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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

NO.__:4--2_(Q.io— — DATE__l2.-_\_§k8jb

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Vilni Lu

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The Gardener's Monthly

AND

Horticulturist,

DEVOTED TO

HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

-*♦ ♦

EDITED BY

THOMAS MEEHAJV,

Formerly Head Gardener to Caleb Cope, Esq., at Springbrook, and at the Bartram Botanic Gardens

near Philadelphia; Graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, (London,) England.

Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Author of "American

Hand-Book of Ornamental Trees," &c.

VOLUME XLX. 1877.

PRLLADELPEIA ■

CHARLES H MAROT, Publisher,

No. 8I4. Chestnut Street

1877.

/ZZ Z5 ZZ.4 TIONS.

» . —

Frontispiece— Chrorao ' Vitis heterophylla.

A

Amaryllis Formosissima 295

Vittatta Harrisonse 265

Anchylopera fragarise— Strawberry Leaf-roller 143

B

Bedding Plants, Arrangement of— two cuts 355

Begonia Rex 71

O

Campsidium filicifolium 110

Canadian Lily 55

Chamsedorea formosa 72

Coix lachryma — Job's Tears 170

Currant — La Versailles 334

Cyclamen 45

D

Dsemonorops palembanicus 238

Dianthus lacinatus 196

Double White Violet— Belle de Chatenay 377

Dracocephalum Moldavica 324

E
Euonymus radicans 306

F
Feather Grass — Stipa pennata 184

G

Geraniums, Cutting Back 167

I

Ixora Regina 297

J

Japanese Persimmon — Dyospyrus kaki 362

L

Lilium Humboldtianum 26

Lophospermum scandens 41

M

MacAdam Road-bed 33

Macrozamia plumosa , 156

O

Odontoglossum phalsenopsis 43

P

Pansies — Chromo 32

Pea, Sabre 242

Pelargonium, Beauty of Oxton , 112

New Life 330

Phellodendron 186

Pterodiscus speciosus 13

R

Raspberry, Reliance 302

Road-making — two cuts 33-34

Rustic Work — Baskets, Stands, Vases — four cuts , 353-354

S

Sash for Hot-beds, Improved — five cuts 75-76

Strawberry Leaf-rotter 143

T

Telford Road-bed 34

Tuberose Bulbs — two cuts 130

W

Water Barrow 243

Weeping Cherry , 259

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

JANUARY, 1877.

Number 217.

OWER KiARDEN AND SB? LEASURE MROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

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 give a little wildness to the
spot, which is in itself a beauty ; for, when we
speak of neatness as essential in a garden, we
mean of course, those parts which one would be
expected to keep neat, and which will look all
the more neat for having a little wildness to con-
trast with them.

It is a pleasure to note that the taste for trees
is increasing. They bring us the best form of
beauty, and in a state that does not cost much
to keep. And not trees alone, clumps of shrub-
bery often have a beautiful effect, and, once
planted, require no care for many years. They
may be selected from amongst the Spirseas, Li-
lacs, Syringas, Mock Orange, Upright Honeysuck-
les, Weigelas, Deutzias, Forsythias, ElaBgnuses,
Pyrus japonica, Hypericum, Willows, Almonds,
Calycanthus, Dwarf Horse Chestnuts, Dogwoods,
Purple Hazels, Snowdrop Trees, Bird Cherries,
&c.

Some judgment is required in pruning flower-
ing shrubs, roses, etc., although it is usual to act
as if it were one of the most common-place opera-
tions. One of the most clumsy of the hands is
commonly set to work with a pair of shears, and
he goes through the whole place, clipping off
everything indiscriminately. Distinction should

be made between those flowering shrubs that
make a vigorous growth, and those which grow
weakly; and between those which flower on the
old wood of last year, and those which flower on
the new growth of next season, as the effect of
pruning is to force a strong and vigorous growth.
Those specimens that already grow too strong to
flower well, should be only lightly pruned ; and,
in the same individual, the weakest shoots should
be cut in more severely than the stronger ones.
Some things like the Mock Oranges, Lilacs and
others, flower on the wood of last year — to prune
these much now, therefore, destroys the flower-
ing ; while such as Altheas, which flower on the
young wood, cannot be too severely cut in, look-
ing to that object alone.

Wherever any part of a tree does not grow,
freely, pruning of such weak growth, at this sea-
son, will induce it to push more freely next year.
All scars made by pruning off large branches,
should be painted or tarred over, to keep out the
rain. Many fruit trees become hollow, or fall
into premature decay, from the rain penetrating
through old saw cuts made in pruning. Also
the branches should be cut close to the trunk, so
that no dead stumps shall be produced on the
tree, and bark will readily grow over. Many
persons cut off branches of trees in midsummer,
in order that the returning sap may speedily
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.

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

COMMUNICA TIONS.

HARDY RHODODENDRONS.

BY SAMUEL PARSONS, FLUSHING, L. I.

The remarks that have recently appeared in
the Gardener's Monthly on the subject of hardy
Rhododendrons have been both interesting and
true. It has seemed, however, that certain dis-
tinctions or definitions should be fixed to place
the matter before the general public in just the
practical light intended. It is undoubtedly true
that a very large variety of Rhododendrons may
be enjoyed in America by means of protecting
boughs, nooks of larger trees, and light cellars ■
but it is likewise true that the inexperienced
need some explanation as to what varieties con-
stitute the hardy and tender portions of the
series. To express better the character of this
hardiness, all so-called hardy Rhododendrons
may be divided into three classes, and, for con-
venience, termed hardy, almost hardy, and tender,
for scarcely any variety remains absolutely unin-
jured under conditions that occur at wide in-
tervals, and all may retain their beauty with
protection throughout the winter.

The first includes such as may be planted in
ordinary positions, excepting bleak, north-west
exposures, and situations close to buildings
where heat and cold are naturally concentrated
by reflection. This class consists of hardly more
than a dozen varieties of the nature of Roseum
Grandiflorum, Bicolor, Everestianum, Purpu-
reum Grandiflorum, Album Elegans, Mrs. Mil-
ner, II. W. Sargent, Caractacus, Charles Bagley,
and Lady Armstrong, and comes almost, if not
entirely, of an improved pure Catawbiense strain.
Peculiar conditions of health, grubs at the root,
&c.,may sometimes induce an apparent delicacy,
in above varieties, that is very delusive.

The second, and almost hardy class, may be
enjoyed very generally by planting in sheltered
corners, and covering loosely, both head and
foot, with boughs and leaves to break the force

of winter winds. The discolorati )fthe leaves,

thai will now and then occur, quickly disappears
with the new growth. As representatives of the
class, may be mentioned Lee's Dark Purple,
Blandyanum, Mrs. McClutton, Scipio, Atrosan-
guineum, Titian, Minnie, Purity, Stella, .Mrs.
Balford.

The third class, containing a number of va-
rieties apparently hardy in England, should
never be trusted out in our winters without

thorough protection, and are still safer housed
in a light cellar during that season. Any attempt
to disobey this rule will only be fraught with
continual dissatisfaction. These kinds include
such varieties as Concessum, John Waterer, Bar-
clayanum, Sir Robert Peel, Michael Waterer, and
many other beautiful high-colored sorts. Rho-
dodendrons, even in this class, require the ma-
turing effects of frost, hence the use of a green-
house cannot be advised, for, even unheated, a
certain freedom from frost and induced pre-
cocity exists therein that will probably injure the.
after growth. If all amateurs and gardeners will
observe the above distinctions, and treat their
Rhododendrons accordingly, we doubt not that
much of the prejudice, now existing against the
family, will gradually disappear. Certainly the
wonderful success of Mr. Hunnewell and others,
in cultivating these kinds, seems almost perfect,
and probably the same judgment in manage-
ment would secure the enjoyment of all recom-
mended by Mr. Anthony Waterer, who undoubt-
edly stands among the first of European growers.

DOUBLE LILIUM AURATUM.

BY M. H. MERRIAM, LEXINGTON, MASS.

In the November number of the Monthly
among the new plants noticed is that of a double-
flowered Lilium auratum which had appeared
in France. It may be interesting to know that
about two weeks later, or late in September, I
discovered a similar production on one of the
plants among my own. There was a perfectly
symetrical, well-developed duplicate set of petals,
divided, however, nearly, or quite, to the base.
The plant was carefully watched in the hope that
seed might be secured, but it failed to produce
any.

The bulb, however, is labeled, and since learn-
ing from your journal the variety of the phe-
nomena, I shall watch its future flowering with
great interest. Subsequently, another plant
seemed to be repeating the same phenomena,
but on development it proved to be an irregular
malformation.

AMERICAN TUBEROSES.
Having occasion to investigate the compar-
ative value of Italian over American bulbs, as
had been asserted by distinguished horticul-
turists, I made particular enquiry of several
florists in my neighborhood who are in the
practice of forcing for the market, and their tes-

1871.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

timony was unanimous in favor of Italian bulbs,
for which they were willing to pay a larger
price, asserting that the yield of flowers was
from 15 to 20 per cent, more from Italian than
American grown bulbs. This did not apply,
however, to Florida grown bulbs, concerning
which I could get no information.

CONSIDER THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD.

BY W.

Nothing on earth seems to yield such serene
and enduring content as the acquirement of a
genuine love for plants of all sorts. Is it in part
owing to that annual resurrection which makes
them ever new and attractive, like the presence
of a dear friend after a term of absence ? We
become attached to animated beings, but they
die, and we see them no more, and presently we
forget them. But there is something wonder-
fully adherent in the constancy of the lover of
plants, and something incomparably exalting in
their influence upon those who care for them
for their own sakes.

A letter just received from an old friend whom
I knew very long ago as fond of garden recre-
ations and experiments, affords an instance of
this genial influence. He is now on the verge
of 80, yet he is still as fresh and as full of talk
about plants and planting and greenhouse
shelter, and apparently as cheerfully occupied
with them as ever. What is the secret that
secures such pleasure even in the very winter of
life? Is there an elixir only, or is there a
religion, a God's love, in this caring for the
flowers of the field ? and is it their endless va-
riety that makes these quiet friends never tiring,
or is it the continual change in each one that
keeps contemplation ever fresh like the Vestal
fires? For each one has its own orbit — passing
through the glories of summer, the autumn
decline, the winter sleep, and re-appearing again
and again forever in a vernal resurrection. If
the rainbow is a symbol of God's favor and pro-
tection, are not the bright plants which the
Creator seems to have pressed upon our notice
by causing their presence in every nook, a mani-
festation of His favor, a glimpse of good things
to come? For if the grass does not die, but only
sleeps, much more shall not we, nor our resur-
rection be less glorious.

Those pregnant verses in Genesis which give
so much of the world's vast history condensed in

so few lines — do they, when they describe
Adam's life and work in a garden — do they mean
that his race owes its superiority over the other
races of men adverted to in the sacred lines be-
cause of having learned to till and keep a
garden, to win the service of animals, and to live
quiet and harmless, yet actively busy and
observant lives?

In the times when strife and ferocity prevailed
more than now, it was said that " Whom the
God's love die young." But there are abundant
cases of God's manifest favor being shed upon
and continued to a far old age, as in the case of
my friend.

Here, then, is a path safe to walk in. In it are
to be found sweet content and serene happiness,
and this being so, our churches, and yet more
our schools, should guide at an early age the
inclinations of all children to the employments
and the pleasures of the garden, giving practical
lessons in this first of all arts — the one upon
which all the glory and the strength of our race
are founded.

Nothing will do so much to advance universal
comfort and content as thus imparting, uni-
versally, a love for the life-assuring art of making
grass grow and trees bloom. Then, and not till
then, will the implements of war be wrought
over for peaceful uses ; and then, and not till
then, will all men live without dread of penury,
or tyranny, or punishment.

For then they will recover the lost Eden, and
extend over all the earth that Mesopotamian
Paradise in which the race had its germ. They
will understand the dangerous admixture of
good and evil that has kept all the offspring of
Adam in a fever for thousands of years, and re-
jecting the evil, will gradually grow under God's
favor into the perfection of humanity.

MOSAICULTURE.

TRANSLATED FROM THE N. Y. COURIER DES ETATS

UNIS.

Mr. Nardy, horticulturist at Hyeres, south of
France, one of the French delegates to the Cen-
tennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and Presi-
dent of the French Workingmen's Delegation to
this country, has permitted us to look over his
traveling notes, and we extract the following,
showing us the present state of gardening in
France :
" I have," writes Mr. Nardy," made a grand prom-

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

enade right through France, from the southern-
most coast on the Mediterranean to Havre on
the channel, and there are certainly great differ-
ences of soil, climate and habits, and of natu-
ral products, between Provence and Nor-
mandy. One passes pretty much through the
entire scale of pomology — from the orange,
which ruined Atalanta, to the apple that ruined
Mother Eve. Nevertheless, science seemingly
generalizes proceedings and helps nature propa-
gate her products from one zone to the other.
Hence, I find the gardens ornamented pretty
much all over with the same plants and on the
same artistic plan. I have started from Nice,
the city of flowers; have passed through Lyons,
Dijon, Paris, and reached Havre, and have found
everywhere throughout France a kind of com-
paratively recent garden decoration, called Mosai-
culture. The word is new and known only by
specialists and amateurs. It might, however,
be universally adopted, because it tells at once
its meaning, expressing as it does an artistical
disposition of plants, leaves and flowers, of such
shades as will form masses, beds, wreaths — in fact,
all sorts of designs, which are truly vegetable
mosaics. I have seen the most charming speci-
mens, and I will bring here a few of them to
mind.

" In Lyons, the place where art, closely allied
with industry, creates tissues which are the ad-
miration of the world, horticulture stands in high
honor ; and possibly the delicate taste for it enters
far more than we think into the inspiration of the
workingman — artist. Public and private gar-
dens are numerous, rich and well-kept. The
Pare de la Tete d'Orfor, instance, with its mag-
nificent shade-trees, its vast lawns, its elegant
greenhouses, showing not only a natural love
for flowers, but also profound notions of the hor-
ticultural art and science. In this noble park
have I found the best compositions of vegetable
mosaic. Long and wide beds (platebandes) and
immense massed groups present a great variety
of brilliant and select effects. The divers varie-
ties of Alternanthera and Teilanthera ; of the
various Coleus, of Achyranthus, of Amaranthus
melancholicus ruber, etc; the Mesembryanthe-
mum tricolor, the Scdum carneum, the fine
Centaurea candidissima, the Gnaphalium lana-
tum, the golden-leaved Matricaria, etc., are
planted so as to form initials or words, or to rep-
resent richly shaded elegant ribbons, or com-
plicated arabesque figures, or pretty designs of
mnniucterie, etc.

"Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, — where, al-
most as soon as you get into it, there rises to your
palate the flavor of those fine wines, which de-
light the French as well the inhabitants of this
globe, — Dijon also aspires to a high degree of
floriculture. In the ornamental part of its bo-
tanical garden I saw also very successful mosaic.
There I have seen and afterward also found in
Paris — but what don't you find in Paris of anything
fine that has been produced anywhere in the
world? — a happy use in mosaic compositions
and in borders of Alyssum maritimum fol. varie-
gatis ; a charming plant, compact, low, almost a
creeper, resembling somewhat Sedum carneum,
but apparently more robust and vigorous.

" Paris has wiped out the traces of vandalism
and has got a new set of jewels in her gardens.
She still, and more than ever, is the capital of
the kingdom of flora, just the same as she is the
capital of France and of civilization. Her Pare
Monceaux is the richest floral gem in the world.
The plan in both its ensemble and its details is
admirable, and it is excellently kept up. From
the mosaic composition in it I quote :

" ' A mass of Pelargonium zonale with white
spotted leaves mixed with Perilla nankinensis,
with Lobelia erinus — charming effect.

"'An oval formed of ribbons of Coleus of
well-contrasted shades, bordered with an edge of
Lobelia erinus, Crystal Palace.

"'A mass of Pel. zonale foliis sanguineis
mixed with Centaurea candidissima, edged all
round with Lobelia erinus and Alternanthera.

" ' A mass very much shaped like a cupola
(bombe) dominated over by a strong growing
Agave atrovirens, round which there is a beauti-
ful mosaic of Althernanthera, Sedum carneum,
and other low growers.'

"A good many isolated specimen shrubs on
lawns are set in a setting of plants of one single
color, and that a brilliant one, of either leaf or
flower; or of a mosaic. These settings look like
flowery nests put in the grass.

" On the sides of a large lawn there rises a
heavy mass of Acer negundo with spotted leaves,
rounded by a double border of Pelargonium zo-
nale, with flowers of a brilliant red and salmon.
The effect of it was both powerful and charming.

" But I would not be able to finish were I to
enumerate all that is seductive in this admirable
park, half mundane, half mysterious; one of
the glories of Paris and yet hardly known to
the multitude.

" Havre calls me, and there, too, I find mosaics

1877.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

in full bloom. Havre has superb gardens, nota-
bly the one before the City Hall, which is truly
a little paradise of a garden.

" On a bank leaning against a deep mass of
high shrubs I saw perhaps the most successful
of mosaic compositions ; oblong border of di-
vers kinds of Alternanthera and Teilanthera
in large festoons. On a white centre letters of a
yard length, formed by Mesembryanthemum tri-
color and Alternanthera paronychoides, edged
with Matricaria aurea, compose the words — City
of Havre. The execution is admirable and the
effect of it is striking.

" I would further instance : a round group rep-
resenting the national colors ; another large de-
sign composed in this way: centre-piece, Cinera-
ria purpurea spectabilis; border, first dwarf
Dahlia, white flower, round which second border
Amaranthus mel. ruber, &c. But I must limit
myself, my object being to draw my fellow-hor-
ticulturists in America to this interesting subject
of Europe, whilst in turn I shall borrow some
points from their studies, their works and their
experience."

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Preserving Spikes of Pampas-grass. — Mr.
Henry Vilmorin, of Paris, communicates the fol-
lowing to the London Gardener's Chronicle : — " I
have always found the best plan for preserving
the spikes of Pampas-grass in perfect condition
to be the following : — Cut the stems before the
spikes are half out of the sheaths, store them in
a dry place and leave them undisturbed till en-
tirely dried, then remove the leaf which partly
envelopes the spikes ; the latter will appear per-
fectly bright, and with a silky gloss on them,
only they are rather stiff; then submit them
carefully to a goodly heat, either in a well-heated
oven, or, better still, before a brisk fire, when
each floret will expand, and give the spike the
feather-like appearance so much appreciated.
The spikes prepared by that process will not
drop one of their glossy pistils, and will keep for
any length of time if kept free from the tarnish-
ing effects of dust."

Weeping Sequoia Gigantea — An illustration
of a beautiful Weeping Sequoia in the London
Gardener's Chronicle, makes us feel a renewed re-
gret that this tree is so utterly a failure in the
Atlantic States.

Beautiful Specimens of Trees. — It would be
a pleasure to record in our pages the heights and
dimensions of rare and favorite trees. These
often get placed on record in other countries,
but we have little of it in our own. The following is
from the London Gardiner's Chronicle : — " It may
be interesting to our readers if we name some of
the fine specimen ornamental trees growing on
their grounds, out of the many hundreds which
are to be seen there. A beautiful tree of Abies
Nordmanniana, 14 feet high (one of the finest of
all evergreens) ; a Cut-leaved Alnus, 25 feet high ;
a Willow-leaved Ash, 20 feet; a Weeping Birch,
30 feet high, wide and spreading ; Purple Beech,
20 feet high ; Cut-leaved Weeping Birch, 50 feet
high ; a Salisburia, 30 feet high ; Oak-leaved
Mountain Ash, the original tree brought to this
country, 20 feet high, the same in diameter of
the head ; and specimens of the following Mag-
nolias prove perfectly hardy, namely, Soulange-
ana conspicua, tripetela, and Norbertiana" M.
macrophylla requires a slight protection in win-
ter, as well as M. Thompsoniana. M. grandiflora
will not succeed out of doors."

And here is an account of another : — "We learn
from the Gardener that there are two enormous
Irish Yews growing in the kitchen garden at
Netherplace, near Mauchline. The largest is 33
feet in spread of branches, and its height is 29
feet eight inches. Its companion is 32 feet six
inches in spread of branches, and 30 feet in
height. They are dense and in perfect health,
being of a rich dark green. These two trees
stand within a stone's throw of Burns' cottage."

Enonymus radicans variegata.— All lovers of
low growing hardy evergreens, know this plant
by this time, as it has been offered by leading
American nurserymen for some years past. But
it is not known that it has handsome berries.
Of this the London Gardener's Chronicle says : —
" The variety or species radicans, both the green
and variegated states, is very ornamental and
suitable for covering small spaces of wall. Like
the Ivy it emits aerial roots very freely, and at-
taches itself to rocks- or walls, and, therefore, re-
quires little or no nailing. The ordinary broad-
leaved variety, latifolius of the nurseries, with
rich, dark green, glossy foliage, is certainly one
of the most ornamental of small-growing ever-
green shrubs, and wherever it is hardy, should
be largely planted. Unfortunately, its handsome
fruit is extremely rare in this country. Indeed,
we never saw it on living plants until this season,

6

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

but we have heard that a plant of it fruited at
Brighton last year. The plant we saw in fruit
was about 2J feet high, growing in a small pot
outside a cottage window between Turnham
Green and Kew Bridge. The crimson fruit is
nearly spherical, or more or less flattened in the
direction of its vertical axis, and from f to 1 inch
in its greatest diameter, and it is more or less dis-
tinctly two or three-lobed, the lobes answering
to its two or three cells. If gardeners could suc-
ceed— and we see no reason why they should not
— in inducing this line shrub to flower and fruit
as freely as the Holly or Aucuba, it would add
considerably to its attractions in the autumn.
It is a singular coincidence that the variety of
radicans with white-edged leaves has fruited in
France this season. A figure of it is given in the
Revue Horticole, from which it appears that the
fruit is much smaller than that of E. japonicus
latifolius."

Fruiting of Chionanthus Yirginicus. — The
following is from the Gardener's Chronicle : — " In
a recent number of the Revue Horticole, Messrs.
Transon record a curious fact concerning Chion-
anthus virginicus. It is this, that when grafted
on the Ash it never produces any seed, although
it flowers profusely, whereas quite small plants
on their own roots ripen and seed in abundance.
They further recommend grafting this handsome
white-flowered shrub on the roots of its own spe-
cies, because when grafted on the Ash it enjoys
only a very short life, and seedlings grow very
slowly during the first few years. This shrub is
not generally planted as it deserves to be, for its
ornamental merits are considerable." It is not
generally known that this plant is polygamous.
Hence, though the imperfect organs may be fully
developed by peculiar modes of culture, it may
be thai a barren form was used in the grafting.

NEW PLANTS.

Purple-leaved Daphne! — We noticed this
beautiful plant anion- the Centennial trees
exhibited by Messrs. S. I>. Parsons & Son,
of Flushing, N. Y. By the following we note
that it is also attracting attention in England:
"Those who arc fond of ornamental-leaved
hardy shrubs should make a note of Daphne
japonica atropurpurea. The effect which it

produces among low-growing shrubs is similar
to that of the Copper Beech among trees, and
we have none too many of such things for en-
livening our shrubbery borders. We saw some
nice plants of it lately in Mr. Kinghorn's nur-
sery at Richmond."

A Cream-colored Red Cedar. — Describing
" Juniperus" Virginiana elegans," Messrs. Lee
say : '' This very elegant variety of the Red
Cedar was raised from seed in our own grounds
in 1869. It is scarcely necessary to remark upon
the hardiness of this plant, but it is due to its
character to state that the elegant cream-colored
variegation with which the whole plant is suf-
fused is perfectly constant, and has never been
injured by frost or burned in the least degree by
the hottest sunshine, although fully exposed in
the open air. The plant is of neat and free
growth, and received the honor of a First-class
Certificate from the Floral Committee at South
Kensington, in July, 1875."

New Cornelian Cherry. — Under the simple
and effective name of Cornus mascula aurea ele-
gantissima, Jacobi et Caroli Leei, an advertise-
ment in the Gardener's Chronicle tells us that
" This elegant and lovely hardy shrub was raised
from seed in our Isleworth Nursery, and has
been proved to be perfectly constant in its beau-
tiful variegation. A broad margin of pure gold
surrounding a bright green centre is of itself a
sufficient attraction, but when in July the tips of
the leaves become suffused with the brightest
carmine, it is impossible to give an idea of the
beaufy and elegance of the plant, which will bear
a favorable comparison with the best variegated
stove or greenhouse exotics. Suffice it to say,
that it has been seen and admired by many
amateurs and nurserymen, and has been award-
ed a First-Class Certificate at South Kensington.
The habit of the plant is semi-pendulous and
very graceful."

A New Pinus. — The Gardeners Chronicle say-
" A new Pinus, related to P. orientalis or P. Men-
ziesii, has been discovered in the Balkan penin-
sula by Professor Paneic." If by "Pinus," Abies
orientalis is meant, there is plenty of room for
the new discovery to spread itself in.

Crocus speciosus. — We learn from the Garden-
er's Chronicle thai Crocus speciosus is now very
charming, flowering in pots in a cold house as
well as in the open border. Such a welcome
autumnal Mower deserves some protection, for

im.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

out-of-doors at this season of the year its flowers
are but very short-lived. What is now cultivated
as Crocus speciosus is supposed to be a garden
seedling; the flowers are of a deep blue-like
color, brightest on the interior, where it is also
handsomely pencilled with dark lines.

Ampelopsis japonica. — This is a Virginian
creeper that does not creep, and belongs more
properly to the class of furnishing plants than
climbers. Its growth is that of a diffuse wiry
bush, and at any time wnile it is in leaf it is well
adapted for enriching with bright foliage large
vases on terraces and in entrance halls and con-
servatories. At the present time it is in brilliant
color, the prevailing tone being fiery orange-red,
shading one way to yellow and another way to
purple. It is a grand plant for the front line of
the shrubbery, and might even be used in large
beds and borders, for the knife would keep it
within bounds, and it does not run as other spe-
cies of ampelopsis do. — Gardener's Magazine.

Mor.ea (iris) fimbriata. — This is a very re-
markable plant, which well deserves to be much
more generally cultivated than it is. Brought
from China to England about the beginning of
the present century, it found its way to Paris,
and was figured in that magnificent work, " Le
Jardin de Cels," in the eighth year of the Repub-
lic; also in Curtis' Botanical Magazine under the
name of Iris chinensis. It was likewise called
Evansia chinensis, in compliment to Mr. Evans,
who introduced it ; it then went out of fashion.
It is found for the last time in Lee's catalogue,in
1830, and we look for it in vain in the French,
Belgian, German, and English catalogues of our
time. Notwithstanding this neglect, it well de-
serves the attention of amateurs for its beauty
and elegance. It differs from other Irises in
having fringed petals, and might well rival many
of our Orchids in the brilliancy of its colors (pale
blue striped with bright yellow), its lovely trusses
of bloom, delicate odor, and the long period of
time during which it is in flower. It succeeds
best when grown in rather small pots ; when the
spring frosts are over these must be plunged into
the ground in a warm situation ; they will re-
quire plenty of water. About the end of October
they should be taken up and placed in a green-
house, or even in a cold frame, care having been
taken to pot off the young shoots. Thus treated,
the Mortea will bloom for months. Peat mould
suits it best, but it will flower and thrive in al-
most any kind of soil. — Garden.

Saxifraga japonica. — There are many hand-
some autumnal flowers, but few excel the Japanese
Saxifrage in beauty and grace. It succeeds best
as a pot plant, left undisturbed for two years. It
has large, glossy, dark green leaves which remind
one of those of Dondia epipactis, out of which
spring many tall and branching stems of feathery
white flowers. The four upper petals are short
and nearly even in length, but the lower one is
lengthened out into a tail-like appendage, which
gives the flowers the appearance of a bird of
paradise in full flight. A pot of it with seven
spikes of bloom has been in great beauty in my
room for the last three weeks. — H. Harpur Crewe
in the Garden.

QUERIES.

White Berry Pyracantha. — A correspondent
speaks of failure with this in transplanting.
When set deeper than it grew before, it never
fails. It makes no difference though half the
plant be buried.

Name of Plant. — " Subscriber," Columbus, O.
— Your plant is Viburnum suspensum. We
should like to know if quite hardy with you ?
We suppose not.

Lawn Grass for Oregon. — M. S. B., Portland,
Oregon, asks : "Would you kindly advise me of
the best grass seed for lawns in Oregon ? climate
quite wet a portion of the year and quite dry in
summer. How would Rhode Island Bent grass
do, or would your Pennsylvania grass or Blue
grass be better, in your judgment ?

[As a general thing rye grass does well in Ore-
gon, and makes a splendid lawn grass. Poa
campestris, the Blue grass, also makes a good
lawn grass there. Perhaps on a place " wet in
Avinter and dry in summer," Bent grass (Agros-
tis) would do better, but this is a matter wholly
for experiment. — Ed. G. M.]

Akebia quinata Seeding.- — Mr. Galloway C.
Morris, Philadelphia, writes : — "I notice in the
November Gardener's Monthly that the Akebia
quinata has fruited for the first time, so far as
you know, with Mr. Wm. Canby this year. I
have had fruit on mine for at least three years.
As the fruit gets a little over ripe it bursts open
showing multitude of seeds in the pulp. I think
that it has no fruit on it this year."

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

REEN MOUSE AND IMOUSE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Roses, when they are forced, do much better
when the pots are plunged in some damp mate-
rial. When no better plan offers, they may be
set inside of a larger pot, with moss between the
space around. All plants that come into flower
through winter should have those positions af-
forded them that have the most sunlight, espe-
cially the early morning light. Care must, how-
ever, be taken that the material about the
plunged pot does not get too cold. For winter
flowering, and Roses especially, the flowering is
best when the earth about the root is a little
warmer than the atmosphere. For watering,
water a little warmed is an advantage.

We were speaking here chiefly of window
plants. The dry air of sitting-rooms is the great
obstacle to the perfection of window plants. The
plants should be sprinkled or syringed with wa-
ter as often as practicable, and the leaves washed
as often as any insects or dust appear on them.
In warm rooms, they should be kept in the cool-
est parts, and as near the light as possible. For
hanging plants chere is now an increasing taste,
as they afford so much scope for arranging the
forms, and for beautifying the windows. Linaria
Cymbalaria or the Kenilworth Ivy, Variegated
Spider-wort {Tradescantia variegata), Money-wort
(Lysimachianummularia), the Creeping Saxifrage
(Saxifraga sarmentosa), and Common Ivy, are
among- the most useful of commoner things.
Then there is the Australian or German Ivy, as
well as the many varieties of the evergreen Ivy,
and many other things of a choicer character, if
gas is not burnt in the room.

In the greenhouse, air may be given in fine
weather; but if the temperature is not allowed
to go much above 45°, much will not be required.
The stereotyped advice to give air freely on all
occasions when not actually freezing, is about on
a par with the absurd practice that lays the
foundation of consumption in a child, by turning
it out almost naked in frosty weather to render it
hardy. Ma n y .strike their Fuchsias now, from which
they desire to make very fine specimen plants.

All kinds of plants that are required for Spring or
Summer blooming, should be propagated when-
ever the time permits. All growing plants, as
Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Chinese Primrose, Ger-
aniums, and so on, should be potted as often as
the pots become filled with roots. Plants which
have a growing season, and one of rest, as Rho-
dodendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, &c, should be
potted if they require it, just before they com-
mence to grow, which is usually about the end
of this month. In potting, a well-drained pot is
of great importance. The pots should be near
one-fourth filled with old potsherds, broken
small, and moss placed over to keep out the
soil.

Daphnes like a cool, humid atmosphere, and
are very impatient of heat. The best we ever
saw were grown by a farmer's wife, who had an
old spring-house converted into a greenhouse to
preserve her oranges, oleanders and daphnes
over the winter. The natural heat from the
spring was quite sufficient to keep out frost, and
it was surprising how charmingly the plants
throve in this, to a gardener, rough-looking plant-
case.

It is better to keep in heat in cold weather by
covering, where possible, than to allow it to es-
cape, calculating to make it good by fire-heat,
which is, at best, but a necessary evil. Where
bloom is in demand, nothing less than 55° will
accomplish the object; though much above that
is not desirable, except for tropical hot-house
plants. Where these plants are obliged to be
wintered in a common greenhouse, they should
be kept rather dry, and not be encouraged much
to grow, or they may rot away.

After Cyclamens have done blooming, it is
usual, at this season, to dry them off; but we do
best with them by keeping them growing till
Spring, then turning them out in the open hor-
de]-, and re-pot in August for winter-flowering.

Mignonette is much improved by occasional
waterings with liquid-manure.

In managing other plants, where there are
several plants or varieties of one species, and
command of different temperatures, it is a com-
mon plan to bring some forward a few weeks

1871]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

earlier than others in the higher heat, thus
lenghtening the season of bloom. This ap-
plies particularly to Camellias and Azalias ; the
former are however, not so easily forced as the
latter, being liable to drop their buds, unless care
be taken to regulate the increased temperature

gradually.

•♦«

COMMUNICA TIONS.

VERBENA RUST.

BY CHAS. HENDERSON, JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, N. J.

I see there has been some discussion of late
as to what is the cause of the "Verbena rust,"
or whether its ravages are the work of an insect
or a fungus. This is easily determined ; let
any one place an affected leaf under a micro-
scope of ordinary power, say two or three hun-
dred diameters, and the insects (mites?) and
eggs will be seen almost invariably ; while on
leaves that are not affected, neither eggs nor in-
sects will be seen. As far as my observations
have gone, on all leaves affected with that disease
called " verbena rust," insects will be found by
aid of the microscope, varying somewhat in
appearance in the different varieties of plants,
as it is not confined to the verbena by any
means, being found on fuchsias, heliotropes,
petunias, pentstemons, and even on some of our
native plants growing by the roadside. Now as
to the cause of the disease, which is the most
important question to get at, I am led to believe
that it rarely if ever attacks plants unless their
vigor or vitality has been checked by some
cause or other. My reason for this opinion is,
that it is found to attack verbenas, heliotropes,
&c, when the roots become "pot-bound," or
from the opposite condition when " over-potted ;"
or, in short, any cause that will arrest the
healthy growth of the plant. This would im-
ply that the insect is the consequence and not
the cause of the disease. Our practice here in
growing verbenas is to take for stock, cuttings
off our healthiest plants about the first of March,
and to grow them on without check until May ;
then to plant them out in freshly trenched or
subsoiled ground which has been heavily dressed
with rotted manure. Plants so treated, I be-
lieve, have never once been affected with rust
in the open ground. I may state, however, that
by mid-summer, that on all plants to be used
for propagation, the flowers are cut to prevent

the plants from weakening by seeding. Thus
treated, by October the plants will have made
the soft, succulent growth necessary for cuttings.
Our propagation of verbenas for our main crop
is begun usually about the middle of October,
and they are rooted slowly without fire-heat.
After being potted they are kept in a tempera-
ture averaging 45° at night. This completes our
whole round of operations in the culture of
verbenas. We are now growing varieties that
were imported twenty years ago, which are as
free from rust as our seedlings of last year.

[We are glad to get these excellent notes.
There is yet much to learn about verbena rust.
What is the insect, for instance, referred to?
Send some specimens to Prof. Riley, at St. Louis;
Prof. Packard, at Salem, Mass.; or Prof. Rath-
von, at Lancaster, Pa. For our part we do not
know why the insect should wait for sickly
plants before attacking them. No other insect
with which gardeners have to deal are so fas-
tidious. These and other matters still need
investigation. — Ed. G. M.]

VERBENA CULTURE.

BY W. T. BELL, FRANKLIN, PENNA.

In compliance with your request, that I would
send yo\\ an article on " How to grow Verbenas
well," I have hastily prepared the following: —

As soon as irosts are over in the. Spring, select
the youngest and healthiest plants to be had,
being particular to avoid any that are affected
by mildew or rust. The ground where they are
to grow requires no special preparation, but
should be in good condition and dry. Set the
plants in rows, at least two feet apart each way,
stir the surface of the soil frequently, during the
summer, and destroy all weeds as soon as they
appear. The plants may be allowed to flower,
but should be gone over at least once a week, and
all fading flowers and seed-vessels cut away.

About four or five weeks before frost is ex-
pected in the Fall, all flowers and flower-buds
should be removed, the plants cut back, so that
the branches will be about a foot or fifteen
inches in length, and all wTeak shoots thinned
away from the centre of the plant. The soil
should be forked over about the plants, and if
not already rich, should be made so, by the ap-
plication of decayed manure or fresh soil.

As soon as the prepared plants have made the
proper growth, a few cuttings may be tried,
being careful to use only such shoots as are

10

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

making a strong growth, and taking nothing but
the tender portion of the shoot.

The benches in the verbena house should be
so arranged that the plants will all be near the
glass overhead; and the heating-pipes should
have sufficient capacity to dry off' the plants
and allow air to be given during the coldest
weather, if necessary. The cutting bench should
be boarded tightly below and have an extra loop
of pipe beneath it to secure a proper under heat.
If the weather becomes warm the first lots of
cuttings will be likely to mildew, and should be
thrown out, even though they may have been
potted for weeks.

Endeavor to put in the main crop of cuttings
just before the first severe frost, as the later in
the season they are struck, the more healthy the
plants are likely to be. The cutting bench
should be kept constantly moist and shaded
from strong sunlight. The temperature of the
house, while the verbenas are in it, should be
kept as near as possible at from 40° to 45° at
night, and fifteen or twenty degrees higher dur-
ing the day, giving air whenever possible. The
matter of temperature is very important, and it
is the point where most propagators fail. If
these limits are exceeded for any length of time,
the plants will become unhealthy, even though
they have the best treatment in other respects.

When the cuttings have formed soft white
rootlets about half an inch in length, which
should require at least eight days, they should
be potted into thumb pots, using the ordinary
fresh, rich, greenhouse soil. The plants should
never be watered to excess, particularly during
the short, dull days in winter; neither should
they be allowed to become so dry as to cause
the leaves to droop.

When well established in the pots, and having
made sufficient new growth, a cutting may be
taken from each plant and rooted, thus doub-
ling the stock. Each plant thus topped will
usually start two or three new shoots; and as
soon as these are an inch or two in length the
plant may be re-potted into a two or a two and
a half inch pot; or the new shoots may again
be taken off to make cuttings and the old plant
thrown away. This is to be continued through
tin winter. Whenever there is proper material
to make cuttings from it should be used ; and as
soon as the old plants cease to produce strong
shoots, they should be thrown out, and a con-
stant succession of young, vigorous plants kept
on hand, fn my own practice I seldom re-put

the plants during the winter. Two crops of cut-
tings are taken from them, and they are then
thrown away and their places filled with young
plants.

The house should be regularly fumigated with
tobacco, at least twice a week, and the plants
moved occasionally to prevent their getting too
close together, or rooting into the sand on the
bench. If this treatment is followed persistently,
and the two tures, temperature and moisture, are
particularly attended to, the plants will grow in
almost any kind of soil, and will be perfectly
healthy. But there are very few growers who
are willing to give their verbenas the unflagging
attention they require; and a large majority of
the houses will still contain their sweltering,
mildewed, sulphur-coated, long-legged, aphis-
covered old plants that are such a disgrace to
the trade.

VERBENA RUST.

BY HOWARD BRINTOX, CHRISTIANA, PA.

Some time ago I saw inquiry in the Monthly
in regard to Verbena rust, its causes and result
thereof: In consequence I beg leave to offer my
opinion ; of course, like everybody, not without
thinking it is the correct one. It would seem al-
most incredulous with some, after a close exam-
ination, that this disease or rust is caused by an
insect, or rather the larvae of an insect. In warm
sunshiny days, by watching closely in the
neighborhood where the plants appear most af-
fected, a small minute black fly may often be
seen hovering around over them ; sometimes
while watering I have seen them rise in myriads
almost, from the plants where they alight to de-
posit their eggs. The fly itself, I do not think,
injures the plants any, but it is the larvre that is
so destructible. It is impossible to discern them
with the naked eye, but with even a good single
lensed microscope they can be seen in innumer-
able quantities. I do not know of any remedy
that will dislodge or destroy this enemy without
leaving its injurious effect on the plants also.
Tobacco smoke will not answer, as the insect can
imbed itself in the leaves of the plant where it
can remain unharmed by the smoke. The insect
does not confine its attacks to the Verbena alone.
I have seen other plants injured in like manner.
Heliotropes in particular, that had become pot-
hound, I have seen blackened and injured al-
most beyond recovery. The most effectual and
only remedy perhaps, is to encourage a strong,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

11

healthy growth, selecting the best young shoots
only for propagating. Give the plants a dry airy
atmosphere with plenty of light, in preference to
a very damp, close green or hot-house atmos-
phere.

VERBENA RUST AND VERBENA GROWING.

BY J. M., PHILAD'A.

The two communications in the Monthly with-
in a short time past on the Verbena and the rust
which attacks it, show an unabated interest in
this old and beautiful flower. The rust, for many
years past, has been a serious drawback to its
growth, many florists failing completely to cope
with it, and few indeed are the establishments
where the plant can be seen entirely free from
the obnoxious pest. Mr. Palmer, in the Septem-
ber number, has told us of a simple remedy of
his for the rust, viz., pulverized charcoal applied
to the rust spots, which if found' a satisfactory
one by all, will place us under great obligations
to him. Preventives we know are better than
remedies, yet it has never been my fortune to see
them so well applied that there was no rust to
remedy. The Verbena likes nothing better than
good rich soil and a cool atmosphere. It will
not do to starve it in poor soil — or, look out for
the rust. It does not object to a small pot, pro-
vided plenty of good food be supplied, and it be
not checked in any way. I have seen to-day, as
health}' a lot of Verbenas in thumb pots as one
could wish for. They were struck in the end of
August, from plants from which all rusty ones
had been thrown out as they appeared; and pot-
ted in soil enriched with manure. No rust has
yet appeared, but it most likely will to a small
extent, as no collection seems for long entirely
free from it. Rust, in my experience, is the con-
sequence of starvation, or of a checked growth
from some other cause. This is shown by the
fact that even rusty plants when bedded out in
Spring, will to a great extent grow out of it, and
make healthy growth ; and it is said, in Califor-
nia where the Verbena stands out winter and
summer, and makes a strong vigorous growth,
the rust is unknown.

THE VERBENA.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

The Verbena is a native of Buenos Ayres, and
was first introduced into England about 1825,
imported into this country about ten years

later, and created quite a sensation among the
florists of those times, maintaining its position
as a first-class flower for florists and amateurs
ever since.

Within the last twelve years the improvement
in this plant, both as regards size and color of
the flower, have been wonderful, but it is one of
the saddest truths of florieulture that this great
improvement in the flower has destroyed the ro-
bust, healthy, and good constitutioned plant of
old, and given us a more magnificent flowering
plant, with a sickly constitution, liable to the at-
tack of insects and disease. With this plant as
it now is, we must now deal, and though it
seems impossible to restore its former vigor by
any means in our power, yet by careful cultiva-
tion we can have healthy plants, not it is true, as
strong as formerly but still healthy.

First we must have good, young plants, raised
from seed; slips will not do, for I find that plants
raised from slips are more liable to be assailed
by the disease known as rust, and in fact it is al-
ways the case that plants attacked by this disease
are old plants saved over two or more years, or
plants started from slips ; therefore I advise all
desiring healthy plants to use seedlings.

I sow seed in the Spring as early as possible in
hotbeds, and by the time frost is over we have fine
little plants; the frames must be opened every
day that they can be open with safety.

Have your bed prepared, good and rich with
well decayed manure; have the soil rather sandy,
but if not naturally so, get sandy soil and mix
with it, and have it in as warm and sunshiny place
as possible; by the middle of May transplant
your seedlings, doing so on a cloudy but warm
day; see that the soil does not get too dry and I
think you will have no cause to complain. To
avoid root-lice do not plant two years in succes-
sion in the same bed. If you would avoid rust,
use no old plants saved over, or plants raised
from slips ; if a plant gets rusty pull it up and
throw it away; better lose one plant than a bed.

FLOWERING OF THE EUCHARIS AMAZONICA
UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

BY CHAS. J. HAETTEL, SAN JOSE, CAL.

After many trials I have at last succeeded in
flowering the Eucharis Amazonica. Last winter
was very hard out here on all kinds of plants
that needed more heat than was afforded by
Nature.

From the middle of January we could make

12

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[Jauuary,

no fire on account of the water rising to within
six inches of the surface of the ground, so it
dried off the Eucharis entirely, and they were
standing from January until April in a cold
moist temperature, many nights as low as 40°.
In April I took pans one foot in diameter, well
drained them, and planted six bulbs in each pan,
using soil composed of one part peat, two parts
loam, with a little well decomposed manure and
some leaf mould added. They were then placed
in a close frame, having a strong bottom heat,
maintaining a high temperature, where they
soon commenced to grow. I gave them plenty
of water, both at the root and on the foliage, and
gradually a little air, until the beginning of Au-
gust, when they were taken to a cooler place and
kept more dry until early in September ; they
were then again placed in heat, and well sup-
plied with water at the root and on the leaves.
The first flowers opened the last days of Septem-
ber, which are most beautiful, being large and
pure white, and deliciously fragrant.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Verbena. — If in a multitude of counsel-
lors there is wisdom, Verbena growers will be
happy to-day. It is a Verbena number. But
the Verbena is worthy of all the space the articles
occupy.

Musa ensete. — This beautiful ornamental
Banana does not seem to throw up suckers as
other species do, and propagation is slow. This
is why the plants are scarce and dear. One who
could increase it faster than now would find it to
his profit.

Duchess of Edinburg Rose.— Some fear has
been expressed that there may be a spurious va-
riety of this under culture. We do not think
there is — the variations we have seen being not
unusual in cases where the heavy propagation of
a desirable thing is going on. We can say,
however, that a bud from Mr. Chitty, Superin-
tendent of the Bellevue Nursery, Paterson, N. J.,
shows that that firm has the true kind.

Covent Garden Bouquets.— The following
from the Journal of Horticulture tells what the
best bouquets are made of in London: "Some
exceedingly effective bouquets are always to be
found in the Central Avenue of Covent Garden
Market. We noticed one recently which, though

formal, was very striking. A white Camellia
formed the centre, and from this to the outer
edge of the bouquet were six rows at equal dis-
tances apart of single pips of Stephanotis flowers
— six pips in each row—the angles being filled
with Violets, and the whole edged with Maiden-
hair Fern. Other bouquets were made princi-
pally of Camellias. Roses, and Eucharises, with
sprays of white and scarlet Bouvardias slightly
elevated above the more massive flowers. This
arrangement was very chaste and pleasing."

NEW PLANTS.

Dianella aspera. — By the following from the
Gardener's Chronicle this plant must be very or-
namental : " One of the finest blue-berried plants
with which we are acquainted is Dianella aspera,
and a good example we have recently seen in
the temperate-house at Kew. The panicles are
very compact, in one case 9 inches long with
forty-eight berries, closely arranged on short
branches. The berries equal in size a small
Solan um Capsicastrum. Several of this genus
would be highly ornamental in fruit, but for
their excessively lax habit."

Double Geranium — Bishop Wood. — Mr. Har-
ris sends us a specimen of his new geranium,
"Bishop Wood," and it proves to be an excel-
lent addition to this beautiful class of plants.
The shade of color, which perhaps the ladies
would call cherry rose, is novel in double gera-
niums. The flowers are very large, one in the
truss measuring two inches across. The truss is
rather small, measuring four inches over, but
Mr. Harris says it comes much larger in season.

Sweet-scented Rhododendrons. — A corres-
pondent recently referred to the house culture of
Rhododendrons — an excellent idea. The new
sweet-scented class of hybrids are worth attend-
ing to in this connection. The following new
varieties of this class have recently appeared in
England :

Countess of Derby. — This is the most beautiful
of all half-hardy kinds, being of a compact,bushy
habit, and bearing on even the smallest plants,
trusses of large pure white deliciously fragrant
flowers, a single (lower being sufficient to give a
delightful scent to a bouquet. A number of
plants were exhibited at Manchester last year,
and were awarded a First-class Certificate of
Merit.

18TT.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

13

Countess of Sefton. — This was raised from the
same parent as the above. The plant is not so
dwarf-growing ; the flower is white, with a band
of rosy-purple on each side of the corolla, which
is beautifully fringed on the margin.

flower pure white, with beautifully fringed
margin.

Mrs. James Shawe. — A pure white cup-shaped
flower, of great substance; the plant of very
bushy habit and profuse bloomer.

PTERODISCUS SPECTOSUS

Lady Skelmersdale differs from the former in
the flower being pure white and more trumpet-
shaped, with beautiful even edge ; the form is
very handsome, the plant bushy and free bloom-
ing.

Duchess of Sutherland. — Plant of robust habit;

Pterodiscus speciosus. — The Gardener s Chron-
icle recently gave the following figure and de-
scription of a greenhouse plant with flowers of a
somewhat novel color, introduced by Mr. William
Bull, which will most likely prove of value to our
greenhouse cultivators, and we reproduce it

14

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

^January,

here because we have an idea that it will be
found a very useful out-door plant in our sum-
mer gardening.

"A handsome greenhouse perennial, requiring
full exposure to sunlight. It has large globose
tuberous roots, the upper part of which is ele-
vated above the earth, producing from its sum-
mit a stem which divides into several erect thick
branches, reaching 2 feet high, furnished with
opposite sinuate dentate leaves, and bearing

showy flowers in the axils of the leaves. These
flowers are large, with a funnel-shaped tube, and
a spreading five-lobed limb of a beautiful lilac
or reddish purple color, rendering the plant well
worthy of cultivation for its ornamental qualities.
It flowers during the early part of the summer.
This species has been collected and sent from
South Africa by Mr. Naylor, an amateur much
interested in horticultural pursuits."

Mruit and vegetable gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Cabbages and lettuces in frames for protection
through the winter,should have all the air possible
whenever the thermometer is above the freezing
point ; when it is below, they need not be uncov-
ered. They require no light when there is not
heat enough to make them grow. Examine for
mice occasionally. If noticed, soak peas in water
till they swell, then roll in arsenic, and bury in
the soil. They prefer these to lettuce when so
prepared.

The preparing of manure ready for Spring
operations, at every favorable opportunity, should
not be forgotten. Next to draining and subsoil-
ing, nothing is of more importance than this.

Much has been said of guano, phosphates, etc.
— all very well in certain cases — but nothing is
so well adapted to the permanent improvement
of soil as manure composed in the main of de-
composing vegetable matter. It is always light
and porous, thereby allowing air to circulate
freely through the soil; it absorbs moisture,
which in dry weather is given off to the drier
soil slowly, to the advantage of the plants near
by; and, what is not a small point in its favor,
it aids in giving a dark black color to the soil,
which renders itso much warmer in early Spring;
and, by so much, better adapted to the early
raising of vegetables. It is also a good rule to
have the manure well decomposed before using
it. There are a few things which do not object
to fresh manure, and a still fewer number that
might, perhaps, prefer it; but the major part do
best in thoroughly fermented material. Leaves,
litter, and refuse vegetable matter of all kinds,

should be got together at every favorable oppor-
tunity, and well mixed in with manure.

In the fruit garden, pruning may be advanced
where needed. We say, where needed, because
much unnecessary, or even injurious work is
done. All weak or imperfect shoots may be cut
out, as also all that are likely to interfere by
crossing the paths of others. In weak or stunted
trees pruning may be severe. Top dressing is
best done in the early Fall, but where neglected
may be done now. If orchard trees have not
been indexed and mapped out in a book, it
should be done to secure against loss of labels.
A large wooden pine label, with a notch in the
upper end for stout copper wire, well painted
and the name written while the white paint is
dry, is the best label, and should be attached to
each tree. The stout copper wire can be made
with a large loop so that in ten years or more it
will not need untwisting for the branch to grow.
Use large labels, and write the name full and dis-
tinct so as to be easily seen. Wash the trunks
and branches with linseed oil where insects are
troublesome, and with colored lime-wash if the
bark is scaly and does not seem to fall freely
from the tree.

Grape vines may be pruned when the weather
seems Spring-like. If left late they bleed.
Whether this is much of an injury, or not, is dis-
puted, but it certainly does no good, and it is as
well to avoid it. Of course this advice is not for
northern vines, which, for some time yet, will be
buried under the earth.

Those who plant orchards this Spring, will
needs be inquiring what kinds to plant. If for
market or profit, it is best to find out what kinds
are popular in the neighborhood. If for one's

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

15

own pleasure chiefly, a good variety will interest.
Even if we were going to plant for profit we
should have some variety. If we wanted to set
out a thousand trees, we might divide, say nine
hundred and fifty between a half dozen of the
well-known kinds in the district, but we should
set out the other fifty trees in fifty kinds, for the
chance that some might be an improvement on
the better known kinds, which could then be top
grafted with them if found desirable.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

SOUTHERN THORNLESS RASPBERRY.

BY MR. W. FOSTER, LOUISIANA, MO.

I notice under the head of notes on " new
fruits," by Wm, F. Bassett, that he regards the
Southern Thornless as a distinct sort. I have
tried it side by side with Turner's Seedling, and
they are identical — my Southern Thornless from
Indiana, Turner's Seedling from Illinois. They
both prove to be well-flavored, good-sized ber-
ries, too soft for the market, and canes too tender
to stand hard winters here. The Turner is an
old variety here, and the Southern Thornless
was supposed to be new till tested. The Turner
seems to have strayed away, and come back
under a new name.

THE TOMATO SEASON PROLONGED.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

. The supply of this most healthful and pal
atable fruit can be extended easily several
months after the frost has cut down the vines.
I find so many ignorant of this fact that I
propose to tell my method.

At the first approach of frost I gather all my
well-grown tomatoes of every variety, in fact all,
which if ripe would be of use. These I place
singly on boards, covering the bottom of any
cold frame, or the frame of a hot-bed, put into
the earth anywhere. Then put over your sash.
Your tomatoes, according to their maturity, will
commence ripening, and with care will keep you
in supply till well into December. Of course, if
one only has sash, he can easily make a frame
in which to put his tomatoes under the glass.
Any one who has not glass can cover such a
frame with an old sheet. Glass is better, because
more translucent and defensive against frost.
Should the thermometer point to a thorough,

deep freeze, cover at night with any old carpet,
weeds, straw, or such like protection.

Any vacant space in a cold grapery or a room
or attic, with good Southern exposure, will work
much in the same way. I have no doubt that if
one would but take the trouble to cut off all the
leaves from a tomato vine, and then transplant
it into the well-moistened earth, of a glass-cov-
ered space of any kind, that these fruits would
grow and mature long after those out of doors
were ruined by the frost. But the tomatoes
picked from the vines are just as good, more
can be crowded into the same space, and they
can be better gathered for the table.

Now, I have made this statement so lengthy
because I find so few who at once take up the
idea of this extended season, with all its proper
appliances, on the mere mention of this help in
the garden.

If any body has got a better way, let him give
it in the Monthly. If every one only told the new
things he observes, we should all, by and by, get
a good deal wiser in the methods and products
of our gardens.

A GOOD GRAPE MANUAL.

BY W. H. W., READING, MASS.

I have just been looking over the " Bushberg
Catalogue" of grapes, and I cannot but think
you may be doing a kindness to some of your
readers by calling their attention to it. It is not
a mere dry catalogue as its modest name might
lead one to suppose. It is a large pamphlet of
about eighty pages, containing a clear and sim-
ple treatise on the best modes of growing, graft-
ing, pruning the vine, accompanied by de-
scriptions (many of them finely illustrated) of
almost every variety of hardy grape of any value
now in cultivation. It seems to me, considering
the amount and value of its information (es-
pecially about the most recent varieties) and the
exceeding moderateness of its cost, to be the best
treatise for beginners and amateurs with which I
am acquainted. And if any such one wishes for an
admirable guide or for reliable information con-
cerning any of the varieties now before the
public, let me advise him to send twenty-five
cents to Messrs. Bush & Son and Meissner,
Bushberg, Missouri, and ask for a copy of their
Illustrated Grape Catalogue.

[We endorse the remarks of our correspondent.
The Bushberg Catlaogue is more than a cata-
logue— it is a valuable contribution to the litera-
1 ture of the grape. — Ed. G. M.]

16

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January ,

THE BLENHEIM PIPPIN.

BY W., TYRONE, PA.

This apple supplies a notable proof of the base-
lessness of the common idea,that an apple origina-
ting in a certain locality, must, of course, possess
a constitution specially suited to that locality or
latitude. A second thought ought to disprove
such a notion, for if it had any foundation we
could soon acclimatize Southern grains, &c, by
merely planting their seeds in Northern soil.

The Blenheim is an English apple. Now, the
sorts of apples grown in England, like the kinds
of wheat, &c, grown there, are such as will suc-
ceed well in humid, cool air, and with slowly
moving growth. They mostly fail in our climate,
some one or other, or all, of the new conditions
being unfavorable. But the Blenheim is a sort
of such remarkable vigor — so stout in branch
and bark and leaf— that it endures all the trials
that our climate imposes. Mr. Downing says
that Canadian correspondents write to him that
it is most successful there, while here in the
Middle States and through the West, and as far
south as Virginia at least, it is constantly re-
ported as admirably fine and fruitful.

All this relates to the true sort, which in Eng-
land brings eleven shillings a bushel when com-
mon apples only bring four. Yet it is most vig-
orous and productive there, as well as here.
There it keeps all winter ; here it ripens in the
autumn and keeps till January.

The description of the Blenheim Pippin given
in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees was taken
from some spurious source. The true sort is
partially described as the Blooming Orange in
the large edition of 1869. Mr. Downing has
since identified this as the true Blenheim.

It is a high-class example of the type of fine
English dessert apples, having the wide-open,
eye, the richly-stained — almost mahogany color,
and ftie crisp, pungent flesh, which mark their
table-apple. When in perfection, towards holi-
day tirht?, it has an aroma or bouquet which re-
minds one of the subtle flavor which connoiseurs
in wine will smack lips and tongue over, while
they seem to concentrate all powers of sensation
in the palate in order to secure and enjoy it, •

This sort is a great bearer, but not an early
one. Like other strong growers, it first makes
a good deal of wood. But when it sets into
bearing it is profuse and unfailing — wonderfully
so, considering the size, weight and perfection of
the fruit. It is now pretty widely distributed

through the States.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Bananas in California. — A correspondent of
the London Gardener's Chronicle says the Banana
has been found very profitable in the vicinity of
Santa Barbara, and that acres of them will soon
be growing there. It takes four hundred plants
to the acre.

VlCOMTESSE HERICART DE THURY. — With all the

new introductions this continues the most popu-
lar strawberry in England.

Raspberry Culture.— F. M., Cecil Co., Md.,
writes : — " I send you the enclosed extract from
an ' authority.' It does not agree with my ideas ;
what do you say? " "They should never be set
iii an orchard beneath the trees. An open, sun-
ny situation ought always to be selected. The
ground, which should be deep and rich, will be
highly benefited by a mulching of long, strawy
manure, both summer and winter ; and cleanli-
ness and order must prevail in all their surround-
ings. Raspberries should not be planted deep.
Many a plantation has been lost from this error,
notwithstanding the soil has been in good condi-
tion and the plants entirely sound and healthy.
Give the crown at the apex of the roots a very
slight covering with soil."

[It may be very good advice for a high north-
ern region, but for yours and other central States,
we agree with you, it is very bad advice. — Ed. G.
M.]

A Large Bunch of Grapes. — The Dublin Gar-
dener's Record says : — "At Latimers, Chesham, the
seat of Lord Chesham, Mr. A. Donaldson, the
gardener, has produced, according to the Buck-
inghamshire Advertiser, a monster bunch of Treb-
biano Grapes, measuring two feet across the top,
and about the same measurement from stalk to
point. It is calculated to weigh twenty-four
pounds." Such a statement as this is worth
verifying.

Fall Strawberries. — A strawberry grower in
England is making a fortune by taking plants
that have been used for winter forcing, and en-
couraging them to go on and bear again. They
llowcr freely in the Fall, and bear full and very
profitable crops. There is the germ of a good
idea here, well worth looking after by our own
market men.

The Ben Davis Apple. — This variety, as we
judged by the frequency of its appearance at the
Centennial, holds its own as a popular western
apple.

1811. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

IT

Rihston Pippin Apple. — We have been under
the impression that this popular English apple-
was not adapted to America, and believed it was
now seldom grown, and yet we noticed it in no
less than fifteen different exhibits from the north-
west, and from Canada, and in splendid condition.
Its frequent and superior appearance in this way
must have bothered those who believe in old
varieties wearing out.

The Alexander Apple. — This large, very
showy, and yet comparatively poor apple, ap-
peared in many collections at the Centennial.
It goes to show that size and appearance after all
go a good way in the selection of varieties, in
spite of the warning to " plant only the best."

Three Perfect Crops of Pears in One Season.
— A California paper tells us that, " The most
Astonishing prolificness of fruit ever witnessed
in this or any other climate, came to our notice
this morning. It is that of a pear tree in the
yard of Hon. Mr. Suverkrup, of this place, just
in front of the Court House. This tree is about
twelve years in bearing. It has as a very com-
mon thing, put in its second fully matured crop
of delicious pears every season, and has done so
this year, and now on this 14th day of October
has on it the third crop, fully one-third grown ;
the season continuing favorable will doubtless
mature the fruit hanging in clusters upon the
tree. We have eaten from the first and second
crops and we shall apply for a share of the third.
This wonderful production will of course be de-
nounced as false and incredulous, but we vouch
for the truth of it, and doubters can have all their
scruples removed by examining for themselves.
Whether it is peculiar to the tree or climate or
both is a question to be determined. Most likely
both. We do not believe the like could be

■s.

produced in the northern or eastern States, or
anywhere else."

We saw this year in Germantown two full
crops on a Smoke-house apple, both ripening per-
fectly. The last lot from flowers that opened in
June were not as large as those from the early
ones, but still they were perfectly ripened. Cal-
ifornia must look out or her fame will go down.

Hale's Early Peach. — An Editorial note in
the Country Gentleman says: — " We have adopted
the practice of allowing the trees of this peach to
grow in grass, a cultivated strip at one side, at a
distance of seven feet, imparting more vigor to
the trees than they would have if the roots were
wholly in grass, and giving shoots about ten

inches long. This practice of seeding to grass,
which has proved more or less successful with
other cultivators, together with the precaution of
gathering the peaches when well colored, and
before soft, has saved them generally from the
rot (the season being unusually wet), only a few
partly decayed specimens being found, and these,'
so far as examined always decayed at a curculio
mark."

We refer to the matter to caution people who
grow peaches in grass not to neglect them, or
they will soon get yellow and bear small and
poor fruit. The trees should be top dressed with
some sort of enriching material at least each al-
ternate year. It must be remembered that the
only merit of growing trees in grass, is that such
trees are healthier because the feeding fibres are
kept nearer the surface. The Hale's Early rots
when by "clean surface culture" the fibres are
injured— but keeps sound where among the grass
the little roots are let alone. But they must have
food; indeed it is the more necessary to look to
this when in grass, because grass and trees are
both looking for something to eat.

Hale's Early Peach in England. — It is a re-
markable fact that while we took in the Early
Beatrice, Early Louise, and such other kinds, to
replace the Early Hale, in England they are
taking up with Hale's Early to supplant the
other two. Correspondents of the Gardener's
Chronicle say, that in England Hale's Early is two
weeks ripe before Early Louise. This is forcing-
house experience; perhaps, in the open ground
they behave different.

Peach Plum in Oregon. — We notice in a circu-
lar of Mr. Walling that he exhibited the Peach
Plum at the Centennial, and that they were so
large and fine that "the committee claimed the
right to alter the name to the G. W. Walling, be-
cause they were so superior in size and quality
to the same variety from other States."

We do not know who may be meant by "the
committee." The writer of this was secretary
to the Group of Judges, and he is sure no such a
joke was perpetrated by him in his weekly re-
ports, and this is all the "Committee " is official-
ly responsible for. There are fruit synonyms
enough now, without adding G. W. Walling to
the Peach Plum.

The Phylloxera in California. — It was once
an argument against the idea of injury by Phyl-
loxera, why the foreign grape resisted Phylloxera

18

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

in California, and the answer was, because the
insect was not there. The Pacific Rural Press
says it has appeared there at last.

The Champion Wind Engine. — To have water,
when nature does not favor us, is one of the roads to
fortune. It is surprising that more people do not
guard themselves from injury by contrivances to
secure water, when nature is in a wayward mood.
We are thinking of this just now as we read the
circular of the " Champion " engine for pumping
water by wind power. It seems by the descrip-
tion to have many good points.

Pruning for Wood and Pruning for Fruit.
There is a good deal of art in being a good fruit
grower ; and we give the following extract from
Karl Koch's lectures to illustrate it. We have
adopted as the heading of our paragraph a well-
known expression of Mr. William Saunders, who
used to dwell so much on the difference in his
earlier writings.

" Nothing is so well suited to give us an insight
into the ways and means of the nutrition
of the fruit tree, and vegetable nutrition
generally, as the practical treatment of the more
delicate kinds of fruit trees in pruning. The
double task of every individual organic being,
animal or vegetable, to take up nourishment,
not alone for its own development, but also for
the production of fruit to propagate its species,
asserts itself as of primary importance in relation
to pruning. The fruit gardener distinguishes
these processes as the formation of wood and
the formation of fruit. He makes it his aim to
maintain the equilibrium of these two forces.
But this view of the condition of things is neither
natural nor right. In our fruit trees — I am
speaking now of the North, for even in the South
of France they behave quite differently — there
is, for reasons which I shall afterwards explain,
a preponderating tendenc}' to the formation of
wood. Trees in North Germany grow, on an
average, four times as fast as those in the
warmer, and more particularly those in tropical
regions, and consequently produce four times as
much wood in the same period. Therefore the
fruit gardener in the North has, in respect to
this increased production of wood, a more form-
idable difficulty to encounter than in the South.
In his treatment of a fruit tree his endeavor is to
prevent it from making more wood than is abso-
lutely necessary to assimilate in its leaves the
food required, on the one hand for the immediate

growth of new wood — that is to say for just so-
much new wood as it wants, and on the other
hand for the next crop of fruit. From the differ-
ence in the growth of trees in diverse climates —
taking, for example, the North of Germany and
the South of France — it is clear that the treat-
ment of fruit trees in these two regions should
not be the same. Whereas the Frenchman
prunes for wood, we are often obliged to prune
for fruit. Therefore all translations of even the
best French treatises on pruning, with a view of
carrying into practice here the precepts they
contain, do not possess the slightest value for us.
Indeed, I would warn our gardeners against fol-
lowing out these directions in the North.

The German fruit grower not only carefully
watches growth, even where there is a super-
abundance of nutritive substances present, so as
to limit the production of wood to a certain
quantity, but he also knows how to interrupt the
growth of the young shoots by shortening them
to a given length, thereby diverting the food
stored up to the fruit, and increasing its volume.
But a good fruit gardener does not stop here ;
he likewise reduces the number of fruits in order
to obtain a larger size and better quality-; and
by this means he has about the same weight in
finer fruit that he would have gathered from the
more numerous smaller fruit."

NEW FRUITS.

New Apples. — The list of apples is so long
that for years past we have been able to
note but few new ones that have any claims
to introduction. Unless there is a point of
merit not yet reached b}r some other, it is rather
an injury to fruit-culture than a benefit to in-
troduce new kinds. We feel this more than ever
since our centennial experience, where nearly
everything of all this great multitude came be-
fore us in one shape or another, and we shall
feel more embarrassed than ever in deciding that
a new seedling is worthy of naming and dissemi-
nation. We have now three excellent kinds be-
fore us from Canada. One is Bradt's Seedling
Russett. It is medium sized, and as good to say
the least, as any average Russett known, and ap-
pears to have good keeping qualities. We made
a Christmas offering of it, and it then was in such
good trim, that it looked as if it might have been

18TC.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

19

kept a year longer. Then there is the Swazie
Porame Gris, quite as good as its original, and
this is surely saying a good deal. And lastly there
is a seedling from the Spitzenburg, rather round-
er, a little darker and firmer fleshed than its
parent, and may prove superior on the whole.
This is raised by Mr. Ed. Blogdon, East Flam-
boro, Canada, but the specimens were kindly
sent to us by Mr. John Freed, of Hamilton.

St. Augustine Grape. — At the Centennial Ex-
position were some bunches of this variety, about
which the following appears in the Semi-tropical.
There is no doubt about its being a native grape,
in many respects approaching the old Elsinburg,
if the specimens were accurately labeled :

" From Dr. Davis' article on the St. Augustine
Grape, Messrs. Bush, Son & Meissner, of Bush-
berg, Missouri, were led to inquire whether it
might not be identical with the Black Spanish,
which is now in demand for exportation. We
referred the inquiry to Mr. Atwood, of St. Au-
gustine, whose knowledge and experience in
grape culture qualify him to determine, and we
received the following reply::

" 'The St. Augustine and Black Spanish grape
are not identical; the former is nearly a month
later than the latter and a vastly superior grape;
indeed T doubt if there ever was a finer grape
grown than the St. Augustine ; they are truly
bags of wine — the seeds so small and the pulp so
melting that it seems almost like a seedless
grape; while with the Black Spanish the first
thing one notices in eating itis its preponderance
of seeds in proportion to its pulp. I doubt if the
true origin of either of these grapes is known,
only that tradition says the St. Augustine ' was
brought from Madeira in old Spanish times.1 I
have repeatedly thought that I had eaten these
grapes in the island of Madeira and still think
BO, though I dare not trust a very positive ex-
pression on this subject, as it was more than
twenty-six years since I was there, and then I
knew very little comparatively about the quality
of the different varieties of what would be called
fine grapes. Since then, however, I have propa-
gated a great many varieties of grapes, and to the
extent of perhaps ten acres, but among all these
and all the grapes produced by others that have
come under my observation, none have equalled
in quality those of the St. Augustine grape.' "

The James Veitch Strawberry. — A Yorkshire
cr rrespondent of the Garden, Mr. Lovel, Wea-
\ crthorpe, says that among forty varieties of

strawberries which he grew last year, the largest
was James Veitch, eight fruits of which weighed
1 lb. This season it took from seventeen to eigh-
teen to weigh 1 lb., a result partly owing to the
cold, frosty weather which we had in May and
June ; so severe, indeed, was the frost in June,
that all the earliest bloom was destroyed. The
large fruits gathered in 1875 were Cockscomb-
shaped, not those of a globular or conical form,
which is the normal shape of this variety. He
noticed also in these large strawberries a great
tendency to decay if in contact with the damp
soil. He has gathered during the past season
very fine and large fruit from Dr. Hogg, Presi-
dent, and Sir Joseph Paxton, all first season
plants. Many of the finest fruit of these kinds
weighed nearly 1 oz. each. He considers these
three varieties superior in many respects to
James Veitch, especially as regards quantity and
quality of fruit.

Stump Apple. — At the Horticultural Meeting
held in Rochester, January, 1876, President
Barry said that there is an apple known as the
Stump Apple, that is attracting much attention
— an oblong, brilliantly colored fruit, like the
Chenango Strawberry, very attractive, and sells
high in market; has been sold as high as $8.00
per barrel the past season. It ripens in October.
J. S. Stone, of Charlotte, N. Y., in describing the
tree which he visited says : "The fruit hung in
ropes, and was uniform in size and apparently
free from imperfections. Ten barrels were picked
from the tree which was not a large one."

" Olivet " Cherry.— S. P. W., Dansville, N. Y., .
says : "The 'Olivet' takes a place not occupied up,
to the present time among the list of early cher-
ries in central New York. Nearly all of the early
sorts, that we possess, are sweet, amber, or red
varieties with a limited fruiting season,. 'The
' Olivet ' Cherry is a large, globular and very shi-
ning deep red sort. The flesh is red, with a rose
colored juice, tender, rich and vinous, with a
sweet sub-acidous flavor. It ripens in the begin-
ning of June and continues till July without
losing its quality. It possesses the fertility of the
best of the ' Duke ' tribe and is perhaps the larg-
est of the class."

QUERIES.

Butter from the Cydonia japonica.— Some
nice fruit of the Japan Quince sent to us from
Tennessee, we handed to Mr. J. 0. Schimmel,

20

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[January,

the well-known manufacturer of this and similar
articles in Philadelphia, and we have the following
about it : "I have made ' Cydonia ' into butter,
and will forward you a sample. Its quality for
jellies, <fec, is in my opinion, equal to the bitter
orange. For butter I do not think it could be
used to advantage over orange or lemon. You
will find the seeds inclosed, perhaps they are of
some value to you."

Pear Blight. — A New Jersey correspondent
says : "What do you think of syringing the pear
trees that blight, with carbolic acid or other pre-
paration, and how strong would it do to use it ?
Would chloride of lime in water injure trees?

Did any one ever try salt around the trees, and
with what result?"

[Better paint the trees with oil — or wash with
lime and sulphur in the winter season.. — Ed.
G. M.]

Highland Hardy Raspberry. — A. 0. W., St.
Joseph, Mich., says : " Is the Highland Hardy
Raspberry one of the old varieties re-named, or
is it something new ? It is being largely dissemi-
nated as a new kind, and if it is not, it should be
known."

[The Raspberry has been extensively and very
cheaply advertised; beyond these advertisements
we know nothing of it. — Ed. G. M.]

;0RESTRY.

COMMUNIGA TIONS.

LIGNEOUS MARVELS,

Or, The Three Big Trees of Upper Sandusky.

BY WM. T. HARDING, COLUMBUS, O.

There are no objects more generally useful,
beautiful, or interesting, in the physical geogra-
phy of our country, than the grand indigenous
old trees.

" The forest trees ....

So mossy, vast, yet green in their old age,"
will never fail to attract the attention of every
intelligent being, who finds a companionship in
Nature.

In the neighborhood of Upper Sandusky, Wy-
andot County, Ohio, where I was engaged in lay-
ing out a cemetery, during the Spring and Sum-
mer of 76; and while in search of the beautiful,
under the guidance of a genial friend, I was in-
duced to follow a romantic pathway,which pleas-
antly led us from the bluff above, down easy
verdant slopes, to the river side, where the sil-
very Sandusky gently glides on. And oh ! what
a striking picture was there. Prolific scenes of
matchless beauty, spread around us. The native
roses and hawthorns were profusely scattering
their odorous blossoms over the sunny landscape,

so beautifully varied with all the charms which
pretty wild flowers, and irregular low spreading
bushes, springing through luxuriant grass, could
give.

Even the sleek looking cattle seemed as happy
as any well-favored kine could possibly be, as
they quietly cropped the rich verdure around.
All nature seemed to equally share in the pas-
toral scene, so picturesquely unique.

The poetic limning of Burns was only wan ting to
invest it with such sylvan charms as " Ye banks
and braes o' bonny Doom" But, from a lack of
fitting language to fully describe its many pleas-
ant features, I am constrained to stop ; and in
lieu, say something about the big button-wood,
near by, and in whose shadow I musingly sat.

The subject under notice is botanically known
as Platanus occidentalis — the western plane-tree
— or more generally called the button-wood — and
often, erroneously, sycamore. That it is no ordi-
nary specimen, the reader will admit, when its
gigantic dimensions are known. Its altitude is
about one hundred and sixty feet.

At four feet from the ground the colossal trunk
measures forty-eight feet in circumference. At
the height of fifteen feet from the base, the mas-
sive trunk ramifies into eight large column-like
shafts, the round measurement of which, ia

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

21

from ten to fifteen feet, and above which the
heavy branches spread over an area of seven
hundred feet.

I have seen in my travels many strange trees,
historical, beautiful, magnificent, venerable, gi-
gantic, ancient, and remarkable, to which I have
frequently alluded in the Monthly. Much larger
specimens have often amazed me in other lands,
but, nowhere else in this country have I ever
met with such a ligneous immensity as this.

I will quote from Loudon, on Recorded Trees,
and than whom, there is no better authority.

" On a little island in the Ohio, fifteen miles
from the mouth of the Muskingum, the elder
Michaux measured a button-wood tree which at
five feet from the ground was forty feet in cir-
cumference. Twenty years before, General
Washington had measured the same tree and
found it to be nearly the same size. In 1802, the
younger Michaux found on the right bank of the
same river, (the Ohio,) about thirty-six miles
from Marietta, a plane-tree, the base of which
was swollen in an extraordinary manner;
at four feet from the ground, it measured
forty-seven feet in circumference."

Other writers give instances of large planes,
but much less in size than the above mentioned
tree. So I think I am safe in pronouncing the
arboreal Upper Sanduskian, the biggest tree of
its kind on record.

Not far from the huge Platanus, stands an un-
usually fine Robinia pseud-acacia, or locust-tree.
This exceedingly handsome specimen, (which is
not the general character of them when aged,)
is a hale, green tree, of about one hundred and
twenty-five feet high. At four feet from the base
the girth of the bole measures sixteen feet ; and
up to thirty feet above, where it first branches
off, maintains nearly the same calibre as below.
A more portly, vigorous, or stately locust-tree is
seldom, if ever, seen. The rich, deep alluvium in
which they are growing, has evidently nourished
them well; for in truth, they are "burly and
big."

As I looked at the noble old trees, thinking of
the past, a past, so fraught with the history of the
aboriginal race, in the days when the once pow-
erful nation of Wyandot Indians, occupied the
primeval forests around ; I thought on how much
the affairs of life have changed since then. It is not
improbable in the events which then occurred,
that the great Chief Farhee, (the good Indian,,)
better known as the " Crane," may many times
have met in solemn council, or noisy pow-wow,

with his swarthy braves, beneath the shady
boughs of the ancient plane.

It was while in the immediate neighborhood
of Upper Sandusky, in the year of grace, 1816,
after seventy-four summers and winters had
come and gone, since the face of the forest child
was first warmed by the western sun, when the
" Great Spirit " called the old Sachem away.

If the long suffering reader is not already
wearied with the tiresome tale of a tree, I will
venture to tax his patience a little longer,
while describing a noted " Indian apple tree."
This famous, and in many respects remark-
able tree, grows on the opposite side of the river,
and about a mile from where stands the locust
and plane. Inasmuch as the circumference of
this " sour apple tree " is considerably more than
my tape-line ever girdled before,namely, at three
feet from the ground, twelve feet six inches ; I
trust I may be pardoned for having mentioned
it. At five feet above the ground, the trunk
branches off into a number of good sized boughs,
and which attain to a height of some sixty feet
above, and spread over a circle of seventy feet.
Undoubtedly, the tree is a very old one, and has
been at some past time, at least, fourteen feet in
circumference. A part of it having been riven
off, branch and stem, some years ago.

The late Mr. Downing thus describes three
enormous sized apple trees : " Among others, we
recollect two in the grounds of Mr. Hall, of
Raynham, Rhode Island, which ten years ago,
were 130 years old ; the trunk of one of these
trees then measured at one foot from the ground
thirteen feet two inches, and the other, twelve
feet two inches. The trees bore that season
thirty or forty bushels; but in the year 1780,
they together bore one hundred and one bushels
of apples. In Duxbury, Plymouth County, Mass.,
is a tree which in its girth measures twelve feet
five inches, and which has yielded in a single
season one hundred and twenty-one and a half
bushels.

Unquestionably, they were three good old trees,
and were no doubt as much valued by the own-
ers, as the aforementioned trees are prized by
the cultivated and intelligent citizens of Upper
Sandusky.

VALUE OF A TREE.

BY W.

Bagot's Park, Staffordshire, is very large and
contains some grand oaks, some of which have

22

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

been noted trees for 600 years and are supposed
to be 1,000 years old. The climate of England
favors slow, firm growth, and trees are seldom
injured there by climatic influences. The King
Oak was valued at 293 pounds ; (a Mr. Bullock
offered 200 pounds for the first length ;) and the
Squitch Oak, the largest tree in the park, but not
quite sound, was valued at 240 pounds 12 shil-
lings, (about $1,200). These trees are still increas-
ing in circumference. The Squitch has increased
17 inches in 50 years.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Tree planting in Canada. — We are glad to
note the encouragement to individual effort,
which we see given in every direction. The
Toronto Globe saj-s : — " The importance of re-
placing by fresh efforts extinct forests, or those
which are in process of gradual removal, is re-
ceiving official consideration. The Act of the
Dominion parliament passed last session, grants
an additional quarter section, on payment of a
trifling fee, to every settler on Dominion lands
who plants thirty-two acres in successive annual
instalments."

Address of Burnet Landreth. — The admi-
rable address of Mr. Burnet Landreth, before the
American Foresty Association, has been issued
in pamphlet form.

Pinus Lambertiana. — The Sugar Pine of Cali-
fornia is said to be equal to the Yellow Pine of
the East for flooring and similar purposes.

The Pitch Pine. — Common names are so
mixed that we hardly know what the person is
talking about who uses them. In pines, for in-
stance, we never know what any writer means
when he says "Yellow Pine." An English
writer says that in America " vessels have been
made for a considerable time past, wholly of
Pitch Pine." We understand by Pitch Pine,
Pinus rigida, and would be glad to know whether
vessels are made wholly of it, and if so where?

ToRREYA TAXIFOLIA AS DURABLE TIMBER. — The

Semi-Tropical tells us that, "Judge P. W. White,
of Quincy, Florida, is having a fence built, the
posts of which are of the celebrated Torreya tax-
il'olia trees, and the rest of cypress. Some of the
posts were gotten out of trees blown down in the
terrible storm of 1833, and are perfectly sound

after having lain on the ground 43 years. The
wood while green is very heavy, but when per-
fectly dry is very light. It has a very fine grain,
and is a little more of a dark yellow color than
the white pine."

Commissioner of Forestry. — We have always
opposed the effort made in some societies, and
in some quarters, to engage the government in
the Forestry business, because we know, as our
government is constituted, the less it interferes
in what people can do themselves, the better it
is for the people. There is real]}7 nothing for a
national forester to do that we know of, but to sit
in Washington and address circular letters to A,
B, C, and D, asking them to give the government
their experience for nothing, and their time in
telling it at the same price ; or in asking news-
papers to advertise for the government free of
all cost, that the government has now- a forester,
and the people can now send their contributions
to him instead cf to the newspapers. This, we be-
lieve, is all it can do — for it is well-known
that it would not appoint any practical person,
or to undertake to teach practical forestry from
the seed to the saw log. We have always felt, in
short, that a " Bureau of Forestry " simply meant
comfortable quarters at Washington, with com-
fortable clerks at comfortable salaries; and with
calls on the newspapers or individuals to do all
the practical work.

It seems, however that other people differ from
us, and the efforts of these fellow-citizens have
already been so far successful as to have the
office started. We do not know what the official
title is, but the salary is two thousand dollars
a year, and Dr. Franklin Hough is appointed to
fill the place. We can only say that we oppose
the office on principle, believing it is money
thrown away, and increasing unnecessarily the
deplorable army of office-holders, but if it is to
be as it is, no better person than Dr. Hough
could have been found to fill the place.

Large Oak Trees. — We should like to know
what is the largest American oak, Quercus alba,
known. So far as the writer's experience goes,
he has seen the largest in the woods of Southern
Ohio, but has no exact figures. We can, perhaps,
hardly hope to equal the following which we find
in an English paper, but should like to know how
near we approach it. "The most magnificent
oak ever known to have grown in England was
that dug out of Hatfield bog; it was 120 feet in
length, 12 feet in diameter at the base, 10 in the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

23

middle, and 5 at the smaller end, where broken
off; so that the butt for 60 feet squared 7 feet of
timber, and 4 for its entire length. £20 were
offered for this tree.

Forests in Europe.— If there is any change in
the climate of Europe, it can hardly be from the
disappearance of forests. Recent statistics say
that about twenty per cent, of the whole area of
Europe is covered with forest, aggregating 500,-
000,000 acres. We do not, however, regard these
floating figures as always reliable, but give them
as they come to us. There is a great deal of
loose calculation going on in the world.

Alder and Sweet Fern in Tanning. — When
forestry becomes a business, all the minor prod-
ucts will be incidents of profit. The Alnus and
Comptonia seem to have good points about them.

The Ellsrvorth American says that Captain
Eaton made another shipment of two hundred
barrels of sweet fern extract to the Boston leather
market and with it his first consignment of extract
of alder. This alder extract, like sweet fern ex-
tract, is new to the leather trade of this country.
The tanning properties of these new agents
have been thoroughly tested by practical tanners
of Ellsworth, and found to be equal to, if not
superior to the best tannin material in use in
this country. Calf skins tanned with both the
fern and the alder are as mellow and firm as the^
best tanned French calf skins, and much more
beautiful in color.

The Profits of Oak Timber. — We give the
following as we find it in a foreign paper, be-
cause it shows the incidental profits that may be
made in growing oak. We doubt, however,
whether for paper pulp anything will be found
so profitable as poplar. Though nothing can be
made from the bark, it grows into profit so soon : —

" Dr. Mitscherlich, of Darmstadt, has devised
a method of making paper stock (cellulose)
from wood by a chemical process, which differs
somewhat from those previously in use. The
chief peculiarity of this process, which is in use
already in Prussia and Saxony, says the Hesse
Gewerbeblatt, consists in this, that the incrusting
substance of the wood is not destroyed, but only
separated from the cellulose, and eventually
rendered soluble.

" In this process, it is not necessary to cut the
wood up very fine, as in the Sinclair process, but
only to split it up like ordinary firewood for a
parlor stove. A chemically prepared solution

of lime is boiled for six hours with the wood
under a pressure of three atmospheres. After
the boiling, a portion of the incrusting material
is found dissolved in the liquor, and part of it in
the pOres of the wood, from which it is extracted
by a suitable squeezing apparatus.

" If it is desired to make a very valuable paper
stock, which shall be as white as possible without
bleaching, they only employ white wood as free
from rosin as possible, like poplar, linden, etc.
These kinds of wood are not decolorized any
farther in this process, and the albuminoid and
gummy substances are mostly dissolved. The
success of this process depends less on the pres-
sure during boiling than on the temperature,
which must not exceed 248° Fah.

" The use of oak wood for paper stock offers
one advantage, namely, that the tannin con-
tained in it is obtained as a by-product, and the
solution thus obtained can be very profitably
employed for tanning, as experiments in this
direction have abundantly proved. The solution
which runs off from the wood, or expressed from
it, in this new process, is already so concentrated
that evaporation seems superfluous, and is only
undertaken when a very concentrated solution
of tannic acid is required either for transporta-
tion or for keeping. The other chemicals con-
tained in the lye are in no way a hindrance to
the tanning process, but rather aid it. Experi-
ments show that hides prepared in the usual man-
ner, when simply laid in this liquor, were per-
fectly tanned in ten days."

QUERIES.

Eucalyptus globulus in Vermont.— H. N. R.,
Brandon, Vermont, writes:— "A friend in Italy
has secured for me a few hundred plants of this
wonderful tree, and of which I propose to make
a plantation on a piece of land I have. I am
quite elated at the prospect of being the first in
this part of the world to introduce it— at least I
suppose I am, for I can learn of no one who has
planted it hereabouts ; though in the papers I see
they have it growing in California. As I wish it
to do well I wish you to assist me with advice,
as I am informed you are liberal with question-
ers through the Gardener's Monthly. If you are
kind enough to reply to my questions please
send me a copy of the paper containing your

24

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

answer. What I want to know is, — when I saw
it in Rome it was growing in swampy ground ;
my land is rather dry. It is protected on the
northeast by a high ridge of hills. I was told by
an Italian gardener it might want a little of such
protection in the United States. Is it necessary
to bring some mud to put in the holes in such a
situation as this? I am so anxious to be the first
to have a plantation of these wonderful trees in
this part of the world, that I would not mind the
expense of a few barrels of dirt by railroad to add
to the natural soil, if necessary to success.
Should the trees be set deep? How about prun-
ing the roots? "

[We hardly knew what to do with this letter.
We are " liberal " on questions when it concerns
our regular readers, which it seems this gentle-
man is not. We may say that in the soil and
climate of Vermont he need not get any " mud "

or other soil, and it does not matter how deep
they are set. The location, also, is good enough,
and when the "forest" grows up, he will no
doubt get thousands from all parts of the world
to come to look at it, and he himself will go
down to posterity as one of the greatest benefac-
tors of his race.

The conditions are all right, but instead of bring-
ing mud, we should prefer to lay in a big stock of
cord-wood to keep up a good fire all around the
plantation during the winter season. We think
this is essential. But why does our correspon-
dent want to be so distinguished in the matter of
Eucalyptus? Why not try the cocoa nut? They
grow fast, and then there is the fruit too, which
the Eucalyptus has not; fruit with milk in it,
which will illustrate his human kindness much
better than he can ever hope from the Eucalyp-
tus tree.— Ed. G. M.l

ATURAL ?MIST0RY AND fSClENCE.

PRAIRIE FLOWERS.

BY REV. L. J. TEMPIJN, HUTCHINSON, KAN.

(Opuntia Rafinesqii.)

In traveling over the plains about here, it is
not unusual to meet with large specimens of this
thorny cactus. Some places considerable space,
even at times several acres, will be almost com-
pletely covered with them, branching and spread-
ing over the ground in all directions. They are
propagated both by seeds and by the broad, flat-
tened stems coming in contact with the soil and
taking root. And, though I have not tried it, I
believe that cuttings of the stems will take root
and grow if planted in the soil. It is very much
inclined to branch, and it is not unusual to see
a bunch, or a cluster of bunches, four feet in
diameter, all of which have proceeded from the
same root. The stems are from three and one
half to five inches in length, and from two to
three in width, and from one-fourth to one-third
inch in thickness. The stems are dotted over

with tufts of fine, sharp bristles that are ready
to let go their hold on the plant and adhere to
the hand on the slightest touch. From the base
of these tufts issue a number of sharp, slender
spines, from one-half to one inch in length.
The number of these varies from three to five
or more; the central one is usually the longest.
The general color of the stem is rather a dark
green.

The flower-buds grow on the edge of the stems,
and appear to be distributed without regard to
any law of regularity. The flower expands
from three to four inches, and has a very silky
texture and appearance. The color is a beauti-
ful pinkish yellow, running into a dark, velvety
maroon, or purple, toward the base of the petals.
They bloom quite profusely; a plant that I
transplanted from the town commons to my
yard last April, though only about eighteen
inches across, produced some forty of these
showy flowers. They remain open two or three
days, when they wilt and fall away. The flower

187?.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

25

stem, which is about an inch in length, becomes
the seed pod or berry. This generally attains a
length of about two inches and, when full grown,
is three-quarters of an inch in diameter, at the
largest place. It is pyriform in shape, the small
end being at the base. These, when ripe, are of
a dark purple color, and are filled with small
bony seeds. The contents of one pod of which, I
enclose to your address.

One of the most remarkable things that I have
observed in connection with this plant is its
change of habit on the approach of cold weather.
During the summer the joints of the stems gene-
rally occupy a vertical position, but on the ap-
pearance of cold weather, all of them that are
not hindered by some obstruction, assume a hor-
izontal position, each apparently striving to get
as near to the earth as possible. Another pecu-
liar change that takes place in the stems is in
their form. During the warm season they are
smooth and free from wrinkles on the surface;
but when the cold season begins, they shrink up
from one-fourth to one-half their normal size,
becoming very wrinkly or ridgy. This contrac-
tion takes place almost, if not entirely, in the
length of the joint, often reducing it to less than
the width.

This change is probably the result of the larger
portion of the sap withdrawing from the plant.
These changes are probably a provision of na-
ture to enable the plant the more readily, to
endure the rigors of winter — a kind of vegetable
hybernation. Possibly Mr. Darwin might see in
this the prophecy, if not the remote origin, of the
hybernating animal. But be that as it may, it
is worthy of the attention of the curious.

MJW PLANTS.

Lilium Humboldtianum.— This splendid spe-
cies is a native of Humboldt County, California.
It is quite hardy and produces large golden
yellow flowers, which are spotted with purple. —
William Bull. See cut, page 26.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pritchardia filifera. — Just as we go to press,
a botanical friend calls our attention to the fact
that the Californian Palm, which Mr. Watson
referred to in our pages as Pritchardia filamen-

tosa, has rigid teeth, and not filaments on the
petiole, and that probably the one we have fig-
ured is another and distinct species.

Under the circumstances it is proper to say
that the copy given to our engraver consisted of
a frond furnished by one of our prominent flor-
ists, and a sketch made from the catalogue of
J. Linden, of Ghent. The frond was not seen by us,
being mailed direct to the office, and the engrav-
ing shows that in the outlines Linden was fol-
lowed. It may therefore still bear the name of
Pritchardia filifera of Linden, leaving it more
than probable that Pritchardia filamentosa of
California, is another thing. It is too late, as we
go to press, to find out which kind is the one in
the hands of our cultivators.

Since writing the above we have from Mr.
John Rock a stereoscope of one growing in Santa
Clara street, San Jose, which is fifteen feet high.
This has no filaments on the peteoles, and those
few on the blades, are simple extensions of the
divisions. The leaf stalks are thickly studded
with spring teeth. Linden's plant is either not
accurately drawn, or it is another thing, and may
bear the name of P. filifera, while the true Cali-
fornian will be P. filamentosa.

Variations in Conifers. — How our American
coniferre vary is now well known. It appears
that the Norway Spruce varies in the same way,
and no doubt other species of the order do the
same. The Gardener's Chronicle says : — "At a late
meeting of the Berlin Botanical Society, Mr.
Braun exhibited and described a series of cones
of wild forms or states of the Spruce found in
Germany. Just below the upper tree limit on
the Brocken a dwarf variety, 8 to 10 feet high,
grows and bears cones 1£ to 2 inches long, not
unlike those of Picea nigra. The longest, on the
other hand, in this collection are from 7£ to 8
inches. There is also an equal diversity in the
length of the leaves, but this exists in no definite
relation to the length of the cones. The seeds
vary from about .40 to .58, in the smallest cones,
to about .75 of an inch in the largest cones."

Wearing out of Varieties. — That a tree is but
an individual, that the grafts and cuttings are
but extending the individual, and that an indi-
vidual must be short-lived, is one of the so-called
scientific " theories " which are often built, and
then facts looked up to sustain them. For this
particular theory facts do not come out very fast.
The Golden Pippin apple, the Bibstone Pippin

26

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[January,

^pple the Red Dutch Currant, and many other "Taking a broader view of the subject it must
"individuals," still hold their own, though a cen- be patent to those who go about the world with

ui ium humboltianum. fee page 25.

tury is approaching since they were doomed. A | their eyes open, thai all those varieties of the ap-
correapondent of the Gardener's Magazine says : pie and pear which, thirty years ago, were said to

18*77.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

2t

be nearly worn out, are still to be found as pro-
ductive as ever they were. At the present mo-
ment we have in the fruit-room, samples of Rib-
stone Pippin apple as fine as one could wish to
see; the Golden Pippin apples, from old trees,
are still as satisfactory as ever ; the old Forge
apple is another variety which still holds its own
against all comers for productiveness. As these
facts are undisputable, I cannot understand what
sound arguments in favor of the wearing-out
theory can be brought forward."

Absorbtive Power of Clay. — It is now well
known that clay has the power, when dry, of
absorbing ammonia from the atmosphere. It is
the principle of what is known as the earth
closet system. There is no longer any question as
to where the earth gets its nitrogen. Dr. Joseph
Leidy has now made the additional and import-
ant discovery that wet clay as well as dry, has
absorbent powers. In a verbal communication
to the meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of
Natural Sciences Oct. 31st, he detailed some
dredging experiments made below the gas-works
on the Schuylkill river, and found the mud in
the bed of the river highly charged with bitumi-
nous matter, evidently from the gas-works. As
oil floats, of course it became a question how it
got to the bottom, and Dr. Leidy says that the
oil combines with the clayey particles in the
water, and thus both sink together. In this way
he thinks many geological problems may be
solved. The oils of decomposing plants and ani-
mals have no doubt given the bituminous char-
acter to the ancient muds and shoals very often
in a similar way.

QUERIES.

Horticultural Science. — A correspondent
says : — " Will you please note down some of the
experiments in Horticulture which you think
are most needed, to be tested thoroughly. It
will need some thought, but you can print the
list; then your time will not be wholly lost."

[A very useful experiment would be the bot-
tling, or in some way burying beneath the sur-
face of the earth, seeds of acorns, nuts, or other
seeds, several lots of one kind to be taken up at
different periods, so as to know something about
the vexed question of the vitality of seeds, and
the succession of plants in forests. We want
many more experiments on Graft hybrids, by

splitting scions, or summer buds ; or in uniting
tuberous plants on fibrous ones, or the reverse.

Bulbs placed in the ground several inches deep
and at once encased in frozen soil, have grown to
the surface when the first thaw comes. Just
how much they grow when frozen, and their
whole course of growth through the frozen ground
would be interesting. Kerner says, in the Alps,
some Gentians grow and thaw for themselves a
house in the ice, and flower therein — it might
not be impossible to repeat some such experi-
ments, and the result would teach us much about
the internal heat of plants.

Honeyed secretions appear to be given to plants
for the purpose of furnishing a nourishing liquid
to pollen. The surplus — as there always is a
large surplus in all nature does — being freely at
the disposal of the insect world. At any rate the
pollen tube is only emitted when there is a hon-
eyed secretion on the stigma, and it is said that
flowers which do not seed are made to do so by
applying nectar artificially. Experiments would
be useful — as well as many other experiments in
relation to fertilization. Can any one make
Amaryllis fulva, seed?

Whether the same amount of heat is given out
to a greenhouse from a ton of coal, when heated
by hot water, as when heated directly from a
flue — and if not, how much is lost?

These are some of the problems that occur to
us, as we write. There are many more which
might come from reflection, which correspon-
dents might suggest and which we should be
glad to note in these columns. — Ed. G. M.]

Tree Growth. — M. H. D., Detroit, Mich., says:
" In an argument with a friend to-day, we agreed
to leave the following question to you for con-
sideration : ' Do fruit or forest trees grow after
the leaves drop in the Fall, or before the sap
rises in the Spring ? ' My friend says they do, I
say they do not."

[Practically the answer is in the negative. No
one would be able to perceive the slightest dif-
ference in girth, at any time between the peri-
ods named. Yet there may be growth of some
character at such times. Gardeners know that
a " callus," a cell growth, forms on the ends of
cuttings, and often roots of a considerable length,
before any leaves appear; and after the leaves
fall, fibres of trees grow, many believe all through
winter, and to some extent even when encased
in frost. In the Spring, when the buds are push-
ing, there is often considerable growth before the

28

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

leaves are formed. These considerations, how-
ever, were probably not part of the argument,

and we should say your friend is wrong. — Ed.
G. M.]

ITERATURE, §|RAVELS & pERSONAL If OTES.

COMMUNIGA TIONS.

HORTENSIA OR HORTENSIS.

The following note explains itself:
My Dear Mr. Meehan.— Some weeks ago, in
a hurried note, I called your attention to the fact
that you had inadvertently called the common
garden Hydrangea, H. hortensis, a very common
error, and one that I was sorry to see in the
Gardener's Monthly. Knowing it to be named
H. Hortensia in honor of some French Madame
Hortense, I wrote it " Queen Hortense," without
stopping to consult the authorties, as I should
have done had I supposed that the note would
be printed. I was wrong as to the particular
Hortense, but right as to the point I wished to
make — that Hortensia is the proper specific name
of the plant, and that Hortensis is wrong.

The Rural New Yorker of Nov. 18th takes up
the matter, and thinks that your critic (meaning
the subscriber) " tumbles into a pit of his own
digging." I will take the measure of that pit
presently, but first let us hear our friend of the
" Rural," who, after giving in substance what I
said in my note, adds, "all of which Mr. Meehan
publishes with thanks to the critic, never so
much as hinting that Hortensis is from Hortus, a
garden ; hence the common name of the species,
notwithstanding the very Frenchy story about
Queen Hortense." In my note I returned the
remark, "But, then, we can't all be perfect" —
but at the time I did not think of the "Rural,"
although I illustrated its truth in my own case
by mistaking one French dame for another.
"The Rural" reads us the law with much posi-
tiveness, and it may be worth while to see how
the authorities agree with him. If our friend
will refer to any French work on gardening, he
will find that the common name for the Hy-
drangea is ELortensia, and the Bame name is also

in common use among the Germans. If he will
refer to any botanical work of acknowledged au-
thority, as De Candolle's for Europe, and Gray's
for America, he will find the botanical name of
the plant given as Hydrangea Hortensia. The
reason for giving this name is told by several
authors, but the story is nowhere more concisely
related than in Loudon's Arboretum et Fruiticetum,
vol. 2, p. 996. As this account will no doubt
interest other readers, while it instructs the
"Rural," I will quote it. After giving the
names for the plant in Chinese and Japanese,
Loudon says : " In Europe it was named by the
celebrated Commerson, in honor of Madame
Hortense Lapante, wife of his most particular
friend, M. Lapante, a watchmaker. Commerson
first named it Lapantia, but in order that the
compliment to Madame Lapante might be the
more direct, he changed the name to that of
Hortensia, from her Christian name, Hortense.
The plant was afterwards discovered to be a
species of Hydrangea, a genus previously estab-
lished by Gronovius ; but the name Hortens/a
was retained as its specific appellation, and it is
still the common name by which the plant is
known in French gardens."

I have no doubt that the " Rural " can find
some works in which the specific name of this
Hydrangea is given as H. hortensis, the writers
having, like some others, assumed, without in-
vestigation, that the name was from "Hortus, a
garden."

Any rap over the knuckles that you may feel
from the " Rural's " criticism, I regard with sat-
isfaction as retribution for publishing my private
scribblings.

So far as I am concerned, it is only a case of
mistaken identity. If any of that family of La-
pante are now living, I owe them an apology
tor confounding that Hortense with another
Hortense, who though a queen was not an alto-
gether lovely one. Lovers of flowers will be glad

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

29

to know that Hydrangea Hortensia keeps alive

the memory of the wife of a mechanic, rather

than that of a royal example of feminine

profligacy. T.
~*~*

EDITORIAL NOTES.

" To All Wanting Homes." — The publisher
desires to say, that the advertisement in the last
number under this head, came to him from the
Advertising Agency of Edwin Alden, 174 Elm
Street, Cincinnati, and he never had any reason
to doubt that it was a perfectly reliable firm.
This statement is made in reply to some corres-
pondents who question very much whether they
will get the worth of .their money in the way
proposed.

Fairmount Park. — Mr. C. H. Miller, Chief of
the Horticultural Bureau during the Centennial,
and under whose direction the difficult task of
combining the wants of exhibitors with good ar-
tistic taste was so successfully accomplished, has
been appointed consulting Landscape Gardener to
the Fairmount Park Commission.

The Royal Oak. — The oak in which King
Charles II took refuge from his pursuers after
the defeat at Worcester, by Cromwell, is stated
by a correspondent of the Gardener's Chronicle to
be of the stalked variety, Quercus pedunculated.
The tree is still living, and is about 11 feet in cir-
cumference.

Nurseries of Hargis & Sommer. — We call at-
tention to an advertisement of this firm in our
present number. We believe this firm to be one
of the most successful in the West. Mr. Hargis
has been now for about five months sick, and
Mr. Sommer not being a nurseryman but in
other business in the town, make good reasons
for wanting to sell.

S. S. Jackson. — The Cincinnati Commercial tells
us that — "The golden wedding of S. S. Jackson
and wife, on Thursday, November 9th, at the
family residence, in Delhi Township, was the
occasion of a meeting of many of their friends
to congratulate them and to participate in the
enjoyment of a happy afternoon, amidst the nu-
merous flowers which, fresh from the greenhouse,
ornamented in great variety the dwelling." Mr.
Jackson is a Horticulturist ofwhomweare all
proud. If he could see another fifty years in the
same way, there is not one of us but would
rejoice.

Wild Flowers of America. — Illustrations by
I. Sprague ; text by Prof. Goodale, Boston. Pub-
lished by H. 0. Houghton & Co. Our botanical
friends at Cambridge are to be congratulated on
the spirit which prompted them to a work like
this ; and in undertaking the publication, the
firm of the Hough tons deserves every encourage-
ment from the press and the public.

It is the design to illustrate and describe all
the more attractive wild plants of America, in
quarterly parts, of four plates each, at $5 per
part. The form is quarto, which gives the op-
portunity to have the figures life size.

The present part has for subjects, Aquilegia
canadensis, Geranium maculatum, Aster undu-
latus, and on the fourth plate two Gerardias, G.
flava and G. tenuifolia.

The text embraces all the popular history of
the plants, including the scientific descriptions
in popular language. Considering the admirable
manner in which the whole work of the artist,
the author, and the publisher is executed, the
price is very low.

Vice's Floral Guide for the present month
has a chapter illustrative of the terms used in
botany to describe the leaves and parts of flow-
ers.

Chicago Botanic Garden. — Prof. Babcock, the
director, has issued a catalogue of all the seeds
they have on hand to exchange for others. It is
a very large list.

Ayer & Son's Manual. — This well known firm
of advertising agents, has removed into the beau-
tiful new building of the Philadelphia Times, and
have issued a large pamphlet with instructions
to their patrons, and which gives many useful
hints to those who may probably become so.

C. C. Bragdon. — The weekly papers have
made most of our readers acquainted with the
death of this gentleman, well known of late years
as one of the editors of the Rural New Yorker.
Though his public labors were more of an agri-
cultural than a horticultural character, his in-
fluence in horticultural matters was considerable.
From the first foundation of the Gardener's
Monthly he took a warm interest in its success,
and to the last was one of its best friends.

Dr. John Skillen Houghton. — Among the
deaths of the month we regret to note that of
Dr. J. S. Houghton, who died of an apoplectic
stroke, on the 11th of December in his 60th year.

30

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_January,

Though a graduate of the Medical Department
of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Houghton
was a native of New England, and in early life
was connected with journalism, which he subse-
quently abandoned for the medical profession.
He wras always fond of Horticulture, especially
fruit growing, and his farm at Olney, near Phila-
delphia, gave abundant evidence of his taste in
this direction. He was a philosophic thinker,
and was fond of experimenting on new ideas and
scientific discoveries in connection with horticul-
ture, with the result very common in such cases,
of benefiting others by his experience, much
more than himself. The early volumes of the
Gardener's Monthly are full of his generous wri-
tings, freely offering his experience to all, as are
the trasactions of the Pennsylvania Fruit-grow-
ers Society, and of the American Pomological
Society. The Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety especially owes him a debt of gratitude for
years of unselfish work in connection with its
annual exhibitions. His early experience as a
journalist enabled him to address himself suc-
cessfully to the popular heart, and he was gener-
ally successful in filling the hall with visitors.
His genial good nature never deserted him, and
in this feature alone, his presence among his
horticultural associates will be missed.

QUERIES.

Carnation Pinks.— M. N. Faribault, Minn.,
asks: — "I see often advertised 'Carnation Pinks.'
What are they? I know Carnations, I think,
and I know Pinks, but what are Carnation

Pinks?" [We hardly know what the growers
mean. In old times there was a distinction
between Carnation, Piccotee, and Pink. This
was in the days when they were what is known
as " Florists' flowers." The names are all so mixed
now by the cut-flower cultivators that one hardly
knows which is which, and perhaps " Carnation
Pinks " means that you can take your choice of
a name. Carnation is however the best name. —
Ed. G. M.]

Foreign and American Tuberoses. — A Buf-
falo, N. Y., correspondent writes : — " In the No-
vember number, page 348, you allude to Mr. E. S.
Rand, in connection with a gross misstatement
from the pen of" one of Boston's leading horti-
culturists " without apparently suspecting that
it was made on the authority of Mr. Rand him-
self. The statement is "that the bulbs (tube-
roses) are imported from Italy and France, as
our seasons are not long enough to ripen them."
Now, in E. S. Rand's " Flowers for the Parlor
and Garden," it is said of the Tuberose (which he
prints Tube Rose) that " Our dried roots are
annually imported from Italy, where they ripen
their bulbs in the open air." (p. 199), and again
(p. 202), " Our climate is too uncertain to insure
a proper ripening of the bulb."

[It may be that when Mr. Rand was preparing
the MSS. for his work, it was not as well known
as now that American tuberoses were exported
to Europe in immense quantity as well as used
so largely at home as to be almost the only ones
in use. At any rate allowing that the mistake
was originally Mr. Rand's, those who have so
recently used the statement in Boston, ought
to have known better than their teacher by this
time.— Ed. G. M.]

gLORTICULTURAL f§0CIETIESo

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society.— The
annual meeting of this Society will be held
this season at Lancaster, commencing the third
Wednesday in January.

The Western New York Horticultural.
Society.— Most of the winter meetings of the
State societies were held in December, but we
received no notice of them till after that number
went to press. We are glad of having an op-
portunity of saying that the W. N. Y. Hort. So-
ciety will be held at Rochester, beginning with
the 27th of January.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

31

Awards at the Centennial. — We have not
been favored with a list of the awards in the
Horticultural Department, but the following of
the Pomological Department has been kindly
handed to us for publication. We have omitted
most names which are in countries where the
English language is not spoken, or our maga-
zine has no circulation.

We may observe that the fact that a person
has an award for any particular object, is, by the
Centennial plan, only a part of the honor. For
instance, we note now that an award is made
for " Apples," but it is what the judges say of the
apples, their peculiar merit or points of excel-
lence— that is the real honor — and these points
are named in the certificate which accompanies
the medal. It is the certificate, not the medal
that tells the story.

It must be gratifying to the members of the
Pomological group of jurors to know that their
recommendation for awards were adopted by
the Centennial Commission, without a single ex-
ception, nor do we know that any have been
added by the supplementary group, appointed
to revise the work of the other groups.

In addition to the awards, a very large number
of exhibits, though not possessing special excel-
lencies, have yet had complimentary notices in
the regular weekly reports, some of which have,
and probably all of which will or should be pub-
lished by the Centennial Commission.

J. H. Ricketts, Newburgh, N. Y., Wine Grapes.
State of Oregon, Collection of Fruit.
Hampton Kelley, Portland, Oregon, Fruit Butter.
J. M. Humphrey, Plymouth, Mich., Apples.
N. and C. Chilson, Battle Creek, Mich., Apples.
W. J. Weeks, Suffolk Co., N. Y., Cranberries.
E. Bradfield, Ada, Mich., Grapes.
A. H. Richards, Pleasant Mills, N. J., Cranberries.

A. A. Olds, Hamilton, Mich., Apples.

B. Hathaway, Mich., Apples.

H. D. Adams, Salesbury, Mich., Apples and Pears.
Lancaster Co. Horticultural and Agricultural So-
ciety, Lancaster, Pa . Apples.
Province of Nova Scotia, Collection of Fruit.

E. B. Clark, Medford, Ct.. Vegetables and Grains.
S. B. Wakeman, Saugatuck, Conn., Onions.

B. K. Bliss & Son, New York City, Collection
of Winter Roots and Vegetables.

B. K. Bliss & Son, New York City, Potatoes.

F. M. Hexamer, Ivy Hill Nurs., N. Y., Potatoes.
L. J. Clute, Fairfield, Iowa, Potatoes.

State of Iowa, Potatoes and Farm Products.

W. M. Winterbotham, Fort Madison, Iowa, Tim-
othy Grass Seed.

Wm. Jordan, Eldnn, Davis Co., Iowa, Corn.

D. Landreth & Son, Phila., Pa., Cereals of the
Harvest of 1876.

Baron Aneelo Pocari, Sicily, Palermo, Peas,
Beans and Legumes.

Sooieta d'Acelimatazione di Sicilia, thirty-nine
kinds of Oranges and Citrons.

Hort.Dept. State A.<r. Col., Lansing, Mich., Potat's.

Dutch Ag So., Netherlands, Leguminous Seeds.

C. R. Van Der Pool, Neth., Brielle, Green Peas.
August Boileau, New York, Trained Fruit Trees.

P. Van-Nes-Azn, Netherlands, Boskoop, Trained

Fruit Trees.
Charles Pohl, Austria, per Albert Kuhn, Wehaw-

ken, N. Y., Currants and Gooseberries grafted

on Missouri Currant.

C. P. K. Galesloot, Netherlands, Amsterdam,
Fruit Trees.

Dr. John A. Warder, President of the Ohio State
Horticultural Society, Early Apples.

Iowa State Horticultural Society, Early Apples.

Gibson <fc Bennett, Woodbury, N.J., Early Apples.

Abm. Barker, Philadelphia, Pa., Pears.

Henry M. Engle, Marietta, Pa., Seedling Peaches.

Dr. N. H. Morange, Florida, Tropical Fruits and
Wine.

Fruit Growers' Society of Ontario, Canada, Gen-
eral Collection of Early Berries and Fruits.

Seth Luelling, Milwaukee, Oregon, Cherries.

Kuhn & Co., New York, American Gooseberries.

Joab Teague, Bourbon Co., Kansas, Apples.

Miss Hettie Trimble, West Chester, Pa., Exotic
Grapes, under glass.

John S. Collins, Moorestown, N. J., Blackberries
and Raspberries.

E. W. Durand, Irvington, N. J., Seedling Straw-
berries.

Jas. S. Jones, Germantown, Pa., Strawberries.

Edw. J. Steele, Germantown, Pa. Strawberries.

J. H. Withington, S. Amboy, N. J., Strawberries.

J. H. Parneli, West Point, Ga., Early Peaches.

D. Landreth & Sons, Phila., Pa., Roots for Cattle-
Feeding.

Iowa State Horticultural Society, Apples.

N. Hellings & Bro., Battle Creek, Mich., Apples.

Michigan State Horticultural Society, Apples.

Mich. State Pom. Society, Peaches and Prunes.

Mrs. G. W. Carpenter, Germantown, Pa., Peaches-
Daniel Smeych, Lancaster, Pa., Peaches.

Thos. J. Beans, Moorestown, N. J., Peaches.

Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., Plums.

State of Connecticut, Plums.

Fred. Seitz, Sr., Easton, Pa., Nectarines.

Mass. Hort. Sociefy, Boston Mass., Large Collec-
tion of Apples.

J. W. Manning, Reading, Mass., Apples.

Jos. H. Fenno, Revere, Mass.. Apples.

S. S. West, Columbia, Conn., Apples.

Z. Hollingsworth, Sandusky, Lee Co., Iowa,
Apples.

T. C. Austin, Middletown, Conn., Apples.

Fruit Growers' Asso'n, Ontario, D. W. Beadle,
Sec, St. Catherines, additional Apples.

Ohio Horticultural Society, M. B. Bateham, Sec-
retary, Pninesville, Ohio, Apples.

Worcester County Horticultural Society, Mass.,
Apples.

Indiana Horticultural Society, Wm. H. Ragan,
Sec'y, Claymont, Indiana, Apples.

Alfred S. Sheller, Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa.,
Apples.

Samuel Hartwell, Lincoln, Mass., Apples.

Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N, Y., Apples.

H. M. Engle & Son, Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa.r
Apples.

Chas. Arnold, Ontario, Paris, Apples.

R. S. Willett, Malcom, Iowa, Apples.

E. H. Elkins, Burlington, Iowa, Apples.

32

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[January,

Leavenworth Co., Horticultural Society, Apples.
T. S. Gold, West Cornwall, Conn., Apples.
P. M. Augur, Mickllefield, Conn., Apples.
James Dougall, Ontario, Windsor, Apples.
Polk Co., Iowa (collected by Jas. Smith), Des
Moines, Iowa, Apples.
John Cummings, Woburn, Mass., Apples.
Benj. G. Smith, Cambridge, Mass., Apples.
Nebraska State Horticultural Society, D. H.

Wheeler, Sec'y, Plattsmouth, Neb., Apples.
David Williams, East Hartford, Conn., Apples.
B. H. Atwater, Berlin, Conn., Apples.
J. W. Humphrey, Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich.,

Apples.
State of Iowa, Apples.
Kansas State Board of Centennial Managers,

Topeka, Kansas, Apples.
Wisconsin State Horticultural Society,Wisconsin,

Apples.
W. W. Gearheart, Burlington, Iowa, Apples.
Minnesota Hort. Society, Minnesota, Apples.
David Leonard, Burlington, Iowa, Apples.
State of Connecticut, Apples.
Thos. J. Beans, Moorestown, N. J., Cantaloupe

Melons.
Robert S. Thompson, Jamaica, through the

British Commission, Tropical Fruits.
Seth Luelling, Milwaukee, Oregon, Pears.
H. Lambert, Portland, Oregon, Apples.
Joseph E. Ledlock, Portland, Oregon, Collection

of Prunes.
State of Iowa, per Col. G. Brackett, Wax Models

of Fruit.
P. Kieffer, Angora, Phila., Pa., Hybrid Pears.
Wm. Gourney, Hamilton, Out., Salem Grapes.
W. F. Taylor, Hamilton, Ont., Clinton Grapes.
Mayor Pafford, Niagara, Out., Exotic Grapes.
Thomas H. Parker, Woodstock, Ont., Grapes

under Glass.
Chas. Arnold, Ontario, Seedling Grapes.
Donald Smith, per Fruit Growers' Society, Ont.,

Apples.
Hugh Scott, Jr., London, Ontario, Apples.
James M. Stacy, Masonville, Ontario, London

Pippin Apples.
J. Morgan, Jr. Quebec, Collection of Grapes.
J. W. Newman, Lachine, Seedling Apples.
Daniel Smeych, Lancaster, Pa., Apples.
Dr. J. Stayman, Leavenworth, Kan., Pennsylvania

Apples.
Natt Atkinson, Asheville, North Carolina, Apples.
Maine Pomological Society, Apples.
The Worcester Co. Ag. Society, Worcester, Mass.,

Pears.
Charles F. Curtis, Jamaica Plain, Mass., Pears.
Wm. H. Earle, Worcester, Mass., Pears.
Alex. Dickinson, Cambridgeport, Mass., Pears.
Mrs. Geo. A. Chamberlain, Worcester, Mass.,

Pears.
Amos. Bates, Hingham, Mass., Pears.
Hovey & Co., Cambridge, Mass., Pears.
Benj. G. Smith, Cambridge, Mass , Pears.
D. Smeych, Lancaster Pa., Pears.
Jos. H. Fenno, Revere, Mass., Pears.
Griffin <k Dolan, Cambridgeport, Mass., Pears.
Nebraska Hort. Society, D. H. Wheeler, Sec'y,

Plattsmouth, Neb., Pears.

John Given, Keokuk, Iowa, Pears.

L. T. Barney, Keokuk, Iowa., Pears.

G. 0. Hilton, Keokuk, Iowa, Pears.

W. T. Smith, Des Moines, Iowa, Pears.

The Indiana Hort. Society, W. H. Ragan, Sec'y,

Clayton. Ind., Pears.
Massachusetts Hort. So., Boston, Mass., Pears.
T. S. Gold, West Cornwall, Conn., Pears.
John Saul, Washington, D. C, Pears.
Iowa Hort. Society, Des Moines, Iowa, Pears.
Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, Mass., Pears.
Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, Pears.
P. D. Stillman, Hartford, Conn., Pears.
Seth Luelling & Son, Milwaukee, Oregon, Pears.
John Turner, Norwich, Conn., Pears.

0. B. Hadwen, Worcester, Mass., Pears.
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., Pears.

F. and L. Clapp, Dorchester, Mass., Pears.
E. Anderson, Felton, Del., Pears.

The State of Connecticut, Pears.

G. B. Brackett, Denmark, Iowa, Pears.
Newell Wood, Millbury, Mass., Pears.
Edward W. Lincoln, Worcester, Mass., Pears.
John C. Newton, Worcester, Mass., Pears.
Robert Manning, Salem, Mass., Pears.
Daniel Smeych, Lancaster, Pa., Grapes.
Agricultural Society of Egg Harbor City, N. J.,

Grapes.
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., Grapes.
Fruit Growers' Association of Canada (Province

of Ontario), Grapes.

1. B. Seely, Vine Valley, N. Y., Grapes.
George W. Campbell, Delaware, Ohio, Grapes.
James H. Ricketts, Newburgh, N. Y., Grapes.
Commissioner of Victoria, Fruit and Fruit Models.
Inspector of Woods and Forests, Philippine

Islands, Pomological Products of the Island.
New Jersey State Hort Society, Fruits.
Samuel Streeper, Broad Axe, Pa., Apples.
Samuel W. Noble, Jenkintown, Pa., Apples.
E. N. Wright (Alexander Cox Gardener), Ger-

mantown, Pa., Hot-House Grapes.
James Wardrop, Pittsburgh, Pa., Seckel Pears.
Fruit Growers' Society of Ontario, Collection of

Fruit.

E. Anderson, Felton, Del., Duchesse d'Angou-
leme Pears.

Berks County Ag. Society, Pennsylvania, Apples.

Washington Brookman, Reading (Berks Co.
Agricultural Society Pa.), White Doyenne
or "Butter" Pears.

A. L. Felten, Phila., Collection of Vegetables.

Henry Avery, Burlington, Iowa, Apples.

Morgan Brown, Toutogany, Ohio, Collection of
Vegetables.

J. M. Nelson, Indian Run, Pa., Apples.

Redmond & Co., Pensacola, Florida, Figs.

D. L. Hoadley, Lawrence, Kansas, Apples.

H. Acosta Kreskorn, Cincinnati, Ohio, Paper
Fruit and Flower Models.

D. Landreth & Sons, Philadelphia, Winter Veg-
etable Roots.

Dominion of Canada (from the Province of
Manitoba), Esculents.

F. S. Cary, Hamilton, Ohio, Apples.
Michigan State l'omological Society, Continuous

exhibits of Fruit.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

FEBRUARY, 1877.

Number 218.

LOWER GARDEN AND W LEASURE GROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The Spring season is the road season, and how
to make good roads is a matter of first-rate im-
portance. On most places of any size there are
too many roads, and then none are well-cared
for; good roads are expensive to make and costly
to keep in good order, and therefore good judg-

stone will combine by its own angles into a
smooth, solid surface, that cannot be affected by
vicissitudes of weather, or displaced by the ac-
tion of wheels, which will pass over it without a
jolt, and consequently without injury.

" The size of stones for a road should be that
of a hen's egg, or a half a pound weight. It
must be in due proportion to the space occupied

g^mwk

Iv/sT

;-#v

~7/,r "J* W •%-

No. 1. — MacAdam Road.

ment should be used in laying out and form-
ing them. If well-made there is not much
trouble in keeping them up afterwards.

For good, solid roads, there is nothing yet
known that beats the genuine MacAdam. But
the specimens of work usually called Macadamiz-
ing would not be owned by MacAdam himself. It
will serve a useful purpose to give MacAdam 's
own explanation of his work :

" Every road is to be made of broken stone
without mixture of earth, clay, chalk, or any
other matter that will imbibe water and be af-
fected with frost; nothing is to be laid on the
clean stone on pretence of binding; broken

by a wheel of ordinary dimensions on a smooth
level surface : this point of contact will be found
to be longitudinally, about an inch ; and every
piece of stone put into a road which exceeds an
inch in any of its dimensions, is mischievous."

A properly made MacAdam road is, however,
the most expensive in its first cost, and a sort of
compromise is effected by the Telford road, in
which large blocks are laid at the bottom, and
only broken stone at the surface. This has be-
come very common, and answers pretty well.
The MacAdam road is made plain by the pre-
ceding illustration. — No. 1.

The Telford road is illustrated by our figure

34

THE GARDENER'S HON TEL Y

[February,

No. 2. It is formed by heavy blocks at the bot-
tom with broken stones at the top. It is often
used simply for the centres of roads, the outsides
being gravel, as seen in the cut.

Rubble pavement, as we understand it in Phil-
adelphia, consists of heavy stones set a little
edgewise, as in the Telford plan, but coming
quite to the surface. It soon wears into ruts,
and is extremely difficult to repair when it gets
bad, when made of rather soft stone, such as
the general gneiss rock of this district; and
when of harder stone is extremely rough and un-
pleasant to travel over. Indeed, the Rubble
pavement is merely the Telford in a very ineom-

roots at planting. If they appear dry, dip them
in a tub of water if small, or sprinkle with a
water pot if large, before setting. The soil im-
mediately about the fibres will then adhere to
them, and while the water thus benefits, the soil
is not rendered a mass of mud. If the trees ap-
pear very dry, prune accordingly to the degree
of probable injury. If a tree has a large mass
of fibrous roots, and these not dry, and the top
not very large, no pruning will be necessary. If
the roots are injured, prune them too a little. If
the injury to the root or top be very great, prune
the top severely. No tree or shrub need die of
transplanting, no matter how great the injury,

O'X-S

ill JS

No. 2. — Telford Road.

plete condition. For the cuts with which we
have illustrated this sketch we are indebted to
the Philadelphia Polytechnic Review.

For small walks around houses and buildings
there is nothing much better than slats. These
may be made of shingle laths, set crosswise on
3x4 sills. They should be set rather close, so
that they do not quite touch one another. Well-
made they look very neat, and are cool in sum-
mer and dry in winter — good points which
roads of stone, gravel, ashes, sand or grass never
entirely possess. Of course this is rather ex-
pensive where lumber is scarce and dear, but it
is the best even in many of these cases.

It may be as well to remind our readers that
the time is approaching when all pruning opera-
tions be ended as soon as possible, lawns rolled
as soon as they can be after the frost leaves them,
and while still wet, in order to fill up the ine-
qualities; apply a top-dressing of bone-dust,
guano, wood ashes, or whatever other " seedless "
manure may be adopted, before the rolling.
Arrangements should be made also for Spring
planting, by getting good soil hauled near where
it may be wanted, for it is a sad loss of time to
plant in poor ground, and the holes may even
now be dug and the new soil put in. Planting,
however, should not be done until the soil is
quite dry, so that the earth can be crushed finely
in about the roots by the feet, instead of being
pressed closer together. Avoid watering the

unless entirely dead. If there be any life at all
a severe pruning will save it. It is often recom-
mended to bury up entirely in soil for a few days,
plants that become dried somewhat during re-
moval, which usually does pretty well; but we
would prefer to prune away a portion of the
branches.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

ZELKOVA CRENSTA.

BY HON. ELI K. PRICE, OF FAIRMOUNT PARK COM-
MISSION, philad'a.

Countless are the ideas exchanged at our In-
ternational Centennial Exhibition : I give you a
small but pleasing instance. Mr. Clarence H.
Clark wrote me several weeks since, "A friend of
mine of Boston was spending a few days with
me, and being much interested in trees, I took
him to Bartram's Garden, and to the Wood-
lands ;" and proceeds to say that in the latter he
saw trees, which stand north-eastward and north-
westward of the Mansion, which were a puzzle
to him. That friend was C. S. Sargent, a profes-
sor in the Botanical School attached to Harvard
College. After his return home, *Mr. Sargent
solved the puzzle and writes thus to Mr. Clark
on the 27th October, 187(5 : " Perhaps you don't
care to know, but I have cleared up the myste-

1871]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

35

ries of that strange tree in the Woodlands Ceme-
tery ; it is a Zelkova Crensta. The Zelkova is a
native of the shore of the Caspian Sea. It seems
that William Hamilton, who lived at the begin-
ning of this century, was a great lover and culti-
vator of trees. Between 1802 and 1805 he had
for gardener, Frederick Pursh, one of the fathers
of American Botany ; and it is not improbable
that Pursh got these trees from Europe, as he
was a German, and planted them. This would
make them all the more interesting, and I hope,
if occasion offers that you will mention to the
authorities that these trees are of great value and
interest, and must be protected and looked after.
I don't know of any other specimens anywhere
in the United States — certainly there are none in
this part of the country."

These trees will be cared for and preserved in
the Woodlands. What is more important is, that
they should be secured to our country by propa-
gation. If seed should appear next Fall, they will
be gathered. In the meantime grafting should
be attempted. Mr. Sargent is trying it at Cam-
bridge, on English elms. I invite gardeners to
get cuttings and try their success. The Wood-
lands Company are attempting nothing in that
way, the lot holders supplying all trees, etc.,
needed ; but in the Fairmount Park I shall ask
Chas. H. Miller and Russell Thayer,offieers of the
Commission, to endeavor to grow them in the
Park Gardens, where we shall aim to make grow
every tree that will endure our climate, and will
plant with a view both to artistic effect and the
study of botany.

It may be of interest to your readers to be re-
minded that after Bartram's on the Schuylkill,
and Marshall's Garden, at Marshallton, four
miles west of West Chester,the Woodlands ranked
third in time of the important gardens of Penn-
sylvania. There are now in it many self-sown
forest trees, and many exotic and American
trees planted by Hamilton. Thirty-five years
ago I bought the remains of Duke's Garden, on
Township Line, consisting of a fine variety of
oaks, besides other trees, and these now afford
me a varied supply of fruit for the Park. These
and the Park, are intended to be a supply of
tree-seeds to nurserymen and others. The Park,
in this way, will fulfil its obligations to the spirit
of the legacies of Michaux and Cresson, as well
as by supplying trees within the terms of their
wills.

[This remarkable discovery is, as Mr. Price
says, one of the events of the Centennial year.

It is many years since the writer of this saw the
tree. It was then very large, and, the leaves out
of reach, was taken for some garden variety of
the English elm. In regard to its name, which
was given to it by Spach, we believe the best
European botanists regard it as not distinct
enough from Abelicea which is perhaps the name
to be adopted. — Ed. G. M.]

MAGNOLIAS.

BY PHILADELPHIA.

I have from time to time noticed in the
Monthly and in other magazines, that there seems
a difficulty in successfully transplanting magno-
lias. This arises in many cases from its being
done at the wrong time, which is the Fall months.
Many trees with fleshy roots, the magnolias es-
pecially, should only be transplanted in the
Spring, or there is risk of losing them. At this
time they succeed just as well as any other tree,
and as they have generally a good lot of small
roots, large planters are as successful with them
then as desired. The most common kinds planted
around Philadelphia are the M. tripetala, M.
acuminata, and M. macrophylla, of the larger or
tree kinds. Of the shrub ones we meet the of-
tenest M. purpurea, M. Soulangeana, M. con-
spicua, M. glauca, and M. gracilis. Many
grand old specimens, of M. tripetala can be
found on old residences at West Philadelphia
and at Germantown in Philadelphia. It seems
to have been the first kind to be largely planted,
and the fine specimens of younger trees in more
recently laid out places, show it to be as popular
to-day as ever. A few years ago there were
some beautiful specimens at Laurel Hill Ceme-
tery, and no doubt they are there to-day, in com-
pany with the other choice trees to be found in
that favored spot. The M. acuminata seems to
have been overlooked by the early planters, or it
was not so accessible. It grows to a large tree
and is unsuited for many places where the M.
tripetala may be planted. Yet it makes a most
shapely tree, and for shade or ornament, where
there is room for it, it should be planted. The
M. macrophylla is still more rare, though here
and there a large tree of it is met with. It, like
the last named, grows to a good size, and with its
very large leaves is very ornamental. There are
a few other large growing Magnolias, but I am
writing only of those most common here as old
specimens. The M. conspicua and M. Soulange-
ana take a place between the tree and the shrub

36

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[February,

sorts, growing to twelve feet or more. The spe-
cimens observed seem mostly grown in shrub
form, and when thus grown are more attractive.
It gladdens one in Spring to see them clothed
with their white flowers, before even their bright
green leaves have fairly budded out. The M.
purpurea is quite common to Philadelphia gar-
dens; the M. gracilis and M. glaucanotsomuch
so, but the last named is rapidly becoming bet-
ter known. This one when to its full size is really
a small tree, but as it commences to flower when
but three feet high, it is usually spoken of as a
shrub. It must not be forgotten that the flowers
of the magnolias are succeeded by cones of fruit
which turn in the Fall to a beautiful rosy pink
color, making them conspicuous and pleasing
objects on a lawn ; and indeed this is thought by
some to be a greater attraction than the flowers.

RHODODENDRONS.

BY E. MANNING, HARRISBURGH, FRANKLIN CO., O.

In the September number of your valuable
paper I see three Rhododendron articles, one
from C. M. Hovey, one from J. A. Nelson
and one from our good friend S. B. Parsons. In
Mr. Hovey's article, speaking of a writer in Ap~
pleton's Journal who had stated that in the North-
ern United States the R. maximum would alone
endure the winter, he says, " If the writer had
seen or heard of Mr. Hunnewell's fine collection
at Wellesley he must have known the Cataw-
biense endures our winters as well as the maxi-
mum. Such authority is of course not of any
importance to intelligent cultivators, but to those
unacquainted with the plants, it helps to retard
their introduction into our grounds."

Here Mr. Hovey intimates that by intelligence
it is practicable to grow the Rhododendron any-
where.

Mr. Editor, we hear you in the same say,
ignorant Rhododendron culture is a costly thing
in America, but intelligently pursued nothing is
more delightful.

Now, Mr. Editor, I shall certainly take excep-
tions to your remarks and to Mr. Hovey's. I
have tried twice to grow them and have as often
failed. My first attempt was with a moderate
preparation of the soil. I got my plants from
the old firm of Parsons & Co. They had good
balls of roots and were in fine order. They
bloomed well the first year, and made good
growth. The second season, same bloom, but

less growth. The third season no growth or
bloom, and the fourth season all gave up the
ghost. All were heavily mulched with leaves all
the year round. At this stage of affairs I saw
several articles on Rhododendron culture in the
Monthly and in the Horticulturist. I sent again to
the Parsons' and got eight more splendid plants ;
I planted some in one bed after preparing for
them by digging holes three feet deep, and as
many wide, filling up with the best leaf mould
mixed with decayed sod, with some sand and
pine brush cut up short. I went by the direc-
tions of the Gardener's Monthly and the Messrs.
Parsons. I mulched heavily with leaves. One
plant I planted on the east side of my house,
where it had the full sun till one o'clock. All
grew and bloomed, and were satisfactory the
first season, growing one foot in length. The
second season less growth and less bloom. Some
died at the end of four years. Lee's dark pur-
ple lived the longest, lasting seven years. When
all were dead I found on pulling them up that
the plants had not made any roots, or scarcely
any, having only the balls that came with them.
I now distinctly recollect that Mr. Sargent, of
Wodenethe, once said that if lime or chalk en-
tered into the composition of the soil, it was most
repulsive to the Rhododendron which my expe-
rience fully demonstrates. Here let me sajr my
soil is a strong limestone; dig where you will,
you will find it at one foot down, or less, and
down to six feet. As my bed was on the side of a
hill, some fifteen feet below the top, on the north
side, I could easily see how failure came. In
wet times the bed Avould become saturated with
lime water from the hill above.

Nor does Kalmia latifolia or Belgian Azalea,
thrive any better here. If you or Mr. Hovey can
show me abed of Rhododendrons growing thrift-
ily for two years on a limestone soil, you can
then talk about intelligent culture. In all laurel
thickets that I have seen, the soil is mostly sand-
stone. The only way to grow these plants here,
is to bring the soil from where they grow, and
elevate the beds.

Reluctantly I must part with the Rhododen-
dron here. I shall have to be content to substi-
tute for them the different varieties of Tree Box,
which does well here if not planted on too low
ground. The Mahonia japoniea and M. Bealii,
Retinosporas, Cephalotaxus Fortunii, and Mag-
nolia glauca and its variety longifolia do well
here. Mahonia aquifolia is a wretched-looking
thing with me, worse than any deciduous shrub

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

37

in the Winter or Spring. I have long since dis-
carded it from these grounds.

In conclusion, I hope Mr. Editor, neither you
nor Mr. Hovey will think I wish to discourage
the general culture of the Rhododendron. I only
wish to guard others similarly situated against
the expense, and particularly the mortification
of disappointment.

P. S. — I have here an Abies Morinda that is
hardy, but is always a wretched-looking thing.
It is on high dry ground. Would it do better on
a lower site? Does it do well anywhere ?

[Yes.— Ed. G. M.]

CALIFORNIA AQUILEGIAS.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

Of this popular family of plants there are seve-
ral varieties, natives of California. They grow
high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Aqui-
legia Californica — this is the finest of our native
varieties, and being the only one that is found
exclusively in California, it well deserves the ap-
pellation of Californica, and although this name
is quite appropriate, it has two others, eximia
and truncata, so that it is well named. It grows
from two to three feet high, very vigorous
and strong, and makes a noble plant. The
flowers are in shape something similar to A.
Canadensis, though the spurs are longer and
curve in more like those of A. Skinneri, the
stamens also are longer. The flowers are from
one and a half to two and a half inches in diam-
eter; they are of a bright orange scarlet color
throughout ; they bloom late in Summer, the
last of August being extremely fine. Like all of
the family it is a perennial. Aquilegia Cana-
densis is also found in California, but as it is so
well known now, it will not be necessary to de-
scribe it. Both of these varieties are of easy cul-
ture, growing readily from seed and blooming
the second year after sowing. A. Californica has
not been introduced yet, but when it is, it will
find favor with all flower lovers.

[A. truncata is its proper name. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Lily Culture. — The Lily has become so popu-
lar in Europe, that some firms have gone wholly
into the business of Lily growing. A Lily nursery,
a catalogue of which from Belgium is now before
us, grows 75 kinds, by the piece, dozen, hundred,
or thousand. We note, however, that only three

have a place in the thousand column — Colchi-
cum, tigrinum and umbellatum — kinds not hard
to increase.

Acer colchicum rubrum. — The beautiful ma-
ple described under this name in Loudon's Gar-
dener's Magazine, the Gardener's Chronicle say6 is
identical with Acer laetum of Meyer, and this
again, though from the Caucasus, proves to be
the same as Acer pictum of Thunberg, described
in 1776, and which by prior right will therefore
be its true name. This species, therefore, grows
from the Caucasus through Persia and Cashmere
to China and Japan. This, about 7,000 miles, is
a very good range for one species.

The Shade Trees op Washington. — We have
before us an admirable report on the shade trees
of Washington, signed by Wm. R. Smith, Chair-
man, and Wm. Saunders, Secretary of the Park-
ing Commission.

Among the valuable suggestions is this, that
where pavements are made of concrete or broad
flags, there should be a fooc or so of space left
along between them and the curb-stone. We
have known 'cases where the pavement com-
pletely covers the sidewalk, and the trees become
very sickly for want of air to the roots.

In relation to the loss of street trees by coal
gas at the roots, the subject is so important that
we extract the whole paragraph :

"There is an annual loss of trees, more or less
extensive, from leakage in the gas pipes ; the
escaping gas permeates the soil and destroys the
roots. Perfect immunity from this evil is prob-
ably impracticable, and when detected it may be,
as in most instances in this city it has been,
promptly remedied. The worst feature, how-
ever, is that the evil is not discovered until after
the roots have been destroyed or fatally injured ;
the soil is well saturated before the presence of
escaping gas is detected, and it is then too late
for the application of any effectual remedy. The
best that can be done is to remove the injured
tree and plant a healthy one in its stead, and
even this will not always prove a success, as it is
difficult to remove all the poisoned earth, and it
usually requires several renewals before a healthy
growth is secured. Gas poisoning is the unsus-
pected cause of many deaths among city trees."

In Philadelphia the loss of street trees by this
cause has bee*n enormous. Why should not the
gas companies be made amenable for these
losses? It ought to be, and it is just as practica-
ble to make a gas pipe, gas-proof underground

38

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

as above. And then look at the enormous loss
to the tax-payers by leakage of gas in this way.
The whole report shows the advantage of hav-
ing practical men of known character at the head
of a public work of this character. Notwith-
standing the idea that everything done by public
bodies, and especially the Government of Wash-
ington,costs much more than it costs individuals,
the shade trees of Washington under the direc-
tion of these gentlemen, have costalmost nothing
in comparison to some others ; and in any com-
parison, we think is the cheapest and best city
planting in the Union.

The Periwinkles. — The hardy Periwinkles
are invaluable in American gardening, on ac-
count of their growing in deep shady places,
where few other things will. We have three
species under culture. Vinca herbacea, which
flowers very prettily every Spring — but as the
long trailing branches do not root, they all die
back in the Fall, and the plant is really a peren-
nial. Vinca minor, the " Myrtle " of the ceme-
tery people. It is a popular plant for covering
graves, and is invaluable for growing under the
shade of Pine trees, or in other shady places. It
makes a thick evergreen mass. Scarcely a " car-
pet," but the next best thing to it. Then we
have Vinca major — the greater Periwinkle. It is
h irdly as hardy with us as the other two— is
more rampant, and makes less show in out-door
gardening. It is best known by its variegated
and golden veined varieties, which are so useful
in various forms of greenhouse and parlor gar-
dening. There is a fourth species that we ought
to introduce, if not already. The Garden thus
refers to it :

" The Mauve Periwinkle (Vinca acutiloba). —
This distinct and elegant Periwinkle is now in
flower in the herbaceous border in Messrs. Back-
house's Nurseries at York. It is valuable from
flowering late in the autumn and in winter, and
also from the delicate mauve color of the blos-
soms. It is not a variety of either of the old and
long-cultivated Vincas, but a newly-introduced
species from the South of Europe. It is particu-
larly suitable for the embellishment of sunny
banks and slopes, and for warm borders."

NEW PLANTS.

Polemonium confertum.— This one of the most
beautiful of the Alpine flowers of the Rocky
Mountains, has been made the subject of a col-

ored plate in a recent number of the Garden. It
grows about six inches high, and has rather large
blue flowers.

Spiraea palmata. — A beautiful colored plate
of this appears in the Belgian Horticultural Review.
It is a native of Japan, and very nearly ap-
proaches our Spiraea lobata, which is also worth
more notice than it receives from cultivators.
S. lobata is of a pale rose — by the plate this is a
deep rich rose — and the heads seem larger and
more dense.

Purple-leaved Grape Vine. — The Gardener's
Chronicle says : — " We may here mention another
very beautiful vine, seldom seen in gardens, but
one deserving our strongest recommendation.
It is the form known in gardens as the Purple
Vine, which has the advantage that its leaves are
throughout the whole summer (and not in late
autumn merely) of a rich claret color. The plant
is admirably adapted for walls, rockwork, or
ro6keries."

Is this a grape vine, and does any reader know
whether it is in America? By the way,if any one
has a cutting of*the old sweet scented (male)
grape we should be obliged. We fancy it has
gone out of cultivation.

The Californian Chestnut. — This beautiful
tree — the Castanopsis chrysophylla — will need a
little protection north of the Potomac. A cor-
respondent of the Rural Press thus speaks of its
appearance in its native haunts : —

" The title of golden-leaved chestnut — as the
suggestive name implies— is derived from the ob-
servation that wdien stirred by the breeze, the
otherwise dark, glossy -green, laurel-like leaves
turn their under surface to the sun, reflecting
a softened sheen of gold, lighting up its face with
a cheerful smile against the somewhat somber
background of ^reen ; also the young and tender
twdgs, with their vernal foliage clad in yellow
velvet, hold the attention effectually and steadily
to its true ideal characteristic feature. This latter
quality, seen from a distance in the Spring sea-
son of the year, awakens a charming illusion as
if the beholder were viewing a magnificent ever-
green tree clad in golden bloom.

Aconitum japonicum. — Most of our Monks-
hoods flower in early Spring or Summer. A Ja-
pan species has been recently introduced into
English gardens, of which the Gardener gives the
following account: — "This Monkshood ranks as
one of our very best late-blooming, herbaceous
plants, and it should be extensively grown in all

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

39

gardens where autumn flowers are wanted, for
it comes into bloom about the middle of Septem-
ber in Scotland— it may be earlier, of course, in
the South — and continues to blossom till near the
end of October. As a Monkshood, it is most
distinct from others. When well cultivated it
grows to the height of 4 ft. Its habit is stiff and
erect, so much so that it scarcely requires stak-
ing. It throws up bold stiff spikes of large, very
deep blue flowers of great substance, which with-
stand autumn damp and rains well, and last in
perfection a long time. Its leaves are thick and
palmate, of a dark shining green. For alternat-
ing in rows with Tritoma uvaria, to wThich in
color and style it forms a complete contrast, it
will be most effective."

QUERIES.

Names of Plants.— C. E. P., Queens, Long
Island, N. Y. Both ferns though so different in
appearance, are varieties of Aspidium spinulo-
sum. It is possible the proliferous one has a
garden name; but if so, wre have not met with it.
It is worthy of one.

Injury to a Linden Tree. — Mystic says : — '■ In
the Spring of 1875, I tied two thicknesses of
heavy cotton cloth closely around two lindens,
(set out the Spring before for shade trees in the
street), to protect them against the bites of
horses. In the Fall of 1876, I took off the cloths
and found three spots of dead bark on one tree,
and one on the other. The spots were from three
to six inches long, about two inches wide, and
all on the south-west side of the trees. Three
spots had evidently died the first season. Trees
from two to three inches in diameter and not
thrifty; soil and seasons dry, and hose applied
several evenings during the Summer, soaking
the cloths as well as the ground with water.
Would the dry cloth kill the bark, or the cloth
wet by the hose or rain, followed by a hot sun ?

[The cloths had probably nothing to do with
the death of the bark, but exactly what caused
the death, could not be given without seeing the
trees, as there are many causes at such work. It
may be remembered that the cells in trees are
the individuals, and that often whole masses of
them will be weakened by various causes. Some
cells and masses of cells get stronger, and some
become weaker just as in ordinary communities.
When the time of trial comes — as in transplant-

ing— and there is a "struggle for life" the
weaker ones die first. It is some such law as
this which most likely operated to produce the
dead spots, and the cloth had nothing to do with
it. The cloth more likely would be an advan-
tage.—Ed. G. M.]

Antigonon leptopus.— C. E. P., Queens, L. I.,
N. Y., says :— " Can you or any of your corres-
pondents tell me to what natural order Antigonon
leptopus belongs ? Is it a free flowering plant ? "

[It is one of the Buckwheat family, (Polygon-
acese). Properly grown it must be free flowering,
as plants with a profusion of bloom have fre-
quently been exhibited before the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society.— Ed. G M.]

The best Sciadopitys verticillata.— A cor-
respondent writes that in Mr. Sargent's grounds,
at Brookline, near Boston, there are several spe-
cimens of the umbrella pine, Sciadopitys verti-
cillata, the largest of which is three feet nine
inches high, the growth of the past season having
been over seven inches. The same correspon-
dent confirms our opinion of the hardiness of
this tree in our northern Atlantic States, in com-
mon with nearly all the other conifers of the
Eastern Asiatic seaboard. Now, that it is pretty
well settled that the California and Oregon coni-
fers will not stand the climate of those States,
planters there will do well to bear this fact in
mind ? If any have a better, let us know.

Variegated Elder.— A New York correspon-
dent asks:— "Can you inform me whether Sam-
bucus nigra foliis luteiis, is the golden blotched
variety or Sambucus racemosa variegata."

[We believe this to be a variety of the com-
mon English Elder— Sambucus nigra. At least
we know that there is one variety variegated of
this under culture. There may be one of the S.
racemosa also under culture. — Ed. G. M.]

Grafting Magnolias.— G. W. T., New Bruns-
wick, N. J., asks :— " What would be the eftect of
grafting M. glauca on the M. acuminata? Is
there sufficient specific affinity to render success
probable? Would not the free growing stock
affect the graft so as to give to the glauca, pur-
purea and other slow growing subjects a more
stately habit."

[We know of no cases of M. glauca, being
grafted on the acuminata, but think it would do
well. The purpurea, no doubt would, as that is
closely allied to the conspieua, which does so well
on it.— Ed. G. M.]

40

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

REEN MOUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING

i^i^y

SEASONABLE HINTS.

This is the season when many things will re-
quire re-potting. Many have a set time and
season 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.
Camellias, Azaleas, and many plants, for in-
stance, 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 readily to escape, by put-
ting broken crocks 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 as small a pot as it
can be got into; and when 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 rem-
edy. Tobacco smoke is still the most approved
mode of destroying green fly and thrip.

In window culture tobacco smoke cannot very
well be used in rooms, but plants may be put under
a tub few at a time, and by the help of fumigators,
now common in most florists' stores, the smoke
may be injected. Some plants are injured by
too heavy doses of smoke. It is better to give a
light dose on two successive nights. Whenever
fine, warm days occur, the plants, if insect-cov-
ered, may be taken out of the windows, laid on
their sides on the grass, and thoroughly
syringed.

Plants in hanging baskets often suffer from
too much water if in glazed or earthen ware, or
from too little, if the basket be of wire, or some
other open material. There is nothing more
difficult than to tell to another how or when to
water plants. It is a matter that can only be
well learned by experience. We are often asked
for a list of good basket plants. In this part of
the world almost anything that wrill grow in a
greenhouse is made to do service in baskets.
Those we most commonly meet with now-a-days
are Othonna crassifolia, Ivy-leaf Geranium, vari-
ous varieties of evergreen Ivy, Begonias in nu-
merous varieties ; Ice-plants, especially Mesem-
bryanfhemum crystallinum, M. cordifolium,
and M. spectabile, Abutilon vexillarium pictum,
Acorus gramineus, Duranta Baumgartneri,
Cuphea platy centra, Cineraria maritima, Cen-
taurea gymnocarpa and ragusina; various dwarf
Palms, such as Palmettos, Cereus speciosissimus,
C. flagelliformis and C. Jenkinsonii, Ficus stipu-
lata, Gelsemium nitidum (advertised in our
last by Mr. Barker), Muhlenbeckia complanata
and platyphylla, Mahernia odorata, Kenilworth
Ivy, Money-wort, Wandering saxifrage, Sweet
Alyssum, Mignonette, Petunias, Lobelia, Helio-
trope, Reineckia carnea, Rondoletia anomale,
Peristrophe angustifolia, Pilea muscosa, Pepero-
mia maculosa, Nierembergia gracilis, Oxalis

1871.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

41

floribunda and multiflora, Chinese Primrose,
Tradescantias, Santolina incana, Artemisia
stellaris, Torenia Asiatic;!, Lophospermum scan-
dens. This last is one of the oldest plants we

have under culture, remarkably easy to take
care of, usually very free from insects, and is in
flower almost at any time, when growing,
throughout the year. Yet it is* very seldom
seen. In the hope of making it more popular,
we give a representation of it.

POT DRAINAGE.

BY J. M.

Probably experience has long since satisfied
most of your readers in regard to this question
which has again been raised in the Monthly. It
cannot be said that all pots must be drained,
though the rule to do so is correct. In many
florists' establishments where such plants as
Verbenas and Geraniums are grown largely, the
pots are not drained, as the growth is rapid from
from cuttings to plants, and the pots will often
fill with roots in a few weeks. If such pots were
drained, the benefits though still attained, would
perhaps be unperceived in such a short time.
But what plants like, is to have the water
drain off as quickly as possible, and this is what
the crocks in pots are for. Quick drainage is an
essential in plant culture. In the Spring or
Summer time when the sun is hot, plants in
small pots will take up the water in the soil very
quickly, and at such times the crocking may be
omitted. But in regard to collections of plants,
no worse system could be adopted. So liable
are such plants as Camellias and Oranges to be
injured by under drainage, that at all times they
require care to keep them healthy. There ,is
positive injury to plants whenever water cannot

freely pass away. Drainage enables us to water
with less discrimination, which is quite an object
where many thousands have to be done. With
pot-drainage our plants are healthier and safer,
under ordinary circumstances, just as the farmer's
crops are when he drains his land on which water
is apt to lie.

[Sound doctrine. — Ed. G. M.]

"FORCING TENDER ROSES."

BY BENJAMIN GREY, DEDHAM, MAPS.

Under the above heading your corres-
pondent, "W. J.," in the December number
of the Gardener's Monthly, criticises an article
which I had in the August number of that
magazine ; and without wishing to occupy too
much space, I should like to take exception to
some of his remarks.

He seems to think that Roses would be grown
not forced, by the method given ; but well-grown
Roses may be forced at pleasure ; and the method,
which he is pleased to call my method, is also
that of several of the best growers of first-class
Roses around Boston and New York— this I
know from personal observation.

The days being short in December, it requires
double the time to make a given amount of
growth that it does in Spring, and the "commer-
cial men " who wait until a week before Christ-
mas, to produce .their Christmas Roses, will
surely have " troubled faces," and I find that
their facial contortions usually result from a
knowledge of the fact that they will have to burn
more coal. The wood intended to produce the
Christmas crop should be grown in October and
November, when a house placed in almost any
position would get sun enough, and the buds
should be set on the bushes by the fore part of
December; the application of a little extra fuel
would then make success reasonably certain, and
give a fine crop of well colored buds.

It is well known that the Safrano, which is the
variety most extensively grown for market,
delights in a temperature of 50 to 55°, rather
than one much higher; and that the Bon Silene,
which comes next, loses much of its deep color
under the hot sun of the advancing season, and
it then becomes questionable whether a house
built at " an angle of 55° or more," to catch the
sun rays when there are no sun rays to catch,
and which, construct it as you will must be high
and contain much space difficult to heat, is an
advantage after all. I would recommend 40 or

42

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

45°, not more, and this would be as great an
angle as that at which most houses are built.

" W. J." says, " a forcing-house for Roses should
always face south." It would be better to have
it face a little east of south ; getting the morning
sun, which is generally conceded to be most
beneficial. And this is why I consider a house
facing east and west better; prefering to have
the sun early and moderate for eight hours ;
avoiding airing, and dispensing the delightful
growing temperature which such a situation
would give, rather than four or five hours strong,
and necessitating the use of the ventilators.

" W. J." must not suppose that the writer allows
his bushes to get into bad condition, merely for
the pleasure of tying them down ; but as a prac-
ticing gardener it has been my fortune to take
one or two situations where through neglect the
bushes had got into a bad state ; and, at a season,
November, when to cut them to break the lower
buds, would have been a ruinous proceeding;
and by pegging them down I secured a fine crop
for the Winter, which my employers informed
me excelled any crop the houses had ever given.
It is for such cases, or where bushes get too high
for the low houses in which they are sometimes
planted, that the practice becomes particularly
useful, and for such cases the idea was given.
After the buds break, the old parts may be cut
out and the pegs removed. To cut the head of
a rose bush— divest it of all its leaves, and expect
it to break strons: shoots from half ripened
stumps of canes, is a species of vandalism that
would never be practiced, and an expectation
that would never be entertained' by any sound
practical gardener. Plants grown in pots may
have well-ripened wood, and will stand more
severe pruning than those in the border.

The varieties recommended in the former article
" may " and should " be kept in shape by skillful
pruning." As I did not intend giving any full
" method " for " Forcing Roses," but only to offer
a few suggestions, vide opening paragraph of
article in question, I did not particularize on
the treatment suited to the different sorts named.
Marechal Niel is a strong growing climber, and
does well, trained near the glass, on a back wall,
or to stakes or trellises across the border, if not
placed so as to give much shade. Safrano, Bon
Silene and Isabella Sprunt may be grown in the
same house ; but as Bon Silene likes more heat,
it should be placed at the warm end. Yellow
Tea and Niphitos require more heat than the
above named sorts ; and as they do not grow so

strong, may be grown on the shelf over the pipes.
Souvenir de la Malmaison, I think gives better
colored buds in Winter when grown in pots,
although it does well when planted as the others.
The buds are impatient of excessive moisture,
which spoils the outer petals in dull weather.

I have drawn my conclusions after years of
close observation and practice as a Rose Grower
for the Boston and New York markets, where I
have disposed of thousands of buds grown on
my own account, and also as manager for other
commercial establishments.

All due deference for the opinions of " W. J.,"
which he has a perfect right to hold and advo-
cate ; and I believe that equally desirable results
may be obtained by different methods, under
proper management.

CULTIVATION OF THE ZONALE GERANIUM
FOR EXHIBITION.

BY H. CORBETT.

The few remarks I have to set before your
readers concerning the cultivation of this old
favorite plant, may seem simple to some, but
may be of interest to younger readers. Having
grown plants for exhibition in England, and set
the ball rolling on the same style in this country
in the far west of Kansas, I will do my best in
giving my system.

The Geranium is one of our finest bedding
plants, and makes as good a show for Fall in-
door decoration ; so I think a few plants (grown
as plants) some four feet in diameter, are well
worth having. A cutting struck in Fall, can by
the next Fall be grown into a plant, three to
four feet through. Some people may say it is an
easy matter to grow a Geranium ; but to grow
even a Geranium for exhibition, and bring it
to perfection, needs skill and practice. I prefer
one year old, strong, bushy plants. Take them
in February or beginning of March, and shake
off all the old soil, removing a part of the roots;
then pot in good soil, and into as small a pot as
possible, giving no water until all the soil becomes
dry. Then cut your plants close in, so as to
leave about two buds on a shoot. Give them
a good soaking of water, and they will all
break regularly. Keep them now in a small
greenhouse, as close to the glass and as cool as
possible, so as not to let them suffer, and by
Spring you may re-pot them to a seven-inch pot,
using equal parts of loam, leaf mould and cow

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

43

manure, with a small portipn of sand worked
through. The seven -inch pots will be large
enough to grow a fine specimen some four feet
through. Then you can commence to arrange
a trellis by placing a piece of wire around under
the rim of the pots. Then take three sticks,

keeping them trained around. Do not let the
shoots run straight out, as they break so much
better by training them around. Shut up early
of an afternoon, throwing liquid manure water
between the plants, to give the foliage a healthy
appearance. After the pots get full of roots,

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placing them at equal distances, laying them flat
across the top of the pot, and then fasten them
to the wire around under the rim to hold them
into position. You may now place them out in
a cold frame on the north side of the building,

give them liquid manure water every other
watering, and your plants will break regularly
at every eye. Do not stop them while there is
room on the trellis, as I find stopping a bad
practice. Bring them out gradually to the sun

44

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[February,

about six weeks before they are needed, and
then allow the flowers to come on, and you will
by six weeks have a fine show of Geranium
flowers and plants some three feet through.
Should you think this worthy of a place in your
Monthly, I may give you more of my experience
in stove and greenhouse plants, graperies, &c.

[We value this article very highly, and should
be much pleased with more of such. Skill in
plant growing, at least the evidences of it has
been very rare of late, and yet there is nothing
which gives so much pleasure as well grown
plants.— Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Orchid Culture. — In our country the culture
of these plants has not extended very much be-
cause of an idea that they require costly houses
and great care. In our experience in various
parts of the country, we have noted that the
most expensive arrangements have generally
been the greatest failures, and in many places a
large number of kinds seem to do with less care
than ordinary greenhouse plants. The flowers
are not merely odd, but generally beautiful, and
mostly emit a delightful fragrance. In a good
collection there are always more or less in
flower, so that an orchid house is always a source
of great delight. Another interesting point is that
in many parts of Europe when an orchid grower
dies his plants always bring more than he paid
for them. They grow in value with age. We
suppose it is not so here yet, because orchid
growers hardly know where to find one another ;
but it will be so one of these days. In the hope
of encouraging their growth we give an engrav-
ing of a beautiful one, for which we are indebted
to Mr. Wm. Bull. See cut p. 43.

Maiden Hair Ferns.— Notwithstanding their
seemingly delicate structure, we have noted lately
that they seem among the most successful of
ferns as window plants. There is a vast variety
among the genus (Adiantum) to choose from.

Gas and Oil Light.— The papers tell us that
some towns have rebelled against heavy gas bills
and other gas annoyances, and have taken to
using coal oil. Those who think this a misfortune
have at least this consolation, that they can have
flowers of all kinds in oil-lit rooms, when they
can have none, except by special contrivances,
in rooms where coal gas is burned. And then it

is healthier, for if a plant die in a certain atmos-
phere it cannot be good for mankind either.

NEW PLANTS.

Double Poinsetta. — We have from H. A.
Dreer, Philadelphia, a head of the Double Poin-
setta, showing how very great is the improve-
ment over the old kind. The " doubleness " con-
sists in a greatly increased number of the scar-
let bracts which, as most of our readers know,
are not the real flowers.

Golden Maiden Hair Fern. — Everybody
knows the beautiful Gymnogrammas, or Golden
Ferns. It is said that a Golden Maiden Hair
Fern has appeared in England, but we suppose
it is with yellowish leaves, and not colored scales,
as in ordinary Golden Ferns.

Winter Flowering Carnations.— It ought
not be forgotten by those who want these for
flowering next winter, that the cuttings ought to
be put in now. The plants are grown in the
ground all summer, and have to be lifted in the
Fall carefully to be put into pots.

Fuchsia procumbens. — We were pleased to
note this plant offered by one of our advertisers
last month. We did not know it was in the
country. It is said to be remarkable in having
the flowers erect, which is peculiar in a Fuchsia.

Azalea Indica,Empereur du Bresil. — A splen-
did novelty, flowers very large, very double,
quite a perfection of form. The color of the
finest pure rose, each petal bordered with a
broad pure white band, whilst the whole of the
petals are striped lavishly with bright rose and
white. The upper lobe is elegantly blotched
with brownish red, adding a good deal to the
distinction of this really fine new flower. It is
no doubt the finest and most distinct variety
ever sent out since the introduction of the
Azalea Souvenir du Prince Albert, and like that
variety it will be duly appreciated by all lovers
of this splendid tribe of plants. Azalea Empe-
reur du Bresil is a sport of the fine double white
Azalea Reine du Portugal, so favorably known
now as a first-rate variety. — Verschqffelt.

Triomphe des Doubles Blancs Azalea. —
This is undoubtedly the finest and best double
white Azalea ever sent out. The flowers are
much larger, much finer, more double, and of a
purer white than even in the fine variety Reine

1817.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

45

du Portugal. The petals are large, round to
perfection, slightly undulated, crisped ; the cen-
tre is occupied by a tuft of pseudo-petals of the
purest white. A very free flowering double
white variety, which will be grown by thousands
for the trade, and become a general favorite. —
Verschaffelt.

QUERIES.

Starting Cyclamens. — C. S. W., Hartford,
Connecticut, writes : — " I should be glad if Mr.
Meehan, or some one equally competent,
would contribute to the Monthly a short ar-
ticle setting forth the best way of starting
Cyclamens outside of a greenhouse. It is a plant
that I am quite attached to, but I have always
had to give my bulbs to a florist to start for me,
never having been able to do it myself, and this
I should be very glad to avoid if possible."

[We are always glad to get inquiries like these,
as we can help many others who may be under
similar difficulties. There is no more beautiful
window plant than the Cyclamen, and it is well
worthy of any trouble one may take to have it
in perfection. The annexed illustration shows
one fairly grown, and window cultivators may
expect to reach this excellence.

As to starting it, the trouble comes from dry-
ing off too much. There is no reason why they
should be dried at all in window culture. Keep
watering a little all through the season, and they
will start at the proper time. They require some
little warmth, and this can be helped by placing
the bulbs with the pots in a warm part of the
room. It does not make much difference if the
part is not very light, so that it is warm ; but as
soon as the young leaves are visible, it must
then be removed to alight place. — Ed. G. M.]

Trees for Protecting Greenhouses. — G. G. S.,
Boston, Mass., writes: — "Please oblige by letting
me know which kind of fruit trees would be
best to plant to protect my greenhouses from
the cold northwest wind, as I would like them
better than pine, spruce, larch, &c."

[You cannot have the trees too near the green-
houses, or icicles will blow from them in winter
and break the glass. The cherry is one of the
most rapid growing fruit trees, and would soon
make a screen ; but the pear does so well about
Boston that we would be disposed to try them.
The Bartlett would, on the whole, be the best
variety, as it grows moderately fast in compari-
son with some others. The Clapp's Favorite
and Flemish Beauty are also rapid growers. —
Ed. G. M.]

Red Spider. — " Florist," Des Moines, Iowa,
says: — "In the December Gardener's Monthly,
speaking of when the red spider becomes an
army with banners, more scientific approaches
must be made to give any show of success." Now,
would you please state some of those 'scientific
approaches?' It is a subject in which I am
somewhat interested, and probably others are,
for in early Spring, when the sun gets hot, and
the greenhouse very warm, it is impossible to
subdue the little insect by any means of ventila-
tion, or sprinkling, showering or squirting of
water through the hose. By all means give us
a chapter on the red spider and how to destroy
him."

[Sulphur used freely is one of the best reme-
dies against red spider. Many good gardeners
wash their flues with sulphur, and the vapor is
quite sufficient to keep the red spider down.
This vapor does not injure the plants. If, how-
ever, the sulphur take fire, sulphuric acid is
formed, which will destroy both animal and veg-
etable life. In some houses it is customary to
have sulphur strewn on «heet iron or tin plates,
exposing it to the full sun, and this makes vapor
enough to keep the red spider down. In the
early stages of their appearance sulphur in the
water used in syringing does good. For, although
.the sulphur is not of course dissolved in the
'water, yet some of the particles of sulphur get
distributed with the water. Linseed oil may be
dissolved in chalk or dry clay and then dissolved
in water. After it has settled it will be found
that oil mixes with water enough to be disa-
greeable, and this water used in syringing proves
very disgusting to the red spider. — Ed. G. M.]

46

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

®

RUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

There is no longer any doubt that one of the
worst foes to grape culture in this country has
been the Phylloxera, a minute insect which
feeds on the roots, and thus seriously impairs
the nutritive power of the plant. With its vital
resources obstructed, it falls an easy prey to
fungi and other destructive agencies, which are
ever on the look-out for something to prey on
that is weaker than themselves. It is well
known that some seasons are not so favorable
for insect life as others. Either the natural ene-
mies of the insect abound, and keep them down,
or some climatic interference is against them,
and in those seasons the plants get along better.
This seems to have been the case with the grape
the past few years. In spite of the Phylloxera,
and all other enemies, the grape has done re-
markably well the past few years, and we are
coming to look on it as, ascertain a crop, on the
whole, as the average of fruits. A few years
since, we had to say to our readers that it was
useless to rely on many other kinds but Concord
and Clinton. These grapes have very branching,
fibrous roots, and there are generally enough es-
cape the Phylloxera to keep up a tolerable healthi-
ness. But we can now rely on others tolerably well,
and such well-proved kinds as Delaware, Diana,
Salem, Martha, and others of about the same
historic age, find frequent planters. The new
kinds, such as Brighton, Lady, Elmira, and other
candidates for popular favor, find purchasers in
goodly numbers, and the whole prospect of
grape improvement and progress is encouraging.
It is well to remember that the grape likes a
dryish soil, rich earth, and likes to send its roots
out into cool places when the summer is warm.

The rule, in pruning grapevines, is to shorten
the shoots in proportion to their strength ; but
if the advice we have given in former summer
hints has been attended to, there will be little
disproportion in this matter, as summer pinch-
ing of the strong shoots has equalized the strength
of the vine. Those who are following any par-
ticular system, will, of course, prune according
to the rules comprising such system. As a gen-
eral rule, we can only say, excellent grapes can
be had by any system of pruning ; for the only

object of pruning in any case is to get strong
shoots to push where they may be desired, or to
increase, with the increased vigor of the shoot,
which pruning supposes will follow the act, in-
creased size in the fruit it bears.

Of the Fruit Garden for February we may say
in a general way — Raspberries and Blackberries
may be planted towards the end of the month ;
they should be cut down to within a foot of the
ground at planting; they will of course, not then
bear the next season after planting. But this is
a benefit; no fruit tree should be allowed to bear
the same season. In planting these have a care
of deep planting. Even two inches lower than
the roots are, is often fatal. Plant on a dry day,
barely cover the roots ; but beat or press the
soil very hard and firm.

As to the best varieties of fruits to plant, that
is a question which a work, intended as ours is
for the whole United States, cannot answer.
We are continually publishing fruit lists adapted
to the different sections in the body of our work,
and to them we refer.

One of the most interesting parts of a vege-
table 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 mamire, 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. Tomatoes, egg-plants, peppers and cu-
cumbers, 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 crops. The Cauliflower is
a particularly valued vegetable, and no expense
spared to get them in perfection will be regretted
when one's efforts are successful.

Those who have hot-beds will now sow toma-
toes, egg-plants, peppers, and other vegetables
that can be forwarded by this means; and those
who have not, will sow them in boxes or pans,
and forward them in windows. Every garden

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

47

ought to have at least a few hot-bed sashes to
forward early vegetables ; for if they have no
means of applying artificial heat to them, the
sash will of itself forward some things consider-
ably.

About the middle or end of the month, or still
later at 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 anxiety to have early crops, people
often work the ground while it is wet. But
nothing is gained, not until it will powder when
it is dug, is it fit for turning up.

C0M3WNIGA TIONS.

PLAN FOR A SMALL VEGETABLE HOUSE.

BY W. T. BELL, FRANKLIN, PA.

Thinking that my reply to the following letter,
might be of interest to some of your readers, I
send you a copy for publication :

"Dear Sir: — Seeing your article on Green-
house Furnaces, in August number of Recorder,
I take the liberty to ask you a few questions on
the subject.

"I have grown plants for sale, for the last two or
three years, under glass, with good success. I
started tomato plants in the house last season,
and had them quite early for market; but the
little hands are growing, and I am afraid to risk
them there again.

" I purpose to put up a small greenhouse, and
am ignorant of the best plan to build one; and
would like to ask you if the following plan is a
good one.

"I think about 21 feet by 10 feet, would be
large enough. I purpose to dig it out the
above size, and wall up with boards, about two
feet above the ground; and have the middle of
the roof about two feet higher than the sides ;
with a cistern for water, about eight feet square,
and three feet deep.

" Now, should the cellar for the furnace be five
or six feet below the floor of the house, or that
depth from the top of the ground? What size
glass is best for the sash ? Is one foot fall enough
for the roof, or would more be better? Would it
do to have a coal-stove in the house, instead of a
furnace? As I wish to grow only vegetables for
early marketing; commencing to fire about
February 1st. Will you give me your idea on the

above, or give me your plan for the purpose?

Yours, etc., ,

— , Md."

If I wished to build a vegetable house of the
size you mention, I would make it on the surface
of the ground; boarding up the sides with rough,
cheap lumber, nailed to posts set into the ground,
and bank up with earth nearly to the eaves.

This would make a warm house, and it would
be drier than if excavated. If you have no shed
at the end of your building, and do not need a
cellar in connection with your greenhouse, dig a
pit at one corner of the house, outside, large
enough to give room to work your fire, put a
roof over the pit, and proceed to make your fur-
nace and flue, as mentioned in the article you
refer to.

If you expect to use a fuel that will not choke
the flue, build the flue along one side of the
house, across the end, and return along the other
side, to the chimney. Have door to greenhouse,
in end, directly under the comb of roof; and
benches along each side, with a narrow space at
back of bench, to allow the warm air to pass up
behind the bench. The sash should be made, not
less than lh inches thick, without cross bars, ex-
cept at top and bottom, and should be painted
before being glazed.

Double-strength glass is the cheapest to use;
which should be bedded in putty, and securely
fastened with large glazier's tacks. Glass 8x10
inches, is a good size to use, placing the long way
of the glass with the long way of the sash. The
slope of the roof, should be not less than what
carpenters call a quarter pitch, to carry off the
water properly.

If you are well supplied with water, on your
premises, I would not make a cistern in green-
house, as a barrel of water standing under one
of your benches would last you two or three
days. A coal-stove in your greenhouse would
not prove satisfactory.

I hope the hints I have given above, may be of
service to you, for the sake of the little hands you
mention, if for. nothing else.

DECAYING PEAR AND APPLE TREES.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

Let no one cut down such, as " cumberers of
the ground ;" there is yet wonderful vigor in their
bark and limbs. But they want your "help to
their infirmities." Thereby good kinds will yield

48

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

us luscious crops for years, before the young tree
in its stead, matures into bearing. If the fruit of
the old tree is not choice, graft good kinds into
its sound shoots and limbs. They give return
on such, much sooner than on young trees. The
pear and apple, especially, reward our kindly
help to their waning powers.

But do your work with thoughtful care. A good
deal of chisel and mallet surgery must be used.
The horse-shoers foot-knife is therefore in parts a
very useful tool. But all your cutting and saw-
ing and cleansing must be followed by the very
choicest culture and tree food, top dressed. The
right method and scope of the work can best be
shown by examples.

Twenty-five years ago, I came to live on an
ancient homestead, full of old fruit trees. Among
them was a venerable Harvest Pear, Annie Jo-
hannot, going to the bad. Its limbs were de-
cayed and tumbling. One side of its trunk was
gone. The whole heart wood worm-eaten and
rotten. The half shell left of its body had only
about three inches of bark and sound wood. Yet
it was still making vigorous growth of stout
young shoots. With gouge-chisel and mallet, I
dug out all the worm-eaten and deca}'ed wood,
covered the sound wood beneath with thick paint,
and stopped all the holes of ants or borers. All
unthrifty and rotten limbs I lopped off. Then
wide around the tree, with lavish hand, I spread
on the top surface rich manure. The sound
limbs I grafted with choice pears.

Under this thorough surgery, food and nur-
ture, the old thing about to be turned into the
wood pile, has grown and flourished with abun-
dant return for my care. Thus for twenty-five
years, it has been a comfort and most useful test-
place to get quick returns for good fruits, old
or new.

The same regimen will win for the apple
trees like rewards. I never had one quite as bad
off as that old Harvest Pear. But lots of them
with hollow trunks, and great rotted and worm-
eaten limb-holes. The way to serve such, is to
dig and scoup out all the decay. Somehow, get
down to the solid wood ; then fill the holes with
good hydraulic cement, and where very large,
mix and pack into the cement, with an iron rod,
a lot of sharp small st«nes. Fill plump to the
surface. Let the edges of the cavity be brought
close to the bark. It will then gradually curl in
and heal over the edge, and sometimes the whole
wound. Yon thus shut out moisture, air, and
all the nameless things that live and fatten on

decay. An old tree so saved, is worth a half
dozen young fellows, for whose show of fruit you
must wait for years. You will find the process
of waste and rot to stop, and your tree start
ahead with the vigor almost of a renewed
youth. Still "ilfaut la jeunesse — a little of that
youth you recall by your care.

DISEASE IN PEARS.

BY BEURRE, LOUISIANA, MO.

The writer has been much interested in the
perusal of Prof. Brainard's views on Pear blight,
but more so in examining your comments upon
his theory. If not out of place, you will please
answer the following questions, viz. : Is the
disease called blight, in your section the same
that proves so destructive to our trees in the
West? Does not starvation have something to
do with the disease in the East, as well as in the
West? Every season shows us here that sound
trees of hardy sorts, planted in well-drained soil,
properly cultivated for three years and the sur-
face supplied with proper plant food, do not
blight, or more properly starve. Pear trees die
here, and they usually commence dying at the
extremities, turning black, as death proceeds
downwards. An occasional spot is discovered
on the trunk of a tree which seems to be other-
wise sound. This spot if examined with a lens
when not more than one-quarter of an inch in
diameter, will be found to have a puncture in the
centre, probably made by some misguided insect
which oviposits in a tree that does not furnish
proper food for its young, as no larvae have been
discovered in the affected part in this section.
The poisonous egg dissolves very soon, and ex-
tends rapidly until it becomes too much diluted
to decompose more sap. The dead bark remains
stationary, while the living bark around the poi-
soned spot swells out, leaving a depression. If the
dead portion extends half around the limb or
trunk, it usually kills, with us. It will probably
be objected, that the instinct of injurious insects
is perfect, and that the provident mother never
oviposits in the bark of trees that do not furnish
food for the young larva;. To this objection it may
be safely said that instinct in insects, in many in-
stances, proves to be imperfect. The snout beetle
called curculio, will not climb a plum tree, the
limbs of which rub against the side of a build-
ing, or where vibratory sounds are produced by
wires stretched from tree to tree. The sounds
will not injure him, but his imperfect instinct

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

49

admonishes him to keep a safe distance from
such trees. By scarring the sound edges of the
bark ar jund the sunken portion in the month of
June, the diseased spot will soon grow over and
the tree is not apparently injured. When the
limbs of recent growth commence to turn black
with us, and we remove portions of bark, th»
whole shoot is found to be drying up, and no
slimy, decomposed sap can be found, while all
eastern writers claim that by breaking the bark
a slime or mucilaginous substance will at once
ooze out, and string down to the ground.

These two opposite symptoms would seem to
indicate a different cause of death. Out of several
thousand Pear trees in my own bearing orchard
but one has been killed by spot blight within
the last five years, while seven have starved to
death. Those trees that were sound when
planted, and supplied with plant food in abun-
dance are sound, and even the intense freezing
of 1872, which congealed the mercury here, did
not break down the tissues of the sap vessels of
certain hardy sorts. Forest trees were worse
crippled that winter than Pear trees, so that in
this section the " frozen sap blight " theory won't
do; particularly when it is remembered that
the Autumn was warm till quite late, and the
freeze came upon us suddenly. It seems to the
writer not difficult to prove that the main cause
of the destruction of this noble tree in the West
is starvation. The same cause may operate to
some extent in the East. But to handle this
much vexed question with comfort to the reader,
the earthy matter contained in the wood, hark
and fruit, as well as the peculiar appetite of the
tree must he placed before him.

[The Fire Blight in the East, is just the same as
that in the West. Situation makes no difference
— soil makes no difference — system of culture
makes no difference. It comes to any and all
trees, once in a while wholly unexpected, and
leaves the locality often as suddenly as it came.
Trees which die gradually from the tips down-
wards, are not suffering from " Fire blight," but
from some other disease. There are many sources
of disease — many symptoms. Under some cir-
cumstances the sap does freeze, and then "frozen
sap blight " is a reality. — Ed. G. M.]

TWO GOOD PEARS.

BY J M. H., DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

It is often with fruit growers as with those of
other occupations, the things that have proved

good, and are really valuable are often overlooked
or crowded aside to make room for some new
claimant for public attention. Often the new
article or fruit takes the lead for a while, but
soon disappears and is wholly lost sight of.
Pear cultivators in this vicinity are apt to set
too many new varieties for profit — those that
have not been fully proved. And I wish to com-
mend to the cultivators of the northern portions
of our country, through the Gardener's Monthly,
.two Pears which have been tested and are suited
to the North. These are the Buffum and the
Sheldon, both of them pears of American origin,
and two as good varieties as have been produced
in America. The Buffum, if it were a little
larger, would certainly rank with the best of
pears. The tree is a fine grower, forms a regular
head, and is highly ornamental in any orchard.
The Sheldon is a fruit that cannot be surpassed
amongst pears. The tree does not make so regular
and symmetrical a head, yet it is as hardy as the
Buffum. These two Pears are worthy the atten-
tion of fruit growers, and if more attention were
paid to these, we should not hear so much of
the failure of pears on account of the severe
winter.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Fruit Synonyms. — It is time Europe had an

association similar to our American Pomological
Society. For want of such, Europe is bothered
with synonyms. A recent writer tells us that
there the May Duke Cherry has] sixty-two
different appellations, and Queen Hortense has
thirty-two; Peaches, Grosse Mignonne, fifty-
one; of the Pears, Doyenne d'Hiver, fifty-six,
and Catillac, sixty-eight. The two familiar va-
rieties of Grapes, Frankenthal (Black Ham-
burgh), and Chasselas de Fontainebleau (Boyal
Muscadine), have fifty-five and forty-one syn-
onyms respectively.

Thinning Fruit. — We have always contended
that a man who makes fruit growing a business,
and allows his trees to be injured by overbearing
ought to suffer. It has been objected against us
that thinning does not pay,— but A. £v Dyck-
man, who has extensive Peach orchards at South
Haven, Mich., gives the Horticultural Society of
that place the following account, in substance, of
his mede of thinning the crop : A part of the
thinning is effected by pruning, when this is
needed. The cost is about five cents per bushel,

50

TEE GARDENER'S MONT ELY

[February,

and the market price is often doubled by the
operation. The rule is to leave one peach on a
shoot six inches long, and two on a limb a foot
long. Make the spaces between them as even as
practicable. For this purpose it is often neces-
sary to remove nine-tenths. Finish one branch
at a time ; work from the centre of the tree. It
saves labor at the regular picking, assorting and
packing. Another important advantage is, in
preventing the exhaustion of the trees. The
work is done soon after the fruit sets.

Vegetable Eatixg. — We often fancy foreign-
ers misrepresent us, but if so, it is no more than
the fate of all nations. We have been reading
recently a report on English Gardening, by Dr.
Mertens to the Belgian Government, in whichhe
says the English grow "hardly any vegetables
but Rhubarb and Seakale, and these they greedily
devour."

Peach Disease ix Califorxia. — The yellows
do not appear to be troublesome to a Californian
Peach orchard, but the curl is a fearful pest.

Peach Disease ix the South. — A correspon-
dent of Our Home Journal, writes of a mysterious
disease which attacks the Peach trees down there.
As the lowest temperature is seldom more than
5° below freezing point, it cannot be from cold.
Tie says : — " Many of the trees are dead, root and
branch. Some are dead down to the roots, from
which a few suckers are springing up, from each
of which I mean to train up one to see what it
will do. The trees that are not dead have a
sickljr and wilted look — scarcely any leaves, and
perhaps half a dozen peaches to the tree.

My orchard is on the warm, southern slope of
a sandy ridge or tongue of high land, projecting
into the salt marsh, with water on both sides,
and sheltered on the north by a heavy growth of
live oak and magnolia. The sap flows early, but
I have never known the fruit germs killed by
frost. And this season, as I have said, two-thirds
of my trees have exhibited no signs of life at any
time, and now stand leafless and sapless."

Amkrh an" Blackberries ix England. — With
their knowledge limited to the wild fruit of
the hedges, it is no surprise that the English,
wonder at tin; popularity here of our improved
sorts. But one who has tried the Lawton in
England, writes to the London Journal of Horti-
culture, thai it is really "delicious."

TheCornish Gilliflower. -Early in December

we saw a barrel of this variety on sale in Phila-

delphia, the first time we had seen it in many
years, and were really surprised to find how
superior was its excellence. The vendor could
give no guess as to the locality it originally
started from.

We are reminded of this sort now by a beauti-
ful engraving in the Garden, which gives the
following account of its history : — "As far as I can
remember (says Mr. Boscawen), a certificate was
given to Sir C. Hawkins, of Trewithan, Cornwall,
in the year 1822 or 1823 by the Horticultural
Society of London for fruits of this apple. Sir
C. Hawkins found it in a cottage garden near
Truro. It is my opinion that it is a seedling
from a very old Cornish variety called the Spice
Apple. There are two, if not three seedlings
from it in Cornwall — one at Mr Richard Boli-
tho's, in Penzance, which is earlier than the one
I sent you, but not so good. I have heard of an-
other, but can't say anything about it. The
apples I sent were from a graft of the original
apple at Trewithan, and therefore is the true
Gilliflower, or July Flower, as it is sometimes
called. The name, I believe, was given in conse-
quence of its scent being like that of a Gilli-
flower Carnation. I have found the apple easily
cultivated, not only in Cornwall, but in the Mid-
land Counties. One year when the crop failed
in Cornwall, apples were sent down here from
Berkshire quite as fine, if not finer than those
usually grown in Cornwall. This apple likes an
eastern aspect, and must be pruned carefully, as
the blossom buds are at the ends of the shoots.
It keeps well, and is ripe about the end of
November.

The Baldwix Apple. — The American Cultiva-
tor, says : " The original tree found in a wood, is
still standing on the Baldwin farm, at Woburn,
Mass. Loammi Baldwin was then the proprietor.

Cultivated Pixe Apples.— People accustomed
to the miserable stuff sold in the markets for
Pine Apples, have no idea of the delicious char-
acter of cultivated fruit, as grown by gardeners.
And yet because " Pines " can be bought cheaply,
t hey are seldom grown. At a recent meeting of
the London Horticultural Society there was an
award to Mr. Ross, Welford Park, Newbury, for
four smooth-leaved Cayenne Tine Apples, weigh-
ing respectively 7 His. -\\ ozs., 8 Bbs. 5 ozs., 9 tt>s.
2? o/.s , and lo ll>s. nl ozs. The suckers which
produced these fruits were potted in 6-inch pots
in June, 1875, and shifted into 11-inch pots in
April, 1876.

1877."'

AND HORTICULTURIST.

51

Exquisite Peach. — Mr. Tillery in the Florist
and Pomohgist, says : — " This A merican Peach is a
very noble one." Do any of our readers know
anything about it ? It is described as yellow
fleshed.

Fall Fruiting Strawberries. — How the
forced Strawberries to which we recently re-
ferred, were made to produce in the Fall so
freely, is thus told by the London Journal of
Horticulture :—" We have to-day, (November 14th)
seen a further supply of Strawberries from
Rabley. The fruit was perfectly ripe, medium-
sized, and well colored. The plants producing
this fruit were forced last year, and afterwards
planted in the open ground : on showing trusses
in the autumn the plants were again potted, and
two hundred of tiaem are now in full bearing,
and very valuable."

Hardiness of Wilson's Early Blackberry.
— The Country Gentleman says that this variety is
not hardy much farther north than Philadelphia.
We had no suspicion of this fact before, and
would like to know if it is the universal experi-
ence. Had we been asked, we should have
said it was as hardy as Lawton or any other
kind.

The Maine Grape. — This, which some years
ago correspondents of the Gardener's Monthly
showed was not different from Concord, is being
pushed again.

The English Walnut. — It would be interest-
ing to know how far north the English Walnut
matures. A correspondent of the Country Gen-
tleman, speaks of its doing very well in Essex
County, New Jersey, ten miles west of New York
City. "

Jerusalem Artichokes. — A correspondent of
a London paper wonders that " a plant so pro-
lific as the Jerusalem Artichoke, should receive
so little attention." We fancy the reason is,
that they who try th-em find they can do very
well without them. With port wine, drawn
butter, or some addition they make passable
eating, but are but poor at best.

NEW PLANTS.

The Japan Persimmon. — The Diospyros Kaki
has fruited the two past seasons in California.

Thb James Veitch Stawberry. — A Yorkshire
correspondent of the Garden, Mr. Lovel, Weaver-

thorpe, says,' " that among forty varieties of
strawberries which he grew last year, the largest
was James Veitch, eight fruits of which weighed
one pound. This season it took from seventeen
to 'eighteen to weigh one pound, a result partly
owing to the cold, frosty weather which we had
in May and June; so severe, indeed, was the
frost in June, that all the earliest bloom was de-
stroyed. The large fruits gathered in 1875 were
Cockscomb-shaped, not those of a globular or
conical form, which is the normal shape of this
variety. He noticed also in these large straw-
berries a great tendency to decay, if in contact
with the damp soil. He has gathered during
the past season very fine and large fruit from
Dr. Hogg, President, and Sir Joseph Paxton, all
first season plants. Many of the finest fruit of
these kinds weighed nearly one ounce each.
He considers these three varieties superior in
many respects to James Veitch, especially as
regards quantity and quality of fruit."

Captain Jack Strawberry. — This variety, in-
troduced by Mr. Samuel Miller, of Bluffton, Mo.,
proves of value East. Mr. Parry says it com-
pares favorably with Wilson's Albany in most
respects, and is of better quality.

French Pippin Apple — Under the name of
French Pippin, Mr. Youngken sends us fruit
remarkable for the great weight in proportion to
its size. It is but ten inches round, yet weighs
half a pound. With the exception of its stem,
which is rather longer than the apple and some-
what slender, it has very much the character of
the Fallowater, and Mr. Y. says that it has very
much of the wood and growth of that apple.
He thinks it in every way a superior kind to
Fallowater. An orchardist obtained a large
number of Fallowaters from a nurseryman named
Lukenbach, and this one appeared among the
number and is supposed to have " come from
France," "whence its name," and to have got
with the others by accident. It is too much like
Fallowater to sustain this view. It is most likely
one of these curious instances with which or-
chardists are now becoming familiar, of sudden
departures from the original type, independent
of seed agency ; but whether in consequence of
some hybrid influence between graft, and stock,
or some other law of change, is not well deter-
mined. We should like to know whether any body
has a ten inch apple that will weigh this much.
It seems to us that if such an apple as this had

52

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

fallen on old Newton's head, he would never
have been able to tell us of gravitation.

The Swenker Apple. — We have from Mr. J.
G. Younken, of Quakertown, Pa., specimens .of
this apple. He represents that it is a seedling
of some forty years ago, which appeared naturally
on the farm of Geo. Swenker, of Fdchlandtown.
As a rule we are opposed to any more new ap-
ples, unless they seem to have especial points of
merit,which this one appears to have. It is a hand-
somer looking apple than Bald\vin,and has a more
crisp and pleasant flavor. Mr. Y. reports that it
will bear bad usage well, and this is one of the
points supposed to belong to Baldwin especially.
The specimen before us is ten inches round, a
little depressed (9£ inches), tapering sharply to-
wards the apex, medium slender stem, small
closed calyx in a rather wide, shallow basin, and
of a deep red color, with splashes and stripes.
This is December 12, and it appears as if it
would keep for months yet.

QUERIES.

Grease for Pear Trees. — Mystic asks : —
" Some say fat will injure pear trees. Will fat,
or grease or dish-water from the sink, incorpor-
ated with the soil, injure trees or vines? If
beneficial in moderate quantities, is there dan-
ger in large quantities? "

[It is no doubt only the salt in the dish-water
that injures the trees. — Ed. G. M.]

The Sicilian Hazelnut. — J. C, Chelsea, Mass.,
writes : — " In the December number of the
monthly I find a communication from E. S. Ma-
son, Detroit, Mich., stating his experience with

the Sicilian nut. Having had an opportunity of
seeing them growing for some years past, in a
garden in this city, I may state that I have had
the general charge of the grounds for many
years past. The gentleman purchased one dozen
plants, it may be eight years ago; every one
lived, have grown vigorously, and for several
years back have borne a quantity of fruit, and
we think here that it is a superior nut, many of
them of extra size and quality ; many of the
trees are also now of good size. We have pro-
pagated many by suckers, some of them make
wood five feet long in one season."

Strawberries for Market. — J. S., Allegheny
City, Pa.: — " I am desirous of planting three
acres of strawberries this Spring for market pur-
poses. I have plants of Wilson's Albany, Mon-
arch of the West and Kentucky. Can I get any
better sorts ? I propose to plant three feet by
one. How much bone dust per acre, putting a
little to each plant? Your advice will be prized
by many readers of your valuable magazine."

[You would do better with the rows two feet
apart than three. The best varieties for market
depends very much on the method of culture.
Your old-time neighbor, Knox, found Jucunda
and Triomphe de Gand more profitable than
Wilson's by his system of culture. You
might add Chas. Downing to your good list. It is
a good "standby."— Ed. G. M.]

Name of Apples. — W. J. E., Indianapolis,
sends some very fine apples for name, the tree
supposed to have been brought from Ireland
originally. Some good judges, to whom we sub-
mitted them, pron it ounce "Ortley," but there
seems to us some points of difference. It is a
better apple than Ortley, as we generally see it.

lORESTRY.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Beech in Indiana. — S. M. Coulter says in
the Botanical Gazette that over one-third of all
the forest vegetation of Jefferson County, Ind.,
is of Fagus ferruginea.

Walndt fob Timber. — Californians seem in-
terested in timber culture, like the rest of the

world. The Pacific Rural Press says:— -" It has
been discovered by the farmers on the plains in
Solano and Yolo counties, says the Colusa Sun,
that the black walnut, although a native in this
State of the low lands, is better adapted to the
plains than any other tree. All residents of the
districts of country at the East where the walnut
grows, will remember that a walnut stump is the
very hardest to get rid of. It sends down a

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

53

longer tap root than any other tree, and hence
its perfect adaptability to our dry plains. The
walnut should be planted first where it is in-
tended to grow, as any transplanting is apt to
interfere with the proper growth of the tap root.
A large number of these trees have been planted
around Dixon, and from a conversation about it
with a gentleman fully posted, we concluded
that it was the very best thing our farmers could
do. The cost of the trees is almost nothing."

Foreign Trees.— Mr. Sargent writes to the
Massachusetts Ploughman, that after an experi-
ence in the foreign larches and American raised,
he finds that the home nurseries can supply
them 60 per cent, cheaper. If only our people
would show a disposition to encourage home
nurseries, this experience would be much more
common.

Premiums for Forests. — A correspondent of
the Massachusetts Ploughman recommends that
premiums should be given for the " best forests
on the poorest lands, within a specified time from
planting," as a means of finding out the best
trees for such situations.

Wild Cherry Timber. — A Massachusetts cor-
respondent of the Ploughman, referring to Cera-
sus serotina, says:—" You cannot have for many
purposes a better tree than the wild cherry, and
it is a rapid grower. It is found in all our for-
ests. And what is better or handsomer for the
interior work of houses and for cabinet work
than the wood of the butternut tree, and this, a
rapid grower on rocky soil as well as good, in
any part of our State ? "

Native Trees for Timber. — A correspondent
of the Massachusetts Ploughman, writing from
Wood's Hole, Mass., says : — "Now while there is
a great value in the Scotch larch, and it is a very
desirable tree to introduce, yet we have many
native trees that for all or most purposes, are
quite as valuable, and some more so. I have
planted some chestnuts (seedlings) and have
been astonished at their rapid growth. Yet this
tree is probably as good for railway cross-ties as
the larch, and for cabinet and some other pur-
poses better. Why not then encourage its re-
production ? "

Sweet Gum as Tan Bark.— One of the most
useless trees of the South, and yet one of the
most abundant, is the beautiful Sweet Gum,
Liquidambar styraciflua. In the last number of
the Monthly, reports of the Department of Agri-

culture, Mr. McMurtrie, the chemist of the de-
partment, says that the bark contains 8.36 per
cent, of tannic acid, which is more than any of
the oaks give, as per the same table which we
give below. The " Quercitron " we suppose is
Quercus tinctoria, and not " nigra," as therein
stated :

Per cent.

Ground sumac, (mix. d,) Winchester, Va 24.18

Sumac, (Rhus cotinus,) Hallsborough, Va 24.08

^umac, (Rhus glabra,) Georgetown, D. C 26.1

Leaves of sweet fern, (Comptonia aspleni folia,) near Boston,

Mass 9.42

Leaves of Polygonum amphibium, Nebraska 11.6

Ephedra antisyphilitica, table-lands of Arizona and Utah.... 11.9
Bark of sweet gum, (Liquidambar styraciflua,) District of

Columbia 8.36

Bark of red oak, (Quercus rubra.) Canton, 111 5.55

Bark of white oak, (Quercus alba,) Canton, III 7 85

Crushed quercitron bark, (Quercus nigra,) Winchester, Va. 6.47

Bark of Quercus coccinea, Canton, III 7.78

Bark of Quercus marcrocarpa. Canton, 111 ... 7.85

Bark of hemlock, (Abies canadensis,) Van Ettenville, N. Y. 9.5

QUERIES.

Range of the Tulip Tree. — An Ohio corres-
pondent inquires how far north this tree is found.
We believe that both it and its neighbor, the
Magnolia acuminata cross the lakes, and are
found sparingly in Southern Canada.

Eucalyptus in Ohio. — We have now an in-
quiry from a correspondent about making a
plantation of this in Ohio. Is it possible that
after all we have said about this in the Garden-
er's Monthly, there should be any reader of our
magazine who does not know that this tree will
endure no frost ?

Forests and Rain-fall. — " Bois," Woburn,
Mass., writes : — " I do not want to meddle much
with the controversy on this subject, but every
feather has its weight, and I will throw mine in.
I think there is no doubt that there are many
instances where streams have become dry of late
years — and there seems no reason to doubt that
the seasons are drier — that the rain is not so well
distributed, and that there is less snow. But I
regard it as due to an increase of forests instead
of a clearing off of land. In our State large
tracts have been left to grow up to timber that
was under culture 50 years ago. I am sure from
my own observations that while the forest area
of the State has increased at least twenty per
cent, in a half century, the rain-fall has gradually
diminished — or at least the rain does not fall as
regularly through the season as it used to do."

[Is this a fact that the forest area of Massachu-
setts is greater than it was? What says Prof.
Sargent?— Ed. G. M.}

54

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

*^3^}~->

ISTORY AND SCIENCE

COMMUNICA TIONS.

FACTS RELATIVE TO "RAINFALL AND THE
LAKES."

BY MR. E. HUPTELEN, LE ROY, GENESEE CO., N. Y.

In the November number of the Gardener §
Monthly, three copies of which have been sent
to me, in two of the same, I find the article
" Rain-fall and the Lakes," marked. It calls for
facts, of which I present a few that are quite
prominent. Western New York is watered by
several large streams, but they are gradually
drying away. Many small streams that once
helped to swell them, are not now to be found.
A dry stream-bed which crosses this farm, once
furnished power for a grist-mill. That was
about sixty years ago, when this section of coun-
try was nearly covered with timber. Now the
mill is in ruins and the stream is dry. For
thirty years I have lived by the side of it, and
have seen it diminish in exact proportion as the
timber was cut away around its source. A few
miles west of us is another dry mill, on what
used to be another stream. From a weather
journal I find that the summer showers from
June 1st to September 1st, have fallen off in
number 1\\ per cent, in thirty years.

"The Falls of Niagara have not decreased in
volume, neither have the waters of the Missis-
sippi diminished in any material degree," though
many of the smaller streams that once fell into
it near its mouth, have disappeared; and al-
though the waters of the upper lakes have not
gone down to a perceptible extent, Ontario,
which receives them all, has in fifty-six years
uncovered 18 7-12 feet of beach, and is still going
down, showing that its own tributaries are con-
stantly diminishing. When the country by
which the upper lakes are surrounded, becomes
as destitute of timber as that by which Ontario
is surrounded, their waters will diminish and
also those of the Mississippi.

Six thousand miles in the saddle, demoxstra-
ted to me thai the timber belts were the facti »ries
wherein were made the summer showers. The
Indians understand it, tor I said to one of them
that 1 would not, like to live in that country,
because it was so dry; and his response was,

" Much dry, no big bush, no rain big." This was
in the "far West and South-west," and the same
rule is being developed here.

[We hope people will plant trees. There is
profit in tree planting, and will be more. So far
as these meteorological matters are concerned,
it is well to remember that not one man in a
million is competent to decide where the " source"
of a stream is. We can tell where the water
issues from the ground — but it often runs hun-
dreds of miles beneath the surface before we see it.
Cutting away the trees along the banks of a
stream, can therefore have no possible influence
on the water at the " source." Geological rea-
sons have often much to do with a diminished
water supply. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Fertilization of Flowers through Insect
Agency. — There are signs that what we have re-
garded as extreme views about this matter, are
weakening. Some two j'ears ago, the general
one was, substantially that of Sprengel, who
nearly three-quarters of a century ago, declared
that nature does not intend any plant to be fer-
tilized by its own pollen. This view has been
held by many of our distinguished botanists.

In the Fall of 1S75, Prof. Asa Gray spoke on
the subject at the sixth semi-annual meeting of
the Holyoke Seminary, and is reported by the
Scientific Farmer to have said : — "All plants with
showy, fragrant, honey-bearing flowers, are
arranged for cross fertilization. Nature abhors
in-and-in breeding, and like a wise teacher
shuns the practice."

So widely had the idea taken root, that in cdl
plants, nature shunned the practice <>f in-and-
in breeding, that failure to produce seed became
generally attributed to a lack of certain insects;
and, because the first crop of clover in this coun-
try, and all crops of clover in New Zealand were
thought not to produce seed, it was supposed the
lack of insects was to blame, bast year humble-
bees were shipped to New Zealand, because the
tongues of the honey-bees were thought not long
enough to penetrate to the bottom of the
clover corolla tubes. The writer of this, so far as

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

55

he knows, stood alone in pointing out that many
of the supposed facts were erroneous, and that
the interpretation of the others was doubtful.

In the January number of the American Agri-
culturist, Prof. Asa Gray has another paper on
this topic, from which we take the following : —
" Cross fertilization we may well believe, is the
best thing, but it is risky. Cross fertilization,
tempered with self fertilization — which is the
commoner case — is practically the best under
ordinary cases ; is the compromise between the
two risks, via. : failure of vigorous and fertile
posterity on one hand, and failure of immediate
offspring on the other. Get fertilized, cross-fer-
tilized if you can, close fertilized if you must — is
nature's golden rule for flowers." We see that
Dr. Gray no longer believes that nature "shuns
the practice of self-fertilization," but practices it
(and practices it extensively), when cross-
fertilization fails.

Evolution in Plants. — Evolution, in some
form, is generally accepted by scientific men.
Dr. Hubert Airy, in Proc. Royal Society for
January, 1873, believes that in phyllotaxis, or the
leaf arrangement of plants, the one-two ar-
rangement (the second leaf being opposite to the
first), is the earliest in point of time, and that all the
other forms are subsequent to this. Roots, he
says are always two ranked, and monocoty-
ledons have the first leaves one-two. In dicoty-
ledons the first leaves have the simplest order of
the whorl ed type.

Vegetation of Bermuda. — Five hundred spe-
cies of plants have been found on the island.
The Burmuda Red Cedar is the principal tree.
The seeds are supposed to have been originally
brought from America by the Cedar Wax-wine,
a bird which makes the trip in twenty-four
hours. The island is twenty-five miles long, and
six hundred miles from Cape Hattaras. There
is no brook or stream on the island, and no part
is over two hundred and fifty feet above the level
of the sea. The temperature is about 75° from
May to November. Ihe cool season is in Febru-
ary and March, when the temperature is about
50°, when the flowers are mostly found. There
are no clouds, no rain, from July to September.
and all is parched and bare. Part of the island
has subsided far below the level of the sea.
The trunks of old cedars are found in the marsh
lands. It is during the cool season that the fine
Potatoes are raised that find their way to Phila-
delphia markets in April.

Our Native Lilies. — In another place we
give a note from a correspondent from Califor-
nia in regard to the varieties of the Lilies in that
section. Our own eastern kinds vary also, and
the varieties are well worth looking after. We
have not had the chance of observing how much

jgisiS SsSS;!'-.* ■" ' '*""'

the Lilium Philadelphicum, or L. Catesbaei
vary, but L. superbum and L. Canadense have
numbers of beautiful forms. We give an illus-
tration of the Canadian Lily.

Fertilization in Beans. — At the October 3d
meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natu-
ral Sciences last Summer, Mr. Meehan observed
that in all the discussions on the injurious effects
of close breeding in flowers, and the consequent
theories of cross-fertilization, nearly all the ar-
guments were drawn from structure. We are
asked to note certain arrangements, and then to
believe that certain results must follow. He
preferred to watch the plants in their actions,
and in the result of their actions, when excluded
from external agencies, believing it the more prac-
tical way preferable to the theoretical one. One
of his friends who thought he was wrong in lim-
iting insect agency to a few plants, and in ques-
tioning the injury from vegetable close breeding,
had been giving for some months past a series
of articles in proof of his side — -the more uni-
versal view. Of course the position of his friend
was entitled to all the benefit to be derived from
structural arrangement, but when he referred to
actual behavior in plants, it came within the
province he had marked out for himself. In the
last paper there was an instance of this kind.
After noting how the flowers of Phaseolus— the
common bean — were formed, and the supposed
impossibility of fertilization by its own pollen,
the paragraph concludes as follows: — ''The
machinery tells its own story plainly. The con-

56

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

firmation is familiar to all who know beans and
their facility of mixing, when different varieties
are grown together." Mr. M. said he claimed to
" know beans " for thirty years past; had grown
large numbers of varieties side by side, saving seed
from them and re sowing, and had never known
a single case of admixture from this close prox-
imity. The various kinds of both Beans and
Peas in cultivation were in all cases evolutions
or as would be commonly said, "sports or acci-
dents," or were the results of actual manipula-
tions by skillful seed raisers. He had no
hesitation in saying that his friend was utterly
wrong in his impression of the fact — that he
did not " know beans,"— and the fact that Beans
would not intermix though so close together and
so freely visited by bees, was an excellent argu-
ment against, instead of for, the universal insect
cross-fertilization theory.

Evolution.— Now that it is generally accepted
that plants (and animals) have been not all
formed at once, but that new forms appear in
successive periods according to law, there is the
usual search for the author of the theory. Some
go back to the time of Adam and show that
even he was not made directly from nothing, but
was evolved from clay— dust of the earth. But
the more moderate do not go so far. The Scien
tific American thinks Goethe should have the
credit :

"Goethe also proved that certain differences
between the osseous systems of man and the
lower mammalia, which had been insisted on
before his time, did not exist in the embryos,
and only appeared during and after growth.

" It is evident that what Goethe called mata-
morphosis, is identical with what we call evolu-
tion. Witness the following expression :—' The
triumph of metamorphosis is shown when this
theory teaches how simple organization begets
families, how families split into races, and races
into various types, with an infinity of individu-
alities. Nature cannot rest, nor preserve what
she produces, but her actions go on ad infinitum.' "

The Arnold Arboretum, of which Prof. Sar-
gent is director, makes its annual report on the
condition of the garden :

"One hundred and twenty-eight species of
hardy trees and shrubs and many thousand
specimens have been added to the Arnold
Arboretum during the year. To relieve the
overcrowded nurseries, 3,181 young forest trees
have been planted out on various portions of the

Bussey Estate. The cost of planting these trees,
including digging them from the nursery rows,
and transporting them on an average half a mile,
was $35.19, or one cent and one tenth for each
tree.

" The unprecedented heat and drougth of the
past Summer, have been most unfavorable to
these plantations, and barely fifty per cent, of
all the trees planted survive. As an experiment
in sylviculture, the one and two year-old seed-
ling trees, or about two-thirds of the whole were
planted by what is known in Europe as the
'notch' system, that is, they were inserted in
the intersection of two cuts made at right angles
in the sod with a common garden spade, the
ground having received no previous preparation.
However successful and economical such a sys-
tem may be in a humid climate like that of
Scotland, it cannot be recommended for the
United States, where a more careful preparation
of the soil seems essential, that the young plants
may resist the severe ordeal of our usually dry
summers. For the larger specimens of these
plantations, small holes requiring but a few
moments' labor were made; and, as far as I
have observed, not a single one of the trees so
planted has yet suffered. Various experiments
in forest culture will be continued on a small
scale in the future, as plants accumulate, with a
view of arriving at the best method for New
England planters to adopt.

"The Trustees of the Massachusetts Society for
Promoting Agriculture (the original founders of
the Botanic Garden) have made me for the third
time a generous annual grant of $1,500, for the
improvement and development of the Garden ;
and it is my duty to call attention to the fact that
their sustained liberality has alone made possible
the increased activity and usefulness of this
department of the University."

Potatoe Moth. — This insect continues to be
fearfully destructive in Algeria. The larva? bore
into the tubers, and the excrements are so nause
ous that no animal will touch a tuber containing
them. Boisduval calls it Bryotropha solanella-

QUERIES.

Singular Analogy in Darlixgtonia and Sar-
racenia: — At p. 293, Vol. 16 of the Gardener's
Monthly. Mr. Canity gives an interesting account
of Darlingtonia in connection with its insect

1877. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

57

catching habits. We have now the following
additional note on the subject:

" Since this article was written I have had an
opportunity to examine some leaves of Sarra-
cenia Psittacina, Michx. In their structure we
may notice a near approach to Darlingtonia, the
upper part of the pitcher being almost as in that
plant. There is the same ventricose expanded
summit, which, if the leaves were erect, would
bring the orifice underneath, and the fold within
the orifice is not only present, but proportionally
many times larger. To be sure, the " fishtail "
appendage of Darlingtonia is not found here.
But that admirable arrangement for attracting
flying insects is not necessary in this plant,
which has its leaves reclining in a rosulate clus-
ter in such fashion that the orifices are in a ver-
tical instead of a horizontal position ; thus pre-
senting an open door for ambulatory insects, easy
of entrance, but extremely difficult of exit. As
a consequence, the prey corresponds to the
structure, being composed principally of ants,
with a proportion of the smaller spiders, beetles,
&c. The hunter or fisher has often occasion to
construct and use traps made on modifications
of the same principle ; but the arrangements of
their mechanisms are poor and inefficient com-
pared with those of these humble plants.

W. M. C."

The Purpose of Honeyed Secretions. — We
have the following from a botanical friend:
" ' Honeyed secretions appear to be given to plants
for the purpose of furnishing a nourishing liquid
to pollen.' p. 27. May a correspondent ask
what kind of proof there is for this? Also, how
the pollen gets at this secretion in the spurs of
Aquilegia, or of an Orchis, or in a Crown Impe-
rial, or, indeed, in any other flower?

"Also, why should the moisture of the stigma
be called 'a honeyed secretion,' and so be
likened to the nectar of flowers? And bow does
the remark that the pollen-tube is emitted only
when there is a honeyed secretion in the stigma,
apply in Asclepias, and in those cleistogamous
flowers in which the pollen emits its tube before
touching the stigma?"

[The quotation from our last number given
above, is in answer to a question of a correspon-
dent who wants to experiment on horticultural
topics in matters not fully proved. When we
suggested this subject as one of them, therefore,
we regarded it as a matter not fully proved, but
only " appears " to be so.

Our ground for this suggestion is the experi-
ments of Dr. Hooibreuk, of the Imperial Botan-
ical Garden of Vienna, published in 1873. He
shows that flowers which could not be fertilized
by their own pollen, or foreign pollen, were suc-

cessfully impregnated when nectar was applied
to the stigma before the application of the
pollen.

Our correspondent is one of those who endorse
Sir John Lubbock's statement, tha* " the honey
of flowers has been developed by the uncon-
scious agency of insects," in other words, that
sweet secretions were made expressly to entice
insects, which, while visiting, should bring pol-
len at the same time to cross-fertilize, and he
will naturally feel a reluctance to accept the sug-
gestion that possibly the nectar may in some
way directly minister to the plant's own good ;
but those who differ with him may be pardoned
for seeking another use for these secretions.

As to the objections made, we can only say
they are no greater than surround every similar
question ; no greater in this than is the fact of
the existence of cleistogamous flowers from his
own point of view; for if nature abhors self-fer-
tilization, why should she make such flowers
which, "blooming in secret," must fertilize
themselves! The sweet liquid in the spurs of
Aquilegia may be waste, as millions on millions
of pollen grains themselves are waste. Again,
the honeyed matter is generally formed in close
vicinity to the gynceicum, and there may be cases
where the pollen-tubes can get along for awhile
without it ; but all this is speculation, and we can
only say that there seems enough in Hooibreuk's
observations to warrant further experiments in
that direction.— Ed. G. M.J

Climate of California. — A San Francisco cor-
respondent, under date of December 28th, says :—
" I see by the papers that you have had very
cold weather in the Eastern States. Here it
has been very delightful. Yesterday, for in-
stance, the thermometer at r.oon stood at 72°,
and for many weeks it has ranged between 65°
an(j 74°— occasionally with a light frost at night,
but not strong enough to ' nip ' tomato vines,
or interfere with the out-door growth of flowers.
The day but one before Christmas I took my
children down to see the sights, and the display
of flowers and fruits in the markets was very
fi-e_all of out-door growth. Strawberries,
grapes, oranges and lemons lay side by side with
apples, pears, &c, &c. in great variety.

On Christmas day the floral, as well as the
evergreen display in the churches, was a pleas-
ing sight for such a season of the year. We are
all longing, however, for rain ; and that is the
commencement of winter here. Two months

58

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

ago we had a good general rain throughout the
State, and that gave vegetation an excellent
start, so that all the hills around our city have a
look like Spring. Indeed, we have two Spring
seasons in San Francisco — that which comes
after the first good rain, and that which follows
the close of the rainy season.

Looking upon the brown hills around us be-
fore the rain, and then after it, the change is
like magic. Sometimes the range of hills on the
eastern side of our beautiful bay becomes swept
by flame, and as the lurid glare leaps and climbs,
one would think that desolation, utter and irre-
deemable, would be the result. But no ! These
hills have a fine growth of wild oats, which arc
perpetuated most singularly, in this way : The
surface of the earth, after the summer's drouth,
becomes cracked by the sun (being of a clayey
loam), and as the wild oat has two 'legs,' the
moisture of the night contracts, or raises, rather,
these legs, and the warmth of the day straightens
them; the sharp point to each sticks into the
ground, and the straightening process naturally,
then, forces the body of the oat forward. This is
repeated night by night, and day by day, until it
creeps to one of the sun-cracks, and falls into it.
These, after the first rain, 'stool' out, and a
beautifully patterned carpet, the shape of the
cracks, becomes at once visible. As the growth
continues, the hills become covered with green.
This is our first Spring.

Mushrooms will soon be come abundant on the
grassy slopes west of the bay."

Arundo conspicua.— H. M. N., Chattanooga,
Tenn., asks:— "What is the Arundo conspicua,
referred to in the February number of the Gar-
dener's Monthly, 1874? Is it known by any other
name?"

[The extract was credited to the Gardener's
<'hr<>nirU>: and the plant said to have merits su-
perior to Pampas Grass. It ought to be in this
country by this time, but we see it in no lists.

All we can say in addition to what the Chronicle
said, is that it is more correctly Calamagrostis
conspicua, and is a native of New Zealand.— Ed.
G. M.]

California Lilies. — A correspondent justly
complains of "the outrage being deliberately
committed by the collectors of our native lilies;
they are sending them all over the East and
Europe, with half a dozen different names for
one lily. There are only half a dozen varieties
of lilies on this coast, but there are lilies sent out
with over twenty names. A collector will write
a wonderful description to a dealer about a new
lily, and to another about another, giving any
name he may chance to come across, and sup-
ply both out of the same case. If asked why
they do this, they will answer you, ' That it is
no difference; the lilies are new, and people -
would as soon have them under one name as
another.' "

Name of Plant.— L. H. C, Buffalo, N. Y.
The thorny plant is Pereskia aculeata, a plant of
the cactus family, though apparently so differ-
ent— and the kind used by English florists to
graft Epiphyllum truncatum on. Another spe-
cies, with much more fleshy stems, in cultiva-
tion, is Pereskia Bleo.

Like Producing Like. — M. B. S., Bloomfield,
Iowa, writes : — " In the pictures of beautiful Pan-
sies in Mr. Henderson's advertisement, I see he
speaks of varieties by numbers. I always sup-
posed that when you sowed a package of seeds,
you had all sorts of colors. Is it customary for
these varieties to reproduce in this way'/"

[Careful selection and care will enable a vari-
ety to reproduce with tolerable certainty. The
old idea that a species would reproduce itself
with tolerable accuracy, and a variety would
not, is proved now to be erroneous. Any gar-
den variety reproduces nearly as well as a
species.— Ed. G. M.]

LITERATURE, ^RAVELS & PERSONAL |M OTES

COMMUNICA TIONS.

HORTICULTURAL PROTECTION.

BY W. II. W., BEADING, MASS.

[n th" editorial comments appended to the grapisl was infringing on the rights of the Sec
article on " Grapes al Boston," in the Gardener's retary." [ am not sufficiently familiar with this

Monthly for December last. I am asked to
"give the points of novelty claimed for the Sec-
retary grape in such language that a Patent-
office clerk could tell at once whether any other

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

59

grape to attempt to comply. I have seen, eaten
and greatly admired it, but I have never studied
it. I have not even fruited it, though I hope to
do so the coming season. I have no interest in
it whatever, save as I am interested in every new
fruit that promises to be an improvement upon
what we have hitherto had, and so a promoter
of the public welfare and enjoyment.

Dropping, therefore, all farther reference to
this or any other particular variety, I will, with
your permission, give some reasons for the view
expressed in the article referred to, on the sub-
ject of "Horticultural Protection." By this
phrase I mean the protection by law of the
originator's right to a new fruit, as our patent
laws now protect an inventor's right to a new
implement.

What is the design of the ivhole system of patent
laws? — It is to secure to inventors such a com-
pensation for their time, labor and expense in
making valuable improvements in machinery,
<fec, as will encourage others to use their abili-
ties and energies in the same direction. Thus
the public welfare and happiness (at the main-
tenance or promotion of which all legislation
ought to aim) are advanced by constant im-
provements in the arts.

Why should the same principle apply to horticul-
tural improvements as to mechanical, or rather we
may ask, Why should it not? — The burden of
proof does not rest upon the advocates, but upon
the opponents of "horticultural protection."
If (as is generally admitted) the principle upon
which all patent laws are based is sound, then
why should that principle be restricted in its ap-
lication to mechanical improvements? That is
a question which the opponents of horticultural
protection are hound satisfactorily to answer.
If the public good is as truly promoted by the
production of such a grape as the Concord, or
of such a potato as the Early Rose, as it is by
the invention of a new toy ; then why should
our laws give to the inventor of the toy such a
a patent as secures him an abundant compensa-
tion, and at the same time refuse to give Mr.
Bull or Mr. Bresee any protection at all ? There
is the pivot on which this whole question turns.
It is a question of justice and right. The origin-
ator of a new and valuable fruit has a right to
the same treatment from the government which
it gives to the inventor of a new machine. If
he has, then the principle of horticultural protec-
tection is right. If he has not, then it is incum-
bent upon those who say so to show why he has

not. I am aware of the answer that will be
made to this, that " if the principle is right, yet
the appliation of it is impracticable. The at-
tempt, it is claimed, would be met at once with
so many and so serious difficulties that it would
be unwise to make it."

The length of this article forbids my attempt-
ing to state and answer the objections that are
urged by the opponents of horticultural protec-
tion . But if the Editor of the Gardener's Monthly
will state them as clearly and briefly as possible,
I will consider them in another article, and en-
deavor to show that they furnish no adequate
reason for refusing to apply to horticultural im-
provements the same patent-law principle which
\i now applied to mechanical.

[We doubt that our meaning has been made
plain to our correspondent. We do not want
any articles on the justice of protection. All that
is granted. Of course if anybody denied that
the principle of protection should be applied to
horticultural improvement, the "burden of
proof," would be on them. But it is not denied.
The reason given by our correspondent for not
attempting a patent-office description of the
Secretary is, that he is not sufficiently familiar
with it. Then let him try the Concord. It will
serve our purpose just as well.

What are the especial points in the Concord
not possessed by any other grape, for which Mr.
Bull is to claim a patent right? and so expressed
as to satisfy the Patent Office clerk, who knows
nothing of fruits, but something of language,
that some one was infringing on Mr. Bull's rights ?
Mr. Main might, for instance, claim a patent for
the " Main Grape," and the clerk would have to
refer to his books to decide. The exact wording
might not be quite the same. The clerk might
give Mr. Main a " patent," and what is the result?
"Briefly," and we hope " clearly," we say that
language nor drawings can clearly convey to a
Patent Office clerk the special points of novelty
in any new fruit. — Ed. G. M.]

By

LAND AND GAME BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

H. D. Minot. Published by the Naturalists'
Agency, Salem, Mass.

BY T. G. G.

A careful examination of Mr. Minot's book on
birds, convinces me that the author has spared
no pains to bring before the public a highly use-
ful, as well as entertaining and instructive vol-

60

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

time. In view of the many expensive works
which have been published on ornithology, not
even excepting the latest additions to the sci-
ence, a book so cheap, and so replete with de-
tails, both of structure and habit, ca.nnot fail to
awaken attention, and receive a cordial wel-
come.

That a work of this character was badly needed,
particularly in New England, cannot be denied,
since Samuel's work, which has already passed
through several editions unimproved, has out-
grown its usefulness. To write the bird-history
of New England anew, has been left to the ready
pen of our author. In this task he has succeeded
nobly. With a mind well-stored with the most
interesting particulars of bird-life — the results of
patient and persevering study — he undertook
this labor, which is certainly much in advance
of anything that has come from that quarter.
His language is simple and precise, with enough
of imagery to make it pleasing.

In many places he bears indubitable testi-
mony to the accuracy of former observations.
Where he differs from earlier writers, which he
sometimes does, it is with no intention of under-
valuing their labors, but with a noble purpose of
placing upon record the few truths which he has
been able to glean from nature, as seen from his
standpoint of observation.

The study of systematic ornithology certainly
owes to Mr. Minot a deep debt of gratitude, for
the valuable keys which he has appended J;o the
work. The ornithological key will be found an
indispensable aid to the tyro in this department
of science, who will be able to identify by its
help, particular species of aves, with considerable
ease, and at a great saving of time. The oologi-
cal key will be best appreciated by those who are
not so scientific, and whose tastes are more con-
centred upon the beautiful in nature.

The chapter devoted to the history of our
"Game Birds," will be especially valuable to the
sportsman, who will find in the small space de-
voted to their history, all that is necessary to be
known.

I could not suffer this opportunity to pass
without saying a few words commendatory of
the general appearance of the book. For neat-
ness of arrangement and excellence of typo-
graphy, it cannot be surpassed. Its enterprising
publishers are deserving of unstinted praise for
their part of the work. I hope it will meet with
a sale commensurate with the wishes of both
author and publisher.

RECOLLECTIONS OF AUSTRALIA.

BY WM. T. HARDING, COLUMBUS, OHIO.

How frequently circumstantial incidents oc-
cur, which remind us of events, happy or other-
wise, gone by. As an instance, the following re-
marks will suffice to verify the assertion. While
" in meditative mood," the rustling leaves above,
reminded me of an episode in the life of Matthew
Flinders. I had passed the night beneath the
boughs of a noble specimen of Flindersia Austra-
lis; so named in compliment to that brave old
navigator. The tree is better known among the
colonial carpenters and cabinet-makers as Aus-
tralian mahogany. The wood takes a high pol-
ish, and is useful for many purposes. But the
special interest then connected with the tree,
was from the recollections it awoke in memory
of the sad history of the intrepid Flinders, who,
accompanied by the famous botanist and natu-
ralist, Robert Brown, circumnavigated New Hol-
land in the year 1810.

Although we resumed our journey at an early
hour, we appeared to make but little progress.
My fellow-traveler was less cheerful than usual,
and from some cause or other, lingered behind.
He seemed a sadder man, if not a wiser one,
than he was the day before. Our way through
the forest.lay beyond a lofty ridge which stretched
widely before us. The ascent was very fatiguing,
and difficult, but, when we reached the top, I at
least, felt well rewarded for my pains. One of
the wildest, most rugged, and ultra-romantic
scenes I ever saw was before me.

Looking down the precipice, I beheld such a
rockery as few mortals have seen. The rugged
summit was fringed with Flindersias and the
singular Hakea trifureata, Araucaria Cunning-
hamia, Agnostus sinuatus, and the plume-like
Acacia lophantha, A. spectabilis, and A. pul-
chella. The wierd-like Melaleucas of several
kinds, the strangely formed Spermaxyron stric-
ta, Ficus aspera, Eriocaulon Australis, Cycus an-
gustata, Zanthoxylum Australis; and the orna-
mental Elaeodendron Australe, Angophora cor-
difolia, Croton rosmarinifolia, and Buxus Aus-
trale. Winding round the trunks and embracing
the branches, hung wreaths and garlands of the
beautiful evergreen Billardiera parvifolia and B.
mutabilis; the one spangled with blue, and the
other with crimson florets. Wildly festooning in
heavy drooping masses, were Hardenbergia
Coraptoniana — a pretty purple flower; Zichya
sericia, scarlet ; and Sollya heterophylla, blue.

1871]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

61

We had left Mount Alexandria, some miles
behind, and turning towards Lake Alexandria,
intending to reach the coast, and from Rivoli
Bay, embark for Port Adelaide, South Australia.
We needed rest, my companion especially, who
complained of indisposition. After a short nap,
leaving him to sleep and recuperate, I started
off to explore the valley. It seemed appalling
to look down from the dizzy height to the yawn-
ing abyss below. It was deep enough to make
a samphire gatherer giddy ; and was as fearful
to peer over as Shakespear's Cliff. Thinking of
it now, I am reminded of the immense mountain
rifts, or canyons, Mr. Meehan so graphically de-
scribes in former "Traveling Recollections." The
declivity, as seen from the highest point, ap-
peared to be of immeasurable depth — awful in
its unfathomed profundity. Making a consider-
able detour through the bush, and following a
kangaroo track, closely hedged on each side with
the beautiful Epacris splendens, Correa speciosa,
Boronia crenulata, Polygala grandis, Dillwynia
clavica, and Eriostemon pulchellum, made an
easy descent to the bottom of the chasm.

A herd of sleek kangaroos were quietly graz-
ing among the rich and luxuriant herbage which
covered the deep alluvial valley. As I watched
the pranks and laughed at the gambols of the
young ones romping and frisking about like play-
ful kittens, I was startled with an immense dia-
mond snake. The devilish stare of its evil eyes
met mine, vis-a-vis. As if meditating mischief,
the satanic fire of its terribly glaring orbs com-
pletely unnerved me for the moment. The ma-
lignant monster, partly uncoiling its loathsome
carcass,and elevating its head some six feet high,
stood at bay before me. Taking aim, as deliber-
ately as my shaky condition would allow, I fired
a heavy charge of swan-shot at "the enemy of
mankind," and destroyed " the evil one." The
unusual sound of my gun alarmed the timid
creatures, who bounded off at a tremendous pace,
along the valley. In their first moments of fright
the older animals stampeded away, forgetting
the little ones, who pitifully bleating, did their
best to keep up with them. Immediately after,
crushing through the bushes with true maternal
affection, the does returned to protect their
young, who then scampered off together. The
flying leap of a full grown kangaroo when pur-
sued, will often measure from twenty to twenty-
six feet. Perched among the fronds of a Seafor-
thia elegans, in singular contrast to the serpent
beneath, was a flock of the lovely Wonga-Wonga

Pigeons, (Leucosarica picata.) and the graceful
Crested Dove, (Ocephaps lophotes.) There are
upwards of twenty species of the pigeon tribe,
indigenous to Australia, all of which are exceed-
ingly beautiful. The Avifauna of the antipodes
are truly magnificent, and like the Flora, are
marvels of beauty, as they flit among the
flowers and disport their gay plumage in the.
trees, and while thus pleasantly engaging our at-
tention, greatly excite our admiration. As I am
unable to do justice to them in my sketches, I
will confine my remarks chiefly to vegetable life ,-
with which I am more familiar. Not that I love
them any the less, but my forte, as I previously
stated, is horticulture.

It is not unusual for the observant traveler
when forcing his war through the fastnesses of
the primeval forest, to meet with remarkable in-
stances of plant growth. Many are exceedingly
beautiful, both in form, foliage and flower; while
others are singular oddities, if not marvels ; they
are curious and interesting. So anomalous, or
paradoxical are some species, as to excite sur-
prise when we see them, while we pause and
ponder. The writer has frequently alluded to
their peculiarities when describing Antipodean
scenes. Vegetative types, much resembling their
congeners of the fossil flora, are comparatively
common to Australia, and afford subjects of com-
ment to speculative minds.

When meditating on the long-ago, or pre-his-
toric times, a simple looker-on, often feels con-
fused when he sees the relics or remains of that
remote period before him. Thus perplexed, he
naturally asks the geologist for information,
whose comprehensive mind and searching eye,
reads in the fossilized book of nature, "Sermons
in stones," and in the earth's foundations re-
views the chronicles of the past. While referring
to the unnumbered cycles which have gone by
in the rounds of time, and which probably exceed
millions of years, he points to the ancient petri-
fied forms of a past flora, and compares the kin-
dred species of that era with existing alliances of
this. The erudite paleontologist, familiar with
the science of botany, readily deciphers the fossil
paleograph, so indelibly engraved and beautifully
embossed on the carboniferous tablets, and re-
cognizes in their structural impressions, similar
ligneous and herbaceous characteristics of the
present flora. To wit : the Araucaria, Dammara,
Cunninghamia, Casuarin<a, Phyllocladus, Xan-
thorrhoea, Cycas, Zamia, Maerozamia, Bambusa,
Palm, Dractena, Pandanus, Cordyline, &c, with

62

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[Eebruary,

many species of ferns, lofty and lowly, which
flourished then as now.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Horticulture at the Centennial. — In sum-
ming up the events of the year, the Gardener's
Chronicle has the following appreciative notice
of the horticulture at the Centennial :

" America has scored a veritable triumph in
■ the Philadelphia Exhibition, though horticulture
was, as might have been anticipated, not so well
represented as it is generally in older countries.
Fairmount Park, the locality in which the Exhi-
bition was held, is, like most American things,
large, and though it owes comparatively little to
art, yet in its glades and dells many a wild
flower, such as the pretty Houstonia coerulea,
was destined not to blush unseen or waste its
sweetness on the desert air, for nearly 10,000,000
of visitors attended the Exhibition.

" The Horticultural Hall, of which we gave
illustrations, was, like most other structures for
plants designed by architects, ill-suited to its
purpose. But it is intended as a permanent
structure, and by a little remodelling, as we are
informed, it can be converted from a place
wherein to kill plants to one wherein they will
grow, provided the remodelling be done
by some one who knows and appreciates the
fact that plants need light and air. Some of the
leading American nurserymen, among whom
we may mention Henderson, Such, Meehan,
Hoopes, Parsons, and Miller of San Francisco,
made displays which would have done credit to
any exhibition ; while the pomological exhibition
was on a scale not yet attempted here, and car-
ried out in a more instructive manner than we
have yet attained to. The pluck and enter-
prise of our own nurserymen was equal to the
occasion. Mr. Waterer did not shrink from
shipping 'American plants' to America, to show
the good use which Britons have made of the
talents entrusted to their care. Mr. Williams
heeded not the risks of the long journey and
the trying climate, but boldly sent a large and
select set of stove and greenhouse plants.
Messrs. Veitch likewise contributed their quota,
so that Great Britain was as well represented as
the distance would allow. Among Continental

nurserymen, Verdier, of Paris, showed Gladioli
and roses ; Sisley, of Lyons, double Pelargoni-
ums ; Leroy, fruit trees ; Krelage, of Haarlem,
bulbous plants. On all sides we hear acknowl-
edgements of the courtesy and hospitality
shown to ' Britishers ' by their American cou-
sins, and if the Exhibition has the result of mak-
ing the peoples of two of the great Anglo-Saxon
nations more appreciative of one another's good
qualities, and less disposed to pick holes in what
is amiss, great good will have been done. To the
Americans themselves great benefits will, we be-
lieve, accrue, as tens of thousands saw, says an
American friend, for the first time in their lives
anything like effective gardening."

Loss op a Subscriber. — A lady from South
Carolina sends the publisher a letter, asking
to have her subscription to the magazine discon-
tinued. She speaks kindly of the work, and
expresses regret at parting with it, but feels
" that as politics are now, they will soon want
all their money for other purposes than horti-
cultural magazines." We were sorry to see such
a letter, especially from a lady, as we look on
gardening as the best possible relief from politi-
cal excitement, whether at the North or South.

During the rebellion the writer of this was on
one of the heaviest battle fields of the war, not
many days after the action. In one part of the
field retreat had been hasty, and the dead but
imperfectly buried. A hastily written line on
a small stick indicated the resting place of " Ser-
geant Pagan, 3rd South Carolina Volunteers."
In the haste the soldier's body from the breast
downwards only had been covered. The eyeless
skull, the flesh under the great heat almost
disappearing, looked up as if for pity ; but even
in the short time that had elapsed, nature in
mercy had made a flower to grow from out of the
newly filled-in earth, and had nearly hidden the
skull from sight. The little incident made a
deep impression at the time. We gathered a
few of the specimens— they were of Aeerates viri-
diflora — to keep us in mind that there was noth-
ing like flowers to cover up and to hide the hor-
rors of war. As for politics we would not give
up our love for flowers for a bushel of them.

The Woks of an Editor. — Nothing worries
an editor more than to have errors appear in
his work; but it is the lot of all. Even after the
most careful " book " reading there is often a
whole page of" errata " at the end. Still, it is to
I In- credit of magazine and newspaper work that

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST,

63

though necessarily hurried, errors are compara-
tively so few. We left a note with the printer about
Pritchardia in our last, with no time for even
the regular proof-reader to see it, supposing that
one little paragraph might go unwatched, and it
appears with "peteoles" and "spring teeth."
Of course the reader knows what was really
written and it is not worth while to make
correction. But it was "maddening" for all.
Then we took up the American Naturalist, and
was told by the " printer " that Thomasia is a
" Buttuereaceous plant; the Bulletin of the Tor-
rey Botanical Club, where we read about " cam-
brinum," and a locality for "Asplenium pinnati-
fidim ; " then there was the Botanical Gazette,
with its reference to " Tritelia," and finally tak-
ing up Silliman's Journal, we found Prof. Gray
made to say that Aster undulatus meant " many "
leaved aster. We never felt before the sound-
ness of the assertion, that " misery loves com-
pany."

Rambling Widow. — A correspondent of one
of our English contemporaries pokes this conun-
drum at the Editor: "What is the Rambling
Widow ? " It is hard to solve these deep botani-
cal problems, but as evolution is now a recog-
nized law, and as a rambling widow has a
good chance of turning up as a " Mourning
Bride," we will venture to guess it is the gar-
den Scabious.

Tea in Georgia. — The "Chinese Tea," said to
be so successfully raised in Georgia, proves to be
dried leaves of Sida spinosa, a sort of mallow.
The way in which new "teas " are discovered, is
to fish out a perfect leaf from the teapot of gen-
uine Chinese tea, and then look about you for
some wild leaf of the same size and shape, and
you have American "Chinese *' Tea !

A Large Plane Tree. — Perhaps the largest
tree in Europe is a Plane tree near Cannosa, in
Dalmatia. It is over thirty feet in circumfer-
ence, three feet from the ground, and covers an
area of 250 square feet.

Jonah's Gourd. — Mr. Leo Grindon is contrib-
uting a series of articles to the London Garden-
er's Chronicle on the classical history of certain
plants. In a recent one of the series he shows
that the Hebrew writer of the account of Jonah
intended the castor oil plant — Ricinus communis
— and not a gourd, as the plant that shaded Jonah.

Origin op the Leek. — Mr. J. G. Baker and
Mr. Bentham, two distinguished English bot-

anists, regard the Leek — Allium Porrum — as a
cultivated form of Allium Ampeloprasum, a
native of Switzerland and Eastern Europe.

The Eucalyptus in Mexico. — From the city
of Mexico to Chapultepec, a distance of three
miles, is a beautiful drive, lined on each side
with old Eucalyptus trees. It is no new idea
that the odor of the Eucalyptus is a febrifuge.
The Latin races have always thought this of all
odoriferous plants. The ancient Romans used
to make plantations of the Sweet Bay — Laurus
nobilis — for the same purpose. And indeed
trees of any kind in swampy places have al-
ways been found advantageous to human health.
The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is said to be free
from the fevers which abound in open places.

The Woods' Vineyard at Camden.— This
tract of one hundred and twelve acres, perhaps
the largest vineyard in this part of the world,
and planted in the "best " manner by Mr. Thos.
Woods a few years ago, at the enormous cost of
$55,000, has recently been sold by the sheriff, and
brought $17,000.

The Horse Chestnut. — The native country
of the Horse Chestnut (iEsculus Hippocasta-
num) has long been an enigma to botanists. The
enigma has, however, been solved by Professor
Orphanides, of Athens, who, according to a
note in the French translation of Grisebach's
Vegetation du Globe, made by M. de Tchihatchef,
has discovered the tree in a wild state in the
mainland of Greece, thus confirming an opinion
long ago expressed by Decaisne. — Gardener's
Chronicle.

Memorial Trees. — The practice of planting
memorial trees, is very common in England.
A writer in the Gardener's Chronicle refers to
trees planted at Inverary Castle to signalize vis-
its of the owner's friends. Here are trees
planted by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Earls
Russell, Livingstone, Gladstone, Guthrie, Mr.
John Bright, Dean Stanley, and others. Last
year Queen Victoria planted a tree on the Lane
estate, on the occasion of her visit there.

Building up Attractive Country Places. —
The Boston, Lowell and Nashua R. R. has given
free passes to seven rich citizens of Wilmington,
Mass., because they built expensive houses.
Those who built houses from $1,000 to $2,000
get a two-year pass, and those of over $2,500,
a three-jear pass, and will give similar passes to
all who do likewise. Would it not be as well to

64

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[February,

do a little in the same way for those who beau-
tify grounds as well as build houses ? Nothing
is more an indicator of a man's prosperity than
his exhibition of his love of art and taste.
People do not want to live where other people
are merely, but near prosperous people. Beauti-
ful, well-kept gardens and grounds show that
people are all right in this respect.

Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. — By a Boston
paper we note that this good friend of every
American horticulturist, for whose health we
have all been so anxious, presided at the annual
meeting of the New England Genealogical So-
ciety on the 3rd of January, and there made
one of his usual eloquent addresses. This indi-
cates that he is much more fully restored to
health than his friends hoped for a little while
ago.

Mr. Parker Earle. — We see it stated in the
papers that this gentleman is engaged in straw-
berry planting in Southern Mississippi, in addi-
tion to his orcharding at Cobden, 111. Missifv
sippi is to be congratulated on having so intelli-
gent and experienced a gentleman as Mr. Earle
taking an active interest in her industries.

Report of the U. S. Department of Agri-
culture for 1875.— This strikes us as one of the
best issues of the Department. It is one of
great value, and if Mr. Watts had never done
anything since his term of office than issue this
volume, it would be worth all his Department
has cost. The " Forest aspects " of the United
States is particularly exhaustive, and proves
what we have always contended, that the De-
partment is quite competent to take care of
this subject, without a " Department of Forest-
ry " being independently created.

The Illustrated Annual Register of Rural
Affairs for 1877. Albany : Luther Tucker &
Son ; price 30 cents. — For some years past " an-
nuals " by newspapers have not been a success;
but Tucker's is now in its twenty-third year, and
prospers. It success is no wonder, for it is a
marvel of interest for the price. The chapter
on ventilation, alone, is worth more than the
cost. It is the most complete and easily under-
standible paper on the subject that we ever read.
The Country Gentleman is a good paper, and this
" tender " to it does it credit.

Vice's Flower and Vegetable Garden. — This
is primarily, of course, an assistant to the firm
of "J. Vick, Rochester, N. Y.," but it is, in addi-

tion to this, an extremely useful and beauti-
ful volume, very much more so, indeed, than
many "regular" books on flowers issued by
regular publishing houses.

The American Naturalist.-Now in its eleventh
year, has always done much for science, and
in the hands of the Houghtons, of Boston, is as
actively useful as ever. The January number is
now before us.

The Canada Farmer. — One of the very best
members of the agricultural press, has
been merged with the Toronto Globe. It has
taken all its editors with it, and this is a guaran-
tee that agriculture in Canada will not lose by
the act.

The Raisers of the best Roses. — Mr. H. B.
Elhvanger contributes to the Journal of Horti-
culture a list, with the names of raisers and dates
of the introduction of some of the most popu-
lar. All but three English are French growers.
No American seems distinguished in Roses.
The list is as follows:

Rose.

Age.

Alfred Colomb, h. P 1865

Catherine Mermet, t. 1869

Charles Lefebvre, H P 1861

Comtesse de Chabrillant, H. P... 1859

Countess of Oxford, h.p 1869

Ferdinand de Lesseps, h. p 1S69

Francois Michelon, h. P 1S71

Gloirede Dijon, t 1S53

John Hopper, H p 1862

La France, h. p 1S68

Louis Van Houtte. H. P 1869

Madame Victor Verdier, h. p 1863

Mdlle. Marie Rady, H. P 1S65

Mdlle. Eugenie Verdier, H. P 1869

Marechal NM, t 1864

Marie BaumanD, h. p 1863

Marie Ducher.T 1868

Marie Van Houtte. T 1871

Marquise de Castellane, h. p 1869

Rut-ens, t

Abel Grand, h p 1865

Anna de Diesbach, h. p 1S59

Baron de Bonstetten, H. p 1871

Baronne de Rothschild, h. p 1867

Belle Lyonnaise, t 1869

Caroline de Sansal, H. p 1S49

Cloth of Gold, N 1843

Duke of Edinburgh, H. p 1868

Edouard Morren, h. p 1869

General Jacqueminot, H. P 1853

■ eneral Washington, h. p 1861

Lamarque, n

Madame Bravy, t

Madame Camille, 1 1871

Madame Levet, t 1869

Madame Lacharme,, h. p 1873

Madame Marie Finger, H P 1873

Madame Noman, H. P 1867

Madame Trifle, T 1869

Marguerite do St. Amand, h. p .. 1864

Marechal Vaillant, h p 1861

Maurice Bernardin, a. p 1861

Paul Neron, h.p 1869

President Thiers, H. P 1878

Prince Camiile de Rohan, H. P... 1861 .

S. Reyno da Hole, n. p 1878 .

Senateur Vaisse, H."» 1S59

Sombreuil, T

Si 'iivi'uir de la Malmaisou, b 1S43 .

Victor Verdier, H. P 1859

Raiser.
Lacharme
Guillot, fils
Lacharme
Marest
Guillot, pere
E. Verdier
Lcvet
Jacotot
Ward

Guillot, fils
Lacharme
E. Verdier
Fontaine
Guillot, fils
. Pradel
Bau man
D.icher
Ducher
Pernet

Damaizin

Lacharme

Liabaud

Pernet

Levet

Hippolyte Jamain 7

Paul A Son
Granger
Rousselet
Granger

Guillot, pere

Guillot, flla

Levet

Lacharme

Rain baud

i iuillot pere

Levet

Sansal

Lecomte

Granger

Levet

L u'harme

E. Verdier

Paul i Son

Guillot, fils

Robert it Moreau

Beluge

Lacharme

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

MARCH, 1877.

Number 219.

LOWER GARDEN AND If LEASURE GROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

There is nothing of more importance to be
continually remembered than that lavish ex-
penditure on one's grounds or gardens by no
means signifies beauty and taste. There may be
true art in the gardening on a lot of but a hun-
dred feet, and none on a pretentious place of as
many acres. We would particularly recommend
at this season of the year a consultation of works
on taste in landscape gardening with a view to
improvement in this respect. Of these there are
Downing, Kemp, and Scott, within the reach of
every one. A study of these works will not
necessarily lead to expense; indeed, rather the
reverse, for most likely the result will be to show
how expensive has been bad taste, and the good
economy of true beauty.

As for expenditure, and the idea that garden-
ing as an art induces waste, nothing is further
from the fact. True art consists in the knowl-
edge of harmonies, and this knowledge leads us
to do the right thing at the right time. Out-door
gardening especially is cheap, — nature does so
much for us, and asks only the means to do it
with, that costly gardening is rather a burlesque
on her abilities.

There is scarcely a garden of any pretension
that we know of, that could not be cut down
in size, one-half, to great advantage. We know
of some quite large gardens where several men
are kept, as well as many where the owner does'
all his own garden work, in which everything is
a drag. There is too much to do. No excellence

can be achieved in anything. Everything is
done out of season and hurriedly. No one can
take any pride in anything. The owner worries
at the cost, and instead of cutting down the work
cuts down the hands, and the remaining worry
and chafe, and things are still more cheerless
than before. There is nothing in gardening like
this, and the Baconian quotation that a "Garden
is the purest of all human pleasures," never
was intended to apply to such gardens. How
cheap beauty is we have before referred to in
connection with the grounds around the Centen-
nial last year, to be repeated though with some
diversity, on the same grounds, by the same
hands this year ; and we hope the good lesson
will not be lost.

So far as the general hints applicable to the
every year management of the flower garden
department is concerned, the annual pruning
must be got through with as soon as possible.

Many delay pruning shrubbery until after se-
vere weather passes, so as to see what injury
may be done, but with March all should be fin-
ished, taking care not to trim severely such
shrubs as flower out of last year's wood, as for
instance the Wiegelia ; while such as flower from
the Spring growth, as the Althaea, Mock Orange,
&c, are benefitted by cutting back vigorously.

Do not transplant extensively till the ground
is warm and the buds are about to push. Many
things die by exposure to winds for a few weeks
before they have warmth to push roots and
leaves into growth.

The rule for pruning at transplanting is to cut

66

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

in proportion to apparent injury to roots. If not
much the worse for removal, cut but little o
the top away. Properly pruned, a good garden-
er will not have the worst case of a badly dug
tree to die under his hands. In a nursery, where
these matters are well understood, trees "never
die." ,

Box edgings lay well now. Make the ground
firm and level, plant deep, with tops not more
than two inches above ground.

If flowers have been growing in the ground
many years, new soil does wonders. Rich ma-
nure makes flowers grow, but they do not always
flower well with vigorous growth. If new soil
cannot be had, a wheelbarrow of manure to
about every fifty square feet will be enough. If
the garden earth looks gray or yellow, rotten
leaves — quite rotten leaves— will improve it.
If heavy, add sand. If very sandy, add salt —
about half a pint to fifty square feet. If very
black or rich from previous years' manurings
use a little lime, about a pint, slacked, to fifty
square feet.

If the garden be full of hardy perennial flow-
ers, do not dig it, but use a fork, and that not
deeply.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

MOSAICULTURE.

BY G., XEW YORK.

In a recent number, you published some notes
made lately by Monsieur Nardy on his route
through France. They were very interesting in
more senses than one. They show, the translation
being evidently rather literal, with what native
delicacy and also precision the French handle
their language in talking about flowers ; and
they show how universal this style of gardening
has become in France.

In the regular course of things we may now
expect Mosaiculture to grow epidemic, in this
country. It is the case with all fashions and dis
eases, they must have their run. Take Eastlake
furniture, take Japan and Chinese ware. What
if the former looks as though hewn with a
hatchet by a clever hatchetist, angular, and clum-
sy, and void of embellishment ; what if the latter is
positively ugly, according to all rules of ugliness,
and an utter perversion of the teachings of Mo-
ther Nature; they are "the go'- and the style,

and the grumbling minority may grumble on
until the fever has died out.

Here Mosaiculture has the advantage over
Eastlake and Satsuma. It does not cost anything
near as much, and the platebandes and arabes-
ques will one day have disappeared, and the
place where they stood will not know them any
more, and no great damage done to the purse of
the garden owners either.

Meantime let them come on, these alhambric
designs, these architectonic figures, ribbons,
scrolls, devices ; let art teach nature how to bring
about stupendous effects until she own herself
beaten in her principles of simplicity, graceful-
ness, sparing contrasts, gentleness, delicacy and
fitness which have heretofore distinguished her.

To the lovers of these effects I would suggest
that there yet remains one great feature, which
tickles mankind and has not yet been used — it
is surprise. For instance, Mr. Nardy found be-
for the City Hall of Havre on the lawn, the
words " City of Havre" in mosaics. Now why
not improve u p on it? Why not before the door
of your country place have a live green mat with
the name of the owner in mosaics? say, "Mon-
tague B. Smith." After all, even that is not new,
as we have wool mats with " cave canem " or
" welcome " on them. But it would be a sur-
prise, nevertheless, such a rustic doorplate.

It may, however, take several years to bring out
the highest degree of mosaiculture, viz., vege-
table portraits. Human vanity though, may ac-
celerate this otherwise slow and difficult evolu-
tion. To explain this art, let me state that from
the massing of mosaics we may step down to
mere lines, and from these violent contrasts to
delicate shading. Take green — rather an appro-
priate color, this we possess in innumerable
shades, from the glaucescent willow to the atres-
cent yew. The reader will excuse Latin, as there
really would be no spice in our teachings with-
out it; using common names would really not do ;
tne reader would know the thing just as well as
I do. Not only have we the green in its various
shades, but we have every shade in its gradations
from light to dark. And when we look close,
we shall find we possess them all even in low
growing plants. There, take the Ivies and just
nothing else. I would undertake to find all the
kinds of ivies necessary for a vegetable photo-
graph. These found, find your subject. As I
don't want to be personal, say the lately success-
ful candidate for the Presidency. First we want
an oval frame1, spaded out of the lawn. Next we

1877]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

67

sketch his profile, for we are not yet bold enough
to attempt full faces. Little pegs we want to
stake it out. Then we plant the dark kinds for
the hair; the less dark for the skin ; the lightest
for the spots where we want the light to strike.
Now we let them grow, thickly too. And now,
in the charming month of May we come, carry-
ing the shears like unto the pencil, and begin to
cut the sketch. There ! the worthy face gradually
appears from under the biting shears, as the por-
trait does under the artist's brush. Our nice eye
(or two of them) calculates growth and waits a
week, and lo ! and behold — it has grown into the
very similitude of His Excellency, the head of
our Government, and will please republicans
and democrats alike, if it were done at the time
I write.

Here, the inferior specimens of readers
would think, ends our art, whilst the better ones
know at once that here it but commences, for
it is comparatively easy to make any figure out
of vegetable material, but difficult to prevent
growth to obliterate it. Hence the daily process
of shaving, in this instance the President, every
other morning and keeping up the likeness. If
the portrait Is that of the proprietor, the intelli-
gent gardener has an easier task because he has
the original and can pinch and shave to a nicety,
— I mean not the original, but the counterfeit
presentment in ivy — on daily comparisons.

For shirt collars we suggest Centaurea candi-
dissima ; for stiff whiskers, Pinus pumilio ; for
curly hair, Maidenhair ferns, or perhaps curled
Parsley ; for ladies' diamond broach, a head of
dwarf Chicory salad ; for why, as we go it, ex-
clude from our vegetable workshops the salads,
the cabbages and the vegetables, one and all,
some of them more picturesque in their forms
and shadings than their more aristocratic-
brethren in the shrub and flower line.

The reader will from these materials justly
conclude that we work on a large scale; larger
than life, say twice as large, and consequently
twice as natural. The larger the scale, in fact,
the easier the work. It may take a century be-
fore a gardening Meissonnier may appear.

But we must not stumble on this work of art,
or perchance tread, though with unwilling foot,
on the cherished face. How to avoid it? Why,
let it be at the bottom of a hill, so that we can
look down on it, and fenced in by a frame of
Mosaics. Or, if your place is flat and offers nb
elevated point whatever, sink this picture a
couple of feet or more, and look down upon it in

that way. The larger it is, in the same ratio
must it be sunk deeper, so that you stand higher
above it, high enough to take it in.

And now let us from the unsteady waves of
nonsense step once more on the firm shore of
sense. The mosaics came to us from the land of
Mr. Nardy, whose artists, in every branch of art,
excel by their talent to invention and novelties,
and consequently, also excel by running into ex-
tremes. The grotesque, the sensational, the in-
decent in French literature and art are but
weeds in their fair garden of general good taste.
So with floriculture. They have along with their
fine inventions in the gardening line, invented
mosaics. Now good taste abhors massing, ab-
hors violent contrasts. No lady wants to dress
loudly; to be loud is to be brassy, impudent,
vulgar. Our mosaic gardens will reflect the
souls of their conceited owners, male or female.

So let fashion progress, give her a lift as she
passes, that she pass all the quicker, that the fol-
ly may fly faster and that we may all the sooner
return to gardens of — American ladies and gen-
tlemen.

NOTES ON RHODODENDRONS AND SOME
EVERGREENS.

BY REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER, BROOKLYN, N. Y.

RHODODENDRONS.

It would be good news if we could confirm Mr.
Parsons' statements, that the Rhododendron can
be cultivated successfully in any good loamy
soil. My experience has not confirmed his state-
ments. For ten years past I have bought of the
Messrs. Parsons fine plants of rhododendrons and
planted them out at Peekskill. For a year or
two they did well, then languished and died off.
Several years ago I brought out from England
several hundred, and set them in nursery rows
without peat. They bloomed for two summers,
but were fast failing. Two years ago, I prepared
ground for them with abundant peat. They
soon revived, and this summer they stood forth
in perfect health and luxuriance. I now treat
all my azaleas, rhododendrons, andromedas,
&c, to a full soil of peat. Mr. Waterer last sum-
mer, on inspecting them, declared that nothing
better could be done in England. I am satisfied
that a full peat soil and mulching, both in Winter
and Summer, but especially in Summer, is the
true plan for satisfactory results in rearing rho-
dodendrons. It is better to have a few fine and

68

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

flourishing, by taking necessary trouble and ex-
pense for peat, than to have cheaper culture and
poorer plants.

RETIN0SP0RA.

I have proved all the kinds of retinosporas
contained in the catalogues, in exposed position
and without special protection, I have never lost
one. With me they are as hardy as any plant
out of doors, and are of all evergreens the finest
for planting near the dwelling, and in small
grounds. The filifera and the obtusa seem des-
tined to rapid and large growth. The obtusa
when well grown resembles Lawson's cypress
and excels it, with the advantage of being per-
fectly hardy, which Lawson's is not.

THE PINUS EXCELSA.

Very beautiful, shrinks before our fierce sum-
mer sun, and after a few years, becomes dilapi-
dated. But a comparatively new kind, P. aya-
cahuite, seems likely to equal it in its own line
of beauty, and to be perfectly hardy, as well.
It deserves to be extensively tried.

LILIUM PARVUM.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

Lilium parvum was discovered by Kellogg
some years ago, and has been offered to the
flower loving public for several years.

It is a small lily, of upright growth, the stem
growing from two to three feet high, and bearing
from two to eight flowers.

The flowers are of a clear yellow color, spotted
with dark red spots, the leaves are borne in
whorls around the stem like those of Humboltii.

The parvum is of very easy culture, any good
garden soil suiting it ; the bulbs, though small
should not be planted less than six inches deep;
fresh manure should not be placed in contact
with the bulb.

.THE LARGEST UMBRELLA PINE.

BY F. W. KELSEY, ROCHESTER, N. Y.

Regarding the urging of the Editor of the
Gardener's Monthly in December number as to
the largest specimen of the rare evergreen Scia-
dopytis verticil lata, would say that having made
some inquiries for the plant in different sections
of the country, the largest I have been able to
find are two specimens formerly owned by Mr.
C. M. Hovey, of Boston. One of them hav-

ing been sold to Mr. Charles A. Dana, of New
York, quite recently. The other I believe is still
retained by Mr. Hovey, who can give you a
more complete description of the plant. I be-
lieve the one sold to Mr. Dana was about 3 feet.
The price was $25, which was not considered
unreasonable.

I am in correspondence now with more par-
ties, in Europe, in regard to specimen plants of
this fine tree, and in the event of my getting any
information of general interest will advise.

[We give thanks to our correspondent, and
should be glad to know where the largest speci-
mens of any rare trees are to be found. — Ed. G.
M.l

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Frost and Hardiness. — We have all in Amer-
ica learned the lesson that it is not the degree of
temperature merely that kills plants. Conditions
alter the figures. Some of these are given in the
following paragraph which we find in the Gar-
dener's Chronicle :

"A writer in the Wiener Gartenfreund, on ' The
Importance of Gardens for Acclimatization,'
gives some interesting particulars respecting the
hardiness of certain plants in Austria, especially
in the neighborhood of Vienna. Pinus Cembra,
which thrives in the botanic garden at Vienna.
is killed by frost at the Imperial villa at Ischl,
unless grafted upon P. Laricio, when it with-
stands the winter without injury. In the same
place, on the other hand, such subjects as P.
Nordmanniana, P. cilicica, P. cephalonica, Bam-
busa nigra and B. argenteo-striata are quite
hardy. Quercus rubra and coccinea are very
fine in the celebrated gardens of Duke Francis,
of Anhalt-Dessau, at Worlitz. Some of them
have trunks from 5 to 6 feet in diameter, and
rise to a height of 60 to 70 feet. Wellingtonia gi-
gantea is said to flourish in the vicinity of War-
saw, where there is often 45° of frost. Acer stri-
atum will not succeed in Vienna on its own
roots, but if grafted on A. Pseudo-Platanus it
does very well. Cupressus Lawsoniana, Pinus
Khutrow, and P. Pinsapo ripen seed in Bohemia.
At Erlacstein, in Syria, in a loamy soil 800 feet
above the sea, Paulownia imperialis, Aralia spi-
nosa, Lagerstrcemia indica, Wistaria sinensis, Li-
quidambar styraciflua, and many others flourish
under 30° — 34° of frost, whereas Koelreuteria and
Cercis siliquastrum perish.''

18*77-]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

69

The Gold- veined Honeysuckle. — This, known
to the English catalogues under the terrible
name of Lonicera (caprifolium) brachybotrya
aurea reticulata! is one of the most useful
plants we have. It is well-known now, and is
common in nurseries. It is not only a beautiful
climber for delicate lattice work, but good use
can be made of its color for bedding combina-
tions. It makes a capital bordering for bed
work. For vases and trellis work it is also ad-
mirable.

General Washington Rose — Mr. H. B. Ell-
wanger, of Rochester, regards this as one of the
best Hybrid Perpetual Roses for that region.

An Early Flowering Catalpa. — Mr. Suel Fos-
ter says there is a catalpa from Richmond, Indi-
ana, perhaps the Teas' variety alluded to in our
columns heretofore, which is much hardier in
Iowa than the common variety, and blooms ten
to fourteen days before the other one.

Gaillardia Amblyodon — Nat. Ord Composite
— Linn., Syngenesia Frustranea. — Flowers crim-
son. "A very handsome October-flowering an-
nual, a native of sandy plains in Texas and New
Mexico, where it blossoms from the beginning of
Summer until the Winter's frost cuts it off. The
genus to which it belongs inhabits both temper-
ate North America and extra-tropical South
America, and consists of about eight species.
The present species was discovered by Berlan-
dier in 1827, and collected subsequently by Lind-
heimer in 1844, and by Drummond in 1845."

La France Rose — Last year we noted the fact,
that the leading English Rose-growers regarded
La France as their best Hybrid Perpetual Rose.
Another year has passed, and new ones have made
their assault on the old favorite which, however,
still " holds the fort."

Tritomas. — These beautiful half-hardy herba-
ceous plants — botanically perhaps more correct
as Kniphofias — have had many new species
added to the cultivated list, the past few years,
but the oldest, T. uvaria, is still one of the most
useful. It is planted in the Spring, but flowers
from early Summer till frost.

The Common Silk Weed— Asclepias Cornuti.
— In old times we used to know this as Asclepias
syriaca, but we believe they are regarded now as
distinct. They are alike enough however to
make what is said of one concern the other, and
this is what the Journal of Horticulture says :

"Asclepias syriaca appears to have been im-
ported in 1629, but has not found much favor

amongst us. In its native home it is said to be
very odoriferous, charming the traveler when
passing through the woods at eventide; it is also
said that it is eaten as a vegetable by the inhabi-
tants. The pods afford cotton, which the na-
tives collect to fill their beds with. Parkinson
says, on account of the silkiness of this cotton it
bears the name of Virginian silk. Asclepias
tuberosa is the most frequently met with in cul-
tivation, but it is by no means a common plant.
There are other kinds enumerated, and which
are worthy of being added to collections of ' old
and rare ' plants."

We all recognize our old friend of our fields
and fences by the above, but there is one p>oint
to Americans not noted in the above. To them
the creeping roots in the Middle and Southern
States are a worse nuisance than the Canada
thistle in the North.

Ivy. — In the garden, Ivy is more extensively
used than formerly — the green free-growing kinds
as edgings to walks ; the closer growing kinds as
coverings for banks, rockeries, and rooteries;
and the choicer sorts for staircase, hall, corridor,
and even conservatory decoration. For all these
purposes Ivy is particularly worthy of being em-
ployed, while for covering low walls in almost
all sorts of positions and with all aspects, a col-
lection of the choice variegated kinds are ex-
tremely ornamental.

As pot plants for associating with groups of
flowering plants, well-trained specimens of Ivy
are not only amongst the finest, but are the most
easily preserved and permanent of plants. How
effective are pyramids of Ivy was strikingly ex-
emplified at the great Show at South Kensing-
ton last year, when the nurserymen made the
grand and spontaneous offering of the best of
their collections, producing an exhibition which
has not been equalled in London for many years.
Fine as were all the collections then exhibited —
rich, valuable, and rare as were many of the
plants composing the groups — yet no bank was
more strikingly ornamental and won higher en-
comiums of praise than the group of specimen
Ivies associated witli Lilinm auratum from Mr.
Turner of Slough.

Ivies in a small state are also admirable for the
furnishing of window boxes, balconies, hanging
baskets for indoors and out, and the variegated
ki.ids for lively edgings of flower beds in Winter.
The uses of this plant in its several varieties are
so manifold that there is no wonder that the de-
mand for plants is increasing year by year, and

70

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

iMarch,

very large supplies have to be provided to meet
the ever-growing requirements for this now pop-
ular plant. I was so struck with the effect of the
fine plants noted above that I obtained a few,
and nothing in my garden has afforded me more
pleasure than my collection of Ivies, and few
plants are more admired by my friends and visit-
ors. I have the satisfaction, too, of feeling that
they are so safely established that no weather
will injure them, but that they will improve year
by year with a minimum share of attention being
bestowed on them. Some sorts are slow grow-
ers, but that is an advantage for many purposes
of decoration, admitting the plants to places
where luxuriant growers would be quite unsuit-
able.— Journal of Horticulture.

Laurentia carnosula. — Under this name the
Botanical Magazine figures a pretty Californian
annual, and gives the following account of it : "A
very elegant little annual, native of muddy places
in Sierra and Indian valleys in California, and
thence, north-eastward, to Wyoming Territory
(A. Gray). It is remarkable as being the only
American example of the genus Laurentia, of
which ten species are known, the rest being na-
tives of South Africa and the Mediterranean re-
gion. The cultivated specimens differ widely
from the native in habit and appearance, the
native ones being shorter, with very succulent
and indeed thickened stems, and having flowers
not one-quarter the size of the cultivated ones.
L. carnosula was raised from Californian seed by
Mr. Thompson of Ipswich, who flowered the spe-
cimen here figured in July, 1875."

QUERIES.

Planting Pyracantha.— M. N., Asheville, N.
C. We suppose the Dwarf Pyracantha, or

" White berried " Pyracantha, would live in
your district, though we have no direct knowl-
edge of that fact. It is hard to transplant unless
set deeper than before. Then it is very easy.

Origin of the Weeping Yellow, or " Slip-
pery" Elm. — F. N., Pittsburg, Pa., writes: — Is
this an English variety? Where did it originate?
This is a variety of the American Ulmus fulva.
Our impression is that the grafts were first dis-
tributed by Captain E. Beebe, formerly of Ga-
lena, 111. We are not quite sure, but think we
are indebted to that gentleman for our first
knowledge of it.

Exochorda grandiflora. — W. F , Newark,
N. Y., says : — " I would like to ascertain what is
Exochorda grandiflora, but I can find no descrip-
tion of it in the Gardener's Monthly, nor Loudon,
nor any work I have."

[It is described in the first volume of the Gar-
dener's Monthly, page 55. It was introduced by
Fortune, from China, and was first thought to be
a Spiraea and went sometimes as S. Fortuni and
S. grandiflora. But Hooker saw distinctions in
the fruit, and made a new genus — Exochorda — of
it. It is one of the most beautiful white flowered
shrubs of early Spring.— Ed. G. M.]

A Beautiful Specimen of Euonymus. — A cor-
respondent from Amherst, Va., says : — " In the
last number of the Gardener's Monthly is a note
from the Gardener's Chronicle, where is men-
tioned the Euonymus bearing fruit. I have a
large one, 9 or 10 feet high, that has borne seed
profusely, and from which I have succeeded in
raising some new varieties, one especially with a
holly shaped leaf, which is very attractive."

[This is evidently Euonymus Japonica, the
common evergreen Japan Burning Bush — but
still a very good specimen and one of the choice
little items that we like to read. — Ed. G. M.]

Ireen Mouse and

ouse Hardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

We must remember that gardening is not
merely the growing of a pretty flower. We
cannot have gardening without flowers, true, but

the taste displayed in the arrangements and sur-
roundings is what constitutes the fine art. A
room or window full of flowers is a beautiful
sight ; but the pleasure is heightened tenfold
when some taste is displayed in the arrangement.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

71

Of late years this has been more fully recognized
than it once was, and therefore plants with noth-
ing but leaves to recommend them, are often as
popular as those which bear flowers. We
refer to this, here, because when any lists are

sunlight than other plants; and for mak-
ing tasteful masses they are almost indispensa-
ble. The usually graceful forms set off other
heavier things to great advantage. Let any
one take, for instance, the heavier leaved Begonias

U^W

BEGONIA REX.

given of plants for window culture, leaf plants
merely are seldom seen therein. Palms and
' ferns deserve recognition as particularly use-
ful for room work, as they will thrive in less

of the old "Rex" type as in the above illustra-
tion, and no matter how they may be massed or
arranged, they will not look well unless some very
artificial pieces of furniture are arranged or

72

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

grouped around them. But if a few palms or
ferns be introduced into the company, the re-
sult is very different, as the beauty of the Be-
gonias is heightened, and the foliage plants are

from Mr. William Bull's excellent catalogue, and
which will make our meaning plain.

There was a time when these plants were'very
expensive, especially to Americans, and few

< ' 1 1 A M JKDOREA FORMOSA.

still more brightened. For the purpose of com-
parison, as the reader goes along, we give an
illustration of one of the pinnated South Ameri

would think of them for window or room deco-
ration ; but thanks to the efforts of the many ex-
cellent florists of Boston, New York, Philadel-

can Palms, Chamsedorea formosa, which we take phia and Baltimore principally, and of Mr. Geo

1877.~>

AND HORTICULTURIST.

73

Such, of South Amboy, particularly, many kinds
have been brought within the reach of almost all.

Setting mere taste aside for the present, how-
ever, and returning to practical matters of de-
tail, we may note the following as among some
of the most pressing duties of the season among
flowers.

Geraniums, Pelargoniums, Cinerarias and Chi-
nese 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 succes-
sive light doses is still the best remedy.

Fuchsias may now be readily struck from the
young growth from the old plants, which will
make excellent blooming plants for the next
summer season.

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

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

Pansies are coming now into flower. They
like an airy frame, where they will not be roasted
at mid-day, nor exposed to drying wSnds, 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,
the 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.

New Holland and Cape plants, such as Epacris,
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 oft*
the following summer.

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.

Camellias will require rather more water while
growing than at other times. Just before they
grow, 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 sys-
tem, practiced by the writer's father, thirty
years ago. A shoot about to grow is ob-

tained 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.

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

Dahlias should now be brought forward. A
good plan is to shorten 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 sepa-
rately potted in 4-inch pots.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

LA BELLE CARNATION.

BY E. LOXDSDALE, GERMANTOWN, PA.

When looking over an old Monthly (January r
1875,) recently, I fell across the following, which
is from the pen of Mr. Chitty, of the Bellevue
Nursery Company : — " I am delighted with La
Belle; it produces more than twice as many
flowers as Degraw in a given space. I am try-
ing to get up a stock of about 20,000 for my own
planting indoors for next Wintej's flowering. It
requires more head room than Degraw, but I
intend building a house specially for it. I am
perfectly satisfied it is the best thing in the way
of a white winter flowering Carnation in the
market."

As a difference of opinion exists about La
Belle for the purpose claimed for it by Mr. C,
it would doubtless interest numerous readers
of the Monthly — myself among the number— to
know what special treatment it requires to pro-
duce such results. Most of the florists I come
in contact with are dissatisfied with it, the com-
plaint being that it fails to flower freely. The
flower itself is the best white we have; large and
well filled up in the centre. For this reason it
will never be entirely discarded ; but to grow it
to the exclusion of all other whites, I fear will
never be, unless Mr. Chitty will favor us with
the experience on which he based his judgment.

My own experience is that it requires to be
rooted earlier, and not stopped or pinched back
so late as is recommended for other varieties;
but even then, when growing side by side with

74

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

Degraw, Edwardsii, La Purite, and Peerless, it
fails to produce so many flowers as any of them.
Does it require more heat? A prominent Car-
nation grower declares there is no difference be-
tween it and Degraw, but no two Carnations
could be more distinct.

THE VERBENA.

BY J. W., TOLEDO, OHIO.

In the last number of the Gardener's Monthly
I noticed several articles on Verbena culture,
and the rust that affects it. Now, I think "the
rust " is not a rust at all, but is the work of an in-
sect, which can be seen with a good pocket lens ;
but in order to make it out clearly it needs a
compound microscope of considerable power.

The said insect is of an oval shape, a little
more tapering towards the head end. It is of a
uniform glossy brown color, and about a hundred
and fiftieth of an inch long. It has four pairs
of legs, the two front pairs stand forward on the
body close on each side of the snout or sucker, the
snout being a little shorter than the front pair.
The front legs are three or four jointed, with
bristles at the joints, and terminate in four sharp
claws, with a sucking disk, which enables the
insect to run quite easily on the under side of a
piece of clean glass. The two pairs behind, are
inserted a little under the end of the body and
pretty close together. They are longer and
more slender than the fore legs ; the last pair
are quite slender and bristle-like, though they
are jointed and terminate in a long bristle, in-
stead of the claws and sucking disk.

The eggs can be seen glued to the leaf; they
open like a clam to let the young escape,
and remain adhering, looking very clear and
silvery. The young insect is light colored at
first, and appears to undergo some slight change
in form. It has no eyes that I can discover, and
I think is a true mite; and may add, mighty
also in its numbers. It seems there is hardly
any plant exempt from its attack. I believe it
to be the cause of the dropping of Camellia
flower buds; it ean always be found in the loose
petals and scales of that flower, when it drops.
Then, when the flower buds are all gone, the in-
sect falls back on the leaf buds, till they are all
destroyed, and the plant dies. What florist is
there who has not watched his handsome plants of
Camellia or Azalias commence in that way,
and gradually die, in spite of all his care, from

no apparent cause but the blackening, harden-
ing process going on in the buds?

As long as a plant is growing rapidly we do not
see much effect; but let anything occur to check
the growth of the plant (pot bound or drouth)
and we soon see how quickly the disease gains
upon it. No, I do not think the insect waits
for sickly plants ; on the contrary, the healthiest
afford it the most nourishment, but the less vig-
orous soon become sickly when the insect once
gains a footing.

There is in my greenhouse a large plant of
Begonia Weltoniensis that has lost all its leaves
except at the ends of the main branches, the
strongest growing points. There it continues to
produce leaves, and even flowers, but the lateral
leaves all fall off, and the 'buds in the axils turn
black. The plant is just able to sustain its life
and growth at the strongest points. It illus-
trates well the struggle for life between the
plants and its foes. This insect has dif-
ferent effects on different plants ; those with
leaves of a thin texture soon lose all their juices
and become black and shrivelled, as in the He-
liotrope and Verbena. Leaves of a thick, fleshy
substance, as the Cyclamen, become twisted,
distorted, and partially developed, perhaps only
one lobe. The floAvers, too, suffer in the same
way, and show any form but the right one. A
year ago my Cyclamens were so badly infested
with this pest that there was not a perfect leaf
on them. The plants were large, some of the
roots three inches across ; but I was in a mind
once to throw the whole lot away. Towards
Spring, however, I trimmed off every leaf and
gave the roots a good washing with strong to-
bacco water. After a while the young leaves
began to appear, when I frequently applied the
same wash. Now, at the present time, they are
looking pretty well and sending up plenty of
bloom ; but still there are traces of the insect in
the deformity of some leaves. This insect seems
to get so deep within the young buds, or buries
itself in the soft pulp, and is further protected
by the fine hairs to beset many kinds of
leaves, that it is difficult to reach it with any
kind of liquid intended to kill it. It is a
low type of insect, perhaps with no regular
breathing apparatus, or a very rudimentary
one. It is not near so highly developed
a creature as the green fly, or perhaps tobacco
smoke would check it some. Red spider being
some such thing as a mite, is able to resist any
fumigation that it is safe to apply. The best

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

75

instrument for applying any kind of wash is the
Bellows Syringe, sold by B. K. Bliss & Sons. It
drives the liquid in such fine spray, and with
force enough to penetrate the fine hairs and
thoroughly wet the plant. I guess the best way
to get rid of the insect is to discard every plant
that shows signs of it. It is worth some sacri-
fice to be rid of this scourge.

IMPROVED SASH FOR THE HOT-BED.

BY B. F. LEEDS, PHILADA.

The improvement consists not in the sash it-
self, but in the attachments to it and the case
below, the intention of which is to hold the sash
tightly over the case, or in an oblique position
at its back. The illustrations accompanying
this article will help to show the manner in
which this is accomplished.

Fig. 1. is a complete view of case or hot-bed,
with grooved bars at either end and sliding
boards, the angular tongue of latter fitting into
the grooves mentioned, and to back of boards is
attached the sash.

These details are shown more clearly in Fig.
2, which is an upper corner of the case broken
away. An outer view of the side of the case is
seen at a, and an inner view of its back at b ;
c, c, grooved bars crossing said end of case from
front to back, and d is the sliding board tongued
into, and moving freely between the bars c, c.

The sash e (glass seen at/) is attached to this
board by hinge shown, and can be kept at any
angle desired by a block at back of the case.

The distance it would be necessary to move
the sash back from the front before it tipped up
to an oblique position would depend upon the
extent to which it was weighted. A heavy
weight on the rear or upper cross bar of the sash
would raise it when projected back a distance of
six or nine inches, or it could be left to tip up of
its own weight.

The reader will easily see how the sliding
board will act as a fastening to the sash in pre-
venting it being blown off by the wind.

Fig. 3 shows the application of the idea to two
adjoining cases. The ends of the two cases
with glazing are seen, and two sets of grooves
and sliding boards. In this instance I have
placed the bars over a board, running in the

same direction, and have made them fast to it.
This would stiffen the bars and would lessen the
necessary thickness of the outer ones.

76

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

Fig. 4l shows a protector from direct sun's rays
and extreme cold, in the shape of a double
frame covered with muslin or matting and at-
tached to the sash. This frame is furnished with
a spring hinge (cost 20 cents per pair, of brass,)
which would cause it, when the pressure of the
thumb screw, shown enlarged in Fig. 5, was re-

moved, to assume the position seen in draw-
ing, or a still more acute-angular one. Of
course, when the sash is tipped up it would
be requisite to fasten the frame down upon
the sash with the thumb screw, the slit for the
passage of which is seen at a, Fig. 4.

There is nothing to prevent the sash being
moved frontwards as well as backwards, so as to
admit of ventilation at the extreme back and
upper part of the case. An opening could be
made at that point equal to a third of the width
of the sash.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Double Zonale " Wonderful." — Mr. Chitty,
Bellevue Nursery, writes :— " I send by this mail
a truss of double Zonale Pelargonium 'Wonder-
ful' (Geo. Sniith). The truss was cut from a
plant in a five-inch pot, which has now nine
other trusses remaining, equally as large and
fine. The color is magnificent."

[We were glad to see specimens of this beau-
tiful variety.— Ed. G. M.]

Double Cineraries. — The old Cineraria, al-
ways a favorite, has been produced in a double
condition by European florists, and of this we
are reminded now by beautiful colored plates
from Haage & Schmidt, of Erfurt.

Waban Conservatories, Boston, Mass. — En-
terprising florists at this time particularly,
deserve all the encouragement the public

can give them. We are pleased to learn that
the firm whose name heads this paragraph is
prospering. They deserve all the success they
are achieving.

The Victoria Regia.— We do not know of
any plant of this in the Union now, unless the
one at Nashville is still alive ; but by the follow-
ing from the California Horticulturist, it may yet
soon be seen in the " Golden State : " — " The pub-
lic are commencing to show a lively taste for
ponds and aquariums, and there are now found
among our chief florists no less than twenty-five
aquatic plants suitable as accessories to the or-
namentation of grounds and rooms. We hope
in a short time to see the Victoria Regia — the
largest Water Lily in the world — a native of the
river Amazon, grown here successfully in a suit-
able tank. One floral firm has already made the
attempt, but the seeds were found defective.
More, however, have been ordered."

QUERIES.

Ferneries.— F. M., Peterboro, Ontario, says:
— " Aside from ferns, what other plants can be
successfully grown in ferneries?"

[Begonias usually do well in ferneries, if there
is some light. Indeed, the whole is a question
of light. If there be little light we can have
nothing but palms and ferns ; but in proportion
as there is light we can grow almost any of the
soft wooded stove plants in them. — Ed. G. M.]

Roses. — Mr. Ottaway, Middleburg, Summit
County, Ohio, says : — " I am pleased to see the
rose question again. Our friend last month
don't quite agree with Mr. Grey. After twenty
years experience, I find the common span roof
the best for amateur and novice. As for a practi-
cal man, he will adjust himself to either span
roof or lean-to. The lean-to requires more at-
tention than a span roof."

Sulphur for Red Spider. — G. M. R., Auburn,
Maine, writes : — " Will you please state in the
February number of the Gardener's Monthly the
safest and most effectual way to use sulphur for
the red spider, and also turpentine for scale in
greenhouses, where a general collection of flow
ering plants are grown ?"

| Put sulphur on tin or iron plates and set it in
the sun under the plants. Turpentine is not as
popular for scale as whale oil soap, or indeed,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

77

any oily substance. This can be syringed. Tur-
pentine has to be applied with a brush. Ed.
G.M.]

Name of Plant.— J. S., Wilmington, Del. —
This is Iris Chinensis, or as recently stated in
the Gardener's Monthly, now Moraea fimbriata.

Names of Plants. — H. L., Danville, Va. — No. 1.
Not an orchid, but Bryophyllum calycinum.
No. 2. Heterocentron roseum. No. 3. Probably
a Cistus, but should have a flower to decide.

Flowering of Chinese Primrose. — H. L.,
Danville, Va., says: — " I should be glad to know
if it is usual for the Chinese Primrose to flower
in the same manner as the Japan Primrose, that
is in whorls, one truss of flowers above another.

I have a lot of the above raised from seed sown
last Spring now in full bloom, pyramidally ar-
ranged, from deep rose to pure white. Foliage
from natural green to very dark color, with
flower stems nearly black. Not having seen the
like before, hence my troubling you."

[It is not common, but they sometimes do.
The double Chinese Primrose always does.
There is a tendency in the whole family in this
direction. The common yellow English Prim-
rose generally has but single flowers on stems
springing from the root; but occasional ones
are seen with flowers from one common stem
as the common form of Chinese Primrose, and
there is no reason why under some peculiar cir-
cumstances even another whorl might not be
produced.— Ed. G. M.

Sruit and Vegetable MtArdening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

This is a busy season south of Pennsylvania
in this department ; here, we must wait till the
end of the month, and northward, still later.
The crops noted will, of course, be dependent
on the arrival of the season, which is rather indi-
cated by the ground becoming warm and dry,
than by the almanac. It is very important to
have crops early ; as soon as the ground is there-
fore in good condition put in the seed. Possibly
a cold rain might come and injure them, and
you may lose and have to make a new sowing.
Even so, it is but the loss of the seed and labor,
while, if the seed do not die, the early crop will
more than repay that risk.

In the hot-bed, Pepper, Egg plant, Tomato and
Cucumbers may be sown, and in a cooler hot-bed
frame Early York Cabbage, Cauliflowers and
Celery. Those who have not got a hot-bed can
sow a few pots or boxes, and keep them near the
light in a warm room.

In the open air, peas and potatoes are about
the first crop to be attended to ; of the former,
the varieties have now become so numerous that
even "new grapes" will soon have to give way
in that respect. Of new early Potatoes, we think
Goodrich's Seedling is the best ; the best older

variety is perhaps, the Early White Sprout.
Beets, the Early Six Week Turnip-rooted, is per-
haps the earliest. Carrot, the Early Horn. Cu-
cumber, the Early White Spine or Early Cluster.
Lettuce, the Silesian, or Early Curled — to cut
before heading; and the Early Butter left to
head, are the first in season. Among the Ra-
dishes, the Old Short-top, and the Bed and
White Turnip are still ahead. Spinach, the Old
Round-leaved ; so that on the whole there has
been little advance made on all early kinds of
vegetables.

In addition to sowing of the above, Onions
Leeks, Parsnips and Parsley must be sown at
this season — not for the main crop, but to have
a few in advance of the rest. To keep over the
Winter almost all kinds of root crops become
tough or coarse if sown too soon.

In the open ground Peas and Potatoes receive
the first attention. Then Beets and Carrots.
Then Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Onions, Leeks
and Parsley. Beyond this, unless in more fav-
ored latitudes than Pennsylvania, little can be
done until the first week in April. There is noth-
ing gained in working soil until it has become
warm and dry.

In regard to fruits, our remarks last month
will be generally in order.

78

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

COMMUNTCA TIONS.

NATURAL PEACH STONES.

BY E. S. NIXON, CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

I feel disposed to reply to B. F. Transou's arti-
cle in November number, on the Wild Goose
Plum ; but as you bave so frequently requested
your correspondents to let the subject drop, I
feel that it would be out of place; consequently I
will pass it over unnoticed. He calls your at-
tention to my answer to your inquiry for informa-
tion as to the uniformity of size of the seeds of
seedling peaches, as follows: — "We would also
call your attention to the fact that it is not al-
ways the case that the largest peaches have the
largest seed; for instance, the Heath Cling is a
very large peach and has a very small seed — less
than many peaches of not half the size." That
is all very true and undisputed; but it does not
follow that all large peaches have small seed, or
that seeds of all seedling peaches are of a uni-
form size. And I repeat the statement, that
the seeds of some seedlings are large and some
small. In fact, I have seen seeds of some seed-
lings that were larger than the entire fruit of
some others. But enough on that subject.

[The reason we were not disposed to continue
the controversy about the " Wild Goose " Plum
was, that there is no true Wild Goose Plum.
There are many good wild plums under culture
and many poor ones. We want to see a selection
made over again of the best, with new names
and new descriptions. Some of those under
culture are about as fit to associate with Wild
Goose as cranberry sauce ; while kinds such as
are grown by Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas ; Hance
&Son; and others, can well stand without any
goose at all.— Ed. G. M.]

ON SOME OLD FRUITS.

BY T. T. LYON, PRESIDENT OF THE MICHIGAN STATE
POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

In your remarks, on page 17 of the January
number of the Gardener's Monthly, you speak of
an impression that the Ribston Pippin is not
adapted to America; and seem surprised at its
appearance in fine condition at the Centennial.
I take occasion from this to say that I have
grown it in Michigan since 1850, and have found
it uniformly fine and the tree highly satisfactory.

It cannot, however, be set down as a heavy
bearer ; and it is my conviction that it is more
at home at the extreme North. Its high,
brisk flavor, also, is against its general popular-
ity among Americans.

On the same page you also speak of the ap-
pearance of the Alexander, in many collections,
at the Centennial ; and characterize it as a " com-
paratively poor apple," planted rather for show.
Please allow me to suggest that, while there may
well be a doubt as to its relative profitableness,
I know of no equal to it as a culinary sort, es-
pecially for pies or other similar purposes, for
which it suffices without preliminary cooking,
as its flesh will become sufficiently cooked in the
process of baking the pies; while it is so acid
that the requisite proportion of sugar will ren-
der it abundantly rich and sprightly. At a ses-
sion of the American Pomological Society, held
in your city, I think in 1862, I proposed that it
be placed upon the rejected list; but I have
since seen occasion to amend my views respect-
ing it.

I may also indulge the statement respecting
Hale's Early Peach, that it stands second to but
few varieties here at the lake shore, where it is
seldom seriously affected by " rot," and every-
thing considered, is esteemed one of our most
profitable sorts. The new early sorts — Amsden,
Alexander, Louise, Rivers, &c, have not yet
fruited here, although expected to do so the

PRUNING FULL GROWN FRUIT TREES.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

The portraits of such, both well and ill pruned,
are found in our fruit books. Yet I do not re-
member any which details the right way and
starting place in doing such work. You may
fix in your eye the ideal picture laid down of a
well pruned tree. But without sound sense and
practice, you will find it no easy job to fashion a
neglected, scraggy, tangled-up tree into that
clean cut, shapely comeliness, fit for companion-
ship in a perfect orchard. Yet that right method
follows logically the need of sunlight, showers
and air, to the best estate of both fruit and foli-
age.

The French say " c' est le premier pas qui coate,"
which means in pruning, that to have such work
well done, you must begin right. First, then,
never start your job from the ground, or cut

1877 J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

79

first the lower limbs. Do not puzzle or torment
your wits by gazing up into that maze of smoth-
ering, cross-riding, gnarled and tangled growths,
but climb up through the centre of the tree to
its top, stopping to cut out only those inward
tending branches that block your way. As you
go up, look studiously out on the work to follow.
When you have reached the top, overlook its
very scalp locks. Begin and cut away around
the circuit of the head every limb that chafes and
smothers its better neighbor beside or below.
To give pathway to the sun and air, take out any
under limb that crowding upward or starting
from the same foothold, worries its fellow with
the clutter of dense shade or rubbing in the
wind. As you thus, step by step, make the cir-
cuit of its crown, a keener and larger sense will
come to you of just what is to be done on your
tree to leaf and bough, to insure you healthy and
useful growth, and perfect fruit.

Next, go down to the second plot of limbs from
top — not that they grow like pines in regular
tiers, but for the purpose of your work you may
so regard them. Thus you will finish as you go
downward the whole circuit of each grade. In
each you will perhaps find limbs which your
work above has opened to the sunshine and the
breeze, or which you found so placed and des-
tined to remain. Don't worry over such, more
than to rid them of anything molesting their inde-
pendent growth ; but everywhere cut away tan-
gles, cross-riders, and all such limbs as disturb
the vigorous outward stretch of others, or shut
out light, or smother with heavy shade. Strive
to leave each branch chosen to stay, in some
sense, like a miniature tree, bending toward the
open space by itself, and independently. Thus
treated, your fruit trees will become a pride and
pleasure, and most richly repay a work ofttimes
seemingly harsh and puzzling. But if we began
right pruning in the youth of our trees, and fol-
lowed it up year by year, striving for a clean
limbed, open head, we should never need to face
the job which a long neglected tree presents.
Pruning is needed, because a fruit tree is not
grown for fuel or timber, but simply for the
healthful luscious product of its fruit.

THE TOMATO SEASON PROLONGED.

BY H. W. RAVENEL, AIKEN, S. C.

I see an article in your January number from
Gen. W. H. Noble, of Bridgeport, Conn., giving
his method of keeping tomatoes after frost. I

have been practicing the same method almost
identically for twelve or fifteen years past, and
always successfully, keeping them sometimes as
late as February. Our tomatoes begin to ripen
here about the beginning of July; so we have a
six months season, by laying in a good supply
in November.

In order to insure a good Fall crop, I always
sow a second crop of seed about the end of June.
These will come into bearing (ripening) about
the end of September or early in October. By
frost (say first of November) the vines are full
of fruit in all stages of growth. When a killing
frost is expected, I pick in all the fruit, even
those that are half grown, spread them out care-
fully in some dry place, where they can be used
as they ripen. In our latitude almost any room
in the house will answer the purpose. It is only
necessary that the fruit should not freeze. I
kept them many years on the floor of a base-
ment room, where the temperature was always
above the freezing point. Last year I had them
in a cold pit covered with glass, but found that
was too warm, as the fruit ripened too rapidly,
and was all done before Christmas.

The full grown fruit will ripen perfectly, of
fine color and good flavor; those only half-
grown will also ripen, but of course are not as
well flavored, nor as richly colored.

Whilst on the subject, I will state that the po-
tato fungus (Peronospora infestans) almost in-
variably attacks the leaves of the second crop
of tomatoes, not, however, to injure materially
the production ; but I have never seen any
trace of the fungus on the first crop of tomatoes
or on the potato leaves in this region.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Fruit of the Black Hills. — A correspondent
of the Louisville Courier-Journal, says, The wild
Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries and Cur-
rants, are very fine there. The Choke cherry is
the only wild cherry, and though the grape-vine
grows very large, nothing is said of their excel-
lence.

Rossignold — A Good French Apple. — M.Paul
Belleste of Rouen, France, while writing to the
publisher in reference to his subscription to the
Gardener's Monthly, speaks in high praise of the
"Rossignold" apple. He says, "It is magnifi-

80

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

cent, excellent, large, brilliant yellow, ripens in
February."

Apples for North-eastern New Jersey. — In
answer to a correspondent for a selection of six
best apples for tbis part of the country, he may
take Red Astrachan, Gravenstein, Baldwin, King
of Tompkins County, Rhode Island Greening
and Golden Russet.

New Peaches. — A number of peaches that
have been on probation the past year or two,
ought to be able to give a good account of them-
selves this year or never. Among these may be
named Alexander, Brandywine, Leatherbury's
late, Bilyeu's late, Jarrell, Tuckahoe, Amsden,
Wilkins', Steadley, and Nanticoke.

Apricots in Boston. — Among otber fruits
named by Mr. Rand, in a letter to the Editor of
the Garden, as being abundant on " our street
stands," Apricots and Nectarines are included.
In Philadelphia last Spring a few apricots ap-
peared from California in one fruiterer's win-
dow ; but the quality was poor through the
fruit having of necessity to be gathered before
ripening. But the experiment is not likely to
be repeated. The nectarine has not been seen
on a Philadelphia stand for many years, and we
congratulate our Boston friends on their good
fortune in securing so full a supply of these de-
licious fruits.

The Secretary Grape. — This seedling of Mr.
Ricketts, and an excellent kind, has been pur-
chased by Mr. Underhill. It is a hybrid between
the Clinton and some foreign variety, a large
bunch, black, and is a very promising variety in
every way. Messrs. Hance & Son have, also,
some under propagation, but we do not know
which ones.

The Japan Persimmon. — This is said to make
an excellent orchard-house fruit. We ate some
recently, preserved in Japan like figs and
sent here, and they were far superior, in our esti-
mation, to the best figs.

QUERIES.

Mulched Peach Trees. — Medford, Mass.,
writes: — "Late this Fall, I mulched my peach
trees with straw, in order to retard the growth,
and prevent injury by early frost next Spring.

What will be the proper time to remove the
mulching? Not the time with reference to the
calendar, but to the budding or blossoming."

[It is generally atmospheric heat and not the
warmth of the soil, that starts peach trees into
bloom. No rule, therefore, can be drawn from
their flowering. We should be disposed to leave
the mulch on till all probability of another freeze
was over — but taking it off as early as possible
consistent with this chance. — Ed. G. M.]

Borers in Peach Trees. — M. says: — "The
borers trouble my peach trees. I cut them out
with a pointed knife ; but that produces wounds
and bleeding. What prevention can I apply?
Will a coat of whitewash (lime) prove effica-
cious ? One writer recommends making a mound
of wood ashes several inches high around the
trunk of the tree in the Spring, and spreading
them under the tree in June, if my memory
serves me. But my experience shows that the
borers will enter two feet high, and apparently
late in the Summer and in the Fall. Many per-
sons, intelligent in other respects, do not know
that the escape of sap and unsightly bunches of
gum are caused by borers. One of my neigh-
bors bandaged his bleeding tree with cloth as a
remedy ; I recommended the knife instead."

[A thick coat of whitewash is a capital thing,
and where the whole stem is so done, right down
to the roots, we doubt whether anything else
would be required. If there be, grease the stem
well down where the grubs work. None of these
insects like oily matters. — Ed. G. M.]

Layered Grape Vines. — Mystic, Mass., asks :
— " I layered some Concord grape vines last
Spring, three or four inches deep, where I wish
for new vines. Would it be better to let them >
remain, or to lift and set them deeper next
Spring? The soil and sub-soil are dry. In that
soil, I have dug large holes a foot deep, planted
vines in the holes in the Spring, covering the
roots about five inches, the next Spring filling
the holes, thereby obtaining another tier of roots
above ; and the vines have done well."

[If the vines are well rooted they need not be
removed, but if they have not made many fibres,
it would be as well to leave them another year
without separating from the parent. — Ed. G. M.]

Pruning Grape Roots. — Mystic writes : — " In
setting out grape vines having long roots, is it
best to shorten the roots — the vines, of course,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

81

being cut down to within one bud of the ground?
Is root pruning of old grape vines beneficial?"

[We should not prune the roots, but leave
them lie along a few inches under the surface, as
far as they will go. There is no good from
pruning roots directly, but some vines may have
diseased roots, and the cutting these away, and
the new soil which the operation involves, is
often the occasion for a new and advantageous
start.— Ed. G. M.]

Rotting of Grapes in a Grapery. — J. H.
McH. asks : — " Can the premature rotting of the
fruit in a cold grapery be properly attributed to
dampness from leakage of rain-water through an
imperfect roof?

[This is one of a class of questions difficult to
answer so as to apply to your special case. From
that point of view it may or may not. A close,
moist atmosphere, brought about by drip, when
at the temperature of the dew point, will often

favor fungoid growths that will end in rot. The
Western grape-growers in the open air, know
how often dew or fog under some circumstances
produces mildews and moulds. But this again
depends for its virulence on the vital powers of
the subject. A cutting of any soft wooded plant
often moulds at the dew point, when a similar
shoot on a growing plant escapes, and from this
we can see that if the vital powers of a grape
vine be already low, the rot producing fungus, in
a dewy atmosphere, would be more active than
if the plant were in a high condition. Then there
are many causes which will produce rot in
grapes besides those arising from the state of the
atmosphere, so that though the dampness you
refer to may have caused rot, only an examina-
tion of the vines themselves by one accustomed
to note these things closely, could say whether
it had much to do with your case or not. — Ed.
G. M.]

FORESTRY.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

THE EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS A FAILURE.

BY E. S. NIXON, CHATTANOOGA, TENN.

It will be remembered that in the last few
years considerable interest has been manifested
by a number of people to grow the " Fever Tree "
in this country, and that articles innumerable
have been written by various parties, in which
they thought it would be hardy in the Carolinas,
&c. The Department of Agriculture at Wash-
ington sent out the seed. Enthusiastic gentle-
men sent to California and Australia for it, and
the result is that a great many specimens of from
ten to twenty feet high, and from two to four
inches in diameter, have sprung up in various
places in the South. In the month of December,
before the coldest weather of the season had set
in, I was traveling in Mississippi and Louisiana.
I took particular pains to notice the effect of the
cold weather on them and found that in every
instance, with one exception, they were killed
outright.

The one referred to was at Port Hudson, La.,

it being planted in the shelter of a high stable..
It was a fine specimen, about twenty feet high
and four inches in diameter, had braved one
Winter with the loss of a few feet of its top. (It
will be remembered that last Winter was the
mildest for years.) The time I saw it, was two
or three days after the cold snap of the 1st and
2d of December. I have no idea that it is living
now. Judging from my observations I do not
think it will prove hardy in any part of Louisi-
ana, much less the Carolinas.

[Mr. Berckmans has already reported that it
will not live in Georgia, much less in the Caro-
linas. It is barely possible that a few Australian
trees may live in Florida, but every intelligent
gardener could tell any newspaper reporter if he
wanted to know, that no Australian tree will do
in the other Atlantic States. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Cork Trees in California. — The cork tree in-
terest seems gaining ground in California. We
learn from the Santa Barbara Press: — "A tree is
now standing on the lot at the corner of Monte-

82

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

cito and Castillo streets. It is an evergreen oak
about 20 feet high and covers about as much
area. At the foot it is 40 inches in circumfer-
ence, and at 6 feet from the ground, where it
begins to branch, it is 30 inches in circumfer-
ence. The leaf is very similar to the California
live-oak, except that the underside is whitish.
The tree, though carefully watched, has never
been known to fruit. As Capt. Trussel does not
permit specimens to be cut, we had to be satis-
fied with sticking a knife into the bark ; it pen-
etrated readily through a smooth, good quality
of cork bark to a depth of an inch and a half."

A Large White Oak. — A newspaper para-
graph tells us that, "a white oak tree recently
felled in Michigan, measured twenty feet in cir-
cumference, and revealed three hundred and
eighty rings in the grain ; so it must have started
about the time America was discovered."

Tree Planting in Minnesota. — A Western
paper tells us that over a quarter of a million
timber trees were planted out in the prairie dis-
tricts of Minnesota last year.

The Profit of Timber Planting. — We like to
give both sides of every question. Here is the
black side of timber planting from the Chicago
Journal :

"Now it is very likely that the supply of lum-
ber will be much diminished during the next
twenty-five years, though it is not true that for-
ests are diminishing as rapidly as many state.
In some sections of the country, forests are in-
creasing very rapidly. To show that it is not
ordinarily profitable to set out and tend trees for
half a life time in order to have some lumber
and wood, we have only to point to the portions
of land in this and other Western States that are
covered with trees, where land can be bought at
a less price than on an open prairie in the vicin-
ity. If there was a prospective speculative
value in forest timber, aside from pine and a few
other varieties, we should see capitalists compe-
ting to buy up all the forests in the country.
The fact is, however, that investments are rarely
ever made in this kind of property. At present,
wood is little used for fuel in the West, and as
improvements are made in the manner of con-
suming soft coal, it will be used less than now.
As the country increases in age and wealth,more
durable material than wood will be used in the
construction of buildings."

Without wishing to prejudice the argument

we might say to this, that if one carries coals to
Newcastle, he would not expect to make much
profit. To plant trees where they are now an
incumbrance, and likely to be for some years,
would be folly ; but to plant them where their
products would certainly be in demand, is an-
other thing.

Preserving Oak Timber. — It is said that oak
ties for railroads are made very durable by being
steeped in chloride of zinc or creosote oil.

The Value of Catalpa Timber. — Positive facts
in regard to the durability of Catalpa timber are
scarce. The following is from the Railway Age:

"In the Spring of 1871, in conversation with
Wm. E. Arthur, formerly superintendent of the
Illinois Central Railroad, he stated that Catalpa
ties would last forever ; that it was easily culti-
vated, was of rapid growth, and when planted in
groves grew straight and tall as any forest tree ;
that he had several groves then growing on his
farm that had been planted but four years and
were 20 to 30 feet high ; that he had planted
them for fence posts, but had subsequently
learned that they would hold a spike as well as
oak and would not split. Hence their value for
cross-ties.

" Three years ago I cut from a Catalpa tree, that
had been cut down after growing 30 years as a
shade tree, two railroad cross-ties, and placed
them in a track over which trains pass every
hour, one under a rail joint. The spikes show
no signs of loosening. The Catalpa does not hold
a spike as well as oak, but sufficiently well for
all practical purposes. It does not split easily-
While not as tough as some woods, it should not
be termed brittle, as stated in Millikin's essay.
I subjected pieces of Catalpa, oak and ash, one
inch square, to a breaking pressure twelve inches
between supports. The Catalpa broke under a
pressure of 703 pounds ; ash 890 pounds ; one
piece of oak at 577, one at 709, and one at 1,141
pounds. The Catalpa deflected three times as
much as the oak or ash before breaking."

Commercial Classes of Forest Trees. — At a
recent meeting of a Farmer's association in Con-
necticut, Prof. Brewer of Yale College, gave a
lecture in the evening on " Woods and Wood-
lands" of Connecticut. Great Britain, he said,
has twenty-nine species of indigenous trees,
growing over fifty feet in height; France thirty-
three, and Europe only fifty species. Connecti-
cut has sixty species indigenous to the soil, grow-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

83

ing to the height of fifty feet and upwards.
Humboldt called America the " leafy continent."
Our government collected and exhibited four
hundred and nineteen species of wood at the
Centennial. He arranged woods in five classes,
as follows : first, woods for fuel and charcoal ;
second, for buildings and ships ; third, for furni-
ture and joiners' work ; fourth, for various man-
ufacturers, such as spools, lasts, etc.; fifth, forest
products, such as maple sugar and tan-bark.
The lecture was full of instruction and was at-
tentively listened to.

Sweet Fern for Tanning. — The paragraph in
our magazine some months ago in regard to this
article, attracted considerable attention. Here
is an additional item about it : —

" The Ellsworth American says that Capt. Eaton
made another shipment of two hundred barrels
of sweet fern extract to the Boston leather mar-
ket and with it his first consignment of extract

of alder. This alder extract, like sweet fern ex-
tract, is new to the leather trade of this country.
The tanning properties of these new agents have
been thoroughly tested by practical tanners of
Ellsworth, and found to be equal to, if not supe-
rior to the best tannin material in use in this
country. Calfskins tanned with both the fern
and the alder are as mellow and firm as the best
tanned French calfskins, and much more beau-
tiful in color."

Wood Pavements. — These have proved less
durable than their friends imagined. It was
thought at one time that a demand for blocks
would have an influence on forestry, but the
signs of the times, both in this country and Eu-
rope are, that this system of paving will never
come into general use. With all the objection to
stone, its comparative durability gives it an ad-
vantage which will always outweigh numbers of
good points in the wood.

<£t>«

Natural History and Science.

C03IMUNICA TIONS.

BRODI/EA CALIFORNIA.

W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

Of the many strange and wonderful growths
found in California, the botanist finds few of a
more peculiar habit, and none that I know of
deserves more attention. No other plant in the
vegetable world acts as does this one.

The Brodiaea Californica belongs to the na-
tural order Liliacese, and is known among the
mass of floral people as the Twining Hyacinth, a
name which it well deserves, as will be seen by
the description given below. It has two near
relations, both natives of California, but of a dif-
ferent habit; they are— B. coccinea, bearing-
crimson flowers, and B. grandiflora, bearing
blue flowers, both of which I shall describe at
another time.

The B. Californica starts to grow early in the
Spring, it sends up from two to four leaves, the
latter very seldom, these are of various shades of
green, being very dark where exposed to the
sunlight, and light in the shade; they vary from

one-half to one inch in diameter, and from one
to three feet in length. I have often gathered
them of over a yard in length, but they were al-
ways of plants in the shade, they have a deep
channel running the entire length, and nearly
always lie prostrate on the ground.

The flower- stem starts to grow about the mid-
dle of May ; as soon as it gets to be five or six
inches long, it commences to twine, and twines
itself over any shrub or plant in its vicinity,
whether five or ten feet high, it keeps on twining
until it reaches the top of its support.

It takes it from two to four weeks to reach the
top of its support, and all this time the flower-bud
remains dormant. After reaching the greatest
height it can get, it stops to take a rest for a week
or two. Then occurs the most singular phenom-
enon of all. The stem breaks off close to the
ground, and keeps no connection whatever with
mother earth, which until this time has given it
nourishment; now the flower-bud begins to ex-
pand, and grows for about two weeks, when lo!
■the bud opens and exposes to view from six to
sixty other flower-buds, which up to this time
have been safely hidden from view. In about a

84

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

week, or the first to the middle of July, the flow-
ers open, and remain from two to six weeks, and
this without any connection with the earth what-
ever. Whether it derives nourishment from the
shrub supporting it, or the air, I am not prepared
to say.

The flowers are of various shades of pink and
pinkish purple; as before stated they are borne
in clusters of from twelve to sixty; they are from
one-half to one inch inch in diameter, and the
clusters from one to six inches in diameter.

The bulbs are of a medium size, and very deep
in the ground, and so entangled with roots of
underbrush that it is almost impossible to get
them.

CULTURE.

To any one who can get them, I would say get
them. Plant about four inches deep, in rather good
rich soil, near some bush or shrub, so as to afford
some support. It will not injure it any way.
Cover in cold climate with suitable covering.
Give no water except what it gets naturally. By
following the above directions, I think you will
have success.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Interpretation of Varying Forms. — At a
recent meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of
Natural Sciences, Mr. Thos. Meehan said that
William Bartram, in the last century, had found
forms of Liriodendron tulipifera on the Schuyl-
kill River, as he had been informed by his son-
in-law, with entire leaves; but only this year had
he succeeded in re-discovering them. Some of
these leaves he exhibited. He observed that
years ago such discoveries had an interest in
themselves. Now the botanist expected to find
entire leaved forms among kinds usually lobed,
or lobed ones among the entire class. The out-
value now in these discoveries was in any lesson
they might teach. As a rule he hesitated to re-
fer to the unpublished observations of others,
preferring that the discoverers should in their
own good time and way, report what they had
found, but hoped to be pardoned on this occa-
sion, for saying that on a recent visit to the
Academy, the distinguished botanist, Dr. Engel-
mann,had pointed out that some oaks had lobed
leaves oven in early infancy, while others bad
entire leaves ; but that those which had early lobed
leaves assumed more entire leaves when mature,

and those which had entire leaves when young,
had lobed leaves when fully grown. In many
oaks which he had examined, he found Dr. En-
gelmann's observations correct, and that it ex-
tended to many other plants. The mulberries
generally, had lobed leaves in their younger
years, but when mature, the leaves were uni-
formly entire, and this was especially well known
in the case of the Broussonettia. In young Ja-
pan honeysuckles, the leaves were querciform
or variously lobed, while at maturity the ten-
dency to union was often remarkable. In the
common ivy, the halbert shaped leaves of youth,
always gave place tolobeless forms when of fruit-
ing age. But it was in cruciferous plants that
the differences were best seen. Here lyrate or
pinnatitied leaves in infancy, often gave place to
entire ones as the plant grew ; while there were
numberless instances in which entire juvenes-
cent leaves gave place to pinnatified ones.

However, the point for the present even-
ing was, that there was often a vast difference
between the leaves of a plant's early life,
and their form in advanced age. In Conif-
erae, he said, this was well known. During the
first few months from seed, many different species
in their several sub-divisions, were so nearly
alike that it was almost impossible to tell any
one apart till a little age had brought divergence
from the original type. He exhibited some
young Thujas to illustrate this. The early Thujas
all had ericoid leaves. In the forms which we
knew as arborvitses, the conditions with which
we were familiar was the secondary form. In
these the leaves which in juvenescense were free
and heath-like, had become almost wholly uni-
ted with the branches. But there were cases
where the young arborvitses had never had pow-
er to leave their early condition. They were the
analogoues of what we know in human nature as
imbeciles or feeble-minded ; and of this class
were many so called " Retinosporas," Biota
Meldensis, and many Junipers and Thujas. He
had known the Thuja ericoides of gardens to re-
main fifteen years in this infantile state, and
then only one of thousands to regain the pure
adolescent or fan-like arborvitas form.

In all these cases it is important to notice that
a comparative feebleness of growth, and an ab-
sence, more or less total, of all disposition to pro-
duce flowers, go with these continuously
juvenescent characters. With the appearance
of sexual characters, there is change of form ;
and, in proportion as this change is the more

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

85

marked, is the relative productiveness. The
white oak (Quercus alba) which, during its first
year has entire leaves, has them lobed at matur-
ity; and those which have them the most deeply
lobed are the most productive in acorns.

He found these observations to hold good in
the entire leaved Liriodendron. During the
first year all tulip trees had entire leaves, or at
at least more or less so in comparison with those
which they afterwards assume. These large trees
with entire leaves had merely retained their ju-
venescent form. The other attendant characters
of juvenescence were also present. The tree from
which the large, entire leaf exhibited was taken,
had no signs of ever having borne seeds. In one
place he found two trees which, from surround-
ing circumstances he should judge, were prob-
ably about the same age, and in every circum-
stance relating to nutrition, equally favored; one
with very deeply cut leaves, even to the most
feeble branch, was covered with seed cones, and
was thirteen feet in circumference. The other
had leaves almost entire, with but few fruit, and
a trunk of only eight feet round.

The danger was, that in discussing laws of
variation in connection with the origin of species,
we may overlook these sexual and physical
changes. If one never having seen a Baltimore
oriole, should notice particularly the brilliant
plumage of the male bird, and without noticing
the sex, compare it with the very different look-
ing female bird, he would be very apt to think
he had found a " missing link " in a grand evolu-
tionary chain. There were many differences in
animals which were recognized as having their
origin in obscure sexual laws, as well as many
more unrecognized, but probable. And he be-
lieved these cases were far more numerous in
vegetation, and which would have to be carefully
eliminated from consideration in any study on
the origin of species or the evolution of form in
relation thereto.

Botanical Garden in Fairmount Park. — For
many years past there has been a desire in
Philadelphia to establish a botanic garden, but
the exact way to bring this about has never
been clear. In a general way the most endur-
ing establishments of this kind grow, and are
not made. As a rule, the majority of the peo-
ple who pay taxes prefer horticulture to mere
botanical science, and therefore, the one should
grow out of the other, if at all. The Kew Gar-
den plan is the best yet worked out, and the

Horticultural Department of the Centennial
may lead to such a garden as Kew. The gardening
about the Hall was so very beautiful, that there
was a general desire by the people to "have it
over again." The City Councils have made an
appropriation for the purpose, and some intelli-
gent citizens, in order to get a good start for an
arboretum, moved in the purchase of the exhi-
itors' collections as a nucleus to start from.
Mr. Eli K. Price has recently made a report to
the American Philosophical Society, from which
we extract as follows :

"Some planting out of the various trees in the
nursery had been made in the Park along the
few avenues opened, and 1639 trees have been
planted over the space occupied for the Centen-
nial International Exhibition. The formation
of the grounds within that space by the Board
of Finance of the Exhibition and the planting
therein, are an invaluable acquisition to Fair-
mount Park, as open waste fields have thereby
been converted into beautiful gardens, with ave-
nues, walks and fountains. It is true, that the
garden of the Horticultural Hall was, to a large
extent, planted with trees and flowers by For-
eign and American exhibitors. James Veitch
& Sons, of Kiag's Road, Chelsea, S. W., near
London, presented to the Park Commissioners
their valuable collection of trees and plants,
consisting chiefly of Rhododendrons.

The American exhibitors who had collected
and planted in the garden of Horticultural Hall
a rare variety of trees and ligneous plants were
Thomes Meehan, of Germantown; Hoopes,
Brother & Thomas, of West Chester, Pa.; S. B.
Parsons & Sons, and R. B. Parsons & Co., of Flush-
ing, N. Y.; Miller & Hayes, of Mount Airy,
Philadelphia; Mahlon Moon, of Morrisville, Pa.;
and Robert Buist, of Philadelphia. They were
actuated by a liberal desire that their collections
should remain in the Park, and offered them at
prices which they esteemed little over half the
cost to them. It was an object to the Commis-
sioners to secure these permanently for our
Park, to be transplanted as thinning out shall be
required for their healthy growth, and they have
been secured by purchase.

The resources for this purchase should be here
stated. They were as follows :

The cHy's appropriation, by the Park Commission ap-
plied for Nurseries in 1876 81,500 00

Accumulated Interest on Elliott Cresson's Legacy 3,000 00

" " Andre F. Michaux's Legacy... 414 60

"Contributions by the following persons of
$100 each, to-wit:

Wm. L. Schaffer, George C. Thomas, Chas. H. Rogers,
Samuel Jeanes, Joseph Jeanes, Joshua T. Jeanes,
Isaac F.Baker, Eli K. Price 800 00

Moses Brown and J. C. Strawbridge, each $50 100 00

Total 85,814 60

"As the legacies of Elliott Cresson and Andr6
F. Michaux are enduring funds for planting in
the Fairmouut Park and elsewhere, it is proper
here to show what are the trusts of those wills,

86

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[31arch,

and what are the obligations to the public in-
curred by the Park Commission in executing the
agency committed to them."

After showing the tree planting resources of
the city as derived from the legacy of Elliott
Cresson, who left $5,000, the interest annually to
go to planting shade trees for the citizens, and
of Andre F. Michaux, who left $12,000 to the
Philosophical Society, for "especially the en-
couragement of sylvaculture," Mr. Price says :

"Within the Park the landscape gardener will
exert his skill to blend in beauty the self-sown
forests there growing, with artistic planting, as
the formation of new avenues and fresh grading
will demand; where the new trees will be of
kinds not native to our environs, and show in
contrast the hand of Art ; but at the same time
greatly add to the variety and novelty of trees
and plants; so that the trees of the Park shall
become a great Arboretum, and its flower beds
become Botanic Gardens. Thus the landscape
formed to please the taste, and the gardens to
delight the eye, will become schools of science
for all scholars and citizens. For this end, each
section of the Park will be planted with the
largest practicable variety of trees and plants.

"That the variety of these may be greatly in-
creased, we have purchased the trees exhibited
in Horticultural Garden, and the gathering and
planting of acorns and tree seeds have had in
view mainly to increase the number of species,
while providing the necessary stock whence to
transplant trees over our Park of nearly three
thousand acres in extent."

The Eucalyptus in our Climate. — American
nurserymen are " pestered to death " with in-
quiries about Eucalyptus plants for forest grow-
ing, from all sorts of places, from Labrador to
the Potomac. Any man of common sense
knows that one might nearly as well plant the
pine apple or banana as the Eucalyptus ; but
the common newspapers that know little about
these things, or anything but "Democrat" or
" Republican," keep the people in such a state
of excitement over it, that the agricultural press
is a poor offset to this great power.

It is bad enough to have to be continually on
the strain to counteract the mischief these regu-
lar papers do ; but what shall we say when men
of science join with the newspapers in promul-
gating this nonsense. In the proceedings of the
American Philosophical Society now before us,
a Mr. Davenport is reported as saying at one
of the meetings that "some of the Eucalyptus
of Australia will probably grow in Philadelphia,
and he will be happy to assist in their introduc-
tion."

No doubt they will "grow in Philadelphia"

during the Summer, but what is to become of
them in the Winter, when they don't grow? It
is too bad to have such stuff go out under the
stamp of this time-honored Society.

Ripening of the Persimmon. — A correspondent
of the London Journal of Horticulture says : — " In
your journal of November 30th in an article on
Diospyros Kaki you repeat the popular opinion
that the Diospyros virginiana's fruit ' is not
palatable until frozen.' Allow me to say that
this is a fallacy. The Persimmon, as it is known
through the southern half of the United States,
is quite variable in the size, season and quality
of its fruit, and I have no doubt will be ulti-
mately developed by selection into a valuable
species of fruit. I have seen ripe specimens in
this latitude (39° N., about St. Louis) as early as
the end of August, whilst the fruit of some trees
hardly ripens at all, or if so, imperfectly, by the
time cold weather begins. But the ripening and
sweetness seem to depend entirely on the length
and heat of the Summer, and not at all on the
subduing powers of early frosts. Hot Summers
produce early-ripened delicious fruit, cold sea-
sons and high latitudes produce poor fruit.
Arthur Bryant (a brother of the poet Bryant),
living at Princeton, Illinois, about latitude 41 ^
N., tells me that in some seasons the Persimmon
with him does not ripen, and he thinks the frost
has nothing to do with its maturing. He has
trees nearly forty years old of his own planting,
and has observed them closely."

We refer to this in order to say that we thought
intelligent persons everywhere now knew that it
was not frost that gave sweetness to the Persim-
mon, though it often helps the cause which does.

The ripening of fruits is a chemical process.
After growth ceases, decay or chemical action
commences, and wrhat we call "ripening" is
really the first stage of decomposition. Early
ripening kinds will commence this decay with-
out frost ; a late kind will decay if there is no
frost. Frost simply hastens decay. Of course
nature must have done her part before this par-
ticular ripening begins. Frost nor any agent
would give sweetness to a half-ripe Persimmon.

The ripening of a Persimmon is just the same
process as the ripening of a medlar, about which,
all our foreign friends know.

New United States Plants. — As Western ex-
plorations are pushed, new plants are discovered.
In the Proceedings of the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences, just issued, Prof. Gray de-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

87

scribes fifty-three new species— a very large num-
ber for one year. Most of these are due to the
indefatigable labors of Dr. C. C. Parry. Many
of these will as usual be of little horticultural
interest ; but we think from the descriptions,
there will be many more useful or ornamental
plants than common with new discoveries.

Canbya Candida. — Under this name Prof. Asa
Gray describes a new plant from Southeast Cali-
fornia, in the proceedings of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. It was discov-
ered by Dr. Parry, and is dedicated to Mr. W.
M. Canby of Wilmington, Del. The plant is of
the poppy family, but very minute, and will not
perhaps be of much value to florists, but as com-
memorating one of the most worthy of American
botanists, the adoption of the name by Dr. Gray
will be received with pleasure by Mr. Canby's
many friends.

Graft Hybrids. — A newspaper paragraph says
that Dr. Hooibreuk has succeeded in producing
new varieties by " crossing the sap," which we
suppose is a form of expressing graft hybrids.

The Drop or Bag Worm. — We have but one
very bad pest of this family in the Eastern States,
but they appear to have others in California.
Dr. Edwards, in a communication to the Acad-
emy of Natural Sciences recently, says :

" The species at present described as natives
of the United States are verjr few, not more than
five, belonging to perhaps as many genera,
being distinctly known to entomologists. The
most common of these is a species called Thyri-
dopteryx ephemeriformis, which, according to
Dr. Harris, is occasionally abundant in Phila-
delphia and its vicinity, and there popularly
known in its larval state as the drop-worm, or
basket-worm. It is at times very destructive to
the arbor-vitse, larch and hemlock trees. In
California, though none as yet have been de-
scribed, three species are known to me, two of
which belong to the typical genus, Psyche ; the
third, and by far the most interesting, which
has just been discovered by our President, Prof.
Davidson, representing the genus GCceticus. It
is, however, a matter of regret that the cater-
pillar cases of these three species are alone
known, the perfect insects as yet evading our
discovery."

Gilia Parry m. — Mr. Lemmon, the enthusias-
tic California botanical discoverer thus tells the
Rural Press how Mrs. Parry received the honor
of having this beautiful new plant named after
•her :

" Besides making a large collection of the
known flora of the South, Dr. Parry and I picked

up, it appears, several plants new to science ; the
Doctor a dozen and I half as many. Among
the latter a beautiful little Gilia from the Mo-
have river, with large pink and white blossoms,
very desirable for cultivation. Upon its discov-
ery I studied it and found it different from any
species yet published, so sent the specimens to
Dr. Gray, with the request that he would name
it Gilia Parryae, to honor the noble wife of Dr.
Parry, whose many years of botanical service
entitle her to recognition.

A month or so after, Dr. Palmer, an indefati-
gable collector of that region, also picked up
the plant and forwarded with his collection.
When Dr. Gray came to examine the accumu-
lations of the season, he described the new
plant and named it Gilia Palmeri. As soon as
I learned the fact I stoutly protested, arguing at
length my priority of discovery, also my deter-
mination, citing Dr. Parry for witness, where-
upon Dr. Gray has just revoked his former ac-
tion and now the beautiful little gem is named
for all time Gilia Parryse, 'dedicated to Mrs.
Dr. Parry,' Dr. Gray adds, ' whose services to
botany well merit this recognition."

Music and Plants. — Some fancyist has written
about the benefits of music on the health of
plants. Of course it is but a seasonable joke,
but many of " the papers " are passing it around
as the best of sense.

The use of Honeyed Secretions. — An es-
teemed correspondent says:— "Your botanical
friend has still an inquiry or two to make on
honeyed secretions. This appears, you now tell
us, because Dr. H., of Vienna, 'shows that flow-
ers which could not be fertilized by their own
pollen, or foreign pollen, were successfully
impregnated when nectar was applied to the
stigma before the application of the pollen.'

" First, will you give a reference so that one
may see what Dr. H. was driving at, and what
he made out? As he appears to have been
working on some stigma that would not act on
the pollen, either of its own or any other flower,
we suspect that he was trying pollen on imma-
ture stigmas, and then finding that if he put on
nectar the pollen tubes would start. So they
might ; for it is well known that they will pro-
trude a little way (and that is all) in any sugary
solution, of a certain density, without any stig-
ma in the case. What your proposition needs
is to bring forward at least one case in which
the secretion of the nectary of a flower gets ap-
plied to a stigma. Can you refer to such a
case?"

[We are sorry not to have at hand the details
of Dr. H.'s experiments. All we know is given

88

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ March,

in our last. We had no idea of suggesting
that the " secretion of the nectary of a flower
gets applied to a stigma." What is secreted by
the nectaries Ave regard as waste, and so expressed
it. But Boussingault shows that sweet matter per-
vades the whole tissue — of the pistil, as well as of
other parts — and it occurred to us in view of this
possibility that the sweet matter might be of
some direct use to the plant in the performance
of its functions, and not merely nothing but a bait
to allure insects. Granting that it may be of some
use directly to the plant, it may be in relation to
pollenization ; and, when deficient in the pistil,
an application to the stigma may supply it. All
this is of course hypothetical, but it is a hypo-
thesis suggested by Dr. Hooibreuk's experiments,
quite independently of any thing which he may
have been trying to prove.

Honey was no doubt made for insects, but in
the same sense as cane sugar and molasses were
made for man. The cane sugar plant has "an
advantage" by man's use of the sweet secretion ;
for it has been petted and fostered so that it has
gained immensely in "the struggle for life."
Thousands of sugar plants exist that never
would, but for the saccharine element. As far
as it goes it is a fair argument, but who would in-
sist that the sugar was developed for this purpose
and is of no direct use to the plant itself? It
is these considerations which make us hesitate
to believe that before insects were created, sweet
secretions did not exist ; and notwithstanding
the doubts of our correspondent, we think no
harm will result from the investigations we pro-
posed.—Ed. G. M .]

QUERIES.

Fertilization by Insect Agency. — Prof. Asa
Gray writes: — "We are not all of us as careful
and exact in our statements as Mr. Darwin is,
and so our language is sometimes misappre-
hended and sometimes needs correction. Dar-
win's summing up in the first edition of his Or-
chid-book, is : ' Nature thus tells us in the most
emphatic manner, that she abhors perpetual
self-fertilization.' In the new edition, issued this
year, we read : ' It is hardly an exaggeration to
say that Nature tells us in the most emphatic
manner, that she abhors perpetual self-fertiliza-
tion. This manifests carefulness to be within

bounds, but does not look like giving up the
principle. Some of us have been less careful to
keep the word ' perpetual ' perpetually in view ;
but it has generally been implied in the whole
course of statement, which has recognized the
fact that most flowers have a chance, and many
a predominant chance, for self-fertilization. But
this does not at all falsify the declaration that
'showy, fragrant, honey-bearing flowers are ar-
ranged for cross-fertilization.' If anybody wants
to see a good demonstration of that, let him read
the second chapter of Darwin's new book on the
effects of close and cross-fertilization in plants,
or a summary of it in the March number of the
American Agriculturist. Here is a plant abun-
dantly capable of self-fertilization, which close-
fertilizes when covered, but is, in fact, freely
cross-fertilized in nature. Mr. Darwin proves,
by a course of experiments, that the crossing is
a benefit, and a great benefit ; and the inference
is almost unavoidable that these plants could not
go on indefinitely without it.

" It is now clear, however, that there is more
self-fertilization than was at first supposed. H.
Miller has largely shown this, while at the same
time contending for the absolute need of cross-
fertilization ; just as you yourself, Mr. Editor,
have largely shown it, while contending that
cross-fertilization is of no account. But I think
you will soon agree that cross-fertilization is of
account, and that showy, odorous, nectariferous
flowers are adapted for it, notwithstanding ever
so much self-fertilization."

[In the " Detroit " paper the text taken was
this, "All plants with conspicuously colored
flowers, or powerful odors, or honeyed secretions
are fertilized by insects; therefore, before honey-
feeding insects existed, the vegetation of our
globe could not have been ornamented with
bright colored flowers." This is the point we
ventured to differ from. If the proposition now
made that these flowers are so arranged that
cross-fertilization is possible, and that it occa-
sionally does occur, is not inconsistent with the
point we ventured to question in the above quo-
tation, we have of course nothing further to say.
We have never said cross-fertilization was of no
account, but that we do not regard it as proved.
—Ed. G. M.]

The Verbena Rust. — We have always felt
that the Verbena Rust must be of fungoid origin,
because all the attendant phenomena are fun-
goidal, and there is no character whatever that

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

89

classes it with insect work. Still we know how
easy it is to be mistaken, and have therefore
suggested to those who have faith in the insect
origin of the disease, to send the specimens to
competent Entomologists for the insect's identi-
fication. Mr. Chas. Henderson has generously
undertaken this good work, and from two of the
recipients of specimens — Prof. Riley and Mr. J.
Stauffer — we have, replies. Mr. Stauffer's views
were directly opposite to Prof. Riley's, so we
thought best to send it to Prof. Riley, that he
might review his own if necessary. As thus far,
Mr. Stauffer is the only naturalist that we know
of who takes the insect view, we have thought it
but fair to give him the first hearing, and below
appears Prof. Riley's comment:

" After a close inspection of the diseased leaves
left with me, I obtained fresh ones from my neigh-
bor, Mr. Hensel, as in getting rid of the frag-
ments of moss in which the leaves were packed,
I had to disturb the surface more or less of the
leaves. I have also made a close inspection of
the fly — an Aphidian, belonging to Mr. Walsh's
genus, Callipterus. Honey tubes short, subulate,
Antennae long, seven-jointed, discoidals of the
front wings equally thick, carries the wings hori-
zontally folded ; in this latter respect it agrees
with the winged of the Phylloxera (vastatrix,
vitifolise). These in their larvaal state infest the
root in Winter, and it seems it is proved that
they also infest the leaves in the Summer season.
The Callipterus is certainly the small black-
fly noticed around the Verbenas, and deposits
its eggs, as I captured them from the leaf, Janu-
ary 15, 1877.

"Now, as to the rust. Their larvae when
hatched, (the minute mites mentioned,) deplete
the leaf and empoverish the juices, and cause
the leaf to blight, unless the plants are in such
good soil and healthy vigor, as to be able to bear
this depletion, and then no fungus will follow,
and the plant may escape. But when the sto-
mata or breathing pores of the leaf are inter-
fered with and the juices abstracted, the leaf be-
comes depauperated and forms a fit nidus for
the fungus. So Mr. Henderson is wrong to say
that, ' the insect is the consequence, and not the
cause, of the disease.' Mr. Brinton's views are
more accurate. I have found well defined fun-
gus and made accurate drawings of them from
the mildew in its white powdery form, or first
stage, when the leaf is yet green. By compari-
son with quite a number of forms illustrated, it
approaches the mycelium and sporadic branches

of the Cistopus candidus. Figured by Smee, in
his Garden, p. 366, he says many plants are at-
tacked with spots of white rust, on the leaves,
arranged in a circular manner. The mycelium
creeps through the cellular tissue of the plants,
and after a time gives rise to zoospores or moving
bodies to perpetuate the species, adding, ' I be-
lieve that in all these cases the plant is previously
pierced by an Aphis.' One word as to zoospores :
so long as they are free they have indeed a great
likeness to infusoria, but as soon as they have >
found a fit resting place all trace of motion
ceases, and their offspring comforts itself as a
vegetable; this is scientifically demonstrated,
but zoospores never turn to Aphids or the like.
The disease on the Heliotrope differs ; here the
root of the hair becomes enlarged, and a yel-
lowish matter is secreted; this turns dark, and
then the bulb-like base cracks open and dis-
charges sporules. I first considered the whole as
a fungus, but if mycelium is formed under the
epidermis and enters into the base of the tubu-
lar hairs, and produces its sporules, then, this is
a fungus of a totally new kind to me, but its
cause may arise from the same source — poverty
or depletion."

Prof. Riley says :— " I have not time now to
further investigate the Verbena rust, but feel
morally sure that it is a fungus disease. The
"black-fly" referred to in my answer to Mr.
Henderson is a Diplosis. There are several
Aphids affecting both leaves and roots of Verbe-
nas, but they have nothing to do with the rust."

Since the above was in type, a note from Prof.
Farlow tells us that the Verbena rust is a fungus,
and that its name is Erysiphe Verbena? of
Schweinitz. It will therefore be an old acquaint-
ance to mycologists.

Zelkova " Crensta."— Prof. Sargent writes :—
" My authority for Zelkova crenata is Planchon,
in Decandolles Prodromus, the last botanist who
has worked Ulmaceae comprehensively. He does
not even allow Abelicea as a genus, so I suppose
we must retain Zelkova at least until another
volume of the Genera Plantarum appears.

"But what a pity we cannot retain Michaux's
Planera Richardi ; a much pleasanter and more
easily remembered name ; but this does not make
much difference so long as the tree is planted, so
I hope you will get some of the grafts Mr. Price
so kindly offers, and see what can be done with
them.

" Typographical errors are not very pleasant
for the editor, I will allow, but how about his

90

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

unfortunate contributors? Notice Crensta twice
in Mr. Price's communication, for crenata, and
one of these in large letters as a heading at that."
[Having been told that the subject had been
" worked up at Cambridge," no pains were taken
to look up the matter beyond noticing the rela-
tion of the genus to Abelicea. " Crensta " was
our correspondent's orthography, and not the
typographer's, and what with the capital and pe-
culiar spelling, we took it for an aboriginal pro-
per name. We did not know we had our old
friend Planera Richardi, to deal with. The Ger-
mantown Nurseries in time past have distributed
this tree pretty freely, and so we suppose have
those of Flushing and elsewhere, and we suspect
that though the Woodland's tree may be the
finest, it is not by a long way the only specimen
in the country. All this trouble comes from so
many synonyms. — Ed. G. M.]

Chemical Hygroscope. — F. M., Ontario, Can-
ada, asks : — " What shade of color or number
should the Hygroscope represent in a green-
house or conservatory to keep the plants in
best health, say when thermometer runs from
60° to 65°."

[The Hygroscope is such a recent invention
in its cheaper forms, that we can say little of its
application to plant culture, especially as expe-
rienced gardeners do not find much difficulty in
regard to the atmospheric moisture. In the use
of the Hygroscope, however, all we can say is
that the bluer the tint the drier the air, while
the deeper the pink the more moisture. — Ed.
G. M.]

Name of Plant.— N. says : — " In June last
year, near Mauch Chunk, Pa., by the rail side,
and peeping out of the woods, I came upon a
very pretty shrub. It was not flowers that
pleased, for it was out of bloom ; but its berries,
of every shade, from deep red to crimson, seemed
to speak for it a place in the shrubbery. I am
puzzled to identify the plant in nursery cata-
logues or books. It was a favorite with all the
pleasure parties which I met. All bore it com-
panion to the other woodland flowers of the sea-
son. If I have recalled the plant by the above
traits, you will oblige many readers by giving us
its name."

[Not much to identify a plant by ; but proba-
bly the Canadian Holly, Nemopanthes canaden-
sis, and well worthy of cultivation. — Ed. G. M.]

Insect on the Grape. — Some time since, a
Wilmington, Del., correspondent wrote about a
peculiar trouble with his grape vines, and which
we suspected was caused by an insect unknown
to us, and advised the sending to Prof. Riley,
which it appears he has done, and Prof. R. kindly
sends us the following response : —

"From specimens just sent me, the insect in
grapery (G. M., Nov.) at Wilmington, Del , is the
grape leaf-folder (Desmia maculalis). See my
Third Rep., p. 61. Since that was written, I have
found it worst on Catawba, Goethe, Iona, Isa-
bella, Croton, Diana and Creveling — least on Con-
cord, Cynthiana, Louisiana and Martha. Bring
hands quick together and crush worm in fold.
Destroy chrysalides in Fall."

Literature, ^Gravels & Personal If otes.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

HORTENSIA OR HORTENSIS.

BY T.

In the Monthly for January last, I endeavored
to show that the correct name for the common
Hydrangea is H. Hortensia, and in support of
my view, cited autborities and gave reasons that
would convince most persons of its accuracy.
The Rural New Yorker, however, still maintains
that the plant should be called H. hortensis, and

on February 17th reproduces my note — which is
very fair — that it may reply to it in a manner
which can hardly be characterized as fair. I
cannot ask you to reprint the Rural's remarks,
as it occupies over one and a half of its ample
columns in its attempt to show that others, be-
sides itself, have used an incorrect name ; in-
deed, that journal finds such evident satisfaction
in re-asserting its own way to be the right one,
that I would not disturb it, did it not singularly
misrepresent one of the authorities I cited, and

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

91

go quite out of its way to ascribe unworthy mo-
tives to an eminent botanist not cited, or in any
manner alluded to in my article. As silence
with regard to these may be construed as an
admission on my part of the truth of the Rural s
representations, I ask space for a brief reply,
with which I drop the subject.

In my former note I quoted what Loudon
says (in his " Trees and Shrubs of Britain," Vol.
2, p, 9S6), in reference to the name Hortensia.
Respecting this the Rural says: "Now for what
Loudon says in the work quoted. He gives
seven names or synonyms of this plant, and
then tells the story which ' T ' repeats, about how
the name Hortensia came to be one of the num-
ber, and its becoming common in France ; but
he is very careful not to decide which is the correct
one."

The italics are mine ; for so remarkable a
statement deserves the distinction. The asser-
tion is here distinctly made, that in giving seven
different names for the plant, Loudon does not
indicate which of the seven he prefers, and
adopts as the correct name, but is very careful
not to do so. Those familiar with botanical de-
scriptions know that the author, when there are
several names, places the one he approves and
adopts first, and the others follow as synonyms ;
and that it is further the custom to make the
approved name more conspicuous by putting it in
a different type from the others. Loudon was a
"very careful " man, and in this case he was not
only " very careful " to " decide " which among
several names is the " correct one " by placing it
first, but he further emphasises this decision by
placing H. Hortensia in italics, while all the dis-
carded names are in Roman, or in ordinary
type. The Rural refers me to another work by
Loudon, his "Encyclopaedia of Plants," where it
says " he gives the correct name as hortensis." I
admit that in the " Encyclopaedia," published in
1829, he does give the name as " hortensis," but
Loudon's labors extended over many years, and
as he was a man who grew wiser as he grew
older, he did not continue the errors of his ear-
lier works in his later ones. The fact that he
did, in his " Trees and Shrubs," in 1838, discard
" hortensis " and adopt Hortensia, at the same
time giving his reasons for accepting the latter,
indicates a desire to be right, which may be
commended as an example worthy of imitation.
The Rural cites Donn, who, it tells us,
"strangely enough, quotes for his authority in
retaining the name hortenBis, Augustin Pyramus

De Candolle, who was a celebrated Swiss botan-
ist, and the father of the present Alphonse De
Candolle, referred to above as the man who
tickles French vanity by restoring the name of
Hortensia." This reference " above " to Al-
phonse De Candolle, is perhaps the most re-
markable thing in the Rural s remarkable arti-
cle. It says: " Prof. De Candolle, the younger,
doubtless in consideration of this universal sen-
timent [admiration for Hortense] of his country-
men, retains this name [Hortensia] in his work,
and Dr. Gray, from a similar consideration for
his friend, De C, folloAvs this great botanical au-
thority: thus an error is perpetuated by these
two authorities, and backed up by 'T' in the Gar-
dener's Monthly." Our wonder that Alphonse De
Candolle should be charged with being influ-
enced by unworthy motives in adopting a scien-
tific name, is only equalled by that at seeing
Prof. Gray charged with following any one — his
position being usually that of a leader.

This is probably the first time that the scientific
integrity of Alph. De. Candolle or Asa Gray was
ever called in question, and the Rural, in making
these charges, assumes a position more conspic-
uous than enviable. If any one thing relating
to this charge can be more strange than another,
it is the perfectly gratuitous character of the
attack, for I am quite unable to see why Alph.
De Candolle is cited at all, as I made no refer-
ence to him whatever in my article. It is true
that I did, in support of my position, refer the
Rural to " any botanical work of acknowledged
authority, as De Candolle's for Europe, and
Gray's for America ;" had I intended Alph. De
Candolle, I should have said so. The Rural does
not seem to be aware that it is the custom among
botanists to speak of the father simply as De
Candolle, and to abbreviate it as DC; while
they call the son A. or Alph. De Candolle, and
abbreviate his name as A. DC. The work of
De Candolle's I referred to was the " Prodromus,"
which consists of 21 vols., running through half
a century, and which the Rural assumes is all
by the younger De Candolle. If it will turn to
the fourth volume, it will find on the title page,
"Anctore Aug. Pyramo De Candolle," and that
the date is 1830. By turning to p. 15, it will
find H. Hortensia, which, being the work of the
father, leaves the charges against the son with-
out any foundation worth speaking of, and the
Rurals indignation at the desire of the son to
" tickle French vanity," seems like a waste of
powder. If Donn quoted De Candolle as author-

92

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[March,

ity for "hortensis," he evidently did not quote
correctly. In such cases the character and
weight of the authorities are of quite as much
importance as their number, and with most per-
sons the authority of De Candolle and Asa Gray
will outweigh that of Donn, Curtis, and — if I
may be allowed to say it — even that of the Rural
itself.

— *♦.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Plant Life of Norway. — This is the title
of a beautiful work just issued in German by the
distinguished Danish Botanist, Dr. F. C. Schu-
beler, of Christiana. The many odd shapes which
trees take in that peculiar climate, are beauti-
fully illustrated. For instance, the Norway spruce
in heavy snow will have its branches pressed to the
ground by the weight and then earth will wash
down with some thaw and cover the lowermost,
In such cases, the point of the branch will grow
up, and roots push down, just as in layering, and
in after years a very pretty clump come into
existence as if it were a mother with all her young
children about her. The peculiar climate and
conditions of Norway make these curious ap-
pearances in trees not uncommon. Norway
spruces blow down, and get covered by snow,
and moisture hangs about the prostrate trunk
long enough to encourage sprouts which become
in time trees, and there will often be a half a
dozen good sized trees which have grown out of a
prostrate trunk in this way. The whole book is
full of such interesting information. How slow
trees sometimes grow is well illustrated in the case
of a common Juniper. When sawed off it was
found to have made 297 annual layers of wood,
and yet was but twelve and a half inches in
diameter.

In regard to the varied character of the growths
of trees in differing circumstances, there is, for in-
stance, a sketch of the Juniper (Juniperus com-
munis). As we generally see it, it is at best but
a conical, usually a rather cylindrical growing
tree. He figures one which has a head like an
old oak or a chestnut, and describes it as being
twenty-five feet high, with a straight trunk for
six feet up to the branches. This trunk is seven
feet one inch in circumference, and the great
round head of branches, about twenty-five feet
wide — completely round. Americans would give
a good deal to have a specimen of a Juniper
like that.

Dr. Schubeler does not forget the points of in-

terest attractive to the scientific as well as the
mere intelligent reader. He gives a plate of the
variations in the scales of Norway spruce cones,
all taken from the vicinity of Christiana, which
those who are making so many new species out
of our Californian Coniferoe may well profit by.
D. Schubeler pleasantly remarks, that there
seems to be some principles in human nature of
love for beauty and nice things, in spite of some
other principles which would seem to oppose
them. He instances the use made by the Lap-
landers of the sweet vernal grass, Anthoxan-
thum odoratum. He describes them as an in-
describably dirty race; seeming to rejoice and
take pride in filthiness, and yet they make a
sort of plaited collar of this grass, so as to enjoy
its delicately delicious perfume.

All who have a knowledge of the German lan-
guage will enjoy a rich treat in the perusal of
Dr. Schubeler's book.

Burning of Lee's Greenhouses. — We are
sorry to have to write the burning of Lee's Green-
houses at Lake View, near Chicago, on the first
of February.

Proceedings of the Georgia State Hort.
Society. — This is the first issue and contains the
address of the first President, P. J. Berckmans,
and a full list of fruits best'adapted to the State.

The Early Nurserymen of Illinois. — Mr. W.
C. Flagg says — Joseph Curtis, John Smith and
W. B. Archer established nurseries about 1818
in Illinois. " Before 1830, nurseries of more or
less importance had been begun in Adams county
by John Wood (1820); in Edwards, by Sidney
Spring (1825); in Jersey, by Robert Avery (1825);

in Madison, by Masson (1820?); in Perry, by

Joseph Bradshaw (1825?); in St. Clair, by ■

Wood (1820?), and in Vermillion, by John Canady
(1820). This list is, no doubt, quite incomplete.

Hand-Book of Practical Landscape Garden-
ing, by F. R. Elliott. Published by D. M. Dewey,
Rochester, N. Y. It is gratifying to note the
tendency to an appreciation of beauty and taste
among the farmers and fruit growers of the coun-
try. Those we mean that are outside of the
regular horticultural literature properly so called.
Anything that will help this good tendency is a
great public blessing. For this class this little
book of Mr. Elliott's is just the thing. The more
elaborate works of Downing and Kemp can
never be brought to them. They take too many
bushels of corn to buy, and when bought cannot
be understood. Cheap, and yet attractive volu-

187T]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

93

mes, like this little book, are capable of doing
much better work. The critical reader might
wish that the names of the plants had been more
correctly given by the author in many cases, and
that the proof-reader had been more closely
looked after in others. But these defects will
not in the least detract from the book's practical
value to those for whom it is intended, and we
heartily commend it.

The Bulletin No. 1 of the Illinois Museum
of Natural History among other interesting
matter has a paper on the Botanical features of
"Trees in Winter," by Dr. Brendel; "Parasatic
Fungi," by Prof. Burrill; and a list of Illinois Or-
thoptera, by Dr. Cyrus Thomas.

Catalogue of A. M. C. Jongkindt Coninck,
Dedemsvaart, Netherlands. — Mr. C, who has
taken so excellent a part in introducing the Gar-
dener's Monthly in the countries in the north of
Europe, sends us his Catalogue of hardy her-
baceous plants and other things, which we find
very full.

Mr. W. T. Harding. — We are pleased to be
able to say that this gentleman, who is so well-
known to our readers as an agreeable and highly
intelligent correspondent, and whom we know
as one of the best of the many practical gar-
deners in this country, has been elected Super-
intendent of the new Cemetery at Upper San-
dusky, which the citizens were so fortunate as
to engage him to lay out last year.

The Gardener's Monthly. — The publisher
asks us to make a note, thanking the many
friends who have passed good words to him
with their subscriptions, and he hands us the
following as a sample of many. It is from J. C. A.
of Henderson, Kentucky: "Enclosed is renewal
for 1877. Your magazine is indispensable to me,
and supplies valuable information which I could
obtain from no other source. It frequently
occurs that a single number contains hints worth
more to me than a year's subscription."

The Editor appreciates these kind notices as
well as the publisher. He thinks he is doing a
useful as well as an agreeable work in editing
such a magazine. If every subscriber were to
send a new one to the publisher, it would of
course be of no particular interest to the Editor,
except to feel that all were working with him in
the extension of horticultural knowledge.

Waterer's Rhododendrons. — We were as-
tounded to read the following in Mr. Waterer's

Catalogue, just issued : " Since my return I have
noticed that the Rhododendrons exhibited by
me at Philadelphia have been the subject of
several articles in the American Gardening pub-
lications, the object of the writers being to throw
doubt on the hardiness and fitness for the Ameri-
can climate of the plants grown at this nursery." •

We venture to say that Mr. Waterer can
point to no "American Gardening publications or
any leading agricultural paper, if indeed, any
paper at all, in which the writers exhibited any
such "object."

American Gardening publications have made
known that Mr. Waterer's Rhododendrons, ex-
hibited at the Centennial, were hybrids of Rhod.
maximum, R. Catawbiense, R. ponticum and
R. arboreum, that the two last were not hardy
in the Northern States, while the two former
were; and that the varieties which had a pre-
ponderence of these two characters, and of which
Mr. Waterer had many, were not hardy. There
has never been anything said about the "hardi-
ness and fitness of the plants grown in this nur-
sery," but only of some of the varieties. And
this, which was the thing said, is true.

Mr. Waterer was received on this side of the
Atlantic with generous honor. A large house
was built for his Rhododendrons, while no such
privilege was accorded to American growers,
who had collections equal in value to his own, but
which were left to broil in the open, and terribly
hot sun, even for America. No one objected,
but all rejoiced, feeling that the excellent
show the Waterer Rhododendrons made, were
really increasing a taste, and helping themselves.
Under these circumstances the effort of Mr.
Waterer to make the English public believe that
he is badly persecuted by American jealousy, is
unworthy of the proverbial fairness of "John
Bull."

We should hardly have thought Mr. Waterer
capable of such a contemptible trade trick, had
not the writer of this heard him boasting to a
little circle in his tent that he had assisted some
Americans in getting Rhododendrons into this
country free of duty, when the United States
Government expects to get a duty of twenty per
cent, on imported ornamental trees and shrubs.
If Mr. Waterer is not so finely moulded as to
see nothing discreditable in transactions of this
kind that may help his trade, we do not expect
him to be very particular in his references to the
statements of "American Gardening publica-
tions " if he is likely to be the gainer by it.

94

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ March,

QUERIES.

Bees and Clover. — "Busy Bee," Baltimore,
Md., writes : " I send you a slip from the Lon-
don Agricultural Gazette, which contradicts the
position you assume, that clover can be fertilized
without the aid of bees. With two such dis-
tinguished scientists as Mr. Darwin, in England,
and Prof. Gray against you in this country, are
you sure your position is correct ? Here is the
extract :

" ' Why has there been so little holly berry and
red clover in England the past year? Mr. Dar-
win explains that bees were extraordinarily rare
in the early Spring, and that without bees to
carry pollen from the male to the female plant,
neither holly nor clover can be fertilized. The
Spectator goes further. It attributes the inactiv-
ity of thebees to conservative reaction, and sug-
gests that they were exchanging their queen for
an empress, or altering the labor laws to suit
the drones, or honeycombing the hives under
some impulse of sanitary panic, and so the clover
and the holly flowers were sadly neglected.' "

[In one way we thank our correspondent for

sending us this slip, as an impression is being
created in some quarters that the writer of this,
in his opposition to extreme views of insect
fertilization, was doing unnecessary work, as
no such extreme views prevailed. It is now
said that the only point contended for was,
that insects may "sometimes" cross fertilize
flowers, and that when insects do not come
about, the flowers can and do in moet cases fer-
tilize themselves. We see, however, by the ex-
tract, that this is not the view held by the
Gazette, nor was it the view extensively held in
this country prior to Mr. Meehan's work. What-
ever may be Mr. Darwin's views, our correspon-
dent does not do Dr. Gray justice, for he has
recently explained his view to be that when the
plants are not visited by insects, they are gener-
ally able, as a secondary resort, to fertilize them-
selves. In regard to the clover question, its not
seeding at times is evidently due to impaired
nutrition in the direction of reproduction, as
explained in Mr. Meehan's Detroit paper. — Ed.
G. M.]

Horticultural Societies.

COMMUNIGA TIONS.

PEAR TREE BLIGHT IN OHIO.

BY M. B. BATEHAM, PAINESVTLLE, O.

No question relating to Horticulture or Pom-
ology is of so much practical importance in
Ohio, and the Western States generally, as that
of the cause and prevention of pear tree blight.
Many thousands of dollars are annually expend-
ed in the purchase and planting of pear trees,
only to see them flourish for a few seasons, and
then blacken and die, when they begin to give
promise of fruit.

At the recent annual meeting of the Ohio
State Horticultural Society, it was hoped that
some progress would be made towards solving
this vexed problem. As Secretary of the Society,
and in order to save time in discussion, I gave a
brief survey of what had been developed during
the past year or two ; first, reverting to the meet-

ing of last year, when a gentleman named McCall
was present, from Southern Ohio, who claimed
to have discovered the real cause of what is
known as fire blight. He had recently attended
the meeting of the American Pomological So-
ciety at Chicago, and at his request a committee
of that Society had been appointed to investigate
his discovery during the next season, and in due
time make report. He also wished that a com-
mittee of our State Society should be appointed
for the same purpose — then if the discovery was
found to be real, and of value to the public, the
two Societies might devise some way by which
he should be compensated. This was regarded
as fair and just, and the committee was accord-
ingly appointed. As Secretary of that commit-
tee, after making observations during the Sum-
mer, and consulting several of the other mem-
bers. I was intending to make report at this
meeting, but on writing to Mr. McO, inviting

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

95

him to be present, he informed me that he could
not attend the meeting, and that he would pre-
fer the report should be delayed for another
year, as some gentlemen in his section of the
State had promised to investigate the matter
next season, and it was presumed that the com-
mittee of the Am. Society would also report at
that time. I therefore consented to defer mak-
ing a report, especially as I did not believe that
the public would lose much by the delay. In
saying this, however, I did not wish to be under-
stood as intimating that there was nothing in the
supposed discovery of Mr. McCall — for in my
opinion the commencement of the blight may
be often traced to the injury or cause assigned by
him ; but in a majority of cases no such cause
can be discovered, at least in Northern Ohio*
where my observations have been made.

I next called attention to the remarks of Mr.
Meehan, of the Gardener's Monthly, at the last
meeting of the Am. Pom. Soc, (see report of
proceedings,) "on Fungi and Fruit Diseases," in
which he says, " That fire blight is of fungoid
origin, is now clear, from the researches of Dr. J.
Gibbons Hunt of Philadelphia. He finds that a
very minute fungus germinates on the outer
bark, enters the structure, destroying the cells as
it goes, till it reaches the alburnum, and then it
penetrates clear to the pith, by way of the me-
dullary rays, totally destroying the branch, from
the centre to the circumference. . . There is
no other conclusion here than that reached by
Dr. H., that, in the true fire blight, fungi are the
cause of the disease."

I remarked that, accepting this conclusion as
we must, the honor of first demonstrating its cor-
rectness belongs to a skilled mycologist of our
own state, Dr. J. H. Salisbury, now of Cleve-
land, whose researches on this subject, made in
1862, are published, with numerous illustrations,
in the Ohio Agricultural Report for 1863. Un-
fortunately the wood-cuts illustrating the essay
of Dr. H, were accidentally burned some years
since, or our Society would have the substance
of it republished. In examining the blighted
branches with a powerful microscope, Dr. S.
found them filled through and through with the
mycelium of a peculiar fungus ; the threads
wound around in every direction among the
woody cells. For several inches beyond the
outward appearance of disease, dead lines, the
size of a knitting needle, extended in the soft
cambium, and in these the moniliform threads
could be traced making their way among the

cells. This plant, Dr. S. says, is strictly a para-
sitic fungus that affects organic tissues. It pro-
duces blight in twig of apple and quince, as
well as pear, and often attacks the young fruit
when about the size of a hazel-nut. This fungus
belongs to the group Ascomycetes, to the order
Perenosporiacese, and the genus Sphaerotheca.
The method of development of the fungus is fully
illustrated by Dr. S. The fertile threads grow
by pullulation (like bud-forming) ; the spores
are produced on threads that rise above the sur-
face. Sporidia and fertile threads were placed
in a solution of sugar, and the next day numer-
ous zoosporoid cells were moving about actively,
and in a little time some of them voided other
cells, all the while continuing a pulsating or
vibratory motion.

Another and distinct form of fungus was ob-
served and described by Dr. S., as found in the
blighted branches after they had been dead some
time, and along with the one causing the dis-
ease ; but this second kind does not prey upon
living tissue, and is a result, not a cause of dis-
ease. Dr. S. supposes that the sporidia of the
blight fungus are in the circulating juices or sap
of the tree, and. under favoring influences of the
weather, and a suitable condition of the cam-
bium, are started into growth. He suggests, in
the line of preventives, the use of sulphur in
some of its soluble forms applied to the soil
about the roots. But as some experiments of
this kind have not been wholly satisfactory, and
it is probable that the spores enter by the sto-
mata of the leaves, or else vegetate on the out-
side of the bark, and then pass inward, it is sug-
gested that washes containing sulphur, carbolic
acid, or copperas be applied to the trees by
syringing, early in Summer. Let us hear
Mr. Saunders, of Washington, and others who
have tried such washes, as to the extent and
manner of their doing it, and the results. It is
my belief that a reliable and cheap preventive
will be found only in this direction.

PROF. BRAINERD ON SOLAR HEAT THEORY.

We also had, at our meeting, the somewhat
remarkable essay on pear blight, read before the
Potomac Fruit Growers' Association last Sep-
tember, by Prof. J. Brainerd, formerly of Cleve-
land, and now of the Patent Office at Washing-
ton, published, with illustrations, in the Ohio
Agricultural Report for 1875-6. The Committee
of our Society were of the same opinion respect-

96

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ March,

ing this essay as was expressed by Mr. Meehan
in the December number of the Gardener's
Monthly, and that it was not worth while to oc-
cupy the time of the meeting by reading or dis-
cussing it — for it was evident to us that Prof. B.
had not specimens of real blight under exami-
nation at all. He says that upon the closest
scrutiny he could find no evidence that the dis-
ease was caused by fungus, or was of a fungoid
nature ; but he goes on to show that blight is a
ruptured condition of the cells of the alburnum,
which he believes is caused by the extremes of
heat or cold ; and farther on he says, what is
known as fire blight is " caused wholly by ex-
cessive solar heat." Some of the alleged facts
given in support of his theory -by Prof. B. are
remarkably wide of the truth. He says : " In
the Spring of 1875, in Ohio, and along the lake
shore fruit region, after the trees had put forth
their leaves, a sudden fall of temperature from
summer heat to 12 or 15 degrees below freezing,
killed outright nearly every pear tree in that
extensive district. (?) I examined many trees
soon thereafter, and found the external appear-
ances exactly similar to what is called fire
blight."

As a fruit grower in the lake shore district in
Ohio, I feel called upon to state that no such
general destruction of pear trees occurred in this
region, in that season or any other. It is well
known that the Winter of 1874-5 caused exten-
sive destruction of peach trees and grape vines,
also of some pear trees, by killing of the roots,
supposed to have been in consequence of severe
drouth after a full crop of fruit, more than by
the severity of the Winter. Many of the trees
thus root-killed in the Winter, leaved out in the
Spring, and of course the tops died soon after-
wards. But I did not see a single pear tree that
died, or had its top killed by the late freeze in
the Spring, and the number that were killed in
the manner before stated did not amount to
more than 5 to 10 per cent, in any of the orch-
ards within my knowledge. This is true of my
own orchard of several hundred trees, also the
larger orchard of S. B. Marshall, near West
Cleveland, and the still larger one of Mr. Fahne-
stock, on the lake shore, near Toledo. In no
one season has there been a loss of more than
5 to 10 per cent, of trees by blight, though a
larger proportion have sometimes died from
overbearing and winter-killing. Again, Prof. B.
says in support of his solar heat theory, that
pear trees standing on a southern exposure are
much more liable to blight than those on a
northern slope. This is also contrary to my ex-
perience and observation, and my orchard slopes
to the south, while several that I know of slope
to the north ; but I do not believe this has any-
thing to do with causing or preventing blight.
Then, if hot weather is the cause, why is there
not more blight in Kentucky and Southern Ohio
than here in the North ; and why was there not
a general visitation of blight last June, when we
had the hottest weather ever known in all this
region ?

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The American Pomological Society. — The
biennial meeting of this body, which is always
looked forward to with so much interest by hor-
ticulturists generally, will be held this year in
Baltimore, on the invitation of the Maryland
Horticultural Society. This will have its an-
nual exhibition on the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th
of September, and the Pomological Society will
take the last three days. Col. Wilder has re-
covered his health to a great extent, and will
probably preside in person. We know the
warmth of Maryland hospitality, and the intelli-
gence of its horticulturists, and feel safe in pre-
dicting the event will be one " long to be re-
membered." Mr. Sands, of the Farmer, is a host
in himself.

State Horticultural and Pomological Soci-
eties.— The Winter meetings of the various State
Societies have been more than usually attract-
ive, as we judge from a large number of reports
in the newspapers of the various sections that
have been sent to us, and which we hope to use
as occasion 'offers. The meetings of the Western
New York Horticultural Society, and Fruit
Growers' Society of Pennsylvania, are particu-
larly well spoken of by the papers, while those
of the Western Societies are very fully reported
in the excellent agricultural papers of that re-
gion. In our present number Mr. Bateham
gives an abstract of some points of particular
interest to our readers, that grew out of the Ohio
meeting. The Germantown (Philadelphia) Hor-
ticultural Society holds monthly meetings, at
which premiums are awarded for good plants ;
remarks on the plants present are made; an
essay is read, and discussions follow. At the
February meeting, Mr. John Savage spoke on
the effects of various temperatures on plants, in
a pleasing and instructive manner, and consid-
erable discussion ensued. Among the plants on
exhibition were several pretty specimens of
Chorozema varium. Australian plants, as a rule,
are the best of Winter flowerers, but do not get
through our Summers well. This seems an ex-
ception, and should be in every greenhouse.
There were hundreds of orange and crimson
"butterfly" flowers on these plants. One of the
best grown Callas we ever saw was on exhibition ;
that is to say, the leaves were not drawn up, but
though strong, were as healthy as possible, and
the numerous flowers were of a like character.
There was also on exhibition a double variety of
the "seed strain " of Chinese Primrose, almost
as good as the old-fashioned Double white, which
does not seed, and which no modern kind has
exactly equalled, and the edges were beautifully
fringed. The plants at these monthly exhibi-
tions have no marks on them by which any one
may know who they belong to. Tins is not any
advantage. Instead of preventing dishonest
judgingi it favors it by making a cover for the
unfair one.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

APRIL, 1877.

Number 220.

<2>v?

LOWER fgARDEN AND

ROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

April is a good planting month. There is not
much art in planting trees, though it is often
made a mystery. Not to let the roots dry for
an instant between taking up and planting, every-
body knows, but everybody does not do it; in
fact Everybody deceives himself. We have seen
this distinguished individual leave the tops of
trees exposed to the sun, with a mat or straw
thrown over the roots ; and think all was right,
— or heel in for a day or two, by just throwing a
little dirt over the roots. This is a little good;
but Everybody's fault is, that although this may
be ten minutes of good, he expects to get ten
hours, or even ten days' value out of it, and
thus he suffers more than if he had done noth-
ing, because he forgets that the branches evapo-
rate moisture from the roots in a dry wind, and
the juices go from the roots through the branches
very nearly as well as directly to the air from the
roots themselves. So with heeling in. The soil
is thrown in lightly, or at most just " kicked "
down. " It is only temporary," very few of the
roots come in contact with the soil. They can
draw in no moisture to supply the waste of
evaporation, and thus they stay day after day, —
Everybody satisfied because he sees the roots
covered, really worse than if they had been ex-
posed. We have no doubt that more trees are
lost from imperfect heeling in than from any other
cause whatever. Of course, if the tops be cov-
ered as well as the roots, there is less waste of
moisture and more chance of success.

This hint will help us in planting. That is,
pound the soil in well about the fibres, so that
they may be in close contact with it ; or they can-
not draw in the necessary moisture. Should the
trees appear a little dry, or the roots badly muti-
lated in digging, or have few fibres, cut away the
plant according to the severity of the injury. It
is scarcely necessary to repeat that for this
evaporation reason, it is best to plant trees when
the ground is rather dry, because it then pow-
ders best in pounding, and gets well in about the
roots. Wet ground plasters, and leaves large
hollows in which roots cannot work.

We approve of thick planting. Trees grow
faster for one another's company, and a place
well filled at once, saves many years of time to
see them grow. Those not wanted after the
place has grown some, can be transplanted to
other parts of the ground. How to remove large
trees successfully, we have often explained.
Where thick planting is to be adopted, of course
care must be taken in locating those perma-
nently to remain.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

DECORATION OF GROUNDS. ETC.

BY WM. FLITT0N, GARD. TO JN0. LEE CARROLL, ESQ.,
BALTIMORE, MD.

The Salvia spoken of on page 373, December
number of the Monthly, is Salvia splendens, pure
and simple. It would seem hardly possible to
intensify the scarlet of Salvia splendens when in

98

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

good condition. Why should those particular
beds grow so dwarf? To be honest, it is necessary
in this connection to record a failure.

The beds in question were not intended for
Salvia, and were filled in May with plants of a
widely different genus, which however grew so
slowly and became such bald-headed looking spe-
cimens that their presence amongst health and
beauty could not be tolerated. Anticipating this
failure, I propagated sufficient Salvia in April to
replace them. The cuttings were taken from
some large old plants wintered over, and were
planted in the beds early in July. It was a
struggle for life with them, but they held their
own, however, and commenced flowering at the
same time as did those which were well grown
plants when put out. In this instance, that
which was intended merely as a make-shift, hap-
pened to prove a success. I have no desire to
repeat the experiment, however, but " necessity
knows no law," and one never knows how soon
it may be necessary to devise some means of
hiding that which would otherwise prove a
failure.

It is absolutely necessary to grow bedding
plants. A tastefully arranged, well-kept garden,
on what is generally understood as the bedding
system, is most beautiful. We also need flowers
to cut, and bedding plants generally produce
bloom adapted for the purpose. But what valid
reason can be given why this particular mode of
decoration should be adopted to the exclusion of
all others ! Is there no beauty except in masses
of brilliant color ? True, we may arrange them
with artistic taste, may tone down glaring colors,
with neutral tints, so as not to offend the most
iastidious ; but congruity, ". the eternal fitness of
things " should not be lost sight of. Few indeed
would place a grand piano-forte in a room with
bare walls and floor, nor a carpet of velvet pile
in a kitchen. Yet it is a fact well known to most
readers of this periodical, that inconsistencies
almost as glaring, are often perpetrated in what
is considered to be the embellishment of grounds.

I would be understood here, not as seeking to
depreciate the efforts of the owners of small
country places to make their surroundings more
home-like by planting a few flowers, flowering
and evergreen shrubs, &c. This is as it should
be, only more of it is needed by our rural popu-
lation, and much more might be done in that
line at trifling expense.

A short time since, the writer was called to
visit a place where considerable expense had

been incurred in improving the landscape.
There was, previous to the improvement, a fine lot
of old cedars, every vestige of which had been
removed. The grove had been cleaned up "spic
and span," not an Azalea nor a Kalmia dared
show a spray. The lawn was sharply defined,
the flower-beds far too numerous and too nar-
row. The herbaceous border was entirely ig-
nored, of course, as being too antiquated for the
" modern style of gardening, you know." Some
Abies excelsa had been planted singly within
six feet of the drive; and a few other shrubs, &c-,
were dotted about here and there, looking very
much out of place. A great deal had been done,
much of which, however, would have been far
better let alone. In fact, we shall be making
rapid progress towards our next Centennial, be-
fore some of the grand natural objects thus ruth-
lessly torn away can be re-placed in as noble a
form. Yet this estate contains within itself all
the diversity of hill and dale, were it availed of,
to make the scene most beautiful. At the proper
distance from the front piazza, where the drive
could have been carried in a bold sweep around
the brow of a hill, could have been placed some
grand clumps of Geranium argenteum, Erian-
thus Ravennaa, Yucca filamentosa and Y. glori-
osa, Canna, Caladium esoulentum, Hollyhock,
&c, &c. In connection with the above, could be
used with charming effect Juniperus, Retino-
spora, Cupressus, Biota, Thuiopsis, &c. Away
beyond these again should have been planted
specimens of fine foliaged, weeping trees, &c,
carrying the eye over a fine undulating surface
to a higher hill beyond, skirted by a wood on
the northern side, where might have been
planted some fine clumps of Abies, Pinus, &c,
perhaps fringed by European Larch; and all
this beauty might have been had for very little
more than it cost to destroy that which pre-
viously existed. As a country, we have some-
thing yet to learn in Landscaping and in For-
estry. Could not the Granges do something to
induce farmers and others to plant a few trees
annually, both for ornament and utility ?

Suppose the members of a Grange club unite to-
gether and buy a few thousands of — say Norway
Spruce, of smallish size, and divide them pro-
portionately. Being of somewhat rapid growth,
if properly planted anil attended to, the present
generation would reap the benefit, while those
to come would bless the memory of those who
had beautified their surroundings, and at the
same time the country.

181*70

AND HORTICULTURIST.

99

THE WHITE WATER LILY. (Nymphaea Odorata.)

BY B. MANN, RANDOLPH, MASS.

If lovers of flowers only knew how easily the
fragrant White Water Lily could be cultivated,
we are quite sure these Lilies would be grown
far more than many other less fragrant and
beautiful flowers that take more time and
trouble to cultivate. These Lilies once planted
in a pond or small stream (they will bloom more
profusely in shallow water) that does not entirely
dry up in Summer, will need no further care,
and will increase from year to year. People that
have not the facilities for growing them in ponds
and streams, can have their Lily gardens in tubs
and aquariums where they can admire and
gather the most fragrant and beautiful flower
that grows on land or water.

CULTIVATION.

In Tubs. — For a tub, take a strong barrel, free
from tar oil or salt, saw it in two, fill this one-
third full with fine black garden soil, or meadow
mud if handy, plant the roots in this mixture,
covering them two inches deep, add water gently
so as not to disturb the roots until the tub is
full. This is all the care needed^always keep the
tub full of water. Set this on a brick or board
platform in any place you desire. The tubs with
their contents should be placed in a cellar dur-
ing the Winter, kept from frost, and not allowed
to entirely dry up.

For Ponds and Streams — Tie a stone close to
the roots, large enough to sink it, drop this into
the pond or stream where you wish them to
grow.

For Aquariums. — Put in five inches of fine
black loam, cover the roots one inch deep in
this, and sift on fine sand enough to entirely
cover the loam.

For years, I have been accustomed to see
M. glauca grafted successfully on both acumin-
ata and tripetela, to the great advantage of
stateliness and general symmetry. Nor is it un-
natural that an alliance should be made with
facility in the case of two American species, when
Japanese and Chinese Magnolias do so well on
the same stock. Allow me to enter a plea for a
wider appreciation of this sweetest, and in some
senses best, of American Magnolias. No planta-
tion of shrubs can afford to be without its fresh
and charming attractions.

MAGNOLIA GLAUCA.

MAGNOLIA GLAUCA.

BY SAMUEL PARSONS, KISSENA NURSERIES,
FLUSHING, N. Y.

In the February issue of the Gardener's
Monthly, I notice a very clear and definite an-
swer, in the affirmative, to a query concerning
the possibility of grafting Magnolia glauca on
M. acuminata stock. Your statement is un-
questionably correct, but since you do not seem
to rest your position on positive experience, I
should like to add a testimony that comes from
actual observation.

BY T. C. MAXWELL, GENEVA, N. Y.

In the February number of the Gardener's
Monthly, G. W. T. asks in regard to the M. glauca
worked on M. acuminata, and you answer that
you " know of no cases," " but think it would do
well." Remembering an article in the American
Journal of Horticulture by Dr. J. P. Kirtland, I
immediately turned to it, volume first, page 177,
and found it so very interesting, I can but think
you will be glad to give it to your readers. Dr. K.
says: — "A glauca standing in my grounds,
started from a seed in 1842, is now (1867) seven
feet high. The trunk eighteen inches above the
ground, measures six inches in circumference ;
and its top extends into several lateral branches.
A dozen or two of inferior flowers are annually
produced. Its aspect is that of an old and de-
crepit shrub, unworthy of attention.

" In beautiful contrast and contiguous to it,
may be seen another glauca, with a large and
spreading top, more than twenty-one feet high,
with a body thirty-seven inches in circumfer-
ence at its largest expansion. Its leaves and
flowers surpass the others in size, numbers and
perfection. During a period of about six weeks,
in the months of June and July, it puts forth
daily a profusion of pure white blossoms, the
neat and chaste appearance of which by day,
and the agreeable odor at evening, excite ad-
miration. At the approach of night, the per-
fume mingling with the falling dews, is dissemin-
ated a great distance along a thronged public
thoroughfare, and elicits many exclamations of
wonder and surprise, uttered in as many varied
accents as were heard from the readers of the
epitaph of ' Poor Yorick.' This tree is probably
the largest specimen of the glauca in the Union,
certainly in the more northern States; and it

100

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

illustrates both the feasibility and the advan-
tages of employing the acuminata for the stock
in propagating this species. It originated from
a bud, cut from the seedling glauca just de-
scribed, when that was four years old. The bud
was inserted into a young cucumber tree of a
similar age, in the Summer of 1846, similar soil
and cultivation have been afforded to each. The
one is a mere shrub that has already passed its
maturity; the other a good-sized tree, vigorous
and healthy, annually extending as large a
growth as in its early years."

VARIOUS TOPICS.

BY JOSIAH HOOPES, WEST CHESTER, PA.

I am pleased to hear the Sciadopitys verticil-
lata is succeeding so well in the vicinity of
Boston, thus giving us incontrovertible evidence
of its hardiness at the North. A specimen in
my own collection, some ten years planted, has
never been injured in the least.

The Thuja Standishi, formerly Thuiopsis, is
also equally hardy, and I think will form a very
beautiful tree when well grown.

Whilst on the subject of conifers, allow me
to call the attention of planters to three of the
newer species of Abies or Spruce : — A. Alco-
quiana, A. polita, and A. microsperma, all of
which are from Japan, and appear perfectly
adapted to our climate. In addition to their
hardiness, they are all unexceptionally beautiful
and distinct.

Please say to G. W. T., who inquires about
grafting Magnolia glauca, that it succeeds well
upon the M. acuminata, but is somewhat more
difficult to work than most other species. The
growth is greatly accelerated, and the foliage
increased in size, at least for a few years after
grafting or budding.

The Castanopsis chrysophylla, like almost every
Californian tree or shrub that I have tested, posi-
tively refuses to live here for any length of time.
It literally burns up beneath our hot suns. Even
in the shade, some fungus spreads over the foli-
age, and the shrubs rapidly shrivel up. The
Winter, however, puts a quietus on all; so it does
not much matter about the Summer ills. I re-
gret that it is so, for a more beautiful foliage I
scarcely know among our American shrubs.

We have hud Fuchsia procumbens lor eight-
een months past, but have so far been unable to
bloom it. Perhaps now we may succeed with
the older plants.

NOTES BY CHARLES DOWNING.

AQUTLEGIA CALIFORNICA.

Your correspondent, W. C. L. Drew, says this
variety has not yet been introduced, but Wm.
Thompson, seedsman, of Ipswich, England, sent
me seeds of it some twelve years since, which
grew and flowered freely, and is the same as
described by Mr. Drew.

SPIRAEA PALM ATA.

I received this of Thomas Hogg, Sr., of New
York, over twent)' years since as Spirgea Ameri-
cana, but soon after when in bloom a botanical
friend, in looking over my collection, pro-
nounced it S. palmata; it grows afoot higher
than S. lobata, the spikes of flowers larger, of a
brighter color, easily cultivated, and worthy of
a place in any collection.

ACONITUM JAPONICUM.

This is not very new. I grew it many years
since ; it grows to the height of four feet, stiff
and erect; has palmated shining foliage; blooms
late, and although desirable in a large collection,
is not as showy as some of the earlier varieties.

MAGNOLIA GLAUCA.

G. W. T. asks what would be the effect of
grafting M glauca on M. acuminata. I believe
Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, was successful
in grafting and budding this and other kinds on
the acuminata stock, and gave an account of
his mode of performing it in the Journal of Hor-
ticulture a few years since. I would recommend
G. W. T., and other planters to obtain M. glauca
longifolia, a seedling of the glauca, but more
vigorous in growth, larger and more glossy foli-
age, and more desirable every way, and should
be more extensively planted as an ornamental
tree.

A LITTLE ALPINE GARDEN.

BY MRS. C. S. JOXES, MONROE, MO.

For many years past "rock-work " and "rock-
eries " have become so popular as a means of
embellishing pleasure-grounds, that persons de-
ciding to improve their surroundings, invariably
attempt some arrangement of this kind as
an aid thereto. "Rock- work!" — "Save the
mark!" Why, almost every absurd conglom-
eration of stones, shells, rocks, burrs, roots, and
(shall we admit it?), masses of crockery, glass.
and china, that we see exposing their dry,
parched sides to view, is dignified by the term;

1877.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

101

whereas nine attempts out of ten are mere abor-
tions, as may be clearly proven, if we will only
examine the subject and ascertain what we
really mean by attempting this class of work.

The object of rock-work certainly is, or should
be, an imitation of nature; by obtaining with
proper soil and situation, such growth and
exhibition of certain interesting plants, whicb in
their wild, natural state resort to extremely rocky
and stony places, seeking a subsistence ; where
strong, rampant vegetation would stand no
chance; by cultivating those lovely mountain-
eers, which grow in all their delicate green-
ness and brightness far above the limit of shrub-
by and herbaceous vegetation, in regions where
blasts of cutting wind and intense cold prevent
their tiny heads from rising more than an inch
or two above the earth.

Now, such are the Alpines ; and though the
situations in which the Alpine flora luxuriates
can only be copied on a very lilliputian scale in
our American gardens, still the conditions in
which they delight may be imitated to perfec-
tion here, and it is from the fact of succeeding
with a number of this class of plants that I feel
anxious to urge their culture upon our flower
lovers; for never will they find a specialty better
worthy a trial, nor a pet that will repay them
with such constant returns of beauty.

The beds I am about to describe are appropri-
ate alike for the wide area of the country lawn
or the contracted court-yard of the city or
suburban home; in the one case being extended
into wide planes and sheltered nooks, high peaks
and sunny knolls, with here a little bit of water,
and there a rocky pathway, winding in and out
at "the foot of the mountain." Alpine shrubs
and bushes grouped here and there on the
mountain-tops, the sides and peaks of which
may be " snoiv-capped" with "Spar.," while
tiny Swiss chalets dotted about on the sides, or
grouped together as a hamlet in the valley, may
serve as bee-hives or bird-houses. Here by mak-
ing wide slabs of stone, to overhang some min-
iature lakelet, with sunny banks and shaded,
little valleys, every sort of aspect or nook that
could be desired for a particular plant is at hand,
and thus vegetation of the most diverse charac-
ter is accommodated within a very narrow space
by merely preparing soil adapted to the wants
of special plants. In the other case, a little bed j
is dug out to the depth of two feet, with an out-
let from the lowest point to insure perfect
drainage in this cavity. Coarse stones, lime or

rubbish must be placed to a depth of from six
inches to one foot; upon this arrange large
stones, old stumps and trunks of trees, planted
firmly on beds of garden soil or stiff loam.
Leave many hollow spaces for the plants, into
which pack a mixture of leaf-mould, clean sand,
coarse gravel (or crushed stones) and peat (or if
this is not obtainable, cocoa-nut fibre or refuse
will answer), and a little good garden loam, or
soil from an old hot-bed, making a coarse, gritty
mixture, in which Alpines delight to grow. The
requisites of health to these plants are pure air,
bright sun-shine (during a portion of the day at
least), thorough drainage, loose gritty soil and
constant moisture. With these, your plants
will grow luxuriantly, excepting during cold
Spring or open Winter weather, when, being de-
prived of their natural covering of snow, with
our thaws and severe frosts, they are greatly
injured; but this evil maybe remedied by fas-
tening a sort of open frame across the bed and
covering with canvas tacked to the top, forming
an artificial snow.

Around the edge of the bed arrange rustic
stones and roots of various sizes, making as
much pleasing diversity as possible, so as to
raise the bed about two feet above the surround-
ing turf. The large stones, slabs, trunks, &c, in
the centre should crop out from the soil in true
rustic fashion ; of course any regular arrange-
ment would tend to ugliness, as no one spot
should resemble another, and the dip and con-
nection of the stones with the soil should be so
arranged that the soil will not become washed
out with rain or watering. Here Sedums and
Sempervivums, such Saxifragas as ccesia Ro-
chelliana, such Dianthuses as alpinus and pe-
trseus, mountain Forget-me-nots, Gentians, little
Spring bulbs, Hepatica triloba and a good, wide
clump of the Iberis. Pinks will thrive here
and do wonderfully well, while the blue tint of
the foliage will form charming contrasts with
the deep green of the " mossy Saxifrage." The
Aubrietias will run up and down the chinks and
form lovely mantles for the jutting rocks over
which they will climb and ramble; Alyssum
saxatile will round into a dense, impenetrable
clump, while Arabis lucida, A. procurrens var.,
and Festuca glauca, with all the Oxalis, silvery
Artemisias, dwarf Gnaphalium, Silene alpestris,
Dianthus petrseus, Achillea tomentosa, Campan-
ulas (dwarf), Erica carnea, Linaria alpina, Phlox
verna, frondosa and stolonifera, Alyssum spino-
sum, Veronica Candida and saxatilis. Cerastium

102

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ April,

tomentosum, Primula veris (cowslip); Bellis per-
ennis (English Daisy); double white daisy, and
B. Victoria. On dry spots use the Echeverias,
which, being natives of arid countries, will
thrive best if planted in some hot, parched
places, where anything else would fail. E. re-
tusa fioribunda, metallica, glauca, rosacea, se-
cunda splendens, secunda glauca, splendens and
atropurpurea ; Koniga (var.) (variegated sweet
Alyssum), in shaded spots Lysimachia nummu-
laria, Linaria cymbilaria; Myosotis palustris,
p. alba, M. semperflorens, M. dissitofolia ;
Nertera depressa, one of the most charming of
Alpine plants. The creeping, thread-like stems
are thrown out in great profusion until a tangled
mat is formed, which is covered with tiny dark
green leaves, forming a dense tuft, on which the
brilliant orange-scarlet berries rest, the rich fruit
forming a striking contrast to the foliage. Nier-
embergia rivularis, another creeping beauty
with lovely white flowers; N. gracilis; Othon-
na crassifolia, of Sedum-like appearance, has
small, yellow, tassel-like flowers borne in great
profusion. Mikania violacea has striking foli-
age of a purplish-green color and velvet-like
appearance, with lining like crimson satin; a
charming plant, which roots freely. Micromeria
Douglasii, mule pinks of various kinds. Mes-
embryanthemums, which will endure the hottest
sunshine, and grow in very shallow soil. M. cor-
difolium, M. cordifolium variegatum, M. glau-
cuni, M. blandum, M. deltoidum, M. niti-
dum, are all valuable for such beds, and once
obtained, may be easily preserved during the
Winter for use the ensuing season. The Ana-
gallis is one of the most attractive of Alpine
plants, and both grandiflora, ccerulea and san-
guinea will form lovely clumps. Calandrina
grandiflora and umbel lata will cover hot places
with brilliant pink and crimson carpets, while
the Cerastiums and other silver-leaved plants
will form charming contrasts with Scypanthus
elegans, Tagetes signata pumila, Veronica Sy-
riaca and Euphorbia variegata. Fenzlia, Gram-
manthus gentianoides, Gysophila muralis and
paniculata.

Of the Sedums and Sempervivums, our lead-
ing florists have good selections, and the best
way is to procure the entire set for a specified
price. The plants I have named are many of
them not strictly Alpines, but of such character
as to mingle beautifully together, and by exam-
ining such catalogues as are published by out-
most reliable florist* and seedsmen, it will be

discovered which may be raised readily from
seed and of which it is best to obtain plants.

With these points carefully considered, the
most charming results will ensue from such
beds as I have here described ; and there are
hundreds and hundreds of dwellings in and
around our cities, from the windows of which
such little Alpine Gardens would appear attract-
ive'and refreshing to an eminent degree.

NOTES ON LITTLE KNOWN PLANTS.

BY WM. S. CARPENTER, RYE, N. Y.

I noticed in the December number of your
valuable magazine an inquiry in regard to that
beautiful conifera, Sciadopitys verticillata. I
imported a specimen of it fifteen years ago, and
regret to say, after a struggle of some three or
four years with our uncongenial winters, it
died, notwithstanding I had given it some pro-
tection. I have not hrd the courage to try it
again. (You might venture again. — Ed.) I do
not think it should be recommended as hardy,
although it may succeed in some favored locali-
ties ; like many other beautiful evergreens that
I have planted, which have been and are still
recommended as hardy. I regret that I could
not have saved some of the following, which
were well cared for, giving the most of them
some protection, but nearly all have dis-
appeared ; some did not survive the first winter,
others struggled on for a few years ; but all must
be rejected for the locality of Eastern New York.
Abies grandis, quite distinct from lasiocarpa,
Parsonsiana, or Lowi — the latter proves hardy,
Abies bracteata, Abies canadensis compacta,
Abies Douglasii, Abies Morinda, Abies Pinsapo.
This last beautiful evergreen I have tried several
times, but shall have to give it up. Cedrus At-
lantica, Deodara, Africana and Libani, all tender.
Cephalotaxus drupracea, Fortuni and robusta —
all dead. Cryptomereaa japonica, elegans, For-
tunii and nana — all beautiful, but not hardy. I
imported twelve varieties of Cupressus, not one
of them now alive. I found that by screening this
variety from the sun, through March, I could
preserve them. It is to be regretted this elegant
variety of conifera is not more reliable. C. McNa-
biana is perhaps the most hardy of the Cu-
pressus. Most of the pines that I have tried
prove hardy — the exceptions are, Australis, Tor-
ryana, maritima, insignis, and perhaps tubercu-
lata. Pinus Fremontiana, I regard as the hand-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

103

somest hardy pine of North America. Next I
would place muricata and Coulteri. We have
now had an opportunity of testing some dozen
varieties of the beautiful Retinospora for a num-
ber of years, and it is most gratifying to be able
to say, that with one or two exceptions, they are
as hardy as an oak ; ericoides needs some pro-
tection when young. Two varieties lately intro-
troduced, Retinospora pisifera lutescens and
R. squarrosa glauca, are the most beautiful I
have yet seen. Another beautiful class of small
evergreens should be planted with caution — the
Taxus. But two, out of some twenty varieties,
which I have tried, can be relied on, Taxus can-
adensis and Washingtoni — the last named is
tipped with gold, and with me as hardy as an
oak. Several others that are very beautiful,
Taxus baceata aurea, Taxus elegantissima and
Taxus japonica, and we may add cuspidata, with
slight protection ; may be preserved. The Biotas
are so handsome that it pays to give some of
them a slight protection, otherwise most of them
will suffer when young. Elegantissimum, I think
the handsomest of all, and perhaps the most
tender. Biota semper aurescens and Zuccarin-
iana are of recent introduction, and with me
nearly hardy, both beautiful and worth try-
ing. Nearly all the Thuya occidentalis, I think
are hardy, if we except the gigantea, which needs
protection when young.

Thuiopsis borealis, variegata and dolabrata
passed through several Winters, and I had great
hopes of these beautiful trees, but had to give
them up. Not one is now left ; the same state-
ment will apply to Libocedrus decurrens. This
would seem to be the dark side in experimenting
with evergreens ; but I wish to say that there are
two sides to this question, and I propose at a
suitable time to give the other side, which is a
bright side, and fully compensates for all that
would appear to be disappointment in experi-
menting with the beautiful Conifera, now obtain-
able. One word in regard to Sequoia gigantea :
it does not give satisfaction ; a beautiful tree
where it does well, but will not flourish here. I
am speaking for Eastern New York, latitude
about 41°.

I notice an enquiry in your last issue in regard
to the Arundo conspicua. I imported this last
year, and think it promises to be valuable —
quite as handsome as the Gynerium argenteum,
and I think much hardier. I hope to flower the
new Gynerium carmineum Rendatleri, the com-
ing season. This was sent out by Van Houtte

two years ago, with a fine description. The pani-
cles measure more than two feet in length, are
of a bright carmine rose color. The flower stems
attain the height often feet, and are described as
making a magnificent show, quite as hardy as
Gynerium argenteum. There is another variety
which I have ordered, described with foliage
completely bordered with gold color. I hope to
report favorably at some future time on this new
Gynerium. Erianthus Ravenna? is a very orna-
mental grass, and when well established will, I
think, prove quite hardy.

[Mr. Carpenter's notes of his experience are
valuable and welcome. It shows that people
cannot plant these things under ordinary cir-
cumstances, and yet feel sure of their living. It
must not be forgotten that in a state of nature,
evergreens are gregarious; growing together,
they shelter one another. In the highest north-
ern regions the young of pines spring up under
the protection of other things. If put out in the
open, exposed on all sides to the wind, the sun,
and the weather in general, the hardiest of even
these hardy things have a hard time of it. When
large they can take care of themselves — when
young they cannot. There are scarcely any of
the kinds which failed with Mr. Carpenter, but
which we have seen doing well, not only in his
latitude, but in latitudes much further north. It
is a question not of latitude, nor of temperature,
but of protection from wind when small. By
protection we mean not merely the placing of a
few branches around a weak plant, but the pro-
tection of dense masses of trees and shrubs. —
Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pruning Conifer^.— A discussion is going on
in the Belgian journals, as to whether or not itwill
do to prune coniferae. An affirmative answer
would have been given by any American gar-
dener since the establishment of the Gardener's
Monthly. We remember that an article in regard
to pruning evergreens, in our first number created
marked attention. There is no evergreen but is
freely pruned now.

The Japan Maples. — Mr. S. Parsons speaks
well of the Acer Jap. sanguineum and A Jap.
atropurpureum. Of the last we can say of our
own experience, that it is an excellent addition
to our list of ornamental trees.

104

THE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[April,

New Rose, Beauty of Glazenwood. — Mr.
Saul has a beautiful chromo in his Catalogue.
It is a yellow bud striped with crimson.

The Hepatica. — A remarkably beautiful blue
variety of our native Hepatica or Liverwort, is
figured in the Belgian Horticultural Review. Our
lovers of herbaceous plants should examine our
woods for new forms, — for there are generally as
good varieties from seeds sown by nature, as by
the gardener, but they get crowded out. There
are under culture, rose colored and white varie-
ties, and double ones of all, though the double
white seem very scarce.

QUERIES.

Magnolias. — W. F. B. says : — " I notice in the
Gardener's Monthly for February, an inquiry
about grafting the Magnolia glauca on the M. acu-
minata. If you refer to the Horticulturist for
1857, p. 218, you will find a very interesting arti-
cle from J. P. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, on
the acuminata as a stock. I believe the article
promised to follow on the methods of grafting,
never appeared."

Lily Culture. — We have the following letter
from Messrs. Krelage & Sons, of Haarlem, Hol-
land. As we could not lay our hands on the
lists they refer to, we publish with pleasure their
letter instead.

" In the February number of your Monthly, at
page 37, you give a note on a Belgium Lily cata-
logue (we suppose it is Mr. Fraelmen's) which
contains 75 sorts and three of them offered by the
1000. Allow us to observe that we have sent
you this Autumn our special list of Lilies, con-
taining about 250 species and varieties, also
quoted per piece, per dozen, per 100 and per
1000, and among which there are about 40 quoted
by the 1000. Our collection of Lilies is cer-
tainly the largest and best assorted nursery col-
lection in Europe if not in the world. We
edited this Autumn in English (with special
American edition), French and German, a pro-
visional descriptive list, and we find that our
notes have already been copied in several other
lists. We sent you a copy of this set of cata-
logues ( 320 a, 321 a, 322 a, 323 a ); perhaps you
will find it useful to give a note of them in your
paper. To the trade we publish separate cata-
logue. Trade prices of Lilies for America are
to be found in 318 a."

REEN

ouse and Souse Gardening.

^>^>j

COMMUNICA TIONS.

RHODODENDRON HOUSE.

BY S. B. PARSONS, FLUSHING, LONG ISLAND.

Some months since I expressed in your columns
my opinion based upon an experience of some
thirty years, that scarcely a dozen sorts of Rho-
dodendrons could be pronounced absolutely
hardy under all circumstances, and that many
of the high colors exhibited at Philadelphia were
not among those sorts.

To that opinion I still adhere, notwithstanding
an occasional success with highly colored sorts
in ravines and sheltered places. Exceptions do
not prove the rule, and the rule is that those

sorts are not in this country reliable under all
circumstances. My assertion is strengthened by
the utterances and correspondence of friends
in different sections who coincide with me in
this position, and whose history of Rhododen-
dron importations is a history of disappointments.
The few sorts which are perfectly hardy give us
a variety of color and many charms, but we can-
not afford to lose the exquisite tints which
belong to a class formed by Concessum, Album,
Lady Cathcart and others.

I am frequently asked, how then can these be
enjoyed? Simply by protection in some shape,
and this can be given most satisfactorily by a
cheap house. No artificial heat is required, and
only a protection from exciting sun and cold
wind. I will describe the cheapest form I know;

isn.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

105

those who are willing to erect a more costly
structure can readily do so. I would give such
a house a span roof with a pitch of 30° and
rafters twelve feet long. The sides of the house
should be six feet high and the centre twelve
feet. The ground surface should be twenty feet
wide, outside measurement, and in length fifty
feet or more as desired. The sides can be formed
of locust or cedar posts, set not less than four
feet in the ground and four feet apart. The
centre can be sustained by a ridge pole of planks
or wall strip resting upon posts six feet apart.
The rafters can be simple joists four feet apart,
nailed on the ridge pole and on a plate
which is itself spiked into the tops of the side
posts. We thus have the finished skeleton of a
house. It must now be covered in some way
which will enable it to be conveniently stripped.
Tongued and grooved shutters, six by twelve feet,
with battens, can be laid upon the rafters and
kept in place by common hooks and staples. It
would be better i the tops of the rafters could
be ploughed out a little to carr}r off the water
which would fall between the shutters. The
roof being thus formed, the ends can be covered
in after the same manner in sections. On the
sides, every third space can be covered in with
a glass sash and the remainder with wooden
shutters, it being borne in mind that protection
from the excitement of light is a great aid to
protection from cold. A little salt hay or other
litter could cover the small space between the
shutters and the ground. Every fine, still day
ventilation will be needed, and this can be given
by a door in each end, guarding however
against sudden changes. Through the coldest
Winter a house of this kind will be found
a sufficient protection for all those Rhododen-
drons which so charmed every one by their
colors. In April, when danger from late frosts
is not to be apprehended, the house should be
completely stripped of all shutters and sash and
left a simple skeleton. The plants will thus be
fully exposed to the pleasant sun, and air,
and influences of Spring, and will acquire
strength for their subsequent blooming. About
a month later, when the flower buds are fully
developed and show signs of bursting, the roof
should be covered with shades of lattice work.
The cheapest mode of making these shades is
with furring strips or shingling lathe joining a
frame four by six feet and plastering lath nailed
across an inch apart. Those who wish some-
thing nicer which can be painted, can have simi-

lar strips sawed out at the mill and planed.
This partial shading prolongs the season of
bloom, allows the air and sifted sunlight to enter
freely, and protects equally against the burning
rays of a Summer sun, or the dashing torrents
of a Summer rain, either of which in the open air
will destroy the finest bloom in a single day. It is
better than a tent because it is not so close for
the observer, while it affords that subdued light
which in a tent develops flower tints so charm-
ingly. A covering of this kind during bloom
would greatly prolong the season of even those
sorts which are entirely proof against the se-
verest cold. A day of intense heat or a pouring
rain cannot then destroy the pleasure for which
a whole year has been waiting. When the bloom
has passed, this shading should be removed and
the plant thrown open to the sun,wind and rain.
Without the sun, flower buds wrould not form
readily, and it is a great mistake to plant Rho-
dodendrons in the shade. If ivy or other fine
climbers have been planted inside the posts at
the side, they can now be twined around them,
and if sufficiently luxuriant can be carried
around the rafters or festooned from them. The
rich, glossy dark green foliage of the Rhododen-
drons will give pleasure during the Summer by
its contrast with other shrubs, and the covering
can be renewed again late in November, after a few
good frosts have matured the wood and hardened
the plants for their Winter's rest.

This house maybe varied to suit the taste of
the builder, bearing in mind the three essential
elements : — darkness, and protection for the
dormancy in Winter ; shade for the bloom in
Summer ; and open air and sun for the growth.
A house of this kind can be made available for
other plants.

There are many who are fond of the Lau-
rustinus Portugal Laurel, Araucaria, Evergreen
Magnolias, Holly, and many other broad-leaved
evergreens, which are hardy in England but
tender here, ai.d who keep such in a greenhouse
or cellar, planting them out on the lawn every
year. The subterranean dampness of a cellar is
unnatural and the influence of a greenhouse
exciting. These evils and the frequent trans-
planting are adverse to the production of good
specimens. In a house of this character they
could be allowed to remain, could develop into
luxuriant and beautiful forms, would make a
delightful promenade for all the members of a
family, and charm all beholders by the beauty
of its bloom and the richness of its foliage.

106

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURG ROSE.

BY SAMUEL SMITH, NEWPORT, R. I.

That there is a false Duchess of Edinburg
Rose in the market I have proof, and to show
you the difference in the buds, I enclose you
the true rose, also the false one. These plants
were imported by me from England. I
got twenty-three of these in one hundred
plants.

I believe that the false rose is a sport, as I do
not know it, nor can I find any one who does
know it. However this may be, I would advise
all who have the wrong variety, if like mine, to
preserve it ; for when well grown it is a beautiful
rose, as you will see by the bud sent. The
habit and foliage of the plants are very like
the true Duchess. It differs only in color.

[Mr. Smith is right, evidently. The one is a
sport of the other, and propagators will have to
watch it just as they have to watch Coleus Cha-
meleon and other things.— Ed. G. M.]

a ball of earth without a free circulation of air.
I have reflected a great deal on this subject of
late, and have come to this conclusion, that our
dry atmosphere is " argument enough " in favor
of drainage. Plants can be watered freely ; the
water percolates freely through the soil, the air
follows and keeps the moisture suspended in the
mass.

The above, Mr. Editor, are my views, but if I
have made any misstatements, I shall be glad
and thankful to be set right ; neither am I too
prejudiced, or adhere too zealously to an old
principle or custom to be convinced when a
better one is offered. I have neither taste nor
talent for recriminating controversies, being con-
vinced that those who resort to such quibbles,
manifest a disposition for a controversial tri-
umph more than for the elucidation of truth.

DRAINAGE.

BY RAMBLER.

There has been of late some writing, and a
great deal of talking in regard to drainage, and
without attempting to condemn or uphold the
same, permit me to ask— does nature justify
drainage? We are all aware that it is most
essential in artificial culture to follow the exam-
ples of nature, and we are also aware that no
farmer would for a moment think of putting
drainage under the top soil of his fields before
planting grain, though perhaps many a grain-
field would be benefited by judicious drainage.
But, on the other hand, in what conditions do
we find the most luxurious tropical vegetation ?
Is it on hard, parched and half baked earth under
the full rays of the meridian sun of Summer?
No ! In situations moist and shaded, where the
plants spring up annually among the decayed
herbage of the previous season, when the de-
composed mass is free and porous, allowing the
accumulated moisture to pass off in season of
growth. How is it possible for the air to circu-
late if the pores are blocked with water, or
where the ball is as hard as a lump of clay ; be-
sides, the water itself will not circulate through

HEATING SMALL VEGETABLE OR GREEN-
HOUSES.

BY AN OHIO LADY.

In the January number of the Gardener's
Monthly I saw a communication in reply to some
one having asked the expediency of warming a
small vegetable-house with a coal stove, in an-
swer to which it was stated, "that it would not
be satisfactory."

I will give a little experience of my own. Like
many others, I long wanted a greenhouse, or more
properly, a conservatory; but the first obstacle
which always arises is, the difficulty of heating a
small house. With a conservatory attached to
the dwelling there is always more or less dan-
ger from heating by flues, and besides, they are
extremely unsightly things. Heating by steam
is too expensive. More than three years ago
I determined to try one heated by a coal
stove.

My conservatory opens by a glass door directly
from the sitting-room. It is a lean-to, 12x20 ft.,
looking toward the south and protected by the
house on the north and most of the west side.
I have wooden shutters made of flooring-boards
to use in extreme weather, and it is heated by a
base-burning soft coal stove. With care, there
is but little dust. I have a cistern in the house,
with a force-pump, hose, and sprinkler, which
is very convenient, and it can all be watered in
two minutes. This has been almost indispensa-
ble hitherto, as I was obliged to depend upon

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

107

sprinkling the floors, &c, for moisture, for of
course the heat would naturally be dry.

Last Fall I tried an experiment of having a
galvanized iron circular tank of about twelve
gallons capacity, placed back of the stove, with
f-inch gas pipe attached to the tank and run-
ning through one of the doors into the fire-pot
of the stove, and with an elbow returning
through the same door and passing under my
little propagating bench six feet, and then com-
ing back and entering the tank above the first
pipe about eight inches. I thus have a body of
water always hot — many times, with a large fire,
nearly reaching the boiling point — which gives
out moisture sufficient to keep the plants in
good health, entirely free from red spider ; and
the circulation in the pipes gives additional heat.
It has given entire satisfaction throughout these
unusually extreme winter nights. At night when
the mercury goes to zero, our man awakens and
stirs out the ashes and re-fills with coal about
one o'clock, but ordinarily it needs only to be at-
tended to late at night and early in the morning,
and it has kept my tenderest plants safely.
The mercury perhaps twice only has gone below
40°, and usually ranges from 40° to 60°. I do not
pretend to keep "stove" plants, but, for miscel-
laneous plants, I have no hesitancy in recom-
mending my plan.

I have now blooming "Passiflora princeps,"
"Thunbergia Harrisi," "Clerodendron Balfouri,"
and others, and I should like a white winter-
blooming vine. Would I succeed with " Stepha-
notis floribunda?" Dreer does not give it as a
"stove," but he does Clerodendron B. Another
experiment I have tried successfully. I take
my little machine oil can and treat the " mealy-
bug" to a drop of coal oil, which is sure, and
so far, harmless ; even the Rex Begonias are
uninjured by it.

[We have great pleasure in giving this letter to
our readers. It is just the sort of practical experi-
ence hundreds want to know about. The success
with the coal stove is particularly encouraging,
as so many can have flowers this way to whom
expensive heating arrangements are out of the
question. Our correspondent, in sending the
article, modestly asks us not to " put her in the
paper," whatever we do with her experience,
and we have respected her wishes accordingly.
Stephanotis floribunda would hardly flower in
Winter in such a house. Bhyncospermum jas-
minoides, as a white climber, would be better. —
Ed. G. M.]

LA BELLE CARNATION.

BY H. E. CHITTY, BELLEVUE NURSERIES,

PATERSON, N. J.

In reply to Mr. Lonsdale's reference to my
remarks on this plant, which appeared in the
Gardener's Monthly, January, 1875, I believe I
can truly say that I have no cause to change
or reverse my opinion as then expressed. But
all depends upon the manner in which the plant
is grown — if stopped and pinched back and
otherwise treated as the ordinary American
varieties are managed for Fall and Winter
flowering, it will not flower, but if allowed to
grow its own way with simple training, or pro-
vided with necessary support and ordinary
liberal treatment in regard to soil and pot room,
it will flower early in the season and abundantly,
and when so grown and flowered, I have no
hesitation in saying that it is the most perfect,
largest and purest white Carnation that we have,
and I believe all these good qualities are freely
conceded it in England where it originated, and
where it has prominently figured at exhibitions
during the last two or three years.

During 1875 we grew large numbers of this
plant in 3, 4, 5, and 6-inch pots, and the plants
of sizes to suit all kinds of trade. The smaller
sizes were freely stopped to keep them within
bounds for shipping purposes, as were also many
of the plants in 6-inch pots. These last named
that were left over with us, flowered sparsely dur-
ing the following Spring, but plants in 6-inch
pots that were not stopped at all, nor had their
growth interfered with in any way, but were sup-
plied with sticks and tied up, commenced to
flower early in September, and flowered through-
out the Fall,Winter and Spring ; they were in fact
in flower long before Degraw as ordinarily treated
commences to flower, and continued to flower
through a period quite as extended.

There exists quite a diversity of opinion
regarding this plant, and as is usual in such cases
those are best pleased who have been most success-
ful with it. Of course a carnation that will not
flower is utterly worthless, but I am fully con-
vinced that if florists will take cuttings of this
variety any time during the Winter and grow
the plants through Spring and Summer in pots,
giving good soil and pots not less than six inches
in diameter and not stop the plants, and during
the Winter keep them in a low temperature, say
40° or 45° as a maximum, they will have but
little cause for complaint. In a high tempera-

108

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_April,

ture this Carnation makes a small, weak, wiry
growth, and produces small flowers, and of
those quite few ; but in a low temperature as
stated above, the growth is exceedingly robust
and short jointed, the foliage large, of a rich
glaucous blue, and the flowers large, perfect, and
of the richest clove fragrance. I have gathered
hundreds of flowers of this variety, each one a
perfect rosette two and a half or three inches in
diameter, and this, notwithstanding its having
been described in some catalogues as "a variety
having rather small flowers." As far as my expe-
rience goes I find a high temperature injurious
to the Carnations generally, but more particu-
larly is this the case with the true, or perpetual
flowering varieties, to which class the La Belle
belongs, and I find the old variety called " La
Purite," produces flowers of a much richer
color, double the size and double the quantity in
a temperature during Winter of 45° or 50° than
they do in a temperature of 65° or 70°. Carna-
tion growers cannot have failed to observe the
great change which takes place in their planted
out Carnations as soon as the cool dewy nights
of August and September occur; they seem all at
once to assume new life, making vigorous shoots
and in flowering plants the brilliancy and size of
the flowers are greatly increased; after a while
the plants are lifted and either potted or planted
out in the houses, and subjected to a high tem-
perature during the coldest part of the year, and
if we find a variety that will not flower freely and
give the very best results under this unnatural
treatment, how ready we are to pronounce it
worthless.

OBSCURED GLASS IN GREENHOUSES.

BY GORDON LEVER, IRVINGTON-ON-HUDSON, N. Y.

It may be worth while to say a word or two
about obscured or semi-opaque glass in green-
houses, though there is hardly any wish to stir
up such a controversy among writers as was
raised by the " Wild Goose Plum." — (This in
capital letters, Mr. Printer, as it is going to be a
good year for wild geese, perhaps ! hardy Rho-
dodendrons, and kindred subjects.) It is hard to
tell at present what is hardy among this princely
class of plants, and the man who has capital,
would do a real benefit to horticulture by careful
experiments for a couple years up in this lati-
tude with so-called hardy Rhododendrons, and
give us some day the result of the trial — situa-

tion and everything else considered. But I am
wandering from the subject, and scribbling over
space may cause the Editor's hair to stand on
end, like plants that don't know what to do with
head-room in a dark corner except to straggle
up to the light. Speaking about obscurity, I
dont know of anything that takes the gloss and
greenness out of bedding stuff in such an insidi-
ous way as ground glass. Roses suffer a little too,
and their leaves look as if the gardener's unwel-
come pet, the lively red spider, was around and
on the rampage, though the prevailing moisture
forbids his mischievous inroads. It does very
well over Camellias and hard-leaved stuff, where
they have plenty of air-space and bench-room,
though the rosy tints of some Azalias are
affected in an unexplainable way by the hazy
light admitted. They grow and flourish cer-
tainly, are seldom drawn, but there is an absence
of that pure, healthy coloring to be found in
pure sun-light and more favorable circumstan-
ces. Callas and most white flowering stuff are
not visibly discolored by the light through ground
glass ; on the contrary, their whiteness seems to
be improved; but fine foliage plants, Crotons,
&c, get somewhat seedy in appearance and
the streaks and markings are not so distinct
and vigorous as under clear glass. Ferns, Palms,
Begonias, &c, grow very well under obscured
glass, but there is something unmistakable in
their general appearance which is not favorable
to the use of this kind of glass overhead. If it
could be replaced by transparent glass on dark
days and during the Winter months, the greatest
objection to its use might be overlooked, but as
this is out of the question, I would suggest that
only a couple feet each side of the ridge pole be
glazed with ground glass, the rest to the edges of
the benches clear. This will tone down the
violent mid-day heat of the sun in Summer, and
admit nearly all the sunlight in Winter and
Spring, when it is most needed.

CALLA ytTHIOPICA.

BY J. M.

This plant is probably as well known as any
thing that could be mentioned. Though not
belonging to the Lily family proper, it is yet al-
most universally known as the Calla Lily. It is
found in almost every one's house, and is one
of the main things grown by florists for Winter
blooming; its spotless white spatha, or flower as

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

109

commonly called, making it most desirable for
much of the cut flower work. In many parts
of England the Callas are grown in the basins
of fountains, remaining there Winter and Sum-
mer, the water not freezing to the roots. Under
this " take care of themselves " plan the flowers
are unusually fine, and their great beauty and
attractiveness when in flower can readily be
imagined. It is customary here, so far as ob-
served, to force a rest on the plants, by drying
them off after flowering. For those who want
fine large flowers, we tbink this is wrong, as
larger ones could be had by keeping up a con-
tinuous growth. Florists argue, and correctly,
that they do not want large flowers of it, but
smaller ones rather, as being suited to a greater
variety of work; and so, in their case, the dry-
ing off is reasonable. But to those who wish to
grow it to perfection, I would advise that they
keep it continually growing.

VERBENA RUST.

BY MR. CHAS. HENDERSON, JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, N. J.

I send you to-day specimens of Fuchsia leaves
affected by " Verbena rust." I would have sent
you Verbenas also, but I am glad to say that I
can't find a single plant so affected. If you will
place the leaves under a microscope of any
average power, — say 200 or 300 diameters, you
will see the " mite " or insect. We have exam-
ined scores of different kinds of plants, with the
leaves having this rusty appearance, and have
rarely failed to find the insect. It requires but
little experience to determine at a glance the
difference in the ravages of the "Aphis," or the
" red spider " on plants and the " Verbena
rust," for neither of the former are nearly so
fatal to healthy growth, and are both more under
control ; tobacco in almost any form being fatal
to the "Aphis," while a moist atmosphere charged
with sulphur from the pipes will subdue the
"spider"; but neither of these, or any other
remedy we have yet tried, seems to check the
"rust," if it once gets a foothold. The only
salvation, as far as we know, is prevention by
the means stated in my communication in the
January number of the Monthly. We observed
also in the case of Fuchsias, Penstemons,
Phlox, and plants of a more hardy nature,
that they are more subject to rust when grown
in a high temperature than in a low one. For ex-
ample, in endeavoring to propagate rapidly the

new Fuchsia "Racemosa," it was placed in a
temperature of 65° at night, when it began to
assume the rusted appearance, and an examina-
tion by the microscope showed it to be covered
as was to be expected, by the " mite," similar to
that to be found on Verbenas when rusted ;
but on removal to a cooler house, where the
temperature was 45° at night, in two weeks they
became comparatively free from the disease.
Thus it would seem (though in no way resem-
bling the red spider, either in appearance or in
its ravages,) its ravages like that of the red
spider is lessened when at a low temperature-
This assuming that the mite or insect is the
primary cause of the rust. But this matter
seems not yet finally settled.

[Examining Mr. Henderson's specimens, we
fail to see any connection between the " mite "
and the disease. The parenchymatous masses
are in many cases blackened, apparently by
fungoid action, without any puncture of the
epiderm, which would have been the case if an
insect had operated just there. The appearance
in this Fuchsia case is scarcely the same as in
the Verbena, and we should not be surprised if
it was caused by another fungus. Only those
skilled in these matters can decide on this
matter, however. Prof. Farlow, of Boston, is the
best investigator we have in this country and it
would be well to send fresh specimens to him. —
Ed. G. M.]

STREPTOCARPUS RHEXII.

BY BENJ. GREY, DEDHAM, MASS.

A beautiful little Gesneraceous plant from the
Cape of Good Hope, and although not of late
introduction, well deserves general cultivation.
The leaves are radical, a few inches in length,
rough, and of a fresh green color. The flowers,
which are produced singly on stems four or five
inches high, are of a light blue, with stripes of
a deeper shade; each flower forms a twisted
seed vessel, from whence the name, streptos,
twisted, and karpos, fruit. The seed pods are
four or five inches in length, of a brownish
green color, and with the flowers and leaves the
contrast is pretty, and the appearance of the
whole decidedly neat. The plant is herbaceous,
and therefore requires to be grown, and will
flower all the year. It likes heat and moisture,
and should be potted in a rich, sandy compost.
Propagated from seed, which it produces in
abundance. •

110

THE GARDE NEB'S MONTHLY

[April,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

American and Italian Tuberoses. — A corres-
pondent of the Gardener's Chronicle says he wil-
lingly pays double the price for American tube-
roses that he can get Italian roots for.

greenhouse. We suppose no one has seen it
seed in America. It is a very good late winter-
blooming greenhouse climber. We have few
good winter white-flowered climbers; Stephan-
otis floribunda, seldom flowering before May.

CAMPSIDIDM Fii.iciFOLiUM. See page 111.

Trachelospermu.m jasminoides. — Tbe Ehyn-
cospermum jasminoides of our conservatories,
has signified its appreciation of its new name,
as given above, by producing fruit in an English

Chlorophytum Sternbergianum. — It may be
as well to let our readers know that this very
beautiful basket plant is known in English col-
lections as Cordyline vivipara.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Ill

NEW OR BARE PLANTS.

New Eose — Thomas Meehan. — We take great
pleasure in introducing this fine novelty, having
tested it for five years, and now feel assured it
will prove to be all we claim for it. It is a seed-
ling from the beautiful rose, Prince Camille de
Rohan, but of a more compact and dwarf habit
of growth than its parent.

It is an exceedingly free bloomer, the flowers
of fine size, beautifully imbricated, rich deep
crimson color, with a charming velvety appear-
ance, and remarkably fragrant. — Hoopes Bro. &
Thomas.

Zonale Pelargonium — New Life. — This new
appearance in English gardens is striped " like
a carnation," and will begin a new era among
geraniums.

Campsidium filicifolium. — See cut p. 110. — An
elegant climber of rapid growth, for greenhouse
culture, the leaves of which much resemble the
fronds of a fern, in miniature, giving it an un-
usually graceful appearance. It may be grown
as a pot plant, or trained to the rafters ; very de-
sirable.— Wm. Bull.

New Double Geraniums. — Mr. Kirchner of
Philadelphia sends us a sample of two seedlings.
One is a semi-double scarlet which will probably
seed well, and be of interest to those who would
like to try to raise varieties for themselves. This
is " Conrad Kirchner." The other is a very
double and brilliant scarlet, which he calls
John Baumann. We think we have not seen
quite so brilliant a scarlet among the double
kinds as this.

QUERIES.

Heating a Small Conservatory. — W., Hart-
ford, Conn., writes : — " I have for some time past
contemplated building ^a small conservatory in
which to grow the less common greenhouse
plants. Among other things, I wish to try a few
cool Orchids ; but the only place I have that is
available for such a thing is on the east side of
my house, where there is room to build a lean-to
ten feet long and nearly as many wide. I have
hesitated about using this place from fear that it
does not receive sun enough to insure a healthy

growth of the plants. On the shortest days in Win-
ter the sun would not strike this place earlier
than 8:30 a. m., and at this season not earlier
than seven o'clock. There would, however, be
nothing to shade the conservatory on its south
side. Now would this be sun enough to make
the growing of the class of plants I have desig-
nated in every way successful ? Where there is a
strong vigorous condition of the plants, the time
given to their culture is production of great en-
joyment, but where, in spite of all one's efforts,
they remain feeble and sickly, the result is the
most unsatisfactory of anything one can do.
And so I do not care to be at the trouble and
expense of a conservatory, if by reason of its lo-
cation the experiment should be a doubtful one
at the outset.

" I would like to inquire the best method of
heating a house of this size. It would seem as
if even the smallest boiler would be too power-
ful. Is a flue any better ? I could heat it from my
furnace, and that without any danger of coal
gas, but would not the air then be too dry for a
healthy condition of the plants ?

" Any assistance on these points you can ren-
der me through the Gardener's Monthly, will be
thankfully received."

[If the house could be heated from the fur-
nace without any danger of gas escaping to the
house, it would be quite sufficient for the work.
There is no other objection whatever to the
heat from cellar heaters. As an additional pro-
tection, shutters of glass may be used on the out-
side— double glass really ; this keeps in a deal
of heat.

The aspect is quite good enough ; it is usual
when we need all the light and sun warmth in
Winter that we can get, to make the pitch of
the roof steeper than when the full light is easy
of command.— Ed. G. M.]

Pelargoniums and Geraniums. — A " Sub-
scriber," Mobile, Ala., asks : — " Will you kindly
publish in your next issue of the Gardener's
Monthly the best mode of treating ivy -leaved
and apple-scented Geraniums; also what is
the distinction between Pelargoniums and
Zonale Geraniums?"

[Ivy-leaved Geraniums are always and easily
raised from cuttings. Apple-scented Geraniums
seed very freely, and are best raised in that way.
There is botanically no difference between Gera-
nium and Pelargonium, and yet in a popular
way it is a pity there is not, for there is a great

112

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_April,

difference in the appearance of the division for-
merly known as Pelargoniums, and the Gera-
niums. Our people have got to calling the old
Pelargonium " Washington Geraniums," deter-
mined to have some distinction between these

Pelargoniums really are, will perhaps be bet-
ter explained by an illustration which we
give with this. It is of a variety sent out
by Mr. Bull, and known as " Beauty of
Oxton." The " Zonales " have less twisted

PELARGONIUM "BEAUTY or OXTOX."

and the Zonales. which are those which have a
sort of horse-shoe band on the leaves — the old
tribe of scarlet Geraniums — though sonic have
leaves that arc not so marked, and there arc
many shades besiih - scarlet. What the old

petals.— Ed. (i. M.]

Fumigating Gkkkxiiousks. — "Smoky " asks :
— "There is a difference of opinion as to the
st:ito plants should ho in, at the time of fumiga-
tion. When that plan is resorted to for the pur-

1877. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

113

pose of killing green-fly, some say the plants ' tempted when the foliage is perfectly dry."
liable to be scorched should be sprinkled with Which plan is right ?

water before it is done, while others equally as [We have never observed any difference, and
confident, assert " Fumigation must only be at- think there is none. — Ed. G. M.]

P.RUIT AND |x

ABLE GARDENING.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

SEEDLINGS OF HYBRID GRAPES.

BY REV. J. H. CREIGHTON, LANCASTER, OHIO.

I tried an experiment with Rogers' Hybrid
Grape seed that may be interesting to some of
the readers of the Gardener 's Monthly . I planted
a long row of the seed No. 9, and they grew vig-
orously, but before they were four months old,
I could see that they all went back to the two
parents from which they came. The native
and foreign were as plainly distinguishable as if
they were a year old. So marked was this back-
ward step that I took no pains to grow them any
further. The foreigners were badly mildewed,
and the natives looked strong and healthy, and
made one almost feel that his teeth were on
edge.

[This is a very interesting note. The experi-
ment is worth repeating. Natural varieties, as
distinct from hybrids, reproduce themselves
very well from seed. Our florists' catalogues
are full of such illustrations. If hybrids will
thus go back, and divide in one generation, in
other cases as in this, it might be the means of
distinguishing between natural varieties and
hybrids, which it is now often difficult to do. —
Ed. G. M.]

THE SENER APPLE.

BY MR. J. STAYMAN, LAVENWORTH, KAN.

Dear Sir: — Yours of September 20th, was
received yesterday on my return here, also the
apple, although it was entirely rotten, but in
fair shape, so that I could take a cut and inside
outline of the fruit. I am sorry I did not get it
in time to give a more satisfactory outline and,
description. The scions were entirely dried up,
past recovery, which I very much regret, as I

wished to graft them at my home place, Leaven-
worth, Kan. The business at the Centennial con-
tinued to increase in number of varieties so that
I found it impossible to leave until it was over,
and with what I had on hand and some other
business, detained me until the 5th of this month
before I left the city. I send with this the out-
line and description. The color and quality I
had to judge from memory and what you wrote,
which may be both incorrect. If so, please
state in what respect and also add about the
vigor and any other part omitted. I am very
thankful for your kindness in sending the speci-
men and your interesting letter, and am very
sorry that I have been unable to answer sooner.

I took, while at the Centennial, seven hun-
dred and eighty (780) cuts and descriptions of
fruit I had not taken before, making my entire
collection over 1,700. In every respect complete,
and taken by myself, embracing many new and
valuable varieties.

I would be much obliged if it is not too much
trouble to send me a few more scions fit to graft
and direct them to Leavenworth, Kan. Two or
three grafts will be sufficient to test the variety,
as I expect to be there in about ten days and
remain there, from where I should like to hear
from you when convenient.

I think the Sener apple a valuable variety and
worth being more generally cultivated.

Fruit large; form oblate, slightly conic; color
light yellow ; dots small, scattered, distinct,
grey; stem medium, rather thick; cavity
wide, deep, green or russeted ; calyx very large,
open ; segments large, reflexed ; basin rather
wide, deep, abrupt, slightly furrowed ; core large,
wide, closed; carpels medium, hollow; seeds
rather large, ovate, angular, light chestnut
brown ; flesh white, tender, juicy, sprightly,
pleasant sub-acid; quality good, excellent for
kitchen ; tree, rather drooping, a regular and
bearer. Brought from Germantown

generous

114

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

some fifty years ago. Grown by Mr. Sener,
Lancaster, Pa. ; specimen received from Mr. S.
S. Rath von, Lancaster, Pa.

[This apple having originated about German-
town, Mr. Stayman's paper has been very
kindly placed at our disposal by Prof. Eathvon,
instead of using it in his own Lancaster Farmer —
a courtesy we highly appreciate. We may take
occasion to say that the Lancaster Farmer, though
unfortunately with the local name of " Lancas-
ter" appended to it, is not merely a local paper,
but is at least equal in general value to any agri-
cultural paper that comes to our table. — Ed.
G. M.]

THE SICILIAN NUT.

BY MR. T. G. YEOMAKS, WALWORTH, N. Y.

Several years since, we imported plants of the
Barcelona or Sicily Filbert, which have fruited
for several years, producing nuts of large size
and good quality. (We have no plants of it to
sell.) Our experience with the Early Wilson
Blackberry is, that in severe Winters it kills to
the snow, and the crop is a failure for that sea-
son ; while the Kittatinny, in eame field, and
under same circumstances, produces abundant
crops.

EXQUISITE PEACH.

BY P. J. BERCKMANS, AUGUSTA, GA.

This variety which has lately been highly men-
tioned in England, was produced by Mr. A.
De Caradcue, of Montmorenci, S. C, to whom
we are also indebted for that very valuable plum
which bearshis name. About 1858or 1S59, Isent
trees of many of our best Southern peaches to
Mr. Rivers, and among the number was the Ex-
quisite, which I am pleased to see so much ap-
preciated in England. This peach was doubtless
a seedling of Early Crawford, which it surpasses
in quality. On page 012 of " Downing's Fruits
and Fruit Trees of America," it is fully de-
scribed. In Georgia its period of maturity is
middle of July, a season when we havp the
greatest profusion of our best varieties of mid-
season, and as the Exquisite Peach did not pos-
sess extraordinary merits above those of scores
of other varieties maturing with it, it has never
been grown to any extent.

While upon the subject of peaches, I will men-

tion that the mysterious disease which troubled
the trees of the correspondent of Our Home
Journal, was quite general throughout the South,
and was purely owing to climatic influences.
The Winter of 1875-6 was unusually mild, there
being scarcely sufficient frost to keep the sap
dormant. Peach trees were making continual
efforts to expand their blossoms from December
1st, and their economy was upset. The severe
frost of end of March caught our trees in full
vegetation, and injured many to such an extent
as to cause the effect described. We had the
most extraordinary occurrence here of a num-
ber of trees of Hale's Early, covered with peaches
the size of a walnut, but without a single leaf, this
as late as 10th of May, and most singular, per-
fectly matured specimens of 94 inches were
gathered from these trees on June 10th.

At this date, February 12th, my trees of the
Peen To, or flat peach of China, are in full bloom,
and with half-grown leaves. Some of the semi-
double crimson sub-varieties are very beautiful.
Of this strain there are some fourteen sub-varie-
ties, some of very dwarf habit of growth quite
similar to the Italian dwarf, but with double
crimson flowers ; others attain a growth similar
to our ordinary kinds, some with double, others
with large single flowers. The habit of blooming
in January has so far prevented the maturing of
any of their fruit ; it usually drops when half
grown. As described by Downing, the fruit is
perfectly flat. Our friends in Australia, when
sending the pits some years ago, stated that this
strain contained both free stone and cling-stone
varieties, and in the colony of Queensland is
almost an evergreen. In this section it is un-
suited for open ground culture, but well worthy
a trial in orchard houses.

EXQUISITE PEACH.

BY CHARLES DOWNING, NEWBURGH, N. Y.

I have not seen the fruit, nor any notice of its
having fruited in this country j but Dr. Robert
Hogg, of England, in the new edition of his
"Fruit Manual," 1875, gives a full description of
it, and concludes by saying, "This is a noble
peach, and one of delicious flavor ; it was raised
in Georgia, U. S. A., and introduced to this
country by Mr. Rivers. It ripens in the middle
of September." This variety was probably 6cnt
to Mr. Rivers by P. J. Bcrckmans, of Georgia,
and if so, he can give an account of the origin.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

115

EDITORIAL NOTES.

McAfee's Aeration Apparatus. — Processes
for keeping fruits and vegetables on a very expen-
sive scale, are not uncommon. Something to be
within reach of every household has been a de-
sideratum. This, Professor McAfee believes he
has accomplished. The few dollars he asks for
his apparatus, is a low enough price, if the arti-
cle is effectual.

Grasshopper Machine. — The suggestion we
made some years ago that grasshoppers might
be caught by machinery, was ridiculed at the
time, but the following from the Greeley Tribune
describes exactly the thing we suggested :

" Mr. J. S. Flory has invented a grasshopper
catcher, which, it may be presumed, is an im-
provement over all the others yet made. Two
devices are provided, one with rollers to crush
and one to gather the insects into a box or vat,
the enemy being brought in by revolving arms
or fans. The machine can be worked by hand
or horse-power, and it may be large or small, so
as to work in a field or garden. When it gets
to work we can tell better as to its merit."

A Hand Plough.— S. L. Allen & Co., whom we
have noted occasionally as the inventors of useful
agricultural and horticultural implements, send
an account of Batcman's Hand Garden Plough.
It seems about as good as such a machine
can be made when one has to walk backwards.
When hand ploughs can be made to be pushed,
they will come into more general use.

NEW OR BARE FRUITS.

The Late Peach or Walling Plum. — Mr.
Walling, of Oswego, Oregon, writes : — "If you
look carefully at the wording of Mr. A. J. Du-
fur's letter in our circular regarding the Peach
Plum exhibit at the Centennial, which was pub-
lished in the January number of the Gardener's
Monthly, on page 17, you will observe late at-
tached to the name, which will make quite a
difference as it was not the Peach Plum at all,
but a seedling of my own raising from the seed
of the Peach Plum ; and as it resembles the
former plum and ripens ten days later, I called
it the Late Peach Plum. Please correct the over-
eight in your next issue.

[As we now understand, there is no objection
to the name "Walling," which will be better
than "Late Peach."— Ed. G. M.]

Fox's Seedling Pears. — At the Spring meet-
ing of the Western New York Horticultural
Society, these seedlings heretofore noticed in our
columns were highly praised by many of the
members. The Barry and the Wilder were par-
ticularly spoken well of.

Rogers' Peach. — Origin, Newbury, Mass. Evi-
dently a seedling of early Crawford, which it
very much resembles. As it appears on the
original tree (which is the only one to my know-
ledge that has fruited) it is a little earlier and
sweeter than its parent. It was exhibited at our
county fair in 1874, and there pronounced by
connoisseurs "A, No. 1." Ripe September 15th.
T. C. Thurlow.

Downer Peach. — Origin, Newburyport. Pro-
bably a seedling of the " Old Red Rareripe." The
tree has for the last three seasons borne heavy
crops of large red peaches, of good quality.
September 15th. I do not recommend this or
the Rogers — only as they appear upon the origi-
nal trees. Peaches as well as other fruits, are
very apt to be local in their character, and should
never be planted extensively until tried in sev-
eral localities. — T. C. Thurlow.

QUERIES.

Oil for Fruit Trees.- G. A. F., Mass., writes :
— "Will you kindly inform me through the
columns of your Magazine — which I have
taken for many years and find it almost indis-
pensable,— if linseed oil is good as a wash for
fruit trees, to destroy insects, lichens, &c ? Is it
preferable to lye-water? There seems to be a
difference of opinion about linseed oil; some
think its use iujurious."

[The writer of this washed some hundreds of
trees with linseed oil a year ago. It destroyed
all insects, and the trees were all the season and
still are, models of health. It is far preferable
to anything that we know of. — Ed. G. M.]

The New Rochelle Raspberry.— This is the
name given to the seedling, the extraordinary
growth and productiveness of which we noted
in our volume for 1875. It is said to be a seed-
ling of the Catawissa.

116

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[April,

French Pippin Apple. — Mr. Bassett, Ham-
monton, N.J , says : — "I notice an item about
the French Pippin Apple. We had a French
Pippin in Massachusetts, ripening nearly with
the Porter and similar in shape, but tapering
less toward the blossom. It was an enormous
bearer and a very good apple. I have a tree of
it here just commencing to bear, and it promises
well.

Thrips in a Cold Vinery. — T. S. G.,West Corn-
wall, writes : — " For the past two years my vines

have suffered much from the ravages of a little
lively insect which I suppose to be Thrips. They
have not shown themselves much until the latter
part of the season, when the presence of the
fruit forbids the use of any poisonous or offen-
sive application. How shall I destroy them ?
Will a safe fumigation with tobacco or sulphur
do it?

[Tobacco smoke is generally effectual. If one
dose is not sufficient repeat it. Sulphur in
".fumigation," is fatal to plants and insects
alike.— Ed. G. M.]

IfATURAL

*^^>-

ISTORY AND fSCIENCE.

CO 31 MU NIC A TIONS.

THE EFFECT OF FROST ON THE FRUIT OF
THE PERSIMMON.

BY W. C. FLAGG, MORO, ILL.

In your ever welcome magazine for March I
find a quotation from a correspondent of the
London Journal of Horticulture, in reference to
the popular belief that the Persimmon is rip-
ened by frost, which you quote, to say that you
thought "intelligent persons everywhere now
knew that it was not frost that gave sweetness to
the Persimmon, though it often helps the cause
that does."

In that event I have not so high an opinion
of the knowledge of intelligent persons on the
Persimmon question, as yourself. Looking over
our botanists, they seem to all repeat the error.

Darlington, in his " Weeds and Plants," says
of it : "Soft and pulpy, after frost; sweet and
luscious after being subjected to the action of
frost." Wood, in his " Class Book of Botany,"
says: "They are rendered sweet and palatable
by the frost." Gray, in his "Field, Garden and
Forest Botany," says : " Very acerb, but yellow,
sweet and eatable after frost." Fuller, in his
" Forest Trees," comes nearer the facts when he
says : " In its more northern limits it does not
ripen until frost (?) ; farther south it matures
before, consequently, it does not always require
cold weather to make it eatable, as is sometimes
asserted." These arc all intelligent men, but
most of them believe frost a necessary agent in
ripening, and Mr. Fuller makes only a partial

denial. Bryant, in his " Forest Trees," says :
" The fruit is best if ripened before severe frosts
occur. Freezing removes the astringency, but
is not, as some suppose, necessary for complete
ripening. If the fruit has not reached a certain
stage of maturity before freezing, it is rendered
worthless."

This fruit appears to be a "huckleberry above
the Persimmon " of our standard botanists at
least, and Mr. Bryant alone to hold the "longest
pole that knocks down the Persimmons." I
think there is no present danger of excess of
information.

I wish to raise the farther question — does frost
have any ameliorating effect, even on nearly
ripened fruit? I am inclined to think not, but
have made no experiments since I was a young-
ster, seeking practical results in eatable Persim-
mons. Judging from my remembrance of them,
frost simply hastened the dessication of the
fruit, but did not have any other effect. Per-
haps the ripening process went on to some ex-
tent, but this I should attribute to the heat of
the day, rather than the cold of the night.

Can yourself, or any of your correspondents,
give any new, or old, facts as to the outdoor or
under-glass culture of the Japanese Persim-
mons? Can you inform me, also, what is the
edible value of the Diospyrus Texana, or Black
Persimmon of the Southwest ?

[There seems to be no difference between our
views and those of the botanists quoted, except
in degree. If they were as good chemists as

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

17

botanists, they might have seen further. To
make our meaning plain, we may say, " a knife
prunes the tree," but it is no more true than
that frost ripens Persimmons. There is a hand,
if not always a mind, behind the knife, and
other things may be made to do the work as
well as the knife. And so, frost is the instrument
in some cases. The real power is chemical
change, and this can be brought about by other
instruments, as well as by frost.

We know so little from our own experience of
the Japan Persimmon, or the Texan Persimmon,
that we should be glad to hear from correspond-
ents who may have had more. It has fruited,
we think, in California.— Ed. G. M.]

ON SELF-FERTILIZATION AND CROSS-FER-
TILIZATION OF FLOWERS.*

BY THOMAS MEEHAN, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.

The following paper was read at the Buffalo
meeting of the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science, in August 1876. Other pa-
pers by the author on the same subject, have
appeared in the Proceedings of the Association.
This will not appear with the others. Being on
a popular subject, it was sought for by some of
the papers, and appeared in one; but after such
appearance, the Publication Committee is not ex-
pected by the association to issue it in their
volume. Believing, however, that scarcely any
of the members of the association for whom the
Proceedings are issued, will have seen it where
printed, and that it may possibly interest some
of them, particularly at this time, the author
gives it in this form : —

" At our last meeting I enquired whether in-
sects are any material aid to plants in fertiliza-
tion. After another year of observation I desire
to answer my own question in the negative. In-
sects, sometimes fertilize flowers, and cross-fer-
tilize them ; but I believe these cases are less
frequent than they are supposed to be ; and that
when they do occur, they have no bearing on
the general welfare of the race. In other wrords,
such fertilization is of no material aid to plants
in the progress of the species. I may repeat the
argument of those who differ from me : All
plants with brilliant colors, with fragrance, or
with honeyed secretions, have these attractions
for the purpose of enticing insects, which un-

* Prof. C, V. Riley, after the reading, expressed doubts as to
whether Yucca would fertilize by its own pollen in this way and
without insect aid, and a-ked leave to cut open the capsules,
confident, he said, of finding iarvse. He cut them open in the
presence jf the audience, but found none.

consciously bring pollen at the same time, and
thus cross-fertilize the flower. The proof of this
is thought to be chiefly in the fact that many
plants do not perfect their stamens and pistils
at the same time ; are placed in relative posi-
tions which seem difficult or even impossible
that they should have any influence on each
other; or in some other way present apparent
obstacles to sexual union. From this it is as-
sumed, and not from any actual experiment that
I am aware of, that plants abhor close breeding.
That plants abhor close breeding, is an idea bor-
rowed from a supposed experience in the higher
animals. But the comparison is not fair. In
the higher animals the idea of sex is essential to
the perpetuity of existence; but it is not so in
plants. They reproduce themselves by bulbs,
tubers, suckers, offsets, buds, and in the lowest
organisms by simple cell division. Propagation,
as an idea, is entirely independent of sex in
plants. True, many of our forest trees have none
of these accessories; even the skilful horticultu-
rist can- scarcely graft some of them ; and then
there are annuals which depend wholly on
seeds — a product of the sexes— for perpetual
existence. But there is not one that I know of
that a horticulturist would say, could not be re-
produced indefinitely without the aid of seeds.
The Red Dutch Currant is an individual plant
which has been reproduced- by cuttings from
long anterior to modern history ; and I believe
the Canada Thistle, Couch Grass, Horse Radish,
and numerous other plants could be continued
for countless ages by their running roots alone.
Now this is a closer kind of breeding than any-
thing that could come through the operation of
separate sexes, and with which no analogy can
be drawn from any experience in the higher
forms of animal life. We can see that seeds in
plants favor the distribution of species, and en-
able them to maintain existence for a longer
period than mere plants could. Sex in plants
may be a factor in the evolution of form; but
those who have kept pace with botanical know-
ledge, and are familiar with what is known as
bud variation, will not lay much stress on the
absolute necessity of sex to this end, in vegetable
nature. I believe I am safe in saying that there
is nothing whatever known to prove that there
is any physiological benefit to plant races by the
establishment of the sexes. Some have thought
that the varieties of apples wear out in time ;
but even this is being argued on both sides by
the most distinguished horticulturists; and I

118

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

I April,

may say that I have seen at the recent Centen-
nial Exhibition, as fine Golden Pippin apples,
the kind used to illustrate the theory, as ever
Mr. T. A. Knight thought were only seen in his
younger days.

We must then lay aside all considerations of
the benefits of cross-breeding from analogy or
inference, even though we should find that all
plants discarded their own pollen. There may
be some other reason, quite independent of any
sexual consideration ; and it is because I believe
there are other reasons in dioecious, monoecious,
and other cases, that I take the stand I do to-day.

We may note, in the first place, that insects
visit some anemophilous plants as freely as they
do others. They, for instance, abound on the
male flowers of the willow, especially Salix cap-
rea, which have abundant honeyed secretions.
But they avoid the female plants. If honeyed
secretions are for the purpose of enticing insects
for cross-fertilizing purposes, how is the object
attained here? Later in the season we see the
same thing in Rhus. R. glabra and R. copallina
as I have shown in a former paper before this
association, are in effect dioecious. The male
flowers have a honeyed secretion peculiarly at-
tractive to innumerable insects. A panicle of
these flowers is a wonderful entomological cabi-
net. I know of nothing like their visits here in
the whole floral world. I have six plants of Rhus
copallina within twelve paces of each other.
Five are males and one is a female. I have never
seen one insect on the female plant, neither does
it seed, neither wind nor insect serves it. Here
are two species with color and honeyed secre-
tions on which insects abound inordinately; and
yet the insects aid in no degree whatever, in fer-
tilization. I ask you whether I may not say
most decisively that whatever may be the pur-
poses of color, fragrance or honeyed secretions,
they are not for the purpose of attracting insects
in the interests of cross-fertilization. Then there
is Yucca, about which so much has been made.
In my grounds, Yucca filamentosa abounds. It
opens its flowers about the 25th of June. In
1875 a plant of Yucca angustifolia blossomed on
the 5th of June. Though closely watched I found
no Pronubas about them. They produced no
§eed. The Y. filamentosa had numbers, and seed
abounded. About the 5th of June this year, the
Y. angustifolia again opened its flowers. On the
12th, I noticed the Pronuba to abound, and I
hoped for seed. There were from one to five in
each flower. On the 19th, I noticed that the

flowers had almost all fallen fruitless. I then
placed some pollen on four of the flowers, each
pollen from its own flower, and these four cap-
sules which I exhibit, are the results. The only
seeds the plant produced. Even when fertilized
at all by insects, I am sure the fertilization is
from the pollen of the same flower. My experi-
ment shows its own pollen is acceptable to
it. It is true it is difficult to understand why the
plant seems unable to fertilize its own self with-
out extraneous aid ; but it is clear that it is not
from any abhorrence of own pollen, or an espe-
cial desire for insect aid ; especially the aid of an
insect whose chief mission seems to be to prey
on the fertilized seed !

(To be continued.)

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Time in Evidence. — Prof. Goodale has been
giving a lecture in Boston on cross-fertilization
in flowers. He is reported in the Massachusetts
Ploughman as saying, in effect (for we have not
the paper just now before us), that the observa-
tions of a single season ought not to weigh
against the many years of study given the sub-
ject by Mr. Darwin.

It is true that our observation, that clover will
seed without insect agency, extends only over
two seasons; but there is no evidence that Mr.
Darwin tried the protection of clover from in-
sects but once. This is the fair contrast — the
clover experiment against the clover experi-
ment, and not the clover experiment, or any
other special point, against the "whole subject "
in that general sweep. It is an ingenious way
of putting down an opponent, but not satisfac-
tory, we think. Even though Mr. Darwin had
tried the clover under " protection " for a num-
ber of years, and it gave no seed, while another
in but one season under protection found every
flower seed, why is not that one season enough
to establish the fact that clover will seed without
the Humble Bee ? If Prof. Goodale is correctly
reported, he must surely see the weakness of
such an argument.

Exochorda. — Trusting to the memory of the
plate in Hooker's Botanical Magazine, we gave
Hooker the authorship of the name. But it
was Lindley, and not Hooker, who separated it
from Spinea, and established the name.

Asclepias cornuti. — Referring to our com-
mon silk weed, we wrote as if it was different

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

119

from A/Syriaca. We forgot, in the haste of
paragraph writing, that Asclepias is confined to
the New World, and that the name was changed
because this plant is not a native of Syria,
though growing wild, abundantly, there. We are
indebted to a friend for suggesting this error
and that of Exochorda to us, such suggestions
being always valued by us.

After all, the error arose from the change of
name, hardly with cause. We have Marilandicas
Carolinianas, Canadensis, and so on, attached
to plants, with little more reason than in this
case. It is probable that Gymnocladus Canaden-
sis is a wanderer from more southern latitudes
into Canada, perhaps by Indians or by some
agency as much artificial as the introduction of
our silk weed near " Jerusalem." No one ex-
pects names to mean just what the words would
mean in general application. Caesar Snowball,
does not apply to the Legislature for a change
of name because he is not white; nor John
Black, because he is white. The result of the
change^of name in the Asclepias is, that many
Europeans, as seen by our quotation, seem to
keep to A. Syriaca; while others, and all Ameri-
cans, probably use A. cornuti. But we, who
are horticulturists, must follow the botanists in
these thing3.

Number of Species of Fuchsia. — Mr. Hemsly,
in the Garden, gives a description of all the
known species of Fuchsia ; the list foots up fifty-
three.

Fungus on Californian Pines. — Dr. W. H.
Harkness says that a fungus, Peridermium Pini,
grows on the steins of Pinus insignis and P.
ponderosa. It germinates beneath the cuticle,
and results in " swellings " or knots on the
branches.

AlGjE in drinking Water. — Vast numbers of
effects of great importance to mankind are
brought about by minute animal and vegetable
organisms, of which until a few years ago, we
were comparatively ignorant. Prof. W. G. Far-
low, of the Bussey Institute, at Boston, is mak-
ing these a special stud}', and no more useful
work could be pursued. Last year the drinking
water of the city of Boston had a peculiar " cu-
cumbery " taste. It was supposed that some
algsean water plant occasioned this, but Prof.
Farlow could find no evidence of it. The
examination of the subject, however (reporfed
in the Bulletin of the Bussey Institute for 1877),

led to other discoveries. There are minute
water plants which produce nauseous odors
when decaying. As a general thing they are
harmless, but when decaying in large quantities
— and there are at times epidemics among plants
as among animals — they may injure water.
Birds or fish are good to keep this matter down.

QUERIES.

Blue Glass. — H. L., Oak Park, 111., asks: —
"Did you ever have the blue glass disease in
Philadelphia? It has become epidemic in Chi-
cago. Should like to see an article in the Gar-
dener's Monthly on the subject, from some one
that has tried its effects on vegetation. Is it
all humbug?"

[Experiments with colored glass on vegetation
were very carefully made by Prof. Hunt, of the
Royal Institution, over thirty years ago. The
writer of this went over Dr. Hunt's experiments.
Common mustard seed was sown in different
pots, leaving an inch or more of space for the
plants to grow. Flat panes on the pots, and in
some cases colored bell glasses were used. Some
colors certainly seemed to make the seeds sprout
sooner and the plants to grow stronger for a
time, but they became weaker in the end, and
generally died first ; some of them died when
very young. It is so easy for any one to try
these things for himself, that we regard a mere
" opinion " by an Editor of a magazine as of
little account. All we can say is, that what-
ever may be the cause, General Pleasanton's
grapery did at one time and we suppose does
still, for we have heard nothing to the contrary,
do him infinite credit.— Editor G. M.]

Climate of Coalville, Utah.— A correspond-
ent from this place writes :— "I am living in an
altitude of about 5600 feet above the altitude of
New York City, and here the mercury runs down
to 25° and 30° below zero, as it did last month.
Nothing in the shape of fruit has been grown
here. I have planted apricots, peaches, apples,
blackberries, currants and raspberries, but all
have been killed in previous Winters."

Poisoning by Rhus.— A. R., N. Y. City, writes:
— "For public benefit add, when your space
admits of it, a remedy against poisoning by
'Rhus toxicodendron : '—Fluid extract of Grin-
delia robusta, 30 to 40 drops in half a tumbler

120

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

of water and apply it to the affected parts, keep-
ing them well wet with it until cured. The

above has helped wonderfully, where other reme-
dies worked but slowly."

____, ^ravels & Personal |f otes.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

GARDENING GOSSIP OF THE OLDEN TIME.

BY A. W. WILSON.

Your useful and interesting Monthly is, I be-
lieve, well known in Britain, but I, being "off
the track," — having shunted on a siding many
years since — it had not come much under my
notice previous to this, my second visit to Amer-
ica. Being of opinion that it ought to be sup-
ported, I would like to contribute something to
its pages, but my acquaintance with professional
gardening is so antiquated, so far behind the age,
that it would be presumptuous in me to pretend
to enlighten your practical readers, and almost
to hope to interest the amateurs of the present
day. I have, however, a lingering love for the
fine old art, and cannot help recalling and cher-
ishing the studies, the labors, and even the
drudgery of forty odd years ago with delight.

The Horticultural Society of London was then
young, vigorous and in full bloom, notwithstand-
ing that its first Secretary, Mr. Joseph Sabine,
with the Council as accessories, allowing their
zeal to outran their discretion, had involved it
in debt to the tune of $85,000, it was doing good
service, examining and practically testing every
appliance or feasible idea connected with Gar-
dening; collecting the hardy fruits and culinary
and esculent vegetables of the world, cultivating
them in the Gardens at Chiswick, under the skil-
ful superintendence of Mr. Robert Thompson,
and with the aid of his keen critical judgment,
comparing, proving and rectifying the nomen-
clature ; for many, especially of the older and
more popular sorts of fruits, were received under
a great variety of names. The results were pub-
lished periodically in the Horticultural Trans-
actions, and the best sorts of fruits were beauti-
fully figured and recommended in the Pomohgi-
cal Magazine. The adventurous David Douglas,
who ended his days so tragically in what was
then known as Owyhee, had sent home chiefly

from your Western Territories the beautiful
Clarkias, OEnotheras, Lupines, Nemophilas, Clin-
tonias, Gilias, Pentstemons, Mimulus, Bartonia,
Eschscholtzia, Ribes, &c, which are now the
pride and glory of every cottage garden in
Britain, also numerous species of the stately
Pines and other forest trees which clothe your
Rocky Mountains and Pacific Slopes. Plants,
seeds, grafts, cuttings, or other forms of all of
these were as far as practicable distributed
throughout the country and abroad to all eligi-
ble applicants. George Gordon, than whom no
man was more at home amongst trees and shrubs,
and who, about twenty years since, wrote an
exhaustive book on Coniferse, was Superintendent
of the Arboretum. Robert Fortune was in train-
ing at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden and Uni-
versity, to take charge of the Hot-house Depart-
ment, and from thence to proceed on his " wan-
derings in the Northern Provinces of China,"
and in other Eastern countries. He visited Assam
at the instance of the United States Government
with reference to the proposed cultivation of the
Assam tea-plant in the Southern States of the
Union ; and on his first visit to Japan, he pene-
trated the country from on board of an American
ship, access being then denied to the British. It
is scarcely necessary to remind those acquainted
with hardy ornamental plants of recent intro-
duction, for how many of them we are indebted
to my old friend, Robert Fortune. Joseph Pax-
ton had been selected from the rank and file of
the garden hands, by the Duke of Devonshire,
and placed over his princely gardens at Chats-
worth, where the successful erection of a very
large conservatory of iron and glass led to his
undertaking the construction, on the same prin-
ciple, of the London Exhibition Building of 1851,
and the re-erection of it as the Crystal Palace,
with its beautiful grounds laid out by him, at
Sydenham. The President of the Horticultural
Society was Thos. Andrew Knight, of Downton
Castle, Hereford, a very successful originator
of new fruits ; he also proved the carnivorous
character of the Venus' fly-trap, long before the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

121

experiments of Darwin. George Bentham,
nephew of the well-known philosopher, Jeremy
Bentham, and an eminent botanist, was the
secretary de jure, but Dr. Lindley, a still more
eminent botanist, as assistant secretary, was the
main-spring and prime mover in everything
practical relating to the Society and the gardens,
and he was ably aided, especially in the work of
production and distribution by the gardener-in-
chief, Mr. Donald Munro. John Lindley, pro-
fessor of botany in University College and other
institutions in London, was the son of a nursery-
man near Norwich, and father— though he did not
live to see his son's elevation to the " Bench " —
of the present Sir Nathaniel Lindley, one of the
judges of the English Court of Queen's Bench, at
$30,000 a year. Before quitting this subject, it
may not be out of place to notice at least four
highly respectable men who graduated in the
H. S. gardens, and have made their mark pro-
fessionally in the United States, viz. : John Cad-
ness, at Flushing, L. I.; John Lumsden and
John Ford at Detroit, Mich.; and Robert Car-
michael at Frankfort, Ky., where he was much
honored, and died about eighteen years ago. The
two first-named attended Dr. Lindley's lectures,
so it is not to be wondered at that they are well
" posted " in Botany. " The Royal Botanic Gar-
dens "at Kew were at that time, and had for
many years previously been, "under a cloud,"
or if the sun shone on the collected treasures
and the privileged few who had access to them,
he shed no ray of scientific light or intellectual
enjoyment on the many curious souls outside.
Kew House and Park were an appanage of roy-
alty, having been taken on a long lease by the
Prince of Wales, father of George III. His
widow took great interest in forming the Botanic
Garden, consisting at first of 11 acres and laying
out the pleasure grounds extending to about 260
acres more, and her daughter-in-law, Queen
Charlotte, who was a tolerably proficient botanist,
as times went, did much to increase the collec-
tion of exotics; hence Sir Joseph Banks named
the genus Strelitzia, in her honor. In 1759
Wm. Aiton, a pupil of Philip Miller, of dictionary
celebrity, was placed in charge, and in 17S9 pro-
duced the "Hortus Kewensis," containing an
account of 5,600 species of exotics found in
British gardens, with many admirable plates.
Mr. Aiton was succeeded by his son, W. T. Aiton.
and conjointly and in succession they had charge
of the gardens and grounds for eighty-two years,
but after the death of Queen Charlotte and Sir

Joseph Banks, and during the reign of George
IV. and William IV., they were much neglected,
and suffered from want of royal and scientific
encouragement. At length, the popular demand
that they should be thrown open and made use-
ful to the nation, or abolished, reached and was
listened to by Parliament. Queen Victoria ever
disposed to gratify and benefit her subjects, gra-
ciously relinquished her quasi claim to all ex-
cept a very small and private portion of the
domain. The Botanic Garden proper comprising
25 acres, the Pleasure Grounds or Arboretum of
270 acres, and the Old Deer Park of 400 acres,
were declared open, under certain slight and
necessary restrictions, every day (Sunday in-
cluded) from 1 p. m. till sunset. Sir William G.
Hooker, the distinguished botanist, was called
from his "'good fruits " and professional chair at
Glasgow, and " promoted over the trees." Sel-
dom has the change from unprofitable appro-
priation and exclusivencss, to light and liberty,
usefulness and popular enjoyment been more
marked and satisfactory in its results. The num-
ber of visitors which in 1841 (the year of reform)
was 9,174, rose in 1869 to 630,594! The collection
of plants has been immensely increased, numer-
ous houses, some of them very large, have been
erected, a Pinetum as well as a general Arbore-
tum formed, and the planted portion greatly
extended ; special prominence is given to medi-
cinal, economic and curious plants. A former
residence has been devoted to a museum well-
stored with specimens of woods, textile materials
and everything connected with or belonging to
the vegetable world, and in another building
are to be found the herbaria of Bentham, Cun-
ningham, Carey, (American,) Burchell, Lindley's
Orchids, and the largest collection in the world,
that of the late Sir W.G. Hooker with those of
other botanists which have been acquired from
time to time. The whole is under the able
directorship of the eminently liberal and scien-
tific Dr. J. D. Hooker, and no more pleasurable
out or intellectual treat for the lover of nature or
votary of science can well be imagined than a
visit to Kew Gardens as they are now on a fine
day.

(To be concluded.)

NOTES FROM CALIFORNIA.

BY E. LOXSDALE, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.

As much interest is manifested in California
by horticulturists in general, a few extracts from

122

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

a letter just received from my friend, Chas. J.
Hachtel, San Jose, Cal., may not be out of place
in the columns of the Monthly. He says : " If
you had been out here this season, you would
have seen something to astonish you. On Octo-
ber 28th, 1876, we had three-fourths of an inch
of rain ; from that date until about the 20th of
January, 1877, not one drop of rain fell. For
nearly two months we had steady north winds,
with a sharp frost every night. (During a part
of the day — from 10 a. m. until 3 p. M.— it was
calm and warm.) The last frost we had was
very severe, the temperature at 7 o'clock being
down to 20°. Many things hitherto hardy here
were killed, but I think the dry weather had the
most to do with it. Altogether, we have had
about three inches of rain this season. We will
need much more than this to insure good crops.
In the southern counties the sheep and cattle
are dying by thousands for want of food.

" In the nurseries, nearly all business was at a
stand-still. All the florists in San Francisco dis-
pensed with their help, retaining only one man.
In San Jose, in the nurseries, all the Chinamen
were discharged, the white men only were
kept on.

" It is now February. If the past is an indica-
tion of what will be sold in the future— to the
end of this season — I am very much afraid nur-
serymen and florists will not make expenses.

" The cut flower trade, you say, has been dull
in the East. It must have been worse in San
Francisco ; many choice flowers even at Christ-
mas had to be thrown away. The prices of
plants have changed since you were here. The
very best Geranium that can be grown in a four-
inch pot, will not bring more than 25 cents, and
often is sold for less. And here in this valley
(Santa Clara), the Verbena never gets killed, but
grows to be a bush, and not a sign of rust is ever
seen. If we sell 50 or 100 plants during a sea-
son, that is all, for a whole neighborhood will
soon be supplied from them.

"Blue Gums (Eucalyptus globulus), which
used to readily sell for 25 cents each, can now
be bought for 10 cents. Acacias sell at the same
price. Indeed, all kinds of trees, shrubs and
plants are down in proportion. The trouble is
out here, California is the only market, and, as
yet, is but sparsely settled, and the climate gen-
erally is too favorable, and when there happens
a dry season like the present, nothing can be
sold.

" I have succeeded in flowering many of the

popular species of Orchids, some of which are
now in bloom. Two plants of Oncidium
Cavendishii, one has thirty flowers open, the
other thirty-six ; the first flowers opened three
weeks ago, and are yet as fresh as they were the
day they first opened. Two varieties of Laelia
are just over, L. acuminata and L. autumnalis,
both of which are very fine. A variety of
Odontoglossum pulchellum majus is in flower
now, which would be a grand thing for cut
flowers. The color is pure white, with a little
yellow crest in the centre; its texture is waxy,
and with a fragrance as strong as the Hyacinth,
besides, the flowers last for weeks in perfection.
There are quite a number of Lycaste Skinneri
coming on to flower. I think these would prove
valuable for the florist, as they need but a small
amount of heat to flower them well.

" Two plants of Thunbergia Harisii flowered
with me well last Christmas. They were grown
in eight-inch pots, and had over one hundred
flowers on each. One plant sold for six dollars.
The flowers of the other went to waste, as there
was no demand for them. This comes in at a
good time for florists, and if plenty of heat is
at command, there is no trouble about flower-
ing it."

This Thunbergia being a climber or trailer, is
well adapted to train along the rafters of a warm
greenhouse. The flowers are porcelain blue in
color, with yellow throat; in shape somewhat
resembling the Gloxinea.

RECOLLECTIONS OF AUSTRALIA.

BY WM. T. HARDING, UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.
(Continued from page 62.)

The living plant links which apparently con-
nect the present with the past, were warmed and
nurtured with the same radiant, life-giving sun,
whose refulgent beams quickened the germs of
embryo vegetation, myriads of ages gone by,
and still gloriously shines on our planet to-day.

If the illustrious Captain Cook had proceeded
thus far, after naming that remarkably beautiful
inlet on the coast, Botany Bay, which so capti-
vated him with its bosky parterres of charming
flowers, he probably might have considered
Botany Vale, or Floral Chasm, proper names for
the spot, which my feeble pen attempts to de-
scribe.

The rugged and stupendous rocks before me
were grandly mantled with green ferns — draped

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

123

with creepers, covered with climbers, and mot-
tled with flowers. A mountain stream tumbled
down the rocky scarp with considerable force
and noise :

" Its bounding crystal frolicked in the ray,
And gushed from cliff to crag, the pearly spray."

No hanging gardens of Babylon surpassed
these. Neither Nebuchadnezzar, nor his Medean
queen; Solomon nor Cyrus, ever looked upon a
lovelier picture. Notwithstanding the halo, real
or imaginary, which has hovered round the Ori-
ent for ages, no ancient Assyrian, Jewish, Per-
sian, Grecian, or Roman potentate, when revel-
ing in the full meridian pomp and splendor of
Eastern magnificence, ever saw so fair a scene.
No one for a moment doubts that the natu-
ral hanging gardens of Australia, antedate those
of Babylonian fame. Although apparently "as
old as the hills" — yet, no historian's pen has re-
corded their wonders, or cast an antediluvian
glamor around them. We may reasonably sup-
pose, that the eyes of pre-historic man have
often scanned the scene many thousands of
years before it met the gaze of the Caucasian.

Those Avretched specimens of humanity, the
nomadic savages, who wander through their na-
tive forests in a beastial state of nudity, know
nothing of the past. As with them, so of their
country — there is no written history. Whatever
consequences Adam's fall may have brought
upon the white, it is evident the aboriginal Aus-
tralian did not, as a consequence, fall into the fig
leaf fashion. A couple passed me, (a sight com-
mon enough,) who in one sense, somewhat re-
sembled the condition of Adam and Eve, as de-
scribed in the second chapter of Genesis, " they
were both naked, the man and his wife, and were
not ashamed." If some of the doubting Thomas',
who laugh at the idea of having a monkey for
an ancestor, were to see one of the abject crea-
tures, who seem only to lack a caudal appendage
to make him positively a handsome monkey,
instead of being as he is, absolutely the worst
looking man, I feel convinced they would easily
be converted to Darwinism.

Beast-like as they are, they nevertheless seem
to love or like one another, as the practice of
anthrophophagy proves. Whether their cuisine
is as recherche as the Fejee Islanders celebrated
roasted missionary, or not, I am unable to say. I
am not so positive in my opinion about flesh as
was Paul, who, with his usual acumen, seems to
have had the faculty of a nice discrimination.
Bee 1 Cor. xv. 30. Eupepsia, as an art, or gas-

| tronomy, as a science, formed no part of my edu-
cation. No, gentle reader, I am only a very
common man, and am easily satisfied with plain
beef and mutton. I never gave much heed to the
flesh-pots of Egypt, or felt a hankering after tit-
bits, or craving for toothsome dishes, or taste for
game of any kind — mankind especially. So I will
leave the fact for more experienced epicures to
decide.

TO THE FAR WEST.

BY MRS. F. E. B.

So many have described the great " Overland
Route," that it may be superfluous for me to add
anything to their delineations, but I must give
you some of my impressions. Through Nebraska
and the first part of Wyoming there is little to
interest the eye. The land, no doubt, is fertile,
but so flat, mile after mile, hour after hour, a
mere flat, treeless, waterless, desolate waste. The
Platte is the most uninteresting river I ever
saw. It is a wonder it runs at all in that appa-
rently dead level, and though the few trees on
its banks were all we saw in the State of Ne-
braska, one could hardly wish for more of them,
for more knarled, twisted, desolate looking spe-
cimens I never saw. We hardly get a glimpse
of mountains until we cross the Rockies at Sher-
man. After that we never lose sight of them.
Hour after hour we are in their solemn shadow.
Sometimes they retire for a little space, but only
to close around us again in more awful grandeur.
No graceful crown of trees is theirs', no verdant
robe, no gay garniture of flowers, only the gray
sage bush, and a few stunted pines, and rocks —
everywhere rocks. Yet the eye never tires, and
the thought crossed my mind that even infinite
ingenuity must have been tasked in devising the
ever varying forms of those rocks. Forts and
castles, and domes and towers, walls, and monu-
ments, graceful peaks and bold overhanging
masses, and strange fanciful animal and human
shapes, all are there. I felt that it would be
good for me to dwell in sight of these mountains,
that nothing low and groveling could live in their
shadow, that they, so steadfast and unmoved,
could ever beckon upward toward a higher and
better life.

On the eighth night out, we crossed the Sierra
Nevadas, and the morning sun showed us a new
land. The mountains were about us still, but
lofty trees and graceful shrubs adorned their
sides, and green valleys found place among them,

124

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

and we saw fertile fields, and fruitful vineyards
and orchards, and gay gardens, and the tokens
of new industries. We landed at Marysville,
December 7th. Geraniums and Oleanders were
common inhabitants of the gardens, roses were
in bloom, oranges on the trees, and huge Cacti
looked over the fences. In the vegetable gar-
dens young peas and lettuce and radishes were
growing side by side with mature vegetables,
cabbages and beets, &c. One would be puzzled
to decide the season by the eye alone. The dis-
tant hills bore the tints of Autumn, and the frosty
nights seemed like September or October ; the
early vegetables and springing grass looked like
Spring, while the hot mid-day and the gay gar-
dens are like mid-summer. Everything seems
to be done differently here. Instead of the mixed
farming of the East, each farm or " ranch "
seems to be devoted to some specialty. I saw a
lady at Marysville whose husband owns a wheat
ranch of 1,500 acres. We saw stock farms of
equal and of greater extent, with thousands of
cattle, one " almond ranch," near Marysville, of
about 20,000 trees. The " dairy ranches " are
chiefly among the mountains, for the advantages
of cheap land, and cooler temperature. " Vir-
ginia Ranch," Avhere we stayed four weeks, is a
fruit ranch, an elevated plain among the " foot
hills," as they call the lower tiers of mountains.
These grow nearly all of the fruits that flourish
in this favored land.

HORTICULTURAL PROTECTION.

BY W. H. W., READING, iMASS.

In the February number of the Gardener's
Monthly the Editor says : — " We do not want any
articles on the justice of (horticultural) protec-
tion. All that is granted. Of course, if anybody
denied that the principle of protection should be
applied to horticultural improvement,the burden
of proof would be on him. But it is not de-
nied."

I am as much surprised as gratified at this
statement. I had supposed that many did deny
" that the principle ot protection should be ap-
plied to horticultural improvements." Mr. P.
Barry says in tre Rural New Yorker for Jan. 9,
1869: — "As a horticulturist I protest against
this movement, (to secure legislation in favor of
horticultural protection,) and hope that Congress
will pay no attention to it. The originators of
valuable varieties of fruits, grains or vegetables,

have it in their power, now, to secure ample com-
pensation."

That sounds to me as if Mr. Barry, at least,
was then, if he is not now, opposed to horticul-
tural protection, not merely on the ground of its
impracticability, but on the ground of right. He
seems to me to claim that originators of new
fruits have no right to any additional legislation
in their behalf, for they can already secure with-
out it all the compensation for their improve-
ments to which they are fairly entitled. But if
I have misunderstood him and those whom I
had supposed to agree with him, I am glad to
know it. Certainly the Editor of the Gardener's
Monthly has had far better opportunities than I,
to learn the opinions of horticulturists upon this
subject, and the grounds on which those opin-
ions rest. And I gladly accept his testimony as
conclusive that "no one denies the justice of
horticultural protection." " No one denies that
the principle of protection should be applied to
horticultural improvements " if it can be.

Thus far then we all stand together upon the
same ground. We are all agreed that the ■prin-
ciple of horticultural protection is just and right;
that equity requires the application of this prin-
ciple to new fruits as much as to new inventions.

Then we should all unite in an earnest end< avor
to put the principle into law. If it is an equitable
one, one that "should be applied to horticultural
improvements," then every one should favor an
honest attempt to embody the principle in suita-
ble legislation. True, difficulties may appear
and objections may be urged. But is that an
adequate reason for opposing what is acknow-
ledged to be just and right, or even for declining
to make any effort to attain what we acknow-
ledge ought to be attained? There are difficul-
ties in the way of every reform. Objections may
be urged, and commonly are, against every at-
tempt to bring our laws into more complete har-
mony with the principles of equity. But surely
these facts do not justify opposition, or even in-
difference to equitable and desirable progress ;
for if so, what progress would ever be made ? If
the principle of horticultural protection is right,
then let us all stand together on the side of the
right. Let us exert our united influence in favor
of an honest and earnest attempt to make the
right effective ; to surmount the practical diffi-
culties, a id embody the equitable principle in
appropriate legislation.

But to this it is replied that while in theory the
principle is sound, yet the difficulties in the way

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

125

of its practical working are so many and so
serious as to forbid any attempt at legislation on
the subject. There is no reasonable ground for
hope that the good sought could be attained.
In reply I have several things to suggest.

1st. This is the standard objection of conserv-
atism to all attempts at progress. Almost every
proposed reform is met by the same criticism :
" The principle is good, but it cannot be carried
out. The movement is impracticable." Some-
times, doubtless, the objection is just. But we can
all of us remember more instances than one in
which actual experiment has shown it to have
been groundless. Perhaps, if a fair test should
be made of the practicability of protection, the
objections now so confidently urged against it,
might soon be consigned to the Limbo of Vanity,
as were the arguments that a few years ago used
to prove so conclusively to those who used them,
the impracticability of freeing the Southern
slaves. It is usually safer and more desirable
than we are apt to think, to test the practicability
of what is clearly right in principle.

2nd. If some of the objections to protection
are now unanswerable, that does not make its
practical test unwise. And for two reasons : In
the first place, actual experiment might nullify these
objections, as the experiment of freeing the slaves
has nullified the objections that used to be urged
(and some of them with great apparent weight)
against sudden manumission. And in the second
place, protection may fail in some respects, and yet
be wise and desirable. It is objected to any legis-
lation on this subject that no such description
can be given of a patented fruit as would enable
a " patent office clerk " to decide whether or not
the patent was infringed. I do not see the ne-
cessity of leaving such a question to a patent
office clerk. A committee of three intelligent
horticulturists could easily be had in Washing-
ton, and they could generally decide such a
question with ease. But grant that they could
not, that this objection is unanswerable, still,
sufficient good could be attained by such legisla-
tion to make it wise. Suppose a patent had been
issued to Mr. Bull for his Concord grape. No one
could have sold vines as Concords without his
permission. And the name and the grape would
have been so connected that the public demand
would have been for Concords; not for some-
thing else, said to be as good, or even for the
same grape if called by another name. In other
words the patent would cover not merely the
fruit, but the name; and the reputation of the

grape would make the name a sort, of trade-mark.
And that trade-mark would have a pecuniary
value to Mr. Bull, proportionate to the reputa-
tion of his grape. He would virtually have a
monopoly of the market for the sale of Concord
vines. Honorable nurserymen would not sell
them without paying him for the right; and dis-
honorable ones (if there are such) would be de-
barred from selling them by their inability to'
offer them under their appropriate and popular
name. And so Mr. B. could reasonably hope to
secure an ample compensation for the good he
has done the nation in originating this valuable
fruit.

But my article is already so long that I must
close with only a brief allusion to some of the
benefits which it seems to me might be secured
by horticultural protection :

1st. It would make our patent law legislation
uniform and self consistent.

2nd. It would be doing what all acknowledge
to be just and right; or, in other words, what the
originators of new fruits have an equitable right
to demand.

3rd. It would save the community from the
imposition of worthless varieties that could not
secure a patent, and of old varieties sought to be
disseminated under new names.

4th. It would secure to originators of new
fruits a more adequate compensation for the
time, labor and expense involved in their pro-
duction. And in so doing

5th. It would give a new stimulus to the wrork
of horticultural improvement, and thus bless the
nation with the more valuable fruits and vegeta-
bles which would thus be produced. As our
present patent laws stimulate invention, and
confer upon us improved machinery ; so, similar
legislation, applied to horticulture, would tend
to stimulate the production of new and improved
fruits, and so enrich the nation with more de-
sirable ones than those they now possess.

[We must class ourselves with the unlucky
ones. We asked W. H. W. to point out the
novel points in the Secretary Grape, for which
the " protection " is claimed, but he was not
sufficiently familiar with it. We asked him then
to take the Concord, which he must knoAV well,
but, instead of responding to this simple request,
he gives us a lecture on "rights," the substance
of which has appeared in our pages over and
o.ver again. We make room for the paper, how-
ever, because it is written in fair and dispassion-
ate style, unlike two other papers we have on

126

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[April,

hand, from other parties, and which would sully
our pages did they appear. Besides, there is the
apparently novel suggestion of a " committee
of horticulturists at Washington." But where is
the real difference ? If the " three " are appointed
by the patent office, they may as well be called
" clerks," as a " committee." It is hardly worth
disputing about a name. A lively time these
" clerks " — beg pardon, this " committee " —
would have in deciding on the "novelty" of
beans, peas, cabbages, tomatoes, grapes, rasp-
berries, strawberries, onions, peaches, pears,
apples, wheat, rye, potatoes, blackberries, plums,
cherries, and what-nots, pouring in from Oregon
and Maine, and from Florida and California —
and many arriving a mass of rottenness ! No,
friend W. ! we do not think this plan of having
horticultural clerks decide the question of
novelty, with fresh specimens before them, near
as satisfactory as the plan of having the points
of novelty expressed in language. We are in
favor of " protection." Nothing would please us
better than to see the raiser of good fruits, flow-
ers, and vegetables, get well rewarded. We should
be glad to know that every one realized $50,000
by his good luck or good work. We are willing
to give these fortunate raisers the right to make
this, before anybody else gets a penny, if such
right can be secured ; but we cannot stultify our-
selves by asking Congress to let us try "some-
thing," when nothing is proposed.

As for Mr. Barr}7, we are quite sure he is as
anxious to see the raisers of good things secured
in their "right" to make something handsome,
as we are ; we see nothing in his quoted language
to warrant any other construction, and we agree
with him in doubting whether any " law " would
do better for these raisers, than good business
tact will do now. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Hortensia. — A correspondent writes in refer-
ence to the recent discussion: — "De Candolle
says, Commerson named our plants, first, Pe-
autia, in honor of Madame Hortense Lcpe-
autc, <fec. If my souvenirs are right, the correct
name was Lepaute, for I think I saw the name
on public clocks in Paris, some fifty years ago.
and I naturally suppose the man knew how to
spell his own name. Now, why that difference
in spelling a name, and a popular one, too?

The fun of it is, that those differences in spelling
that name, Lepeaute, Lepaute, Peautia, &c, all
come from French authorities, botanists or
others. That reminds me of the name of a
well known plant dedicated to a French cele-
brity, ' Capt. Bougainville,' which in several
works is spelled in seven different ways, by seven
eminent botanists, and not one of them correct,
and yet they were not Frenchy, but of all na-
tions, English, German, &c. Now, if doctors
disagree, what will students do? gardeners espe-
cially, who generally have not the means to
identify the etymology, either for want of edu-
cation or books to consult? Perhaps you will
think I carry this digression too far; but if I
insist on this erroneous spelling of authorities,
it is because oftentimes we gardeners are laughed
at for mispelling Latin and Greek names, with
which we are unacquainted. For instance, we
see in the catalogue of plants of leading estab-
lishments in Europe, such names as Imrmto-
phyllum, Imatophyllum ; Rhaphis, Rhapis, Ra-
pids, a species of palm. How are we to tell
which is which ? Your correspondent is mighty
correct when he says : 'We cannot all be per-
fect, yet I should think that school teachers
ought to know how to read.' "

Plant Patents. — Two articles on this subject
cannot appear in our paper, for no other reason
than that they are abusive. W. H. W.'s letter is
in striking contrast, and we have pleasure in find-
ing a place for it. Whether our contributors
agree with us or not, we cheerfully make room
for what they have to say, but not if they forget
they are gentlemen.

History of the Jerusalem Artichoke. — It
has puzzled historians to trace the artichoke to
its native home. Palfrey, in his history of New
England, says: "The Indians raised a species of
sunflower whose esculent tuberous root resem-
bled the artichoke in taste." In reply to a note
from Prof. Gray, Mr. Palfrey says he cannot give
just now the authority for this statement. It is
probably of little moment, for a sunflower with
a root "tasting like artichoke" could be nothing
having reference to the true Jerusalem " arti-
choke," the root of which does not taste at all
like the artichoke.

An Account of Experiments for the Produc-
tion of Hybrid Grapes. By Mr. Geo. Haskell,
Ipswich, Mass. — Mr. Haskell is one of the most
persevering of cxperimentors in the improve-

1877.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

127

ment of the grape. In this pamphlet of eight-
een pages he gives a detail of his forty years of
work. He is now offering a large number of
the best kind for sale in order that they may be
tested in other locations He is sending them
out by numbers, which has been found by ex-
perience to be a great mistake. There is, how-
ever, no mistake in the good quality of some of
his varieties, as we can testify to from personal
experience.

The English Winter.— This seems to have
been a rather open one. The Isle of Wight
Observer gives lists of plants blooming all winter,
as among the curiosities of the day.

On Parasitic Fungi. By Prof. T. J. Burrill. —
There is no more valuable study than that which
relates to microscopic fungi. It is gratifying to
find so many Americans engaged in it. This
little tract is from the Bulletin of the Illinois
Museum of Natural History. It describes and
figures many species found on well known plants.
We congratulate cultivators that so good a sci-
entist as Prof. Burrill is working so well in this
direction.

An Essay on New South Wales, by G. H. Reid ;
Railways of New South Wales, by John Poe. —
From Wiley, Publisher, New York. — The
Australian colonies did good work for them-
selves by the excellent part they took in our
Centennial. No one in America knew their re-
sources were half so great as they are. The
colonies are following up their advantage by
issuing a series of works on their industrial de-
velopments, of which these are two. Those
who desire to know how much New South Wales,
the " mother colony," has prospered, will do well
to get and study them.

The Nurseryman's Directory and Refer-
ence Book por 1877. By D. Wilmott Scott, Ga-
lena, 111. — This, started by Mr. Scott as an experi-
ment, has become a necessity to every one in
the nursery business. It contains a list of the
leading nurserymen, florists and seedsmen of
the world, with notes of their specialties. The
price is $10, and may be had of the publisher of
the Gardener's Monthly, at this office.

The Industries of Philadelphia. By Lorin
Blodget.-The intimate connection r.f Mr. B. with
the industries of Philadelphia is well known. Few
men have done more for their development, or
to make their prosperous condition known. His
position as Appraiser General of the Custom

House has given him particular opportunities
of knowing whereof he writes. In this all the
different industries of the great city are detailed ;
the- number of hands employed, value of pro-
ducts, and similar matters of interest being
given. This is the second edition of the work,
which was issued last year.

Catalogue of S. B. Parsons & Co., Flushing,
L. I , N. Y. — An interesting peculiarity of this
catalogue is the large list of Japan Maples, and
indeed of other rare Jap m plants.

Ellwanger & Barry's new descriptive cata-
logue of roses gives full cultural directions.
Though so old a flower, there is always some-
thing new in rose management, and Ellwanger
& Barry have endeavored to bring the subject
down to the present time.

Catalogue of Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas, West
Chester, Pa. — The number of catalogues that
come to us is so enormous, that reluctantly we
had to abandon "notices" for want of space —
unless there were some remarkable peculiarity
in it. In this admirable one the interesting
point is the strict accuracy of the names. In
this regard it may be taken for "authority " to
decide disputed points.

The Meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of- Science.— This will
be held this year at Nashville, commencing on

the of August. There are no classes in the

community that take so much interest in sci-
ence as the horticultural class. The meetings
of the Association are always pleasant as well
as intellectually profitable ; and we are glad to
find an increased number of horticulturists
among these pleasant people with each recur-
ring year.

Mr. Wm. Saunders. — We were very much
surprised to note by the public papers last Sum-
mer that the salary of this gentleman in connec-
tion with the Department of Agriculture had
been cut down considerably. The particular
section with which he is connected is one of the
most valuable to horticulturists in the whole
Department, and Mr. Saunders himself one of
the hardest of enthusiastic workers. No man
in the whole series is better known through the
whole country, or his knowledge and services bet-
ter appreciated. During the Centennial he rep-
resented the government admirably. Never
having so much work to do but that he was

128

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

I April,

found willing to try to do a little more, if it
were possible for him to be so useful.

The papers are just now nominating this and
that one for Commissioner of the Department.
We have not heard that Mr. Watts will resign,
and Mr. Saunders would be sensitive about his
honor in seeking for a higher position unless his
superior were to retire, or there was to be a va-
cancy in some way. We do not know that he
would accept the position even if it were offered
to him ; but if there is to be a civil service re-
form—a progression of the deserving upwards,
the President could not do better than give Mr.
Saunders a chance. His salary should be re-
stored, at least.

Death of Lady Smith. — This lady, distin-
tinguished herself as a botanist as well as being
the wife of the great botanist and founder of the
Linncen Society, Sir James Smith, died recently
at the age of 104, having been a widow for nearly
fifty years.

Ages of Distinguished Men. — The London
Gardeners' Chronicle gives the dates of the death
of eminent Botanists and Gardeners, from which
we select the following as more or less known
by their works or through their associations to
Americans: —

Charles Darwin,

Born February

12, 1800.

H. B. Sausure,

i. * *

17, 1740.

Decaisne,

" March

12, 1809.

Achille Richard,

" April

27, 1791.

Fahrenheit, .

" May

14, 168G.

Linnaeus,

(i *

23, 1707.

A. d« Fourcroy,

" June

15, 1755.

Sir W. J. Hooker,

" July

6, 1785.

Nees Von Esenbeck,

ft it

26, 1787.

B. de Jussieu,

" August

17, 1699.

D. C. M. Richard, .

" Septembei

4, 1761.

Dutrochet,

*' Nuvembei

14, 1776.

Von Sehlechtendal, .

11 November

27, 1794.

John Kay,

(t c*

29, 1628.

J. Curtis,

" December

3, 1791.

Hedwig,

K tt

8, 17J0.

G. W. Skinner,

Died January

9, 1867.

Linnaeus, . . . .

i« (t

10, 1778.

J. A. Henderson,

.( t<

13, 1872.

R. Sweet, .

u ft

20, 1835.

Saussure,

(i u

22, 1799.

Miquil, . . . .

(i tt

23, 1871.

Dr. Falconer,

" t(

31, 1865.

Theo. Hartweg,

" February

3,1871.

Dr. Bchott,

tt

5, 1865.

W. Griffith, .

t» tt

9, 1845.

John Evelyn,

tt tt

27, 17M5.

Conrad Loddiges,

" March

13, 1826

Sir J. E. Smith,

tt i<

17,1828.

Endlieher,

tt it

28, 1849.

Le Notre,

" April

12, 1700

Wallich,

tt tt

20, 1854-

B Maund,

14 tt

21, 186s.

Dr. Dirlington,

it tt

23, 1863.

Louis Van Houtte, .

" May

9, 1876.

T. A. Knight,

it tt

11, 183.8.

Dean Herbert,

> . tt

28, 1847.

N. B. Ward, .

" June

4, 1868.

W. G. Mclvor,

ft ii

8, 1876.

Eil ward Newman, .

tt t f

12, 1876.

William Rollison, .

if ft

18, 1875.

Sir J. Banks,

n ii

19, 1820

Allan 'unningham,

f i if

27, 1839.

A de Jussieu,

it it

29, 1853.

W. Curtis, . . . .

*' July

7, 1799

Wilde now, .

II ii

10, 1812.

David Douglas,

it tt

12, 1834,

W. Forsyth, .

• ( II

25, 1804.

Wrn. Penn, . . . .

• t ft

30, 1718.

E Meyer,

Thunberg,

J. G.Vcitch, .

Duhani'l. ,

A. H. Haworth,

Van Mons,

Robt. Thompson,

Jam»8 Veitch,

Lady Paxton,

Mirbel,

A. Von Humboldt, .

A. L de Jussieu,

W. Donn,

O. Swartz,

Dr. Withering,

Dr. Seeman, •

D V. Sehlechtendal,

Dr. Welwitsch,

Robt Fish, .

Ketnfer,

E G. Henderson,

B:de Jussieu,

Is Geoff. St. Hilaire,

Charles Morren,

Ph. Miller, .

Warscewicz, .

Died August

7, 1858.

8, 1828.
13, 1870.

23, 1782.

24, 1833.
September 6, 1842.

7, 1869.

10, 1869.

11,1871.

13, 1735.

14,1769

15, 1836.

17, 1827.

18 1871.
October 5, 1799.

10. 1871.

12,1866.

20, 1872.

23, 1873.

November 2, 1716.

" 4, 1876.

H, 1777.

10, 1861.
December 17, 1858.

18,1771.

29, 1867.

QUERIES.

Hybrid Grapes.— Mr. D. S. Marvin, Grape-
vine Nursery, Watertown, N. Y., sends us an
article, and a private note telling us he sends
it to see if we have " backbone " enough to pub-
lish it. He will see by this that we have not,
and the reason is that we do not think he is suf-
ficiently acquainted with the subject about which
he writes. He thinks it time we "ceased de-
ceiving the public " about hybrid grapes — he
knows that the " sap of our native grape is
more or less distasteful to the Phylloxera, and
therefore the French are using them for stocks."
By the time he is able to write well, this young
man will perhaps have learned that the Clinton,
an American grape, is a greater favorite with
the Phylloxera than any other variety, native or
foreign, and that is for other reasons that it
makes so good a stock. When he has learned
this and a little more, nobody will have cause to
make any reflections on either backbone or
brains.

Tumble Weed. — An Illinois correspondent
asks us the best way to destroy tumble weed,
which he says is quite a serious pest in that part
of the world, but we really do not know what
tumble weed is. Perhaps the introduction of
the tumble bug might destroy it. It is bad
enough to be forced to learn a hard botanical
name, but these local names can never be
learned outside of the little circle that are about
at the christening.

Contributions to the Magazine. — A corres-
pondent speaks approvingly of the notes of
General Noble and Mr. Ravenel on keeping
tomatoes, and justly says, "if we all told the
little we know, we should all know together a
good deal in the end." Apropos of contribu-
tions, we feel proud of our last few numbers.
They contain the thoughts and experiences of
many of the best horticulturists in the country.
We hardly know how the literary matter they
give us could be horticulturally excelled.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

MAY, 1877.

Number 221.

C^sO

LOWER irARDEN AND If LEASURE fcoUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Of all the Spring months May is the best for
transplanting evergreens ; it is the time when
the young shoots are about starting into their
season's growth, and the roots pushing at the
same time, nothing or very little is lost by evap-
oration while waiting for the new fibers to grow.

Eversrreen shrubs are not considered generallv
successful in our climate ; but this is rather
owing to our perversity in exposing them to the
Winter's sun, or planting them in too dry a soil,
than to any insuperable difficulty of climate.

This is especially the case with the Rhododen-
dron, the culture of which has occupied consid-
erable attention in our pages during the past
year. These may be planted much later than
other evergreens, as the numerous hair-like roots
so bind the soil together that they come up with
a better ball than other plants. When intelli-
gently pursued, the culture of no plant is so easy
as that of the Rhododendron. The intelligence
required in the first place is to avoid lime. They
will not do in limestone soil — no plants hate
lime so intensely. We know of people who are
well aware of this fact, and because they have
no lime in their soil, thoughtlessly put them
near lime cast walls where the rain and the
weather bring lime into the soil. Those who
would cultivate the Rhododendron in limestone
soil should bring a little soil from a distance,
and then the Rhododendron bed should be'
elevated a little, so that the drainage of the

limestone ground shall not drain into it. Then
a place must be selected where there will be
no cutting winds. Independently of the lime
objection, the side of a house is generally a
poor place, as the cutting winds of Winter, gen-
erally " whistle " around the walls more keenly
than in the full open ground. And lastly, the
plants must not be set deep. It is better to set
on the surface, bring the soil up around the ball,
and hammer in firmly, than to put the roots much
below the surface.

About the first week in May, residents of the
Middle States commence to set out their bed-
ding plants. The modern style of planting in
masses affords great scope for a tasteful arrange-
ment of colors, either in the same bed or by
arrangement amongst a set of flower-beds. The
ribbon style of flower-gardening beds in long,
narrow, and winding strips and coils, is also
popular for the same purpose. It requires,
besides, good taste in arranging colors harmo-
niously, judgment to select those kinds that will
continue in bloom the whole season, withstand-
ing well the Summer drouth, and that will
harmonize in habit and growth with one an-
other.

As the plants in the borders grow, those in
masses may be much improved by being pegged
down over the surface. We can then train
shoots where we wish, and thus cover the beds
much sooner. Pegs for this purpose are best
made by getting any straight shoots of trees,
about one-fourth of an inch thick and cut into
four-inch lengths, then splitting them down the

130

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[May,

middle into two. These pieces are then bent in
the middle like hair-pins. Pieces so split seldom
break in doubling.
The first week in May is usually the time to

No. i.

set out Dahlias. They do best in a trenched
soil, say eighteen inches deep at least, and pre-
fer cow manure to any other, when it can be
obtained. If planted on thin or dry soils, they

No. 2.

will not bloom till near the approach of frost,
when the chief enjoyment of the Dahlia is
lost. It is best, where possible, to plant a dupli-

cate of each kind. The Dahlia has not been as
popular of late years as it used to be, but there
are signs that its value in making a very gay
scene in the flower-garden in Fall will be again
recognized as it used to be.

Tuberoses should also be planted this month,
but they like a warm, rich, sandy soil ; though,
like the Dahlia, they do not like dry soil. As a
rule, Tuberoses that flowered last Fall will not
do so this, but the offsets will the year
after. Even apparently good bulbs will not
flower unless the " hearts " have been well
ripened. Many years ago, Mr. Bridgeman
pointed out how good flowering bulbs might be
detected from those that would not flower. As
the secret is still unknown to man}', we give
illustrations here. No. 1, is the bulb that will
not flower; No. 2, the one that will.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

NOTES ON TREES, &C.

BY WALTER ELDER.

The Paper Mulberry, or paper-bearing Mul-
berry tree, botanically called Broussonetia pa-
pyrifera, is a native of Japan, and was introduced
into British arboretums in 1751. Like all other
plants with white milky sap, it is said to be
deleterious to animal life, hence, itshould never
be planted as a shade tree, near dwelling houses
or stables. Insects seem to avoid this tree, and
do not eat its leaves as they do that of others.
Many know of the evil effects of the Paper Mul-
berry near dwelling houses. And in cities it has
been generally cut down, and other trees set out
in its stead. Ailanthus is also undesirable as a
shade tree, as an offensive odor ai-ises from its
blooms.

Trees with large leaves and of rapid growth
are the best to set near dwellings; such as
Maples, Lindens, Sycamores, Horse Chestnuts,
Oaks, etc., also fruit trees. The Eucalyptus
globulus, (Australian blue gum tree,) is now
highly applauded as a health imparting tree;
and it is a valuable timber tree. Being an Aus-
tralian tree it can only be grown in our green-
houses, except in a small portion of the Southern
States where it does not freeze.

Evergreen trees are as beneficial in Winter as
deciduous ones arc in Summer, on account of
their beauty and shelter. The odor of coniferous

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

131

trees is very agreeable. When one goes into
a forest of Pine Fir, he perceives a sweet
smell, and a feeling of gladness comes over him.
It was the aim of the all-wise Creator, in making
the herb and tree, to spring out of the ground,
to purify the atmosphere for man, by the ab-
sorption of carbon and emission of ozone.

All garden plants with sweet-scented blossoms
are health-giving; so are highly flavored pot-
herbs. Celery grows naturally on marsh y sea-
coasts, and keeps off fevers from the inhabitants
living there. A well stocked garden is a panacea
for many human maladies.

English gardeners in the cool, moist climate of
England, any have been induced to make a peat-
bed in a light friable soil, their only remedy is
mulching. Nothing else will save them from
the inevitable result of their error. Our opinions
are based upon an experience of thirty years,
during Avhich we have grrwn many acres of
Rhododendrons without a particle of peat and
in the open sun. We have always considered
the peat and shade fallacies a great bar to suc-
cessful Rhododendron culture. For his own soil
Mr. Beecher's treatment is right ; for many others
it may be very wrong.

PEAT AND RHODODENDRONS.

BY MR. S. B. PARSONS, FLUSHING, N. Y.

The experience of Mr. Beecher as related in
your March issue, is entirely consistent with my
assertion that the Rhododendron will succeed
best in good garden soil. That which we con-
sider a good garden soil on Long Island is a
light, rich, alluvial loam. The soil of Mr.
Beecher's country place we understand to be
heavy clay.

The Rhododendron has a large number of
small fibrous roots which eagerly enter into open
and friable soil and are repelled by a stiff hard
clay. To make the latter resemble the former,
there must be a mixture with it of some light
material. For this purpose peat is good because
it contains some vegetable matter. It is not
surprising that plants taken from the friable
soil of Long Island, or the peat-beds of England,
should languish in clay. Rhododendrons im-
ported from England and sent out with balls of
peat, will not grow even in our Long Island soil
until they have had time to send out roots into
the good garden soil around them. The treat-
ment which Mr. Beecher gave his plants, was the
best under his circumstances. The mulching
was, however, an important element in his suc-
cess. The drought of last Summer would have
told severely upon the peat-bed, except for the
mulching, the benefit of which is well-known.

The sum of the whole matter is that for a stiff'
clay soil any lightening material is good, but for
a light friable soil any lightening material is in-
jurious. The sun will pierce and burn it,- will
excite the roots as fever excites a sick man, and
will leave the plant to the rigors of a cold Win*
ter in a half sick state, in which it may either
languish or die. If misled by the experience of

RHODODENDRONS.

t

BY DR. G. CHESTON, BALTIMORE, MI).

I have just read an article in your March num-
ber on the cultivation of Rhododendrons. The
experience of its writer would seem to be con-
clusive, and he evidently so regards it, of peat
soil being an essential requisite of success. My
experience is not confirmatory of this position,
and lest any of your readers, who desire to grow
Rhododendrons, and cannot command peat,
should be discouraged by this adverse testimony
from so intelligent a source, I venture to send
you this communication. About ten years ago,
I consulted some professional gardeners, whose
answers were : "however beautiful Rhododen-
drons may be, it is a vain effort to attempt their
cultivation here, as they will neither stand our
Winters nor Summers." I then consulted with
Messrs. Parsons, and accepting their views as
my guide, I at once ordered plants of them. I
had no peat, and following Parsons' assurance
that they could be grown without it, I put them
in beds of good garden soil. They not only
lived, but have grown vigorously, bloomed pro-
fusely, and are of course now large plants. I
have since made repeated additional plantings
with like good success, sometimes obtaining my
plants from Parsons, and sometimes importing
them from Anthony Waterer, England.

The first bed that I prepared was dug out two
feet deep, and filled in with light loam. Since, it
has been my practice to dig them three feet, but
both have succeeded well. The soil used has
been varied more than once, showing that suc-
cess was not attributable to any peculiarity of
the soil. My observation has led to this conclu-
sion, that peat is not at all necessary, but that
good drainage and location are essential condi-

132

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

I May,

tions to success. They must, in my opinion, be
screened from the severe north wind in Winter,
and should hare at least partial shelter from the
mid-day sun in Summer. Years ago I made
trial of one bed, without either of these condi-
tions, and I lost all the plants in it. Most of my
beds have this protection in both seasons,
afforded by clumps of Evergreens. Those that
have not, 1 shelter by simply encircling the beds
through the Winter with corn stalks set on end.
I mulch them heavily with leaves through that
season, and have used on them satisfactorily a
lighter covering of spent tan in Summer. I
have a few large standard plants that are valua-
ble and growing singly in conspicuous positions.
Lest the foliage of these should be at all singed
by severe frost, I usually put over each of them a
large box made of light boards, partially open
on one side ; though this house-covering is not
essential to their security, if the plants are of
the more hardy varieties, as I have proved by
its omission. I do not hesitate to top-dress with
well-rotted cow manure, when it seems to be
needed. The varieties I am growing, embrace
most of the shades of colors, from the Candi-
dissimum to the Atrosanguineum.

The situation of my grounds is elevated and
cold. Two winters since, the thermometer
reached 15° below zero, though such extreme
cold here is unusual.

Excuse the length of this communication, and
of course you will decline publishing it, if you
do not think further testimony useful on Rho-
dodendron culture.

THE CHINESE AILANTHUS.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

A new use found for an old thing, equals an
invention. Mr. Veitch, of New Haven, does just
this, when he ornaments the border and the
lawn with massed tropical foliage of the Ailan-
thus, and close pruned shoots. It seems a very
simple thing to do. But through just such
shrewd simplicities, mankind gain their best ad-
vance. Right outside the moments of thought
and daily life, we come on new paths, and find
new uses for things condemned to the rubbish
heap and the dump. To such simple doers as
Mr. Veitch, more than to heroic arms, we owe
our homage, and should lift the histories of our
race.

This use of the Allan thus hints a like treat-

ment and duty for the Black Walnut, the But-
ternut, the Kentucky Coffee tree, and others of
their fern-like foliage. We may gain another
style in wealth and breadth of vegetation, on
closely cut back shoots of the Catalpa, Paulonia,
and other rankly growing, large leaved trees.
So in herbaceous plants ; the rich rank spread
of foliage which we now owe to tender broad
leaved growers from the hot-house or the nur-
sery, we may have from the outcasts along the
wayside and the hedge. There are lots of com-
mon things, like the Mullein, Elecampane, yea,
even the Burdock, the Thistle, which in our rich
borders, will surprise us by their stature and ex-
panse of leaf.

A doubting smile, if not a sneer, may greet
this mention. But if the Burdock or Elecam-
pane had come from China, the doubters would
buy them at a dollar a root! Now, let no
one with money, neglect the broad and lovely
foliaged plants that multiply so fast, but have
kindly thought for that thrift, which makes
graceful use of common things.

And now that Mr. Veitch's new use for the
Ailanthus bespeaks a respite from its threatened
banishment, let's wait a bit. If we possess our
souls in patience over it's bitter breath and nau-
seous flowers, we may by and by find out for it,
as we slowly do for almost all that grows, new
fitness for human use. The hue and cry of pre-
judice is a blind leader of the blind. If there is
a real Upas tree, well stored with death, and
breathing it on the air, I have no thought that
it was made to poison or to taint, any more than
the Ailanthus. Behind such powerful odors,
back in the sources of such sickening breath,
stores of secret virtues await the chemist to be
set apart and revealed to kill when needed, and
to cure with care.

Now the Ailanthus is said, in China, to feed a
silk-worm, only rivalled by that which lives upon
the Mulberry. To be sure, no Yankee worm or
bug was ever known to take the first bite of its
leaf. But doubtless, some one may be evolved,
or immigrate to us from the Heathen Chinee.
Such as relish the leaves of the tobacco, or to-
mato, ought not to go back much on Ailanthus
fodder. Besides, it would not be wonderful, if a
bark or wood so bitter should yet prove a beau-
tiful source of tannin, or of some febrifuge as
astringent and curative as quinine. Have pa-
tience with this almost discarded favorite, and
its seeming faults may yet yield large usefulness
to mankind.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

133

Its wood is said to have a fine satin tinge, and
to make in veneering or inlaid, graceful cabinet-
work. For chests to preserve furs and woolens,
it must rival Cedar or the Camphor wood. I
doubt not it may equal the Palmetto, in resist-
ance to the remorseless worm which honey-
combs timber wherever reached by the ocean's
salty tide. Let the Ailanthus be well tried in all
these directions, before you take up a howling
Hoodlum's cry over this other Heathen Chinee.

But beyond this, there is some mystery de-
serving our notice, about the Ailanthus. John-
son says there are two species. The glandulosa
whose flowers are so nauseate to most people, and
whose suckers are so annoying. The other va-
riety is not named or described, and I think it
must be in this country, and bear the character
I am about to give. The glandulosa I have never
known to vary in its tinge of leaf or seed pod
till stricken off by frost. But the other kind is
therein most marked and lovely. There are
trees of this latter Ailanthus hereabouts, bearing
the same style and growth with the glandulosa,
but which, from along in August, and stretching
into frost, gradually take on leaf and seed pod, a
rich tint of gold running into scarlet. Some-
times the shades are richer and more brilliant
than at others; perhaps owing to the season,
or the feelings of the tree. The dryness of the
period has possibly something to do with this.
At any rate, in Autumn, they are very marked
ornaments of the landscape, and tower into
grand bouquets. Now, are these two varieties in
this country, and is this one I admire, that
other? Will the Monthly, or some one answer,
and tell us its name?

PANSIES.

BY WM, C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

The Pansy, though an old favorite, is very sel-
dom met with in flower-gardens as well grown
specimens ; and although you will find what is
styled " pansy plants " in nearly all collections,
they very seldom deserve the name, being long
straggly careless-looking plants with perhaps
half a dozen flowers, whereas, they should be
nice close plants with twenty or thirty fine large
blossoms.

With the Pansy I have had the best of suc-
cess, and as it may interest many of the read-
ers of the Monthly, I shall give my mode of treat1
ment, by following which, any one can have
success, provided they have good seed.

The first of May, or thereabout, I plant my
seed. I always get the best of seed to be had ;
good seed will always cost more than poor seed,
but it is the cheapest in the end. I plant in very
light rich soil, in a warm sheltered place. After
planting I cover with a paper until the seed
comes up, when it must be removed ; when they
have four or five leaves, transplant to the bed
where wanted ; have the soil of this bed rich and
light; in transplanting, disturb the roots as little
as possible; if a little well decayed manure is put
in each hole it will help wonderfully.

The plants should be kept clean, the bed free
from weeds, and the soil should always be moist,
never dry or very wet ; if green lice get on the
plants, and they sometimes do, make a wash of
stro.ig soap suds, and wash the plants with it,
using it when hike warm ; one application
will be sufficient; wash both sides of the leaves,
and in a day or two wash off with clear cold
water.

The plants will usually make a good growth
by September, and many will blossom during
the Summer. In September trim the plants
back close to the root, leaving the branches about
an inch or so long, when in a few weeks they
will all come out nice and close. By this treat-
ment you will have close compact plants, that
will bear the Winter; for while six plants out of
ten will die if left untrimmed, you will not lose
one in twenty if trimmed, because they are young
and strong, while those not trimmed are weak
from flowering. Trim them every September,
and you will have nice plants next year.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Zanthoceras sorbifolia. — We have given full
accounts of this new small tree from English
sources, and the promising accounts of its
beauty from English periodicals. It will be of
additional interest to our readers to know that
Mr. John Saul finds it quite hardy at Wash-
ington.

Effect of Wind on Evergreens. — There was
never a better illustration of a point we are con-
tinually urging — that it is wind much more than
frost that is so destructive to evergreens, and
gives a tender character to many beautiful va-
rieties— than the equinoctial storm of this season
afforded. The thermometer was onlv ten de-

134

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

I May,

grees below the freezing point, but the injury to
evergreens was greater than at any time through
the Winter, when the thermometer was at zero.
Rose Magna Charta. — A beautiful colored
plate of this rose in the London Florist and
Pomologid, represents it of a crimson rose color,
and measuring five and a half inches across. It
was raised by W. Paul & Son.

Lonicera fragrantissima. — There are few
things more beautiful than the upright honey-
suckles, especially the Tartarian. There are
many varieties, with various shades of color in
the flowers and in the pretty berries which fol-
low. A species allied to these well known kinds
is Lonicera fragrantissima It is not only as
beautiful as any of the others as a bush, but the
flowers are as sweet as jasmine. We saw a fine
plant on the grounds of the late Alfred Cope, a
few years ago, and one in Baltimore, but it
must be scarce in the trade.

Early Flowering Plants. — With the return-
ing love for hardy herbaceous plants, it is well
to make notes of those which are the first to
flower. We noted this season that the rare
Fritillaria pudica is only a few days after the
common snowdrop. The Moss Pink, Phlox sub-
ulata, comes out a few days afterwards. Ceras-
tium arvense is but a short time after this, and
then comes Cerastium Biebersteinii. The Gar-
den has the following about Anemone fulgens :

"This early and brilliant flower has been in
bloom in quantity in M. Henri Vilmorin's gar-

den at Verrieres, near Paris, for the past five
weeks. It is impossible to over-estimate the
value of this plant as an early Spring, and even
a Winter flower in mild seasons. I have lately
had the opportunity of seeing in Paris some
vases solely filled with the cut flowers of this
Anemone, and the effect of the flowers by artifi-
cial light was almost as fine as it is in the open
ground in the sunlight."

Large Sequoia gigantea. — It is provoking to
read of the fine trees of these they have in Eng-
land, when we cannot grow it here in its native
country. The Journal of Horticulture gives the
following account of some in that country : —

" We are informed that the height of Wel-
lingtons at Cotlands, Sidmouth, is 42 feet, the
circumference of its stem at its junction with
the ground being 10 feet 4 inches, circumference
of lowest branches 80 feet. The sizes of other
trees which have been forwarded to us are as
follows : — A tree at Killerton 44 feet high, cir-
cumference of stem 10 feet ; at Poltimore a tree
is 60 feet high ; a tree in the cemetery at Bath
is 40 feet, and one at Beauport near Battle 40
to 50 feet."

The only place we ever knew it to do well
was at Ellwanger & Barry's, of Rochester, N. Y.
We shall be glad to know whether it still re-
mains satisfactory with them, and whether of
the hundreds that have been planted in the East
during the past twenty years, any one else has a
good specimen.

reen House and House pardening.

^2

SEASONABLE HINTS.

" L." of Cazenovia, New York, asks how she
shall treat palms that have been growing as
room plants all Winter, and for a list of palms
suited to window culture. As the question is a
seasonable one, we bring it in here. These palms
and indeed all leafy plants of a tropical leafy
character, do remakably well turned out of the
pots or tubs, and planted in the open ground
during Summer. A place exposed to the full
sun is the best, as they rather like our Summer

heats, and if a rather damp soil — one that is not
swampy however — can be selected for them, so
much the better. They " lift," as gardeners say,
very well in the Fall, and go on growing almost
as well, as if not taken out of the pots at all.
There is scarcely a hot-house plant of any kind,
that does not enjoy this planting out in the
ground in Summer time, and then they add so
much to the charm of the pleasure ground dur-
ing that season. It is no uncommon sight to see
half a dozen men tugging at a big aloe or some
other thing in a huge tub, and a ton of dirt, when

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

135

the plant itself might be taken out without much
trouble, planted in the ground for the Summer,
and set in a tub again with new earth in the
Fall.

In regard to a list of palms that thrive well in
rooms, there are indeed but few which will not
do well. We know a lady who has had for eight
years a Date-Palm which has done duty every
Winter in her parlor. In the room where we
are now writing, in a tub eighteen inches over,
is a Banana which was taken up out of the open
ground, and put into the tub last Fall. It has
been standing in the middle of the room ever
since, and though far from the windows has
made three large new leaves. In a little while
now, it will go out into the open ground again.
Last year it sent out a bunch of flowers, but not
early enough to mature fruit before frost. The
various kinds of bananas we regard as among
the best of window palms, and are admirable for
Summer decoration. All the species of Cha-
mserops, to which our Palmetto belongs— the
Sabals, Latania, Seaforthia, the various kinds of
Areca, Livistonia, several kinds of Thrinax,
the Zamias and Sago Palms, we feel safe in re-
commending. But we are sure there must be
more that would do well as Winter window-
plants, and grow out in the open air in Sum-
mer,and of which our palm-growing friends could
give us a list. Palms, of course, are more ex-
pensive than ordinary plants, but then when one
once has a plant, it never decreases in value,
and will always bring its cost.

While taking this care of the tropical plants,
we must look up different quarters for those
from cool countries. There are the Primulas,
Auriculas, Pansies (if we wish to keep some
kinds over), Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and numer-
ous things which do not like much heat. Many
Australian plants are of this character, as well
as those from Alpine and high northern regions.
It is not so much the heat that worries these
plants in our Summers, as it is the dryness of
the atmosphere. We may have some day Al-
pine houses for these plants during Summer; at
present the best quarters for them is a cool
frame.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

NASTY GREENHOUSES.

BY REV. E. P. POWELL, CHICAGO, ILL.

There is no milder word for it. They are su-
perlatively and emphatically nasty. It is im-

possible to remain in them for half an hour
without being poisoned. The air you can de-
termine to be charged with spores that attack
the human as they do the vegetable tissue.
Green mould is thriving on pots and on brick
walls and on partly decayed boards. Pumps
work in sloppy corners and rotten troughs. The
plants are covered with fungi as well as innu-
merable insects. These latter do what they can
to transform vegetable decay into animal life.
The plants strive to use up the surplus of car-
bonic acid. But both work in vain. There is
but one thought in the mind of the owner, to
force the growth of as many plants as possible,
and then send the withered diseased things out
into the pot windows and cases, or conservato-
ries of our homes. The amount of disappoint-
ment that follows is great and shameful. A single
plant from such a carnival of filth, diseases all
one's choice specimens, and the labor of years.
I have no words to condemn the loathsome
stuff that is shipped about every Spring, without
regard to our pleasure or health. It has been a
sore pecuniary loss to me; and a vexation of
soul that nothing could compensate. There are
thousands who give over the culture of plants
"because they cannot make them grow." The
secret of failure lies in thrips, and red spider
and lice of every species. Out on nasty green-
houses.

CHAM/EDOREA.

BY MANSFIELD MILTON, CLEVELAND, O.

A genus of beautiful slender growing palms ;
natives of tropical America, forming in their
native country masses of underwood. Male and
female flowers are produced on distinct plants.
The undeveloped flower spikes being used by
the natives as a culinary vegetable. Some of the
many species make excellent subjects for dinner-
table decoration, and in Europe are greatly in
demand for this purpose. They are most at
home growing in a well shaded house, their
leaves being very easily injured when exposed
much to the direct rays of the sun. For soil,
they succeed best in peat having a good mixture
of clean river sand; and as they require abun-
dance of water, thorough drainage is indispensa-
ble. During the hot Summer months they thrive
best, standing in a flat filled with water. A few
of the best for general cultivation are the fol-
lowing : —

C. Ernesti Augusti. — The leaves of this species

136

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

are entire, about a foot broad, and nearly two
long, of a bright dark green color. The flower
spikes of this species greatly enhance the beauty
of the plant, they being of a bright yellow color.

C. elegans. — A most desirable species, elegant
in form, and of a hardy, vigorous constitution.
The pinnate leaves grow about four feet long,
the leaflets about eight inches long and one
broad, and are of a dark green color. The gene-
ral habit of the plant is beautifully pendent, and
altogether a very beautiful plant ; native of
Mexico.

C. Arenbergii.— One of the most common spe-
cies in cultivation and a very attractive plant.
The stem is slender, the leaves pinnate, about
three feet long, the pinnae about twelve inches
long and four wide, of a bright green color. This
species is very easily injured in a house where
the bright rays of the sun are allowed to enter
unobstructed ; it, therefore, should be grown in a
well shaded house.

C. scandens.— -This is one of the most slender
growing palms, being of a climbing habit, after
it attains the height of six feet. Leaves are pin-
nate, about two feet long, the leaflets about one
foot long and one inch broad, and dark green
in color; the leafstalks are of a glaucous green
which greatly increases its attractiveness ; native
of Mexico.

C. Sartorii. — A beautiful plant, having pinnate
leaves about three feet long, the pinna? being
about ten inches long and two wide, the color is
bright dark green. It makes a fine plant for
table decoration.

C. Warscewiczii.—A slender growing, beautiful
palm, having long pinnate leaves of a light
green color ; native of Guatemala.

C. graminifolia — This graceful species deserves
a place in every collection, and whether used as
a decorative plant for the greenhouse, or for the
dinner-table, it is alike beautiful. The leaves are
pinnate, about four feet long, the pinnas about
a foot in length and very narrow ; they are of
glaucous green. Its hardy constitution and
adaptability for bearing with impunity most any
position, make it a very valuable acquisition;
native of Costa Rica.

NOTES ON A SUMMER TOUR,

BY WM. SUTHERLAND. PHILADELPHIA.

The seed store of H. A. Dreer, on Chestnut St.,
Phila., is complete in all the regular departments
of the seed trade, and has in addition a green-

house 60x15 feet wide on the top ; the whole es-
tablishment being heated by one furnace, in the
interior of which a dense coil of two-inch pipe
is placed, from which hot water is conveyed by
four-inch pipes through the different stories up
to the greenhouse on the roof and returned in
the same manner. Here every precaution is
taken to guard against fire. A large vat on the
roof is kept constantly filled with water, from
which pipes with hose attached are introduced
to every floor, so that at almost any moment a
supply of water can be obtained sufficient al-
most to deluge the building. An improved ele-
vator carries you up or down to any department
of the establishment you may wish to visit, with-
out the exertion of climbing the stairs.

The seed farm and trial grounds, known as the
Spring Grove Nurseries, are situated at Riverton,
N. J., about eight miles from the seed store al-
ready mentioned, but so pleasant is the trip by
rail or steamboat, that it does not seem half the
distance, and it will amply repay any one inter-
ested in horticulture, to inspect them. Here, at
the time of my visit, we saw a very healthy
stock of fruit, shade and ornamental trees,
shrubs, evergreens, roses, small fruits and escu-
lent roots scattered over some ten acres, while
ten acres more were devoted to raising vegetable
seeds. Nearly eight acres were in Gladiola, Lilies,
Tuberoses and other bulbs, while six acres more
were in flower seeds, of which the verbena beds
occupied nearly one third, embracing one of the
largest and best collections of that useful bed-
ding genus it has been my fortune to behold.
The glass structures consisted of fifteen green-
houses, with 25,000 square feet of glass, heated
by Myers' new patent boilers, while at least two
acres were covered by frames and sashes, one-
half of which were occupied with planted out
Crotons, Dracaenas and Marantas, many of which
were of the newest kinds. This system of grow-
ing stove-plants may be new to many of your
readers, and therefore I will describe it in detail.
After the frames are no longer wanted for bed-
ding plants, the soil inside is dug out to the depth
of a foot below the bottom of the frame, and
filled in with a compost of peat soil, sand and
decayed cow manure; the sashes are white-
washed on the inside, and the young Crotons,
&c, are planted out one foot apart, and kept
well watered. Very little air is given, except in
the middle of the day, and healthier, better col-
ored plants I never saw. These, of course, at
the approach of cold weather, are carefully

187*70

AND HORTICULTURIST.

13?

lifted, potted and removed to the greenhouses,
for sale. Among the Dracaenas, I noticed some
fine plants of Imperialis, Hendersoni, Cooperi,
Baptisti, Gilfoylii, Veitchi,Dennisoni, Nigrescens,
and Elegans Rubra — the last named appearing
to be of a very dwarf habit ; of the Marantas
were Barquinii, Fasciata, Vandenheckel, Regalis,
Makoyana, &c. ; the latter seems to be one of the
finest and mostdistinct of the genus. While to de-
scribe the numerous varieties of Crotons, would
occupy too much of your valuable space, suffice
it to say that the leaf markings and shades
embr»ced everything peculiar to the family.
My attention was next called to the Pelargonium
beds, which were very fine ; prominent among
the sorts, being Marshal MaoMahon and
Black Douglas, two bronzes which to my mind
stand strong sunshine better than any other vari-
egated varieties. Kcenig Albert, an ivy-leaved
double, George Sand and the Ghost, the best
double whites yet introduced, and Guillon Man-
gilli, with very large, double violet-crimson flow-
ers, a first-rate sort ; also Peter Grieve, the most
vigorous in growth, and the finest habit amongst
the golden tricolors. I observed a large circu-
lar bed of tropical appearance, planted with
Musaensete in the middle, surrounded by Can-
nas lessening in height towards the sides, and
alternated with Wigandia caracasana. Promi-
nent among the ornamental grasses were numer-
ous specimens of the new rose-colored Pampas
grass, (Gynerium carmineum Rendatleri,) the
flower stalks of which attained the height of
twelve feet or more. Another striking object
which came under my notice was a beautifully
variegated Tobacco.

I found one greenhouse, about 100x25, fully
devoted to Camellias, those in the centre part
planted out with a surrounding table, covered
with smaller ones in pots. Another house was
devoted to the production of rose-buds for bou-
quets, by far the most numerous sort being Jean
Pernet, considered for the purpose superior to
Marechal Niel. There was a house filled with
Begonias in very great variety of species and
coloring, and another of Caladiums, of which the
various and richly-colored foliage was absolutely
gorgeous. In the Palm house were some fine
specimens of Areca aurea, Lutescens, Rubra and
Verschafelti, Chamserops excelsa, Giesbrechti
and humilis, Livistonia, Hogendorfi and Olivse-
formis. Mr. Dreer, we understand, makes {he
production of these a specialty for window and
table ornamentation, and nothing could be bet-

ter. Lygodium scandens, a climbing fern, was
grown in great quantities, intended as a substi-
tute for the "Smilax," (Myrsiphyllum,) which
Ave think it is likely to supersede. Adjoining the
Palmery, was a fine lot of other ferns, notably
Pteris argyraaa, tricolor, nemoralis variegata and
rubro-vena — in this connection I may men-
tion a great variety of very healthy Selaginellas.
An objection is often urged against the interest-
ing and useful Tradescantea repens vittata, that
it so often throws off its stripes and reverts to its
normal plain green coat. Mr. Dreer has suc-
ceeded to a great extent in obviating this by
growing it in sifted coal ashes, pure and simple.
Many other objects and matters of interest might
be mentioned here, but I fear I have men-
tioned too much already for the pages of the
Monthly, and the patience of its readers. I
cannot, however, conclude without tendering
thanks to Mr. George Gross, the intelligent fore-
man at the Spring Grove Nurseries, for his kind-
ness and attention.

PLANTS WHICH ENDURE DRYNESS.

BY A. G.

Having spent some Winter months in Nice,
France, the plants in the vicinity of which are
subject to long spells of drought, I thought, we,
who cultivate plants, might take a hint from the
mode, and kind of plants cultivated there. Ex-
cepting the moisture from the sea, there was no-
thing to refresh them, but a brief rain-storm, at
long intervals. The sandy soil, however, soon
absorbed all the water that fell in these. The
regular rains come in Fall and Spring, and it is
not unusual for these to vary considerably as to
duration.

At the head of the list of plants flourishing
under such circumstances, of course, stood the
Cacti and Aloes, which near Nice remain out
during the entire Winter, as the frosts are rare,
and slight. These make surprising growths to
eyes accustomed to the small oval of the Opun-
tias of the greenhouse, or the Aloes kept in
vases. They are often of magnificent propor-
tions, the Aloes very stately, with leaves stand-
ing up five or six feet in height, and the large
Opuntias, (with ovals twelve inches in length,)
still higher. Next to these were the Zonale Ge-
raniums, which reached above the highest fences,
or grew here and there, as hedges, their Winter
appearance not being at all attractive, as their

138

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

limbs were long, and the leaves far apart, and
flowers none. Long lines, many feet in length,
of a strong-growing Mesembryanthemum, hung
over high walls, and down the sides of vases ; the
stem that issued from the earth having the ap-
pearance of a dry whip-cord. Iris grew in all
the terraced gardens, the large blue, and the
large white, serving for borders on the edges of
the terrace, while the small varieties were set
everywhere. On the high dry hills, Mignonette
and Sweet Alyssum blossomed the Winter
through, but both scentless.

Towards Spring, we found on banks by the sea-
shore, single red stock Jillies, also the young
leaves of a wild Gladiolus, and on the hills Wild
Thyme, Rosemary, &c, which were so beautiful
in the size and wealth of their flowers, as to be
almost unrecognized. Mallows, a sort of single
Chrysanthemum, resembling an Ox-eye Daisy,
(on a large scale,) and an Echeveria bearing a
plume of yellow starry flowers, grew wild among
the rocks. Beside these grew single Anemones,
of various tints of a purple blue, or scarlet,
shading into rose, or pinkish-white. Most of the
Anemones grew on the tops of the highest hills ;
but occasionally they were seen among the grass
of the terraces, which fronted the Mediterranean.
In the valleys, sweet scented blue Violets, Eng-
lish Primroses and Daisies " held sweet riot."
The meadows also were white with Daisies, or
golden with great disks of Dandelions.

Very large-flowered Pansies and Chinese Prim-
roses bloomed beautifully in the gardens ; in
March, Acacias, too, in several varieties, hung
out their long drooping clusters of yellow tassels,
which set on the background of their exquisitely
fine and graceful leaves, made them a joy to see,
The Pepper-tree, too, with its fern-like leaves,
six or seven inches long, and its flowers like a
bunch of current-blossoms, made a pretty sight,
but not a pleasant companion for the sunshine,
which caused it to emit a powerful odor of black
pepper. Even the leaves could not be placed in
a warm room without producing a sense of dis-
comfort or suffocation. Heliotrope bloomed all
Winter, and was injured but temporarily by the
few frosts of the season. Veronicas sent up long
plumes, and took on a grace unknown with us.
Laurustinus also bloomed well. Tbe roses of the
gardens kept dormant till early Spring, when
they were closely trimmed. They soon grew
with great rapidity and sent up long shoots and
a profusion of leaves. They were said to bloom
with great luxuriance, but we were not at Nice

late enough to see it become the " bower of
r^ses." The German Ivy also flourishes so freely
as to cover arbors with its golden flowers, and
present to the new-comer quite a novel appear-
ance.

On the top of a high hill in the vicinity of Nice,
stands a singular old Chateau, approached at one
end by a double flight of steps. These descended
into a garden, so old that the plants seemed
veterans of a by-gone day, and the statuary so
grimy with dust and age, and so buffeted by
storms, and the lapse of years, that here and
there an open wound disclosed the hollowness
of their classic forms, and rendered the heroic
air and attitude into a burlesque on their ancient
world of pretension, or as ornaments to even
modern eyes. In the rear of the Chateau stood
an out-building, over the plain surface of which
grew a large Bougainvillia, which in the latter
part of December was covered with rosy-lilac
bracts. It was a magnificent sight, and drew
many visitors. It was slightly injured by the
two or three frosts of the severe Winter in 1874.
In front of this Chateau stood the finest Palm of
Nice, laden with long clusters of fruit, resembling
in size and appearance, a large Damson Plum,
the color a purple red. The Date-Palm does not
perfect its fruit at Nice, the heat not being suffi-
cient, nor do the leaves grow with much luxuri-
ance, and these palms seem, indeed, what they
are, exiles. Still in all gardens of much preten-
sion appear Palms of this and other varieties.
The gardens of Nice are quite elaborate in plan,
this being as true of small gardens, as of the
large; and give the effect of enlarging the
grounds, instead of diminishing them. They
generally contain a covered arbor, a shaded walk
and curious cozy nooks. The walls, which are
high, are covered with trained vines or roses, so
as to be completely hidden. In the garden at-
tached to the chapel erected in memory of the
eldest son of the Czar of Russia, are a series of
green wire arches many feet in height dividing
the grounds from those adjacent. These are cov-
ered with vines, each arch forming a framed pic-
ture of the mountains and hills opposite.

Cacti were used with much effect in the gar-
dens, and were often placed in the point of a bed,
the smallest in the front, and the others accord-
ing to size, till four or five feet in height were
reached. The Agave arbre was frequently
planted in rows, in bods approaching the house,
and when its offsets were allowed to increase
about it, ami towards Spring its line plume of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

139

brilliant scarlet flowers, shot up like a flame, giv-
ing it a gay and unique effect. Chinese Prim-
roses, Auriculas, Pansies, &c, were plunged in
the garden in pots, and removed when the bloom
was over.

We saw but one garden in all Nice which
showed by its shining verdure, that it was regu-
larly watered ; the rest were covered by the con-
stant and daily repeated showers of dust, which
lay ankle deep on all the roads, and seemed
sprinkled on every tree, shrub and flower, and
even to lie inches deep on the landscape, till
"dust we are, and unto dust we shall return,"
became a solid conviction. This state of things
is not wonderful however, when the scarcity of
water is known, and that the washer-women of
Nice are compelled to do the most of their wash-
ing in the waters of the sewers, where they dis-
charge into the sea.

The gardens, as far as we could learn, were
attended by contract, at a certain sum per month.
Blooming plants were supplied and others sub-
stituted when the bloom was over, and the gar-
den cleansed and weeded. The paths were
covered with coarse sand which was raked over
at every period for cleaning. We could never
find a reason for this constant disturbance of the
paths which are much pleasanter to use when
firm.

The stock jillies and wall-flowers of Nice were
very fine ; the blossoms being large, and of unu-
sual colors. We saw stock Jillies so dark as to
be a blackish purple, and white ones so large and
so full of blossoms as to excite admiration and
surprise. In the Jardin d' Acclimation, near Nice,
we saw fine scarlet wall-flowers. Afterwards, in
Paris in the grounds attached to the Government
Greenhouses, we saw blue ones. Polyanthus
Narcissus were cultivated in great variety, and
also grew wild.

Among the plants flourishing in this dry and
peculiar climate, I append some not mentioned
above, which are taken from a list in the work
of J. Henry Bennel, M. D., called "Shores of the
Mediterranean as Winter Climates" : —

Maratime Squill, Ranunculus, Lantana.

Cineraria maratima, Ixia, Abutilon.

Carnations, Sparaxis, Datura.

Q. Marguerite, Salvias, Linum trigynum.

Pelargonium, Lavender, Petunia.

Marigold, Valerian, Cyclamen.

Arabis, Daphne, Camellias.

Silene pendula, Spiraea, Azaleas.

Nemophila, Achillea, Begonias. *

Crocus, Erica, Bignonias.

Snow-drops, Nasturtium, Verbena.

Hyacinths, Habrothamnus, Ciestus, &c.

GLADIOLUS AND CANNA-

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

In the above-named plants we have two of the
finest decorative plants for the flower-garden,
or for a bed cut out in the lawn. As every one
knows that has cultivated the Gladiolus, the
only thing lacking to make it a perfect orna-
ment when grown alone, is a handsome foliage ;
the foliage of the Gladiolus is very meagre and
not at all beautiful ; consequently, to have a fine
bed of these plants is, and always will be,
necessary to grow them among foliage plants.
I have found none better than the Canna.

Among Gladiolus' we have flowers of nearly
every hue, from the pure white to the bright,
dazzling scarlet ; and as there are between two
and three thousand named sorts, varying in
price from ten cents to ten and twenty dollars,
it will be no trouble for all to select kinds
suitable to their circumstances. A few of the
very best are Lord Byron, El Dorado, Reine Vic-
toria, Le Poussin, Imperatrice, La Fiance, John
Bull, Ophir, Berencie and Felicien David.

Gladiolus bulbs should be planted in light, rich
soil, but not in contact with fresh manure; plant
them three inches deep and six inches apart.
They must have full sunshine and plenty of
water when coming into bloom.

Cannas are strictly foliage plants ; the blos-
som is neat, but secondary to the foliage.
We have some two hundred varieties now, the
foliage varying from pure light green to deep
bronze, some varieties having pure and some
variegated foliage ; they can be raised from seed,
or roots can be saved and planted. Seed
should be soaked for an hour in warm water be-
fore planting. Roots are the quickest way of
growing them ; these should be planted as soon
as frost is over, in light, rich soil.

To have a good effect, plant in a circular
bed; plant in the center four Gladiolus bulbs,
high growing varieties ; then a circle of Cannas,
another circle Gladiolus, and' so on; edge
the beds with Coleus and daisies. Plant high
kinds in the centre and dwarf at the outside.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pandanus utilis. — Not only are Aloes (Ag-
aves) often slow in blooming — many of the rare
inhabitants of the greenhouse have a similar

140

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_May,

character. We do not remember seeing Pan-
danus utilis in flower ; but one, in Mr. Henry
Shaw's Missouri Bot. Garden at St. Louis is
now throwing up a flower spike. It is twenty-
five years old.

Trachelospermum (Rhyncospermum,) Jasmin-
oides. — We recently noted that this was one
of the best of white flowering late Winter
climbers. Confirming our opinion, we find a
magnificent specimen trained along the apex of
the roof of one of Mr. Conrad Kirckner's green-
houses, which was profusely blooming along a
length of fifty feet. As it flowers before Easter,
when sweet white flowers are in so much de-
mand, Mr. K. who is a florist, finds profit as
well as pleasure in the flowers.

Improved Cinerarias. — On a recent visit to
the nurseries of. Miller and Hayes, we were im-
pressed with the great change which has been
made in the Cineraria of late years. Some of
these changes are simply changes — others are
beautiful improvements. There are kinds with
a dwarf habit, and with heads so large and flat,
with each flower packed so closely together as
to look like the tremendous " bouquets," one
can buy at a street corner for a " quarter." But
the broad, round, ray florets, and the decisive
and boldly-marked colors of many of the forms
can truly be termed beauties. Instead of
these compact bunches of flowers, if improvers
would aim at a little gracefulness of form in the
plant growth, as well as good firm petals and
harmonious coloring, we think this good old
plant would be more popular with tasteful
people.

Flowering of Agave Shawii. — This new
species, named after Mr. Shaw, the well-known
and generous proprietor of the Botanic Gar-
dens of St. Louis, is about to flower there. It is
but floral justice that a plant so named, should
honor the choice by first flowering in these
grounds.

Hyacinth Leaves.— A newspaper paragraph
says, that the leaves of the Hyacinth, cut off
near the bulb, will make new bulbs as Gerani-
um leaves do.

QUERIES.

Propagating Hyacinths from Leaves. — A. S.,

Cleveland, Ohio, writes : — " I notice in a Cleve-
land paper, that a gardener of Berlin has made
the discovery that Hyacinths may be propagated
by their leaves; in cutting them close to the
bulb, places them in a saucer and covers with
a thin layer of sandy leaf mould. The saucer
having been placed in a greenhouse, the extremi-
ties of the leaves will begin to turn dry in about
eight weeks, a sure sign that bulbs are growing
out of them. Will you give us, Mr. Editor,
your opinion about it through the Gardener's
Monthly?"

[We know of no reason why the statement
may not be entirely correct. But it will be of
little practical use to Americans who do not
raise the bulbs for propagation. They increase
by offsets, as fast as any one in this country needs
to raise them. — Ed. G. M.]

Monstrous Abutilon. — H. H. D., Wilkee
Barre, Pa., writes : — " I enclose you a flower
taken from an Abutilon. Will you please give
me the variety and state whether it is usual for
them to flower double ? "

[Two perfect flowers from one calyx of Abu-
tilon vexillarium. It would be of great interest
did it always come so. But they are of much
the same character as double-yolked eggs. —
Ed. G. M.]

Flowering of Primula. — S. 0. K., Jackson,
Mich., with an interesting specimen, says: — "In
noticing your reply to inquiries of H. L., Dan-
ville,Va., about Chinese Primroses, I conclude to
send you a flower-stem of a seedling I have, which
has been in bloom about seven months, and the
trusses average from three to five whorls. It is
a very pretty single variety, and I thought per-
haps a curiosity. "

Salvia marmorata. — G. A., West Chester, Pa.,
writes : — " I send you a little box with flowers of
the Salvia marmorata nana, it grows only to
about fourteen inches high and is of very free
flowering habit. It has bloomed for me the
whole Winter; comes true from cuttings. I
think it will prove one of our best bedding and
market plants.

[This marbled variety of the Scarlet Sage, is
not uncommon in greenhouses, and makes a
very good variety. It is a sport from the white
variety, which sometimes comes entirely scarlet,
as well as marbled; the dwarf character may be
new.— Ed. G. M.]

1871]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

141

Beauty of Glazenwood. — Mr. Edwin Lons-
dale, Thorps Lane. Germantown, says: — " With
your permission, I would like to ask through the
columns of the Monthly, if the (said-to-be-new)
Japan Rose, Beauty of Glazenwood, has flowered
in this country ?

It will be remembered by those who have
seen colored plates and descriptions of it that
it is said to be 'a rose of golden yellow, striped
and flaked with scarlet or vermilion.' What
I am interested in is, whether it is really what
is claimed for it, or is it all ' a fairy tale? ' as re-
ports are here from England to the effect that
Fortune's Yellow Rose and the ' Beauty ' are
identical."

[The Royal Hort. Society's Committee says
they are identical.— Ed. G. M.|

Glass for Horticultural Purposes. — S. 0.
Knapp, Jackson, Mich., writes : — " In reading
the account of the late Convention of Window-
glass Manufacturers, held at Pittsburg, it has
occured to me that there should be some effort
made by the leading horticulturists of the coun-
try to induce that Association to manufacture a
suitable glass for horticultural purposes. You
are aware that the great drawback to horticul-
ture under glass, is the tendency to burn, from
the use of defective or improper glass. And
could this be obviated without materially en-
hancing the price of the same, I think the in-
crease of its use would be very considerable.
The necessity for such an article at the Kew
Gardens, in England, a number of years since,
led to a thorough investigation of the subject by
scientific men, and by the aid of the solar spec-
trum in connection with chemical and hoticul-
tural experiments, I think the desired end was
attained, and by the use of a little oxide of cop-
per in its manufacture, a glass has been produced
preventing the permeation of a portion of that
class of heat-rays so objectionable at the maxi-
mum point of calorific action. It would not be diffi-
cult at the present day to ascertain just what
was needed, and if all did not wish to manufac-
ture the article, they by a system of exchanges
could each supply their own customers. Their
first Vice-President, Mr. F. L. Bocline, I notice
resides in your vicinity. I have only hinted at
this subject, hoping to attract to it the attention
of those capable of treating it more in detail."

The "Ohio Lady's Experience." — L., Cazeno-
via, New York, writes that she has derived much

encouragement in her efforts at window garden-
ing from the experience of our excellent Ohio
contributor, as have no doubt many of our
readers.

Hot Water Boilers.— One of our most intelli-
gent Maryland contributors, says : " You submit
to the readers of the Monthly, the question
whether as much heat is obtained from a given
weight of fuel, by hot water heating as by the
flue. I have had considerable experience
with hot water heating, fitting up, &c, and
thought I would give the result of it, but find
that no sort of justice can be done the subject as
I think, except by small pamphlet with draw-
ings, and not being apt at writing and worse
at drawing, have concluded to leave it alone. I
may, however, tell you of an instance in my ex-
perience in which I was easily deceived.

In addition to the glass-house heated, we had
two immense warehouses heated by the saddle-
back boilers. One of them started a leak, and
the manufacturer of the apparatus suggested
putting in a new one, with tubes, in the place of
fire bars, to be filled with water, of course, and
connected at each end with the boiler. I thought
the idea a good one, and assented readily, think-
ing thereby to save fuel and also to get up heat
more quickly — or, perhaps, more correctly,
thought to economize the heat as given out by
the fuel. It was a conclusion easily reached but
proved erroneous. I know from repeated per-
sonal experiments, it was of no advantage. If
there was any difference the old fire-bars had
the best of it. The way I account for it is this,
the fire-bars became red hot, and reflected the
heat to the boiler, very little of it escaping from
the ash-pit door. With the tubular water-bars,
the heat at the bars was never so intense, and,
except in continuous firing— which by the way
was seldom needed — combustion was not as per-
fect. I am aware how difficult it is to persuade
the casual observer of the truth of such things,
but having satisfied myself by repeated careful
experiments, I must give the result as I find it.

Mere opinion is a small affair in asserting fact.
Having wrought many kinds of boilers, have
found good points in most. A great deal de-
pends on the common sense, care and conscien-
tiousness of the fireman, as to economy, capa-
bility, &c, of boilers generally.

[The cold bars would .no doubt deaden the fi re,
and just at a time when the most heat would be
wanted.— Ed. G. M.]

142

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

If ruit and Vegetable hardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Among the gains of the few past years is the
definite knowledge that the knot on the plum
and cherry is caused by a fungus. It is no longer
feared. If cut out as soon as seen, it is easily
kept down. Years before this was demonstrated,
the Gardener's Monthly showed from various
analogies that it could be from no other cause —
and, in the same way we urge that the terrible
fire-blight in the pear, and other "blights"
in the pear and apple, the yellows in the peach,
and similar troubles, can only be caused by
fungoid attacks. For these disorders, washing
the trees in Winter with linseed oil or white-
wash will no doubt be very serviceable. Most ol
these orchard pests are getting under control —
the curculio being alone triumphant so far.
Mr. Lawrence Kauffman believes the fumes of
coal-tar will keep them away from the plum
orchard. If this were some mere " paragraph "
information it might not be worth much atten-
tion, but Mr. Kauffman is a man whose experi-
ence is worth listening to. It may be too much
labor where there are but a few trees. If smok-
ing once or twice in a season would do, it would be
a good discovery, but many would go without
plums than have to do this very often. Of
course, in large orchards, it is another matter.
The jarring practice is still often in use, and this
must be continuous the whole season to be very
effective.

For a few trees, the best plan perhaps is to cover
them. Last season we saw some heavy crops of
plums under trees that had been wrapped around
with mosquito netting, thus fully protecting the
fruit from curculios. If such gauze were steeped
in tan-bark before using, it would probably last a
great many years in good order for use. Trees
might be trained en espalier, on purpose to be the
more readily protected in this way. It is a nice
plan in many respects, as should mildew or in-
sects attack the fruit tree, or a shade or shelter
be required for any purpose, the tree is the most
perfect shape for operating on to the best advan-

tage. This is the season to commence with
young trees to put them in shape for this pur-
pose.

Watch all young fruit trees against bearing too
abundantly while young, or the first season after
planting. There can be no objection to the
ripening of one or two fruits on a tree the first
season of setting out, in order to test the kind, or
to administer to curiosity, if the tree be other-
wise 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 shoot-
ing, all shoots that are needless to the perfect
shape of the tree, than to wait till Fall or Win-
ter. The pruning knife need then only be used
to shorten a branch into where several branches
are desired to push, or to induce a more vigor-
ous growth from the pruned parts. In the
Goosebeny, Raspberry and Strawberry also, no
more shoots should be suffered to grow than will
be required to bear the next season.

Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Broccoli, are now
set out for Fall crops, and Endive sown for Win-
ter salad. 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
go to seed. Peas, Beans, and other crops, should
be sown every two weeks. They do much bet-
ter than when a large crop is sown at one time,
and then have too many on at one time to
waste.

Melons, Cucumbers, Corn, Okras, Squash,
Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans, Peppers,
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 before the beans are
planted ; and near cities where they are com-
paratively high priced, their ends should be
charred. This will make them last some years.

Keep weeds of all kinds down from the time
they first show their seed leaves. It not only
saves labor " in the end," but the frequent stir-
ring of the Boil vastly serves the crop. Sow a
succession of vegetables every few weeks, — some-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

143

times insects, sometimes frost, or occasionally
other accidents will cut off a crop, and then
there is some chance for its successor not
wholly to disappoint.

COMMUNICA 770 NS.

THE STRAWBERRY LEAF-ROLLER.

[Anchylopera fragariee.)

BY C. V. RILEY, STATE ENTOMOLOGIST, ST. LOUIS, MO.

I have just received the following from Mr. J.
R. Gaston, of Normal, 111. :

" I send you by same mail with this a small
box containing chrysalis and larva of a leaf-
roller that was very destructive on our straw-
berry plants last season, and I find the larva?
bright and happy now, ready to commence
business as soon as warm weather comes. Do
you know of any remedy ? If there is no prac-
tical way of heading them off, we will have to
give up strawberry culture here until they leave.
Would be glad to hear from you when you have
leisure to do so. Very truly yours."

The worm sent is that named in the heading,
and I send you herewith what I wrote about it
nine years ago in my first Report. The fact of
hibernation as larva is new and interesting, but
does not affect the practical recommendations.

OL i c

Strawberry Leaf-roller. — a, larva, nat. size; 6, head and
thoracic joints of same, d, anal joint; c, moth, enlarged.

The above figure represents an insect which
devours the leaves of our strawberries. A more
perfect picture of the moth is given enlarged at
Plate 2, Figure 26, and of the natural size at
Figure 27. It was first described in the January
number of the American Entomologist, from
which I take the following account of it.

For nearly two years, we have been acquainted
with a little greenish leaf-roller, measuring about
one-third of an inch (Fig. 80, a), which in cer.
tain parts of North Illinois and Indiana has
been ruining the strawberry fields in a most
wholesale manner; and which also occurs in
Canada, judging from an account in the Canada
Farmer of August 1, 1867. It crumples and folds

the leaves, feeding on their pulpy substance, and
causing them to appear dry and seared, and
most usually lines the inside of the fold with
silk. There are two broods of this leaf-roller
during the year, and the worms of the first
brood, which appear during the month of June,
change to the pupa state within the rolled-up
leaf, and become minute reddish-brown moths
(Fig. 80, c), during the fore part of July. After
pairing in the usual manner, the females deposit
their eggs on the plants, from which eggs, in
due time, hatches a second brood of worms.
These last come to their growth towards the end
of September, and changing to pupa?, pass the
Winter in that state.

We first heard of this leaf-roller in the Sum-
mer of 1866, when it did considerable damage at
Valparaiso, Indiana, and we were informed by
Mr. N. R. Strong, of that place, that in 1867 they
continued their depredations with him, and de-
stroyed ten acres so completely as not to leave
plants enough to set half an acre, and that in
consequence of this little pest, in conjunction
with the White-grub, he has had to abandon
strawberry culture.

When we met the ad interim committee of the
Illinois State Horticultural Society at Lacon, in
the beginning of July, 1868, we received from
these gentlemen a quantity of infested straw-
berry leaves, from which in the course of the
next two or three weeks we bred many of the
moths. These specimens had been collected at
Mr. Bubaugh's place, near Princeton, Illinois,
where they were said to be very abundant, and
to have completely destroyed one strawberry
patch containing several acres.

Subsequently, we received another lot. of speci-
mens from Mr. W. E. Lukens, of Sterling,
Whiteside County, Illinois, with the following
remarks upon this very important subject:

" Where these insects are thick I would never
think of raising strawberries. It is strange that
I have not noticed any of their work upon this
side the river; while on the south side for a mile
up and down they are ruining the crops of ber-
ries. Removing the plants does not take with
them the moth nor the eggs, so far as has been
observed. A gentleman by the name of Kimball,
at Prophetstown, had his crop a few years
ago entirely destroyed by this insect, though it
amounted in all to two or three acres. I hear
of a great many men in other places having
their crops burnt up with the sun, and have no
doubt that it was this leaf-roller, and not the

144

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

sun, that was the real author of the damage. As
for myself, I have on this account entirely quit
the business of growing strawberries."

The only modes of fighting this new and very
destructive foe of the strawberry — which, how-
ever, seems to be confined to northerly regions
— are, first, to plough up either in the Spring or
in the Fall, such patches as are badly infested by
it, by which means the pupa? will probably be
buried and destroyed ; and second, not to pro-
cure any plants from an infested region, so as to
run the risk of introducing the plague upon
your own farm.

We annex brief descriptions of this insect,
both in the perfect and larval states. We are
indebted to the distinguished English Micro-
lepidopterist, H. T. Stainton, for the generic
determination of the species, and for the further
remark that " it is closely allied to the European
Anchylopera comptana (Manual, Vol. II, p. 225),
which feeds on various Rosacea?, such as Pote-
rium sanguisorba, Potentllla verna, and Dyra*
octopetala" [I have since ascertained that it
is identical with comptana, and therefore proba-
bly an importation.]

Anchylopera fragari^e, new species — head
and thorax reddish-brown. Palpi and legs paler.
Antennae dusky. Tarsal joints tipped with
dusky. Front wings reddish-brown, streaked
and spotted with black and white, as in the
figure. Hind wings and abdomen dusky. Alar
expanse, 0.40-0.45 inch. Described from nine
specimens.

The larva measures, when full grown, 0.35 of
an inch. Largest on the first segment, tapering
thence very slightly to the last. Color varying
from very light yellowish-brown to dark olive-
green or brown. Body soft, somewhat translu-
cent, without polish ; the piliferous spots quite
large, shining, always light in color, contrasting
strongly in the dark specimens with the ground
color. Hairs, especially lateral ones, quite stout
and stiff. Spots arranged in the normal form,
segments two and three having none, however,
on their posterior half, as have the rest (see Fig.
80, b). Head horizontal, of a shining fulvous
color, with a more or less distinct dark eye-spot
and tawny upper lip. Cervical shield of the
same shiny appearance. Anal segment with
two black spots (see Fig. 80, d), at posterior
edge, being confluent, and forming an entire
black edge in some specimens. Legs prolegs,
and venter of the same color as the body
above.

CARBOLIC ACID FOR INSECTS.

BY T. T. SOUTHWICK, ROCHESTER, N. Y.

The time has almost come again when " the
little busy bugs " will open up their Summer
campaign, and dispute with the " lords of crea-
tion" for possession of the "fruits of the earth."
: Allow me thus early to call attention to an arti-
cle, the merits of which everybody knows, but
which many dare not use — I refer to carbolic
acid. Prepared as indicated, it cannot, I think,
hurt the most delicate house plants, and it is
sure to kill insect life.

My plan of preparing is as follows : — I obtain
crude carbolic acid ; I use it in this form because
it is stronger and' better for the purpose, and
costs but very little (about 25 cts. per gallon, I
think). I pour a quantity of this dark crude
acid into a quantity of good strong domestic
soft soap; stir well together, and allow to stand
for a few hours. I then test the compound by
mixing a little of it with soft water. If too
much acid has been added, oily particles of car-
bolic acid will be observed floating on the sur-
face. This shows that more acid has been put
in than the soap will incorporate or "cut," and
more soap should be added to balance the ex-
cess of acid. No more definite rule can be given,
as so much depends on the strength of the soaj).
Two or three tablespoons full of the acid to a
quart of soap may be first tried. I prefer to
make as strong with acid as the soap will per-
fectly cut. A very little practice will enable
any one to compound it correctly. The refined
acid may be used when the crude is not at hand.
When prepared as above, make a moderately
strong suds, and apply with syringe or sponge.
In using on very delicate plants, should any fear
be felt for the plants, they can be rinsed off after
a few minutes. My first and eminently success-
ful use of this compound was some years since,
on a block of young cherry trees, some fifty
thousand in number. The black aphis '' came
down like the wolf on the fold," only "they
came not as single spies, but in whole battal-
ions." It soon became an interesting question
as to who was the proprietor of this particular
block of trees — myself or the "bug Ethiopian."
A. disinterested observer of judicial turn of
mind, judging from the general appearance of
things and the very "at home " air assumed by
the bugs, would have said they had the best case.
He would, at least, have been compelled to admit
they had "nine points of the law" (possession)

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

145

in their favor. I never saw the like before.
The trees were alive with aphis. The only
scarce things on the trees were leaves, there
being hardly enough to afford " standing room "
for all the dusky guests. However,not beinga con-
vert to the doctrine of " squatter sovereignty," I
declared war, and failing to decrease the num-
bers by ordinary means, I compounded soft soap
and carbolic acid, and with a single application
exterminated the enemy.

[It has always been a matter of surprise with
us that those who suffer from the ravages of in-
sects do not make more use of carbolic acid.
Though so destructive to the lower forms of in-
sect and plant life, it is innocuous as against the
higher.— Ed. G. M.]

KEEPING TOMATOES.

BY W. F. BASSETT, HAMMONTON, N. J.

The* best success I ever had in keeping toma-
toes was by cutting the vines off at the surface
of the ground, or pulling up by the roots and
trimming off all the foliage and hanging them
up in a light cellar. More of them ripened
than in any other way, and the quality was bet-
ter. This was in Massachusetts, and my cellar
was not near so dry as here. I see no reason,
however, why they should not do equally well
here, but we have had such an abundance and
variety of fruit that we care less for tomatoes.

no perceptible difference, while the only argu-
ment he could bring to bear to prove a differ-
ence was, that the Main had smaller seeds.
Such a slight claim as that would indeed puzzle
the Patent-Office clerk who attempted to dis-
tinguish between Mr. Bull's and Mr. Main's
"patent," should they attempt to "throw
around" their grapes "horticultural protection."
[The exposure of this matter was long ago
made by one of the_ correspondents of the
Gardener's Monthly. Only that so many new
readers have been added of late years, it would
be unnecessary to say anything more. — Ed.G. M.]

THE MAIN GRAPE.

BY J. M. H., DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

I notice by the Monthly that this grape is
" being pushed again." I have been acquainted
with it from its first introduction to the present
time ; have seen it at fairs, exhibited by Mr.
Main himself; have fruited it on the same trellis
with the Concord ; have watched the growth of
the vine from the starting of the leaves in
Spring until it ripened its purple bunches in
Autumn ; have exhibited it side by side with
Concord, and I have tasted and tested it with fruit-
growers, and fruit committees, and the general
opinion was — that it was a Concord — " only this
and nothing more." I once attended a fair and
exhibited a plate of Main grapes, and beside it a
plate of Concords. I had some conversation
with a gentleman interested in the sale and prop-
agation of the Main grape, in relation to the
identity of the two. I claimed that there was

PEAR TREE BLIGHT.

BY W. FOSTER, LOUISIANA, MO.

Reading with much interest the communica-
tion of Mr. M. B. Bateham, in the Monthly for
March, and admitting fungi to be present when-
ever blight appears, it would seem that a prima
facie case is made out, viz.:— that fungi are the
cause of this deadly disease. The expression of
Mr. Meehan, made before the United States
Pomological Society, that " fire-blight is of fun-
goid origin," is certainly high authority, but it
leaves the pear-grower to ask — what causes the
plant growth called fungus? Dr. Salisbury
strikes the key note when he says, that " the
spores of the blight fungus are in the sap of
the tree, and under favorable influence, start
into growth." Now, are these sporidic cells or
germs found in healthy sap ? The microscope
answers, with an unqualified — no ! It is ad-
mitted that two opposing forces exist in all liv-
ing things, chemical and vital. Whenever the
chemical force obtains the mastery over the
vital, the plant or animal dies, and each has its
mode of dying. The circulating fluid deter-
mines the health or disease of plants, as well as
animals. The food furnished the plant deter-
mines the character of its circulation, as well as
its appetite. That the pear tree has an appetite
which the spongioles are extremely sensitive to, is
no longer matter of speculation, but is as fixed a
fact as any other in horticulture, e. g., remove
the earth under a healthly pear tree in bearing
till fibrous roots are reached ; fill in a little
moist earth to protect them ; then pour in a so-
lution of sulphate of copper, and fill up with
earth. Ten days thereafter test for copper in
the sap, and none will be found. If the tree has
had its true appetite previously destroyed by

146

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

starvation, the spongioles will absorb almost any
foreign matter presented to them in solution.
Absolute experiments have shown this. Again,
try the experiment with a solution of common
salt, covering the hole with a sheet of tin tightly.
Twenty-four hours thereafter, suddenly remove
the cover, and the distinct smell of chlorine will
be found. This shows that the spongioles not only
have power to select the earthy compounds the
tree and fruit require, but by their " presence ac-
tion " absolutely decompose compounds, and re-
compose them with unerring certainty, so long
as they are in a state of health.

All these experiments upon the fibrous roots
are to be made in the night by the aid of artifi-
cial light, as they do not bear sunlight or dry
air without injury. Apply a solution of com-
mon salt to a non-bearing pear tree, and it will
not be affected by the roots, because there is no
soda either in the wood, bark or leaf. The fruit,
however, contains about 8£ per cent, of soda in
its ash. The writer is of opinion that fungus is
not the cause of blight, but one of its effects.
The germ of fungi not being found in healthy
sap, it would not be unreasonable to conclude
that the vital fluid itself is in a partial state of
decomposition before the sporidia can exist.
And then pear trees that have been supplied
with the plant food the tree requires, remain
sound, while those near by, left to exhaust the
soil of necessary earthy matter, exhibit fungoid
blight.* It has been a great misfortune to those
actively engaged in growing the pear, tha£
so many theories of the diseases incident to the
tree have been advanced, and so few absolute
experiments made to substantiate them. The
pear tree and fruit contain eight compounds,
which are received through the roots. Now,
suppose one or more of these substances are
not in the soil, is it reasonable to suppose that
the circulation of the tree can long remain
healthy ? The cambium is but wood and fruit
in solution, and if it has not all the elements of
wood and fruit, neither can be true wood and
fruit of its kind. Earnest men have often sup-
posed they had placed within reach of the roots
all these substances, and still their trees blighted.
They have planted metallic iron under the tree,
thinking to supply the soluble phosphate of
this metal found in the ash of the fruit. As
well might the physician administer a dose of
lath nails to his patient, with a view of enrich-
ing the blood. They have dosed the tree with
guano and all sorts of famous fertilizers, but it

has starved, nevertheless. Its appetite has be-
come morbid, and disintegration has followed.

It is not the aim of this communication to
give the practice of the writer upon his own
pear trees, several thousand of which are in
bearing, and do not blight. It would require
too much space. It is enough to say that pears
can be grown with great success in any ordinary,
well-drained soil, between the 34th° and 42d° of
N. latitude, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
that the materials necessary to the successful
fruiting of the tree merely cost the hauling, ex-
cept a little common salt, twenty-five cents
worth of which will last a bearing tree for eight
or ten years, though a whole barrel has been
emptied under a single healthy bearing tree
without injury.

[We know of no experiments which show
that the spores of the fungus which causes the
fire-blight exist in the sap of the tree, as drawn
up through the roots. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Good Dwarf Celery.— We think this is
still to be desired. We have some fair varieties,
but they are often disposed to be branchy, and
to have more leaves and stalks.

Monstrous Asparagus. — Under this caption
we read the following in a German paper : "Take
the strongest, just as they show above the ground,
and put dark green bottles over them. They
must be put vertically, not be more than half an
inch in the ground, and therefore must be sup-
ported by sticks. Deprived of sun and air, the
asparagus now quickly grows to the top of the
bottle, and unable to grow higher, grows now
along the walls of the bottle until the whole
bottle is filled by it, and gets lifted from the
ground. Now is the time to cut your asparagus
and to break the bottle." Asparagus has thus
been grown, weighing twelve ounces, of delightful
flavor and very tender. May we add to this Ger-
man precept the German proverb " Wer's glaubt
zahlt einen thaler," " Whoever believes it, pays
one dollar ; " or translated into American, " You
pays you money, etc., etc."

The Mother Apple. — There were few apples
of more beauty and average merit on exhibition
at the Centennial than the Mother Apple,
but we do not find it in many collections.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

147

It it a native of Boston, Mass., and is there a late
Fall apple. After all it is the late season, good
keeping Winter apples that are the most profit-
able.

The Alexander Peach. — As many persons are
anxious to know how this* early peach is doing
in various sections, we append the following,
taken from letters handed to us :

Mr. Chas. Downing says : " The Amsden's June,
Honeywell, and Alexander were all worked on
the same tree, and though we could see by the
leaves they are distinct kinds, ripened together,
and if the fruits were all placed on a dish, no
one could select one from the other. Early
Beatrice is too small. These are the best early
peaches of fair size."

Dr. Watt, of Niagara, Ontario, reports that in
that high northern region the Alexander ripened
on the 8th of August.

W. P. Bobinson, of Atlanta, Georgia, went to
Palmetto, 50 miles, to see it in fruit, and does
not regret the journey.

Peach Culture in the North. — A correspon-
dent of the Country Gentleman has been giving
some interesting information about fruit culture
along the Niagara Biver, and thus speaks of the
Peach : *' Most of the peach orchards in this
region are young and in full vigor. They bore
good crops for the past five years in succession.
This year, from some unknown cause, there are
very few. It is estimated that the peach or-
chards of the township of Niagara contain
40,000 trees, and it is likely to become noted as
one of the best peach regions of the State. The
best peach region appears to be confined to a
breadth of a mile or two along the river. Far-
ther inland this crop has not been so successful,
until we reach the neighborhood of Lockport.
A carriage drive from the Falls to Lewiston
showed an improvement in the peach orchards
as we thus neared Lake Ontario.

QUERIES.

The Fruit Crops in Ohio. — J. P., Dayton,
Ohio, writes : — " The Winter has been very de-
structive in this locality, killing peaches, and
very materially injuring blossom-buds of Pears."

Black Fungus in a Grapery. — T. E., Bridge-
ton, N. J., writes ; — " I wish to ask for informa-
tion in regard to a black fungus or mildew that

attacked the leaves in a cold grapery. Last Sum-
mer, after the grapes were a good size, a black
fungus appeared on the leaves, sash and some
of the grapes. The sash was painted white, and
the fungus made them in some places com-
pletely black. You will oblige me very much
by letting me know what is the cause of it, and
what will prevent or remedy it."

[No one knows what are the peculiar circum-
stances which favor the growth of this fungus, but
if the stems of the vines are painted with sul-
phur and soot before the leaves come, the fun-
gus never appears. It is also good against other
fungi, and destroys the eggs of many insects. —
Ed. G. M.l

The Blenheim Pippin Apple. — S. M., Paines-
ville, Lake Co., O., writes : — " I feel quite inter-
ested in the Blenheim Pippin, described in the
January number, but do not know where to find
it ; I do not see it advertised in any catalogue.
A brief note might direct others who feel as I do
about it."

[The Blenheim Pippin is but little grown in
this part of the world. Any one who can send
us information that will help our correspondent
will receive our thanks. — Ed. G. M.]

The Pear Blight. — A Watertown, N. Y., cor-
respondent asks, " If fungi are the cause of pear
blight, why did they not act as potently when
the country was first settled as now? or must we
say it is a new creation — and who will believe
that? " It must be remembered that a fungus is
a plant, and must have seed, or as we say spores,
to start it, quite as much as the Canada thistle.
The Canada thistle was not in Canada when
Canada was first settled. But we are not on that
account forced to believe that the thistle in Can-
ada is a new creation. We do not know where
the pear fungus is, when " at home," but it is not
at all likely that it is a new creation.

The True Wilson's Albany Seedling Straw-
berry.— B. P. H., Erie, Pa., says, that " For
several years he had the Albany Seedling true
on his place, but it does not bear any more."
This is not unusual experience. Sometimes all
the pistils abort, and then there is no fruit — why,
we do not know.

Inarching Grapevines.— A. C. L., Madison,
Ind., writes : — " For the past fifteen years I have
been a careful reader of the ' Horticulturist,' and
never asked a question. I now ask for some in-
formation, that I have in vain sought for else-

148

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

where. Last Spring I built a new grapery, twenty
vines (each two years old) were planted. Along-
side of each vine is planted a one-year-old, of a
different variety, intending to inarch the two this
Summer, and so give the main vines two roots
instead of one. This will give rapid growth at
any rate. The main vines have been cut down
to four feet ; but the one-year-olds to the ground.
The one-year-olds will come out with new wood,
but the two-year-olds will have the wood of last
year. The question is, can the two be inarched
under the circumstances ? The process of this
inarching has one great advantage— you can get
clear of new and, as the case may be, a worthless
variety, simply by the aid of a knife and a gouge,
without replanting. Whoever trusts to your
' fowl ' remedy against the ravages of curculio,
in the plum orchard, will meet with disappoint-
ment."

[Our correspondent is much to blame that he
has not asked a question before. It is not objec-
tionable to us, indeed it is a favor to have the
questions, when they are of a character to give
information to many, as well as to the one. The
young wood will inarch readily with the older
wood, but it may take longer to unite. — Ed.
G. M.]

Stirring the Surface Soil of Orchards.— E.,
Vineland, N. J., says : — " Some years ago, you
delivered a lecture before our Vineland Agricul-
tural Society on your ' New Method of Orchard
(&c.) Culture,' which created quite an agitation
here. In the light of recent studies of mulch vs.
drouth, and various other matters, I cannot rest
without taking the liberty of requesting you to
put me in a way to get a full view — general and
special, theoretical and practical — of your sys-
tem. I should like to study all the literature ex-
tant of the system, in books, periodicals, &c, 'from
the earliest period to the present time.' Will you
kindly assist me all you can in this matter? I
want to know all about it — its rise, its growth,
and its success ; and particularly whether it has
been applied to general farm culture, as
well as to orchards and vineyards. I had not
the pleasure of listening to you while lecturing
here, and only saw partial reports, and, I fear,
one-sided critiques of your lecture in our local
papers, and occasionally heard mere common-
sense discussions of your system at our Farmers'
Club, &c. And besides, my mind was not then
ripe for the full and exhaustive consideration of
your new departure in agriculture. I am fully

ready to study it now, and experiment on it in a
small way.

" Please give me a list of its bibliography.
Among other things where can I see a copy of
the revolutionary lecture which you delivered
here."

[The Editor of the Gardener's Monthly has no
time to write lectures, hence, when he gives ad-
dresses before associations or elsewhere, they are
always extemporized for the occasion, and as the
reporters, therefore, have not the help of notes
even to make up reports from, people who read
the papers do not always get the right ideas of
the discourse. This is true of the Vineland lec-
ture given there many years ago.

As regards the matter in question, there is no
particular system about it, for the practice must
vary with the occasion. What the Editor has
taught in this matter he lays no claim to, the
practice was in existence long before he was
born — all he has done is to make the practice
popular by showing its good points.

In the olden times, when people spoke of
" cultivating " an orchard, they meant treating
it according to those rules of garden art, which
resulted in the healthiest trees and full crops of
the best fruits. But in our day the hoe-harrow
was invented, and the makers called them " cul-
tivators," and thus when any one reads that our
fathers well-cultivated their orchards, they im-
agine it means that they kept these machines
running up and down among the trees all Sum-
mer. And so firmly was this erroneous notion
imbedded in people's minds, that the Editor of
the Monthly, was charged with advocating ne-
glected " culture " because he contended that this
working of the soil was not "good cultivation."
Most of the misconception of his views arose
from thie misunderstanding, and even now, those
who fail with grass culture, are generally those
who let the grass starve the trees.

As a general rule a good grass crop is a good
paying crop in any part of the country. It will
grow under trees better than cabbage, potatoes,
or any other farm crop. When people grow po-
tatoes, wheat, or any grain or vegetables under
orchard trees, they have to manure them, and
we ask manure for the grass as well ; then you
will have a grass crop that will pay to cut for
hay, and in the most parts of this country hay
always pays for cutting. There is no crop that
you can grow that takes less labor than hay, and
this is important in orchard culture. Then
there is this additional advantage to the trees —

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

149

the feeding roots are near the surface, and
when this is the case the wood-growth is always
healthy, ripening thoroughly. Even those who
"scarify" the orchard surface, always contend
that they must leave off early in Summer, or the
wood "does not ripen well," and injury follows.
Then you can never injure such trees by over
manuring ; you may make a manure pile around
a tree whose roots are on the surface, and it will
rather rejoice than pout at your treatment. The
trees do not suffer from heated soil in Summer,
as under grass the earth temperature seldom
rises to more than 85° in the hottest weather.

Now you see these reasons will vary in differ-
ent places. In sandy soils the feeding roots run
deeper, and hence " cultivating," as our friends
of the hoe-harrow call it, is not so injurious. In
the North the hottest Summer sun would not
raise the earth temperature over 85°, and there

would not be the same need of screen from the
sun, but then grass keeps the frost from entering
the ground deeply, and in the North that will be
a blessing. Then some people settle in poor,
very poor places, where manure is not to be had
for love nor money, and then it is far better to
keep down grass with all its advantages, than to
have grass and trees both starving together.

So you see there is no " grass system." We
cannot tell anybody whether he ought to have
grass in his orchard or clean culture, unless we saw
it. All we say is that in regular farming regions,
where people have the ordinary farming conve-
niences, and where the ordinary farming routine
can cover the orchard as well as any other part
of the farm, more money can be made from a
well-managed orchard in grass, than from an or-
chard managed in any other way. It is the cheap-
est and best of all orchard practices. — Ed. G. M.]

IJatural History and Science.

ON SELF-FERTILIZATION AND CROSS-FER-
TILIZATION OF FLOWERS.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.
(Continued from page 118.)

The chief arguments for the necessity for in-
sect fertilization are drawn from structure, and
not from fact. For instance, we are told that
Iris, Campanula, Dandelion, Ox-eye Daisy, the
Garden Pea, Lobelia, Clover, and many others,
are so arranged that they cannot fertilize them-
selves without insect aid. I have enclosed flow-
ers of all these named, in fine gauze bags, and
they produced seeds just as well as those ex-
posed. I was somewhat surprised at the two
first, Iris Virginica and Campanula, producing
seeds under these circumstances, as they are
common illustrations of the necessity of insect
fertilization. In short, in all the cases I have
tested in this way, seeds were produced as well
under the gauze as without, except in one in-
stance— Baptisia australis. In most Papiliona-
ceous plants that I examined, in spite of the
suggestions of my friends, I thought the arrange-
ments favored self-fertilization ; not only by the
position of the organs, but from the fact that the
moment anything touched the flower so as to

liberate the pistil or stamens, a cloud of pollen
floated all around like a little cloud; a disper-
sion of pollen, which, by the way, in view of pre-
vailing theories, the class of flowers with " fra-
grance, color, or honeyed secretions," ought not
to make. Genista scoparia will give an excellent
illustration of this. But in Baptisia I did not
notice this little cloud ; and it did seem in the
actual act of collecting honey, the humble bee's
pollen covered abdomen pressed itself closely
down on the stigma. I covered a spike of a
dozen unopened flowers with a gauze bag, and
had only one seed vessel, though in the exposed
spikes nearly every one perfected. This fact may
go for what it is worth ; for be it remembered, I am
far from denying that flowers are sometimes ferti-
lized by the aid of insects. It is the extent of these
facts, and the theories to be deduced from them,
that I have to deal. Independently of trials by
gauze bags I have experimented with single
flowers of some species. I take plants of which
there are no others in the vicinity, and pick off
all but a solitary flower, not permitting another
to open until the other has faded, and if they
seed, it must be only by own pollen. I was led
to try this from noting a few first flowers of GCno-

150

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

thera serrata, which open about noon and die in
a few hours, seed when I was almost sure no in-
sects had visited them. In watching for this
purpose Talinum teretifolium, I found that it
opened always a few minutes before 1 p. m., be-
gan closing at three, and by half-past three had
wholly closed. No insect visited them in that
time, but every flower seeded, as did subsequent
experiments with single flowers. An ally, the
common Purslane, remains expanded only
from 8 to 9 A. m., and is, I think, an un-
doubted self- fertilizer, and yet on what theory of
the advantages of cross-fertilization could a plant
make better headway through the world ?

It is of course well-known that some flowers
are opening and closing at almost all houx*s of
the day and night, many remaining open but a
very short time. Can this varying and limited
time have anything to do with insect fertiliza-
tion ? Would not fertilization by insect aid be
more certain if at least a whole day were given
for the chance ? In my district the little florets
of the Chicory are all fertilized before 8 o'clock,
and by nine have faded away. This species is an
excellent one for noting how self-fertilization is
effected in composite plants, as the pistils are
blue and the pure white pollen is easily seen.
Soon after daylight, the corolla lengthens. After
a little while it rests, but the stamens and pistil
go on. Then the stamens cease to grow;
but the pistil continues to lengthen, carrying
an immense quantity of pollen with it. Here
is the difficulty which those who differ from
me experience. The pistil has to cleave, and
only on the interior of the clefts seems to be the
stigmatic surface ; the pollen then must — it is said,
— rest of necessity only on the exterior, where
it cannot operate. But if any one will get up
early and spend a couple of hours in watching
the development of the flower, driving away an
occasional sand wasp that would like to gather
the pollen, he will find there is not a cloven pis-
til that has not some pollen on the interior stig-
matic surfaces. Of what avail are "mustbe's"
against positive facts like these ? But if he watch
closely he will see that this pollen falls into the
chasm made by the opening stigmas. In the
language of my friends, it is a "beautiful ar-
rangement" for ensuring self-fertilization. If
further, we allow the sand wasps to work at pol-
len gathering, we find that while clearing the
pistils of pollen, they push quantities into the
clefts, and arc, therefore, agents in self-fertiliza-
tion, instead of the reverse. I have observed the

same in Dandelion and the Ox-eye Daisy, Chrys-
anthemum leucanthemum, as well as I am s*ure
that thousands flower and perfect seeds that no
insect visits. There seems to be something yet
inexplicable as to how some flowers become fer-
tilized. In Cirsium (C. Pitcheri) and many others
of that section, what in others is a bifid stigma,
is nearly entire, the stigmatic surfaces being
almost, or perhaps in some case3 wholly united
together. Cirsium Pitcheri has very long pistils.
The honey bee seems very fond of the flowers.
It works between the pistils. I have never de-
tected a grain of pollen on the almost entire
apex, though the sides are covered as in other
composites. But it seeds abundantly.

I think the peculiar closings of flowers are as
much designs for effecting self-fertilization, as
for anything else. It does effect it in Ranuncu-
lus, Claytonia, and most likely in the Iris en-
closed in the gauze bag, and perhaps in many
plants with flowers that close and twist up in
fading. In Ranunculus, on the first day's open-
ing of the flower, the outer of the numerous rows
of pistils throw their pollen on the glazed petals.
These close at night, and the pollen is dropped
in over the hollow in which are the mass of per-
fect pistils. I refer to R. bulbosus. In Claytonia
(C. Virginica) the same thing occurs with the
early flowers, so far as drawing the stamens up
to the pistils is concerned. In the later flowers
the anthers recurve more, and in the closing at
night are drawn under the pistils, and hence we
find seed here only from the earliest flowers.
These illustrations are not uncommon. Even in
wind fertilizing flowers the times of opening and
closing of certain parts of the flowers, maybe
worth a study. I find Luzula campestris — the
wood form — bursts its anthers about 9 o'clock
A. m. By ten, the pollen is committed to the
atmosphere. As its own pistil has dried up by
this time, having expanded two days before, it
cannot fertilize its own pistil. There is no evi-
dence that it would not be just as well if it could.
This precision and uniformity as to time, shows
that there are other considerations involved in
the acts connected with fertilization, besides
those usually suspected.

(To be continued.)

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Nymph. ica LUTEA. — The yellow water lily that
figured in Audubon, has been re-discovered in
Florida, by Mrs. Mary Treat.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

151

Hollyberries. — In reference to the suggestion
made to us by a correspondent lately in regard
to Mr. Darwin's views on the relation of insects
to the scarcity of Hollyberries, it is but right to
note that Mr. Darwin himself, has since written
a letter to say, that on further reflection, he
thinks he was wrong.

Seeding of the Horse Radish. — If any one
finds seed on the Horse Radish, some specimens
would be thankfully received by the Editor.

Poisoning by Ampelopsis Virginica. — The fol-
lowing paragraph is going the rounds of the
papers, and we give it here in order to express
an opinion that it is a case of mistaken identity.
In our own country the Rhus radicans — poi-
son vine — is often taken for the Ampelopsis —
Virginia creeper, — and it may be so abroad. The
Ampelopsis belongs to the grape vine family,
and closely allied to the grape, and it is scarcely
probable it should be poisonous : —

" The details of two cases of poisoning by the
well known Virginian creeper or American ivy
(Ampelopsis hederacea) have been communi-
cated to the medical papers by Mr. Bernays, of
Chatham, England. The sufferers were two
children, aged respectively two and a half and
five years, who had chewed som« leaves of the
plant, swallowing only the juice. They were
quickly seized with violent vomiting and purg-
ing, with considerable tenesmus, then collapse,
sweating, and faint pulse, followed by deep sleep
for two hours, from which they were aroused by
a return of the vomiting and purging. Milk,
with some rum mixed in it, was freely adminis-
tered, under which treatment the children soon
recovered ; but four hours after the commence-
ment of the attack there wyas considerable dila-
tion of the pupil."

Double-headed Calla. — Mr. Flitton sends us
a very pretty Calla, with two spathes. We have
occasionally seen these double-headed forms, but
never so perfect as this. The first or lowest
" flower " is very fine, 6 inches long by 5 wide.
Then instead of the ordinary spadix (the orange-
colored column) there is a stem of two inches
and then a perfect, but smaller flower.

Such specimens are very interesting to the
students of morphology, as illustrating by exam-
ple what is usually taught by theory. The solid
stem or flower stalk of a Calla, is formed of a

mass of leaves rolled up, and united together
into a round stalk, and the usual white spathe is
merely the leaf blade very much reduced. The

spadix is formed of other leaf blades, but so com-
pletely united together and transformed that no
mere observer would suspect it. In the case before
us, the apex of a leaf got free from the consoli-
dating power before the proper time, as the two
inches of flower stalk above shows ; and the same
power that thus favored the leafy character of
the plant in this way enabled it to form another
spathe. How near the lower spathe came to be-
ing a perfect leaf blade is shown by the green tip.
Since the above was written we have a photo-
graph of one, exactly the same, from Mr. Valen-
tine Burgeoin, Kingston, N. Y.

Gilia Parry^e. — A correspondent of the Rural
Press, taking this plant as a text, is exasperated
that botanists should name plants after individ-
uals. He says : —

" The point I wish to set forth is this : That
the interest of the people, and full as much of
science, would be better served by bestowing
upon new plants (and upon many old ones),
names derived from some peculiarity in form,
color or habit of the plant. Take, for instance,
the Diiliscus coerulea; one who has had any ac-
quaintance with Latin at once imagines a blue
flower."

But why should ecerulea mean blue flower,
anymore than Virgilia lutea which means yellow
wood. But supposing a botanist should follow
this gentleman's advice, and give the name of
ecerulea to the first blue flower of a genus that
he finds, what is he to do when he finds more
blue species? People often complain of bot-
anists and botanicaj. language, as if the object of
a botanist were to make the study as difficult as
possible, when it is just the reverse. Only for
their care it would be impossible to study the
science. People who complain about these
things know nothing about the subject. If their
correspondence wrere in the shape of inquiries,
instead of complaints, there would be more rea-
son in it. In this very instance, the correspon-
dent would be surprised to learn, that a specific
name which means nothing, is less likely to mis-
lead than one which means something; and it is
no doubt the perception of this that leads to the
growing practice of naming plants after persons
associated with their discovery. Such names
have the advantage of historic value at least. —
[Ed. G. M.]

Echinocactus Simpsoni. — Magazine work is
not like book-making, and in the necessary haste
involved, mistakes are more likely to occur ; and
when thev do occur, are more excusable. We

152

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

offer this apology in advance for the London Gar-
den, which has recently given amongst its col-
ored plates a sort of rock-loving plant with
pentamerous floral parts, and gives it as Echi-
nocactus Simpsoni ! It is seldom that we
notice the errors of our contemporaries, hav-
ing enough to do to look after our own, but
as this one will cause much confusion, we hope
our gOod neighbor will pardon us for noting it.

QUERIES.

Eucalyptus in Philadelphia. — Letter from
Mr. Price. — Only this morning your short ar-
ticle, "Eucalyptus in our climate," caught my
eye. It strikes me as in a slight degree un-
charitable towards the American Philosophical
Society and Mr. Davenport. The latter in
speaking of the Eucalyptus of Australia that
might grow here, was not speaking of the tropi-
cal kind that has been transplanted into South
California and the North of Africa, but of a
mountain Eucalyptus that grows in South Aus-
tralia, outside the tropics, and several thou-
sand feet in height. Mr. Davenport was the
very intelligent Commissioner at the Centennial
from South Australia, and only referred to the
Eucalyptus that grew on "Australian Alps and
Pyrenees," as worthy of trial in our climate.
The Society expressed no opinion on the ques-
tion as to whether there can be found a species
that will grow here. If the Society should
commit an error in botany it seems to me that
the blame should fall upon you and several
other botanists who are members, but seldom
attend its meetings, rather than upon the geolo-
gists, zoologists, chemists, doctors and lawyers,
&c, who do attend. Of this I assure you, that if
Mr. Davenport shall send to me, as he promised
to do, the Mountain Eucalyptus seeds, I will
give them a trial in the Park. It will cost the
city nothing; and if they fail, you are welcome
to say, "I told you so," but if they succeed, I
expect you to be the first to commend the at-
tempt.

Mummy Wheat. — A correspondent sends us
a specimen which proves to be a species of
Sorghum, which he raised from seed "un-
doubtedly " obtained from an "Egyptian mum-
my," and kindly offers to give friends who send
a stamp, some of the precious seeds. Under the
names of Egyptian corn, Dourra corn, and Up-

land Rice, bushels and bushels of it already
exist in this country. It is sometimes grown as
chicken feed, and is of little value for anything
else. We think our readers may save their
stamps. We are sorry to be obliged to say to
our correspondent that though to him "un-
doubted," if he will examine closer he will
find he has been cheated by an Egyptian. These
people are at least no better than Christians,
and we know even these will impose on any
traveler who has a tendency to the marvelous.
No grain has been proved to keep vital any-
where near two thousand years — nor any vege-
table matter. It is surprising that people can
be so easily deceived. The good Lord Lind-
say tells us that, in the course of his wan-
derings amid the pyramids of Egypt, he stumbled
on a mummy, proved, by its hieroglyphics, to be
at least two thousand years of age. On examin-
ing the mummy after it was unwrapped, he found
in one of its closed hands a bulb, which, when
planted in a suitable situation, grew and bloomed
a beautiful Dahlia. The Turk who unwrapt
that mummy must have felt that he had an
extra specimen in the case of his lordship; and
evidently made an extra effort to please.

Rotting of SSeds in Spring. — S. S. S., Roches-
ter, writes : — Knowing you to be one of those who
see "sermons in stones" and "good in everything"
(save the U. S. postal laws), I send you an Apple
seed of peculiar formation — think it may
interest you in some way. In eating a Swaar
just now I found this double seed. I think I
never saw seeds grown together before. And I
seldom eat fruit of pear or apple without ex-
amining the seeds in an idle sort of way. I could
almost tell the sort by the seed, so distinct are
the seeds of different varieties.

By-the-way, speaking of seeds, will you in a
note in the Monthly tell your readers why it is
that if they plant the Squash, Cucumber or Mel-
lon seed a day too early in the Spring, while the
ground is too cold and wet, the seed will rot;
and if this same seed becomes accidentally
covered in the Fall by some earth — as often
happens when a neglected Squash is buried in
the Fall — this seed comes up promptly in the
Spring. How does it come that a little lack of
warmth in Spring will rot the seed; and yet it
will lay in the water, frost, &c, for months, and
grow. There must be some principle governing;
what is it? Is the vitality of seed weakened by
drying? Shed the "light of knowledge."

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

153

[The double seed is interesting, as is the in-
quiry about the rotting of seeds. We know that
Pumpkin and Squash will remain out in the
ground and grow in Spring. We have not seen
cases of Melons and Cucumbers, but have no

doubt that they will; and yet, as S. says, they
rot easily in the ground if planted in Spring
before their time. Guessing at the cause of
this difference would do little good. It is worthy
of a patient investigation. Ed. G. M.]

ITERATURE, ^RAVELS & PERSONAL If OTES.

GOMMUNIGA TIONS.

GARDENING GOSSIP OF THE OLDEN TIME.

BY A. H. WILSON.
(Concluded from page 121.)

To turn, however, from these establishments
where we have perhaps lingered too long. There
were in that day many men of mark outside,
who were more or less connected with them,
and intimately with the profession. John Clau-
dius Loudon having with his characteristic skill
and unwearied industry compiled his bulky
Encyclopaedias of Gardening, Agriculture, Plants,
and Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture, was
busily engaged on his last great* work, the En-
cyclopaedia of Trees and Shrubs (Arboretum
et Fruticetum Britannicum). Having, when a
young man, been seriously injured by machinery
he labored under great physical disadvantages,
but was ably assisted by Messrs. Rauch, Masters,
(now Dr. Masters, the well-known savant,) and
others ; but especially by his talented and de-
voted wife, herself an authoress on her own ac-
count, of several novels and gardening books,
with which lady amateurs, in particular are
familiar, as well as editress of some of her late
husband's works. All who are acquainted with
Loudon's writings — and what professional son of
Adam is not? — will admit that without absolute
prolixity, he is most prolific in ideas and profuse
in illustrations; his subject grows upon him and
he treats it in every possible aspect. The story
goes that his publishers, Longman & Co., wish-
ing to have an abridgement of " Abercrombie's
Gardener's Manual " — a book which, (if I rightly
remember the title and price,) was sold at about
$2 or $2.50 — placed it in Loudon's hands for that
purpose. In an incredibly short time he pro-
duced the sheets of the Encyclopaedia of Garden-
ing, containing at least ten times the amount of
matter, he was commissioned to abridge. Long-

man, of course, rejected them as an abridgement
but Loudon found the means to publish the book,
and as it was selling freely at $12.50, Longman
was glad to secure the copyright after all.
Robert Sweet had then finished his Flower Gar-
den; .the Botanical Cabinet was then being con-
ducted by Loddiges, the Botanical Magazine by
Hooker, Botanist by Maund, the Magazine of
Botany by Pax ton, the Gardener's Magazine by
Loudon, the Botanical Register by Lindley, who
in addition to his numerous other botanical
works, started the Gardener's Chronicle a few
years afterwards, and edited it up to the time of
his death.

Of nurserymen, Loddiges of Hackney, had the
finest collection and largest specimens of Palms,
Screw Pines, Tree Ferns and similar plants in
England ; in after years, when the lease of the
grounds had expired, and the stock was to be
sold, a glorious opportunity was offered to Sir
Joseph Paxton, who purchased and transferred
most of the best to the Crystal Palace then just
erected, where after flourishing for a few years,
they were unfortunately destroyed by fire, and
could not be replaced. Joseph Knight was
almost as celebrated for new and good things in
his place at Chelsea, as his successors, Veitch &
Son, (formerly of Exeter,) are in the present day ;
Chandler, at Vauxhall, was noted for his vast and
varied collection of Camellias; Rollissons, of
Tooting, were coming to the front with Orchids.
There were the Lees, of long standing, at Ham-
mersmith ; Ronalds at Brentford ; Wheatly at
Fulham ; Lowe at Clapton ; and others of familiar
name and high standing in and about London,
beside provincial celebrities, Lucombe, Exeter ;
Pontey, Plymouth ; Skirving, Liverpool ; Cree,
Addlestone ; and Dicksons, of note in almost
every large town in Britain. Wilmot was grow-
ing his strawberries and raising new sorts at
Islewort; Chapman, grapes at Vauxhall; Myatt,
rhubarb at Deptford ; Grayson, cultivating bis

154

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

twenty-three acres of asparagus at Mortlake.
The Practical Gardener, Charles Mcintosh, reigned
at Claremont, as locum ten ens for Prince Leo-
pold, (promoted in 1832 to the throne of Bel-
gium,) himself to be soon after transferred to
the Duke of Buccleuch's gardens at Dalkeith
Park. Mearns was coiling his vines in pots at
Welbeck, and stirring the hearts of the garden-
ing world by the results which he professed to
have achieved ; Ferguson ruled over the Ducal
gardens at Stowe, once the finest place in Eng-
land; Forrest held rule under another Duke (of
the Smithson family) at Syon ; Paxtun was the
little duke and adviser in all things at Chats-
worth ; Sinclair had quitted the Bedford con-
nection with his Gramineum, Salictum and
Ericetum,(Woburnense respectively,) to become
partner in the New Cross Nurseries, and been
succeeded by James Forbes, of whom little can
be said, excepting that he was a good practical
gardener, and " boss " for a time, over your re-
spected townsman, the late Chas. E. Sutherland.
It is time, however, that my discursive gossip
ended. Allow me, in closing, to make one re-
mark. Forty years is only a short step in the
world's history, and a short time to look back
upon, but the last forty years have brought won-
derful changes, especially in the advancement
of science and its application to the useful arts.
Gardening was the first of these in point of time,
and having been closely associated with the
wants, the habits and the tastes of mankind in
all generations, has perhaps advanced more
steadily than any other, but it does not appear to
me (and those aside can best mark the speed of
what is passing) that she has not of late years
progressed so rapidly as some others, especially
as her sister, Agriculture, and that gardeners are
scarcely, if at all, better acquainted with botany,
physiology, chemistry, and other matters of sci-
ence connected with their calling, than they
were half a century ago. How oiten do we meet
with men fairly schooled in " the three R's," in-
telligent as regards every-day matters and cur-
rent events, by dint of training, observation and
experience, passing muster as good gardeners,
and often achieving wonderful results; familiar
with the name of almost every plant which
passes under their eyes or through therr hands,
yet spelling and pronouncing the names of those
plants most barbarously, and are utterly unac-
quainted with the first principles of growth and
development, the structure, terminology, and
affinities or classification of plants or any of the

scientific aids to intelligent and successful culti-
vation. Lindley used to say, "As well call the
man a carpenter who knows the names of the
tools in a carpenter's chest, as the man who
knows the names only of plants, a botanist. Gar-
deners to be successful must be thoughtful, stu-
dious, observant men, and as a class, are much
respected; but even a small amount of culture
and scientific knowledge would increase their
interest in, and simplify the operations they too
often perform mechanically, while it tended
to their social elevation and their being recog-
nized as men of education and refinement.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Centennial Pomological Judges.— We
find the following in the proceedings of the Wor-
cester Co. (Mass.) Horticultural Society:—

" Upon one feature of this Pomological Exhi-
bition, however, it would be impossible to en-
large in too strong terms of censure. Massachu-
setts, Ohio and New York were wholly
unrepresented upon the Committee of Judges.
The exclusion of their statues from funeral
processions in the decadence of ancient Rome,
but served to recall to mind even more vividly
the patriots Brutus and Cassius. And who of us, in
looking through the roll of those who had been
selected to adjudicate upon " Northern Pomo-
logical Products," could fail to note with amaze-
ment the absence of such names as John A.
Warder, Patrick Barry, Charles Downing, John
J. Thomas, and, — clarm et venerabile nomen! —
Marshall P. Wilder. Honesty is an indispen-
sable qualification for a just judge, butshould not
capacity also be deemed essential?"

It is a remarkable commentary on this para-
graph that the utter ignoring of horticulture and
agriculture in the programme of judges, and
through which no judges for these departments
were appointed, was the work of a New England
man. The judges who did serve, did so without
any recognition from the Centennial Commis-
sion, and without any arrangement for pay,
while the regular judges had both. They worked
steadily at this for from two to four days a week
for six months, and then were told that as there
was no provision made for Pomological judges,
their services were expected to be gratuitous.
If Downing, Warder, Thomas, Barry, Wilder, or
that other gentleman Clarm E. V. Nomen, of
whom we never heard before, were willing to
undertake this long and weary service out of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

155

pure desire, as pomologists, to see some justice
done to the great pomological interests, such
knowledge of their disposition never came to
Philadelphia :— nor we do not know that either
Brutus or Cassius ever did work like this ; but
if Massachusetts have any of these noble Ro-
mans in these days, she is quite welcome to send
some of them along next time.

While on this unpleasant subject, we may take
the occasion to do justice to three of these judges
— Hoopes, Satterthwaite and Parry. These gen-
tlemen would have been extensive exhibitors
had they not been judges. They would undoubt-
edly have received honors as such, the record of
which they would have been proud to have
handed down to those who would follow them
as memorials of their work in the first one hun-
dred years of American progress; but all of this
was sacrificed, because they could not as judges
honorably report on their own productions. It
is also but fair to state that while the pomologi-
cal judges from other parts of the country, who
were called in during the heavy week to assist,
by the Commission, were paid $100 for the week's
work, and which they earned much better than
some of the regular judges in other departments,
even this trifle was refused to the Philadelphia
judges for six months work, and it was not until
long after the Exhibition closed, that the more
honorable members of the Commission shamed
their associates into giving them at least enough
to reimburse them for the food they had eaten on
the grounds during the time they were engaged
in the Commission's work.

We make these remarks without the gentle-
men forming that jury knowing anything of
what we Avrite. But it is but simple justice to
them. The Commission would not go behind
the work of the New England gentleman, who
arranged the programme and left out Pomology;
the gentlemen forming the jury knew there was
little chance of their being recognized, yet at
the request of the Chief of the Bureau of Agri-
culture, threw themselves into a great task,
where there was no prospective honor or profit,
solely for the purpose of saving the great Pomo-
logical interests of the country from utter dis-
grace. They did at least expect to get the thanks
of the pomological community for this work ;
but so far, nothing whatever has appeared of this
character, but very much of which this extract
is a choice specimen has, and this is their re-
ward !

The Tumble Weed. — Quoting our recent re-

marks, the Prairie Farmer says : — "Oh no! The
tumble bug — which by the way is not a bug —
could only make use of the weed as a means of
transportation for itself. The difficulty among
the masses is, they have no time to learn scien-
tific names. They leave that for the little circle
of savants who do the christening. The plant
is the white Amaranth, Amaranthus albus, of
the botanists. We think, however, it is not the
introduced variety, but a cousin indigenous to
the West, growing in clearings, in newly-culti-
vated prairie land, and intended, perhaps, for
the express purpose of scaring farmers' teams in
the Autumn when the tumblers are flying about
the roads and fields."

This confirms what Mr. Wier says in regard
to the identity of the weed with its popular
name, though Amaranthus albus does not blow
about in that way, and Mr. Wier is most proba-
bly correct in his name, Cycloloma. Our good
cotemporary evidently thinks botanical names
a humbug — which by the way is not a bug — and
it is pleasant to note that it took the time even
to guess at Amaranthus albus. It is a new idea
that it takes more time to learn an intelligible
name, than one which requires numberless par-
agraphs to find the meaning of. Our friend does
not surely mean that intelligence is only fit for
"big bugs" — which by the way are not bugs,
but " the biggest kind " of beetles !

[Mr. Weir's article on this subject, to which
the Editor refers in this note, has been crowded
out. — Proof reader.]

Conservatory of Mr. Henry C. Gibson. — A
few days ago we enjoyed the favor of inspecting
the beautiful conservatory attached to the city
residence of Mr. Henry C. Gibson, of Philadel-
phia. The structure is but about 50 feet long,
but is so arranged by paths taken round cir-
cular stands, as to seem double the size. The
chief object of our visit was to see a plant of the
exceedingly rare Vriezia Glazouiana, which is
probably the largest of all the Browaliaceous, or
to speak popularly,pine-apple like plants known.
It was throwing up a flower spike, already three
feet in height, and would probably be in full
bloom in a few weeks. The plant was placed in
a huge vase, with which it was admirably in ac-
cord. We were never so impressed with the
tasteful adaptation of these ordinary stiff look-
ing plants to high architectural beauty as on this
occasion. The greater part of the collection is
comprised of very rare plants, difficult to pro-
cure. The small size of the structure makes

156

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_May,

these choicer articles particularly desirable, as when throwing up their new fronds. We give
there is no room for all. Tt is especially among an illustration of Macrozamia plumosa. This is
Palms, Cycads, Bromeliads, Tree-ferns, and | a very rare kind, and still new. What it will be
things'like them difficult of propagation or of when it lias a stem several feet 'in height, as
very°slow growth, that we have to look for just ' many of the same order have in this collection,

MACROZAMIA PLUMOSA.

such articles, and thus they constitute the pre-
vailing features of this beautiful conservatory.
Just now the various Cycads were particularly
interesting though being about making their
new growth. They are never so beautiful as

.•an be imagined, and will give an idea "ofjTthe
prevailing character of the vegetation in Mr.
Gibson's house.

In fact, there is as much interest in the sterna
of these plants as in the leaves and (lowers of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

157

many others. Here is a Thrinax elegans, and
all round the bases of the fronds, around the
stem is a fold of naturally woven cloth, as if it
were being tenderly wrapped by nature for fear
of its taking cold !

Perhaps the most singular plant in the whole
house is a specimen of the celebrated Thief-palm
— Phcenicophorium Seychellanum. The leaves
on it being about six feet long, by four wide. It
strikes one at once by the frond being entire,
while most palms have more or less divided
leaves. The fronds are ^.t the same time finely
plaited quite through to the mid-rib, and would
make a complete umbrella in a rain-storm, under
which one could sit in luxury, while it raged
outside. t

The Native Country of the Jerusalem Ar-
tichoke.— With the best of opportunities for
judging, Prof. Asa Gray believes this to be an
improved or selected variety of the Helianthus
doronocoides, a wild sunflower of the Missis-
sippi Valley. In relation to its history, he con-
tributes the following to the American Agricul-
turist, which is tracing it pretty closely : —

" The reference to a statement in ' Palfrey's
History of New England,' made it apparent that
there was evidence upon this point somewhere
in existence ; and an enquiry made of our most
learned scholar in Indian lore, Mr. J. H. Trum-
bull, of Hartford, Conn., now brings the facts to
light.

"It appears that Sagard, in his ' History of
Canada,' (1636,) and in his 'Grand Voyage,'
mentions, as among the provisions of the Hu-
rons, ' roots that we call Canadiennes or Pom-
mes de Canada, and that they call Orasquienta,
which are not very common in their country.
They eat them raw as well as cooked,' etc. He
mentions potatoes ('potates') which he had
seen on board an English vessel, and which,
' they say, if cut in pieces and planted in the
earth, in short time grow and multiply, like the
Pommes de Canada.' Ibis seems to show that
the Huron Indians had artichokes in cultiva-
tion. Still earlier, viz., in 1612, Lescarbot, in his
history, mentions roots found in the country of
the Armonchiquois (Canada and Northern New
England), as big as turnips, which were excellent
eating, of a flavor reminding one of Cardoons,
and which, when planted, multiply in a marvel-
lous fashion. Possibly these may be the tubers
of Apios tuberosa, or Ground-nut, but the ac-
count agrees much better with Artichokes. Now

the evidence which the old herbalists furnish,
and which Mr. Trumbull has looked up, make
it clear that Jerusalem Artichokes went from
Canada to Europe within a dozen years after the
first settlement of Canada, viz., at Quehec. I
cannot here enter into particulars ; but suffice
it to say, that the plant was received in England,
' Anno 1617,' and Italy, early enough to have got
the name 'Jerusalem Artichoke' established at
the date of Johnson's edition of ' Gerald's Herb-
all,' 1633; for this Jerusalem is doubtless an Eng-
lish corruption of Girasol, sunflower ; and the
plant was at a very early date cultivated in the
Farnese Garden."

Irrigation for the Farm, Garden, or Or-
chard : by Henry Stewart, New York, Orange,
Judd & Co. It has long been our impression
that systems of irrigation need not necessarily
be confined to those parts of the country where
there is little rain. Farming, and especially
fruit and vegetable gardening, could often be
made very profitable by the adjunct of cheap
watering facilities. We boast of our natural ad-
vantages in the shape of rain, and indeed there
are many natural beauties in those countries
where the watering, though irregular, comes
from the clouds. But as a mere matter of profit
we have always held that larger and better crops
ought to be had where water was wholly under
human control, than when liable to have too
much or too little at times from nature's hand.
We can give water just when the crops need it,
and stop when they have had enough. We can-
not regulate in nature watered countries the too
much part of these conditions ; but, by some sys-
tem of irrigation, we might be able to make up
for nature's short comings. Generally there is
nothing cheap enough in our Eastern cases to
make it worth while to alopt.

But we think, after reading this book of Mr.
Stewart's, some people at least will think differ-
ently. He explains all the ways, big and little,
that are in general use for accomplishing irriga-
tion ; and the person who in the East dreads a
drouth on his crop of strawberries will perhaps
find as much here to comfort him as the inhabi-
tant of Greeley, Col., would, who depends on the
Cache le Poudre for his year's supply ; or the
Californian, who looks to his windmill to bring
up from the depths of the earth his daily needs.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society — Part II., 1876. From Mr.

158

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

Eobt. Manning, Secretary. — These transactions
are full of interesting facts. Mr. Wilder finds
that seedling Camellias, by grafting on mature
plants, can be made to flower two years and
eight months from the germination of the seed.
The Society lost a valuable member in October
last, in the death of John Fisk Allen, whose
name is well-known in connection with the
growth of the Victoria regia, after its first intro-
duction by Mr. Caleb Cope. A large number of
new orchids have been exhibited from time to
time by Mr. E. S. Rand, Jr. Hovey & Co. have
succeeded in raising a dwarf Hybrid Azalea
between A. amoena and A. Indica.

Polyanthus, Amaryllis, and many of the good
old-time flowers seem to have zealous cultiva-
tors about Boston. Rhododendrons are exhibited
freely at the meetings, and a useful guide to the
cultivator is the indication by marks of those
which are hardy there, and those which are too
tender for general open air growth. Indeed the
lists of the best things exhibited and their adap-
tation to general wants, are full in all the de-
partments, and very valuable. The premiums
given to exhibitors are heavy. The six heaviest
recipients in the flower departments have been
as follows : — Hovey & Co., $513 ; James Comley,
$302; E. S. Rand, Jr., $300; N. Gray, Jr., $200
C. M. Atkinson and J. B. Moore, $179 each. The
names of the gardeners to these gentlemen, and
with whom the credit is generally and properly
divided, are not given. The fruit premiums are
more distributed; the highest amount, $151,
being taken by J. H. Fenno. The library de-
partment shows a strong vitality — a large num-
ber of valuable additions being made during the
year.

Kinsey's Catalogue, Dayton, O. — The pub-
lisher desires to return thanks to Mr. Kinsey for
a kind reference to the magazine in his cata-
logue. These courtesies work to mutual advan-
tage. The mere horticulture is assisted, the
better for nurserymen, and every effort to help
along a horticultural magazine, helps horticul-
ture.

Messrs. T. T. Southwick & Co., formerly of
Dansville, N. Y., are now permanently located at
Rochester, making another excellent addition to
the already long list of intelligent nurserymen
for which that city is famous.

Music— From F. W. Helmick, Publisher, Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. " He holds the Fort of Heaven,"
a "tribute to the memory of P. P. Bliss." The

bust of Mr. Bliss is the central figure in the title
page, and as the writer of this once traveled sev-
eral days in his company, he can testify to the
accuracy of the likeness. Before the burning at
Ashtabula, Mr. Bliss had just set to music some
beautiful verses, the words adopted with but few
alterations, from a piece entitled "Not Know-
ing," written by Mrs. Christian K. Ross, some
eight or nine years ago ; and it is among the most
remarkable of coincidences that the authors of
lines so full of perfect trust in Providence and
resignation to the Divine will, should both be
called on so soon afterward to put the bitter
chalice to their lips.

QUERIES.

The Thirtieth Verse. — Mr. Harding writes
to correct 30th verse for "39th" at p. 123, in last
Monthly; but we suppose most readers of the New
Testament will have readily detected the error
of Mr. H.'s copy, which a too confiding composi-
tor accepted without reference to the Book for
confirmation.

The Jerusalem Artichoke. — In our last, page
126, we happened to say that the roots of the
Jerusalem Artichoke do not taste at all like
Artichoke. A correspondent sends us a brief
note, referring to this and says, " does it not? it
is at least certain that the old French settlers
thought so," — referring of course to the settlers
in Canada. But as we read, it was the Indians
who expressed the opinion that they " tasted like
Artichokes," and this would require them to be
acquainted with the taste of the Artichoke, or
they could not know that there was any corres-
pondence between the two tastes. The French-
men could not have communicated orally to
the Indians an idea of what the Artichoke tasted
like, nor could the Indians in the same way let
the Frenchmen know what their "species of
Sunflower roots " tasted like. This sort of
knowledge cannot be taught in this way,— it can
only come from personal experience. As for the
Artichoke itself, it is not as hardy as the Jerusa-
lem Artichoke. We doubt whether the French
ever raised it in Canada. Their knowledge of
the taste must therefore be confined to their
recollection of it as eaten in their native land.
The paragraph, to make any sense at all, must
mean that when the Indians told the Frenchmen
men had Sunflowers with edible roots,the French-
they replied that they must taste like the Arti-

1877.]

AMD HORTICULTURIST.

159

chokes they had known in France. The para-
graph cannot positively mean that the French-
men saiv these roots under culture by the Indians,
because if they had they would have known at
once that it was the Jerusalem Artichoke, as
both kinds were well known in Europe at that
time. Any Frenchman who knew enough about
vegetables to carry the taste of the common
Artichoke to this country with him, would
surely have some acquaintance with the Jerusa-
lem Artichoke. This is why we thought the
paragraph " of little moment," and it is so plain
that we did not expect it would be necessary for
us to enter into any reason why.

But having been thus led to put our feet into
it, we may as well go right on and give expres-
sion to a long pent up doubt that the Jerusalem
Artichoke ever derived the name from any fan-
cied resemblance to the common Artichoke. In
his younger days it was the writer's privilege to
be where both were often served up at table, and
he could never detect any resemblance, nor
could he ever find any one who could. Old
Parkinson even could see no reason for such a
name, and urged that they be called, instead,
" Potatoes of Canada." It is more likely that
the whole name is a corruption of some other,
as we all admit " Jerusalem " is. The roots were
sent to England from Italy in 1617, but it ap-
pears to have been in the possession of Mr.

Goodyer before this. However, it came to Eng-
land with an Italian name, Girasole articiocco.
From Girasole we have " Jerusalem," and no
doubt articiocco gave artichoke. But what is
articiocco? The mme of the old Artichoke in
Italy is Carciofo, so plainly, the Italians did not
associate the plant with the common Artichoke.
The Greek word artutikos signifies " fit for use
as a seasoner," and it is just as likely that the
roots were at first used as an ingredient in soups,
which is about all they ever were fit for. Even
in 1629, we read that it was thought so poorly of
in England, that even the poor despised it. It
seems never to have been popular as an article
of food. There appears to be no Italian root
from whence to derive the word, Articiocco and
why may it not have been made up from the
Greek, just as such names are made up now?
Any word in a long series of years may become
corrupted. The French artichaut might in time
be made articiocco by a neighboring people.
But this will not do, because the name is too
old for such an explanation.

Now philology is not one of the special
studies the Gardener's Monthly is established to
promote. We venture on it here with some
hesitation, but as the matter has been a puzzle
to us for some thirty years, we thought best to
" out with the whole thing " under our good
correspondent's temptation.

MORTICULTURAL f&OCIETIES.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

American Pomological Society. — The Ameri-
can Pomological Society having accepted the
invitation of the Maryland Horticultural So-
ciety, the undersigned give notice that the Six-
teenth Session of this National Association will
be held in Baltimore, commencing Wednesday,
September 12th, 1877, at 10 o'clock a. m., and
continuing for three days.

All Horticultural, Pomological, Agricultural
and other kindred Associations in the United
States and British Provinces, are invited to send
delegations as large as they may deem expedi-
ent ; and all persons interested in the cultiva-
tion of fruits are invited to be present, and take
seats in the Convention.

It is confidently anticipated that there will be
a full attendance of delegates from all quarters
of our country, thereby stimulating more exten-
sive cultivation by the concentrated information
and experience of cultivators, and aiding the
society in perfecting its catalogue of fruits. This
catalogue includes fifty States and Territories,
most of which have their columns filled with
a great amount of information as to the fruit
adapted for culture in the respective locations.
Many of these are yet incomplete ; and it is the
object of the society, from year to year, to fill

the blanks, and bring its catalogue nearer to per-
fection. To accomplish this object as fully as
possible, the Chairman of the General Fruit
Committee, P. Barry, Esq., Rochester, N. Y., will
send out the usual circulars of inquiry; and it
is desirable that these inquiries should be an-
swered at an early day. The various State and
local committees are urged to respond to the
circulars as soon as practicable.

The coming session will derive a special inter-
est from its location in the midst of the great
fruit-growing region of the Atlantic coast, and
also from the fact that it is the first meeting held
since the expiration of the first century of our
national history. It is desired, in this connec-
tion, that the Vice-Presidents of the several
States, Territories, and Provinces, should fur-
nish or procure, as far as possible, short histori-
cal sketches of the rise and progress of fruit-
culture in their respective districts, from their
settlement up to the year 1876, to the end that
the forthcoming report may give a complete
view of the pomological history of the various
parts of the country. State and local Horticul-
tural Societies are respectfully requested 4o co-
operate and aid in this work.

Arrangements will be made with hotels, and,
as far as possible, with the various railroad lines
terminating in Baltimore, for a reduction of

160

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[May,

fare. Wherever possible, it would be best that
such arrangements should be made by the va-
rious delegations with roads in their localities,
as rates made by Baltimore roads will apply
only to their lines.

Members, delegates, and societies are re-
quested to contribute collections of the fruits of
their respective districts, and to communicate
in regard to them whatever may aid in promo-
ting the objects of the society and the science of
American pomology. Each contributor is re-
quested to prepare a complete list of his collec-
tion, and to present the same with his fruits,
that a report of all the varieties entered may be
submitted *••*> the meeting as early as practicable.
By vote 01 the society, no money premiums
will be offered ; but a limited number of Wilder
Medals will be awarded to meritorious objects.

At the same time, from September 11 to 14
inclusive, the Maryland Horticultural Society
will hold a grand exhibition of fruits, plants,
flowers, and other products of horticulture, by
which an increased interest will be given to the
occasion. %

Packages of fruits, with the names of the con-
tributors, may be addressed as follows : "Ameri-
can Pomological Society, care of William B.
Sands, Baltimore."

All persons desirous of becoming members
can remit the fee to Thomas P. James, Esq.,
Treasurer, Cambridge, Mass. Life-membership,
twenty dollars; biennial, four dollars. Life-
members will be supplied with back numbers of
the proceedings of the society as far as possible.
Marshall P. Wilder, President,

Boston, Mass.
W. C. Flagg, Secretary, Moro, 111.

The Secretary, for the purpose of securing a
more complete statement of facts, solicits copies
of all publications relating to fruit and fruit-
growing, in all the States, Territories and Pro-
vinces in North America.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION— POMOLOGICAL
SECTION.

FROM REPORT OF BURNET LAVDRETH, BUREAU OF
AGRICULTURE.

The display of fruit commenced upon the 16th
of May and continued without intermission un-
til the close of the Exhibition. Among the first
displays were one hundred varieties of apples
exhibited by the Commissioners from Australia;
fifty varieties exhibited by the Michigan State
Centennial Board ; tropical fruits in large va-
riety from Bermuda and Jamaica, and vegetables
also from Bermuda and of home growth. Dur-
ing the heat of the Summer, the display was
small, but in August it rapidly increased, and
by September 1st had reached proportions so
large as to demand more room than was afforded
by the tables in nave and transept in Agricul-
tural Hall. The Pomological Hall was then oc-
cupied, and for six weeks consecutively. During

the week commencing September 11th the Na-
tional Pomological Society held is annual ses-
sion in Philadelphia, and witnessed a display of
fruits never before approached in quality, va-
riety and quantity. The various Pomological
and Horticultural Societies in the United States
and Canada vied with each other on this occa-
sion in the excellence of their displays, which
in the aggregate required 12,500 dishes in their
presentation.

The first of the following tables gives the
sources of supply during the week commencing
September 10th, and the second the result of the
entire season's exhibitions:

Connecticut

Delaware

District Columbia

Illinois

Kansas

Minnesota

Massachusetts. . . .

Maine

Nebraska

New York

N(w Jersey

North Carolina.. .

Nova Scotia

Ontario

Oregon

Ohio

Pennsylvania ....

Wisconsin

Michigan

Iowa

California

Miscellaneous. . . .

SO

m

_ o

4,.-.

«

m

0>

3.Q

5.S

> K

•- y.

33

s

'u

£W

£S

>

p

o

1— t

1

1

903

393

1

S

8

1

66

66

1

1

1

1

315

200

1

195

121

16

1

824

821

1

133

133

1

1

499

227

10

1135

1,116

9

72

56

1

100

58

1

247

247

13S

1449

408

1

135

117

1

1

1,008

258

20

927

539

1

1

480

381

1

1,000

320

1

1,600

342

1

1

200

40

11
213

14

1,000
12,357

215

6,16*7

a
«

S
'3

—

3,520
24

407

6

1,475

964
3,847

645
3,744
7,481

377

993
1,988
8,831

971
5,168
7,653
2,055
7,000
4,900
1.400
7,000

70,429

FRUITS SHOWN DURING THE EXHIBITION.

Apples

Crabs

Pears

Grapes

Plums

Peaches

Nuts

Melons

Tropical fruits.

Potatoes

Veg»tabl«s

m

A

u

m

^o

o

o

fc

fc

875

40,000

24

1,440

457

11,425

157

3,040

98

1,960

14

96

25

210

5

20

20

200

610

1,500

200

1,500

2,4(5

61,391

5 Q,

280,000

8,000

79,975

12,160

13,720

951

1,680

50

1.000

9.150

8,000

The Pomological Judges examined patiently
and critically over 2000 distinct dishes of fruits.
No reference is made in the above tables to the
fruits shown in State Buildings.

[It is but justice to Mr. Landreth to say that,
while he had one of the most difficult of all
bureaus to manage, he alone of all the superin-
tendents of departments, gave his services to
the Commission entirely gratuitously; and yet
no department was more efficiently served. — Ed.
G. M.J

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

JUNE, 1877.

Number 222.

<2Jv?

LOWER ItARDEN AND If LEASURE GROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Since our first volume, wherein we described
how to prune evergreens, it has become a sort
of mania, and, where the principles are not well
understood, we notice the tree is frequently
spoiled. It should be remembered lhat when
the sides of an evergreen is pruned to make it
bushy, the leading shoot has to be shortened at
the same time. Shorten this leader to within a
foot of where the shoot pushes, which you would
adopt as the new leader — this will serve as a
stake to tie the new leader to, which should be
drawn as closely to this " stake," at its junction
with it as possible, so as to leave as little of a
" link " in the main trunk as we can ; next year
this " stake " can be cut out altogether. It is
always of more benefit to the compact beauty of
an evergreen to cut out the leader, than to
shorten in the side shoots ; and in many cases,
it is all that is required by the new art. No
trees, evergreens especially, should have grass
permitted to grow around the roots for a year or
so after planting. Grass absorbs moisture, and
the tree will probably want all about it for itself.
When well established the luxuriant growth
shades the ground, and grass cannot grow then
very strong, and does little injury.

Evergreen hedges will require attention as
they grow. Where the height desired has been
attained, the top and strong growth should be cut
back while they are still watery. The side shoots
need not be touched till past midsummer. All
wise people now employ the conical shape for

hedges. In cutting back the top growth at this
season, the conical form can still be preserved.

The care of the lawn is always a leading ob-
ject in a well-kept American garden. Mowing
machines are often set too low. It is an injury
to cut grass too close. Better cut often and leave
the grass on the plants near half an inch high.

Next to the lawn, the walks are the most
striking feature of a well-kept garden. Weeds
should be taken in time, and the labor of keep-
ing them down will be very slight. The edges
or "verges " should be trimmed at every mowing
of the grass-bordering; for which purpose a
common sheep-shears, or grass-edging shears,
made specially for the purpose and sold at most
horticultural stores, should be kept on hand.
Washing by heavy rains should be guarded
against; or when so injured, speedily repaired.

After the walks and lawns, the flower-beds
should be a constant source of attention. If the
plants appear to suffer by drouth, there is no
better remedy than to place a fork around the
plant and loosen up the soil deeply, without dis-
turbing the plant more than can be avoided.
After being thus loosened, it will not dry out
near as much as before. Above all, keep the
surface continually broken by hoeing and raking
fine. Nothing is so sure a preventive of soil
drying as a loose, porous texture.

Another plan with trailing plants, such as ver-
benas and those usually employed in masses, is
to peg them over the surface as fast as they
grow. They thus shade the soil, and so far check
evaporation. The best pegs for this purpose

162

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[Jujie,

are made of any straight twigs about a quarter
of an inch or less in diameter, and split in two,
lengthwise. These will not break when bent in
the middle, as unsplit pieces will. There is a
little art required even in splitting these twigs
properly, so as to get them of equal thickness
throughout. The edge of the knife should be
watched, and when either half is splitting thin-
ner than the other half, the back of the blade
must be pressed against the thin section, which
will cause the grain of the wood to run in again
toward the pith. And so on, as the splitting
progresses, the alternate action of the back and
edge of the blade will keep the slit straight
through the middle at the pith.

Herbaceous plants, now so popular, should
not be allowed to seed, unless some be desired
for propagation. In that case leave enough for
your wants. It does not hurt some kinds, but
many are much weakened, and die in the Win-
ter, especially some Pentstemons. Cut to the
ground as soon as the flowers fade. This is true
of other plants not herbaceous. The best rose-
growers cut off the blossoms as they fade.

Spring planted trees often show signs of suffer-
ing as the season rolls on. A little pruning is
often the best remedy. If that is not a full suc-
cess, hammer the soil about the roots so as to
pulverize, and press firm, and if this does not do,
give one good thorough watering. Watering
newly planted trees requires much judgment.
There is always danger in it. The roots, already
weak, are liable to rot. If a tree is not growing,
that is in growth, water is of little use to it.

C03I31UNICA TIONS.

OLD THINGS BECOME NEW— MAGNOLIAS.

BY F. R. ELLIOTT.

I have just received the April number of the
leading monthly horticultural magazine of the
the United States, if not of the world, but like
all of past time, now and then an old thing be-
comes new. To-day I read communications
from several parties touching the Magnolia
acuminata, as a valuable stock on which to en-
graft or bud other varieties. I make no claim
to knowledge, but thirty years since I propagated
Magnolia glauca, tripetala, macrophylla, con-
spicua, Soulangea and purpurea by both budding
and grafting on acuminata seedlings that I had |

grown from seed. At that time there were many
varieties of to-day unknown. The cordata, glauca
longifolia, Thompsoniana and acuminata varie-
gata were unknown. I do not count the " tripe-
tala" as a hardy root stock on which to work. It
is a variety that does well, say in the climate of
Philadelphia, but rarely at the north, or above
42° of latitude.

It rejoices me to note that Prof. Jared Potter
Kirtland is credited as connected with this sub-
ject; a man who has grown trees from the
coming of seeds to a perfection of bloom une-
qualled ; and in cherries stands the head light, both
in this country and abroad, as having produced
varieties that here stand first; and Thos. Rivers,
well known as a fruit man of England, says
there is no equal to " Kirtland's " Early Prolific.
Prof. Kirtland has grown many Magnolias from
seed, and experimented in the art of budding
and grafting one upon another. The comments,
by Maxwell, when he tells of a tree of glauca in
Kirtland's grounds, twenty-one feet high, propa-
gated from a seedling of glauca imbedded in the
acuminata stock, are true and reliable.

Josiah Hoopes, whose word is generally relia-
ble, says, on p. 100 of the April Monthly, that
" the glauca is difficult to work." Has he ever
tried side grafting? Magnolia glauca longifolia
is just as easily put upon acuminata as any
other variety, and to me is one of the most
beautiful in form of growth and foliage.

Not that you do not all know just how to en-
graft one Magnolia upon another, let me ask
you to try side grafting, making your cutting or
graft two weeks before inserting, thus giving
the stock a full circulation of sap; set the graft
upon stock or limb that can be easily bent over,
just as soon as you note the graft to receive from
its association vitality ; then bend the branch or
stem backwards until the graft is fully united,
when it should be cut away.

VERBENAS AND ROSES IN IOWA.

BY MRS. S. E. N., CORNING, IOWA.

" The Verbena" number of the Monthly must
have been welcomed by those who are troubled
with the inst, but in southwestern Iowa our
trouble is of a different nature. The Verbe as
commence blooming early, and are the finest I
ever saw while they do bloom, or until about the
middle of July, when they grow so very luxu-
riantly and take root at every joint; indeed,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

163

they cling so close to the ground that the leaves
appear almost as though they were glued down.
After July they scarcely bloom at all. One year
I tried keeping them raised up a little from the
ground ; they bloomed no better. The next
year the bed was prepared a foot in depth,
with half sand, with no better result ; and last
year we tied them all up to sticks as they grew ;
they did only a very little better. But this is an
unsatisfactory way, as they grow so very
rapidly. Can you give any light on the subject?
But if our Verbenas annoy us. our Roses are
charming. I never saw anything to compare
with them in the Eastern States. The foliage is
remarkably fine ; there are no ugly slugs or
worms, and to those of us who for many years
have fought these pests in the East, the Roses
here are specially enjoyable.

CALIFORNIA PLANTS EAST.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

Your correspondent, Mr. Josiah Hoopes, in
the April number, in speaking of a California
plant, says : " Like almost every Californhn tree
or shrub that I have tested, positively refuses to
live here for any length of time. It literally
burns up beneath our hot suns." No wonder
this proves 10 be the case, for they are generally
treated as differently from what they grow in
their native haunts, as it is possible to treat
them.

As a general rule, there are a few plants set
out, either free from all surrounding vegetation
or in tue shade of trees ; this is wrong, entirely
wrong. In California everything grows in vast
tracts or masses ; in these masses the plants are all
of similar growth, size and height; here and there
a tab pine or oak may tower above them, but
never shades them much ; the result of this mass-
ing is that the roots and lower branches are al-
ways protected from the fierce rays of our broil-
ing hot suns, than which Eastern suns can be no
hotter, and from the cold blasts of Winter, while
the leaves, the flowers and upper parts receive the
full benefit of the sui's heat and light. This is
the way all our plants grow, and excite the won-
der of the world.

Treat them in California as in the East, and
they die as surely. Take our Manzanita, which
is one of our hardiest plants, cut all the sur-
rounding shrubs from around it, and leave it
alone, as a specimen plant, as planted in the

East, and though the roots have not been dis-
turbed, it will in the first season begin to wither,
and in two years die entirely. Again, trim
away all the surrounding shrubs from a plant
growing under a tree wThere it is shaded, it will
become a prey to insects, and be covered with
fungus, as in the East.

These are both true cases, and I have noticed
it time and again. I have never seen a healthy
specimen of any of our plants where it stands
alone, with two exceptions; they are the oak and
pine, both of which do best as single specimens.

Californian plants receive no water from May
to October, everything being dry and hard as ro ^k,
while from October to May the ground is as full
of water as a sponge just out of a dish of water.
This fact of their being so dry over Summer, lets
the wood get solid (in nearly all our shrubs and
plants, except annuals, the wood is very solid
and hard) ; whereas, if they had been watered,
the wood would have been more or less spongy
and wet, and liable to effects of frost. Treat all
plants nearly like they grow, and you will have
success. In case you have not enough to plant a
large clump, plant among s:milar growing shrubs
or plants, but never under trees.

THE WEIGELAS.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

These lovely natives of China, now classed as
Dierv'lla, are the most charming of modern
shrubs. It is only about thirty years since Mr.
Fortune brought them, in joyous company with
the Forsythias, to gladden us " outside barbar-
ians." They have since, principally, I suppose,
through crosses of the rosea and amabilis, bred
a wonderful family, of varied growths, and tints
of leaf and bloom. Yet one rarely sees any but
the old Rosea outside the grounds of the rich,
the nursery, or the public park. This comes a
good deal from their tame and stingy treatment
in our catalogues, and dearth of effort in our sales-
men. The growing taste of our people for flow-
ers, above all, for rich, blooming, hardy shrubs,
is as fat a placer as rose culture for somebody to
strike into. A little more of just and generous
rhetoric would hasten every flower lover in the
land to invite their smile. They are almost all
so hardy, all so quickly root from slips and cut-
tings, and have such rich variety of flower and
leaf tint, and of style, that the routine, which in-
vites and posts tiny rootings of the rose to our

164

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

doorsteps, would soon people every tasteful
homestead with these tasteful Weigelas.

Their need of some brighter tinted word-paint-
ing takes form, when a leading catalogue sets
down the Weigela nana variegata, the dwarf
striped Weigela, curtly as "a variety with varie-
gated leaves and pink flowers," and the larger old
variegated with still tamer and more stingy note.
These tintless words but faintly present the maid-
enly grace and purity which robe this Weigela
nana at the season of its bloom. Then its leaf-
lets daintily changed in white and bronze aid
green, from out whose bosom lift gently blushing
florets of an airy, evanescent pink, gives it sem-
blance to such a divinely chaste bouquet as might
have fallen from out the garden of the sky. On
leaf, in gentle tint of green, and in its dainty,
rosy bloom, it rivals those limpid, lingering lines
that faintly tinge the far off floating clouds of
morn or eve. It is cruel to slight such a plant
with word-tinting, either terse or tame.

Again, the Weigela Desboisi, one of our fore-
most catalogues merely notes, as a "deep rose
colored variety." Another of high standing
only tells us of its " immense numbers of very
dark rose colored flowers." Such dim portraiture
brings out but faint likeness of one of the most
brilliant of flowering things. In lavish, lasting,
radiant bloom, it rivals every hardy shrub.
Deep reddish, rosy bells robe its whole spray and
load it into graceful droop. It is a glory in the
noontide radiance. In the rich hues of parting
day, it seems ablaze with absorbed brilliancy.

For many years a plant posted well to the front
°f my grounds, has won more lingering gaze and
question from flower lovers than any other
bloom. And in those grounds there stands
pretty much every hardy blossoming thing. Yet
this Weigela Desboisi carries off the palm. It
counts as warm admirers not only those who
cherish a few choice plants, but those whose
conservatories store the wealth of the floral
world. Such eager look and quest following
this lovely variety, more than hints that a
brighter word-pencilling of the plant might
have made many purchasers of those who thus
admiringly inquire its name and nature.

I shall note only one other of the slighted and
rare visitors of this tribe— the Weigela versicolor.
I find no description of this plant anywhere,
nor its name in any but the Flushing catalogues.
Doubtless, our leading nurserymen know it well,
but that they give no more note or place to a
plant so wonderfully endowed, " passeth all un-

derstanding." This Latin name, " Weigela ver-
sicolor," bespeaks almost to the eye of any, as
in translation, a plant " of changeful hue."

A cluster of its flowers is of itself a bouquet of
divers tinted blossoms. A branch glories in
blooms of every varying shade, from white to
deep red, and crimson darkening to maroon. Till
the flower drops, its tint is ever changing ; a
white to-day, to-morrow shows a pink, or salmon.
A flower blooming out a pink, day by day, deep-
ens into dark crimson. Thus, onward through
an endless maze and interchange of color, cov-
ering pretty much the whole spectrum. A plant
so robed in a coat " of many colors," wearing
flowers of such changeful hue, surely deserves
wide and special note, as one of the wonders of
vegetation.

The aptness of the Weigela to take up on its
seedlings a new and better style of growth and
bloom, promises most happy results from judi-
cious crosses, that varieties of such rich tints on
leaf and flower, so diverse therein, and in their
style of growth, have descended from parents
without such traits, marks a wonderful floral
evolution. It is only rivalled by that tireless
flow of rich and lovely blooms, which owe their
parentage to only a few species of the Gladioli.
The Weigelas have already shown floral possi-
bilities, promising a rich future. Some bloom
but once, some twice, some thrice, and some,
like varieties of the rose, are hardly ever without
a show of blossoms. A plant, holding on its
roll such wide-apart colors as the deep, dark
crimson of the floribunda, the white of the
alba, the clear, full belled pink of the amabilis,
the change from white to many shades of pink
as the isoline, and with a quiver full of assorted
tints, like the versicolor, added to the clear yel-
low of the old Diervilla, betokens the likely ad-
vent of still more notable excellence, to come
out of judicious crosses.

I look upon these commingled hues of bloom,
before long to glow in endless interchange of
complexion, from the big, bell-shaped flowers of
their descendants. Fiery scarlet throats sweep-
ing into golden rims ; borders of maroon looking
down into throats of yellow and crimson chenay ;
then, as to the promise of their foliage out of the
nana and others of such divers tinted leaves,
shall come zonales and all the ceaseless round
of variety which skilful florists learn so surely to
evolve. I look to see this journal yet record
double flowered Weigelas of every shade and
commixture of colors; to send out cromoliths of

18770

AND HORTICULTURIST.

165

new Weigelas, zonaled and chenayed on big leaves
through every shade of green and bronze, of
white or golden tinge. Why not? If not in our
time, still it is coming soon. That taste for flow-
ers, that .thirst, so readily supplied but never
quenched, by the facilities of the mail ; that joy
in floral home adornment and the gardenesque,
so indexed by our rich and well thumbed cata-
logues, by paths richly stored with floral wealth
— a joy becoming every day so spoken in a
thousand ways, over the advent of new blooms
and plants of mark — tells me that sure welcome
will beget the coveted advance.

One thing let every lover of the Weigela note.
The bloom of this plant is so profuse, that it
thirsts when in flower for abundant water. Not
only the richness, but the lasting of its bloom,
is wonderfully aided by a perfect deluge. Not a
pail or two dashed around, but if possible, where
you cannot call on the public water, a barrel full
on end, slowly yielding its supply, and again and
again renewed, will well repay all your trouble.
Around that Desboisi, when in bloom, I soak the
ground wide out from the spread of its limbs.
This is partly the cause of its lasting and brilli-
ant show. Most flowers love abundant moisture,
but the Weigela is a perfect glutton in drink.

AMPELOPSIS VEITCHII.

BY. J. M.

It is only a few days ago that a friend said to
me, that he did not think this Ampelopsis was
hardy, as his plants appeared to have been
injured by the Winter. I have found it to
be perfectly hardy. I have one planted in the
worst possible place for a tender vine — the
Southern side of my house. It has been out
two Winters now. Examining it to-day, I find
it uninjured by the late severe Winter, and it is
pushing from the extreme end of its branches;
and this, too, although the sun has been shining
on it every clear day during the Winter. This
seems to prove its hardiness. I am glad this is
so, for it is certainly one of the best vines we
have. It clings to the wall so closely and so
tenaciously that the fiercest winds do not dis-
lodge it, nor can it be pulled down without
breaking it.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Evergreens at St. Louis. — The various kinds
of arborvittes had much of their foliage injured

by the severity of the last Winter. Retinospora
obtusa and pisifera stood remarkably well.

Lilium catesb^i. — This pretty little Southern
lily, Messrs. Krelage say, does not endure out-
door culture in Holland, but is a choice bit for
greenhouse culture. This hint may serve North-
ern gardeners who have mostly failed with it in
the open air.

German Asters. — Queen Margarets, the French
and Germans call them, still undergo improve-
ments. One of the latest is a race which, under
each flower, has the leaves arranged as if they
were the edgings to a bouquet. The whole plant
in blossom looks like an artificially arranged bou-
quet of asters, with the green leaves arranged
through the head. They are called "Bouquet
Asters."

Abies Engelmanni. — We have recently exam-
ined growing plants of Abies Menziesii, from
Colorado, and plants from seed from the Pacific
coast, and there seems to be a difference. We
have also compared a plant of Abies Engelmanni
from a graft cut and worked on the Norway
Spruce, with the " Rocky Mountain Abies Men-
ziesii " of our gardens, and see no difference,
though the one is a small plant and the other
large, and that may be something to be con-
sidered. The Abies Engelmanni we thought
we saw in Boston has been pronounced " to be
Colorado Menziesii " by Dr. C. C. Parry, we un-
derstand— and no one should know better than the
one who first discovered the Engelmann Spruce
— but from the facts we have given, we fear there
must be a mistake somewhere. We will not
say there is, but as there is already so much con-
fusion in coniferous nomenclature, we may at
least invite a " suspension of opinion " for a
little while yet.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Lilium Humboldtii. — This beautiful Califor-
nian Lily has already produced numerous varie-
ties in the hands of the Dutch culturists. Messrs.
Krelage already announce seven named and dis-
tinct varieties.

Leucophyta Brownii. — A New Silver Bedding
Plant. — Mr. W. C. Barry gives the following to the
American Agriculturist : —

" Ribbon gardening and carpet bedding have

166

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

of late become so popular, that the advent of a
new plant specially adapted to these purposes,
will no doubt be hailed with delight. But
whether, strictly speaking, this may be called a
new plant, is a question I wish some other than
myself would decide. It certainly is but little
known in this country, and has as yet found its
way into only one or two florists' catalogues. It
would be a satisfaction to learn its history, and
the writer, as well as others no doubt, would ap-
preciate any information which can be given
about it. A year ago, we received a plant from
a friend, who could do no more than give the
name and recommend it. It is of neat, compact
habit, grows about 12 inches high, and has wiry
stems and foliage of a whitish or grayish color.
It will bear clipping or trimming to any extent,
and when used for edgings of beds, produces a
fine effect. Being a slow grower, large plants
should be secured for bedding out. There is only
one thing which may prevent its becoming very
popular, and that is, the liking which birds have
for its foliage for nest-making. At least such
was our experience last Summer, when we
had a number of fine plants destroyed, and
their loss could be accounted for only in this
way. I trust we may hear and learn more
about this Leucophyta. — W. C. B., Mount Hope
Nurseries "

Nuttallia cerasiformis — It is provoking that
we in the East cannot grow well our Californian
plants. Perhaps, as Mr. Drew says, we must
study their special requirements, and then we
may. Every now and then we note that the
rarer ones are blooming in England. The follow-
ing from the Gardener's Chronicle is about one of
them : —

" Several Spring flowering shrubs are coming
into beauty at Kew. Nuttallia cerasiformis is
one worth individual mention. It is of small
size, and bears on erect branches a multitude of
depressed racemes of white flowers in company
with young leaves of the freshest green. It is a
native of California, and though introduced long
ago, does not seem common. A. nice specimen
may be seen near (he Fern-house; and another
near the Temperate-house. The fine example
of Prunus divaricata near the new range is now
in its finest condition."

Golden-leaved Poplak. — Of this already
noticed in the Gardener's Monthly, the Gardener's
Magazine says:— The Golden Poplar {Populus

canadensis aurea van Geerti) has fully borne out
the description given of it by Mr. C. van Geert,
of Antwerp, who introduced it to commerce in
the early part of last year. Messrs. C. Lee & Son,
state that in their nurseries the rich golden col-
oring of its ample leafage was retained much
better during the tropical heat of last Summer
than the color of the foliage of the Golden Oak
and Golden Catalpa. This poplar is of large and
rapid growth, and is of much value for producing
distinct effects in park and woodland scenery.
As a general rule golden-leaved varieties do well
in our climate — silver do not.

A New Double White Violet. — This cornea
from Ghent, and is appearing in English adver-
tisements. If you order it, you must ask for
Viola odorata alba fragrantissima plena, says the
Gardener's Chronicle.

Styrax Japoxica. — A new hardy shrub from
Japan, the flowers of which when the plant is in
full bloom resemble a shower of falling snow
flakes — a valuable acquisition for cemetery pur-
poses.— P. Henderson.

Browallia Roezli. — The Browallias are now
among tne best plants we have for bedding pur-
poses, giving, as they do, a constant succession of
bloom throughout the Summer ; and this new
variety will no doubt prove a great acquisition,
as the same range of color, blue or pure white,
is here to be found as in the old sorts, while the
flowers are nearly double the size of any of the
other varieties. It makes a compact plant of
about 18 inches in height. — B. K. Bliss.

New Japanese Hollyhock. — Entirely distinct,
which was offered last year for the first time we
believe. It differs from the ordinary Holyhock
in its pyramidal form and dwarf growth, growing
only about two feet in height. The flowers are
semi-double, of a bright scarlet crimson ; bloom*
during the Summer months. — P. Henderson.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Sternbkrgia lutea. — A correspondent from
Virginia tell us that this pretty Autumn flower-
ing bulb is hardy there. How is it in more
northern parts?

Treatment of Hardy Azaleas. — B. F. L.,
Cincinnati, 0., inquires "whether the hardy
Azalea requires the same care to guard agairut

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

167

lime in the soil that the Rhododendron does ? "
We cannot say from personal experience, but
from analogy we should say yes. They require
very much the same treatment in. every respect
that the Rhododendron does, except that we may
plant them in places more exposed to wind than
we do Rhododendrons — they are a little " hard-
ier"— the word meaning that they will stand a
little more rough usage.

Planting Lilies. — B. F. L., Cincinnati, 0.,
says : — " I planted several species of Lilies last
Spring, but they have not done as well as I
wished. Our soil is limestone, would that effect
them?" [We do not know that Lilies object to
limestone, though they are not often found wild
in limestone districts. They love rich sand, or
as one might say alluvial soil. Your trouble is
probably from Spring planting. Lilies should
be always set out in Fall. — Ed. G. M.]

REEN fMOUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

There is not much to be done in the green-
house, most plants having been set out under
the shade of trees or arbors last month. Our
Summers are too hot to make greenhouses at
that season enjoyable, but there are generally
some plants under cover that it is not practica-
ble or desirable to put into the open air. The
red spider and other insects are apt to be very
troublesome, and it is best to keep sulphur on
plates set around.

Many plants get too large for small houses,
and it is well to keep young ones propagated and
coming on. But often the old plant is best cut
down and made new. This is particularly the

case with the Geranium, or, as we used to say in
old times, the Cape Pelargonium. These sho\ild
be cut back to a few inches of the main stem.
Then leave the plants to grow a little. After
the buds have started into growth a little, shake

out the plant and reduce the roots somewhat
and start again in a smaller pot. The annexed
cut illustrates what we mean

Oranges, Oleanders, and other large plants in
pots or tubs, that are now commencing to grow,
should be shifted into larger or fresh soil if they
require it. This is generally known by the
growth being weak, and the leaves small. Some-
times the plants are sickly through the soil
having become sour, and the roots, in that case,
are rotten. This is usually known by the leaves
of the plant being yellow, and of a very sickly
appearance. The best way is to take out and
wash the roots, just before or as growth is com-
mencing, and repot anew in fresh soil, employing
the smallest pot or tub that the roots can be
well got into. Cuttings of Geraniums or similar
plants, required for flowering in houses next
Winter, should be put in at this season. Ca-
mellias and Azaleas, and other things that it is
desirable to inarch, may be operated on as soon
as the wood is firm enough; that is, as soon as
it has progressed from the watery to the woody
state.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

NOTES ON THE ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE
AND DOUBLE PRIMULAS.

BY HENRY C0RBETT, COLLEGE HILL, OHIO.

A. Farleyense I think the most magnificent
Fern in cultivation. It was introduced into
England from Barbadoes in 1865.

168

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

Too much praise cannot be given to it; and a
few words on its cultivation may be of interest
to your readers.

At the Cincinnati Exposition in 1875, a plant
was exhibited some three feet in diameter. This
plant, some fifteen months previous, was grow-
ing in a two and a half inch pot. This will
show how quickly fine specimens can be grown,
under proper treatment. This Fern, unlike
most others, makes a rapid growth through the
Winter. A temperature of 60° must be kept up,
and the plants not allowed to become dry at the
roots or syringed overhead. It requires a com-
post consisting of turfy loam and fibry peat,
broken up roughly, with a little sand and broken
charcoal. It is essential that good drainage be
secured, filling the pots about one-third of their
depth with crocks, with a layer of rough peat
over them. Keep a liberal supply of tepid water
at the roots. Shade is necessary, and a moist
atmosphere.

The double white Primula at this season of
the year needs special attention. Where propa-
gation is desired, the general plan is to root and
divide them in September, but plants so propa-
gated are too small to produce many flowers the
coming Winter, so I will give my plan of rooting
them in early Spring:

In February the bare stems of the plants are
carefully cleaned, the stem of all side shoots cut
half way through, down as near the soil as pos-
sible, a layer of moss placed around the edge of
the pots and the centre filled in with sifted leaf
soil and sand, so as to cover the bare stems.
Young roots are soon produced, and by March
16th all the side shoots will be well rooted and
ready for dividing. Through the Summer the
plants are grown in frames facing the north and
placed on ashes, as a security against worms.
The plants are potted* in sifted soil, composed
of friable loam and leaf mould in equal pro-
portions, with a liberal allowance of sand. A
porous soil is of the utmost importance, the
delicate, silky roots being unable to penetrate
a clammy compound, let its richness be ever so
inviting.

HOT WATER ON INSECTS.

BY X.

It may, perhaps, be of some value to say to
your readers, that for a number of years I have
been in the habit of trying various means to kill

insects that I collect for cahinet specimens, and
that the best remedy I have yet tried is hot water,
or even heated air.

Having the .insects confined in a stout glass
collecting bottle, I gradually immerse this in
hot water, or stand it in the oven of a hot stove
on a brick, and I find that life is destroyed
quicker and more effectually in this manner
than by any other means I have yet employed.
True, strychnia or prussic acid might be more
sudden in its effects, but these things are too
dangerous to handle for common or frequent
usage. The water need not even be hot enough
to scald; and doubtless there are many plants,
shrubs, trees and vines, hardy enough to bear
water hot enough to kill insects, without being
in anywise injured by it themselves.

THE NEW SO-CALLED HYBRID TEA ROSE,
"BEAUTY OF GLAZENWOOD."

BY G. G.

Who would have suspected that the above
great novelty in the Rose line, which has been
advertised in English catalogues and horticul-
tural publications in such glowing terms, would
turn out now to be nothing less than our old
acquaintance, "Fortune's double yellow," but so,
I see, have the Judges of the Royal Horticul-
tural Society in London just decided. Indeed,
it has been somewhat foreshadowed; Eugene
Verdier in his last Fall Trade Circular of new
Roses, expresses his opinion, already, that it was
a deception. Having grown the Fortune's dou-
ble yellow Rose now for about eighteen years, I
append below a description for the benefit of
your readers, who are unacquainted with it.

Introduced by Robert Fortune from China
twenty or more years ago, it attracted at first
considerable attention by its rich yellow color,
tinged with carmine (but not striped scarlet).
Flowers large, semi-double, of strong climbing
proclivities, but only an annual bloomer, and
not very hardy in the Middle or Northern States.
It is now but rarely demanded.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Clematis calycina. — One of the most ex-
quisite plants for wreaths or for adorning dresses
is, undoubtedly, Clematis calycina. Its tufts of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

169

bronzy, deeply divided leaves, from the centre
of which hangs the whitish bell-like flowers,
render it one of the most elegant plants we
know of. It is not often that we see it "in full
bloom," but this Winter with us it has been ex-
ceptionally full of bloom. Talking of wreaths
reminds us of the grotesque abominations which
one sees now and then on the heads of ladies or
in the shop-windows of fashionable milliners
and artificial flower-makers. In a window of
one of the most celebrated of these establish-
ments at the West-end we lately saw wreaths of
Daffodils and of Polyanthus Narcissus, not mixed
in with, but bearing pinnate leaves like those of
Mahonia. After this we were not surprised to
see large yellow Calceolarias treated as climbing
plants; while Hops of bright gamboge and of
clear magenta, excited no particular astonish-
ment. In these days, when knowledge and
taste are supposed to be so much more widely
diffused than heretofore, it seems a pity that
artificial florists either do not copy Nature more
accurately, or ceasing to copy servilely, profit by
her teachings, and adapt in a suitable and be-
coming manner the means to the end required.
Pure conventionalism is far better than hideous
or grotesque caricatures. — Gar. Chron.

Improving old Favorites. — In the anxiety
to get new flowers, some florists do not forget
the improvement of old ones. Mr. Cannell, of
London, has taken the old French Marigold,
Sweet William and the Polyanthus, and has
made real beauties out of very common things.

Roof Gardens. — We have a pleasant recol-
lection of roof gardens in Louisville of some
years standing, and have often wondered why
there was not more effort by city people in that
direction. They are not only a source of pleas-
ure, but would be a source of health.

Dr. Richardson in a health lecture in London

last Summer puts this last point strongly. He

says: At the top of the house I would have, on

a firm, almost level asphalted roof, a brick and

glass-covered garden, equal in extent to the area

of the house. Into this the stair-shaft would

finally enter, and any emanations from the

lower part of the house would be eaten up

wholesomely by the living vegetation. Heated

readily from the kitchen, which should be on

the third floor, this garden might have at all

times a Summer temperature, in which children

could engage in luxurious and healthful play;

ladies would find occupation in it, in the culti-

vation of flowers and evergreens, and in it the
sterner sex might spend those hours which are
now found so unspeakably dull, owing to the
monotony of one or two rooms. In this garden,
with the pleasant, the natural, and the beautiful,
health would be trained, and happiness, her de-
pendent sister, nourished.

NEW OB BABE PLANTS.

Cuphea Rillfieldiana. — This resembles in
general style and habit of growth C. platycen-
tra, with small bright glossy green leaves, and
a profusion of trumpet-shaped flowers an inch
in length, the upper half of the tube of which
is bright crimson, the under half white, and the
end violet purple. This is one of the best
pot plants for house culture, being almost
always in bloom, and very bright and attractive,
but the peculiar markings of the flower in this
variety attract special attention. — Henderson.

Lygodium scandens.— Japanese ClimbingFern.
A Climbing Fern from the East Indies. A most
graceful plant, growing from one to fifty feet, as
desired. Quite as' easy of culture as the Smilax,
and will no doubt be used as extensively for
similar uses in decorating; although climbing,
when supported by strings or wires, it can be
used, with equal advantage, as a drooping plant,
for baskets or vases; as a house plant for parlor
culture nothing is more easy. — Henderson.

Sarracenia Mooreana.— A hybrid plant of
no ordinary interest, and exhibited for the first
time at the International Exhibition held at
Florence in May, 1874, by Dr. Moore, the Direc-
tor of the Botanic Garden at Glasnevin, by whom
it was raised.

In a paper read before the Congress held
during the Exhibition, Dr. Moore thus referred
to this hybrid : " It is supposed to be the first hy-
brid Sarracenia which has ever yet flowered. It
is the offspring of S. flava fertilized with pollen
of S. Drummondi. The plant is as nearly inter-
mediate with these two noble species of this
curious genus as it well can be; and no hybrid
which has hitherto come under my notice proves
more decidedly the marked influence of the
pollen of one plant applied to the stigma of
another than this does. It makes its winter
growth of pitchers similarly as S. Drummondi,

no

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

and they are nearly as well marked with purple
and white colors, but they decay much sooner
in Spring, and in this way they resemble those
of the female parent, S. flava." — Veitch.

A Purple-leaved Ivy.— During the last few
years I have been cultivating and increasing a
beautiful purple-leaved Ivy, which I discovered
a few years ago, and which is considered by those
who have seen it, to be the best of all the Ivies.
Imagine a wall all through the dreary Winter
covered with large leathery leaves of a deep
bronze or dark purple color, and you will be
able to form some idea of the appearance of
this Ivy. I should be pleased to show it to any
one who may feel interested in such matters ;
all I wish is that the plant was somewhere where
it would be more appreciated, for it is growing
on an old brick wall ill adapted for showing off
its rich color to advantage; but if grown on a
light stone terrace wall or a similar position, or
in light-colored vases, or even as an edging
near white or light gravel, it would form one of
the most attractive creepers known. —T. Williams,
Ormskirk, in Garden.

Scented Geranium, "Mrs. Taylor."— Scarlet
flowered Rose. A distinct variety of the scented
Geranium, with a strong rose fragrance, and
large, deep scarlet flowers of the Hybrid Perpet-
ual class. Combining, as it does, free flowering
qualities with fragrant foliage, it is very useful
for Summer cut flowers, and as a pot plant for
Winter cannot be surpassed.— Henderson.

Antigonon leptopus.— A beautiful plant, of
climbing habit, with numerous racemes of rose-
colored flowers, showing a still richer tint in the
centre. The profusion of its bloom is such as
to give the resemblance of Roses at a distance ;
hence one of the Mexican name is "Rosa de
Montana," or Mountain Rose. Described by its
discoverer as the most beautiful climber he had
ever beheld. — John Saul.

Tabernamontana Camassa — Growers of flow-
ers for market should cultivate a house of this
plant alone. A very desirable and newly intro-
duced evergreen stove shrub of a neat compact
dwarf habit, with medium small glossy bright
green laurel-like leaves, and terminal axillary
cymose racemes of double white flowers of Gar-
denia-like outline and fragrance which are pro-
duced on the point of every shoot. From
Gardenia it differs in its easier growth, and in
requiring a much less stimulating atmosphere

to produce its bloom ; the usual temperature of
a hot-house with less humidity, will produce
blooms more freely and longer in succession.
The petals of the flowers are lighter and more
elegantly arranged than the Gardenia, and not
quite so large; small plants in 60 pots will pro-
duce flowers freely. — John Said.

SCB APS AND QUERIES.

Culture of the Calla Lily. — Miss H. R. B.
(somewhere in Penna., but post-mark indistinct),
asks whether the suckers or side plants on a
Calla will injure the main plant, if plenty of pot
room be allowed? It is best not to allow too
many to grow. Sometimes this plant shows a
disposition to throw up a great number of little
sprouts. These are best taken off, leaving from
four to six strong ones, according to the size of
the pot; six would be enough for an eight-inch
pot.

Job's Tears. — Miss B. writes: "I once had
a very pretty little grass called "Job's Tears,"
but lost it, and have been anxious to get it again
as it grew very well in my garden. But I can-
not find it under this name in any garden book

I have. Can you recognize it by the enclosed
sketch and give me its proper name?" [This is
the Coix lachryma. It is often in catalogues
under the name of Job's Tears. The seeds have
an ovoid, long drawn out, tear-like form. It is
hardly a "little " grass, however. It generally
grows about two feet high, and is rather coarse
in expression. — Ed. G. M.]

Heating Greenhouses by a Coal Stove. — We
have an excellent paper by G. A. H., on hand on
this very interesting topic, which will appear

shortly.

1877. J

AND HOB TIG UL TUHIS T.

171

Flowering of Ficus elastica. — A correspon-
dent writes that he has a plant of Ficus elastica,
which is making "abortive attempts to fruit."
We believe this to be very rare.

Culture of the Antholyza. — Miss H. R. B.
asks, what is the best way to manage this plant?

It is one of the Cape bulbs, and they generally
grow in what is our Winter. They do not like
much heat, however ; a cool greenhouse, or even
a room window would bring them on very well.
They are kept a little dry during Summer,
giving them water when there are appearances
of sprouting in Fall.

USruit and vegetable gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Grapes coming into bearing should not be per-
mitted 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 antipodes 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. When extra fine bunches of grapes
are desired, pinch back the shoots 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 stopping in-
jures the production of good wood for next sea-
son. These hints are for amateurs, who have a
few vines on trellises ; for large vineyard cul-
ture, though the same principles hold good so
far as they go, they will vary in their applica-
tion.

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,
and hot ground is greater than all.

Currants are so easily grown as to require few
hints for their management. If they throw up
many suckers, take out a portion now, instead of
waiting till Winter to cut them away. The Cur-
rant borer is a great pest, eating out the pith of
the young shoots, and causing them to grow

poorly, and bear but small fruit next year.
Gummy " fly paper " is, we think, the best thing
to catch them.

Blackberries are not ripe when they are black.
Leave them on till they part readily from their
stalks.

The directions and hints we gave last month
are still applicable, especially those relating to
disbudding and pinching back of strong shoots,
checking the flow of sap through excessively
luxuriant channels, and directing the flow
through weaker ones, equalizing and striking a
balance between all parts of the tree. As the
weather becomes dryer, and the growth still con-
tinues, young and free-growing trees of choice
varieties would be much benefited by occa-
sional syringings from a powerful garden engine,
which should be found in all gardens with any
pretension to completeness and excellence. Be-
sides the cleanliness so conducive to health this
ablutory process achieves, the moist atmosphere
and check to excessive evaporation that result
from this practice, is one of the greatest safe-
guards against many bad diseases.

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, compact
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

172

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ June,

of a grape becomes a foxy red. Some grape-
growers of eminence, in view of these facts,
shade their vineries during the coloring process ;
but others, instead, keep the atmosphere as close
and moist as possible. The latter course de-
tracts from the flavor of the fruit. The best pi an
is that which combines both practices.

In summer-pruning grapes, care must be
taken that the leaves from the stopped laterals
do not over-crowd or smother the larger leaves of
the original cane, on which all your hopes of
good sound wood for next season depend. All
the use for the leaves on the laterals is to afford
outlets for superabundant sap, which otherwise
would cause the next season's fruiting buds to
burst now. Always carefully guard the first
leaves.

At the end of June some celery may be set out
for early crops, though for the main crop a
month later will be quite time enough. It was
once customary to plant in trenches dug six or
more inches below the surface ; but the poverty
of the soil usually at this depth more than de-
creases the balance of good points in its favor.
Some of our best growers now plant entirely on
the surface, and depend on drawing up the soil,
or the employment of boards or other artificial
methods of blanching.

Cabbage and Brocoli may still be set out for
Fall crops, also requiring an abundance of man-
ure to insure much success. Lettuce, where
salads are in much request, may yet be sown.
The Curled Indian is a favorite 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.

Beans produce enormous crops in deeply
trenched soils, and are improved as much as
any crop by surface manuring. We hope this
method of fertilizing the soil will be extensively
adopted for garden crops this season. Those
who have not yet tried it will be surprised at
the economy and beneficial results of the prac-
tice.

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 cer-
tainly mildew and prove worthless. In England,
where the atmosphere is much more humid than
ours, they nevertheless, have great difficulty in
getting Fall peas to get through free from mil-

dew; and to obviate these drying and mildewing
producing influences, they often plant them in
deep trenches, made as for celery, and are then
much more successful with them.

Cucumbers for pickling may be sown this
month, and endive for Fall salad set out. Par-
sley 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 off after the
stalks seem to come up weak, or there will be
but a poor crop the next season, and the beds
will " run out " in a few years.

CO MM UNICA TIONS.

FRUIT AT THE NORTH.

BY JAS. M. HAYES, DOVER, N. H.

The season of 1875 can be classed as one of
the poorest in many respects for fruit north of
the 43d parallel of latitude. Frost continued
late in Spring, until May 18th, and in Autumn
the first was September 11th ; so with only 115
days without frost, much fruit failed to mature.
The temperature during the whole Summer was
low, only one day during the Summer (June 24)
did the thermometer get above 90°. Thus it will
be seen that the season in New Hampshire was
unusually cold, and yet roots of all kinds were
good. Corn ripened well, but alas for our
grapes, the biting frosts ruined them. The whole
season, from the first, the vines gave abundant
promise of a rich harvest in Autumn, and we
New Hampshire fruit growers felt encouraged,
thinking that for one year at least, our grapes
would be a paying crop, but an "Arctic wave "
swept over us, and Jack Frost in a single night
upset our calculations. Not even those early va-
rieties which come to us with such glowing rec-
ommendations of earliness " combined with har-
diness and productiveness, as just the grape any-
where south of Canada for the vineyardist,"
ripened a single grape. None of those far-
famed varieties from Iowa Island seemed to do
much better than the old and tried kinds, Hart-
ford, Delaware and Concord. Neither did the
"American raisin grape," — the Walter — mature.
Thus far, after ten years' experience, I have
found nothing better than the Concord, and if
called to vote upon the best variety for general
cultivation, I should unhesitatingly vote with
the " Tribune philosopher," for the Concord, as the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

173

grape for the million. It must be admitted that
this grape is not so early as some others, but its
hardiness and vigorous habit, its large bunch and
berry have rendered it a general favorite. What
we need at the North, is a grape as early as the
Hartford, as good as the Delaware, and as vigor-
ous and productive as the Concord. When such
a grape appears, then will northern fruit-growers
be ready to invest largely in it for profit, and
then our tables and the market will be supplied
with better fruit. We are anxiously waiting for
the appearance of such a grape, and we expect it
will some day make its advent, for great has been
the improvement from the native grape to the
delicious Delaware ; and why may we not expect
still greater improvement, and that in time a
grape will be produced that will ripen at the
North even in such frosty and unfavorableseasons
as 1875.

APRICOTS IN BOSTON.

BY J. C, CHELSEA, MASS.

In an Editorial in a late number of the
Monthly, it was stated on the authority of E. S.
Rand, Esq., that among other fruits in our mar-
kets, there were Apricots in abundance last sea-
son. I am safe in saying that few of New Eng-
land growth has been shown on the tables of the
Mass. Hort. Society, except by myself two years
ago — the mistake being that the great abundance
was from California, and good for little when they
arrived here. We cannot brag of large quanti-
ties of that fine fruit here.

THE BIRKETT PEAR.

BY W.

This variety comes from a little scion produced
from an unknown source by the late John Bir-
kett, and grafted in an apple root the Spring of
1826, in Peoria, 111. The original tree still lives
at the old Birkett homestead, and has borne im-
mense quantities of pears during the last forty
years, never missing a season.

It has never shown the least indication of
blights of any kind, and has withstood all the
severe Winters since the country was settled.
Young trees of it, one to three years old, with-
stood the severe Winter of 1872 and 1873 per-
fectly, or as well as the hardiest of the Siberian
Crabs, and all the old trees bore a fine crop of
fruit the succeeding Summer. There are two
trees, propagated from the old tree, growing near

Washington, Tazewell Co., 111., now forty years
old. The largest of these two trees, belonging to
Wm. Birkett, is one of the finest specimens of
tree growth in the West. Mr. Birkett says
of it :—

" My tree of the Birkett Pear has always been
free from blight, and has never been injured by
cold. It is six feet and three inches in circum-
ference two feet from the ground, thirty-nine feet
in height, with forty feet spread of branches.
The fruit is of medium size, of fair quality, and
excellent for baking, canning, and preserving.
My books show that I have sold from this one
tree, in Peoria market, along with my dairy
products, at wholesale during the last eight
years, an average of $45 per year, besides what
was used at home. I have no Birkett trees for
sale, and have sold all my scions to the Lacon
Nursery for the next five years.

" William Birkett."

Mr. Birkett has a thorough personal know-
ledge of the three original trees, and so have we,
and we have no hesitancy in recommending it
to the people of the Northwest as a pear that
will grow in every reasonable situation, remain
healthy, and bear pears. It will prove of the
very greatest value for top-grafting some of our
hardiest, healthiest and choicest pears upon.
Give the pear one more trial by planting this
" iron-clad " variety. It will also be found of
great value to plant for purposes that shade and
ornamental trees are planted for. Its great vigor
and complete health, even without taking into
consideration its fruit, makes it one of the most
valuable of trees, and at the end we have a tim-
ber of the most valuable qualities for many pur-
poses

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Trained fruit trees. — In small gardens the
training of fruit trees after the fashion so com-
mon in Europe, might surely be adopted with
advantage. The espalier system, especially, is a
good one for this purpose. The trees are kept
about as high as an average man, and the
branches led out horizontally on each side. The
trees make capital " fences" to keep people from
running across lawns or grass-plats, and, besides,
protect the flower, borders that may be in front
of them.

The fruit from these trees is generally much

174

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

I June,

superior to the average of fruit from other trees.
Mr. Boileau, of New York, had nice specimens
of training on the Centennial grounds.

Illustrations of Fruit. — A few years ago
there was quite a rage for illustrating fruits by
outline drawings, or other forms of wood-cuts,
but these " new fruits" became so numerous that
when one wanted to illustrate a new grape,
apple, strawberry or some other thing, a search
among the old cuts would be sure to find just
the old fellow required to fill the new place.

To such an extent has this been carried that
few intelligent editors care to waste space by
these sort of illustrations — at least we do not.

Sometimes the editors do not always hit the
right cut in the "adaptations" of the old to the
new ; of this we saw a laughable instance in a
cotemporary recently. We were struck with the
appearance of our old friend the cut of the
" Brown's Wonder" strawberry, which we gave
to show how fearfully exaggerated a thing
could be made. " It is not possible," thought
we, " that this fraud is being pushed again." But
under the plate we read " Wilson's Albany seed-
ling strawberry ! "

Packing Pears. — The pear is difficult of trans-
portation. It rots easily by the slightest bruise.
This has been against its success as a market
fruit. But there are, no doubt, some pears as well
as some apples, that will transport better than
others, and it is worth while to look them up.

It was at one time thought that apples would
not travel well, but it was found that by tightly
pressing them in barrels they did well. It is not
so much a bruise that hurts an apple, but the
air that operates on the bruised parts. If the
parts pressed continue pressed no damage is done.
Perhaps when this is generally understood, there
will be no more difficulty in transporting pears
than there now is with apples or grapes.

Long^Continuous Bearing. — The Country Gen-
tleman tells us that near Niagara, Mr. Burdett has
an orchard (apple we suppose) of 2,000 trees that
has been in continuous bearing for twenty years,
and that the sales have been as much a.s $6,000
in a single season.

A White Dewberry is among the horticultu-
rists of Texas ; white Blackberries of the upright
or " high bush " kind, have frequently appeared
and have been named and distributed, but have
generally soon disappeared. The flavor is gener-

ally more agreeable in these whites than in the
dark kinds, but the faults have been that the
whites were smaller fruited, shy bearers and
more liable to winter kill. The Dewberry
has not been yet brought under culture, unless
we guess that the Wilson's Early is from this
species, but it is a good one to look after.

Gary's " Hold on " Peach. — This very late
variety seems to be gaining in popularity in
Maryland.

A Horse-power Vineyard. — Mr. Smythe of
Burlington N. J., has a vineyard of two thousand
vines of the Concord grape. He buys old
horses, cuts them up, and gives a chunk to each
vine ; and it is said the product is both prodig-
ous and profitable.

Japan Persimmon. — Mr. Henry Loomis of San
Francisco, tells us that this is found to thrive re-
markably well in California and is destined to
become one of their standard fruits. It has al-
ready grown large enough to fruit in some few
places in the State.

Fertilizing Figs in Smyrna. — A correspon-
dent writes to the Pacific Rural Press: — " About
the end of July the first figs come to maturity.
The fig harvest lasts about six weeks. When the
fig is ripe, it will of its own accord fall from the
tree, only partly cured. Women and children
are employed to pick up the fruit into small
baskets, to be conveyed to a place in the garden
well exposed to the sun, where they are spread
on a bed of dry grass or matting, singly — that is
to say, not one on top of another — and are
turned every day, so as to get every side of the
tig exposed to the sun. After a few days expos-
ure to the sun, those figs which are considered
sufficiently dry are selected from the mass and
divided into first, second and third quality. Care
must be taken not to dry them too much. When
properly cured, the skin ought to feel dry, but
the inside soft. Practice alone can teach to
what extent the drying ought to take place. The
grower then sends the figs to Smyrna, where
they are re-sorted and packed for shipment.

" The male fruit about the middle of June con-
tains a large number of small flies, and is thrown
on the female trees ; these flies then get distrib-
uted over the fruit and convey the necessary
amount of pollen. The system is as follows :

" When the female fig (first crop) is about the
size of a hazel nut, five or six of the male figs

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

175

are strung on to a piece of string, and one or
two of these bunches are thrown upon the
female tree, according to its size and amount of
fruit. Repeat this operation when the second
crop is about the same size. As the tree grows
larger year by year,increase the number of strings ;
but never put more than six strings (say about
30 male figs) over the largest tree at one time.
These strings are put on the tree about one hour
before sunrise, and care must be taken that the
weather is fine and no wind blowing. I may
mention that if the male fig is not applied the
crop will not set, but the fruit will fall off; and if
too many are applied the fruit will likewise fall,
or become very small or inferior."

Conover's Colossal Asparagus. — The London
Gardener's Magazine complains that in England
they have found this the same as ordinary As-
paragus, and would like to know what any one
has found " to justify the character Americans
have given it." We do not know why "Ameri-
cans" should be thus boldly challenged. Certainly
the Gardener's Monthly long ago showed our " Eng-
lish " friends that there could be no separate va-
riety of Asparagus capable of reproducing itself,
because the plant is dioecious, or with separate
sexes on distinct plants. Mr. Conover's growth
was, however, so superior that it was quite par-
donable in those who saw it to suppose it was a
distinct kind, for at that time the discovery of the
dioecious character of the Asparagus in this
countrj' had not been made.

Tomatoes. — Much as our readers know of the
general use of Tomatoes, we doubt whether they
have any idea of how immense the culture is.
Every one who has a garden, no matter how
small, has tomatoes, though he may have noth-
ing else, and yet thousands of acres are covered
for market purposes. A Southern paper tells us
of a Tomato Growing Company, in King
William's Co., Virginia, that will plant this
Spring seven hundred acres. The seeds at the
time of writing were sprouting under six hun-
dred hot-bed sashes. The yield is about a peck
to the hill. Droves of turkeys keep the plants
clear of the tobacco worm, which in Virginia is
a great pest to the Tomato.

To Cook Jerusalem Artichokes. — So much
has appeared of late about the native country
and general history of the Jerusalem Artichoke,
that it will be timely to supplement this by more
substantial remarks about them. Unless nicely

cooked the Artichoke is poor stuff. By high
culinary art they are not altogether despicable.
The Gardener's Magazine says that they can be
rendered fair eating by attention to the following
details : — " The waste occasioned in the prepa-
ration of Jerusalem Artichokes for cooking
ought not to trouble anybody, for the poultry
will eat up every scrap, and it is really a treat
for the poultry yard when we send out our pan-
full of parings. This point seems to be worth
mentioning, because many a one experiences a
pang at the immense waste of the roots that in-
evitably result from their ungainly forms. But
as the poultry will eat up every scrap, the waste
is kept in the family, and there is nothing lost.
Amongst the various modes of cooking these
wholesome and nutritious roots, I much prefer
the one I shall describe first, for it is extremely
simple, decidedly elegant, and the result is a
delicious dish that everybody can eat, and that
agrees perfectly with the most delicate stomach.

"Artichokes Fried. — Prepare by washing and
paring in the usual way, taking care not to make
them ready until they are to be cooked, as they
should not, for frying, be put into water. Cut
into very thin slices, and put them in a pan with
plenty of boiling fat or butter, and shake and
turn them about frequently. When fried a nice
brown, heap them on a hot dish, with a very
slight sprinkling of salt.

"Artichokes Stewed. — Prepare by washing and
paring in the usual way, and shape the roots like
a peg top or pear, with the broad end cut fiat off,
and as each is made ready put it into cold milk
in a porcelain-lined saucepan. There should be
just enough milk to cover them, and a dozen
roots will make a nice dish. Stew them in the
milk slowly, adding a little water if needful as
the milk evaporates, but taking care to cook
them in a small quantity of liquid. When
nearly tender draw them from the fire, and add
a teaspoonful of minced shallots, a little nutmeg
and an ounce of butter ; and let them simmer
again for about five minutes. Then take them
out, put them in a hot dish, and cover with a
cloth. To a little cold milk add a dessert spoon-
ful of flour, and beat it smooth. Strain the
liquor in which the roots were cooked and add
to it the milk and flour, and an ounce of butter.
Boil it up. carefully straining the while, and pour
over the Artichokes. Put round the dish a bor-
der of mashed potatoes, or a few nicely cooked
Brussles sprouts of a bright green color."

17fi

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

FORESTRY.

GOMMUNICA TIONS.

THE EUCALYPTUS IN CALIFORNIA.

BY D.

In several numbers of the Monthly I have no-
ticed articles relating to the Eucalyptus. In
some parts of California this tree grows well ;
there are some within twenty miles of here
thirty to forty feet high. I have some from seed
planted last May, about four feet high. I do
not like them. There are many finer trees na-
tives of our State. The railroad intends to set
out 800,000 of them along the road, from Sacra-
mento down. They have procured 40,000, and
intend to get others as soon as possible.

I think it a poor investment. Our native
walnut makes a magnificent shade tree. We
have six in /ront of our dwelling that are as fine
as any one could desire. They are hardier than
the English walnut, and are vex*y seldom injured.
They grow readily from seed. The leaves are
not much over one-quarter as large as the Eng-
lish ; are of a darker green color, and more
' thickly set on the tree ; in fact, they are so thick
the sun can hardly stray through them. Would
you like a few seeds of them ?

TIMBER NOTES FROM CALIFORNIA.

BY J. M. HUTCHINGS.

The Pinus Lambertiana, or sugar pine, is the
best pine we have for finishing purposes, and
frequently attains a diameter of from 8 to 10
feet, and an altitude of 250 feet. It is often 120
feet to the first limb, and " straight as an arrow."
The Pinus ponderosa is more durable exposed,
and has a much greater strength for heavy tim-
bers, floors, joists, &c. The wood of Red Wood
(Sequoia sempervirens) is in every respect like the
wood of the Big Tree (Sequoia gigantea), and is
second only in size to the latter. Both are in-
valuable for lumber, and exceedingly durable.
As an instance of the latter quality, I will men-
tion one example I found in the Frezno Grove.
A tree about twenty-six feet in diameter lay pros-

trate ; another of the same species had grown
up beside it, but as it was unable to push the
prostrate monarch out of its way, it had grown
over it six feet and eight inches; and although it
had probably been there hundreds of years, was
quite sound when I saw its thrifty young scion
growing over it. The timber in the " mission "
buildings of California is mostly Red Wood ;
yet, although nearly one hundred years have
rolled away since they were built, the timber is
perfectly sound. Then, in specific gravity, it is
lightest of all. Its value, however, would be
mainly for finishing purposes, as the yellow
pine would bear a tension of three to one where
strength was needed. It splits easily either way
of the grain. Owing to this latter, and other
qualities, it has become almost indispensable for
fence posts and railroad ties, &c. The sugar
pine is easily riven, and it forms the staple tim-
ber for " stakes " and "shingles." These trees
do not command the attention their invaluable
qualities would invite and justify.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Tar, Rosin and Turpentine. — These still con-
tinue among the leading exports from Wilming-
ton, North Carolina. Of pine tar, no less than
18,201 barrels more were shipped than the year
before. The price there is about $1.60 per bar-
rel. Of turpentine there was the enormous in-
crease of 56,793 barrels — 33 per cent, over the
previous year; price $2.25 per barrel. In rosin
there has been a decrease of 17,829 barrels. The
ruling price is $1.75 per barrel. The Wilmington
Review, from which we take these figures, adds :

" There are vast forests of virgin pine in this
section of the State, untouched. They are far
from a market and hence are not worked, having
never been touched, either for turpentine or
timber. These forests are to be found at the in-
tersection of the three counties of Pender, Dup-
lin and Onslow, and this is the country that the
people of Wilmington are interested in opening
up now to a market."

1877.]

AND HOB TIG UL T URIS T.

177

Forests of Massachusetts. — New forests are
eaid to be growing up in the western part of
Massachusetts faster than the old ones are cut
off. Especially in the hill towns is this the case.
Many a locality that was impoverished as farm
land some twenty and thirty years ago, is now
covered with a vigorous growth of young forests,
the rapid increase in the population of the out-
lying agricultural districts having rendered such
a thing inevitable. — Cultivator.

Trees for Colorado. — The Greeley Tribune,
after recounting a long list of trees that have
been tried, and so far failed in the Colony, says
the Cottonwood, Box Elder, and Silver Maple do
admirably there. Evergreens have so far proved
failures.

Large Chestnut Trees.— These often grow to
an immense size, and we should like to know
just how large the largest are. Mr. D. Wyatt
Aiken tells us of some fine ones in North Caz*o-
lina, but we think there may be larger ones than
even these. He says of his: — "There have re-
cently been discovered some trees in North Caro-
lina that are ' no sardines.' In surveying the
route of the Spartanburg and Asheville Railroad,
the engineers encountered 'some chestnuts that
seemed to nestle their burs in the upper firma-
ment. A contractor had to eradicate one of
these, as it stood directly in the way of the track
of the Road, and it measured ten feet three inches
across the stump, and was solid to the centre."

The Ash as A Timber Tree. — Prof. Sargent,
who more than any other man deserves well of
his country for the interest he is exciting in
timber culture, contributes a paper on the Ash,
to the April Agriculturist, showing how the tree
may be made profitable within ten years from
planting. The rows need not be more than four
feet apart, with a view to thinning out the young
plants, until only the right number are left to
develope into large trees. The thinnings from
an acre of White Ash, planted in this way, would,
at present prices, sell for at least four hundred
dollars for hoop-poles, while subsequent thin-
nings would be of still greater value ; and these
thinnings, it must be remembered, are made,
not at the expense of the future plantation, but
to benefit and improve it. The White Ash
should be more generally employed as a road-
side or avenue tree. Indeed, in view of its many
qualifications, the Sugar Maple alone, among
our native trees, surpasses it for this purpose.
It is many years since the White Ash was first

introduced into Europe, and the fine specimens
which are occasionally met with, both in Great
Britain and on the Continent, sufficiently prove
that its general cultivation in Northern and
Central Europe would make a valuable addition
to the forest products of those countries.

The Eucalyptus in South Carolina. — Mr.
Chisholm, of Beaufort, tells the American Far-
mer : — " I had one Eucalyptus globulus about 15
feet high, and quite a number of small ones
in a box, all of which were killed by the late
cold spell, while small orange trees in another
box alongside were not at all hurt, which proves
that the Eucalyptus globulus is more tender than
the sweet orange. I have one tree of another
variety of Eucalyptus, name unknown, which
does not appear to be injured any more than to
have all its leaves killed."

The Yellow or Short-leaved Pine. — Prof.
Sargent says, in a recent paper, that this is the
Pinus mitis, and this we believe is the accepted
belief of the authorities. We have an idea,
however, that all the Yellow Pine that comes to
the Philadelphia market is from Pinus palustris .
We are not sure of this, and should be glad of
correct information from any botanist who may
have personal experience in the " Yellow " Pine
region. Pinus mitis was at one time very abund-
ant in places where it is now nearly extermi-
nated. We know of but one old tree, and the
top of it is so flat and thick one can almost walk
over it.

Wood Preservatives. — According to observa-
tions made on a railroad in Germany, the pro-
portion of renewals was, with oak sleepers (not
treated) after 12 years of service, 74-48 per cent. ;
with oak sleepers, treated with chloride of zinc,
after 7 years, 3'29 per cent.; with oak sleepers,
impregnated with creosote oil, after 6 years, 0-09
per cent. ; with pine sleepers, impregnated with
chloride of zinc, after 7 years of service, 4'46 per
cent. The practice of this railroad, since the
year 1870, has been to employ only oak for
sleepers, which are impregnated either with
chloride of zinc or with creosote oil.— Scientific
American.

The Lumber Resources of Tulare, Califor-
nia.— There are in Tulare County some fifty or
sixty townships of our unsurveyed public lands
that lay within the pine belt. Not less than 400
square miles of these lands are covered by a
heavy pine forest. It is a mountainous region,
and abounds in unappropriated water power.

178

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

We know of one place where a mill could be lo-
cated within eight miles of the valley, and be in
the heart of a forest of a hundred square miles.
A road on a grade of one foot to the rod would
reach it within the distance named. Another
large forest stands withm five miles of a traveled
road. At Dillon's mill, lumber has been delivered,
during the last year, over a wooden railroad which
has a grade of 1000 feet to the mile. The cars
run down loaded, by their own weight, and are
drawn back by a mule. Mr. Dillon has found
that his system of brake will stop a car on a
grade of five feet to the rod. A singular fact in
his experience is, that a loaded car will mind the
brakes when an empty one will slide with all
wheels locked. This seems owing to the fact
that the face of the wooden rail gives under a
load. As to whether this plan of delivering lum-
ber will prove as satisfactory as the V flume,
time will determine; but, doubtless, either will
prove greatly superior to the teaming system,
and probably would suffice to stop the carriage
of lumber through our valley. — Visalia Iron Age.

The Preservation of Timber. — Buried in the
earth or exposed to the air, timber rapidly dete-
riorates, and undergoes the species of decompo-
sition known as dry rot. This decomposition
may be retarded by the application of a coat of
paint to the timber exposed to the air, or by car-
bonizing the surface of that which is intended to
be sunk in the ground.

During the last twenty years, several methods
have been tried for making timber more durable,
the principle of which consists in expelling the
sap remaining in the ligneous fibres, in order to
replace it by chemical solutions, such as sulphate
of copper and creosote ; but these processes,
comparatively costly, and only partially success-
ful, do not entirely accomplish their object.
Starting from the fact that oak, chestnut, and
certain American trees resist the action of air
and damp, better than others, and that they owe
this property to the tannin which they contain,
a chemist proposes to tan the timber by substitu-
ting for the sulphate of copper and creosote a
compound of tannic acid and iron. The object
of injecting various substances into wood is to
poison them, so that germs and microscopic
growths may no longer live and propagate either
on the surface or in the interior. Now tannin is
one of the most active and certain destroyers of
germs both vegetable and animal, which fact ac-
counts for its preservative agency. Besides, it is

to tannin that is due the almost indefinite pres-
ervation of leather. One peculiarity to be noticed
in this process is, that timber treated with this
compound of tannin and iron, that is to say a com-
position similar to ordinary writing ink, is turned
black.

The process of injecting timber with tannate
of protoxide of iron is due to M Hatzfeld ; the
Eastern Railway Company of France has ex-
perimented with it on some sleepers, and the
Telegraphic Department on some posts.

M. Boucherie has denied in a note to the
"Academie," the efficacy of this process, con-
tending that the attempts already made to pre-
serve timber from dry-rot by injecting it with
iron salts have yielded only partially successful
results, while sleepers treated by sulphate of cop-
per have lasted twenty five years and more.
Reply is made to these objections by quoting —
not the experiments of the laboratory or the
workshop, but those made by time itself. It is
not a rare circumstance to encounter in earth of
a ferruginous natui'e the trunks of very old oaks,
blackened and very perfectly preserved ; at
Rouen, in 1830, some old oak paling was discov-
ered as black as ebony, and dating back to the
Middle Ages. Not very long ago, too, a Norman
vessel built of oak was discovered in an almost
perfect state of preservation in the neighborhood
of an iron mine in Norway. It is more than
probable that the preservation of the oak under
these circumstances is due to the tannin con-
tained in the wood ; it follows, therefore, that by
introducing a substance rich in tannin into tim-
ber that does not naturally possess it, its resist-
ance to decay is increased. — Journal of the Society
of Arts.

Selecting Timber. — In selecting timber, the
surveyor's attention will naturally be given to an
examination of the butt or root end, which should
be close, solid, and sound ; and if satisfied in this
respect, the top should next be inspected, to see
that it corresponds with the butt-end. Afterwards
he will glance over the exposed sides in search of
defects, carefully examining the knots, if any, to
see that they are solid. He will, of course, avoid
any piece that has either heart, cup, or star-shake,
or sponginess near the pith at the butt, discolored
wood at the top, splits along the sides, rind-gall,
worm holes, or hollow or decayed knots. In
dealing with spar-timber, he will select the
straightest pieces ; they should be free from all
the defects before mentioned, upsets, i. e., fibres

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

179

crippled by compression, large knots, and even
those of moderate size if they are numerous or
6ituate ring-like round the stick. Spar-timber
should be straight-grained. As planks, deals,
&c, depend for their usefulness upon both quali-
ty and manufacture, the surveyor will not only
see that they are free from excess of sap, knots,
shakes, and shel lines? upon their sides, but also
that they are evenly cut and fit for use of their
thickness. Bright looking timber is better in
quality than dull, and that which is smooth in
the working, better than the rough or woolly-sur-
faced. The heart of trees having the most sap-
wood is generally stronger and better in quality
than the heart of trees of the same species that
has little sap-wood. — Laslett's Timber and Timber
Trees.

A Tree Planting Law in California. — By a
law of California, approved March 30, 186S, the
Board of Supervisors in each county are em-
powered to authorize owners of lands to plant
and cultivate, along the public highways, shade
and fruit trees,specifying thespecies to be planted,
at what age, at what distance from each other
and from the road-bed, and making the necessary
rules for their protection, &c. Four years after
the planting, upon receiving a duly certified
statement of the number then in a thrifty con-
dition, the Board is directed to pay to the cul-
tivator $1 for each such tree. In October, 1872,
the State Board of Agriculture called attention
of County Supervisors to this Act, and urged
them to do what is in their power to encourage
a compliance with its provisions. They advised
that the age be fixed from three to eight years
from the seed, and the minimum distance be.
tween tree and tree at twelve feet, and recom-

mended the planting of the following varieties :
Black and honey Locusts ; black, white and fruit-
ing Mulberries ; Osage Orange, native and east-
ern black Walnut; American Chestnut ; Amer-
ican, European, and Cork-bark Elm ; the differ-
ent varieties of Maple; Tulip tree; Carolina,
Lombardy, and silver-leaf Poplars; the different
varieties of Ash ; Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Al-
mond, and Fig trees ; the Eucalyptus or Aus-
tralian Blue and Red Gum tree ; Monterey, Su-
gar, Yellow, Spruce, and Scotch Pines; Norway
Spruce, Balsam fir, European Larch, Monterey
and Italian Cypress, and California Laurel ; and
Redwood.

Japan Paper. — The Scientific American says : —
"Japanese paper is usually made from the inner
bark of the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papy-
rifera), which is grown and cultivated for the
purpose. The bark of the Passerina Gampi, and
of the Edgeworthia papyrifera, are also said to
be used.

"Japanese paper is always made by hand, and
is therefore of a necessity made in small sheets;
the more common size known as kanshi, being
about nine and a half by twelve and a half
inches, though both larger and smaller sizes are
used to a limited extent."

The Timber Line in the various Mountains.
— In the Himalayas, trees grow up to a height of
11,800 feet, and there are often forests just below
this line. In the Andes the growth of trees ends
at 12,130 feet; in the Alps it ends on an average
at 6,400 feet, but it is stated that specimens of
trees are found above 7,000 feet, but the pasture
grounds in Thibet are known to extend over an
elevation of from 15,000 to 16,350 feet.

ATURAL IflSTORY AND &ENCE.

<C^3A>J

COMMUNICA TIONS.

TUMBLE WEED.

BY D. B. WIER, LACON, MARSHALL CO., ILL.

I have to thank you for the only real good
hearty laugh I have had in a long time. Hav-
ing read the Gardener's Monthly from beginning

to end this evening (I devour in one evening
what it takes you a long, weary month to get
up), the next to the last paragraph unset me
completely. Being a native of Illinois, I can
appreciate both Tumble Bugs and Tumble
Weeds, and we certainly would not have to in-
troduce the former to destroy the latter, as we
have both bad already, though the " tumble weed ' '
is not near so common in this neighborhood as

180

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

formerly. It— the weed — appears to be from
its general characteristics (I have not studied it)
one of the Chenopodiacese, probably Cycloloma
platyphyllum. It affects rich, clean soil, especi-
ally early broken prairie sod. In growth it is very
branching, and in Autumn it becomes the whole
plant, completely globular, when its root rots
off, and the Autumn wind sets it to " tumbling "
and away it goes across the prairie, scattering-
its seeds as it goes. It travels onward, literally,
with the speed of the wind, until it lodges
against some obstruction, where it frettingly re-
mains until the wind changes, when away it
goes where the winds listeth. It is a very curi-
ous sight to see a high fence on the prairies with
tens of thousands of these weeds banked up on
the south side of it, struck by a sudden gust of
wind from the north, when away they go over
the level field like a drove of deer or wolves, as
they are often two and a half feet in diameter,
they can be seen a long distance. As a weed,
we never considered them troublesome, but they
are exceedingly objectionable to skittish horses,
when they are in motion, and many a bad run-
away has been caused by the industrious " tum-
ble weed."

But here, I have been writing about what I
know as the tumble weed ; how do I know that
your other Illinois correspondent means the
same thing or not? He may have tumbled to
this name for an entirely different weed. Some
years ago, while riding with five intelligent gen-
tlemen from different parts of this State, we
were talking of this common name business.
Some of them thought that there was no need of
technical names. We halted, and each was re-
quested to give the name of one of our most
common weeds, as known in his neighborhood,
and every one gave different names, while it is
known here under three different names.

Another thing in this connection. Not one in
fifty, and probably not one in a hundred, of
our plants in the West have any common Eng-
lish name at all ; but the few that have been
loosely named have been, as a rule, given very
good descriptive names. With many thanks for
the good, old-fashioned laugh, I am yours truly.
[We are very much obliged to Mr. Wier for
the information, all new to us. We did not
know the Cycloloma was so abundant in Illinois,
or that it had such rolling habits. The name is
characteristic, and whether there are others
with the name or not, it will be well to retain it
for this.— Ed. G. M.]

FERTILIZATION OF CLOVER BLOSSOMS.

BY ROBERT DOUGLAS, WAUKEGAN, ILL.

" In the Monthly for March, page 94, is an
article entitled 'Bees and Clover,' which is likely
to give a wrong impi-ession. The writer quotes
Mr. Darwin as saying, that the failure of red
clover in England the past season is owing to the
scarcity of bees. Had the writer signed the arti-
cle ' Bumble Bee ' instead of ' Busy Bee,' it would
explain itself. Mr. Darwin must have meant the
humble bee, for the honey bee does not feed
on red clover, and for the same reason that the
fox in the fable did not feed on the grapes — he
could not reach them — neither can the honey
bee reach the sweets in the red clover ; while the
bumble bee feeds freely on that plant. There
are so few of them either in England or in
this country, that it does not seem probable that
they would have much effect on large fields of
red clover. The partial failure of the seed crop
is no doubt very often caused by cold drenching
rains at the time the plants are in blossom."

[Mr. Douglas is no doubt correct that when
failure to produce seed in the red clover occurs,
it is from some defect in the plant's nutritive
powers, as influenced by climatal or other cir-
cumstances. The first crop of clover rarely seeds
in these parts, but last year being warmer and
dryer than usual, the first crop had seeds in as
great abundance as any second crop ever had.

The trouble in all these questions is that peo-
ple do not always stop to weigh the value of lan-
guage. For instance, there is some discussion
just now, in regard to the value of blue glass.
General Pleasanton believes that blue glass gives
great vital power, and to prove, gives in the lan-
guage of a contemporary, the following experi-
ment :— " On the 3d of November, A. D., 1869,
he imprisoned three sows and a. barrow pig, all
weighing 203 lbs., in a common sty ; and on the
same day, three other sows and a barrow pig, all
weighing 1671 lbs., in a blue glass sty. On the
4th day of March, 1870, the animals were
weighed, and it was found that the common sty
pigs weighed 537 lbs., the blue glass pigs 522£ lbs.
Allowing for the original difference in weight,
thisshowed a gain for the blue glass pigs of 21 lbs.,
or .">.} lbs. each pig, in four months' time. From
these and other comparisons, the General infers
that ' it seems obvious that the influence of the
violet-colored glass was much marked.' He,
however, states that the barrow pig in the com-
mon pen increased 151 lbs., while the barrow pig

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

181

in the blue glass pen only increased 124£ lbs. Here
is a gain of 26£ lbs. in a single animal in a common
sty over a single animal confined in a blue glass
sty. The General explains this hy saying that
the common sty pig was a strong fellow who
stole more food from his companions, than well-
behaved swine are expected to take."

Now if we substitute Petunias and Morning
Glories for pigs, and cross-fertilization for blue
glass, and turn to Mr. Darwin's recent work, the
two read very much alike. The cross-fertilized
grew a few inches more and weighed heavier
in the same time. But the critics just now are
asking General Pleasanton what fatness and
weight have to do with vital power. The fat man
and the fat pigs will get sick and die as easily as
the lean one ; and the medium sized plant will
work its way through the world as well as the
over-grown one.

The facts which our friends bring up are all
interesting enough, and whether they be Mr.
Darwin's on fertilization, or General Pleasan-
ton's on blue-glassed pigs, they are all worth a
good deal. It is only that we should be careful
how we apply the facts, for we are so liable to be
deceived by the imperfect use of language. —
Ed. G. M.]

SCIENTIFIC THEORIES.

BY N. F. F.

It is with a great deal of satisfaction one notes
the growing disposition of our scientists to inves-
tigate things closely, and to trace out the why
they are thus and so, and in this pursuit go over
again and again the ground of theories, though
advanced by very distinguished men.

" Nature abhors self-fertilization," as advanced
by some, is opposed to the experience of every
plant grower who takes delight in observation ;
but on the other side, to say that fertilizing
plants with their own pollen which do not natu-
rally fertilize themselves, is equal for re-production
to cross-fertilization,would be an error also. As to
"natural selection," is it not absolutely essen-
tial to the preservation of a species, that the
strongest should survive ? But can a higher order
of life result from natural selection ? Could it be
so, it would be subversive of order, the essence
of confusion. Does nature propagate and pre-
serve sports, bud variations, &c? Is there any
well established instance of a true vegetable hy-
brid? Is it not extremelv doubtful whether a

true hybrid exists in the whole vegetable world,
except as the result of man's interference? Apart
from the controlling power of man, how long
would any hybrid continue in existence? It
would of course be absurd to seek proof that the
great First Cause could not evolve man from
an atom, just as readily as create man as
we know him . Admitting evolution to have been
the way in which man came into existence,what
cause, good or otherwise, can be served by mak-
ing the offspring of the most exalted creature on
earth, so utterly helpless for so long a time after
birth, over and above that of every other
species of animal ; and this too, no matter
whether savage or civil, crude or refined, all of
the genus homo must pass this state of utter
helplessness.

The writer has no wish to cavil at the result o f
scientific research, but unless scientists can give
us — the great unlearned — something more solid
than they have yet done in this connection, they
must pardon us for adhering to the plain asser-
tion of Holy Writ," male and female created He
them."

'•Has science in her lofty pride,
Some better, holier truth supplied?"

ON SELF-FERTILIZATION AND CROSS-FERTI-
LIZATION OF FLOWERS.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.
(Concluded from page 150 )

This brings us to the question of dichogamy
as an agent in this question. Much stress is
laid on the fact that in many flowers the pistil
is mature before or after the stamens ; and
this is interpreted as an especial arrangement
for cross-fertilization. I pointed out, last year,
that this difference in time varied with the
season in many species. But the difference is
striking in some closely allied species. Bar-
barea prsecox and B. vulgaris, two cruciferous
plants, are so nearly related that the difference
can scarcely be defined. The former, however,
has its pistil of about equal length with the sta-
mens ; all included in the petals. The stigma
certainly receives own pollen simultaneously
with the expansion of the petals. But in B. vul-
garis the pistil protrudes beyond the closed
petals, and is in perfect condition to be fertilized
by extraneous pollen before it can be served by
its own. But both species make their way
equally well through the world. I think no bet-
ter illustration could be offered of the fact that a

182

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

dichogamous plant has no advantage in the
struggle for life. This fact may, however, he il-
lustrated in various ways. Supposing the Iris
could not self-fertilize, its next of kin Sisyrin-
chium is certainly a self-fertilizer, and who will
say that it has not made its way proudly ! Iris
Virginica is comparatively local ; but any stu-
dent can get a specimen of Sisyrinchium Bei1-
mudianum on a few hours notice. You can find
flowers which seem to forbid self-fertilization, it
is true ; but let us not close our eyes to those so
constructed as to render insect aid impossible.
There are some scrophulariaceous plants which
have the pistil arranged above the stamens, so
as to seem placed there in order that a visiting
insect may rub its pollen covered back against
the pistil on entering ; but many Pentstemons
(P. grandiflorus, P. coba^a), incline the pistil
downwards, impossible for any such insect-fer-
tilization, yet every flower perfects seeds. Bro-
wallia (B. elata) has a hairy cap over the sta-
mens, and an insect would only aid in self-fer-
tilization. But when Browallia is not visited by
insects it yet seeds abundantly ; and, it might
be argued, because it has no fragrance. But
there are some Garden Verbenas which have
fragrance as well as color. No insect visits them
on my grounds, as far as I can find, but both
kinds seed equally well.

In fact, this idea that color and fragrance are
necessary to attract insects, and are given to
plants for that purpose, does not accord with the
fact that flowers with neither, are thronged with
insect patrons. But I have taken especial pains
to note Rubus occidentalis, our native Black
Cap Raspberry. It has not the faintest trace of
odor. Its small, greenish white petals are so in-
conspicuous that it might as well be apetalous.
But nothing can exceed the fondness of the
honey bee for it. They abound in my vicinity ;
and from sun-rise till far into the twilight of
evening, the honey bee crowds on them. They
neglect every flower, even white clover, for them
as long as they last. Surely, there should be a
necessity for insect-fertilization in cases where
insects are so assiduous ! I have had this point
suggested to me. Will it not surprise you, my
friends, when I tell you that a gauze bag thrown
over a cluster of flowers, yet resulted in a perfect
fruit to every blossom, as also had all the ne-
glected clover flowers as well.

As to clover flowers, I will refer you to what 1
said of it last year. Since then, so great is the
faith in the necessity for insect-fertilization that

humble bees have been sent from England to
New Zealand, to help the clover along. Since
last season, I have discovered that our humble
bees do not enter the mouth of the Red Clover,
care nothing for the elaborate arrangements for
cross-fertilization, but slit the tube and get at the
honey from the outside ! And yet the clover
seeds abundantly. So far as I could see, every
flower in the field where I saw the bees behaving
so outrageously, bore its seed. Many flowers are
served in this way, and unless one looks closely
he may be deceived. In the Persian Lilac, if
we follow the course of our friends of the insect-
fertilization school, we see the stamens arranged
above the pistil, and as the pollen bursts simul-
taneously with the opening of the corolla, it
ought to fall on the pistil, and the entrance of
an insect would only aid this self-fertilization.
But, with us, it never yields a solitary seed, and
we may be asked to " behold the results of self-
pollenization ! " But we see exactly the same ar-
rangement in the common Lilac; and that seeds
abundantly. In both cases the humble bee slits
the tube, and the honey bee follows in the slits
made by its stronger friends, or else makes slits
for itself — a point I was unable, positively, to
determine. Indeed one of the points I wish to
insist on most strongly is, that the facts in the
question have been hut imperfectly observed,
and then erroneously construed, and of this I
will offer but one more illustration. It relates to
dimorphous flowers, those with the pistils long
in some flowers, and short in others, as in Epi-
ga?a, Mitchella, Houstonia and others. When
we look at the allies of these plants, we notice
that this behaviour is exceptional. It may be
assumed that they have wandered from a condi-
tion, when the separate sexual organs were
nearer to a perfectly hermaphrodite condition,
and it is assumed that this wandering is in order
to derive some benefit from cross-fertilization,
through insect agency. I have endeavoured to
test this assumption in Houstonia ccerulea. I
selected a number of plants of both forms, and
marked them when in flower. In some clusters
aggregating about fifty flowers of the short styled
plants, and which, I have no doubt, were self-
fertilized, forty-two perfected seed. Of fifty with
long styles, and which would necessarily have
more difficulty of availing themselves of own
pollen, only live matured seed. Thus we *oe that
the sell" fertilizer lias at least the advantage of
numbers, and in a battle for life, or for any pur-
pose, that id surely an advantage of no mean im

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

183

portance. I believe I have shown that the facts are
not wholly as represented, and that the facts, even
when they may exist as represented, do not pro-
duce results according to the deductions drawn
from them.

Let me now show the danger of attempts
to read the purposes of nature from her direct
acts. If we examine swamp vegetation, we find
Magnolias, Willows, White Cedars, Eed Maples,
Cypresses and numerous others growing therein.
We at once conclude that they grow there be-
cause these trees prefer the wet to the dryer land.
But a wider acquaintance with trees will show
that all of them do better when, as we often find
them, growing in dryer places. A suspicion then
arises that there is something wrong with our
reasoning, and we find at last that nature has a
deeper purpose than merely an individual regard
for these trees. Their seeds will only grow in
wet soil ; and of necessity, and not for individual
benefit have these trees to remain there. Again
I think there is nothing more certain than that
effects will continue long after the causes which
produced thorn have ceased to exist; so that ac-
tions'which yon see, may be associated with de-
gradation, instead of evolution ; may be the last
flickering of a dying light, and not an Aurora
indicating the birth of a new day. In the pres-
ent question, our reason will tell us that the phe-
nomena we see may bear this interpretation as
well as those given to them by our friends.

In Europe, for instance, the common Straw-
berry is almost universally hermaphrodite ; but
in this country the tendency to dicecism is well-
known. We know also that those parts of the
world in which dicecism prevails is not as favor-
able to the existence of the Strawberry as the
other, and we may safely conclude that dicecism
— a form of dimorphism — has no relation to any
advantage to be derived through the sexes ; but
is an actual result of degrading conditions.

Then, physiologically, what good can result?
It is asserted by those who differ from me that
probably most of the large order of composites
are cross-fertilized ; the flower in one head re-
ceiving the pollen of another flower in the same
head, by the aid of insects. This they contend
after an examination of the structure. After
noting the behavior of the parts, and in the
absence of insects, I contend they are self-
fertilizers. But supposing they were all tha't is
asked for them ! Compare one with an ordinary
polypetalous flower — say Ranunculus — and
where is the gain ? The floral parts are all on the

same common peduncle in both cases, and the
stamens and pistils are as widely — nay wider
separated in a Ranunculus than in a Dandelion.
Practically, there is a wider separation of the
sexes in the Ranunculus than the Dandelion,
granting even all or more than is asked for as
cross-fertilization in composites. Physiological
disturbances that aid the vital principle in the
pistils, and interfere with that of the stamens,
of course weaken the vital power of the pollen.
In such cases foreign pollen — pollen from flowers
free from these disturbances, or where the dis-
turbances favor the stamens instead of the pis-
tils, would have more potency. It is therefore
not surprising that some cases should offer prov-
ing foreign pollen better than own pollen. It
would be more surprising if there were none ; for
in every direction we find nature with overflowing
abundance, pushing beyond what we regard as the
necessary mark. As the boy, who to jump across
the stream first goes back, and when he lands on
the other side goes further than he wants to; so
does nature in all things, or I have not read her
story right. I can refer in a brief paper like
this, to but a few observations I have made, nor
do I think it necessary. I will now submit these
propositions : —

1st. That cross-fertilization by insect agency
does not exist to near the extent claimed for it.

2nd. Where it does exist there is no evidence
that it is of any material benefit to the race — on
the contrary.

3rd. Difficulties in self-fertilization result from
physiological disturbances that have no relation
to the general welfare of plants as species.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Botanical Against Common Names.— The Gar-
dener's Chronicle has the following*:—" The report
of the United States Commissioner for Agricul-
ture for 1875, contains a catalogue of upwards of
400 species of forest trees, including, however,
such plants as Yuccas. The same volume con-
tains an elaborate and exhaustive account of the
forests of the several States. For the benefit of
those who rail at Latin names of plants we give
the popular names of Abies Douglasii, which it
appears is known as ' Douglas Fir, Red Fir, Black
Fir, Douglas Spruce, Red Spruce, Black Spruce,
Hemlock, Oregon Pine, Western Pitch, Bear
River Pine, Swamp Pine, and perhaps others.
Moreover, nearly all of the names are also ap-

184

TEE GARDENER'S MO NT ELY

[June,

plied to other species.' " Like the Chronicle we
do not see how we could get along without bo-
tanical names, hard as some of them are. We
do all we can to show this, but we must make it
as easy as wc can ; and we can at least do with-
out the long Latin names for garden varieties.

Very Late Blackberries. — The Placer Herald
says, " that high up in the mountains, near the
settlement of ' Yankee Pines,' there is a species
of blackberry that ripens very late. We had good
fruit gathered in these hills on Christmas day.
The elevation is 3000 feet."

Lemmonia Californica is the name of a new
genus of plants, discovered by that excellent
working botanist, J. G. Lemmon. Dr. Gray will
soon publish the description.

Fibre Plants. — The San Francisco Hei-ald
says: — "The manufacture of two new kinds of
elastic fibrous materials for upholsterers' use has
latety been commenced in California — one at An-
tioch from Tule, and the other at Los Angeles
from Cactus — the former the product of the
swamp and the latter of the desert. Mean-
time, the dried and twisted fibre of the Amole or
Soap root keeps its place in the market as one
of the best substitutes for hair, which continues
to be preferred as the best stuffing for mat-
tresses." The Soap root is perhaps the Chloro-
galum.

The Use of Feathered Awns to Some Seeds.
— One of Mr. Darwin's sons has, during the past
two years, contributed some very interesting

..•■-

articles to scientific serials on the uses of feath-
ered and twisted awns to some seeds. He thinks
that the feathered portion helps to keep the
points of the seeds downwards, and that the
twisting helps to screw them into the soil, as it
wore. Tbe late Charles J. Wister, of German-

town, told the writer of this that he had experi-
mented carefully with the Stipa pennata or fea-
ther grass, (see cut,) and that unless the point in
some way got pressed perpendicularly into the
earth, they would not germinate. Seeds laid
horizontally, and covered with earth as in ordi-
nary seed sowing, would not grow. The subject
will be interesting to plant lovers, and we call
attention to it now that seeds of this character
may be saved to experiment with.

Fleshy Fruits. — The flesh of the fruit of most
of our cultivated fruit trees is analogous to the
enlarged roots of the Turnip and Beet, and sim-
ilar plants, and is simply the product of cultiva-
tion, which is much sooner lost again under
neglected circumstances than it was originally
artificially produced. One of the most able
French botanists, Professor Lecoq, of Clermont-
Ferrand, who died onty some few years ago, in-
stituted numerous experiments with various
wild plants to induce them to form fleshy roots,
and he was almost invariably successful. Just
as it is the task of the agriculturist to increase
the volume of his roots, so it should be the aim
of the fruit gardener to increase the flesh of pome,
stone, and berry fruits, and the substance stored
up in the cotyledons of nut fruit. — Karl Koch.

Descending Sap. — It is not affirmed by any
one that we know of, that the elaborated sap
does not descend. The modern notion is simply
that it may, and does ascend — go horizontally,
or in any other direction, as well as descend, ac-
cording to time, circumstances, and the need of
the plant. Suppose, for instance, starch is to be
stored in a potato tuber, or wood to be formed
in a vine rod ; the matter out of which that
starch or that wood is formed must in great
measure pass through the leaves, and, therefore,
it must descend to reach its destination. But
starch is likewise stored up in the grain of
wheat. In this case, then, it is obvious that
the nutrient and store-containing or store-form-
ing sap must ascend from the leaves; and the
same holds true of fruits and stones (seeds)
placed above the leaves. — Gardener's Chronicle.

Light and Vegetation. — In observing the in-
fluence upon vegetation of the long duration of
light during the Summer months in high lati-
tudes, Dr. Muller found that at seventy degrees
north latitude, pears grew at the rate of three
and a half inches in twenty-four hours for many
days during the season, and that certain cereal*

1871.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

185

grew at the rate of two and a half inches in the
same specified time. He also noted that the
constant presence of light increased those secre-
tions in plants which are due to the influence of
actinic force on the leaves. The coloring matter
and pigment cells were in much greater amount,
and the tints of the colored parts were conse-
quently deeper. The same effect was produced
upon the secretions which give flavor and odor,
so that the fruits of Northern Norway, though
less sweet, are more savory than those grown in
the South.

New Classification of Monocotyledons.- — At
the recent meeting of the Linmean Society,
Mr. Bentham, F. R. S., presented a long paper on
the classification and nomenclature of monoco-
tyledons. In the brief account he gave of the
contents of his paper he urged that, in describing
plants, care should be taken to employ terms
that state facts and do not involve a theory as to
what the parts described represent in other
plants. He complained of the carelessness with
which man}' writers indiscriminately employ
terms. His new classification involves great
changes. It was especially pointed out that ex-
ternal appearance is often misleading, and, for
example, the Iris and the Lily in the new scheme
are widely separated, the Liliacse being brought
into close proximity with the Smilacse. Enough
was said of the paper to show that when pub-
lished it will arouse an unusual amount of inter-
est among botan'sts. — Gardener s Magazine.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Double-headed Callas — We have had
numerous specimens sent to us since our last ap-
peared, and have seen many growing. They
must have been unusually numerous the past
season. No doubt the peculiar arrestation of
bud growth necessary to form the embryonic
flower last Fall, was imperfect. It grew a little
after having started to form the flower-bud, and
then was again speedily arrested. It is like the
rebounding of a stone on the water when thrown
at an angle. It does not immediately sink as
when it falls more in right line. The peculiar
season was no doubt connected with this pecu-
liar disturbance.

Variations in Pecan Nuts. — G. F. N. writes:

" Please find herewith two nuts. No. 1 (the
smaller), is sold in our fruit stores as the 'Texas
Pecan.' In appearance it differs from the ordi-
nary pecan. On cracking it you will find less of
the bitter lining of that nut, and the meat
plumper and sweeter.

" The other is said to be a cross between the
Hickory and Pecan. A few were given to me ;
I think they come from Tennessee. My family
cracked one of them, and found it had a thicker
shell and a smaller meat than the Pecan. I wish
you would plant this, and should extra assort-
ment be necessarv, please inform me."

[We have little faith in what " is said to be "
about hybrids in nature. They probably rarely
occur, and we know of no direct proof in any
one case instanced. It is forgotten how great is
a plant's own innate power of variation. At the
late Centennial Exhibition, the Spanish collec-
tion contained a wonderful variety of the com-
mon European walnut — Madeira nuts— many
of them more distinct in appearance from one
another than these Pecan nuts appear ; but they
are not hybrids, for there is no other species but
the one— Juglans regia— nothing to hybridize
with .

The whole race of Shellbarks and Pecans are
worth looking after in the wild woods; and when
any are found first-rate select them, and graft
them. It is a slow and uncertain method to go
on by seed.— Ed. G. M.]

Freezing of Sap.— A Galena friend says :—
" The opinion that sap freezes is a very common,
though it may be a very erroneous one. Not
long since we were talking with one of our fore-
most nurserymen, a man of ripe experience and
enviable success, who stated incidentally that trees
frozen solid in transportation may be thawed out
by immersion in water or by being buried in
damp earth (the whole tree, roots and branches
being covered), and the tree will sustain no in-
jury by the frost. Now query if the sap may be
thus frozen out of the ground and thawed again
without injuring the vitality of the trees, why not
in the ground as well ?"

[This is a correct observation. A tree which
may have its roots wholly encased in frost under
ground, escapes ; the same tree, its roots exposed
to the atmosphere, dies. If it has not been long
or severely frozen, it may be recovered by im-
mersing in cold water.

In like manner tender roses or similar half-
hardy plants, kept in a close greenhouse where

186

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[Jurhe,

the air is moist, will endure a temperature of j
zero all Winter without injury ; but if exposed to
the open air, are killed by half that amount
of frost. The general impression, and we think
the correct one is, that the juices are dried out
by evaporation, frost as well as heat being an
evaporator. — Ed. G. M.]

Phellodendron. — F., Baltimore, Md., writes :
— "I have had thePhilodendron growing in past
times, and know it as a very tender hot-house
plant, with leaves having holes as if torn through
them, and it bears a fruit that is tolerably good
to eat. I see that you report a new one that is a
tree, and hardy. Will it bear fruit like the other
one, and is it not uncommon to have such hardy
plants and stove-plantsin the same family?"

[Our correspondent misapprehends. It is Phel-
lodendron , not Philodendron. It is the difference
between a " friend " or " lover," and " cork." Bo-
tanists seldom tell why they name trees. They
take it for granted that those who are interested
enough in the meanings know Latin or Greek,
and can find out for themselves. Mr. Sargent
Bays the bark of this tree is very corky, and we
suppose on this account it must have suggested
the name Phellodendron. The Philodendron
merely "loves trees." It is an arum that roams
and rambles over trees. By the way, why the
willow oak was named Quercus phelloswe never

knew, unless from some distant resemblance of
the leaves to those of the cork oak. Perhaps

some of our botanical linguists can tell. Of Phi-
lodendron we give an illustration herewith.

^ JTERATURE, ^RAVELS & §?ERSQNAL ffOTES.

CO MM UNICA TIONS.

"PATENTED" FRUITS.

BY T. B. MINER, LINDEN, X. J.

There is but one feature of this proposed pro-
tection to originators of new varieties of fruits,
in my opinion, that is practical — patenting the
name — and this would ho a great advance in the
case as it now stands. For instance, I have
spent twenty years in growing seedling grapes,
and have expended a groat deal of money in my
experiments, and at last I claim to have origina-

ted the best varieties of white grapes, of purely
native origin, in the United States. But to ask
a patent on the fruit itself I consider of no use
or benefit, because it would be impossible, in
case of infringement on such patent, to prove that
it existed. My grapes may be grown by others
under a new name, and it would be out of my
power to prevent it, because no description of
the vines, fruits, quality, &c, can be embraced in
a claim for a patent, that would enable any per-
son or poisons to select my vines from others
when not in bearing; and when the fruit id
mature the quality would be so various in differ-
ent places, owing to a difference in soil, climate,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

187

&c, that it would then be impossible to indentify
the vines. So it would be with every Jiew variety
of fruit; all one would have to do would be to
change the name, and then sell all he desired.

Take strawberries; for instance, the "Great
American," the foliage being identical with a
score of other varieties, and the fruit changeable
in size and flavor in different localities, how
could it be patented? I consider such a thing
so preposterously absurd that it is a waste of
time to argue the question. But if the name
were secured to the originator, so that no one
could sell "Great American" strawberries with-
out purchasing a "right," the originator would
be partially protected. It is true, that they
could be sold under another name, but it takes
several years to establish the character of a new
variety of fruit, by advertising it, and having it
tested in different parts of the country; and
those persons who sell it under a new name
would have to do their own advertising and
build up a reputation for it at their own expense,
which is something worth trying to secure.

Suppose, as the case now stands, that I adver-
tise my new grapes extensively, and pay out
thousands of dollars, and establish their character
all over the United States ; well, various enterpri-
sing nurserymen buy from fifty to one hundred
vines each, and in three or four years they are
able to supply the entire demand for these vines,
and will do it on the strength of my previous
advertising! That is wrong, and it tends to
discourage producers of new varieties of fruits.
Let us, then, try to secure our right to the name-
vie give our fruit, and not to ask anything more,
as we shall not obtain more if we ask it till
doomsday. I offer no grape vines for sale at
present.

RECOLLECTIONS OF AUSTRALIA.

BY WM. T. HARDING, UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.
(Concluded from page 123.)

The wild romance of nature was as perfect
and as charming as could possibly be found in
the sublunary world. In the small lagoons, or
pools, through which the water flowed, grew
Nelumbium Leichardtianum, a most magnifi-
cent crimson water lily, with immense leaves,
rising four or five feet above the water; among
which floated the beautiful blue Nymphea gi-
gantea. Among masses of water plants and
large tussocks of Xyrus, especially, several pairs

of the odd-looking mained geese had formed
their nests. Quietly swimming about, were
several sleeply-looking pied geese, and so
stupidly goosy as to allow me to catch them,
Nothing surprised me more than the discovery
of a bed of water cress, the true Nasturtium offi-
cinalis, with which both the London and New
York markets are supplied. What memories
seemed to cluster round the little herb of other
lands, the sight of which awakened happy recol-
lections of friends, in "the fast anchored isle."

The rhizomes of Davallia pyxidata, and D.
flaccida hung in lengthened masses, like twisted
and tangled ropes, from the projecting crags,
some forty feet long. The Stag's Horn Fern,
Platycerum alcieorne, was indeed a curious sight
to behold. Like a pai'isite, it seemed to live upon
anything, moist or dry, and grew equally as well
on the tops of the trees as on the soil beneath.
A Loranthus, or mistletoe, a true parasite, was
growing upon an Acacia platyphylla, near by.
A splendid specimen of what I supposed to be
a Macrozamea cylindrica, was perched high up
on the edge of a projecting rock. On such an
elevated vantage-ground, its peculiarity seemed
more strange and conspicuous.

Many were the species of beautiful ferns, of
which the anne? ed are but a few : — Polypodium
Billardieri, Niphobolus ruprstris, Zyphopteris
hetrophylla, Blechnum lsevigatum, Adiantum
formosum,A.deltoideum, A.concinnum, Asplen-
ium flabellifolium, A. obtusatum, Botrychium
australe, Aspidium munitum, A. decompositum,
Pteris falcata, P. esculenta, Dictyopteris pteroi-
des, D. macrodonta, Microlepis rhomboidea,
Ophioglossum gramineum, Lindsoea linearis, Ne-
ottopteris Australasica, Cyathea medularis, Also-
phila Australis, and Cybotium Billiardieri—
splendid specimens, averaging from twenty to
sixty feet high. A tall and slender stemmed
Alsophila Liechardtiana was one of the grandest
of tree ferns I ever saw.

Hibiscus multifidus, a comely blue flowering
shrub, was abundant, As a tree of mark, the
very singular evergreen, Carpodonta lucida,
had a striking appearance; its glossy foliage
seemed to be dripping wet, as it glistened and
waved in the sun.

Among a mass of detached rocks sprung the
corrugated shaft of fine Xanthorrhcea, or grass
tree. From the apex of its grass-like crown
waved a beautiful flossy wand, or floral plume,
several feet above. Pretty bushes of Prostan-
thera violacea, mingled with Chorozema

188

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

varium, Grevillea Manglesii, Cassinea den-
ticulata, Zeria revoluta, Trichilia glandulosa,
Ruellia Australis, and Pimelia linifolia.

Not more than a bow shot from where I stood
I observed a circle of long lances, standing
above the low shrubs and ferns. Every moment
I expected to see the savage owners start up or
make some movement; but not a sound or mo-
tion broke the silence. Imitating their usual
call, with a loud co-oe-ee,

" I listened for a footfall, and waited for a word,

But the beating of my own heart, wag (he only sound I heard."

I cautiously advanced among the bushes, to re-
connoitre, when, lo and behold ! was a sight, at
which I stood aghast. Before me lay the skele-
ton forms of nine human beings. In grim
ghastliness, the bony structures lay bleaching in
the wind and sun. No anatomical operation
could have been more skillfull}' performed by
the professional anatomist, than had been done
by a fierce army of ants. Their sharp and ac-
tive mandibles soon dissect a carcass. Springing
from between the ulna and radius bones of the
fore arm of a skeleton, was a thrifty looking
plant of Trichomanes venosa, a very graceful lit-
tle fern. Its clinging rhizomes were gradually
creeping round the bones, and had firmly at-
tached its clasping roots thereto. Its beautiful
pinnules so extremely slender, and resting on
such fragile stipes, seemed to be more airy and
gauze-like in their delicate green, which much
resembled hair-lined etchings on ivory. The
poor wretches had evidently come to an un-
timely end. Scattered around lay the worn-
meras, waddies, boomerangs, spears and shields
— all wooden weapons, of the most primitive
kind.

In the centre of an exceedingly fine specimen
of Neottopteris Australasica, or Bird's Nest Fern,
rested a fleshless skull, around which the long,
undivided fronds radiated, after the manner of an
Elizabethan frill or ruffled collar, and much like
the stiff muslin chevaux defrise, with which the
artist usually surrounds the face of "good Queen
Bess." The forbidding grimace of death's head
shocked me, as its eyeless sockets seemed to fix
me with a horrid stare. With a shudder, I
turned from " those holes where eyes did once
inhabit," and leaving the sickening scene, re-
traced my steps along the solitary wild, and was
soon again by the side of Patrick, my invalid
companion. To my inquiries regarding his
health, be astonished me by saying, "be never

felt better in all his born days whenever he
faced Mt. Alexandria, but whenever his face was
towards it, he felt as if he was kilt, intirely."

Abernethy, in his ever prompt and peculiar
way, would have treated such a case heroically,
no doubt. But as he had gone to the shades long
ago, it remained for the writer to assume the
role of Esculapius for once, and from his own
vade mecum prescribe for his suffering compan-
ion. The diagnostic symptoms, evidently, indi-
cated a very severe attack of gold fever. As our
stock of drugs was small, and my allopathio
knowledge still smaller, I concluded a la Hahne-
mann, to prescribe similia similibus curantur.
Reluctantly, I, with my fever-stricken friend,
turned again towards the gold fields. When in
sight of a miner's hut, we halted beneath a
Mimusops cyanocarpus, a very curious tree.
The wonderful " cow tree," M. eliator, of the
Amazons, so frequently described by travelers,
is a congener, which, with M. dissecta, when
once seen, are trees ever to be remembered.
The flowers bear a striking resemblance to a
monkey's face. Feeling more sick and sorrow-
ful than my friend Patrick after a long parley,
I clasped his honest hand for the last time, and
bidding him God-speed, separated forever.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

IlUINED BY HIS GREENHOUSES. — The Boston

folks should look after the agent of the Asso-
ciated Press of their city. While sending an
account to every leading paper in the country of
the failure of one of their citizens, he coupled it
with his "opinion" that the trouble was caused
by "inordinate expenditures on greenhouses."
The Associated Press pays for news and not for
opinions, especially opinions that are founded
on mere guesses. We venture to say that no
amateur's greenhouses in the United States cost
as much as the horses and carriages, or as
much as the Winter parties and other extrava-
gances; and though it might be contended
that horses save car fare and railroad rides, the
fruits, vegetables and flowers used in a family
surely save as much as horse-keeping does. In
this particular case we feel especially sure that
"inordinate expenses on greenhouses" would
not have amounted to anything like $3000 a year,
which would hardly involve a man to the extent
of perhaps a hundred thousand dollars.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

189

Those Rascally Seedsmen. — We find the fol-
lowing letter from a sufferer in the Gander-
twamp (O.) Statesman. We understand that the
gentleman, who was so fearfully swindled, en-
couraged by recent legal decisions in New
Jersey and elsewhere, does not intend to suffer
the matter to rest here, but has engaged our
horticultural friend Judge Frank of Dayton,
to see him righted in the matter. We may look
for lively times.

Mr. Editor: — I bought from Mr.

the

finest and rarest varieties of flower seeds I found
described in his catalogue.

I made a hot-bed four feet thick of fresh, loose
manure, placed fine earth over it, composed
mostly of decayed cowdung and chicken manure.
It was black and rich, and seed having any vi-
tality at all would surely germinate in such soil.
I sowed my seed in this bed and covered it about
four inches deep with a composition made of
one-third of the fine earth aforesaid, one-third of
bone-dust and one-third of Peruvian guano.
The heat of my hot-bed was splendid — hot
enough to boil water.

I saturated thoroughly three times each day to
encourage the seeds to do well. You say seeds
should never be allowed to become dry after
they are sown. I watched my hot-beds very
attentively daily, anxiously looking for the seeds
to come up in luxuriant growth. I was already
seeing them in imagination at my dooryard,
blooming in a sea of glory next Summer.

I really thought my heart would break when,
after long days and weary weeks of watching,
not a flower seed came up. At the same time
when I sowed my flower seed I also sowed some
cabbage seed into my hot-bed. The cabbage
seed sprouted a few days after it was sowed, but
it- grew up at the rate of two-forty, spindling like
a darning needle. The plants could not stand up
straight. They gracefully hung their heads down
to the ground like stalks of Indian corn in Sum-
mer after a severe storm, showing that the cab-
bage seed must have been sickly when I got it,
and that the flower seed was as dead as a door-
nail before it was sent to me.

Oh, for a modern Attila, who would be a
scourge of nurserymen and seedsmen, who would
kill all the swindling nurserymen and seedsmen,
together with their families, and their relatives
to the fifteenth degree.

I do not believe that a drop of honest blood
would be harmed if ali the nurserymen and

seedsmen and all their friends and relations were
indiscriminately slaughtered, and their heads
used to build pyramids in Tamerlane's fashion
of old, as a terrible and lasting warning to all
rascals.

You may say that I am excited; that I am
mad. I say, yes; I am excited; I am mad; and
I have every reason to be so. It is well for
these villians that I am not in possession of witch-
craft, for woe be unto them if I were. I do think
it is too provoking to be swindled and victimized
year after year by a set of thieves and plunder-
ers. But enough of this sad chapter. I do
neither ask nor expect any advice from you in
this matter, because there is none to give; but it
relieves my bleeding heart, and throbbing, aching
temples to know that you share my grief by
knowing of it. This world would be a paradise
to us if we were spared the agonies given us by
dishonest nurserymen and seedsmen. As it is, it
is "a vale of tears — dead."

Tornilla. — In the published reports of the
meeting of the Linnsen Society of London it is
said the Strombocarpus pubescens of New
Mexico is called, by the natives, Retorquilla, it
should be Tornilla, we think.

A Dahlia Catalogue. — It puts us in mind of
some thirty years ago, to see a beautifully gotten
up catalogue wholly on Dahlias! It is from Mr.
Max Deegan Junior the second, and from Kos-
tritz in Thuringia, and we really think the
Dahlia deserves more than the cool treatment it
has had of late yeara. Mr. Deegan grows only
Dahlias, having given up all other branches of
the floral business for them. Such devotion
deserves reward.

How to Raise Fruit. — A hand-book of fruit
culture, by Thomas Gregg, New York, S. R.
Wells & Co., from J. B. Lippincott & Co., Phila-
delphia. Every year there are large numbers of
little books issued from the press on this and
kindred subjects, which' are evidently not intend-
ed for those who have made much advance in
horticultural knowledge, and which are aimed at,
and really do reach many who rarely or never
see more advanced publications. It would
hardly be fair to apply the same rules of criti-
cism to these as to more pretentious works.' They
do a great deal of good in their way, and we
were glad to see that there is a demand and a
good use for them. Mr. Greeg's book is quite as

190

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

\_June,

good as a large number of this class, and far
superior to many that have had higher aims.
We are not sure but we might take exceptions
to some of the statements of facts. For instance,
we read that "Thomas Meehan, the intelligent
Editor of the Gardener's Monthly of Philadelphia,
recommends the growing of pears in a grass sod,
as a preventative of blight." The part we have
italicized is incorrect. We have never had any
evidence that pears in sod are exempt from the
fire blight, nor ever have so stated.

The Onion Smut. By Prof. W. G. Farlow. —
To the obligations practical horticulturists all
over the country are under to the Botanists of
Cambridge we have now added this labor of
Prof. Farlow on the Onion Smut, which is a fear-
ful pest to the onion crops of Massachusetts and
Connecticut. Prof. Farlow does not know that
it has been noticed elsewhere. It is caused by a
fungus nearly allied to the rye smut. It is named
by Prof. Farlow, Urocystis Cepulse; the spores
enter the plant with the sap, from the ground.
It is not safe to plant onions in infested ground
for three or four years.

Hatching Eggs and Raising Poultry by
Means of Horse Manure. By A. Corbett, New
York, Orange, Judd & Co. — For many, many
years there have been numerous promising in-
ventions for raising chicks without a mother,
but all have been abandoned after a year or so
of trial. We do not think the author knows
why all these have failed. Whether his own
plan will share a similar fate when it gets into
other hands or not remains to be seen. Whether
or not, there is quite enough of information
about chickens in health and chickens sick to
make the cheap little book well worth the money,
though the buyer never sees an " artificial "
chick.

Melbourne, Australia, Botanic Garden An-
nual Report for 1876. By W. R. Guilfoyle,
Esq., Director. — This is very pleasant reading,
showing how a garden can be made a place of
pleasure to the whole people who support it, and
yet not neglect the higher aims of science, which
indirectly serve the whole people's good. These
gardens are among the few very successful enter-
prises of the kind.

Western New York Horticultural Society,
Proceedings of 22d Annual Meeting at Roch-
ester, 1877. From P. C. Reynolds, Rochester,
Secretary. — This excellent Society exists wholly
by membership and contributions, yet publishes
a good volume, and does good work. In this
volume are excellent essays by J. J. Thomas
on Native Fruits; Hugh T. Brooks, on Insect
Enemies; Geo. Ellwanger, on Ornamental Trees;
W. C. Barry, on Botany; Mr. Hooker, on the
Apple Q-op; M. B. Bateham, on Storing Winter
Fruits; Prof. Comstock, on Entomology ; Eugene
Glen, on Copyrights to Originators of Horticultural
Novelties; Dr. G. Ware Sylvester, on Phylloxera;
besides full reports of the discussions. The ar-
ticle on "copyrights," by Mr. Glen, is especially
interesting in view of the recent discussions in
this respect, and is one of the most ably reasoned
arguments in favor of a ' 'copyrighted name "
to a fruit, that we have seen, and deserves to be
studied by all interested in the production of
new fruits, seeds or flowers, and who really de-
sire to see discoveries well rewarded, according
to their worth. Mr. Glen has, by no means, per-
ceived all the objections to copyrighted names.
Some of the worst objections are among these
that are overlooked, but this we leave to others
to look after. We can only say that, at this
meeting, Mr. Glen's well-reasoned remarks do
not appear to have met with opposition at the
meeting.

HORTICULTURAL^

f~

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The International Exhibition Company. —
The immense structure known as the " Main
Building," of the Centennial Exposition, the

largest single hall, perhaps, ever built in the world,
has Leon purchased, most of our readers know,
by a private company for the purpose of holding
a perpetual exhibition of the products of science
and art. Horticulture and agriculture in any

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

191

of the features that will admit of permanent ex-
hibition have not been overlooked by the man-
agement, and any one interested in these depart-
ments will find a day spent in this wonderful
building very far from being lost.

New York Horticultural Society. — Schedule
of Premi urns for 1877. — This new society appears
to be in a flourishing condition. Mr. John Hen-
derson is President, and Mr.W. J. Davidson, box
191, Brooklyn, N. Y., Recording Secretary, from
whom the schedules can he obtained. The Fall
exhibition will be held on the 22d, 23d, and 24th
of September. From New York papers we learn
that there is a gratifying increase in the number
of amateur visitors to the meetings of the So-
ciety, which are regarded as in every way a
great success.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. —
Schedule of premiums for 1877. — Competition
open to all. $6,100 are offered for premiums.
Among the matters of general interest are the
following offers for essays : For the best Essay
upon the Culture and Varieties of Roses, $25;
Culture of Flowers and Foliage for Winter Dec-
oration and the Market, with a list of the most
desirable varieties, $25 ; Ripening and Market-
ing of Pears, $25 ; Garden Irrigation — its Advan-
tages and Limits, $25; Bottom Heat — its Bene-
fits and Methods, $25; Chickweed— its Effects
and how to Eradicate it, $25.

The Essays to be directed to "Robert Manning,
Secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, Horticultural Hall, Boston; for the
Committee on Publication and Discussion," so
as to be received by the first of November, in
sealed envelopes, unsigned, but accompanied by
the name of the writer in a separate sealed en-
velope. Notice will be given to successful com-
petitors of the time for reading their Essays.
All the Society's prizes are open to general com-
petition. William C. Strong is the Chairman of
Com. on Publication and Discussion.

Germantown (Pa.) Horticultural Society.—
In looking through the pretty little exhibition
during its April show, we noted a few items
which may interest the general reader.

In the collection of Thomas Hendricks, gar-
dener to Mr. John Jay Smith, there was a speci-
men of the new Hydrangea, Thomas Hogg. It
is more distinct than one would suppose from
the description, for the flowers are not only larger
and of a pure white, but have an angular out-

line which strikes the reader at once as novel.
Mr. Hendricks had also a stand of remarkably
fine Marshal] Niel roses, the result of a graft on
the Banksian stock. We have before noted how
very well roses under glass culture do when grafted
on the Banksian, and was glad to be again re-
minded of it in this pleasant way. It is a pleas-
ure to see people trying to make handsome things
of old fashioned plants, as occurred to us as we
saw Mr. David Hunter's specimen of the cut-
leaved variety of the rose geranium. It was
about four feet over. It might have been im-
proved by a little guidance in growing it, but
still it was impressive from its size. Mr. H.had
also a plant of Abutilon vexillarium, grafted on
a straight stem about three feet high, which
mode of growth suits the drooping flowers very
well. He had also some well-grown pansies, the
flowers of which were two and a half inches
across. Mr. James Ritchie of Philadelphia, had
a remarkable collection of imported azaleas, re-
markable not only for the beauty of the flowers,
but for the skill in training, as in form they were
all made to appear as bouquets, each of the ex-
act size of the other. As to varieties the Coun-
tess of Kerchove was particularly beautiful. It
was of a semi-double white with bright carmine
stripes. Alex. Newett, gardener to Mr. H. Pratt
McKean, always attracts close attention to his
plants from the orchids which he generally has
in bloom. Here was a hanging basket with nu-
merous pendent clusters of iErides odoratum ;
the deliciously scented but not showy Maxilla-
ria Deppei, and a few others. A very delicate
and beautiful palm in the same collection, is
Sabal tomentosa. It was as graceful as some
ferns. The old fashioned flowers were worthily
represented by Matthew McCleary, gardener to
Miss Dorsey who had a plant of Epiphyllum speci-
osum — an old cactus but seldom seen — with sev-
enty-eight blossoms on it! And by Mrs. Dunton
with her wall-flowers, which for richness of per-
fume by those who do not get intoxicated by full
draughts of sweet odors, is particularly welcome.
Mr. R. J. Siddall had a large quantity of the new
"calla"Richardia maculata. For flowers it is not of
course as desirable as the old Richardia ethio-
pica, but the spotted leaves are of such a healthy
appearance, that its position as a good window-
plant is near the top of the list. We mean that
it harmonizes well with wTorks of art. Mr. E.
Lonsdale had a very fine plant of a Mule Pink.
These are hybrids between the common "Carna-
tion " Pink and the Chinese Pink, and we are

192

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[June,

moved to say not only that this particular vari-
ety was good, but that the whole race deserves
more extended culture. The President, Mr. Gal-
loway C. Morris, had a large number of beautiful
plants — among others an Azalea mollis, very
striking by its orange oblique flowers, and an
Indian Azalea, " Beauty of Surry," also attractive
by reason of the pure velvety texture of the
petals.

American Pomological Society. — In addition
to the programme as noted in our last, in-
vitations have been accepted by the follow-
ing-named gentlemen to prepare papers : —
Prof. W. J. Beal, of the Agricultural College,
Lansing, Michigan, will prepare a paper on
" The Classification of Apples ; " Prof. A. N.
Prentiss, of Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.,
will prepare a paper on " The Pathology of Cul-
tivated Plants." It is expected that other gen-
tlemen of experience and skill will present pa-
pers on practical or historical subjects con-
nected with fruit-culture, such as " The Species
of the Apple," " The Bitter Rot of the Apple,"
etc.

Horticultural Pioneers in the West. — The
Cliicago Tribune names as among the early hor-
ticultural pioneers of Illinois, Samuel Edwards,
Mr. Harkness, Mr. Overman, John B. Tull, Mr.
Shepherd, Tyler McWhorter, Mr. Hunt, Mr.
Kinney, Mr. Mann and S. G. Winkler — of the
good works of the most of which we also can
attest as being well merited.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Centennial Exhibition — A Letter from
President Wilder. — Mr. Editor: — In running
through your last Monthly, I am pleased to see
that the same nerve guides the editorial pen
with usual vigor. Your article on " Self and
Cross-Fertilization " pleases me. You are we 11
posted — go on, and you will be able to make
clear many mysteries in that science. This " lit-
tle cloud of pollen " floats in the air as the fra-
grance of flowers permeates it. and although
invisible to the naked eye, impregnates every
pistil within its reach. These fertilizing grains,
by the aid of the microscope, may be seen on
shaking the flower, to rise like dust in the air,
eager to light upon their companions for tbe
procreation of their species. Your experiments

are very ingenious and instructive, and agree
with my own experience in regard to the diffu-
sion of pollen and its subtle effect. One in-
stance in proof — the Wilder strawberry is a pis-
tillate plant, and its foliage is so tall that it cov-
ers almost completely its blossoms, and yet they
are fully impregnated by a bed of Staminate, if
in the vicinity, and produce large crops of fruit.
I have been much interested in your article on
" The Centennial Pomological Judges," and the
frank and honest explanations you have made
on the subject. As one of the Advisory Com-
mittee of the Bureau of Agriculture, I did what
I could to impress on the Commissioners the
great importance of American Pomology, which
should have astonished the world by its exhibi-
tion. Considering the disposition to almost ignore
it, the wonder is that during the week in Sep-
tember there should have been more than
twelve thousand dishes of fruits on the tables.
And let it not be forgotten how much the pub-
lic owes to you and other judges who, without
compensation, served for months in the Horticul-
tural and Pomological Department. I thank
Mr. Lincoln for his recognition of those worthy
compeers to which he alludes by name, all of
which are better entitled to the " Clarem et ven-
erabile nomen" than the other person designated.

Notes on the Centennial Pomological Ex-
hibit— Letter from Mr. Burnet Landreth. —
Mr. Editor : — Permit me to correct a typographi-
cal error in the extract from my official report
upon Pomology, at the International Exhibition.
The last passage, as printed in your May num-
ber, reads, "The Pomological Judges examined
patiently and critically two thousand distinct
dishes of fruit." The reference to two thousand
applies, not to dishes, but to distinct exhibits, many
of them comprising three or four bundred dishes
each, as in the aggregate the judges passed upon
61,391 dishes.

Exactly four-fifths of the examinations were
made solely by the resident Pomological Judges,
who did half the work in the remaining fifth.
For six months they twice and thrice a week de-
voted both mornings and afternoons to patient
investigation, and developed high technical
qualifications, the range of species and varieties
exhibited, exceeding anything in the history of
pomology. For this labor, our pomological
friends received the munificent (!) compensation,
grudgingly awarded, referred to in your last
edition.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

JULY, 1877.

Number 223.

lower Garden and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The many who admired the massing of the
leaf plants in the bedding at the Centennial
grounds last year, and have endeavored to imi-
tate it this, will do well to remember, that just
now much pinching in of the young shoots
has to be done. It is the new growth made this
month that gives the best colors in August
and September, and this reminds us the Salvias
were also pinched in ; but where a fine early
bloom of scarlet sage is desired, they should
have no pinching back.

All who have given attention to hardy shrubs
know how unsightly the prevailing fashion of
winter shearing — for we cannot dignify the
practice by calling it pruning — renders the
bushes ; and yet all feel the want of some meth-
od of keeping them within bounds, and in a
somewhat cultivated form. If the strong shoots
are thinned out now, all this trouble is obviated.
The same remarks apply to street trees, and all
others that it is desired to keep low and bushy
to the base.

Hedges must be served in the same way. Trim
off — regarding a due conical shape — all strong
top shoots, and suffer the weaker and lower ones
to grow as widely and freely as they will.

In many gardens there will be roses of poor
and inferior kinds, or of good ones that the
owner may desire superseded by better ones.
This may readily be accomplished by budding or

inoculating, and now and next month is the sea-
son to operate.

In almost all works on budding it is recom-
mended to take the wood out of the bud to be
inserted. This is necessary in the English cli-
mate, but unnecessary here, and never followed
by practiced hands.

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
growth, 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.
Anything 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.

The raising of new varieties of florists' flowers
is an interesting occupation to the amateur. The
process of hybridization, applies to all plants as
well as to grapes ; but good improved kinds of
some things may be obtained from chance
seedlings. The finest and doublest of Roses,
Petunias, Dahlias, Carnations, etc., should be se-
lected, and as soon as the petals fade, they shoiild
be carefully removed, or they will cause the deli-
cate organs of reproduction to decay before
maturity. A flower may be so very double as
not to bear seed at all, as in the case of the
Gillyflower or Stock ; but if the pistil remains
perfect, as it usually does, seed will ensue.

Dahlia seed may be preserved till the Spring.
Antirrhinum, Rose, Carnation, and such hardy
perennials, should be sown soon after ripening.

194

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

C031MUNICA TIONS.

THE AILAIMTHUS.

BY MR. A. VEITCH, NEW HAVEN, CONN.

I notice in May number of Monthly that Gen.
W. H. Noble, Bridgeport, Conn., in speaking of
the Ailanthus, is inclined to believe there are
more than one species in cultivation, which be-
lief seems to rest upon the fact that there is
great diversity of color in the ripening foliage
of different trees. This difference we have of-
ten noticed, but it is not sufficient to constitute
a species in this case, any more than in the Ma-
ple or the Beech. In the Beech, or Fagus syl-
vatica, there are several well marked varieties
in cultivation, chiefly distinguishable by the
color of their leaves, and are known by such
names as F. sylvatica atrorubens, cuprea, fol.
variegata, fol. aureus, &c. And we may yet
hope, when the Ailanthus receives the attention
it deserves, such varieties as Gen. Noble speaks
of will be sought after with as much avidity as
some novelties now are, and their fitness for or-
namental purposes fully appreciated.

It seems more than likely A. glandulosa is the
only one grown in the Northern United States.
The other species, A. excelsa, according to Lou-
don, is an evergreen tree, fifty feet in height ; a
native of the East Indies, and requires greenhouse
protection ; was introduced into Britain in 1800;
leaves abruptly pinnated ; leaflets serrated. The
leaves of glandulosa are pinnated with an odd
one; leaflets toothed at the base; teeth glandular.

CULTURE OF HARDY RHODODENDRONS.

BY WALTER ELDER, PHILADELPHIA.

The conflicting statements of your corres-
pondents in regard to Rhododendron culture are,
I think, calculated to deter others from making
the attempt. But, that hereabouts, at least,
they can be grown with very little extra care,
there are many cases to prove. At the home of
David Landreth, at Bloomsdale, they have been
successfully cultivated for over a quarter of a
century. The first lot set out was alongside of
a building with eastern exposure. Others were
set out in different exposures as time went on,
and now all flourish and bloom profusely every
May. No other preparations were made for
them than digging holes, pulverizing the soil,

and putting the surface turf in the bottom of
the holes, grassy side undermost. They were at
first mulched with saw dust. The soil is light
loam, the land nearly flat. I have observed that
the plants set near to tree-stems and those
exposed to sunshine from 4 p. m. to sunset, are
of lean growth; yet they bloom well. Those
set well off from the trees, but yet partially
shaded by their branches after mid-afternoon,
are very hemispherical bushes, their foliage
wholly hiding their wood-, and they blossom
profusely, annually. I advise all who can, to
visit Bloomsdale in May and see the plants in
bloom.

Twelve years ago I purchased in Robt. Buist's
nursery some Rhododendrons which were grow-
ing in a heavy loam, and were fully exposed to
Summer sunshine and Winter storm. I plant-
ed them upon a bed of garden soil, enriched for
previous crops. They all flourished and bloomed
profusely. Seven years afterwards when I vis-
ited the place, they were still doing finely. I
have planted for many others around Philadel-
phia, and they universally do well. There may
be latitudes, altitudes, localities and exposures,
that may not suit the culture of hardy Rhodo-
dendrons, but I think the extravagant prepara-
tions of rich composts, three feet deep, prevent
success. The extraordinary protection some-
times given in Winter may also injure them.
Mr. Robert Buist once stated in your columns
that the Ponticum and its sub-varieties were
tender. I have found them as hardy as others
here. Their leaves are long and narrow, much
reflected, and of a dull green color, and are
very smooth. Most of their blooms are tinged
with lilac.

BEAUTY OF GLAZENWOOD ROSE.

BY J.

Allow me, please, to say a word about this
rose, about which so much has been recently
said in regard to its being the same as Fortune's
Yellow Rose, and the cry that has been made
about "fraud" and "humbug" in connection
therewith. There are so many people in the
world who love to believe that every thing in-
troduced is a fraud and a sham, that nothing
gives them so much pleasure as to believe they
have "found a skunk " which they can prove to
the world is really and truly one. These people
never allow that there is any room for an hon-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

195

est mistake, or that there is full value given,
though it may not be just as was intended. It
is "a fraud" and nothing less, and " they told
you so."

Now, here is a rose which has been intro-
duced by Mr. Bull, Mr. Saul, and many other
men whose honor stands as high as any one's in
any walk of life, and who have issued colored
plates, showing that a rose like "Madam Falcot"
in golden color, had also the addition of crim-
son flakes. It is now said this rose is nothing
but the old Fortune's Yellow. It is some years
since I saw Fortune's Yellow. I never saw it
with crimson flakes, but it would often have a
coppery sort of tint not usual in its general
style of flowering. This Beauty of Glazenwood
is striped. I do not know the origin of the rose,
but I strongly suspect that a branch of Fortune's
Yellow produced striped flowers, and that this
branch was cut off, propagated, and the plant
named accordingly. In such cases, it is not im-
possible that it would run back to the original,
and thus it would be perfectly right to say it
" was nothing but Fortune's Yellow Kose ; " but
this would not make it less just to name as dis-
tinct the striped form, so long as it proved dis-
tinct and permanent. The climbing Devonien-
sis was raised in just this same way. The origi-
nal Devoniensis is a low-growing rose. A shoot
pushed out of immense length, and propagated,
it has retained its character, and is kept as dis-
tinct. If it had run back it would have been a
misfortune — but would it have proved fraud in
the original raiser? Our Isabella Sprunt is a
sport from Saffrano in just the same way. It
has proved constant, but there is nothing im-
possible in a variety so raised running back.
If it did, would the good Methodist preacher
who raised this good rose be a fraud ? Varie-
gated leaved plants and striped flowers of all
kinds have a regular habit of running back — as
every cultivator knows who buys them — and he
buys knowing he will have to watch for the green
sprouts and take them off.

Fortune's Yellow is a good rose, and ought to
be more grown. Though so many years intro-
duced, few have it. If one buy a Beauty of Gla-
zenwood, and it turns out to be Fortune's Yel-
low, the purchaser will not be badly hurt.

Mr. Editor, I am a lover of roses, and I sell
roses. It so happens that I am not yet the pos-
sessor of a Beauty of Glazenwood. But I love
justice, and the management of the Gardener's
Monthly shows you do ; and I have thought that

these pickings from rose history would not be
inopportune at this time.

GAS LIME.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

One of your correspondents recently noted
and queried about some uses of gas lime. The
material certainly gives promise of many ; but
no one has yet devised enough to save the most
of it from the dump. If any one knows just
how and what to do with the thing, he ought to
tell us. By-and-by, I doubt not, somebody will
find the way to rescue from waste a product so
stored with elements valuable to the arts and
common life.

The lime used to cleanse our public gas, from
things hurtful to its light, comes out of the
vats loaded with a host of those wonderful pro-
ducts, which distilled coal and coal oil have
yielded to the skill of modern chemistry. Let's
see — there is in gasoline carbolic acid; some
free and some gone with the lime into carbolate
of lime. Then there is some free sulphur and
sulphur acids, and sulphate of lime ; some phos-
phate of lime, I believe, lurks in the mass. Some
coal oil hangs around, and some ammonia, too,
is under bondage in the heap. Doubtless many
others of that " innumerable caravan," which
chemical witchery has summoned out of the
products of coal, slumber in the dull green pile.

Now, one would think that such a team of
elements would ere this have been harnessed
and broke to useful work. Why ! what power-
ful disinfectants are those compounds of carbon
and sulphur — how destructive to insect life their
odor or touch. How nutritive, or absorbent of
vegetable stimulants, are ammonia or the sul-
phuric combinations. The trouble is, the dose
of each is too big. There is altogether too much
cure. It is allopathic with a vengeance. So far
as help in horticulture is concerned, we need a
new Hahneman, to give us a homeopathic regi-
men for gas lime virtues.

For instance, when coal tar paint burns our
plants, who is ready to say that a little in the
mixture which wTe use would not help, while a
good deal hurts ? Who has tried a sprinkling of
gas lime in the greenhouse, to squelch the fungi
or drive off the insect pests ? .

Now, take note, I am not instructing or saying
this or that about gas lime, for sure. I only sug-
gest the likelihood of good to come from trial. It
is by trial, when there is a likely lead, that pre-

196

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

I July,

cious mines are reached. Just so it is in matters
and places— horticultural. So, I suggest trial of gas
lime. How about gas lime for the Phylloxera,
or the root fungus on the peach ? I tried it on
a peach stricken with the yellows, laying near
the roots, sprinkling over the gas lime, and then
covering with earth. The jaundice changed to
a rich green, and the spindling shoots gave place

praise of all its members would require several
numbers of the Monthly. I wish only to speak
of Dianthus lacinatus and Heddwigii, two of
the handsomest flowering members, and which
are far too scarce. Both of these are natives of
Japan, from where they were introduced several
years ago. The flowers of lacinatus have the
edges cut and laced in the most picturesque

to those of stouter and healthy growth.

After lying a year or two in a heap, as exposed
to the air, the strong smell and acrid, caustic
touch of the gas lime is gone. I know not
whether its virtues go, too. Doubtless, however,
much goodness still lingers in the pile. Now,
let some one else tell us " what he knows, or has
done, about " gas lime.

DIANTHUS.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

This is one of the handsomest families of
plants known to gardeners, and to^tell of the

manner, resembling the finest lace. (See cut.)
Those of Heddwigii have very full petals, only
very slightly notched.

Of both varieties there are single and double
flowering kinds, and both single and double are
fine. Both varieties bear very large flowers, of-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

197

ten measuring three inches in diameter. In
color they vary from pure white to deep blood-
red ; many have flowers marbled in most
curious and striking manners, some resembling
mosaic work in their marblings. They are very
easy of culture ; seed sown in a hot-bed in Feb-
ruary will flower in June, and remain in flower,
if seed pods are removed, until frost.

I And them unrivalled for bouquet work, and
it was to recommend them for this work I
undertook to write this article. If every gar-
dener would buy a package of seed and try
them, they would never do without them again.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Sweet William. — This old fashioned
flower seems to be again attracting the notice of
the florists ; and some remarkably pretty kmds
are announced among the latest English novel-
ties.

"Fragaria arborea." — A correspondent sends
a leaf of a tree for name. The tree was bought
by a neighbor for ?J, "at the French store on
Chestnut street," as " Fragaria arborea." The
leaf is of some species of Euonymus, we do not
recognize which.

To Moisten Dusty Roads. — It is said that
" trials have been made in Rome of a solution
of chloride of calcium as a substitute for water
in laying dust in streets, and the results are
said to have been highly satisfactory. The
dampness communicated to the road remains
for a whole week. The road remains damp
without being muddy, presenting a hard sur-
face, on which neither the wind nor the passing
of pedestrians or horses has any effect."

Deterioration of Grasses on a Lawn. —
W. N., Boston, says, that his " lawn has got an-
nually worse and worse, until now there is little
grass, and nearly all weeds. What shall I do to
restore my lawn? I have no very large tract,
but take much pride in it."

[This is, no doubt, a case of " lawn mower,"
about which we have often written. Grass can-
not grow without leaves any more than other
plants, and if kept cropped too close it will
surely die. Then, creeping weeds which escape
the mower blades, take its place. There' is
nothing to be done but to cut higher in future.
Under no circumstances go lower than half an
inch from the ground. — Ed. G. M.]

The Erythronium, or Dog's-tooth Violet. —
There are few of our people who have gathered
wild flowers, but who know the Yellow Dog's-
tooth Violet. Why it has received the name of
Dog's-tooth Violet may not be well known to
our readers, and the following: little bit of his-
tory from the Garden will be of service. The
botanical name, Erythronium, is said to be de-
rived from a Greek word, " signifying red," " the
color of some of the species," but this seems to
be a very poor reason : — " This obtains the name
of Dog's-tooth Violet because of the long fang-
like tuberous roots that are white in color like
a tooth. Apart from the lovely flowers the plant
produces, the leaves of the red variety especially,
are very handsomely marked. As soon as the
ice and snow which hold the earth in bondage
in February are dispersed by the warm breath of
Spring, it issues forth, first unfolding its hand-
somely marked leaves, and then its charming
flowers, borne singly on stems four inches to six
inches high, and drooping gracefully. Ihe
flower is surpassingly lovely, and it comes into
bloom with the Snowdrop, Hepatica, and Spring
flowers. A moist peaty soil, with which has
been mingled a good deal of sand, appears to
to suit the Dog's-tooth Violet as well as any.
Shady spots are generally recommended for its
culture, but it is frequently met with in positions
fully exposed to the sun, and doing well. In
some localities it appears difficult of cultivation,
mainly from the unsuitability of the soil ; in
others just the opposite results — it flourishes
with all the vigor of a native plant. In the mid-
land districts, where there is more humidity per-
vading the atmosphere than in the South, it
scarcely fails to do well. In addition to the im-
ported species, which bears rosy purple or lilac
flowers, there are also varieties of it, such as Al-
bum, white; Purpureum, purple; and Roseum,
rosy. These have been selected, because show-
ing a certain distinctness of color, and have
been found to retain it when ih cultivation.
There is a distinct large-flowering type of the
original species, known as Major, in which the
leaves and flowers are both larger than is usu-
ally seen. The purple-flowering varieties have
the green leaves handsomely marked with red-
dish-brown, and when at their best are more at-
tractive than those of some handsome-foliaged
plants that are sold at a high price. The white-
flowering variety has the leaves blotched with a
kind of whitey-brown color. There is also an
American species, E. Americanum, which bears

198

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

yellow flowers, and blooms a little later in the
season. A variety of this is also obtainable,
having brown spots at the base of the flowers.
It is recommended that every third or fourth
year the bulbs be lifted, separated, and re-
planted."

The Tulip Tree. — A Vineland correspondent
of the Country Gentleman has the following good
words for this very beautiful ornamental tree.
The practical experience detailed will be of great
value to those who have not succeeded with it.
We may add that no tree relishes more being
pruned at transplanting : — " In 1870 I bought
twenty, about four feet high, of a dealer here,
and gave them good clean culture two years,
when I had them transplanted and set on my
roadside as shade trees — to comply with the
Vineland shade tree law. They had a perfect
mass of fibrous roots, several times more, in-
deed, than seemed necessary. Not one of them
died; all are alive now, growing finely, and are
about fifteen feet in height, and give every
promise of making a magnificent row of trees.
But I keep them cultivated and intend to do so
several years yet, as I have not much faith in
growing trees in grass.

" I say then, to those who desire this splendid
flowering tree, and must buy them, to buy them
small and cultivate for a few years. Some may
die in transit, but the loss in cost will be insig-
nificant compared with the loss in trees from
six to eight feet high. In a wholesale price list
before me, I see that plants one foot high are
furnished at $3 per 100, while those from six to
eight feet high cost $60 per hundred ; or ten of
the first will be sent for fifty cents, and ten of
the latter for $7.50. The ' immediate effect ' of
ordering the last size for long distances will' af-
fect the purse more than the lawn or the road-
side. Buy small ; cultivate ; transplant at your
leisure, and then you can plant trees of uniform
height, and can count on their living. In plant-
ing, pare the mangled ends of the roots, and
from all those of any size, a half dozen or more
new branches will put out. A few shovelfulls of
pulverized muck, worked in among the roots,
will aid to retain moisture, and do something to
insure growth.

" All that Mr. Bacon says in praise of this tree
is just; only he has not said all lie might. Its
foliage, its flowers, its shape and its wood, are all
unsurpassed, while a crowning negative merit is,
that it has, as yet, no insect enemies. Most

shade trees have these in certain seasons, but the
tulip, so far as I ever observed, or read of, or
heard of, is exempt. It is, too, a rapid grower ;
nothing desirable equals it here in growth except
the soft maple, and it is becoming par excellence,
the standard tree of Vineland. More trees of
this variety have been planted during the last
three or four years than all other kinds put to-
gether. At seven or eight years after permanent
transplanting the blossoms appear, and they are
almost as beautiful and fragrant as a water lily.
A few of the ' pioneers ' are' beginning to blos-
som here, and every year will increase the
number."

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Pyrus Maulei. — This desirable new fruit has
been introduced into England from Japan ; it is al-
lied to the Japan Quince. The fruit is the size of a
moderate Quince, of a bright apricot-color, and
makes a rich conserve. The flowers, which are
produced in great profusion, are of a most bril-
liant orange scarlet color. It is one of the most
beautiful flowering trees of recent introduction,
as well as a valuable fruit. — John Saul.

Phellodendron amurense. — A very hardy
ornamental tree, flowered last season at the
Cambridge Bot. Garden. It has been there
fifteen years, so is quite hardy. The plant is
dioecious and a native of Maudchuria. It grows
in its native places fifty feet high, and has a
trunk one foot thick, with a corky bark. It is
allied to Ptelea and Xanthoxylum, Prof. Sar-
gent contributes a fuller note on the subject to
the April American Naturalist.

New Magnolias. — We have from Mr. R. B. Par-
sons & Son, flowers of Magnolia Lenne, M.Thur-
beri and M. Halleana. These are varieties — the
first of purpurea, and the other two of the Chi-
nese. The Lenne differs from the M. purpurea
in having very broad petals. Halleana has nu-
merous narrow, white petals — is in fact semi-
double, and Thurberi is a fine petaled variety,
more on the cream. In reference to these we
have the following note : — " I sent you yester-
day by mail, a box containing flowers of Mag-
nolia Thurberi, as we named it long ago. Since
sending it, Mr. T. Hogg tells me he is under
the impression that he bloomed it some time ago
under the name, of M. stellata. We have grown

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

199

it about twelve years, and these are the first
flowers we have had. It is good as a variety, but
not equal to Magnolia Halleana, which with its
dwarf haibit, small flowers and fragrance is a
great acquisition. This, M. Halleana, we have
bloomed a number of years. These Magnolias,
with Retinosporas and other things, we received
from Dr. Hall, who was then in business in
Japan, and very fond of plants. I hope you will
be able to form some idea of the character of the
flower."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Fine Sciadopitys. — Mr. John Mugford, New
Haven, Conn., kindly furnishes the following
note : — " Seeing an article in the Monthly about
the Sciadopitys verticillata, I wish to say that
in Prof. Salisbury's garden there is one that has
stood two Winters with but slight protection and
now stands four feet high."

Weeds in Lawns. — E. W. G., North Easton,
Mass., writes : — " I send you by this mail a box
containing samples of two different plants or
weeds that have come up over my lawn. Sam-
ple No. 1, which I have noticed for the last two
years, has not been very plenty until this
year ; it is all over my lawn in spots, all sizes up
to one foot square or more ; grows so thick that it
kills all the grass where it grows. I am afraid

that it will spoil my lawn in a year or two. Can
you tell me what it is, or in what way I can get
clear of it ? I never saw any of it until about
two years ago. I also find that one of my
friends has the same in his lawn, spots ten feet
square. Is it a plant that grows the whole
season or only in the Spring of the year ? Can
you tell me if it is likely to continue to increase
and spoil my lawn ? Sample No. 2, seems to be
an equally fast grower, but does not injure the
looks of my lawn so much ; never noticed this
until this year. Can you tell me anything
about it?"

[The weeds were a small Veronica, and the
Mouse-ear chick weed. This is another case of
injury from close mowing whereby the grass is
enfeebled and these little weeds are able to thrive.
The grass must be left longer at mowing and it
will keep down these little pests without much
trouble.— Ed. G. M.]

— Dividing Herbaceous Plants. — E. D. C,
Providence, R. I., asks : — " Would you inform
me through your paper the best way to divide
such roots as Aquilegia chrysantha and Aquile-
gia ccerula. I have not been successful in
dividing them."

[These and all similar herbaceous plants are
best divided in very early Spring, before the
leaves have fairly pushed. Some woody-rooted
things like Aquilegia are best divided with a
piece of the old root, split down through its
length for the purpose. — Ed. G. M.]

REEN tfloUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

House gardening is nearly at rest just now.
The flowers for Winter use are mostly in pots
out of doors.

Most of the plants are set out for the Sum-
mer, as formerly recommended — little care will
be required beyond seeing that they are not
over or under watered. Some will be yet grow-
ing, and may be full of roots. If growth will
probably continue for a while longer, pots a size
larger may be furnished such. Whenever a

shoot appears to grow stronger than the rest, so
as to endanger compactness or any desired
shape, pinch it back, and any climbing vines
should receive due regulation as they grow over
the trellis, or they will speedily become naked
below. A good stiff trellis is a desideratum hard
to be obtained by the uninitiated.

An important point just now is to prepare
Winter-flowering plants. Cinerarias, Chinese
Primrose, and Calceolarias should be sown about
the end of the month; and cuttings made of
most kinds of plants that are desirable. It is a
great mistake, often made, to store up and
treasure year after year, old and even grown

200

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

specimens, when younger ones would bloom
more vigorously, and give better satisfaction.
Propagation of plants will go on. It is one of
the pleasures of the gardening art ; and where
old treasures are prized, the greenhouse soon
becomes a crowded mass of ugliness, with credit
to neither gardener nor owner.

COMMUNICA 7 JONS.

ABOUT GREENHOUSES.

BY W. T. BELL, FRANKLIN, PA.

Rev. Mr. Powell, in May number, makes an
intemperate charge against " Nasty Green-
houses," and, as there is nothing in the article
implying otherwise, the charge seems to be a
general one. This is as unfair as to denounce
all clergymen as hypocritical scoundrels, be-
cause a few among the number prove to be so.

There are too many nasty greenhouses ; but
there are others, and I hope a large majority of
them, in which there is nothing to offend the
sight, or sense of smell, of the most fastidious.
There are filthy, ignorant and boorish men en-
gaged in the business, as well as men who are
cultivated, intelligent and gentlemanly.

Forcing plants into a sickly growth, of which
the writer complains, is to a great extent the
fault of the plant buyers. Florists endeavor to
grow what will sell best ; and, if buyers foolishly
require that every plant they get shall have
flowers on it at the time, no matter what its
size, or what the season may be, they should not
complain if its vitality is impaired, by crowding
it into such a condition.

But all florists do not grow plants thus. Many
of them in all parts of the country are content
to keep their plants under conditions suited to
their healthy growth, and would scorn to send
away, even if they had them, such plants as
caused the writer " vexation of soul." Let Mr. P.
find such a man — and I have no doubt he can do
so in his own neighborhood — and trust him to
select such plants as will answer the purpose for
which they are wanted. Then, if he have any
skill or judgment in the management of plants,
qualities which florists do not claim to furnish
with their stock, the result will be such as to
convince him how unkind and uncalled for, was
the article which provoked this reply.

HEATING SMALL GREENHOUSES BY A COAL
STOVE.

BY G. A. H.

Perhaps my experience of the past Winter in
heating a greenhouse by means of an ordinary
coal stove, may not be valueless when added to
that of your Ohio correspondent in the April
number. The greenhouse in question is about
12x24, and is built against the west side of the
kitchen. A bench runs along the whole front
except at the end where the stove stands, the
rest of the house being given up mainly to large
plants standing on the floor or ground.

Not wishing to be at the expense of a boiler,
and having a stove and plenty of pipe, I set the
stove (a small base burner), in the northwest
corner, at the end of the bench, digging down
about eighteen inches to bring the flue at a
proper height. The stove has four doors, with
mica panels just above the fire pot. I took off
the rear door and had one of sheet iron put in
its place, with a hole and collar for smoke pipe.
The stove then had two flue holes, with a piece
of pipe about ten inches long projecting from
each, the upper one having a damper. I then
carried the smoke pipe from the lower flue hole
along under the bench, and returned it to the
stove, connecting it with the upper flue hole,
and thence carrying it straight outside to the
galvanized iron chimney pipe. The damper in
the upper flue is left open till the fire is well
kindled, when it is closed, so that the draught is
then through the whole length of pipe. I have
had no smoke or gas but once, when the outside
pipe became choked by soot. This could have
been prevented had I supposed it ever likely to
occur. Last year (1875-6) the greenhouse was
about half its present size, and I used the same
stove, with a single line of pipe running the
length of the bench, and out at the other end.
In either case it is satisfactory, though of course
the heat is not so steady as with a boiler.

This greenhouse faces west, and has no pro-
tection on the north (about as bad a position as
can be, except due north), and a part of the
main house projects on the south, keeping off
the sun in the shortest days till after one o'clock.
With no care between 10 P. M. and 6 A. M., the
temperature at night has ranged from 42° to 48°
at the coldest end. On two or three occasions it
fell to 38°. The greenhouse was built mainly
for ferns and palms used out of doors in Sum-
mer, and requiring cool treatment. Of these

1877.]

AND HOB TIG UL TUB IS T.

201

one can make an admirable selection, and I have
been very successful in growing them. Of
course the selection of blooming plants is quite
restricted, but the lack of bloom may in some
measure be made up by Dracaenas and other
ornamental-leaved plants. I have as fine Prim-
roses and Cinerarias as any one, while Carna-
tions, Chorozema, Begonia incarnata and Yellow
Oxalis are unfailing; and among the less com-
mon plants are Cypripedium insigne and the Fall
blooming Epiphyllums. The list might be ex-
tended, but these, with Winter blooming bulbs,
are the chief dependence till April brings the
Cactuses and Azaleas.

FLOWERING OF FUCHSIA PROCUMBENS.

BY W. T. BELT,, FRANKLIN, PA.

Josiah Hoopes, in April number, states that
they have been unable to flower this plant.

I have a plant of it in a four-inch pot, that is
now in bloom, and I must say that I am disap-
pointed in the flower, which is quite inconspicu-
ous. The tube is light greenish yellow. Sepals
green, shaded with brown. Corolla none. Sta-
mens, eight in number, with red filaments, and
violet-colored anthers. The calyx has a ringent
appearance, one limb turning back flat on the
tube. The flower is curious, at all events ; and
the plant has a very pretty habit of growth, pro-
pagates readily, and is easily grown.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Panicum plicatum variegatum. — It is sur-
prising that this, the most beautiful of all
variegated grasses, does not enter oftener into
ornamental garden work. It does well in partial
shade, where few things will, and is excellent
for vases or baskets under trees, or in piazzas for
Summer adornment. It bears room culture
very well also, and comes in well for Winter
window work.

Button-hole Roses. — The Journal of Horticul-
ture tells us that in England "the most favorite
of flowers for button-holes are tea-scented Roses,
and one of the best of them for this purpose is
Isabella Sprunt. We observed some charming
buds of this the other day in the gardens atf
Wimbledon House, and we were informed by
Mr. Ollerhead that it is regarded as the best of
all roses for button-hole bouquets. The flowers

are small and perfectly formed, the colors
merging from white to creamy buff. As grown
in pots at Wimbledon, this rose blooms pro-
fusely. Another favorite variety in the rose
house at Wimbledon is Madame Trifle. It is
trained up one of the rafters. It has the free-
growing and flowering properties of Gloire de
Dijon, and is considered an improvement on
that good old rose; no small recommendation."

Flowering Cyclamens. — We like to make note
of good specimens of culture. It would be
pleasant to know that some of our readers could
beat the following, from the London Journal of
Horticulture: '"Mr. Richard Maries, nurseryman,
Lytham, has sent us a photograph of a plant of
Cyclamen persicum. The plant, which is in a
7-inch pot, has more than a hundred flowers,
and is similar to the plants usually exhibited at
the London shows. The plant has never been
allowed to become too dry when at rest. Mr.
Maries considers over-drying the cause of much
injury in Cyclamen culture. The variety sub-
mitted is pure white, and evidently belongs to a
good strain.''

Permanent Ivy for Bouquet Vases. — A pretty
fashion is coming into existence of having orna-
mental flower pots made like bouquet stands,
and planting ivy therein. In an ordinary
bouquet stand ivy would not grow, as there must
be a hole somewhere to let the -water out, or the
ivy or any other plant will not grow; but a
smaller inside glass is used to hold the water for
the cut flowers, and around this is the earth for
the ivy to grow in. The effect of the growing
border of ivy round the cut flowers is very pretty
indeed.

Plumbago rosea. — This old-fashioned warm
greenhouse plant is one of that kind which is
very hard to kill. We have noticed it to hold
its own for years, when men have been em-
ployed who should know their business, but
under whose hands half one's stock would dis-
appear in half a dozen years. Not only for this,
but for a persevering, free-blooming character is
it desirable. As fast as one spike is out, another
bud pushes to take its place. A Garden corres-
pondent finds the following successful culture :
"Though much has been written against the use
of this plant for furnishing cut flowers, there can
be but one opinion amongst those who know it
well as to its general decorative properties at
this season of the year — whether associated with
fine-foliaged or with flowering plants — its light

202

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

and graceful habit making it specially suitable
for that purpose. We have some plants of it
here in 32-sized pots raised from cuttings put in
last spring, and each plant is now a mass of
bright pinkish-salmon-colored inflorescence,
borne on five or six main stems which branch
and ramify in all directions. These plants were
potted in a mixture of loam and leaf-mould, to
which was added a sprinkling of silver sand, and
they were kept in the stove for a short time after
they were potted. As the season advanced they
were moved to the front shelf of a late vinery,
and after being there for a time they were again
moved to a small span-roofed house, in which
no fire-heat was used. Here they received all
the light and air possible, and remained till cold
weather set in, when they were removed to the
top shelf in the stove, and at once commenced
to throw up their flower stems. The shoots were
stopped several times during the Summer. After
they were taken out of the stove, they would
have done equally well in an ordinary frame,
provided they had been gradually hardened by
exposure to the air. It is, of course, easy to
grow much larger specimens if required, but I
find these young plants much more handy and
compact for general purposes than older plants
cut back and grown on again in Spring. I may
add that if the old flower-spikes be left undis-
turbed after blooming, their points will continue
to lengthen and produce a second crop of flow-
ers early in the Spring; but, of course, these will
not be so fine as on the first occasion. A little
weak manure-water given occasionally will assist
them."

The Beauty of the Eucalyptus.— Some of the
Eucalyptus have beauty as well as fragrance.
The annual report of the Director of .the Mel-
bourne Botanic Garden, in referring to improve-
ments in portions of the grounds, says that sev-
eral specimens of the gorgeous scarlet-flowering
Eucalyptus ficifolia are there planted, and then
adds: "This magnificent plant, from Broken
Inlet, Western Australia, produces its flowers at
a much earlier stage of growth than any other
species of the genus with which I am acquainted.
Its bloom resembles a ball of fire more than
anything else to which I could compare it. I
have seen the Flame Tree of Illawarra, and the
brilliant scarlet masses of Erythrina laurifolia
on the banks of Rewa in Fiji, but neither sur-
passes the effect produced by the floral display
of this Eucalyptus."

Burlingtonia fragrans. — Not only are orchids
valued for their rare and singular beauty, but
many of them have a delightful fragrance. As
the London Journal of Horticulture says : " One
of the sweetest of orchids is Burlingtonia fragrans ;
its perfume may be described as that of May
blossom intensified. This plant was recently
flowering — indeed, it appears to be almost always
in flower — in the collection of Mr. Bull at
Chelsea. The plant is growing on a block, and
its pendulous racemes of delicate blush-tinted
flowers are very attractive. It is a most enjoy-
able orchid, and worthy of a place in all collec-
tions of stove plants."

A Fine Head of Thomas Hogg Hydrangea. —
The following letter has been addressed to Mr.
Robert Buist on account of a very remarkable
specimen of " Thomas Hogg " :

Philadelphia, May 17th, 1877.

Robert Buist, Esq. : — At the stated meeting of
this Society, held on Tuesday evening last, it
was, on motion of the undersigned,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be
presented to Mr. Robert Buist for the truly
superb specimen of Hydrangea, "Thomas
Hogg," presented this evening, containing six
trusses of snow white blossoms, the largest of
which measured 16 inches in diameter.

Very respectfully,
A. W. Harrison, Recording Secretary.

Maiden Hair Fern for Bouquets. — The
Garden says : " Some idea of the extent to which
Maiden Hair Fern is used in Covent Garden for
bouquet making may be gleaned from the fact
that Mr. Rochford, of Tottenham, has several
large, span-roofed houses entirely devoted to its
culture for furnishing fronds in a cut state. The
plants are grown in 12-inch pots, and in order
to keep up a regular succession, only a portion
of them is cut at a time, those which furnish
such fronds being subjected to a lower tempera-
ture than the rest, by which means the fronds
assume a deeper green color, and last longer
after being cut than they otherwise would do."

The kind employed is not specified. In this
part of the world the common Maiden Hair,
Adiantum capillis veneris, is used to some de-
gree, though not to the extent indicated in the
above extinct, as in England. But it might be
more generally employed than it is. By the
way, this is one of the best of ferns to use as a
window plant.

Falling of Floweh Buds in the Camellia. —
Among the peculiar experiences! of the year in
English gardens, is a remarkable dropping of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

203

the flower buds of Camellias, and the papers are
busy in discussing the cause. Amongst other
papers is an interesting one in the Gardener's
Magazine. After showing that neglect the Sum-
mer before will operate injuriously the Winter
following, it says : " It does not follow, however,
that the case now before us is to be explained in
this way, and we incline to the belief that very
many of the collections that have of late disap-
pointed their owners had the best possible atten-
tion in the Summer of last year. Why, then,
should they behave so differently to their wont?
Can it be that defect of solar light is the cause
of the disaster? We incline to the belief that
herein is a sufficient explanation. The later
days of the Autumn and the whole of tbe Win-
ter, thus far, have been characterized by the
prevalence of rain clouds; and it is scarcely ex-
aggerating the case to say that in London we
have had but three bright days daring the past
three months. Light is the life of flowers,
although all flowers do not require equal de-
grees of light for their full development. The
Camellia indeed is a shade-loving tree, and we
occasionally meet with surprisingly large,
healthy and productive Camellias in old houses
that have by long neglect become grass green
above, and muddy below, and rickety every-
where. • The coating of moss and conferva? on
the glass, and even the black bars formed by
the absorption of dirt in the laps, may be bene-
ficial to the trees in Summer, as affording a little
shade, and giving the light the greenish tinge it
has in the shade of large trees, where Camellias
grow naturally. We should like to know how
Camellias have flowered in dirty old houses in
the past season, and probably some of our cor-
respondents can inform us. If deficiency of
light is the cause of the failure we now deplore,
the old houses should be in the worst plight, and
the newer houses should present a marked con-
trast in favor of large glass and good carpentry.
To know the cause of a disease is said to be half
a cure; we cannot dispel the rain cloud, we
cannot produce artificial sunshine ; but we may
reasonably inquire if, in the case of Camellias,
there is this season any difference in the flower-
ing of those that are in light and airy houses,
and those that are " boxed up " in tumble-down
houses where the woodwork is heavy, the squares
small, and the glass more or less coated with
black soot or green vegetation. While we in-
cline to the belief that lack of light is the prin-
cipal cause of the falling of Camellia buds, we

do not claim that we have disposed of the ques-
tion. We prefer to place it before our readers,
asking them to assist in its solution. It is more
than a horticultural question ; it is one of con-
siderable commercial importance."

Bouvardia jasiMINIflora. — This white Winter
flowering Bouvardia has not yet displaced the
Vreelandi, or Davidsoni in our Winter gardens,
but judging by the following from the Garden,
it must be growing in estimation in England :
"A house in Messrs. Low's nursery, containing
many thousands of plants of Bouvardia jasmini-
flora, will soon be a sight worth seeing. Many
of the blossoms have already expanded, and
multitudes more are fast opening. These plants
were struck from cuttings obtained when the
last of the Autumn flowering plants were stopped ;
they were inserted in three-inch pots, and when
well rooted were shifted into five-inch and six-
inch ones, in which they are allowed to flower.
Their shoots were stopped four times during the
Autumn and Winter, and plants treated in this
manner become dwarf and bushy, and bear
abundance of healthy bright green leaves and a
profusion of fragrant blossoms that forcibly re-
mind one of those of the white Jasmine. — C.

Portable Hot Water Boiler. — Good, porta-
ble hot water boilers, ones that can be easily
shifted about from place to place, have not
been common. We note that one exhibited at
the Centennial by Smith & Lynch, of Boston,
received from the judges the following award,
which is highly creditable :

1. Saddle shaped boiler with good sized fire
box, the interior surface of which is furnished
with a series of deep, narrow water cells, project-
ing towards the fire, giving large amount of fire
surface, insuring prompt and efficient action and
consequent rapid circulation of water. Con-
struction simple, strong and portable ; amply
supplied with fittings which are readily adjusted;
an excellent heater. 2. Adaptability to secure a
combination of hot water, and flue heating,
thereby economizing the products of combustion.

W. D. Brackenridge, Signature of the Judge.

Approval of Group Judges. — George Thurber,
William Saunders, F. Pentland.

Francis A. Walker, Chief of the Bureau of
Awards.

Given by authority of the United States Cen-
tennial Commission. A. T. Goshorn, Director
General. J. R. Hawley, President. J. L. Camp-
bell, Secretary.

204

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

We give in this instance a copy of the award,
with the manner of making it, as an illustration
of the vast superiority of the American system
of judging, as inaugurated at the Centennial,
over all plans in previous existence. Under the
old style all we should have known would be
that Smith & Lynch "took the gold medal," or
" the $100 premium." But here we know just
why it was given, and we fancy S. & L. would
not sell that award for a hundred gold medals.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

New Rose, Queen of Bedders. — A good bed-
ding rose should, above all other good charac-
ters, bloom freely. Mr. Noble, of England, in
die above variety, thinks he has just the thing.
He says : " Its inflorescence may be imagined
when it is stated that a plant 18 inches high had
84 buds and expanded roses upon it on the 6th of
September, 1876, and flowered continuously from
June until November, on the 20th of which
month (1876) it was still in bloom."

Hydrangea Thomas Hogg. — We have from
Mr. John Cadness, Flushing, a specimen of this
new variety of the Chinese Hydrangea, which
was a foot across. It is not only a white var-
iety, but is every way superior to the old one.

Platycerium Willinckii. — We reproduce, in
an abbreviated form, from the Gardener's Chron-
icle of March 6th, 1875, Mr. Moore's description
of this new Fern: "This fine and very distinct
species of Stag's-horn Fern is a native of Java,
whence it was introduced by M. Willinck, of
Amsterdam. Like its cogeners it is epiphytal,
and protects its rootstalk by the broad, roundish
imbricating bases of its sterile fronds, which in

good specimens are six inches across. The
sterile fronds are erect and slightly spreading,
the fertile ones, which are produced in threes,
fall straight down to a length of two and a half
feet, are quite narrow in all their parts, and
forked. The fronds appear to be less coriaceous
than those of the other species known in gar-
dens. As a species this plant is thoroughly dis-
tinct from any of those at present known. With
regard to its general habit, it groups with
P. grande, P. Wallichii, P. biforme, in having
long, pendent fertile fronds cut into many nar-
row furcate divisions, and very broad, erect,
sessile barren fronds, with a lobate margin ; but
it differs entirely in its fructification. This nov-
elty will prove a welcome addition to the few
well-marked and very ornamental species of
Stag's-horn Fern already familial- in our hot-
houses." It received a Certificate of Merit from
the Royal Botanic Society, June 16th, 1875, and
a First-class Certificate from the Royal Horti-
cultural Society on August 4th following. —
Veitch.

A Double White Bedding Lobelia has origin-
ated in Prussia, and is now being offered under
the designation of Lobelia erinus erecta fl. albo
plena. It is said to range from three to four
inches in height, to be dense in habit, and to
flower abundantly in the open ground; but as
yet no opportunity has been afforded for deter-
mining its value for bedding purposes in English
gardens. As all the white flowered lobelias that
have been introduced up to the present moment
have proved worthless, some amount of caution
should be exercised in planting this new comer,
until it has been subjected to a careful trial ;
more especially as the double form with blue
flowers is of no value whatever in the flower
garden.

RUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Raspberries and blackberries should have
their suckers thinned out, as weeds, as they
grow, permitting only those to remain that will
be wanted next year.

Strawberries should be assisted to make strong-

rooted runners— good and loose soil placed near
where the runners are, and if these are slightly
covered, all the better.

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 se-
lected, and layered into small pots. In about
three weeks they should be cut from the parent

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

205

stem, and left to a separate and independent ex-
istence for a few days. After preparing the
ground properly for their reception, the pots
should be well watered and the plants turned
out into the 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 re-
taining moisture in the dryest weather, and this
can only be perfectly accomplished by draining
and subsoiling. If the latter is done three feet
deep, all the better.

Unless in very sandy soil, a very heavy dress-
ing of stable manure is objectionable. Wood
ashes, ground bones, and matters of a mineral
nature are more advantageous.

Of late years there does not seem the same at-
tention to fruit there once was. The " canning
system " has had much to do with this. But no
system of preserving strawberries is equal to the
natural fruit. We are pleased to find that many
who can afford it are again raising them under
glass.

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 re-potted 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
gradually ripened by withholding water, — taking
care that it is not done so suddenly as to make
the plants wither, or they will suffer much. To-
wards the Winter they can be set ia a cold
frame and covered 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 greenhouse
and must be set . near the glass. A high tem-
perature is fatal. 45° to 50° is sufficient for a
few weeks, and 55° to 60° when the fruit is fairly
set. They love to be frequently syringed, and
guarded against Bed Spider, which is their
greatest pest. Where there is not the conveni-
ence of a greenhouse to force strawberries, they
may be had a few weeks earlier than usual by
making a piece of ground slope to the south-east,
planting out as already described for garden cul-

ture, 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 locality should be employed.

Our hints for the last month will, in a great
measure, bear a re-perusal at the commence-
ment of this.

Sow Endive, and towards the end of the month
transplant in rows. They should be set out in
rows eighteen inches apart, and one foot from
each other. The soil can scarcely be too rich
for them. Seed may yet be sown for a later
crop.

If Brocoli is a desirable vegetable, it may be
had all through the Winter by being sown now.
In about four weeks plant out into rich garden
soil. On the approach of frost, take up the
plants, with a portion of soil adhering, and pack
them closely in a warm and somewhat damp
cellar. They will continue to grow, and pro-
duce nice heads.

Beans may be sown up to the end of the
month. For winter use, the White Kidney is
very popular, although other kinds are very ex-
tensively grown for the same purpose.

In some families large, full-grown Carrots are
objectionable. Seeds of the Long Orange sown
now on rich sandy soils, form neat and desirable
roots before Winter. The same may be said of
beets.

Cucumbers for pickles are also sown about
this time. They usually produce a greater
number, and consequently smaller fruit, than
when sown earlier. The Short Prickly is the kind
to employ.

The main crop of winter Cabbage is often
planted the first or second week in July. In
planting, if the weather be dry, it is a good plan
to make the holes before planting and fill up
with water ; after soaking away, the plants may
be set in, and they seldom wither afterwards,
though without rain for a month. Another and
more expeditious plan is to have the plants
ready with their roots in a pan of water. They
are then set into the hole at the time it is made.
The water adhering to the roots then gives to
the set out plants the advantages of puddling.

Celery we have spoken of last month. The
remarks are yet applicable. See Communica-
tions on Celery, page 70, Vol. II., and page 356,
Vol. III. They will be found of much value to
the amateur.

206

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

COMMUNICA TIONS.

THE BLENHEIM PIPPIN APPLE.

BY CHARLES DOWNING.

The Blenheim Pippin enquired about in the
May number of the Gardener's Monthly, by S. M.,
is a well-known English apple, and valuable
where it succeeds, which it does in this latitude
and farther North ; the tree is a vigorous grower,
and forms a very lai'ge spreading head ; it is not
an early bearer, but when established, bears
abundantly alternate years, and often a mode-
rate crop the intervening years; the fruit is
large to very large, roundish oblate in form ;
color deep orange, covered over half or more of
the surface with rich brownish red, often mixed
with russet ; flesh whitish, a little coarse, tender,
juicy, rather acid at first, but when in perfection
has a rich vinous flavor slightly aromatic ; it is
an excellent cooking apple, and a good market
variety; it ripens from November to February.

There was a mistake as to this variety and the
Blooming Orange being distinct, in Downing's
second revised edition of 1869, which was cor-
rected in the first appendix to that edition in
1872. It can be had of most of the leading fruit
nurseries.

THE BLENHEIM PIPPIN.

BY T. T. LYON, SOUTH HAVEN, MICH.

In reply to the query of S. M., of Painesville,
O., in the May number, respecting this apple, I
will state that what is now known as Blenheim
Pippin, and described as such, in the appendix
to the latest revision of Downing's work on
fruits, is identical with that described in his ear-
lier editions as Dutch Mignonne. I received
cions of it from Mr. Downing about 1850, which
have now been many years in fruit. I esteem it
highly as a large and beautiful culinary fruit for
late Autumn and early Winter; but rather
coarse and acid for the dessert. The tree is very
vigorous and reasonably productive ; but bears
rather lightly while young. It cannot be said to
be an early bearer, but the fruit is uniformly
large and perfect, never becoming small from
over-productiveness.

The article in the January number is not now
accessible, and I am not sure, from recollection,
as to the tenor of the description referred to.

THE BLENHEIM PIPPIN APPLE.

BY G. W. THOMPSON, STILTON NURSERIES, N. J.

It gives me pleasure — present and prospective
— to reply to S. M., Painesville, Lake Co., O., —
present, because a recent inquiry of mine found
such prompt replies ; also, the pleasure of help-
ing to sustain the usefulness of our good Gar-
dener's Monthly, and the prospect of receiving the
thanks of the Ed. G. M.— why that fills the bill.
I have had the Blenheim Pippin some time,
chiefly in nursery row, and have put it upon
trial in specimen ground and hope to be able to
report its behaviour.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Preserving Fruit Trees from Grasshoppers.
— We note that a correspondent of a Western
paper says that if turpentine be mixed with
whitewash and put on the stems of trees in the
Fall, there will be odor enough to last all Sum-
mer, and that this odor will drive off the grass-
hopper. There are so many poor recipes for all
sorts of insectifuges, going round the papers, that
one is never sure how much there may be of
value in any of them, but in this case the white-
wash will certainly do some good to the tree
whether the turpentine disgusts the grasshopper
or not.

Apricots in California. — Apricots have been
the special pride of the Golden State, but for
some reason are said to be very scarce there this
year. It would be interesting to know whether
the curculio has found its way there yet. We
suppose it will get there one of these days.

Strawberries from Seed.— As showing how
easy it is to raise good seedling strawberries, we
may say that Mr. Durand, whose name is con-
nected with good varieties, has now in bearing
three thousand varieties, which he regards as dis-
tinct— but which we should think the " protec-
tive committee " at Washington would be hard
put to describe explicitly so that any one might
know whether he was infringing on a patent
right or not — and any one of which would be
good enough for ordinary mortals. Such facts
as these, make the propriety of going into ecsta-
cies over a new and promising variety, very
doubtful. If good kinds can be produced in such
numbers, we shall soon be in the condition of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

207

the new potato men. They raised new kinds for
us by the hundred — all of them so good — that
there was no great use in selecting any one, and
then they took to advertising the seed, so that
every one could raise his own best variety. Will
it soon be thus with the strawberry ?

By the way, we notice that Mr. Durand adver-
tises that he received the " First Premium " at
the Centennial Exhibition, but he has been led
into error. There were no premiums awarded
at the Centennial for strawberries. Mr. Durand's
fruit received very high credit, more so, indeed,
than any " premium " would give him, but then
other strawberry exhibitors received quite as
high awards as his — say for instance, his fellow-
citizen, J. H. Withington, of South Amboy.
There was honor — high honor to many — but
" first " to none.

Apples for England. — So late as the 4th of
May, the " Indiana," of the American Line of
Steamers, from Philadelphia to Liverpool, took
out 1,500 barrels of apples. Some of these were
of the celebrated Pennsylvania variety, "Smoke
House," which is said to be highly appreciated
in England. In past times they seem to have
known nothing of American apples except " New-
town Pippin," and seem to be astonished at the
superiority of other kinds.

The Northern Spy Apple in the West. — It
is said that the Northern Spy is fast outrunning
all other kinds in popularity in Iowa and Michi-
gan. It is longer in coming into bearing than
most kinds, but generally brings more in market
than the others, and this perhaps, may help
balance accounts.

Best Stock for the Early Richmond Cherry.
— The Western Farmer says the Early Richmond
in Iowa bears most heavily and earlier on its
own or Morello stock, but ultimately most fruit
on the Mahaleb. This is good rule for Iowa,
where the Mazzard does not do well. Wherever
the Mazzard thrives, it is by far the best stock
for the Early Richmond.

The Gros Colman Grape.— This variety has
never achieved great popularity with American
hot-house grape-growers, but we note that in the
December reports of Covent Garden (London)
Market, it seems to be the general favorite, and
to bring higher prices than all the varieties of
that season. What say Mr. Huidekoper and our
other friends who are interested in experimental
vinery culture ?

Size of Pot-raised Pears. — In England the
Dwarf Pear is not uncommon as an orchard-
house fruit. Of some remarkable fruit the Lon-
don Journal of Horticulture has this to say: —
" Mr. Hawkins, gardener, Ewenny Abbey, Bridg-
end, Glamorganshire, tells us that he grew last
year in pots Pitmaston Duchesse Pears weighing
27 ozs., Durandeau 21 ozs., and Doyenne du
Cornice 17 and 18 ozs., that fruit being of excel-
lent flavor. He wishes to know if other garden-
ers have obtained fruits as fine or finer."

Sending Peaches to Ireland. — Mr. J. H.
Parnell, of Alabama, who did himself so much
credit in the exhibition of the very large peaches
of the Early Beatrice variety, at the Centennial
last year, has astonished the residents in " Great
Britain and Ireland " by sending peaches from
Alabama to Ireland in first-rate condition. The
Irish Farmer's Gazette says they were in just as
good condition as if pulled fresh from the tree.
Mr. Parnell brought them in a box, which is
thus described : — " The contrivance consisted of
a large, square bin or deep wooden chest, strongly
put together, and lined with zinc; within this
was another large chest similarly lined, a space
of some 8 or 9 inches intervening between the
inner and outer chest, which was filled with ice.
In the inner chest the peaches were stored, not
in separate trays, layers, or anything of the kind,
but heaped as you would stow potatoes in a pit ;
and there they lay, a rosy and happy looking
mass, in the best possible condition."

Importing Early Vegetables. — We have our
" South " to keep us in early vegetables. Eng-
land is finding one in Algiers. The Garden
says : — " Large quantities of Green Peas are now
being received in Covent Garden from the warm
and sheltered parts of France, and also from
Algeria, whence they are consigned by way of
Paris ; and during the past week we have noted
gangs of Pea-shellers almost as busily engaged
in that work as in the Summer time, when Eng-
lish-grown Peas are abundant. It is, too, a no-
ticeable fact that the French Peas are far supe-
rior to those that come from the warmer climate
of Algeria. The succulent Long White Turnip
of the Paris market gardens, together with salad
vegetables, is also now being sold by auction,
daily, in large quantities. French and Channel
Islands Asparagus is abundant, and comes packed
in fiat lath boxes 2 ft. wide, 15 in. deep, and
about 3 ft. in length. A few Globe Artichokes
and Cardoons come from Marseilles, and now

208

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

and then a batch of fresh, though as yet pale-
colored, Tomatoes." •

The Oyster Plant. — Mr. Worthington G.
Smith is not satisfied that our Salsify should rob
one of his dearly beloved funguses of the name
" Oyster Plant," and this is what he says to the
Gardener's Magazine about it : — " In your article
on 'Tap-rooted Vegetables' (p. 155), you de-
scribe two ' vegetable oysters,' one the Salsify,
' sometimes ' termed the oyster ; the other the
Scolymus, which you term the ' true vegetable
oyster.' You have therefore 'two Richards in
the field,' and allow me to say both counterfeit.
The only old, original, and true 'buttery bi-
valve,' or ' vegetable oyster,' is the ancient and
time-honored mushroom, Agaricns ostreatus, a
melting and delicious edible fungus found on
rotten elm stumps in November. Whatever the
flavor of your two plants may be, the tap-root in
Salsify and Scolymus would suggest the more
appropriate names, at present unoccupied, of the
' vegetable periwinkle ' and the ' vegetable
whelk.' The true ' vegetable oyster,' Agaricus
ostreatus, has no tap-root or stem ; it is all flat,
as it should be." After all, there are a good
many kinds of animal oysters, and why may
there not be of vegetable as well. Epicureans
say the English oyster is a- coppery sort of thing,
and pronounce the American the oyster. So it
comes down to but one oyster after all, and so
may our oyster plant follow the same verdict.-

Forcing Asparagus. — The poor stuff called
canned vegetables, will never compete with nice
fresh ones, just cut fresh from the plant, and
particularly is this so with Asparagus ; and then
it forces so easily. A correspondent of the Gar-
den gives his experience, which we give on the
principle that what a man says he has done, is
worth a whole chapter of " how you may do it :"
— " Asparagus may be obtained a month before
it is ready out-of-doors as follows : — About the
middle of February place some movable wooden
frames over a permanent bed of it, and with a
few barrow-loads of warm manure and leaves,
make up a lining all round the bed, and cover
its surface with dry hay. Then put on the lights
and keep them closed for three weeks, when the
heads will begin to appear. The hay should
then be cleared off, and a little air given on
every favorable opportunity. Under this treat-
ment I cut my first Asparagus on March 20, and
since that date I have cut several hundreds of
beautiful beads, and still they promise to be suf-

ficiently abundant to keep up a good supply
until the outdoor crop is ready. By this plan the
bed, which does not experience any disturbance,
will last a great number of years, provided its
produce is not cut too late. Cutting should cease
and the glass be removed directly the out-door
crop is ready."

Forced Fruits and Vegetables. — On the 20th
of May we received a pair of cucumbers twenty-
one inches long, and a few tomatoes eleven inches
round; the former so tender and crisp that we
were tempted to send one to the venerable
author of " Buist's Kitchen Garden Directory,"
to test the sincerity of his receipt for cucumbers,
" Slice, pepper, salt and throw out of the win-
dow ! " but our appetite saved us from this great
sin. The tomatoes were so solid and delicious
that we do not wonder the London papers say,
" the skill of our best gardeners in forcing fruits
and vegetables has beaten the canned articles
which are falling into disrepute."

Mr. Paget, the excellent gardener to Hon. J.
D. Cameron, of Harrisburg, who sends these,
also writes : — " I have not cut less than two per
day, since the 20th of November. I picked
twenty-five ripe peaches on the 17th inst. ; more
ready now. There is no peach like Hale's Early
in my estimation ; but I must include Old Mixon,
Mountain Rose and several others, for good
forcing habits. I have picked one basket of
strawberries every two or three days since March
18th. Downing's and Triomphe de Gand are the
kinds."

SCMAPS AND QUERIES.

Stock for the Cherry. — S. says : — " What is
the hardiest stock to work the cherry on ? Can
I work the cherry on stocks that will make them
dwarf, and still have them hardy ? "

[The hardiest stock is believed to be the Mor-
ello, and it dwarfs somewhat. The Mahaleb is
also considered hardier than the Morello, but it
grows the grafted plant nearly as strong as the
Mazzard for all practical purposes. When grown
in clover, we have seen the Mazzard stock pretty
successful, even in the cold Northwestern States.
It is quite likely some of our native cherries
would make good hardy dwarf stocks, but we
know of no reliable experiments. — Ed. G. M.]

Gooseberry Worm. — J. W. M. Exeter, N. H.,
writes : — " I have some nice plants of the Down-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

209

ing Gooseberry, which have promised fruit two
or three years, but the worms have spoiled every
berry. Can you give me a remedy through the
June number of the Gardener's Monthly, and
oblige a subscriber?"

[We know of no insect that injures the fruit of
the gooseberry hereabouts, to any material ex-
tent— though occasionally a " stui.g " fruit may
be noticed. If any have had this unfortunate
experience, and will give us something definite, it
would be very acceptable. We should suppose
gathering the berries infested with the egg, and
destroying them would keep the insect down.—
Ed. G. M.]

Trees Injured by Oil. — We have the follow-
ing very important communication from Mr. G.
R. Dykeman, Shippensburg, Pa. : — " Last Fall I
painted with linseed oil, all my tree-bodies in one
field— say 600 peach, 200 apple, some pear,
cherry, plum, and 100 quince. To my surprise,
I find I have killed all the large peach trees,
five years planted ; as far as I have examined,
not one escaping that was painted ; the other
trees look all O K. Some peach trees in other
places, were painted with refuse lard and linseed
oil ; they are all dead, as far as examined — say
about two hundred more. I set out this Spring,
300 peach, 100 plum on peach, and painted from
root to above bud with lard and linseed oil ;
have gone over them with soap, and scoured it
off; will pass over them again to-morrow. Can
I do any better? I notice on the apple, where a
side limb was taken off, the bark is killed back
from the cut, about half an inch all around. Had
I better take the oil off the apple, cherry, plum
and quince ? I enclose directed envelope ; please
reply and inform, and if possible, afford some re-
lief to me.

" P. S. — I suppose I did not state the reasons
for greasing the trees. It was to keep the rab-
bits off, as well as to kill any bugs that happen
to be around. Will you please make enquiry in
the next Monthly for similar cases. I will write
again, later in the season."

[We know of no experiments with peach trees,
or stone fruits, as it is rare that the white scale
infests them, which is the enemy sought to be
destroyed by the experiments with linseed oil,
we have noted in our magazine. In those cases,
hundreds of apple and pear trees were painted
in March, now over two Summers ago, and it is
impossible to find healthier trees than they are
to-day. The precise reason, therefore, why

Mr. Dykeman 's trees were injured, requires very
close examination. — Ed. G. M.]

May Beetles on the Raspberry. — F. P. W.,
Passaic, N. J., writes : — " I send you herewith
some specimens of a beetle which has appeared
in this locality in large numbers, and is making
sad havoc with the raspberries of all kinds. Some
of my Doolittle's are under bare-poles, they hav-
ing stripped them of leaves and fruit just formed,
thus destroying the crop for this year. As they
have only just appeared, we may be able to
check their ravages in some measure, before they
have destroyed everything. They stick so tightly
that they cannot be shaken off, and they fly and
make a noise similar to a June bug. We have
put sulphur upon the bushes, with apparent suc-
cess, but do not know how it will be in the end.
I thought best to inform you, as you will proba-
bly know what the pest is, and be able to pub-
lish the best method for its prevention and
destruction, and thus give a timely warning to
those whom it has not yet troubled. Any in-
formation on the subject would be thankfully
received by myself."

[These are Lachnosterna tristis, a near relative
of the L. quercina, or common May Beetle. A
drove of turkeys let through the raspberry
plantation, would help to keep them down, and
the next best thing is hand-picking by children.
With all this, they will no doubt ravage faster
than the remedy will follow, but it is the best we
know.— Ed. G. M.]

The Prickly Comfrey. — E., South Lexington,
Mass., writes : — " I have purchased a thousand
sets of the Prickly Comfrey roots, and as I see
your name connected with it in the public pa-
pers, I should be very much favored if you will
tell me whether it has any great value?"

[As a matter of opinion, it would perhaps
have been wise to have been satisfied of its
value before purchasing ; but perhaps it is best
to first secure the hare, as the famous cook-wo-
man says, before you cook him. In regard to
our experience with it, it is correct as stated in
public papers, that the writer of this has had it
growing in his flower border for a number of
years, and though we can say that it is pretty,
we think there are other things more beautiful ;
and if our correspondent had bought a thousand
Geraniums— say of the General Grant — or even
a thousand Petunias, we think he would have
had a better show for his money than the Prick-
ly Comfrey will make.— Ed. G. M.]

210

?EE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

lORESTRY.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

EXPERIMENTS IN TIMBER RAISING IN KANSAS.

BY REV. L. J. TEMPLIN, HUTCHINSON, KAN.

The region of country lying between the Mis-
souri River and the Rocky Mountains is gene-
rally a vast, treeless plain. It was formerly
known as "The Great American Desert," but is
now more properly called " The Plains." So far
from being a " desert," it is one of the most fer-
tile portions of the continent, and it is rapidly
filling up with an intelligent and industrious
population, who are literally making it "rejoice
and blossom as the rose." One of the great
drawbacks to the settlement of this country is
the great scarcity of timber. While, so far as
subduing the country and bringing it into culti-
vation is concerned, it is far preferable to have no
timber, than to have the land encumbered with
it, as much of the eastern portion of the United
States was. Still every man who comes here to
live, feels the need of more timber. The ques-
tions that face the immigrant at the outset are,
can timber be raised, and if so, have the people
the enterprise and patience to plant and culti-
vate? These questions are being rapidly an-
swered in the affirmative. Most kinds of timber
adapted to this climate grow with a rapidity that
is astonishing to an Eastern man. But in the
beginning all was in doubt as to what would suc-
ceed and what fail. All planting was, therefore,
largely an experiment. But such experiments
are often costly and tedious, and if every man
has to make them for himself, the tendency is to
discourage and hinder the work to a consider-
able degree. In order to aid in this matter, some
of the railroad companies that had large land
grants to dispose of, have undertaken the work
of testing the various kinds of timber as to its
adaptation to the soil and climate of this region.
For this purpose, experimental nurseries have
been planted at various points along the routes
and in the different kinds of soil. The A. T. &
S. F. R. R. Co. established four of these experi-
mental stations, as follows : at Hutchinson, 180

miles west of the State line and 1,500 feet above
the level of the sea; second, at Ellen wood, 215
miles west of the State line and 1,760 feet alti-
tude ; third, at Larned, 246 miles west and 2,035
feet elevation ; and fourth at Spearville, on " Dry,
Ridge," 283 miles west and 2,478 feet altitude.
This enterprise was begun four years ago, this
Spring, on freshly broken sod. I am not able to
give any report of results at any of the stations,
except the one at this place — Hutchinson.

The experiments at this place have produced
important results. There have been failures and
partial failures, as well as successes; but the
failures are as important in the information
elicited, as the successes. The past year has
been the most trying on arboreous vegetation
that has ever been experienced since settlements
began. The locusts came down on us about the
first of September, destroying a large portion of
the foliage of young trees. This was followed
by a very warm, pleasant Fall ; a new growth of
leaves was the result. These were caught by a
freeze of unusual severity for the season, about
the first of November, and as might be expected
a great many trees were killed and others in-
jured. The amount of injury or exemption from
it was not in every case an indication of the
hardiness or otherwise of the tree, but rather of
the amount of damage they had sustained from
the insect depredators. Looking through the
experimental grounds, a few days ago, I made
the following estimates of losses: — Cottonwood,
Black Walnut, Negundo and Soft Maple, unin-
jured; Osage Orange, one-quarter killed to the
ground; Honey Locust, one-half killed to the
ground ; Catalpa, Ailanthus and Peach, three-
quarters killed back ; Elm and Ash uninjured.
These are the principal kinds under cultivation.
The Chestnut and China tree have been dis-
carded, as also the Black Locust, as unworthy
of further trial. Many fruit trees and small fruits
were killed or seriously injured by the unfavor-
able circumstances.

Thanks to whom thanks arc due, for the privi-
lege of reading the Monthly — I feel like saying
the "Prince of Monthlies" — this year. Will
try to make return in s nne " notes " during

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

211

the busy season. We have had a backward
Spring, but rye has been in head for two weeks,
and wheat is now heading out. The locusts,
which hatched out in vast numbers have nearly
all disappeared. Prospects are flattering for a
splendid crop.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Yellow Pines. — The investigations of
Prof. Sargent show that in all the large lumber
centres — Wilmington, Baltimore, Philadelphia,
New York and Boston — "Yellow Pine" is exclu-
sively applied to the timber of Pinus australis
(Pinus palustris of Lambert). Much of the con-
fusion in "Yellow," perhaps, arises from the
fact, that the prevailing " Yellow Pine " of old
lumbermen, was P. mitis, which is now rarely
(if ever) in market.

Forestry in Massachusetts. — Some of the
Western States encourage planting by legisla-
tion. Nebraska has its " Arbor Day," when pre-
miums are given to those who plant out the most
trees. But Massachusetts is planting by indi-
vidual exertion, and among these public spirited
individuals, few have done more to encourage
the practice successfully, than Prof. Sargent and
Mr. C. S. Hopkins.

The great difficulty has been in getting native
trees for planting. The habit of running to
Europe for everything, gave American nursery-
men no chance. If a nurseryman raised a hun-
dred thousand trees, the chances were that he
would sell but five or ten thousand. The rest
having to be thrown away, the prices had to rule
high; with anything like a certainty of selling
regularly, the prices would rule considerably
lower. American planters are beginning to feel
the force of this, and by ordering beforehand,
inquiring, and other symptoms of encourage-
ment, find that they can be well served by their
neighbors around them.

Mr. Hopkins, in a recent letter in the Register,
on New England Forest Planting, has this en-
couraging sentence:— "We count our acres in
these young trees by thousands. The few plan-
tations on the Cape containing a good variety of
young trees, depended mainly upon importa1
tions from England for seed and seedlings. For-
tunately at the present time, by the foresight
and energy of our native nurseries during the
past few years, it is no longer necessary to cross

the Atlantic to secure at low prices the basis of
our future forests, and as a consequence, it is
hardly possible for the most sanguine to overes-
timate the great improvement by tree planting,
that is sure to occur on the Cape within the next
ten years. Our people generally, are alive to the
fact that whether they own one, or one hundred
acres of land, a few years will double its value
by planting half in trees."

Paper from Cactus. — The Greeley Tribune tells
us that the manufacture of paper of excellent
quality from the species of Cactus growing in
great abundance in the Mojave Desert, has re-
cently been tested at the Lick paper mill, at San
Jose, by parties interested, who propose, if pos-
sible, to obtain control of all the paper-mills on
the coast, and set them in operation on this ma-
terial exclusively. The Cactus paper is said to
be very strong, and the supply of material un-
limited.

Pear Timber. — We learn from the Derby Mer-
cury that during the late storm, a large Pear tree
in the orchard of Mr. Robert Hay, Chase Farm,
Ambergate, was blown down. Mr. Hay says
that when his great-grandfather took possession
of the place in 1750, or 127 years ago, it was a
much larger tree than when he (Mr. Hay) was
born, in 1800 ; and since then it has lost several
large limbs in exceptionally high winds. Mr.
Hay believes it to be considerably over 300 years
old, and the dimensions taken to-day, as below,
will to some extent bear out his assertions. The
tree has been a great favorite with the old gen-
tleman, and last year it bore a large crop of very
good fruit. It had two trunks, dividing about
3 ft. from the ground line. The measurements are
— Circumference at ground, 9 ft. 6 in.; at 3 ft.
above ground, 11 ft.; of largest trunk, 6 ft. above
ground, 6 ft. 6 in.; of smaller trunk, 6 ft. above
ground, 5 ft. 6 in.; of largest bough, 4 ft. 6 in. ;
next largest bough, 4 ft.; height from ground to
top, 45 ft.

[The above is from the Gardener's Record. In
the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pear timber is in
great request by mill-wrights. — Ed. G. M.]

Timber Conifers in Massachusetts.— We give
below, the following letter of Mr. J. W. Manning,
to the Ploughman, because of the implied value
of the Scotch Pine as a timber tree in Massachu-
setts. We suppose there must have been suffi-
cient observation of its growth in Massachusetts
to warrant what is said of it there, but it is pro-
per to say that in many other parts of the Union

212

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

where it has been tried, it is by no means popu-
lar. But we can endorse all that is said of the
White Pine. We are not sure, but the Larch is
nearly as uncertain as the Scotch Pine. In many
places the wood seems to be excellent, but there
are others where it is nearly worthless : —

" The premium offered by the Massachusetts
Society for Promoting Agriculture, for forest
planting, seems to stimulate the inquiry where
the Scotch Larch and Scotch Pine can be pro-
cured. Abundant information is offered in the
advertising columns of the press, so that none
need be at a loss where to procure it.

" No more evidence is required as to the adapt-
ability of the Scotch Larch as a forest tree. Spe-
cimens of this tree are to be seen in nearly every
town in the State. We fully believe that 50
cords or more of fuel may be grown in 25 years
from the seed of this tree, per acre, on good land;
as it is easy to prove that that rate of growth has
been made on poor land. It is literally a tree
adapted to poor soils.

" A similar remark applies also to the Scotch
Pine, for specimens in full vigor are not rare
even on very barren soils. We would also urge
the claims of the White Pine, for it is growing
in luxuriance on so many dry and barren places.
It grows freely in gravel pits, where nothing
called soil remains.

"These three Conifers make a complete list of
all that are desirable to be used for planting in
the forest soils of Massachusetts. Other varieties
may be good, but none are better. Let these be
planted by the million, for twenty years will pass
just as quickly as though they were not planted,
and if planted, there will be a handsome return
to show for the expenditure in our advancing
years, when we seek some memorial of early
labors.

" Growing specimens may be seen from the
railways and highways of the country, and the
success of transplanted evergreen and deciduous
trees, can readily be ascertained, and thereby
each for himself can, from the growth of the
past, calculate upon the growth of the future.

" We trust that our few remarks may serve to
stimulate some to attempt tree planting, and we
hope that the planting of trees on lands adapted
for their growth, will pass through the land as
one form of a revival from the past season of
depression."

Forest Seedlings. — The causes that have con-
tributed to the Iobs of evergreens directly from

the forest are the lack of root fibers, which are
naturally few in many species of coniferous
seedlings, especially appertaining to those that
are forest grown. These roots are more or less
mutilated or left in the soil when the plants are
pulled, as they usually are, instead of being dug,
and with more or less exposure to the sun or
drying winds, after being taken out of the
ground, and before packing.

These forest-grown seedlings, as stated in the
article referred to, require shade, and with this
and other necessary precautions, the loss of
plants is generally so great as to deter profes-
sional nurserymen from planting this class of
evergreen very largely for a series of years.

Nursery -grown evergreens should not be
classed in the same category as forest-grown
seedlings, from the fact that the care and culti-
vation given to nursery-grown seedlings, induce
a better root growth, and these roots are mostly
preserved by being dug, instead of being pulled
out of the ground. Hence, these nursery-
grown seedlings, after an exposure of one or
two years to the sun, before being taken out of
the seed-beds, may be safely transplanted into
beds or nursery rows ivithovi shade. — Prairie
Farmer.

The Value of Timber in the Scotch High-
lands.— A recent English journal says: — "An
illustration of the value of timber on waste
lands in the Highlands is afforded by a sale of
wood which took place on the estate of the Earl
of Cawdor, in Nairnshire, the other day. In
1820, two hills on the Cawdor property, of about
800 acres in extent, and of almost no agricul-
tural value, were planted with fir and other
trees, and after successive thinnings, the sale of
which realized large sums, the remainder of the
wood has just been sold off for the sum of £16,-
000 ($80,000). The sums realized for the wood
on this waste land during the fifty years is stated
to be equal per acre to the return for the best
arable land in the country."

The Nettle Tree, Celtis australis, although
of moderate dimensions, furnishes a timber of
great commercial value, and the slender, flexi-
ble branches are in great request in many parts
of Europe for whip stocks. In the neighbor-
hood of Udine, according to the German papers,
large plantations are now cultivated, actually
tilled, and manured. The trees are planted
about six feet apart, the lower branches being
trained off, and in ten years the trunks attain a

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

213

diameter of six to eight inches. The wood from
these plantations is fine-grained, is easily cleft,
and, being of a beautiful yellow color, fetches a
higher price than the ordinary quality. In Is-
tria this tree is commonly planted in the squares
and near churches. In Moschenizza there is a
tree with a trunk five feet in diameter at the
base; and in Gemino there is one six feet in
diameter, supposed to be a thousand years old. —
Gard. Chronicle.

Forests of Sweden. — The principal part of
the timber of the Swedish forests, according to
the Chronique de la Societe d' Acclimatation , is fur-
nished by the Scotch Pine and Norway Spruce
Fir. The White Birch is also widely diffused
and abundant in that kingdom. The Aspen and
the Alder, the Elm and the Lime are also com-
mon, and attain large dimensions in some dis-
tricts. The timber of the Spruce and Silver
Fir is used in the construction of houses, ships,
&c; moreover, they furnish tar, and the wood
reduced to a pulp is employed in the manufac-
ture of paper. Balks and planks of these two
kinds of timber are largely exported. Birch-
wood is chiefly consumed as fuel, supplying
nearly all the coasting vessels in the Baltic. As

an example of the extent of trade in this arti-
cle, we may mention that no less than 25,488,678
cubic feet of Birch-wood for fuel, were shipped
from a single port in 1872. The wood of the
Aspen is used in the manufacture of matches,
one of the most flourishing industries of Sweden.

The European Walnut. — It is wpII known
that Walnut trees sometimes attain prodigious
size and great age. An Italian architect men-
tions having seen at St. Nicholas, in Lorraine, a
single plank of the wood of the Walnut, 25 feet
wide, upon which the Emperor Frederick III.
had given a sumptuous banquet. In the Baidar
Valley, near Balaclava, in the Crimea, stands a
Walnut tree at least 1000 years old. It yields
annually from 80,000 to 100,000 nuts, and belongs
to five Tartar families, who share its produce
equally. — Gardener's Chronicle.

Growing Wood for Fuel.— A Canadian farm-
er, about twelve years ago, planted six American
Cottonwood trees, and one silver Abele poplar,
on seven square rods. Lately cutting them
down and preparing them for fuel, he realized
four cords of nice wood. An acre at the same
rate would have yielded eighty cords.

ATURAL SflSTORY AND fSCIENCE.

GO MM UNIGA TIONS.

NOTES FROM YUBA COUNTY, CAL.

BY MRS. F. E. B.

Since my last letter, the season has advanced
very much. At the present writing, May 7th,
the Honey Locusts are shedding their fragrant
snow, and the figs are swelling on the trees under
my window. Where there is irrigation, every-
thing is very promising, but the rains were so
scanty that the hills are already becoming brown
and parched. Haying and harvesting are al-

ready in progress, but the crop is short. People
are predicting an unusually hot Summer on ac-
count of the early ceasing of the rains, and the
small snow-fall in the mountains. I took a little
ride in the hills last week. The scenery, after
crossing the little plain, was wild and grand, the
way rough and steep. Flowers, many of them
new, all the way. Those pretty little yellow tu-
lips were as plenty as dandelions in the Eastern
States, and I discovered, high up among the
hills, the beautiful white tulip. There are innu-
merable small delicate flowers, in patches by the
way, as well as some showy species. We came
on a little brown house high among the hilla.
Beautiful roses and passion-flowers were bloom-

214

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

ing all over it, and its little flower-garden was
arranged to be easily watered. Geraniums and
roses bloomed in profusion on the wide cool
porch. Afterwards we climbed the little ridge
that shielded ther house on the north-east, and
saw the long range of the Nevadas — " whiter
than snow." I saw that day Vick's " Climbing
Hyacinth," and two small species, blue and
white ; his " Ithuriel's Spear," in the shades of
blue he describes, and also white and straw
color. Lilies in abundance, not yet in bloom ;
the white and yellow tulips; Crassulas, with
orange and scarlet flowers, and some beautiful
blue and purple of the Labiatae and Boragin-
acee.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Magnificent Collection of Fungi and the
Lower Cryptogams. — Mr. H. W. Ravenel, of
Aiken, South Carolina, who ranks among the
first cryptogamic botanists of the world, is natu-
rally anxious that the labors of a long life should
be placed where they will do good long after he
passes away. The collection could not be made
for some thousands of dollars, but we learn that
if they could be purchased and placed in some
public institution, where the world may get the
worth of them, Mr. R. would let them go on very
liberal terms. It is because of this public spir-
ited offer that we refer to the matter here. The
following abstract shows how rich the collection
is: —

Fungi. — In Herbarium proper, about 3,000
species. Of these, upwards of 700 new American
species of Berkley and Curtis, and Berkley and
Ravenel. The balance made up of American
species, collected by myself and furnished by
correspondents, and of European species sent by
Berkley, Broome, Desmaziers and others. All in
43 vols., 6x9Jnches; also in separate volumes:
" Fendler's Venezuelan Fungi," 2 vols., 120 spe-
cies; " Frogg's Swiss Fungi," 2 vols., 137 species.
In addition to above, a large box, 9 duplicates,
useful for exchanges.

Hepatiae.— One vol., 12x9, containing 80 spe-
cies, consisting of American and European spe-
cies.

Musci. — Three vols., 12x9; containing, of
American and European, about 500 species;
California Mosses, 64 species ; Hampe's Grenada
Mosses, 78 species. Among these are many new
American species of Sullivant, Lesquereaux, Aus-
tin, &c.

Lichens. — Seven vols., 12x9; containing, of
American and European species, about 600. All
the new Southern species of Tachenen are here
represented.

Algx. — Two vols., 12x9 ; containing, of Ameri-
can and foreign, about 300 species. The new
Southern species of Wood and of Wolle are here
represented.

Blue Glass. — A wealthy gentlemen, Mr.
Spence, of Dundee, was a " disbeliever in blue
glass," but noticing that it seemed to have the
sanction of Mr. Buist, of Philadelphia, ho de-
cided to try it. He happened to have two houses
just alike in every respect, and in one he took
out the alternate strips, putting blue glass in the
place. His gardener, Mr. Lawrie, thus writes
about the results, on application of the Editor of
the Garden : — " It is as yet premature to speak
definitely as to the results likely to be arrived at
as regards this experiment, for these reasons :
first, because the Vines were only struck from
eyes about a year ago ; and secondly, out of the
eight weeks since I commenced to force, we have
only had a fortnight of sunshine, and from ob-
servations made, it is evident that the whole of
the success lies in having an abundant supply of
the blue sunray. In the first place, I shall say a
word or two about the Vines. We took two
Vineries of equal size in every respect, filled
them with the proper soil for vine-growing, got
good, healthy plants from Mr. Thomson, of Clo-
venfords, planted both houses the same day
(January 13), pruned them and allowed them to
settle in the soil till February 8, on which date
they were watered and a gentle heat of 45° ap-
plied. As I have just stated, the two houses are
of equal size, and both have the same advan-
tage as regards sunlight, and the temperature
of both strictly the same, the only difference be-
tween the two being that the one is furnished
with strips of blue glass and the other is glazed
with ordinary white glass, only. Now for the re-
sults, so far as the experiment has gone. At the
end of the first four weeks, that is on March 8,
the Vines had made 16 in. of growth under the
blue, and only 4 in. under the white glass. On

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

215

the 9th of April, the Vines under the blue glass
measured 3 ft. 4 in., and under the white 2 ft. 4
in., the two being equal in strength, but showing
that the absence of the sun had retarded the
progress of those under the blue glass to a greater
extent than it had done those under the white
glass. All the plants, such as Camellias and
Fuchsias, are vigorous and healthy, although
some of them were rather sickly when the ex-
periment was commenced. Wishing also to test
the effect of blue light upon vegetables, we
planted a few early Potatoes in each house.
They were planted on the same date as the
Vines, and without any other heat than the at-
mospheric heat of the houses, the result to-day
(April 10) is six of the Potatoes from under the
blue glass weighed 11 oz., and six from under the
white weighed only 5 oz."

This somewhat accords with the experience
with Mustard, of thirty years ago, which we re-
cently referred to in our pages — the early growth
was accelerated by blue glass. Ultimately, how-
ever, the white glass beat. So far as Mr. Spence's
experiment has gone, we see the same result.
Though there was a gain of three-fourths at the
first measurement, it was reduced to less than
one-half in time.

We are glad to see practical gardeners taking
in hand to try this matter in this way. There is
a great deal of " science " brought to bear against
General Pleasanton, which is all very well from
the scientific stand-point. The ridicule and
pleasantry, of course, General Pleasanton can
stand. On the other hand, many of the good
things claimed for the blue glass, it is more than
likely, are to be referred to other influences than
the mere blue glass, but, if under any circum-
stances, blue glass will favor the growth of any
particular part, even though it be at the expense
of some other part, it is to the advantage of gar-
dening that we know it. The gourmand, who
feasts on pate defoie gras is quite satisfied to get
that glout morceau, without caring much for the
health of goose that produced it. It is thus
in many of our gardening operations.

The Sleep of Plants. — Keferring to the pe-
culiar times of opening and closing of various
flowers, a writer, quoting from the Proceedings of
the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, says :
— " Mr. Meehan says the popular impression of
light and moisture as agents in their behavior,
had seemed to receive a tacit scientific assent.
It was clear, he thought, there was a more

powerful agency underlying them, and it was
perhaps a gain to science to be able to see this,
though in so dim a light."

In regard to this, a valued correspondent
writes to us : — "Who are the scientific men de-
serving of the name, who hold any such belief?"
Recently the Scientific Farmer has had an inter-
esting chapter on " Light and Vegetation," in
which occurs the following, from which it would
appear that Mr. Meehan is not alone in suppo-
sing that the presence or absence of light was
closely connected by intelligent persons with
these diurnal openings : — "The so-called 'Sleep
of Plants,' i. e., the change in position which
plants make from day to night is due to the
presence and absence of light. The questions
which naturally arise concerning the time of day
or night, when certain species of plants open
their flowers, giving rise. to what are styled floral
clocks, are interesting, but at the same time dif-
ficult to explain. That the modest Night-bloom-
ing Cereus prefers the night to the day for the
unfolding of its large and showy flowers is curi-
ous. Why should the Mirabilis consider that
time in the afternoon, from which it gets its
name of ' Four o'clock' as the best hour to
bloom ? But we must not ask hard questions.
Doubtlesst, he sunlight plays an important part
in all these individual peculiarities.

"The sensitive plant is fast gaining the repu-
tation of being an organization endowed with
sensation and voluntary motion. If an active
plant of this nature be placed in darkness for a
length of time it loses this sensibility, or at least
its susceptibility to shocks, and remains rigid
until it has been again exposed for a considera-
ble time to the action of the sunlight."

Northern Limits of Animal and Vegetable
Life. — The memoirs of the Nare's Arctic Expe-
dition are full of interest to the lovers of nature.
"As they made their way further north than
any of their predecessors, so they experienced
intenser cold and more protracted darkness.
The lowest temperature registered was 104° be-
low freezing point, Fahrenheit ; the mean tem-
perature of 13 consecutive days was 59° below
zero, and the mercury was frozen 47 days during
the Winter. Although we hear much of snow-
storms and fogs in those remote regions, it is re-
corded that a chronometer found in one of the
Cairns that remain as records of the Expedition
of the Polaris proved to be in perfect working
order after an exposure of four Winters. A

216

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

quantity of wheat similarly exposed for the same
length of time was found to be still unimpaired
as regards its vitality, and readily germinated
when placed under favorable conditions. At the
latitude where the Discovery wintered, 81° 44v N.,
animal life was comparatively plentiful ; but
this may be reckoned as nearly marking its ex-
treme limit, for the sledging parties found no
game and were prostrated by scurvy through the
want of fresh meat. The musk ox was the main-
stay of the crews as regards fresh meat, but hares
and many kinds of birds were obtained, a bear
was seen, and in Lieutenant Parr's desperate ad-
venture— walking alone over th:rty-five miles of
soft snow to obtain help from the Alert — he was
guided by the fresh track of a roaming wolf.
One of the prevailing birds is the Knot, Tringa
canutus, a near relation of our sandpipers and
plovers ; a shore haunting bird, the nest of which
is rarely seen in this country, even in districts
where the birds abound, and of which it is re-
ported that in the far north neither nests nor
eggs were found, although the young in all stages
of growth were plentiful.

"It may be assumed that latitude 83° N. is
about the limit of life of all kinds — animal and
vegetable — at all events, in the regions reached
by way of the west coast of Greenland. Remains
of Eskimo were found on the west side of Smith
Sound in latitude 81° 52\ which we may regard
as the highest point reached by these strange
wanderers, who, being largely dependent on the
chase for subsistence, cannot proceed far beyond
the limits of game, even had they such motives
of curiosity as impel Arctic explorers. In due
time we shall hear something of the vegetation
of these regions, but it is not likely that there is
much to be said on that subject; first, because
there is not much vegetation, and secondly, be-
cause there were not many opportunities for
botanical explorations ; larger work consuming
the time and strength of even the most leisurely
of the party.

"Nevertheless, about fifty species of plants
were discovered on the hills, prominent among
them being the Arctic willows and saxifrages ;
and the lakes were found to be in many instances
well stocked "with salmon and trout, and their
recesses were tenanted by vast flocks of brent
geese."

The Shape of the Earth.— A Kansas cor-
respondent of the Scientific American thinks it
no proof that the earth was once an impalpable

mass, that it is round now. He says : — " I hold
that its shape proves nothing as to its origin, or
the present condition of its interior. I think the
earth could not retain any shape very different
from the present one, even if it were composed
of solid iron. It is known by all architects and
engineers that there is a limit to the size of
arches, depending on the strength of the mate-
rial used. An arch spanning several inches can
be made of soft putty. Many feet can be spanned
by an arch of brick, and hundreds of feet are
spanned by steel in bridges. But no one believes
that an arch over Lake Erie, or over the Straits
of Dover, would sustain itself, no matter what
material was used. So that there is a limit to
the size of any large body, beyond which gravi-
tation exceeds cohesion. The most minute par-
ticle of water assumes a globular form when not
in contact with other matter. Putty or jelly
would act like water, but would require a larger
quantity to overcome the cohesion of the parti-
cles. A body the size of the earth, if not revolv-
ing on its axis, would be spherical, or very nearly
so, even if composed of steel. But let it revolve
on its axis, and it will be an oblate spheroid. A
very small planet, like some of the smaller aster-
oids, or a meteoric rock, might retain perma-
nently any given shape."

Herbarium Specimens. — Mr. A. H. Curtiss, of
Jacksonville, Fla., (formerly of Virginia,) has for
many years made a specialty of preparing herb-
aria of United States plants ; and will at any
time supply sets, accurately labeled and system-
atized, at the rate of $8 per 100 species, or in ex-
change for desirable additions to his museum,
library or garden. Packages sent pre-paid by
mail, or by express, as far as New York.

Origin of the Phylloxera. — The London
Journal of Horticulture says : — " The President
of the Vine-growing Society of the Pyrenees
Orientales has, says Nature, sent a document to
Paris Academy of Sciences, affirming that 'it ia
the American plants which have brought the
Phylloxera into France, and that each planta-
tion of them is the signal for a fresh invasion.'
This statement directly controverts the theory
which has been more than once propounded,
that American Vines are phylloxera-proof. Per-
haps our American friends will embrace the op-
portunity of ' commenting on ' the bold assertion
of the Frenchman."

187T.J

AND HORTICULTURIST,

217

Well, we say that no one ha8 denied it. There
is little doubt, but the Phylloxera first appeared
in the vicinity of Bordeaux, and was introduced
by American Vines. We do not know who made
the statement that American Vines are " Phyl-
loxera-proof," but suppose the idea originated
with a class of writers who imagined that because
American Vines were recommended for stocks,
therefore, they were Phylloxera-proof. No Amer-
ican grape is free from the attack of Phylloxera
— they abound in any kind when they can get
the chance. The writer of this assisted Prof.
Planchon in digging up Clinton Vines which
were covered with the insect, and the fact is duly
recorded in Prof. Planchon's Report to the
French Government ; but Prof. P. discovered that
some American grapes had a sort of contempt
for the Phylloxera. While some — and all Euro-
pean grapes — had their fibres injured by the in-
sect, they gave up at once, as if asking, what's
the use of resistance? But the Concord, Clinton,
Norton's Virginia, and one or two others, set to
work and made more young roots at once, beat-
ing the Phylloxera by sheer perseverance, and
not by any immunity from attack. We have
stated this before in the Gardener's Monthly, but
it will do no harm to repeat it again.

Paraffin Oil. — Les Mondes informs us that
M. Jordery renders paraffin oil as thick as honey,
by means of a vegetable powder (Saponaria), and
thus prevents the liability of its causing fire,
without, in any way, interfering with its proper-
ties, as it can be rendered fluid by the addition
of a few drops of strong acetic acid. This is good
news for people who employ it inter alia, for
keeping frost out of small greenhouses.

Exposure of Seeds to Cold. — At a recent
meeting of the Linnaean Society, a memento of
the Polaris Expedition was exhibited by Mr. R. I.
Lynch. This consisted of a pot of growing
wheat, which had been sown and raised from the
grain left in Polaris Bay, 81° 38s N., by the Amer-
ican Expedition. Capt. (Sir G.) Nares, in a letter
to Dr. Hooker, states that the grain had been
exposed to the Winter's frost, 1872-6 ; but, not-
withstanding the intense cold it had been sub-
jected to, the above sample, grown at Kew, gave
sixty-four per cent, as capable of germination.
A grain of maize among the wheat, which also
sprouted, possessed even greater interest, being
a truly tropical plant.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Freezing of the Sap in Plants. — W. C. says ;
— " I send you enclosed an extract from one of
our papers, and should be glad if you can tell us
in the Gardener's Monthly how this can be. How
can sap come up to the leaves when the sap in
the roots and in the stems is frozen solid ? It
seems so impossible that only for the names and
circumstances in the extract being given, I
should have thought it a waste of time to trouble
you:" — "At a recent meeting of the Elmira
Farmer's Club, at the close of the discussion, Mr.
Compton exhibited a pear twig with luxuri-
antly developed leaves, produced by a singular
process. Early last February a letter from I. P.
Schenck, of Ohio, was read to the Club narrating
an experiment made by one of his neighbors,
who introduced a branch of climbing rose into
his conservatory, while the root, upon which it
depended for support, was frozen up in the
ground without. Under the genial influence of
the heated air within, the branch put forth blos-
soms in mid-winter. Acting upon this hint,
Mr. Compton, last February, brought the limb
of an adjacent pear tree through a convenient
aperture into his conservatory — hence the fully
developed foliage. It would seem from his suc-
cess, and that reported by Mr. Schenck, that
abundant bloom may be had in the dark days of
Winter without the trouble of nursing plants in
pots, for in the case of roses, at least, it would be
necessary only to pass the vine into the living
room of an ordinary dwelling kept at a temper-
ature always above freezing."

[Our correspondent can scarcely be a close
reader of our magazine, or he would know by
this time that the sap does not freeze in plants in
the Winter time. The absurdity is rather in
supposing that it can and does freeze, and yet
the structure retain life. As for the fact that
leaves, flowers and fruit can come from plants
when the roots and stems are constantly sub-
jected to frost and a very low temperature, it is
well-known to every practical gardener who has
had a wide range of experience. The writer of
this referred to it, and explained it many years
ago at the annual meeting of the Illinois Horti-
cultural Society at Ottawa,Ul., as Mr. P. Barry will
remember, as he took part in the discussion on
the same subject. — Ed. G. M.]

219

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

IJuly,

llTERATURE, ^RAVELS & ipERSONAL floTES.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.

BY G.

San Francisco, May 13th, 1S77.

I know you will be interested to hear that

Mr. called upon me at the hotel ; invited

me to breakfast ; that I went and had a most
courteous reception, and a charming time. The
boat was crowded going over to Oakland ; as
San Francisco is such a cosmopolitan city the
the people turn out strong to excursions. Besides
regular passengers, 9000 excursion tickets were
Bold up to two o'clock. A short horse-car trip
brought me to a fine laying piece of ground on
the route — the long avenue bordered with Aca-
cia trees in full bloom. The house, like all in
California, is built of red-wood, but in elegant
style. I was ushered into the library where Mr.

and Mrs. , Mrs. and Mrs. , his

nieces, of Philadelphia, awaited me.

After a cheerful half hour of talk we went to
breakfast. A course of omelette was succeeded
by beefsteak ; that by birds, and that again by
tomatoes and artichokes ; then hot cakes and
some genuine molasses, which he had secured in
Honolulu.

Mr. and Mrs. then took me round "her"

splendidly planted grounds. There was a Deo-
dar Cedar 20 feet high ; Norfolk Island Pine ;
Cedar of Lebanon ; Pinus Pinea, a Portugese tree
25 feet high ; Eucalyptus, 2-] feet diameter ; grass
lawns of great extent; shrubs and plants in the
greatest profusion, luxuriance, bewildering nov-
elty and variety. All this had grown up within
twelve years, and been created on a spot as un-
tamed, when they came in possession, as any
in the world. As there was no railroad then
and but few florists, each tree has a personal
history which added to its interest : this one hav-
ing been brought by such a friend " by hand all

the way." Of course in the piece-meal creation
of such a place many must have been sacrificed,
and yet it is a superb collection for any place,
and is the largest in variety and extent of any
on the coast. At great expense a rockery was
hauled by ox teams to the grounds after being

selected by Mrs. , in the mountains, and

arranged under her sxipervision. An artificial
stream playsover therocksandapond forgold fish
of some extent, receives the water. There were
glades and clumps of wild shrubbery, rural walks
and rustic bridges and seats and arbors ; fuschias
climbing (or trained) up to the second-story;
flower-beds in mathematical shapes, and roses by
the thousands. Box trees, hollies, cork trees, and
an infinite variety of familiar and unfamiliar
plants that would fill a gardener's catalogue to
enumerate. We then went to the Fernery; and
here in a damp atmosphere and under shaded
light, with water trickling down a rockery over-
grown with ferns, were big ferns and little ferns
— maiden hair and club ferns — green, parti-
colored, delicate and grass. The Elk-horn fern
was hanging up over the entrance, a bunch
about as big as a large hornet's nest, with leaves
just in shape like an elk horn stretching out.
Then we went in the parlor, and met the young
ladies who with their children are occupying a
cottage in the grounds.

Then Mr. and I got into the buggy

which had been waiting for us, and behind a
$3,000 pair of magnificent black horses we trot-
ted around the vicinity and through Oakland.
The drive was perfectly charming. From near

Mr. 's, we look right out over San Francisco

Bay through the Golden Gate, with numerous
islands and San Rafael and San Quentin in view.
The Coast Range are but a short distance away
and add a charm to the scenery. Oakland is a
large city of elegant residences and more modest
country homes.

[For the above interesting sketch of California
home life, we arc indebted to a Philadelphia
friend to whom the letter was addressed. —
Ed. G. M.]

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

219

ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE PRODUCTION
OF NOVELTIES.

BY EUGENE GLEN, ROCHESTER, N. Y.

I notice in your last issue, that although you
apeak in very complimentary terms of an essay
favoring horticultural copyrights, read by me
before the Western New York Horticultural So-
ciety, at its meeting held in Rochester, N. Y.,
last Winter, you state that the plan is open to
some quite serious objections which I have
omitted to notice. I am sorry that you do not
particularize these objections. Believing that
the subject is worthy of an intelligent discussion
I hope you or your correspondents will not fail
to give to the public through your columns,
whatever of specific objection not founded in
prejudice there may be to the positions assumed
by me. No scheme which will not bear up under
the freest adverse criticism, should find any en-
couragement in the legislation of the country.

The title of the essay as designated by me,
was, " Encouragement to the introduction of
new varieties in horticulture, and prevention of
frauds in the dissemination of the same ;" and I
foel confident that that feature of the measure
which is indicated by the last clause of this title,
will prove not less important and desirable than
the other.

It is, doubtless, true that any legislation upon
this subject will be attended with some difficul-
ties and annoyances, but with my present light
I feel very confident that the good resulting from
the adoption of the measure I have favored,
would far outweigh the evil. Of course I may be
mistaken in this conclusion, and having written
the essay without any personal interest to sub-
serve, if objections can be presented which can-
not be fairly met, or overborne by prospective
good, I will promptly join the opposition.

To facilitate discussion, favorable or unfavora-
ble to the proposed measure, I will, so long as I
have copies left, send a copy of the essay as pub-
lished, to any gentleman interested in the sub-
ject who may write me for it.

[We have no disposition to take this matter
out of the hands of our correspondents. Our
position is, that the raisers or introducers of new
and valuable things should make much more
than they generally do. Any plan trat would'
do this, and not bring with it greater evils than
those it attempts to cure, will have our approval.
We have no room for very long essays, and have

in

n the past had to decline diffusive papers on the
subject, — but concise, well reasoned articles, such
as Mr. Glen could write, would surely find place.
—Ed. G. M.]

RHYMES, AND RECOLLECTIONS OF A CACTU6

MAN.

BY W.VI. T. HARDING, SUPT. OAK HILL CEMETERY,
UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.

Ye, who in gardens doth take delight,
Read, and observe these rhymes aright ;
There's divers things in Dame Nature's range,
Of wondrous growth, surpassing strange.

Good garden folk, right well I ween,
Cactuses, doth most curious seem ;
Some goodly grow, bedeck'd with posies,
Whilst some more sweet doth smell than roses.

Some there be of most uncomely mein,
ArmV. cap a-pe, with drawn weapons keen ;
Yet some I trow, are wondrous fair,
With a winsome look, right pleasant are.

When sights like these arrests men's eyes,
They marvel sore, and with much surprise,
Exclaimeth thus, in language loude,
Forsooth! ye are a motley crowde!

Indeed they are, good reader, and more espe-
cially so, when associated with their alliances,
are "Of wondrous growth, surpassing strange."
And yet, notwithstanding their multiform and
often grotesque features, they stand unsurpassed
in the front line of loveliness, and floral beauty.
Nature, has to a large extent, made ample
amends for their curious and bizarre appear-
ance, and richly compensated them for any lack
of vegetal graces, with which other plants may
be clothed.

Of cacti, some are known as hedge-hog kinds,
while the term porcupine, would be equally
expressive of others. The remainder, might
very properly be designated urbanes, and superbs.
Euphorbias, so variformed, would come under
such appellations as pachyderms, chevaux-de-frise,
blands and brilliants.

The writer's desire, is to create an interest in
their behalf, which undoubtedly, they so well
deserve. To see them in the front again, would
not only be a satisfaction to him, but would
prove a source of wonder, and agreeable sur-
prise, to the intelligent plant-loving people.
They would, he feels assured, appreciate them.

In Europe, they are popular favorites, and
will he trusts, become so in this country ere long;
and receive the proper recognition and admira-
tion so justly their due.

220

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

The celebrated Kew Gardens of Loudon, pos-
sess in all probability the best, and most ex-
tensive collection of any public or private place
in the world. While Mr. Peacock, an enthusias-
tic cultivator in the suburbs, rejoices in having the
most complete private collection, under the
•charge of the clever Mr. Croucher.

A well filled Succulent-house, would not be
costly to keep, or care for. Neither would such
an astounding plant melange, have any resem-
blance to an "old curiosity shop"; crammed
with inert trash, and musty rubbish. Where
there is life, there are hopes of happiness, pres-
ent and to come. Although they are the oddest
of all odd things, and the most "wonderful won-
ders " in the vegetable kingdom, they are as in-
tensely interesting, as extremely curious. To us,
it really seems as if The Author of all good,
had some strange device in view, when fashion-
ing their fantastic forms, many of which are
ultra-grotesque, while others, are unrivalled in
beauty. I have often noticed, both with ama-
teurs and professionals, a strong desire to linger
around them, longer than with many other
things, more gaudy and gay, bloomed they
never so grandly.

The miscellaneous subjects under notice
chiefly belong to eight remarkable Families — or
Natural Orders; to wit: — Cactacese, Ficoideae,
Crassulaceas, Hemerocallidese, Portulacacese, Eu-
phorbiaoese, Bromeliacess, and Liliaceae. Queer
things with queer names ; as in the natural fit-
ness of things, they should be. As the writer
has hitherto said but little about Succulents, he
now courteously bows to all "good garden folk,"
and while describing them, will " a tale unfold,"
which, is no fiction.

He almost fancies there is still the fragrance of
a night blooming cereus, or Cereus grandiflorus ;
pervading the room in which this is penned.
The flower is visible in the mind's eye now, the
first one he saw in bloom. Although its gran-
deur was so evanescent then, it has, like an ever-
lasting, retained all its pristine beauty, and in
recollection, is still freshly blooming. Well do I
remember the time and place, when, and where
it occurred; of which, more anon. I was then,
I trust, a diligent pupil of a good man, and an
excellent Gardener, whom I shall call Mr. Pot-
marjoram ; simply, because that was not his
name. The estate, on which he lived, was old,
extensive and entailed. The orchards, kitchen
gardens, and forcing houses, were noted for the
abundance of good things they produced ; while

the park, and pleasure grounds, were as pictur-
esque, and gardenesque, as Nature and art com-
bined, could make them. Taking it altogether,
it was as great and grand a place, as could well
be found in the United Kingdom. A specialty,
of this famous place, was Succulents, or dry
stove plants, as they were then generally called.

Mesembryanthemums, at that time, were
much admired; and let me add — they are
equally admirable now. They are as well known
for their beautiful flowers, many of which are
conspicuously high colored, as for their very cu-
rious habit. The genus, to which they belong,
is one of the most numerous known. For pecu-
liar effect, they are indispensable, either in pota
or beds. They are excellent plants to put out
on warm sunny borders, during the Summer
months. They delight to bask on a hot, dry
bank, and in such a situation, will flourish and
flower, where many other things would fail.
They are also useful as vase, or rustic basket
plants, the sides of which they drape charming-
ly. There is a variegated kind, doing good ser-
vice, in that way. M. edule. is the Hottentot fig,
and is edible, as its name indicates. The sable epi-
cures of South Africa, seem to prize it highly.
Probably, the most generally known kind, is the
popular annual, M. crystallinum, or ice plant, a
native of Greece. M. calamiforme, and multi-
forme, are remarkable kinds.

Little did the writer then dream that he would
afterwards see them in myriad masses, creeping
up the side of Table Mountain, or spreading
wildly over the sandy plains, at the Cape of
Good Hope ; with other plants he has yet to
mention.

Well, let the supposition with the reader be,
that at a certain time, and place, before al-
luded to, the writer is pottering among them and
their curious congeners, where they most do
congregate. As he saw them at that time, in
the Succulent-house, so will he speak of them
now.

There stood the big American Aloes, Agave
Americana, or Century plants, so-called. They
were quietly biding their time, as ancient aloea
do. The stolid, sturdy centenarians, were prob-
ably the two oldest inhabitants of the antiquated
community, of which they had long been hon-
ored members. While slowly accumulating
years, they had gathered strength and stability.
And what a glorious end awaited them. To
raise a lofty floriferous monument before passfng
away, and then to repose calmly beneath,

1877.]

AND HOR TIG UL T ORIS T.

221

wrapped in a shroud of their own flowers. Thus,
terminates such agave existence; in fructification
and death. A. vivipara, A. lurida, A. yucesefolia,
and A. flaccida, were the magnates, grandees,
and distinguished plant nobles, which composed
the Agave assembly. Fourcroya gigantea,
was a real Goliath in stature, with F. rigida, as
armor-bearer, in front. They each had a stern,
time-defying look, as if good for a thousand
years. Adjacent, like its illustrious namesake,
Buonaparte, stood Buonapartea juncea ; as firm
and inflexible, as becomes one with such a

name.

(To be continued.)

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Grape Culture in England. — England was
at one time famous for its vineyards and its
wines. The great battle of Hastings, which de-
termined the conquest by the Normans, was
fought in a vineyard. When France was invaded
by England, the superior article of Continental
Europe, put down English made wine, and not
any peculiar change of climate. The Marquis
of Bute, in Glamorganshire, is now growing
grapes as formerly.

A poet, in the days of Elizabeth, tells us —

Every man eat. in safety,
Und«r his own Vine, what he planted;
And sang the merry songs of peace
To all his neighbours.

Royal Patronage of Horticulture. — Alluding
to the fact that for the first time in many years
the exhibition of the Royal Horticultural So-
ciety was a great success, an English eotempo-
rary, (name lost,) says: — "The Scientific Com-
mittee was specially honored — its President,
Dr. Hooker, who is also the President of the
Royal Society, accompanying the Royal party
and explaining the more noteworthy objects ex-
hibited. The Queen on leaving, expressed her
pleasure at her visit, and we do not think these
were mere words of courtesy, for Her Majesty
looked pleased ; and undoubtedly the horticul-
turists, who yield to no class of Her Majesty's
subjects in their loyalty, were delighted to see
among them once more their Queen, and to feel
that their efforts to diffuse a knowledge of the
glories and wonders of creation, and to con-
tribute to the material and mental welfare of
mankind, are still sanctioned and appreciated
as they were in the days when the broad-minded

Prince Consort had the sagacity to include Hor-
ticulture among those arts and sciences which,
in the interests of the nation at large, he did so
much to promote."

We copy this for the sentiments it expresses
in regard to social leadership in good enter-
prises. We are apt to laugh at the idea that the
smile or the frown of any one human being
should make all the difference between success
or failure in a horticultural or any other exposi-
tion ; but we must not forget that there is some-
thing in the average human mind that longs for
a leader. So long as it is satisfied that the lead-
er ought or deserves to be in power, it loves to
follow. The average of human beings are really
too languid to think deeply for themselves about
everyday affairs, and though they read regularly
the news, turn with relief to the "editorial,"
for the comments on which they ought to be
able to have as good ideas for themselves.

So, in all these good works some one must
lead, and it will be to the everlasting honor of
Prince Albert that he set this good example.
We have no social aristocratic classes here, but
everybody acknowledges and worships the aris-
tocracy of intelligence, and it does not take long
for this to be acknowledged, and for the pos-
sessor to be in some sort made to know that he
fills this elevated seat in public estimation.
When to this is added material power, no false
delicacy should prevent its possessor from " lead-
ing off."

Horticulture in America is just now, especi-
ally, suffering from the want of leaders among
those who worthily possess influence, if they
would only use it.

Letter from Mr. Jacob Moore. —

"Wichita, Kansas, May 11, 1877.

"Mr. Editor: — So you don't like the tone of
my last communication, on the subject of patent-
ing new plants. You must remember that there
are occasions when it is right and proper to give
vent to a righteous indignation, and when it is
wrong to gloss over evil-doing with euphemistic
phrases. Such an occasion is presented by the
position taken by the editors of many of the
principal horticultural and agricultural papers
on this subject. Pretending to desire advance-
ment in horticulture, they oppose the very
means of making such advancement — by deny-
ing the plant originator the right to the legal
protection necessary to enable him to secure
compensation. Therefore, I have written you
and other editors, and I hope not in vain.

" With regard to the practicability of the pro-
tective measures proposed, you will remember

222

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

that I once sent you a paper showing plainly
their practicability, and you refused to publish
it. Also, you refused to publish my reply to
Jacob Stauffer, the solicitor of patents, who op-
posed the proposed protection in the Monthly.
Therefore, I am led to doubt that you desire
to show fair play to both parties. If, by the
word practicability, you mean the framing of a
law which no one can break, of course the case
is granted, as there never was a law made yet,
which was not transgressed by some one. But
the majority of people abide by the laws, and
there is just as much reason to suppose that the
majority of people would regard the proposed
enactment as any other protection.

"Jacob Moore."

[Mr. Jacob Moore writes occasionally as if we
had some special ill-will against him, but he is
much mistaken. Some time since he wrote that
he had " now done with us and our likes for
ever," and we were therefore surprised at receiv-
ing this letter from him. As, however, it is a
sign of returning good sense, and not very long,
we let Mr. Moore be heard, merely taking out a
paragraph referring to another magazine, with
which we have nothing to do. In future, how-
ever, we shall prefer if Mr. Moore will choose
other channels as vent holes fur his righteous
indignation. The Gardener's Monthly has no
taste for that class of literature, "righteous" or
otherwise.— Ed. G. M.]

Origin of the Name " Walnut." — Walnut, a
name that occurs with little variation in the
German and Swedish dialects, is from the "An-
glo-Saxon " wealh-knut'" the foreign nut;
"wealh " was a term our rude forefathers ap-
plied to anything foreign, hence " wealh-men,"
(Welshmen) the Celtic race formerly inhabiting
this country, but driven by them into the fast-
nesses of the Welsh mountains. The etymology
of this word implies that the same people were
acquainted with this fruit long before the tree
was introduced. Like many other fruit-bearing
trees, it is supposed to have been introduced by
the Romans, but to have been lost through the
neglect they received after the departure of these
warlike people, and to have been re-introduced
by the monks of the middle ages, who were
great gardeners and cultivators. — Gardener's
Chronicle.

The Age of Orange Trees.— The Paris jour-
nals announce the death of a famous orange
tree in its 4f>5th year, known under the name of
Grand Bourbon or Grand Connetable. In the
year 1421 the Queen of Navarro gave her gar-

dener the seed at Pampeluna. Thence sprang
the plant, which was subsequently transported
to Chantilly. In 1532, however, the Constable
of Bourbon (Lord of Chantilly) having sided
with Charles V. against Francis I., his goods
were confiscated, and along with them the or-
ange tree, which was duly sent to Fontainebleau,
whence, in 1684, Louis XIV. transferred it to
Versailles, where it remained the largest, finest,
and most fertile member of the orangery, its
head being fifteen metres round, and the trunk
seven metres high. — Journal of Horticulture.

Repton's Tomb. — Humphrey Repton, the
writer on landscape gardening, was buried at
Aylsham, in Norfolk, and the following is hia
epitaph, inserted in the wall of the church close
to the chancel door: —

"Not, like Egyptian tyrants, consecrate,
Unmixed with others, shall my dust remain;
But blending, niould'ring, sinking into earth,
Mine shall give form and colour to the Rose ;
And while its vivid blossoms cheer mankind,
Its fragrant odurs shall ascend to heaven !"

A small railed-in garden is in front of the tab-
let, and this garden is always kept bright and
orderly by cousins of Mr. Repton, who live in
Aylsham. — Journal of Horticulture.

Exglish National Emblematic Plants. —
Some notes on these were in this Journal a few
weeks since, and I hoped to see others, but aa
they have not appeared, I copy the following
from a MS. volume. Many centuries before the
wars which

" Sent between the red Rose and the white,
A thousand souls to death and deadly night,'1

the flower had been famous in our island, and
its emblem was and is the Rosa anglia alba, the
white English Rose. Some writers have thought
that the name Albion was applied to our island
on account of the white roses it produced.

The Thistle is the emblem plant of Scotland,
and if the tradition was founded on fact it is the
Stemlcss Thistle, Cnicus acaulis. According to
that tradition the Norsemen would have sur-
prised the Scotch clans in a night attack if one of
their spies had not uttered a loud imprecation
upon treading barefooted upon one of these This-
tles. The clans dubbed the plant "The Scotch
Thistle," and it was accepted as a representative
plant, and the appropriate complimentary motto'
attached, Nemo vie. impune lacexsel — No one in-
jures me with impunity.

It is doubtful what plant was first adopted for

187?.]

AND HOB TIC UL TV BIS T.

223

Ireland's national plant. Shamrock is a corrup-
tion of the Irish '" Seamrog," which is applied to
many plants, as the Wood Sorrel, Purple Clover,
Speedwell and Pimpernel.

The Irish are said to have adopted the Sham-
rock as a badge when converted to Christianity
in the year 433 by St. Patrick. They adopted
it because he used the three-leafleted plant as an
illustration of the Trinity.

St. Patrick probably held up Oxalis acetosella.
Clover was not introduced into Ireland until cen-
turies after him, and the plant he held up was
eaten by the Irish, which points to the Oxalis.

Why or when the Welsh adopted the Leek as
their national emblem is not known. None of
their early bards mention it.

The Tudor colors were green and white, and
these were well represented by the Welshmen of
Henry VII. 's bodyguard wearing a Leek in their
caps at tne battle of Bos worth. There is in Wales a
tradition that the Saxons attacked the Britons on
St. David's-day and put Leeks in their caps as a
distinguishing badge, but the Britons proving vic-
torious transferred the Leeks into their own caps
from the caps of those they had slain and taken
prisoners. Among the Harleian MSS. is a poem
referring to this event, and adding —

" Next to the lion and the unicorn
The Leek's the fairest emblem that is worn."

Some authorities state that the Leek has be-
come the national plant of Wales because its
farmers from time immemorial, when they aid
each other in plowing, according to a custom
termed Cymbortha, bring nothing but leeks for
their sustenance, all other requirements being
supplied by the farmer they are helping. — G.in
Journal of Horticulture.

The Name "Elm." — Elm, from the Anglo-
Saxon " elm " " ellm," or " ulme," and the Dutch
" olm." This name occurs with slight variations
in all the Celtic dialects. From the fact that the
Elm rarely ripens its fruit in this country,
coupled with the resemblance of its name to the
classic ulmus, it is looked upon as a doubtful
native. The term " Wych Elm " is supposed to
refer to its ancient use for water-pipes, especially
in connection with salt-springs, erroneously
supposed to have been called " wyes " and " wics,"
as in Nantwich, &c. The writer is of opinion
that the term " wych," also referable to the Hazel
and the Mountain Ash, is merely a varied form
of "withe" — a lithe or pliant rod or twig. — Gar-
dener's Chronicle.

The Evergreen.— This is the title of a new
horticultural magazine just started in Holland.
We commend the example to those who may
want to try their luck at new magazines in this
country. It has been the practice in past times
to take some popular English magazine and
stick "American" on to the title. This at once
stamped the experiment as lacking in original-
ity, and predicted failure from the onset. We
have never felt free to say this on the appear-
ance of these ventures, as it might expose us to
the charge of " malice aforethought." As there
are now none in the field, we may rather claim
generosity in offering this advice to the next
comer.

State Entomologist of Missouri.— In 1868
this office was established, and Mr. C. V. Riley
appointed as Professor. We see it stated that
the Legislature has discontinued the office. It
is strange that the Legislature did this thing.
The labors of Prof. Riley have not only been of
immense value to the agriculture of the State
in itself, but they have tended to make the State
better known than anything which could be
done. Even as an advertisement it was one of
the best investments the State ever made. There
must be a great dearth of intelligent men in the
Legislature of any influence, or some one of
them would surely have been able to show this
fact to the others. Let us hope that the next
Legislature will see their error and retrieve the
blunder they have no doubt unwittingly made.

Proceedings of the New Jersey State Hort.
Society. From Mr. E. Williams Montclair,
Sec'y. — This is the record of the second annual
meeting, and shows prosperity. We have been
anxious to know what has been the experience
of people with whitewashed trees in relation to
the fire blight in the pear, but no one has re-
sponded. In this volume we note that "Mr.
Collins had blight on whitewashed trees two
years in succession." It would be very interest-
ing to have further particulars. We do not
know that whitewash is any good in such
cases; but if the disease comes from the spores
of fungi, working from outwards, inwardly,
whitewash might help in destroying these spores.
-Details of these observations would help to set-
tle this point. What kind of " blight," had Mr.
Collins, and how much of the tree was white-
washed? A full account of Mr. C.'s experience
would be thankfully received by us.

224

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[July,

The essays and discussion as reported took a
wide range, and the subjects are, in fact, as well as
name, truly horticultural. Prof. Thurber worthily
fills the Presidential chair.

New Professors. — J. L. Budd has been select-
ed as professor of horticulture in the place va-
cated by Prof. Macafee, in Iowa Agricultural
College. Prof. J. T. Rothrock, well known as
the botanist of the Wheeler expedition, has been
selected for the chair of botany in the Pennsyl-
vania University. Prof. Rothrock is doing his
best to make botany popular among the masses
of the people, by giving free lectures on bot-
any in the Horticultural Hall, Fairmount Park,
which are highly appreciated. Dr. J. Gibbons
Hunt, eminent as a botanist, especially in con-
nection with microscopic work, has been elected
to the newly founded chair of histology and mi-
croscopic technology in the Philadelphia Acade-
my of Natural Sciences. In the newly formed
State Board of Agriculture for Pennsylvania,
Mr. Thomas Meehan has been elected professor
of botany, and Mr. Josiah Hoopes professor of
Horticulture. Mr. Hoopes has been one of the
most vigorous Presidents of the State Pomologi-
cal Society, which practically takes under its
protection all the more solid branches of Horti-
culture, and is well known in connection with
valuable horticultural services, and we are pleased
to record this tribute to his good work.

History of the United States. By Josiah
W. Leeds. Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co.
— Friend Leeds is well known to our readers, as
a contributor to the pages of the magazine.
Like Mr. Parkman and other of our friends to
whom Horticulture is a pleasant pastime, he
loves literary work, and is a close student in
all intelligent pursuits.

In regard to histories, it makes little differ-
ence how impartial an author may be by na-
ture, it is almost impossible for him to write
except from a particular standpoint, and hence
the truths of history can only be evolved when
writers of different dispositions take to writing
of the same thing. Almost all histories show
the progress which nations make as the result
of the wars they have gone through. Josiah
Leeds, belonging to the Society of Friends, and
a "man of peace," rather loves to show what
has resulted from art and industry as applied to
peaceful pursuits ; and, perhaps, what has been
retarded by war. This is not a line conscious,
perhaps, to his own mind, but it is not difficult

to trace through these pages the influence of
the peace principle.

Well, Horticulture is especially a child of
Peace, and we may welcome all that helps to de-
velope and strengthen its relations ; and we hope
Friend Leeds' book will have a wide sale. We
usually leave prices to the advertisers, but in
view of our obligations to the author's excellent
communications to our pages, may be pardoned
for saying that this volume costs $1.75.

A Dahlia Catalogue. — Many of our florists
devote themselves to specialties— here is a very
full catalogue wholly devoted to Dahlias, from
Samuel G. Stone, of Charlestown, Mass.

A Hardy, Herbaceous Catalogue. — Messrs.
Woolson & Co. will devote themselves wholly to
hardy, herbaceous plants. This catalogue is one
of the few which is minute in its accuracy. Mr.
G. C. Woolson was formerly associate editor of
the American Agriculturist, and is a botanist of
high character.

The London Garden. — It has been said in
some quarters that gardening is not as flourish-
ing in England as it was a quarter of a century
ago, but by the magnificent success of the Lon-
don Garden, now in its tenth year, there can be
no falling off in the lovers of " the garden,"
whatever there may be of gardening. We have
before us a bound volume from the publisher,
for which we are indebted to Mr. W. Falconer, of
the Cambridge Botanical Garden, to whom we
have already been under obligations for some of
the best contributions to our magazine.

Durand's Strawberry Culture. — Mr. Du-
rand is one of the most successful of living
strawberry cultivators, and in this little tract he
gives the full details of his successful practice.
The pamphlet has no price or place of publica-
tion attached to it, so we suppose it is intended
for free distribution among Mr. Durand's cus-
tomers.

SCB APS AND QUERIES.

Tumble Weed. — Mr. Sereno Watson, the dis-
tinguished botanist of Clarence King's expedi-
tion, kindly furnishes the following note : —

"As to the ' tumble weed,' your correspondent,
Mr. Wier, describes the habit of the thing very
well; but it is the common Amarantus albus, L."

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST,

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

AUGUST, 1877.

Number 224.

LOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE EfROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

It is no wonder the Pampas grass increases in
popularity — there is scarcely anything more
charming in an American garden than a rich
stock of Pampas at this season. Then the flowers
come in so well for parlor decoration in Winter.
For this purpose they should be cut before they
are quite mature, and rolled in paper till wanted.
The Tritoma and the Gladiolus are the gems of
the garden at this season. It is hard to tell
what we should do without them — nothing
but fall back on the leaf plants. But those who
have been cultivating herbaceous plants will
soon be about rewarded, for large numbers of
Autumn blooming kinds are starting to flower
now.

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-
fered to grow any way it pleases. Now 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.

Transplanting evergreens in August and Sep-
tember, cannot well be done in any case where
the trees have to be packed in boxes or bales to

ceach their destination ; as the chances of dry-
ing up in such hot weather as we usually get in
these months overbalances the advantages of the
rapid push of new fibres by the trees at this sea-
son; but where the trees are at hand, and can
be taken from one place at once and put into
another, all in the same day, they do remark-
ably well ; but very much of the success will
depend on how the trees are dug and re-planted.

In digging up trees great improvements have
been made over former -years. The great
anxiety to save a "ball of earth " has given way
to great care to save all the roots. All the use
there can be to a " ball of earth " is to keep the
roots moist during removal ; but in most cases —
indeed in all except very small specimens — it ia
found in practice that the preservation of young
roots in the ball, is at the expense of the numer-
ous fine fibrous roots necessarily left outside.
The digging-fork is now the chief tool used in
digging up trees; and the distance from the
trunk at which the digging up is commenced is
much farther off. After a circle two feet deep i3
dug around a tree, a few thrusts of the digging-
fork under the ball lifts the whole mass over, and
the soil can then be entirely shaken away.

In re-planting, it is desirable to use soil for
filling in that is nearly dry, and will crush to a
fine powder; it will then fall in all around the
root spaces, and the harder it is tramped or
crushed in, the finer it will break and cover up
the young rootlets. If the ground or weather be
very dry, water may be poured in heavily, to
assist in packing the soil well about the roots,

22fi

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

letting it soak away well before filling in
the remaining soil — and putting in this soil very
loosely, and without pressure, according to
directions we have so often given in these pages.

COMMUNICA 7 JONS.

THE AILANTHUS.

BY J. STAUFFER, LANCASTER, PA.

I always admire charity, long-suffering and
kindness, even should I, like many others, some-
times come short in the observance. Gen. W. H.
Noble, of Bridgeport, Conn., in the last (May)
number of the Gardener's Monthly, on page 132,
speaks a kind word for the abused Ailanthus.
To this I do not object; but to answer a question
regarding the two species of Ailanthus, about
which he seems mystified, he says : " Johnson
says there are two species, the glandulosa, the
other variety is not named or described," adding,
"And I think it must be in this country, and
bear the character I am about to give." Which
see. In Johnson's Gardener's Dictionary (Lon-
don, 1870), I find this brief statement: "Ailan-
thus from ailanto, tree of heaven ; referring to
its lofty growth. Nat. Ord. Xanthoxyls (Xan-
thoxylacete) Linn. 23 Polygamia, 11 Dioecia. De-
ciduous trees, cuttings of the roots ; sandy loam
and peat. Ailanthus excelsa (lofty, 50, Green,
E. Indies, 1800. Stove. Ailanthus glandulosa,
(glandulous),20. Green, China, 1751. Hardy." I
copy the record as I find it, as the late edition is
in few hands. I will add from other sources
that in the A. excelsa, or E. Indian, the leaves
are abruptly pinnated, leaflets serrated ; while
in the glandulosa the leaves are pinnated, with
an odd one terminal, leaflets toothed at base,
teeth glandular. It should properly be called
"Ailantus," derived from Ailanto, the name of
one species in the Moloccas ; hence it would
seem writing it Ailanthus is not correct. The
A. glandulosa is very common in Lancaster
county, and looks like a gigantic Stag's-horn
Sumach, its very long leaves, from one to two
feet, unequally pinnated, and its terminating
pedicel of numerous flowers, which exhale a dis-
agreeable odor, are conspicuous. Dr. Darlington
says of this Oriental stranger : " It is a real
nuisance, and was appropriately named 'Caco-
dendron' (evil or pernicious tree), by an eminent
botanist," and he, Dr. D., condemns its odor and

tendency to send out suckers broad-cast, and ad-
vises it to be cut down near dwellings. He
admits its rapid growth and good quality in
making of timber.

The tree grows fast in any soil, however poor,
especially if it be calcareous. The wood is hard,
heavy, glossy like satin, and susceptible of a
very fine polish. It is said in " France it has
produced both male and female flowers, and
fruit twice in ten years." It strikes me that
there is fruit as well as flowers with us, on ma-
tured trees every year. How is that ?

I do not think we have the two species. The
excelsa is too tender for our climate. There
ma}'' be a variety of the glandulosa, but the mere
change of color in the leaf hardly warrants such
a supposition. The General will excuse me by
quoting his concluding remark, as an apology
for this article. He says : "At any rate, in
Autumn they are very marked ornaments of the
landscape, and tower into grand bouquets. Now,
are these two varieties in this country, and is
this one I admire, that other? Will the Monthly,
or some one answer, and tell us its name?" As
that some one— one who has given the subject of
botany some attention — I have given the name
and distinction of the two species. I take it for
granted that the General cannot mistake a Stag-
horn Sumach for that other variety, the "Rhus
typhina," L., the fine purple cluster of fruit on
the fertile plant of which renders it quite orna-
mental. The tree attains 20 feet, and has 20
pairs of lance oblong leaflets two to four inches
in length, common petiole one to two feet long,
flowers yellowish green, in thyrsoid panicles.
Perhaps a closer inspection will determine the
matter, as there is a general resemblance to a
casual observer.

RHODODENDRON CALIFORNICUM.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

Among the many plants of California, there
are none more deserving of cultivation than
Rhododendron Califomicum. It is a shrub,
growing from three to eight feet high, according
to situation ; in general outline it resembles the
well known Eastern Rhododendron, Cataw-
biense. The leaves are about, when full grown,
five inches long, in shape broadly lanceolate, or
oblong; in color they are a bright, shiny green.
The flowers, like those of all Rhododendrons,
are very handsome. They are borne in umbels.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

227

The florets (or separate flowers), are about two
inches in diameter. The flowers in shape are
broadly campanulate, the lobes or divisions
being undulate ; in color they are of a rosy pur-
ple, to a clear, almost violet purple; they vary
with age; the upper lobes are yellowish, or
cream color, spotted within. The stamens are
shorter than the corolla, the filament being in-
curved.

Rhododendron Californicum is only found in
the northern part of the State. It has one near
relation in California, R. Occidentale, which I
shall describe at another time. How it will do
in cultivation I cannot say, but will be a valu-
able acquisition, undoubtedly.

CERCIS JAPONICA.-JAPAN JUDAS TREE.

BY W. H. MOON, MORRISVILLE, BUCKS CO., PA.

The Japan Judas is one of the most beautiful
and attractive of the early flowering shrubs, and
deserves a much more general appreciation and
use than it has received. It is a bush of slow
growth, attaining a height of from eight to ten
feet in as many years ; very symmetrical and
compact in habit, which makes it valuable as a
decorative plant for small yards, and does lessen
its value as an ornament for large lawns or
parks. It differs greatly from the old and well
known American Judas Tree, and is vastly supe-
rior to it in being dwarf and compact in habit of
growth. The flowers are larger, more thickly set
on the stem, and of a much brighter and pret-
tier color. The foliage is larger, darker green,
and much more abundant.

The flowers open about the first of the Fifth
month, and are in perfection before the fifteenth.
They are small, with stems so short as to be
scarcely visible, and borne in clusters or knots
all along the branches, looking as though they
had burst forth from the hard, apparently lifeless
wood. Every limb and twig on the whole plant,
from the ground to the top of the tallest branches,
is then clothed with a dense mass of bloom of
the brightest shade of rosy pink, before the leaves
appear. When planted amidst evergreens or
early starting shrubbery to supply a green back-
ground, when in full bloom, it is certainly one
of the most attractive and gorgeous sights to be
found among blooming shrubs. The leaves'
which appear soon after the flowers are faded
are particularly pretty, being nearly round in
shape, four to six inches in diameter, thick and

leathery, of a rich, dark green color, and pro-
duced in such abundance that the bush appears
to be a solid mass of verdure, making it an espe-
cially attractive shrub during the Summer, when
not in bloom.

It appears to be generally hardy in the lati-
tude of Philadelphia, though the flower buds are
occasionally injured by very severe Winters.
To guard against this, a situation protected
from cutting winds, and where water will not lie
around the tree, is desirable.

It has been in this country at least twenty
years, but the difficulty of propagating it is such
that the market has never yet been supplied.

LAURUS SASSAFRAS.

BY PHILADELPHIA.

There was a request made in the Monthly a
short time ago for information in regard to any
fine specimens of trees. I recently met with a
very large Laurus sassafras. It is growing on a
farm rented by John Gaul, on Cox's Lane, near
the Island Road, in the lower part of Philadel-
phia. The circumference of the trunk at three
feet from the ground is over twelve feet. The
tree itself is about fifty to sixty feet in height.
The first branches are about twelve feet from
the ground, and where they leave the trunk are
curiously flattened, being about nine inches
thick to two feet wide.

There are a great many fine old trees in that
section of Philadelphia, and some day I may
give you particulars of more of them.

NOTES ON RARE PLANTS OF SOUTHERN
UTAH.

BY A. L. SILER, RANCH, UTAH.

You were pleased to publish some notes in the
June number of last year on plants of Southern
Utah, from my pen. I will try again.

Spirsea aespitosa is a low growing shrub,
found in the South-eastern part of Nevada on
limestone rocks, in Southern Utah and Northern
Arizona on sandstone, and about Mt. Nebo, in
the northern part of Utah, on limestone ledges.
It is perfectly hardy, evergreen, growing to the
height of two inches, hugging the face of the
rock. It throws up flower stems four to five
inches high, with very small white flowers.

228

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

This shrub often covers seven feet square from a
single root.

Chilianthus Cali/ornicus. — I found a single
plant of this growing on a ledge of limestone in
the Beaver Dam Mountains, S. E. Nevada, two
years ago last month. It was then in full leaf
In September following I found the same bush
in flower, and sent you flowers off it. I have
since found it growing amongst the rocks on the
Saven river, about forty miles from its source.
Its fine cut foliage and hardiness will make it a
desirable shrub, if not already introduced. As it
seeds abundantly, it will be easily dissemin-
ated. At the same time that I found the above
shrub in flower, September, 1875, I found in a
wash leading north from the Eio Virgin, Chil-
opsis linearis in full bloom, and they were truly
very pretty. On the same day I found a Nail
Keg Cactus, Cereus Le Contei, about two feet
high and 16 inches in diameter, in full flower.
These usually grow in sheltered situations, where
the north wind does not strike them with its full
force, and it is interesting to see a hundred or
more of them ranged along in regular order just
under a ledge where they can have the warm
sun, as they face to the south. Ihey are found
all sizes, from the size of a tea cup to four feet
high, and as large as a flour barrel. Owing to
the spines retaining their pinkish red color, and
being so firmly attached to the base, they make
very pretty mantel ornaments. I know a lady
who has two of them in use, and has had for
over a year, and she tells me that when they
begin to lose their color, she sprinkles them
with water, and they are as fresh and brilliant as
ever. Since I have wandered off from the shrubs
to the Cactus (well, these are my delight), I will
speak kindly of a few more of these sharp fel-
lows. Cereus Engelmannii is almost hardy,
grows to the height of 12 to 20 inches, often
eight or ten leaves from root. Some have black,
others cream colored spines, with scarlet flowers
about three and a half inches in length. The
petals are very pretty, looking like the feathers
of a Yellow-hammer's tail. They have edible
fruit, cool and refreshing, with a strawberry
flavor.

Echinocaetus Johnsonii is found only in the
Beaver Dam Mountains, and south-west of them
they grow on flat limestone rocks. Wherever a
handful of dirt can lodge you find one of these.
They grow to be six to eight inches high, with a
diameter at the base of about half that; spines
red or yellow. They are very ornamental. I

have never found one of them in flower. It is
only very recently that these have been sent
out.

Opuntia rutila, with very long, hairy-like white
spines, bearing a pinkish purple flower as large
as a large rose. This is probably the only Opun-
tia of any value in this locality, and it is a
beauty when in flower.

We have a Cactus that grows in masses of from
three to five hundred, each leaf resembling the
cone of a pine tree; hence it is called the Thou-
sand flowering Cone Cactus. It is perfectly har-
dy, with dark, blood-red flowers, which are borne
in great profusion. I have not been able to get
it named yet.

SEDUM GLAUCUM.

BY F.

This is a beautiful little carpeting or rock gar-
den plant, some two inches high, of very dense
and rapid growth, and almost but not quite
hardy. It may be wintered like Othonna, under
stages or out-of-the-way places, away from frost.
Every little bit grows, and as it withstands
drouths unflinchingly, it is an oversight to omit
a panel of this stone crop in the succulent beds
that are now becoming so fashionable. As a
carpet under isolated Agaves in little beds, it is
very. applicable, as it covers the ground quite
neatly, and never deigns to raise its head intru-
sively amongst the massive leaves of its fleshy
companion.

A COUPLE OF CALIFORNIA FRITILLARIAS
OR RICE ROOTS.

BY H., SAN JUAN, CAL.

F. lanceolata is one of the stateliest of its class,
and I think the most beautiful. Though found
frequently on dry hill-tops, it luxuriates in warm
slopes of rich, well-drained soil. There seems to
be two varieties as to ground color ; one a yel-
low, the other a purple, with a plum-like bloom.
In other respects they are similar, having the
orthodox, dice-box shaped flower, from one to
one and a half inches deep, and one and a half to
two inches in width. The mottling is various, in
some appearing perfectly checkered, and the
edges of the leaves of the perianth are crimped
and scalloped. The flower stem rises frequently
to the height of three and a half feet, and bears
one or more whorls of brightly shining, lanceo-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

229

late leaflets, with similar leaflets scattered up the
stem till they run into flower bracts, from each
of which hangs a blossom. I have counted
nineteen blossoms on a single stem, and one
remarkable group I found, consisted of more
than 100 plants, waving and glittering in the
sunlight most beautifully.

The plant of F. parviflora is similar to
F. lanceolata, but not so tall, and prefers moist,
shady hill-sides ; its flowers are saucer shaped,
or rather wheel shaped, sometimes one and a
half inches in diameter. The stalks seldom bear
more than ten flowers. The bulbs of each are of
a waxy-white appearance, of conical shape, with
a flange-like base, and bear on their sides numer-
ous balblets from the size of a grain of rice to a
pea. Those of F. lanceolata frequently are an-
gled and compressed curiously by the coarse
gravel found where they grow. The bulbs are
sometimes two inches in diameter, though of-
tener one.

THE VIBURNUM PLICATUM.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE.

I see that nurserymen say this plant (the new
Snowball), is very difficult to propagate. I have
not found it so. I raised three fine plants from
one small layer. But T think it was a two year
old shoot which I laid down, and my impression
is that no shoots came up till the second year.
I think if two year old shoots are laid down, or
if any shoot remains layered two years, well
formed roots will result. A nurseryman here
tells me he has had like experience.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Honey Locust in Canada. — This is said
by the Toronto Globe to be rather too tender in
their severe Winters to make a good hedge plant
in Canada.

Abies Engelmannii. — The English papers con-
tinue to discuss the differences between Abies
Engelmannii and Abies Menziesii. Some say
that " because it pushes out earlier than Abies
Menziesii, A. Engelmanii is unfitted anywhere
for the north of Europe." We know of a speci-
men which is undoubtedly A. Engelmannii, be-
cause it wras taken from an altitude of some two
miles up the mountain, where A. Menziesii

does not grow, and which we examined in com-
pany with Dr. Parry himself recently, and which
we are satisfied is hardy enough for any part of
Europe.

The Daffodil.— The old folks around Phila-
delphia call this "butter and eggs," chiefly in
connection with the double kinds. There is,
after all, very little beauty in a double daffodil.
In some flowers the florists have added beauty
by "doubling" them up. But the single daffodil
is much handsomer than its progeny.

A Large Collection of Gladiolus. — We have
a beautiful colored plate of Gladiolus from
Messrs. Vilmorin, of Paris. This firm exhibited
twelve hundred spikes, ten of a kind, at one of
the London shows last year.

Double Blossom Peaches.— We saw a group
this Spring formed of four ornamental peaches,
and nothing could be more beautiful. It had
the blood-leaved and double crimson for oppo-
sites, and the double rose and double white to
cross hands. These beautiful plants deserve
wider encouragement.

The Japan Judas Tree.— This, introduced a
few years ago, is becoming common in our gar-
dens. It does not grow so strong as the Ameri-
can or European species, but is more floriferous,
and is much brighter in color. The leaves are
more " artistic."

Hardy Ericas. — Amongst hardy ericaceous
plants, we have no prettier or more floriferous
representative than this European Heath. Its
flowers are rosy, most profusely borne, and ap-
pearing in April, last through May. It loves
partial shade, and is grateful for a peaty soil,
but neither is imperative, particularly the latter,
for it grows well in friable loam, and it needs no
covering in Winter. Its beauty and hardihood
should increase its patronage. E. vagans and
E. (Calluna) vulgaris also stands well, but a box
or frame around it, with a few dry leaves thrown
in, helps it to keep a good appearance till the
Spring comes.

Ehododendrons at Boston.— We understand
that the Ehododendrons and Azaleas of Mr.
Hunnewell were particularly fine in flower this
season. Mr. H. has done more than any one in
America to show how to make these beautiful
native flowers successful in cultivation.

Ornamental Hawtthorns. — Iowa possesses se-
veral varieties of native Hawthorns, or Thorn-

230

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

apples, all of which are handsome, and well
worth cultivating, not only for their clusters of
sweet flowers in Spring, but as well also for their
bright red and truly ornamental fruits. The
trees themselves may, if cared for, be made to
take on highly ornamental forms, fit to occupy a
place in any man's door-yard. One growing on
the grounds of the Agricultural College, planted
five or six years ago, is now an object of admira-
tion to all. Its straight trunk rises for e:ght feet
without a branch, and then a beautiful top
spreads suddenly out in an umbrella-like form,
reminding one of some of the trees which grow
in far-away lands, and with whose forms most of
us are familiar only in pictures. But beauty is
not the only value of these trees. Their fruits
are valuable, and under proper treatment, they
might be made much more so. If cultivated,
these little apples are much larger than in the
wild state. We have some in our collection
which are fully three-fourths of an inch in di-
ameter. In taste they are variable, and some
trees, even of the same variety are variable in
this respect. In general they are considered too
small and too seedy for use, but from a very con-
siderable personal examination, we are con-
vinced, that in these neglected fruits we have the
wild form from which, eventually, we shall de-
rive something of value. We shall have some of
them tested. — From the "Producer" — Horticulture
conducted by Prof. Bessey.

Darlingtonia Californica. — The finest speci-
men of this singular plant in Britain is, doubtless,
that 'at Glasnevin, whose flowering for the first
time we had occasion to notice somewhere about
this time last year; it is just now showing flower
again. It was this plant which furnished the
splendidly developed pitchers with which the
President of the Royal Society illustrated his lec-
ture, delivered before the British Association last
Autumn at Belfast. Their dimensions will be
probably considerably increased this season, as
the plant has been transferred from the pot in
which it was growing to a pan of large dimen-
sions, where it will have a larger feeding ground
for its roots. — Irish Farmers' Gazette.

Hydrangea paniculata. — This Hydrangea,
says a correspondent of the Gardener's Magazine,
has not had the advantage of much puffing, and
perhaps is none the better for that reason; but
if we take it on its merits, it will puff itself, for
assuredly it is one of the finest plants of its class

introduced for many years past. In growth and
readiness to flower it is a perfect model; it is an
accommodating plant to force, and it may be
flowered very late in the year when good things
are rather scarce — that is to say, at a time when
first-class forced flowers are not up to the mark.
It is a somewhat curious plant, though a genuine
Hydrangea. The leaves are like those of a de-
ciduous Viburnum, or perhaps still morelike those
of Deutzia scabra. The flowers come in great pani-
cles, green at first, afterwards white. If well
grown, the panicles are of enormous size, and
last a long time pure and fresh, and look as
much like freshly and exquisitely made wax
flowers as can be imagined. I have been
fortunate enough to secure a good stock of this
fine plant, but I really wish I had ten times as
many.

Californian Conifers. — We were at the height
of about 5000 feet above the sea, in the finest
zone of the grandest Conifers in the world.
There were the Pitch Pine, or Pinus ponderosa,
the Sugar Pine (P. Lambertiana), the white
Cedar (Libocedrus decurrens), and the Abies
Douglasii, the famous Douglas Fir. The Sugar
Pine is remarkable for the size of its cones, which
I have picked up more than 16 inches in length,
and which may be well described as hanging
like ornamental tassels from the ends of the
branches. The timber of this tree is said, upon
good authority, to be the best in California, and
its size gigantic, being not unfrequently 300 feet
high, and from 7 to 10 feet in diameter. — " Over
the Sea and Far Away," by T. W. Hinchliff, M. A.,
F. R. G. S.

Propagation of Exochorda grandiflora. — It
may interest some of your readers who are fond
of beautiful flowering shrubs to learn that the
difficulty hitherto existing in the propagation of
that most graceful growing and ornamental
flowering shrub, Exochorda or Spiraea grandi-
flora, has at last been almost overcome by a
French horticulturist, Monsieur J. Goujon, who
writes to one of the French horticultural papers
to say that the only way satisfactorily to propa-
gate this beautiful, hardy shrub, which is not
near as often seen in collection as it should be, is
by grafting bits of it on pieces of its own roots as
in the case of Tecomas, Glycines, &c. The end of
winter or commencement of Spring seems to
Monsieur Goujon the most suitable time for put-
ting in the grafts. — Gardener'a Rrcord.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

231

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

CORNUS MASCULA AUREA ELEGANTISSIMA.— We

have already noted a beautiful colored plate is
given in the Florist and Pomologist. The leaves
are scarlet, gold and green, and if it will always
come like this, will be one of the most beautiful
things grown.

The Yellow Winter Aconite.— Those who
can get a few roots of this interesting little plant,
will find it a treasure if kept in a somewhat
sheltered place. Long before the snow-drop
comes they are in flower. We have seen them
in gardens in bloom in February.

Iris Iberica. — Most of the Iris are Summer
flowers, and very pretty Summer flowers they
are ; but the Spanish Iris, Iris Iberica, comes in
with the Lilac. It is a dwarf kind, and though
not so bright in color as some others, will bear
inspection.

Ajuga reptans.— It is not many plants that
will thrive well under the deep shade of trees.
The Vinca minor is one of the best. This is the
common " Myrtle Periwinkle." The Lysimachia
nummularia does very well if the ground is not
too dry. This is known as " Moneywort," a
name for which either the round leaves or
golden flowers well fit it. Another good thing
not so well known is the Ajuga reptans. It
thrives admirably in our American climate
under the shade of trees, and the pretty blue
flowers in May add to its interest.

Exochorda grandiflora. — We have given an
occasional notice of this shrub, and as some
interest has been excited by recent inquiries, we
give the following account, which recently ap-
peared in the Garden, on the occasion of a pretty
colored plate. The flowers are white, and though
we have many white blooming hardy shrubs in
May, this has a character peculiarly its own.
It seems to thrive very well in our climate :
"Although this hadsome hardy deciduous shrub
has been in cultivation in this country for nearly
a quarter of a century, it has not received the
attention it deserves, and is still very rarely seen
in our gardens. It is one of the numerous or-
namental shrubs introduced from China by
Mr. Fortune, who first found it in North Chiria
in 1845, and in the following year he collected
fruiting specimens of it in the Che-Kiang hills
Mr. Fortune took it to be a species of Amelan-

chier, and sent seeds of it to Messrs. Standish
and Noble, of the Bagshot Nurseries, under the
name of A. racemosa. It certainly bears a gen-
eral resemblance to the genus in question, espe-
cially in its flowers, but it differs widely in the
structure of the latter. The exact date of its
introduction I have not been able to ascertain,
but it appears to have been first exhibited in
1854, and the same year it was figured in the
Botanical Magazine, under the name of Spiraea
grandiflora. But the general aspect of this
shrub is so different from most of the Spiraeas,
and the flowers so much larger, that, indepen-
dently of less obvious characters, it possesses
some claims to generic rank. It was Dr. Lind-
ley [Gardener's Chronicle, 1858, p. 925), who gave
it the name which it now bears ; and writing at
that date, he speaks highly of its merits. One
character, which specially recommends this
shrub, is its early and long-flowering season,
from early in April, onwards. It is a very dis-
tinct shrub, and perfectly hardy in the neighbor-
hood of London, flowering profusely on warm
soils with gravelly bottoms. Like some of the
shrubby Spiraeas it requires a little pruning and
trimming to keep it neat. It is of bushy habit,
and grows to a height of 8 or 9 feet, and proba-
bly higher under favorable conditions. There is
a plant of it in the collection of shrubby Bosa-
cea? in the pleasure grounds at Kew, the main
branches of which are from 2 in. to 3 in. in
diameter at the base. Its botanical affinities are
with the genera Stephanandra, Kerria, and Bho-
dotypus, all natives of the same region."

Triteleia uniflora. — Our Californian bulbs
seem to be entering gaily into the pleasures of
English gardening. This is what the Journal of
Horticulture says of one of them : " Some of the
most striking beds of Spring flowers in Mr. Barr's
gardens at Tooting are those planted with Trite-
leia uniflora. This bulbous plant is perfectly
hardy, and for several weeks during the Spring
produces a mass of flowers which cannot fail
to be admired. Where the bulbs are planted
closely together after the manner of Crocuses, a
perfectly level and dense mass of flowers is pro-
duced, which resists the effects of inclement
weather. When thus grown, -and when the
beds are seen from a distance, their appearance
is white — almost like a covering of snow. A
distant variety of this plant is T. uniflora lila-
cina, which is highly attractive when cultivated
in pots."

232

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[August,

Japanese Birches. — Mr. Maule of the Bristol
Nurseries, has been good enough to send us for de-
termination specimens of two Japanese Birches,
which from their large (male) catkins and hand-
some appearance are worthy attention. One, an
upright grower, with the young shoots brownish
and dotted with resinous dots, with glabrous
ovate leaves gradually tapering to a long point
or acumen, with rather closely set prominent
nerves, and irregularly serrated leaves, and with
male catkins 2h inches long, is, we believe, the
B. utilis of Don, or rather that form of it Avhich
Kegel calls B. Bhajapaltra, Wall.,var.subcordata.
We prefer to use the name utilis because it is the
earlier name, and one not so uncouth to English
ears. For garden purposes the varietal name,
B. subcordata, would perhaps be the most con-
venient. The second is a weeping form, with the
young shoots brownish, sprinkled with resinous
dots. The young leaves are obliquely ovate cor-
date, rather shortly acuminate, serrate, thinly
beset with pale appressed hairs, especially along
the nerves, and covered on the lower surface
with small circular glandular scales. The male
catkins are nearly 3 inches long. This second
form we refer to B. ulmifolia, var. costata,which
might for garden purposes be called simply
B. costata. — Gardener's Chronicle.

Oxalis enneaphylla. Nat ord., Geraniacea?.
— In the "Flora Antarc:ica" Dr. Hooker des-
cribes this plant as the pride of the Falkland Is-
lands, where it grows in such profusion a.t Berke-
ley Sound, on banks overhanging the sea, as to
cover them with a mantle of snowy white in the
spring month of November; adding that it is an
excellent antiscorbutic and agreeable pot herb,
though too acid to be used except in tarts and
puddings. When the above was written, this
plant was supposed to be confined to the Falk-
land Islands ; it was, however, found in the
Straits of Magellan by D'Urville's expedition, and
by Lecher at Cape Negro, also in the Straits." —
Bot. Mag.

Pyrethrum aureum laciniatum.— A most dis-
tinct and beautifully cut-leaved form of the
"Golden Feather." Perfectly hardy, and in
color perhaps more golden than the old "Golden
Feather," and ofadwarfer and more spreading
habit.— W. Bull.

•

Blumenbaciiia coronata.— This very pretty
plant is a native of Peru. It is a dwarf, shrubby-
growing annual, forming handsome tufts about 1'.
feethigh byl foot through. The flowers, which are

borne in great profusion, are of a striking orange
red color, coronal-shaped, and are about | of an
inch deep by li inches in diameter. — Garden.

New Hardy Evergreen Flowering Shrub,
Hypericum patulum (Thunb).— This magnificent
shrub is a grand acquisition to our scanty list of
hardy flowering species. Its individual flowers,
which are produced in bunches, are pale yellow
in color and of great substance, resembling much
in appearance the beautiful Gardenia javanica of
our stoves. It continues long in perfection, com-
mencing to flower in June, and has been in fine
perfection till the first week in November. We
can endorse all M. Carriere says of it in the Re-
vue Horticole of May 1st, 1875 (it is also figured
there): " This is a species we feel convinced is
destined to create a sensation in the horticultu-
ral world. It seems, in fact, to unite all the
qualities desirable in a plant — hardiness, vigor,
fine evergreen foliage, flowers large and numer-
ous, a free-flowering habit, prolonged from June
without interruption till the frost comes." —
Vietch.

SCBAPS AND QUERIES.

Double and Single Tuberoses. — V. asks :
"Will double tuberoses turn to single ones?
Though I 'weed' mine every year, there are
always some come. I thought at first they were
mixed, but now I think they run back."

[Yes, in this climate there is a great tendency
in the double tuberose to return to its original
single condition. Some seasons this is much
more the case than in others. The season of
1876 was very favorable to single flowers. — Ed.
G. M.]

Xanthoceras sorbifolia. — Mr. Saul writes :
" I forward to your address by mail a few blooms
of the beautiful Xanthoceras sorbifolia. My
specimen plant, which has stood out uninjured the
past three Winters without the slightest protec-
tion, is covere 1 all over from the centre stem to
tips of the branches with racemes of its lovely
ilowers. It is unquestionably one of the finest
hardy shrubs which have been introduced for
years."

[We quite agree with Mr. Saul in the estima-
tion he places on it. — Ed. G. M.]

Propagation of Evergreens by Soft Wood
CUTTINGS.— -A subscriber from Kentucky writes:

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

233

" I should be glad to see a practical article in
your excellent journal on the propagation of
such evergreens as Arborvittes, Junipers, Retin-
osporas, &c, by soft wood cuttings, time the
cuttings should be made, the degree of heat to
be used, and the amount of air and sun's rays,
each to be treated. Also treatment for the first
year."

[Where but a few hundred each are required,
the cuttings may be put into shallow boxes of
6and in September, October, or November, and
kept through the Winter in a greenhouse, or
similar place where a temperature of about 65°

is maintained. They will be rooted sufficiently
to plant out under a slight shade the next Spring.
If put in later, or kept under a lower tempera-
ture, they root more slowly, and the boxes of
cuttings are best left undisturbed for a year. On
a larger scale, the cuttings are put directly in
sand on the tables, instead of in boxes. — Ed.
G. M.]

Plant in an Ant Hill. — A. L. S., Utah, asks,
but we cannot tell, " Why is it that Oenothera
cespitosa will grow luxuriantly around and on
ant hills, while every other kind of vegetation is
killed out for many feet from the hill ?"

REEN fMOUSE AND

V^>"3 J

ouse Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

It is yet too soon to think much about house-
plants, which are still in pots in the open air,
or growing in the open ground, preparatory to
being potted next month. But it is well, if the
pots are standing on the earth, to lift the pots
once in awhile, or twist them round, so as to
check the roots which may be running through
the bottoms of the pots. Early flowering things
not yet potted, such as Violets and Primroses,
may be put at once in pots, so as to be well es-
tablished before housing time, comes.

Seeds of many things may also be sown for
winter and spring blooming,particularly Cinera-
ria, Calceolaria, Pansy, Daisy, Chinese Primrose,
and some of the annuals. Great care is neces-
sary 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
fairly germinated ; this will prevent evaporation
and consequent drying of the seed. Almost all
kind of seeds germinate most readily in partial
shade: but as soon as possible after germination,
they should be inured to as much light as they
will bear.

Preparations must now be made with a view
to stocking the houses for the 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,
affords 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 them-
selves safely to the full light, the better they
usually do.

COMMUNTCA TIONS.

CAMELLIAS IN COLD FRAMES.

BY W. FALCONER.

We have here a few single-flowered Camellias,
which on account of our crowd of tropical plants
are denied greenhouse space ; hence we winter
them in a deeply sunk cold frame, which has no
covering in Winter beyond single sashes and
single wooden shutters. These plants are not in
pots or tubs, but each one has amassed a ball of
roots. Late in April, or early in May, they are
planted out, and on the approach of Winter are
lifted and heeled in the frame. As might be ex-
pected, they live unscathed, but this year each
Camellia was as full of blooms as any specimen
in Hovey's Conservatory, and too, these blooms
expanded fully, and were large and bright, and
at their best in early May. Not a bud dropped.

234

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ August,

IMPROVED CINERARIAS.

BY F., BOSTON, MASS.

At p. 140 of the May Monthly you refer to the
recent change in Cinerarias, and mention the
dwarf-habited sorts with large fiat heads of bloom
and closely packed flowers. Mr. Paterson, of
Oakley, Mass., surpasses anything in the way of
Cineraria growing, I have seen in this country
or any other, and although for years I attended
every London flower-show, I never saw anything
to equal Mr. P.'s plants as regards size, health
and multitude of flowers. James of Isleworth
and a few others who reduce Cineraria excel-
lence to the florist's nicety of bloom, might not
countenance the varieties, but as a batch of
seedlings, the majority of the plants had a size,
purity, brilliance and symmetry of bloom that
were quite remarkable, and plainly showed the
result of carefully selected home-saved seeds.
The flower-heads of Mr. P.'s plants averaged
from 18 inches to 3 feet in diameter, and as dense
as ever blooms were on an Azalea.

Incited by glowing descriptions of the im-
proved dwarf strain, Mr. P. imported seeds, and
raised therefrom a set of plants in every way
treated alike with his own strain. The result
was disappointment. The plants were stocky with
dense flower-heads, but the blooms were small,
washy and of great sameness in coloring; be-
sides, for conservatory decoration or for cut
flowers, they were inferior to his own old kind.

ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE AS A ROOM PLANT.

BY MRS. C. E. M.

I notice that one of your contributors writes
of this as not doing well except in a greenhouse
atmosphere, and where a temperature of 65° is
maintained. This may be so where very fine
specimens are desired, such as we see now and
then at the Horticultural exhibits, but I find
that it does quite well enough to satisfy any lady
gardener who has no greenhouse, as a common
window plant. Last winter a year, a kind friend
in New Orleans gave me a nice plant as a me-
mento. It was in a five -inch pot, and I brought
it North with me in my trunk. Coming from a
hot-house, the leaves were much injured by a
week's confinement, but it soon put out new
ones. Several florists who saw the plant told me
that as I had no greenhouse, I could not raise it,
and begged me to give it to them. But it is now,

after eighteen months, better than when I
brought it. I treat it just as the other window
flowers. It is set out under the shade of the
shrubbery in Summer, and in Winter stands
with Fuchsias, Geraniums, and such like. The
room is often below 45° at night. I am quite
delighted with my success with it, after the flor-
ists predicting failure.

BOUGAINVILL/EA SPECTABILIS.

BY W. FALCONER.

Although a native of tropical South America,
this gorgeous climbing shrub feels quite at home
with us in our Acacia house, which is an airy
house with a Winter night temperature of 38° to
42°. It is growing in a shallow tub, in a compost
of turfy loam with a little peat and leaf soil, and
is trained up a pillar, thence along the top of the
house. In Summer we give it lots of water, but
in Winter keep it as dry as a Cactus. About the
10th of April its paniculate inflorescence and
wealth of showy rose-colored bracts become con-
spicuous and last all through May.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Physianthus albens. — Prof. Thurber says the
prior name, and therefore the one to be adopted
as the correct name of this pretty greenhouse
plant, and excellent Summer border flower, is
Arauja. This makes the third name in Horti-
cultural history — Schubertia and Physianthus
being the old ones.

The Artillery Plant for Window Gardens.
— A lady friend of ours has a large specimen of
this curious plant, which she has grown since
last Fall, in her kitchen window, and it has
given her more satisfaction than all her other
window inmates. It kept constantly green and
growing, and as sunlight increased, its mantle of
miniature muskets thickened, till now it repre-
sents a model umbrageous tree, with boughs so
succulent and heavy, that a rough shake or
breath would seem to shatter them. Associated
with Oxalises, Mahernia verticillata, Petunias,
and a few others, it made January look like May.
A great addition to this kitchen window in mid-
winter was the festooned drapery of the Madeira
vine.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

235

Sericographis Ghiesbreghtiana. — Where
Winter flowers are in demand, this Acanthad
should not be omitted. It is a neglected, but
serviceable species, freely producing elegant
racemes of pretty bright red flowers that in a
cut state or on the plant keep in good condition
for a long time. It is a stove or warm green-
house, soft-wooded plant, that grows freely from
cuttings. To have good plants for next season's
use they should have been propagated from the
young shoots that immediately succeed the flow-
ers, but we are not too late yet.

A Conservatory on the Roof of a Hotel. —
That excellent plan which we have so often ad-
vocated, of turning the tops of houses in cities
into gardens, has been carried out by the Palmer
House in Chicago; and a portion of the roof of
that hotel is now covered with a magnificent
conservatory. The structure is entirely of glass
andiron; and as it is built on an extension, its
location is such that it opens directly out of the
fifth floor corridor of the main edifice, which
rises some two stories above. A fine collection
of tropical and rare plants has been provided,
and the regular heating apparatus of the house
supplies ample warmth. The conservatory is
open to guests of the hotel, and furnishes a de-
lightful resort. — Scientific American.

White Bouquet Flowers. — A cheap method
of obtaining these at this season is to pot up
some small plants of Laurustinus, or, better
still, to have them established in pots ready for
introduction to the forcing-house. Some grow
Laurustinuses as standards for .purposes of in-
door decoration as well as for cut flowers, and
under glass the blossoms come pure white, and
look so different from those of Laurustinus not
so treated that when arranged in bouquets, the
flowers might readily be mistaken for something
less common. — W. W.H.in Garden.

Kennedya rubicunda. — As a greenhouse
climber, this old favorite still maintains a front
position, as it grows so thriftily, blooms so pro-
fusely and persistently, and adapts itself to the
coolest treatment; that is, keeping away from
frost. Its pea-flowers are of a dark red color
and produced in axillary racemes. It is a good
subject for amateurs, requiring but little care,
and blooming from Januarj' onwards, through1
out the Summer, providing a little thinning is
observed and the seed-pods are picked off as
they appear.

Culture of Richardia (Calla) ^Ethiopica. —
Visitors to Covent Garden Market are often
struck with the luxuriance of growth and the
fine flowers seen on the examples of Richardia
^Ethiopica (Arum Lily) brought there by those
who grow these plants for market. They are
grown in 48 and 32 pots, and the fine develop-
ment of the plants seen in the smaller size con-
stitutes a remarkable example of successful cul-
ture. The Richardia is propagated by means of
the young offshoots thrown up from the root-
stocks. They are taken off at any time when
they can be had, and put into pots and boxes,
and grown on into size. Those strong enough to
make flowering plants in Autumn are potted
into 48 or 32 pots according to their size, and
they are then stood out-of-doors, and covered
with a bed of rotten dung to the depth of 4 inches
above the pots. The plants have plenty of water
in Summer, and in very hot weather good sup-
plies are given as often as three times a day.
Plants treated in this' way are taken into warm
plant-houses in October and November, where
they throw up their flowers at Christmas. The
number grown varies according to the space at
service. Mr. John Reeves, of Acton, usually
markets from 2,000 to 3,000 plants each year. —
Gardener's Chronicle.

Nierembergia gracilis as a Window-Plant. —
A lady of our acquaintance grows this plant in
her window-garden with good results. Towards
Winter it is laid aside where frost cannot reach
it, and though getting occasional dribblings, it
is considerably neglected. Towards Spring it is
promoted to the kitchen window, and gets more
liberal libations. By mid-April blooms appear,
till its straggling branches, which are supported
on a light wooden trellis, become mantled with
bluish flowers that continue coming, more or
less, according to treatment, till next Winter.

The Ivy-Leaved Geranium. — The Ivy-leaved
Geranium (P. peltatum), "Geranium Ivy," or
"Flowering Ivy" as it is often called by cot-
tagers, with whom it is a special favorite as a
window climber, was raised in the Duchess of
Beaufort's garden in 1701 from seeds brought
from the Cape. It spreads very rapidly in Eng-
lish gardens. Petiver, in the Philosophical Trans-
actions for 17 13, writes of it as follows: — "This
is a spreading low plant, with shining, thick,
juicy, tart, round, umbrella leaves; those to-
wards the flowers are angular and pointed : its
tassel flowers are large, of a blush* color ; the

236

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

petals are of the same size, and the two upper-
most streak'd with red. It flourishes most part
of the year at Chelsea, Fulham, Enfield, &c. It
grows wild in the districts of Haycoon at the
Cape of Good Hope." — Gardener 's Magazine.

To Prepare Vegetable Mould Quickly. — As
early in November as the leaves of trees can be
collected, let them be brought in a considerable
quantity, into a close place, and dressed up there
in the form of a hot-bed. Let this be well satu-
rated with the drainings from the dung-heap,
with suds from the wash-house, with urine from
the stable and cow-house, where this latter article
can be procured. Let this bed or heap be cov-
ered and lined with fresh stable dung, to make it
heat. When the heat is sufficiently subsided, let
the leaves be uncovered and turned over, to mix
the dry and the wet well together, and if moisture
be required, let them have it of the same descrip-
tion,repeating the process till all be reduced to fine
mould. This will be ready. for use in two months
from the time of collecting the leaves, and to pre-
vent any waste of the liquid recommended, a layer
of maiden earth, of two feet thick, should be made
the substratum, which would receive any of the
valuable liquid that would otherwise run to
waste. Leaves of slow decomposition should be
avoided, as those of the oak, &c, which, how-
ever, are the best for retaining heat in hot-beds
and pits. The leaves of Fir should also be
avoided, but those of the Sycamore, Elm, Alder,
Maple, and all the soft kinds are better suited for
the purpose. This compost should be kept dry,
in an airy place, and ridged up, so that the rain
cannot wash out the salts with which it abounds.
— Gardener's Record.

Solanums. — The berry-bearing Solanum capsi-
castrum and S. Pseudo-capsicum have a very
much better appearance when grown in the open
ground and transferred to pots in the Autumn
than when grown all through the Summer under
glass, as outside they assume a much closer
habit, and the foliage becomes more dense and
better in color, than it can be had in pots, even
with the best attention. Under pot culture if
ever the plants be allowed to suffer from want of
water the leaves always turn to a yellow, sickly
color; besides there is invariably a difficulty in
keeping down red spider ; under open ground
cultivation it is essential to plant them out early
if their berries be required in a ripe state early
in the Autumn. Solanums are much hardier
than they are generally supposed to be; 10° or

1 12° of frost will not seriously injure them. Plants
' that have been used through the Winter should
be cut back, reducing them to one-third their
size, turned out of the pots (removing most of
the soil without breaking the roots more than
can be avoided), and at once planted 18 in. apart
in a sheltered situation fully exposed to the sun.
If the soil be not of a loose, open nature, it must
be made so by the addition of sand or vegetable
mould of some kind, for if the material in which
they are grown be of an adhesive character,
when they are taken up for potting, the roots will
get broken to an extent that will seriously injure
them. Young plants of these Solanums struck
from cuttings and raised from seeds some weeks
back may be planted out in a similar manner,
but previously they must be sufficiently hard-
ened off. — Garden.

Leaves for Garnishing Fruit. — Some kinds
of leaves are more suitable than others for this
purpose. Strawberries for instance, look best
associated with their own foliage ; Grapes may be
laid on their own leaves, but there are others
which suit them quite as well. One of the best
plants for furnishing leaves for garnishing all
kinds of fruit is the Curled Mallow, an annual
of which I make three sowings in a year in rich
soil — the first early in April, the second about
the beginning of May, and the third about the
same time in June. The leaves are about the
size of small vine leaves, and beautifully frilled.
Wherever fruit has to be garnished, this plant
should always be grown. The Ice-plant also fur-
nishes good leaves for Summer garnishing, its
glistening, icy appearance having a cool and
pretty effect on the table. It should be sown in
a pan or box, in heat, in the first or second week
in April, and planted out in the open border in
May. These are the only plants which I grow
for garnishing fruit in Summer and Autumn. In
Winter and until this time variegated Kale and
Bay leaves answer the purpose. Bay leaves are
rather stiff for Grapes, but for Oranges, Apples,
&c..they may always be used with good effect. — A
Northern Gardener, in Garden.

To Preserve the Natural Colors of Dried
Plants. — The following method of doing this is
given in a German pharmaceutical journal, and
will interest botanists and others: Dissolve one
part of salicylic acid in GOO parts of alcohol, heat
the solution to boiling in an evaporating-dish,
and draw the whole plant slowly through it, —
prolonged exposure discolors violet Sowers;

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

237

shake off any excess of liquid, dry between blot-
ting paper, and press in the usual manner. A
frequent renewal of dry blotting pads, particu-
larly at first, is desirable. Thus treated, plants
are said to dry rapidly, furnishing beautiful
specimens, which retain their natural colors in
greater perfection than by any other process.

Bouquet Flowers. — Amongst other blooms at
present obtainable for bouquet making may be
enumerated the following, viz.: Azaleas, Bouvar-
dias, Camellias, Carnations, Cinerarias, Cycla-
mens, Deutzias, Ericas, Eucharis, Euphorbia0,
Fuchsias, Gardenias, Heliotrope, Hyacinths,
Heaths, Lily of the Valley, Mignonette, Narcis-
sus, Pelargoniums, Primulas, Roses, Snowdrops,
Spiraeas, Stephanotis, Violets, and white Lilac.
Button-hole bouquets consist generally of a Rose-
bud, a half-blown Camellia or Gardenia, and
some other smaller flowers. A pretty flower for
these miniature bouquets is the blue Forget-me-
not, obtained by lifting a few clumps of it from
the open ground, potting them, and placing them
in a warm house, where they speedily open their
blooms and afford a stock to cut from. If placed
with a Gardenia, the blue Forget-me-not forms
an effective contrast; but, with such a selection
as I have enumerated above, both hand and but-
ton-hole bouquets may be made to suit all tastes.
— A. Hassard, Upper Norwood.

Best Tea Rose. — Probably no plants are more
attractive at this period of the year than Tea-
scented Roses. Amongst a large, collection now
flowering in Mr. Merryweather's nurseries at
Southwell the following varieties are particularly
beautiful : Aline Sisley, Catherine Mermet, Climb-
ing Devoniensis, Devoniensis, Gloire de Dijon, La
Boule d'Or, Madame Bravy, Madame Willermoz,
Letty Coles, Louise de Savoie, Marie Van Houtte
(very beautiful), Marie Guillot, Niphetos, Presi-
dent, Souvenir d'Elise, Souvenir d'un Ami, Sou-
venir de Paul Neron, and Marechal Niel. The
new Hybrid Perpetuals Comtesse de Serenye and
Duchess de Vallombrosa are proving valuable
for forcing. — Journal of Horticulture.

NEW OB MARE PLANTS.

Improved Petunias. — The latest novelty in Pe-
tunias is "fimbriated," or, in plain English,
fringed double ones. We have not yet seen

living representatives, but by pictures they seem
a decided advance in beauty.

New Fuchsia — Earl of Beaconsfield.—As, a use-
ful, early, free flowering and handsome Fuchsia,
we can strongly recommend Mr. John Laing's
valuable hybrid, the Earl of Beaconsfield. We
saw in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens
at Chiswick, the other day, some plants which,
after being cut back, broke into flower almost at
once, while other varieties were, comparatively
speaking, at a standstill. This is a valuable
character, and should increase its popularity. —
Gardener's Chronicle.

Lygodium scandens {Japanese Climbing Fern).
— A most graceful climbing plant, growing from
one to fifty feet as desired. It is quite as easy of
culture as the Smilax, and will no doubt be
largely used for similar purposes in decorating.
Although a climbing plant when supported by
strings or wire, it can Joe used with equal advan-
tage as a drooping plant for baskets or vases. —
P. Henderson.

The Brisbane Lily.— The beautiful amaryllid
Eurycles australasica, which has recently been
exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, is of un-
questionable value for furnishing cut flowers at
this season of the year, and as it becomes better
known it will doubtless be highly appreciated.
It is not, strictly speaking, new, for it was known
to science in 1821, but it has for a very long time
been so rare that very few cultivators of the pres-
ent day are acquainted with it. The flowers,
which are of the purest white, may, when neatly
mounted, be employed to wonderful advantage
in the formation of hand bouquets. As in the
case of many other bulbous plants, a succession
of bloom extending over a considerable period
may be had by starting the bulbs at intervals of
a fortnight or so. This species, as indicated by
its name, is a native of Australia, and is some-
times known as the Brisbane Lily. — Gardener's
Magazine.

Improved Begonias.— In the early history of
improved flowers, the best are selected and
named. This was once the case with Pansies,
Cinerarias, and other things, long lists of the
names of which appear in the gardening publi-
cations of thirty years ago. After awhile, they
become so numerous that any one can raise
good kinds from seed, without the trouble of

238

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

keeping over old plants, and then good seed only
is looked for. The tuberous Begonias are now
going through this ordeal. The varieties are so
numerous, growers cannot keep up with them,

Djemonokops palembanicus.— One of the most
elegant of Palms, and, together with D. periacan-
thus, exceedingly appropriate for table decora-
tion and other ornamental purposes. The leaves

D/EMONOROPS PALEMBANICUS.

nor newspapers make records of their appear-
ance. Cannell, the great improver of florist's
flowers, is now advertising "choice seeds," and
this foreshadows the fate of named varieties.

are broadly ovate, pinnate, consisting of numer-
ous narrow elongated segments, and they are
supported by leaf-stalks bearing numerous de-
flexed spines, which latter are thickened at the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

239

base. The young leaves are of a bright cinna-
mon brown, and the contrast between this warm
color and the deep green of the matured leaves
renders the plants exceedingly beautiful at the
time they are in course of development. It is a
native of Java. — William Bull.

Centaurea rutjefolia. — This new and distinct
species will probably find a home in our flower
gardens. It is a native of the Balkan region, and
is said to form a handsome silvery pyramid when
in flower. It will probably prove hardy in dry
soils in Winter. It has, I believe, been sent out
by Messrs. Froeble,'of Zurich. — /. G., in Garden.

New Double Ivy-leaved Pelargonium— King
Albert. — This originated as a chance seedling in
the garden of Herr Oscar Liebmann, of Dresden.
It has the semi-succulent glossy foliage peculiar
to the single flowering forms of this class, but the
clusters of flowers are much larger, and the indi-
vidual flowers being very large and double, re-
main perfect a long time. The color is purplish
lilac, striped and feathered with crimson.

Anthurium Crystallinum. — This beautiful
species is certainly one of the finest introduc-
tions of late years. It produces large, cordate,
acute leaves, of a leathery consistence. The
emerald green refulgent leaves are spotted all
over with a brighter shade, and bordered by a
broad silvery or rather crystal band, which
surrounds the intramarginal and four secondary
nerves. These dazzling white zones are so dis-
tinct and regular that they resemble a border of
incrusted silver around the sections of the blade

of the leaf. The effect of this highly ornamental
plant is most striking. The young leaves are of
a violet purple, forming a marked contrast with
the older, deep green leaves, divided into squares
by silvery bands as we have just described. —
John Saul.

SCB APS AND QUERIES.

Tabern.emontanas. — " One interested " writes :
— " What is meant in Mr. Saul's description of
Tabernsemontana camassa by 'small plants in
60 pots will produce flowers freely ? ' Is sixty a
lucky number? Also, would Mr. Saul or some
other practical man, describe the difference be-
tween T. camassa and T. coronaria flore plena;
as the description of the former variety depicts
exactly a plant I had under the latter name,
planted in my front yard last Summer, which
had upon it, in various stages of development,
upwards of 1,000 buds and flowers, but owing to
some cause, not more than twenty-five flowers
opened perfectly— the balance dropped prema-
turely. The hot and dry weather, no doubt, had
something to do with it, but the plant showed
no other signs of distress, as it made a good
growth, and wore a healthy appearance, gene-
rally. A few hints on the successful culture of
Tabernsemontanas in general, would, I think,
interest others. My plant is about two feet high,
and eighteen inches through."

Mruit and Megetable gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

August is the commencement of the real
American fruit season. The "small" fruits,
from strawberries to currants, have kept us going
pretty well, but we are now to enter on apple3,
pears, plums, peaches, grapes, and others all in
good earnest.

Still, we must not forget our old friends in the
small fruit line. Strawberries must be kept clear
of weeds, and useless runners cutaway; goose-

berries must have the soil kept cool about the
roots by mulches of one kind or another; black-
berries should have their useless suckers kept
down, and as soon as the raspberry crop is over,
the shbots that bore the fruit should at once be
cut out, and all the suckers not wanted for fruit
the next season thinned out and taken away.
These two points are very important in rasp-
berry culture. When rightly managed in this
respect, very few crops are more reliable or more
satisfactory to the grower than this. Though
useless shoots should be cut out, the ground

240

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[J ugust,

should be disturbed between raspberries and
blackberries as little as possible. Their little
roots are all on the surface. They have no deep
roots, and so are very liable to injury by the
process erroneously termed " cultivating." Every
one will tell you that the raspberry soon " runs
out;" nobody knows the reason. The new seed-
ling comes out, and it is hardy enough. But in
a few years it gets leaf blight, and then Winter
kills. It is the injury to the roots that brings
about all this.

In earlier hints for this department we have
written of the importance of pinching off any
strong shoots that may appear at the top of
young fruit trees, and which if left would render
the weaker ones at the base still weaker. Since
that early pinching, in very vigorous trees,
a new crop of strong young shoots may have ap-
peared at the top of the tree, which should again
be taken off, and the lower branches will be
much benefited thereby.

This matter of pinching out strong growing
shoots to strengthen those which we wish to be-
come strong, is an essential point with those
who require handsome shaped trees, and is of
course applied in the infancy of the trees, when
many hundreds may be gone over in a day. It
would be a great expense, besides unnecessary
with these objects in view, to go over a large
orchard and pinch out the shoots. These re-
marks apply to the grape vine, as well as to the
pear, and indeed, to all kinds of fruit trees.

In the vinery many parties commence to force
grapes at the end of this month, but those who
attempt this branch of the gardening art are
already so well skilled in its details as to derive
little advantage from any hints we could offer
here. In the cold vinery, the vines will now be
ripening their crops, and will require little atten-
tion beyond stopping laterals, and as much as
possible destroying insects that may endanger
the health of the foliage.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Wearing out op Varieties of Apples.— The
Apple does not seem inclined to run out, not-
withstanding the prophecies made about varie-
ties fifty years ago. An English clergyman of
Herefordshire says : — "One of the earliest his-
toric Apples is the Pomeroy or King's Apple.

This Apple is of extreme antiquity, very little be-
ing known of its early history. In Hogg's ' Fruit
Manual '(a work most judiciously added by Dr.
Bull to the Free Library), and from whose de-
scriptions I have largely borrowed, two distinct
varieties are mentioned in use nearly at the
same time, but differing altogether in shape, fla-
vor, quality, and color of flesh. I take particu-
lar interest in this old and highly valuable va-
riety, because in my parish we have three or
more very old trees still flourishing, and I was
glad to see this Apple shown from many parts
at our late exhibition." ,

Scion and Stock. — At a recent meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society, Mr. Worthington
G. Smith exhibited a drawing of a singular
grafted cherry tree, now growing near Harpen-
den. The point of attachment between the stock
and scion is seven feet from the ground line. The
smooth stock (wild cherry) is upwards of three
feet in circumference, whilst the gnarled and
rugged scion is more than six feet in circumfer-
ence. The sudden disparity in size of the stem
gives the tree an extraordinary appearance.

War on the Insects. — An " Insect Society " is
said to exist at Grand Traverse, to encourage
people to destroy insects. It is said that whereas
not five per cent, of the fruit matured, before the
Society went into operation, over seventy-five
per cent, is now the crop.

Bearing Age of Pear Trees. — There is an
impression that it is an " endless " time to look
for, before the pear tree, set out, bears ; but a
beginning is generally made with fruit in three
or four years from planting a grafted tree.
Even a seedling tree is not as long in coming
up to the work, as people often think. In this
connection we may give the following from a
Western paper : — " Thirty-five years ago M. A.
Wilkinson planted a pear seed, which is a tree
now, on a farm owned by Dennis Nelson, near
Dunlap, Peoria Co., 111. This tree is of course a
seedling, and bore thirty bushels of pears in 1875,
which sold at the rate of four dollars per bushel.
The product for 1876 was forty bushels and sold
for about three dollars per bushel. Total result
in two years $250. Who can beat this ? The
tree is said to have proven as hardy as an oak.
Mr. Nelson says he has owned the farm for twelve
years and has not failed in this time to get a fair
crop. Its keeping qualities are good. Will
keep until Spring; like a Winter apple."

187?.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

241

Packing American Apples. — A Dublin corres-
pondent of an English Horticultural journal is
astonished that American apples get there with-
out any packing material, " nothing but the ap-
ples." Brother Jonathan has learnt that an
apple tightly packed cannot bruise, and packing
material is only of use to avoid bruising. We
must apply this to the pear, and then, perhaps,
can get a European trade in them also. With
some air-tight material around such fruit, pres-
sure will not perhaps rot them.

Origin of the Los Angeles or Mission Grape.
— As our readers know, our people found the
grape quite at home in California when the
country became a State in our Union. The
grape is of the European species — Vitis vinifera
— and to-day all kinds of foreign grapes do just
as well as American kinds do here. There need
be no mystery about the origin of the grapes at
Los Angeles, for a " missionary," or any other
person, had only to sow some seeds of a raisin to
get them; but, as the following is getting exten-
sive circulation, and may mislead those inter-
ested in grape history on this continent, we give
it in order to say that the Vitis vinifera is not a
native of Mexico : — " Le Roy Gomez writes from
the Sandwich Islands to the Bulletin concerning
the origin of the Mission grape as follows : —
Universal tradition among a people, if not his-
tory itself, must be accepted as the basis of his-
tory, and a residence of many years in Mexico,
and a thorough inquiry relative to the origin of
the grape in that republic, has resulted in the
conviction that the Mission grape is indigenous
and originated in the wild grape of northern
Mexico.

" The colonial policy of Spain prohibited the
cultivation of the grape and the manufacture of
wine in all of her American possessions. The
vine was never introduced into Mexico during
the colonial dependency, from any part of Eu-
rope. Its cultivation was contraband, and the
little that was carried on was done clandes-
tinely by the priests in the more northern mis-
sions.

" After the expedition of Coronado had awak-
ened the spirit of adventure toward New Mexi-
co, various military expeditions were sent out in
that direction. One of these expeditions in tra-
versing the vast region known as the Balson de
Mapemi, discovered among the hills in which
arise the springs that form the stream flowing
into the Laguna de Los Parras, a quantity of de-

licious grapes growing wild. From the trailing
of the vines over the rocks and trees, they called
the place Parras. On their march northward
they came to the source of the Rio Concha,
which flows into the Rio Grande del Norte.
There they also found grapes of the same vari-
ety growing wild, and they called the place Parral,
a name also significant of the trailing of the
vines.

" From these two sources spring all the grapes
in Mexico, including the Mission grapes, which,
according to tradition, were brought overland
from El Paso del Norte to California."

Hardiness of the Japan Persimmon. — We
shall be glad to have any information about the
hardiness of the Diospyros kaki in the Eastern
States. About four Winters ago, some six rather
strong plants in the possession of a friend of the
writer's, wrere killed ; but as the roots of young
native Persimmons, Walnuts, Liquidambars,
Silver Thorns, and many kinds of plants usually
hardy, were also killed, it was thought to be ex-
ceptional. The past Winter has not been re-
garded as exceptionally severe on deciduous
trees, but a plant of the Japan Persimmon has
been killed to the ground. But it was not a
strong plant. How is it elsewhere ?

The Apple State.— The celebrated Thomas
Andrew Knight once said of England's famous
Apple district, " Herefordshire is not so much
indebted to its soil as to some valuable varie-
ties." This is probably true of many of our own
celebrated spots. New York has had the repu-
tation of being the great American apple State,
but how much of this was due to its Newtown
Pippins (now failing) and to the fine Baldwins
and Greenings which it produces? When other
States take so much pains to find out just what
are best suited to themselves, instead of follow-
ing up the experiences of orchardists elsewhere,
we may have a great many great Apple States.

The Wilder Pear. — The California Farmer
speaks in high praise of this variety. In com-
parison with Glout Morceau and other well-
known very late kinds, it is far superior. The
Farmer, by the way, gives an excellent portrait
of Col. Wilder, with its account of the Wilder
Pear, thus giving those of its readers who may
not be able to attend the next meeting of the Am.
Pomological Society at Baltimore, a chance at
least to see what their President looks like.

Popular English Apples. — Fruit shows are

242

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

much more popular in England than they used
to be. It is interesting to note that the Ribston
Pippin and Blenheim Pippin seem to be in every
collection, no matter what other kinds may be
absent. They must be widely grown there.

Billyeu's Late October Peach, {Syn. Billyeu's
Comet). — A correspondent of the American Farmer
says this promises to be a very valuable late
free-stone Peach. We have given its history in
our volume for 1876.

Early Beatrice and Early Rivers Peaches.
— A correspondent of the American Farmer from
the Eastern shore of Maryland, says these varie-
ties have " seen their best days with him."

The Turner Raspberry. — This seems to be
the next best variety when the Philadelphia
fails. Mr. Galusha tells the Western Rural: — " I
have between three and four acres of raspberries,
consisting of Turner, Philadelphia, Mammoth
Cluster, Doolittle and Davison's Thornless ; all
of which, except Turner, were killed to the
ground by the extreme and sudden cold in De-
cember. The Turner is all right. Last year my
plantation of Turners averaged one hundred and
twenty-eight quarts per row, of twenty rods long,
on or over one hundred bushels per acre, while
neither of the other sorts produced more than
half that quantity. The Philadelphia, will, of
course, produce more than the Turner when not
injured, but I have had only one full crop from
it in four years. The suckers are numerous, to
be sure, but they are as easily destroyed, while
young, as ordinary weeds; indeed, if the plants
are cultivated in continuous rows, no more
work is requisite to produce a full crop than
farmers ordinarily give to the same quantity of
ground planted to corn."

Grape Forcing. — This interesting department
of the art of gardening is not often met with in
America — most grape-growers depending on the
natural results of the cold grapery. They are,
however, among the easiest of fruits to force and
it is a matter of surprise that those who can af-
ford it, do not oftener indulge in the luxury.

New White Grapes. — Well-grown clusters of
the late Mr. Pearson's seedling Grapes, Golden
Queen and Mrs. Pearson, were exhibited last
Wednesday at South Kensington, where they
were much appreciated for their handsome ap-
pearance and good flavor. As a golden-skinned
variety for market purposes,Golden Queen is like
ly to be valuable. Mrs. Pearson, although less

showy, is delicious in flavor, and should hence-
forth find a place in every Vinery. — Garden.

Gros Colman Grape. — Of this fine grapehouse
variety, the Journal of Horticulture says : — " In
one or two of the principal fruiterers' windows
in Covent Garden Market may now be seen
some magnificent examples of Gros Colman
Grapes, each bunch of which cannot weigh less
than from 2 lb. to 3 ft»., and the berries are the
largest and the finest we ever saw. These, we
are informed, have been grown at the Tweedside
Vineyard by Mr. W. Thomson, and most cer-
tainly they are wonderful examples of skilful
modern grape culture."

The Sabre Pea. — The Sabre— so called from
the form of its pods, Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux
& Co. tell us — is the most highly estimated

for its earliness and productiveness, of all grown
by the market gardeners near Paris. We

1877. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

243

have not seen it in our country, but here, where
earliness is so much prized, it would be well to
give it a trial.

Dandelion Salad. — It is a wonder that some
attention is not given to improving this, so as to
make it a standard garden vegetable. In this
part of Pennsylvania the fields and fence rows
have numerous dandelion gatherers about them
in early Spring, and the salad bowl they prepare
is welcomed by the whole family. We have
known roots to be dug in Fall, and to be set
thick under a hot-bed sash, with a mat thrown
over as they grow, to blanche them, and think
the product much superior to Lettuce or Endive.

Celery Fly. — The larvae of the Celery Fly
( Tephrites onopordinis) in some seasons do much
mischief to the Celery crops, and as yet no effec-
tual remedy has been discovered. When celery
is infested with the larvae the leaves become
blistered and turn yellow, and as the grubs are
underneath the blisters, they may be crushed
between the finger and thumb. The grubs,
when full-grown, descend into the earth, and re-
main in the chrysalis state until the following
Spring, whjen they give birth to the fly, which in
due course deposits the eggs on the leaves.
Therefore, to prevent the attack of the pest the
next year, leaves badly infested should be re-
moved and burnt, to prevent the grubs attaining
their full development. — Gardener's Magazine.

Carrots. — One of the most delicious of vegeta-
bles at this season of the year is the Early French
Short Horn Carrot, sown in July. The French
cooks are fond of these little Carrots for culinary
purposes, and in large establishments it is usual
to sow a good breadth of them in Summer. The
ground needs to be deeply dug, and be light and
rich on the surface. The best plan is to sow in
drills, somewhat thinly, and then no thinning-
out is required, as it is the practice to pull the
Carrots when about the size of a man's forefin-
ger, and the strongest plants soon reach that
stage. In France the custom appears to be to
sow in September to get an early crop in May,
but by sowing in July a crop is had in October
and onwards ; and by giving the lines of plants
some shelter during frosty weather, after a little
soil has been thrown upon them, a supply of de-
licious little Carrots is had all the Winter. The
French Short Horn Carrot is distinguished from
the ordinary Early Horn by its shorter but equal-
ly plump handsome root, and is much more de-

serving of out-door culture during Summer than
the measure of approval usually accorded to it
would indicate. It is an early and most profit-
able crop, making but a spare upward growth,
and therefore it can be grown more closely to-
gether than is usual with Carrots. The fact that
it is beginning to be found on the exhibition table
in the case of early shows, may be accepted as a
proof that its good qualities are being more
largely recognized. — Gardener's Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

A Water Barrow. — F. N., Asheville, N. O,
writes: "I have some trouble with the Black
Aphis on young cherry trees, and have kept
them down somewhat by a hand syringe and
water-pot. Can you tell me whether there is any
combined syringe and water barrow that would

enable us to get over such work more rapidly?
Every garden ought to have something of the
kind." Most of our dealers' catalogues contain
descriptions of useful wheel engines. One of
the best so far is the one we gave in an early
number of our work, and which we here repro-
duce.—Ed. G. M.

Cranberries in Southern Utah. — A. L. S.,
Ranch, Utah, writes : "Lying near my farm is a
lake or pond of several acres. It is surrounded

244

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

by lime-stone hills and clay soil. The surround-
ing growth is Pine and Abies. The water of the
lake dries away during the Summer, as it is fed
by snows. The growth in the lake is grass and
cat tail flag. When it is dry it is loose, and very
porous, like ashes, and the soil is filled with
minute shells. I can with small expense cut a
ditch and put in a gate, so as to draw the water
off of the pond early in the Spring, and leave
it dry. During the Summer it gets very dry, but
not dry enough to kill out the grass and flag
roots. There is no chance to flood the land
when once dry, without waiting for Winter rains
and snows to do it. What I want to inquire is,
wTill it do to break this lake up in the Summer
time, so as to kill the present vegetation, and
then plant cranberries on it. Can I be certain
of a crop by so doing. I see that there are upland
cranberries advertised (I have little faith in
them), will you tell me whether that variety
would succeed any better than the swamp vari-

ety? Can I grow apples, pears, cherries, plums,
and small fruits on level clay loam that is not
too wet? The top soil for eight or ten inches is
loamy clay, below that is a kind of yellow or
raw clay; and has the appearance of being
washed from the surrounding mountains. I
have just received some very fine Geranium,
Pelargonium and Fuchsia plants from Mr. John
Saul of Washington. How shall I manage them
so as to have them bloom next Winter?"

[The development of cranberry culture in
this part of our country is an important matter.
We at this distance hardly feel competent to ad-
vise. The impression is, that they could be made
to do well there ; but the matter is one wholly
for careful observation and experiment. We
should recommend a perusal of Orange Judd &
Co.'s publication on "Cranberry Culture," and
then an application as near as possible of what
they say to the circumstances and situation. —
Ed. G. M.]

ffoRESTRY.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Torreya taxifolia.— We learn that our friend,
P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga., is making a spe-
cialty of propagating this beautiful tree, and
which, besides, will always be interesting as com-
memorating in its name one of the best and
most beloved of American botanists.

Large White Oak in Michigan.— Mr. Dow
Lyon, of St. Johns, Mich., says he has a white
oak growing Avhich at three feet from the ground
measures seventeen and a half feet in circum-
ference, and he judges that the first large limb
is sixty-five feet from the ground. It is very
symmetrical for the first forty feet or so.

Growing Chestnuts from Seed. — Mr. J. S.
Budd thus gives his experience to the Western
Rural: "Jn 1871 I grew about 3,000 trees from
seed procured the previous Fall, perfectly fresh
in their burr. As soon as received I hulled
them and placed them in a common dry-goods
box in my cellar, with alternate layers of moss,
such as is used for packing plants for shipment,
scattering; the, chestnuts on the moss so as not

to come in contact with each other. The moss
should be but slightly damp, and if the surface
becomes very dry during the Winter, it may be
sprinkled, but the moss need not be disturbed
until planting time in the Spring, say the 10th
or loth of April. The nuts by this time have
nicely sprouted. Long roots will be attached to
the moss and adhering firmly to the fibers.
This should be allowed to remain and be planted
with them, and should the season be dry, the
moss will be rather a benefit than otherwise, by
retaining moisture about the root. From nuts
treated in this way I grew more trees than I
planted nuts, as some have double kernels, and
produce two trees.

" I planted in drills, four inches apart in the
drills, and sufficient space between the drills to
use a small garden hoe, the whole occupying
less than one square rod, affording a good profit
at an average price of $3 per hundred, when
sold in the Fall. I have trees eight years old,
grown from seed in the above manner, that bore
nuts at the age of five years, and at eight years
produced a peck of hulled nuts.

"The soil and situation in which to grow the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

245

chestnut is all-important. They flourish best on
high, dry situations, or on rolling, well-drained
silicious soils, but are impatient of much wet, or
low, tenacious localities."

The White Ash in New England. — In a note
to the Massachusetts Ploughman, Prof. Sargent
says : "An intelligent correspondent much in-
terested in the subject of tree planting, writes us
from the central portion of the State as follows :
' I am fully convinced that those who plant and
care for the ash are sure of their reward. I am
informed by experts that the ash is in more de-
mand, and commands a higher price, than any
other wood that is indigenous ; that the fibre of
the ash grown in the New England States is
tougher and has more substance than ash grown
elsewhere, and that the demand is constantly
increasing. During the Centennial Exhibition
our woods were closely examined by foreigners,
and now foreign orders are rapidly coming in,
and every vessel leaving Boston for a foreign port
is taking out large quantities of ash and walnut.'
The attention of New England land owners
should certainly be directed to the profits which
the careful and general cultivation of this tree
will give, and to the fact, that, at no distant day,
the money value of White Ash will be greatly
enhanced, the ever increasing demand for it
having already rendered this tree comparatively
rare in the Eastern States."

Forest-planting in France.— The past Spring
has been very favorable to the large areas in
France lately planted in forests. It is stated that
5,000,000 hectares, or 12,350,000 acres— about
half the area of Ohio — have become unproduc-
tive as agricultural lands. Pine trees, without
any cultivation, and a very inexpensive super-
vision, can be made to grow upon these barren
acres, netting about $2.50 per acre of annual
profit. This would add to the productive capa-
city of these lands about $30,000,000 per annum.
Other trees have been planted with similar
economic results, and now landed proprietors
are looking to tree-planting as a means of util-
izing their unproductive acres. — Department of
Agriculture.

A new Product from the Pixe. — Vanillin ex-
ists in the sap of the Pine (Pinus sylvestris) and
of the Larch. For the purpose of procuring it
the trees are felled during the period when vege-
tation is most active, and are stripjDed of their
bark. They are then immediately scraped, and
the product collected in vessels of tinned iron, is

immediately heated on the spot to prevent fer-
mentation, filtered, concentrated and allowed to
cool and settle. A substance is thus obtained
which resembles powdered sugar, and which is
known as coniferin. This is a stable compound,
and is sent in barrels to Paris, where the vanillin
is extracted. The process of extracting the van-
illin is an expensive one, but the product is pro-
cured at a less cost than the natural vanilla of
commerce can be purchased at. The difficulties
in the way are principally in procuring the sup-
ply of sap. — Scientific American.

Prizes for Arboriculture offered by the
Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul-
ture.— The following prizes which are open to all
land-owners in Massachusetts, will be awarded
in 1888, the trustees reserving the right to with-
hold one or all of them, if, in the opinion of the
judges, none of the competing plantations are
considered worthy of award : For the best 5000
White Ash trees, $250.00 ; next best 5000 White
Ash trees, $100.00. For the best 1000 White Ash
trees, $100.00 ; next best 1000 White Ash trees,
$75.00.

Trees intending to contend for these prizes
may be either planted in groves or scattered, as
the nature of the soil may require; provided,
however, that the plantation does not extend be-
yond the farm or estate of the competitor :
For the best five acres of White Pine, raised from
seed planted by the competitor, $250.00 ; next
best five acres of White Pine, raised from seed
planted by the competitor, $100.00. For the best
acre of White Pine, $100.00 ; next best acre of
White Pine, $75,000. For the best acre of Scotch
Pine (P. sylvestris), raised from seed planted by
the competitor, $100.00; next best acre of Scotch
Pine (P. sylvestris), raised from seed planted by
the competitor, $75.00. For the best acre of
European Larch, containing not less than 2000
trees, $100.00 ; next best acre of European Larch,
containing not less than 2000 trees, $75.00. All
entries for these prizes must be made on or be-
fore March 1, 1878, to Mr. Francis Skinner, Brook-
line, Mass.
Mr. Skinner has consented to act as the agent for
the trustees in all matters relating to these
prizes, and will furnish all information in regard
to them. Competitors may order their seeds
and trees through Mr. Skinner, who will arrange
with the principal tree and seed dealers and nur-
serymen in the United States and Europe for the
lowest possible rates, but as his services are en-

246

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

tirely gratuitous he can in no way be held re-
sponsible.

All competitors will be expected to keep as ac-
curate accounts as possible of the cost of forming
and maintaining their plantations, and to furnish
the trustees, from time to time, with such informa-
tion in regard to them as they may require.

Thomas Motley, Jamaica Plain ; Leverett Sal-
tonstall, Newton ; Ed. N. Perkins, Jamaica Plain ;
Theodore Lyman, Brookline ; Henry Saltonstall,
Boston ; William R. Robeson, Lenox ; John G.
Cushing, Beverly ; Charles S.Sargent, Brookline ;
E. F. Bowditch, Framingham ; Henry S. Russell,
Milton ; John Lowell, Newton ; John Quincy
Adams, Quincy.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Pecan Nut. — M., Lincoln, Nebraska,
writes : " Can I hope to raise Pecan nuts so far
north as this ?"

[There is no doubt the nuts " can be raised" —
that is, they will grow, and make trees — but we
doubt whether the trees would perfect nuts so
far north. But if the trees are wanted for tim-
ber in Nebraska, we believe they would do ; but
we have no actual experience. It is the most
rapid growing of all hickories. We shall be glad
to know how far north our friends know of
trees, either wild or cultivated. About Phila-
delphia there are several fine trees.— Ed. G. M.]

Sowing Walnuts and Hickories. — M., Lin-
coln, Nebraska : " I sowed a quantity of walnuts
and hickories last May, but none of them grew.
Is there any special knowledge required to raise
these nuts ?"

[None that we know of. But the kernels of
these nuts soon become rancid, and they rarely
recover from a good drying. They will grow in

Spring, if they have not been kept too warm or
too dry since gathering the previous Fall. The
best success follows Fall sowing. — Ed. G. M.]

Growing the Eucalyptus in the North. —
M. B., Philadelphia, says : " I note your occa-
sional remarks on this tree, and .think you are
scarcely right in your efforts to discourage ex-
periments with it. In view of the wonderful
results that have followed its growth elsewhere,
why should not people be permitted to try it if
so disposed? If they fail, it is little loss; if
they succeed, it will be a glorious achievement.
Do you know from actual experiment that the
Eucalyptus will not do in the Northern States?"

[Our correspondent surely misunderstands us.
We have no objection whatever to any one's
trying it. As Mr. Price said recently, the cost of
the experiments are not ours, and so far as this
is concerned, it is none of our business.

But when people ask us whether the Euca-
lyptus, the Cocoa Nut, the Banana, or the Pine
Apple will grow in the far North, we have to say
no ! And we say this, though we have made no
actual experiment with them, nor do we know
of any.

All plants and families of plants have certain
geographical centres, with which botanists are
tolerably well acquainted, and this knowledge is
mostly sufficient to decide such questions as these.
The Eucalyptus belongs to the order Myrtacese. and
from what a geographical botanist knows of the
home centre (so to speak) of the order, he feels
quite safe in saying that none of that family will
endure the Winters of any but the extreme
south of the United States.

But we only give this opinion to those who
want it. We have no wish to prevent experi-
ments— nay, shall be glad if some one will do so,
and we will cheerfully find a place for the re-
sult.—Ed. G. M.l

ATURAL MISTORY AND ^SCIENCE.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

TUMBLE WEED AGAIN.

BY C E. BESSEY, AMES, IOWA.

Mr. Wier, in June Monthly, describes most ex-
cellently the Tumble Weed, but I am sorry he

did not study it before guessing at its name. It
is Amarantus albus, thoroughly Westernized.
With you, as you Mr. Editor well know, it does
not roll itself up and then get itself tumbled
around, so as to scatter its seed. It couldn't roll
far, even if it wanted to, with you ; but with us
it may roll miles upon miles. Some people even

1877.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

24T

to-day say that we cannot lay our hands upon a
species which has spontaneously changed its
structure and rabits. The Tumble Weed, how-
ever, on the prairies, is a very different looking
and acting thing from what it is in the East. It
is a Tumble Weed where " it pays " it to be one;
but where it cannot tumble far, it does not at-
tempt to do so at all.

This is how it probably becomes a Tumble
Weed : The prairie climate, which is excessively
dry, and again excessively wet, with a most de-
cided preponderance of the former condition,
produces a short, spreading growth, instead of
the taller or more " drawn " growth of the moister
regions; the stems and branches are harder for
the same reason. Upon the approach of Winter
the plants die, and the hard branches dry and
curl up. The heavy winds now soon break off
the root, and the plant is hurled and tumbled
away. Send me seeds of Amarantus albus from
the East, and I venture to say that the plants
growing from them will be veritable Tumble
Weeds, although they may be the offspring of
the soberest and steadiest of Pigweeds. If you,
Mr. Editor, want to try the converse, I'll send
you Tumble Weed seeds ; but you need not hope
to see any lofty tumbling from the plants you
grow.

ED 110 RIAL NOTES.

Fleshy Fruits. — Before concluding this lec-
ture, I feel myself called upon to say a word or
two respecting the importance of cultivated
fruits, because gardeners and pomologists still
entertain some erroneous views relating to them.
Thus, for instance, it is very generally supposed
that the flesh of the fruit provides the first food
for the germinating plants of its seeds. Such,
however, is not the case, for here, as in other
cases, the first nourishment is drawn from the
seed alone. The flesh of the fruit bears no rela-
tion to the embryo ; it is a kind of outcast sub-
stance or excretion of the plant. In most of our
cultivated fruit trees, too, the great mass of this
flesh is the result of cultivation. Thus the wild
Cherries of our woods possess so little flesh that
they do not repay the trouble of plucking. In
the mountains of Pontus I found Grapes so small
that they were not worth eating; and Pallas in-
forms us that the wild Apricot, and often like-
wise the wild or escaped Peach, possess no flesh

at all, the former, indeed, being like a leathery
two-valved capsule. — Karl Koch.

Fire-proof Wood. — One of the results of the
Brooklyn Theatre fire is the discovery and appli-
cation of what is called " Tungstate of Soda " to
the scenery used on the stage. An experiment
was made lately in the presence of the promi-
nent managers of New York and Brooklyn the-
atres, and the result seems to indicate perfect
success. A tongue of jet equal to 150 ordinary
gas jets was applied to a scene for two minutes
and the canvas did not blaze or smoke. A coil
of rope having been saturated with the solution,
was submitted to the fire test with no effect
whatever.

According to a certain Dr. Beaupre (cited in
the Journal de la Societe Centrale a' Horticulture de
France), a Lilac after flowering profusely, as it
does every year, this season threw up afterwards
two or three suckers, which bore enormous
trusses of flowers, although they only appeared
between 2 and 3 inches above the surface of the
ground. The editor of the Revue Horticole re-
cords a similar occurrence in Aralia spinosa and
A. hybrida, and we have seen a similar case in
Ailantus glandulosa.

Soaking Seeds in Boiling Water.— Surprise
is often expressed that hard shelled seeds can be
made to grow after boiling water has been poured
on them, but there is no doubt of the fact. Yet
one need not try it, for in practice a few days'
soaking in cold water answers as well.

The Blue Glass Controversy. — All over the
world General Pleasanton has raised a talk. In
Europe it is perhaps louder than here. As our
readers know, we are by no means satisfied that
the great success of General Pleasanton is due to
his blue glass. But if we were, to feel sure that
General Pleasanton's arguments were weak, we
should have to grant that many of the argu-
ments brought against him were weaker. We
quote for example the following, from a leading
English magazine :»

"The effects of colored light on plants have
been carefully inquired into, and those who are
interested in the subject will find, on referring
back, that we have reported on numerous ex-
periments, and made public a variety of fact*
and opinions. All inquiries into the ways of
nature, and especially as to the relations that
subsist between the inorganic and organic crea-
tions, are to be treated with respect ; for knowl-

248

*EE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

edge is, for the most part, obtained iw driblets,
and is the reward usually of inquiring spirits
that enter upon the agreeable task of interroga-
ting nature, having definite ends in view. It is
not for us, therefore, to speak slightingly of the
many experiments that have been made on the
effects of variously-colored light on the growth
of plants. It is proper, however, to ask what is
the sum-total of results ? What remains to be
discovered none can predict; but of what has
been done the sum is amusingly small, and one
general result is peculiarly interesting. The
general result is that the common daylight suits
plants better than any modification of it that we
can obtain by chemical or optical agencies. If
the philosophers could have discovered a better
sort of light they would frankly have told us;
but thus far, at all events, it appears that the
arrangements of nature are not susceptible of
improvement by the aid of art. Any one who
will take the pains to collect and read the many
elaborate essays on the subject tnat have been
published, will at least earn a surprise in the re-
flection that will come at last on the immense
pains taken by man to satisfy his mind that the
Almighty has not made a mistake in adapting
the imponderable forces of the universe to the
necessities of the organisms with which the
planet is beautified. From this general result
we turn to a particular result, which we may
speak of as having a " practical " value. It is
quite certain that many plants thrive more thor-
oughly when exposed to light, in which there is
a distinct preponderance of green color, than in
the full blaze of common daylight. The fern
houses at Kew are all roofed with green glass,
and in many instances it has been found that a
thin coat of green paint, or of less permanent
green coloring, on the roof of an ordinary plant
house, affords a more salutary shade than the
grey canvas or stippling of lime customarily em-
ployed. The green light thus produced does not
suit all plants alike, for this particular conclu-
sion is but a part of the general conclusion, that
the arrangements of nature cannot be improved
upon by art. The fact is, in the use of green
glass we are in some degree — perhaps in a very
feeble degree — imitating the light received by
plants that commonly grow under the shade of
trees. Hitherto we have seen the best results of
the employment of green glass in the cultiva-
tion of Ferns and Camellias; but it cannot be
doubted that very many families of plants would
enjoy a tint of green similar to that produced 1>\

the passage of white light through a screen of
green leaves. We have probably much to learn
in adapting the circumstances of plants under
cultivation to the kind of light that prevails in
their native habitats."

The American gardener knows well that there
are large numbers of plants that " common day-
light" does not suit. The argument that "the
Almighty knows what is best for us," is all very
well. He knows what is best for his own good
and wise purposes, but we have a suspicion that
he leaves a good deal of what is best for us to
be found out by the industrious human brain.
It would have been just as good for our great-
grandfathers as for us to have found out how to
cross the great ocean in ten days, as we do. And
they could have found out, if any of them had
had the sense to study little things, as Watt and
Fulton did. Any one who knows the difference
between a wild Crab and a Baldwin, will doubt
whether nature always knows just what is best
for us.

It is just so with blue glass. We feel sure it is
not all that is claimed for it. On the other hand,
we are sure that there may be much more made
of blue glass in our horticultural operations than
has been made. — Ed. G. M.

Internal Heat of Plants. — By accounts in
the English papers, we note that an observer
has been experimenting with leaves and sterns,
to ascertain the difference, in their temperatures
at different times of the day, as compared with
that of the atmosphere. He found they were
about two degrees lower before noon, but several
higher from that til) night. He seems to have con-
fined his observations to beet leaves and sun flow-
ers. We should like to see other plants tried,
especially the ice plants. They take their name
from the ice-like crystals on the leaves; but,
whether it is imagination or not, we cannot say,
there is always a cold feel to the leaves as well.

The American Association. — The meeting
this year is to be held at. Nashville, on the 29th
of August. It is expected to be a very interest-
ing one.

Double Flowers. — Almost, perhaps all the
double forms of herbaceous flowers have been
found wild, and taken to our gardens. Collect-
ors frequently find them, and more could if they
would look sharp. In an early number of the
American Nat uralist,Mr. Thomas Meehan record-
ed the finding of Saxifraga Virginiensis with
double flowers on the Wissahickon, and Dr. Asa

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

249

Gray, in a recent number, reports one as having
been recently found near Boston. Prof. Porter
sends to the Bulletin a note on finding a double
Rue anemone.

Varying Results of Climate. — The Neio York
Tribune discontinued its exchange with the
Gardener's Monthly last Spring, and we were glad
to understand by this that it stood in no need of
any further horticultural information. By an
extract which we have recently seen in another
paper, we are pleased to note that it is still wise
enough to retain the services of Mr. Josiah
Hoopes, whose intelligent notes we were always
glad to read. In the extract referred to we see
that Mr. Hoopes has been giving his experience
with the Winter and Evergreens. The Lawson
Cypress suffered more than the Libocedrus, though
both were partially protected by evergreen
boughs. It is singular that here — some twenty
miles from Mr. Hoopes — the experience was just
the opposite. No Lawson Cypress was injured,
though numbers of Libocedrus were. In other
years, however, the experience was the reverse.
One singular observation was, that many Libo-
cedrus were injured, while others, though within
a few feet, were unhurt. Wind and cold have
much to do with the tenderness of evergreens,
but it is evident, as we understand by the extract,
Mr. Hoopes suggests in his original paper, that
there are some innate constitutional powers of
resisting cold, that are not yet made quite clear
to us.

Insect Fertilization. — It is a well-known fact

that insects fertilize flowers, and, therefore, flor
ists do all they can to keep Pelargoniums and
other choice productions free from their depre-
dations, for by assisting fertilization they cause
the petals to drop sooner than they otherwise
would do. Of this we had numerous examples
during the late dry season, when seed-bearing
was the rule with almost all the occupants of the
flower garden rather than the exception. Among
plants requiring artificial fertilization, Mr.
Meehan includes Orchids, and certainly that
queen of Orchids, Phalaenopsis amabilis will
remain in good condition from a month to six
weeks if not fertilized artificially; but if operated
upon by its own pollen, or that of another vari-
ety, the flowers fade within a day or two, and
the seed-pod elongates rapidly. Therefore, ex-
cept in cases , in which improved varieties are
wanted, and hybridization is intentionally
resorted to, it is desirable that fertilization
should not take place at least, where the primary
object is the preservation of the flowers. As
regards Pelargoniums, we know that kinds that
are sterile retain their flowers longer than such
as are fertile. Pink Christine, for example,
seeds so freely that, if not counteracted by means
of frequent hand picking, it becomes entirely
exhausted, while other varieties, under exactly
similar circumstances, scarcely produce a seed-
pod. From my own observation, I should feel
inclined to agree in all respects with Mr. Mee-
han's views, as I believe the question of nutrition
as affecting fertilization, to which he refers, de-
serves more general attention than it receives. —
James Groom, Henham Hall, Wang ford, in Garden.

1TERATURE,

f

TLS &

I

ONAL m OTES

COMMUNICA TIONS.

CYCAS REVOLUTA NOT THE SAGO PALM.

BY ROBERT J. SIDDALL, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.

Many of the catalogues ihention-this plant as
the Sago Palm, and Louden speaking of the Cycas,
says it produces the granulated powder called

Sago, "from Sagu, the name of a sort of bread
made from the pith of the trunk." and that the
pith, after undergoing certain preparations "con-
stitutes Sago." It would appear from this that
the catalogues may be correct, but under the head
of Sagus, which he calls the Sago Palm, Louden
says, " from this palm is produced the Sago of
the shops." And again he says, "the trunk of

250

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

Cycas contains a great quantity of fecula, which
is manufactured into a kind of spurious sago."
From this mixture by one author it seems that
" the granulated powder called Sago " is a " spu-
rious " article. Dr. Wood says that " the farina-
ceous product of the different species of Cycas,
sometimes called Japan Sago does not enter into
general commerce.

As the Cycas revoluta is not a true palm and
does not furnish the Sago of commerce, (which
is a product of Sagus Rumphii, Sagus lavis, and
Sagueris Rumphii,) it is rather a misnomer to
call it the Sago Palm, a name rightfully belong-
ing to Sagus Rumphii, though Webster gives it
Rhapis flabelliformis.

RHYMES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF A CACTUS

MAN.

BY WM. T. HARDING, SUPT. OAK HILL CEMETERY,
UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.

(Continued from page 221 )

Near by, the venerable and hoary headed old
man cactus, Pilocereus senilis, looked serious
and sedate ; the very picture of an aged cactus
sire. The succulent sage, claimed all the honor
and respect due to a long and well spent life.
The old fellow had grown gray in the service,
and seemed, as he leaned on his staff, to have
long passed the allotted period of three-score
years and ten. Like a weary cactus pilgrim, he
was evidently nearing the end which awaited
him, and the rest of his ancient race.

''There were giants in those days," among the
succulent tribes. Cereus regalis— regal indeed,
in portly form, stood some twelve feet above
C. gibbosus; while C. hexagonus, with an alti-
tude of thirty feet, towered above them all. The
admirable rat-tail Cactus, C. flagelliformis, worked
at intervals up the stem of a tall Pereskia, was
really a superb specimen, and one of the won-
ders of the house.

There were several plethoric specimens of the
Melon Thistle kinds, or Melocactuses. M. com-
munis is perhaps the most common, having
been in cultivation since 1688. However com-
mon it has been since then, it nevertheless, still
remains an uncommonly queer looking plant.
Cactaceous obesity, is one of the characteristics
of this curious genus. M. pyramidalis, is an old
vegetal pyramid, and if not so massive as Cheops,
is more ancient, no doubt. M. amcenus, is a
beauty, if not the beUe of the family. M. exca-

vatus, is so much excavated, as to look as if "Old
Time " had been diligently digging at it for cen-
turies; and ere this, has probably caved in, as
all things will. M. polyacanthus, or many
spined, is something like M. macrantha, with
longer spines, of the touch-me-not order.

Their curious compeers, are Cactuses. C. de-
pressus, is much depressed, though not in the
least distressed. C. foliosus, is more leafy than
umbrageous. C. reductus, C. intortus, andC. cor-
rugatus, are singular examples of Cacti. The fea-
tures of the last named, were deeply furrowed ;
looked old, and stricken in years. C. intortus,
was as twisted and contorted as a cactus could
be, and would puzzle a geometrician to describe
its form.

Not to be forgotten, are the broad and burly
Opuntias, or Indian figs, standing defiantly —
armed to the teeth — among the little cactus kin,
less pretentious, though much more beautiful.
O. spinosissima, is well-named, if not well-man-
nered. The merciless character of the phlebot-
omizer is well-known ; yet, is harmless enough,
if let alone. A lawyer, would undoubtedly de-
cide that it belonged to the Lex talionis class.
And the same might be said of O. ferox. 0. mi-
crodasys, and 0. polyantha, both belong to the
queer order of O's. Their lancets are not so long
— but are short, sharp, and decisive. Perhaps,
the most useful kind, is 0. coccinellifera, from
which the cochineal insects are gathered, and
which give the red tincture used for dyeing pur-
poses.

In South America, the writer has seen Cereus
repandus, C. triangularis, Opuntia maxima,
0. decumana, and 0. spinosissima, used as hedge
plants, to fence the Cocoa-nut plantations, Ban-
ana groves, and Pine-apple fields. They are of
such a formidable and repellent nature, as to de-
ter any living thing from attempting to get
through. Neither hog, dog, or devil, would face
them, he is certain.

Formed in various groups, were the more com-
pact little curiosities of the Genus Mammillaria,
Echinocactus, Echinopsis, &c, &c. ; which with
the more flexible and slender growing Rhipsa-
lises, made the curious contrast still more strange.
The above-named little pets, are both elegant
and interesting, and may be classed as bijou
cacti. No conch ological collection, however
well selected, could possibly surpass, either in
beauty or value, an equal number of these minor
marvels.

Connected with Mammillarias, are many

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

251

happy recollections. They always remind the
writer of brighter days gone by, and on that ac-
count, will ever be kindly remembered. They
are a most (if not the most) beautiful and curious
genus of succulents known. Whatever has pre-
viously been said of a pleasant nature concern-
ing others, or which may follow, in the way of
admiration of the remainder, specially applies
to them. If they are a diminutive race, their
charms are by no means curtailed, or their beau-
ties in the least abridged, in consequence. These
pretty cactacean Liliputs are very attractive, and
are altogether lovely. There is a long list of
them, too long to give, so I will single out but a
few, viz. : M. conica, M. simplex, M. lanifera,
M. longimamma, M. ambigua, M. quadrata,
M. caudata, M. erecta, M. grandis, M. pulcherri-
ma, M. pyramidalis, M. coronata, M. columna-
ris, M. magnimamma, M. nivosa, M. tenuis, and
M. stellata, " the star, of the goodly company."

Of the flat smooth-stemmed Epiphylhims,
were such favorites as E. crenatum, E. spectabile,
E. elegans, E. speciosum, E. Akermanii, and
fulgens. The well-known lobster's claw cactus,
E. truncatum, is one of them. Worked on to up-
right stocks of Pereskia aculeata, or Cereus tri-
queter, they form exceedingly handsome speci-
mens. They are very profuse bloomers during
the winter months. One very remarkable plant,
especially, seems in ideality, to be within reach
of the writer; and its very odd companion, Tes-
tudinaria Elephantipes, or elephant's foot. The
last named, was an enormous sized specimen,
and looked much like a huge tortoise, or turtle,
squatting on the top of a tub. Although not
considered a succulent proper, as it belongs to
the Dioscorea, or Yam family, it was, neverthe-
less, appropriate enough for the company it
kept. The abnormal appearance of the yamy
monstrosity was weird in the extreme. Its age,
might be dated from a " time whereof the mem-
ory of man runneth not to the contrary."

Less peculiar, though much more beautiful,
were the Crassulas, Rocheas, and Kalosanthuses,
which are first-rate flowering plants, and were
real greenhouse glories of the olden time.

Echeveria gibbiflora, E. coccinea, E. lurida,
and E. coespitosa, were the only ones I remem-
ber there. The more modern kinds, such as
E. agavoides, E. glauca, E. farinosa, E. metallica,
E. lucida, E. pulverulenta, &c, were then un-
known. They need no praising, as all plant
lovers know how beautiful they are. Their effect
is very striking as now used in the decoration of

the flower garden ; and especially is their beauty
enhanced, when judiciously combined with Aloes,
and Sempervivums, of which some excellent
kinds are offered.

Sempervivum, to live forever, as its name im-
plies. What a train of reflections seems to start
up, at the mention of the name. Under the un-
assuming name of house-leek, S. tectorum is well-
known. It is often seen flourishing on the cot-
tage-roofs of the industrious, though poor people,
of Great Britain. The simple-minded, yet, good
housewife, regards it as a plant of considerable
importance ; and well she may, when she knows
it is so lucky, to have one. A few old stagers
I will mention, for instance, S. tabulseforme, or
table formed, is very much like a round table
and would be, I should think, just such a one as
any little fairy would select, to furnish a ferny
bower. S. arachnoideum, is a little gray colored
curio, and will bear a close inspection, as it ap-
pears to be covered with cobwebs. S. tortuosum, is
of the grotesque order; while S. arboreum,and its
variegated mate, are of the shrubby, or tree type.
S. barbatum, if not quite as hairy as Esau, is
stout and " bearded like the pard." These very
pretty, tidy, rosette-like plants, were as much ad-
mired then as now.

There is a legion of such varied singularities as
Anacampseros, Cotyledon, Anhalonium, Anigos-
anthus, Phyllocactus, Apicra, Lepismium, Ma-
lacocarpus, Xananthos, Stapelia, Pelecephora,
Pedilanthus, Leuchtenbergia, Haworthias, Gas-
terias, &c, to which I can but briefly allude.
There is also a long list of names in the Euphor-
bia family, many of which are very beautiful,
and decidedly rank among the chieftains of the
succulent house. Some of them are of most ec-
centric growth, and are altogether as multiform
and abnormal, as any others previously men-
tioned. With the inspissated juice of E. hepta-
gona, the ^Ethiopians are said to poison their
arrows. While E. balsamifera is as wholesome
and palatable as new milk. E. squamosa, E. cere-
iformis, and E. trigona, are of the heavy calibre,
or ponderous types of the genus. E. antiquorum,
had a very antiquated look. Its appearance
was sober and solid ; one of the oddities of a very
odd order, and seemed as if it might be one of
the survivors of Noachian times. It produces
the drug known as Euphorbia. E. Caput-Medu-
sae, or Medusae's head, was a droll-looking char-
acter; having far more heads than Janus had
faces. It was well it had no poll-tax to pay. It
confronted the visitor at the door, and never

252

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

failed "to astonish the Browns." It was a very
conspicuous figure among its fellows, with a
somhre, if not sinister, cast of countenance. And
yet, it was not such a frightful Gorgon, as to pet-
rify people who looked at it; as a myth of that
name is reported to have done. Their flowers
are remarkably vivid, and are hisrhly prized for
their splendor, and general usefulness. E. Poin-
settia, E. fulgens, E. splendens, and E. jacquiniae-
flora, are universally known and admired. Ee-
luctantly I leave them, to discuss the virtues of
bitter Aloes.

In contradistinction to Agaves, or American
Aloes, so-called, are the African Aloes, proper.
From A. soccotrina, is produced the nauseous
drug, of nasty notoriety. The thick juicy green
leaves are equally as unpalatable, as are the
abominable dry pellets, ycleped pills. A. dicho-
toma, A. Commelyni, A. echinata, A. aristata,
A. frutescens, and A. lineata, belong to the sin-
gular section. A. serrulata, A. albispina, A. ar-
borescens, A. elatior, A. distans, and A. purpu-
rascens, are of the stout and sturdy style; and
averaged from six to fifteen feet high. The slen-
der, graceful, variegated, obscure, big-toothed,
noble, reflexed, and proliferous, had each a rep-
resentative. They, are embraced in what may
be designated a " motley crowde."

(To be concluded.)

BURDETT'S ISLAND AND ORCHARD IN THE
NIAGARA RIVER.

BY S., SYRACUSE, N. Y.

A paragraph in the Gardener's Monthly tor
June, at page 174, in reference to Mr. Burdett's
orchard, on the Niagara Eiver, near Niagara
Falls, though of no great intrinsic importance,
may perhaps bear correction, and in doing so, I
wish to add a few words respecting it. It is not
an apple orchard, but one of peaches. The
number of trees stated is probably correct. This
orchard is situated on an island, near the Ameri-
can side of the river, and is a curiosity in its
way. I saw it several times a few years since,
and suppose it to be flourishing yet. Many of
the trees are large, old ones, but continue
healthy and productive. The even temperature
produced by the open river always preserves the
fruit buds from theWinter'scold, and Mr. Burdett
obtains a fine crop of peaches every year. His con-
veniences for markcti ig thecropare peculiar. As
the fruit ripens it is not gathered until perfectly

mature, and in the best possible state to be enjoyed
in eating. The ripe peaches are taken from the
trees onty as they become fully so ; are placed
in baskets and loaded into a barge which lies by
a dock close by the orchard, the work being
done during the day. In the evening a steam
tug arrives from Buffalo, and the barge is towed
to that city which it reaches at four o'clock in
the morning. The fruit is then distributed
through the city, and only those who know what
a luscious thing a ripe peach is, right from the
tree, can form an opinion of the character of the
fruit thus delivered. The estimate put upon Mr.
Burdett's crop, of $6,000, has doubtless been re-
alized, although not always amounting to so
large a sum. Mr. Burdett's facilities for peach
growing and for marketing can hardly be ex-
ceeded, although a narrow strip of land along
the river is well adapted to apples, pears, quinces
and peaches as well as the smaller fruits. Bur-
dett's Island furnishes a very choice and favora-
ble location for the business its proprietor is in ;
but his example might be imitated in a few simi-
lar situations in that vicinity, though I believe
not to the same extent.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Plural of Botanical Names. — It is diffi-
cult to understand what rule our English cotem-
poraries have in their plural orthographies.
Speaking in the plural of Brodiaea, it has no
hesitation in saying " Brodiaeas." Yet in the
same paper it does not say Calochortuses, but
" Calochorti." For our part, we think, and have
before expressed the opinion, that when we
adopt a word as an English word, and in the con-
struction of an English sentence, the words
should follow English rules. We can see no
more reason why we should hesitate to say
Calochortuses than Verbenas, Fuchsias or Dah-
lias. Botany already seems to the masses as
loaded with unnecessary terms, and we see no use
in bringing in what must appear a mere affec-
tation of correctness, when there is not only no
occasion for it, but when those who affect it con-
tinually violate their own ideal.

Lemmoni.y Californr'A. — This new genus es-
tablished recently by Dr. Gray, "to commemo-
rate the services of a most ardent and successful
explorer of the Sierra Nevadas," and to which
we recently referred, as we see by the last issue

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

253

of the Proceedings of the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences, is a Hydrophyllaceous plant
of which the well-known Phacelia is an example.
The new genus will be precious to botanists from
its association, but so far as we can gather from
Professor Gray's description, it will have few
charms for the lovers of gay flowers.

Grasshopper Machines. — As we have recently
stated, the amusement which our suggestion of
some years since, that machines could be easily
invented to work successfully against grass-
hoppers, afforded some of our Western friends,
leads us particularly to note how progress in that
line is advancing. We give this from the Boul-
der (Colorado) News: — Benj. Long has contrived
the simplest, least expensive and best grasshop-
per machine we have yet seen. It is a V shaped
pan about six feet apart at the points, the pan
being two inches deep, with little partitions a
foot apart. In the centre where the pans come
together is the axle, upon which the machine is
supported by two wheels, say two feet in diame-
ter. To keep the pan from fouling, a little ele-
vator skims from the surface of the oil and
water the dead 'hoppers and deposits them on
the ground behind. The machine is pushed
from behind, is nicely balanced and easily run
over rocks and rough ground. At the back of
the pans, extending upward, is a wire screen
about eighteen inches high, to prevent the 'hop-
pers from hopping over. This is all there is of
it, any boy can run it and its cost will not exceed
$20. Mr. Long has applied for a patent for the
machine, and will furnish them in any quantity
at $20 each. Persons interested can see at this
office, a full half-bushel of 'hoppers caught in
four hours' work, on about a half-acre of ground,
at Mr. L's. place, north of town. The lot
weighed 35 pounds, or about 70 pounds to the
bushel. If the celebrated grasshopper commis-
sion would spend a little of their funds as bounty
money, many ingenious minds would be at
work, devising means for the extermination of
the pests.

The Satin Flower. — Referring to the pretty
Californian bulb, Brodiaea coccinea, The Garden
uses " Satin Flower " for its common name.

The Cactus in Upholstery. — The writer has
a distinctly unpleasant recollection of Cactuses
as " pillows " in past times, when unsought, they
were found beneath his head. But by the fol-
lowing from a California paper, it would seem as

if they were now to find a legitimate use, if in-
deed Yuccas are not intended: — "An excellent
article of upholstery padding has been manufac-
tured by Mr. J. W. Findley from the bayonet
cactus. It is designed to take the place of curled
hair, and is far superior to the Eureka and other
fillmgs. The process of manufacture is very
simple and easy. Mr. Findley has applied for a
patent on his discovery, and with his partner,
Mr. C. F. Holman, will soon commence to make
up the material for market. Upholsterers of our
city who have examined Mr. Findley's specimen
pronounce it a first-class article, and have offered
from 10 to 15 cents per pound for it in quan-
tities."

A New Forage Plant — Cynoglossum Mor-
risoni. — A formidable antagonist has been found
for " Prickly Comfrey," in the common Beggar
Ticks. Says Mr. S.W. Brooks, of Brooks county,
South Carolina : — " The yield of this plant is very
great. It may be cut three times in a season,
growing up repeatedly from the old stumps, and
yields many hundreds of pounds to the acre at
each cutting." The samples which Mr. Brooks
carried to Gainesville were of the second cutting
of this year, and he will certainly get one, and,
perhaps, two more cuttings. It is not a peren-
nial, but the seed must be planted each year. It
produces well on poor lands, but, of course, does
better on rich soils. Horses, mules and cattle
will eat it up clean, stalks and all, and thrive on
it. It is botanically allied to the Symphytum,
and we do not see why it should not do just as
well. The only objection we see likely to be
made by those who have money to spend is that
it is not a " furriner."

Bothered by the English Name. — The Gar-
dener's Chronicle gives it up. It says : — "A cor-
respondent asks us to tell him of any means of
destroying the Wild Lily on a gravel path. We
know, or think we do, a Lily when we see one,
and are not altogether ignorant of the nature of
a gravel path, but a wild Lily on a gravel path is
indeed a puzzle to us. We may say at once that
a wild Lily, truly so called, on a gravel path, is a
myth of the Mrs. 'Arris description ; but, still,
what is meant by the word Lily? This is only
another illustration of the worthlessness of popu-
lar names. Speak to a botanist of a Lilium or a
Lily in its proper signification, and he knows
what you mean, but in popular parlance there
are African Lilies, Atamasco Lilies, Barbadoes
Lilies, Belladonna Lilies, Blackberry Lilies, Bris-

254

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[August,

bane Lilies ; other " Lilies," called Cape Coast,
Corfu, Cuban, Day, Fire, Flax, Lycoris, Guernsey,
Ixia, Jacobean, Knight's Star, Lent, Mexican,
Persian, Pond, Prairie, Eock, Rookwood, St. Bru-
no's Scarborough, Superb, Swamp, Trumpet,
Whitsun, to say nothing of Water Lilies, Lilies
of the Valley, and Lily of the Valley Tree, and
perhaps more. Now not one of these has any
claim whatever to be called a Lily ; moreover,
we do not think any one of them is likely to be
wild on a gravel path."

[It so happens that we can help our friend
though three thousand miles away from the home
of the inquiry. The " Lily " in the gravel path
is the Convolvulus arvensis, or field Bindweed.
We know of a " Hampshire Boy " who never
heard this plant by any other name, — and of peo-
ple who were badly bothered with them in gravel
walks, and they are getting troublesome here
too. Acids will destroy them. — Ed. G. M.]

A Prosperous Illinois Nursery. — Spalding
& Co., of Springfield, commenced the business
there in 1858 on 24 acres, which location was
given up in 1861 for railroad purposes, when
they rented three other tracts amounting to 62
acres, on which they carried on their business
until 1866, when they purchased their present
site of 80 acres near Biverton, six miles east of
Springfield. The soil was from timber land, a
strong, clayey loam, subsoil reddish clay. They
at once commenced underdraining with tile, and
now the whole is thoroughly underdrained every
30 feet with two, three, and four inch tile, laid
3 to 4j feet deep. In 1874 they added ninety
acres of land adjoining, and have nearly all
well filled with stock.

History of the Golden Pippin Apple. — says
an English writer : — The Golden Pippin, although
of the greatest antiquity, has very little early his-
tory. It is not the golden Pippin of John Park-
inson, because he speaks of it as a large variety.
Evelyn, in his Pomona, states that Lord Claren-
don had in his time at his estate in Berkshire an
orchard of a thousand Golden and other cider
Pippins, but no allusion is made to it as a dessert
Apple.

Origin of Some Old Apple Names. —The
Rev. C. H. Bulwer, an English clergyman, says:
" The etymology of the Joannetting or Jui.eat-
ing Apple is so singular and decides the names
of so many other Apples and Pears, that I shall
not apologize for selecting it. It is one of the
oldest and earliest bearing Apples, hence the

mistake about its name being Juneating, in allu-
sion to its maturity at the end of June or July.
Dr. Hogg traces its name to Joannetting, be-
cause its Apples ripened about St. John's day ;
and for a similar reason, the next apple I men-
tion, the Margaret Apple, derives its name from
St. Margaret's day, the 20th of July, when this
Apple would be in season. The Costard is one
of the oldest of our English Apples. This variety
is actually mentioned by name in a fruiterer's
bill in Edward I.'s reign in 1292, as previously
alluded to; and although now almost extinct,
still used to be so common that retailers of it
(even the very price mentioned at Is. per 100)
were called costard mongers, a name in popular
use now in the word costermonger. Some ety-
mologists, including the great Dr. Johnson, con-
sider the name Costard to be derived from cost,
a head, but how it is hard to say, or rather to see.
Dr. Hogg traces the name to costatus, anglice
costate or ribbed, on account of the prominent
ribs on its sides. The Quoining or Queening
Apple is an old Apple, of which we have many
varieties in Herefordshire (notably the Cowarne
Quoining, a most valuable Apple) which were
excellently and numerously shown at our pomo-
logical exhibition. The name Quoining may be
traced by the angularity of the shape of the
Apple, similarly as in the Costard, from the word
quoin or coin, the corner-stone of a building. The
Catshead is another very old Apple still grown
amongst us, but chiefly I have noticed in cot-
tagers' gardens, where it is gradually giving way
to the Hawthornden and Lord Suffield especi-
ally in Hertfordshire. Phillips sings its praises
thus — " The Catshead's weighty orb, enormous
in its growth." The Old or Winter Pearmain
must by no means be omitted. It is the very
oldest historic variety we have. In Bloom-
field's history of Norfolk, as quoted by Hogg,
there is curious mention made of a tenure in that
county by petty sergeantry and the payment of
two hundred Pearmains and four hogsheads of
cider of Permains into the Exchequer at the Feast
of St. Michael. The origin of the name is equally
curious. In early historical works of the same
period Charlemange is written Charleinaine, the
last syllable as Pearmaine; and as Charlemange
was derived from Carolus magnus, so Permaine
is derived from Pyrus magnus, the Great Pear
Apple, in allusion to its pyriform shape.

The Tree of the Blessed Virgin near
Cairo. — There is an old Sycamore tree at the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

255

village of Metarich, a few miles distant from
Cairo, and in the immediate neighborhood of the
ancient Heliopolis, whose site is now occupied
by a few scattered ruins and a picturesque
monolith of over 50 yards high. Near this
monolith is the present village of Metarich, an
old heap of houses in a state of ruin, presenting
a most wretched appearance, but surrounded,
however, by large and well-cultivated gardens,
in the center of which rises, with an imposing ap-
pearance, the large tree of the Blessed Virgin
(Segar el Marium), under whose shade tradition
has it that the Holy Family reposed at the time
of their flight into Egypt. This Sycamore is very
large ; seven men with extended arms could
hardly encircle it. Its age is unknown, but by
the concentric circle which a section of one of
its largest branches, which has been detached
from the trunk for some years past, presents, we
may conclude that it has withstood the storms
of several centuries. The present Viceroy of
Egypt, at the time of the inauguration of the
Suez Canal, presented this Sycamore to France,
in accordance with the desire expressed by the
Empress Eugenie, who went to see it. She had
it surrounded with an elegant railing, and ap-
pointed two guardians to protect it and take
care of the Lilies and Geraniums which she
caused to be planted around it; these guardians
are still paid by France. This tree is held in
great veneration not only by the Christians, but
even by the Arabs. Natives and foreigners
gather its leaves, to which they attribute thera-
peutic virtues.

[This is a kind of fig — the Ficus Sycamorus,
which is the Sycamore of the Scriptures. The
English Sycamore (Acer pseudo platanus) or
Sycamore Maple, no doubt derives its name from
a somewhat similar leaf, and the American Syca-
more (Platanus Occidentalls) from the resem-
blance of the leaf to the Sycamore Maple. — Ed.
G. M.]

Dartmouth College has conferred the degree
of Ph. D. on Marshall P. Wilder of Boston and
John Pv. Eastman of Washington ; the degree of
D. D. on President Buckham of Vermont Uni-
versity, and LL. D. on Edward F. Noyes, U. S.
Minister to France.

Kobert B. Parsons. — In acknowledging the
receipt of three new varieties of Magnolias in the
July number, page 198, an error made us say
*' R. B. Parsons & Son." There is no such firm.
We owe the attention to the personal kindness

of the above-named gentleman, who is the head
of the well-known firm of R. B. Parsons & Co.

Obituary. — R. Robinson Scott, formerly of
Philadelphia, died at Harrisburg, Pa., on the
24th day of June, in his 51st year.

American Pomological Society. — We would
again strongly urge the State Societies to send full
and representative delegations to hospitable Bal-
timore, at its Sixteenth session, commencing
Wednesday, September 12, 1877, at 10 o'clock
A. m., and continuing three days. See previous
announcement, May number, page 159.

All Horticultural, Pomological, Agricultural
and other kindred Associations in the United
States and British Provinces, are invited to send
delegations as large as they may deem expedient ;
and all persons interested in the cultivation of
fruits are invited to be present, and take seats in
the Convention.

The coming Session is expected to be unusu-
ally interesting from its location in the great
fruit-growing region of the Atlantic coast, and
from the experiences of the century embodied in
the reports of the State and local Horticultural
Societies.

Arrangements will be made with hotels, and,
as far as possible with the various railroad lines
terminating in Baltimore for a reduction of fare.
Rates made by Baltimore roads will apply only to
their lines. It is hoped that arrangements have
been, or will be made by the various delegations
with the roads in their own localities.

At the same time, from September 11th to 14th
inclusive, the Maryland Horticultural Society
will hold a grand exhibition of fruits, plants,
flowers and other products of Horticulture, by
which an increased interest will be given to the
occasion.

Packages of fruits with names of contributors,
may be addressed as follows: — "American Po-
mological Society, care of Wm. B. Sands, Balti-
more, Md."

Massachusetts already announces, in numbers
and statistics, a strong delegation, which, headed
by the honored President of the National Society,
will make her a host. Will not the other States
do as well, or possibly better?

Dick's Garden Hand-books. — The Vegetable
Garden, by James Hogg. NewYork, Dick & Fitz-
gerald. This is a little book, but is rare to find
one so well condensed. It is an epitome of vege-
table garden work for the whole season and for
every kind of crop. Mr. Hogg writes from ex-

256

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[August,

perience, and no one has experience of a better
quality. We have also from the same publishers
a hand-book of Recitations and Readings.

First Annual Report of the Ohio Fish
Commissioners, from J. H. Klippart, Secretary, is
received.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Damages for Delay. — A. L. asks : — " When a
nurseryman ships plants by railroad or steam-
boat and they are delayed an unreasonable time,
so as to spoil on the way, can the railroad or
steamboat come back on the shipper for freight ;
or are they as common carriers liable for damage
to the plants of the shipper? "

[Properly speaking, the goods belong to the
consignee, as soon as they are placed in the
hands of the company. But in perishable arti-
cles the consignee often says, " he did not order
goods," or questions the reasonableness of what
he regards as " delay," or neglects to come for
them till they are spoiled, and the railroad peo-
ple cannot realize their expenses by the sale of
spoiled goods. They often pay connecting roads
large sums of money as " back charges," all of
which they lose under these refusals. Under
these circumstances the leading roads refuse to
take perishable freight unless the rates are paid
in advance by the shipper, or the shipper guar-
antees that the freight shall be paid. It is often
a great annoyance to the shipper to have to come
under these rules, but we can see that while peo-
ple are made as they are, the railroad people
will naturally try to protect themselves. The
shipper must protect himself by being sure that
the person he sends to is a reasonable person,
before he undertakes to guarantee for him.

But there will be times when there really is
" unreasonable " delay by the railroad people.
Most railroad people that we have had dealings
with, promptly settle when this is made clear,
but there are some like some people who act on
the principle that when there is a loss let some
one else bear it. There is no remedy then but a
lawsuit, and this as a general thing, besides
being expensive, is little more than a game of
"toss penny." The wisest thing in these mat-
ters is so to pack that things will not suffer by a
little delay. If a shipment will probably take a
week, pack so that even a month on the road
will not hurt them. The customer is generally

expected to pay for packing, and as this is usu-
ally expressed and understood, he has the right
to look for a good job. If men in business un-
derstand their business properly, and charge
enough for good packing, and the customer wil-
lingly pays it, these railroad disputes would sel-
dom occur. — Ed. G. M.]

Amateur Marketing. — "A Cabbage," Balti-
more, Md., writes : — " I engaged in this place as
gardener, and it suited very well for a year, but
the master wishes me to sell the surplus fruits,
flowers and vegetables to help pay the garden
expenses. I do not think it is right for a gentle-
man to engage in this business, and wish you.
would say so in the Gardener's Monthly. Doesn't
it hurt the trade?"

[This is a question which the Gardener's
Monthly cannot decide. Every gentleman must
decide this for himself. Amateur gardeners, of
course, follow gardening for pleasure, and when
you engaged with him it was to administer to
this gardening pleasure, and it may not be quite
fair to you to be called on to undertake com-
mercial affairs without your entire consent. So
far we think you are right. Perhaps also the
"trade" may not feel kindly toward one who
sells as he does. He sells for fifty cents what
cost him a dollar to raise, simply because " he
has to keep a gardener anyhow," and he " may
as well get some of it back again," and yet when
the " trade " offers its dollar's worth, he is told it
can be " had for half that," and he has to sell at
a loss. But having admitted all this, we still
cannot see why a gentleman has not a perfect
right to do it. Suppose he finds it costly to keep
a carriage and pair of horses, why not hire it out
to carry passengers to and from the depot at odd
times ? He could afford to do it for half the price
of the regular " cabby," as profit is not in ques-
tion, so much as the " bringing of a little in." Or
if he choose to hire out his piano for public con-
certs at half the price of the music stores ; his
pictures at a small percentage, to help a show ;
or even get his cook to bake a few pies and cakes
at odd times, and dispose of them to the confec-
tionery stores for what they will bring, in order
to help pay the servants' wages. We know of no
reason at all beyond what every one can decide
for himself why he has not a right to do so. It
is a matter of taste. — Ed. G. M.]

Grapes Under Glass. — G. E. S., Boston, Mass.
Chorlton's Grape-growers Guide will suit you.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

SEPTEMBER, 1877.

Number 225,

<25?v?

Xower §|arden and Pleasure §|round.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The arrangement of colored leaved plants into
masses, so as to look like carpets and ribbands, is
still popular, and is likely to keep its hold on us
for several years yet, especially as we have not
near reached the perfection the art has been
raised to in Europe. It is best to get the
designs colored out now, so that we can tell
exactly what plants to prepare for the work
another season. We have a larger number of
plants to work with than Europeans have, and
some unique designs could be worked out. The
commonest plants, even weeds can often be used
to great effect, not only for this but for other
work.

At this season of the year, people think of
making cuttings of bedding and other plants, in
order for another year. The best way to propa-
gate all the common kinds of bedding plants is
to take a frame or hand-glass and set it on a bed
of very sandy soil made in a shady place in the
open air. The sand should be fine and sharp,
and there is, perhaps, nothing better than river
sand for this purpose. The glass may be white-
washed on the inside, so as to afford additional
security against injury from the sun's rays.
Into this bed of sand, cuttings of half ripened
wood of the desirable plants may be set, and
after putting in, slightly watered. Even very
rare plants often do better this way than when
under treatment in a regular propagating house.
In making cuttings, it is best to cut the shoots

just under a bud— they root better, and are not
so likely to rot off and decay. A cutting of
about three eyes is long enough for most strong
growing things, such as Geraniums, Fuchsias,
&c.

In many parts of the Northern States the
leaves will have changed color previous to the
incoming 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 sea-
son does come. What leaves remain on should
be stripped 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 beginning of November in the North-
ern and Middle States, it is better, as a rule,
deferred till Spring. In those States where little
frost occurs, this rule will not apply. The roots
of plants grow all Winter, and a plant set out in
the Fall has the advantage over spring set trees;
that its roots in Spring are in a position to sup-
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 frost draws out the roots, and thus more
than counterbalances any advantage from the
pushing of new roots. Very small plants are,
therefore, best left till Spring for their final
planting. It is, however, an excellent plan to
get young things on hand in Fail, and bury them

258

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

entirely with earth, until wanted in Spring. Such
things make a stronger growth the next season,
than if just dug before transplanting.

As soon as Dutch bulbs can be obtained, they
should be at once planted. Of all fertilizers, well-
rotted cow-manure has been found best for them,
and especially if mixed with a portion of fine
sand. They should be set about four inches
beneath the surface of the ground, and a little
sand put about the root when being planted.
A very wet soil usually rots the roots, and a dry
one detracts from the size of the blooms. A soil
in which the generality of garden vegetables do
well, is one of the best for these plants.

Those who have no greenhouse, and yet are
desirous of preserving many half-hardy plants
through the Winter, employ cold pits. Choose
the dryest 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 thebase 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 wooded and decidu-
ous plants, as lemon verbena, fuchsias, etc., may
be safely stored, while the more succulent kinds
are shelved overhead. The plants to be pre-
served in such a pit should be potted early, and
be well established and healthly 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 employed 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
n Kikes 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 He on undisturbed 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.

GOMMUNIGA TIONS.

DIPLACUS GLUTINOSUS.

BY WILLIAM FALCONER.

This is a remarkably pretty shrubby Mimu-
lus, a native of California, not hardy here, but
an excellent subject for greenhouse decoration
in Spring, and the flower garden in Summer. Its
blooms are comparatively large, orange buff,
axillary, and profusSly borne on the short-
jointed stems and branches. It roots readily
from cuttings, and the smallest plants bloom.
Out of doors it is said to prefer a moist or
swampy soil, but judging from our own plants —
some growing by a water Spring and others in
common garden soil and location — I cannot
perceive a preference, for in both cases the plants
are thrifty and heavily bloomed.

LILIUM HUMBOLTII.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CALIFORNIA.

Lilium Humboltii is a native of California, it
is found along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains and in the northern part of the State.

This plant was first discovered by Roezl, who
named it after Baron Humbolt, Humboltii; a
short time afterwards it was again discovered by
another eminent botanist, Dr. Kellogg, who
named it Bloomeranium, after Bloomer, a noted
Cal fornia botanist. Which name is the proper
one, it would be hard to say, it is offered in the
market under both names, some dealers not
thinking two names were enough, have gave it
several others, such as Californicum, and I see
by the January Gardener's Monthly it is sold in
Europe under the name Humboltianum, not
much different from Humboltii, but enough to
cause confusion, and disappoint many who buy
under one name and then under the other.

The flowers are of a golden yellow color,
spotted ; the spots on first opening of the flower
are of a purple shade, but change to brown in a
few days.

The flowers are about six to eight inches in
diameter ; the petals turning backwards almost
touch the flower stem, forming the flower into a

187T.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

259

ball which gives it the appearance of being a
golden ball.

CULTURE.

In its native places it grows in rather dry,
light soil ; the bulbs which are very large, often
weighing three quarters of a pound, are always
found deep in the ground ; never less than nine
inches, and oftener a foot or more.

such yards and lawns where large trees would
be unbecoming. For cemeteries and small yards
in towns and cities it can hardly be excelled.
Its growth is compact, the leaves are small and
glossy, giving it a refined appearance, and in the
Spring it is literally covered with flowers. It
also bears a light crop of red sour cherries. (The
cut below represents the tree in bloom.)

In planting them, select a high, dry place, in
the full sunshine. The soil should be light and
rich, but no fresh manure must be allowed.

Get good healthy bulbs, plant them not less
than nine inches, and give them no water except
what they get naturally, and you must succeed.

I had one last Summer that bore fifty flowers,
thirty of which were open at once.

THE WEEPING CHERRY.

BY GEO. ACHELIS, WEST CHESTER, PA.

It is really surprising how little this really
beautiful little tree is known, even among many
nurserymen and tree dealers. It deserves to be
introduced everywhere, as it is perfectly hardy
and highly ornamental, besides being suitable in

[We quite agree with Mr. Achelis that few
trees deserve more attention. It is far superior
to many small weepers that are in more common
use.— Ed. G. M.]

THE NORWAY SPRUCE.

BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

A while since, I earnestly plead in this Journal
the cheap deserts of our native trees and shrubs,
for rural decoration. With taste and home-bred
liking, I claimed, even neglected New England
Cedars, and outcast Jersey Pines, as possible
" ministers of grace," in the hands of a deft and
thrifty taste. But for this rank and cheap heresy
against the canons of the orthodox and costly
gardenesque, your very able President, J. J. S.t

260

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

doomed me to their drear and hushed compan-
ionship. The decree welcomed me to "ways of
pleasantness, and paths of peace." Besides the
sandy sameness and outcast fellowship of those
pitch pines, in our late " unpleasantness," I had
tramped " on many weary marches," all the way
down to flowery Florida. Ere long, " in the
spirit" or in the flesh, I hope, with that same
Horticultural judge and Daimio, to skirt along
those dreamy pine wood glades till, "away down
in Dixie," we look on sunny pictures framed
therewith, and draped with the silvery sheen of
moss. Oh ! the glory of those pitch-pine woods,
their stretching glades, their palm-tuft ham-
mocks, with orange groves atween.

Awaiting, in pen or person, a glimpse of those
quiet " scenes to memory dear," I offer rescue
from a worse doom than mine, to one of those
foreign evergreens, around which hang the
glamour and loveliness of cost. Banishment
awaits the Norway Spruce, unless a way is shown
to mend its failings. In its youth, and some
what into the cone-bearing age, it wears thrift
and comeliness and shelter, in its quick, dense
growth, but no sooner has it towered up to the
stature, and graceful'sweep and droop of limb, so
coveted by Downing, than our tearing wintry
wind takes it in hand. Year by year, a seared
and shrunken foliage gives it the shrivel of "the
lean and slippered pantaloon." It loses that
well-filled-out and robust look, without which,
the evergreens, unlike deciduous trees, hang
gaunt and skeleton. This painful aspect of pre-
mature old age'imore than rivals even the bereft
and waning form of a venerable New England
Cedar. The Cedar, stark and partly stripped
of foliage, never forgets its attitude of the pic-
turesque, but an old worn Spruce has a distressed
look in its scant and shrunken toggery. The
feeling bids us almost say "why cumbereth it
the ground ? "

Again, the^young Norway Spruce has a thick
growth and bulky spread, whose untutored form
soon crowds and cramps a small homestead.
The very'vigor of the tree stretches too much
over thejward. It clutters the space due to
other plants. The little, comely cone-shapes,
which the nursery sends us, in such varied style,
quickly outstrip the purpose of their planting,
and task us to limit both their tower and spread.
Most people solve the puzzle somewhat as did
those who shortened the dog's tail, close behind
his ears. Some waste the growth of years and
cut clean out the cluttering torment, whether

young or old. Others lop off the lower limbs,
till the tree puts on, instead of grace, the ungain-
liness of a giant toadstool, or an upset top. I
confess rooting clean out suits me better than
such shaping of a Norway Spruce, or any other
evergreen, into a clownish, spooky scarecrow.

Now, there is no need of putting this ungainli-
ness on nature's forms. Instead of such brain-
less, tasteless makeshifts, there is a cheap and
easy way to fashion the Norway Spruce, at
almost any stage of its natural growth, into
graceful fitness for our need. It comes out of
that reaction and severed vitality of the tree,
following sharp and strong, the bold surgery of
knife and saw upon its limbs. The work needs
sense and the skill begot of brains or trial, but
it suits the Spruce at every age. It will not
rebel at any lopping which does not come pretty
close to what most people would like to see the
Spitz tails get. Until the tree has lost its robust
form, you may fashion it at will. Sheared into
a cone, either stout or slim, it will bristle with
verdure. Cut out on a young tree, alternate
whole or parts of limbs, and a heavy burst of
foliage will load the rest into the graceful droop
of vigorous maturity. When one full-grown has
shifted its dense inner drapery and sheltering
verdure to its outer tassel tips, the same reactive
surgery will robe on its gaunt unseemliness the
stout garment which its youth wears against the
searching gird of the wintry wind.

Now, I cannot better set out the way to do
such work, than my usual one of an example.
Some years since, in my ground, a Norway
Spruce towered up to forty feet or more of grace-
ful vigor ; the earth, dry deep down, after a long
drouth, had frozen away down beneath the sur-
face; then came along that tearing, scathing,
freezing wind, which many evergreens will never
forget. The dry breath of the wintry blast
seared and tore out with its frosty fingers, worse
than the scorch of Summer's sun or drouth.
Everywhere death and blight reached our ever,
greens; big gashes of verdure were gouged out
of kindly protecting hedges; here some single
gladdener of the lawn, there, out of a group,
some stout, full-clad favorite felt the death
shiver of this blast to its very marrow.

That same thirsty, tearing wind struck my
big Norway Spruce. It did not show many
marks of the shock till Spring, then its full
drape and droop of frond and foliage took on a
shrunken feebleness. From a most robust and
stalwart specimen, the icy breeze had withered

187.7.].

AND HOB TIC UL T URIS T.

261

it to a shriveled, lank-limbed uncomeliness. I
endured the torment of its stricken form, and
struggled for recovery for a year. The next
Spring made trial of my surgery. I stood below
and engineered the work, so that I might save
the just proportions of the tree. Now mark,
the exact method, graded as to size somewhat,
will suit trees of any stature.

First, about eight feet of the spire was lopped
down to some dormant buds and little tassels,
just above a tier of smallish limbs. Then those
limbs were cut back to the last stout top tassel,
or little side shoots next the trunk. Then on
the next plateau beneath, each branch was
shortened to the first tassel and side limbs, out-
s;de the ends of those above. Thus adown the
tree to the circuit of branches that swept the
ground, leaving each curved whorl of limbs a
little longer than the last above, the same
regimen was kept up. If, by chance, some limb
could be taken, with benefit to those around, it
was cut clean out. The aim was to give the
renewed tree, as near as could be, the likeness
and proportions of its best estate.

The hoped for result was reached. The very
season after this method was tried, my Spruce
healed well over and hid the stumps where cut.
The little tassels swelled out and stretched over
the scars in vigorous stoutness and graceful
droop. The end tassels and side limbs, and
those further in, all took up the same strong
growth, and a little outward and more downward
weeping. Little spires shot up from the trunk
top, thence onward, all over the tree, graceful
droop of verdure, robust vigor and dense foliage
have prevailed. The color holds rich, bright
and lasting. Hardly one single limb was lost.
When such was cut out, the new growth hung
down and spread out to fill the space.

Thirty or more feet beyond mine, a neighbor's
younger Spruce, sheltered by his house escaped
the scathe of mine. Since, no such frosty wind
and dried up soil have joined hands to ruin them,
yet they have not gained in comeliness with the
years since passed. Gradually they are taking
on a form bereft of that inside trunk and limb-
sheltering verdure which my big tree has gained
and keeps. It has no rival hereabouts in health
and vigor, and in rich, dark verdure held
throughout the year. Everywhere around us
I see this Spruce, after a few years, abandoning
the style and bearing of its earlier life, or taking
on that same sparse foliage, lank, uncomfortalle
look. It's evident to me there is no way given

to restore and keep this tree in its best estate
and form but just that method which has
brought mine so marked success.

It seems to me very fortunate that this Spruce
is so endowed with reactive force. Few places
in this country are large enough, or if they start
so, few will long hold breadth enough to endure
the improving stature and spread of our biggest
evergreens. A little place soon looks swallowed
up and smothered, by stalwart Pines and Spruces.
Great specimens of such are well enough for
public parks, but there are few broad acre pri-
vate grounds to which a generation gone does
not bring " subtraction or division," along with
the " silence " of their owners graves. Yet, kept
gracefully within bounds, and close-draped with
thick foliage, under my regimen, the Norway
Spruce will snugly shelter all by its screen, and
yield its comely cheer and presence in Summer's
sun and wintry gloom.

AN EVERGREEN PLANTATION.

BY W. T. BELL, FRANKLIN, PA.

I have a narrow, good-for-nothing strip of
ground, about ten rods from my house, its
nearest boundary being a small, winding stream,
while the other side reaches to a dividing fence.
It is so rocky that it is almost useless for tillage,
and I concluded that the best use I could make
of it was to plant it with evergreens. It was
thinly covered with small chestnuts, oaks,
maples, etc., and any that were likely to injure
the future occupants of the ground, by falling
on them, were cut down ; the brush was gathered
and burned, and without further preparation
my site was ready for planting. I had a quantity
of shrubs and trees on hand, consequently there
was little selection of kinds to be made.

The front of the strip, next the stream and
the house, was set with American Arborvitae,
varied occasionally with Hemlock Spruce
(which, by the way, is one of the finest, hardy
evergreens grown, when properly treated), and
American Rose Bay (Rhododendron maxi-
mum), while at suitable places, at the extreme
margin, a few plants of the Dwarf Yew, or
Ground Hemlock (Taxus Canadensis), were
placed.

The background was filled mainly with Nor-
way Spruce, sparingly interspersed with Beech,
to be still further relieved by a few White
Stemmed Birch and a specimen or two of the

262

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

Purple-leaved Beech. The Arborvitse were set
about eight feet apart and the larger-growing
trees at proportionate distances, not in straight
rows, like an orchard, but imitating the irregu-
larity of nature. The planting was quickly done
in this way :

Small holes were dug with a mattock, and the
trees (already trimmed, and which had been
several times transplanted) were taken up, with
nearly all their roots and a mass of soil adhering
to them, and placed in the holes ; the loose sur-
face soil was drawn about the roots and well
worked in with a sharp-pointed stick. As soon
as the roots were thus covered, the soil was
stamped down all around, as firmly as possible,
by the feet; more soil was drawn in, stamped
again, the tree straightened up, the surface
finally filled in and covered with a good coat
of leaves and small brush. No water was used,
and, although some of the trees were four or
five feet high, I would not give any one four
cents to warrant the whole lot to grow. My
little plantation, or copse, is already quite a
noticeable feature in our landscape, and will
become more so every year ; its never-failing
green forming a point that the eye is glad to
rest upon.

EDITORIAL NOTES

Omphalodes verna. — This is a charming pe-
rennial, some six inches high, with creeping
shoots and azure blue Forget-me-not like flowers,
and is as hardy as a Moneywort. It blooms late
in April and through May, and feels at home
in the flower border, the rockery, or naturalized
in half-wild shady places. It can be increased
very readily by dividing the plants when they
have done blooming, and, if need be, these
divisions may be again divided in August, if a
moist, shady frame, or nook, be granted them,
and all will be strong plants to stand the Winter.

The Polyanthus.— What can give us more
satisfaction, in the way of flowers, than a cold
frame full of these? They are old-fashioned,
pretty, most floriferous, and no plants are easier
managed. A good strain is everything. Large,
brilliantly colored flowers, with symmetrically
round corollas and distinct gold lacings, are
what we want, and by care and selection can
easily have. They produce and grow from seeds

very readily, and by dividing the finer sorts after
blooming, and discarding the poorer, we can
increase and improve our stock. They like to
be planted out in Summer in a somewhat moist,
shady nook, and thence transposed to the frame
on the approach of Winter. From April till
June they are aglow.

ACALYPHA TRICOLOR IN THE FLOWER GARDEN.

— This crimson-copper leaved Euphorbia was
used last year as a bedding plant in the Botanic
Gardens, Washington, with striking results. In-
termixed with green-leaved tropicals, it had
almost as telling an effect as scarlet flowers
have on Zonal Pelargoniums, and the substan-
tiality, size and brilliant coloring of the leaves
far exceeded that of the same kind of plants
grown indoors. This Acalypha propagates
readily from cuttings of the young wood, in a
brisk heat, with, or without bottom heat.

Azalea calendulacea. — This is the chief
parent of our improved hardy Azalea, and
Mr. Van Buren, of Clarksville, Ga., gives the
following interesting account of their behavior
in their native woods to the Country Gentleman :
"The class A. calendulacea grow here to the
height of from ten to fifteen feet, and are of
every conceivable shade and color, from the
palest yellow up through golden to orange, and
thence on to scarlet and crimson and variegated.
They frequently cross with A. nudiflora, having
some of the petals of a pink or rose color, and
the others of some shade of orange, yellow or red.
We have one growing by the side of the porch of
our house, some fifteen feet high and ten feet or
more in diameter, which annually has myriads
of flowers. It is now in all its glory. I send
you one of the flowers ; one petal yellow, and
four of a shade of scarlet. The scarlet and
crimson varieties are probably the most beauti-
ful, as the colors are very brilliant. It is rather
a difficult matter to transplant them success-
fully, as they have in their wild state very large
uncouth roots, caused by the annual burning
of the woods, which kills the tops down to the
ground. This does not injure the roots, which
continue to grow and send up new shoots ; but
the roots have very few fibres. I have hunted
a great deal to find young seedlings, but have
never succeeded in finding one, nor have I ever
known any one else to find any. They produce
an abundance of very fine dust-like seeds, but
I have never tried sowing the seeds."

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

263

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Ipomcea leptophylla.— This is a hardy her-
baceous Morning Glory— not a climber or trailer!
It is a native of the plains of Nebraska and
Wyoming, to Texas and New Mexico. It has
massive fleshy roots, that work deeply into the
earth, ascending stems— sometimes procumbent
with erect laterals— two to five feet long, small
linear leaves three to four inches long, by one-
fourth inch or less in breadth, and rosy-purple,
funnel-shaped flowers some three inches long.
Our specimen is growing in the sunny face of a
rockery, and is very thrifty and floriferous. It
is June before its stems venture above ground,
but then it grows rapidly, and is in bloom by
the 20th of July. Mr Hovey, of Cambridgeport,
speaks discouragingly of it, in so far as all his
attempts to get it to flower, fail. Our specimen,
being well established, gets no care, and, so far
as we know, needs none. — W. Falconer.

Solanum Torreyi. — A perfectly hardy and
very showy perennial species, a native of the
prairies of Kansas and Texas. From mid-July
till Fall it bears, quite freely, corymbs of pur-
plish-violet flowers that are from one to one and
a half inches across. The leaves are many,
moderately ample, hispid, five to seven lobed,
bright green, with a rusty violet suffusion along
the edges and petioles of those at the end of the
branches, also on the growing points. There
are a few small green prickles along the midrib,
and sparingly on the larger veins, on the back
of the leaf. The cord-like underground stems
penetrate deeply, and from pieces of them
young plants are raised. Last year we had but
one specimen, which, on account of alterations
being made where it grew, we were obliged to
remove, and not being aware of its life-tenacity,
we were particular to lift it with all the roots
possible, and dug three feet deep to effect our
purpose. Some broken roots were scattered
about the hole, and now, where we had but one
plant last year, we have a dozen unlooked for
plants to-day. It enjoys the sun, and seems to
bear our drouths unflinchingly. — W. Falconer.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Variations in Junipers. — J. G. R. R. writes as
follows : — " I send herewith a twig of what I
have for the Irish Juniper. It grows branchy,

and the leaves fall apart. I see it at other places
growing so compact and smooth. Can it be that
it is the soil I have it growing in causes this
habit, or have I the wrong thing? My other
evergreens behave somewhat in the same way,
particularly the Arborvitses. Now, if I have the
true variety, will the trees, when transplanted
into other soil, assume their natural or ordinary
shape? If an answer to this would be in place
in the columns of the Monthly, it will oblige a
constant reader and subscriber."

[The Irish Juniper is one of many varieties
of the common Juniper (Juniperus communis),
and differs only from it in growing very upright
and compact, instead of bushy. This being the
only difference, a twig such as is sent is not
sufficient to determine it. It looks like the Irish
Juniper. We have never heard of soil making
any material change in its character. The
character of these varieties, such as the stiff
upright growth of the Irish and the yellower
tint of the Swedish, cannot be maintained in
seedlings; but has to be kept up by propagating
the plants from cuttings.— Ed. G. M.]

Dahlias in California. — A correspondent in
Cal. writes as follows : — " Our gardens are doing
very well ; but of one thing I have to complain,
and that is the Dahlias. I planted as usual, but
they were in too big a hurry ; they are now in
full bloom, some of them six feet high ; they
never bore such large flowers since I had them.
With a little water, plants in California grow
monsters. I had Digitalis this Spring nine feet
high. Is it any wonder we have large trees ? "

Damage by a Beetle. — Eastern-shore-man,
Maryland, writes: — "Having noticed in July
number of Monthly the complaint of a New
Jersey correspondent, in regard to the " May
Beetle" in Raspberry plants, I am induced
thereby to appeal to you for information. If in
your possession, how to prevent the ravages of a
beetle of the same kind,which through the months
of May and June, and during the night, preys
upon the foliage of certain kinds of fruit and
shade trees — Heart Cherries, more particularly
among fruits, and Kilmarnock Willow, Mountain
Ash, Purple-leaved Beech and Cut-leaved Bicch,
among shade trees. Sometimes the Carolina
Poplar is included in this list, but Maples, Alders,
Magnolias and many others, are never troubled.
I have been trying, for the past three years, to
hit upon something that would drive them, but
to no purpose as yet ; and as I am not yet willing

264

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[September,

to unconditionally surrender to their use trees
above named, my hopes centre upon the assist-
ance of a more scientific student.

I have dusted the foliage of the trees with
sulphur (when the leaves were damp); have
sprinkled with water strongly impregnated with
gas-tar ; also water with coal oil, but all to no
purpose, as nightly the leaves continue to dis-
appear. Have you ever been similarly pestered ?
If so, will you be good enough to enlighten me
as to how I can preserve the foliage of my
"pets," and with it their lives? If the beetles
were day-workers I would have revenge, but, as
it is, they have a two-fold advantage."

[So far as we can understand, this must be the
common "May Beetle," or one of its allies.
Thpy are never very destructive where crows
abound; they afford a very delicious morsel to
these much-abused birds. They used to be com-
mon on the trees of the public squares of Philadel-
phia, but the sparrows keep them wholly down.
We saw half a dozen birds in a fight over an
unlucky one that had strayed into Logan Square,
a few days ago. The encouragment of insectivo-
rous birds is the best antidote to these beetles.
—Ed. G. M.]

Our Contributors. — K. says :— " I hardly like
to write when you have already such an admir-
able corps of contributors, who make the maga-
zine, I think, the best in the world ! " [But we
beg to say that, though we highly appreciate the
compliment to the many good writers who so
kindly help us, we have always room for a few
more. We do not ask for long articles, which
take valuable time to write, but prefer the brief
notes of thought or experience, dashed off on the
spur of the occasion. — Ed. G. M.]

Garden Flowers in California.— The increas-
ing taste for gardening in California is well
attested by the numerous notes we receive from
correspondents, as to what they are doing there,
and which it always gives us pleasure to receive.
Hero is what one writes to us about some well-
known flowers: — "You say you like to hear of
fine plants, shall I tell you of some of mine?
I have a fine Fuchsia, 'Brilliant' by name; it
was in the mail bag in May, 1S76; it commenced
flowering in September, and from that day to
this it has not been without flowers. It had
ninety odd flowers on it at one time; it now has
three pairs of twins, that is, two flowers the tubes
of which are united, while the corollas are

distinct. Again, I have a foliage Begonia, with
leaves over a foot across, and twice as long.
Another, a Perennial Phlox, with a head on
fifteen inches across. Once more, a Tiger Lily,
with a flower eleven and a half inches from tip
to tip of opposite petal. I don't think you will
believe half of this, but it is all true."

Asplenium Trichomanes.— A. C. Tuttle, Bara-
boo, Wis., sends us, for name, the above very
pretty fern, which he says is quite abundant at
Devil's Lake, near him.

Chrysanthemum fceniculatum. — G., Louis-
ville, Ky., sends us, for name, the above, which
he says he has had several years, and always
attracts attention in his garden by its pretty
foliage. The flower itself is white, like the com-
mon Ox-eye Daisy, but the glaucous, fennel-like
leaves are beautiful.

Convolvulus arvensis — W. P. P., Onargo, 111.,
writes : — "I send you inclosed a vine that is fast
taking possession of a corner of my grounds.
The tenacity with which it holds on to life, and
its wonderful capacity for extending itself over,
are alarming me. It sends its main root down
perpendicularly, I do not know how far. The
one I send you is nearly three feet long, and
where it was cut off it is about as large as it is
at or near the surface of the ground. It has a
small white blossom, probably about half the
size of the common Morning Glory. Can you
tell me what it is, and the best method of subdu-
ing it? Cultivation seems to have no effect
upon it, except to check its growth for the time
being. I have covered it up, several feet deep,
with mulch, and yet it forces its way up through.
Please respond, and greatlj' oblige one of your
subscribers."

[This is that identical " Lily " about which we
made a note from an English paper recently.
Its " proper" common name is the " Field Bind-
weed," and its botanical name Convolvulus
arvensis. Perseverance in digging it out care-
fully, every time you see a green leaf, is the
only remedy, and it is effectual.— Ed. G. M.]

Pruning Evergreens. — Mary S., writes : "Can
you tell me how I can make a Norway Spruce
get back again the beauty of its early years. I
suppose you will say 'plant another;' but if
there is any way to mend it I would prefer."

[" Plant another ! " No, — rather we say read
Gen. Noble's paper in this number. — Ed. G. M.|

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

265

ffREEN MOUSE AND

^3- o j

ouse Gardening.

SEASONABLE BINTS.

Those who wish to have rooms or green-
houses gay through the Winter, must soon

gardeners say, about the end of the month, and
put into pots for the purpose. In lifting these,
it is best to choose a dull day for it, if possible,
and when potted they should be thoroughly

<

3

a-

>

w

en

w
O

begin to think of it now. There may be many
things growing in the open ground that would
look well in pots, and these may be "lifted," as

soaked with water and placed in a shed, or some
other cool shady spot, for a few days, or the
leaves will wither and fall, and of course mate-

266

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ September,

rially detract from the beauty of the plant.
Other little things in pots may also be potted
into a trifle larger pots, if they show signs of
growing freely, though care must be taken not
to have the pots too large. Large pots are objec-
tionable in window gardening. Hanging baskets
may also be got ready now, so that the plants in
them may grow and get well established before
the Winter sets in. Many pretty ornamental
designs, out of very common things, may be
applied to pot culture for rooms, and often with
very good effect. All that is essential to be
be remembered is, that whatever is done or
employed, whether shells, old crockery, wood-
work or wire, some provision must always be
made for the rapid draining away of water.
This is what the holes are for in the bottom of
flower pots, and all substitutes must have some
such way for water to escape.

In our gardens we have now many hardy
bulbs which are well looked after, but we have
rather neglected bulb culture in rooms, and yet
there is nothing easier, and few things more
interesting. Last season we saw in several
rooms good plants of the Amaryllis Johnsoni, and
the whole tribe of Amaryllis is, indeed, among the
best of bulbs for this purpose. We do not know
any American nurseryman who makes a
specialty of them, but a few years ago Mr. John
Sherwood, of Bristol, Pa., had a good collection.
The number of varieties (by hybridization) and
species (by importations), have so much increased
in Europe, that now they have some kinds
that will bloom —one or another — all the year
through. For the benefit of those who may not
know what are Amaryllises, we give a cut on the
preceding page of a new kind, introduced by Mr.
Wm. Bull, from Lima, in Peru (A. VittataHarriso-
nise), and which he thus describes : — "A remarka-
bly distinct and effective variety of Amaryllis. It
has a stout glaucous green scape, bearing a two-
valved spathe, from which issue several (about
five) pedicellate flowers, which are remarkable
for their long narrow tube, fully three and a half
inches in length, the segments of which are
slightly spreading at the tip, opaque waxy white,
and marked on each of the six segments with
two broad deep crimson lines, running a con-
siderable distance down the tube. The flowers
are sweet-scented, with a faint order of Daphne."
They are so easy of culture that we have known
some to flower year after year in the same pot,
and under neglect that would destroy most
ordinary plants.

Those who have greenhouses, pits or frames,
will now see to having any necessary repairs
attended to. White-washing annually is service-
able, destroying innumerable eggs of insects, in
the war against which the gardener should take
the initiative; sulphur mixed with the white-
wash is also serviceable. Powerful syringing is
a great help to keeping plants clean, and should
be frequently resorted to.

It is a very good time to look around for
soil for potting purposes. The surface soil of
an old pasture forms the best basis, which can
afterwards be lightened with sand, or manured
with any special ingredients to suit special cases,
as required. The turfy or peaty surfaces of old
wood or bogs also come very " handy." A stock
of moss should also be on hand for those who
crock pots, in order to cover the potsherd ; moss
also comes in useful for many purposes con-
nected with gardening, and should be always on
hand.

Ornamental annuals for winter-flowering
should be at once sown, not forgetting Mignon-
ette, to be without which will be an unpardon-
able sin. Chinese Primroses, Cinerarias, Calceo-
larias, Pansies, Polyanthus, etc., should be sown.
Winter-blooming Carnations and Violets should
not be forgotten. They are now essentials in all
good greenhouse collections. The Calla Ethio-
pica, old as it is, is a universal favorite, and
should now be repotted, when it will flower
through the Winter finely. Oxalis, Sparaxis,
Cyclamens, and such Cape bulbs that flower
through the Winter, should be replotted now.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

TABERN/EMONTANA CORONARIA FLORE-
PLENO.

BY EDWIN LONSDALE, GERMANTOWN, PA.

Knowing your just appreciation of the good
and the beautiful, I send flowers for your gratifi-
cation that were taken from a plant I have here
under the above name. No flowering plant is
worthy of more praise than this one. In color,
elegance in the arrangement of the petals,
delicacy in fragrance, freedom of bloom, it has
few equals and no superior. The color is pure
white ; the petals are elegantly crimped at the
edges, and there is less formality in the make-up
of the flower than any other with which I am
acquainted.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

26T

The plant from which the flowers were taken
is planted out in a prepared bed in a rose house,
where it is a mass of healthy foliage, flowers
and buds. I have estimated there are upwards
of two thousand flowers and buds, in various
stages of development, on it at the present time.
It is about three feet high, and two and a half
feet through ; of compact growth, making a
handsome show.

By the casual observer it is generally taken
for a Gardenia, but it differs from that well-
known genus in its producing its flowers in
cymes. As a flowering shrub it is more useful
than strikingly ornamental, for the flowers are
generally found nestled amongst the foliage ;
this is owing to the plant throwing out two
shoots — one on each side of the cyme — before
any of the flowers have expanded. It answers
very well to the description given to T. camassa
in the Monthly for June. If the new comer
proves superior, in any one particular, to the
subject of this sketch, there is no doubt about
its being a very valuable acquisition.

A NEW USE FOR THE LADY BUG.

BY C. J. H., CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

While we have been looking for some safe,
sure and cheap remedy for the green fly as it
attacks our plants in the dwelling house where
tobacco smoke cannot be easily used, lo! a
panacea, in the shape of our lady bugs, is at
hand, and answers the purpose precisely. A
gentleman of our city, having a vine which was
covered with the pests (green flies), took up a
handful of the lady bugs, and placed them on
the plant one evening. The next morning not
a green fly was to be seen. All were devoured,
and so perfect was the work done that not one
has been seen since. Cannot we make still more
use of them ?

WINTERING EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS.

BY WM. FALCONER, CAMBRIDGE BOT. GARDEN.

Last year we planted out a six-foot high plant
of the Blue Gum tree, and lifted it an eleven-foot
specimen. Having been previously grown in a
pot it lifted with a ball, and we tied up its
branches loosely, and planted, or rather "heeled
in," the tree, in a sloping position, in a six feet
deep cold frame, which was ventilated on every
favorable occasion, throughout the Winter. It
wintered first-rate, without the loss of a leaf,
and now again it is out, a big and thrifty tree.

REMEDY FOR SLUGS.

BY MR. J. M. JORDAN, ST. LOUIS, MO.

Permit me to say to florists, who are troubled
with slugs destroying plants, that they can be
easily caught by spreading leaves of lettuce on
the benches, or among the plants. They eat
it in preference to any other plant, and it seems
to stupify them so that they can be caught in
the morning.

NOTE ON THE NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS.

BY J. J. N.

The Night-blooming Cereus isn't always "night
blooming," in the common acceptation of the
term. A variety (most probable the erectus)
blossomed this year on June 5th, and at nine
o'clock the next morning they were fully ex-
panded, though they withered soon after. It
gave a second course of blooms June 30th, and
they were open at seven o'clock p. m., and re-
mained till eight A. m. the next day. Was it not
due to the low temperature of the house, it not
being more than 00° ?

REINWARDTIA TRIGYNA.

BY F.

One of the brightest and best of winter-bloom-
ing plants, a native of the mountains of India.
It will thrive in our coolest greenhouses, but to
enhance its merit and secure its worth, warmer
Winter quarters is desirable. Its flowers are
bright yellow, fully an inch and a half acrossr
and are profusely borne on old plants, and even
three months' cuttings bloom freely. Now is
the time to prepare for Winter. A stubby
growth in Summer, and a 50° to 55° in Winter
suits them admirably, and, as they finish bloom-
ing, they may be transmitted to a colder place.
A succession may be had by timely introducing
from a cooler temperature to a higher. They
are not particular as to soil, but frequent syring-
ings are beneficial.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Plumbago Larpent^e. — We are pleased to ob-
serve that this herbaceous perennial is receiving
extended attention. The intense blueness of its
flowers can hardly be surpassed, and then it
blooms so freely in late Summer and Fall after

268

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[ September,

the majority of hardy plants have ceased for a
season, and its compact habit, surely should
command respect. It is a native of Northern
China, but not quite hardy in our Northern
States, though a well-covered cold frame, or any
odd corner in a cool greenhouse, is good enough
Winter quarters for it. It has a mass of " roots,"
or underground stems, which, if divided in
February, or before active growth begins, yield a
great increase of stock.

Fuchsia procumbens — Mr. Lonsdale sends us
a plant of this with a few open flowers on it.
They are small, of a brownish tint, and with the
recurved sepals purple. It is not a showy plant,
by any means, but when closely examined, is
pretty. It is so very distinct from Fuchsias as
generally seen, that it will always interest one
to look at it, and perhaps when covered with
flowers may be more showy than in this condi-
tion it promises to be.

Tropical Pitcher Plants.— Those interested
in Nepenthes generally, should make a point
of seeing the collection of Mr. Such, at South
Amboy, N. J., where are most luxurious plants,
festooned with pitchers— large, perfect, and in-
tensely colored. Almost every species and
variety in cultivation, from the tiny Cephalotus,
of Australia, to the N. phyllamphora and Raffle-
siana, of the Indian Archipelago, are there,
growing to perfection. Mr. Taplin, the talented
manager of Mr. Such's establishment, has suc-
ceeded in raising a number of seedlings, many
of which are of sterling merit, and present char-
acters of distinction apart from anything at
present in our gardens.

Forcing the Lily of the Valley.— A writer
in the Hamburger Gartenzeitung gives some par-
ticulars of the raising and forcing of the Lily
of the Valley in the establishment of E. C.
Harmsen, of Hamburg, where it forms one of
the principal objects of culture. It is in this
and other nurseries in Holstein, not far distant
from Hamburg, that the Lily of the Valley is
cultivated in vast quantities for export. Millions
of crowns, it is stated, are annually sent out
from the one establishment named. The soil in
which it is grown is a sandy loam. In Autumn,
the ground is prepared by trenching to a good
depth, and liberal manuring with rotten stable
dung. It is then laid out in beds about four feet
wide, with intersecting paths a foot wide. Six
rows of plants are put in tlmsc beds, in furrows

three to four inches deep, or so deep that the
beds are covered with at least an inch of soil.
When time is of importance, or the soil is of a
wetter nature, it is customary to take out the
soil from the first bed to the required depth and
wheel it to the side of the one to be planted
last. The plantlets are then scattered over the
surface and the soil from the next bed thrown
over them, and so on to the end. After the first
frost has set in sufficiently hard to facilitate the
operation, the beds are thoroughly mulched
with rotten dung, from spent hotbeds by prefer-
ence. A thick layer of this serves not only to
nourish the plants when growth commences in
Spring, but it also acts as a protector from frost
during the Winter; moreover, during the suc-
ceeding season it prevents annual weeds from
getting the upper-hand. This is all there is to
be done the first season, and nothing but weed-
ing the second and third year is necessary till
about the middle of October of the third season,
when the plants are ready to lift. The labor
of lifting and sorting the flowering-roots from
the others is quickly performed. The former
are stored away in a cold house after shortening
the roots, and the latter ranged in layers and
tan-pits. For early forcing,, the strongest and
ripest sets are selected. The bed of a propaga-
ting-house with bottom-heat has a layer four
inches thick of sand, into which the roots,
wrapped in moss, are plunged. With a bottom
heat of 65° to 75° at the beginning, the watering
is liberal, and after three days the heat is in-
creased from 88° to 100°, and maintained at this
until the appearance of the shoots above ground.
It is better to cover the beds with sashes, and
shade in sunny weather. To have the Lily of
the Valley in flower by Christmas it is only
necessary to commence about November 23d or
24th, and carry out the preceding instructions.
The great bottom -heat is especially necessary
for very early forcing. — Gardener's Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Double White Oleander. — E. inquires
whether there is really a double white Oleander
in cultivation here? This we cannot say, but
there is no reason why there may not be. The
writer of this recently saw plenty of them for
sale,in the Paris flower markets. So far all that
he has seen in this country, in flower, were single
white.

1811.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

269

Calla .Ethiopica. — D.W., Denver, Col., writes:
"Why is there so little said about this general
favorite? I have two hundred planted out in
the garden, which seem to be doing splendidly,
but what to do with them, as cold weather
approaches, is the question. Should they be
taken up, potted, and kept growing, or would it
do to take them up, let them dry off in a cellar,
and then pot them from time to time, as they
are wanted for sale, or for flowers ? "

[Florists who grow the Calla, or Richardia
iEthiopica, for its flowers, require them to be in
bloom between Christmas and Easter, and even
those who want them for window culture, desire
to have them through the Winter. For these
purposes they rest them somewhat during Sum-
mer by keeping dry, and about the middle of
August, or September, pot and water them. If
they are kept dry till later, they will, of course,
bloom later, and then it becomes a question
whether later flowers are desirable. — Ed. G. M.]

Purple-leaved Ivy. — A correspondent in-
quires whether this plant referred to in a notice
from Garden in a recent paragraph, is yet in this
country. We have looked through several cata-
logues, but do not see it. If any one has it,
send word to Mr. T. S. Strickler, West Troy, N. Y.

Culture of Hedychium Gardnerianum. —
Mrs. Fv. B. E., writes: — " Will you please inform
me through the Monthly what treatment is
necessary for Hedychium Gardnerianum. I
have one that grows luxuriantly, but, though
three years old, gives no hint of blooming.
What is its season of bloom ? And does it re-
quire rest from growth ? And, finally, is it worth
growing at all ?

[It is decidedly worth growing. The yellow,
sweet flowers open in Winter. The best way to

grow it, is to plant it out in the open border
in Summer. In Fall lift it carefully, and put in
a pot or tub, and keep it growing in a moder-
ately warm greenhouse, and flowers will come
from the top of the stems before Spring. —
Ed. G. M.]

Culture of Cactus. — A subscriber, Mount
Pleasant, Iowa, writes : — " Sometime at your
convenience, if you will have the kindness to
give one article in Gardener's Monthly to cultiva-
tion of Cactus, varieties, soil, and any treatment
necessary to successful growth, it will gratify a
number of your subscribers."

[The various kinds of Cactuses love our Sum-
mer heat so well, that we might say in general,
plant them out in the full sun in Summer, and
then take up, and re-pot in Fall. This is the
way they are done in Mr. Shaw's Missouri
Botanical Gardens, at St. Louis, and we never
saw more healthy or beautiful plants. When
they become large they are awkward handling,
on account of their spines, and then they are
best grown in tubs, and the tubs set out in the
full sun during Summer.

But there are some leafy kinds of Cactuses
which we believe thrive better in partial shade ;
of these are the Epiphyllums, though these like
the heat. The best and most generally known
of these are the E. Jenkinsoni, E. speciosus,
E. speciosissimus, E. Ackermanii, and E. trun-
catum and varieties. There is E. latifolius, and
E. Crenatus, often grown, which thrive in full
sun, as the other named ones do, but they are
not so showy in flower. They are often grafted
on more woody Cactuses, and in this way do
very well. The E. truncatum is grafted on
Pereskia aculeata, and thrives well on it. Any
kind of soil suits the Cactus family.— Ed. G. M.]

RUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

So far as fruit growing for market is concerned,
we hear on all sides that the season has been
unprofitable, and that there will be no encour-
agement to plant new orchards. The talk is as
if fruit growing for market was overdone. But

this has always been the talk ever since any one
can recollect. Everything will be overdone
sometimes. No one knows when he plants just
how heavy the crop will be, or just how many
persons will want his cr'op. This uncertainty
must result sometimes in less than people want,
in which case those who pay the most get it j or
in too much, when the grower is glad to get

270

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

what he can, which often means growth at a
loss. These laws are often aggravated by sea-
sons of general loss, and consequent inability to
buy by those who are usually customers. Still,
in these cases, it is the weakest which are
ruined. The strong grower stands the loss and
keeps on with his business, keeping it up to the
standard. The good times come, and he fills his
pockets rapidly. These laws have been so uni-
versal, and will prevail so surely to the end of
the world, that we would not be surprised to
find very extensive planting going on by the
prudent and far seeing, instead of the little which
some people anticipate.

At any rate the planting for one's own use
will go on as heretofore, and this, perhaps, to an
extent hardly ever known before, for with little
money to buy, people find out the advantage of
growing as much as possible for themselves.
September is, of course, rather early to plant
fruit trees of any kind, but it is a capital month
to send for catalogues and study the varieties
offered, and then to look around and find out
how such kinds succeed in your own vicinity.

bush is perfectly hardy, and the sprouts kill as
easily as any weeds by cultivation. With Black
Caps I have seen nothing to surpass the Seneca
in hardiness, size or flavor, and with me it is
more prolific than Mammoth Cluster. The
bush is more like a blackberry, rampant and
thorny, and the berry has the flavor of a black-
berry, sweet and luscious. The Davidson's
Thornless did well for a few years, but a kind of
aphis, or bark louse, attacked it last year, and
now there is scarcely a vine in this vicinity. It
is evident that for advice in raising fruit one
must not go far from home, for if I should fol-
low the advice of Coleman, in the Christian
Union, and plant the Davidson's Thornless for a
single variety, I should never have any berries,
and very likely the Elm City may not be worth
cultivation in the East.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

WHICH IS THE BEST RASPBERRY?

BY MR. G. WRIGHT, ROCK FALLS, ILL.

Mr. Galusha lives at Normal, in the centre of
this State, and says all varieties except Turner
were killed by the cold of last Winter. I live in
the northern part of Illinois, and never saw the
Philadelphia winter-killed when planted on
poor ground, but on low or rich ground I could
never get but one crop, whether the Winters
were mild or severe. They invariably were
killed nearly to the ground, while a few bushes
on a dry, sandy knoll have borne abundantly
without fail for nine years. So I planted a row
near a row of Lombardy Poplars, which have ex-
hausted the soil of moisture and fertility until
nothing else will grow, and the Philadelphias
have borne for three years such crops as I never
saw in any other berry, and this season they
seemed to surpass themselves. But for all that,
I can make more money from the Elm City
than from Philadelphia, for the reason that Elm
City ripens immediately after strawherries, and
is gone before the Philadelphia is ripe. Besides,
it is a better flavored berry, and is as firm as any
Black Cap, either for canning or shipping. The

FRUCTIFICATION OF THE FIG.

BY EMMA C. BREWSTER, KINGSTON, MASS.

In a recent issue of the Monthly, I saw an ac-
count of the " Fructification of Figs in Smyrna,"
upon which I wish to say a few words. The
writer stated that in order to make the fruit set,
strings of figs were taken from a pistillate tree and
hung across a staminate tree, that the flies which
are within pistillate figs might carry the pollen
from them to the staminate ones. Otherwise,
the fruit would drop off. Now, in my Massa-
chusetts home we have raised figs in the open
ground for more than twenty years. Father
began with one tree, and increased his stock by
off-sets until they numbered fifty trees. Then
we sold $20 worth, and this year have again sold
as many. We have no more to sell now — so
this is not an advertisement. I make this state-
ment only to show that I have had considerable
experience in raising figs ; and although we
have several crops of the delicious fruit every
Summer, we have never hung a chain of figs
across the branches. Are all our trees pistillate?
Nor are they infested by any fly or other insect,
and I hope they never will be. The fig tree does
" cast her untimely figs when shaken by the
east wind," to prevent which the trees are set
upon the west side of the house in dry sea-
sons ; wherefore the figgery is near the kitchen,
that all the waste water may be bestowed upon
it— much more effectual preventives than string-
ing fruit across their branches. Had the writer
stated that this course was pursued to impreg-
nate the seed when it was desired to raise new

1817.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

211

varieties, it would have sounded more plausible;
yet even then I should have doubted, and I can
make you doubt. Figs come out all over the
tree in clusters, without previous flowers. There
are always three crops upon a tree at once. The
ripening fruit, the blossoming figs, and the newly
appearing buds. In a good season, with proper
care, all these crops may be ripened, and as the
first one begins to drop, a fourth appears, which
keeps on the trees (without any aid of flies),
while they are packed away for Winter, and
ripen the next Spring. When a fig is half
grown it is in bloom, then if you pull open the
hard, green case, the beautiful, rose-colored in-
terior will rival any flower in the garden. This
is the only time when the flies — which infest the
Smyrna fig crop to such a degree as to fill the
hold of every home-returning Smyrnaite with
their larvae crawling from the drums — can fruc-
tify the figs. Now the worm within the ripened
fruit must have become a chrysalis, which has
worked its way clean through the skin, for a fly
would have no power to do this. Then the fly
emerges from the chrysalis, flies to a blossoming
fig; but how is she going to enter it? The blos-
som is so firmly encased in tough, leathery en-
velopes, as to defy the entrance of any insect
whatever. The fly must pierce the skin and lay
her egg in the outer green envelope. Now, how
can the larva which will hatch from this egg,
laid by a fly which emerged from a chrysalis
formed in another fig, have any effect upon the
blossom within this one, when he finally reaches
it? A Professor of Natural History once told his
class that the pea was formed by the weevil, and
that if, when the peas were planted, the farmers
saw a goodly number of weevils running in the
furrows, they rejoiced, for they knew the crop
would set. He could not explain how the
weevils underground, could have any effect upon
the fruit in the blossom which was yet to come.
Nor can I. Still, peas form where there are no
weevils, and figs where there are no flies.

GAS LIME.

BY J. O. RANSOM, HAMMONTON, N. J.

Gas lime has been extensively used in this
place, and generally good results have been ob-
tained by spreading 25 to 50 bushels per acre
broad-cast on the surface in Fall or Winter, that
the atmosphere may modify its acrid character,
and ploughing it under in the Spring for corn, or
in the Fall for wheat and rye. It is especially use-

ful in subduing the wild grass and bushes on new
land, and aids materially in preparing the coarse
vegetable fibre in the ground for a good crop, if
used as above. It will often destroy a crop if
spread once in its raw state.

It is also useful in renovating old orchards in
grass by ploughing it under. On old land to be
seeded with grass, indicating the want of lime,
it is generally believed here that shell or stone
lime is safest and best, but on raw, wild soil, gaa
lime is best and cheapest for this locality, where
it has been used. No benefit has been discovered
from the use of any kind of lime on small fruit
crops.

OIL FOR FRUIT TREES.

BY CHARLES FREMD, RYE, N. Y.

In the early part of March I painted, with lin-
seed oil about a dozen of apple, cherry and other
trees. Some were vigorous and healthy, others
were not. One of the apple trees was covered
with the white scale. The trees were from one
and a half to two inches in diameter, but it
killed three out of six, all of them with a tender
bark, such as the Sweet Bough, &c. On these the
oil penetrated the bark clean through, also at
fresh cuts from pruning, it dyed and blackened
both bark and wood. In one instance it encir-
cled the whole tree. Trees with a thicker bark,
like a Greening, are doing well. I killed one
cherry tree out of three, and I nearly killed a
Magnolia Soulangeana with it.

I have certainly no reason to complain of the
trees which survived the treatment, but the loss
is far greater than the benefit.

A neighbor of mine told me, a few days ago,
that he greased some apple trees with lard oil
over fifteen years ago, and killed and injured
many very fine trees. Ever since he uses a solu-
tion of potash.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Grapery and Sanatorium. — Some time since
our esteemed correspondent, Mr. W. T. Hard-
ing, gave a plan whereby chickens and grapes
might be managed together. We do not know
why the idea may not be extended. It is not
likely that railroad depots with glass roofs can
be turned to a grape growing experience, to the
disgust of thousands of passengers, to whom the
fruit would be out of reach ! But surely there
are occasions that might be made available to

272

TEE GARDENER'S MONTELY

[ September,

grape growing, if the proper intelligence could
be found to direct the experiment. The great
trouble with most extensive horticultural experi-
ments that have been started by capitalists in
this country, is that they have made the selec-
tion of quacks to manage them. There are
plenty of excellent gardeners in this country,
but somehow those who need good skill seldom
have the knack of finding it when wanted.

The Devonport (England) Independent gives
the following account of a monster grapery built
in connection with a " Health Lift " establish-
lishment, or " Sanatorium " :

" The ' Sanatorium ' at Saltash, near Ply-
mouth, which was erected about seven years
since, is an extensive greenhouse, built at great
expense and labor, for the production of grapes
and other fruit. It is situated on the southern
side of a hill, in a sheltered valley, at the west-
ern end of the Port View Estate, and its immense
area of glass might be seen from various points
in the neighborhood. The vinery is 450 feet
long by 80 feet broad, and it will help the reader
to perceive the extent of it when we state that
the glass covering it weighs upward of 20 tons.
It contains more than 500 vines, the majority
being in bearing condition, though not yet fully
grown. These include fifty varieties of grapes,
the whole of them having been personally se-
lected from the south of France while in fruit.
In situation and arrangement, the place is well
laid out, and what is of great importance, it is
abundantly supplied with water, which is carried
over the entire building and distributed in an
efficient manner. The vineyard — which we pre-
fer to call it — is pleasingly arranged in tiers, and
divided into several compartments, with walks
passing through them. In every respect the
capacity of the place to produce grapes equal to
any grown on the Continent has been proved.
The sight of the vineyard at this moment is re-
markable. Above, around, in every part of it,
immense bunches of grapes are ripening in
countless profusion. The vista of every path-
way in each of the compartments, and of every
line of sight, turn in what direction one may,
shows overhanging canopies of grapes, prodigal
in their luxuriance. Many of the bunches are
large, being more than 6 inches by 15 inches.
Even yet, however, the full resources of the
place have not been reached, either in amount
or earlmess of fruit, It is certainly not more
than three-fourths covered with the vines; and,
consequently, every year the produce is rapidly

increasing. Last year 3,000 lbs. of grapes were
obtained; nearly double that amount will be
gathered this year. The full bearing capacity,
which it is expected will be reached in about
three years' time, has been estimated at 10,000
lbs., and that estimate is considered within the
mark. It is a very important fact, also in the
value and success of the undertaking, that the
luxuriance of growth and the abundance of fruit
are scarcely less striking than the freedom of the
vines and grapes from disease. We may add
that peaches are also grown in the Sanatorium.
A crop of potatoes of a highly remunerative
earliness was likewise obtained this season from
the ground between the rows of vines. In testi-
mony of the safety and security of the structure
itself, and in falsification of any forebodings that
might have been made of the precariousness of
the erection, it should be stated that during the
whole seven years of its existence, scarcely any
damage has been inflicted either by wind or
water. The place has not yet been heated, but
a considerable outlay is about to be made in this
direction to secure early ripening, by which it is
hoped to gather the crops in July, instead of, as
at present, in September. There are some acres
of surrounding land of an analogous character
to which the vinery may be extended, the site
commanding a southern view."

Grape Culture under Glass. — We have had
of late few contributions from our own cultiva-
tors on this very interesting branch of gardening.
Yet it is one on which there is a great deal yet
to learn. As glass culture is very much the
same all over the world, it may serve a useful
purpose to give the following practical paper
from the London Journal of Horticulture :

" Knowing that your space is valuable, I do
not propose writing a long history of where the
vine comes from, under what conditions it thrives
best naturally, how it has been treated in this
country in past ages, or the position it is likely
to occupy in time to come; but I particularly
wish to give a few practical suggestions on vine-
growing which may be of service to those who
are desirous of securing a good crop of grapes.
To make what I have to say as easily understood
as possible, I will arrange my remarks under
separate headings, beginning with —

"Thinning the Shoots.— It is said that a prevail-
ing error amongst amateur gardeners is an aver-
sion to pruning trees and plants so closely as
they should be pruned, and if this be true in cut-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

273

ting-in the dormant wood, it is none the less so
in thinning growing shoots. In pruning vines
it is a common practice to leave two, and some-
times three eyes to each spur. Good grape
growers do this, but they are very particular in
removing all the buds, when they do start, ex-
cepting one — the strongest and most fruitful.
Many, however, allow every bud to grow into a
shoot for the season, as may often be seen by two
or three shoots clustering together. I can at-
tribute this to nothing else but fear of doing
harm by removing any of them, whereas the
greatest harm occurs in allowing them to re-
main. It is a simple matter to prove this, and I
would advise those who think differently to try
it. One good shoot from each spur will produce
more and better fruit than three or four shoots
from the same base. It is well known that the
greatest harm that can be done to any fruit tree
is crowding the wood, and it is quite impossible
to grow three or four shoots from one vine bud
without injuriously crowding them. Fine crops
can only be secured by thoroughly ripening the
wood ; and although vine wood may become
brown in color, it will not ripen thoroughly
under a mass of leaves. I have a house full of old
Black Hamburghs which I intend to make youth-
fully vigorous this season. They are showing
from two to six buds from each spur. As soon
as I can see which bud has the finest promise of
a bunch, all the others will be removed, and if
the single shoot does not become very thick this
year, it will be sure to ripen well, and that will
be worth a great deal next season.

" Stopping the Shoots. — This is another matter
which should never be neglected. It is a bad
plan even when the shoots are well thinned to
allow many of them to run many feet before
they are stopped. This is just another way of
overcrowding ; but it is worse than that, because
the shoots must be stopped some time, and when
yards in length are removed from them at a
time, the consequence in loss of sap is serious.
My plan — and one I find answers well — is to
pinch every shoot two joints beyond the bunch,
and this is done as soon as the shoot is suffi-
ciently long to admit of doing this. The point
thus early taken away is no thicker than a small
o in the Journal, and it is impossible for this to
have any checking tendency. Those shoots
bearing no fruit are stopped three or four joints
from the main rod, and they are not allowed to
grow further than this the whole season, as it
serves no good purpose to let them do so.

" Tying the Shoots. — I have seen many shoots
not tied until they were breaking their points
against the glass, and others again are in too
great haste to train them into their permanent
places, and break them in consequence. There
is no difficulty in tying shoots which grow in a
right direction from the first, but those which go
the opposite way from the wires have to be care-
fully dealt with, such shoots must be tied two or
three times. At the first tying only incline
them out of the direction they are going, next
time bring them half way to the wires, and
finally at the third time fix them in the position
they are to occupy.

" Thinning the Bunches. — All vines in a healthy
condition always produce many more bunches
than are sufficient for a crop. Many shoots pro-
duce two bunches; the larger one is generally next
the rod, and the smaller one nearer the point.
This small one should always be removed first,
and this must be done all over the house, and if
there are still too many, cut away the poorest
of those which remain. Vines of different
strength will bear different crops in weight, but
in the generality of cases it is safe to leave a
bunch to every alternate shoot. Amateurs, as a
rule, err in allowing too many bunches to remain
on, and in nine cases out of ten this is the sole
cause of the grapes failing to come to perfection.

" Syringing. — This is an operation which most
amateurs like to try their hand at; but squirting
morning, noon and night keeps the leaves and
surface of the border in an overdamp state, and
nothing will produce mildew quicker than this.
Syringe thoroughly, and have done with it for
days or weeks together, if no insects appear.

"Watering the Roots. — Without abundance of
moisture at the root, no good will ever result
from any amount of attention to every other par-
ticular. Some recommend about three water-
ings in the season where the border is well
drained, but this is not nearly sufficient. Once
a fortnight is not too often to saturate the roots
when the grapes are green, and watering should
not be discontinued until the fruit is more than
half ripe.

NEW OR RARE FRUITS.

Hames' Seedling Apple. — We have received
from M. Cole, of Atlanta, Ga., specimens of
Hames' Seedling Apple. The specimens were
sent us June 25th, and in the letter accompany-

274

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

ing them Mr. Cole says the two sent are fair
specimens of a lot received from the original
tree. They were very large, the best one meas-
uring 11 \ in., in circumference and weighing
10| oz. Considering everything, we should say
it is superior to the Red Astrachan, one of our
earliest.

The Musser Peach. — On the 17th July we re-
ceived from H. M. Engle, Marietta, Pa., some
ripe Musser Peaches. They measured 6 inches
in circumference, were very juicy, sweet, and of
a good color, and were decidedly the best of any
received so far this season.

Bowers' Early Peaoh. — Messrs. Marris &
Miller Frederick, Md. writes : — " We send you
to-day by express another specimen of our
new seedling peach ( Bowers' Early as we
have named it) the same as was sent you
last year. You will notice that it is not as
large as those a year ago, the fruit was
not thinned out and the tree had too many
on it to bring to perfection. It is also seven days
later than last year, the first ripening on the 11th
and last year on the 4th of July. Our Ams-
den fruited for us this season and will be ripe in
about two days; Beatrice, Louise and Alexan-
der have not fruited for us this season. Hales'
Early is not coloring yet, when it ripens, the
time will be noted. We should liked to have
exhibited Bowers' Early at the exhibition of the
American Pomological Society in Baltimore in
September, but knowing of no way of keeping
it until that time, have sent specimens of it to
the following gentlemen, M. P. Wilder, P. Barry,
H. M. Engle, Josiah Hoopes, John Saul, and
Samuel Sands & Son of the American Farmer
and would esteem it a favor if you would com-
pare notes with them (if convenient) as to its
merits <fcc."

[It is not possible to speak of the full merits of
a peach by its fruit alone. The nature of a vari-
ety is to be judged in the orchard. We can only
say that this measured 6£ inches round, was of
excellent flavor, and we consider it fairly within
the field of competition with other first-class
early varieties. — Ed. G. M.]

The Forest Rose — Is the rather fanciful name
of a magnificent new Strawberry that originated
on the sandstone outlyers which constitute the
elevated back -grounds to the town of Lancaster,
Fairfield Co., Ohio. Mr. J. A. Fetters the proprie-
tor has been rather fortunate as a fruit-grower,
having originated a superior peach, which has

been favorably reported on by the State Horti-
cultural Society. When walking in his vineyard
some years ago he observed a strawberry plant,
which pleased him by its thriftiness ; in due time
this produced fruit which was so attractive that
the runners were set out in a bed by themselves.
This plantation is still productive after having
yielded five successive crops of fruit, and run-
ners enough to plant a large space. The origin
of the plant is unknown, but Mr. Fetters thinks
it an accidental seedling from one of the three
varieties he had been cultivating, the Wilson,
Russell and Brooklyn Scarlet.

Description. — The plant is vigorous and pro-
ductive, foliage good, trusses tall and having
from eight to ten perfect flowers that are followed
by handsome berries. These are large and
heavy, and sufficiently firm to bear transporta-
tion ; form obtuse — conical, regular, sometimes
coxcombed, often two inches across ; surface
somewhat pitted and having a bright crimson
hue, similar to that of the Jucunda; flesh solid,
ripening eventy, reddish to near the centre which
is paler; flavor agreeably acid but not sour, and
when fully exposed and well ripened it is quite
rich. A committee of the Ohio Horticultural
Society when visiting the plantation, pronounced
this a decided acquisition, and declared them-
selves highly pleased with the variety. The
Forest Rose has been pronounced, by those who
have seen it in bearing, " one of the best straw-
berries they have seen."

Late Cone Strawberries. — Mr. Chas. Black,
Hightstown, N. J., writes: — "I send you to-day
a few Late Cone Strawberries for you to
test if you do not know it. It was sent to
me from Ohio, and recommended as the best
late Strawberry known there ; and after two
years trial with a large number of our best
varieties I have concluded that I never saw
its equal as a late variety, it is just now (June
21st), in its prime, and those sent are about an
average as it grows in field culture. In good
heavy soil it is a good grower and very produc-
tive, about ten days later than Wilson, has a
nice bright appearance after picking, very firm
and grows to a good size." [This proved to be
a fair sized conical berry, of good appearance
and flavor.— Ed. G.M.I

Roe's Seedling Gooseberry. — Mr. E. P. Roe,
Cornwall-on-the-Hudson writes : — " I send you a
few specimens of '• Roe's Seedling " Gooseberry.
During the present season when nearly every-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

275

thing has mildewed in our locality, this variety-
has suffered very little, and the only bushes that
were affected stood on a high dry knoll where by
mismanagement their roots were disturbed in
cultivation during the hot period of drought in
May. Hot dry ground around the bushes is the
chief cause of mildew (see Gardener's Monthly for
June), and where these unfavorable conditions
were absent there was no rust worth naming.
This is the first instance for seventeen years that
it has shown any such tendency, but in accord-
ance with my rule to state the truth and the
whole truth about my fruits, I frankly say that
two or three quarts out of a large yield have
been touched with mildew. At the same time I
must say that the Downing gooseberry on my
place has suffered more, losing in some instances
its foliage, and foreign gooseberries in this local-
ity are covered with mildew. The large old
bushes in its original home at Newburgh were
loaded down with fruit and not a trace of mil-
dew. I do not think there is an American variety
that will suffer less except, perhaps, the Hough-
ton, but that is too small to be of much value.
In regard to size and appearance the enclosed
specimens speak for themselves. In productive-
ness it is unsurpassed. Will you please send me
your opinion, and if you notice it in your paper
I will esteem it a favor if you will send me a
marked copy."

[All experience has shown that the race of
European gooseberries is much more liable to
mildew than the native kind ; about this there is
no question. This mildew is accelerated, if in-
deed it is not wholly caused by over-heated
ground — that is over-heated as far as the goose-
berry is concerned — and with care in keeping
roots cool, the foreign kinds can be grown with
fair success. Within a hundred yards of where
we write is an English gooseberry, an imported
plant, that has been there to our knowledge
more than a dozen years. It is in the full sun, and
has never mildewed in all that time, but then
the original owner, in picking stones from his
garden, piled them under his gooseberry bushes,
and in this way the roots are kept cool. It is
a mystery to most people why this English
gooseberry plant never mildews, but it is no mys-
tery to us. It is these and similar experiences
which make us hesitate about regarding any
English gooseberry as wholly mildew proof. At
the same time we see no reason why such care
should not be given to these very fine kinds, as
to keep the mildew off them. For these reasons

we are very glad that Mr. Roe has taken up their
improvement. Some kinds will no doubt be
better able to resist mildew producing influences
than others, and in this direction Mr. Roe's
effort ought to be appreciated. The present va-
riety is very good, though we think not equal to
the best English kinds.— Ed. G. M.]

Late Emerald Gooseberry. — Mr. E. P. Roe,

writes under date of July 26th :— " Enclosed please
find a few specimens of a late seedling goose-
berry which I have named the Late Emerald.
It keeps its bright green color until it drops off
from ripeness and does not turn red when fully
ripe like " Roe's Seedling." In the size and
abundance of the fruit, in its comparative free-
dom from mildew, and in the vigor of the plants,
I think it is quite equal to the early seedling
which was fully ripe some three weeks since."
[This is one of the English race of goose-
berries. We do not know how far these will be
able to come into competition with the native
kinds, but Mr. Roe deserves great credit for
these promising attempts. — Ed. G. M.]

SCEAPS AND QUERIES.

Oil on Peach Trees. — E. W. A., Montgomery
County, Pa., writes : — " We are regretting the
condition of two peach trees, now, I think, in
the fourth season of their growth. They have
been thrifty, and last year gave us samples of
fruit sufficient to show the excellence. We have
prized them greatly. Early this Spring I used
your plan in washing all the fruit trees with
linseed oil, and I am curious to know whether
this could have been injurious to the peach
trees, as they suddenly became sickly, dropped
fruit buds and leaves. One, I think, will die.
I heard of similar complaints through the
country, but do not feel satisfied without inquir-
ing of you."

[The plan of using linseed oil as a remedy
against scale, is really not ours. As already
stated, it was given to us by a Southern friend,
whom we know truthfully told us of its perfect
success in destroying the insects, and helping
fhe trees. Knowing this to be a fact, and suffer-
ing terribly from scale, we washed a large
number of Apple and Pear trees with it, as
already stated in our columns, and the trees
themselves are living witnesses of the perfect

276

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

success of the oil wash. It is clear, however,
that others have now used linseed oil with
injurious results. Why it should be harmless
in some cases, and destructive in others, is past
our comprehension. It is a matter which de-
serves further investigation. — Ed. G. M.]

The best Early Peaches. — W. P. R., Atlanta,
Ga., says:— "I should be much pleased if you
would revise your last year's list of early
Peaches, after this season's experience with
them. We, in Georgia, are much interested in
early Peaches, and want to know which of the
new ones are the best. Where can trees or buds
of the Musser Peach be had. I have not been
able to find the originator's address. Can you
tell me?"

[The opportunities afforded by the Centennial
Exhibition were unusual — we do not expect the
same chance again. All the knowledge we can
gather, so far, we have given from time to time
in our pages, We have not had the chance to
see all together from about the same places, as
we had last year. So far as we know, the
Musser is not offered for sale. We have no
doubt when it is, it will be found in our adver-
tising pages. So far as it has gone, it proves
itself to be a first-class variety. — Ed. G. M.]

Early Peaches.— Mr. G. D. Ledway, writes
from Jackson, Miss., that the Alexander Peaches
were ripe there May 31st, whilst Beatrice had
not, at that date, commenced to ripen. He
thinks the Alexander the largest early Peach
they have there.

Mr. D. S. Myer, of Bridgeville, Del., also sent
us samples of Amsden's June, Alexander, and
Beatrice. He says the Amsdens and Alexanders
were the last of the picking, the Beatrice the
first, and he considers the two former fully five
days earlier than the Beatrice. The Amsden
and Alexander were very much alike, in every
respect, but the Beatrice has a flattish appear-
ance. In regard to the quality, we thought the
Alexander best, Amsden next, then Beatrice.

Early Peaches.— Mr. C. W. Westbrook, Wil-
son, N. C, under date of June 20th, sends us the
iollowing : — " I mail you to-day some specimens
of Amsden's June and Beatrice Peaches picked
from healthy trees. Both picked on the green
order. I picked ripe Peaches of Amsdens the
12th inst.,£from healthy trees, and also imperfect
ones of Beatrice on the 15th, from worm-eaten
trees. Beatrice are rotting a great deal. No

sign of rot on the Amsden, although we have
had an extreme spell of wet weather. I had a
few Alexanders. They ripen with Amsden, and
are very fine."

[The fruit arrived in good condition ; there
were five of each kind. The largest Amsden
measured nine and a quarter inches in circum-
ference, the smallest, five and three-quarter
inches. The largest Beatrice was five and a half,
and the smallest, four and a half inches. The
Amsden is a rounder fruit than the Beatrice.
In flavor, Amsden's June was far superior; this
may have been partly due to the Beatrice
having been gathered before being fully ripe,
which we thought its appearance seemed to
indicate, though, doubtless, Amsden is the better
kind.— Ed. G. M.]

Early Peaches in Georgia. — P. J. Berckmans,
writing from Augusta, Ga., thus speaks of the
new Peaches: — On May 25th I gathered our first
ripe Amsden and Alexander, which I sent to
friends in New York. Am much pleased with
these new varieties, of which I had quite a
quantity of fruit. Amsden, I think averages
better in size, and may be a shade better in
quality, than Alexander. Both are, however, so
much alike as to puzzle me to tell them apart ;
they are fully two weeks ahead of Beatrice,
and this year three weeks ahead of Hale's.
Brigg's May was ripe June 1st., a nice-flavored
Peach, quite similar to Amsden, but with serrate
leaves.

Seedling Peach. — Mr. A. Pullen, Milford, Del.,
July 19th, writes : — " By mail of to-day I send you
two Peaches as samples. Were grown in a garden
here from a natural tree four years from the
seed. The fruit ripened 10th of this month ;
tree had on it about half a bushel. Those I
forward were remainder taken from the tree this
date. The flavor of the ripened fruit seems
excellent, but deficient in color. It does not
seem to resemble anything I am familiar with
of early Peaches. The owner of the tree (W. P.
Corsa, of this place), wished me to send it to you
and have your judgment upon it."

[As Mr. Pullen remarks, it appears distinct
from any other early Peach. It is a half free-
stone, six inches round, of good flavor, but not
attractive in appearance. — Ed. G. M.]

Fruit of Passiflora edulis. — Goeth & Wern-
hold, Los Angeles, Cal., with some excellent
fruit, writes : — " We take the great pleasure of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

277

sending you two fruits of Passifiora edulis by
sample post. We have got two plants in the
open air full in bloom and fruits, the first time
in this part of the globe, as we are informed.

The taste of the fruit is like Gooseberry,
perhaps still more delicate. As soon as P. Gran-
adilla is ripe, we shall take the liberty of
sending you a sample."

■» ♦ *

Forestry.

OOMMUNICA TIONS.

YELLOW PINE.

BY H. W. RAVENEL, AIKEN, S. C.

In an editorial note in June number, p. 177,
you refer to the " Yellow Pine" so called, in con-
nection with Prof. Sargent's reference of that
name to Pinus mitis; and express a belief that
the Pine lumber which comes to the Philadelphia
market is from Pinus australis. If your lumber
comes from a Southern market you are probably
right. The timber of Pinus australis (long-leaved
Pine) is known universally through the timber
region as " Yellow Pine." Elliott, in his Botany
of the State, says the same name was known in
his day.

There is, however, a great difference in the
quality of the timber, though all derived- from
the same species, dependent mostly on the soil,
and manner and growth of the trees. Along the
damp, rich soils of the sea-board, it grows more
luxuriantly, and attains greater height. As you
go into the interior, and more especially towards
the lighter and dryer soils, the growth is less
luxuriant, and the annual increase more slow.
In consequence of this, the grain of the sea-board
Pine is coarser as the annual deposits are thicker;
whilst the best lumber trees are found in the
upper country, and especially in the sandy re-
gion. This I know to be the case in this State,
and I presume it is so in Georgia and other
Southern States.

Along the sea-board, an axeman will go into
the woods and select his trees, calling the fine
grain trees " Yellow Pine," and the coarse grain
"Pitch Pine," though both taken from the same
grove. He examines the top of the tree, and if
he finds it scraggy and deficient in foliage, he

knows the grain is close and compact; on the
contrary, if the top is full, with large limbs and
plenty of leaves, indicating great luxuriance, he
knows the grain is coarse. The best "Yellow
Pine " used for lumber and for export is obtained
in this State, and mostly along the sandy region
of the middle country, about the head waters of
the Edisto River. Saw-mills prepare a large
quantity for local use and for shipment, and
rafts of logs are taken down the stream to
Charleston for market and export.

The timber of our other Pines is inferior, and
is never used when the long-leaved Pine can be
had.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Growth of Oak. — On the 6th of August the
writer measured a large number of Oak growths,
which were over four feet, and still growing.
The variety was Quercus robur. The Oak does
not grow near as slow as many suppose. Mr.
Hoopes, of West Chester has one — a variety of
Quercus macrocarpa that is only twelve years
old, and is now 17 feet high and 17 inches in cir-
cumference.

Forests of Europe. — At the recent meeting of
the American Nurserymen's Association a me-
morial to Congress, praying for a commission to
examine the forests of Europe, was adopted.

Rapid Growth of Hickory. — We measured a
plant of a Hickory— Carya sulcata — this Summer
which in three years from the seed, had made a
growth of 3} feet. On the grounds of Hoopes,
Bro., & Thomas, at West Chester, is a tree of the
same kind of hickory 12 years old, which is 16
feet high and 15 inches in circumference; and
yet we hear sometimes that hickory is slow tim-
ber to grow,

278

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ September,

RAL

and Science.

COMMUNICA 7 JONS.

PRAIRIE FLOWERS.

BY L. J. TEMPLIN.

Sensitive rose (Schrankia tmcinata).

Among the many floral treasures that bedeck
the plains and valleys of this land of floral
richness, there are none that possess more
unique beauty and delicacy than the " Sensitive
Rose." It grows in profusion in this valley ;
being so thick in places as to form almost a
continuous carpet of bloom, of considerable
extent during the blooming season. It is a
perennial, forming a cluster of long, slender,
and very tough roots. The stems start, in con-
siderable numbers, from the crown of the root,
and radiate in all directions, lying prostrate on
the ground. They grow to the length of three
or four feet at times, but always die back to the
roots in the Fall. The stem is ridged or striate,
with numerous short, sharp, recurved prickles.
The leaves are compound ; having from twelve
to twenty, or more, leaflets. They are sensitive
to the touch, folding up under rough handling,
similar to the real Sensitive plant (Mimosa).

The flowers are borne on axillary peduncles
from one to four or five inches in length. The
flowers are quite small, growing in a head one-
fourth to one-third inch in diameter. But this
is not what is seen when one looks at one of
these heads of bloom, for from this there stand
out, in every direction, a thick cluster of thread-
like filaments about one-third of an inch long.
These form a ball, almost perfectly globular in
form, three-fourths to one inch in diameter, and of
a rich rose-color. On the end of each of these
filaments is a minute, gold-colored anther, that
gives it a very unique, but delicately beautiful
appearance. The seeds grow in a striate silicle,
or pod, one and a half to two and a half inches
in length. I have not tried transplanting this
plant, but those who have tried it about here
have, so far as I have been able to learn,
invariably failed. Why this should be the case
I cannot tell, for I frequently see it growing in
grounds that have been in cultivation for two

or three years. It can, doubtless, be readily
propagated from seed, of which it produces
abundance, and it is not very difficult to gather.
I do not know how this plant would succeed at
the East, but if furnished with a rich, moist,
sandy loam, I know no reason why it may not
thrive there as well as here; and if it did,
there is nothing more attractive to the lovers
of the delicate and refined among floral produc-
tions, as it is not excelled in these qualities by
any of the hundreds of beautiful flowers that
adorn these lovely plains.

ABIES ENGELMANNI AND A. MENZIESH.

BY R. DOUGLAS, WAUKEGAN, ILL.

I infer from your remarks on page 165 June
number of Gardener's Monthly, that you are
inclined to think that A. Engelmanni, and
A Menziesii of Colorado, are identical. I pro-
cured the seeds collected by Dr. Parry, crop
of 1874. We sowed the two above-named, side
by side; the A. Menziesii grew well ; a few seeds
of Engelmanni germinated, but we could not
carry one plant of the latter through the first
Summer, but this does not prove anything, for
Dr. Parry wrote us that he gathered them at
such an elevation that, although early in the
Fall, there was a severe frost at the time, so you
see that, even if they were A. Menziesii, the
seeds would not be matured so as to grow as
well as the same kind gathered at a lower
elevation. Now, if you botanists cannot find
any distinctive feature in which they differ,
except in the length and size of the leaves and
cones, I think they will turn out to be one and
the same thing. The difference of 2000 or 3000
feet of altitude will not only make a difference
in the size of the cones and leaves, but also in
the general appearance of the tree.

That noble group of Spruces you and I'admired
so much up in the P. flexilis and aristata region,
according to elevation, must have been Engel-
manni, and yet they hugged the water-course,
just like Menziesii, had the same glaucous hue,
and the same general form and outline. I in-
ferred, from some descriptions, that the Engel-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST:

279

manni was not glaucous, but you wrote that
those you saw on Gray's Peak were very much
so ; therefore, you will have to assure me that
there is a difference in the construction of the
cone, or that you have climbed a sapling twenty
feet high without gloves ! If you can perform
the latter feat, I will be ready to make affadavit
that it is not a Menzies' Spruce.

[What Mr. Douglas writes about the confu-
sion between the A. Engelmanni and A. Men-
ziesii applies to plants in cultivation. The English
nurserymen, with their usual luck when they
touch an American conifer, have mixed their
seed so that now they do not know " 'tother from
which," and it is about their confusion that we
write.

In nature there is no confusion. Abies Engel-
manni, in Colorado, is wholly another thing
from A. Menziesii in Colorado, as Mr. Douglas,
who has been there and seen, truly says
No one who knows the trees will confuse them
for an instant. The smallest twig of A. Engel-
manni is sufficient to decide it at once if
you know it is from Colorado. It is more
nearly allied to the Norway Spruce than to the
Abies Menziesii. The letters in the English
papers about their identity cannot come from
any who know about what they are writing.

All of this discussion arises from a small
error, and it is a new illustration of how there
may be a great war about little things. It is this :
There were some fine specimens about Boston
from, or supposed to be from, Dr. Parry's early
seed. We all thought they were A. Engelmanni.
There was some mistake, perhaps, in the gar-
dener's labelling of the seed as the plants grew ;
such mistakes are made. Prof. Sargent, at length,
with Dr. Parry's aid, noticed these were not
A. Engelmanni, but A. Menziesii. They were
however, much more beautiful than the A. Men-
ziesii, of California, and this beauty deceived us
in the young plants.

Now let us summarize the facts, so that there
shall be no mistake about them : — There are two
good varieties of Abies Menziesii ; one inhabiting
the Pacific coast, the other, and the best for
horticultural purposes, Colorado ; but these are
in no way allied to Abies Engelmanni. — Ed.
G.M.]

«-♦*

SCB APS AND QUERIES.

Triteleia uniflora. — Some of this genus Is
found in California, but not this species, as

stated in our last. It is a native of South
America.

Seeds of the Persian Lilac. — An old sub-
scriber, Beverly, N. J., writes : — "I see, by the last
number of the Gardener's Monthly, that you have
never known the Persian Lilac to bear seed.
Enclosed you will find a sprig taken from a bush
of mine, which has borne seed for several years.
The branches bearing seed-pods, this season,
are chiefly low down, but last year they were
mostly near the top, and some of them still
remain on the bush, although, of course, they
have long since burst and shed their seed."

[It was a rare treat to examine these seeds. —
Ed. G. M.]

Echikocactus Simpsoni. — Mr. Robinson, of the
Garden, writes: — "Echinocactus Simpsoni. This
colored plate (see No. 281, April 7th, 1877) was
drawn for us by Mr. Noel Humphreys (an old
friend of Loudon's and a long-experienced and
excellent artist), in Messrs. Backhouse's nurse-
ries, at York. We had no opportunity of com-
paring the plate with the living plant, but all
colored drawings of many other rock plants-
made for us in the same garden, have been
greatly admired for their artistic beauty and
truth. Mr. Noel Humphreys being now abroad,
we cannot refer to him about the matter, all we
know is, it was drawn from nature for us, in the
only place where we knew7 it to grow at the
time."

[There is no question of Mr. Humphreys
accuracy. The plant he so faithfully drew is
not Echinocactus Simpsoni, and the real ques-
tion is, what is the plant? Mr. Backhouse can,,
perhaps, tell.— Ed. G. M.]

Ailanthus. — E. B. H, Wilmington, Del., says :
— " I was looking over the last Monthly in which
the Ailanthus is alluded to, and some doubt
expressed about there being two species in this
country. The staminate and pistillate trees of
the Ailanthus glandulos are growing at Forest
Hill, in West Chester. The pistillate bearing
profusely every year huge bunches of winged
fruit, that are quite ornamental. The female
tree has not the disagreeable odor of the stami-
nate one, and it does not grow so lofty, being
weighed down with its fruit. Perhaps Gen. W. H.
Noble alludes to the pistillate tree, when he
says, 'that in Autumn they tower into grand
bouquets.'"

[Our correspondent mistakes sexes for species.

280

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ September,

As she justly says, both sexes exist in this
country in the common Ailanthus, but are
there two species, each with its two distinct
sexes?— Ed. G. M.]

Bees and Clover. — M. N. B., Chicago, 111.,
writes : — " I have been very much interested in
your paper on fertilization by insect agency, and
yet I think you put the matter too strong, for
I have just been reading Mr. Darwin's recent
work, and I see he does not regard insects
generally as essential, but that cross fertilization
is useful in the long run. My impression, after
reading this note is, that you have misunder-
stood Mr. Darwin. !His position seems to be
that, when insects do not visit plants, the flowers
fertilize themselves."

[We will briefly say to this that, if we have
misunderstood Mr. Darwin, we are by no means
alone in our misapprehension. We give below
an abstract from the American Agriculturist,
whose editor, Prof. Thurber, is not one to mistake
the meaning of language. The only remark
we would make is, that Mr. Darwin does not
say " bumble," but humble bees :

" It is one of the most important late dis-
coveries, that the yield of red clover seed
depends upon the bumble bees. These insects

fertilize the blossoms, conveying the pollen from
one blossom to .another by means of their long
proboscis, and no other is known to do this
necessary work. Without the bumble bees
we can have no clover seed. The natural ene-
my of the bumble bee is the farmer's boy, who,
when he tumbles over a nest, and gets stung,
never forgives or forgets it, but becomes a life-
long enemy to this busy bee. Give these in-
sects a wide berth, and let them live to increase
the yield and to reduce the price of clover seed,
which is getting higher every year."

We are not sure that this note is from Prof.
Thurber's pen, but it passes without comment,
and is in accordance with much that has
appeared under distinguished names there, and
shows a popular apprehension of Mr. Darwin's
meaning, in accordance with our own. See also
the following from the Scientific Farmer : ' In New
Zealand and Australia, the common English clo-
ver, which has been introduced, has not produced
seeds in proper quantity, due, as is supposed,
to the fact that there were no insects there
which performed the duty of fertilization. In
1875, Mr. Frank Buckland successfully trans-
mitted two nests of bumble bees, the insect
supposed to perform this duty for the English
farmer.'— Ed. G. M.]

1TERATURE, §JRAVELS & pERSONAL IJoTES.

PROTECTION FOR NEW VARIETIES.

BY EUGENE GLEN, ROCHESTER, N. Y.

Responding to your courteous invitation to
write more on the subject of horticultural copy-
righted names, I will at this time trespass upon
your columns only to say, that when writing my
recent essay, I endeavored to have it appear
plainly that an extension of patents to horticul-
ture (using the term patents in its commonly re-
ceived sense) is unpracticable; that it would be
attended with evils greater than any benefits that
could result from it, and that I am opposed to
such extension under whatever name or form it
may be presented. But recent correspondence
satisfies me that my ideas have been misappre-
hended by some, and that by such I am believed
to be advocating patents under another name.
The only way in which I can account for this

mistake is, that I proposed that certificates of
protection should be issued through the Com-
missioner of Patents. I will therefore explain
that under existing laws, in addition to granting
patents for inventions, this officer is charged with
the registration of all trade marks, and copyrights
other than those relating to literature and the
fine arts. To protect the public from duplication
of names from different varieties of the same spe-
cies, and from merely ad captandum or otherwise
improper names, it would be important that ap-
plication for protection should be passed upon
by some officer before they are granted. Mani-
festly an examiner of the Patent Office delegated
for the work would be a proper person to make
these examinations.

A patent creates, during its existence, a mo-
nopoly in the production, sale and use of any

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

281

article to which it is applied. A copyright upon
a name for a variety in horticulture would not
secure to its owner even for one day a monopoly
In the production or sale of the variety. It would
simply give to him for a time, as the best meas-
ure of protection the nature of the article to be
protected will admit of, the exclusive control of
the name he may have originally adopted to in-
dicate that variety, and hence the benefit of the
reputation he may create for it under that name.
In other words, it would prevent the public from
taking from him the benefit of his own advertising,
and exhibiting of his own production — nothing
more. Surely this could not work injustice, nor
could it create gigantic monopolies of which
many stand in fear.

Having presented through the essay referred
to an " opening " argument in favor of horticul-
tural copyrights, and having offered to send a
copy of it to any of your correspondents who feel
sufficiently interested in the subject to engage in
its discussion, it seems to me to be the simpler
method, and I would much prefer that those
who may be opposed to the measure should
point out specifically the objections to which it
seems open. Then, if others more competent
should not take up the work, or the opponents
of the measure should not present overwhelming
arguments, I will be happy to make such reply
as circumstances will permit, or to admit that
my ground is untenable if such should be shown
to be the case; or, if there be those who think
the plan open to insuperable objections, and yet
have not sufficient confidence in the validity of
these objections to state them publicly, if they
will communicate with me I will endeavor to
answer their objections through your columns.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

European Notes by the Editor. — Now nearly
forty years ago, and though but a boy entering on
his teens, the writer of this was a careful experi-
menter and observer in horticulture, and was,
moreover, a subscriber to, and careful reader of
Harrison's Floral Magazine (now Shirley Hib-
berd's Gardener's Magazine), and in this he read
with deep interest of the labors of a Mr. Buist, of
Philadelphia, in introducing the Verbena. Ver-
bena Buistii was figured, and accounts of V. Hen-
dersoni, and some others by the same grower,
given. How far this may in after years have
induced the young lad to come to America, we

cannot now say, but it was the primary cause of
his settling in Philadelphia. Many a time
during the thirty years that have elapsed, he
felt a strong desire to visit the land of his birth,
but the desire to see and to know first his adop-
ted country, was always one strong reason for
deferring that pleasant time. Having at length
had the chance of visiting four-fifths of all the
States in the American Union, and obtained a
good general idea of its wealth and condition, he
felt that he might venture to go back and tell
his people of the sights and experiences of his
new found land.

So, one Thursday morning in June he packed
up his little trunk, and took passage on the
steamer Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Liv-
erpool, for old England. These steamers — the
only American line of mail steamers in this
country — are not as large as those sailing»from
some other ports; but for the sake of society
this was found to be perhaps an advantage, for
in a large lot of saloon passengers they break up
into little knots or circles, each as exclusive as
we often find them in ordinary society life. Our
lot of seventy-five soon became acquainted with
each other, and in this way found out many
whom it will be a pleasure long to remember,
and whom we should have never known in the
" select set " system of larger bodies. As Arch-
bishop Wood, one of our return passengers,
sagely says : "It is best to learn who our neigh-
bors are, and to think well of them from the
first, for it is easier to think bad of a man after
believing him good, than to correct an evil im-
pression when once unjustly formed." A short
run of nine days and a half puts us on shore
again, and we fall to at once and go on with our
work.

What a little place England is, and yet how
powerful! This was my first day's reflection.
We were all on the Pennsylvania in the Mersey
early on one morning — almost in the north of
England— and yet I took tea the same day at
Ryde— about its most southern point. It was
not as far as from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh,
and yet we had already divided England in two!
It did not seem much to be even the Queen of
such a delicate little rnece of ground, but when
I remembered how the wide world looked when-
ever the British lion roared, I saw that it was
brain, and not merely muscle that sent the world
rolling solidly along. I think this impression of
diminutiveness prevailed through almost all my
experience, and yet there was an amount of

282

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ September,

strength coupled with all this littleness that gave
great weight to everything. First, the streets
were generally narrower than I thought they
were, as were also the country roads. I remem-
bered how good the roads were, and I had
so often read of them as models for us to
imitate, that I was half ashamed of what I
had said when I saw them. In a very large
number of cases it is barely possible for two
carriages to pass. But the road surface is
always, so far as I saw, very good. But sili-
cious stone (Hint) is to be had everywhere cheap,
and they have no severe frosts to heave up the
road-bed, and road labor is comparatively low-
priced. Why should they not have good roads?
Our roads are not, as a rule, as good as those of
Europe, and yet I really think we get more for
our money than they do. In some counties
there are no toll-gates. I thought it was uni-
versal,, and remarked on that blessing to a friend
while driving out in Wiltshire. " These roads are
repaired by a regular parish rate. Wait," said
he, " till you get into some other counties." So,
when I " took a fly " from Nottingham to go to
Newsted Abbey, some nine miles, I was soon
met with a request for " thrippence, sir ;" and
before the portmonnaie was hardly closed, for
" thrippence " more. I thought this was grow-
ing interesting enough as it was, but when I was
soon after asked for a whole "sixpence," I had
to think of my Wiltshire friend. Iwenty-five
cents for a nine miles' ride is almost equal to my
Rocky Mountain experiences, and on which
friend A. S. Fuller so loves to dwell. In these
thickly settled districts it would be a disgrace if
Stfcif,pnsi',es did not result in good roads.

Then the nat/lye trees are smaller than I

thought they were; ai.nd they are smaller, on the

average, than our own forest, trees. They spread

out, dividing themselves im,.+0 huge main

branches, and have no inclination to , make large,

tall trunks, as ours have. But the-., distance

round of some of these short, dumpty ti..unks is

wonderful, and they would put many of on x for.

est trees to shame. Stems fifteen to eigh^een

feet round are common, and I measured some,. of

twenty. The commonest of all trees in Englan i(1

is the Elm, though, perhaps, in the forests tht.

Oak is more common, and then, perhaps, the

Ash is more commonly seen. Occasionally,

only come Beech and Linden. All these trees

have shorter and stouter trunks, and more

spreading heads than ours. Some of their

smaller trees grow larger than their allies with

us. For instance, while our common Aspen
Poplar rarely grows more than forty feet, theirs
would be often sixty. So would be their Alder,
while ours is a mere bush; and in Richmond
Park, near London, I saw Hornbeams that must
be at least sixty feet high, and with trunks as
large as our ordinary apple trees. Wagons and
coaches were solid and strong, but there was lit-
tle room in them, and one-horse carts might be
seen everywhere hauling in hay. Ploughs were
strong, but it was quite common to see them
drawn by four horses, with a boy driving the
beasts ! The castles and mansions of the nobility
and gentry were not as large as I thought they
were, nor were the gardens and grounds of the
extent I supposed. There are, of course, some
places of great magnificence, but on the whole I
was deceived, and I make this honest confession
of my weakness because it is quite common for
us all to think that things passed are better than
they really were, or something different from the
actual fact. I did once think we do not have
the big Baldwin apples we had when we were
boys, and many more things of that sort, but I
am cured of it now. I can now understand how
it was that Knight, in his old days, came to be-
lieve that varieties "ran out;" and when I hear
some good old son of a foreign soil declare that
there is nothing in America like the grand things
he left behind " at home," I may sympathize
with his feelings, though I may not believe his
tale.

England looks beautiful to a stranger, and yet it
is surprising, on analysis, to find how few are the
materials that go to make up its beauty. There
are few forests, but most of the hedge rows have
timber in them. The trees do not seem to rob the
ground on each side, as ours do, and the hedge
grows good and perfect quite up to the bole,
which ours will not do. We cannot have such
fence row timber. Then there are the hedges
themselves, mostly of Hawthorn when cared for;
but of Elm, Sloe, Dog Rose and Blackberries
when neglected. There is the Ivy which covers
the trees, and makes even the saddest ruins look
glad, and there is the Holly, that prince of trees,
which justly claims a regal admiration. There
is its glorious Golden Furze in Spring, and a little
later the Golden Broom, and, as the Summer ad-
vances, delicately beautiful Heaths; gay Fox
-loves and gaudy Poppies, and there may be a

w other simples to give a charm to field and

rest; but how much is left after these? The

£reat beauty consists in its art, In gardening it

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

283

is the Rhododendron and other contributions
from America, the various Laurels and Bays of
Southern Europe, the Roses of Persia, or the
Conifera from Japan or our Western shores, that
outline the pretty picture; and the tilling in, by
the way of beautiful flowers, has been gathered
together from every quarter of the globe. I am
anxious to impress this on the reader because
there is an impression here that England owes
much of its just supremacy in gardening matters
to a natural fitness of things, when really nature
has done but little. It is the genius of selection,
the art to collect and the taste to arrange, the
tact to suit foreign matters to native circum-
stances, that has given England the gardening
fame which she everywhere enjoys. I see clearly
that our weakness has been a close copying of
other nations. The weakness is only natural, as
our literature and all our associations are founded
on theirs. We cannot have just what they have,
but if we look at our own climate and condi-
tions,, and select from our materials at home and
from abroad just what is adapted to us, I am
satisfied that we may have gardening in as great
perfection as in any country in the world.

In the first place our ideas of a garden are too
large. The best gardens here are not the large
ones. Places of ten to twenty acres, where be-
sides the head gardener three to six men are
kept, are very abundant, and as a rule, more
artistically beautiful than the larger ones. Of
course I am speaking of the rule, as I saw some
large places of very great beauty. I am credibly
informed that the larger places are by no means
increasing, and any one looking at gardening from
the grandiose point would suppose it to be de-
clining; but I am told that these smaller places
are increasing rapidly, and that not because
there is an}' decrease in wealth, but because true
gardening is more beautiful on the small than on
the large scale. There were three places of this
character that I visited on the Isle of Wight, all
less than twenty acres, probably, and yet perfect
pictures of beauty. These were St. Johns, the
residence of Mr. Gasson; Appley, Mr. Clayton's;
and St. Clare, the marine residence of Colonel
Harcourt, of Buxted Park, Sussex. I visited also
Osborne House, the marine residence of Queen
Victoria, and though the grounds are on a rather
larger scale than the three I have named, they
come under the petite class I refer to.

Mr. Clayton's garden is under the charge of
Mr. Smith, besides whom about six hands are
employed. A good part of the property is cut

from the main garden by a neat iron fence, and
left to grow for hay, and yet the appearance of a
park is given to it by trees, singly and in clumps,
scattered over the surface. Thus the grass not
only helps to keep down the cost of the garden,
but is just the thing to give a country idea to the
place. Only just immediately about the house
is mowed, the unmowed parts being kept out of
sight from the windows so far as the ground sur-
face is concerned, but the view not in the least
being checked by the design. Near the house,
in its front, a steep bank suddenly descends, and
below are planted numerous Oak trees, but
these, when they reach the ground level, are cut
off to that line, and in this way there is a long
level of green leaves, adding by so much to the
apparent extent of the flat surface in the front of
the house. I never saw so pretty an effect ob-
tained in this way. The huge, spreading Elms
give of themselves a charm to the place, and a
shady retreat in the hottest day. They are about
seventy feet high, and are from twelve to thirteen
feet in circumference. Many choice trees are
scattered about, until we suddenly find ourselves
in the garden proper, on which the chief art has
been employed. I suggested to Mr. Smith that
it was probably not over two acres, and was sur-
prised to be told that it was barely over half an
acre. All of this effect is obtained by throwing
up the earth in some places and lowering it in
others, and by judiciously carrying walks and
paths around the well-planted mounds, banks
and depressions. It is so arranged that every
fifty feet square is totally different from the rest,
and in this way there is no end to the variety
but the boundary of the whole. Of course no
one who is his own gardener could design or
execute a piece of work like this. He might as
well attempt to make his own Sunday clothes.
Even the best practical gardeners, such as Mr.
Smith here is, would think it beyond their prov-
ince. Milnor, one of the best landscape garden-
ers in England, was employed especially for the
work.

On Mr. Gasson's place is just such another
beautiful piece of work, but of a totally different
kind. It was said to be designed by a Mr. Black,
of Fulham, near London, and took a long time
to execute. I should not think it much over an
acre ; but here the artist had the advantage of a
little water to work with, and he planned out a
sort of rock garden. There are jets, cascades,
ponds, mounds, gullies, caves, arches, arbors
above ground, and cool seats below, and all so

284

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[September,

interwoven with plants and flowers adapted to
each successional scene, as to appear a part each
of the other, and it affords no end of enjoyment.
It seemed almost incredible that so much could
be crowded into so small a space. How well
this little place illustrated the progress of Eng-
lish gardening! When I knew it forty years
ago, it was famous for its large Silver Firs, going
on to a hundred feet high, as I thought then,
but their nearly dead trunks now show they
could have been barely seventy, (again the decep-
tive past!) and there were its fine Horse Chest-
nuts, and Portugal Laurels, Rhododendrons, and
nice, shaded walks through them. There were
flower beds, with box edgings and gravel walks
about them, and all flowers such as these were in
those days. But a garden like this ! Who would
have dreamed of it!

St. Clare is one of those lovely little gems
which once seen, is never forgotten, and this I
say not because five or six years of my own boy-
ish life was spent on it, or because my own
father, a hale, hearty man of eighty, has still
charge of it, but because I know that any one
who sees it will say 'tis true. Of course the
climate helps it. The Winter is seldom worse
than at New Orleans in our own country, while
the air in Summer is always moist, and the tem-
perature generally steady at about 70°. What
plant would not enjoy a life like this? Well,
there are a few dissatisfied even here, as even
Lucifer tired of the joys of heaven, and there
were Paulownias and others like them, still
doing something, but evidently wishing for the
Summer heats of the United States. I never saw
Roses do anywhere, in any part of the world,
like they do here, and it is not to be wondered
at that year after year, in spite of the severest
competition, the first premium was taken with
them at the Island show. The proprietor sec-
onds the generosity of the soil and culture, and
every year new roses are added to the list. The
best roses always come from the plants budded
on briar stocks. Most of them are budded about
on a level with the eye, giving an excellent
chance to easily examine and smell them. Some
of them are very old — thirty and forty years, I
know — and yet are as healthy and yield as fine
roses as if planted but half a dozen years ago. I
measured one of these old plants. It was the
Duchesse de Berri. The stem of the briar stock
was six inches round. The plant had been bud-
ded about four feet from the ground about
twenty-five years since. The head was four feet

in diameter, though pruned back every year,
and I counted six hundred flowers on it. Of
course in a climate like this there are Myrtles,
Fuchsias, New Holland Acacias, Camellias, and
many other things, generally greenhouse plants,
here in the open air, but few would expect to
see them of such gigantic size. Fuchsia longi-
flora, which, with F. fulgens for the other parent,
gave the birth to the present race of Hybrid
Fuchsias in the person of F. St. Clare, — the original
plant of F. longiflora of this hybrid, is still in the
open air in the same spot it was thirty-five years
or more ago, and as healthy as a willow tree.

Though in a climate so favorable one might
expect to find things ranked as greenhouse plants
with us in the open ground here, one can hardly
avoid surprise at the grand specimens of some
things. Imagine a Portugal Laurel with branches
spreading over a surface one hundred feet
round, and covered with millions of spikes of
blossoms ; a bush of the New Zealand Flax, which
has been here nearly forty years, and is now a stock
six feet across ; a Rose with a stem eight inches
round; a Hawthorne with a trunk five feet in
girth ; the rare Ilex latifolia (grafted on some
other stock), twenty-five feet high, and covered
with berries just turning red; a New Holland
Acacia four feet round, and especially remark-
able, a Yucca gloriosa with a trunk four and a
half feet round, and with twelve huge arms, each
branching into numerous small ones. These are
of immense weight, and each arm has to be sup-
ported by an iron buttress, or it would split and
fall away by its own weight alone. Here is, per-
haps, one of the best specimens of that beautiful
Californian pine, Pinus insignis, in cultivation.
I had no means just then of getting its exact
height, but it is certainly fifty feet, while it
measured eight feet round the trunk a foot or so
from the ground. It is a good illustration of the
fact often mentioned in the Gardener's Monthly,
that trees grow much more rapidly than people
generally suppose. As a boy I assisted at the
planting of this tree, then in a six-inch flower
pot, just thirty-four years ago the past Spring.
Here are also other evidences that plants do not
take long to grow. There is a Blood Beech over
forty feet, Cedars of Lebanon fifty feet, and many
other things about these heights, and all planted
within thirty years. The chief attraction in
these beautiful grounds is the continuously vary-
ing sets of flower gardens, all so differently ar-
ranged, and each among such differing sur-
roundings, that continuous variety is well

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

285

provided for. Over thirty thousand plants for
bedding purposes have to be propagated each
year, yet by judiciously employing frames as the
stocks are rooted, it is not so hard a task as it
seems.

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. — A hasty
drive through this park in the middle of August
showed that this public garden was improving
rapidly on the past. Of course much that was
done in the building of Horticultural Hall, and
in the arrangements for the collections of ex-
hibitors, could not be done in accordance with
the strictness of gardening. The building, for
instance, had to be very ornate in order to
attract for the special occasion, and to be so
arranged as to accommodate huge crowds of
people rather than to make room for crowds of
plants ; so with beds and walks. It is cheaper
to retain these and to build up from what has
been done, than to start wholly anew, and those
of us who are disposed to criticize according to
standard rules of taste, must remember these
things. Then we must not forget how many
masters there are to please in an American pub-
lic park, and just what sort of masters many of
these are.

Knowing the difficulties of the situation
all must award great praise to Mr. C. H.
Miller, who for the past year has had the direc-
tion of the ornamentation of the park. He may
in time be able to satisfy a critical taste ; for the
present he has undoubtedly gained the good will
of the mass of the people who have in thousands
enjoyed the gorgeous display during the season,
and who are made to feel that in these public
expenditures they are getting a fair return, and
which they have rarely had before.

The Nursery Business. — The nursery trade is
said to be somewhat depressed over the United
States, but judging by the beautiful set of des-
criptive catalogues now before us, issued by Ell-
wanger & Barry, of Rochester, they are encour-
aged to push business, and this is a good sign.
We have little doubt but the worst is over for
the nursery trade, and that good times will soon
come again.

Floral Decorations at Parties in France. —
While in Paris recently, the wife of the French
President gave a party, in which the floral fea-
tures were literally grand. In a newspaper para-
graph the next day we noted that nearly five
thousand pot plants had been used by the dec-
orator. The grounds of the Palais d'Elysee form

an oblong square, surrounded by a wall so high,
and with an iron railing on top, that they are
strictly private, even in this public city ; but the
rich ivy which flows over, and the magnificent
trees which will not stay " private," show that
there is some garden love behind the walls.

Swindles in Horticulture. — The Prairie Far-
mer observes : "The persons generally gulled by
swindling advertisements, however, are those
who seldom read newspapers of any kind ; or, if
so, only those of the trashy sort. This class is
easily fooled by the special circulars, sent out by
swindling firms." We like this, because it has
always been our answer to correspondents who
urge us to "go for" this or that. When a man
buys a " strawberry " which is to grow as big as
an apple tree, and to require ladders to pick the
fruit, it is surely a waste of space and time to any
of our readers to say that such things are not to be.
If there be any of our readers who for themselves
desire such information, we will always cheer -
fully attend to such queries in our regular de-
partments.

iEscuLUS Californica. — Buillon, in his admir-
able Dictionare de Botanique, of which parts to
the letter C have now been published, says that
the Californian Horse Chestnut constitutes the
chief part of the approvisionnements of the Sioux
Indians. It may be of some tribes, but scarcely
of the Sioux. Can any of our readers tell us
whether this species extends into the Sioux ter-
ritory. It seems to be too tender for this part of
the United States (Philadelphia).

The Horse Chestnut for Rheumatism. — Last
year we met an American-born fellow-citizen
with Horse Chestnuts in his pocket, which he said
he carried as a safeguard against rheumatism '
We had not known of such a reputation before ,
and supposed the idea originated on this conti-
nent. But Buillon says that the oil from the
nuts is used with advantage against gout and
rheumatism, which shows the same idea preva-
lent in France. We further find that in China
the seeds of their species (JEscidus turbinata), is
used to prevent muscular contraction in severe
cases of rheumatism. If all these experiences
come from distinct observations, and each with-
out any knowledge of what the other has found,
it may be that there may be more than mere
imagination in the chestnut being a rheumatic
cure. Have any of our readers had any reliable
experience with it? For we suppose the knowl-
edge of its powers must be wider than we knew.

286

TEE GARDE NEB'S MONTHLY

[September,

Marengo (Ills.) Nurserymen. — The Commer-
cial Advertiser speaks well of the prosperity of the
Marengo nurserymen, and names Messrs. Peck,
Woodard, Rogers, Gilkerson, and Prescott, and
Norris & Vasey as especially entitled to praise.

R. R. Scott. — The death of R. Robinson Scott,
briefly referred to in our last, deserves more than
a passing notice. He was a native of Belfast, in
the north of Ireland, and he numbers among his
relatives and kinsfolk some of the leading citi-
zens of that city. He received a first-class edu-
cation, and in the knowledge of ancient and
modern languages he particularly excelled. In-
deed, in every branch of learning he had few
superiors. He was in very early life fond of
flowers, and he determined to devote his life to
botany and horticulture. He went through a
course of studies in these branches at the Botanic
•Garden of Glasneven, near Dublin, from whence,
under the patronage of Dr. Mitten, a celebrated
Irish botanist, he was advanced to Kew, in Eng-
land. Before he had been there many months,
be was acquainted with every plant in that large
collection, and the botanical relations of en-
tirely unknown plants would be at once recog-
nized by him. Those who knew him well,
looked forward to a career for him of the highest
usefulness to his fellows. Unfortunately, amidst
all this brilliant promise, there was a sort of
chivalric recklessness, which indicated an un-
balanced mind, and which was deemed eccen-
tric, and interfered with the efforts of his friends
for his advancement. On the breaking out of
Smith O'Brien's rebellion, he abandoned *11 his
botanical studies, and took an active part in the
struggle. An oration on " What has England
done for Ireland," delivered to an excited throng
of some thousands, and in the poetic language
of which he was so complete a master, was pro-
nounced one of the most wonderful pieces of
oratory of the time. It was the more remark-
able as coming from one hardly out of his teens,
and of so small a stature and juvenile appear-
ance as to appear much younger than he really
was. On the conclusion of the rebellion he
came to Philadelphia, and resumed the profes-
sion of horticulture, and in spite of his numerous
eccentricities, made many friends by his won-
derful knowledge, his industry and energy, and
indeed by his many virtues, for his faults were
always on the side of what he imagined to be
duty and right. He discovered and described a
new American Fern, Asplenivm ebenoides, which

is yet a source of great interest to botanists. In
keeping with his other eccentricities, to the sur-
prise of all his friends, who knew he had not
one dollar in his pocket, and no prospects of
getting one, he started the Florist, a monthly
magazine with very expensive colored plates,
the first number of which appeared on the 1st of
of May, 1852. It was a greater surprise how
near that venture became a complete success.
Eventually the eccentricities made enemies
faster than friends ; the mind which guided it, in
some respects naturally weak, gave way under
its labors ; and he had to take refuge in an asy-
lum. The Philadelphia Florist lived three years,
and any one can see by a reference to its pages,
that had its editor been as gifted physically as
he was mentally — had intellect and body been
better matched — there would never have been
occasion for any other horticultural paper in
America to this day. The later years of his life
fluctuated between his malady and occasional
periods when he could work at his profession.
His death at Harrisburg has been already re-
corded. It is often said there is but a hair
between life and death; and one may as truly say
there is as narrow a line between a fame almost
undying, and an utter blank. This much must
be said for our friend, that if he failed to make
his mark on humanity's illustrated page, it was
by no fault of his own. What faculties his
Maker gave him, he used to the fullest extent
that he knew how, and in very many instances
to the pleasure and profit of his fellow-men.

He leaves a wife and two children — a son and
daughter.

Death of T. T. Mather. — A Montgomery Co.,
Pa., correspondent sends us the following extract
from his local paper: "On Thursday morning
last, Thomas T. Mather died at his residence "in
Cheltenham. He had been suffering from can-
cer of the throat for several months, but was
well enough to be about and attend to his busi-
ness. The immediate cause of his death was
hemorrhage. He was a director of the Jenkin-
town National Bank, and was an upright, pub-
lic-spirited man. He died in the 64th year of
his age," — and very justly adds: "Mr. Mather
was well known for his endeavors to advance
fruit culture. He was always an exhibitor at all
shows within reach, never repining, indeed he
probably never thought that he may not some-
times have had justice done him. He was working
for the public good, and not merely in justice to
self. The Mather Pear is named for him."

18H.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

28T

Music. — From S. Brainerd & Sons, Cleveland,
Ohio, we have a selection of sacred songs selected
from Bliss, Murray and others, arranged in one
volume, entitled " Heavenward."

Mr. Koderick Campbell. — We are pleased to
notice by an Utica paper, that so well pleased
were the trustees of Forest Hill Cemetery with
the horticultural services of Mr. Roderick Camp-
bell, that in addition to his salary, they pre-
sented him with a check for $200.

Mr. A. M. Engle on Early Peaches— Mr.
Engle writes us that he is overburdened with
correspondence about his early peaches. To save
this correspondence, he has sent us " all _ he
knows," and we shall have pleasure in publish-
ing the statement next month.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

"60" Sized Pots. — Mr. E. Lonsdale, German-
town, Pa., writes: "'One interested' will find
the answer to his question (see page 239 August
number), relative to " 60 pots," in the Garden,
page 52, No. 295, Vol. XII, by Mr. John Saul
himself, where he has written on the same sub-
ject, as noted in the Monthly, viz: Tabernsemon-
tana camassa, in which he says, ' Small plants in
3-inch pots will produce flowers freely.' It seems
strange he should be so explicit where it is less
necessary, for in England pots are frequently
called 60, 48 and 32 sized pots, and so on, as the
case may be. It is an absurd practice in any
country, for it seems much easier, and certainly
more proper, to designate a flower pot in inches,
when it is readily understood by whomsoever
reads."

Mr. Darwin's Family. — A correspondent sends
us the following piece of harmless gossip, which
he says he found in a London paper : " Mr. Dar-

win has, during his whole life, been in easy cir-
cumstances, above the toil of earning an income.
Unlike many philosophers, he has not had the
mortification of spending his best hours in the
drudgery of official routine, or the hardly less
wearisome task of teaching. He has been ena-
bled to devote his entire time to his favorite
pursuits, and since his marriage with his cousin,
Miss Emma Wedgwood, has resided at Down,
amid the rich and varied scenery of one of the
prettiest parts of Kent. As his numerous family
has grown up around him he has been relieved
of all the cares which distract the scientific
worker in the heat and turmoil of active life. He
leads a truly calm and philosophic existence,
unvexed by the contemplation of weekly bills
and the signing of checks. In his wife and
family he is especially happy, being spared the
pain of degenerate offspring. His eldest son,
Mr. William Darwin, is a banker at Southamp-
ton ; the second, George, took high honors at
Cambridge, and is now a Fellow of Trinity ; the
third, Frank, who has inherited his father's ill
health, acts as his secretary ; the fourth, Leonard,
is an officer in the artillery, and distinguished
himself as one of the scientific corps sent to ob-
serve the transit of Venus; the fifth, Horace, is
an excellent mathematician. One married and
one unmarried daughter complete a family
whose constant care is to relieve its head of all
possible trouble or anxiety."

Prices op Nursery Plants and Flowers. — A
correspondent calls attention to a paper by Mr.
Henderson, in which he shows that except in a
few standard stocks, the prices of trees and
plants rule lower in America than they do in
Europe. Mr. H.'s letter has been republished in
so many places, that most of our readers have
probably seen it, and we need not quote ; but we
may say that we endorse all he says.

Horticultural ^societies.

C03IMUNICA TIONS.

KANSAS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BY H. E. VAN DEMAN, GENEVA, KAN.

At Abilene, on the Smoky Hill Kiver, on the
6th and 7th of June, 1877, this Society met for
the pleasure and instruction of its members, and
of the community. This is a live institution. It
would be entirely out of place here to repeat
much of what was said, but may be some of the
readers of the Monthly would like to hear from
us. Verbal reports from delegates from different
parts of the State were encouraging as to the
fruit crop. Hedges and stone fences are fast
superseding the rail and board fence. Thou-
sands of miles of Osage Orange hedge are set
every year, and on the increase. Shelter belts

and groves or forests are also increasing. The
tree act of Congress, I am happy to say in con-
tradiction of what I reported two years ago, is
proving of great benefit to the settler and the
State. Any one who will plant 40 acres of
forest trees 12 feet apart, within four years on the
vacant Government land, can have 160 acres.
Many are availing themselves of the privilege.
The kinds set are principally elm, ash, box elder,
honey locust, soft maple, black walnut, cotton-
wood and osage orange. This last named tree, who-
ever has control does not permit as lawful upon a
timber claim. It is one of the most durable of
woods, and the restrictions are greatly regretted by
the settlers. We have found that shelter belts
should be upon the south of the orchards to ob-
struct the sweep of the Summer winds instead of
north, as first planted, to ward off the Winter

288

TRE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ September,

winds. These do not prove damaging as sup-
posed, except to live stock. The wind upon the
prairie whips and bruises the foliage of tender
shrubs, trees and smaller plants. Any fast grow-
ing annual like hemp or castor bean, or even
corn, is a great help until more durable protec-
tion can be grown.

The whole matter of a recommended fruit list
was referred to the Experimental Committee of
the Society, of which I may some time tell you.
This old fashion of grinding over and over and
out a fruit list in the meetings we have aban-
doned in disgust. It takes too much time, and
is too unreliable. There is a better way.

The wild trees, shrubs, and flowers of Kansas
were talked about. We have a rich supply of
such kinds as deserve cultivation. Among the
smaller ones are the Verbena, several species of
Violet, Anemone, Tradescantia, and Mimosa.
The wild prairie rose, the Cephalanthus or but-
ton bush, are two very good native plants. Our
Elms and Box Elder or Negundo are better than
the far-fetched exotics.

The ladies attend our meetings too. We were
highly entertained by an essay on "Woman's
Work in Horticulture," by Miss Mary L. Macy,
of Hannibal, Mo., the essence of which is "plain
living and high culture." The next meeting of
the Society will be held at Parsons, in the Neosho
Valley, in December next. All are invited, wel-
comed, and freely entertained.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Nurseryman's Protective Association. —
This organization, which has been in existence
several years, has increased its area for member-
ships, now embracing the whole country. Started
at first as a Western organization, its growth has
been more rapid than anticipated, till now it
throws its protecting arms over all, and its mem-
berships embrace the leading men in the trade
throughout the North, besides a number of mem-
berships in the South. It aims to do no man an
injury, but simply to point out the rocks and
shoals in the great business sea, to associate
members, that they may steer clear and profit by
the experience of others. Character is worth
something to all men, in whatever business call-
ing, and to none is it worth more than to the
nurseryman and dealer; but many there are,
all over the land, who, regardless of the injury
done, will take advantage of both buyer and sel-
ler for pecuniary gain when they can, and from
the depredations of this class, all in the trade
must more or less share their blame. To protect
one another, as the name indicates, is the object
of the Association ; and so long as the same vigi-
lance over memberships is exercised in the
future, as has been in the past, so long will mem-
bers regard the Association and its Reports, as
now, a most valuable assistance in their trade. —
Industrial Gazette.

The American Association of Nurserymen. —
The leading object of this Association, to wit :

" The purchase and sale of surplus stock," is not
shown in the book of its published transactions.
Unlike other associations of horticulturists, the
Annual Meeting is especially a " Trade Sale "
meeting, where buyer and seller meet to com-
pare views, and make their engagements for the
demands of their trade. Started only two years
ago, it has already held two meetings in the
West, with unabated interest, and next year it
will hold its annual meeting in Rochester, N. Y.,
when it is hoped its memberships will be largely
increased. All in the trade, whether nursery-
men, florists or dealers, should avail themselves
of the advantages afforded at these annual gath-
erings. In addition to the buying and selling of
stock, there are the questions of freight, grading
of stock, methods of packing, &c, &c, to be dis-
cussed, and great good will flow to all in the
trade. —Industrial Gazette.

The Work of Group xxxvi. of the Centenni-
al Jury. — This group embraced fruits, fruit trees,
fruit models, legumes, vegetables, and allied
matters. As already stated, the work of this
jury was continuous from May to November, al-
ways taking two and generally four days a week.
Many thousands of exhibits were examined — the
legumes alone being over a thousand — and reports
on the actual merits of each in most cases, made
to the commissioners. Wherever special merit
was found awards were made, and the particular
points of special merit stated in the award. The
Centennial Commission intends to publish these
awards, and as the reasons will thus be given to
the world, much more honor will accrue to the
individuals who receive them, than the mere
announcement would as under the old system,
that "so and so " was "awarded a medal," with-
out any special reason being given. The proof
sheets of these awards have recently come under
the eye of the writer, and it appears that 216
persons received awards for special excellencies.
As this is perhaps not ten per cent, of the
exhibits made, those who receive the awards
may w:ell be proud of their honors.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Music at Horticultural Exhibitions. — A
correspondent refers to the annoyance from
music at some shows — interfering with the con-
versation and study of the articles on exhibition.
We think the majority of people like the music;
and we are sorry to say, many horticulturists do
not take as much interest in these exhibits as
they ought to do. It is possible to so have an
exhibition that the public shall be entirely satis-
fied with the horticultural products alone; but
when not, the managers must be excused if they
look to other arts besides that of gardening, to
give the public the full worth of their money.
Nothing would gratify us more than to see horti-
culture alone command entire attention, and we
hope that day will come.

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

OCTOBER, 1877.

Number 226.

LOWER ||ARDEN AND PLEASURE i^ROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Flower Garden and Pleasure Ground. —
Again we may call attention to the necessity of
having colored maps for the bedding plants of
next year, so that due preparation of the plants
during Winter may be made. In our country
we may use many hardy things very effectually
which will not make so much demand on green-
house and greenhouse care during Winter.
Very beautiful effects may be made by massing
shrubs, and these will not cost much. The
defect in most of our gardening experiences is
that the cost exceeds anticipation. Many of our
gardens are too large. See at this season how
the garden may be cut down so as to make the
balance more beautiful.

One great want of American gardening is
good roads in Winter. It is next to impossible
to have them of gravel or other material without
great expense. In many surburban places it is
now customary not to spend much on foot
paths, filling up with sand or any light material
which will make good walking for ordinary
weather ; and to depend on board walks, or
permanent paved ways for wet times.

In few things in American gardening has
there been so much improvement as in lawn-
making. Sodding or laying turf is now only
used for bordering or where an immediate effect
is wanted. Sowing is generally practiced. The'
grass seed may be sown in October. Green
grass (Blue of Kentucky) is the best. A little
rye may be sown with it in Fall, but not in

Spring. Its use is to make a little shade to keep
the young plants from thawing out. It can be
mowed at once next year, but must not be
mowed close, one inch the first year is. enough.
Weeds are often troublesome in a newly seeded
lawn, but if the ereen grass is not cut too close,
in two or three years it will crowd out most of
the weeds.

There is probably no branch of gardening
more pleasing than that which embraces hardy
bulbs. They come into flower so early, and
grow with so little care, that every one may
grow them at a small cost. Of those which
may be planted this month are Hyacinths,
Tulips, Crocus, Narcissus, Japan Lilies, Ane-
mones, Ranunculus, Crown Imperials, Snowdrops
— among the better known varieties. All of
these prefer a soil that is rich and not dry, but
by no means a wet soil. The Tulip, Anemone
and Ranunculus will do better in a dryer soil
than the others; but the two last do not do well
where the sun will shine directly on them when
in flower. In planting these in the flower beds,
it is well to set them so that Spring planted
flowers for Summer bedding can go between
them. Where some loose litter can be had, it
may be used to cover the bulb-ground with. It
prevents thawing of the soil till the warm Spring
rain comes; and we presume our readers know
that it is the repeated thawings which " draw "
the roots of things out in the late Winter
months, and leave them bare to the sun, and to
their great injury.

Many kinds of hardy annuals flowTer much

290

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[Octobe>

better next Spring, when sown at this season of
the year. A warm, rich border should be chosen,
and the seed put in at once. Early in Spring
they must be transplanted to the desired position
in the flower bed.

Many persons complain that they cannot get
the Pansy to produce flowers as handsome as
they see them represented in seedmen's plates;
but it is because they are not sown early enough.
If not already done, sow them at once, — if they
can have the protection of a cold frame all the
better. These cold frames are very useful in
small flower gardens. There are many little
things pretty hardy, but which are much better
with this protection. Many people have much
difficulty in keeping over choice kinds of roses,
such as Teas, Chinas and Bourbons. But if
these are lifted from the ground early in October
and set thickly in a cold frame, they can
generally be kept very well. It is not so much
the degree of frost which injures them, as it is
the drying influence of the frost; and the frame
aids in the prevention of evaporation. We know
of a rose-grower who keeps the tenderest of roses
in pots in a house without any fire, though the
temperature outside goes below zero, and the
roses are frozen solid most of the Winter. But
he waters as regularly as through the Summer,
as the frost dries so. He finds even the tenderest
to get through the Winter in this house as well
as if there were no frost.

Summer flower bulbs must be taken up at
once for Winter protection. A. cellar, secure
from frost, is the best place. Here Caladiums,
Tuberoses, Gladiolus, Tritomas, Dahlias, Tigri-
dias and similar things, which do not like frost,
may be preserved. The Pampas grass may also
be kept in a cellar, if fitted into a tub or large
pot, and not kept too warm or wet. Usually
they will keep out of doors if dry leaves be put
thickly over them, and a box put over to keep
the leaves dry; but many were lost in this way
last Winter.

We cannot have the English Ivy to any great
extent in the Northern States, but the Japan
creeping Euonymus is a good substitute. It
creeps over walls, trees and fences just as ivy
does, and seems hardy very far north. We give
an illustration of it in Science Department of
this number. The kind in culture is chiefly
variegated with white; but for those who prefer
the full green, it very often kindly throws out
the original green-leaved condition.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

NEW TUBEROUS BEGONIAS.

BY DANIEL BARKER, NORFOLK, VA.

This new and beautiful race of Begonias is
destined to occupy a very prominent place in
ornamental gardening (by what we may judge
of the plants set out in some of our city
gardens) as much so as theZonale Geraniums at
the present day. We find some of them eminently
adapted for planting out in a partially shaded
place, and for the decoration of the greenhouse,
conservatory or parlor windows, as when cultiva-
ted in pots they make superb specimens, it
being not unusual to have single plants from two
to three feet through and three feet high covered
with blossoms, which they produce in extrava-
gant profusion throughout the Summer and
Autumn months.

The following new and beautiful varieties,
with their profuse flowering quality and magni-
ficent foliage, are selected from a large collection
raised at our establishment this season:

The Bride. — A magnificent variety, flowers
opening a pure white, foliage a dark velvety
green, very effectual.

No. 2. Large flowers of a beautiful bright
canary -yellow foliage, finely variegated, a charm-
ing variety.

No. 3. Foliage beautifully mottled with dark
green, producing flowers of a rich salmon tint,
which are produced in extravagant profusion, a
beautiful variety.

No. 4. A superb variety, producing, in the
greatest profusion, flowers of a rich deep ma-
genta, extremely showy.

No. 5. Intense orange-scarlet flowers, very
elegant and distinct.

No. 6. A very attractive variety, flowers large,
of a beautiful rosy salmon which are produced
in the greatest profusion, a charming variety.

A NEW LATE FLOWERING MAGNOLIA.

BY SAMUEL PARSONS, FLUSHING, N. Y.

In the Gardener's Monthly for July, an interest-
ing notice was given of Magnolia Halleana and
Thurberi, comparatively new varieties that were
brought from Japan fifteen years since by Dr.
Hall, propagated by Parsons & Co., and thus
inherited by the present firms of kindred names.
The hardiness of these Magnolias is unquestion-

1877.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

291

able and unsurpassed, having been tested these
many years by the various nurseries of Flushing,
and by hundreds of persons in all parts of the
country to whom they have been sold. It is
gratifying to learn that so valuable a variety as
Magnolia Thurberi can bloom, since never
before, to our knowledge, has a single flower
appeared in America. In all probability, ma-
ture age is necessary, in this case, to produce
wood suitable for flowering.

My main object, however, is to call attention
to another variety, or perhaps, species, Magnolia
Hypoleuca, which deserves consideration, not
only for beauty, but extreme rarity, never
having been offered for sale in America, nor as
far as I know, in Europe. The merit of this
variety lies chiefly in the great beauty of its
milk-white flowers, which resemble those of
Conspicua, and possess a delicious banana-like
odor, surpassing that of any other hardy
Magnolia. Bright and attractive in foliage, the
under side of the leaf is greenish-white, whence
the name. Hypoleuca is quite hardy, having
been grown a dozen years or more in New York
City by Mr. Thomas Hogg. The bloom appears
about the middle of June. Specimens of the
flowers were exhibited by Mr. Hogg at the June
exhibition of the New York Horticultural
Society. The firm of S. B. Parsons & Sons are
in exclusive possession of a considerable stock of
this variety and will soon offer it for sale. They
have other new and valuable Magnolias from
Japan, obtained through the enterprise of Mr.
Hogg, which they propose, as soon as propaga-
ted in sufficient quantities, to describe and offer
to the trade. All Magnolias are so beautiful and
valuable, that any real addition to the list of
good kinds should be very interesting to the
horticultural public.

P/EONIA BROWNII.

BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL.

One of the most strikingly handsome plants
growing in California in a wild state, is the one
whose name heads this article.

I saw it for the first time this Spring, and was
immediately taken with its great beauty, and
have no doubt that when brought into market
it will be found one of the most desirable of
novelties.

Pseonia Brownii is, like all other Paeonies, a
perennial, the top dying down in Winter and

new shoots coming up from the root every
Spring. It grows about one foot high.

The one to two ternately compound leaves are
of a very thick, leathery nature, the leaflets are
ternately and pinnately lobed or divided. The
leaves are glaucous beneath, and either glaucous
or glabrous above.

The petals of the flower are from five to ten
in number, they vary in size, in color they are a
dark red, the centre of each petal being almost
black, the edges shading clearer red ; they are
very thick. The sepals are about the same size
as the petals and vary from a pure green to a
bronze green in color.

The "flowers are from one to two inches in
diameter, and are always found drooping down-
wards.

The follicles or seed-pods are very large, often
an inch and over long, of a green color
and from two to five hf number; these, surround-
ed as they are by the numerous yellow stamens,
give an additional beauty to the flower.

Pseonia Brownii, though enduring a great
range of station and climate, is never met with
in large numbers, a dozen, perhaps, will be found
together, and then you might go for fifty miles
and not find another. That it will do well in
any locality is evident from how it grows wild,
being found on the hot plains of Los Angeles
and San Diego, and also near the limits of per-
petual snow on the Sierra Nevadas. It shows
no preference for wet or dry soil, blooming
equally well in both.

One of our rarest natives, and one which
cultivation will change wonderfully.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

New Cemetery at Toledo, O. — One hundred
and sixty acres near this beautiful city has been
secured for a cemetery on the "lawn plan," that
is, no fences or divisions between lots but survey-
ors' marks. The plan adopted has been drawn
by Swagerl & Co., of Philadelphia, one of the
members of which is Mr. H. J. Svvartzman, well-
known in connection with Fairmount Park and
the Horticultural Hall of the Centennial Ex-
hibition.

Roses in Winter. — The Tea and China roses
are too tender for some parts of the Union to
leave out unprotected in the Winter season.

292

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

Perhaps the best way to preserve them is to lift
them out before the Winter sets in, cut away the
unripe parts, set them all in thickly on the side
of a sloping piece of ground, where the water
will run away, and cover with earth all the plant,
root and branch. If one has not a sloping piece
of ground, make a little hillock so that the water
will drain away. This refers to any half hardy
plant that has moderately firm wood, pome-
granates or crape myrtles for instance.

The Mocassin Flower. — They say in England
that we shall soon have none of this beautiful
flower in our woods. Some vandal has been
scouring the country and sen.ling roots there by
the wagon load, selling them by auction for
"what they will fetch," which was about a
penny apiece, hardly enough to pay freight.
Perhaps such vandalism will cure itself.

Mademoiselle Marie Finger Rose. — This was
noticed favorably in our columns last year. It
has been thought identical with Mademoiselle
Eugenie Verdier, but it is now said to be a
darker Rose, and may be distinguished by being
more spiny than Miss Verdier.

Hardy Bulbs. — The following are very beau-
tiful, yet seldom met with :

Allium molle, Anthericum Liliago, Arum
Dracunculus, Bulbocodium vernum, Fritillaria
Meleagris, Leucojum sestivum, Scilla amana,
Scilla campanulata, Scilla Frazeri, Triteleia uni-
flora, Tulipa sylvestris.

Distinct Phloxes.— So many of the new ones
resemble the old, that it is difficult to name
distinct kinds. But, on a recent visit to Miller &
Hayes, August Riviere and Eugene Verdier
were really novel in shade and beautiful, and
will please all lovers of hardy Phloxes who may
not already have them.

The Colorado Menzies Spruce.— It has been
suggested by English nurserymen that the fine
form of Abies Menziesii which grows in Col
orado, should be called Abies Menziesii Parry-
ana. We do not see the necessity of these long
Latin names for mere varieties, and should
think that Colorado Menzies Spruce would be
quite sufficient, and certainly more expressive.
This is what Mr. Sargent called it, who was the
first to point out in public the difference, and
should by all horticultural courtesy be allowed
to give his own name, without having it burden-
ed with hosts of synonyms.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Improved Fox Glove.— The Fox Glove, after
having bloomed and kept itself true in English
woods and fence corners for thousands of years,
has been "broken" by the florists into innu-
merable varieties. At St. Clare the writer of this
saw many of these new forms. Mr. Vietch reports
that there are even hybrids said to be raised
between it and the Gloxinia, but this report may
have arisen because of one variety having been
named " Gloxiniseflora."

Callirrhoe Macrorrhize. — The Callirrhoes
are among the most beautiful of our hardy wild
flowers, and are much appreciated in English
gardens. They belong to the Mallow family,
and have flowers of various vermilion shades.
A white variety of the one above noted has
appeared in English gardens, of which Mr.
Thompson thus speaks in the London Garden:

No white form of any species of this favorite
genus of Malvaceous plants has hitherto been
discovered; the present introduction has, there-
fore, some claim to notice on the score of novelty,
apart from its intrinsic merits, which are con-
siderable. It is of very neat habit of growth,
producing from a tap root, which ultimately
attains some size, an erect stem from 1J ft. to
2? ft. high, which bears a corymbose raceme of
pure white flowers, on long, naked foot-stalks,
articulated near the summit, the corolla being
rather more than an inch across, and the calyx
without the involucral leaflets, which occur in
some other species of this genus. The foliage,
mostly radical, is cordate in form, with crenate
margins and long-stalked. The plant appears
to occur in several shades of color, varying from
rosy-purple to pale rose and white. Sown early,
it will bloom the first year. It is a native of
the Southwestern United States.

Hybrid Aquilegia Chrysantha. — When the
Yellow Columbine was first introduced, we ad-
vised our readers to take it in hand and hybridize
it with the older races, and thus introduce a new
breed. We have not heard that any one has
adopted this suggestion, but an English gentle-
man has, and raised some beautiful things.
He will, probably, get "lots of money." It is
strange that the proverbial sharp " Yankee "
lots these chances slip.

Idesia polycarpa. — We have before spoken
of this new Japan tree. A plant was imported
for the Centennial collection in Fairmount Park,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

293

for the completion of which no expense was
spared, but it arrived dead. It may, perhaps, be
in the collections of other enterprising American
tree lovers, but we have not heard of it. To
draw attention again to it, we give the following,
which has recently appeared in the Garden:

We have received from Mr. John Luscombe,
of Combe Royal, South Devon, a very beautiful
specimen of a tree which is likely to prove a
very desirable addition to our gardens. This is
Idesia polycarpa, a Japanese tree, which was
not known to science until 1866, when it was
described by the Russian botanist Maximowicz,
who met with it in cultivation at Nipon and
Yedo, in Japan, and ascertained that it was a
native of the island Kiusiu, at the foot of a
mountain called Hikosan. Mr. Luscombe des-
cribes it as a handsome treelike spreading
shrub, with fine foliage; but, according to Pro-
fessor Maximowicz, it attained in Japan the
dimensions of a large tree. The leaves in the
specimen before us are irregularly serrate, acu-
minate, very slightly cordate at the base, the
larger ones about 6 in. across, bright green
above, whitish or almost glaucous beneath,
with live prominent branching nerves, which
are reddish towards the base; the leaves are
borne on red petioles about their own length.
The flowers are dioecious; the males, which Mr.
Luscombe has sent us, have from four to six
yellowish-green spreading sepals, and an indefi-
nite number of pale green filaments with
orange anthers. Each blossom is about h in.
across; they form long, gracefully-drooping,
branched racemes, springing from the axils of
the upper leaves. The female flowers are
similar in appearance, but are succeeded by
very numerous orange berries, which appear,
from dried specimens communicated by the
discoverer to the British Museum Herbarium,
to be about as large as a small Cherry. The
flowers are deliriously fragrant, their odor re-
sembling that of a Vanda; and although their
coloring is not brilliant, their effect, combined
with the red leaf-stalks, the varying green of the
leaves, and their elegant drooping habit is ex-
tremely pleasing. The tree belongs to the Order
Bixine?e (or Flacourtiacese), to which our gar-
dens have not hitherto been largely indebted.
It was named by M. Maximowicz in commem-
oration of a Dutch traveler named Ides, who.
was sent to China by Peter the Great at the
beginning of the last century, and who subse-
quently published an account of his travels.

PlNUS OMORIKA— A NEW CONIFERS. — The

discovery of a new Conifer in Europe is as
interesting as unexpected. It inhabits the
mountains of those "unhappy" countries, Ser-
via, Bosnia, and Montenegro, and Dr. Paucie is
the botanist who, after much consideration and
research, and after taking the opinion of the
late A. Braun, K. Koch, and others, has descri-
bed it as a new species under the name of Pinus
Omorika. It belongs to the Abies section, and
is most nearly allied to P. orientalis. Omorika
is the Servian name of this tree, which Dr.
Paucie describes as being of gigantic stature,
equalling, if not exceeding, the loftiest of its
European congeners. It is of slender habit,
with relatively short branches forming a pyra-
midal crown; bark of the trunk brown-red,
peeling off, the fragments often heaped up in
great quantity around the base of the trunk.
The lower branches pendent, with the extremi-
ties only directed upwards. Needles (leaves)
of a silver-gray hue, small and short (about 5
lines long), usually obtuse; cones oval-oblong, 2
inches long, at first erect, gradually assuming a
horizontal position, and finally pendent; when
young of a beautiful violet color, when mature
reddish-brown, with an intermixture of ash-gray.
Scales of a roundish shape, faintly striated, and
equally toothed in the upper part. The forego-
ing particulars are from a lengthy article by
Carl Bolle, in the Berlin Horticultural Society's
Journal. Dr. Reichenbach contributes some
notes on the same subject to the Botanische Zei-
lung, n. s., 1877, from which it appears this tree
— " whether species, variety, or climatic form " —
is known by the name Omorika from the Adri-
atic to the Danube; audit is supposed that it
was formerly more widely dispersed than ap-
pears to be the case at present. This is founded
on the assumption that, because the name is so
widely understood, the tree yields a valuable
timber. Grisebach regards it as a variety of P.
orientalis, but, whether distinct or not, it is none
the less interesting, and another illustration of
the distribution of Coniferaas as exemplified by
the cedars, &c. — Gar. Chronicle.

Ceanothus integerrimus. — The mountains
about the Yosemite,abound in this beautiful lilac-
looking shrub. Imagine, if possible, dear read-
er, that you are on a road cut in the mountain
side, with a thousand feet of the mountain
below, and quite as much above you, and all
this, as far as the eye can reach, almost literally

294

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

covered with white lilac bushes, and all in full
bloom, and you will have something of an idea
of what we saw and enjoyed one day, when to
relieve the tired and over-burdened horses, we
climbed four miles of mountain road. Dr.
Kellogg writes us of this beautiful plant: " The
young twigs have the odor and flavor of the
spicy black Birch of the Eastern States. One
acre of upland well stocked with the Birch is
sought after by shrewd dairymen as equal to
three of common lowland for the cattle to
browse on when the low pasture dries up.
Though it does not increase the quantity of
milk, it adds 10 to 16 per cent, to the butter —
most invaluable for stock when a very dry sea-
son occurs, or during severe Winters. The bark
of the root is becoming celebrated for various
diseases, chronic derangement of the liver from
miasma, obstinate diarrhoea, etc. The Mountain
Birch abounds in the Yosemite and many or most
parts of the middle Sierra Nevada Mountains."
— James Vick.

Lilium Thunbergianum van Houttei.— The
most brilliant of all the dark colored varieties of
Thunbergianum. This very new variety, intro-
duced from Japan last Spring for the first time,
belongs to the finest of this class and is undoubt-
edly the pearl of the dark colored sorts. In
every respect it is worthy of the name of the
celebrated horticulturist, whose death is mourned
by the whole horticultural world. The flowers
are very large and of good form, bright dark
brown, the veins still darker shaded, and with
blackish dots. It is fully surpassing the much-
esteemed Atrosanguineum grandiflorum and
Atrosanguineum macula turn, by its better shaped
flowers of brighter color and its more vigorous

growth. The plant reaches 0,3 meter in height
and bears two or three flowers. Probably it
will flower more abundantly when it become*
acclimated in these regions. Without being
injured by it the flowers endure the strongest
sunbeams. We may with full confidence recom-
mend this magnificent Lily to every amateur of
flowers. — Krelage.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Hardy Yellow Rose. — " Hardy Rose," De-
troit, Mich., asks: — "Is there such a thing as a
perfectly hardy Yellow Rose? I am told that in
some Eastern gardens there is such a plant.
Would it be hardy here? You see my doubt is
as to a Yellow Rose hardy enough for our cold
Winters." [This, no doubt, refers to the Yellow
Briar. It is a golden yellow, with leaves some-
what of the form of the Sweet Briar. It is per-
fectly hardy, and is one of the most desirable of
flowering shrubs-— Ed. G. M.]

Propagating Tree P^onys. — A. F. B.,Tarboro,
Mass. These are grafted on the roots of the
herbaceous ones. Half ripe wood of the tree
PaBony is used, and after grafting on the roots,
are put into a slight bottom heat. If the wood
is not too mature, they unite readily.

Silver Thorn. — This (Elseagnus parvifolius)
has been tried extensively as a hedge plant by a
correspondent who dates from Hagerstown, and
who writes enthusiastically of the results of his
experiment.

REEN tgiOUSE AND

<C^3-'^->

ouse Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

We hope that those who want window plants
that will grow easily, will not forget what we
recently said about Amaryllis. As we are
writing this, a lady sends us a plant for name
that "blooms in her window, without any
trouble, every year," and it proves to be the

Vallota purpurea, which is the next thing to an
Amaryllis. Then for Spring there is the
Amaryllis formosissima, which can be had
easily at any bulb store, and should be planted
now. See cut on page 295.

Lily bulbs are general 1)' planted in the open
ground, but bulbs for flowering in pots should
be placed at once. Four or five-inch pots are
suitable. One Hyacinth and about three Tulips

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

295

are sufficient 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.

AMARYLLIS FORMOSISSIMA.

The taste for cut flowers is considerably in-
creasing, and one of the greatest demands on a
greenhouse in Winter, is from the better 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 Zonale Geraniums are very good for this pur-
pose. The following also comprise very useful
plants for this purpose : Bouvardia leiantha,
Calla Ethiopica, Cestrum aurantiacum, Habro-
thamnus elegans, Chorozema varium, Chinese
Primroses, especially the double white, Daphne
Indica, Poinsetta pulcherrima, Euphorbia splen-
dens, Heliotrope, Mignonette, Sweet allyssum,
Catalonian Jasmine, Yellow Jasmine, Mahernia
odorata, 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 Euonymus ja-
ponicus, is also worth potting to make a lively
green for mixing with other things.

There 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 dryness favorable to flowering, that
we need do no more than refer to the fact.

The various kinds of Begonias have either
been of late years added to by importations of
new species, or improved by hybridization, that
they make excellent winter-flowering green-
house plants. The new tuberous rooted ones,
however, of which the old Evansiana is a well-
known type, are Summer flowerers, and will
come in wonderfully for bedding, we believe.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

GYMNOSTACHYUM VERSCHAFFELTI.

BY MANSFIELD MILTON, CLEVELAND, OHIO.

A South American Acanthad with leaves of
great beauty. The stems and leaf-stalks are of
a reddish color; the leaves, opposite, about four
inches long and two in breadth. The upper
surface of the leaves is smooth, of a fine soft
green ; the midrib and veinlets of a deep crim-
son, giving it a beautiful and attract' ve appear-
ance. The plant is of a dwarf trailing habit,
of easy culture, requiring a good strong heat
to produce its true colorings. A light, leafy soil
is the most suitable, and is best shown when
grown in flat pans or baskets ; it requires abun-
dance of moisture when growing. During
Summer, it should have an airy place to grow
where a high temperature cannot be afforded it
during Winter, by making it hardier and better
able to endure the cool temperature. It is well
adapted for culture in fern cases, and looks well
associated with such plants as ferns. It is often
seen under the name of Fittonia Versohaffelti.

MEDINILLA MAGNIFICA.

■BY MR. WM. FALCONER, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

This is a candidate with the Bougainvillseas
for being the most gorgeous of our cultivated
tropical plants. It has very large shining deep
green opposite leaves that, of themselves, are
quite ornamental, and a wealth of pendulous
racemes of showy pink inflorescence, these
racemes often being thirty inches long. It likes
heat, moisture, a little shade, and a place near
the glass. It blooms from the previous year's
wood, every joint and end of shoot yielding a
raceme. We have a plant here some six feet
through, that had forty-two racemes this year,
twenty-three of which were in full bloom at
once, last March. It commenced blooming in

296

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

February, and continued in beauty till early in
May. Last year this same plant began blooming
in March and continued, more or less, in flower
till November, which prolongation of season was
caused by the previous year's irregularly ripened
wood; therefore when the wood is thoroughly
ripened we get a magnificent show concentrated,
which is the preferable way. We grow our
Medinillas in turfy loam and a little peat leaf
soil and rough sand, and water them heavily in
Summer, and moderately in Winter. Thrips
are fond of the leaves, and mealy bugs are per-
sistently partial to the flowers, and without a
rigid riddance of these pests satisfaction cannot
be had.

MAIDEN HAIR FERN FOR BOUQUETS.

BY MR. E. LONSDALE, GERMANTOWN, PHILA.

Eeferring to the extract from the Garden on
this subject, and your remarks thereon in the
July number of the Monthly, I would say that
the Adiantum cuneatum is the kind mostly
grown forbouquets,and not the A. capillis veneris.
The former kind has an arched and graceful
frond, and is a much better kind for the purpose
than the latter, besides producing fronds in
greater profusion.

The reason why ferns are not so much used
here as in Europe is, because Smilax, though
perhaps not quite so pretty, answers the purpose
very well, and is much more easily and cheaply
grown.

A SUMMER GARDEN BOUQUET.

BY W. E. M., GERMANTOWN, PHILA.

A very pretty and tasty bouquet for Summer
time may be made of scarlet Geranium, Bego-
nia Weltoniensis, or some other pink flower
Catalonian Jasmine, Browallia elata, blue, and a
few fern leaves. The first two varieties should
be used for "base flowers," the next two for
" projecting " and the ferns for "edging."

In making the bouquet, alternate the scarlet
Geranium and Begonia. It is immaterial that
these flowers be packed together, as the Browallia
and Catalonian Jasmine will make the bouquet
light and graceful. These two should be cut
from the plants with long stems, as the buds are
almost as pretty as the Bowers. They should bo

projected about three inches above the other
blossoms. There should be about twice as much
Jasmine as Browallia, as a very little blue will
make a much greater effect than the same
quantity of white.

Edge the bouquet with some light and graceful
fern leaves, and a gratifying result will follow.

A round top nosegay is preferable to any
other style, when made as above described,
because the projecting flowers show with greater
effect.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Roof Gardening in Chicago.— Potter Palmer's
hotel, in Chicago, is said to have a beautiful
roof garden. It is to be hoped the example will
prove " catching." We have urged, for years,
the extension of this excellent practice.

The Old Double Chinese Primrose. — In spite
of the double kinds, which late years have
brought for us from seed, there are none so
double, or in every Avay so good, as the old
double white kind, which has to be propagated
by a division of the stock. The florists all rejoice
in it. It requires a cool place to be kept over
the Summer in. About this time it commences
to grow, and should be gently re-potted. It is
one of those things that likes to be kept high in
the pot, and then frequently watered. When
there is room for a great doal of water, by being
set deep in the pot there is great danger of its
getting too much ; then the leaves turn yellow,
or the plant dies.

The Papyrus as a Garden Plant. — The Egyp-
tian Papyrus, the plant from which the ancients
made their paper, is a kind of sedge grass, and
grows naturally in the Nile regions. In our
earlier gardening days we grew it in tubs of
water in greenhouses; and it grew very well.
Recently, in a visit to the pretty nurseries of
Miller & Ha}-es, of Germantown, we saw it
growing beautifully as a dry border plant— a new
illustration of a fact pointed out by ourselves
sonic time ago, that it is not because plants love
water, that nature often makes them grow
therein.

Artificial Colored Flowers. — These are now
common in cemetery and parlor work. It is

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

297

said in English papers that some of the powders
in use are poisonous, and that the bunches
should be delicately handled.

Preserve Old Geraniums.— The old plants of

moisture enough in the succulent stems to keep
them alive, unless the cellar is very dry indeed-
No doubt many of the hardier half succulent
plants might be kept in this way. Nor must
the cellar be too warm, or the plants will sprout.

IXORA REGINA.

Geraniums growing in flower beds are often left
out to die, young cuttings being taken for the
beds for next year. But old plants make very
fine objects. If taken up, tied in bunches with
a little moss in about the roots, and hung in a
cellar, they will live over Winter. There is

The Ixora.— While in England, recently, the
writer was struck with the value set on the Ixora
as a pot plant. They formed specimens of great
beauty. Williams, of Holloway, depended largely
on them for show plants, and had numerous

298

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[October,

beautiful varieties. So at Mr. Bull's were many
beautiful ones, some of them quite new. We
are indebted to him for the plate on the pre-
ceding page, which we found one of the best in
his collection ; it is called Ixora Regina. The
color is a violet salmon. Ixora crocata is one
of the oldest and best known.

Curious Effects of Grafting Coleuses. — Late

last Summer I grafted certain kinds of Coleus;

the most remarkable of which is Duchess of

Edinburgh, grafted with Brilliant de Vaise and

Golden Gem. I kept them during the Winter

partially at rest, and in February I potted them

and started them into growth on a gentle bottom

heat. As soon as they had made fresh leaves

I found that Brilliant de Vaise had inoculated

the stock, the leaves on one shoot above and one

below the graft having become spotted and

mottled with dull yellow and reddish brown,

with an occasional flake or two of the magenta

rose-color of Duchess of Edinburgh, while Golden

Gem, on the same plant, remains unaffected.

Some time back I removed the top of the stock

which grew very vigorously, some leaves being

wholly green, others dark velvety-crimson edged

with green, and mottled and blotched with

yellow and dull reddish-brown. Up to the

present time this plant has not altered. Of the

next two breaks which I took off and struck as

one would cuttings, one is almost the same as

Duchess of Edinburgh, with spots of yellow

here and there, and some of the leaves are very

beautiful, being pink, cream-color, and light

green ; this is the prettiest shoot, but the slowest

grower. The other is dark crimson edged with

green, and very much mottled with amber; this

is now becoming very attractive. I also grafted

C. Brilliant de Vaise on C. elegans, which has a

yellowish-green ground heavily netted and

veined with bluish-crimson. This was also

inoculated, the leaves of the stock turning quite

green. I also grafted others, on one of which

I put five varieties, using C. Emile Chat6 for the

stock, and the following for grafts, viz. : — C Mer-

rimac, Lady Burrel, Duchess of Edinburgh,

ruber, and Beauty of Widmore, but as yet no

change has taken place; they all exhibit equal

strength except the last, and that is on the

centre shoot of the stock. I find that Duchess

of Edinburgh, with its many and varied hues

of color, comes much brighter, and retains its

leaves much longer if grafted upon C. Souvenir

de Lierval. — Ii. H. B., in Gardener's Magazine.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Double Flowered Cinerarias. — After many
attempts, extending over almost half a century,
the well-known Cineraria has been produced
double. They were not very fine, however, in
the estimation of some cultivators, but we hear
that improvements have been made which an-
other season will leave little to be desired by the
most fastidious.

New Violet — Belle de Chatenay. — This is the
latest novelty in Violets. It is not here yet, but
was raised in France, and has been advertised in
England. It is said to be sweet, pure white,
double, and to measure one inch across.

Torenia Fourneri. — Mr. Buist sends us a
plant in bloom of this beautiful new Torenia.
The old T. Asiatica has been popular and long
will continue to be, but this will divide the hon-
ors. The light portion is pure white in this, and
there is besides an orange spot.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Propagating the Calla Lily. — Miss M.,
Brooklyn, desires " to know whether there is not
some more rapid way of increasing Callas than
by dividing the plant. In three years I have
only been able to divide it twice, and I want
more to give to some friends." [When dried in
the Summer, as nurserymen dry them, in order
to get them to flower in the Winter, a large num-
ber of very small bulblets are produced, and in
this way a hundred may be had in three years. —
Ed. G. M.]

Convolvulus Mauritanicus. — Mrs. J., Monroe,
Mo., sends this for name with the following
note : — " Can the Gardener's Monthly tell me the
name of the enclosed ? A spray from a trailer
that has sprung up in a hanging-basket, con-
taining Lysimachia nummularia and a lilac
Maurandia. It has leaves like the former, in
shape, but woolly and of a bluer green ; the
flower a silvery lavender color, and like a minia-
ture Convolvulus. Grows prolifieally."

Tabern/EMontaxa. — Mrs. R. B. E. will find an
article on its culture from one of our corres-
pondents. If any further information is desired,
please send us another line.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

299

ruit and Vegetable gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Lettuces sown last month will now be large
enough to set out for permanent growth. A
common hot-bed frame, set on a bed of leaves or
spent stable manure, will enable one to enjoy
delicious salad all through the latter part of
Winter, where sufficient protection against se-
vere 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 set-
ting out in the open air in Spring. In the States
this can be readily effected by their being set
out in the open ground in a sheltered place. Here
in Pennsylvania they often do very well by hav-
ing 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 Cab-
bage is extensively grown the same way. Where
the climate is too severe to allow of this, they
must 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
the chief causes of their rotting. Where plenty
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 pre-
vent the soil from entering the heart. Where
very fine results are desired, the plants should
be protected from early severe frosts, so as to
enable 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 a 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 shriveling.

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 other way.
Celery keeps very 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.

Apples and Pears do well planted in Fall. In
our colder climates the stone fruits do best in
Spring ; but if the young twigs are cut back almost
anything may be set out now. In cutting back
shorten the weak shoots, not the strong ones.
Trees will do very well in any good garden or
field ground, without very expensive subsoiling
or great preparations, provided they are well sur-
face manured, and rank weeds are kept cut
down and not allowed to grow among or near
the trees.

In gathering fruits they must of course not be
bruised, or they will rot ; and for the same rea-
son any worm-injured fruits should be separated
from the sound ones.

In keeping fruit one must be governed by his
conveniences as to how best to do. He has only
to remember that if the place where they are

300

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

placed is warm, they will not keep well, and if too
cold the flavor is injured. If too dry the fruit
withers; if too damp they rot. With this in
mind, he will only have to experiment a little tc
see what is his hest place to keep fruits.

COMMUNTCA TIONS.

THE NEW EARLY PEACHES.

BY H. M. ENGLE, MARIETTA, PA.

It is not a great while since the Early York
was the principal early Peach. From the advent
of Hale's Early dates a new era in peach culture.
Ripening two weeks in advance of Early York,
equal in quality, and nearly so in size, it was
rapidly disseminated, and for a time was one
of the leading market peaches. No sooner was
it fairly introduced than it showed a tendency
almost everywhere to rot on the tree, and now is
almost entirely discarded.

The Early Beatrice, a seedling originated by
Thomas Rivers, of England, made the next sen-
sation among peach growers, as it ripens about
two weeks in advance of Hale's. It was quite
extensively planted in Delaware, and in the
South. New varieties of more recent introduc-
tion, however, have cast it into the shade, as
they appear to be fully as early, of larger size
and better quality. These embrace Alexander,
Amsden, Downing, Saunders, Wilder, Musser,
Cumberland, Honeywell, and one from Freder-
ick, Md., and another from Gettysburg, Pa., both
the latter being not yet named. These are, no
doubt, all seedlings of Hale's, and except Wilder,
I will predict will not vary much in time of
ripening when fairly tested. We may also rea-
sonably expect that other new seedlings of the
same class will follow.

With all this array of new candidates for first
honors, the time has gone by for five dollar
early peach trees, or even three dollars, unless
this new generation of early kinds will produce
seedlings that will make another leap of two
weeks in advance of their parents. Such a re-
sult may not be impossible, but there must be a
limit somewhere. All these new kinds, I be-
lieve, are accidental seedlings, except Wilder,
Saunders, and Downing. These I raised from
seeds, the peaches of which I fruited under glass,
and fertilized them with pollen of Apricot, with
the expectation of producing hybrids that would

be earlier than any peaches. The result is,
peaches as early, if not earlier than any now in-
troduced.

Having seen or tasted the new kinds all but a
few, I am satisfied that in appearance and quali-
ty they will prove as near identical as in time of
ripening, and that none are superior in quality
to well-ripened Hale's.

I am well aware of the freaks that peaches
ofttimes make. That the time of ripening of
different kinds in different sections, soils or lati-
tudes, is sometimes reversed. Therefore, in
order to be positive, they must be tested in dif-
ferent sections of country.

The results of my observations may help to
decide this apparently knotty question. We
have now all the above kinds growing except
the unnamed ones. Downing, Saunders, Cum-
berland, and Musser, have not fruited except
on the original trees. Wilder fruited last sea-
son under glass side by side with Alexander, and
ripened two to three days later. This season
they fruited side by side in open ground, and
Wilder ripened a few days earlier. These were
on young trees planted at the same time, and
was their first fruiting. Downing, on the original
tree, ripened a week earlier. Musser bore its
first fruit last season, was shown at the Centen-
nial, and received the credit as best of eight
early kinds. This season it ripened its fruit
within a few days of Downing. Cumberland
ripened its first fruit two years ago, and one
specimen measured 1\ inches in circumference.
Last season it bore a full crop, but in size rang-
ing with Alexander and Saunders, but ripened
its first specimens about three days before
Downing. It was not reported at the Centennial
in consequence of delay. I am of the opinion
that the Cumberland will prove one of the very
earliest of the new early kinds. This season it
had no fruit, the buds being winter-killed. I
have my apprehensions that some, at least, of
these new early peaches, may incline to rot like
Hale's, although mine have thus far shown no
unusual rot. Alexander, Amsden, Musser, Cum-
berland, and Honeywell show in foliage and
habit of growth a similarity to Hale's. Wilder
is one of the strongest growers on our grounds,
and resembles Hale's less than those just named.
Downing and Saunders show some mildew on
the foliage in nursery rows, but as they get age
they show very little— some seasons none. I
expect, in a year or two, to report fully how all
these varieties behave side bv side on our own

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

301

grounds, which I hope will be of interest to
peach growers generally. What is now wanted
is a reliable peach to fill the gap which Hale's
leaves open. The Wilder, I expect, to fill it par-
tially, being a week earlier th*n Hale's.

NOTES ON EARLY AND OTHER FRUITS.

BY J. 1. BLACKWELL, TITUSVILLE, N. J.

The Alexander Peach, &c. We have an Alex-
ander peach tree third Summer from the bud,
two years transplanted next Spring, that has
ripened five pe iches fully ripe the twentieth of
July; fruit medium-sized, well colored, and ad-
heres to the stone. This is a promising variety here
for the amateur, and possibly for the orchardist,
if it will ripen before the Mountain Rose gets in
market from Delaware. It is useless to grow any
other variety here to go in market with the
Mountain Rose. Last year this peach sold in
Trenton market for one dollar and a half per
basket, while Troth's Early were a drug at fifty
cents.

Early Louise I think a very fine peach for the
amateur ; good bearer and extra quality, but too
small to compete in the market. Early Rivers
is a poor bearer, and rots badly. We have one
tree in very rich ground, and think it not worth
growing here unless there is much improvement
in it. Early Beatrice ripened earlier than Alex-
ander, but may not on trees of the same age.

The Primate Apple is now the most promising
variety of early apples that we have. I saw
specimens of the Hoover Apple at the Centenni-
al Exhibition, and should be pleased to know if
it is worthy of cultivation, and if so, where it can
be obtained.

PEEN-TO, OR FLAT PEACH OF CHINA.

BY MR. P. J. BERKMANS, AUGUSTA, GA.

In the April number of the Gardener's Monthly
I referred to this peculiar variety, wh!ch, although
in my collection for a number of years, had
heretofore failed to produce fruit. Some two
years ago I gave a friend residing in Pensacola,
Florida, trees of the most promising of my varie-
ties, and to-day, June 23d, he sends me a box of
the fruit with the following note:

" At the time we received the trees you stated
that they would not answer for Georgia. I can
assure you that here they are a perfect success,
and just the Peach for this climate. The sam-

ples I send you were taken from one tree, from
which we have plucked twelve hundred peaches."
As this is the first instance of the Peach hav-
ing fruited in the United States, it may be inter- '
esting to California and Florida fruit growers to
know more about it. I add the description of
the fruit. Size, from 2 to 2\ inches in diameter ;
shape, irregularly round, and very much flat-
tened; 1\ inches thick on one side and 1 inch on
the other; a deep furrow starts on the thin-
nest side from the stem and ends on the apex,
where a deep hollow is formed, having in the
centre a deep, narrow calycinal cavity; skin green-
ish yellow washed with carmine, and a deeper
cheek on one side; flesh white, exceedingly fine
in texture, juicy and melting, and with a delicate
almond flavor; clingstone; quality very good;
pit quite flat ; tree a very rapid grower, of open
habit; holds its leaves later than any other
variety.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Best Apple in the World.— A writer in
the London Gardener's Magazine thus boldly ad-
vances to battle :— " Cox's Orange Pippin is the
finest Apple in the world. This declaration is
made in full conviction both of the responsibility
it carries, and of its value to all who are inter-
ested in the subject of apple culture. Fortu-
nately the variety is neither scarce nor dear.
Its merits are well-known, and indeed they are
so conspicuous that, in common with other good
things, it is always speaking for itself, and hence
it is everywhere largely propagated and exten-
sively planted, and is on the way to take the
lead in the apple garden, and prove to all that
our declaration in its favor is warranted by the
facts. It is one of the best paying Apples in
Kent, and it is one of the few that may be trusted
for a crop in those damp alluvial valleys or ' bot-
toms,' where Spring frosts make the most havoc,
and fruit growing is a precarious business."

Now we have no sort of objection to this if the
"world" intended is the little English world ;
but if he intends to challenge the great Ameri-
can continent he had better beware. Have we
no friends in Israel to come out and fight this
Philistine ?

The Reliance Raspberry.- During the Cen-
tennial Exhibition, Mr. A. L. Felten exhibited a

302

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[October,

THE RELIANCE RASPBERRY.

1877.]

A ND EOR TIG UL T URIS T.

303

Seedling Raspberry which seemed to have some
good points, and received therefor, commenda-
tion in the Centennial weekly reports. It is some-
what like the Philadelphia. There have been
many raised of this character, but none so far
have equalled their parent. The full value of
this variety can only be known by seeing it as it
grows in the field or garden, and what it is really
worth will have to be spoken of in that connect-
ion. But so far as any one can judge from the
fruit, it will probably be a good competi-
tor with that well-known variety. For the
illustration we are indebted to Messrs. Gibson &
Bennett, of Woodbury, N. J.

Tea in California. — The newspapers are try-
ing to induce attempts at Tea culture in Califor-
nia. It is found by experience that Asiatic trees
do not do so well on the Pacific as on the Atlan-
tic coast of our country. It does very well in the
older Southern States, but they cannot compete
with low Chinese labor. We fear that until the
wages of the Chinese tea laborer in China is
nearly equal to the wages of the American farm
laborer, we shall have little success in American
tea raising.

Smith's Improved Gooseberry. — This variety
of the native race, which we noted several years
ago in our pages, is not yet much known, but is
growing in favor with Western growers. •

The Liberian Coffee. — This, so superior in
size and quality to the kinds now grown, and
thought to be free from disease, has given up the
last claim, according to recent English papers.

Killing Grasshoppers. — A. G. Chandler, of
Leavenworth, Kansas, says that grasshoppers
can be kept under pretty well by driving them
into ditches and destroying them, but that it is
too expensive. It takes twenty-five men for
every five acres, to do it effectually.

Alexander,Honeywell and Amsden Peaches.
— Mr. Charles Downing in Colman's Rural World,
corrects a misapprehension that he said these
were the same. He says they are all different,
but that they are for practical purposes very
nearly alike. It is an important distinction, as
they may not always come so nearly alike as
they did on his grounds; different circumstances
of soil, seasons or climate, often operate on one
variety in one place, when another will be still
constant.

The Concord Grape. — Concord grapes weigh-
ing two pounds, are not to be despised. Mr. N.

Blanchard of Stoughton, New Hampshire, has
no difficulty in producing them. There has been
some curiosity to get his manner of treatment,
and, according to the Massachusetts Ploughman,
this is it : — " On a favorable soil, but in an ex-
posed locality, he has ripened, year after year,
on each of his well grown vines, from twenty to
twenty-five pounds uf grapes, in clusters weigh-
ing from sixteen to thirty ounces each. He
grows no small clusters, and using only ground
bone, ashes, and plaster of Paris, as fertilizers,
spread broadcast on his land, his vines continue
perfectly healthy. His success depends upon no
local advantages which may not be found in
almost every garden or farm. His method is as
simple as it is successful. His ground was
prepared as if for corn. In rows running
north and south, good layers are set eight
feet apart. The roots are carefully covered
about four inches deep ; the surface of the ground
kept level and free from weeds by a light culti-
vator, or otherwise. The work of the first two
years is to grow good strong, healthy roots. To
this end, a single cane is grown and tied to a
stake, pinching off the end if it grows too tall
and slim. After the leaves fall, cut this to the
ground, leaving only one or two buds, from the
better of which to grow a similar one the second
year. This is to be treated in the same manner,
except that in the Fall it is to be cut eighteen
inches from the ground.

" The third year, a trellis running north and
south, should be erected, the lower rail or wire
twenty inches from the ground, with two above,
nine inches apart. No. 15 galvanized wire is the
best for this. From the two upper buds on the
cane,grow two shoots in opposite directions on the
lower wire, pinching off the ends when they have
grown four feet. These are to be permanent
arms, never allowed to grow longer; but on
these arms allow laterals to grow ten or twelve
inches apart ; tying them to the upper wires but
pinching them back occasionally to make them
grow stout. They should not grow much above
the upper wire. If shoots should come out of
these, they should be pinched off in the same
way. At the end of the season there will be two
strong arms, each four feet long, with eight or
ten laterals bearing good strong fruit buds. After
the leaves fall, prune the laterals, leaving only
two buds on each, with the auxiliary or arm bud
at the junction.

" In the Spring, when the buds start, save the
arm bud and the better one, on each lateral, rub-

304

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[October,

bing off the other. Let the arm bud bear only
one cluster of grapes, the other two. When these
shoots have made three leaves beyond the blos-
soms, pinch off the last leaf and the blossoms,
except the three clusters above named, always
saving the best clusters. They should now be
tied to the second wire. When three more
leaves are pushed out, pinch off two of them ;
do the same if shoots come out of these.

" This is to be continued through the season,
allowing the laterals to grow to the upper wire.
Pinch out everything else that starts from the
vine. In the Fall there will be two laterals and
three good clusters of grapes at each joint of the
arms. The vines should always be kept in this
shape, with no longer arms, no more laterals,
and no more clusters of grapes. It is all the
roots will bear and continue healthy."

Thwack and Turner Raspberries. — At a re-
cent meeting of the Pike County (Mo.) Horticul-
tural Society, these two Raspberries were in
competition, and the Society decided in favor of
the former.

The Thwack has proved to be a favorite with
the large growers in Ohio this year.

A Worm in a Cucumber. — The papers are
prophesying that the "days of the Cucumber
are over," because Professor Leidy of the Acade-
my of Natural Sciences found a bad intestinal
worm in one of these. For the same reason one
might not eat apples, or many other things, for
similar things have been found in all. People
must "look before they eat" in every thing.

The Montmorenci Cherry. — Mr. Mumma, of
Dayton, says the large Montmorenci in that
vicinity proves to be sixty days earlier than
Early Richmond.

A Kansas Vineyard. — F. M. Fleischer, of To-
peka, has a vineyard of 20,000 plants in bearing.
The steel blue bud borer is his worst enemy.
They work when the vines are pushing. He
goes over each vine, and with a sudden jar, they
fall into sheets as in curculio catching.

The Shropshire Damson Plum. — This is said
to be quite popular in Central and Southern Ohio,
and to be in some respects superior to the com-
mon Damson. In the Cincinnati markets there
are few plums but Damsons to be seen, but these
are abundant.

Salad for Early Spring. — There are few
things more desirable in early Spring than Let-
tuce, ft likes cool weather, and does not mind

it quite cold if it is not too much exposed to
light in the Winter season. Frames with board
shutters make capital places to shelter them.
The frames need be but a few inches high. Every
little garden might at least have a few square
feet so covered. The cabbage lettuces are con-
sidered good for Winter work, and September a
good month to sow, or even October in warmer
regions.

Mushroom Growing. — We hope those of our
readers who have cellars or places where a tem-
perature of about 60° may be regularly main-
tained during Winter, will not neglect to try to
raise Mushrooms, for the culture of which our
back volumes contain complete instruction.
Now is the time to think about preparing the
beds or boxes if there is no room for complete
beds. In this connection the following hint of
information from the Gardeners1 Record, will be
valuable:

" It may interest those of our readers who cul-
tivate Mushrooms artificially, to learn that they
may increase the size of these much esteemed
edible fungi without in any way deteriorating
their quality by watering their beds from time
to time with a solution of saltpetre, beds thus
treated having produced Mushrooms weighing
as much as seven pounds ten oz. each."

Whole or Cut Sets in Pqtato Planting. —
Discussions still go on in the agricultural pa-
pers as to the relative advantage of whole or
cut sets. It is not a question of sets. It is one
of the eye. A strong eye is better than a weak
eye. It does not matter whether the eye is on
a cut set or a whole potato. A weak eye makes
a weak plant, a strong eye a strong one.

Steeping Seeds in Chlorine and Camphor-
ated Water. — Experiments at Cornell are report-
ed as showing, beet seeds so steeped showed the
line in three days, those not steeped did not
appear till some time after. The result is pro-
posed to show the value of chlorine as a steep.
But we think it likely that a soak in pure water
would have hastened the germination just as
well.

NEW FRUITS.

Captain Jack Strawberry. — This variety,
raised by Mr. Samuel Miller, of Missouri, we
hear well spoken of everywhere. It is said to be
near Albany Seedling in many of its good quali-
ties, with some superior advantages.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

305

Gregg Raspberry. — This is a new Black Cap,
which excited attention at the Centennial exhi-
bition last year. Mr. N. Ohmer, of Dayton,
excellent authority, believes it will supersede the
Mammoth Cluster, which so far has been the
leading Black Cap.

Lee's Black Currant.— A Toronto paper
says : — " Messrs. Leslie & Son have sent us a fruit-
ing branch of this new and from all appearan-
ces valuable variety of fruit. The branch
throughout its entire length is thickly hung with
currants that will average half an inch in di-
ameter. Many of the finest of them are three-
quarters of an inch through. The flavor is
excellent and the skin of the fruit remarkably
thin." The Black Currant has not been popular
in the United States; if it were, the fine black
Utah varieties would be in demand. They are
larger and yet quite as good in flavor as the
European Black Currants. They are varieties
of the "Missouri" Currant.

The Pioneer Strawberry is a new variety,
and said to be peculiarly an early oie.

S CHAPS AND QUERIES.

A Good Early Pear. — A Penn. correspondent
writes that for three years past he has had the

Julienne and the Manning's Elizabeth growing
side by side, and that the former proves slightly
astringent. It is not so good a Pear as the latter,
but a few days earlier.

Early Peaches in Texas. — A correspondent
from Austin, writes: — This year the Early
Beatrice first ripened on the 26th of May, and
the Early Louise and Rivers a few days later ;
some of both being mature before the last to ripen
of the Early Beatrice. Here the Early Rivers
is a very fine peach, large and delicious. We
had a wet spell about the time of the ripening
of Hale's Early, and they rotted mostly, so much
so that if I did not think the trees would do
better next year I would cut them all down. In
my orchard I have a succession of ripe peaches
from the last of May to the middle and last of
November. I generally eat freely of peaches,
cream and sugar, twice a day and find them re-
markably healthy. Our Apricots and Nectarines
are also very fine, the curculio not having found
my orchard.

What is a Fruit?— A correspondent inquires
whether in an agricultural exhibition a Tomato
would be classed among fruits or vegetables?
Botanically of course a Tomato is a fruit, but
in horticulture we class those things as "fruits"
only, which secrete sugar when ripe. The To-
mato must go with vegetables.

if ATURAL IMlSTORY AND SCIENCE.

COMMUNICA 7 IONS.

TUMBLE WEED.

BY MR. E. HALL, PROF. BEAL AND REV. L. J.
TEMPLIN.

Mr. Hall says : — " Seeing by the July Monthly
that the botanists are getting involved in the
Tumble Weed controversy (as per S. Watson),
you may say to your readers that Mr. Weir's
Tumble Weed is the Cycloloma platyphyllum,
Moq., and behaves just as he so graphically de-
scribes in the June number, in the Sandy River

counties of this State, growing abundantly in the
farmers' fields in those sections.

" Amaranthus albus is also a splendid tumbler
and is known to all prairie men, but seldom
growing so abundantly in any one locality as to
fill all the fence corners, and then go on tum-
bling over them as the Cycloloma does.

" Artemisia dracunculoides, D. C, is also
a good Tumble Weed in Southern Missouri and
Kansas, as per a shop-keeper in Humboldt,
Kan., to whom I applied for information as to
the plant when it was new to me, — 'Tumble
Weed ! ! curious anybody don't know Tumble
Weed.' And there are others."

306

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

Rev. L. J. Templin says : — " I see several sug-
gestions in the Gardener's Monthly as to the real
name of the Tumble Weed ; some of them may
be correct and some are certainly wrong. We
have two species here, of which I hope to send
you specimens as soon as they bloom."

Prof. Beal writes : — " You speak of Tumble
Weed. Amaranth us albus, does sometimes tum-
ble in some parts of this State, when grown on
early dry land. At least I think it is the species.
Prof. Bessey, of Ames, Iowa, of the Agricultural
College, says, their Tumble Weed is Amaranthus
albus. Weeds as well as many other plants, and
animals often behave quite differently in remote
countries. I never saw this weed rolling about
in Massachusetts or New York, but I have seen
small specimens drifting for some distance in
Southern Michigan, never, however, until within
a year. This was in Battle Creek."

And somebody from Rockford, without signa-
ture, says : — " Amaranthus albus is the common
'Tumble Weed 'of Illinois! Cycloloma shares
the name, but is comparatively rare, being con-
fined to the sandy banks of rivers.

As there are so many " Tumble Weeds,"
would it not be well to provide each with adjec-
tives, and avoid the trouble that will otherwise
occur ?

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Geography op the Colorado Potato Beetle.
— While the writer of this was in England, hope
was expressed by English farmers that their
country would not be warm enough in Summer
to encourage the beetle. But on the contrary,
Prof. C. V. Riley has recently stated that it does
not like high Summer heats, and that the South-
ern States of our own country will for that rea-
son never be overburdened with the pest. Un-
fortunately the potato does best in the temperate
regions, where the Colorado beetle doth best love
to feed.

Euonymus radicans. — In our last year's vol-
ume Mr. Boeh mer contributed a highly interest-
ing paper on the Flora of Japan, and our
readers may remember that a reference was
made to the Euonymus radicans as being one
of the most remarkable features of forest scenery;
clinging to the trees and covering them with
verdure, as the ivy does the walls and trees of
old England. We have had the variegated
variety of this under culture for a year or two,

but had noticed no disposition to send out roots
in this way, and feared the wrong species wras
being grown. But we placed one against a
tree to test it and find it does run in that way
when it can get anything to cling to, and is
undoubtedly the kind referred to by our friend
in his Japan forest sketches. As the English ivy
is not generally hardy in our country, and this
so far proves to stand any of our severe Winters,
we think it likely to be of immense value in
American gardening. It will grow as a bush if
desired, when it does not root out as when it

EUONYMUS RADICANS.

finds something to cling to, and it makes admir-
able edgings for flower beds, or it can be used in
the place of box and trimmed in close. Consider-
ing the time it has been in American nurseries,
it is surprising that no one has made a point of
calling public attention to its manifold uses in
American gardening. It will be a fit companion
to the beautiful Ampelopsis Vietchii also from
Japan, with the additional advantage of being
evergreen.

Wearing out of Varieties. — In recent discus-
sions on this subject, it was contended that
varieties do not wear out, but that they disap-
pear or get feeble in time from disease following
the grafts or cuttings from which the plants are
made. But to the practical gardener this is the
same thing. If the variety die out in time, it is
not of much consequence, whether it is from
disease, or from a constitutional giving out, for
disease is nature's plan for destroying constitu-
tions.

Spontaneous Generation. — Prof. Tyndall, on
being asked, recently, whether he thought the

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

307

lowest forms of animal or vegetable life could be
"spontaneously " generated from inorganic mat-
ter, said be had not made up his mind whether
it could be or not. He was simply waiting for
the proof that it could, before believing in it.

Reproduction in Plants. — Mr. Byron G. Hal-
sted contributes a good paper to the Scientific
Farmer, showing the difference between sexual
(seeds) and asexual (cuttings, etc.) reproduc-
tion. He takes the ground that the latter is de-
fective because it cannot secure cross-fertiliza-
tion, i. e., " varieties will run out."

Trees will not last forever. — The preserva-
tion of our forests is a good idea, yet it must not
be forgotten that trees will not last forever, and
American trees do not last as long as trees grow-
ing in Europe. It is far more important to look
after the planting of new forests. The New Eng-
land Homestead notices that the famous great
elm of West Springfield, which Dr. Holland in
his history of Massachusetts, says is one of the
largest in New England, is destined to go the way
of all things very soon. About one-third of it
broke off last week, and shows that the whole is
much decayed.

Heating Cities by Steam. — A very novel and
at the same time interesting experiment, ac-
cording to the Lockport (N. Y.) papers, is soon
to be attempted in that city by Mr. Holly, the
successful water-works pump inventor. This
experiment is to heat the whole city with steam,
after the same manner as it is lighted with gas.
Unfortunately, the entire programme is not pub-
lished, as it would no doubt be interesting read-
ing. It is not thought feasible to have one boiler
do the job, but the city is to be divided into dis-
tricts, and each district is to have its separate
boiler. Mains from each boiler are to run to the
different houses, and all the occupant has to do
is to turn on a faucet and obtain all the heat he
wants.

Preparing Vegetable Tissue.— Hansteim's
method of rendering vegetable tissues transpar-
ent as described in his Botanische Abhandlungen,
heft i., p. 5., is very simple. He employed it
especially in his investigations on the develop-
ment of the embryo of phanerogamous plants.
To release the embryo from the seed a dilute
solution of caustic potash was used, and this ren-
dered the embryo transparent. Very young em-
bryos required only a few seconds' immersion in
the solution, and afterwards placing in glycerine
to make them transparent, and preserve them

in that state. The glycerine was diluted with
water and alcohol. Older embryos required
longer treatment with the potash solution, and
subsequent washing in acetic acid. Sometimes
it happens that the preparation is too transpa-
rent, and the cell-walls are no longer distinguish-
able; but this is easily remedied by immersing
it in a dilute solution of alum, when the walls
become distinctly visible.— Gar. Chronicle.

Growth of a Bamboo.— At a meeting of the
Societe Centrale. d' Horticulture, M. A. Riviere
exhibited specimens of several different spe-
cies of Bambusa from the botanic garden of
Hamma, Algeria. Stems of B. nigra upwards
of 16 feet long sprang up in six weeks,
whilst those of B. viridi-glaucescens attained an
even greater height during the same period.
B. Quilioyi is regarded as one of the most orna-
mental, it is quite hardy in the climate of Paris.
B. mitis grows from 35 to 50 feet high in the
South of France, and is sufficiently hardy to be
very useful. Bamboo stems make excellent
vine props, supports for flowers, &c, and seve-
ral persons are engaged in growing them. It is
reported that Bamboo culture in the South of
France is likely to develope into a remunerative
industry. M. Riviere affirms that he has dis-
covered good specific characters in the bracts
covering the young buds. He adds, spring-
growing Bamboos will bear without injury from
18° to 25° of frost.— Gar. Chronicle.

Danger of Fire from Steam-Heating. — It is
a question whether steam-pipes in connection
with wood are dangerous ; not because the heat
of saturated steam is capable of directly exciting
combustion, but because the conditions under
which wood, so placed, is liable to ignite, may be
produced by the continued high temperature to
which it is exposed. The marine inspection law
of the United States recognizes this danger when
it prohibits the use of steam-pipes in conjunction
with wood upon vessels. A contemporary speaks
thus : " Just what these conditions are, and the
peculiar combination of circumstances under
which they are most readily developed, are not
now known, so that until they have been deter-
mined by a careful and exhaustive investigation
of the whole subject — which task, we trust, some
able scientist will soon undertake — it is by far the
wisest plan to avoid all possibility of inducing a
conflagration by taking the precaution to ascer-
tain that heat-conveying pipes at no point come
in contact with inflammable material."

308

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October

To this it may be answered that wood in its
natural condition cannot be ignited by the tem-
perature ever attained by any of the steam-heat-
ing apparatus in use. In this city the steam -
pipes are often in direct contact with the wood ;
and this is the case with the building in which
our journal is published, and even in the room in
which we write, but we apprehend no danger as
long as no other cause of heat development
comes to the aid of the heat produced by the
steam. Such causes are animal or vegetable oils
arid fats, especially drying oils and varnishes.
Almost everybody knows the effect when saw-
dust or rags are saturated with such oil — sponta-
neous combustion may be the result, by reason
of the access of air to the interior of the highly
porous mass which constitutes aheap of sawdust
or rags. Oil on a wooden board will not produce
spontaneous combustion, as from want of poro-
sity the air has not sufficient access to the inte-
rior to produce enough simultaneous oxidation
to raise the temperature to the point of ignition ;
but if steam-heat comes to the aid of the oil-
soaked wood, it may supply the function of the
oxidizing air penetrating the interior, and raise
the temperature to the point of ignition, and we
are perfectly satisfied that if the rare cases of ig-
nition of wood by steam-heat were investigated,
it would be found that a secondary cause was
added to the heat produced by the steam, or by
its condensation in the pipes; such secondary
causes being wasted oil or the throwing away of
a burning match, which would not set fire to
cold wood, but might do so to wood thoroughly
heated and dried. Even matches laying about
and carelessly treated may ignite by steam-heat
and set fire to papers, or the wood itself. But if
such secondary causes are only guarded against,
steam-heat maybe considered as the safest mode
of heating buildings — uniformly safer than cur-
rents of hot air, which may carry sparks along
and fan an incipient fire rapidly into a blaze. In
fact, the causes of fire from steam-heat are com-
paratively rare, while those from hot-air furnaces
are very common. — Manufacturer and Builder.

Abies Fraseri. — At a recent meeting of the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
Dr. Engclmann, of St. Louis, spoke about Abies
Fraseri, the very local species of the highest
mountains of North Carolina, which he had just
visited, together with several botanical friends,
members of this Society. This is the tree which
caused these mountains to be designated the

Black Mountains, giving their summits tha*
sombre hue for which they are known ; they
seem to grow nowhere but on these mountains,
and only on those that reach up to or above
6,000 feet altitude. The northern localities
claimed for the species rest on confusion with
forms of Abies balsamea, the common northern
Balsam, of which our tree may be claimed to be
the southern representative. A. balsamea does
not seem to extend southward further than the
Virginian mountain region, and it would be in-
teresting to ascertain how near both species ap-
proach each other. Besides the well-known
characters of the cones and their cusps, excel-
lent distinctions are found in the structure of the
leaves of both species. It may not be generally
known, though it is a fact to which, since seve-
ral years, some European botanists have called
attention, that the anatomical structure of the
leaves of these species, as well as of Conifers in
general, is extremely various, and that this struc-
ture well characterizes many species, and is one
of the safest means to arrange them in natural
groups. Abies Fraseri and balsamea are so
nearly allied, that without fruit they are con-
stantly confounded, but the structure of the
leaves will always distinguish them so well that
a single leaf, or even a fragment of one, will in-
variably solve all difficulty. The leaves of Abies
have under the epidermis, and between it and
the cells of the parenchyma, which are full of
chlorophyll, an arrangement of cells of thick
walls, elongate form, and destitute of chlorophyll,
analagous to bast cells, which have been called
hypodermic cells; we find them in all species of
Abies on the edges and on the keel, where they
strengthen the leaf, but their distribution under
the epidermis of the upper side of the leaf is very
different in different species — they may be want-
ing there altogether, or may be differently
grouped, or ma}' extend over the whole upper
surface ; now in all forms of A. balsamea they
are there almost entirely absent, even in those
of the highest New England mountains, while
A. Fraseri exhibits under the microscope a con-
tinuous hypodermic stratum of them.

Insects and Fertilization. — Pretty flowers are
thought to have been so made in order to attract
insects, and thus gain an advantage in cross-fer-
tilization. There is no good without its evil, and
thus we have pretty maidens to pull the pretty
flowers, and ardent botanists to pull out and dry
them before the insect-fertilized flower has a

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

309

chance to seed, and of these last especially, a
modern poet discourseth thus :—

" ' Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air,'

But where a British botanist has been,
In his collections you must seek it there.

" Were it the sweetest plant that ever bloomed,
If it were rare, and he found out the spot,

He'd make it rarer — nay, it would be doomed ;
His spud would soon eradicate the lot."

&

'■ 'J- . ■- ■>

Literature, Travels & Personal

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GOMMUNICA TIONS.

AN APRIL DAY IN THE FOOT-HILLS OF
CALIFORNIA.

BY MRS. FANNIE E. BRIGGS.

We set out one bright day for a little excur-
sion in the " hills." For the first mile, our way
lay across a fertile plain, green with waving
grain and grass, and gay with flowers. Here,
the Poppies (Escholtzias) made ground-sun-
shine; there, the Nemophilas had taken posses-
sion, and it looked as if the sky had fallen on
the fertile acres. Such of these valleys as can-
not be irrigated, are sown with a mixture of
wheat and oats, in the Fall, which is nourished
by the Winter rains, and cut before entirely ripe,
for hay. Everything has a flavor of novelty.
We have to " turn out " for a mule-team, but
its ten mules have each an iron frame above the
shoulders, with five bells suspended from it,
which tinkle merrily, and the driver rides one
of them, and manages the brakes to the two
huge wagons with a strap. This use of bells is
a relic of Spanish customs.

When we leave the plain, the way sometimes
crosses the dry rocky beds of what were roaring
torrents in the rainy season; sometimes crosses
little patches of fine mountain grass, emerald
green, and enameled with tiny flowers, and
anon climbing steep, rocky hills, on whose
rugged sides only hardy pines and ferns can
find foot-hold.

Far up the hills, waving above the rugged
rocks, I saw a new flower with the general
aspect of a Cypripedium. Of course I soon had
it in my possession, but it proved to be a Tulip.
The stem was slender, branching and leafy; the,
three sepals, small and spreading; the three
petals an inch long, delicate, pearly-white, revo-
lute, and curiously over-lapping each other in a

way that entirely hid the interior, which is
fringed, and tinted like some ocean shell.

Well, this discovery was glory enough for one
day, but on we went, and soon reached our
destination. "Beautiful for situation," a fertile
valley far up among the highest range of hills,
sheltered on the north-west by a rocky ridge,
and commanding a broad view of lower ranges
of hills and their intervening vales.

It humbles, yet exalts the soul to survey such
scenes ; to feel its own littleness among these
stupendous works of the Creator, yet to feel that
our Father made them all, and gave them to us
richly to enjoy.

We gathered flowers and ferns for memorials,
took a long look at the broad prospect, and the
far-off mountains, and slowly descended, to
drive home in the warm sunshine, laden with
Passion Flowers and Roses.

I notice a query about " Tumble-weed " in
the magazine. Every one who has lived in the
West knows "Tumble-weed." I examined it
when I first came to Iowa, and think it is a
Chenopod, but am not sure, for it is many years
ago. The plant grows strong, and branches all
the way from the ground, forming a dense
globular mass. In the Fall it gets dry, and the
wind breaks off the stem close to the ground,
and then it rolls over and over, till something
stops its course. I have seen dozens of them
"tumbling" across a field at a time, and some-
times they pile up by the fences to such a
height, that belated specimens go "tumbling"
over to the other side.

NOTES FROM DALLAS, TEXAS.

BY AMMON BURR.

As many people from the States are looking
to Texas for a new home, and as all horticulturists
naturally feel an interest in what is doing
abroad, I drop you these rough notes.

310

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

The American locust, or grasshopper, fell upon
us unusually early last Fall, say latter part of
September, and stripped every shrub and vege-
table, and all nursery stock, bare of foliage.
We usually have a good Fall garden, but the
earth and air were alive with this pest, and noth-
ing was raised. They seemed particularly fond
of Chrysanthemums and Verbenas, and in a half
day from the time the first cloud fell, all these
were destroyed. I saved the wood of young
apple and pear trees only by washing, or rather,
smearing with a batter of clay. The native red
cedar, and the Libocedrus decurrens, were en-
tirely exempt from their attacks; but all the
forms of the Chinese arbovitse suffered very
severely — our nursery of these was ate down to
the ground. Olive, Jasmines, Gardenia, Euony-
mus, in fact, everything seemed palatable to
them. Ihis is the third time they have visited
us since 1873, but only once or twice before, in
the last twenty years, have they hatched out in
sufficient numbers in the Spring, to do any mis-
chief. Their ravages this Spring were very
serious, and discouraged the great mass of our
people from making horticultural improve-
ments. In a few places the crops were almost
entirely destroyed ; but, as a general thing, crop
prospects with us were never better. Of course
they did not affect our cotton and sweet potatoes,
as these are planted after the locusts have gone.
The fruit on tall trees, and grapes on high
arbors, were not reached by the young hopper ;
and just as soon as their wings were sufficient
to bear their weight, they began to leave us — the
oldest about oth or 8lh of May, and the last, or
youngest, in two or three weeks afterwards.
Even before leaving, they moved in a living-
stream in a north-west direction. Lime and
Paris green did little or no good in destroying
them. One man saved his wheat field by attach-
ing a broad, net-like cloth in front of a two-
wheeled cultivator, in which he caught and
destroyed them. Another man paid children
five cents per pound for all caught with a hand-
net in his orchard. Others smeared pine tar,
twice a week, on the bodies of fruit trees, over
which they would not pass. But this killed
some young peach trees, while those with old.
hardened bark were unhurt.

The experience of Rev. 1,. J. Templin, in
Kansas, is very nearly our experience with some
things, such as Tea, China, and Noisette Roses,
Japan Honeysuckles, Deutzia, Forsythia, Wcige-
la, etc, viz: After being denuded early in

Fall, they attempted an early Winter growth,
and were destroyed by severe freezes. All of
the Roses appeared alive and healthy in tie
Spring, in fact, were sold from the nursery
believing all would grow, when, to our astonish-
ment, nearly every one died. In the extreme
southern portion of this big State I have had
the English Laurel to be winter-killed.

The hoppers left me only two peaches on
Alexander's Early, one of which ripened last
of May (the other fell off), when the Beatrice
was coloring well. This last, and its sister, the
E. Louise, are much larger and finer with us
than your chromo represented, and stand Spring
frosts better than most varieties. They were
well ripe when Hale's Early was coloring. This
last is our best and finest early peach. It never
rots, and is always large and handsome, but it
does not ripen its crops altogether, as the
Beatrice, but keeps the orchardists picking fruit
for five or six weeks. The Tillotson, though
very good, in nearly superseded by Hale's.
Next on market is Fleitas' St. John, large and
very showy, and ripening with Hale's, and gone
some time before it is. Then comes the Carolina
Amelia, largest and prettiest of early peaches,
hut too delicate for carriage. The Mountain
Rose is just being tested by several, and bids
fair to be a profitable market fruit, as it is quite
firm, almost hard, some time after being well
colored. With it, ripens Crawford's Early, and
then comes Crawford's Late, Susquehanna (a
better peach), Chinese Cling (the prince of
peaches), and Old Mixon Free. Old Mixon
Cling is a partial failure. After these comes a
trio of good Clings, the Indian, Yellow Pine-
apple, and White Pineapple, the latter a little
coarse. These ripen August 15th. After these,
say September 1st, come in White English and
Picquett's Late, followed by Goodes' October.
These are our very best peaches, so far as tried
in tnis section.

RHYMES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF A CACTUS

MAN.

BY WM. T. HARDING, SUPT. OAK HILL CEMETERY,
UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO.

(Concluded from page 252).

The genus Gasteria, may be described as a
comely, fair featured family. These very desir-
able succulents, may be handled with impunity,
as they are good natured plants, in whom there
is no guile. Of the first G, fair pulchella, is her
name. And the second G, soft mollis. Then,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

311

picta, all painted and gay; with shining nitida,
beautiful formosa, lovely vennsta, and the many
dotted pluri-punctata, and poor warty verrucosa.
The few named, will give an idea of the many
left unmentioned.

The genus Haworthia, is cousin-german to the
Aloes and Gasterias, and their beauty is at par,
with any previously quoted. They are a safe
investment, which will always realize their fail
face value. Such stock, though often watered,
never depreciates. Tney are wrorth just as much
to-day, as they were when H. retusa, and H. mu-
tica, were first in the market, in 1720. H. albi-
cans, H. margaritifera, H. mirabilis, H. tortella,
H. venosa, H. laevis, H. cordata, and H. translu-
cens, were at the time of which I write, inmates
of all good greenhouses.

The little Apicra coterie is not so numerous,
but, is nevertheless, a very select and pleasant
company. They are prim, precise, and peculiar.
A. pentagona. A. aspera, A. spiralis, A. nigra,
and A imbricata, are fair specimens of the set.

Kalanchoe, is the name of a small, but very
handsome genus ; but seldom seen now-a-days.
K. acutiflora, K. rotundi folia, and K. segyptica,
are the most remarkable kinds of the antique
group.

Cotyledons seem to belong to the arabesque
style of plants. C. clavica, C. spinosa, C. oaespi-
tosa, and C. cristata, will serve as examples.

As the writer looks back along the vistas of
time, and sees within the old dry stove, their
quaint forms, still unchanged, the scenes of
other days, and their pleasant memories, come
up again with all the freshness of youth.

Of the Cereus grandi floras, or night-blooming
Cereus, to which previous allusion is made, there
still remains much to say. A large specimen,
which had frequently bloomed before the writer's
time, was about to bloom again. For some time
he had watched the embryo flowers from their
first appearance, as day by day, they gradu-
ally increased in size ; until one day late in the
leafy month of June, they gave unmistakable
indications of soon expanding. My kind pre-
ceptor was a sort of garden prophet, whose
opinions in matters Floricultural, or Horticul-
tural, no one doubted. No word, or warning,
from Delphic oracle of old, was ever more em-
phatic than his ; and as he prognosticated, so
had the flowers progressed. Well, this very
June morning, he informed the writer that one
of the blooms would assuredly open during the
coming night : and it was unanimously agreed

that himself, wife, and daughter, should keep a
becoming vigil, at the floral shrine of the night-
blooming beauty. I, of course, being equally
interested, was to be one of the watchers,
and was specially charged to keep a sharp
lookout for the coming event.

The evening was as calm and serene as could
be desired, while, in anxious expectation, the
hours passed slowly by. During this time, I
had frequently gone to and from the succulent
house to report progress at the gardener's cottage.
At about eight o'clock, I perceived the floral
globe was gradually enlarging, arrd from thence
continued to visibly change until eleven. All
of which was duly reported at the cottage. In
all haste, pretty Rose and I started to take
another look at the remarkable flower, so fast
unfolding.

The glorious disk, or star-like flowers, with its
glistening whity-yellow petals, so precisely laid,
and evenly arranged around a lustrous profusion
of long, silky stamens, gracefully drooping from
the centre, was in the highest degree of translu-
cent splendor. Emitting the most delightful
and exquisite odor possible, it eminently merited
the designation of grandiflora. Like many a
beautiful flower, and pleasant hour, it soon
passed away. But the remembrance of it, and
the evening's associations, never will ; until all
things earthly are forgotten, and the writer too,
passes away.

There is still much left unsaid about succulent
plants; but how to grow them must not be
omitted. Pot culture has many advantages, and
will continue to be the one most generally
adopted. Yet, a properly constructed house, in
which they could be planted out, in the more
natural way, would be the most appropriate.
Having constructed Fern houses, with miniature
mountains, rocks and ravines, so, would I sug-
gest the formation of a succulent house. Any
good friable loam, with a fair portion of sand
and crushed charcoal, will grow them. With
proper drainage, and careful watering, they will
grow in any ordinary greenhouse ; if the tem-
perature, during the Winter months, can be
maintained at about 60°. While in the Summer
season, they will derive heat enough from Old
Sol. There is danger of the broad-leaved kinds
blistering in bright, hot, sunny weather, unless
the glass is made slightly obscure. Nothing can
be better adapted than they for the dwelling-
house windows. A light room, or bay-window,
would suit them exactly. If a rustic stand, of a

312

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

rather solid kind, on castors, was made for the
hall, corridor, or room, where sufficient light
could be had, with heat, of course, nothing could
be more suitable for their reception. It occurs
to me, if the rough outside bark of the cork
tree, Quercus suber, such as they are using in
Europe for rustic work, could be had, being so
light, yet tough and durable, it would be excel-
lent material with which to build a light succu-
lent mountain, for either plant-house or parlor.
And if the pots are hidden in dry sphagnum
moss, the illusion would be perfect. And what
a delightful time there would be if a night-
blooming Cereus could be coaxed into bloom,
and with social friends awaiting for just the
time and "just the hour

When pleasure, like the midnight flower.
That scorns the eye of vulgar light,
Begins to bloom fjr sons of night,
And maids who love the moon."

NURSERY CREDITS.

BY J. M. JORDAN, ST. LOUIS, MO.

Every one is supposed to understand why we
have hard times, and has a remedy for curing
them. I may be, therefore, excused if I say
that with nurserymen and florists, the trouble is
credit. People cannot pay their debts, and yet
there would be no debts if no one gave credit.
Under this system those who pay, have to be
charged for those who do not, and when there
is a large portion who do not pay, those who
give credit, as well as the borrower, go down. It
is seldom of use for the lender to push for his
own, as nursery stock does not realize ten cents
on the dollar at a forced sale, as I know from
personal knowledge. Stop the credit business.
Let those do business only, who can pay, then it
will make no difference in what shape the bal-
ance of trade is settled, or the sort of currency
used to accomplish it.

[Mr. Jordan, of course, refers to the reckless
use of credit. Nurserymen and florists often
have stock which no one wants in the regular
way, and they think it is just as well, at least, to
sell it on time to a doubtful customer, as to
burn it. The doubtful customer does not pay,
but he becomes owner of thousands of trees
which, perhaps, cost a dollar to raise, — for noth-
ing!

But he sells them for a quarter or a half
dollar, while the original raiser is still
selling for a dollar. The one cannot really sell,
to make money, for less than a dollar, but

doubtful customer, getting them for nothing,
does well at half the price. So, in order to sell
at all, he has to come down to the prices of
doubtful customer, and, in the end, he cannot
pay either. Such, and similar credits, come
fairly under Mr. Jordan's denunciations.

But fair, legitimate credit is a good thing, and
there are few nurserymen, or florists, in the trade
now, who have not, at some time or another,
profited by it.— Ed. G. M.]

A KANSAS LETTER.

BY H. E. VAN DEMAN, GENEVA, KAN.

This State has been called " drouthy Kansas,"
but it does not seem so to me. Six years expe-
rience i» the State proves that we have no more
drouths here than elsewhere. This present
season has, so far, been very rainy. The streams
have overflowed their banks, and damage has
been done to some farms. However, crops of
all kinds promise well. The fruit crop is good.

On the 5th of May last, a sharp frost thinned
the fruit that was set, on the cherry, peach and
pear trees, and blasted many of the apple
blooms. However, there is an abundance of all
kinds left for home use, at least. We did not
suffer near so much as the States east of us.
One thing I would like explained : The frost
caused the peach leaves, that were out on the
poorer seedlings at the time of the frost, to curl,
and the fruit on these trees to nearly all drop,
within a few weeks, while the better kinds, such
as were thought good enough to bud, were
almost entirely exempt. The leaves did not
curl, and th© fruit remains healthy. Why the
better kinds, that we generally thought to be
tender, escaped injury that the hardier ones did
not escape, is a mystery to us. Some one please
give scientific reasons, and state whether there
are other like examples. We had a like occur-
rence here two years ago.

The horticulturists in this new State are being
more and more encouraged as time and experi-
ence develope their resources^. It has become a
settled fact that our apples cannot be excelled.
The show of samples at the Centennial from
Kansas cannot be gainsayed. We now know
what will succeed here, and if new comers will
examine and plant by the recommended lists of
our State and Local Horticultural Societies, and
throw aside their old Eastern notions, they will
save themselves many disappointments. We

1877."

AND HORTICULTURIST.

313

have found that the old reliable R. I. Greening,
Roxberry Russet and Baldwin, are almost worth-
less here. We can, and do, grow finer specimens
of these varieties, than ever grew in New Eng-
land, but, at the same time, they are not profit-
able bearers here. We have others that are
excellent substitutes. The locust, or grass-
hopper, has been, and is, a fruitful source of talk
and annoyance, yet we have abundant crops of
all kinds, and there is more scare than real
damage.

To any who think of coming here to locate I
say come and see our country for yourselves.
The three great thoroughfares, along which the
best farming and fruit lands lie, are the M. K. &
T. R. R., through the Neosho Valley, the A. T. &
Santa Fe, coursing the great Arkansas River and
the K. P., along the Kanses River, and its
branches, the Smoky Hill and Republican. It
takes grit, patience, energy and some money, to
warrant success. In the poorest shanties and
dug-outs on the frontier may be found as refined
and courteous people, as through the boulevards
of your own Quaker City. Do not think that
rough, ignorant society is the chief element
here. The Indian's scalping knife, and the
Texas drover's pistol, are of the past. We have
far less of the tramp and the beggar than you,
and vicious poverty is almost unknown.

The church bell breaks the silence of a peace-
ful Sabbath. School-houses, factories and taste-
ful residences, are multiplying on every hand.
Orchards, groves and parks, are growing larger
and more numerous upon the treeless prairies.
We are trying, by legislation, to protect what
birds we have, and encourage others to make
their homes with us. The Southern mocking-
bird spends his Summers with us, and yearly
increases as our groves afford more attractive-
ness.

But do not think that we have no drawbacks.
The locust visits us occasionally ; the plum cur-
culio is a nuisance ; the currant, and the sweet
varieties of the cherry, do not succeed in our
climate ; the arborvitse and the firs are
grown with great difficulty. But we can, and
do, have plenty of easily-grown trees and
flowers. "Time proveth all things."

EDITORIAL NOTES.

European Notes by the Editor. — I have men-
tioned the Queen's private residence at Osborne

House in the Isle of Wight, as one of the small
but beautiful gardens with which England
abounds. It was to me especially interesting as
showing how rapidly trees could be made to
grow into beauty, or even utility if one were dis-
posed to look on planting as a money invest-
ment alone. There are, of course, many trees
now which were growing on the estate when it
belonged to Lady Isabella Blatchford, of whom
Queen Victoria purchased it; but the major part
of the trees now growing here, were planted by
Prince Albert, or since his time, and numbers
are over fifty feet high and six feet in circumfer-
ence. Cedar of Lebanon, which we may with
justice call a slow growing tree, are many of
them here over forty feet high. A large number
of our Californian Coniferse, of which Prince Al-
bert was very fond, are also of about the same
height, and many of them I saw* in great beauty
for the first time. The Cupressus macrocarpa,
for instance, here about thirty feet high, forms
one of the most beautiful sights that a human
eye could desire to look upon, and there are
some very fine specimens of Libocedrus decur-
rens, which, I may say here, I find, all through
England, " Thuja gigantea," though the error
has been shown over and over again in Ameri-
can literature, and though any one can see by
the very look of the plant, if they were disposed
to be inquisitive, that it is not a Thuja at all. If
you ask them for Libocedrus decurrens, they
" don't know such a plant." The real Thuja
gigantea they call Thuja Craigiana.

A very large number of the trees — enough to
make quite an arboretum by themselves — have
been planted at different times by celebrated or
distinguished persons, as memorials of their visit
to Osborne, or as commemorative of the birth-
days of members of the Queen's family. The
names of the planters and the occasions are
neatly painted on "labels" at the foot of each
tree. Some of these, like some of the planters
have had misfortunes in their career, and looked
unhappy; but the majority were doing very well
and must be a great source of pleasure. I envied
especially the Princess Helena, who on May 25,
1855, planted an Abies bracteata which was now
thirty feet high. The branches lay flat on the
ground, and the tree made a regular cone. These
branches on the ground measured fifty-five feet
round. The general appearance of the tree at a
little distance reminded me of some of the beau-
tiful Douglas' Spruces I had seen in their native
places of growth, but the leaves are very long,

314

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

and I should judge a Torreya when old would
look something like this. I wondered when I
saw it whether in our own country we had in
cultivation so pretty a specimen of our own na-
tive tree. The part where these trees are mostly
growing is separated from the other parts of the
ground by a dense hedge of Laurels and Laurus-
tinus; and this makes a shelter from the stiff
sea-breeze, very favorable to evergreen conifer-
ous trees brought from our Pacific shores, though
the hedge itself was planted to give a good land-
scape gardening effect to the grounds. There
are some pretty specimens of our mammoth
tree, Sequoia gigantea, on the grounds, and some
that have suffered from the same disease which
has not left us one good specimen, in the East-
ern Atlantic States, indeed hardly a specimen of
any kind at all. Whenever I would ask the tree
growers of England or France about this disease
they would answer that they knew nothing of it,
and yet I s^v. traces of it everywhere in both
countries. It is probably a species of iEcidium,
a small parasitic fungus. It attacks the lowest
and weakest branches first, and thrives best
when the weather is warm. In our country with
so much Summer heat, it progresses upwards
rapidly enough to destroy the whole plant before
Winter sets in ; but in these European instances
it only browns some of the lowest branches
though in a few cases I saw half the tree de-
stroyed. When I would call attention to it, I
would be told it was " only something in the
soil," although a close neighbor a little more
shaded perhaps, in the same "soil " would look
quite sound.

There is a long avenue to the main road,
planted by Prince Albert, with a double row of
trees. The first is of Araucaria imbricata, the
Chili pine, alternating with evergreen Oaks, and
the back row of Cedars of Lebanon and evergreen
Oaks. There was thus three chances of some
one doing well, so that the other two could be
cut away in time. All have done well, and there
has been nothing cut away yet. Our readers, of
whom only a few have seen the Araucaria in
greenhouses, can have no idea of the peculiar
effect this tree has on the English landscape. It
is quite hardy in that country, and we meet with
it everywhere. Every garden has its beauty
spots formed by some combinations or other;
but I do not know that I saw a more beautiful
piece of garden art in England, than was here
with an Araucaria for the chief centre. It was
on a mound a few feet high, and behind the

Araucaria were two beautiful specimens of the
Californian Cupressus macrocarpa, the dark and
feathery edge of which, seen on each side of the
Araucaria made a sort of perspective shadow to
it, rounding it off, as it were, in a most beautiful
manner. In the foreground of the mound, and
in front of the Araucaria, were pieces of fossil
wood and rock, and in among them our Yucca
gloriosa. Around the base of the little evergreen
crowned mound, a narrow gravel walk sweeped,
and on the other side of the walk, on each side,
masses of Yucca filamentosa. The Araucaria
itself has, as those who know it recognize, a sort
of fossil-like look, and the Yuccas are scarcely
less geological in their expression. The whole
made a happy union and harmony such as we
rarely see in Landscape Gardening. A seat was
arranged where one could sit and enjoy this very
pretty feature, as I did for some time. Those
who know Queen Victoria tell me that she has a
keen relish for natural beauty, such as this. We
often see trees, especially evergreens, clipped
and sheared into many strange, if not really hid-
eous, forms; but there is no tree-shearing on
these grounds, except where some object is to be
gained by it, beyond the mere manufacture of a
monstrosity. One of these usefully sheared
plants is a Myrtle against a wall. This Myrtle
covered the whole surface of the wall except the
coping, and was sheared so close and regular
that one might almost imagine a painter had
wholly covered a board with green foliage. The
whole was regularly about eight inches deep.

In many parts of England the Pyracantha and
Cotoneaster are grown against walls in the same
way, and when kept thus neatly sheared are re-
markably pretty — quite as much, if not often
prettier, than Ivy. On a large heavy wall here
our Magnolia grandiflora is grown, and neatly
trained. Of course, this tree is " hardy " in Eng-
land, but it misses our Summer heats, and this
wall treatment supplies some of this. Here, with
its very sweet white flowers and fine evergreen
leaves, it was very highly prized.

One of the matters" with which I have been
struck everywhere in England, and which I find
to prevail even here in this royal place, is the
simplicity of the materials out of which
the best garden effects are made. In front of
some of the Queen's rooms, is an extensive ge-
ometrical flower-garden, made up of numerous
beds for flowers in masses, with gravel walks be-
tween. In many of these gardens the borders
may be of box : but here a narrow edge of what

1877]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

315

appeared to be costly stone, surrounded each
bed. The effect was very pretty ; but a close ex-
amination showed the stone to be only painted
wood. Near by is a very beautiful garden, made
up in the grandest style, for in the centre is the
celebrated Greek slave, which, as a work of art,
drew so much attention at the first and great
World's Fair. The fountain basin is of polished
granite ; but soon after, we pass out into real
nature under an arbor of roses and vines. At a
yttle distance is an Alcove, made in a terrace
wall, and we are struck with the apparent
richness of the work, and the general choice
appearance of everything in it. But as we
get closer we see that the pretty flowers and
foliage apparently carved out are only sea-
shells fastened on the wall in that way, and
the whole washed with stone-colored cement,
and the massive ebony work is but polished coal.
About these very artificial garden parts are, in
excellent taste, the more artificial-looking plants,
and the different kinds of Palm enter largely
into the beautiful effects. Some of these Palms
must be very valuable from their great size.
Here, for instance, is a Chsemerops himulis,
about ten feet high, and with numerous young
ones about it, so as to make a complete mass of
palm leaves. Though even the Orange grows
here so well, that there were some fruiting on the
garden walls, it is thought best to protect the
palm in Winter a little, and it is boarded over.

As I have said, the Queen prefers natural
beauty to sheared trees, except when such shear-
ing harmonizes with artificial work, and in the
square in which is one of the geometrical gar-
dens, are four sheared Bay trees in each of the
four corners. They are of huge size, and here
their effect is good. Leading down to the sea is
also a wide gravel walk on each side of which are
sheared Portugal Laurels, which also have a
good effect. Around the palaces in Paris are
huge Orange trees which have been kept in large
square tubs for many years. They are all sheared,
or rather trimmed with knives, so as to be all
exactly of one size. If one could look along the
top of a hundred of them in a line, no one would
show a quarter of an inch higher than the others.
These, during the Summer, in France, are set
out in their tubs alongside the walks at equal
distances. But they cannot well have oranges
at Osborne; but they have Portugal Laurels in
huge tubs, looking for all the world like these
French Orange trees, as they are treated and
placed in the same manner. But they appear

grander, for the tubs in which they are growing
are very much greater, and the trees are larger
in every respect. But the secret is explained
when the reader learns that the tubs are never
moved. The tree being hardy, remains there Win-
ter and Summer, indeed the tubs have probably
no bottom, and the Laurels are really growing
in the ground. Yet these neatly painted tubs
with globes on the four upper corners, give
all the grandeur of the Versailles Orange trees ;
and what is of more consequence, to an Ameri-
can and an Englishman, at very little cost for all !
The piece of landscape gardening connected
with this tub-laurel-lined avenue is a master-
piece of good art. There appears to be only two
or three acres on each side of the avenue, but
while one is kept flat and smooth, and relieved
only by the groups of Conifers and other artistic
trees, the other side has a rolling contour of
surface, and has massive groups of decidu-
ous trees to match with the heavy swells of
ground surface. Yet so well is the long straight
walk carried through, that no incongruity be-
tween the scenery on his right and his left
strikes even the most critical.

Here, as everywhere, the aim in bedding is to
have some carpeting unique, and not a copy of
some one else's work. One might write a vol-
ume of what he sees in this respect, but it would
be out of date by another year, as the object is-
to have new styles, as our ladies have new bon-
nets. In these grounds, coming to a place where
some roads cross, there are beds in the angles in
which the plants are arranged as playing cards.
The hearts, clubs and diamonds are outlined
chiefly with a sort of golden Stellaria, or perhaps,
it may be a Cerastium and Alternantheras. I
remember, however, that the diamond was made
of Echeveria for the outline of the character, and
the filling in was of golden Pyrethrum.

The vegetable garden is not large, the Queen
having most of the kitchen wants supplied from
Windsor. What is grown, however, has to be of
the very best character, and everything did look
well. Those who think that pruning injures
trees, would especially be struck by the healthy
appearance of the wall fruits, which are here of
immense age, having been growing here before
the Queen bought the place. A pruned plant, of
course, never has a large stem. The Osage Or-
ange in our country, unpruned, makes a large
stout tree in a few years— in hedges, cut back, in
twenty years is no stouter than one's wrist. So
here in this garden we have Pear trees trained to

316

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[October,

the walls and pruned annually, that were yet of
very large size. I measured a Glout Morceau
which measured three feet nine inches round.

One of the pleasantest features of my visit to
Osbcme was the acquaintance of Mr. Todman,
the gardener. When I left my native land
Mr. Winchester was gardener here. Like so
many scores of those I left behind me, he had
died before my return. With my card of ad-
mission I had to search for the gardener, and I
found him stripped to his shirt, on the top of a
ladder, training the trees himself to the wall.
The general impression we have of men in these
high positions is that they have "gloves on their
hands and nothing to do." I was pleased to find
Mr. Todman a worker as well as an intelligent
well-informed gentleman— just the sort of man,
I thought, we like to have in America.

But I must stop here, much as there was that
I think it would interest my readers to tell.
There is much I would like to say of England
and France which will take years to recount. I
must from month to month say just a little of
some things, and let the rest dwell only in my
own remembrance.

The Garden of America. — Friend Chalkley
Gillingham claims the Susquehanna and Poto-
mac regions as the garden of America, and in
confirmation thereof gives the following figures :
— "The mean temperature of this region for the
last seven years was : for the Winter months,
33° 29v ; Spring, 50° 47v ; Summer, 76° 30' ; Au-
tumn, 55° 47\ The mean rain-fall for the U. S.
for the year ending June 30, 1876, was 45.18 ; for
Washington, D. C, it was 48.01. 'Thus we are
between the extremes of heat and cold, and con-
sequently we have the best fruit region in the
world.'""

Horticulture in Kentucky and Tennessee. —
We had a chance to spend a few weeks in this
region the past month, with Nashville for head-
quarters, and were delighted to find much more
Horticultural improvement than we expected.
The nursery business, as conducted by Messrs.
Truett's Sons and Morgan, Underhill & Newsom,
and Mclntyre, seemed very prosperous. Mr. Lish y
also, we were informed was doing well, but hap-
pened unfortunately to be out of our line of
travel. We had the chance to see the beautiful
private places of Dr. Cheatham, Mrs. A.V. Brown,
Mrs. Polk, the grounds of the Insane Asylum,
the Vanderbilt University and many others. At
this season an Editor can do little more than

wander about and take notes for future use, but
the treatment accorded to the writer by his
Southern Horticultural friends was so kind and
cordial that we must make place for this note.

The Christ's Thorn. — It is of course not
possible to tell exactly what plant it was of
which tradition says the crown of thorns was
made Rubens in his picture seems to have a
Gleditschia (our Honey Locust). Other writers
think it is the Ziziphus communis, the Jujube;
but the weight of opinion seems to settle on the
Paliurus aculeatus, which is a low-growing
thorny shrub, hardy in the Middle States of the
Union, except in very severe Winters. The Zizi-
phus is hardier than the PaliuTus.

An Enemy of the Potato Beetle. — It is stated
in the Field and Forest that the old potato beetle,
Lema trilineata, and comparatively harmless,
feeds on the larva? of the Colorado Beetle. It is
worth confirming, as it is unusual for a herbiver-
ous insect to turn carniverous, though it is be-
lieved by some good entomologists that some of
the Lady Bug family, now carniverous, in past
ages fed on herbs.

Transactions of the Wisconsin State Horti-
cultural Society, Vol. VII., from F. W. Case,
Sec, Madison. — An excellent volume, — excellent
because it does not confine itself to the cultiva-
tion of a single branch of Horticultural art, but
encourages all. There are essays — excellent ones
— on every department of gardening, and none
the worse for being generally short and to the
point.

Tenth Annual Report of the Secretary of
the Connecticut Board of Agriculture. Print-
ed by the Legislature. From T. S. Gold, Secre-
tary, West Cornwall, Conn. Besides many
matters of interest, special fertilizers, manures,
and woods and woodlands have a conspicuous
place among the subjects treated of in this vol-
ume.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Hort.
Society, Part I. From Robert Manning, Sec'y.
This admirable serial does honor to the Horti-
cultural literature of our country. The leading
essays and discussions in this number are on
road making, self and cross-fertilization, fertil-
izers, and squash and melon culture — the latter
especially exhaustive of the subject.

Orchid Growicr's Manual. By B. S. Williams,
of Victoria Nurseries, Upper Holloway, London.
Fifth Edition. We are very glad to see a new

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

317

edition, and so far on as the fifth edition of a
work like this, because it shows that there is a
much deeper interest taken in the culture of
these plants than many people suppose. When
some years ago we were favored by a series of
articles from the pen of that admirable orchid-
grower, Mr. Taplin, some would ask us why take
up room with instruction on plants that no one
grew ? but that was just the reason we valued
Mr. Taplin's papers. People take Horticultural
papers for the reason that they need instruction,
and they wish to know what they ought to do in
order to get as much pleasure as possible from
gardening. Orchid growing is one of these special-
ties which always gives pleasure. It was at one
time thought to be very expensive to care for
these plants, and to require great skill in their
management; but thanks to writers like Mr. Tap-
lin, and especially to the labors of Mr. Williams,
whose " Manual " is now before us, the work of
growing them has been much simplified. Of
course if one desires to excel in orchid-culture as
in anything else, the more knowledge and expe-
rience the better. To all, whether novices or
experienced hands, Mr. Williams' book will be
welcome, but we need hardly say this of a book
in its fifth edition. This speaks for itself as to
how useful it is found to be.

The Cabbage Family. By David Landreth &
Sons, Phila. This gives the history of the Cab-
bage, from its wild to its improved condition, and
an account of the leading popular varieties of
the day.

The Locust Plague. By C. V. Riley. As most
of our readers know, Prof. Riley more perhaps
than any other man, has made the locusts a
study ; and his position as Chief of the United
States Entomological Commission on the Grass-
hopper gave him unusual facilities for studying
them. This little book contains all that Mr. Riley
knows about them, and there is no one likely to

suffer from this insect, but will find profit from
reading it.

Fruit and Bread. Translated from the Ger-
man of Gustav Schlickeysen by Dr. Holbrook,
New York. Published by M. L. Holbrook & Co.
This is an attempt to prove that man was des-
tined to eat only fruit and bread, and drink only
water, — that he has wandered from this original
design of nature, — and that the consequence is the
numerous diseases by which he is afflicted, and
that it would be better for him if he should re-
turn to his primitive food. How he came to
wander so far away while other animals have re-
mained true to their original instincts, is not
shown ; but the work on the whole may be re-
garded as the best exposition of vegetarian views
that has yet appeared.

Swine Husbandry. By F. D. Coburn, New
York. Orange Judd & Co. Harris on the Pig, is
a well-known work by the same publishers, and
one might suppose from this fact that another
one on the same subject, by the firm, would be
of a totally different character. A comparison
with that work shows that there is room for
both. Orange Judd & Co. seem to be taking the
lead as publishers of standard agricultural books
in this country.

The Floral Gazette. — This was once Park's
Floral Gazette and as such is now in its eleventh
year. Mr. Park now publishes it at Mt. Vernon,
Ohio. It is an unpretentious little monthly, of
sixteen pages, devoted wholly to flowers ; but in
its way does a great deal of good.

The Florist and Pomologist. Edited by
Mr. Thomas Moore. We have before us the
numbers for June, July and August, each with
colored plates of some new fruits and plants.
The price is only one shilling a part, which, con-
sidering the excellence of the plates is cheap
indeed. It is one of our most welcome English
exchanges.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Display of Cut Flowers at the Permanent
International Exhibition. — In order to adorn
the building on the " Governor's Day," in Phila-
delphia, premiums were offered by the manage-

ment for floral displays, and which brought out
considerable competition. We seldom admit
into our columns anything of purely local inter-
est, but as these exhibits will be continued as
occasion offers, and are intended as the Exhibi-
tion itself is to be, a whole world affair, we give

318

THE GARDE NEWS MONTHLY

[ October,

this award in full, as a piece of general informa-
tion : —
Mr. John S. Morton, President of the International

Exhibition Company :

The Committee on Floral Designs and Flowers
beg leave to recommend the award of the fol-
lowing premiums for designs of four feet and
over at the base: For the finest design by a flor-
ist, for a chaste and beautiful anchor resting on
a handsome base, inscribed with the word
" Hope," first premium of $50, to Craig & Bro.,
of Philadelphia; for a beautiful design formed
of a series of light and graceful arches rising to
about the height of seven feet, second premium
of $25, to Pennock Bros., Philadelphia; for a
well-executed design of an American flag sur-
rounded by a handsome frame composed of
flowers, special premium, $25, to Joseph Kift &
Son, Philadelphia; for a well-designed plan of a
lighthouse formed of fine flowers surmounted by
a glass dome, a special premium of $25 to No. 3 ;
for designs less than four feet at base : for an ex-
quisite frame formed of fine cut flowers, with a
medallion of Washington in centre, surrounded
by a beautiful wreath, and resting on a bed of
ivy leaves, the whole forming a chaste and beau-
tiful design, florists' first premium of $25, to C. L.
Allen & Co., of Queen's, Long Island; a table
formed of variegated leaves, with a beautiful
glass vase in centre, the amateur's premium of
$25 to Charity L. Mabbett, Vineland, N. J. We
also recommend the following special premiums :

For designs in good taste and formed of fine
flowers : For a harp well formed, $10 to Frank
Keefe, Philadelphia ; for a well formed pyramid,
$10 to Pennock Bros., Philadelphia; for a beau-
tiful design, $10 to Thomas Meehan, German-
town ; for a stand very fancifully arranged, $10
to John Plender, Philadelphia; lor a cross of
white and red flowers, to No. 23 ; for a beautiful
vase of white flowers, $8 to Jas. Ritchie, Phila.;
for an anchor, red, white and blue, $8 to James
Ritchie, Phila. ; for a beautiful design formed of
baskets, to No. 10 ; for a large and beautiful
stand, $8 to Pennock Bros., Phila. ; for a large
stand and table, $8 to John Dick, Phila.; for a
plateau of flowers, $8 to W. H. Westcott, Phila. ;
for a pyramid, $5 to James Kent, West Phila. ;
for a plateau, $5 to same ; for a very beautiful
cross, $5 to Isele, Phila.; for a small stand, $5 to
W. Faust, Phila. ; for a beautiful basket, $3 to
James Kent, Phila.; for a wreath, $3 to Isele
Bros. ; for a plateau, $3 to same.

Your committee congratulate the Exposition
Company onthe variety and beauty of the de-
signs shown, all of which were in good taste, and
evinced a commendable degree of public spirit
on the part of our florists in competing for the
moderate premiums oll'ered. All of which re-
port is respectfully submitted by
Yours respectfully,

R. Buist, Chairman,
James Ritchie,
J. E. Mitchell,
G. H. North,
[saac C. Price

New York Horticultural Society. — Only re-
cently has a newspaper slip giving an account of
the New York Horticultural Society's Spring Ex.
hibition, come before us. We are pleased to
gather from it, that it was a complete success,
both in the attendance and in the general excel-
lence of the articles exhibited. Mr. Taplin, Su-
perintendent of Mr. Such's establishment, had
many rare plants, and took the premium for the
best new or rare plant exhibited, which proved
to be Artocarpus Cannoni, the leaves of which
were a reddish-brown. The second premium in
this class was taken by Mr. Buchanan, with
Pinguicula orchoides.

The new white Hydrangea, Thomas Hogg — a
group of 130 plants — formed one of the showiest
groups in the exhibition. It came from Mr. John
Cadness. A Japanese Magnolia named M. Hy-
poleuca, from Thomas Hogg, " promised to be a
great acquisition." Messrs. Bliss & Son, Potato
" Snowflake " attracted special notice by its fine
white appearance, good shape, and excellent
keeping and cooking qualities. Among the ex-
hibitors who obtained honor for their products,
we note the names of Charles Zeller, Flatbush ;
Edward Symes, gardener to Mrs. Mitchell, Tarry-
town ; John Henderson, Flushing; Peter Hen-
derson, Jersey City; H. Reynolds, Flatbush;
W. C. Wilson, Astoria ; William Ball, Spuyten
Duyvil ; Walter Reid, Broadway ; S. B. Parsons
& Son and R. B. Parsons & Co., Flushing; Wm.
Bennett, Flatbush ; John Bush, Tremont; James
Bush, gardener to Wm.Elisha Brooks, Norwood,
N. Y. ; F. Roenbeck, Bayonne, N. J. ; W. A. Bur-
gess, Glen-Cove; Fred. Gordon, Broad St., N. Y. ;
A. McConnell, Sixth Ave., N. Y.; J. G. Bes-
champs & Sons, New York ; Mrs. W. J. David-
son, Brooklyn; J. Finn, Tremont; John Eagan,
gardener to Mr. Gurnee, Irvington ; Ed. Huckins,
West Mount Vernon ; and S. Henshaw, of New
Brighton.

Georgia State Horticultural Society. — Hor-
ticulture, under the lead of Mr. Berckmans,
J. S. Newman and H. J. Peter, is looking up in
Georgia. The second annual meeting, held on
the 1st of August at Macon, as we judge from the
local papers, was a great success.

Pennsylvania Hort. Society. — The annual
exhibition of this Society is being held just as we
go to press, and promises to be one of the most
successful held for many years. Mr. Hugh
Graham, one of Philadelphia's most esteemed
florists, is the Chairman of the Committees this

1877.]

AND HOBTICULTURIST.

319

season, and has used untiring efforts to make it
the success it promises to be.

Maryland Hort. Society. — During the week
of the meeting of the American Pomological
Society, the Maryland Horticultural Society held
its annual Exhibition. It was a remarkably
creditable one in every respect, and we have
not for a long time felt so much encour-
aged in regard to the future progress and posi-
tion of Horticulture in our country as after see-
ing this beautiful show. The plants were not
only of new or rare kinds in numerous cases, but
had a large number of well-grown specimens. It
has often been said in regard to American ex-
hibits of plants that they seldom were more than
the sweepings of greenhouses, showing no evi-
dence whatever of any gardening skill in their
growth. The exhibits of most shows unfortu-
nately compel us to say honestly that this is the
truth, and it is therefore with the more pleasure
that we record the fact that on this occasion
there was a better average of plants, healthy and
well-grown — we do not mean overgrown — than
we have seen brought together for a long time. An-
other feature which impressed itself strongly on
us was the cordial co-operation wThich seemed to
exist between all the gardening fraternity of Bal-
timore in one good result. As human nature is
what it is, we always expect some dissatisfied
persons, sometimes with and sometimes without
good reason, and who cannot therefore wrork
well together. If there be any of this here, we
did not find them, and all this is in favor of a
vigorous long life to the infant society. It
also has the advantage of amateurs of taste and
culture, who, without wishing to appear promi
nent, yet do not shrink from leading off when
they feel they can be useful. The President of
the Society is Mr. W. H. Perot, a Baltimore
merchant, whose country seat of forty acres is in
many respects not inferior to the celebrated one
of Mr. Hunnewell at Boston. The Secretary —
Mr. W. B. Sands — is the editor of the American
Farmer, and one of the best workingmen in the
line of tact and talent that any Society could
have. A large number of others outside of the
trade take an active pride in the success of the
Society, and we shall not be at all surprised if,
before long, this young Society does not press
the older ones of Pennsylvania and Massachu-*
sett6 pretty hard for pre-eminence.

A large number of the plants on exhibition had
no exhibitor's names attached to them. This is

supposed to insure a more impartial decision by
the jurors, but it is doubtful. On the other hand
it robs the exhibitor of half his honors. We were
enabled to ascertain only the following from an
inspection of the plants on exhibition : Mr. Wm.
T. Walters, Alex. Frazer, gardener, Patterson
Park, Mr. Frazer, Supt., Sam. Feast & Son, Eobt.
Buist, W. H. Wehrhaus, John Saul, Joseph Kift
& Sons, W. D. Breckenridge, U. S. Bot. garden,
W. R. Smith curator, Robt. Halliday, Cromwell
& Congdon, James Pentland, Mr. Black, Thomas
Farley. The fruit department was chiefly in
connection with the American Pomological So-
ciety's exhibit, and we were notable in our short
examination to do credit to the Maryland show
separately from that. We have only time and
space at this late period of the month to say that
all in all this exhibit of the Maryland Society in
itself, and in all its associations, was one which
all will long remember who took part in it.

The American Pomological Society.— We
have only time to say, as we go to press, that
the biennial meeting of this excellent body wras
held in Baltimore according to an announce-
ment, and was one of the most pleasant and
profitable it has ever held. At the last moment
it was found that the venerable and esteemed
President, Col. Wilder, could not be present, not
being quite as well as it was expected he would be,
and the Treasurer, Mr. Thos. P. James, was
absent for the same reason. Mr. James is one
of the most unselfish workers in the body, and
his absence was very much regretted. In Col.
Wilder's absence, Mr. Hovey presided, and
Mr. B. Smith, of Boston, acted as Treasurer.
Excellent essays were presented, and which will

appear in the transactions. The fruit list was
revised, and such additions and corrections
made as seemed warranted by circumstances.
There were few discussions, wherein were much
difference of opinion, except on Pear blight and
Early Peaches. In the latter case it was quite
evident, from the experience given in, that while
there was a very close resemblance of one of the
popular peaches to the other, there were other
cases where the same kinds exhibited differ-
ences enough to make distinction important.
By special vote of the Society, Thomas Meehan
was invited to address the body on Pear blight,
but he had nothing new to offer beyond what
is contained in his remarks at Chicago, as re-
ported in the Society's proceedings of that year.
Mr. Transou, of Tennessee, moved that the ntxt
session (1879) be held at Nashville, others
moved for Rochester, and for New York city,
Mr. Quinn making a warm speech in favor of
the latter. But nearly the whole of a full meet-

320

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ October,

ing voted for Nashville, and on the subsequent
motion of Mr. Quinn himself the motion was
made and carried " unanimously " to Nashville.

A particularly agreeable incident of the meet-
was a trip up the Chester River to Riverside, the
residence, and peach and pear orchards of
Col. Wilkins. Few of the members ever had so
much instruction in the culture of these fruits
on a tremendous scale as this visit afforded, and
many were the praises bestowed on the Col. for
this generous treat. Some two hundred and
eighty members went up. To help the Society,
the Maryland Horticultural Society spent several
thousands of dollars in erecting temporary ac-
commodations for the fruits of the Association,
placing the Pumological Society under lasting
obligations to them.

Col. Wilder's address was regarded as emi-
nently practical, and one of his best efforts, and
we need ask no pardon from our readers, on
account of its length, for giving it in full in our
pages.

ADDRESS OF MARSHALL P. WILDER.

Gentlemen of the American Pomologieal Society : —

This is the sixteenth session of our Associa-
tion. We meet here by the invitation of the
Maryland Horticultural Society, through whose
courtesy and liberality we have been provided
with most ample accommodations for the occa-
sion.

Most heartily do I rejoice in the privilege and
pleasure of taking by the hand so many with
whom I have associated in the past for the pro-
motion of the objects of this Association, and
from whom I have received so many expressions
of confidence, and so much assistance in the dis-
charge of my duties.

Once more, through the loving kindness of
Him who hath again restored my health, I rise
to perform a service which the Constitution of
our Society devolves upon me. Almost a gen-
eration of men have passed from the stage of
action since its formation, but, thanks to a mer-
ciful Providence, some still live who assisted in
its organization, and are here to-day. To these
and all who have come here to co-operate with
us I extend a most hearty welcome.

Amidst the strides of scientific research and
a higher state of civilization, which has distin-
guished the present century, in nothing is
progress more apparent than in the advance-
ment of pomologieal knowledge on this conti-
nent. I have spoken of this on former occa-
sions, but now, as we are entering on the second
century in the history of our republic, I have
thought that a. review of what has been accom-
plished, even at the expense of repeating some-
thing which I may have uttered before, would
be both interesting and instructive.

THE GROWTH, EXPANSION AND INFLUENCE OF THE

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, AND

KINDREO ASSOCIATIONS.

Frequent allusion has been made to the
remarkable growth and influence of our Asso-
ciation.

At the first meeting of the Society, in the year
1848, there were but twelve States represented
by delegates, while at our last session in Chicago,
in 1875, there were, as may be seen by the
Report on Credentials, twenty-eight States, Ter-
ritories and Provinces represented in person,
and nine by letters of correspondence, making a
grand total of thirty seven. In 1848 the attend-
ance was limited' by the number of delegates
present from these twelve States, and the juris-
diction of the Society by the area which they
represented. Now we have on our roll the
names of three hundred and thirty-eight mem-
bers, and its field covers the entire territory from
Canada to Texas — from Nova Scotia to Califor-
nia. From nearly all of these States and dis-
tricts reports are regularly received of the
progress and culture therein,, with fruits for
identification and comparison, and with lists of
those adapted to their several localities. And
here let us acknowledge with gratitude the noble
and generous manner in which the various State
Societies and Fruit Growers' Associations have
co-operated with our institution to bring about
the grand results which we have witnessed.

With the close* of the present session the
Society will have held sixteen conventions, and
will have entered on the thirtieth year of its
existence. Three sessions of the Society have
been held in the city of New York, three in
Philadelphia, three in Boston, two in Rochester,
N. Y., one each in the cities of Cincinnati,
St. Louis, Richmond and Chicago, to which will
soon be added the city of Baltimore. These
sessions have been marked by evidently rapid
and most gratifying progress, both as regards
the information acquired and disseminated, as
well as by the improved workings of the Society,
and the character and usefulness of its publica-
tions. This progress has been essentially pro-
moted by the holding of its meetings in distant
cities of the United States.

From this fact the Society has been called a
national institution. But it is more than
national. It is continental, embracing within its
fold not only the States of the Union, but the
British Provinces on our borders. Its latitude
extends over twenty-five degrees, and its longi-
tude the entire breadth of this continent. Its
area embraces almost every variety of soil and
temperature, where almost all of the fruits of
the various zones may be grown, from the
apples of Canada, and the oranges, figs and
bananas of Florida, Louisiana and California.
It is, therefore, properly styled an American
' Society. Its field is not merely the American
Union, it is our continent. Its men and means
] have been more effective than were ever before
used for the promotion of Pomology. The
capabilities and probabilities of its field for
progress were never surpassed by any country,
affording, as it does, ample scope for testing
the fruits adapted to the various climates, tem-
peratures and soils of our widely extended
domain.

(To be continued in our next.)

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

NOVEMBER, 1877.

Number 227.

LOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE IffROUND.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

As we take up the pen to offer a few November
hints, the sun is setting in the west, and the
whole sky is suffused with orange and crimson,
and blue, which alone would make this a world
of beauty. But in addition to this profusion of
charming interest, the trees begin to vie with the
sky above them. On the Sumach there is already
a crimson blush. The Dogwood, usually of so
bright a green, shows signs of ripeness ; and the
Kentucky Coffee has actually fallen into its sere
and yellow leaf. The Golden Rods and Asters
light up the meadows with a red and yellow
light, and the azure of the eastern part of the
firmament is just dark enough to give the re-
quired shade to brilliant beauty. By the time
these lines come before our readers' eyes we
shall be in the midst of America's most glorious
season, and in the midst of a natural enjoyment
unknown to the people of any other part of the
globe. We, as a whole, hardly appreciate this
wonderful beauty. We admire the length of an
English Summer's day, and appreciate the re-
gretful manner in which the sun goes down.
There is scarcely a lovelier scene in the Old
World than the lingering sunset of a Summer
evening. But the set of Summer itself with us is
still more gradual, and as a month is to a day, so
in proportion is the enjoyment of an American
Autumn over anything English gardening or
European scenery can provide us with. We
should not forget this in our efforts at distinc-

tive American gardening. We have scarcely
any Spring, for Summer is often on us before
Winter has gone, yet we work away at Spring
gardening. We envy and strive to imitate the
Summer bedding of the English in spite of the
fact that the heat of our climate drives us to the
mountains, and our flower-beds are scorched up
or dried out while we are away. Why not take
especially to September, October and Novem-
ber, as characteristically our American garden-
ing months, and arrange our work especially
to horticultural enjoyment then. A place how-
ever small might have a few colored leaved Fall
plants, and in larger places, the most beautiful
effects could be made by a judicious grouping of
these Fall coloring things. Talk of the perfec-
tion to which the English have brought our
Rhododendron ! Let some one take in hand the
artistic arrangement of our Autumn leaves, not
on card-board by ladies in scrap-books, or draw-
ing-rooms, but as nature would have them on
our lawns and gardens, and we can let the Rho-
dodendron stay. Not stay from out of our gar-
dens by any means, but as the one great glory
in English landscape gardening.

But to more practical matters. These leaves
have to be gathered up. They are excellent to
mix with hot bed material, and where practica-
ble, should be saved for this purpose. They do
not heat so rapidly as stable manure, and in this
"have an advantage as tempering its violence,
making it last longer, and maintaining a more
regular heat. They are excellent material to put
round cold frames to protect half hardy plants.

322

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

A board is put up the height of the frame boards,
and about a foot or more from them, and the
leaves filled in between. If the plants are some-
what tender, the bottom of the frames may be
filled in a few feet with the leaves. Much heat
is thrown off during the decomposition of the
leaves, which though not enough to keep out
severe frost, yet modifies somewhat the tempera-
ture. These leaves, after they have been two or
three years decaying, make admirable stuff for
potting and flowers in general.

As soon as the ground gets caked with the first
real frost, herbaceous plants should be protected.
Though hardy, they will repay this extra care, —
mostly natives of woods or grassy places in their
native state, they expect a covering of leaves or
dry grass. We find dry leaves the best material
for the purpose, a few inches is a sufficient depth,
a little soil being thrown on to prevent the
leaves blowing away. Where such material is
not at hand, the common garden soil may be
drawn over them, as before recommended in
these pages.

One of the last thought of things, too fre-
quently, is to apply manure to flower beds. But
it is scarcely less essential to a fine Summer dis-
play, than it is to the production of fine vegeta-
bles ; and certainly as necessary as to trees, or
the lawn. Still it should be applied with cau-
tion. While a poor soil will only grow plants to
a diminutive miniature size, — which, though
clothed with a profusion of small, starved-looking
blossoms, make no show, — a soil over rich will
cause too great a luxuriance of foliage, which is
always opposed to an abundance of bloom. In
most cases we prefer half-decayed leaves; where
these could not be had we would use stable man-
ure. The former spread over the soil two inches
thick, or the latter one inch, would form a dress-
ing whioh, in ordinary cases, should last two or
three years. It is difficult to get flowers to do
well in even the most favorable soil, if it is liable
to hold water to stagnation in Winter. Where
flower-gardens or beds exist under such circum-
stances, advantage should be taken of the pres-
ent season to have it thoroughly underdrained.
It will be more beneficial in the end than the
most judicious manuring; it is indeed in itself a
powerful means of fertilizing the soil.

The planting of trees will still continue to en-
gage our attention at every favorable opportu-
nity. Many prefer at this season to remove
trees in the Winter by the " frozen ball " system.
There is nothing gained by this practice. To

those unacquainted with this mode of planting,
we may as well describe it. Just before frost is
expected, a trench is dug around a tree a few
feet from its base, leaving the tree, so that with a
rope at the top, it can be easily drawn over. A
hole is then dug for it in the situation desired.
When the " ball " has become frozen through
around the tree, it is removed to the prepared
hole ; and, when a thaw comes, the soil is filled
in around it. We have said there is nothing
gained by it, and there are many disadvantages.
If the tree has been removed a " time or two "
before, as most nursery trees have, it will have
an abundance of fibres near the stem, and can
be successfully removed without much regard to
the " ball of earth," either in Fall or Spring. If
it has never been removed before, that is a tree
growing naturally, it will have no fibres at its
base, and so no " ball of earth " can preserve
them ; so that a tree which can be moved suc-
cessfully on this freezing system, can be as suc-
cessfully done without it. The disadvantages of
it are that it exposes the injured roots for a long
time to the injurious action of the frost and the
elements, besides the frequency of the operation
being improperly done by several attempts being
made at its completion. We have given the
system a fair trial, and have done with it. The
main object should be to preserve all the roots
possible with the tree, keep them moist and pre-
serve from injury, then go ahead and don't wait
for frost.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

SOME JULY FLOWERING SHRUBS.

' BY J. M., PHILA.

To those about to plant shrubs, there is always
more or less difficulty in deciding what to plant.
The aim usually is to have an assortment to
flower one after another throughout the season.
There is little trouble to have some to flower in
the early months, as the most of the shrubs
flower then. At the present time — July — the
early kinds of Spiraeas are over, and so are the
Weigelas, Philadelphia, and many other com-
mon kinds on which we depend for the early
adornment of our grounds. But there are yet a
goodly number which flower now, enough indeed
to make our grounds as attractive as in the
Spring months. Amongst these still in bloom,
but which are past their best, are the Magnolia

i8n.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

323

glauca, Azalea vi8cosa, and Itea Virginica. The
Magnolia blooms for a long while, one bud suc-
ceeding the other, until a month or more has
passed. Much more might be said for this fra-
grant shrub, but that recent writers in the
Monthly have so fully described it. The Azalea
is our native one of the woods, and its waxy-
white flowers must have been gathered by many
of the young folks in their rambles. But the
Itea is not near so well known as it should be,
for when covered with its spikes of white flowers
it is so beautiful and uncommon as to at once
attract the eye.

But to come to those which may be called
strictly July flowering shrubs, it will be found
the list, though not extensive, is ample. There
are quite a lot of Spiraeas, the best of the older
ones being Billardii with pink flowers in panicles;
callosa, pink, and callosa, white, with flowers in a
flat head ; salicifolia, white, with pink tint, and
flowers in long panicles; and paniculata, pink,
with flowers in a more bunchy head than Billar-
dii. Then there is the tomentosa, with its light
purple flowers, which does not flower until the
end of the month or August. We have, too, for
July display, the Colutea arborescens, Weigela
hortensis nivea, Yucca filamentosa, Hydrangea
quercifolia and paniculata grandiflora, Rubus
ordoratus, Cornus sericea, Potentilla fruticosa
and Vitex agnus castis. The Colutea has nearly
done flowering by July, but its bladder-like seed,
pods, with their claret-colored tint, make as
much display as do its preceding flowers. It is
not generally known that the Weigela above
named, flowers through the Summer ; but they
may be cut from it all the season, and very beau-
tiful they are too. The Yucca or Adam's Needle
is so common that it seems known to every one.
Its long scape, thickly set with white lily-like
flowers, makes it a conspicuous object wherever
planted. The Hydrangea quercifolia and pani-
culata grandiflora are both white, the former not
so clear as the latter. The quercifolia, flowers in
the early part of the month, the paniculata
grandiflora not until the latter part. The last
named, though but a few years since much
known here, has taken a front place in gardens,
its beautiful flowers, together with the immense
size of the panicles, entitling it to the place it has
received. And then it is so hardy and such a
strong grower that it cannot be done without.
The Rubus odoratus, with its purplish pink blos-
soms, is very showy. Like other Rubus, it will
throw up suckers, and in some places this would

be objectionable. Cornus sericea has large flat
heads of white flowers, and contrasting with the
other shrubs is very nice. The Potentilla fruti-
cosa is yellow, and flowering when this color is
scarce in shrubbery, would make it valuable
even though it were not the pretty thing it is.
It flowers very abundantly, and forms a bushy
shrub. The last on the list is the Vitex. This
flowers at the latter part of July aud through
August. Its prettily divided leaves and panicles
of pale lilac flowers claim for it a good position
amongst the others. This list is meant as giving
some of our July flowering shrubs such as are to
be obtained at most nurseries.

EVENING PRIMROSES.

BY WILLIAM FALCONER, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

These are amongst the most gaudy floriferous
and thrifty of late Summer blooming plants, and
surely about the easiest grown. I admit that
from June onwards they are in their glory, but
many species and varieties in late Summer, from
increased growth, of necessity become more glori-
ous. Amongst them we have tall growing sorts
like b. Lamarckiana and fragrans, and decum-
bent carpets as in trichocalyx and csespitosa;
white flowers as in the last named two, corono-
pifolia and fspeciosa, often changing with age to
pink or rose ; and few plants have more bril-
liant yellow blooms than those of Missouriensis
and Lamarckiana, besides they are so big — 4 to
6 inches across. Nearly all are more or less
fragrant, fragrans, csespitosa, marginata, and
eximia, being particularly odoriferous. As a
truly hardy and neat perennial, fruticosa var. line-
aris is one of the best, as little bright yellow
flowers being profusely borne all Summer, most
lavishly in June and July. All are not equally
fond of the night as their name might suggest-
for many species are open by day, as, for in-
stance, f. linearis, speciosa, taraxicifolia, and tri-
chocalyx.

Many of our finest Evening Primroses are na-
tives of west of the Mississippi States, as Califor-
nia, Utah, Missouri, and Texas, and consequently
several are not reliably hardy. It is advisable to
winter the more tender sorts — biennials or per-
ennials in frames, and where practicable, save
seeds and raise seedlings annually. So far as I am
■acquainted they all bloom the first season from
early seedlings. Some of the true perennials,
and particularly the prostrate-growing ones, are
shy seeding in our garden, but the tall growers

324

THE GARDENERS MONTHLY

[November,

seed freely. Missouriensis, linearis, fragrans,
Lamarckiana, and biennis, withstood last Winter
(40° below zero) unprotected in the open garden,
unscathed; csespitosa survived under some leaves
and a wooden shutter, but alongside of it tricho-
calyx perished. The rest of our sorts are last
Spring's seedings.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Dracocephalum. — In old times we used to
grow in our beds of hardy herbaceous plants
Dracocephalum Virginiana, and thought it the
gem of the collection. Going through Ohio this
Summer we saw occasional patches still more
beautiful than we had ever seen it under culture,
and we wondered more why it is not universal-
ly grown. We have two varieties in those
gardens which have it at all, one known as D.
Virginiana and the other as D. denticulata,
which is a much larger growing kind, though
botanists generally regard them as but forms of
one species. Strictly speaking we should say
these have been removed from the old genus Dra-
cocephalum, and are now Physostegia. When
in Europe last Summer, we noted a pretty one
being grown as D. Moldavica, introduced chiefly

by M. Vilmorin, of Paris. The accompanying
little cut will give some idea of its manner 01
growth.

The Carolina Poplar. — A Western paper says
that Dr. Furnas, of Danville, is propagating the
Carolina Poplar, " Populus angulata." Here is a
case where the benefit of a botanical name comes
in. The Populus angulata would make a good
shade tree if it were not susceptible to a rust in
early Fall, which gives the tree a disagreeable

look. It is a rounder headed tree than the Caro-
lina Poplar, which is the Populus monolifera.
Our Western friends will do mischief by con-
founding these two.

Abies Engelmanni. — A writer in the Gardener's
Chronicle signing the letter " H," and dating from
Salt Lake City, speaks of having visited Colora-
do, and of finding Abies Engelmanni and A.
Menziesii, " varieties of the same thing." It is
a great pity such errors should continue to be
propagated, for, as we have recently stated, there
is no close affinity between the two.

Crown Imperials. — These are very showy, and
favorite early Spring flowers, blooming in April.
They throw up strong stems to the height of two
feet, which are encircled at the summit with
large pendent bell-shaped flowers, crowned with
a tuft of glossy green leaves, rendering them
very conspicuous and ornamental. The bulbs
should be planted five or six inches deep, in any
good garden soil. It is best to let them remain
undisturbed for several years : Aurora, orange
red ; Crown on Crown, red ; Large Single Red ;
Large Double Red ; Large Single Yellow ;
Large Double Yellow; Single Red, with gold
striped foliage; Single, mixed. — G. M. Hovey.

NEW OB BABE PLANTS.

Clematis Davidiana. — This is a sterling horti-
cultural acquisition, quite "new," a native of
Northern China, from whence it was recently
introduced into France, and thence dissemi-
nated, and this year bloomed with us for the
first time, so far as I am aware, in New England.
The stems are erect, 2 to 3 feet high, slightly
branched, somewhat woody at the base, but the
rest herbaceous. The leaves are in opposite
pairs, ,on long petioles, and trifoliate ; the two
lower leaflets are broadly lanceolate, 4 to 5
inches long by 2 to 2| inches broad, and the in-
termediate one wedge-shaped, with a much
longer petiole, and an expansion some 5J inches
long by 3£ inches wide, and all of them deeply
toothed to slightly lobed, reticulated on the
upper surface and prominently veined on the
under. The flowers are J- to 1$ inches across,
pale bluish purple, reflexed, but with a tube
J inch long, and very sweet scented; in fact, in
color and form they much resemble common
blue Hyacinths. They are produced most freely

1877.]

AND HOB TIG UL TUB 1ST.

325

in dense terminal and axillary heads and corymbs
at every joint from the ground upwards, in one
crowded terminal head. Alone I counted 137
flowers, expanded blooms and unopened buds.
The lateral branches, mostly in pairs, are often
but long-jointed flower-stems, the blooms being
gracefully disposed in whorls around the joints,
which are closer near the end ; and these branch-
lets are admirably suited as cut flowers. Its
blooming period lasts from the end of July till
about the 20th of August. We regard it as one
of, if not the very best hardy herbaceous orna-
mental plant of its season. It seems to be con-
stitutionally strong and vigorous. — W. F.

Clematis tubulosa. — This species has been in
cultivation for upwards of thirty years, never-
theless it is very rarely met with. It is a native
of Northern China, 2 to 3 feet high, herbaceous,
or nearly so, quite hardy, a good grower, profuse
bloomer, and withal a commendable garden
flower. Its blooming season is from about the
20th of August till the 10th or middle of Sep-
tember. It has erect, slightly branched stems ;
opposite, long-petioled, trisected leaves, the leaf-
lets rhombeo-ovate, faintly lobed and toothed.
The flowers are bluish-purple, with narrow re-
flexed sepals, 1 to lh inches across, and produced
in loose, terminal and axillary cluster-corymbs.
— W. F.

SCBAPS AND QUERIES.

Gas-killed Trees. — I have, unfortunately, lost
two fine trees in consequence of the escape of
gas in the street ; and in regulating my front
pavement, have had to cut down three others.
Speaking with Mr. Paul, a short time since, he
stated that there was a species of Poplar tree, —
he could not give me the name, but the kind of
tree could be seen growing on the corner of a
small street running north from Vine, be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, — which he
understood the gas would not affect. I think he
said you were aware of it ; and my object in
writing is to inquire if you could furnish me
with its proper name, or the name of any tree
the gas will not kill.

[Ihe roots of any tree whatever, will be killed
by the gas escaping from the mains. It is no use
to plant anything where trees have been thus
killed, till the leak has been stopped. Notify
the gas company of the leak, and they will stop

it. Then plant. In equity the gas corporation
should be held responsible for damages. There
is little excuse for these leaks. It is as possible
to make a pipe tight below as above ground. —
Ed. G. M.]

Night Blooming Cereus. — Mrs. Harriet Beech -
er Scoville, Norwich, Chenango county, N. Y.,
writes : — Reading, this evening, an article or
note in the September number of Gardener's
Monthly on Night Blooming Cereus, alluding
to it not always being night-blooming, I am
tempted to give my experience on the same
topic. I have a large plant of the flat thornless-
leaved variety. I know no name for it. But it has
a large white exquisitely fragrant and beautiful
blossom. Mine flowered this season for the third
time or year. The first in June, it had three
large blossoms open at one time. The flower
began to open before dark, was wide open before
10 o'clock P. M., and was wide open in the
morning. I cut two flowers and sent out, and
heard that they did not close until full noon, the
third I kept on the plant, and it also remained
open until between 12 and 12.30 midday, when I
removed it from my greenhouse, facing south,
into my darkened dining-room, thinking to keep
it longer, but it closed directly after. A friend has
one of the same variety, which once opened
during her absence at church one Sabbath morn-
ing, and I believe remained open all that day and
I think closed at night, — of that I cannot speak
with certainty. There are a number of the
plants in our town, and there are generally a
dozen or more blossoms seen each Summer.
One friend had ten open at once. Some time I
may be tempted to give an account of my green-
house, which I heat by a coal base-burning stove
in the greenhouse, unless this is so long that you
are wearied.

[Cereus crenatus, C. latifrons, and C. triangu-
laris, as well as the night-blooming Cereus, C.
grandiflorus, open at night, and some, especially
the last, continue to about noon next day. The
true night-blooming Cereus has round, rope-like
stems ; C. triangularis is three cornered ; C. cre-
natus has flat stems with pretty notched edges,
and latifrons has stems so thin that they seem
like leaves. We should very much value the
experience on heating the small greenhouse. It
is' a subject of interest to a large number of our
readers.— Ed. G. M.]

Irish Junipers, &c. — W. W., Hillsboro, Md.,
writes : — Although not a subscriber to the

326

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

Gardener's Monthly I am a constant reader of it,
as my employers have always taken it. In the
last number, a correspondent inquired as to soil
causing Irish Junipers to change their habits.
You say you do not know that soil makes any
difference in the compactness of their growth,
but I am fully convinced it does. Before I came
to this place, in Caroline county, Md., I worked
for R. Peters, at Wilmington, Del. He had
Junipers of very compact growth, and all his
grew in this way. A lot of young plants raised
from them and sent to us here have made trees
of spreading habits, so much so as to be more
like Swedish Junipers in this respect than like
the Irish: The soil here is a light loam. It is
not uncommon for the Irish Juniper to lose its
compact growth when transplanted into other
soils. Your notes on Early Peaches were very
interesting to me. Every section of the country
seems to have a candidate for the position of the
earliest. There will be one from our town, of
course, when the time comes, as we must not be
behind the age. Williams' Early is its name.

Preserving Roses in Winter. — L. E., Belle-
ville, Illinois, writes : — My last year's query of
protection of Tea Roses — to cover such with coal
ashes — I have tested, and the result has proved
satisfactory. All tender Roses, Pampas Grass,
Oleanders and Tritomas I bent to the ground
and covered entirely with coal ashes. With the
exception of a few very small Tea Roses, they

stand the Winter very well. Coldest day, 6°
below zero.

Standing Cypress. — A. G., a lady amateur,
says that unless this Cypress is wintered in com-
pact soil it will freeze out ; or that having a loose
soil in her garden, she was not able to keep
her plants during their first Winter. Early in
March, when sowing seeds in advance for her
garden, she mistook the seed of Standing Cypress
for those of another plant, and sowed them.
She soon discovered her mistake, but saved the
plants, and in due time transferred them to the
garden, where, to her surprise, they grew quite
tall and bloomed finely the same Summer (this
1877), and when the writer saw them in August
they were nearly or quite three feet in height.
As it is, in some situations, exceedingly difficult
to keep them through the first Winter, would it
not be well to try the plan, accidentally discover-
ed, which assures success?

Cut-leaved Grape. — A Denison, Texas, cor-
respondent writes : — I send enclosed a leaf to
know if it is that of Ampelopsis incisa, true.
Parties are selling it for that here. The leaf
does not seem to me so thick as one would ex-
pect from your description in the Gardener's
Monthly.

[The leaf sent appeared at first like the Am-
pelopsis bipinnata, but it is really a cut-leaved
variety of the European grape, and not Ampe-
lopsis incisa. — Ed.]

Ww

REEN MOUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The greenhouse will now begin to look more na-
tural, after having had the stock housed last
month. With many plants having probably been
taken up out of the open ground, many dead
leaves will daily appear, requiring frequent remo-
val; neatness is one of the chief beauties of a
greenhouse. Acacias, and Australian plants gen-
erally, with hard wood and delicate roots, should
be placed at the coolest end of the house, where
little water will lie required. These plants
should not be watered often ; but when they art1,
it should be thorough. Frequent waterings soon

render the roots of these plants unhealthy, when
it is very difficult to restore them to vigor.
Whenever the foliage becomes of sickly yellow
hue, the best plan is to plunge the plant in a
larger pot, filling the space with moss, — and
when the plant requires water, give it only
through the moss, unless the plant seem to be-
come so dry as to suffer, when it should receive
one thorough watering. Very little fire should be
applied to a greenhouse, — just sufficient to keep
it about 45°. Unless very far north, but little
fire-heat will be required this month.

Window plants should not be kept very warm
at this season. They should have all the sun

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

327

and air, and as little of the artificial heat of the
room as possible. These remarks apply espe-
cially to Mignonette, which is very impatient of
in-door confinement. Succulents, such as Cacti,
are excellent window plants in this respect, as
the dry air does not affect them. To keep the
air about the plants moist, is one of the secrets
of window culture. Some who have very fine
windows well stocked with fine plants, make
glazed cases with folding doors of them, by
which, when the room is highly heated and very
dry, they can be enclosed in an atmosphere of
their own. Where it is not convenient to have
the window enclosed from the room by a folding
door, much benefit has been found by using a
simple curtain. This will prevent injury from
the coal or illuminating gas, which is often as
destructive as the dry atmosphere.

Aquariums are now so well understood, as to
be in a fair way to become essentials in the room-
gardening of all persons of taste. Growing
plants, fishes and water reptiles are placed in
the same globe or tank of water, and the gases
which the fish reject are the food of the plants;
while the plants, on the other hand, prepare the
elements necessary for the health of the fish.
By this beautiful principle of reciprocity, both
plants and animals remain in perfect health,
without the water scarcely ever being changed.
A tank for plants and animals might form the
base of a pretty parlor ornament, a central por-
tion consisting of a case for ferns and similar
plants, and a cage for birds on the top.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

TUBEROUS ROOTED BEGONIAS, CYCLAMEN
PERSICUM, &c.

BY W., NORFOLK, VA»

Stepping into the small greenhouse of David
Barker the other day I was astonished at his
magnificent display of new tuberous-rooted
Begonias with handsome foliage and in full
flower. They are chiefly from choice hybridized
seed ; of great variety in color, from pure white
to deepest scarlet, many salmon and orange
tinted, with occasionally a strong tendency to
produce double flowers. I doubt if such another
collection of this charming novelty is to be
found in this county. When better known,
they must become as popular here as in Europe.
As far as tested they are most suitable for bed-

ding plants, surpassing the Geranium in their
beautiful foliage and large flowers of richest
hues, and will soon become a great acquisition
to the garden and lawn. In England, they have
already superseded it to a great extent, being
more vigorous and floriferous.

Mr. Barker has been fortunate in saving a
fair quantity of seed, carefully hybridized, from
his best specimens, which he will offer this sea-
son, and when it is borne in mind that large
flowering plants are grown from seed in a few
months, the value of the tuberous-rooted Be-
goina cannot be too highly appreciated.

Mr. B. has also devoted much time and atten-
tion to the Persian Cyclamen, of late more
generally cultivated in this country. His bulbs,
from the best strains of European seed, already
show foliage of immense size and exquisite beau-
ty, a foretaste of the rich display of bloom so
soon to follow.

I cannot omit the bare mention of his choice
Gloxinias and hybrid Petunias, the latter superb,
often five feet in height, and of every conceiva-
ble shade and variety of marking.

This choice collection of these and other
novelties his little greenhouse affords, will well
repay a call from those who are favored with ac-
cess to more pretentious establishments.

ALOCASIA LOWII.

BY MANSFIELD MILTON, CLEVELAND, O.

One of the grandest, beautiful leaved plants in
cultivation. There are some very beautiful
species in this genera of plants, but this stands
pre-eminent. The upper surface of the leaf ( is a
deep green, the mid-rib and secondary ribs an
ivory white, the under side a soft dark purple.
It is a native of Borneo, and therefore requires a
high, moist temperature to fully develop its dis-
tinct markings. It requires for soil, lumps of
peat, charcoal, fibrous loam and pieces of sand
stone ; during its growing season abundance of
water, and when at rest it should be kept just
moist enough to retain its foliage. It is not so
easily grown as most of the Alocasias in cultiva-
tion, but when convenience is afforded a plant
of it should be seen. In a dry atmosphere the
red spider is a deadly enemy to it, often doing
considerable damage before its presence is ob-
served ; frequent spongings will keep the plant
healthy and free from insects.

328

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

BRUGMANSIA SUAVEOLENS
GARDEN.

IN THE FLOWER

BY W. FALCONER, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

At Mr. Motley's, at Jamaica Plains, I lately
saw this fine old favorite in good condition.
The plant is four years old and flowering in a
suh-tropical flower border, crowded on every side
by neighbors — Ficuses, Cannas, Solanums, &c.
Mr. M. informs me, however, that during the
Summer time he saw as many as one hundred
expanded blooms on it at one time ; and when
I was there (September 24th). in addition to the
flowers and buds on the plant, I saw a dozen of
immense white trumpets that had just been cut
from it.

The plant is lifted on the approach of frost,
cut back and potted, and wintered in some out-
of-the-way corner in a greenhouse, where it can
be kept nearly dry.

DOUBLE GERANIUM, "BISHOP WOOD."

BY GEO. S. WOODRUFF, MOUNT AIRY, PHILA.

I have grown this new Geranium side by side
with another from Veitch's collection, called
Guillon Mangilli, and have been unable to find
any difference between them. Others who have
grown both give the same testimony, and I sus-
pect that by the time, a few enterprising florists
have " substitued," a few times, the one for the
other, the purchaser will not be able to tell
which he has. As Mr. Harris is above suspicion,
and doubtless obtained his Bishop Wood from
seed, we have here an interesting instance of
independent workers arriving at the same result
about the same time, as has often happened to
inventors and discoverers.

But another interesting thing is, that I have
obtained seed from these and some other new
doubles, all similar to Asa Gray in their dwarf
habit and semi-double flower, the latter, however,
being much larger than those of Asa Gray. Of
these "Auguste Willaume" is of a very peculiar
shade of red, nearly vermilion, and "Edward
Lequin " somewhat like it. "Asteroid " is a rich
crimson scarlet. A splendid pink one, "Noe-
mie" (namy), also seeded, as did Eugene Band-
ouin, but the seed did not mature, owing to
excessive rains. The same thing happened with
George Sand and Wilfred, both improvements
on Aline Sisly.

I think that with more uniform moisture
ripened seed might be had from all these.

The whole series is so much superior in habit
to the rank-growing doubles to which most peo-
ple are accustomed that they desire mention.

Another of similar habit, " Meteor Flagg," (!)
has flowers as perfect as roses, somewhat like
" Le Negre," but unlike that, perfect in form and
produced freely all Summer.

Now that I have made this article so much
like a catalogue, I might as well mention that
" Happy Thought " seems happy in either wet
or dry weather.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Taste in Farm Houses. — An exchange tells
us that Colonel Ingersoll wants to see farmers'
wives dress with more care and better taste,
which would cost no more than their present
style, and above all, he wants to see them pitch
their miserable little cook stoves out of the
window and get a decent range, over which they
can cook without cooking themselves. We
should like if he had added a word on the floral
surroundings. No one knows how a neat little
garden adds to the pleasures of life. But wre
hardly know whether it is right to address this
counsel to women. If they are careless or
slovenly it is too often the men's own fault. A
woman when married usually becomes what her
husband makes her. If what she does seems
not to interest him, it is natural that she become
indifferent. If husbands — young husbands es-
pecially—took more interest in their wives' dress
and neat appearance, the cook stove or the
flower garden, we will guarantee there would be
less " farmers' wives " of the class Col. Ingersoll
refers to.

Preserving Flowers Fresh. — The Worcester
Spy says : — "A friend of ours received a day or
two ago through the post-office, from Olympia,
Washington Territory, a roundish, irregular pack-
age, which on examination proved to contain a
large potato. Further investigation showed that
the potato had been cut in two and the inside
scooped out, and in the cavity were found flowr-
ers and leaves, which, as he learned by a note
previously received, had been picked in a garden
in the open air on the 26th day of December.
The flowers, — pansies, geraniums, and others, —
were as fresh and bright as if they had been
gathered within an hour, though their journey
across the continent had occupied fifteen days.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

329

Olympia is m about the latitude of Quebec,
though its Winter climate is not more severe
than that of Memphis." We refer to this because
a correspondent of the far west sent us some
flowers for name in this way, and they came
in as good condition as if fresh gathered. As
we had not the material for full investigation
just at hand it was left for a week, when the
flowers were still found fresh and good. There
is just moisture enough and no more in a hol-
low potato to keep flowers well.

The Richardia ^Ethiopica. — Tnis is gen-
erally known with us as the Calla Lily, the plant
in former times being regarded as a true Calla.
The common name in English works is " Trum-
pet Lily."

Grafting Chrysanthemums. — A correspond-
ent of the Garden says : — "At the Royal Nurser-
ies, Slough, I observed the other day what to me
seemed to be a novelty in Chrysanthemum
growing, viz. : over 200 fine plants worked as
standards on three-feet stems, several sorts which
bloom simultaneously being grafted into one
head. Only one plant was grown in this way
last year, but the effect which it produced was
so striking as to induce Mr. Turner to cultivate
Chrysanthemums largely in that manner." The
stems of the. Chrysanthemum dying after flower-
ing would seem to make this plan a great deal
of trouble for a short gratification, and then we
should think as good an effect could be had by
growing several kinds in one pot.

Rose Blooms. — Rose "buds," as our florists
call them, are advertised in the London papers
at $2 per one hundred.

Lord's Greenhouses. — At several places, re-
cently, we have seen greenhouses by Mr. Lord
being erected, and they seem to give entire satis-
faction in quality and price to the owner who
pays for them, and in adaptation to plant and
fruit growing by the gardener who has to work
them. The peculiarity of Mr. Lord's work is
that the parts are all made at his factory, and
the house is speedily put together by Mr. Lord's
own men. Many persons would have green-
houses but for the difficulty of getting local
builders to understand the wants of plant grow-
ing. This enterprise of Mr. Lord's, therefore)
we regard as a public benefit, deserving of all
the encouragement which those who wish well
to horticulture can give it.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Disease on the Marechal Neil Rose. — S. S. P.,
Philadelphia, writes : — I am a very constant
reader of the Monthly, and on the look-out for
any new diseases that affect plants, but thus far
do not notice that any of your correspondents
make complaints of any insect or disease that
attacks " Marechal Neil Rose." I have now
been fighting it ever since that glorious rose has
been out, but do not meet with the least success
in checking it, notwithstanding I have tried
turpentine, petroleum and linseed oil. It makes
its appearance in the shape of knotty excrescen-
ces, which extend below the bark, and in the
course of time kill the plant. It does not seem
to affect other varieties of roses, as I have tried
budding it, and the trouble continues, but
always on the Neil, the stock not being in any
way touched, and generally prefer old and well-
established plants. I have one plant now cover-
ing a space of fifty or sixty feet, that last Spring
bloomed four or five hundred roses, and it is
going like all others, without the least ability to
save it. I have heard lately that the trouble-
some customer is the same insect that attacks
the grape vine in France. Have you heard
anything of it?

[We have never heard of this before. Have
any of our readers had a similar experience?—
Ed. G. M.]

Antipodal Hyacinths. —A correspondent
asks about the antipodal Hyacinth vases, in
which one Hyacinth is represented as growing
down into the water, and another above it
grows right up into the air. We have not seen
these, but the fact is vouched for by those whose
evidence we consider as good as our own. But
if any one can tell us something of his own
knowledge, we should be glad to know of it.

Heating a Small Greenhouse.— G. W. H.,
Belvidere, N. J., writes:— As a subscriber to the
Monthly, I take the liberty of asking you for ad-
vice in regard to the best plan for heating a
small greenhouse which I wish to build. I pro-
pose building it about fifteen feet long by ten
feet wide; location, dry gravelly soil, lean-to
only two feet above ground in front. Exposure
south or a little east of south. Object, to keep
plants in a healthy growing condition over Winter
and for propagating in Spring for bedding out.
How would a brick furnace and flue, with a
cylinder for a base-burning stove inserted in the

330

THE GAEDE NEB'S MONTHLY

[November,

top of furnace answer to keep up a steady heat?
Would terra cotta pipe answer for the flue?
Would it be best to carry flue around the house,
having the chimney over the furnace, and a
direct draft for use in starting fire ? What should
be the rise of the flue per foot of height ? I
have had and used a furnace in a greenhouse,
burning soft coal, but have no experience with
hard coal.

[There is less danger from hard coal than soft
coal. The gas may escape from the base-burner

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Pelargonium — New Life. — We are indebted
to Mr. Chitty for the use of the following engrav-
ing of this interesting new Geranium, an account
of which from an English paper, we have already
given.

Tuberous Begonias.— Mr. D. Barker, Norfolk,
Va., writes : — I have this day mailed to your

PELARGONIUM

in the house. It would be best, if possible, to
have the furnace-door on the outside. It is a
good idea to have the chimney return and go up
over the furnace; it helps the draft. When one
has experience in terra cotta flues they do very
well, but those who arc Dot experienced complain.
In our houses we have had these pipes for fifteen
years, and would have no other; but for those
who are not experienced in management, a
brick flue is best. It may run on a level, if the
draft is made good; try running the chimney
over the furnace.

"new life."

address a box of the "tuberous-rooted Bego-
nias," which I hope will reach you in safety.

[These were beautiful, warranting all we said
of them in our last. It is so seldom that our
own people take in hand improvements, that
when we find one going along and keeping pace
with Europeans in floral culture, we are glad to
give every encouragement. We noted several
collections of improved tuberous Begonias in
England last year that were considered "extra
strokes of luck," but these of Mr. Barker's were
the equal of any.— Ed. G. M.]

1871.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

331

RUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

So much has been said in this journal on the
proper preparation of the soil for orchai-ds, that
it need not now be repeated. We should only
say, that a light dryish soil is the best to choose
for the peach. The pear does best on a strong
loamy soil. Plums much the same as the last.
The apple prefers a heavy loam, if on limestone
so much the better. The cherry does well in
soil adapted to the peach.

If, however, a fruit orchard is dry and proper-
ly top dressed annually, there is not much differ-
ence in the value of soils for fruit orchard.
With rich decaying vegetable matter abundantly
supplied to the trees, they will do well enough in
most kinds of soil.

Whatever prunin'g trees may require, is best
done early if one have the time. On this ac-
count, however, it is generally deferred to to-
wards Spring when there is more leisure.

Probably most of our fruits do best in partial
shade. The gooseberry and currant certainly do.
The former must have shade; and if on the
moist northern aspect of a wall, so much the
better. The raspberry prefers a rather moist
soil, and partial shade.

Where currants, gooseberries and raspberries
are not to be disturbed, old low stalks thrown
thickly in about the plants and allowed to
remain and rot away, keep the roots cool, and
make a condition of things in which these three
kinds of fruit luxuriate.

In cultivating raspberries on a large scale
they do best in hills, as the cultivator keeps
them from crowding each other so much. For
garden culture they are better in rows, the
suckers to be kept hoed out occasionally as they
grow ; enough only being left that will be re-
quired for fruiting next year. Where canes are
required for new plantations, of course a portion
of the crop must be sacrificed to the suckers.

In choosing pears, select those that have been
budded close to the ground, as when they are re-
planted the stocks should be buried an inch
below the pear scion, which prevents the attacks
of the quince borer. If a lorfg stem has to be

buried, the usual consequences of deep planting
result, and do as much injury as the quince
borer. Also in choosing, select, if possible;
plants that have been raised from cuttings ; for
layered stocks have almost always a long, deep
tap looking root, on which dwarf pears do not
do well. If we have to use such dwarf pear trees,
better shorten some of this long trunk root
before planting. Never plant what appears to
be the stem of a tree far beneath the surface,
under any circumstances, for disease will be
most probably an ultimate consequence.

In making new vegetable gardens, a south-
east aspect should be chosen, as far as practica-
ble. Earliness in the crops is a very great de-
sideratum, and such an aspect favors this point
materially. Too great a slope is objectionable,
as inducing to a great run of water in heavy
rains. The plots for the crops should be laid off
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.

Sometimes broccoli does not head before there
is danger of frosts, especially if growing vigor-
ously. If taken up with small balls of earth,
and set in a damp cellar, they will still perfect
themselves.

Asparagus beds, after the tops have been
cleared off, are better covered with litter or sta-
ble manure. The plants shoot easier for it next
season.

When the ground becomes frozen, or no other
work 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.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

WHITEWASHED PEAR TREES.

BY J. S. COLLINS, MOORESTOWN, N. J.

The whitewashed pear trees referred to in are-
cent issue of the Monthly under the head of
" Proceedings of the New Jersey State Horticul-

332

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November ,

tural Society," were not whitewashed with a
view of preventing blight, but to clean the bark,
it acting apparently on the same principle, and
perhaps nearly as well, as a wash of soap and
water. The whitewash was applied early in
Spring each year on the trunks and large
branches with a common whitewash brush, and
I do not consider it had any effect on the trees
blighting, either one way or another. Some
Lawrence trees that had formerly been entirely
exempt from blight, were attacked and ruined in
1876, the year of second application.

THE NORTHERN RANGE OF WALNUT
GROWING.

BY MR. ROBT. COIT, NEW LONDON, CONN.

In a late number of the Gardener's Monthly
some one inquires how far north the English
Walnut will mature its fruit. I have this tree in
my garden here, which bears and ripens nuts
every year. This year the crop is larger than
ever before, amounting, I should think, to 1£ or
2 pecks. The tree is at least twenty-five years
old, and has been in bearing some eight years.
It is sheltered on the north and west by build-
ings. But in the garden adjoining mine is
another English Walnut tree, exposed in all di-
rections. It is an older tree than mine, and has
ripened crops of nuts, more or less sparsely, for
twenty years. The latitude of New London is
47° 21v north.

APRICOTS IN CALIFORNIA.

BY " BERYL,'' SAN DIEGO, CAL.

In the Gardener's Monthly for July, 1877, I see
a short article— " Apricots in California" —
speaking of the failure of said fruit there this
year, which suggests, the " curculio " as being the
possible cause of the failure.

I have been over eight years in the nursery
business in this State, and have never seen or
heard of said pest yet.

Peaches and apricots are almost a total failure
south of San Francisco this year, and although
many seem in doubt as to the cause, I have but
little doubt that the unusual hot weather in Janu-
ary was the cause of it, the thermometer stand-
ing at 80° to 87° in the shade for a good part of
three or four days. The bloom-buds on my
peach trees swelled as though they were going to
bloom, and the chilly weather afterwards stop-

ping the flow of the sap killed the fruit, I believe.
Most of the peach trees remained dormant from
the middle until the last of June. Many of the
limbs have died about half back, but now the
new growths are quite vigorous in most of the
trees, but some of the trees that are leaving out
are dried on one side as though scorched by fire.
What do you think is the cause of failure, if I
am wrong?

Some five years ago I had an orange tree com-
pletely girdled by cut worms, which grew more
than two feet afterwards, but withered as though
it had been cut off as soon as the upward flow of
sap ceased. The puzzle to me is how the thing
could grow after being girdled.

[A layer of wood is formed annually. The
new wood each year is generated from the wood
of the last. These annual layers are alive for
seveial years, varying according to the kind.
Sometimes the act of girdling kills these usually
living layers at once — the trees die ; but some-
times they live, and their crude sap will be
drawn up for several years — as long as they live
— enabling all above the girdled part to keep in
growth for that time.— Ed. G. M.]

GRAPE CULTURE UNDER GLASS.

BY JOHN DONN, FOREMAN TO P. HENDERSON,
JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, N. J.

I read your paper, one copied from the London
Journal of Horticulture. The writer's practical
suggestion holds good in some points ; in others
my experience differs. I will therefore reply to
the remarks as arranged, which begin — Thin-
ning the^shoots : I disbud when the eyes have
pushed about an inch, and remove all but one,
the strongest. I infer that if it don't produce a
bunch the weaker ones will not. Crowding the
wood in fruit trees is injurious, equally so is
thinning, to the same extent as practiced in
Great Britain. Sun and light is stronger, and
more foliage is required to keep from scorching.
I find no difficulty in thoroughly ripening the
wood in a cold grapery, as far north as New
York. Stopping the shoots : My plan, and one
I also find answers well, is to pinch every shoot,
sometimes three or four eyes above the bunch
and even more if there is any show for the leaf
to develop without overcrowding. Also, in pinch-
ing the lateral shoots, I leave two or three eyes
instead of one, but am always careful toward the
middle of October to thin out gradually as the

1877.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

333

days get shorter. I never allow shoots to get
stronger than I can pinch them off with thumb
nail and forefinger. I find no ill effects from
leaving the leading shoot grow till it reaches the
top of the house, then turn it down to ramble at
its will. In a span-roofed grapery under my
charge the shoots have reached the floor, and
are growing up again. The effect is pleasing,
and I think it has a tendency to keep the roots
in a healthy growing state. Tying the shoots :
I concur in the method of tying, but would here
remark that the wires should be at least twenty
inches from the glass. Thinning the bunches :
The remarks are in accordance with my practice ;
the only exception is with such varieties as
white Muscadine and the Frontignaus. I leave
one bunch on each shoot without bad effects ;
they are smaller kinds and the latter at least is a
strong grower. Syringing: Squirting with a
hand-syringe is laborious where grapes are ex-
tensively grown. I find a portable garden en-
gine the most effective. When washing the foli-
age is- required I like to take the advantage of a
gust for the operation, when plenty of rain-water
can be had. Hydrant or spring water leaves a
mark on the bloom of the fruit, more or less.
In the grapery above mentioned, there has been
no water used on the foliage prior to blooming,
and the foliage is perfectly free from all insects.
Water can be used more freely on the surface
inside than in the United Kingdom. Watering :
Where borders are inside entirely, which is best
in this country north of Baltimore, if ripe grapes
are wanted by second week in May, abundance
must be given as recommended. Where parties
are satisfied with ripe grapes by middle of July,
outside borders answer the purpose. My expe-
rience is, the roots will seek out where they can
get ; they might work inside where they get en-
couragement to do so. Practical men in private
situations, " as a rule here," don't get the assist-
ance that is given in Great Britain, and there
are many points in grape-growing they cannot
do justice to for want of help, etc. Yet there are
a good many operations done in connection
with grape-growing there, could be done without,
or in a great measure simplified, considering the
extreme changes of climate and too often the
want of necessary help. Methinks not a few who
follow the profession will think with me, that
cultivating the grape-vine under glass in Great
Britain is one thing, and in America another.
Still I will not say, but there are advantages here,
as well as disadvantages ; with the exception of

giving the outside borders a slight watering with
manure water, say twice in the season, is all the
attention I have been able to give in that way,
yet have had good crops of grapes. There is yet
a great deal to learn, and more points to be ob-
served than have been discussed in those papers
— I mean in regard to this country. " If you de-
sire," I will relate several points commendable,
which experience has taught me, in another
paper. [Please do. — Ed. G. M.]

A PROMISING ORCHARD.

BY MR. A. C. FOWLER, PAN-HANDLE, W. VA.

I see by a late Monthly a notice of trees being
killed by applying oil to prevent rabbits from
injuring them. I had a lot of apple trees greased
with lard to keep rabbits from them, and the
bark came off where they were greased, and new
bark came on a part of them. A neighbor
rubbed carbon oil on a fine lot of trees to keep
the rabbits from them and the next Summer the
trees were as dead as if they had been kept in a
barn. I have planted thousands of trees, and
seldom fail to have them grow finely. If I want
to have a tree make a fine growth, I tie hay or
straw from the branches to the ground. I have
saved some valuable trees in that way that I do
not think could have been saved any other way.
I am experimenting with about two thousand
pear trees, planted in different soils, exposures,
and planted different depths; also, am doing
what I can to stop the blight, and think I am
succeeding. This will be my third year, and if
I lose as few trees this year, I will give you my
way of prevention.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Fruit-growing as a Business. — The Country
Gentleman reports some interesting discussions
at the New York State Fair on these subjects.
Mr. Hooker thinks there are four and a half mil-
lions of acres in fruit in the Union, and the pro-
duct equal to half the value of an average crop
of wheat. Like every other business, however,
it required hard work and intelligent business
habits to make it a success.

The Phylloxera in Europe. — They have an
International Phylloxera Congress in Europe,
and it sat recently in Susanne. It has no light
task before it. Apropos of Phylloxera, an assc-

334

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

ciated press dispatch carried the news to the
morning papers that the authorities at Washing-
ton believed that the grapes in New Jersey were
really infested by Phylloxera, and that the gov-
ernment would probably take steps to look into
it. Similar ridiculous dispatches as to what the
government proposed to do in agricultural mat-
ters, have been given to the public of late. It is
not fair to hold the Department of Agriculture
responsible for newspaper dispatches. No doubt
what the Department has done, or will do, in
these matters has been misunderstood by the
newspaper men. A very slight change in phra-
seology will often make a sensible thing seem
absurd ; and the Department at Washington
must have known from the labors of Riley and
others, that the Phylloxera was a very bad thing.
There is, no doubt, some injustice done the De-
partment in these dispatches.

La Versailles Currant.
— " John," Poughkeepsie,
N. Y., writes ; — "Anxious to
plant only a few of the best
Currants, I inquired of a
friend who replies, ' set out
only the Red Dutch.' An-
other recommends the Ver-
sailles, and a third the
Cherry, while an agent from
Rochester tells me the last
are both the same thing.
What do you say ? "

[Taking all in all we
should plant the Red Dutch
in preference to all others.
The Versailles is a very nice
fruit, with a long bunch and
large berries, but hardly so
good in flavor as the Red
Dutch. The Cherry is a
short bunch, with large and
few berries, and with a very
acid juice. We give an il-
■jC% lustration of the Versailles,
by which you will readily
see the distinctness from the
Cherry.— Ed. G. M.]

Utah Hybrid Cherry. — E. Y. Teas,in Country
Gentleman, has a good word for the Utah Hybrid
Cherry. It is a mistake to call it a hybrid. There
is no evidence that any such hybridization was
attempted. It is simply a natural improvement
on the Sand Cherry, Cerasus pumila, and was

found in Utah by Mr. J. E. Johnson, though not
recorded in any botany of the territory. It is a
much stronger grower than the normal Sand
Cherry, and Mr. Johnson may well be pardoned
for considering it a hybrid, and giving it out as
such.

Mr. Teas justly remarks that it has suffered
through the over-zeal of agents, and the high
wrought comparisons with other fruits. While
"some like apples" and "some like oysters,"
there is no reason why some will not like the
Utah Cherry on its own merits.

Linseed Oil on Pear Trees. — A. C. L., Madi-
son, Ind., writes: — "I recently killed two fine
pear trees with an application of linseed oil."
As we know of many trees that have been bene-
fited instead of injured, it is an interesting ques-
tion why these varied results. We have made,
therefore, special inquiry into the oil question
by one in the secrets thereof, and we find that
there are three kinds of linseed oil in the mar-
ket— one, the pure extract of flaxseed, the other
half petroleum, and the third our informant could
not tell exactly what. But the petroleum ex-
plains. Such oil as that would certainly kill the
trees.

Profitable Cherries. — Near all our large
cities the large sweet cherries are very profitable.
Very little really nice fruit comes to market
— when it does, it brings good figures. But taking
all things together, the Early Richmond is the
most profitable variety. It is more certain to
yield a full crop than any other kind, suffering
less from the curculio and diseases than the
others. The black knot is its greatest enemy, —
but this is easily kept down by continual watch-
fulness with the pruning knife in hand.

Locality for Orchards. — In almost all cases
it is the universal experience that orchards are
more certain to do well where the spot chosen is
somewhat higher than the surrounding land.
Often enough the fruit will be killed by Spring
frosts, when those on land fifty feet higher will
escape. The cold air always sinks, and if there
is any low spot for it to sink in, the higher of
course escapes. Often trees on river-banks es-
cape, when others are injured, and people think
it is the contiguity to water, when it is really the
elevation — the cooler air being drawn to the
river-bed.

The Dwarf Service Berry. — A correspondent
inquires what is this plant? We do not know

1817.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

335

certainly, but suppose it is what is known in the
East as June Berry, Shad Berry and Indian
Cherry, and the botanical name of which is
Amelanchier Botryapium. If we are wrong we
shall be glad to be informed by those who know.

How many Peach Buds a Day.— It has often
been said that workmen in the North do a great
deal more work than do those of the South, and
the following advertisement in the Home Journal
of New Orleans strikingly illustrates the truth of
the assertion : — " Wanted, a good nurseryman to
bud four thousand peach trees by the day, month
or by the job, etc." We fancy there are plenty
of men here who would be glad to have four days
given them to do the budding in, instead of a
month or more, as proposed by the advertiser.

Caroline and Belle Strawberries. — We
noted the fact some time since that the Massa-
chusetts Horticultural Society had praised these
seedlings of Mr. Moore, of Concord, Mass. The
Massachusetts papers speak highly of their be-
haviour this year. They say they are not only
of large size and abundant bearers, but are also
of very superior flavor.

Grape Rot in Missouri. — Isidor Bush, writing
from Missouri, says : — " Taylor and Herbemont
Grapes failed almost totally this season again
from rot — in fact nearly all varieties — and unless
a remedy or preventative against this serious
evil is discovered, or that it disappears, grape-
growing here has seen its last days."

• Bradt Seedling Russet Apple. — At a recent
meeting of the Toronto Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion, with a large number of good seedling
apples before their eyes, highly endorse this, and
ask for its dissemination. This is high praise.

Indian Fruit and Nut Culture. — A notable
feature of a recent meeting of the Toronto Fruit
Growers' Association was the presence of one of
the chiefs of the Tuscarora Indians. He has en-
tered largely into the culture of nut-bearing
trees, and gave an interesting account of his suc-
cess to the meeting.

A Texan Peach Grower. — Dr. Smith, of Pales-
tine, Texas, is said to be not only a great peach
grower, but to be a raiser of great peaches, and
also to have demonstrated that Texas is one of
the best peach-raising States in the Union.

Crawford's Early Peach in England. — We
find in the London Journal of Horticulture the
following tribute to this popular American vari-

ety. New Jersey ought to be proud of the world-
wide reputation of her famous seedling: — "Two
cultivators from different districts inform us that
Crawford's Early Peach has resisted the inclem-
ent weather of the past Spring better than most
other varieties, and that this handsome looking
American sort is bearing good crops on the open
wall."

Increasing the Size of Mushrooms. — Not long
since we noted the fact that nitrate of potash
was said to increase the size of Mushrooms. How
large, we now learn from the following in the
Record : — " We learn from the Garden that at a
recent meeting of the Horticultural Society of
France an enormous Mushroom was exhibited
by M. Courcier, who took occasion to point out
that equally remarkable results can often be ob-
tained by watering the beds on which these fungi
are grown with a solution of nitrate of potass.
Under this treatment a bed usually producing
Mushrooms of but very small size will frequently
bear specimens upwards of twenty centimetres
in diameter in an incredibly short space of time.
Occasionally they attain really gigantic propor-
tions, and Mushrooms weighing as much as
seven pounds each have been grown in ordinary
beds by the aid of such solutions. Nor is this
increase in size attended with any loss of quality,
the monstrous specimens thus obtained being
equally palatable with those of more moderate
dimensions. The simplicity of the plan is not
the least of its recommendations, since any
Mushroom grower possessed of a handful of salt-
petre can test it for himself without either trou-
ble or expense."

Best Maine Apples. — Rhode Island Greening
and Tallman's Sweet are regarded as the best
Maine apples by the Maine Pomological Society.

Peaches in California. — Messrs. Shinn & Co.,
the eminent nurserymen, have demonstrated
that in Alameda it is not essential to irrigate
peach orchards in order to insure regular and
full crops.

The Scuppernong Grape. — Mr. Transou in-
forms us that this variety is popular in the South
for the table as well as for wine; and that im-
proved kinds occasionally appear.

Nectarines. — We believe the Nectarine does
not succeed anywhere in our country except
when raised under glass. They rot more easily,
or else are greater favorites with the curculio
than is its brother, the peach. For house-culture,

336

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

however, they are more popular than the peach
in many instances. Thos. Rivers still pays at-
tention to new nectarines. Lord Napier is one
of his latest.

Poisonous Mushrooms. — "The neighborhood of
Agen has," says a correspondent of the Garden,
" been placed in a state of consternation by the
•death of eight members of the same family
through eating Mushrooms. This fatal example
is a warning for those who persist in the use of
Mushrooms of doubtful quality." A much larger
number of species of Mushrooms are edible than
people imagine, but unfortunately few are intel-
ligent enough to distinguish them. Our friend,
John Haines, assures us that the common large
puff ball is wholesome as well as delicious, in the
form in which he cooks it.

Destruction of the Potato Beetle. — The Gar-
dener's Monthly was the first to recommend the
use of Paris green for the destruction of the po-
tato beetle, and naturally takes an interest in
anything that will be an improvement on it. The
following we find in the Boston Journal of Chem-
istry, and we shall be glad if any of our corres-
pondents will report next year what success they
may have with it : — " Good authorities condemn
the use of the poisonous Paris green for the de-
struction of potato bugs, and suggest carbolate of
lime instead. They say that the latter is equally
fatal to the bugs, while it is harmless in other
respects. Farmers will do well to give it a trial."

NEW OR RARE FRUITS.

Mr. Ricketts' Grapes.— The seedlings of Mr.
J. H. Ricketts have been exhibited at many
places this season, and always receiving high
praise for their fine appearance and delicious
flavor.

The Lady Washington Grape. — By kindness
of Mr. J. E. Mitchell, we have on our table a
bunch of Mr. Ricketts' new seedling grape,
"Lady Washington." Though it had been
several days on the tables of the Permanent
Exhibition, it weighed nearly a pound. It is a
white grape, with a slight amber tint, and of
excellent flavor.

Marshall Pear.— This fine new American
pear originated in Washington county, New
York, and is now [187G], being propagated and
for sale by P. H. Foster, at the Babylon Nursery.

And the following is Mr. Foster's description :
" Tree moderately vigorous; very productive; fruit
rather large; bell shape; greenish russet, be-
coming yellowish when ripe; thin skin; flesh
white, juicy, buttery; flavor neither sweet nor
sour; ten days after the Bartlett, as good a
bearer and better fruit ; smooth ; does not crack
nor canker ; is always much admired while
growing and when ripe."

Some fruit came to hand a few weeks ago,
and we can truly say that few pears will excel it
in flavor. We regard it as a very valuable ac-
quisition, and we say this knowing full well that
the list of pears " recommended for cultivation "
is already too large.

Early Dawn Grape. — At the recent annual
meeting of the Newbury Bay Horticultural
Society the premium for the best seedling grape
grown in the open air, worthy of cultivation,
and to which no premium has been before
awarded, was given to Dr. William A. M. Cul-
bert's "Early Dawn."

.Brighton Grape. — Mr. T. T. Southwick,
Rochester, N. Y., writes : — " I do not believe I
can serve my friends better than to recommend
them to try this new grape. The more I see of
it the better I am pleased. The growth is almost
as strong as Concord, and so far as I can see the
foliage is free from all fault. The fruit is, in the
highest sense, excellent. Last season I tested it
by eating Brighton from one hand and from the
other my favorite Iona, and it stood this severe
test. Both bunch and berry are large, and what
is more important, it is among the very first to
ripen. Taken all in all I consider this one of
my best grapes yet brought out. Allow me to
add I have no vines for sale, or any interest
whatever in this vine, save as a lover of fine
fruit."

[We have had opportunities of testing this
grape this season and can say that in all that
refers to the good quality of bunch and berry
we can endorse all Mr. Southwick says of it. —
Ed. G. M.]

Freeman's Late Peach.— We have from Col.
Freeman, of Alto Pass, Illinois, samples of this
beautiful peach, reaching us on the 27th of
September. Some measured ten inches in cir-
cumference and weighed seven ounces. It is a
yellow fleshed freestone, and in quality equal to
Crawford's Late. Following that excellent va-
riety in order of ripening, it ought to be a very
valuable addition to our list.

187T.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

83T

Forrest Rose Strawberry. — I have seen
this new berry in its bearing state growing along-
side of the most noted sorts. I looked through
two acres of it and have no hesitancy in saying
that it is the largest of all, plant and berry, and
of unsurpassed quality. A bright color and of
solid texture, with a kind of toughness that will
make it desirable for market. The owner and
discoverer, Mr. J. Fetters, of Lancaster, 0., con-
tents himself with sending large quantities to
market and out-selling everybody, and won't
sell plants.— J. H. C.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Early Peaches in California. — Mr.
Robert Strong, Westminster, Cal., writes: — "I
have been disappointed in finding no notes in
the Monthly on the three new peaches competing
for the prize of best early, viz. : Alexander, Ams-
den and Briggs' Red May, with comparisons on
Early Beatrice. The peculiar season in Califor-
nia has affected our peach crop, and here in
Southern California no peach trees are bearing
this year, except seedlings. All these varieties
should have fruited with me, side by side, as I
expect them to do next year. Can any of your
readers give us notes from experience as to
their comparative value. Early Beatrice has
fruited here for two years, ripening about June
20th, a valuable peach, but too nearly a cling
and too small, though of very fine flavor. All
nursery stock looks well. lean show apricot on
peach eight feet high, from the bud this season ;
and plum on peach nine feet, and peach on
peach seven feet, with good stout stems and
branches, and still growing. We expect, how-
ever, to do in one year, in our long seasons,
what it takes two years to do in the East."

A Good Early Pear. — A Pennsylvania corres-
pondent writes that for three years past he has
had the Julienne and the Manning's Elizabeth
growing side by side, and that the former proves
slightly astringent. It is not so good a pear as
the latter, but a few days earlier.

Improved Siberian Crab.— Mr. Joseph Liggett,
Lowellville, Ohio, writes: — "I send you two
Siberian crabs, please let us know how they
compare with other varieties that have come to
your knowledge. It was raised from the seed of
what is known among nurserymen as the large
red Siberian crab. This is the first year it has

fruited. Both specimens are from the same
tree."

[We have seen a large number of the seedling
improved crabs from Canada and Michigan dur-
the last two years. These improvements have
not been reduced to any system yet, so that the
comparative merit may be noted. We can only
say that this one is at least as good in quality as
any we have seen. — Ed. G. M.]

Kinney's Cider Crab Apple. — J. T., Quincy,
Ky., says : — " I send you to-day by mail a speci-
men of Kinney's cider crab, a seedling of the
Wells; originated with Henry Kinney, Esq.,
near Portsmouth, Scioto county, Ohio. It is an
early and profuse bearer, and fruit hangs well on
the tree. Please give us your opinion of it in
the Gardener's Monthly — a magazine I could not
live without."

[This is a small apple, about the size of the
larger improved Siberian crab, but evidently not
belonging to that section. If it is a " crab " at
all it certainly is not one of the " austere " kind
about which political farmers love to refer to in
their " orations " at agricultural fairs, but a nice
little juicy thing.— Ed. G. M.]

Care in Varieties. — A. C. L., Madison, In-
diana, writes : — "A word of new fruits and plants.
It is the custom of horticulturists and florists to
send out new fruits and plants with the high-
sounding names attached (and above all high
prices) of the originators, and if either prove to
be worthless, attach the blame t> the propaga-
tor. This is poor consolation to the purchaser.
It is the duty of every disseminator to test every-
thing that passes through his hands, and if it
prove a failure reject it, and if a success declare
it so from his own knowledge; but a course
directly the ctoposite of this is pursued. Should
I send a bad twenty dollar greenback to a florist
he would lose no time in returning it, no matter
how innocent I may have been in receiving it
myself."

Hoosac Thornless Blackberry. — T. G., Ham-
ilton, Illinois, writes :— " Will some one who has
had experience with this new berry give the re-
sult to the readers of the Gardener's Monthly t
It seems to be hardy and a good grower, and is
certainly quite free from thorns, and if its fruit
will compare favorably with other sorts, may be
a great acquisition. The writer has a quantity
of young plants (and others are, doubtless, simi-
larly situated) but does not wish to set them

338

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

without knowing more of the character of the
fruit. Are they of good quality ? are they pro-
lific? and how do they compare in size with
Kittatinny or other sorts? Will some one not
having an 'axe to grind ' please answer?"

Lime on Clover Sod.— G. W. N., Silcott's
Springs, Va., writes : — "Recognizing as I do the
high authority of the Gardener's Monthly, I come
to you for advice. I have a clover sod that I
wish to plough for peach trees, and intend to
apply fifty bushels of lime to the acre. How
and when would you apply it? "

[We would lime and plough at once, and plant
the trees early in Spring. — Ed. G. M.]

Bassett's American Plum. — Mr. B. writes : —
" I have a half peck of my new Plums on exhi-
bition. Please examine and see if it keeps up
the good character you once gave of it." But
the plums had disappeared. At all exhibitions
we have attended this season we have noticed an
enormous amount of fruit and even flower pil-
fering going on, not by "poor" people, but by
the "well-dressed," and their " dress " generally
keeps them from anything more than a "remon-
strance." We think it due to exhibitors that a
better example should be made of these gentry.

Fine Late Peaches. — J. K., Springfield, Mis-
souri, under date of October 4th, sends us the
following note : — ' 'I sent this day a small box of
a seedling peach, which I hope will arrive in
good condition. It ripens the first of this month.
Three years ago it was fully two weeks later. I
planted the seeds eleven years ago. Had it
bearing in 1872, first; then 1874, and this season
the trees were very full. Would like your
opinion on it. I have no trees for sale, as I am
not in the nursery business, but am a reader of
your most valuable Gardener's Monthly since the
first number in 1860. Some of these days will
let you hear of fruits in this part of the world."

[Beautiful and good, and then twelve inches
round! They arrived in good condition after
their long journey, which shows them to be a
good traveler. It is certainly one of the best
white fleshed clings we know. — Ed. G. M.]

Fruit from the Grand Traverse Region,
Michigan. — Mr. A. Hoppe calls our attention to
some remarkably fine apples grown by Mr. Geo.
Parmlee of this region, but we already know, and
we think our readers'do, that there is no better
fruit district in the Union than this, and possibly"
no better fruit-grower than Mr. Parmlee.

ftoRESTRY.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

GROWTH OF THE HICKORY.

BY MR. GEO. CRUIKSHANKS, WHITIXSVILLE, MASS.

In the Monthly for this month (September) you
give some account of the rapid growth of some
Hickory trees in your favored State. Hear a re-
port from the old Bay State. In June, 185
found a few Hickory (Carya alba) shellbark
nuts among a lot of moist wood-shavings. They
had started to grow. I planted three of them ;
two of them grew; one of them I cut out, and
it continued to grow. Thirteen years from plant-
ing, the tree bore nuts. On account of exten-
sive improvements in the garden ami grounds,
the tree had to be lowered two and a half (Vet,
which I did successfully last April, when the
Irec was 36| inches in circumference, and over

30 feet high. The tree is in good foliage, and
bids fair to do as well in the future as it has in
the past.

A LARGE HORSE CHESTNUT TREE.

BY W. G. B., GLENN MILLS, PA.

It is with great interest I always read notices
of trees of unusual size. One which I think well
worthy of publicity has lately come under my
notice. It is a Horse Chestnut close by the resi-
dence of the late Mr. Borden, about two miles
south of Media, Delaware County, Pa. Measured
three feet from the ground it is just fourteen feet
in circumference. If measured two feet higher,
the girth would be a foot or two greater. The
height of the tree and the amount of branches
correspond well with the enormous body, and it
is in all respects a most majestic tree, and well
worthy a visit.

187T.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

339

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Forestry on Unproductive Lands. — We have
thousands on thousands of rock covered acres
on our American hills not well fitted for agricul-
tural purposes, but just suited to timber culture,
that are well worth looking after in this connec-
tion.

Scarcity of Dog-wood. — Says the Boston Jour-
nal of Chemistry : " It is a curious fact that the
bellicose condition of England has so largely in-
creased the manufacture of gunpowder that the
supply of dog-wood (Rhamnus frangula) has fallen
short, and a supply is obtained in Germany and
other parts of the Continent. The government
formula for gunpowder calls for charcoal made
from dog-wood, and hence the demand. Other
kinds of charcoal would unquestionably serve
just as good a purpose, but official commands

must be exactly met. A state of war in any
civilized country does not usually increase the
use of gunpowder. The arts of peace demand
the largest employment of the explosive, and
when men are drawn away from the mines and
the quarries to enter armies, the consumption of
gunpowder is arrested."

If this is really intended for Rhamnus frangu-
la, our country could probably find in the Caro-
lina Buckthorn a very good substitute. The
writer of this saw it this Summer growing very
abundantly in the woods of Kentucky and Ten-
nessee. We have never heard of R. frangula
before, however, in any special connection with
gunpowder, nor that it bore the common name
of dog-wood in Europe. Its berries are highly
valued there in dyeing, and it might be worth the
while of our Tennessee friends, whom we recent-
ly found very intent on developing their home
industries, to look after the Carolina Buckthorn
in this connection.

ATURAL MISTORY AND SCIENCE.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Quercus heterophylla. — This, which in Mi-
chaux's time was thought to be confined to a sin-
gle tree near Philadelphia, and was called the
Bartram Oak, proves to be widely scattered
through Delaware and New Jersey. The botan-
ists near Philadelphia are continually finding
trees, notably Messrs. Canby, Commons, Burk,
and Martindale. We are still of the opinion,
offered some time ago, that it is but a Northern
form of the Southern Water Oak, though we
have to confess that the leaf stalks are longer
than we have seen in the Water Oak South.

Helping Botanical Studies. — Managers of
newspapers generally underrate the intelligence
of their readers. There are innumerable people
interested in something more than mere gossip
and tittle tattle than might be supposed from the
material served up to them. Last year the
Philadelphia Public Ledger gave continuous arti-T
cles on the botany of Fairmount Park with
popular notes on the plants, by Mr. Isaac Burk,
of the Philadelphia Academy, and they were im-
mensely popular.

Restoring Dead Seeds. — We see some state-
ments apparently with scientific endorsement,
from time to time in the papers, which need
further explanation. See, for instance, the fol-
lowing, which is going the rounds of the papers:

"Professor Lazenby, of Cornell, tried many ex-
periments with steeps on seeds kept at an
average temperature of 65°. The best effects on
cruciferous seeds appear to have been with
chlorine, and with camphorated water. Turnip
seeds, so old that hardly a tenth would germi-
nate under ordinary treatment, were treated
with camphorated water and then dried by
rolling in plaster. These germinated freely.
The difference was striking. This treatment is
easily given, and the experiment is worth
remembering and repeating. In other instances,
seeds which would germinate, when moistened
with pure water, in forty- eight hours, required
only from thirty to thirty-six hours when moist-
ened with bromide water, and twenty-four hours
with iodine water."

When old turnip seed does not grow, the

supposed reason is that their vitality is gone —
really they are dead. Are we to understand
from these experiments that 90 per cent, of dead
seed among a hundred good ones are brought to
life by camphorated water ? Of course this can-
not be the meaning, but what is it then ?

340

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

Mountain Ash Berries Poisonous. — An Eng-
lish paper says: — "A girl, four years old, named
Campbell, has died at Grennock from the effects
of having eaten a quantity of Rowans or Mount-
ain Ash tree berries."

When the writer of this was in England re-
cently, there was much excitement over a
supposed case of death from eating ice cream ;
and people have died from eating oysters and
other things. But there is a prevalent belief
that no rosaceous plant is poisonous, and we
very much doubt whether the Mountain Ash is
an exception to this rule.

The Poisonous Yew. — It has long been a
belief that yew berries are poisonous. The pulp
around the berries certainly is not. There is a
discussion going on in England, that the seeds
neither are poisonous, but we should not be
disposed to risk them.

A New Destructive Beetle
named a new beetle after Mr
Araniigus Fulleri. It is a brown
insect, about the size of a pea, and
leaf-feeder. It does not seem to
what plant it feeds on. It is not
great numbers, but makes up for
mense appetite. It takes to New

-Dr. Horn has

A. S. Fuller-
warty- coated
is a voracious
be particular
found in any
this in its im-
Jersey chiefly.

A Curious Fact for Darwin. — Under this
head, a paper from which we might expect bet-
ter things, has the following: —

" In a garden at Billancourt may be seen at
the present moment an apple tree loaded with
fruit. There is nothing extraordinary in this,
but the stock of the tree is cherry, on which has
been grafted the apple, a species of golden pip-
pin. The fruit precisely resembles cherries —
the same stem, the same size, the same form,
and nearly the same color ; but its taste is that
of an apple, and it contains pips instead of
stones. Specimens of this botanic phenomenon
were recently submitted to our inspection, it
must be a real curiosity, for it is generally
thought impossible to graft a pip-bearing fruit
on the stock of a tree bearing stone fruit."

In a public garden of some pretension, where
the trees are grouped scientifically, we saw the
"Mountain Ash," which is not an Ash planted
with the true Ashes. It would be just as reason-
able to call this a "fact for Mr. Darwin." No
doubt the "garden at Billancourt" has here
an "Indian cherry," which is not a cherry, but
nearer to an apple. There is much misconcep-
tion in the public mind as to the work of Mr. Dar-
win, and all soils of absurdities arc passed oil'
under his name. People may honestly differ from

Mr. Darwin in some of his conclusions, but few
men have appeared who have done so much for
true science as he.

The "Tumble Weed."— In Mr. Hall's note
(see p. 305) last month, " Artemisia dracuncu-
loides" should read Amphyachiris dracunculoides.
The error was ours — not Mr. Hall's. It is a yel-
low flowered composite plant — or as we may say
in popular language, of the Aster family.

The Andromeda arborea. — The Garden cred-
its the American Agriculturist with saying that
this tree " is valuable for its fruit which hangs on
all Winter, and that it is a native of Pennsyl-
vania and southwards." There must be an error
somewhere. The fruit is dry and valueless, but
it is well worthy of culture for its graceful habit
of flowering, and its pretty Fall colored foliage.

The Flavor of American and English
Peaches. — The following letter is given just as
received : —

" Mr. Editor : You live near by one of the best
peach regions in the United States, or at least of
the Nortbern States. You have just passed a
Summer in England, and you may fairly be sup-
posed to know as much about fruit as anybody I
could refer to. Pray allow me then to ask you
what you think about peaches? The point is
this: My English friends and acquaintances
when they come over here praise our pears, but
declare that our peaches are not good. On the
other hand, I believe that our people who cross
the Atlantic think that English peaches, how-
ever fair to the eye and exalted in price, are de-
ficient in flavor. My own experience accords
with theirs, but it is very limited as respects the
English fruit, and I have eaten delicious peaches
on the continent. I lately had the question of
the relative goodness of English and American
peaches put to four ladies of undoubted taste and
judgment, two of whom had resided for some
years in England, and the other two had passed
more than one season there, while all had the
means of indulging in good fruit and the oppor-
tunity of tasting it at the tables of well-to-do peo-
ple. The answer was essentially unanimous,
that English peaches were not to be mentioned
in the same day with ours, that they were sweet
and juicy, hut comparatively insipid. I suppose
that the standard is different in the two coun-
tries; for our English friends say that our peaches
are acid, and need to be eaten with sugar. But
I remark that this does not apply to other fruits ;
lor our friends say that in our apples they miss
the 'agreeable tartness' of the English article.

"Now please give us the benefit of your large
experience on both sides of the water, and oblige
your constant reader, PERSICUS."

[This is one of those happy cases in which
both sides arc right. The Editor had boasted of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

341

the superiority of English peaches to his Ameri-
can traveling companion, and was a little taken
aback when he could not find one in Covent
Garden market fit for her to eat — from an Amer-
ican point of taste. If any of these came to the
tables of well-to-do people, when American
friends were entertained, the verdict would cer-
tainly favor American peaches. These were (in
July) evidently glass-house fruit. But when the
peaches are from healthy trees, trained on south
walls, in the open air, and allowed to mature

only what the trees can well take care of, Eng-
lish peaches are delicious.

On the other hand, Europeans judging of Am-
erican peaches by the average of our market
fruits, much from unhealthy and overladen
trees, are at a disadvantage.

The exact state of the case is that there is very
little difference between the best specimens of
English peach growing and the best of Ameri-
can— that little difference we believe to be in
favor of American fruit. — Ed. G. M.]

ITERATURE, ^RAVELS & pERSONAL ffOTES.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

SIX MONTHS IN THE FOOT-HILLS.

BY MRS. FANNIE E. BRIGGS.

For a few months it has been my privilege to
study the flora of a little nook up among the
California hills, but even this little space afforded
some choice treasures.

The flowers of the Manzanita were the first.
This beautiful shrub was blooming in December,
and in May its flowers might be found in some
localities. It is an Ericaceae, with strong resem-
blances to other members of the family, has
light green, leathery leaves, and clusters of flow-
ers with the shape of the flower of the common
Wintergreen, the hue of the Arbutus, and the
odor of fresh honey.

There were other handsome shrubs, including
an Azalea with large white flowers just tinged
with pink ; but the shrub that I should think
would be the greatest acquisition to the flower-
garden is a species of Rhamnacese, of close, com-
pact habit, small dark green leaves, and clusters
of fine bright blue flowers. [Ceanothus thyrsi-
florus.— Ed.]

There were a great many miniature plants
that were very interesting. There is a little
plant of the Pink family that whitens acres with
its minute stars, and sweetens the air with the
odor of Violets. The whole plant, including the
root, measures less than three inches. Scarcely'
larger are three other little plants, nearly related
to the Mimulus, consisting of a little woody root,
a cluster of leaves, and a flower which constituted

nearly half the length of the plant, and were
crimson, pink, and yellow. I thought I dis-
covered one of nature's secrets. Many of these
little plants were provided with a cluster of thick,
juicy leaves, set closely about the flower, which
retained their freshness when the stem and root
seemed entirely dry, and I think furnished nutri-
ment to the flowers. [This Mimulus is Eunanus
Douglasii.— Ed. G. M.]

In that dry climate it would be natural to look
for many bulbous-rooted flowers, and I found
them in great abundance. The Climbing Hya-
cinth is one of the prettiest. Vick gives the bo-
tanical name as " Brodisea Californica." It re-
sembles the common Hyacinth somewhat, but is
smaller, and has but three perfect stamens alter-
nating with three imperfect ones. Assuming
that this is the generic distinction, there are
several members of the family who are near
neighbors. These vary in color — white, pink,
and several shades of blue ; in shape from almost
tubular, to broadly campanulate ; in size, from
little over half an inch to nearly two inches; and
in height, from the little early blue Hyacinth,
four or five inches high, to the climber, as many
feet; but all having the three imperfect stamens,
long, narrow, fleshy leaves, and involucrate um-
bels of flowers.

These false stamens in all are larger than the
true, and nearly conceal them, but differ much
in size and shape, being broad, and curved so as
to be almost tubular in some ; long, narrow, and
straight in others; and in others still, long, but
broad and spreading.

342

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

The Triteleias, of which there are three species,
yellow, white, and blue, are nearly related to the
Brodisea, but have six perfect stamens. The
dried-up beds of the little mountain streams are
full of little Alliums bearing little clusters of
pearly white blossoms.

I looked vainly for Vick's " Calochortus caeru-
lea," but found a beautiful bright yellow species
exactly resembling it in shape. The species
which he calls the " Mariposa Tulip," was'very
abundant, and is known as the "Butterfly
Tulip," a name which is very well chosen,
for the pale yellow petals variegated with
rings and spots of rich velvety brown, ex-
actly resemble some butterflies' wings. [A. Fri-
tillaria. — Ed. J But the pearl of all these flowers
I think is the White Tulip. The most rocky
hillsides seem to be its chosen abode, as if con-
scious that its delicate beauty and grace were
enhanced by the contrast. It is a slender and
leafy plant, in general appearance resembling a
Cypripedium, but more delicate and graceful,
the flowers pearly-white, the petals overlapping
in a way that hides the interior, which is slightly
fringed and faintly tinted with rose like an ocean-
shell.

I saw none of the most beautiful California
Lilies, and found only two species. One was the
Bloomerianum of the florists; the other I know
no distinctive name for. It bloomed in April
and May, the flowers rather small, reddish-yel-
low, and curiously checked or barred rather
than spotted, with brown. I looked vainly for
any Cactii in the hills, but found two species of
Crassulse. One of these was quite large, growing
solitary in clefts of the rocks, and bearing
bright orange-scarlet flowers ; the other was
small and spreading, growing in the moss that
covered the rocks on the banks of streams.

I should have mentioned the "Soap Root"
among the bulbs. It is said that the Indian? use
it for soap, but I made many inquiries as to the
mode of preparation, without obtaining any in-
formation. The bulb is very large in good soil,
and covered with a thick fibrous envelope which
is used for mattresses. The stem is tall, branch-
ing, and bears great numbers of pale-blue flow-
ers. [Chlorogalum poweridianum. — Ed.]

PROTECTION TO PLANTS.

BY EUGENE GLEN, ROCHESTER, N. V.

A prominent nursery linn, in a recent letter to
me, while conceding the importance of some
measure of protection, have brought to my atten-

tion a single question regarding the practical
working of horticultural copyrights. As the
same question may have arisen in the minds of
some of our readers, I will attempt a solution of
it through your columns. They say in sub-
stance : " Suppose one hold a copyright upon the
name of a valuable grape, what is to prevent a
purchaser of a quantity of the vine from us,
propagating others therefrom, and selling out
those propagated by him under color of selling
those originally purchased from us." To this I
reply : So long as the purchaser from you sells
the vines propagated by him under some name
other than that secured to you — that is so long
as he does not attempt to steal in part the repu-
tation for the grape which you will have created
— you will have no reason to complain, but your
rights under the law will not be easily evaded.
The law would give to new varieties in horticul-
ture, precisely the same degree of protection that
is now secured by trade marks to manufacturers
of any kind of merchandise, and I believe that it
cannot be shown that there will be one difficulty
attending its execution that is not equally appli-
cable to trade marks upon other merchandise,
and especially to the names of so-called patent
medicines. To illustrate : Mr. Ayer operates
under the same law that governs brands of flour,
or any other ©ommodity. He has no patent upon
or exclusive right of property in the formula
from which his pills are made. He simply holds
the right to the exclusive use of the name
" Ayer's Pills." There is no practical difficulty
to prevent any druggist from making a quantity
of pills resembling Ayer's, putting them up in
packages similar to those containing the latter,
and, under cover of the purchase of an invoice of
the genuine, selling out those made by him. But
experience shows that druggists do not do this, and
that Mr. Ayer and other manufacturers of trade
mark goods, do not suffer in any considerable
degree from piracy upon their rights. The rea-
sons of this are these. Before a druggist could
work up a trade in his make of pills sufficient to
render their manufacture remunerative, the at-
tention of Mr. Ayer would be called to the fact
that the former could not afford to make the
outlay or pay the attention he is showing to the
trade in " Ayer's Pills," simply to sell out those
purchased. The moment that Mr. Ayer's suspi-
cions are thus aroused, he could file a bill in
equity against the druggist, make him produce
his books and papers, and show under oath just
how many boxes of so-called "Ayer's Pills" he

1877.]

AND HOB TIC UL TUBIS T.

343

had sold. If, as a result of the examination, it
appeared that Mr. Ayer's rights had heen in-
fringed, he would recover judgment against the-
druggist for the damages he had sustained, with
costs, and an injunction against future violations
of his rights. The chance of having to pay the
costs of both parties, if actions are not main-
tained, would deter Mr. Ayer and others from
commencing prosecutions without having well-
grounded reasons for believing that their rights
were being invaded.

So, too, if you should sell another nursery-
man one dozen or one hundred of your copy-
righted grape vines, and he "should put the name
secured to you in his catalogues and circulars,
and press the sale of vines under that name,
without making further purchases from you,
your suspicions that your rights were being in-
fringed would be aroused. Under the proposed
law you would have all the remedies now given
for violation of trade marks, with the added ad-
vantage that while the latter, being common law
remedies, are limited to actual damage, if one
could recover, in addition to actual damage, the
entire profits realized by the infringement.
The fact that they cannot thereby make any
considerable sum without subjecting themselves
to the consequences of prosecution, has been
found quite sufficient to deter most evil disposed
persons from infringing upon trade marks of
those who are here to look after them. With
no greater difficulties to encounter, and with the
added penalty named, there can be no doubt
that the law would give you substantial protec-
tion in the enjoyment of your copyright.

In another communication I will present
some of the reasons for adopting this law as a
means of lessening the sale of fraudulently
labeled trees and plants.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

European Notes by the Editor. — In going
through the world we meet with two sets of trav-
elers. The one stands watch in hand, counting
the mile-posts as the cars rush by, and rejoices
when he discovers that he has made forty miles
an hour. The other looks out on the hills and
vales and streams, the green fields and bright
flowers, the works of nature and the works of
art, and would almost be thankful for a slight
accident which would detain the locomotive that
he might get out and admire. Steam is too fast

for him ; yet he feels that he must go on. In
spite of himself, he has to go. And thus it is
through all life, and especially through my short
life in Europe. I see things every mom'ent I
know it would interest my friends at home to
hear about. This little Isle of Wight containing
not three hundred square miles is full of them,
but I have other things to say, so we must " get
on." Yet I must linger a while to take another
last look at it.

Here is the town of Byde, which, when I
was brought into it a child of five years old,
had about one . hundred old-fashioned houses,
is now a fashionable town of some thirty thou-
sand inhabitants. I look around for some old
landmark to remind me of my youthful days,
but the proverbial cat in a strange garret might
feel more at home than I. Doubtfully I go
from house to house to inquire for old friends,
but it is generally the same answer: "Dead,
dead, long since dead and gone." Here is the
pretty " Swan's Nest Cottage," and my escort
whispers " Surely you knew Captain Masters '?
his son still lives there." And I must venture
in at least and ask for the boys. It seemed
scarcely possible that one should be Masters of
Nebraska,whom I had known for the past twenty
years, and yet had never recognized as the play-
mate of my school-boy days! I wandered
around to my old haunts, but all were changed.
Surely, I thought, the graves of the dead in Eng-
land at least are sacred. They do not rise and
follow their descendants into distant lands. So I
started for the spot where the six hundred
drowned sailors of the " Eoyal George " were
buried, and where the only knewn locality for
the " Proliferous Pink " made the spot equally
venerable to the botanist ; but these also had
been swept away, and very fashionable houses,
with " apartments to let " swinging from the
windows, occupied the site. Right through this
grassy meadow where I had often watched the
king-fisher spread its beautiful blue wings, the
water-rat paddle in perfect security, and once
had the rare privilege of seeing the ignis fatuus
float across its marshy surface — the locomotive
now coursed, a stern reality, and all the poetry
had vanished away.

Rip Van Winkle's experience seemed less real
than mine. It was not without some satisfac-
tion that I found the old school -house where I
and some hundred other boys were taught, still
just the same. In the days of which I speak,
those who could not go many miles away,

344

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

had to take such education as they could
get. The Lankasterian school was the only
chance for me. It did not take long to go
through the course in those days, and at twelve
years old I was a "monitor " over a dozen boys,
on a salary of one penny a week, and the privi-
lege of attending on some extra branches of edu-
cation on Saturday morning, which the zealous
master voluntarily gave us besides the duties he
was engaged to perform. I can hardly express
the feelings with which I stood on the only spot
in all this great town I recognized, and where
forty years before I was the centre of a half
circle with a dozen boys toeing the chalk-line
around me. One by one I endeavored to recall
their faces, but it was a hard task. I wandered
into the little "dissenting" chapel near by and
which had started that school, but it was not the
church I knew. Nothing was left of its former
simplicity. " Where" I asked the sexton, brush-
ing up for the morrow's Sunday service, " is the
old minister Guyer?" "Dead. We were not
allowed to bury a Calvinist in the church -yard
of the town, so we put him in there in front of
the pulpit." "And where " I asked " is Mr. Par.
rish who taught in that school ? " " He went as
missionary to Burmah, and took the fever and
died there." It was the same story all the while-
Ryde was indeed an American town to me. It
is ever on the improve, and it drives out the past
even worse I think than we do. It has im-
proved itself to death. When it built a pier,
and established a steamboat line to the main-
land seven miles away, it was a lovely rural
spot for the tired, Londoner to approach and en-
joy for a few days. But it has been " esplanaded "
and walled in all round about in various ways
until there is little left to enjoy but a sight of
the sea from your bed-room window, so that
now when the visitor comes he mounts the cars
at once, and goes for the back of the island, or
some place. Our prosperous towns may take a
lesson from this : Improve and beautify — but lose
not sight of natural advantages.

Was there to be nothing but this little school
and its dream of the past left of the old long
ago ? We took the cars to wander about the
island which was once known as the garden of
England, in hopes to find something of the olden
time. The hedge-fences purple with the glowing
fox glove, and the hundreds of mollusks with
their beautifully colored shells which abound
among the vegetation of this favored clime; the
red tiled or straw thatched houses seemed about

as they once looked ; but it was not until we
came on the ivy-covered ruins of Carisbrooke
Castle, we felt entirely at home. There is a well
here near three hundred feet deep, sunk they
say in the time of King Stephen, to keep the be-
sieged in drink, and the waters of which are
drawn by a donkey, which stands, or rather
walks in the inside of an immense wheel. The
donkey of our time had passed away; his suc-
cessor st;od in the green " parade ground " in-
side the castle, listless to all around, and waiting
for his time to come ; and the third generation
was now at the wheel. But the crumbling old
battlements were still about the same. We
walked still over the parapets from whence the
famous bow-and-arrow men picked off their
enemies. We looked through the rooms where
the prisoner King Charles was confined, and the
chamber where the Princess Elizabeth died ; and
the ivy still clung lovingly around the bars of
the window through which the King escaped,
once more to be restored to his royal seat. These
venerable ruins may probably be

" The Ivy's food at last,"

but the famous old plant is a long time over its
meal. Huge trees grow out of the ruins,
and you walk in and out of what were once
upper chambers, with branches of trees them-
selves perhaps a century old at your very feet.
Dust has blown into crevices on the heights of
the walls, and the moss has grown and died in it,
and made soil ; and in this again the birds have
built their nests, bringing seeds of plants in the
material, till the whole of these old walls have
become a botanic garden — wall-flowers, Canter-
bury bells, stone-cups and wild thyme. One
could soon fill a good sized herbarium from this
little world which has been wholly created since
the hand of man put this vast pile of mortar
and stone together- here. But how long it was
since this was done no one knows.

Right in the valley, at the foot of the hill, has
recently been dug out from beneath the surface
the remains of a cottage of immense size. It is
only the floors and partition walls at the base,
but it must have been an elaborate affair. The
floors are made of half-inch squares of stone or
tile, and worked in Mosaic style to represent as
many beautiful patterns as a modern carpet.
But what interested us most was the remains of
the bath-room. These baths are of thin stone,
rather shallow, and lined with Roman cement
and were warmed by hot-air flues which are car-
ried under them. It is no doubt the remains of

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

345

a Roman villa, and perhaps two thousand

well, I have assisted at the opening of Mound
Builders' graves, but it never seemed to me that
they were as old as these. We have to go among
these evidences of time in the Old World before
we can fully realize the fact tbat in the order of
Providence a thousand years is but as a day.

But we must let the past go. How is horticul-
ture in these present times ? The best we could
do was to select types of various branches of
garden art and garden trade, and let these give
us an idea of whole.

The Rose trade has always been an important
one, and after a hasty run through Portsmouth,
Chichester, Brighton, and other interesting spots
along the south coast, and of which we know
we shall not have time to speak, I found myself
in the famous old stand of the Woods of Mares-
field in Sussex, and of whom all at least who
have admired the beautifiul Madame Charles
Wood — still one of the best hybrid perpetuals —
will love to know about.

Rain ! — well, of course in England ; but we
took temporary refuge under a beautiful tulip
tree and I felt at once at home. But remember-
ing that I really was in England, I took out tape-
line and measured five feet round. This is not
Had for only thirty years, and yet nobody could
tell me why American trees were so scarce in
England. In our own country we find most of
our garden pets foreign born ; but the bulk of
English planting, except with Conifera, is of their
own native trees. Then we were introduced to
the packing sheds for shelter, and were kindly
permitted to examine the details for transporta-
tion. Boxes are seldom used. The pots are
stood upright in stout shallow willow baskets
with a handle in .each side. Light poles are
stuck in the edges of the basket, and then tied,
tent-like, at the top, and- a "Russian mat"
turned round the whole. These three feet over
baskets are charged to the purchaser at about
seventy-five cents. Nothing shows so much the
differences in the horticultural conditions of the
two countries. With us these " hampers " would
dry out " in less than no time," and the express
companies would growl because they could
" pack nothing on top " and raise the rates on
us. Basket making, by the way, is mostly in the
hands of the blind in England.

Of course the most striking thing of note in
an English Rose nursery is the quantity that is
grafted on stems several feet high ; these are the
standard or tree-roses. There is this advantage,

that the flower is then brought near to the eye
for examination, and for the nose to enjoy the
rose's delicious scent. We cannot have these in
our severe climate as all experience proves.
Here there were about an acre of them, and all
in full bloom. The stocks are simply of the
Wild Dog Rose — Rosa canina, and are gathered
by men who make a business of scouring the
woods for them, and sell them to the nursery-
men for about forty shillings a thousand, or one
cent a piece of our mo^iey. These are set out in
nursery rows and budded, and there is as much
rivalry among young English gardeners as to
who can bud the most roses, and do the rose-
work best, as there is among us to bud Peach
trees. Our climate brings the rose-flower to
early maturity, and almost annihilates the vari-
ous delicate tints and shades which characterize
varieties in England. If the following hybrid
perpetuals do as well with us as I saw them
here, they would prove among the best of their
colors : — Whitish pink or flesh color Baronness
Rothschild; white clustered and Noisette-like
Boule de Neige; Louis Van Houtte, crimson;
Eliza Boyle, large blush white; Comptesse de
Maroonaise, of very pure white double perpet-
ual moss ; Olga Marie, a very beautiful blush ; a
very pretty Noisette is Creme D'or— pretty for its
delicate brown tinted young foliage. Of course
there is " any quantity " of Dwarf Roses, and
there is the same rage to have them grafted on
the Mannetti stock that there was here thirty
years ago. It will probably not last. There is a
large number of glass houses here, and mostly
in connection with rose growing. Teas, Chinas,
and other of the more tender kinds, are grown
in pots in large quantities. It is strange that so
much care can be given to Roses as are given
here, and yet the business be made to pay. The
best houses were of two-year plants, and all
models of health, and perfectly clear of insects.
Men are kept constantly going over the plants,
sponging the leaves with " Fowler's Insecticide."
After all, it does not take as much time to give
proper attention to things " in the bud," as it does
when we let work get the upper hand of us.
Besides the acres of roses, there is a fine col-
lection of fruit and ornamental trees as part of
the trade. The Hawthorne, or " Quick," is still
the hedge-plant of England and sells for about
ten dollars a thousand. It was a surprise to my
English friends to be told that hedge-plants sold
in America for the half or three-fourths less
than this.

346

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

The Norway Spruces I saw here were among
the best I found in England, and I take the occa-
sion to sajr that 1 rarely find this or most of the
Conifera do as well in England as in America.
As compared with our trees, I can scarcely say I
saw one beautiful Norway Spruce in all Eng-
land. When we come to the kinds from our
Pacific coast, they have much the advantage of
us, and here let me say that I think if we, east of
the Rocky Mountains, would grow these Pacific
trees at all well, wre mu§t plant. them in shel-
tered woods and half-shady places. I know
I shall be told they grow in the open in their
own country, but I do not care about that.

The Senior Wood was away to the Alexandra
Rose Show, and I found that most of the lead-
ing nurserymen of England took great interest in
all these public exhibitions. But I was happy in
finding the young scions from the old tree,
quite as likely to bring forth as good horticultu-
ral fruit as their time-honored parent, and they
were very kind to me. There are other interest-
ing nurseries and gardens in the vicinity on
which I may remark another time, but I must
s'op now.

Gardening around Nashville, Tennessee. —
In August we had the chance of a run through
Kentucky and Tennessee, and were much grati-
fied by various signs of revival in gardening.
Before the war the great bulk of the readers of
the Gardener's Monthly were in the South, and
we could still find remains of our old time work.
The American Association was in session at
Nashville, and a p,aper read by Miss Ingram, of
Edgefield, reminded one of the opinion of
Major Hardee, of Florida, that insects could be
destroyed in orchards by firing off guns. The
lady is sure that disease germs can be destroyed
by concussion, and an explosion of gun-powder
will destroy insects. The idea may not be of
great value to fruit growers, but certainly there
is a germ of truth in it, and how far it may be
practically effective is for experiment to deter-
mine. Nashville is a beautiful town. It is
a continuous succession of hill and dale. The
prevailing street tree is Paper Mulberry, and
they are numerously planted. Once in a while
there are a few Silver Maples. The Black Sugar
Maple thrives well, but the northern species
does not. Gardening is not of course what it
was before the war. In the older places we
can see how well it was patronized ; but
though many of the old roads and walks in gar-

dens are now so grass-grown that we can hardly
see them, the grand old trees grouped with great
artistic effect show what the art .has been.
There are many smaller and newer places, how-
ever, that show considerable taste both in plant-
ing and floral adornment. One of the prettiest
and best kept grounds I saw was the State Hos-
pital for the Insane. The original laying out of
the grounds was very fine, and the spirit of it all
has been preserved. It is too often the fault to
add without judgment until the original design
is lost. The plant-houses had many nice plants,
healthy and well grown ; but the Victoria Regia,
so long the only one in the country, perished
last Winter. The Winter was one of unusual
severity for these parts, killing even the English
Ivy on the walls ; and the new experience proved
fatal to the Royal Water Plant. But the
house is here, and no doubt a new plant will be
started next year. A beautiful sight was the
Cissus discolor, growing on the wall resigned by
the Ivy. Of course it is only a summer beauty.
Why do we not oftener employ it this way in the
North ? It would make an admirable edging to
a flower bed. Dr. Callender, who has charge of
the Institution, has excellent horticultural taste.

The Vanderbilt University has for its gardener
Mr. Douglas, an excellent selection, as he is one
of the intelligent class that it is always a pleas-
ure to meet. The planting had been very suc-
cessful indeed. The dead and half dead sticks
we so often meet with in public grounds near
home, being entirely wanting; and this is the
more remarkable, as of the many thousand trees
planted here by Mr. Douglas, they were all from
the woods. It is a case of skill against great dis-
advantages. The trees are planted promiscu-
ously everywhere about the grounds ; and this
will give a good chance to some future landscape
gardener to cut out Secundum artem, which, by a
reference to a dictionary of Latin quotations, we
find means " according to the rules of art." As
it is now7 the custom to use French and Latin
phrases instead of the good old Saxon words in
English composition, we may as well be in the
fashion for just this once! The gardens around
ttie dwellings of the professors were gay with
(lowers, and the grass and walks kept up in right
good taste. The location is beautiful, and we
have no doubt good gardening will grow on it
with the years that are to come.

Dr. Cheatham's beautiful grounds at Belmont,
so famous before the war, are beautiful still, and
with characteristic liberality the proprietor

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

34T

opens them freely to the public to enjoy every
day but Sunday. There are many fine speci-
mens of Evergreens here one does not see North,
and the numerous varieties of Cucurbits ram-
bling over trellisses and arbor in a kind of negli-
gent, or perhaps we might say unconscious love-
liness, gave a peculiar character to the grounds.
The excellent health of the plants in the conser-
vatories showed that they were in the care of a
good gardener. The distant scenery from these
grounds is particularly impressive, and I shall
long remember the very short and pleasant visit
I made to Belmont.

Melrose, the residence of Mrs. Governor
Brown, is farther away from Nashville. The
house is also beautifully situated to take advan-
tage of delightful distant views. The grounds
are extensive and park-like, and the disposition
of the grand old trees is such, and the roads led
around the knolls and up the glades in such a
delightfully enticing way that a master hand
must have been employed in the original ar-
rangement. The Scotch Pine, for so far south
was doing wonderfully well here.

Truett Sons & Morgan are out on the Edge-
field Road across the Cumberland River, through
a district abounding with improved gardens and
tasteful dwellings, and occupy in their nurseries
some five hundred acres. Of course most of the
stock is of fruit trees, the apple and peach
predominating. The more tasteful departments
of gardening are, however, beginning to be
sought after ; and they feel very much encour-
aged with the future of horticulture South in
every way. The firm is an excellent one in every
respect, and we can all rejoice in the abounding
evidences of their prosperity.

The grape seems to be the most popular fruit
about Nashville. The kind mostly grown is the
Ives, and it was strange to find a kind we think
so little of so delicious down here. Thus doth
climate modify all our kinds.

Our notes must of necessity be brief; but we
must not omit one on Mr. Mclntyre's nursery.
It, like its owner, is still young ; but if the re-
ports we everywhere heard of his industry and
integrity mean anything, we may regard him as
one of the rising firms. His grounds are full of
beautiful specimens of Magnolia grandiflora,
which is commonly planted South as a Norway
Spruce is with us. He has a pure white sport
from that good old rose Bougere, which has
proved constant for several years, and which he
thinks, and we think with good reason, will

prove a little fortune for him. We hope so, for
he deserves it.

For the first time we saw in flower the " Hen-
na " plant of the ancient Egyptians. It was
their royal plant, yielding a juice which bright-
ened their skin, and an odor which might set
the Mignonette wild with envy. It is Lawsonia
alba.

" How Not to Do It."— The Editor of this
Magazine has been car,eful not to refer to any
matter of business that may relate to himself
personally in these pages, as he might he charged
with using his position for personal ends. Hence
the collection of 720 kinds of trees of which his
arboretum was formed at the Centennial, received
no notice here. But a matter has grown out of
this in connection with the Paris Exposition
which seems to be of public interest enough to
warrant a departure from this rule.

As usually seen at exhibitions, trees are taken
up and set in the «ame season, and thus look
shabby, and are no credit to the exhibitor or the
exhibition. Therefore, the whole of these 720 trees
were grown in boxes a year beforehand, and
thus were turned out on the Exhibition ground
with balls, and the testimony of the Judges on
the "growth" of these plants, as given in the
award made on them, shows how well this plan
worked. This collection, though costing $3000
(including the commercial value of the trees) to
place on the grounds, received comparatively no
attention from Americans, but was very appre-
ciatively noticed by foreign papers, and the
owner therefore determined to make a similar
exhibit in Paris. Our people knowing how easy
it was to overcome difficulties of planting by
growing a year in tubs, had no restrictions on
time; but, in the French rules, we were met at
the outset with the regulation that " trees must
be in the ground one year beforehand." Suppos-
ing, however, that this would not be insisted on
after we explained our method, we had near a
thousand boxes made, and wrote to see what
could be done, but no answer was vouchsafed.
Fearing we might have addressed the wrong
party, we addressed two others in high connec-
tion with the Commission, but still not even the
poor courtesy of a reply ! Then we made a per-
sonal visit to Pars, and were told that they had
nothing to do with us — that an American must
apply for space through the American Commis-
sion ; and that in regard to the year-a-head rule —
rules were made to be observed. We pointed

348

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

out (hat in regard to the American Commission,
we had no disrespect to the French people, but
the last Congress had quite enough to do to settle
our own presidential question ; that in any case
our Government was not a paternal but a filial
one ; that we did not propose to send our trees
over at the expense of the Government, in a
Government ship, but at our own sole, individual
expense and risk. Give us 15,000 square feet of
ground, and we would plant our trees without
thanks to anybody, sending them over this
coming Fall, and having everything in readiness
when the Exhibition opened. But the only ans-
wer was : — " You must ask through the American
Commission." We returned to America satisfied
that we could make no exhibit there.

However, in correspondence with a distin-
guished French nobleman, we gave a statement
of our difficulties, who kindly replied, "I am
sorry to see that though you could not exhibit in
a national capacity, you could not' either arrange
for a private exhibition of your hardy trees at
the great exhibition of Paris next year. As the
Due d'Audiffret Pasquier, President of the Com-
mission happens to be staying with me, I gave
him an extract from your letter, and he will see
whether it is still possible to arrange the matter
to your mind."

The Duke kindly interested himself as prom-
ised, and the following letter is the result :

Paris, le 28, Aoui, 1877.
Monsieur le President et Cher Collegue :

Le Gouvernementdes Etats-Unis n'a pas encore
accepte ofnciellement l'invitation de partieipeo a
l'Exposition de 1878. II n'a point non plus nom-
m6 ou design 6 officieusement les Commissaires
charges de designe representer les interets de
ses nationaux. Nous n'avons pu, par conse-
quent, prendre aucun engagement vis-a-vis des
exposants Amercains qui se sont addresses a
nous; le Reglement general nous interdisant
tons rapports avec les exposants etrangers.

Meanmoins, d'apres les assurances donnees au
Gouvernement, je suis fonde" a conserv-er l'espoir
de voir les Etats-Unis representes a Paris en
1878. Un espace est tenu en reserve pour
la Section Americaine, mais seule la Commission
quand elle sera nominee aura qualite pour re-
parlir cet espace entre ses nationaux. C'est a
elle, ou a sou defaut au Gouvernement Federal
lui-nieme que M. Meehan doit faire parvenir sa
demande et ses reclamations.

Ogreez, Monsieur le President et chev Collegue
['assurance dc ma haute et respectueuse consid-
ation.

B. Krantz,
Le Senatcur, Commissionaire General.

Monsieur le Due d'Audiffret Pasquier, Presi-
dent du Senat et de la Commission Superieure
de l'Exposition Universelle a Sany par Morhie.

The plain English of this is that we must apply
to a Commission that does not exist, and which
if it did exist, would still be too late to come
within the "year-planted" rule. "How Not to
Do It," was never better illustrated than now.
We are quite sure that such a ease never could
occur in our country.

We refer to the subject here because there is
a general impression that the nursery trade of
America is far behind that of Europe ; that we
must send to Europe if we want to get com-
plete collections. It is a misapprehension of our
own people,'for we have found Europeans always
ready to do us justice when the facts were fairly
before them. In the present case, it was our de-
sire to carry the facts there in so far as one firm
could do it; and it is as well to show that the
failure arises from our French friends not being
able to find any way but the one way, and a
way which, by their own regulations they insist
on effectually blocking up.

The Gardener's Monthly for 1878. — The
recent meeting of the American Pomological
Society reminds us that nearly twenty years ago
the Editor was asked to write a "specimen num-
ber " of a cheap horticultural paper, for distribu-
tion at the pomological meeting then being held,
so as to see whether such a paper would be sus-
tained. It was a large newspaper sheet, the idea
being to decide after people had seen and ap-
proved the matter and style, what ultimate form
it should take with the beginning of the year.

It owed its origin to the horticultural enthu-
siasm of D. Rodney King, one of Philadelphia's
most enthusiastic merchants, who fathered all
the expenses of the venture.

The little venture was approved, and it is with
pleasure that the writer of this remembers the
kind letters he received expressing this friendly
approval. He remembers especially, a pleasant
one from Mr. Barry, in which he thought this new
pomological product might be " placed on the list
promising well."

Now entering on the twentieth volume, the
Editor cannot but pause at the prospect before
him, and look back as well. Many of his early
friends have gone, but he is yet spared for the
work. He has been through sad times for Horti-
culture, but he has been able to carry the work

1877.]

AND EOETIGULTUBIST.

349

with him, and now that our art promises to re-
vive and assume somewhat of its ante bellum
greatness, he feels a renewed spirit in the task.
Never has there been so much interest felt in
the work as during the past year, as our numer-,
ous and widely distributed list of correspondents
show. The Editor has no cause to complain of
the support given him in his department. It is
magnificent. He may be pardoned for hoping
that at this season the publisher will be as well
remembered.

Every year young people are taking the
place of older horticulturists, and the ranks
in various ways are being filled by new re-
cruits. These will take it as a favor if made ac-
quainted with the existence of the Gardener's
Monthly, and many may be able to send on a new
subscription with their own.

It may be as well to state that the Gardener's
Monthly stands alone in its aim and objects in
the literature of this country. It takes up hor-
ticulture where agriculture drops it, and there-
fore every person who takes but one agricultural
paper and is fond of gardening, will need the
Gardener's Monthly as a supplement. We do
not aim to fill the Magazine with matter that the
bulk of the readers already know, or that they
could easily find in their regular agricultural or
family paper, but write for those who want to
read something about trees, plants, fruits and
flowers, which will add to their general intelli-
gence as members of cultivated society, and
which will redound eventually to their pleasure
and jjrofit. There never was a time when peo-
ple revolted more at the superficial education of
the present day, and the shallow pursuits in
which so many are engaged ; and in the efforts
which are being made to direct the attention of
the people to natural beauty, and to an intelli-
gent knowledge of all that is about them ; we are
proud to know that the Gardener's Monthly oc-
cupies no mean place. As the season for re-
newed subscriptions is at hand, we may "be par-
doned for indulging in a word of this kind.

The Lilies of Utah.— Mr. John Muir thus

closes an article on the Lilies of Utah, which has

appeared in a California paper :

" Liliaceous women and girls are rare among
the Mormons. They have seen too much hard
expressive toil to admit of the development of
lily beauty either in form or color. In general,
they are thick set, with large feet and hands,
and with sun-browned faces, often curious!}'
freckled, like the petals of Fritillaria atropurpu-
rea. They are fruit rather than flower — loaves

of good brown bread. But down in the San
Pitch Valley at Gunnison I discovered a genuine
lily, happily named Lily Young. She is a grand-
daughter of Brigham Young, slender and grace-
ful, with lily-white cheeks, tinted with clear
rose. She was brought up in the old Salt Lake
Lion House, but by some strange chance has
been transplanted to this wilderness, where she
blooms alone, the " Lily of San Pitch." Pitch is
an old Indian, who, I suppose, pitched into the
settlers, and thus acquired fame enough to give
name to the valley. Here I feel uneasy about
the name of this Lily, for the compositors have
a perverse trick of making me say all kinds of
absurd things wholly unwarranted by plain
copy, and I fear that " The Lily of San Pitch"
will appear in print as the widow of Sam. Patch.
But, however this may be, among my memo-
ries of this fair, far land, that Oquirrh Moun-
tain, with its golden Lilies, will ever rise
in clear relief, and associated with them will al-
ways be Lily Young, the prettiest lily lass in
Utah."

Bequest for Tree Planting. — A gentleman
of Philadelphia, named Neil, recently deceased,
provided in his will $50,000, for the purpose of
" tree planting in Fairmount Park."

The Hashish op the Egyptians. — The Gar-
dener's Magazine tells us about this famous
article : —

"An odoriferous resin much used in Eg3rpt,
is Hashish, which is prepared from the tops of
hemp, which has degenerated as a textile plant.
The flowers contain a resin, which is extracted by
boiling the tops in alcohol and afterwards preci-
pitating the resin with water. This preparation
possesses all the narcotic properties of the plant
in a high degree. The Arab preparations of
hashish have all a greasy base, being prepared by
boiling resin with butter. From these various elec-
tuaries are prepared with the addition of sugar,
honey, almond, different scents, &c. These are
made up into little cakes, or into a syrup which
is concentrated into a jelly by cooling. The
abuse of these preparations, which with impress-
ionable subjects produce ecstacy or extravagant
hilarity has led to the suppression of their sale.
The ell'ects of hashish have long been known.
The plant forms the principal ingredient in a
species of drink which has often been used by
im posters for fanatical ends and the working of
pretended ^miracles. With it, Hassan Saba,
Prince of the Assassins, better known as the Old
Man of the Mountain, was wont to plunge his
fanatic disciples into extravagant extacies, re-
quiring them in return for the ephemeral pleas-
ure to sacrifice their lives wherever his hates or
cupidity called for it."

Express Charges. — People who send us fruit
or other things for name or examination, always
pay the freight and generally mark it " paid " on
the box. A few years ago we had to tell our

350

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

friends to mark it " paid through," otherwise the
company insists that it is only partly paid, and
we have often had to pay the whole freight
charges over again. For awhile our friends re-
membered this, but some recent very expensive
experiences make it necessary to renew the ad-
vice.

The Illinois Thistle Law. — Mr. Edgar San-
ders says, that so far as he knows, there has not
been a single prosecution under the thistle law,
though thistles abound.

Buffalo Park Commission— Sixth Annual
Report.— We learn from this that $132,426 were
expended on this public work last year. It is
part of their policy to endeavor to find work for
unemployed labor at a season of the year when
other work is stopped, and hence $30,000 of this
was spent in the Winter in quarrying and break-
ing stone for the roads. In this way 480,000
square feet of carriage way wras completed last
year. The city getting the benefit of the good
drives, and the laborers finding work when none
else was to be had. The cost of these stoned
roads is $15,000 per mile. The influence which
the park has on the general culture of the citi-
zens, and the welfare of all classes, is well shown
in this report. The park embraces 600 acres,
and is managed with such excellent taste, judg-
ment and economy, that it is a model in every
respect. Olmsted and Vaux are the landscape
gardeners and architects, and Mr. Wra. McMillan
the general superintendent.

Drs. Hooker and Gray. — On the 29th of Au-
gust a special meeting of the California Academy
of Sciences was held to do honor to these distin-
guished botanists who have done so much for
the science all over the world. Prof. Davidson
made an admirable speech of welcome, in which
he spoke of the valuable work of Dr. Hooker,
Dr. Gray, and Prof. Hayden, by whose kindness
the two botanists have been able to see so much
of our country. Prof. Hayden made some brief
remarks injreply. Dr. Hooker— or more proper-
ly now Sir Joseph Hooker— returned thanks for
his welcome, and said that his visit had been the
means of adding immensely to his stock of
knowledge. Dr. Gray, in acknowledging the
kindness of his reception, took occasion to refer
to the work of Menzics in connection with the
botany of California, and the pleasure it gave
him to walk in his footsteps. Altogether the oc-
casion was one long to be remembered by the

botanists of California. Dr. Hooker has since
returned to England, and with Dr. Gray will con-
tribute to Hayden's report.

B. M. Watson. — A son of this well-known and
esteemed nurseryman, of Plymouth, Mass., is
said to be Professor of Horticulture in the Bussey
Institute of Cambridge, Mass.

Proceedings of the Indiana Horticultural
Society for 1877. From W. H. Rogan, Secretary.
— Besides the usual full reports of progress in
fruit culture and other incidents of horticulture,
it contains a very able essay on " Forestry " by
Prof. J. Hussey. He concludes that only capital-
ists or governments can plant. He will not have
the support of every one to this view. Our idea
is that it is to individual interests to plant trees,
and that those societies will do the most good
which show how individuals may profitably
plant trees. But those who differ from Prof.
Hussey will at least give to his views every
respect, as they are ably stated.

Transactions of the Michigan State Pomo-
logical Society. From Chas. W. Garfield, Esq.,
Secretary, Lansing, Michigan. — Among many
items of information, we find that in 1875 an
Act was passed by the Legislature of the State
for preventing the yellows in the peach and
allied fruits. Persons, who after the order to cut
infected trees away allow them to stand, are
iiable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dol-
lars and costs, besides the expenses of having
such trees cut out by the commissioner. As
Jack Bunsby says, " it is in the application
that proof of wisdom comes." It would be very
interesting to know whether this law has proved
a sufficient terror to cause the owners of infected
trees to uproot them ; whether any waited to be
forced to do it; how many lines have been
collected, and whether there is as much of the
disease now as there was two years ago. If this
cure has proved effectual it may be worth while
carrying it to other States. If not, save burdens
on the statute books.

Tenth Annual Report of the Ohio Horti-
cultural Society. — We do not know when we
have read a report so full of matters of practical
value as this, and congratulate the members of
the Society in getting the full value of their an-
nual subscriptions in so substantial a way. Mr.
Bateham recounts the trouble he had in getting
together the beautiful Centennial exhibit from
Ohio. Though the Slate made a handsome ap-
propriation to exhibit its products at the Centcn-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

351

nial, the money went "somewhere," and none
came to these workers. The Ohio Society had
to stand the brunt of the cost.

As a practical item, we select the following re-
marks of Mr. P. Barry on orchard culture, and
we do so because we once had to endure so
much contumely for expressing nearly the same
views. It is peculiarly gratifying to us that
teaching, in which we stood wholly alone at one
time, is now generally accepted as the sound
doctrine by fruit cultivators.

" In the earlier years of an orchard, nothing
but good culture and plenty of manure will
answer, but when an orchard comes into bear-
ing, rapid growth of wood is not calculated to
produce the finest fruit. Fruitfulness is promo-
ted by seeding down and checking the growth.
Pasturing with sheep is an easy practical way of
taking care of an orchard, but manure must be
used to keep up the fruitfulness. Starving trees
on grass is the extreme of grass culture. He
would not assert but what greater burdens of
fruit could be produced by ' high culture,' but
cost must be considered. He has as good quality
of fruit in grass as in clean culture, but cannot
have fine fruit in a crowded orchard."

Transactions of the Nebraska State Hort.
Society for 1877. — From Dan'l K. Wheeler,
Plattsmouth. Beautiful plates of scenery in
various parts of Nebraska adorn the volume,
which gives also much valuable information as
to the fruits best suited to that distant region.

The Microscopist's Companion. — By John
Phin. Second edition. New York Industrial Com-
pany. This is but a small book — but as a micros-
cope is now a part of the complement of every
intelligent household, it will be of great value to
many. Mr. Phin, the author, is a pains-taking
and conscientious naturalist, and whatever comes
from his pen is sure to be reliable. He is already
known to our readers by one of the best works
on wine making. We are glad to see the present
little work in the form of a second edition, which
shows that the public has appreciated his work
as well as we.

Music. — '' Dear Old Homestead." — Song and
Music for the Piano. From F. W. Helmich,
Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Good Michigan Nursery. — It is always a
good sign to be spoken well of by one's neigh-
bors, and this is what has been done by the
Michigan Farmer for Bragg & Stearns of Kalama-
zoo.

Journal of Forestry. — We have before us the
first number of this new English candidate for
public favor, and considering the increasing in-
terest in the subject of Forestry, have no doubt
there is room for its success. If there be such
a field, the present venture promises to fill it
very creditably. The only suggestion we would
make is, that there is a little too much of de-
pendence on Loudon and older writers, when
modern ones have contributed better material.
It would be astonishing if these good friends had

exhausted all knowledge, or made no mistakes.
In an editorial here, Loudon is quoted as au-
thority that the " Black Italian Poplar" is
Populus monilifera. We all thought so in
Loudon's time, and he was excusable, but no
authority thinks so now. Populus nigra is the
Black Italian Poplar — a European kind.

Pretty Feathers make Pretty Birds. — The
Poultry World sends us copies of the chromos
they intend to give as premiums next year, and
we must say that they are very nicely gotten up,
and will, no doubt, be an acceptable gift to bird
fanciers.

L. B. Case, Richmond, Ind., sends us his green-
house catalogue, which is worthy of special
notice for the great amount of useful informa-
tion it gives about the plants offered for sale.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Fruiting of Akebia quinata. — A number of
correspondents send us fruit this seaspn. It
must be a rare season for it. One suggests that
probably insects have been more abundant or
active in cross fertilizing, but we prefer to believe
it is a question of nutrition.

A Twin Apple. — B. F. L. sends us an apple
with a small one growing out of it near the base.
It is useful as showing by how many ways nature
will bring out similar experiences. In the apple
and the pear, orange and other things, the branch
which normally is arrested in its growth when it
is turned into a fruit, still retains a little of its
original elongating power. In this case the twin
is formed by the development of two branch
buds from near one base. It is not easy to
explain these things in a few words, unless the
reader has already some idea of vegetable
morphology.

Twin Peach.— A South Carolina correspon-
dent sends us a sketch of a twin peach. This is
another illustration of similar effects from differ-
ent physiological law. In the apple we have five
divisions in the core, and each of these divisions
(carpels} is formed of an original single leaf.
There is no other reason why the peach has not
five peaches side by side arranged somewhat as
the apple core is, except abortion. In the case
of this twin peach two have been produced, and
we have seen as many as three together, and
would 'not be surprised some day to see five
together, but should be to find more than this.

The .Kentucky Coffee as a Fly Poison. —
Miss A. says : — " When in Virginia last year the
negroes told me that the Kentucky " locust," as
they called it — Gymnocladus Canadensis — was
boiled, and the juice mixed with molasses and
set for flies to drink, by which they were poison-
ed. It is the great fly poison with them."

Fertile Hydrangea.— S. sends a head of
hydrangea in which the flowers are very nearly
all fertile. We may explain that the large rosy

352

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[November,

George

flowers which commonly form the head of hy-
drangea blossoms are male or neutral, the female
or fertile flowers being very small and not seen un-
less they are searched for. These fertile flowers
vary in number with every head, and in this in-
stance have assumed unusually large propor-
tions. The laws which govern these varying
proportions are in some way connected with nu-
trition, but the exact way in which they operate
has not yet been discovered.

Beggar Ticks vs. Beggar Lice. — Mr.
Woodruff, Mount Airy, Philadelphia, writes:
" Apropos of the discussion on Tumble Weed,
which shows how beautifully ' common ' names
don't identify plants, I notice that in the August
number you speak ot the Cynoglossum as a forage
plant, and call it ' the common Beggar Ticks.'
Now, I had known a certain weed as ' Beggar's
Lice' since I could remember, and 'guessed'
that was it. Turning to Gray, I found not only
that he used the two names for different plants,
but that he applied the name B. Lice instead of
B. Ticks to Cynoglossum using ' B. Ticks ' for

Bidens, which is the weed I know. As both are
' vile weeds,' I don't think many people will
wish to sow either; but we again see the diffi-
culty of identifying plants by ' common names,'
even when they are as 'nice' as the foregoing."

[In justice to Prof. Gray, it should be stated
that in the use of popular names he scarcely
"applies" them, but records the name as gene-
rally applied by others. It is almost impossible
to follow up popular names, and it is this fact
which makes botanical names so necessary, hard
though, confessedly, they often be. We were
asked the other day for some information about
the " McDermott Weed." We had to waste
time in sending for a specimen, and received
our old friend from Mexico — Gallnsogoa parviflo-
ra — with the information that it " first appeared
on the ground of a Mr. McDermott." Now we
know that it has been abundant around that
very spot for thirty years, and how much longer
we do not know, so that popular names, even
when they are supposed to help popular history
are of no value at all. — Ed. G. M.j

♦ ♦ •

HORTICULTURAL fSOCIETIES.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Nashville Meeting of the American
Pomological Society in 1879.— J., Harvest
Home, Tenn., writes :

"The Editor hardly* does justice to himself in
his note on the meeting in Baltimore. It was
evident that only for the warm terms in which
he spoke of the Southern people and the pros-
pects of Southern Pomology and Horticulture,
would the meeting have so unanimously agreed
to go there, and I am sure in this you will have
earned the grateful regards of the whole Southern
people."

The Editor deserves no special credit for his
speech on that occasion. It was only that he
had a recent experience, and gave that ex-
perience to the members. Much more credit is
due to those who in such numbers voted for it;
because they had to take on faith \vhat the
" Editor " told them, and in this sacrificed their
own feelings as to where they would like to have
the next meeting held, solely because they
believed their Southern friends wished to have
the meeting South. Some friends think we have
staked a. great deal in promising a good meeting
at Nashville, but we are well assured they will
not bo ashamed of what the South will do on
that occasion.

The Paris Exposition. — Though nurserymen
canhotexhibit trees at this exhibition, there is time

if Congress act, for other departments of nursery
or seed business. The impression that we are
behind other countries in these branches is, in
many respects, a mistaken one, and we hope as
much will be done as possible to set the world
right. The American Legation at Paris, will see
that any American who may want to exhibit,
has justice done him — in case Congress in Octo-
ber appoint a Commission. Applications may
go through Salmon & de Stnckle, 23 Park Place,
New York, or Ostheimer Bros., Bank Street,
Philadelphia.

City Plant Growing. — A boy takes the Silver
Medal. — The London Journal of Horticulture, tells
us that the Seventh Annual Exhibition of Win-
dow Plants grown within the city was held on
the 13th inst. in the gardens, Finshury Circus.
The Duchess of Teck, who was announced to
distribute the prizes, arrived early in the after-
noon. A splendid bouquet was presented to the
Duchess by Miss Davies. The Duke of Teck,
replying to some observations of the Lord
Mayor, observed that the difficulties of cultiva-
tion were great, particularly in a place where
hricks and stone had almost banished every
vestige of vegetation. Here it was that the
influence of (lowers was most felt. They all
knew their tendency to brighten the home and
cheer the sick. The Royal Horticultural Socie-
ty's silver medal was awarded to a youth named
Jarvis for the best plant.

'tNCtHfED tXPtSSSlf FOK TMt CAMtXCft MO>fTMLY.

T. SIHCLAI* a SOU. LIT* PMlLA.

VITIS HETEROPHYLLA

THE

GARDENER'S MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST,

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Vol. XIX.

DECEMBER, 1877.

Number 228.

<^JvO

LOWER llARDEN AND pLEASURE GROUND

SEASONABLE HINTS.

There is not much to be done in this depart-
ment during December, especially in the North

where the Winters are severe. When the
weather is fine, pruning of such things as require

it may be "effected. Street trees arc often cut
back. They look badly afterwards, and are

offensive to good taste. And yet it is often a ne-
cessity from our first choice. We want shade to
our front doors and piazzas, but we choose tall-
growing and fast-growing trees, and before we
hardly know it, all the shade is to the chimney-

top. There is then no remedy but to cut back
the tree to near the main trunk, if we would
have the shade near the ground. Then some
pruning may be done in the way of thinning
out. Trees are generally and properly set
thickly at first, both for shelter to one another
and immediate effect. At this season some of
the least needed may be cut away. In some
wild part of the ground a well constructed rock-
ery would not be out of place but look well, and
material may be gathered together for the pur-
pose. If there be handy men about to be kept
in employ, rustic baskets, vases and frames may

354

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

be made of tree prunings and other waste
materials. Many of our books on garden embel-
lishments are full of these, and we give several
herewith but rustic work, generally, is best when

original, and not made after copy, but the de-
sign should rather be suited to the material on
hand.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

HOW BEDDING PLANTS MIGHT BE ARRANGED.

BY C. G. BJORKLUND, NATIONAL SOLDIERS' HOME,
NORFOLK, VA.

Great attention is at present devoted to grow-
ing and arranging bedding plants, due not only
to the times, but partly, I believe, to some rival-
ism between cultivators since public parks were
established in several of the large cities, where
one rightly endeavors to excel another in tasteful
arrangements, etc.

Not pretending to know better than all, but
having devoted much of my time to this branch
of Horticulture, and studied the different and
popular modes of arrangements in several of the
European countries, at the acknowledged best
places, I wish, as taking a great interest in the
matter myself, to give an account of my experi-
ences regarding arrangement of bedding plants.

SPRING BEDS.

The practice of planting certain beds in the
Autumn with bulbs, such as Tazettes, Tulips,
Hyacinths, Narcissus, and Crocus, to produce
flowers in early Spring, is so general and well
known, that of this there is hardly anything to
say; but there are'many other plants suitable

for the same purpose, such as Aubrietia pur-
purea, and several other species ; Myosotis dissiti-
flora, Hepatica triloba, Convallaria majalis (Lily
of the valley), Campanula pumila, Bellis aucubse-
folia, Primulas, Wallflowers, etc. These will
do well mixed with the bulbs for decorating beds
intended for tender plants that cannot be put
out until considerably later. In regard to the
cultivation of said plants, it may differ in
different localities. Some of them could certain-
ly be planted in the beds in the Fall, and covered
there; but it will be found safest to keep them in
pots in a cold frame during Winter, and early in
the Spring to induce growth, and plunge in the
beds.

ROCKWORK.

Alpine plants may appear insignificant to the
ignorant and uninterested, but have attractions
indeed. They are often used for rockwork, or
rather rockwork for them. This should be con-
structed wheresoever there is a chance. They
not only grow better there, but appear to more
advantage, and a rockwork is a good contrast to
flower-beds and shrubberies. But to erect a
regular pyramid, as we sometimes see on a level
lawn, is not good taste. As the landscape gar-
dener in most cases places a group of shrubs or
trees at the bending of a walk, to make an ap-
parent reason for the bending, so even here
everything should be done to make it look as
natural as possible. The top and sides of a cave
is a good spot. If there is no hilly spot on the
ground to improve for the purpose, it might be
put up against a stone wall in lieu of a better
situation.

Of Alpine plants, we have in the first place the
Saxifragas, of which there are about one hundred
and seventy-five varieties in cultivation. The
following are very striking: affinis, Aizoon
minor, Aizoides, circinata, crustata, cochlearis,
geranioides, incrustata, intacta, longifolia, 1. mar-
ginata, notata, pectinata, sarmentosa, flaves-
cens, and umbrosa fol. variegata. Next in or-
der comes the Sedums and Sempervivums.
The best varieties of the latter are arachnoi-
deum, arenarium, Brauni, calcaratum, cornutum,
Delassiad, globiferum, hirtum, hispidulum, La-
mottei, Pamelli, and tectorum. But there are
hundreds of others that will do well on rock-
work; any low-growing herbaceous plant that
will stand a dry situation will also do.

Those having had the opportunity of seeing
the rockwork in the Botanical Garden of Edin-
burgh, Scotland, will never forget the sight there

1871.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

355

afforded. The extent there is about one half
acre of ground, the steps and walks in it being
what some would call " labyrinthish." The rocks
used are themselves a curiosity, gathered from
all formations. Roll-stones, old logs and fossiled
wodtt in the most artful way arranged, in great
contrast, as well as harmony.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN GENERAL.

If there should be any borders in a flower gar-
den these plants are best suited for them ; but in
my individual opinion, borders should be avoided
as much as possible. There are certainly in-
stances when a border is better than anything
else, such as on the sides of an entrance walk
where they should be backed by a hedge, along
a wall, or at the foot of a slope ; but where there
is no real necessity for regular borders, so called
" semi-borders," to lay on the lawns five to ten
feet from the walk, will be found preferable.
Fig. 1, gives an idea of such a combination.
This, as it will be seen, has two rounded projec-
tions, which make it look as much of a bed as a
border, and may be filled with shrubs, Cannas or

very desirable. If this section be concentrated
into a collection of beds as Fig. 2 indicates, it
will prove to make a fine display. The scale for
this is five feet to one-eighth inch, but can be on
any scale as well as number of beds. It is sup-
posed to be situated in front of a pavilion or a
gate. If the ground slopes gently towards the
main walk, or if there be a shrubbery a short
distance behind the group, it will gain greatly in
appearance. Suppose we decorate the designed
beds with the following sorts. They are of the
best annuals in cultivation : 1. Lobelia speciosa ;
2. Antirrhinum Tom Thumb; 3. Portulaca gran-
diflora; 4. Phlox Drummondii ; 5. Tagetes patu-
la nana parviflora ; 6. Petunia hybrida ; 7. He-
lichryum monstrosum nanum ; 8. Verbena
(scarlet); 9. Ageratum Mexicanum nanum ; 10.
Aster Victoria (white); 11. Scabiosa nana fl. pi.;
12. Zinnia elegans fl. pi.; 13. Gaillardia coccinea
nana ; 14. Gomphrena globosa (purple); and
15. Dianthus chinensis.

The other half may be planted similarly, but
in different colors. The seed should be cut away

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

other tall-growing foliage plants. Besides the
general perennials, Tuberoses, Lilies, Gladiolus,
Hollyhocks, and ornamental grasses, etc., can be
put on this border, and any old plant can be
brought to fill occasional gaps here during the
Summer. The plants should be planted in rows,
with each patch of one kind as far from
another as convenient, only taking the height
of growth into consideration, so that the tallest
be placed on the back row.

ANNUAL PLANTS.

Although these are partly neglected since the
introduction of so many foliage plants, yet, as
the latter become rather expensive to use al
large, the annuals will keep their hold, at least
in the private gardens ; and an assorted collec-
tion of those that endure the Summer heat is

at least once a week, as this gives more strength
to the flowers.

A NEW METHOD OF PROPAGATING EXO-
CHORDA GRANDIFLORA.

BY SAMUEL PARSONS, FLUSHING, L. I., N. Y.

It is not often that Americans claim to vie
with the skill of French horticulturists, but we
think it only fair to state the fact that Mr. Trum-
py, of S. B. Parsons & Sons, Flushing, L. I., has
long successfully root-grafted Exochorda grandi-
flora, which we now hear from English and
French authorities, through the Gardener's
Monthly of August, has been first employed by
Monsieur J. Goujon. That others in various
parts may have done the same, I do not ques-

356

THE GARDENER' 8 MONTHLY

[December,

tion, only when our French brethren undertake
to Bound their trumpets over some feat at last
accomplished, it may be gratifying to learn that
America has long been doing the same thing
quite successfully. We do not wish to depreciate
the value of the achievement, for it is undoubt-
edly the best method of propagating Exochorda
grandiflora. All difficulties will not, however,
vanish on this discovery, for much skill and
judgment are required to select the proper
roots and grafts to ensure success. In fact, it
will probably long remain a plant somewhat dif-
ficult to propagate. This beautiful hardy shrub
should receive more attention, and perhaps, with
increased demand, improved methods of propa-
gation may be devised.

IDESIA POLYCARPA.

BY MR. J. SAUL, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Tree lovers will be pleased to know that this
beautiful tree is quite hardy. My specimen plant
has been out three Winters uninjured. The
past Winter a lot of young plants were left out
without the slightest protection, and they came
through uninjured. This tree, when better
known, will he largely planted. It is of rapid
growth, with clean, shining, green foliage, which
stands our hot Summers, without burning or
being in the least injured— a point of great im-
portance in foreign trees — and so far no insect
has touched its foliage.

MY GARDEN.

BV ETHEL ALLEN.

O my bonny, bonny garden !

Dearer to me from this hour ;
For my true love he doth covet,

From thy beds a flower.

Shall it be a white rose, dainty,
Gracious queen of all her kind?

No, I'll have thee not, because thou
Sadness means I find.

Crimson roses, why so eager,
When their merits I discuss?

Could I choose them when they to him
Say, " Love's dangerous ! "

Nodding harebells, blue and fragrant,
Will they come to my relief?

But, alas ! their pale sweet blossoms,
Do but breathe of grief.

Evening primrose that so softly
Opens quick this world to see,

Thou art lovely, but would whisper
Of inconstancy.

0, blue violets, meek and lowly,
How their presence now I bless !

For in confidence they'll tell him
Of my faithfulness.

DOUBLE CHINESE PRIMROSES.

BY F. W. WOODWARD, EAlTCLAIRE, WIS.

In your editorial notes for October you speak
of there being none so good as the old double
white kind. You cannot have seen the seedling
raised by John Saul, of Washington, D. C, called
Mrs. John Saul. I have grown this for several
years, and find it much superior to the old white.
The flowers are larger, more double, beautifully
fringed ; they open pure white, changing to a
delicate rose color with age. Mr. Saul has two
new seedlings which are described as having
flowers as large as a Carnation, and perfectly
double. These I will be able to report upon
when they bloom. All my primroses, double and
single, have been out of doors all Summer, on
the north side of a building, getting the sun for
a couple of hours, morning and evening. They
have made a wonderful growth, and promise
abundant bloom. In Wiiter I keep them in a
cold house, with a temperature of not over 45°
at night, and frequently down to 35°. If taken
to a warm greenhouse the blooms dwindle in
size, and the plants suffer in health.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Vitis heterophylla (See frontispiece). — Un-
der the name of " Variegated Grape," this has
been known for some time in American gardens.
We have chosen it for a frontispiece to our vol-
ume because its great merit in ornamental gar-
dening is not near as well known as it ought to
be. The leaves are first green, but when tho
plant has something to run on, and grows vigor-
ously they arc prettily feathered with white.
The deep, sky-blue berries towards Fall, give it
additional attractions. It grows with great
rapidity, very soon covering an arbor or trellis.
It is a native of the north of China and Japan,
and is perfectly hardy here.

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

357

According to authors it varies very much in
different districts as our grape vines do here, and
hence there are many synonyms, authors hav-
ing supposed they had distinct species. In such
cases the rule is to take the oldest name, and
drop the rest. It is being advertised in England
as Vitis humulifolia; but as Thunberg's name
of V. heterophylla, is the oldest, it is the one we
must adopt. It so happens that the name of
heterophylla or various leaved, is quite appro-
priate, as our native-leaved Vitis indivisa is
nearly allied to it, and never has variously
divided, but always entire leaves.

Our Autumns. — In England, a frost on the
24th of August, destroyed Dahlias and similar
things. Here, as Ave write on the 5th of Novem-
ber, we have Dahlias, Honeysuckles, Scarlet
Sage, Geraniums, in full bloom, and bright-
leaved Coleuses, and other things still giving a
charm to the garden. There are many beautiful
features in English gardening which make an
American's heart pine with envy, and our object
in making this comparison is to show that we
have some good things also. There are few
more enjoyable things in the world than an
American garden in Autumn.

Fall Colored Bedding. — One of the most
beautiful plan- lor massing for Fall colors is the
common Dogwood, cut down and kept pinched
low. It has a far more beautiful color than
when it grows up in the natural way. The deli-
cate wine color is quite equal to the dark blood-
colored Japan Maple. We are writing of the
Cornus florida.

Beauty by Moonlight. — The Gardener's
Clironicle says that one of the most beautiful
eights among trees, is a fine specimen of our va-
riegated Box Elder (Negundo), seen by moon-
light.

Anemone japonica.— On the grounds of Mr.
Sam'l Chew, of Germantown, there is a bed of
Rhododendrons, and among them is planted the
rose-colored Anemone japonica. From the public
road the effect is just as if the Rhododendrons
were in bloom. On the grounds of Miller &
Hayes there is a white variety also in bloom. It
is one of our best October flowers.

The Crimson Boursault Rose. — We have oc-
casionally noted how well this variety is adapted
to the American climate. There is no more
beautiful sight than a wall of Boursault Roses in
June. Of course it is not an ever-blooming rose,

or it would not flower so abundantly when in
bloom. But it is entirely hardy in these parts,
and besides its vigorous growth has a fine green
foliage.

Growing the Victoria Lily in the Open
Air.— Mr. E. D. Sturtevant of Bordentown,N. J.,
grew a plant of this celebrity in the open air this
season, in a tank of brick 20x30 feet. He had
leaves over three feet in diameter. He proposes
to try to winter it without an expensive house for
the purpose. The experiment will be watched
with much interest, and its success earnestly
hoped for.

Wistaria Sinensis. — A correspondent of the
Gardener's Chronicle, says the Chinese Wistaria is
really indigenous to Japan, and not introduced
there as formerly supposed. It seeds freely in a
wild state.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Mentha Gibraltica. — This is *the newest
" massing" plant of the season in England. It
is a pale green, and has some resemblance in
odor to our native " Pennyroyal."

New Weeping Oak. — A new weeping variety
of the Turkey Oak is recorded as^ one of the
latest valuable novelties among trees in the Eng-
lish gardens.

Golden Tulip Tree. — The Golden Tulip tree
of Van Houtte has green leaves, but margined
with golden yellow.

Pachystima myrsinites. — The writer of this
found the above-named plant growing luxuri-
antly in the mountains of Utah, but doubted
whether it would prove adapted to culture in the
Eastern States, and so made no special effort to
introduce it ; but we see that it extends far up into
British America, and so should do well with us.
It is a pretty dwarf evergreen, of the Celastracese,
of which our Euonymus or Burning Bush is a
familiar representative.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Ivy. — J. J. S. writes: — "Incidentally,
Mr. Editor, I notice it is generally conceded that
the Ivy proper is not exactly hardy in our Phil-
adelphia latitude. Permit me to say that my

358

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

experience confirms this; but after forty years
perseverance, the hardiness depends on giving
the root sufficient space, manure and support.
By planting a few feet from the tree or verandah
designed to be covered, I find a marked im-
proved hardiness."

[This is an excellent hint and applicable to all
trees. A half starved plant of any kind always
suffers more from untoward circumstances than
one well fed. The most losses in transplanting
trees are from those that are taken from poor
ground.— Ed. G. M.]

EXOCHORDA GRANDIFLORA. — Ml*. E. F. Llick-

hurst, foreman to A. Hance & Son, Red Bank,
New Jersey, writes : — " I noticed an article
in your Monthly of August last, an account
of propagation of Exochorda grandiflora by a
French horticulturist. He says the end of Win-
ter or commencement of Spring is the most suit-
able time for putting in the grafts. All I have
to say is, I grafted, two years ago last January,
several hundred, and raised about eighty per
cent, of them."

Flowering of Old Hyacinth Bulbs — Mrs. R.,
Springfield, Ills., asks ; — " I am told that Hya-
cinths, after blooming in bottles, are no use any
more, and have always thrown them away. But
I do so dislike it. Is there no way to save them
and make them flower again ?"

[In the hands of those who understand it, they
could be made to do quite well ; but it is hardly
worth your while to try. Not even as a matter
of trade have Americans been able to beat the
the Dutch — though there were hopes of it some
years ago in New Jersey. If you would like to
try your hand, as a matter of horticultural exer-
cise, plant the bulb in a pot of earth as soon as

it has done flowering, and keep it growing as
long as you can. Next year take an offset and
grow it in as good earth as you can get, and so
keep on next year, and do not let the offset
flower till it makes a good strong bulb. In a few
years you would get it as good as a Dutch root.
—Ed. G. M.]

Peristrophe angustifolia. — B. says : — "If
you will please inform me in the Monthly of the
name of the plant of which I enclose a piece, I
will be very much obliged. It is of a low spread-
ing habit, having blue flowers somewhat like the
Lobelia."

[This is Peristrophe angustifolia — a plant of
the Acanthus order, with variegated leaves, and
a capital thing for bedding, where few other
things will stand the sun. — Ed. G. M.]

The Sexes of Salisburia. — Prof. Sargent com-
municates the following : — " One of the Salis-
burias, planted some twenty years ago in the
grounds of the Kentucky Military Institute at
Farmdale, Ky., and now thirty feet high, proves
to be a female, and has fruited this year for the
first time. I am not aware that this interesting
tree has fruited before in the United States, while
in Europe specimens known to be female are
still very rare. Through the kindness of Prof.
R. H. Wildberger, specimens of the ripe fruit are
before me. Its fleshy outer covering exhales an
extremely disagreeable smell of rancid butter,
but the kernel is excellent with the flavor of Fil-
berts, although more delicate. In Japan the
kernels have reputed digestive qualities, and are
very generally served at dessert. The cultivation
of the ' Ginjko ' for its fruit is one of the possibil-
ities of American Horticulture, and is, perhaps,
worth consideration."

ffREEN MOUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

It is too soon for window plants to get into
trouble yet. They generally look well till after
New Year, after being brought in during
October. But soon, over-watering, or under-
watering, or the effects of minute insects, or

waste gas from the burners, or sulphurous gas
from the heaters or stoves will begin to tell, and
there will be trouble. As these are about all the
diiliculties in window-plant culture, one soon
learns to avoid them, and indeed nothing but a
real love of window-plant culture will enable
anyone to learn. It is what the best of maga-
zines, with the smartest of editors cannot teach.

18T7.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

359

It is a good season to watch for coming troubles.
As soon as the slightest thing seems wrong,
search at once for the cause of the trouble.
They are often but small, and easily remedied at
the outset.

There is not much requiring special care in the
greenhouse. The Camellia is very apt to drop its
buds if the atmosphere is too dry ; but generally
dropping follows any check to the roots by which
the regular flow of moisture to the bud is stopped.
This may be either too little or too much water;
if too little, of course there is not enough moist-
ure ; if too much, the fibers are liable to have their
points injured, and thus are unable to draw
moisture to the bud. Usually the last bad re-
sults follow from over potting. With a large
mass of soil, water is apt to not pass readily
away, when the soil " sours," as it is termed. A
pot full of roots will seldom drop the Camellia
buds for any other cause than too little water.

A great enemy of the Camellia is the Red Spi-
der. The leaves indicate its presence generally
by a brown tinge, when the pocket lens, which
every gardener of course carries, readily detects.'
All plants are more or less liable to these insects,
as well as the green fly, mealy bug. and scale.
The best way to keep them down is by a free use
of the syringe in fine days, using water in which
some sulphur has been strewn. Tobacco smoke
is still the best cure for aphis. Scale is a very
troublesome pest; water heated to 130° is still
the best. This injures very tender leaves, but
the scale is rarely on such, it usually keeps to the
branches or in thick leathery leaves.

Tree Carnations, — these are now indispensa-
ble winter flowering plants, want a very light
place to do well. They do not generally care
about very large pots — about five or six inches —
but they are very much benefited by rich ma-
nure water.

The Calla Lily is now extremely popular.
This also loves light. It must have a good sup-
ply of water, and good soil to flower well.

Towards Spring the Cineraria comes in re-
markably well for cutting. This is a " queer "
plant. It is one of the easiest to suffer from
frost, and yet will not do well in high tempera-
ture. It also requires much light, and to be
very near the glass. So also of the Pansy and
Violet, although some frost will not hurt these. »

If Pelargoniums are wanted to flower well next
May and June, they should be attended to, and
grow well through the winter. They want a
rather warm house to keep them growing, and

should be pinched back as they grow, to keep
them bushy. .

A good supply of young Fuchsias should be
coming on now ; re-pot as their roo'ts fill each
pot, let them not want moisture or light; do
not pinch off their tops, but let them grow rap-
idly. The temperature in which they are grown
should not exceed 55°. A turfy loam, moder-
ately enriched with well decayed manure, and
well drained with charcoal, suits them admir-
ably.

COMMUNTGA TIONS.

PROPAGATION OF RICHARDIA /ETHIOPICA—
THE CALLA LILY.

BY W. M. MAESHALL, MOBILE, ALA.

Seeing an article in your last edition on the
propagation of Callas, I thought I would let you
know of my success. I had but one Richardia
maculata last year ; it bloomed and produced
seed, a few of which I planted this Spring, having
first soaked them in boiling water. Twenty
came up, and I planted them in a shady, damp
spot. They are all doing beautifully, and have
produced such large bulbs that I think they will
bloom next Spring. This is a much faster way
of propagating them than that which you gave.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Price of Flowers in America. — We are con-
tinually reading the most astounding things of
American habits, customs and things, in Euro-
pean papers, and as none of us can see the beams
in our own eyes, wonder whether American pa-
pers are as inaccurate when treating of things
European. Here is Mr. H. J. Van Hulle, in
L' Horticulture Beige, who says the American cares
very little for growing plants, which, as com-
pared with European taste, we may pass as not
far wrong. Then, he says, they have an intense
passion for cut flowers, and arranging them in
some fashion or another. He names Philadel-
phia, New York, Boston and Washington, in
which this extravagant taste was found to exist.
$5,000 was paid at the marriage of a rich heiress
for bouquets and other floral decorations. To-
wards Christmas and New Year's the cut flower
trade reaches its height (atteint son apogee). The

360

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

smallest bouquet costs $6, and $25 for a little
bouquet is not rare. Plateaus of flowers bring
$120 to $150, and $250 for flowers to decorate a
grave.

During the Winter, for a single rose-bud, with
a dozen violets, a piece of Mignonette and Helio-
trope, you pay one dollar. The cut flower busi-
, ness of New York florists alone, in a single year,
amounts to twelve million dollars.

It would not be fair to say that such prices
never were paid in the four cities named ; but
we are sure they were quite exceptional, and
only paid under some peculiar stress of circum-
stances, but it is not true of the average prices of
cut flowers, and it gives an exaggerated view of
the whole business. We much doubt whether
the receipts for cut flowers in New York reach
one million dollars a year, to say nothing of
twelve ! If any one who knows, will give us in
detail the figures, we shall gladly stand cor-
rected.

Pampas Grass. — We note that there is an in-
creasing demand for the spikes of Pampas Grass
for decorating. First-class spikes, properly dried,
are worth about $25 per 100, but they have to be
truly first-class to bring these prices.

Thomas Hogg Hydrangea. — This is already
getting so abundant as to find its way to the auc-
tion block. 1,000 went off this way recently in
New York.

Curious Effects of Grafting Coleuses — The
novel and interesting paper on this subject, on
page 298, was credited to R. H. B., in Gardener's
Magazine. As a stray disease will strike the
healthiest, so these troubles will now and then
fall on the most wide-awake editor. In this in-
stance the Garden should have had the credit.

Popular Appreciation of Cheap Flowers. —
The Journal of Horticulture tells us Dahlias have
been sold in the streets of London in immense
quantities within the past few weeks. The
costers' barrows, heaped with them, have made
an unwonted display of color in the streets, and
the low price charged for them has caused a
quick distribution of the bunches to windows
and sideboards.

The Tritoma in Decoration. — A friend in-
forms us that the Hall in which a recent confer-
ence of Unitarians was held in, at Springfield,
Mass., was decorated wholly with flowers of Tri-
toma uvaria, and that the effect was unique and

tfie meaning of Tri-

pleasing. She also asks for

toma. The word is from the Greek, and is sup-
posed to have reference to the three edged upper
portion of the leaves.

Spring Bulbs. — Among the bulbs we note as
offered by the dealers this year at rather lower
prices— which show they are getting commoner
than they were— are Pancratium Illyricum and
Scilla Peruviana. They are hardly hardy enough
for out-door work, but are fine cool greenhouse
things.

Flower of Fourcroya.— Under the name of
Fourcroya cubense, Mr. Chas. P. Hayes, of Mil-
ler & Hayes, places on our table a few very in-
teresting flowers. The sharply three-angled ova-
rium and the thick bases of the stamens will
interest those who like to look into structure,
and even those who can see no beauty in a
green flower, will be pleased with the delicate
fragrance. The plant does not flower often, re-
sembling in this the Century plant, and probably
as in the case of the Century plant, will die down
after flowering.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Stenocakpus Cunninghami. — This beautiful
exotic is now in bloom in the greenhouses of
F. L. Ames, Esq., at North Easton, Mass. It be-
longs to Proteacese, is a native of New Holland,
and after it attains a considerable age, bears
candelabrum-like umbels of orange-scarlet flow-
ers that are vividly colored, curiously shaped,
and very pretty. The leaves are leathery, ever-
green, entire or sinuate, quite ornamental, and
somewhat resemble those of an oak. In 1828,
this species was discovered by the late Allan
Cunningham, on the banks of Brisbane River,
Moreton Bay, and who, without seeing the flow-
ers, describes it thus : " A slender tree of most
remarkable habit, with large leaves from the ex-
tremities of the branches, glossy and lobed, or
laciniated." More recent travelers describe it as
a lofty tree bearing terminal and axillary um-
bels of deep orange flowers.

It is, however, seldom met with in cultivation,
and much less frequently seen in blossom in
greenhouses, owing no doubt to the fact that the
trees must attain a goodly age and sizo beforo
they blossom.

A feW days ago Mr. Alfred J. Edmonds, Mr.
Ames' gardener, sent to us an umbel and leaves

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

361

for identification, and afterwards at our request
for some particulars regarding their plant,
obligingly sent the following:

"The flower and leaves that I sent to you
came from Mr. Men and at Albany, but since
then Mr. Ames has bought the plant. It is quite
large— about seven feet high by four feet through,
and has a good head. The stem at the base is
eight and a half inches around; at two feet from
the ground it begins to branch, the branches be-
ing more inclined to grow upwards than horizon-
tally outwards, but if they were trained they
would make a fine head. Mr. Menand says it
keeps flowering all Winter, the blossoms being
produced on the old wood, five or six clusters on
a stem. Just now they are growing on the two-
year old wood, and one cluster on the three-year
old wood. You say it is of slender habit; but
our plant is just the reverse, the wood being
very strong and shrubby, and the two and three

year old wood is furnished with leaves, say twelve
or fifteen inches down the stem."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Cure for Mealy Bug. — "Eeader" writes: —
"Is there any cure for mealy bug? I have a
fine lot of Bouvardias that are badly infested by
these pests. I am using whale oil soap. Is
there anything better? Please advise in your
next Monthly and oblige.

[We must say that we have never had a
remedy for mealy bug that was entirely satisfac-
tory. If taken in time they may be easily kept
down ; but when they once get possession they
hold it pretty well. Diluted spirits of wine is fair.

If any of our readers have a really good reme-
dy, easy to apply, we shall be glad to know. — Ed.
G. M.J

RUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDENING.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Where fruit trees are grown among vegetable
or farm crops, they will generally take care of
themselves, and seize on some of the food in-
tended for the crops ; where nothing else but
trees are grown they should be top-dressed occa-
sionally. It pays to feed orchards as well as
other things. The season of leisure is a good one
to do it in. The best kind of manure for the
purpose is that which can be had the easiest.
Where no crop whatever is taken off, coal ashes
are good. It is said there is no fertilizing mate-
rial in coal ashes, but somehow trees grow won-
derfully when top-dressed with them.

Young growing trees are very much benefited
by having their bark slit by running the knife
up and down freely, they must not be cut
cross-wise or horizontally ; also they are much
benefited by having their trunks and main
branches washed with whitewash, sulphur and
soot. These are " old fogy notions," but try
them and blame us if they prove wrong. Where
branches have grown too thick, cut out the sur-

plus ones. If this happens to be a large branch
paint the scar to keep it from rotting till the
wound heals over. If the trees are large, and
the old bearing wood seems weak, cut some of it
away and encourage young vigorous branches
from the interior to take their place. If you
have a large orchard of plum trees it may pay to
keep a person in early Summer jarring the trees.
If you have but a few trees, it is better to invest
fifty cents in mosquito netting to cover each
tree with, and you may now keep this in view
in pruning time, and cut your tree so as to best
suit your net. Look after the labels. Much of
the interest in an amateur's orchard is in know-
ing the names. After years of observation and
experiment we have found no fancy labelling so
good as a good piece of pine wood, about six
inches long, one inch wide and the eighth of an
inch thick, the name written when fresh painted
with white lead, and a piece of very thick copper
wire ran through the end. It should be hung
around the trunk over a fork, and with a loop
many inches round, so as to give room for many
years increase in the diameter of the stem. On
this the names may be written so large that he

362

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

who runs may read, and if well done such a label
will remain good for ten years at least.

Very little can be done in the vegetable gar-
den.

Manure can be placed on the ground wherever

if the temperature be kept at 45°. When it goes
above that, the sashes should be lifted entirely
off.

The same remarks apply to the Potato and
the Early Horn Carrot.

required, and Asparagus beds, if not already
done, should have a slight covering of it. Bean
poles, Pea-brush, and stakes of all kind should
be got now, the tool house gone over and put in
order, and everything kept in good order and
studiously in its place. When the season of
operation commences, there will then be no-
thing to hold back the attention.

Where there can be heat of 60° commanded,
Bush Beans can be usually grown in pots, and
can be gathered in two months from time of
Bowing.

If there is abundance of leaves or manure at
command, and small frames, beds may be put
up for early Spring salads, at the end of the
month.

Kadishes and Lettuces are, however, very im-
patient of too much heat; they will come on well

Cauliflowers in frames require all the air pos-
sible. Never allow them to become dry ; this is
the cause of many failures by way of " button-

ing off."

COMMUNICA TIONS.

THE D10SPYRUS KAKI, OR JAPANESE PER-
SIMMON, IN CALIFORNIA.

BY MR. C. H. SHINN.

I send you outline drawings of the five best
varieties of this new, fruit, They are fac-simile
reproductions from the original Japanese draw-
ings on the seed bags of our last importation.
No. 1, Hachia, is soft when ripe; No. 2, Emong,
has fruited in several places, and is the largest
variety ; Nos. 3 and 5 are chiefly used dried, or,

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

363

as our Japanese correspondent expresses it,
" Much for dry ;" No. 4 is the best flavored.

We have been growing the first two of the
above-named varieties for five years past, and
last year imported also the seedless variety,
which is propagated only by buds and grafts.
Our experience so far has been that the persim-
mon requires no more careful cultivation than
an apple, but must have good management
when transplanted. The future of this fruit will
depend upon whether the American palate ad-
mires its flavor ; but on this point Commissioner
Capron writes that "It is the best fruit Japan
has, and is well worthy of introduction."

The persimmon has also shown itself to be a
beautiful ornamental tree, with dark glossy
leaves, and upright, graceful growth. It attracts
instant attention from every visitor.

NOTES FROM KENTUCKY.

BY MR. C. P. HALE, CALHOON, MC LEAN COUNTY.

It has been a long time since I have written
you on any subject, so I concluded to write you
a few lines on one in which I am interested
and wish to see others interested — that is. fruit-
growing. Now you may think I am making a
heavy call on the Gardener's Monthly, but I have
been postponing it so long that I cannot desist
now. You know that almost every fruit-grower
in the whole country wishes to know what
every other one is doing, his prospects in
early season and his success in late season. Now
how are Ave to get this information unless the
Gardener's Monthly (being a national paper) col-
lects reports from all sections or all of the States
of the Union, and publishes them for us, Spring
and Fall, if not oftener. Now, is this asking too
much? Can it be done? If so, I think it will be
of great interest to your readers, especially those
interested in growing fruits. I will give you my
report, which is limited to a very small section.

The apple crop was large in early Summer,
but has decayed and wasted away from the heat
and moisture of Summer and early Fall. Peach
trees full in just a few sections on high lands ; in
all others killed in bud. Grapes killed in bud in
many places; crop small and inferior. Some
varieties of pear trees were quite full, and of
very good quality ; crop under average of good
seasons.

Now let me change subjects and .brag a little,
and I will quit. Can you beat it? Last Spring

I started a Caladium root about two inches in di-
ameter in a six-inch pot, in a sweet potato hot-
bed. I let it remain until it made five shoots
about three inches long. I then transplanted it
in a bed of old leaf muck about five feet square
and ten inches deep. Now after having lost
several leaves, it has twenty-three large leaves
and stems, and several small ones. The longest
stem is over 61 inches, or 5 feet 1 inch long. The
longest leaves are 41 inches, or 3 feet 5 inches
long, and 30 inches, or 2 feet 6 inches wide, by
the English rule.

OHIO NOTES.

BY M. B. B.

Pardon me for saying I think there are three
mistakes on page 304 of Monthly (for October).
I have traveled much in Ohio this Summer, and
the only man I have seen or heard of as fruiting
the Thwack Kaspberry (Frank Ford, of Raven-
na), says it is too poor in quality even for market,
and such was certainly my own impression of
the few late berries that I tasted there.

2d. Montmorency Cherry certainly is not "sixty
days" earlier than the Early May, as the latter
ripens in Southern Ohio the 1st of June. It may
possibly be six days, but of that I have doubts.

3d. I have seen and eaten Mushrooms in vari-
ous countries, cultivated and wild, and the
weight quoted from the English paper must cer-
tainly have been intended for ounces instead of
" pounds."

I think you must have meant to say the Gregg
Raspberry was approved by Ohio growers, which
is true.

FRUIT CULTURE AMONG FARMERS.

BY JAS. M. HAYES, DOVER, N. H.

As I have attended the agricultural fairs this
Fall, I could but notice the wonderful improve-
ments that have been made in a score of years by
our farmers in fruit culture. It seems but a short
time since, that the only apple cultivated was
the wild native Crab, whose only use was the
manufacture of cider to be guzzled down by the
farmer and his neighbors around the kitchen
fire on Winter evenings. Now our farmers drink
less cider and raise more fine apples. Almost
every farm has its orchard of apples, — Baldwins,
Greenings and Porters being as common as the
natives a few years ago. Of pears there has also
been a noticeable improvement. Formerly the

364

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Perry Pear was the only variety raised ; now we
often hear our farmers talking of their Duchess
and Louise Bonnes, like veteran pomologists.
Then the only grapes we had were those that
grew wild around our rivers, worthless and foxy;
while now almost all our farmers have vines of
such improved varieties as Concord, Hartford
and Delaware; and many of them are well
versed in pruning and the care of vines. All
this goes to show that there is intelligence
among our rural population, that they read and
study. It is farther proof that the work of our
horticultural and pomologieal societies for the
past few years is having its effect upon the farm.
Well may our leading fruit growers feel encour-
aged to labor on in the good cause, when they
see upon every hand the results of their efforts."
[Does our correspondent mean that the "wild
native Crab" was "cultivated" by Maine farm-
ers? or should it read inferior varieties of the
cultivated kinds ?— Ed. G. M.]

NOTES ON THE SEASON.

BY A. HUIDEKOPEH, MEADVILLE, PA.

The year 1877 has witnessed in this region as
little grumbling about the weather, and things
dependent on the weather, as any season we
have ever known. The field crops have been
sound and abundant; potatoes of the best
quality, despite the Colorado beetle, selling at
twenty-five and thirty cents per bushel in the
market; and the supply of all fruits, with
the 'exception of apples, has been better than
usual. Although the nights have been cool, and
the Summer temperature below what it was last
year, fruits have ripened this Fall from a week to
ten days earlier than they did in 187G.

I give brief notes on some fruits on my own
grounds. Readers will bear in mind that local
results arc only partial tests : —

i Pears— Buerre Giffard — Good bearer; fruit
fair; early; medium sized; moderately good;
juicy.

Ti/son. — Good yield ; fruit hanging in clusters ;
medium sized ; sweet; handsome; very good.

Seckel. — Good crop ; good size for the variety ;
juicy, sweet and high flavored; very line. This
variety often suffers Cor want of thinning out the
fruit.

Bloodgood. — Not so good as it was years ago.

Howell.— Handsome in shape, but about as
astringent as the Onondaga.

Duchesse d'Angouleme. — Good .crop ; fruit large,
juicy, sweet; very fine.

Clairgeau — Good bearer; large fruit, but rather
dry for one reputed juicy ; second rate.

Columbia. — Slow to bear ; smooth, green-col-
ored fruit. A few specimens showing the histo-
rical tendency to large cracks.

Lawrence. — Early bearer; fair, medium sized
fruit, not mature enough yet to judge of quality.

Nelis. — Generally a shy bearer though pro-
fuse in flowering. This year shows a heavy crop.
Size medium, juicy, sweet, high-flavored. Though
labelled Winter, I suppose I must have the Au-
tumn Nelis, as the fruit matures fully in October
and November. I place this fruit where Downing
puts it, " as the Seckel of the late varieties."

Strawberries.— Magnificent seems the proper
term for the large and long-continuing crop of
this fruit placed in the market here this season.
Wilson's Albany waged an unequal contest with
Monarch of the West, and other giant novelties
of late introduction.

Grapes. — Delaware takes the lead for quality of
all the out-door varieties. Good culture, cutting
out all the old wood and much of the new ; and
thinning out the clusters will increase the size of
this fruit one half. Experiments with seedlings
ought soon to give us a fruit of the same excel-
lence and double the size, as a substitute.

Christine (or Telegraph). — This variety is pro-
ductive but sets too thickly, and drops off like
the Hartford. It may be good for wine, but is
not good for eating here.

Iona. — Colored well ; was good sized and good
looking, but is a thin grape lacking character.

Underbill's Seedling. — This variety is hardy and
productive ; fruit a cloudy red color, and being
very spicy or aromatic has too much taste to be
agreeable as a table grape.

Israella. — Bears well, and ripens well, but has
not much character to it.

Rebecca. — Is a poor bearer; late in ripening;
was eatable this season, though never before for
some half dozen years that it has fruited here.

Hartford Prolific. — Worthless; dropping its
worthless fruit as soon as well colored.

Crevellivg. — Set better than usual, and ripened
well ; moderately good ; does not keep well.

Herbert (Rogers' 44). — Ripened well; open
bunches ; fair fruit with a bloom on it; tolerably
good.

Ontario. — Very large bunches and fruit ripened
pretty well. Better in character than many
other of the fox grapes, but only so, so.

Concord. — Though coarse, this still appears to
be the grape most generally cultivated. If the
juice be separated from the skins as soon as the
grapes are mashed, it makes a brilliant white
wine that will keep, though to many tastes it
would be improved by the addition of sugar,
which is only supplementing nature, and not adul-
teration.

1877.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

365

Rose Chasselas.— Though a foreign variety, this
will ripen out of doors, and have a higher color
than when grown under glass; but it has not
much flavor grown in a vinery, and has still less
if fruited out of doors. Under glass it is a very
beautiful rose-colored fruit, refreshing to be eaten
on a journey; and if supplemented by a bunch
of real black Hamburgs with a blue bloom, and a
bunch of amber-tinted Buckland Sweetwater
grapes, artistically gotten up with green foVage,
6erves to make a nice fruit bouquet to offer to a
young lady on the occasion of her wedding.

The September number of the Gardener's
Monthly contains a very sensible article on grape
culture under glass. Severe thinning (a very
good fault), being perhaps carried to its ultima-
tum.

With regard to your inquiry about the Gros
Colman grape, I think Mr. Saunders who has it
in his collection can answer better than I.
Something (not now recollected)' that I heard
about it prevented my getting it.

The results with it in England, reported at page
242 of your August number have been surpassed
in this State, probably. — See Gardener's Monthly
for 1866, p. 122, for specimens presented to editor
by Mr. Zug, of Pittsburg. With its extra size to
command it, it must have some drawback, or it
would be more commonly grown.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Twig Blight on the Apple Tree. — It is sin-
gular how regularly this disease has spread from
the West to the East. About twelve years ago
we first saw it in Missouri and Illinois, and
though we looked carefully through orchards
east of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, could
see no trace of it. Some six years later we noted
it, but not common in Ohio; more recently very
badly in Michigan ; two years ago badly in
Maryland ; and now it is not uncommon in Penn-
sylvania. We should be glad to know if it is
much further north than this yet. The whole
appearance is similar to that of the fire blight in
Pear, and we have no doubt a closely allied fun-
gus is at the bottom of the disease. The differ-
ence is that so far as wo know, it seldom destroj's
more than two year old branches, generally only
one year old, while the Pear fungus destroys
branches of several years old. Besides the twig
blight, the Apple has a spur blight, in which the
spurs arc destroyed, but this We believe to be the

work of a minute insect, which deposits its eggs
in the angles. We are not sure either, but some-
times the death of annual twigs in the Apple
tree is caused by the boring of an insect. The
branches die, and the appearances of course are
just the same as in the fungus-killed cases, for a
branch suddenly killed when growing looks the
same, no matter what may be the destroying
cause.

The matter is exciting some attention among
Eastern apple orchardists, and needs more than
mere cursory discussion.

American Blackberries in England.— Though
" only Blackberries," our native improvements
are slowly gaining ground in English favor. The
Gardener's Chronicle says of Mr. Parker's Tooting
Nursery: — "We also remarked here several va-
rieties of the American Blackberries, which de-
serve much more attention than they get at pres-
ent. One of the best of all is the Lawton, a most
prolific bearer of large, jet black and finely-fla-
vored berries. The black fruits of the Kittatinny
are also of fine quality, and as large as Mulber-
ries. The Dorchester variety may also be men-
tioned as being amongst the best."

Peaches in Texas. — A Southern paper tells us
that a peach grower in Washington Co., Texas,
"realized" $6,000 from twenty acres of Peaches.

The Catawissa Raspberry. — Mr. J. H. Pierce,
of Dayton, Ohio, has a good word for the Cata-
wissa Raspberry. He gathers them all Fall up
to November. He thinks they will yield 1,700
quarts to the acre, and would all sell in their
market, and at twenty-five cents per quart.

Rot in Grapes. — Mr. Ohmer thinks this trou-
blesome disease is rather on the increase in
Montgomery Co., Ohio.

Eating the Best. — The Rural New Yorker tells
of a friend who " ordy planted one kind of Pear,"
because, said he. " when you have got the best,
what more do you want? " He is the same old
gentleman who studied a week over Thorburn's
Seed Catalogue, and, making up his mind that
onions were the best of all vegetables, had his
garden wholly planted therewith, and had them
to cat three times a day,three hundred and sixty-
five days, and throe hundred and sixty-six in
leap year. Only for the fact that he gave this
lucid reason for planting one kind, we should
suppose he was the same man who claimed so
much more wisdom than his fellows, because he
" always went through the world with his mouth
shut."

366

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Late Grapes. — One of the most striking fea-
tures in the way of fruit at South Kensington
the other day was a splendid collection of Grapes
from Mr. Wildsmith, gardener to Lord Eversley
at Heckfield, who has excellent clusters of Ali-
cante, perfect in berry and bloom, and Lady
Downes Seedling, also well finished. Trebbiano
and Burchardt's Prince were likewise represented
by large bunches, as were Mrs. Pince's Black
Muscat, Muscat of Alexandria, and Eaisin de
Calabre; and there were enormous clusters of
Barbarossa (well colored), White Nice, and the
best Gros Col man we have ever seen, the ber-
ries being mostly over 1 in. in diameter. Mr.
Wildsmith likewise showed excellent bunches of
White Tokay, each bunch being almost faultless,
as were also Bowood Muscat — in all, thirteen
sorts ; and it would have been difficult to have
found at this season finer bunches than those
shown of Gros Colman, Alicante, and Barba-
rossa.— Garden.

Numerous Varieties of Apples. — Mr. Bate-
ham says in Country Gentleman : — " I am often
asked to give an assortment of apples for a
family orchard, and on doing so, the remark is
almost invariably made : ' What is the use of so
many kinds ?' Then comes the old complaint,
that nurserymen are fond of multiplying names
of fruits, so as to make a great show in their
catalogues. But, as an ex-member of the pro-
fession, I assert this is mere slander ; for no in-
telligent nurseyman wishes to grow more varie-
ties than he believes will be useful to, or desired
by his customers.

Will it Pay to Thin the Fruit ? — That
this severe thinning will change the bearing
year there is sufficient testimony, but there is one
point on which we lack -evidence — will it pay? If
any of our friends have tried.thinning to induce
annual bearing, or to reverse the bearing year on
full grown trees,weask in behalf of many inquirers
that they will give their results. With young or-
chards, just coming into bearing, the case is very
different, and whoever will take the pains and give
the young trees the needed care, can make their
orchard bear annually. The education of the trees
must begin with their first fruiting, as the first ex-
cessive crop, though small in itself, starts the tree
on the wrong track. When the trees are young,
the quantity of fruit to be removed is small, and
all within reach. Of course the cultivation of the
soil must not be neglected, but a healthy growth
maintained. Whoever will start right with his or-

chard, and treat it fairly, will have no reason to
complain. Among the varieties of apples that
are naturally annual bearers, though they may be
starved into bearing biennially, or not at all, are
Vandevere; Sops of Wine ; Grimes' Golden, a
comparatively new apple of great excellence;
Milam; Minklers'; Rawles' Janet, for the south;
Benoni ; Hubbardston Nonsuch ; Domine;
Higby Sweet and English Sweet (Ramsdell's
Sweet at the south). If any of our fruit growers
can add to this list of annual bearers, we hope
they will do so. — American Agriculturist.

Nut Farming in California. — Experienced
horticulturists of this State say the cultivation of
the almond and English walnut is extensively
profitable. Some of them aver that an almond
orchard fourteen years old and well cared for
will average a production worth $250 per acre a
year, with an increasing tendency of fifteen per
cent, for seven or eight years. The cost of plant-
ing and tending for half a dozen years will
hardly exceed the cost of planting an equal
number of aeres of wheat. The cost of gather-
ing the crop will not exceed twenty per cent, of
its gross market value. The net return of an
average acre of four-year-old almond trees
would at this rate be equal to the average twelve
or fifteen acres of wheat. Moreover, the nut
crop does not depend on the home market. It
is as portable as wheat or flour, and the East-
ern States would take all we could produce. The
same may be said of the English walnut, save
that the tree requires a longer time to mature
than .the almond tree. Both do well almost any-
where ten miles from the harsh sea winds and
below an altitude of 2,500 feet. Los Angeles
and Santa Barbara counties have achieved the
best reputations in this branch of farming, so far,
only because they have paid more attention to
it. San Joaquin, Sacramento, Solano, Yolo,
Sutter, Butte, Colusa, Tehama, and all the lower
foothill region, where water for irrigation can be
obtained, are as well adapted by soil and climate
to the almond and walnut as Los Angeles. — San
Francisco Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

How to Make a Grape Border. — Amateur,
Hazleton, Pa., says : — " Can you give some direc-
tions for making a grape border? My house will
only be fifty feet long, as at present advised I
shall only set out the Black Hamburg kind."

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

367

[It must be remembered that the grape-vine
does not like to have its roots down in deep cold
soil, but in warm ground near the surface. Under
these circumstances any good garden ground
made rich by stable manure, will grow good
grapes. The border is best made outside and the
grape-vines taken inside from the out. Most
grape borders are made so that water drains into
them, instead of draining out. This is not much
to say, but it is about all the secret there is in
making a successful vine border. — Ed. G. M.]

Persimmons. — J. H., Moundsville, W. Va.,
writes : — " I wish some information on sprouting
Persimmon seed,and growing the seedlings ; also
the best mode of working the Japanese Persim-
mon. Will I graft, or bud, or any other mode? "

[Persimmon seed should be kept till Spring.
They sprout a few weeks after sowing. We have
no personal experience, but have no doubt what-
ever that the Japan kinds will either graft or bud
freely on them.— Ed. G. M.]

The Climate and the Foreign Grape. —
"Warning," Cincinnati, O., writes : — "Is it not
time that some word of warning is given against
the attempts being made to introduce seedling
grapes that are hybrids of Vitis vinifera? We
know by experience, dear bought, years ago, at
least in these parts, that the foreign grape is ut-
terly unsuited to the American climate, and any
infusion of that blood to our own native kinds
can only lead to degeneration, and not to im-
provement, however sweet the flesh of the hy-
brids may be."

[Our correspondent's remarks deserve great
consideration. Yet he is both right and wrong.
He is right when he says that experiments with
the foreign grape have mostly been failures —

wrong when he says, as a matter of ascertained
fact, that the failure was wholly due to climate, for
it is well-known that in cases of experiment with
foreign grapes, they generally did well for a few
years. Indeed, we now know that it was not al-
ways the climate, but sometimes the insect called
Phylloxera, which brought about the failure,
and that many undoubted native kinds failed
as badly as the foreign ones. So clearly
is this now made to intelligent men, that
they sit and listen with wonderment to dis-
cussions about " varieties," adapted to various
localities in conventions. All that is neces-
sary to one who has kept pace with intelligence,
is a look at the roots. If these are strong, active
in making fibres, and quick to make new ones,
when they have been injured by Phylloxera
or anything else, it makes little difference to him
whether it has foreign " blood " or not. He will
know at once whether it is " adapted to the cli-
mate," and act accordingly. — Ed. G. M.]

Discussion on Pear Blight. — M., Bucks Co.,
Pa., writes : — " Will the discussion in regard to
Apple and Pear blight, which took place on the
excursion down the Chesapeake, appear in an
early number of the Gardener's Monthly ? I am
asked very frequently in regard thereto, and I
should be pleased to see that discussion in print.
It is a subject that is of great interest to the fruit-
growers of this section."

[We had no idea of publishing the discussion
because it brought out nothing new. The cause
of the fire blight in the Pear is well understood
by all readers of the magazine who have followed
the mycologists through our pages. If we can
now come on a good preventative of this fungoid
disease, we should be glad to find a place for it.
—Ed. G. M.]

ORESTRY.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Cryptomeria, JAPOnica grows- larger in Japan
than any other forest tree ; 35 feet in circumfer-
ence is not unusual.

Pine Tree Oil. — Between Bordeaux and Bay-
onne there is a large stretch of sandy desert,

whereon there is little vegetation save here and
there patches of Pine trees. From these trees,
says the Garden, there runs a resinous matter
which is collected and sold by the inhabitants of
the region. The substance has recently been
studied by M. Guillemare, and he has now an-
nounced to the French Academy of Science that
he has produced three kinds of oil from the ma-

368

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

terial, all rich in carbon, containing respectively
80, 90 and 92 per cent, of that element. The
light yielded on burning the oils is remarkable
for its whiteness and steadiness, and is said to be
suitable for lighthouse illumination.

We call attention to this because we believe
there are many dry sections or sandy sections of
our country which people think worthless, that
might be profitably planted with some kinds of
Pine trees. Some species send numerous roots
deep clown into the ground, which enables them
to hold on well in the dryest seasons. Thirty
years ago most of the land between London and
Southampton, in England, was a barren heath,
and regarded as utterly unfit for any cultural
purposes. Since then it has been sown with
Scotch Pine, and as the writer of this has re-
cently seen, with great success. No doubt much
of our Colorado barren lands could be success-
fully stocked with forests of some deep-rooting
Pine trees. We should not be surprised to
learn that Pinus pungens would thrive very well
there, as we have seen it do well in some re-
markably dry spots.

The Cork Tree in California. — Cork trees
at Sonoma, from seed twenty years ago, and now
twenty-five feet high, and a sheet of cork an
inch and a quarter thick was taken from it last
year. It will not stand the winters of Pennsyl-
vania.

American Gum Arabic. — At a recent meeting
of the'Philadelphia Academy of Natural Scien-
ces, some gum from the Prosopis glandulosa, or
Mesquite, was presented by Mr.W. H. Dougherty,
and seems to justify the following which we
find in the 'Journal of Microscopy :

" It is said that the mesquite gum of Western
Texas is almost identical with gum Arabic, and
during the past year, has become an article of
export, some twelve thousand pounds having
been gathered in Bexar county, and as much
more between that and the coast. This gum
exudes from the stem and branches of the mes-
quite, a mimosa, several species of which grow
in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Growth of the Pecan-nut Hickory. — Our
experience in Pennsylvania with the Pecan-nut
Hickory, led us to believe that this would be one
of the most rapid growing and profitable timber
trees to plant, and that it would be well worth
the attention of planters. For the nuts, it would
be worthless north of the Potomac in the Atlan-
tic States, but for timber it would no doubt do
well even in New England. The following from

a Mr. Harrison, a correspondent of the Prairie
Farmer confirms this view :

" The Cottonwood was hardy and of rapid
growth, but worthless as a timber tree and very
inferior as fuel. The Locust would sprout from
the root so as to become a nuisance, and the
borers ruined the groves. The Gray Willow did
not realize the anticipation formed of it even as
a fencing material. The Soft Maple was valua-
ble for wind-breaks and for fuel, but was not a
timber tree. At this point I thought of the Pe-
can (Carya oliviformis), a species of Hickory, a
native of the Illinois and Mississippi valleys. I
satisfied myself, by experiment and investiga-
tion, of its value as a timber tree — wagon and
carriage-makers, wherever they had used it, tes-
ti flying to its value, as being equal to the best
of White Ash for all purposes of buggy or car-
riage manufacture, possessing equal durability
and greater strength and elasticity.. At various
points on the Mississippi river, steamboat car-
penters who have used it, find it valuable timber
in boat building. As a fuel it has no superior.
But would it grow and thrive on our prairies ?

To test this, in the Fall of 1871 I dug up in
the bottom land along the Illinois river a dozen
or two young trees, heeled them in my garden
for the Winter, and in the Spring removed them
to my farm on the prairie. The Summer of 1872
was hot and dry ; but all the trees grew and did
finely. Next year I increased my planting, and
thus far have three different settings of trees. I
find it as easily transplanted as any tree I have
ever handled, having never lost a tree of vigor-
ous growth, clean and healthy. By my advice,
several of my friends have procured and planted
this tree, and I have five hundred more which I
intend to plant the coming Spring. The Pecan
tree ordinarily commences bearing about eight
years of age. It bears one of the finest nuts,
which sold in the Cincinnati market for the past
six years, at an average price of $3 per bushel.
A gentleman in the southern part of the State,
who has a Pecan oi'chard, partly natural, which
he has increased by further planting, says it is of
more value to him yearly than his apple orchard.
The Pecan tree is grown readily from the nut,
if it is not allowed to become dry before plant-
ing.

Sicilian Sumach. — It is said that besides the
Rhus coriaria, our common garden mist tree —
R. cotinus— enters largely into Sicilian Sumach.

The Lacquer Tree.— Some interest was re-
cently created in Philadelphia by a letter to the
Public Ledger, by a Japanese gentleman who
came here to the Centennial, offering to intro-
duce the Lacquer tree and the Lacquer business to
Philadelphia. It does not seem well known that
our Rhus venenata is so nearly alike botanically
to the Lacquer tree of Japan, and its rc.-inous
product so similar to that, that it would be worth
while to experiment with that before spending

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

309

money in importing extensively the Japan form.
Of this Lacquer tree in Japan, a correspondent
of the Gardener's Chronicle says :

" Six species of Rhus have been observed in
Japan, though two of them, R. succedana and
R. venicifera, are only cultivated, and originally
introduced from China. The cultivation of R.
vernicifera and the collection of the Lacquer is
one of the principal industries of Japan. Some
of the villages are completely surrounded by
forests of this small tree. Like R. Toxicoden-
dron and some other species, this is venomous
to some, in fact, to most persons on first touch-
ing it ; but it is averred that the same person
suffers only once. Contact with the plant, or the
Lacquer it produces, or even inhalation of the
vapor, causes the softer parts of the hands be-
tween the fingers, the tips of the ears, margins
of the eyes, cheeks, scrotum, &c, to swell and
inflame, and during four or five days the effects
are very painful."

Aralia papyrifera, which is now being used
so freely in our country for ornamental pur-
poses, is the tree from which in the island of

Formosa only, the Chinese make a choice kind
of paper. The most common tree for paper-
making is the Paper Mulberry, so common in
many Southern towns, Nashville especially, as a
shade tree. All American trees have been appar-
ently raised from one separate tree, as they are
all male plants. In France the writer of this
saw female trees covered with immature fruit,
and thousands of seedlings are annually raised
in the nurseries.

A Valuable Oak. — The Monarch Oak, the
largest in Herefordshire, was sold the other day
by auction. The reason for cutting down this king
of the forest was because it has been three times
struck by lightning within the last seven years,
but though these repeated attacks have shattered
a great part of its top, it still contains upwards of
1,000 cubic feet of timber, and its girth is 66 feet.
With this tree two smaller Oaks were included
(one of them a dead tree), and the three together
realized the reserve price of £200.

ATURAL

umISTORY AND SCIENCE.

COMMUNICA TIONS.

RESTORING DEAD SEEDS.

BY SEEDSMAN.

What is dead is dead, and cannot be restored
by*any human power. Many seeds fail to grow
that are really good. The shell or outer cover-
ing of the seed becomes so hard, that ordinary
influences fail to break it. In the meantime the
seed itself rots, by the very influence that should
make it grow. Whereas, if artificial influence
can be brought to bear to break the shell, in time
to allow the germ to shoot forth, the seed will
grow.

It sometimes happens with new seeds in ripen-
ing, the shell may become so hard as to prevent
growth without artificial aid. In the case of
Osage Orange seed, it is questionable, if under
favorable circumstances, they ever lose their
vitality. Yet it is frequently necessary to soak-
the seed in warm water, or mix it with sand satu-
rated with warm water, to make it grow. To
seedsmen there is nothing new developed by the
experiments of Professor Lazenby.

NOTES SUGGESTED BY THE "TUMBLE WEED."

BY MR. VLADIMER DE NIEDMAN, 53d AND
DARBY ROAD, PHILADELPHIA.

Having noticed several queries about "Tumble
Weed " in the Monthly, and taking the queries as
a common rule for a sign of people interested in
the subject, I offer a few words in general about
plants of the same genus. It may be of interest
to some.

Tumble Weed, as already rightly remarked by
a California lady, is a Chenopodeae, where
nearly all other " Tumble Weeds," and the Cyclo-
loma platyphylla and Amarantus albus belong
also. The representatives of this large family,
shrubby or herbaceous, are, as a rule, only of the
intermediate zone of the northern hemisphere.
In tropical countries they are replaced by
the Amaranthacese, of which the Amarantus
caudatus, Celosia cristata (the so-called Cocks-
comb), Gomphrena globosa, and many others,
are found in our gardens as ornamental plants.
The Chenopodese, preferring a ground rich in salt,
— a nutritious substance, — to any other, will be
found growing chiefly in the Western prairies,

310

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

and a good many in the Utah Territory. In
Europe, at the south-western salt region in Rus-
cia; and also in Central Asia some of them grow
along the sea-shores, as Salsala Kali, Salicornia
herbacea, and Halogeton sativus, and contain a
good deal of soda ; the latter is grown in Spain
in quantities for this purpose. Also a few her-
baceous ones, mostly annuals, are pululating
near by habitated places, along the roads, on
rubbish, half rotten humus, and vital remnants ;
in fact always there, where the ground contains
some sal-ammoniac or azotic particles. All
parts of the plants are of an offensive smell, and
often used in medicines, as Chenopodium oli-
dum and Chenop. atriplex.

There are also among the representatives of
this family some positively useful to the human
race, and they are cultivated with much care,
skill, and on a large scale. As for instance : Out
of the Cycloloma, the Beta vulgaris, commonly
known as sugar beet, of which principally
the white and yellow varieties are extensively
cultivated in Southern Russia for extraction of
the finest quality of sugar. (The process of pro-
duction of the beet-sugar was discovered in 1747
by the German chemist Markgraff, but the ex-
tensive production of it commenced only since
1872.)

Spinacia oleracea, our common Spinage,
was at first introduced by the Arabs in Spain ;
and now it is nearly in every vegetable garden.
In France the Spinage is replaced by Atriplex
hortensis, and in England by the Chenopodi-
um bonus Henricus, both of them serving well
the purpose. In Peru the Chenopodium qui-
noa is cultivated as a grain, and often, even to
the height of 13,000/, are immense fields sown of
it. The seed is very oily, contains a considerable
quantity of starch, and is relishable and nourish-
ing. The green parts of the plant are also used
as a vegetable.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Our " Finger Grass" in Europe. — This —
Panicum digitaria — and which is well known to
American lawns and gardens from its amazing
and coarse growth in the Fall of the year, was
noticed in- France about 1826, and has since
spread through the country like wildfire. Serves
them right. They should spread information
among cultivators as to what are likely to be
noxious, so that people could recognize and de-

stroy them on their first appearance. They
have done this with the Colorado potato
beetle, simply because their entomologists bring
their studies home practically to the people.
Colorado potato bugs are not near the evil that
noxious weeds are.

Aiding Pollen in Fertilization. — In regard to
a matter which some months ago excited some
attention from correspondents, we give the fol-
lowing from the Gardener's Chronicle :

" To those who devote attention to hybridiza-
tion we suggest the possibility, that if mucus
from the stigma of the intended pollen parent is
applied to the stigmas of the plant desired to be
fertilized, many difficult crosses might be effected.
This, of course, depends on the supposition that
if the pollen tubes are emitted they may pene-
trate the style, and that the foreign mucus is not
always congenial for the commencement of
growth. Some hybridists may have experi-
mented on this point, and, if so, it would be in-
teresting to know with what result. This idea
has frequently presented itself to our mind, and
we are induced to express it from having re-
cently read an observation by Mr. James O'Brien
in the Garden of August 19th, that to get pollen
tubes for the microscope it is only necessary to
place a sufficient quantity of mucus on the slide
and apply the pollen. He says that one or two
drops of nectar are taken from Lilium speciosum
or L. auratum, and not more than a dozen grains
of pollen applied, that in half an hour the tubes
will begin to appear and grow for from one to
two hours, when they will resemble long snakes.
The nectar will soon harden, and being perfectly
transparent, a permanent object is secured by
laying on a thin glass and pressing out air bub-
bles before hardening takes place."

About Spruces and Firs.— A California botanist,
who accompanied Professors Hooker and Gray
through parts of their excursions in California,
and the ring of whose pen has a strong Lemmo-
nian sound, in writing of some of their views and
experiences of things, gives great credit to
Dr. Engelmann for insisting that the spruces and
firs shall be kept as botanically distinct as they
are practically, and should have their right
names. Those which have cones erect, and
which crumble in the hand when mature, like
our common Balsam Fir, are the Abies — those
which have pendant, permanent cones are Picea.
Of late years the English botanists have called
them all Abies, and when they did divide them,
called the Firs Picea, and the Spruces Abies.
Americans have hesitated to insist on the correct
names, believing it would be proper for Euro-
peans who made the error to correct it. But as
no effort of this kind is made, we propose to fol-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

371

low the right course as indicated by Engelmann,
hereafter.

A New Enemy to the Pine Tree. — The impor-
tance of the subject leads us to give entire the
following paper read by Professor Aug. T. Grote,
before the recent meeting of the American Asso-
ciation :

" In the months of June and July the Red Pine
(Pinus resinosa), and the White Pine (Pinus stro-
bus), show by the exuding pitch that they are
suffering from the attacks of an insect. The
wounds occur on the main stem below the inser-
tion of the main branch. On cutting into the
bark the injury is found to be caused by a small
larva which, when full grown, measures sixteen
to eighteen millimeters. The head is shining
chestnut brown with black mandibles. The body
is livid or blackish green, naked, with series of
black dots, each dot giving rise to a single rather
stout bristle. The protharasic is blackish. The
larva has three pair of thorasic, or true jointed
feet, and four abdominal or false feet, besides
anal elaspers. This larva, eating on the inner
side of the bark, and making furrows in the
wood, causes the bleeding which, when the de-
pletion is excessive or continuous, and especially
in the case of young trees, has proved fatal. In
July the worm spins a whitish thin paper cocoon
in the mass of exuding pitch, which seems to
act as a protection to both larva and chrysalis.
The chrysalis contained in the cocoon is cylindri-
cal, smooth, narrow, blackish brown about 16
millimeters in length. The head is pointed,
there being a pronounced clypeal protuberance,
the segments are unarmed, and the anal plate is
provided with a row of four spines, and two
more slender, on either side of the mesial line,
below the first. It gives the moth in ten to four-
teen days. The perfect insect expands on an
average 30 millimetres. An examination of the
veins of the wing shows that vein 7 of the prima-
ries is wanting, Avhile vein 6 is simple. On the
hind wings the cell is closed or very nearly so.
It belongs thus to the Phycidae, a sub-family of
the Pyraledae. The male antennae are bent a lit-
tle at the base, the joints inconspicuous; the
maxillary pulpi in the same sex are not brush-
like, and the hind wings are 8 and not 7 veined.
We may refer the moth then to the genus Ne-
phopterix. Veins 3, 4 and 5 spring nearly to-
gether from the outer extremity of the cell of the
hind wings (though 5 seems to be nearly indepen-
dent while running close to 4) ; vein 2 is not far
removed from 3. On the primaries, veins 4 and 5
spring from a common stalk, so that we must
refer the moth to the sub genus Diosyctria of
Zeller. In color the moth is blackish gray,
shaded with reddish on the basal and terminal
fields of the forewings. There are patches or
lines of raised scales on the basal field and oil the
anterior and darker portion of the median space.
The medium lines are prominent, consisting of
double black lines enclosing pale bands. The
inner line at basal third is perpendicular, W
shaped, or dentate. The outer line at apical

fourth is once more strongly indented below
costa. The black component lines do not seem
to be more distinct on one side than on the
other of the pale included bands or spaces. The
median field is blackish, becoming pale towards
the outer line ; it shows a pale, sometimes whit-
ish, cellular spot, surmounted with raised scales.
It can be seen that these raised scales (easily lost
in setting the insect) accompany the median
lines as well as forming the discal mark and the
linear patch on the basal field. The terminal
edge of the wing is again pale or ruddy before
the terminal black line. The fringes are black-
ish. The hind wings are pale, yellowish white,
shaded with fuscous on cortal region and more
or less terminally before the blackish terminal
line; the fringes are dusky. Beneath the fore-
wings are blackish marked with pale on corta ;
hind wings as on upper surface. Body blackish
gray, with often a reddish cast on the thorax
above and on the vertex. The eyes are naked,
the labrial pulpi long ascending, with moderate
terminal joint. Tongue rather long. The gray
abdomen is annulated with dirty white, the legs
are pale dotted. The species differs from the
European alietella by raised scale tufts on the
wings, and Prof. P. C. Zeller, who has kindly
compared examples for me, declares it to be
quite distinct from any European species. The
pupa seems to differ from that of alietella by the
elypeal prominence which appears entirely ab-
sent in the European species judging from
Ratzburg's excellent figures. The larva is found
to attack also various imported conifers ; for this
reason I suppose it might be an imported para-
site. It has been noticed on the Scotch, Austrian
and Russian pine, and it will be found, I fear, a
grave enemy to the cultivation of this genus of
plants.

Since the insect is not noticed yet in any scien-
tific publication, I propose to name it Nephopte-
rix (Diosyctria) Zimmermani, after Charles D.
Zimmerman, of Buffalo, who has made many ex-
cellent observations on our noxious insects, and
to whom I am greatly indebted for help in get-
ting all the facts with relation to the present spe-
cies. He has kindly spent much time in climb-
ing large trees and cutting out pupae and larvae,
and rearing the perfect insect.

The larva of ailetella is described by Batzburg
as living in the cones chiefly of various species
of Pinus. Nevertheless, he speaks of one instance
in which it was found under similar circum-
stances to those which are usual with Zimmer-
mani, which latter I have not yet noticed attack-
ing the fruit. The European species is said to
winter in the pupae state. In the vicinity of
Buffalo our species seems to be single brooded.
I have not yet ascertained the winter state.
Batzburg recommends cutting off infected
branches, but, especially on small trees I find
the larva of Zimmermani usually infesting the
main stem at the insertion of the branches.
From the fact that the pitch of the trees offers a
protection, I do not think that any washes
would reach the insect. The knife, then, seems
the only remedy.

3T2

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Our species has a natural enemy in a small
hymenopterous parasite with which I have found
certain of the chrysalids to be filled."

Respiration and Assimilation in Plants. —
Corenwinder has recently published an elaborate
paper detailing what appears to have been long
and careful experiments on the respiration of
plants. Protoplasm (the matter out of which
cells are made) and chlorophyl (the green color-
ing matter in the cell), he finds, have distinct
powers. Protoplasm absorbs oxygen and exhales
carbonic acid, just as animals do, day and night.
In the early stage of plant growth, before much
green coloring matter is formed, the plant does
little else than exhale. But as soon as chloro-
phyl is formed this throws off oxygen and retains
the carbon, out of which structure and material
for future use is formed. As already known, it
can only do this under light. This difference is
important, and, while it explains much that has
been an enigma, may lead to practical results.
Potatoes and other vegetables, sprouting in dark
cellars, grow very well, as such a blanched
growth grows ; but the growth must die, because
there is no chlorophyl to manufacture future
material. Then we learn why cellars with vege-
table growths in them are unhealthy. Plants,
as we generally see them, purify the atmosphere.
They decompose carbonic acid, appropriating
the carbon and expiring the oxygen ; but in
these cases of blanched vegetation the case is re-
versed and the oxygen is the element absorbed.
There are few papers appearing in scientific
journals from which we can learn so much as
from this of Corenwinder's. — Independent.

Artificial Ivory.— The new process for the
manufacture of this material have just been
brought out in France. The first consists in dis-
solving two parts of pure India rubber in thirty-
six parts of chloroform, and saturating the solu-
tion with pure ammoniacal gas. The chloroform
is then distilled at a temperature of 165 degrees
Pah., and the residue, mixed with phosphate of
lime or carbonate of zinc, is pressed into moulds
and dried. When phosphate of lime is used, the
product is said to possess in a remarkable degree
the peculiar composition of natural ivory. The
second process involves the use of paper mache
and gelatine combined. Billiard balls of this
substance cost about one-third of the price of
genuine ivory balls, and are claimed to be quite
as hard and elastic as the latter. They may be
thrown from high elevations upon pavement

without injury, and will withstand heavy blows
with the hammer. The composition is known
as Paris marble, and may be used for raised or-
namentation on ceilings or prepared so as to
imitate fine varieties of marble. — Gardener's
Record.

SCB APS AND QUERIES.

Burying Roots. — E. K., Brattleboro, Vt.,
says : — " Last Spring I had my grounds graded,
and about two feet of soil was heaped around a
fine larch tree. It has so far not shown any
sign of hurt. Fearing, nevertheless, that in might
get injured, I beg to ask your kind advice. Tak-
ing the soil away to any extent round it, would
make a basin into which the water would run
from all sides, the tree standing unfortunately in
the centre, and is the lowest spot of the ground."

[Very often trees die after being buried up ;
but then again they sometimes live. The chances
are that they will die. They want air — and it
may be that in some of the fortunate cases, some
of the roots find the way to get air in spite of the
covering. In some cases a small walled up well-"
like circle is made around the trunk of the tree,
through which water goes and air follows. This
often saves the tree. It is not the filling up of
the stem that causes the tree to die, but the suf-
focation of the fibrous roots. — Ed. G. M.]

Freezing of the Sap of Plants. — A Boston
correspondent says : — " In the July number of
the Gardener's Monthly, page 217, you say ' the sap
does not freeze in plants in the winter time/
which seems to me to be a contradiction of what
you say upon this matter in the June number of
the Gardener's Monthly, page 185, where you say :
' If it has not been long or severely frozen,' re-
ferring to a plant, ' it may be recovered by immer-
sion in cold water.' If I am in error in regard
to this matter will you be so good as to point it
out to me as briefly as you please, and at the
same time state what it is that injures plants in
the winter season, if it is not the freezing and
thawing of the sap."

[Our correspondent has the idea exactly in
one way by putting it conversely, " Freezing and
thawing of the sap in Winter injures plants."
Therefore we say when they are not injured
the sap has not been frozen.

But our correspondent must not forget that
plants may die in the Winter from either of two

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

373

causes : 1st, They may die from rupture of the
cells when they expand from the freezing; or,
2d, they may die from the evaporation of their
juices, as they often will in severe weather. Tech-
nically no distinction is made. In both cases it
is customary to say the plant was killed by frost.
When we say " If the plant has not been long
or severely frozen," syringing with water will
bring it to — we are referring to plants under
the second condition. When a plant in a green-
house is first touched with " frost " it wilts ; its
juices evaporate rapidly, and this is why it wilts.
After a time the sap vessels will freeze, and burst.
If we help the plant to regain its losses before
the interior freezes, that is a gain ; but if the
juices in the cells once freeze, the geranium, or
whatever it be, is gone surely. — Ed. G. M.]

Wearing Out of Varieties. — R. J. S., Phila-
delphia, says : — "As I see the subject of wearing
out of varieties continues to receive attention,
is it not a proof in the common Butter Pear,
which, during recent years has degenerated
surely. How do you explain this ? "

[What does our correspondent mean by ' recent
years?" This pear is no worse about Philadel-
phia than it was a hundred years ago, as we have
indisputable evidence. It is no worse now than
it was then ; it has not "degenerated " in a hun-
dred years. The Butter Pear is just the same as
it was a hundred years ago. Therefore, we say
it is no nearer " wearing out " than it was then.
—Ed. G. M.]

Different Degrees of Thickness in the
Annual Wood Circles of Trees. — J. S., Mt.
Carmel, 111., writes: — "In connection with the
subject on 'Excrescences and Eccentric Wood
Growth,' it may be interesting to state a fact that
I have often noticed, viz.: That the annular
rings of many trees that I have counted, show a
very irregular growth. The rings representing
eighty to one hundred years back, are crowded
into much less space than those found before or
since. I know of no way of accounting for
this, except it be that the corresponding years
were very dry."

ITERATURE, ^RAVELS & PERSONAL ff OTES.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

European Notes by the Editor, IS o. 4. — To
describe in detail all the novel points of our
little trip, would fill a volume. 1 shall have to
omit much, and simply take special topics, nur-
series, large estates, public grounds, markets,
antiquities, and so forth, as they impressed them-
selves on my memory, "jumping" about from
place to place, in order to select our types. As
we left off in our last with a typical Rose nur-
sery, we may as well continue the subject of
nurseries in this present note.

For a nursery where fine specimen trees and
shrubs are the leading features, I saw no one
that better pleased me than that of Jas. Mitchell
& Son, of Pilltown, near Uckfield, in Sussex.
The nursery does not count its acres by the
scores, but the number of beautiful specimens
was very great. A smooth gravel road, with
neat box-edgings, extends around the grounds,

and the borders on both sides are filled with spe-
cimens of trees and shrubs of every variety, set
out with no particular regard to kinds, but just
as they would look best. These are all cared for
and made to look nice. The prices paid for these
pretty specimens would "scare" an American
accustomed to look at $5 for a "tree," as a " big
thing," so I will say nothing about that here.
Seme of these specimens I had never seen so
large and fine. Imagine golden Arborvitaes per-
fect globes of six feet over ! Taxus adpressa globes
of eight feet over ! what would its lover, Hoopes
of West Chester, say to a few score like that?
Berberis Darwini about four by four feet. Libo-
cedrus decurrens — " beg pardon, Thuja gigantea"
— twenty feet, and as regularly conical as a child's
green moss tree! Our Shepherdia Canadensis,
beautiful globes of six feet over, and hosts of
similar wonderfully grown things. As soon as
one thing is sold another takes its place, so that
there is a constant succession of transplanted

374

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

stock almost sure to grow, though of any size.
Of course I ask myself why cannot we have such
things? Why cannot a man or woman in our
country plant a place at once like a perfect pic-
ture, instead of waiting until the day they die to
know the trees have grown, and these only to be
cut away by the next inheritor, who sees only
" valuable building lots " at hand? Only because
nurserymen here cannot afford to treat the plants
suitably at ruling prices. A long avenue of Arau-
caria imbricata here is worth any one's going to
see. One which I measured was 70 feet round in
the spread of its branches, and eight feet and a half
in the circumference of its beautiful straight
trunk. If my memory is true, it is but about 13
years old. The large pine-apple-like cones on
the bearing trees, add much to their striking
effect.

I was anxious to see a trade nursery. Be it
known that London is in a measure all England.
If a person in any part of the little island wants
anything whatever, the first thought is to "send
to London for it." And so orders for trees and
flowers of any kind whatever, go to London.
Now one cannot have nurseries or greenhouses
to any great extent in a crowded place like that,
in which there are more people than in all Penn-
sylvania ! So those who sell have persons in the
suburbs who supply their needs on short no-
tice. These places are called nurseries which
"grow stock for the London trade." One of the
best known of these is, perhaps, Cutbush's of
Barnet. The great especial feature is the Holly,
of which an enormous quantity in endless
variety are grown. Of course I admired their
beauty in a general way, but as we cannot have
these beautiful things in our country, I showed
I fear, little interest in the " Microphylla gran-
dens," the " Purpurea feroxes " and the " Angu-
lorum foliolorums " on which my guide so fondly
dwelt ; and it was not till I found myself among
the pretty Heaths, Epacrises, Acacias and other
beauties of New Holland, of which hundreds of
thousands are here raised and sold, that I seemed
to regain a reputation as a person of ordinary in-
telligence. Most of the things grown of this char-
acter are still the Boronias, Dracophyllums, and
similar old stagers, which were popular when us
gray beards were 'prentice boys— Genitylis tulipi-
fera being one of the few favorites grown in im-
mense quantity, that were not much about in the
olden time. To grow grapes in pots — hot-house
grapes as we may say — for the London trade, is
also a specialty here. They know how to grow

them — ten feet of good strong wood in a season.
This is the way all do in this business. They
grow only a few articles that they have learned
to grow well.

We will now miss a few days' work, and take
an omnibus ride from Charing Cross to what we '
understood everybody to say the Bulingate,
which translated, means " Bull and Gate." It
must, no doubt, have been a fearful gate in old
Bovine times; but it has probably been all car-
ried off by the relic hunters, for when the gentle-
manly guard informed us that we were at " the
gate," I failed to find a solitary splinter even of
its post. But I took a " tramway " from there,
and about noon came on the famous " show "
nursery of the Williams' at Upper Holloway.
The main feature is stove and greenhouse plants,
and the aim is not only to have everything new
to be found in the trade, but everything new and
good before any one else, if possible. When
Mr. Williams, Sen., began, he found little trade,
because people did not know what good things
were, so he determined to grow them to perfec-
tion, and exhibit them through the world. His
beautiful collection at our Centennial was a great
feat. He could not, of course, trust his best spe-
cimens so far, but it was wonderful that he did
so well as he did. His son had just returned
from Portugal as I was there, with the grand
medal of honor for his exhibit at their great
show at Oporto. Young Mr. Williams left a good
opinion of his gentlemanly character and busi-
ness intelligence behind him in America, and it
was a pleasure to me to find him everywhere
highly spoken of in his own country. Few peo-
ple who are familiar only with plants as seen at
our American exhibitions, can have any idea of
plants as they are when grown as Mr. Williams
grows them. Azaleas "four to six feet high, and
so perfect that not a leaf is misplaced ; but in
these we are not so far behind, as a visit to
Mr. Sargent's in Brookline in March, at least will
show. Croton Johannis six feet high; Ixoras with
flower heads six inches over; Adiantum Farley-
ense, solid globes, three feet through ; Draco-
phyllum gracile with two hundred heads of
flowers ; Ericas about six feet high by four wide,
with thousands of flowers ; A Dracaena rubra,
with fifty perfect leaves; Statice Holfordi four
feet by two ; an orchid Sobralia macrantha, with
forty open flowers ; Cypripedium barbatum, in
an eighteen-inch pan, with thirty-five flowers ;
a Dicksonia sixteen feet high and four feet round.
These are but faint samples of hundreds of other

1877. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

375

things in the forty beautiful greenhouses which
comprise the establishment. Mr. Williams thinks
a good share of his success has been the persist-
ent exhibiting of good specimens, by which people
could see for themselves how fine plants might
be made by growth and skill.

Hardy herbaceous plants are becoming exten-
sively patronized in England, and there are now
numerous nurseries engaged in growing these
alone. One of the best of these is, perhaps, Ware's
of Tottenham. I do not know of anything which
gave me so much pleasure as the day I spent
here. A single plant, as we see them in our gar-
dens, is pretty enough, many would say ; but here
with hundreds of a kind in beds, the effect is
beautiful in the extreme. For Alpine plants,
rocks are arranged on elevations, and swamp
plants are grown in kegs of water, sunk in the
ground. The water is very slow in evaporating
under these circumstances, and is just the thing
for these plants. For Cypripediums and plants
that need shelter from wind and sun, hedges of
Privet and Arborvitse are made; and for bog
plants peat beds are formed. With this little
care I had the satisfaction of seeing many of our
own native plants, far more beautiful than I had
ever seen them at home. At Parker's at Toot-
ing, and Barr & Sugdens at Fulham, herba-
ceous plants are specialties — the last chiefly in
bulbs — the former especially rich in aquatics,
from having a stream by an artesian well.

In the matter of new and rare kinds, as a
matter of course, the inquirer takes his steps to
Chelsea, where Bull and Vietch, neighbors, have
wonderful establishments, and whose proprietors
ransack the whole world for whatever may in-
terest the lovers of trees and plants. A day at
Mr. Bull's was entirely too short to take in all
the treasures of this immense establishment.
The entrance is through a large palm and
tree fern house, which is shaded by training
grape-vines under the glass. Orchids are grown
in immense quantities, and some of the more
common kinds are now thought cheap at from
one to three dollars each — small plants of course.
The rarer ones, however, bring high prices.
Odontoglossum vexillarium brings about $15
each. Mr. Bull states that it cost him over
$15,000 to get his stock of this plant. Some of
these Odontoglossums bring $50 each, with the
demand often beyond the supply. In Dracaenas
and leaf plants, generally, there were a great
number of good things. Dracaena Goldiana par-
ticularly attracted us. So many new Dracaenas

are hardly different from the old ones; but the
white feathery painting of this made it very dis-
tinct, and as beautiful as it was novel. Mr. B.
was paying great attention to economic plants,
and the new Cotton, new Liberian Coffee, and a
species of Eucalyptus, with leaves as sweet as the
Lemon Verbena, had a good share of his atten-
tion. New Arums, new Palms, new Ferns, new

Lilies, new Zamias, new Orchids, new well,

one would hardly think there were so many new
things in the world to find, and there would not
be, but for the wonderful enterprise of men like
these. A pretty improvement is in the old Pelar-
goniums. They are crumpled and increased in
petals, and yet have a beautiful regularity amidst
all their seeming confusion. Some of the earlier
kinds having been named after Royal person-
ages, the whole race has been called " Regal
Pelargoniums."

At Veitch's the entrance, as at Bull's, is par-
ticularly imposing ; when you get through to the
houses, you are not apt to feel the establishment
particularly impressive; but as you go from
house to house — there are one hundred and four
of them — and you proceed to the rarer and more
valuable plants, the riches and vastness of the
collection are almost overwhelming. Great at-
tention was being paid to getting new races of
plants by hybridization. Mr. Domine, who first
made hybrid Orchids an actual and a profitable
fact, is with them, living in a house on the
grounds most beautifully covered with Ampelop-
sis Veitchii. They have improved the tuberous
rooted Begonias to a wonderful extent, a fact of
much interest to Americans, in whose land they
will make admirable bedding plants. There is
in hand a new race of hybrid Rhododendrons.
Fuchsias and Geraniums were also under the
improver's hand, and the Gloxinia had been put
under training for still more beautiful varieties
than it has yet given us. Mr. Veitch told me the
Gloxinia had even been made to cross with the
Foxglove, but whether he said he had this in
hand, or it was only talked of in England, I do
not now quite remember. There is a beautiful
Camellia house here, one hundred feet long, the
plants growing in the open ground; and an in-
teresting point to me was the shading effected by
coarse netting.

Wonderful attention is bestowed on the Orchid
family, no less than twenty-four houses or one-
fourth the whole establishments being devoted
to them. The Hydrangea was being improved,
the aim being to get a fixed rosy red color, and

376

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

considerable success had attended their efforts.
New Egyptian Cotton, new Cinnamon from Ja-
pan, that would be half hardy if not more than
half, new Nepentheses or Bornean pitcher plants,
and the Darlington pitcher plants from Califor-
nia; these will give an idea of the scope of this
immense establishment.

It was my aim to take this day also to examine
a type of a hardy tree nursery, but the day is
gone at this immense place, and I must leave
this for another one, and take the omnibus back
to London.

"You're a furriner, I see," said the kind-
hearted guard, " and I suppose like to see all the
interesting things?" It always surprised me how
a man in his own born country should be taken
for a "furriner," but I admitted that it was just
so. "Well," said he, "there is a curiosity you
will hardly meet with in any part of the world.
A church wedged in between two of the gayest
kind of taverns." "But," said I, "tell us about
these gardens, whose they are, and anything you
know about them." And it is wonderful, as Sir
Walter Scott once said, how much there often is
under a tarpaulin hat or fustian jacket.

Arboretum Segrezianum — An enumeration
of the trees and shrubs cultivated at Segrez,
Seine et vise, by Alphonse Lavallee. — Mr. Lav-
allee is a wealthy young gentleman, President
of the leading Horticultural Society of France,
and who takes a great interest in every-
thing that pertains to Horticulture, and espe-
cially the Arboricultural branch ; and he has
collected together over four thousand species or
marked varieties of ligneous plants, and which
form, perhaps, the finest arboretum in the world.
There is a collection of over one thousand in
Germantown, out of which seven hundred and
fifty were exhibited at the Centennial, and this
is thought to be pretty full, and one may judge
from this how superior is this one of Monsieur
Lavallee. The great value of this "enumera-
tion" is in the care with which the correct name
is raked out from the mass of synonyms, and the
authorities given for the names. If the)' have
been figured, references are made, and the na-
tive country of each is appended. It is a work
that will be of great service to any one interested
in tree culture.

It is possible that a little more acquaintance
with American literature would have prevented
some errors. Our old friend, the Heath-leaved
Arborvita?, and which every American who has

ever watched the growth of a lot of seedlings,
knows is but an Arborvitaa that has retained '
through life its juvenescent character, is now
carried out of " Retinospora," where Carriere
placed it, into Cupressus, and actually reduced
to the same thing as " C. (Ret.) squarrosa." And
our other friend, " Tom Thumb," which in our
country grows out of its juvenescence after a half
dozen years or so, and assumes its hitherto de-
layed full Arborvitse character, is also made a
Cupressus — C. squarrosa Elwangeriana. The
further error is made of giving Mr. Barry as the
author of the name " Retinospora Elwangeri-
ana," which we all know he is not. The way in
which foreign botanists worry and fuss over these
simple things, is very amusing to Americans.
The work can be had of Bailliere et Fils, Paris
or London.

Corrections. — A friend well-informed on Cali-
fornia botany, kindly suggests that Mrs. Briggs'
" Butterfly Tulip " is a Calochortus, and that the
" White Tulip " is a Cyclobothra. " Poweridia-
num " is of course a misprint for pomeridianum.
So in Mr. Falconer's article, p. 324, speaking of
the hardihood of Evening Primroses, it should
be 4°, not 40° below zero. And in addition we
have the following, although the printer insists
that in these cases the fault is in the " copy,"
and is none of his.

"New London, Conn., November 6th, 1877.
" Mr. Editor : — You make me say in Novem-
ber number of the Monthly, p. 332, that the lati-
tude of New London is 47° 21/ N. What I
wrote was 41° 21/ N. I would hardly warrant
the English Walnut to bear fruit at Quebec,
which is about 47° N. Yours truly,

" Robert Coit."

"Rochester, N. Y.
"Mr. Editor: — In printing my last communi-
cation, p. 343, the substitution of the words ' if
one ' for ' if any,' you do such extreme violence
to the sense that I am tempted to call attention
to the mistake. Eugene Glen."

Guano. — It takes a long while for the world to
find out the value of things. Guano and its good
qualities is mentioned by a Spaniard, Alonsa
Barba de Potosi, in 1640, translated into English
by the Earl of Sandwich in 1670.

The Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio. — These
grounds, under the management of Mr. Beck,
are said to be models of good taste, and they have

1877.]

AND HOB TIG UL TUB IS T.

377

had a marked effect on the garden culture of the
Daytonians.

Business Enterprise. — It was remarkable that
in the same number that we noticed the beauti-
ful new Violet, Belle de Chatenay, and remarked
that it was probably not yet in our country, it

Tradescantia Virginica are perhaps the best
known by it Though we cannot decide which
our correspondent means (if either), we may
say that both are " cultivated in this coun-
try," where, if tbey must have " popular names,"
they are tolerably well known as " Spiderwort "
and " Foxglove." The former he can find wild

DOUBLE WHITE VIOLET, BELLE DE CHATENAY.

should be advertised in that very number by
H. A. Dreer. We herewith give an illustration
of it.

Thomas S. Kennedy, of Louisville. — A Louis-
ville paper before us speaks complimentarily of
the appointment of this gentleman as one of the
Vice Presidents of the American Pomological
Society. It is always a sign of worth when one's
neighbors praise.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Ephemeron Flower. — "Classic" asks us if the
plant known as " Ephemeron flower " is in cul-
tivation in this country ? As we have repeatedly
said it is little use in bothering with the " popu-
lar " names of plants, unless like Mignonette and
Pansy they have become "household words."
There are at least half a dozen kinds of things
which have had the name of "Ephemeron"
given to it, of which the Digitalis purpurea and

in the meadows from near which he hails (St.
Paul).

Napoleon's Willow. — F., Boston, Mass.,
writes : — " Excuse a question which may seem
a simple one to you, but happened to arise, and
prove an unsettled dispute in a little circle. It is,
is the common Weeping Willow of our gardens
the same as the one growing over Napoleon's
tomb at St. Helena?"

[It is the same, and tradition says all our Wil-
lows sprung from a cutting of that one, having
been brought over by Captain Jacob Smith of
Khode Island. Perhaps our old correspondent,
A. Smith of Providence, (if still living, for we have
not heard of him for some years,) could give us
the exact date of the introduction, as we have an
impression Capt. Smith was one of his ancestors.
—Ed. G. M.]

Sending Stamps for Answers. — A few people
— we are glad to say not many — forget to send
stamps when a reply is required on their own
business. There are others who are over thought-
ful, and who send cards or envelopes already
stamped and addressed. A man with a score or
two of letters coming to his table, does not an*

3*78

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

ewer each one as he reads it, leaving all the rest
unopened till he finishes the answer to that one,
but he opens all first. When he comes to the
letter that had a stamped and directed envelope,
it is a rare chance if among so many he remem-
bers about it — at least we cannot. The scores of
addressed stamped envelopes and cards lying
about on our table is a nuisance. We shall be
perfectly satisfied with the " stamp enclosed."
Some think that as an addressed card cannot be
used for anything else, it forces an answer they
would not otherwise receive, but this is a mistake
— in our case at least.

Rules for Judges. — An Ohio correspondent
writes : — " In our State Fair and some of the
Horticultural Premium Catalogues, under the
class of greenhouse plants, is this rule, ' All
plants must be grown in the pots in which they
are exhibited.' Is there any rule by which to

decide how long the plant must have been in the
pot, to come under this rule, if the plant is dug
up out of the ground and potted?"

[We must never forget that language ia used
to express one's meaning, and in any doubtful
case, what ideas it was the evident intention to
express, should have the benefit of any doubt
that may arise. In the present case it was clearly
the intention to encourage the pot-culture of
flowers, and it would be no such encouragement
if plants could be first grown in the ground, and
then just lifted and put into a pot for the purpose
of exhibiting them. Butm the present case there
is not even this doubt, for the language is not
" growing in a pot," but grown in a pot ; and we
should say that if the best part of the plant or
more than one-half of it, had been grown in a
pot, and only the minor part of it originally in
the ground, it ought not to be disqualified. — Ed.
G. M.]

fMORTICULTURAL ^SOCIETIES.

The Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society.
— We should gladly notice the proposed meet-
ings of all our Horticultural Societies, if they
came to us in time ; but very few notes come to
hand until a few days before the time. Just as
we go to press we have the following from one
of the officers of . the Pennsylvania Society : —
" The next meeting of the Pennsylvania Fruit
Growers' Society is to be held in Williamsport,
on the third Wednesday of January next, and
that the officers are using every endeavor to
make it an unusually interesting time. They
are now engaged in collating matter for the new
report, which will contain, among other good
features, some superb full-page illustrations of
our little known seedling Pennsylvania fruits.
The several committees are at work, and appear
desirous of keeping up the reputation of the
Society, as a means of diffusing information upon
general Horticulture throughout the State. Dele-
gates and visitors from other States will be
heartily welcomed."

Organizations for Town Embellishments. —
Mr. Steele, of Dayton, Ohio, recently read before
the Montgomery Co. (0.) Horticultural Society,

a very interesting paper on this subject. He
quotes the following from the pen of Geo. E.

Waring, in Scribner's Monthly : —

" The Laurel Hill Association takes its name
from a wooded knoll in the center of the village,
which had been dedicated to public use. The
first object of the association was to convert this
knoll into a village park. Then they took in
hand the village burial ground, which was put in
proper condition and suitably surrounded with
hedge and railing. Then the broad village street
was properly graded and drained and agreeable
walks were made at its sides. Incidental to this
the people living along both sides of the streets
were encouraged to do what they could to give
it an appropriate setting by putting their own
premises into tasteful condition and maintaining
them so. The organization worked well and
accomplished good results. The Rev. N. P.
Eggleston, formerly of Stockbridge, in a paper
on village improvements, written for the New
York Tribune, thus describes the collateral work
and influences of the Laurel Hill Association :

"Next followed the planting of trees by the
roadside, wherever trees were lacking. The
children, sometimes disposed in their thoughtless-
ness to treat young trees too rudely, were brought
in as helpers of the association, while at the same
time put under a beneficial culture themselves.
Anybody who would undertake to watch and
care for a particular tree for two years was re-

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

379

warded by having the tree called by his name.
Other children were paid for all the loose papers
and other unsightly things which they would
pick up and remove from the street. Gradually
the work of the association extended. It soon
took in hand the streets connected with the
main street. Year by year it pushed out walks
from the center of the village towards its outer
borders. Year by year it extended its line of
trees in the same manner ; and year by year
there has been a marked improvement in the
aspect of the village. Little by little, and in
many nameless ways, the houses and barns, the
door — yards and farms, have come to wear a
look of neatness and intelligent, tasteful care
makes the Stockbridge of to-day quite different
from the Stockbridge of twenty years ago. Trav-
elers passing through it are apt to speak of it
with admiration as a finished place ; and, com-
pared with most of our New England villages, it
has such a look ; but the Laurel Hill Association
does not consider its home finished nor its own
work completed. Still the work goes on. Com-
mittees are even now conning plans for further
improvements. The association fosters libraries,
reading rooms and other places of resort, where
innocent and healthful games, music and conver-
sation, will tend to promote the social feeling
and lessen vice by removing some of its causes."

ADDRESS OF MARSHALL P. WILDER.

(Continued from page 320.)

THE EXTENSION OF FRUIT CULTURE, AND THE

IMMENSE CROPS OF OUR COUNTRY.

As the source of light and heat travels from
the East, completing its daily circuit on our
Western shore, there to rejoice in all his strength,
so fruit culture has crossed our continent to the
Pacific slope, there to produce almost all the
fruits of the habitable globe, and finally to per-
meate, enrich and adorn our whole land.

At the time of the organization of our Society,
the cultivation of fruits for the market, or for
exportation, was limited to a few of the older
States. In Mr. Coxe's opinion the fine apple
growing section was bounded by the Mohawk
river in the North, and the James river in the
South. Fruit growing in this section was con-
fined principally to apples and peaches ; but
very few of the latter found their way to the
markets of the North, while strawberries and
other small fruits were scarcely to be seen, except
in the locality where they were raised.

But now, almost every steamer from New
York for Liverpool or London, in the Fall and
Winter months takes apples varying from five
hundred to three thousand barrels. Shipments
have been made from other ports, and as late
as last May there were fifteen hundred barrels
sent to England from Philadelphia. In Decem-
ber last, ninety thousand barrels of American
apples were landed at Liverpool. Very little
difficulty is experienced in the winter months,
but arrangements have been made to ship in
warm weather by vessels with refrigerator
compartments.

As the refrigerating process becomes more

and more perfect it will aid largely the exporta-
tion, not only of apples, but of more delicate
fruits. Pears, peaches and grapes have been sent
to England in good order, and it is confidently
expected that American peaches will soon be
well known in the markets of England.

But what shall we say of Canada, Iowa, Wis-
consin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, California,
Oregon and other sections, and other new States
and Territories, where the cultivation of fruits
had scarcely commenced when this Society was
established ! Who that witnessed the exhibitions
of fruit from the States first mentioned at our
various sessions in Richmond, Boston, Chicago,
and at the Centennial in Philadelphia, has not
been surprised at the progress already made.

At the time this Society was formed, the area
of fruit culture and the value of our fruits was so
limited that it was not thought worth while to
collect the statistics. Then many States, Canada
and Nova Scotia, had given but little attention to
fruit culture, except that of apples. These and
other sections were deemed too far North for
successful fruit cultivation. Now they produce
large quantities of fine fruits, the Nova Scotia
Society having received four medals from the
Royal Horticultural Society of London, and the
Ontario Society, at the Quarter Centennial ses-
sion in Boston in 1873, the Wilder Medal, for the
best collection.

The estimate by the Government for the Cen-
tennial, last year, furnished the following statistics
(soon to be published), of the fruit culture of our
country :

The number of acres under cultivation, in
orchards, vines and small fruits, is estimated at
4,500,000. The number of trees is estimated as
follows: apples, 112,000,000; pears, 28,260,000 ;
peaches, 112,270,000; grapes, 141,260,000; total,
393,790,000. The estimated value of fruit pro-
ducts is : apples, $50,400,000; pears, $14,130,000 ;
peaches, $56,135,000 ; grapes, $2,118,900 ; straw-
berries, $5,000,000; other fruits, $10,432,800;
making a grand total of $138,216,700 ; or, nearly
equal to one-half of the value of our average
wheat crop. California, to say nothing of figs,
oranges, olives and almonds, has nearly one-
third of the whole grape area, sixty thousand
acres of vineyards, and forty-three millions of
vines, yielding annually, besides grapes and
raisins for the market, ten millions of gallons of
wines, to which may be added the wines of
Missouri, Ohio and other States, the whole wine
product being fifteen millions of gallons, as the
annual crop.

The following are a few illustrations of the
immense quantities of fruits which are sent to
market in addition to what is consumed at
home.

Of strawberries, there were received in one
day, in the New York market at the height of
the season, from all sources, 7,000 crates, averag-
ing at least a bushel and a half each — more than
10,000 bushels. The crop of peaches raised in
this country is so enormous that we hardly dare
state the quantity. The largest crop was in 1875,
and on the peninsula of Delaware and Maryland

380

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

alone was estimated at between 7,000,000 and
8,000,000 baskets.

From California, according to the statement
furnished me by Mr. E. J. Hooper, editor of the
California Horticulturist, there were sent East
in 1876, three hundred and thirty-four car loads
of fruit, of four hundred bushels each ; an
increase of more than one hundred per cent,
over the previous year, one firm having sent
seven hundred tons ; and of the strawberry, it is
estimated that from San Jose and vicinity, some
days therewere sent for home consumption forty
tons of this fruit, and in a circuit of about five
miles there are more than a thousand acres of
this fruit under cultivation. Dr. Strentzel, our
Chairman of the Fruit Committee for California,
writes, that, at short notice, that State can furnish
the whole continent with an overflowing supply
of fruit.

From Virginia, Mr. Leighton, our Vice-IYesi-
dent, ^writes, that the increase of strawberry
culture in the vicinity of Norfolk, is astonishing,
completely heading the page of horticultural
progress, and that it seems wonderful how the
demand keeps pace so closely with the supply.
The shipments this year have been over three
millions of quarts. There were nearly 10,000
pickers in the field in one day. One grower had
185 acres. To Boston alone there have been
shipped this year 11,547 crates, of 45 quarts each,
or more than 16,000 bushels.

In Illinois very little fruit was raised, except
for home use, until 1840, when, according to Mr.
Flagg's interesting historical address before the
State Horticultural Society, a new era in fruit
culture commenced. Now there are 320,000
acres of orchards in that State. Mr. Parker Earle
informs me that in a good season there have been
sent from his station alone (Cobden) twenty-five
car loads of fruit daily. Of strawberries, where
scarcely any were raised sixteen years ago for
exportation, within six or seven years the culti-
vation has increased at Cobden and vicinity to
over one thousand acres, so that five or six car-
loads daily are dispatched to the various
markets.

From Georgia, Mr. Berckmans, President of
the State Horticultural Society, writes as follows
of the late exhibition of his Society :

"Many of our people of intelligence were
amazed at our progress. The exhibition of fruits
was grand. I am safe in saying that the display
of peaches was never surpassed, if equalled, in
any place in the past. I had fifty-six varieties of
peaches, all ripe and in perfection ; others had
collections almost equal in number, and several
surpassing in size. Many had peaches measuring
twelve and one-half inches in circumference. The
grape show was almost equal to the peach
exhibit. Upwards of fifty varieties were exhibi-
ted. Some wonderfully fine Concords were
shown, which weighed one pound to the bunch.
Pears were fine, but not numerous as to varie-
ties." He had forty varieties in eating condition,
which, together with the balance of his collec-
tion, made nearly two hundred varieties of fruits.

The increase in the crops of apples, in New

York, Michigan, and the more. Western States,
is wonderful.

From New York, it is estimated that in abun-
dant years, one and a half millions of barrels, are
exported in addition to those consumed at home,
a single firm at Boston receiving from that State
from 30,000 to 40,000 barrels of apples per year.
In the best seasons, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans
counties produce more than one million barrels
of apples, and the value in one county is stated
to be a million of dollars.

Michigan is a great fruit producing State, and
many parts of_ it fully up to New York. The
crop of apples in this State, is estimated by Vice-
President Lyon, at $2,000,000 in value; peaches,
$1,000,000, and other fruits, $1,000,000, or a total
of $4,000,000.

TROPICAL FRUITS.

The reports of Mr. Bishop, Chairman of the
Fruit Committee for Florida, and of Mr. Bed-
mond, Vice President for Mississippi, give pro-
mise of a great increase in the cultivation of
tropical fruit. This, says Mr. Berckmans, has
revolutionized the State of Florida within the
past ten years. It has long been known that the
climate of Florida was well suited to the culti-
vation of the orange, but is is within the last few
years that it has been practically demonstrated
that this, as well as many other tropical fruits
could be grown with profitable results. Florida
oranges were, until within a few years, seldom
seen in our northern cities ; now the bulk of the
consumption is derived from the flowery State.
In this, as in many other fruits in other sections
of the continent, there has been great improve-
ment; by selecting the best varieties for propa-
gation, until the standard of quality of the orange
in California is based upon that of Florida
oranges. The lower portions of Mississippi and
Louisiana produce large quantities of oranges,
but they are seldom shipped to the northern
cities, New Orleans consuming all that are pro-
duced in the surrounding parishes. Bananas
are being extensively grown in lower Florida,
and find ready sale at remunerative prices.
Limes, shaddocks and lemons have received in-
creased attention, while pineapples have been
found to be very successful in the southern por-
tion of Florida. The date begins to thrive suc-
cessfully on the coast of lower Georgia and will,
doubtless, ere long be extensively cultivated.
California now raises seven millions of oranges
annually, and it appears probable that this State,
with the Gulf States, can furnish all the tropical
fruits required for the consumption of the whole
country.

The immense collection of fruit shown at the
Centennial Exposition last year, surpassing even
the great exhibitions of this Society at Boston
and Chicago, deserves mention here. Mr. Parker
Earle, one of the Judges, writes me, " I know
that the Judges examined over twelve thousand
dishes of fruit during the week, commencing the
10th of September, and I have no doubt the en-
tire exhibition during the season, reached the
grand number of over sixty thousand dishes,
and over four hundred thousand specimens."

INDEX.— VOL. XIX.

Abies Engclmanni, 165, 229,
324
•* Menziesii, 278
" Fraseri, 308
About Greenhouses, 200
Absorptive Power of Clay, 27
Abut) Ion, Monstrous, 140
Acalypha tricolor in the

Flower Garden, 262
Acer colchicum rubrum, 37
Aconite, Yellow Winter, 231
Aconitum japonicum, 38, 100
Address of Marshall P. Wil-
der, 320, 379
Adiantum Farleyense and

Double Primulas, 167
Adiantum Farleyense as a

Room Plant, 234
Aeration Apparatus, Mc-
Afee's, 115
jEsculua Californica, 285
" Hippocas t a n u m —
Horse Chestnut, 63
Agave Shawii, Flowering of,

140
Age of Orange Trees, 222
Ages of Distinguished Men,

128
Agriculture, U. S. Dept. Re-
port, 1875, 64
Ailanthus, Chinese, 132

" The. 194, 226, 279

Ajuga reptans, 231

Akebia quinata, Fruiting of,

351

" " Seedling, 7

Alder and Sweet Fern in

Tanning, 23
Alexander Apple, 17

Peach, 147
Algse, 214

" in Drinking Water,119
Alocasia Lowii, 327
Alpine Garden, A Little, 100
Amaryllis formosissima, 295
" vittata Harrisons,
265
Amateur Marketing, 256
American Apples, Packing,
211
" Ass'n for Advance-
ment of Science,
Meeting, 127
" Ass'n of Nursery-

men, 288
Ass'n, The, 248
" Blackberries in
England, 50, 365
" Gum Arabic, 368

Naturalist, 64
" Pomological Soc'y,

96, 159, 192, 255,
319, 320, 352
" and Foreign Tube-

roses, 30
" Tuberoses, 2

" " Italian

and, 112
America.Price of Flowers in,
359
" The Garden of, 316
Ampelopsis japonica, 7
" Veitchii, 165

" Virginica, Poi-

soning by, 151
Amsden Peach, 303
Andromeda arborea, 340

Anemone japonica, 357
Animal and Vegetable Life,
Northern Limits of, 215
Annual Plants, 355
Ant Hill, Plant in an, 233
Antholoyza, Culture of, 171
Anthurium crystallinum, 239
Antignon leptopus, 39, 170
Antipodal Hyacinths, 329
Apple, Alexander, 17

" and Pear Trees, De-
caying, 47
" Baldwin, 50
" Ben Davis, 16
" Best in the World, 301
" Blenheim Pippin, 16,

147, 206
" Bradt Seedling Russet,
335
" French Pippin, 51 , 1 16
" Golden " Histo-
ry of, 254
" Hames' Seedling, 273
" Kinney's Cider Crab,
337
" Mother, 146
" Names, Origin of some

Old, 254
" Northern Spy in the

West, 207 '
" Ribston Pippin, 17
" Rossingold, A Good

French, 79
" Sener, 113
" Siberian Crab, Im-
proved, 337
" State, The, 241
" Stump, 19
" Swenker, 52
" Tree, Twig-blight on

the, 365
" Twin, 351
Apples, American Packing,
241
Best Maine, 335
for England, 207
for North -eastern

New Jersey, 80
Name of, 52
New, 19
Numerous Varieties

of, 366
Popular English,241
Wearing out of Va-
rieties, 240
Apricots in Boston, 80, 173
" " California, 206,
332
April Day in the Foot-hills

of California, 309
Aquilegia Californica, 100
" Chrysantha, Hy-
brid, 292
Aquilegias, California, 37
Aralia papyrilera, 369
Arboretum, Arnold, 56

" Segreyanum,375

Arboriculture, Piizes for, 245

Artichoke, Jerusalem, 51, 158

" " History

of, 126
" " Native

Country'
of, 157
To Cook
175
Artificial Colored Flowers,296
Artillery Plant for Window
Gardens, 234

Arundo conspicua, 58
Asclepias cornuti, 118
" Syriaca, 69
Ash as a Timber Tree, 177
" White, in New England,
245
Asparagus, Conover's Collos-
sal, 175
" Forcing, 208

Monstrous, 146
Asplenium Trichomanes, 264
Asters, German, 165
Attractive Country Places,

Building up, 63
Australia, Recollections of,

60, 122, 187
Autumns, Our, 357
Awards at the Centennial, 31
Ayer & Son's Manual, 2J
Azalea calendulacea, 262
" Indica, Empereur du
Bresil, 44
Azaleas, Hardy, Treatment
of, 166

Bag Worm, Drop or, 87
Baldwin Apple, 50
Bananas in California, 16
Barrow, A Water, 243
Bassett's American Plum, 338
Beans, Fertilization in, 55
Bearing Age of Pear Trees,211
" Long Continuous,174
Beautiful Specimens of

Trees, 5
Beauty by Moonlight, 357
" of Glazenwood Rose,

104, 141, 168, 194
" of the Eucalvptus, 202
Bedding, Fall Colored, 357
" Plants, How might
be Arranged, 354
Beds, Spring, 354
Beech in Indiana, 52
Bees and Clover, 94, 280
Beetle, Damage by a, 263

" New Destructive, 340
Begonia Rex, 71
Begonias, Improved, 237

" New Tuberous, 290
" Tuberous Rooted,
327 330
Belle de Chaten'ay Violet, 298

" Strawberry, 335
Ben Davis Apple, 16
Bermuda, Vegetation of, 55
Bequest lorTree-planting,349
Best Apple in the World, 301
" Eating the, 365
" Maine Apples, 335
" Raspberry, Which is, 270
" Sciadoptysverticillata,39
" Tea Rose, 237
Billyeu's Late October Peach,
242
Birches, Japanese, 232
Birkett Pear, 173
Bishop Wood, Double Gera-
nium, 12, 328
Blackberries, American, in
Hngland, 5 0,
365
Blackberries, Very Late, 184
Blackberry, Iloosic Thorn-
less, 337
" Wilson's Early,

Hardiness of,
51

Black Hills, Fruit of the, 79
Blenheim Pippin Apple, 16.

147, 206
Blight, Pear, Discussion on,
367
" " Tree, 20,145,147

" Twig, on Apple Tree,
365
Blooms, Rose, 329
Blue Glass, 119, 214

" Controversy, 247

Blumenbachia coronata, 232
Boiler, Portable Hot-water,
141
Boilers, Hot-water, 141
Borers in Peach Trees, 80
Boston, Apricots in, 80, 173
" Rhododendrons at,
229
Botanical Against Common
Names, 183
" Garden in Fair-

mount Park, 85
" Names, Plural of,

252
Studies, Helping,
339
Bougainvillaea spectabilis, 234
Bouquet, A Summer Garden,
296
Flowers, 237

" White, 235
" Vases, Permanent
Ivy for, 201
Bouquets, Co vent Garden, 12
" Maiden Hair Fern
for, 202, 296
Bouvardia jasminiflora, 203
Bradt Seedling Russet Apple,
335
Bragdon, C. C, Death of, 29
Brainard,Prof.,on Solar Heat

Theory, 95
Brighton Grape, 336
Brisbane Lily, 237
Brodisea Californica, 83
Browallia Roezii, 166
Brugmansia suaveolens in the

Flower Garden, 328
Buds, Peach, How many a

Day, 335
Building up Attractive Coun-
try Places, 63
Bulbs, Hardy, 292

" Old Hyacinth, Flow-
ering of, 358
" Spring, 360
Buifalo Park Commission Re-
port, 350
Burdett's Island and Orchard
in the Niagara River, 252
Burlingtonia tragrans, 202
Burnet Landreth, Address

of, 22
Burning of Lee's Green-
houses, 92
Burying Roots, 371
Business Enterprise, 377

" Fruit Growing as a,
335
Butter from Cydonia japon-
ica, 19
Button-hole Roses, 201

Cabbage Family, 317
Cactus in Upholstery, 253

384

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Cactus Man, Rhymes and
Recollections of. 219,
250, 310
" Paper from, 211
Cairo, Tree of the Blessed

Virgin near, 254
California, Apricots in, 206,
332
April Day in the
Foot hills, 309
Aquilegias, 37
Bananas in, 16
Climate of, 57
" Cork Trees in,

81, 368
" Dahlias in, 263
Early Peaches

in, 337

Eucalyptus i n ,

176

Fritillarias o r

Rice Roots, 228

Garden Flowers

in, 264
Letter from, 218
" Lilies, 58

Notes from, 121
Nut-farming in,
366
Peach Disease in,
50
Peaches in, 335
Phylljxerain,17
Pines, Fungus

on, 119
Plants East, 163
" Tea in, 303

" Timber Notes
from, 176
Tree Planting

Law in, 179
Yuba Co., Notes
from, 211
Californian Chestnut, 38
Conifers, 230
Calla -Ethiopica, 108, 269
" Lily, Culture of the, 170
" " Propagating, 298
" " R'.chardia .ffithio-
pica, Propagating, 359
Callas, Double Headed, 151,
185
Callirrhoe Macrorrhize, 292
Camden, Wood's Vineyard

at, 63
Camellia, Falling of Flower

Buds in the, 202
Camellias in Cold Frames,232
Campbell, Mr. Roderick, 287
Canada Farmer, The, 64
" Honey Locust in, 229
" Tree-planting in, 22
Canna, Gladiolus anJ, 139
Canbya Candida. 87
Captain Jack Strawberry, 51,
304
Carbolic Acid for Insects, 144
Care in Varieties, 337
Carnation, La Belle, 73, 107

Pinks, 30
Carnations, Winter -flower-
ing, 44
Carolina Poplar, 324
Caroline Strawberry, 335
Carrots, 243

Case, L. B., Catalogue, 351
Catalogue, Dahlia, 189
Catalpa, Early Flowering, 69
Timber, Value of,82
Ca'awlssa Raspberry, 365
Ceanothus integerrimus, 293
Cedar. Red, Cream-colored, 6
Celery, Dwarf. A Good, 146

" Fly, 243

Celtis Australis, Nettle Tree,

212

Centaurea rntaefolia, 239

Centennial, Awards at the, 31

Horticulture at

the, 62
Exposition, 192
P o -
mological Sec-
tion, 160

Centennial, Jury, Work of
Group xxxvi.,
288
Pomological Ex-
hibit.Notes on,
192
Pom ologi cal
Judges, 154
Cercis Japonica, Japan Judas

Tree, 226
Cereus, Night-blooming, £67,
325
Chamsedorea, 135

" formosa, 72

Champion Wind Engine, 18
Chemical Hygroscope, 90
Cherries, Profitable, 334
Cherry, Cornelian, New, 6
" Early Richmond,
Best Stock for, 207
" Montmorenci, 304
" Olivet, 19
" Stock of the, 208
" Utah Hybrid, 334
" Weeping, 259
Chestnut, Californian, 38

Trees, Large, 177
Chestnuts from Seed, Grow-
ing, 244
Chicago Botanic Garden, 29
" Roof Gardening in,
296
China, Peen-to,or Flat Peach

of, 301
Chinese Ailanthus, 132

" Primrose, Flowering

of, 77

The Old

Double, 296

" Primroses, Double,

356

Chionanthus Virginicus,

Fruiting of, 6

Chlorine and Camphorated

Water, Steeping Seeds in,

304

Chlorophyllum Sternbergian-

um, 110
Christ's Thorn, 316
Chrysanthemum fcenicula-

tum, 264
Chrysanthemums, Grafting,
329
Cinerarias, Double, 76, 298

Improved, 140, 234
City Plant Growing, 352
Clay, Absorptive Power of,
27
Clematis calycina, 168
" Davidiana, 324
" tubulosa, 325
Climate and the Foreign

Grape, 367
Climate of California, 57

" Coalville, Utah,
119
Climate, Our, Eucalyptus in,
86
Clover, Bees and, 9t, 280
" Blossoms, Fertiliza-
tion of. 180
Clover Sod Lime on, 338
Coalville, Utah, Climate, 119
Cott'ee, Liberian, 303
Coix lachryma, Job's Tears,
170
Cold, Exposure of Seeds to,217
" Frames, Camellias in, 233
" Vinery, Thrips in, 116
Coleuses, Grafting, Curious

Effects of, 298, 360
Colorado Menzies Spruce, 292
Potato Beetle, Ge-
ography of, 306
Colors of Dried Plants, Natu-
ral, To Preserve, 236
Comet Peach, 242
Cumfrey, Prickly, 209
Commercial Classes of Forest

trees. 82
Commissioner of Forestry, 22
Common Namea, Botanical

Agalnut, 183
Common Silk-weed, 69

Concord Grape, 303
Coniferae, A New Pinus

Omorika, 293
Coniferae, Pruning, 103

" Variations in, 25
Conifers, Californian, 230
" Timber in Massa-
chusetts, 211
Coninck, A. M. C. Jongkindt,

Catalogue of, 93
Connecticut Board Agricul-
ture. Report of, 316
Conover's (Jollossal Aspara-
gus, 175
Conservatory of H. C. Gibson,
155
on Roof of a
Hotel, 235
Consider the Flowers of the

Field, 3
Contributors, Our 128, 264
Convolvulus arvensis, 264

" Mauritanicus 298
Cork Trees in Caiilornia, 81,

368
Cornish Gilliflower, 50
Cornus mascula aurea ele-

gantissima 231
Corrections, 375
Correspondence, 2 to 4 9 to 12
15 to 16, 24 to 25, 28 to 29,
34 to 37, 41 to 44, 47 to 49
54, 58 to 62, 66 to 68, 73to76,
78to79,81,83to84,90to92,
94 to 96, 97 to 103, 104 to
109. 113 to 114, 116 to 118,
120 to 126, 130 to 133, 135
to 139, 143 to 146, H9 to
150, 153 to 154, 162 to 165,
167 to 168, 172 to 173, 176,
179 to 183, 186 to 188, 194
to 197, 200 to 201, 206, 210
to 211,213 to 214, 218 to
221, 226 to 229, 233 to 234,
246 to 247, 258 to 262, 266
to 267, 270 to 271, 277, 278
to 279, 280 to 281, 287 to
288, 299 to 291, 295 to 295,
300 to 301, 305 to 306, 309,
313, 322, to 324, 327 to 323,
331 to 333, 341, 343, 354 to
356, 359 to 360, 362 to 365,
369,370,371
Covent Garden Bouquets, 12
Crab, Kinney's Cider, 337

" Siberian, Improved, 337
Cranberries in Southern

Utah, 243
Crawford's Early Peach in

England, 335
Cream-colored Red Cedar, 6
Credits, Nursery, 312
Crimson Boursalt Roso, 357
Crocus speciosus, 6
Cross-fertilization and Self-
fertilization of Flowers,
117, 149, 181
Crown Imperials, 324
Cryptogams, Lower, and
Fungi, Collection of, 214
Cryptomeria japonica, 367
Cucumber, Worm in a, 304
Cultivated Pine Apples, 50
Cultivation of Zonal Gera-
nium for Exhibition, 42
Culture, Brodioea Californica,
84
" Antholyza, of, 171
" Cactus, of the, 269
" Calla Lily, of, 170
" Fruit among Farm-
ers, 363
Culture Grape, in England,
220
" Grape, under Glass,
272
" Hardy Rhododen-
drons, of, 194
" Hedychium Gard-

nerianum, 269
" Lilium Humboldtii,
258
" Lily, 37, 104
" Orchid, 44

Culture, Peach in the North,

Raspberry, 16
" Richardia (Calla)
jEthiopica, of, 235
" Verbena, 9
Cuphea Rillfieldiana, 169
Cure for Mealy Bug, 361
Curious Fact for Darwin, 340
Currant, La Versailles, 334

" Lee's Black, 305
Cut-leaved Grape, 326
Cut Flowers, Display at Per-
manent International
Exhibition, 317
Cycas revoluta not the Sago

Palm, 249
Cyclamen Persicum, 327
Cyclamens, Flowering, 201

" Starting, 45
Cydonia japonica, Butter

from, 19
Cypress, Standing, 326

D

Daemonorops palembanicua,
23«
Daffodil, The, 229
Dahlia Catalogue, 224

of Max
Deegan, Jr.,
189
Dahlias in California, 263
Damage by a Beetle, 263
Damages for Delay, 256
Damson Plum, Shropshire,
304
Dandelion Salad, 243
Daphne, Purple-leaved, 6
Darlingtoniaand Sarracenia,
Singular Analogy in, 56
Darlingtonia Californica, 230
Dartmouth College, 255
Darwin, Curious Facts for,
340
Darwin's. Mr., Family, 287
Daytoq, Ohio, Soldiers' Home

at, 376
Dead Seed, Restoring, 339,
369
Death of C. C. Bragdon, 29
" Dr. J. S. Houghton,
29
" Lady Smith, 128
"' R. Robinson Scott,

255, 286
" T. T. Mather, 286
Decaying Pear and Apple

Trees, 47
Decoration of Grounds, &c.,97
'* Tritomia in,360

Delay, Damages for, 256
Descending Sap, 184
Destruction of the Potato

Beetle, 336
Deterioration of Grasses on a

Lawn,, 197
Dewberry, White, 174
Dianella aspera, 12
Dianthus, 196

Dick's Garden Hand Books,

255

Dlospyrus Kaki or Japanese

Persimmon, 362
Diplacus glutinosus, 258
Disease, Peach, 50
" Pears, in, 48
" Marechal Neil Rose,
of, 829
Distinct Phloxes, 292
Distinguished Men, Ages of,
128
Dividing Herbaceous Plants,
199
Dog's-tooth Violet, Erythro-

nium, 197

Dog-wood, Scarcity of, 339

Double »nd Single Tuberoses,

232

" Blossom Peaches, 229

" Chinese Primroses,

856

1877-3

AND HORTICULTURIST.

385

Double Flowered Cinerarias,
76, 298
" Flowers, 248
" Geranium, Bishop

Wood, 12, 328
" Headed Dallas, 151,
185
" Lilium Auratum, 2
*' Poinsetta, 44
" White Bedding Lobe-
lia, A, 204
" Oleander, "268
" Violet, New,
166
" Zonale,Wonderful,?6
Downer Peach, 115
1 >i twning, Chas. , Notes by, 100
Pracocephalum, 324
drainage, Pot, 41, 106
P/ried Plants, To Preserve the

Natural Colors, 236
Drinking Water, Alga? in, 119
Drop or Bug Worm, 87
Dryness, Plants which Endure

137
Duchess of Edinburg Rose, 12.

106
Durand's Strawberry Culture,

224
i >usty Roads, To Moisten, 197
Dwarf Celery, A Good. 146
*' Service Berry, 334

E

Earle, Mr. Parker, 64
Early Beatrice and Early
Rivers Peaches, 242
" Dawn Grape, 336
" Flowering Catalpa, 69
«« " Plants, 134

" Fruits and Other, Notes

on, 301
" Peaches, The Best, 276
" Pear, A Good, 305
" Richmond Cherry, Best

Stock for, 207
" Spring, Salad for, 304
" Vegetables,lmporting,207
Earth, Shape of the, 216
Eating the Best, 365
Echinocactus Simpsoni, 151,279
Egrptians, Hashish of the, 349
Editor, European Notes by the
281, 313, 343
'' Woes of an, 62
Editorial Notes, 5, 12, 22, 25,
29 30, 37, 44, 49, 52, 54, 62,
68, 76, 79,81. 84, 92, 96, 103,
110, 115, 118, 126. 133, 139.
146, 150, 154, 159, 165, 168,
173. 176, 183, 1S8, 190, 197,
201, 2(16, 211, 214, 221, 229,
234, 240, 244, 247, 252, 262.
267, 271, 281, 288, 291, 296,
301,306,313, 317, 324, 328,
333, 339, 343, 352, 355, 359,
365, 367, 370, 372
Effect of Frost on Persimmon

Fruit, 116
Elder, Variegated, 39
Elsagnus parvifolius, 294
Elm, The Name, 223
FtnMematic Plants, English

National, 222
Enemy of the Potato Beetle,

316
England, American Blackber-
berries in, 50, 365
Apples for, 207
" Crawford's Early

Peach in, 335
" Culture of the Grape

in, 220
" . Hale's Early Peach,
in, 17
English Name, Bothered bv
the, 253
" National Emblematic

Plants, 222
" Popular Apples, 241
" Walnut, 51
" Winter, The, 127

Ephemeron Flower, 376
Ericas, Hardy, 229
Erythronium—Dog's-tooth Vio-
let, 197
Eucalpytus, Beauty of the, 202
** globulus a failure,
81
" " in Ver-

mont, 23
" " Watering

267
•* in California, 176
" " Mexico, 63

" " Ohio, 53

" " Our Climate, 86

" Philada., 152
" " South Carolina,

177
Eucharis Amazonica, Flower-
ing under Difficulties, 11
Euonymus, A Beautiful Speci-
men of, 70
" radicans, 306

" " variegata,5

European Notes by the Editor,
281, 313, 343, 372
" Walnut, The, 213
Europe, Finger Grass in, Our,

370
Forests in, 23, 277
Phylloxera in, 333
Evening Primroses, 323
Evergreen Plantation, An, 261

The, 223
Evergreens at St. Louis, 165

Effects of Wind on,
133
" Notes on, and some
Rhododendrons, 67
" Propagation ol by
Soft Wood Cut-
tings, 232
" Pruning, 264
Evidence, Time in, 18
Evolution. 56

" in Plants, 55

Facts Relative to Rainfall and

the Lakes, 54
Failure, Eucalyptus globulus, a,

81
Fairmount Parte, 29, 285

" " Botanical Gar-

den in, 85
Fall Colored Bedding, 357
" Fruiting Strawberries, 16,
51
Falling of Flower Buda in the

Camellia, 202
Farmers, Fruit Culture Among

363
Farm Houses, Taste in, 328
Far West, To the, 123
Feathered Awns, Use of to some

Seeds, 184
Ferneries, 76

Fern, Japanese Climbing, Ly-

godium scandens, 169, 237

" Maiden Hair" Im Bouquets

202, 296 »
" Sweet, for Tanning, 83
Ferns, Maiden Hair, 44

" Golden, 44
Fertile Hydrangea, 351
Fertilization, Aiding Pollen in,

370
" by Insect Agency,

88, 219, 308
" in Beans, 55

" of Clover Blos-

soms, 180
" of Flowers thro'

Insect Agency, 54
Fertilizing Fies in Smyrna, 174
fibre Plants, 184
Ficus elastica, Flowering of,

171
Fig, Fructification of, 270
Figs, Fertilizing in Smyrna,

174
Fine Late Peaches. 338

Fine Sciadopitys, 199
Finger Grass, Our, in Europe,

370
Fire from Steam-heating, Dan-
ger of, 307
" Proof Wood, 247
Firs and Spruces, About, 370
Flavor of American and Eng-

glish Peaches, 340
Fleshy Fruits, 184, 247
Fly, Celery, 243
Flora] Decorations at Parties
in France, 285
" Gazette, 317
Florist and Pomologist, 317
Flower-buds in the Camellia,

Falling of, 202
Flower Ephemeron, 376

" Garden, Acalypha tri-
. color in the, 62
'• ' " and Pleasure
Ground, 33,
65, 97, 129,
161, 193, 225,
257, 289, 321,
353
" Brugmansia sua-
veolens in the
328
" Mocassin, 292
'• of Fourcroya, 360
" Satin, 253
Flowering Cyclamens, 201

Plants, Early, 134
" of Agave Shawii,140

ofChinese Primrose
77
of Eucharis Ama-
zonica tinder Dif-
ficulties, 11
" of Ficus elastica, 171

" of Fuchsia procum-

bens, 201
" of Primula, 140

Flowers and Plants, Prices of,

287
" Artificial Colored, 296
" Bouquet, 237
" Cheap, Popular Appre

ciation of, 360
" Double, 248
" Fertilization of Thro'

1 nsect Agency, 54
" in America, Price of ,
359
" of the Field, Consider,
3
" Prairie, 24. 278
" Preserving Fresh, 328
" Self-fertilization and
Cross-fertilization of
117, 149. 181
" White Bouquet, 235

Foot-hills, Six Months in the.

341
Forced Fruits and Vegetables,

208
Forcing Asparagus, 208
" Grape, '242

Lily of the Valley, 268
" Tender Roses, 41
Foreign Grape, Climate and
the, 367
*« Trees, 53
Forest Planting in France, 245
•' Rose Strawberry, 274
" Seedlings, 212
': Trees.Commercial Class-
es of, 82
Forest rv, 20, 52,81, 176, 210, 214,
277, 338, 357
" Commissioner of, 22
'• in Massachusetts, 211
•• on Unproductive
Lands, 339
Forests and Rainfall, 53
" in Europe, 23,277
" of Massachusetts, 177
" of Sweden ,213
" Premiums for, 53
Fourcroya, Flower of, 360
Fox Glove, Improved, 292
Fox's Seedling Pears, 115
Fragraria arborea, 197

France, Forest-planting in, 245
Freeman's Late Peach, 336
Freezing of Sap, 185, 217, 372
French Pippin Apple, 51, 116
Frittillarias or Rice Roots, 228
Frost and Hardiness, 68

" on Persimmon Fruit,
Effects of 116
Fructification of the Fig, 270
Fruit and BTead, 317

" " Nut Culture, Indian

" " Vegetable Garden-
ing, 14,46. 77, 113,
142, 171, 204, 239,
2^9, 299, 331, 358
*' at the North, 172
" Crops in Ohio, 147
" Culture Among the Farm-
ers, 363
*' from Grand Traverse Re-
gion, Michigan, 338
" Garnishing, Leaves for,
236
" Growing as a Business,
333
" How to Raise, 189
" Illustrations of, 174
" Of Passiflora edulis, 276
" of the Black Hills, 79
" Pruning for, 18
" Synonyms, 49
" Thinning, 49
" Trees, Oil for, 115, 271

'* Preserving from
Grasshoppers, 206
" Prun'g Full-grown,
78
" Trained, 173
" What is a, 305
" Will it Pay to Thin, 366
Fruiting of Akebiaquiuata, 351
" Chiouamhus Vir-
giuicus, 6
Fruits and Vegetables, Forced.

208
" Early and Other, Notes

on, 301
'* Fleshy, 184, 247
" Patented, 186
" Some Old, 78
Fuchsia, New, 237

" Number of Species of,
119
*' procumbens, 44, 208
" " Flower-

ing of
201
Fuel, Growing Wood for, 213
Fungi and the Lower Crypto-
gams, Magnificent Collec-
tion of, 214
" Parasitic, 127
Fungus, Black, in a Graperv,

147

" on California Pints,

119

Garden, A Little Alpine, 100
" Flowers in California,
264
My, 356
" of America, The, 316
" Plant, Papyrus as a,
296
Gardener's Monthly, Contribu-
tions to
the, 128
" " for 1878,

348
" " The, 93

Gardening Around Nashville,
Tennessee, 346
" Gossip of the Olden
Time, 120, 153
Gardens, Roof, 169
Gary's Hold-on Peach, 174
Gas and Oil Light, 41
" Killed Trees, 325
*• Lime, 195, 271
Gen. Washingtou Rose, 69
Generation, Spontaneous, 306

386

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[ December,

Georgia, Early Peaches in, 276
" Tea in, 63
'* State Hort. Society,
92, 318
Geranium, Double, Bishop
Wood, 12, 328
Ivy-leaved, 235
" Mrs.Taylor.Scented
170
" Zonale, for Exhibi-
tion, Cultivation
of, 42
Geraniums, Preserve Old, 297
Germau Asters, 1G5
Gerniantown, Phila. Hort. So-
ciety, 191
Gibson, Henry C.Conservatory

of, 155
Gaillardia Amblyodon, 69
Gilliilower, Cornish, 50
Gillya Parryse, 87, 151
Gladiolus and Canna, 139

" Large Collection of,
229
Glass, Blue, 119, 214
" " Controversy, 247

" Grape Culture Under,

272, 332
" Grapes Culture Under,
256
Golden-leaved Poplar, 166
" Pippin Apples, History

of, 251
" Tulip Tree, 357
Gold-veined Honeysuckle, 69
Good Early Pear, 337

" Grape Manual, 15
Gooseberry, Late Emerald, 275
Roe's Seedling, 274
" Smith's Improved,
303
Graft Hybrids. 87
Grafting Cli i ysantbemums, 329
" Coleuses, Curious Ef-
fects of, 298, 360
" Magnolias, 39
Grape Border, How to Make a,

3G6
" Brighton, 336
" Concord, 303
" Culture in England, 221
" " Under Glass.272

332
" Cut-leaved, 326
u Early Dawn, 336
" Fore'ign, Cliuiateand the
367
" Forcing, 242
" Gros Colman, 207.242
" Insect on the, 90
" Lady Washington, 336
" Los Angeles or Mission,

Origin of, 211
" Maine, fa, 145
" Manuel, A Good, 15
" Roots, Pruning, 80
" P.ot in Missouri, 335
*' Seuppernong, 335
" Secretary, 80
" Vine, Purple-leaved. 38
" Vines, Inarching, 147
Gra5>ery and Sanatorium, 271
•' Black Fungus in a.
147
Grapes, 3G4

'• A Large Bunch of, 16
" Hybrid. 128
" " Experiments for

Production of,
126
«' " Seedlings of, 113

" Late, 366
" New White, 242
" Rlckett's.336
" Rot in, 865
" Lolling of, in a Grape-

ry, 81
" Under Glass, 256
Greenhouse and House Garden-
ing, 8, 41), 7n, 104,
134, 167, 199, Li33,
265, 326, 361
*• Heating a Small,
329

Greenhouses, About, 200

" Heating a Small

Vegetable or,106
" Lee's, Burning of,

92
Lord's, 329
" Nasty, 135

" Obscured Glass in

108
*' Ruined byhis, 188

" Small, Heating bv

aCoalStove,200
" Trees tor Protect-

ing, 45
Grasses on a Lawn, Deteriora-
tion of, 197
Grasshopper Machines, 115,253
Grasshoppers,Killing, 303

" Preserving Fruit

Trees from, 206
Grass, Job's Tears, 170

" Pampas, 360
Gray, Dr., 350
Grease for Pear Trees, 52
Gregg Raspberry, 305
Gros Colman Grape, 207, 242
Grounds, Decoration of, 99
Growing Chestnuts from Seed,

244
" Mushroom, 304
" Wood for Fuel, 213
Growth of Hickory, Rapid, 277,

338
Oak, 277
" Pecan Nut Hickorv
368
Tree, 27
Guano, 376

Gum Arabic, American, 368
Gvmnocladus Canadensis as a

Fly Poison, 351
Gymnostacbyum Verschaffelti.

295

Hale's Early Peach, 17

" " in England

17
Hames' Seedling Apple, 273
Haud Book of Practical Land-
scape Gardening, 92
" Plough, 115
Hardiness, Frost and, 68

" of Japan Persim-
mon, 241
" of Wilson's Early
Black berrv, 51
Harding. W. T., 93
Hardy Azaleas, Treatment of.

166
" Bulbs, 292
«' Ericas. 229
« Evergreen Flowering
Shrub, Hypericum
paiulum. New. 232
«* Herbaceous Catalogue,
224
" Rhododendrons, 2
" " Culture

of, 194
Hashish of the Egyptians, 349
Hatching Eg>,'s and Raising
Poultry by Horse Manure,

Hawthorns, Ornamental.
Hazel-nut, Sicilian, 52
Healing a Small Greenhouse,

" Cities by Steam, 307
a Small Greenhouses by

a Coal Stove, 200
« •' Veget able or

i , reenhou
" Steam, I' inger ol riro

i, Ml?

ir. :■(, rnternal, of Plants, 248
rdnerianum,269
ng Botanii
Hepatica, Cbe, id, 21 1
Herbaceous Plants, Dividing,

199
" " in General, 355

Herbarium Specimens, 216
Hickories and Walnuts, Sow-
ing, 246
Hickory, Rapid Growth of, 277,

3^8
" Pecan Nut, Growth
of, 368
Highland Hardy Raspberry, 20
Hints, Seasonable, 1, 8, 14, 33,
40, 46, 65, 70, 77, 97, 129,
134, 142, 162 167,171, 193,
199, 204, 225, 233, 239, 257,
265, 269, 289, 294, 299, 321
326, 353, 358, 361
History of the Golden Pippin
Apple, 254
" " Jerusalem Arti-

choke, 126
" United States
Leeds' 224
Hollyberries. 151
Hollyhock, New Japanese, 166
Honeyed Secretions, The Pur-
pose or Use of, 57, 87
Honey Locust in Canada, 229
Honeysuckle, Gold-veined, 69
Honeywell Peach, 303 .
Honor to Drs. Hooker & Gray,

350
Hooker, Dr., 350
Hoopes Pro. & Thomas, Cata-
logue of, 127
Hoosac Thornless Blackberry

337
Horse Chestnut, 63

" " for Rheuma-

tism, 285
" " Tree, A Large

338
" Power Vineyard, 174
" Radish, Seedling of, 151
Hortensia, 126

" or Hortensis, 28, 90
Horticultural Exhibitions, Mu-
sic at, 288
" Pioneers at the

West, 192
" Protection, 58,

124
" Purposes, Glass

for, 141
" Science, 27

«' Societies, 30, 94,

159, 190, 287,
317, 352
" Societies, State,

and Penologi-
cal, 96
" Society, Georgia

State, 92, 318
" Society.Germau-

town, Phila-
delphia, 191
" Society.Iudiana,

350
" Society, Kansas,

State, 287
" ' Society, Mary-

land, 319
** Society, Massa-

chusetts, 157,
- 191,316

" 9 Society, Nebras-
ka, State, 350
" Society, N. Jer-

sey, State, 223
" Society, N. York,

191.

". Society ,Ohio,350

" Society, Penna.

318

" Society .Western

N. Y", 30, 190
" Soeietv Wiscon-

sin State, 316
Horticulture at the Centennial

62

" in Kentucky and

Tennessee, 316

" Royal Patronage

Of, 221

" Swindles in, 285

Hot-bed, Improved Sash tor, 70
Hot Water Boiler, Portable, 203

Hot Water Boilers, 141

" " on Insects, 168
Houghton, Dr. J. S., Death of,

29
House Rhododendron, 104
How Bedding Plants Might be
Arranged, 354
" Not to Do It. 347
" to Make a Grape Border,
366
Hyacinth Bulbs, Old, Forcing
of, 358
" Leaves, 140
Hyacinths, Antipodal, 329

" Propagating from

Leaves, 149
Hybrid Aquiiegia chrysantha,

292
" Cherry, Utah, 334
" Grapes, 128
" " Experiments

for Produc-
tion of, 126
" " Seedlings of,

113
" Tea Rose (so caliedj
Beauty of Glazen-
wood, 168
Hybrids, Graft, 87
Hydrangea, Fertiie, 351

" paniculata, 230

" Thos. Hogg, 204,

360
Hygroscope, Chemical, 90
Hypericum patulum, New
Hardy Evergreen, Flower-
ing Shrub, 232

Idesia polycarpa, 292, 356
Illinois, Early Nurserymen of,

92
" Museum Nat. History,

Bulletin, 93
" Nursery, A Prosper-
ous, 254
" Thistle Law. 350
Illustrations of Fruit, 174
Importing Early Vegetables, 207
Improved Begonias, 2:j7

" Cinerarias, 140, 234
" Fox Glove, 292
" Petunias, 237
Improving Old Favorites, 169
Inarching Grape Vines, 147
Increasing the Size of Mush-
rooms, 335
Indiana, Beech in, 52

" Hort. Society, 350
Indian Fruit and Nut Culture,

3;-=
Industries of Philadelphia. 127
Injury to a Linden Tree, 39
Insect Agenev, Fertilization
by, 54, 88
" Fertilization, 249
" on the Grape, 90
Insects and fertilization, 308
" Carbolic Acid lor, 144
Hot Water on, 240
War on the, 240
International Exhibition Com-
pany, 190
Interpretation of Varying

Forms, 84
Iowa, Roses and Verbenas in,

162
Ipomoea leptophylla, 263
Ireland, Seuding Peaches to,

207
Irish Junipers, 325
Iris Iberica. 231
Irrigation for Farm, Garden or

Orchard, 157
Italian and American Tubi -

rosi s. 112
Ivy, 69, 357

Ivy-leaved I reranium,2M
Ivy, Permanent, for Bouquet
Vases, 201
" Purple-leaved, 170, 209
Ixora Regiua, 297

LS77-]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

387

Jackson.S. S., Wedding of, 29
James Veitch Strawberry ,19,51
Japanese Birches, 232

•' Climbing Fern, Lygo-
cliuiii 3cande s, 169,
237
" Hollyhock, New, 166
" Persimmon, Diospy-
tus Kaki, 362
Japan Judas Tree, Cercis Ja-
ponica, 226, 229
Maples, The, 103
Paper. 179
" Persimmon, 51, 80, 174
'• Hardiness of,241
Jerusalem Artichoke, 51, 158
■ 'History of,126
" " Natife

Country
of, 157
" ToCook,175
Job's Tears, Coix lachrvma, 170
Jonah's Gourd, (53
Journal of Forestry, 351
Judas Tree, Japan". 226, 229
.lodges. Rules tor. 37ti
July Flowering shrubs, 322
Junipers, I rish, 325

Variations in 263

K

Kansas, Experiments in Tim-
ber Raising in, 210
Letter, A. 312
State Hurt Society,287
Vineyard, 304
Keeping Tom toes, 145
Keuedya rubicunda, 235
Kennedy, Thos. S, of Louis-
ville, Ky., 376
Kentucky Cotfee as a Fly Poi-
son, 351
Horticulture in, 316
Notes from, 363
Killing Grasshoppers, 303
Kinney's Cuter Crab. 337
Kinsey's Catalogue, 158

La Belle Carnation, 73, 107

Laca.uer Tree, 3GS

Lady Bug, New Use for, 267

" Washington Grape, 336
La France Rose, (39
Laiidreth, B . Letter from, 192
Land and Game Birds of New

England, 59
Large Bunch of Grapes, 16
Chestnut Trees, 177
" Collection of Gladiolus,
229
" Horse Chestnut Tree,33o
'* Uak Trees, 22
" Sequoia gigantea, 134
" White Oak in Michigan,
"244
Largest Lrtubrella Pine, 6S
Late Blackberries, Very, 184
" Cone Strawberries, 274
" Emerald Gooseberry, 275
" Grapes, 36G

" Peach or Walling Plum,
115
Laurentia carnosula, 70
Laurus Sassafras. 227
La Versailles Currant, 334
Lawn, Deterioration of Grasses
on a, 197
" Grass for Oregon, 7
Lawns, Weeds in, 199
L tyered Grape Vines, 80
L/eaf- roller, Strawberry, 143
Leaves for Garnishing Fruit,

£36
" Hyacinth, 140
" Propagating Hyacinths
from, 140
Leek, Origin of the, 63

Lee's Ulack Currant, 305
Lommouia Californica, 184, 252
Letter iroin California, 218

Kansas. A, 312
Leucopliyta Brownii, 165
Ltbei tan Coffee, 303
Lichens, 214

us Marvels, 20
Light and Vegetation. 184
Litte i'roducing Like, 5S
Lilac, Persian. Seeds of, 279
Lilies, California, 58
ot Utah, 349
" Our Native, 55
Planting, 167
Lilium Aurat urn, Double, 2
'• Catesban, 165
" Humboldtianum, 25
" Hnmboldtii, 165, 258
" parvuin, 68
" Tliunbergianum Van
Houtei, 294
Lily, Brisbane, 237
" Calla. Propagating, 298
" Culture, 37, 104
" of Valley, Forcing, 268
" Victoria, Growing in the

Open Air, 357
" White Water, 99
Lime, tins, 195, 271
Linden Tree, Injury to a, 39
Linseed Oil on Pear Trees, 334
Literature, Travels and Per-
sonal Votes, 26, 58, 90, 120,
153, 186, 21S, 249, 260, 309,
341, 372
Lobelia, Double White Bed-
ding, 204
" erinus erects fi. albo
plena, 204
Locality of Orchards, 334
Locust Plague. 317

in Garden, The, 224
Long Continuous Bearing, 174
Lonicera fragrantissima, 134
Lotd's Greenhouses, 329
Los Angeles or Mission Grape,

Origiu of, 241
Loss of a Subscriber, 62
Lumber Resources of Tulare,

Cal., 177
Lygodium scandens, Japanese
Climbing Fern, 169, 237

M

Machines, Grasshopper, 1 15,253
Macrozamia plumosa, 156
Mademoiselle Marie Finger

Rose, 292
Magnificent Collection of Fun-
gi and the Lower Crypto-
gams, 214
Magna Charta Rose, 134
Magnolia glauca, 99, 100

•' New Late Flowering,
290
Magnolias, 35, 104, 162
" Grafting, 39

New, 198
Maiden Hair Fern for Bou-
quets, 202, 296
" " Ferns, 44

" " " Golden,44

Maine Apples, Best, 335

" Grape, 51, 145
Maples, Japan, The, 103
Marschal Neil Rose, Disease

of, 329
Marketing, Amateur, 256
Market, Strawberries for, 52
Marshall Pear, 336
Marvels, Ligneous, 20
Maryland Hort. Society, 31b
Massachusetts, Forestry in, 211
Forestsof, 177
" Hort. Societv,

157,191,316 "
" Conifers in, 211

Mather, T. T., Death of, 286
May Beetles on Raspberry, 209
McAfee's Aeration Apparatus,

115

Mealy Bug, Cure for, 361
Medinilla magnifies. 295
Melbourne, Australia, Botanic

Garden Report, 190
Memorial 'lie. s 63
Mentha Gibraltiea, 357
Menzies Spruce, Colorado. -92
Mexico, Eucalyptus ii
Michigan, Fruit from Grand
Traverse Region,

Large White Oak in

214

" Nursery, A Good,

351

" State Potnologieal

Society, 3=i0

Microscopist's Companion, 351

Minnesota, Tree-planting iu.S2

Mission, or Los. Angeles Grape,

Origin of, 241
Missouri, Grape Rot in, 3

" State Entomologist, 223
Mocassin Flowt r, 292
Monocotyledons, New Classifi-
cation of, 185
Monstrous Abutilon, 140
" Asparagus, 146
Montmorenci Cherry, 304
.Moonlight, Beauty by, 357
i'orea \ii*s) fimbriate, 7
Mosaiculture, ;. 66
Mother Apple, 146
Moth, Pota:
Mountain Ash Berries Poison-

' us. 340
Mountains, Timber Line in, 179
Mulched Peach Trees, 80
Mummy Wheat, 152
Musa ensete, 12
Muscl, 214

Mushroom Growing, 304
Mushrooms, Increasing the
Size of, ■
" Poisonous, 336

Music, 158, 287.351
" and Plants. S7
" at liorUculturafcExhibi-
tions. 288
Musser Peach, 274
Name, Elm, The, 223

" English, Bothered by

the, 253
" Walnut, Origin of, 222
Names, Apple, Origin of Some
Old, 254
" Botanical Against. Com-
mon
" " Plural of, 252

" of Apples, 52
" of Plants, 7,39,58. 77,90
Napoleon's Villow, 376
Nashville, Tenn., Gardening

Around, 346
Nasty Greenhouses, 135
Native Lilies, Our, 55

" Trees for Timber, 52
Natural History and Science,
24, 54, 83, 116. 149,
179, 213, 246, 273,
305, 339, 369
" Peach Stones, 78
Nebraska State Hort. Soc.,351
Nectarines, 335

Nettle Tree, Celtis Australis,

212
New Apples, 19
" Cemetery at Toledo.O.,291
" Classification of Monoco-
tyledons, 185
" Conitera?, PinusOmorika,
293
" Cornelian Cherry, 6
" Destructive Beetle, 340
" Double Ivy-leaved Pelar-
gonium, 239
" " White Violet, 166
*• Early Peaches, 300
" Enemy to the Pine Tree.
370
" England, Lnnd and Game
Birds of, 59
" White Ash in, 245

New Forage Plant, 253
" Fuchsia. 237
" Hardy Evergreen Flower-
ing Shrub, Hypericum
patulum, 232
" Japanese Hollyhock, 166
" Jersey, North-eastern Ap-
ples for. 80
" " State Hort. So .223

'■ Late-flowering Magnolia,
290
" Life Pelargonium, 330
" Magnolias, 198
" Method of Propagating
Exorchorda grand iflora,

" Old Things Become, 162
" or Ka-e Fruits, IS, 115,

273, 304, 336,
" or Rare Plants. 6, 12, 25,
U 51, 111, 165, 169,

.
298, 324.330,357,359
•' Peaches, 8u
" Pinus, 6

" Product from 'he Pine,248
" P ■ . 224

" Rochelle Raspberry 5, 115
" Rose, Beauty of Gla/.en-
woou, 104
" Queen ol 13edders,204
" (so called; Hybrid Tea
Rose, Beauty of Glazen-
wood, 168
" South Wales, Essay on,127
" Tuberous Begonias,
" United States Plants ; R6
" Use for the Lad} Bu
" Varieties, Protection for,
280
" Violet, Belle de Chatenay,
298
" Weeping Oak, 357
" White Grapes, 242
" York Hort. So., 191, 318
Nierembergia gracilis as a

Window Plant.
Night-blooming Cereus, 267, 325
Northern Limits of Animal and
Vegetable Life, 215
" Range of Wainut

Growing, 332
" Spy Anjile in the
West, 207
North, Fruit at the. 172

" Peach Culture in the,147
Norway, Plant Life of, 92

" Spruce. 259
Notes by i_has. Downing, 100
" European, bv the Editor,

281,313,343,372
" from Colitornia, 121
" " Dallas, Texas, 309
" " Kentucky, 363

" Yuba Co., Cal., 213
" Ohio, 363

" on Adiantum Farleyen^e

and Double Primulas,

167

" " a Summer Tour, 136

" " Centennial Pomologi-

cal Exhibit, 192
" " Early and other Fruits
301
" " Little Known Plants,
102
" •' Rare Plants of South-
ern Utah, 227
" " Rhododendrons and
some Evergreens,67
" " The reason, 354
" " Trees 130
" Suggested by Tumble
• Weed, 369
Novelties, Production of and

Encouragement to, 219
Nurseries of HargisA Summer.

29
Nursery Business, 285

" Credits, 312
Nurserymen, American Asso-
ciation of, 288
" Early Illinois, 9J

388

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Nurserymen, Marengo, Ills. 286
Nurserymen's Directory, 127

" Protective Asso-

ciation, 288
Nut Farming in California, 366
" Pecan, 246
" Sicilian, 114
Nuttalia cerasiformis, 166

O

Oak, Growth of, 277
'• New Weeping, 357
" Royal, The, 29
" Timber, Preserving. 82

Profits of, 23
" Trees, Large, 22
" White, Large, 82
" " " in Michi-

gan, 244
Obituary, 29, 128,255,286
Obscured Glass in Greenhouses,

108
Odontoglossuni phalaenopsis, 43
Oliio, Eucalyptus in, 53
" Fish Commission Report

of, 256
" Fruit Crops in, 147
" Horticultural Society, 350
" Notes, 363

" Pear Tree Blightin, 94
Oil and Gas Light, 44
" for Fruit Trees, 115, 271
" Linseed on Pear Trees, 334
" on Peach Trees, 275
" Parrafin, 217
" Pine Tree, 267
" Trees Injured by, 209
Olden Time, Gardening Gossip

of, 120. 153
Old Favorites, Improving, 169
" Things Become New, 162
Oleander, Double White, 268
Olivet Cherry, 19
Omphalodes verna, 262
Onion Smut, 190
Orange Trees, Age of, 222
Orchard, A Promising, 333

" Locality for, 334
Orchards, Stirring Surface Soil

of, 148
Orchid Culture, 44

'• Growers' Manual, 316
Oregon, Lawn Grass for, 7
" Peach Plum in, 17
Origin of the Name Walnut, 222

" " Phylloxera, 216
Our Contributors, 264
Oxalis enneapbylla, 232
Oyster Plant/208

Pseonia Brownii, 291
Pseonies,Trees,Propagating,294
Pachystoma myrsinites, 357
Packing American Apples, 241

" Pears, 174
Palm, !-ago, Cycas revoluta Not

the, 249
Pampas Grass. 360

" " Preserving Spikes

of, 5
Pandanus utilis, 139
Panicum plicatum variegatum,

201
Pansies, 133
Paper trom Cactus, 211

" Japan, 179
Papyrus as a Garden Plant, 296
Parasitic Fungi, 127
Paris Exposition, 352
Park, Fail mount, 29
Parrafin Oil, 217
Parsons, R. B.,255

S. B. & Co., 127
Passifiora edulis, Fruit of, 276
Patented Fruits, 186
Patents, Plant, 126
Pavements, Wood, 83
Pea,Sabre,;242

Peach, Alexander, 147, 303
" Amsden, 303
" Billyeu's Late Oct., 242
" Bowers' Early, 274
" Buds, How Many a Day,

«' Comet, 242
" Crawford's Earlyin Eng-
land, 335
" Culture in the North, 147
" Disease in California, 50
" in the South, 50
" Downer, 115
" Exquisite, 51, 114
" Freeman's Late, 336
«' Gary's Hold-on, 174
" Grower, A Texan, 335
" Hale's Early, 17
" " " in England,

17
" Honeywell, 303
" Late or Walling Plum,
115
" Musser, 74
" Peen-to, or Flat, of China
301
" Plum in Oregon, 17
" Rogers, 115
" Seedling. 276
" Stones, Natural . 78
" Trees, Borers in, 80

" Mulched. 80
" " " Oil on, 275

'* Twin, 351
Peaches, Alexander, Honey-
well, and Amsden. 303
" Best Early, 276
" Double Blossom, 229
" Early, 276

'* Beatrice and
Rivers, 242
" " in Georgia, 276

" " in Texas, 305

Mr. H. M. En-
gle on, 287
Five Late, 338
" Flavor of American

• and English, 340
" in California, 335

Early, 337
" Texas, 365
" New, 80
" " Early, 300

" Sending,tolreland,207
Pear and Apple Trees, Decaying

47
" Birkett, 173
" Blight, Discussion on, 367
" Good Earlv, 305, 337
" Marshall. 336
" Timber, 211
" Tree Blight, 20, 145. 147
" " " in Ohio, 94
" Trees, Bearing Age of, 241
" Grease for. 52

Linseed Oil on, 334
" Whitewashed, 331
" Wilder, 241
Pears, 364
" Disease in. 48
" Fox's Seedling, 115
" Packing, 174
" Pot-raised, Size of. 207
" Three Perfect Crops in

One Season, 17
" Two Good, 49
Peat and Rhododendrons, 131
Pecan Nut, 246

" Nuts, Variations in. 185
Pelargonium, New Double Ivy-
leaved, 239
" New Life, 330

Penna. Hort. Society. 318,
Peristrophe august i flora, 358
Periwinkles, The. 38
Permanent International Ex-
hibition Cut-flowers at, :;i7
Persimmon, Diospyrus kaki,362
Effect of Frost on

tin- fruit, 116
Hardiness of, 211
Japan, 51, 80, 174
Ripening of, 86
Persimmons, 367

Petunias, Improved, 237
Phellodendron,186

" amurense, 198

Philadephia, Eucalyptus in,152
" FairmountPark,

285
" Industries of, 127

Philodendron, 186
Phloxes, Distinct, 292
Phylloxera, in California, 17
" " Europe, 333

*' Origin of the, 216

Physinthus, alliens, 234
Pine Apples, Cultivated, 50
" New Product from the, 245
" Pitch, 22

" Umbrella, the largest . lis
" Tree, New Enemy to, 370
" Oil, 367
Pines,California,Fuugus on, 119
" Yellow or Short-leaved,
177,211, 277
PinK.Sweet William, 197
Pinks, Carnation, 30
Pinus, a New, 6
" excelsa, 68
" Lambertiana, 31 •
" Omorika, A New Conife-
rse, 293
Pioneer Strawberry, 305
Pitcher Plants, Tropical, 268
Pitch Pine, 22
Pippin, Blenheim, 16
Plane Tree, A large, 63
Plan for a Small Vegetable

House, 47
Plantation, An Evergreen, 261
Planting Lilies, 167

" Pyrancantba, 70
" Potato, Whole or Cut
Sets in 304
Plant, Forage, A new, 253
" Growing, City, 352
" in an Ant Hill, 233
" Life of Norway, 92
" Oyster, 208
" Patents, 126
Plants and Flowers, Prices of,

287
" Annual, 355
" California, East, 163
" Early Flowering, 134
" Evolutions of, 55
" bnglish National Em-
•blematic, 222
Fibre, 184
" Freezing of Sap in, 185,

217,372
" Herbaceous, Dividing,
199
" "in General, 355

" Internal Heat of, 248
" Little Known, Notes on,
102
" Music and, 87
" Names of 7,39,58,77,90
" New Double, U. S., 86
" Protection to, 342
•' Reproduction in, 307

sleep of, 215
" Southern Utah, Notes

on. 227
" which Endure Dryness,
137
Platycerinm Willinckii, 204
Plough, Hand, 115
Plumbago Larpentre, 267

rosea, 201
Plum, Ha-sett's American, 338
Shropshire Damson, 304
" Walling, <>!• Late Peach,

115
Plural of Botanical Names, 252
Poinsetta, Double, 45
Poisoning by Ainrelopsia Vir-
ginica, 151
Rhus, 119
Poisonous Mountain Ash Ber-
ries, 310
" Mushrooms, 336
Yew, 3-10
Polemoniuin confertum, 88
Pollen in Fertilizing, Aiding,

370

Pomological Judges, Centen-
nial, 154
'* Section, Centen-

nial, 160
Societies. State

and Hort., 96

Societv. Am.,96,

159, 192." 255,319,352 ,

Society.Miebigan

State. 350

Poplar, Carolina, 324

" Golden-leaved, 166
Popular Appreciation ot Cheap
Flowers, 360
English Apples. :ui
Portable Hot-water Boiler, 203
Potato Beetle. Enemy of the.

316
" Geography of,306
•' Moth. 56

" Planting, Whole or Cut
Sets, 304
Pot Drainage. 41
'* Raised Pears, Size of. 207
Pots," 60-sized," 207
Prairie Flowers, 24, 27S
Premiums for Forests, 53
Preservation of Timber. 178
Preservatives, Wood, 177
Preserve Old Geraniums. 297
Preserving Flowers Fresh. 328
" Fruit Trees from

Grasshoppers,20C.
Oak Timber, S2
Roses in Winter,326
" Spikes of Pampas

Grass, 5
Pretty Feathers Make Pretty

Birds, 351
Price of Flowers in America, 359
Prices of Nurserv Plauts and

Flowers, 287
Prickly Coinfrey, 209
Primrose, i. hinesc.Old Doable,

296

" " Flo we riim

of. 77,Uu

Primrosts, Double Chinese, 356

" Evening, 323

Primulas, Double and Adian-

tum Farleyense, 167
Pritchardia filifera, 25
Prizes for Arboriculture, 215
Production of Novelties. En-
couragement to the, 219
Professors, New, J24
Profitable Cherries. 334
Profit of Timber Planting, 82
Profits of Oak Timber, 23
Propagating Calla Lily, 298

" Exochorda gran-

diflora, New
Method, 355
" Hyaciuths from

Leaves, 140
" Tree Paeonys. 294

Propagation of Evergreens by
Soft Wood Out-
tings, 232
" ;" Exochorda gran-

difl'm:, 230
" " Richardia .Ethi-

opic<i — ('alia Lily, 359
Protection f« r Now Varieties,

280
Hort., 58, 124
to Plains. 342
Protective Association, Nur-
seryman's, 288
Pruning Conifene, 103

Evergreens, 264
" for Wood and Kruit.lS
" Full Grown Fruit

Trees. 78

( Irape Roots, 80
Pterodiscus Bpeciosus, 13
Purple-leaved Daphne, 6

Grape-vine, 88
[vy, 170, 269
Pyracantha Planting, 79

White Berry, 7
Pvrethrum aureiim laciniatuin,

232
Pyrus Maulei, 198

1877.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

389

Q

Queen of Bedders.New Rose,204
Quercus pedunculata, 29
heterophylla, 339

K

Rain-fall and the Lakes, Facts
Relative to, 54
'* Forests and, 53
Raisers of the Best Roses, 64
Rambling Widow, 63
Range of the Tulip Tree, 53
Rascally Seedsmen, 189
Raspberry, Catawissa, 365
" Culture, 16

Gregg, 305
Highland Hardy,20
May Bee8)eson,209
" New Rochelle, 115

Reliance, 301
" Southern Thorn-

less, 15
" Thwack and Tur-

ner, 304
Turner, 242
Which is the Best.
270
Recollections of Australia, 60,

122, 187
Red Cedar, Cream -colored, 6

'• Spider, 45
Rein wardtia trigynia, 267
Reliance Rasnberry, 301
Remedy for Slugs, 267
Report, U. S. Dep't Agr'l, 64
Reproduction in Plants, 307
Repton's Tomb, 222
Restoring Dead Seeds, 339, 369
Retinospora, 68
Rheumatism, Horse Chestnut

for. 285
Rhododendron Californicum,

226
House, 104
Rhododendrons, 36, 131

" and Some Ever-

greens, Notes
on, 67
" at Boston, 229

Hardy, 2
" " Culture

of, 194
Peat and, 131
" Waterer's, 93

Rhus, Poisoning by, 119
Rhymes and Recollections of a

Cactus Man, 29, 250, 310
Ribston Pippin Apple, 17
Richardia (Calla) J£thiopica.329
" " •' Culture

of, 235
" " " Propaga-

tion of, 359
Ricinus communis, Jonah's

Gourd, 63
Ricketi's Grapes, 336
Ripening of the Persimmon, 86
Roads, Dusty, To Moisten, 197
Rockwork, 354

Roe's Seedling Gooseberry, 274
Roger's Peach, 115
Roof Gardens, 169
" Gardening in Cbicago,296
" of a Hotel, Conservatory
on, 235
Room Plant, Adiantum Far-

leyense as a, 2:14
Roots, Burying, 371
Rose, Beauty of Glazenwood,
104, 141, 168, 194
" Best Tea, 237
" Blooms, 329
" Crimson Boursalt,. 357
'• Duchess of Edinburg, 12,
106
" Gen'l Washington, 69
" Hardy Yellow, 294
" La France, 69
" Mademoiselle Marie Fin-
ger, 292
" Magna Charta, 134

Rose.Marechal Neil, Disease of,

329
" Queen of Bedders,New,204
" Sensitive — Schrankia un-
cinata, 278
Roses, 76

" and Verbenas in Iowa, 162
" Button-hole, 201

Raisers of the Best, 64
" Tender, Forcing, 41

Winter, 291
" " Preserving, 326

Rosin, Tar and Turpentine.176
Rossingold Apple, A Good

French, 79
Rot in Grapes, 81, 365
Rotting of Seeds in Spring, 152
Royal Patronage of Hort., 221
Ruined by his Greenhouses,188
Rules for Judges, 376
Rust, Verbena. 9, 10, .11,88, 109

Sabre Pea, 242

Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta not

the, 249
Salad, Dandelion, 243

for Early Spring, 304
Salisburia, Sexes of, 358
Salvia marmoiata, 140
Sap, Descending, 184
'• Freezing ol, in Plants, 185,
217, 372
Sarracenia and Darlingtonia,
Singular Analogy in, 56
" Mooreana, 169
Sash for Hotbed, Improved, 75
Sassalras, Laurus, 227
Satin Flower, 253
Saundeis, Wm., 127
Saxilraga japonica, 7
Scarcity of Dog -wood. 339
Scented Geranium, Mrs. Tay-
lor, 170
Schrankia uncinata, 278
Sciadoptiys, Fine,199

verticillata, Best, 39
Science, Amer. Ass'n for Ad-
vancement of, 127
Horticultural, 27
Scientific Theories, 181
Scion and Stock, 240
Scotch Highlands, Value of

Timber in, 212
Scott, R. Robinson, Death of,

255, 286
Scraps and Queries, 7,19, 23, 27,
30, 39,45, 52, 53, 56, 70, 76,
80, 88, 94. 104, 111, 115, 119,
128, 140, 147, 152, 158, 166,
170, 185, 192, 199, 208, 217,
224, 232, 239, 243, 246, 256,
263, 268, 275, 279, 287, 288,
294, 298, 305, 325, 329, 337,
351, 357, 361, 371, 376
Scuppernong Grape, 335
Season, Notes on, 364
Secretary Grape, 80
Secretions, Honeyed, the Use

of, 57, 87
Sedum glaucum, 228
Seed, Chestnuts from.Growing,

244
" Strawberries from, 206
Seeding Akebia Quinata, 7

of Horse Radish, 151
Seedling Peach, 276
Seedlings Forest, 212

Hybrid Grape, 113
Seeds, Exposure to Cold, 217
" Persian Lilac, 279
" Restoring Dead, 339, 369
" Rotting of in Spring, 152
" Soaking in BoilingWater,
247
" Steeping in Chlorine or

Camphorated Water, 304
" Use of Feathered Awns
to some, 184
Selecting Timber, 178
Self-fertilization and Cross-fer-
UUwtion, 117, 149, 18J

Sending Peaches to Ireland,207
" Stamps for Answers,
376
Sener Apple, 113
Sequoia gigantea, Large, 134

" " Weeping, 5

SericographisGhiesbreghtiana,

235
Service Berry, Dwarf, 334
Sexes of Salisburia. 358
Shade Trees, Washington, 37
Shape of the Earth, 216
Short-leaved'orYellow Pine,177
Shropshire Damson Plum, 304
Shrubs, July floweiing, Save,

322
Siberian Crab, Improved, 337
Sicilian Hazel Nut, 52, 114

" Sumach, 368
Silk Weed, The Common, 69
Silver Thorn, 294
Six Months in the Foot-hills.341
Size of Pot-raised Pears, 207
Sleep of Plants, 215
Slippery Elm, Origin of, 70
Slugs, Remedy for, 267
Smith, Lady, Death of. 128
Smith's Improved Gooseb'y, 303
Smut, Onion, 190
Smyrna, Fertilizing Figs in, 17 4
Soaking Seeds in Boiling Wa-
ter, 247
Soft Wood Cuttings of Ever-
greens, Propagation by,232
Soil, Stirring in Orchards, 148
Solan urns, 236
Solanum Torreyi, 263
Solar Heat, Theory, 95
Some Old Fruits, 78
South Carolina, Eucalyptus in,

177

" Peach Disease in the, 50

Southern Thornless Raspb'y,15

Southwick, T. T., & Co., 158

Sowing Walnuts and Hickories,

246
Species of Fuchsia, Number of,

119
Specimens, Herbarium, 216
Spider, Red, 45
Spirea palmata, 38, 100
Spontaneous Generation, 306
Spring Beds, 354
" Bulbs, 360
" Rotting of Seeds in, 152
Spruce, Colorado Menzies, 291

" Norway, 259
Spruces and Firs, 370
Stamps for Answers, Sending,

376
Standing Cypress, 326
Starting Cyclamens, 45
Steam, Heating Cities by, 307
" Danger of Fire
from, 307
Stenocarpus Cunninghami, 360
Sternberg^ lutea, 166
Stirring Surface Soil of Or-
chards, 148
St. Louis, Evergreens at, 165
Stock for Cherry, 208
Scion and, 240
Strawberries, 364

" Caroline and Belle.
335
Fall Fruiting, 16,51
for Market, 52
from Seed, 206
" Late Cone, 274

Strawberry, Capt. Jack, 51, 304
Forest Rose, 274
James Veitch ,19,52
" Leaf-roller, 143
" Pioneer, 305
" Vicomtesse heri-

cart de thury, 16
" Wilson's Albany
Seedling,True,147
Streptocarpus rhexil, 109
Stump Apple, 19
Styrax Japonica, 166
Subscriber, Loss of a, 62
Sulphur for Red Spider, 76
Sumach, Sicilian, 368

Summer Garden Bouquet, 296
" Tour, Notes on, 136
Sweden, Forests of, 213
Sweet Fern and Alder for Tan-
ning, 23, 83
" Gum as a Tan Bark, 53
Sweet-scented Rhododendrons,

12
Sweet William. 197
Swenker Apple, 52
Swindles in Horticulture, 285
Swine Husbandry, 317

Taberiuemontana camassa, 170
" coronaria flore-

pleno, 266
Tabernremontanas, 239, 298
Tan Bark, Sweet Gum as a, 53
Tanning. Alder and Sweet Fern

for, 23, 83
Tar, Rosin andTurpentine,176
Taste in Farm Houses, 328
Tea in California, 303
" in Georgia, 63
" Rose, Best, 237
Tender Roses, Forcing, 41
Tennessee, Horticulture in, 316
Texan Peach Grower. 335
Texas, Dallas. Notes from, 309
Early Peaches in, 305
" Peaches in, 365
Theories, Scientific. 181
Thinning Fruit, 49
Thin the Fruit.Will it pay, 366
Thirtieth Verse, The, 158
Thistle Law, Illinois, 350
Thomas Hogg, Hydrangea,204,

360
Thorn, Christ's, 316

Silver, 294
Three Perfect Crops Pears in

One Season. I,
Thrips in a CjUI Vinery, 116
Timber Catalpa, Value of, 82
" Conifers in Massachu-
setts, 211
" Durable Torreya tax-

ifolia, 22
" line in the various

Mountains, 179
" Native Trees lor, 53

Notes from California,
176
" Oak, Preserving, 82
» " Profits of, 23

Pear, 211
" Planting, profit of, S2
" Preservation of, 178
" Raising in Kansas.Ex-

periments in, 210
" Selecting, 178
" Value of in the Scotch

Highlands, 212
" Walnut for, 52
" Wild Cherry, 53
Time in Evidence, 118
Tissue, Preparing Vegetable,

307
To all Wanting Homes, 29
Toledo,Ohio,New Cemetery ,291
Tomatoes, 175

" Keeping, 145

Tomato Season Prolonged, 15,79
Tomb, Repton's, 222
Torrenia Fourneri, 29S
Tornilla, 189
Torreya taxifolia, 244

" " as durable

timber, 22
Trachelospermum (Rhyncos-
permum) jasminoides,110,
140
Trained Fruit Trees, 173
Transactions, Mass. Hort. So-
ciety, 157
Treatment of Hardy Azaleas,

166
Tree Growth , 27
" Lacquer. 368
" of Blessed Virgin near
Cairo, 254

390

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY

[December,

Tree, Plane, a Large, 63
" Planting, Bequest for,
349
" " in Canada, 22

" " in Minnesota,82

" " Law, California,

179
" Timber, Ash as a, 177
Tulip, 198
Value of a, 21
Trees, Beautiful Specimens of,5
" Chestnut, Large, 177
" Difference in Annual
Wood Circles, 372
for Colorado, 177
" for Protecting Green-
houses, 45
" Foreign, 53
" Forest, Commercial
Classes of, 82
Gas-killed, 325
" Injured by Oil, 209

Memorial, 63
" Notes on, 130
Oak, Large, 22
Orange, Age of, 222
Shade, Washington, 37
" will not. last Forever, 307
Trietelia uniflora. 231 , 279
Tritoma in Decoration, 360
Tritomas, 69

Tropical Pitcher Plants, 268
Tuberoses, American, 2

•• & Foreign,30

" & Italian. 112

Double and Single,23'2

Tuberous-rooted Begonias, 290,

327, 330
Tulare, Cal., Lumber resources

of, 177
Tulip Tree, 198

Golden, 357
Range of the, 53
Tumble Weed, 128, 155, 179,224,

246, 305, 340, 369
Turner Raspberry, 242, 304
Turpsntine, Rosin and Tar, 176
Twig Blight on Apple Trees,365
Twin Apple, 351
" Peach. 351
Two Good Pears, 49

V

United States Plants, New, 86
Unproductive Lands, Forestry

on, 339
Upholsterv, Cactus in, 253
Utah Hvb'rid Cherry, 334
" Lilies of, 349

Utah ,Sou them, Cranberries in,

243
" •' Notes on Rare

Plants, 227

Value of a Tree, 21

" Catalpa Timber, 82
" Timber in Scotch
Highlands, 212
Variations in Conifers, 25
" " Junipers, 2*>3
" " Pecan Nuts, 185
Variegated Elder, 39
Varieties, Care in, 337

" of Apples, Numerous,
366
" " Wearing

out of, 240
" Wearing out of, 25,
306, 372
Various Topics, 100
Varying Forms, Interpretation
of, 84
" Results of Climate, 249
Vegetable and Animal Life,
Northern Limits, 215
" E iting, 50

" House, Plan for

Small, 47
" Mould, To Prepare
Quickly, 236
or Greenhouse, Heat-
ing Small, Ki6
" Tissue, Preparing.307

Vegetables and fruit, Forced,

208
" Early,Importing,207
Vegetation, Light and, 184
" of Bermuda, 55

Verbena, 11, 12, 74
•' Culture, 9

Rust, 9. 10, 88, 109
" " and Verbena

GrowiDg, 11
Verbenas and Roses in Iowa, 162
Vermont, Eucalyptus globulus

in, 23
Viburnum plicatum, 229
Vick's Guide and Flower and

Vegetable Garden, 29, 64
Vicomtesse hericart de thury

Strawberry, 16
Victoria Lily in Open Air,
Growing, 357
" Regia, 76
Vinca acutiloba — Mauve Per-

winkle, 38
Vinery, Cold, Thrips in, 116

Vineyard, Horse-power, 174
" Kansas, 304

Thos. Wood at Cam-
den, 63
Violet— Belle de Chatenay, 29S

377
" Dog's-tooth or Erythri-

num, 197
" New Double White, 166
Vitis heterophylla, 356

W

Waban Conservatories, Boston,

76
Walling Plum or Late Peach,

115
Walnut, English, 51
" European. 213
" Growing, Northern
. Range of, 332
for Timber, 56
" Origin of Name, 222
Walnuts and Hickories, Sow-
ing, 246
War on the Insects, 240
Washington Shade Trees, 37
Water Barrow, 243

" Lily, White, 99
Waterer's Rhododendrons, 93
Wat so q, B.M., 350
Wearing out of Varieties, 25,

240, 306
Weeds in Lawns, 199
Weed, Tumble, 128, 155, 179,

224, 246, 305, 340, 369
Weeping Cherry, 239
" Oak, New, ;i.~>7

Sequoia gigantea, 5
" Yellow or Slippery
Elm, Origin, 70
Weigelas, 163

Western N. Y. Hort Soc.,30,190
West, Far, To the, 123
" Horticultural Pioneers at
the. 192
What is a Fruit, 305
Wheat, Mummy, 152
White Ash in New England, 245
" Berry Pyracantha, 7
" Bouquet Flowers. 235
" Dewberry, 174
" Grapes, New, 242
" Oak, Large, 82, 244
" Water Lily, 99
Whitewashed Pear Trees, 331
Widow, Rambling, 63
Wild Cherry Timber, 83

" Flowers of America, 29
Wilder Pear, 241

" Marshall P., 64

Wilder, Marshall P., Address of,
320,379
" *' Letter from.

192
Willow, Napoleon's, 376
Wilson's Albany Seedling
Strawberry, True.147
" Early Blackberry Har-
diness of, 51
Wind Engine, Champion, 18
" on Evergreens, Effect of.
133
Window Garden, Artillery
Plant for, 234
" Plant, Niererabergia
gracilis. 235
Winter, English, 127

" FloweringCarnations,
44
" Roses in, 291, 326
Wintering Eucalyptus globulus,

267
Wisconsin State Hort. Soc.,316
Wistaria sinensis, 357
Woes of an Editor, 62
Wonderful, Double Zonale, 76
Wood Circles of Trees, Differ-
ent Thickness. 372
" Fire-proof. 247
" ibr Fuel, Growing, 213
" Pavements, 83
" Preservatives. 177
" Pruning for, 18
Work of Centennial Jury,

Group xxxvi. 288
Worm, Cucumber, 304
" Gooseberry, 208

Xanthoceras sorbifolia, 133,232

Yello v Pine. 277

" orShort-leaved,177
•' Pinis, The. 211
" Rose, Hardv, 294
" Winter Aconite, 231

Yew, Poisonous, 340

Zelkova crei.sta, 34, 89
Zonale Geranium, Cultivation
for Exhibition, 42
" Geranium,Wonderful,76

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