showy flowers.

Variegated Tulip Tree.— A variety of the
Liriodendron has been produced in Europe,
which has a beautiful stripe of gold running
down through the centre of the leaf. This
may prove valuable for our climate ; yellow
variegations being more hardy than the white,
very few of which stand our hot sun without in-
jury.

LiLiuM Parthexyon. — A new Japan Lily
under this name is amongst the latest of English
novelties. Roots sell at ^10 each.

^w

TEE GARBEKER'S MOJ^IELY,

July,

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Mushroom Cttltitre.— The first thing to be
done in their cultivation is to secure ample
supplies of suitable manure ; the best is that
from the donkey stables, the next that from
mules, and third in value is horse manure ; and
the last is in more general use because of the
scarcity of the former. It should be thrown into
heaps, and fermentation induced by frequent wa-
tering. In a short time it acquires the necessary
qualities, when it becomes short, unctuous, and
dark in color, and is fit for use. Cellars and caves
are, on account of the equable temperature, the
best places in which to form your mushroom
beds, particularly when it is designed to grow
them each month in the year ; but almost any
building will do where a temperature between
55 and 60 can be maintained. The beds should
be four feet wide, and of any desired length. Or-
dinary earth is first laid on to a depth of six in-
ches ; this is packed firm with the back of the
spade, and is then covered with six inches or
more of the manure, and this also is packed close
with the spade ; then the bed is ready to receive
the spawn. This can be bought packed, fit for
use, in the shape of bricks. These brick of spawn
are broken into small bits, and these bits are
stuck an inch deep into every three inches space
of the surface of the manure ; the whole surface
is then covered, two inches deep, with fine sifted
earth, and this, too, is well packed down with
the spade. Then a good sprinkling is given of
water heated to 80 or 90 degrees, and within a
few days the mushrooms will commence to spring
up, and will continue to do so for some months.
— 2w7/, Field and Farm.

Strawberries and the Chicago Market.
— Some of the advantages of the Chicago market
were made tangible, to shippers at least, on the
24th and 25th of May. It was currently reported
that eight hundred bushels of strawberries were
received at that point on Monday and Tuesday,
the dates named. Until the afternoon of Tues-
day, fine berries sold at 25 cents per quart box,
but long before sundown, they were hawked
about the city at 10 cts. per box. — Bural World.

Failure of Fruit Orchards.— From all
quarters we hear of the decay of fruit orchards.
The fine apple orchards that were once a pride
and profit to their owners, are dying out. Of the

choicest kinds of apples there are now but few
left. The old Kedstreak, the finest cider apple
in the world, is rarely now to be met with. The
Rambo is sharing a similar fate. The Golden
Pippin is becoming scarcer year by year, and so
of all the older varieties, there are but few left.
The new varieties in Maryland, and to ttie South
of us, do not succeed well, and perish early.

So too of pears. How few are there now of this
choice fruit to what there used to be among us,
and of those few, how rare it is to find them in
perfection. In the Northern and "Western States
these fruits do better. In the Northern, because
the climate is more favorable to the growth of the
apple and pear, and because greater attention
has been given to their proper cultivation. In the
Western, because the fruits are seedlings, and
are grown to a great extent on virgin soi'.

But the same fate, with us, has attended the
plum, which falls almost certainly a victim to
the cuiculio, and to the apricot which rarely ma-
tures its fruit. But the most serious circum-
stance of all is the gradual .decline of the peach
trees. In respect to climate and soil Maryland,
and the States to the South of us are both admi-
I'ably adapted to the growth of this delicious
fruit. Years ago, when the Cromwell and Som-
erville orchards were in their prime, the quantity
of peaches they bore, the quality of the fruii,
and the number of years they were in bearing
before they showed signs of decadence, were all
that could be desired. Even now, seedling peach
trees may be found growing in hedge rows and
bye- places, which are four times the size of the
cultivated tree, and which are hardy, bear pro-
fusely, and live to a great age. We know of one
still living which dates back full twenty-five
years from the seed. The fruit, of course, is not
as luscious and juicy as the cultivated peach,
but the longevity of such trees, and their con-
stant bearing qualities, are a proof that there
are defects in the mode of raising and cultiva-
tion the peach which require to be remedied.

Our opinion is, that the decadence both of ap-
ple and peach trees, in orchards where they are
cultivated for their fruit, is not altogether owing
to the exhaustion of the soil of those constituents
upon which it thrives ; but is largely attributa-
ble to the fact that nearly all our orchards are
of grafted or budded fruit.— ^Marylayid Farmer.

1869.

THE GARDEJVEU'S MOJVTELY,

221

FOREIGN IIVTELLIGENCE.

Culture of the Calceolaria.— There are
few plants better adapted for an effective display
in the greenhouse during the spring months than
the herbaceous Calceolaria, and, not being very
difficult to cultivate, it is desirable that it should
be moi'e extensively grown.

The named varieties are now seldom seen in
cultivation. Few Nurserymen's catalogues give
a list of them, and fewer still can supply good
plants. The principal reason, I have no doubt,
is that it is not found profitable to cultivate them.
Kumbers of the plants are lost after the flower-
i ng season is over ; at that season there are many
demands on a gardener's time, and the Calceola-
rias are placed in some corner, where they are
neglected, and soon become a prey to green fly or
other insect pest. If it is intended to perpetuate
any pai'ticular variety, the plants must be at-
tended to as soon as the flowering season is over ;
the flower stalks are first cut off, then remove the
surface soil from the pots, replacing it with fresh
material, into which the young shoots can be
pegged down, and they will soon strike roots if
the plants are kept in a healthy condition. They
ought to be placed in a cold frame at this time ;
and it is well to have the back of the frame turn-
ed <o the south, as the plants will not require so
much artificial shading. When plenty of roots
are formed, the young plants may be removed and
potted separately, or several plants may be
placed together in one pot, according to the size
of the specimens required. I have seen named
varieties in the hands of good cultivators grown
into as fine specimens as seedlings ; they require
more care, however, and more easily fall into an
unhealthy state.

The best method for ordinary purposes is to
grow seedlings, as large specimen plants can be
obtained from seed in less than twelve months.
The seed may be either saved at home from the
best varieties, which is the surest way to secure
a good stock, or by purchasing from a respecta-
ble nurseryman. A good time to sow is in June
for early flowering, and in the beginning of Au-
gust for late flowering. The seeds are very small,
and a half grown packet does not contain a large
quantity of them. They must, therefore, be care-
fully sown. The best way known to me to do
this is to prepare a compost of two parts loam
to one of leaf mould, with a liberal proportion of
silver sand ; then take a clean pot or pan, and

put plenty of crocks in it, covering with a litttle
moss to prevent the compost from mixing with
them. Fill the pot three parts full of the
compost, the portion near the surface being
pased through a fine seive, sow the se'ed thinly on
an even surface, and cover it lightly with silver
sand. A little damp moss must be placed od the
surface until the seeds vegetate, when it may be
removed I generally place the pot in a shady
part of the greenhouse. The young plants will
appear above ground in a fortnight or less, when
they must be carefully protected from the direct
rays of the sun, and sheltered from drying winds ;
an hour's sun.'^hine will shrivel up the young
plants in July or August.

As soon as the young plants can be handled,
they ought to be potted singly in 60-sized pots,
using the same compost as that described above.
The best place for the plants is a position near
the glass ; they must still be shaded and sheltered
from the wind as before ; and kept free from green
fly. This is the worst enemy of the Calceolaria,
and the best method to free the plants from it is
to smoke the house with tobacco until the fly is
all destroyed. Some cultivators recommend
dipping the plants in a solution of an insect-de-
stroying compound, but, whatever system is pur-
sued, the fly must be effectually destroyed, other-
wise the plants will do no good.

If the plants are in a healthy state they will
soon require shitting into larger pots. At this
time one-sixth part of rotted cow manure should
be added to the compost, using loam of a turfy-
nature. They will require to be shifted twice
more after this, using for the last shift pots of
from 8 to 10 inches in diameter inside measure.
In March and April the flower stalks will be
growing upwards, and will require to be neatly
staked-out, using small sticks about 18 inches
long, more or less, according to the appearance of
the plants.— J. Douglas, London Journal of
Horticulture.

Action of Frost on Plants.— We do not
think our English friends so clearly perceive
why plants die in winter, when the cells are not
ruptured by frost, as we do. Still their observa-
tions are often suggestive. The following from
the Oard€ner'>s Clironide is interesting :

"Allow me to supplement your remarks (p. 107)
on this subject with a few thoughts which have

m2

TEE GARI)E:hfEK S MOJ^T ELY.

July

arisen from time to time on observiup; the effects
of frost. I think it more likely when a plant is
killed by frost, that it is owinsjto the transforma-
tion of the various fluids in the plant — which be-
come perhaps altogether putrid, and are made
instead of a supply of life a cause of death —
than that the cells or their coatings are injured.
Wliy tendcB Mosses and other plants resist frost,
when plants of a harder texture succumb, even
in a higher temperature, will be left unexplained
until the properties of the fluids of the various
plants are understood. Is it not possible that
the sap of the larger organisms contains matter
which the smaller ones do not ? and that that is
the reason of such diversity of results. The ex-
tra moisture imbibed in wet seasons is also a
help to speedy decomposition. Perhaps the sud-
den thawing of frosted plants causes a more vir-
ulent corruption of the sap. How could the cells
of a tree, whose trunk is 8 or 10 inches through,
be injured so far down as to kill it, even at its
roots ? Is not the cause rather in the lodgment of
poisonous or putrid sap in the tree, caused by the
frost acting on the smaller branches? Again, how
is it that plants die down below the point which
has been exposed to the action of the frost, if the
cause is not in the sap ? It cannot be that the
cells, or the atoms of which those cells consist,
are at all injured, unless injured by the sap.
Another question arises : are the properties of
the sap alwaj-s alike all the year round ? [Cer-
tainly not.] If not, may not that circumstance
explain why a plant which survives one frost and
thaw, succumb afterwards to a frost of less in-
tensity. Where do the various matters which
go to form the plant come from ? Are they
Ijrought up with the sap ? Do they appear alto-
gether, or has each a particular season of its
own ? When those questions are answered, or
even if more information on these matters were
forthcoming, we might live in hopes of one day
having an explanation of the action of frost on
plants. IL M., Enys, Penryn, February i. [No
doubt the qualities of the sap are altered by frost,
as well as the more solid matter of the cells.
The chemical constitution of the sap varies
greatly at different seasons, as also its phj'^sical
qualities. — Eds.]

American Potatoes iisr Exglaxd.— Our
cousins are catching a little of our Potato enthu-
siasm. Eev. Eadycliffe, a noted horticulturist,
thus writes to the Gardener''s Chronicle:

The Potato arrived perfectly fresh. The four

sorts sent were the Early Eose, Climax, Breeze's
No. 4, and Breeze's Prolific. The Early Eose is
quite distinct from any European variety that I
have ever seen. It is not the same as my Peach
Potato, as suggested in my former article (p. 81).
The Peach, the Early Emperor, and Xapoleon
are the same Potato. In passing I may observe
how inconvenient are local names, ending in in-
numerable s3'non)Mus. The Early Eose looks
more like the Salmon Kidneys than any other of
our varieties, but the eyes (small, like mole's
eyes) ai-e fixed on promontories, whereas the Sal-
mon Kidneys have deep eyes, and are not so well
formed. It appears to be an early Potato, and I
should say a great cropper, sure to be a favorite
with poor people, and probably may obtain with
the "upper ten.,' It is of a dull rose color ; its
flesh is white, with a purple streak, which por-
tends quality. More I cannot say at present,
but all that I can say conscientiously in its favor
after trial I shall be pleased to do . T say the
same of the others. I never allow prejudices to
have the least ascendency over me. It is unwor-
thy of noble Englishmen to run down "externs"
when they are deserving of our praise. Climax is
like the former, many-eyed, but deep-eyed, a
long round Potato, somewhat yellow in its flesh,
and occasionally hollow ; it will, at least, make a
a good cottager's Potato. Soil makes a great
difference in the color of the skins and flesh of
Potatoes. Breeze's Xo.4: Tliis, so far as ap-
pearance goes, is a tuber ''to see once, and dream
of forever " It is a squarish oblong flattened
round, or flattened square with the edges round-
ed ofl'. The eyes are but little depressed, the
skin is white and smooth, and the flesh is white
and firm. If the flavor is good it will take the
highest place among non kidnej^s. It obtained
a certificate from the Massachusetts Horticultu-
ral Society, as did also the next. The tubers
have been sold at a fabulous price in the United
States. Breeze's Prolific is a most perfect Pota-
to : I think it is one of the best that I ever saw.
Its eyes are less depressed than those of the
former. I could not find a fault with it, except
that, in a friendly way, its skin might be a
little whiter. Its flesh is white and firm.
It looks like an earlier sort than the for-
mer. As i-AV as appearance goes, they do im.
mense credit to Amei'ica. In a word, I never
saw nicer Potatoes. It is ' difticult to describe
the shapes of Potatoes exactly. I should call
Prolific an oblong flattened round. Till I see
whether the crops of these Potatoes and of those

18 no.

THE GARDEJVER'S MO^^THLY.

123

I am about to describe are uniform, I must pause
before I can fully praise !

Double Cinerarias. — It is not too much to
expect a race of double Cinerarias, for these
plants are now beginning to show their sportive
character. We have met with two examples
within the last few days ; the first in the hands
of Mr. Ford, the able gardener of Grange Wood,
Norwood, the residence of C. Hood, Esq., and
the other at Mr. Kinghorn's Nursery, Richmond
The flowers of the former plant, in the normal
condition, are white, with a broad margin of pur-
plish crimson, but the double flowers were so full
that the white was completely hid, and the mar-
gm only visible. It is not a mere confused mass
of petals, but a well-developed flower, equal in

size and appearance to a double primula. The
double flowers on Mr. Kinghorn's plant are
much the same color, but less double, so that the
flowers are white prettily tip^jed with rose. They
are all destitute of the organs of reproduction, so
that saving seed directly from them is entirely
out of the question. The only chance, therefore,
of fixing the double flowei's lies in seeding the
other flowers on the same plant, with the chance
of getting one with all, or a larger proportion,
of double flowers than either of these have at
present. Perhaps offsets from these plants may
have a tendency to produce more flowers than
the parents ; at all events, it is worth a trial ;
and we are glad that both plants are in the hands
of skillful cultivators, who will undoubtedly do
their best to perpetuate a race of double-flowered
kinds. — Gardener'' s Weekly.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

THE GENESSEE HORTICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.

Held its spring meeting at Nashville on June,
5th. and we judge was a complete success. The
number of the fruits and flowers exhibited were
very great, but we have not been furnished with
names of many of the kinds exhibited, or we
would cheerfully give a detailed report. R. L.
Nichols, Esq. , was complimented for his beauti-
ful bouquets, Mrs. Dr. Harris for Rustic flower
stands, Dr. Fall for Clianthus Damjjieri, Truitt
& Sons for a donation of plants for decorative
IHirposes, Thos. Garland, Esq., for the excellent
growth of his plants, Dr. Cheatham exhibited
thirty varieties of well grown Fuchsias. R. L
Nicholson took " premium for the best collection
of Rare plants ever exhibited in Nashville."

In Strawberries the first premium for the best
variety of Strawberry, was gained by Mr. H.
^'aughau with WUson''s Albany ; the second by
AV. Heaver with Charles Downing. The best
market variety was also awarded to Yaughan
for Albany ; second to Heaver for Charles Down-
ing. Best new variety to H. Vaughan for Green
Frolific. Best cherries to P. Yaughan for May
Dule.

Fred. H. French, Esq., offered a premium for
the best single variety of strawberry which was
awarded to the Triomjphe de Gand, of W. Hea-
ver. We suppose there must have been some con-
dition imposed which does not appear in the re-
port, or why should Albany be the best in the
one case of Yaughan, and the Triomphe de Gand
in this ? Amongst the successful exhibitors
were Mrs. Dr. Blackman, Mrs. John Morrow,
Leon Geny, Andrew Gregory, Dr. Harris, F. H.

French, Mrs. Dr. Blackie, Miss Lizzie Brown,
Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Ingram, James Morrison,
Mrs. Heaver, M. B. Torey, Owen Sharkey, W.
S. Gray, H. L. Norvell, Wilson and Crocker;
and the following ladies are complimented for
their services as the committee of arrangements:
Mrs. Henry Ewing, Miss Avery, Mrs. Hillman,
Mrs. A. F. Goff", Mrs. E. S. Gardener, Miss
Laura Gardener, Mrs. J. C Warner, Mrs. C. A.
R. Parsons, Mrs. Dr. Waters, Mrs. John Over-
ton, Mrs. C. H. Campbell, Miss Erie Murford,
Mrs. F. H, French, Mrs. Dr. Harris, Mrs. H,
G. Scovel, Mrs. Heaver, Mrs. St. Clair Morgan
and Mrs. W. E- Watkins,

OHIO GRAPE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Summer Meeting and Excursion of this
Association will be held at Lancaster and the
State Reform Farm, on the 2.5th and 26th of Au
gust next. There are a number of good bearing
vineyards in that vicinity, and many more com-
ing on, and the people feel much interest in fruit
culture generally. It is also a beautiful and in-
teresting section of the State, and the citizens,
including the Hocking Yalley Horticultural So-
ciety and the officers of the Reform Farm, prom-
ise to co-operate in making the occasion agreea-
ble to visitors.

The ad-interim Committee of the State Horti-
cultural Society will attend the meeting, and the
local Horticultural Society will hold an exhibi-
tion at the time, if the season is at all favorable
for fruit. The railroads will doubtless grant re-
turn passes to visitors, and a large attendance
may be anticipated.

224-

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ\ TELY.

July,

The Annual Exhibition of the Grape Growers
Association is to be held in Cleveland about the
middle of October.

The Knox Grape Show will be held on Wed-
nesday, the 6th of October.

The Ohio State Fair will be held at Toledo,
September 14th to 17th. The Horticultural De-
partment will be in charge of D. C. Richmond,
of Sandusky, a member of the State Horticultu-
ral Committee. Liberal premiums are offered
for all kiuds of horticultural products, and a very
i xrge display of fruits, &c. may be expected.

CIRCULAR OF THE AMERICAN POMO-
LOGICAL SGCIETF.

Whereas, the American Pomological Society,
at its last meeting, accepted the invitation of the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to hold its
next session in the city of Philadelphia ; and
whereas, the latter institution has generously
proffered accommodations for us in its elegant,
new and spacious hall ; therefore, the undersigned
hereby give notice that the Twelfth Session of
the American Pomological Society will be held
in Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., on the
fifteenth day of September, 1869, commencing at
11 o'clock, A. M., and continuing for three days.

The present sessioQ promises to be one of the
most auspicious, in point of numbers, intelli-
gence, and importance, which tlie Society has
held. From all parts of the country, assurances
are given of cordial co-operation and aid. Dele-
gations have already been appointed from several
Stales, among which we may name Kansas,
whose Legislature has nobly appropriated five
hundred dollars to defray the expenses of her
representatives. The Exhibition of the Penn-
sylvacia Horticultural Society will also take
place at the same time, which will add further
interest to the occasion.

All Horticultural, Pomological, Agricultural,
and other kindred institutions in the United
States and British Provinces, are invited to send
delegations, as large as they may deem expedi-
ent ; and all other persons interested in the culti-
vation of fruits are invited to be present and take
seats in the Convention.

And now that our Southern brethren, after a
painful separation of years, are again united
with us in full fellowship and communion, we in-
vite all the States and Territories to be present,
by delegation, that the amicable and social rela-
tions which have heretofore existed between our

members throughout the Union may be fostered
and perpetuated, and the result of our delibera-
tions, so beneficial to the country at large, be
generally and widely diffused.

Among the prominent subjects which will
come before the Society at this session, will be
that of the further revision of the Society's Cata-
logue of Fruits. For the purpose of aiding in
this most desiraj^le object, an ad-interim meeting
of the Officers and Fruit Committees was held in
the city of Xew York, on the lOtli day of Febru-
ary last, the result of which will be made known
at this time. The special Committee appointed
for this purpose are now, with the various State
and local Committees, actively engaged in col-
lecting such information as will aid in determin-
ing what varieties are best adapted to the differ-
ent sections and districts of our country ; and
this information, in the form of reports, will also
be submitted to the action of the Convention.
The several State Pomological and Horticultural
Associations are requested to compile lists for
their own States or Districts, and forward them,
at as early day as possible, to P. Barry, of Ro-
chester,^". Y., Chairman of the Committee on the
revision of the Catalogue.

Members and delegates are requested to con-
tribute specimens of the fruits of their respective
districts, and to communicate in regard to them
whatever vaay aid in promoting the objects of
the Society and the science of American Pomol-
ogy.

Each contributor is requested to come prepared
with a complete list of his collection, and to pre-
sent the same with his fruits, that a report of all
the varieties entered may be submitted to the
meeting as soon as practicable.

All persons desirous of becoming members can
remit the admission fee to Thomas P. James,
Esq., Treasurer, Philadelphia, who will fuAiish
them with Transactions of the Society. Life
Membership, Ten Dollars ; Biennial, Two Dol"
lars.

Packages of fruit, with the name of the con.
tributor, may be addressed as follows : "Ameri-
can Pomological Society, care of Thomas A.
Andrews, Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pa.''

Arrangements have been made with several
Hotels in Philadelphia for a reduction in price of
board. Similar negotiations with the various
Railroad Corporations are also in progress, and
of which due notice will be given.

Marshall P. Wilder, Pres'f., Boston, Mass.
F. P. Elliot, Sec^y., Cleveland, O.

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture , Botany and Bural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEIIAX.

Old Serien, Vol. XT.

AUGUST, 1869. h^ew Series Vol. 11. N', 8.

HINTS FOE AUGUST,

FLOWER GAEDEX AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Annual!}' as the seasons ro'l around are we
impressed v^ith the great fact which we liave
been for years urging on the American pub
lie, that the European styles of gardenmg so
commonly adopted in America, in our best places
are altogether wrong. True art was made to
minister to man's wants, not that man should be
made to serve it ; yet our best specimens of Land-
scape gardening make it a divinity, and huuiaa
nature a sacrifice olfei'ed up to it. Recently we
visited a tract whereon m(»ney had been lavished
witli an unsparing hand to make it bf^autiful
The walks are measured by miles ; and we walk
ed with the proprietor some hours through the
grounds. Except that the curves of the road
and the surfiice contour, or th6 size of the trees
and slirubs were nut exuctlif the same, we are
not conscious that we imbibed one new f ,ct, or
had one new idea inspired by that weary walk
that we did not receive during tlie first few mo-
ments there. We are quite sure tliat we should
have derived more pleasure from a few hours
stroll through some wild wood than we could
ever get from such weary wanderings under a
sultry sun, no matter how majuip'cent s\ioh "art"
might be deemed.

We have before said in these pages that for a
month or two in spring, when all nature is gush
ing forth joyously into life, we are content to
look on and enjo}' the wondrous sights ; and
when, in fall, the whi le univ> rse sparkles in au-
tumnal tints, we gaze on the si>lendid pageant
passing away without a selfish thought ; but
broiling, sweltering, roasting under our August

suns, we feel that our garden art mu«t d i some-
thin<r more for us than show us beaulifid sights
like these.

We have learned to iimtect ourselves from
cold winiiy winds but the art of miking a place
cool in summer is yet in its infancy. There is
nothing accomplishes this better than jjlenty of
grass, and the neat deciduous tree foliage The
making of flower beds with box edgings and
gravel walks suits Dutch and French gardening,
but it is too hot for us.

The beds should be cut in grass. The walks
round about a place shou'd also be in grass as
much as possihle ; only thos.- likely to be fre-
quently used should be gravel walks. Even
these, where t m can be obtained, are nmch c ol-
er when this material can be used, than vvlien
gravelled. In the plant ng of roads art, as we
read it in the books, plants only in corners, and
makes its most strikinu effects to be s.'en from
the drives ; but American art as it should be,
plants all the chief drives with deciduous shade
trees, and yet allows you to look through be-
neath them to the beauties beyond.

The best kinds of deciduous trees for this pur-
pose are the Silver, Sugar, Sycamore, and X )r-
way Maples ; American, and where the borer is
not troublesome, the Eng'ish Linden; American
and European Ash, IIor.se Ciiestnut, M ignolia
tripetela and acuminata, with its first cousin the
Tulip tree : the sweet Gums, Elms, Kentu;-ky
Coftee and Oaks of all kinds. For farm roads
the Cherry, Black, English and White Wal iiits
Chestnuts, and even the Peir may be emjiloyed.
Besides these in the South theie are the Mimo-
sa, the Melia Zederack, Magnolia granditijra,

226

TEE GABDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

August,

which though an evergreen, has the lightness of
a deciduous tree ; besides Live Oaks, &c.

But besides the selection of trees for drives,
weeping trees sliould be liberal!}^ introduced,
some of which like AVeeping ashes, make cool
and shady arbors preferable to any the carpen-
ter's hand could make. Of these are the large
varieties of Weeping Willow, Weeping Sophora,
Weeping Birch, Lindens, Elms, &c., though
none equal the Ash for arbor purpose*.

Then again v^vy much may be done by plant-
ing two or three trees together so that as they
grow up, they will form natural seat backs.
For this purpose there is nothing like the Oak

tribe.

Sometimes we cannot get the coveted shade
because we have planted slow growing trees—
generally the prettiest and best worth waiting
for,— this may be effected by planting liberally
of Alders, Poplars and similar ephemeril trees,
to be cut away as they gradually interfere with
the permanent kinds.

The planting season will soon come around,
and now is the time to look about and select the
desirable kinds, and to decide on the proper
places to set them.

The latter end of August is one of the best
seasons of the year to transplant evergreens.
The young growth uf the past season has got
pretty well hardened, so as to permit of but very
httle evaporation,— and the earth being warm,
Eew roots push with great rapidity, and the tree
becomes established in the ground before cool
autumn winds begin. The chief difficulty is
that the soil is usually very dry, which prevents
much speed with the operation ; and the weather
being usually very warm, the trees have to be
set again in the ground almost as fast as they
are taken up ; so that it is not safe to bring them
from a distance. It is as well, therefore, to
make all ready in anticipation of a rain, when
no time may be lost in having the work pushed
through. Should a spell of dry weather ensue,
— which in September and October is very likely,
— one good watering should be given, sufficient
to soak well through the soil and well about the
roots. A basin should be made to keep the wa-
ter from running away from the spot, and to as-
sist its soaking in. After being well watered,
the loose soil, should be drawn in lightly over
the watered soil, which will then aid in prevent-
ing the water from drying out soon again.

As soon in the fall as bulbs can be obtained, .
they should be planted — though tliis will not

generally be the case till October, —but it is as
well to bear in mind that the earlier they are
planted, the finer they will flower.

Towards the end of the month, and in Sep-
tember, evergreen hedges should receive their
last pruning till the next summer. Last spring,
and in the summer, when a strong growth re-
quired it, the hedge has been severely pruned
towards the apex of the cone-like form in which
it has been trained, and the base has been suf-
feied to grow any way it pleases. jN"ow that, in
turn, has come under the shears, so far as to get
it into regular shape and form. It will not be
forgotten that, to be very successful with ever-
green hedges, they ought to have a growth at
the base of at least four feet in diameter.

FKUIT GAEDEI^.

In our last number the Editor gave his views
on fall planting strawberries, and reasons why
in some cases the practice is to be commended.
When it is to be done, the ground will have to
be prepared about the end of this month.

After a piece of ground is dug at this season
for Strawberries, roll it well with the garden
roller. When ready to plant make holes with a
dibble, fill the holes with water, and when it
soaks away, put your plant which has been kept
in water to prevent wilting. But, in putting in
the plant do not pUnt too deep. "Too deep"
kills 99 hundredths of all the Strawberries that
die in the year from transplanting. "Too deep"
is when any thing but the small fibres are buried
under the surface.

In the story books we sometimes see pretty
pictures showing how Strawberry roots, are to
be " spread all around nice.'' A little cone is
made in the middle, the plant set on the apex,
and the roots running like mountain streams
down the cone on every side. This is a very
pretty plan, but will give us no more Strawber-
ries. There is little romance in a Strawberry
fibre. They push out, pump water into the
plant for a few mouths and then die. Ko Straw-
berry root lasts twelve months. New ones push
and old ones die daily.

All thing considered, for an amateur garden
the best plan is to set the plants in line six inches
apart, the rows eighteen inches apart, aad eveiy
fourth row omitted, as it were, to form an alley-
way between the beds ; on this plan, as the plants
grow, they can either have their runners cut off,
or they may be allowed to go together in bed

1869.

THE GARDEJV'ER'S MOJYTHLY.

2n

form, according to the kinds grown or views of
the grower.

The Grape-vine at this season will require at-
tention, to see that the leaves are all retained
healthy till thoroughly ripened. It is not a sign
of healthiness for a vine to grow late ; on the
contrary, such late growth generally gets
killed in the winter, — but the leaves should all
stay on, to insure the greatest health of the vine,
until the frost comes, when they should all be so
mature as to fall together. Frequent heavy syr-
ingings are amongst the best ways to keep off in-
sects from out-door Grapes, and so protect the
foliage from their ravages.

Many kinds of fruit trees that have arrived at
a bearing age, may perhaps be growing vei'y vig-
orously and producing very little or no fruit.
Those who have read our remarks in past num-
bers will understand that whatever checks the
wood-producing principle, tends lo throw the
the plant into a bearing state. For this pur-
pose, summer pruning is often employed, which,
by checking the most vigorous shoots, weakens
the whole plant, and throws it into a fruitful
condition. The same result is obtained by root-
prUuing, with this difference, that by the last
operation the whole of the branches are propor
tionately checked, — while by pinching only the
strong-growing shoots, the weak ones gain at
the expense of the stronger ones. Presuming
that the branches have been brought into a sat-
isfactory condition in this respect, root-pruning
may now, this month, be resorted to. We can-
not say exactlj'' how far from the irunk the roots
may be opeated on, so much depends on the age
and vigor of the tree. In a luxuriant, healthy
tree, one-fourth may be safely dispensed with.
In a four year old standard Pear tree, for in-
stance, the roots will perhaps have reached 4 feet
from the trunk on every side. A. circle six feet in
diameter may then be cut around the stem, ex-
tending two feet beneath the surface. It is not
necessary to dig out the soil to accomplish the
result ; a post spade, or strong spade of any
kind, may be driven down vigorously, describing
the circle, and doing the work very effectually.
Of all trees, the Peach is as much benefited by

root- pruning as any.

««■»»

VEGETABLE GAEDEI^'.

As soon as your vegetable crops are past

kitchen use, clear them out. Never suffer them

to seed. In the first place, a seed crop exhausts

the soil more than two crops taken off in an eat-

able condition ; in the next place, the refuse of
of the kitchen is likely to produce degenerate
stocks. Good seed saving is a special art by
itself, always claiming the earUest and best to
ensure a perfect stock.

Celery will require earthing up as it grows, to
get it to blanch well. It is not well, however,
to commence too early, as earthing up tends, in
a slight degree, to weaken the growth of the
plants. Take care, also, not to let the soil get
into the heart in earthing, or the crown is ajit to
rot.

As fast as Endive is desired for Salad, it should
be blanched. Matting thrown over is the best
for this purpose, as the plants are not so liable
to rot as when pots or boards are employed.

In cold or mountainous regions, Melons are
hastened in the ripening process, and improved
in flavor, by a piece of tile being placed under
the fruit.

Keep weeds from your compost heaps, as they
exhaust the soil, and bear seeds for future brow-
sweatings.

Sow Lettuce for Fall crop, thinly, and in deep
and very rich ground.

Early Valentine Beans may still be sown early
in the month, — the scul for a late crop should be
well trenclied, or. if the Fall be dry, they will be
stringy and tough.

Cucumbers, Squash, and other similar plants,
often suffer from drought at this season. Cold
water does not help them much, but a mulching
of half-rotten leaves strengthens them consider-
ably.

Cut down straggling herbs, and they will
make new head* for next season.

Towards the end of the month, a sowing of
Spinach may be made in rich soil,' which will
come in for use before Winter. That desired for
Winter and early Spring'use, is usually sown in
September in this region. A few Turnips may
also be sown for an early crop, but will be hot
and stringy unless the soil is very rich.

Corn Salad is often sowed at the end of this
month. It does not do so well in damp soil or
low situation.

HOT AND GREENHOUSE

Many kinds of greenhouse plants, as Oranges,
Lemons, Camellias, etc., may be inarched or
budded at this season. The process of inarching
is simple, and consists merely in briugiuf the
shoots of two different plants together. The

ns

TEE GAEDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

August,

bark is very lightly shaved for half an inch or
more on each shoot, which are then both tied to-
gether, and in about two months tlie union may
be examined, and if found sufficiently strong, the
scion may be separated, and suffered to go for
better or for worse with the stock you have se-
lected for its helpmate through life.

Preparations must now be made with a view
to stocking the houses for next Winter and
Spring's use. Geraniums of all kinds may now
be readily struck. A frame in a shady place,
set on some light sandy soil in the open air, af
fords one of the best places possible for striking
all kinds of half-ripened wood. A partial shade
is at all times best for cuttings at the start,
though the sooner they can be made to accustom
themselves safely to the full light, the better they
usually do.

Seed of many things may also be sown for
Winter and Spring blooming, particulai'ly Cine-

raria, Calceolaria, Pansy, Daisy, Chinese Prim-
rose and some of the Annuals Great care is
necessary with the Calceolaria ; the seed is so
small, that it rebels at the smallest covering of
soil. The best way is to sow it on the surface,
water well, and then cover with a pane of glass
until fairl}- germinated ; this prevent evapora-
tion and consequent drying of the seed. Almost
all kinds of seeds germinate most readily in par-
tial shade ; but as soon as possible after germi-
nation, they should be inured to as much light
as they will bear.

Many plants, as Begonias Gloxinias, etc., can
be raised from leaves. Cut the leaf off down to
near its junction with the parent stem ; insert it
down to near the blade of the leaf in pots of well-
drained light sandy soil ; peg the hlade of the
leaf down on the surface of the soil, and set the
pot in a shady place, — if with a little bottom
heat, all the better.

C 0 M M U ]N' I C A T I 0 ^^ S

PUESH'S JOURNAL.

[Concluded )

5. Gleens falls are very interesting to see
them : I detained myself for about two hours
here, to see if I could not find something new on
the rocks, but was disappointed. TheJuniperus
communis or else a variety of it grows on the
rocks, below the falls. I got exceeding week &
tired & seeing a chunce of riding in a wagon to
Port Ann, I took it ; I arrived there at night
fall.

6. Rested myself at Port Ann. Potamogeton
gramineum & natans— Humulus Lupulus— a
species of Carduus with' small flowers & very
spinous leaves, calld here Canada thistle, beginns
here It was quit new to me.

7. Prom Port Ann the road leads chiefly
along the banks of Wood creek— with rock}'^ shores
of indurated clay «& lime stonfe : high hills in sight
on all sides— soil very stony oc appearautly poor.
At Skeansborough, which is the head of lake
Champlain I made a short stay to examine the
meadows & banks of the lake-Lilium superb -Iris
virginiana — Sagittaria--Mimulus — Viburnum
nudum — Lentago — Cephalanthus «& some more
common plants mentioned in other places— I ar-
rived at Pairhaven at night.

8. The white pine is here the chief timber ; I

observed here in the woods a species of Willow
new to me. All this day I travelled through
cultivated lands, on the side of the mountains,
when 1 came near to Ruttland I passed the Ira
mountain which appears to be a very interesting
spot, & though nece.ssity forced ma to go on, I
was determined to return to it some other day
to ascend it The ti her is here chiedy Hem-
lock— Pine- Spruce- Beech-Poplar-Sugar Maple
&c — no Oak. Arrived at night at Ruttland hav-
ing travelled all day in the rain So fatigued my-
self to the utmost.

Sept. 9. After enquiring in the Post office for
letters for me & finding none, I took a small
walk about the town. Observed nothing new to
me, the road sides are covered with Canada
thistle & Verbena hastata It having not quit
ceased raining, besides my not feeling very well,
after getting so very wett yesterday I was obliged
to keep the house & rest myself; Killington
peak which is said to be the highest part of Ver-
mont, is in sight of the town & makes a respec-
table figur. I wrote a letter to Dr B. as I am
destitute of cloathes & the weather beginning to
get ver}- raw & cold I will not be able to stay
long here unless I get means of buying cloathes
fitt for the season

10. It clearing off very fine but the air very

1869.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTELY.

M9

cold ; a very bad cold makes rae afraid of having
a relapse of Itifluenza, I felt so ill. that I t>ept
the hou^e most all day

11. Feeling somewhat better, I dryed how a
good exercise on the mount lins might agree
with me ; I set out after breakfast, the foot of
the mountains beginns about 2, m. from the
town. In a Hemlock swamp I found the Cypri-
pedium canad^nse or speetabile. Orchis bifolia,?
Nephrodium Dryopteris, Vaccinum hispidulum.
This plant had beautifull white berries like wax
work. I dont know whether this plant allways
bears white berries or not as I am but little ac-
quainted with it. Most all the plants & shrubs
mentioned on Pokono mountain & the beach-
woods grow here. In ascending the mountain I
found Epilobium angustifol. in flower & seed —
Aster surculosus which ^ observed last season
on Salt Pond mountain grows in plenty here.
Aster flexuosus &c & several species of Solidago,
among which the principal sart is 8. canadensis
I ascended a very high ridge, near which one of
the peaks is, but feeling week «& to much in ap
prehension of being obliged to stay out all night
if I should attempt to ascfent it, I deferred it to
an other day, when I might be better in health
& more provided with cloathes to stand the cold
weather over night I took my route over the
ridge & went a north course along the side o' the
mountain, for about 6 m crossing a number of
wild mountain creks & brooks seemingly very
interesting for plants, but the season is to late
every thing wor h notice has decayed & disap-
peared allready, & the few plants I took notice
of I had seen in abundance before I arrived
out of the woods in a road which leeds over the
mountains & took up my lodging the first tavern
I came to.

12. Returned to Kuttland again 1 had col-
lected yesterday a very singular species of Equi
setum, which appears nevv. The Medeula vir.
ginica has here allways a red centre, which Mr
Lyon took for a remarkable variety, but I believe
it is always the case, when the berries are ripe.
Along the main street of Ruttland I found a
species of Artemisia.

13 Rested myself, very unwell all day.

14. The morning very cold : I cook an excur
sion to Meets falls. Hamamelis in plenty & be
ginning to flower. I observed all the flowers to
be hermaphrotides. Quercus alba in a dwarfish
state : Oak timber is very scarce to be seen here
abouts ; Viola debilis in flower ; Ilex canadensis
— A species of Pruuus like P. acuminata, &c, I

returned to Ruttland very ill disposed ; cold &
without cloathes «& money & no letters arrived
made me more sick, than I actually would have
been.

15 My illness turned out into a fever «&
bloody flux which alarmsd m3 very much in the
present situation.

16 Very cold night «& morning, Killington
peak was covered with snow ; which stood all
d.\y, thouijh the sun came out for several hours.

17. By using several medicines I got so much
better of the flux that I took a walk, I chewed
most all day the tops of the branches of Spruce,
which seemed to do good to me : Populus candi-
cans & balsamifera are planted in the streets of
Ruttland, & grow about here frequent. I ob-
served the Verbena hastata to be a truly didyna-
mous & tetrandous plant. Got somewhat warm-
er to day.

18 Took an excursion towards the mountain.
Aralia hispida in berries— Ilex canadensis— Oro-
banche virginica. Observed Aster infirmus — Clr-
caea alpina Xylosteum tartaricum — Gentiana
saponaria Aralia racemosa &3.

19. Staid in the house, worn down with sick-
ness t& vexation of mind about not receiving any
support whatever.

20. However disappointed I had been in
former excursions I wished to ascend one of the
highest peaks in this part, I went about 7. m. from
here to one, which is calld Pico. Arrived there in
the afternoon & spent the rest of the day on the
foot of the peak, to ascend early in the morning.

21. With a great deal of fiitigue I ascended
the peak, the morning very cold 8o damp. Ob-
served nothmg new ; the Hemlock & Spruce to-
wards the top of a is cripply growth being depress-
ed by heavy snows «& cold air «& very difficult to
come through. My expectations being not an-
swered I soon descended & leturned to Ruttland.

22. Seeing no other means of getting away
from here, than to contrive some way to get
money to go on with, «& pay my reckoning here,
I with great reluctance sold my fowhng piece
this day ; God knows whether the money will be
enough to bring me on but I must rough it
through as well as I can.

23. This night I received at last & almost to
late a letter ; my mind has been made up to re-
turn as quick as possible to Philadelphia & I
will do it now, the letter notwithstanding.

24. Left Rutland.

25. Through Timouth to Battonkill.

26. Arrived at Troy.

^30

TEE GABDEJVER'S MOJYIHLJ.

August,

27. From Troy to Albany & Baltimore a
small landing place.

28. Come to Cattskill

29. When I came to Kingstown I took stage
to ISTew York being to much tired to go on long.
er on foot.

30 On the-road to 2^ew York.
Octb. 1. Arrived at Xew York.
2 Eain

3. Seen the houses of the Botauick garden at
N'ew York.

4. Left iSTew York with the Packet

5 Arrived at Philadelphia wharf after 12
o'clock, in the night & staid on board untill the
6. when I went ashore.

THE PALACES OF AMERICA.

BY FRANK J. SCOTT.

The traveled reader will be likely to smile
mockingly at the above phrase, and wonder what
structures America boasts, which the writer has
the ignorance, or the patriotic bravado, to name
palaces. " Palaces of America ! " echoes some
stern republican, who has not traveled widely.
" We have none. and want none : let effete old na-
tions boast their ruins and their palaces; but what
do we want of palaces ? " Good man, we want
a great deal of them : we cannot get along with-
out them. If you learn to read, you cannot be
content without books and newspapers. If you
have a soul and ear and voice for music, you
must have music ; and you will make music, or
buy music ; and you will build palaces for music.
If you receive a thrill of pleasure from the sight
of the simplest or the noblest forms of architec
tural art. is it a sin to try to be thrilled again ?
Is there any pure pleasure the Creator has given
men power to realize which they should not seek
to realize? '"Order is heaven's first law.''
Symmetry is the rhythm of order; and Madame
de Stael exquisitely characterizes architecture as
frozen music.

Already our young nation, just free from its
first rude labor in subduing I'ocks, forests, and
prairie sod, has more beautiful little dwellings
than any country in the world. Already its com-
mercial houses are unsurpassed in beauty as well
as number ; and its metropolitan hotels have
been models for imitation in older and richer
countries. But. in public buildijHjs, our citips
are too poor to suggest even comparison loith those of
the old loorld. Our parks for the dead— Green-
wood, Mount Auburn, Laurel Hill, Spring Grove,

and their thousand lesser imitations— are unsur-
passed in the refinement of their adornments to
mark affection for departed friends ; but where
are the parks for the living ? It is only now
that metropolis ISTew York, after postponing for
a hundred years her duty to herself and the new
world ; after smothering in barbarous doubts
whether God's vegetable beauties were so needed
that every citizen's eye should own a part of
them, — has, at last, grandly and generously
opened that glorious new leaf of landscape art
called '• The Central Park " She has thus made
noble atonement for past supineness. Strange,
is it noi, that Mount Auburn and Laurel Hill
and Greenwood— homes for the dead, and peace-
ful, silent walks for the living who mourn the
dead— should have preceded in existence the glo-
rious park resorts of the living millions of souls
and eyes in the great cities !

Private wealth may command private parks
and miniature palaces, galleries of art museums,
— the more the better. Each tasteful ground and
artistic mansion that wealth moulds no mat-
ter how selfishly, is, to the ]iublic, a little school
of art. inspiring us with higher wants and more
beautiful ambitions. But God lias planted in us
a powerful love of exclusive possession Each
one of us insists on a home of his own ; and, in
the secret longing of the heart, every man,
ft'oman, and child of us wants a palace Under
no government has this desire so full scope and
possibility of realization as under our own. The
beneficent nature of the desire is evidenced by
some of its results ; viz.. the remarkable diffusion
of physical and mental comforts in this country.
But all men cannot be what we call rich, and
have beautiful gai'dens and houses (not to men-
tion palaces), though those who have them not
may be just as appreciative of them as the pos-
sessors. How, then, shall all the poor, as well
as all the rich, feed this hunger of their natures ?
The answer is. By community possession. AVhen
we look on the national flag, our symbol of na-
tional protection and unity, who so poor that he
does not love it as his own ? Our country is my
country ; our flag is my flag ; our vast new cap-
itol at Washington is ours, — as if each one of us
were the most prominent member of the firm of
owners. The pride of possession is not less sweet
to cultivated minds because a million other hearts
beat with the same emotion over a common prop-
erty. That sentiment is the vital blood of patri-
otism. Let us carr}^ this national pride of pos-
session into new fields, and see if we cannot rear

1869.

THE GARDENER'S MOJ^THLY.

231

palaces with it more numerous, and some of them
more vast and beautiful, than the world has yet
seen.

What common want have the American peo-
ple which all feel, and to which all property must
contribute ? Is it not Education ? Can we
not make our citj'- high schools our palaces, so
that no citizen shall be so poor that he and his
wife and children may not have a palace that
they can feel to be " our palace ; " and none so
rich as to be able to vie in private splendor with
the completeness of the people's palace ?

It is a trite remark, and ought to be, that the
one tiling essential above all others in a free coun-
try is free and universal education ; yet but few
years have passed since our bald and dingy
little school houses stood beside our comely
churches in the shabby garb of poor relations.
Boys used to leave them as if they were crawling
out of a hole ; shaking the dust from their feet
and their minds, as though the great world out
side was filled with purer air and better employ-
ments. Kow, rooms that we call noble, only in
contrast with meanness of those our boyhood
saw ; and verdant grounds around them which
we call we call beautiful, because we do not yet
know how beautiful verdant grounds may be ;
and massive piles of educational buildings that
dominate churches, court-houses, and council-
rooms in some of our small cities, — begin, merely
begin, to glorify education, and to attract the eye,
and to win the heart to the love of knowledge
through the beauty of its surroundings. It is not
orthography, arithmetic, and grammar, nor lit
erature and' the sciences added, by which the
common mind is formed in all our schools
Floors which must not be soiled ; benches which
must not be cut ; trees and grass and flowers
which wave and smile on every hand, but not to
be despoiled ; teachers whose language is kindly,
and whose manners winning, — these are the
studies which are not studied, but are breathed
into our natures as the days and years of school
life are passed among them They purify and
strengthen the better part of the mind, and
shame back to their recesses the baser impulses.
They act like the pure mountain air that drives
from our systems the low land malarias, and
contrast with the dirt, tyranny, and vulgarity
of the old-time scool-houses as New-England vil-
lage homes with Irish hovels.

Our educational buildings have improved just
enough to show, speaking figuratively, the widen-
ing prospect that opens to the view as we emerge

from a valley, and begin the ascent of a prospect
hill ; but it is a step only which we have yet
made towards the summit.

What needs yet be done to improve our high
schools ? The answer is. Everything. Eirst,
they must in all things be made more comforta-
ble and more attractive than the average of our
homes : this will raise the average standard of
comfort and taste. Their teachers must be
models of gentle manners and high intelligence.
If, in our own community, there be a man or
woman of marked superiority of manners and
mind, engage, if possible, that person to teach ;
out-bid all ordinary inducements in other pro-
fessions, and pay him or her as you would ex-
pect to pay for the services of a distinguished
leader of a profession. Make all the higher ed-
ucational buildings models of architectural
beauty and adaptedness, and fill them year by
year with inexpensive but truthful works of art.
The admirable taste and culture shown by the
works of the Kew-York Central-Park Commis-
sioners, joined to their most skillful economy in
the pecuniary management of every department
of park expenditure, show that it is not impossi-
ble to find gentlemen who will handle the public
money for the public good. The school funds,
whether of great or small cities, should be in such
care.

The high schools of our larg3 cities must grow
by accretion, into vast metropolitan universities.
Their libraries and reading-rooms must be the
largest and best ordered in the city, — not merely
for the use of young students but free for all cit-
izens during life, — so that library associations
shall not need be organized and mantained by
private assesraents on their members when the
public school funds can provide greater and bet-
ter libraries at less expense ; so that lecture as-
sociations shall not need to speculate with pop-
ular reputations by charging the public for halls
and entrance fees, when the lecture system can
be vastly more complete, and continuously use-
ful, under the administration of talented and
paid representatives of education,in the halls
that the common-scool fund should provide.
Why should Hbrary and lecture associations in
our large cities levy contributions to support a
dozen different rooms, and sets of officers, and
other expenses, when all their work can be done
on a grander scale, more thoroughly, and yet
more cheaply, out of the equalized taxation of
the entire wealth of the community ? Why
should the donations of good men of wealth, who

^S2

TTTE GAUBEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLl.

August,

lenve nniple le<racips to be devoted to some edu-
cational purpose, be half spent by paid executor?
in Iniviui^ real estate, and huildino; isolated struc
tures to hold the remainders of the gifts when
the public <irnvinds cf the cily, and its own edu
cational bui'dings. should be reared and opened
wide to receive and sir itefully commemorate such
lesracics ? AVhy should a great rich people de-
pen:! on little corporations of artists and art pa-
tr Ills, or on mirror stores and oth(>r places for
the sale of elegant merchandise for their gal
leries of art. when the same materials, aggregated
ill the permanent halls of free city universities
would grow year by year and century by centu
ry into galleries like those of the Louvre ? Nol
slowly eithf r ; but with such interest as all peo
pie take in th ir children so soon as the halls o'
the schools b'come established as nuclei of art
works, they would be zealous to fill them AV
the motives that make us proud of our children
o'lr town, and our country, and emulous of su-
periority, would hast 'n the resu't ; for our ideal
city university is not to be evoted to the boys
anl trirlsanv more than the Central Park to the
exclusive use of children It is to be the club-
house* of all the people, of every age and the
con'ition from child to gray grandsire. Gym-
nasiums have everywhere become a part of oui
schools. All citizens, old as well as young,
sliould have free use of them at all times. Great
pleasure grounds must be provided for all the
athletic sports of men and graceful games for
w^omen ns we'l as for voiiib ; but these may be
only a part of the beautiful parks which should
stretch aniund the people s palace, vast in pro
jiorlion to the nuiidn'r of own rs they represent
All the ifrea' (ittrdctl vs of p n-ks i^lwdd he a
part of ike schotl s'jst'-m. Arb •r.^tiims b itanical
g'rdi'ns. zoological gardens, models for home
shrubberit sand parterres, play-grounds, skating
rinks, and boitini waters, all bel ng to our free
univ' rsity system in the great c.ties. and nius
be a part of its surroundings. Libraries, read
ing rooms, gymnasiuuis, chemical laboratories,
]e(tme lialls. music ro >ms. museums of architec-
ture, of sculpture and ])ainting, ot machinery, of
natural history, and all the sciences must be its
interior attractions. 'I'Le individual donations

*\Ve Uf<i p ii-don for deiiieanirig our people's palace b.v
(■eiimins to us'^iiiiilate il tu t.iose lillle, nariow-based
substitutes for it called c ub-liousi-s; but the word con-
veys certain idea of a cotuiuoii place oi lueet.ng lor
coiiilbrts and ple.isuri's out of tue family circle, and is
iuiroJuced for taat reason.

that in times past have founded isolated establish-
ments for one or another branch of education, or
added to the meagre funds of ancient colleges,
should be attracted to the. high schools of our
cities, until with the common wealth of all the
people, and the donations of private munificence,
they shall become the polaccfi of Ameri'-a.— mHg
niticent in architecture and in the midst of parks
and ganlens which no private wea'th however
ambitious or ostentatious, can have power to ri-
va'. The palaces of the Alhanihra and the
L aivre, the towers and spires of Gothic art, the
do . es of the Orient, and the gleaming minarets
of India, all are but stud'es for the possible de-
velopment of the palaces of education in Amer-
ica Within a century there will I e a hundred
cities in our country each of which may own pal
aces and parks equal to any now in existence ;
and the greatest of these cities may produce mass-
es of architecture as vast as the Coliseum of
Rome, and as beauuful as the mausoleum of the
Taje Mahal in India This is no unrealizable
dream ; but a consummation as easy, when once
the public spirit of the country becomes directed
towards it, as the construction of the vast net-
work of railroads already in operation Its re-
alization should be as natural and certain under
our foim of government as the periodical dupli-
cations of population and wealth. Tiie dingy
piles of old brick, around which cluster the pleas-
memories and the glories of Harvard and Yale,
will, like the deserted inns on old stage coach
roadfe, but serve to mark the rudeness and nar-
rowness of the first steps in ediicational progress.
Already our improved city high schools have ab-
sorbed and completely assimilated the old-style
'' preparatory academies " The old colleg'^s will
he as completely super- eded, or digested into the
new system of free universities, within the next
fifty ymxrs, unless adopted and supported by the
public funds of the state or city in which they are
locnted.

The great donation of public lands made a few
years since by Congivss to the several States for
the i)urpose of founding agricultural colleges,
may be used as a basis for state universities on
a nr)ble scale, — su^-h as the Cornell University of
llhaca, X. Y , seems likely to grow into. But
even this fund would prove inadequate to perfect
anything more than the specific department of
education for which it was donated, unless sup-
plemented by a fund derived froiu annual taxa-
tion for that purpose, individual douationa,
however generous or useful, should never be re-

1869.

THE GARDEMER'S MONTHLY.

23S

lied on to do what it is the first duty of all the
people to do for themselves. The levy of a mill
on a dollar in each state for the support of one
grand state university would be a tax almost
unfelt by individuals ; and yet. with the rapidly
iufreasing wealth of the country, it would soon
produce vast sums to build up, year by year the
several deparments of our ideal free universities
In the great cities the dev^elopement of their high
schools into such universities seems too natural
a result not to be inevitable.

A dozen years ago, the great city of New
York, numiiering then less than a million people,
was aroused to the desire for a park. If it had
been known beforehand that the consummation
of that desire would cost the cit}', within a few
years, more than five million dollars there
would have been i rage of economical indigna-
tion against the extravagance of the project,
Ifow, the land which it covers has alone cost
!$•"), IS;"), 299 ; and the succeeding expenses of con-
striiL'tion, up to December .30, 18i57, make a total
expenditure of .^10,214,000 exclusive of the cost
of its maintenance. This is at the rate of a
million dollars a year ; but most of the amount
w.is expended during the first five years after
1857. The elevenih annual report of the park
commissioners shows a steady annual decrease
in the cost of construction and maintenance ; the
the total amount expended for both objects being
less than .$450 030 during the year 18B7, of which
about .$240,000 represents the net cost of main-
tenance Is N-iW York poorer or rich.'.r for the
expenditure ? Everyb :)dy knows that she is
vastly richer ; that this same expenditure has all
been within herself, and for herself, and has
drawn to her other wealth which otherwise
would have been attracted to New York. Let
us suppose that her pari< commissioners and the
school commissioners shall join hands in the
great woi-k we have been suggesting ; and that a
free palace university be projected to form tiie
central figure and crowning glory of that park
The people of New York, who own the park
should insist on having their palace there. Let
cheaper acres be provided for the water of the
old square reservoir, and make its walls the ter
race boundaries of the new palace. Would the
city feel the burden ? No. A million dollars
taken out of one of her pockets, for such a work,
is a million returned to the other. It is only ta
ken out of a dirty pocket to put into a clean one
In twenty years the same million dollars could
be paid over again twenty times, and structures

reared costing twenty million dollars. Within
the lives of men now middle-aged, our leading
city, with such tasteful genius as that of Archi-
tect Vaux to direct the expenditure, might fur-
nish its citizens with a palace as beautiful as
any the world now boasts ; and within a hun-
dred years it ought to exceed in beauty and ex
tent any previous architecture. Smaller cities
and villages would quickly follow, each iu pro-
portion to its means, the example of the great
ones ; so that our high schools everywhere, in
the course of another generation, may become
the most cherished and the most beautiful as
well as the most useful of all public monuments.

What a strange blindness have we been guilty
of, to erect our most costly structures to cover
the desks of our municipal officers and county
servants and a few judges and lawyers and liti-
gants,— -buildings called city halls and court-
houses, —while neglecting to provide ourselve ^
and our children, or even our stu.lents, inven-
tors, poets, and artists, with public rooms ! We
have built attempts at palaces for our com iion-
est servants before providing any for ourselves,
or for ojir intellectual bf^nefactors who are not
servants ! There is scarcely a city of fifty thous-
and people in the United States whose citizens
have a structure worthy their pride, that they
can call truly their own to use and enjoy : but
they can po nt you to a fine church here, a court-
house there, or a new city hall, or a big hotel,
or an ambitious opera-house ; never to such an
educational palace for the daily use of them-
selves and their children as should dominate all
other structures, and form the highest pride of
every community.

The city republic of Venice, hiving in her
palmiest days about the present population of
Boston, has for centuries been famous for her
palaces. Are an equal number of American
citizens, who may concentrate all their public
spirit in the arts in rearing free palaces of edu-
cation, less able than the Venetians to effect
these spendid results ? Quite the contrary. A
population intelligent and energetic beyond any
that has before existed, inhabiting half a conti-
nent, fitted for the sustenance of the densest pop-
ulation, and an illimitable accumulation of
wealth, must in the very nature of things become
more powerful for the production of grand works
of art than any race or nation that have preced-
ed them.

The question brought home to us, in the in-

^34-

THE GAnBE^f'EKS MOJVTHLy.

August,

fancy of our power, is this : What direction shall
our public spirit and ambition take ?

Is there anything upon which the popular
heart and our common treasures may be poured,
that is so noble, so universal in its benefits, and
so magnificent in its possible results, as these
educational parks and palaces ?

I scout the idea that there is anj'thing in a
republican form of government that requires us
to be simple in our tastes, or moderate in our
public expenditures. Civilization is but the
multiplication of wants, and the stimulus of in
telligence to gratify them. The perfection of
high culture is to make all things in nature and
art our private property by the gift of apprecia-
tion. The summit level of democratic republi-
canism is to place all that is comfortable, all
that is useful, all that is beautiful and inspiring
within the reach. of all. To squander great pri-
vate fortunes, to realize private magnificence, is
a purely selfish gratification of fine taste ; but to
create magnificence, that is the common proper-
ty of the poorest as well as the rich, is the grand
imselfishness of true democracy.

ROOTII^G TENDRILS AKD LEAVES.

BY E. FRYER, NAPERVILLE, ILLS.

In the March number of the Monthly, Mr.
James Charlton makes some interesting remarks
on the rooting of the tendrils and leaves of grare
vines. H aving experimented some in the same
field for a few years past, I thought I would
give the results which I have not before consid-
ered of sufficient interest to publish, but Mr. C.
asks for others' experience.

Almost every observing gardener accustomed
to the growing of grape vines, foreign and na-
tive, will have noticed on strong growing,
healthy vines, that a tendril will sometimes
change its form and become a miniature branch,
small leaves showing on the upper part of the
extended tendril. This fact I think, goes to
show that such tendrils at least are rather more
than "modified leaves."

I have in many instances taken the leafy part
of this tendril when it acquired the proper con-
dition, cut it up in pieces with a leaf at each,
and rooted them in the ordinary way ; the sec-
ond season they will make strong plants, but as
to whether they would bear fruit as well as cut-
tings struck from bearing wood, I have not yet had
any experience. Healthy leaves I have struck,
with certainty and ease, and in one season they

become a plant perfect in all its parts. With
the tendril only I confess I have not been so suc-
cessful as Mr. Charlton. I have rooted them
occasionally, but never succeeded in obtaining a
perfect plant having either leaf or branch. If
Mr. C. means by tendril what is generally under-
stood as such, having no leafy appendages what-
ever, and has obtained from these leafy plants
that ripened, he has accomplished a feat, which,
though it may not be of value to the public, is
certainly new and interesting to the genera]
propagator. The tendrils of the Cobtea scan-
deus, and many other strong growing climbers
will root as well as those of the grape vine, but
require considerable time, from thirty to one
hundred days for the rooting process. In every
instance I have failed to obtain a perfect plant
from any of them that I have experimented
with. Not so with the leaves ; the Rose, Dahlia,
Cobcea, Lophospermum, Passi flora, «&c., &c.,
will all strike at the base of the leaf and become
perfect plants in one season. The leaf of the Hoya
if taken from a healthy plant, will generally make
a plant with a growing shoot the first season ;
but sometimes if taken from a plant that is not
vigorous, or from near the base, owing probably
to a want of due development in the leaf itself,
though it will root it may remain in a semi-dor-
mant condition for years without sending up a
shoot. Almost every one is acquainted with the
method of propagating the Begonias, Gloxinias,
&c., from leaves, which, by being gently pressed
on warm sand or earth make roots, and soon
send up leaves making many, yet perfect plants
from a single leaf. These facts, though only
some, perhaps none of them are new, yet simple
as they are in the hands of a practical man, go
far to prove the correctness of the theory of the
man of science, DeCandolle, that "the leaves of
plants are only a changed form of branches. ' '

The practice of striking green cuttings of all
the more common bedding plants, and also of
hard wooded jjlants such as the Camellia, Tea
plants, &c. When these latter are struck from
green cuttings, with only a leaf and small piece
of stem to each cutting is also in support of De
CandoUe's theory. Take away the leaf and the
cutting will not strike ; in most cases if the leaf
is destroyed after the roots are formed the plant
will die. In the hands of experienced propaga-
tors there is a wonderful power in a healthy leaf
The creed of the old school gardeners, "an eye
for a root, and an eye for a shoot," is wholly ig-
nored by our American practice of the present

1869.

THE GARDENER'S MOJVTHLY.

2S5

time. We pay no attention whatever to an eye
or bud at the base of the cutting, unless the cut-
tings are so short as to require it, but it is not
at all necessary to its rooting. As an instance,
Verbenas which are now required in such mul-
titudes, we cut off all the soft part of the young
shoots and these cut up in pieces with only a
pair of leaves on the top, no bud at the bottom
of the cuttings unless required as above stated.
Most other bedding plants the same.

The Camellia which, by the old Enghsh prac-
tice of striking ripened cuttings of the single red
variety for stocks, required from eight to twelve
months for rooting, is now accomplished m from
six to eight weeks when green cuttings are used.
With us the rooting of Camellia is not confined
to the single variety, but is applied to nearly all
varieties : the old but beautiful Alba plena being
one ofthe freest rooting of all While on
the subject, I will here state what may seem
strange to some, that here in the West, the Alba
plena on its own roots is longer lived and more
healthy than when worked on the single stock.
So of that celebrated variety Sarah Frost, it
grows as strongly if not more so on its own roots
than when inarched or grafted.

If some experienced grower of the Camellia
would give his views of the difference of merit of
varieties grown on their own roots, and the
same worked on stocks, through the 3fonthly, I
presume he would confer a favor on many of its
readers.

old, with a flower stem twenty-five feet high,
with twenty branches, each branch terminated
by a cluster of ten or fifteen buds. The main
stem is of about six weeks growth, and will mea-
sure near its base about six inches in diameter.

I heard of one in the suburbs on the border of
the lake which bloomed quite luxuriantly at the
age of twelve or fifteen years, but I cannot vouch
for the accuracy of this statement. However
the occurrence is sufficiently common here to at-
tract little or no attention, and we are therefore
quite amused at the excitement which the '-Rap-
pers" manifest at the appearance of this ordi-
nary flower.

NOTE ON THE CENTURY PLANT.

BY "OCCASIONAL," KEW ORLEaKS, LA.

The great sea- serpent seems to have deserted
the ocec^n, and is now showing himself to the
astonished gaze of the highly favored people of
Rochester, in the form of a blooming "Century
Plant.'' Please don't tell it where any of these
wonder-stricken people can hear it, but for the
benefit of some of your unprofessional readers,
who may be deceived by the name, would it not
be well to state in the most remote corner of
your excellent Monthly, and in the most modest
possible manner, that the American Aloe some-
times blooms in less than a hundred years, even
occasionally in not more than twenty or twenty-
five years. In passing through the Upper part
of our city yesterday, I saw one, the common
green-leaved variety growing in a garden at the
corner of Annunciation and Race Streets, which
I am sure cannot be more than twenty-five years

RASPBERRIES.

BY VSTM. PARRY, CINNAMINSON, N. J.
Read before Penna. Horticultural Society, July 6, 1869.

The subject chosen for discussion this evening
is one of much importance, both to the grower
and consumer of Small Emits.

Raspberries ripening soon after Strawberries,
when there is but little other fruit in market, are
eagerly sought after and command good prices.

Their extensive cultivation as a field crop is of
but recent date. Formerly a few rows in the
garden, furnishing a supply for family use, were
all that were grown ; then the qualitu was dis-
cussed more than the quantity that could be pro-
duced, and the Hornet, Fastolff, Red Antwerp,
Brinckle's Orange, and many other tender or
half hardy varieties, that under favorable circum-
stances wpuld yield some delicious fruits, were
esteemed more highly than the Purple Cane,
Black Caps, Philadelphia, and other hardy vari-
eties, which yield more abundantly.

In discussing Raspberry culture, we should
bear in mind that there are two classes in our
community to be supplied with fruits : the
wealthy, who are able and willing to pay liberally
for an extra fruit of fine quality, prefer the choi-
cest article that can be proxiuced, while the mil-
lions of consumers are satisfied if they can have
a plenty of good wholesome fruit at a moderate
price, and must be supphed from the open field,
or not at all. We might as well attempt to stock
our markets with peaches grown under glass, as
with grapes or Raspberries that will not stand
the sudden changes in our climate without arti-
ficial protection.

The large quantities of Raspberries now re-
quired to supply the markets could not be fur-
nished with the tender varieties, requiring so

236

THE GARDEJVER'S MOjVTHLY.

August,

much care and attention to protect them from
the extremes of heat, cold, drought, and moisture
as we have here Therefore most of what has
been written and published in reference to the
fine qualities and proper manacrenient of impor
ted varieties, and seedlings grown from them
has had the effect to mislead and bewilder, rather
than to instruct the beginner in the cultivation
of Raspberries as a field crop.

In 1838 I commenced cultivating them for
market. The prominent object with me has beet
to grow those which produced the most money
with the least labor, and the result has always
been in favor of those yielding tha largest quan-
tity of fruit per acre, believing the quality of the
kind most profitable to grow for market was
good enough for home use. For some years,
following the theor}^ of those who could manage
the pen much better than the soil. I was led in
to considerable loss of money, time and labor,
by purchasing and planting such as were highly
recommended on account of their superior qual-
ities for the table, and have grown since that
time over fift}'^ varieties, many of ihem imported
from Europe, and others raised from their seeds,
none of which are reliable as a field crop here.

The same general rule will apply to Raspber-
ries as to other choice fruits, viz, : That to he
succeaaful we must depend on native varieties, and
to improve which, plant the best kinds near to,
so as to insure the mixture of the Pollen of many
blossoms, which is carried by the wind or little
insects, ever useful in their way, passing over
the flowers in search of food, thereby combining
several qualities in the seedlings grown from
them, which could in no other way be found
in the same fruit. If as much care and attention
were bestowed in selecting and propagating seed-
ling Raspberries from native stock as have been
with the Strawberry and Grape, we might yet oh
tain new varieties superior to those we now have
I recently examined a number of new Raspberries
grown from seed of the Allen, planted near the
Philadelphia for the purpose of impregnation,
that seemed to possses in an eminent degree, the
most desirable qualities of large size, fully equal
to the Hornet, bright red color, delicious quality
and very productive. Being of native parentage
and thus far perfectly hardy without extra care
or protection there are good grounds to hoi)e
that those valuable properties may be permanent,
thus combining more excellence than has hereto-
fore been found in any one Raspberry. Yet
Raspberries are quite local in their habits, and j

varieties that are highly esteemed in some local-
ities, under favorable circumstances may not do
so well in other sections where the soil, climate
' or treatment ma}' differ.

What Kinds to Cultivate for Makket.
! In selecting a few varieties that are most pro
I ductive and profitable, as ^he result of 30 years
: experiene in growing Raspberries, I should
recommend to new beginners, when practicable
to go and see plantations in fruiting of the kinds
they propose to cultivate ; having noticed the
crop of fruit with the surrounding circumstances
they can then compare it with their own situa-
tion and form a better estimate than without
seeing, as to which kinds would be safest to pur-
chase, and by a trial of several kinds most likely
to succeed they can determine which is best for
them.

• The varieties that ha v^e done best for me on
the light sandy soils of Xew Jersey are Doolittle
Black and Philadelphia having grown from 20 to
30 acres each for several years past.

Both are hardy and productive, but do not
come iu competition with each other. The Doo-
little is early and mostly ripe before the Phila-
delphia commences, so that the season of gather-
ing the fruit is prolonged, thereby enabling the
same numbes of pickers to attend to double the
quantity that they could if only one kind was
grown, or if the several varieties raised should
ripen about the same time.

It is desirable to have Raspberries that will
yield their whole crop of fruit in the shortest pos-
sible time, following in succession from the close
of the Strawberry season until Blackberries are
ripe, taat we may substantially finish picking
the early varieties before commencing on the
later, and thus have full picking all the time,
instead of tramping over the same ground the
whole season to gather a few scattering berries
each time.

There are two distinct species of the Raspber-
ries ; the Rubus occidentalis which is propagated
by the top end of the canes bending over and
striking root in the grf)und, forming a new plant,
whirh in turn sends out shoots reaching still
further from the original stocks and thus in a
migrator}- way will soon spread over a consider-
able space of land, as if in search of new food in
the virgin-soil to sustain the young plants, which
cannot spread or increase from the roots.

The purple Rapberries are of this order such
as the old Purple Cane,Ellisdale and Catawissa*

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

237

The White, Yellow or Golden Cap and Cream
Paspberries ; also the diflereut varieties of the
Black Caps such as Doolittle's Improved, the
Little Miami, liig Miami or McCormic, David-
eon's Thoruless, Seneca, Garden, Great Western,
the Yosemite ol California. Mammoth Cluster
claimed to be superior to any of them. The
Ohio Everbearing Canada and Luni's Everbear-
ing, all native varieties. 1 do not recollect to
have seen an English variety that is propagated
from tips, nor a Black Raspberry grown from
suckers. 'I'he Rubus strigosus, an upright
grower is increased by suckers from the roots
or by planting root cutt ngs; and some of them
sucker so abundantly as to become troublesome,
filling the ground wilh young canes which crowd
and shade the bearing plants to the injury of the
crop of Iruit. Such varieties should be planted
in hills about five feet apart each way, and by the
constant use of horse and cultivator can be kept
"within bounds.

NOVELTIES.

There are a number of Horticultural novelties
of little value to grow for market. Some that
yield a little fruit for a long time are called ever-
bearing and sold at high pi ices, but 1 have never
yet seen an everbearing itaspberry worth culti-
vating for the sale ot iruit.

DAVISON S THORNLESS

Made quite a sensation because the thorns were
not on the canes as usual, but come from the
underside of the leaves, -i hey were said to be
very early. and sold readily at §1 each. I obtain-
ed OUU plants and set them in good soil ; have
had two moderate crops ol fruit. Last Spring a
year ago we made a large patch irom the tips
grown the previous summer, but liudin^ tne
fruit to ripen at the same time as Uooliilles and
not yielding as much per acre, we ploughed them
under and used the laud for other crops. 1 have
never seen a black Raspberry nor a Blackberry
without thorns produce fruit as well as others ot
the same species having thorns; although I have
paid five dollars a plani for the smooth novelties.
Ihe fact that the plants are deficient ia thorns
which properly belongs to them, shows that
they are nut perfect, ai y more than if the}' were
deficient in leaves or branches.

VARIETIES WILL RUN OUT.

Among the large number of seedlings that
have been introduced as having great merit,
how few are now to be found in cultivation.

Perhaps no person has succeeded better in

growing seedling Raspberries than the late Dr.
Wm D. Brinckle of Philadelphia, many of which
gave high promise for a while.

The Orange obtained a wide reputation for a
few years on account of its large size, fine ap-
pearance and delicious qualities.

The Cushing was the most beautiful scarlet
red Raspberry I ever grew. We sold the fruit
readily in 1 hiladelphia market at .f 1 per quart,
when other varieties would not bring half that
price.

The Col. Wilder was really a Pomological
wonder. When I saw the original plant growing
in Dr. Brinckle's yard, trained in Espalier form
apd lattice work by the wall, I think there was
fully one quart of fruit on it. hanging from the
long branches supported like grapes in a green-
house, although they had been picking Iruit sev-
eral days previous for family use.

The Vice President French a large, firm, hand-
some red Raspberry, nearly equal to the Hornet
in size and productiveness.

The Woodward, Walker and other choice seed-
lings grown by him ; where are they now ?

Similar results have followed the efforts of
others in introducing new seedling Raspberries.
May not the cause be the taking seeds of foreign
varieties to propagate from ?

I have discarded dozens of varieties after ex-
pending much time and labor on them, besides
hundreds that 1 have grown from set-d mjself
and chose to suffer the loss of experimenting and
proving them to be of no value, rather than to
distribute them before being sulficiently tested.

Among those the reputation of which is either
gone or declining may be named Allen's Ant-
werp, Allen's Stiaight Cane, Belle de Fonlenay,
Bagley's Perpetual, Creton Red, Catawissa,
Canada Everbearing, Duhring, Downing's Seed-
ling, Fastoiff, Great Western, Hudson River
Antwerp, Kirtland, Knevett's Giant, Lindsley's
Seedling, Merveilledes Quartre Saisons, ^vTebras-
ka, Norihu'nberland FiUbasket, Ohio Everbear-
ing,H. M. Conklin's French, Red Prolific, River's.
Large Fruited Monthly, True Everbearing Red,
Stoever, White or Yellow Cap, Red Antwerp
and Red Queen.

1 have cultivated all tiie above and many
more, and found them unprofitable here Tliere
are several others still highly praised because
there is a good demand for the plants, which is
kept up by the exhibition of some handsome
fruit of delicious quality, but little being said
about the quantity produced. To name them may

238

THE GARDE^'ER'S M0JVTHL7.

August,

effect the interest of some having plants for sale,
yet as I have a large supply, I think purchasers
ought to be posted how they succeed with me.

The Prosser was sent out at ten dollars a
plant on account of the beauty and excellence of
its fruit. I waited a few years until the plants
could be had at half price, then purchased twen-
ty valued at one hundred dollars. They have
<^<-rown vigorously making a fine lot of plants,
and fruited two seasons, yet I do not esteem
them valuable here, and shall treat them as I
have hundreds of my own seedlings, which
promised well at first, but after a few years cul-
tivation proved not to be as profitable as other
older varieties.

The Clarice was sent out at ten dollars per
dozen, and for several years seemed that it would
prove valuable, but after fruiting it six seasons
and increasing the quantity until we had several
acres in bearing, I find it will not maintain in
open field culture the high reputation we had
given it when only a few rows were grown near
the buildings. It is a strong vigorous grower,
fruit large, bright red color and good quality ;
I have shipped it to New York market, where it
was sold at sixty-eight cents per quart in com-
petition with the Hudson Eiver Antwerp. Al-
though the quality of the fruit is all that could
be desired, the quantity is not sufficient to make
it pay to cultivate it as a field crop, as well as
the Doolittle and the Philadelphia, hence the
principle object in growing it here will be to
raise plants for sale.

The Easpberry is uncertain and liable to many
causalties that will injure the crop. An excess
of heat or cold, wet or drought, and sometimes
causes unexplained, will disappoint the fondest
hopes of the grower.

A fungus or rust that has for years been prey-
ing upon the wild Blackberries and Dewberries
and recently has attacked the Dorchester Black-
berry, devastating in its march as certainly as
the fire blight on the Pears, or the yellows on
Peach trees, has also commenced its ravages on
the Black Cap Ptaspberry. Three years since
we first discovered it on a small patch of about
five acres of Doolittle's, and were surprised to
find that every plant affected lost much of its vi-
tality, producing no blossoms and of course no
fruit. It first appears on the underside of the
leaves, of a reddish yellow incrustation ; as it ap-
proaches maturity a fine dust of a yellowish cast
is formed, which by a httle disturbance is wafted
by the wind to other bushes near by. The sec-

ond year there are numbers of small spindling
shoots sent up producing no fruit, but having a
weak sickly appearance. It has spread so rapid-
ly as to destroy nearly the whole of that patch of
Black Kaspberries, which we intend to burn
and plough the ground for a fall crop of vegeta-
bles.

We have another block of twenty acres of
Doolittle's, which now look as even and healthy
as a wheat field in June, from which we have
been picking over two thousand quarts daily for
more than a week past If they should become
affected, the whole field will be as completely
ruined as the smaller patch above named. Here
is a subject worthy of investigation, to ascertain
if possible the cause and the remedy, otherwise
the Black Caps and all that class of Raspberries
will rapidly degenerate.

SOIL AND TREATMENT.

A rich mellow soil naturally moist but not
wet, inclining to the northward, is a favorable
location. Plow open furrows in the fall, six to
eight feet apart, and spread meadow muck in
them to be exposed to the action of the frost du-
ring winter. In spring set the plants three to
four feet apart along the rows requiring about
two thousand plants per acre. Potatoes or other
vegetables may be grown between the rows, the
widest way the first summer, after that the
Raspberries will require the whole space.

The cultivation is of the simplest kind, stir
the ground frequently with horse and cultivator
to keep down grass and weeds, being careful the
latter part of summer not to disturb the small
roots feeding near the surface by deep culture.
The old wood may be removed as soon as conve-
nient to do it after the fruit is off", and the canes
should be shortened in about one third their
length, early in spring, before the buds push out,
which will increase the vigor of the plants, and
improve the size and quality of the fruit.

The Raspberries should be carefully picked in
small baskets, not larger than pints, better less ;
both baskets and crates should be ventilated so
as to favor the circulation of air to absorb the
heat and moisture, as they will bear transporta-
tion to market much better when cool and dry.

YIELD AND PROFIT.

The hardy varieties with ordinary treatment
will yield as many bushels per acre as corn, and
will generally bring five times a3 much in
market, and when once planted remain for sev-

I

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTHLY.

239

eral years, producing an annual income better
than government bonds.

An acre yielding 3000 qts. at 15c. $450

Commissions for selling 10 jDer cent. S 45

Picking, 100

Kent ot land, cultivation, &c., 55

^et profit per acre. 250

Under favorable circumstances much larger
returns than the above are sometimes I'ealized.
But it is better to keep our vieAVS within moderate
limits and be agreeably disappointed with larger
returns, than otherwise.

For several years I kept a debtor and ci:editor
account with 22 acres in small fruits, which
yielded an annual profit of two hundred and
seventy- two dollars per acre.

E D T T 0 E I AL .

STRAWBERKIES.

"We have long ago come to the conclusion that no
client is able to state his own case fairly. How-
ever much any one may love truth, it is not in
his own eyes as it is in his neighbors, and "what
is truth ?" becomes as important a question for
us, as it was two thousand years ago.

As the "legal adviser" of the great public, we
are careful not to give an opinion until we have
well weighed the evidence, hence the Garclener''s
Monthly is never found in haste to praise, or ea-
ger to condemn any system or variety. On the
Strawberry question we * determined to take a
tour during its season, compare notes, and draw
what may seem to us fair deductions from them.
We started on the 20th of June, Strawberries
being in their prime at home, and journeyed
through Pennsylvania, Central Ohio to St. Louis,
up the Missouri to Hermann and Bluft'ton,
thence through Chicago to Windsor, and Detroit
to Pittsburg and home, thus affording us a
chance to see things under the most widely sep-
arated climates and systems possible.

At home we left the Strawberry a drug, ped-
dhng through the streets at three quarts for
twenty-five cents We need not dwell on the
system pursued, as Mr. Satterthwaite's essay
has done this verj"^ well. His plan is the one
most popular here ; and we found the same one
pursued by Mr. iS". Ohmer of Dayton, Ohio, and
we are inclined to think that a greater weight of
fruit per acre can be had by this system than by
any other ; on the other hand we are as well sat-
isfied that a greater weight of greenbacks per
acre follows the hill system of culture.

It is strange that in a run of three thousand miles,
we should see the hill sj'stem of cvilture nowhere
in use except at York and Pittsburg, Pa. Those
who attempted it did not understand it. Dr. Hull
well remarked to us at Alton, that of those who
come to visit his orchards and plans, the great

majority look on and hear, but neither see nor
understand. As a system the hill plan is no-
where in use that we can find, at least in perfec-
tion, except by Knox. All our readers know this
plan, we need not repeat it here, but the result
is that a larger number of large berries are pro-
duced, which always bring a larger price, no mat-
ter how the market may be drugged with small
ones. Thus while we found the best bei-ries of Day-
ton,those of Mr. Ohmer, selling at four dollars per
bushel, we found the same pickings at Knox's
bringing twelve dollars. The labor on an acre
of hill culture from the time it is set out till the
time it is destroyed, (four years) is not half what
it is by the bed system (two years). We are sat-
isfied that this system properly understood is
the most profitable and the best.

As to varieties, we have seen nothing any-
where like the Jucundas at Knox's. There
were thousatjds of berries in every direction, ot
which twenty-five would fill a quart For these
he was getting a dollar a quart. These are put
up in boxes like railroad conductors' ticket boxes,
at $6,50 per box of six quarts. It is proper
however to say that alongside of these Fillmore,
Agriculturist, and some others were very nearly
as good- It is the system ; the system tvell im-
derstood ; nearly as much as the variety. Yet
Jucunda was remarkably fine everywhere. At
St. Louis and Alton, we saw good specimens,
and heard good reports'; but at Detroit, we found
them more than good, and growing in favor Mr.
Ford, and Senator Adair both large Strawberry
growers, showed us magnificent beds of them.
At Windsor in Canada, at Mr Dougall's,we saw
j La Constante in better perfection than we have
I ever seen, and could not help thinking how glo-
rious would be the sight if they were grown on
an intelligent hill plan. As they were, they
were little inferior to Knox's Jucundas in'size,
I though on account of the runners being allowed

^IfO

THE GABDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

August,

to grow on the bed system, there was not half
the fruit there might be. Mr. D. sa5's Wonder
ful is often sold for La Crmstante We found
him busy weeding out his beds, iu which he takes
a just pride. The Wondi rful is easily distin-
guished from the true La Constante, as it has a
slightly purple tinge to the runners: La Constanta
being green like Triomphe de Gand.

At Dundee, on the grounds of Mr. Sci-an
ton we had the opportunity to see beds of the
Mexican ^Overbearing Strawberry There were
probably two acres of them in full bearing, and
we regarded it as one of ihe prettiest sights we
ever saw. It is clarly an Alpine variety of Fva-
garia Vesca, and the botanist who has made it a
new species, is undoubtedly in fault ; and yet he
may be pardoned, for though an Alpine, it is just
as much superior to the Alpines common in cul-
tivation as ihe Jucuuda or Wilson's Alban}' are
superior to the little trash of former days. The
fruit was not as large as the finest Albany ; but
fully equal in size to much of the Albany crop
sold in market. Then as to the amount of crop.
The usual varieties of Alpine are very poor
bearers; but so great was the profusion here, that
from an estimate we made, we would not be
afraid to guarantee two hundred bushels to the
acre during the whole season, a half bushel could
easily be gathered from eiirht square yards, mak-
ing about 40 bushels per acre at a single picking
This variety is readily distinguished from other
Alpines grown, by its greater tendency to pro-
duce blossoms. We have seen Alpines bear a
few flowers occasionally from the runners ; but
this one bears profusely from the runners as they
grow. Another bed which we saw on the
grounds of Mr. J. P. AVhitiiig at Detroit set out
on the 12th of May, was not only bearing large
fruit abundantly, but the runners I'rom them
were al-o bearing. In the forthcoming number ot
the American Naturalist will appear a paper by
the writer of this on the Law or Variation in
Fragaria, showing that the Botanists are at fault
in making a new species out of it ; but as a new
variety of great value to horticulturists M^^ssrs
Whiting & Co. deserve the particular thanks of
the amateur fruit grower for their ellbrts to intro-
duce it to notice.

The Alpine class of Strawberries has scarcely
had justice done it. We do not know but it
might be made of use as a market fruit. Its
everbearing character is a great point in its favor.
Its fruit is easily gathered, as the hull can be
left behind in gathering as in the liaspberry.

Notwithstanding the Blackberry and many other
fruits come in, everybody is sorry when the Straw-
berry goes out They never tire of it. And if
this Mexican variet}' can be made to bear con-
tinuously till fall, and with fine crops of fruit —
and we think from what we saw here it can, —
it will mark a new era in profitable Alpine Cul
ture.

PLAINTS FOR SHADY PLACES.

The great pride of an EngUsh garden will al-
wavs be its green grass and broad lawns —the
great charm of an American is its ornamental
trees and shady places. Unfortunately grass
and trees have no affection for each other, so
while paying court to one t' e other turns its
back upon us. But as in the days ol King
Ahasuerus, when an Esther could be found sub-
servient when a Vas'iti would not bend, so we
horticidturists are not dependent on the whims
of the grasses for clothing our shidy places with
verdant drapery. Others will minister to our
pleasure if these will not and nothing is more
agreeable to us in this way than the small Peri-
winkle {Vinca Minor.) It is very easily induced
to grow after setting owt, and soon covers the
surface completely. The ground has to be loos-
ened with a fork, and small pieces dibbled iu
some six inches apart, then beaten down with a
sod beater as if it was grass, and, if very dry,
may have a watering through the rose of a water
pot.

The many forms of evergreen Ivy (Hedera he-
lix), also affords many varieties of green clothing
for the surf^lce of a shaded wood. They mny be
.set in just the same as advised for the Periwin-
kle. But one of the sweetest things for the pur-
pose, is the evergreen Creeping Japan Honey-
suckle [Caprifoliiim brachybotrya of gardens).
The leaves are not so deep a green as in the
other cases ; but they are evergreen, and they
soon creep over space, and make a dense level
surface of green leaves ; and then the sweet
white and yellow flowers with which they are
profusely adorned in June, gives them a value
neither of the other possesses

With regard to flowers however, we recently
saw an idea carried out, which was a great suc-
cess. There is now a basket plant very well known
to ladies as ''Money wort." This is the Lysi-
niachia n}immularia, or ' Creeping Loose-strife"
of old Botanists. Its greatest delight is to creep
through deep shady places, especially if a little
moist. We do not know how it would do to

1869.

TEE GARBEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

241

make a surface alone ; but in this instance it was
mixed witli Periwinkle, wiili which it seemed to
live in terms of peace and harmony. In June
and July the whole mass of Periwinkle was com-
pletely dotted with the golden flowers of the
Loose-strife, and so much were they in unison,
that one ignorant of botany might be pardoned
for supposing they were Periwinkle flowers.

There are doubtless other things which would
thrive in juat such situations ; and we should be
much obliged if our correspondents would make
notes of them and report them for us.

TREE PRUNER.

We have received one of these implements
from Mr. W- C. Strong, and think it so valuable
that we have had the following illustrations
made fur our magazine.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2-

The Figure 2, shows how the scissors is oper-
ated by a handle, which gives great power by
the leverage, and very large limbs can be cut ofl
with ease. The Figure 1, shows the saw ar
rangement which is closed on the figure 2,
opened out and ready for use. We have had op-
portunities of examing many kinds of tree prun-
ers lately, and find this one the best of all.

A NEW TEXTILE PLAINT.

While in St. Louis, we met Mr. Koezel of
Vera Cruz, who had found in the Alleghanies. a
species of Urtica, which had a fibre finer and
stronger than the famous "Ramie," with the in-
troduction of which Mr. Roezel's name is, as is
well known, connected. We afterwards found this
plant abundantly along the Missouri River, and
saw that it was TJrtica purpurascens of Kuttall.

Some of the fibre given us by Mr. Roezel, was
tested for us in Chicago, by Mr. Rodney Welch,
of the Prairie Farmer, and was found to bear a
weight of nine ounces before breaking, though
finer than the hair of a young child's head. Cer-
tainly if the Ramie is of any value, this plant
must be of great value, not only for its superior
ity, but for its being a northern plant, and thus
adapted to culture where the Ramie will not
grow.

As to the real merits of the Ramie, however,
there seems to be a diflerence of opinion. Mr.
Capron denies that any use has been made of it,
and asserts that accounts of what have been
done with* i.t are pure fictions. He further, as
we understand him, asserts that it wants the
barbellate character which cotton and silk pos-
sess, and cannot possibly be used for the purpo-
ses said to have been accomplished. On the
other hand a recent number of the San Antonio
(Texas) Express tells us that "silk handkerchiefs
of the finest quality made from the Ramie, are
now common in New Orleans." These conflict-
ing statements are hard to reconcile. We should
be glad if some one would send us one of those
silk handkerchiefs.

NEGLECTED FRUIT TREES.
The Horticidturist, in its July number has
some excellent remarks on fruit 'growinf," with
which,in some respects, we cordially agree. The
number of grass grown, neglected, and decaying
orchards is constantly on the increase ; and any
system that will induce fruit growers to manure
and care for them is much better than neo-lect
ed grass, or any other kind of neglect. Trees
that are cultivated so that the surface roots are
continually destroyed will grow very vigorouslv
for a few years; and though they eventually be
come diseased and easily die away, the owners
get some fruit, which under neglected grass they
never do. We hope our friend will continue to
draw attention to this.

2Jf2

TEE GARDJEJ^ER'S MOJ^TKLY,

August f

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Personal AcKN0"5\rLEDGEMENTS. — During a
recent visit to St. Louis, we were very much
gratified by the kind attention of our horticultu-
ral friends, particularly to Henry Shaw, Esq.,
whose guest we were during most of our stay,
and whose beautiful botanical garden furnished
us an inexhaustible fund of interest. To Dr.
Morse of the Journal of Agriculture, we are also
very much indebted, as he was our constant
guide and companion in hunting up friends, and
visiting points of interest, and in whose botani-
cal and classical tastes we found congenial pleas-
ure. We were pleased to find the "JouvnoZ" in
a very prosperous condition, which its philo-
sophically practical spirit well deserves. It is
now entirely owned by Messrs Studley & Co., al-
so proprietors of the Entomologist, which is also
received everywhere with wonder and prai.-e, —
praise for the great liberality with which it is so
accurately illustrated, and wonder how such lib-
erality can pos'sibly pay. Mr. 'Hussman also
made us much his debtor by hospitable enter-
tainment at BlufTton, where his vineyards show
what practical intelligence can successfully ac-
complish, and whose 'Grape Culturist" is giving
monthly enthusiasm to hundreds of others who I
are anxious to do over again for themselves I
what he has done. The Grape Culturist has not :
yet been a year in existence ; but also promises {
in common with most St. Louis enterprises,
good success.

Col. Moore, Messrs. D'Oench, Bush, Jordan,
Saml. Miller and others, we are also indebted to for
favors, which we hope to turn into benefit to our
readers from time to time. Our hunt after Col-
man of the Rural World, only found his estab-
lishment in ruins ; a very good sign of success, as
we saw that something better was going up in its
stead.

Our thanks are also due to many other friends
in other towns and cities, for cordial greetings
and many kindnesses ; but we cannot close the
subject without particularly naming Mr. Emery
of the Prairie Farmer, whose kind attention at
Chicago and elsewhere, we shall not soon forget.

other early Peas, it has proved a very large pod-
ded variety. It is not so early as some others,
but it continues to produce long after others have
ceased. Its quality and productiveness is also
first class.

Pea— McLean's Epicurean.— This variety,
received from Col. Capron of the Agricultural
Department, proves to be an excellent variety.
Sown in Early April, about the usual time ol

Taste and AGRiCTjiiTURE. — A correspond-
ent of the Hartford Courant, thus speaks of the
Durfee plant house, at the Massachusetts Agri-
cultural College :

The Durfee plant-house is a fine collection of tropical
vegetation— a gift to the institution from Dr. Durfee of
Fall River. Any sober stranger may go In and out free-
ly, without the bore of an attendant. Such an attach-
ment to the college is admirable, and it will not do for
poorer institutions or individuals to examine gift horses
too closely, unless, as here, tliey are to be used for breed-
ing purposes. As farmers and their sons will look this
way tor new ideas, I cannot help wishing that some
friend of the college had established for the use of the
students a ten or twenty acre vegetable and fruit gar-
den. Probably a country lad would not be especially
benefited if allowed to bathe in one of the tropical tanks
of the plant house, but if he could see tidy plantations of
asparagus, prolific rows of green peas, an acre or two red
with ripening strawberries, all to add to the healthful
pleasures of the common table— there would be a lesson
convej'ed which would increase the breadth and tilth
of the home garden, and the abundance of early sauce
upon the farmer's board. It should be understood that
the broad lands of this college, while showing fairly fine
horses, cattle and sheep, are firstly and lastlj' for the
benefit of the .young men who are passing some of the
most critical years of their iives here. It cannot be too
well known that college life is often detrimental to
health. While young men may come here and learn
how to feed pork to profit, there is more need of a know-
ledge how to feed themselves. H«nce, let us be as fond
of fruit as the original Adam. I am sorry not to see
long rows of early tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries,
and water melons. The plant house, as I said before, is
a fine thing, but it is the Yankee mistake of making
sure of the parlor before w£ have well established the
kitchen.

Kow if this college pays no attention to vege-
table raising, it is certainly a great oversight ;
but we do not see that this should be a reason
why the "parlor" should be sacrificed. It is
only by making these colleges attractive, by ma-
king their surroundings beautiful and lovely, and
by giving the students something more than they
could find at home, that thev are ever to be made
a success. Pennsylvania has tried the "kitchen"
system pretty thoroughly in her Agricultural
College, until, at the present time, the number
of "Professors " and students are about equal.
The Massachusetts college, on the other hand,
is a grand success, and we believe chiefly on ac-
count of just such attractions as this one of Dr.

1869.

THE GARDEJYEWS MOJTTHLY.

24s

Durfee's. By all means give the boys my re of
the "kitchen," but not less of the "parlor" on
that account.

The Influences of Sun Heat on Fruit.—

Never was there a greater mistake made tliau that Of
supposing that fruit produced in the shade has tlie best
flavor; it is a false notion, the mere chimera of half a
century ago. The Black Hamburg Grape is, to some ex-
tent, an exception ; for its berries will not color if the
branches are deprived of too many of their leaves, so as
to let the sun in amongst the bunches too freely ; where-
as, the Muscat of Alexandria will not attain its rich
amber color if so nauch overcrowded with leaves as to
keep the rays of the sun from penetrating freely
amongst the bunches.— A pine apple produced in the
winter has not flavor of one ripened in the summer
months of the year, when the sun is powerful. Again-
under the old method of planting strawberries in beds
four feet wide, the fruit is not to be compared, either in
size or flavor, with that of those planted out in single
rows. Now, what is the reason of this ? I contend that
it is in consequence of the action of the sun upon the
fruit The fruit shaded by leaves will always be more
or less insipid and worthless, as compared with that on
which the sun has had full play. It is the sun that puts
flavor into our imits.— Journal of Horticulture.

"We find the above copied approvingly into
some of our agricultural exchanges. While it
was confined to its original source, we might
have laid ourselves open to a charge of "jeal-
ousy," or "baiting a trap" to criticize it ; but in
view of its wide dissemination through the 'trav-
elling rounds," and the great injury it must do
if accepted as a code of practice, we think it as
well to notice it.

The ripening of fruit does not at all depend on
the action of the sun upon it ; yet the sun is nec-
essary on the leaves, and it is this action which
gives the flavor to a pine apple. The pine apple
may be cut oft' before ripe, and laid in ever so
hot a sun, and it will never get so rich a flavor
as if ripened on the plant. Ripening is a vital
and not a chemical process up to a certain time.
After vitality has done all it can do, then decay
commences, and this to a certain extent is an
elementary part of the ripening.

It will be found in practice a very dangerous
doctrine, that any other fruit than a black Ham-
burg grape can be "ripened" better by having
its leaves pulled oft" to "let in the sun," and we
venture to say that any one who recommends it,
never tried it

Sodding or Seeding Laavns. — D., Pittsburg,
Pa. : "I have a piece of about one acre to make
into a lawn ; some advise to seed down, others to

lay sod. Which do you think the cheapest and
best?"

[Cheapest we think seeding down, —best we think
is sod. If you sow, many weeds will come up,
which will give trouble in time, unless the lawn
is weeded for a year or two ; but with sodding,
nothing much ever grows but what is in the sod
you lay ; and you have a lawn '■^once now andfoi'-
ever" if properly done. But all have not ready
money enough to pay for all this at once, — hence
seeding down is most popular on large lawns.]

Petunias and Geraniums. —Jfrs. i., Tiffin,
O., writes : "This spring, not having enough
scarlet geraniums to make a large bed, I mixed
a few Petunias through with them. The eftect
is very pretty ; but what I want to refer to chief-
ly is the illusion. ITo one knows what they are,
and even good florists think I have Scarlet Petu-
nias, until they are closely examined. Have
you ever noticed this illusion before ?"

[We have not, and the idea is a very good one
thus to give additional interest to a Petunia
bed.]

A Jealous Contemporary.— J/essrs. J. E.
Tilton & Co . issued a circular a few years ago,
informing the public that a "high toned journal,
not edited by persons connected with horticultu-
ral establishments," was a sad necessity. It has
therefore been our "sad duty" to show the pub-
lic occasionally how pretty a child the parental
necessity has brought forth. Now Messrs. J, E.
T., & Co., go all the way round to the Mobile
Register with a lugubrious epistle, to wit, that
they have a " jealous contemporary ;" a " Phila-
delphia magazine," which it seems is "baiting
traps" to "catch them," — all which reads pretty
enough.

It is hardly worth while to seriously refer to
this charge of "jealousy.'' Certainly if we have
criticised them, we have as often quoted good
things from their pages. Had we been "jealous''
it would have been better to maintain a studied
silence, as they do about us. Our notices of
them are the best kinds of advertisements in-
stead of indications of "jealousy," if they were
not too "jealous" themselves to see it.

We may say for the benefit of our brother edi-
tor at Mobile, that we did not make the note
quoted from our pages from "information,'' but
with the catalogue referred to actually before us.
The catalogue came to the "Gardener's Month-

UJf

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^IHLY,

August,

ly'''> precisely as hundreds of other catalogues do ;
and no doubt one went to the office of J. E. T.
& Co., as to other offices ; but they probably had
net the ''time'' to read what comes to hand.
That they had to get the first information from
a "jealous contemporary," and that too a "Phila-
delphia magazine,'' is a misfortune on which
they are much to be commiserated.

"Cacoon" Vine.— Can any correspondent tell
us what plant the following newspaper para-
graph refers to :

" A patent has been taken out in the Island of
Jamaica, for the working up of a fibre called the
Cacoon vine, and a large factory is being erected
for that purpose. The fibre can be used for
matting, stuffing for bedding and other purposes.
It also produces thread hardly distinguishable
from silk valued at 2Ss per lb., woven goods
similar to silk, and a rich valuable purple dye."

Killing Sokrel. — D., Pittsburg, Pa.: "I
have a lot of sorrel in my lawn, and am anxious
to get rid of it. I read in an agricultural jour-
nal that lime would destroy it, and tried it freely
without results."

[It is hard to get a lie out of the world after it
once gets in. This one of lime killing sorrel we
have kicked and cuffed for twenty years, and yet
here he is before us again as cool and fresh as
ever. Liine will not kill sorrel. As to the lawn,
we really do not know how to advise you; but
we think as it is rather a strong growing weed,
if the lawn be mown regularly every tVo weeks,
it will sooii die away ; no strong growing weed
will live long in a closely mown lawn.]

Foreign Grapes in the Open Air. — We
have always supposed that the pretension of any
one in " New Jersey " to have vineyards made
from plants "brought from Portugal," to be
sheer lies, and that these " Port wines " of " jSTew
Jersey " are simply Brandy and Elderberries.
But the Maine Farmer has an article to which
there is nothing to indicate that it is not Edito-
rial, detailing a visit to these " Oporto Grape
Vineyards, " in which the writer says he saw the
Vineyards," from 50 to 100 acres"— a pretty good
margin,-" among them the Oporto. " "As may be
supposed, the utmost care and unceasing atten.
tion were necessary to bring the slips of the
Oporto grape to a bearing point, through all the

vicissitudes of our climate, but they are now
healthy and vigorous, and prolific bearers. ' ' Xow
what we want to know of the Maine Farmer is.
has any one connected with its corps really seen
this as described. These accounts of visits to gar -
dens are very useful when honestly reported,—
but when stories made of whole cloth are given
as facts, they do harm in many ways.

Write Your State.— We have Hogestown
[n Pennsylvania, and Hagerstown, Md. Wri-
ters from these places seem to takea malicious plea-
sure in never giving their States. In manuscript
the names look exactly aUke,and in maihng the an-
swers go '-crosswise." Always put the State, no
matter how well known your town may be. A
letter for us from France once went to Philadel-
phia in Greece, because U. S. was not added; and
too often our letters turn up in Germantown,Tenn.
because Penna. is not plain.

Hardiness of Doolittle Kaspberry— i^.
Madison., Wis.— I have some idea of planting a
guod lot of this Raspberry this fall with a view
to market ; but I am told that in many parts of
the State it is not hardy. A few I have growing
seem to thrive well enough,but this is garden cul-
ture; and in view of the doubt would be obliged
by your advice before embarking largely in the
venture.

[Plants frequently get injured by many causes
during the growing season, and, their vitality be-
ing weakened, they easily . fall a prey to even a
moderately low temperature. Wherever the
plants are thus healthy any variety of Raspberry
or Blackberry is hardy even up to the North Pole.
When they die, it is a question of disease not of
low temperature. Therefore if you have a healthy
stock of Doolittle Raspberry to set out, and can
keep them healthy, you need not fear the effects
of a Wisconsin Winter on them.]

1

Lawn Mowers.— i2. Jv., Cincinnati, Ohio,
asks : 'Whether we favor lawn mowers?" He
thinks from former articles we do not. This is
a mistake. The Gardener's Monthly has been
their earliest and constant advocate. True we
have pointed out that evil sometimes results from
them. This we have not done to depreciate
mowing machines, but to show how they may be
made still more perfect. A lawn well kept is one
of the greatest attractions to a home, and they

1S69.

THE GARDEJVERS MOJYTHLY.

245

cannot ever be so well kept, or so cheaply kept
as with a lawn mower. American machines
cost about .$75. English ones about double, yet
we think from the poor quality of the former the
dearest are the best.

Hollyhocks.— P. B. G , Baltimore,Md. — "1
have a beautiful double crimson Hollyhock,
which I am very anxious to save, but am told
they will not reproduce themselves truly from
seed. How shall I manage it ? "

[They will come generally true from seed, and
we think this is your best way to raise them.
Sow the seed as soon as ripe, and shade the
ground a little from the hot sun until the plants
get strong. Or the seed may be saved till spring
and sown, but they will not then flower that
year — In Europe Hollyhocks are propagated by
cutting up the flower stem into eyes, before the
flower opens, but in America seeds only are em-
ployed in propagation.]

Beautiful Colored Plates.— Amongst
the most enterprising of our American Nursery-
men is F. K. Phoenix. He has now added the color-
ed plate business to his world of cares. We have
now before us a fruit piece from the establish-
ment, prepared by W. H. Prestele. We are in
the habit of admiring European art in this line,
and have often wished Americans could success-
fuly compete with it.

We notv have it here. We never saw anything
of the kind better executed from any part of the
world. We wish the new enterprise every suc-
cess.

Mendenhall's Dibble,— Willi amsport
Forks. — M. E E.,Barlington,Iowa : The dibble
we do not know that it is made for sale anywhere,
any blacksmith can make one like it. From the
frequency with which we receive these inquiries
it would probabl)' be to the interest of some of
our too', men to keep them. The Williamsport
forks we believe are on sale by the leading Hard-
ware firms of Philadelphia, and probably of other
Eastern Cities. By inquiring for them through
the Hardware stores of Burlington, they could no
doubt '/et them to order for you.

Complimentary. — A friend, who fills a seat
in the Senate of one of the North Western States,
recently remarked to us, that he had been a reg-
ular reader of the Monthly from the first number,
and though he could usually detect the politics

or theology of most writers, no matter on what
topic they wrote, after watching some time, he
had failed to detect them in our magazine. We
satisfied our friend that in neither of these points
did the Editor occupy any negative ground,
though differing in both from our friendly inqui-
rer ; yet we regarded it as one of the best com-
pliments paid to the management of our maga-
zine, as our aim has ever been to make it a first
class Horticultural medium, and nothing else.

Fine Strawberries.— The Oxford Press
says at the meeting of the Board of Managers of
the Chester Co. Experimental Farm, Mr. Engle
of Lancaster county exhibited some very fine
specimens of hybrid and seedling strawberries.
' The chair appointed Thomas Meehan (editor of
the Gardener^ s Monthly)., and Joseph T. Phillips
a committee to examine the strawberries, who
made the following report :

"The committee appointed by the annual meet-
ing of the Board of Managers of the Eastern Ex-
perimental Farm, to report on some seedling
strawberries exhibited before them by Mr. Hen-
ry M. Engle, respectfully report that some of
them are berries of the largest size and highest
flavor, equal to the best now out, and if they
shall prove productive and hardy will prove val-
uable additions to our list of varieties.''

Transactions of the Illinois State Hoktictjltural

Society for 1S68.

The State may be proud of this work. It is a
credit to all concerned. Out of 350 pages, in
which hundreds of minds have contributed in
speeches and essays, it is hard to find a foolish
thought ; on the contrary, scarcely a page but
which will interest the wisest.

We think Illinois must be singularly favored
in men who unite practical experience with a
philosophical spirit ; we are quite sure no such a
valuable paper has ever been issued before. It
is & complete treatise on fruit growing, and de-
serves to be in all libraries side by side with the
most popular treatises of the most eminent au-
thors. Horticultural book makers of the pres-
ent day, are mostly far behind the newspaper
reader in general in intelligence ; most of them
have to "read up'' somewhat, before taking up
their pens. If there are at present, any purpos-
ing to enter the field of fruit authorship, we cor'
dially recommend them before doing so, to get
the 1868 proceedings of the Illinois Horticultural
Society.

^J{.6

TEE GARDEJ^TER'S MOJ^TKL^.

August.

Live Bark oyer Dead Trees.— In the win-
dow of a Boston store, is a section of a tree,
which was procured in Hallowell, Me. A num-
ber of silver poplar trees were transplanted
about twenty years ago in the cemetery in that
jilace They averaged two inches in diameter
at the ground, and were five feet in height. One
of the trees were damaged by the ice, and when
cut down recently the original tree was found
imbedded in the centre of the trunk, and of the
same size as when transplanted, but without the
bark. All the growth of the tree was outside of,
and detached from, the original tree, which fell
out when the tree was split At the time it was
transplanted several of the limbs were cut, and
the marks of the saw were distinctly preserved .

Those who have read the Gardener's Monthly
from the commencement will understand this
phenomena. We have taught that there is more
vitality in the bark than in the wood of trees.
The latter often gets killed in winter when the
bark gets through uninjured. In this case the
trees were no doubt transplanted in the fall the
wood got killed, the bark survived, the sap was
drawn up through the live inner bark in spring,
and a new layer of wood formed in summer, of
course pushing the bark outward as in the regu-
lar way. The fact is a beautiful illustration of
the lessons we have taucrht.

Improved Lawn Mower. —The greatest
objection to lawn mowers in common use, is the
clogging up of the wheels by the short grass. We
are pleased to see that Messrs. Graham, Emlen
& Passmore have, in their " Philadelphia Lawn
Mower," an improvement which removes this
objection. The cutter knives are also adjustable
to the wear.

We are also pleased to note the prosperity of
this reliable house. They have purchased a very
fine store near to the one they have heretofore
leased, and will remove to it as soon as the ne-
cessary beautifications are finished.

Disease in Privet Hedges.— PF. S. ]\£.,
Bardstown, £?/.— Having just read your remarks
on fine hedges, I thought to apply to you for in-
formation about my Privet Hedge. It was plant-
ed three years ago, on three feet deep, trenched,
sandy loam, mixed with some lime rubbish. It
is three i'eet high, and three feet wide at the base,
and had a very fine appearance until lately,

when it began to die on several places up to the
top, and on some places only below. Any infor-
mation given as to the cause of this, in next
t umber of the Monthly would oblige me very
much.

[This disease is caused by a fungus very close -
ly allied to the one which causes the fire blight in
the Pear. There is no remedy but cutting away
the diseased parts, as soon as the bark can be
seen to be injured, or at least as soon as the
leaves are seen to wither. It is possible you
may thus eradicate the disease. If it has already
got much headway, it would be best to cut the
hedge down to near the ground next fall, and
when it shoots out again next year, watch for the
first coming of the disease.]

EuMELAN Grape. — Houshrouck & Bushnell
inform us that they will have several large vines
of this variety in full bearing this year, and in-
vite those who wish to inform themselves of its
real merits to call and see. and judge for them-
selves.

Delaware Strawberry Crop. The pro-
duce this year has been from 80 to 100 bushels
per acre ; and the average price to the grower,
from .^3 to S4 bushel per acre. S500 per acre
has been considered a fair rate of proceeds, and
even at these low figures was considered a pay-
ing crop.

The Camellia in Japan. — In an entertain-
ing and truthful work, entitled Our Life in Japan,
the following occurs on a subject peculiarly in-
teresting to horticulturists.- "The growth of the
camellia-tree in Japan is most wonderful Let
not the smile of incredulity light up the face of
the reader when we state that we have seen some
of them attain the height of at least forty feet.
Many such as these we passed, and the appear-
ance of them in full blossom may be imagined.
Before we had seen this ourselves, we should
have thought -it about as likely a circumstance
that we should one day sit under the shade of our
own mignonette as that we should ride for miles
under cxmellia trees in full flower. Later in the
season, when the camellias have ceased to bloom,
their place is supplied by the azalea, which
marks the hill-sides with gaudy patches of crim-
son, and the landscape becomes more gorgeous
than ever."

1869.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOJ^TRLY.

247

NEW ATO HAM FRUITS.

Good Seedling Easpberries — Very few
•persons derive much success from careful experi-
ments in raising seedlings. In the Raspberry
line, the many fine varieties of Dr. Brinckle are
almost all out of mind. Yet one which no one
knows the origin of— a seedling found in a pas-
ture, the Philadelphia, bids fair to last for many
a long day. But experiments will and should go
■on — no doubt reward will fall to some person's
" luck" in the end.

In the Raspberry Ime, one of the most perse-
vering of experimentors has been David W. Her-
stine of Philadelphia — we have every year watch-
ed his numberless seedlings without detecting in-,
dications of much promise. However we were
pleased to notice on a recent visit signs of great
value in two of them, No. 1 and l^o. 3, The first
was a very pretty sight ; we think no variety of
the foreign class could possibly have a more abun-
dant crop. "We counted one average panicle,
and multiplied by the whole number of panicles
gave two thousand fruit, mature and imperfect,
supposing only half to be of an useful size. One
thousand good berries is not a bad crop. The
fruit is as large as Hornet, as good as the Allen,
which it somewhat resembles in form and color,
except there is more of a vermilion tint with the
scarlet. The canes are very strong and vigorous,
as much so as the Hornet was in its best day.
No. 3 is a very deliciously flavored berry, resem-
bling no one that we know in this particular.
Cercainly Mr. Herstine has room to be encour-
aged by his success so far, and we trust this suc-
cess will induce more of our friends to persevere
in the effoits to produce good seedlings.

The Kicanor Strawberry — An opportuni.
ty of seeing this new seedling of Ellwanger &

Barry's in bearing, has given us a very favora-
ble impression of its character. A plantation
of more than half an acre has been cultivated on
the hill system, and the masses of fruit, just be-
ginning to redden when examined, we never saw
excelled in abundance or quantity by any sort.
Some of the berries measured more than an inch
and a half longest diameter— the average size is
about equal to the Wilson— while the flavor is
much superior. — Country Gentleman.

The Kentucky Late Strawberry.— While
our markets have been well supplied with Early
Strawberries, we have not given so much atten-
tion to large late varieties as their importance
would demand, consequently good Strawberries
become scarce before Raspberries make their ap-
pearance. We were shown some yery large fine
Strawberries on the 19th of June, introduced by
Wm. Parry of Cinnaminson, N. J. The plants
are strong and vigorous, with long stout fruit
stalks, bearing the berries well up from the
ground ; blossoms perfect, fruit very large bright
scarlet red, beautiful and firm, bearing carriage
well, excellent quality and very productive, call-
ed the "Kentucky, " a seedling raised by J. S.
Downer of Kentucky, from Downer's Prolific,
which from all we can learn will prove a valua-
ble late variety.

Moore's Seedling Strawberry.— The

Country Gentleman says : "A single season's ex-
perience with this variety, on a limited scale, on
our own grounds, indicates its early and produc-
tive character and fine quality." Mr. IMoore has
spent a great deal of time and trouble on raising
seedlings of both Grapes and Strawberries, and
we are very glad to hear of his promising suc-
cess.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Fruit Stealing.— Near St. Louis, Thomas
Foster, aged 21 or 22 years, undertook, along
with another young man named A. J. Whit-
more, on an evening in August, at half past
eight o'clock the sun setting about seven, to
take the most luscious and largest peaches from
among ten trees, belonging to H. W. Weisse.

He stood in the tree and Whitmore on the
fence.

H. W. Weisse had been annoyed by parties
stealing his fruit ; threatened to shoot ; borrow-
ed a gun ; fired two shots of No. 4 shot ; struck
Whitmore in the legs and arms, and Foster in
the chest Foster ran some two or three hun-
dred yards ; lay down and died. Weisse never
denied the firing, and the testimony in fiivor of
his quiet, kind disposition, was unimpeachable.
Weisse was sentenced to a fine of SlOO, and
three months imprisonment. — Bural World.

^4S

THE GABDEJ\rER'S MOJVTELY.

August,

ViNELAND Strawberries.— Four thousand
bushels of strawberries were shipped from A^ine
land, JJ'ew Jersey, during the week ending 16tb
of June ; this is exclusive of north or south
Vineland.

Cttre for Poison Oak. — A correspondent
of the S. F. Alta gives this as a cure for Poison
Oak:

"Simply bathe the parts poisoned with hot
water, as hot as can be borne ; keep increasing
the temperature till it can no longer be used
without burning. Press a soft towel against the
parts, so as to absorb the water, and avoid rub-
bing ; then apply a " rather strong " solution of
strong navy, or plug chewing tobacco on the
poisoned places, and let it dry. The solution is
best when the water is hot. T have tried this
and have been cured, or very nearly so, in two
days— four days at the most.

The Crevelixg Grape —A correspondent
of the Prairie Farmer speaks highly of this grape
as adapted to the West, and thinks the uniform-
ity of its character depends partly on the depth
to which the roots generally run. On account
of this peculiarity, he says he can take up well
grown vines of any other variety in half the time
required for the Creveling.

Ox-Heart Cherry in Mississippi —It has
been generally stated by agricultural papers, and
generally believed, that the May cherry, or Ox-
Heart, would not succed in this State ; in conse
quence of which I have not. attempted to grow
them, except by way of experiment. One tree
was planted nine or ten years ago, which has
borne well and matured the fruit for the three
past years. It only wants an elevated situation
and a deep mellow soil in which to thrive here as
well as in Eastern Virginia. — Yalabusha cor. of
Ag. DeiKtrtment.

A Wonderful Strawberry. — " Spade, "
a correspondent of one of the western papers,
says a wonderful variety of Strawberry has been
discovered.

He says the new variety is known only to Mr.
Seward and a few confidential friends, and is de.
nominated the Alaska. Its fruit stems are from
one to two feet long, thick as a man's finger at
the base, terminating in a sort of spikqlet ; and
when in bloom resembles a large hyacinth, more

than anything else. Each blossom produces
three berries— resembling an enormous bunch of
grapes standing erect ! The berries are about
the size of hens' eggs ! The plants are ever-
bearing, the fruit compact, and will bear trans-
portation as well as a potato.

An enormous price has been oflFered Mr. Sew-
ard by the proprietors of the Oardener^s Monthly,
who will donate it freely, not only to all subscri-
bers but to all readers, thereby securing a circu-
lation greater than "all combined."

The Massachusetts Agricultural Col-
lege has recently acquired a valuable Herbari-
um containing 14.000 species and 25,000 speci-
mens. Sections of diiferent trees from the Him-
alaya mountains have also recently arrived, and
500 plants are soon expected from the Rocky
Mountains which have lately been collected.

Drying Fruit. — A correspondent of the Ru-
ral World finds an ordinary hot-bed a capital
place for drying fruit A floor is laid inside on
which to place the fruit Then put on the sash,
but be sure to raise both the upper and lower
ends about two inches, to admit of a free circu-
lation of air, or the fruit will bake as it would in
an oven. Here the fruit will not be wet in a
shower, nor will it be troubled with insects,
which will be kept away by the covering and the
intense heat. Parboiled green corn has been suf-
ficiently dried in one day, in this way.

Patent Rights.- The Western. Rtt7'a^ says :
" A Western horticulturist has "discovered "
that grape cuttings on a sunny and sandy slope,
root earlier than elsewhere, and he proposes to get
out a patent, to prevent others from using soils
thus favorably situated. He has also " invent-
ed " a cellar of the right temperature and mois-
ture for preserving vegetables, &c , and proposes
to patent that also.

Annual Root Fibres. — It seems after
preaching for years, our doctrine of annual root
fibres is meeting with general acceptance ; ex-
cept that the old notion about spongioles or
mouths to the fibres is exploded, the following
from the Ifew England Farmer is correct. Plants
however do draw in their food from the ends of
the fibres, call them spongioles or what we will :
" If you examine the roots of trees in the spring,
especially roots of last year's growth, you will

1869,

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOMTHZY.

^4.9

find no spongioles attached to them, but in their |
place, innumerable little excrescences, each com- i
posed of many cells. From these cells, new
rootlets are produced, and to these new rootlets :
the spongioles are attached These spongioles !
are not true roots, any more than leaves are
true branches, and they never become roots any
more than leaves become branches. As the
leaves extract nutriment from the atmosphere so
the spongioles absorb it from the soil during the
growing season. When heir work for the sea-
son is done, they separate from the roots and de-
cay in the soil, just as the leaves fall from the
branches, and decay on the surface. Could we
see the entire tree, root and branch, the parts
below the surface and the parts above, during
the growing season^ we should see the roots and
rootlets clothed with hairy spongioles like a coat
of fur, while the branches are clothed with leaves
woven into tissues of various forms and degree
of thickness and firmness. When the growth
for the year is over, and the season of rest, the
sleep of winter comes on, both leaves and spon-
gioles are thrown off, and the tree, divested of
all its clothing, remains naked and unprotected
through the frost and bleak winds of winter."

ViKEYARDS IN loWA — Gen. Kearney of Keo-
kuk, has the largest vineyard in Iowa. In two
different enclosures, within two and a half miles
of Keokuk, he has 71 acres set in grape vines
with fine oak posts and wire to train them on.
He has expended in all some $35,000 on his vine
yard, and in enclosing the grounds, building
tenant-houses, etc.

Iowa Tree Planting —In Iowa the plant-
ing of trees is encouraged by liw, every acre of
trees planted releases taxation for 10 years on
SlOO valuation, and for each acre of fruit trees
planted, tax is exempted on $50 valuation for 5
years, the same for shade trees and hedges along
the highways. The result is an extensive culti
vation of forest, fruit and shade trees.

LoNGWORTH's WiNE HousE.— Capt. Ander-
son has parted with his interest in these works,
which now passes out of the hands of the Long-
worth family. The event has a historical inter-
est, as it was from this establishment that the
possibility of successfully competing with for
eign wines emanated.

FOEEIGN COMESPONDENCE.

London, Jime 19i/i, 1869.
Dear Monthly : A fortnight ago we started
out of the-.harbor of New York, and here we are
in this. great city, and have already 'done " some
of the noteworthy sights, such as St. Pauls,
where rest the ashes of so many of Eng'and's
heroes ; also W( stminster Abbey, venerable and
noteworthy as the last resting place of Kings
and Queens, heroes, statesmen, and poets ; but
to-day we have been among the living, and would
that I could transfer you, with all your readers,
to the scene that burst on our vision on entering
the Crystal Palace. This has been a gala-day,
the attraction being the " Hose Show "—and
such a show: literally a "Feast of Eoses.''
Imagine six tables, each over 100 feet in length,
stretching through the grand nave of the Palace,
arranged on each side with stands covered with
moss, and the flowers, arranged some in single,
others in three -'trusses" (?) of a kind,all distinct-
ly labelled. The competition was spirited, both
among amateurs and professional gardeners . Earl

Kosslyn's ■ gardener, W, A. Moffatt, carried off
the first prize for the best 48 blooms— and such
blooms : it was almost impossible to recognize
our old favorites, in the immense flowers exhibi-
ted. The following is the list : Souvenir d'Mal-
maison. Mad Victor Yerdier, Homer, Comte de
Manteuil, Devoniensis, Alfred Colomb, Madame
Ade Rouge mont, Beauty of Waltham, Charles
Rouillard, Mad. Willerraoz, Charles Lefebvre,
1 Chromatella, Mad. Crapalet, Gen. Jacqueminot,
I Mad. Zoulman, Due de Rohan, Souv. d'Eliza,
j Francois Lacharme, Mad. Vidot, La Reine, La
! Boule d'Or, Paul Ricaut, Charles Lawson, Mad.
I Bravay, Geant des Battailes, Sombrieul, Maurice
I Bernardin, Mad. Belinda Kerr, Marguerite
Dombrain, Alphonse Lamartine, Senateur
Yaisse, Moire, Victor Verdier, Regulus, Pierre
l^otting, Gloire de Dijon, John Hopper, Souvenir
I d'un Amie, Souvenir Olibo, Marechal Niel,
I Madam Boll, Mad. Furtado, Coupe de Hebe,
I Mad. William Paul, Marechal Buguad.

Among commercial growers, Messrs. Paul &

250

THE. GABDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

August,

Son, of Cheshimt, took the lead, their contribu-
tions being the most numerous and attractive.
Among the varieties exhibited by them worthy
of note, and which also appeared in many other
collections, were Duke of Edinburgh, H. P., deep
vermilion, exquisite in form and color ; Prince
Camille de Rohan, H, P , velvety crimson, large
and full, is also a fine rose, found in nearly all
the best stands Messrs. Paul & Son also exhib-
ited a new Hybrid Perpetual dimhrng rose,
"Prince Leopold," of a deep carmine ; also an-
other of the same class, "Princess Christian,"
delicate blush and rose,— these will prove valua-
ble acquisitions if truly of a climbing habit, as
our list of good hardy climbing roses is very
meagre. Among the New Roses exhibited by
them, and which received First Class Prizes,
was Elie Morel, H. P., rosy lilac, very large, full
and fine form. They also exhibited one hundred
blooms of Marguerite de St. Armand. H P., a
magnificent bright pink rose, to which a First
Prize, was awarded.
The following 12 varieties, Tea and Noisette,

received the First Prize : Niphitos, Souv. d'Elise
Vardon, Mad. de St. Joseph, Devoniensis, Mad.
Dartay, Adam, Compte de Paris, Rubens, Souv.
d'un Amie, Mad. Bravay. Vicomtesse de Gazes,
Triomphe des Rennes

One of the most conspicuous loses at the show
was Marechal Niel, — in nearly every stand it
shone out prominently. Such deep golden yellow
blooms, and ui such great profusion, were proba-
bly never seen before. It was decidedly The
Hose of the exhibition.

In an adjoining apartment, Messrs. Waterer,
of Woking, exhibited a magnificent collection of
Rhododendrons, in full bloom.

Altogether the exhibition was one of rare beau-
ty and interest. This immense building, with
its superb works of arr, — paintings, statuary,
tropical plants, fountains and music, and the
thousands of well-dressed ladies and gentlemen,
— formed one of those scenes not easily to be for-
gotten or efiaced from the memory.

Thine truly, D.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Vegetable Products of N. W. America.
— Chesnuts (^sculus californica, Nutt.) are
usually made into a gruel or soup. After being
ground in a mortar, they are mixed with water
in a waterproof basket, in which red-hot stones
are thrown, and then the soup is cooked As the
stones, when taken out from the fire, have dirt
and ashes adhering to them, the soup is not clean,
and it often sets the the teeth on edge. The
acorns of several species of Oak (Quercus) are
eaten with perhaps as much avidity as they were
by the ancient Britons,— only we are too famil-
iar with the process as practised by the '■ Digger "
to throw any shade of romance around it. The
acorns of the Californian Oaks are mostly large,
and the trees in general produce abundantly,
though some years there is a great scarcity, and
much misery ensues among the poor natives.
They do not, however, contain, in proportion to
the bulk, an equal amount of nutriment with
cereals. The acorns are gathered by the squaws,
and are preserved in various methods ; the most
common plan is to make a basket with twigs and
rushes in an Oak ti ee, and keep the acorns there.
The acorns are prepared for eating by grinding
them and boiling them with water into a thick

paste, or by baking them into bread. The oven
is a hole in the ground, about 18 inches cubit.
Red hot stones are placed in the bottom, a little
dry sand or loam is placed over them, and next
comes a layer of dry leaves. The dough or paste
is poured into the hole until it is two or three
inches deep ; then comes another layer of leaves,
more sand, red-hot stones, and finally dirt. At
the end of five or six hours the oven has cooled
down, and the bread is taken out, in the form of
an irregular mass, nearly black in color, not at
all handsome to the eye or agreeable to the palate,
and mixed with leaves and dirt. For grinding
the acorns a stone pestle and mortar is used.
The nuts of Hazel (Corylus americana, Walt.)
are also extensively gathered as food in some
parts of the country where they are found. The
fruit of the Crab-apple (Pyrus rivularis,
Dougl.) are prepared for food by being wrapped
in leaves and preserved in bags all winter ; when
they get sweet, they are cooked by digging a hole
in the ground , covering it over thickly with green
leaves, and a layer of earth or sand, and then
kindling a fire above them The fruit of the
Cerasus mollis, Dougl., is also eaten. All the
edible berries of the country are eagerly collected

1869.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOKTKLY.

251

by the Indians, and either eaten fresh or preserv-
ed for winter use ; indeed the " berry sun " is a
great season with them ; and all throughout the
lovely summer weather of North-West America
yiiu every now and again come upon women and
children, in the woods, engaged in this agreeable
pursuit. Equally so is it with the frontier white
women and children, who get up parties of this
nature for days and even weeks together into
the mountains. I used to come across these ma
rooning parties in my wanderings, and some of
the pleasant remembrances I have of my wild
north-western life is the kindness I received from
these little-polished but good-hearted people, —
acts which I can never return, save by this gen-
eral acknowledgement in a circle of my fellow-
botanists, and I assure you I gladly embrace the
opportunity of so doing. Some of the berries, such
as the Strawberries (Fragaria vesca, L , F. Vir-
ginia, BJhr., and F chilensis, Ehr.), will not ad-
mit of being dried, and are accordingly eaten
fresh, or brought down to the frontier settle-
ments and towns, and there sold to the whites.
Nearly all of the others are dried, and jiressed
into cakes for winter use. During the lattei end
of summer and autumn, all around Indian
villages, but chiefly on platforms, and on the
flat roof of houses, vast quantities of these berries
may be seen drying, and being superintended by
some ancient hag, whose hands and arms are
dyed pink with them. When required for use,
they are boiled, and form an agreeable desert to
salmon, beaver, or vinison diet. The berries
thus treated are various species of Vaccinium,
Gualtheria Shallon, Pursh, Amelanchier cana-
densis, L., Rubus nutkgeanus, Moc, R. specta-
bilis, Dougl. R. Leucodermis, Dougl. Ribes Di-
varicatum Dougl., R niveum, Lindl , &c., — in
fact, all the edible berries of the part of the coun
try where the particulartribe lives. — J?. Brown, in
" Pharmaceutical Journal. "

Sale of Rare Fir Trees. — At a public sale
in Scotland a correspondent of The Cottage Gar-
dener says : " Few present had ever seen these
healthful Silver Firs in such perfection ; and al-
though the sale for the 12 to 15-feet specimens
was by no means brisk, individual plants bring-
ing only from 10s. to 21s , their beauty told fav-
orably in the competition for smaller plants grow-
ing in the home nursery. Pinus Cembra of all
sizes under 20 feet were scarcely less admired
than the beforementioned, and the larger speci-
mens brought about the -same range of prices.

Two noble plants of Abies Douglasii, "the
Prince and Princess of Wales, " planted in 1844
in a belt of Norway Spruce and other common
forest trees, which was then twenty years old,
now surpass all the others in size, and their ap-
pearance induced a brisk demand for a large
number of smaller plants, more especially for a
considerable quantity in nursery lines, which had
been reared from seed collected in Vancouver's
Island. Picea nobilis and P. Nordmanniana
were numerous, and many of both were remark-
ably fine, a few exceeding 12 feet in height, the
last ranging from 40s. to 60s. A 16 feet high P.
Pindrow was sold for 39s , another 8 feet high
48s., and a 14 feet P. Pichta for 47s. Two two-
year old plants of P. Craigiana, a seemingly dis-
tinct North west American species, named in
compliment to Sir. W. Gibson Craig, Bart. , were
knocked down for 24s. ; and the gem of the Sil-
ver Fir tribe, a P. lasiocarpa, 8| feet high fetch-
ed 66s. A S^ feet Abies Pattoniana, or Lord
Glenalmond's Spruce, was sold for 25s., and
twenty small nursery plants of the same sort, but
catalogued A. Parryanna, for 80s. A new tree
Juniper (discovered by Mr. R. Brown, late col-
lector in British Columbia and neighboring re
gions for an Edinburgh association), which at-
tains a height of 70 feet, and is named Juniperus
Henryana in compliment to I. Anderson Henry,
Esq , had a number of competitors, and one lot
of nine two-year-old plants was sold for 45s.,
and another of eight plants for 44s. But the
smartest opposition among bidders was for a pair
of healthy small plants of the new Mahonia Bal-
fouriana discovered by the same collector, and
named by him in comphment to Dr J. H. Bal
four, Professor of Botany at Edinburgh ; this
species is reported as growing to the size of a
small tree with a stem 6 inches in diameter, and
the couple brought 62s. One' plant ot Prince
Albert Spruce, Abies Albertiana, 6j feet high,
brought 17s. ; and it was generally remarked
that not only this, but all belonging the Spruce
family, not even excepting the Himalayan weep-
ing one, A. Morinda, displayed an appearance
of healthy vigorous growth, which they seldom
retain for any length of time when grown in the
lower and drier parts of the county.

How TO Cook Japan Dioscoreas.— The
Gardener'' s Weekly says :— The following is the
way in which they are dressed for the table in
this establishment. They are first skinned, and
washed and sliced, then boiled in milk and wa-

^'5^ THE GARDEJVER'S MOjYTELY. August,

ter for an hour, and served up with white sauce.
Another way is to boil as before, let them stand
to get cold, then cover with egg and bread-
crumbs, fry a fine brown, and serve up quite hot
They are in my opinion the only really useful
substitute for the potato, when plainly boiled, al-
though I by no means wish it to be understood
that I prefer them to that most useful of all veg-
etables.

BiCTON Gardens. — Mr. .James Barnes, so
long known everywhere as the gardener to Lady
Kolle at the Bicton Gardens, has ceased his en-
gagement there, from ill health, and will soon
visit the United States.

Azalea AjMCEna.— This is a perfect "gem"
for flowering early in the conservatory ; its beau-
tiful deep rose-colored flowers contrast so well
with the pure white flowers of Deutzia gracilis,
and other things flowering at the same time.
It is not such a difficult plant to manage, for it
will stand a considerable amount of rough usage
before it is killed. It requires, however, some
degree of care to get it just right, for when it has
too much pot-room it produces lengthy shoots
which only bloom at the points, and consequent
ly the plants have a somewhat ragged appear-
ance. I grow my plants in two-thirds peat and
one-third nice silky loam, which suits them cap-
itally. I pot them every other season. After
the beauty of the flower is past, take care to cut
in any straggling shoots, and treat the same as
the other azaleas. Any shoots that are growing
too freely I nip off to induce them to break. In
the summer the plants are turned out of doors,
and well supplied with water. This Azalea re-
quires to be kept pot-bound ; but if the plants
are starved too much, the growth will not be
strong enough to flower. The half-ripened shoots
strike freely in a little bottom heat, but it is best
to turn the young plants out in a bed for the first
two or three years to grow them to a blooming
size. This plan saves the trouble of watering
and potting, and the plants can be easily kept in
shape with the knife. Those required to flower
early should be brought under cover early in the
autumn, and then a moist atmosphere, with a
temperature of about 55^ will soon bring the
flowers out. It is one of the best subjects of its
color foi cutting from during the spring for bou-
quets with which I am acquainted. AVith very
little trouble fine specimens can be had smother-
ed with bloom as round as a ball, and from one
to two feet in diameter. The plant is so nearly
hardy that in sheltered places it may be planted
out of doors in the front of a rhododendron bed,
and it will take care of itself. —George Gray in
Gar. Weekly.

Tree Ferns.— At the Moscow exhibition,
the Chronicle says there are of course a vast
number of large specimens of every kind. Most
of these are, as might be expected, from the gar-
dens in the environs of the capital, but there are
also some from other countries, particularly Bel-
gium, which has contributed some of the best.
The lion, or at least one of the lions of .the Exhi-
bition is unquestionably a new species of Also-
phila, a magnificent Tree Fern, having a thick
straight trunk about 9 feet high from the top of
the tub. The fronds are fully 4 feet long, so
that the head is at least 8 feet in diameter. Jhis
noble tree is not so well placed as it might have
been, but it is still one of the most beautiful ob-
jects exhibited. There is another new Tree
Fern, equally remarkable, though not so hand-
some as the preceding. No name is given, but
some person has pencilled on the card attached
to it "Todea barbara." Whether it is this or
not, it is a singular and beautiful object. The
trunk is about 3 feet in diameter, and fully 4 feet
high, having a profusion of fronds 3 feet long.
There is a splendid plant of Todea rivularis, about
8 feet high ; the trunk is nearly 3 feet in diameter.
Cyathea meduUaris. at one of the corners on the
rockwork, is a magnificent Fern, fully 12 feet in
diameter, and 8 feet high. iXot far from this
are several very beautiful examples of Dicksonia
antartica, about 8 feet in diameter, and remark-
able for the rich tint of their fronds.

Frfits at the Russian Exhibition. —

There is but little to be said of the fruit. A col-
lection of Oranges, Lemons, and Citrons, from
the National Nursery of Athens, contains a
great number of varieties, but none of them
merit particular mention, unless it is Citrus
medica hispanica, which measures from 6 to 7
inches in diameter, and is remarkable for its ir-
regular outline. Other collections from Lyons
and Wurtemburgare composed chiefly of Apples.
There are also a few dishes of Pears, including
good examples of Belle Angevine, which mi ht
be called the giant of Pears. The Plums (Cf)e's
Golden Drop), though not numerous, are well
grown, and nearly ripe. There are also a few
dishes of Cherries, Strawberries, Apricots and

1869,

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

^53

Grapes, but they are of ordinary quality. One
dish of Grapes, however, contains some beauti-
ful fruit of white and black sorts. Some eight
or nine Pine Apples are also shown, but these
are not ripe, and only one or two as large as the
Queen Pine. Yines in pots are very poor. —
Garden€r'>s Chronicle.

Ertthrina crista-galli (Coral tree). — Fo-
liage shining and handsome ; flowers crimson
scarlet, produced in racemes from the axils of
the leaves. The seeds ought to be sown early in
March singly in small pots, in a compost of two-
thirds loam, and the remaining third equal parts
sandy peat and leaf mould, with a free admix-
ture of sand. Place the pots in a bottom heat
of from 70'' to 75°. Keep the soil moist but not
very wet, and near the glass. Admit air freely
after the seedlings appear ; and when the pots
are full of roots shift into pots a size larger, and
continue in the hot bed until established, taking
out the points of the shoots when the plants are
about 6 inches high, shortening them to two or
at the most three joints. When the plants are
well established remove them to a light and airy
positipn in the greenhouse, repotting them as
required until August, then gradually reduce
the supply ol water, and in October discontinue
it altogether, keeping them cool and dry during
the winter, but safe from frost. In March cut
them down to within two eyes of the base of
each shoot, and place them in a house where
there is a gentle heat, and when they have
shoots 2 inches long shake the plant out of the
pot, repot in the same size of pot, and keep close,
moist, and shaded until it has recovered from
tba potting ; then expose fully to light and ad-
mit air freely, keeping near the glass so as to
have the plant dwarf Plant out in June in rich
soil in an open situation, and in dry weather
keep the plants well supplied with water, and
syringe freely overhead. Take them up before
severe weather, pot, and keep them in a place
secure from frost over the winter, dry, but not
so much so as to cause the lower part of the
shoots to shrivel — G. Abbey, in Cottage Gar-
dener.

About Wine, — The Pall Mall Gazette clearly
and unequivocally avers that such a thing as
genuine wine is unknown, the stutf drunk for it
being the production of scientific chemists, who
devote their whole attention to the business.

England annually exports to Portugal from a
million and a half to two millions of the spirit
that gets back to gentlemen's tables in the shape
of the rich old wine which no well stocked cellar
can be without. An enormous business has been
carried on at Hamburg, by which common Ger-
man wines and coarse spirits are transmuted in-
to ports and sherries. Travelers believe that in
the wine-growing countries themselves the pure
juice of the grape is to be had at every inn. But
Italian wines are not desirable. Neapolitans
wine undergo a change at the hands of the doc-
tors before they arrive at Naples. The vintage
of the Romagna, adulterated by the proprietor
Falernian, is no more. The Greek wine is
introduced into the market before it is matured.
The best Spanish wine come to town in pig skins
that gave it a vile flavor. In a recent trial in
New Orleans, about important duties, it came
out that not a bottle of genuine Lafitte or Cha-
teau Margeaux ever came here from France. A
wine merchant testified that the duly branded
wine in dispute was a manufactured article, made
of the commonest vintage lees at that, colored by
some heavy red juice that was thrown in. Some
of these decoctions cost no more than $2.50 per
hogshead, but we pay .$1 per bottle for them.

Attar of Roses, — At Umritsur I first found
myself in th» true East, the East of Myrtles,
ROvSes, and veiled figures with flashing eyes — the
East, of the "Arabian Nights" and "Lalla
Rookh, " The city itself is Persian rather than
Indian in its character, and is overgrown with
Date-Palms, Pomegranates, and the Roses from
which the precious attar is distilled. Umritsur
has the making of thf^ attar for the world, and it
is made from a Rose which blossoms only once a
year. Ten tons of petals of the ordinary country
Rose (Rosa centifolia) are used annually in attar,
making at Umritsur, and are worth from 201. to
301. a ton in the raw state. The petals are
placed in the retort with a small quantity of
water, and heat is applied until the water is
distilled through a hollow Bamboo into a second
vessel, which contains sandal- wood oil. A small
quantity of pure attar passes with the water in-
to the receiver. The contents of the receiver are
then poured out, and allowed to stand till the
attar rises to the surface, in small globules, and
is skimmed oft". The pure attar sells for its
weight in silver. — Greater Britain.

25Jf

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTMLY.

August,

CURCAS PuRGAKS. — This is an Euphorbia-
ceous plant, which furnishes a kind of castor oil,
analogous to that extracted usually from Rici-
nus communis, but infinitely more active. It
grows in many parts of Africa, especially in the
Cape de Yerd Islands. The oil, which it fur-

nishes in considerable quantity, has been inves-
tigated quite recently by M. Da Silva, who states
that it has furnished him a small quantity of
octylic alcohol, and that it yields to analysis as
much as 6.10 per cent, of nitrogen. — Scientific
Review.

HORTICULTUML NOTICES.

THE POMOLOGICAL MEETING,
On September loth, from all we can learn,
will be one of the most interesting on record.
In the attendance of members it will be one of
the fullest From the south and west, large
collections of fruit has already been promised ;
and even sleepy old Pennsylvanii, is awakening
to the interest of the occasion, one individual
promising to contribute one hundred varieties of
apple. The members of the Horticultural Society
are preparing to welcome their friends, and will
hold one of their famous exhibitions at the same
time, to which California will contribute one of the
Darlington pitcher plants, which has already
safely reached here, and is we believe the first
ever seen here alive. Another member of the
Society proposes to contribute a striped-leaved
American Aloe in flower, as if determined that
Rochester and New York shall not have all this
glory. The Northern Central Railroad from
Baltimore to Elmira, will return delegates free,
as also will the Philadelphia and Erie, the Penn
sylvania Central from Pittsburg to Philadelphia,
and probably some others.
time may be expected.

Altogether a good

KENTUCKY HORTICULTURAL SO-
CIETY.

Kentucky Fruits.

A Committee of the Kentucky Horticultural
Society recently visited the nurseries of Messrs.
Duncan & Sons, of Fern Creek, about nine miles
from Louisville, and the reporter thus disourseth
on what he saw:

" We first visited the cherry orchard,and found
the trees loaded with fruit, already coloring with
golden and crimson tints, and giving promise of
an early maturity. Some trees were unusually
prolific, and so loaded with fruit of a glowing red,
as to present, in contrast with the rich, green
foliage, a beautiful sight.

We next inspected a pear orchard of three
thousand young and healthy trees, just beginning
to bear. The crop will not be so large, but the
fruit will be fine, as the trees will not be over-
loaded. The trees were receiving their usual
spring dressing, which consists in scraping off
the old bark and whitewashing. The limewater
kills the eggs of injurious insects, and the white-
wash reflects the rays of the hot summer's sun,
and protects the tender bark and sap from exces-
sive heat

The peach orchard, consisting of several thou-
sand trees in their prime, was a grand sight
Every tree was full of fruit about half grown
The peach crop in this orchard we estimate to be
fully equal to ten thousand baskets of selected
fruit.

After dinner the party visited the strawberry
fields, embracing, if Ave remember aright, some
twenty acres. A more splendid sight we never
before witnessed. The ground was literary cov.
ered with luscious fruit, and numerous hands
were busily engaged filling the boxes and baskets
ready for market. One hundred to two hun-
dred gallons are gathered daily to supph' H. S.
Duncan & Sons' customers in the city. The
fruit is always fresh, as tlie hands are not allow-
ed to pick the berries until the dew and rain
have been dried off by the warm sun. While
waiting for this condition, so requisite to preserve
strawberries from becoming soft, wet and fer-
menting, the pickers are employed in weeding
the orchards and ornamental nursery, in which
we observed a large and fine stock of evergreens
and shrubbery.

The Horticultural Committee were charmed
with the opportunity of testing in the open field
seventy varieties of strawberries, all in fine order
and in distinct beds. Many old favorites were
recognized and eulogized, but the centre of attrac-

1869.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^THLY.

255

tion was a full bearing bed of the "Charles
Downing," a new strawberry seedling raised by
Mr. J. S. Downer, of Fairview, Todd count)^
Ky., a gentleman of scientific attainments in
pomology, and of rare trvithfulness and integrity
of character.

The " Charles Downing " was pronounced to
be fully equal to all Mr. Downer had represented
it to be. The berry is large, conical, red-fleshed,
juicy, sweet and high flavored. The vine is pro-
lific, hardy, vigorous, and of rich, dark, large
foliage. The flower is perfect, with almost a ten-
dency to be pistillate, so few and short are the
stamens ; yet the berries were all thoroughly fer
tilized. The " Charles Downing " is not only a
success, but it is more, — a triumph. We congrat-
ulate Dr. Downer for having obtained at last^
after so many trials, the strawberry ; and we thank
Mr Duncan for the opportunity of critically ex-
amining this new candidate for popular favor,
and for having afforded us a delightful excursion
to his extensive establishment. "

ALTON (ILLS) HOETICULTUEAL SO
CIETY.

At this meeting. Burr's '■'Garden Vegetables,''''
and Eand's '•'•Oar den Flowers'''' were offered as pre-
miums for the best cut flowers oflered during the
next five monthly meetings. Mr. Huggins, chair-
man of the orchard committee, presented the fol-
lowing report :

"That the fruit promise in the Alton fruit dis
Irict, probably was never better for all kinds of
fruit, peaches excepted, and we hope for nearly
.a fourth of a crop, or more of that luscious fruit.

The question how shall we dispose of the com-
ing fruit crop to profit, is one that should receive
the early and earnest attention of the fruit grow-
er.

Now is, perhaps the best time to scrape off the
rough bark from old apple trees, thereby de-
stroying the hiding place of injurious insects.
Let all apple trees be washed body and branch,
as far as possible, with a wash of lye, or a wash
made by dissolving potash in water, at the rate
of one pound of potash to one gallon of water.
Your Committe has used, with profit, a wash
made by dissolving sal-soda in water, at the rate
of one pound of sal soda to three gallons of wa-
ter. These washes may be applied with a white-
wash brush.

Let all leaning trees, not too old, be straight-
ened up, and made to stand upright by stake or
otherwise.

Look for the common borer (the larvae of the
Saperda Vivittata) at the root of the apple tree ;
cut them out with a knife or punch them to
death with an apple sprout or wire. Look for
and destroy the tent caterpillar now. Pick them
off by hand and put your foot on them. Get
ready to fight the codlin moth."

Mr. Starr for the Committee on vineyards, re-
ported, "if the hints of last month have been fol-
lowed, the vineyard will now be snugly tied up,
and the ground plowed and hoed.

This will be a busy month as the vines are
making rapid growth, and the excellence of the
crop as well as the future condition of the vine,
depend upon the treatment it receives this
month.

Pinch off the shoots close to the last bunch of

grapes as soon as it has grown long enough

rubbing out all weak and superfluous shoots.
The canes for the following year should, how-
ever, be first selected, and carefully preserved
and tied up as they require.

After this first pinching, the buds of the base
of the leaves will break, and these laterals should
be pinched to one leaf. The; canes grown for
the next year, should be pinched off when they
have reached the height of four or five feet.

This will cause the laterals to grow strong,
and from them we prefer growing our fruit.

This is all the pinching required, but should
be done promptly that the vine's energies may
not be wasted Keep the cultivator and hoe go-
ing as often a 6 heavy rains or weeds require.
Keep a sharp look out for the blue butte. This
bug is reported in diminished numbers this year.
There is also a small caterpillar which feeds
upon the ends of the growing canes, but are easily
destroyed ''

The Entomological Gommitfee reported a beetle
very injurious to the strawberry crop, the Coron-
ietcena publicaria.

Mr. Flagg read some excellent notes on the
absurdity of the "follow nature" cry, of some
shallow thinkers, and concluded by furnishing
the following valuable observations on the apple
blossom :

APPLE BLOSSOMS.

"The Subject is sentimental and poetic, but I
have been taking notes of the color and relative
time of blooming of the flowers on different va-
rieties of apple trees. I submit the following-
notes, taken May 1st, and would be glad to elicit
further information on the same subject :

256

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJVTHLY.

August,

1. The following varieties have the blossom
— White :

English Golden Eusset, Fulton, bloom sparse,
Gravenstein, bloom sparse, Large Eed Siberian
Crab, Xewtown Pippin, Red Astrachan, bloom
sparse. Sine qua Xon, Toccia, Yellow Siberian
Crab— 3 late, (3 early.

2. The following have the blosssoms nearly
White :

American Summer Pearmain, Benoni. Early
Harvest, Henwood. Jersey Sweet, Kirkbridge
White, Large Yellow Bough, Summer Rose, Te-
tofsky, Williams' Eavorite ?— 2 late, 8 early.

3. The following have the general appear-
ance of being white rather than red, though it is
a little hard to decide as we approach neutral
ground :

Ben. Davis, Brabant, Belleflower, Coles'
Quince. Dominie. Duchess of Oldenburg, Early
Strawberry, Fall Nonsuch, Fall Pippin, Fulton
Strawberry, Green Russet, or Winter Sweet,
Jonathan, Keswick Codlin, Nickajack, Rambo,
Roman Stem. Shockley, Smith's Cider, Sops of
Wine, Summer Queen, Sweet .June, Talman's
Sweeting, Yandevere, Yellow Belleflower, about
divided between late and early.

4. In the following, the colors seem to show
nearly equally :

Hoopes' White Pearmain, 2 Taylor's Garden.

5. In the following, red 2yreclominates to such
an extent as to give a reddish cast to the color
of the blossom. This is the largest class.

American Golden Russet. Autumnal Swaar,
Belmont, Bethlemite, Carolina Red .June, Chand-
ler, Cogswell Pearmain, Cooper, Early Pennock,
Esopus Spitzenburg, Fallowater, Fall Wine,
Gilpin, Hawley, Hocking, Hubbardston Non-
such, Lady Apple, Limber Twigg, Milam, Mis-
souri Pippin, Ortley, Peck's Pleasant, Pomme
de Neige, Primate, Red Canada, Soulard Crab,
Swaar, Tewkesbury Winter Blush, Trenton
Early, Willow Twig, Wine. About two-thirds
late apples.

6. The following have a marked shade of red
in their bloom :

Common Wild Crab, Hawthornden, Maiden's
Blush, Wine Sap. Two late, two early.

7. The following seem to be the late bloom-
ers :

(a) The following were hardly opening their
blossom buds on the date aboved mentioned

Buokingham, on young trees. Common Wild
Crab, Draj) d'Or, Melon, Northern Spy, Rawles'
Janet, Rome Beauty, Westfield Seek-no-fur-

ther ? (Trees bought as such, but they resemble
Rawles' Janet )

(b) The following seem rather later than
most varieties in blooming :

Bethlemite, Porter, Soulard Crab, Trenton
Early.

If it is asked. What does all this come to ? T
answer, that if correct, these observations go to
show —

1. The safest apples to plant in low or other
wise frosty localities. This we well knew before
of the Rawles' Janet. Northern Spy and Rome
Beauty, but here seems a prospect of enlarging
the list.

2. It may afford some aid in identifying va-
rieties by furnishing other characteristics.

3. It may aid in tracing the origin of varie-
ties. It will be noticed that the Russian and
other varieties of a probable oriental origin, have
the blossoms white, or nearly white, as descend-
ed from some common, and perhaps, peculiar
species, as has heretofore been suspected from
their common peculiarities of foliage

4. It shows, or tends to show, that varieties
with white blossoms are generally early ones.

.5. That varieties with red blossoms are most-
ly late varieties

6. That the color of the blossoms, in a major-
ity of cases, though the rule has many excep-
tions, indicates the color of the apple, white ap-
ples having white blossoms and red apples red
blossoms."

An interesting discussion took place on grape
management, the chief points being embraced in
the remarks of the two following members :

H. G. M'Pike— I have not failed to ripen a
crop of fruit of all varieties for the past five
years. 1 believe early pinching' and keeping up
a succession of new leaves so as to have three
healthy leaves above the bunch, to be all impor-
tant. If the leaves could be kept free from in-
sects and in a good healthy condition. T should
prefer to retain the original leaves but as that is
almost impossible. I prefer to keep a succession.

Dr. Hull— I coincide with most of the remarks
of Mr. M'Pike. particularly the pinching|back to
the bunch of fruit. I believe we should leave no
more leaves than are al)solut.ely necessary to ri-
pen up the bunch, as they feed on, and consume
each other to the detriment of the fruit. If we
could keep in check the leaf hopper and curculio
fruit growing would be comparatively easy.
Tobacco water and soap suds will kill the leaf
hopper.

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arhoriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAX.

Old Series, Vol. XL SEPTEMBER, 1869. ^'eiv Series. Vol II. No. 9.

HINTS FOR SEPTEMBER,

FLOWER GARDE:?^ AKD PLEASURE
GROUND.

In traveling through the United States, one
cannot but be struck with the fact, that there is
a growing taste for gardening as a fine art ; but
that very little knowledge exists as to what
should or could be done. It is indeed surprising
with so much attempted gardening, there should
be so little true taste ; and yet not more so per-
haps, that there should be so many buildings
and so few fair specimens of fair architecture.
Yet it is not that our people are slow to learn,
but that they have nothing to learn from. The
great want of the time is a better knowledge of
landscape gardening, and true taste among our
nurserymen and florists. Ic some places it is
easy to see that there is some one about. At Bos-
ton, Xew York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Cleve-
land and St. Louis, it is easy to see by the not
uncommon specimens of good taste, that there
is one somewhere near who has been sow-
ing the good seed, and in other places we see
once in a while a specimen of what good garden-
ing should be ; but generally this is the result of
missionary work from the places before mention-
ed, and not from regular residents on the spot.
Good landscape gardeners are wanted all over
the country ; not men whose ideas run into the
higher and more expensive channels of art ; al-
though these are by no means so numerous as
they ought to be; but good men who have the
capacity to regulate their recommendations to
what those who employ them can understand and
aftbrd. As ive have said, nurserymen and flor-
ists might do more by example. It is very rare
tliat we see any place with any more taste than

a common fruit garden or farm, where a single
eye is kept lo the immediate return of every dol-
lar spent and nothing else. We know that
nothing pays a florist better than to lead off' in
these matters of taste. He creates a custom,
which it is very profitable to him to supply.
We know one who takes a pleasure in doing a
little every year. He cannot do much, but
everj-year he does something which every one ad-
mires. Last year he moved a few large arbor-
vitees of which he had an over stock, very care-
fully so as to make a back ground to a .small
curved border. Adopting our hint about the
beauty of Hollyhocks when seen against a back
ground of evergreens, he has a row of most
beautiful varieties forming a line in front of these.
Then he has a row of Coleus in front of these,
again before these is a row of Chrysanthemums,
and in front of them a row of bedding Gera-
niums of many shades of color. So pretty is the
effect of even this simple arrangement, which
may be so easily improved on, that it is admired
by so many as to get him many orders for simi-
lar material next season.

Another matter we saw which pleased us.
There were on the lawn belts and borders of
shrubbery, — but in front of these belts were Ge-
raniums, Petunias, and Verbenas ; besides other
gay colored bedding plants. Now beds of these
plants are very common in flower gardens,— but
this combination of shrubbery and flowers is
very unusual, and is capable of very varied ap-
pUcation. It is just these little things which
cost nothing much but a few minutes study^
which every nurseryman and florist might have,
and which would go a long way to develope the

2o8

TEE GABBEJ\'"ER'S MGJ\ TBLY. Septemher,

taste for beautiful grounds, which everywhere
exists, but dormant for want of some encourage- '
ment of the kind. j

Shrubs for this kind of gardening we have al- ;
luded to, should of course be of a free flowering i
character. Of those which can be made very ef- |
fective, the following may be used : Pyrus japon I
ica, the red and the white ; Spirea prunifolia, S. j
Reevesii ; S. Billardii ; Deutzia gracilis, Scabra, '
and crcnata pleno ; Weigelia rosea and W. ama-
bilis, Philadelphus coronarius, and P- Gordoni-
anus ; Forsythia vii'idissima ; Hypericum pro-
lificum; Altheas in variety ; Persian, and even the ]
common Lilacs ; Tartarian and Fly Honey-
suckles ; Hawthorns, Double Almonds, and
perhaps some others. But all these are common
in most nurseries ; are very easy to grow, and '
\tvy pretty effects may be had at a small outlay. [

Many persons who have got but a few of these |
plants, will like to raise some more. The end of
the month is a good time to take off cuttings, un-
less the weather be very warm. Of those we
have named all but the Pyrus and Almond will
grow by cuttings. These two grow by pieces of
roots. Cuttings should be made about four or
six inches long, and planted out in rows, and j
set two or three inches below the surface of the '
ground. In spring planting we iDut them right \
level with the surface, |

In many parts of the Northern States the '
leaves will have changed color previous to the in- j
coming of winter, and the planting of trees and
shrubs will commence as soon as the first fall
showers shall have cooled the atmosphere and
moistened the soil. Further south, where the
season will still remain 'summer'' a while longer,
the soil may, at any rate, be prepared, that all
may be in readiness when the right season does '
come. "What leaves remain on should be strip- '
ped off, and the main shoots shortened. They
will then do better than if planted very late. In
fact, if planting cannot be finished before the be-
ginning of November in the Northern and Mid- '
die States, it is better, as a rule, deferred till I
spring. In those States where little frost oc- 1
curs, this rule will not apply. The roots of
plants grow all winter, and a plant set otit in ;
the fall has the advantage over spring set trees,
that its roots in spring are in a position to sup- I
ply the tree at once with food. This is, indeed,
the theory fall planters rely on ; but in practice
it is found that severe cold dries up the wood,
and the frosts draw out the roots, and thus I
more than counterbalance any advantage from '

the pushing of new roots. Yevy small plants are,
therefore, best left till spring for their final plant-
ing. It is however an excellent plan to get young
things on hand in fall, and bury them entirely
ivith earth, until wanted in spring. Susch things
make a stronger growth the next 3eason,than if
just dug before transplanting.

Those who have no greenhf)use, and yet are
desirous of preserving many half hardy plants
through the winter, employ cold pits. Choose
the diyest situation in the garden, and sink
about five feet in depth. It is important that no
water can be retained at the bottom. The pit
may be of any length required, and about five
feet wide, so as to accommodate six feet sash.
The inside of the pit may be built up of boards,
or, if something more durable and substantial is
required, brick or stone. The body of the frame
may be built up a few feet above the level of the
surrounding soil, and the earth which comes
from the pit be employed in banking up to the
upper level of the frame. Shelving should be
made for the inside so as to extend from the base
of the front to nearly the top of the back, on
which to place the plants in pots. In the space
which will then be under the staging, hard wood-
ed and deciduous plants, as Lemon Yerbena,
Fuchsias, &c., may be safely stored, while the
more sitcculent kinds are shelved overhead. The
plants to be preserved in such a pit should be
potted early, and be well established and healthy
before being pitted ; much of success depends on
this. The less water they can be made to live
on without withering through the winter the
better they will keep. Straw mats must be em-
plo5'ed to cover the glass when freezing time
commences, and when the thermometer is likely
to fall below 20^, straw or litter should be thrown
over. Board shutters are also excellent, as it
keeps the snow out from the straw and litter,
which sometimes makes the mats very awkward
to uncover when we would like to give air. Very
little light or air will be required through the
winter, when the plants are not growing. If a
good fall of snow cover the pit, it may lie on un-
disturbed for two weeks or more without injury.
When a warm dry day offers the sashes may be
raised if convenient, to dry up the damp. Many
kinds of border plants can be kept over winter
this way with little trouble.

Continue seed saving, remembering that the
earliest flowers on a plant produce the best
seeds. Biennials, such as Hollyhocks, Carna
^ions, Snap Dragons, Pansies, and so on, should

IS 69.

THE GARDEJ\'ER'S MOJ^THLY,

259

be sown during this month. They are quite
hardy. A few branches or corn- stalks thrown
over during winter, to keei? the thaw from heav-
ing them out of the ground, is all the protection
they require. Hardy annuals, to flower early
and fine next year, may be sown now. Tulips,
Hyacinths, Snowdrops, and Crocus to be planted
as soon as they can be procured. Light rich
sandy soil to be employed. Gladiolus to be
taken up as soon as the leaves fade, and careful-
ly dried, labelled, and put away secure from
frost. The same with Tuberoses, Tigridias, and
so on towards the end of the month. Divide
herbaceous plants. Plant evergreens, and de-
ciduous trees also, for that matter, as soon as the
fall rains have moistened the ground. If the
leaves have not fallen cut them oflF with the im-
mature shoots.

VEGETABLE GARDEJf.

The main crop of Spinage should now be sown.
Properly cooked, there are few vegetables more
agreeable to the general taste, and few families
who have gardens will wish to be without it. It
is essential that it have a very well enriched soil,
as good large leaves constitute its perfection as a
vegetable. As soon as the weather becomes se-
vere, a light covering of straw should be thrown
over it. A few Eadishes may be sown with the
Spinage for fall use.

Turnips also may still be sown. In fact, if
the soil be rich, a better quality of root for table
use will be obtained than if sown earlier.

Celery and Endive will still require the atten-
tion in blanchmg described in former hints.

Cabbnge and Cauliflower are sown this month
for spring use. The former requires some care,
as, if it grow too vigorous before winter, it will
all run to seed in the spring. The best plan is
to make two sowings— one early in the month,
the other at the end. The rule is get them only
just so strong that they may live over the winter in
safety. Many preserve them in frames ; but
they should have wooden sashes or shutters in-
stead of glass, so as not to encourage them to
grow much.

Cauliflower, on the other hand, cannot well be
too forward. Mo&t persons provide a pit of
stone, brick or wood, sunk five or six feet below
the surface of the ground, into which leaves,
manure, or any waste vegetable matter is filled.
When quite full, it is suffered to heat a little,
when it will sink somewhat and have more ma-

terial added to it ; about six inches of good rich
loam is then placed on it, and early in ]Sroveni-
ber the Cauliflower planted out. The object in
refilling the leaves so often is to insure the plants
remaining as near the glass as possible, which is
very essential in the growth of Cauliflower.
Lettuce is treated in the same way, and seed
should be sown now to prepare for the planting.
The Cabbage Lettuce is the kind usually em-
ployed.

«»■»»

FRUIT garde:n'.

It is very strange that people will continue to
grow trees year after year without any fruit,and
yet praise their systems as the best possible one
against any thing else that can be done. We
have contended for years that fruit culture will
never be successful until some very diflferent sys-
tem than that usually praised shall be adopted.
The ground must be so dry to grow good fruit
that water will not lie 24 hours in summer (in
winter it is of no consequence) without passing
away ; the fibrous roots must be kept as near
the surface as possible and kept shaded from the
intense heat of summer. Then they must be
kept highly fed by occasional dressings of sur-
face manure. These are the principles without
which, depend on it, American fruit culture will,
with occasional exceptions, always be a failure.
Yet there are many men who are incapable of
getting an idea, and who think they have it all
in the dress with which for the sake of illustra-
tion, one has to clothe the idea. They seize on
this dress as sly dogs seize on the legs of ones
pants ; and run off" rejoicing that they have tore
out a great piece of ones leg, when really they
have gone away with but a few rags in their
mouths. Thus one hears it over and over again
repeated that the Gardener''s Montlily recom-
mend starving trees in neglected' grass orch\rds.
Our readers know better.

We went to see an orchard which has been
formed by one of our readers in Germantown, a
few days ago. His lot is only 60 by 170 feet.
It was so dry and stoney that in working it up for
his orchard, he took out several loads of stones ;
he manured, it and then got 75 peach trees from
one of our advertisers, John Perkins, of Moores-
town, and planted the lot. He put rather a high
pale fence around it, and built a chicken house
at one end. The birds have free use of the lot.
There are about 25 on the average kept. This
was seven years ago. The trees have been bear-
ing regularly for the last five years, and this year

SGO

TEE GABDEJVER'S MOJ^IELY. September,

they will probably yield 50 bushels of fine fruit ;
and this in spite of curculios which destroy many,
and which our friend insists chickens will not eat.
The trees are in the highest state of health, and
theie is nothing to indicate that the trees will
not live and bear for many indefinite j'ears.
Nothing whatever has been done to this little or-
chard since it was planted. The ground is nat-
urally dry, and the trees are so thick together
that short grass is not necessary to grow
between them to get the cool shade so agreeable
to the roots ; what little green matter does grow,
the chickens eat, and the surface is as smooth as
a paved yard. The manure the birds make is an
excellent surface fertilizer, and thus we see every
condition which we hold necessary to good fruit
culture exactly fulfilled. "We believe there has
been an average of twenty bushels per year from
these trees for the last five years. This is not
a great deal perhaps from 75 trees ; but when
any friend of the old rooting up and fussing
about system can show a similar result from 9000
square feet, Ave want to go and see that orchard.
The planting of the Pear, Apple, Plum and
Cherrj'^ will soon be in season ; Peaches, Apri-
cots and Grape Vines, except south of the Poto-
mac being for the most part left till spring.
Choose a dry piece of ground. If not naturally
dry, it is best to throw the earth up into banks
or ridges and plant on them. This is cheaper
and better than underdraining. In planting, if
the roots appear deep, cut away some of the
deeper ones, and shorten some of the top of the
tree at the same time. This is particularly true
of dwarf Pears which are often grafted on rath-
er Ion"' Quince stocks. Cut all away of the

quince root but about six inches, and if this
should be found to leave few roots, cut away the
top correspondingly. Most of the failures with
dwarf Pears come from bad quince roots, so deep
in the ground t^ic lower parts decay, and this de-
cay gradually communicates upwards until the
whole system becomes diseased. The more ten-
acious the subsoil the more necessary is it to at-
tend to this matter. We spoke of pruning in pro-
portion to injury. It will be found that all trees
are a little injured by removal, therefore all trees
should be a little pruned at transplanting.

One of the most interesting features of fruit
growing is to have the name. One of the sim-
plest and best methods is the plan proposed in
the second volume ot the Gardener'' s 3Ionthly of
writing with a common lead pencil on a piece of
zinc. We have some which have been in use ten
years, and the writing is blacker and plainer than
when first done; indeed it can be scarcely traced
when first written. A triangular piece is used,
and the narrow end coiled once or twice around
a branch, as the girth increases the zinc opens,
if it does happen to get tight, a moment soon
corrects it. The following illustrates the plan.

C 0 M M U Ts I C A T I 0 X S .

COMMON GAEDEN FLOWERS.

BY JOSEPH AMRAM.

The WaUflm-er.
Making a voyage to England some years ago,
I took passage by the Hammonia and lanued at
Southampton. Wandering up the main street I
came to the ruins of what appeared to be the
ancient gates of the town, which formed an arch
over the road. My companions were interested
in some story of " Gog and Magog " with which
these ruins had some connection, but it was all
lost to me through admiration of the beautiful
wall Jloicers which grew out of the old mortar in

every direction. The wall flower was always a
favorite with me. From my earliest attempts
at greenhouse culture I had never been without
them ; but I never had the slightest idea of their
great beauty until this day. Since then I have
seen them on many a " Castle wall," and many
a crumbling ruin of other kinds ; but they never
lingered in my heart like as do the wall flowers
of that day.

I never learned till then why they were called
wall flowers. LinniBus wiien he gave things bo-
tanical names, called this Cheiranthus Cheiri.
My Greek has gotten somewhat rusty since my
college days ; but I suppose the signification of

1S69.

THE GABDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

261

Vheiranthus must be " Haud flower," but unless
it be that this plant requires no more earth to
grow in than one might hold in the palm of one's
hand, I do not see the application.*

Certainly the poorer the earth the finer are the
individual blossoms, and yet I have found that
nature is not the best guide always to follow ;
certainly not in the wall flower,for very superior
specimens can be had by a very little care and
attention with good rich soil. Those which we
see in windows and greenhouses are usually dou-
ble^ and as these are raised from cuttings usually
of one or two tints, — but wild they are of every
shade from deep golden yellow to a crimson
brown

Single ones are not very common with us,
chiefly I think because people do not know how
to manage them from seed. The best way is to
sow them late in spring— in the latitude of Mary-
laud June is the month — in any good garden
ground, as soon as the plants are two or three
inches high transplant them to a good rich bor-
der, pinching out the central shoot, of course
ladies know about this transplanting business,
that it should be done in a dull day or during a
shower, or else well watered and shaded or else
they will wither away, — and any gentleman who
does not know can ask his lady friend who will
be glad to instruct him. By fall these will be
nice bushy plants, and having been once trans-
planted, will move into pots very easily. In
Maryland this way may done in October. As
soon as the plants are potted water well, and
keep under a shady hedge or wall for a few days ;
after that they are ready for any window, green-
house or cool pit intended for them. They will
then bloom in March and April, giving besides a
rich show of blossoms, a delightful perfume,
which most persons enjoy. It seems strange
that these plants should be natives of England
and grow there in cold poor bleak places, and
yet not be hardy in the middle states of America;
yet so far as my experience goes they always get
killed, unless the plants are bent down and cov-
ered with earth till spring. I have heard of
some which have thus been wholly buried, which
have lived very well through the winter, but
this is not of my own observation. Having a
small cold pit, besides a greenhouse, I keep them
very well there.

Somehow the double ones are much more ad-
mired than the single ones. 1 never knew why.
They are rarer and more difficult to keep, and

*The name is said to be Arabic for Jied svjeet flower. -'Ed-

therefore may be reasonably more yalued ; but
certainly they are not so pretty. Yet we can
make prettier plants of them than of the single
ones, as they naturally grow more bush5^
These double wall flowers make no seeds so
ndust be increased solely by cuttings. The
way I do this is to take the plants just before the
flowers are quite faded, and cut them back pretty
severely. The pieces I cut into lengths of about
six inches, and plant them down nearly their
own length in a partially shady place in the gar-
den border. They make very nice plants by
October, when they are taken up, potted, and
treated the same as for the single ones.

I do not know any i^lant which will give so
much satisfaction for so little trouble as the wall
flower, — and if there are any of your lady read-
ers who have never grown them, let them take
the advice of a man grey headed in amateur gar-
dening, and get a few just to try.

RECIPE FOR POTATO BUG.

BY LEWIS A. LEE, CHICAGO, ILLS.

I here enclose you a recipe for the destruction
of the potato bug. For an acre take 21bs. of
Paris Green ; mix with 16 quarts of wood ashes.
Spread this on finely while the dew is on the
plants. I obtained a situation here where every
body ridiculed the idea of growing potatoes, on
account of the great number of bugs that infest-
ed the fields. But my potatoes are as healthy
and free from insects now as any of ray neighbors,
although they were almost covered with bugs
when they first came up. I applied it to them
twice. It costs 4 cents a pound, and can be had
at any paint shop or drug store.

VIBURNUM PLICATUM OR JAPAN
SNOWBALL..

BY JOHK SAUL, WASHINGTON, D. C.

I was much pleased with your remarks on
this beautiful shrub in your last number— strange
to say some of our most valuable plants should
be a considerable time in working their way in-
to notice — my specimen plants of this I have had
some ten or twelve years, blooming beautifully
from the first season it was planted— it blooms
quite young— the flowers as you well remark,
are of "a pure paper white " and the habit of
growth is far superior to the old variety Vi-
burnum Opulus. I consider it as superior to
the old variety as it is possible for a shrub to be.
The old is a thin, lanky growing plant, rarely to

^6^

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTHLY. Septemher,

be had bu>hy or well furuished, whilst this new
variety is the reverse, its habits is most compact
and bushy, with its lower branches resting on
the ground, and a pleasmg outline. It is of
moderate size, never attaining the height of the
old vaiiety and consequently very suitable for
small gardens. I will now offer to cultivators
another beautiful snowball, Viburnum Macro-
cephiilum, not new by any means, as it was in-
troduced by Mr. Fortune during-his first expe-
dition to China, over 20 years ago. My speci-
men plant, like the others I have had some ten
or twelve years, blooming beautifully every
spring. I have described it in my catalogue as
giving heads of blooms as large as a Hydrangea.
Some may feel disposed to smile at this, and to
suppose florist like I imagined this beautiful
shrub, larger and finer than it really is, but an-
nually as spring comes around it gives its mag
nificent blooms, which satisfies me I have not
drawn on my imagination for a description.
This is a distinct species from either of the
others, — of moderate growth and good habits.

FALL TKANSPL ANTING AND ORDER-
ING OF STOCK.

BY WALTER ELDER, PHILA., PA.

There is much gained in fall transplanting
under suitable circumstances. Where there is
a convenience to properly prepare the grounds,
and do the work of transplanting and the after
needful care in a judicious manner, or where the
lauds are in a tilled state. They should first be
deeply dug or ploughed ; or if in grass, dig the
holes larger, pulverize and enrich the soil better,
and mulch all trees and shrubs for the winter
to prevent the heaving of the ground by frosts,
which often draw plants almost out of the
ground. But upon stifi", flat, undrained lands,
and where there are other hindrances in the way,
then better defer the transplanting until spring,
when the soil gets friable enough to work freely.
In fall men can be more easily hired, and
the hands upon the place are more at leisure.
The soil is in a better state to work, and men
are more active and do much more work. The
soil under the surface is warmer than the
atmosphere ; and by early transplanting plants
make numerous fibres, which mature them-
selves into lasting roots before winter sets
in •, and when spring comes, they push out
abundance of new fibres, which cause vigo-
rous growth ; all of which is readily observ-

ed in Strawberries and Evergreens that are set
out in September, in the latitudes between
New York and Washington ; so we advise all to
do now the transplanting that can be judicious-
ly performed. The mulchings for trees and
shrubs, may be manure or straw, tan bark, saw-
dust, tree-leaves mixed with leaf-mould to pre-
vent being blown away by high winds. Sumac
bark from morocco works and spent hops and
grains from breweries, are excellent for winter
mulching and fertilizing strawberry beds, and
for all other berry-bushes.

Many improvers inflict grievous disappoint-
ments upon themselves by sending late to nur-
series for their stocks. They do not make
up their minds what they want until "the
eleventh hour,'' and then send off" their orders
expecting them almost by the return mail. Day
after day thej' impatiently look for their goods
to come, or notice when they are to be sent.

Now suppose that a nurseryman has five hun-
dred orders on hand ; all recorded in the order
books, with the dates of their reception, and to be
executed in the order that they are numbered in
the books. If the order is number 501 would it
be just to neglect the five hundred to immediate-
ly execute that ? It must wait its turn. Every
body should send their ordei's to Nurserymen
two months previous to setting the plants out,
and then state when the diflerent classes of stock
j are wanted ; and they will be delivered accord-
ingly ; and there will be no loss of time or dis-
1 appointments Nurserymen getting previous
j notices, label the plants in the nurseries ; and
i that saves time and mistakes. They also know
how many extra hands to employ to fill the or-
ders when their time of delivery comes on. Im-
provers know when their stocks are to come, and
every thing goes on like "clockwork," both
with nurserymen and planters, and satisfac-
tion on all sides is the result thereof.

NEW JERSEY LANDS.

I noticed some months since, an invitation for
some of the " ten acre " men to give some facts
as to how the thing worked practically.

I tried it on twenty acres for a little upward
of two years on the sands in Burlington Co., N.
J., and I. am fully satisfied that ten acres is
enough, for any ordinary man, unless he could
have an Astor or other milUon.aire lie at his back
ready to roll out the greenbacks to buy Philadel-

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTHLY.

263

phia manuje at the rate of $1.50 per cart load —
a wheelbarrow load would be nearer the amount
received. You can grow no sort of crop in those
sands without heavy manuring, and it would be
some consolation if one was tolerably sure of a
crop after manuring, which is not the case, as
the failures are about as certain as the crops.

I doubt whether there is a harder working
class of men anywhere to be found, than the Jer-
sey truckmen. They are at it from Monday
morn till Saturday night, early and late ; rain
vjor shine, hot ^ cold, no matter. Nearly every
man who goes there gets cheated. lie has read
'' ten acres enough," and the large yield of ber-
ries which find their way into the papers, and
lie goes to work and figures up and applies the
"rule of three" and the result is the figures
look well and he's bound to try it. The grow-
ing of Strawberries on those sandy soils is "play-
ed out " so far as making it pay is concerned.
I sent several chests of strawberries to the Phil-
adelphia market, one day last season, (1868) for
which I paid thyee cejits"-.p^ quart for picking,
they wej'e sold by my commission men for ViAv^
ee»te-^r. quart. This is the side of the profits
of strawberry culture that hardly ever finds its
way into the columns of newspapers and mag-
azines, and especially such works as T. A. E.
There is good land in Burlington Co., but you
will not find it when there is no bottom to the
sand.

If this finds its way into print, and any of its
readers go to N. J. to buy, I advise them to
keep their own wits about them, and not believe
everything that some sanctimonious sharper
may chance to tell them as I did, and got bit of
at least SCO per acre on every acre I bought.
We have such men everywhere,and among spec-
■ulators especially. '" '

( If manures were cheap so that a man of ordi-
nary means could buy them in large quantities he
could make a "good living" provided him-
self and family were able to keep genuine or
" Ague Pills " on hand in sufficient quantities
to keep them on their feet. Q x'^'^* v^;."

[According to our rule of giving an impartial
hearing to every one who sends us communica-
tions under responsible names, we insert this
article.-/^

CThere is no doubt that works like " Ten Acres
Enough '' have done great injury by passing off
romances as things which have been actually
accomplished, leading hundreds to leave toler-

ably comfortable circumstances, for what proves
ultimate ruin. But this occurs all over the Union ;
and ought not to prejudice locality. On the con-
trary we believe that with the proper kind of
knowledge and capital one may do as well in the
Xew-Jersey settlements as in any part of the
world. '"

, People should know that pioneer life is always
a hard life, taxing health and strength alike
severely ; and whether we go out to fight the
bush in Kansas or I^ew Jersey, only the strong-
est and most determined succeed.

■ Thousands have done well and can do well in
]S'ew Jersey ; but it is not right to hold up the
place as a second paradise, and make e^'^Tyhody
believe that they are to lie on beds of roses, un-
troubled by thorns. These romance writers must
not complain when reaction such as * * exem-
plifies sets in to their injury. -t-Ed ]
••••* — J- ■

OX THE LEAVES OF CONIFERJE.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN, PHILA., PA.

Botanists can scarcely have overlooked the
fact that the true leaves of Pinus consist of bud
scales ; and that what are known as leaves, and
what Dr. Engelman (Gray's Manual, fifth edi-
tion, p. 469) calls " secondary leaves," are but
phylloid shoots, but I have failed to find Sinj spe-
cific reference to the fact in botanical works. Dr.
Dickson, however, in a paper on the Phyllokl
Shoots of Sciadopitys verticillata (" Proceedings of
Botanical Congress,'' 1866 p. 124) remarks, "In
Sciadopitys I have to call attention to the fact that
the leaves of the growing shoots consist, as in
Pinus, entirely of bud scales." One would sup-
pose from this incidental reference to Pinus that
he was acquainted with the fact that the so-call-
ed leaves of Pinus were phylloid shoots ; but as
the object of the paper is to show that the so-call-
ed leaves of Sciadopitys are not true leaves, and
as any one must know that they are not if already
cognizant of the fact in Piyius, we may take it
for granted that at any rate if not entirely over-
looked, little thought has been given it. I be-
lieve I am occupying an entirely original field in
pointing out the true nature of leaves in Goni-
fer(e, and that the increased knowledge will have
an important bearing on many obscure points in
their study.

Dr. Dickson uses but the language of general
botany when he describes the true leaves of Piims
as "bud scales," meaning thereby the scaly free
portion just under the "secondary leaves," of

0

GJf

TEE GARDE^''ER'S MO^'TELY. September,

Engelman, and sometimes forming sheaths
around them. But these free scales are scarcely
leaves. The chief portion of the true leaves in
most plants of the order are adnate with the stem.
Sometimes they have the power to develop into
scaly points, at others into foliaceous tips,and at
other times without an}- power but to preserve
their true leaf like character. Larix affords the
best illustration. The true leaves are linear
spathulate, entirely adnate to the stem. There
are two kinds of stem growth on Larix. In one
case the axis elongates and forms shoots ; in the
other axial development is arrested, and spurs
are formed. On the elongated shoots the leaves
are scattered ; on the spurs they are arranged in
whorls The power of elongation possessed by
the shoot is imparted to the leaves which are ad-
herent to it, and they produce green foliaceous
awl-like tips ; the power of elongation which the
spurs have lost is also measurably lost to their
leaves, they develop themselves fully, although
they have no stem to adhere to ; they preserve
their spathulate form, but cannot produce the
awl shaped tips of the shoot leaves. There are,
therefore, two forms of leaves on the larch, the
one free, the other adherent ; and we have a
rovel principle very clearly illustrated that
strong axial development (vigor) is a charactensfic
of adhesion^ while the reverse (weakness) is char-
acterized by a free system of foliation. Any
species of Larix will sustain this observation ;
and, L. leptolepis, as a vigorous grower is the best.
The characteristics of the foliage described in
Larix may be found in a greater or less degree
in a great many species of coniferous plants. In
Cryptomeria the leaves adhere for four-fifths of
their length on vigorous shoots ; but on the
more delicate ones the}' are free for three fourths
or more. In Janiperus the different forms of
foliage are well known, especially in J. Virgini-
O/na, J. Chinensis, and J. communis. On the
vigorous shoots adhesion takes place for nearly
the full length of the leaves, but on weaker ones
the leaves are very nearly free. In Thuja, Biota,
Betinispora^ (Jupressus, Thujojisis, indeed most of
the Section Cujyressinem^thesa variable degrees of
adhesion may be found, and alwaj'S in relation to
the absence or presence of vigor ; and on this
question of vigor, it will be well here to make a
few remarks. The power to branch, I take tu be
a high mark of vigor. The young seedlings of
most coniferous trees grow but a few inches the
first 3'par and have no power to branch. The
power increases with age, and in all cases in pro-

portion to the vigor of the plants. In Thuja,
for instance, no branches appear till the second
year. They increase in number, until, when in
its prime, branches appear from every alternate
pair of axils, and, as these are decussate, this
gives the fan -like form of growth of which the
Arborvitse affords a familiar illustration.

This varying power of adhesion in the true
leaves, and in connection with vigor enables us
to explain many matters hitherto not understood.
For instance. Dr. Lindley describes a form of
Biota as B. Meldensis, suggesting that from its
appearance it must be a hybrid between the Bed
Cedar and CJiinese Arhorvitoe. It is but B.
orientalis with the leaves moderately united.
Thuja ericoides of gardens was long supposed to
be a Japanese species ; it is but an entirely free-
leaved form of Thuja occidentalis. Betinispiora eri-
coidesof Zuccarini is but a free-leaved form of some
Japanese plant ; and in all probability many
species of Betinisjjora so marked in herbariums,
are all forms of one thing with more or less ad-
nated leaves. In all these cases delicacy of
gi'owth and freedom of leaves go gradualh' to-
gether as before indicated.

One of the most remarkable instances of the
value of this principle however, will, I have no
doubt, be in fixing the indentity of the Japanese
genus Glyptostrobus* of Endlicher, with the
American Taxodium of Eichard. In a shoot one
foot in length of the latter we find perhaps four
or six branchlets ; in the same space in Glyptos-
trobus we shall find a score or more. Indeed,
in this plant, a branchlet springs from nearly
every axil on the main branch, showing an ex-
traordinaiy vigor. As vigor is opposed to a free
development of foliage, the small threadlike
leaves of Glyptostrobus are naturally to be expect-
ed, and the free leaves distichously arranged is
the natural concomitant of the weaker Taxo-
dium. Fortunately I am able to sustain this
theory by actual facts. I have a needling tree
ten years old of remarkable vigor. It does not
branch quite as much as the typical Glytostrobus,
but much more freely than any Taxodium. The
result is the foliage is aciculate,not distichous,
and just intermediate between the two supposed
genera. But to help me still more, my tree of
Glyptostrobus has pushed forth some weak shoots
with foliage identical in every respect with the
intermediate Taxodium. Specimens of all these

*:Vole b>/ the liroqf reader,— It was the intention of the
author to refer his remarks on Glyptostrobus to G. Sit'.-'
ensix, Eadl.

1869.

TEE GARBEJfEWS MOJYTELY.

2C5

are presented with this. In establishing Glyp-
tostrohus, Endlicher notes some trifling differ-
ences in tlie Scales of the Cones between it and
Taxodium, but all familiar with numerous indi-
viduals of some species of Goniferce^ Biota orien-
talis for instance, know how the&e vary. There
can be no doubt, I think, of the identity of the
two ; and this will form another very interesting
link in the chain of evidence, that the flora of
Japan is closely allied to that of the United
States.

If we were to look on the so-called leaves of
Pinus and Sciadopitys as true leaves, we should
find serious opposition to my theory that a vig-
orous axial growth is opposed to the develop-
ment of free leaves in Coniferce, for we should
see a class of plants which notoriously adds but
from three to six branches annually to each ax-
is, clothed with foliage. But admitting them to
be phylloid shoots, it confirms our theory in a
strong degree. "We then see a plant loaded with
branchlets, and so great is the tendency to use
them instead of leaves, that in some cases as in
Pinus strobus, P. excelsa, and others of a softer
class of Phylloidece, the bud scales are almost
entirely confined to the sheathing leaflets; just
as in the very rugged,hard leaved, almost spines-
cent forms, like Pinus Austriaca^ we find them
more dependent on well developed adnate leaf
scales. Abies of old authors, A. excelsa for in-
stance, we have a numerous branching tenden-
cy ; hence we have true leaves though partially
adnate, and no necessity for phylloid branchlets.
In Picea of Link, almost near Abies, taking P.
Balsamea as a type, we have a rather weaker
development, slower growing and less hardy
trees, and the leaves are nearly free. Could
some of the shoots of Abies be arrested in their
axial development as in Larix, we should have
the remainder increased in length, and the few-
er branchlets, and two forms of leaves just as in
Larix. Should, on the other hand, the plant in-
crease in vigor there would be no class of free
leaves; adnation would be the law, and meta-
morphosed branchlets prevail. Starting from
Abies, extra vigor makes the Pine ; extra de' ica-
cy the Larch. It is the centre of two extremes.

That the fascicles in Pinus are phylloid shoots
I think cannot be questioned. Their position in
the axils of the true leaves, as beautifully shown
in Pinus Austriaca, indicates the probability.
Their permanency in proportion to their indu-
racy is also another point. The soft ones of the
Strobus Section retain vitality little longer than

some true leaves, while the spinescent ones of P.
Austriaca remain green for four or five years.
But the strongest of all points is that on dis-
section of an old fascicle it will be found to have
a distinct connection with the woody system of
the tree, and that these minute woody axillae un-
der each fascicle, increase in size with the age
of the sheath. With a very little encourage-
ment these woody axilloe can be induced to elon-
gate and become real branchlets. If the lead-
ing shoot, for instance of a Pine be tipped in
May just after pushinof, bulblets will form in
every fascicle below, and the next season, the
bulblets will produce weak branchlets,, although
this might be said of true leaves, which are sup-
posed to bear an embryo shoot in the axil of
every one. So much stress need not be put on
this fact as the others are sufficient. It is intro-
duced, and its weak nature commented on, as it
furnishes the chief point in Dr. Dickson's argu-
ment for Sciadopitys, which amounts to little
more, than that the apparently single Phylla is
really a double one — a two-leaved fascicle united
by a transformed sheath through its whole
length. Carriere has since pushed Dr. Dickson's
observations farther by noting in the ' ' Revue
Horticole " really bifid leaves, with little verti-
cils in the axils (see reference in "Gardener's
Chronicle," May 2, 1868) an observation which
I confirm by a specimen exhibited herewith ; yet
as I have said it is by itself not wholly free from
the objection that it may be but a modified form
of regular bud growth; but together with my
other observations I think they do serve to con-
firm the point of these so called leaves being but
phylloidse.

In conclusion I will restate the main points of
this paper :

The true leaves of coniferte are usually adnate
with the branches.

Adnation is in proportion to vigor in the ge-
nus, species, or in the individuals of the same
species, or branches of the same individual.

Many so called distinct species of coniferse are
the same, but in various states of adnation. —
From advance sheets of Proceedings of American
Association for advancement of Science at Chicago,
1868, Section B, Natural History.

S66

THE GARDEA'ER'S MOjYTELY. ^(pinrtler,

E D T T 0 E I AL .

THE GLANDS OF PEACH LEAVES.

It is interesting to note how slowly knowledge
progresses. It is now many years ago that
Lindley wrote of Peach Glands: "The reniform
glands grow also on the foot stalks of the leaves,
but those on the leaves are placed within the
serratures, connecting as it were, the upper and
the lower teeth of the serratures together; their
leaves, when taken from a branch of vigorous
growth have more glands than the leaves of the
globose varieties. It will however sometimes
happen that the glands are not discernable in
some of the leaves, especially on those produced
on the weak branches. "

Xow if we inquire what these glands are, we
find that they are nothing but the undeveloped
germs of the matter which composes the leaf blade ;
and we see that in proportion as the shoots loose
vigor, the glands or leaf blades are developed.

This has a new interest in its relation to a
paper read before the American Science Associ-
ation on the leaves of couiferas, by the Editor of
this Journal, and which we give from advance
sheets of the " Proceeedings'' in another column.
It will be seen from that, that the leaf blades
of Pines and allied trees are less developed just
in proportion to the vigor of the shoots ; so, re-
membering that glands are but undeveloped
Made matter, it shows the same law in the
Peach as in the Pine.

Now vigor of the shoots is not always a sign
of high vitality. This we have often shown
when replying to those who ask us if digging
about, and thus destroying the surface roots of
trees, does not " make them grow ? " The fast-
est growing child, or the fastest man will often
give up to disease long before your scrubby, or
"raw boned" illustration. Vegetation is but
one form of vital force. Yet so far as it goes,
strong growth is a type of vital strength, as a
puny growth is of weakness. The practical in-
terest of this Peach Gland question centers here.
If the tree is otherwise healthy, and this theory
be true science, those varieties which have the
leaf blades the most undeveloped, that is to say
those which have the largest and greatest number
of glands on the leaves should have stronger vital
powers than the rest, and be better able to resist
diseases. Without ever explaining this theory to
any one that we remember, but Dr. Morse of St.

Louis, we were very much interested ^by being
told by Mr. Plagg, Dr. Hull and others at Alton
that they had found by long experience, that the
fewer glands on the Peach or Cherry the great-
er was the susceptibility to disease; and we do
not know of a more interesting case of Science
and experience meeting together so exactly,
from opposite directions of travel, at one and the
same time. It would be very interesting to have
the detailed experience of the Alton fruit growers
as to what kinds of diseases they have perceived,
and the names of the varieties they have noted
the diseases the most prevalent on ; and also it
will be interesting to have the experience of
growers in other sections of the country.

FRUIT OR ORCHARD HOUSES AND
GRAPERIES.

"VVe often hear it said that it is foolish to have
fruit houses in our country because, " having all
sorts of climates" and "cheap and rapid trans-
portation" we can grow every thing "naturally,"
and art is useless.

English papers, of recent date, afford a curious
commentary. Under glass English grape growers
can beat the world, notwithstanding the '' sunny
clime of Italy" is supposed to be the "home of
the grape." Some remarkable fruits were sent
from the Garston Vineries to the Queen. The
Pope seems to have heard of them and expressed
a desire to see some of them. They were sent
eccordingly, though so late in the season as the
eighteenth of March, Lady Downe's variety, weigh-
ing 3 to 4 pounds each. They were three weeks
in reaching Rome, yet were so astonishingly fine,
that the Pope wrote a special letter of thanks to
Mr. Meredith, acknowledging their great supe-
riority.

No one after this need be afraid of sending
"coals to Newcastle." We often wonder that
with the ease with which fruits can be raised
under glass, and its great superiority to "natu-
ral" fruit, that there are not more fruit houses.

1869.

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTHLY.

267

BUIST'S VARIEGATED AL
Yery few variegated leaved plants stand suc-
cessfully against our summer's sun. Almost every
thing that has been tried fails. The constitu-
tion of all such things is weakened. Variegation
is not perhajjs a disease, but it is certain that
all have a lessened vitality ; that is, have a
weaker hold on life. If the varie2;ated box or

the variegated Euonymous are planted side by
side with the green leaved forms, it is seen
that they never get so tall ; and if a severe win-
ter arises, the variegated ones are the first to
succumb to the extra cold. So also with the
heats of summer, they are the first to give out.
Of all these plants, however the variegated
Althea stands well. It does not grow as strong as

[btjist's variegated althea.]

the green-leaved forms, and it may perhaps not
be as able to stand some extremes as others ; but
so far as we have seen neither the summers or
winters of this part of Pennsylvania injure it.

As an ornament to the lawn few things sur-
passes it ; but its chief value lies in making
beautiful ornamental hedges or screens. The
common Althfea is very much used for'j'x '-, ur-

208

HE GARBEJ^ER'S MO^'THLY.

Septejiiber.

pose, as they make a place very gay during the
summer months, flowering from August till frost,
no matter how severe the trimming may have
been. There is a great variety of colors among
them, White, Pink and Purple, with many shades
between. There are also double as well as sin-
gle varieties. This variegated kind is double
purple.

The Althea is easily propagated either from
cuttings or seed— The former may be planted
in the Spring, and will often root so strong as to
flower the same year. Seeds may be sown in
Spring, and will flower the second year. They
seldom come the same color from seed. This is
the wa}^ that new varieties of course, are raised.
Ihe Althea is a native of Syria, but is very
much at home in the United States. The dou-
ble purple variegated was raised by Mr. Eobert
Buist of the Rosedale Nurseries, about fifteen
years ago. Like all variegated plants it is rather
slow of increase, so that it is not yet common.

HORTICULTURE ABOUT ST. LOUIS.

We suppose our readers know that St. Louis
aspires to be the Capital of the Nation. Wheth-
er that will ever or not come to pass, one thing
is certain, that the aspiration leads to a desire
for eminence in all things. In matters of art
especially a Capital is nothing if not excelling ;
and no doubt with other arts, the art of garden-
ing will flourish. If, however, St. Louis is to
rest its claims to superiority on these grounds,
it will have to brighten up. Gardening hardly
has an existence there as a branch of the fine
arts ; yet it is not by any means behind other
western cities, but perhaps superior to most.
There are some pretty places, small but well
kept. The town garden of Mr. D'Oench is quite
a model in this way ; more than this, in fact, for
it is a model of good taste as well.

There is a very active Horticultural Society
here ; but chiefly devoted to the culture of fruits,
and with little attention to the finer branches
of the art. In this respect there is nothing near
the city, if indeed in the Union, which will com-
pare in interest with the Missouri Botanical
gardens of Mr. Henry Shaw, and it is a good
sign for the future of garden art in St. Louis,
that Mr. Shaw's great liberality is appreciated
by the people. Citizens of every class seem to
speak of this garden as of something they take
great pride in, as it is generally known Mr. Shaw
will leave it to the city at his death. Every thing

that is carried out in the gai'den is done with
this view. The Botanic Garden, as its name im-
plies,is an offering to science rather than to art —
to Botany rather than to Horticulture. Artistic
effect has therefore not been so much studied, as
to provide a convenient garden, where every
thing suited to the climate can be grown. Fifty
acres are devoted to this purpose, and the part
used for flowers enclosed by a beautiful stone
wall. This flower garden is a paradise of beauty.
The beds were gay with blooming flowers; the
the belts profusely filled with all the hardy
slwubs that could be obtained, — the lawns and
gravel walks as neatly kept as if they were the
well ordered departments of a house under a
woman's care, than something in the outer world.
The plant houses have all been remodelled with-
in the past two years, are beautiful structures,
and are replete with Palms, Ferns, and other
matters of tropical interest. The amount of
money spent on the grounds and collections du-
ring Mr. Shaw's past life, must have been very
great. The two past years have swallowed
seventy five thousand dollars. Mr. Shaw has
however, wisely provided that the support of
this liberal donation to the' city shall be at no
cost to it for maintenance. He has set apart a
tract of laud valuable now, and which will grow
into an immensely increased value with time,
which is to be improved and let on long leases,
the income of which is to be a supporting fund
to the garden forever. In addition to this, Mr.
S. has donated a tract of 200 acres not far from
the garden, for a public park. The city has ac-
cepted it, and the improvement of the ground
is now in progress. It is a narrow parallelo-
gram over two miles long, and about the eighth
of a mile wide. This form, with some disadvan-
tages has many good ones ; not the least of which
is that the same extent of ground is spread fur-
ther through a city than if it were square, and
thus being brought near to people's homes pre-
vent much of that sectional feeling, which al-
ways prevails more or less in every city when a
park is spoken of ; and which sometimes goes so
far as to defeat schemes of acknowledged public
good, because one individual will reap more ben-
efit than another, — and which is satisfied to have
nothing if not the impossible idea of '' share and
share alike. " St. Louis, like other cities, seems
to have a park fever, as other localities are seek-
ing to have them ; and one, the Latayette — a
small one of about 20 acres— was about having

1869

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJfTELY.

269

the finishing touch applied to it in tlie shape of
a very cheap, yet very pretty, though somewhat
too light, iron fence put up all around it. The
trees and shrubs have been planted some years
and are now in excellent condition for enjoyment.
We heard great complaints from leading citizens
that this park has cost considerably more than
it ought ; but about this we were unable to judge,
We can only say it is a much prettier specimen I
of landscape gardening than city parks usually I
are, and is a credit to the city of St. Louis. It
is evidently much appreciated by the citizens, as
on the afternoon we saw it, it was crowded with
people ; and we could not but feel as we saw en-
joyment seated so cosily on every countenance,
that if ever the mass of a people get any return
for the thousands dragged out of them by taxa-
tion, it is in these beautiful public parks.

In fruit growing St. Louis and vicinity stands
high,— especially in the growth of the Peach
and the vine. We think we never saw healthier or

the sun where it is not wanted. Then the prun-
ing is good, a new shoot is brought up annually
from near the ground This in many cases, would
be a weak aflair ; but from the bearing vines Mr.
J. allows no laterals to grow after the first main
leaves are formed. These leaves— and fine large
leaves they were,— as large as moderate rhubarb
leaves, remained on, healthy, till the crop was
ripe. We don't know about the profits of grape
growing ; but it does seem tons that if anything
is to be made from this culture, such crops as
these, — now the fifth successive one — ought to be
worth some exceeding great reward.

The Pear fire blight is probably more destruc-
tive about here than any ]part of the Union ;
though singularly enough, very old trees and
veiy young ones do not seem as liable to it, as trees
from five to fifteen years. A corresponding dis-
ease in the apple, which was first noticed as ex-
isting in the west, in our volume for 1867, is ma-
king terrible headway. The farther we went

more productive grapes than at Mr, Jordan's in west,the more it seems to be. We noticed a few

St. Louis, and on the grounds of the Bluffton
Wine Co., on the Missouri river above the city.
On the deep sandy bottom at Bluffton, particu-
larly, the health and vigor of the plants, and the
promising crops of fruit on them were wonder-
ful to behold; on the high lands where the water
stands longer, they were not quite so fine, but
equal to any we have seen anywhere. For sue
cessful management over a term of years, how-
ever, we were very much pleased with Mr. Jor-
dan's. We noticed how fine they were two
years ago, now they are still finer than they
were then. The great success is no doubt in the
first place owing to the exceedingly good soil,
which is dry enough to walk over without mud-
dying ones boots an hour after the longest rains.
Then Mr. Jordan's system is undoubtedly a
good one, sloping the trellis so that all the
leaves from the bottom to top get some fight;
and besides, this system shades the ground from

cases so far east as near Pittsburg, but none
anywhere this side of the Alleghany river. Its
nature is precisely like that of the Pear, and is
no doubt a closely allied fungus ; but not proba-
bly quite the same, as we could not see that
very large branches were attacked as in the Pear.
We saw no branches over four year old, killed by
it. When, after years of doubt amongst skilled
Horticulturists, the Gardener's Monthly clearly
showed that this disease was of fungoid origin,
and like other funguses could only spread much
by sporeis, the fact was received increduously,by
the great body of fruit growers. But now it is
become a fixed article of faith in the creeds of the
best fruit men, there is no excuse for not cutting
away the diseased shoots and burning them be-
fore the spores mature. This should be partic-
ularly attended to by those who have but a few
trees attacked. Let us keep this apple blight
from crossing the Alleghanies if at all possible.

SCRAPS AND aUEUIES.

Judas Trees.— There are very few more beau-
tiful ornaments of our gardens, than the Judas
tree. There are three species : one American,
{Cercis Americana), another from South of Eu-
rope, (C siliquastrum), and the third Japan, (C.
Japonica). The flowers come out of buds formed
on the old wood, just as thorns come out of Ho-

ney Locust,which it is somewhat botanicallyallied
to, and continue to bloom from these buds on the
old wood for many years. These buds open be-
fore the leaves, and give the shrubbery borders
a gay appearance in early spring. The European
has the darkest flowers, but the plant is not so
vigorous in our country as the native American,

S70

THE GASDEXER'S MOXTHLY. Septemhev,

which grows to the size of an average plum tree
with age.

The Japan is of recent introduction. Its flow-
ers are larger and showier than the other two, of
a paler and more delicate texture, and it blooms
when quite small. It is perfectly hardy here, and
will probably grow as strong as the others.

Gerarde, an old English writer, says : "This
is the tree whereon Judas did verily hang him-
selfe." A recent writer, in the English Journal
of Horticulture, says : "It is quite impossible
that Judas could have hanged himself on such a
tree as this ;" because in English gardens the
tree is but a bush, which shows how dangerous
it is to go by personal experience only. In its
native country of Palestine the European grows
25 feet high, and with a stem 2 to 3 feet in circum-
ference. There would be nothing impossible in
Judas hanging himself on such a tree as that.
Besides, it must be remembered, that Judas ex-
hibited a much more Christian spirit than many
of the rogues of our day. He was really sorry
for his fault, and was willing and anxious to pay
the penalty, and so could easily hang himself on
any thing he wanted to. If any Judas's care to
come this way, — men who are every day selling
their consciences for thirty pieces of silver, — whe-
ther they be rascally tree peddlers, or honest dea-
cons, who cheat tree raisers out of their bills, we
will show them plenty of Judas trees, on which
they may reform the world, by hanging them-
selves, if they be so minded.

GKEE^f Tea Plant— ^. Z?., Tarhoro, N. C.
— " Canyon inform a subscriber of your interest-
ing Monthly, how to distinguish between the
Green and the Black Tea plant ? There is some
interest in these in our State. Some say the
plants are both the same; what is your opinion ?"

[There is but one plant. The difference be-
tween the two is that when the leaves are dried
rapidly, they dry of a greener color than when
they are slowly dried. There is a prevailing im-
pression that coloring matter is employed, but
this we believe to be an error.]

Desirable Country Place — In our last
month's advertising columns, we note an adver-
tisement of Mr. E. K. Tryon's Country place,
near Germantown. We are sorry that family
reasons should induce him to part with it, and
hope whoever buys it, will keep it up as beauti-
fully as he has done. It is admirably situated
for a first-class place, and is offered we think, at
a good bargain.

Roots of Trees— We do not know why
people cannot differ about horticultural practices
and opinions, without seeming to be hurt or
offended. We do not suppose any ones opinions
on horticulture are received with more respect
than those of Mr. Suel Poster, of Muscatine,
Iowa, j^et, in a notice of some views of the Gar-
dener's Monthly, on root fibres, in the Iowa Home-
stead, he says : "To call the small roots annuals,
is nonsense," and that he is "a humble and un-
pretending clod-hopper. Laying aside our friend's
application of terms to himself, which we are
sure no other one would have thought of, there
I is much in his paper which gives a coloring
I to his views of things. He says : " I graft a one
I year old root ; I take off all the fibres, plant it,
I and it grows." He seems to understand, that
j because we teach that root fibres are annual, no
moisture of any kind can get into the plant's
' system, except through them. Every one knows
that a cutting will sometimes stay a year in the
soil without any roots or fibres at all, that they
must evaporate moisture all that time, and of
course must draw in moisture some way loithout
fibres ; but it can do this only enough to barely
keep up the spark of life. If will not grow in any
sense worthy of the term until it gets fibres,
neither will a root graft.

Again, Mr F. is quite right about the nseless-
uess of fibres at certain seasons. He can cut off
as many fibres as he choses from apple grafts, as
he says, without the slightest injury, because at
that season their time has come. If it was natural
for them not to die, — not to be annual, — injury
ought to result from cutting them ofi". But Mr.
F. himself says they do not sufier by it, showing
that Mr. F. had only done what nature herself
loould soon do without him.

Of course root-fibres and true roots are embiy-
otically the same, — most die, and a few develop
into true roots,— just as leaves and branches are
essentially the same in their origin. In Decidu-
ous Cypress and ArborvitJB, this is beautifully
seen. The leaves and branches in them are nearly
homogeneotis; they are, in fact, more branchlets
than leaves. But the majority fall off" as leaves ;
but few go on and become true branches.

In short, if any one who wants to know how
roots and fibres are essentially the same, and yet
functionally difierent, a study of the Arbor-
vitre in spring, when it is shedding its young
branchlets, will aflford a beautiful illustration.

1869.

THE GAUBE^^EB'S MOJVTELJ.

Wanted.— Some friends are anxious to know
the whereabouts of Joseph Key worth, formerly in
the nursery business at Mansfield, Ohio, who was
to have gone to Europe, but who is believed to
be somewhere in Missouri. Information may be
addressed to this office.

Seedling Gooseberries. — Westerman''s Fa-
vorite.— Some specimens sent us by a correspond-
ent from Sharon, Pa., a seedling raised by him,
is a very large, fine fruit, equal to any English
variety, from some of which we suppose this one
was raised.

Poison Yine. — A Tyrone Pa , correspondent
of the Country Gentleman^ has found "swab-
bing" the infected parts of the body with coal
oil, an eflectual cure for injury from the com-
mon Poison Vine — Bhus texicodendron.

Diseased Gladiolus — M. B , Bait. " I fear
I shall tire you with my troubles, but can you tell
me what is the matter with my Gladiolus leaves,
and if there is any remedy ? Some kinds seem
more subject to it than others ; the leaves get a
yellowish tint, when the plant never blooms so
finely ? [This is believed to be of fungoid origin,
but its exact nature has never been ascertained,
and we have never known a plant which once
had it. to get free from it. If any of our readers
have had better success, we should be glad of
their experience, for our own information, and
to oblige a lady whom we know as an enthusias-
tic lover of plants.]

Treatment of Fuchsias. — M.B Baltimore,
Md. " Can you aid me in renovating my Fuch-
sias ? The leaves fall off, and they are mere skele-
tons with a few flower drops on the ends of the
shoots, and look very miserable. I was told by
the Gardener who attends our lot, that it would
be better if I put them in a shady place, I have
done so the last two months, but see no differ-
ence. "

[Most probably the red spider is pasturing on
your plants. The gardener was right about the
shade, so that it is not too deep, they prefer it to
hot sun. If it is red spider, they can be readily
seen with a small pocket lens, moving about

like sheep over a mountain. At this late sea-
son of the year you can scarcely do any thing to
renovate them ; but after they have done bloom-
ing, cut all the side branches back to short spurs,
and when the season for growth is quite over,
wash the wooly stems with sulphur and soap in
water. In the spring take the plants and shake
off the old soil, and wash the roots, potting in
new earth; and keep the plants away from any
other plants from which they may catch the in-
sects, and as they push into leaf, watch for their
first coming and syringe them off. The red spi-
der is a great enemy to many plants, particular-
ly to scarlet sage and violets. No lady should
be without a good lens when amongst her orar
den flowers.

Tomato Sugar. — A correspondent asks for
further information about this article, which we
noticed some time ago in the Monthly. "We only
gave the paragraph as a matter of information,
that this use was being made of them. We do
not know Jiow it is done, as the inventor has pa-
tented it. The plan we understand is to make
alcohol out of the tomato rather than susfar.

Geraniums Growling too Large —31. B.

Baltimore, Md " I have a beautiful scarlet Ger-
anium,given me by a friend, which I value and
am anxious to save. It is too large now for mv
small conveniences, being three years old. Is
there any way by which I can reduce its size
without injuring it ? "

[Cut it back, and this is a very good season to
do it. It is not said whether the plant is in a
tub or pot, or set out in the open ground to be
lifted in the fall. If in a pot, cut it back now
as low as desirable. In a couple of weeks it will
push out a little, then turn it out of the pot, and
it will be found that all the fibres are dead. A
plant always looses a portion of its roots in pro-
portion as the top is pruned. Shake out all the
old soil, and tear away the dead roots, repotting
in a smaller pot, with good soil, and it will grow
and make a good new young plant. This is the
system pursued by those celebrated English grow-
ers of whose famous Pelargoniums (of which your
scarlet Geranium is a section) we read about in
reports of their exhibitions. Some of their
plants though not larger than a bushel are years
old.— Ed.]

m

TEE GARDE^'ER'S MOjYTRLI. SepUmher;

The Shamrock— Jbwat7ia?i. Hoholten, If. J. —
''What is the history or mystery of the Sham-
rock clover ? I itiquirecl of au Irish friend who
seem'd to think it was in some wayconnected with
the hiitorv of St. Patrick, but did not know the
the particulars."

[A queer son of St. Patrick, not to know the
legend of the Shamrock. Barnum would make
money on him, with the advantage of no hum-
bug besides. The true Shamrock, those who
have investigated believe to have been the Oxalis
uceiosella, a plant which grows in our Northern
States, as well as in Ireland, and of which the
" Sour grass " eaten by children, {Oxalis stricta)
from any w iste piece of ground, is a good repre-
sentative. The leaf is like a clover. The history
is, that St. Patrick had considerable trouble in
converting an Irish King, who could not under-
stand how there could be three persons in the
Godhead, each equal to the whole, and the whole
equal to the one; but who was satisfied, when St.
Patrick showed the three leaflets growing on one
stalk. To be sure St. Patrick's botany was not
correct, as the leaflet is not equal to the whole
leaf •, but that was not of much consequence in
those days.]

Seedling Geranium— Gen Michael Corcoran
— We have a specimen seedling Geranium uuder
this name, too much dried to offer au opinion ;
but by the number of flowers on a truss, we
should judge it to have some merit.

Variations in a State of Xature— TF.
B. G., Pouyhk€e2)sie,N. Y., writes : "I have read
•with some interest your reference, in the Natu-
ralist to the double flowered Saxifrage ; and
a^^ain in the Gardener'>s Monthly, to the variation
in the flowers of Sauguinaria. As some good
examples of a departure of floweis from the nor
mal form, in a state of nature, have occured here,
I have decided to send you two specimens, and
to mention the others. Of the enclosed, the first
is a photograph of a Thalictrum anemonoides,
with flowers all double. It was found here this
spring by Miss Shattuck, teacher of Botany at
Vassar College. It was a beautiful object when
fresh, and its beauty was one of the causes of its
being photographed. The other specimen is a
flower of the Leucanthemum vidgareyar tuhuliHo-
rum. In this variety the ligulate rays are en
tirely suppressed, and the outer row of disk flow-
ers abnormally developed — becoming bilabiate
and colorless, and taking the place of the rays.

Last season I found here the ''Peloria"' state
of the iiV/arm r!/?(/a)-?s, like that mentioned by
Gray, as having been found in your State by Dr.
Darlington. The flowers had five spurs, and a
tubular corolla,

A few days ago I picked a Taraxacum having
two flowermg heads at the summit of the same
scape. Hoping that these notes may prove of
value to you, as forming another link in your
chain of evidence, that nature has more to do
with variation of plants than the gardener's art. "

[We are very much obliged by these facts and
hope others will send any they may meet with.
Errors always lead to bad results,— and garden-
ing we think has suffered much from the readi-
ness to attribute every natural change to culti-
vation.]

National Seed Distribution. — A year or
so ago there was a great cry against the Agri-
cultural department at Washington, on the
wholesale distribution of seed and plants all over
the country. We did our best to remedy this
acknowledged evil, but could not advocate the
sweeping proposals of many good men, to abolish
these distributions altogether. We proposed
that only the newer seeds should be distributed,
and that the agricultural reports should be the
medium for publishing the experiments of the
recipients with them. Commissioner Capron
has acted on this plan, and the result is, the
monthly reports are regularly becoming more
interesting ; yet one cannot but be struck with
the fact, how very few reports come in, in pro-
portion to the great amount distributed. We
think Mr. Capron might improve the good work
he has entered on, by not sending to any but
those whom he knows are likeW to report, or who
will ask for seed with the promise to report.

Horticulture at St. George, Utah. — A
correspondent writes;— This is a new colony, 350
miles south of Salt Lake City, and 100 north of
the navigation of the Colorado, at the junction
of the Rio Virgen and Santa Clara rivers.

My garden is but four years old, or it is but four
years since I grubbed out the musquit, and yet
from our wild flowers, aud the importations I
have been able to make, I have the best collec-
tion of flowers and the finest flower-garden in
L^tah, as well as the largest and best collection of
grapes in the mountain States and territories.

I am constantly finding something new in the

18Q9

THE GAUBEJ^EWS MOJVTELY.

273

floral world, and as fast as possible transfer them
to my grounds. I have a new large Cornvlvulus.
It is, like the children express it, "a big Morn-
ing-glory on a Willow-tree." The flower is two
inches or more across, of dark purple centre,
shaded finely. The plant will stand some four
tu eight feet high, and is branching, with long,
narrow, pendulous leaves, and the flowers here,
in June and July, cover the plant every morning.
Last Fourth of July it had the most fifty
flowers. It grows on the dry, sandy plains, and
when transferred to moist gardens it makes a
wonderful change. It is shy of seeds; have never
got yet but thirty, all told ; but the number in-
creases each year, and I expect to get from my
oldest plant this year one hundred seeds or more.
You will find it one of the finest plants that
adorns any garden. Ihe plant is herbaceous;
dies every year, and comes up larger and stronger
the year succeeding. This plant I raised from
seed, and it is five years old, and now stands
five feet, and will grow up to eiiiht feet high, like
a miniature tree. I also enclose a lew other
sorts I have now, and if you like our new moun-
tain flowers, 1 will continue to send such as I find
that are new and fine.

We have had swarms of grasshoppers that
have taken all my annual plants as they come
up.

I hope to be in Philadelphia next September,
at the American Pomological Convention, as I
have the honor to be Vice President for Utah,
and also have the honor to be the President of
the Eocky Mountain Pomological Society."

Large Pear Trees. — The Philadelphia Led-
ger ssi.} s of some Pear trees near Philadelphia :

"Perhaps the oldest, and consequently the most
interesting specimen of fruit trees in this section
of New Jersey, is a pear tree which now stands
on the original Harrison estate, within the cor-
porate limits of Gloucester city. The tree is
over one hundred and fifty years old, having
been brought to this country by Captain Samuel
Harrison, son of the regicide, about the year
1716, in a flower pot, who planted it upon his
premises, where it has ever since stood a monu-
ment of the past. It is still in a bearing condi-
tion, and the fruit is of a delicious character.
The tree is about twenty feet in height and four
feet in circumference. This specimen has always
borne the name of Bergamy pear, and the tree
has been carefully guarded. Some of its branches,

however, are decaying, and occasionally, for
several years past, it has not borne fruit, but the
present year it has yielded liberally. The pro-
perty on which it stands is now owned by David
S. Brown, Esq., and the tree, for the sake of
'Auld Lang Syne,' should be guarded with
scrupulous care.

Some readers may think 150 years a long
while to trace the history of a single tree; and so
it is, but in this particular instance, there is no
doubt of its correctness. The facts of the cai-e
are furnished by Mi'. John Red field, a gentleman
of antiquarian turn of mind, 72 years of age, who
has lived all his life tn the neighborhood, and
personally knew three generations of the family
owning the property on which the tree stands.
He has in his possession many reminiscences of
rare interest to those concerned in the early set-
tlement of Gloucester and of Philadelphia.''

[This is good, but there are pear trees in Mee-
han's nurseries at Germantown. which are seven
feet in ciicumference six feet from the grounc'.
When they were planted, no one knoweth, but
they were probably nearly as high as they are
now at the battle of Germantown, on which fatal
field they stand. 1

.1^

t-trl

Crows. — Ai a recent meeting of the N'ew-¥"^©*4f
Fruit Growers' Club, Mr. Fuller saidi
(^" Like rnany others, I was taught when young
to look upon the crov5,as the natural enemy of
the farmer ; in fact, that it wf^ the duty of eVery^ / /^Z
boy to shoot » crow whenever he had a chance."
A few years sincer I eoaamenceri keeping tame
crows, and since that time I have changed my ;
mind in regard to this bird, and although the old "'
Adam which is so strongly manifested in the
habits of some of my neighbors, prevents me
from keeping tame crows for any great length ot
time; still I encourage the visit§ of the wild ones.
Near my house there is a piece of woods where
the crows congregate in great numbers, and lay
their eggs, and raise their young, consequently I
have a good opportunity of studying their habits,
and I am free to confess that 6a«^ year s inves- ^ i^^ '
tigation only increases my admiration of this
almost universally condemned bird. One of my
neighbors and myself have grown corn for seve-
ral years right alongside of this resort of the
crows, and 1 do not believe that we have suffered
a loss of fifty cent^ a year from their depreda-
tions. The only scare-crow we use is white twine
stretched on stakes over the fields for a few weeks
while the corn is young. The remainder of the

^L

^ ^

f7^

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^'THLY.

SeptenibeTf

year the crows are allowed fiee range through my
garden and fields. Rose-bugs, cut-worms, and
other noxious insects have rapidly decreased
since I adopted this system and conduct towards
this bird. It is said that the croAV will destroy
the young of other species of birds, also eat their
eggs, and they may do so to avoid starvation,
but if they really loved such food I am quite
sure that there are crows enough in the town
where I live to destroy in one week all the birds'
nests in the State of New Jersey."

[We are glad of Mr. Fuller's advocacy of this
very useful bird. All the corn he eats will not
hurt any of us — but he does like young birds and
birds' eggs. We have a flitSeh year old who
looks close after bird matters, and his opinion
is that the '*• crows would soon eat all Mr. Ful-
ler's young birds, only he is too great a coward.
He's afraid even of a hen- tit,'' which we think
likely^]

Vegetable Physiology.— We have fre-
quently called attention to the fact that our
works on vegetable physiology are very much
behind the age. Almost all sciences have pro
gressed but this, and it has stood still. It is a
very common thing for writers with little prac-
tical appearance, but an abundance of book
knowledge, to appeal to the ''eternal laws" of
nature, in proof of some pet notion, as the&e
supposed laws are laid down in some did book.
But we are quite sure that those of our readers
who have followed the Gardener^s Monthly
through its many years' of existence, must know
how unreliable are very many of these "laws."
1 here is indeed scarcely a work on Vegetable
Physiology which is worth reading by the pro-
gressive light of the present day.

The London Gardener''s Chronicle, we are
pleased to find, is also turning public attention to
this great want. In a recent number it says
truly that not even "Lindley's great reputation
would live long by any contribution of his to
Vegetable Physiology." It is much to be re-
gretted that we have not more students in this
interesting branch of science. Occasions which
might result in great good to us all are passed
over and forever lost, while we wrangle over
what old fellows likt Grew or Malphigi saw in
their days. We have had, for instance, this
season, one of the most wonderful fruit years.
We doubt whether anything like it, in this
section of the country ever happened before. No
better chance ever oflfered to discover some new

laws as affecting vitality than the present season.
But there are no students, and the occasion will
probably be lost. If it were astronomers, instead
of Vegetable Physiologists, they would go hun-
dreds of miles to profit by an occasional chance,
as they did during the eclipse ; but we have not
yet got as devoted men in our branch of study.

The Clarke Easpberry— 5 , .Be/pre, O. —
We never heard the origin of the Clarke. It
was raised at New Haven, Conn. Perhaps its
parent was the Belle de Fontenay, which it re-
sembles in every respect except that it does not
fruit like that one in the fall. Like that variety,
it is in particular a villainous suckerer, but when
a little labor is bestowed in hoeing these out, it ■
is a tolerably abundant bearer, and a first rate
thing. The fruit is really excellent. As to
hardiness, you must remember that it is a scion
of ' a noble foreign house,' and the question with
these seedlings is not, ' are they hardy ?' but,
'how long will they keep so?' This is all we
know of the ' origin, hardiness and merits of the
Clarke.'

Sale of Nursery Stock.— By an advertise-
ment in our regular columns, it will be seen that
the old nursery grounds of the Reid Nursery, at
Elizabeth, N. J., is to be sold for building pur-
poses, and the stock offered this fall for public
sale. Progress is a great foe to arboriculture.
It is not so many years ago since the late Mr.
Reid had to move away from Murray Hill, in
New York city, now worth many millions. He
looked on Elizabeth as the perpetual home of
I his loved trees, but the great enemy follows here;
j and it seems for the nurseryman there is to be
I no spot amidst the deluge of buildings, on which
he can permanently rest his feet.

The Parks, Gardens, and Promenades
OF Paris, is a new work just issued in England,
written by Mr. W. Robinson, and which is
really a very pretty and readable book. The
Gardener^s Chronide has, however, recently
pointed out that much of its horticultural illus-
trations h\ve been plagiarisms from a celebrated
French author. It might have added that the
arboricultural illustrations are chiefly stolen
from another French work, " Course Elemen-
taire Theorique et Practique d'' Arboriculture,^^
by De Breuil. On a cursory glance at the volume,
one might suppose he had De Breuil in hand.

1SG9. kX^^ THE GARDEjYER'S MOJVTHLY.

275

There have been some bad cases of horticultural
plagiarism exposed in our own land, but few of
so shameful an extent as this, and that, too, by
"A Fellow of the Linnean Society."

Iowa Homestead.— This very valuable
^Northwestern Journal has added to its interest
by engaging Mr. D. W. Kauffman as its horti-
cultural editor. Mr. K is a modest man, but
"siill waters run deep,'' and there is no one in
the West whose views can be more depended
upon.

Agricultural Department of the World.
— We notice that Mr. A. B. Cmndell, formerly
with the 'Ne.w Yxivh Tribime, is now engaged as
agricultural editor of The World. Few men
know better than Mr. Crandell how to make a
readable paper.

Justice to the Maine Farmer^ demands of us
to say, that the paper we quoted from its columns,
pretending that the foreign grape was success-
fully grown in immense quantities in I^ew Jer-
sey by a Mr. Speer, did not originate with it, but
was from the New York Evening Post. We hope
we shall always be as " fastidious" in doing
j ustice as in correctin^he errors of others.

Law and Science.— The Hartford Courant
says---. ^

t^ " A law was passed by the last Legislature
for the protection of creeping ferns, and an East
Windsor Hill corpespnndfii»t says it will be en-
forced. ' The fern is very rare, and this is the
only place on the globe where it is found abun-
dantly. There is not one plant now where there
were fifty five 3'ears ago. Last year the field
was wantonly stripped byparties from this city "
[Science must be looking up in Ctmncetioutt
If this "Creeping Fern'' is the Pteris ^iquilina,
they may have had some economic enci in view,
but it Camjjiosorus Rhizophyllus, sheer love of
science must have ^tuated the members of the
Legislature. How much in contrast with Har
risburg, where, when some legislation was needed
whereby the Philadelphia Academy of JS'atural
Sciences could make its collection of benefit to
the whole city, the gift was not only refused, but
some of the Philadelphia members of the As-
sembly had never heard of the institution.

Possibly we are giving too much credit to the
Hartford Legislature. Punch says that a Lon-
doner kept boys from his rockery by a sign,

"Trespassers leware ! Scohpendriums and
Polypodiums set here !" and the bo3's, of course
thought it was something of the nature of
'steel traps and spring guns." Possibly the
Hartford boys thought "Creeping Fern" Avas
s'. mething allied to gold quartz or silver ore
beds, and hence the act as we find it.l

A

Tap Roots.— B., St Louis, Mo., says :
" Are you not wrong in your views of the
value of tap roots. When we move your standard
pear trees we find they have nothing else but tap
roots ; cut them off, and what have we left ?
Perhaps your remark that those who argue about
the value of tap roots do not know what they are
talking about, was not intended to be so sweep-
ing as it seems. I have always advocated the
saving of the tap root, and really think the above
example entitled to some weight."
[We are always very glad to get well tempered ob-
jections to any point we make. We do not pretend
to infallibility, and wish to get right, if wrono- In
the case of the Pear, annual fibres come out along
the surface of this tap root, and it is only of value
in so far as it can do this. Moreover, it has
been found byexperience of the best Pear growers
that fibres from surface roots are much better
than the fibres from tap roots; hence in plantino-
young seedling pears for budding or grafting
these tap roots are much shortened, and laterals
forced, and in transplanting large trees, it is
found that those pears succeed best which have
the most laterals and the fewest tapj roots

Our remarks about their not knowing wha
they wrote about, were intended for the Neio
York Observer, on that special occasion, and not
for such instances as our correspondent furnishes
where there is good grounds for mistake. The
justice of the remark there, could not fail to be
observed, we think, by impartial 'readers. The
London GarcZener's Weekly, edited by Shirley
Hibberd, says :

"In the American Gardener''s Monthly for
April occurs a quotation from the JSfexo York
Observer, to the eftect that the removal of tap-
roots when trees are transplanted invariably
proves fatal. The editor of the Gardener\s
Monthly wisely abstains from discussino- the
question for a very good reason He says, ' We
think some who are arguing about this, do not
even know what tap roots are. ' It is well always
to avoid discussmg matters that have been set-
tled by the experience of ages, especially whjn
the propounders of questions are obviously ign

276

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJYIELJ. Stptcmber,

rant of the
proceed.']

facts on which discussion must

Good Jokes. — We enjoy jokes as much as
any one, and are not at all particular whether
we pay for it, or the cost comes out of some one
else's store. Hence we are as much amused at
the following description of a Western strawberry
bed, from the pen of Brother Elliott, as if it were
"all so:"

" The plants were growing under what such
good cultivators as Knox would call, slovenly
neglectful— in fact, the plants liad no order or
form of position, but were made to subserve to
the raids of white clover and we.nls, and help
thf mselves to the spare spots •, this they had done
h wever, most thoroughly; and if there is any-
thing in advising ' no culture' as best, according
to our valued friend Meehan, then this berry is
one of the sorts to be used in carrying out the
practice."

For the benefit of those who don't know Jokes,
we may note that the •' good culture" of Knox
is precisely the "no culture" Meehan recom-
mends.

that a much finer fruit could be raised from its
seeds. Mr. Bowden has said how large he could
raise a strawberry in twenty years ; by ' a com-
bination of peculiar principles,'' I have no doubt
I could get the fruit as large as musk melons. I
would, therefore, much prefer the seed to the
plants. Do not forget to send me the first
plants, and I will distribute the seed freely every-
where, giving the Gardener'>s Monihl]} due credit,
and thus proving to every one that it is the best
horticultural journal in the land."

Certainly, Friend K. shall not be forgotten
when our negotiations with Mr. Sewaid are
completed. We could enjoy no greater pleasure
than to put the first plants into the hands of our
correspondent, whose initials are well known as
belonging to the oldest living author of an Ameri-
can Pomological work.

XoTE OK Amaryllis — Miss A. G., Balti-
more, Md , writes :

" Since writing to you in regard to the Ama
ryllis, I have put into the garden the young A
Johnsonii, kept during the past three winters in
dry sand. This was done about the first of May.
They have borne quite cold weather — even a
sprinkle of snow — yet one has bloomed beauti-
tully ; the first blossom keeping its freshness of
tint till the remaining buds were entirely out,
wliich is not the case when blooming in the
house. As is frequent in the first stem, it put
foith but three buds.

"We have in the family an A. John.sonii,
which has been blooming for at least twelve
years, and in possession at least fifteen. Its nu-
merous offspring, and their offspring, have been
spread from Maryland to Maine, and in the pro
gress of culture, have even surpassed it in splen-
dor of growth and size of blossom. Is it not a
patriarch ? It at least cannot say, ' the good
old. days.'' "

The Alaska Strawberry. — W K.^Ntwton,
Mass., is the first applicant for one of these won-
derful strawberry plants. He adds to his appli-
cation : " You do not say whether the berry is
'firm,' but I have no doubt, it is fine, and

Ramie. — A Huntsville, Ala., correspondent
writes :

" I have the pleasure to hand you a handker-
chief made of Uamie, in response to a request in
the August number of the Gardener'' s Monilily'>''

[We are much indebted for this fjavor. It is a
beautiful fabric, and settles the fact conclusively
that the Ramie is capable of making the finest
articles, and that the Agricultui-al Department is
in error. Also we lind that the Northern Ramie
to which we have referred, is finer, stronger, and
a better article than this, and deserves attention.

Taking off Cabbage Leaves. — F. H. 6?.,
Urbanna, Virginia :

"Should the lower or ground leaves of cab-
bage be broken off while growing ? Authorities
differ on this subject, and as I am a beginner,
would like to have your opinion.

'They could be cultivated much easier, if it
will not injure them to take away the bottom
leaves. If they may be taken away, does it
make any difference at what stage of the growth
of the cabbage it should be done.

" Please reply through the columns of the
Gardener^s Monthly.'"

[It will not hurt turnips or beets. It is rather
a benefit than an injury to them. We have
never known it fairly tried on cabbage. We
believe, however, it would not hurt much, if any,
to take off' the mature leaves ; but we think it
would injure the crop to take off the younger
ones.]

isno.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOjYTELY.

r,

Late Keeping Grape — i?., Johnstotcn. Pa.
— " What is the best keeping grape for a cold
vinery."

[The Barbarossa is praised by those who can
get it to fruit, but many complain that it is a
shy bearer.]

Greenhouse Furnaces— "Jbs^iia," Tarry-
town, N. Y. — " We are puting up a gmall green-
house. It is to be heated by a flue which is to
run along the back wall, under the stage. The
house is a lean-to. The carpenter proposes to
have the furnace inside the house, to save the
heat, with a trap door to guard against dust
and gas, but the gardener, who is from Phila-
delphia, objects, and says it should be outside.
My place is small, and my gardener makes no
great pretension to plant knowledge, so I thought
I would ask you."

[The gardener is right. There is no heat
saved by having the furnace inside, — rather a
loss. The Are must be fed with air, or the fire
will not burn. When the furnace is inside, this
air has all to come from the interior of the house,
which has already been warmed, and its place
supplied by cold air, which has thus to be con
tinually drawn in through the laps of the glass
or other crevices. All this draught of air, which
has been heated, is, therefore, a loss. Then
with all the care, dirt and gas are likely to es-
cape. Have the furnace outside if possible]

Nebraska State Fair, on the 28th— 31st,
Sept. — We are much pleased by the remembrance
of our friends in this region, by the kind invita-
tion to be present, and which, however, we are
unable to accept this season.

Fruit and Flov^ers in Oregon and
California — Bishop Morris, late of German-
town, having reached his destination in Oregon,
a person who accompanied him thus writes :

" Our new cousin, in San Francisco, has just
sent us up some very fine plums, and they are
so beautiful and large that I must tell you about
them. There are some Green Gages that are
very large, and another variety, a fine large pur-
ple and reddish Plum, as large as our largest
Peaches at home. All the fruit here surprises us.
The Cherries are as large as our largest Plums
at home. We have not seen the Apple and Pear
crops yet, but they are said to be the brag Oregon
fi-w'ts.

Dil I tell you that the Fuchsias in San Fran-

cisco grow up the houses and on frames like
honeysuckles at home, and the Geraniums grow
up into little trees as large as our lilac bushes,
and you can see no green leaves for the scarlet
flowers that covers the bushes?"

ViNELAND Fair. — In our regular co'umn
will be folmd an advertisement of the Yin^land
Horticultural Society As will be seen by the
dates, the time of meeting is just after the Na-
tional Pomological meeting. Many of the dele-
gates will thus have an opportunity to see Vine-
land, and if it strikes them as favorably as it did
us on our first visit, they can give themselves no
greater treat than to go and see.

Williamsport Forks.— We continue to re-
ceive inquiries where these are to be had. On
inquiry we find they are kept by Messrs. Lan-
dreth & Son, and no doubt by all the otlier agri-
cultural men who advertise in our pages.

BoBT. J. Halliday's Wholesale Plant
Catalogue. — Wholesale plant catalogues are
not common. We think it would be a great
blessing to the community if nurserymen gene-
rally would endeavor to foster more taste for
flowers amongst their customers. Mr. Ilalliday
here offers a good chance to purchase Winter
blooming flowers cheap.

John P. Parke, Trenton, JV. J".— We are
much obliged by your letter, and have written
to see what explanation can be made. If not all
right, we will publish what you say.

Value of Seedling Strawberries — The
New York Tribune paid Mr. A. S Fuller $7000
for the three strawberries. Monitor, Col. Ells-
worth and Brooklyn Scarlet.

Plant for Name— From G. P., Beaver Dam,
Wis. — Valeriana rubra.

Pear Culture for Profit is the title of a
new work now in the press, by Mr. P. T. Quinn.

EuMELAN Grape— i?. B. S, Clyde, Ohio,
writes that this variety promises very well with
him. He obtained a plant from Dr. Grant in the
Spring of 1868. Four vigorous shoots have set
ten bunches which give great promise, although
continuous rains prevented them from fertilizing

278

THE GARBEJS'EB! S MOJ^TELl. September,

properly. The canes are 7 feet high. Concord
and Catawba have all been destroyed by mildew,
but Eumelan, lona and Delaware do well.

Strawberry 'E:k:hita'tio^s.— Hearth <!i: Home
justly remarks that no test of a strawberry is of
value on the exhibition table. This has long
been our teaching. The proper place for these
tournaments is the strawberry field.

Skedling Blackberries— B. S , Cleveland,
Ohio. — The berries were a rotten mass. We
paid $1.25 express charges on them, and threw
the whole away.

Second Akxfal Eeport of the Ohio
State Horticultural Society.— This inter
esting report contains figures and descriptions
of some new Western Apples by Dr. Warder.

The Flory, Moore's Extra, Wealthy, Stark,
Powers, Grime's Golden, St. Joe Seedling, Zim-
merman. Parke's Keeper and Lawver, — and an
account of the New York Grape Show. Small
Fruits of 1868 by G. W. Campbell. Grape cul-
ture along the Grape shore by Bateham. New
Fruits at the Ohio State Fair, and many other
shorter papers with full reports of the meetings
of the year. Mr. M. B. Bateham, Painesville, O.,
is Secretary.

Palaces of America.— We ought to have
stated that Mr. Scotfs interesting paper, in
another column, had already appeared in the

Sadkal.

Pea — Dunneith's 1st Early, some 6 weeks
later sown than some other peas, was ready for
use as soon as any, but this earliness, we think,
is its only merit.

KEW AlVD EARE PLANTS.

SpirxEA Pal3IATa.— The Gardener^s Chronicle
says : " We are indebted to Mr. Fortune for the
following account, read at the last Tuesday meet-
ing of the Royal Horticultural Society, of the
beautiful and hardy Spirtea Palmata, which was
described by Thunberg in his '' Flora Japonica"
nearly 100 years ago (1784).— 1 here is a plant
of this name in our gardens, but it is very infe
rior to that exhibited by Mr. Noble, and which
is, no doubt, the true S. palmata of Thunberg.
The plant is found cultivated in almost every
garden in the more northern parts of the Japanese
empire, and is a most beautiful object when in
full bloom. Dr. Hooker, who has figured it in
the Botanical Magazine, describes it as " by far
the handsomest of the species of the genus
hitherto imported, and certainly one of the most
beautiful hardy plants in cultivation ; the deep
purple-red of the stems and branches, passing
into the crimson-purple of the glorious broad
corymbs of flowers, contrasts most exquisitely
with the foliage, which in autumn assumes beau-
tiful tints of brown and golden yellow. Like
all the Japanese plants cultivated in, or indigen-
ous to, the more northerly parts of the empire,
S. palmata is perfectlj- hardy in England, and
will form a valuable addition to our list of hardy
herbaceous plants. The east has already favor-
ed us with some herbaceous plants of great beau-
ty, such for example as Anemone japonica and

Dielytra spectabilis ; and the Spirsea now exbib_
ited will prove a fitting companion to these beau-
tiful and useful species. "

Lycopodium tetrastichttm. — A correspon-
dent of the Gardener''s Chronicle, says : At the
M0.SCOW exhibition " One of the most remark-
able among the novelties shown, is unquestiona-
ble a plant called Lycopodium tetraslichum (ac-
cording to its own label), from Java. It resem-
bles nothing I have yet seen in cultivation of
this genus, being of a bold upright habit, quad-
rilateral, and i^erfectly regular in outline ; the
branches are about the thickness oi a common
pencil or pen-holder. I have not as yet been
able to obtain any information as to its owner,
or further details respecting it."

A New Vegetable — At a meeting of the
Horticultural Society of Geneva, held in the
Muste Roth, on December 16 1868, Mr. Berger
read a paper on the culture of what was to me,
and most of the members present, an entirely
new vegetable— the " Scolime d'Espagne."

Tiie " Scolime " is cultivated largely in many
parts of Spain, where it is esteemed a great lux-
ury, as well as a profitable and wholesome vege-
table. When growing it looks like a line of This-
tles, only rather more handsome than the em-
blem of Scotland. The root somewhat resem-

J869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY.

279

bles an ordinary-sized Altringhain Carrot, but
is white in color. M. Berger brought a good
basketful of the roots, which he distributed to
any one who wished to taste them. I took four
of them home, and next day had them cooked in
the same way as we cooked a Turnip or a Po-
tato. With a little melted butter, the Scolime
tasted like well blanched Seakale.

The mode of culture is the same as we prac-
tice for Carrots or Parsnips, except the time o f
sowing. The seed must not be sown before
about June 15, or else it will bolt into flower, and
the roots will be as tough as leather. By June loth
some of the earlier kitchen garden crops are gener-
ally cleared off the ground, and as the Scolime
only takes four montlis to come to maturity, it
will (as soon as it is better known) prove to be
a valuable second crop. It is perfectly hardy,
and keeps good for use from October till March .
And being of easy culture, it will be a help (by
way of a change) to gardeners with limited
means of men and acres, who have to face an an-
gry Prench cook during the winter months, with
a list of vegetables so " limited " that he will tell
3'ou he can make no change in his '' bill of fare."

Modern seed lists are now so long and ridicu-
lous, that I am a little nervous in advising seed
merchants to add one more name to them. Still
I will, at the risk of being laughed at, advise
adding the Scolime d'Espagne. Permit me here,
en-pchssant, to remark, that the fault of modern
seed lists is not so much that of the seedsmen, as
of those who give orders. Twenty years ago I
was a junior assistant in one of the largest seed
businesses in London. My duties were to keep
the shopcleac, and mix the old Carrot seed with
the new, Ac. One morning an order came from
a gardener for 12 sorts of early peas. The pro-
prietor was bewildered ; but the manager of the
garden seed department was equal to the occa-
sion, and got over the difficulty by serving the
12 sorts out of a sack of Early Charltons.

If a modern seedsman now-a-days (with a first
class selected stock of seeds) sends out a modest
autumn catalogue, he has little chance against
another who sends out a catalogue, about the
size of an old Scotch family Bible, containing the
names of all kinds of rubbish, known and un-
knowQ since the days when our first parents
were happy in the garden of Eden.— John A.
Watsox, Campagne Laminermoor, Geneva,
Siritzerlaud, in Gardener''s Chronide.^^

A ;tfEW Fodder Plant.— We learn from The
Massachusetts Ploughman^ that Mr. Laslier of
Boston has introduced and is cultivating a plant
which he is confident will prove to be a great
acquisition. This is the Galega officinalis, a na-
tive of Spain. It belongs to a genus of hardy,
ornamental, perennial rooted, herbaceous plants,
of the lotus division of the Papilionaceous order.
The roots consist of many strong fibres, frequently
jointed, stems numerous, hollow, erect, from
three to six feet high. Its fiowers are produced
in loose spikes from the top of the stem, and
bloom from June to September. The pods are
erect, nearly cylindrical, from five to eight seeded,
and swollen out with air. The color of the
flowers is light blue, or light purple, white, or
variegated. — Daily Paper.

New Vegetable. — The Cheyenne corres-
pondent of the Chicago Tribune mentions a new
vegetable as follows: We have been enjoying the
luxury of a new vegetable that has lately been
discovered in great abundance on the plains.
Mushrooms, of gigantic size and extraordinary
flavor, have been found growing by hundreds of
thousands all around Che}^enne. The writer
saw one that weighed one pound, was twenty-
one inches in circumference, and seven inches in
diameter ; stem two inches thick and five inches
long. When prepared for cooking, the meat was
thirteen inches from one rim to the other, and
from one to two and one-half inches thick. I
ate some of this monster fried in butter — and it
would be safe to say, if the mushroom beds around
Cheyenne were near your city, they would be
worth $100,000. Thus, every day, some valua-
ble discovery is made in this new country.

Transcendent Crab. — The past Winter,
while visiting a frieiid, we particularly adn dred
the quality of their dried apple sauce. We were
informed that it was made from the above varie-
ty of apple, simply quartered, cored and dried.
That the skins were so thin that they all disap-
peared in cooking. This variety bears young,
is hardy and prolific for Xorth. Would it not
pay in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota to
plant out large orchards for drying and cider ?
Where other varieties Winter kill it would be
better than no apple to eat from the hand. Can-
ned, it is by no means to be despised. If I lived
North, where other good apples failed me, I
would go in for a good orchard of Tradsjen dents
and Puchess of Oldenburg.— L. L. Fairchild.

'280

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJsTELY. Septemljer,

]N^EW ATCD RARE PRUITS.

Downer's Kentucky Late Strawberry,
— In our last Xo., we gave some account of this
new late Strawberry. A friend now sends us a
drawing of it. AVe have not seen the plant grow-

ing ourselves, but from what we can learn from
friends whose judgment we are accustomed to
rely on, we believe this variety will be useful as
filling up a gap now occupied by none.

^'SjjS'jdi^

[KENTUCKY STRAWBERRY.]

Peak's E:mperor Strawberry is a new va-
riety that 1 have fruited this year for the first
and with gratification. It originated with Mr.
Peak, of South Bend, Indiana, and is a cross of
the Wilson and Hovey. It was introduced into
this State by Purdy & Johnston, of whom I ob-
tained it. The plant is remarkably strong and
vigorous ; the fruit is very large, ovate, elon-

gate, deep crimson, of good flavor, and firm con-
sistency. Prom my limited experience I consi-
der it the most productive of all the large berries,
and very nearly equal to the Wilson. Its season
is medium to late, or about with the Jucunda.
But I forsee that it is to be a subject of contro-
versy; as in form, color and flavor, it bears a
strong resemblance to the Agriculturist, and

1860.

TEE GARDEJyER'S MOJVTHLY.

281

those who disseminate it will be accused of sell-
ing an old berry under a new name. I tried the
Agriculturist two years on the same soil, as that
now occupied by Peak's Emperor, and it did so
poorly that I plowed it under. Mr. Purdy de-

clares that this seedling was produced by Mr.
Peak before the Agriculturist was heard of in
that section.— P. C. Reynolds, in American
Farmer.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Lake View Garden, Kenosha. — This gar-
den is located south of the city limits, and near
the Ladies' Seminary. It contains twelve acres
of land, well suited for the raising of vegetables
and small fruits. It is under a high state of cul-
tivation, and yields bountifully every yerr. H.
F. Phelps, the proprietor, has four acres of
Strawberries of different kinds, and same num-
ber of Raspberries. He has thirty picking daily,
■which keeps him busy filling and shipping the
numerous orders he receives from Chicago and
Milwaukee. He has a srapery and greenhouse
which is filled with different flowers, and also
Oranges and Lemons growing. His Strawber-
ries have fallen short of the usual yield this sea-
son on account of the rain, but his Raspberries
will yield him a bountiful harvest. He supplies
the citizens of Kenosha with early vegetables.
He is adding to his number of acres of berries,
and next year will have double his present num-
ber.— Prairie Farmer.

Durability of the Mulberry. — The mul-
berry of Asia Minor {M. nigra?) is eminent for
extreme vitality of root and durability of wood.
The mummy cases of Egypt, on which the marks
of tlie workmen's tools are still sharply distinct
in color and edge, seem to be of mulberry ; and
in the much more ancient palace of Nimrod
(Nineveh,) beams of mulberry were found by
Mr. Layard. This mulberry is also used for
posts. Who can tell whether our handsome,
useful and healthy J.mencan Mulberry., possesses
in its wood this valuable property of resisting
decay ? I fear it does not.— W., Tyrone, Pa., in
Country Gentleman.

six kinds were ripe enough to eat. The others
were hard and sound, and would require fr 'Ui
three to five weeks to ripen. He said he had
eaten Surpasse Virgalieu and Dana's Hovey as
perfect in quality as when fresh from the trees.
From what little experience he had had, he
thought it important that fruit should be in per-
fect order when put into the house. It should
also be gathered directly from the tree, though
he had put some Sheldons in the house which
had been exhibited in Boston, Cambridge and
Concord, and they had kept very well.

Mr. J. V. Wellington, of Cambridge, exhibit-
ted at the same time beautiful specimens of Law-
rence, Duchess, Buerre Deil, Winter ISTelis and
Beurre Clairgeau which had all been taken from
the house the first week in January, He began
to take out his Bartletts in October, had shipped
a large quantity, and had never heard any com-
plaint of their quahty ; a few he thought did not
retain their flavor as well as others. The Flem-
ish Beauty was hard to mellow. The Duchess
he found tiiore difficult to ripen than those kept
in the ordinary method. Winter ISTelis & Buerre
Deil held their flavor best, as far as he had ob-
served ; being as good as if they had not been iu
the house. Inferior fruit should never be put
in. After taking the fruit from the house, it
should be kept rather cool, then put in a warm
place, but not too warm, and all fruit should be
kept in the dark, if possible. Fruit wanted
February first, should be taken out of the house
January first ; it required twice as long to ripen
them, and after they were ripe they would keep
as long again as those that had never been in the
house.

Keeping Frtjit.— Nyce's System.— At a
meeting of the Cambridge Horticultural Society,
Feb. 3d, Mr. Hervey Davis exhibited twenty va-
rieties of Autumn and Winter pears, which were
taken from the large fruit-house of the Massa
chusetts Fruit Preserving Company, at Cam-
bridge, on January 30th, of which only five or

The Large Trees of Texas.— The large
court house of Navarro county is said to have
been covered with shingles made from a .single
cedar tree. The oaks, pecans and cedars of that
section of the country attain an immense size.
A pecan tree iu Navarro county, on the banks

282

THE GAnBEJ\'ER'S MOJYTELY. September,

of the Trinity, measured twenty three feet in cir-
cumference. The cedars are often more than
100 feet hi^h.

Flowers at Marriage Feasts.— Describ-
ing a jSTew York wedding, a daily paper says :—
"A person standing on the lowest floor could
see to the very roof of the house, when, to use an
expression of one of the guests, you were re-
minded of a tropical mountain in full bloom. —
Of course, all these flowers were not raised in or
near New York. The greenhouses of Boston,
Philadelphia and Baltimore were ransacked for
the occasion. One may get an idea of the exhi-
bition when we say that it brought into use 10,-
000 camellias. 100,000 primroses, 25,000 white
azalias and 2000 heads of daphnes. The collec-
tion, altogether, was probably the finest gather-
ing of exotics brought together in one house.
Forty men and boys were occupied some days in
preparing the frame-work, and they were all en-
gaged during the whole of Tuesday night in ar-
ranging the flowers."

growers. It is within the observation of every
one that a variety of fruit is not the same, even
in widely separated localities. This diflerence is
by some attributed to soil and exposure, by
others to the character of the stock upon which
the fruit is grafted, and now we have the influ-
ence of the pollen of neighborings sorts charged
with being the disturbing cause. Other observa-
tions on these points are needed. — UZica Herald.

The Kittatixny Blackberry at Cnsrciisr-
l^ATi — At a recent meeting of the Cincinnati
Horticultural Society Mr. McGregor said that
the Kittatinny ripened about the same time as
the Lawton, but the berry was sweeter. The
Early Wilson ripened eight days earlier than the
Lawton, and the berry was double its size, and
though it requires more sugar, he considers its
quality preferable to that of the Lawton.

Hybridism m Fruits.— It has been stated
that there is some evidence to show that the
character of one varietv of the strawberry was
affected by growing in the vicinity of other sorts.
Hiram Walker, of Washington county, X. Y.,
who has practiced grafting since 1818, writes,
that according to his experience the same thing
takes place with apples and other fruits, and he
thinks the fact that some AVinter apples do not
kee;\ is not due to their being grafted on stocks
of early variefies. He says he never knew any
difticulty in the keeping of fruit, where the or-
chard was all of one kind, but that when early
and late sorts were all together, late fruit was
rendered early, and early fruit made late, from
cross impregnation. He mentions a tree in Sara
toga county which was in part grafted with a
sweet variety, but the grafts bore sour apples for
several years ; the grafts of the sweet apple had
been put into the lower limbs of a sour apple
tree, and as long as the upper limbs of the origi-
nal tree remained, the sweet grafts bore sour
fruit, from blossoms being impregnated by those
on the limbs above them; when the natural limbs
were removed then sweet apples were produced
Mr W. mentions other instances of a similar
character which have fallen under his observa-
tion. The subject is one not only of scientific
interest, but of actual importance to all fruit-

Oregox Lumber. — The lumber resources of
Oregon are abundant. Dense forests of the finest
fir, spruce and cedar grow upon the Coast range,
and along the banks of the Columbia river and
its tributaries as far up as the Dalles. There is
an inexhaustible supply of the finest and best
quality of timber at the mouth of the Columbia
river, and back of Astoria is the most magnifi-
cent forest of spruce and yellow fir that is to be
found any where on the Pacific coast. Nature
has done every thing to make the forest of tim-
ber along the Columbia a source of great profit
to the lumberman ; the finest of timber being
handy to shipping, and as there is fine water
power on all the small streams emptying into
the Columbia, lumber can be manufixctured very
cheap. The bottom lands along the river are
also covered with a thick growth of vine, maple,
alder, cedar, ash and cottonwood. — Alta^ Cal.

Cider from L. I. Kusset Apple.— Long
Island Russet Cider needs no puff from the pa-
pers and no endorsements from the American
Institute Farmers' Club, as it makes its own re-
cord and there is not enough manufactured to
supply the demand.

Several years past Long Island Russets have
sold at $1 per bushel simply to be made
cider, which sells in the Spring when bottled at
§6.50 per dozen quart champagne bottles.

The apples are kept as late in the Fall or first
of Winter as possible before it is too cold to allow
the juice to run free ; all the unsound ones careful-
ly picked out and perfect cleanliness observed. It

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLJ,

'283

is then placed in a cool cellar of as nearly uniform
temperature as possible, and as it is made so
late very little fermentation takes place. It is
racked off from the barrels in March and April.
Some clarify with fish sounds, others deem it not
necessary, and put into good champagne bottles,
corked and wired and is ready for sale. The
fresh juice of the Russet is the best we have ever
lasted, and being made so late with so little alco-
holic fermentation it has an exhilarating efiect,
and is the best substitute for wine or alcholic
drinks we are acquainted with, both for medici-
nal properties or for the gratification of the taste
We have heard of parties used to wine drinking
mistaking it for champagne, and it is certainly
preferable to the article manufactured in this
country and sold by this name We are not cer-
tain but than an orchard of Long Island Russet
trees will produce as much profit to its owner
per acre for cider making as a vineyard for mak-
ing wine, and although it will not yield a profit
as soon, it may be more reliable and cost less
money in planting and tending. But cider drink-
ing is passing away, and beer and whiskey is tak-
ing its place, and the planting of orchards too
much discouraged. — Whitlock^s Becorder.

Premium Pear. — A premium of $60 offered
by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for
the best seedling pear, has been awarded to the
variety known as the Clapp's Favorite, after a
trial of five years.

Winter Apples in Piedmont, Ya. and N".
Carolina. — In the Planter of March you com-
plain of the great want of Winter apples, and
speak of Winesap and Albemarle Pippin as the
onlj"- Winter varieties worthy of cultivation. If
you will examine the map, you will find that
Person county,]^. C, joins Halifax, Ya. We
are in the midst of Piedmont region, and what
I wish to say is applicable to that region gene-
rally, and to the most of your subscribers. Please
allow me to say that I have tested as Winter
apples the follow, viz. : Hall Seedling, Romanite,
Henry Pippin, Green Skin, Rawle or Neverfail,
Yandevere, Esopus Spitzenberg, Ben Davis, R.
I. Greening, Hyco Sweeting and Warren Gully
I have extended your list to a baker's dozen, and
will guarantee to any person giving any of the
above good culture on a soil that is not wet or
water logged that they will not complain of the
want of good Winter apples. — Soutliern Planter.

Timber of the Kentucky Coffee Tree,
(of the Gymmodadus Caviadensis.)— A correspon-
dent of the Prairie Farmer says : As a timber
tree, it might be planted to advantage for the fol-
lowing reasons, which are given seriatim in an-
swer to the queries :

1st. Because it is valuable.

2d. For ornament and use in the arts, as posts,
rails, cross ties, sills, sleepers, &c. ; but more
especially for wainscoting and door styles or
panels, on account of the fine contrast of colors
it presents, and because of its susceptibility to
take a high polish ; the colors are dark and light,
in strong contrast; hence it has been called the
American Zebra-wood.

3d. Because it is durable, much more so than
the white oak ; even small growths are used by
surveyors for stakes.

4th. It will make good sills for buildings, even
where exposed, and ought to make good cross
ties for railroads.

5th. It will split freely, but it is apt to be
twisted so as to make the rails crooked, the wood
being strong and heavy. These are well suited
for riders.

Indeed, this tendencyto twist and split amounts-
to an objection. The native logs are seldom more
than fifteen to eighteen inches in diameter, al-
ways too crooked for hewing long sticks, and
very apt to be split or shaky.

Succession of Fruits at the South.— In
your number for June 10, you give, in answer to
a correspondent, the Summer Rose, Carolina
Red June, American Summer Pearmain, and
Maiden's Blush, as a succession of early apples ;
and Early Tillotson, Large Early York, Craw-
ford's Early, and Oldmixon Free, as a succession
of peaches.

The Summer Rose is an excellent apple, and
is perfectly at home in the South, but it begins
to ripen altogether too soon to form a succession
to the Carolina Red June. In fact, you can pick
Red June later than you can Summer Rose, as
well as earlier. But the Summer Rose, although
unsurpassed in quality and bearing, is both
smaller and more ephemeral in its ripening than
the Carolina Red June ; and so, if but one of
them could be planted, I should prefer the Red
June. The American Summer Pearmain is be-
yond all comparison, I think, the best apple of
its own or any other season, and succeeds per-
fectly at the South. If it has a competitor, it is
the Julian— a Southern seedling that you Xcrth-

^SJf

THE GARDEJVER'S MO.YTELY, September,

orners know but little about, practically. The
tr?e of the American Summer Pearmain, as you
are aware, is neat, symmetrical and small, while
the Julian is a remarkably healthy vigorous
jrrower, and makes a tree of mammoth propor-
tions, and at the same time bears early and abun-
dantly. I hardly know how I should decide
between them, were I obli<jed to choose but one.
A careless cultivator should take the Julian, as
it is better able to hoe its own row. The Maiden's
Blush is too variable in the South to be recom-
mended either for family use or for market. It
ripens very nearly with our (jreat Southern sum-
mer apple — the Yellow ITorse — and is immea
surably inferior to it in nearly all respects In
ten years after planting, the Horse apple will
inatiire ten times as much fruit, of a far better
cjuality, than the Maiden's Blush. I have ten or
fifteen trees of the latter, some twelve years old.
and would gladly exchange them all for a half
dozen such Horse apple trees of the same age as
stand beside them in the same orchard. The
Lowell, Gravenstein, Hebron's Surprise, (local
name) Summer Red, and a hundred other varie-
ties, are much to be preferred, here in the South,
to the Maiden's Blush

Your list of peaches is better, and if you will
leave out the Large Early York — a grand hum-
bug, in the South, at least — and substitute Cole's
Early Bed or Early Chelmsford, I will not quar
rel with your selection.

H. A. SwASET, M.D., in Country Gentleman.

Baltimoue Parks — A correspondent of the
Philadelphia Ledger says :

" The public parks as they now exist in Balti-
more, and which are referred to by her citizens
M'ith much pride, originated as far back as 1851.
To establish a boulevard around the city, a route
was surveyed, and is marked on the map of Bal-
timore. If this plan be adopted and executed,
Druid Hill Park will be in the immediate prox-
imity of the then Boundary avenue Or Boulevard.
When authority was asked of the Mayor and
City Councils to lay down tracks for passenger
cars in the streets, Mayor Swann replied that his
approval of any measure that the Councils might
pass would be given only in case it provided for
the payment of one-fifth of the gross income of
the railways, to be applied to park purposes.
The ordinance was passed with this proviso, and
as soon as the revenue from the railwa5's reached
§4:0 000, the Mayor, by authority of Councils,

appointed Messrs. John H. E Latrobe, William
E. Hooper, Captain Eobert Leslie, and General
C. O'Donnel, commissioners to select and pur-
chase a site.

Druid Hill was purchased by the Commission
from Mr. Lloyd N. Rogers, at a cost of Soil, 323-
11, including hmd purchased from other parties.
The total cost of the park ta December 31. 1S68,
including land and improvements, was $1.302, -
410.61. The revenue derived last year from the
passenger railways amounted to 883,966 .53.
During 1868, the visitors on foot numbered
84,562 ; horsemen, 11,889 ; single carriages,
61,415 ; double carriages, 24,829 ; passengers by
Park Railway, 67,000, making a total of 311,110.

The Park abounds in oaks a century old, and
its surface presents a charming variety of scenery,
of ravines, hills and meadows. Though nature
has done almost everything to make this spot
one of the most beautiful that can well be imag-
ined, private liberality has added much to its
grandeur. Fountains have been ornamented,
and lakes constructed and beautified. Works of
art and specimens of natural history have been
added as attractions.

The opening of this park has enhanced the
value of real estate in the immediate vicinity
from 200 to 300 per cent., and row after row of
fine and imposing dwellings have beeri andare
still being erected along the \mfe of the ntain ave-
nue to the park, and around it m every direction.
Patterson Pai'k, in the eastern section of the
city, contains thirty acres. Here caii be seen the
earthworks, thrown up in 1812, for the protection
of the city. Of the squares devoted to public
use, we should mention Jefferson Square, in the
northeastern section of the city ; Franklin Square,
Union, Lafayette, Eastern Spring Square, and
Calvert Spring, in which is the monument to the
memory of Colonel Armistead, before referred to.
There is a fine spring in Franklin Square, which
is resorted to by invalids from all parts of the
city, the water being, it is said, most excellent
for diseases of the kidney. A new park, to I e
called Harlaem Park, is now being made in the
northwestern section of the city. It will cover a
space of two squares in length and one and a
half in width. It is the gift of the estate of the
late Dr. Edmondson,

Peach Leather. — The process is very simple.
It is as follows : Crush the peaches (but not the
pits or stones) and force through a large culan-

1SG9.

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJVTHLl^.

285

tier or coarse sieve by rubbing, until nothing but
the skins and pits remain in tlie sieve, the juice
and pulp having passed through into a trough or
receptacle. The skins and pits are thrown away,
and the pulpy substance poured and spread
evenly upon planed boards with raised edges (to
avoid its running oft'), or in large sheet iron pans.
In order to avoid a too tenacious adherence to
the boards or pans, these latter are to be pre-
viously greased with lard, or better etill, with
butter. It is now to be placed in a kiln, or even
a common bake oven, to dry. The sun alone is
hardly sufticient to dry so juicy a substance quick
enough to prevent its s<3uring. Yet where a
large quantity is to be made, it might perhaps
answer as well to use both sun and kiln alter-
nately. "When properly dried, it is to be taken
off; and if properly buttered it will readily peel
oft" in a sheet the size of the board or pan. It
can now be stowed away for use. It is a deli-
cious, nutritive, and healthy esculent, in its raw
state ; can be used as sauce for pies, cakes, etc.,
as well as the ordinary dried peaches. Let no
one suppose that it is the same thing as the ordi
nary dried peach, or at least no better. It is far
otherwise, and a fair trial will prove conclusively
that it is mvioh finer in quality and texttire than
the best ordinary dried peach.

In taking it ofl' the boards or pans, the operator
will for the first time understand why the article
has received the appellation of peach leather, its
appearance being so very similar to that of
leather. It may be well to add that if good and
sound peaches are used, and previously peeled to
avoid the down on the peach skin from mixing
with the pulp, it will produce the best quality of
peach leather. A more inferior article would be
to leave the down on, and a still more inferior
article would be to mix ripe and unripe peaches.
The fact is, good and ripe peaches will make
good peach leather, and bad, unripe, and rotten
peaches will make unhealthy and bad tasting
peach leather, — Correspondent of Philadelphia
Weekly Press.

contrary, leads to asphyxia in the course of half
an hour. Both these preparations, on being ap-
plied to the conjunctiva, determine a considerable
contraction of the pupil. They may, therefore,
be useful in counteracting the efiects of bella-
donna, or in cases of iritis.

Blackberries ix North Carolina. — This
article is beginning to be regarded as something
more than an old-field product. One gentleman
has erected the necessary buildings for going
into a pretty heavy experiment. He expects to
dry and send to market several thousand pounds
of 'dried blackberries.

The Besbt Grasses.^ Out of 160 indigenous
English Grasses, o«fy the following \miKi btt
found ■^f a»y value for permanent pastures : — ^•

'3 y /" 1

Dactylis glomerata
Alopecurus pratensis
Festuca pratensis
Festuca duriuscula

Phleum pratense

Anthoxanthum odoratum ■{

Cock's-foot Grass.

Meadow Foxtail.

Meadow Fescue.

Hard Fescue Grass
f Greater Meadow
VCafs-tail Grass,
f Sweet-scented Ver-
nal Gi'ass (which

Avena pratensis
Avena flavescens

Cynosurus cristatus

Holcus avenaceus, or
Arrhenatherum avenaceum \ Grass
Hordeum , pratense ^ Meadow

Lolium perenne
Poa annua

gives its scent to

I WO

Meadow Oat grass
Yellow Oat grass.

f Crested Dog's-tal

I Grass.

( Tall Oat-like soft

C.

Barley

Poa trivialis
Poa pratensis

( Grass.

Eye Grass.
( Annual Meadow or
\ Suffolk Grass.
( Rough-stalk Mea-
( dow Grass.
( Smooth- stalk Mea-
( dow Grass.

The Calabar Bean.— Dr. Thomas Fraser
has for the last few years been studying the phy-
siological effects of the Calabar Bean {Physos-
tigma venenosum) in the shape of an alcoholic
tincture of its exterior coat or siiermoderma^ and
also of the alcoholic extract of the cotyledone.
The former, used as an injection under the skin,
etc., has been found to cause paralysis of the
hind legs, but never death. The extract, on the

Delaware Peaches. Among the first peach"
orchards planted in this State were those of Mr.
Ptidgway, near Delaware City, in 1883 ; Major
Rey hold's, in 1838 ; and Mr. Spearman, in New
Castle county, in 1838.

Mr. Todd, of Dover, planted the first orchard
in that vicinity, in 1840. During that season
one orchard of about forty acres realized a profit
of about S9,000, and this fact started the great
peach excitement, which still exists, and so far
has resulted in the planting of about 2 000,000
trees in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of
Maryland. They consist of the following varie-

^86

THE GAEDEJ^ER'S MOjYTELY. September,

ties : — Hale's Early, Troth's Early, Early York,
Crawford's Early, Reeve's Favorite, Old Mixon,
Ward's Late, Fox's Seedling, Crawford Late,
Delaware White, Patterson's and Freeman's
W^hite, and Smock Yellow. The peaches ripen
on these trees in the order given above, and
therefore a good supply is kept up from about the
20th or ::6th of July until nearly the close of Sep-
tember. After planting the trees the ground is
cultivated in corn for three years, but after that
the trees shade the earth to such an extent that
it will not pay to plant any kind of crop. The
ground, however, has to be well cultivated every
year and manured, if the trees are expected to
bear well and live any length of time. It has
often been stated that the trees will not bear to
any extent more than four or six years ; but the
most intelligent and experienced gentlemen in
the business say that the trees will remain profit
able for fifteen or twenty years, and that the or-
chards which die out in six years do so because
they have not received proper care and culture.

Land is now selling in Caroline county from
$10 to $25 per acre.

The orchards in Delaware occupj^ from 40 to
1000 acres each, and when the trees are from six
to eight years old, from three to four bushels of
peaches will be gathered in a season from each
tree, but the general average is about two bush-
els, which in a season like the present will realize
from three to three and a half millions dollars.
On 150 trees of Early Troths, planted neai Mid-
dletown, 700 baskets were realized this season.
The shipments from this station amount now to
5000 baskets per day. About one huujdred and
twenty of the orchards in Delaware were sold at
an early date to speculators, at from forty to fifty
cents per basket, in Kent county and fifty cents
Newcastle county, the owner of the orchard
having the peaches picked and delivered at the
nearest station.

So far as the early peaches are concerned, the
parties who sold their orchards have had the best
of it, as those who shipped their peaches to a
market have not realized much profit, and in
some cases they suffered * a loss. The peaches
were small, in consequence of the great number
on the trees and the dry weather, and thus they
were sold at a lower rate than usual. The
peaches to be shipped next week, and from then
until the close of the season, will be large and
fine, and then the grower expects to realize his
profit. Mr. S. Townsend, beluw Middletown,has
40,000 trees, of the different varieties, and all of

them are as full of peaches as the limbs of the
trees will bear.

It is estimated that at least 3000 men, women
and children are now engaged in Delaware in
gathering the crop. Men are paid $1.00 per day
and boarded, or Si 50 if they board themselves.
Women and children receive about half of the
above rates Emploj^ment is also given to a large
number of persons in various parts of the country
in the making of baskets and crates, the former
costing from tsvent}^ to thirty-five cents each, and
the latter twenty cents each.

The peaches reach Philadelphia and Xew York
in better order than in former years, in conse-
quence of the recent improvements made in ven-
tilation, particularly in the cars belonging to the
Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad.

To give the reader some idea of this great busi-
ness, we procured the following statement of the
number of car loads sent over the Delaware Rail-
road to New York, on Tuesday last : Laurel, 1
carload ; Seaford, 2 ; Bridgeville, 4 ; Greenwood,
2 ; Georgetown, 2 ; Milford, 6 ; Harrington; 6 ;
Canterbur}', 2 ; Camden, 10 ; Mooreton, 3 ; Do-
ver, 8 ; Brenford, 3 ; Clayton, and stations on
the Delaware and Maryland Road, 20 ; Sassa-
fras, 4 ; Blackbird, 1 ; Townsend, and from sta-
tions on the Kent and Queen Anne's Road, 11 ;
Ginnues, 2 ; Middletown, 10 ; Armstrong, 5 ;
Mt. Pleasant, 3, and Willow Grove, 1 ; making
a total of 103 cars, each carrying 16,000 pounds,
each basket weighing about 32 pounds.

Since the commencement of the present peach
season, about 700 cars have passed over the
road, conveying to market over ll,OuO, 000 pounds
of peaches. Each car carries 500 baskets, each
basket holding about five eighths of a bushel.

In addition to the peaches sent from this State
by rail, thousands of baskets are sent to Phila-
delphia and other places by steamers passing
through the canal, which passes near to some of
the orchards, and by vessels plying in the rivers
and creeks throughout the State. The whole
yield this season throughout the peach growing
region is estimated at 5,000,000 baskets. Not-
withstanding this immense amount, it is said
that a large number of acres of ground now de-
voted to agricultural purposes, will be planted in
peach trees next fall, as It is thought new markets
will be opened at more distant points, as rail-
road facilities offer, and improved methods of keep-
ing peaches are introduced. The corn througcout
this section of the country is suffering much at the
present time for rain. — Cor. of Pliila. Ledger.

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTELY.

287

Gardening for Women. — A committee of
Boston ladies has appeared before a Committee
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and
consulted with them on a plan for a school of

gardening for women. They want 100 acres
near a good market, and propose to make the
school industrial and self-supporting.

POREIGN IIN^TELLIGENCE.

Vegetable Products of IST. W. America.
— In times of scarcity the Indians in Oregon
smoke the twigs of Thuja gigantea, Nutt. ; and
the bark of Cornus sericea, L. (the hois rouge of
the Canadian voyageurs, is usually mixed with
Tobacco even in times of plenty, — a habit the
fur traders have learnt from them. The leaves of
Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, L., are also extensively
used among the Indians and frontier men all over
the American continent, either alone or (more
usually) mixed with Tobacco under the Ojipway
name of Kinikennick. Luckily for them, al-
though passionately fond of intoxicating liquors,
they have not acquired the art of preparing any.
The stem of Acer macrophyllum, Pursh., con-
tains much juice, but the Korthwest Indians
have never attempted to make sugar from it as
in the case of A. saccharinum, L., in the eas-
tern provinces ; indeed, neither have the whites.
The Crees, however, made a sugar from Negun-
do fraxiuifolium, Kutt., which probably extends

over the Rocky Mountains. — M. Broivn, in Phar-
maceutical Journal,

Transplanting a Large Tree.— At Elveden
Hall, the seat of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh,
considerable interest has been excited by the
sucessful removal of a very large tree, under the
superintendence of Mr. Barron, of the Elvaston
Kurseries, Derby. The remarkably fine speci-
men of purple beech thus transplanted is nearly
50 feet high, the diameter of Ihe branches 58 feet,
and the circumference of the stem at about a foot
from the ground 7 feet 8 inches. The mass of
soil and undisturbed roots measured 16 feet by
14 feet, the roots extending 6 feet beyond, and
the whole weighed considerably over 20 tons.
A platform of strong timber was constructed
underneath, and the tree was raised upon rollers
laid on planks, by means of powerful screw jacks.
This being done, the tree was drawn' on to its
new site with the aid of pulley -blocks of unusual
size, being maintained throughout in an upright
position. — Gardener'' s Weekly.

HORTICULTUML NOTICES.

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

It is pleasant to note that many of the rail-
roads have agreed to act with great liberality
to the delegates to the Society. The following
roads have agreed to return free all who shall
pass over their respective roads : Penna. Cent.,
Northern Cent., Cleveland, Col. Cin. & Ind.,
Wilmington & Weldon, Memphis & Charleston,
Louisville & Nashville, Memphis & Louisville,
Vicksburg & Meridite, New Orleans, (the one
of which Genl. Beauregard is President.)

The following will furnish full tickets on pur-
chasing at two-thirds : Phila. Wil. & Bait.,
Bait. & O. , Camden & Amboy.

The following will reduce the fares to delegates:
Palis River Line, Boston to N. Y., for $7 ; Stor-

rington Line the same, and Boston, Albany &
Springfield, S6.

The Local committee hope to add others be-
fore the meeting.

ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Met at the residence of Dr. E. S. Hull. We
were highly honored at this meeting by a
visit from several distinguished horticulturists
from abroad, among them we noticed Thomas
Meehan, of Philadelphia, editor of Gardener^ s
Monthly; Dr. I. A. Warder, the veteran Pomo-
logist, of Ohio ; Dr. Morse, of Journal of Agri-
culture^ St, Louis ; Dr. Spalding and I. M. Jor-
dan, of St. Louis ; B. P. Lazear, of Missouri and
the Hon. Sharon Tyndale, of Illinois.

288

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOKTELY. September,

The committee appointed to visit the cherry
orchard of Dr. Hull, reported the orchard in fine
or Jer yielding large crops, which sold in Chicago
at S-i per hox. The trees were not suflered to
over-bear,— thinning of the fruitspurs being re-
sorted to— seven-eights are often rubbed out.

The orchard is believed to be the largest bear-
ing, sweet clierry oi chard in the State, contain-
ing about 80 trees of the following varieties :
Black Big. de Savoy, Knight'3 Early Black,
Gov. Wood, Black Tartarian, Elton, Gridley,
Black Eagle, Napoleon Big., English Morello,
Cleveland Big., Belle de Choisy, Yellow Span-
ish, Arden AVhite Heart, May Duke, Belle Mag-
nifique, Big. de May, Downer's Late Red and
Elkhorn. Of these, Knight's Early Black, Big.
de May and Arden White Heart are the three
earliest. Knight's Early Black, Black Big. de
Savoy and Gridley the three best in quality.
Gridley, Napoleon and Yellow Spanish the three
most prolific.

The trees are planted 10 feet each way, rather

too close.

The Grape Committee reported indications of

mildew and rot in many instances. The leaf

hopper is less destructive than usual.

Mr. J. M. Pearson read a very interesting
essay on underdraining. Though lands were
naturally dry, if high, underdraining prevented
much surface washing. The best results were
from drains which had been longest in operation-
Drained land could be sown or planted earlier
in the Spring.

Our Spring rains bring us a great deal of sur-
plus water. This must pass off either by surface-
draining, evaporation or under-draining. Re-
member, that water falling at this time of the
year in addition to its usual portion of ammonia
and other gases, is also warmer than the water
in the ground, or the ground itself. Now, if it
passes off over the surface we get no benefit from
this heat, or the memorial properties of the wa-
ter, besides losing much organic and soluble
matter. If it passes off" by evaporation the case
is worse, for although we may retain the organic
hiatter, the absorption of heat required to con-
vert the water into vapor, will keep the soil and
surrounding atmosphere cold for a long time,
and leave it baked and h ird upon the surface.

You will also observe that these soils are not
liable to bake or to become cloddy, and have
more power, owing to their structure, to resist
drought. I would say that upon all clay soils,
when the land, exclusive of improvements, is

worth seventy-five dollars per acre, it will pay a
good dividend upon the investment, and this
brings up the last question : " How much will it
cost ?" At present prices it will cost from forty
to fifty dollars per acre to thoroughly drain our
land. Some of us have spent this year two or
three hundred dollars for phosphates, guano,
and sash and frames for hotbeds, &c. This,
too for things that perish in a season, or are re-
paired at much expense. Underdraining lasts
for a life time, and, for aught we know, the life-
time of our children. Is it not worth a trial ?
No one who has ever tried it has regretted it,
which is more than can be said of most of the
improvements of the day.

Take advantage of a rainy day and] fortify
yourself with a good pair of boots, overcoat and
a hoe. A few hours observation at such a time,
with an occasional stroke of the hoe, will give
you a good idea of the topography of your own
farm, and no mistakes in the level. You can see
where the water wants to go.

You need a few stakes made in tlie shape of a
T square, to use in laying off the ditch— make
them yourself, about four feet long with cross
heads about two feet — these driven in the ground
will enable you, with the -eye alone, to give you
the proper depth to which the ditch must be dug
at any point so that the workmen need never be
in doubt.

Mr. Meehan was called upon for information
in regard to root growth, and said : " The same
rule prevails in regard to root growth as to top
growth. We have the trunk, branches and
branchlots— these sustain the leaves. AVe find
tke same plan in root growth. It is the termi-
nus of the roots that absorbs food, these fibres
are simply metamorphosed leaves, and die away
in the same way as leaves do. The fibres are
the main or true feeding roots. The long, large
roots, that are, for a large portion of their length
destitute of fibres, show that these have died
away annually. The tree is sustained in nutri-
ment by the fibres, and not by the main trunk
of the roots, hence their importance Roots take
up cliemical and mineral food. There must be
constantly evaporation from the tops. If any
circumstances stop evaporation, the tree dies.
Roots follow manure, by some sort of attraction,
invariably turning to where the manure is."

At this stage of the very interesting lecture,
the meeting being in a grove, was compelled to
adjourn by a shower of rain. — Condensed from
Secretary King)ihury''s Beport.

DEVOTED TO

Rorticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHA^^.

Old Series, Vol. XL

OCTOBER 1869. New Series. Vol. 11. No. 10.

HINTS FOE OCTOBER,

FLOWER GARDEX AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

The remarkably hot and dry season we have
had all over the Union, has been singularly un-
propitious for fall flowers. Dahlias came into
bloom early, and in September when we should
have had beauty, found nothing but dried heads
and green leaves. The Gladiolus, well as it
usually stands dry weather, did not last long in
bloom. Fall roses were simply "nowhere", —
and the Chrysanthemum which makes the fall
of the leaf so cheering, rather excites our pity
for itself Those who have depended much on
flowering plants for the gaiety of their gardens,
have failed in most but Geraniums and Petuni-
as ; while those who have rather rested for their
success on masses of colored leaves, are triumph-
ant. The Coleus, Achyranthus, Teilanthera,
Vinca variegata, Centaureas, and similar things,
have gone through the drought gloriously ; and
we have no doubt this species of gardening will
be immensely popular another year. We still
want more variety among this class of plants.
At present, one person's garden is too much a
copy of another, where the style of massing with
colored leaves prevails. Two very good silver,
leaved plants of this season's introduction are
Centaurea gymnocarpa, which has leaves very
much like the old "Miller's Geranium" {Cine-
raria Maritima)^ as it does not grow so tall as
.that, it is better adapted to some forms of masses
The other is a white leaved, woody but trailing
graphalium also called gymnocarpum, but we sus-
pect wrongly named. The large variegated Peri-
winkle is not much in use, though not amongst
the least valuable by any means. It is a good
season to think of these things ; as wherever this

kind of gardening is to be done, six months i
little enough to get the planis ready in.

We think ornamental vines have been too
much overlooked in the summer decoration of
grounds. We have seen this summer some re-
markably pretty effects from the hybrid Nastur-
tiums, Cypress vine, Maurandia, and other sum-
mer vines. There are several new •'morning
glories" of various colors, of which pretty
groups could be made, but as these are mostly
closed before nine o'clock, they are of no use to
city ladies ; but are charmingly sweet things for
the country girls, who always have the best of
everything in life, thought not always thinking
so. These vines could be arranged on fancy fig-
ures, or according to colors, and certainly the
effects in some parts of the ground would be as
striking as that derived from leaf plants.

Planting of spring bulbs, tulips, hyacinths,
crocus, snowdrops, frittilarias, lilies, &c., and
the transplanting of shrubs, and division of her-
baceous plants, will occupy chief attention in
October. All herbaceous plants are much bet-
ter for being protected through winter by a cov-
ering of dry leaves, on which a little soil is
thrown to keep the leaves from blowing away.
Half-hardy roses and vines may be protected in
the same way. When they are very long and
slender, they are taken down from their trellises,
and coiled into circles as small as may be, with-
out risk of breaking them, and then the soil put
on. Those things that grow late, such as many
kinds of Noisette Roses, should have their im-
mature top shoots shortened a few weeks before
the protecting process is commenced. The
wound will then heal over, and not cause the
decay of the upper portion of the shoots, as is

^90

THE GABBEXER'S MOJ^TELY.

Cdoher,

very often the case ^vhen they are either cut at
laying clown, or not shortened at all.

Of course, those roots that suffer by frost should
be taken up before danger. Gladiolus, Madeira
vines, dahlias, tuberoses, &c., for instance.

Tree seeds should be either sown or prepared
f jr sowing in the fall. Hard shell seeds require
time to soften their coats, or they will lie over a
year in the ground. It used to be popular to
to mix with boxes of sand ; but unless there be
very few seeds to a very large quantity of sand,
the heat given out though perhaps imperceptible
to us, is sufficient to generate fungus which will
destroy the seed. It is much better to soak the
seeds in water, and then dry just enough to keep
from moulding, and as cool as possible all win-
ter. This is a much safer plan than sand. In
States where the frosts are severe, seedlings of
all kinds that have not attained a greater height
than six inches, should be taken up, "laid in" in
a sheltered place thickly, and covered with any
thing that will keep frozen through the winter
If left out, they are liable to be drawn out and
and destroyed. Young seedling stock received
from a distarce, should be also so treated. In
the more Southern States they may be set out at
once,— and as much planting as possible be ac-
complished that will save spring work. Many
cuttings will not do well unless taken off at this
season and laid in the ground under protection,
like seedlings,— the quince, syringas or lilacs,
spiroea prunifolia, and some others. In the
"mild winter States," evergreen cuttings should
be made now, and set out thickly in rows. The
leaves need not be taken off, but short, thick-set
branches laid in under the soil. When rooted
next fall they may be taken up and divided
into separate plants. In more Korlhern States,
evergreens may not be so struck at this season,
unless protected by greenhouses and frames.
Where these are at hand, evergreens may be put
in, in boxes or pans all through the winter.

GREENHOUSE.

The taste for cut llowers is considerably in-
creasing^, and one of the greatest demands on a
crreenhouse in winter, is from the best half of
the head of the household for room and table
decorations. Beautiful specimen plants are not
so highly valued as those which will afford plenty
of bloom for cutting. The various kinds of zo-
nale geraniums are very good for this purpose.
The following also comprises very useful plants
for this purpose : Bouvardia leiantha, Calla

Ethiopica, Oestrum aurantiacum, Habrothamnus
elegans, Chorozema varium, Chinese Primroses,
especially the double Avhite, Daphne iudica,
Poinsetta pulcaerrima. Euphorbia splendens,
Heliotrope, Mignonette, Sweet alyssum, Catalo-
nian jasmine, Yellow Jasmine, Mahernia odora-
ta, Stevia serrata, Violets, Roses, Cinerarias,
and Brompton stocks. Tuberoses that flower
late may be carefully taken up and potted, and
will last till over christmas ; and many things
may be taken out of the ground and slightly
forced. The common white Lily is good for this
purpose, also Deutzias, Philadelphuses, and
Tamarix. The common green Euonymusjapon-
icus, is also worth potting to make a lively green
for mixing with other things.

In taking up things from the ground for pot-
ting, care should be taken to have the pots well
drained, with pieces of potsherds over the hole.
The more rapidly' water passes through the soil
the better plants will grow. Pots could be made
without holes, and the water would all go
through the porous sides in time ; but that is too
slow a wa)', so we make a hole to admit of its
more rapid escape, and we place the broken pots
over the hole to make a vacuum, which assists
the objects of the hole. In very small pots, or
with plants which have strong enough roots to
rapidly absorb all the moisture they get, and
speedily ask for more, ''crocking'' is not neces-
sary.

Tliere are but few things in the greenhouse
that will require special treatment at this time.
Camellias and Azaleas, as they cease to grow,
will require less water ; but it is now so well
known that moisture is favorable to growth, and
comparative dr3-ness favorable to flowering, that
we need do no more than refer to the fact.

Bulbs for flowering in pots should be placed at
once. Four or five inch pots are suitable. One
Hyacinth and about three Tulips are suflicieut
for each. After potting, plunge the pots over
their rims in sand under the greenhouse stage,
letting them remain there until the pots have
become well filled with roots, before bringing
them on to the shelves to force.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.
Lettuces sown last mouth will now be large
enough to set out for permanent growth. A
common hotbed frame, set on a bed of leaves or
spent stable-manure, will enable one to enjoy de-
licious salad all through the latter part of win-
ter, where suflicieut protection against severe

1869

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJ^TELY.

291

frosts can be secured. In this division of our
Hints, it is more of an object to preserve them
through, the winter for the purpose of setting out
in the open air in spring. In the warmer States
this can be readily effected by their being set out
in the open air in a sheltered place. Here in
Pennsylvania they often do very well by having
the ground thrown into ridges about six inches
deep, running east and west, and the plants set
out on the northern sides. They have a little
straw thrown over them in severe weather, and
get through the winter admirably, heading early
in spring. The Early York Cabbage is exten-
sively grown the same way. Where the climate
is too severe to allow of this, they mu&t be put
under cover of shutters, as before described in
our Hints.

Cabbages can be preserved in such a cellar,
though most prefer them in the open air. One
way is to pack them closely together with their
roots uppermost, and then cover them with soil,
on which straw or litter is thrown to keep them
from freezing. By being packed this way, the
water cannot get into the hearts, which is one of
their chief causes of their rotting. Where jjlenty of
boards can be had, they may be packed with
their heads uppermost, and the rain kept off by
the material.

Brocoli and Endive may be taken up with
balls of earth, and set in cool cellars closely to-
gether, and they will grow sufficiently — the for-
mer to produce good head, and the latter to
blanch beautifully all through the winter.

Asparagus beds should be cleaned, by having
.the old stems cut off and the soils from the alley
ways dug out and thrown over beds. It keeps
the frost from the roots, and thus permits
them to grow and lay up matter all winter for
next spring's growth. Very early in spring the
soil should be raked back into the alleys, so as
to leave the roots but a few inches under the
soil, as the nearer they are then to the sun's
rays the earlier will the crop be.

Celery must have continued attention to
blanching as it grows, care being exercised to
l^revent the soil from entermg the heart. Where
very fine results are desired, the plants should
be protected from early severe frosts, so as to en-
able the plants to grow without injury as long as
possible.

Roots of most kinds, such as Carrots, Beets,
etc., should be taken up before the frost is severe.
They all keep best packed in sand in the open
air, but it is too inconvenient to get at them in

winter ; hence cellars are employed to preserve
them in. Cellars for this purpose should be cool
say with temperature of about 45^, and not all
dry. It is not meant that it should be damp, as
the roots will become rotten, but it must be
moist enough to prevent shrivelling.

However, if any protection can be given so as
to enable one to get at the pit in frosty weather,
most things keep better so than -in any way.
Celery keeps ver}' well packed in earth so that
the frost does not* get at it ; but it must be laid
with the tops sloping, so that the water may be
kept out of the heart.

' FRUIT GARDEN".

We noted recently that most fruit trees except
Peaches, did best planted early in the fall ;
Peaches best in the spring. A friend thinks this
is only true north of the Potomac. South,
Peaches are no exception to good fall planting.
We thought we made this geographical line clear
at the time, — it will do no harm to note our
friends explanation. In fact it is best to have no
line, but to understand the reason ; which is this :

The roots of trees grow, and absorb moisture
all winter. They are healing over the wounds
of transplanting, ready for pushing out leaves in
spring. The longer the time the greater the
healing power.

But, the Gardener''s Monthly has shown that
there is an evaporation of moisture in winter,
greater in proportion to the lowness of the tempera,
ture.

Therefore, in places where the thermometer
will fall below 20^, or in places exposed to high
cold winds, the loss of moisture is greater than
the gain, and Peach planting best left till spring
The other fruit trees do not evaporate so freely,
and so do well.

We may perhaps repeat the advice to plant
considerably more fruit trees together on the
same space of ground than is usually done, even
though some has to be cut away in time. Thi
should especially be in the case where parties
prefer to keep the surface soil clear ; as the in-
tense heat reflected from bare soil is one of the
great sources of disease in young trees. It
might be well to introduce nurse trees into or-
chards, to obviate this somewhat. Alders, Pop-
lars or Willows,might we think,beused to advan-
tage ; of course, cutting them away before they
grew large enough to interfere with the roots of
the fruit trees. A dry warm bottom, but cool
surface is of the highest importance in fruit
growing.

w^

TEE GARBEJ^EWS MOJYTELY.

Obiober,

C 0 M M U ]V I C A T I 0 N S .

DOUBLE GERANIUMS.

BY JOnK SAUL, -WASniNGTO^r, D. C.

My collection of double geraniums has been
80 extremely beautiful the present summer, I
thousbt a notice of a few of the most valuable
varieties would be interesting to the readers of
the Monthly. I have heard double geraniums
spoken lightly of, but if persons who viewed
them thus lightly could see ray bed of doubles in
bloom, they would alter their opinion. Growing
beside the single varieties,— Zonales and I«rose-
gays^— they are immeasurably ahead of the lat-
ter. It is true that some of the doubles first
sent out were very inferior ; we have now, how
ever, varieties with noble trusses of finely formed
flowers, which stand well above the foliages,
such as Andrew Henderson, Madame Lemoine,
Jmperatrice Eugenie, Triomphe, Triomphe de ,
Thumesnil, Surpasse Glorie de Xancy, etc , j
which show their magnificent heads of bloom to 1
great advantage. Their large foliage has been
objected to. This may be objectionable in pot |
culture, or in a moist climate, like that of Great
Britain ; but in our warm, dry summers this
large foliage, with stems, trusses, flowers, and
all in just proportion, they make finer masses
than the more diminutive sorts, with smaller
and perhaps more beautifully marked foliage.
Many of these last are strictly house plants,
■whilst the doubles are not adapted for pot or
house culture, but are in their proper place,
massed out of doors. In bedding out, good
strong plants should be used. For summer bo-
quet making, these doubles are admirable, as
the flowers are more persistent than those of the
single ones. The following varieties are very
fine : —

Andreiv Henderson. This is an exceedingly
beautiful variety, with immense heads of finely-
formed flowers ; color, a deep scarlet lake, very
distinct ; plants of good branching habit, very
free l^loomers,— amongst the finest.

Jmperatrice Eugenie. When we say it is the
color of the single " Beaute de Suresne," (a vivid
rose,) that the flowers are elegantly formed, good
habits, and free bloomer, it can be easily seen
that it is a beautiful variety.

E. G. Henderson. Trusses large, of a beauti-
ful globular shape, color a fiery carmine, very
double, compact habits, free flowering, distinct
and fine.

Iladame Lemoine. This grand variety has
caused quite a sensation among double geranium
growers in Europe the past season, and it has
proved very fine with me ; color a most beauti-
ful rose, of a pleasing shatle, fine large truss,
flowers well formed, free bloomer, universally
admired wherever seen. This variety will be
extensively grown.

Emile Lemoine. Eine large truss, individual
pips finely formed ; color, light orange scarlet,
good compact habits, free bloomer, very at-
tractive.

Madame Hose Charmeaux, or Double Tom
Thumb. This has the habits of the well-knosvn
old favorite, "Tom Thumb" Truss large,
color a deep, brilliant scarlet, very double,
dwarf, compact, bushy habit, most profuse
flower, a ver}' distinct and desirable variety.

Wilhelm Pfitzer. Immense trusses, individual
flowers large, very double, of most perfect shape,
color a dazzling orange scarlet, habit remarka-
bly dwarf and compact, most profuse flowerer.
A superb new variety.

Triomphe. This is trul3'a noble flower. My
plants, now in bloom, have very large (immense)
trusses of flowers, ver}' double, color a brilliant
scarlet, free bloomer. One of the best.

Triomphe de Thumesnil. This fine variety
has very large trusses, individual flowers large
and double, color a bright carmine, habits good,
most prolific flowerer. A fine standard variety.

Triomphe de Lorraine. Trusses large, color
cherry carmine, very double, nice compact
habits, free bloomer.

Surpiasse Qlorie de JSfancy. An improvement
on the well known " Gloire de Nancy," has lar-
ger trusses, produced in great abundance ; color,
a rosy carmine.

Capitaine L'>Hermite. Bright rose, shaded
with amaranth ; very double, truss large and
fine form, free flowerer, and compact habit.

DOES THE SCIOX INFLUENCE THE
STOCK ?

BY W. n. W., EEADING, MASS.

I noticed, a few weeks since, in one of the
houses of H. H. Hunnewell, Esq., at Wellesley,
Mass., an interesting fact, possibly shedding
some light upon this question. One of the old
varieties of Abutilon had been grafted, at about
four feet from the pot, with a cutting of the new

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

29S

variegated-leaved Abutilon Thompsonii, The
graft had grown well, but at about a foot and
eighteen inches from the soil, the stock had
thrown out two new shoots, with the foliage as
distinctly variegated as in the scion above.

[On a recent visit to Wellesley, we saw the
plant referred to by our correspondent. '1 he va-
riety used as a stock we believe was A. venosum.
Unfortunately, the variegated part had been
broken off ; we were anxious to see whether any
other change had been made besides variegation.
If the shoot from the stock was exactly the same
as the stock in all but variegation, it would not
be conclusive that it became variegated from the
graft, as variegated branches frequently come
out from plants without any grafting. Yet it is
a remarkable co incidence that a similar case
has been recorded in England ; and it is there-
fore probable the graft has something to do with
it. The late William B,eid assured us variegated
willows would transmit their influence to the
stock. The fact certainly indicates that they may,
but the suspicion with us is, why is it so rare ?
If in a few cases, why do we not see it oftsner ?
And there seems, therefore, quite as much
reason for supposing that the stocks in the cases
noted might perhaps have pushed out variega-
tions, even had they not been grafted, as we
know they often do. "We should be very glad to
have more facts, if any of our readers know of
any. — Ed.]

SEA-SIDE PLAXTS.

BY J. W. L., PHILADELPHIA.

During a recent visit to Atlantic City, I found
there qaite a number of visitors who were
interested in botanical pursuits, and for whom
the finding of flowers peculiar to a sand and
saline locality possessed attractions even greater
than -those afforded by the daily surf- dip. Asa
slight aid, perhaps, to those thus inclined, I send
you (at the instance of my friend James Lippin-
cott, of Iladdonfield,) the following list of some
of the plants — most of them flowering in August
— which are to be found on that easily accessible
beach. They are not all "peculiar" to the sea-
coast, for some of those mentioned are frequent
otherwheres ; but very common ones are omitted.

As, however, I am informed that you were
yourself at the beach last summer, and probably
have investigated its flora prettj- thoroughly, the
list,— as you can readily determine, — may not
really be so complete as to be of special service,

in which case its 7?o)x insertion will accord with
the wishes of your correspondent.

FLORA OF ATLAN"Trc CITY. (August.)
Growing in pwre sand :

Salsola Kali — Common Saltwort.

Euxolus pumilus —Dwar/ Amaranth.

Cakile Americana— ^Inierican Sea-Bocket.

Euphoroia polygonifolia — Shore Spurge.

Polygonum aviculare, var. littorale — Species of
Knot Grass.

Rhus copalliua — Dwarf Sumach.
On the moor :

Gerardia maritima — Seaf^lde Oerardia

Hibiscus Moschatos — Swamp 'Rose-Mallow.

Kosteletzkya Virginica — Species of Swamp
Mallow.

Statice Limonium — Sea Lavender.

Iva frutescens — Marsh Elder.

Spergularia rubra — Spurrey Sandwort.

Sabbatia stellaris — Species of American Cen-
taury.

Pluchea camphorata — Salt-marsh Fleahane.

A triplex hastata — Halberd-leaved Orache.

Obione arenaria — Sea Orache.

Salicornia mucronata — Species of Samphire.

Salicornia herbacea— Species o? Samphire.

Cheuopodina maritima — Sea Goosefool.
In brackish marshes^ between the beach and

moor :

Ranunculus cymbalaria— *Sea-s«ie Crowfoot.

Discopleua capillacea — Mocl:: Bishop- Weed.

Elodia Virginica— Jfars/i St. John''s Wort. ^

Montelia tamariscina.

Hydrocotyle umbellata — Umbellate Pennywort.

Ilysanthes gratioloides— FaZse Pimpernel.

Samolus Valerandi — Water Pimpernel.

Hypericum Canadensj — Species of St. John''s
Wort,
On moor''s edge and in copjses :

Ascyrum Crux-Andrse— St. Andrew's Cross.

Teucrium Canadensis— IFbotZ Sage.

Phaseolus diversitblius —Species of Kidney
Bean.

Apios tuberosa— (r/'ownd Nut.

Myrica cerikra—Bayberry ; Wax Myrtle.

Galium pilosum — ifair?/ Bedstraw.

Asclepias tuberosa — Butterfly Weed.

Asclepias incarnata, var. Pulchra.

Eupatorium ; E. rotuudifolium ; E. pubescens.

Gnaphalium purpureum — Purplish Cudweed.

Mouarda punctata — Horse Mint.

(On the opposite edge of the moor, not far
from the bridge at Absecom Station, are to be

294

THE GAEDHJYER'S MOJVTELY.

October,

found, in addition to many of the above.— >?«&-
hatia clihroules, Gerardia purjmreciy Bhexia Vir-
ginica, etc.

[We do not know that we can add to this list
anything but Sahhatti Calycosa, which is found
sparingly, with S. stellaris. This is a very in-
teresting "find," also, as the Botany boobs |
place East Yirginia as its northern limit.— Ed.]

PLAXT HAKDY BULBS.

BY WALTEK ELDER, LANDSCAPE GARDENER,
PHILADELPHIA.

The culture of Bulbs is one of the most fasci-
nating and ancient branches of floriculture ; and
a veneration shines over it by the frequent allu-
sions in " Holy Writ," from which we are led to
suppose that all the various genera were classed
as Lilies. Solomon fondly says of his Church :
' ' My beloved is gone into his garden to gather
lilies. My beloved feedeth among the lilies."
Our Saviour tells us to " consider the lilies, how
they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin,
yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
as one of these." How very beautiful and fra-
grant are the blooms of bulbs !

Snoivdrop is the earliest harbinger of spring,
and braves the storms of February in performing
its office. The fragile and dwarf Crocus follows,
with colors, yellow, purple and white, and draws
the bees from their hives, to give us an early
taste of music and beauty combined. Crown
Imperial and Hyacinth simultaneously come next
— the former with crowns of yellow, orange, and
gold. Some have their stems and leaves vari-
ously striped with yellow and green, and oi'ange
and green, as beautiful as flowers. Narcissus
and Tulip follow together. ISTarcissus shows
yellow largely, and its whites are most sweetly
jierfuraed. The gaudy and inimitable tulip sur-
passes all other genera with the diversity and fine
markings of its blooms, wliich last until the Bose
shows its colors ; and before its profusion of
bloom is over, the white and the Orange Lilies
are in splendor. (We remember when there was
a vacancy in summer, and another in fall, of
bulb ])looms ; but now Japan Lilies., Gladiolus,
and Iris fill the gap of summer, and Tir/ridia fills
up that of the autumn. So now our bulbs give
us an unbroken chain of blossoms from February
to the latter end of November, in this latitude.)

The present wonder and glory among bulbs is
the great golden lily, called Lilium auratum ; the

flowers are eight inches in diameter, the ground
white, spotted with purple, and striped with
gold.

Ornithogalum and Baminatlus are of numerous
spacies, sweetly perfumed, and very beautiful.
Tuberose comes last. The bulbs of Gladio-
lus, Iris, Tigridia, and Tuberose are planted in
spring, and dug up in fall, and kept warm and
dry all winter. (Mr. Peter Henderson is correct
in stating that if the tender bulbs are too long
kept in a cold place they do not bloom so well.)
All the other genera are hardy, and the bulbs
are planted in fall. October is the chosen
month to plant, by skillful amateurs and garden-
ers ; as the soil then, and for two months, is
warmer under the surface than the atmosphere,
and the roots make numerous fibres before the
ground freezes up ; and by that time they grow
stronger, and bloom more profusely in their sea-
sons. A sprinkling of salt put over the surface
after planting, gives greater thrift to the plants,
and beauty to their blooms ; and just before se^
vere cold weather, spread manure over the beds
or patches.

Bulbs flourish upon almost every kind of soil,
made rich with manures ; and as different kinds
of soils require different kinds of manures for the
benefit of other crops, so is the case with bulbs.
That old fogy rant, which is still published in
catalogues, that great quantities of cotv dung
must be dug in the soil to ensure success in
bulb culture, has become obsolete fifty years
ago. Who can always get great quantities of
slushy cow dung ? The comm(m culture and
care given to other crops will insure success in
growing bulbous flowering plants. Our seeds-
men and nurserymen throughout the nation im-
port and sell bulbs ; no one should buy them
from auctioneers.

We have received the Bulb Catalogues of
Louis Yan Houtte, of Ghent, Belgium, and of
E H. Krelage &, Son, Haarlen, of Holland, (who
are extensive growers of bulbs for sale,) from
which we learn that the past summer has been
most favorable for ripening the bulbs, and that
there will be no risk of loss by rot in transport-
ing them to America. The time now, from
packing in Holland to the unpacking in our
Atlantic States, is only three weeks.

Henry A. Dreer, of Philadelphia, who has
lately been on a tour among the nurserymen and
bulb growers of Europe, certifies the conclusions
that the bulbs are well ripened, and a gx'eat
many new varieties, of superior excellence, are

1869.

TEE GARBEjYER'S MOJVTHLY.

29o

coming to us. So there is every inducement to
the lovers of flowers to decorate their gardens
with bulb blossoms.

EAELY GOODRICH POTATO.

BY J. M.

The Early Goodrich Potato, this year, has
proved itself very superior to that of last season
in quality. As well known around Philadelphia,
last year they were so pasty as to bring much '
less per bushel, in price, than most others ; but
at the present time mine, and, as far as heard
from, my neighbors', compare favorably with
favored sorts. I have not a lai'ge garden, but
for trial I planted three rows of 150 sets each, —
one row of " Early Goodrich," one of " Jackson
White," and the other with Mercers, on the 9th
of April. The Goodrich ripened first. I com-
menced using them on the 25th of June. The
"Jackson White" were second, and the Mercer
last. As regards productiveness, the Goodrich
yielded 3| bushels, Jackson Whites 2^ bushels,
Mercers 3^ bushels ; but of these it should be
said, that the Jacksons were nearly all of large
size, whilst fully three-fourths of a bushel of
Goodrich, and one-half bushel of Mercers were
too small in size for table use. In regard to
quality, the preference, if any, is now given to
the Goodrich, while last year they "rt^ere inferior
to any I have named. The fault of the Good-
rich I think to be its producing so many small
tubers ; but this is less an objection in early
summer, when they do not need peeling, than
after they are ripened.

gardeni:n^g in texas.

BY MR. S. B. BUCKLKY.

Although gardening here does not generally
receive as mnch labor and care as it does from
many northern people, — especially those who
have market gardens near large cities, — among
the farmers of Texas, yet we have many, very
many good gardens. Some of our gardens, in
the variety and excellence of their vegetables,
and the number and beauty of their flowers, are
superior to those commonly seen in the northern
States. Here, ladies often superintend and work
in the garden, and ladies generally appreciate
better good vegetables, and enjo}^ more the beau
ty of flowers, than men. Previous to the late
civil war, it was customar}^ throughout the
entire South, for planters' wives and daughters
to have charge of the garden. It received mi c

of their care, and was tilled uiilar th3ir dir3c;-
tion. This custom still extensively prevails in
Texas. UndCT the superintendence of ladies,
some of the finest gardens and grounds in the en-
tire South were made. Many of those in the
vicinity of Charleston, S. C, and Savannah, Ga ,
were thus formed. To specify examples in other
places, we mantion the Preston or Hampden
garden, as it was, at Columbia, S. C, before the
war ; also the " Magnolia Grove'' garden of Mr.
Brown, beneath the hill on the banks of the
Mississippi, at Xatchez, Miss. I have seen
many beautiful gardens in the IN'orthern States,
but never anything equal to what these were in
1858.

To return to Texas. Our climate and soil is
better suited to gardening than that of the
North. Here we can grow all the vegetables and
flowers cultivated at the North, also many utliers
of a semi tropical nature. Two crops of the
same species of vegetables can here be grown in
the same season. *Many people in Texas consid
er August the most important in the year to
make garden, because many vegetables then
sown or planted attain maturity, and their
greatest perfection, during the cool months of
Autumn, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower,
kale, savoys, endive, brussels sprouts celery,
etc. Then (August) melons and cucumbers are
again planted, also be ins and peas. Then, and
in September, are sown radishes, lettuce, curled
and water cress, parsley, onions, parsnips, spin-
ach, carrots, leeks, beets, etc. •

In our own garden, we had green peas and
beans in April, green corn in May, also summer
squashes and cucumbers ; lettuce and radishes
in March ; white potatoes the first of June, and
sweet potatoes the first of August. Indeed, with a
little care, by planting in succession, we can have
in our garden a plentiful supply of fresh vegetables
for table use during the entire year. This is a
great advantage, which is not generally appreci-
ated here. Our melons are delicious. One water--
melon, weighing sixty pounds, was sold in the
market at Austin, this summer. Watermelons
become ripe here about the last of June, and last
until frost, which generally comes about the last
of November. They are remarkably heaUhy,
and much superior in taste to those grown at
the North.

S96

TEE GAJRDEKEWS MOih'TBL^.

October,

ON THE LAWS OF SEX IX PLANTS.

BY THOMAS 3IEEHAX, GKRMANfbWN, PA.

[The foil o win a; paper was read before the American
A'^soclalion o the Advancement of Science, which
commenced its sessions in Salem, Mass., on the 19th of
AuEcnst.]

In my paper on Adnation in ConifcrcB, rear!
last year, I believe I established the fact that
the stronger and more vigorous the axial or stem
growth, the greater was the cohesion of the
leaves with the stem. By following the same
line of observation I have discovered some facts
which seem to me to afford strong probability
that similar laws of vigor or vitality govern the
production of sexes in plants.

If we examine Norway spruces when they are
in blossom in the spring, we find the male flow-
ers are only borne on the weakest shoots. The
female flowers, wiiich ultimatelj'^ become cones,
only appear on the most vigorous branc?ies. As
the tree grows these strong shoots become weak-
er, by the growth of others above them making
it shadier, or by the diversion of food to other
channels and thus as these shoots become weak-
er we find them losing the power of producing
female flowers ; and the law in this instance
seems very clear that with a wecikened vitality
comes an ir^zr eased power to hear male flowers, and
that only in the best conditions of vegetative vigor
are female flowers ptroduced.

The arborvitfe, the juniper, the pine— in fact
all the different genera of coniferpe that I have
been able to exatiiine— exhibit the same phe-
nomena ; but the larch will aflbrd a particularly
interesting illustration. When the shoots of the
larch have a vigorous elongating power, the
leaves cohere with the stem. Only foliaceous
awns give the appearance of leaves. "When
they lack vigor, lose the power of axial elonga-
tion, true leaves, without awns, appear in verti-
cils, at the base of what might have been a
shoot. Every one is familiar with these clusters
of true leaves on the larch. In the matter of
sex, an examination of the tree will show the
following grades of vigor : First, a very vigor
ous grovvth on toward maturity, or the age ne-
cessary to commence the reproductive processes.
The reproductive age is le-s vigorous. Taking
a branch about to bear flowers, we find some-
what vigorous side branches, with the usual fo-
liaceous awns. The next year some of the buds
along these side branches again branch, but the
evidently weaker buds make only spurs with
eaf verticils. As these processes go on year af-

ter year the verticils, become of course, shaded
by the new growth, and get weaker in conse-
quence, and thus, in the third year, some of
these verticils commence to produce female flow-
ers, or a few of the very weakest may bear male
ones. But only in the fourth or fifth year, when
vitality in the spurs is nearly exhausted, do male
flowers appear in very great abundance. Indeed
the produrtion of male flowers is the expiring ef-
fort of life in these larch spurs. They bear male
flowers and die.

What is true of coniferjB seems also to exist
in all monoecious plants. In the amentacece the
male flowers appear at the first expansion of
the leaf buds in spring, as if they were partly
formed during the last flickerings of vegetative
force the fall before, but a vigorous growth is
necessary before the female flower appears. In
corylus, carpinus, quercvs, corylus,juylans, ojnus,
and, I believe, all the common forms of this
tribe, we find the female flowers only at or near the
apex, or first great wave of spring growth, as if
it were the culmination of vigor which produced
them, instead of the decline, as in the male. Some
of these plants make several waves of growth., a
year, each successively declining in vigor, and
thus the cones do not appear on the apex of the
young shoot, but on the apex of the first and
strongest wave. This beautiful illustration of
the connection of vigor with the sexes can be
seen particularly in rinits pungens, P. inops, P.
ynitis, P. rigida, and perhaps some others.

In the larch and. white spruce for instance, a
second wave will often start after the cone ha^.
commenced forming, and the singular appear-
ance is presented of a shoot growing out of the
apex of the cone. These varying waves can be
also seen in cyperacece, sometimes placing the
male and sometimes the female at the apex of
the culm, but always the female in the greatest
line of viiior. I do not know of any case where
the sexes are separate on the same plant that ex-
tra vigor does not always accompany the pro-
duction of the female and an evidently weakened
vitality the male parts.

Mere vigor,however.will not always indicate the
degree of vitality. Thepi)i»s mugho seldom ex-
ceeds ten feet high, and its shoots are not near
as vigorous as its near relative, 2nnus sylvestris ;
and yet it commences its bearing age by a free
and vigorous production of female flowers. But
power of endurance is a high test of vitality, and
an Alpine form should possess this in a high de-
gree. In its relation to sex this form of vital

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTRLY.

297

force will also have an interest. The vitality of
a tree is always more or less injured by trans-
planting. Sometimes it is so injured that it
never pushes into leaf again. It always pushes
out later than if it had not been moved, and in
proportion to the injury to the vitality is the
lateness of pushing. Clearly, then, earliness of
pushing forth leaves is»a test of vigorous vitality.
IvTow, some Norway spruces push forth earlier
than others. There is as much as two weeks
difference between them, and it is remarkable that
those which push out the earliest — may we not
say those which have the highest powers of vi-
tality ? — are most productive of female blossoms.
Arboriculturists ma}^ make good use of this fact.
Norway spruces, which hav-e a drooping habit,
are the heavy cone bearing forms. No way has
before been discovered to detect them until they
get to a bearing age. Now it will be seen, the
earliest to push forth in the spring will be cone-
bearing or weeping trees.

It is not so easy to see the influence of vigor
or other forms of vitality, as affecting the sexes
in hermaphrodite plants as in monoecious ones,
yet here are some remarkable facts of a similar
character. In some flowers the forces which
govern the male and female portions respectively
seem nearly equally balanced. Then we have a
perfect hermaphrodite — one with the stamens
and pistils /perfect, and one communicating its
influences/to the other — a self fertilizing flower.
In many species, however, we notice a tendency
to break up this balance. It becomes either a
pistillate or a staminate, either by the suppres-
sion or greater development of one force or the
other. If the force is in the female direction it
begins ""uy requiring the pollen from some other
flower to fertilize itself If in the male direction
by increasing the number of stamens, or convert-
ing the stamens into petals. The interest for us
in this sexual question is to note that just in pro-
portion as the sexes diverge in this manner, in
just the same ratio do vigor and strong vitality
follow the female in the one case, and weakness
the male in the other.

In the male direction, for instance, when the
flower becomes double by the conversion of sta-
mens into petals, or the number of either in-
creased, growth is never so strong, and. life is
more endangered. Double camellias, roses,
peaches, and other things have lo be grafted on
single ones, in order to get more vigorous grow-
ing plants, and every florist knows how much
more difficult it is to get roots from a double-

flowered cutting than from a single one. Some-
times the male principle, which loves to exhibit
itself in the gay coloring of the petals, seems to
influence the leaves also ; and they also become
colored or variegated ; and here we see also a
weakened vitality follows. Variegated box, va-
riegated euonyraus, or any of similar character,
never grow so freely, or endure the winter's cold
or the extremes of climate like the green-leaved
forms.

On the other hand, when the balance goes
over in the female interest, we see it character-
ized by greater vigor than before. It has long
been noted that pistillate varieties of strawber-
ries are more proliflc of fruit, but this rule is not
always good, as sometimes the runners, which
are parts of the feminine S}'stem — a form of vi-
viparous flower shoots, in fact — regulate the
amount of fruit. But it is a fact universal, I
believe, in its application, that the production
of runners and fruit combined is always accom-
panied by a vigorous vitality.

So in rioZa, where we have female influence va-
riously expressed, from the underground stolon
or creeping runner, which reproduces without
impregnation, to the apetelous flowers which
mature abundant seeds on the smallest possible
quantity of pollen, up to the perfectly favored
hermaphrodite flowers of spring— all regular
grades of one identical female principle, in con-
trast with those species which maintain through-
out a closer connection with tl^e male principle,
by maintaining pure hermaphrodite flowers
through their whole stages ; we find those pos-
sessed of the liighest type of vitality which are
evidently the most under the laws of female in-
fluence.

In a brief paper like this, it is not my purpose
to introduce more of the facts I have observed
than will sustain the theory I have advanced.
I do not wish to urge it for adoption ; my object
is to excite investigation on the part of other ob-
servers, who will, I think, find everywhere about
them that, wherever the reproductive forces are
at all in operation, it is the highest tupes of vitality
only which take on the female form.

I have confined myself to sex in plants, botany
being my special study. Do ihe same laws pre-
vail in the animal world ? I think they do.
But this being out of ray more favorite province
I dare not discuss it, but content myself with
the bare suggestion.

298

TEE GARDEJYER'S MGJsTRLY.

October,

DISEASED GLADIOLUS AND FUCHSIA.

BY CHRONICLER.

The disease of your lady correspondent's
Gladiolus is caused by a fungus^ which attacks
the bulbs in winter, when kept in a too low tem-
perature, or a too moist atmosphere, and cor-
rodes the bulbs into their hearts. It is often
seen upon lily bulbs, and grows so rapidly as to
spread between every scale. Brushing it off
the outside does some good, but when it has
eaten into the interior, it cannot be readily got
out. As prevention is better than cure,, the
bulbs should be kept in boxes, with dry soil or
sand under and over them, and in a dry closet
or upper shelf of a greenhouse, where the tem ]
perature will seldom get below 45 degrees, and {
the air will be dry. One or two dozens of bulbs
may be kept in segar boxes, with an inch of soil
or sand under and over them. If frost should
get into a house or greenhouse, it will not reach
the bulbs among the dry soil, and the lid upon
the box ; and in daytime, the fires in the dwell-
ing-house, and sunlight in the greenhouse, will
raise the temperature, expel the frost, and dry
the atmosphere also. It is not the little cold air
or moisture, but the length of time ihe bulbs are
kept in them. So all tender bulbs should be kept
dry and moderately warm during winter, to en-
sure success, — say Gladiolus, Iris, Amarj'llis,
Tigridia, and Tuberose. A cellar is not a good
place to keep them, as the air is/ too moist, and
often foul, and sometimes becomes too cold.
Even roots of Dahlias, beets, carrots, and tur
nips rot oft" by the too moist atmosphere of good
cellars. These facts are generally known by ob-
serving gardeners.

The disease of Fuchsias, in midsummer, is
caused by too great heat, and too much dryness.
Shade from sunshine is a saving to them ; and a
plentiful supply of moisture at their roots, and
by showering water over their heads every dry
evening, they are less effected by the great heat
The Fuchsia delights in a moist soil, moist at-
mosphere, and temperate climate ; and of course
it flourishes best in spring, early summer and fall
months. It thrives admirably as an undershrub
with us. In Great Britain, from London to
Perth, in Scotland, it grows out-doors without
winter protection, and as large as our currant
bushes, and blooms abundantly many months
in the year. It is such a beautiful, blooming ge-
nus, and of so many diversified species and va-
rieties, all our lovers of flowers should give it

shade and much water during July and August,
and it will well repay the care.

PREPAKATIOX OF YIXE BORDERS.

BY W. L, GARDEXER TO J. C. LACKEY, LUTHER -
VILLE, 31D.

The border both within and without the house,
should be prepared by being in the first place ex-
cavated to the depth;of three, feetjand rendered per-
fectly dry by draining or otherwise ; and this
should be done in a substantial manner, for after
they are formed, and the vines planted, it can-
not be so eflectually done. And it is of the ut-
most consequence to the future welfare of the
vines, that they should be placed on a dry bot-
tom. Their roots naturally extend to a great
distance in quest of nourishment. and are therefore
apt to penetrate beyond tlie limits of borders
which are too scantily formed for them either
in depth or breadth. When they extend be-
yond the limits of prepared borders, if the soil
be naturally cold and damp, the fruit will not be
of fine flavor, and consequently many ot the ber-
ries will shrivel, assume a sickly color, and ri-
pen prematurely and be not only destitute of fla-
vor, but actually sour. The foundation of the
border should be well drained, and a floor con-
structed so that that the roots cannot penetrate
it ; over this floor, a thick stratum of lime rub-
bish or similar matter should be laid, over which
the border should be formed of light rich
loam, well ameliorated by frequent turning over
and exposed to the atmosphere; to this loam,
however rich in itself, a moderate quantity of
well decomposed dung should be added, and the
whole brought to a sufficient degree of lightness
by the addition of well prepared Vegetable
mould, to which may be added a portion of lime
rubbish, broken bones, shells or similar matter.

A compost of half good loam soil, with its
turf cut from old pasture land about three inches
in thickness, one quarter of rich old dung, one
one quarter lime rubbish and bone, with leaf
mould to make it sufficiently light, will be found
to answer all the requirements of the grape vine.

TRENCHING FOR ROSES.

BY MR. GEO. SUCH, SOUTH AMHOY, K. J.

So far as I have noticed, the very dry weather
of this summer is producing an unusual amount
of mildew among the Roses. As I happen to
have OIK bed of hybrid perpetuals, all of which
are in the most perfect health imaginable ; free

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

&^9

from even a suspicion of mildew during all the
dry heat, it will interest many of your readers
to know how this result has been obtained. It
is simply by trenchiiig.

The soil in this bed would, by most persons,
be considered extremely unfavorable for grow'
ing good Roses, being really nothing but light
sand, such as is looked upon as just the thing
for sweet potatoes. Two years ago last spring
it was trenched 20 to 24 inches deep, and very
liberally manured with ordinary stable manure,
the Roses being then planted a little more than
three feet apart. They made a rapid growth,
and towards the end of November were deeply
mulched with strawy manure, nil of the mulch-
ing being removed about about the first of April.
Last year the bloom and growth were both ad-
mirable. They were again mulched during the
wmter, and as soon as the mulching was re-
moved in the spring, the Roses were pruned and
the shoots pegged down in such a manner as to
completely cover the bed.

Such masses of rich foliage and superb blos-
soms as they produced last June, can hardly be
imagined, and were worth almost any amount
of trouble to procure. And, as I said before,
the foliage is still in perfect health, in spite of
the extreme heat and dryness ; for the roots run
far down into the coolness and moisture of the
deep soil.

THE CACOON VIN^E.

BY L. B., PHIL, A.

I may perhaps give you a clue to the "Ca-
coon," without being able to fully solve the
problem. With characteristic infelicity as re-
gards all material things, and hundreds of pro-
ducts long known in commerce, the regular dic-
tionaries are silent as to the "Cacoon Vine."
^Nothing of the "Cacoon" or "Cacoon Vine''' in
Webstei, Worcester, XJre, Macgregor, Haydn,
Ash, Sinerine, Nunezde Taboada. Sim-
monds' Dictionary of trade products, says
"Cacoon," a name for the seeds of the Entada
gigalobium^ which are used for making purses,
scent-botties, &c.

I have before me a singular fibrous frame of a
fruit, brought recently from Nassau, which has
a resemblance to the fibre described. It grows
on a vine like the cucumber ; a low running,
and rooting vine, with leaf and habit of the
cucumber vine. The vine is now growing in
my garden from seed planted this spring, but

has as yet no blossom or fruit. The fruit is said
to be in color and appearance very much like
the cucumber, and the fibrous skeleton now be-
fore me has the precise outline and form of a cu-
cumber, 8 inches long and 2| inches in diameter.
There are three principal lobes, in which the
seeds are arranged ; now open holes through the
fibrous net ; and the external form has 16 sub-
lobes, giving it a striking resemblance to a 16
rowed ear of corn. The fibre is clean, white,
and strong, the size of a No 40 spool thread of
cotton, and so fimly interwoven and tied through-
out, that it is, when dry, quite firm in its shape.
When wet, it can be drawn out in any shape. I
understand, though, the single specimens I have
belonging to the lady who brought it, is too
precious to experiment on.

I think this is Cacoon, and the vine the Ca-
coon vine ; though the Spanish name is Estra-
p(tjo, and the common name in Nassau, is
'"Guinea Sponge."

The fruity portion is said to be gummy and tena-
cious, but easily dissolved and washed away,
being also intensely bitter, an;l having medicinal
properties. The fibre of this singular product is
certainly very valuable ; being very light, clean
and strong, and as the vine fruits with great
profusion, large quantities can be gathered.
The vine grows very luxuriantly, and promises to
show blossoms and fruit, even in my garden,
very soon. The seeds are black, flat, and some-
what like small watermelon seeds.

Should this reference give you a clue to it, and
you wish particularly to see the specimen of the
most remarkable of all fibres ; being the skeleton
of a perishable soft fruit. I will endeavor to get
the owner's permission to send it to you.

AMPELOPSIS VEITCHII, AND SPIR^A
LOBATA.

BY WM. CHARLTOX, ROCHESTEK, N. Y.

Ampelopsis Veitchii. —I received this beautiful
climbing plant from England last spring, and
aui well pleased with it. It is a miniature foli-
aged Virginian Creeper, or as it is sometimes
called, American Ivy. It will no doubt prove
entirely hardy here, and will be much sought
after, as it becomes more known ; it is I think
the very best plant that I am acquainted with
for baskets and vases, as there is nothing trashy
or weedy in its character. It was sent out for
the first time August 1st., 18G8, by tlie Veitchs
of Chelsea, Eng., who thus describe it: "A

300

THE GARDEJYER'S 3I0JVTHLY.

October,

miniature foliasjed Virginian Creeper, which
cUngs to any building with the tenacity of the
strongest Ivy, and producing in great profusion
its dense foliage, of a glossy green, shaded with
purple, cannot fail to command great attention.
It is of exceedingly rapid growth, requires no
nailing, and from earliest spring it produces its
beautiful purple tinted leaves so thickly, as to
form the most perfect coating whereyer it is
planted, the young shoots being quite purple
The leaves are sometimes divided into three
parts, and are sometimes entire, turning red in
autumn similar to the old kind."

I would add that the foliage is almost identi
cal with the foliage of Begonia parviflora, and
almost all the foliage on my specimen plant
(in a pot) is about the same size.*

Spircea Falmata—ln the September number
of the Monthly, you make au extract from the
Gardener's Chronicle, (English,) calling atten-
tion to this evidently fine herbaceous plant,
which is being distributed in England this fall
for the first time. I am happy to say that I was
fortunate last spring to receive three plants of it
from Mr. Charles iSToble, who owns the entire
stock. These plants have made a fine growth
the present season, and I hope to be able to re-
port oti their blooming qualities next season.

[We saw the Ampelopsia recently at Mr. Hun-
newells, and can add our testimony to Mr.
Charlton's, that it is a very valuable addition to
our catalogue of hardy climbers— hardy, as we
suppose it will be.— Ed.]

XEW MODE OF BUDDII^^G.

BY J. W. VANZANDT.

When sap is in a flowing state the bud is cut
square off at at each end, and flattened with
a concave to fit the convex of the line. A piece
of the bark the size of the bud is cut out, and in-
serted so as to make it fit. It is held with a ce-
ment of my own invention ; and when it is seal-

ed, tie it with candle wick. Budded fifty in this
mode, and not one of them missed growing. Can
bud the rose as successfully as the apple or pear.
Send you a bud fitted for the work. It can be
held with. a preparation of gun cotton and collo-
dion : this forms water-proof cement.

E D T T 0 H I AL .

pare:n'tage of grapes.

In the course of our peregrinations this year,
we dropped down on Hammonton, ISTew Jersey,
and in the grounds of Colonel Moore saw two
seedling grapes, about which are some matters
of more than ordinary interest.

Mr. Moore gives the following account of them.
A few years ago, when living in the East, he
grew a Concord under glass with his foreign
grapes. He cut off the stamens from a bunch
of the Concord, and some time after shook a
bunch of muscadine flowers over them. The
seeds were sown, many came up ; and, being in
the garden without protectiou, all but five were

killed in the wint-er. The two we saw in bearing
were from these five, and were brought to Ham-
monton by their owner.

There are no traces of the foreign vine in these
two seedlings. It is not generally known that
the petals of the grape cohere and enclose the
stamens in such a way, that unless the flowers
for cross imgpregnation are taken early, and the
petals and stamens cut away together, the flower
is very likely to fertilize itself. By waiting in
this instance until the stamens had expanded,
self fertilization had no doubt been eflected. So
far then as this cross with the European is con-
cerned, the evidence is lost. There is a bare
possibility that some other grape seed may have

1S69.

TEE GARDEJVERS M0JVTEL7.

SOI

been in the ground on the exact spot where these
grapes came up. This is so slight however, that
we think we may take it for certain tliat these
grapes came from a Concord parent, under cir-
cumstances wliich make it higlily probable that
it was self- fertilized, and yet we have tico seedlings
as different from Concord as they well could be—
one has a bunch like Clinton, the berry like
Clinton, even to the red stem when the fruit is
separated from it. The leaf formed very much
like Clinton , small like Clinton, the young shoots
having long slender wiry shoots when they get
on the ground, just like Clinton ; but the under
surface of the leaf downy, and in this not Wee
Clinton.nor like any of the species ( Vitis CordifoUa)
which Clinton popularly is supposed to belong to
This the owner calls the "Conqueror.'' The
other, the '■ Challenge, " has very much the same
character as the other, but the fruit is brownish
red, or a deep '• Delaware " color.

'Now the great interest is from the fact that
many modern poraologists doubt the correctness
of Yan Mons' conclusions, because it is possible
the varieties cross fertilized themselves in the or-
chard, and therefore what Y. Mons attributed to
"progressive development" should have been
credited to hybridism, or more correctly crossing
of varieties. In this case it seems highly proba-
ble that the Concord without any cross fertiliza-
tion, certainly not from any native sort, has not
only departed widely from its parent, but in every
respect but one, and that (a woolly under sur-
face) a very trifling one, has travelled out of the
species even, into a widely different one. From
Vitis Labrusca to Vitis CordifoUa. We ought
perhaps to note as another point of difference in
the brown grape, that some berries had a strong
musky flavor, not the disagreeable "foxy"
flavor so often complained of ; but yet enough to
show its Lahruscan origin.

There was another point too which gives value
to the grape as well as showing the relation-
ship to Clinton in which direction it had travelled
in this. The Concord has been an entire failure
from rot on Mr. Moore's grounds, but the Clinton
is a success, as also are these two grapes ; and
all are growing together side by side. An
immense amount of printer's ink is wasted in
discussion about horticultural truths, simply
because, close, minute, attention to guard against
error is not given in horticultural experiments.
In nothing has this been more illustrated than
in questions concerning the powers of fruit, and
especially powers to hybridize, or to take wide

forms without hybridization. In the case of the
Rogers' Hybrid grapes for instance, it will be re-
membered that Mr. Barry has always contended
they are not hybrids. It has been argued that
it is impossible so many good and different forms
could have been raised from one poor grape
without hybridization. The present experience
seems to show they can ; and if this alone fixed
the character of the hybrid grapes, many of us
would have to recant and go over to Mr. Barry's
side.

Aside from these considerations the "Chal-
lenge " and "Conqueror " are two good grapes,
no better perhaps than scores of others which
have been brought out ; but better than a great
many for which high prices have been paid, and
Mr. Bassett who has the ground on which we saw
the grape, is doing well in disseminating them.

THE MEXICAN EYERBEARIXG-
STRAWBERRY.

We find the following in the Practical Farmer:

New Alpine Straav'berry.— Did not the usually-
careful editor of the Oardener's Monthly make a slight
mistake, when he spoke of there being 200 bushels of this
new variety per acre? Of course it could be only con-
jecture, but was not the guess of the quantity rather
a lively one"! 6,-100 quarts to the acre is a pretty fair crop
even of the large varieties. If E. Satterihwait,
who raised a large crop of Agriculturist this past
season, which he sold at 75 cts. and 81 per quart, and
which being a big strawberry, measure fast, had ap-
proached this quantity, (6,400 quarts,) he must have
made considerable money.

We rather think that the guess that this va-
riety was a humbug, its introducers swindlers,
and its advertisers corrupted bribe suckers, was
rather a lively one, — not quite so lively as exhib-
ited by a celebrated jumping insect which when
John's fingers were dashed down on him, was
not there; for this "lively guess'' from those
who never saw it, has been considerably crushed by
those who have, although some remarkable
jumping has been attempted. We did not speak
of 200 acres as "there being;" that would not
be true, — but we did say that probably two
hundred bushels could be gathered from an acre
of these through the ichole season. We made no
comparison with Mr. Satterthwait's or any
other person's strawberries, and are not disposed
to follow in the wake of some friends who are
sending challenges, and making wagers ; but we
are quite sure that if those who are sincere seek-
ers after truth, will take fifty Agriculturists and
fifty Mexican Everbearing and plant them side
by side together, they will find that after an ac-

302

THE GARDEJVER'S

Octoh&i%

curate measurement taken through the whnle sea-
son, they will find this Mexican' Everbearing
heat the Agriculturist in productiveness, in one
year from planting ; perhaps \f e may be mistaken
in this ; but we think not.

"We are very much surprised at the way this
strawberry has been attacked. For our art
we thought that it was an o.d and worthless va-
riety. AVe felt so sure of this that we did not
like to stop on our way to see them. It is pain-
ful to us to condemn anything, though we never
hesitate to perform a public duty. "VVe turned a
little out of our course to see them, feeling like a
good hearted sheriff, who expected to have to hang
a man who had never done him any harm. AVe
found it just as we have already described ; but
we said nothing until we saw it.

^0 doubt those who attacked without knowing,
feel sore under the fost developing facts. AVe do
not wish to add one word to their mortification,
even Mr. Elliot whom we think has none but the
highest christian reasons for forgiving his op-
ponents on this question, we have no doubt will
forget, if they will handsomely bach down, and
exhibit as much respect for their co-laborers as
to prove themselves right. On the other hand let
tho.se who think they have won, not be led b}'
their enthusiasm to over praise their fruit.
The public may rely on this being the true state
of the case :

First, it is a greater bearer than any variety
of Alpine known.

Second, it is easily distinguished from other
Alpines, by the first fruits of the season being
longer and more cylindrical than any Alpine
variety known ta the writer.

Its disadvantages are that eaten from the vine
the fruit is rather pasty, but this is compensated
for by a delicious aroma which with the usually
creamy admixtures makes a feast for the gods ;
and for a strawberry short cake is too good even
for manj"^ of them.

Then it is small, the largest only reaching up
to an average Albany ; but this also is compen-
sated for, by the hull being left on the vine in the
picking ; so that if the hulling be taken into
consideration, a quart of these takes no longer
to get to the table than a quart of larger ones.
Then its everbearing character is an advantage
to some. To us at least a quart of strawberries
fi-esh from the vine in September would be a
treat ; even if they did cost a dollar.

Yet there will be many write next year of their
dissapointment. A couple of years ago there

was much excitement about tomatoes. A friend
wrote that he had been " humbugged," we hate
to write this word. AA''e happened to be near
his place place a few days afterwards, and stop"
ped to see it, — it. — a solitary plant, within four
feet of the trunk of a large maple tree, with even
the rag weeds by which it was surrounded,
withering for the want of water ! !

Such are our experiments ! such are* our ex-
periraentors I If the '' Mexican " does not get
some of these, especially with so many theories
to prove true, it will be a more wonderful one
than the Alaska, for which we are in treaty, and
are willing to pay so much.

AVe enter fully into this matter once for all,
because we do not wish to classed as an advocate
of this berr}', or an opponent of those who wish
to attack it. AVe have no controversy, but re-
cord the facts.

AVEALTHY VIXEYAKDISTS.

It is a curious commentary on "scientific"
grape culture, that while a man is poor he can
usually grow good grapes, but as soon as he be-
comes rich he succeeds no longer. AVe know one
who had pretty good success with his grapes,
along a very steep hillside, and then, finding the
"soil and climate" good, invested several thou-
sand dollars in terracing, manuring, and sub-
soiling, according to the most perfect instruc-
tions laid down in the books, and he has never
had a grape since. He is quite sure the " cli-
mate" has changed the past few years, and that
"it is no use to try to grow grapes in this part
of the country." AVe may see the same obvious
"change of climate" at Cincinnati, St. Louis,
and other gi-ape centres. Germans, who come
fresh from the Rhine, where the labor of cultiva-
tion is too great for the men, and only women
can be found to carry earth in wicker baskets up
the steep hillsides, to the little nests quarried out
in the high ridges for the grape to grow in,
succeed remarkably well for a time. As they
inhale the rich American atmosphere, and find
their breech bands and pockets, in mutual sym-
pathy expanding, comes withal a desire to "do
the thing right " From henceforth they find
they have an up-hill task, while their success
correspondingly descends. Bye and bye one
reaches the top of the mountain, sees his fortune
at the bottom, and finds " his climate not adapt-
ed to grape culture."
Once in a while, however, we see one whom

8G0.

THE GARDEjYER'S MOJTTELY.

303

success does not spoil. On the railroad from
Pittsburg to Cleveland, perhaps twent3^-five miles
from Pittsburg, is a steep, rocky bluff, facing
the Ohio river, we see a case in point. It is cap-
ped by an elegant mansion, of a somewhat castella-
ted form. How any one reached the top was not
easily understood, but doubtless some balloon
arrangement, simplified by Yankee genius, does
that business thoroughly and well. Passing
rapidly on tho train, we cannot, of course, give

more than approximate figures, but we should
think the hill was one hundred and fifty feet
high, and yet not more than one hundred feet
back, in a horizontal line, from the railroad
track. This will give an idea of tlie steep accliv-
ity of this hillside. This was the place for ter-
races, narrow terraces, which could never be
deluged with water ; and here were just such
terraces as would delight the eyes of a genuine
Rhinelander, — the surfaces oven of these sloping

[UEGOliJiA sANDEEsii, See page ^OL]

so much that any but a genuine son of Fader-
land Would wonder how water could get in, even
under the heaviest rain storm, to say nothing of
staying thei'e after it did get in. Yet here, ou
these blutfs, facing the sun, where even a crop
of corn would dry out nine years out of ten,
Were vines with a promise of fruit which even a
look at would be enough to Intoxicate Bacchus,
though well used to hard drinking, as by all
accounts he must have been. This man is evi-
dently rich, but he could not do otherwise than

he did. It would have taken even his immense
fortune to spoil that hill. That he has succeed-
ed may, therefore, be no thanks to his " inteUi-
gence." ''Climate and soil" is therefore all
right for the present ; and we rather guess if he
will not be above the practices of the old country
German women, and carry up a little manure
once in a while, in a little wicker basket across
his shoulders, his "climate and soil'' will not
change for many years to come.

SOJf

THE GARBE^'-ER'S MOJfTHLY.

October,

BEGOKIA SAXDERSII A BEDDING
PLANT.

[See Emjraving.)
It has here been noticed thai many of the beau-
tiful bedding plants of England, are quite un-
suited to our climate. With the first very warm
days, these plants suffer, and they soon dwindle
away

In searching for our own bedding plants we
have to look chiefly to the tropics for materials.
Hence for us Coleus, Achyrauthes, Dractenas,
Cannas, Madagascar Periwinkles, and so on. suit
us best in all the Middle and Southern States.
Every year some new addition is made of these
plants, and our list though difterent,will soon be
as full as that of England.

One of the best things we have seen this year
is Begonia Sandersii — Its color is rich carmine,
and it continues to bloom freely from May till
frost. It has hitherto been supposed to do
only under glass. Most Begonias especially the
colored leaved varieties do seem to prefer to be
under a glass shade during summer, the hot sun
seems to yellow their leaves. This variety how-
ever, in a free light soil endures the hot sun
very well. Begonias are natives of Mexico and
Brazil ; but this variety we believe, is a hybrid
between B. fuschsouhs and B. incarnata. They
bear male and female flowers on separate trusses.
Our illustration is of a truss of female flowers.

THE AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SO-
CIETT.

As we write, the session of this society is being
held, in connection with the Pennsylvania Hor-
ticultural exhibition in their Hall in Philadel-
phia, and is probably one of the most successful
ever held. The number of delegates and mem-
bers is so large, and the contributions so full,
that probably no similar meeting ever excelled
it in interest and enjoyment to all concerned. It
is impossible, at this early day, and the meeting
not closed, to give any details, which, as a Bos-
ton friend remarked, is nearly impossible at any
rate as there is no way of foreseeing the end of
any attempt at a beginning. The fruits from
Kansas however, elicited the warmest admira-
tion from every one, and much regret was ex
pressed by the Committee on Fruits that by a
By-law of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Socie-
ty which says " all plants and fruits for compe-
tition must be entered by the grower,'' and
'■The State of Kansas" not being considered a
competitor as an "individual" under thi? rule, ^

that they could not award premiums to them,
except as "specials," for their superiority in
many cases was freely acknowledged. Much
praise was also given to the Kansas delegation
for the handsome manner in which the fruits
were displayed, and when the State of Pennsyl-
vania follows in the wake of Kansas, if she gets
as worthy repjesentatives as Messrs. Anthony,
Kelsey, and Housley, she will be fortunate.
Virginia had also some magnificent pears. The
best show of grapes, however, seems to us to be
from the East, instead of from the West, as one
would suppose. Massachusetts was unfortunate
in having a severe hurricane, which shook off
thousands of bushels of fruit, but President
Wilder, nobly resisting this worst of misfortunes
to so enthusiastic a pomologist, made a remarka-
bly creditable show.

It was very gratifying to this gentleman's
friends to know that he would not absolutely de ;
cline a re election to the Presidency. Not to
" tell tales out of school," we yet suppose there
will be no harm in saying that in the large and
full Nominating Committee gathered from eve-
ry section of the Union, his was the only name
presented for consideration, and immediately
adopted, as soon as named, unanimously ; and
the Committee's action enthusiastically endorsed
by the society. Long may he live to wear his
hard-earned honors I It was also very gratifying
to the Southern members that Richmond was
selected lor the next meeting. The following is
the vote on the question, and we question
whether so high a vote for one place, where so
many places were naturally anxious to have the
honor, was ever given before ; which augurs well
for the great success of the next session there :

" A vote was taken, and it was decided to
hold the next meeting at Eichmoud. The vote
stood,— for Richmond, 61 ; Rochester, 34 ; Ge-
neva, 32 ; Cahfornia, 24 ; N^vport, 23 ; Cincin-
nati, 18 ; Boston, 17 ; Leavenworth, 9; Nash-
ville, 6.''

Up to the present time, little has been done
beyond preliminary business. The following
officers have been elected :

"President — Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of

Massachusetts.

Vice Presidents Col. R. F. Hauley, Alabama;
J. H. Carleton, Ark ; Simpson Thompson, Cali-
fornia ; Charles Pauls, Colorado ; Col. F. Trow-
bridge, Conn.; Edward Tatnall, Del.; William
Saunders, D. C; L. J. Hardee, Fla.; L. E.
Berckmans, Ga.; Arthur Bryant, Sr., 111.; J. D.

1869.

THE GARBEKER'S MOJVTHLY.

305

G. Nelson, Ind.; James Smith, Iowa; J. S.
Downer, Ky. ; H. A Swazey, La.; S. L. Good-
ale, Me.; C. M. Hovey, Mass.; W. D. Brecken-
ridge, Md., Nicholas Waugh, Montana; Hugh
Allen, Canada East; Dr. Wm. Housely, Kan.;
Silas Moore, R, I. ; Warren Foote, Arizona ;
Wm. Birt, Mich.; D. A. Robertson, Minn.; Gen.
AVm. M. Brandon, Miss ; B. F Edwards, Mo.;
Fred'k Smith, N. H.; Charles Downing, N. Y. ;
AVm. Parry, N. J.; R. W. Furman, Neb.; Dr
de Ruythen, New Mexico; Wm.L. Steele, N. C ;
Dr. T. A. Warder, O.; Chas Arnold, C. W. ;
Simon Francis, Oregon ; Robert Buist, Pa.; Dr.
J. P. Wylic, S. C; M. S. Frierson, Tenn.; M
Talbot, Texas ; J. E. Johnson, Utah ; Z. Ja-
cobs, W. Ya.; J. C. Plumb, Wis; Richard
Bradley, Yt. ; G. F. B. Leighton, Ya.

Treasurer — Thomas P. .James, Philadelphi^i.
Secretar}' — F. R. Ehiott, Cleveland, Ohio.
Executive Committee — President and Yice
President, ex officio ; M. B. Bateham, Ohio ; G.
Thurber, N. Y. ; J. E. Mitchell, Penna ; W. C.
Flagg, 111.; J. F. C. Hyde. Mass.

We think it must have been gratifying to our
friends to find tlieir fruit and deliberations so
much valued by the citizens of Philadelphia.
Wednesday there were Jz're thousand persons pres-
ent during the day. 'J"he society was officially re-
ceived by the Mayor on Thursaay, and a public
welcome extended to them ; and Friday evening
the proceedings will close by a banquet and eve-
ning entertainment, given by some individual
members of the Horticultural Society, and some
of the Philadelphia nursery and seed trade, in-
cluding a lew from West Cliester and New Jer-

sey, to the members and delegates present. We
are sorry to have to go to press so soon as not to
give a fuller account of what is going on, but the
event has created so much interest in the minds
of all clas?es here, that we could not let the occa-
sion go over without these few words, at any
rate.

SEX IN PLANTS.

In another column we give a paper on Sex iu
Plants, by the Editor of this magazine, read be-
fore the American Association for the advance-
ment of Science, at Salem, Mass., recently. We
have only occasionally republished in our
columns botanical papers by this author, because
abstract science is understood but by a few, and
these usually read the papers iu the publications
in which they originally appear ; but this paper
on sex. as well as another on the nature of axil-
lary buds, seem to have excited so much interest,
that we give one now, and will republish the
other next month.

It is curious to note that as in all new phases
of Science, this new theory of the physical rela-
tion of the sexes is tortured and twisted already
into the support of all sorts of isms, most of which
the author himsalf would repudiate. There is
one deduction, however, which seems evidently
true, and which must have a great value to agri-
culturists, stock breeders, etc., namely, that the
question of sex is one influenced by the innate
laws of life, and thatno external influence has any
poicer in determining sex.

SCRAPS AIvD QUERIES.

Lygodium PAL3IATUM.— a correspondent
says : — In the last number of the Monthly, under
the head of Law and Science, the Hartford Cour-
ant was in error in alluding to the law passed by
the Legislature, for the protection of creejnng
ferns. The fern intended to receive the benefit
of the law is the climbing fern, Lygodium palma-
tum, not Pteris aquiUna, nor Camptosorus rhizo-
phyllus.

The writer is reminded of this by the remark
of a gentleman of this city, that whilst passing
through Hartford, homeward, from a trip to the
White mountains, he observed large quantities

of the Lygodium offered for sale in the streets,
brought from the interior, and used for garlands;
a few pence would buy an arm full, and he
availed himself of the opportunity and procured
fine specimens.

For the protection of this most beautiful and
interesting species, the Legislature passed an act
imposing a fine of five dollars on those who so
wantonly destroyed it.

This fern is not so very rare. It is found in
New Jersey in the vicinity of Brown's Mills and
Quaker Bridge, also in the mountainous reo'ions
of Schuj'lkill Co., Pennsylvania.

S06

TEE GABDEJy.ER'S MOJsTBLY.

October,

Consistency. — It will be recollected that a
coiiteraporary, of whom we are said to be jeal-
ous, a couple of years ago, in order to bring into
discredit the three other journals, two of the
Editors of which were nurserymen, and the
other a landscape gardener, advertised that the
public wanted, " a journal of high tone, and
edited by persons not connected with any horti-
cultural establishment." The same concern is
now selling seeds, and strawberry plants at $5
per dozen ! !

California Fruit in IChicago.— TVe find
the following paragraph from the Chicago i?e-
Mihlican going through the press :

" The Chicago market is supplied with Cali-
fornia fruit— once a rare luxury, but now likely
to become as common on our tables as the
peaches of St. Joe, Michigan, or the strawber-
ries of our own State. A cargo of fruit from the
Golden State arrived in Chicago on Friday, be-
ing the first fruit car through from San Francis-
co. The freight is §-5 per cwt., or about §940 on
a car lead. It occupied five days on the journey,
and the cargo was in splendid condition The
car load included 120 cases of plums, 50 cases of
white grapes, and 150 cases of pears of different
varieties. The plums are the largest ard finest
that have ever been seen in the Chicago market,
and were grown in the Valley Nursery, Sacra-
mento, by Mr. C. W. Eeid. They are delicious
in tlavor, and the pears likewise are of unusually
luscious quality."

The idea that these easily-raised fruits will
compete with our own hard earned crops is dis-
tateful to some of our fruit growers. AVe thmk
this success noted by the Eepubliccm is an ex-
ceptional case. A committee on a public enter-
tainment in Philadelphia recently wrote to lead
ing firms in Chicago for 500 pounds of grapes,
and were told that, with the exception of a few
pears, none of the shipments of fruit from Cali-
fornia came in saleable condition, and it was not
considered likely they would do better in future.

Madder. — The progress of science cannot per-
haps be better illustrated than in the case of
Madder, which, after an employment as one of
the leading dyes for nearly two thousand ytars,
has been substituted by a preparation of coal
tar. Thousands of tons of madder are grown
along the shores of the Mediterranean— ten thou-
sand alone being used by Great Britain ; and

much thought has been given to its culture iu
the United States, though we believe this has
not been carried out to any great extent. The
discovery by Groebe and Liebmann that the co-
loring of madder and the anthracene of coal tar
are identical, will most probably put madder cul-
ture among the things of the past.

Graft hybrids — At the recent meeting of
the American Pomological Society, during the
sitting of one of the committees, the subject of
Mr. Blodgett's sweet and sour apples on one
tree was introduced. The theory is that Mr.
Blodgett's father took buds of Ehode Island
Greening and Tallman's Sweet, slit them longi-
tudinally and fixing pieces of the two kinds to-
gether as one, inoculated the bud, which grew,
and the tree bearing sometimes one, sometimes
the other, sometimes both varieties in one apple
is the result. It was objected by some member
of the committee that there were many such
trees in the country, and that it was probably a
sport which Rhode Island Greening is capable
of producing, but Mr. Blodgett set this at rest
by stating that grafts of this tree had been freely
disseminated through the country for m^ny
years past. Many guod physiologists fiiil to see
by any known law, how such an union of two
halves of a bud can be possible,— on the other
hand, Mr. Blodgett's powers of close scientific
observation are of the highest order, and under
all the circumstances we can scarcely think it im-
possible. It may not be amiss to say that Eras-
mus Darwin, uncle of the present great philoso-
pher, and whose perceptions of nature were so far
ahead of his age, that only now are many of his
views becoming appreciated, in his I 'hytologia,
speaks of this kind of grafting, and believed in its
having been done. However, our object now is
to suggest to our readers, who will no doubt,
many of them be grafting apples this winter, to
slit a few buds in this way and try it. There
can be no reason why it should not succeed as
well by grafting as by budding, and the union
will be much easier made by bud grafts than by
mere bark buds as in inoculation.

Acorns on tue Grape Tine. — The nature
of msects galls is not understood. Why the
puncture of diflierent insects on the same plant,
should lead to such very different structures is
so far a mystery, and yet one would suppose that
if close attention were given to it, any one with a

isng.

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^TELY.

S07

good habit of " putting this and that together,"
or as is popularly said of ''generalizing," we see
no? reason why might not unveil the mys-
tery. Last year we received some very inter-
esting galls, like small apples on the grape vine,
now we see by the Austin (Texas) Heimhlican,
that some resembling acorns exist on the grapes
of that district.

White Flowers for Winter Cutting. —
B. Chicayo, III., "Can you oblige a subscriber to
the Monthly, by a list of the best six white flow-
ers adapted to winter cutting ?"

Stevia serrala, Double White Camellia, Calla
Ethiopica, Lilium candid ium, Deutzia gracilis
and Double White Chinese Primrose, will
make a good variety of the most varied forms.
We do not know, but there might be found six
others as good as them. White Azaleas, Double
White English Primrose, White Koses, White
Abutilon, White Ageratura, Perennial Candy-
tuft, Cyclamen Persicum album, White Cinera-
rias, Garden la florida, Fabiana imbricata, Daph-
nes, White Jasmines, White Zonale Geraniums,
White Verbenas and White Violets are all good
things to cut from.

N'ewspapers. — We are frequently indebted
to friends who send us marked newspapers or
magazines, with matters interesting to horticul-
turists, for which we are always thankful.

Ehododendrons. — M B., Baltimore, Md.,
says : " In travelling through a part of North
Carolina this year, I saw large tracts of the
Ehododendron maximum, our native Mountain
Laurel, and could not but wish it could be had
in our nurseries to cultivate. On Roan moun-
tain particularly they were of all colors, from
almost white to deep rose and crimson ; on some
of the high peaks they were in bloom when not
more than a foot high."

[We suspect the species seen by our correspon-
dent was the R. Catawbiense, which is the south-
ern form; R. maximum, is a northern kind, and
has flowers from white to purple, and not of a
crimson tint, as here described. They are found
cultivated in the leading nurseries of New York,
Boston, Philadelphia and we believe Baltimore,
though we do not see them in any list of those
nurseries which we have on hand.

There is another very pretty southern Rhodo-

dendron, R. punctatum, which we believe is not
in cultivation, but which it would be well worth
while to introduce to notice.

There was a time when it was supposed Rho-
dodendrons could not be cultivated in America,
but that has been found an error. The mistake
was in growing them in the shade. With a
soil made cool by a little art, they do best in the
sun, and are now coming into general cultiva-
tion.

Acer colchicum rubrijm.— G'. S & fT.,
Geneva, N. T. — Your leaf is Acer colchicum
ruhrum. It is singular tliat this species has
been overlooked in Botanical works. Although
described first in Loudon's Gardener'' s Magazine
(2nd Vol. we believe), he has forgotten to include
it in his "aboretum. " It was first discovered
in the Crimea many years ago by Mr. Booth, of
Hamburg. Some botanists have recently sup-
posed it to be synonymous with A. Lobelia ; but
we have investigated this recently and find it
quite another thing. It is a distinct and beau-
tiful species.

Grape culture and Wine making. — B.

R , Boyden, N. C. — " What is the best work on
Wine making and Grape culture V'' [Phins
work we consider the most complete. Huss-
mann's covers a good deal of ground. Proba-
bly a monthly magazine. The Grape Culturist,
pubUshed by Studley & Co., St. Louis, Mo.,
would furnish you with as many good ideas as
any book you could buy.]

White Fox Grapes.— A friend hands us
some very large specimens from Lycoming Co ,
Pa., the enormous size of which may be ap-
preciated by the fact of it taking only 64 berries
to make lib. They are lather flatter than most
fox grapes. Botanists frequently " run^a^gainst"
this variety,and we are rather surprised that some
one fond of dividing, has not made it a species.
It is better worth that distinction than many
which have been named.

Russian Apple.— 31. B., Baltimore, Mi. —
" While writing may I not inquire whether there
are such things as " Russian Apples " grown in
the North ? A iriend speaks highly of them."

[We do not know what are "Russian apples,"
as distinct from other apples. Tha Siberian

308

THE GARI)EJ\^ZR' S MOJs^THLY.

Cctoh. r,

Crabs are " Eussian apples," and there are some
very good varieties of apple that are of Russian
origin. The Alexander, Red Astrachan, and
Tetoffsky are instances. Perhaps these last
named are meant.]

Vexus Fly-trap.— 3i. B., Balthnore, ]\rcl. —
^Ye beheve it has not been disputed by any one
■whose reputation as a good scientific observer is
acknowledged, that the object of the Dionsea in
closing in on the hapless insect, is to eat it. See
article by Mr. Canby in our last year's volume.

The Horticultural Arraxgements. —
We have been frequently asked who got up the
late beautiful exhibition in Philadelphia. We
may say that Mr. Robert Scott, of the Catharine
Street Nurseries, was the Chairman of the Work-
ing Committee, and gave the the whole his con-
stant personal attention Too much praise can-
not be given him for his great success. The
balance of the work was chiefly undertaken by
Messrs. J. E. Mitchell, J. S. Houghton, Thos.
P. James, C. P. Hayes, Wm. Hacker, Dr.
Corbin and Secretary Harrison, who worked
night and day at their voluntary posts. If any
other society can show such devoted servants
they may well be proud of them.

jjooKS— J. W. 3/cI., St. Louis, Mo., writes:
" I have a little 9x9 cold pit or one horse green-
house, mostly under ground, 2 acres of lawn in
front and around the house, bay window on the
south 6x9, wardian case, hanging baskets, etc.
Have no hired gardener, so you see I want to
know, as we say West, a heap. AVhat is the best
work ? What work is there published that will
give me the name of any plant or flower, the
treatment it requires, mode of propagation, etc.,
in detail ; say very much as Adam Graham gives
on page 234, Yol 1860 under article " (greenhouse
plants, "in your magazine- To illu&trate,last night
my wife hunted over Henderson and an old edi-
tion of Break, and perhaps some others, to know
how she should treat her Calla. She found little
or nothing to the point. I got said volume of
your magazine, and turned to said article, and
it told all that was necessary to know about its
treatment nearly, but it did not tell how to pro-
pagate, how hardy they were, etc. Now gar-
deners, or rather florists, must have some other
sources than tradition, and from the amount of
books I have yet seen, I think it is not in them

that they get many details necessary to know how
to make it profitable to them and pleasant to an
amateur. I have by the way, Buist on Flowers,
Parsons on the Rose.Breck's Book of Flowers. and
Bridgeraan on Flowers, but I have no idea I
will find what I want. Yesterday my wife want-
ed instructions about ferns, and could find no-
thing. I see in my English catalogue, Loudon's
books, perhaps they are what I want."

[There is no work that will answer every want.
Indeed it is one of the missions of the Gardener''s
Monthly to supply what such works lack. We are
always glad to get the inquiries, because in an-
swering them we help hundreds of others, who
are too bashful to inquire of an Editor on their
own account. In addition to the works named,
Mr. LoudoiVs Gardening for Ladies will be found
useful, as well as Rand's Parlor Gardening. Let
us know what is lacking about ferns. As to the
Calla, it is a native of the lower Nile regions. and
will not endure frost. It does not require great
heat however, as it will live out all winter under
water in ponds, where the water is deep enough
for the frost not to reach it. Many persons use the
plant for aquariuuis, but an idea prevails that
Id is not healthy for fish in such water. Its great
value is for winter blooming in windows and
greenhouses during winter. It does best in ver}'^
rich soil, in a tolerably large pot — about ten in-
ches— and must have abundance of water while
growing. It likes light, but not the brightest
light. About June the leaves die away, and the
roots may be suffered to get nearly dry. Most
people set them away under the shade of a tree
or fence, letting them take their chances till Sep-
tember, when they commence to make a new
growth. The offsets by which they are propa-
gated are then taken ofi', and set singly in three
or four inch pots,— the large bulbs in six inches,
given encouragement to grow, and taken into
the house before the frosts come. After the pot
is full of roots it is shifted into ten inch as before
described.

Here in the East it is a great feat to get them
in bloom by Christmas; and man}^ vie with their
neighbors to accomplish it. To do this, they
start them to growing as soon as possible in fall,
giving them all the light possible. Most people
do not get them out till near E.ister, and they go
usually b}^ the name of " Easter Lily." It is a
growing custom with the Roman Catholic, Epis-
copalian and Unitarian bodies to decorate their
churches at Easter with Callas ]

1869,

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY,

309

California Fruit. — Dr. Streuzel, of Mar-
tinez, California, through Col. Warren, of the
California Farraer, contributed a beautiful col-
lection of California fruit, to the late Philadel-
phia Festival. Wells, Fargo & Co. handsomely
forwarding the whole, free of cost, for the occa-
sion. It did not arrive till the " day after the
Fair," but was placed free on exhibition by the
Horticultural Society. It was visited by a large
number of citizens, and very much admired.
The plums and pears came in admirable condi-
tion, but the grapes not quite so good, but still
better than one might expect. The following is
the measure of some of the pears in circumfer-
ence, Flemish Beauty, 13 inches ; Beurre Diel,
11^ ; Dix, 10 ; E. Beurre, 12 ; Beurre d'Arem-
berg, 12 ; Winter IS'elis, 9^ ; Seckel, 8 ; Vicar of
Wiukfield, 13^ by 11 long ; Glout Morceau, 10^ ;
Duchesse d'Angouleme, 12i ; Calabasse Bosc,
11 ; " Black Winchester," 13|^ ; Swann's Orange?
12^ ; Steven's Genesee, 11^. The quinces were
about 14 inches. After the exhibition they were
donated by the Society, to the City of Boston,
for their exhibition on the 21st inst.

Early Rose Potatoes in England.— It
has iong been known to Americans, that Euro-
pean varieties of Potatoes are worthless when
introduced into America, and American ones of
no account when grown in Europe. Our Eng-
lish friends seem totally ignorant of this fact, as
there are loud complaints of the Early Rose be-
ing a swindle. It does not prove as good there
in some cases as their poorest varieties.

The Agricultural Department and
THE Ramie. — Paragraphs for nearly a year past
have been going through the newspaper press to
the effect that Mr Capron had condemned the
Ramie fibre. iN'o contradiction was given to
this and we assumed it was so. Then we read
ourselves in the monthly reports of the depart-
ment, that the department discouraged its culti-
vation, because on the authority of a letter from
Liverpool " there was no market for it.'' The
impression on our mind after reading the article
was, that the reason there was no market was
because it was worthless.

We learn, however, that this was not Mr.
Capron's intention. He does believe in its
value. His object was to caution planters not to
go largely into its culture until thex-e was more

demand for its fibre, than what the statistics of
the department showed was the case.

We are very glad to be able to make this cor-
rection, as Mr. Capron's administration of his
department has been so satisfactory amid the
many difficulties surrounding him, that our
journal would be the last to embarrass it by any
misunderstanding of this kind.

Hot Water Boilers. — There has not been
much improvement in these of late years. In
England a new patent has been announced as
'■' Green's tubular boiler."

They are square. The boiler consists of tubes,
which with the fire place, are all enclosed in a
square iron plate ; the whole moveable as a com-
mon kitchen stove. They are warranted to last
ten yeax's, without getting out of order. The fol-
lowing are the advantages the patentee claims
for it ;

1st. They require no setting in brick work.

2ud. Tliey are complete in tlieniselves, liaving per-
fect means of regulation.

3rd. They take up little room, and can be put in
places inaccessible to other Boilers.

Jth. They are economisers in fuel, owing to the great
amount of heating surface upon which the Are acts iu
a direct manner, and the consumption of smoke.

5th. The fire can be made to last from 12 to 24 hours
without attention

6th. Any number of Flows and Returns can be an-
nexed to the Boilers by means of T pipes.

7th. By means of mud doors, they can be readily
cleaned out when required.

8th. The Chimney is made of cast "iron, which can
either be taken through a roof or turned into a Hue, to
meet the convenience of the situation that it maj- be
fixed in.

Pear Culture. — Hearth and Home, says,
"A certain Editor has been advocating for seve-
ral years the abandonment of the practice of cul-
tivating orchards after they have reached a bear-
ing size." Further, it adds that Mr. Patrick
Quinn, "has proved the falsity of this non-culti-
vating theory,'' at a loss of " several hundreds
of dollars."

Of course people will sometimes fail under any
"theory." First because they do not under-
stand the theory, and secondly when they do,
success does not depend on any one theory. We
never knew any system of fruit culture or any
other culture that was so perfect that any and
every body could every year produce unfailing
crops. The point at issue is not this, but wheth-
er any system tliat iireserves and encourages roots
at the surface, is better than any system which does

SIO

THE GAIiI)EJ\^ER' S MOjYTELY.

October,

7iot? Will "certain Editors" (there seems to
be great delicacy about mentioning names) meet
this point fairly? Tn the case of Mr. Qiiinn, the
" falsity " lies on the shoulders of " certain Edi-
tors " of Hearth and Home, for Mr. Quinn's own
book shows that the paragraph we quote places
him in a " false position. " In this book Mr. Q.
states frankly that under his system nearly every

variety of pear has ceased to be profitable, and of
those which are now so, he does not know how
long they will so continue. And he further says,
that his best success has been with some which
he has recently tried on our system of letting the
surface roots alone the whole season. Will the
Hearth and Home do Mr. Quinn the justice to
place him right on the record V

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Pear Growixg for Profit.— By P. T. Quinn.

Few persons are better known in Pomological
circles than Mr, Patrick Quinn. Taken at a
very early age into the fimily of the late Mr.
Mapes, to whom he became endeared by a natur-
ally quick disposition, he has been brought up in
a good philosophic school ; while the opportuni-
ties he has had of putting into practice the les-
sons of his early education peculiarly fit him for
a writer of a practical work like this.

We shall not stop to criticize errors of gram-
' mar or faults of style These are not so much
noticed in a work intended merely " to furnish
practical information,'' as they would be in one
of more pretension ; although we think that
more attention to this in the present work and
similar ones recently issued would, at least, not
detract from their value. The chief points which
concern us, are the opinions of the author and
the rules he lays down for the guidance of the
Pear Grower.

Mr. Q. thinks that there has been much more
mocey lost than made in Pear culture. His own
early experience was unsatisfactory, and he
" hopes to prevent some from repeating the mis-
take of which myself [I] and many others have
tasted the bitter fruit.'' What he thinks these
mistakes are, he seems to sum up in the follow-
ing paragraph :

Under the excitement of" pear fever," many persons
planted large fields without any preparation of the soil.
Others selected long lists of varieties that were unsuited
to their soil and climate. Others, again, believed that
a fruit tree once in place could take care of itself with-
out further expense or trouble to its owner.

Of varieties, he thinks, about six kinds are
enough for any one to grow who markets for
profit, and names Bartlett, Duchesse d'Augou-
leme, Seckel and Vicar of Winkfield as "favor-
ably known in every locality.'' Horticultural
Societies do wrong in ofiering premiums for the
"best collection of varieties." He prefers a
north-eastern aspect on dry grounds ; this re-

tards ripening. Pears are usually not profitable
till October. They should succeed the peach.
He believes in shelter from wind. Pear hedges
will do this, besides yield some fruit. Retentive
soils should be under drained, even at the pre-
sent cost of labor and materials ; and all soils
but light sandy, subsoiled eighteen inches deep,
and plent}^ of good food is necessary to success.
•Standard pyramids should be set 12 feet by 16 ;
dwarf, 10 by lU ; every tenth space 15 feet, to
allow a cart-way through. Root crops may be
sown between, but not strawberries or grain
crops. Currants midway in the rows do no harm
and are profitable, will yield S117 per acre net.
Discontinue everything but pears at the end of
5 or 6 years, after which keep clean b}' the culti-
vator or horse hoe, the sixth or seventh year
some returns may be expected.

Only the Duchesse d'Angouleme succeeds
with him on the Quince stock. One year trees
are preferred for planting. Pear growers should
either try a large list of varieties for themselves
and select, or inquire of those living near who
have tried ; no other rule can be given. At
Xewark, N. J., Bartlett, Doyenne Boussock,
Lawrence, Vicar of Winkfield, Beurre Clairgean,
Seckel, Beurre d'Anjou, are his choice. He gives
the following as

AMATEUR'S LIST.

Summer Varieties. — Bloodgood, Manning's Elizabeth,
Dearborn's Seedlings, Doyenne dEte, and Kostiezer.

Jt'all Varieties —Andrews, Bartlett, Belle Lucrative,
Doyenne Boussock, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Beurre
Bosc, Seckel and Sheldon.

Winter Virieties — Beurre d'Anjou, Dana's Hovey,
Lawrence, Winter Nells, and Vicar of Winkfield.

Prom this list of twenty aijproved varieties, the ama-
teur may select enough to give hiiu fine pears for table
use from July until March.

He prefers the pyramidal or conical system of
pruning ; to produce this, full instructions are
given. He prunes usually in spring. If the
trees grow very strong, prunes in summer, but
this requires great care and judgment. Uufer-

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOIVTELY,

311

mented manures are death to pear trees A
compost of muck, salt and lime is good. Full
directions are given for gathering, preserving
and marketing fruit.

Discussing the diseases of pear culture, he re
fers to girdling by field mice, for which grafting
by scions is recommended to save the trees, — the
bark must be kept clean hy potash wash; in old
trees the bark scraped. The fire blight, he thinks,
"partial to varieties. " No preventive is named,
but cutting away the diseased part recommended.

These are the leading points of Mr. Quinn's
essay, as we gather from 12G pages of proof
sheets, sent us by the publisher, although a let-
ter informs us a "a very few pages are want-
ing." The matters we have not referred to, are
such as would be recommended by any good
cultivator for any tree, the pear included. We
find nothing to help us against the great foe to
" Pear growing for profit," the leaf blight, pollen
weakness, canker, or the many great troubles
whicli really stand in our way, — no reasons are
given why every variety but one has gradually
given out with him, on the quince; or his profits re-
duced to a dependence on six standard kinds.
Many other varieties have been profitable with
him, but are not now, and, speaking of the
Duchesse d'Angouleme, he is 'not sure how
long that will remain so,'' and we suppose of the
others he names. It is clear, therefore, that this
throwing of failures on to the " varieties " is
a mere stalking horse. The real cause lies much
deeper. We think Mr. Quinn approaches very
near one great truth in the final solution of this
great question, in the following extract :

" I flnil in our orchard, that when the ground around
the trees has been mulched, not only the growth of
wood is more uniform but the fruit is larger. This, too,
on pear trees otherwise receivins? tlie same treatment.
I was so convinced of this fact, that for the past four
years, one part of the pear orchard lias been Icept cover-
ed with hay the whole year, except when removed to
apply the spring dressing of manure.

We always procure an abundance of "salt grass'"
from the low meadows lying within one mile of our
place. This we find an excellent substance for mulch-
ing the pear orchard. During the winter the hay is
carted home and left in heaps in convenient places un-
til summer, when it is spread over the ground, about
half an inch in thickness. This serves a three-foid
purpose ; it prevents the weeds from growing, and, as
stated before, keeps the surface moist. Another advan-
tage is, the pears that drop or are blown off by heavy
winds in the fall, are not bruised and rendei-ed unsal-
able, as they would be, falling on ground without a
mulch, especially if the land is stony. It is a wise
course to follow under all circumstances, when material
can be obtained. It will require about four or five tons
to the acre the first year ; each succeeding year, half

that quantitv will be enou:?h, as from one-third to one-
half of the old mulch can be again used The amount
saved in the labor of keeping the ground clean, will,
in many cases, pay for the mulching material after the
first year's outlav, and a much less quantity of manure
will be necessary to keep the trees in a healthy con-
dition."

We congratulite Mr. Quinn on this great ad-
vance, and have no doubt in any future edition
of Pear growing for Profit, he will find in this ex-
tract the foundation stone of a strong work in
both theory and practice.

John Feast «& Sons, BxVltimore, Md. —
catalogue of Greenhouse plants. We like to S38
the culture of flowers encouraged. Fruit grow-
ing has so many votaries that it seems to cast
the realm of Flora into the shade. This is an
excellent list.

Illustrated Catalogue of Gr.^.fs
Vines. — Isidore Bush & Sons, Bushberg, M>.
This is a beautiful pamphlet catalogue, with full
descriptions of most kinds of grapes known in
the country. It is filled full of inforniation no*:
usually found in catalogues ; indeed though we
suppose intended for gratuitous circulation, is as
full of good matter as if it were made into a book
and sold for a dollar a volume.

E.\RTii Ci.oSRTS. By Geo A. Waring.

We have before us a pamphlet on this subject,
which is now attracting much and deserved at-
tention. The nature of these aflairs will not be en-
tirely new to our readers 'who are familiar through
the Monthly, with the excellent absorbent pow-
ers of clay for ammonia. The following account
will, however, have some additional interest:

"A stockcomjmny has been formed at Hart-
ford, Connecticut, for manufacturing these
closets or commodes. The earth closet resem-
bles a high backed chair or box, and takes the
place of the common water closet, but at greatly
reduced cost, and free from the inconvenience of
freezing in winter, as there are no water pipes.
Neither is it in any way offensive in warm
weather. After being used, the pulling of the
handle discharges into the closet a pint of dry
earth, entirely preventing any effluvium. The
hopper attached to the back part of the closet,
contains earth for twenty-five times.— Then the
scuttle below, containing the dirt, may be taken
away, or it may be repeatedly used. Several
convenient kinds of dirt may be used, such as
peat, coal ashes, clay loam, but neither sand nor
wood ashes would be desirable. Whatever ma-
terial is used should be perfectly dry, as well as
thoroughly pulverized.''

312

TEE GARDEKER'S MOJVTHLl.

October,

MW ATCD RARE FRUITS.

Apple Kansas Queen. — Dr. SUujman, of
Leavemcm-th, Kansas, writes : " I enclose a
drawing and description of the Kansas Queen
Apple, which I presume you will see at the Am.
Pomological Society, at Philadelphia. This ap-
ple I believe possesses considerable character,
and I think worthy to be extensively tried, as it

appears to possess the same characteristics as the
X. Y. Pippin.

Kansas Queen. — Fruit medium to large, round-
ish, conical, slightly ribbed toward the eye ;
color clear lively crimson, dark red in the sun
and a bright pink in the shade, glossy as if
varnished, dotted all over with small grey dots ;

[KANSAS QVEEN APPLE.]

stems short and slender, but sometimes long ;
cavity very narrow and deep with a lip or pro
tuberance, which is very prominent, causing the
stem to be nearly obscured on the opposite side ;
eye medium, nearly closed ; basins narrow and
shallow, lurrowed and ribV)ed ; fles-h clear white,
firm, juicy, and crisp, with a biisk subacid
tlavor, good ; core regular, large and open seeds,
long pointed and full, dark brown ; season, Au-
gust and September ; use, kitchen and market.
Tree vigorous and hardy, forming a handsome
open head, setting fruit evenly all over the tree ;
leaves and bark dark.

A seedling raised by B Atkinson, of this
place, from the seed of the Ben. Davis (N. Y.
Pippin) planted 1858, bore fruit last year, while
nearly every variety failed ; this year it is full.

and a more beautiful sight could not be witness-
ed, such a handsome bright red apple of even
size with no defective ones is seldom seen. From
present prospects it promises a better crop next
season. The tree is so identical in all its habits
with the Ben Davis which is a suthcient recom-
mendation to all who know that variet}'-, without
any additional comments. I would simply say
that there is no apple in its season possessing the
same beauty, neither is there one which would
command the same price in market.''

[We wei-e much pleased with this apple. It is
a showy fruit and will take rank in popular esti-
mation with the Williams, about Boston ; and
Cornell's Fancy, in Pennsylvania, to which class
of handsome fruits it belongs.— Ed.]

1869.

THE GARDENER'S MOJYTHLl.

Fallwicke Grape. — A report of the Tennes
see Horticultural Society says :

'• Among the many new things on exhibition,
nothing deserves or receives more notice than the
new seedling grape, rallwicke, originated by
Joseph Fallwicke, of AVartburg, Morgan Co.,
Tennessee. Its size, flavor and wine properties,
render it a very valuable acquisition. Mr. Fall-
wicke has fruited it four years, and enters two
bottles of wine from it that were pronounced
superb by good judges.

The committee say of the wine made from it)
for which a premium was awarded :

This premium is awarded upon a wine made
last season by the exhibitor, Mr Fallwicke from
a new seedling, of large bunch, and the berries
also large and translucent, of a considerable for-
eign character, grown at Wartzburg, Morgan
Co., in this State. I laving examined specimens
of the fruit, not fully ripe, presented this season,
the committee consider it proper earnestly to en-
courage its cultivation for wine purposes."

MouxT Yerndn Pear. — This pear raised by
Hon. Saml. Walker and named and described
by him under this name in our first volume, just
before his death, we are glad to see is about to
be distributed by Mr. W. S. Little. We stated
at that time that we regarded it as one of the
very best pears ; and now we are glad to see that
this opinion is sustained by Messrs. Wilder,
Hooker and others,in testimonials now before us.

Grimes' Golden Apple — Mr. Marshall
hands us a long list of testimonials from the best
authorities in praise of this apple. Wo have al
ready given our favorable opinion of this fruit
and we note the names of Warder, Wilder, Bate-
ham, Kirtland and others of equal renown in
the memorandum sent, which is high praise.

Miami Black Cap Raspberry.— Mr. Chas.
Downing says in Hearth and Home, that there is
a raspberry iu cultivation, which is being grown
— all one thing— under the following names :
" McCormick, Miami, Large Miami, Improved
Miami, CoUinsviUe Miami, Superior Miami and
Mammoth Cluster "

He thinks McCormick should be the name
adopted. But there is another Miami which has
been grown in Ohio and other localities, the
fruit of which is noc quite as large nor as black
but of a more brownish or reddish black, not

quite as sweet, but vigorous and nearly as pro-
ductive, and ripens about the same time or a
little earlier."
By what name had this better be distinguished ?

The TRIU3IPH of America —A variety we
discovered in the grounds of Henry A, Dreer,
Philadelphia, Pa. Berries of largest size, ex-
ceedingly productive, and good quality. In com-
parison with the Triomphe de Gand, it is more
vigorous, more productive, adapted to light soils,
larger size, and flavor quite distinct, more sweet.
We are not fully satisfied yet as to its being a
distinct variety, not having learned its history.
It will probably be more fully decided another
season. — Horticulturist,

Grape, White Lady Downe's, was raised
by Mr. Thomson, of Dalkieth, from the Black
Lady Downe's. Tlie vine is of the same vigor-
ous habit of growth as the parent, equally fruit-
ful, sets more freely, requires less heat, and is
not as liable to scald as the black variety ; keeps
as long, if not longer ; and has fully as good
a flavor.

The Tetofsky Apple. — The new Russian
apple, the "Tetofsky" is likely to be a great
boon to the fruit growers of Minnesota, Wiscon-
son, and N'orthern Iowa. A correspondent of
the Iowa Homestead says : " It is a great prize
to us of the far ^Torth west. It is very early (a.
trifle earlier than Red Astrachan ) good size,
always fair ; a very young bearer, and enormous-
ly productive. It is also at the very head of the
list for hardiness, ranking with the Siberian
crabs and Duchess of Oldenburg. In cue re-
spect, I consider myself very fortunate in having
this comparatively new and .rare sort in bearing
in a situation so exposed as to th rojghly test
its many good qualities."

In liis ''American Pomology," Dr. Warder,says
of this apple :

" This little foreigner was brought from Rus-
sia, and seems as well adapted to our climate and
tastes as are its companions from the same re-
gion.

Tree vigorous, hardy, productive, upright ;
leaves broad, pale or light green.

Fruit small to medium, round, flattened some-
what conic, _ angular, surface smooth, yellow,
striped, splashed carmine, white bloom. Basiu

n

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY.

October,

shallow, folded ; eye large closed. Cavity wide,
wavy, or deep, acute, stem short, yellow.

Core large, closed clasping ; seeds numerous,
plump, bro\v^ Flesh yellowish white, breaking,
fine grained, juicy ; flavor acid ; quality, good ;
use, market or kitchen ; season June, July — be-
fore Early Harvest. — Western Rural.

Fall BEARrxa Raspberry. — Mr. Israel
Lamborn, West Bradford. Pa., found a rasp-
berry wild last fall with fruit on ; he transplant-
ed it to his garden and it still retains the char-
acteristics. Village Record.

Michigan Seedling Strawberry. — While
on Mr. Adair's grounds, at Detroit last summer,
he pointed out this variety in his collection. It
was not in condition for us to offer any opinion,
but Mr. Adair spoke very highly of it. It was in-
troduced in 1868. An exchange says of it :

" Raised by B Hathaway, of Little Prairie
Ronde, Mich. ; a week to ten days later than
the Wilson, said to keep better, more even size,
and finer fruit. Represented to be unequalled
for hardiness, vigor, productiveness, and long
keeping qu ilities ; average product of well-estab-
lished beds, four quarts to three hills."

NEW AND RAEE PLANTS.

The following new Plants are noticed in the
English journals :

Ampelopsis japoxica. — A new hardy Vir-
ginian Creeper, sent from .Japan by Mr. J G.
Veitch.

It is remarkable for its compact shrubby habit
and for the great beauty of its foliage during the
Autumn months, the colors surpassing those of
the popu'ar Virginian Creeper, A. hederacea.

After being exhibited before the Floral Com-
mittee of the Royal Horticultural Societ}' in Oc-
tober, Ib^dS, and awarded a first-class Certificate,
it is thus described by Mr. Moore : —

"A bold habited and remarkably beautiful
hardy deciduous climbing shrub, with broad
ovate oblong leaves, which in Autumn asssume
a rich orange-red tint, and are extremely beau-
tiful. It was much admired."

Begonia ros.eflora. — This is one of the
many beautiful Begonias discovered by the late
Mr. Pearce, in the Andes of Peru, coming from
an elevation of 12,000 feet. It is admirably suit-
ed for cool greenhouses, and is very nearly if not
quite hardy, and may be safely planted in shel-
tered situations.

It is a stemless species, with orbicular reni-
form bullate radical leaves, and scapes support-
ing from three to five flowers of a bright rosy
color as large as those of Begonia Veitchii. It
is figured in the "Botanical Magazine" for De-
cember, 1807.

Croton (Codi.eum) maximum. — This magni
ficeut Croton is probably the finest variegated

plant of the season, and certainly one of the most
striking ever offered. It far surpasses all others
hitherto known, Mr. J. G. Veitch discovered it
during his trip to the South Seas.

It is one of the largest j^ellow leaved varieties,
of a strong robust habit, and admirably suited
for exhibition or general decorative purposes. —
The leaves are oblong lanceolate acute, from 12
to 14 inches in length, by 3 to 4 in width, of a
rich golden color, marked on each side the mid-
rib with dark olive-green bands of irregular
form.

It is one of the showiest stove variegated,
shrubs.

Figured in the "Floral Magazine."

Dracaena Macleayi. — Brought home by
Mr. J. G. Veitch from the South Sea Islands.

It is exceedingly robust and compact, with
leaves from 15 to 18 inches long, by 3 to 4 in
width, of a dark bronzy brown, with a decided
gloss or metallic tint over the whole surface.

The peculiar habit and color of foliage of this
fine species renders it perfectly distinct from any
other in cultivation.

Drac^na nigro rubra. — It is of bold erect
growth, with leaves from 16 to "iO inches in length,
of a dark brown, with a bright rosy-crimson cen-
tre, the young foliage being, as a rule, entirely
of this latter showj- color.

In habit it is very similar to Dracaena termi-
nalis, but its striking shades of crimson render
it quite distinct from that of any other species.

1869

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

316

BAXQUET AT THE PENNSYLVANIA

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S HALL.

A great many of the members of the American
Pomological Society, not being aware that the
Horticulturists of Philadelphia intended to close
the Proceedings with some evidences of their
hospitality, and of their appreciation of the choice
of their city for the honor of the meeting, had
made arrangements to leave the city on Friday
afternoon, before getting to Philadelphia. Many
asked us to give in the Monthly some account of
the proceedings, if likely to be of general horti-
cultural interest.

We believe every thing passed of pleasantly.
Some 800 paiticipated in the pleasure of the
evening. In the morning the convention was
received formally as the guests of the city in In-
dependence Hall, by the Mayor in persoii. They
were introduced by Dr. J. S. Houghton, in the
following pretty speech :

Sir : It is my pleasing duty, as a member of
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, to pre-
sent to the Mayor of Philadelphia, the officers and
members of the American Pomological Society,
now holding a session in this city.

I present to you, sir, a body of cultivators of
the soil, who represent a vast industrial interest,
extending over the whole continent, and which
counts its annual products in pktnts and trees, by
million-^ of dollars.

I present a body of men whose annual pro-
ducts, in the shape of fruit, carry health and
happiness to millions of our people.

I present to you an assemblage of men whose
labors in the fields of natural science have not
only done them honor in America, but whose
names are honored and fixmiliar in all parts of
Europe.

1 present to you, sir, the fruit cultivators of
the New England States, whose heads are now
silvered with age, and with them I present the
pioneers of the ever advancing West, who have
just planted their vines and fruit trees to the
outer verge of civilization— even to the ice bound
shores of Alaska.

I present to you Wilder and Ilovey, of Boston;
Downing and Barry, of New York ; Warder,
of Ohio ; Hussmann, of Missouri ; Berckraans, of
Georgia— names as familiar and honored in the
profession of fruit culture as Bartram and Peters,
and Brinckle and Cope, of Philadelphia.

In imagination, here in Independence Hall, 1
present the Geniui of Peace and Plenty to the
Genius of American Liberty. I present Bunker
Hill to the cradle of the American Union. I

present the plains of Carolinian Sumpter to the
battle-field of Germantown. I present the rep-
resentatives of Massachusetts Bay and Provi-
dence riantations, and the pioneers of Kansas
and California to one of the parent States. I
present the young American ploughboys of the
West to William Penn. And here, in this sacred
spot, hallowed by our beloved Washington, who
now stands in speaking marble in front of the
entrance, I may, with these men and these sur-
roundings before me, again, in imagination, ring
the old bell of Liberty, and hope not only for
liberty, but for peace and plenty, and especially
for an abundance of generous fruits for all man-
kind within our borders

Sir, permit me to introduce these men and these
sentiments to the worthy representative of the
Keystone State of the American Union— to the
representative of a city which admits of no supe-
rior on the continent in the extent of her indus-
trial interests, in the genial character of her po-
sition, in the number of her happy homes, in the
intelligence and virtue of her people, and in their
patriotic devotion to the best interests of the

Union.

Sir, I introduce the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder,
President of the American I'omological Society,
and his associates, to Hon. Danl. M. Fox, Mayor
of Philadelphia, and I am sure the interests of
our pomologists are safe in such hands as these.

The reply of the Mayor and of Mr. Wilder

were both equallv happy.

After the edibles had vanished and the music
ceased to play, speech making was in order.

The first sentiment proposed was

Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, President of the
American Pomological Society, the Peabody of
American Horticulture.— He has devoted not
only his /ortU7ie but his life to the interests of Po-
mology, and, like his noble portotype, he lives to
witness the gratitude of a genei-ous nation.

Mr. Wilder responded as follows :

Mr. President : I am deeply sensible of the
honored conferred on me by associating my name
with our nation's benefactor, and I tender to
you, ladies and gentlemen, my profound obliga-
tions for the kind manner in which you have re-
ceived that sentiment. I am most happy to be
here this evening, and to enjoy the privileges and
pleasures of this'occasion. ' For more than thirty
years it has been my good fortune to fraternize
with the leading agriculturists and horticultu-
rists of Pennsylvania, and whatever want of fit-
ness or ability there may have been in me, I have
always been received with the utmost courtesy
and kindness.

316

THE GARDE^'ER'S MOJVTHLJ,

October,

It has also been my privilege to welcome to my
own State delegations from Pennsylvania, and
to extend to them the hand of welcome on the
part of our old Commonwealth. More than
twenty years ago the Pennsylvania Horticultu
ral Society sent a delegation to the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society, headed by your ini-
mitable orator, Morton McMichael, [applause.]
and there in old Faneuil Hall, in that cradle of
liberty, renowned alike with your Independence
Hall, there in the presence of "Webster, Quiney^
Winlhrop, Dearborn, Downing, Skinner, and
others of fair fame, he delivered one of the most
eloquent speeches with which that time-honored
hall ever resounded. [Applause.]

And again, ten years afterwardp, the Philadel-
phia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture sent
another delegation, headed by my good friend
General Patterson [applause.] and there again
Mr. McMichael. in the presence of the vast throng
that attended the exhibition of the United States
Agricultural Society, again surrounded by the
Governors of the New England States, by Henry
"Winthrop and a host of other worthies, there,
with his inimitable native eloquence, he held the
vast throng in breathless admiration.

It has been my privilege also, to receive the
courtesies of the State of Pennsylvania. In the
next year the good citizens of Philadelphia made
arrangements for the exhibition of the United
States Agricultural Society at West Philadelphia,
where sixty thousand persons on one day entered
the grounds ; and, let it never be forgotten, the
last family representative of the memorable
Washington, George Washington Parke Custis,
delivered his valedictory to the American peo-
ple. [Applause ] And, ladies and gentlemen,
I recall to mind the sad and melancholy duty
demanded by this Society ; to perform a service,
and deliver the eulogy on my bosom friend,
Andrew Jackson Downing. [Applause.]

And here let it also be told that in this very
city the plan of the National Pomological Socie-
ty, which is now in its twenty-first year, and for
the third time meets under your generous hospi-
talities—let it also be remembered, to the honor
of the late Dr. Brinckle and Andrew Jackson
Downing, that the plan of that Society was also
projected in this city [applause,] and thus, ladies
and gentlemen, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts
have been bound together as twin sisters.

The first agricultural society ever established
in our country was formed in this city of Phila-
delphia, in 1785. Imitating that srood example
(and I beg to say that our own Massachusetts

Timothy Pickering was its Secretary) Massachu-
setts formed an agricultural society for the pro-
motion of agriculture, and, as Cowper says.*' He
that loves a garden loves a greenhouse too,"
so this instinct for rural culture finally culmina
ted in the establishment of the first horticultural
society on this continent

Here in this city of Philadelphia grew up the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and imita-
ting that good example again, Massachusetts fol-
lowed it, and in two years afterwards she formed
her Horticultural Society, in the year 1829, and
thus Penns\ivania and Massachusetts, Philadel-
phia and Boston, have stood together, shoulder
to shoulder, for the promotion of the agriculture
and horticulture of our country. [Applause ]
And more than that, let it still be remembered
that when we went up to Washington to form
the United States Agricultural Society, the Phil-
delphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture
stood close to us, and during its whole existence
was one of the main props and stays. But I
must not occupy your time much lon>j:er.

Mr. President, the present week has been a
memorable one in the annals of pomology and
horticulture. AVe have been welcomed by you
in the most generous and hospitable manner ; far
beyond what we could have anticipated ; and for
these courtesies, sir, and for all the privileges,
pleasure, and comforts we have enjoyed, I beg
to tender to you, to the Society under your ad-
ministration, and to the good people of Philadel-
phia, our most profound and grateful acknow-
ledgments. [Applause.] And, sir, I cannot
close without alluding to the influences which
this week will excite throughout our country.

Here we have had delegates from the remotest
sections, coming up to advance one of the most
important branches of national wealth and hap-
piness ; and what has pleased me immensely,
sir, has been the patronage you have received ;
and now this evening we have with us the ladies,
those flowers of loveliness which add so much
interest, beauty, and enchantment to the scene.
[Applause.]

I am fond of rural life, sir, and think you will
pardon me for one moment more. I love every
thing that pertains to the elevation of the human
race and establish the comfort and happiness of
rural life. Why, sir, I love the vernal springs,
which brings with it the fragrance of the garden
and the orchard ; I love the sumaier solstice,
rich with the verdure of the forest and tiie field;
I love the autumn, burnished with the golden

1869.

TEE GJlREE^'^ER' S MOJVTELY.

317

harvest of the year ; but most of all I love to be
associated with you who come vip with us to ele-
vate the human race, to ameliorate the condition
of the human race, and to add to the comforts
and blessings of rural life. But I will proceed no
further, sir.

My sentiment on this occasion is the city of
Philadelphia, the home of American agriculture,
of American horticulture, of American Indepen-
dence [applause ;] a fiivored spot of earth where
liberty first took root. Her fruits are known
every where and surpass in value the garden
palaces of antiquity. [Continued applause.]
The next was

'■'■Cah'fornia — In fruit culture, a formidable ri-
val of the Eastern States, but we welcome her
splendid productions without fear, as she comes
now. for the first time, into the Pomological
family in such a grand Pncifc way."

Responded to by C. M. Ilovey, of Mass., as
follows :

Mr. President : AVhy yon should have se
lected me to reply to your highly complimentary
toast to our young sister State of California, I
am at a loss to imagine. If it was because you
supposed I was personally connected with her
pomology or horticulture, it is an error. But
if it was because I am fiimiliar with the collec-
tion of fruit every where for more than a genera-
tion, or because as editor of a magazine devoted
to the same, I have more than thirty years re-
corded its prog ess, I cannot ask to be excused
from speaking for her.

It is but recently that we have had personal
evidence of what has been doing in fruit-culture
in that country. We have from time to time
had what appeared extravagant accounts of the
vegetation of the Pacific coast, of gigantic beets
and mercer potatoes, of large peas and grapes,
and occasionally a specimen of the Duchess or
St. Germain has reached this distant coast to
corroborate in part the published statements.

AVe were, however, prepared to believe a great
deal. A country of such vast extent, and fanned
by the genial breezes ot the Pacific Ocean whose
mountains are capped with everlasting snow,
and whose valleys are clothed in perpetual ver-
dure ; whose fields are covered with countless
flowers of every hue. and whose sierras are flank-
ed with evergreen trees of gigantic size ; whose
birth dates back to a thousand years— a country
teeming with so many of God's beauties, not to
name her auriferous sands and mineral deposits;
a country so rich in every thing that we could

not dare doubt would some day give us personal
evidence of the truth

But, sir, the great iron band spanning a vast
continent, which now binds the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and through which is to flow that com-
merce which is to open to us the depth of her
riches, has already revealed enough to convince
us that California is, in reality, the paradise of
fruit-growers— the country from Avhich we are to
gather the magnificent fruits hitherto denied us,
to me, at least, sir, coming as I do from the hard
and rocky shores of bleak New England— the
country of granite and ice. On the tables of
your Society, at the beautiful display just closed,
we have had specimens of peai's equal to if not
surpassing any thing of Eastern growth

Time would fliil me, and 1 should tire you and
this assembly, if I should attempt to paint in
imagination what is in store for the enthusiastic
cultivators of California. I deeply regret that
we have not some one to represent her here this
evening more able than myself to give you an
authentic account of the fruit products of the
Golden State.

Allow me, sir, in conclusion, to say to you and
this company, that I welcome Cilifornia in your
behalf to the fraternity of fruit-growing States,
and to assure her that the products of her vine-
yards and orchards will find a ready outlet in the
populous cities of the East, and aid in supplying
the millions with cheap and delicious fruits.

Then came "Western ^N'ew York— A famous
nursery not only of trees, but of men ; good, vi-
gorous stocks, successfully budded— material
worthy of general cultivation."
Mr Barry responded to this.
Ladies & Gentlemen : Western New York
has been my home for thirty years. I love her.
I am proud to hear her name so' honorably men-
tioned on this great occasion, and I hope I will
be pardoned for saying that the compliment is
not undeserved.

Famous is she on record as a nursery of trees,
There are to-day in Western New York not less
than 20,000 acres of nursery, contain 4 or .500,-
(jOO.OOO of fruit and ornamental trees and plants
to be used in the planting of orchards and gar-
dens, and in beautifying the parks, pleasure-
grounds, and homes of the American people,
from one end to the other of our broad land. We
have also nurseries of garden seeds and dealers
in them, knowneverywherefor the extent of their
operations.

You of Pennsylvania who entertain us so hos-
pitably and with so much elegance this evening,

318

TEE GARBE^^ER'S MOJYTELY.

Obtoher,

are largely engaged in the same pursuit. You
have long been engaged in it. The names of
some of your excellent nurserymen and seeds-
men are as familiar to the American people as
household words. "Who, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, have not heard of a Buist, Lau-
dreth, Meehan, &c ?

We hail you as brother co-laborers in a work
which, though humble and by no means lucrative,
is acknowledged to be eminently useful as well
as humanizing and refining in its tendencies.
Fifty years ago Xew York was a wilderness —
now a garden.

As to being famous as a nursei-y of men, I
think there is no exaggeration in that. Men
should be adjudged by their deeds. The city of
Rochester, which may be regarded as the central
point of what is known as Western New York,
was first settled, the first house budt in it, be-
tween fifty and sixty years ago. Several of the
very first settlers are still hale and hearty, yet we
have a population of some 70,000 people. We
have schools, colleges, churches, asylums, hospi-
tals and all those institutions which indicate an
advanced state of Christian civilization. This
speaks well for our men.

Our flour-mills were long celebrated all over
the world. Ten thousand barrels of flour and
more per day have been made in them, and flour
of unrivalled excellence. Monroe county, in
which I reside, produced in 1850 1,500.000 bushels
of the finest wheat, and was the banner wheat
county of the Union at that time. Rochester
has also attained some celebrity from being so
long the headquarters of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, with some forty millions of
capital, the largest corporation of the kind in the
world. Its palmiest days were those of Roches-
ter.

Sometimes when I go abroad I am reminded

that spirit-rapping originated in Rochester, but
I am not certain on that point, and am willing
to concede the honor to any claimant. We have
enough to establish the reputation of our popula-
tion lor enterprise and intelligence without that.
I hope I shall not be accused of vanity when I
say that our stock of men will compare favorably
with that of any other locality, leaving out Phila-
delphia and Boston. We have given the country
a President, and have several who think, and
whose personal and political friends think are fit
to be and ought to be presidents, and I think
some of them will be one of these days. We have
sent out from amongst us from time to time young

men to push their fortunes in other States, and
we have seen them becoming governors, sena-
tors, judges, &c. The present Governor of Cali-
fornia was a Rochester bo3^ So I think it is no
exaggeration, no mere complimen to say, that our
stock of men is one worthy of general cultivation.
They have shown their adaptation to every soil
and circumstance.

Now, let me close my brief remarks by tender-
ing my profound thanks— first for myself, and
second for Western New York, as far as I may
be permitted to represent her, to the Pennsylva-
nia Horticultural Societj^ and to the citizens of
Philadelphia, for the hospitable and elegant man
ner in which they have received and entertained
us. [Applause.]

Then was ofiered

Foreigners in America, and Americans abroad
— Races of men, and varied nationalties, like
many fruits, often do best when douhle-wor'ked
on varied stalks — and most men, in such cases,
are governed by the laws, not only of natural but
of persona? selection.

To which Mr. Meehan was called on to res-
pond, who said he was deeply sensible of the
honor conferred on him, by his selection to res-
pond to this sentiment ; butjnot having the gift of
extempore oratory, he felt than an error had been
made by the selection of him in preference to
others so much better able to do it justice than
he could. The toast spoke of natural selections,
but this certainly was a case of unnatural selec-
tion. He had almost forgotten that he had ever
been a foreigner. Identified with America and
with American interests in so man}' ways, it
seemed as if no other country had any right to
claim him, — and yet far away down in the vale
of years there was often present to his memory a
little spot of land which seemed like the prophet's
cloud, no larger tlian a man's hand on the geo-
graphical firmanent ; full to overflowing with
the highest specimens of gardening the world
ever saw, and in which the most famous garde-
ners the world ever knew, had a common origin
with him. The world hardly knew what it owed
to foreigners. The early disciples who spread
Christianity through the earth, left home and
friends and became foreigners ; and the foreign
gardener left the shores of Europe in like man-
ner to preach the gospel of horticulture through-
out the land, and especially in these United States.
The great progress of horticulture in the United
States, during the jiast fifty years, showed how

U39.

TEE GARDE JVER'S MOJVTHLY.

819

well theyhad done their missionary work ; the great
annual exhibition of the Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society, chiefly sustained by foreign gar-
deners, also testified to the same facts ; and even
the present glorious and most successful meeting
to which so many of these devoted Priests of
Flora and Pomona had sacrificed some of their
richest treasures, showed that the seeds they
had sown had brought forth the noblest fruits.

Again, he regretted that some more able rep-
resentative of his class had not responded, but
would conclude by briefly thanking them in be-
half if his brethren the foreign gardeners, by this
kind remembrance of them on this memorable
occasion.

T/ie Experimental Garden at Washington City,
When the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
sent their Saunders as superintendent, the Pub-
lic Garden ceased to be an experiment, it became
an assured success.

Mr. Saunders said :

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society :
I appreciate most fully this kind recognition of
my former connection with your society. To
me its reminiscences have always been of the
most pleasing kind, but they are now heightened
and intensified by this evidence that the friendly
associations formed are mutually reciprocated.

Your expression of assurance in the success of
the Experimental Garden is very gratifying.
Certainly, some progress has been made ; and
although our expectations have not been alto-
gether realized, yet it must be considered that the
garden is only a division of the Department of Ag-
riculture, and being only an auxiliary, the great
er portic J of its labors and results are absorbed by,
and cannot well be disconnected from the general
efficiency of the department, of which it is a su-
bordinate part.

Some of the more prominent of the aims and
objects of the garden include those of testing va-
rieties of fruits, a process, as you all are well aware,
necessarily protracted and apparently slow ; the
introduction and extension of plants whose pro-
ducts are valuable either in the arts, in manu-
factures, or in medicines ; the investigation of
diseases, the extermination of injurious insects,
and the very numerous operative details in prac-
tical horticulture, are a portion of its specific
duties.

The range of these duties may be better under-
stooa by a brief recital of the principal co opera-
tive branches of the department.

The department is constantly collecting and
depositing in its museum specimens of the vari-
ous textile fibres used in manufactures, vegeta-
ble dyes, gums, sugars, and other products used
in domestic arts, also those of value in medicine.
The plants producing these are introduced and
cultivated in the garden. Their numbers are
here increased and distributed in the climates
most suitable for their culture.

jSTew seeds introduced by the department are
mainly tested in the garden, and the knowledo-e
thus gained serves as a guidance in their general
distribution. The seed division of the depart-
ment is one of great value, and its importance
has never been justly appreciated. The necessi-
ty for an occasional change of seeds is an acknow-
ledged fact in agriculture ; but, although this is
received as a principle, yet few persons are aware
of the direct practical results of its application.

A new variety of oat was widely distributed
during the last spring. From reports already
received it is proved that the yield reaches an
amount of from 65 to 75 bushels per acre, of a
grain weighing from 40 to 45 pounds per bushel.
Some years ago a variety of wheat was dissemi-
nated which has increased the crop from 4 to 10
bushels per acre wherever introduced. When it
is considered that there are 20,000,000 of acres
in wheat in the States, and that we have only to
add one bushel to the acie to realize f 20,000,000
the advantages of fresh introductions become ap-
parent.

The statistical division is one of great special
interest. Its claims for accuracy have been re-
cognized by foreign governments, who are in-
forming themselves of the method by which the
department collects facts, and the modes of form-
ing estimates. To accomplish this work the
department is in communication with 1,300 aori-
cultural and horticultural societies ; a corres-
pondence from 1,500 counties is received in
monthly reports from 0,000 corresiwndents, in
accordance with a uniform system of instruction.
These correspondents are selected for this duty
by the aid of local societies, members of Congress
and the best judgment of local farmers.

Whatever value may be attached to this train-
ed corps of reporters, it is evident that no com-
mercial firm, no newspaper, no industrial asso-
ciation can have better facilities for collectincr
agricultural information of a similar widely-
varied and important character.

The entomological, chemical, and meteorolo-

320

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S M0JVJEL7.

October,

gical divisions are equally systematic in their
operations, each in its own peculiar sphere con
stantly investigating and recording results all
more or less directly valuable to the cultivator of
the farm, orchard and garden'.

A valuable herbarium has lately been added
to the object library of the department. This is
being increased, and will, in a few months, ac-
cording to the pronounced opinion of a leading
botanist, be one of the most complete in this
country.

An aboretum is also being established. This
collection of hardy trees and shrubs is arranged
in strict accordance with a botanical system,
and will ultimately form a source of instruction
and information on the growth and use of trees,
second to none in the world.

A system of exchanges with foreign countries is
also being perfected. This already includes three
hundred European industrial and scientific so-
cieties from which a vast amount of praciical
data is received — useful in the rural arts, and
valuable to every branch of industry that con-
verts raw products into beautiful fabrics and
other useful manufactures This also include&
principals of educational institutions, curators
of public museums, and superintendents of pub
lie gardens, Avithall of whom exchanges are free-
ly made

All this machinery has lately been readjusted
and arranged by General Capron, Commissioner
of Agriculture, and is now in complete working
order, but like all other machinery, it wiH not
long work smoothly without a proper lubricator,
'l he best oil for this particular purpose is that
extracted from a familiar plant, of which you
have in this city a fine specimen — the ^niiH. This
product is always valuable, and the supply is
frequently very limited and difficult to procure.

But you. gentlemen, and others who are mem-
bers of similar associations can greatly assist in
securing a lasting supply. You have only to
see that those you select as your Representatives
and legislators are men who thoroughly recog
nize that agriculture and her sister horticulture
are the foremost of all arts, that the products of
the soil form the basis of all wealth, that without
them we would have no manutactures, nor com-
merce, nothing in fact to legislate with, nor any-
thing worth legislating for. [Applause.]

The following senliments were olfered and
happy responses made by the gentlemen named,
and we regret that in the midst of so many du-
ties, we could get no notes of their remarks.

j A^«c Hampshire. — Famous for her granite and
ice. and still more famous for her men.

Responded to by Governor Smythe, of Xew
Hampshire.

Our Watchful Warder of the Ohio Valley. — By
the productions of his pen he has aided largely
to develop and adorn the beauties of nature, and
to increase our knowledge of the treasures of
Pomona, while noxious bugs of all kinds find in
him a determined and inveterate foe.

To which Dr. AYarder responded in his usual
happy vien.

General Capron, Commissioner of Agriculture,
of "Washington, T>. C, was then introduced. He
apologized for not makinu: a speech, as he was
in ill health. He was received with applause,
and three cheers were heartily given for him.

The State of Kansas. — A national plant of
vigorous growth, whose fruit is to-day attracting
much attention. It should be placed foremost
on the list of '• specimens which promise well "

This toast was replied to by G. T. Anthony,
of Kansas.

Mr G. A. Allen, of Virginia, responded to
the following :

The Sfateof Virginia. — She has taken our first
prize for superior mammoth pears. We consider
her a Pomological prize worth having in our col-
lection.

F R. Elliott, of Ohio, responded to the follow-
ing : The American Indians. — If any addition to
the Quaker Commissioners should be required
we should send our modern Elliott (of Ohio) as
an apostle to the red men, to teach them civili-
zation and pomology.

The Horticultural Society of New York City. —
Deeply do we regret the absence of the officers
and members of that body on this memorable oc-
casion ; but we are consoled bj the presence of a
rural New Yorker, who can, no doubt, give us
some idea of the state of agriculture in that vil-
lage.

Mr. Bragdon replied so ably to this, that we
understand the officers referred to will vote him
a gold medal.

J. F. C Hyde, of Massachusetts, responded in
appropriate manner to the toast. The 3Iassa-
chusetts Horticultural Society — It commenced its
existence amid the delightful shades of Mount
Auburn, but it seems blessed with a perennial
life which has no present need of monumental
marble.

In our next we will endeavor to give a digest
of the more important matter brought before the
convention.

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arhoriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XL JVOVEMBER, 1869. New Series, Vol.11. No. 11.

HINTS FOR NOA^EMBEK,

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE

GROUND.
Every one who has dug up a potato knows that
when the tuber has finished its growth, all be-
tween it and the parent stalk dies. If the potato
were to remain undisturbed till spring, frost and
other things of course uninjuring it, it would
push up from the place where it stood, and a new
set of potatoes push out, and the space between
them and the original, get wider every year. So
year after year there would be this continual pro-
gression,— a wandering away from the first cen-
tre, until in time the living plant might be a mile
away from the original spot which gave it birth
Something of this kind goes on in all herbaceous
plants, — a part progresses, and a part dies every
j'ear. It is for want of this knowledge that so
many friends lose these plants. Though all her-
baceous plants move in some such manner, they
do not all go directly under ground, but make
bunchy '■tocks just above ground. In their na-
tive places of growth they manage to get covered
with decaying leaves from woods or shifting
sands on the plains, but in cultivation nothing
of this kind can be naturally accomplished, and
unless art comes to aid the plant they soon die
away. An Auricula, a Primrose, or a Carna-
tion is a good illustration of this. In the two
former a new crown is formed on the top of the old
one, and as the lower parts in time die away ;
unless new earth is drawn up, success with such
flowers will not be great. The best plan is to
take up and replant every few years, or cover the
running parts above ground with earth, so that
they may have a chance to get new roots from
the advancing stocks. This is noticed here at
this season to show that earth is the natural
covering for herbaceous plants, and therefore one

of the surest ways of preserving them safe through
winter is to draw earth over them. In the spring
they can be unearthed and then divided and
set a trifle deeper than before, which is all they
want. We are often asked how to preserve Car-
nations, Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Phloxes,
Hollyhocks and so forth safe till spring. The
principles here laid down will explain the prac-
tice.

Most of the tender plants that we desire to pre-
serve over the season, have now been lifted from
the borders, and removed to winter quarters, —
and in a few weeks the beds will present a rough
and forsaken appearance It is too ofteh the
practice to leave the borders just in this neglect-
ed condition till spring time returns. But the
person of true tas-ts finishes up the beds, and
makes all tidy. In the absence of summer flow-
ers, even order pleases.

But many parsons have a reserve ground in
which evergraens have been planted out express-
ly with the view of moving at this season of the
year to the flower beds. Taken up with good
balls of earth they do not miss their move, and
by a little taste, a beautiful winter garden is the
result. We have now so many dwarf hardy
evergreens just fitted for this sort of work, that
^reat scope can be given for the most varied
e fleet.

It is not generally known, although repeated
over and over again in our journal, that death
from cold in winter is as often as not, the effect
of impaired vitality during summer. Hence, if
a plant is in dispute about hardiness, it is fre-
quently enough to decide the question, to know
whether it was Irea f^om mildews or leaf blights
d iring summer. Not only these matters, but other
things impair vitality and thus prepare for the hand

S22

THE GABDEJVERS MO.YTHLY

J\''ovnnVer,

of deatli, before even the ic}' time ; and a verj' dry
season is especially one of the worst of these
evil influences. The last season was a particu-
larly dry one in many places, and many plants
had as much as the)' could do to hold their own.
Amongst these there will probably be great mor-
tality if we have anything like an average hard
winter. It will be wise, therefore, if we have
anything particularly valuable, to prepare to
shelter them from cutting cold, dry winds, or
other severe winter conditions.

Almost all young trees are tenderer than they are
when older. Tt is therefore no test of the hardiness
of some rare thing, that a small plant is killed in
the winter. Silver Firs almost alwa3's get killed
back for a few years in this section, unless pro-
tected, but yet gain a little in strength. After
they are ten years old they will endure our hard-
est weather. So Spanish Chestnuts, English
Walnuts, and many others, will die back consid-
abl}', until they get strength. Therefore, pro-
tect any valued young plant, if possible, no mat-
ter how hardy its reputation may be.

FEUIT GARDEX.
No wonder those who watch the proceed-
ings of Pomological conventions, are often puz-
zled by the apparently contradictor}- opinions
oflered as to the merits o( various kinds of fruits.
The facts are no doubt accurately reported. One
for instance asserts that his Vicars are worth-
less,— his next doorneighbor, perhaps, declares it
one of the finest varieties he ever tasted. We
have often noticed that both of these classes
are right. The only thing which astonishes
us is, that the one who has the inferior fruit, and
knows his neighbor has it of the highest excel-
lence, should condemn the variety. But this is
the way of the fruit growing world. Each one
thinks his knowledge of culture perfect, and if
ihe fruit does not come up to the first-class qual-
ity in his hands, all other people's experience is
ignored,— the variety must be worthless. We
have a friend of this class. Some first class va-
rieties on his grounds, he calls worthless. The
fruit is never of the size represented in the books;
and when it becomes soft, is insipid. We told
him that his trees lost their leaves too early.
They were suffering from leaf blight; but he
thinks the leaves fall early because they "ripen-
ed early." We have never been able to convince
him that this early falling of leaves, is of the
slightest injury. On his grounds is a Vicar

of Winkfield, which being out of the way of his
careful culture, bears fiue fruit every year ; but
this year about the usual time of the leaf bUglifs
appearance, some caterpillars ; carelessly treated,
eat off the leaves of one side of the tree. On this
side he has half-sized worthless pears, on the
other half, fruit of the usual excellence. Xow
he is satisfied that the leaves cannot remain on
too long healthy for the tree's good How we
wish we could impress this lesson on all fruit grow-
ers ! We have often given our opinion that this
blight, which causes the fall of the leaf before the
maturity of the fruit, is a greater foe to pear cul-
ture than the fire blight, which destroys a whole
tree in a night, ever has been. Those who have
pears in this condition should have them grafted
over again with sorts which have a better habit
of holding their foliage. This is the most certain
remedy we know.

Pear trees that have not be?n judiciously
summer pruned will require some little in the
early winter months. By far too many branches
are left on most trees.

When the tree is in leaf, the one branch smothers
out the other, and, remembering what we have
already said about the value of healthy leaves,
few leaves arrive at that perfection necessary to
perfect the best fruit. Therefore, prune out
enough of the weaker ones to give the rest every
chance to develop their leaves to the fullest ex-
tent. Also prune so as to assist the plant to
a conical form, as this enables the light to act
better on all parts of the tree leaves. If .trees
have been neglected, in pruning now severely to
get them to this shape, the result will be to make
them throw out shoots still more vigorously from
near the parts cut away. When these shoots
appear in spring, pull them out while young
with the finger and thumb. The current of sap
will then flow strongly into the shoots left, and
the ratio of growth will in the end be nearly-equal
through all the branches. The flow of sap
through a tree is nearly like that of water through
an uneven countr}'. A very little obstruction
will turn the course ; but that, ouce started soon
becomes as i;reat a stream in the new, as in the old
channel.

Apple trees have a habit when old of push-
ing out sappy shoots along the main branches.
These should be cut awa}^ in addition to a
similar thinning as recommended for the pear.

Dwarf apples and dwarf pears should be ex-
amined now to see what the borer is doing for
them. This is the time when they do the most

18G9.

TEE GARDEjYER'S MOJVTELY.

>^o

destruction, as they are boring down into the ^
stems for winter protection. A cut with a jack :
knife iqy and down the stems so as to avoid gird- '
ling as much as possible is the most certain de- \
struction. Then, if in spring, before the parent i
insects begin to work, oiled paper, or rather tar- j
red paper, be put about the stem near the ground |
they can be l-ept out. It is strange that with so
little time as borer hunting takes, so many thou- i
sand trees should be allowed to die from their j
attacks every year. l

Above all for both apple and pear orchards, we
bespeak a liberal dressing— a top dressing of
something or another. If no manure is to be had, '
even common road sand will be found to have a
beneficial influence.

Poverty of the surface soil is oftener a cause of
fruit failure than"grass," 'change of climate, "or
many imaginable ills brought up from some
ghostly cavern of thought to cover up the pover-
ty of pocket or of industrial inclinations.

Strawberries are much better when protected
through the winter, no matter how "hardy"
they may be. A^erj^ coarse strawy manure is
the best material, which can be raked olf in ear-
ly spring. A few inches is sulficient, just
enough to keep the sun off when frozen, which
all our readers knoAv, b}' this time, is the chief
cause of loss by frost.

VEGETABLE GAEDEX.
In growing trees, we want a hard woody struc-
ture, hence we keep the roots as near the sur-
face as possible, and give them no encour-
agement to run deep. In growing vegetables it
is just the reverse Here we do not want a
woody but a cellular sappy growth, and the
deeper and richer the soil, and the more we en-
courage the roots to run down into it, the better
it will be for our crops. For want of knowledge
of these facts, many otherwise intelligent
writers in books and horticultural journals lead
their readers astray. They say that "a soil the
best suited to grow cabbages or corn is just the
thing for fiuit trees." It is no such a thing.
We recommend to our readers never to plant
anything but vegetables in a vegetable garden.
Whenever there is time, or not too much frost
through the winter, subsoil and manure ; and
while for trees the manure will be found the
most good spread on the surface, for vegetables
it will be found most effective when thoroughly
worked in through the soil.

In those parts where the frost has not j'et been

severe enough to injure the Celery crop, it may
have another earthing up. Care must be exer-
cised in the operation not to let the earth get in-
to the hearfs of the plants, or *hey will be liable
to rot. Where the plant has evidently finished
its growth for the season, measures should be
taken to preserve it through the winter. For fami-
ly vise, it is probably as well to let it stay where it
is growing, covering the soil with leaves. Utter
or manure, to keep out the frost, so that it can
be taken up as wanted. Where large quantities
are frequently required, it is better to take up
and put it in a smaller compass, still protecting
it in any way that may be readily accessible. It
always keeps best in the natural soil, where it is
cool and moist and free from frost, and whatever
mode of protection is resorted to, these facts
should be kej^t in view.

Beets, '1 urnips and other root crops will also
require protection. They are best divested of
their foliage and packed in layers of sand in a
cool cellar.

Parsnips are best left in the soil as long as pos-
sible. If any are wanted for late spring use,
they maj'be left out to freeze in the soil, and will
be much improved thereby.

Cabbage is preserved in a variety of ways. It
a few dozen onlj^, they may be hung up by the
roots in a cool cellar, or buried in the soil, heads
downward, to keep out the rain, or laid on their
sides as thickly as they can be placed, nearly
covered with soil, and then completely covereil
with corn stalks, litter or any protecting mate-
rial. The main object in ' protecting all these
kinds 'of vegetables is to pievent their growth,
by keeping them cool as possible, and to prevent
shrivelling by keeping them moist.

Cabbage plants, Lettuce and Spinach sown
last September, will require a slight protection.
This is usually done by scattering straw loosely
over. The intention is principally to check the
frequent thawings, whith draw the plants out
of the ground.

In making new vegetable gardens a south-east
aspect should be chosen, as far as practicable.
Earliness in the crops is a very great desidera-
tum, and such an aspect favors this point mate-
rially. Too great a slope is objectionable, as in-
ducing too great a run of water in heavy x-ains.
The plots for the crops should be laid oft' in
squares or parallelograms, for convenience in
digging, and the edges of the walks set with box-
edging. If water can be introduced,, it is a great
convenience.

32If

THE GAEBEJ\''En'S MOJVTELY. ^'ovemher,

Sometimes Broccoli does not head before there
is danger of frosts, especially if growing vigorous-
ly. If taken up with small balls of earth, and
set in a damp cellar, they will still perfect them-
selves.

Asparagus beds, after the tops have been clear-
ed off, are better covered with litter or stable ma-
nure. The plants shoot earlier for it next season.

When the ground becomes frozen, or no otiier
works offers, preparation can always be made
for advancing prospective work when it arrives.
Bean poles may be made ; and if the ends are
charred, and then dipped in coal tar, the com-
monest material will be rendered nearly equal to
the best cedar.

HOT AND GREENHOUSES.

Plants stored away for the winter in cold pits,
require more care for the first month or so than
at any other time through the winter season.
Many of them have unripened shoots, or shed
many of their leaves, and unless these be cut off
and removed, gangrene and decay commit dis-
tressing havoc. Air should be given at every
opportunity, and nothing omitted that will, in
any way tend to harden the plants, and send ve
getation to rest. N o more water should be given
than just sufficient to prevent withering, and
the temperature should be kept as near 40^ as
possible, and every chance taken to render the
air about the plants dry. When frost actually
does come, no further care than protection from
its embraces will then be required. Plants so
hardened, may stay covered up for weeks, with-
out any light or air, and secure from th6 slight-
est injury. Mice constitute the most trouble-
some enemy in a pit closed for any length of
time ; but we have as yet found nothing better
than the recommendation given in back volumes,
namely, to take peas and soak them twenty-four
hours in water, then roll in arsenic and sow in a
pot, as if in the regular way of seed sowing. A
lew pots so prepared, should be placed in the pit
before permanently closing up. The mice usual-
ly find these pots at their first entrance to
the pits. If placed on the soil, they seem to
ouess your secret, and -will not " bite."

Plants in cellars need much the same care as
th(,se in pits. Avoid heat and dampness; fre-
quently however, plants suffer through getting
1(10 dry. They should be looked over, at any
rate, once a month, and a little water given, if
likely to become entirely dry.

Plants in windows and rooms usually suffer

from excessive waterings, — very dr}' air about
them, — too great a heat, or too much shade. As
much as possible, room plants should be select-
ed for their indifference to these requirements.
Succulents, such as Cactuses, Mesenibryanthe-
mums, Rocheas, Crassulas, Aloes, &c., care not
how dry the room, but they demand all the sun-
light possible. Camellias, Chinese Primroses,
Azaleas, Dicentra spectabilis, Polj'anthuses,
Violets, Hyacinths, etc., do not mind a little
shade ; but they abhor a high temperature.
Others again, while disliking heat, want light ;
of these are Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Geraniums,
Pelargoniums, Pansies, Daisies, Tree Carnations,
perpetual blooming Pinks, Hoses, and the like.
" Leaf plants," for the most part, like a close,
moist atmosphere, and a moderate degree of
heat to do well. For these, glass partitions and
closely glazed cases are usually emplo3'ed. A
great error in the growth of the plants in these
cases, is to suppose they require no air. The
closeness is to secure a moist atmosphere, not to
exclude the air. Whenever, therefore, the tem-
perature is low, and little evaporation going on,
the opportunity should be seized to air the cases ;
a few moments are sufficient. A very pretty plant
arrangement may be made in parlors that have
bay windows ; the whole window raaj' be closed
off fr»m the main part of the room b}^ a sash,
and filled with plants. Some on the floor, —
some on shelves, and some pendant from the
roof. A common oil lamp will be quite sufficient,
with the usual window shutters, to keep out
frost during the night or extra severe weather,
while the regular day temperature of the room
will suffice for thai time. When the lamp is
burning, provision should be made for the ad-
mission of fresh air from the room at the bottom of
the case, and for the exit of consumed air at the
top of the case. This is best accomplished by a
tube to and Irom the lamp

It must, however, be remarked that the fumes
of burning coal gas is highly injurious to vegeta-
tion, and any adaptation of heating by it will fail,
unless provision be made to lead the fumes away.
With this precaution, gas lights in towns, and
cities, where it can be had cheaply, would be very
useful in heating small parlor plant cabinets.

To those who have largor ])lant cabinjts cr
small conservatories, connections with heaters
or hot water from kitchens ranges will suggest
themselves. This is often done. The great er-
ror we have often noticed is, that the heat is led
to the back only, when it should be continued

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

S^.'i

right to the front or coldest part of the house.
When heaters are employed, the oxygen of the
air is usually defective ; and, besides, the air is
very dry and ungenial to healthy vegetation.
Evaporating pans around the mouth of the air
flues should be uied in such cases,— syringing
done at frequent intervals, and pure fresh air
given whenever a warm out-door spell furnishes
the opportunity.

The most critical season to greenhouse plants is
fast approaching. A very common error,especial-
ly in houses heated by smoke flues, is, to keep the
temperature too high. Unless the house be
heated by hot water, a temperature of 55^ will
do perfectly well. The absorbent property of
heated bricks, in flues, is so great, that the ex-
cessive waterings necessary to replace the mois-
ture they absorb is more injurious to the plants
than a moderately low temperature. In a house
heated by hot water, a temperature of 65° may
be maintained with advantage. The house will

be very gay with Ilabrothamnus, Cestrum, Be-
gonias, Pentas, Plumbagoes, and so on, and the
syringe must be kept in daily requisition. It is
highly advantageous to put a little sulphur, lime
water, or soft soap into the syringing water oc-
casionally, as the red spider, mealy bvig, or scale,
respectively, may make their appearance ; this,
with a vigorous use of one's eyes and fingers at
times will keep them pretty well in check. Or-
chidse, those which bloom on finishing
their growths, will begin to add considerably to
the attractions of the hot-house. As any come
mto flower, they should have less water at each
time, but be watered more frequently than they
have been accustomed to; a very slight "dew-
ing" with the syringe is all that is required.
Pleav}' waterings and high temperature, together,
destroy more orchids than many would dream
of Still atmospheric moisture must be retained
for them in any case.

C 0 M M U N I C A T I 0 Ts^ S .

ADAPTATIOJ^ OF VARIETIES TO
SEASON.

BY MR. J. W. KERR, DEXTOI^', MD.

The unprecedented drought which began in
early summer, upon this peninsula, has ended, at
least in this section, as we have been very re-
cently visited with several copious showers of
rain.

The crops together with most of fruits, ripen-
ing in the after part of the summer and early
autumn suffered greatly for want of rain. Many
varieties of late peaches fell far short of their usual
.«tandard of size and excellence ; while others,
comparatively few though, seem to battle with
great vigor against the opposing season, ripen-
ing fruit of good size and quality. While a dif-
ference manifested itself in varieties of the
peach, there was also a corresponding difference
shown amongst the plants of small fruits, such as
Blackberries,Raspberries, Strawberries, etc ; most
striking, though with the latter. As for instance,
on the same kind of soil, and under precisely the
same treatment, while the .lucunda, Ripowam,
Lady Finger, Triomphe de Gand, and several
others died out almost entirely ; the Colfax, Wil-
son, Downer's Prolific, Peaks Emperor, and
N. J. Scarlet, retained a good color and made a
fair quantity of yearly plants.

This season though very unfavorable, has
served to develop many interesting facts in rela-
tion to fruit growing here ; and I think a major-
ity of our farmers now entertrvin the belief that
their soils are much better adapted to fruit grow-
ing and trucking, than the raising of wheat and
other grains, in the manner as prescribed by
their grandfathers, and to which very many of
them closely adhere. " Book farmers and new
ideas "are beginning to occupy more attention
here than formerly ; indeed, some of our younger
farmers talk " novelties '' right freely; and ere
long the whole system (if the wdrd is allowable)
of farming as practiced in general here will be
impartially revised and thrown aside, substitu-
ting modern, practical and improved plans, for
the management of the soil.

Speaking of "novelties,'' refreshes my mind
with a circumstance upon which your opinion,
through the Monthly would be read with much
gratefulness by the writer. It is this : A nur-
seryman, from an adjoining county, offers for
sale a variety of peach which he represents
bears three crops annually— blooming but once
however— and when the first crop is ripe, (the
peaches of which are large size), the second
crop is only about half grown, and the third
quite small. The second does not attain quite

326

TEE GABBEX-ER'S MGJsTRLY. Xovemher,

as large a size as the first, and the third is still '
smaller than the second. He has propagated or i
budded largel3\ ^^^^^ is selling the young stock i
very readily. Xow if such is the character of :
the original tree, is there any probability, that I
the young trees, budded from it, will be the same I
in regard to the number of crops ? We of i
course have our opinions and express thera free- |
ly too ; but the sensation is such amongst plant- l
ers here as to demand higher authority. There-
fore I fall back upon my horticultural text book,
— the Monthhj.

[The question of adaptation of varieties to season
is a very interesting one, and doubtless other con- !
tributors could add much to what Mr. Kerr has
kindly given us. The novelty in the Peach we
expect to find rather in the manner of stating an '
old fact, than in the flict itself. Some varieties
of fruits ripen their crop all together ; others are
spread over several weeks. The Dorchester
Blackberry, for instance, ripens a few berries
before the Wilson, and will afford some after the
Wilson is gone ; yet the bulk of Wilson is
ri|;e before the average crop of Dorchester is
reached. Ihere are but one or two pickings
from Wilson, ^Dorchester has several. lu this
sense, — successive ripenings, — we may say Dor-
chester has "several crops " a year. If this is
the sense in which we are to understand the
Peach as having three crops a 3'ear, that is to
say it spreads the time between the first ripen-
ing and the last over a longer period than others,
it may be a valuable variety for some purposes.
But if the understanding is to be that there are
three distinct crops, with weeks intervening be-
tween each picking, we should prefer to see the
article in this condition before investing either
faith or works tiierein. — Ed 1

PRACTICAL BESULTS I>r GRAPE
CULTURE.

BY MR. LORIN BLODGET, PHILADELrillA.

Having for some years past entertained a more
confident belief in the capacity of the American
climate, east of the Rocky mountains for Grape
cultivation than I think is generally held by hor-
ticultural authorities, and having something to
apologize for in regard to opinions expressed in
1853 (Essay on climate, in Agricultural reports),
I beg to send you four or five samples of grapes
grown, without unusual care, at my residence in
this city. I picked them this morning as repre-
sentative samples, rather than as the best sam-

ples on either one of the vines. I think the qual-
ity not only good, but excellent; and the produc-
tiveness and vigor ol the vine, of which I have de -
liberately tried to the utmost to settle the qu25-
tiou in my own mind as to what they will bear,
are in the highest degree satisfactory. The
Concord and Diana vines bore the second year
from planting, and the third from the bud. The
Rogers' the same ; but I have had four crops
from the first named, and the last bear this 5-ear
for the first time. The Diana and Concord vines
began with 125 bunches to tlie vine, increasing
each 5-ear steadily, and bearing this year 275 to 325
bunches each. Of course a few bunches ripon
imperfectly, but not more than 20 to 25 bunches
on any vine fell to ripen well.

The three Xo. 9, Rogers' Hybrids are in per-
fect leaf and vigorous growth with their present
crop of 40 to 150 bunches each, and of the Xo. 9
and 19 not a grape has foiled to ripen perfectly.
Xo. 1 has a few bunches that ma}' not ripen, but
the vine has grown away from the side shoots
below on which they set, so far that it could
hardly be expected that would ripen. This vine
has grown 10 qr 12 feet, and Xo. 9 has grown
fully 15 feet this year —several branches growing
from 6 to 15 feet on the last named, yet it has
ripened 150 bunches of grapes, without a single
failure, and in this its first year.

I give a reference to the quantity on each vine,
both in this and in former years, corresponding
to the samples sent. Concord, in 1865, 85 *,
18G7, 125 ; 18(;8, 225 ; 18G9, 325. Diana, 186(5,
70 ; 1867. 100 ; 1868, 220 ; 1869, ' 275. Rogers'
Xo. 1, (White) first bearing in 1869, 108 bunches.
Rogers' Xo. 9, (Red) first bearing in 1869, 155
bunches. Rogers' Xo. 19, (Black) first bearing
in 1869, 43 bunches.

'I"he Delaware has borne a few bunches, on a
small vine of the first year, perfect in quality and
ripe September 10th. Hartford ProJifc has also
borne some 50 bunches, very good, the first 3X'ar,
ripe at the same time. E Isinhurg ^s^ome 20 bunches
the first year, also excellent and ripe September
15th. Isabella and Catawba vines bear reason-
ably well, hut do not ripen. They bear no com-
parison to the llogers' iljrbrids. The Tokalon
is also a foilure.and the 3Iaxatawney but little bet-
ter. A grape sent me as the Adirondac, is either
the Diana, or some other unknown to me, — pro-
lific, but poor in quality. The samples of Rogers'
Xo. 9, were cut 20 and 24 feet from the ground,
the vine running over a balcon}'.

I respectfully submit these as a small cont-' >

I860-

THE GARDEjYER'S MOJVTRLY.

33' f

butioa to our practical knowledge of grape
growing, which is yet very imperfect, as regards
the only point of interest to me, namely, practi-
cal results within every one's reach.

I should also mention a sample of Black Ham-
burg grown in the open air — one of 10 bunches
on the vine, nearly all of which perfected the fleshy
character of that grape as grown under glass,
but the bunches remaining out during the late
storm, were injured by it and were eaten by flies,
requiring many to be cut away.

[Excellent grapes. The Rogers' 1, 9, 19 espe-
ciall}' so — Ed.]

HINTS ON THE TREATMENT OF
ORCHIDS.

BY MR. G. SUCH, SOUTH A3IB0Y.

In a late number of the Gardener's Chronicle^
I noticed an article headed '• Brief notes upon
Orchids." The author, Mr. B. S. Williams,
being one of the best Orchid growers in England,
what he says on the subject is well worthy of at-
tention ; and as many are blundering along with
small collections of these interesting plants from
which they are deriving but little satisfaction, it
has occurred to me that a few hints from Mr.
Williams might prove acceptable.

The chief conditions of success, he says, are
moderate heat, an abundance of fresh, sweet air
and moisture, with full exposure to the light,
but with shade from the direct raj'S of the sun.

It is not, of course, meant by the term " mod-
erate heat,'' that the degree of warmth suitable
to an Odontoglossum would suit a Yanda ; but
the idea is that the advocates of the " cool sys-
tem" on the one hand, too often carry their
treatment to a ruinous extreme with those varie-
ties to which the cool system, properly applied,,
would be the perfection of good treatment ; and
on the other hand, that the stifling, steaming
heat that is generally kept up in the East Indian
House, is just as objectionable an extreme. —
Many of the so-called '"cool Orchids" can en-
dure a much lower temperature than is generally
supposed ; and indeed Mr. Roezl, the botanist
and collector, says he has found Odontoglossum
Ehrenbergii covered with hoar-frost. Still it is
unwise to risk the minimum of temperature,- and
in practice it will be found that 45' or 50' in
winter, with moderate moisture, and as nearly
as possible 65^ or 70' in summer will keep most
of the '"cool Orchids " in perfect health.

This, it will be noticed, is the " temperature

of an ordinary greenhousf^," and so far as tem-
perature is concerned, an ordinary greenhouse
will grow perfectly well all those Terrestial and
Epiphytal Orchids that can be treated under the
"cool system." But the Epiphytal Orchids,
being those that in their native country are
mostly found on branches of trees, require more
moisture in the air, less of the blazing sun, and
less wide opening of sashes than is given to a
geneial collection of greenhouse plants, and so,
in spite of what may be said to the contrary,
this part of the Orchid family will not thrive un-
der the usual greenhouse treatment.

This, however, is a difficulty easily overcome,
as part of the greenhouse can readily be set off
from the remainder, and in this part the Orchids
can command just the amount of air and mois-
ture they require.

And now about the East Indian kinds, inclu-
ding the lovely Yandas, Aerides, and Saccola-
biums, Mr. Williams says, these will grow strong-
ly and flower profusely in a hnuse ranging
during winter from 130' to 65' and with 65' as a
minimum during summer. During the months
of May, June, July and August a good growing
heat should be kept U(), and this will be about
80^ by day, or with sun heat, 85' to 90^ ; and
great attention should be paid to having the at-
mosphere well supplied with moisture, as it is
from the air chiefly that the roots obtain their
food

It has been mentioned a^ove that most Or-
chids require shade from the direct rays of the
sun ; but this statement admits of some modifi-
cation. Towards the end of September, or in
October, many should be finishing their growth,
and the direct rays of the sun at this late season
of the 3'ear, are of advantage in, bringing on a
healthy maturity of the bulbs. As an example
of this, may be mentioned the treatment needed
by most of the Dendrobiuras, and Dendrobium
nobile especially, well known as one of the lovli-
est of the class. It flowers in winter or early in
spring, — the flowers lasting two or three weeks
in perfection. Generally, after the flowers are
faded new growth begins, and this must be en-
couraged Avith brisk heat, plenty of moisture in
the air and a good supply at the roots, whict
should never be allowed to become dry while
growing. After the growth is finished— in Au-
gust or September— the plant should be moved
into a cooler and more airy house, and be sub-
J3cted to the full sunshine, unless it be very un-
usually hot. As the object is to give a good long

S28

THE GARDEJVER'S MO^f-TELY. JVoveniher,

rest preparatory to flowering, no more water
should be given at the roots than just enough to
keep the bulbs from shrivelling. With this treat-
ment it flowers freely.

Finally, Mr. Williams says, avoid anything
in the shape of dec-ay as one would a pestilence,
— all rotten wood, sour moss, or uncleanness of
any kind ; and to this end good live sphagnum
moss and fibrous peat should be used for potting
and plenty of crooks for drainage.

As a last word from myself, I would most sin-
cerely advise all beginners in Orchid growing to
get into their collections none but healthy plants,
as otherwise they will have a great deal more
than the fair share of difficulty and vexation to
encounter.

TEX YEAKS' EXPERIENCE IK PEAR
CULTURE.

BY J. S. IIOUGHTOX, PniLADELPHTA.

Mead before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Socie-
ty, Tuesday Evening, Oct. 5, 1869.

The Pear, in its highest condition of cultiva-
tion, is one of the most capricious of fruits.
Although apparently a hardy tree, the Pear is
subject to a variety of accidents which render
the production of superior specimens of fruit ex-
ceedingly uncertain in all parts of the world.
Pears may indeed be obtained in almost every
country and climate, except in the tropics ; but
the proportion of fine dessert fruit, or specimens
suited to the exhibition room, as compared with
the entire crop, is everywhere exceeding!}' small.
It is the fashion to praise standard trees as the
only kind which can be depended upon to pro-
duce constant crops of fine fruit ; when the fact
is, that the finest fruit has not been produced on
standard trees, and that crops of good marketa-
ble fruit cannot be obtained from such trees for
any length of time, with any degree of certainty.
On standard trees, even in their best condition,
scarcely half of any crop is marketable at one
dollar per bushel, and not over one quarter of
any crop is suited for the first-class fruit stores.

The finest i)tar orchards in the United States,
including the best gardens near Boston and the
specimen grounds at Rochester, K. Y., cannot
produce twenty-five dozen specimen Pears of any
one variety (omitting the Bartlett and Seckel)
Avithout completely stripping the crop of all its
good fruit, and reducing the balance of the stock
below first quality.

Twelve or fifteen dozen Pears, of one variety,
sent from one garden to a leading fruit dealer of
Xew York, has annually exhausted the most
celebrated orchard in America to such an ex-
tent, that the proprietor could not show half a
peck more of respectable fruit to any body.

The truth is, fine fruit is the exception and
not the rule, with the most successful Pear grow-
ers, and the exhibition of plates of selected fruit at
our horticultural exhibitions, when looked upon
as samjjles of the entire crop, is, literally speak-
ing, a gross deception. And especially is this
true of fruit grown on standard trees.

These remarks apply not only to Pear culture
in America, but to the culture of this fruit, so
far as known, throughout the world.

It is generally supposed that in France, the
Pear flourishes in its happiest condition, and
that the fruit is produced with little or no trou-
ble, in the greatest abundance and perfection.

This supposition is not true. The climate of
of France is certainly most favorable to the Pear,
and a vast amount of fine fruit is produced iu
that country ; but the best fruit, and the larger
proportion of that which is sold by the fruit dea-
lers of Paris, and in Co vent Garden, London,
is not obtained from standard trees, nor yet from
dwarf pyramids planted in the open garden ; but
is the product of trees trained on walls and trel-
lises, in the style called espalier, greatly varied
in form, but still trained and pruned in the
most systematic and careful manner, on walls,
fences and trellises.

These trained and pruned trees, even in the
genial climate of France, are many of them pro-
vided with copings, shutters, canvas, mats and
various other contrivances to protect them
against Spring frosts ; they are pruned and tied
up with the greatest skill ; syringed with liquids
to destroy insects ; the fruit is thinned with an
unsparing hand ; and they are otherwise tend-
ed with infinite care and watchfulness. Yet,
after all, the finest Pe irs are not produced by
these means, even in France.

In the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey oft' the
coast of France (called the Channel Islands,) is
found a climate and soil which is generally sup-
posed to have no superior for Pear culture. —
There the Chaumontel Pear has been grown, by
the ton, in the highest degree of perfection nu-
merous specimens we-ghing 28, 30 and even 32
ounces, and the average weight of fine selected
fruit running about 12, 15 and 18 ounces, or

1869,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

329

hi-rher than that of fine Duchesse d'Angouleme
in other parts of the world.

[Now, liow are these Pears grown ? And what
are the difficulties of the culture ?

In the first place, they are not grown on stan-
dard trees, nor yet in grass. They are not even
grown on dwarf trees, planted in the open ground;
but they are grown, for market purposes even,
trained like grapes un walls and trellises, severe-
ly pruned and carefully tended, as it is found
that fine fruit only is worth sending to a good
market. And not only is this true, but the most
distinguished fruit grower in the Island of Guern-
sey produces his very finest Pears in pots, in the
orchard house, so called, under glass. Gales,
insects, fungus and other evils prevail in these
islands to a discouraging extent ; but the people
are industrious, frugal, content with small gains
for patient and honest labor, and hence they
persevere, — and aided by a delightfully moist at-
mosphere, and a genial climate, they excel even
the French cultivators, in the production of the
Pear. But they cannot, even there, "gather
grapes from thorns, figs from thistles,'' nor Pears
fit for Covtnt Garden market from nnpruned
and un-tended standard Pear trees in grass.

In Belgium fine Pears are obtained with as
much ease and certainty as in France, and some
kinds flourish even better than in more south
ern climates. Many of our finest seedling Pears
originated in Belgium and the north of France.
But in Belgium the cultivators of fine fruit train
their trees in walled gardens, in various forms, on
walls and trellises, as espaliers and careful pyra-
mids ; and the fine fruit which we hear so much
about is not produced on standard trees. It may
be true, and no doubt is, that in Belgium and
Germany a vast quantity of good fruit, and a
much greater quantity of inferior fruit, is pro-
duced on standard trees on the roadsides and
elsewhere (as cherries are,) but it will be found,
that even in Belgium the fine fruit which
the pomologists talk about, is grown upon carefully
pruned and skillfully trained trees, tended wi th
professional skill, in walled and protected gar-
dens, and not on standard trees, planted in open
fiekl.s, nor in uncuUivated orchards.

In England Pear cultivators are worse off" in
every respect than in either of the countries yet
named. The plain, stubborn fact is, that few, if
any, fine Pears are grown in England, on trees
of any sort planted in the open ground, or even
on trees trained on walls or trellises, without in -
finite trouble in planting, and great care in pro-

tecting the blossoms from Spring frosts. We
might almost assert that in England fine dessert
Pears cannot be grown at all, in the open air,
without protection, except occasionally in favor-
able seasons in the more southern countries, and
in certain fortunate localities.

Covent Garden market, in London, is chiefly
supplied with fine dessert Pears from France,
Belgium and the Channel Islands. The English
nobility obtain some respectable dessert Pears
from their walls and trellises, and the English
people get some eatable fruit from their standard
Pear orchards, in favorable seasons, — but the
finest and most perfect fruit, (I might almost say
the only really fine and perfect Pears grown in
England) are obtained from trees protected by
walls and coverings, or from trees grown under

glass.

In America the history of Pear culture has
been about the same as in England and Europe.
At Boston, where Pear culture has been pursued
with much zeal for forty years or more, a good
degree of success has been achieved. The late
Autumnal Exhibitions of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, aided by the fruit-growers
of Western Xew York, have presented numerous
specimens of fine dessert fruit which it would be
safe to defy the world to equal.

And how were these Pears produced ? And
what are the difficulties attending the culture?

I have visited, repeatedly, all the most cele-
brated Pear gardens in the vicinity of Boston,
at Cambridge, Brighton, Roxbury, Dorchester,
&c., and have examined the circumstances and
mode of culture. The fine dessert Pears are
mostly, if not all, produced in small, cultivated
gardens, surrounded by houses, lofty trees, fences
and barns, and generally upou small dwarf or
half standard trees, and not on standard tx-ees
standing in open fields or orchards, and most as-
suredly not on old neglected trees in grass.

Many of the trees producing this fine fruit
have been double worked in the nursery or gar-
dens,—and by far the finest specimens, if not the
larger quantity of fine spscimens, have been pro-
duced on young grafts, grown on old trees.

Such things as old standard Pear trees, pruned
or un pruned, growing in grass covered fields,
producing large crops of fine fruit, fitted for ex-
hibition purposes, even Boston has not seen.

The finest Beurre Bosc ever grown near Bos-
ton, I happen to know, were produced on the
tops of some large standard trees, in a garden
in the village of Cambridgeport, the trees stand-

S30

TEE GABBEXER'S MOJ\'THLY.

JVoveinher,

iug constantly in a thick carpet of fresh stable
manure, the year round ; but the proportion of
crop to tree, or the proportion of fine selected
fruit to the crop, would not, I imagine, if told,
invite any speculator to invest his capital in the
production of even such Pears by such means,
with a view to profit.

I am well satisfied that in our wide-spread
country, and with our varied soil and climate,
the P'ear may be cultivated on a large scale. with
success, in the open field or garden ; and that
large quantities of good fruit may be produced
on standard trees in open orchards ; but I still
contend that the fruit which will bring the highest
price, and attract the most attention at horticul-
tural exhibitions, will not be produced on old
standard trees.

Xow, what are the difficulties of Pear culture
at Boston ? I answer, the trees are frequently
injured or killed by the severity of the Winters,
and the blossoms are frequently destroyed by late
Spring frosts. Insects and blight are very des-
tructive, and fungus does its dark and dirty work
almost as badly as elsewhere. Still, the influence
of the saline atmosphere, and the granite soil,
combined, produce much fine fruit ; but not finer
than Western New York, or Central Pennsylva-
nia, or even Maryland.

Western New York has had perhaps as high
a reputation for the production of fine dessert
Pears as Boston. What is the trouble there ?
I answer, the Summer blight or fire blight which
prevails to such a fearful extent as to frighten the
boldest planters. Western New York has also
its share of insects and fungus ; but if it were not
for the blight, the sections of country border-
ing upon the lakes would produce immense quan-
tities of fine Pears. Still the trees from which
the fine fruit has come, which we have seen at
our exhibitions, are mostly dwarfs or half stan-
dards, planted in cultivated and protected gar-
dens, and not in open orchards.

How is it in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Mar}--
land ?

Nearly all the fine dessert Pears produced in
our own State, which have taken the premiums
of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, for
the last fifteen or eighteen years, have been grown
within the built up portion of the city of Phila-
delphia, (by the late Isaac P, Baxter, at Fifth
and Washington streets,) in a garden surround-
ed by close fences, dwellings, churches and fac-
tories, and cliiffljj xqjoyx grafts ! The trees were
originally French dwarfs, and are now supposed

to have taken root from the Pear stems ; they
have been constantly tended, pruned, watered,
fertilized, cultivated and even ''pow-wowud'" and
" magnetized" as father Baxter used to say —and
they were not in grass ! The crop was never
very great, and the best and the most of it was
always seen on the plates of the Horticultural
Society. In some other gardens in the city, des-
sert Pears have been grown, so monstrous iu size,
so beautiful in color, so exquisite and waxy in
skin, and so perfect in all respects, as to com-
mand the earnest admiration of all beholders.

But plant the same trees six miles out of the
city, in similar soil, and give them even better
culture, and the fruit produced will be cracked,
spotted with fungus, and disfigured b}'^ the at-
tacks of insects to such a degree as to render it
unfit for sale or even for eating.

The "why and wherefore" of these vagaries
and caprices of Pear Culture I shall not at-
tempt fully to settle, although I may throw out
some suggestions on these points.

SOILS AND FERTILIZERS.

What are the conditions of soils, fertilizers,
&c., which have been found most favorable fqr
successful Pear Culture V

As a general rule, a fresh, clay loam, resting
upon a sandy or gravelly sub-soil,— or, a slate
soil, with a similar sub soil, — is found most suita-
ble for the Pear, especially for dwarfs. It may
be questionable whether any soil, artificially ma-
nured, can equ.al a soil just reclaimed from the
forest ; but it may also be true, that an orchard
planted upon a fresh soil wdl "ruu-out," in a
very few years, unless constantly fertilized.

I feel confident that a rich old garden soil is
not suited to the Pear, — nor any soil of a rich
loamy character, when freely oupplied with com-
posts made from animal matter, such as slaugh-
ter-house manure, night soil, &c.

A thin, dry, harsh soil is, of course, not suited
to Pear trees.

Freshly ploughed grass land, which has been
well manured foi corn, grain and grass, suits nur-
sery stock, but old pastures are not rich euough.

What of fertilizers or manures for the Pear ?

I have studied the subject long and carefully,
but I confess that I cannot answer it definitely.

We have been taught that lime^ in the soil and
in the compost, is one of the chief requisites for
I'ears ; that ^Mash or wood ashes is indispensa-
ble ; that super -phosphate of lime or phosphoric
acid is one of the elements positively needful ;
that iron and salt are both highly useful in small

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOMTRLY.

331

quantities ; that ammonia ought not to be forgot-
ten ; that a little guano does good and not harm ;
and that stable manure is also desirable.

Carbon, in the form of straw, and leaves, and
charcoal ; muck, peat and sods ; and vegetable
matter generally, have been much commended
as fertilizing agents for Pears.

I have employed tons upon tons of all these
chemical elements with care and discretion, and
thousands of bushels of charcoal and oiher car-
bonaceous matters, upon my principal Pear or-
chard, covering about 18 acres of land ; but while
I think I have seen the good effects of these fer-
tilizers, to some extent, and believe my orchard
would have seriously declined without them, I
have never been able to discover the direct, evi-
dent and unmistakable effect of any or all these
substances, to any striking or paying extent.

One of our popular works on Pear Culture, by
a former officer of the American Pomological
Society, says : —

"Let every fruit raiser, each Spring and Fall,
prepare such a compost as the following, and the
results of its' application to trees will asionis/i and
delight him :

"A pit should be dug and half filled with
leaves, swamp muck, or peat, or any rubbish of
organic matter. Into this should bo thrown all
the bones and spoiled meat, the carcases'of fowls
and animals, all the old fish and meat brine,
night soil and liquid manure from the stables.
To the above iron should be added, in some
shape, and the whole should be covered with a
fresh supply of muck. The effect of such a com-
post, applied to fruit trees, is almost startling, in
the rapidity and hardiness of growth it induces,
and in the luscious and highly colored fruit a soil
so fertilized will bring forth !" — See FiekVs Pear
Culture, pp. 32,33.

I append my comment : — I have tried the ex-
periment indicated and have failed to observe the
surprising result which the writer descrioes : that
is, in popular phrase, '•! can't see it.''

Still, I continue to use lime, potash, phospho
ric acid, &c., on my orchard, because science
tells me to hope and believe that Chey are useful,
and I know of no other agents which promise
so much.

I once thought that stable-manure, night soil,
guano and all ammouiacal substances probably
dangerous to Pear trees. Prof Mapes insisted
upon this idea to the day of his death. My own
opinion, however, was changed a few years ago,
by a passage in Balfour's Botany, which notices

the fact that the seeds of Pears, are highly nitro-
genous, and hence, that ammonia, in some shape,
is required to assist in their formation. 1 now
think a moderate supply of ammonia i? absolute-
ly required by Pear trees, perhaps quite as much
as by a crop of wheat.

STOCKS FOR PEARS.

The proper stocks for Pear trees presents another
important question.

As to dwarf Pear trees on quince stocks, I am
not infatuated with them, nor am I positively
opposed to their use. I have, perhaps, 20,000
dwarf Pear trees in my orchard, many of them
eight and ten years planted. They have never
given me a good paying crop ; but the chief rea-
son for this, I am satisfied, is to be found in the
effects of climate, and improper pruning and
management, and not in the fact that the trees
are dwarfs. My standard orchai'd, of which I
have several acres, has done no better, but rather
worse, so far as fine fruit is concerned, and in-
deed any fruit.

When I speak of improper pruning and man-
agement, I allude to my past system. Let no
opponent of pruning suppose that I have aban-
doned close pruning ; on the contrary, I am now
more radical and extreme in my practice than
ever, and I believe I am right. I hope yet to
conquer some of the difficulties of Pear culture,
and to secure certain crops of large, fair fruit,
when nature permits us to have any at all. I
believe that the chief difficulty of growing dwarf
Pear trees successfully, has arisen from the fict
that most cultivators permit their dwarf trees
to develop into standards in size^ while they are
still dwarfs in their roots.

For fine fruit, as I have already indicated, I
would not employ standards is commonly under-
stood, but I would, if I had plenty of room, re-
sort to half-standards,— that is, low-headed,
much pruned, frequently transplanted, standard
trees, which could be treated and managed as
dwarfs. The whole process of doing this, I
have not time to describe. To obtain fine des-
sert Pears, it is necessary that every part of the
tree should be within reach of a person stapding
on the ground, or on a small step-ladder which
a man can easily carry from tree to tree.

My present opinion, is, that the perfection of
Pear culture will be found to consist in growing
Pears just as we grow fine bunches of Black
Hamburg grapes, wlien each bunch is separate-
ly tended, and carefully thinned, and the vine

S32

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLJ'. JVovemher,

allowed to bear no more than its constitution
will permit. The best Pears win never be pro-
duced upon the careless, hopeful, let-alone sys-
tem, which is far removed from careful, scienti-
fic pruning,

SURFACE CULTURE.

In respect to the question of surface culture,
ploughing and cultivating the Pear orchard, it
will be understood by this time, that I strongly
advocate constant surface culture. I do not in-
tend to enter upon any extended argument upon
this much-mooted point of Pears in cultivated
soil acd Pears in grass. I know very well that
I have before me several devoted friends of the
Nebuchadnezzar school, who are passionately
fond of grass. But I am not disposed to give up
my belief and my practice, for their •' mess of
pottage.'' A "dinner of herbs,'' and small
scrubby Pears is not to my taste. I believe that
the leaves of grass in the orchard, will drink up
nearly all the small showers that fall in summer,
and the grass roots will consume a large propor-
tion of the food which should be enjoyed by the
fibres of the Pear roots, and I believe that an
unstirred soil is like an unmoved compost heap ;
few chemical changes take place in its substance.
I firmly believe that the finest dessert Pears will
never be produced, on large standard trees,
standing in unmoved grass sod.

SHELTER.

As to the usefulness of shelter, against violent
winds and cold storms, there can be no doubt.
Belts of trees, and the shelter of buildings are
highly useful, if not indispensable to success
The influence of large bodies of water, as lakes
or ponds, seems to be always favorable.

The effect of a saline atmosphere, coming from
the ocean, when not accompanied by violent
winds, seems also highly beneiicial. The shelter
of a mountain, or hill, on the West, appar-
ently aids the production of fine fruit. The
favorable influence of towns and cities, or of
populous neighborhoods, surrounding Pear
orchards, has already been noticed and is truly
remarkable. The precise reason for the last
named fact, T have not been able to discover.
Insects, of course, are not so numerous in towns
as in the country, and fungus may perhaps be
destroyed by the sulphurous gases emanating
from hundreds of chimneys.

in all parts of the world, the effect of not alone
the spring frosts, but the cold rains and winds
which prevail at the period of blossoming and

setting the fruit of Pears, as well as peaches, &c.,
requires that some good protection should be
provided against the effects of these rains and
winds, if a certain crop of fine dessert fruit is de-
sired.

A reliable writer in the London Gardener''s
Chronicle says, that there has not been a single
spring, in England, for twenty years, without
six degrees of frost, with cold rains, during the
period when Pears and peaches are in bloom.
Six degrees of frost, he says are dangerous to
blossom buds just opening, and eight degrees,
fatal. Also, that after Pears are set, if the
tender fruit is subjected to six degrees of
frost, with cold rains, the footstalks turn yellow
and become dropsicaf and the fruit falls oft'.

Another reason has been suggested by Mr.
Jacob Seneft", of this city, for the falling oft' of
young fruit during cold spring rains, which is
very plausible. It is this : That the leaves dur-
ing these cold rains, lose their vitality, become
engorged with watery sap, and cease to
elaborate and send back to the fruits the pre-
pared sap necessary for their sustenance, and
hence that the young fruit falls oft for want of
proper nourishment.

My idea then is that to be perfectly successful
in fine dessert Pear culture, we shall be compelled
even in America, to imitate the French and
other European and English cultivators, and
provide more careful protection for our fruit
trees, by walls, fences, hedges, copings &c., &c.
There is not one season in five, when in any sin-
gle locality, the weather is so favorable at the
blossoming period, and for two weeks afterwards,
that we can count with any degree of certainty
upon the successful s>;ttiug of a crop of fine des-
sert Pears.

My opinion also is, that to obtain the finest
fruit, we must look to the constant production of
new wood, and new fruit spurs. I feel assured that
the best fruit cannot be produced upon very old,
long slender shoots, and old stunted fruit
spurs. The fruiting wood and fruit spurs should
not be more than four to six yeai'S old. The
best method of pruning to obtain new wood and
new fruit spurs. I cannot now describe. Suffice
it to say, that my practice is drawn from the
most approved European systems, which are now
employed by nearly all the best cultivators, with
some improvements (as I think) of my own. I
feel'perfectly confident that I have the most per-
fect control over the producLiou of fruit spurs,

1869,

THE GARBEJs'ER'^ MOJVTELY.

S33

and the formation of jDerfect fruit blossoms, when-
ever or wherever desired. And I feel confident
also, that I can (with the aid of proper protec-
tion) secure certain crops of fruit every year, un-
less the seasons should be more adverse than
usual. The question of expense in relation to
the value of fine fruit, we have now to consider.
Will it pay to obtain even fine dessert Pears, in
the manner indicated ? I think it will, but I
am not yet fully prepared to answer that ques-
tion.

ANKUxlL PLANTS AND PARTS OF
PLANTS.

BY WALTER ELDER, LANDSCAPE GARDENER.

Trees which are of largest growths and long-
est lived, have annual leaves and fibres, from
which their whole structures are derived. Ever
green and deciduous are alike in this respect.
A leaf is a diminutive shoot or branch, and by
the force of growth becomes a branch, and even
in its diminutive state, it will grow into a plant
if taken off its parent ; fibres, by force of growth
become roots, and last many years as branches
do ; but without that they are of annual exis-
tence only, and new sets of fibres come every
year in their place, just as new leaves take the
places of old ones, and the same is the case with
nearly all plants. No controversy can make it
otherwise.

There is a class of plants called annuals, as
they reproduce themselves by seeds within one
year or a few months ; but many plants called
perennials are in reality annuals, or only last
one year. Among bulbs, Crocus roots are plant-
ed in the fall ; they bloom in spring, and produce
new roots by early summer, the roots planted
are gone. Gladiolus roots are planted in spring,
bloom in summer, and mature new I'oots by fall,
the old roots are ended. All other bulbs whose
outer shells last several years, are made new in-
ternally ; annually the bud or e3'e that sends up
a shoot and blooms this year, is gone by fall,
and new buds are formed by growth to do the
work next year among tuberous rooted plants,
see the root sets of dahlias and potatoes, they
die off during summer, and new roots are ma-
tured by fall, to plant next year. Iris and
Hemerocallis, though evergreens, have dead
leaves replaced with new ones every year, and so
it is with their fibres and the buds in their tu-
bers. Herbaceous fibrous plants are each of one
3'ear's duration. Tlie plant of Larkspur or Phlox
that sends up a stalk and blooms, dies off after

its work is finished, but others are made by the
growth to do ihe same next year ; and many spe-
cies multiply their numbers greatly by this self-
propagation. It is that which makes the heart of
the bunches look dead. Polyanthuses, Prim-
roses, &c., are also examples of the same ; now
a big bunch of those plants is a number of plants,
each of which lasts oniy one year ; so it is with
Biennials, a Sweet William, Canterbury bell or
Columbine jjlant with only one bud, (which is
the real plant ) and sends up a shoot and blooms,
is dead by fall ; but if young plants called suck-
ers are made by the growth, they will do the
work next year. So each individual plant is
only of annual existence, and it is only by their self
propagation. by offsets, that tbey are called Bi-
ennials and Perennials. The Century Plant
(Agave Americana,) having only one bud, dies
oft" as sojn as it is done flowering, but during its
growth, it propagates itself by suckers ; that is
conclusive proof that it was only one plant, hav-
ing only one bud and its offsets are new plants.
One of the first secrets in gardening that we
learned was, that fibres were annual, as leaves
were. The roots of a gooseberry bush in spring,
was the subject of our study ; we thought every-
body knew the fact, until it was announced in
the Gardener''s Monthly, which we thought too
weak a statement for a highly gifted editor to
make. But subsequently we have observed by
the statements of others, tiiat many cultivators
never thought of such a thing, and were startled
by the announcement, and have endeavored to
refute the fao:, so it must have been forced out
of the editor by the wonderful dullness of those
he addressed.

It is wonderful to see men very skillful in the
culture of various crops, and yet have no knowl-
edge of the physiology of the plants they grow
so well, beyond the mere use to which they are-
generally applied.

We remember a gentleman of another
science telling us that '"the whole sap of a tree
went down into its'rools in fall, and staid there
until spring, and then went up to the top, " and
to prove the saying, he cut off a twig and showed
us that their was no moisture in it, and said if
he cut a twig in spring, the sap would run out ;
there was a pond close by wholly fro.^en over ;
we asked if there was no water in that pond ; he
said yes, but now it is ice. Well, said we, if we cut
the ice it will be dry, and in spring it would be
all water. We thought the sap of trees became
solid by the cold as water gets solid in ice by

o o r

oojf

THE GARDEJYER'S MO X TEL J. Js^ov ember,

hard frost. No, 2^o ! said he, "do you think
that the sap of trees and water in a pond are
the same, " For peace sake, we allowed him to
remain master of his opinions. It is man}' years
since, so we are not surprised at untenable no-
tions now.

ON" THE GLAXDS OF CAS-SIA & ACACIA.

BY THOMAS JIEEHAX.

Read before the Salem meetinci of the American Association
for the Xdvnncem,ent of Science.

Dr. Asa Gray, in his Manual of Botan}^ de-
scribes the glands of Cassia marilandica, as be-
ing towards the base of the petiole. This is true
only of the upper leaves ; the lower ones have
the glands varying in position from near the
base up to the lowest pair of pinnse. It is clear
from this varying position of the gland, that it is
not a normal part of that individual leaf struc-

ture. If it were, it would be always in the same
position relatively w^ith other parts ; it is fair to
assume that it is locally an accident. An ex-
amination of two allies, GlecUtschia and Gymno-
cZarZus, will aftbrd Ihe clue to their real nature.

Of course all know that the spine in Gledits-
chia, is an abortive or stunted shoot ; and that
the true shoot springs when it grows at all, from
the bud below. There are therefore two axial
buds in this plant, the one above the other. I
have discovered that a similar sj'stem of buds
exist in Gymnodaclus, only that there are often
three in one line, one above another, instead of
only two as in Glcditschia. These buds rarely
push forth into shoots, and hence as you know
its name Gymnocladus has been given to it from
its naked main branches. It is now worthy to
note that the upper bud, the one farther removed
from the axis, is the largest and best developed,

Fig. 1.

1 Gleditscliia tricantlios. 2. .Inglans cinoria.

and that when a shoot does come, it procee^'s
from it -, also that one or two of the lowest buds
are very often below the centre of the axis of the
petiole. Turning now to Gleditschia, we find
that in its two buds, it is the lowest, or what in
the other case would he the weakest, which in
this instance makes the shoot. It is the upper
bud which makes the spine, and I suppose has
the least developed vitalit}'. Thus we see in
these allied plants there is no fixed system in
the order of axial development ; sometimes it is
the upper bud, sometimes the lower which first
pushes into growth. AYe also see by the failure
of the upper bud in GJeditschia to elongate, by
its degradation to a mere spine, that there is

Fig. 2. Fig 3.

3. Oyninocladus canadeusis.

Fig. 4.

4. Itea viig'nion.

a tendency in all these axial parts to become as-
similated into each other.

Turning now to Cassia mariland/ca and ^la;-
ciajulibrissin, we find that its normal system is
to have two buds, one above another as in the
other two, and that the lower bud is nearly op-
posite the centre of the leaf petiole as before
mentioned in Gymnocladus, and further, that in
its early attempts at development, it has been
absorbed in the tissue of the petiole, and borne
along with it to a certain extent, and finally be-
come an unwilling part of the leafstalk.

Trifling as this observation of successive se-
ries of buds one above another in Gymnocladus
may seem to be, it may have a very important

J8C9.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJV'THLY.

335

bearing on our knowledge of the formation of
buds. We have been taught that the leaf is the
parent of the bud, and an axial bud and leaf are
always associated. True physiologists have noted
other buds proceeding from stems and roots ; but
they have made short work of this mystery, by at
once deciding that there are two distinct species of
buds, and they have termed these leafless affairs
adventitious buds ; but in the case of Gymno
cladus, we see that of the three buds one above
another.— and the uppi^ one in strong shoots often
an inch away from the lower one,— it is this one
the farthest away from the leaf axis which is
the strongest. If the leaf exerted any influence,
the bud nearest to the leaf axis should derive
the most benefit, — and further we see in Cassia,
that instead of the leaf aiding in the develop,
nient of the bud, it is the direct agent in arrest-
ing its growth, and is no doubt also the agent in
causing the lower buds of O umnodadus to be
weaker than the upper ones

These series of buds have been singularly over-
looked by botanical observers, and therefore the
unmistakable voi^e in which they speak to us
has remained unheard. We find them in other
plants of very different families. Particularly
do they exist in the most vigorous forms of Carya,
in Juglans, amongst the CoryJaccea ; and in Eri-
caceous plants we find them in Itca virginica, in
which the upper bud the farthest away from
the leaf axis is very fully developed.

Gentlemen, I hesitate about offering theories
so revolutionary as my observations seem occa-
sionally to tend. I hope you will not dwell so
much on my explanations of the facts, as on the
facts themselves. Examine them, and possibly

a much better theory than my own may be
evolved. I chiefly desire to call attention to
facts which seem to have been overlooked.

THE ABIES CEPIIALONICA.

BY CHRONICLER.

Mr. Josiah Iloopes, (the nurseryman of West
Chester, Pa.,) in his very scientific book upon
evergreen trees and shrubbery, states : ''One
of the finest specimens we have ever seen, is in
the collection at Wodenethe, on the Hudson
River ; we judge its height is 20 feet, others are '
10 and 12 feet high." Mr. David Landreth the
extensive garden seed grower of Philadelphia,
has upon his pleasure grounds at Bloomsdale,
near Bristol, Pa., an Abies Cephalonica over
thirty feet high, and the branches spread twenty-
five feet in diameter ; and is the most massy and
closely grown fir tree we have ever seen. Per-
haps the scientific pruning which Mr. Landreth
practises every year upon his evergi'een trees,
may have given its close and massy growth and
charming form. The whole tree is a mass of
deep green shining foliage, with silvery under-
linings ; the branches point upward, and each
tier forms a wide basin. The species is one of the
hindsomest of our hardy evergreen trees, and
should be in every collection. The one at
Bloomsdale has never lost a twig nor a leaf by
summer heat or winter drouth ; and not an
inch of its wood is seen for the thick mass of fo-
liage.

[We have seen this beautiful tree referred to
by Chronicler, and have no doubt it is the most
beautiful specimen of this species in the Union.
— Ed.I

E D T T 0 E I AL .

MR. STRONG'S PLANT HOUSES

Amongst the most agreeable and instructive
reminiscences of the past season's travel, is a
visit to the Side Hill plant houses of Mr. W. C.
Strong, at Brighton, Near Boston. These have
already been fully described in the Gardener's
Monthly, but they were then but a proposed ex-
periment ; now they are an accomplished and
successful fact.

It will be remembered that tha leading princi-
ple in Mr. Strong's plan was to take advantage
of the ascending principle of heat. As usually
constructed, an immense amount of heat is

wasted in hothouses. The air is no sooner
warmed than it is forced up against the glass a
few feet above it, cooled, and sent down to go
over again the same process, at an ''awful" cost
on the coal bill. By building the houses across
a side hill, and others without hack walls paral-
lel— a whole series one above another like a
range of terraces — a succession of terraces, in
fact with a single glass roof; the heat after doing
duty in the lower house, passes into the one
above, and so on through the whole series to the
top. So much for the principle. In practice it
is evident, sixty thousand square feet can be

S36

TEE GARDEA'ER'S MOJYTHLl. Jfovemher,

heated at the cost usually necessary for six thou-
sand ; and what is more to the point, hot water
in these houses is entirely unnecessary. The
ascending power of heat heing far superior to
the conducting power of water when on a nearly
level surface, heat can be conveyed by mere
pipes to a distance in this way quite inconceiva-
ble by those who have not seen such a house in
operation.

Mr. Peter Henderson has done immense ser-
vice to ihe cause of commercial plant growing,
by his pretty houses, Which, whether new or not,
would never have been so popular but for his ex-
cellent example ; and now we have to inscribe on
the roll of horticultural benefactors the name of
Mr. Strong, whose great success with these side
hill structures we predict will revolutionize the
whole business of bouquet making and winter
plant growing in less than twenty years.

THE ONE-SHIFT SYSTEM OF GROWING
PLANTS.

"When "we were young" the horticultural
world was considerably agitated by a new notion
that it was not necessary to continually repot
plants. A little cutting just rooted could be put
into a " bushel " pot. and as fine a specimen be
thrown as by the frequent changes then popular.
The old school deemed this rank heresy, but the
young fellows who took it in hand, proved their
faith true by their works. They beat the old
plant growers, and carried oft' with their produc-
tions, the leading prizes at the tlower shows.

But a short quarter of a century has passed.
Truth, they say shall live forever ; but in such a
little time this true theory has passed away.
The new creed, so religiously venerated, is now
no more ; and even the strong champions of the
doctrine have returned to their ancient idols,
and are now found worshipping at the same
shrine with the physiological heathens they once
condemned. All alike practice now what the
new lights endeavored to ridicule as the " potter-
ing and fumbling system." The continual shift-
ing of plants from one sized pot to another a lit-
tle larger, as the former gets tolerably well lilled
with roots, is now admitted by all to be tlie best
system of plant culture. The reason of the fail-
ure however, was not known then as we know it
now ; and it may save another school of florists,
who are working the no-drainage theory, the
mortitication of a great failure, if we point out
what was the one thing wanting in the " one

shift system." We have said that for a time
the large pot growers succeeded, but they were
particularly careful of their drainage. A small
pot inverted was usually put over the hole in
the large pot, and broken pots put in up to the
level of the small inverted. Then over this
a layer of moss to keep the- soil from working
in among the drainage. But this was not all.
The soil was used in lumps. The finer particles
would be riddled out, and only the coarse left for
use. In new Holland plants, which were gen-
erally grown in peat, only that of a fibrous tex-
ture would be used, and these usually cut into
pieces half an inch square. Sometimes in addi-
tion to all this, small pieces of brick would be
worked in through the mass ; but with all this
it was found that soil would often sour^ because
the water did not pass away fast enough, and
with this evil the plants would deteriorate even
under the care of the most skilled growers In
short the whole scheme failed through a deficien-
cy of drainage.

The true theory of pot plant culture is
this. Plants feed chiefly on the matters
they take up with water from the soil. As
fost as the moisture evaporates from the leaves,
a new supply of moisture enters through the roots
to take its place. If the soil in a pot does not
get dry ver}' fast, it is a sign that much water is
not being taken up by the roots, and therefore,
the nutritive powers of the plant are not proper-
ly in action. Something is wrong. The want
of drainage often causes this wrong, and in this
way : To have a healthy soil for healthy root.'^,
the atmosphere must circulate freely through it.
The more rapidly water pas-^es through, the
more rapidly air follows. AValer is the pioneer.
Its weight makes a vacuum which the air imme-
diately fills. A soil therefore, which does not
dry fast, contains no air, soon becomes " sour,"
and unfit for healthy plant action The roots
become torpid, and the plant's whole system fol-
lows.

Porous flowers pots allow much water to pass
through them. Plants with a free vigorous
growth, and an abundance of roots in a moder-
ately sma.l pot will absorb most of the moisture
which can be given to them. ''Drainage" on
them is labor lost ; but in the majority of cas::s
it will be found that it will be a long time before
the hole in the bottom can be dispensed with,
and where even this hole is likely to be useful in
encouraging the water to pass rapidly away, it
should be protected from the chance of choking

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

337

by having pieces of broken pots put around it,
and whatever other safeguard skill and experi-
ence may suggest.

PASSIFLORA TRIFASCIATA.

Since the days of Cissus discolor, we suppose

no plant with variegated foliage attracted so
much attention as the Passiflora trifasciata,
exhibited by Mr. Eobert Buist Sr., at the recent
meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety, and a leaf of which we represent in the
following engraving. The ground color of the
leaf is a rosy carmine. The central or variega-

ted portion has three shades, white, rose and I POse it will have also an interest with all others
carmine. We have not seen the flower, but sup- | of the genus. It is a warm greenhouse plant,

S38

THE GABBEX'ER'S MGjMBLY. J\foveinher,

and was first introduced from Brazil by M Y^r-
sclaaffelt of Belsfium.

DR. HOUGHTOX'S ESSAY OX PEAR
CULTURE.

One of the most valuable papers we have had
the pleasure of publishing for some time, is the
essay on Pear Culture before the Penna. Horti-
cultural Society, by Dr. Houghton. We have
under our Horticultural Society notices, given
some of the objections made on the spot during
the discussion, and doubtless others could be
made ; but not any of all this will operate
against the paper, which we have no doubt will
stii up more thought than any thing on fruit
culture which has appeared for a long time.

There is no doubt but Dr. Houghton is correct
when he says in substance that the public idea
of Pear Culture and Profit has been an utter
failure ; that the knowledge and skill which has
directed it to this day, is merely empirical, hav-
ing no foundation in Science, and no success in
practice to recommend it ; and that we have the
whole subject to begin anew, and the hard lesson
to learn over again.

It must be pefectly clear to any reader ot this
valuable essay, that knowledge and skill as
against " natural advantages " must henceforth
play a much more important part in the future
than in the past ; and in this one fact alone, the
paper will be more than worth any objection that
the most critical may make against it.

SCKAPS A^T aUEEIES.

MusrmoOMS. — J. A. D., Washivgton Co., no
Suate given, asks : "How to make a hot bed to
grow Mushrooms."

[It is the easiest thing in the world for one who
knows how to raise them, and yet simple as it is,
it is one of the hardest things to teach to another.
The main principle is that the temperature of the
air and that of the earth must be nearly the same
or they cannot be grown. There must also be a
correspondence between the moisture in the at-
mosphere and that in the soil. The temperature
required is between 55'' and G5^, and the atmos-
phereric moisture just such that a piece of paper
would never get quite dry, or yet so wet that
one could not write on it with ink without its run-
ning too much. This is the best idea we can
give of the conditions necessary. It requires
intellect to comprehend the conditions, simple as
they are ; for we have never seen any one who
never saw a mushroom bed, who could grow
them from reading alone.

"fhe best material for forming the bed, is the
droppings of oat fed horses. These should be col-
lected every day, and placed in a convenient
shed close by the stable, kept dr}^ and turned
over every few days to keep from heating too
strongly. When as much as is required to make
a bed has been collected, lay it about eighteen
inches thick in any place where the above con-
ditions can be secured. The "spawn'' can be
bought in the large seed stores. Break it in

pieces the size of walnuts, place on the
bed a foot apart, and then on this about an inch
of any good garden earth, beaten firm. Water
with water at the temperature above given, and
nothing more is necessary in order to have
plenty of mushrooms, butto beware of any change
in the conditions.

There are many plans by which each can carry
out these principles. When a boy, our "pocket
money " came from the privilege of raising wliat
mushrooms we could in an old cellar under a tool-
house. It succeeded admirably ; and big fat
fellows often sent us on our way to market re-
joicing in our sticcess. In France they roof over
old stone quarries, and make them into caves,
where they are grown by the acre, and almost
all Europe and America supplied in canned mush-
rooms therefrom. When we get a little poorer
at Editing, and must come at length to do some-
thing that will bring in a little money for a living,
mushroom culture is one of the first things we
shall attempt. We are often astonished that
more is not done with it than is. "No bugs,
worms, beetles, aphides, birds, heats, colds, rains,
mildews or moulds" to contend with— nothing re-
quired but strong common sense on the one hand,
and a pocket full of money returns on the other ]

Hai?dy Pears. — H. T.^Arenzville, Ills., says:

" If you woidd give a list of the very hardiest

Pear trees, in extreme cold winters and good

1869.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

SS9

bearers, in the Gardener'' s Monthly, I think you
"would oblige a great many readers."

[So far as hardiness is concerned there is little
difference between one variety and another.
Many growers have given lists of some kinds
which have proved "■ tender " with them ", but
as probably the next door neighbor finds the
the same trees the best he has, the conclusion is
self evident that it is circumstances and not con-
stitution which makes the difference. Produc-
tiveness is another thing. In this class the best
for your region will be perhaps Lawrence, How-
ell, Vicar of Winkfleld,Bartlett,Beurre a'Anjou,
Belle Lucrative, Clairgeau, Seckel, Sheldon, Des
Xonnes, Urbaniste, Kingsessing— 12 very free
bearers. ]

rents are hardy — no matter whether hybrids or
not— why should not the children be? It is a
curious logical position to assume that the chil-
dren of hardy parents must necessarily be ten-
der, because one of the grand parents was not.
Such reversions are assumed, (we do not believe in
them) to occur occasionally in the animal world ;
but admitting this to be true, no one would claim
it by wholesale as in this case — " not one, " says
our friend, liyed.

Magnolia Fcsuata.— 3f/-s. H. P., Pilot
Knob, Mo., says :

" Please inform me through your Gardener''s
Monthly how to treat the "Magnolia fuscata "
so as to induce it to bloom. I have one, (a small
one it is true) but it seems to stand still, scarce
showing a fresh leaf. What kind of soil does it
need, and what should be its treatment gener-
ally."

[We have never known any difficulty in bloom-
ing this sweet flowered plant. All we should
think necessary would be to keep it growing
freely by good soil, and full exposure to the light
and air while growing, so as to have the wood
mature. It is likely the roots have been injured
by overwatering sometime. Take it out and ex-
amine; and if so, wash clean, put it in new sweet
garden earth, in a rather small, well drained pot
until it gets a start again.]

Hybrid Grapes. — A friend says, in reference
to our opinion that Moore's Challenge and Con-
queror are not hybrids, "Mr. Moore has tried re-
peatedly to raise plants from seeds of these, but
has never been able to get one hardy enough to
stand through one year, which, we think, pretty
good evidence of something else besides native
origin." Very true, — there are a great many
" something elses " which make things die be
sides "foreign origin. " All the Native Grapes
on Mr. Moore's place, except these Seedlings and
Clinton, are the next things to dying, that is
diseased. The fruit was all failing from rot and
mildew, and certainly this was from " something
else " than "foreign origin."

Besides, the inference is illogical, for if the pa-

EVEROREEN SEEDS —A Correspondent asks: —
The best time to sow Norway and Hemlock
Spruce seed, and about the price of such seeds.

[They may be sown any time from September
to March or April. The usual range of Norway
Spruce seed is from $1 to $1.50 per pound, and
iiemlock Spruce from $4 to $8, according to the
scarcity or abundance of the crop, or the conve-
nience of the season.

Locust seed is usually sown in the Spring.

Pyrus Japonica Hedue.— /. D., New York
City, asks: " Would you advise to pick off the
blossoms of the Pyrus Japonica, to give it a bet-
ter growth in the Spring. How about mulching
it, as the roots are almost on the surface?

[We do not think any material benefit would
be gained by taking off the flowers of Pyrus .Ja-
ponica,—a good top dressing of manure, call it a
mulch, would be the very best thing to give It a
strong growth in the Spring.]

Improving Lawns.— J^. D., New York City :
" How shall I improve my Lawn. Have used
one of Swift's hand mowers this, summer. It is
full of weeds."

[If the Lawn is new, the continued use of the
Lawn mower will destroy the strong weeds ; al-
the weaker growers get more encouragement.
If the soil is poor, a top dressing of manure that
is free from w^eeds, will help it. Let us know
further particulars, and we shall with pleasure
advise you.]

Diseased Oranges.— J?. M. S., Jersey City,
•'Our oranges and lemons of which we set great
store, have a yellow look. Is there any thin"- to
make them look fresh and green as they did
when we had them years ago ? They are old fa-
vorites from associations, or we should not caie
so particularly about them. Perhaps I ought to

340

THE G ABBE JEER'S MOJ\'TELY.

J^ovemher,

saj' that we keep them in a hail in the winter,
with a little light, but safe from frost. Mr. S.
thinks it is not light enough for them, and thus
the color is ] ale ; but I do not think they are
much tetter in summer time when we stand them
cut in our back yard.''

[They are yellow because sometime or another
the roots have from some cause rotted away
and they have never yet fully recovered. Your
best plan will be to keep the earth about the
roots as dry as possible for this winter, without
actually allowing the leaves to curl, and next
May cut the plants back considerably— stump
Ihcm in, as the gardeners say, and plant them
out in a rich piece of ground if you have such in
your back yard, and take up and repot them the
next winter. If you have no little garden in the
back yard, you can after cutting back the plants,
wa.^-h the roots out of the old soil, and plant in
pots or tubs little larger than is necessary to
hold the diminished roots, and after they have
staited to grow freely, repot again into larger
ones. Be careful after this that the water does
not stagnate in the pots or tubs, or the roots
will again get injured, and the leaves get yellow
again ; aflbrd every facihty for the water getting
away rapidly.]

Acer colchicum kubkum.— 3/r. /. W. Wood,
Washington Heights, JSf. Y., says : I think it is
well once in a while to retrace our steps or to re-
vert to our experiences in horticultural matters,
to refresh our memories. This refreshing of
memories is not only pleasant to us, but I pre-
sume.it will be, or ought to be pleasant and re-
freshing to the younger members of our craft.

Acer colchicum rubrum, I purchased of the
late Mr. Keid of the Elizabethtown Nurseries.
I remarked to him and also to yourself when I saw
a few plants of it in your nursery, what a valua-
ble addition it would he to the list of our shade
trees. But unfortunately a cloud has veiled the
beauty ot my dream regarding it. The original
plant I* had from Mr. Reid's, got struck with
w hat I call fire blight,-whatever this may be. To
my mind 1 have never seen any satisfactory ex-
planation of it yet, any more than I have of the
potato rot. My private impression is that it is
analogous to the cholera in the human family.

BuUo resume, or retrace : the leading shoot
of my maple was killed outright to within two
eet of the base, and of course the shoots pushed
vigorously from the base. I mentioned this to

Mr. Baumann the landscape gardener, now at
Eahway, N. J. He asked me for a few shoots
to graft i I gave thera to him ; the rest I layered
and got 6 or 7 good plants from them ; but one-
half of them have been attacked or suffered in
the same way. Now the question is, is it relia-
ble or worth while to put in a catalogue as a val-
uable addition to our shade tr^e list ? What
say you or your correspondents ?

[If a man is liable to cholera, ought it to be a
question whether "mankind is reliable ?"' or "a
valuable addition to our list of animals ?" We
know of very few trees but are as liable to the
attacks of parasites as children at school are to
peculiar insects, — it is not the children or plants
which are to blame, but the circumstances. The
same parasite which attacks the Acer colchicum,
attacks the Sugar Maple ; indeed is an emigrant
from the Sugar Maple, of which many hundreds
are totally destroyed by it. We have seen the
Red Colchican Maple occasionally diseased in
the way described ; but there are in this district
many scores of fine trees, which the owners we
know would not willingly part with, and which
we could no more do without than without pota-
toes, sugar maples, pears or any other good
thing liable to parasitic blight. Our friend has
our best thanks however for calling attention to
it, for this maple parasite has never before been
noticed in our magazine, and it is necessary for
friends to look out for, cut away, and burn the
affected parts to keep it from spreading, wher-
ever it does chance to appear.]

The Ramie plant agatn^.— £., Brooklyn,
Neio York, writes: '"The remarks about this
plant may be well, if understood that everything
IS liable to be pushed to extremes, and thus some
may find no market ; but there is certainly a
market for more Ramie than has yet been offer-
ed. I was recently informed by the Hon. J. W.
Gregory, that a company had been organized in
New Orleans, by men who know how much of
the material they can sell, to put two thousand
acres under Ramie culture next year. This cer-
tainly looks like business."

We give this extract for what it may be worth.
"B." gives us no other name ; and we do not
know who is "Hon. J. W. Gregory." With the
memory of sundry "companies" before us, it
does not follow that things "going to be done,"
get actually accomplished.

1869.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

341

Cedar Seed.— ^. JZ"., CincinnaU, O.— Red
Cedar seed sown last spring did not come
up last year. The seed must have been
good, as I gathered it fresh from trees in Kew
York State. Can you give a reason for my fail-
ure ; a few other pines grew very well, and all
sowed together. [Red Cedar and all the juniper
family to which the Red Cedar belongs, take
time to grow. They seldom come up till the sec-
ond year. The plan with most seedsman is to
keep them in a box of earth with soil for a year
— "rot heap," they familiarly say of the mass of
soil and seed, and then sow the following spring.
A few will come up the first year ; but we know
of no way of getting up a whole crop in short
time.]

Red Willow- — Under this name Mr. J. C.
Cary sends us from Nebraska, specimens, which
prove to be from Satix petiolaris. We did ndt
know it grew to be so large a tree as Mr. C. rep-
resents, and it must be worth culture for its or-
namental character.

Glazing without Putty.— S*. B , Balti-
more, Mil. — "•! see accounts of glazing without
putty. How is this done ? [The best kind of
glazing "without putty," is that wherein only
putty is used for bedding in the glass, none being
used for the outside. Putty is placed on the
rabets and the glass pressed in so as to lay regu-
larly on the putty as in the usual way ; but what
may squeeze through the edge of the glass, and
side of the wood, is smoothed down to b3 level
with the face of the glass. The wood above the
glass is simply painted ; this is found better than
putty, in this, that it never cracks, and so water
does not "drip" through.]

New Abutilons. — C. K. P., Baltimore, Md ,
says : "Enclosed I send you a few seedling Abu-
tilons ; they are of the Mesopotamieum crossed
with the Striatum. Please inform me through
the Monthly if they are worth propagating."

[These are beautiful hybrids, superior in beau-
ty the Mesopotamica, and of a much more bril-
liant color than striatum. Certainly they are
worth propagating. You have made a lucky
hit. No. 7, is nearly as large as striatum with
broad rich colored petals ; No. 4, has long nar-
row petals, lighter in color than the others ; No.
6, is also narrow and long, but of a deep reddish
brown ; No. 3, is very distinct in its long sharp

calyx lobes, and would interest a botanist ; but
those we have named are the best florists flowers.

Tree planting in the South —3f. B ,
Dansville, Virginia. — "Planting is usually re-
commended to be done before November. This
is my first season here, and I should be glad of
your opinion whether to plant now or in the
spring for this latitude." When the advice is
civen to plant before November, that is under-
stood of north of the Potomac and Cumberland
rivers. South of that it may go on all through
the winter. Indeed we do not know but in South
Virginia and further down, December is the
best mouth of all the year for planting.

Ipojiea tuberculata. — Last May we re-
ceived the following very kind note from Dr.
Conrad of the Pennsylvania Hospital. "I send
you a plant of what I believe to be Ipomea tu-
berculata, and which I think may prove a useful
climber for out-door garden decoration. I raised
it from seed received from Montevideo about
seven years ago. These were not sown until
two years ago, and as they did not flower the
first summer, from its quinate leaves, I mistook
it for Passion Flower ; but last summer it flow-
ered in the garden, and proved to be an Ipomea.
It was planted against a south wall, and grew
with great luxuriance, making shoots twenty or
thirty feet long, and flowering from July until
November. The flowers are solitary, on a large
peduncle ; of a bright glossy light purple, larger
than the common Morning Glory, but not so
large as I. Learii. It did not seed but was read-
ily propagated from long running shoots from
its base, which root (even when covered only by
by damp leaves) at every joint.

Ipomea tuberculata is an old plant introduced
into England in 1815 from the East Indies ; but
I am not aware that it has ever been grown in
the open air, and suspect it to be rare as a green-
house plant. Its beautiful fine parted leaves,
and elegant flowers, with its vigorous growth
will I think make it a fine addition to our summer
climbing plants, and if you find it to succeed as
well as I have, you may perhaps some day call
attention to it in your Gardener's Monthly, to
which I have been a subscriber from its start,
and to which I am indebted for many pleasant
hours and much valuable information I am
not positive that this is Ipomea tuberculata, but
it answers better to the description of that in De

3J^2

THE GA:RBI::N'ER'S MOKTHL'Y. JVovemUr,

Candolle's Prodromus than to any other, but not
to the plate in the "Botanical Register,'' to which
he refers. It is a little singular that De Can-
dolle should refer hoth this plant and I. dasys-
pcrnia to the same j^late, No. 81 of the Botanical
Begisfer.

[It was planted out in the open gi-ound on a
6fteen feet trellis, and has been one of the most
beautiful ornaments of the grounds. In bloom
from August till frost. The flowers of a pale li-
lac. It is clearly Ipomea tuberculata.]

"Work on Plants.—^. B., Port Lavaca,
Calhoun Co., Texas, writes : — I am cultivating
fruits, flowers and ornamental trees, &c., for
sale, but am not an educated botanist, but take
great pleasure in the study. I would like to get
some work giving all the later discoveries in the
botanical kingdom, describing the habitation,
character, cultivation and propagation of the
same. I have an old edition of "Loudon's En-
cyclopedia of Plants. " which is very satisfactory,
but does not embrace the later acquisitions. Is

there a later edition than 1S55, and can it be
had in this country, and at what price ? Or
have we a tetter work, and who is the publish-
er, and what is the price V

[Supplements to Loudon'' s Encyclopedia are
frequently published, and by asking for supple-
ments since 1855 these could be had through any
importing bookseller, or their agents in the coun-
try towns There is also an excellent work
pretty well down to modern times. "27ie Treas-
ury of Botany,'''' by Lindley and Moore. Not
published in America ; but like the other, could
be obtained through importing booksellers.

Pronunciation of Name.— Ji. B. C, St.
Louis, Mo. We believe Mr. Roezl pronounces
his name as if written Retzel.

To Correspondents. — We have yet some
inquiries unanswered, for which we beg a short
indulgence from our correspondents. If any are
not immediately replied to, it is never because
they are unwelcome.]

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, &C.

Fbctits and Fkuit Tkees of America.
Cliarlcs Dowiiin};.

Revised by

The year 1845 marked era in American horti-
culture. We had before that many works, good
works, on American gardening ; but the appear-
ance at this point of "Fruits and Fruit Trees of
America,'' by A. J. Downing, was an uncom-
mon event in this, that it seemed at one bound
to bring America up to the European standpoint;
and beget for our horticulture an enthusiasm at
home, and a respect abroad, Mr. Thompson,
recently deceased, had already done a similar
thing for England, through the Horticultui-al
Society. His work was the great work of the
age, and Mr. Downing's came just in time to di-
vide the honors with the old country.

We all know how it grew. A new edition was
called for soon after his lamented death ; and the
first revised one, by his brother Charles Down-
ing, was nearly double the size of the original.
Now we have the second revised edition, which
is really a superb work of over 1000 pages, and
is without doubt the finest complete work on
fruits ever issued in any country.

"A man born on the banks of one of the no-
blest and most fruitful rivers in America, and

whose best days have been spent in gardens and
orchards, may be pardoned for talking about
fruit trees," says the author of the first book;
and in the same strain we ma}' say that the bro-
ther of such a man, inspired by the same spirit ;
and aside from fraternal feelings, animated by the
same love ^ve all feel for our lost friend, may
well be pardoned for leaving as much of the
practical part of the work just as the original wri-
ter left it. We know that if his progressive mind
had still been with us, he would have re-written
the whole, and yet we would rather receive it as
Mr. Charles Dovvning presents it — a tribute to
the memory of its author, than the re-modeled
work of another mind. Yet we have sufficient
progress in the notes appended ; not so sweeping a
correction of old ideas, of course, as the work of
Mr. Charles Downing's own pen on an entirely
new work might produce ; but yet enough to
keep the facts up with the times.

In i\\2 classification however, Mr. C. Downing
has departed from the original plan. The other
editions divided apples into qualities, and then
subdivided into seasons. These have been found
so wanting in reliability, and those proposed by

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOiMTRLY.

SJfS

every other author proving no better, every at-
tempt at classification has been abandoned, and
the simple alphabetical order adopted. We do
not know that any other conclusion could be ar-
rived at in our present state of knowledge, though
we do not see that it is impossible, yet it is un-
fortunate that it should be so. There is now no
hope that pomology — descriptive pomology, — will
ever become a science ; be anything more than a
mere matter of memory, varying as memory
does, not only with each individual, but in each
individual as time grows on him. There are
over two thousand apples described in the book ;
and a stranger wishing to become acquainted
with it, has to make up his mind to look through
two thousand chances of finding it, a task few
will venture on. We think that the old system
of seasons, imperfect as it was, still good in this
respect, as it afforded a clue. Admitting that
an apple which at the north is a winter, becomes
an autumn fruit at the south; still most would know
that the fruit came from the north, and be pre-
pared to make an allowance accordingly ; and
yet perhaps the objection is a valid one, that
rules which require so much mental allowances
are as bad as none. We believe that the system

we have often proposed in the Gardener''s Month-
ly perfectly practicable, namely classification b>/
types. But we have too many duties to attempt
it, and cannot interest in it those who have less.
The beauty of such a system would be that scores
of men could be working the subject at the same
time, and not conflict with each other,— eacli
taking his own type and working up just as
many botanists will work on one book, each tak-
ing up his own natural order for study. The
true object of any system is to group together
objects which are distinct, and yet similar to
each other. We have no difficulty in associating
in our mind a Monmouth Pippin with a Peck's
Pleasant ; a Lowell with a Porter ; a Pennock
with a Stark, and when like is brought together
with like in a system of classification, there
ought to be no difficulty in describing inlangimge
so clear that no one can mistake, wherein onediffirs
from another one.

Well, this time may never come, — until it does .
no one can do without Fruits and Fruit trees of
America. It is indeed the only descriptive work we
have which gives a description of aW known fruits.
It is published in style worthy of its distinguish-
ed authors, by John Wiley & Son, I^ew York.

MW AND HAEE PLANTS.

DiPLADENIA (ECHITES) BOLIVIENSIS. — This

distinct and beautiful stove plant may be best
described as a very free flowering White Dipla-
denia. In habit it is very compact, producing
an abundance of flowers in a much smaller state
than almost any other species. The foliage is
medium in size, of a light glossy green color. —
The flowers are somewhat smaller than those of
D. crassiuoda, pure white, with a distinct yellow
centre.

It forms a pleasing addition to the already
popular Dipladenias.

Erantiiemum aspersum. — A beautiful stove
flowering shrub, introduced from the Solomon
Islands by Mr. J. G. Veitch.

It has glabrous branches, ovate oblong leaves,
forming a long leafy inflorescence of very slender
long-tubed white flowers.

Each flower has an expanded bilabiate limb of
five segments, four of which are dotted with pur-
ple, and the fifth heavily blotched with the same
color, like the lip of an Orchid. It is of very

easy growth, dwarf in habit, and an abundant
bloomer.

It is figured in the "Botanical Magazine"' for
May, 1868.

Hedakoma (Darwinia) riMBRiATA.— This
very distinct and beautiful greenhouse plant was
introduced from the southwest of Australia.

In character it closely resembles the well-known
Hedaroma Tulipifera, but is dwarfer, and blooms
more freely in a small state.

The flowers are < f medium size, bell-shaped,
of a bright rosy color, and beautifully fringed
round the outer edge. It is a decided addition
to that useful and popular class of greenhouse or
conservatory flowering plants.

Maranta (Calathea) tubtspatha.— a
beautiful stove plant, introduced from Western
Tropical South America. The following des-
cription is taken from the " Botanical Magazine"
of November, 1865, in which number it is figured:
— " A very graceful species. Its habit and pret-
tily blotched leaves cannot fail to render it a

su

TEE GABDEJSlEK'S MOJVTELY. - JVoveiiiher,

valuable addition to our variegated stove plants."
The leaves are obovate, elliptical, shortly acu-
minate, from 8 to 12 inches in length, of a pale
green color, with a row on each side of the mid-
rib of a pair of oblong deep brown blotches— the
striking contrast between the live!}' green ground-
Avork of the leaf and the brown blotches render-
ing this plant at once distinct and elegant.

Crotox (Codt^usi) aucub^folittm.— One
of the most distinct of the many fine varieties of
the Croton, found by Mr. J. G. Yeitch in the
South Sea Islands.

It foims a handsome compact growing shrub,
with oblong acuminate leaves 6 to 8 inches long,
by 2 to 3 in Avidth, tapering at the base. The
surface of the foliage is of a beautiful dark glossy
green, thickly studded with yellow, or somewhat
crimson blotches, the midrib and veins being
slightly tinged with pink. Bearing a strong re-
semblance to the well-known Aucuba japonica

of gardens, it takes its name from that popular
plant.

Ceoton (Codi^um) H1LLIANU3I. — Amongst
the many Crotons introduced by Mr. J. G.Veitch
from the South Sea Islands, none are likely to be
more useful and generally appreciated than this
fine variety.

It is probably the most compact and close
growing kind of the whole collection, and this
characteristic, added to its beautiful shining va-
riegated foliage, renders it a fine ornamental
plant and peculiarly adapted for filling vases or
for table decoration.

The foliage is oblong sub spathulate acumi-
nate, from 6 to 7 inches in length, by 2 to 3 in
width, the upper surface being shining purplish
green, the midrib and veins bright crimson, and
the under surface dull purple. It is remarkable
for the reddish-yellow effect of its foliage.

cv-y.

A^'P KARE FRUITS.

Mammoth Cluster EASPBERRY^Y^We.hdve
an article from Mr. Purdy, showing wherein\his
din^-s from kinds with which it has been c\)n-
founogjtl,' which shall appear next n^pn'th ; in the
mea^im^iti«4*«tfairtosay, that J. J. Thomas,
T. C. Maxwell, E. W. Herendeen, J. B. Jones,
and A. Merrill, of-Geneva, well known names,
say it is distinct from Miami. J. J. Thomas, in
Country Genikimtn, of Aug. 12th, says of a visit:

" The several visitors who were found on the grounds,
including a number of prominent Geneva nurserymen,
all gave the preference to the Mammoth Cluster, as the
most desirable black cap they had examined. Growing
along side the Miami and other sorts, it was obviously
distinct from all. In size it rather exceeded any other,
many^of the berries measuring lhrfi©4^tirth» of an inch
in diameter. The Miami measured notovei S*i»-eJg*JJ»s.
Tlie flavor of kthe Mammoth was generally regarded as
superioi[to;most others; while its more fleshy and less
Keedy character addedjto its value. ^

The CAMrBEEE Apple is an accidental seed-
ling that sprung up about fifteen years ago close
to the wall of a brick house occupied by George
W. Campbell, Esq., of Delaware, Ohio. The
tree is a Aigorous, strong grower; habit open
spreading ; limbs not crowded ; shoots [^stout,

rather blunt ; fohage abundant, leaves rather
large. It has borne a good crop regularly every
year since it commenced bearing. Fruit quite
uniform ; size from medium to large, and hangs
very finely to the tree. It is evidently a late
keeper, but heretofoi*e they have been "too good
to keep " later than January. — Iowa Homestead.

3

J^EW Strawberries. — BurMngton Co., New

Jersey, is claiming the honors among new Seed-
ling Strawberries. Turner's Favorite, Turner's
Queen, Turner's Nonsuch, Turner's Beauty and
Turner's Prolific have been recently advertised.
One, the Queen, received a special premium from
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, June
16th, 18C9.

McLaren's Prolific Raspberry is a new
variety brought out in England, and not yet in-
troduced here. It is said to be ttco iceeks earlier
than their earliest. The Fruit Committee of the
London Horticultural Society says it is remark-
able for the size of its berries, and for its fertility.
The fruit is light red, and nearly globose.

1SG9,

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

345

INTELLIGENCE.

"Westerx IIortiuclture. — Dr. E. S. Hull,
without whom western horticulture would never
occupy the high position it does now, has been
added to the editorial staff of the Prairie J^arme?-.

Honey Locust. He thinks that Honey Locust
is much less durable in some localities than in
others, not lasting half a3 long in Missouri as in
Kentucky.

Grapes iisr Iowa. — At a recent meeting of
horticulturists at Greenwood, Iowa, whose pro-
ceedings are reported in the Iowa Homestead.
The Martha, Hartford Prolific, Clinton and Con-
cord, were all spoken highly of. Catawba had
no friends.

The Western Triumph Blackberry. —
The Western Rural says, in flavor is surpassed
by nothing it knows of in the Blackberry list.
Cultivated fcr ten years by John Masters, of
Waukeganj^Ills.

Large Apples.— Mr. Godfrey Shipf, of Law-
renceviUe, has apples of the Fallawalder variety,
the largest of which weighs 19 ounces. Mrs. So-
phia Michener of Coventreville, sends one to the
office of the Montgomery Ledger, that weighed
18|^ ounces. The North Eastern part of our
country seems to be well supplied with fine ap-
ples this season.

Grapes in Michigan. — A correspondent of

Ifichigan Farmer, at Ada, says, The varieties
that have done the best this season on the Grand
Kiver flats, and on the hills, are Delaware, lona.
Concord, Hartford, Anna, and a black grape
called Early July.

Apples on Pear Trees. — The following
curious paragraph is floating around :

A branch of an apple tree, presented to the
Buffalo Society of Natural Science recently by
G, R. Wilson, shows, within the length of three
inches, two fully developed and apparently dis-
tinct kinds of fruit ; one an apple, the other a
pear.

Durability of Honey Locust. — A Missou-
ri correspondent of the Country Gentleman says
that Honey Locust, for posts, is about as dura-
ble as sassafras, not equal to black Walnut ; one
black walnut post is worth three or four of

Apples for Minnesota. — The Minnesota
Monthly has some accounts from the State, by
which we learn that the best varieties for that
part of the world are Duchesse of Oldenburg,
Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, Red Queen,
Gravenstein, Hawthornden, Tallman Sweet,
Golden Russett, Fameuse, Summer Pearaiain,
Limber Twig, Sops of Wine, Seek-no-further
and Tammany.

Destruction of Insects.— We have repeat-
edly urged that the only way to keep down in -
sects, is to persistently fight them. The
Vinelanders have adopted this plan in earnest.
and have offered premiums for the greatest war-
riors. The following is the list in competition :

CURCULIOS.

4.4+6 Mr. Burge.
1,315 C. Cobufn.
955 C. A. Kinney.
800 A. N. Gage
A few other persons have brought in enough
to make the total 9,289.

ROSEBUGS :

Dr. W.T. Young. 29,737|Mr. Burge.
J. C Parsons. ' 22,890;C. M. Goodrich
E. W. Grav. 18,254 J. Ingram.

J. McMahau. 13,227 R. Ingram.

The four highest numbers of each of the above
lists have been awarded premiums.

C. B. Campbell

D. P. Ames.
R. Ingraham.
P. Snyder.

780
480
292
121

10,711
8,580
7.200
7,006

Minnesota Apples.— The Winona Republi-
can, informs us that John Hart, of Rollingstone,
has in his orchard the Early Harvest, Red As-
trichan, Red June, Duchess of Oldenburg, and
the Kiug,and that they are all doing well. Very
probably, but what suits Winona, in this mat-
ter will not, perhaps, be of moment to other
parts of the State. The idea is this ! What is
applicable to Winona may not be applicable to
other localities. We doubt with the exception
of the Duchess, if we could raise any of the
above list, in this vicinity.— i^armer's (Minn )
Union.

SJfS

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJ^TKLY. :h^overriber,

The Change of Color of the leaves in Au-
tumn from gveen to red has been attributed to
the effect of acid, and it was asserted that the
green color could be restored by submitting the
leaves to the action of an alkali. This hypothe-
sis, however, was advanced without any basis
of facts to support it, but the Loudon Athenceuvi
now asserts tliat the theory has been established
by experiment. Autumn leaves placed under an
exhausted receiver with vapor of ammonia, it is
asserted, in nearly every instance lost the red
color and renewed their green. In some leaves,
such as the sassafras, the blackberry, and ma-
ple, the change was rapid, and could be watched
by the eye, while others, particularly certain
oaks, turned gradually brown, without showing
any appearance of green.

History of Orxamextal Leaved Zoxale
Pelargoniums.— The Pelargoniums (which by
some inexplicable perversity are better known as
Geraniums) are mostly indigenous to the south-
ern, while the true Geraniums are chiefly natives
of the northern hemisphere. They are nearly all
natives of the Cape of Good Hope ; and Pelargo-
nium zonale and inquinans,from which the orna-
mental-foliaged varieties have no doubt descend-
ed, appear to have been introduced into this
country about the year 1710. It may not be pos-
sible to state the precise date when the first va-
riegated variety of these plants appeared ; but
Sir Thomas More, Bart., in a work entitled
" The Flower Garden Displayed," and dated
1734, mention the bringing into England from
the Paris gardens of a variety, the leaves of
which were edged with cream color, and which,
he says, made a beautiful shrub amongst green-
house jilants. It is quite possible that this may
have been the same variety which was afterwards
known as Miller's Yariegated Geranium. Pre-
vious to 184S t'.iere were in cultivation two or
three varieties of silver margined Pelargoniums,
apparently allied to the I^osegay section, the
best and most useful of them being Mangles'
Variegated. With this exception they were of
little merit, and when, during the year 1847 or
1848, Mr. Kinghorn originated the variety called
Flower of the Day, the first broad-petaled varie-
gated Pelargonium which had been produced, it
created quite a sensation among horticulturists.
The late Mr. Donald Beaton, in writing upon
the subject, said he had been told that before
long another variety would appear which would
make him " claw his head "—one whose foliage

would contain no less than three distinct colors.
It is possible that this prediction may have re-
ferred to the variety afterwards known as At-
traction, which was produced by the same rai.
ser, and was introduced to the public some two
years after the advent of Flower of the Day.
This variety was, I think, the first of the silver
tricolors or silver A'ariegated zonals.

I will now refer to the golden variegated zonals
or golden tricolors as some call them. Up to the
year 1855, I think, no golden margined Pelargo-
nium existed, with the exception of the well
known Golden Chain, and possibly one or two
inferior sorts. It is not known how, when, or
where Golden (''hain originated, but is probably
a sport from P. inqulnans. I have the authority
of H. Turner, Esq., of Seech Hill, Bury St.
Edmund's, for stating that a plant of this varie-
ty existed in the plant stoves of the Botanic
Garden of that town as early as the year 1822,
and the plant looked at that time sufficiently
venerable to have induced the belief than it had
seen the close of the last century.

To the late Mr. D. Beaton is due in a great
measure the credit of bringing this ornamental
Pelargonium into notice as a bedding plant, and
this he did with excellent efiect in thefamous gar-
dens at Shrubland Park as early as the year 1847
or 1848. From about this time until the year 1855
gardeners professional and amateur, appeared to
be quite satisfied (as they well might be) with
the neat and ornamental foliaged Golden Chain
for bedding out, and other decorative purposes
in the flower garden, &c. It is just possible that
this state of contentment might have lasted for
some time longer, had not a certain restless indi-
vidual," observing the great advances which
had been made in the improvement of the silver-
margined sorts (and to which improvement he
had in some degree contributed), fancied that
something similar might also be effected with the
golden-margined variety. Accordingly, a cross
was effected between Golden Chain and a heavi-
ly zoned green-leaved sort, which was known by
the name of Cottage ;Maid. The two best of this
batch of seedlings had the honor to be named
Golden Tom Thumb, and Golden Cerise Unique.
Again, employing the last named varieties, chief-
ly as pollen parents, and using a strong-growing
zonale seedling, afterwards named Emperor of
the French, as the seed-bearer. Gold Pheasant
was produced ; and a union between this varie-
ty and the Emperor of the French, produced the
celebrated Mrs. Pollock,and also sunset. It will
thus be seen that the work was, and will no
doubt continue to be, progressive in its develop-
ment.

1869.

THE GARDE jyER'S MOJVTELY.

SIfl

It may be necessary to notice the advent of
another race or section of ornamental-foliaged
Pelargoniums, which are variously known as
" bronze zonales," " bicolors," &c. They possi-
bly owe their distinctive character to a similar
cause to that which produced the variegated va-
rieties, viz., abstraction (non-production) of
chlorophyll, or green coloring matter, from their
foliage, but in this case the abstraction affects
the entire surface of the leaf, and does not, as in
the case of the variegated varieties, apply to the
margins only. Although these plants are but of
comparatively recent introduction, there is never-
theless some degree of uncertainty as to their ori-
gin. One thing, however, respecting them is
certain, viz., that they had no existence pre-
vious to the introduction of the golden variegated
zonals. If a batch of seedlings be raised between
green zonals and golden variegated zonals, a per-
centage of bronze zonals will usually be obtained ;
and if seeds be saved from the latter, without
artificial impregnation having been resorted to,
about one-half ot the progeny will prove to be
bronze zonals, and the remainder green zonals,
there will most probably not be one variegated
zonal amongst them.

It is difficult to conjecture what may be the
future of these varieties or tribes of ornamental-
foliaged Pelargoniums. Some people go so far

as to say that they have already reached their
extreme limits, and that little if any further ad-
vance can be expected. I am scarcely prepared
to submit to this dictum, as I certainly believe
that their still exists considerable space tor im-
provement. As has already been exemplified in
their case, nature evidently cannot be induced to
lake very wide strides as she pursues the path of
improvement, but when fairly set in motion it
is hard to say when or where she may be brought
to a standstill. Moreover, in addition to the
straight-forward march of improvement, which
may still, I believe, be followed out with success,
there are also probabilities of divergence from
that path, in the form of sports or Imus naXiiT(X.,
which may form the base or starting point of
lines which may ultimately lead to new and de-
sirable developments, distinct form, and possibly
superior to, existing varieties. Without indulg-
ing in expectations of advantages likely to be
secured from contingencies which may not occur-
there is still, I repeat, abundance of room for
progressive improvement in these interesting
plants ; and I earnestly beg to impress upon the
raisers of them the necessity of resisting all in.
ducements to introduce to the public, varieties
which are found upon trial not to be superior to
sorts already known.— Mr. Greene in Gar-
de?ier's Chronicle.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

"Wc give a condensed account of the proceed-
ings as follows .

In the discussion on apples.

The Fall Orange was spoken well of for north-
ern New York, and northern and central Penn-
sylvania,— Edwards, a good "Virginia kind, ri-
pens with Early Harvest. Mr. Gillingham of
Vermont, Va., thought it his best early apple.
The Pilot fiom Nelson Co., Va., was valued at
Richmond ; a winter apple. The Westhrooke or
Speckled, already noticed in the Monthly was in-
troduced by Mr. Blodgett from Warren Co., Pa.,
where it has been prized for thirty years. The
Early Congress, was the best early apple Mr.
Adams of Portland, Me., knew. In season mid-
dle of July. The Pennock, was decided to be dis-
tinct from the Stark. Bachelor''s Blush, was not
Maiden's Blush ; Dr. Warder said Bachelors

never blushed, and Mr. Hyde added that in Mas-
sachusetts neither Bachelors nor Maidens blush-
ed. Southern King was a good apple of North
Carolina. Missouri Pippin one of the best Kansas
fruits; sometimes called Park's Jiecjjer; looks like
Ben Davis. Grimes'' Golden Pippin, commended
for quality and productiveness. Parry White of
New Jersey, good market fruit of average quality.
Winter Queen, Fall Queen, was the same as
Buckingham, which originated in Buckingham
Co., Va.— a variable fruit. The Orange yijjp/e
of New Jersey, was distinct from Lowell. The
Orange Sweet of Maryland, was different to the
New Jersey orange. The Green and Yellow
Newtown Pippin, Dr. Ilousely thought not dis-
tinct. The Wagner of Illinois had several warm
advocates, and gave rise to a discussion on root
grafting. Many thought it as good as any other
Avay. Moody of Lockport objected, a whole root
was as good, but not pieces ; but the President

S4S

THE GARBEXER'S MOJYTHLY

JS^ovemher,

suggested that this was crown grafting, and not
what is usually understood by root grafting.

PEARS.

Clapp''s Favrrife, well recommended from many
localities, must be gathered early or it will rot at
the core. lintter, praised by several Pennsylva-
nians. Dnynnve du Cornice^ good in New York,
but not with Wilder and Hyde of Mass. Niles,
equal to Easter Beurre. but like that kind, must
be healthy to ripen well Wilmington, com-
mended by Mr Barry. Dana's Hovey, good
for standard, and general opinion good. Presi-
dent, a large yellow pear of healthy growth, but
second quality. Beurre Nantais, no one respond-
ed for. Boiisselet de Meistre, of not much value.
Assn7nptton and Souvenir du Congress, Mr. Wil-
der said promised well. Selleck, a Vermont
pear no one knew much of. Buchesse de Bor-
deaux, will not grow on quince ; first-rate on
standard in Philadelphia ; juicy and aromatic ;
does not grow so large in Massachusetts. Emil^
d'Heyst, Wilder, Hyde and Berckmans spoke in
its fovor. Goodale, healthy tree, September,
gather early or will rot at the core. Doyenne
BoussocJi, much praised, but one speaker in
Pennsylvania had noticed a tendency to crack-
Josephine de MaUnes, good on quince in New Jer-
sey : not productive with Berckmans in Georgia,
nor with Hovey ; but one of the best at Rochester.
Quinnehaj. resembles Vicar of Winkfield, but not
so good. Baron de Mello, highly praised by
some, and much abused by others. Consillier
de la Coeur, or Due d"* Orleans, of the Boussock
class,* promising, but some speakers seemed shy
of it. Beurre de Montgeron, resembles, but is not
Frederick of Wurtemburg, according to Ilovey,
and is according to Satterthwaite, who found it
more profitable than Bartlett's or Seckels ;
others had not found them bear abundantly.
Itogers\ a seedling from lloxbury, Massachu-
setts, partaking of Washington and Louise
Bonne de Jersey in quality, and promising well.
Of iJe&e, a North Carolina pear no one knew.
Edmonds, must be gathered early. General Tot-
leben, keeps all January, and good. Styer, a
good growing variety. Sarah and Newhall, two
Boston varieties promising well. Kirtland, only
good when gathered very early. Beurre Durand,
promised well with Mr. Wilder. Mount Vernon,
first- rate when gathered early. Bonner, Aber-
crombie and Cope''s Pear, all names for one thing ;
in Georgia, grows well, but not productive in
Tennessee, a little better in Georgia. Coit Pear,
an Illinois seedling, resembles old Brown Beurre ;

a good pear. Caen de France, one of the best
winter pears by Wilder and Hovey.

Souvenir de E.^peren, Wilder says is a fine tree
and fruit. Mary of Ohio, promises well as a
summer pear in Philadelphia British Queen,
an English kind, fruited by Houghton, astrin-
gent, but large and handsome. Madam Treve,
Louise Bonne de Printemps, Little Margaret an 3
Supreme de Quimfer, were favored by Wilder.
Brandywine, one of the best pears in the list.

PEACHES.

Furness, good in Philadelphia. Hale's Early,
rots generally east before maturity ; in Georgia
and Tennessee their best Griffith, fine, but a
poor bearer in Georgia. Tennessee and District
of Columbia ; reproduces tolerably true from
seed. Forster's Seedling, as good as Early Craw-
ford in Massachusetts. Golden Dwarf, good as
an ornamental bush. Druid Hill, discarded for
better ones.

PLTJMS.

The Wild Goose was the only one discussed ;
several spoke highly of it.

CHERRIES.

Early Bichmond, profitable everywhere, though
rotting a little in Illinois.

President Wilder, speaking of the "Red Jack-
et," said it succeeded well in Missashusetts ;
was very hardy, but not of the best class.

Dr. Sylvester, of New York, said tliat they
had more money in the sweet cherry ; they paid
much better than the "Richmond."

Mr. Williams of New Jersey, had about twenty
varieties, but deemed "Coe's Transparent" as
the best dinner or plate cherry.

Mr. Frierson, of Tennessee, intimated that
the cultivation of cherries in Tennessee was a
total failure.

The President then suggested that each dele-
gate should name one variety of cherry which
was considered to be the best and most flourish-
ing in the section where he resided. The names
are as follows :

The President named "Downer's Late" for
Massachasetts .

Mr. Saul named "Coe's Transparent" for
Washington.

Mr. Lines named "Early Richmond" for Kan-
sas.

Mr. Quinn named "Coe's Transparent" for
New Jersey.

Mr. Frierson named "Coe's Transparent" for
Tennessee.

Mr. Arnold named 'Old Kentish" for Canada.

1869'

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTIILY,

3If9

Mr. Nicholson named ''Early Riclimond" for
Indiana.

Mr. Coit named "Coe's Transparent" for
Connecticut.

Dr. Sylvester named "Coe's Transparent''
for New York.

Mr. Downer named ' Coe's Transparent" for
Kentucky.

Mr. Frierson named "Belle de Choisy" for
Tennessee.

Mr. Wier named "Early Eicbmond'' for Illi-
nois.

STRAWBERRIES.

The President asked for Mr. Median's expe-
rience of the Mexican JEverhearing. Meehan said it
was distinct from any Alpine variety that he
knew, so far as he had seen it in Detroit. It
bore there abundantly, and promised to do so
through the season, not high flavored, but with
the usual delicious aroma of Alpines, which with
the usual cream and sugar, made a luxurious
feast. It was a good amateurs variety. Wier
said it was only so good as Meehan saw it on ac-
count of the very wet season, which seemed to
suit that variety. Warder said he confirmed all
that Meehan had said, as he also had seen it.
Elliott did the same— Capen of Boston also had
seen it, and spoke in its praise. Fuller said he
had plants from Mr. "Whiting, and they proved
identical in every respect with his old Red Al-
pine. Meehan said he thought he was familiar
with the old Eed Alpine, and supposed the
others who had spoken also were. He thought
it strange that one could see no difference where
a score of others could. If one could see no dif-
ference between black and white, and a dozen
othero could, it was a misfortune but would not
help the facts. Mr. Fuller said he would send
plants of his old Red Alpine to any one, and
they could plant the Mexican by its side, and
see if he was not right.

Peake''s Em^eror^ a seedling, resembled Agri-
culturist, Lady of the Lake, not highly com-
mended. Triumph of America, Parry condemn-
ed as a poor bearer, and Andrews praised as a
fine berry.

The other vaiieties of fruit were discussed in
connection with a revision of the Society's
catalogue, and took the shape of voting by stars
on the varieties named as suited to difi'erent
latitudes. We hear that the official reports are
in a high state of forwardness, . and doubtless
will soon be issued from the press.

PENNA. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Dr. Houghton''s Essay, see page 323.
After the reading of the essay. Dr. Hough-
ton said he would like to hear from Mr. Mee-
han,and on further invitation from the President,
he said : There was so much that interested
him in the essay just read, that he could not
find it accord with his heart to say much against
the conclusions of the intelligent author, whose
capacities for observing were of a high order.
Indeed if the paper had been confined to facts he
should certainly say nothing, for they were in
exact accordance with his own experience ; but
he must certainly object to the deductions which
the essayist had drawn from the facts. He for-
tunately had had experience in these very chan-
nel Islands of which the essayist had only read
about, and of Pear culture in them, and it was
true as he stated, that only the finest and best
Pears came from espaliers, wall trained trees,
or carefully tended pyramids, and that very fine
fruit was the exception and not the rule from
large standard trees ; but he also knew from this
same experience, and with one fine Pear garden
in his mind while he spoke, that the best Pears,
and the most regular bearing Pears were fro ;i
walls and espalier's about which large beds of
pot herbs and other permanent and light crops
were raised, and the soil of which was never
more than hoed or lightly forked to keep down
weeds, and which were regularly manured by
top dressing ; while those trees which were in
deep soil, cultivated close up with cabbages and
potatoes or other things which required deep
digging, and consequent destruction of the sur-
liace Pear roots, were the most unreliable of all ;
and if any required "protection from early spring
frosts," it was just such as tl)ese, the low state
of vitality of which, brought about as it was by
this treatment, required such extra care. and then
with but poor returns But on the h;al.hy trees
he had described, "spring frosts"' had no eflect.
Crassannes, Marie Louises,Chaumontelles, Gan-
sell's and Autumn Bergamottes, Passe Cohnars
and that class of old standard fruits bore freely
and well every year, and no such protection was
ever given to them. The careful pruning and
training which they received however was in their
favor. The "let alone system," which standard
Pears receive, resulted in the branches starving
one another. On walls oi espaliers tbis was so
managed that the branches were of almost equal
strength all over the trees ; near the ground as
at the apex of the branches, all alike bore good

350

TEE GATiDEJ\^EKS MOJ^TEL^. Js'^ovemUr,

fruit. In this particular, Dr. Houghton is cer-
tainly right. But as to the value of a sys'em
which encourages surface roots against one
which destroys them, it was exactly in this
same Channel Island, and while watching the
results on pears and apples that he early in life
learned the lesson. Apples and pears in rich
cultivated vegetable gardens, have long ago gone
the way of all flesh ; while others in regular or-
chards and pastures are alive and productive to
this day. That good English Pears were scarce
in Covent Garden and elsewhere in England, is
also true ; truer even than Dr. Houghton has
stated it, and the reason is that the cultivators
there are like our essayist, blind devotees of sur-
face digging, of an idea derived from probably
some mythological god, which had traditionally
handed down the dogma to "dig among the roots
of trees to let in the heat and air," and which
was religiously venerated as most mouldy say-
ings were if only old enough to have no one known
to father them. One would suppose by the ea-
gerness of Dr. Houghion to attack and ridicule
those who suggested improvements on these an-
tiquated relics of a long past age, that the one
he defended ^\as a grand success. Yet his whole
essay was a complete jeremiade of failures ; sobs
and cries seemed to break out from every sentence;
everything has been done but no fruit follows.
His great divinity Baxter, he says, had no fruit
of any consequence, but what we saw on our ex-
hibition tables ; and he quotes many similar
cases, and we know that even the last great
prophet of a Pear root destroying system, Pat-
rick Quiun, has ingenuously recorded his own
failures, except with a very few varieties. Where
are any of these celebrated Pear orchards grown
on the system the Doctor recommends, that have
proved a permanent success V One by one they
have made their exit, and and some with no
good odor behind them. Did not his hearers
remember a celebrated exhibitor of Pears at a
former Pomological meeting in Philadelphia,
Dr. Boynton of Syracuse, who attributed much
of his success to manuring with dog's dung V
That orchard he believed had now "sone to the
dogs," and yet the same system is persisted in
and glorified. His ideas had been characterized
as '•Nebuchadnezzarian," because as one means
towards encouraging surface roots, he had rec-
ommended the surface to be kept in short grass ;
but the system of his friend, in view of persis-
tence amid so many failures and disastrous

experiences, while he was still descending far-
ther into the bottomless pit, and away from the
heaven of success,might with more justice be call-
ed the Liiciferian. He had indeed always a sort of
respect for Milton's great hero ; and he felt the
same for his friend, who was so determined to
fight on a similar line, even to the bitter end.
One thing however is clear : Lucifex is still wan-
dering around dissatisfied and unsuccessful to
this day ; while I^Tebuchaduezzar he believed
came out all right at last.

He had rarely seen any one who appreciated
the value of the facts he presented. For in-
stance, the speaker to night spoke of the drying
effects of grass ; he wanted all the dews and
moist showers for his Pear roots, and not to sup-
port roots of grass. He did not know that the
ground was moister and cooler as a rule, under
a closely cut grass surface than under a clear
surface exposed to the full rays of a hot summer
sun. Yet this was the fact. He saw a friend
present this evening, with whom he had tested
this in one instance some years ago. A thermome-
ter thrust a few inches under a grass sod was
fifteen degrees lower than in clear gi'ound but a
short distance from it. If grass was so grown
that it took from trees moisture which they re-
quired, it was not a system which he advocated.
The attempt to lay the blame of a defective sys-
tem of culture in "'early frosts," would not hold-
His place was not more than four miles in a di-
rect line from Dr. Houghton's, and on this
ground were manj- trees which had been there
for generations ; "early frosts" never hurt these
blossoms. There had never been a year in the
past fifteen years that he had not had full aver-
age crops of Pears. They were of various kinds
of Rousselets, Early and Late Catharine, St.
Germain, Seckel, and other local varieties ; what
had he done that the frost should leave him every
year to go four miles away to smite Dr. Hough-
ton ? Xot only his trees, but there were hun-
dreds of other such trees in Germantown and all
through the State. The traveller could see
them everywhere, if not always in grass, at least
under circumstances the reverse of the root cut-
ting system — or no system — for it is yearly
changing— recommended here. So well known
were these facts, that in view of them the
Fruit Grower's Society of Pennsylvania had
some years ago voted that the pear was the
most certain crop of all fruits in Penns3'lvania
to hear, though they thought not the most profit-
able for market. Why should the "early frost"

1869.

TEE GARDEJV'ER'S MOJVTHLY.

Sol

let all these trees alone and tantalize the Doc-
tor ? He doubted whether six degrees of frost
ever co-existed with open Pear blossoms in one
case in a thousand, or once in twenty years.
The essayist could not account for the great suc-
cess of Pear culture in cities, as compared with
others outside. He thought if the Luciferean
system afforded no clue, the Kebuchadnezzarian
might. The trees in cities were not often dug
deeply around as the Luciferean demanded.
Those who had a few pears in small yards, had
nothing else, and attempted nothing else. The
roots were rarelj^ dug about, and the many little
scraps of food, soap water, and so forth soaking
through the bricks, made the very best condi-
tions of food, — while the brick walks around the
house and through the gai'dens afforded the very
best kind of "grass," under which the fibres
were always cool and always moist, and yet near
to the vivifying influence of the atmosphere — the
very best possible conditions for healthy vitality.
As for leaves being gorged with watery sap, that
was unphilosophical, and might do for those
countries where physiology had stood still for
fifty years ; but here where we knew that there
was little more sap taken into a plant's system,
except to supply the immediate wants of evapo-
ration, and that there was little evaporation
going on in [a moist time, and hence little root
action, it would not do. He concluded by ho-
ping the Doctor would amend his ways, and reap
better results in the future than he had done in
the past.

Mr. J. E. Mitchell remembered the ther-
mometrical experiment referred to by Mr.
Meehan, and that the difference in moisture
and Coolness was in favor of the ground under
the sod. He was also satisfied from his own ex-
perience that standard Pear trees did better in
grass. At first he had his Pear orchard on the
regular garden plan : standard with dwarfs al-
ternating ; dwarfs did pretty well, but the stand-
ards did not, and he put the whole in grass. It
had been much better for the standards, but it
was death to the dwarfs : He was prepared to
go a little way in favor of grass for standard
Pears, but for dwarfs it would not do at all.

Mr. Meehan said Mr. Mitchell had good reason
to congratulate himself on the death of his dwarf
Pears. If he had kept on with the rooting sys-
tem, with no more fruit to show for it than the
present advocates of that system had, it was cer-
tainly "Pear growing for profit'' to have them
die at once, than to have so many years of prun-

ing, pinching, plowing, fertilizing, dog dirting and
what not, and get no returns but simply trees
Avith leaves on for this great labor. He con-
gratulated his friend on the death of his trees.

Dr. Houghton rose to make some further re-
marks ; but at this stage of a discussion which
promised much interest to the audience, our re-
porter discovered that he had "to make his
train." If Dr. Houghton will please furnish us
with a copy of his further remarks, we will pub-
lish them with great pleasure.

HORTICULTURE AT PENNA. STATE
FAIR AT HARRISBURG.

There has been a grand floral display here in
connection with the Peuna. Agricultural State
Fair. One of those fairy scenes of enchantment
that we often dream of and sometimes, though
rarely, meet with. In the centre of the tent a
large fountain had been erected, on each side of
which were two tables contaming rustic work,
dinner table designs filled with cut flowers, bou-
quets and the rarest of plants. Over and above
these tables, hung baskets filled with rare ferns
and curious trailing plants, and cages containing
gay colored canaries, who mingled their merry
din with the spray of the fountain and the con-
fused murmuring of the thousands of people who
visited this department of the fair. Such a dis-
play has seldom been equalled — never excelled.

The principal exhibitors were Messrs Graham
near Asylum Gate, Kepple City floral garden,
Crucknell, Fair Hill iS'urseries ; and F. O. Keeffe,
private gardener to J, D. Cameron, of Lochiel.
There was also a small collection of well grown
window X)lants, shown by Mrs Shaffer, chiefly
Fuchsias and Geraniums. A vase filled with
Sedum Seiboldii was very attractive in this col-
lection.

Mr, Graham has a general assortment of nur-
sery plants, a plant of Abutilon Mesapotamica
trained in the shape of an inverted sugar loaf,
was very neatly done, A large plant of Gerani-
um " Glorie cZe Corbanay-^ covered with a pro-
fusion of large trusses of salmon colored flowers
was worth going a day's journey to see.

F, O. Keeffe's collection consisted chiefly of
tropical foliaged plants, pans of Lycopods trail-
ing to the ground. Several species of Fern and
and a small case of costly plants, in the midst of
which grew a small specimen of that vegetable
oddity Alocasia Metallica, In this collection
very few plants were in flower. Variegated

352

THE GARBEJS'ER'S MO J\ I ELY, Xovemher,

leaved and foliaged plants make an imposing dis-
play, but a few common plants in flower inter-
spersed among them, would add much to the
effect and relieve the sombre monotony of the
display.

Passing over to the left of the entrance, we
come to the collection of Mr. J. Schmidt, fore-
man of Mr. Kepple'9 garden. There are a fine
lot of Asters in bloom from the tmiest dwarf, six
inches in height, to the more stately ones of lar-
(^er growth. A collection of Tuberoses with im-
mense heads of large double white flowers reflect
o-reat credit on the grower and show that he un-
derstands the art of bringing to perfection this
the sweetest of all Autumn flowers. A new
plant,the iofteZia Theodoria, a stand of new Can-
nas, a collection of Cacti, a stand of Geraniums
in a mass of bloom, fine specimens of that rare old
favorite climber C'issus discolor, Fuchias, China
pinks, and roses all in one mass of bloom, attest
that no expense is spared to make this establish-
ment a success. Most prominent among the
roses was that grand yellow seedling of Pradels,
" Marechal Niel." From the time of it? first ap-
pearance, I formed a decidedly favorable opinion
of this rose. My own experience, added to the
o-lowing reports received of it wherever exhibited^
strengthens my belief that this is destined to be-
come the most popular rose in the world.

Next to Mr. Kepple's is a large and varied
collection, exhibited by C. Crucknell, foreman
of Fair Hill Nurseries. The Geraniums in this
collection received the first premium and are de-
serving- of a detailed notice. Dr. Ifeicham, a
bright cherry scarlet, with fine foliage is a valu-
able addition to the long list of Geraniums ;
Cardinal Wiseman, an intensely brilliant scarlet
excellent for winter use ; Lord Byron, nosegay,
peach color, a good companion to Lord Palmer-
ston ; Clias. Beu^t, President Lincoln, Corsair,
Lucius, Dr. Lindley, Eehecca, and Gen Grant all
of the scarlet order yet all very distinct ; Beauty
de Suresne, rosy pink, old, but hard to beat ; Le
Grand, the grandest of the dark varieties ; Had-
Vaucher, white ; Tom Thumb, White Perfection,
all good whites, but completely cast in the shade
by La Dame Blanche, which is by far the best
ot all the whites grown. Among the variegated
foliaged varieties were 3Irs. Pollock, Dr. New-
ham, Perfection, Golden Fleece, Victoria, Bril-
liantissima and Commander-in-Chief; A:',iy
Hogg on accomit of its beautiful magenta col-
ored flowers and strong habit, is destined to be-

come a great favorite. The Carnations Avere
were fine and also received the first premium.
Among them I noticed as superior,Mons. Mion,
buff, pink stripes ; Unique, an immense white,
far ahead of Flatbush and that class ; Defiance,
Geant and that old but beautiful ruby colored
carnation La Purite. Mr. C. had also several
hanging baskets and cages of English canaries
which gave a cliarm to this department. Mr.
Schmidt also had some very pretty rustic baskets
on exhibition. The two last named exhibitors
filled one half of the large double poled tent and
filled it well, so the committee thought before
they awarded the main body of the premiums to
these two collections. There is no doubt the
success of the fair is in a great measure due to
prodigal display of rich flowers here exhibited.

The first premium for best bridal bouquet was
awarded to J. Schmidt, second to C. Crucknell.
First premium for best pair of hand bouquets,
not more than six inches in diameter to C. Cruck-
nell, second to J. Schmidt. For dinner table
designs, first premium to R. Graliam.

Ihe di.splay of fruits in the Fruit Tent was ex-
tra fine, especially the display by the Cumberland
Co. Horticultural Society. The Pleasant Val-
ley AVine Co. of New York State, exhibited some
fine Grapes and wine. . The lona. Concord, Del-
aware and some of the Rogers' Hybrids looked
very tempting. The display of vegetables was
also very full, the Pumpkins particularly so ; for
those who love the big things of the earth, this
was the place to see them. E. O. Judson had a
curiosity in corn, stalks not more than five feet
in height, had from ten to fourteen ears of corn
on. It is said to yield 200 bushels of corn to the
acre. If this be the case it will be very valuable
to the stock feeder. Swift.

KENTUCKY HORTICULTURAL SOC'TY.
Lawrence Young, one of our best known and
esteemed Horticulturists before the war, but who
has not contributed much to our periodical lit-
erature outside his own state of late, has been
elected President of the Kentucky Horticultural
Society. Mr. Kennedy, who has given general
satisfaction, has resigned.

THE EASTERN OHIO AND WEST VIR-
GINIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

Is a new organization, with head-quarters at
Wheeling, and, we are pleased to hear, witli good
prospect of success.

The Horticultural Advertiser.

Private Families, who aim to raise Vegetables of the best quality only, need not be re-
minded that "figs do not grow on thistles," nor that from good Seed alone can

good vegetables be obtained.

Seeds may, indeed, grow freely enough, but unless they prove good in every respect, it were
better they had not grown at all. The seeds offered by us being mainly the produce of Blooms-
dale, raised under our own personal supervision, with ihe aid of years of practical experience,
we are enabled to speak with entire confidence as to their quality, and of the reasonable proba-
bility of satisfactory results.

|9gf^ We have but few '• Novelties" to offer. Our experience (obtained at some cost) is
that out of the multitude of that class of vegetables advertised for sale, in most cases the gOOd
are not neW, and the neW are not good — substantial, staple, well known sorts are, in the
main, the most reliable.

Purchasers who do not resiae within ready access of the city, nor near merchants or drug,
gists who vend our seeds, can be supplied by mail, postpaid.

THE RURAL REGISTER for 1870

Is now ready for distribution. It will be found to contain hints of value to
all who are interested in rural afiairs. A copy will be mailed to all who ap-
ply, enclosing a two-cent stamp to prepay postage,

David LaDdreth & Son,

Nos, 21 a7id 23 S(mth Sixth iSireet,
PHILADELPHIA.

iNi..iA:r<:s urn. ''hiuoa

iru. Dfftsc-''. !>i'-

??

99

DEVOTED TO

Rorticultui^e, Arh or i culture, Botany and Eural Affairs

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAX.
Old Series, Vol. XL DECEMBER, 1869. ^ew Series Vol. II. No. 12.

HITsTS POE DECEMBER,

FLOWER GARDEX AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

We do not know that any more suggestive
theme could present itself at this season, than
the thinning out of trees and shrubs. In plant-
ing new places, it is impossible to follow the ad-
vice of our best masters in Landscape Garden-
ing, and i^lant only with a view t3 the future.
It is well to imagine that we in planting are
forming a picture for posterity to admire ; but
in our mere matter of fact, perhaps selfish time,
people will want something to enjo}'^ themselves,
and now. Hence places will be set so thickly
with trees to have a pleasant present look ; and
things will be put near roads, close, and indif-
ferent to the clearly foreseen verdict of posterity,
that they are "entirely too near." Now as
none of us expect to die soon, but all expect to
enjoy in some degree in the future the works of
our hands, why not keep both the present and
future in view, so as to reap some enjoyment from
both ? This is to be done by planting many more
than we intend permanently to remain, and then
catting away annually those which we feel we
can spare. This annual thinning and pruning
in time becomes a very pleasant winter occupa-
tion. Nothing charms so much as variety ; and
by the axe and pruning knife, employed in this
way, we have really a new place every year.
It is hard at first to make up our mind to cut
away handsome trees, that have take a so long
to grow— the plantings of our own ha? ds ; but
this nerve must be acquired, and it is surprising
how after this victory over affection has been
once achieved, how strong we feel for the good
work. Sometimes we can leave trees remain
longer than we might in places where they will
be objectionable in time, by cutting back and
trimming in. By the exercise of some judgment
in cutting far back, out of sight, the strong

shoots and leaving the twiggy ones to cover up
the stumps left in pruning, the natural form of
the tree is pretty well saved, and it may thus
be preserved for years in a tolerably dwarf con-
dition. In these cases, whether of deciduous
trees or evergreens, the central or leading shoots
particularly are the ones to be cut back, other-
wise they will only grow stronger in proportion
as the others are pruned, and really defeat the
object in view.

Sometimes there is more anxiety about trim-
ming and thinning out than necessary. Plants
often group well together. Their branches in-
terlacing, form a picture to be obtained in no
other way. Friends are often troubled that one
tree is spoiling the other,— no matter. The group
is the charm. Some friends have no other idea
than the beauty of single trees. Certainly they
often afford the highest types of beauty. A
grand old oak or chestnut with a century of life,
its brandies reaching far towards the horizon,
and its bending branching, rivalling the cathe-
dral arches of man, cannot possibly be excelled
in emotional power; but on the other hand,
'the rich effects of massing can be as readily ap-
preciated by the lovers of the beautiful.

This weakness for trees — grown up trees,— is
a foe to the highest art. In choosing a site for
building it is a great chance if a piece of wood is
not selected in preference to an open plain ; and
yet it is almost impossible to make anything
artistic out of natural trees. It is very nice to
have such a grove, for special purposes ; but the
great pleasure which tiue art gives, can never
be realized from such materials. The single
idea of shade usually decides this. It seems an
age to wait to see "small trees grow.'' Few
can realize how fast trees come forward in a
deep and rich soil. Even in a deep soil only—
soil loosened up two feet deep, and several teet

S5Jf

THE GARBEJS'ER' S MO^YTHLJ. Decemher,

wide, Avill in ten j'cars give trees twenty feet
high, though they may have, been but four or
five feet at planting. Oaks even, usually esteem-
ed so slow, will reach fully this in a deeply loos-
ened soil, even though not a particle of manure
be used. Indeed, when we see some of the work
of our own hand with these very oaks, we won-
der how the idea originated that oaks grow .slow.
Certainl3' oaks with a fair chance will beat horse
chestnuts, Kentucky^coftees, or some other trees.

Many kinds of trees that do not seem to thrive
well, will be greatly improved next year by having
a surface-dressing of manure or rich soil thrown
about them. Evergreens are no exception. A
singular notion used to prevail, that manure of
any kind was injurious to evergreens, probabl}^
through noticing that they were usually found
in poor, barren soil. Our best American coni-
fers growers, however, have long practiced ma-
nuring them, and with the best results. Guano
has been found particularlj^ beneficial to the
Spruce family, and it will probably be found as
good for the whole family of evergreens.

Soil for flowers may also be looked up during
the winter stiason. Veiy few understand that
an occasional change of soil is very beneficial to
flowers in beds, though all know how important
it is to flowers in pots. There is nothing bet-
ter than surface soil from an old pasture, taken
off about two inches deep, and thrown into a
heap with about one-sixth part old hotbed dung
to partially decay. In addition to this "staple"
item. smaller quantity of different mattei-s should
be gathered together for peculiar cases, or par-
ticular plants. Peat, for instance, will be found
very useful for many kinds of plants. This is
not, as is often supposed, mere black sand ; but
a spongy, fibrous substance from the surface of
bogs and boggy wastes. Sand should be collect-
ed sharp and clean ; the washings from turnpike
ditches are as good as any thing, Leafmould is
best got already well decayed from the woods
That one makes for himself from rotten leaves
is seldom good for anything ; it is always sour
and seems "indigestible " to vegetation. A load
or so of well-decayed cow-manure is a good thing
for the gardener to have by him. as all those
plants that dislike our hot summers, and want a
cool soil to grow in. prefer it to any other manure.
A small pile of hotbed manure is almost indis-
pensable to the garden.

PLAXTIIOUSES.

[ The most interesting tribe of plants at this
i season of the 3'ear is undoubtedly the Camellia.
I The buds frequently drop off before flowering ;
{ this may spring from three causes — from the
plants being kept too dry ; or from the drainage
being bad, whereby the soil becomes sodden ; or
from the house being kept too warm by insuffi-
cient ventilation. As the leaf buds burst, the
plants are benefited by occasional syringings,
and, indeed, an increased supply of water alto-
gether, in order to accommodate the demand of
the young growth.

Australian and Cape Plants are the chief orna-
ments of the greenhouse at this time. The
Acacia, amongst the principal, will, like the
Camellia, require more water while flowering ;
indeed, most plants which produce flowers be-
fore they make a new growth, require more
water as they flower. On the other hand, most
plants which flower on the young wood at or
near the completion of its growth, take less.
'I'he Correa is another beautiful tribe, but does
not do WfcU in most collections ; it is generally
grown in a peaty soil ; we observed that where
it seems to succeed well, the growers use a con-
siderable portion of loam in their compost for it.
This is consistent with our own experience, and
we are inclined to the opinion that more lo.\m
should be used with the peat for hard-wooded
jilants than is generally done in this country.
As soon as any Cape or hard-wooded plant has
ceased to flower, it should be repotted, if it re-
quire it ; many prefer waiting till the plants are
placed in summer quarters before this is done,
and some in the fall. We prefer before they
commence to grow, whatever the season may be,
as the roots being then in their most active state
immediately penetrate the new soil, and before
it becomes sour or sodden by frequent waterings,
reap wliatever advantages the air it contains
when fresh may afford them. Some greenhouses
are rendered very gay in February and March
by having young plants of Verbenas, Petunias,
and other bedding-out plants potted at this time
into large pots, and encouraged to grow.

Hyacinths that have been out of doors, or in
any reserve place for protection, may be brought
in a few weeks before wanted ; they should not
have much heat, light or moisture for a few days,
and then only gradually. Carnations and Pinls
are much admired when grown in pots and flow-
ered there early ; they do not force well if much

18G9.

TEE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTHLY.

3n5

warmth be given, but the usual temperature of
the greenhouse will bring them forwarcl a month
before they can be had out of doors ; whenever
the roots make their appearance through the
bottom of the pots, they should be shifted into a
size larger. They require very little water and
love the light, and whatever manures are used
to enrich the soil should be thoroughly rotten
The Payisy, on the other hand, delights in half-
rotten, strawy manure and turfy loam. If a
quantity of seedlings have been raised in the fall,
thej' will require potting this month ; they do
not flower well here when the weather becomes
warm ; but when grown in pots and forwarded
slightly by the aid of a cool frame, they do very
well.

Cinerarias will be soon the chief attraction.^ ;
the least frost kills them, yet they will not do
well if kept in a high temperature. They love
moisture, yet arc very impatient of damp. No
plant is more improved by the use of charcoal in
potting than this. This plant bids fair to be-
come more popular than ever, as supplying a
very early spring want. The Calceolaria will
require the same conditions as the Cineraria.

Pelargoniums become "drawn, '' spindly, and
worthless, if they are not allowed to occupy the
lighest and most airy part of the house. If fine
specimens are desired, the shoots should now be
tied down to the surface of the pots and pinched
off so as to induce them to shoot freely ; but a too
frequent use of the " finger and thumb '' — noth-
ing renders a Pelargonium weaker ; rather en-
courage them them to grow bushy, by the free
use of light,air and manure water. A good sup-
ply of young Fuchsias should be coming on now
— repot as their roots fill each pot, let them not
want for moisture or light, do not pinch off their
tops, but let them grow rapidly. The tempera-
ture in which they are grown should not exceed
55°. A turfy loam, moderately enriched with
well-decayed manure, and well drained with
charcoal, suits them admirably. The Mimulus
is receiving more attention than it has been ;
where they are grown they are much improved
by having pans of water kept under their pots.
Oranges and lemons will require the coolest part
of the house, and to receive no more water than
will just keep them fresh. Epijjhyllums, as they
continue to flower, will require the warmest end
of the house, and a fair supply of moisture.
Cacti and succulent plants generally, will scarcely
require water at all, unless in very dry situa-
tions, and then I'eceive but a slight sprinkling

with a syringe. The rule, "when you water a
plant at all, let it soak right through,'' does not
by any means hold good with these plants, if
there be not some other good exceptions.

YINERTES AND ORCHARD HOUSES.

At this season of the year, one of the most
usual subjects of attention with many parties
is the preparation of a vine border.

It was once supposed that, as the vine is well
known to be a gross feeder, the border at its for-
mation could not well be to rich, and consequent-
ly, when such an arrangement was in progress
all the dead horses, dogs, and animals that could
be found for twenty miles round, brought very
high premiums. But the practice has fallen into
disrepute ; not because it does not possess some
merits, but because, like many other good things,
it has been overdone.

Very much of the success of your vine border
will depend on the vines themselves ; a state-
ment which will appear paradoxical to many,
but it is a fact, that so long as the plant remains
healthy, and the roots push actively and vigo-
rously, the soil of a grape border can scarcely
b3 too rich, and it is only when, from whatever
cause the vine becomes unhealthy, and the roots
diseased, that a highly nutritious border adds to
the injury and makes the matter worse. Hence
the danger of too rich a border in the hands of
the inexiDerienced, and the value of caution on
the part of all in making a new experiment.

Keeping in view, therefore, that the first es-
sential of successful grape culture, is the produc-
tion of an abundance of roots, and their healthv
preservation afterwards. The first great prin-
ciples of subsoiling and draining must be sedu-
lously attended to. If the subsoil is retentive, a
drain, at least three feet in depth should be made
all around the proposed border, and should be
led with a good fixll into the nearest outlet. A
good warm subsoil is very important in grape
culture, and drainage is one of the best ways of
securing it, as when the rain can readily pene-
trate through into the subsoil, the warmth at
the surface in the spring is carried rapidly down
into the soil, and is very advantageous at the
growing season. Too much attention can
scarcely be given to this matter. The drains
may in part bo constructed of bones, which will
serve the double purpose of affording nutriment
and warming the soil at the same time.

Where the soil lies naturally low, it is often ju-

S56

THE GABDEJVER'S M0XTEL7. December,

dicionsly the practice to elevate the border con-
siderably above the surrounding surface, which
effects much the same purpose as deep draining
accomplishes so successfully.

As to soil, where choice can be had, we think
there is nothing preferable to the surface of a pas-
ture field, taken ofl', say two or three inches deep,
and to have with every three loads of it one load
cf stable manure, thoroughl}'- decomposed — say
two years old hotbed manure incorporated with
it. — Any richer materials that may be at hand
may be deposited at the outside of the borders.
When the vines get older, and the roots strong
and hungry, they will then find, and not despise
whatever delicious morsels may thus be in store
for them.

As to the width of the borders, we have aln-ays
thought sixteen feet ample, and in cases where
space was an object, we should be satisfied with
much less ; as, whei'e the roots can be healthily
maintained, good food can always be supplied. —
Indeed, ideas are fast changing in this respect.
"We well remember the time when it was univer-
sal to ihrow away a pot vine after the fruit had
been cut ; but now, modern practice will produce
good grapes several years in su(C3Ssion from
vines in the same pots. This we saw especially
well done by Mr. Harding, at Cleveland, Ohio.
]u time, however, the grape is liable to.be weak-
ened by the continual pruning necessary to keep
it in a small space ; and though it is clear vines
will live many years and do well under this sys-
tem, it is best where possible to have new vines
occasionally.

It has come to be regarded by the best grape
growers, that a good length of cane with plenty of
room to develope growth, makes the best vines.
Some indeed, go so far as to say that the best re-
sults have followed letting one vine have the
whole house. We know, to be sure, that some
growers have had excellent success with vines

which have been severely cut back for half a cen-
tury ; but there are some good men who can al-
ways triumph over every obstacle, and then
again there are some who are so well favored by
ether good circumstances that the vines do well
in spite of bad treatment ; in other respects alto-
gether we think the '• plenty of room men " have
the best of it.

AVith regard to pruning the vine, it must not
be forgotten, that what is done at this season is
with the object of making the plant push with
greater vigor next season, looking forward also
to the future shape and form that such pruning
will cause the vine to assume.

Many prefer to have always a good succession
of young canes, as bearing wood. The old wood
is cut away every year entirely to a new cane,
which has been carefully trained up from the base
during the summer, is now made to replace the
old shoot ; but this kind of pruning has to be at-
tended to in the summer season more particular-
ly, and need not be further referred to at this
season, except to see that the cane is shortened
down somewhat, according to its strength ; usu-
ally being sufiered to occupy about two-thirds ot
the rafter.

Those who prefer very large bunches, and who
dislike to have their vineries crowded with 'wood'
during the summer, usually train up a single cane
to the rafter, which is ever after retained perma-
nently there ; and the side shoots, which spring
out early and bear Iruit. are annually shortened
in to one eye at this season, and push again, and
again bear the next.

There are many modifications of these two
systems of training and pruning, all with vari-
ous advantages and with their several champions,
which those who aim at perfection would do well
to study, and to which there are several inter-
esting volumes specially devoted.

1869.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

'o7

COMMUNICATIONS

GRAPES— Under Glass.

BY J. E. MITCHELL, ESQ., PHIL AD' A.

Read before the Penna. HorticuUural Society, JVov. 2, 18G9.

The cultivation of the Vitis viuifera,or foreign
grape, having been repeatedly tried here as an
out-of-door grape, and failed, — its cultivation is
now confined to glass structures or "Vineries.''

The older books on this subject contain so
many details, both as regards the construction
of the house and the preparation of the border,
together with the constant attention the vines re-
quire at all times during their growth, that
the wonder is, that any other than a profession-
al gardener will undertake their cultivation ; and
even with their knowledge, that the vines should
survive the "hollow columns of brick rubbish" —
the "paved inside borders'' — the "outside con-
crete borders" filled with "carrion," and
drenched with liquid manure— the opening and
closing of ventilaturs and air ducts — the conflict-
ing modes of pruning and thinning out, together
with the "magnesia" bloom, when none is provid-
ed by nature. jSTone of these are necessary, and
the most of them are positively injurious to
the health of the vine, which is so hardy in its-
self, that a crop of grapes can be relied on with
as much certainty as a crop of cabbages, and
with but little more attention to their cultiva-
tion,— provided only that the natural wants of
the plant are attended to under the artificial
conditions under which it is grown.

The first of these is the border, which should
be outside the house, and well drained, and com-
posed of any ordinary good soil, about eighteen
inches deep by ten feet wide, and top dressed
every fall with stable manure, and mulched' in
the spring with leaves or litter. Xo attention
need be paid to the inside border, as vines plant-
ed there will only bear two or three small crops,
and generally die out when five or six years old.
The vines should bo well grown and healthy
stocks of one or two years from the bud ; they
should be planted along the front of the house
(so that the roots can pass out,) and placed four
feet ajrart.

They should be allowed to grow from one bud
the first year, and then cut down to two or
three buds ; the uppermost one should be allow-
ed to form a cane the next year, and the others
spurred back to one bud each, and allowed to
bear a bunch of grapes each ; the new cane

should be again cut back to two or three eyes
and these spurred ; this system being the sim-
plest for the amateur. The side shoots should
be allowed to grow from two to three feet long
before stopping, and should remain two feet in
length, stopping only the end lateral at one leaf
and allowing the side laterals to grow after the
first stopping, as the shade they furnish is ne-
cessary to the proper coloring of the fruit. One
bunch only should be allowed to remain on each
side shoot, and the one nearest the main stem is
generally the best ; the berries should be thinned
out about one-half when they are the size of smal
peas. During the first three years the glass
should be white-washed half way up the outside,
with a mixture of rye flour and water (or lime

wash.)

This will peel off during the winter, and should

be renewed in the spring, until the foliage is suf-
ficient to shade the fruit.

A cold vinery should be so placed as to admit
of drainage for the border, but may face any di-
rection, and may be a lean-to, or double pitch, of
stone, brick, or wood ; and of almost any shape,
provided only that it has abundant lop ventila-
tion, and none whatever at the bottom. The
cheaply built lean-to houses of rough boards at
the back (white-washed), with 10x12 glass bed-
ded (not glazed) into permanent rafters from 18
to 20 feet long— are the most satisfactory ; and
will ripen the foreign grapes just as perfectly as
in the most costly structures. Such a house 40
feet long by lo feet inside, and rafters of 18 feet
long, will give the roof a pitch of about 34 de-
grees, and will grow 10 vines,, which will give a
moderate supply of grapes for an ordinary sized
family in three or four years, and an abundance
of fruit in five years. The ventilators may be
wood shutters, hinged near the top of the back
wall and opening outward; they should extend
the whole length of the house, and the opening
should be from 18 to 24 inches wide. Ko ventila ■
tion should be allowed at the front,as this is a proli-
fic cause of mildew. The top ventilation may be
left open all day, and only closed at night after
watering the house, which should be done every
evening so long as the ground inside looks dry.
After the grapes are fully grown and colored,
the outside border should be protected from
heavy rains by hot-bed sash or shutters resting
on the front of the house, whict may be 3 feet

s^s

TEE GABBEN'EWS MCj\ TELY. December,

from the ground ; this prevents any tendency
of the berries to burst from an excess of mois-
ture.

Flowers of sulphur should be placed on boards
or slates in the house, or scattered on the floor
as a preventive of mildew : closing the house
at night and fumigating it Avith tobacco smoke
will destroy the thrip if they should appear.

After pruning in the fall, the vines should be
taken down from the rafters and laid along the
front of the house, suspended clear of the ground
and protected from the sun's rays with corn fod-
der (or mats), which should be placed along the
front of the house and in the i-ear of the vines so
as to shade them effectually. They should re-
main in this position during the winter, and
should not be tied up to the raftei's in the spring
until the buds have swelled evenly along the
whole length of the cane.

The whole theory of the cultivation of the
vine under glass, seems to be, to keep the leaves
in a uniformly warm and moist atmosphere,
thereby keeping the foliage healthy and protect-
ing it from the sudden changes in our climate.
There is nothing in what has been stated, which
need deter the amateur from having a grapery
built and attending to it himself; there is no ru-
ral occupation which will give him more satis-
fixction, as the results are not only a source of
pleasure to himself and family, but to his friends,
as no more acceptable present can be sent to such,
and nothing more grateful can be given to a
sick friend, than a dish of ripe clusters of cool
refreshing grapes.

GRAFT HYBRIDS.

BY P. BAKRY.

In your October number 3'ou make a notice of
some " Sweet and Sour" Apples, said to have
been produced by inoculating with a bud, com-
posed of half a bud of R. I. Greening and half a
bud of Talman's Sweeting.

I was present in the committee-room at Phila-
delphia when this subject was presented ; and
although I had full confidence in the good faith
and veracity of the gentleman who made the
statement, 1 could not believe it. I was forced
to the conclusion that it was a mistake, like many
others which have been made the ground work
of theories. It seems tome that it must be a
physiological impossibility to slit two buds and
put a part of one and part of the other together
as one, then insert that bud and have it produce

a shoot which shall combine in its products the
qualities of the two parents!

The germ of the bud after all the scaly cover-
ing has been removed, is a very small object, and
tlie work of cutting these small germs so that
they can be reunited, would be a delicate opera-
tion. If the germs are not cut the operation
would be a failure, no matter whether the two
parts of the bud would unite or not.

I have known the so called " sweet and sour "
Greening for 30 yeais, and have it now growing
in my garden. I found it as a sport on a Green-
ing tree, only one branch producing this pecu-
liar fruit. This variety has a tendency to pro-
duce such a sport, for I have known of its being
found in several places.

^N'ot long ago a gentleman brought me an ap-
ple which was striped aongitudinally with alter-
nate stripes of red and green of almost equal
breadth and so regular and clearly defined, as to
look as if it had been painted. It was a sport ; all
the fruit of one branch were alike, and totally
different from the fruit of the other parts of the
tree.

If we were told that the " sweet and sour ''
Greening had been produced' by grafting the
Greening on a sweet apple stock, we could believe
it possible, in the wa)' of the ordinary graft hy-
brids which are recorded. So might the striped
apple have been produced by grafting a red ap-
ple on a green apple stock.

THE RELATIVE YiqOR AND HEALTH

of Serrate, Jieniform and Globose leaved
varieties of the Peach.

BY W^ C. FLAGG.

Reading your remarks on the glands of the
peach leaf, reminded me to day of an intention
I had to write you further on the subject, after
our conversation last July, which I now do.

As I was then telling you, it has been M-ell
known here for many years, that of the Serrate,
Reniform and Globose varieties, the first is most
tender and subject to certain diseases, and the
last hardiest. As long ago as 1855, Dr. Hull
said, in the meeting of the JSTorth-Western Fruit
Growers' Association, at Burlington, Iowa, that
"in all these serrated varieties the end of the
shoots mildew, and we hold them in little esteem.
James E Starr, in 1861, at the meeting of the
Illinois State Horticultural Society, said, "some
varieties are more hardy than others. The ser-

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTRLY.

359

rated peaches are not hardy. We use only the
Early Tillotson among these."

^or has tenderness of serrate varieties escaped
notice elsewhere. Darwin, in his Variation of
Animals and Plants under Domestication (vol. 1
p. 413), says : "according to Robertson the trees
with glandular leaves are liable to blister, but
not in any great degree to mildew ; whilst the
non-glandular trees are more subject to curl, to
mildew and to the attack of aphides." And
again (vol. II. p. 280) : '*the existence of minute
glands on the leaves of peaches, nectarines and
apricots, would not be esteemed by botanists as
a character of the least importance, for they are
pi'esent or absent in closely related varieties,
descended from the same parent tree ; yet there
is good evidence that the absence of glands leads
to mildew, which is highly injurious to these
trees:'' Our fruit books all bear testimony in
the description of nearly every serrate leaved
peach of its faulty character, thus in Thomas'
"Fruit Culturist," we find: _EJar?y J.n?ie, "the tree
at the North is very tender ;'' Early Tillotson,
"leaves liable to mildew ; " Noblesse, "tree of
rather slow growth and liable to mildew.''

But to come down to our own experience here
in Illinois, 1 first give a classified list of the more
important peaches of each of three classes we
are considering. They stand thus :

Serrate, — Early Tillotson, Serrate Early York.

Beniform, — La Grange, Morris White, Bergen's
Yellow, Columbia, Smock, Heath.

Globose, — Hale's Early, Large Early York,
Late Red Rareripe, Oldmixon Free, Troth's
Early, Ward's Late Free, Crawford's Early,
Crawford's Late, Oldmixon Cling.

Of the serrate varieties, Early Tillotson is gen-
erallJ^ though not altogether, discarded from the
lists for market orchards. In common with the
other serrate sorts it is affected with a mildew
of the leaf and shoots, which in seasons favorable
to the development of the mildew, causes it to
shed its leaves prematurely, and prevents the
proper ripening of its new wood. ISTeither can
it carr}' out a severe check upon its growth. In
1867 my Early Tillotson trees had a heavy crop
of fruit. Whilst Troth's Early, with nearly as
much fruit, ripened it up well and kept on grow-
ing vigorously. The Early Tillotson seemed to
be entirely unequil to its assumjd task, and the
peaches to almost wither as they ripened. The
trees, without special attention, have looked
Aveak and thriftless ever since. I am inclined to
believe, however, that with annual shortening

and special cultivation, and perhaps manuring,
that this variety may still be found desirable, as
the best succession yet found to the Hale's Early.
There is some complaint of its rotting.

Serrate Early York is condemned still more
strongly. It is one of the varieties very prone
to rot in the fruit as well as mildew in the leaves,—
in fact it was the worst of our popular varieties
in that respect, until the Hale's Early appeared.
But this however,appears to depend quite as much
on other differences as on the distinctions be-
tween serrate and other sorts. Smoothness of
skin or a watery texture, are quite as important
predisposing conditions, in my opinion.

2nd. Reniform varieties seem less enduring of
cold in the bud than the globose sorts and to rot
more readily, but this is a rule with some striking
exceptions. Thus the Heath Cling,with me seem?
quite hardy, and I hear the same report from
several others, yet it has reniform glands. Craw-
ford's Early, Crawford's Late and Yellow Rire-
ripe, though they have globose glands, are quite
tender in the bud. The reniform varieties also
rot more ; though here, too, we have some strik-
ing exceptions. Mildew on the fruit is one of
their characteristics.

3rd. The globose sorts are the best ; for among
them only can we enumerate the varieties with-
out fault— " sans i^ewr etsansreproche'''' — such as
George lY., Large Early York, Late Red Rare-
ripe, Oldmixon Free aud Stump the World.

Thomas enumerates 23 serrate, 47 reniform
and 58 globose varieties as worthy of a special
description. Looking over the last fruit list of
the American Pomological Society, we find that
of 57 varieties recommended, 30 or more are glo-
bose, about half that number reniform, and a
scant half dozen serrate. The Enghsh, and I
believe the European authorities generally, rec-
commend a much larger proportion of serrate
varieties. Lindley classifies 47 serrate, 54 reni-
form and 33 globose sorts. This indicates that
serrate varieties are more successful than the
globose in Europe. Though this may be owing
to their being preferred for house or wall culture.
How is it !*

PLANT NEW STRAWBERRIES.

BY WALTER ELDER, PHILADELPHIA.

As there are many valuable new varieties of
strawberries worthy of general culture for their
thrifty growths, great productiveness and fruits
of large sizes, and of superior flavors, of which
the readers may learn in the advertising pages

S60

TEE GABDEXER'S MOJVTHLY.

December,

of this paper,— he following simple mode will
ensure success and a speedy increase of young |
plants ; tvc have practiced it for many years '
without a sincle failure.

Set a cold frame in a sheltered spot facing
south or southeast ; the back ten inches higher |
than the front ; spread rotted manure three !
inches thick upon the surfice of the soil inside, ;
then dig deep, mix well and break fine ; if the \
soil is a heavy loam, spread an inch thick of '
sand over it after digging, and work it well in
by deep hoeing and raking, smooth the surface
and set the plants sixteen inches apart eachway,
then give a good watering, and place a glass
sash upon the frame and shade from sunshine,
from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M., for three days, but
take off the sash for all nights in August and
September, to let the plants get the benefit of
air and dew ; after the third day, give an hour
more sunshine in the mornings and afternoons
until they get the whole, but the sash should be
off in sunshiny days ; give waterings when need-
ed and let the plants get all the rain that falls,
as no artificial waterings are so beneficial ; stir
the soil lightly with a hoe once a week and pull
out all weeds. When the nights get cool put
the sash on, and take it off or partly oft' in day-
time so as to encourage growth ; bank up the
outsides of frame with soil before winter sets in,
and in very cold weather keep the sash close on
and cover also with mats, shutters or straw, but
in all mild days, give light and air by uncover-
ing during the daytime, but make secure over
night to guard against sudden changes to cold.
Early in ATarch begin, to encourage growth by
sunshine in days and covering over nights.

If the transplanting was in August or Sep-
tember, by middle of Ajiril there will be many
young plants from the runners fit to set out in
the open ground ; let the main plants remain in
the frames and keep warm, and they will give
an early production of fruits, and their qualities
will at once be known ; after the fruits are ripe,
remove the frame and let tlie plants grow as they
choose, but keep free of weeds, and by August
or September there will be plants enough to set
out a large fruiting bed in the open garden.
Purchasers may observe that from a dozen or
half dozen plants of any new variety, will by the
.above mode have increased to hundreds and
given a taste of their fruits all within one year.
We think that August and September are the
best months to transplant strawberries (apart
from spring), to the northward it may be earlier,

and southward a mrnth later ; we have trans-
planted in October and November, and by keep-
ing the glass sash on all days and covering well
over nights, the plants get well established and
of large sizes before hard winter weather sets in.
As we have been paid with scorn heretofore,
for informing readers of new choice products,
discoveries and inventions, and where they could
be got, — sellers in the future may let their wares
be known through the advertising pages of the
I)apers.

XEW FLOWERS.

BY E. MANNING, HARRISBURG, OHIO.

In looking over the Moidkhj of Dec, 1865, I
find the following from the Gardener''s Weeklii :

Azalea Bouquet de i^ore— This hybrid Azalea is
unquestionably a magnificent plant that will
reign as queen among its compeers, of which
none as yet known to us, are able to dispute its
prominence. Its innumerable and brilliant tri-
colored flowers, in which white, bright rose and
golden yellow combine their opposite yet harmo-
nious tints, arranged in large bouquets, and its
beautiful luxuriant foliage, the reticulated leaves
are of a reddish brown, produce a charming ef-
fect among clumps of other Azaleas, or alone, or
planted in groups. It thrives well in the open
air. It was discovered among the many seed-
lings raised liy our editor, who after having well
tested its merits and qualities, now presents it
to his subscribers.

ZSTow, Mr Editor, I had the pleasure, or rather
mortification, to have it in bloom in my own
grounds last season ; it is like the many new
fancy articles sent out at fancy prices, under
high sounding names.

Bouquet de Flore, or a Basket of Flowers, is a
long shaped trumpet flower, much the shape of
Bignonia radicans, but not quite so long ; the
color or variegation is too dim and inconspicu-
ous with the long narrow opening of the front of
the flowers, renders it iu'stead of the best of the
group, the very poorest of any Azalea that has
as yet bloomea at this place,— it is not worthy of
the company of any of its companions} that has
ever bloomed here.

'Ihe practice of sending out new fruits and
flowers under high sounding names, and at high
prices, is but too common in our own as well as
others countries. When a man gets a new fruit
or flower professing to surpass all its others com-
petitors, pays a high price, and waits with aux-

18G9.

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJ^TELY.

361

iety and unremitting care the development of
his favorite pet, and in the end is only mortified
and chagrined for his pains and expense ; he is
apt to think his speculation is a poor one. Such a
course as this, alas but to common in our country,
is only calculated to discourage in many cases
the introduction of new and valuable things.
The writer of this, as well as others, has but too
often been deceived in this way. Only some
three or four years ago, I receivedgraftsof a cer-
tain j!^ew- York man of an apple, purporting to be
the earliest of all apples, to ripen fully by July
1st ; I have increased my favorite pet by graft-
ing, to some fifteen trees, and 1 had it in fruit
the present season ; it ripened its fruit the first
week in September, only fourth rate at that ; I
shall have to re-graft the whole.

:n^otes ox the season-fruits, &c.

BY A. HUIDEKOPER, MEADVILLE, PA.

One is apt to turn away from the theorising
and the predictive philosophy which present
themselves on the pages of our Horticultural
Journals, to the report of some one who says,
" I have tried this thing, and this is what came
of it," as to something safer and more conclusive
in the premises. Yet individual experiment is
but a qualified guide in Horticulture, the result
of it only being satisfactory under proper atten-
dant circumstances, such as a fair average sea-
son, and proper care and skill on the part of the
operator. '*It will never do," said Mr. C, in
my presence the other day, "to cut the entire top
off a maple tree when you transplant it ; a neigh-
bor of mine tried it and the trees all failed to live.''
"Xay," rejoined Mr. R , who overheard the re-
mark, •' I saw another row of trees planted near
the same locality and trimmed in the same way
and yet they all lived."

Now it was evident that here something
of soil, or season, or skill had made just the
difference between failure and success. The val-
ue of a report then depends somewhat upon the
extent of trial to which a variety of fruit has
been subjected. The soil experimented upon,
whether clay, gravel or loam, and locality, by
which the reader may judge whether the sea
son is likely lo have been a long or a short one.
If instead of the witticisms and personalities to
which we are sometimes treated, the writers
thereof would give more precise and accurate
statement of facts, nurserymen would know bet-
ter what to keep on hand, and amateurs what to
plant with a reasonable hope of success.

With a view to this end, I report our past sea-
son here as rather an unusual one, marked by
spring frosts of less than ordinary severity ; by
frequent rains during the months of May, June
and July, when we rarely had three consecutive
dry days ; by great heat in August, and by tardy
fall frosts. The first freezing hard enough to
destroy the Dahlias, occuring on the night of
October 2Uth, since when, we have had weather
such as we usually get in December, the ther-
mometer sinking at night to 19^ 17^ and 15'^
above zero, under glass. Three inches of snow
falling last night (Oct 27th) on pastures as green
as in June.

Fruits — Apple trees blossomed sparingly. Crop
a small one, much injured by borer.

Strawberries — I grow these and all other fruits
on a rich clay soil. After three years of trial, I
reject as too unproductive :

The three Tribune varieties — and also Bnssell's
Prolific. The Russell blossomed finely, but the
few large berries produced were soft and hardly
kept till picked. Newer varieties substituted for
future experiment.

Currants — AYorms bad last year, and worse
this. After a long contest with the ever reap-
pearing pest, bushes taken up and replaced with
Black Cap Raspberries.

Pears— Belle Lucrative, Tyson and Louise
Bonne de Jersey required much thinning of
fruit. Latter, notwithstanding wet season, had
saccharine elements well developed, and might
be ranked as very good. No. 2 is one of the
most reliable kinds for a crop.

Onondaga — Large and fair ; quality good ; bet-
ter than usual.

Beurre cVAnjou — Large and fair ; not yet
tested.

Duchesse cVAngouleme—'L^vge, fair, full crop ;
not high flavored.

Winter Nelis—A tree whose profuse flowering
generally ends in two or three dozen of pears ;
produced this season about a bushel of fruit,
some of the specimens measuring from nine to
ten inches in circumference.

Glout 3£orceau— Which is usually a poor bear-
er, produced a fair crop.

The Pears which cracked some, were Steven's
Genesee, White Do3'enne and Henry IV.

The Doyenne formerly did well with me, but,
on removing the tree to another part of the gar-
den, it became affected as above.

The Genesee has always proved with me on a
rich and well drained soil, a poor bearer,

362

TSE GABDEA'ER'S MOA^TELl.

December,

and in the coming spring will be regrafted with |
Something better. {

Dwarf pears are doing much better with me
during the last few years than formerly, I have
no blight and the trees grow well. I think
that many dwarf pears are ruined in our coun-
try by a fungus which dries up the bark, making
it hard and unfit for the circulation of the sa]).
Longitudinal incisions in the bark in the early
summer do good by the formation of new bark,
and the trees will be greatly benefited by a pasty
wash cf wood ashes, which maizes an alkaline
wash strong enough to destroy the fungus, li-
chens, or whatever the enemy may be, Avithout
injury to the tree itself.

Grapes— I reject the Golden Clinton or King^
which, with the advantage of along season, has
not properly ripened. The Ihl-alon, with its
lai-ge clusters and berries, which came very
nearly to maturity ; and the Eebecca which ri-
pened its fruit, but which here I deem not worth
cultivating. The fruit being tough, with a
sweet insipid May apple flavor, quite lacking in
spirit. It must have a better cliaracter else-
where, or we should not have had it spoken of
as the "Chasselas of America."

The Delaware ripened fully this year, some
clusters with me measuring four and four and a
half inches long. The beauty and character of
its fruit were all that has been claimed for it,
which amid the free use of eulogistic adjectives
in this age, is saying a good deal for it.

Creveling ripened its fruit and was moderate-
ly good.

Hartford Prolific looked spendidly on the vines,
but as usual dropped off as soon as touched.

Franklin — This (misnamed) variety is said to
be nearly barren at Philadelphia, and in New
York Catalogues is classed as inferior to Clinton.
Here, is as hardy as the Clinton, is larger,sweet-
er and better than that variety, and is the ear-
liest grape to ripen that we have. It requires
to be well pruned, and to run up high. The
bunches are irregular in size and compactness,
and the fruit stains, which is its greatest draw-
back. To stand cold, we have nothing equal to
it that is eatable.

Under glass — I reject the Mascat Troveron and
White Hamburg as not attaining to their best
condition without fire heat. Muscat Hamburg
also keeps up its bad habit of ripening unevenly.
The Golden Hamburg was the show grape of the
vinery, and the other varieties did about as well
as usual, except that I think the flavor of the

fruit was slightly injured b}'^ damage dono to the
leaves in August, by the vine fritter or thrip.
This pest is fearfully on the increase in our
country, and how to destroy it should obtain
careful consideration As an experiment, hear-
ing that carbolic acid had destro3-ed fleas, I put
one of the insects (thrip) into it, but on coming
out of the liqtiid, it shook itself and flew away.
Last fall I covered a part of the border into
which they were burrowing for the winter with
quick lime, but they came up through it appa-
rently unharmed. Attacking the vines worst
just as the fruit begins to color, all destructive
remedies are difficult of application.

[It is an interesting question why the Frank-
lin is sometimes barren. A neighbor has a very
large one, which, not fruiting except here and
there a berry, he allowed to run wild some years
ago. It rambles over a large Larch, Silver Fir,
Pinus Excelsa, a Weeping Ash and some others,
exciting much poetry, but, yet for all this yield-
ing no prosaic fruit. This season, however, it
surprised all by bearing a fair crop ; though
other circumstances are all the same, except
that " the season has been favorable to all kinds
of fruit."— Ed.]

DAVISOX'S THORXLESS RASPBERRY.

BY H. COLLIXS, VINELAND, X. J.

In ^Vm. Parry's essay on Raspberries, read at
the Discussional Meeting of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, June 6th, 1869, and pub-
lished in the July number of the Monthly, 1 ob-
served the following paragraph, under the head
of "Novelties:''

^' Davison'' s Thornless made quite a sensation,
because the thorns were not on the canes as
usual, but come frota the under-side of the
leaves, they were said to be very early, and sold
readilj'- at 81-00 each. I obtained 600 plants
and set them in good soil ; have had two moder-
ate crops of fruit. Last spring a year ago we
made a large patch from the tips, grown the
previous summer, but finding the fruit to ripen
at the same time as Doolitttles, and not yielding
as much per acre, we ploughed them under and
used the land for other crops."

AVith all due deference to the opinions of my
friend Parry, I must take the liberty to inform
him and the public, that my experience with
Davison's Thornless has led me to form a very
different opinion of it ; still, if I had a plantation
of it that gave no better promise than his did

1869-

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

363

when I saw it last tall, I should serve it as he
did — "plough them under and use the land for
other crops."

I have cultivated the Doolittle in a small way
for market, almost ever since its discovery.
Last summer I picked from 4000 hills of the
Thornless. The plants were set in the spring of
1SG8, and received nothing more than ordinary
field cultui-e. Many of them were in an orchard
of pear and peach trees, and did not give a large
yield ; hut whenever they had a fair chance, the
•yield was as large as any plantation of Doolit-
tles of the same age I ever saw. The berries
were large and fine, and as much earlier than
Doolittle as as the Wilson Blackberry is earlier
than the Lawtou — maturing its whole crop —
while the later berries of Doolittle were so small
and dried up, as to be not worth the picking.
This feature alone of the Thornless must com-
mend it to general favor, and if Wm. Parry will
go in, as I have day after day, and pick Doolit-
tles and then the Thornless, I believe he will tes_
tify to the comfort of picking the latter over the
former.

As friend Parry has undertaken to cry down
this variety, I wi.sh to present the testimony of
some other fruit growers.

Silas Walton, Moorestown, N". J., wrote me
under date of 7th mo. 28, '69, speaking of Davi-
son's Thornless says : "The plants fruited so
well the present season that T presume there will
be considerable demand for the young plants."

James O. Ransom, Hammonton, N". J., and
several others have given their decided testi-
mony in its favor, but as this article is already
too lor.ir, I will omit them.

MAMMOTH CLUSTER RASPBERRY. .

BY A. M. PTJRDY, PAI.MYRA, N". Y.

I notice on page 31.S of Gardener''s Monthly^ an
article headed '•'•Miami Black Cap Baspherry,''''
in which you say that Charles Downing pro-
nounces the "McCorraick, Miami, Large Miami,
Improved Miami, Collinsville Miami, Superior
Miami and Mammoth Cluster,'''' "all one thing."
Now as I am one of the firm who named the last
sort, and was instrumental in bringing it so
prominently before the public, and as the above
would go to show that Ave have re-named an old
sort, 1 hope I may be allowed room in your
columns, to make some comments and explana-
tions. In the first place, I would like to ask
Chas. Downing, if he ever saw plants in hearing

under all of the above names ? And secondly,
if he ever saw what he knows to be the McCor-
mickin fruiting? Mr. Underbill of Syracuse,
who visited our grounds a year ago, wrote the
Horticulturist last winter, that he had seen the
McCormick or Collinsville Miami in fruit at
Centralia, Ills., and that it was inferior to the
Mammoth Cluster in every respect. I have seen
three distinct varieties under the name of Mi-
ami, Improved Miami and Brown Miami, and
yet every one of them was different from the
Mammoth Cluster, and distinct with each other.
I would further say, that Chas. Downing was
on our grounds a year ago the past summer, and
expressed his great astonishment in the most
emphatic manner, over our Mammoth Cluster,
pronouncing it then, in the presence of a num-
ber of fruit men, superior to any Miami or Black-
cap he had ever seen, and urged us strongly to
name it,— saying most emphatically, that it was
not the Miami. Another proof that it cannot be
the McJormick, is, that Andrew S. Puller wrote
us a year ago, that he described the McCoi-mick
in his "Small Fruit Culturist," under the name
of Miami, and that our Mammoth Cluster was
superior to any ]\Iiami he had ever seen— not-
withstanding he had grown twenty-six named
sorts of raspberries.

Another proof is, that every single person who
has visited our grounds the past two years—
among them hundreds of fruit growers, east and
west, pronounced it distinct and superior to any
Blackcap they had ever seen, and not one had
ever seen it before. We have in our possession
a letter from one of the most prominent pomolo-
gists in the United States, (his name will be
given to the public if the necessity calls for it.)
in which he says he has had sent to him, all the
difterent Miamis he had ever heard of, and yet
that person on visiting our grounds, pronounced
our Mammoth Cluster superior to them all.

Another proof. It will be remembered that
Mr. Mears of Ohio, AYiote to the Prairie Farmer
last fall, that this McCorraick had been known
70 years, and that some 2.3 or 30 years ago (I
think it was) plants of it had been forwarded to
a prominent fruit grower east. Now I ask, does
it look reasonable, that if this McCormick is the
same as the Mammoth Cluster, that its valuable
merits would not have been discovered long ago,
and brought to the public notice by some of our
live fruit growers or nurserymen, east or west ?
! Does it look reasonable that a berry that should

S64-

THE GARBEJS^ER'S MOA'THLY

DeccDiher,

attract the attention and gain the hearty en-
dorsement from such men as Chas. Downing,
John J. Thomas, H. E. Hooker, T. C. Maxwell,
Andrew S. Fuller, D. D. T. Moore and others,
could have been so long cultivated and yet not
brought to the public notice ere this ? Does it
look reasonable that we should have lived \t the
Avest 12 to 1.5 years, and been so well acquainted
wi'h fruit growing and the markets there, and
yet never have seen this quality ? Andrew S.
Fuller held this same view of it last winter, in a
letter we have in our possession from him.

The party in Illinois, and Of whom we first
obtained it, claimed that it was a choice seed-
ling on his farm, and may it not closely resem-
ble in many respects (as all Blackcaps do) the
McCormick, and yet be superior to it in other
respects ?

;May not the specimen fruit that Chas. Down-
ing has seen, be our Mammoth Cluster instead
of the McCormick, (as we sent it out for a year
or so by mistake for Miami to different parties,)
and to the party whom we obtained our first
plants, might have sent it out to others, and
thus it might have become disseminated. These
things should all be considered before quite so
much haste is shown in giving a mere opinion
that so many different names belong to the same
berry. "We simply linoio it is not the Miami, for
we have known and grown the sort that is gen-
erally cultivated throughout by that name for
ten years, and it has been readily recognized as
such by every judge of this fruit, who has visited
our grounds, and its distinct characteristics from
the Mammoth Clusters growing by its side,
readily seen and acknowledged by all.

It must be seen that such an opinion will do
great harm, for many who have not got the
Mammoth Cluster, but have sorts by their dif-
ferent names, will take it for granted that they are
identical, and without any intention of imposing
on the public, offer and sell such as the Mam-
moth Cluster. The Miami we hav3, certainly
does not answer to the description that Down-
ing gives to a variety he says is grown in Ohio
by that name ; f r ours, instead of being a more
brownish color, is a more glossy black than the
Mammoth Cluster, and instead of ripening at
the same time, ripens fully a week earlier, but
keeps in fruiting near.y as long. I would there-
fore repeat your enquiry. "By what name had
this better be distinguished ?" that is, the sort
Downing refers to. We have sold ours for years

by the name of Improved Miami, to designate
it from a berry that was being disseminated
through the country as Miami, and which was
but little, if any, better than the common black-
cap of the woods.

It is certainly strange that intelligent men,
who pronounced this Mammoth Cluster distinct
from any Miami they ever saw, and one of which
was growing on our grounds and which they
readily recognized as Miami, should now couple
the Mammoth Cluster with such and pronounce
them the same.

What the public want is facts and not opin-
ions, no matter by whom the latter are advanced.

PEAR CULTURE.

BY DR J. S. nOUGHTO^r, PHILADELPHIA.

The remarks made by the Editor of the Gar-
dener'>s jMonthhj upon ni}'' essay on Pear culture,
at the October meeting of the Pennsylvania Hor-
ticultural Society, may seem to call for some re-
ply upon my part.

Mr. Meehan is at once over-kind and over-
rough to me. He at first applies a dose of honey
and soft-soap, and then proceeds to polish me
down with a brickbat. In like manner the good-
hearted skipper in Capt. Marryatfs novel, find-
ing Japhet with unclean teeth, very kindl}' un-
dertook to polish them with soap, sand, salt and
old canvas. Japhet with bleeding gums, resist-
ed the skipper's kindness. He did not like the
style in which it was dona. Xo more do I like
the present method. It is very kind no doubt,
and well meant. It may hi very funny to some,
but the fun is "not for Joe." Bat it is also very
cunning, and is likel}^ to place me in a posi-
tion Avhich I believe I do not deserve ; that is, in
the position of a man who has made a ridiculous
failure. I do not think Mr. Meehan intended to
do this, but such is the effect of his remarks.
In discussing the "grass" question, he has inad-
vertently thrown stones instead of grass. His
badinage instead of being light raillery alone, is
too much like solid shot. With all deference
and good humor, I appeal from his decisions,
and respectfully decline the position which he as-
signs to me.

In the .first place, I deny that my experiments
in Pear culture have proveJ utter failures.

When I commenced planting Pear trees, near-
ly twelve years ago, it was almost impossible to
find any established system of culture, pruning,

J869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

W5

&c., which could be studied and adopted, with-
out question as to its correctness, as indeed it is
now, for most persons not well posted up in the
art. Although I had assistance, from persons
supposed to know something (but who dkVnt
liiou:), I have been at least eight years learning
how to plant and cultivate, and prune. In these
eight years, I have adopted and discarded two
or three methods, especially in pruning, until at
last, r believe I have landed on safe and sure
ground. My difficulties as to pruning, are now
all past. I have the most perfect control over
the production of fruit spurs. I believe T can
fruit any pear, even the Dix, in four or five years,
and most kinds in three or four years.

]S"ow I have upwards 25,003 pear trees, plant-
ed for fruiting, and all in good health and vigor.
I have never suffered from summer blight, and"
have" not lost twenty trees in ten years by winter
blight I have not over-manured my trees, nor
have I neglected to manure them. I have now
just reached the end of my planting, and feel
satisfied that I have learned how to plant and
how to manage a Pear orchard.

During the last ten years, while engaged in
planting, I have had but two or three good crops
of fruit, and only twice has the fruit been of fine
quality.

The want of success in the production of fruit,
has arisen from the following causes :

1. The pyramidal system of pruning, which
I have now abandoned.

2. Cold winds, rain and frost at the time of
blossoming and for two weeks afterwards.

3. Fnngus and insects.

4. General climatic influences advei'se to the
production of fine fruit.

The question of "grass or no grass,"' surface
cultivation or no surface cultivation, does not
come into account at all.

The plain fact is, that for fifteen years past,
nobody in the State of Pennsylvania, (out of the
cities) has produced any fine pears of any conse-
quence, until within the last three years. Nei-
ther the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,
nor the State Fruit Growers' Society ever made
a respectable exhibition of Peai'S without the aid
of Western New York and Boston. We hear
the ''oldest inhabitant" talks of a period when
"Butter Pears" were perfect in Pennsylvania,
bdt that was before my time.

As to surface cultivation, that has really no-
thing to do with success or failure in fruiting

Pear trees. The difficulties remaining with me
are almost Avholly climatic.

It might be supposed, from Mr. Meehan's re-
marks, that I am constantly digging among the
roots of my Pear trees. Such is not the case.
My dwarf Pear orchard is simply ploughed in a
\ ery shallow manner, with a light steel plough,
(the Clipper plough made at Ilion, N. Y.,) three
or four times in a season, just as nursery rows
are ploughed, and the hoe is u.sed between the
trees to keep them clear of weeds. No crops are
grown between the trees. In j^loughing, very
few roots are ever exposed or cut. The truth is
it is not possible to plough near enough to dwarf
trees with a horse to cut the roots, which are
in a compact mass several inches below the fur-
row. It hurts the trees just as much as it hurts
nursery stock to plough it, and no more ; and
every nurseryman knows that it makes the stock
grow so thrifty, that they are compelled to cease
ploughing after August, to secure the lipening
of the wood.

In respect to the question of the comparative
coolness of a ploughed field, and a grass covered
field in summer, I have only to say that mv well
ploughed ground is always moist in the period
of severest drouth, and my trees never lose their
foliage. Mulching is a good thing ; but a well-
ploughed field, as all good cultivators know, is
the best po.ssible mulching— that is, a mulchiuf
of loose earth.

That the want of success in the production of
fine Pears in Pennsylvania has been, and is,
one of a climatic character almost solely, I have
proved by the following experiment :

Last spring I placed a part of a row of Beurre
Clairgeau Pear trees under the protection of
glass, just before and during the blossoming pe-
riod, and secured a full set of fruit on every tree
so protected, while on the adjacent trees of the
same variety, and thousands of other trees of
all varieties in my orchard, the crop was de-
stroyed by cold Avinds and rain.

Another remarkable circumstance was soon ob-
served in relation to the protected fruit. The B.
Clairgeau on the adjacent trees, and throughout
my orchard, in different places, soon turned red
and high colored, as the variety generally does
elsewhere, and became spotted with fungus, (of-
ten so much disfigured as to be worthless), as B.
Clairgeau does in many other places, and other
States. But under glass, the fruit retained a
perfectly pea-green hue for several months, with
a bloom upon it like the bloom on foieign grapes,

SG6

TEE GARDEJS^EU'S MOJVTELY. December

and scnrcely a speck of fuugus appeared upon
any of the specimens.

The sashes were removed in August on ac-
count of the labor of watering and syringing the
trees, and the fruit soon lost its delicate green
color and became spotted and colored like other
fruit of the same variety.

Now I am ready to admit that Pear culture in
Pennsylvania has for several years past (say fif
teen or twenty years,) been a comparative fail-
ure in open orchards ; but I deny that my par-
ticular system of culture, as now perfected and
piactiscd, has been or is a failure, even under
the adverse climate of Pennsylvania. All my
failures have been under the old system of pyra-
midal pruning. At present, J claim that my
Pear culture is not a failure but (so far as man is
able to make it so) a decided success.

I am now ready to enter into a contest for the
championship of America in Pear culture and
Pear growing, with any cultivator, or any num-
ber of cultivators, in any place which has ever
shown fruit at any horticultural exhibition prior
to 18G9. I make an exception of the year 1869,
to exclude California and ihe man who grew the
big Duchesse d'Angouleme, near ]!:^orfolk, Va.

I did not intend to brag, but since Mr. Alee-
han has rendered it necessary for me to do so, I
will say that I believe I can grow almost any
Pear of a size, quality and beauty, that cannot
be surpassed in any of the Middle and Northern
States, with the utmost degree of certainty, in
any season when icicles do not form on the bios
soms, and I intend to do this before many years
pass over Mr. Median's head ; and I shall send
him such a box of specimens, that he will be
compelled in all his honesty to acknowledge the
serious mistake which he has made about my
supposed failure.

The truth is, that nature as well as art, seems
to be helping us to produce fine Pears in Penn-
sylvania. This year, the crop everywhere has
been better than usual, and the quality, the (fla-
vor, and aroma,) have been really remarkable.
My own crop has been very good, and the quali-
ty of the fruit in man}'- instances, superior to any
of the best northern fruit. The Duchesse d'An-
gouleme, which is often coarse, insipid and wa-
tery, is this year, on my place, rich, aromatic,
sweet and delicious in the extreme— as good as
the very best Pears— and taste, as one person
said, "as if they had been sugared down.''

My display of fruit at the exhibition of the

National Pomological Society, (much to my sur-
prise) was but little inferior to the best fruit
from any of the states, except California, in
point of size and general excellence, though a
little darker in the skin, — the effect of our climate.
Of one variety from my orchard, Marshall P.
Wilder said, 'we cannot grow it so large in
Massachusetts." You will see that remark in
the official report.

Once more I deny that my system of cultiva-
tion or pruning is a failure, and I contend that
I will yet overcome the difficulties of climate ;
and I hope nature will temper the winds to our
tender lambs.

THE WELLINGTONIA. (Sequoia) GIGANTEA.

Its growth in England and Rochester, N. Y.

BY P. BARRY.

In the English Gardener'' s Chronicle of Octo-
ber 9th, a correspondent gives the measurements
and ages of some fine specimens of this noble
tree growing in Lamorly Park, Kent ; they are
as follows :

No. 1, planted in 1854, is 29 feet 10 inches in
height, 19 feet in diameter of branches and 6 feet
9 inches in circumference of trunk at one fo >t
above the ground.

No. 2, planted in 1856, is 25 feet 2 inches in
height, 14 feet 8 inches in diameter of branches,
and 5 feet three inches in circumference of trunk
at one foot above the ground.

Four years ago I gave in this journal, vol. 7,
p. 268, a statement, showing the age and meas-
urements of our trees, EUwanger & Barry's, at
that time. For the purpose of comparing the
rate of growth of this tree in our grounds, with
the finest specimen in England, I have had
measurements made to day, October 23d, 1869.
One tree not much different from the others in a
group of 20, measures as follows : Planted in
1857 when about a foot high ; now 24 feet in
height, 11 feet in diameter of branches, 3 feet 9
inches in circumference of tiunk near the ground.
This shows a gain of about 10 feet in 4 years,
and the average growth in height over the- 12
years, is 2 feet per y ar.

The average of the English trees is a trifle less
than 2 feet in height per year ; but they exceed
ours in average growlh of circumference of
trunk.

This is doubtless owing to the fact that our
trees have stood in a group, too close to admit of
the fullest lateral development.

P. 8. I would like to hear of its growth at
other places in the United States.

1SG9,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJSTTHLY.

367

E D T T 0 H I AL .

A DECEXXALATORY.

Teu years ago to day we closed our first vol-
ume of the Garclener'>s Monthly. We believe no
purely horticultural journal before or since, ever
had an equal list of paid up subscribers. It fell
off as did others, during the war ; but the past
two or three years it has steadily risen from its
lowest point, until the publishers are enabled to
announce their ability to spend more than hereto-
fore on the embellishment of the work, without
any increase of price to the subscribers.

Editorially, we feel grateful for this confidence.
Though labored attempts have been made to
weaken public regard for magazines "edited by
nurserymen,'' or those having "horticultural
establishments, " it has been made clear that
the garden and nursery afford at least as good
a school for the conductors of magazines, as the
parlor or counting room. We boast not of any
superior learning or ability ; but take a pride in
the publishers' exultant success,as indicating that
the great horticultural public, which is so zeal-
ously supporting them, has not suffered bj' our
daily associations with the soil.

Readers ! let us make the next ten years as
successful as the past. Without our monthly
intercourse together, where would our know-
ledge be ? You who have followed us regularly,
hardly know ; but ask those who have been com-
pelled to drop out of our charmed circle. The
numerous letters of those who are coming up
from the Lethean depths again —who have left
us in times past for other gods, or from a natu-
ral blindness to the light they were enjoying,
tell the best story.

Subscribers ! you in whom the publishers put
" their trust, — feel as you have ever done, that the
paper is j'our own. All the publishers can afford,
they give you, —all they can spare, they share with
you ; act towards them as you would to your
steward, — give them what encouragomcnt they
merit ; and your counsel wherein improvements
can be made.

Contributors ! the Editor has his best Avishes
for you ! Working far more for the love of horti-
culture than for profit ; constantly declining op-
portunities which might make him richer in this
worlds goods, but poorer in the means of horti-
cultural usefulness ; he can appreciate the merits
of those good friends who are actuated by the

same spirit. He believes no magazine ever gave
publication to so many new and valuable facts
in the same time ; and all this has been from the
unpaid, and in most cases unsolicited offerings
of true lovers of the gardening art.

Friends of all classes ! help us to create a taste
for horticulture in every corner of the earth ;
and to give a true horticultural spirit to all the
inhabitants thereof. We shall not bribe you by
premiums or promises, to do your own work.
We of the Gardener''s Monthly are your servants.
It is your interest that others participate in the
same pleasures of which you partake. A garden
with no one to enjoy it, is a poor paradise ; an
enthusiast with no kindred spirit is not an envi-
able mortal. So therefore you who enjoy fruits
and flowers, and trees, and lawns, and gai;dens,
and who long for sympathy and encouragement
from your neighbors and friends,— pass around
our journal ; and we on our part, shall endeavor
to make it worthy of all you say of it, and help
you to prove that a garden is the purest of all
human pleasures, — the purest, the cheapest, the
healthiest, the best.

TREE HISTORIES.

With eyery new fruit or rare plant, comes a
curious history. The Fuchsia was said to have
been first discovered in an old cracked tea-pot,
grown by a poor sailor's mother, whose son
nursed a plant in the forecastle of his ship, on
the long voyage from South America. Rare
Tulips have been in danger, during the mania, of
being eaten in mistake for onions by careless
sailors, who notwithstanding the immense value
of the bulbs, had the chance to lay their hands
on the roots lying around looser than we should
allow potatoes to do. We find scarcely an old
tree anywhere, but it was either "planted" by
General Washington ; from the stone of a fruit
eaten by Washington ; or brought in somebody's
saddle bags, hundreds of miles. "Riding swit-
ches," used on the horses of hundreds of lady
travellers, have been stuck into the ground, and
have made grape vines innumerable. Fruit
trees without number— valuable seedlings— come
into existence in a semi-miraculous manner.
Indeed, unless there is some sign or wonder ex-
hibited at its birth, it is rare that any great ex-

368

TEE GABDEAEL'S MO XT ELY

Dcceinher,

cellencies are found. In one case, a bed of some
hundreds of apple tree seedlings has every plant
but one eaten off. The damaged plants push
again. Singular to relate, they are eateu at the
root by gophers, and this time totally destroyed ;
but the one left by the rabbits is still untouch-
ed. The owner struck by such a marvellous oc-
currence, dares not graft the wonderful escape-
ment as he intended, but lets it grow up to the
bearing state ; and he is not surprised to find it
"a head and shoulders"' above anything heard
of. The neighbors come together for miles, to
see the new born prodigy, and unanimously
crown it the 'king of fruits.''

Xow all these things are vouched for by hon-
orable men. We are not joking. Similar stories
to the.se are implicitly believed by thousands of
people in all soits of instances. Wo have had
histories of things given to us by people whom
we know are above untruth,— by people whom
Ave are sure implicitly believe the stories they
tell us, — and yet we are nearly sure in many cases
their tales are without foundation, and some we
are certain never occurred.

We have shown in a former volume of the
Gardener\s Monthlu, that the accounts we have
of the origin of the Bartlett Pear, must be apoc-
ryphal, and we are continually in trouble with
peoples' "undoubted facts" in the same way.
Recently we went to some trouble to see a living
tree of the Carolina A.sh ; the introduction of
which tree into the owner's grounds from one
specific tree of the right kind was so circum-
stantial, that we never had the slightest doubt
of its authenticity ; yet now in fruit, it was no-
thing but the common northern Ash, Fraxlnus
acuminata. The owner is now deceased ; but on
his authority, many strange facts have gone into
the written history of trees ; and even into Euro-
pean arboricultural standard works ; and we
have now no doubt are as inaccurate as this.
Is there a natural law which decrees that not
even memoiy shall live forever V AVhich in
time so distorts things by some means of which
philosophers have been un -conscious, that we
first begin to believe them false, then laugh at,
and end by losing interest in and forgetting alto-
gether ? Is nature determined that we shall
never know from whence we came, or whither
we are going, and does she take this way to de-
stroy the tracks man has made in his progress
through eternal ages ? For thousands of years
has our race peopled this earth, and anthropolo-

gy tells us that they were in most things as wise
as we ; yet their traces are lost, and "'sis thous-
and" is the most that the wisest can definitely
suggest ; and of this, only the history of yester-
day finds much credence, and barel}' that. The
older the history the less it is believed in, until
as age by age advances, one by one of the far-
thest is lopped off bj^ all but a few, and passes
away. Even with these few it is freely grantel
that the oldest facts on record, are well nigh im-
possible ; and this is true of science as of any
branch of historical literature.

But whether there is or is not any way of ac-
counting on philosophical principles, for thes3
self-decepiive stories, there is no doubt of the
fact that we should always receive all "facts'"
which may serve to build principles on with
great caution. We are sutTering every day from
a false philosophy, because built on somebody's
"facts" which ought not to have been credited ;
and in vegetable physiology and the kindred
sciences, so many things are taught on just such
authority, causing much infinite trouble in the
ever}' day practice of horticulture ; that it be-
hooves all writing of facts for' our journal, to be
particularly careful that they are not deceived
themselves, and all who listen or read, not to
credit too easily everything that is said. If it
were not for the "systems" built on these sup-
posed facts, it would be no matter.

DR. IIOUGHTOX'S PEAR CULTURE.

In our last number we gave Dr. Houghton's
Essay on Pear Culture, and the discussion there-
on at the Horticultural Society's meeting. It
will be remembered that the leading speaker on
the essay imbibed the idea from the reading of
the essay, that the Doctor was himself conscious
of his own failure. It will be seen by a reply in
another column, that he recognizes no such mis-
fortune, but on the contrary is well satisfied
with the results of his present practice. With
the article came a basket of most glorious
Duchesse Pears, and if the "proof of the pud-
ding is in the eating," there is surely success in
these. It is clear that our good friend is neither
a "dead duck" iior a "live goose '' in pear cul-
ture ; and if he does not even rise to the dignity
of a " crower " and raise his voio over Mechan,
and all opponents, it will not be that he does not
deserve to do so.

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJS'TELY.

369

SCEAPS km QUERIES.

Grafting Chestnuts, — W. B, Glen Mills,
Pa — " I have seen large trees of Spanish Chest-
nuts Avhich I was assured were grafted on com-
mon Chestnuts. I have tried the operation sev-
eral times but alwa3\s unsuccessfully, Have you
had experience in grafting Chestnuts? I some-
times think that as some salts of iron are inju-
rious to vegetation, the dark film produced on
chestnut Bark by cutting with a steel knife may
preA'ent union. "

[There is no general difficulty in grafting
the Chestnut ; although like all kinds of grafting
special knowledge has to be given each plant —
to be gained only by experience. If you fail
once try a little earlier or a little later. Some
who graft extensively, find it is necessary to
graft very early. The Beech, for instance, is one
which has to be done very early in the season;
and some growers even find it to their interest
to take up the plants and graft in winter, in
order to get this extra earliness. We have had no
experience with Chestnuts ; but as it is of some-
what the same nature as the Beech, perhaps you
might succeed with this early plan.]

Eetinispora Ellwangeiuana. — The fol-
lowing interesting note is translated from Be-
vue Horticole. On what principle any " botanist,"
who admits that a plant is a seedling from
Thuja occidentalism can proceed to describe it as
a " Retinispora " is beyond our knowledge.
Carriere has had many objections made to
his views of things, and we do not think this
helps to make matters clearer. Our readers
know how to account for these changes in
form in Coniferse, which knowledge has not
3'et reached France ; but the observation
of M. Carriere, that the sensible properties of
this Thuja follows its form, is a highly interest-
ing fact. There is another fact which, however,
M. Carriere has not noticed, but which must
be familiar to most American observers, namely,
that color, as well as properties, goes with form.
All seedlings of Thuja, while young and in the
free leaved stage, have a purple tint in winter;
when the adnate leaved stage occurs, the color is a
pingy greenish brown ; but in these free leaved
forms, as Tom Thumb, Meldensis, Ericoides,&c.,
the purple color of the young plant is retained

all through with the young or free leaved condi-
tion. The Bevue says :

Here we have another plant, remarkable for its origin
and diverse character. On these two accounts, it is
worthy of our attention, by showing us how certain
types are formed and to what their properties are due.
Its origin, although apparently strange, is not without
precedent, on the contrary it clears up certain doubts
which have existed in regard to one of its congeners,
the Retinispora dubia, which it resembles in several
respects.

It was originated by Mr. Ellwanger, a nurseryman of
Boston,* from seed of the Thuja occidentalis, which it
resembles in its flattened shoots. This will be observed
in flg. 74, which represents the R. EUwangeriana in
question.

But one of the most remarkable characteristics, and
which, to a certain extent, confirms another law of
which we have already spoken, and which we may state
thus : The properties of bodies are in harmony luilh their
nature and especially with their forms, is furnished
us by the R EUwangeriana. All Its flattened shoots,
when pressed in the hand, emit a strong and agreeable
odor, similar to that of the Thuja occidentalis, whilst
the cylindrical .shoots do not. Besides, as there are flat
and cylindrical parts on the same shoot, it follows that
we find contiguous parts fragrant and others entirely
without odor. This is a most remarkable fact,to which
we call attention.

The R EUwangeriana, Car.jThuja EUwangeriana, .HbrC^
forms a bushy shrub, very hardy and not without ele-
gance. It succeeds in nearly all kinds of soil. It is
multiplied by cuttings, which root readily without arti-
ficial heat under glass. Indeed, if the branches but touch
the soil they will take root. It may be observed, how-
ever, that the flat branches do not root so readily as the
cylindrical, which tends to confirm what we have
said: "Tliat the properties of plants hold an intimate
relation with their forms.

The Cacoon Vine.— i>., Glen Milh, Penna.
writes : — Three seasons I have had growing a
plant somewhat resembling that from Nassau,
described by L. B. in your October number. It
is common in some of the Southern States, where
it is known as the Dish Cloth Gourd. The in-
ternal fibrous portion is commonly used as a
dish cloth, and in Louisiana and elsewhere, col-
ored women cut into it on one side take out the
seeds and fashion it into a sunbonnet. I first
got one of the gourds from Mobile, and have
since received seeds from !N^orth Carolina. Ow-
to the shortness of our seasons I have never been
able to mature the fruit. Last year I had one
vine which when killed by frost, had upon it
about a dozen gourds, several of them a foot in.

*Ellwaager & Biirrj, Koche^ter, New York,

S70

THE GABDEJ^ER'S MOXTHLY, December,

length, resembling a long straight squash. This
year, owing to the drought, the vines were very
backward, and when frost came I had but one
about five inches long. I think it may possibly
be matured in this State, as 1 read that a gen-
tleman at Morrisania, near New York, had suc-
ceeded in perfecting it there in the open air.

[This is the same plant that L. B. referred to.
In the "West India Islands it is used for washing
dishes— as a dishcloth— hence the name. L. B.
has sent us the skeleton of one about nine inchc3
long, which we have placed amongst the articles
in our collection.]

EuoNYMUS Americanus — L. B. sends us
some seeds and capsules, with the remark that it
is well worthy of culture, with which we hearti-
ly agree. We have already two kinds in general
culture :— the Euonymus Europteus, English
Burning Bush, and E. atrojmrjmreus, the Mis-
sissippi Burning. This one, more beautiful than
either, is seldom grown. In its native woods it
is but a weak trailing shrub ; but when out in
the open sun light it makes a strong upright
bush of great beauty.

to the seller than to the buyer. It is mostly
made up of foreign grasses not well adapted to
our climate. For us, we want nothing better in
the north than Rye grass, {Lolium perenne) and
in the Middle and South-west States Green
grass {Poa pratense). This will crowd out the
crab grass.

You need not dig it up again, however. Rake
the surface over early next spring. and sow Green
grass in the rough ground, and then roll it
over. It will scarcely be strong enough the first
year to entirely smother the crab grass, but it
will vcr}' nearly do so ; and the next season it
will almost entirely have disappeared. f

Mexica:n- Everbearing Strawberry. —
In accordance Avith our practice to give our
readers all sides of every question, we may ob-
serve that Mr. Bateham.Mr. Hathaway and Mr.
Campbell of Delaware, all cautious and careful ob-
servers, have recently placed themselves on record
against the value of this fruit.

Laavns.— J S.,Jr.,We-'<t Phila. says: 'T had
the ground for my lawn dug over two spits deep
two years ago, well manured and sown with the
best lawn grasses. The first year all did well,
and I had a handsome sod. This spring the
(Trass also looked very well, but as the season
advanced, I noticed a considerable amount of
crab grass, and towards the latter part of the sea-
son the whole lawn was pretty much covered
with it. This character of grass does not now
show very much, but where it Avas thickest,
there is nothing but burnt grass, everything
grown having been destroyed.

During the early part of the season I used a
lawn mower frequently, keeping the grass a
pretty short length. During the drought I watered
freely. but with all, the lawn in my estimation is
a perfect failure.

Can 5'ou give me any advice as to the best
course to adopt in order to obtain what I aimed
to secure in the beginning, viz., a po/eci laicn.

I do not dare to think of digging it all over, as
all the trees are planted, and the ground is in the
shape I desire, besides which, it is a fearful un-
dertaking."

[" Lawn Grass " is a sort of a " patent medi-
cine, " in which much more profit usually goes

loxA Grape— Mr. James Laws, of German -
town, had excellent success- with this again the
past year. As we have said before, his soil is on
a dry rotten rock. He has two vines two years
grafted on Concord, and the produce was about
20 pounds to each vine, and bunches about f lb.
each. In one bunch 84 perfect berries were
counted.

The Salem Grape, on the grounds of the
same gentleman, grafted on Isabellas, also did
remarkably well. There were from 30 to 40 ber-
ries on the clusters, and finer looking bunches
than average Black Hamburg.

Alpine Strawberry. — We are indebted to
Mr. A- S Fuller for some plants of what he con-
siders the old red Alpine Strawberry, which we
shall plant with much pleasure ; and shall be
glad to have from other friends any varieties of
alpine they may have. There is evidently con-
siderable confusion somewhere in these varieties,
and only careful examination will set them right.

We happen to have a corner in which was an
old wood pile, and shaded all around by build-
ings, just the place for Alpines to grow, and we
promise ourselves some pleasure in hunting out
facts here.

The Alpines have been a much neglected and
are yet a deserving class, and we are glad that

1869.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY.

S'fl

attention is being given to them. Those who will
try them, may profit by a suggestion of Mr- Wier,at
the Pomological Convention, that probably the
wet season has helped them at Detroit. No
doubt a wet season is favorable to Alpine Straw-
berries, as is also coolness and shade, and those
who would give these things a fair trial, will of
course select the most favorable places, and not
expect to gather grapes from thistles, Tomatoes
froni the shade of maples trees, or Alpine Straw-
berries from hot gravel banks.

Quality of Pears—" AddV> sends us the
following: "The taste of a child is generally
counted as good. To day Nov. 7th, 1869, I cut
one pear each of Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre Defais
and Beurre Clairgeau, all about equally ripe. I
gave one piece of each to one child five years old,
one nine years and one eleven years. The reply
on asking for the best was, the first was most
soft but sour, second was soft and sweet and
good, third was gritty but sweet, altogether they
liked the second one best. My own taste coincided,
and I fear that the Beurre Defliis is a variety too
little known and appreciated, in comparison with
its real value The tree is hardy ; a strong, vig-
orous, healthy grower ; bears young and pro-
fusely on the Quince stock, is of above medium
size in fruit, smooth skin, pale yellow, handsome
and commands ready sale, at a price one-third
above Beurre Diel or Beurre d' Anjou,"

Gardeners, &c — We are nearly run down
with letters asking for gardeners, foremen, prop-
agators, and occasionally, even " how to make
money? " Some it is true offering to pay us for
our trouble ; and others asking it as a matter of
right, apparently. We dont know anything about
this business, and must decline to answer

ALL SUCH letters.

Siberian Crab. — W. B. says: "In a re-
cent number of the Monthly you speak of the
Siberian Crab as a Russian apple. I have read,
(I am sorry I cannot recollect where,) that this
crab was found wild somewhere in the United
States, but that nurseryman who brought it be-
fore the public misrepresented its origin to en-
hance its value. I should be glad to know the
truth of the matter.

[This is an error, Some varieties have been
raised in this country, and some nurseryman
may have misstated that their variety came from

Russia. But the original species is of Siberian
origin. Pyrus coronaria is the nearest all}' to
the Siberian that we have native here.]

Errors in Advertisements. — Ampelopsis
Vietchii. In our last appeared an advertisement
of a new and beautiful plant by Mr. Charlton,
but it did not say what the plant was. Ampelop -
sis Vietchii was the plant intended. It is a beau-
tiful plant, and Mr. Charlton is doing good ser-
vice b}' introducing it His address is Roches-
ter, N. Y.

Peach Seed— The types also made our friends,
John Donaldson & Co., offer Peach Seed at $3.50
per bu hel instead of barrel. They have quite
a large stock.

Page's Pump SPRiNKLERS.-These seem to have
great merit. The water is forced through the
working rod, and a flexible tube in one hand,
with the handle of the piston or working rod in
the other ; the work is very simple. It makes
the best kind of syringe for greenhouse work.

EuMELAN Grape— J". W. M., Exeter, N. II.
"The Eumelan Grape, would it be of much
value to us here m addition to our present stock,
such as Delaware, Creveling, Concord, »&c."

[The Eumelan has not been fruited in many
places ; but so far as we are able to judge, from
this limited experience, it is likely to be a good
addition to your Exeter collection.

Treatment of an Apple Orchard- W. J.
McC, Toronto, Canada,s?iys : "I have a young
apple orchard which I planted some four years
ago,I have grown root crops in the same ground,
and the trees have done well ; now the trees be-
gin to be so large that it is difficult to continue
this mode of cultivation, and I feel at a loss to
know what is best to do. Perhaps you would be
kind enough to give me some information. You
may have treated on this subject befi re, but,
during the three years which I have been a
reader of the '•'■ Monti ilj,^'' I don't recollect to
have seen anything."

[It is very difficult to advise in a case like this,
without seeing the orchard in question. Mucti
of what ought to be done, will depend on
what materials are at hand to do the right thing
with. When root crops are grown, the trees get
fed as well as the roots, — often when root crops

372

THE GARDE JEER'S MO^^THLY

Decemher,

stop, the food for the trees stop also. We should j AVe believe it is a seedling of Bellefleur, judg-
put the orchard down in grass, and top dress ing from appearances. If any one takes up our
once in three years, unless there are other local hint about classifying from "'types," this will be
reasons for another course of treatment ] i found under the Bellefleur head.)

Mr. Quixjj^'s Pear Trees — When Hearth
& Home illustrated " the falsity of a certain Edi-
tor's theories" by virtue of Mr. Quinn's example,
we fear it did not tell us all the story. Mr. Ly-
man has also been visiting this orchard, as well
as certain editors of Hearth and Home, and this
is what he says :

" During a late visit to the farm of Mr. Quinn,
two trees were pointed out, one of which was
very inferior to the other in size and thriftiness.
On inquiry, I learned that they were planted at
the same time, but it happened that the carcase
of a polecat rested at the root of one, whilst the
other was not similarly favored. This pair of
pear trees have been bearing for the last six
years ; the one, one bushel, the other, two bush-
els— a proportion which is likely to go on for
twenty years more."

It is probable it was a short supply of cats, and
not the existence of grass which '' falsified the
theory.'' "Un-feeline " cultivators need expect
no more pears than uncultivating ones,after this

Birds. — In the East we have too few birds,
in the West they appear to have too many. J.
H. Tice, of Alton, has a considerable item in
lus "expense account" against "powder and
shot."

Strawberry from Bolivia. — Hon. J W.
Caldwell sends to Commissioner Capron seeds of
the Strawberries grown there. The flavor is not
so good as those grown north possess; but they
bear continually, and are of fair size. The crop
is produced four months from the same bed.

EAsrBERRiES IN THE West. — A Correspon-
dent of the Bural World, says : The red, yellow
and black Easpberries are more popular and
more profitable in the West than any of the for-
ei<:Q class.

KiDGE Pippin.— "vlniaiewr," Alleghany, Pa.
" Is this a Pennsylvania apple ? I saw it re-
cently classed as such, but thought it came from
Montgomery Co , X. Y."

[All right except the -'X. Y." It should be
Montgomery Co. , Pa.

Apples from Bedford, Pa. — T.M. L sends
us some specimens for a name. It is supposed
to have been brought to that place and the name
lost. We cannot identify it positively. It be-
longs to a class of apples very diflScult to deter-
mine.

Grape Photograph.— From Dr. Lawrence,
Hot Springs, Arkansas, we have a photograph
showing a branch with scores of bunches, on
some of which we can count over seventy berries
on the "visible side.'' The beri"ies too are
thicker than the canes which bear the bunches.
On the reverse uf the card is "Lawrence's Xative
Ouachita Grapes, Vitis ^stivalis. Wild Land,
Hot Springs, Arkansas. Compliments to T.
Meehan, Esq."

We should judge from the picture that the
living sight must make a "Splendd show.''

Public Park in Boston. — One would sup-
pose tl'.at Col. Wilder,in view of so much that he
has accomplished during his long life, would
want to rest from his labors ; but we see, b}^ the
Boston papers, that he is actively amongst the
most active in getting up a park, that shall in
some measure compare with Prospect Park at
Brooklyn, or Central Park, New York. It is a
proverb in Boston, that whatever Col. Wilder
advocates succeeds. We may therefore look on
this Park as a " fixed " thing.

Fruit Crops at Harrisburg. — W. T. H.^
Harrisburg, Pa., writes : I have had a pleasant
year's experience in the fruit line. Apples abun-
dant, and Pears did well, with little show of
leaf blight, and none of the real pear blight.
My young peaches have done well; and by the
process of jarring the trees to catch curculio, we
have had a varied success in plums, some trees
full, others a partial crop. My Concord and
Hartford Prolifics bear well, and ripened very
rich in flavor ; Crevelings were a failure, I shall
dig them up ; Clintons bear abundantly, four
year old vines bore about ilo pouiyls to the vine,
ripening finely about two-thirds of the crop, and
the balance not fully. Early in July, the Clin-
ton were attacked b}' gall aphides, which in a

isno.

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJVTHLY.

37.

very few clays extended over the entire Clinton
vines ; (the American Entomolocjist has a full de-
scription of them,) this I think weakened the
vines preventing them from fully ripening their
crop. My wine made last fall ripens up very
fine, and I haye made a much larger quantity
than last year."

The Magneville Honeysuckle.—/. Jf ,
Old Westbury, iV. Y"., says : "I perceive thy de-
scription of the flowering of the Magneville Ilon-
e3'suckle is quite different from ours, which we
procured at two different places. Ours has small
flowers and is a very moderate bloomer ; flowers
white and yellowish, and very pleasant fra-
grance, but in beauty of bloom, is no compari-
son with the Chinese or Belgian. Flowers I
think resembles the Halliana, which it may be."

[The true Magneville variety is a variety of
Caprifolium peridymenxim, or English Wood-
bine. The Belgian is a variety of the same.
The ones you name are varieties of G. Ja^wnicuni
with which Magneville's has no relation. It is
more like Belgian than than the others. Flow-
ers larger and earlier.

Mexican Strawberry in the East.— J.
W. M , Exeter, JS^. if, asks : "Doyoa think the
Mexican Everbearing Strawberry would be of
much value to introduce in this vicinity in addi-
tion to the Wilson Aloany, &c.,all things consid
ered, {hardiness, productiveness, &c. ? How late
does it continue to fruit after the Wilson ?"

[We have only seen this variety in fruit at
Dundee, Mich. It appears hardy and produc-
tive ; but you must remember that the berries
are not as large as strawberries usually are, and
have a different flavor. Some people don't like
small berries, nor berries without some acid, and
some don't like fall bearers at all. Whether or
not it will be valuable to introduce, will depend
on the taste of the people. We shall introduce
it to our garden next season. We have not, be-
fore this, met with any alpine, which we did
think worth planting.

Grapes at Bluffton,Mo. — Colman's Rural
World reports operations as very successful.
They leave the wine on the husks longer than
usual with most wine makers. '"The longer the
I'Ctter for thewine, until it is thoroui^hly cleared.''
IN'orton's Virginia was the kind worked on ac
the visit.

Eat-tailed Ea dish.— The Editor of N(/ca
Scotia Journal of Agriculture, reports that there
is no greater delicacy than this when pickled
and eaten as a salad ; and that the time will

Grafting Magnolias.— J. A. V. Z., New-
ton Hamilton, Pa. These are usually put on the
acuminata or tripetela as a stock, usually by
budding however, and not by grafting. Some
find a difficulty. Those who succeed, fancy the
secret is in taking out the wood from the bud, and
not using it as in the usual style of American
budding ; however, we do not think that this
makes much difference. We believe succes-s
rather depends on timing the buds exactly to
the stock. This will vary with season and local-
ity, and only experience can teach it.

Strawberries in October —"Eur al, ''

says in C/wcago Tri&^fne, that a bushel of Mexican
strawbarries were served up with icecream at the
annual fair at Centralia last October. A. Wil-
lard who was present, writes to the Rural Neio
Yorker that they were "delicious to the taste.''

Treatment of Osage Orange Hedges. —
The St. Louis Journal of Agriculture reports
that in sojue parts they burn off" the Osage
Orange plant, instead of cutting them back when
they want them to grow up thick from the
ground.

Bark Insects — To destroy these, a corres-
pondent of the New Eigland Fai-mer gives the
following :

"Make a wa-h of one pound of tobacco, and
one pound of sal soda, put into two gallons of
hot water ; let it stand for thirty minutes, stir-
ring it frequently. Then take a rag and rub the
body of the trees— the lower part especially —
with this wash, and the work is done."

Eamie Plant.— JVew Orleans Bee says that
last month an order came to that city from Eu-
rope for 20 tons. The plant had been grown in
the Botanical Garden at Washington, since 1845.
Our people, however, did not seem to discover
any merit in it ; and only for Eoezel's introduc-
tion to New Orleans from Mexico, we should not
have heard much of it to this day.

S7Jf

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MO XT ELY. December,

Large Apricot Tree.— ITeari/t & Home has
a sketch of perhaps the largest Apricot tree in
the United States, on the grounds of Senator
Cameron. at Ilarrisburg. It was probably plant-
ed in 176(5, and bears freely every 3ear — last
year about 18 bushels.

PoRTR.\iTS OF Horticulturists.— ITeari/j.
& Home has recently been giving portraits of
eminent Horticulturists— much better done than
usual with newspaper wood cuts. All but two
were equal to the originals, and these two not
much out-of the- way.

Large Chestnut Tree, on the farm of Mr.
Cooley, in Carrol County, Geo., recently cut
down, made 1500 rails, and measured nine feet
across the stump.

A J^EW Cotton.- A variety that has no flow-
er stalks is exciting much attention in the South.
It has one central stem, and the flowers are ses-
sile in the axils of the leaves. It is called James'
Cotton, and is said to have larger bolls, and a
longer staple than other kinds.

The White Doyexxe Pears crack badly in
Canada, and their culture is about to te aban-
doned.

Richard Ragan. one of the pioneers of fruit
culture in the West, died at Fillmore, Ind., on
10th of August, 18(39, aged 7G.

To disper.se Ants, bury sliced onions, says
the AmericMn Entomologist.

Professor of Horticulture. — Miss Mary
Hovey has been offered the Horticultural Pro-
fessorship in the Kansas Agricultural College.

Bud Hybrids. — The following is from a cor-
respondent of a West Chester paper :

'Several years ago my neighbor,.Jeremiah Grif-
fith, selected two buds, one from a very red ap-
ple tree, and the other from the opposite, white,
and cut them so as they fit together exactly, and
grafted them together, and when they grew they
made one sprout. The limb has got to bearing,
being about thirty years old, and having been
covered up by other parts of the tree and not

cared for. One of the apples I send you, being
as the experimentor expected, (though dead these
many years,) white on one side and red on the
otlier, looking a little like the variety called the
Maiden's Blush.

[Like Mr. Barry, we do not believe in this : 3'et
are not disposed to set it down as impossible, be-
cause, in our life we have found so many "im-
possible" things prove true. Let some of our
grafters try it this winter. It should do as well
by grafting as budding. We do not know enough
of the secrets of cell life to pronounce on the im-
possibility of the thing. Ed. G. M.]

Pears on Apple trees. — JV. B. Hale, Nor-
wich, JV. Y., says in the Utica Herald, that Sops
of Wine often produce Pears. Some other kinds
he says, which have round apples will often pro-
duce them Pear shaped ; but this kind produces
real Pears ! N. E. Simonds, of Throop's Bay,
reports a similar experience.

Pruning trees while Frozen. — P. J?.,
Bloody Furnace, O., says : "In an essay by Dr.
Warder, he says never prune trees while frozen.
We trim in winter on account of the leisure, and
never noticed any injury. Is there any reason
for this advice ?''

[We think there is some reason. Contrar}' to
old notions about the sap resting in winter, we
know that it always flows. Where a branch is
cut, sap oozes out, no matter how hard it may
be freezing. Sometimes it is true, this oozing is
imperceptible. This exposed sap freezes and
bursts the vessels in proximity to the cut por-
tion. Of course the amount of injury will vary
with circumstances. We have never noticed
much injury ; but no doubt Dr. Warder has, or
he would not have condemned so pointedly.]

ISToTES FR03I St. Louis. — We make the fol-
lowing extract from a letter from Mr. Shaw, of
Tower Grove, Oct. 30th.

"At the gardens at Tower Grove, previou"* to
the frost, we had gathered the fruit, of which
the pears were particulai'ly fine, well ripened
and abundant ; the grapes were allowed to liang
longer than usual, to counteract the acidity «o
general in native wine ; the Catawbas till Oct.
12th. There is some loss in letting them remain
so long from over ripeness and birds, which
may be expected to be compensated in the quali-
ty of the wine. Ives' Seedling in abundant and

1869,

THE GARDEJVEWS MOJVTHLY.

375

early bearing-, competes well with Concord, and
is said to be be'ter for wine. Delaware main-
tains its ground for the dessert, and Hartford
when well ripened, for cooking and preserving

We had abundance of figs— the Brown Smyr-
nas ripened well against the east wall ; the Ken-
nedy Castle sort (from Lawson's Edinburgh,)
has not yet proved its fruit, nor the Caloille
Blanc and Golden Pippin apples from same
source.

Was gratified a few days since at the visit of
a highly intelligent gentleman from London to
our arboretum ; as his opinion that it is the best
collection of trees he had ever seen in his visit to
this continent, each tree being planted Avith refer-
ence to its future growth and development as a
specimen of its species, which could not so well
be attained by planting in groups for landscape
effect. How different from the impressions of
your Mase correspondent, who describes his
walk through the same grounds a!s wearisome
and monotonous — in the absence of mulched
fruit trees and strawberries on hills!

We are progressing flnel}' with the park, the
ground being in fine conlition ; as preparatory
to planting, we subsoil by ploughing 18 in. deep,
requiring 12 oxen, (this costs $18 per acre,)
where trees are planted, holes are dug 5 ft. and
3 ft, deep. The arborvitte hedge 3 miles in ex-
tent, is all planted, after trenching 4 ft. wide

and 2 ft. deep ; the evergreens on the lots around
the park are also planted.

Am highly pleased at the arrival of Dr. En-
gelraan from Europe, perhaps you have already
seen him in Philadelphia."

Beautiful Gladiolus — Eor years we have
seen little improvement in these plants ; but
when in Boston last fall. Col Wilder kindly took
us to the pretty place of Mr. W. C. i larding,
were we never saw Gladiolus so beautiful. The
following six were perfect gems. Mozart, Thuii-
berg, Oscar, Citrinum, Stella, Cereus.

The Westerx Farmer — of Madison, Wis.,
is now owned and edited by Morrow & Bro., for-
merly of the Western Bural. Of coarse this
means that the Western Fo.rmer will take I'ank
amongst our leading Agricultural Journals.
These gentlemen are well known for their ability
among the Agricultural fraternity. .

The 83IALL Fruit Recorder — By A. M.
Purdy, Palmyra, N^ Y. This is a small month-
ly edited by a well known fruit grower, and pub-
lished at a low price. Those who are practically
engaged in fruit culture, when ihey have good
habits of observation and ability to impart what
they know, always make the best teachers, and
in this respect the Recorder has eminently the
material for success.

NEW AND EAUE ERUITS.

CORNELL'S FANCr APPLE.

{See Frontispiece.)
It is a subject of general remark, that the lists
of new apples are inconveniently large — any new
apple can be introduced to public notice. In
former times it took some knowledge to name a
new fruit. The question first asked was, '• has
it any peculiarity which will render it an im
provement over others existing?" The knowl-
edge requisite to answer a question of this kind,
is no longer thought necessary to constitute one
a pomological authority. Any one who can tes-
tify to a fruit being truly "a seedling," can
name and introduce a fruit. Thus we have con-
fusion on confusion, and no one knows when he

buys a new fruit whether or not he is' going to
add anything really worthy to his collection.

The Garclener^s Monthly^ as its records prove,
has not aided in this confusion. It has not la-
bored to achieve a cheap reputation for pomolo-
gy by naming and describing every tolerably
good fruit that is sent to it, and warranted to be
"a seedling;" but when it has been satisfied
that anything offered had some distinguishing
merit, that would let it live for some time in pop-
ular estimation, it has given it prominence and
support Among apples such as Grime's Golden
Pippin, Chenango Strawberry, AVilliams, of Mass,
Ben Davis, Belmont, Jackson, Water, Bucking-
ham, Prinz, Rome Beauty, York Imperial, the

376

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

December,

Starr,— and amongst Pears the Mount Yernon,
Tresident, Clapp's Favorite, Selleck, Edmond,
Democrat, Ravenswood, Moore, Eutter, are a
few Avhich we remember as we write, as amongst
the class of varieties which have been either des-
cribed, or received much of their popularity
through notices in our Journal. Very few if
any fruits which have been favorably noticed by
us have proved of evenascent fame only.

The one we now give is one of these thoroughly
reliable, well tested kinds, which will live for
many years, as it has already lived in the imme-
diate locality of its origin, and which in general
quality is well worthy of the expense incurred
by the publishers in the illustration. The fol-
lowing is its exact history.

The Cornell's Fancy Apple originatedsome sixty
or seventy years ago, on the farm of Gilliam Cor-
nell, near the Street road, in Southampton Town-
ship, Bucks Co , Pa. It came up in a fence row.
It appears that he took considerable interest in
fruit culture;he planted a pear orchard and took
pains to distribute grafts of his favorite apple
among his friends and neighbors, so that it has
been disseminated in that section and in the ad-
joining parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia
Counties for at least forty years, he having been
deceased upward of 30 years. The tree is vig
orous and healthy, an upright, rather spready

grower ; productive and a regular bearer, mak-
ing a handsome, regular tree both in the nursery
and orchard, with large leaves slightly recurved.
Fruit described by Downing as "medium ob-
long, conical ; color, waxen yellow, shaded and
splashed with crimson ; stalk of medium length
cavity rather large, calyx closed abrupt corru-
gated, flesh white, tender, crisp, juicy, with a
pleasant sub-acid flavor ; core medium or large,
very good."

The Walter Grape Test. — The under-
signed, a sub-committee appointed by the K. Y.
State Grape Growers' Society, have this day
made a thorough test, with the saccharoraeter,
of the Walter Grape presented by Ferris & Cay-
wood of Poughkeepsie, K. Y.

One and a half pounds of the grapes were
mashed, and the must marked 104 degrees on
the scale. We consider it one of the best, if not
the very best of the Wine Grapes of America.
J. Larrowe, J. D. Masson^, Geo. W. Kjcjiols,

Committee.

Speckled or Westbrook. — From Mr, Blod-
gett we have excellent samples of this fine apple.
Mr. B. deserves great credit for the liberal and
thoroughly disinterested manner in which he is
bringing this valuable, old and yet almost un-
known kind to public notice.

INTELLIGENCE.

Old Pear Tree in N. C, — There is a pear
tree in Orange county, N. C, over 100 years
old. It is ten feet in circumference, about three
•eet in diameter, and still is bearing fruit.
There is much decay in its branches, but the
body seems to be perfectly sound. It was
brought from Virginia in the lap of the grand-
mother of the late Willie P. ^i^ngmw.— Southern
Paper-

Large Stock. — Those of our readers who
admire fine stock, may feel interested in the fol-
lowing paragraph.

Hon. Jno. Danforth of New London, Conn,,
sent a sworn statement to the Agricultural De-
partment, Washington, D. C, under date of De-
cember 28th, 1868, that two Ohio Improved
Chester Hogs purchased of S. B. Silver, Salem,
Ohio, weighed when 20^^ months old, as follows,
one named Slick, one thousand three hundred

and fifty four pounds, (1354), one named Beauty,
one thousand four hundred and fifty two pounds,
(1452.)

Lachenalias— The genus Lachenalia, which
comprises some of the most beautiful dwarf bul-
bous plants, now requires especial attention in
regard to potting. &c. There are several species,
many of which are much better than the old and
well-known L. tricolor, and are consequently
well worthy of cultivation. They delight in a
free open compost of fibrous loam and sandy
peat : being almost all natives of the Cape of
Good Hope, a low temperature of from 38^ to
45^ is best suited for them through the winter
months. In potting up store pots the bulbs con-
tained in old balls should be divided, and rare
better if kept separate when placed in the fresh
pots, though many may be placed in at equal
distances apart in each.— Gardener's Ckromde.

1869^

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTBLY.

3:7

FOREIGN CORMSrONDEXCE.

THE HAMBURG INTER:N^ATI0XAL HOR-
TICULTURAL EXHIBITIOK.

Fi-07n an Occasional Correspondent.

Hamburg, October loth, 1869.

Friend Meehan — In duty bound to do nothing
regular, but any tiling "occasional," I set out
for this placft to see the exhibition, now going
on. I was tempted to it by the well known fame
of the town of Hamburg in regard to the raising
of vegetables, and the no less well known fame
of such nurserymen as Booth, and such seeds-
men as Peter Smith, both, by the way, English
names derived from English ancestors, who had
emigrated to Hamburg and founded establish-
ments that might, like "St. Pauls Chui-ch in Lon-
don," carry in their way the inscription :

Si monumentum qucevis circumspice.

The number and the excellence of the glass
houses ; the extent and the high cultivation of
the nursery grounds ; the business talents and
extensive tiade of the firm of Booth, shall but
be touched upon in this letter, so shall the estab-
lishment of Peter Smith & Sons, doing the
largest seed trade in Germany. Keither will I
say of Hamburg and vicinity anything further,
but that it contains a good many lovers of flow-
ers and fruit, rich and poor, high and low. that
it enjoys a most miserable climate, something
like the east coast of England ; that cultivation
is up hill work, and that probably the difficulties
of soil and climate have brought out the love for
the vvork and the ambition, and made mind con •
quer matter, as is often the case in this sublu-
nary world.

But let us to the show grounds, — a large
plot of ground on the ancient ramparts. Ham-
burg was dismantled I believe in 1818, and its
fortifications, bastions, etc., turned into a garden
belt round the city ; not very wide in some places,
but all the longer. The glacis opposite the
quondam bat tery called the Stintfang, was taken
into the grounds, and the moat between spanned
by pretty bridges. The natural "accidents" of i
the ground, as the French term it, give the rela- j
tively small space an apparent vastness, and of-
fer a variety of sights and views. Prizes were
offered by the Sovereigns of Germany, by Queen
Victoria, by the "Ministers of Agriculture"' of
several States and Empires, by different cities,
by the suburb St. Paul, where the fair is held,
(one thousand dollars) and by a host of private in-

dividuals. Competition was open to anybod}'' and
everybody. Thus the prizes were won by sim-
ple gardeners, nurserymen, botanists, nobleman
and princes all over Europe. The donors pleased
their own fancies. Victoria, for instance, gave
a silver wine-jug "for the best specimen of
grapes," awarded by the committee to Jos.
Meredith, in Garston, near Liverpool ; "Direc-
tor," J. Linden in Brussels, Jean Verschaffelt in
Ghent, and J. Veitch of Chelsea, figure a great
many times as winners of different prizes, and
their shows were wonderfully fine indeed, both
as to variety and novelty. Mr. Linden carried
off for one, the great Prussian medal (value 100
dollars) for "twelve or more plants, distinguish-
ed for beauty of either flower or leaf, vuider per-
fect cultivation, never before exhibited, nor sold
to the trade ; hybrids, and varieties of plants
heretofore known, not admitted ; no more than
one orchid admitted to every twelve plants ;
merit not number to decide.''

Charles Pfersdorff in Paris, exhibited the fi-
nest and the largest number of Cacti. He got
two medals, both donated by two different indi-
viduals, who like you had a passion to find out
in what ratio attraction increases with the ugli-
ness. By the way, why not have a convention
of Cactus growers sometime, somewhere ?

Three men, two gardeners and one "consul,"
got the prizes for strawberries, "flavor to de-
cide." I admire that proviso, for what, sajs
the poet, is quantity to quality ?

Among the odd things were the following :

A prize for "the best three 'branches of the
genuine three-leaved myrtle, such as used by
the jews at ther feast of Tabernacles ;" won by
Dsegelow, Altona, silver cup.

A prize for the best grotto made of coal, one
hundred dollars ; winner, Erich & Brey, Ham-
burg. (Go and do likewise, men of Pennsylva-
nia )

A prize "L. Growth in Guben, consistinsf of a
dozen bottles of French Burgundy grown in his
own vineyard in Guben in Saxony,'' which some
body was unlucky enough to get. That must
have been a card. Guben excels in growing
(manufacturing) all sorts of Champagne. Awful
stuff!

As further worthy of note, I mention the fol-
lowing prizes :

S78

THE GARBEJs'-EU' S MOJVTHLY. Decemher

Machine for transplanting large trees, $100,
Peter Smith, Hamburg.

For the best group of Eocks or ruin or grotto,
SlOO, Boettner in Greussen.

For the best arbor, (wood or iron )

For the best plan of a garden and for its exe-
cution.

For the best statue representing horticulture.
For the naost correct classification of fruit.

The best feature of the exhibition was its in-
ternational character. Yerily we progress, the
barriers fall, space is annihilated, so are the an-
cient systems of customs, passports, frontiers, etc.
The "international' is the first step towards the
''universal "

Sorry was I though, not to see my own country
better represented. The sea and the distance
are no longer excuses.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

GRAPES AT CAXAXDAIGUA, X. Y.

rR03I A CORRESPOXDKXT.

The Grape-growers Association of Xew York,
held its first annual meeting at this place, on the
7th and 8th of October last. The display of
Grapes was superb, numbering something over
800 dishes ; all the most promising, as well as
the old tried varieties being represented on the
occasion. In the opinion of grape men, this was
the very best display of Grapes ever made on the
continent of America, and shows to a certainty
that Western liew York can only be beaten by
California in the matter of grape growing. Ell-
wanger & Biirry here, as well as in other places,
leads oft' with one of the finest collections of na-
tive grapes we have ever seen, exliibiting one
dish only of each kind, showing in the aggregate
50 varieties, amongst which were some splendid
samples of Rogers Hybrids, including Nos. 3, 4,
9, 15, 19, 33, 40, 41, 43, &c. If we mistake not
No. 43 will be one of the greatest favorites
among grapes in the course of a few j^ears. The
Pleasant Valley Wine Co. of Hammondsport,
IS". Y., had a very fine collection, the pride of
which were the most beautiful Catawbas and
lonas. Hoag & Co., of Lockport, R. B. Shaw, of
Canandaigua, A. P. Randall, of Penn Yan, and
J. AV. Clark, of i^aples, had very fine collections,
followed by a great number of others with small-
er collections. E. G. Lapham, of Canandaigua,
had a very fine collection of Exotic Grapes, that
well deserves honorable mention. The Zona was
shown here from various localities in splendid
condition, and had a great many admirers and
warm friends.

Of the newer varieties, the Salem was exhibited
by T. L. Harris, Salem on Erie, and seems to be
quite a promising variety. Dr. Grant had his
new grape "The Eumelan," which, (although a
good flavored grape) will never become very pop-

ular except larger bunches can be grown than
the specimens shown, both here and at the State
fair, at Rochester. The Diana Hamburg was
shown by Jacob Moore, and is by the way, the
most Hamburg like looking of any hybriils we
have met with, (in fact, gentlemen that do not
believe that Rogers Hybrids aretrue Hybrids, says
that it (D. H ) is too foreign altogether, these
skeptics in the art of Hybridization are certainly
very hard to please.)

The •' Walter " was shown by Ferris & Cay •
wood, and seems to be making c nsiderable num-
ber of friends. Dr. F.W.Perriue,of DansYille,had
a new seedling he calls the Downing, in appear-
ance like the Delaware, but greatly inferior to
our old favorite variety. Barney & Carlin, of
Sandusky, Ohio, exhibited the Loraine, an am-
ber colored grape, and a greenish white looking
grape, called White Diana. Dr. Undeihill, of
Crot^n Point, had a number of Hybrids, as had
Charles Arnold, of Paris, Ontario, among which
are some that probabl}- will be acquisitions. In
the evening of the second day an address was
read by the Secretary, prepared by Dr. Grant,
subject, ''The successful advances in Grape Cul-
ture in the United States. ''

It is to be regretted that the Doctor should be
so egotistical as he is on the grape question, (he
having done so much himself in furtherance of
the cause,) as he about as much as claims that
his own grapes are nearl}' all there is that is
worth spending one's lime on; apart from this
the paper was very interesting. As an exhibi-
tion of fine grapes, this was a most decided suc-
cess, and we are sorry that it was not more suc-
cessful in a pecuniary sense, the people of Can-
andaigua not t iking that warm interest in it
they ought to have done, to have swelled the re-
ceipts and made it sticcessful every way.

TEE GARVEJfER'S MOMTHLl

INDEX VOL.-XI.

A.

Abies Cephalonica, the 335
Abutilous, New, 311
Acalypha, Tricolor, 27
Acer Colchicum Rubrum, 307,

340
Achyranthus Aureus Reticula-

tus, 149
Achyranthus Verschaffeltii, Gil-
son, 149
Acknowledgments, Personal,

242
Acorns on the Grapevine, 306
Acridocarpus Naturalitius, 149
Acrocomia Selerocarpa, 184
Acuba Japonica, 42
Adaptation of Vai-ieties to Sea-
son, 323
Adulteration of Seeds, 21
Advertisements, Errors in, 370
Advice Gratis, 201
Alfleck, Thomas, death of, 54
Ai<ave Americana, the 213
Agarlcus Muscariuj', 216
Agricultural College, Massa-
chusetts, 248
Agricultural Department and
the Ramie, 3u9
" at Wash-

ington, 198
" of the

World, 27')
Agriculture. Taste and, 242
Akeba Japonica, Berries of. 120
Alaska Strawberry, The, 276
^llamandia Nobilis, 18.5
Almonds, Ground, 21.t
Alpine Strawberry, 370
Alstroemeua, 44
Althea, Buist's variegated, 267
Altitude, Effect of, on Fruit

Growing, 20
Alton (111 ) Horticultural So-
ciety, 31, 2.55, 287
Amaryllis. 119

" Note on, 276
" the Blue, 30
America, the Pa laces of, 230, 27S
American Agricultural Annu-
al, S9
" Horticultural " 89
" Eatoraologist, 24, 218
" Evergreens, 54
" Gardening, the chang-
ed Condition of
1.00, 209
" Horticulture, 145
'• Naturalist, The, 24
" Pomological Society,
63, 86, 216, 287,
304, 347
'' Circular

of the, 223
" Sumac, 17.5
Ampelopsis Japonica, SI 4

" Veitchiiand SpirKa

Lobata, 306
Anger's Quirce, 103
Annual Plants and parts of
Plants, 3.33
'* Report of Amer. Inst.,

1866-67, 23
« Root Fibres, 144,179,
248
Anthurlam Scherzerianum, 157

Ants, to disperse. 374
Apple Blossoms, 2.55
" Borsdorfer. 124
Apple, Cornell's F ncy, 375
" from Bedford, Pa, 372
" Grime's Golden, 24, 313
" Kansas Queen, 312
" L. I. Eussett, Cider from

the, 282
" Missouri Superior, 123
" Myer's Nonpareil, 89
'> Orchardtreatment of an,

371
" Park's Keeper. 124
" Question, the Stark, 182
" Red cheek. 149
« Ridge Pippin, 372
" Russian, 307
" Siberian Crab, 371
" Speckled or Westbrook,

.376
" Stocks Paradise, 178
" The Campbell. .344
" The Fanny, 25
" Tender Skin. 60
" The Fourth of .July. 124
" The Red Canada. 186
" The Stark. 91, 124, 143
" The Tetofski, 313
" Transcendent Crab, 279
" Tree, Big, 187
" Trees, Late Blooming, 57
" " Forming Pyramid-
al, V.A
" Trees, Pears ou, 374
•' Westbrook, 24
Apples, Canadian, Weight of 93
" Dwarf Crab, 61
" Forlnwa, 92
" For Minnesota, 345
" For Ohio, 1.52
" Fourth of July and Te-
tofski, 91, 123
" In Minnesota, 125
" In New Jersey, 188
" Kentucky, 61
" Large, .345
« Lonff Keeping, 93
" On Pear Tree.-. 345
" Winter in Piedmont,
Va. and N. C. 283
Apricot Tree, r,arge, 374
Areca Aurea, 18 1
" Baueri, 185
Arrangements, the Hortieultn-

ral, .308
Artificial Impregnation, 11
Artillery Plants. 181
Arunda Conspicua. 91
Attar of Roses. 253
Aukuba Japonica, The 152
Austrian Pine Disease, 147
Auctioneers. Nursery, 175
Azalea Amoena, 232

Baltimore Parks, 284
Banquet at Peana. Hort. Socie-
ty's Hall, 315
Bark Insects, 373
Barren Polyanthuses, 180
Bartram's Diary, 132
Bean, the Calabar, 285
Beautilul Gladiolus, 373

Bedding Plants, Caladiums as

113
Beebe, W. W., Death of, 92
Bedford, Pa , Apple from, 372
Begonia Rosea Flora, 314
Berberis Wallicbiana, 185
Berberry and Wheat Rust, The,

51
Berries of Aukuba Japonica, 120
Best Chryanthemums, 63

" Early White Grape, 20
Bicton Gardens. 252
Bigonia Capreolata, 53, 214
Bigonia Sandersii, a bedding

plant, 304
Birds, 372

Blackberry, the Kittatinny at
Cincinnati, 282
<c " Western Tri-

umph, 345
Blackberries, Seedling, 278

" in N. Carolina

285
Blight, Pear leaf, 20
Bloodroot, Variations in, 214
Blue Amaryllis. The, .30
Bluftton Wine Co., The. 58
Bluffton. J!o., Grape at. 373
Boilers, Hot Water, 309
Bolivia, strawberry from, 372
Books, 308
Borders, Inside Grape, 57

" Grape Vine. 6
Borsdorfer Apple, 124
Boston, Public Park in, 372
Botanists, Deaths of European,

55
Bouquet, Pronunciation of, 156
Bouvard'ia Elegans, 60
Box Border. Grass in. 119
Branches, bunched, 181
Bveeze.s' No, 1 Potato, 92
Brngmansia, a large, 47
Bud Hybrids, .374
Budding, New Mode of, 300
Budding, Sparganium Ramo-

suni for, 21
Buist's Variegnted Althea, 267
Bulblets. Gladiolus, 53
Bulbs, 43

" Plant Hardy, 294
Burning of the St. Louis Acad.
of Sciences, ISO

Cabbage in Winter. Keepins, 41
" Leaves, Taki ng otf,276
" Plants, Transplant-
ing, 120
Caeoon Vine. The, 244, 299
Cacoou Vine, The, 369
Calabar Bean, The, 285
Caladiums as Bedding Plants,

113
Calceolaria, Culture of the, 221
Calceolarias, Seedling, 216
California Fruit, 309

" " in Chicago, 306

" Nutmeg. 179

Callousing Cuttings. 18
Calyp'o Borealis, 137
Can'iellia. Harriet Lane, 151
Camellia in Japan, The, 246
Camellias in England, 147
Campbell Apple, The, 344

Canandaigua. N Y., Grapes at

378
Cannas, 158
Carnations, 215
Caryota Cumminghii, 185
Cassia and Acacia, on the

Glands of, 334
Catalogue, EUwanger and Bar
ry's, 24
" of Orchids, 148

Catalogues, 1 83
Cedar Seed, 341
Cells, Destruction of, by Frost,

156
Centaurea Gymnocarpa 91
Central Illinois, Flora of, 125
" Pears for, 120
Century Plant at Rochester,
The, 186
» " Note on the,

235
Chamberlin's Level, 21
Changed Condition of Ameri-
can Gardening, 139
Change of Firms, 54
Characters of New Fruits, 81
Cherries, 348
Cherry, Gridley, 219

'• Ox-heart in Mississip-
pi, 248
Chestnut Grafted on an Oak, 9o
Chestnut Tree, Large, 374
Chestnuts, Grafting, 369
Chicago Horticultural Society,
63
" Markets Strawberries
and the, 220
China, Pride of, 121
Chinese Primroses, 157-

Yam, The. 73, 136
Christine Grape, 83
Chrysanthemum, Louis Hono-

ratty, 92
Chrysanthemums, Best, 63
Tree, 62
Cider from the L. I. Russet Ap-
ple, 282
Cincinnati Horticultural Soc.

The, 125, 169
Cinerarias, Double, 223
Cineraria, Th", 120
Citrus Japonica, 154
Clarke Raspberry, The, 274
Classifioation of the Grape, 37
Clematises, New, 219
Clereodendron Balfourii, 92
Coboja Penduliflora, 185
Cochineal Insect, The. 94
Colfax Strawberry, 90
Collecting Essays, 118
Color of Leaves, Change of, 346
Colored Plates, Beautiful, 245
Commission Men, ISl
Complimentary, 245
Concord Grape, Home of the, 61
Cones of Pines, C^jllection of,i:9
" the Lebanon Cedar,
Opening the, 157
Coniferce, On the leaves of, 263
Conifers, Culture of .30

" Manuring of, 31
Consistency, 306
Country Seat, a Beautiful, 148
Coral Tree, Erythriua Christa-

galli, 2/53
Coruell's Fancy Apple, 375

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

Correspondence, 143

" Fiirpign, 249

Correspondents. To 7S. 342
Cotemporai-y, a Jealous, 243
Cotton, a New. 374
Crab Apples, Dwarf. 61
Crab, Siberian, Apple, 371

" Apple, Transcendent, 279
Cracking of the Stanwick Nec-
tarine, 90
Cranberry Culture o4
Crescentia Macropbylla, 157
Crested Dog-tailHf.r Lawns, 145
Qreveling Grape. The 248
Croton (Codiceiim) Aucubsefoli-
um, 314
" " Hillianum,

344
" " Maximum,

314
Crows, 273

Cucumbers, Tendrils of, 17
Cultivation. S')

" of Indigenous plants,
79
Cultivator, a New. 143
Culture, Fruit. 16S

" of Exotic Plants in

Wintor, 74
" Pear, 309
Culture, Pear, 36 1
Culture, Mushriioms. 220
Curcas Pnrpans, 254
Curculio, 1 25

" Note on the. 166
Cure for Poison Oik, 24S
Ciiru F tree, A, 29
Currant, the Cherry. 92
Currants. " and Versail-

laise 213
Cut Flower stand, 52
Cutting Flnwer^i in Winter,

Plants for, 145
Cuttings, (^.rape. 1S2

" Pvrus .Taponica, 214
Cyclamens, 147, 154
Cynthiana and Norton's Vir-
ginia Grapes, 149
Cypripedium Uarrisianura, 158

Dandelinn, the Oracular, 179
Davison's Thornless Raspberry,

362
Day's Wra. B, Cultivator
Strawberry Scuffle and
Combined Hoe, 118
Dayton. 0., Horticultural So-
ciety, 189
Dead Trees, Live bark over,

246
Death of a Yonn? B.tanist, 22
" Dr. Poepiiis;, 56
" .John Waterer, the
Rhodndendroa Grow-
er, 31
" Thos. Affleck, 54
" Wm Robert Prince,

141
" W. W. Beebe, 92
Death of Rich.ard R \?au, 374
Deaths of English Nurserymen,
155
" European Botanists,

55
" Philada. Horticultur-
ists, S3
DecandoUe's Prodromns, 87,121
Decennalatory, A, 367
Decorations, Lawn, 211
Delostoma Dentatura, 185
Delphininm Bicolor Grandiflor-

um, 150
Delaware Grape, The. 125 *
" Peaches, 285 '

" Strawberry crop, 246
De Profundis, 86
Desirable Country Place, 270
Destruction of Insects, 55, 345
Destructive Fire, 121
Dianthus Querteri, 1.50
Dibble, the Mendenhall, 86,121,
245

Digging amongst Fruit Trees, S4

Philosophy of, 114
Dingee and Cuurad's Nursery
at West Grove, Pa., 213
Dlplandania (Echites) Bolivien-

sis, 343
Dioscoreae, Japan, How to

Cook, 251
Disease in Privet Hedge, 246
" the Buttcnwood, 212
Diseased Gladiolus, 271

" " and Fuchsias,292

" Oranges, 339
" Vine leaves, 46
Diseases of Sheep, The, 23
Dishonest Dealers, 55

" Nurserymen, S3

Dixie Farmer, ""he. .59
Does the Scion influence the

Stock, 292
Doolittle Raspberry, Hardiness

of, 244
Double Cinerarias. 223
Double Geraniums, 292
Dover, Del-, Fruit Grower's As-
sociation, 191
Downer's Kentucky Late Straw-
berry, 2S0
Dracoena Macleayi. 314

" Nigra Rubra, 314
Draft of Flues. 146
Dried Peaches, Georgia, 61
Drill, a Good Seed, 8
Dr. Stayman's Essay, 142
Drying Fruit, 248
Duehesse de Bordeaux Pear, S9
Dunneth's 1st Early Pea, 278
Durability of the Mulberry, 281
Dwarf Crab Apples, 61

E,

Early Goodrich Potato, 295
" Rose Potatoes in Eng-
land, 309
" Peas, 142
Earth Closets, 311
Echeveria Metallica, 184
Edgings, lis

EUwanger and Barry's Cata-
logue, 24
Elm and Maple Seeds, 215
England, Camellias. In, 147
" Early Peaches in, 62
" " Rose Potatoes in,

.309
" Grape Aphis in. 1.52
" Horticultural Shows

in. 156
" The Persimmon in, 96
English and .\mencan Peaches,
177
" Nurserymen, Deaths

of. '155
" Orchard House. An, 94
Enquiries aliout Shade Trees, 81
Epigsea Repeiis, Variations in,

47
Epiphyllums, Grafting, 155
Eranthemum .\spersnm, 343
Errors in Advertisements, 371
Erythrina Christa-galli, 253
Krythronum Giganteum, 185
Essay, Dr Stayman's, 142
" upon Annual Flowers,
lOS
Essays, Collecting, 118
Eulogy of Joshua Longstreth,196
EumeianGrape, The, 21,246, 277
Eumelan Grape, 371
Euonymus Ameriranus, 370
Evergreen Seeds, 339
Evergreens, .\merican, .54
E.xotic Plants in Winter, Cul-
ture of, 74

Fair, Tineland, 277
Fall Bearing Raspberry, 314
" Transplanting and Order-
ing of Stock, 262
Fallwicke Grape, 313
Fanny Apple, The, 25

Farmer, the Dixie, .59

'' " Vermont, 21
Favorites, Some Winter, 4
Feast, John & Sons, Bait., Md.,

311
Feeding Roots, 216
Ferdinanda Eminens, 157
Ferns, Tree, 252
Fertilization of Seaweeds, 156
Fertilizers for Strawl)erries, Ar-
tificial, 55
Fine Strawberries, 245
Fir Cone gathers of the Hartz

Mountains, 156
Firms, Change of, 54
Fir Trees, Sale of Rare, 251
Flora of Central Illinois, 125
Florida, Weather in, 116
Florist, Good for the, 126
Flower Garden and Pleasure
Ground, 1, 34, 66, 97,
129, 161, 193, 225, 257,
289, 321
Flower Garden and Pleasure

Ground, 351
Flowers, New, 360
Flowers at JIarriage Feasts, 2S2
" Common Garden, 260
'■ for . Winter Cutting.

White, 307
" the Language of, 121
" Queries about, 103
" Winter. 155
Flues, Draft of, 146
Fly-trap, Venus, 308
Fodder Plant, a New, 279
Forcing House, a New Style of,

100
Foreign Correspondence, 249
" Grapes in the Open

Air, 244
" Reminiscences, 68
Fork, the Spading. ISl
Forks. Willianisport, 277
Formula for Plant Description,

138
Fourth of July and Tetofsky.
Apples, 91, 123
" Apple, The,124

France, a new Grape Disease

in, 17
Franklin Grape, Wine from,

the, 56
Fruntispiece, Our late, 21
Frost, Destruction of Cells by
156
" on Plants, Action of,221
Fruit and Flowers in Oregon
California. 277
" California. 309
" " in Chicago, ,306

Fruit Crops at Harrisburg, 372
" Culture, 168
" " in the South, 93

" Drying, 248
" Garden, 35, 66, 98, 130,
163, 193, 226, 259, 291
322
" Grower's Soc, of Penna.,

31, 96
" '• Association, Do-

ver. Del., 191
" Growing, Effect of Alti-
tude on, 20
« " Nearly Fifty

Years Experience in,
72
" Influence of the Stock on

the, .56
" Orchards, Failure of, 220
" or Orcliird-bouses and

Graperies, 266
" Region of Grand Traverse,

.Mich., 107
" Stealing. 247
" The Influence of Sun-heat

on, 213
'' Trees, Digging amongst,S4
" " Gas Tar on, 145
" " Late flowering, 18
" " Neglected, 241
Fruits, 130

" and Trees of America,
342

Fruits at the Russian Exhibi-
tion, 2)2
" " South, Succes-

sion of, 2S3
" for Table aud Market,

62
" Hybridism in, 282
" Origin of, 18
" Preserved, 215
Fuchsia Fulgens, 62

" New Yellow Bedding,
151
Fuchsias, 155

" Treatment of, 271
Fungi, Propagation of Minute,

154
Fungus, Hollyhock and Pelar-
gonium, 21
" Spores, Small size of;31
Furnaces, Greenhouoe, 277

G.

Garden Flowers, Common, 260

Strawberries, 209
Cardens. Italian, 68
Gardeners and Situations, So

•' in the South, 86

Gardeners, &c., 371
Gardening for'Women, 287
" " the South, 5S

" in Ireland, 145

" in Texas, 295

Practical, 143
Gas Lime as a Manure, 61

'• Tar on Fruit Trees, 145
Gem of the Prairies, Rose, 92
Gentiana Acaulis. 8*)
Gentians, from Seed, Raising, 54
Georgia Dried Peaches, 61
Geraniums, 4

Double, 292
" • Growing too large,

271
" in England, New

Blooming. 151
" New Nosegay, 1S4

" Petunias ami, 243

" Seedliug, 272

Germantowu Tele^niph, The,

123
Germany, International Horti-
cultural Exhibi-
tion, In, 94
Gesneria Exoniensis, 27
Oblongata, 42
Gift to Mas-s. Horticultural

Society, 94
Gisborne Plum, 59
Gladiolus and Fuchsia, Diseas-
ed, 298
" Bulblets, ,53
" Disejised, 271
" The, 46
Gladiolus, Beautiful, 375
Glauds of Cassia aud Acacia, On
• the, .334

« Peach leaves. The, 266
Glazing without Putty, 341
Gnaphalium Invo'.ueratum, 27
Good for the Florist, 126

" Gardeners. 16
Gooseberries, Seedling, 271
Graft Hybrids, .306
Graft Hybrids. 358
Grafting Chestnuts, 369
Grafting Epiphyllums, 155
" Magnolias, 373
" Season for, 144
" Spirseas on Plum

Stocks, 154
"• The Pear on White
Thorn, 175
Grand Prairie Horticultural So-
ciety, 63
Grand Traverse. Michigan, Fruit

Region of, li^7
Giant Raspberry, 123
Grape Aphis in England, 152
" A good late keeping Hot-
house, ISS
" Best Early White. 20
" Borders, Inside, 57
« " Raised, 17

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELl.

Grape, Christine, S3

Classification of the, 37
" Culture and Wine Mak-
ing, 307
" " Practical results

in. 326
" Cuttings, 182
" Disease in France, 17
'•- " " the South, 29

Grape, Eumelau, 371
" Fallwicke, 313
" for Wine at the South, 29
" Franklin, Wine from the,

56
" Golden Champion, 26
" Growers' Association, the

Ohio. 223
" Home of the Concord, 61
'• lona, 370
" Joplin's Peaks of Otter,

26
." Lands in Virginia, 79
" Late Keeping, 277
" Malin.ia, 125
« Mrs. Prince's Black Mus-
cat, 26
" Muscat, St. Laurent. 1S2
" Notes from the Parson-
age, 10
" Photograph, 372
" Prize, the Greeley, 120
" Siglar, 123
" Test, the Walter, .^76
" The Creveling, 2i8
" " Delaware, 125
" " Euraelan, 21,246,277
" " Main, .58
" " Mottled, 29
" " Rulander, 2.5
" " Salem, 54
<' Vine, Acorns on the, 306
" " Tendrils, 74

" Vines, Illustrated Cata-
logue of, 311
" White Lady Downe's 313
Graperies, Fruit or Orchard
Houses, &c., 266
Grapes at Bluflton, Mo., 373
Grapes and Wine in West Va.,
72
" " Canandaigua, N. Y.,

378
" Cynthiana and Norton's

"Virginia, 149
" Foreign, in the
Air, 244
Hardy, .339
" in Iowa, .34.5
" " Michigan, 34.5
" Manuie for, 14.5
" Names for the Rogers'

120
" Near Hammondsport,N.

Y., 29
" of the Lake Shore, 1868,

127
" Parentage of, 300
" Roger's Hybrid, 214
" Under Glass, 3.)7
White Fox, 307
Grass in Box Border, 119
Grasses the Best, 285
Greenhouse & Window Plants,
2
'* Furnaces, 277
Greenhouses, 36, 132, 290
Green Tea Plant. 27
Gridley Cherry, 219
Grimes' Golden Pippin Apple,

24, 213
Ground Almonds, 215
Growing Larch Seed, 119
Guide to the Study of Insects, 59

H.

Halliday's, Robt. J^, Wholesale

Plant Catalogue, 277

Hamburg International Hort.

Exhibition, 377
Hammondsport, N. Y., Grapes

near, 29
Hampton Court Vine, The, 63
HautGla.ss, New, 143

Hanging Basket, Improved, 120
Hardiness of Doolittle Raspber-
ry, 244
" " the 0.sage Orange

147
Hardy Grapes, 339
" Pears, 338
Harriet Lane Camellia, 151
Harrisburg, Fruit Crops at, 372
Hartz Mountain, Fir Cone gath-
erers of, 1 56
Health, (relative) of differnt va-
rieties of Peachof,35S '
Hearth & Home, 24, 59, 218
Hedaroma (Darwinia) Fimbria- 1
ta, 343 I

Hedge, Pyrns Japonica, 339

" the Pyracantha, 93 ,

Hedges, Sweet Briar, 213
Hedges, Osage Orange, Treat-
ment of, 327
Hints on the Treatment of Or-
chids, .327
Histories, Tree, 367
Hollyhock and Pelargonium

Fungus, 21
Hollyhocks, 245
Honey Locust, Durability of,345
" " Tree the Thorn-
less, 56
Honeysuckle, Magneville, 373
Hoope.s' Book of Evergreen.s,183
Horse Radish Plants, ISO
Horticultural and Pomological
Society, Va., 192
" Arrangements,

The, 308
" Exhibition, Rus-

sian Interna-
tional, 216
" Party for the

South, .56
" Shows in England,

156
" Society, Alton, 31,

255, 287

Open

" " Chicago, 63

" " Cincinnati,

125, 169
" " Payton,

Ohio, 189
" " Eastern,

Ohio ana
Western
Va., 352
" " Genessee,

223
" <' GrandPrai-

rie, 63
" " Iowa, 64

" " Kansas, 63

" " Kennebec,

192
" " Kentucky,

254, 352
" " Ohio State,

32, 278 -
" <' Pennsylva-

nia, 126,
160, 319
" " Trans.. II-

linois,1868
245
" Swindlers, Pro-

tection against,
182
Horticulture about St. Louis'268
'* American, 145

" at Penna. State

Fair, Harrisburg,
351
" at St. George,
Utah, 272
Horticulture, Professor of. 374

'' Russian, 22

Horticulturists, Deaths of Phil-
adelphia, 83
Horticulturists. Portraits of,373
Horticulturist, The, 88
Hot and Greenhouses, 132, 227,

324
Hothouse Grape, a good late

keeping, 188
Hot Water Boilers. 309

Houghton's, Dr., Essay on Pear |
Culture, 338 j

Houghton's, Dr., Pear Culture, |
368

Hovey's Magazine, Suspension
of 19 i

How can we help it? 102, 117 i

Hyacinths, 43

Hybridism in Fruits, 282

Hybridization, Remarks on, 3 l

Hybrids, Graft. 306

Hybrids, Bud, 374

" Graft, 358 |

Hydrangea Deutzoefolia, 91 i

" Imperatrice Euge- |

nie, 185 1

Hypericum Patulum, 185 ]

I.

Illinois, Peaches for Central, 93
" State Horticultural So
ciet>, 1868, Trans-
actions of, 245
Illustrated Annual Reg., Rural
Affairs, 88
" Horticultural Jour-

nal, Illuminated, 8
Impregnation, Artificial, 11
Improved Hanging Basket, 120

" Lawn Mower, 246

Improving Lawns, 3.39
Inarching, Natural, IS
Indigenous Plants, Cultivation

of, 79
Tona Grape, 370
Insect, the Cochineal 94
Insects, Destruction of, 55, 345
" Guide to the study of,
59
Insects, Bark, 373
International Hort. Exhibition

in Germany, 94
lona Island, Sale of, 120
Iowa, Apples for, 92
'• Grapes in, 345
" Homestead, 275
" Horticultural Soc, 64
" Tree Planting, 249
" Vineyard in, 249
Ipecachuana, 145
Iporaea Tuberculata, 341
Ireland, Gardening in, 145
Iresine Lindeni, 184
Isabella Pear, The, 24
Italian Gardens, 68

J.

Jamesia Americana, 150
Japan Snowball, Viburnum

Plicatum or, 261
" the Camellia in. 246
Jealous Cotemporary, A, 243
Jokes, Good. 276
Joplin's Peaks of Otter Grape,

26
Journal of Horticulture case, J.

J. A on the, 57
" Pursh's 14, 44, 70, 86,

110, 134, 166
Judas Trees, 269
Justice to the Maine Farmer,
275

E.

Kalmias, 86

Kansas Horticultural Soc, 63

" Queen Apple, 312

Keeping Cabbage in Winter, 41

" Fruit, Nyce's System

281

Kennebec Horticultural Soc.,192

Kenosha, Lake View Garden

281
Kentucky Apples, 61

" Coffee Tree, Timber

of the, 283
" Fruit in 1869, 152

" Horticultural Soc,

254, 3)2
" Late Sti awberry, The
247, 280

Keteleeria Fortunii, 149
Killing Sorrel, 244
Kittatinny Blackberry at Cin-
cinnati, 282
Kumquat, The, 153, 154

Labels, Zinc, 58
Lachenalias, 376
Lady Downe's Grape, White,.313
Lands, New Jpvsey, 262
Language of Flowers, 121
Larch Seed, Growing, 119
Large -\pples, 345
" Peaches in the South-

we.st, 126
" Pear Trees, 273
Large Stock, 376

" Trees of Texas, The, 281
LasiaiKlra Macrantha, 184
Late blooming Apple Trees, 57
" Keeping Grape. 277
" Flowering Fruit Trees, IS
Lawn Decorations, 211

" Mowers, 244
Lawns, 41
Lawns, 370

" Crested Dog tail for, 145
" Improving, 339
" Sodding or Seeding, 243
Law of Science, 275
Leather, Peach, 284
Leaves, Change of color of, 346
'' in Winter, Retention

of, 117
" of Coniferae, on the, 263
Lebanon Cedar, Opening the

Cones of the, 157
Leicester Horticultural show.
New Plants at the,
28
Lessons of the Year, 46
Letter from Wm. K. Prince, 168
Lettuce, 182
Level, Chamberlin's 21
Lewisia Redivivia, 1S4
Libonia Floribunda, 91, 155
Lilium ParthenyoD, 219
Live Bark over Dead Trees, 246
Long Keeping Apples, 93
Long^trelh, Joshua, Eulogy on,

196
Longworth's Wine House, 249
Lonicera Brachypoda, 21
Loudon Co., Va , Notesfrom,133
Louise Houoratty Chrysanthe-
mum, 92
Lumber, Oregon, 282
Lycopodiuni Tetrastichura, 278
Lygodium Palmatum, 305

M.

Madder, 306

MagneviUe Honeysuckle, .373
Magnolias, Grafting, 373
Maine, Pears for, 1'Z6
Main Grape, The, 58
Magnolia Campbelli, 1.50, 184

" Fuscata, 339
Malinda Grape, 125
Mammoth Cluster Rapberry.344
Mammoth Cluster Raspberry,

363
Manual, the Wine Blakers, 23
Manure and Vitality, 82
" for Grapes, 145
" Gas Lime as a, 61
Manuring Conifers, 31
Maple, the Red, 140
Maranta (Calathe 0 Tubispatha ,

343
Market, Fruit.s for table and, 62
Marriage Feasts, Flowers at,'282
Massachusetts Agricultural Col-
lege, 248
" Horticultural So-

ciety. Gift to
the, 94
McLaren's Prolific Raspberry
344 '' ■"

McLeon's Epicurean Pea, 242
Melons, Sudden death of, 146

TEE GARBEJYER'S MOJ^THLl.

Mendenhall Dibble, The, 86,121,

245
Mexican Everbearing Straw-
berry, 18-2, 301
Mexican Everbenriag Strawber-
berry, 371
" Strawberry in the

East, 373
" Strawberry, The, 218

Miami Black Cap Raspherry,313
Mice Knawed Trees, 174
Michigan, Grapes in, 345

" Seeiiling Strawberry,
314
Mildew on Roses. 84
Minnssota, Apples for, 345
II " in, 125

Mississippi, Ox Heart Cherries

in, 248
Missouri, State Entomologist of,
55
" Superior Apple, 123
Moore's Seedling Strawberry,

247
Mottled Grape, The, 29
Mounding up Peach Trees, 61
Mount Vernon Pear, 313
Mower, Improved La,wn, 246
Mowers, Lawn, 244
Mulberry, Durability of the,2Sl
Mushroom Culture, 220
Muscat St. Lnurent Grape, 182
Myeis' Nonpareil A^ple, 89
Myrsiphyllum Asparginoides,

My Ten Kod Farm, 148

N.

Name of Plants, 120, 143, 182
Narciss. 43 .

National Seed Distribution, 272
Natural Inarching, IS

" Phosphates in South
Carolina, 29
Nearly fifty years experience in

Fruit Growing 72
Nebraska State Fair, 277
Nectarine, Cracking of the Stan-
wick, 95
Neglected Fruit Trees, 241
New Abutilons, 311
" Bedding Geraniums In

England, 151
" Clematises, 219
" Cotton, A, 374
" Cultivation, A, 143
" Flowers, 360
" Fodder Plant, 279
" Fruits, Characters of, 81
" Hand Glass, 143
" Jersey, Apples in, 188

Lands, 2i)2
" Method of Preserving

Fruit, 105
" Mode of Budding, 300
" Nosegay Geraniums, 184
" or Rare Plants, 150
" Plants at the Leicester
Horticultural Show, 2S
«' Potato, A, 61
" " A valuable, 29

" Potatoes, S6
" Roses for 1868-69, 27
" Strawberries, 344
" Style of Forcing House, A,

100
" Textile plant. A, 241
•' Varieties of Ricinus, 158
" Vegetable, A. 278, 279
" Viae Trellis, 77
" Yellow Bedding Fuchsia,

151
" Zealand, Spring in, 21
Newspapers, 307
Nicanor Strawberry, The, 247
North Carolina Blackberries,
285
" " Old Pear tree

in, 376
" " Plants, 214

Northern Pomological Society,
The, 173

Norway Spruce. Wales' Weep-
ing, 177
Notes from Loudon Co., Va., 133
" '■ St Louis, 374
" on the Season — Fruits,
Ac, 361
Number of Seeds in a Pound, 92
Nurseries, Purdy & Johnston's,

187
Nursery Auctioneers, 175

" Dingee & Conrad's at
West Grove, Pa., 213
" Stock, Sale of, 274
Nurserymen, Dishonest, S3
Nutmeg, the California, 179
Nyce's System— Keeping Fruit,

281
N. W. Amprica, Vegetable pro-
ducts of, 95, 250, 287

Oak, Chestnut grafted on, 95

" Silk Worm, The, 180
Oats, Prince Edward, 56
October, Strawberries in, 373
Ohio, Apples for, 152
" Farmer, The, 29
" Grape Growers Associa-

tiod, 223
" State Horticultural Soc.
32, 27S
Oiled Liuen for Packing Plants

119
Oldenlandia, Blooming of the

121
One-shift System of Growing

Plants, 336
Open Air, Foreign Grapes in

the, 244
Oracular Dandelion, 179
Oranges, Diseased, 339
Orange Quince, Swindle in, 49
Orchard Apple, Treatment of
an, .371
•' Houses, Vineries and,

355
" House, an English, 94
" " products of, 95

Orchids, Catalogue of, 14S

" Hints on the Treat-
ment of, 327
Oregon and California, Fruits
Flowers in, 277
" Lumber, 282
Origin of Fruits, 18
Ornithogalum, 43
Osage Orange, Hardiness of the,
147
" " Hedges, Treat-

ment of, 373
Our Late Frontispiece, 21
" Thanks, 56
Oxalis, 43
Oxheart Cherry in Mississippi,

248
Oyster Plant, 119

P.

Pacific R. R., The, 92
Packing Plants, Oiled Linen

for, 119
Page's Pump Sprinkler, 371
Palaces of America, The, 230

278
Paradise .\pple Stocks, 178
Parentage of Grapes, .300
Paris, the Parks, Gardens and

Promenades of, 274
Park in Boston, Public, 372
Parks, Baltimore, 284'
Park's Keeper Apple, 124
Parsons on the Rose, 2l6
Passiflora Trifasciata, 1S5, 337
Passion Flower, 188
Pasteur's Discoveries in Wines

115
Patent Rights, 248
Patents, Pomological, 83
Patience Dock and the Poke

Plant, 174
Paulownia, The, 182
Pea, Duaueith's First Early,27S

Pea, McLean's Epicurean, 242
Peas, Early, 143
Peach Leather, 2S4
" Leaves, the Glands of,266
" The Sugar, 148
" Trees, Mounding up, 61
" Vigor and Health of the
Different kinds, 358
Peaches, 34S

" Delaware, 288

" English and Ameri-

can, 177
" for Central Illinois, 93

" Georgia Dried, 61

" in England, Early, 62

" in tiie Southwest,

Large, 126
" in Vineland, 92

Peak's Emperor Stra wberry.2S0
Pear Culture, 309, 364
" " Dr. Houghton's

E.-say on, 338
" " Dr. Houghton's

368
" " Ten years Expe-
rience in, 328
" " for Profit, 277
" Duchesse de Bordeaux, 89
" Grafting "on the White

Thorn, 175
" Growing for Profit, 310
" Leaf Blight, 20
" Mt. Vernon, 313
" Parasite on the, 55
" Premium, 283
" the Isabella Pear, 24
" " Seckel, 21
" Trees, Apples on, .345
'■ " Large, 273
" " Mr Quinn's, 372
Pears, 348

" a Large Bunch of. 94
" for Central Illinois, 120
" •' Maine, 126

" Hardy, .338
" on Apple Trees, 374
" Quality of, .371
" White D'yenne, 374
Pegging down Roses, 20
Pelargoniums, Zjnale, History
of Ornamental
Leaved, .346
Penna., Fruit Growers Soc. of
31, 96
" Horticultural Soc , 126,
■' " Societies'

Banquet.
315
" " State

Fair,
Horticul-
ture, at
351
Persian Plant, 86
Persimmon in England, The. 96
Personal Acknowledgments, 242
Petuni.a,'; and Gpraniums, 243
Philosophy of Digging, 114
Photograph, Grape, 372
Physical, Survey of Va., 88
Physiology. Vegetable, 274
Pile:i .Muscosa, 112, 181
Pine Cones. Collection of, 119

" Disease, Austiian, 148
Pinus Tamarac, 158

" Taxodium and Varia-
tions in, 171
Pippin Apple, Ridge, 372
Plant description. Formula for
138
" for name, 277
" Hardy Bulbs, 294
" Houses, Mr. Strong's, 335
" Protector, 134
Plants, Action of Frost on, 221
" for cutting Flowers in

Winter, 145
" " Shady Places, 240

" in Europe and Ameri-
ca, Prices of, 147
" Names of 120, 14.3, 182
" North Carolina, 214
" on the Laws of Sex in,
296, 3w5

Plants, Sea-side, 293
" the One-shift System of

Growing, 336
" Window, 30
" Work on, 342
Planthouses 354
Plows, Report on trial, Dtica,

N Y., 1867, 24
Plum, Gisborne, 59
" Knot 144

" Stocks, Grafting Snirseas
oi., 1.54
Plums, 85. 348
Poa frivialis Argentea, 150
Popping, D"-, Edw., Death of

56
Poi.son Oak, Cure for, 218

" Vine, 271
Polyanthu.ses, Barren. I'D
Pomological Meeting, The. 254
" Society, Amer-

ican, 6!,86,216,2S7,'
304, 347
" " the Nor-

tbern,
173
Pomology in Spain, 61 '
Portraits of Horticulturists, 374
Potato, a New, 61

*' a Valuable New, 29
'• B^g, Recipe for, 261
" Breeze's No. 1., 92
" Early Goodrich, 295
" the Worcester Seedling,
94
Potatoes in England, Early
Rose, .309
" New, 86

Popular Deciduous and Ever-
green Trees and
Shrubs, 23
Poultry Keeper, the Practical,

217
Practical.Floriculfure, 88
" Gardening, 143
" Results in Grape Cul-
ture, 326
Preserved Fruits, 215
Preserving Fruit, New Method

of, 105
President Wilder Strawbeiry

The, 60, 147
Price of Rare Seeds, 21
Pride of China, 121
Primroses, Chinese, 157
Prince Edward Oats, 66
" Wm. R., Death of, 141
" " ■ Letter f.om,16S

Prionium Palmata, 186
Privet Hedges, Disease in, 246
Prodromus, De Candolle's 87

121
Products of an Orchard House,

95
Pronunciation of Bouquet, 156

" Name, 342
Propagation of Minute Fungi,

1.54
Proposition, A, 105
I'runer, Tree, 241
Pruning Trees While Frozen,

374
Purdy & Johnston's Nurseries

1S7
Pursh's Journal, 14, 44, 70, 86,
110, !34, 166,202,2:8
Putty, Glazing without, 341

" Removing old, 12, 102
Pyracantha Hedge, The, 93
Pyramidal, Apple Trees, Form-
ing, 154
Pyrus Japonica Cuttings, 214
Hedge, 339

Quality of Pears, 371

Queries about Flowers, 103

Quince, Anger's, 103
" Rea's Seedling, 24
" Swindles in Orange, 49

Quinn's, Mr., Pear Tree-i/372

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY,

Radish, Rat tailed, 373
Ragan, Richard, Death of, 374
Raised Grape Borders, 17
Ramie I'laut, 276, 373

" Agricultural Depart-
ment and the, 3i'9
" Plant again. The, 3-tO
Rare Seeds, Price of, 21
Raspberiy, Davison's Thorn-
less, S62
" Fall Bearing, 314

" Grant, 123

" Mammoth Cluster,

344, 363
" Miami Black Cap,

313
" McLaren's Prolific,

344
" the Clark, 274

" " Yellow Cana-

da, 24
Raspberries, 23.)

" Good Seedlin£r,247

" in the West, 372

Rea's Seedling Quince, 24
Recipe for Potato Bug, 261
Red Cana(ia Apple, The, 1S6
" Cheek Apple, 149
" Maple, The, 140
" Willow, 341
Remarks on Hybridization, 3
Reminiscences, Foreign, 68
Removing old Putty, 12, 102
Retention of Leaves in Winter,

117
Retinospora EU\vangeriana,369
Rhododendron Caucasicum Flo-
ridum, 186
" Fragrantissima,

60
Rhododendrons, 307
Rhubarb, PoisonoQS, 212
Riciuus, iVew Varieties of, liS
Ridge and Furrow, Roots, 118
Ridge Pippin Apple, 372
Rinderpest, Report on the, 24
Rochester, the Century Plant

at, 186
Rogers' Hybrid Grapes, 214
" Grapes, Names for the,
126
Root Fibres, Annual, 144, 179,

248
Rooting Tendrils and Leaves,

234
Roots, Feeding, 216
" of Trees, 270
" " the Feeding, 50

" Tap, 275
Rose, Gem nf the Prairies, 92
Roses, Attar of, 2o3

" for 1868— 69, New, 27
" Mildew on, 84
" Pegging down, 20
" Select List of, 3l>
" Trenching for, 298
Rulander Grape, The, tb
Russian Apple, 307

" Exhibition, Fruits at

the, 252
" Horticulture, 22
" International Horti-
cultural Exhibition,
216
Rnst, the Berberry and Wheat,
61

s.

Sage, $140 to H Acre, 152
Salem Grape, The, 54
Science, Law and, 275

" the Skepticism of, 179
Scion influence the Stock ? Does

the, 292
Scuppernong Wine, 12
Sea-side Plants, 293

" Weeds, Fertilization of, 156
Season, Adaptation of Varieties,
to, 325
" for Grafting, 144

Season, Notes on the — Fruits, |

OSic, 361
Seckel Pear, The, 21
Seed, Cedar, 341

" Distribution, National, 272
" Drill, 57
" " A good, 8

" Raising Gentians from, 54
" Store Burned, >, 20
Seedling Blackberries, 278
" Calceolarias, 216
" Geranium, 272
" Gooseberries, 271
" Raspberry, Good, 247
Seeds, Adulteration of, 22
" Elm and Maple, 215
" Evergreen, 339
" In a Pound, Number of,
92
Seminary of St. Charles of Bor-

romeo, 7
Sex in Plants, on the Laws of,

296, 305
Shade Plants in the Sun, 201
" Trees, Enquiries about,
84
Shady Places, Plants for, 240
Shamrock, The, 272
Sheep, the Diseases of, 23
Shrinkage of Trees in Winter,

107, 165
Siberian Crab Apple, 371
Siglar Grape, 123
Silk Woim, theOnk, 180
Situations, Gardeners and, 85
Small Fruit Recorder, 375

" Size of Fungus spores, 31
Sodding or Seeding Laws, 243
Solanuni Fendleri, 215
Solanums, 158
Solvent for Tar, 214
Some Winter Favorites, 4, 42
Sorrel, Killing, 244
South Carolina, Natural Phos-
phates in, 29
" Fruit Culture in the, 93
" Gardeners in the, 86
" Grape Disease in the, 29
" Succession of Fruits in

the, 283
" Tea in the, 147
" Tree Planting in the, 341 i
Spading Fork, The, 181
Spain, Pomology in, 61
Sparganium Ramosum for Bud-
ding, 21
Speckled or Westbrook Apple,

376
Spirsea Lobata and Ampelopsis
Veitchii, 299
" Palmata, 186, 278
Spirseas on Plum Stocks, Graft-
ing, 154
Spring in New Zealand, 22
Sprinklers, Page's Pump, 371
Stark Apple Question, 182

" " The, 60, 91,124,148

State Entomologist, of Missouri,

55
Stealing Fruit, 247
"Steuben," 20

St. Louis Academy of Science,
Burning of, 180
" Horticulture about,

268
" Notes from, 374

Stock, Fall Tiansplanting and
Ordering of, 261
" Influence of, on the
Fruit, 56
St.>ry with a Moral, A, 85
Strawberries, 205, 239; 348

" and the Chicago

Strawberries, Plant new 3"i9

" Seedling, Value

of, 277
" Some, 187

" Vineland, 248

Strawberry, a Wonderful, 248
Ala.ska, The, 276
" Alpine, 371

" Colfax, 90

" Crop. Delaware, 246

" Exhibitions, 278

" From Bolivia, .373

" Kentucky Late,

247, 280
" Mexican, 218

" Mexican Everbear-

ing 182,301, 370
" '' in the

East. 373
" Moore's Seedling,

247
" Nicanor, 247

" Peak's Emperor,

280
" President Wilder,

60, 147
" The Best, 183

" Triumph of Amer-

ica, 3; 3
Strong's, Mr., Plant Houses, 335
Study of Insects, Guide to the,

183
Styrax .laponica, 184
Sudden Death of Melons, 146
Suuar Peach, The, 148
" Tomato, 54, 271
Sumac, American, 175
Snn Heat on Fruit, Influence of,

243
Surface Cropping of Vine Bor-
ders, 147
Suspension of Hovey's Maga-
zine, 19
Swindlers, Protecting against
Horticultural, 182
Swindles in Orange Quince, 49

Market, 220

Artificial Fertili-
zers for, 55

Fine, 245

Garden, 209

in New Orleans,
1.52

in October, 363

Michigan Seed-
ling, 314

New, 344

Tap Roots, 117, 275
Tar, Solvent for, 214
Taste and Agriculture, 242
Taxodium and Pir]Us,Variations

in, 171
Tea in the South, 147J
Tender fekin Apple, 60
Tendrils and Leaves, Rooting
of, 234
" Grape Vine, 74
" of Cucumbers, 17
Ten Yeas Experience in Pear

Culture, 328
Tetofski Apple, The, 313
Texas Gardening in, 295

the Large Trees of, 281
Textile Plant, a New, 241
Thanks, Our. 56
Thornless Honey Locust Tree,

56
Timber of the Kentucky Coffee
Tree, 283
" Growing at the West,
56
Tim Bunker Papers, The, 23
Tomatoes, 85, 183
Tomato Sugar. 54, 271

Trellises, 56
Transplanting a Large Tree,287

Trees. 116
Tree Chrysanthemums, 62
Ferns, 2.52
" Histories, 367
" Large Apricot, 374
" •' Chestnut, .374

" Planting, luwa, 249
« " in the South, 341

" Pruner, 241
Trees, Feeding. Roots of, 50
" Judas, 269
" Mice Knawed, 174
'< Pruning while Frozen,

.374
" Roots of, 270
Trellis, a New Vine, 77

Trp' ching for Roses, 298
Trifolium Incarnatum, 216
Triumph of America Strawber

ry, 313
Truffle Hunting, 188
Tulips, 188
Tulip Tree, Variegated, 219

UtahjHorticulture at St. George,
272

Valeriana Dioica, 143
Variations in a State of Nature,
272
" in Epigsea Repens,47

" in the Blood Root, 214

" in Taxodium aud

Pinus, 171
Variegated Tulip Tree, 219
VegetaMe, A new, 278, 279
Vegetable Garden, 3b, 67, 99,
131, 164, 19.5, 227,
259, 290, 323
" Phvsiology, 274

" Products of N. W.

America, 95, 250,
287
Venus Fly Trap, 308
Versailles and Cherry Currant,

The, 213
Viburnum Plicatum, 219

" " or Japan

Snow
Ball,
261
Victoria Regia, 61
Vine Borders, Preparation of,
298
" " Surface Crop-

ping of, 147
" Cacoon, The, 244, 298,369
" Hampton Court, 63
" Leaves, Diseased, 46
" Poison, 271
Vineries and Orchard Houses,

.355
Vineland Fair, 277

" Peaches in, 92
" Strawberries, 24S
Vines, Variegated, 178
Vineyaidi.sts, Wealtby, 302
Vineyards in Iowa, 249
Viiginia, Grape Lands in, 79
" Hort. and Poraol. Bo-
cifty, 192
Vitality, Manure aud, 82

w.

Walter Grape Test, The, 376

Wanted, 271

Washburn's Amateur Cnltiva-

toi's Guide, 89
W'ashington, Agricultural De-
partnientat, 198
W^aterer, John, Death of, 31
Wealthy Viueyaidists, 302
Weather in Florida, 116
W'ing Norway Spruce, Wales',

177
Weight of Canadian Apples, 93
Wellingtor.ia (t^equoia) Gigar-

tta, 366
Westbrook Apple, 24

" Apple speckled, 376

Western Farmer, 'i'he, 375
" Horticulture, 345
" Rural. The, 148
" 'triumph Blackberry,
345
West, Raspberries in the, 372
" Timber Growing at the,

56
" Virginia, Grapes and
Wine in, 72
Wheat Rust, the Beiberry and,

51
White Dovenne Pi ars, 374
" Fl""wpr" fnr Winter Cut-
ting, 317

TEE GARDEJYER'S MGJsTRLY.

White Fox Grapes, 307

'• Thorn, Grafting the Pear
on the, 175
Whortleberry Seeds or Plants,

20
Wilder, Hon. Marshall P., 188
Willianisport Forks, 277
Willow Red, 341
Wind.jw Plants, 30

" " Greenhouse

and, 2
Wine, About, 2o3
" Company the Bluffton,oS

Wine from the Franklin Grape,
56
" Grape for the South, 2n
" House, Longworth's, 249
" Makers' Manual, The, 23
" Making, Grape Culture,

and, 307
" Scupperaong, 12
Wines, Pasteur's Discoveries

in, 115
Winter Flowers, 155

" Shrinkage of Trees in,
107, 165

Woman's Rights, 1S3
Women, Gardening for, 287
Wonderful Strawberry, A, 248
Worcester Seedling Potato, 94
Work on Plants, 342
Write your State, 244

Y.

Tarn, the Chinese, 73, 136
Yellow Canada Raspberry, Tlie,
24

"Ye shall be as a Garden that

hath no Water," 200
Yucca, a Beautiful, 1S3

" Gloriosa, 144
Young Botanist, Death of a, 22

z.

Zinc Labels, oS

Zonaie Pelargoniums. History
of Ornamental leaved,
346

The End of Volume X|

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