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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

so u R c E^nllo .- Szi^^yx . . ieAT^sAT!.

V. 15

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T H E M A G A Z I N E

OF

HORTICULTURE,

A i\ B A L r, U S K F U L D [ 8 C O V E a I E S AND I iM P 11 0 V E M E N T S f -M

RURzVL AFFAIRS.

" Je vondrais r-chaufter tout runivers de mon gout pour les jardins. II me semble-
qii'il ect impossible qu'un inecliant puisse I'avoir. II n'est point do vertus que je lie
suppose h celui que aiine a pailei" et a faire des jardins. Teres de faniilie, inspire*
la jardiuoinanie k vos enfans.''' — Prince De Ziigne.

VOL. XV.,
1849.

(vol. \., NEW SERIES.)

Edited by C . M . H O V E Y

BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY HOVEY AND CO., MERCHANTS ROW.

1 S49.

e

V.IS"

PREFACE.

The Fifteenth Volume of the Magazine contains a great
variety of information in every department of Horticulture,
which will be found enumerated in the following Table of
Contents.

Boston, December 25th, 1849.

CONTENTS.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

GENERAL SUBJECT.

A Retrospective View of the Progress of
Horticulture in the United States dur-
ing the year 18-lS. By tiie Editor . 1

Report on the Fruit and Kilclien Gardens
near Paris, from observations made dur-
ing a visit in the spring of 1847. By Mr.
R. Thompson, Superintendent of the
orchard and kitchen garden of the Lon-
don Horticultural Society . . . 49

Destruction of Filberts by fungi. By N.
Goodsell, Esq., New York. . . 62

Notes of a Visit to several gardens and
nurseries in Western New York. By
the Editor 97

Fungi in Vegetation. By John Lewis
Russell, Professor of Botany, &.C., to
the Massachusetts Horticultural So-
ciety 154

On the Acclimation of Tropical Exotics
in Florida. By the Rev. R. K. Sewall,
East Florida. In a letter to Dr. A.
Mitchell, St. Mary's, Geo. Communi-
cated by Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn . 241

Remarks on Gardening and Gardens in
Louisiana. By Alexander Gordon, Bo-
tanical Collector, Baton Rouge, La. . 245

Some Plants of Danvers and Wenham,
Essex County, Massachusetts. f?y John
Lewis Russell, Professor of Botany,
&c., to Mass.\chiisetts Horticultural
Society ...... 289

Some remarks on the more general culti-
vation of Indigenous Trees, Shrubs, and
Herbaceous Plants : with a notice of
the Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea, growing in
Roxbnry. By Gen. H. A. S Dearborn 337

Beautiful Native Trees, Shrubs, and Her-
baceous Flowering Plants, growing in
Massachusetts, worthy of general culti-
vation. By Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn,
Roxbury . . . ... 385

Notes made during a Trip to London
and Paris, in the Autumn of 1849. By
■T. E. T 481

Notes of a visit to Oatlands, Hempstead,
Long Island, N. Y.; the residence of
D. F. Manice, Esq. By the Editor . 529

Desultory Remarks on the Principles and
Practice of Horticulture. By W. Saun-
ders, New Haven, Conn. . . . 534

HORTICULTURE.

The Blight in Pear Trees. By J. H.
James, Esq., Urbana, Ohio . 13. 433

Disease in Apples. By N. Goodsell, Esq.,
Rochester, N. Y 23

Descriptions and Engravings of six varie-
ties of Apples. By T. S. Humrickhouse,
Coshocton, Ohio . . . .24

The Hubbardston Nonsuch Apple. By
the Editor 63

Description and Engravings of select va-
rieties of Apples. By the Editor :

1. Mother, Hooker, Ben . . . 65

2. Minister, Holmes, Tolman Sweet-
ing 159

3. Sutton Beauty, Bullock's Pippin,
Cogswell 249

4. Summer Rose, Vandervere, Fall
Harvey 536

The Howell Pear, a new native seedling;
with a description and engraving of the
Fruit. By the Editor . . . 69

Remarks on fifteen varieties of Early
Plums, which have fruited in the Pomo-
logical Gardens at Salem. By R. Man-
ning 102

Pomological Notices ; or Notices respect-
ing new and superior fruits, worthy of
general cultivation. By the Editor . 105

Remarks on the Formation of Vine Bor-
ders; vsilh a detail of experiments in

iV

CONTENTS.

the culture of the Grape, cliiriiig a period
of five Years. By Robt-ri \i. Lcuclmrs,
New Haven, Con. ....

Ives's Sei'illing Plum, a new variety, with
a ilescription ami engraving of tlie
fruit. By the Editor ....

Notices of Culinary Vegetables, new or
recently introiliicc'd, worthy of general
cultivation. Hy the Editor,

A select list o( Apples, with a few ohser-
vations on their respective merits By
Samuel VValker, President of the Mass-
achusetts Horticultural Society .

On the management of Peach Trees. By
R. B. Leucliars, New Haven, Con. 166.

Descriptions and Engravings of select
varieties of Pears. By the Editor:

1. Walker, Excelentissima, Las Ca-
nas, St. Dorothee, Jalousie de Fonte-
nay Vendee, Hrande's St. Germain

2. Moyameiising, Locke, Burliugame,
Stevens's Genesee, Gusiin's Summer,
Os%vcgo Beurre

3. Summer Bon Chretien, Ronville,
Vallee Franche, Passe Cohnar, Long
Green of Automne, .Julienne

The lloo-Sung, or Oo-Sung, Irom Shang-
hai— its Cultivation, A:c. By H. Wen-
dell, M. D., Albany, N. Y. .

Glandular and Glandless-leaved Peach
'J'rees. By N. Goodsell, Rochester, N. Y.

The Averill Apple, its origin, &c., with
a description of the fiiiit. By L. P.
Grosvenor, Pomfret, Con.; in a letter
to Samuel Walker, Esq., Presidcut of
the Massachusetts Ilorticultural J^ocie-
tv. With an engraving of the Fruit
By the Editor ....

Notice Ola new Plum, called the Drap d'
Or of Esperin, with an engraving of the
fruit. By the Editor . . . .

A (i?w hints on Summer Pruning Pyramid-
al Pear 'rree>'. liv the Editor

A few words about Strawberries. By the
Editor

List of .\nierican and Foreign varieties of
Pears which succeed on the Quince. By
W. Keid, Elizabethtown Nursery,
N. J

Some account of a new Seedling Cherry.
By Floury Vnil, Esq., Troy, N. Y., in a
letter to the Massachusetts Horticultu-
ral Society. VVitli a description and
engraving of the fruit. I!y the Editor

Hints on Pruning. By R. B. Leucliars,
New Haven, Con. ....

Descriptions and Engravings of select
varieties of Plums. By the Editor:

1. Coe's Golden Drop, Kirke's, Hu-
ling's Superb, Semiana

The Long Green of Autumn Pear, with
remarks on its history, &.c. By Hon.
.1. S. Cabot, Salem ....

On the Cultivation of Grape Vines in

Green-houses. By James Hutchinson.
I From the Journal of the London Hor-
110 ticultural Society 540

FLORICULTURE.

On the culture of the Carceolaria. By
James Kennedy, Gardener to S. T.
Jones, Esq., Staten Island, N. Y., (con-
tinued from Vol. XIV, p. 494) . . 31

The Guava (Z^sldium Cattleyd«-M»?,-) its
cultivation and management. By the
Editor 35

Floricultural and Botanical notices of new
and beaulil'ul jilants figured in Foreign
Periodicals; with descriptions of those
recently introduced to, or originated in
American gardens, 38. 121. 21!). 268. 316.
369. 397. 452

On the cultivation and treatment of the
Lisiiiuhus RusselUVinif.s. By Willian>
Saunders, Gardener to William Bost-
wick, Esq., New Haven, Conn. . . 72

General management of the Calceolaria.
By William Saunders, New Haven,
Conn 174

On the cultivation of Cape Heaths. By
W. S. Leach, Gardener to S. Rucker,
Esq., Wandsworth, Surry, England.
With remarks by the Editor . . 215

On the culture of Clerodendrons. By R.
B. Leuchars, New Haven, Conn. . 254

On the culture of the JMphne oildra.
From the Gardeners' Chronicle. With

193

339

440

212
213

. 296

By

257

262
263

303

remarks by the Editor .

Descri|)tions of ten new Verbenas,
the Editor

Remarks on the cultivation of the Fuchsia.
By W. Saunders, New Haven, Conn.

Notes on the American Aloe. By Wm.
Saunders, New Haven, Conn.

On the cultivation of the Pansy. By Mr.
Turner, Chalvey, near Windsor. With
remarks by the Editor . . . 304. 365

On the cultivation and management of
the Ranunculus. By Ur. F. Horner,
Hull, near London. With remarks by
the Editor 356

Notice of a fine and showy sjiecies of
Cowparsnep, (//eracI^/(//( VVilli^lmsiz.)
Bv John Lewis Russell, Prof. Bot. and
V'eg. Physiol. Mass. Ilort. Soc, &c. &c. 394

Stray Thoughts on Roses. By T. Rivers,
Sawbridgeworth, Herts., England . 495

Garden Notes, No. 2. By Ur. M. A.
VX'ard, Athens, Ga 5(11

Notes on Gardens and Nurseries . . 399

I ARBORICULTURE.

492 Select List of Hardy, Deciduous, and Ev-
I ergrecn Shrubs. By the Editor .

145

REVIEWS.

A practical treatise on the culture and
treatment of the Grajie Vine; embrac-
ing its lii.^tory, with directions for its
treatment in the United States, in the

open air, and under glass structures,
with or without lire heat. By J. Fisk
Allen. Second Edition, enlarged. 1
vol. Svo. pp. 247. Boston, 1848. . . 75

CONTENTS.

Scientific Agriculture, or llie Elements of
Cliemistry, Geology, Botany, and Mete-
orology, applied to Practical Agricul-
ture. By M. M. Rodgers, !M. D. 1 vol.
12mo., pp. 280. Rochester, 1848.

European Agriculture and Rural Econo-

my, from Personal Observation. By
Henry Colnian. Vol. II. Parts IX. and
X. 8vo. pp. 371 to 598. Boston, 1848 124
The American Fruit Book . . . 223
A Practical Treatise on the management
of Fruit Trees 224

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

General Notices.
Pelargoniums, 40 ; Bones, 81 ; Warmth of a
Covering of Snow, 81 ; New Food, 81; Cul-
ture of Lisidnlhus Russelbd?t!<.5, 81 ; Culti-
vation of Verbenas, and grouping tliem in
the open garden, 83; Cultivation of Celery,
127; Management of Fruit Trees, 128; Cul-
ture of Azaleas, 129; Tree r.Iignonelte, 178;
Gooseberries and Currants, 179; Cultiva-
tion of Celery, 181; Transplanting Budded
Roses, 225 ;*»<4Vejjiel/a r6sea, 2^6; Hint re-
specting the culture oT'Ai-auc'aria imbricita,
226; Culture of Neapolitan Violets, 227;
Pelargoniums for exhibition, 223; Campan-
ula carpatica, 228 ; Culture of Violets,
229; Francisea Hoperina, 229; Chinese
Winter Flowers, 229 ; Pomological Archae-
ology, 230 ; Treatment of Cactuses in win-
dows and the open air, 233; .losling's St.
Albans Grape, 234; Fastening Fruit Trees
to walls, 235 : The Night-blooming Cereus,
235; RaisingAnnuals, 273; The Rhododen-
drons of Sikkimhimalaya, 275; V\'islElr/a
sinensis, 319 ; Verbena pegs, 319; O'xalis
floribimda, a bedding plant, 320; Dahlias.
320; Vines, 322; Antirrhinums, 322; Sum-
mer treatment of hard wooded Green-house
Plants, 322 ; On keeping up a succession o(
Flowers, 370 ; Liquid .Manure, .371 ; Achi-
menes, 372 ; Vines in pots, 373; Injurious
effect of excessive quantity of Fruit, 417 ;
Fuchsia serratil61ia, 419 ; Rhubarb Preserve,
419; Rare Conifera^ and improvements at
the Cairnies, Perthshire, the property of
Geo. Patton,Esq., 505.545; Autumnal Treat-
meni of Green-house Plants, 549; On Form-
ing Evergreen Gardens, 550 ; On the Culti-
vation of Hardy bulbs, 551 ; Cultivation of
the Pansy, 552 ;" Bedding out Plants, 558 ;
On the Management of Fruit Trees, 553;
(Cultivation of the Hollyliock, 555 ; Plum-
bjigo Larpentffi, 556 ; What is Ripening the
Wood? 561; Hints for Amateurs, 563.

Foreign Notices.
France. — French Bouquets, 324.
Ensland. — Dahlias, and Dahlia Exhibitions
ofl849, 564.

Domestic Notices.
Notes on Pears, 41 ; The Felch Apple, 42;
The best four varieties of Strawberries, 42;
Mr. P. Barry, 43; Annual Jleeting of the New
York State Agricultiiral Society, 84; Norfolk
County Agricultural Society, 8b; Report of
the Oliio Nurserymen and Fruit Growers'

Convention, 86 ; Messrs. Hogg & Pons' col-
lection of Plants, 86 ; Roses and Climbing
Plants, suitable for a trellis or arbor, 86 ;
Annual Fair of the New York State Agri-
cultural Society, 130 ; Twenty-first Annual
Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society, 130; Blight in Pear Trees,
131; North American Pomological Conven-
tion, 131 ; Summer pruning dwarf Pear
Trees, 182; Seedling I,ycopodiums, 184;
Sea Groundsel Tree, or Ploughman's Spike-
nard, 184; North American Pomological
Convention at Syracuse, N. Y., 185; Fuch-
sia serratifdiia. 235; Thuja filitormis, hardy,
236; Swan's Orange and Ronville Pears,
236; Aberdeen Beehive Strawberry, 236;
North American Pomological Convention,
237; Worcester County Horticultural So-
ciety, 278 ; Cincinnati Horticultural Socie-
ty, 279 ; Annual Fair of the New York State
Agricultural Society, Premiums on Fruits
and Flowers to be awarded, 279 ; New Ha-
ven County Horticultural Society, 325 ;
Northwestern Pomological Convention, 325;
Vermont Fruit Growers' Convention, 326 j
The Elton and Black Eagle Cherries, 373 ;
Belie de Bruxelles Pear, 374; Munificent
bequest to the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, 374; Horticullural Club nt Flush-
ing, L. I., 374; Exhibition of Strawberries
at Rochester, N. Y., 375 ; Exhibitions of
Horticultural and Agricultural Societies,
419 ; Horticultural Exhibition of the Amer-
ican Institute, N, Y., -120; National Con-
vention of Fruit Growers, 421 ; Belle de
Bruxelles (or Belle d'Aoul) Pear, 422 ; New
York State Fair at Syracuse, 465 ; North
American Pomological Convention (second
session) at Syracuse, N. Y., 466 ; Annual
Exhibition of the Cincinnati Horticultural
Society, 509; Jie.asrs. Hogg & Sons' ccdlec-
ticn of Plants at Yorkville, 509; Third An-
nual Exhibition of the New Bedford Horti-
cultural Society, 509 ; Botanical Riches of
California, 510; American Congress of Fruit
Growers (second session) at New York, 511;
Horticulture in Illinois, 565.

Massachusetts Horticultural Societt.

Appropriation for Premiums for 1849, and Ex-
hibitions, 45 ; Report of the Committee a-
warding Premiums for 1848, 87; Stated Meet-
ing in January, and Addresses of Messrs.
Wilder and Walker, 133; Votes relative to
presentation of Plate, &.C., to Messrs. Wil-
der, Dearborn and Teschemacher, 135 ; Pre-

CONTENTS.

miiims offered for 1849, 136 ; Report of the
Finance Committee, 1(?8 ; E>;hibitions, 238 ;
Exhibitions, 282; Presentation of Plate to M.
P. Wilder, 234 ; Preinimns at the oi'enin!,'
of the Hall, 2-'5 ; Exhibitions and Premi-
ums, 329 ; Premiums for Roses, 333; Exhi-
bilions and Premiums, 379; Premiums for
Carnations, 331 ; Exliibitions and Premi-
ums, 427; Premiums lor Fruits, 382. 430;
Premium for Asters, &c., 469 ; Twenty-first
Annual Exliibition of the Society, 470; Pre-
miums awarded at, 477; Exhibitions, 519;
Presentation ofaCold Medal to Gen. \l. A.
S. Dearborn. 520 ; Exliibition of Dahlias for
Premium, 521 ; Ollicers for 1850, 522; Pre-
miums on Flowers, 524; Premiums on
Grapes, &.C., 525; Exhibitions, 573.

ExHiniTioNs OF Horticultural Soc'ties.

New Haven County Horticultural Society, 43.
568; Twenly-lirst Annual Fair of the Amer-
ican Institute, 44; Albany and Rensellaer
Horticultural t=ociety, annual meeting, 187;
First Exhibition of the same, 326 ; Second

Exhibition, 375; Third Exhibition, 423;
Annual Exhibition, 514 ; Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, 569; Cincinnati Hor-
ticultural Society, 571 ; New Bedford Hor-
ticultural Society , 5G6.

Answers to Correspondents.

Knight's Monarch Pear, 378; Summer pru-
ning Grapes, 378 ; Best twelve (yainellias,
378; Strawberries, 378; Hest Grapes for a
cold Vinery, 526 ; Best Fig under ghiss, 526 ;
Twelve fine Roses for winter blooming,
526; .\pricots under glass, 526; Twelve best
Dahlias of 1849,526.

Obituary.
Death of Hon. E. Phinney, 430 ; Alexander
Wdlsh. 430; Death of Henry Colman, 526.

Horticultural Memoranda.
January, 47; February, 95; March, 1 13; April,
190; 'May, 239; June, 287; July,335; Au-
gust, 383; September, 431 ; October, 479 ;
November, 527 ; December 575.

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.

Fig-. FRUIT. Page

Apples.

1. Reiser 25

2. Westfleld Seek-No-Farther, . . 26
S. Wells, 27

4. Rambo, 28

5. Red Rambo, 29

6. Romanite, 30

9. Mother, 66

10. Hooker, 67

11. Ben, 68

14. Minister, 160

15. Holmes 161

16. Tolman Sweeting 163

23. Sutton Beauty 250

24. Bullock's Pippin, .... 251

25. Cogswell, 252

26. Averill, 297

46. Summer Rose, 537

47. Fall Harvey, 538

48. Vandervere, 539

Cherries.
35. Vail's Seedling, 393

Plums.
13. Ives's ."eedling, 119

27. Drap d'Or, (ol Esperin), . . .299

42. Coe's Golden Drop, . . . .487

43. Kirke's, 488

Fis. Page

44. Huling's Superb 490

45. Semiana, 491

Pears.
12. Howell, 71

17. Walker, 194

18. Excelentissma 196

19. LasCanas, 198

20. St. Dorothea, 200

21. Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee, . . 201

22. Brande's St. Germain, . . .203

29. Moyamensing, 341

30. Locke, 343

31. Burlingame, 345

32. Stevens's Genesee, .... 347

33. Gustin's Summer, . . . .349

34. Oswego Beuir^, 351

36- Summer Bon Chretien, . . . 441

37. Ronville, 443

38. Vailed Franche, 445

39. Passe Colmnr, 447

40. Long Green of Autumn, . . . 449

41. Julienne, 450

FLOWERS.

28. The Pansy, 314

PLANTS.

7. The Guava (Fsidium Cattleyanuwi,; 36

8. Fruit of the same, . ... 36

CONTENTS.

LIST OF PLANTS

ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT VOLUME

In the body of the Magazine, a few errors occur in the spelling of the botanical names, the
capitalizing of generic and specific names, their derivation and accentuation ; these are all
corrected in the following list of plants.

List of Azaleas 23s

Lists of Camellias, .... 190. 37»
List of Carnaiions and Picotees, . . 381
Lists of Rare Coniferifi . . ..505.545
Lists of Dahlias, . . 425.517.521.526

Lists of Ericas, 211.219

List of Fine Lilacs, 334

Lists of Pelargoniums,
Lists of Roses, .
List of Prairie Roses,
List of Select Slirubs,
List of Fine Tulips, .
Lists of Verbenas,

7. 40. 123. 563

333. 495. 500. 517. 526

. 379

. 145

. 329

. 263. 518

List of Select Pot and Bedding Plants, . 563

.4"bies canadensis 293

Douglds/i 10. 547

SmithiuHa 401. 405. 531

Abulia rupistris 90. 45-2

Abutilon BedfordjajiU7« 316.

333

Achlmenea 372

atrosanguinea 471

Lienicinn 471

longitldra 372

rdsea 471

many species 471

jiconituin variegitum 382

Adimm cyAnea 509

jEschynanthus Boschzdnus 86

Roxbiirgliij 86

staminea 38

^gdve 243

Agathffi'a coelestis 559

Allaminda 484

Alloplectus ripens 398

Alldvsia citriodora 247

A'loe 303

Alona coelestis 86

Amaryllis belladinna 471

blinda 456

Amelinchier canadensis 338

Anomathdca cruenta 561

Andronidda polifdlia 293. 296

jineniine japunica 219

Aphelandra crist4ta 86

Ardlia spinosa .531

Araurdria imbricAta 226. 484

Argyh'a 454

pup6rbula 454

Biccharis halimifilia 184

Begdnia fuchsioldes 7

parvifl6ra 285

B^rberis Darwinu 4-53

Bissera miniata 460

Betula populifolia 290

Bignduin giaiidifl6ra 404.531

ridicans 404

TweedieaJja 86

BilbergjV/ viridi(16ra 284

Bonajiirteajuncea 5.^.8

Btcissica maculdta 284

Brissia verrucosa 3 '3

Brunsvig/a Josephin® 456

Brugmdiism lutea 560

BuddliSo Lindlevdna 9. 90

Burlingt6nm rlgida 333

C4ctus Jenkius6uu' 234

aeedlingfi 221

Calceo'dria
Calla paliistris
Calochortus liiteus

splendens

veiiiistus

31. 174
294
460
460
460

Calystdiria pubiscens 90.285
Calycdnthus 404

Camillia japonica var. Abbv
Wilder 190

Duchess of Orleans

190

Pirzio 190

Skccoi n6va 190

many varieties 190.

378

fine seedling 190

seedlings 121

Camrixxa escul^nta 460

Campanula carpitica 228

L6rej 275

Canlua coronopifolia 221

pyriidlia 221

Cdssia corymbiisa 560

Cassdlia integrildlia 39

Castilldja lilhospermoides 40

Cdtlleya crlspa 530

sp. 333

Cidrus Deodara 471. 505.

531

C^reus crendtus 338

Grahami 370

nigricans 504

Poins^tta 504

several varieties 370

C^ltis crassifolia 386

CetrAria jnuiperlna var.

vir^scens 293

Ci.slrum aurantiacum 531

Chlidanllius frdgrans 460

Cineraria anielloides 560

Citrus japonica 230

Clirk/a pulch611a 275

Clematis azurea 190

fl4mmula 409

Sieboldi 330

smilacilblia 7

Clerodendron frjlgrans 255

infortunatum 4. 471

sinudta 256

splendens 7. 86. 530

squaniAlum 86. 255

Sillinianz" 568

4 species 255

Clintdnta bore^lis 294

Clintoniopulch^Ua 275

Coliimnea Schneididna 86

CoIlinsM hirolor 275

Commelinn tuherdsa 560

f-'ordia decindra 454

Crinum amibile 246

Cruikshankifl 454

Crinod^ndron Patagua 454

Cryptomeria japonica 10. 271.

471

Cupressus thuyoides 293

Cuphea platycintra 559

strigilAsa 559

Cyprip^dium Ldwn 122

Cyrl4nthus obliqua 456

Cyrtoc^ros reflexa 530

Daphne laureola 261

odora 257

Delphinium Brecku 471

Deslontdinia spinAsa 454

Dodecdtheon M^dia 286

41ba 286

Drym6nia cristdta 222

punctata 86

Echites peltata 398

Echinocdctus Otldni's 503

Edgworthirt chrysiniha 7

Embothrium coccineum 454

E'pacris pulcliella 285

Epiphyllum Mayfly 370

splendidum 370

new seedling 370

£rica 215

ampull4cea 216

Cavendishu 285

cruenta 471

Hartnellu 218

hyeniAIis 471

hirsuta 285

MacNabidna 190

Mass6nj 216. 471

ovEita 285

perspicua ndna 218

splendens 216

sup^rba 285

ventric6sa 41ba 285

Escallonia macrantha 453

rubra 453

Euplidria KaullusseV 482

Fdgiis obliqua 452

Forsythia viridissima 86

Francisea Hoped«a 229

Franklinea canipestris 454

Fri.xinus exc^lsa p^ndula 407

vin

CONTENTS.

FiicUsia
arantha

Beauty supreme
cocciiiea
corymbiflbra
NHpoleon
One ill the Ring
speciabilis

263
483
463
264
2«4
483
483
39

8erratil(>lia 235. 419. 560

Oasironeiiia chivAiiiiii -156

Gari!^n/(i Slierhdiiniej 509

Siaiilcyunn r)3u

Goiigira airopurpiirea 530

G^siiera .lerroldt'ana 7

tubifldra 3-33

Gerirdia fldva 333

pediculiria 338

Gladiolus (loribuiidus 459

jra"dav6iisis 459

Prince .\Jbert 7

several varieties 459

Goodyem pub6scens 294

/feliotrdpium Voltuirliium 7.

121

H^nfrevd sc4n<lens 509

Hera.c\iiim ;,'igdnleiijn 452

laniiuin 396

sib^ricuni 396

SDhindylluni 396

\Vini61nisi7 394

i/iblscns (yamerOni BG

paliislris 337

HindsfVi loiigill6ra 509

violdcea 509

U6ya 399

caniisa 399

imperidlis 7. 399

Hydrdiijrea japonica 122. 333

pubijscens 123

Ilypiium BlandAi'j 293

/beris giberaltarica 559

iMopsl'liurn acaiile 397

JpomjE'a fiicildlia 455

Kilhdmt 455

Lear» 455

(^uamijclit 455

I'-xia squAlida 220

tricolor 220

seedling-s 220

l\6ra cocclnea 90. 333

Kaulfiissirt ainelloides 275

Kalnii'i fflauca 293

liitiWIia 338

I.ibocidrns tetragona 453

/ilium 316

Brdwn/j 551

bulbllcriim 316

canadensis 338

exlniiiKri 551

lancilb iuMi rCibrum 551

Album 551

puMCidtum 551

iongifldruiii 551

teslAceuin 551

many varieties 39

several sp. and var. 551

Limnanihes ^Iba 319

r6sea 318

Lisidiitliris RusselU'anuA 72.81

Lobelia cardinilis 387

Lonlcera sempervirens var.

Brdwn/i 31G

IiUpiiius afli'nis 316

lianwigii 275

iiinus 275

Luzuriagas ridicans 454

Lophospernium scandens .572

184

559

531

407

386

532

3S6

333

333. 408

230. 532

532

366

Lycopidiuni
i;,ylliruni aldtum
Maniltvillea suavc-olens
Maclinvj auraiuiuca
Magii61m gliiuca

cousplcua

grandilldra

longillbra

macroiihyllum

purpurea

Soulangeritta

tripelahi
Maurandya Barclayana dlba
220. 285

Barclayrtiia
Mitcliella repens
Mitrdria coccinea
Mon<irdella unduldta
Mousses unilldra
Mynus stipuldris
Napoledna imperidlis
Navariitta atratyloides

puh^scens
Nemojiliila aiomdria

niaculdta
(Enoth^ra inaculata

niacrocarpa

vipdria
O'lea fragrans
Oncidium llexudsum
O'rcliis grandifldra
Ourisia coccinea
O'xalis tloribunda

572
294
222
318
294
453
530
318
318
275
318
560
561
560
247
284
294
458
320. 560

Pinus Pinsdpo 401

Pallasiana 508

ponder6sa 508

pyrendica 508

sylvestris 407

many species 401. 508

Polygala Dalmatidna 86

Pogogone nuiltifldra 318

y^otentilla ynioiutJt 121

/-"opuhis canadensis 413

f sidiuni Cattleyriniun 35. 427.

531

pvriferum 35

Pyrola chlordnlha 294

eliptica 294

uniflora 294

Pyrus jap6nica 8

Quercus niacrocarpa 386

Re;^^da odordia 178

fih^um austrdlc 419

filiododtndron barbdtum 271

ferrugineuni 271

mdximum 277

jjonticum 277

10 species 269. 276

6 species 277

Rdsa. lirownn 39

Jutea, persidna pWiia 122

odordta var. 122

Russ^l/a tloribunda

i'dlvia cliamx-droides

pdtens

spl6ndens

spkMidcns mdjor

Sanvitdlia procumbens

Sarrac6n!a purpurea

6'axifraga pennsylvdnica

Sclii/.oiH-lulon Walk^rn

Seultclidria Ventenatt

t-teplmndlus floribiiudua

PiBdina MoiUan Ottd

nis

330

rdsea superba

330

many varieties

329

oflicindlis

festiva

332

20 varieties

332

P6ntas cdrnea

43

Petunia var. H6veyi

374

Plumbdgo capensis

560

Larp^ntce

509

531

Platanthdra fimbridta

294

PlerAma 61egan.s

463

Phlox Drummondji

220

539

Leopdldjz

483

Robert de Flandres

397

Triumpliator

220

397

Van Hoiilte/i

220

many varieties

220.

397.
428

Phycella corusca

460

Pimelia spectdbilis

283

Pinus anstriaca

508

C6mbra

401

excilsa 401.

531

548

Fischerj

508

insignis

509

Llavedna

508

inacrocdrpa

508

inonopliyllus

10

5'titice macropliylla

sinudla
Stanhdpea insignis
Salisburia adiantifilia
Stifftia chrysantlia
Stigmnphyllon cilidris
Thiija filiformis

sibi'rica

sp.
ToT^nia asidtica
Torreyrt taxifilia
TruLlius asidticus
Tropie'dlum LobbtanMm

Sniithi'i
Tupc/o multifl6ra

559
559
563
7
560
293
294
275
509
70.
333
530
561
530
531
398
7
236
510
510
509
86
286
509
222
385

l^accinenm Aitis Idae'a 290.337

Verbena, 10 var. 263

Keronica Lindleydna 330

Vessieiix/a glauc6psis 460

Fiburnum jap6nica 86

6 sp. 387

Virguldria lanceoldta 454

Weigelw r6sea 226

WliittidliU'o lalerltia 333
VVistdrzVi 319. 407. 505

sin^'nsis 319

Yucca nianienldsa 382

Zizdnia aqudtica 294

CONTENTS.

IX

APPLES.

American Golden Russett 250

AveriU 283. 297

Baldwin 24. 42. 165

Ben 68. 93

Bullock's Pippin 250

Carthouse 31

Cogswell 190. 252

Drap d'Or 525

Esopus Spitzenberg 24

Early Harvest 165

Fall "Pippin 527

Fall Harvey 537

Felch 42

Gravenstein 164

Gilliflower 231

Hawley 98

Hooker 66

Hubbardston Nonsuch 63. 93

Holland Pippin 24

Holmes 161

Reiser 25

Large Yellow Bough 165

Ladies' Sweeting 238

Minister 159

Mother 65

Newtown Pippin 24

Northern Spy 332. 375

Nonsuch 165

Porter 165

Rambo 28

Red Rambo 29

Romanite 30

Red Astrachan 93

Red Russet 335

Royal Pearmain 232

Roxbury Russet 165

Sheepnose ^51

Shawmut 335

Steele's Red Winter 45

Summer Rose 536

Sutton Beauty 249

Seedlings 574

Tolman's Sweeting 163. 165

Vandervere 539

Wells 27

Wesifleld Seek-no-Further 26

White Juneating 231

White Seek-no-Further 166

Winter Pearmain 232

Williams 165

Woolman's Harvest 536

Many varieties enumerated

45. 85. 187
List of 26 fine varieties 164
List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

APRICOTS.

List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

LIST OF FRUITS.

New Black Bigarreau 381
Sparhawk's Honey 94

Transparent 94

Vail's Seedling 391. 423

Wenilell's Mottled Bigar- ^
reau 376

Seedlings 380. 381

New varieties 46

Many varieties exhibited

376. 380. 423

CURRANTS.

Black Naples
Champagne
Cherry

English Black
Knight's Sweet
Red Dutch
Victoria
White Grape
White Chrystal
White Dutch
List of, adopted by Porno-
logical Convention

423
423
382
423
423
381
382
423
513
381

513

CHERRIES.

Black Tartarian
Black Eagle
Belle Magnitique
Carnation Bigarreau
Elton
Florence

VOL. XV. B

94
371
513
376
373
373

FIGS.

Black Fig of St. Michael's 286
Brunswick 331

White 331

GOOSEBERRIES.

Houghton's Seedling 427

Seedlings 382. 421

Many kinds enumerated 179.
371. 382
List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

GRAPES.

August Muscat 427

Black Hamburgh 109. 113. 542
Black Prince Hamburg 542
Rlack Cluster 110

Black Prince 542

Bishop 429

Blussard Noir 109

Chasselas of Fontainbleau 234
Chasselas Musque 234

Cannon Hall Muscat 334

Cochin China Seedling 570
Decan's Superb 109. 286. 570
Diana 524

Gros Bleu 428

Gros Gromier Du Cantal 109.

570
Josling's St. Albans 234. 461
Muscat of Alexandria 108

Nice Black Cluster 110

Olwer 109

Poiteau Noir 382. 470

Palestine 470

Queen Muscat 108

Reeves's Muscadine 109

Royal Muscadine 108

Sahibee 109

Victoria 334

Verdal 109

Wilmot's Black Hamburgh

331

White Catawba 572

White Sweetwater 110

List of 32 fine kinds 334

Many varieties enumerated

286. 331. 516. 526
List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

NECTARINES.

Hunt's Tawney 330

Lewis 380

Temple 335

Violet Hative 380

List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

PEACHES.

Beville 503

Camak's Red Twigged 501

Coolidge's Favorite 331

Early Crawford 94

Earlv Anne 214

Early Tillotson 214

Geo. IV. 331

Grosse Mignonne 331

Hoffman's Favorite 379

Jacques 94. 427

New Early Purple 214

OldMixton 94

Royal George 214

Sweetwater 214

Varieties exhibited 516

35 Seedlings 476
List of, adopted by Pomo-

logical Convention 513

PEARS.

Adele Pt. Denis 6. 107

Belle Epine Dumas 6. 574

Belle de Brussells 374. 422

Belle d'Aout 372. 422

Beurr^ Benoist 5. 107

d'Aremberg 93. 99

Bosc 100

Brown 3

de Rhine 6

Easier 330

Langelier 532

Oswego 350

Richards's 440

Spence 100

Bloodgood 93. 101

Bonne des Zees 6. 107

Brandvwine 6. 106

Brande's St. Germain 46. 107.

202

Burlingame 344

Col mar 3

Colmar d'Et^ 522

Compte de Lelieur 6

Chaumontelle 415

Crassane 3

Dearborn's Seedling 42

Dana's Seedling 106

Dunmore 6

Diiquesne d'Et^ 450

Duchesse d'Aiigouleme 410

Doyenn^ Goubault 416.524

Excelentissima 195. 525

CONTENTS.

Eyewood 6

Gansell's Bcrgamot 3

Gustine's Summer 6 106. 348
Henri Van Mons 6

Howell 6. 43. 69. 5fi9

II age man 476

Incounue Van Mons 46. 100
Jalousie de Fontenay Ven-
dee 6. 201
Jean deWitte 6
Jersey Oratioli 5
Jargonelle 93
Josephine de Malines 298. 470
Julienne 450. 566
Kuighl's Monarch 6. 46. 378.
574
197
448.
492
415.
524
342
lOG. 341
6. 105

Las Canas

Long Green of Autumii

Louise Bonne of Jersey

Walker
Watson
Winter Nelis
Wilbur

103
469
403
567:

List of varieties which
grow on Quince 389

Several new and fine va-
rieties 43. 45

Several American varieties 570

Many varieties enumerated

567

Exhibition of, by the Mass.
Hort. Society 472. 515

List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

Locke

Moyamensing

Oil's Seedlinic

Osband's Summer

Passe Colmar

Pratt

Reid's Seedling

Ronville

Rostiezer

St. Dorothea

St. Nicholas

St. Michael Archangel

Shekel

SieuUe

Souveraine cVEli

Stevens's Genesee

Suzetle de Bavay

Surpasse Virgouloiise

Summer Hon Chretien

6. 106

445

477

6

236. 442

411

199

6. 107

416

42.411

575

6

99. 346

298

42

440

Summer St. Germain 106

Swan's Orange 6. 98. 236.

443. 511
Triomphe de Jodoigne 5. 107
Seedlings 415. 574

Urbaniste 93

Van Mons Leon le Clerc 99
Vailed Franche 444

Verte Longue 448

Vicompte de Spoelberch 525

PLUMS.

.\lbany Beauty
American Wheat
Black Damask
Blue Imperatrice
Bradshaw's
Brevoort's Purple
Cheston, or Matchless
Coe's Golden Drop
Cherry
Dominie Dull
Drap d'(-)r
Drap d'Or Esperin
F.arly Cross
Early Orleans
Early Prolific
English Wheat
Green Gage
Ghiston's Early
Grosse Mirabelle
Huliiig"s Superb
Ida Giige
Italian Damask
Ives's Seedling
Janne Halive
Jefferson
Kirke's

Lawence's Early
Lawrence's Favorite
McLaughlin
Monsieur Hatif
Morocco

118
103
102
491
94
429
102
486
566
566

103. 299
298
104
104
102
103

9i. 103
104
103
489
477

104. 429
119
104

120. 4.30
488
104
104
470
428
1U2

Pa-oly's Rarly Blue 104

Preroce de Tours 104

Peach 382

Rivers's Early Favorite 102
Rogers's Blue 473

Semiana 491

Wilniol's new Early Or-
leans 104
Wasliiiigton Seedling 120
Many varieties exhibited 118.
515

RASPBERRIES.
Fastolf 381

Francniiia 380. 411

Knevclt's Giant 380.381

Red Antwerp 376

White Antwerp 381

List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Convention 513

STRAWBERRIES.
Aberdeen Beehive 236.

42. 334,
5. 327

Boston Pine

Black Prince

Burr's new Pine

Buist's Prize

Cushing

(^aml)ridge

Crimson or Scotch Pine

Deptford Pine

Early Virginia

Hovey's Seedling

42.

352
Jenny's Seedling
Keen's Seedling
Methven

Prince's Profuse "Scarlet
Royal Scarlet
Richardson's Late 5

Richardson's Early
Willcv

Seedlings 3.32.

Many varieties exhibited

List of, adopted by Pomo-
logical Cuuvcntion

286-
327
352
354

. 354
354
353
331
42
379
42
100.

, 4U
3.35
239
100
5
327

. 379
331
332
375
326.
375

513

LIST OF VEGETABLES.

Beans, Early Mohawk 377 i
Lima 478

Beet, Bassano 478 |

Swiss Chard 426 |

Brocoli 478 1

Cabbage, Early Nonpareil 160
Early York 161

KohlRabi .329

Pomeranian 478 \

Waite's new Dwarf IGO j

Cauliflower, Large Early
Asiatic 328 '

Celery 127. 181

Cole's Superl) Red 182
Manchester Red 128

New Curled 159

Seymour's White 128

Seymour's Superb White
1.59

CuCumbpr,Allen'8 Victory 284

Brown's Man of Kent 284

Eai'ly i'ranie 286

Hempstead Black Spine

284

Cucumber, Manchester Prize
328
Roman Emperor
Victory of I5ath
Weedon
Young's Champion

329
328
284
266.
328
478

Corn, 14 varieties

Darling's Early Sweet 478

Hoo-sung orOo-sung 156. 212.

328. 377

Lettuce, Artichoke-leaved 158

CONTENTS.

XI

Lettuce, Nonparie! Cos

158

Palestine

ins

Spotted, or Tiger

]o8

Turkey

l.^f^

Potatoes, Early Frame

478

Early Manly

47S

Egyptian

478

Mountain June

;«7

Philadelphia Red

478

Sealsfoot

47-

158 Potatoes, Shepherd's Early 473
20 Seedlings 518

50 varieties 44

45 varieties 95. 478

Peas, Burridge's Eclipse 156
Champion of England 156
Early Frame 156

Early Emperor 156

Early Uaneoroft 156

Fairbeard's Surprise 156

Peas. Flack's Victory 156

Prince Albert 332

Rhubarb, Wvatt's Linnxus

157
Myatt's Victoria 157. 328
Royal Albert 158

Seedlings 157. 3.32

Squash 478

California Acorn 426

Water Cresses 286

LIST OF CORRESPONDENTS.

A Lover of Roses
An Amateur,
Bayne, Dr. .1. H.
Cabot, Hon. J. S.
Crapo, H. H.
Coffin, Allen
Cushmg, J. P. Esq.
Dearborn, Hon. H. \
Earle, J.M.
Editor,

S.

F.rnst, A. H.
(i. C. T. .
G. T. .

35. 42. 49,
101. 146. 1.56,
262. 298. 300.
486. 536.

24

349

63. 65

1.59. 193

339. 352

Carber, J. B.
Gordon, Alex.
Grosvenor, L. P.
Goodale, S. L.
Goodsell, N.
Hildreth, Dr. 5. P.
Horner, Dr. F. .
Humrickhouse, T. S
Hutchinson, James,
ives, J. M.

.526
526

. 353

204. 492

. 509

. 378

. 341

337. 385

373. 374

75. 97

223. 249

399. 440

. 509
. 236
. 86
. 131
. 245
. 296
. 42
23. 62. 213
. 345
. 357
. 24
. 540
. 120

J. E. T.
J. R. C.

James, J. H.
Johnson, B. P. .
Johnson, M. C .
ICennedy, James
Kenrick, J. A. .
Leuchars, R. B.
M. L. B. .
Manning, R.
Mitchell, Dr. A.
R. C. W. .
Reid. VV. .
Richardson, E. S. L
Russell, Prof. John Li

Rivers, T. .

S. D. P.

Saunders, \Vm. .
i Senell, Rev. R. K.
I Turner, Mr.
: Vail, H.

' Ward, Dr. M. A.
! Walker, S.

Wendell, Dr. H.
i Wilder, M. P. .

no. 166

. 481
. 42
13. 454
. 85
. 526
. 31

. 253
205. 254
. 182
. 102
• 243
. 221
. 388
. 566
154. 184. 185. 289
394
495
71

4. 263

303. 534
. 242

304. 366
. 391
. 501
. 163
. 212
. 423

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE.

JANUARY, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. A Retrosjjectlve Vieio of the Progress of Horticul-
ture in the United States during the Year 1S4S. By the
Editor.

The season of 1848, though rather below the general aver-
age temperature, has been, on the whole, favorable to a vig-
orous and healthy growth of trees and shrubs. In some parts
of the countr)'", the severe cold of last winter greatly injured
the fruit crop, so much so, that, in some places, it was a total
failure. Our readers have already been informed, (Vol. XIV.
p. 283,) that the plum crop, in the great region for that fruit
around Albany, New York, was entirely destroyed. In New
England, the peach crop, we believe, was the only fruit which
suffered from the same great alternations of heat and cold.
Other fruits, especially pears, were more or less injured by
the excessive warmth, and the hot sun, in May, just as the
blossoms were fully expanded, causing many of them to fall,
and of some kinds, more tender than others, the whole crop
was lost in this way. A moderate quantity of moisture dur-
ing the summer favored a fine healthy growth, and a mild
and prolonged autumn, without frost, ripened the wood finely,
and developed an abundant supply of flower-buds.

The winter of 1847 and '48 was, on the whole, above the
average of cold ; but, for variableness, it has rarely been ex-
ceeded. January opened with mild weather, and without
snow ; but, on the 11th, the thermometer suddenly fell to 12°
below zero, the lowest during the winter ; on the 15th, it was
rainy and foggy, with the temperature at 40° ; on the 18th,

VOL. XV. — NO. I. 1

2 Retrospective Vleiv of ike

at 3° ; and, on the 22cl, 46^ ; the 2Sth was rainy, succeeded by-
pleasant weather to the end of the month. February com-
menced with a snow storm which fell to the depth of a foot :
on the oth, this was augmented to 15 inches ; the morning of
the 11th, the temperature was again 6° below zero. This
was followed with milder weather, with rain, until the 26th,
when the temperature again fell to 0. March was cool, with
considerable snow, and, up to the 20th, there was but little
appearance of spring. Milder weather, however, soon set in,
and, by the last of the month, the ground was free from frost,
and in good order for ploughing. April continued variable;
on the 19th, there were three inches of snow, succeeded, on
the 20th, with the temperature at 18° ; favorable weather fol-
lowed, and, on the 21st, we found the Pyrus japonica in bloom.
May opened rather cool, and the peach trees were not in
bloom until the 4th : on the 9th, pear trees were in bloom ;
a cold easterly storm set in on the 11th, and this was followed
by one or two excessively hot days, which greatly in-
jured the blossoms. June again continued cool, with easterly
winds and rain, up to the 10th. After that, the weather was
more favorable for a few days ; but easterly winds and rain,
alternated with cool weather, continued to the end of the
month, doing material damage to the crop of hay then just
cut. July was equally as unfavorable up to the 3d, when it
cleared away, and, from the 4th, it continued pleasant to the
end of the month. August was a favorable month ; from the
10th to the 25th, the weather was excessively warm and fine.
September opened pleasant, and continued fine and warm up
to the 12 th, when the temperature fell, and frost was expe-
rienced in cool situations ; the last part of the month was also
cool, within a degree or two of frost. October was pleasant,
and the first frost to injure dahlias was on the 8th. Novem-
ber was mild to the 9th, when there was a slight fall of snow :
and, on the lltli, the temperature was only 9°. Snow fell
again, on the 20th, to the depth of four inches ; after which
pleasant weather succeeded. December up to this date has been
almost as mild as the corresponding month of 1817. Much
rain has fallen, and, as yet, no frosts have been experienced
to check the usual labors of the season.

The reports of horticultural exhibitions, and our notes of

Progress of HorticulUire for 1848. 3

our tour in western New York, will show the abundance and
excellence of the fruit crop generally. Peaches were never
more abundant in the middle states, and the only fruits, of
which the crop has not been plentiful, in the New England
states, are those above mentioned, the plum and the peach.

Horticulture.

Under this head, no more important subject has occupied
attention during the year than the cultivation of the pear,
either as dwarfs or pyramidal trees, upon the quince or pear
stock, after the mode so generally adopted in France, and
which we have given so full an account of in our Foreign
Tour. The economy as well as the beauty of this mode of
growth is beginning to be better appreciated, and a greater
desire manifested for such trees. We would scarcely sup-
pose that we should be understood as recommending this plan
for orchard cultivation. By no means. Our remarks always
have reference to garden culture, either on a large or small
scale; whether ten trees or ten thousand. By planting py-
ramidal trees of such kinds as do well upon the quince, and
those which do not upon the pear, a much greater crop can
be realized, in the end, than from the same ground planted
with trees in the ordinary way. This has been proved by
foreign cultivators. A writer in the Transactions of the Lon-
don Horticultural Society gives the result of his experience,
(Vol. VH. p. 213.) He states that the same number of super-
ficial feet of wall devoted to the training of pear trees upon
the quince and pear stock showed the following results : —

Four kinds, the Gansell's Bergamot, Brown Beurre, Cras-
sane, and Colmar, on the quince, produced 30.5 to 4 on the
pear ; dividing the first sum by the latter gives 7.6 as the
average in favor of the quince — that is, a fraction over seven
pears on the quince stock, to one on the pear stock. We have
not room here to give the whole statement of the writer, but
shall embody it in an article in a future number; as it is de-
cisive as to the advantages of growing the pear on the quince
stock.

Some excellent papers on summer pruning, and the gen-
eral management of pear trees, with a view to early fruiting,

4 Retrospective View of the

have been given in our last volume : that which is, perhaps,
of the greatest value, by Mr. Thompson, (p. 29,) copied from
his account of the gardens near Paris, where he had an op-
portunity of seeing the finest specimens of this mode of cul-
ture. Other excellent papers will be found at pp. 30 1, 505.
The writer of the article last named, whose success was com-
plete, if we are to judge from the size of the pears produced,
has adopted a new mode of producing early maturity, that is,
by taking off the leares, in connexion with root-pruning :
all who are much interested in the growth of dwarf and pyram-
idal trees should attentively read these excellent articles.

We should not forget to call attention to the capital article
from our correspondent. Dr. Weed, (p. 145,) upon the growth
of the pear upon the apple, a subject which has occupied
much attention. We feel gratified to know that, in connex-
ion with Mr. Humrickhouse's article, (Vol. XII. p. 393,) it
contains all that has yet been written upon this interesting
question. It only remains to be seen how time will affect the
growth of those kinds which, so far, have succeeded upon the
apple.

The culture of the grape has received a due share of atten-
tion in our last volume ; an article on the formation of vine
borders, (p. 49,) and another on the treatment of vines in
pots, (p. 193,) will be found of the greatest interest to those
who are cultivating this delicious fruit. So much has been
said in regard to the preparation of borders, that we deem it
important to know every thing in relation to their formation.
We are advocates of a rich border, but prefer that this should
be made as the vines progress, rather than to over-feed them at
first, after which it will be much more difficult to keep up
the requisite degree of stimulant. Wc shall undoubtedly
have more to say on this head in the current volume. The
growth of vines in pots is attracting more attention, and the
ornamental appearance of the plants when in fruit, as well as
the small space they occupy, and the facility with which they
may be brought forward, should induce all who possess a
grapery or greenhouse to cultivate a few vines.

Much attention has recently been given to the cultivation
of the Fig, and, with the view of aiding those who are in
want of information as to the best mode of management, we

Progress of Hortkulture for 1848. 5

have copied some excellent advice in the last volume (p. 244.)
We have already in bearing some six or eight of the most
valuable varieties, and shall endeavor to give a full account
of those which prove the most abundant bearers, together
with our success in the treatment of the plants. So delicious
a fruit should be cultivated by every one who can find room
for a few trees.

The strawberry question has ceased to attract much atten-
tion from the fact that the conclusions which have been ar-
rived at are deemed entirely satisfactory. Some new varie-
ties have been introduced to notice the past year, the most
prominent of which are Burr's New Pine, Prince's Profuse
Scarlet, and Richardson's Late, Further trial is requisite to
show whether these sorts are any improvement upon our well
established kinds.

As a new feature in the onward progress of pomological
science, the past year may be noted for its pomological con-
ventions, two of which have been held; one at Buffalo, and
the other at New York. We have no doubt but that beneficial
results will flow from these annual gatherings of cultivators
from all parts of the Union ; and that the interchange of opin-
ions, the information to be obtained in regard to particular
localities or latitudes, and the peculiarities of soil and situa-
tion, will establish some data by which new varieties may be
introduced into various sections of the country with a much
greater certainty of success. In this way, we look for an
accumulation of facts which cannot fail to be of the greatest
value. The attempt to settle names, reduce the number of
varieties in cultivation, and make a list of rejected fruits, we
believe, will not be attended with the good effects which some
cultivators imagine. We wish them, however, every suc-
cess. We have given a full account of the doings of the con-
vention at Buff'alo ; and, as soon as the report of the New
York Convention comes to hand, we shall make an abstract
of it in the same manner.

Several new varieties of pears, of high reputation, have
fruited this year, for the first time. Among those which
promise well, are the following : — Triumph de Jodoigne, a
very large December pear; Beurre Benoits, or Auguste Be-
noits, a September pear, excellent ; Jersey Gratioli, October,

6 Retrospective Vieio of the

fine ; St. Nicolas, a late autumn variety ; Compte de Le-
lieur ; Bonne des Zees, a delicious September pear ; Beurre
de Rhine ; Episcopal, a late winter pear ; Henri Van Mons ;
Souverain d'Ete ; Adele de St. Denis. The following Amer-
ican varieties, introduced to notice for the first time, also
promise well : — Brandywine, Ott's Seedling, Howell, and Gus-
tine's summer. The experience of another year has also con-
firmed the excellence of the following kinds : — Moyamensing,
Swan's Orange, Reid's Seedling, Osband's Summer, Belle
Epine Dumas, Dunmore, Jeane de Witte, Eye wood, Jalousie
de Fontenay Yendee, &c. Knight's Monarch has at last been
obtained, and it proves to be a superior fruit. We have had
specimens in eating two months, and yet have some that will
keep a long time. The new varieties now mentioned, we
shall describe and figure in the present volume.

Floriculture.

The taste for plants, which has rather fallen off, or, at
least not kept pace with that for fruits, for the last three or
four years, appears to be reviving. To encourage this has
been our object, and we have endeavored to present our read-
ers with all the information relative to new plants, and the
best mode of cultivating superior specimens of the choice vari-
eties already in our collections.

Since the expedition of Mr. Fortune to China, but a limited
number of new plants have been introduced, by the London
Horticultural Society. Some of the zealous English nursery-
men have collectors in South America, through whom a
number of valuable acquisitions have been made : but they
have been principally greenhouse or hothouse plants, and not so
generally desirable as those sent home by Mr. Fortune. Near-
ly all the plants of any interest Avhich have been introduced,
will be found enumerated in our Floricultural Notices.

The subjects which have been admirably treated upon in our
last volume, are the dahlia, (p. 27) ; the cacti family, (p. 110),
by Mr. Teschemacher ; the Chinese primrose, in a most capi-
tal paper, by Mr. Cadness, (p. 395) ; the Fuchsia, (p. 44.5,)
by Mr. Thorburn; the Calceolaria, (p. 492,) by Mr. Kennedy;
the Leschenaultia, (p. 447,) and the Achimenes, (p. 494,) by

Progress of Horticulture for 1848. 7

Mr. Saunders. Besides these, we have given detailed articles
on the culture and management of the magnificent tribe of
Japan lilies, (p. 34,) the Anemone japonica, (p. 165,) and
two papers on the camellia, (p. 301,) the concluding portion
of which will appear in the early numbers of the present vol-
ume. Our General Notices embrace a fund of valuable facts,
in regard to the growth and treatment of numerous plants,
flowers, &c. Some which we may more particularly allude
to, are the azalea, (p. 179,) the Erica, (p. 181,) greenhouse
specimens, (p. 279,) the cameUia, (p. 413,) the pelargonium,
(p. 420,) the orange, (p. 418,) the hollyhock, (p. 414,) and
many others which will be found under the head of General
Notices, in our table of contents.

There have been many additions to collections of plants, the
past year, some of which are deserving of particular note :
Begonia fuchsioides, an exquisite variety, with long drooping
scarlet flowers; Gesnera Jerrold/dna, with very brilliant
flowers; i^eliotropium voltairanum, with deep-colored blos-
soms; Clerodendronsplendens, and infortunatum ; Edgworth-
ia chrysantha; Hoya imperialis ; Clematis smilacifolia, a
very handsome species; Stigmaphilon ciliaris, another fine
running plant ; (rladiolus variety, Prince Albert, very superb ;
^Salvia splendens major, a new variety, much finer than splen-
dens; Weigelia rosea, &c., &c. The new phloxes of the past
year, though many of them handsome, have not embraced
any distinct or striking varieties. The fuchsias have been
more desirable, and a few of them, quite distinct.

The new pelargoniums are of the highest excellence. We
scarcely thought it possible to make much improvement upon
Aurora, Isabella, and others, but the new seedlings of Mr.
Beck are as distinct as any plants could well be : there is a
clearness of the eye, a distinctness of the colors, and a firm-
ness of petal, which quite change the character of this fine
flower. Rosamund, Centurion, Cruenta, Blanche, and others
of the seedlings of 1847, are truly exquisite. It is gratifying
to see the increased attention which has recently been be-
stowed upon the pelargonium; but we trust it is only the
commencement of that good taste which will elevate it to the
highest place among greenhouse plants. What are termed
the fanaj kinds, are now much sought after abroad; and at-

8 Refrospeciive Vieiu of the

tenlion lias been directed to the production of new kinds; the
French have thus far raised the best, some of which are quite
curious. The flowers are of moderate size, and irregular, and
the contrast of colors very great ; Mr. Beck has produced one
or two very good ones. They will, no doubt, soon be intro-
duced to American collections.

Of seedlings, the 3'ear has not developed many varieties of
merit. A new camellia is mentioned, of Mr. Feast's, (p.
256,) as very beautiful. The Japan lihes, so far, have not
sported into any new or peculiar colors ; we have many
seedlings, which, the present year, we hope to see presenting
some distinct features, but time will determine this. We
have urged upon amateur cultivators, as well as nurserymen,
the importance of raising the hardy rhododendrons and azaleas,
from seed, in order not only to have them so abundant that
they may be found in every garden, but with the hope of
producing new and beautiful varieties, as has already been
done in England ; a cross between those foreign kinds, which
have the brilliancy of coloring of the Indian sorts, and their
half-hardy character, with our well known and hardy species,
would undoubtedly result in the production of a race of high-
er colored and hardy varieties. Some fine verbenas have
been described at p. 220.

The naturalization of many ornamental plants is a subject
which has not received sufficient attention, though one of the
greatest importance. It is well known, that many plants, for-
merly cultivated in the greenhouse, and supposed altogether
too tender to withstand the severity of our winters, are now
classed among our hardy plants. If we trace them to their
native countries, we find they are from the same localities as
others more recently introduced, which we deem tender, or,
at least, only half hardy. Dr. Lindley, in a late number of
the Gardener^s Chronicle^ has asked the question, whether
"the camellia is a greenhouse plant?" And answers it, by
a series of facts which leave but little doubt that, under certain
favorable conditions of soil and situation, it may be found
equally as hardy as other plants, from the country of the
camellia. The Pyrus japonica. Wistaria sinensis, Chinese
honeysuckle, and Tree pasonies, are companions of the ca-
mellia in its own woods, and yet they are found to resist the
cold, without injury, as far north as the latitude of 42°.

Progress of Horticulture for 1848. 9

Such being the fact, why may not the cameUia become
eventually a common garden shrub, at least as far north as
Philadelphia ? At another time, we shall recur to the remarks
of Dr. Lindley again, and give the facts which he adduces,
relative to the temperature, soil, &c., of the climate of China,
— and the best means of accomplishing successful naturaliza-
tion.

We are led to these remarks, from having recently seen a
fine plant of Buddies Lindleyd^a, one of Mr. Fortune's dis-
coveries, near Shanghae, which stood out last winter, without
protection ; though only a young plant, set out in the spring
of 1817, and making but a slender growth, the root was un-
injured, and, when we saw it in September, it had thrown up
shoots, five feet high. We have no doubt, that, in a light soil,
where the growth would be checked early, and the wood per-
fectly ripened, it will be found quite hardy. The Ailantus,
a well known hardy tree, from China, is only hardy under
certain conditions of soil and locality. Last winter, we had
one half of a long row of these trees, which were killed both
root and branch, while the other half remained uninjured.
The trees stood upon a piece of ground, on a side hill ; and
part of the row sloped into a hollow, where the water was
confined, after heavy rains ; the consequence was, that all
the trees, around which the water stood and froze, were
killed; while those from which the water drained away,
were alive to the points of the shoots. It will thus be seen,
that, in the naturalization of plants, much will depend upon a
knowledge of their natural habits, and the soil and situation
in which they grow. Success must not always be expected,
at first. One failure should not discourage the ardent culti-
vator ; but, where climate, and the nature of the plants, lead
us to suspect their hardiness, experiments should be repeated,
till they remove all doubts.

Arboriculture.

A great and increasing interest has been manifested in the
subject of Arboriculture ; and it is gratifying to find our agri-
cultural societies, aided by the liberality of gentlemen of
wealth and taste, encouraging the cultivation of forest trees.

VOL. XV. NO. L 2

10 Retrospective Vieio of the

"We some time since noticed the offer of a premium, for the
culture of the oak, in Essex County, (p. 189,) and we are
pleased to know, that the giver of that premium is deeply in-
terested, not only in the culture of the oak, but in the intro-
duction of every tree and shrub, of which there is any hope
of their proving hardy in our climate. The Deodar cedar,
the cedar of Lebanon, the araucaria, the yl^bies Douglasii,
the Cryptomeria japonica, and other species of pines, have
been planted in the most favorable locations, for testing their
hardiness and adaptation to our climate.

A very perceptible increase has been made in the varieties
of ornamental trees and shrubs, now offered for sale by nur-
serymen. It is also gratifying to see the mode becoming
more general, of planting out specimen trees, in order to show
the real merit of every species or variety. Until a taste for
planting is much more generally diffused than it is likely to
be, for some time, this cannot but prove highly advantageous
to the zealous nurseryman ; for purchasers are always more
ready to buy, when they can see what they are planting
will grow up to, with proper care and attention.

Now, that California has become part of our great Union,
we hope to see many of the trees and shrubs, which clothe
the declivities of the Sierra Nevada, and other mountains
of that territory, and some of which. Col. Fremont mentions
with so much interest, in his report, introduced into our gar-
dens. The Pinus monophyllus, is a particularly interesting
species of the coniferous tribe, seeds of which, we hope, will
be speedily sent home. With the aid of government officers,
seeds might be transmitted to the Patent Office, and from
thence be distributed throughout the country, as others have
already been from, that department. The mountainous regions
of the United States, on the Pacific coast, now extending so
many hundred miles, are rich in hardy trees and shrubs, and,
with the facilities which now are, or soon will be, afforded
for their introduction, we hope to see them added to our col-
lections.

Rural Architecture.

The taste for ornamental planting and rural landscape, is
rapidly spreading. The iron roads, which now unite town

Progress of Horticulture for 1848. 11

and country, by almost annihilating time and space, have
enabled gentlemen of wealth or leisure, to escape from the dust
and heat, and turmoil of the crowded city, and enjoy the
pleasures of a country life. No person, who feels an interest
in rural improvement, can travel in any part of the country,
and not be impressed with the great strides which have been
made within a few years. More especially, in New England,
is this taste everywhere apparent. Intersected in all directions,
as the country is, by railroads, in the vicinity of Boston, and
other cities, the number of suburban residences has not only
greatly increased, but they have been laid out and embellished
with a degree of taste, which reflects much credit upon the
proprietors, when we recollect that, in but few instances, have
practical men been consulted. We are aware that many of
these suburban grounds would have far greater attractions,
had they been laid out in true taste ; yet their general neat-
ness and beauty show how great is the desire to possess some-
thing approaching that object, so much coveted — a pleasant
country seat.

We are desirous of contributing all in our power to aid in
the dissemination of true taste in ornamental planting, and we
shall endeavor to give more attention to the subject. Zealous
as we have been, to promote the interests of horticultural sci-
ence, we have directed less attention to rural improvement,
than is our intention hereafter. Not that we consider mere
plans of so much importance, as the architectural journals
will be consulted for these ; but to give, occasionally, speci-
mens of some of the best examples of ornamental gardening
in our vicinity.

In Beverly, several pretty cottage and villa residences
have been recently erected; one, belonging to F. Haven, Esq.,
of Boston, laid out under the care of Mr. Brown, when com-
pleted, will be a place of much interest. J. D. W. Wilhams,
Esq., intends to rearrange, and greatly improve his beautiful
place, at Elm Hill, Dorchester. Col. W. P. Winchester has
recently erected a large and costly villa, at Cambridge, near
Mt. Auburn, on Charles River. He intends also to have the
grounds laid out in the best style, under the superintendence
of an experienced gardener. We might name other places
about to be improved, but we shall endeavor to give a full
account of them when completed.

12 Retrospective Vie7v, ^'c.

Commercial Gardening.

Commercial gardening continues in a flonrishing condition.
New nurseries spring up in various parts of the country, espe-
cially in the west, and most of the older ones go on augment-
ing their stock, and increasing the extent of their grounds.
How far this success can be looked upon as an evidence of
the profitableness of the profession of the nurseryman, is a
question we shall not undertake to enlarge upon. A country
so extensive as ours, and so bare of good fruits, as it is in
most instances, must, for a long period, create a good demand
for fruit trees ; and, from the increasing taste for ornamental
planting, a fair demand for trees and shrubs cannot otherwise
than be expected.

The introduction of new varieties of fruit, from abroad, and
of new seedlings at home, is a subject attracting the attention
of zealous nurserymen ; at the present time, when so many
sorts are annually produced, it is not to be supposed, that
all of them will be found to possess great merit ; and if,
among twenty poor kinds, one of high character is found, it
will repay the time, the labor, and the expense, attendant, in
adding such to collections. It does not follow, that every
amateur should add all the new fruits to his collection that
the nurseryman adds to his catalogue. By no means. Yet it
would be injudicious, and greatly retard the progress of po-
mological science, to indiscriminately reject all new fruits,
merely because some of them have not come up to the stand-
ard of excellence which had preceded their introduction.

In our several volumes, we have annually given some ac-
count of the principal nursery establishments in New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and other cities. In
our last volume, we have given two articles upon the gardens
and gardening of Western New York : these will be con-
cluded in our present volume. We therefore need not reca-
pitulate what we have already stated, in reference to the state
of commercial gardening in these places.

In the neighborhood of Boston, there is the usual activity
among the trade. The reports of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society will show the great nimiber of fruits which
have been exhibited, trees of which will be found for sale in

The Blight in Pear Trees. 13

the principal nurseries. And, while so much care has heen
devoted to this department, it is gratifying to know, that
equal pains have been taken to introduce all the most showy
and interesting varieties of hardy trees and shrubs, especially
those adapted to the ornamenting of lawns and pleasure-
grounds. Of greenhouse, hothouse, and garden plants, a refer-
ence to our Floricultural Notices, and to the reports above
mentioned, will show how much has been accomplished since
our annual summary of 1847.

Garden Literature.

Few publications have appeared the last year. The prin-
cipal have been Gray's Botany of the Northern United Slates.
Tuckerman's Synopsis of Northern Lichefis ; Transactions oi
the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, for 1837; Report of the
Patent Office for 1847; 'Ro^qx&'s Scientific Agriculture. The
two numbers of Colman's European Agriculture^ completing
the work ; and three additional numbers of our Frtiits of
America, (Nos. 4, 5, and 6;) No. 7 will appear the present
month, and be followed in regular order, by the others. A
new edition of Allen's Treatise on the Grape, enlarged and
revised, has also just appeared, and we shall notice it in our
next.

Art. II. The Blight in Pear Trees. By J. H. James, Esq.
Urbana, Ohio.

I OBSERVE, by your notes of a tour to Buffalo, that you have
had an opportunity to see the blight in pear trees, as exhib-
ited in the nurseries at Buffalo and at Rochester. You had pre-
viously announced your opinion, (Vol. XI. p. 5,) and here again
repeat it, " that the blight of the west is not the blight of the
New England states," which you call msec^i//^/!^, and attrib-
ute, on the authority of Mr. Lowell and Dr. Harris, to the
action of an insect known as the Scolytus pyri. I wish to
raise, with you, the inquiry whether you have not too hastily
decided that the western blight is different from yours, and

14 The Blight in Pear Trees.

to induce the examination whether the notion of an insect
bhght rests on any sufficient authority.

Until 1844, I was a firm beHever, on the report of others,
that the fire bhght in pear trees was caused by an insect, and
that the spread of its ravages might be checked and prevented
by a prompt amputation of the affected hmbs, and a consump-
tion of them by fire. In that year, for the first time since I
became a grower of trees, I found fire bhght in my garden ;
and, as I had, within a few days previously, heard a paper
read by Dr. Mosher before the Cincinnati Horticuhural Soci-
ety, describing minutely the action of these insects, (not the
scolytus, however,) and the causes why they liad failed to
be discovered when sought for, I hastened to apply the knife
as he had advised. When I came to amputate the limb,
which had caught my eye from a long distance, I was sur-
prised to find that the appearance did. not accord with Dr.
Mosher's description of the disease, which he represented as
" first making its appearance at the extremity of a single
branch when in full leaf, and from the young twigs of the
present year's growth extending down the limb, to the older
wood." In my case, the branch, a strong upright shoot, was
six feet long, and about midway of its length for the space of
20 inches, the leaves were of a shining black color, and, dur-
ing the same extent, the bark was shrivelled, while the ex-
tremity of the branch was still green and flourishing.

My examination of the tree did not enable me to discover
the presence of any insects, but, assuming that they were cer-
tainly there, I cut off the entire limb close by the trunk of the
tree, when I found the sap diseased below the bark. Accord-
ing to the books, I expected to find an exhausted state of the
sap, not a vitiated redundancy. Two days after, I found the
like mark of black leaves on another limb, when I cut into the
base of all the limbs, and found the entire top, including the
upper part of the trunk, in a diseased state, which I would
describe as a putrid fermentation. Between the bark and the
alburnum, the sap was profuse, viscid, and discolored, hav-
ing the smell of a spoiled watermelon. My further observa-
tions led me to conclude that this sap dries up after a few
days, leaving a brownish color on the surface of the albur-
num, followed by a shrivelling of the bark. Mr. Downing

The Blight in Pear Trees. 15

describes this shrivelling as preceding the vitiating of the sap,
but I do not so find it. The effect produced is equivalent to
that caused by an extensive removal of the bark, and a com-
plete destruction of the tissue surrounding the wood. The
circulation of the elaborated sap, in its descent from the
leaves, seems to be thus prevented, and, as the branches be-
come exhausted, the blackening of the leaves begins.

During that summer, (12 July,) I addressed a letter to the
Cincinnati Horticultural Society, on the subject of blight,
which they caused to be published in the Western Fanner
and Gardener for August 1844, the essential parts of which
were absorbed into Mr. Beecher's Essay of October, 1844,
very much in the same way as the theory of that essay is
thought to have been transferred into Mr. Downing's book on
Fruits which appeared in the ensuing year. From that let-
ter, I make the following extract : —

"I am thus mirmte in giving the appearance of things pre-
sented to my view, because, in my searches for descriptions
of the disease called fire blight, 1 find none in the numerous
journals I have, and that you may judge whether this be fire
blight, as I suppose it is. If this be the disease described by
Dr. Mosher, I doubt whether it is caused by the aphis he
describes. I find, in my garden, many instances in which
the green aphides have destroyed the terminal buds in the
young growing shoots, so that the extremities of the shoots
wither and die for several inches. The first good bud below,
which would otherwise lie dormant, is pushed forward, and
becomes the leading shoot. If the brown aphis actually kills
the leaf by extracting its juices, would any worse effect ensue
than if the leaves were cut off with a knife, which would not
kill the limb, unless the succeeding crops of leaves were also
removed? I suggest that the disease is, in fact, an infected
state of the sap — a fermentation which I cannot think is
caused by the brown aphis preying on the petioles of the
leaves, and thus preventing a return of the fluids. We are
not warranted in supposing that the aphis poisons the sap
without some proof; and such a supposition admits that the
sap is not all consumed by the insect ; nor are we to assume
that the sap is consumed by the aphis, for, if we examine
sufficiently early, we shall find it abundant and spoiled —

16 The Blight in Pear Trees.

smelling as I have described above. It is said in paragraphs
which float through the newspapers, that the scolytus pyri
works under the bark, and girdles the limb, and kills it If
the ringing thus made by the scolytus should be much more
than an inch in width, the limb would probably die^ and the
leaves turn black ; but, if the ring should be of less width,
death would not ensue, but, on the contrary, an accelerated
growth, and greater fruitfulness, as in common ringing with
the knife.

"I offer no theories, but I suggest that diligent observation
shall be directed to the state of the branches in early spring,
when the juices are in active circulation, and the limbs have
been subjected to the alternate action of sharp frost and hot
sun. The first thing is to ascertain in what the disease con-
sists. If it is a fermentation of the sap destroying the vital
connection between the bark and the alburnum, making, in
eflfect, an extensive girdling of the tree, or of the body of the
limbs, we may then search for the cause. I begin to fear that
the cause is beyond cure. The pear tree shows its foliage
early ; and the most thrifty and succulent kinds are apt to be
attacked with the blight. The early activity of the fluids,
and the redundancy of them, may be greater in some years
than in others, and if, at such times, unusual and severe altern-
ations of heat and cold supervene, the efl'ect may be to produce
death in the larger limbs, and even in the upper part of the
trunks of young trees, vitiating the sap, and causing it to de-
cay. Persons at all familiar wilh the process of deadening
trees in clearing forest lands, know that, even when entirely
girdled, (cut round with an axe,) some kinds will continue
to grow and maintain their verdure the whole season ; and
some will even put forth leaves the second year, and then die.
In the same way, the branches of the pear tree will expand
their foliage, and make thrifty shoots, being a mere devel-
opment of the buds by means of the juices laid up in the
branches ; and, when that supply is exhausted, they become
blighted at the extremity, and so proceed downward until the
marks of death extend to the lowest point of disease, just as
the green trunks of young trees, driven into the ground as
stakes, will throw out shoots which grow for several months,
and then wither and dry up as if by blight."

The Blight in Pear Trees. 17

What I have there suggested as occurring in the spring by-
sudden alternations of heat and cold, Mr. Beecher pronounces
to be the result of autumnal cold. This may be so, but I
am not satisfied that there is yet sufficient evidence to found
a decision. I am now inclined to believe that it is done in
the winter, because I have, within two years past, lost three
pear trees and two cherry trees, where the dead part, or the
girdling, was near the ground at about snow surface. So famil-
iar now is my eye, with the effects on the foliage of this girdling,
that, when I approach the tree to examine it, I can at once apply
my knife to the dead spot. In the case of my pear trees, the
girdling of dead bark did not extend more than five inches
longitudinally, and, if the defect had been detected in early
spring by an examination of the trunk, the trees might have
been saved by grafting in pieces of new bark, or by uniting
the live bark above and below the injury, by the insertion of
scions, in the manner used for curing the injury caused by
mice and other root cuts. The cherry trees I allude to put
forth leaves, bloomed and set their fruit, when they faded
and died precisely as pear trees do in blight, having sent down
long strips of new wood which nearly overcame the injury,
and, by some timely aid, would have done so. I have also,
on one occasion, received trees from a nursery at a distance,
which perished in the same season, after making an appa-
rently successful growth for several months, which I found,
on examination, had been killed near the ground the winter
they stood in the row, or, at least, before they were sent to
me. The case of the young trees at Buffalo, which were im-
ported in March, and which died of blight the ensuing sum-
mer, was doubtless of this character. The same thing occurs
very often in the quince : it has occurred with me in the
English hawthorn trained as a standard, and, this year, I
have observed it in the white currant, a whole row of which
perished, the tops fading away with yellow leaves, and dry-
ing up with half-grown fruit upon them. Many persons
may not so regard it, but it is the same effect produced by
the same cause. The pear trees I have lost were one Napo-
leon, one Dearborn's Seedling, and one Madaleine, in each of
which the injury was about the insertion of the graft into the
stock.

VOL. XV. — NO. I. 3

18 The Blight in Pear Trees.

I therefore regard the blight in pear trees as the result of
cold at some unfavorable period during the season of rest, not
yet clearly ascertained, but ascertained with sufficient cer-
tainty to be termed winter blight, the name given it by Mr.
Beechcr, and which I prefer to Mr. Downing's name of fro-
zen sap blight. It is commonly called a disease, but a dis-
ease it is not, for a tree may lose a part of its head, and yet
remain in full vigor. Cutting out the limbs does not promote
restoration, and is only needful to remove a deformity, in
case the tree has sufficient vitality remaining to spring anew.
I have a neglected tree now on my farm, with its deadened
head intermingled with the new branches which have sprung
through it, and the old limbs are gradually falling without aid
from man. Where the tree has this power of restoration
from sufficient vitality remaining, any remedy applied to it
will, for a considerable time, receive credit for making the
cure. In this way, the hanging of old iron hoops on trees
has been deemed very efficacious, on some theory of electric
action, because the persons who practised had no fire blight.

A belief quite different from this is generally diffused now,
by the wide circulation of Mr. Downing's popular treatise on
Fruit Trees, the general excellence of which I am happy to
admit. I will proceed to examine what he says, and give
some of my reasons for not confiding in his conclusions.

Mr. Downing says, that careful observation for several
years, and repeated comparison of facts with accurate ob-
servers in various parts of the country, have led him to the
following conclusions : — 1st. That what is popularly called
the pear blight is, in fact, two distinct diseases. 2d. That
one of these is caused by an insect, and the other by sudden
freezing and thawing of the sap in unfavorable autumns.
The first, he therefore calls the insect blight^ and the second
the frozen sap blight.

His description of insect blight, and all he says in regard
to it, is so literally copied from Mr. Lowell's letter, that I
cannot regard him as writing from his own observations, I
will therefore quote from Mr. Lowell, to whose authority you
have referred as settling the question. That letter was writ-
ten to ]Mr. T. G. Fessenden, who had sent to Mr. Lowell
some branches of blighted pear tree, and also of quince, which

The Blight in Pear Trees. 19

had been forwarded by Governor Lincoln. The letter was
published in the Neiv England Farmer^ Vol. Y. No. 1, on
2Sth July, 1826.

These are extracts : —

" In the latter end of June, or in July, one or more limbs
of a tree in the fullest vigor, with fruit often upon them, and
with shoots of the same year, perhaps IS inches long, full of
sap, suddenly appears blasted ; in three days, the wood be-
comes dry and hard, and the fruit itself is desiccated, and so
hard as to be cut with difficulty with a knife. The effect, in
short, is precisely the same as if you had sawed off the limb
and thrown it on the wood-pile, and so it ought to be, for, in
effect, it has been sawed off by the teeth, or rather instru-
ments, of a minute insect.

" The partial effect in a vigorous tree led me to suspect it
to be the work of an insect. As I had detected the insect
which is the enemy of the White Pine, and which often entirely
destroys the beauty and value of that tree, in the forest, and
had succeeded in extirpating it, or materially checking its dep-
redations, in my own grounds, I was led to hope that the
blast in the pear tree might also be occasioned by a wood-
eating insect, and I was the more encouraged to hope this,
since the case was so rare, as I may say, so entirely anom-
alous, of a tree being in a perishing state in some parts, and
in high health in others.

" I cut off one of the diseased limbs, and spent many hours
before I detected the cause of the evil. The insect is so small,
its place of operation so concealed, (no external hole or swell-
ing to lead you to suspect it,) that it requires much care to
find it. Yet, when discovered, the injury was quite suffi-
cient to produce all the effect ; he had eaten from the root of
a bud, behind which, probably, the egg was deposited, fol-
lowing the course of the eye of the bud into the pith which
he had consumed, together with all the heart- wood. He had
then gone into the chrysalis state, in the scene of his depre-
dations, and was in the perfect state when I found him.

" I carried the branch and insect to Professor Peck, who
soon ascertained that it was the perfect larva, of which the
genus was known, although this species was new." This
was the Scolytus Pyri.

20 The Blight in Pear Trees.

Now Mr. Lowell had somewhat predetermined the case,
that the bhght was caused by insects. So patient a search as
he made could not fail to be rewarded with the discovery of
insects. Forsyth had previously written that " in this dis-
ease, the perspiring matter is rendered thick and glutinous,
and so becomes food for insects, which are always found in
vast numbers on fruit trees that are affected with this kind of
blight;" and he adds "these insects, however, are not the
original cause, as some imagine, but the natural consequence
of blight."

But does Mr. Lowell's description of the depredation by this
insect, — the Scolytus Pyri, — warrant the conclusion, that it
could cause the death of the limb? It does not warrant it,
according to any known theory of vegetation in woody plants.
The eating out of the pith, and all the heart- wood, would not
kill the limb, for the sap would still ascend through the al-
burnum, though in diminished quantity. He did not state
that the alburnum was also eaten through, and, of course, he
did not mean to state it, for, if that were the case, the limb
would break, and so be killed in a very simple manner. Mr.
Downing says that the insect saws off " a considerable portion
of the vessels, which convey the ascending sap, at the very
period, when the rapid growth of the leaves calls for the larg-
est supply of fluid from the roots ; the growth and vitality of
the branch are checked, and finally extinguished." To this,
it may be replied, that the facts are furnished by conjecture.
Mr. Lowell found the insect ready to emerge in July, and,
being then perfect, it would probably proceed to deposit its
eggs. Whether the larva eats its way down, in autumn, or
in the ensuing spring, is not stated. If in autumn, and the
excision was great enough to produce the effect contended for,
the branch would not have grown at all ; if it were in the
spring, the process must have been gradual, and the external
signs of it would be also gradual, by enfeebled growth. At
that time also, the leaves are already grown, and a check in
the supply would only hasten a ripening of the leaves, and
diminish the quantity of the new wood deposited by the de-
scending sap. The checking of the supply would not vitk "
the condition of the eliminated sap in its descent from the
leaves ; and the sap is always found vitiated and discolored.

The Blight in Pear Trees. 21

The diminished supply of sap would affect the whole limb
above the point of attack, and would not cause a shrivelling
of the bark, in girdling rings, or in patches, at the base of the
limb, or midway of its length. If the bark and limb remain
in good condition, as this hypothesis of insect blight concedes,
the nev/ wood would be formed continuously down, and a
ready means furnished for the sap to ascend the next year, so
as to produce restoration. It will always be found, that the
new wood is abundantly deposited along the whole length of
limb and trunk, above the point of injury, and many times
vigorous efforts are visible, to throw down a new column over
the injured part. JMr. Lowell's conclusion, as to the cause of
blight, was not sound, and the authority of his great name
has caused it to pass unquestioned.

Dr. Harris is also referred to as a concurring authority for
the hypothesis of insect blight. His book on insects con-
tains the following: — " From Mr. Peck's account, and from
the subsequent communication by Mr. Lowell, in the 5th
vol. of New England Farmer, it appears that the grub or
larva of the insect, (Scolytus Pyri,) eats its way inward
through the alburnum or sapwood, into the hardest part of
the wood, beginning at the root of a bud, behind which, pro-
bably, the egg was deposited, following the course of the eye
of the bud, towards the pith, around which it passes, and
part of which it also consumes, thus forming, after passing
through the alburnum, a circular burrow, or passage in the
heart-wood, contiguous to the pith which it surrounds. By
this means, the central vessels, which convey the ascending
sap, are divided, and the circulation cut off. This takes
place when the increasing heat of the atmosphere, producing
a greater transpiration from the leaves, renders a large and
continued flow of sap necessary to supply the evaporation.
For the want of this, or from some other unexplained cause,
the whole of the limb, above the seat of the insect's, opera-
tions, suddenly withers and perishes, during the intense heat
of mid-summer," (p. 75). Those who quote him omit to give
Dr. Harris's cautious qualification, that, for want of sap,
or from some other unexplained cause, the limb perishes. He
evidently had an involuntary doubt of the theory he copied.

I may also add, that the blight of 1826 caused many pub-

22 The Blight in Pear Trees

b'

lications in the Neio England Fai-?ner, and Mr. Fessenden,
in a review of facts, declared that "further investigation into
the cause and consequence of the malady in pear trees, led
him to doubt the correctness of his first formed opinion."
" We now doubt," said he, " whether the Scolytus Pyri
can be the perpetrator of all the mischief which we were at
first disposed to attribute to his agency."

It might be supposed, from Mr. Downing's description of in-
sect blight, that he means to be understood, that there is a
blight in pear trees, unaccompanied by a vitiated state of the
sap. But I apprehend that this is an error.

Frozen Sap Blight, or Winter Blight. — In what I con-
sider the uncertainty of the mode in which this injury hap-
pens, I prefer, as I have already stated, Mr. Beecher's term
of winter blight. The name, frozen sap blight, would some-
what import, that mere intensity of cold, and a freezing of
the sap, would prove destructive to the trees. The conjec-
ture is, that the freezing ruptures the sap vessels, and destroys
their capacity for transmitting the sap. The nature of the
injury could doubtless be solved by the aid of microscopic ob-
servations, which could be readily invited, and made efficient,
by the Smithsonian Institute. All gardeners, at least, will
unite in testifying to them, that knowledge on this subject is
worthy of extension and difl\ision among men.

Mr. Downing states, very confidently, that the sap becomes
polso?ied, and, by dilution with other descending sap, is car-
ried down, infecting the tree below, and part carried inwards
towards the pith, poisoning the alburnum. Is this the result
of observation, or is it conjecture 1 I apprehend it is the lat-
ter. From such observations as I have made, perhaps too
limited, the conclusion I formed was, that the sap, after fer-
mentation, was no longer transmissible, and soon dried up,
after which, the bark shrivelled, and producing, in fact, a de-
cortication. If the sap is poisoned and carried inwards, it would
also ascend through the alburnum, and infect the top. But this
is not the case : grafts taken from a blighted top, will grow
into healthy branches, as I have seen, and as Mr. Lazell, of
Columbus, also testifies. The injury may be regarded as en-
tirely local. I have seen a single fruit-spur blighted on the
side of a healthy limb, and, on seizing it, to pull it away, the

Disease in Apples. 23

bark, for an inch in diameter, came with it, — the space below
showing the discolored sap, and the injury confined to that
limb.

I should be very glad to fmd, that my explanation of this
matter is not the true one. For, when I became satisfied that
fire blight was not caused by an insect, and that it was not
a disease, but the result of cold, acting on the fluids of the
tree, I began to despair of the orchard I had so fondly com-
menced, with a fine selection. For I can scarcely hope, that,
at intervals of fifteen or twenty years, seasons may occur so
unfavorable, as to carry oft' our trees, despite of every care
we may use. But we may, nevertheless, do something, by
selection of soil, and planting in the lightest soils that the
nature of each kind will bear ; and still more may be done, by
seeking hardy kinds that make slow growth, and always ripen
their wood ; and by growing our thrifty kinds on slow-growing
stocks.

Urbana^ Ohio, December 5, 1848,

We can assure Mr. James, to whom we feel much indebted
for the above interesting account of his experience, with the
destructive blight of the West, that it is entirely distitict from
the insect blight, as described by Mr. Lowell, and Gov. Lin-
coln ; but, as we have no room now to discuss the matter, we
propose to take it up in another number. We will then en-
deavor, with the aid of Dr. Harris, to show the undoubted
character of the Insect Blight. — Ed.

Art. in. Disease in Apjyles. By N. Goodsell, Esq., Roch-
ester, N. Y.

The disease in potatoes has, for the last few years, been a
prolific source of discussion in our agricultural and horticul-
tural journals. As that subject has become rather stale of late,
not that the importance of the subject has decreased, but that
those discussions have not produced any definite conclusion
either as to the cause of the disease, or an acknowledged pre-
ventive, I would invite the attention of your pomological con-

24 Descriptions of Six Varieties of Apjjles.

tributors to the disease in apples. I fear that this delicious
fruit is to be subject to a disease, the cause of which may,
perhaps, be as difficult of discovery or prevention as that
Avhich has attacked the potato.

During the last year, I noticed several varieties of apples,
decayed before their usual time, and not in the usual man-
ner, while the skin remained sound, the pulp beneath be-
came discolored, or of a lightish brown, and, in color, taste,
and smell, what has been termed the " bitter rot," which has
long affected many varieties at the core. This season, I have
found a greater proportion of such fruit as have ripened dis-
eased than I saw last year. The variety which has been
cultivated for the last fifty years through western New York
as the Holland Pippin, (not the Holland Pippin of Downing,)
and which we consider one of our finest varieties for late fall,
and early winter use, has been materially injured by this dis-
ease. This variety has, for many years, been injured more
or less by black spots upon the skin, which spots have much
the same smell and taste that the discolored pulp has, from
which circumstance I fear that it originates from the same
cause, or one very similar.

This discoloring, in many specimens which I have noticed,
appears to radiate from the calyx, or the line between that
and the core, and the core was also afiected with the bitter
rot. The iEsopus Spitzenberg, Baldwin, and Newtown Pip-
pin have been, for many years, more or less subject to the
bitter rot in some localities, but they are of firmer flesh than
the Holland Pippin ; it remains to be seen whether they will
be liable to this disease.

Rochester, November 25th, 1848.

Art. IV. Descripjtions aiid Engravings of Six Varieties
of Apples. By T. S. Humrickhouse, Coshocton, Ohio.

The following descriptions and figures of six well-known
apples have been prepared for the Magazine, with a view to
aid, as far as in my power, in rescuing them from a portion

Descriptions of Six Varieties of Ajyples. 25

of the confusion in which their names are now involved. A
further detection of synonymes, in the case of some of them,
and even of the true names which must take precedence of
all others, is doubtless to be expected. In the mean time, in-
asmuch as their propagation under some or all of their appel-
latives will be continued and extended, it is well that all
which has been ascertained concerning them should be given
to the public.

1. Keiser.

Seek-No-Further, i

Red Seek-No-Further, I of Western collections.

This is a very beautiful apple, common in northern and
central Ohio. The size is medium, some specimens approach-
ing to large : the form regular, flattened, ribbed : color, bright
red, marbled and striped with darker red : skin, thin and

Fig. 1 . Keiser Apple.

glossy : calyx, open in a ribbed basin : stem, short, a little
fleshy, in a narrow russeted cavity : flesh, white, very juicy,
saccharine, spicy, and high-flavored, even excelling the green
Newtown Pippin, which it much resembles in this respect ;

VOL. XV. — NO. I. 4

26

Descriptions of Six Varieties of Apples.

solid also to the touch, but tender when it comes to be eaten :
the seeds are light-colored, brown on one side, and white on
the other : season, December to April. A first-rate fruit in
all respects.

Westfield Seek-No-Further.
of America.

Fruits and Fndt Trees

Seek-No-Further, \

Russet Seek-No-Further, \ ""^ ^"""^^ collections.

Marietta Seek-No-Further. Fruits and Fruit Trees of America.

This is one of the apples brought out by the emigrants of
the "Ohio Company," shortly after they made their first set-
tlement at the mouth of the Muskingum. The size is a little
below medium : form, regular, ovate : color, dull red next the
sun, striped, yellowish green in the shade, obscurely dotted.

Fig. 2. Westfield Seek-No-Further Apple.

russeted about the stalk, and frequently over a greater part
of the surface, which is then rough : stem, slender, of medium
length : calyx, open, in a narrow shallow basin : flesh, pale
yellow, very tender and juicy, with a rich saccharine flavor,
a little astringent : season, November to March. A very pro-

Descriptions of Six Varieties of Apples.

27

ductive variety, deservedly ranked with the first-rate apples,
yet hardly equal to the Keiser.

3. Wells Apple.

Striped R. I. Greening,

Cheat,

English Rambo, of some.

This is a common and highly esteemed winter fruit in the
southeastern parts of Ohio. The form is irregular, flattened,
ribbed : size, medium to large : color, striped with red on a
pale yellow or greenish ground, with numerous rough gray
specks, and much russeted about the stalk : calyx, closed, in
a rather deep angular basin : stem, slender, in a deep cavity,

Fi^. 3. Wells Apple.

Standing out nearly even with the base : flesh, moderately
juicy, nearly sweet, and of very pleasant flavor, resembling
walnuts : season, December to March. The tree is a thrifty
grower in the nursery : in the orchard, it is thinly supplied
with branches, which are very long and stout, with but few
side shoots, and full of stout spurs on which the fruit is borne
frequently weighing the branches to the ground.

28 Descriptions of Six Varieties of Apples.

4. Rambo. Coxe's Vie^v, ^c.

Striped Rambo,

Romanite, \

Seek-No-Further, ( °^ ^^'^ J"«^y' according to the

Bread and Cheese Apple, ) "^^"^'^^ «"^ ^^"^'^ ^'"^^^ of America.

This is more generally cultivated than any other apple in
Ohio. Fruit of medium size, on rich land often large : the
form varies, sometimes oblong, oftener flat, always plump and
fair : color, when fully ripe, pale yellow in the shade, streaked
with red, the red predominating in the sun : the skin is thick,
and speckled with rough gray dots : stem, three eighths or
half an inch long : calyx, open, in a broad basin : flesh, very

Rambo Apple.

tender, juicy, with a rich, perfumed, subacid flavor : gets mel-
low in about two weeks after being gathered, and remains in
prime perfection for about two months ; it then becomes rather
mealy. Though properly a November apple, it is often kept
till March. The tree is a most thrifty and beautiful grower.
The wood is porous and brittle, lience often breaking down
with the weight of the fruit. It is exceedingly productive.

Descriptions of Six Varieties of Ajjples. 29

5. Red Rambo.

Rambo, ofWestern collections.

This is another very distinct variety in common cultiva-
tion here under the name of " Rambo," with which it has
been confounded. Some, indeed, have supposed it to be the
same, and attribute the difference to climate or locality : but
I have it growing side by side with the other in three orchards
situated some miles apart, two of them upon upland, and one
in the valley, and it maintains invariably its distinct charac-
ter. Being unable, as yet, to identify it with any other kind,
I propose to call this the Red Rambo, until its true name, if
it have one, be discovered.

Fig: 5. Red Rambo Apple.

The fruit is usually of medium size, sometimes a little less :
the form, round and regular, plump and fair, now and then a
little flattened : color, a beautiful bright red, evenly laid on,
and finely softened and shaded to pink or greenish yellow on
the side least exposed to the sun ; never striped; russeted in
the cavity of the stalk ; speckled with large rough gray dots,
and covered with a rich bloom : stem, of medium length,
slender, and curved : flesh, very tender, with a pleasant, sub-
acid, nearly sweet flavor. In its flavor and season of matu-

30

Descriptions of Six Varieties of Apples.

rity, and in the productiveness of the tree and its habit of
growth, this very nearly resembles the other Rambo.

6. ROMANITE.

Red Romanite,
Roman Knight.

This apple is extensively cultivated upon the Monongahela
and Ohio rivers for the New Orleans and West India markets.
It is common throughout the whole West. Size, below me-
dium, or small : form, round, often plaited about the eye :
color, red ; those grown in the shaded parts of the tree striped
with red upon a ground green at first, but pale yellow in the
spring : skin, smooth and glossy, sometimes with warts upon
it : stem, slender, short, in a russeted cavity : calyx, open ;

Romanite Apple.

flesh, sweetish, juicy, of an indigestible quality and texture,
without being tough : season, January to July.

This apple does not cook well. It is only fit for the des-
sert and for cider, — its chief value being for the latter, and
for exportation. It will bear more frost without injury, and
keep longer and sounder, than any other apple cultivated at
the West. On the Monongahela, they are barrelled and load-
ed into flat-boats in the fall, where they remain all winter,

On the Culhire of the Calceolaria. 31

with only straw next the sides of the boats, and on the top ;
and, when the ice breaks up in the spring, they are thus
taken, without being disturbed, to New Orleans, where, on
opening them, they come out as fresh and sound as the day
they were gathered. The trees are very productive. In the
nursery, their growth is slender ; but, in the orchard, they
form fine large trees, with thrifty bushy heads. There are
as many as four varieties of this name with which I am
acquainted — distinct, yet diifering but little from each other
— of which the one above described is the best. The Cart-
house, or Gilpin, is said to be synonymous with one of them ;
and, in some nurseries, has been confounded with this, or
rather, this has been propagated for it. The gray Romanite,
which is a rather richer fruit, yellower in the flesh, not so
well covered with red, more distinctly striped upon a pale
yellow ground, more oblong in form, and narrowing slightly
to the eye, more warty, and not quite so good a keeper, may
possibly be identical with the Gilpin.
Coshocton^ November 20ih, 1848.

Art. V. On the Culture of the Calceolaria. By James
Kennedy, Gardener to S. T. Jones, Esq., Staten Island, N. Y.

{Contimied {rom\o\. XIV., p. 494.)

As my remarks of last month, (on raising seedling calceola-
rias,) seems to have merited a place in your Magazine, I now
continue the subject, and come to the

Propagation by Cuttings.

The herbaceous species and varieties should be placed,
early in February, in a mild heat, say from 60° to 65°, to
start them into growth, and, when advanced four or five
leaves, take a sharp knife and separate each shoot carefully ;
trim off the two lower leaves, and insert them singly in thumb
pots, well drained, and filled with fine light sandy soil ; plunge
the pots, up to the rims, in sawdust, or some such material.

32 On the Culture of the Calceolaria.

where, if kept regularly, but moderately watered, they will
soon fill the pots with roots, and require to be shifted into a
larger size : when they receive their third shift, they may be
removed into the greenhouse, placed near the glass, and be
watered, twice a week, with clear liquid manure-water, in a
tepid state.

Beautiful as are a great many of the herbaceous class of
this very interesting tribe, and desirable as they are. to every
lover of flowers, yet, as an ornament for decorating the stage
of a greenhouse, the shrubby species and varieties are, in my
opinion, much preferable, and for more than one reason. In
the first place, they are generally much hardier, and more
free of flowering ; and, secondly, they are more easily
managed by amateurs who cannot always possess the assist-
ance of an experienced or skilful gardener. Another advan-
tage is, that, in raising them from cuttings in the fall, and
through the dark days of winter, they are much less liable to
damp off, than the herbaceous varieties, Some may object,
perhaps, that they are not so rich in variety of coloring ; but
I can assure all such, that I have seen shrubby varieties,
that, for brilliancy of coloring, elegance of shape, and neat-
ness of foliage, no plants of any class could surpass them.

Compost.

I now come to the soil or compost, most suitable for these
plants, and I have found the following will grow and flower
them, the best of any I have tried : — To one barrowful of
fibrous loam, taken from an old pasture, not more than three
or four inches thick, add one barrowful of leaf mould,
one fourth of a barrow of well decomposed cow manure, and
one fourth of a barrow of heath soil, with sufficient fine char-
coal to render the whole free and porous. The whole should
be chopped and turned over a few times, that it may be thor-
oughly mixed, but not sifted, and all the grubs, slugs, and
wireworms, carefully sought for and destroyed, every time it
is turned. It ought to be kept in a dry place, and used rather
dry than otherwise.

On the CtiUwe of the Calceolaria. 33

Winter Managebient.

All the stock plants intended to be preserved through the
winter, must be protected from frost in fined pits, or a cool
greenhouse. At the time of removal into winter quarters,
every dead leaf must be picked off, the pots washed clean, the
moss cleared off the surface, and a little fresh earth put on.
All straggling branches should be trimmed and tied up, and a
good syringing given to the shrubby species especially. As,
at the same time, most of the inmates of the greenhouse will
be taken in, it is desirable to fill the house with tobacco smoke,
two or three times, which will generally be found to destroy
all the green fly, or aphides on the plants, at this season. I
may here remark, that there is nothing so destructive to the
herbaceous species, as the green fly. I have known hundreds
of plants lost by their pernicious attacks; particular care must
therefore be taken, at all times of the year, against this pest.
In arranging these plants in the houses, the herbaceous spe-
cies should be placed nearest the glass, be sparingly watered,
and have abundance of air admitted on all favorable days.
The shrubby species will require rather more water, but the
treatment is the same, as to giving air. The cooler these
plants are kept during the dead season of winter, the better
specimens will they make for ornamenting the greenhouse,
when introduced into a growing heat, that is, providing they
do not get injured by frost.

When fine specimens are desired, the plants may have a
shift into larger pots, in February. In performing this oper-
ation, a little of the top and side soil may be rubbed off with
the hand. The pots must be thoroughly drained, and a little
moss or rough soil put over the drainage; pot them moderate-
ly firm, and remove them into a pit or greenhouse, with a
temperature ranging from 50° to 55°, placing them close to
the glass ; they may then have sufficient water to wet the
soil through, and be kept as close to the glass as possible, for
a few days, which will encourage them to make fresh roots,
after which, air must be admitted at every favorable oppor-
tunity, being careful, however, to avoid cutting winds, which
are very injurious to the plants. Water when it is found ne-

VOL. XV — NO. I. 5

34 On the Culture of the Calceolaria.

cessary, but not, liowever, till it is really necessary ; for it is
as great an error to give too much water, as too little ; and I
always fancy it safest to err on the dry side. Avoid, as much
as possible, wetting the leaves, as they are very liable to damp
off, but they may have a slight shower from the syringe,
when closing up the house, on fine evenings. As they ad-
vance in growth, let the shoots be neatly tied out to stakes ; but
none of them must project above the plants, as, to the eye of
those who have good taste, they appear unsightly. By fol-
lowing the above hints, and giving an occasional watering,
of clear liquid manure, the cultivator will be abundantly re-
warded for all the trouble and anxiety bestov/ed on them.

Summer Management.

Presuming that the plants are coming into flower, a good
taste is requisite in arranging them, so as to produce the best
effect on the stage. In general, it may be said, that striking
contrasts should be avoided ; as, for instance, a bright yellow
and a brilliant scarlet should not be directly in contact ; but
intermediate shades should be placed between them, so as
gradually to blend and form a soft harmonious whole. Some
means should be adopted to keep flies, bees, &c., from the
blooms, for, if not attended to, they very soon destroy them.
The cheapest and most suitable material I know of, would
be some common gauze, which, I am told, is very cheap. I
would also recommend the lights to be white-washed, which
acts as a shade for the blooms, and considerably prolongs their
season of flowering. As soon as done blooming, the plants
may be trimmed down, and cuttings put in from the choice
varieties, under a hand-glass, in a shady place ; when well
rooted, they may be potted off singly, into small pots, the
soil being light and sandy. The old plants may be shook out,
the roots reduced, and potted off into as small pots as possible,
put into a frame, where they can be protected from heavy
rains, by putting on the lights when found necessary ; here
they may remain, till removed to winter quarters, taking care
to water, fumigate, and protect from heavy rains, when ne-
cessary ; the latter must be constantly kept in view, and,

The Guava ; its Cultivation and Majiagement. 35

whether you can detect aphides or not, the house should be
fumigated with tobacco once before the flowers expand.
Slaten Island, N. Y. November, 1848.

Art. VI. The Guava {Vs'idiuni Catileyknum) ; its Cultiva-
tion and Management. By the Editor.

Some years since, after reading an account of Cattley's
Guava, (Psidium Cattleyd^w??,,) in the Transactions of ihe
London HorticuUural Society, accompanied with a beauti-
ful representation of the fruit, we were so much pleased with
its appearance that we made great exertions to procure a
plant. Fortunate, as we thought we were, in finding one,
we cultivated it carefully for a long time, and began to despair
of its ever giving a crop of fruit, when, to our astonisliment,
it proved to be the old yellow-fruited species, P. pyriferum,
unworthy a place, unless in some very large and exten-
sive collection. Subsequently, we endeavored to procure
the true P. Cattleyd«?/7w, from various sources, but never
were enabled to get the true one, or even the sight of a
plant.

In the autumn of 1844, as we were looking through the
hothouses in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, with the late Mr.
McNab, the curator, whose death has just been atmounced,
we were struck with the appearance of a plant of this Guava
laden with fruit. Mr. McNab gave us half a dozen of them,
and, on our return home, we had the pleasure of raising six
or eight plants, which grew finely, and produced some fruit
in the fall of 1846, though only about fifteen inches high.
In 1847, they bore again ; and the past autumn so abun-
dantly that, from one plant, we gathered about four dozen
of the fruit.

The Psidium Cattleyd/zww is not only one of the richest
dessert fruits, but is one of the most ornamental plants in the
greenhouse. The growth is vigorous, regular, and upright,
with slightly pendulous branches, and witli large, deep green,
glossy leaves, nearly as handsome as the camellia. The an-

36 The Guava ; Us Cultivation and Mayias^emcnt.

nexed engraving, {Jig. 7,) represents a plant well grown,

about three feet high, and four years old.

This Guava is a native of
China, where it forms a fine
evergreen shrub, or low tree,
producing an abundance of
fruit about the size of small
plums, of a deep rich purple
color, having the flavor of the
pine apple and strawberry
combined. When fully ripe,
they form one of the most
delicious additions to the des-
sert; and, made into a jelly, it
is well known they surpass,
in delicacy of flavor, every
other fruit used for this pur-
pose. A dozen of the Guavas
will make about half a pint
of the delicious jelly, and the
value of a few plants bearing
Fig. 7. The Guava. from four to six dozen fruit

each, maybe readily estimated. Fig. 8 represents the size and

shape of a well-grown Guava taken from one of our plants.
Under judicious treatment, and

with the aid of a hothouse, the fruit

may be had nearly all winter. Like

the fig, the plants bear two crops;

one in the autumn, and one about

Christmas. We have, at the present

time, (Dec. 20th,) plants loaded

with fruit nearly or quite ripe, and

have already gathered a number.

In the cool temperature of the green-
house, the fruit does not ripen off,

and acquire that great richness

which it will in the hothouse; but

the autumn crop is equally abundant and excellent.

Raising Young Plants.
Plants may be raised from seeds, or cuttings : by the former
method they are slower in coming on, though they eventually

Fruit of the Guava,

The Guava ; its Cultivaiion and Management. 37

make fine plants. The speediest mode is by cuttings, which
may be rooted in hght sandy soil, in a little bottom heat, and
afterwards potted off into small pots, in the compost in which
they are to grow.

General Management.

Supposing the young plants to have been raised as just di-
rected, they should be potted off into four inch pots; when
the pots are filled with roots, they should have a shift into
the next size, and, if exceedingly vigorous, they niay have a
third shift the first year: but if not, omit it till the second
year, when the same treatment should be continued ; shifting
into a larger size as soon as the pots are filled with roots.
Early in the spring of the third year, they may be placed in
large pots or tubs, in which they may remain to fruit, for four
or five years, having occasional top dressings. Pots or tubs,
holding a half-bushel of soil, are of ample size, as the plants
bear more abundantly to have the roots somewhat confined.
The compost should be about two thirds good rich loamy soil,
and one third well decomposed manure, with a very small
quantity of sand. Water liberally, when the plants are in
full growth, and occasionally with liquid manure : syringe
the foliage freely during the summer.

The ]ilants may remain in the greeidiouse during the sum-
mer: and the higher temperature will give a richer flavor to
the fruit. Where there is the convenience of the hothouse,
the late crop may be ripened oft' in all the perfection of the
early one. But even in the greenhouse they ripen sufficient-
ly, to acquire the peculiar flavor for which the Guava is so
celebrated. After the fruit is gathered, the plants may be
allowed to rest : placing them in a cool part of the house, and
watering rather sparingly, until the season when they show
signs of growing again. They should then be removed to a
warm and sunny situation, and have more liberal supplies of
water; when the fruit is well set, syringe freely at all times,
and pursue the same routine of treatment as in the previous
year.

A plant of such easy management, producing such luscious
fruit, and, at the same time, so highly ornamental, should 'be
found ill every good collection.

3S FloricuUural and Botanical Notices.

Art. YII. FloricuUural and Botanical Notices of New and
Bomitifid Pknds figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with
Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or originated iti,
American Gardens.

I.\ our animal summary of the progress of horticulture for
the past year, in a preceding page, we have given the names
of some of the most important plants of recent introduction.
We now continue our notices of plants figured in the foreign
periodicals, with a brief account of those more particularly
wortiiy of being added to our collections.

Our object has always been to make our Magazine a com-
plete record of every new flower, as well as every new fruit,
tree, or vegetable, of the least interest whatever. We have had
complaints that our FloricuUural Notices have been of but
little value only to the botanist. We cannot agree with those
who view them in this light. If our pages are looked over
for the Vd^\. fourteen years, it will be seen that every beauti-
ful or desirable plant which our collections contain, has been
d.?scribcd or noticed in the Magazine; and every lover of
flowers, (and we know we have many such among our read-
ers.) would deeply feel the loss of these notices, which con-
tain information only to be procured at great cost by the pur-
chase of the elegant works in which they are figured. It
will, ihcrefore, be our object to continue our Floricultural
Notices as we have heretofore done.

93. /I^scfiyna'nthus stami'nea Blum. Long-stamened Ms-
chynaiithus. (Geswercicese.) Java.

A slove pliirt ; srowin;' 8 f: ol lii,h ; with crimson flowers ; appe.iring in summer ; increased by
culliiusiSitiwi] ill hejith soil hikI leaf mould. Flore lies Stries, pi. 358. 1818

Aiioilier of the very s[)lendid iT^]schynanthuses from Java,
where it was found by Mr. Lubb, the indefatigable collector.
It is liilly equal to any of the species heretofore introduced,
having ample foliage, and axillary groups of the richest vel-
vety crimton flowers, with very long projecting stamens,
from whence iis specific name. Mr Lobb found it in the
hiiiriid forests of the mountains of Java. It will be a fine
acquisition to our stove plants. {Flore des Serres, June.)

FloricuUural aiid Botanical Notices. 39

94. Fu'cHsiA specta'bilis Hook. Elegant Fuchsia. (QEwo-

therdcece.) Quito.

A greenhouse plant ; rrowing four feet hi?h ; with rosy crimson flowers; appearing all sum-
mer ; increased by cuttings ; grown in rich light soil. Flore des Serres, pi. 359. 1848.

In our last volume, (XIV. p. 311,) we noticed the introduc-
tion of this magnificent species into English collections. We
now have before us a most finished representation of the flow-
ers, fully characterizing it as the '' most beautiful of all the
fuchsias yet known." Mr. Lobb, in a letter to Mr. Vetch,
describes it as the "■ loveliest of the lovely." The plant has
a strong and vigorous habit, with large and superb foliage,
and the flowers, which are of a brilliant rosy crimson, open
flat, and are greatly heightened by a prominent white stig-
ma. It is one of the greatest acquisitions that has ever been
made to this fine tribe, and must become a great favorite.
We hope it will speedily be introduced. {Flore des Serres,
June. )

95. CasseYia integrifo\ia Nees. Entire-leaved Casselia,

(Yerbe?idceai.) Brazil.

A stove plant; growing two feet hi»h ; with lilac flowers; appearing in spring: increased by
cuttings : grown in heath soil, and leaf mould. Flore des Serres, pi. 361, 1848.

A pretty little plant, from the forests of Brazil, with an
abundance of small lilac flowers, elegantly striped with pur-
ple. The foliage is handsome, and it is abundantly supplied
with flowers, which appear in terminal clusters. {Flore des
Serres, June.)

96. Ro^sA Bro^vnu Spring. Mr. Brown's Rose. {Rosdcsc^.)

Nepaul.

A half hardy plant ; growing ten feet high ; with white flowers ; appearing In summer ; increa-
ed by cuttings ; grown in rich soil. Flore des Serres, pi. 366, 1848.

This species was introduced long since, but is very
little known in European collections. It has immensely large
clusters of single white flowers, of an agreeable odor. Mr.
Van Houtte states that it braves the rigors of a Belgian win-
ter, and, with the ordinary protection, it would undoubtedly
be hardy in our climate. Its growth is similar to the Lady
Banks, making very long slender shoots, and suitable for cov-
ering an arbor or trellis. It comes from the Nepaul moun-
tains. {Flore des Serres, July.)

40 General Notices.

97. Castille^ja LixHosPEUMorDEs II. B. Lithospfirmum-like
Castilleja. {Sc/uophularidcea.) Mexico.

A sreenhouse plant ; growing eiihteen inclies lii^h ; wilh scarlet flowers; appearing in sum-
mer; increased by seeds ; grown in liaht ricli soil. Flore des Serres, pi. 371, 1S48.

A very pretty greenhouse plant, suitable for bedding out,
like the antirrhinums, and others of the same natural family.
This Castilleja has an erect stem, terminated Avith a spike of
beautiful orange scarlet flowers. The plants are easily raised
from the seeds, which are abundantly produced. {Flore des
Serres, July.)

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Polices.

Pelargoniums. — During the past week, I received a box of pelargoni-
ums from that indefatigable raiser of new varieties, Mr. Beck, of Isle-
worth, and was highly gratified at the masterly way in which they were
packed up. Although the plants had been a whole day incarcerated in
very narrow limits, when I released them from bondage every leaf assumed
its natural attitude, and looked as fresh as if the box had never taken the
place of the greenhouse. By means of little wicker baskets, made in the
neighborhood of Isleworth, the plants travel without the least injury, and
the mode of conveyance should be adopted by nurserymen. The extra
expense and trouble will be more than compensated for by the satisfaction
given to the purchaser.

Having set this little collection of flowers at liberty, I looked at them
with great interest, and began to inquire in what way I could best keep
them in health during the winter. They had evidently enjoyed every ad-
vantage, and exhibited robust health ; the fresh green of the foliage, and
its freedom from spots indicating the former possession of proper light and
temperature. Not possessing a greenhouse myself, I knew that the change
would be felt by my newly acquired plants, unless I considered their wants,
and employed a little petting, to accustom them to their more humble home.
Two plans suggested themselves ; one, to keep them in a pit out of doors,
the other, to place them in the window of the sitting-room. A pit is a
most eligible place for pelargoniums, if properly defended from frosts. I
have kept a large number in health during a long winter in a garden frame,
protected as described in former papers. In long frosts, no air must be admit-
ted, except in the middle of the day, if the atmosphere is not lower than the
freezing point : but, on all occasions, when there is no danger of frosts
attacking the plants, air and light must be plentifully supplied.

Domestic Notices. 41

But this little collection of Beck's pelargoniums I intend to attend to my-
self indoors, and several particulars will require to be observed. First, no
more water must ever be given than is requisite to keep them in health,
and, in cold weather, a very small portion indeed will fulfil that condition-
Secondly, they must be kept as close to the glass as possible, and be turned
round frequently to preserve uniformity of growth. Thirdly, as the atmo-
sphere of a sitting-room is dry, and unlike that of the open air or a well,
regulated greenhouse, the window must be opened frequently. Fourthly,
to prevent the dust which is unavoidable in window-gardening from stop-
ping up the pores of the leaves, the plants should be put out of doors in
genial and mild rains. By observing these rules, I hope to find my plants
in good order when the spring comes round, when I shall put them into
blooming pots, and bring them on in a frame. Perhaps this relation of my
own intended mode of procedure may be useful to some amateurs who are
now in possession of young pelargoniums, in circumstances similar to my
own.

The intrinsic beauties of this favorite plant, both as to its leaves and flow-
ers, will prevent it ever being thrown aside, and the kindliness with which
it yields new varieties to the art of the florist will continue to invest it with
fresh charms. Amateurs who practise hybridizing should study deeply
the principles of the process, that every defect may be gradually obliterated,
and the excellent qualities scattered among various kinds be collected to_
gether in one. The masterpieces of Grecian sculpture are said to be not
fac-similes, or the representation of any figure m rerum nahird, but a com-
bination of all the graces which the artist could conceive of. It results
from this, that forms as beautiful as came from those ancient chisels can
never be found among men. But what human nature cannot yield. Flora
grants to her votaries. We may imagine perfection of form and color in a
flower, and, by patient skill, may at last produce one which shall c^uite
equal the beau-ideal.— (Garrf. Chron., 1848, p. 732.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

Notes on Pears. — At page C, of your Magazine for 1848, you gave us an
interesting list of the newly introduced peais, that had fruited around Bos-
Ion, in 1847, and proved desirable; and also a list of some, that further ex-
perience had confirmed their previous high character. The past has been
a great pear season, and 1 hope, in the next number, you will give a list of
all the new ones that have proved valuable, and also a confirmatory list of
those that have proved worthy of cultivation on further trial. I'he Hostie-
zer pear, which you figure so prettily in your Fruits of Ameiica, has
borne here the past four years, and has proved fine every year ; it grows
fast, and unites well on the quince for two years certain ; and also Dear-

VOL. XV. NO. I. 6

42 Domestic Notices.

horn's Seedling, which ripens at the same time. But the Seclcel, and Flem-
ish Beauty, grow well only for one year, with me, and die ofT, or slop
growing, the second year. The Surpasse Virgalieu, (not A'irponlouse,
as you have it,) is a fine pear, when the season suils it, say one out of
three. 1 am aching to get hold of the seventh numher of your Frvi/s of
America. I hope to see our favorite Seckel occupy one of its pages, in some
future number. — Yours, i especlfully, J. R. C, MabbctlsviUe, N. Y., Dec.
28, 18-18.

[Our correspondent, who we are happy to liear from, will find the lists of
fruits he alludes to, in our first article. The seventh number of the Fruits
of America is nearly ready, and the succeeding numbers will regularly fol-
low. Delavs, beyond our control, as well as circumstances which we could
not foresee, in getting up so expensive and laborious a work, have prevfntcd
us from issuing them at the intervals originally intended ; but \\e believe
we have now so far overcome all difiicullies, that hereafter the numbers will
appear every two months. — Ed.]

The Felch Apple. — I send you herewith, a few samples of the fruit, known
here as the Felch apple ; it is a superior winter fruit, and, if known under
any other name, elsewhere, we should be glad to learn it. It is believed
by many, to have originated in this county ; but I doubt its being a new
seedling, — can you throw any light upon it? — Yours, S. L. Goodale, Saco,
Dec. 14, 1848.

[We can inform our friend, Mr. Goodale, that his Felch apples were some
of the finest specimens of the Baldwin, we have lately seen, — which he
may truly say, is a " superior winter apple." How an apple so well known
as the Baldwin, should be supposed a seedling, originating in Maine, we
are at a loss to imagine. This is, however, only one of the many instances,
ehowing the importance of a comparison of fruits, from various sections of
the country, in order to arrive at a correct and uniform nomenclature. — F-d.]

'/he Best four varieties of Strawberries. — Our old correspondent, Mr.
Longworlh, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was greatly surprised tliat we should
state that there were only three varieties of strawberries really worthy of
cultivation, viz. : — Hovey's Seedling, the Boston Pine, and Early Virginia,
(or Large Early Scarlet.) We see, by a notice in the American Agricul-
turist, for December, that we are not alone in our opinion ; an experienced
fruit-grower writes the editor, " that, after trying thirty of the best and
most }K)pular modern varieties of strawberries, he has come to the conclu-
sion, that hut four are worth cultivating on the light sandy lands of Mon-
mouth county. New Jersey. These are Hovey's Seedling, the Boston
Pine, Large Early Scarlet, and Crimson Cone, or Scotch Pine."

Another cultivator of the strawberry, Mr. C. H. Starr, of Groton, Con-
necticut, states the result of his experience with Hovey's Seedling, as fol-
lows ; — The soil was a moist loam, half an acre in extent, well pulverized
by ploughing, and manured at the rate of 20 cords to an acre of seaweed
and fish. The variety was Hovey's Seedling, with a few English plants
as fructifiers, and were set in April, in rows, three feet apart. The product
from the half acre, under cultivation last season, was 2000 quarts of fruit,
some of which measured 4^ inches in circumference.

New Haven County Horticultural Society. 43

This is at the rate of 4000 quarts to the acre, which, at Boston prices,
would net, after all expenses of picking and selling, 20 cents per box, or
$1600 per acre. The writer sets down the total expense of labor per year
at SifiO. This certainly would afford a handsome profit, far exceeding that
of any other variety we have yet seen. It is somewhat different from the
Btatement of a writer at Poughkeepsie, that Hovey's Seedling was " far be-
hind all others," in productiveness, not bearing one fourth as much as the
Early Scarlet. Taking this writer's estimate, he ought to get 16,000 quarts
of the Early Scarlet to an acre, and nobody believes this, any more than
they do his preceding statement. The fact is, that the writer did not in-
tend to slate the truth, or else he cultivates, as a great many do in West-
ern New York, Mr. Downing's Hovey's Seedling, a staminate variety,
which he sent to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, as the true
Hovey's Seedling, but which proved a worthless sort. What confirms
this, is the statement by the writer, that the " vexed strawberry question,"
is unknown in his garden. — Ed.

Mr. P. ^arry, of the firm of Ell wanger, Barry & Rowe, nurserymen,
Rochester, N. Y., sailed for England in the early part of December last.
He intends making a visit of about three months, and will return in March.
The object of his tour is to visit the gardens and nurseries of England,
Scotland, France and Belgium, and to select all the new and choice kinds
of fruits, worthy of introduction to our gardens. — Ed.

Art. hi. New Haven County Horticultural Society.

The annual exhibition of this Society was held on the 27th of Septem-
ber last, at New Haven, and a report of the same has been published, a
copy of which, we have before us, containing an account of the flowers,
fruits, and vegetables exhibited, with the premiums awarded, and the list
of officers for the year 1849. We give a brief abstract of the report: —

Plants. — The principal contributions of plants came from E. Watkins,
who sent IpomjB'a Leirli, -Siilvia splendens major, P^ntas carnea, &c.
Messrs. H. Whitney, E. Mugford, John Moneghan, and others, also sent
email cjllections.

Fruits. — The exhibition of pears was very good. Dr. V. M. Dow had,
among sixteen sorts, the Howell, which we shall describe in our next.
Col. J. A. Totten exhibited the Vicompte de Spoelberch, Howell, Ed-
ward's Elizabeth, McLaughlin, and seventeen other sorts. Miss H. Ed-
wards exhibited the following, all of them, we believe, seedlings of Gov. Ed-
wards : — Gerry, Tyler, Clay, Van Buren, Spice, Cantelope, Jackson,
Seedling St. Germain, Frances, Baking, Black Hawk, Calhoun, Elizabeth,
John, Dallas, Humbug, and Harriet. S. D. Pardee exhibited, among oth-
ers. Van Mons Leon le Clerc. There were also about twenty other con-
tributors of small collections.

44 Tujeniy-Jirst Aimual Fair of the American Institute.

Vegetables. — A great display of these was made from about twenty ex-
hibitors. Mr. A. Holford, gardener to A. C. Read, displayed upwards of
Jifty varieties of various sorts. Mr. J. Harvey also exhibited alioul the
same number ; and the committee awarded the first premium of §10, to
Mr. Harvey, for the largest and best collection. Mr. Holford the second of
$8.

For the best and largest collection of pears, the premium of f2 was
awarded to Col. Totten. And, for the next best collection, $1, to V. M.
Dow. A discretionary premium of ^2, was awarded to Miss Edwards, for the
best collection of native pears. For the best half dozen " fall eating," ^2,
for the Duchessc d'Angouleme, to V. M. Dow ; and for the best specimen,
$1, for the Louise Bonne de Jersey, to C Robinson.

For the best floral design, the premium of $b was awarded to E. Wat-
kins. For the best bouquet, to Mrs. Geo. Gabriel, $4. For the best col-
lection of dahlias, to C. Robinson, $3. Numerous other premiums were
awarded, for which we have not room.

The officers of the Society for 1849, are as follows: —

Dr. A. S. Munson, President. C. Robinson, and V. M. Dow, Vice Pres-
idents. Geo. Gabriel, jRcc. Secretary. E. H. Bishop, Cor. Secretary. S.
D. Pardee, Treasurer.

Art. IV. Twenty-first Annual Fair of the American Institute.

The Horticultural Report of the 21st Annual Fair of the American In-
stitute has been published, containing an account of the exhibitions of flowers,
fruits and vegetables, with the award of premiums. The prefatory remarks
to the report, by Messrs. Bridgman & Mead, speak very favorably of the
exhibition, as compared with previous ones, and show the increasing inter-
est which is felt in this department of the fair. The flowers, owing to the
very hot and dry weather, though fine, were not shown in such perfection,
as last year. But of fruits, "at no former fair of the American Institute,
was there ever seen such a splendid variety as was exhibited on the present
occasion." The display of pears, " far exceeded any thing of the kind
ever seen here before. The number of varieties was very large, including
all the choicest kinds in cultivation, and, among them, many of luscious
appearance, which was far from being deceptive." The committee also re-
mark, in regard to the pear, that " We are still far behind our sister states,
in the cultivation of this, and some other superior fruits."

Flowers: The silver medal, for the best twenty-four dahlias, was
awarded to J. M. Thorbuin & Co., New York.

Fruits: The silver medal, for fruits, was awarded to Mcintosh & Co.,
of Cleaveland, Ohio, who exhibited fifty-one varieties of apples, and forty-
one of pears.

Messrs. Walker, and Ilovey & Co., of Boston, Ellwanger, Barry &
Rowe, of Rochester, T. Hogg & Son, N. Y., and R. L. Colt, Patterson,
N. J., were the principal exhibitors of large quantities of fruit.

Massachusetts Horticultural Socieiy. 45

Vegetables: The silver medal was awarded to E. W. Fisk, Brooklyn,
for the chi)icesl assortment of vegetables.

We con(;raiulate tlie Insiitute on the fine exhibition, and only hope that
the interest in tlie Horticultural department may be further extended, and
that, another year, a much finer display may be confidently anticipated. —
[Report.)

Art. V. Massachusetts Horticultural Sociei]/.

Saturday, December 2(/, 1848. — An adjourned meeting of the Society
was held to-day, — tlie President in the chair.

The Executive Committee, in accordance with the duty enjoined on them,
recommended that the sum of twe/ce hum/red and Jifly dollars be ajjjiropria-
ted by the ^Society, for premiums for the year 1849, — and that the income
derived from the Appleton, Lowell, Lyman, and Bradlee funds consti-
tute a part of ihe amount, - and that the apportionment to the several com-
mittees, be the same as for the present year.

As the fund given for special prizes had all been awarded, the committee
suggested, that ten sets of Colirian's European Agriculture, and the medals
remaining on hand, (after the distribution of those already awarded,) be
given as premiums or gratuities, for such objects as are worthy of distinc-
tion, and not provided for in the prize list.

Adjourned two weeks, to December 16lh.

Exhibittd. — Fruits : From E. M. Richards, fine Baldwin and Roxbiiry
!Russei apples From J. L. L. F. Warren, Hubbardslon Nonsuch, Roxbury
Russet, Baldwin, R. L Greening ; the specimens were all very fine.
From Otis .Tolinson, R. L Greening, extra fine, every specimen perfect, and
well colored. From John Washburn, apples, Tolman's Sweeting, fine,
Hubbardston Nonsuch, fine. From Mr. Kingsley, Kalamazoo, Michigan,
by Messrs. Winsliips, the following apples : — Twenty Ounce, Black apple,
Cabasha, Fall Pippin, Winter Pippin, Gulden Russet, Deiiophan, Bois,
Golden Pippin, Steele's Red Winter, Flushing Spilzenberg, Sweet Bell,
Winter Pijipin, Roxbury Russet, Black Gilliflower, Spice Pippin, Roberts's
Sweet, Btillflower Yellow, Winter Greening, Jonathan ; the specimens
were all of extra size. Among these speciiriens, the Steele's Red Winter
was the DaUivui; the Winter Greening, the i?. 1. Greening ; and the Rob-
erts Sweet, the Hubbardston Nonsuch.

Dccemher dlli. Exhilnted. — Fruits : From the President of the Society,
excellent specimens of Beurre d'Aremberg, Glout Morceau, Beurre i iel,
Liconnue Van Mons, and Easter Beurr6 pears. From John Gordon, very
splendid specimens of Easter Beurr6 pears. From S. Walker, Le Cur6,
Beurre UanC'S, Passe Colmar, and Caen du France pears ; Rhode Island
Greening, Baldwin, and While Seek-no-Further apples. From A. Pexter,
Baldwin, R.L Greening, Roxbury Russet, and Lady apples. From B. V.

46 MassacJmsetts Horticultural Society.

French, White SeekNo-Furlher, and Conway apples. Fronn O. Johnson,
Roxbury Russet apples, and Easter Ueurre pears. From J. Owen, New-
tovvn Pippin, and other apples. From Huvey & Co., Knight's Monarch,
and Glout Morceau pears.

The committee tasted several of the specimens, and prono\inced the East-
er Beurre and Glout Morceau pears fine; the Inconnue Van Mons, as fino
flavored, and promising well. Among the apples, the White Seek-No-
Furlher, fine.

December Ihlh. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day,
the President in the chair.

The President read a letter from M. Tongard, President of the Central
Society of Horticulture, of Rouen, France; the letter was accompanied
with a catalogue of his nursery, and the publications of the society over
which he presides. The thanks of the Society were voted to M. Tougard,
and the Corresponding Secretary directed to transmit a copy of the vote,
with all the transactions of the Society.

A letter was received from F. R. Elliott, Cleaveland, Ohio, presenting
the Society wiih seven new native kinds of cherry trees; the thanks of the
Society were voted, and the trees placed in the care of the President, for
the Society's use.

Mr. S. Walker presented copies of the 21st Annual Fair of the Ameri-
can Institute, which were laid on the table for distribution, and the thanks
of the Society voted for the same.

Adjourned one week, to December 23d.

Exhibited. — Fkuits : From Josiah Lovett, 2d, fine Glout Morceau
pears. From J. S. Cabot, Beurre d'Aremberg, and Winter Nells, fine
specimens ; also Cross, Beurr6 Diel, Chaumontelle, Columbia, and Braude's
St. Germain, the latter new, and of similar quality to theDix. From E. M.
Richards, Echasserie pears.

December 23d. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day, —
the President in the chair.

The committee of publication presented their report, — they state, that
there were some outstanding bills, whicli may have been on)ilted, and it was
voted that the Treasurer be authorized to pay all outstanding bills, pre-
sented by the committee.

The President and Treasurer of the Society, J. Slickney, F. W. Mac-
ondry, and O. Johnson, were appointed a committee to settle with the
Treasurer of Mount Auburn Cemetery.

The Corresponding {Secretary was requested to forward to the Horticul-
tural and Agricultural Societies of the country, copies of the proceedings of
the 20lh Annual Exhibition of the Society.

The chairman of the committee on flowers and vegetables presented their
reports, awarding premiums for 1848, which were accepted, and the thanks
of the Society voted, for not exceeding the appropriation.

Adjourned for one week to December 30th.

Exhibi/ed.— FRVirs : From B. V. French, apples, Baldwin, While Seek-
No-Further, Conway, Canada Reinette, R. I. Greening, Pennock's Red
Winter, Lady Apple, and Roxbury Russet. From S. Downei, Jr., pears,

Horticultural Memoranda. 47

Fortun6e, Easter Beiirr6, Bellissime d'hiver. From Josiah Lovett, 2d,
pears, a seedling ; also a watermelon, in fine keeping. From W. B.
Kingsbury, pears for a name.

December 30th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day, —
the President in the chair. ['I'lie procetdings will be given in our next.]

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR JANUARY.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grapevines, at this season, require little or no care except in the hot-
house : here, where forcing is about commencing, or already begun, great
care is necessary, at this early and severe ])eriod of the season, to guard
against injury to the vines from the effect of sudden changes of tempera-
ture. In very early houses, the vines will now probably be breaking ; but,
except where there is a desire to have them as early as possible, the pres-
ent month is soon enough to bring them forward. The border should be
covered with five or six inches of manure, and, if convenient, a few inches
of coarse strawy litter or leaves upon that, in order to keep severe frosts
from penetrating to the soil. The vines may then be brought up on the
wires, and have a syringing every morning and evening. 'Jhe tempera-
ture for the first fortnight should be from 45 to 50 degrees, and be increas-
ed the second, from 50 to 55 degrees. A too violent heat at first is injuri-
ous. Vines in pots may now be brought into the greenhouse where there is
room, and where early fruit is an object.

Fig trees in pots may now be repotted if they need it, previous to bring-
ing them into the house to grow. If they do not need shifting, it will be
only necessary to give them a good top-dressing.

Peach trees in pots may be brought into the greenhouse for early fruiting.

Strawberries in pots may be brought into the greenhouse or hothouse,
and, if placed on a warm shelf near the glass, will give a good crop.

Sciojis of fruit trees may be cut now, and be salely kept in a cool cellar
in earth.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Camellias w\]] now be flowering freely, and will require good supplies of
■water. Some of the plants, when the house is kept warm, will soon begin
to grow, and those that do should have an occasional watering with liquid
guano. Inarching and grafting may be commenced now. Cuttings, put
in last summer, may now be potted off. Attend to the impregnation of the
flowers if seeds are wanted.

Japan lilies will soon begin to grow, and will require attention the latter
part of the month. Such as show signs of growing at that time should be
potted as we directed in our last volume, (p. 34.) The others may remain
till February, Seeds may be planted now.

48 Horlicidtural Memoranda.

Verbenas will now require a sliifl: such as were put in thickly in
small pots should now be potted oft sinplj', and others, already in a small
size, slidtild have a sliift into four inch pots, or, if fine larj»e specimens are
desired, into six inch pots.

Azaleas will now begin to grow, and should be rather more liberally
watered.

Arftimencs of the different liinds should now be brought forward for early
blooming, placing a few of the bull)s in the warmest part of tlie house.

G/dxmias may also now be potted for early blooming, giving the same
treatment as the achimencs.

Dahlias may now be brought forward, if early flowering plants are de-
sired, or if they are wanted for propagation. Pot the roots, and place
them in a warm situation, and, early in February, they will begin to make
young shoots.

OxaHs Roicici, and Jnrta, now done flowering, may be placed away on
a dry shelf, and gradually dried off".

Cinerarias should now be siiified, if fine large plants are wanted.

Roses will now begin to show an abundance of flower-buds, and will need
some attention. Fumigate often to destroy the green fly, and keep diwn
the red spider with sulphur. Water occasionally with liquid manure, and
syringe freely in all good weather over the foliage. Young cuttings, pot-
ted off in October, should now have a shift into four inch pots.

Calceolarias should now be repotted.

Schizanthuses will need another shift into large pots before the roots get
matted together.

Pelargoniums will now require considerable attention, especially those
intended for specimen plants, or for exhibition. If they have not had their
last shift into the pots in which they are to remain, this should now be
attended to. When this is done, keep the branches tied down horizontally,
and nip off'the points of all the strong growing shoots. Place the plants
as near the glass as convenient, on a cool airy part of the stage, and do not
crowd them in among other plants, but let them stand so ihat there is a free
circulation of air on all sides. Nothing is more important than this. Wa-
ter moderately, and occasionally syringe, but only in very fine weather.
The object is now to encourage a good growth at the root, while the top is
kept from advancing as little as possible. If the temperature is too high,
the rlants will run tip and be in bloom in March.

Fuchsias may now be repotted, headed in, and placed in a favorable sit-
uation to grow. Now is the time to propagate a new stock.

Panfuj seed may now be sown in boxes for producing plants to turn out
in May.

Heaths w\\\ now be growing, and from January to May is the best period
for propagating a stock. Keep the old plants liberally watered and syr-
inged.

Greenhouse plants of all kinds require attention now. Some will need
potting, while others should only be lop-dressed. Stake, tie up, and clean
the plants at all leisure times.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE

FEBRUARY, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Report on the Fniit and Kitchen Gardens, near
Paris, from observations made during a Visit in the Spring
of 1847. By Mr. R. Thompson, Superintendent of the
Orchard and Kitchen Garden, of the London Horticultural
Society.

We have already given our notes on some of the Parisian
gardens, in the results of our Foreign tour, (Vols. XI. and XII.,)
but as our time did not permit us to make that extended ob-
servation, which we could have wished, we now have the
pleasure of presenting the views of Mr. Thompson, of the
Horticultural Society's garden, who was especially despatch-
ed to Paris, for the purpose of noting the state of gardening
in the vicinity of that city. The Society, with a view to fur-
ther "increase the efficacy of the Fruit department, thouglit
it advisable to send Mr. Thompson to inspect the best ex-
amples of French winter pruning, and to collect such informa-
tion as the very important, but generally unattractive season
of early spring would furnish." Mr. Thompson reached Rou-
en on the first of March, 1847, and remained at Paris for nearly
three weeks, in which time, he visited all the principal hor-
ticultural exhibitions, as far as Fontainebleau. In this service,
he was greatly assisted by Mr. Rauch, a German gentleman,
residing in Paris, and familiar with all that relates to its gar-
dens. Mr. Thompson was directed to keep full notes of all
that he found worthy of notice, and, in the paper named at
the head of this article, he has given a detailed, interesting,
and very instructive account of his travels. It appeared in

VOL. XV. — NO. II. 7

50 The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris.

the Journal of the London Horticultural Society for 1837,
Vol. II. p. 195.

It is almost unnecessary for us to say, that Mr. Thompson's
article is by far the most valuable, that has appeared in
the Society's Journal ; and we propose to make full extracts
of such parts of it, as can be applied to our own practice of
gardening. His remarks are the result of actual observation
of some of the best examples of Horticultural science in
France ; and are worth a volume of mere theory and general
views, which form the basis of much that is now written upon
the subject. The French gardeners understand the art of
budding, grafting, pruning and training, thoroughly, and the
study of their methods of practice, is important to all who
are engaged in the cultivation of fruit trees, or who are de-
sirous of possessing the symmetrically formed specimens, of
which such accurate copies are figured in the French Treatises
upon the subject.

Mr. Thompson went from London to Southampton, on the
27th of February, and sailed the same evening for Havre,
where he arrived the next morning. Here there was but lit-
tle to see : the weather was quite cold, clear and frosty, with
keen North East wind. On the 1st of March he went from
Havre to Rouen, by diligence. Here he visited the Botanic
Garden, which occupies upwards of twenty acres, and which
has been under the direction of M, Du Breuil, Senior, for forty
years. The arboricultural and fruit tree department is superin-
tended by his son, M. A. Du Breuil, Professor of Agriculture,
Arboriculture, «fcc. Lectures are given by Prof. Du Breuil,
on budding, grafting, pruning, training, &c., and, in short, up-
on every thing connected with the management of fruit trees.
There arc specimens of trees to illustrate both good and bad
practice in these matters. The trees are neatly pruned and
trained, and exhibit almost perfect examples of the various
modes of training, figured in Prof. Du Breuil's Cours Ele-
mentaire Thiorique et Pratique, d' Arboriculture.

Pkof. Du Breuil's Mode of training Peach Trees.

<' Professor Du Breuil has commenced the training of some
trees, in which two main branches arc laid ofi" according to

The Fruit ajid Kitchen Gardens, near Paris, 51

the Montreuil mode, as are likewise the branches from the un-
der side of these ; but the branches for fllhng the centre are
reversed till they are brought to an angle of 45°, thus forming
right angles with the main branches from which they spring.
By this mode, there are no upright branches, and consequently
no unequal competition between such and those in a depressed
position, requiring the frequent application of the knife, to
maintain the balance of force in the flow of sap. That mode
of training, must be good in principle, which gives a position
to the branches that will ensure an equal distribution of sap,
with the least possible interference by the knife. In the mode
under consideration, the branches occupying the centre have
an elevation of 45°, whilst those produced on the under side
of the main branches have only 20° ; but the latter are al-
lowed two years' growth, before the former are allowed to
spring; besides, the branches from the upper side, although
they have a greater elevation, yet in them the sap has to turn
at an angle of 90° from its direction in the main branches ; but
from these main branches, the lower diverge at an angle of
not more than 35°. The sap will accordingly pass more rea-
dily into these, than into the others, where it has to turn at a
right angle. The trees under training, according to this mode,
are not so far advanced as to furnish absolute proof of its
merits, but it will doubtless answer. The same principles
were adopted many years ago. with trees that had proved un-
managable under the Montreuil system, in a rich border in
the Society's Garden, at Chiswick.

" Amongst various other forms for training the peach, some
trees were set off with two stems, like the letter U, from the
outsides of which, branches are trained horizontally. In one
of these, the two lowest horizontals are continuations of the
two main stems ; and from the upper side of these, about 18
inches apart, shoots are trained upright and parallel, from
which all the other horizontal branches proceed ; also, from
both sides of these horizontals, bearing shoots, about 18 inches
apart, are trained with an inclination forwards. By this mode,
it is sometimes difficult to maintain an equal degree of vigor
in both sides of the tree.

"Another tree is intended to be trained with a wavy cen-
tral stem. When in the state of a young shoot, this stem is
bent first to the left, then to the right; and where it coramen-

52 The Fruit and Kitchen Garde7iSj near Paris.

ces to turn from left to right, a shoot is encouraged on the out-
side of the bend, and trained straight to the left, in a direction
a little above the horizontal. Where the stem shoot is again
turned from right to left, another branch is extended to the
right ; and so branches are intended to proceed alternately,
on either side, from every outward bend of the stem, till the
wall is covered.

"Trees were trained in the Society's Garden, with
wavy stems, according to the systems of Hitt and of Hay-
ward; the former having strictly horizontal branches from
the bends, with perpendicular bearing shoots ; the latter with
gently curved branches, with the bearing shoots inclined. But
each tree, in both systems, had two straight naked stems, ele-
vated at an angle of 45°, and 4^ feet in length, before they
took an upright wavy direction. These naked stems invari-
ably became scorched on the sides exposed to the sun, and
the upper portions of the bends were also more or less affected
in the same way. Professor Du Breuil's mode is unquestion-
ably far preferable to either of the above, inasmuch as the
tree has only a single stem, from which the wall is furnished
from bottom to top, instead of being unfurnished to the height
of 4 feet, above which, the naked stems only begin to branch,
according to the systems of Hitt and Hayward. In Professor
Du BreuiTs tree, there are no long naked stems exposed to
the scorching influence of the sun's rays, and even the bends
can be protected by foliage. On the whole, this mode is con-
sidered highly deserving of trial in Britain."

Mr. Thompson left Rouen for Paris, on the 2d of March ;
the weather was still so cold, the ground could not be worked ;
the vineyards were not yet pruned or dressed. He immedi-
ately proceeded to the Jardin des Plantcs, where, after seeing
the plant-houses, aboretum, &c., he inspected the fruit tree
department, under the superintendence of M. L. P. Cappe.

In our last volume, (XIV. p. 295,) we have already copied
Mr. Thompson's remarks on M. Cappe's system of summer
pruning, and, referring the reader to that, we proceed to notice

Mr. Cappe's Mode of Winter-Pruning Pyramidal Pear Trees.

" The 7Dinter-prunin g of pyramid pear trees is almost
reduced to a mechanical operation, when the summer man-

TheFruU and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris. 53

agement has been properly attended to. Keeping the taper-
ing form in view, it consists in cutting each shoot a little
shorter than the one immediately below it, taking care to cut
to a bud situated on the side of the shoot towards that direc-
tion in which it would be most desirable the prolongation
should proceed. Shoots that are too vigorous for the rest, are
not cut to a bud on the upper side, but to one situated below.

" Some trees appeared to be much admired by every one,
on account of the introduction of another feature of regularity
in training, besides that of a merely tapering contour. These
had what is called a tutor., — that is, a straight perpendicular
stake, to which the stem is trained: and from the top of this
stake, five wires are stretched to as many equidistant points,
on a hoop near the ground, or in one instance to five short
stakes. These wires represent the angles of a five-sided pyr-
amid— a pyramid apparently fifteen feet high, on a pentago-
nal base. Branches are trained directly from the stem to
each of the wires. In order to convey some idea of these
trees, one may imagine five upright trellises or screens pro-
jecting from a central upright, forming the partitions of as
many equal recesses, widening outwards. The branches form
such partitions with good effect as regards regularity ; and,
when they become ornamented with leaves and fruit, the whole
must prove an interesting sight. The trees had a fruitful
appearance.

" Instead of the branches radiating from the stem, in fiive
directions, it might be found more convenient to train them
out to four points, say east, west, north, and south. It may,
however, be observed, that, in the pear tree, five buds form a
spiral, once round the shoot or stem ; or, in other words, sup-
posing the leading shoot to be perpendicular, every fifth, tenth,
fifteenth, &c., bud will be in the same vertical plane. There-
fore, if the number of buds between one branch, and that next
above it, be always a multiple of five, the branches, radiating
in each of the five directions, will originate exactly above each
other.

" The trees above described, had been formerly grown as
pyramids, in the usual way, with branches extending promis-
cuously; but M. Cappe is of opinion, that, by commencing
with a young tree, the tutor and wires may be dispensed with.

54 The Pniit and Kitchen Gardens^ near Paris.

In exposed situations, the wires form excellent stays ; and
where ihcy arc employed, a comparatively slender stake will
be suflicient."'

M. Dupuy Jamin's System of Irrigating Gardens.

'•' Parallel to a long central walk in this nnrsery, a small
zinc pipe was supported by stakes, about two feet above the
surface of the ground. Such an aqueduct could be formed at
a trifling expense, compared with the saving it might be made
the means of effecting in a dry season. It is certainly an ob-
ject of pecuniary importance, to supersede the labor of several
men, by merely turning a cock, and allowing the water to
run quietly along to reservoirs, at a distance from the source,
instead of wheeling it in tubs, and frequently tearing up the
walks in the course of the proceeding. It may be said, that
the pipe might as well be laid in the ground, as the water
would rise to a level; but in that case, the pipe would only be
available in one fixed direction, instead of being easily moved
to where it may be requisite. Such pipes might be made, at
no great expense, in convenient lengths, of about ten feet,
with flexible India rubber connexions. The lengths could be
tied together in bundles, when not wanted ; and, when re-
quired, they could be readily extended in any direction."

M. Hardy's Lectures on the Management of Fruit Trees.

On the 5th of March, Mr. Thompson visited the Gardens
of the Luxembourg^ to hear a lecture on pruning, by M. Har-
dy, at S A. M., in the open ground. " M. Hardy delivers two
lectures a week, free to the public, on pruning, grafting, plant-
ing, and, in short, every thing connected with the management
of fruit trees, finishing the course in the end of April. He
has generally from 300 to 400 hearers, among whom, are
young men employed in the Luxembourg Gardens, the .Tardin
des Plantes, and other establishments, by permission of the
respective directors. In various instances, the young men
afterwards make up for the time they are thus absent. But
the greater number of those who attend, are amateurs. M.
Hardy also lectures, in the afternoon, to gentlemen wishing to

The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris. 55

obtain a knowledge of the management of fruit trees. The
admittance for each person to any one of these is, however, 3
francs. From fifteen to twenty gentlemen usually attend the
afternoon lectures.

"In his first lecture, I was informed, M. Hardy explained
the physiology of the tree, the action of the sap, the names of
the different parts of the tree; the stem, branches, and the
technical distinctions of the latter, such as Rameaux a bois,
Ramcanx a fruit, Brindilles, Lamhourdes : branches for
wood; branches for fruit; fruit-bearing twigs and spurs. The
term brindille, requires, however, a little more explanation : —
Pear trees, recently raised from seeds, are usually armed with
thorns, a provision for the defence of the young plants ; but
naturally, as the trees get older, and more especially when
influenced by cultivation, the thorns are produced less abun-
dantly, and by degrees they disappear. The thorns latterly
produced, lose their original character. Instead of being
naked, one, two, or more, very small buds may be observed
upon them ; but still they are pointed, and, this being the case,
they yet retain the characteristic of a thorn^ and cannot elon-
gate in the following season. Some after-productions may,
however, be seen to terminate in a small bud, and the sub-
stance throughout, is much softer, but still harder than the
regular shoots on other parts of the tree. These growths may
be then looked upon as thorns modified ; they become capa-
ble of elongation, and are what the French term hrindilles.
They proceed at right angles from the branches producing
them ; and are not inclined to grow upright. They sometimes
bear fruit before the other branches ; but when the trees get
into full bearing, these brindilles are not required.

" M. Hardy concluded, by showing how to handle and
properly apply the knife.

"The second lecture, he took a maiden plant, and explain-
ed how it ought to be dealt with, according to the modes of
training, for which it might be intended ; then a plant two
years old ; another three, and so on.

"For the third lecture, at which I was present, he had a
pear tree, intended for a pyramid, planted in the centre of a
circle, formed by a rope, about 50 feet in diameter, outside of
which the people stood to hear the explanations, and see the

56 The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens^ near Paris.

mode of operation. In the tree selected for illustration, BI.
Hardy pointed out faults, from not pinching the shoots in the
previous summer : and some others in consequence of former
winter pruning. The reasons for cutting each branch as he
did were successively given, as well as an explanation of the
bad effects of cutting otherwise; and ultimately the pruning
of the tree was completed in good style. We had an oppor-
tunity of closely examining it after the lecture was over.

" We then inspected the different quarters planted with pyr-
amid pear and apple trees, and those containing cherry and
plum trees. As there is no wall for peach trees, these are
trained against a trellis, backed with straw mats ; and, with
this assistance, the fruit ripens perfectly well.

" All the quarters containing fruit trees are surrounded with
borders, planted with cherry, plum, and apricot trees, as
standards ; and some with excellent effect are trained inform
of a Vase, or en Gobclet, dwarf, or with a stem 5 feet or rather
more in height. The head is formed hollov/, in shape like a
goblet, the shoots being annually tied to hoops of wood,
adapted to the circumference required to give the desired form.
Two hoops are sufficient, the two-year old wood being tied to
one ; and the equidistant regulation of the one-year old shoots,
is effected upon the other. As the vase or goblet widens, of
course hoops of greater circuit must be prepared, either of new
materials, or by introducing an additional piece. In some in-
stances, the hoops are formed of round, apparently J inch,
iron rods ; but wood is preferable to iron, for vegetation in
contact with the latter, is apt to be injuriously affected, by the
rapidity with which it heats and cools. Shoots are apt to
spring up in the centre of the goblet ; but they must be pinch-
ed in summer ; and so all other irregularities of growth ap-
pear likewise to have been. The form is very ornamental ;
it can be produced at little expense; and the trees were well
furnished with fruit buds. Suppose a tree to have 6 shoots,
let them be tied at equal distances to a hoop placed horizon-
tally, and then shortened a few inches above it, or so as to
leave them a foot or more in length. From each of these,
two shoots may be trained to the outside of a somewhat wider
hoop, in the following season ; and thus, by annually intro-
ducing hoops of a width proportionately corresponding with

The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris. 57

tlie respective diameters of the vase intended to be imitated,
the desired form will ultimately be produced. The head of
the tree will be completely balanced ; and the branches will
be more nearly equidistant, than they could be by an^^ other
mode of training as a standard. I should prefer wooden
hoops to iron ones. If weak, or if two or more pieces must
be employed for the hoop, its circular form may be preserved
by two small rods, secured diametrically across it."

The Collection of Fruits in the Garden of the Luxembourg.

Mr. Thompson has added the following account of the cel-
brated collection of fruit trees, in this garden : —

"It may be interesting to mention, that, in the Gardens of
the Luxembourg, and Jardin des Plantes, the best collection
of fruit trees in France, thatof theChartreux, was preserved ;
and also that, from these gardens, the sorts were obtained by
the Society, when the collection was forming for the garden
at Chiswick. This was the best source whence the identical
varieties described by the celebrated Duhamel, could be ob-
tained, as appears by a communication from M. Thouin, ap-
pended to a list of grafts, sent to the Society in 1S20, and of
which the following is a translation : —

" ' Various causes having prevented my worthy colleague,
M. Bosc, from taking off the grafts requested for the Horti-
cultural Society of London, from the nursery of the Luxem-
bourg, he begged of me to make the collection. This I under-
took with the greatest pleasure, as, in obliging my friend, I
may also render a useful service to an honorable body to
which I am proud to belong.

" ' The Society maybe assured, that the names of the grafts
precisely correspond with the varieties described by Duhamel
{Traite des Arbres Fruitiers, Paris, 176S). The following are
the means which were employed, by which we are able to
accomplish so important an object.

" 'In 1793, when the question was agitated of suppressing
the monasteries, and placing their property at the disposal of
the State, foreseeing the destruction of the garden of the Char-
treux at Paris, and anxious to preserve to horticulture the
originals on which Duhamel had established his nomencla-

VOL. XV. NO. II. 8

5S The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Pans.

ture, I begged and obtained permission from the minister Ro-
land, to remove whatever trees I pleased from the complete
collection v.iiich that garden contained. They were labelled
according to the Catalogue of the Chartreux, and transplanted
in the garden of the Museum, where they were arranged in
such a way as to form a school for the instruction of nursery-
men, gardeners, country gentlemen, and even botanists and
physiologists.

" ' The garden of the Chartreux was soon after destroyed;
there remained no vestige of it ; and it was not till ten or
twelve years after, that it was re-established in the Luxem-
bourg, by rooted plants or grafts taken from our school of the
Museum, in the Jardin des Plantes.

" 'On the formation of that school, I invited Christopher
Hervy, gardener to the Chartreux, a man well informed on
the subject of fruit trees, and who supplied Duhamel with a
great portion of his nomenclature, to make a general exami-
nation at the periods of the flowering and fruiting of the trees,
to prove the identity of the names of our varieties. This labor
was pursued during the first six years of our plantation in the
school, in such a way, as to correct errors which might have
crept in. There now, therefore, remains no doubt on this
head. But this is not the case with many of the varieties
obtained from various parts of France, and more particularly
from abroad, since the publication of Duhamel's work. The
nomenclature of these is vague ; in many cases, the sorts have
proved synonymous with those already known ; and it is ne-
cessary to wait till the trees have fruited, in order that they
may be correctly named.'

" It thus appears, that the collection of the Chartreux, made
during a period of 150 years, was preserved by the exertions
of M. Thouin; and of that collection, the Horticultural So-
ciety of London received, with the above communication,
gi'afts of 48 varieties of plums, 99 of apples, and 145 of pears.
Peach and other kinds of fruit trees, were subsequently for-
warded from the same source."

Comparative Merits of Copper and Iron Pipes.

Mr. Thompson visited the seat of Baron James Roths-
child, where there are extensive ranges of forcing-houses,

The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, -near Paris. 59

heated by hot water, in copper pipes, and he gives the follow-
ing views of the French gardeners, of the comparative merits of
copper and iron pipes. They fully coincide with our OAvn : —
" The boilers, as well as the pipes, for this purpose, are made
of copper. This substance appears to be generally preferred
to iron, for the hot water mode of heating, about Paris, even
by market gardeners. On the score of economy, they say,
that, although it is somewhat dearer than iron in the first in-
stance, yet it is ultimately cheaper, inasmuch as it wastes
but little, and it is always saleable. As regards adaptation,
they can obtain heat much quicker from it than from iron.
This property is more especially an advantage in such a cli-
mate as that of Paris, where the general clearness of the air
admits of a large amount of sun-heat being suddenly accu-
mulated ; and consequently, the quicker the heating appara-
tus parts with its heat, the better. On the other hand, in
proportion nearly as the clearness of the air favors a sudden
rise of temperature by sun-heat, so does it facilitate the rapid
escape of heat by radiation, as soon as the sun's influence is
withdrawn ; and hence a promptly heating apparatus is again
the most eligible."

Espalier Fruit Trees at Yeesailles.

"The quarters are surrounded by espaliers six feet high.
Wooden posts are driven into the ground, as supports for the
trellising, and the whole has a neat appearance. By the
side of the central walk, in this part of the gardens, the espa-
lier is partly constructed of iron, strong bars forming arches
from post to post, surmounted by an iron top-rail. This con-
trasts strangely with the simple upright and horizontal lines
which the adjoining espaliers exhibit.

"In some of the quarters inside these six feet high espa-
liers, there are very dwarf ones, about sixteen feet apart: the
spaces between them being cropped with vegetables. These
dwarf espaliers are scarcely four feet high ; they are formed
by posts driven into the ground, and to these, four small
wooden rails are fixed horizontally. Pear and apple trees
were trained against them. Some of the trees appeared to be
fifteen or twenty years old.

60 The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris.

'•' What is done at Versailles as regards espalier training
might be very advantageously imitated in other large gardens,
and, for small gardens, no mode is so proper. If the trees be
well managed, they will almost support themselves, by the
time the first, and not expensive, woodwork decays. They
occupy comparatively little space ; some crops can be grown
almost close to them ; and their appearance, loaded as they
ought to be with fruit, cannot certainly be deemed unsightly.

" We observed some pear trees trained on espaliers, hori-
zontally, it may be said, but with an important peculiarity.
On remarking them we were informed that their branches
were originally trained from the stem at an angle of 45° of
elevation; but that they were afterwards brought to a hori-
zontal position, excepting the parts near the stem, which still
retained almost the original position. Although lowering the
branches was, I believe, an after-thought as regards these
trees, yet I believe a better principle than that of allowing
the branches to ascend at the above angle for a little way
from the stem, could not be adopted."

The orange trees here, Mr. Thompson states, are magnifi-
cent. The number is 1500; some are 300 years old, with
stems thirty-nine inches in circumference ; one has the inscrip-
tion; '■^ Seme en, 1421," and must therefore be 420 years old.

Advantages of Cast Iron Pipes for Flues.

In the market garden of M. Truffant, at Versailles, Mr.
Thompson notices a mode of heating houses by means of iron
pipes for flues : —

"In two compartments, where bottom heat for the pine
apples is supplied by means of hot water, top heat is obtained
from a six inch cast iron pipe, serving as a flue from the same
fire which heats the water for bottom heat. From the fire at
one end it uniformly ascefids along tlic front, till it terminates
in a brick chimney at the farther end of the compartment.
The joints of the cast iron pipe are merely cemented with
clay. There is a fire at each of the opposite ends of the two
compartments ; and the chimney where the pipes terminate,
is in the middle, at the front. Hot water was previously em-
ployed for top heat ; but the tubular cast iron flue was found

The Fruit and Kitchen Gardens, near Paris. 61

to be more effective, with less fuel, than was required for the
hot water. This mode certainly deserves to be made the sub-
ject of experiment, in order to ascertain exactly its advanta-
ges, so as to be able to state them in numerical terms. In the
first place, it will be necessary to take into consideration the
expense of ojie cast iron pipe, of six inches diameter, compared
with two four-inch pipes, flow and return, for hot water. The
circumference of the six-inch pipe, is to the sum of the cir-
cumferences of the four-inch pipes, as 18-857 to 25-142, or
within a fraction of 15 to 20. It therefore appears, that about
one-fourth less metal is required for the flue, than for the
pipes ; and if it were possible to get the larger casting, at the
same rate per lb., as the smaller, the cast iron flue would be,
in the first instance, a saving of 25/. per cent. This alone is
an important object; and when the saving of fuel and more
eflective heating are stated to be the results, certainly no
more arguments need be adduced in favor of the plan. It is
necessary, however, to make a few remarks with reference to
the position of the cast iron flue. It was stated above, that
it uniformly ascends along the front. This being the case,
the heated air also ascends naturally towards the farther end,
thereby causing a less pressure in that part of the pipe next
the fire. This part would become excessively hot, if the pipe
were level, and would even give out a greater excess of heat
next the fire, than the old flues, iron being a more rapid con-
ductor than the materials of which they were composed.
Probably one foot in twenty would be a suflicient gradient ;
those observed, appeared to rise more than this."

The Montreuil mode of training peach trees, and the Tho-
mery plan of training grapes, are noticed at length, with illus-
trative engravings, but, as our article has already extended to
considerable length, we shall refer to these at another time.

Mr. Thompson left Paris, March 18th. by railway to Rou-
en, and arrived in London on the evening of the 20th. In
concluding his notes, he acknowleges the kindness he experi-
enced in France, from every one engaged in Horticulture, to
whom he had occasion to apply for information. He found
all intelligent and obliging, anxious to avail themselves of im-
provements in Horticulture, and willing to communicate a
knowledge of their modes of cultivation to others.

62 Destruction of Filberts by Fungi.

Art. it. Destruction of Filberts by Fungi. By N. Good-
sell. Esq., N. Y.

For many years past, the filbert shrubs in this vicinity
have been destroyed to such an extent as to discourage those
who would otherwise attempt the cultivation of this fine
addition to the dessert.

This destruction has been ascribed to some unknown in-
sect, and severe penalties l^ave been threatened in case he
should be identified and convicted.

I am now of the opinion that the death of those shrubs is
occasioned by a fungous plant, the sporule of which lodges
in the pores of the bark, where it vegetates and spreads in
every direction, but not equally, as the ring formed by the
plants bursting through the epidermis is of an oval form, its
perpendicular diameter being nearly double the horizontal.
As the filbert shrub naturally throws ofi" many side shoots
or suckers from the crown, few of which stand perpendicular,
I have noticed that the injury often appears first upon the
upper side of these shoots, and that these little "fairy rings"
often extend two or three feet up and down upon the same
side of the shoot, which, in a short tinte, dies, and exhibits
all the appearance of rapid decay.

I do not pretend to infallibility in my observations, and
would therefore invite the attention of those better versed in
botany than myself to this subject, but will venture to call
this fungi in question the wauchii of the genus Cryptomyces
Z/., an excellent representation of which may be found in
Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Plants, page 1020, No. 16,289.

I am astonished sometimes to find to what length we allow
our prejudices to extend. In early life, I imbibed a deadly
hatred against the curculio family, more particularly that
one which does such mischief to our stone fruits, and was the
first one, I believe, in this country, to expose the turpitude of
his character, in that respect, to the public. — but even that
exposure was not sufficient to appease my hatred, and, since
then, I have been trying to fix another stain upon his char-
acter, viz.. that of destroying the plum tree as well as the
fruit, by causing those black bunches upon them which prove

The Huhbardston Nonsuch Apple. 63

so fatal in many parts of onr countr3^ In this attempt, I fear,
like many others in which we carry our prejudices too far, I
am to be defeated. It is true, that, in examining these ex-
crescences upon phmi trees late in the season, I have found
the larva of two species of curculio nestling in this soft
spongy matter, but .have been undecided whether they were
the cause of the spongy growth, or whether this peculiar
groAvth did not invite their locality. Reasoning upon the
strength of the old adage, "like causes produce like effects,"
and that family habits are often hereditary, 1 have watched
the effects produced by the puncture in plants made by
other members of this family, as those in peas and other
plants, but have not found an instance where an excrescence
is produced bearing any resemblance to those upon the plum ;
neither have I been able to detect an egg or larva in any of
those bunches until they have been in an advanced state of
development.

In my examinations of these bunches, I have thought I de-
tected that peculiar " fungus smell," which accompanies
most of the plants of this family, and, having once got a'
"//5^," as the sailors say, that way, each succeeding exam-
ination has strengthened my opinion, until I am convinced
that those bunches are produced by fungus plants, and not
by insects.

Rochester. January lOih, 1849.

Art. III. The Hiibbardstoti Nonsuch Apple.
By the Editor.

In our last volume, (XIV. p. 545,) in our list of select ap-
ples, we described this excellent variety, and gave an engrav-
ing of the fruit. We there stated, that " its season of maturity
was in October and November, and that it could not be classed
even among the early winter varieties." For four or five
years, v/e have made exertions to procure some fine specimens
of this well known, though not very extensively cultivated
apple ; and have invariably been disappointed, imtil the past
season, when we had them from three or four different sour-

64 The Huhhardsion Nonsuch Apple.

ces ; among the number, some very fine ones from Jos. Stick-
ney, Esq., of Watertown, from which we have had a beauti-
ful drawing made, by our artist, Mr, Sharp, for an early-
number of the Fniils of Amci-'icn. But none of these speci-
mens retained their peculiar excellence, after the early part of
December. We therefore, on our own experience, set it down
as a late fall apple, and not to be depended upon as a winter
fruit.

Our remarks, however, attracted the attention of some of
our correspondents, and two or three communications have
been received, one of which, from Mr. Geo. Jacques, of Wor-
cester, we here annex : —

" Dear Sir, — In the December number of your Magazine,
(p. 54.5.) you speak of the Hubbardston Nonsuch. You say,
' it does not belong — not even among early winter apples.'
This apple, the genuine, has been fruited several years upon
my father's farm. Its period of maturing is the same as the
Rhode Island Greening exactly. The apple is in its prime
from the middle of November to the earlier part of January.
In our cellar, which is not the coldest, it frequently keeps till
the middle of February. In cooler cellars, I have no doubt
it may be kept even through the month of March.

" The reason it is not found in lioston ' markets, after the
middle' of November, is in part owing to its scarcity, and in
part also, owing to the demand eating up the supply, before
that time. I am keeping some for you, which I shall send the
latter part of January. The tree is a very handsome grower."

The apples promised by Mr. Jacques, came safely to hand,
in the early part of January, and were in a perfect state of
preservation ; as crisp and fresh as in November, and in flavor,
fully equalling the high reputation of this variety. But a
cool and even temperature is required to preserve them well,
for we found, after a wreck's exposure in a warmer situation,
some of them soon became dry and lost their juiciness. We,
however, are well satisfied, that the average season of the
Hubbardston Nonsuch is about the same as has been stated
by Mr. Jacques. And, in the place of October and November,
we would say from October to January. This is the period
of ripening, stated by the late Mr. Manning, of Salem, in an

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 65

article in our Magazine, (Vol. VII. p. 41,) describing upwards
of one hundred varieties, which was overlooked, until after
our description referred to was published.

It always gives us great pleasure to correct any error, and
we are gratified, not only in presenting Mr. Jacques's remarks,
but in receiving the very superior specimens of the fruit, con-
firmatory of his statement of the season of its keeping.

Art. IV. Descriptions mid Engravings of Select Varieties
of Ajjples. By the Editor.

We continue our descriptions of select varieties of apples,
and, in the course of the volume, shall include several new
sorts. The following are all of rather recent introduction,
and two of them are now, for the first time, fully described.

XXV. Mother. Magazine of Horticulture., Vol. X. p. 210.

The Mother apple, i^fig. 9,) is as yet but little cultivated
beyond the immediate locality of its origin. Probably a
greater number of bearing trees are growing in Worcester
county, in this state, than is elsewhere to be found. It is
supposed to have originated on the farm of General Gardner,
in Bolton, in the north part of Worcester county, and not in
Middlesex county, as we inadvertently stated in our last vol-
ume, (XIV. p. 540.) A friend and correspondent writes us
from Worcester, where the Mother is best known, that " it is
a very handsome apple, of first quality, ripening about mid-
autumn, and is worthy of extensive cultivation."

<S'i~e, large, about two and three quarter inches broad, and
two and three quarters deep : Form., roundish oblong, regu-
lar, largest in the middle, and narrowing to the crown, which
is small : Skin., fair, smooth., glossy, with a deep rich yellow
ground, nearly covered Avith deep brilliant red, somewhat
striped and mottled, and dotted with small yellow specks :
Stem., rather short, about half an inch in length, slender, and
inserted in a somewhat contracted and not very deep cav-

VOL. XV. NO. II. 9

66 Descriptmis of Select Varieties of Apples.

ity : Eye^ small, closed, and slightly sunk in a small, shal-
low, and slightly ribbed basin ; segments of the calyx nar-
row, twisted : Flesh, yellow, fine, crisp, and tender : Juice,

Fig: 9. Mother Apple.

abundant, rich, brisk, and very pleasantly acid, with a high
spicy flavor : Core, medium size, nearly close : Seeds, medium
size. Ripe from October to January.

XXVI. Hooker. Magazine of Horticulture, Vol. XIII. p. 112.

The Hooker, {fig- 10,) has been briefly noticed by us in a
previous volume, (XIII. p. 112,) and a short account of its
origin given by our correspondent, Mr. J. W. Bissell. of Roch-
ester, N. Y. The original tree is yet growing on the farm of
Mr. Hooker, in Windsor, Conn., and the scions were carried
to New York some years ago by E. B. Strong. It is a great
favorite where it is known, having much the flavor of the
Westfield Seek-No-Further. As a productive apple, it is
almost unsurpassed ; we recently saw trees in the garden of
Mr. Hooker, of Rochester, (Vol. XIV. p. 533,) which were

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

67

literally covered with fruit. Mr. Hooker, having kindly for-
warded us some fine specimens from his trees, we are ena-
bled to give an accurate description with an engraving of the
fruit.

Size, large, about three and a quarter inches broad, and two
and three quarters deep : Forin, roundish, irregular, swollen
on one side, flattened at the base, and narrowing to the crown,
which is rather small : Skin, fair, smooth, with a greenish
yellow ground, slightly russeted at the stem, and pretty nearly

Fig. 10. Hooker Apple.

covered with dark, dull crimson, considerably striped on the
shaded side, and dotted with large, prominent, russet specks :
Stem, short, about quarter of an inch long, stout, and inserted
in a small, round, smooth, shallow cavity : Eye, small, par-
tially open, and moderately depressed in a round even basin;
segments of the calyx broad and short : Flesh, greenish white,
fine, crisp, and tender : Juice, plentiful, pleasantly acid, rich,
and high-flavored : Core, medium size, close : Seeds, rather
small, light brown. Ripe from November to January.

68

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

XXVII. Ben.

Eustis, of some collections.

Under the name of Ben, or Eustis apple, {fig. 11,) this
variety is tolerably well known to cultivators in the vicinity of
Boston, where it has been occasionally exhibited before the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, by Mr. James Eustis, of
South Reading, in which town, we believe, it originated, who
introduced it to notice. Tried wilh other well known and
esteemed apples, by the Fruit Committee of the Society, the
past autumn, when Mr. Eustis exhibited some fine speci-

Fig. 1 1 . Ben Apple.

mens, they pronounced it "good for the season, and worthy
of cultivation.'' Mr. Eustis gave us some of the apples, and
agreeing with the Committee in their opinion, we have
thought it well deserving a place among the select varieties
which we intend to describe and figure in our pages. The
tree is a healthy grower, and an abundant bearer.

Size^ large, about two and a half inches broad, and two
and a half deep : Form, roundish conical, regular, broad at

The Howell Pear. 69

the base, and narrowing considerably to the crown which is
small: Skin^ fair, somewhat rough, rich yellow, much rus-
seted around the stem, and broadly marked on the sunny
side with pale orange red : Sleni, medium length, about
three quarters of an inch long, slender, and moderately sunk
in a small contracted cavity : .Ei/e, small, closed, and mod-
erately sunk in a rather large and abruptly depressed basin ;
segments of the calyx short : Flesh, yellowish white, rather
fine, crisp, and tender : Juice, plentiful, pleasantly acid, with
a sprightly and rich pearmain flavor : Core, rather large and
open : Seeds, small, angular. Ripe in November and De-
cember.

Art. V. The Hoicell Pear, a Neiv Native Seedling ; with
a Descrijjtion and Engraving of the Fruit. By the Ed-
itor.

Among the American pears which have been brought into
notice recently, the Howell occupies a prominent place. Some
very beautiful specimens of it were exhibited at the last an-
nual show of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at
Faneuil Hall, in September, and a few were forwarded to us,
at the same time, by our correspondent, S. D. Pardee, Esq.,
of New Haven. Highly gratified at finding it a fruit of so
much merit, we requested Mr. Pardee to send us an account
of its origin, which we were desirous of appending to a full
description of the pear. He has kindly complied with our
request, and we publish at length his interesting communica-
tion, as follows : —

Dear Sir, — Agreeably to your request I give you the an-
nexed history of the Howell pear, which was exhibited at
the last Annual Fair of the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety, and of which you had a few specimens to test the qual-
ity of the fruit. The seed was planted by the late Thomas
Howell, Esq., in his garden in this city, in 1829 or '30, and
the tree is therefore about 18 years old.

Mr. Howell's premises adjoined those of the late Governor
Edwards, whose seedling pears have acquired such deserved

70 The Howell Pear.

celebrity, and it was about the time that the Governor's first
trees began to bear fruit that Mr. Howell, incited doubtless by
his neighbor's example, planted his seed, from which there are
now in his garden about twenty seedling pear trees in bearing.

John English, Esq., the present proprietor of the garden,
was informed by Mr. Howell, that the seeds he planted were
all from fruit known in this city as the Jonah pear. This is
a very hard and tough winter pear, producing enormous crops
every year, that seldom becomes mellow and fit for a des-
sert fruit, but, when it does, it is very good, being full of rich,
sub-acid, slightly astringent juice. The tree which produced
these pears stood in Mr. Howell's garden, with a Virgalieu
on one side, and a Summer Bon Chretien, or Pound pear, as
they were formerly called here, on the other ; and the How-
ell pear evidently partakes of some of the characteristics of
each of these fruits.

The tree is healthy and vigorous, and is now about six-
teen feet in height, of an upright growth, with diverging and
pendulous branches ; young wood pale reddish gray or brown.

It first fruited about seven years ago, and has borne good
crops regularly every year since it began. It ripens from the
15th September to the 10th October. The fruit has improved
from the first, both in size and quality ; and, in the judgment
of our Pomological Society, it is now of the first class, and
worthy of cultivation in every place where the soil and cli-
mate are congenial. The specimens exhibited in Boston this
fall were only a fair average of the fruit produced this year,
and you noticed them, I presume, as much above medium
size, and very fair.

As you have seen and tested the quality of the fruit, I shall
leave a description of it to you, knowing that you can de-
scribe it in accordance with pomological rules much better
than myself.

Several of the pears produced by Mr. Howell are very good,
and their quality improves with the age of the trees, but the
Howell pear is decidedly the best, and perhaps the only one
that, amongst the multitude of good pears now cultivated,
will stand forth as of superior excellence.

One of Mr. Howell's pears has been called, by Mr. Enghsh,
the New Haven Beauty. It is certainly the most beautiful

The Howell Pear.

71

pear I ever saw, and I have been at your annual fair, where
two or three hundred varieties were exhibited. It is also a
pleasant agreeable fruit, but it lacks the flavor and richness
essential to a pear of the first quality.

Mr. Howell was a worthy excellent old gentleman, some-
what eccentric in his habits and manners ; but, although he
left no children to transmit his name to future generations,

Fig. 12. Howell Pear.

having lived and died a bachelor, yet the Howell pear will
put his name and his praise in the mouths of thousands of
his fellow-men for many years to come. S. D. P.
New Haven, Deceinber 1848.

Our description of the Howell pear (^fig. 12,) is as follows : —
Size, large, about three inches long, and two and a half in
diameter : Form, obovate, inclining to pyramidal, regular,
rather full at the crown, and tapering to the stem : Skin, fair,
smooth, lemon yellow when mature, Avith a slight tinge of
blush on the sunny side, and regularly covered with brown-

72 On the CtiUivatlon of the Llsianthns RusselUantis.

ish russet specks : Stem^ medium length, about an inch long,
moderately stout, curved, and inserted without any depres-
sion : Eye, rather large, open, and little sunk in a very broad
smooth basin ; segments of the calyx rather long and partially
reflexed : Flesh, white, slightly coarse, melting, and juicy :
Flavor, rich, brisk, and vinous, with a pleasant perfume •
Core, medium size : Seeds, rather large, long, and pointed.
Ripe in September and October.

We have also a drawing and description of the New Haven
Beauty, which Mr. Pardee speaks of; and although, as he
states, it is one of the most beautiful pears, and perhaps
worthy of cultivation on that account, yet we have not thought
it of sufficient merit to publish the description and engraving:
if, on further trial, it should prove better, we shall include it
in our article describing all the most popular and desirable
pears.

Art. VI. On the Cultivation and Treatment of the Lisidn-
thus RnssellAuns. By William Saunders, Gardener to
William Bostwick, Esq. New Haven, Conn.

It occurred to me the other day, while potting some plants
ofLisianthus Russelh'd^i?^5, that I might furnish ^'•ou with a
brief detail of my mode of treating these truly beautiful plants.
I very seldom see it cultivated. I am surprised at this. Its
fine habit, the beautiful dark green color of its foliage, and the
brilliancy of its flowers, renders it an object well worthy of
all the attention that the most zealous amateur can bestow
upon it.

The seeds are sown in March, the earlier the better, so
that the plants may have a long season's growth, and be
well established before winter. For this purpose, prepare a
four-inch pot, by placing two inches of drainage at the bot-
tom, and fill up to within half an inch of the rim with a mix-
ture of loam, leaf mould, and sand ; make this firm, and level
it properly, and, on the surface, sow the seeds, covering them
very slightly with a little dry sand. Lay a flat piece of glass
on the pot, as this is far superior to a bell glass, for the pur-

Oil the Cultivation of the Lisianthus Riissellianus. 73

pose of raising seeds. Now, get a six-inch pot, and stop up
the drainage hole at the bottom, and put in as much moss as
will bring the seed-pot level Avith the rim ; then pack firmly
between the two with moss, and soak it well with water ;
this will be absorbed by the seed-pot as it requires it, and
obviate the necessity of watering the seeds at the top.

If there is a genial bottom heat convenient, place the pots
on it, this, though desirable, is by no means absolutely neces-
sary, as the seeds will germinate freely in a warm green-
house. As the young plants come up, admit air gradually,
keeping up the glass with a peg, and, when the seed leaves
are fully expanded, plant them out about an inch and a half
apart, in large pots prepared as before. A cucumber frame
will now suit them well for a week or two, until they are fit
to be planted singly in small pots, when they will do well
plunged in a box of sawdust or tan bark, always kept moist,
and placed near the glass, in a warm house or frame. As
soon as these pots are filled with roots, shift the plants into
four-inch ones, in equal portions of loam, leaf mould, and bog
earth, with a little sand. They must always be shaded from
the bright sun. It is a good plan to scatter a little sand on
the glass over them, as few plants are sooner hurt with severe
sun. When the leading shoot attains the height of four or
five inches, stop it, and it will speedily throw out numerous
side branches, and assume a bushy habit.

Although pretty strong, do not shift them again, as they
will be easier kept through the winter, when the pots are full
of roots; they will require to be carefully watered as autumn
closes, and, in winter, keep them nearly dry. Put them on a
warm shelf in the greenhouse, and take care not to wet the
foliage, as it is easily damped off".

Early in the following spring, they should be placed in a
warm temperature, watered, and induced to grow. As soon
as they start, give them a shift into a larger pot, still keeping
them growing in a moist atmosphere, and they will soon re-
quire another shift into a twelve inch pot ; this time the soil
should be stronger, that is, more turfy loam should be added
to it, and less leaf mould, introducing a few pieces of charcoal
when potting. Syringe them occasionally in the absence of
sun. They will come into flower in Jime or July, and if kept

VOL, XV. — NO. n. 10

74 On the Cidiivaiion of the Lisianthus Russelliayius.

in a growing state, by constant attentive watering, will con-
tinue in bloom till October ; but if once allowed to get too
dry, the flowers will speedily fall, and their beauty wholly
destroyed. 1 have propagated them from cuttings, taken off
in spring, but I think plants so produced, are always more
stunted in appearance, the flowers small and soon drop off.
New Havefi, January I5th, 1849.

It is true, as Mr. Saunders states, that this most beautiful
plant is rarely seen in our collections; and why it is not, is a
question that may well be asked. As a summer flowering
plant, there are few which equal it, and fewer still which excel
it. We apprehend, therefore, that it is mainly owing to a gener-
al impression, that it is very difficult of cultivation. The seeds
are small, and require careful treatment to vegetate them,
but, beyond this, there is no very great difficulty in producing
good plants. Mr. Saunders's article is consequently just in
good season, and to the purpose. If his directions arc follow-
ed, this most showy plant may be made the ornament of
every garden, whether there is a greenhouse or not, for we
have seen it thriving finely, plunged out in the open border,
displaying at least twenty of its large, deep blue, cup-shaped
flowers at once. What adds to its value is, that it may be
kept in bloom from July till Christmas.

In the Jow'iial of the London Horticultural Society, for
October last, (Vol. III. p. 308,) is an excellent article upon
the growth of this beautiful plant, which Ave have transferred
to our pages: taken in common with that of Mr. Saunders, the
amateur is in possession of all the information he need to pos-
sess, to grow this fine plant. Mr Green, the author of the arti-
cle, is one of the most successful cultivators around London,
and has received numerous premiums for the fine specimens
of plants exhibited before the London Horticultural Society.

We had nearly forgotten to mention, that, two years ago,
we had three or four small plants in one pot, all we had raised
out of several seeds, — which, in order to have them under
our eye, were wintered in the parlor, where they were pre-
served in fine health. Early in spring, they were potted off
singly, into pots, in the same soil recommended by Mr. Saun-
ders, and they succeeded finely, and gave an abundance of
flowers. — Ed.

Allen^s Treatise on the Grape. 75

REVIEWS.

Art. I. A Practical Treatise on the Culture and Treatment
of the Grape Vine ; embracing its History^ with Direc-
tions for its Treatment in the United States, in the open air,
and under Glass Structures, with or without Fire Heat.
By J. FisK Allen. Second Edition, enlarged. 1 Yol. 8vo.
pp. 247. Boston, 1848.

The best evidence of the increasing interest manifested in
the cultivation of the grape, is the desire to possess all the
information upon the subject, which comes before the public.
It is but little more than a year, since Mr. Allen, at the sug-
gestion of some friends, prepared his little manual of fifty
pages or so, which was noticed by us in our volume for 1847,
(XIII. p. 406,) and now Ave have the same before us, en-
larged and extended to upwards of two hundred pages, form-
ing a complete treatise upon the culture of the grape, under
glass, as well as in the open air.

The cultivation of the grape, though so rapidly extended
within a few years, and carried, as it is, to so high a state of
perfection in some few instances, must yet be considered as
merely begun in this country. In the vicinity of Boston, there
is a large number of grape-growers, who make it a business
to produce fruit for sale, and who keep the market well sup-
plied from April to December ; and there is a still greater num-
ber of amateur cultivators, who raise immense quantities of
grapes for their own consumption. In NeAv York and Phila-
adelphia, there are some considerable quantities of grapes,
artificially grown. But, with few exceptions, beyond the
vicinity of these cities, the culture of the grape, under glass,
has not yet been attempted. Through the several volumes of
our Magazine, numerous excellent articles will be found upon
the treatment of the vine ; and we are happy to know that
they have not only directed attention to the growth of this
delicious fruit, but have rendered valuable aid in its successful
cultivation. Mr. Allen's treatise, though of limited extent,
came in good time to push on the work ; and now, in its more

76 Alleyi^s Treatise on the Grape.

enlarged form, we doubt not it will contribute much more to
extend the cultivation of a fruit, which, in our climate, can
only be obtained by artificial means.

The most valuable part of the treatise, viz., that detailing
Mr. Allen's own experience, being the same as in the first
edition which we have reviewed, as above referred to, Ave shall
now principally confine our remarks to Mr. Allen's observations
on matmres, the formation of borders^ ^c, which occupy about
fifty pages of this edition ; and, as the author has made a
somewhat free use of our name, and misstated our position,
we shall examine his views on these subjects, and see how
far they are in accordance with the opinions of the best grape
cultivators abroad, or may be applied successfully to the cul-
tivation of the grape.

But first, we have a word to say relative to Mr. Allen's re-
marks on the "aspect for a grapery." He advised that " a
house should front the south ;" and, in our Review, we stated
that this was not " all important," that " in our bright climate,
any position but a northern one, would enable the cultivator
to produce the most delicious grapes." Mr. Allen still adheres
to his opinion. Yet, in a note relative to the construction of
houses, (p. 15,) he states that a " spaji roofed house is superior
in its arrangements to a lean-to house, (facing the south,) and,
under the same circumstances, will produce a crop ten to fifteen
days sooner, and will yield a greater amount of fruit in a
given space." The reasons why, he does not give. Now, every
cultivator knows, that the grape is a native of woods, where
it often climbs up trees to the height of 50 feet, with the shoots
more or less shaded by the branches on which it clings for
support ; yet all know that the grapes, on all parts of such
a vine, are equally high colored and excellent, and that it is
not a direct exposure to the rays of a hot sun they so much
need, as a moderate quantity of light, and air. Mr. Allen
quotes, (p. 13,) an account of some grapes exhibited at a horti-
cultural show, which were "raised in London, under a glass
case, without fire heat, in an aspect nearly 7iorthwcst (!) and
where they received only about one hour's sun in the
latter part of the day ; they were a small black kind, and
well colored; a fact corroborative of the opinion now enter-
tained, that grapes should be sheltered from the direct rays
of the sun upon the fruit."

Allen's Treatise on the Grape. 77

Need more be said ? Again ; Mr. Allen gives some meteoro-
logical statements of our climate, as compared with that of
England, thus : —

" In 1833, it appears that at the place of record in England, the weather
of that year was 152 fine days, 63 cloudy, and 130 when it rained or snow-
ed some part of the day.

At Salem, the average of three years is 219 fine days, 61 cloudy, 80 rainy
or snowy; showing a difference in the United States, of 66 days more of
sunshine, 50 days less rainy or snowy, and 17 days less of cloudy weather."

Here we have 66 more clear sunny days in a year, than in
England, and with the rays in a more vertical direction too ;
showing, that with any aspect but a northern one, a grapery
would get a far greater quantity of sun and light, than the
exact south position in England, where Mr. Allen admits he
has eaten the most delicious fruit. These facts make it ap-
parent, that, for ordinary vineries, with or without heat, it is
not necessary they should front the south. But that, in any
position from east to west, grapes may be grown with perfect
success.

In the summer of 1847, we gave a detailed account of our
cultivation of the grape, in the greenhouse, (Vol. XIII. p. 293,)
with a diary of the temperature, &c., and, in our directions
for makhig the border, we stated that good turfy loam, stable
manure and bones, were all that were necessary in their for-
mation, and that the finest grapes could be produced without
all the ^'■quackery so often recommended, such as a bed of
oyster shells, or boiled bones, dead horses, cattle, dogs,
slaughter-house manure, blood, soot, &c." The article was
written some time before Mr. Allen's treatise appeared, and
before we knew he intended to publish one ; and our remarks
had reference to practises which had been adopted by some
English grape-growers, but which had at that time caused
considerable discussion in the gardening journals, and been
condemned by the most eminent cultivators. We were,
therefore, somewhat surprised, to find Mr. Allen had advised
the very plan of making borders of "carrion," which has
been so fully condemned. And in our review of his treatise,
we merely remarked, that the use of such was " by no means
important, but rather to be objected to, especially in retentive
soils;" that we were sure such borders never gave better

78 Allen^s Treatise on the Grape.

crops, or more delicious fruit, than those made without them.
In this opinion we were fully sustained by subsequent articles
in the foreign journals, one of which, by Dr. Lindley, we pub-
lished in our last volume, (XIV. p. 49,) with some prefatory
remarks. But Mr. Allen seems to entertain the opinion, that
our denunciation of quackery had reference to his views on
the subject, and hence the fifty pages of extracts and remarks,
to sustain the advice which he gave in the first edition of his
volume. He has had up-hill work of it, and we shall not fol-
low him through it. Our object is briefly to show, that a
border, made with a layer of dead carcasses at the bottom, is a
practise not only condemned by the most successful grape-
growers in England — but an expensive and troublesome sys-
tem— offensive in execution — and not attended with as suc-
cessful results as the use of materials always at hand — viz —
good loam and stable manure.

Mr. Allen, after the quotation of the two entire articles of
ours, before alluded to, endeavors to show that we not only
used materials which came within our denimciation of
quackery^ but that our border was made unusually rich by top-
dressings of guano and manure. We never denied that a
border should not be rich. But we did and do assert, that a
border should not be made almost entirely of a mass of putri-
fying substances, over-stimulating the vine at first, to its great
injury afterwards. As to ground bones, which we recom-
mended to be mixed with the loam and manure, Mr. Allen
would not certainly class them with such substances as dead
horses, dogs, &c. Under the term of quackery^ we denomi-
nate the mixture of nearly all of the substances which have
been mentioned, and which are yearly recommended by some
cultivators ; the moderate use of any one or two of them, ex-
cept the carrion, would not come under that name. All, we
believe, so understood the meaning of the word quackery,
which Mr. Allen seems to have made the text for his long
chapter on manures.

But, has Mr. Allen convinced us that borders, made of carri-
on, are better than such as we have recommended ? Has he
himself produced as fine grapes as others who use none of the
dead carcasses? Far from it. His numerous pages of ex-
tracts not only fully sustain our views, but they show that

Allcfi's Treatise on the G?ape. 79

the practice of burying carrion has been an entire failure
among English cultivators, and the quotations seem only
to be made, in order to denounce them as "strange state-
ments," '-impossibilities," "wonderful stories, &c." (p. 226.)

We should occupy several pages if we undertook to exam-
ine all the arguments which Mr. Allen adduces in favor of
his plan of using dead carcasses. It wonld not greatly interest
the cultivator if we did, as they have been denounced by all
French writers upon the vine ; and, with one or two excep-
tions, by the most eminent grape-growers in England ;
the grapes, from vines growing in well made borders of
loam and manure, have far excelled all others there, as well
as in our own country.

Let us be understood. We did, and still do, consider it
a kind of horticultural quackery, to recommend such a
mass of substances, in the formation of a grape border. Mr.
Allen tells us that he had a border made of good stable ma-
nure, leaves, cow manure, loam and bones, in which the
grapes did not grow, (we do not wonder at it,) and that
last spring, he enlarged it and added "strong manure, many
whole bones, tv/enty bushels of ground ones, one hundred
baskets of charcoal screenings, and as much old mortar and
brickbats, with some considerable wood ashes mixed with
them." The vines, he states, are now doing well, but the
grapes were small, and well colored. If, to such a hete-
rogeneous mass as this, carcasses of fat hogs, dogs and
horses, old rags, chips, cider, old shoes, hair, feathers, blood,
fish, soot, lime, oyster shells, &c., are added, all of which are
recommended by some authors whom Mr. Allen quotes, is
the term quackery anything more than it fully merits? This,
then, was our object ; that gentlemen about to build graper-
ies should fully understand, that though a mixture of all, or
of any portion of these substances, might possibly make a
border in which grapes could be produced, the simple materi-
als which are always at hand, or easily to be got, such as
loam, manure, and ground bones, would be far superior, and
give more delicious fruit, and without turning the garden into
a noisome and pestilential manure yard. The whole cause
of the entire failure of Mr. Hoare's system of grape cultiva-
tion, as it has been called, was, that his compost was wholly
destitute of loam.

80 Scientific Agriculture^ <^c.

Mr. Allen is facetious upon this subject. " These dead
carcasses," he says, "appear to be a great bug-bear in our
friend's path, and one would suppose, by the dread in which
he stands of them, that the bunches of fruit, instead of having
the usual bloom, would be ornamented with hogs' bristles,
horses' hair, dogs' teeth, &c." We have no fear of them our-
selves ; but our duty is to caution the amateur cultivator
against all quackery, and place him in a path that he will
never have cause to regret he followed. Let all who have
the time and the desire, test the two methods, and judge for
themselves.

Art. II. Scientific An-ricidture, or the Elements of C/icmis-
try, Geology, Botany, and Meteorology, applied to Practi-
cal Agriculture. By M. M. Rodgers, M. D. I Vol. 12 mo.
pp. 280. Rochester, 1848.

The title of this small volume fully indicates the nature of
the contents, viz., the practical application of chemistry, ge-
ology, botany, 6cc., to the art of cultivation. Mr. Rodgers,
the author, seems very familiar with his subject, and, though
" conscious of his inability to do justice to the difficult task,"
he acquits himself well, and furnishes a very interesting and
useful work.

The matter is treated of in five parts, as follows: Part I,
Chemistry. II, Geology. Ill, Botany. lY, Meteorology.
V, Scientific Agriculture. 'Under the last head, there is a
great deal of interesting information. The chapter on ma-
nures, or, as the author heads it, Slercology, contains much
that we should be pleased to extract, if we had space. The
volume is accompanied with a full and complete glossary, and
a copious index.

We cheerfully commend this work, both to the young Hor-
ticulturist and Agriculturist, assured that they will rise from
its perusal, with a much better knowledge of the science, in
which they are so deeply interested.

General Notices. 81

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General IS otices.

Bones. — That world-renowned chemist, Liebig, says, that a single pound
of bone dust, contains as much phosphoric acid, as one hundred pounds of
wheat. From this we can easily perceive that there are bones wasted on
every farm in this State, sufficient to manure the entire wheat crop. This,
to many, will doubtless appear strange, but, nevertheless, true.

Warmth of a Covering of Snoio. — At the French Academy of Science,
(March 14th, 1848,) M. Arago read a communication on the warmth im-
parted to the earth, by a covering of snow, and respecting which, there has
hitherto been much scepticism. M. Arago stated that M. Boussingaulthad
ascertained the truth of the theory, beyond the possibility of doubt, during
the past winter. He found that a thermometer plunged in snow, to the
dept of a decimitre, (about four inches,) sometime marked five degrees of
heat greater than at the surface. — {^Medical Times.)

New Food. — What will science do next? From Mr. Walsh's instruc-
tive letters ia the Living Age, we learn that Flandin, a French chemist of
the first order, has discovered a means of depriving the flour and fecula of
the common horse-chestnut, of its bitter property, so as to render it excellent
food. In the quantity and quality of the nutritive principle, it comes near-
est to wheat. The method of transubstantiation is simple and cheap. The
pulp of the chestnut is reduced to flour, or the fecula is extracted ; then
carbonate of soda is added in the proportion of 1 to 1^ to the 100. Thus,
120 or 180 pounds of flour, with the addition of two pounds of carbonate
of soda, becomes, after being washed with cold water, perfectly good ali-
ment. The carbonate costs only a few cents the pound. Mr. Flandin re-
marks that a horse-chestnut tree, planted at the door of a peasant, repre-
sents for him the value of a field of potatoes. It is believed that the pro-
cess for the purification of the horse-chestnut, may be applied to many oth-
er vegetable tissues. — {Newspaper .)

Culture of Lisianthus Russellianus . — This beautiful and much esteemed
plant was introduced into this country, in 1835, from Mexico. Beino^ found
to be capable of producing ripe seed in abundance, a large stock of plants
was soon diffused among our best cultivators, who hailed it with delight.
Nevertheless, strange to say, its successful cultivation, except in a few in-
stances, still remains a desideratum — a fact amply proved by the paucity of
really well cultivated plants produced at our great metropolitan exhibitions.
Having been somewhat more successful than some of my neighbors, in
growing and flowering this plant, truly magnificent, when well manao-ed, I
will give my plan, which is as follows : — I sow early in spring ; I first fill
a 6 inch pot half full of potsherds, over which I place 1 inch of sphagnum
moss ; I then fill the pot within 1 inch of the top, with rich light sandy soil.
When all is pressed down equal, and firm, and a smooth surface made with
the bottom of a small pot, I sow the seeds, and cover it very slightly with
VOL. XV. — NO. 11. 11

82 General Notices.

dry white sand. I cover the pots with bell glasses, and place them on a
shelf, in a shady part of an early vinery, keeping- the surface constantly
moist, by pouring water on the outside of the glasses. As soon as the
plants have come up, air is admitted, and increased as they advance in
growth. When sufficiently strong, they are picked out into small pots,
having the same drainage, moss, and mixture, as the seed pots, and are
again shaded with hand or bell glasses, until the plants become established.
In three weeks or a month, they require to be potted off singly into small
pots; and I encourage their growth as much as possible, by placing them
in a shady part of either a vinery or a melon pit, whichever is kept at the
highest temperature, with a humid atmosphere. As soon as they begin to
fill their pots with roots, I give them once a week a little clarified manure
water. I repot into winter pots, about the middle of August, using pots
to suit the size of the plants, and replacing them in the same growing tem-
perature as before, till their pots are filled with roots. After this, I begin
to prepare them for winter, by giving them less moisture, more air, and a
cooler temperature ; and finally they are placed on a shelf near the glass
in the coolest part of the stove, and wintered rather dry. Early in February,
I begin to increase the heat and moisture ; and as soon as they begin to
grow freely, I repot them, which is generally about the second week in
March. They receive another shift in April, and those that are intended
for large specimens a third in May (using 18 or 20 inch pots,) and a mix-
ture consisting of equal quantities, of good strong maiden loam, peat or bog
mould, burnt clay, leaf mould, and cow manure, with a little white sand.
These materials are well mixed together, and, if dry, are moistened, to pre-
vent their running too close in the pots. In potting, I use a large quantity
of drainage, and plenty of rubble stones, small potsherds, and coarse river
sand amongst the mixture. I make the mixture just firm, but am very care-
ful to leave it quite porous. I give very little water till the roots reach the
sides of the pots: it is increased as the plants and the season advance, giv-
ing heat and moisture in proportion. Too much stress cannot be put upon
making a proper mechanical arrangement of rich, porous, and well drained
soils, which are essential for the healthy development of plants, of the nature
of Lisianthus. When the young shoots are sufficiently advanced,! stop them
immediately above the second joint ; each shoot will then produce four ;
they require stopping about three times. The last stopping for plants re-
quired to bloom early, should take place in the first week in June, and for
plants required to bloom later, in the first week in July. As they advance
in growth, the branches will require to be tied out with sticks, to make
round and well-formed plants. When the plants are growing freely, they
are sometimes attacked with a disease at the base, which is produced by
the moist and confined atmosphere, that is required for their fine growth.
To prevent this, I allow the surface to become quite dry once a week, dur-
ing which, the plants are supplied with moisture from feeders or pans, in
which the pots are placed for a few hours, being careful not to allow any
stagnant water to remain about them. As soon as the blooms begin to ex-
pand, I keep a drier atmosphere, and expose them to more air and light,

General Notices. 83

which much improves their color. As to the result of the ahove practice,
I may mention, in conclusion, that I grew some seedling plants in 1844,
one of which I exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Garden, in July,
1845, which was awarded a silver Knightian medal, accompanied vpith this
note by the judges : — " Had this been exhibited in its proper place, it
would have received a higher medal." In July, 1846, a second plant re-
ceived a large silver medal ; and to a third, the same award was made in
July, 1847. Another plant was also shown in the same year, at the Roy-
al Botanic Society's Garden, Regent's Park, and was awarded the first
prize as a single specimen of superior cultivation. The plant that I ex-
hibited at the Horticultural Society, in July, 1847, had 500 blooms expand-
ed at once, 10 days after the exhibition. — {Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 784.)

Cultivation of Verbenas, and grouping them in the open garden — Verbe-
nas supply us with almost every shade of color. This, with their neat
habit, and easy management, render them indispensable, for the purpose of
grouping ; in fact, they would of themselves supply variety of color enough
to fill a group of parterre. The method 1 pursue with these plants, is as
follows : I put in cuttings the latter end of August, in large 48 sized pots,
which I consider the best size for the purpose ; they are half filled with pot-
sherds ; over this I put a bit of moss, and then a few siftings, such as would
pass through a half inch seive, filling the pot very nigh to the brim with
some fine sandy compost, and covering the whole with a little silver sand.
When the cuttings are put in, they should receive a watering with a fine
rose, but not until the cutting pots are placed in the frame, or pit, where
they are to be struck, and I prefer at this time of year, a close, cold pit or
frame, rather than bottom heat. They will require very little further at-
tention than sprinkling and shading, which must be done as required ; never
allowing them to flag, and giving them as much light as they will bear,
without flagging ; always allowing the sun to shine on them about one hour
every afternoon. As soon as they are struck, they should be gradually in-
ured to light and air, and, as soon as the plants will admit, the lights may
be taken off altogether, and the points frequently pinched back. Tn No-
vember they should be on shelves, in a late vinery, or some similar situa-
tion, as near the light as possible, and giving them no more water than is
absolutely necessary ; at the same time they should not be allowed to suffer
for want of it. About the middle of February, they may receive more wa-
ter, and be frequently sprinkled over with the syringe. As soon as they
begin to grow, the tops may be taken ofl' for cuttings, and be put in pots as
before recommended. They may be placed in a brisk bottom heat, where
they will root in about a fortnight. These will make the best plants for
bedding. They should be potted off" singly, as soon as they are a little
hardened, and encouraged as much as possible. If they are not stunted by
bad management, they will soon surpass plants that were potted off and es-
tablished in autumn. The plants in the store-pots should be potted oflT
singly, as soon as the first lot of cuttings are taken off" and placed in a little
bottom heat; if required, another lot of cuttings may be taken from these
plants, also, the first struck cuttings which, if well managed, will make

SI Domestic Notices.

nice little plants, before time to plant them out. I consider it preferable, to
keep the plants in the cutting pots during winter : for, after considerable
practical experience, I find they keep much better than when potted off
singly. They also require less room, which is a matter of considerable im-
portance ; for, if potted after spring, they will grow very well in turf pits,
with a little bottom heat, or any similar place, which would be wholly un-
fit to keep them in during winter. It would be impossible to say which
are the best varieties, there are so many whose merits are equal ; the ob-
ject is, to get the hardiest and most free-growing kinds of each class ; that
is, if they are the most distiiLCt. I always prefer the upright growing va-
rieties, as they make the best beds. I never peg down a verbena, as I con-
sider the beds have a bad effect so managed ; insteadof pegging them down,
I stick a quantity of small twigs in the bed, and tie the shoots to them. —
[Gard. Journal, 1818, p. 420.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

Annual Meeting of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society. The annual
meeting took place at the Assembly Chamber in Albany, on Wednesday,
January 17th, 1849.

L. F. Allen, Esq., the President, called the meeting to order, when the
following officers were elected for 1849.

President : John A. King, of Queens.

Vice Presidents : James Monroe, of New York. Saxton Smith, of Put-
nam. E. P. Prentice, of Albany. Le Roy Mowry, of Washington. Wil-
liam Fuller, of Onondaga. David Maine, of Madison. John Dclafield, of
Seneca. Henry W. Rodgers, of Erie.

Corresponding Secretary : Benjamin P. Johnson, of Albany.

Recording Secretary: John McD. Mclntyre, of Albany.

Treasurer: Luther Tucker, of Albany. Executive Committee: J. B.
Burnet, of Onondaga. P. N. Rust, of Onondaga. Henry Wager, of Onei-
da. J. J. Viele, of Rensselaer. Samuel Cheever, of Saratoga.

Mr. Johnson, the Secretary, announced to the meeting, that he had re-
ceived from Mr. Hovey, of Boston, a splendid volume of Hovey's Fruits of
America, as a present to the Society, and, on motion of Mr. Marks, of
Greene,

Resolved, unanimously. That the thanks of the New York State Agricul-
tural Society be presented to C. M. Hovey, of Boston, for the gift to the
Society of his superb work on the ^'Fruits of America.^'

The President having alluded to the splendid collection of valuable fruits,
which had been brought together on the tables of the Society, —

On motion, R-solced, That Messrs. Wendell, Howard and Johnson, be a
committee to prepare samples of our best winter fruits, and forward a box to
the London, Paris, and Belgium Horticultural Societies, with a letter from
the Secretary of the Society, in relation to the same.

Resolved, That the committee do recommend to the Executive Commit-
tee, the city of Syracuse as the location of the next fair, provided security

Domestic Notices. 85

be given, to the satisfaction of the Executive Comniiitee, that the local ex-
penses of the fair be discharged by the citizens of Syracuse, the sum not
exceeding g;3,500.

The Pomological Exhibition was exceedingly interesting, if we may
judge from the report which has been forwarded to us, as follows : —

Exhihiiion of Fruit — [from out of this State.) Montreal Horticultural So-
ciety, twenty choice varieties. Contributors, J. Frothingham, Esq., W.
Lunn, Mrs. Mcintosh, G. Shepherd. Cleveland, Ohio, F. R. Elliott, and
Prof. J. B. Kirtland, sixteen varieties ; J. Gallup, seventeen varieties.
A. C. Hubbard, Troy, Michigan, fifteen varieties, and from Judge Hubbard,
Plymouth, Michigan, eight varieties. Michael Gander, of Canada West,
ten varieties. The thanks of the Society were tendered to each of the
contributors, as well as to the Montreal Horticultural Society, and the Sec-
retary was directed to forward to each, the diploma of the Society.

From our oivn State. J. H. Watts, Rochester, fine specimens of the
Northern Spy, and a beautiful painting of this fine fruit, and through Mr.
Watts, from the following contributors : Thomas Johnson, Brighton, five
varieties. H. R. Brown, Greece, seven varieties. H. Hooker, Brighton,
eleven varieties. C. K. Ogden, six varieties. T. Rhoorback, Greece,
twelve varieties. J. C. Campbell, Rochester, six varieties. C. Paulk,
Honeoye Falls, seedling pear. John Delafield, Oakland, Newtown Pip-
pins, and from Waterloo, through Mr. D., twenty-four varieties. From
Tyre, through Mr. D., eleven varieties. From Romulus, through Mr. D.,
three varieties. From Junius, through Mr. D., one variety, the King ap-
ple. Judge Miller, Rochester, two varieties. Winter pear. John Doulan,
Greece, Monroe County, seven varieties apples. Joseph Cary, Albany,
Isabella and Catawba grapes, very fine, and as fresh as when picked. B.
Hodge, Jr., Buffalo Nursery, five varieties, and Stannard seedling apple.

EUwanger and Barry, Mt. Hope Nurseries, fine specimens of Northern
Spy and Melon apples. W. R. Coppock, Buffalo, four varieties. B.
P. Johnson presented, (from Cayuga County,) five varieties. Justus Har-
wood. United Society of Shakers, Niekayuna, four varieties. Samuel
Rose, same Society, Watervliet, six varieties. H. Wendell, M. D., Al-
bany, four varieties Winter pears ; one apples, five fine Painting seedling
cherry. T. C. Peters, Darien, Genesee County, fourteen varieties.
Lewis F. Allen, Black Rock, six varieties apples. H. Snyder, Kinderhook,
eight varieties. Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, thirteen varieties apples, two
of pears. A. Marks, Greene County, four varieties. Dr. J. M. Ward,
Albany, seven varieties of apples from his farm in New Jersey. Frederick
W. Lay, Greece, Monroe County, from J. AUeyn, Rochester, twelve va-
rieties apples. W. D. Osborn, Port Byron, two varieties apples. Hon. F.
Bellinger, Herkimer, Middle apples. P. H. Warner, Columbia, Her-
kimer County, do. Sheldon Goodrich, Aurelius, Cayuga County, eight
varieties. The thanks of the Society were tendered to the contribu-
tors, and a volume of transactions to each. The first premium of $5,
and a diploma, was awarded to Chas. Lee, Penn Yan, Yates County, for
the Wagener apple. — B. P. Johnson, Secretary, Albany, 1849.

86 Domestic Notices.

Norfolk County AgricuUural and Horticultural Society. — We are pleased
to notice, that great exertions are being made, to form an Agricultural and
Horticultural Society in Norfolk County, in this State. Gen. Dearborn,
Hon. Josiah Quincy, and other eminent individuals, residents of the coun-
ty, have taken a deep interest in the subject, and, we doubt not, a Society
will be organized, which will be of the greatest advantage to the Agricul-
tural and Horticultural interests of the county and State. We shall duly
record further movements in the matter. — Ed.

Report of the Ohio Nurserymen and Fruit Groiver^s Convention; Second
Session. — We have received a pamphlet of upwards of 60 pages, containing
the doings of this convention, which we shall more particularly notice in
our next.

Messrs. Hogfr c]- Son's Collection of Plants, at Yorkville, New York, con-
tains many of the newest species of recent introduction. In October
last, in a hasty walk through the houses, we noticed, among others, the
following : — .^schynanthus Boschmwws and Roxburghu ; Clerod^ndron
spl6ndens and squamatum ; Polygala Dalmatiana ; Drymonia punctata ;
Alona ccelestis ; Fiburnum japonicum ; Aphelandra cristata ; //ibiscus
Cameron?, a beautiful plant for bedding out in summer, with scarlet flowers ;
Bouvardia splendens and fiava ; Forsythia viridissima ; Stigmaphilon cilia-
tum ; Russelha floribiinda ; Bign6n?a Tweedieana, Columnea Schneiduiwcr,
and many others.

In the open ground, Messrs. Hogg have the finest specimen of Torreya
taxifolia, in cultivation ; it is a handsome looking tree, about five feet high,
and somewhat the appearance of a yew, but not of so sombre a hue ; it haa
stood out three winters in the grounds here, and, at least as far as New
York, has proved quite hardy. It is well worthy of general cultivation,
and, if sufficiently hardy for the latitude of Boston, which we do not doubt,
it should be added to the collection of every lover of Evergreen trees. — Ed.

Roses and Climbing Plants, suitable for a Trellis or Arbor. — Will you
be so kind as to inform me by letter, or through your Magazine, what is the
best climbing rose, or honeysuckle, to train over a trellis, which I am about
making over our frontdoor. Is the whole thing in good taste? And, if
so, would not a light wrought-iron trellis be prettier than the usual heavy
wooden structures. What I want is, 1st. — Foliage, without formidable
thorns : 2d. — Blossoms, for as many weeks as may be : 3d. — Fragrance,
either of the leaves or blossoms, or both: 4th. — Hardihood, which shall
laugh at 100° above 0, and 20° below that point.

Would you have two or three varieties intermixed, or only one? If you
will be so kind as to write me upon these inquiries, or give us an article
upon them, or, which I prefer, do both, you will greatly oblige— Yours,
G. J., Worcester, Dec, 1848.

We are glad to aid our correspondent, so far as in our power, and

1st. The best running rose, all things considered, is the Queen of the
Prairies, but there are others of the same family, which excel it in some
respects, though not in all. Eva Corinne, Superba, Miss Gunnell, and the
Milledgeville, are each beautiful and desirable. All the prairies are rather

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 87

thorny, — and none have any very perceptible fragrance, except EvaCorinne.
For an early blooming one, the Amadis, or New Crimson Boursault, is one
of the most splendid ; it has deep red shoots, and no thorns. The Gloire
des Rosamenes, is very fine, flowering all the summer; but it is not quite
so hardy as the Prairies. If our selection was confined to two, we should
take the Queen and the Amadis ; if to four, we should add Eva Corinne
and Miiledgeville ; a continued bloom would then be kept up for nearly
eight weeks.

2d. If a honeysuckle is desired, we know of none so well deserving the
first selection, as the Old Variegated Monthly : but if two are selected, the
Old Scarlet should be added ; and if four, the Yellow, and pubescent : but
for its liability to be occasionally killed by very severe cold, the Chinese
Twining is one of the most delicate growing, fragrant and beautiful.

3d. The arbor is in perfect keeping with good taste, but it should be
made as light as possible. For this purpose, a trellis, made of large wire,
or small iron rods, is far better, neater, and more durable than wood ; and,
when covered in summer with foliage and flowers, would present a grace-
ful appearance. Such trellises, we believe, are manufactured in Philadel-
phia, at a very cheap rate ; but any blacksmith could put one up without
any trouble.

4th. We should certainly have more than one variety planted out. We
should at least, for the place intended, plant four vines, two on each side,
each of which we would have different, whether roses or honeysuckles.
The contrast in the color, size, and form of the flowers, the hue and shape
of the foliage, the color of the wood, and the habit of growth, would all
contribute in rendering them more pleasing and desirable. — Ed.

Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS,

AWARDING PREMIUMS FOR 1848.

The Committee on Flowers submit the following Report of Premiums
awarded for the year 1848 : —

For the best display of Greenhouse Plants, in pots, through the sea-
son, the Appleton gold medal, to John Cadness, valued at ^40 00
For the second best, the Society's silver gilt medal, to Hovey

& Co., valued at . . . . . . 15 00

Premiu.ms at the Opening of the Hall.

Pelargoniums. — Class I. — For the 6 best varieties, to Hovey & Co.

For the second best, to William Quant,
Class II. — For the best 6 plants, to Hovey, & Co.,

For the second best, to A. Bowditch, .
Fuchsias. — For the best 6 varieties, to William Quant,

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88 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Cactus. — For the best 6 varieties, to Azell Bowditch,
Calceolarias. — For the best 6 varieties, to John Cadness,

For the second best, to William Quant,
Cinerarias. — For the best 6 varieties, to William Quant, .

For the second best, to John Cadness, ....
Heaths. — To John Quant, a premium of .
Various sorts. — For the best display, to William Quant, .

For the second best, to John Quant, ....
Cut Floweks. — For the best display, to Thomas Needham,

For the second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., .

Beck's special Prizes for Pelargoniums.

For the best 6 dissimilar and rare varieties, to Ilovey & Co.,

For the second best, to John Quant, ....

Premiums during the season.

Camellias. — For the best 12 flowers, to J. Cadness,

For the second best, to Hovey & Co., ....
Chinese Azaleas. — For the best 6 plants, to Hovey & Co.,
Hyacinths. — For the best display, to R. M. Copeland,

For ihe second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., .
Tulips. — For the best 30 blooms, to John Cadness,

For the second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., .

For the third best, to S. Walker, ....

Shrubby P.a:oNiES. — For the best display, to John Cadness,

For the second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., .
Hardy Azaleas. — For the best display, to Hovey & Co., .

For the second best, to Winships, ....

Hawthorns. — For the best display, to Winships, .

For the second best, to John Kenrick, ....
Herbaceous Peonies. — For the best 6 varieties, to J. S. Cabot, .

For the second host, to Hovey & Co., . . . .

For the best display, to Joseph Breck & Co., .
Roses. — Class I. — Hardy Roses. For the best 30 varieties, to A. As-
pinwall, .......

For the second best, to Hovey & Co., . . . .

For the third best, to John Cadness, . . . .

For the best display, to A. Aspinwall, . . . .

Class n. — For the best 12 varieties, to J. Breck & Co., .
Class HI. — Hardy Perpctuals. For the best 10 varieties, to
Hovey & Co., ......

For the second best, to A. Aspinwall, ....
Class IV. — Prairie Roses. For the best display, to Winships, .

For the second display, to Hovey & Co.,
Pinks. — For the best 6 varieties, to William Mellar,

For the second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., .

For the best display, to William Mellar,

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Carnations. — For the best 10 varieties, to Hovey & Co., .

For the best display, to Hovey & Co., .
Double Hollyhocks. — For the best display to Parker Barnes,

For the second best, to Hovey & Co., .
Double Balsams. — For the best display, to Thomas Needham,
Phloxes, — For the best 10 varieties, to Joseph Breck & Co.,

For the second best, to Hovey & Co., .

For the third best, to James Nngent, .
German Asters. — For the best display, to Hovey & Co.,

For the second best, to John Quant,

For the third best, to James Nugent, .

Dahlias — In Divisions, as follows : —

Division A.
Premier Prize. — For the best 12 dissimilar blooms, silver medal to

Hovey & Co., ....

Specimen Bloom. — For the best, to James Nugent,
Various Colors. — For the best red, to Hovey & Co ,

For the best yellow, to H. K. Moore, .

For the best tipped, to Hovey & Co., .

For the best lilac, to Parker Barnes,

For the best pink, to John Quant,

For the best white, to J. Quant,

Division B.
Class I. — For the best 24 blooms, first premium to P. Barnes, .
Class HI. — For the best 12 blooms, to H. K. Moore,

For the second best, to John Quant, ....

Herbaceous Plants. — For the best display through the season,
silver medal to Breck & Co., ....

For the second best, to Winships,, ....

For the third best, to John Cadness, ....

Annuals. — For the best display through the season, silver medal,
to Breck & Co., ......

For the second best, to John Cadness, ....

For the third best, to Parker Barnes, ....

Shrubs. — For the best display through the season, to Winships,
For the second best, to John Kenrick, ....

For the third best, to Hovey & Co., . . . .

Avfarded at the Annual Exhibition.
Plants in Pots. — For the best collection, to John Cadness,
For the second best, to John Quant,
For the third best, to Hovey & Co.,
For the fourth best, to Winships,
Cockscombs. — For the best 6 plants, to James Nugent,

For the second best, to Alexander McLennan, .
Double Balsams. — For the best 6 plants, to James Nugent,
VOL. XV. NO. II. 12

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Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Vase Boi^quets. — Bradlee Vases. — 1st picmivun to T. Cowen

Second premium, to Hovey & Co.,
Society Vases. — First premium to Ilovey & Co.,

Second premium, to E. A. Story,
Mantel Bouquets. — First premium, to John Cadness,

Second premium, to James Nugent,

Third premium, to E. A. Story,

Beck's Prizes.
Azaleas. — For the best 6 varieties, to Hovey & Co.,

Gratuities.
To M. P. Wilder, for a fine display of Camellias,
To John Cadness, for a fine Primula sinensis,
To William Quant, for the same.
To William Quant, for Bletta Tankervillce, .
To J. Quant, for fine Schizanthus, .
To Mr. Liversidge, for fine Stocks, .
To M. P. Wilder, for display of Greenhouse plants
To M. P. Wilder, for fine display of Roses,
To William Quant, for a fine plant of Ixora coccinea.
To Joseph Breck & Co., for Tulips,
To John Cadness, for Calyst^gia pub^scens.
To N.J. Becar, for Calceolarias, the society's medal,
To S. Walker, for Ranunculuses, .
To A. Bowditch, for Anemonies,
To J. Cadness, for rare plants.

To Miss Russell, for Bouquets and baskets of Flowers,
To John Quant, for Buddlea Lindley«na,
To Miss McClean, for Picotee Pinks,
To William Quant, for Stephanotus floribunda,
To M. P. Wilder, for Paeonies,
To William Kenrick, for the same, .
To M. P. Wilder, for Roses,
To Miss Mary Kenrick, for Bouquets, &c.,
To S. R. Johnson, for Carnations, .
To J. Cadness, for Greenhouse Plants,
To J. Cadness, for Gladioluses,
To P. Barnes, for Plants,
To J. G. Shaw, for Indigenous Plants,
To J. Cadness, for Abeh'a rupestris.
To M. P. Wilder, for Dahlias,
To Joseph Breck & Co., for the same,
To Joseph Breck & Co., for display during the year

Gratuities at the Annual Exhibition.

Greenhouse Plants. — To T. Willott,

Roses. — To L. Davenport, .....

wen,

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Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

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Grass Designs. — To Miss H. Barnes, Mrs. I. Mann, M. E. Par

ker, I. Dier, and Miss Russell, each
Designs. — To J. Sheehan, .....

To Miss M. Kenrick and G. Gilman, each
Bouquet. — To J. Cadness, .....

Premiums for Plants in Pots, Bouquets, &c.

To William Quant, at different weeli
To J. Cadness, for the same.
To A. Bowditch, for the same.
To Messrs. Winships, for the same.
To J. Nugent, for the same,
To J. Quant, for the same, .
To W". Mellar, for the same.
To Miss Russell, for the same.
To Hovey & Co., for Plants,
To J. Sheehan, for Bouquets,

ly exhibitions.

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS.

The Committee on Fruits respectfully report that they have awarded the
following prizes and gratuities for the year 1848 : —

Prizes and Gratuities during the Season.
To Otis Johnson, for the best and most interesting exhibition of Fruits

during the season, the Lowell medal or plate, . . 025 00

To John F. Allen, for the second best do., the Bradlee plate,
To J. F. Allen, for very early and fine exhibition of Grapes, a gra-
tuity of .......

Apples. — For the best Summer Apples, to A. D. Williams,

For the next best do., to Otis Johnson,

For the best Autumn Apples, to James Eustis,

For the next best do., to J. L L. F. Warren, .

For the best Winter Apples, to Otis Johnson, .

For the next best do., to E. M. Richards,
Pears. — For the best collection of new Pears not exhibited before

this year, to M. P. Wilder, the Society's silver gilt medal,

For the next best do., to Hovey & Co.,

For the best Summer Pears, to A. D. Williams,

For the next best do., to Otis Johnson, Jr.,

For the best Autumn Pears, to Samuel Leeds,

For the next best do., to Samuel Downer, Jr., .

For the best Winter Pears, to John Gordon,

For the next best do., to Otis Johnson, .
Cherries. — For the best specimens, to Otis Johnson,

For the next best do., to Parker Barnes, .
Currants. — For the best specimens, to George Wilson,

For the next best do., to Otis Johnson,

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Blackberries. — For the best specimens, to Josiah Lovett, .

For the next best do., to M. Witliington,
Figs. — For the best specimens, to llovey «Si Co., .

For the next best do., to J. F. Allen, ...
Grapes. — For the best specimens, grown under glass previous to
July 1st, to J. F. Allen, ....

For the next best do., to William Quant,

For the best specimens, grown under glass subsequently to July
1st., to A. Bowditch, .....

For the next best do., to Otis Johnson, .

For the best specimens of Native Grapes, to J. Richardson,

For the next best do., to John Crafts, ....
Gooseberries. — For the best specimens, to John Hovey, .

For the next best do., to F. W. Macondry,
Peaches. — For the best specimens, grown under glass previous to
July 15, to Otis Johnson, .....

For the next best do., to F. W. Macondry,

For the best specimens, open culture, to N. Stetson,

For the next best do., to Hovey & Co.,
Plums. — For the best specimens, to Samuel Walker,

For the next best do., to E. E. Bradshaw, . .

Quinces. — For the best specimens, to John Washburn,

Second premium withheld.
MusKMELON. — For tne best specimens, to Hovey & Co.,

For the next best do., to E. M. Richards,
Nectarines. — For the best specimens, to W. C. Strong, .

For the next best do., to Samuel Walker,
Raspberries. — For the best specimens, to Josiah Lovett, .

For the next best do., to Cheever Newhall,
Strawberries. — For the best specimens, to Otis Johnson,

For the second best do., to J. Richardson,

For the third best do., to Isaac Fay, . .

Gratuity.

To John Washburn, for apples, Tolman's Sweet, . . . 5 00

Prizes and Gratuities at the Annual Exhibition in September.

Apples. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each,

to J. L. L. F. Warren, the Society's plate, valued at $25 00

For the second best do., to Messrs. Hyde, the Appleton silver

gilt medal, valued at . . . . . 10 00

For the third best do., to E. Tufts, . . . .5 00

Pears. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each,

to Samuel Walker, the Lyman plate, valued at . .25 00

For the second best do., to Hovey & Co., the Lowell silver gilt

medal, valued at . . . . . . 15 00

For the third best do., to Josiah Lovett, . . . 5 00

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Grapes. — For the best five varieties, to G. R. Russel, the Lyman plate

For the best three do., to T. Needham, the Bradlee plate,

For the best two do., to J. F. Allen, .

For the best one do., to Nahum Stetson,
Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of fruit of various kinds
to Otis Johnson,

For the next best do., to Hovey & Co.,

For the best dish of apples, to George Pierce,

For the next best do., to Josiah Stickney,

For the best dish of pears, to James Adams,

For the next best do., to Samuel Pond,

Gratuities.

To Benj. V. French, for large collection of apples, the Society's
medal or plate, ......

To M. P. Wilder, for large collection of pears, the Society's medal
or plate, .......

To Rob't Manning, for large collection of fruit, the Society's medal
or plate, .......

To J. F. Allen, for extensive collection of grapes,

To Otis Johnson, B. D. Emerson, and James Arnold, each, the So-
ciety's silver medal for fine grapes.

To John Gordon, F. W. Macondry, Ralph Crooker, Henry Aman-
dine, Cheever Newhall, A. A. Andrews, Enoch Bartlett, and
John Washburn, each, the Society's silver medal for fine pears.

To James Eustis, A. D. Weld, Anson Dexter, Hovey & Co., A.
D. Williams & Son, and A. Hall, each, the Society's silver
medal for fine apples.

Special Prize List of Fruits.

Apples. — For the two best varieties and specimens of Summer Apples : —

To A. D. Williams, for the Williams's Favorite,

To Otis Johnson, for the Red Astrachan,
For the two best varieties and specimens of Autumn Apples : —

To James Eustis, for the Ben apple.

To J. L. L. F. Warren, for the Hubbardston Nonsuch,
For the two best varieties and specimens of Winter Apples : —

To Otis Johnson, for the Rhode Island Greening,

To E. M. Richards, for the Baldwin, .
Pears. — For the two best varieties and specimens of Summer Pears : —

To Otis Johnson, for the Bloodgood,

To A. D. Williams, for the Jargonelle,
For the two best varieties and specimens of Autumn Pears : —

To Samuel Downer, Jr., for the Louise Bonne de Jersey,

To A. D. Williams, for the TJrbaniste,
For the two best varieties and specimens of Winter Pears : —

To L. B. Comins, for the Passe Colmar,

To Joseph S. Cabot, for the Beurre d'Aremberg,

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5

00

5

00

$5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

. 5

00

94 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Plums. — For the two best varieties : —

To Samuel Walker, for the Green Gage,

To E. E. Bradshaw, for the Bradshaw,
Cherries. — For the three best varieties : —

To Otis Johnson, for the Black Tartarian,

To J. L. L. F. Warren, for the Transparent,

To Otis Johnson, for the Sparhawk's Honey,
Peaches. — For the three best varieties : —

To Nahum Stetson, for the Early Crawford,

To Hovey & Co., for the Jaques,

To Galen Merriam, for the Oldmixon, .

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES.

The Committee on Vegetables would respectfully submit the following
list of premiums, which they have awarded during the year 1848 : —

Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, to Wm. Quant, . $5 00

For the second best do., to John Hill, . . . .3 00

Beets. — For the best Blood beets during the season, to A. D.

Williams, . . . . . . . 3 00

Broccoli. — No premium.

Beans. — For the best and earliest string beans, to James Nugent, .

For the best and earliest Lima beans, to F. W. Macondry,
CucuMUERs. — For the best pair under glass, previous to the first
Saturday of June, to Thos. Needham,
For the second best do. do., to John Quant,
Cauliflowers. — For the best and largest during the season, to A.
D. Williams, ......

CoR.N. — For the best sweet corn, to A. D. Williams,
Cabbage. — For the best Drumhead cabbage, during the season, to
A. D. Williams, ......

For the best Savoy do. during the season, to A. D. Williams,
Egg Plants. — For the best display during the season, to J. Quant,
Lettuce. — For the best, before the first Saturday in July, to W. Quant, 3 00
For the second best, to A. D. Williams, . . .2 00

Potatoes. — For the best and earliest peck, previous to August 1,

to A. D. Williams, 3 00

For the second best, to F. W. Macondry, . . . 2 00

Peas. — No premium awarded.
Rhubarb. — For the largest and best, previous to the first Saturday

in July, to Josiah Lovett, . . . . . 5 00

For the second best, to Wm. Quant, . . . . 3 00

Squashes. — For the best pure Canada squashes, to A. D. Williams, 3 00

Tomatoes. — For the best and earliest, to A. D. Williams, . . 5 00

Vegetables. — For the best display and greatest variety at the

weekly exhibitions, to A. D. Williams, . . . 5 00

For the second best do., no premium.

3

00

3

00

5

00

3

00

5

00

3

00

5

00

3

00

3

00

Horticultural Manor ajida. 95

For the best display and greatest variety at the annual exhibi-
tion, to F. W. Macondry , . . . . $10 00
For the second best do., to A . D. Williams, . . . 6 00

Gratuities.
To S. W. Cole, for a fine show, consistinfT of forty-five varieties of

potatoes, thirty-seven of which were seedlings of 1848, . 10 00

To George Pierce, for fine blue and white broccoli.
To Daniel Brims, for fine celery, .....
To J. E. Teschemacher, for a fine display of vegetables, many of

them new, .......

To James Cruikshank, for a fine display of vegetables,

To A. Bowditch, for fine cabbages, ....

To A. McLennan, for superior egg plants,

To E. Cameron, for the largest Drumhead cabbages.

To N. Stetson, for large tomatoes, ....

To B. V. French and Hovey & Co., for a fine show of potatoes, each, 1 00
To Edward Burns, for a good display of cucumbers, . . 3 00

To John Quant, for a show of Lima beans, . . . 2 00

5

00

5

00

5

00

3

00

2

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR FEBRUARY.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines, in the greenhouse, will now begin to swell their buds, and
■will need some attention. As soon as it is perceived that they begin to
swell, the vines should be syringed morning and evening, until the eyes are
evenly broken. The temperature of the house should be evenly kept, at
about 45° to 50° at night, for the first fortnight, and from 50° to 55°, the
last fortnight of the month. In cold houses, the temperature should be
kept low, by opening a few of the sashes, in the middle of the warmest days,
as too much heat might prematurely cause the buds to swell. Cuttings
may now be put in, if young vines are wanted.

Fig Trees, in pots, should be liberally watered, and frequently syringed.

Peach Trees, in pots, may still be brought in for a succession.

Strawberries, in pots, now introduced from a frame, on to a warm shelf,
•will bear abundantly.

Scions, of fruit trees, may be cut now, and they may be safely kept in a
cool place.

Cuttings, of quinces, currants, &c., may be taken off now, for the pur-
pose of raising young plants, if they are wanted.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Pelargoniums should be attended to carefully^ Keep the plants free
from the green fly : top all rapidly growing shoots, and keep the branches

96 Horticultural Memoranda.

well spread out, and not crowded. Water rather more liberally, and syr-
inge occasionally. Air the house freely, and keep the plants near the
glass, and with ample room for a free circulation on all sides.

Camellias will now begin to grow, and will require greater supplies of
water ; syringe liberally, and if the sun is too powerful, shade the plants dur-
ing the middle of the day. Continue to inarch, if young plants are wanted.
Where plants are greatly in need of repotting, it may be done before they
begin to grow.

Japan lilies should now be looked after : they will all require repot-
ting this month : such as are the most forward first : set them in a half
shady place at first, and water sparingly.

Cactuses will now begin to show an abundance of flower buds, and will
require to be more liberally watered.

Azaleas will now begin to flower : young plants, raised last year, may
now be shifted into larger pots.

Dahlias may now be brought forward for early blooming, or for propa-
gating young plants.

Violets, in frames, should be well aired every sunny day, and covered
close at night to keep out all frost.

Stephanotus Jloribundus should now be pruned in, repotted, and placed
in a warm situation, to make a new growth.

Achimenes, Gloxinias, and Gesneras, should now be brought forward for a
succession.

Orange and Lemon Trees may be grafted now with success.

Hydrangeas, of both kinds, the common and the japonica, may now be
propagated from cuttings.

Anemone japonicas, in pots, may now be divided, if an additional stock
of plants is wanted.

Salvia splendens,fulgcns, &c., should now be propagated from cuttings,
for a summer stock.

Heliotropes may now be propagated for a stock for bedding out in sum-
mer.

Verbenas should be repotted where they have been growing in small
size : and if a large stock is wanted, now is a good time to increase them by
cuttings.

Heaths and Epacrises may now be propagated from cuttings : it is the
best season to ensure success.

Gladioluses may now be repotted.

Ranunculuses may be planted now with the best success, if they are pro-
tected by frames.

Russellia juncea may now be increased by cuttings : the old plants
should now be repotted.

Scarlet Geraniums, for a summer stock, should now be propagated from
cuttings.

Seeds of Ten Week Slocks, Brachycome, Pansies, Petunias, and other fine
annuals, should now be planted for a stock to plant out early in the spring.

Carnations and Picotees, in frames, should be well aired in fine weather.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE,

MARCH, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Notes of a Visit to Several Gardens and Nurseries
in Westerti New York. By the Editor.

{Continued from Vol. XIV, p. 535.)

Syracuse, September 9th, 1848. — We left Rochester in the
evening train of cars, and arrived here about midnight, hav-
ing been detained at Auburn upwards of an hour. Since our
visit, some improvement has been made in the running time
of the cars between the two cities, to the much greater con-
venience of the public.

Residence of Gen. Leavenworth. — Our object in stopping at
Syracuse was mainly to call on our correspondent. Gen.
Leavenworth, to whose articles on the Swan's Orange pear
and some other fruits, we, in common with our readers, are so
much indebted. As President of the Onondaga County Horti-
cultural Society, he has been one of the most active and en-
ergetic friends of horticultural improvement in western
New York. He has not only one of the finest residences in
the city, but he has an extensive plantation in the environs,
where he has introduced all the choicest varieties of fruits.
This we unfortunately did not have time to visit, but his city
garden convinced us that, had we been able to have delayed
our tour, we should have been amply compensated in the
neatness, good order, and extent of the grounds.

Gen. Leavenworth's city residence is of limited extent,
probably little upwards of an acre, and, but a few years since,
was considered so rough and woody a place as to be scarcely

VOL. XV. — NO. III. 13

98 Notes of a Visit, ^c.

thought of for building upon. However, in the hands of a
gentleman of taste, it was just the spot from which to carve
out a picturesque villa. The grounds front upon a broad
and magnificent avenue leading to the city, which, when laid
out not long ago, was cut through. a thickly wooded coun-
try. The house is a large and commodious one, in the rear
of which is the fruit garden, occupying not more than a quar-
ter of an acre, and ascending to the high land in the rear :
this and the house occupy about half of the ground : the other
half has been made a most beautiful grove ; this was done by
a judicious cutting away of whole trees in some places, and
by pruning and thinning the branches in others, leaving the
whole a picturesque mass, which years of time and labor could
not have produced.

The garden contained some fine plum, peach, and pear
trees and grape vines, of which the Isabellas, now fully ripe
here, were the richest and sweetest we ever tasted ; the soil is
a good loam, on a dry subsoil, and, as the grapes were trained
to a trellis on a south fence, they were perfectly mature. The
plum trees were literally covered with fruit, now fully ripe,
and the trees had but to receive a gentle tap to cover the
ground with the ripest and most luscious specimens. The
peaches were also full of fine fruit. The pears did not show
the same health and vigor : the blight had slightly touched
some of the trees, and those that had escaped did not look as
we wish to see them. They were, however, yet young, and
will probably improve.

A rich treat was our visit to Gen. Leavenworth, not that
his city garden afforded a great deal to be seen, but because
we had passed a social hour in the company of a gentleman
so fully alive to the pleasures and pursuits of a science so
eminently diffusive, as he has stated in an admirable address
delivered before the Onondaga Horticultural Society last year,
of enjoyment and happiness.

In his grounds near the city, Gen. Leavenworth has up-
wards of seventy of the best varieties of pears, about forty of
plums, and forty of peaches, besides all the best cherries, ap-
ricots, «S6c. He was the first to introduce the Hawley apple
to notice, and, through his kindness, the Swan's Orange pear
was very extensively disseminated ; some large trees, near

Nursei'ies of Thorpe 4* Smith. 99

Syracuse, affording scions which he hberally dispensed to all
who applied. When next we visit this city, we hope to giA^e
a full account of this garden.

Nurse7-ies of Thorpe cj* Smith. — Having an hour or two on
our hands before the cars left for Albany, we called upon
Messrs. Thorpe &. Smith, who have extensive grounds near
the city, principally devoted to the cultivation of the apple,
the principal demand having been for this fruit. Recently,
the pear has attracted more attention, and many new vari-
eties have been added, as well as an increased stock of
trees ; but we found the principal kinds, the Seckel, White
Doyenne, Gansell's Bergamot, Stevens's Genessee, Bleeker's
Meadow, Brown Beurre, &c.

Nurserymen, as well as amateur cultivators, in this part
of the State, are, however, awaking to the importance of
more attention to the pear ; and, although the fear of the
blight dampens the ardor of some, there is a deep interest
manifested in the introduction of the newer varieties, and
Messrs. Thorpe & Smith, to keep up with the demand for
these, have recently added many to their collection, and,
among the number, we saw Van Mons Leon le Clerc. We
noticed here, as well as in almost every nursery and garden
we visited during our tour, that the Glout Morceau is sold for
the Beurre d'Aremberg; an error which is easily corrected, if
but a careful comparison is made of the wood and foliage
with the drawings and descriptions in onr Fi-nits of America.
We pointed these out to Messrs. Thorpe & Smith, and they
at once saw the difference. Pears, as well as apples, have
so many peculiarities of wood, foliage, and habit, that care-
ful observation will at once enable a person to detect
errors, which otherwise could not be avoided in an extensive
nursery.

Messrs. Thorpe & Smith grow an immense number of ap-
ple trees, nearly or quite all of which are root-grafted. They
are cultivated in rows about three feet apart, so as to admit
of a plough between them, and, at three years old, they are
good-sized trees. The ground here is a strong rich loam,
well suited to the growth of the apple.

Mr. Thorpe's residence, just at the outskirts of the city, con-
tains six or eight acres, and is neatly laid out with a

100 Notes of a Visit, (^'c.

lawn in front, and an orchard in the rear, A small part of it
is devoted to the growth of ornamental trees and shrubs. In
passing through the garden, Mr. Thorpe crossed a straw-
berry, and, as we followed, we inquired the variety; he
stated it was Hovey's Seedling: but, upon examining the foli-
age, we found there was not a plant of the inie kind in the
bed : they appeared to be the Methven, This at once oc-
curred to us as the cause of all the complaints which are
made about the productiveness, quality, size, &c., of our seed-
ling in Western New York ; and we are satisfied that a ma-
jority of the plants, grown under the name of Hovey's Seed-
ling there, are either the Methven, the spurious variety of
Mr. Downing, or some other worthless kind.

Albany, September llth. — Having a few leisure hours
after our arrival here, before the train was to leave for
Boston, we improved the opportunity to call on our friends.
Dr. Wendell and Mr. Wilson.

Residence of Dr. H. Wendell, Academy Park. — In the ab-
sence of Dr. Wendell, who was on a horticultural tour to the
west, as delegate of the New York State Society, we merely
took a hasty walk through his grounds comprising two or
three acres. Dr. Wendell intends soon to remove all his trees
to an extensive place near the city, where they can have
ample room to grow and flourish. In anticipation of this we
found the premises completely stocked with young pear trees,
warfs, pyramids, and standards, some on the quince, and
some on the pear ; with upwards of thirty kinds in bearing,
and, among the number, a beautiful tree of the Flemish
Beauty, which he received from Mr. Rivers as the true Beurre
Spence, thus confirming the opinion which we some time
ago expressed, and of which we were so fully convinced,
that, in our description and figure of this variety in the Fruits
of America, we made it a synonyme. Some of our pomo-
logical friends were rather surprised at this, but we believe
Mr. Manning, as well as other experienced cultivators, are
now satisfied that the Flemish Beauty and the Beurre Spence
are one and the same.

We saw here some remarkable specimens of the Beurre
Bosc, one of our finest pears ; the Inconnue Van Mons, and
some other new sorts, were in bearing, but the names we could

Nursery of Mr. J. Wilson. 101

not then ascertain. Dr. Wendell is a most enthusiastic culti-
vator, and unsparing in his exertions to introduce all the
choicest fruits.

Nursery of Mr. J. Wilson. — Mr. Wilson is well known as
one of the oldest nurserymen in the state; formerly he was
located in the vicinity of New York city, where he carried
on a thriving business, and, since he has removed to Albany,
there has been no diminution of his efforts in the introduction
and cultivation of plants.

The grounds are situated about a mile from the city, upon
a piece of ground rapidly sloping to the south, and contain-
ing several acres. We found it filled with fruit trees, orna-
mental trees, shrubs, and plants. There are two good green-
houses, but, at this season, they were empty, preparatory to
the introduction of the plants for the winter.

Among the fruit trees, we found the true Monarch pear,
and also a fine stock of Swan's Orange, and Reid's Seedling.
or Oswego Beurre. The Bloodgood succeeds finely here on
the quince the first season, but whether it will continue to do
so remains to be proved. Mr. Wilson has some fine speci-
mens of privet and cedar hedges, both of which, but more
especially the latter, we can highly commend for their neat-
ness and beauty : the cedar forms a fine screen, and ranks
with the arbor vitse in verdure and beauty. Mr. Wilson has
a very good stock of the new spiraea, <S'. prunifolia pleno, and
he showed us some plants grown from layers and cuttings :
the former is much the best mode of propagation, as the plants
are suitable for transplanting in the autumn, while those
raised from cuttings in the spring were not half as large or as
vigorous.

The recent frosts had slightly touched the dahlias, of which
Mr. Wilson had a large number, and, among them, some fine
seedlings. They had been in fine flower a few days previous.

The neatness and order of Mr, Wilson's grounds highly
pleased us, and we only wish that every nurseryman's prem-
ises showed so much system and attention to good keeping.

It was our intention to visit the garden of Col. Rathbone,
President of the Albany Horticultural Society, and some
other amateur cultivators, but we were compelled to forego
the pleasure till another opportunity.

102 Fifteen Varieties of Early Phims.

Art. II. Remarks on Fifteen Varieties of Early Plums,
which Jiuve fruited in the Pomological Garden at Salem.
By R. Manning.

In the following remarks, I have considered as early plums
those which ripen before the Green Gage.

1. RivERs's Early Favorite, (formerly Rivers's Seedling,
No. 1.) Size from small to medium ; form somewhat oblong, a
little one-sided; suture very slight; skin very dark, almost
black, thickly sprinkled with russet dots, and a few blotches of
russet under a blue bloom ; stem short, hardly half ati inch in
length, set in a small cavity ; stone small, parting very freely
from the flesh, which is sweet, juicy, and of fine flavor. The
best of the very early plums, no collection is complete with-
out it. It is a good grower, making strong downy shoots. Ripe
the first of August, being the earliest worth growing. The
Rivers Seedling, No. 2. or Early Prolific, has not yet fruited
in this country that I know of.

2. Cheston or Matchless. — Of medium size; form oval,
somewhat pointed at each end; skin dark reddish purple,
thickly sprinkled with very minute grayish specks, and cov-
ered with a thick blue bloom; stem five eighths of an inch
long, in a narrow cavity. Flesh, sweet, juicy, and of good
flavor ; it adheres to the stone. Ripe the first part of August.
Wood very downy and vigorous.

3. Morocco. — Fruit of medium size, roundish, of good fla-
vor, only partially a clingstone. This variety is well known,
and commonly considered one of the finest, but, in my opin-
ion, (in which I am joined by good judges, who are acquaint-
ed with both,) it is inferior to the Cheston, with which it
ripens.

4. Black Damask. — Medium size; form roundish, a little
oval, somewhat sunk at the blossom end, and flattened at the
stem ; suture moderately deep ; stem very short, sometimes
hardly more than a quarter of an inch in length, stout, and
inserted in a narrow cavity ; flesh greenish, inclining to yel-
.ow near the stone, juicy, with a sweet rich flavor; a half
cling ; stone short, broad, and thick, roundish, and of medium
size. Ripe from the 20th to the 25th of August. In all the

Fifteen Varieties of Early Plums. 103

pomological works which I have had an opportunity to con-
sult, the Black Damask is given as a synonyme of the Mo-
rocco, but the kind now described is certainly distinct. It
was received from England by my father about ten years
since, but, from what nursery, I cannot now ascertain. The
leaf is darker, more glossy, and narrower than in the Mo-
rocco, and the buds are more prominent, but the greatest dif-
ference is in the time of ripening, which is invariably from
one to two weeks later, under equally favorable circumstances
of soil and exposure.

5. English Wheat. — (Wheat, of the London Catalogue ;
English, to distinguish it from the American wheat.) — Size,
medium, often large ; form, oval, a little flattened at the stem
end, pointed at the other, frequently somewhat one-sided,
suture broad but not deep ; stem three quarters of an inch in
length, pretty stout, set in a deep cavity ; color on the sunny
side bright red, speckled and clouded with golden brown, the
shaded side often retains a shade of green when fully mature.
Bloom thin, light blue ; flesh bright yellow, very sweet, rich
and juicy, adhering firmly to the stone, which is quite large.
Ripe from the 15th to the 25tli of August.

6. Drap d'Or. — While our attention is every year called to
many new plums, which we are told are " equal to the Green
Gage," but few of which fulfil the promises of those whose
partiality recommends them, here is one which comes as near
that standard of flavor as any other, new or old, and which,
though long known, is not one half as much cultivated as it
deserves to be. The form and flavor are, as much as pos-
sible, like the Green Gage, in size somewhat less, and one or two
weeks earlier ; skin thin and delicate, of a golden yellow color,
mottled, like the Green Gage, with red and russet, and cov-
ered with a thin bloom. Downing says, it is " sometimes a
little dry." but I have never found it at all deficient in juice.
Of vigorous growth, branches downy.

I have fruited the Grosse Mirabelle, and find it quite dis-
tinct from the above, though made synonymous by the Lon-
don Catalogue, and those who follow it. Though resembling
the Drap d'Or in many respects, it is not ripe before the mid-
dle of September. Branches slender, perfectly smooth.

104 Fifteen Vaineties of Early Plums.

7. Early Orleans.

8. Wilt.iot's New Early Orleans.

9. Itall^n Damask.

10. Lawrence's Early. — (of the London Catalogue, not
the Lawrence's Favorite of Downing.) These fonr resemble
each other so much as to be hardly worth cnltivating as dis-
tinct varieties in the same garden. After the most careful
comparison of the first two, all the difference I could detect
consisted in small russet specks, which, after the bloom was
rubbed off, might be seen on the Wilmot's, but not on the
other. "Whatever difference exists between the others is, I
think, more in the tree than the fruit. The Lawrence's Early
is, however, much the most productive, and therefore pref-
erable.

They may be described as of medium size, nearly round, in-
clining a little to oval, flattened at the ends; skin very dark,
purplish red under a thick blue bloom ; stem half an inch in
length ; flesh juicy, somewhat fibrous, parting freely from the
stone ; flavor sprightly and good, but inferior to the English
wheat. Ripe from the 15th to the 25th of August.

11. Ghiston's Early. — This proves identical with the Gis-
borne's of the London Caialogne ; it is middle-sized, long oval,
pointed at the ends; skin yellow; flesh yellow, coarse, and of
poor flavor, too poor for any thing but to go into the rejected
list.

12. Peoly's Early Blue is a tolerably good plum, but in-
ferior to many others. Medium size ; form oblong; skin dark
blue, with a light blue bloom ; flesh yellow and good. In
season about the 20th of August.

13. Precoce de Tours.

14. Early Cross. — These two are not as fully proved as
the others, but, so far as they are, I think highly of them.
Both are among the earliest ripe. The Early Cross is a na-
tive of Salem, named for its originator. It is a clingstone,
very sweet.

15. Jauxe Hative is earlier than any of the others described
above but not otherwise valuable.

I may mention, as showing the variation of fruits in dif-
ferent climates, that, in the London Catalogue^ the cipher is
prefixed to the Cheston, English Wheat, and Lawrence's
Early, while here they are of fine quality.

Pomological Notices. 105

Of all those described, I should recommend as best the
Rivers's Early Favorite, English Wheat, and Drap d'Or.
They would unite all the good qualities of the others, ripen
in proper succession, and give a pleasing variety of color and
flavor.

Salem, January 31, 1849.

Art. III. Pomological Notices ; or Notices respecting new
and superior Fruits, worthy of general Cultivation. By
the Editor.

The deep interest, which is felt in the subject of pomologi-
cal science, is most apparent in the continued introduction ot
new varieties, notwithstanding the large number already in
cultivation. The foreign catalogues abound in names of new
sorts, and many native seedlings have been added to the great
number which, within a period of twenty years, have swelled
up the catalogue of American varieties. To fully and satis-
factorily test the qualities of these almost numberless sorts, is
a labor of time ; many of them will, undoubtedly, after a
while, be rejected as worthless : while others will be retain-
ed as deserving a place among the choicest which we now
possess.

The task of rejecting is a difficult one; especially as some
fruits do not show their real character, only under peculiar
circumstances of soil, locality, and management ; and, without
due caution, a variety might be thrown out, which, in reali-
ty, may claim a rank with the very best kinds. But, on the
other hand, there are others which soon show such good evi-
dence of their excellence, that they deserve to be brought to
the notice of cultivators at once. It is our task, in these
notices, to enumerate all which promise to become valuable,
that they may claim the early attention of zealous cultivators,
and become more generally introduced.

Pears.

We commence with a notice of some American varieties :
Ott's Seedling. — A Pennsylvania pear, sent to the Massa-
voL. XV. — NO. m. 14

106 Pomological Notices.

chusetts Horticultural Society, by Dr. Brinlde, of Philadel-
phia. In size, about as large as Dearborn's Seedling, and of
similar form, with a yellowish skin ; Flesh melting, juicy, rich,
high-flavored, perfumed, and delicious. Ripe the middle of
August.

MoYAMENsiNG. — Beautiful specimens of this excellent pear
•were sent us by the kindness of J. P. Gushing, Esq., of Water-
town, in whose collection it fruited last year. It is a very
fine fruit, well worthy of extensive cultivation. Size medi-
um ; Form roundish, with a remarkably thick stem ; Skin
yellowish, russeted ; Flesh melting and juicy, with a rich,
spicy and delicious flavor. Ripe in September.

Brandywine. — Sent to the Massachusetts Horticultural So-
ciety, by Dr. Brinkle. In form obovate, inclining to pyram-
idal, with a rather thick fleshy stem; Skin yellowish green,
traced with russet; Flesh melting, and very juicy ; Flavor
rich, and sugary, with a fine perfume. Ripe from the mid-
dle of August to the 1st of September. It originated on the
banks of the Brandywine, from whence its name.

Summer St. Germain. — Another variety, forAvarded to the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, by Dr. Brinkle, which
appears to possess excellent qualities. It is a peculiar shaped
pear, being nearly as broad and obtuse at the stem end as at
the crown, and contracted in the middle. Skin greenish ;
Flesh melting, and full of a rich saccharine, high-flavored
juice. Ripe in September.

Gustine's Summer. — A summer pear, sent to us by J. M.
Earle, Esq., President of the Worcester Horticultural Society.
In size, about as large as Dearborn's Seedling, and ripe about
same time ; Skin yellowish ; Flesh melting, juicy, saccharine,
high-flavored and excellent. It promises to be a fine variety.

Dana's Seedling. — Originated from seed, by Mr. Dana, of
Roxbury, and. fruited last year, we believe, for the second
time. Size rather below medium, with a yellow skin, and a
fine melting flesh ; Flavor rich, sprightly, and good. Ripe
about the first of December, and will probably prove better, as
the tree becomes older.

Osband's Summer. — Originated in Western New York, and.
believed to be one of the very best summer pears. Our
friends in Rochester praised it very highly. It is of medium

New Varieties of Pears. 107

size, with a yellow skin, having a red cheek ; Flesh melting,
juicy, rich, and high-flavored. Ripe from the first to the mid-
dle of August. The tree is a tolerably vigorous and healthy
grower.

The following are foreign varieties, which have fruited the
past year : —

Triomphe de Jodoigne. — A very large and fine pear, some-
what of the character of the Beurre Diel, but larger, and of
more oblong form, with a greenish skin, changing to pale
yellow. The flesh is melting and juicy, with a rich sacchar-
ine and perfumed flavor. It ripens in December, and promises
to be a great acquisition. Our trees only produced three or four
specimens the last season, the first time of its fruiting in the
country. The tree is remarkably vigorous, with a spreading
habit, and with very large glossy deep green leaves.

Adele de St. Denis (or Seras). — A handsome fruit of good
size, with a skin as russety as the old Jalousie. Form pyram-
idal ; Flesh melting, with a brisk, vinous andfperfumed fla-
vor. Tree vigorous. Ripe in October.

Beurre' Benoist, (or Auguste Benoist). — A most inviting
figure of this has been given in the Revue Horticole^ for 1848,
where it is represented as nearly as large as the Duchesse
d'Angouleme. Our tree only produced one pear; and, though
not large, in quality it more than came up to our expectations.
Form obovate, with a yellowish skin, little traced with rus-
set, and tinged with red ; Flesh melting, juicy, rich and
sugary, with a very high aroma. Ripe in October.

Bonne des Zees. — The true variety, which we saw in
Paris, (Vol. XL, p. 205,) fruited in our collection last season.
The trees were only three years from the bud, on the quince.
It is a decided acquisition. The fruit is large, obovate, quite
obtuse at the stem, of a deep rich yellow, beautifully shaded
with bright red ; Flesh melting and juicy ; Flavor sacchar-
ine, sprightly, pleasantly perfumed and delicious. It succeeds
the Williams's Bon Chretien, and is superior to that variety.

St. Nicholas. — An excellent late fall pear, ripening in
November; Size large; Skin green and russet; Flesh coarse,
melting, juicy and high-flavored.

Brande's St. Germain. — This was one of the varieties of
which scions were sent to Messrs. Manning and Kenrick, by

108 Pomologkal Notices.

Dr. Van Mons, in 1834. It has fruited in the collection of Mr.
Cabot, of Salem, for four or five years, and is a very excel-
lent winter pear, keeping till March. Size abont medium ;
Form pyramidal; Skin green and russet; Flesh melting,
juicy, sugary and rich, with a peculiarly high-flavored aro-
ma. Ripe from December to March.

Grapes.

In our volume for 1847, (XIIL, p. 114,) we gave some ac-
count of several new grapes. The number of new varieties
which are annually introduced, is, perhaps, smaller than that
of any other fruit. Why this is so, it is not our object to inquire
now. But a fruit so important, it seems to us, is as deserving
of the attempt to produce new and superior seedlings as the
pear, the apple, or the peach.

The London Horticultural Society have recently had some
additions to the collection in their garden, principally, how-
ever, from French nurseries ; and, in the last volume of the
Journal^ we find the following sorts noticed and described
by Mr. Thompson, the superintendent of the fruit depart-
ment. Some of them appear to possess much merit, and we
trust that, ere long, we shall be enabled to give some further
account of them from our own personal experience; till then
cultivators of the grape must rely upon the opinions of Mr.
Thompson, for their excellence : —

Queen Muscat. — A new variety, sent to the garden of the
London Horticultural Society, by Mr. Glendenning, of Turn-
ham Green, in the spring of 1848. It was only a young
plant, raised from an eye in the previous season. It, however,
fruited in an eight-inch pot. The size the bunch would at-
tain, from a well-established vine, could not, therefore, only
be estimated comparatively with that of other sorts grown
in a pot, under similar circumstances, and accordingly it may
be stated to be larger than that of the Royal Muscadine. The
berries are also fully as largo as those of the latter, but per-
fectly distinct, being oval. They are yellowish white, semi-
transparent, so that one seed, which each berry contains, can
be seen through the skin. The flesh is firmer than that of
the Muscat of Alexandria, rich and sugary. It is an early
grape; and as far as can be judged of it, grown as above

New Varieties of Grapes. 109

stated, it appears highly deservmg of cultivation. For pot
cultivation, it has proved to be exceedingly well adapted.

Sahibee. — A Deccan grape, sent to the Society, by Col.
Sykes. A large, handsome, tapering bunch, sometimes slight-
ly shouldered. Berries large, oval, white, with a rose-colored
tinge next the sun. Pulp tender, juicy, sweet, without any
Muscat flavor, pleasant, but not equal in richness to the
Sweetwater. The vine, notwithstanding the hot climate from
which it was imported, bursts soon into leaf, and, as the fruit
ripens early, it may prove eligible for very early forcing.

We suspect this is the same grape Mr. Buist has noticed
in our Magazine, (Vol. XIII., p. 133,) as Decan's superb.

Verbal. — The foliage of this grape resembles the White
Frontignan; but the fruit is more like the Royal Muscadine,
to which, in point of flavor, it seems fully equal. It ripens early.

Olwer. — Bunch and berries rather larger than those of the
Royal Muscadine. The bunch has stifl" shoulders, and the
pedicels are short and thick. Berries round white. Pulp
juicy, vinous, not quite so sugary as the Royal Muscadine ;
yet, independent of its properties as a vine grape, it appears
deserving of cultivation. It ripens soon after the Royal Mus-
cadine.

The variety was received from Messrs. Baumann, of Boll-
wilier, in whose catalogue it is classed among the wine grapes
with a remark thus : — "Olwer dont I'usage du vin doit etre
un preservatif centre la gravelle."

Reeves's Muscadine. — Bunch large, broad-shouldered ;
stalk thick ; pedicels short, stifl'. Berries oval ; skin yellow-
ish white, rather thick; pulp melting, juicy, rich. A good
grape, ripening quite as early as the Black Hamburgh, under
similar circumstances. This variety was imported from the
Cape of Good Hope, without a name, by John Reeves, Esq. ;
and, as it appears deserving of cultivation, it has been desig-
nated as above.

Blussard Noir. — Smaller, earlier, and a more sugary va-
riety than the Black Hamburgh, which, in other respects, it
resembles. This also was received from the nursery of Messrs.
Baumann.

Gross Gromier du Cantal. — Avery strong-growing variety
with remarkably short-jointed wood. Leaves deeply serrated,

110 On the Formation of Viiie Borders.

and occasionally deeply lobed ; veins and midrib on the un-
der side, somewhat rough, with bristly hairs. Bunch large,
with a strong stalk. Berries very large, upwards of three
inches in circumference, round, of a red or grizzly color ;
pulp juicy, with a flavor, as if between the Black Hamburgh
and White Sweetwater. The latter being by itself frequent-
ly a bad setter, and, on that account, not unusually fertilized
by the Black Hamburgh ; it is probable that this variety is a
cross between the two. At all events, if this be imagined, a
correct idea of the grape will be produced ; for it seems to par-
take of both. It was sent to the Society from Paris, by M.
Francis Ranch.

The Nice Black Cluster. — A seedling raised by Mr. Wil-
liams, of Pitmaston, from the White Nice, impregnated by
the common Black Cluster. Mr. Williams's object was to
obtain a hardy grape, for open culture, with a small black-
berry, spreading bunch, not wedged together like the Black
Cluster, Miller, &c. ; and his experiment completely succeed-
ed. The berries are small and black, and the bunch large
and loose growing. In a good season, they were ripe by the
middle of September, on the open wall. He states that some
of his friends, who regard flavor more than size, have cut
away their Hamburghs, and cultivated this instead. Mr.
Thompson states that from a vinery the bunches are a foot
long, with long loose shoulders ; berries small, roundish oval ;
juice purplish, sugary.

Art. IV. Remarks on the Forniation of Vine Borders ; with a
Detail of Experiments in the Cidture of tlie Grape, during
a Period of Five Years. By Robert B. Leuchars, New Ha-
ven, Conn.

I BELIEVE there is no subject connected with horticulture,
upon which so much quackery and contradiction prevails, as
on the constituents of borders, for the successful cultivation of
grape vines. Long and elaborate treatises have been written,
and facts incontestible have been adduced, in support of the

On the Formation of Vine Borders. Ill

various methods, by those who have practised them: each
party supposing that he had brought forward evidence sufficient
to set the subject at rest forever. But amidst much that is sound
and practical, there has been a goodly amount of extravagant
theory, speculation, and bombast; and, notwithstanding the
multitude of productions that have been penned upon this im-
portant subject, and the much-talked-of progress which horti-
culture has made of late years, we are, at the present time, as
far from a satisfactory conclusion, as if there had not been a
sentence written upon the subject, since the practical days
of Abercrombie and Speechly.

On reading, in the Magazine for the present month, your
strictures on Mr. Allen's treatise on the cultivation of grape
vines, I have been induced, by my friend Mr. Saunders, to
send you the following account of some experiments I have
made in the formation of vine borders, in a very extensive
garden in Britain, with a few simple remarks thereon, the
result of extensive practice and close investigation into the
habits and requirements of the vine. I beg leave to remark,
that I do not bring forward these experiments for the purpose
of condemning the results of others; but I do wish to condemn
a bigoted and uncomplyable opinionism, and, when men write
on controverted subjects, like the culture of the vine, with the
view of benefiting their fellow-laborers, they ought to ad-
vance, not mere assertions, or opinions, though apparently
founded on facts, but the undisguised facts themselves, accom-
panied with their own deductions, if they will; but giving
others the credit of capacity in discriminating how far these
conclusions may be correct.

Some years ago, I took the management of a garden,
where there were a number of old vineries, nearly useless,
and three new ones in course of erection. The ingredients
necessary to constitute a good border for vines formed the
subject of violent controversy in the periodicals of the day,
and the carnivorous border of Crawshay, Roberts & Co. was
not the least popular, and to which I was decidedly partial.
Having every material at command, and a good opportunity
thus presented, of testing the merits of the different systems,
I resolved that each house should have a border as differently
constituted, as was consistent with a likelihood of success.

112 On the Formation of Vine Borders.

The whole length of the house was 135 feet, in three divis-
ions, of 45 feet each. The border was taken out 12 feet
broad, and 3 feet deep in front, sloping upwards towards the
back wall. The subsoil was a stiff cold retentive clay. A
drain, one foot deep, was cut along the front, and cross ones
every twelve feet, running into it; drain tiles were laid in the
bottom, and then filled with stones, broken bricks, &:c. ; a
layer of the same material was then laid over the whole
border, to the depth of two feet, on which was placed
fresh turves closely together, with their grassy side down-
wards ; flag-stones were placed perpendicularly all round the
side of the border, and cash division was partitioned oS in the
same manner ; a complete box was thus formed for each
house, so that no intrusion could take place from the roots of
the one into the other, yet so thoroughly drained, that satu-
ration was impossible. An equal depth, about two feet, was
given to each, so that the border, when finished, was about
one foot higher than the rest of the ground. The respective
divisions were then filled as follows : —

No. 1. Consisted of one half turves, from an old pasture,
cut three or four inches thick, the other half being dead car-
casses of animals, fish, blood, bones, and other putrid sub-
stances; the whole mixed as well as could be with the
turves ; a barrowful of leaf mould was placed round the
roots of each vine, when planted.

No. 2. Consisted of two thirds of turves, as above mentioned,
one third made up of equal portions of good dung and leaf
mould ; ten bushels of broken bones, and two barrowfuls or
more of whole ones were mixed with the mass. In this, the
vines Averc planted.

No, 3. This division was made up with the turves alone,
without any thing whatever mixed with them. The vines
were all planted on one day. The turves, in each case, were
chopped up into pieces, not less than 3 or 4 inches square.
The vines were planted outside the house, and taken through
the front wall. No artificial heat was applied. Each house
contained pretty nearly the same kinds, consisting chiefly of
Black Hamburghs, and Muscats. The plants were one year
old, from eyes of the previous season. Such were the bor-
ders, and now for the results : —

On the Formation of Vine Borders. 113

To give your readers some definite idea of the results of
the above experiment, I will give an account of the growth
of the vines, as well as the weight and quality of their fruit,
for the five years succeeding their plantation, from notes
which I kept regularly during that time. Most of the grapes
were sold, generally the whole housefull together. I may
here state, that every year the vines were allowed to start of
their own accord ; no fire heat was given them, except severe
weather compelled it, and to assist in maturing the young
wood in autumn, when necessary.

First year. — No. 1 started away considerably ahead of
the others, and this I attributed to the leaf mould in which
they were planted ; in a few weeks, Nos. 2 and 3 came up to
it, and, by the end of September, no difference was percepti-
ble between the three houses, save in the maturation of their
wood : Nos. 2 and 3 were, perhaps, a fortnight earlier than
No. 1, and the leaves of the former were yellow, when the
latter were green. The incipient fruit stalks were picked oflf
as they appeared.

Second year. — No. 1. The vines grew tremendously strong,
rather long-jointed, with the exception of one vine, which
turned yellow and sickly. The Hamburghs produced a few
fine bunches, with very large berries, but much inferior, in
color and flavor, to those in the other houses. The Muscats
produced a few bunches, and these set badly, though those
that remained were large and good. No. 2. This house made
beautiful wood, short-jointed, and very equal in size. The
Hamburghs produced a lighter crop than in No. 1, but better
colored and flavored. The Muscats set better, and the ber-
ries equally large and good. No. 3 produced fine rods, near-
ly as good as No. 2, but a very light crop of fruit. Ham-
burghs pretty good, bunches and berries rather smaller than
No. 2, but higher colored and flavored. Weight of fruit in
the three houses respectively : — No. 1. — 79 lbs. No. 2. — 84
lbs. No. 3. — 46 lbs. The summer was very dry, and the
borders were liberally supplied with manure water.

Third year. — No. 1. Three vines in this house were com-
pletely barren. They started with the others, and grew very
strong for a short time, but, as they came into flower, the
flower stalks curled up, and became abortive. The leaves as-

VOL. XV. NO. III. 15

114 On the Formation of Vine Bordeis.

sumed a yellow and sickly appearance. The others grew
very strong, and produced a heavy crop of large fruit, but
deficient in flavor and color. Muscats, very irregular, a bunch
here and there, set badly; those left, very large and good.
No. 2. — Nothing could exceed the beauty and regularity of
this house; more than half of the bunches were thinned out.
The Hamburghs were much lighter than in No. 1, but un-
rivalled in color and flavor. The muscats were equally good,
and set well. No. 3. — Here also was a beautiful crop, equal,
in every respect, to No. 2 ; more than half were thinned out.
Muscats superior to either of the other houses. Weight of
crops.— No. I.— 315 lbs. No. 2.— 603 lbs. No. 3.-652
lbs.

Fourth YEAR. — No. 1. Rather better than last year; pro-
duced a heavy crop of very large fruit. The three vines
above mentioned still sickly, one of them producing a few
puny bunches, the other two quite barren, making an unsight-
ly gap, some shoots growing very strong, others weak. No.
2. — A splendid crop of fine large high-flavored fruit, very re-
gular, both in shoots and bunches. No. 3. — General crop in-
ferior to No. 2, bunches and berries smaller, but exquisitely
colored and flavored. Weight of crops. — No. 1. — 350 lbs. :
No. 2.-552 lbs. : No. 3.-497 lbs.

Fifth year. — No. 1. From the fine appearance this house
presented, in the early part of the season, I was in high hopes
of its rallying and beating the other two ; but my hopes were
doomed to disappointment ; some of the vines put out one or
two shoots, which grew in a state of gross luxuriance, pro-
ducing a few bunches, which ultimately shanked off"; from
four Muscats in the house, hardly twice that number of
pounds of fruit were produced ; one or two of the Hamburghs
produced a tolerable crop, but destitute of both color and fla-
vor, so much so, that, when sent to my employer's table, along
with the others, they were invariably rejected, while the rest
were eaten. No. 2. — Crops beautiful, superior to last year.
Not a shanked or shrivelled berry in the whole house. Noth-
ing could exceed the beauty and regularity of this crop. No.
3. — Very beautiful and regular, but inferior in weight, to
No. 2, not a berry among them was shanked, and kept for a
considerable time longer in a good state, after they were ripe,

On the Formation of Vine Borders. 115

than either of the former houses. Weight of tlie respective
crops:— No. I.— 112 lbs. ; No. 2.— 793 lbs. : No. 3.— 603 lbs.

Thus you will observe, that No. 1, with the carrion border,
in the four years, produced 856 lbs. of grapes. No. 2, loam,
leaf mould, manure, and bones, 2032 lbs., and, in No. 3, with
the loam alone, 1798 lbs. were produced. The houses were
all managed in the same manner, and if any difference exist-
ed, No. 1 had more care bestowed upon it, than the rest ;
they were all pruned on the spur system, which, if not the
most scientific, is, I think, the most simple, and easily per-
formed.

Without entering into a chemical analysis of the ingredi-
ents contained in these borders, I think it will appear evi-
dent, that the one in which the greatest portion of the constit-
uents of the vine were present, was best adapted for its
culture. Thus, No. 1 contained an excess of organic matters,
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, &c., and was deficient in
inorganic substances, which are equally essential to the de-
velopment of the vine. The plants were thereby unable to
assimilate the crude organic matters, which they were com-
pelled to absorb. On examining the roots of these vines, I
found the greater portion of them were rotten, the chief
part of the healthy ones being within a few inches of the sur-
face. No. 3 was rather deficient in organic, but abundant in
inorganic matters, which accounts for the fruit being smaller
in size than the others, but superior in flavor and color, ri-
pened sooner, and hung on the vines, after they were ripe,
longer without shrivelling. No. 2 was everything that could
be desired, and, had I the formation of a hundred borders, I
should make them in the same manner. Turves from an
old pasture, cut not more than three inches thick, I consider
the best material in nature for making a vine border, not only on
account of their chemical, but also of their physical properties.
No other soil can be compared with them ; if deficient in rich-
ness, add about one sixth of their bulk, of good dung, and, if too
adhesive, a like quantity of leaf mould. Mix a good quanti-
ty of whole and broken bones into the mass, and here you
have a material for growing grape vines, superior to any car-
rion composition that I have yet seen. These materials,
especially in this country, are comparatively inexpensive, and

116 On the Format ioji of Vine Borders.

easily obtained : besides, no disagreeable and dangerous efflu-
via is produced in the neighborhood.

From the foregoing experiments, corroborated by other
facts, of a similar nature, that have come under my notice, I
conclude that carrion borders are positively injurious to grape
vines. I have seen the vines, planted by Roberts, at Raby
Castle, and at other places, upon the same principle ; but in
no one case have they given satisfaction, equal to those
grown in a good border, without carrion. I have seen grapes
shown at the London Horticultural Society's exhibitions, as
well as at other places, but I have never yet seen them carry
away the palm. I will not say that good grapes have not
been produced by the carrion borders The vine is a very
accommodating plant, and will sometimes produce good crops,
under very unpromising circumstances ; but, until carrion
borders prove somewhat more satisfactorily their superiority
and permanency over others, than they have yet done, — un-
til I see carrion borders serve some other purpose than that
of a hobby-horse for men to ride on parade, in pamphlets,
and public periodicals, — until then, I will stick by the com-
mon system, should it be as antiquated as the pyramids of
Egypt.

New Haven, January ^th, 1849.

It is not often that we have the pleasure of presenting our
readers with so valuable an article as that of Mr. Leuchars.
Indeed, wc are not sure that we give it too high praise to say
that it is one of the most common sense, practical, and thor-
ough essays that we have ever read on the subject on which
it treats, important as the subject is, especially at the present
time, when so much attention is being given to the culture of
the grape vine. It comes, too, at an opportune period, sub-
stantiating, in every particular, all we have stated in our
remarks on the formation of borders in our previous vol-
umes, and especially our observations on Mr. Allen's chapter
on manures, which we reviewed in our last number.

Mr. Leuchars has recently arrived in this country, and is
personally unknown to us. He is, we believe, a gardener
of much experience, and has been employed in some of the
most extensive gardens in England. His article will at once

On the Fo}'matlo?i of Vine Borders. 117

commend him as a man who fully understands his profession.
It is not made up of what he has seen — what he has heard —
or what he has read ; — it is not collected from this book — from
that pamphlet — or from the periodicals of the day ; — but is
the result of his own experience — not conducted with a view
to publication for mere authorship, but for his own practical
purpose as a reference for future use — ^jnst such a collection of
facts as any gardener who loves his profession would always
seek to possess — but, unfortunately, what most neglect to
obtain. His remarks, therefore, will have much greater
weight than if they had been the results of experiments now
in course of practice, or just completed.

It is unnecessary for us to occupy room with a review of
Mr. Leuchars' article. It speaks for itself. But we may be
permitted to state that not only do the facts he adduces show
the injurious tendency of carrion borders, but they substan-
tiate our opinion of the proper materials of which grape bor-
ders should be made, that is, loam, manure, and bones ; just
the substances we recommended in our first article, (Vol. XIII.
p. 400.) It is easy enough to show that grapes can be pro-
duced in borders made of a melange of brickbats, old mortar,
charcoal, old boots, rags, wood ashes, fat hogs, &c. So
" accommodating a plant" is the vine, as Mr. Leuchars states,
that nobody doubts grapes can be thus raised. The question
is not what can be done, but what are the means of arriving
at the greatest results. Facts only will determine this ; these
have been given us by Mr. Leuchars. He has shown what
the soil alone will do which nature, in her bounteous gifts,
has supplied us with. He has again shown what such in-
gredients as putrefying masses of dead hogs and horses will
accomplish. Both are failures ; and, though the author mod-
estly tells us he will not undertake to give a chemical anal-
ysis of these substances, he states enough to leave no doubt
in the minds of all intelligent cultivators, that both are con-
trary to all our notions of the action of soils ; the first being
deficient in organic matter ; the latter in the inorganic com-
pounds. His other experiment proves that a judicious ad-
mixture of loam and manure, in which a proper proportion
of the organic and inorganic substances are supplied, is that
which has produced the happiest results.

118 Tves^s Seedli}ig Plum.

The best grapes which liave recently been seen here were
some fine ones exhibited at the annual exhibition of the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society, in September last, by G. R.
Russell, Esq., of West Roxbury, which were awarded the
highest premium of $25. A reference to our Vol. XII. p.
453, will show how the border was made, precisely as we
have advised, and which Mr. Leuchars confirms The vines
were planted on the 17th of May, 1846, and were only in
their third year last season, but the bunches and berries were
very large, well colored, and as beautiful specimens as the
most ardent cultivator could wish.

Mr. Leuchars has kindly promised us some hints on the
culture of the peach, and we may congratulate our readers in
anticipation of a most excellent essay on so important a sub-
ject.— Ed.

Art. y. Ives's Seedlhig Pltwi, aiiew Variety^ tvitha Descrip-
tioji and Engraving of the Fruit. By the Editor.

The catalogue of American varieties of the plum has been
greatly extended within a few years, and, if we except the
Green Gage, and two or three other sorts, the principal kinds
now cultivated are American seedlings. In size and beau-
ty, they surpass most of the foreign varieties, and, with the
exception above named, they are superior to them in flavor
and general excellence.

A larger part of our American plums have been produced
on Long Island, and in the famous plum region on the North
River. To these localities we are indebted for the Imperial
Gage, Yellow Gage, Red Gage, Jefferson, Columbia, Albany
Beauty, &c., &lq,. New England has furnished a much
smaller number of plums than other fruits ; this has undoubt-
edly been because the soil is not quite so favorable as in the
places we have just named. We are glad, therefore, in hav-
ing the opportunity to draw the attention of cultivators to a
new and very superior plum, originated in Salem, where two
or three other varieties have been produced, but not of the
merit of this.

Ivcs^s Seedlinir Plum.

119

In the autumn of 1S47, we learned that Mr. Ives had raised
a seedhng plum of considerable merit, but it was then so late
in the season, that we did not have an opportunity of seeing
the fruit. The last fall, Mr. Ives, agreeably to oiir request,
sent us some superior specimens for examination, and for the
purpose of making a description of the plum; at the same
time giving us permission to name the variety. It is almost
unnecessary to say, that we found it one of the most delicious
fruits we had eaten, equal to, if not surpassing, the Washing-
ton, being nearly as large, and, to our taste, possessing a rich-
er and more luscious flesh. We made a full and complete
description of it, with a drawing of the fruit, of which the
annexed engraving {Jig. 13,) is a copy. Wishing to accom-
pany the description with a com-
plete account of the origin of the
plum, we requested him to com-
municate the particulars, which
are as follows: —

"Dear Sir, — Your letter, re-
questing information relative to
my seedling plum, is before me.

" The original tree came up in
my garden, about midway be-
tween a Washington and Blue
Imperatrice, which are about
ten feet distant from each oth-
er. From the strong resem-
blance of its fruit to the former, Fig. 13. lea's Seedling- Plum.

and from the circumstance of nearly all the fruit usually
dropping from the Washington, when ripening, it is probably
a seedling from that variety.

" The tree came up in the spring of 1840. In the fall of
1841, I budded it without success, and it was left to bear. In
1845, it produced two or three plums, which, from their ap-
pearance, promised well, although the fruit was injured be-
fore maturing. It has, however, borne, for the past two years,
a handsome, as well as a fine-flavored plum, beautifully spot-
ted, and tinted with red; flesh yellow, rich and delicious;
size and form of the imperial Gage.

120 Ives^s Seedlhisr Plum.

fc)

'•' The tree makes long-jointed shoots, very much swollen at,
or below, tlie buds. The shoots of my tree are not so stout
and strong as those of the Washington, but a plum-grower,
to whom I gave scions, informs me it is one of the strongest
growers he had, and another cultivator, that it was ^/<e strong-
est grower. One of our amateur fruit-growers, I do not now
recollect the individual, who tasted the fruit, the season pre-
vious to the last, pronounced it superior in quality to the
Washington.

"In my last edition of the Book of Fruits, in a brief notice of
this variety, I have called it the Washington seedling, but, as
this may not be definite enough, I prefer that, as you are now
about giving the first correct description of the plum, you
should have the liberty of giving it a name. — Yours respect-
fully, J. M. Ives."

To this full account of the history of the original tree, we
append the following description, made from some beautiful
specimens of last year's growth : —

Size large, about two inches long, and one and three quar-
ters in diameter; Form, roundish oblong, tapering little to
the apex, one half larger than the other, with a distinct
suture running half round; Skin, yellow, very much mottled,
clouded and dotted with red all over the base of the fruit, ex-
tending to the sunny side, and covered with a thin whitish
bloom ; Stem, short, scarcely half an inch long, rather slen-
der, and slightly sunk in a very small cavity; Flesh, rich
amber color, melting, and separating freely from the stone ;
Juice, abundant, rich, luscious and high-flavored, equalling
the Green Ciage; Stone, medium size, ovate, rather smooth.
Ripe the first of September.

We can recommend Mr. Ives's Seedling as one of the very
finest plums, superior, in our opinion, to the Jefferson, a vari-
ety of great excellence, but which, we think, has been rather
overrated. The numerous spots and marblings of red, which
cover most of the specimens of Ives's Seedling, give it a great-
er claim to beauty, than the Jefferson or Washington ; and it
is fully equal in size to the former plum. It is one of the
greatest acquisitions to this class of fruit.

Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 121

Art. VI. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of Neic and
Beautifvl Plants figured in Foreign Periodicals ; tvith
Descriptiotis of those recently ijitroducedto, or originated in,
Amei'icaji Gardens.

Heliotropium Voltarinum. — This is the name of a new and
beautiful species or variety of that highly fragrant and
popular flower, the heliotrope. It is similar to the common
variety, in habit and foliage, but the flowers are of a dark
lavender blue tinge, and the clusters considerably larger than
the old one. It has been beautifully in flower, in our collec-
tion, and we consider it a great addition to every collection of
plants. For bedding out in summer, it will form a charming
plant, contrasting, in its deep-colored blossoms, so prettily
with the French white tints of the old variety.

Seedling Camellias. — We have recently had two or three
very fine seedling camellias in bloom in our t^ollection ; one
of them somewhat remarkable, as the most beautiful striped
one that has yet been raised. The ground color is a clear
white, very delicately striped with pink through the centre of
each petal ; the petals being perfectly rose-edged, and slight-
ly cupped. The habit of the plant is vigorous, and the foli-
age of a deep rich green. Two or three others of much promise
have flowered, but we prefer to see them bloom again, when
the plants are stronger, before deciding upon their merits. — Ed.

98. Potenti'llaSmou'tii. Mr. Smout'sPotentilla. (Rosdcecz.)
Garden Hybrid.

A hardy herbaceous plant -, growing; two feet high; with yellow and crimson flowers; appear-
int; all summer ; increased by divisions of the root ; cultivated in any good rich soil. Flore des
Serres, pi. 373. 1S48.

A very pretty hybrid variety of the potentillas, a class of
plants not properly appreciated ; some of them being very or-
namental throughout the autumn, displaying an abundance
of their deep crimson and maroon-colored blossoms. If kept
properly tied up, the plants have always a neat appearance,
but, when straggling under foot, and over the borders, they
often have an uninviting aspect. The present plant is a hy-
brid variety, with rich yellow flowers, very beautifully veined
with rosy crimson ; the foliage is neat, and the plant vigor-

VOL. XV. NO. III. 16

122 Ploriciiltural and Botanical Notices.

ous. Raised by M. Smout, an amateur of Malines. {Flore
des Serves, July.)

99. Ro^sA Lu'^TEA var. persta>a ple\va. The Yellow Persian

Rose. (Rosacere.) Persia.
The Persian yellow rose is now so well known, that it is
scarcely necessary to notice it here. It is now to be found in
most choice collections, and, from its hardiness and beauty, is
esteemed as the finest of all the hardy yellow roses. If any
rose amateur does not yet possess it, he should add it to his
collection immediately. It is very double, almost as double
as the Provence, of the richest golden yellow, and the petals
are so firm, that the flowers retain their form in our hottest
sun. It is readily increased by budding upon the briar, or by
laying the branches. {Flore des Serves, July.)

100. Cypripe^dium Lo^vii, Lindl. Mr. Low's Cypripe^dium.

{Orchidaceai) l

A greenhouse plnnt j erowin? one foot high; with yellow and purple flowers; appearing In
•pring ; a native of? ; cultivated in leaf mould and peat. Flore desSerres, pi. 375. 1S48.

A very brilliant species of the Cypripedium, with the
superior segments of a yellowish tint, marked with green ; and
the under ones are of the richest violet purple. The native
country is not given. It is a most brilliant species of this
fine genus. {Flore des Se?Tes, July.)

101. Hydra'ngea pube'scens DcBcaine The Pubescent-
leaved Hydrangea. {Saxifragdcecc.) Japan.

a halt hardy i)lant ; growing: four feet hijh ; with greenish white flowers ; appearing in summer ;
increased by cuttings ; cultivated in bog soil and leaf mould. Flore des Scrres, pi. 378. 1848.

Another interesting species of the well-known hydrangea,
not so beautiful as the H. japonica, but highly attractive,
from its very large pubescent leaves, the petioles of which
are of a rich crimson purple, and by its large cymes of green-
ish white fiowers. It is of the same habit as the H. japonica.
It was introduced to notice, by M. de Craen, of Bruxelles,
and is believed to have been raised from seeds received from
Japan. {Flore des Serves, August.)

102. Ro^sa ODORA^TA var. The Five-colored Rose of Chlva.

(RosdccYC.) China.
Here we have the famous five-colored rose, which Mr. For-

FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. 123

tune sent home from his expedition to China, and which we
have before noticed, in a brief account of his tour, (Vol. XII.,
p. 446.) With M. Van Houtte, it has, however, proved only a
two-colored rose, extremely beautiful, but not coming up to
the expectations which had been formed of it in regard to
color. It is a tea rose, very full and double, with the petals
of a yellowish sulphur color, having, for the most part, a large
stripe or band of bright crimson, running through the centre
of each, producing a splendid effect. The foliage is of a deep
shining green. This is the only striped tea rose yet known.
It is an abundant bloomer.

We hope to see this lovely rose soon introduced ; it will
prove one of the most attractive varieties in our collections.
{Flore des Se/res, August.)

103. Pelargoniums. Hybrid varieties.

1. Clown. 2. Harlequin. 3. Singularity,

Recently, much attention has been devoted to the produc-
tion oi fancy pelargoniums, which hold the same relative sit-
uation to this beautiful tribe, as the fancy dahlias to the self-
colored varieties. A few years ago, they would scarcely have
attracted any notice, but now, that such perfection has been
attained in the form and color of pelargoniums, by Messrs.
Beck, and other growers, it seems as if no further improvement
could hardly be expected : something novel, therefore, must
now be introduced, to keep up the zeal of amateurs, and these
fancy varieties are becoming eagerly sought after^ It cannot
be denied that their brilliant colors, and irregular form, have
much to commend them, though they are the very reverse of
what has been heretofore, and still is, considered essential to a
fine pelargonium. l\\ the place of the perfect outline of petal,
these fancy ones are deeply lobed and irregular ; and the ex-
quisite pencilling gives way to abrupt terminations of color.
The names indicate their character, for they are essentially
the Clown and Harlequin of the tribe. We hope these varie-
ties will soon be introduced, that our amateurs may have an
opportunity to compare their attractiveness with the fine sorts
which now enrich our collections. {Flore des Serres, August.)

124 European Agriculture and Rural Economy.

REVIEWS.

Art. I European Agriculture and Rural Economy, from
Personal Observation. By Henuy Colman. Vol. II. Parts
IX. and X. 8vo. pp 371, to 598. Boston, 1818.

Mr. Colman's European tour has at last been brought to
a close. Nos. IX. and X. completing the Avork, have been
sonrie time before the public, but we have not found time to
notice them. So far as we have had leisure to examine this
double number, it exceeds in interest any of the previous ones,
and is a capital ending to a work well begun, and successful-
ly carried through.

The number is prefaced by several pages of preliminary
observations, upon the important subject of agriculture, — the
means for its improvement, — and the necessity of its pro-
tection by government ; and we cannot omit the following ex-
tract which, it seems to us, is deserving of the attention of
every individual who has a proper appreciation of the im-
portance of agricultural art: —

" We may be told, that agriculture is a purely material and sensual art,
and does not deserve a place among the humane arts. To a mind material
and sensualin all its habits, everything becomes material and sensual in the
lowest and most degrading sense of those terms. But its rational pursuit is
not incompatible with high intellectual attainments, and the most re-
fined taste. Whatever occupies and absorbs the mind exclusively, is, of
course, unfavorable to any great excellence in other pursuits. Agricul-
ture, pursued as a mere branch of trade or commerce, or a mere instrument
of wealth, will be found to have influences upon the mind, narrowing and
restricting its operations and aspirations, corresponding with any other of
the pursuits of mere avarice and acquisition, and which even those of the
learned professions, when pursued wholly with such views, are sure to have.
But, when followed without exclusive views to mere gain or profit, it is far
from being incompatible with a high state of intellectual cultivation.
Many of the sciences are the handmaids of agriculture, and serve, as well
as ennoble it. Its practical pursuit, though it occupies, yet it does not ex-
haust, the mind ; but, within certain limits, inspirits and invigorates all its
faculties. A spiritual mind may spiritualize all its operations ; a religious
mind sees, in its wonderful and curious processes and their marvellous
results, many of the adorable miracles of a beneficent Providence. That a
profound study of the agricultural art, and an intimate acquaintance and
familiarity with its practical details, are not incompatible with a high degree

European Agriculture and Rural Economy. 125

of intellectual improvement and cultivation, we have too many living exam-
ples of this union to leave us to douht ; and the immortal names of Cicero,
Bacon, and Washington, show, from their own assertions, that minds, highly-
gifted of Heaven, have found their richest pleasure in rural and agricultural
occupations and pursuits ; and, in company with many others, in ancient
and modern times, form a magnificent constellation of learning, genius, and
taste, shedding their splendor upon this useful art.'" — pp. xiii. xiv.

These numbers are wholly devoted to Continental agricul-
ture; viz., that of France, Belgium, Flanders, and Switzer-
land ; giving a full account of the crops generally produced — -
the markets — live stock — dairies — and especially manures.
Among the varied subjects, it is very difficult to make ex-
tracts, and, with the exception of the closing remarks, we
must therefore refer the reader to the work itself: —

'■ I must add, in the next place, that I should be glad to see the cultivation
of the vine extended in the United States. Jn many parts of France, Ger-
many, and Switzerland, it occupies land, steep acclivities, heights wholly
inaccessible to a horse or cart, and where the manure is always carried up,
the produce brought down, and sometimes the very soil in which it grows,
transported by hand. There is land enough in the United States for its
cultivation without such extreme toil. As an article of commerce, it would
probably prove lucrative ; and, as an article of comfort, perhaps few are
more grateful and harmless. I speak, in this case, of the light wines of
France, which do not intoxicate, unless drunk to beastly excess. The
strong wines of Spain and Portugal are made, by some factitious process,
and charged with brandy ; but the light wines of France, being the pure
juice of the grape, exhilarate, but do not intoxicate. They take the place
of tea and coffee among the laboring people, and constitute an innocent al-
leviation of their severe toil. 1 should be soiry in any way to abridge these
comforts, especially as I may say in truth, after travelling a long distance
in the wine-growing districts, and at the time of the wine-making, or vin-
tage, when it is to be had in the greatest abundance, that I saw no drunk-
enness or intoxication in any degree ; and 1 may add, that, so far as my ob-
servation goes, there is not a more temperate people, than are to be found
in the wine-growing departments of France.

I need not add, that, under the auspicious circumstances in which the
United States are placed, her agriculture must be constantly increasing in
importance to the country itself, and to the civilized world, for her com-
merce penetrates every sea, and her bread-grains, as they have already done,
may be of immense importance, and of indispensable necessity, in feeding
the inhabitants of the old world.

This completes the task which I undertook of giving, from personal ob-
servations, an account of European Agriculture and Rural Economy. I
commend my work to the indulgence and candor of my readers. It was an

126 European Agriculture and Riiral Economy.

undertaking too great for an individual to accomplish as one \\ould desire
that it should he done. It must satisfy me, I hope it will satisfy my friends,
that I have, with unceasing anxiety, sought to execute it as well as I
could. It was not to be expected that I should give a complete system of
agriculture ; but I have constantly endeavored to collect and present that
information which would be most useful ; and to convey it in a simple and
practical form. I have omitted many circumstances, because they are well
known. I have given full details wherever I thought they were required.
As to iny opinions on any subject upon which I have treated, I can only
answer that they are my own ; that I am quite ready to yield them, when I
find, upon further information, reason so to do ; and, above all, that my
opinions or judgments do not encroach upon the personal right of indepen-
dent judgment and opinion in any and all others.

European agriculture lays under many burdens, from which the United
States are free, and I pray may long remain so. The weight of taxation
in most of the countries of Europe is very oppressive. The unproductive
classes are numerous to an excess. Immense standing armies ; govern-
ments enormously expensive, and in a great measure irresponsible to the
people ; ecclesiastical establishments, and their attaches, demanding large
contributions from labor, and returning, in many cases, little more in value
than the bishop's blessing in ^sop's fable, are all to be sustained from the
soil, and by the labor, of those who cultivate it. In their present exemption
from these burdens, tlie farmers of the United States are greatly blessed.
May they duly appreciate their singular advantages, than which none great-
er ever fell to the lot of man in his social condition. To them we may ap-
ply ihe beautiful line of the immortal poet —

O ! ter beati AgricolfE, si sua bona n6rint.'' *— pp- 596-598

We fear, if this was not the closing number, some of Mr.
Colman's readers would "stop their subscription," for in
these days — to recommend the culture of the grape for the
manufacture of wine, would bring down, upon the writer, the
indignation of some of our philanthropists, who look upon
the grape as the remote cause of all the intemperance of
the age. We, however, agree with Mr. Cohnan, and we
trust we may see that time arrive, when the importation of
wine will be among the things that were.

The work forms two volumes, of upwards of 500 pages
each, illustrated with many fine copper-plate engravings —
printed on superior paper, and in a neat bold type — and will
form a valuable acquisition to the library of every farmer.

* TJirice happy farmers, if they only knew their Lle.ssiiigs.

General Notices. 127

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Notices.

Cultivation of Celery. — It is well known, in these exhibition days, that
much of the gigantic celery which finds its way to market, or appears at
our public exhibitions, is (although so specious in appearance,) exceedingly
coarse and fibrous. It moreover has a constant tendency to " run to seed,"
before even winter sets in : and then, of course, 1 ises that delicate tender-
ness of texture, for which celery is so much esteemed. Now, although it
is quite commendable to encourage size, at an exhibition, it does not follow,
that the mode employed to produce such enormous stalks, must be implicit-
ly followed by those whose office it is to provide choice salads for the weal-
thy, whose taste, in matters of the kind, is not always identical with that
of the inhabitants of busy towns; the latter, in their marketing matters, not
unfrequently prefer bulk to quality.

I presume it will be readily conceded, that rapid growth is the principle
which most conduces to tenderness in vegetables; and that any mode of
culture, which produces an unusual bulk of material, through very early
sowing, must, in a proportionate degree, deteriorate the character of the
production. One of the first points to which I would respectfully direct at-
tention, in order to obtain tender, crisp, and good-keeping celery, is to sow
it much later than usual, and to cultivate it very highly afterwards ; never,
if possible, suffering it to receive a check of any kind. A very small sow-
ing, to obtain a little very early celery, may be made in the early part of
February; but, for the principal supply, the beginning of April will suffice,
provided the maxim be put in full practice.

This plant is such a gross feeder, that mere soil in the seed-bed, be it
ever so good, will not suffice alone to carry out these principles. It should
always be sown in contact with a thin layer of very rotten manure ; and,
above all things, kept constantly moist. It is, moreover, generally sown
much too thick ; and this frequently arises from the want of frame-room ;
most gardeners preferring to sow it in a hot-bed frame. There is, however,
no absolute necessity to rear it in a frame, if sown as here recommended ; I
have raised my main crops for years — even in this northern climate — on open
but elevated beds, in the open garden. True itis, the young plant requires
some nursing, and much attention in guarding it from the snails and slugs ;
this, however, presents no obstacle worth consideration

My practice is to apply liquid manure occasionally, to this late sowing ,
or, at all events, to keep the beds constantly moist. The importance of an
abundant supply of moisture, is pretty well known — especially during hot
weather, when it is barely possible to keep it too wet. This was long since
shown by the late Mr. Knight, who, taking into consideration the circum-
stance of its being, as to its native habits, a ditch plant, shaped his course
of culture accordingly.

128 General Notices.

As soon as the young plant can be handled with convenience, trans
planting must take place ; and this part of the cultivation must be performed
with much care. Elevated beds should be had recourse to as a guarantee,
against battering storms, the young plant being exceedingly liable to " choke"
during heavy rains. These beds should be thorougbly pulverized, and after
this process — being duly marked out — a coating of rotten manure should be
spread over the surface, two inches in thickness, and a casing of the ordi-
nary soil strewn over this, about an inch in thickness.

The soil being neatly levelled, a light roller may be passed over the
bed, in order to make a close and even surface ; or, in default of a roller,
the soil may be patted with the spade ; this precaution will prevent injury
from storms. By a kindly attention, the plants will be ready for final trans-
planting, in about a month, and no delay must be permitted in this matter,
as it is well known, in these days, that a sudden check, after very rapid
growth, induces the formation of blossoms ; or, in technical terms, as ap-
plied to the celery, causes the plant to "run." The smaller the plant,
therefore, at this removal, the better, provided it is stout and of a dark-green
color.

The mode of culture in drills, or by the Scotch bed mode, is so well
known, that I need say nothing here on that head ; some persons prefer the
one mode, some the other. This, however, depends in part, on the scheme
of rotation pursued : and, for my part, I prefer the Scotch, or bed mode;
for, strange to say, I take my main crop of peas off the ground intended for
celery, previously. The peas are chiefly of the Imperial class, which, it is
well known, produce a glut, and are speedily ofTthe ground.

By sowing two rows of peas at a time, I obtain ground on the removal
of each pair of rows, for a six feet celery-bed: such ground has usually
been much exhausted by the Brassica tribes, previous to the peas, and I
use the celery as a restoring crop.

Whatever mode be adopted, it should be borne in mind, that moisture,
during hot weather, is as necessary here, as in the seed-bed. Much care is
requisite, in " soiling up." I have known excellent crops spoiled by ne-
glectful laborers ; and the first soiling, in general, determines whether it
shall be straight or crooked. The principle of soiling has been much mis-
understood, in many instances; some persons neglecting it for a long pe-
riod, and laying on a most unwarrantable load, by which the whole plant
becomes suddenly paralyzed.

Celery should be soiled little and often — a little once a fortnight, at
furthest ; and the plant should be allowed a firm footing, before the first
soiling takes place. In the middle of November, it should be soiled in an
extra manner, as protection against frost, and the soil pressed very close.
I consider the Manchester red the best for the earliest crop, but Seymour's
white will keep the longest. — [Journal of Horticultural Society, Vol. III. p.
297.)

Management of Fruit Trees. — At this season, when flowers demand com-
paratively little attention, the time of the amateur is required by the fruit
trees in his garden. Now that the year's growth is completed, and the fo-

General Notices. 129

liage has fallen, the training of the tree should be attended to, in reference
both to its bearing fruit, and its future development. Former papers in the
Chronicle, have fully explained the general principles of pruning, in refer-
ence to different trees, and we refer to them for that instruction, which
young gardeners may need. Everything of this kind should be done now,
excepting the nailing of trees to walls, which, physiologists say, should be
left as long as possible. Nature appears to confer benefits on trees, by the
constant motion of their branches, in the wintry winds, and the process of
nailing in, attended to early, deprives them of this. It has been thought,
that the tendency of wall trees to canker, is to be attributed, in part, to the
unnatural position they are fixed in. It is as well, therefore, to leave this
part of gardening labor until the spring, unless the garden is very large,
when, of course, work must be done, when there is an opportunity. All
pruning, however, may be got under at once. Espaliers and standards,
should be carefully trained, and kept in an orderly and elegant form. The
latter are too much neglected in gardens. VV^hen young, standard trees
receive supervision, but when they become older and more valuable, they
are slighted. The centres become filled with small spray, by which air and
light are kept from a large portion of the tree. The knife should be used
to clear this away, and, also to remove all dead branches. Any lime, when
there is no hard frost, will be favorable for this work.

The quarters devoted to gooseberries and currants should now be dug,
a good coating of well rotted manure, being mixed with the soil, as you
proceed. The bushes should now be pruned, if you can adopt measures to
scare away birds from the buds, otherwise, you had better wait until Feb-
ruary. If a bush is now cleared from all useless wood, facility is given for
the entrance of the winged depredators, and you may find your trees quite
destitute of buds in the spring. By leaving them unpruned, an entrance is
in many cases prevented, and, at all events, you can regulate your pruning
afterwards, by the state of the buds. However, it is better to get the work
done now, and take measures to keep the birds away, during the winter.
A mixture of cow dung, soot, and lime, put on with a plasterer's brush, I
have found effectual ; I am not quite sure that white worsted is not equally
potent to keep off the thieves. If your stock is not very large, try both,
and you will be sure of success. When the snow is on the ground, keep a
look out, and the occasional use of a gun will be beneficial.

In order to have a succession of young bearing trees, of various kinds,
the gardener should every year displace some old worn-out subject, for one
just entering on its prime. It is bad management to allow all the fruit trees
of a garden, to grow hoary together. Good gardeners are always siiifting,
and by this means they secure health and plenty. Raspberries, currants,
and gooseberries, allow of this treatment, especially, since they so rapidly
come to perfection. — {Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 829.)

Culture of the Azalea. — At this gloomy season of the year, we are often
cheered by thinking of the treasures which are preparing to display them-
selves, when a few weeks shall have brought more light and a liigher tem-
perature. The buds of hyacinths and early tulips, are ready to burst their

VOL. XV. — NO. III. 17

130 Domestic Notices.

cells, and already a shade of purple, or crimson, or white, gives an indica-
tion of what is to be. This is especially the case with the azalea, whose
stems are now covered with the buds, which, in the spring, will form one
mass of beauty.

The azalea is propagated by seeds for obtaining new varieties, or for
stocks for grafting the finer sorts upon; by inarching or grafting, when
the tender kinds rnay be strengthened by being united with those which are
more robust ; and by cuttings, which' is the more common and expeditious
process, for raising young plants. A soil composed of peat and sand, in
equal quantities, is the best, and the cuttings should be covered with hand-
glasses, until struck. The best time is when the parent plants are in the
most vigorous growth, for the cuttings, partaking of that vigor, will more
readilv emit roots, than when the vital juices are inspissated and compara-
tively motionless. When struck, the young plants must have every advan-
tage of light and air, and frequent shiftings, to secure a vigorous develop-
ment, until they come into bloom. The after treatment then divides itself
into two parts, suggested by the distinction pointed out by nature, between
the seasons of activity and rest, which all vegetation demands. As growth
commences immediately after blooming, the plants should be repotted then,
all the flower-stems being cut off, to prevent the energies of vegetable life
going for the production of seeds. The most appropriate soil consists of about
six parts of heath mould, in which there is a large portion of vegetable mat-
ter, one part of sandy loam, and one of sand. Great care is requisite in pot-
ting, both as to the size of the pots, and the disposition of the roots, which
are very fine, and of a hair-like texture. They must be disposed as equally
as possible, in all directions, that the spongioles may not be crowded to-
gether, but may abso.b equally, the matters requisite for the vigor of the
plant. Good drainage nmst be secured, varying, however, according to the
habits of tlie plants. Some are semi-evergreen, while others are decidedly
deciduous ; the former will require larger pots, and more drainage than the
latter.— (Gar^. Chron., 1848, p. 845.)

Art. II. Dimestic Notices.

Annual Fait of the New York State Agricultural Society. — The Society
have decided upon holding their next fair at Syracuse, on Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday, the llth, 12th, and 13th of September next.
A list of premiums has been pul)lished, which we shall notice more par-
ticularly in our next. It is gratifying to us lo see that the Society have in-
cluded copies of our Fruits of America among the horticultural premiums,
to be awarded at the fair. — Kd.

Twenty-First Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety.— The next annual exhibition of the Society, will he held on Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 18th, 19th, 20lh, and 21st of Sep-
tember next. The Society have also decided to hold a semi-annual exhi-
bition of flowers and fruits, in June, at the time of the general bloom of

Domestic Notices. 131

roses, about the 25th of the month. The flower committee are to report a
list of premiums, and to give due notice of the days of exhibition. — Ed.

Blight in Pear Trees. — I prrceive, by the article " Blight in Pear trees,
by Mr. James," in the January number, that that subject is likely soon to
be better understood, and, like the strawberry question, will cease to cre-
ate any " difference of opinion." I, however, differ with most writers on
the subject, as I am of the belief, that it is neither " insect blight," frozen
sap-blight, nor " winter blight," but — summer IJight — brought on after a
spell of damp, moist, or wet and cool weather, occasioning a superabundant
flow of sap in the trees, and then one of our sudden changes — a hot and
burning sun, acting upon the bark of the tree, — and scorching, as it were,
the sap under the bark. I have not time to write you a long article, to sus-
tain my views at present, but may do so hereafter. If Mr. James supposes
the disease to be the cause of cold — why does he call it " fire blight'?" —
Yours, J. B. Garber, Columbia, Pa., Feb. 1, 1849.

[We are nearly of the same opinion as Mr. Garber ; we are certain that
the blight, so called, is not caused by cold, and that it is the result of heat,
and not frost. As we have before stated, we have our own views to offer,
at a future time, when we have collected a few more facts, and, in the mean
time, we trust Mr. Garber will send us the article he alludes to. — Ed.]

North American Pomological Convention. — Agreeably to the vote of the
Pomological Convention, assembled at Buffalo, last September, the com-
mittee, who were appointed for that purpose, have issued a circular, calling
the secor/e/ ses5zon of the convention, under the above name, to be held in
New York State, in September next, immediately pfter the annual meeting
of the New York State Agricultural Society. Since the circular was is-
sued, the Society have decided upon holding the fair at Syracuse, on the
11th, 12th, and 13th of September next, and the Pomological Convention
■will, therefore, assemble immediately after, on Friday, the 14th, and con-
tinue in session three or four days. The circular is as follovi's : —

" The committee of the North American Pomological Convention, held at
Buffalo, in the State of New York, in the month of September, 1848, who
were empowered to devise such plans as they might deem necessary, to car-
ry out the objects designed by the members thereof, have concluded, as part
of such plan, to appoint fruit committees of five — or more — gentlemen from
each State, and the Canadas, whose duty it shall be, to report the result of
their observations and consultations to the convention, at its assemblage, in
1849. The committee take the liberty of sending to each member of a
State committee, the following rules for their guidance, in attending to the
several duties assigned them ; and they sincerely hope, that all who have
been selected to attend to these duties, will cordially co-operate with them,
in their endeavor to gather such a mass of information, as may prove of im-
portance to the fruit-growing interests of this continent.

Albany, January \st, 1849.

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMITTEES.

1st. The chairmen are requested to notify the other members of the com-
mittees, of their selection ; they are requested to call them together, as

132 Domestic Notices.

often as necessary, in order that they may he enabled to consult on the va-
rious matters referred to them ; they are empowered to supply vacancies in
the committees, — which should consist of at least five members, — with such
gentlemen as they may deem competent, from various parts of their respect-
ive States, and, if it is impossible, from any cause, for a committee to as-
semble torrether, the chairmen are requested to communicate with the seve-
ral members thereof, by letter.

2nd. Each member of a State committee is requested to collect all the
information in his power, as to the value of various varieties of fruits, in his
particular section of a State, he is specially requested to designate such as
have proved to be worthless, specifying the particular disease or diseases,
to which the fruit or tree may be subject, or any other objectionable infor-
mation in regard to them, and, in giving this information, he is requested to
state, as nearly as possible, the character of the soils in which the trees
may be growing, when they prove invaluable or vtce versa ; the chairmen
of the respective committees are requested to embody all this information
in their reports, specifying the particular locality of the State from whence
it comes, and also giving the name of the member of the committee, from
whom it may be derived.

3d. If, in either of the several States or provinces, there are new and
valuable seedling varieties of fruits, not already described or known to the
pomological world, and which, in all their characteristics, will bear a strict
application of rule first, adopted by the convention ; the committees are re-
quested to describe and name them in their reports.

4th. If neither the chairman, or any other member, of a State committee,
can make it convenient to attend the sitting of the North American Pomo-
logical Convention, in the autumn of 1849, the said chairman is hereby re-
quested to transmit his report, by mail, to B. P. Johnson, Esq., Secretary
of the New York State Agricultural Society, at Albany, as early as the
first day of September, 1849, in order that it may be laid before the con-
vention, on the first day of its session.

Committees of five or more persons are appointed from each State in the
Union, and the list is so long, we have not room to copy it entire ; we
therefore give the name of the Chairman from each State.

Maine. — Dr. E. Holmes, Augusta.

New Hampshire. — S. E. Cones, Portsmouth.

Vermont. — C. Goodrich, Burlington.

Massachusetts. — Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury.

Rhode Island. — S. H. Smith, Providence.

Connecticut. — S. D. Pardee, New Haven.

New York. — Herman Wendell, M. D., Albany.

New Jersey. — Roswell L. Colt, Esq., Palerson.

Pennsylvania. — \Vm. H. Dillingham, Philadelphia.

Delaware. — Hon. J. M. Clayton, Wilmington.

Maryland. — C. B. Calvert, Esq., Prince George Co.

District of Columbia. — G. Riggs, Esq., Washington.

Virginia. — Yardley Taylor, Esq., Purcell's Store, P. 0.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 133

North Carolina. — Sydney Weller, Brinckleyville, Halifax Co.

South Carolina. — Wm. Summer, Pomaria.

Georgia. — Daniel Lee, M. D., Augusta.

Alabama.— R. Haswell, Mobile.

Louisiana. — Dr. Miller, New Orleans.

Mississippi. — M. W. Phillips, M. D., Edwards Landing.

Arkansas. — Col. J. B. Flournoy, Little Rock.

Missouri. — Reuben Knox,M. D.,St. Louis.

Wisconsin. — F. K. Phoenix, Esq., Delavan.

Iowa. — H. Gates, Esq., Burlington.

Ohio.— Prof. J. P. Kirlland, M. D., Cleveland.

Michigan. — Dr. J. C. Holmes, Detroit.

Indiana. — J. D G. Nelson, Fort Wayne.

Illinois. — J. A. Kennicott, M. D., Chicago.

Tennessee. — T. Fanning, Franklin College.

Kentucky. — H.P. Bryam. Esq., Louisville.

Canada East. — Hon. James Leslie, Montreal.

Canada West. — James Dougall, Esq., Amherstburgh.

New Brunswick. — Joseph Walton, Esq., St. Andrews.

We are glad to announce the second meetingof the convention, and, from
the reputation of the gentlemen who have been appointed Stale committees,
we are assured that the occasion will be one of very great importance, and
attended with the happiest results. The city of Syracuse, where the
convention is to be held, is one of the most central points which could
have been selected, both for the Western, as well as the New England,
States, and we trust to see a full assemblage of members, who will
come prepared to achieve all that the most ardent friends of pomological
conventions have anticipated.

Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, December 30th, 1848. — The several committees on flowers,
fruits, and vegetables, having made their reports, awarding premiums for
the year 1848, they were presented to the Society, and ordered to be print-
ed. [These were published in our February number.]

The executive committee recommended the following gentlemen as hon-
orary members, and they were duly elected : —

James K. Polk, President of the United States.

Gen. James Tallmadge, President of the American Institute.

Hon. R. C. Winthrojj, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Hon. Joel Parker, LL. D., Royal Professor of Law, at Harvard College.

Caleb Cope, Esq., President of the Pennsylvania Horticulti'ral Society.

Lawrence Young, Esq., President of the Kentucky Horticultural Society.

Joel Rathhone, Esq., President of the Albany and Rensellaer Horticultural Society.

Thos. Allen, Esq., President of the St. Louis Horticultural Society.

James W. Thompson, M. D., Wilmington, Delaware.

Prof A. Aggassiz, Cambridge, Mass.

134 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Hon. Edmund Burke, Comm. of Patents, Wasliington, D. C.
Rev. Jas. JNIcans, Dorchester, Mass.
H. \V. S Cleaveland, Burlington, N. J.

Meeting dissolved.

January 6/h, 1849. — The first stated quarterly meeting of the Society
was held to-day ; — President AVilder took the chair, and introduced his suc-
cessor, Mr. Walker, as follows : —

Gentlemen of the Massachusetts HorlicuUural Society, —

The duly of introducing my successor, your President elect, devolves on me under
very happv auspices — your suffrages have fallen on a man, who is worthy of the offire>
and well qualilied for it — on one who has served the Society, in various capacities'
with fidelity and ability, and whom you now reward with the highest honor in your gift.

Gentlemen. — I rejoice with you in this event, and in the prosperous condition of our
Association — in the friendship and unanimity that prevails among us, and especially
in an opportunity, before taking final leave of the Chair, to thank you once more, most
sincerely, for the distinction which you have bestowed en me — a distinction for
which, at my first election, I had not presumed to hope, hut which, having been so
often conferred, and by those whose approbation I highly appreciate, I shall ever re-
gard as above any earthly preferment.

During my administration, it has been my desire and endeavor to discharge the
duties of my office, with impartiality, and with a view to the best interests of the
Society. How well I have succeeded, I leave for others to judge ; but, whatever suc-
cess may have attended these efforts, for you, my official associates, with whom I have
had such long and pleasant intercourse, and from whom I have received uniform anrt
cordial support, I shall ever entertain an affection next to that for lamily and homt.

Gentlemen, — may a kind Providence bless you in your persons, in your families, and
in all your laudable eflTorls to extend the usefulness, and to increase the resources, of
this institution ; and may he, who is now to occupy this chair, prove inore worthy of
the confidence and respect, you have so liberally bestowed upon me.

To which Mr. Walker replied in the following appropriate address : —

Gentlemen of the Society: —

The very kind manner in which my friend. Col. Wilder, has introduced me, and his
determination, if it were possible, to lay me under further obligations, by his courtesy,
and his avowed approbation of my past services, happily afford me an opportunity to
stale how much I value his friendship— the pleasure it has given ine to serve the So-
ciety, under his administration, and to tender you, Gentlemen, my thanks, for the
honor you have conferred upon me.

I cannot plead that I am ignorant of the duties, or the responsibilities, of the office
to which you have elected me, but, in the same spirit of frankness, permit me to say,
that I have many misgivings as to my ability to discharge them, in such a manner,
as may i)e acceptable to you, Gentlemen, or that I shall be able, in any way, to aid, or
promote, the progress and prosperity of the Society.

When I turn to the records of the Society, to read the doings, and remember the
talents, of those who have heretofore occupied this chair, and more ])articularly, the
eminent |>raclieal services of my immediate predecessor, I have good reason for fear,
as regards my own services But, with you, gentlemen, I have been accustomed to
labor; it is therefore almost unnecessary for me to say, that, for the future, 1 shall
hope and expect to receive the same indulgence, you have so often and so kindly ex-
tended to me, during a period of nearly twenty years. With these expectations, I
enter upon the duties assigned to me, with a determination, on my part, to co-operate
with you, in as liberal an administration of the Society, as may he consistent with
strict economy, and its future interest.

I shall take an early opportunity to submit, for your consideration and action, an

Massachusetts liortlcultural Society. 135

outline of such measure?, as shall appear to me calculated to promote the further
consolidation and usefulness of the Society.

United as we now are, as members, still encouraged by the co-operation of friends,
and enjoying the liberal benefactions of our honored donors, I trust our future will be
full of usefulness, and that our efforts may advance the object for which we are asso-
ciated.

Gentlemen, — When the time shall arrive, that these new relations, which are
formed to day, should be dissolved, may it find us the same united and prosperous Soci-
ety, strong: in mutual friendship and esteem.

Mr. French preseated sotne resolutions, complimentary to the Presi-
dent, and also the followintj votes, which w ere passed unanimously : —

Voted, That the thanks of the Society be tendered to M. P. Wilder, Esq.,
for his services, during the period he was President thereof, and also

Voted, That a cominiltee of three be appointed by the chair, to purchase
a piece of plate, not exceeding in value, one hundred and fifty dollars, and
cause a suitable inscription to be placed thereon, and to present the same,
with the above vote of thanks, to M. P. Wilder, in behalf of the Society,
as a tribute of regard and esteem of its members.

The chair appointed the following gentlemen as the committee. Messrs.
B. V. French, Newhall and Cabot.

Mr. C. M. llovey presented the following Vote, which was passed unani-
mously :

Voted, That the Society's gold medal be presented to Gen. H. A. S.
Dearborn, the first President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
for the essential services he rendered to the science of horticulture, and
the interests of the Society, during the period he presided over its affairs ;
and that a committee of three be appointed by the chair, to carry out the
above vote.

The chair appointed Messrs. C. M. Ilovey, C. Newhall, and E. M.
Richards as the committee.

Dr. E. Wight proposed the followinff resolutions : —

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be tendered to Mr. J. E. Tesche-
raacher, for his valuable services, as corresponding secretary, for many
years, and as chairman of the committee of publication.

Resolved, That, as a token of approbation and respect, and in considera-
tion of these services, that a piece of silver plate, of the value of fifty dol-
lars, be presented to Mr. Teschemacher ; or such other article of like value,
as he may please to designate, and that a committee of three be appointed
by the chair, to carry these resolutions into effect.

Messrs. Wight, Stickney, and Dutton, were appointed this committee.

The Committee of Arrangements, for the next annual exhibition, was
chosen at this meeting : —

Messrs. Lovett, P. B.Hovey, Jr., and O.Johnson, were appointed a com-
mittee, to retire and nominate a committee, consisting of thirteen members,
and they reported the names of the following gentlemen, who were elected : —

Joseph Breck, Chairman ; Messrs. F. W. Macondray, D. Haggerston,
A. D. Williams, Jr., J. S. Cabot, O. Johnson, P. B. Hovey, Jr., E. Wight,
J. F. Allen, J. Lovett,2d, Capl. W. H. Austin, A. D. Weld,H. W. Dutton.

136

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

On motion of Mr. Nevvhall, it was voted, that the donation of Mr. Ap-
pleton, amounling to two hundred dollars, be placed at the disposal of the
library committee.

The committee on finance, and the committee on the library, reported
in part, and further time was granted, to complete their reports.

The executive committee submitted a schedule of premiums for 1849,
which was accepted, and voted to be published.

Adjourned two weeks, to January 18lh.

LIST OF PREMIUMS FOR 1849.

The prospective premiums are the same as for 1848, which will be found
in our last volume, (XIV., p. 131.)

PREMIUMS FOR FRUITS.

Amount appropriated, Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars.

PREMIUMS DURING THE SEASON.

For the best and most interesting exhibition of Fruits, during

the season, the Lowell Plate, valued at . . . $20 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 12 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 8 00

Apples. — For the best twelve Summer Apples, on or before the

last Saturday in August, . . . . . G 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

For the best twelve Autumn Apples, on or before the last Sat-
urday in November, . . . . . 6 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

For the best twelve Winter Apples, on or before the last Sat-
urday in December, . . . . . 6 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

Bl.\ckbekkies. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, 5 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 3 00

Cherries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, . 6 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

Cdrr.\nts. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, . 5 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 3 00

Figs. — For the best twelve specimens, . . . . 5 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 3 00

Gooseberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, 5 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 3 00

Grapes. — For the best specimens, grown under glass, on or be-
fore the first Saturday in July, . . . . 10 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 7 00

For the best specimens, grown under glass, subsequently to

the first Saturday in July, . . . . . 10 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 7 00

•■i

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

137

the last

glass, on

For the best specimens of Native Grapes,

For the next best,
Musk Melon. — For the best Musk Melon, on or before
Saturday in August,

For the next best,
Nectarines. — For the best twelve specimens,

For the next best.
Peaches. — For the best twelve specimens, grown under
or before the second Saturday in July,

For the next best.

For the best twelve specimens, grown in open culture

For the next best, .....

Pears. — For the best collection, not exhibited before this year

with a written description of the same, the Society's Plate,

For the next best, .....

For the best twelve Summer Pears, on or before the last Sat
urday in August, ....

For the next best, ....

For the best twelve Autumn Pears, on or before the
urday in November,

For the next best, . . . .

For the best twelve Winter Pears, on or before the
urday in December,

For the next best, ....
Plums — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes

For the next best.
Quinces. — For the best twelve specimens,

For the next best.
Raspberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes

For the next best.
Strawberries, — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes

For the second best, .

For the third best.

last Sat

last Sat

$5 00
3 00

5 00

3 00

6 00

4 00

6 00
4 00
6 00
4 00

15 00
10 00

6 OO

4 00)

10 00
6 00
6 GO
3 00

5 00
3 00

5 00

3 00

6 00

4 00
3 00

Ol/^ The Prizes and Gratuities will be awarded on the following days : —

For Cherries, Gooseberries, forced Grapes, forced Peaches, and Strawber-
ries, on the last Saturday in July.

For Summer Apples, Blackberries, Currants, Musk Melon, Summer Pears
and Raspberries on the last Saturday in August.

For Foreign and Native Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, and Plums, on the
last Saturday in October.

For Autumn Apples, Figs, Autumn Pears, and Quinces, on the last Sat-
urday in November.

For Winter Apples, Winter Pears, New Pears, and for the " Exhibition
during the season," on the last Saturday in December.
Ol/^ Competitors for Prizes are particularly referred to the Rules and

Regulations which will be strictly adhered to by the Committee.
VOL. XV. — NO. III. 18

138

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

TO BE AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION IN SEPTEMBER.

Apples. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each,

the Society's Plate, valued at . . . . $20 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 12 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 8 00

For the best dish of Apples, twelve specimens, of one variety, 6 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

Pears. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each,

the Lyman Plate, valued at . . . . 20 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 12 00

For the third best, . . . . . , 8 00

For the best dish of Pears, twelve specimens of one variety, 6 00

For the next best, . . . . . . 4 00

Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of Fruit, of various kinds, 10 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 7 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 5 00

Grapes. — For the best five varieties, two bunches each, the Ly-
man Plate, . . . . . . 15 00

For the second best, the Bradlee Plate, . . . 10 00

For the best two varieties, two bunches each, . . 7 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 5 00

#450 00
These premiums will be awarded on the first day of the exhibition.

PREMIUMS FOR PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND DESIGNS.

Amount appropriated, Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
display of greenhouse plants, in pots, through the season.

For the best display of Greenhouse Plants, in pots, through

the season, the Appleton Gold Medal, valued at . . $25 00

For the second best display, the Society's Silver Gilt Medal,

valued at . . . . . . . 15 00

display of greenhouse plants, in pots.
To be exhibited at the opening of the Hall, on the 1st Saturday in May :-
Pelargoniu.ms. — Class I. — For the best six new and rare varie-
ties, grown in eight inch pots.
For tlie second best, .....

Class II. — For the best six varieties of any sort, grown in large
pots, ......

For the second best, .....

Roses. — For the best six varieties of Tea, Bourbon, Noisette, or
Bengal, ......

For the second best, .....

For the third best, .....

Cut Flowers. — For the best display, a premium of

For the second best, .....

6

00

4

00

e

G

GO

4

00

)r

G

00

4

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

130

Fuchsias. — For the best six varieties, a premium of . • $6 00

For the second best, . . . . 4 00

Cactus. — For the best six varieties, a premium of . . 3 00

For the second best, . . . . . .2 00

Calceolarias. — For the best six varieties, a premium of . 3 00

For the second best, . . . , . . 2 00

Cinerarias. — For the best six varieties, a premium of . . 3 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 2 00

Heaths. — For the best varieties, a premium of . . . 3 00

For the second best, . . . . , . 2 00

Various Sorts. — For the best display of various sorts of Green-
house Plants, not less than twelve pots, . . . 8 00
For the second best display, . . . . . 5 00

Hyacinths. — Premiums to be awarded second Saturday in May.

For the best display, not less than twenty varieties, . 5 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00

Tulips. — Premiums to be awarded the third Saturday in May.

For the best thirty distinct varieties, a prize of . . 8 00

For the second best . . . . . . 6 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 3 00

Pansies. — Premiums to be awarded the fourth Sunday in May.

For the best twelve distinct varieties, a premium of . . 4 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 2 00

Hawthorns. — Premiums to be awarded the fourth Saturday in May.
For the best display, a premium of . . . .3

For the second best, ...... 2

Hardy Azaleas. — Premiums to be awarded fourth Saturday in May.
For the best display, a premium of . . . .5

For the second best, . . . . . .3

Shrubby P^eonies. — Premiums to be awarded fourth Saturday in May.
For the best six varieties, a premium of . . .5

For the second best, ...... 4

For the best display, . . . . .3

Herbaceous Peonies. — Premiums to be awarded second Saturday
in June.
For the best twelve flowers, having regard to the number of
varieties, ...... 5

For the second best, . . . . . .4

For the best display, . . . . .3

Pinks. — Premiums to be awarded third Saturday in June.

For the best six distinct varieties, a premium of , .4

For the second best, . . . . . .3

For the best display, ...... 2

Roses. — Premiums to be awarded third Saturday in June.

Class I. — Hardy Roses.
For the best thirty distinct varieties, a premium of . . 8 00

00
00

00
00

00
00

00

00
00
00

00
00
00

140 Massachusetts Horticulttiral Society.

For the second best, ......

For the third best, ......

For the best display, .....

Class II.

For the best twelve distinct varieties, a premium of .

For the second best, ......

For the tiiird best, ......

Class III. — Perpetual Rosea.

For the best ten varieties, .....

For the second best, ......

For the best display, ......

Class IV. — Prairie Roses.

For the best display, not less than four varieties,

For the second best, ......

Carnation and Picotee Pinks. — Premiums to be awarded third
Saturday in July.

For the best ten varieties, a premium of . . .

For the second best, ......

For the best display, ......

Magnolias. — For the best display through the season , a premium of

For the second best, ......

Hardy Rhododendrons. — For the best display of the season.

For the second best, ......

Double Hollyhocks. — Premiums to be awarded third Saturday
in July.

For the best display, a premium of .

For the second best, ......

For the third best, ......

Double Balsams. — Premiums to be awarded 2d Saturday in Aug.

For the best display, a premium of .

For the second best, ......

For the third best, ......

Phloxes. — Premiums to be awarded third Saturday in August.

For the best ten distinct varieties, a premium of

For the second best, ......

For the third best, ......

German Asters. — Premiums to be awarded second Saturday in
September.

For the best display, a premium of ....

For second best, ......

For the third best, ......

Bouquets, Wreaths, Designs, &c.

Premiums to be awarded at the Annual Exhibition.

Vase Bouquets. — For the best pair suitable forthe Bradlee Vases,

a premium of the Bradlee Plate, valued at . .10 00

For the second best, . . . . . . 6 00

f6

00

4

00

3

00

5

00

3

00

o

00

5

00

4

00

3

00

4

00

3

00

5

00

4

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

G

00

4

00

3

00

4

00

3

00

2

00

Massaclmsetts Horticultural Society.

141

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For the best pair for the Society's Marble Vases,

For the second best, .....
Parlor Bouquets. — For the best pair suitable for the parlor,

For the second best, .

For the third best, .

For the fourth best, .
Pot Plants. — For the best display, of not less than twenty plants,

Yox the second best, .

For the third best.

For the fourth best, .
Coxcombs. — For the best six pots, a premium of

For the second best, .
Balsams. — For the best six pots, a pre^nium of

For the second best, .
Dahlias. — Premiums to be awarded fourth Saturday in Sept.

Division A.
Premier Prize. — For the best twelve dissimilar blooms, the

Society's Silver Medal, . . . . .5

Specimen Bloom. — For the best flower, ... .3

Various Colors. — For the best yellow, buff, or orange; purple
or maroon ; crimson or claret ; very dark ; white ; edged
or tipped , scarlet ; pink or rose, a premium of $1 00 each.

Division B.
Class I. — For the best twenty-four dissimilar blooms, .

For the second best, ......

Class II. — For the best eighteen dissimilar blooms.

For the second best, ......

Class III. — For the best twelve dissimilar blooms,

For the second best, ......

Herbaceous Perennials. — For the best display through the season,
the Society's Silver Medal, ....

For the second best, .....

For the third best, ......

Annuals. — For the best display through the season, the Socie-
ty's Silver Medal, ......

For the second best, ......

For the third best, ......

Camellias. — Premiums to be awarded second Saturday in Feb.

For the best twelve varieties of cut flowers, with foliage, . 8 00
For the second best, . . . . . . 5 00

Chinese Primrose. — Premiums to be awarded second Sat. in Feb.

For the best six varieties in pots, a premium of . .3

For the second best, ...... 2

Greenhouse Azaleas. — Premiums to be awarded 2d Sat. in March.

For the best six varieties in pots, . . . .6

For the second best, . . . . • -4

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142 Massachusetts Hoi^ticiiltural Society.

Shrubby Plants. — For the best display, during the season, . $5 00
For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00

For the third best, . . . . . . 3 00

Premiums and Gratuities to ee awarded at the Weekly Exhibitions.

Amount appropriated. One Hundred and Thirty-Four Dollars, . 134 00

For the best six Pot Plants, of different varieties . $2 00
For the second best, . . . . . 1 00

For the best large Bouquet for vases or parlor, com-
posed of flowers pracefully arranjjed, . . 1 00
For the best pair of Bouquets of any description, . 1 00

$650 00

PREMIUMS FOR VEGETABLES.

Amount appropriated, One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.

Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, not less than three bunches,

For the second best, a premium of .
Beets. — For the best (pure blood beet,) during the season, not
less than twelve roots, a premium of . . .

Broccoli. — For the best three heads, a premium of
Beans. — For the best and earliest peck of string beans, .

For the best and earliest Lima beans, not less than two quarts.

For the best and earliest variety of shell beans, a premium of

Cabbage. — For the best drumhead cabbage, duringlhe season, not

less than three heads, a premium of . . .

For the second best, . . . .

For the best Savoy cabbage, during the season, not less
than three heads, a premium of .

For the second best, ......

Carrots. — For the best exhibited, a premium of
Cauliflowers. — For the best and largest, during the season, not
less than three heads, a premium of . . .

For the second best, .....

Celery. — For the best and largest blanched, not less than six roots.

Fur the second best, .....

Corn. — For the best and earliest sweet corn, not less than 12 ears.

For the second best, . .

Cucumbers. — Vox the best pair under glass, previous to the first
Saturday in June, a premium of .

For the second best, .....

For the best and earliest of open culture,
Egg Plants. — Tlie best display during the season, a premium of

For the second best, ......

Lettuce. — For the best six heads, before the 1st Sat. in July, .

For the second best, ......

Potatoes. — For the best new seedling, of superior quality, for

the table iO 00

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Horticultural Memoranda.

143

For the best and earliest peck, previous to August 1,
For the second best, .....

Peas. — For the best and earliest peck in June, a premium of
Rhubarb. — For the largest and best, previous to the first Satur
day in July, not less than twelve stalks, a premium of
For the second best, a premium of .
Squashes. — For the best pure Canada squashes, not less than six
in number, .....

For the greatest variety exhibited, during the season,
To.matoes. — For the best and earliest, not less than one dozen,
Vegetables. — For the best display and greatest variety at the
weekly exhibitions, during the season, a premium of
For the second best, .....

For the best display and greatest variety at the annual exhi
bition, ......

For the second best, .....

For any new variety of vegetables suitable for the table, and
worthy of cultivation, other than seedling potatoes,

. $3

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#150 00

The regulations are nearly the same as last year, (Vol. XIV., p. 139.)

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR MARCH.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines, owing to the late very severe weather, have not advanced
quite so rapidly as they otherwise would have done ; but, as the sun is now
higher, and warmer weather may soon be expected, they will, by the last
of the month, show their clusters of fruit-buds. The vines should be tied
up to the trellis, as soon as they are evenly broken ; but as long as any of
the eyes, which are wanted to form spurs, do not start, the end of the
shoots may be left suspended, and this will have the effect of starting the
dormant buds. Keep them well syringed, in all good weather, both morn-
ing and evening. The temperature should be from 50° to 55° at night, and
a good abundane3 of air admitted on fine days. Cold houses will no«v need
airing in warm days, or the vines may start too soon. Vines in pots may
now be brought forward in a greenhouse, and an early crop be obtained.
Cuttings may now be put in. Vines in the open garden should now be
pruned ; it is the best season when they have not been done in the autumn ;
no danger need be apprehended from a little bleeding.

Fig trees in pots, in the greenhouse, should now be liberally watered.
Plants may be brought in for a succession.

Peach trees in pots, may yet be brought into the greenhouse, and the crop
much forwarded.

Strawberries in pots, should be very liberally supplied with water, and
kept near the glass. Seeds may be sown now in boxes.

144 Horticultural Memoranda.

Scions of fruit trees maj' yet be cut -vviih perfect success.

Grafting. Where there is a great deal of grafting to be done, and only one
hand to do it, the work nnay be connmenced the last of the month.

Strawberry beds, if the spring should open early, will need looking after
the last of the month.

Stakes, labels, grafting wax, <^-c., should be now got in readiness against
the approach of good weather, when there will be no time to attend to these
things.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Camellias will now be growing freely, and should be syringed daily, and
liberally watered at the root. Inarching may yet be done.

Japan lilies will be growing rapidly, and sliould not be forced on too fast :
keep them in a rather cool situation, ^\''ater sparingly.

Pelargoniums will now be in fine condition, if they have been properly
managed. The foliage should be dark green, and stiff, and the wood short-
jointed and stocky. If wanted for blooming in May, keep the plants cool, and
if the shoots are too forward, pinch off those which are taking the lead.
Keep the branches well tied out, and cut them entirely out when too thick.

Azaleas will now be in full bloom, and may be liberally watered.

Dahlias may still be brought forward for early blooming.

Veronicas should now be shifted and headed in, if fine large specimens
are wanted.

Roses will now be flowering, and should be liberally watered. Fumigate,
to destroy the green fly.

Fuchsias should now be repotted, and the branches headed well in ; they
will then make fine specimens.

Calceolarias will now need repotting, if fine showy plants are wanted.

Cali/stegia pubesr.ens should now be repotted, and placed in a warm situa-
tion, to give it a good growth.

Achimenes of all kinds, should now be potted off for early flowering.

Heaths, done flowering, should be headed in, in order to make fine stocky
plants. Cuttings may yet be put in.

Carnations, phloxes, dfc, in frames, should be aired in fine weather, and
all decayed leaves picked off the plants.

Hyacinth and tulip beds will need attention the last of the month, if the
weather should be warm .

Ranunculuses should be planted now in frames, and they will give a fine
bloom.

Verbenas m^y be shifted again, if large plants arc wanted. Seeds, for
producing new kinds, may now be planted.

Seeds of showy annuals, for transplanting into the open border, should
now be sown in a frame, or in the greenhouse.

Lechenaullia formosa. If fine large specimens are desired, it will be
well now to shift the plants carefully in a good prepared compost.

Hardy roses, prairies, and other climbers, may be pruned this month, and
properly trained up to a trellis or wall.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE.

APRIL, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Select List of Hardy, Deciduous, mid Evergreen
Shrubs. By the Editor.

Nothing adds so much to the beauty and interest of a small
garden or a suburban residence, as a liberal stock of the show-
ier ornamental shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous. Nu-
merous as the species and varieties are, and natives too, as
many of them be, yet it is rare that more than a dozen of
them are found in a collection, unless in that of some zealous
amateur or lover of trees, who is acquainted with their mer-
its, and fully appreciates their beauty.

More especially are our gardens deficient in evergreen
shrubs. Rich as our Flora is in its several species, and
prized as they are by cultivators abroad, it is rare to find
them occupying a place in our collections. Our pastures
abound with the elegant kalmia — our woods are skirted with
the beautiful rhododendron — our swamps dotted with the sil-
very andromeda — and our low grounds clustered with the
glossy-leaved winter-green . But among our cultivated shrubs,
they are as little known as the rarest plants of foreign climes.

Our object is now to name some of the most ornamental
and desirable shrubs ; not a list of all, as that would occupy
more room than we now have to spare ; but, at another oppor-
tunity, we shall extend the number, and arrange them all, in-
cluding those now enumerated, according to the Natural
method, that those who are desirous of making an arboretum
can have a guide in the selection of kinds adapted for that
purpose.

VOL. XV. — NO. IV. 19

146 Hardy J Deciduous^ and Evergreen Shrubs.

We shall divide our selection into two classes, viz., Decid-
uous and Evergreen shrubs, and arrange the kinds according
to their average height of growth, so that the young ama-
teur may have some guide as to the proper place of planting
in a border, that the dwarfer kinds may not be overgrown by
the taller varieties.

I. Deciduous Shrubs.

Sec I. Shrubs growing fiom two to four feet high.

1. Common Mezereum, (Da/^Ane Mezereum.) A showy lit-
tle shrub, of quite dwarf habit, and one of the earliest flow-
ering ones our gardens possess : the blossoms, which are of a
bright pink, quite clothe the branches, appearing in April be-
fore the leaves. On account of the earliness of its blooming
alone it should be in every small collection. It grows in any
good soil.

2. Japan Quince, {Cydbnia japonica.) Among the most
brilliant of early blooming shrubs The flowers are of a deep
glowing red, and appear in profusion along the shoots. They
open immediately on the appearance of good weather in
April, and continue in bloom a long time. The plants have
a dwarf and straggling habit.

There are two varieties of the Japan quince, viz., the
white, so called, but whose flowers are only a pale blush ; and
the double-flowered^ whose flowers, however, consist of only
two rows of petals of the same deep color as the original spe-
cies ; all are desirable in a large collection.

3. Tree Pjeony, (Pawda Moutan.) It is but a few years since
the pteony has been cultivated as a hardy shrub. It is, however,
one of the most splendid we now possess, with flowers measur-
ing eight or ten inches in diameter and perfectly double ; a small
bush with twenty or thirty of these huge flowers presenting a
magnificent object. It is of slow growth, and requires a deep
and rich soil. In very cold and moist localities, it is best to
slightly protect the young plants with a covering of manure,
straw, or pine boughs. P. M. Banksidd and papaverdcea are
the common kinds. Blossoms in June.

AVilhin a few years, a great number of elegant varieties
have been produced by the French and Belgian florists, as
well as by our own cultivators. These are yet rare, and only

Hardij^ Deciduous^ and Evergreen Shrubs. 147

to be obtained at high prices. The best are the Grand Due
de Bade, Hissiana, 7'dsea stiperba, alba plejiissima, ^'c.

4. Rough-leaved Deutzia, (jyeulzm scdbra.) A highly
ornamental shrub of erect growth, each branch terminated
with a raceme of white flowers, somewhat in appearance like
the orange blossom, and delicately fragrant. If allowed
plenty of room, and not crowded upon by other shrubs, it
forms a fine object. It thrives in any good soil, and blossoms
in May and June.

5. Fragrant Clethra, {Clethraalnlfdlia.) Though one of
the most common shrubs in low grounds in Massachusetts, it
is not often seen under cultivation. Its numerous spikes of
white flowers are not only beautiful, but they exhale a de-
lightful perfume, and appear late in the season, when most
of our garden shrubs have blossomed. It is of the easiest
cultivation. August.

6. Persian Lilac, {Syringapersica.) One of our oldest and
prettiest shrubs, though often made to give way for the com-
mon lilac. Its slender habit, neat foliage, and large clusters
of flowers claim for it a place in every collection. There is
a white variety of the same habit, and both possess equal
merit. May.

7. The new Red Lilac, (Syringa var. Satigeana.') This
is an improvement upon the Persian ; the habit is a little
stronger, the foliage small and entire, and the clnsters of flow-
ers very large and more than a foot long. It is a great ac-
quisition. Flowers in May.

8. Purple-leaved Berberry, (Berberis purpurea.^ A very
ornamental species of something of the habit of the common
berberry, but with a foliage of the color of the copper beech,
contrasting prettily with other shrubs growing near it. It
also bears very showy clusters of bright yellow flowers. It
is perfectly hardy. June.

9. Sweet-Scented Shrub, {CalycantMis Jioridiis.') Univer-
sally admired, for the rich strawberry-like odor of its curious
brown-colored flowers. It thrives well in any good soil, and
should not be omitted in the smallest collection. Blooms in
May and June.

10. Azalea, {^Azalea niidijibra.') One of the prettiest of
early blooming shrubs, the bushes being covered with a pro-

14S Hardy, Deciduous, and Evergreen Shrtibs.

fusion of bright pink blossoms. It is easily cultivated, and
thrives in any good loamy soil. More than 50 varieties have
been raised by the English and Continental cultivators, many of
which are exceedingly beautiful. Flowers in May and June.

11. Three-lobed Spir^a, {Spirce^a irilobdki.) A beautiful
low shrub, with spreading branches, producing an abundance
of pure white flowers, which appear in dense corymbs, all
over the plant. The habit is neat, and the foliage has a
glaucous appearance, which adds to the interest of this spe-
cies. It is perfectly hardy, and blooms in May and June.

12. Double Dwarf Almond, (^A-mygdahis pumila.) The
double dwarf flowering almond is one of the oldest, as well
as most popular, of garden shrubs, and is indispensable to
even the smallest collection. The abundance of its little
double blossoms, which are displayed upon the smallest
plant, render it the gayest of the early flowering shrubs. It
blooms in May.

13. Snowberry, {Symj)horicarjjos 7'acemdsa.) Another pop-
ular and admired shrub, whose slender branches are loaded
with clusters of berries, of the snowiest white, throughout the
autumn. It is a native shrub, and grows abimdantly on the
banks of the Missouri, and in other localities in the West. It
has small inconspicuous red flowers, which are succeeded by
its showy berries, from August to November.

14. Variegated-leaved Snowberry, {Symphoricarpos vul-
garis variegatus.) One of the few hardy shrubs we possess,
with variegated foliage. It forms a compact bush, and has
a neat foliage, finely variegated with green and yellow. No
select collection should be without one or more plants.

15. CRrMSON-FLowERED, CuRRANT, (Rlbes sanguiueum^ A
very beautiful low bush, but not suflficiently hardy to be re-
commended, where shrubs are to be left to take care of them-
selves. With a little protection of straw, it stands our win-
ters, and its branches are profusely covered with short ra-
cemes of deep crimson blossoms, during May. A light warm
soil suits it best.

Sec. II. Shrubs growing from six to eight feet high.

16. Virginia Fringe Tree, {Chionanthus virglnicus.) One
of the most beautiful of shrubs, having an upright and sym-

Hardy, Deciduous, and Evergreen Shrubs. 149

metrical form, — an ample deep-green foliage, — and displaying
an abundance of depending racemes of pure Avhite flowers,
so finely cut, as to be justly denominated the fringe tree. It
is a native of the middle States, and is perfectly hardy. It
thrives best in a rich deep loam. Flowers in June.

17. Oak-leaved Hydrangea, {Yiydratigea querci folia.')
Another of our native shrubs, of the most ornamental appear-
ance. Its oak-like foliage, and large clusters of white flow-
ers, contrast finely with other shrubs. It remains in bloom
from June to September.

18. Upright Honeysuckles, {Junnicera tartdricum and xylos-
teum.) Beautiful shrubs, and among the very earliest bloom-
ers. The Tartarian has pink flowers, Avhich are succeeded
by bright scarlet berries ; and the Fly (L. xylosteuni) has pale
straw-colored blossoms. May is their season of bloom.

19. Rose Acacia, {Rob'uiia. hispida.) Another of the old
denizens of our gardens, but not inferior, in beauty, to many
of the more recent acquisitions. Its habit is rather straggling,
but it produces a profusion of lively pink flowers which are
highly ornamental. May and June.

20. Syringas, iVhiladilphus sp.) The common Syringa,
(P. co}-ondrius,) is universally esteemed, for the powerful
odor of its pretty white blossoms. The large-flowered, or
Carolina, (P. grayidijlorus,) is more rare, and the blossoms
twice as large as the former. It succeeds the common in
blooming, and, though not so sweet-scented as that, its very
large blossoms render it equally desirable. There is also a
double variety of the common syringa, which is well worthy a
place in every collection. They flower during May and June.

21. Alth-^as, (Jiibiscus syi'idcus.^ Highly ornamental
shrubs, and very desirable, on account of the late period of
their blooming. In August and September, their large
showy flowers are the most attractive of the garden. There
is a great variety of colors, as well as double and single flow-
ers. The best, among the double ones, are the variegated and
crimson. They stand the winter best, if planted on a dry
subsoil.

22. Japan Globe Flower, {Kerria. japonica.) Nothing adds
more to the gayness of a clump of shrubs, than the golden
blossoms of the Japan Globe flower, displayed, as they gener-

150 Hardy ^ Deciduous, and Evergreeji Shrubs.

ally arc, at intervals, from April to September. Its smooth
green stems also contrast prettily with the grayish bark of
other shrubs. The situation should be warm, and the sub-
soil dry.

23. Missouri Currant, (Ribes j^dv?;m.) Not so conspicuous
as some other shrubs, but deservedly popular on account of its
highly fragrant yellow blossoms, which appear in great pro-
fusion. It is of the easiest cultivation, growing freely in any
soil or situation. May.

24. White-Fruited Dogwood, (Cdrm/5 a/6a.) A native spe-
cies of much interest It has white flowers, and white fruit,
but its greatest attractiveness is the brilliant color of its young
shoots, which are of a deep blood red, and form one of the
mostprominent objects in the shrubbery, in winter and spring.
It blooms in May and June.

25. Strawberry Tree, or Burning Bush, {F,ii6my7?iiis euro-
pcB'us.) An upright and rather symmetrically formed shrub,
with small greenish white flowers, of no beauty, but which
are succeeded by brilliant orange-colored berries, suspended
in the greatest profusion from every branch. May is its
period of flowering, and the berries ripen in September, and
hang till April. There is a w;/a7e-fruited variety, which
makes a pleasing contrast with the red.

26. Double-flowered Sloe, {Vrwnis spiiwsa pihio.) A
compact growing shrub, of recent introduction, and not often
seen in collections. The flowers are about half the size of
the dwarf almond, quite double, pure white, and entirely
cover the numerous branches. A fine large specimen in our
garden, budded on the plum, and trained as a standard, is an
exceedingly beautiful object when in full bloom. It is impa-
tient of a damp situation. Flowers in May and June.

27. Swamp Magnolia, {MagJidlia glauca.) If a beautiful
glossy foliage, united with large flowers, of the most exquisite
odor, are characteristics of a fine garden shrub, the Magnolia
glauca possesses them all in an eminent degree. Though
a native of Massachusetts, it is but rarely seen among garden
shrubs; a light loamy soil, with a small quantity of peat or
leaf-mould intermixed, suits it admirably. It flowers in July.

28. Privet, {higustriim vidgdre.) Common, but not the
less valuable as a garden shrub. It has a good habit, a neat

Hardy ^ Deciduous, and Evergreen Shrubs. 151

linear foliage, and, when every branch is terminated with a
raceme of its white flowers, it forms an attractive object.
Grows in any soil or situation, and flowers in July.

Sec. III. Shrubs from eight to twelve feet high.

29. Snowdrop or Silver Bell, (^Halesia. tetrapiera.) A very
showy large shrub, of upright habit, having a profusion of
silvery bells, depending from every branch, which are dis-
played throughout May. It should not be omitted in the
smallest collection.

30. Venetian Fringe or Smoke Tree, (Rhus C6ti?ius.) A
much admired shrub, remarkable for the peculiar fringe-like
appearance of the seed, which completely cover the shoots,
from July to October. The French call it the Periwig tree,
an appropriate name. It is of easy cultivation, and thrives in
any good soil.

31. Common Dogwood, {Cornus florida.) A native of our
woods, where its large showy white flowers have a conspicu-
ous appearance among the sombre foliage of the surrounding
shrubs. It is well worthy a place in every shrubbery, dis-
playing its blossoms during May and June, and the leaves
dying ofl" in the autumn of a rich purple tint.

32. Cornelian Cherry Tree, (Co'/vn<5 mas.) Highly orna-
mental, both in flower and fruit. Its blossoms, which are
yellow, appear in April, and they are succeeded by an abun-
dance of corol-colored fruit, which render the tree attractive
till autumn. In some of the old gardens of Europe, it was
formerly cultivated as a fruit tree.

33. Judas Tree, (Cercis canadensis.) A handsome shrub,
not often seen in cultivation, but one that well merits to be
generally introduced. It forms a low spreading tree, and, in
early spring, it is a conspicuous object from the great quan-
tity of bright pink blossoms, which appear before the leaves,
and cover, not only the young shoots, but the old ones, and
even the main stem. May.

34. The Cranberry tree, (Y iburnum oxy coccus.) Exceed-
ing ornamental during the autumn, when every shoot is pen-
dant with a large corymb of brilliant red berries. The flow-
ers are white, and appear in July. It grows in any situation,
even under the shade of trees.

152 Hardy, Deciduous, aiid Evergreen Shrubs.

35. The Guelder Rose or Snowball Tree, {yibunuimO'jni-
lus van) Too common and well known to need more than a
passing notice, as no shrubbery should be without one or
more plants. It thrives in any good soil, and its globular
heads of snowy flowers are always admired. May and June.

36. Double-flowering Cherries, {06rasus sylvestris Ji. pi.)
There are three kinds of the double flowering cherry, two
only of which have yet flowered in our collection. The first
is the common double cherry, {sylves/ris Jl. pi.) -with, very
compact flowers, like a ranunculus. The other, the double
French, {vulgaris Jl. pi.) with larger and more loosely formed
fllowers, and expanding a fortnight before the former, — thus
keeping up a succession of bloom, during nearly the whole of
May and June.

37. Weeping Cherry, {Cerasus semperjlbrens.) A handsome
weeping tree, grafted standard high, with small linear foliage,
and slender branches, producing flowers and fruit a greater
part of the summer. As single objects on lawns, a few of
these trees have a beautiful eflect.

38. The Chinese Ckab, {Vynis spectdhilis.) One of the
showiest of double flowering trees, the branches being literally
covered with pink flowers, as large as a small rose. Unless
properly pruned, it only blooms every other year. May.

39. Hawthorns, (Cra^«^^5.) There are a great number of
fine species and varieties, which comprise the extensive fam-
ily of hawthorns, that are well worthy a place, wherever
there is room ; a few of them are particularly beautiful, and
should, on no account, be omitted in the smallest collection.
There are the double white, (C. Oxyacautha multiplex,) the
new double pink, (C. O. rosea pleno,) and the old single scar-
let, (C. O.piinicea.) The last, though single, a most brilliant
shrub ; the double pink has flowers as perfect as the ranun-
culus ; all of them bloom profusely, but, to have handsome
specimens, they should be annually pruned, and be allowed
plenty of room, or otherwise their real beauty is greatly
marred. We have thirty sorts in our collection. May and
June.

40. The Laburnum, {Cytisus Laburnum.) A very pretty
shrub, on account of its numerous large pendant clusters of
golden yellow blossoms. The Scotch is the hardiest and finest

Hardy ^ Deciduous^ and Evergreen Shrubs. 153

kind. There is a weeping- variety, which forms a most grace-
ful and ornamental tree, when grafted standard high. They
are partial to a dry subsoil. Flowers in May.

There are many other shrubs which ought to be included
in this list ; such as the Amelanchiers, Pavias, Spiraeas, Py-
ruses. Lilacs, &c., &c., but we have already extended our
limits, and must defer them to another opportunity.

II. Evergreen Shrubs.
Growing fi'om two to six feet high.

41. Rhododendrons, (R/ioc/oc?e;?c?row 5/?. a??c?2;«r.) We have,
from time to time, said so much in favor of the general intro-
duction of this splendid evergreen shrub, into our gardens,
that we shall not extend our remarks here.

The catmcbieiise and maximum., our two native species, de-
mand a place in every shrubbery : but preeminently beautiful
are the English hybrids, produced from the seeds of these,
and the foreign kinds. They are perfectly hardy, thrive
freely in a well prepared soil of loam and leaf mould, and dis-
play their heads of briUiant flowers, during the month of June.
When they become more plentiful in the nurseries, we hope to
see them planted in every garden.

42. Laurel, {Kdlmm latifolia.) This most elegant of all
evergreen shrubs, though so common throughout the State, is
rarely seen under cultivation. In Medfield, and at Coh asset,
and near Newburyport, and Lowell, it grows abundantly.
Mr. Emerson, in his Report on the Trees and Shrubs of Massa-
chusetts, says, that in "a rocky pasture of several acres, near a
pond, in Westboro', it forms large close clumps, or islets, in-
tersected by plats and alleys of grass. In June and July,
when every one of these innumerable green islets, is covered
with white or rose-colored flowers, and the cattle are feeding
on the grass, or lying under the few oaks which are scattered
through the pasture, — the whole, with the lake and its fringe
of trees, is worth going out of one's way to see."

It is impatient of removal from its native habitat, and the
only way to possess it, is to raise it from seeds. In this waj'',
the bushes are dwarf and stocky, and will bear removal, even
when of large size, as safely as a currant-bush. The soil
should be composed of loam and leaf mould, or peat earth.

VOL. XV. NO. IV. 20

154 Fungi in Vegetation.

43. Holly-leaved Berberry, {3Iahd?i\di aqidfoUuni.^ A
handsome shrub, from the Rocky Mountains, but quite hardy
in latitude 42° north. It is a very compact dwarf growing
shrub, with leaves similar to the holly, and with a profusion
of clusters of handsome yellow flowers, which appear at the
ends of the branches. In winter, the foliage becomes rather
brown, but, in summer, it again assumes its deep green glossy
tinge, and is a most valuable acquisition to this class of plants.
It thrives under the shade of other trees, and any light soil
will suit it. April and May.

44. The Winter Berry, (Priwos gldber.) A very pretty
evergreen shrub, growing in sheltered places in Plymouth
and Hingham, with narrow leaves, of a deep glossy green.
Flowers white, inconspicuous, and succeeded with small
black berries. Its greatest merit is the beauty of its foliage,
which is at all times green and glossy. The same soil as that
for the Kalmia, suits the winter berry. July and August.

45. Tree Box, {Buxzis sempervlrefis var.) The Tree Box
forms a very handsome pyramidal tree, attaining, after many
years, the height of ten or twelve feet, but we have seen fine
specimens twenty years old, which were not six feet high.
There are several varieties, but the two best known in our
gardens, are the b7'oad-]ea.ved, and yiarroit'-leaved ; both are
hardy, grow freely, are highly ornamental, and should be
found in every garden.

With this rather long list, extended, because we could not
well leave out any of them, the amateur can make a selection
suitable for a small or large garden. And if it shall aid in
making the several kinds better known, and more generally
introduced into collections, our object in writing it will have
been accomplished.

Art. II. Fungi in Vegetation. By John Lewis Russell,
Professor of Botany, &c. to the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society.

Being very much interested in an article which appeared in
your February number on " Destruction of Filberts by Fun-

Fungi in Vegetatioji. 155

gi," as suggestive of many important investigations, I applied to
the writer for specimens of what he considered Cryptomyces
Wauchii. With great readiness Mr. Goodsell kindly for-
warded to me several specimens, of which he says : —

"Since the receipt of yours, I have examined, perhaps,
fifty filbert plants that were injured last season, as I sup-
posed, by the fungi, without being able to find a single spec-
imen exhibiting its summer appearance — the side where the
fungi made their appearance is uniformly dead — the outer
bark separated from the inner, which is covered uniformly as
on the specimens enclosed."

By submitting these to a powerful magnifying lens, I could
perceive no structure of the fungi, which would ally them to
any known form with which I am acquainted; and, indeed,
there was nothing which would indicate that these specimens
were any thing more than the dead remains of some sort of
parasitic growth. To the genus Cryptomyces belong fungi
which burrow between the wood and bark of whatever plant
it infests ; and the general description in the article referred
to seems to point out the plant as Mr. G. intimates. I shall
therefore feel greatly obliged to him for perfect specimens
next summer, as he promises me.

It may not be familiar to the reader, that some of these
lower forms of vegetables, e g. the parasitic fungi, have a
very beautiful internal organization, consisting of a sort of
seed vessels called technically asci, and other peculiarities
beside. Deeper powers of the microscope are requisite to de-
velope them than are commonly at hand. As objects, there-
fore, of curiosity and elaborate beauty, or as subjects for the
care and prudent inspection of the agriculturist, these inju-
rious forms of vegetable life address him and call upon his
attention, as the article very properly suggests. I hope that
they will be accordingly studied, and made worthy of inves-
tigation, as your Rochester correspondent has set so good an
example, by moving in so important a matter.

Hmgham, March, 1849.

The subject of fungi in vegetation is one of much interest,
and, we trust, will receive the attention of all cultivators. We
shall be glad to have Mr. Russell and Mr. Goodsell pursue the
matter further. — Ed.

156 Notices of Culinary Vegetables.

Art. III. Notices of Culitiary Vegetables, new or recently in-
troducsd, worthy of General Cultivation. By the Editor.

Notwithstanding four years have elapsed, since our last
notice of new vegetables, under this head, only a limited
number of new and desirable kinds, have been introduced,
during that period. Some of these have been incidentally no-
ticed, from time to time, but we now embrace the opportunity,
to bring them together, and give a more detailed account of
their merits. We begin with

Peas. Every year adds to the catalogue of varieties offer-
ed for sale, by seedsmen, but most of them vary so slightly
from each other, that they soon go out of cultivation, or at-
tract but little attention. A few only possess merit sufficient
to recommend them for general use. Among those of the lat-
ter description, are the following : —

Chamjiion of England. This is one of the most remarka-
ble varieties that has recently been produced. It is one of
the marrow peas, blue, and exceedingly shrivelled, and, in
richness of llavor, surpasses all other peas that we have ever
eaten. It is not only one of the tenderest fleshed sorts, but
it is more sugary than any other variety. It grows about
two feet high, produces well, and it must be ranked at the
head of all the peas of its class, yet raised.

Flack'' s Victory we have already noticed, and we now al-
lude to it, to remark, that the experience of three years has
fully confirmed all we said of it. It is a large delicious vari-
ety, and must form one of a succession of peas in every
garden.

Fairbeard^s Early Surprise. This is another variety, pro-
duced by the same cultivator, who raised the Champion of
England; and although it is now introduced into our collec-
tions, for the first time, it will, undoubtedly, prove a fine pea.
It is as early as the Early Frame, and has the flavor of
Knight's Marrow. We shall speak of it, after a fair trial.

Other new ones are Burbidge' s Eclipse, a large blue mar-
row, 15 inches high ; Early Danecroft, the Early Emperor, ^c.

Hoo-suNG, OR 00-SuNG. This is the name of anew Chinese
vegetable, brought home by Mr. Fortune, in his Chinese expe-

Notices of Culinary Vegetables. 157

dition, and of which, the following account is given in the
/oM/vta^ of the London Horticultural Society, (Vol. I. p. 228.)

A lettuce-like plant, from Shanghae; stems cylindrical, 2
to 3 feet high, erect, light green, with a green succulent pith,
which is the part used ; leaves oblong, tapering to the base,
the uppermost stem clasping. The flowers are small yellow,
in panicles slightly drooping. The plant is tolerably hardy,
and may be cultivated in the manner of lettuce. Mr. For-
tune recommends it to be planted "in rows thinly, say 1^
foot between each plant. It is fit for use, when the stem has
grown to its full size, which is early in the spring, at
Shanghae." He also states that it is a vegetable much es-
teemed by the Chinese, and gives the following account of
their mode of dressing the Hoo-sung : —

Pare off the outer skin, cut off the leaves, and take the
stalk ; either simply boil it with salt and pepper ; or stew it
with a few spoonfuls of soup, or with a little soy, salt, and
pepper. The last is the preferable way of dressing it.

Our correspondent, Dr. Wendell, of Albany, raised and ex-
hibited specimens of the Hoo-Sung, and gave away seeds to
several cultivators. We are not aware that they can be ob-
tained at the seed stores, but, as those who possess seeds, may
be desirous of knowing the best way of raising and using
it, we copy the above account. We shall be glad to hear
some further account of it from Dr. Wendell, or any of our
correspondents who possess the seeds.

Rhubarb. Myatt's Victoria has been so generally intro-
duced, and has given such satisfaction to all who possess it,
that it will be difficult to displace it by other new kinds. Mr.
Myatt, the raiser of this fine kind, has offered for sale, a new
variety, and some others have also been produced. Capt.
Lovett, of Beverly, has raised some very superior seedlings,
fully equal, if not superior, to the Victoria. The two follow-
ing appear to be the leading kinds, offered for sale, by the
London growers : —

Myatfs Lin7imus. This is the principal kind, grown by
Messrs. Myatt, who raise immense quantities for the Lon-
don market, for several years, and was not offered for sale,
until after numerous applications from the London trade. It
is remarkably early, and unusually productive, and is pre-

158 Notices of Cidhiary Vegetables.

ferred by purchasers, to every other variety, for its dehcious
flavor. The stalks being large, and free from filaments, it is
admirably adapted for preserving, and all other purposes.
For early forcing, it is the best known. The superior flavor,
large size, unusual productiveness, and extremely light red
appearance, render it alike desirable and profitable.

MitcJielVs Roijal Albert is said to retain its supremacy over
all other sorts, hitherto produced, being from two to three
weeks earlier than any kind now grown. It is most delicious
in flavor, a splendid red color, most prolific bearer, and free
grower, with large fleshy stalks, and, for early forcing, is
more suitable than any other varieties. It has been acknowl-
edged by all the principal growers attending the London
markets, to be by far the best ever introduced. This is the
account of it given by Mr. Mitchell. We have a root or two of
it now, imported last year, and shall have an opportunity, the
coming season, to test its qualities, in comparison with others.

Lettuces. Many new varieties have been introduced,
among others, the Artichoke-leaved, Spotted or Tiger, Malta,
&c. The following we can highly recommend from our own
experience : —

Palestine. This is a superior variety of lettuce, of some-
thing of the habit of the Imperial ; but the head is rather more
solid. It is remarkably tender, and a superior variety. The
seeds were sent to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
three or four years ago, and it proves to be an entirely new
lettuce.

Turkey. Another new kind, the seeds of which were re-
ceived from the same source as the Palestine, and were dis-
tributed among the members of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society. It is a very dark-leaved lettuce, forming a
good-sized solid head, but tender, and of fine quality.

Nonjmrcil Cos. The Cos lettuces are but little cultivated
in the vicinity of Boston, and generally their excellence is not
properly appreciated ; some of the kinds, it is true, are inferior,
and run up to seed so quick, that a good head can rarely be
obtained in our climate. The Nonpareil is not only a large and
fine-flavored variety, but it heads freely with ordinary manage-
ment, and is decidedly the best of all the Cos lettuces we
have ever raised.

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 159

Celery. Seymour's Superb White has obtained so good a
reputation, that but few cultivators can be induced to try
other sorts. The following variety, we can however recom-
mend, as fully equalling that fine sort : —

New Curled. A remarkably solid stemmed variety, grow-
ing to good size, and one of the tenderest of all the celeries.
No good collection should be without it.

Cabbages, The new varieties are numerous, but only a
few have been introduced ; four years ago, we merely noticed
some as new, which had not then been grown in American
collections ; having since had the opportunity to try some of
them, we would notice —

Waiters New Dwarf, as one of the finest early cabbages.
A cultivator who has raised for the market, for twenty years,
states that it was the best variety he grew last year. The
heads are small, but they are solid, and uniform in shape. It
has no coarseness about it, and the flavor is superior. It also
occupies but little room, compared with some of the old vari-
eties ; and a large number of plants may be grown upon a
small piece of ground.

The Early Nonpareil is a fine cabbage, somewhat like the
Early York, heading freely, and a fine-flavored and excellent
variety.

Art. IV. Descriptions and Engravifigs of Select Varieties
of Apples. By the Editor.

XXVIII. Minister. Kenrick's American Orchardist.

The late Mr. Manning considered the Minister, {fig. 14,)
as "one of the very finest apples New England has pro-
duced;" and, after a long acquaintance with it, we can fully
confirm his opinion of it. In the tenderness of its flesh, and
its brisk vinous juice, it is not surpassed by any apple of its
season. It is of good, size, and, though of somewhat irreg-
ular form, it has a fair yellowish skin, very distinctly striped
with bright crimson. The tree is a vigorous and healthy
grower and a most abundant bearer.

160

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

This fine variety originated in Rowley, Mass., and was
brought to notice by the late Rev. Dr. Spring, of Newbury-
port, who purchased the first fruit that was brought to mar-
ket ; and it was, in consequence, called the Minister apple.
Mr. Manning immediately procured it for his extensive col-
lection ; and, through him, it was introduced to general culti-
vation. It merits a place in every collection of fruits.

Size^ large, about two and a half inches broad, and two
and three quarters deep : Form, oblong, similar to the Bell-
flower, ribbed at the base, which is a little flattened, and ta-
pering to the crown, which is small, and also somewhat rib-

Fig. 14. Minister Apple.

bed: Skiii^ fair, smooth, pale greenish yellow, very distinctly
and irregularly striped with bright red : Stem, rather short,
about half an inch in length, slender, and inserted in a small,
irregular, and rather shallow cavity: Eije, small, closed, and
little sunk in a small, furrowed basin : segments of the calyx
short, twisted: Flesh, yellowish white, fine, crisp, and very
tender : Juice, plentiful, rich, subacid, brisk, and high-flavored :
Core, rather large, partially open : Seeds, small, obovate.
plump. Ripe from December to February.

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 161

XXIX. Holmes. Thatcher's American Orchardist.

Upwards of twenty-five years ago, Dr. Thatcher, in his ex-
cellent Treatise on Orcharding, stated that the Holmes ap-
ple, {fig. 15,) " was much admired and extensively cultiva-
ted" in the vicinity of Plymouth ; and, to this day, notwith-
standing the introduction of so many new and splendid vari-
eties, it still retains this character throughout the Old Colony.
It is one of the most popular and salable apples brought to
the Plymouth market, and a barrel or two of them seem in-
dispensable to the completion of the winter store of every fam-
ily. Dr. Thatcher is the only author who mentions it, and,

Fig 15. Holmes Apple.

on diligent inquiry, we cannot learn that it is cultivated but
little, if at all, out of Plymouth county.

Dr. Thatcher states that the variety sprung from a small
sprout planted by Z. Holmes, Esq., of Kingston, Mass., with-
out any knowledge of its quahty, and that, "in the eleventh
year, he gathered from it thirty bushels of apples." Another
account of its origin, given to us by Mr. Washburn, of Plym-
outh is, that Mr. Holmes cut a shoot for a whip stick when
out with his team, and that, when he reached home, he plant-
ed it in the ground, and it subsequently grew, and produced
the quantity of fruit already mentioned. Whether this, or

VOL. XV. NO. IV. 21

1 62 Desci'iptions of Select Varieties of Apjyles.

Dr. Thatcher's statement, is the more correct, we are not able
to state ; it is. however, immaterial, as it is certain the vari-
ety was first known in the orchard of Mr. Holmes, whose
name Dr. Thatcher has properly given to the fruit.

We have noticed the Holmes apple once or twice in our
previous volumes, and more particularly in our notes on some
of the gardens in the Old Colony, (Vol. XH. p. 470,) when
we had seen several trees in full bearing ; our Plymouth friends
have also often sent us specimens of the fruit, but not so fine
as the present season ; and this has given us the opportunity
to present a correct outline of the fruit. The tree produces
the most abundant crops, bears young, and every year ; but
more plentifully every second year. In consequence of its
productiveness, the fruit is often rather small ; but, when
well grown, it is full medium size, and very fair and hand-
some. The flesh is remarkably tender and melting ; but, not-
withstanding this, it is a good winter fruit, keeping sound till
March.

Size, medium, about two and three quarters inches broad,
and two and a half deep : Form, roundish, slightly flattened
at the base, and narrowing little to the crown : Ski7i, fair,
smooth, pale yellow, tinged with bright blush on the sunny
side, and covered with rather large russet specks : Sie?Ji, short,
about half an inch long, rather slender, and moderately sunk
in a round, smooth, and rather shallow cavity : Ei/e, rather
large, partially open, and moderately depressed in a medium-
sized, ribbed, and open basin ; segments of the calyx partially
reflexed : Flesh, yellowish, fine, crisp, and remarkably ten-
der : Juice, abundant, with an agreeable admixture of sweet
and acid, sprightly and high-flavored : Core, medium size,
close : Seeds, medium size, rather dark. Ripe from Decem-
ber to February.

XXX. Tolman's Sweeting. Thatcher's American Orchardist.

Dr. Thatcher is the first author who mentions this old and
"justly admired apple." He was notable to trace out its
origin. In Dartmouth, in the county of Bristol, it was then
best known, and held in much estimation for family use. It
is now very extensively cultivated, and is one of the most
common sweet apples to be found in our markets. The fruit

A Select List of Apples. 163

is uniformly fair and handsome, and the tree a great bearer.
The trees are moderately vigorous, and form a broad spread-
ing head.

Size, medium, about three inches broad, and two and a
half deep: Form, roundish, regular, narrowing very little to
the eye : Skin, fair, smooth, of a pale yellow, or greenish yel-
low, tinted with pale blush on the sunny side, and consider-

Fig. \6. Tolman's Sxceeting Apple.

ably dotted with large reddish spots : Stem, medium length,
about half an inch long, rather slender, curved, and inserted
in a deep, open, and irregular cavity : Eye, medium size,
closed, and sunk in a small, rather deep and somewhat ribbed
basin; segments of the calyx broad : Flesh, yellowish, rather
fine, and tender: /?/jce, tolerably plentiful, rich, sugary, and
well-flavored: Core, small, close: ^See^, small, rather short,
and plump. Ripe from November to February.

Art. V. A Select List of Apples, with a Few Observatio?is
on their Respective Merits. By Samuel Walker, President
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Dear Sir, — For the first time, I have ventured to place on
paper, a select list of apples, such as are, in my opinion, the

164

A Select List of Apples.

best suited for the meridian of the New England States. I
have done this with two motives. First, to impart the httle,
but all the information I have, on this subject, and secondly,
with the hope that others, better informed than myself, may
correct the list I thus submit, add others thereto, and im-
part further information through the pages of your Magazine.
I have placed the varieties in the order in which I rank them
for cultivation, provided I had but one, two, three, or more
trees, that is, if J were confined to the cultivating of only 07ie
apple tree, I should plant No 1, the Rhode Island Green-
ing ; if two, then Nos. 1 and 2, and so on.

LIST OF TWENTY-SIX VARIETIES OF APPLES.

1.

2.
3.
4.

or the

R. I. Greening.
Gravenstein.
Baldwin.
Early Harvest,

Strawberry.
Nonsuch.
Porter.
Minister.

8. Tolman's Sweeting,

9. Large Yellow Bough.

10. Roxbury Russet.

11. Danvers Winter Sweet.
Pomme Royal.
Hubbardston Nonsuch.

5.
6.

7.

12.
13.
14.

15. Fameuse.

16. Summer Pearmain.

17. White Seek-no-Further.
IS. Benoni.

19. Red Astrachan.

20. Fall Harvey.

21. WilHams's Favorite.

22. Ladies' Sweeting.

23. Jonathan.

24. Peck's Pleasant.

25. Ribstone Pippin, for New

Hampshire and Maine.

26. Esopus Spitzenberg, for

Western Massachusetts.

Fall Pippin.

There are many others deserving of cultivation, as the Gar-
den Royal, Peck's Pleasant, Northern Spy, Westfield Seek-
No-Further, Herefordshire Pearmain, &c. &c.

Feeling, as I do, that the above list is not perfect, and that
it may meet with many objections on the part of cultivators,
I wish to state, that I have placed the R. I. Greening at the
head of my list, from the fact that a good crop is generally
produced every season ; the tree is a free grower ; fruit, fair,
large, and handsome. A good table apple, but not first-rate.
For the kitchen, it has no superior, if an equal. These com-
bined good qualities have induced me to place it as No. 1.

Gravenstein. — I have placed this variety next in order, be-
cause it is a summer and early autumn apple, and will

A Select List of Apples, 165

furnish the grower with good fruit for the table and kitchen,
in connection with the R. I. Greening, from August to Feb-
ruary, inclusive; thus combining more useful properties, than
if the Baldwin, next in order, had been placed with No. 1.

Baldwin. — Notwithstanding I have placed this variety as
No. 3, yet I am ready to admit that it is, as a table fruit, su-
perior to any other variety grown in Massachusetts. It gen-
erally bears large crops every alternate year, and may be said
to be the best fruit for the table, from November to April.

Eay^ly Harvest. — This variety bears early, and produces
large crops. On highly cultivated soils, it is exceedingly rich
and fair, but in low, or sterile lands, it is often small in size,
and very much disfigured, and often injured by spots of mil-
dew ; should the weather prove wet when it is nearly ripe,
the fruit cracks and becomes insipid. But its sprightly flavor,
and the early period of its maturity, (July,) give it a high
rank in the list of apples. The Early Strawberry apple will
prove a good substitute.

Nonsuch. — This is an apple of great merit, but it requires
good cultivation, and is apt to overbear. If one half of the
crop was early taken from the tree, and a top-dressing of
bone dust and wood ashes given to it every other year, with
occasionally a small quantity of air-slacked lime, this variety
would, I think, vie with the best table fruit, from November
to February.

Porter. — A variety so well known, that description is un-
necessary— good cultivation will ensure fine specimens.

Minister. — Fine specimens of this variety, if well kept, are
very excellent in November, December, and January.

Tolmaiib s Siveeting. — For baking, this variety has no su^
perior; for the table^ it is scarcely worthy of cultivation.

Large Yellow Bough. — Persons who are fond of sweet ap-
ples will cultivate this variety in preference to the Early
Harvest.

Roxbury Russet. — This variety is one of the best late apples.

Williams. — This is one of, if not the highest colored apples
in cultivation — to produce fine specimens, the tree must be ta-
ken care of, the soil well tilled, and manured. The fruit
falls from the tree before it is fully ripe — salt hay. or
some other soft material, should be placed round the tree
to prevent the fruit being injured.

166 On the Management of Peach Trees.

White Seek-no-Further. — When the specimens arc well
grown, and the fruit fully ripe — say, in January, there is no
apple superior to this variety. With these remarks, I will
close this first chapter on apples.

Roxbury, March 19M, 1849.

We need hardly comment upon the communication of our
friend, Mr. Walker, President of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society. For several years, while Chairman of the Fruit
Committee of the Society, all, or a greater part, of the apples in
the above list have repeatedly passed under his eye, and he is
thus enabled to speak of their qualities, in addition to his ex-
perience as a cultivator. We trust soon to give a selection
of other fruits from his pen, and, in the mean time, we would
commend the list to all who, at the season now approaching
for planting, are making a selection of apples. — Ed.

Art. VI. Oft the Management of Peach Trees. By R. B.
Leuchars, New Haven, Conn.

Having attentively studied the cultivation of the Peach,
among the cold, bleak, barren hills of the north of Scotland,
as well as in the more temperate districts of the south of Eng-
land, I herewith send you a few remarks upon that subject,
which, I hope may be useful to some of your readers, at least,
in those places where — as in this quarter — the peach is little
better than a cumberer of the ground, and where, if some
regenerative principle be not adopted, it is very likely to
become soon a sort of a vegetable nonentity, among the fruit
trees around it. With a superior soil, and a far more favora-
ble chmate than Britain affords, there are, nevertheless,
many places where peaches are more expensive in their cul-
ture, and less productive than in that country: depending al-
most entirely upon the unaided efforts of nature, it would
appear cultivators presume too much upon the possession of
these physical advantages in the growth of this noble fruit.
They seem to lull themselves into a kind of lethargic indiffer-
ence, which proves fatal alike to their purses and to their
peach trees. Many console themselves with the reflection,

On the Management of Peach Trees. 167

that, as their trees flourished well and bore abundantly twen-
ty years ago, they ought to do the same now. They fancy,
that the reversion, or suspension of some one or other of the
natural laws has changed the whole system of things, and
what could they do 1 At all events, the gross luxuriance — the
unproductiveness — the canker, and premature decay of their
peach trees, were consequences and calamities, which they
could neither control nor avert. So they reflected, and so
they believed. Many people justify their inattention to the
laws which regulate this material world, by saying, these are
things unknown to human ken, and beyond the power of hu-
man penetration ; that vegetable physiology, and such like
subjects, are only fit for the amusement of scientific men, and
useless for all practical purposes, connected with' manual
labor.

No system of reasoning could be more erroneous and ab-
surd. To the farmer and horticulturist — and especially
to the latter, no branch of science can be so serviceable,
so instructive, and so amusing. Though the operations of
planting and pruning are apparently simple, yet a knowledge
of the physiology of plants enables the operator to proceed
with systematic propriety. The principles and purposes of
the sap must be studied, as by its agency the tree is devel-
oped. The sap is acquired and influenced in difierent ways,
and by different methods and manipulations of the cultiva-
tor. h\ spring, the small spongelets, or feeding roots, absorb
fluids and gases from the soil, which are conveyed by capil-
lary attraction, or perhaps, more properly, by atmospheric
pressure, through the various ramifications of the stem and
branches; this sap, being thus extended over the diflerent
parts of the tree, mingles with the gaseous fluids absorbed by
the leaves, and, losing the parts which are useless for nutrition,
by evaporation, becomes highly elaborated for the deposition
of cambium and the formation of flower-buds. The superflu-
ous unelaborated sap which is not required for these pur^
poses descends to the roots, strengthening the spongioles.
whereby they are enabled to extract more nourishment from
the soil, throughout the season ; and, as these two kinds of
saps mingle in the leaves, the descending sap, which has not
been deposited in like manner, mingles with that which is ab-

168 On the Management of Peach Trees.

sorbed by tbe spongioles, is again carried upwards, and is stored
in the branches during their period of repose. This stored-up
sap is partly not elaborated — partly elaborated, but not assim-
ilated ; its purity depends upon the correlative influence exist-
ing between the roots and the branches ; thus, if the roots
have absorbed no more sap than the leaves have been able to
convert into cambium, and proper juice, more woody fibre
will be formed — and the sap, though less in quantity, will be
more rcfnied in quality. The liber and alburnum will be
thinner, but of finer and more woody texture ; and the tree,
altogether in a condition to withstand better the vicissitudes
of winter. In trees, where the absorption of the roots have been
too much for the assimilative power of the leaves, a large de-
position of cambium has been induced, but not finished be-
fore the assimilating power of the leaves have been destroyed.
The alburnum, liber, and pith, are merely sponges of watery
matter. The medullary rays, and whole cellular tissue is
filled with crude, imassimilated sap — the frost acting upon
these watery elements, it expands them — the sap-vessels are
rent asunder, as will frequently be seen, in the bursting of the
bark ; the organization of the tree is destroyed, and death is
the consequence.

Let any persons examine their peach trees, and they will
easily discover whether disease be not already in their sys-
tem. If the disease be considerably advanced, the pith and
alburnum will present a brown, discolored appearance, and, in
some cases, appear completely disintegrated. On examining
a number of trees, a few days ago, I found them in various
stages of decay — some, with the alburnum and liber in a state
of decay, while the pith and woody fibre appeared quite
healthy ; others, with the pith, and all the layers of bark de-
cayed ; and some, with the alburnum only. When the decay
has well-nigh done its work, all the parts will appear discol-
ored. The decay, in all these stages, may be in the tree, and
yet be apparently healthy, but its doom is sealed, and the
sooner its place is supplied, the better. 1 do not, for one mo-
ment believe, (as I have heard many assert,) that the disease
is hereditary, or constitutional, for trees of similar constitu-
tions, though of different genera, if subjected to the same
conditions, will be similarly affected. Sometimes one part of

On the Manageme7it of Peach Trees. 169

the tree will be affected, and not another, but generally it is first
discoverable in the stem, and the young unripened shoots
that are attached to it ; and, when once the cellular tissue of
the stem is destroyed, the tree may be cut down, however
healthy may appear the branches, for no quackery in the
world will cure it.

The relation existing between solar influence, and the veg-
etable kingdom, requires, also, our attention in connection
with this subject : this, however, is of less importance, in a
practical point of view, as it is an agency entirely beyond
our control ; nevertheless, so extraordinary is the influence
exerted by light and heat, over the vegetable creation, that
they may, in truth, be termed the prime essentials of its exist-
ence. When a plant is deprived of solar light, it exhibits a
half-organized, unduly elongated mass of matter, filled with a
superabundance of unassimilated juices ; if gradually restored
to the influence of the sun, it will assume its natural and ma-
ture form. Now, in this case, it is evident, that a close rela-
tion exists between light and vegetables, and that constituent
of which a considerable portion of every vegetable is com-
posed, namely, — carbonic acid, for here the former has mod-
ified the eflect of the latter upon the plant. The potency of
this modifying power is frequently exhibited in a very striking
manner, in those latitudes of the globe, which are character-
ized by great luxuriance of vegetation, and by periodical, or
accidental seasons of deep shade, or intense sunshine. I have
seen this effect also strikingly exhibited, while forcing vines
and peach trees, in the north of Scotland, during the dark,
gloomy days of December and January, when the sun would
be enveloped in a dense foggy atmosphere for weeks together.
I have seen this state of etiolation so great, that, upon the
restoration of the sun's rays, the leaves were unable to resume
their elaborative functions, and, consequently, drooped under
its influence ; a certain balance in the atmospheric constitu-
ents is essential to the successful development of vegetables,
and when that balance is destroyed, a change takes place in
the plants subjected to its influence.

Plants will, in some measure, adapt themselves to circum-
stances, but not without producing certain changes in their
nature; but this may happen without producing any material

VOL. XV. — NO. IV. 22

170 On the Management of Peach Trees.

effect, as far as regards the general health or appearance of
the plants. Solar intluence, however, does not merely affect
the shoots of a growing plant, for the young roots, or sponge-
oles, are as suddenly, and in a similar degree, afiected. The
spongelets become less active, and, if it be for a short time
withdrawn, they lose their power of action altogether. The
destruction of any quantity of the foliage acts on the roots
nearly in the same manner as a diminution of the natural
quantity of light. The respiratory powers of the plant be-
come impaired, and the healthy action of the rootlets sus-
pended, if not altogether stopped. Kespiration takes place,
by the power, which the leaves possess, of inhaling and exha-
ling oxygen, and decomposing carbonic acid : oxygen is es-
sential to the formation of carbonic acid generated in the pro-
cess of respiration ; but, when this carbonic acid is decomposed,
and the oxygen liberated, the same oxygen which is set free
will serve again for a fresh formation of carbonic acid, so
long as there remains any carbonaceous materials in the sap ;
but the leaves will not accomplish the decomposition of car-
bon, except when in a green and healthy state ; the leaves
and young shoots being the principal meridian of decomposi-
tion, it is evident that the greater the quantity of these upon
the tree, the greater will be the quantity of carbon decom-
posed. Moreover, we learn, from scientific investigation, that,
during light and sunshine, plants assimilate carbon, and
evolve oxygen, and that, during night, and shade, this system
of assimilation is reversed, that is, they inhale oxygen, and
evolve carbon ; oxygen is assimilated to the plant ; not as it
is inhaled, but most probably, by means of the decomposition
of cabonic acid when a portion of it is retained. The most
obvious influence of ogygen, as applied to the leaves, is that
of forming carbonic acid, and thus presenting elements to the
plant suitable for assimilation, and consequently facilitating
its development. Thus, it appears that oxygen gas, which
has been found to be indispensable to animal life, is no less
indispensable to vegetable life ; and, though plants will not
thrive well in an atmosphere of pure oxygen, it is quite evi-
dent that a certain quantity is absolutely necessary for their
perfect development.

But what, it may be asked, has all this to do with the cul-

On the Management of Peach Trees. 171

ture or decay of peach trees ? A good deal, as any one will
see, who gives the subject a little reflection. It is a common
proverb, that "knowledge is power;" this, however, is only
when it is reducible to practice ; and that the first steps
towards the cure of a disease is to obtain a knowledge of the
cause ; to effect this, we must sap the foundation of the sub-
ject; in short, we must begin at the beginning. What would
be thought of a man seeking a physician's diploma, who
knew nothing more of the human body than could be seen
from the outside ? We must study the secret causes of those
wonderful results which are daily produced in the vegetable
world. Thus, we obtain a key whereby we may unlock the
storehouses of nature, and thereby be enabled to form methods
and principles of action most suitable to the constitutions
and requirements of those vegetable productions, which con-
tribute so largely to the pleasures, the comforts, and the ne-
cessities of man. I am not setting myself up as a physiolo-
gist, or a teacher of chemistry ; I know but little of the one,
and am almost profoundly ignorant of the other ; but I am a
keen lover of nature, and delight in contemplating the vari-
rious modus operajidi by which vegetables develop them-
selves under various circumstances, I frequently take notes
of her workings, just by way of seeing what she is up to, and
I find these observations very useful in my practical opera-
tions. I am not attempting to establish any new theory, or
to upset an old one, nor even a new system of practice, but
simply to point out a few plain and simple reasons for the pro-
priety and success of a system of practice, which has been
adopted with benficial results, in a country far less favorable
for the culture of fruit trees than any part of the temperate lati-
tudes of North America ; where the prevalence of late springs,
wet soils, and short summers, call forth all the energy and
skill of the most experienced cultivator, to produce even a
tolerable crop : And if these remarks serve merely as an in-
centive to the investigation of the cause, and the discovery
of a system whereby the premature decay of peach trees
may be prevented, my object in writing will then be fully at-
tained.

There can be little doubt but the chief causes of these
evils are to be found in the excessive rapidity of its growth,

172 On the Management of Peach Trees.

and the improper formation of young wood in the first years
of its existence ; were this followed by a reciprocal action be-
tween the roots and the branches, whereby a sufficiency of
refined juices may be highly elaborated for the deposition of
cambium and the production of fruit, proper woody fibre
would be formed ; the trees would cease to grow luxuriantly,
and would remain in a fruit-bearing state. On examining a
considerable number of trees last summer, in ditferent parts
of the States of New York and New Jersey, growing in a
state of barren luxuriance, I found them exactly in condi-
tions to confirm the conclusions which I had come to, by in-
vestigations, and experiments performed on peach trees in
England, only with this difference, that the frost in the south
of England, is seldom so severe as it is in this part of the
States, which somewhat modifies the effect of a similar cause :
but, in severe winters, the effect, produced upon luxuriant
trees, is precisely similar to that exhibited in a considerable
number of trees in the garden in which I am now writing.
In the States above mentioned, as well as here, the trees were
fed chiefly by tap-roots, penetrating four or five feet into the
subsoil, and absorbing therefrom an exuberance of unassimi-
lable matter, which has never been acted upon by atmosphe-
ric influence, and unfit, when taken in excess, for the organiza-
tion of fruit-trees ; and, although there is a continual
absorption and assimilation going on between the roots and
leaves, yet it is of that crude, unrefined quality which is only
fit for, and finds an egress in, the production of young shoots.
Trees, in a young state, have the most luxuriant foliage, and
possess, at that time, the most powerful elaborative energies ;
yet it is well known that they will go on from year to year,
growing luxuriantly, flowering abundantly, and exhausting
the soil of its nutrient elements, without containing the small-
est portion of those highly refined juices which are essential
to the production and maturation of fruits. To produce large
crops of superior fruit, the finest harmony must be maintained
between the roots and the branches, or rather between the
spongioles and the leaves. The elaborative powers of the
one should be in due proportion to the extractive powers of
the other, and, by this condition alone, a state of fruitfulness
can be maintained. The fruit is also acted upon and nour-

On the Management of Peach Trees. 173

ished by solar influence, but not until it has reached a certain
stage of development ; the materials and means of production
must be inherent in the plant, which must bring the fruit for-
ward, until it is able to render the plant assistance by its own
powers of assimilation. Peach trees may contain abundance
of materials for producing shoots, and perfecting blossoms,
but, unless the elements for the production of fruit be also in
the tree, the blossom-buds will expand — the blossoms devel-
ope themselves, but they will prove abortive.

Assuming, then, the correctness of this theoretical reason-
ing, which. I think, will be pretty generally admitted, we
have some clue to the means of eflecting a cure. To this
end, the gross feeding vertical roots must be cut away, and
small ones induced near the surface. A root medium must
be given them, from which nutrient, organizable matter can
be absorbed, and acted upon by atmospheric gases. The strong
roots should be cut as often as the tree shows signs of over-
luxuriance, and, when this is once done, a sufficiency of roots
will be produced near the surface to prevent the tree from being
injured by repeated operations. The perpendicular roots are
the worst, as it is by these that the tree is supplied with a su-
perabundance of watery matter. A good method to prevent
these in some degree, is by placing a slab of stone, or, what
is better perhaps, a piece of concrete, a few feet in diameter,
immediately under the tree. This not only prevents the tap-
roots from getting down, but makes the pruning of them af-
terwards more easily performed. In rich, deep soils, they
will require moving and replanting, every one or two years,
having all their strong roots cut within a few feet of the stem :
the trees will thus be kept in a healthy, fruit-bearing state.
Some years ago, I removed some peach trees which had
grown for six years in a state of barren luxuriance, worse
than any I have seen in this country. I took them up, and
moved them to another part of the garden. I cut every root
to within two feet of the stem — some of them, within that
distance, were three inches in diameter — planted them near
the surface in good loam, and the following year, (they were
disrooted in November,) they produced abundance of fruit,
which was nearly worthless ; (this was expected ;) they grew
very little — only a short spur-like elongation of the terminal

174 General Management of the Calceolaria.

buds. The following year they bore the most beautiful crop
of fruit I ever saw, and continued to do so for the three suc-
ceeding years, when they again became luxuriant and barren
as before. To enumerate facts in favor of root-pruning would
swell this paper into a volume, for these have been so numer-
ous as to effect almost a revolution in the culture of fruit-trees,
and to place its propriety and success beyond a doubt.
(Tb he continued.^

Art. VII. General Management of tlie Calceolaria. By
William Saunders, New Haven, Conn.

There are few plants possessed of more real beauty and
interest than the Calceolaria. It is one of those plants that
have been drawn from their natural and simple state, by
careful cultivation, to form objects of great beauty and deli-
cacy. Perhaps no flower has yielded so readily to the hy-
bridizer as this ; for, in a comparatively short period, they
have been brought to great perfection. From a pinch of seed,
flowers of every shade and color may be obtained, and, when
grouped in masses in the greenhouse, never fail to attract par-
ticular attention.

I generally sow the seed about the beginning of August, to
allow time for the plants gaining sufficient strength to keep
comfortably over winter. I have found them succeed very
well, when sown early in spring, but they are considerably
later in flowering, and do not stand so long in bloom. Let a
few six inch pots be filled two-thirds full of drainage and
turfy pieces of loam, and mix a compost of loam, leaf-mould,
and sand in equal quantities ; make it fine, and fill up the
pots with it, pressing it to a firm, even surface ; sow the seeds,
and cover them very slightly with a little fine, sifted soil ;
moisten the soil carefully, so as not to disturb the seeds, and
place the pots in a frame, or in any sheltered situation, out of
doors, covered with a hand glass ; the soil must be kept in a
healthy, moist condition, but not saturated, or they will dis-
appear as quickly as they vegetate. After they have made
four leaves, prick them oif into pots or boxes, prepared as

General Management of the Calceolaria. 175

above, only the soil may be used a little coarser. Plant them
about an inch apart, and shade them carefully, and keep close
for about a week, when they may be allowed a little air. As
soon as they begin to crowd each other, they may either be
planted again into boxes wider apart than at first, or potted
singly in three inch pots. If the plants are strong, they may
be potted singly with safety ; the young roots incline to run
near the surface of the soil, so this must never be allowed to
get dry and hard. About the middle of October, place them
in the greenhouse, on shelves near the glass ; water them care-
fully during winter, and fumigate occasionally with tobacco,
to keep them clear of insects.

About the month of February, shift them into six inch
pots, in a soil of equal parts fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and
rotted dung; drain these well, and turn out the young plants
carefully, without injuring the roots ; pot them deep enough
to allow the fresh soil to come well up round the neck of the
plants, for here they will emit numerous roots. They must now
be judiciously supplied with water, and sprinkled overhead
every morning, just as the sun reaches them. As they push
up their flower-stems, secure them with a small stake, and,
when coming into flower, shade them from bright sun, and
let them have all the air possible, night and day.

They are easily propagated by the following treatment : —
As soon as the blooming season is past, cut down the flower
stems, and pick ofi" all withered and decaying leaves. Select
a quiet, shady situation out of doors, and plunge the pots well
down in the soil, and fill up among the shoots with leaf-
mould. Moisten the soil occasionally if the weather be dry;
they will now throw out roots at every shoot ; these shoots
should then be taken ofi" and potted separately, in three inch
potSj in a mixture of light loam and leaf-mould. Place them
under glass, where they can be kept close and shaded, and
they will immediately start and grow rapidly ; but, if exposed
to currents of air, the juices of the leaves will be exhausted
before the roots are strong and plentiful enough to supply the
deficiency. When placed in their winter quarters, be careful,
in watering, not to allow any to drop on the leaves ; ex-
amine the plants, and if the pots are filled with roots, give
them a shift ; this will allow the roots to increase, and the

176 General Management of the Calceolaria.

plants to strengthen ; when the roots are cramped, it has a
tendency to throw the plant prematnrely into flower, to its
great injury at the proper blooming season. Instead of plung-
ing the pots in the soil, place them in a frame and keep them
close and moist; water them occasionally with manure water,
to get them into a strong growth ; and when they have made
shoots of two or three inches in length, take them off, and
make them into cuttings. Plant them in a well prepared cut-
ting-pot, and place them in a temperature of about sixty-five
degrees. If the pots are plunged into any material heated to
this degree, so much the better ; keep them close and shaded,
and pot singly when they are rooted. By keeping the old
plant growing, two or three courses of cuttings may be ob-
tained ; but, with any rare or scarce sort, the following method
may be adopted to secure a stock : — After the shoots grow a
short time, cut them through in the centre between each joint,
and then cut each joint down the middle, thus making two
cuttings of each of these joints, with a leaf to each ; this
leaf must not be damaged in the least, for the success of the
process depends entirely on it. Plant these in pots well pre-
pared, as for sowing the seeds, with the addition of half an inch
pure sand at top. Let the cut surface be placed perpendicularly
against the side of the pot, and the back points of the leaves
looking towards the centre. Put them in a close, warm frame,
and in a short time they will be all finely rooted from the cut
surface. Thus, hundreds may be propagated in a short time,
from one plant.

To grow large specimens, when the plants are done bloom-
ing and cut down, stand them in any sheltered situation out
of doors, and water sparingly. About the end of August,
turn them out of the pots and shake away all the old soil
from their roots. Prune and regulate these a little, and repot
them in as small pots as can conveniently be done, in a light
rich soil. Place them in a close, warm situation afterwards,
admitting air by degrees, as they begin to grow. When taken
into the greenhouse, let them have a situation near the glass;
they will keep growing less or more, all winter, and if the
pots fill with roots, give them a shift to keep them on, and,
about the middle of February, give them a final shift
into the flowering pots, in a compost of two parts good, turfy

General Management of the Calceolaria, 177

loam, one of leaf-mould, and one of well-rotted dung; to this,
add another part of sand and broken charcoal. These must
be well mixed, but not made fine, for the roots delight to
ramify in rough, lumpy material. Use twelve inch pots for
large plants ; these must be perfectly clean, and properly
drained ; pick off a leaf or two from the neck of the plant,
and keep it well down in the pot ; make the soil moderately
firm, and leave plenty of room for supplying water to the
plant ; keep them near the light, and draw a syringe full or
two of water over them occasionally; this will keep them
fresh and clean ; and, by having the surface of the soil aways
a little moist, they will grow vigorously and send numerous
roots out of the sides of the stem, and from underneath the
leaves ; at the same time, see that the mass of soil does not
get too dry, for, although the surface of the earth may be
thus kept moist, the interior part may be quite dry, and the
plants consequently receive a check. A practised ear will
know when a plant requires water by the sound of the pot.
As the flower-stems lengthen, gradually widen and arrange
them, so as to allow full benefit of light and air, keeping
them in place, by tying neatly to light stakes. While in
flower, they must be kept shaded, cool, and airy. The dry,
arid weather of May and June will soon rob them of their
beauty, if attention is not paid to shading from bright sun,
and the atmosphere kept charged with moisture, by watering
the paths, under the stages, and all vacant places ; if this is
properly attended to, they will flower for six or eight weeks
in the warmest of seasons, and display beautiful masses of
their variously mottled, purse-like flowers.

Plants intended for hybridizing should be placed by them-
selves ; any two flowers of diff'erent colors, when crossed
will produce innumerable intermediate varieties. With a
small piece of wood, sharpened thin, scrape the pollen from
the anther of the one, and apply it to the stigma of the other ;
and, where several crosses are effected upon one plant, distin-
guish them by threads of different colors, carefully noting
down the same, so that there may be no confusion when the
seed is ripe. Assist the plants with frequent waterings of liq-
uid manure, while the seed is ripening; this will ensure

VOL. XV. NO. IV. 23

178 General Notices.

fine, plump seed, and gather it before the pods are fully ripe,
as they are liable to burst, and the seeds disperse.
New Haven, Conn., Februajy 12, 1849.

[If, after reading the above excellent article, by Mr. Saun-
ders, and that by Mr. Kennedy, (p. 492) in addition to what
has been said in our previous volumes, the amateur is not
able to produce fine specimens of this most beautiful plant, it
will not be for want of the most simple, plain, and concise
directions for that object. Mr. Saunders's article was written
some time since, and, in consequence of the appearance
of Mr. Kennedy's communication, it was laid aside ; but, at
our request, he has kindly forwarded it for publication, though
somewhat abridged from the original draft.

A flower so well worthy of universal cultivation as the
calceolaria, and one which is yet so rarely seen in fine con-
dition, deserves more than ordinary notice; and the results of
the experience of every successful grower will be duly ap-
preciated by all who prize such a delicate and varied flower
as the calceolaria. Now is the time to sow seeds, when it has
been neglected in the autumn, and if Mr. Saunders's directions
are followed, a fine show of flowers may be obtained, from
August to October. — Ed.]

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. 1. General Notices.

Tree Mignonette. — The Reseda odorata, or common sweet Mignonette,
treated after the following manner, forms a real treat in the conservatory,
during the winter and spring months.

Sow in spring a number of small four-inch pots. When up, clear off all
the plants but one in the centre ; as it grows, train it upwards to a stick,
until it is a foot high, or two if you please ; do not allow any side shoots to
grow on the stem, and remove all leaves to within a few inches of its top.
When the plant gets as high as you wish it, top it, and then it will throw
out side branches; as they advance, pinch off their tops, until you have
formed a nice bushy head to your plant, and, above all things, do not allow
any bloom to appear, until it has become strong, which will be by winter,
if it has been well attended to. For the first winter, it will be advisable not
to have them in larger than eight-inch pots. Mignonette being an annual,

General Notices. 179

if the seeds are not picked off after flowering-, it is ten to one that the plant
will die. I have had excellent Tree Mignonette, three years old — very
bushy, and full of flower all winter. Mignonette is often neglected at mid-
summer, when our hands are full of other work, and yet this is the very
time when Tree Mignonette wants most care, for the flowers, not being
wanted during summer, ought then to be removed, in order to have a fine
winter display. To keep worms from entering and disturbing the roots, add
a handful of soot at each shifting, over the drainage.

Mignonette delights in sandy loam, not too light, and, being a gross
feeder, a little diluted manure-water may be given once a week with advan-
tage. If this is contemplated, the mould need not be made so rich in the
first instance.

Winter Mignonette, as it is generally called, requires to be treated differ-
ently from the above. It is generally sown about the 20th of August ; if
later, it will not acquire sufficient strength by winter for the London mar-
ket. I generally grow from eight to ten plants, in a forty-eight-sized pot,
which is six inches deep. For this sowing, it is safest to use a light sandy,
and rather poor mould, for, if the latter is too rich and strong, the plants
damp off during winter. Out of nearly a thousand pots, I have ofien
scarcely lost one by attending to this, by not allowing a drop of rain to fall
on them during winter, by never watering them unless they were flagging,
and by admitting at all times plenty of air. In the case of frost coming,
however, they are closely covered up, sometimes for a week or fortnight to-
gether ; and, if you have not followed the above rules, you will suffer severe-
ly from damp. Do not expose your plants for some days after the frost
breaks up, and that only by degrees ; above all things, do not expose them
to the sun. My anxiety to give them light, after being so long covered up,
has sometimes led me, for the moment, to forget this, and I have suffered
severely for my negligence.

Should the winter prove mild, the plants will root into the ashes they are
placed on ; therefore, they must be lifted up occasionally, to break the
roots. Slugs will annoy you if you do not look after them ; they fat-
ten on Mignonette. To retard some of the pots, pinch the heads off the
plants ; by this means, they will not flower so strongly as those not pinched,
and will yield a succession of bloom. — [Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 52.)

Gooseberries and currants. — If not done before, it will soon be time to
prune gooseberry and currant trees ; vegetable life is in activity much ear-
lier in their case, than with other fruit trees, and it is always desirable that
pruning should be finished while the tree is in a state of rest. Every ad-
vancing bud which is cut off, is so much abstracted from those which re-
main, and the life, thus wasted, ought to have been concentrated in the tree.
From the shoots now cut off, select some of the best as cuttings, which will
root immediately, if put in now. On the right management of these cut-
tings, the well-being of the future tree, and the comfort of the cultivator,
will depend, and therefore a little trouble should be willingly incurred. Se-
lect strong shoots, and let the end to be inserted in the earth be cut sharp
and clean to a bud ; allow 3 or 4 inches to be buried in the soil, and 8 for

180 General Notices.

the stem above ground ; 8 inches, I mean, exclusive of the part which is
to form the head of the tree, which must consist of three or four buds, so
arranged round the axis, that the future branches shall be at equal distances
from each other, so as to secure a cup-like form, when the head advances.
Having determined on the buds to be preserved, carefully exterminate all
the rest, especially those on the part to be inserted for the roots. If this
is not done, you will be troubled with suckers every year, a pest you will
be free from, to a great extent, if this rule is attended to. I was about to
make a more positive statement, but I remember finding suckers proceeding
from the larger roots, and even from parts of the stem, where there was
previously no bud. Do all you can to prevent the evil, and its existence
must then be provided against, in the best manner afterwards, should it oc-
cur.

In two or three years, the cuttings will have good heads, and they may
then be placed in the situations they are finally to occupy. At that time,
it will be proper to determine whether you will grow them as standards, or
espaliers, the latter mode being adopted with success, especially in the
case of those gooseberries, of a trailing habit of growth, peculiar to some of
the best varieties, which makes it very difficult to form a good head. This
determination refers more to the position in which the trees are to be plant-
ed, as it is manifest that the training of the bush must be regulated from the
first, so as to make it an espalier or standard. In both cases, avoid close
planting, by which nothing can be gained, but most probably much will be
lost. Keep the soil around them free from weeds, and dig in every year a
little well-rotted dung. To prevent the ravages of the caterpillar, it has
been recommended to remove the surface soil every autumn, and replace it
with fresh, brought from a little distance. It is said that the eggs are de-
posited near the trees, and are thus removed. A little quicklime, sprinkled
over, might be equally effectual. I must confess, I feel a little ashamed of
being obliged to speak doubtfully on this important subject, but I am not
acquainted sufficiently with the habits of this insect, to speak positively,
yet few persons have suffered more severely from its ravages, than I have.

We now return to the point whence we set out, the annual pruning of the
trees. First cut away as much of the bush, as will leave it accessible to
sun and air, and preserve a compact and open arrangement of the branches.
If the tree is old, remove as much as you can of the older wood, and intro-
duce young shoots in its place. Gooseberries and currants bear on last
vear's wood, not exclusively, but principally, and yet a very different mode
is adopted for each. The former are trained so that last year's growth
shall remain as long as possible, one or two buds only at the extremities
being cut off. Currants, on the contrary, are spurred, each new shoot being
cut down to within two buds, a few leaders excepted, for the future en-
largement of the tree The same plan may be adopted with the gooseberry,
but it will have this disadvantage ; the fruit will be too crowded to allow of
proper expansion, whereas, the pendent form of a bunch of currants allows of
closer quarters. Summer pruning should not be neglected, as there can be
no doubt that the removal of the profuse growth of that season, judiciously.

General Notices. 181.

will throw greater strength and maturity into that which is permitted to re-
main.

If very large fruit is wanted, the berries must be thinned out, and liquid
manure applied, but a separate paper would be necessary to detail all the
arts and crafty ways of gooseberry fanciers. In picking fruit for use, let
direction guide your hand, as a thinning equally all over will do more good
to the remaining berries, than the common practice of stripping whole
branches at once. — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 52.)

Cultivation of Celery. — In our last number, we copied an article on the
cultivation of this fine vegetable, and now present our readers with the fol-
lowing. Mr. Cole presented some of his celery for exhibition, and with
it he communicated his mode of cultivation as follows : —

Herewith I take the liberty of handing you six sticks of Celery, of a
kind which I have grown for the last three years, and which, I think, both
in point of size, solidity, and flavor, will be found superior to any which
has hitherto been cultivated. The specimens sent are not selected, but are
merely examples of a general crop, planted without any object in view,
beyond that of the supply of my employer's table, and entirely without
ever thinking of sending any of it for public exhibition. My stock consists
of six hundred plants, planted in rows, four feet apart, and the plants nine
inches apart in the row ; and I have not a doubt that the whole crop would
average six pounds per stick. Not the least remarkable excellence in this
Celery is, that it will stand twelve months without running, or starting for
seed, and such a thing as a pipy or stringy leaf, I have never noticed, so
long as I have grown it. For a more substantial detail of my method of
cultivation, I may remark, the seed was sown the first week in February,
and so soon as the plants were large enough, they were pricked out in gar-
den soil, rich in vegetable matter, under hand-glasses. The trenches were
prepared in the usual manner, in the first week in June, by excavating
them nine inches deep, and digging in a good dressing of the spent dung
of an old Mushroom bed. The plants were, of course, strong when they
were planted out, and each was removed to the trench with a good ball of
earth adhering to the roots, so that (afterwards receiving a copious watering)
they sustained little or no check. In earthing Celery, I generally endeavor
to steer between the two extremes of frequently earthing, and earthing
only when the plants are full grown, believing that a little earth, after the
plants are fully established in the trenches, say a month after planting,
promotes the rapid growth of the plants, more especially if they receive a
good soaking of weak liquid manure, or soot-water, a day or two before
they are earthed. Soot-water is an excellent manure for Celery ; and
where worms and other insects are troublesome, a little dry soot dashed
along the rows will be found a preventive of their ravages. The kitchen
garden here being upon a boggy subsoil, and the level of the river Dart,
which passes through the grounds, I do not find it necessary to water the
plants more than once or twice after they are planted out ; but, in more ele-
vated situations, it is almost impossible to give too much water, always,
however, preferring to give a thorough soaking once every fortnight, rather

182 Domestic Notices.

than dailj' dribblings, which, in my opinion, do more harm llian good.
Were I so disposed, I have no doubt I could grow this Celery double the
size of that sent ; and to effect this I should prepare the plants as before
directed, excavate the trenches eighteen inches deep, and the same in
width, and fill them with a compost consisting of good turfy loam, peat, and
leaf-mould, or thoroughly decomposed cow-dung, in about equal quantities.
Very rich dung is not good for Celery, and strong manure-water should
also be avoided. To grow large Celery, it would be necessary to place
the plants eighteen inches apart in the row, and the ground should
be kept constantly stirred about the plants, taking great care, however, to
prevent the soil getting into the hearts of the plants during the operations.
In a late number of the "Journal of the Horticultural Society," I perceive
Mr. Errington attributes the coarse and bad quality of the large Celery
grown for market, to the luxuriance of its growth. Here, I venture to as-
sert, he is wrong. The bad quality of the Celery is attributable to the bad
kinds grown, as I am quite sure no person could grow this kind of Celery,
which has been named Cole's superb Red, so as to either make it either pipy
or stringy, or inferior in flavor. Late earthing has more to do with making
Celery stringy than any thing else, as it is quite certain, if the leaves of
Celery are exposed to full light and dry air for a length of time, the tissue
will become harder than if the leaves were grown in comparative darkness.
We need no stronger proof of this than the acrid flavor of the outer as
compared with the inner leaves of the same Celery, a fact demonstrating
that, if the leaves are exposed for a long time, they acquire an acrid flavor
which no blanching can wholly remove. For an early crop of Celery, I
sow in heat, early in January, and prick the plants out upon a slight hot-
bed ; for a second crop, in February, in heat, as before directed, and for a
late crop inMarch, in the open garden.— (Gart^. Chron., 1849, p. 23.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

Summer Pruning Dwarf Pear Tr'ees. — I have some fifty varieties of
Dwarf pear trees, and I have been in great doubt as to the best mode of pru-
ning them ; and, though I have read, with much pleasure and profit, the ar-
ticles which have been published in your Magazine on the subject, my doubts
have not been removed. Most of my trees have only been set one year,
and the others, but two. I have, therefore, but little experimental knowl-
edge on this subject. Last spring, I concluded to adopt the mode recommend-
ed by your correspondent, Carmichael, in his article published in the volume
of your Magazine for 1814 ; that of stopping the shoots, when about one foot
long, but I found that they would push again and again. In your remarks
upon Mr. Bissell's article, on page 551, of the last December number of
your Magazine, you say, that the side-shoots should be nipped off, to one or
two buds, and these shoots then become covered with fruit-buds. If I were
to nip mine so, I am sure that both buds would push : they did last sum-
mer, almost invariably, although left ten or eleven inches long. How can
these side -shoots become covered with fruit-buds, if both buds left push 1 But

Domestic Notices. 183

does not your mode come within the objection in Mr. Carmichaers article,
that there will not be leaves enough left to elaborate the amount of sap ne-
cessary to support the necessary functions of the tree, and thus stimulate
the remaining buds, (that is, the one or two to which you nip the shoot,) to
grow and become shoots instead of fruit-buds. I have seen the trees re-
ferred to by Mr. Bissell, and I should judge that he had practised stopping
them at from four to six inches ; and I found the first buds almost invaria-
bly on the wood of the previous years, and not on that of last summer.
Judging from what little experience I gained last summer, it seems to me,
that the best mode would be that recommended by Mr. Rivers, in your
August number, for 1848, page 361. I think the leading shoot, and the
fore right shoot being left on each branch, would have the effect to prevent
the buds on the shoots stopped, from pushing. (I stopped every shoot, at
ten or twelve inches.) But yet, this might not have the effect of checking
the tree enough to make it form fruit-buds. My experience does not guide
me in determining, it being so limited. Will you, if you have time and
space, give me a hint or two in reference to the above, before the time for
pruning next summer? It seems to me that your mode conflicts with that
of Mr. Carmichael. I have been anxiously looking for your promised ar-
ticle and plates, explanatory of pruning and training dwarfs. — Yours, dfc.
M. L. B., Lockporl, N. Y., February, 1849.

[We are glad to aid our correspondent in any way which shall enable
him to accomplish the object he desires, viz., Dwarf pear trees with an
abundance of fruit-buds. We have ourselves found little or no difficulty in
pruning our young trees, so as to produce an abundance of fruit-buds, in
the space of three or four years, even on trees grafted upon the pear. And
we shall endeavor to give our promised article on summer pruning, with en-
gravings, in season to aid him, as well as other amateurs, who are looking for
the desired information, the coming summer. For the present, we will only
refer to one or two remarks in the above communication. At the page re-
ferred to, (Vol. XIV. p. 551,) where we appended a few words to the com-
munication of Mr. Bissell, we did not state that the shoots would become
covered with fruit-buds the same season they were pruned, though they
will do so on trees on the quince stock, and often upon the pear; but we
supposed it would be understood that short spurs would be formed, which
would, the succeeding year, perfect fruit-buds. There is no danger, by our
mode of pruning, of there not being leaves enough left to elaborate the
sap; an abundance of shoots are produced, and consequently a greater
number of leaves ; and what is of material consequence, and this is the
great benefit of summer pruning — every leaf is matured, and the sap
more equally elaborated all over the tree.

The shoots first stopped will always push a second time, and, if so, they
are stopped again ; if they push a third time, they are again pinched off;
it will then be late in the season, the sap less abundant, and if the trees are
upon the quince, fruit-buds will often be formed at the eye next to where
the shoots were stopped last ; if not the same year, then the following one ;
but pinching has the effect of elongating the buds on the branch behto

184 Domestic Notices.

where it was stopped, which often become fruit-spurs, the same year, or
if not, the following one.

There is no objection to the plan recommended by Mr. Rivers, (A^ol. XIV.
p. 361,) of leaving a foreright shoot ; we often leave two of these shoots,
stopping them entirely at the length of six inches, in very vigorous trees,
like the Beurre Diel, Le Cure, and Harvard, and, at the winter pruning, cut
them back to two buds, as we do all spurs with more than two or three
eyes ; at the same time pruning the terminal shoots so as to form a symmet-
rical tree. The repeated pushing of the shoots after pinching off the
ends of them, does no injury to the tree ; though the best results are not
obtained by doing this indiscriminately on all trees. As Mr. Carmichael
has stated, " the operator should be guided by the health and vigor of his
trees, the soil and situation in which they grow ; these circumstances must
be taken into consideration to perform the operation aright." — Ed."]

Seedling Lycopodiums. — A beautiful little moss-like plant, under the
name of Lycopodium helveticum, has become an object of much care, for
covering shady borders, in greenhouses, especially where such borders are
made at the foot of the back or side walls, in which are planted roses, or
other climbing plants. Delighting in shade and moisture, it, in this way,
adds much to the neat appearance of the house. At certain seasons of tha
year, the stem assumes an unusual form, the leaves on this new stem, or
branch, are more closely set, and at the base, or in the axil of the leaves,
may be found a small yellow grain. This, if closely examined, will be
found to consist of a kidney-shaped seed-vessel, in which there is a quantity
of yellow dust. The whole together compose the spike, or fruit-bearing
branch of the plant. Nothing like flowers are perceptible, as the plant in
question belongs to the class of Cryptogamia, in which floral organs are
only dimly and obscurely typified.

It may not be familiarly known, that this little plant can be artificially
cultivated from its seeds, (sporules.) But, having procured some speci-
mens of this species, while in fructification, I was afterward gratified to
find several seedling plants rising in the soil of my pots. Their first appear-
ance was that of a single leaf on a very short stem, in no way differing from
the leaves of the perfect plants ; others soon succeeded, until, in a few weeks,
each stem had elongated itself to the size of several inches, and was creep-
ing over in surface, in the manner peculiar to the species,

This Lycopodium, (now called Selaginella,) is also a pretty object for pot
culture, by itself, and may be suspended in such a way, according to each
one's taste and fancy, as that its delicate stems, and silver thread-like root-
lets, hanging over the edge of the pot, would afford much pleasure to a
lover of the simpler forms of vegetables. — Yours, John Lewis Russell, Feb.
3, 1849.

Sea Groundsel Tree, or Ploughman^ s Spikenard. — Specimens of this fine
Syngenesious plant, have been forwarded from Nantucket, by Miss Maria
L. Tallant, as detected by her uncle, last October, on that part of the island,
called Cosskaty, which is famed for its floral treasures. Two of these spe-
cimens were sent to me, and are supposed to be the first known as indige-
nous to Massachusetts. The Baccharis halimifolia, (the species under no-

Do7nestic Notices. 185

tice,) has " bright, light green leaves, and the down of the seed is of a pure
white, round the bottom of which, the involucre contracts closely." Con-
sidering that we have here a shrub, attaining to the height of even twelve
feet, and of such unique character, its occurrence in our State may be
hailed with pleasure by all lovers of its Flora.

It is described more particularly in botanical manuals, as a shrub anciently
dedicated to Bacchus ; though for what reason, we are not informed. Its
leaves are obovate and oval, incisely toothed near the summit, furnished
with a compound leafy panicle of flowers, and succeeded by very long silky
white seeds.

Prof. Gray, in his Botany of the Northern United States, informs us of its
occurrence on sea beaches, from Connecticut to New Jersey, and southward-
And Elliott, in his Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina and Gcoroia,
mentions its being very generally diffused over the lower country of those
States ; preferring damp stiif clay land, but growing indiscriminately in
fresh or brackish soils. Flowers in September. — Respectfully Yours, John
L. Russell. South Hingham, Feb. 13, 1849.

North American Pomelogical Convention, at Sy, acuse, N. Y. — We have
been greatly surprised to notice the course which has been taken by the Al-
bany Cultivator, and the Horticulturist, in relation to the second meeting of
the North American Pomological Convention, to be held in Syracuse, in
September next. We are not such sanguine believers in the great results
to be obtained by pomological conventions, as some of our friends, but if
any good is to come of them, the more that are held, the better. Our
cultivators are numerous enough, and our country extensive enough,
to admit of more than one convention, without interfering with each other.

If, however, it should be thought, that but one National convention ought
tobeheld, why then we think that the one which was first in the field, should
have the credit of being so ; and, if its labors have been valuable to the po-
mological world, that it should not only be perpetuated, but receive the aid
and assistance of every cultivator in the Union. It will not be denied, that
the convention at Buffalo, last September, was the first national one ever
projected. Early in the spring of 1848, circulars were sent to the various
horticultural societies of the country, inviting them to send delegates to a
convention, to be held at Buffalo, and it was not till late in the summer, that
any intention was manifested of having another at New York. Had a
conciliatory spirit prevailed, they might undoubtedly have been merged in-
to one ; and such arrangements made, that they might have been held in
different cities, from year to year, thus obviating any objections to two con-
ventions, if such there in reality be ; but, from some cause, a union was not
attempted, and the separate conventions were held in the autumn of 1848.

We had supposed, that, if there had been any feelings of rivalry or jealousy
between the two conventions of last year, that they had long since been for-
gotten. Such, however, does not seem to be the case, for since the issue
of the Circular, which we published in our last number, (p. 131,) an attempt
VOL. XV. NO. IV. 24

186 Domestic Notices.

has been made to make the friends of the Buffalo convention believe that
the circular was "entirely anonymous!'''' emanating from nobody; that
the New York State Agricultural Society does not recognize any such
body as the North American Pomological Convention ; and, finally, that gen-
tlemen who have been appointed on Stale committees, are apprized that
they receive the compliment from an authority " altogether unknown !"

Such statements, deliberately made, either show a total want of informa-
tion upon the subject, or an intention wilfully to misrepresent. Any one
who turns to our notice of the Buffalo convention, (Vol. XIV., p. 550,)
will see that the following committee was appointed to call a future con-
vention, viz. : —

J. I). G. Nelson, Indiana; James Dougal, C. W. ; F. R. Elliott, Cleve-
land, O. ; Dr. J. C. Holmes, Michigan ; Dr. H. Wendell, Albany ; L. F.
Allen and N. Goodsell, N. Y.

And we now state, that the committee were unanimous in their recom-
mendation of the circular above alluded to ; there was no necessity to ap-
pend their names, as it was widely known, that, at Buffalo, it was resolved
to call the meeting the North American Pomological Convention, and
to hold it annually.

As regards the connection of the New York State Agricultural Society,
with the convention, it is perfectly well known, that no such connection ex-
ists. No one ever said, or pretended, there was. The convention is an in-
dependent body, — acting of itself, — and by itself, — under the influence of
no society. The State society, however, does feel a great interest in the con-
vention,— so much so, that Mr. Johnson, the able secretary, appended the
following notice to the list of premiums, offered by tjie society, for 1849 ; —
" North American Pomological Convention. — This body, organized at Buf-
falo, last year — appointed their meeting the day succeeding our show. It
will open its sessions on Friday, the 14th of September, and those sending
fruit, will please direct to the care of P. N. Rust, Syracuse. It is expect-
ed that this convention will be the most important one ever held in this
country, on the subject of pomology — and it is hoped its deliberations will
be most useful to all those who are desirous of advancing, for the good of
the public, the true interests of this most important branch of national in-
dustry."

It is not necessary for us to occupy more room upon this subject. No
gentleman who has been appointed upon the State committees, will, for a
moment, be influenced by any thing which has emanated from the Horticul'
turist. But persevering in their duties, we hope the committees will be ena-
bled to bring together such a mass of information, as will at once set at
rest all doubts as to the utility of future conventions.

AVe inadvertently omitted, in our last, to give the names of the commit-
tee for Massachusetts ; they are as follows: —

Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, of Roxbury, Chairman. C. M. Ilovey, of Bos-
ton, J. S. Cabot, of Salem, J. Washburn, of Plymouth, H. H. Crapo, of
New Bedford, George Jacques, of Worcester, Rev. A. R. Pope, of Kings-
ton.

Albany and Rensselaer Horticidiiiral Society. 187

Art. III. Albany and Rensselaer Horticullural Society.

Thb annual meeting of the society was held at the Old State Hall, Al-
bany, on the 14th of February, — Joel Rathbone, the President, in the chair.

The annual report of the treasurer was accepted, and the meeting pro-
ceeded to the choice of officers, for 1849, when the following persons were
elected : —

President — Joel Rathbone.

Vice Presidents — V. P. Douw,Greenbush ; Herman Wendell, M. D., Al-
bany ; E. P. Prentice, Bethlehem ; Stephen E. Warren, Troy.

Secretary — B. P. Johnson, Albany.

Treasurer — Luther Tucker, Bethlehem.

Managers — Amos Briggs, Schaghticoke ; J. M. Lovett, Bethlehem ; W.
Buswell, Troy; L. Menand, Watervliet ; J. McD. Mclntyre, Albany ; B.
B. Kirtland, Greenbush ; James Wilson, Albany ; William Newcomb,
Pittstown ; A. Osborn, Watervliet.

The various standing committees were also elected.

Meetings for 1849-50. — At the request of the members of the society,
from the northern part of Rensselaer County, it was Resolved, That the ex-
hibitions for the summer of 1849, and winter of 1850, be held at the State
Hall, in the city of Albany, on such days as the executive committee may
hereafter designate.

A fine display of flowers and fruits was made at this meeting, and the
whole passed off much to the gratification of the members and the public.

The principal exhibitors of flowers were the president, L. Menand, J.
Dingwall, and James Wilson. The following premiums were awarded : —

For the best six plants in pots, to L. Menand, $2.

For the best display of cut greenhouse flowers, to L. Menand, $2.

For the second best do., to Col. Rathbone, % 1.

For the best round hand bouquet, to Col. Rathbone, $ 1.

For the best display of cut camellia japonicas, with foliage, to J. Ding-
wall, $3.

For the best six varieties of Chinese primroses, in pots, to J. Wilson, $2.

For the best ten distinct varieties of pansies, in pots, to J. Dingwall, $2.

And a discretionary premium of $5, to Wilson Flagg, Esq., of Boston,
for a very magnificent grass bouquet, composed of the several varieties of
grass, grown in the vicinity of Boston, and arranged with consummate taste
and skill. — J. M. Lovett, Chairman.

The exhibition of fruits was excellent for the season. From Ezra P.
Prentice, Newtown Pippin, ^sopus Spitzenberg.Kilham Hill, Chandler,
English or Poughkeepsie Russet, Winter Pearmain, Vandervere, Ancient
Briton, and four varieties of apples. By Dr. H . Wendell, R. I. Greenings,
JEsopus Spitzenberg, and Swaar apples, Haddington pear, from Philadelphia,
Inconnue Van Mons, and Winter Virgalieu pears. B. P. Johnson present-
ed, from Hon. A. Wilcox, of Herkimer County, Winter Pearmain, and
Cheeseboro' Russet apples. By B. Hodge, of Buffalo, Twenty Ounce
apples. By Hon. John A. King, of Jamaica, Newtown Pippin. By H.

ISS

Massachiisctls Horticidtural Society.

Snyder, Kinderhook, Royal Russet and Lady apples. By C. Bellinger,
Herkimer County, Middle apples. By 11. Hooker, Rochester, Bellefleur
apples. By J. H. Watts, Rochester, Northern Spy apples. By F. W.
Lay, Greece, Black Gilliflower and ^I^sopus Spitzenberg apples. By Mon-
treal Horticultural Society, Ppmme Gris, Twenty Ounce, Newtown Pippin,
and ^Esopus Spitzenberg apples. By J. Delafield, Seneca County, Newtown
Pippins. By B. P. Johnson, red Bellefleur, Gloria Mundi, Tolman's Sweet,
and Rock apples. By E. E. Piatt, of Albany, very beautiful specimens of
the Pound peais. By W. D. Osborn, of Port Byron, Red Bellefleur apples.

The following premiums were awarded : —

For the best exhibition of apples, to E. P. Prentice, of Mount Hope, #2.

For the best variety of winter pears, to Dr. H Wendell, of Albany, $2.
— Her.man Wendell, Chairman.

Art. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, January 20/A, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

Mr. Stickney, from the Finance committee, made their annual report, as
follows : —

Receipts for the Year 1848.
Balance on hand, .
From Mount Auburn Cemetery,

Rent of store and hall,
Dividend on stock, &c.,
Transactions sold,
Assessments and fees,
Donation of S. Appleton,
Donation of Jos. Bradlee,
Sundry receipts, exhibitions, &c,.

Payments for the Year 1848.
Stocks purchased.
Repairs of hall.

Cost of transactions and printing.
Annual festival, .
Door keeper, &c.,
Premiums, &c., .
Library, ....
Interest on mortgage,
Miscellaneous expenses, .
Balance in the treasury, .

S47 35
4,495 09
1,927 50
384 79
250 00
1,192 27
200 00
500 00
367 12

$9,364 12

. 1,398 75
. 414 12
. 1,819 72
. 980 99
. 470 00
. 1,350 00
. 168 35
. 750 00
. 1,924 49
. 81 70

$9,364 12

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 189

Property of the Society.
Building, ....... $36,000 00

Furnitureof Hall, &c., ..... .1,83500

Library, ........ 1,468 00

Stocks, ....... 3,700 00

Appleton and other funds, ..... 3,500 00

$46,503 00

The only debt of the societ)', except some few outstanding accounts, is
the mortgage of $ 15,000 00

On motion of Mr. Newhall, it was voted, that the finance committee be
requested to negotiate for the payment of the present mortgage, when it be-
comes due in May.

The president advised that a semi-annual show of roses, &c., should be
held in June, and the subject was referred to the committee of arrange-
ments, to report at a future meeting. He also recommended that a cata-
logue should be published, of all the varieties of fruit, which had been ex-
hibited at the rooms of the society, from its organization up to the present
time, with the names of the exhibitors. Referred to the fruit committee.

D. T. Curtis, and J. H. Bufford, of Boston, were elected members.

Adjourned 2 weeks to Feb. 3.

Exhibited. — Frdit : From E. M. Richards, Echasserie pears. From H.
Vandine, four varieties of pears. From Mr. Baldwin, very large Catillae
pears. From J. S. Cabot, Brande's St. Germain pears, very fine.

At the meeting of the 13th Jan., J. F. Allen exhibited Syrian and Black
Hamburgh grapes, of last year's crop.

Jatiuanj 27th. Exhibited. — Flowers: From M. P. Wilder, a seedling
Camellia, called Maria Louise, a crimson flower, occasionally spotted and
marbled with white, regular form, double and imbricated ; also cut flowers
of iSpiraj^a prunifolia pleno, Acacia spectabilis, E'pacris pulch^lla, and E.
impressa alba, fine specimens.

February 3d. — An adjourned meeting of the society was held to-day, —
the President in the chair.

Mr. Wilder, from the committee appointed to settle with Mount Auburn
Cemetery, reported that they had attended to the duty, and that the sum of
$2,582 43, the society's proportion of the proceeds, had been received, and
paid over to the treasurer.

Mr. Breck, chairman of the committee of arrangements, reported that the
21st Annual Exhibition should be held on the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st of
September next.

A bill for painting fruits was presented by Mr. Sharp, and, on motion of
Mr. Haggerston, it was voted that the treasurer pay the same.

L. B. Comins and L. S. Beecher, of Roxbury, were elected members.

Adjourned one week to Feb. 10th.

Exhibited. — Fruit: From J.Washburn, of Plymouth, Holmes apple,
which the committee pronounced fine, and deserving of extensive cultiva-
tion. From J. F. Allen, grapes of last year's growth.

190 Hortlcullural Memoranda.

February 10th. — An adjourned meeting of the society was held to-day, —
the President in the chair.

On motion of C. M. Hovey, it was voted, that premiums, to the amount
of $50, be given at the semi-annual exhibition in June, the committee to
report a schedule of prizes at a future day.

Adjourned for one week to Feb. 17th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : The exhibition of camellias for premium took
place to-day; and the following varieties were shown: — From M. P. Wild-
er, twenty varieties, among which were Pirzio, Saccoi nova, Madiolalensis,
Sarah Frost, Floy's New York, tricolor, Henry Favre, Donckelaeri, and
two seedlings.

From Messrs. Hovey & Co., sixteen varieties, among which were Hemp-
st6adu', Abby Wilder, reticulata, Vauxn, Floyu', Duchesse of Orleans, and
a seedling of great promise ; the flower was small, being from a weak
plant; it is of the most symmetrical form, full double, beautifully imbri-
cated, a perfectly round petal, without any notch or indentation whatever;
the color pure white, with a delicate stripe of bright pink through the cen-
tre of each petal.

Messrs. Hovey also exhibited cut flowers of several fine seedling azaleas.
From John Quant, JSrica Macnab/ana, and Clematis azurea. The premi-
ums for camellias were awarded as follows : —

Camellias. For the best 12 flowers, to M. P. Wilder, $8.
For the second best 12 flowers, to Hovey & Co. $6.

Fruit : From J. A. Kenrick, Cogswell apple, a handsome and good va-
riety. From J. S. Cabot, Brande's St. Germain pear, which the committee
think well worthy of cultivation. From C. F. Putnam, of Salem, Hub-
bardston Nonsuch apples, but rather past the season.

February \llh. — An adjourned meeting of the society was held to-day, —
the President in the chair.

A letter was received from the Antiquarian Society, requesting copies of
the transactions of the society, scions, &.c., &c. Voted, That the corres-
ponding secretary forward the same.

The committee on publication submitted a report, which was accepted,
recommending the society to publish one more number of its "Transactions
with Plates," to complete the series.

Edward Rice, of Dorchester, and David A. Simmons, of Roxbury, were
elected members.

Adjourned two weeks to March 3d.

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR APRIL.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Gra'pe vines will now come forward rapidly, and, by the middle of the
month, will begin to open their blossoms. As soon as this is perceived, all
syringing should be dispensed with, and the damping of the walks less

Horticultural Memoranda. 191

frequent ; a rather higher temperature should be kept up, and, if cold stormy
days occur, fires should be kept on during the day. The spurs will now
have grown so far, that, as they are tied out to the trellis, the strongest
may be stopped two eyes beyond the cluster of buds. Disbud all super-
fluous shoots, leaving only those that are wanted to make wood for next
year. The temperature, after the flowers begin to open, may be from 55
to 60 degrees at night. Vines in cold houses should now be uncovered,
and tied loosely up to the trellis, giving them the same treatment as we
recommended for vines in the grapery in February. A'^ines in pots should
be liberally watered, giving them liquid guano after the berries are well
formed. Vines in the open air may yet be pruned ; they will bleed a lit-
tle, but no danger need be apprehended from this.

Fig trees in pots will now be showing fruit, and should be duly wa-
tered.

Peach trees in pots, that have set their fruit, should be well watered.

Straivberries in pots should be liberally watered, giving liquid guano
occasionally, and keeping them on a well-aired shelf near the glass. Beds
in the open air should be uncovered the first good warm weather, raking
off merely the coarsest litter first, and dressing the beds afterwards. New
beds may be made the last of the month.

i?aspicrry plantations should now be uncovered, and new ones made if
they are wanted.

Grafting trees of all kinds should be attended to now. Plums and cher-
ries should be got through with first, and then pears and apples. Scions
may yet be cut.

Pruning all kinds of trees should now be done before a press of other
work will require so much time that it may be neglected. Wall or espa-
lier trees should be put in fine order early in the season.

Fruit of all kinds should be transplanted now.

Pear, apple and cherry, and other stocks should be planted out as soon
as the ground is in a good state.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Pelargoniums should now be in a vigorous state of growth ; if they have
been properly attended to, the plants will now begin to throw up their
trusses of buds, and, by the middle of the month, will begin to bloom ;
that is, those intended for blooming in May : those to succeed them in
June will not be so forward, and the third set for flowering in July should
have the shoots immediately stopped, so that they may break strong, and
in good season. By attending to this, the season of blooming may be pro-
longed from April to August. Water once a week with liquid guano.
Air the house early to keep off all damp ; and fumigate to destroy the green

fly-

Camellias will now be making their growth, and will require repeated
syringings and good supplies of water at the root.

Japan lilies will now be so far advanced in growth that they may soon
have a shift into the next size pot, especially those intended for large spec-
imens.

192 Horticultural Memora7ida.

Azaleas done flowering should be repotted, pruned into shape, and placed
in a warm situation, if large and fine specimens are wanted.

Cinerarias done flowering may have their tops cut oH, and the plants
removed to a cold frame.

Tulip and hyacinth buds will require to be immediately uncovered ; as
soon as the shoots are well above the soil, choose a good dry day, and
carefully stir the surface of the earth with a stick or the hand ; nothing in-
vigorates their growth more than this.

Ranunculus beds should be covered half an inch deep with sand : this
will prevent the drying winds from cracking and hardening the surface.

Carnations and Picoteex, wintered in pots in frames, should now be shifted
into a larger size, if it is intended to grow them in pots ; and if m the ground,
a bed should be got ready, and prepared to receive them.

Pansies, in pots or in frames, should soon be transplanted to a well prepared
bed, 80 as to get well established before dry weather ; sow the seeds now
for a succession of bloom.

Calceolarias will need one more shift into the size they are to bloom.
Seeds may be sown now for a succession.

Achimenes and Gloxinias of all kinds, will need another shift into larger
pots.

Fuchsias should now be propagated from cuttings ; plants already potted
off, will need a shift into a larger size.

Cactuses should now be liberally watered.

Chrysanthemums should now be propagated from cuttings.

Ericas and Epacrises should now be headed well in, and placed in a cool
and airy situation, until the weather is sufficiently mild to admit of their be-
ing planted in the open air. Propagate from cuttings now.

Hydrangeas, both japonica and the horttinsis, should now be shifted into
larger pots.

Tuberoses should now be planted, and placed in a hot-bed, to forward iheir
growth.

Ixias, sparaxis, and other bulbs, done blooming, may be placed away on
an airy shelf, and sparingly watered.

Gladiolus gandavcnsis, and other summer flowering kinds, may be planted
out in the open ground, the last of the month.

Pceonies, both the tree and herbaceous sorts, should now be transplanted.

Rocket Larkspur seeds should be sown early, as the plants bloom much
stronger, than when the sowing is delayed.

Balsams, Asters, Stocks, and other showy annual flower seeds, should
now be sown in pots or boxes, and brought forward in the hotbed, for
early blooming.

Daphne odora may now be propagated from cuttings.

Roses should be pruned as soon as convenient, as they push stronger than
when the work is delayed.

Neapolitan violets in frames, should be liberally watered.

Herbaceous plants of all kinds may be transplanted this month.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE.

MAY, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art, I. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of
Pears. By the Editor.

In our Retrospective View of the Progress of Horticulture
for 1848, (p. 6,) we named several new varieties of pears
which had proved to be valuable acquisitions to American
collections, and stated that we should describe and figure
them in the course of the current volume. We now present
an account of six of them, among the number, four of the most
remarkable ones, viz., the Excellentissima, St. Dorothea,
Brande's St. Germain, and the Walker ; the latter one of Dr.
Van Mons's seedlings, sent to the late Mr. R. Manning with-
out name, as No. 135 of his great collection, with a request
that he should name such as proved valuable ; and, in ac-
cordance with this request, Mr. Manning the younger has
called it the Walker pear, in honor of Samuel Walker, Esq.,
President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a com-
pliment which, we are happy to add, is most worthily be-
stowed. We commence our descriptions with this fine pear.

103. Walker.

No. 135 Van Mons, Mag. o/Hort., Vol. XII, p. 147.

In our volume for 1846. above referred to, Mr. Manning gave
a brief account of this pear, {Jig. 17.) The scions were
among a large lot of numbered varieties received by Messrs.
Kenrick, Manning and Dearborn, from Dr. Van Mons, in 1836,
and the tree came into bearing four or five years ago. In

VOL. XV, — NO. V. 25

194 Descriptions of Select Vai'ieties of Pears.

size, it ranks among the largest pears, and, in general form,
it is somewhat like the Dix. Our outline is from some fine
specimens received from Mr. Manning in the fall of 1847.

We have so often, in describing many of the new pears
introduced through the exertion of the gentlemen above named.

Fig. 17. Walker Pear.

spoken of the debt of gratitude due to them from the cultiva-
tors of this country, that we need not extend our remarks
here. The best evidence of the immense benefits which have
resulted from their correspondence with Van Mons is found
from the fact that, in the great number of varieties which

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 195

have been described and figured in our Magazine for four-
teen years, either by ourselves or by Mr. Manning, amount-
ing to upwards of three hundred, more than fifty of them
were among those sent to Messrs. Kenrick, Manning, and
Dearborn, in 1834, '35, and '36.

The tree is a vigorous and healthy grower, with an erect
and upright habit, and the wood is of a yellowish brown. It
is also a good bearer, and ripens its fruit well.

Our description is as follows : —

Size, large, about three and a half inches long, and two
and a half in diameter : Form, oblong pyramidal, broad and
slightly flattened at the crown, and tapering regularly to an
obtuse point at the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, yellow when
mature, broadly tinged with pale red on the sunny side, and
thickly covered with large green and russet specks : Stem,
medium length, about one inch long, moderately stout, curved,
and slightly inserted in a shallow cavity, on one side of a
small projection : Eye, medium size, open, and sunk in a
very small, round, rather shallow basin; segments of the
calyx long, and partially reflexed : Flesh, white, little coarse,
melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, saccharine, sprightly, per-
fumed, and excellent : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium
size, light brown. Ripe in November.

104. ExcELLENTissiMA. Kcnrick's Americaii Orchardist.

Much has been said of late about reducing the great num-
ber of pears in cultivation, and also, of the prevailing mania,
especially among the Boston pear cultivators, of adding ev-
ery new sort to the already greatly extended list of varieties
which fill our catalogues. No experienced pomologist will
pretend to doubt that there are many kinds which may be
judiciously discarded from cultivation, but to talk of reducing
the number to twenty or thirty, or to say that there is not
more than that number of really good pears, is perfectly ab-
surd.

Equally absurd is the attempt to make some cultivators
believe that we have already good pears enough, and that it
is little else than folly to run after all the new varieties which
are enumerated in foreign catalogues. We would not waste

196 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

time and room in arguing this question with those who have
made such assertions. Acting under such impressions, our
collections would soon be deficient in some of the choicest

Fig. 18. Excellentissima Pear.

kinds which have been produced. As an evidence of this,
we need only remark that the Doyenne Boussock, recently
described and figured by us, (Vol. XIII, p. 68,) and the Ex-

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 197

cellentissima, which we now have under notice, are both
pears which had no noted reputation abroad, and indeed had
never been mentioned in any pomological work, to our knowl-
edge, until Mr. Kenrick briefly described them. They have,
however, proved to be two very remarkable varieties which
will become universally cultivated.

The Excellentissima, i^fig- IS,) is one of the largest pears,
good specimens measuring six inches in length ; it has some-
what the appearance of the Williams's Bon Chretien, but is
larger and more obtuse at both ends. It is an abundant
bearer, and the tree grows well upon the quince. The wood
is yellowish olive.

It first fruited in this country in our collection, in the fall
of 1847, when a small pyramidal tree produced upwards of a
dozen pears, the largest of which is here represented in our
outline engraving. It ripens at a desirable season, and keeps
for a long time.

Size, large, about four and a half inches long, and three
inches in diameter : Form, oblong pyramidal, narrowing a
little to the crown, which is slightly oblique, contracted some-
what on one side, and tapering to the stem : Skin, fair,
smooth, bright yellow when mature, faintly shaded with
blush on the sunny side, and thickly covered with large, con-
spicuous, light russet specks : Stem, long, about one and a
half inches in length, rather slender, curved, swollen and
slightly fleshy at the base, and obliquely inserted with scarcely
any cavity : Eye, medium size, open, and little sunk in a
small, somewhat uneven basin ; segments of the calyx long,
pointed, and quite reflexed : FlesJi^ yellowish, fine, buttery,
melting, and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, and delicious, with
a fine aroma : Core, medium size : Seeds, large, very long
and pointed. Ripe in November.

105. Las Canas.

The Las Canas {fig. 19,) is a new pear, which first fruit-
ed in the Pomological Garden at Salem, three or four years
ago. The scions were received from the collection of M.
Emelien de Wael, of Antwerp, a gentleman who visited this
country eight or ten years ago, and who was an intimate

198

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

friend of Dr. Van Mons. He corresponded with Messrs. Man-
ning andKenrick, and sent them, in the spring of 1S41, scions
of several new pears, the names of which are enumerated in
Mr. Ken rick's Orchardist, (p. 170.)

Mr. Manning has briefly noticed this pear in our vohime
for 1846, (XII. p. 146,) and he considers it a deUcious variety,
and a decided acquisition. It has much of the character of

Fi^. 19. Las Canas Pear.

the Tyson and Rostiezer. Like those fine pears, it is only
a medinm-sized fruit, but is of a very regular pear form,
tapering into the stem so gradually that it is scarcely possi-
ble to say where the fruit begins or ends.

The tree grows

freely, bears young, and the fruit keeps well. Wood, light
yellow, with grayish specks.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and one
and three quarters in diameter : Form, pyramidal, very reg-

Descrij)tions of Select Varieties of Pears. 199

ular, oblique at the crown, and tapering into the stem : Skin^
slightly rough, dull yellowish green, very much russeted
around the eye, extending in patches and tracings towards
the stem, mottled with green, and covered with small rus-
set specks : Stem, medium length, about three quarters of
an inch long, slender, curved, thick at the end attached to
the branch, and fleshy at its junction with the fruit, which is
oblique : Eye, small, open, and inserted in a small, scarcely
perceivable basin ; segments of the calyx short, very broad
and reflexed: Flesh, yellowish white, fine, melting, and very
juicy : Flavor, rich and saccharine, with a high delicious
aroma : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium size, nearly black.
Ripe in October.

106. Saint Dorothee'.

M. Jamin, of Paris, first brought this fine pear {fig. 20,)
to our notice. In the fall of 1844, when we visited his col-
lection, of which we have given an account, (Yol. XL p. 205,)
we requested him to give us a list of all the varieties that he
thought Avorthy of introduction to American collections, and
this was among the number. Our tree fruited in 1847, and
we were glad to find it fully equal to the reputation he gave
it. Where it originated, or how long it has been m cultiva-
tion in foreign collections, we have no information. It has
somewhat the appearance of the Marie Louise, and is nearly
or quite equal to that delicious pear.

The tree has a very vigorous and healthy growth, with a
spreading and upright habit, and it flourishes well upon the
quince. Wood, light gray, with very prominent buds.

>S'/^e, large, about three and a half inches long, and three
inches in diameter : Fo?'m, oblong pyramidal, full at the
crown, swollen on one side, and tapering to an obtuse point
at the stem : Skin, slightly rough, dull green, becoming yel-
lowish green when mature, considerably traced with russet,
faintly browned in the sun, and little dotted with scattered
blackish specks : Ste7n, long, about one and a half inches in
length, moderately stout, curved and twisted, wrinkled and
fleshy at the base, and obliquely inserted in a very shallow
cavity : Eye, medium size, partially closed, and moderately

200

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

sunk ill a rather contracted basin, projecting on one side;
segments of the calyx short, stiff, and little recurved : Fleshy

Fiff. 20. Si. Dorothea Pear.

white, fine, very melting and juicy: Flavor^ rich, saccharine,
and vinous, with a delicious orange-like perfume : Core, small :
Seeds, small, short, and plump. Ripe in October.

107. Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee. Kenrick's Am. Orch.

The fullest account we have of the Jalousie de Fontenay
Vendee, {fig- 21,) is that given by the late Mr. Manning, in
our volume for 1S42, (VIII. p. 58,) where he states that he

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 201

received it from Vilmorin, of Paris. Mr. Kenrick very briefly-
noticed it in his Orchardist, 3d Ed. for 1S41, as having been
one among several new pears recommended to him as worthy
of cultivation by M. Jamin, of Paris; and it proves to be a
most excellent variety. Since the notice of it above referred

Fig' 21. Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee Pear.

to, when it first fruited in this country in the Pomological
Garden, it has been introduced into many collections, and
handsome specimens of the fruit have repeatedly been exhib-
ited ; the finest of which, that we have seen, came from the
Hon. J. S. Cabot, of Salem, and our drawing represents one

VOL. XV. — NO. V. 26

202 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

of his specimens sent to us in the autumn of 1847. Last sea-
son, our own trees produced several pears, and we can fully
confirm the high character which the Jalousie de Fontenay
Vendee has sustained. It bears but little resemblance to the
Jalousie of Duhamel^ as the latter has a dark, crimson-
colored, and rough russety covering, while the former has a
yellowish green skin, thickly ov^erspread with tracings of
greenish russet.

The tree is a vigorous and upright grower, an abundant
bearer, and succeeds well upon the quince. The wood is
light yellowish brown.

Size, large, about three and a half inches long, and three
inches in diameter : Form, obtusely pyramidal, regular, broad
and full at the crown, tapering to the stem : Skin, nearly
smooth, dull greenish yellow, much russeted around the eye
and stem, and thickly covered, on the sunny side, with rather
small russet specks: Stem, medium length, about an inch
long, rather stout, little fleshy at the base, and obliquely in-
serted on an obtuse point without any cavity : Eye, medium
size, partially closed, and little sunk in a rather shallow,
large open basin ; segments of the calyx broad, short, and
roundish: Flesh, yellowish, coarse, melting, and juicy : Fla-
vor, rich, saccharine, and excellent, with a pleasant perfume :
Core, rather large : Seeds, very large, long, pointed, and dark
brown. Ripe in October.

108. Brande's St. Germain. Van Mons Arbres Fruitiers.

Bran de St. Germain, of some foreign collections.
Pyrus Brandesia, Van Mons.

It is somewhat remarkable that a pear, possessing such
excellent qualities as the Brande's St. Germain {fig- 22,)
should not have been more extensively known, and more
generally cultivated. Mr. Prince first introduced it to the
notice of American cultivators as long ago as 1831, when he
gave a descriptive account of it in the Pomological Ma7mal,
(Vol. II. p. 211,) translated from the Arbres Fruitiers, of
Van Mons. He there states that the tree was raised from
seed about eighteen years previous, and had then produced
fruit for thirteen years. Mr. Prince, however, does not state
whether he had had the variety in bearing or not.

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 203

We first noticed it in 1843, in the collection of Mr. Man-
ning, of Salem, when he exhibited the fruit; but, as the
specimens were small, and as they were not then in eating,
(September,) we did not particularly examine the variety ;
and it had quite escaped our attention till the past winter,
when several good sized and finely ripened specimens were
repeatedly exhibited at the Hall of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society, by the Hon. J. S. Cabot, of Salem, who
kindly gave us some of the pears for the purpose of making

Brande's St. Germain Pear.

a drawing and description. Wishing to know Mr Cabot's
opinion of the fruit, we addressed him a note, and the follow-
ing is his reply : —

" Brande's St. Germain Pear. Some uncertainty exists with
regard to the true name of this pear in the Catalogues of some
of the Belgian nurserymen. It is called Bran or Brau de
St. Germain, accompanied with the remark that it is "of un-
certain orthography." It is said to be a seedling of Van
Mons. The tree is of vigorous growth and upright habit —

204 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

wood rather slender, and, on the lower limbs, somewhat pen-
dulant. The fruit is produced singly, and diffused generally
over the tree.

Although it has not been fruited here for a sufiicient length
of time to justify the expression of a decided opinion upon the
subject, yet, from present indications, it will not prove a very
abundant bearer. The fruit is of medium size and obovate
form ; color when ripe light yellowish green, with blotches or
patches of russet ; adheres well to the tree, and not liable to
be blown off; flesh white, melting and juicy, of a somewhat
peculiar, but very pleasant flavor, not apt to rot at the core ;
season January and February. Ripening at a season when
there are but few varieties of good pears, this is a decidedly
valuable acquisition to the garden.

This was first received by me in 1841 or 1842, bearing
fruit for the first time in 1844 or 1845, and continuing to pro-
duce fruit regularly every year since, maybe fairly classed as
a first-rate winter pear."

It is only necessary for us to add to this account of Brande's
St, Germain, that we presume this variety was added to our
collections through the same source as many of our finest
new pears, viz., through the kindness of Dr. Van Mons. It
was one among the long list of varieties of which scions were
sent to Messrs. Kenrick, Manning, and Dearborn in 1835.
We fully agree with Mr. Cabot, who has had a much better
opportunity of testing it than ourselves, having had the tree
constantly in bearing for four years, that it may be " fairly
classed as a first-rate winter pear." It has much of the charac-
ter of the Dix, but it has a ?'ic/ter aroma than even that most ex-
cellent fruit. It is in fact prolonging the season of the Dix
to March, for the Brande's St. Germain comes into eating
soon after the Dix is gone. In regard to the proper orthog-
raphy for the name, there can be but little doubt, as Dr. Van
Mons named it in honor of Professor Brandes, of Salzufiin.

Our own description, which is rather more in detail than
Mr. Cabot's, is as follows : —

Size^ medium, about three inches long and two and a half
in diameter : Form, obovate pyramidal, largest in the middle,
rounding off to the eye, and tapering to the stem : Skin, little
rough, dull greenish yellow, much traced and dotted with

On the Management of Peach Trees. 205

bright russet all over the surface : Stem, rather short, about
half an inch in length, moderately stout, and obliquely in-
serted without any cavity, with a slight projection on one
side : Eye, medium size, open, and set nearly even with the
surface of the crown : segments of the calyx stiff, and slightly
reflexed : Flesh, yellowish, coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor,
rich and sugary, with a peculiarly high and delicious aroma :
Core, small, slightly gritty : Seeds, small, slender, and point-
ed at each end. Ripe from January to March.

Art. II. On the Management of Peach Trees. By R. B.

Leuchars. New Haven, Conn.

{jContinued frotn p. 174.)

The most proper period of the year, to perform the opera-
tion of root-pruning, is undoubtedly immediately on the fall
of the leaves. I have root-pruned trees, as late as the begin-
ning of March, successfully ; but the months of October and
November, experience has taught me, to be decidedly the best
time. Choose mild dry weather for the purpose. Proceed by
digging out a trench eighteen inches wide, and two feet deep,
and two, three, or four feet from the stem ; the distance must
always be regulated according to the size of the tree, and the
nature of its roots ; for instance, if the root consists of two or
three main limbs, without any small roots or fibres near the
stem, then the distance must be greater ; in all cases, the
small roots and spongelets must be spared. Having dug the
required depth, you will be able to see the nature of the hori-
zontal roots, and you may go closer to the stem, if necessary.
Cut in right under the mass, severing every root, as you pro-
ceed ; cut all the ends, near the tree, with a sharp knife that
they may the more speedily heal. Let it be borne in mind, that
root-pruning does not consist in tearing or hacking the roots
off with a spade or pickaxe. The roots of a tree are nothing
more nor less than underground branches, as essentially so
as those that are growing in the atmospheric medium, and
ought to be pruned quite as carefully. If the tree be large,
undermine it first on one side, filling up with good fresh loam;

206 Oil the Management of Peach Trees.

then on tlic other, cutting through, till you meet the former
excavation, filling as before, with loam. Fill up the trench
with the same material; put a good strong stick, as a sup-
port to it, if necessary, and the work is done.

I would recommend, however, that root-pruning be not too
rashly proceeded with. And I will here make a simple re-
mark, which, at a future time, I may advert to more in de-
tail ; and this is, that many persons, in attempting to carry
out a principle, bungle it in practice, and then fancy that they
have a right to give it a wholesale condemnation, merely be-
cause they have not been successful. As an instance of this,
I called upon a gardener, a few miles from New York, in the
month of September last ; his peach trees were almost barren ;
I asked him if he had tried root-pruning 1 He said he had
last spring, but he had killed some of his trees. The fact
was, he had lifted some strong growing trees, hacked their
roots nearly all off, with an axe, stuck them again in the
sand, and there they stood, till they exhausted their stored-
up sap. The sun dried them up, root and branch ; and they
died, of course. What else could they do? It was not surpris-
ing that they died, but it would have been surprising, if they
had lived. I do not bring this forward in defence of a prin-
ciple : common sense defends it, and, better still, it defends it-
self. This, however, will show the necessity of caution, for,
when intelligent gardeners fall into such blunders, what can
be expected from that numerous class, who usurp the name,
but know as little of gardening, as they do of the philosopher's
stone ? Trees of any size or age may, if done judiciously, be
root-pruned with advantage, yet, to enjoy the full benefits of
the system, they ought to be operated on, from the second or
third year of their growth, and continued at intervals of two
or three years, if found necessary. I have seen trees, forty
years of age, thrown into a bearing state, after many years
barrenness. If young trees are regularly root-pruned, it will
keep them in a healthy, fruit-bearing condition, and prevent
that over-luxuriance, which, no doubt, tends to their decay.
They ought to be mulched with some non-conducting mate-
rial, during summer, which prevents rapid evaporation, by
the sun's heat, and obviates considerably the necessity of con-
tinual waterings, which, indeed, frequently do more harm
than good.

On the Management of Peach Trees. 207

I am aware that a powerful plea will be brought against
this system, (allowing all prejudice to be overcome,) in the
amount of labor necessary to practise it on an extensive scale.
To such objections, I would say, give it a fair trial, before
you condemn it. That it fully answers the desired end is
unquestionable. That it may be profitably practised upon
the extensive orchards of this country, remains to be shown.
The system, however, is invaluable to amateurs, and others
having small gardens and orchards, as by it a variety of
peaches and pears, even the strongest growing sorts, may be
grown in a very small garden. A greater quantity of fruit
can be produced on a given space of ground, than by any
other method, and the trees require, otherwise, very little care.
The work requires to be performed at a period of the year,
when labor is most plentiful and cheap. And, more than all,
trees, so managed, can be removed, at almost any age, from
one place to another, without the slightest injury.

If little attention be given to the roots of peach trees, there
appears to be still less given to the branches ; and, in many
cases, where an attempt at pruning is made, it is more injuri-
ous than otherwise. The tree should be so trained, in its
youth, that the amputation of large branches, in after years,
may be unnecessary. The peach is naturally a short-lived
tree, and every limb that is cut off after it is full grown, most
assuredly hastez^is its decay. These large amputations are sel-
dom healed over with healthy bark, and besides producing
canker. The exudations that frequently follow exhaust the
vital energies of the tree more than the heaviest crops. The
less cutting that the branches of a peach tree get, the better.
It is a well-known fact, that where peach trees have attained
to a great age, they have been but little pruned. It is always
better to draw out the fire, than to blow off steam, or, in other
words, it is better to curtail the supply, than to cut off the
branches. Indeed, if we study the philosophy and effects of
winter-pruning, and appreciate it according to its merits, it is
very probable we would discontinue its practice altogether. Is
it reasonable, or right, in principle, to make trees produce
three or four times the quantity of wood that is necessary,
and then to cut it off, under the fine-sounding professional
XQixaoi winter-pruning? The thing is utterly inconsistent

20S 0)1 the M'jnagement of Peach Trees.

with theory, with practice, and with common sense. A few
moments' reflection would convince any person, that pruning,
thinning, shortening, call it what 3^ou like, severely practised,
with the view of checking the over-luxuriance of healthy
trees, can have little better hope of success, than an attempt to
lessen the flow of a constant stream, by raising an obstruction
in its bed, or shortening its channel, without first stopping
the supply. Any ignoramus knows, that such an expedient
would only result in a greater evil, and that a current thus
temporarily checked, would only flow with the greater violence,
the moment it surmounted its temporary obstruction. Just so
must a luxuriant tree become more luxuriant, by the severe
pruning of the previous winter. Those who assert that se-
vere winter-pruning of the branches will make luxuriant
trees productive, and prolong their age, must have learnt very
different lessons, from experience, than those which I have
acquired. Indeed, I may say that fourteen years' close prac-
tice, in their culture, under various circumstances, has taught
me quite the reverse. In my father's garden, at Dundee,
there grew a peach tree, a few years ago, and very likely is,
at the present time, which hardly had a knife upon it for
twenty years ; in fact it did not require it, it grew so very lit-
tle, yet scarcely ever failed in bearing a crop, less or more.
This tree had only a few square feet of ground to grow in,
but a small drain, running into a cesspool, went under it.
This drain and cesspool required cleaning, once or twice
every year. And the roots which had got into these places,
were necessarily cut, every time they were cleaned. Some-
times, this drain got so full of roots, that the water of the sink
inside, was stopped back. About twelve years ago, I asked
my father how old this tree was, and he said, that he had
gathered peaches off" of that same tree, when he was a boy ;
(he was then near sixty years of age ;) he said, for the last
twenty years, he knew very little difference on it. Some
years after this, I tried to bring trees under the same condi-
tions, by root-pruning, and succeeded perfectly. At the same
time, with the view of proving the effects of winter-pruning,
upon the size and quahty of the fruit, I tried the following
experiments : —

I chose four trees, growing side by side, (on a south as-

On the Management of Peach Trees. 209

pectj) which had been root-pruned one year before, and had
borne a hght crop during tlie previous season, and required
little or no pruning. Two of these I subjected to a regular
course of disbudding, the whole spring and summer, leaving
not a single shoot or twig, that I did not want for next year's
crop. Not a knife was put on them, summer or winter. The
other two I managed much in the usual way, disbudding
them too, but leaving twice or thrice the quantity of wood
required. These were subjected to the usual operation of
thinning, shortening, (fcc, pretty severely ; — that season all
the fruit was picked off, after it had set. The following
spring, they flowered e/e masse. Continued the treatment as
before ; and, after they had set, picked all oif except 70 for
each tree. After the stoning was over, they were further re-
duced to the number of 50, upon each. After this period, a
difference was perceptible between the two lots of trees. On
asking many individuals Avhich were the best, they immedi-
ately pronounced in favor of the disbudded trees. Circum-
stances prevented me from weighing the fruit as accurately
as I wished, but I have no hesitation in stating that the ag-
gregate weight of fruit, upon the disbudded trees, was at least
\ more than on the two winter-pruned ones, and in every way
superior. Indeed, I have long been of opinion, that severe
winter-pruning was a violent infraction of a natural law. In
fact, I consider pruning, in any form, as such. It is an excep-
tion to a rule, in the economy of vegetable life, which habit
and ignorance have nearly converted into a rule itself. And
how many thousands are there who think it one 7 Pruning,
at the best, in any shape, is only a kind of indispensable ex-
pedient, in assisting nature. And this expedient should be
modified and applied in the most advantageous manner,
which science, combined with practical experience, can sug-
gest.

Now, as regards summer-pruning, a few words must suf-
fice. This system of pruning has been, of late, much prac-
tised and recommended by many eminent cultivators, and, if
any difference exists between my method and others, I think
it will be simply a question of time and degree. From what
I have said in a former part of this article, it will be seen, that
I am one of those who hold the opinion that there exists a

VOL. XV, NO. V. 27

210 On the Management of Peach Trees.

relative and correlative influence, between the roots and leaves
of plantS; — that one part exerts an agency over the other,
and that that part is again reciprocally acted upon. Hence,
it must be apparent that every shoot that is taken from a
tree, while the leaves are in a healthy green state, is just tak-
ing tlie most effectual means of checking the energies of the
root ; but if the root, at that time, be in a state of powerful
absorption, a reaction must necessarily follow. The descend-
ing fluids will mingle with the excess that is absorbed by the
roots, and will ramify, v/ith redoubled energy, through the
branches, and a second growth, stronger than the first, is the
consequence. If the absorptive power of the root be very weak,
the fruit will drop off, and the tree will receive a check, from
which it will not recover during the season. It is doubtful
whether the gross feeding roots of luxuriant trees, thus
checked, do not gain more strength by the reaction, than if
the shoots had remained on until the leaves had lost their
power of elaboration. Hence, I argue, that it is very ques-
tionable, whether, after making due allowance for the tempo-
rary cessation of reciprocal action, by a periodical system of
severe summer-pruning, there is not a greater quantity of
highly refined juices, assimilated in the branches for the depo-
sition of cambium, the formation of buds, and the produc-
tion of fruit, by allowing the sap-elaborating processes to go
on without any violent interruption, until the assimilative
power of the leaves had ceased. This, at all events, I have
proved to my own satisfaction, and to others besides. Hence,
I conclude, that the absurd system of letting peach trees grow
on until midsummer, and then all at once dismantling them
wholesale of half their foliage, is founded upon theoretical and
practical ignorance, although it is of common occurrence, and
even recommended by some high authorities. I^et any per-
son just study its effect upon the trees, after the operation,
and they will need no further arguments to convince them of
its injurious consequences. But then the light and air must
get to the fruit, some will say. Very true. And why let
them obstruct the light and air at all 1 What is to prevent
the sun, and light, and air, from penetrating into the centre of
the tree, from the beginning of spring ? Nothing at all, ex-
cept to give double the work at midsummer. Midsummer

On the Management of Peach Trees. 211

pruning reminds me of a maniac, that allowed his garden to
grow full of thistles, that he might have the pleasure of cut-
ting their heads off; and, upon the whole, there appears to
me to be as much wisdom in the one as the other. Summer
pruning should take the form of disbudding, and ought to
commence as soon as the shoots are tAvo or three inches long.
At that time, the elaborative powers of the leaves are weak,
and, if carried on gradually, as the buds elongate, the roots
will not feel the effects of it, while their energies will not
be expended in making superfluous shoots, but in swelhng
the fruit, and forming flower buds on the shoots that remain.
Every shoot that is misplaced, or not wanted for next year,
ought to be rubbed off" before it gains strength ; by this method
no more winter-pruning will be necessary than merely the
topping or shortening of the terminal shoots, and thus very
little of the stored-up sap will be taken away.

It is probable that, notwithstanding root -pruning be prac-
tised, the trees will occasionally start into second growth. But
if the shoots are pinched within an inch or two of their base,
they will be converted into fruit spurs for the following sea-
son. They will rarely take a third start, at least if they are
not subjected to extraordinary excitement, and even then,
pinching is still the best recourse. Now this continual pinch-
ing may appear a very troublesome business. In reality,
however, it is quite the reverse. With regard to time, it is
by far the most profitable mode that can be adopted, and
when once the amateur and gardener are fully acquainted
with the system, they will find it less a business of labor, than
amusement. To those who take an interest in their own
trees, it affords a continual source of the most pleasurable
employment. In walking round their gardens, they will per-
ceive, at a single glance, those that require rubbing off. And
an hour or two in the evening — now and then — will be suffi-
cient to go over a considerable number of trees.

I find, Mr. Editor, that I have extended this article to an
unpardonable length, much longer than I intended at the out-
set, but the importance of the subject must plead my apology.
Indeed, I could not, with any thing like justice, have com-
pressed it into less space. I do not pretend to have elicited
any thing strikingly new or novel, either in theory or in prac-

212 The Hoosung, or Oo-Simg.

tice, although I beheve the system here recommended is but
little practised in this country. I might say much more on
the European cultivation of this delicious fruit, but I have
said enough for my present purpose. And notwithstanding
all that has been written about fruit trees, of late, there may
still much more be said; without exhausting the subject. In
fact, there is yet much to be done before the climax of attain-
ment can be reached. I hope these remarks will tend to draw
the attention of horticulturists further to the subject, and
induce cultivators of fruit trees, who have hitherto been un-
successful, to practise and study the merits of the system for
themselves.

New Have?i, March lAlh, 1849.

Art. III. The Hoo- Sung, or Oo-Sung, from Shanghai — Its
Cullivatio7i, cj'c. By H. Wendell, M. D., Albany, New
York.

Dear Sir, — In your last, I noticed an allusion to the new
vegetable esculent, received from China by the London Hor-
ticultural Society, through their collector, Mr. Fortune, in
1847, and a request that I would give some account of it.

Seeds of the Hoo-Sung, together with others, were kindly
sent me in the spring of 1848, by Doctor Lindley, secretary
of the London Horticultural Society, with directions to sow
them in a cool frame, either in April or May, or continuously
(for a succession) at intervals, during May, and to transplant
into the open ground, as we do lettuces. After fear of frosts
had subsided, I followed the directions, sowed the seeds in
April, and succeeded in raising the plants, which were fit for
use early in June. They grew from a foot and an half, to
about two feet in height, erect, with oblong, tapering leaves,
which, together with the stems, were of a light green color ;
the flowers were as described in your Journal, small, yellow,
in panicles, slightly drooping, — the seeds were ripe in
August.

The succulent stem is the part used ; it is to be divested of
its outer rind, and either simply boiled, with a little salt in the

Glandular and Glandless Leaved Peach Trees. 213

water, and dressed, as is asparagus, or stewed in soy, with
salt, pepper, and butter added, or boiled in soup, as is Okra.
It is a very agreeable and pleasant addition to the list of veg-
etable esculents, and worthy of trial. I have distributed the
seeds pretty generally among my friends in different parts of
the country, and with pleasure enclose you a few for trial. I
would suggest that you allow a few of the earliest plants to
mature their seeds, and that, when setting out the plants, you
place them in rows, about a foot and an half apart, and the
same distance apart in the rows.
Albany, April 10, 1849.

The above communication was accompanied with a few
seeds of the Hoo-Sung, for which Dr. Wendell will receive
our thanks. We shall give this new vegetable a trial and re-
port upon it another year. — Ed.

Art. IV. Glandular and Glandless heaved Peach Trees.
By N. GooDSELL, Rochester, N. Y.

The subject of glandular and glandless leaved peach
trees was introduced before the Pomological Convention, at
Buffalo, by William R. Prince, of Flushing, New York, but,
from the press of business before that meeting, the subject
was not sufficiently discussed to make it intelligible to all the
readers of that report, which was published, of their proceed-
ings.

During that discussion, Mr. Prince said, " serrated, or
glandless leaves of the peach, are, therefore, more or less dis-
eased, and consequently less desirable, and of much less
value than those of a contrary character, and will, in time,
be exploded from our gardens."

From the above and some preceding remarks, as reported,
some might suppose that Mr. Prince wished to convey the
idea, that the stinted, sickly appearance of peach trees, with
glandless leaves, was owing to an inherent, or constitutional
disease in such trees from their earliest vegetation. I do not
think that Mr. Prince intended to be so understood ; if he did,
I think it would be difficult to defend his position.

214 Glandular and Glandless Leaved Peach Trees.

That the character of the future plant is early determined,
even from the time of the impregnation of the flower, from
which the seed is produced, I believe is now conceded by
our best vegetable physiologists. That the constitutional
character thus formed, may be impaired by disease, at any
time during the life of the plant, is self-evident ; but diseases
thus produced, and those that are constitutional, should be
considered separately.

That those varieties of the peach, whose leaf stalks are
destitute of glands, are more subject to what is termed iZ/'g^//^,
or mildew, on the young shoots, in the after part of summer,
has long been noticed ; but as this mildew does not make its
annual appearance upon the peach tree until after the young
fruit is formed, and its character, so far as the young plant
to be produced from the seed, is determined, we cannot con-
ceive how this mildew, which is nothing more than a fungus
plant, uncongenial in its growth, by circumstances attending
its locality, can have any thing to do with forming a consti-
tutional disease, and should therefore be considered as an ac-
cidental injury, which, although it retards the growth of the
young shoots, after it fixes upon the tree, does not appear to
injure the wood formed before the mildew makes its appear-
ance. Trees of this description, although they do not extend
their branches quite as rapidly as those having glands, are
often as long-lived, and as productive, — and there is, at
this time, within sight of where I am writing this, a tree, the
leaves of which have no glands, and the ends of the shoots
are each year covered with mildew ; yet it has the appearance
of a healthy tree, although it is more than forty years old.
In some of the oldest fruit gardens in this vicinity, I find
trees of the Early Ann, Sweet Water, and Royal George, all
serrated varieties, and mildew badly ; yet they prove as long-
lived as any glandular varieties.

There are some serious objections, however, to many of the
serrated varieties, as the New Early Purple, and the Early
Tillotson, as on these varieties the mildew extends to the
fruit covering the skin with unsightly spots, and causing it
to rot prematurely upon the tree.

With the variety of peaches now under cultivation, there
is little difficulty in selecting a succession of kinds for the

On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths. 215

season, with the exception of the Early Ann, which are not
injured by this fungus, and, ahhough the fruit is too delicate
for a market fruit, yet should be in every private collection.

I am not aware, that any preventive of the mildew has
been discovered, which is applicable to common culture, and,
therefore, it is desirable to avoid the culture of all the serrated
varieties for which substitutes can be found,

Rochester, N. Y., March, 1849.

Art. V. On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths. By W. S.
Leach, Gardener to S. Rucker, Esq., Wandsworth, Sur-
ray, England. With Remarks. By the Editor.

The heath, though acknowledged to be among the most
beautiful and attractive of greenhouse plants, is rarely seen
except in the collection of some ardent amateur cultivator :
and even there it is rare to find a well grown, healthy, and
fine-shaped specimen. There seems to be such a general im-
pression that it is next to impossible to raise the plants in any
degree of perfection that, at the outset, those who have them
make no effort to keep them in health and vigor. That they
are more diflicnlt to manage than some plants is true. But
their culture, once understood, is as facile as that of a majority
of greenhouse plants The character of their native climate,
— the nature of the soil in which they thrive, — their habit of
growth, — and their season of flowering once known, there is
nothing to prevent the amateur from possessing the finest
specimens of this exquisite tribe.

Several excellent original articles have appeared in our
previous volumes, both by professional and amateur cultiva-
tors, and the information which they have imparted, we
doubt not, has been of great value, for the heath is now seen
in much greater perfection than formerly. The capital paper
by Mr. Towne, (Vol. V. p. 376,) was probably as full and mi-
nute in its details as any that could be written ; and all who
appreciate the heath will consult it and be aided by his ad-
vice. But, as we wish to place the opinions of all good cul-
tivators before our readers, we are pleased in being able to do

216 On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths.

so in the following paper by one of the most successful culti-
vators near London, which we copy from the Gardeners^
Chi'onicle of a late date. The season is now at hand when
the plants should be removed from their winter quarters, and
Mr. Leach's remarks will consequently be read with greater
interest. — Ed.

In the following statement, I shall endeavor to give the best
method of cultivating these delightful plants, which no green-
house should be without, for even in a very limited collection
one or other may be had in flower the whole year round.
Many are of opinion, that heaths will not thrive, intermixed
with other plants ; but this is a mistake : I know, from expe-
rience, that heaths will thrive as well in a greenhouse among
other plants, as they would do in a heathery ; in fact, some
of the woolly-leaved kinds are the better for being kept a
trifle clo;jer than others; such are ferruginea, gemmifera
major, splendens, Massoni, Templege, and others. I have,
at present, specimens of ferruginea, ampullacea, Parmentieri
rosea, and others, mixed with pelargoniums, fuchsias, aza-
leas, and other greenhouse stock, doing much better than I
ever saw them do in the heathery, where air was more freely
admitted. They, however, should be placed at the coolest
end of the greenhouse.

The soil which I have found Cape heaths to thrive best in,
(and I have tried several soils,) is a mixture of Wimbledon
peat, and a much lighter kind of peat, from Croydon ; when
I cannot get the last-mentioned peat, I find well -decomposed
leaf-mould to be an excellent substitute. Wimbledon peat,
two parts; lighter peat, or leaf-mould, one; and one part of
silver sand, is what 1 use : if silver sand cannot be obtained,
coarse river sand will answer : the whole should be well
knocked to pieces, and run through a 1 1 inch meshed sieve. I
use the soil fresh from the common, where it is dug two inches
deep, paring ofl" the subsoil and the rough top. For shifting,
any time from the beginning of February to the latter end of
August will do. I have shifted them even as late as the be-
ginning of October, and have found them to do equally well
with those shifted earlier. This, however, is only mentioned
to show, that no danger is to be apprehended from late shift-
ing, in cases where such is found to be necessary.

On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths. 217

I use plenty of drainage in all cases, especially for large
plants, this being a siiie qua non in heath culture. For the
largest second and third sized pots, I use from three to four
inches of clean drainage. In shifting, place the "collar" of
the plant a little above the fresh soil, in order that no water
may lodge round that part. 1 never touch the old ball, except
to rub off a little of the surface soil, and to remove such of
the crocks as do not interfere with the roots. After putting
the crocks in the fresh pot, I place a layer of coarse siftings
over them, and then I fill up to the required height with the
above-mentioned compost, pressing it firmly with the hand as
I proceed. The ball being placed as near the centre of the
pot as possible, I then fill up with the compost, pressing it in
firmly all round with my hands, for it is a bad practice to use
a stick for this purpose ; the latter injures the young fibres.
I fill up to within an inch of the rim of the pot, for small
plants, and two or three inches, for larger plants, smoothing
down the surface, so as to cause it to slope gently to the side
of the pot ; this being done, I give the plant a good soaking
with soft water, in order to wet the ball through, and then I
place it in some shady situation (if shifted in summer) for
a few days, being careful not to over-water it. Indeed, heaths
require little water after shifting until they push fresh roots^
when they may be more fully exposed.

All the free growing kinds of Cape heaths succeed best out
of doors, in a not over-shaded place during summer ; the
slow growing sorts, as Massoni, Templese, pulcherrima, ferru-
ginea, mutabilis, metulseflora, the tricolor varieties, &.C., are
best kept in the house, or in pits, always, however, bearing in
mind, that the heath tribe requires plenty of air and little
shade, except when fresh shifted. Should the ball prove dry-
when taken out of the pot in shifting, the best plan is, to
place it in a vessel of water until it is soaked through, being
careful to let the water drain thoroughly off, before placing it
in its fresh quarters. I always give a liberal shift, if the
plants are well rooted, say, from an eight-inch pot to a twelve
or thirteen-inch pot, according to the nature of the variety. I
prefer the " West Kent Pot" for heath culture, for its bottom
being movable, there is no occasion to break the pot in shift-
ing, which is unavoidable when the common pot is employed.

VOL. XV. NO. V. 28

218 On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths.

As soon as the plants are shifted, it is a good plan to peg
down some of the lowermost branches, in order to hide as
much of the soil as possible, and to keep the plant bushy. In
hot and dry weather, T take a watering-pot, with a coarse rose,
and well water the ground between the pots, a practice which
I find to be better than wetting the plants overhead, which is
apt to induce mildew, and, what is still worse, it causes the
plants to lose all their inner foliage.

For mildew, the remedy experience has taught me to be
the best, is, to dust the parts affected with sulphur, and to
place the plants in a dry airy situation. The sulphur may
remain one, two, or three days; it may then be brushed or
blown off. When large specimens have done blooming, I
take a pair of shears and clip them all over. The free grow-
ing sorts are then placed out of doors to make their growth
and set their bloom ; the slow growers are kept in doors, and
are given plenty of air night and day. In housing the plants
in autumn, they should never be allowed to touch one anoth-
er, and, if possible, they should be elevated on pots or blocks,
so that there may be a free ventilation of air among them.

Heaths require little water in winter; I make it a practice
to rap the side of the pot, and, if it sounds hollow, I give wa-
ter, carefully, however ; for to give much water to such vari-
eties as aristata, Hartnelli, Massoni, &c., would be sudden
death to them ; but, on the other hand, perspicua nana, West-
phalingia, the ventricosas, &c., require it often, always giving
enough at each watering to soak the whole mass of soil. I
water early in the morning in winter, in order that the house
may get dry before night. If the weather prove dull and
cloudy, (which it often does at this season,) I fire gently
during the day time, giving air, at the same time, at
back and front. I, however, allow the pipes to cool before I
close the house; for nothing is more injurious to heaths, or,
indeed, any other plant, than a high night temperature. I
never fire at night, unless there are 12° or 14° of frost; 8°
or 9° of frost will not injure Cape heaths, if the wood has
been properly ripened in autumn. I have frequently had
heaths frozen so hard that a knife would not penetrate the
soil, and they have not received the least injury therefrom.
Damp will do more mischief among heaths than frost. By

FloricuUural and Botaiiical Notices.

219

following the above rules, I am satisfied that heaths may be
grown from cuttings large enough for any exhibition, in less
than three years.

The following varieties of Cape heath will keep a small
heathery or greenhouse, gay throughout the whole year : —

Name.

Time of Flowering.

Mutabilis, . .
M'Nabiana,
Trossula,
Vernix, coccinea,
Neilii, . . .
M'Nabiana, rosea,
Intermedia, . .
Cavendishii, .
Ventricosa alba,
Perspicua nana,
Ventricosa hirsuta,
Tricolor, . . .
" Wilsonii,

A.11 the Year.
February.

S March.
\ . .April.

.May.

June.

Name.

Time of Flowering.

Ventricosa Bothwel

liana, . . .
Tricolor major, .
Parmentieri rosea,
Jasminiflora alba,
Pulcherrima, . .
Tricolor coronata,
Mammosa rubra, .
Bowieana,
Clewsiana, . .
Lamberti, . •

July.

August.

\ . . Sept.

>Oct. Nov.
J and Dec.

The following are fifty of the best varieties : — Mundula,
physodes, splendens, Massoni, Easonii (Jackson's), taxifolia,
aristata major, inflata rubra, Bandonii, Aitoni turgida, Devo-
niana, Dulcinea ; propendens tubiflora, ventricosa grandiflora.
fasciculata superb, Jacksonii, retorta major ; vestita rosea,
alba, coccinea; Templaea, princepscarnea, obbata (Pamplin),
obbata (Veitch), tricolor Dunbariana, metulseflora, m. bicolor,
Parmentieri rosea, ampullacea major, a. rubra, glauca, ele-
gans, Sprengelii, tortilaflora, Hartnelli virens, ferruginea, Ver-
nonii, gemmifera major, Savileana, togata, rubella, odorata,
Lawrenceana, Swainsonii inflata, Julyana, delecta, aristata
vittata, pulcherrima, tricolor Wilsonii, t. M'Nabiana.

Art. V. FloricuUural and Botanical Notices of New and
Beautiful Plants figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with
Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or originated in
American Gardens.

Anemone Japonica, hardy. — We are gratified to state, that
the beautiful new anemone from Japan, of which we have given

220 Floriciiltural a?id Botanical Notices.

an account, is quite hardy, and may now be cultivated among
our hardy perennial plants. The past severe winter several
roots were left in the border without the least protection, and
they are all alive, and now beginning to grow.

Ma7irandya Barclay^^na, alba. — This beautiful variety of
the Maurandza is one of the most delicate climbing plants;
producing a profusion of its pure white, bell shaped blossoms,
which contrast prettily with the delicate foliage and slender
habit of the plant. Turned out into the border, or cultivated
in a pot, and trained over a balloon trellis, it is one of the
most desirable plants for a small collection.

New Phloxes. — Every year brings an accession to the list of
beautiful varieties of the phlox ; the French and Belgian cul-
tivators seem to be the most successful growers. The following
new ones we have recently added to onr collection : — Arsinoe,
Beppo. Invincible, Triton, These, Decamp, Duchesse de Ne-
mours, Rosetta, Reine de Jour, Robert de Flandres, Camilie,
<5i6c. Among these the most remarkable one is the

P. triumphdtor. — It was among a lot of thirty thousand seed-
lings raised by M. Rodigas, of St. Trond, Belgium ; and the
amateur may, from this, form some idea of the uncertainty
of producing new and distinct seedling varieties. The flowers
are produced in a spike in the style of Van Iloutteii : but they
are larger, and of a pure white, striped, and feathered with
deep amaranth. It grows from three to four feet high, and is
in bloom during July and August. M, Rodigas is one of
the greatest cultivators of the phlox in Europe, and several of
the above are his seedlings.

Seedling- Ixias. — Our correspondent, R. C. Woods, Esq., of
Wheeling, Virginia, a zealous amateur and cultivator of flow-
ers, informs us he has raised "some fine seedling Ixias, .some
of which bloomed last spring, and several will be in bloom in
a few days. Of the former, three are distinct and superb
varieties; one a fine rose, considerably larger than the blooms
of that class, and of fine form; plant and foliage resembles I.
squ41ida, but throws up a strong flower stem, crowned with
a large mass of beautiful rose-colored flowers. This is cer-
tainly the best Ixia I have ever seen ; it is a seedling of I.
squalida, impregnated with I. tricolor (or may be Sparaxis
tricolor.) The others, that have flowered, are from seed of the

FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. 221

latter, impregnated with the former, one of which has the
ground color of the petals a clear yellow, tipped about one
third with royal purple, the lower part of which, on the edges
where it rounds off, the yellow assumes a deep lake color,
blended with fine pencillings on the yellow, gradually shaded
off to a pale purple at the points of the petals ; the foliage and
habit of the plant resemble the parent, but one third larger ;
the other, in flower and foliage, resembles the parent plant,
but has a clear deep purple stripe through the centre of each
petal."— i^. a W., March, 1849.

Seedling Cacti. — Mr. Woods has also raised some fine
seedling cactuses, particularly one from Cereus speciosissi-
mus; flower large, and fine form; color clear and distinct,
with a slight tinge of the purple peculiar to the parent plant.
Also a seedling from Epiphyllum trimcatum, which bethinks,
in color and form of flower, is decidedly superior to any of
that tribe of plants. We are glad to record such improve-
ments in the production of seedlings, as it not only shows the
interest which is manifested in their production, but the de-
cided results which may be accomplished by following up the
growth of seedling varieties. — Ed.

Cereus crendtus. — This splendid new species of the cereus,
with white flowers, as large as speciosissimus, and of the same
form, will probably bloom in our collection the last of May.
The plants have several buds, and, if no accident occurs to
them, an opportunity will be afforded to see this beautiful
species, of which a brief description has been given in our
volume for 1844, (X. p. A\$,.)—Ed.

104. Ca'ntua pyrif^olia Juss. Pear-leaved Cantua. {Pole-
monikcead.) Peru.

A greenhouse plant ; growing three feet high ; with yellow and white flowers ; appearing in
sprinc: ; increased by cuttings ; cultivated in loam, leaf-mould and sand. Flore des Serres,
pi. 383. 1SJ8.

A beautiful species of the Cintua from Peru, so different from
the common garden variety C. coronopifolia (now Ipomopsis)
as scarcely to be recognized as belonging to the same family.
It was first discovered by Humboldt and Bonpland, but its in-
troduction to Europe in a living state is due to Mr. Lobb, who
sent it from Peru. It forms a branching plant, with ovate
leaves, and the flowers are produced in large terminal corymbs,

222 Floriadtural and Botanical Notices.

the stamens extending twice the length of the corolla ; calyx
green and crimson, forming a rich contrast with the flowers.
{Flore des Serres, August.)

105. MiTRA^RiA cocci'nea Cuv. Scarlct-flowercd Mitraria.

(Ges7ierkce3C.) Chili.

A greenhouse shrub ; growing four feet high ; witli orange scarlet flowers ; appearing in spring ;
increased by cuttings -, grown in leaf-mould, peat and sand. Flore des Serres, pi. 36a. 1S4S.

Another of Mr. Lobb's acquisitions in Chili. This Mitraria
forms a kind of half climbing shrub, with small ovate lan-
ceolate leaves, and from the axils of all the leaves depend
numerous large, tubular, orange scarlet flowers, borne on pe-
duncles two inches long. " For the abundance of its blossoms,
and the brilliancy of its flowers, it deserves a place among the
most beautiful of greenhouse plants." It appears to be be-
tween Columnea and an iEschynanthus, but more splendid
than either. The treatment is the same as that for the ges-
neras, or /Eschynanthus. {Flores de Serres, August.)

106. Tropob^olum Smi'thii D. C. Mr. Smith's Nasturtium.

(Tropaeoleaceae.) S. America.

An annual climber ; growing four feet high ; with red flowers ; appearing all summer ; in-
creased by seeds and cuttings ; grown in liijht rich soil. Flore dds Serres, pi. 384. 1848.

A new and elegant species of the Nasturtium, with small,
neat foliage, and deep red flowers, the petals of which are
beautifully fringed. It is another of the discoveries of Mr.
Lobb, who found it nine thousand feet above the level of the
sea. It may be cultivated as an annual. {Flore des Serres,
August.)

107. Drymo^ia crist.Ota Miq. Crested-calyxed Drymo-

nia. {Ges?ierdcea&.) Guinea.

A stove plant '■ growing two feet high : with white flowers : appealing in summer : increased by
cuttings : grown in leaf mould, peat, and sand. Flore des Serres, 1849, pi. 368.

A very singular and interesting species of the Drymonia,
with white flowers, the calyx of which has a crested appear-
ance, from whence its name. The foliage is similar to that
of a Gesnera, and the blossoms appear at the axils of the
leaves. It is an interesting addition to our summer flower-
ing greenhouse plants. The culture is the same as that for
gesneras. {Flore des Serres, Sept.)

The American Fruit Book. 223

REVIEWS.

Art. I. The American Fruit Book ; contaiiiing Directions
for raising, propagating, and managing Fruit Trees,
Shrubs and Plants ; with a Description of the best varie-
ties of Fruit, includiiig tiew atid valuable kinds ; embel-
lished and illustrated with numerous Engravings of Fruits,
6(*c. By S. W. Cole, Editor of the New England Farmer,
&c. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 288. Boston. 1849.

After so full and explanatory a title, we need scarcely
mention that this little manual, by Mr. Cole, is a very useful
aid in the spread of more information upon the cultivation of
Fruits and Fruit Trees. The author is well known as ed-
itor of several agricultural papers, and as having, in that
capacity, a wide acquaintance and extensive correspondence
with various fruit-growers. " These advantages," as he in-
forms us in the preface, "with diligence and zeal in turn-
ing them to account, with our own practice from early life, in
the pleasant pursuit of growing fruits, and in raising and
managing trees in the nursery and orchard, may justify us in
offering this work as the result of long experience and exten-
sive observation, combined with the opinions of a great many
of the most inteUigent fruit-growers and able pomologists in
the country."

Every work which conveys information on the culture of
fruit, be it ever so small, we hail as an important aid in the
dissemination of a taste for good fruit ; and when, as in the
present instance, this information is furnished at the cheap-
est rate, it must be highly beneficial in opening the way,
where more expensive and scientific works would not be read.
Mr. Cole has, therefore, in his compact volume, done a good
service, and though " of humble pretensions, both in size and
price,^^ it will not be the less welcome.

The volume commences with a treatise on the culture of
fruit trees generally, viz., Soil, — Situation, — Propagation by
budding. Grafting, &c., — Manures — Transplanting — Prun-
ing— Training— Effects of Climate — Dwarfing — Insects, <S6c.

The remainder, and by far the greater part of the work, is
devoted to a brief description of the various fruits, with out-

224 A Practical Treatise, ^'c.

line engravings of many of the more important and valuable
kinds. The volume comprises two hundred and eighty-eight
pages of small type — handsomely printed, and forming a neat
addition to every farmer's library.

Art. II. A Practical Treatise on the Management of Fruit

Trees ; loitli Descriptive Lists of the Most Valuable Pruits

for General Cultivation, adapted to the Interior of New

England. By George Jacques. 1 vol. 12mo. pp. 256.

Worcester. 1849.

Here we have a treatise purely local, being adapted to the
interior of New England. " Having waited" says Mr. Jacques,
"a long while, in the hope that some one, better qualified for
the work, might be induced to furnish the fruit cultivators of
interior New England with a treatise such as their /oca/ wants
demand, I have at length ventured upon the undertaking
myself. * * * *

** Tf there are pears which ripen freely at Salem, but will not succeed
at Boston; if the climate of western New York, and the shores of the Hud-
son differ so widely, as to affect the quality of several varieties of different
species of fruits, one might infer — what it has cost the writer something to
learn — that whoever would succeed with fruit trees, in the hill coun-
try of the Eastern States, may rely with tolerable safety upon the uncer-
tain testimony of his own neighborhood, while the profoundest wisdom
that has ever recorded the experience of other countries would only mis-
lead and bewilder."

This is all very true, and Mr. Jacques has succeeded well
in his undertaking, and proved himself well qualified for the
task. The cultivators of New England will be especially in-
debted to him, and we have no doubt his work will be the
means of enabling the possessors of the hilly and colder sec-
tions of our own New England to select such varieties as
will give them an abundance of the choicest fruits.

We have always contended that it was utterly useless to
allow ourselves to be guided by the opinions of cultivators
in the warmer portions of New York and the Middle States—

General Notices. 225

just so long as we do so will disappointment follow our
efforts. There is a greater difference in the climate than
the degrees of latitude and longitude would naturally lead us
to imagine — and, sooner or later, this fact will be learned — to
the interest of all.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. 1. General Notices.

Transplanting Budded Eoses. — Tt is well known to all rose-growers,
that those varieties which are budded or grafted on briars are apt to degen-
erate unless removed every three or four years. In my own experience,
this has especially been the case with the hybrid perpetuals, many of which
have become more sickly every year, and some have died off, although,
when planted, they were vigorous and healthy. The causes of this are
probably numerous, arising from the unnatural, or, more properly, artifi-
cial union of the stock and the graft, and the little attention generally paid
to congeniality of habit when performing the operation. But, as far as the
evil admits of correction by transplanting, the cause appears to lie in the
soil or the state of the root; and, when taking up a large number last week,
I particularly observed the condition of that organ, and its relation to the
state of the tree. I found, in most cases, that the unhealthy subjects had
very few root fibres, but, in the place of them, a mass of wood, often in a
rotten state, fully accounting for disease in the tree. It was evident that,
in my case, the briars had been improperly prepared in the first instance,
old stools having been used, with no root fibres, and incapable of producing
any. Where this was not the case, the rough mode of digging them from
their native hedges had left fractures and wounds, accounting for a want of
health. The mode of procuring briars, as often practised, thus becomes
the source of injury to the budded head in future years, and cannot be too
much reprehended. Men are engaged to get them at so much per hundred,
and they are hacked up in the roughest manner. To have briars in a prop-
er state for grafting or budding, they should be grown for the purpose,
that a young stem may proceed from a root of its own age, and not from
one become venerable from twenty summers.

The cause now mentioned, and the necessity for a change of soil, render
it desirable to remove budded roses, and I will detail the plan I adopted
myself, and am still pursuing. Choose your new situation as remote as
convenient from the old one, and well dig the soil to the depth of eighteen
inches, incorporating with it a large portion of well rotted manure. I em-
ployed night-soil and ashes, which have been mixed for twelve months,
but should have preferred the dung of an exhausted cucumber bed ; although
VOL. XV. — NO. V. 29

226 General Notices.

I must mention that Mr. Paul recommends the former compost for light
soils in preference to the latter. The holes being ready, dig up the rose-
trees, taking care not to break the roots, which is very likely to happen if
they are not well loosened with the fork. Prune the head close in, and cut
away all dead parts about the juncture of the stock and the bud. Then
prune the roots, leaving as much as possible of the young fibres; cut away
all useless and decayed portions, and see that no rough wounds remain.
As each tree is finished, let it be put in its new situation, allowing the roots
to be exposed to the air as little as possible. Arrange the fibres nicely on
the surface of fine soil, and cover with the same ; tread the whole firmly in,
and give a good watering. This must be repeated occasionally in dry
■weather the first season, and, with this care, the trees will not suffer by
removal. The pruning of the roots, and the new soil, will excite to the
production of fresh fibres, and the results of your operations will appear in
finer flowers and a more vigorous growth.

Although budded roses suffer most by continuing too long in one locality,
all kinds will be improved by occasional removal. Let a few be done every
year, and the whole collection will be kept in high condition. The flower-
ing will be retarded by the process, but this will be an advantage, by pro-
longing the blooming season. It should have been mentioned that, when
examining the roots of the briars, all those parts of the buried stem which
have thrown up suckers should be cut away, to prevent that nuisance in
future. If you intend to bud roses yourself, choose proper stocks, avoid-
ing all those club-footed things which are so plentifully found in hedges.
—(Gard. Chron., 1819, p. 181.)

Weigelia rosea. — Although this is perfectly hardy, it deserves notice as
a pot plant for window or balcony gardening, and it also answers admira-
bly for forcing. For the latter purpose, any time during February, March,
or April, select strong plants in 3-inch pots, and shift them into G or 8-inch
pots, using turfy loam, a little leaf-mould, and some sand. Let them be
plunged in an open situation fully exposed to the sun. They will require
some little summer-pruning, or rather pinching, in order to make them
bushy. By autumn, they will be nice dwarf plants, and may be removed
to the forcing pit, cool part of the stove, or warm greenhouse, taking care
not to prune them. Few plants present a more graceful appearance, and
require less care. — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 181.)

Hint respecting the Culture of Araucaria imbricata. — There was planted
in a park in the south of England, in the autumn of 1845, a number of good
sized plants of Araucaria imbricata, in various soils and situations, all con-
sidered more or less good, with one exception. This latter plant was placed
in what might be considered a disadvantageous site in all respects ; when
planted, it was looked upon as certain not to do well, being in a low valley
where fogs appear earliest and leave latest, and where the most powerful
■winds sweep along more destructively than in the exposed places at the
foot of a hill facing the north, and shaded by large trees during the whole
winter season, and where, six inches below the turf, there is a hard bed of
stones; yet this tree looks most luxuriantly, and has made growth in the

General Notices. 227

proportion of three to one more than any of its contemporaries. There is
no doubt that the sweeping winds, the bed of stones, and the entire absence
of sun for several months have all proved favorable to it. — {Gard. Chron.,
1849, p. 181.)

Culture of Neapolitan Violets. — We extract the following passages from
a communication we received a week since from Mr. Allan, of Dumfries-
shire, deeming it more than possible that some of our readers might feel
interested in the method of their cultivation — the more particularly as the
directions given are clear and distinct. The violet is, at all times, a favor-
ite flower for the bouquet, a distinction it richly merits, from its color — the
rarest in floriculture — and, still more so, by the delightful fragrance it yields,
which, unlike many other perfumes, is agreeable to every one, or, at least,
we never knew any party who objected to the scent of violets. We pro-
ceed with Mr. Allan's observations : — " Having been very successful, this
winter, in growing the Neapolitan violet, I think it only right^to make my
treatment of it known for the benefit of others. In the spring of 1848, I
had the old plants properly dressed, by taking off all the dead leaves, fork-
ing up the soil round about the plants. The first week in April, I top-
dressed the old plants with fresh soil, to encourage runners. These young
shoots will become well rooted little plants about the latter end of May.
Having prepared a bed for the plants, by mixing a compost of two parts
loam and one of vegetable mould, just colored with fine sand, remember-
ing that the soil requires to be porous, with the usual garden soil, I pro-
ceeded to mark my bed in rows, about 16 inches apart, placing the plants
at 10 inches distance from each other. I was very particular in lifting the
young plants with as compact balls of earth as possible, removing them
carefully with a trowel. I then gently watered them with a fine rose wa-
tering pot, shading them from intense sun. All they now required was
attention to weeding, occasionally running the Dutch hoe among them. In
the first week of September, I prepared to pot them in large size 32. I
took great care to have the drainage well attended to. The compost with
which I filled my pots is three parts sandy loam and one part charcoal. In
this I placed one plant in each pot. Having a three light frame ready,
placed on four bricks, I put about 10 inches of gravel over the surface of
the ground under it, and on this I placed my pots, 10 inches apart. They
require careful watering, or they are certain to suffer from the effects of
over-watering or stagnation. I gave them air on all occasions, by tilting
the lights back and front at night, and drawing them off entirely in the day.
I was very particular in removing all decayed leaves every day, stirring the
soil in the pots. In November, I endeavored to keep the plants as free
from damp as possible, using little or no water in dull weather. About the
first week in December, I removed part of my stock into the greenhouse,
and placed them on a front shelf, near the glass, where it is warm and
airy. By this mode of treatment, I have been able to ensure an abundance
of flowers since Christmas, and shall continue to have an excellent supply
for the next six weeks to come. I have cut 60 flowers from one pot at a
time." We feel assured these few hints will not be lost on many of our

228 General Notices.

readers who may have adopted this beautiful plant. To such as have not,
we say, begin. We think the pleasure of gathering violets of your own
cultivation for three or four months consecutively will well repay the trifling
trouble required. Many parties who are deprived of more extensive accom-
modation might ensure a very pretty supply of plants by such simple means
as those recommended. — ( Gard. Journ., 1849, p. 135.)

Pelargoniums for Exhibition. — Here is another race of Heaven's gifts,
which almost defy man's boasted power of speech to describe. Admira-
tion becomes so intense in contemplating their varied beauties, as to strike
the most learned prattler dumb, nor is it till the eye becomes, as it were,
accustomed to the gorgeous display, that the tongue does its duty in utter-
ing its exclamation of surprise and pleasure, and the pen is made to per-
form its office in reporting to the world at large of the treasures Flora offers
to our acceptance — more bright, more beautiful, than all the dross men
would wear away their lives to accumulate in other lands, unblessed by
such peaceful, health-giving evidences of our labor at home. Specimens
of this tribe of plants now require much attention. Among the first cares,
forming them into elegant shapes must be named. To this end, the
branches should be strong, erect, of equal growth, and regularly disposed ;
if any vacancy appears, run a stake into the earth, and attach a branch to
it from where they seem thick. This system will improve the general
appearance of the plant, and, on the day of exhibition, many of the stakes
may be drawn out ; the few that are allowed to remain should be neatly
arranged, so that the blooms might be viewed without the stakes being in-
cluded in the exhibition, a matter of taste few persons are found to differ
upon — a bundle of sticks being a very good thing in its way, but better in
connection with a blazing fire at Christmas than part of an alfresco exhi-
bition on a hot day in July. We may be singular in our opinions, but,
such as they are, we fearlessly give them, and abide the consequence.
Specimen plants require plenty of room, the side branches should not
touch each other, a free current of air should be allowed to pass between
them, they ought to be kept as near the glass as possible, and turned fre-
quently, so that the whole of the plant may derive a benefit from the sun,
light, and air ; water them sufficiently to preserve the foliage from droop-
intr, and give plenty of air wiienever the weather will admit of it ; a little
gentle warmth is requisite occasionally, to keep out frost, and absorb damp.
{Gard. Journ., 1849, p. 135.)

Campanula carpaiica. — This desirable herbaceous plant grows rapidly,
and may be readily increased at this season by division ; the slips should be
planted four inches apart in a bed of rich compost, well drained. In bor-
ders, plant in patches, consisting of five plants each. The above mode of
culture must be adopted annually, in order to ensure success. My plants
quickly cover the bed in which they are planted, producing a mass of blue
flowers during the latter part of the summer and the whole of the autumn
months. Its height, when in flower, is from one foot to eighteen inches.
As seedpods appear, I remove them, in order to give strength to the plant,
and to extend its season of blooming. If plants are not obtainable, a little

General Notices. 229'

seed sown now in heat will produce flowering plants next autumn. There
is also a white variety of this beautiful hardy plant. — {Gard. Chron., 1849,
p. 214.)

Culture of Violets. — In compliance with your request that I should give
you my method of growing violets, I beg to state that I am a kitchen gar-
dener and florist, and that I can seldom allow violets to have the undivided
occupation of any piece of ground. I plant them in April on a piece of
land occupied with some other crop, such as horn carrots, cos lettuce, rad-
ishes, &c. ; but the best associate which I have found for them is the Trip-
oli Onion, between each row of which I plant violets. The check which a
crop of this kind gives the violet, provided the onions, &c., are not allowed
to remain too long on the ground, benefits the violet.

After the onion crop is taken, I stir the ground between the violets with
a hoe, and scatter a little short dung or some kind of manure over them ;
this is, however, not a plan which I would recommend. For parties who
have not a ready sale for such things, the most advisable plan of culture
is, to divide the old roots in April, and plant them six inches asunder, in
rows twelve inches apart. Tn your last year's calendar, planting towards
the end of summer is recommended ; but I consider this practice to be quite
wrong. Experience has taught me that they suceeed best when planted
every year. When I allow them to remain two years, I cut the foliage
off them with a reaping hook two or three times during the summer, and
greatly to their advantage. My seedling, specimens of which I sent you,
maintains its good properties ; I found it in a row of seedling Russian vio-
lets.—( Garc?. Chron., 1849, p. 214.)

Francisea Hopeana. — This charming plant, introduced from Brazil in
1826, has been grown here for a series of years, and I have found it admi-
rably adapted for the embellishment of sitting-rooms during the months of
winter and spring. Its flowers are large, powerfully fragrant and attract-
ive, changing from a deep rich purple hue to an almost snowy whiteness ;
and, as this peculiar character is maintained for a lengthened period, its
value for this description of decoration is considerably enhanced. It forms
an excellent centre plant for round or octagon baskets, in which Chinese
primulas or hyacinths are the principal objects employed, its pale green
foliage relieving the dense masses of flowers such plants usually exhibit.
Its cultivation here is an exceedingly simple matter, being grown in a very
cool stove, in comparatively small pots, in a mixture of sandy peat and
loam, the object in view being to obtain small compact plants, not to ex-
ceed two feet in height, in order that they may be readily transferable to
vases or baskets, as circumstances may require. So soon as the plants
have performed their functions of flowering, the shifting process is per-
formed, using the knife freely alike to root and branches; all other atten-
tion is merely routine, save in the application of an occasional watering of
liquid manure. — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 214.)

Chinese Winter Flowers. — On visiting some of the flower-shops in Shang-
h£e, in the middle of January, I was surprised to find a great many flowers
which had been forced into bloom, and were now exposed for sale. I was

230 General Notices.

not aware, until I had this view, that the practice of forcing flowers was
common in Cliina. Many plants of Magnolia purpurea were in full flower,
so were many kinds of double-blossomed peaches, the pretty little Prunus
sinensis alba, and a variety of camellias. But that which struck me as
most remarkable was the facility wilh which the Pasony Moutan had been
brought into full bloom. Several varieties of this plant were in full flower ;
and, at this season of the year, when all out of doors was cold and dreary,
they had a most lively effect. Their blooms were tied up, to keep them
from expanding too rapidly. All these things had been brought from the
celebrated city of Soo-chow-foo, the great emporium of Chinese fashion
and luxury.

You will perhaps think that the Chinese have glass houses, hot water
pipes, Polmaise stoves, and all those fine things which assist gardeners
and amateurs in Europe. Nothing of the kind ; they do all these things
in their houses and sheds, with common charcoal fires, and any quantity of
straw to stop up the crevices in the doors and windows.

At this season of the year, the " Kum-quat" (Citrus japonica,) which
is extensively grown in pots, is literally covered with its small, oval, orange-
colored fruit. This, with various other species of the orange, are mixed
with the forced flowers, and together produce an excellent effect. I think
if the " Kum-quat" was better known at home, it would be highly prized
for decorative purposes during the winter months. It is much more hardy
than any of its tribe ; it produces its flowers and fruit in great abundance,
and it would doubtless prove a plant of easy cultivation. To succeed with
it, as well as the Chinese, however, one little fact should be kept in view,
namely, that all the plants of the orange tribe which fruit in a small state
are grafted.— (Gart/. Chron., 1849, p. 214.)

Pomological Archccology. — As it is the duty of every one possessing in-
formation, however limited its extent may be, to communicate it for the
benefit of his fellows, I take advantage of the opportunity afforded in your
Journal, of making the following remarks. I have headed this article
" Pomological Archasology," because it treats of the pomology of an age
long prior to our own, and of which but little is now known.

" It is much to be regretted that Mayster Groshede, somtyme Bysshop
of Lyncoln," " Barnaby Googe, Esquire," " Leonardo Mascal," and those
of our ancestors who had the ability and the opportunity of writing on rural
affairs, did not devote their attention to what was immediately passing
around them, instead of occupying their minds with translations from Cato,
Columella, and Varro, and promoting the absurdities contained in these
authors ; the consequence of which is, that we are left in comparative igno-
rance of this part of our social history.

It has been said that the apple was introduced to this country by the
Normans at the time of the conquest. But it is just as likely, if it did
not exist before, that it was introduced by the Romans. We know that
the cherry was, although Mr, Loudon states differently ; for Pliny, in lib.
XV., cap. 25, says, " Cerasi ante victoriam Milhradaticam L. Luculli non
fuere in Italia. Ad urbis annum DCLXXX. is primum viiit e Ponto :

General Notices. 231

annisque CXX. trans Oceanum in Britanniam usque pervenere." Seeing,
then, that they introduced the cherry and the vine, it is quite probable that
they introduced the apple also ; for, according to the same author, apples
were held in such estimation among them as not only to procure renown to
those who propagated them, but also to those parts of the country whence
they were brought, (lib. xv. cap. 14.) He also mentions that, in the sub-
urbs of Rome, the fruit produced from the apple trees realized more to the
owners than was formerly obtained from farming.

If, then, the apple was so valued by the Romans, we have every reason
to believe that this warlike people, who carried their luxuries wherever
they extended their conquests, were just as likely to introduce it to our
island as they did the cherry and the vine. Indeed, we are informed by
Tacitus, that all fruit trees succeeded in Britain except the vine, the olive,
and such others as require a warmer climate. But even supposing the
apple was not introduced by the Romans, there were other means by which
it could have existed in this country prior to the Norman conquest. The
monks, who ever ministered to their temporal as well as to their spiritual
necessities, and some of them, perhaps, more to the one than the other,
were in constant communication with the Continent, and particularly witli
Italy ; and I think it quite probable that they too were the means of intro-
ducing it. But, be that as it may, I cannot reconcile myself to believe that
the apple did not exist in Britain before the time above mentioned.

The subject to which I wish more particularly to direct attention now is,
the nomenclature of some of our oldest apples, whose names either con-
vey no meaning at all, or have become so distorted as to lose all trace of
the original form.

Juneatings. — These, of which the White Juneating is the type, are
among our oldest varieties. The forms in which we find the name written
by the old authors are Jennetting, Ginetting, Genneting, Juneting Junit-
ing, and Jeniting ; and it is not till towards the close of the last century
that Abercrombie, who is the first author in whose writings we so find it,
calls it Juneating. I have no doubt that this last form was adopted in
order to convey what appeared to him to be the proper signification of the
word June-eating, i. e. ripe in June. Dr. Johnson writes it Gineting, and
says it is a corruption of Janeton (Fr.,) signifying Jane or Janet, having
been so called from a person of that name. But notwithstanding this opin-
ion of the great lexicographer, I am induced to think differently. All
authors who have mentioned this variety — and some of them lived at a
period when it is said the summers were hotter and more precocious than
they are now — agree in fixing the period of its maturity at the end of July ;
so that I conceive Juneating has as little reference to the origin of the name
as Julyflower has to Gilliflower, or Sparrowgrass to Asparagus.

In early times, it was customary to make the festivals of the Church
periods at which occurrences were to take place, or from which events
were dated ; and, even at this day, we find the country people, appropriating
some operation for St. Thomas's day, and some other operation for St.
Andrew's, Michaelmas, Allhallow-tide, or other holidays. So also it was

232 General Notices.

usual in former times to name fruits from the day about which they arrived
at maturity, such as the Margaret Apple from being ripe at St. Margaret's
day, the 20th of July ; the Magdalene, or Maudlin, from St. Magdalene's
day, the 22d of July, and in " Curtius Hortorum," we find " A tempore
maturitatis Joannina vocamus, quod circa divi Joannis Baptistee nativita-
temesui sint." J. Baptista Porta also says, " Est genus alterum, quod quia
circa festum divi Joannisjraaturescit, valgus Melo di San Giovanni dicitur."
On the Continent, therefore, these early apples were called Joannina, Gal-
lice Joannet ; thus we have, among the old French pears, Amir6 Joannet,
the Admired or Wonderful Little John, which Merlet informs us is so
called because it is in maturity at John's day. If, then, we add to Joannet
the termination ing so common in our names of apples, we have Joannet-
ing, which, with a slight transformation, gives us Jennetting.

Pearraains. — These also are among our oldest English apples, and
of which I believe the Winter Pearmain is the type. In this, I sus-
pect, I differ from the Horticultural Society's Catalogue of Fruits,
where the " Old Pearmain" is made synonymous with the Herefordshire,
or Royal Pearmain ; but still, I am of opinion, that the Winter Pearmain
is the original. It is mentioned by Gerard, in his " Herbal," in the " Hus-
bandman's Fruitful Orchard," and by Ralph Austen, whilstlfind no notice
of the Royal Pearmain, till the time of Rea (16G5), of which he says, " It
is much bigger and better tasted than the common kind."

It seems to have been long a matter of doubt, as to the origin and signifi-
cation of this word Pearmain. My attention was first attracted to its deriv-
ation, by observing, that Gerard writes it Pearmaine, and both in " The
Husbandman's Fruitful Orchard," and Coles's "Adam in Eden," it is
written Peare-maine. Tiie last syllable of the word being the same as 1
had observed Charlemagne, written Charlemaine in works of these pe-
riods, suggested the idea that Pearmain was similar; and as Charlemagne
is Carolus Magnus gallicised, so also Pyrus magnus gallicised gave Poire
magne (the large Pear), which, slightly transformed, is Peare-maine, or
Pearmain. The name of the Pearmain is, therefore, in allusion to the shape
of those Apples so called, being similar to that of a Pear.

Pippins. — This is derived from the French word Pepin, signifying a
kernel, or the seed of Apples, Pears, and Quinces. I am not prepared to
say, what variety is the type of this class, if, indeed, there is any one more
than another, for I find the term applied by the early authors, not only to
the seed, but to seedling Apples generally. Thus we find, Leonard Mas-
cal, in 1572, instructing " Howe to dung your wylde trees come of Pep-
ynes," and " when so ever ye do replante or change your Pepin trees from
place to place, in so removing often the stocks, the frute thereof shall also
change, but the frute which doth come of graffing doth alwayes kcpe the
forme and nature of the tree whereof he is taken : for as I have sayde, as
often as the Pepin trees be removed to a better grounds the frute thereof be
so much amended."

Queenings.. — These, of which the Winter Queening is the type, are also

General Notices. 233

among the oldest varieties cultivated in our orchards and gardens. Like
those mentioned above, the name is of French origin, and is derived from
coin, a corner, from the appearance of corners or angles on the sides of the
fruit ; hence, also, we have coins or quoins, the corner stones of a building.
This seems to have been the sense in which our early Pomologists viewed
it, because Rea, in his " Pomona," when speaking of the Winter Queening,
says, " it succeeds incomparably on the Paradise Apple, as the Calville and
all other sorts of Queenings do," regarding the Calville also as a Queening,
because of the angularity of its shape.

It will be observed, that the names of the fruits noticed above, are derived
from the French, but it does not follow that the fruits themselves were in-
troduced from the Continent. "We have no mention of any of these varie-
ties by the early French writers ; on the contrary, De Quintinye, in speak-
ing of the Pearmain, calls it " La Drue Permein d'Angleterre," the dense
English Pearmain, in allusion, I apprehend, to the firmness of its flesh.

When it is considered that the French was, for a long period, the spoken
language of the higher classes of this country, we need not wonder at our
oldest fruits receiving French appellations ; they rather confirm us in the
belief, that they existed in the country long before the period at which au-
thors generally have fixed their introduction. It is on this account, there-
fore, that I believe the varieties I have here noticed, so far from being of
foreign origin, are the original and rightful representatives of our early
English Pomology. — {Gardeners'' Chronicle, 1849, p. 180.)

Treatment of Cactuses in Windows and in the Open Air. — The plants
commonly called by the name of Cactus belong to the natural order Cac-
tacea;, but are known, among botanists and scientific gardeners, by vari-
ous appellations more or less distinctive of their generic peculiarities ; as,
for instance, the Epiphyllum, from a Greek word signifying upon a leaf, in
allusion to the flowers growing upon the flat stems, commonly called leaves ;
and the Cereus, so called from the waxy and pliant nature of the shoots of
some of the species, the Latin word cereus meaning waxy. Cactuses are
very common in this country, on account of the rough treatment they will
bear; for, although they are natives of hot climates, as Brazil, Mexico
and Peru, and consequently are soon killed by frosts, yet, in other respects,
they are sufficiently hardy to allow of their general cultivation. They are
magnificent objects in the stoves and conservatories of the wealthy, where
they startle by the contrast between their gorgeous flowers and wrinkled
unsightly stems ; they also help to set out many a cottage window, and
they are usually found, to some extent, among the floral collections of the
middle classes. Yet with this general disposition to cultivate them, few
plants are less understood in those habits on which their successful flower-
ing depends.

" I wish you would look at my Cactus," said a lady to the writer the
other day ; " it is a very fine plant, but it never flowers." On being intro-
duced to this unproductive occupier of pot and window room, a fine piece
of vegetation indeed presented itself; above a yard high, as green as grass,
and every flat stem as plump as a traditionary alderman. " Madam," said
VOL. XV. — NO. V. 30

234 General Notices.

the writer, '* you feed your plant too much, and, in order to innke it flower,
you must, at certain times, adopt the starving system." He informed her
that he had one of the same kind, commonly called Cactus Jenkinsonii, not
near so tall, and very inferior in en-bon-poini and general handsomeness,
which yet bore above 100 flowers last season. The inquirer expressed
her wonder at this, and received the following account of the method adopt-
ed to produce such a result ; it is now submitted to those readers of the
Chronicle who may wish to make fat and green Cactuses bring some trib-
ute to their floral temple.

In the natural home of the Cactus, there is a moist and a dry season ; dur-
ing the former, vegetation receives a surprising impetus ; during the latter,
it flags, and appears almost burnt up and destroyed. Cactuses may be
seen shrivelled up through the heat of the sun and the dryness of the soil,
but it is to this circumstance they owe their abundance of flower-buds. The
wet or moist season returns, and pushes those buds into a glorious life.
How different is this natural treatment from that adopted in windows and
often in greenhouses ! The plants are kept wet all the year round ; they
have no cessation in their growth, but they form no flowers. Let Nature
be followed, and the desired result is sure. My cactuses were put away
in the autumn into a lumber room, and have had no water since until the
middle of last March. They were then brought out covered with dust,
cleaned, and gradually supplied with water. They are now as plump as
can be wished, and are covered with flower-buds. They will be kept sup-
plied with moisture until the flowering is over; then they will take their
chance in a sunny part of the garden, against a south wall, until cold
weather comes and consigns them again to the lumber room.

A light soil, composed of brick rubbish mixed with loam and leaf-mould,
is best for them, and need not be changed every year, if the top is removed,
and a fresh layer put on every spring. Large Cactuses cannot be grown
well in windows, and my plan with them is to put them out of doors every
day, where they will have all the sun, and to bring them into the sitting-
room just as they are about to flower. The whole tribe is easily propa-
gated. The cuttings should have the wound healed before being potted,
and no water should be given for a month or six weeks afterwards. Such
is my simple plan. — {Gard Ckron., 1849, p. 229.)

Joslins St. Allan's Grape. — Have any of the purchasers of this grape
yet fruited it, so as to prove whether it be a distinct variety or not? I
bought two or three plants of it, and it is my present impression that it is
nothing more than the Chasselas Musqu6, or Wilmot's Muscat ; at least
my plants present no possible difference from that variety either in foliage or
fruit. On referring to Mr. Thompson's report of it in the J ournal of the Hor-
ticultural Society, I find that it agrees with that variety in every particular.
No one can have a higher opinion of Mr. Thompson's pomological knowl-
edge than myself, and it was solely on his recommendation that I became a
purchaser ; yet one would suppose that the Chasselas Musqu6 was a grape
common enough not to be mistaken for a new variety ; its only fault is its
liability to crack long before it becomes ripe ; this has nearly thrown it out

Domestic Notices. 235

of cultivation. John Spencer, Bowood, April 3. [If you have got the true
Joslin's St. Alban's, you will observe that its leaves are more glossy on the
under sides than those of the Chasselas Musqu6. Mr. Joslin slates that
the Chasselas Musqu6 had not been grovt^n at his place for upwards of 16
years ; that it is an early grape, whereas the St. Alban's is decidedly a
late one. "The variety in question" he states "came from seed of my
own sowing, be what it may." Much has been said about this grape.
Some have doubted its being distinct from the White Frontignan, although
the one has smooth leaves and the other has not. A few months will
prove that it has not been over-praised in the Journal of the Horticultural
Society. It is showing fruit in the Royal Gardens at Frogmore ; we have
seen it at Mr. Sevan's, Cambridge House, Twickenham, about a week
ago, and it appears to be an extraordinary hesirev.]—{Gard.Chron., 1849,
p. 229.)

Fastening Fruit Trees to Walls. — The following method of fastening the
shoots of fruit trees to walls has been tried in one or two gardens in my
neighborhood ; and has, after a few years' trial, been found to succeed re-
markably well. Strong wires are stretched vertically along the face of the
wall, about the distance of half an inch from it; and about nine inches from
each other, by means of iron stay nails ; which are simply small flat pieces
of iron about three inches long, half an inch wide, and pointed at one end,
so as to go in betvi'een the bricks ; a small hole is drilled in the other to let
the wire go through, or to fasten the ends to ; these are required for about
every two feet in height. The wire should be painted, or, what I believe
is better, galvanized. To these wires, the branches can be tied in any
direction ; the stronger ones by willow twigs, the smaller by strings of mat-
ting.—(Gar<f Chron., 1849, p. 230.)

The Nighl-blowing Cereus. — This is an old and much neglected, but,
when well grown, really beautiful stove plant. I, for one, must accuse
myself of neglecting it for many years, and the only reason which I can
assign for such neglect is having never seen it grown or flowered in per-
fection. It has a straggling appearance, but, when strong and neatly
trained to a wire frame or wooden trellis, it is not unsightly ; its large
white and yellow fragrant flowers are truly beautiful, and though an objec-
tion may be raised against their blowing in the night, every one who has
seen them must admire them ; the plant which flowered with me was a very
old one, but, notwithstanding its age, it produced flowers measuring from
seven to ten inches across, and I should think that young and vigorous plants
would be much finer. — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 230.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices,

Fuchs'm serratifblia. — You have no conception of the beauty of Fuchsia,
serratifolia (blooming all winter,) when carefully treated. Avoid burn-

236 Domestic Notices.

ing heat, — a cool and moist situation ; it commences blooming in Decem-
ber, and even to March is loaded. The flowers are very long, and of a
singular rich bronzy pink, — long tube, and beautiful tip of green and dark
pink (not crimson,) corolla, and so well displayed on the plant : but it
wants careful treatment to develop its beauty — it cannot be least — nor can
one in ten bloom it as it ought. It is, you know, a peculiar hybrid one,
and oddish, but then the greater the credit to bring it out; most persons
who purchase it complain that it does not grow, and, after a while, neglect
and lose it ; but it is from a want of a knowledge of its treatment. — Yours,
G. C. T., Auburn, N. Y., April, 1849.

Thuja filijormts hardy. — We learn fi-om Messrs. Parsons & Co. of
Flushing, that a small plant of this singular pendulous Thuja stood out
the past winter without being in the least injured, thus proving that, at
least, as far north as New York, it is perfectly hardy. The scarcity and high
prices of the plants, has thus far prevented our hazarding our specimens
in the open ground ; but the coming winter we shall endeavor to try one in
the latitude of 42° north. — Ed.

Swanks Orange and Ronville Pears. — Last autumn, when we had the
pleasure of exhibiting some remarkably fine specimens of Swan's Orange
Pears, which we gathered from a tree in Rochester, some of our pomologi-
cal friends in Salem and vicinity, hinted that it was nothing more than the
old Ronville of Duhamel ; specimens of which were exhibited by Mr. J.
F. Allen, of Salem ; and we gave specimens to several amateurs to test
with the Ronville. That the two varieties have a similarity of appearance,
we are ready to admit, but not further, than that of size and form ; in qual-
ity, the Ronville is only second rate, and could not, for a moment, be mista-
ken for the Swan's Orange ; but even if a specimen of each variety had
been selected, which resembled each other in quality, the character of the
tree and wood, at once decides the question beyond all doubt; and in this
case, as in many others, it shows how important in the description of a
pear, is a knowledge of the color of the wood, &c. Swan's Orange has
a very light yellow tvood, while that of the Ronville is of an olive greeyi.
Four years ago, we made a drawing and a description of the Ronville, from
some very fine specimens given us by Mr. Allen, but we never thought it
scarcely good enough to include in our descriptive list ; but as so much has
been said about it, in connection with Swan's Orange, we shall give a full
description and outline figure, which can be compared with those of the
Swan's Orange. — Ed.

Aberdeen Beehive Strawberry. — This celebrated new variety, which was
first introduced last spring, has not yet fruited sufficiently to test its quali-
ties for general cultivation. As a forcing strawberry, it is one of the most
remarkable varieties, coming nearly or quite up to all the raiser of it ever
stated. We have now fifty pots in full bearing, having ripe and green
fruit and flowers, and buds. The fruit is of good size, and high flavored,
and each plant, though only under ordinary treatment, has from ten to twen-
ty clusters of fruit, bearing from ten to twenty berries each ; it is a stam-

Domestic Notices. 237

inate variety, and sets its blossoms well. We consider it a great acqui-
sition. The vines are very hardy. — Ed.

North American Pomological Convention. — Since our notice of the meet-
ing of this convention at Syracuse next September, we have received a
7iew circular issued by the.coramittee, with the names of each member attached
thereto. Tnere was, indeed, no necessity of issuing a second circular,
only to show the utter falsity of the assertions made in the editorial notice
in the Horticulturist, which we alluded to in our last. Although we have
anticipated the doings of the committee in that notice, yet we cannot omit
the publication of this circular : —

"The undersigned, a committee of the above convention, who were
appointed at the meeting held in Buffalo last September to report such
plans for the organization of future conventions — should it be deemed advi-
sable to hold them — as might be deemed necessary to carry out success-
fully the objects for which they were to meet, agreed, after consultation, as
part of their plan, to appoint committees for each State, Territory, and the
Canadas, whose duty it should be to report the results of their observa-
tions and consultations in relation to matters suggested for their action in a
circular — (which was issued by us and sent to each one of them) — on the
first day of the assemblage of the convention, which was, by unanimous
resolution, agreed should be held in the autumn of 1849.

The committee have had their attention called to an editorial in the Hor-
ticulturist for March, in which it is stated that the North American Pomo-
logical Convention is a defunct convention, and that the State committees
have received the compliment from a committee which does not exist, or
by an authority unknown. Without intending in any way to comment on
the article alluded to, the committee think it their duty to remark, that, by
a perusal of the report of the proceedings of the Buffalo Convention, it will
be seen that the report of this committee, making the convention a national
and a permanent one, was adopted unanimously ; that it is entirely uncon-
nected with the New York State Agricultural Society, and that the desig-
nation of the time and place for its next meeting, where the great fair of
that society is to be held, was done for the better accommodation of the
public who are in the habit of attending it from all partsof the country, and
also as a compliment to that society, in acknowledgment of the great ben-
efit they had conferred on horticulture, by being \\ie first to move in calling
a National Pomological Convention. The committee, owing to the hur-
ried close of the Convention at Buffalo, had not time to concoct, or submit
fully, their plans for the consideration of the convention, and, in doing it
thus far afterwards, they conceive that they are carrying out the true spirit
and intent of their appointment, and that their action will meet with the
approbation of all concerned.

The committee, therefore, hope, that the gentlemen appointed will not
be deterred, by the article above alluded to, from attention to the several
duties which have been submitted for their action, as the North American
Pomological Convention will convene at Syracuse, in the state of New
York, on the 14th day of September next, at 10 o'clock A. M. — it being

238 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

the day succeeding the closing of the annual fair of the New York State
Agricultural Society.

Pomological, Horticultural, Agricultural, and kindred Societies, or Asso-
ciations, throughout this continent, are requested to send delegates to the
convention; and gentlenien resident in vicinities where no societies exist,
who take interest in the advancement of pomological science, are also in-
vited to attend. — J. D. G. Nelson, Indiana, Chairman ; James Dougall,
Canada; Herman Wendell, M. D., New York ; J. C. Holmes, Michigan ;
Lewis F. Allen, New York ; F. R. Elliott, Ohio ; N. Goodsell, New
York, Committee. March, 1849."

[We will only add, that we hope the course taken by those who are op-
posed to the holding of the Convention will incite its friends to renewed
exertions to make it what the last was, the most important pomological con-
vention ever held in this country. We should not forget to announce that
Gen. Taylor intends to honor the State Fair with his presence, and we ex-
pect such an exhibition of fruit will be made as will give the old Hero a
good impression of what the West, the North, and the East can do in the
cultivation of the choicest varieties. — Ed.'\

Thuja filiformis. — We learn, from Messrs. Parsons, of Flushing, L. I,,
that this most graceful and interesting evergreen tree has stood the late
severe winter in the open air at that place uninjured ; thus proving it to be
perfectly hardy — at least as far north as New York ; and we hope to
show, another year, that it is equally hardy in the latitude of Boston. Our
specimens, now about three feet high, have been too valuable to prove, but
now that we have succeeded in getting a small stock, we intend to plant
the largest specimen in the open ground the present spring, and let it re-
main out next winter. Its singularly pendent branches will make it the
most attractive of all evergreens for single objects on lawns or in pleasure-
grounds. — Ed.

Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, March 3d, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From Messrs. Hovey & Co., cut flowers of sev-
eral azaleas, among which were three seedlings. From Jas. Nugent, fine
roses, including some good species of Chromatella and Solfataire.

Fruit: From Hon. J. S. Cabot, Beurrtj d'Aremberg, and Winter Ne-
lis, in fine state of preservation. From C. Downing, Ladies Sweeting Ap-
ples. From J. Owen, handsome apples without r.aiue, from the garden of
Dr. Ware, Cambridge ; it may prove to be the Westfield Seek-No-Further,

March lOth. Exhibited. — Flowers: From Messrs. Hovey & Co., six
azaleas, viz. : Remingtonu, triumphans, Herbertu purpurea, spl^ndens.
Rosy Purple, and Salmon Rose. Roses from L. Davenport and J. Nu-
gent. Bouquets, &c., from A. Bowditch.

HorticuUural Memoranda. 239

AWARD OF PREMIUMS.

Azaleas. — To Messrs. Hovey & Co., for the best six plants, $6.

Fruit : From J. Kenrick, Cogswell apples, which the committee pro-
nounced worthy of cultivation. From S. Bigelow, Keen's Seedling straw-
berries, very handsome.

March 17. Exhibited. — Flowers : From Jas. Nugent, a variety of roses
and bouquets. Roses, bouquets, &c., from L. Davenport and Sam'l Big-
elow. From Dr. Wood, Dighton, plants of i'rica Caffra and Diosma
Capitata.

[The business meeting of the society will be given in our next.]

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines in the greenhouse will now have all their fruit set, and the
same treatment may be resumed which was given them previous to their
blooming, viz. : more air, more frequent sy ringings, damping down the walks,
&c. The laterals will again need stopping, and any that are not regularly
laid in should now be duly attended to, and tied in their places. By the last
of the month, the berries will have sufficiently swelled to commence thinning ;
and this should be looked to before they are too far advanced. Vines in
cold houses will need the same treatment we recommended for those in the
grapery last month. This month is a good time to plant out vines in new
borders. Vines in the open air will now be swelling their buds, and
should be neatly trained to the wall or trellis, rubbing off all eyes that are
not wanted, and, in June, cutting back to the new growth : this will pre-
vent any danger from bleeding, if any is apprehended. Borders of grape-
ries should be carefully dug this month.

Strawberry beds may be made now with the best success ; manure well,
and spade or trench the ground.

Fif^ trees in pots should be well watered, using liquid manure occasion-
ally.

Raspberry plantations should be pruned, staked, manured, dug, and put
in good order.

Grafting pear and apple trees may yet be continued with good success.

Pruning should be continued until all the work is accomplished.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Camellias will now have completed their growth, and the temperature
should be slightly raised in order to make them set their buds well. As
soon as the buds are seen, the plants may be removed to the open air.
Plants inarched in February may now be detached from the old plant.

Achimenes of all kinds may now be started for a succession of flowers ;
and those first potted may now have a third shift into larger pots.

240 Horticultural Mejnoranda.

Cactuses will now be displaying their flower-buds, and will need tolera-
bly abundant supplies of water.

Chinese primroses of the double kinds may now have a shift into larger
pots, if fine specimens are wanted.

Chrysantlicmums may yet be propagated from cuttings.

Gladiolus gandavensis, and other summer flowering kinds, may now be
planted in beds in the open ground.

Fuchsias will need a shift into larger pots ; give thera a close warm sit-
uation, and they will make large specimens.

Pelargoniums will now be coming into full bloom ; see that the house is
well fumigated to get rid of the green fly ; as it is belter to do it now than
to wail till the flowers get fully open. Water freely, and occasionally with
liquid manure, or guano.

Ranunculuses will now be throwing up their flower stems, and, if the
weather should prove dry, they should be liberally watered, giving the
water between the rows, and not over the foliage.

Pansies, raised in pans, and potted off, should now be planted in the
open ground, selecting a good soil, and a cool situation.

Heaths in small pots should now be shifted into a larger size, and the
pots plunged in the open ground the last of the month : Mediterranea and
some of the more common kinds may be turned out of the pots into the bor-
der.

Carnations and picotees will now need some attention ; keep the beds
clean, and stir the surface of the soil : if all are not planted out, proceed
with the work till done.

Roses in pots should now be turned out into the border, first making the
soil rich and deep. Annual roses should be now pruned if not already
done. Prairie roses should have the old wood cut clean out, unless there
is a deficiency of young last year's shoots.

Verbenas may be planted out in the open border the last of the month,
when all danger of frost is over.

Choice annuals, such as asters, balsams, &c.,sown in boxes, should now
be potted off singly in small pots, and they will make fine specimens for
turning into the border in June.

Calceolaria seedlings should now be potted off from the seed pans into
small pots, putting one plant in each. Old plants coming into bloom will
require to have their flower stems carefully staked

Japan lilies should be shifted this month into larger pots : water now
more freely, and keep in a rather cool situation.

Euphorbia jacquinajlora. — Now is the time to raise a stock of this fine
winter-blooming species. Cuttings put in this month will make fine plants
by autumn.

Hardy annuals, such as chryseis, alyssums, mignonette, eutoca, candy
tuft, and other showy kinds, should he sown this month, — some of them
where they are to grow, and the others in small beds, ftom which they can
be removed to the border.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE,

JUNE, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. On the Acclimation of Tropical Exotics in Flor-
ida. By the Rev R. K. Sewall, East Florida. In a Let-
ter to Dr. A. Mitchell, St. Mary's, Geo. Communicated
by Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn.

Dear Sir, — I enclose letters from Dr. Mitchell, of St. Mary's,
Georgia, and the Rev. R. K. Sewall, of East Florida, on the
Culture of Tropical Plants, which I will thank you to pub-
lish in your instructive and highly useful Magazine. With
sincere esteem, your most obedient servant, H. A. S. Dearborn.

Hawthorn Cottage, Roxbury, May 10, 1849.

My dear Sir, — I here submit to you a correspondence from
the Rev. R. K. Sewall, of E, Florida, on the acclimation and
cultivation of tropical plants in South Florida. We are truly
pleased to learn, that the labors of the cultivator have been
crowned with success in the region alluded to, and that the
luscious fruit of the Bromelidcece will soon be added by in-
dividual effort to the extensive list of our introduced fruits.
We have heretofore maintained, that the most active agent
in the dispersion of plants is man ; and that plants of oppo-
site zones can be brought to exist on food not naturally suit-
ed to its constitution by care and proper cultivation. Rea-
soning from analogy, we are well convinced of the impor-
tant facts before us — and do anticipate that it will not be long
before these small fruiteries, now established by individual
enterprise, will become an extensive article of exportation ;
alike profitable with a ready supply for our home consump-

VOL. XV. — NO. VI. 31

242 On the Acclimatioji of Tropial Exotics in Florida,

tion, at the 'same time influencing our General Government
to aid in the establishment of an Experimental Garden for
the introduction of thousands of useful species from Trop-
ical Asia, Africa, and America. You will please publish the
enclosed in the Magazine of Horticulture and Botany, edited
by C. M. Hovey, Esq., of Boston. With great esteem, I am,
dear sir, very respectfully yours, Augustus Mitchell, M. D.

St. Mary's, Georgia, April 29th, 1849.

Hon. H. a. S. Dearborn.

My dear Sir, — At your request, I herewith submit certain
facts, relating to the experiment of vegetable acclimation in
Tropical Florida, which have passed under my own obser-
vation, or have come within the range of my knowledge.

In the year 1828, a gentleman of science and experience
strongly urged on government the project of a national accli-
mating nursery, to be located in Tropical Florida, supported
by a train of analogies, meteorological observations, and rea-
soning, which gave great plausibility to his positions.

So far as experiment has tested his conclusions, they have
been fully verified. He recommended, with great confidence
in the success of the pine apple tribe, the acclimation of that
tropical exotic.

And what has been the result 1 In Nov. 1847, and Jan.
1848, I made an exploration into Tropical Florida below 28
degrees, and down to 27 degrees 15 minutes. I there found
settlers, many of whom had come from the north, and an
account of whom I gave you in my last. Nearly all of them
had entered upon the culture of the tropical pine apple, and
had larger or smaller patches on plantations of the pine plant
under process of actual growth.

Mr. Burnham, an original settler, and late representative
from St. Lucie county, and one of the most extensive plant-
ers of this fruit, furnished me the following statement relative
to the pine apple : —

" The first slips of the pine I put out 20th August, 1843.
I then put out 46 slips. They bore fruit in 1845; the fruit
matured about the 10th of July. Since that time, from the
original 46 slips, I have increased to 3500 plants, one half of
which will bear next July. The apple does as well in Lucie,
if not better, than in Cuba. The fruit is larger and finer."

On the Acclimation of Tropical Exotics iti Florida. 243

The settlers and planters, I am persuaded, are in error in
attempting to cultivate one plant to the square foot. The
plants should be three feet apart. The pitahaya, or straw-
berry pine apple of Yucatan, should be speedily there intro-
duced, together with the large and delicious sugar-loaf pine of
Cuba.

The gentleman above alluded to also recommended, " as of
immense value, the peculiar species of fibrous Agave, culti-
vated in Yucatan, whose fresh leaves yield the foliaceous
fibres called the Sisal Hemp." A slip of this plant was in-
troduced some ten years since. It has now become accli-
mated, and is being self-propagated through various sections
of Tropical Florida. The plant was pointed out to me on
the banks of St. Lucie Sound, where it was spreading itself
independent of the skill and care of man.

The same gentleman also remarked, in the same connex-
ion, "that the successful culture of the tea plant of southern
China, at Rio Janeiro, will rapidly arrive at maturity in the
arid sands of any tropical climate ; and that their plucked
leaves are speedily prepared for exportation by the most sim-
ple apparatus, &c."

I received from H. E. Perrine, Esq., in November last, the
following statement : — " At Indian Key, (Tropical Florida.)
my father had a tea plant growing in the open air, which he
took great pride in, as it demonstrated the truth of what he
contended for, i. e., that the soil of Tropical Florida was
peculiarly adapted to its growth.'^

The cocoa-nut tree, I may add, I saw growing on the
banks of St. Lucie Sound, from three to five feet high, then
recently planted by the settlers.

From the facts above stated, it may be safely assumed
that experiment will realize the suggestions of Dr. Perrine
relating to the acclimation of other fruits and plants. " Even
the cultivated chocolate tree will perish unless protected by
the shade of other trees, and can hence be propagated in the
marshy woods of Tropical Florida.

" As the pimento tree of Tropical America, and the cinna-
mon tree of Tropical Asia are disseminated in the most ex-
tensive forests by birds and beasts alone, it may be safely
predicted that, if a single plant of each shoot comes to matu-

244 On the Acclimation of Tropical Exotics in Florida.

rity in Tropical Florida, they will both be spread over the
whole peninsula."

And finally, as to a direct and pleasant route of commu-
nication with this interesting section of our country, delicious
in climate, promising in its resources of tropical produce,
when fairly and skilfully opened, I have to say that, while
nature has barred the rivers and harbors of the East Coast,
on which the climate of tropical winter ranges highest, she
has cut a natural channel via the St. John's and Indian Riv-
ers, for a great inland thoroughfare, beautified with the va-
ried transitions of a semi-tropical to a tropical vegetation —
traceable along the whole line. Enterprise, on the St. John's,
is the present depot of steam navigation. The line, contin-
ued a short distance above this point to the head waters of
the St. John's, will touch a point but seven miles distant from
the shores of the Indian River, which is navigable for steam
to the mouth and up the waters of the St. Lucie Sound and
River to within a short distance of the eastern shores of the
great lake Okachober. This is a route continuous to Savan-
nah and the city of Charleston, and is relieved of the perils
and inconvenience of a sea voyage.

Thus nature has provided a way for steam communica-
tion, by the most pleasant route, into a most delicious cli-
mate for human health and tropical growth ; and all it wants
is a little capital and enterprise to open this way to the influx
of invalid travel from the north, and tropical export from the
south. Yours, truly, R. K. Sewall.

We are highly gratified in being able to communicate this
interesting correspondence through our Magazine. We have
ever felt a deep interest in the subject of the acclimation of
tropical plants in the southern states, and have been firm in
the belief that, at no very remote period, a larger part of the
valuable fruits and plants of the West Indies and South
America, as well as of the East Indies, would be found nat-
urahzed in Tropical Florida, and, eventually, many of the
more hardy ones as far north as Virginia.

It was from this great interest in so important a subject
that we occupied several pages of a previous volume of our
Magazine, (VI., 1840,) in publishing the interesting commu-

Gardens and Gardening in Louisiana. 245

nications of the late lamented Dr. Perrine, who fell a victim
to his zeal in carrying out his views upon the formation of a
preparatory nursery for the introduction and acclimation
of tropical plants. The receipt of Mr. Sewall's article has
brought up the matter fresh to our minds, and his letter fully
confirms all that Dr. Perrine anticipated in reference to the
naturalization and growth of certain species. Dr. Perrine's
only desire was that his life might be spared long enough to
see the most "precious plants of the tropics actually spread-
ing in Tropical Florida." (Vol. VI. p. 327.) The Sisal Hemp
plant he especially urged as one of the most important which
could be added to the country, and now Mr. Sewall states that
it has actually become naturalized, and is " spreading itself in-
dependent of the skill and care of man."

In our volume for 1847, (XIII. p. 363,) we copied an inter-
esting article from the Gard. Chron., detailing an experi-
ment with the culture of the pine apple in the ojyen air in
England, which proved quite successful : such being the fact,
can it be doubted that this most luscious of all fruits will suc-
ceed throughout the greater part of Florida, and eventually
become so extensively cultivated as to supply our markets
with pine apples in abundance as well as in perfection of
growth 7

We trust Dr. Mitchell will induce his friends to communi-
cate further information on the growth of tropical plants in
Florida, as few subjects can be more important to the agri-
cultural interests of the country. — Ed.

Art. II. Remarks on Gardening and Gardens in Louis-
iana. By Alexander Gordon, Botanical Collector, Ba-
ton Rouge, La.

Dear Sir, — A long period has elapsed since I raised my
pen to address you. Since then, I have traversed many a
dreary waste, and many fertile regions, having twice, during
the interim, extended my researches to the Rocky Mountains,
California, Oregon, and New Mexico, on botanical pursuits ;

246 Gardens and Gardening in Louisiana.

but, now having a leisure hour, I shall occupy the time in
making a few Remarks on Gardening and Gardening Pro-
ductions in the state of Louisiana.

Gardening, in this section of the Union, differs widely, in
many respects, from the system practised in the North and
Middle States ; this semi-tropical climate affording numerous
advantages unattainable in a more northern clime. During
the month of February, I visited a vast number of gardens in
New Orleans — its vicinity, and for 130 miles up the Missis-
sippi. Even at that unfavorable season, from the mildness
of the winter, I found a tolerable display of Flora's beauties,
the gardens, as it were, conjuring up a spring-like appear-
ance in the gloomy season of winter. The various plants,
&c. in bloom were, to me, equally astonishing as gratifying.
Many varieties of the rose were displaying their gaudy flow-
ers, and exhaling their fragrance in profusion. Many ex-
otics, planted in the open ground, were then blooming freely,
and most of them had been so during the previous season
from the months of April and May. My attention was par-
ticularly arrested by a magnificent Crinum amabile. I had
never seen this rich gem, imder the most fostering care, pre-
sent such a splendid appearance. Most of the following were
blooming vigorously : — Heliotrope, Plumbago, Petunia, Rus-
sellia, Cestrum, Achknia, Justicia, Terbena, Manettia, Brug-
minsia, iJibiscus, (Chinese sp.,) Strelitzia, <56c. &c. In many
garden.'} the camellia was flowering to admiration, and, in
favorable situations, several Chinese azaleas were truly mag-
nificent. Many other species might be mentioned, did time
and space permit ; but the above will convey some idea of a
Louisiana wi?iier^s vegetation.

Vegetables are also most abundant during the winter.
Here there are two regular seasons for sowing general crops,
fall and spring ; and, during winter, turnips, carrots, pars-
nips, beets, celery, spinage, lettuces, radishes, &c. &c. are in
the greatest profusion.

You are well aware the ornamental department of garden-
ing is my more particular province, and here I find a rich
and varied field. 'Tis most astonishing to witness with what
luxuriance every variety of the rose grows, and, in many in-
stances, without the least attention or care. Here the Noi-

Gardens and Gardening in Louisia7ia. 24.7

settes and Tea roses develope their magnificent flowers in
full perfection. The carnation, pink, and picotee succeed
well ; Gardenias and Lagerstroemias are perfect pictures in
their season. The dahlia thrives to admiration. Oleanders,
Night and Day scented jesamines, (Oestrums,) A116ysi«,
citriodora, Erythrinas, Plumbagos, and Olerodendrons are
all planted in the open ground. In severe winters, they may
be killed down, but they again shoot vigorously in the spring,
and grow and flower most luxuriantly. Pittosporum, Oiea
fragrans, and the Ohinese magnolias, attain a size which is
most astonishing; but neither tulip nor hyacinth succeed well,
although I am inclined to attribute the failure more to the
soil, (which could be obviated,) than to the climate, as I
have seen the latter in great perfection one degree south of
Savannah, state of Georgia. Neither the genus Pelargonium,
Fuchsia, nor Calceolaria are calculated for this meridian.
The summer appears to be too long, the heat too intense, or
the aridity of the atmosphere during the summer months is
too much for these beautiful genera, and either kills them en-
tirely, or they become so exhausted that they scarcely recover
during the winter, and the succeeding season puts a finale
to their existence.

There are some very extensive gardens in this state; that
of Mr. Valcouraam, in the Parish of St. James, about 60 or 70
miles above New Orleans, would bear a comparison with any
garden in the United States. If we take into consideration
its extent, the vast and varied collection of plants, trees, and
shrubs, its hothouses and ornamental buildings, I am inclined
to think it is unsurpassed, if equalled, by any in the Union.
It was intended, as I have understood, to make this a tran-
script of an English pleasure ground, but I must confess, in
that respect, the designer has been by no means successful.
This leads me to remark, in general, the French style in the
ornamental department of gardening is that most frequently
adopted, particularly among the Creole portion of the popu-
lation, and there are some very unique and judiciously ar-
ranged gardens laid out and kept according to that system,
which, however much it may be repudiated by some, pos-
sesses a fascination under peculiar circumstances. For in-
stance, within a few minutes walk from where I now write.

248 Gardeyis and Gardening in Louisiana.

I could find magnificent groves of magnolias (now in full
bloom,) with an abundance of choice trees and shrubs. All
that would be required to form the scene into a perfect /ac
simile of an English shrubbery would be to introduce walks,
and judiciously thin out and regulate the mass. To those,
therefore, who have such scenes daily under their view, a
perfect contrast — something displaying the art and ingenuity
of man — has a far greater tendency to arrest the attention, and
call into requisition the approbation of the community ; but I
would by no means be understood as advocating the adop-
tion of straight lines and dipt shrubs in a general way. The
parks, groves, and squares, formed by Le Notre, the father of
that system, can never, in my estimation, bear a comparison
with the scenic beauties formed by the principles advocated
and practised by Kent, Price, Knight, and Repton. This,
however, is merely a matter of taste, which, as respects gar-
dening, is, in many instances, very arbitrary, and may yet
be just. I shall, therefore, pass over the matter, and state
that the great and almost general error when forming a gar-
den is, — no expense is spared in the first instance — a vast
space is embraced — the subsequent necessary care never taken
into consideration. The consequence is, the whole, or, at all
events, the greater portion, is allowed to become a wilder-
ness. How much more prudent to have coimted the cost, cir-
cumscribed the limits, and kept the whole in a manner which
would give satisfaction to the owner, justice to his plants,
trees, and shrubs, and pleasure to the gardener ; but what
will ever prove a most serious impediment to the neat keep-
ing of pleasure grounds in the Mississippi bottoms of this
state is the " Bitter Cocco," (Cyperus hydra.) This detest-
able pest has completely overrun the country, and the gar-
dener's place is no sinecure, who endeavors to keep his grounds
in order, if he has this curse of the vegetable world to con-
tend with.

Baton Rouge, La., Sih May, 1849.

We are glad to hear from our old correspondent, and shall
be pleased to receive further accounts of the state of garden-
ing in the vicinity of New Orleans, where Mr. Gordon has
now located himself. We trust we may have some hints on

Descj'iptions of Select Varieties of Apples 249

the cultivation of those plants and shrubs which require pe-
culiar management in the south, that our many readers in
that section may avail themselves of his good advice. — Ed,

Art. III. Descriptions and E?igravings of Select Varieties of
Aj)ples. By the Editor.

XXXI. Sutton Beauty.

There are quite a number of seedling apples cultivated in
Worcester county, and some of them appear to possess great
merit. Recently, through the influence of the Worcester
County Horticultural Society, whose exhibitions of fruit, par-
ticularly of apples, have been remarkably fine, many of
these seedlings have been, for the first time, brought to the
notice of pomologists, and already several have been selected
which appear to be not only very new, but superior kinds for
general cultivation. We have, in our Pomological Notices
in our Magazine, (X. p. 211,) named several of them, but the
Sutton Beauty has more recently been introduced.

Our correspondents, Messrs. Earle and Jacques, of Wor-
cester, sent us some specimens of the Sutton Beauty, which
we had the pleasure of seeing upon the tables of the Society,
at the Annual Exhibition last September, and we have found it
so excellent an apple, as well as one of the most beautiful
with which we are acquainted, that we have given it a place
in our descriptive list of select varieties, with the belief that it
will become a very popular fruit.

The Sutton Beauty, {fg. 23,) originated in the town of
Sutton, in this State, and has, as yet, been but little dissem-
inated. It is of good size, with a brilliant crimson glossy
skin, and a white flesh. The tree is vigorous, and produces
great crops, bearing, like the Baldwin, only every other year.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches broad, and two
and a half deep: Form, roundish oblong, regular, largest
near the middle, and narrowing little to the crown : Skin,
fair, smooth, glossy, with a pale lemon yellow ground, finely
striped with light red in the shade, and nearly covered with

VOL. XV. NO. VI. 32

250 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

brilliant crimson scarlet on the snnny side, through which
appear numerous yellow specks: Stem^ medium length, little
more than half an inch long, rather slender, and inserted in a
moderately deep and somewhat open cavity: Eye^ small,
closed, and rather abruptly depressed in an open, little fur-

Fig. 23. Sutton Beauty Apple.

rowed basin ; segments of the calyx long and twisted : Flesh,
white, slightly tinged with pink, rather coarse, crisp, and
tender : Juice, plentiful, very pleasantly acid, sprightly and
high-flavored : Core, medium size : Seeds, large, plump.
Ripe from November to March.

XXXII. Bullock's Pippin. Coxe^s View, ^c.

Sheepnose, of some, according to Coxe.

Golden Russet, Manning's Book of Fruits.

American Golden Russet. Fruits and Fruit Trees of America.

Under the name of Golden Russet, this fine apple, {Jig.
24,) is considerably cultivated in various parts of the coun-
try. How it came to be more generally known under the
name of Golden Russet, than that of its original cognomen,
as described by Coxe, we are not aware ; Mr. Manning, we
believe, was the first author who described it as the Golden

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 251

Russet ; Mr. Kenrick describes one under the same name ;
but, as he states it to be a round apple, we are not sure that
he refers to this one. Thatcher follows Coxe^ and calls it the
Bullock's Pippin. Mr. Downing, in the Fruits and Fruit
Trees of America^ discarding all priority, gives it an addi-
tional title, and calls it the American Golden Pippin ; alledg-
ing that the "uncouth name of Coxe, Sheepnose, is nearly-
obsolete, except in New Jersey." This is an error, as Mr.

Fig: 24. Bullock's Pippin Apple.

Coxe calls it the Bullock's Pippin, after a family of that name
in Burlington County, New Jersey, where it originated ; and
he particularly remarks that it is "generally distinguished
by the vulgar name of Sheepnose," thus showing that he
was unwilling to perpetuate an uncouth term.

Mr. Coxe states that this is one of the finest apples in New
Jersey in the autumn and early winter months. It possesses
a remarkably tender flesh, and its golden russet skin gives it
a peculiarly rich and handsome appearance. The tree grows
vigorously, and makes a round regular head, and, in addition
to these good qualities, it is an early, abundant, and constant
bearer. Wood dull yellowish brown.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches broad, and
about two and a half deep : Form, conical, regular, full at

252

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

the base, and narrowing to the crown, which is small : Skin,
slightly rough, with a deep yellow ground, nearly or quite
covered with a clear cinnamon russet, often with a tinge of
pale red on the sunny side : Stem, short, about half an inch
long, rather slender, and little sunk in a small cavity : Bye,
medium size, nearly closed, and but little depressed in a
small, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx short : Flesh,
yellowish, fine, soft, and tender : Juice, abundant, pleasantly
acid, rich, and high-flavored : Core, medium size, rather
open : Seeds, rather large, dark brown. Ripe from October
to February.

XXXIII. Cogswell.

The origin of the Cogswell apple, {fig- 25,) is unknown
to us. The only specimens of the fruit we have seen, have
been exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-

Piff. 25 . Cog-swell Apple.

ety by Mr. J. A. Kenrick, of Newton, Mass., and these have
been of such excellence that we venture to place it among
our best winter apples. As late as February last, Mr. Ken-
rick presented two or three dozen of the apples for exhibition ;
the specimens were remarkably fair, largCj and beautiful, and

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 253

in the most perfect preservation ; and the Committee on Fruits,
upon tasting them, pronounced the variety to be well worthy
of cultivation. The tree is of vigorous growth, and bears well.
Since writing the above, we have received the following
communication from Mr. Kenrick, to whom we applied for
an account of the origin and history of this apple : —

Dear Sir, — The Cogswell apple was received by mefour-
teeti years since. The only information I could obtain from
the gentleman from whom I had it was, that " it came from
Attleboro', or its vicinity." I have always supposed it
originated there, but, having taken no pains to ascertain, am
not certain. By whom its name was given, I have no knowl-
edge. When it first fruited with me, I do not recollect, as it
was grafted on a large branch of a tree, together with sev-
eral other kinds, but it came very early into bearing. It is a
good straight grower, and I think as abundant a bearer as
any apple I am acquainted with. It is an early winter fruit,
keeping a little longer than the Hubbardston Nonsuch, being
fit for use from October to about the 1st of January : I have,
however, kept them till June. Those you saw were kept
too late to give a fair specimen of their real merit, and, should
I live till autumn, I will show you samples that will give
you a better opinion of their flavor ; and I consider it second,
for profit, to very few if any apples I am acquainted with. —
Very respectfully yours, John A. Kenrick.

Size, large, about three and a quarter inches broad, and
two and a half deep : Form, roundish oblate, very regular,
largest in the middle, and little flattened at each end : Skin
fair, smooth, rich deep yellow, nearly covered with very dis-
tinct and abrupt splashes, stripes and dots of brilliant red,
having a few large russet specks scattered over the surface :
Stem, short, slender, and moderately sunk in a very regular,
open cavity : Eye, medium size, nearly closed, and slightly
depressed in a very small shallow basin ; segments of the
calyx broad : Flesh, yellowish, little coarse, crisp, and ten-
der : Jtiice, abundant, with an agreeable admixture of sweet
and acid, sprightly, high-flavored, and excellent : Core, small,
rather close : Seeds, medium size, angular, dark brown. Ripe
from October to February.

254 On the Culture of the Clerodendroti.

Art. IV. Oil the Culture of Clerodendrons. By R. B.
Leuchars. New Haven, Conn.

The Clerodendrons are a most noble family of half-shrubby,
half-herbaceous plants, with very large oblong-ovate, or
acute lobate leaves, sinuated, or angled at the margins, and
bearing, generally at the end of each shoot or stem, large
capitate heads of flowers of various colors, and some of them
are delightfully fragrant.

I believe there are few amateurs who cultivate this splen-
did tribe of plants in this country. And I think I may
assert, without fear of contradiction, that there are few, who
have seen them in all their splendor, who would not wish to
have them in their collection, however small the collection
might be. They are of easy cultivation, and exceedingly
well adapted for the adornment of greenhouses during the
hot months of summer, a period when these structures, in-
stead of being, as they certainly ought, the centre of floral
attraction, are frequently converted into receptacles of lum-
ber and rubbish, thereby becoming a kind of floricultural in-
congruity in the midst of the floral harmony that reigns
around them, and lying like a dead weight upon our sensi-
bilities every time we cast our eyes upon them ; and, as they
are generally erected in the most conspicuous places, they
can hardly be avoided. Such plants as the Clerodendrons,
together with gesneras, gloxinias, torenias, achimenes, &c.
would keep the house in a blaze of bloom during the hottest
of seasons, i. e., providing it be kept shaded, and a moderate
degree of humidity artificially maintained.*

In the artificial culture of any kind of plants brought from
the tropical latitudes, I consider it essentially requisite to
inquire into its habit, and the treatment it receives in its nat-
ural habitat. It will generally be found that the closer we
approach to the culture it gets from nature, the more likely
will it be to develope its natural beauty. If the plant be
sensibly improved by certain modes of management, then we
conclude that it has found the conditions in which it has

* We are glad to see that some gardeners are aware of the importance of what we
have so strongly urged in an article in our volume for 1847, (XIII. p. 258.) — Ed.

0?i the Ctdture of the Clerodendron. 255

been placed more suitable for its development, and conse-
quently to be adopted. There are very few plants that show-
so strikingly the effects of good culture over bad treatment
and neglect. Clerodendrons, if not grown well, are scarcely
worth growing at all. For the benefit of those who may not
be acquainted with the tribe, I shall describe a few of the
most desirable kinds, and the method of management by
which 1 have grown them to great perfection.

Fragrans. — A beautiful pink, and highly odoriferous.

Paiiicidatum and squamdtiiin are bright scarlet.

Macrophylhim and sinuata are pure white ; the latter is
very fragrant.

Scandens. — A pretty climber, finely adapted for the green-
houses of this country. The stem and branches of this spe-
cies are nearly quadrangular, and slightly pubescent; leaves
in pairs somewhat downy ; flowers are borne abundantly in
corymbs which spring from the axils of the leaves; the blos-
soms are white, and tinged with purple. It produces flowers
abundantly in winter. This is a most valuable species, and
should be in every collection of greenhouse plants.

Capiidta. — This is a truly noble flowering plant. It forms
a handsome bush, with obtusely tetragonous branches, and
large, dark green leaves. The young leaves are subovate ;
the larger ones oblong and acuminate, covered with ferru-
ginous or brown hairs, bearing, on terminal peduncles, a
dense head of purely white blossoms, and delightfully fra-
grant. This species has the merit of flowering when very
small, and remains a long time in bloom.

Bethunidna. — This is, perhaps, the most beautiful of all
these beautiful plants. It is a native of Borneo, and was im-
ported from thence into England a few years ago. It grows
to the height of ten or twelve feet, bearing, at the point of
every branch, a large spike of rich crimson-colored flowers.
The spike itself is frequently three feet in height, and seldom
under two, forming with its bracts, which are also crim-
son, a magnificent pyramid of bloom, each blossom being re-
lieved by the delicate white centre of long protruding stam-
ens. The foliage is also fine, being heart-shaped, dark,
dense, and of elegant appearance. This is by far the noblest
plant I ever saw, and, when in flower, is worth a day's jour-
ney to see.

256 On the. Culture of the Clerodejidro?i.

On receiving young plants from a nursery, they will be
generally in very small pots, with their roots cramped into a
firm mass. The best time to transport these plants is before
they have begun to grow. Otherwise, it is difficult to pack
them without breaking their leaves, which, when young, are
brittle and tender. When ordered in the spring, they will
generally be received in a growing state. If in a six inch
pot, it should be shifted into one double the size ; the roots
carefully spread out among the fresh soil. They luxuriate
in a compost consisting of two parts decayed turves, one part
fibrous peat, and one part well-rotted cow dung. Let the
whole be well incorporated together, and use only the rough
lumpy portions. The fleshy roots of these plants delight to
ramify in open lumpy soil, where the air has free access to
them. The pots should be drained with charcoal, and lumps
of the same material liberally intermixed with the soil. The
leaves of these plants appear to possess an extraordinary
power of decomposing carbonic acid, which is evident by the
great power that the roots possess of absorbing carbonaceous
matter from the soil. I am of opinion that the clerodendron
possesses this decomposing power in a greater degree than
any other plant with which I am acquainted. I have tried
to grow the C. sinuata in charcoal alone, liberally watered.
Its leaves were a very dark green, but its flowers were small
and dingy-colored. It grew beautifully in equal parts of
charcoal and loam. But the compost I have named is most
suitable to all the species. When potted, introduce them into
a temperature of about 60^ ; a small pit or cucumber frame
is a good place for them while they are small enough to find
head-room. In a fortnight or three weeks, they will require
another shift, and on successively, as the roots reach the side
of the pot, from nine inch to sixteen, and finally into eighteen
inch pots in which they will flower. In the early part of
spring, they should be aired and watered very carefully,
the latter applied always in the morning, and warmed to
about 70°. This is of more importance to growing plants in
winter than is generally supposed. As the season advances,
both may be supplied more liberally. They delight in a hu-
mid atmosphere, and shaded from the hot sun. They should
be syringed morning and evening with diluted charcoal wa-

On the Culture of the Daphne Odor a. 257

ter. About the beginning of July, they will be about five or
six feet high, and coming into bloom. They may then be
placed in the greenhouse or conservatory, where they will
continue in flower for a long time.

When the plants are done flowering, they may be taken
from the greenhouse, and placed in any airy situation to ripen
their wood. When cold weather sets in, keep them dry and
free from frost until they show signs of starting into growth.

As soon as the buds begin to swell, they must be repotted.
Shake the old soil clean away from the roots ; cut the stems
down to within six or eight inches of the root ; put them in
pots as small as you can get the roots in without chafing
them ; place them in a gentle bottom heat, if you have it ; if
not, place them in a warm part of the greenhouse, and treat
them as before recommended. It must be borne in mind, that
these plants should always be repotted before they start into
growth, but they ought to be cut down a fortnight before you
wish to pot them. Clerodendronsare easily propagated either
by seeds or cuttings ; the latter method is generally adopted,
as some of the species are shy in producing seeds. Cuttings
of the old wood, after the plant is cut down for spring pot-
ting, will root freely, but cuttings from the young wood make
the best plants. They will strike quickly in a bottom heat ;
when they are rooted, pot them off", and treat them as old
plants.

New Haven, April 30^^, 1849.

Art. V. On the Culture of the Daphne Odora. From the
Gardener'' s Chronicle. With Remarks by the Editor.

Few plants have more attractive qualities than the Ddph-
ne odora. Beautiful in its foliage, and deliciously fragrant
in its pretty umbels of white flowers, — blooming, too, at a
season when there are but few such flowering plants, it has
unusual claims upon the care and attention of the amateur
cultivator. Like many other plants, it is of simple manage-
ment when once its habits are well known. Yet it is not
often seen in very good condition, and this neglect in its cul-

VOL. XV. — NO. VI. 33

258 On the Culture of the Daphne Odor a.

ture has contributed to render it less sought after than many-
other less beautiful plants. Our correspondent, Mr. J. W.
Russel, who was a most successful grower of the daphne,
contributed an article in our first volume, (I, p. 296,) upon
its cultivation : but so long a time has elapsed, and as many
of our present readers may have never read his excellent
paper, we copy with pleasure the following article from the
Gardener s Clironicle^ being more full and complete than
any thing we have lately read upon the same subject. With
good judgment, no amateur cultivator can fail to raise fine
specimens of this fragrant and popular plant. — Ed.

" The great anxiety manifested nowadays for the possess-
ion of plants that are called new is, I fear, producing, in
many instances, the effect of pushing aside some of our old
plants, with which very many of the new ones are not to be
compared. Without affecting to despise novelties, or to be
indifferent to subjects of the most recent introduction, I am
anxious to call attention to some old and valuable, but com-
paratively neglected plants.

One of this description, I believe, is the Daphne odora,
whose claims on our notice, in point of usefulness, are per-
haps second to none. Flowering at a time when flowers are
so much wanted to enliven our conservatories, or for decorat-
ing the drawing-room, renders a good stock of it a great ac-
quisition. I am aware that many plants might easily be
enumerated, with whose gaudy appearance this is not to be
set in competition ; but, among all the winter flowering plants
with which I am acquainted, I could not point out another
that would more amply repay the labors of the cultivator.
And yet, if you go into any place where the introduction of
new plants is much attended to, the chances are you do not
see it at all ; and. if you do, instead of it occupying the prom-
inent place it deserves, you will generally find it pushed into
some out of the way corner of the greenhouse, as if it were
an object totally unworthy of our care or attention. In such
situations, its appearance is just what might be expected from
such unkind treatment — a few sickly-looking leaves on the
top of long straggling branches, and looking altogether as if it
would say, " Give me air or I shall die " But under the in-
fluence of more generous treatment, how difierent its aspect —

On the Culture of the Daphne Odora. 259

round bushy plants, with branches covered with fohage of a
healthy dark green, and exhibiting fine trusses of highly fra-
grant flowers during the most dreary part of the year, from
the end of October till the middle of February ; and, be it re-
membered, without any forcing, except the protection aflTord-
ed by a cool greenhouse.

To those who would encourage the cultivation of this fine
old plant, I would (in the absence of any thing better,) rec-
ommend the following simple mode of management as hav-
ing succeeded tolerably well at this place. As soon as the
plants have done flowering, remove them to a cold pit. Yine-
ry not at work, greenhouse, or any other structure, where
they can be placed in such a manner that they shall not be
shaded or crowded by taller plants. In general, those which
have been standing in the drawing-room will have suffered,
in some degree, from the dry close atmosphere ; more espe-
cially if they have been allowed to remain there for any length
of time after having done flowering, because, at that time,
they commence growing, and the young shoots, from want
of light and air, will be drawn up weak and long-jointed.
This ought to be prevented by removing them before all the
flowers have quite fallen off". If the plants were properly
attended to the previous summer, and the points of the shoots
pinched out where the plant wanted filling up, it is not ad-
visable, at this period, to resort to pruning or cutting back; as
young shoots spring in abundance immediately below where
the flowers were produced, and always flower much better
than shoots out of older wood. But, in special cases, when
plants have, from neglect, been allowed to run up with naked
stems, cutting them down to within six inches of the pot is,
perhaps, the best way of reclaiming them. As this Daphne
does not make very large roots, it has, therefore, the very de-
sirable property of being capable of thriving in pots compar-
atively small for the size of the plant. Yet it is necessary,
about the end of March or beginning of April, to ascertain if
any of them require shifting, which, if properly executed, will
be quite sufficient till the next spring. Old plants, however,
which it is not desirable to increase much in size, will do
well for two, and sometimes three years, without shifting.
The soil I have found to suit them best is a mixture of light

260 On the CuUure of the Daphne Odora.

turfy loam, sandy peat, and well decomposed leaf-mould, in
about equal quantities, together with what is indispensable
to success under any circumstances — a thorough drainage,
to ensure a free passage for the escape of superfluous water.

After having been shifted and arranged, it will be better to
keep them for a short time a little closer than usual, till the
roots begin to lay hold of the fresh soil ; and most particu-
larly to guard against over-watering, till the roots have found
their way to the sides of the pots, otherwise the soil will be-
come sodden, and the roots perish in consequence. As a gen-
eral rule at this stage, no more water ought to be given than
just sufficient to keep the plants from flagging. They will
nevertheless be very much assisted by being gently syringed
mornings and evenings. About the end of May or beginning
of June, the plants which were shifted in the spring may be
supposed to be again well established in their pots, and grow-
ing freely ; if so, occasional waterings of weak liquid manure
will very much encourage a healthy action, and enable them
to form large trusses of flowers in autumn. But to old plants,
with their pots pretty full of roots, liquid manure may be ap-
plied with advantage from the time they commence growing.
Or what answers a very good purpose is, a good mulching of
half decomposed cow or sheep's dung, through which all the
water applied to the plants must pass, and consequently car-
rying with it a certain portion of the fertilizing properties of
the dung to the roots ; and, by preventing evaporation in some
degree, will so much encourage the roots nearest the surface,
that the dung, at the end of a few weeks, will generally be
found matted by them.

A practice prevails with some gardeners of placing their
Daphnes out of doors, with other greenhouse plants, during
summer. But. unless the means be at hand of protecting
them from the direct rays of the sun on the hottest days of
summer, and heavy drenching rains in autumn, no advantage
will be gained by adopting such a course: as they will be
found to succeed much better in a pit, where shading can be
easily applied when necessary, taking the lights off" in the
evening to give the plants the benefit of the night dews, and
putting them on again in the morning, before the sun gets too
powerful; admitting plenty of air during the day, to make
the plants stiff" and short-jointed.

On the Culture of the Daphne Odora. 261

If, in hot dry weather, red spider should make its appear-
ance upon the leaves, let them be well syringed with clean
water, applied with considerable force early in the afternoon ;
shutting them up close for the night, to keep a moist atmos-
phere about them; repeating the operation for several days
in succession, and that pest will soon disappear.

By a little attention in summer, their flowering season
may be very much prolonged. This is to be effected by set-
ting aside some plants, and giving them only a partial sup-
ply of water for about six weeks, which will check rapid
growth, promote the ripening process, and act on them, in
some measure, as a season of rest. Then induce them, by
giving copious waterings of weak liquid manure, to make an-
other growth in autumn, thereby causing their flowering
points to be formed at a much later period than they other-
wise would have been. Plants treated in this way will not
commence flowering generally till some time in January, in-
stead of the usual season, November.

The Daphne odora is easily propagated by cuttings in Feb-
ruary, planted in sandy peat, and placed in a gentle bottom
heat, with a close, humid atmosphere. The cuttings 1 have
found to make the best plants are the tops of last year's shoots
which have flowered during the winter; allowing that por-
tion where the truss of flowers had dropt from to remain on
the top of the cutting, which, from the number of buds formed
close together around that place, will generally break from
three to six young shoots ; thereby laying the foundation of a
fine, handsome, bushy plant. Good plants may also be ob-
tained by grafting on the Spurge Laurel, (Daphne Laureola,)
and placing them, till a union takes place, in a similar situ-
ation to that recommended for cuttings.

If any remark I have made in this paper be the means, in
the most remote degree, of drawing the attention of those who
have the convenience at command of doing justice to this
neglected plant, my object will be fully accomplished. Plant-
ed out in the border of a conservatory, orangery, or camellia
house, it would be quite at home, and be an object of consid-
erable interest during the whole winter ; and prove invalua-
ble to those who require nosegays at that dull season."

262 Descriptions of New Verbenas.

Art. VI. Descriptions of Ten Neiv Verbenas. By the Editor.

Last year, in describing several new verbenas, (XIV. p.
220,) we made some remarks relative to the growth of seed-
ling varieties, and stated that we had but little doubt, now
that bi-colored flowers had been produced, we might, ere
long, look for spotted and striped sorts of great beauty. This
has already nearly been accomplished. We saw, in a bed of
seedlings in the nursery of Messrs. Ellwauger &. Barry, Roch-
ester, N. Y., last autumn, some very pretty varieties, one of
which was a tolerably distinct stripe. If the plants were saved,
and seeds selected from them the present season, we do not
doubt the next progeny would be some very distinctly varie-
gated flowers. Continual sowing is the only way to arrive
at great results, and this, we trust, every lover of this
most brilliant flower will not fail to do.

We now have the pleasure of describing several of the
most beautiful seedlings of last year : —

1. General Taylor. (Barry's.) Flowers medium size,
lilac rose, beautifully edged and shaded with violet : petals
rather undulated : umbels medium size and full : habit sim-
ilar to Gem : foliage small, dark green. A decidedly new
and unique variety.

2. Harlequin, (Barry's.) Flowers medium size, creamy
blush, mottled with bright rose : petals, somewhat wavy : um-
bels good size, rather flat : habit moderately vigorous : foliage
slightly pubescent. Very pretty.

3. Apollo, (Hovey's.) Flowers large, rich deep vivid car-
mine rose, with a large pale eye : petals flat, and of good sub-
stance : umbels large, rather flat : habit moderately vigorous :
foliage good. This is one of the most brilliant crimson ver-
benas we have ever seen.

4. Louise, (Hovey's.) Flowers medium size, deep glow-
ing cherry color : petals flat, and well formed : umbels me-
dium size, good form : habit moderately vigorous : foliage
good. A very distinct and rich colored variety.

5. Chameleon, (Hovey's.) Flowers medium size, bright
rose, with crimson eye. changing to pale pink; an umbel of
flowers often having several shades of color from the centre

The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 263

to the circumference : petals flat and well formed : umbels
large, round and full : habit moderately vigorous and good.
This is a very striking and beautiful variety.

6. Eliza, (Hovey's.) Flowers large, of a soft, glossy, and
very deep rosy pink shade : petals large and little reflexed :
umbels large, globular, compact, and finely formed : habit
and foliage excellent. A superb variety.

7. Anne Marie, (Hovey's.) Flowers very large, rosy salm-
on color, shaded with pink; petals large, firm, and little
cupped: umbels very large, rather flat: habit similar to Car-
oline, which it somewhat resembles, but has a more salmon
tint.

8. Sarah, (Hovey's.) Flowers medium size, pale pink,
with a large straw-colored centre : petals medium size, and
slightly crimped at the edges : umbels well formed : habit
good. A distinct and pretty variety, the straw-colored eye
making a delicate contrast of colors.

9. Gracieuse, (Hovey's.) Flowers large, yellowish white :
petals broad and cupped : umbels large, rather flat, and of
good form : habit vigorous : foliage good. A large and fine
showy white variety, of which we as yet have so iev^ good
ones.

10. Celestine, (Barry's.) Flowers medium size, clear lav-
ender blue, with radiating veins from the eye, which gives
them a striped appearance : umbels rather compact and well
formed : habit moderately vigorous : foliage broad and hand-
some. This is a very fine addition to the blue tinted verbe-
nas.

Art Vn. Remarks on the Cultivation of the Fuchsia. By
W. Saunders, New Haven, Conn.

So popular has this class of flowers become, that it is al-
most a matter of astonishment to find a collection of plants
without some of them. They are so well known to every
one having the least acquaintance with flowers, that any de-
scription of them is unnecessary ; yet the estimation in which
they are held, their various habits of growth, and the changes

264 The Cultivation of the Fuchsia.

that have taken place in the recognized properties which con-
stitute perfection, have induced me to treat upon them some-
what more largely than their general simplicity of culture
may seem to demand.

The Fuchsia is a native of South America, and, when the
F. coccinea was first introduced into England, some sixty
years ago, it was regarded as a floral wonder. Since then,
there have been several introductions of diflerent species,
among the most conspicuous of which may be mentioned F.
splendens, F. dependens, F. corymbiflora, and, more recent-
ly, F. serratifolia ; from these the many hundred varieties
and indistinct subvarieties which now exist have been ob-
tained by hybridization.

In the culture of this plant, the habit and general tendency
of growth of the shoot ought to be studied ; many of the re-
cently introduced varieties have derived their principal value
from their habit of growth ; while many of the best flowering
varieties have very indifferent habits. Much can be done,
in cultivation, to improve their habit and appearance ; some
of them are of an upright, strong, gross habit ; while others
assume a graceful pendant form. In general, the former
kinds require to be limited in pot room, and frequently topped
when growing ; while the others are shown to greatest ad-
vantage by training a single erect stem, and allowing the
side branches to hang gracefully down, pinching the point
out of any over-luxuriant shoot, cutting out all confused
branches, and otherwise forming a fine, symmetrical plant,
well furnished with foliage from the top to the surface of the
soil.

The majority of fuchsias ripen seed freely ; but, unless they
are hybridized, it is almost waste of time to sow it, for the
flowers so produced are seldom equal, and more frequently
inferior, to the parent plant. The operation of fertilizing is
easily performed on the fuchsia, the pistil being prominent,
and the pollen plentiful. In selecting plants for hybridizing,
it is necessary to bear in mind that those bearing the seed
will communicate their habits to the seedlings, although the
plants from which the pollen is taken may be of indifferent
habits, provided the flowers have good properties. Having
selected the flowers intended to be fertilized, cut out their

The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 265

stamens as soon as they open, and, when they are fully ex-
panded, apply the pollen from their flowers, the properties of
which you wish to impart : tie something round them to dis-
tinguish them from the others, and, when they are ripe, the
seeds may be separated from the pulp by washing them out
in clear water ; the good seed will sink to the bottom.

The seeds may be sown any time in the early part of spring,
in a pot of light soil, and placed in a greenhouse ; they do not
require much heat to vegetate them ; at least I have found
them come up quite as well, if not better, without it, and the
plants so produced are much stronger than those raised in a
higher temperature. As soon as they are of size to handle
nicely, pot them singly in small pots, and place them in a
light airy situation ; if they are grown in a close atmosphere,
it tends to draw them out weak and lanky, so that the true
habit of the plant is not seen ; shift them into larger pots
when necessary; a four or six inch pot will be large enough,
as large shifts only tend to keep them growing, and retard
their flowering; they should never be topped or pruned until
they flower. The principal object is to mature their growth
quickly, so that the flowers may be seen as soon as possible.
Many of them will bloom the same season; after they have
done growing, and the foliage drops off, they should be spar-
ingly watered, and be kept almost dry all winter. The fol-
lowing spring, water them freely, and, when they show signs
of growth, place them where they will have plenty of air and
light, but do not shift them until they flower for reasons be-
fore mentioned. I prefer flowering seedlings out of doors,
after all danger of frost is past, as I have invariably found
that the colors come brighter and more distinct than when
kept in the house. It is desirable, however, to choose a sit-
uation where they will be somewhat shaded from the sun in
the hottest part of the day.

The fuchsia is not very particular as to soil ; any good gar-
den mould will suit the plants well enough, provided it is of
a free porous texture, and the pots well drained. Many of
the strong growing sorts are frequently destroyed by being
put into large pots in a rich soil. This is often the reason
why serratifolia, fulgens, corymbiflora, and some of these sorts
are shy in flowering. I once potted two plants of serratifolia,

VOL. XV. — NO. VI. 34

266 The Cultivation of the Fuchsia.

the one in rich turfy loam and dung, the other in a poor worn-
out soil, mixed with a few pieces of broken bricks ; the conse-
quence was, that the former grew most luxuriantly, and
showed no flowers at all till late in the fall, whereas the other
made a very short growth, and flowered profusely the greater
part of the season. The less robust varieties, such as Ve-
nus victrix, globosa, &c. do better when planted in good
loam, with about a third part of well decomposed ma-
nure.

Cuttings of all the varieties root so readily, that it is un-
necessary to enter into any detail concerning their propaga-
tion by this means, further than to remark that, when young,
they should not be allowed to flower. This, they are very
apt to do, even in the cutting pot. All such blooms should
be picked off on their first appearance.

There is little difficulty in growing large specimens of the
fuchsia. Old plants should be pruned back to within two or
three joints immediately after they have completed their
growth in the fall ; they need but little further care all win-
ter ; they should be kept from frost, and get very little, if any,
water. I generally make a practice of keeping them under
the stage in the greenhouse, where I find they require no
water at all until I wish them to grow in the spring. I then
give a liberal supply, and, after they show signs of growth,
turn them out of the pots, and shake the greater part of the
old soil away from the roots, repotting them in fresh soil, in
about the same sized pots, and watering carefully until they
make fresh roots. I have tried them in all temperatures, and
I find that the most handsome and most profuse flowering
plants are those grown in a common greenhouse, where air is
liberally admitted on all favorable opportunities. Larger
plants can be produced when grown in a warm, close, moist
atmosphere; but I fear little contradiction in saying that,
with regard to flowering plants in general, beauty is a qual-
ity to be appreciated before size. When the pots are filled
with roots, they may get another shift, and pinch the points
out of all the shoots. They will thus make large plants, al-
though they will be later in flowering.

Corymbiflora does well when planted out of doors in sum-
mer in a poor soil, where it will have plenty of room to dis-

The Cultivation of the Fuchsia. 267

play its beautiful large corymbs of flowers. Indeed, on ac-
count of its strong, uncouth habit, it is rather a coarse sub-
ject for a greenhouse under any circumstances.

From the immense influx of seedlings of late, much con-
troversy has arisen, regarding the proper form of the flower,
and the nature of its colors. This, no doubt, partly arises
from the very natural partiality growers generally entertain
for seedlings of their own raising; but, as some standard of
criterion is requisite for the judgment of this important class
of plants, I have taken the liberty of noting down those prop-
erties which are generally recognized by the most celebrated
growers in Europe.

Properties of a good Fuchsia.

The Plant. — " The habit of a fuchsia is a very important
characteristic. Those that are of a lanky growth, having
long joints, and their leaves distant, are objectionable. The
plant should be naturally dwarf, of slow growth, and of
bushy habit, short-jointed, with dark green leaves of good
texture. With such a habit, they will, under any treatment,
make handsome plants."

The Flower. — " The footstalk should be long enough to
let the tube hang below the leaves, so as to be fully dis-
played to view, and that the flowers may hang clear of the
foliage."

" The flowers should come out at the base of every leaf.
This is one of the best properties of a fuchsia, and one of the
least attended to.

" The form of the flower-buds before they expand ought
to be perfectly globular, because that is the most beautiful
form before opening, and gives the greatest expansion of
sepals when open.

" The corolla and calyx should be perfectly distinct in
color : the greater the contrast between these the better : when
both are of the same color, it is worthless : whatever be the
colors, they ought to be striking and distinct.

" The tube should be short and the neck small, so as to be
almost hidden by the reflection of the calyx.

" The sepals of the calyx should be completely reflexed,
so as to form almost a globe over the tube when the flower

268 Floriciiltural and Botanical Notices.

is fully expanded, showing the inner surface of the sepals,
and the whole of the corolla, which is the richest portion of
the flower.

"The corolla should be large and quite round, smooth at
the edges, and open at the mouth, showing both their inner
and outer surface : the petals should lie close over each other,
be of good substance, and should fall at least half an inch
below the calyx.

" The stamens should hang conspicuously below the corolla,
and the pistil below them."

Notwithstanding the immense number of varieties at pres-
ent grown, it is very questionable if any one possess all these
properties combined. Many of them, however, possess them
individually, and, from the natural aptitude of the fuchsia
for hybridizing, I think we have no reason to despair of see-
ing them arrive at that state of perfection that one variety
will possess all the properties here enumerated.

Although it is now almost discarded, or at least not gen-
erally cultivated, there is no one that can claim so many of
these properties as the good old F. globosa ; but, as is often
the case, it is thrown in the back ground to make room for
others that have been introduced with a high-sounding name,
a fine, readable description, and — nothing else.

New Haven, May 2Sth, 1849.

Art. VIII. Floriciiltural and Botanical Notices of New atid
Beautifid Platits figured in Foreign Periodicals ; iviih
DescriptioJis of those recently introduced to, or originated in
American Gardens.

The Rhododendrons of Sikkamhimalaya.- — In another page
of the present number, we have copied some account of these
splendid Rhododendrons, of which a magnificent work has
recently been published by Sir W. J. Hooker. As many
of them will undoubtedly be introduced, and as every lover
of this fine tribe must feel interested in the introduction of
these new kinds, we copy the following brief descriptions of

FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. 269

the species figured and described in Dr. Hooker's volume.
They are as follows ; —

"Rhododendron Dalhousise is epiphytal, growing upon
the oak, the magnolia, &c., at an altitude of 7,000 to 9,000
feet, of a light color.

R. barbatum grows to the height of 40 to 60 feet, is found
at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and may be described as of a
deep crimson or blood color, pronounced one of the finest of
the Himalayan species, and is said to have stood the winter
unprotected in Messrs. Dickson's nursery, Chester.

R. lancifolium. This attains the height of 6 to 8 feet.
This is closely allied to R. barbatum in color and foliage, but
smaller in all its parts.

R. Wallichii is a shrub attaining the height of 10
feet. The leaves and flowers of this resemble the R. ponti-
cum.

R. Campbellise. This grows to the height of 40 feet, at an
altitude of 10,000 feet. This is a near approach to the R.
arboreum in habit and color of the flowers, which are in
compact clusters ; the leaves are small lanceolate, and cov-
ered with a light ferruginous substance underneath.

R. Raylii. This is described as a small shrub, and, though
much smaller, the habit and appearance of the foliage would
seem to be nearly allied to R. campanulatum. The flowers
are of a brick red color, and something larger than those of
R. hirsutum.

R. cinnabarinum, said to be still smaller than the last, and
one of the most distinct as a species, and remarkable for the
reticulated character of the leaves, both above and beneath.
The flowers are very small and of a red color.

R. elgeagnoides, found not in flower, and at an elevation of
10 to 15,000 feet.

R. argenteum. This is a magnificent object, with large
light green foliage, scaly buds, and large handsome white
flowers.

R. Falconeri. This ^s remarkable for its large ova^ ■bliage,
reticulated underneath with a compact lathe. L-mal) head of
not very large flowers, of a white color. We nave in the
preceding remarks noticed at some length both this and the
former."

270 Floriculiwal ajid Botanical Notices.

Dr. Lindley, in a notice of these Rhododendrons, makes
the following remarks : —

" Dr. Hooker, whose beautiful book on Indian Rhododen-
drons has led us to make this remark, describes the climate
which they affect as being warm and damp, with mild win-
ters. " A certain degree of winter-cold and perpetual humid-
ity is necessary ; but the summer heat is quite tropical where
some of the genus prevail, and snow rarely falls, and never
rests, on several of those peculiar to Sikkim." This will
serve to guide the cultivator who may be inclined to try the
experiment. We, however, anticipate that these epiphytes
will grow better in earth, treated in the usual manner, than
when struggling with the difficulties of an vmeasy position
on the bark of trees ; for other epiphytes evidently prefer a
more agreeable residence, and appear to confirm the justice of
the opinion expressed by the late Dean Herbert, that the nat-
ural habitats of plants do not necessarily prove that they pre-
fer them; natural locahties only show that plants will grow
there, although others may not be able. In other words, he
did not believe that a plant which shoots from an old wall
does so because it prefers old walls, but because it is capable
of existing in such places ; therefore it would be healthier and
better if placed upon the ground.

The book which has led us to this question is a most beau-
tiful example of fine drawing and skilful coloring, and the
letter-press furnished by its talented author possesses very
high interest. Of the species of rhododendron which he has
found in his adventurous journey beyond the mountains of
northern India, some are quite unrivalled in magnificence of
appearance. R. Dalhousica has huge white flowers tinged
with pink, each blossom forming a bell as much as four and
a half inches long, and not less across the mouth ; they are,
moreover, sweet-scented, having the perfume of the lemon.
R. Falconeri has close heads of pure white flowers, and enor-
mous leaves netted on the underside with coarse green veins
on a brown ground. R. Argenteum is only inferior to Dal-
housics, in its flowers, which are pure white, and seems to be
far handsomer in its foliage, which is that of the broad-leaved
laurel, but much larger, and silvery white beneath ; they are
described as being from six inches to a foot long, and three

FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. 271

to five inches broad, and, when young, to be enveloped " in
large scales, so closely imbricated and so large as to resemble
the cones of some species of pine." What a brood-rhodo-
dendron this would be ! Of the others, which are less hand-
some, many are fine things, but not remarkable. R. lanci-
folium seems to be nothing but R. Barhatum without its
beard, the latter being, as was remarked by a gentleman well
acquainted with such subjects, to all appearance, a " mossy"
state of the former. R. CampbellirB and Wallichii are also
fine things, with deep rose-colored flowers, but too much like
the rose-colored R. Arboreiim. The remainder are small
mountain species in the way oi R.ferriigineiim and hirsiitum.

Upon the whole, it is a marvellous lot of novelties to have
been gathered out of one Indian province, and we recommend
the district to the nurseryman. Whoever could bring home
plenty of seeds of these things would require no better foun-
dation of a little fortune."

The Funebral Cyjiress^ a new Evergreen Tree. — This is
the name of a new evergreen tree, hardy in England, and
probably hardy in our climate. It has very recently been
introduced, and we copy the following account of it from the
Gardener^s Chronicle. Should it prove hardy, it will be one
of the greatest acquisitions to our evergreen trees. It will
be noticed that it comes from the mountainous districts of
Chinese Tartary, in latitude 41° 58' N. where the climate is
full as severe as in the same parallel of this continent, and,
as the tree peonies, wistarias, and other shrubs from the
same region are perfectly hardy, there can be but little doubt
the Funebral Cypress will prove to be so.

"The introduction of a new hardy evergreen tree into this
country is an event that is seldom noticed at first in the
manner it deserves. This arises from our being in general
imperfectly acquainted with the history of such plants ; and
the result is most'unfortunate, for, till experiment has decided
whether such a plant is hardy or not, nobody knows what to
think or dO' — the seedlings are neglected, put aside, or ruined
by being cramped in pots, and, at last, when their value is
discovered, the race has become almost extinct, and the con-
stitution of the survivors is, for the most part, ruined beyond
recovery. This has most especially been the history of Coni-
fers ; and Cryptomeria is a striking example of the practice.

272 Florlcultwal and Botanical Notices.

Of this fine species, thousands of seedlings were distributed
by the Horticuhural Society, and where are they now ? The
greater part have perished, because the public was unac-
quainted with the vahie of so beautiful an evergreen. There
was no certainty that it was hardy, and now, that experience
has shown that our winters will no more touch it than they
will a Spruce Fir, the old stock is gone and fresh supplies
must be sought in China. It was the same with the Arau-
caria of Chili, with the Deodar, and with many others.

Au acquisition of the highest interest, lately received by
Mr. Standish, of the Bagshot Nursery, will undergo the same
fate, unless the history of it, and the certainty of its being
still more hardy than Cryptomeria, shall be pointed out, so
as to leave no room for misapprehension. We allude to the
Funebral Cypress.

This plant was first mentioned in Lord Macartney's
Voyage as growing in a place called ' the Vale of Tombs,
near the tower of the thundering winds,' in the province of
Zhe-hol ; which is a mountainous district, lying in latitude
41° 58' N., in Chinese Tartary, and has a far more rigorous
climate than is ever known in England. The plants found
in this province consist of hardy northern forms, oaks, elms,
ashes, willows, pines, elders, sophora japonica, together with
herbs of northern habits, calculated to bear severe frost, such
as asters, paeonies, Solomon's seal, pinks, &c. In the fore-
ground of the landscape representing ' the Vale of Tombs' is a
specimen of Funebral Cypress, much resembling a weeping wil-
low ; and the weeping tree, so commonly represented in Chinese
paper-hangings and porcelain, is evidently the same species.

The seedlings in the Bagshot Nursery were raised from
cones lately procured by Mr. Fortune, while at Shanghae,
from a place 200 miles to the north of that port. We have
also received a dried specimen of it, which enables us to say
that it must be a plant of the greatest beauty. It may be
best described as a tree like the weeping willow in growth,
with the foliage of the savin, but of a brighter green ; it is,
however, not a juniper, as the savin is, but a genuine cypress.
It has long been a subject of regret that the Italian cypress
cannot be made to endure our climate, and to decorate our
burial-places; but we have now a finer tree, still better
adapted for the purpose."

General Notices. 273

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. 1. General Notices.

Raising Annuals. — The following is, perhaps, the most economical mode
of raising annuals, with regard to certainty, and ultimate effect. Before
proceeding, however, to detail the system, I feel induced to offer a few re-
marks on the general character and expression of annuals as objects of
decoration, either in the parterre or for the unassuming flower border.
Our present mode of clumping, as it is termed, has had the effect of forc-
ing many of these interesting things into other and less legitimate situa-
tions in the garden. Thus, in later years, we find whole lines of Clarkias,
Collinsias, Chryseis, and other gaudy annuals, occupying marginal bor-
ders, the facing of slips, or long promenades. These things certainly, in a
hot summer's day, when all of a glare, take one by surprise; but, although
they serve to astonish, they do not permanently please. The banishment
of annuals from the parterre, however, has not been caused entirely by the
clumping system ; it has, in part, arisen from their too often unsatisfactory
character in such a situation. If a wet summer supervene, the annuals are
smothered with gross leaves, which give them a weedy appearance, the
soil in which they are grown in general being by far too rich. They,
moreover, spread so widely, that all become confused, and high keeping is
at an end, unless the pruning-knife be applied, and then adieu to the beau-
ties of the annuals.

I would not here insist that annuals should, by any means, be allowed to
supplant the lovely Verbena, the Pelargonium, Petunia, the Antirrhinum,
&c. ; the question is, whether they can be made to combine with them, or
whether any other situation can be found for them. As to a combination
with our half-hardy bedding plants, the only thing on the face of the mat-
ter which offers any impediment, is the fleeting character of many of our
annuals, together with their unruly habit of growth, as before named. By
the plan I am about to propose, it will be seen that the first of these diffi-
culties is readily overcome, merely by the ease, economy, and certainty
with which successions can be produced and removed at any given period,
so that, like " dissolving views," when the eye has been satiated with one
picture, another and another may spring up in its room ; and all this during
one short summer. The second difficulty is removed by the very same
mode, without any further concern ; by the course I shall describe, the an-
nuals will all be compact in growth, be the season what it may.

For beds of mixed character, which are in their very nature changeable,
on account of the blanks caused in early summer by the decay of our most
precocious floral beauties, the plan will be found eligible, and also for the
mere flower border. The plan is simply using squares of turf from a very
old pasture, representing, when in use, a small garden pot, but with this
difference, that there is small expense in their making, less still in their
carriage, and three distinct sowings at proper periods will provide against
VOL. XV. — NO. VI. 35

274 General Notices.

blanks in the most extensive garden in Britain, to say nothing about their
adaptation to a regular bedding system.

The first matter of import is to procure turves three inches thick, from
any rest land which possesses a strong and tough sward or turf. I need
scarcely point to very old pastures. I have, however, seen turf cut from
common lands, nay, from country lanes, which was not to be excelled for
the purpose. Having procured a lot of these in the early part of Febru-
ary, the next thing is to wait for bad weather, and, during such, without
hindrance to other business, the little turf pots, as I must call them, may be
cut off by hundreds in the course of a few hours by a man or two, who,
not only can, but will work. It is best to place a level and strong board on
the floor of the shed where the operation is performed ; on this the turves
may be cut with facility. Four inches square would seem to be the most
eligible size of all others for the purpose ; and if the turves have been cut
one yard in length, by one foot in width, each turf will of course make
twenty-seven of these little squares. This done, the next thing is to cut
little hollows in the centre of each ; these are scooped out with great ease
with the point of an old knife ; care must be taken, in this part of the oper-
ation, to leave an edge or bordering intact ; such will constitute the rim,
and will serve to retain the necessary amount of water.

The next point is to subject them to as strong a heat, either moist or dry,
as will at once destroy not only all the vegetation which may exist, but also
insects and their eggs. This is the only really tedious part of the process ;
we, however, find no difficulty worthy of consideration ; for, during bad
weather, we have recourse to one of Burbidge and Healy's boilers, which
heats our Orchid house. Close to the shed which contains this, and as
close to a permanent supply of water, we have established our depot; here
the turf pots are placed when sown, in order to chime in witli a system of
watering which exists in that position ; and where of course no neglect can
take place.

Our boiler has a tap in the bottom for clearing out the pipes, being at the
lowest level ; and from this tap we can draw water heated to nearly 200°.
Placing a large tub then beneath this tap, we three parts fill it with the cut
turf pots, for so we must now call them. The tap is then turned on to
them, and when the tub is full, the tap is graduated, so as to run away
slightly, and in fact just enough to keep the water in the tub hot enough to
destroy vegetation, the surplus water of course running over slightly, es-
caping by the stoke-hole drain close at hand. Our rude turf pots remain
in for half an hour, and then give place to another lot, and so on.

I must now, before concluding, advert to one more most essential part of
the plan, and which omitted, success would be rather problematical. This
is a plot of ground so contrived as to bid defiance to slugs and snails. I
have got some beds prepared by making an excavation of six inches, and
then filling the hollow with clean cinder ashes. On these the slugs will
not travel ; but, in order to prevent all possibility of their doing so, I water
the whole ash-bed, when completed, with the scalding water before alluded
to, infusing as much salt in the water as it will carry previous.

General Notices. 275

The turves thus prepared, nothing more is necessary but to insert a pinch
of seed in each, at the proper period, and to cover with a little soil, then to
give the whole a watering, in order to close the soil about the seeds. The
times of sowing must of course be regulated by the period during which
they are required to be in blossom. If the proprietor is at home most of
the summer and autumn, three distinct sowings should be made. One in
the middle of March, a second the middle of April, and a third the middle
of May. With such a provision, there need be no fear of a single blank
in the parterre or flower borders, provided enough of the turf pots are em-
ployed.

Many of the dressy things of the May sowing, if removed to a cool as-
pect just before they blossom, will become so retarded as to be of much
service in October for decorating the shelves of the greenhouse. They
will be found to have rooted slightly through the turves, and may be taken
up and inserted in small pots, filling round with a little soil ; such, on a
light shelf, will blossom for many weeks, and thus assist in filling up that
hiatus which always occurs in October and November ; when chilling
storms have made the flower garden desolate. For the latter purpose, I
would recommend the following especially, Collinsia bicolor, Clarkia pul'
chella, red and white ; Schizanthus of kinds ; Kaulfussia amelloides ;
Lobelia, the small dwarf blue kinds ; Gilia tricolor, Nemophila atomaria,
Lupinus nanus and Hartwegi ; Mignonette, Leptosiphons. Clintonia pul-
chella, Platystemon californica, dwarf German Asters, Phlox Drummondi,
Schizopetalon Walkeri, Tagetes florida. Campanula Lorei, Gypsophila ele-
gans, &c. These 1 suggest as being of tolerably compact habit, good
blooming properties, and by no means of a common-place character, for in
the introduction of such things to the greenhouse shelves, the latter point
should by all means be studied, in order to meet the eye of refined taste.

In conclusion, I would point to the eligibility of these little turves to the
amateur, to assist in carrying out a system of window gardening; for al-
though such persons will have their Pelargoniums, their Ericas, their Ca-
mellias, Azaleas, and even, as your correspondent " Dodman " suggests,
their Orchids, yet the gaiety of these can scarcely be rendered of a con-
tinuous character; and here how convenient would be a little reserve
ground — a miniature annual garden — where, at any period from May to
December, the proprietor can, before breakfast any morning, bring in half
a dozen of these little turf pots, just emerging into blossom. Such might
either be inserted in a five inch pot, called 48s about town, or they might
merely be laid in an ornamental saucer, and immediately surrounded with
fresh moss, pouring a little water in the saucer. — (^Gardeners'' Chronicle,
1849, p. 260.)

The Rhododendrons of Sihkimhimalaya. — We lately noticed the announce-
ment intimating the intention of Sir William Hooker to publish the Rhodo-
dendrons of Sikkimhimalaya ; being an account, botanical and geographical,
of the Rhododendrons recently discovered in the mountains of Eastern
Himalaya, from drawings and descriptions made on the spot, during a gov-
ernment botanical mission to that country, by Joseph Dalton Hooker, edited

876 General Notices.

by Sir William Hooker, Reeve, Bentham, and Reeve. In the work before
us we have eleven species described, and nine of these are new, R. barba-
tum and R. arboreum being the exceptions. The most remarkable are R.
Dalhonsia;, R. argcnteum, and R. Falconeri. The individual flowers of
R. Dalhousia? measure five inches from the base of the florets to the ex-
tremity, and four inches and a quarter across the mouth. The leaves of R.
argenteum measure eleven inches in length, and upwards of three in breadth.
The leaves of R. Falconeri measure one foot in length and six inches in
breadth. R. barbatum has endured the winter at Chester. It is found at
an altitude of 10,000 feet. This is not always a certain criterion of hardi-
ness ; it is, however, an approximation, and if so, then R. Campbelliae, ar-
genteum, and Falconeri, are all found at 10,000 feet of altitude, and will,
at least, be what is called half-hardy.

Darjeeling, in the Sikkim portion of the Himalaya, is the native country
of the plants figured in the splendid work before us, and is situated in lati-
tude 27 deg. north, and in the longitude of Calcutta, distant from the latter
place 380 miles, and at an altitude of 7,200 feet. The mean temperature
of the year is given at 55 deg. Fahrenheit. The mean temperature of
every month is also given, to which we add, by way of comparison, the
mean of the last eight years for London, viz., 1841 to 1848, inclusive, the
result of observations taken every two hours : —

January,

February,

March,

April,

May,

June,

These columns of figures point to the important fact with which every
gardener is familiar, namely, that spring and not midwinter is the season of
trial, not only to Indian Rhododendrons, but to very many other half-hardy
plants from India, South America, &c. &c. It will be seen that, in Jan-
uary the mean temperature of Darjeeling is but 4 deg. higher than in the
counties of Middlesex and Surrey ; but, in March, we have the unfavorable
difference of 12 deg., and again in Autumn, October for example, our tem-
perature is 10 deg. below that of the " head-quarters" of the Indian Rho-
dodendrons, while, as at midwinter, as we have seen, and at midsummer,
we have the unimportant difl^ercnce against us of 4 and 3 deg. respectively.
Here we have a solution of the cause of our want of success in cultivating
tender plants in the variable climate of Great Britain. Our springs are
late, and cold, and changeable. Even this morning, April 18, the ther-
mometer indicated, in the garden of the Royal Botanic Society in the Re-
gent's Park, 9 deg. of frost, within two or three degrees of being as low as
it has been at any previous time during the past winter. And, again, the
temperature of our autumns differs greatly. October indicates a difference
of 10 degrees against us. Thus we see that, while the winters and the

Darjeeling.

London.

Daijeeling.

London.

deg. sec.

deg. sec.

deg.

sec.

deg. sec.

41 0

37 8

July,

65

0

61 5

43 0

37 1

August,

65

0

61 2

53 50

42 2

September,

61

50

57 0

57 0

47 1

October,

58

50

49 3

59 0

53 6

November,

48

0

44 6

64 0

61 1

December,

44

0

40 0

General Notices. 277

summers of Darjeeling and London differ but 3 or 4 deg., the springs and
autumns show a difference of 10 and 12 deg. This accounts for the ex-
citable nature and early growth of many of our half-hardy Indian plants,
as well as the tendency of many such to grow to a late period in the
autumn.

It is true that plants originally tender will always remain tender, and
while there is but small hope that we can ever accustom these glorious tree
Rhododendrons to forget the earlier and warmer springs and autumns of the
Sikkimhimalaya, and so perform all the necessary functions of growth
within our four or five summer months, instead of extending it, as in India,
over eight or nine, still there are many and good grounds for hope. The
skill of the cultivator has already subordined to his use the valuable proper-
ties of color of the tree Rhododendron of Nepal, and he will assuredly try,
nor is he very likely to fail, to extract, from the tender kinds in question, a
still richer product. The Rhododendron hybridest has already introduced
into the common hardy Rhododendrons the brilliant scarlet of the R. arbo-
reum of Nepal, and by the aid of this one species there is now an entirely
new race of hardy Rhododendrons springing up, which, in a very few years
more, will have done for Rhododendrons what the Garths, the Forsters, the
Catleughs, the Becks, the Gaineses, &c., have done for the Pelargonium.
And all this will be greatly accelerated by the discovery of these new forms
of the genus, some, if not all, of which will soon appear among the living
plants in the collections of this country.

It is remarked in the preface : —

" It does not appear on record by whom the tree Rhododendron was
first introduced into Europe ; probably by Dr. Wallich, about the year
1827."

The editor has here fallen into a slight error ; we have reason to know
that the late Mrs. Beaumont, of Bretton Hall, received from Dr. Wallich,
or at least from Calcutta, seeds of the tree Rhododendron as early as 1815
or 1818, and from which several hundred plants were raised, and in 1824
there were at least forty or fifty plants, forming several beds or plantations
upon the open lawn at that place, protected during winter. In 1824, many
of these plants were from four to five feet in height, and bushy in propor
tion . Among these seedling plants, some had leaves fifteen inches in length ,
and others indicated great variety in the foliage. In reference to this spe-
cies, it is remarked that, on the authority of Major Madden, Sir James Ed-
ward Smith gives the height of the tree at twenty feet, and it is added,
" he might safely have doubled that measurement." Trunks of the tree
Rhododendron have been found to girth fourteen feet, at five feet from the
ground.

" The Rhododendron ponticum, which inhabits the mountains of Asia
Minor, and extends as far west as Spain and Portugal, together with
R. ferrugineum, and R. hirsutum, of the European Alps, R.Dahuricum, of
Silesia, R. chamsecistus, of the Austrian and Piedmontese mountains,
R. maximum, of the United States of America, and the Arctic, R.
Lapponicum, were all kinds known to Linnaeus, and to the botanical world.

278 Domestic Notices.

so recently as 1764. The beautiful R. Chrysanthum, of Northern Siberia,
appeared in Linnceus' Supplement. Gemelin added the R. Katntscliaticum,
from Okotsh, and Behring's Straits, and Pallas the charming R. Caucasi-
cum, from the Caucasian Alps."

We also quote the following graphic sketch of Himalayan scenery : —
" The mountain Sinchul, upon a space of which, looking north, Darjeel-
ing stands, attains an elevation of 9,000 feet, and to the west of it, next
Nepal, rises another conspicuous mountain, Zonglo, reaching a height of
10,000 feet. Due north of Darjeeling, at a distance of only 60 miles, the
horizon is bounded by the great snowy range, having for its principal fea-
ture the peak of Kinchin junga, which has lately been ascertained to be
28,172 feet in elevation, the loftiest mountain yet known in the world."
Dr. Hooker thus describes his first impressions of this scene : —
" Much as I had heard and read of the magnificence and beauty of Hima-
layan scenery, my highest expectations have been surpassed. I arrived at
Darjeeling on a rainy, misty day, which did not allow me to see ten yards
in any direction, much less to descry the snowy range, distant sixty miles,
in a straight line. Early next morning, I caught my first view, and I lit-
erally held my breath in awe and admiration. Six or seven successive
ranges of forest clad mountains, among which the giant peak of Kinchin-
junga rose 20,000 feet above the lofty point at which I gazed ! Owing to
the clearness of the atmosphere, the snow appeared to my fancy but a few
miles off, and the loftiest mountain at only a day's journey. The heaven-
ward outline was projected against a pale blue sky, while little detached
patches of mist clung here and thsre to the highest peaks, and were tinged
with golden yellow, or rosy red, by the rising sun, which touched these
elevated points long ere it reached the lower position which I occupied."

We understand seeds of these magnificent objects of eastern vegetation
are daily expected at Kew. How far and how soon these expectations are
likely to be realized, remains, of course, a matter of doubt; but this doubt
can only refer to time. That seeds of all those to which we now imme-
diately refer will be received, is as certain as if the plants were already
growing on the banks of the Thames ; and not only those alluded to above,
but many others from the same vast continent, not less remarkable for their
novelty and beauty than those now under notice.

Gentlemen and amateurs who are at all interested in the collection and
culture of these splendid shrubs and trees of the eastern world, will be de-
lighted not less with the book itself, and the manner in which it is got up,
than with the interesting matter which it contains. — {Gardeners'' Journal,
1849, p. 243.)

Art. n. Domestic Notices.

Worcester County Horticultural Society. — The annual meeting of this
Society was held on the 19th of April, and the following gentlemen were
unanimously chosen officers for the year ensuing : —
President. — .John Milton Earle, Worcester.

Vice Presidents. — Stephen Salisbury, Wm. Workman, Chas. Thurber.

Domestic Notices. 279

Trustees. — Clarendon Harris, Meltiah B. Green, Samuel H. Colton,
Wm. M. Bickford, Wm. N. Green, Daniel W. Lincoln, Charles Paine,
Worcester; Leonard Cheney, Southbridge ; Job C. Stone, Shrewsbury ;
Calvin W. Forbush, Grafton.

Secretary. — George Jaques.

Treasurer. — Fred. Wm. Paine.

Librarian. — Anthony Chase.

A Committee, appointed for the purpose, have in preparation for the
press a pamphlet containing the new code of By-laws, a list of the mem-
bers of the Society, and the Premiums to be awarded at the next annual
exhibition, &c. &c.

The prosperous condition of the Society, and the increasing horticul-
tural resources of the County, encourage us to hope that the future exhi-
bitions of this society will not be less frequent or attractive than those of
former years have been. If every member will do a little, the combined
result will be most gratifying to all. — {\Yorc. Spy.)

Cincinnati Horticultural Society. — The annual meeting of this society
was held in April, and the following officers elected for the ensuing year : —

President. — A. H. Ernst,

Vice Presidents. — J. Hoffner, Dr. S. Mosher, R. M. Moore.

Treasurer. — H. Brachman.

Corresponding Secretary. — Geo. Graham.

Recording Secretary. — L P. Foote.

Mr. Ernst, in taking the chair, addressed the society in a few pertinent
remarks. He thanked the members for the honor they had conferred on
him, and, with their confidence and forbearance, he hoped to discharge the
duties of his office to the approbation and satisfaction of all.

Annual Fair oj the Neiv York State Agricultural Society. — Premiums on
Flowers and Fruits to be awarded. — We are pleased to call the attention of
amateurs and cultivators of fruit to the liberal premiums offered by this soci-
ety for collections of fruit cultivated ow^ of the State; so liberal that we
hope, not only for the reputation of New England as a fine fruit region,
but for the interests of cultivators themselves, a magnificent display will
be made from the vicinity of Boston. The west will be well represented
at the Fair at Syracuse, and the number of pomologists which will be
drawn together there on account of the meeting of the North American
Pomological Convention will be large, and afford a fine opportunity for an
interchange of sentiments, — an examination of specimens — and the detec-
tion of synonymes with which our catalogues are yet too much encumbered.

The following is the Schedule of Premiums as offered by the State So-
ciety : —

FLOWERS.

Professional List.

Greatest variety and quantity of flowers, . . . . $ 5 00

Dahlias. — Greatest variety, . . . . . 5 00

Best 24 dissimilar blooms, . . . . . 3 00

230

Domestic Notices.

Roses. — Greatest variety, . . . . . . $5 00

Best 24 dissimilar blooms,
Phloxes. — Best 10 varieties,

Best seedling.
Verbenas. — Greatest variety and number,

Best 12 varieties,

Best seedling,
German Asters. — Best collection,
Pansies. — Best and greatest variety,

Best 24 varieties.

Amateur List.

Greatest variety and quantity of flowers,
Dahlias. — Greatest variety.

Best 12 dissimilar blooms,
Roses. — Greatest variety,

Best 12 dissimilar blooms,
Phloxes. — Best 6 varieties,

Best seedling,
Verbenas. — Greatest variety.

Best 12 varieties.

Best seedling,
German Asters. — Best collection,
Pansies. — Best and greatest variety.

Best 12 varieties.

General List — Open to all Competitors.

Best collection greenhouse plants owned by one person,
Best floral design, .

Second best,
Best floral ornament,

Second best,
Best hand bouquet, " flat,"

Second best,
Best hand bouquet, " round,"

Second best,
Best and largest basket bouquet with handle,
For the most beautifully arranged basket of flowers, , Diploma.

Best floral exhibition by any horticultural society, Hovey's Colored Fruits.

FRUIT.

Apples. — For the greatest and best variety of good table apples, 3
of each variety, named and labelled, grown by exhibitor,

Diploma, and Hovey's Colored Fruits.
Second best, . . . . . . . $ 5 00

Third best, ....... Trans.

The best 12 varieties of table apples, . . . .5 00

Second best, .... Trans, and 2 00

. 3 00

. 3 00

. 2 00

. 3 00

. 2 00

2 00

3 00

3 00

2 00

Silver medal.

Silver medal.

. 3 00

Silver medal.

. 3 00

. 3 00

2 00

. 3 00

2 00

2 00

3 00

. 3 00

2 00

Silver medal.

Silver medal.

. $3 00

Silver medal.

. 3 00

3 00

2 00

3 00

2 00

3 00

Domestic Notices.

281

The best 6 winter varieties, . . . . . $3 00

Second best, ..... Trans, and 2 00

For best fall seedling apple, for all purposes, with description
oftree, history of its origin, &c. One dozen specimens to be
exhibited, . . . . . . . 5 00

Second best; . . . . . . . 2 00

Pears. — For the greatest number of varieties of good pears, named

and labelled, . . Diploma, and Hovey's Colored Fruits.

Second best, ..... Diploma and 5 00

Third best, ....... Trans.

For the best collection of first-rate autumn pears, named and

labelled, ..... Diploma and 5 00

Second best, ..... Trans, and 2 00

For largest and best collection of winter pears, named and la-
belled, ..... Diploma and 5 00

Second best, ..... Trans, and 2 00

Best collection of newly introduced pears, with a description,

&c., . . . Diploma and Hovey's Colored Fruits.

Peaches. — Best 12 varieties, labelled, . . Diploma and 5 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Best 6 varieties, labelled, . . . . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Best 12 peaches, . . . . . . 2 00

Second best, ..... Trans.

Best seedling variety, 6 specimens, . . . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Plums. — Best collection of plums, 6 specimens each variety

Diploma and 5 00
Second best, . . . . . . . 3 00

Best 6 varieties of good plums, 6 specimens each, . . 3 00

Second best, . . . , . . . 2 00

Best 12 plums, choice variety, . . . . . 2 00

Second best, ....... Trans.

Best seedling plums, with description, . Diploma and 5 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Nectarines and Apricots. — Best and greatest number of good

varieties, 6 specimens each, labelled, . . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Best 12 specimens of any good variety, . . . 3 00

Second best, ....... Trans.

Quinces. — Best 12 quinces of any variety, . . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

Third best, ....... Trans.

Grapes. — Best and most extensive collection of good native grapes,

grown in open air, . . . . . 5 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

VOL. XV. — NO. VI. 36

282 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Best 3 varieties of native or foreign grapes, grown under glass,

3 bunches each to be shown, . . . . $5 00

Second best, . . . . . . 2 00

Best dish of native grapes, .... Trans.

Watermelons. — Best 6 specimens of any variety, . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 2 00

MosKMELONs. — Bcst 6 Specimens of any variety, . . 3 00

Second best, . . . . . . 2 00

Cranberries. — Best peck of domestic culture, . . . 8 00

Second best, . . . . . . . 5 00

To be accompanied with a full description of the manner of cultivation,
nature of soil, &c.

Any premiums may be withheld in the discretion of the committee, if
the samples exhibited are not worthy of a premium.

The fruit exhibited, for which premiums are awarded, to be at the dis-
posal of the committee.

12 volumes of Downing, common edition, and 12 of Thomas's Fruit
Cultivator will be awarded by the committee, in their discretion, for choice
fruits not enumerated.

FOREIGN FRUITS.

For best exhibition of each variety of fruits named in above lists by per-
sons out of State, . . . Diploma and Trans.
Second best, .... Downing or Thomas.
Volumes of Downing or Thomas will be awarded by the judges in their
discretion, for choice fruits not enumerated.

Liberal premiums for vegetables are also offered, but we have no space
to enumerate the list here. — Ed.

Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, March 3d, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

The Committee on Flowers reported that a semi-annual exhibition of
flowers, &c., should be held in June, and that fifty dollars be appropri-
ated for premiums for the occasion, and that gratuities be also awarded for
fine specimen plants. The schedule of premiums was ordered to be ad-
vertised in Hovey's Magazine.

The President, the Recording Secretary, J. Lovitt, 2d, C. M. Hovey,
J. D. Haggerston, were appointed a committee to prepare and furnish tick-
ets to the members.

On motion of Hon. J. S. Cabot, a committee was appointed to consider
the expediency of giving Mr. J.F.Allen a testimonial of their approba-
tion, and thanks for his valuable contributions of early fruits during their
exhibitions of past seasons. J. S. Cabot, C. Newhall, and E. Wight
were appointed the committee.

A letter was received from Dr. S. P. Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, accom-

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 283

panied with a painting of some Ohio and other fruits, and the thanks of
the Society were voted, and his letter ordered to be published in Hovey's
Magazine.

Adjourned four weeks to April 7.

March 2ith. Exhihiled. — Flowers : From John Quant, a well grown
specimen of Pimelea speclabilis, a beautiful New Holland plant. It was
about three feet high, and six feet round, containing hundreds of its
umbels of blossoms.

Gratuitv. — To J. Quant, for Pimelea specTabilis, $2.

April llh. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

Fifiy dollars were appropriated for premiums for the semi-annual exhi-
bition in June ; and two hundred dollars for the Library Committee.

Messrs. Macondry, Wight and Copeland were appointed a committee to
superintend alterations in the Library Room.

Two hundred dollars were appropriated for the Committee on Publica-
tion to complete the Transactions of the Society.

The committee appointed for that object reported that a piece of plate of
the value of $25 be given to J. F. Allen.

The thanks of the Society were voted to Dr. W. D. Brinckle, Philadel-
phia, and A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati, for contributions of rare scions of fruits.

A. C. Bowditch, W. Underwood, T. R. Marvin, and Rev. T. M.
Clarke, Boston, and Dr. B. K. Bliss, Springfield, were elected members of
the Society.

Adjourned two weeks to April 21st.

Exhibited. — Fruits : From J. F. Allen, grapes and figs.

Vegetables. — From T. Needham, a brace of Hampstead black spine
cucumbers.

Afril 2\st. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

A valuable Chinese vase was presented to the Society by Geo. B. Jones,
and the .iianks of the Society were voted for the same.

Dr. E. Wood, Dighton, was elected a member of the Society.

Adjourned one week to April 28.

Exhibited. — Fruits: From Messrs. Hovey & Co., i\berdeen Beehive
strawberries, well grown, and filled with fruit, exhibited in pots : proving it
to be a fine forcing variety ; also one box of fruit of the same variety.

April 28th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, —
the President in the chair.

Scions of a new apple were received from Mr. L. P. Grosvenor, and
distributed among the members. The thanks of the society were voted,
and the description of the fruit accompanying the scions ordered to be pub-
lished in Hovey's Magazine. [This will appear in our next. — Ed.]

Adjourned two weeks to May 12th.

Exhibited. — Fruit: From J. F. Allen, two kinds of grapes. From L.
P. Grosvenor, Pomfret, Conn., specimens of a seedling apple, called the
Averill apple.

284 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

The Committee compared these apples with the Northern Spy, and
thought it not equal to the last-named variety. They, however, reserve
the expression of their opinion concerning it until further opportunities of
testing it have heen afforded.

Maij 5th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From J. A. Lowell, fine specimens of
Bilbergia viridiflora, Brassia maculata, Oncidium flexuosum, and other
plants. From T. Needham, Azalea variegata, and cut flowers. From J.
A. Kenrick, flowers of Magnoha conspicua.

Vegetables. — From T. Needham, brace of Barnes's Man of Kent;
brace of Weedon cucumbers. From John Quant, brace of Allen's A'^ic-
tory cucumbers.

May \2th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

On motion of Mr. Wilder, it was voted, that the Treasurer, with the ad-
vice and consent of the Finance Committee, be authorized to make a sale of
stocks, and to borrow a sum of money, not exceeding S 1000, to meet a
mortgage due 16th of May.

A mortgage deed of $ 10,000 was made by Jos. Bradlee, Esq., and the
President was authorized to execute it.

A piece of plate was presented to M. P. Wilder, late President of the
Society, and the following corespondence submitted by the Committee : —

Boston, May 1, 1849. Hon. Blarshall P. Wilder: Dear Sir,— At a meeting of
the Massachusetts Horticuhural Society, held in their library room, January 6lh, 1849,
the following resolutions were passed: —

[Here follow the resolutions that we published at the time.]

And now sir, in compliance with the above resolutions, we present, for your accept-
ance, a silver pitcher, which we request you to receive as a token of esteem for the zeal
and success with which you have served in the cause of horticulture and floriculture
while a member of the Society, and more particularly while acting as President during
the term of eight years. With sincere wishes for your continued uspfuhiess, heallli, and
prosperity, we are, sir, n.ost respectfully, your friends, Bknj. V. French, Cheever
Newhall, Joseph S. Cabot.

To the Hon. Benj. V. French, Cheever Newhall, Esq., and Hon. Joseph S. Cabot,
Committee.

Boston, May lOiii, 1849. Gentlemen : The splendid testimonial which accompanied
your esteemed favor of the lOih instant, has been received, — also a copy of the Resolu-
tions passed hy the Massachusetts Horticultural Society on the occasion of my retiring
from its Presidency.

I accept of this rich and beautiful gift with lively emotions of gratitude; not for its in-
trinsic value, but as an enduring memorial of the confidence and respect so uniformly
extended to me during the many years of my administration.

I gratefully acknowledge the kind manner with which you have performed the duty
assigned to the committee. Permit me also to tender through you, to the members of
the society, my sincere thanks for this substantial manifestation of their ajiprobation,
and to assure them, that I shall ever regard it as a lasting record of relations, which to
me, have been both pleasant and honoiable.

'i"he high appreciation of my humble services, which you have caused to be inscribed
on the brigiit tablet of this elegant present, will excite renewed interest for the welfare
and fame of our noble institution ; and I doubt not, that long alter we have passed from
this earthly scene, it will be preserved by my descendants, as a valuable memento of a

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 2S5

society from which I have received distinguished favors, and of endeared friends, with
whom I have ever felt it an honor to have my name associated.

Please accept for yourselves, gentlemen, my most grateful thanks, and for the Society
the assurance of my highest regard. Marshall P. Wilder.

Adjourned one week to May 19th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : The Hall was opened to-day for the first exhibi-
tion of the season, and a very fine display was made, as follows : —

From the President of the Society, a variety of cut flowers. From M. P.
Wilder, a number of fine plants, among which wereE'pacrispulchella, £rica
ventricosa alba, Cavendishn (?) breviflora, sup6rba, hirsuta and ovata ;
camellias, rhododendrons, &c., and cut flowers of various roses. From
N. J. Becar, Brooklyn, N. Y., a fine collection of calceolarias. From
J. Breck & Co., hyacinths and cut flowers.

From Hovey & Co., a variety of plants, among which were Maurandya
Barclaya/ia alba, Begonm parviflora, double purple and double white Chi-
nese primroses, six splendid new cactuses, and other plants. From Jas.
Nugent, a fine collection of cut flowers of pelargoniums, roses, bouquets,
&c. From G. C. Crowninshield, several varieties of pelargoniums and
other plants. From A. Bowditch, Calystegia pubescens, and other plants
and cut flowers. R. M. Copeland, J. A. Kenrick, O. N. Towne, Dr. D.
Osgood, and W. Ashby exhibited cut flowers and plants.
Premiums awarded.
Pelargoniums. — Class I. To J. Quant, for the best six new var. $6.
Second prize not awarded.

Class II. To John Quant, for best six varieties in large pots, $6.
Second prize not awarded.
Cut Flowers. — To James Nugent, for the best display, $3.

Second prize not awarded.
Cactus. — To Hovey & Co., for the best six varieties, $ 3.

Second prize not awarded.
Calceolarias. — To A. Bowditch, for the best six varieties, S3.

To John Quant, for second best, $2.
Heaths. — To M. P. Wilder, for the best six varieties, $ 3.

Second prize not awarded.
Various Sorts of Greenhouse Plants. — To M. P. Wilder, for the
best display, $ 8.
To Hovey & Co., for second best, $5.
Hyacinths. — To J. Breck & Co., for the best display, $5.

To R. M. Copeland, for second best, $3.
Round Table Bouquet. — To James Nugent, $ 1.
Hand Bouquets. — To A. Bowditch, #1.

Gratuities. — To N. J. Becar, for fine display of calceolarias, the Soci-
ety's silver medal, $5.
To A. Bowditch, for show of greenhouse plants, $2.
To M. P. Wilder, for show of cut roses, $ 2.
To James Nugent, for show of cut roses, $2.

To Hovey & Co., for fine specimen plants of double purple and while
China primrose, $3.

286 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Fruits: From Hovey & Co., strawberries, var. Aberdeen Beehive.
Messrs, Hovey & Co. have had vines of this kind fully exposed during the
past severe winter, and the plants have come out in the finest condition :
while plants of many other sorts in adjacent beds have been greatly in-
jured.

From J. F. Allen, Early Black July, Chasselas Bar Sur Aube, Pit-
maston White Cluster, White Early, of the French, Grosse Noir de Lor-
raine ; Chasselas de Fontainebleau, Black Hamburgh, Grizzly Frontignan.
and Ferral grapes ; Black Figs of St. Michael.

Vegetables. — From Orr N. Towne, two brace of very fine cubumbers.
From W. W. Wheildon, Early Frame cucumber. From Thomas Need-
ham, brace of Barnes's Man of Kent; brace of Weedon cucumbers.

May Idth. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

A package of seeds was received from the Commissioner of Patents,
through the Hon. J. Davis, and they were placed in the hands of the Veg-
etable Committee for distribution.

Capt. F. W. Macondry resigned his office as Treasurer of the Society.
and a committee was appointed who nominated W. H. Austin to fill the
vacancy.

Adjourned two weeks to June 2d.

Exhibited. — Flowers : The President of the Society, J. A. Kenrick,
A. Bowditch, and Jas. Nugent, exhibited a variety of cut flowers.

May 2(}th. Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, Trol-
lius asialicus, Dodecatheon media and alba, and other flowers. From M. P.
Wilder, cut flowers of pelargoniums, among which were Staatholder, He-
be's Lip, Nestor, Sarah Jane, &c. ; also roses in variety. From Joseph
Breck & Co., tulips in great variety, and other cut flowers. From J. G.
Swan, Medford, a variety of indigenous flowers. From Hovey & Co.,
beautiful scarlet Turban ranunculuses. From P. Barnes, a variety of cut
flowers. From Messrs. Winships, cut flowers of a fine collection of shrnbs
and plants. F o;n A. Bowditch, A. Fisher T Needham, and Jas. Nu
gent, a variety of flowers and plants.

Gratuities awarded.
Cut Flowers. — To A. Bowditch, for beautiful cut flowers, $2.

To P. Barnes, for the same, $ 1.
Fruits: From J. F. Allen, one dish of figs, grapes, Chasselas Bar
Sur Aube, White Frontignan, Grizzly Frontignan, Black Hamburgh, Dec-
can's Superb — in reality a superb variety — bunches large, with berries the
size of the Black Hamburgh, closely clustered, and slightly tinged with
red, — the size of the berry being superior to that of any other of the
Sweetwater grapes. Mr. A. says the vine is a free grower and great bear-
er. The committee will test the quality of the grape, at a future silting,
when they will be prepared to speak more in detail on Deccan's Superb.

Vegetables: From T. Needham, brace of Young's Champion, (fine,)
and Barnes's Man of Kent cucumbers. New potatoes, first of the season.
From S. Walker, water cresses, fine.

Iloiiicullural Memoranda. 287

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR JUNE.
FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape vines in the greenhouse or grapery, will, by this time, have their
fruit swelled to such a size that thinning must be commenced immediately,
if not already done. Where there are a great number of vines, it is im-
possible to finish the thinning at once, unless there are several hands ; but
the work should be proceeded with as rapidly as possible. Go over the
vines and top all laterals. Shoulder all the large bunches, which need it,
and top up the leading shoot, when the vines have not reached the top of
the house. The house should now be kept at a good temperature during
the day, but not too high during the night. Damp down the walks twice
or three times a day. If the border has not yet been dug, it should at
once be done, giving a slight dressing with guano. Cold houses will be
about a month later, and the same treatment we recommended last month
for the greenhouse will answer. Vines in the open air should be put in
order if not yet done : now is a good time to prune, as they will not bleed
much at this season.

Strawberries will be in full bearing this month ; new made beds should
have the runners carefully laid in, until a sufficient number is obtained to
make a good row, when the rest may be nipped off.

Trees grafted last month should be looked after. See that they are
properly disbudded. Trees budded last fall will now require to have the
shoots from the young buds carefully tied up to prevent their being broken
oflf.

Pruning should be attended to this month ; now is a good time where it
has not already been done. Summer pruning may also be commenced the
last of the month, by nipping off the side shoots of this year's growth to
two buds.

Peach trees in pots should now be removed to the open air to ripen ofi
their fruit, and give it flavor.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Camellias, which have set their buds, should now be removed from the
greenhouse to the open air ; such as have not yet matured their growth
should remain awhile longer.

Achimenes will require another shift into seven inch pots, with plenty of
drainage, if large specimens are wanted.

Chrysanthemums, raised from cuttings or layers, should be topped this
month in order to make bushy plants.

Ericas may now be turned out of the pots into the open ground in a
peaty soil and in a half shady location. Such as it is not intended to turn
out should be repotted and plunged.

Fuchsias will need one more shift into eight or ten inch pots, if large
plants are wanted.

28S Hortictdtural Meniormida.

Carnations and picotecs will now be throwing up their flower-stems, and
will require to iiave them tied to neat stakes.

Neapolitan violets should now be divided and planted out in beds, in rows
six inches apart, shading for a few days till rooted.

Japan hlies should all be shifted now, if good specimens are wanted.

Verbenas, salvias, scarlet geraniums, and all other plants intended for
beds, may now be planted out.

Perennial Jiowcr seeds of all kinds may now be sown in small beds.
Chinese primrose seeds may be planted this month for a stock for next
winter.

Abutilon venosutn, turned out into the ground, will flower freely all the
autumn. Now is the time to put in cuttings for next year's stock.

Erythrina crista galli should now be planted out in the border.

Dahlias should all be planted out by the 20th of tho month. Select a
good rich soil and manure well. Stake the plants to prevent their being
broken.

Roses should now be turned out into the border, where they will flower
till frost.

Asters, balsams, and other annuals, raised in hotbeds, should now be
planted out in beds or in the borders.

Pelargoniums will now be in full bloom, and should be shaded from the
hot sun to retain their beauty.

Euphorbia jacquinajlora, raised from cuttings last month, should now be
potted off, and forwarded in a hotbed.

Calceolarias, raised from seeds, should now be potted singly in small pots.

Rose geraniums should now be headed down, repotted, and plunged in
the ground, and they will make fine plants by autumn.

Azaleas should be removed from the greenhouse to the open air ; and if
they require it, now is the season to repot the plants.

Hyacinths should be taken up the last of the month.

Jxias, and other winter bulbs done flowering, may now be placed away
on a dry shelf.

Heliotropes should now be propagated for next winter's stock.

Cyclamens should be plunged in the open air in a half-shady place.

Cactuses may be repotted when they have done flowering.

Callas may now be plunged in the ground in a half-shady place, and
their foliage allowed to partially dry ofl!".

Eupatoriums for winter blooming should now be propagated from cut-
tings.

Chinese hibiscuses may be planted out in beds in the open ground, where
they will make a splendid display all summer.

Gloxinias should now have a final shift into eight inch pots, and they
will be great ornaments in the greenhouse all summer.

Greenhouse plants of many kinds may yet be successfully increased by
cuttings before hot weather sets in.

Cinerarias should now be headed down, the soil top-dressed, and the
pots plunged in the open ground.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTUR

JULY, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Some Plants of Danvers and Wenham, Essex
County^ Massachusetts. By John Lev/is Russell, Profes-
sor of Botany, &c., to Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Mr, Editor, — As your magazine purports to treat of bot-
any as well as of horticulture, an account of the results of
a pleasant day's excursion in our woods, has been deemed,
by those who imdertook it, a proper offering to its pages.
Should you concur in these views, an insertion of this article
would oblige and gratify several amateurs of floral pursuits.

The Essex Institute was organized in Salem, Massachu-
setts, about a year since, by the union of the Essex Horti-
cultural Society with the Essex County Natural History
Society. This latter society had, for several years past,
offered public exhibitions of fruits and flowers, and many
of its members were favorably known, both abroad and
through the pages of this magazine, as being successful in
this branch of horticultural skill. In arranging the business
of the year at the annual meeting, the Essex Institute, on
the same liberal plan of fostering a taste for the beautiful
and useful, appoints committees, who shall particularly at-
tend to those departments of research assigned to them. Of
these, is the horticultural committee, under whose auspices
the arrangement of flower and fruit shows will be continued.
Another committee may be mentioned, as pertaining more
specially to subjects of natural history, under whose inspec-
tion and research the botany of the county falls. The chair-
man of this committee, with a party of about a dozen

VOL. XV. — NO. vn. 37

290 Some Plants of Danvers and Wenham.

gentlemen interested in sylvan wonders, selected the 12th
of June, to visit several spots well known for their floral
riches, and sacred to the memory of the most enthusiastic
and zealous naturalist, the lamented Oakes. The day was
particularly favorable, sunny, pleasant, and cool, and the
scenery proved unusually attractive. Through the attention
of Messrs. S. P. Fowler, of Danvers, and of the venerable
Dr. Osgood of the same town, the party were successively
introduced to many of the rarer plants of this region and of
our count)'', of which some notice will be taken in the order
in which they were seen.

The party met by previous appointment at a given spot,
and thence proceeded to the locality of Vaccinium Vitis-IdcB^a
(L.) of which Geo. B. Emerson, in his admirable Report on
the Woody Plants of Massachusetts, declares, to the best of
his knowledge, " occurs in only one spot in" this State,
"which is in a pasture in Danvers, where it was found by
Mr. Oakes in 1820, or before." This truly beautiful little
plant is familiarly known as the "cowberry," and in Maine
as the " mountain cranberry," affording to the inhabitants of
sections of that state an excellent article of wild fruit, scarcely
inferior to the common cranberry of our swamps and bogs. I
have specimens, gathered at Eastport and at Dennysville, while
visiting that region in September, 1844, and well recollect
the pleasant condiment, prepared from its berries, which was
served on the table. Those familiar with the plant are puz-
zled to know why it is described in Dr. Gray's " Botany of
Northern United States" p. 260, as "rather bitter, mealy,
and barely edible," or in Mr. Emerson's Report, above alluded
to, as " austere," the more especially as Mr. E. immediately
adds, " in the north of Europe, where it abounds, it is used
as the cranberry, but is inferior; formed into a jelly, it is
thought superior to currant jelly as a sauce for venison or
roast beef, or as a remedy for colds and sore throats."

We were surprised to find this hardy denizen of our north-
ern rocky hills and eastern cliffs snugly nestling in a half-
shady spot, among some white birches, (i>etula populifolia
Ait.,) in an open pasture, and extending over a limited area
of perhaps half an acre of ground. Its average height
seemed to be two or three inches, although stems buried in

/S'ome Plants of Danvers and Wenham. 291

the soil might be gathered of double that length. Its flowers
were not very numerous, yet fine specimens were selected by
those who had never seen it before, and who considered it
quite a floral gem. It was just making its new annual
growth, and in this condition afforded a favorable opportu-
nity to critically examine its habits. Specimens, collected at
the time, have been submitted to such scrutiny by me, and
are lying before me. Its flowers are borne on the tips or
ends of the last year's growth, six or more in number, each
issuing from the axils of colored scales. The shape of the
flower is what is termed campanulate or bell-shaped, the
corolla monopetalous, divided on the edge into four points.
Its stamens are inserted on the corolla at its base, variable in
number, seven or more, each furnished with a flat filament
of a pinkish hue, and covered with downy hairs. The an-
ther is tubular, opening at the tip by an irregular fissure.
The extreme beauty of the stamens can only be appreciated
by the use of the microscope. A most elegant cellular tissue
of elongated hexagons compose a net work, making up the
tubes of the anther. Every part of the surface of the anther
is studded with blunt spine-like bodies, of a transparent
single cell, more perceptible on the edges of the anther.
Such blunt spines invest, indeed, the filament of the stamen;
while superadded, the surface of this part of the stamen is
beset with flat and long, crooked hairs, each of four or five
joints, while the surface of each of these hairs is also beset
in the same manner as is the anther. The style or pistil is
simple, curved, and inserted on the centre of the germ. The
color of the corolla and calyx is of a pale pink, which, con-
trasted with the dark green and glossy foliage, adds much to
the charm of this unique species.

The entire plant, when growing vigorously, appears in
dense and crowded patches, composed of prostrate woody
stems, described as "angular," though nothing of the sort
appears on our specimens ; on the contrary, they are round
or cylindrical, as are also the short branches which bear the
foliage. Where the wood is old, the epidermis peels away
and remains in shreds, and forms irregular fissures, which
may give rise to such a statement. The foliage, as has been
observed, is of a deep-shining green, each leaf of an obovate

292 Some Plants of Danvers ajid Weiiham.

contour, with its margin revolute or turned back, while be-
neath may be noticed occasional dark spots, and likewise
minute bristles. The dark spots seem to be merely a discol-
oration of the cellular tissue of the skin of the lower portion
of the leaf, which is of a paler green than is the upper sur-
face. The bristles are in reality, (though seemingly simple
black bristles,) elaborately executed club-shaped organs, issu-
ing from thickened greenish specks, and inserted on the very
surface of the epidermis. The entire contour of each of
these club-shaped organs is very similar to what are called
antheridia in mosses, and, apart from their situation and
habit, would scarcely be distinguished from them. The
pedicel or stem of the club seems to divide into two longitudi-
nal parts as the little organ matures ; but I think this is merely
a deception, and arises from a furrow, which deepens between
the two rows of parallel cells, which make up the pedicel.
At an early stage of the growth of the young leaf a discol-
oration of the transparency of the cells takes place, just at
the base of the club where it is connected with the pedicel,
and something like a joint is the consequence. If this is so,
each bristle is two-jointed ; if not, then its simplicity of struc-
ture, in this respect, allies it the more closely to the cmtheridia
of the flowers of mosses. On the young leaf the bristle is as
hyaline as glass, but on the mature leaf it becomes of a rich
golden brown color, though apparently black to the naked
eye. I scarcely have met with a microscopic subject which
has aff'orded me more gratification than the structure of the
corcberjy, as specified above.

I know not whether any attempt has been made to culti-
vate this interesting plant, but should think that the Rock-
work would admirably suit its habits, and am sure that no
one would regret any necessary pains or trouble to secure its
presence in his grounds.

The topographical history of the subject of our present
observations we received on the spot from the lips of Dr.
Osgood, wlio accompanied Mr. Oakes when this individual
plant was first noticed by him. It was, we were assured,
after a long day's ramble, which had proved so far unprofit-
able, and when regretting their want of success, they were
mutually gratified by such a change of fortune. It certainly

Some Plants of Dativers and Wenham. 293

is not a little remarkable, that no account has ever been given
of the occurrence of Vaccinium Vitis Id^^a in any other part
of Massachusetts, which, if existent, seems to have never
fallen under the eye of the botanist.

Leaving so pleasant a spot, our attention was next directed
to a secluded sheet of water, called Cedar Pond, on the mar-
gin of which the elegant Andromeda polifolia L. {^Rosemary-
leaved Andromeda') luxuriates. This graceful shrub was
just passing out of flower, so that no good specimens in that
condition could be obtained. Mr. Emerson informs us
{Rejyort, p. 372) that " it was for this modest and delicate
plant Linnaeus selected the poetical name of the genus." I
would refer the reader to the extract Mr. E. makes from
Linnseus's " Tour i?i Lapland,^' as well as to a description
of the plant from Mr. E.'s pen. A belt of these floral water
nymphs encircled the little lake, mingled with the rich flow-
ers of the Side-saddle flower, (Sarracenia purpurea,) which
were in their perfection. As we turned our steps from this
vicinity, which cost the more adventurous a wet foot and a
plunge-bath over boots, I noticed, on the trunks of the white
cedar, (Cupressusthuyoides,) several interesting lichens, espe-
cially the Cetraria juniperina, var. virescens Tuckerm. in fine
condition. Hypnum Blandovu occurred on the soil beneath
the trees, and pools of standing water, secured from speedy
evaporation by the abundant growth of several kinds of
sphagnum, afforded subjects of infusorial life in its many
forms. We were assured by Mr. Fowler, that Kalm^'a glauca
had been gathered by him in this region, which I should
deem favorable to its growth.

From Cedar Pond, and its floral treasures, we proceeded
to another and larger expanse of water, which, like the
locality of Andromeda, occurs in Wenham, and known as
Pleasant Pond, affords, on its borders, several curious plants.
This pleasant little lake is happy in its name, for nature
seems to have set it like a jewel amid emerald woods and
gently swelling hills. From one of these elevations, covered
with old hemlocks, (^^bies canadensis, M.) we could dis-
cern the village of Wenham in the distance ; while the rat-
tling of the steam car announced that busy art was not far
from us, bearing, through these green woods and plashy-

294 Some Plants of Danvcrs and Wenham.

brinked meadows, the wonders of its herculean toil. At
our feet were seen Goodyerm pubescens, (i?. Brown,') and
Pyrola elliptica, {Natl.,) P. chlor4ntha, {Sioartz,) and the
rarer (P. unifiora L.) now separated from its sister plants and
bearing the name of Moneses unifiora, {Salisburi/,) a solitary
in habit, and single in its delicate rosy flower, while the
crimson berries of Mitchella repens diversified the scene. In
one of the outlets, the Indian Rice, (Zizania aquatica Z/.,) has
been found, and on the borders of the thickets we gathered
plants of Platanthera fimbriata, {Lindley,) or the large pur-
ple-fringed Orchis, U'rcliis grandiflora, {Bigelow,) which were
carefully removed with the roots to expand its blossoms in
some sheltered garden. Several other species of the Orchis
family were noticed, and the Clintonia borealis, {Rajinesquc,)
was found in abundance, just in full blossom. Call a palus-
tris is also a denizen of these swamps, though no specimen
occurred. Saxifraga pennsylvanica, (L.) which Dr. Gray
calls "a homely species," was seen rising to considerable
consequence, if altitude of growth be any proof; and, from
its merits on this and on the score of its general good looks,
was considered worthy of transportation by one of our com-
pany.

The morning had now wasted away to high noon, and,
according to previous agreement, our party repaired to a
convenient room, where an agreeable collation greeted many
a hungry and expectant devotee to the sterner wants of our
physical natures. Refreshment being had, an informal meet-
ing was held for two or three hours, in which the chairman
of the committee endeavored to interest the auditors with re-
marks on the physiological characters of the lower plants, as
typified in the simpler Algse, and as exhibited in modified
action through the higher forms. Starting from the simple
cell as the lowest form of organized vital matter, he showed
how the cryptogamous plants furnished an almost infinite
series of beautiful arrangement, and shadowed forth the
higher and more elaborate organs of the phanogamous.
With the assistance and cooperation of Thomas Cole, Esq.,
a zealous microscopist, and well known for his devotion to
researches into the minutiae of nature, he was enabled to
exhibit sections of fungi, lichens, mosses, &€., in which the

Some Plants of Danvers and Wenham. 295

cellular tissue was seen entering into every part, and devel-
oped in the asd, spores, spondes, and the like. Some exhi-
bitions of the larvae of water insects, of animalcules, through
one of Oberhaiiser's microscopes, modified by the employ-
ment of Ross's unrivalled object-glasses, from Mr. Cole,
closed the meeting.

A similar exploration has been set on foot for a future day,
when other sections of Essex County will be critically exam-
ined. It is hoped that, among other objects of value, the
finer native plants may become better known, and some spe-
cies, scarcely ever seen, may yet grace the garden and become
subjects of horticultural interest. Should any thing of value
in this way occur, or this notice be deemed worthy your
pages, something more of the sort may follow.

South Hingham, June, 1849.

It gives us exceeding pleasure to publish the above most
interesting paper by Prof. Russell ; and now that our native
plants are beginning to be better appreciated, the valuable
information which it contains cannot be over-estimated.
Could the flora of every county of Massachusetts be as thor-
oughly investigated as that of Essex is likely to be, through
the exertions of the Essex Institute, the locality of every
beautiful and desirable plant would be well known, and
amateurs would thus have the opportunity of transferring
such as are the most attractive to their gardens.

What among the whole range of our many native shrubs
possesses the exquisite beauty of that floral treasure, the
Andromeda polifolia? The Cape of Good Hope scarcely
possesses a heath which will surpass it in loveliness. Its
httle clusters of tiny bell-shaped flowers, of the richest pink,
wreath the delicate stems; and they are enriched by a glossy
foliage, whose under-surface presents that silvery shade so
admired in the well known abele; add to this its easy culture
in any rather moist soil, and it may truly be said to be with-
out a rival for attractiveness. Bigelow and other botanical
authors tell us, when describing our native plants, where some
of them may be found, but in such brief terms that we are
left almost as ignorant as if nothing had been said. For
instance, in Bigelow's Plants of Bostoti, Kalmia latifolia,

296 The Averill Apple.

it is stated, grows in " Woods, Gloucester, Princeton, «fcc."
Now if, in any locality, any particular plant is very abundant,
as that of Andromeda poiifoiia, at Wenham, by knowing that
locality the spot can at once be reached, and the plants secured
without a fruitless search, perhaps of a day or more.

We trust we shall have further accounts from Mr. Russell,
of other excursions by the committee of the institute, and
we think we speak the views of our many readers, when
we say, they will be found among our most valuable commu-
nications.— Ed.

Art, II. The Averill Apple, its Origin, ^'c, ivith a Descrip-
tion of the Fiuit, By L. P. Grosvenor, Pomfret, Conn. ;
in a letter to Samuel Walker, Esq., President of the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society. With an Engraving of
the Frnit. By the Editor.

The following account of the Averill apple was communi-
cated to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, by Mr.
Grosvenor, of Pomfret, Conn., a gentleman who is not only
well acquainted with all the best apples, but has an extensive
orchard of the finest varieties. The society voted that Mr.
Grosvenor's letter should be published in our magazine. We
are highly gratified in presenting the same to our pomologi-
cal friends, and can confirm the good opinion expressed of
this new fruit. By the kindness of Mr. Walker, we received
one of the apples, and annex to Mr. Grosvenor's description,
which is very complete, an outline engraving of the fruit,
{fig. 26.)

Dear Sir, — I wrote you, some days ago, about a seedling
apple ; having an opportunity, I now send a sample for the
inspection of the committee on fruits of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society. The original tree is growing in an
orchard of un grafted trees, belonging to Dea. Lewis Averill,
on the farm where the den is situated in which Putnam
killed the wolf. The ground has been in grass many ^'•ears,
and the tree is covered with moss. A few years ago the

The Averlll Apple. 297

fruit was discovered to be valuable. I have several trees,
four years from the graft, that have made good growth, and
I expect will soon bear well every other year.

The apple appears to keep remarkably well, and I hope
this variety will prove as valuable as any other now known.
I propose to call it Averill. and annex a description. — Re-
spectfully^ your most obt. sei'vt., L. P. Grosvenor.

Pomfret. Conn., April 27, 1849.

To Samuel Walker, Esq.

Size, large : Shape, oblong, slightly ribbed : Ski7i, pale red
and bright red, in stripes, on a greenish yellow ground, with
purple dots : Calyx, closed and slightly sunk : Stem, short and

Fig. 26. The AverUl Apple.

stout, not projecting beyond the base, set perpendicularly in
a middling-sized ribbed cavity : Flesh, light yellow or yel-
lowish white, with some green ; crisp, pleasant, rich subacid
flavor: Seeds, large, chestnut color: Core, hollow. Ripens
middle of March and keeps till June. Tree bears every other
year.

VOL. XV. NO. VII. 38

298 New Plum — Drap d' Or of Esperiti.

Oar specimen was in the most perfect preservation, as
sound as a Baldwin or Northern Spy; and it will prove a
most valuable late apple, taking its place with the two above
sorts as late keepers and superior fruits. — Ed.

Art. III. Notice of a Neio Plwn, called the Drap d' Or of
Esperin, u'itli an Etigravi?ig of the Fruit. By the Edi-
tor.

The late Major Esperin, of Belgium, according to the ac-
counts in the Belgian Horticultural journals, devoted much
of his time to the production of seedling fruits, more particu-
larly of pears and plums ; and several of his varieties, espe-
cially of the pear, are said to be very valuable acquisitions,
superior to any that have been raised since the productions of
Van Mons, and fully equal to many of the best produced by
that celebrated cultivator. It is also stated, and we presume
correctly, that the fruits of Major Esperin have all been pro-
duceil without any regard to cross fertilization, or by succes-
sive generations, as practised by Dr. Van Mons; but are
what may be termed '-chance" seedlings. Josephine de Ma-
lines and Suzette de Bavay are said to be two of the very
finest pears. Of pears, however, we shall speak another
lime. Our object now is to give some account of one of
Esperin's seedling plums.

Drap d'Or (of Esperin) is the name given to this plum in
the F^lore des Serres of Van Houtte, where it is represented
in a beautifully colored figure, a copy of which we annex,
(^fig 27,) and the following descriptive account accompanies
the drawing : —

For this fine variety, we are indebted to that intelligent
cultivator and celebrated Belgian pomologist, Esperin, (the
Major.) It was raised from seeds, by him, in 183t), and pro-
duced its first fruit in 1844; and we are indebted for its
preservation to M. Louis Berckmans, d'Heyst Opden-Berg,
an amateur and distinguished cultivator, who has communi-
cated, in part, the details we have concerning this plum.
The fruit is stated to be one of the best of its kind; the

NeiD Plum — Drap d' Or of Esperin.

299

flesh, which readily separates from the stone, surpasses in
flavor that of the Mirabelle Double, or Drap d'Or, which it
approaches in its general form, and from which it has been

>^^-

Fig.Tl. Drap d' Or of Esperin.

named. It ripens in the latter part of August ; its form is
oval, regular, from ten to twelve centimetres in circumfer-
ence, about the middle of the fruit ; the skin is of a beautiful
yellow, veined and reticulated with green, under its trans-
parent epidermis. It resembles much, according to M. Berck-
mans, the Washington, but is different in its flavor, more

300 Summer Pruning Pyramidal Pear Trees.

regular in its form, with a larger stone, entirely separating
from the flesh.

The tree is vigorous, of handsome form, and an abundant
bearer : the young wood is reddish : the leaves are oval,
elliptical, attenuated at the base, pointed at the summit ; with
short petioles, little downy beneath, serrated on the edges.

The trees were first disseminated from the establishment
of Van Houtte, last autumn, at the high price of fifty francs
(ten dollars) each ; and if equal to the account given of it,
it will prove a decided acquisition to our catalogue of plums.
It is described in the Belgian catalogues as the ne plus -ultra
of plums.

Art. IY. A few hi?its on Summer Prunitig Pyramidal
Pear Trees. By the Editor.

We have already, more than once, promised our readers the
full details of the method of summer pruning pyramidal pear
trees, as practised by ourselves on our specimen trees, of
which we have upwards of a thousand, nearly one half of
them in bearing, — or rather would have been but for the
severe winter. — for many of them were literally covered with
flower-buds in April. Not only have we lost the opportunity
of fruiting many new sorts which have never yet borne in
the country, but the opportunity, also, to test the accuracy of
many doubtful sorts for at least 07ie year, and, more than all,
the chance of securing some accurate drawings of a few of our
finest specimen trees in full fruit, that our pomological
friends might have the pleasure of seeing a pyramidal tree
five years old in the full vigor of growth and productiveness.

These reverses, beyond our control, are our apology for
not giving our article in the June number as we anticipated,
for we had intended it should be as complete as it was our
ability to make it. Not only did we intend to show how
summer pruning should be performed, but to give a Daguer-
reotype illustration of a tree which had been so pruned, and
in full bud, just as it would appear after the frosts of au-
tumn had shorn it of its foliage. This we promise yet to do.

Summer Pruning Pyramidal Pear Trees. 301

And now, to give some aid to those who have addressed us
many inquiries upon the subject, we propose making a few
remarks, that they may lose no time in getting their trees
into that preparatory state which shall render them abund-
antly fruitful another season.

We shall take the trees as they now appear, the first week
in July. If the soil is good and the trees healthy, and no
summer pinching oflf has yet been done, the shoots will have
grown from six to eighteen inches long, according to the
kinds, soil, manure, &c. Finding them thus, we proceed to
prune them : —

If the winter pruning was judiciously done, — and we have
not room to speak of that now, — each shoot will have made
two or more new shoots from the ends of the branches which
were shortened back. If the last year's shoots are examined,
it will be found that generally but few, if any, of the eyes
have pushed, in consequence of the sap being directed to the
young terminal shoots. If then this upward tendency of the
sap is not checked, none of the buds below will break, and
no fruit spurs be formed ; for we take it for granted that it is
well known the pear, with ie\\r exceptions, only bears upon
spurs on the old wood. Pinching off the tips of the young
wood has a tendency to make the eyes break, though not
always, and this is the benefit to be derived from summer
pruning ; but merely nipping off the shoot will not do, for if, on
some kinds, it is nipped off too soon or too short, the terminal
eye breaks and goes on growing as before. Here is where
the amateur is in error, for he imagines that all should be
pinched off alike, and, to his great disappointment, often
finds his labors of no effect. The information that is wanted
to prevent this it is almost impossible to convey in an article ;
much may be learned, but constant practice and observation
alone will ensure entire success. So far, however, as we can
guide the cultivator we shall endeavor to do so.

Supposing that there are three terminal shoots, as first
stated ; if the tree is moderately vigorous the first step is to
nip off (or cut, if too hard to pinch with the thumb and
finger) the two side shoots to two eyes, unless one or both
are wanted to fill some vacancy in order to make a symmet-
rical head ; at the same time the leading shoot may be

302 Summer Pruning Pyramidal Pear Trees.

allowed to go on growing for a week or two longer. In the
course of a few days, if the eyes on the old wood are exam-
ined they will be found greatly swollen, and many of them
ready to break ; if from any cause this is not observed, then
the terminal shoots should be nipped off, — not to two eyes, —
but merely the tip end, to check the growth ; this will be
found, in most cases, to effect the object ; the eyes below will
break and short spurs Avill be found.

After a while the side shoots, as well as the main one, will
break again, and, if the spurs are well filled, they may be
allowed to grow some length ; for, if stopped too quick, it will
sometimes have the tendency to make the spurs, — which
would, under most circumstances, form flower buds, — break
again, and make merely a second growth. The eye must be
kept upon the old wood, and, if the spurs do not fill up well,
continue to check the growth of every branch not wanted;
and, on the other hand, if the spurs show signs of pushing,
at once discontinue pinching.

Thus every branch should be gone carefully over. There
is no set time for performing the operation ; it should be done
at any and all times, whenever the state of growth requires
it ; and this is affected by many causes. Generally, how-
ever, from July 1 to August 1, is the most important period.
We have pruned some of the stronger growers and refractory
sorts as early as June 5th, but they were upon the pear and
grew more rapidly than upon the quince. Trees upon the
quince do not require so much pruning as those on the pear.

The main objects are, to keep the centre of the tree open to
the free circulation of air, for without this the leaves will not
keep up their elaborative process, by which the fruit buds
only can be formed; to let the terminal shoots of all branches
grow so as to form a perfectly symmetrical head, only pinch-
ing off the tips as they require it, and cutting back all which
are not wanted, and to nip off or cut in all side shoots to two
eyes. These operations duly attended to, with good judg-
ment, cannot fail to accomplish that desired purpose, — the
formation of an abundant supply of fruit buds.

Once a week, at least, the amateur should go over his trees,
from July 1 to September 1.

Notes on the Americmi Aloe. 303

Art. V. Notes on the American Aloe. By W. Saunders,
New Haven, Conn.

There are few greenhouses where a specimen of the Agave
Americana, or American Aloe, is not to be seen in some form
or other, and, from the prevaiHng idea that it only flowers
once in a century, it seldom experiences any thing but the
roughest kind of treatment. It is undoubtedly a plant of
very slow growth, and requires a long time to attain that
size and strength necessary for flowering; but there is no
reason whatever for believing that its period of inflorescence
is only at the lapse of a century, as it entirely depends upon
the treatment the cultivator is pleased to give it.

Few plants present a nobler appearance when in bloom.
The flower stem rises to a height of from twenty to thirty
feet, thickly set with branches, which are covered with thou-
sands of fully expanded flowers at one time, in which there
is secreted a copious supply of nectar, having rather a disa-
greeable scent, and of an adhesive, gluey texture, and I will
long remember the varnishing I received when inspecting
one in full bloom, by unwittingly touching the flower stem.
Such a floral beauty is of great mterest, and no doubt there
are numerous plants in this country that would flower with
a few years' kindly attention and proper treatment ; and the
small amount of trouble they require, will be amply repaid
if the cultivator have the pleasure of bringing them into
bloom.

I have succeeded in bringing them into flower under the
following routine of culture, and I have no doubt others will
find success equally certain by following something like the
same course of treatment.

If the plant has been a number of years in the same soil
it will be advisable to turn it out of the pot or tub; examine
the roots and clear away as much of the old effete soil as
possible, without damaging any of the healthy roots. If the
ball of earth has been considerably reduced, a pot or tub of
the same size will probably answer for the purpose of repot-
ting it, as it is not advisable to have a great mass of fresh
soil about the roots at this time. '^I'hey seem to thrive well
in a mixture of rough, fibry healthy loam, and peat earili,

304 On the Cultivation of the Pansy,

well mixed and pulverized for some time previous to using.
Before potting with this, add about one quarter part of
broken charcoal and sand. The early part of spring is the
best time for performing the operation. Clean pots or tubs
should be used and well drained. This is of great impor-
tance, as the roots will soon decay if the water does not pass
freely off. After potting, give a good watering and stand the
plants in the warmest part of the greenhouse. Water must
be very carefully applied for some time until the plant begins
to make fresh roots. About the middle of June, they do
better out of doors in an exposed situation, where they will
have plenty of sun and heat, always observing that water is
liberally suppHed. It would be advantageous to plunge
them in saw dust, tanners' bark, or some such material, for
the roots are apt to get roasted when exposed to the intense
rays of the sun; it would also save trouble in watering.
Towards the end of the season gradually lessen the supply
of water, and keep them all winter any where out of the
reach of frost, and nearly dry. They will require no water
at all unless subjected to a very arid atmosphere, under the
influence of artificial heat.

The following spring shift again, and continue the same
course of treatment, and when, on account of their size, it is
not convenient to shift, the annual growths should be en-
couraged by judicious applications of manure water ; this,
however, should never be applied unless the plant is in per-
fect health, and growing freely.

New Haven, June, 1849.

Art. VI. On the Cultivation of the Pansy. By Mr. Tur-
ner, Chalvey, near Windsor. With Remarks by the
Editor.

The pansy, in its present improved state, is one of our
most beautiful plants; blooming nearly the whole season,
and of the simplest treatment, it commends itself to the care
of every amateur cultivator. With the hope of interesting
our floral friends in the more extensive culture of this floral

On the Cultivation of the Pa7isy. 305

beauty, we have copied the following article from Beck's
Florist, which is especially minute in all the details of grow-
ing it, either for the amateur's own inspection or for exhibi-
tion. We trust it will be the means of bringing the pansy
into more general notice. — Ed.

Few plants are held in more general estimation than the
heartsease. Of easy culture, hardy, and blooming nearly all
the year round, it is to be found alike in the cottager's and
in the nobleman's garden, where, from the diversity of its
beautiful colors and its charming form, it equally ornaments
the quiet corner or the bed appropriated to its cultivation.
At the floricultural exhibition it is a looked-for favorite; and
those who have been in the habit of attending the metropoli-
tan and provincial shows cannot but have been struck with
the great advance made in the last few years in the form,
substance, and distinctness of the new varieties. Nor has the
improvement effected been made in the flower only ; great
improvements have taken place in the mode of cultivation.
The intention of these papers is, to place before the amateur
the benefit of our experience in the growth of this little pet,
promising the readers of 7'he Florist that we have no nos-
trums to recommend, but a few simple rules easily carried
into practice, the adoption of which will be attended with
success. The treatment of plants for exhibition, and of
those for the flower-beds, requires but little variation ; the
only difference being, that the former need a little more stim-
ulating with manure, and the young shoots cutting back, so
as to allow the strong leaders to receive the whole vigor of
the plant, and by this means to increase the size of the
blooms. For both purposes the plants must be renewed
annually, either by cuttings, layers, or parting the root, or
they will soon degenerate in size and color. Of the different
varieties we shall speak in due course, adding a descriptive
list, and explaining the merits and faults of the flower in the
amateur's estimation.

PRACTICE FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

There will be but little to do in the first of these months,
if those plants for early blooming are well established in

VOL. XV. NO. VII. 39

306 On the Cultivation of the Pansy.

beds, and those for pot culture protected in cold frames.
The beds, if not already done, should be gone over without
delay; peg down all loose long branches, and cover them
with light fine soil, leaving the point of the shoot and foliage
above the surface. It will be equally advantageous to place
a little similar soil round those plants of upright growth.
This will steady them in bad weather, and help to secure
the plants against frosty winds, which often prove destruct-
ive; and to complete their security, place a small glass or
flower-pot over each plant during such Aveather, and on
frosty nights, removing them as soon and as often as the
weather will permit.

Those in frames must be looked over often. Clean them
of dead leaves, and stir the surface of the soil ; give as much
air as possible on all favorable occasions, and keep them
moderately dry.

Those intended for blooming in pots under glass should be
repotted finally about the first of February. A 7-inch pot
will be the most proper and useful size ; but as some grow
much more vigorously than others, a size larger or a size
smaller may be used, according to the habit of the plant, but
the principal part should be in a 7-inch size. As pot culture
is becoming every season more general, and is by far the
best and most certain mode of obtaining early bloom, we
shall give full directions under this head.

The soil should be turfy loam, well decomposed, mixed
with rotten stable-manure and leaf-mould. To half a bar-
rowful of each of the latter, with two and a half barrows of
loam, add coarse sand or grit from the washing of a stream,
in quantity according to the nature of the loam. This com-
post should be well mixed during the summer, and occasion-
ally turned over, looking for wire worm, &c.

We must suppose that in the first week in October a selec-
tion had been made from the beds of young plants of such
as are intended for blooming in pots, which should be short
and healthy ; that they were potted in small pots, in soil
above described ; and that they were placed where they had
protection from heavy rains. We must also suppose that the
remainder of the soil has been preserved for the final repot-
ting, and been well frosted in the interval, and kept in a

Oft the Culiivaiioii of the Pansy. 307

tolerably dry state. Now this will obviate the necessity of
shaking the mould from the roots, which plan would be
preferable to making use of soil differing from that which
the plants had originally grown in. A part of the soil should
be shifted, and that which Avill not pass through the sieve
mix with as much rotten manure, and place a little of the
latter on the drainage, which should be good. The pot
should then be filled sufficiently to receive the plant.

When repotting, remove the top part and exterior of the
ball of earth from the plants, which has generally become
sour, and shake them down firmly by striking the pot on the
bench ; but they are not to be pressed so hard by the hand
as when potting carnations. Finish with the fine sifted
mould on the top, this will secure perfect drainage, and give
the pots a much neater appearance. Water sparingly for a
fortnight or three weeks, and then only when the weather is
mild. Give all the air possible, as before, and keep the
plants close to the glass. Turn the plants round occasion-
ally ; in fact, do every thing that will help to keep them
dwarf, and of a dark-green color. Fumigate if greenfly
appears on the plants, which will not be the case should the
weather be such that the lights can often be drawn quite
back. The surface of the soil will require scratching over
as often as it has become hard from watering. Top-dress
the pot with rotten manure, mixed with a little loam, about
the last week in

MARCH.

This is often a trying month for pansies. March winds,
accompanied with frost, frequently destroy more plants than
the rest of winter. Therefore at this time we counsel pro-
tection in severe weather. We by no means recommend
such covering as would make them tender, and cause them
to start into growth out of season. As they will naturally
commence growing early in this month, greater vigilance
must be observed to cover the plants at the approach of frost,
if early bloom is required, as the buds will suffer in a very
young state.

Those to succeed the first bloom should now be planted
out from the store pots, in beds that have been ridged up all
the winter.

308 On the Cultivation of the Pmisy.

Pansies will grow in any soil, but thrive best in a good
mellow sandy loam, made tolerably rich with good rotten
manure and leaf -mould : whatever the soil may be naturally,
add that which will bring it nearest to the above. For in-
stance, if the soil is a close adhesive loam, mix in plenty of
a light nature, with coarse sand ; good stiff loam may be
added to great advantage, if the soil is light, — the pansy
being a plant that cannot stand drought, such as would be
experienced with light soil in dry weather.

In choosing a situation for this plant, it is most desira-
ble to select one free from the sun for a few hours in the
hottest part of the day ; this will cause the blooms to keep
their color a much longer time.

If large blooms are required for exhibition, the distance
from plant to plant should be fifteen inches for strong-grow-
ing varieties ; ten inches will be sufficient for those of an
opposite character, and that seldom cover but very little
space. "Exquisite," " Ariadne,"' and " Miss Tarrant," are
of this class, and should be planted in a separate bed, other-
Avise such rude-growing kinds as " Mary Jane," "Rainbow,"
and others, will run over them. Two thirds of the distance
above named will be sufficient if grown for effect in the
garden. Pluck off any flowers that may appear before the
plants are established in the ground.

A few cuttings may now be put in to advantage, and,
when struck, should be planted in a north border, which
plants will flower all the summer in good color, if the situa-
tion is a proper one, and be the means of providing a succes-
sion of bloom from March until November, as the [stock
propagated during the summer months v\^ill bloom freely and
fine all the autumn.

Cuttings will strike throughout the whole year, and should
be taken as often as they can be found on choice valuable
kinds.

The most troublesome time to manage cuttings is during
the hot weather ; they are most easily struck in March and
the autumn months.

For autumn, winter, and spring striking, we make use of
pots, pressing them firmly and closely to the edge, using
sandy soil, with plenty of drainage ; but for summer propa-

On the Cvltivation of the Pansy. 309

gallon we prefer a shad^ border, which should be well
drained, and prepared so that worms cannot disturb the cut-
tings. They should be protected from heavy rain and from
exposure to the -sun; but if they are shaded, like most other
cuttings, they will most assuredly damp off. All depends on
the situation, which should be liglit wiihont sioi. Another
difficulty to contend with at this time, arises from harsh dry-
ing winds. We use hand-lights and small frames, so that
both heavy rain and wind can be eftectually kept from them.
However, not an hour should be lost in keeping them quite
open in favorable weather.

We must caution the inexperienced grower to avoid the
common error that nine out of ten fall into. Success will
not so much depend on making the cutting, which is a very
simple affair ; but whether for pots, or the border, be careful
not to make the hole deeper than the cutting is intended to
be inserted, and press the earth round it until it is quite hard.
We do not recommend layering; it should only be resorted
to with those flowers that are shy in throwing up young
wood. The tops of long shoots may be struck in this way,
that are too large for cuttings.

The soil of those beds which have had plants in them all
the winter should now be loosened, preparatory to their being
top-dressed with good rich rotten manure, which should be
put on when the beds are in a dry state. A good layer of
manure laid on in this manner answers two purposes. Its
strength will be washed down to the roots by rain and water-
ing, and will prevent the blooms from being splashed by
heavy rains. This last operation cannot be performed so
early as this in every season, as it would be injudicious when
the beds are in a wet state ; and the first week in April
would answer very well. At the same time fill up any va-
cancies that may have occurred during the winter.

APRIL.

This is perhaps the most exciting time of the year for the
amateur pansy grower. Buds of some new wonder, or
popular old favorites, will be fast maturing ; and those who
intend to exhibit will be still more interested in the develop-
ment of those plants they have been watching and nursing

310 On the Cultivation of the Pansy.

for months past. It cannot be denied but that early blooms
of well-grown pansies are charming in the extreme ; their
rich velvety appearance and freshness of color make them
peculiarly attractive.

Those in pots will now require to be gone over frequently
with the water-pot, being careful at the same time not to
give much water to plants of slow growth ; the constitution
of some varieties being very different to that of others, and
requiring judgment in this respect.

Any seed that may have been saved during the autumn
should now be sown in pans, the more early in the month
the better, and placed in gentle heat. Care must be taken
in watering after they are up, otherwise they are liable to
shank oif.

Look over the beds of autumn -plan ted seedlings, as many
will have been loosened by the frost, and will require press-
ing down.

If our readers are enthusiastic growers, they will not ob-
ject to follow our recommendation, and carefully to hunt by
candlelight for slugs, if their beds are troubled with that pest.
How many, on visiting their pansies in the freshness of an
April morning, have found their buds and flowers disfigured
for want of such precaution !

MAY.

This is the month when the pansy-grower will be fully
repaid for all his previous trouble. Those in pots and in the
autumn-planted beds will be in full bloom throughout this
month : and if the plants are such as they ought to be, from
the grower having adopted the treatment we have recom-
mended, the blooms will be large and fine, unless cold winds,
or frosty nights, should make them curled and rough, and so
disfigure the best kinds. Hence the reason of our recom-
mending pot-culture, as a certain plan of obtaining good
blooms at an early period of the year.

Those in pots will now require watering more freely, that
is, if the plants have done well, and made a vigorous growth ;
at every alternate watering we give them weak liquid ma-
nure. Watering, as well as the other operations enumer-
ated, must, in a great measure, be left to the skill and judg-

On the Cultivation of the Pansy. 311

ment of the cultivator, to perform earlier or later than the
time specified in these general directions.

Water in the morning until the M'-eather has become settled
and warm ; when it is so, the afternoon or evening will be
preferable.

We make a point of going over the plants with the water-
pot once a day ; but in drying weather, w^e run our eye over
them two or three times a day, and water as many as have
become dry ; for which purpose a pot of liquid manure is
kept standing by the frame. If only one plant requires it, it
does not go without.

These little details, when fully carried out, cause the
blooms from some gardens to be so much finer than the same
kinds from other places ; so much so, as scarcely to be recog-
nized as the same varieties.

By the middle of this month the weather is usually so
warm, that the frames containing the plants in pots should
be reversed, so as to face the north, w^iich will help to keep
them cooler, and the most favorable spot should be selected
to this end. As before recommended, keep the lights pidled
hack on all occasions when the weather ic ill permit : but pre-
vious to an exhibition, much care and attention will be
necessary, as more flowers will be made unfit for competition
by friction from the wind than from any other cause. It
will be evident that the larger and finer the blooms are, the
more liable they will be to get blown about. Yet, to keep
the lights constantly on, would soon spoil the succession-
blooms, by drawing the plants.

The same directions will answer for watering the beds ;
they will not, of course, require it so often.

When in flower, the plants should not be watered over
head, particularly if blooms are likely to be required at no
distant period.

The principal exhibitions for this flower will take place
about this time; to succeed at which, care must be taken of
blooms that will be in at a given day. To do this, a little
shading will be necessary. Those that are in the habit of
growing dahlias, carnations, or pinks, for exhibition, will
have ample means for this purpose. Shades made of tin,
pasteboard, canvass, or small handglasses, will be found

312 On the Cultivation of the Pansy.

equally useful. Never shade the entire bed with canvass or
other material ; it would bring one fine head of bloom for a
week or so, but from that time the blooms would degenerate
in size, with drawu-up plants. We need not point out the
difference between the pansy and the tulip. The succession
of bloom required from the former, and not from the latter,
accounts for the difference in the mode of shading. But
with the shades we first described, a single bloom can be
protected without injury to the plant itself, or those aroimd
it. Remove the shade a few hours in the morning and even-
ing; it will invigorate the bloom selected, and keep that part
of the plant from drawing.

iMuch good will result from having some tall upright
stakes, or any pieces of wood sufficiently high, placed close
to the bed on the south side, to which fix some very thin
canvass during the heat of the day. This will not draw the
plants, as the canvass we use is sufficiently thin to admit the
air passing through it, yet has the desired effect, by keeping
the blooms in color a longer time.

Six days before a show will suffice to look round for
blooms likely to be good when i'uUy grown; but the blooms
so selected must not be shaded until a day or two later.
This is supposing that the weather is warm ; but should it
be otherwise, extend the time, as the number of days a
bloom will keep will depend on the weather. Those of good
substance will of course keep the longest.

Put in as many cuttings as can be procured in thi;i month ;
it will answer two purposes; strengthen the plant in the
main shoots, and thereby increase the size of the blooms,
and at the same time euvsure a stock of all the leading kinds
before the large plants begin to die off from the heat. Entire
beds have been known to shank off during a very hot sum-
mer ; and all we can say on this part of the subject is, that
the further the pansy is removed from its original state by
high cultivation, &c., the more they shank off in this manner.

Therefore, if our recommendations are attended to, by
propagating as much as possible durhig the spring, the loss,
comparatively, will be but trifling, as the young stock is not
liable to go off from the same cause; and when once we get
through the summer months, they generally grow like weeds.

On the Cultivation of the Pansy. 313

To keep up a succession of large blooms, pluck off all
small or otherwise inferior blossoms. Those that grow for
competition only, often destroy the whole of the bloom for
a few days to ensure a fine head, and a good choice for
any particular occasion. At all times keep the plants clean
of dead leaves. The side-shoots, and those that continue
to break up from the root, must be kept down when
large blooms are indispensable, whether they are required
for increase or not.

JUNE.

The operations in this month will be very similar to the
preceding one. The weather having become more hot, the
cuttings will require closer attention ; and the first thing to
be done, on observing a fine flower in the seedling-bed, should
be to put in a few cuttings ; as we have before shown how
little notice a plant gives before it dies, during the heat of
May and June. Plants, that appear to be full of health and
vigor in the morning, will be down before midday, as if they
had been severed with a knife. On examining them, it will
be found that the spine is black and diseased to the extremity
of the shoots. Many fine seedlings have been lost for want
of this precaution.

Examine the choice kinds, and gather what seed is suffi-
ciently ripe, or the sparrows will very likely save you that
trouble. When gathered, it should be placed so that it can
be covered with glass or thin canvass ; otherwise, at the
bursting of the pods, many good seeds will be lost. Of
course it must not be covered down air-tight, as it will re-
quire all the air it can have to ripen and dry it off.

JULY.

Many of the cuttings, put in from time to time, will have
taken root. Those for autumn-blooming may be planted out
at once ; and a cool spot selected, and prepared with plenty
of coarse sand, to transplant the remainder into for stock-
plants. Keep the surface of the soil removed between those
cuttings in process of striking, and clean the cuttings of all
dead foliage. It should be borne in mind, that the situation

VOL. XV. — NO. vn. 40

314

On the Cultivation of the Pansy.

of the pansy ought to be the first object ; and if there is a
part of the garden cool, and rather shady, but of inferior
soil, we advise the cultivator to make that soil suit the plant,
which will be found more easy than to make the situation.

1 2

Fig. 28. Tht Pansy.
POINTS OF PERFECTION IN THE PANSY.

The seedling-beds will now be daily showing new faces.
This is therefore an appropriate time to state the properties
which constitute perfection in the pansy, as it may be of
service in selecting the most promising to be grown another
season, which is necessary to prove their constancy. The
above woodcuts, (Jig- 28,) 1 and 2, will give the best idea of
what is most prized as regards shape. It will be seen that
the outline should be quite circular ; the petals even on the
edges, and flat; the face of the flower smooth, (viz. free from

On the Cultivatio7i of the Pansy. 315

crumple,) otherwise the best-formed variety will have a coarse
appearance.

In the outline, we have many varieties that approach very
near to our standard ; the deficiency generally being in the
lower side of the bottom petal.

It must have been observed, that every step we have taken
towards attaining a perfectly round pansy, so much less is
there seen of the top petals. This arises from the increased
size of the side and bottom petals, which, obliterating the
deep indentations in the outline, have encroached upon the
visible portion of the top petals. The side petals should
meet at some distance above the eye, that the marking may
be perfect ; the effect of this will be apparent by comparing
1 and 2 with 3.

The next point to notice is the centre or eye, which should
be radiated or solid, see 1 and 2. If the former, the lines or
rays should never run through to the margin, as in No. 3 ;
if the latter, the color should terminate abruptly.

A most desirable point is, that the ground-color should be
entire ; whether white, lemon, or deep yellow, it should be
the same in all the petals. Many of the yellow-ground
flowers have a tendency to be of a deeper shade in the bot-
tom petal ; this is a fatal defect in show varieties. The
colors should be distinct, whether bright or deep, well de-
fined, and not joining the ground-color by a watery or indis-
tinct edge. In No. 3 it will be seen that the oblong shape of
the ground-color is very objectionable, as it gives the flower
a long appearance, although the outline is perfect. It is
better that the ground-color should follow the outline, as in
No. 2. No. 3 is also given to show the common appearance
a flower has when the inside of the margin is uneven; in
this point flowers are greatly improved.

Selfs of any shade should be dense and rich, with a bold
dark eye, and the more glossy the surface the better. By
comparing Othello or Hall's Rainbow with Diamond, this
will be evident. Richness of surface is, of course, essential
to all of them ; we abound in good dark Selfs, but are very
deficient of whites and yellows. We may also mention,
that great improvements have been made in yellow-ground
flowers compared with white-ground varieties.

316 Floricultural and Botanical Notices.

Seedlings without substance, if they possess the other
requisite quahties, should be discarded. Size is indispensa-
ble in show-flowers.

Art. VII. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and
Beautiful Plants figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with
Descriptio7is of those recently introduced to^ or originated in,
American Gardens.

Abu^tilon Bedfordia^num. — This is a new and very pretty
species, quite distinct in its foliage and flowers ; the leaves are
large and roundish, measuring six or eight inches in diameter ;
and the flowers, which are considerably larger than the old
striatum, are borne in clusters on long axillary stems, and
are of a pale dull yellow, striped and veined with light brown.
It is not quite so free a bloomer as the striatum, but its broad
and ample foliage, its stately habit, and the delicate shade of
its flowers, render it a desirable and pretty plant. It is now in
fine flower in our collection.

LoNi'cERA sEMPERVi RENS, var. BRoVNii. — Uudcr this name
we have cultivated a new and beautiful variety of the scarlet
honeysuckle. The flowers are a little different in shape from
the old scarlet, and of a darker shade, and the stem on which
they are borne springs from the centre of a flat circular leaf,
giving it a neat appearance. The foliage is handsome, and
deeply tinged with reddish brown. It is a fine acquisition to
the honeysuckle tribe, and should be in every collection. It
is of easy cultivation, and is perfectly hardy.

Groom's Hybrid Lilies. — At the time of our visit to Mr.
Groom's establishment near London, in the fall of 1844, of
which we have given a full account, (Vol. XI. p. 165,) we
saw, besides his superb collection of Japan lilies, a small bed
of lilies which he had produced by hybridization between
L. bulbiferum and atro sanguineum They had just gone
out of flower, but Mr. Groom praised them so highly that we
purchased his whole collection of eighteen kinds, at the round
price of £5. After our arrival home, for fear they might not
prove hardy in our climate, we cultivated them in pots, and

Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 317

when, in the following year, they came into bloom, we were
so much disappointed in their beauty that we neglected them,
— so much so, that a portion of them were lost ; and what
remained, in the autumn of 1846, we turned out into the bor-
der, to take their chance with other common bulbs.

From that time until the present month, (June,) they have
been entirely forgotten ; they were neither protected in win-
ter, nor encouraged to grow in summer, and the names of
some of them were lost ; but, to our great surprise, they have
now bloomed with a splendor which at once shows their great
worth, and the just estimation in which Mr. Groom held them.
We had observed that last year, (1848,) the London Horti-
cultural Society had awarded Mr. Groom a Certificate of
merit for an exhibition of some of the flowers, but we attrib-
uted this to their rarity and novelty rather than their merit.
We can now appreciate the justice of the award.

These lilies grow about eighteen inches high, and the flow-
ers are erect, in the way of our common philadelphicum, but
they appear in immense clusters of eight or ten, individually
very large, and of various shades of color, from pale red to a
fiery vermilion, the petals more or less spotted with maroon
or dark brown, making a rich brilliant display, especially
when grouped with the lighter-colored species and varieties.
Altogether, we consider them as great acquisitions to this
most showy tribe of hardy bulbs. The names of some of
them are Vulcan, Nabob, Voltaire, Atlas, Titian, Louis Phil-
ippe, Napoleon, Rembrandt, Duke of Devonshire, &c.

New Californian Annuals. — Since the expedition of the
lamented Douglass to California, and Drummond to Texas,
but a very limited number of new annuals have been intro-
duced. To the labors of Douglass, all lovers of flowers will
be ever indebted, for without the Columbia River and Califor-
nia species, sent home by him, our gardens would present but
little of the variety which now renders them so interesting
throughout the season. The golden Chryseis, — the delicate
Clarkias, — the gay Leptosiphons, — and the azure Nemophilas,
are sufficient of themselves to beautify an ordinary garden.

Mr. Hartweg, in his late expedition to Mexico and Califor-
nia, has introduced several new and pretty annuals, and,
from his success, which was, however, greatly marred by the

31 S FloncAdtural and Botanical Notices.

troubles of the Mexican war, wc have no doubt there yet re-
mains many fine tilings in store for the industrious collector
who shall follow- him. We only wish that our own govern-
ment would move in this matter. Mr. Breckenridge, who
accompanied the Exploring Expedition, would be the enter-
prising botanist who should fully investigate the botanical
riches of our newly-acquired territory. To many individuals,
we are sure he would bring treasures of greater value than
the golden sands of the Sacramento, or the precious ores of
the Sierra Nevada.

The following are the new annuals brought home by Mr.
Hartweg, which have flowered in the garden of the Horticul-
tural Society, and are described in their Jourwd: —

Pogbgyne midtijlora Bentli. — A dwarf labiate annual,
growing five inclies high, with lilac flowers. A pretty dwarf
species, which, if sown in May, will flower from August to
November. Found in Sonoma.

Luplmis affinis Agardli.— Grows six inches high, little
branched. Flowers in whorled racemes, silky bright deep
blue, with a broad white spot in the middle of the standard.
It remains a long time in bloom. Found in the woods near
Monterey.

Monardilla unduldta Benth. — Grows nine inches high, lit-
tle branched. Flow^ers in stalked terminal heads, bright
violet, surrounded by pale, broad, hairy, roundish, involucral
leaves. A hardy annual, flowering in June, and remaining a
long time in bloom. Found in fields near Monterey.

Navurritta airactyloxdes Hook, and Arnott. — A hardy an-
nual, growing six inches high, but only of botanical interest.
Found in fields near Monterey.

N. piibescens Hook and Arnott. — A showy and pretty spe-
cies, with grayish blue flowers. Found in Sonoma.

Nemophila maculata Bcnth. — The finest annual of all Mr.
Hartweg's seeds. It has the habit of insignis, but has whit-
ish flowers, with a deep violet blotch on the end of each lobe
of the corolla. It requires the same treatment as N. insignis.

Limnanihcs rosea Benth. — A prostrate succulent plant,
with the habit of Limndnthes Dougldsi?'. The flowers are
pale dirty rose color. It is a tolerably pretty annual, requir-

General Notices. 319

ing the same treatment as Nemophila. Found in the Sacra-
mento valley.

L. alba Hartweg. — Of similar habit of L. rosea, but with
white flowers. It thrives well in a damp situation, and
blooms for a long time.

At another time, we shall notice some of the shrubby and
perennial plants and bulbs which Mr. Hartweg found in Cal-
ifornia.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. 1. General Notices.

Wistaria sinensis. — On each of the rafters of the principal roof of the
conservatory here, is trained a single shoot of this plant, the flowers of
which are usually produced in great prodigality, more especially at the first
period of blossoming, when it exhibits a magnificent appearance. Tiewed
from either end of the house, the whole roof presents an unbroken mass of
large bluish purple clusters, of the softest tints, which are rendered even
more delicate by their being produced under glass. The bunches of flow-
ers have been unusually fine with us this season, and from absence of much
sunlight they have been in beauty since the beginning of April. When
trained on walls or buildings in the open air, on different aspects, the sea-
son of flowering is in consequence of longer continuation. On a southern
aspect here it has been in flower about a fortnight ; whilst on an eastern
exposure, the blossoms are only just expanding, and they will remain in
flower for a long time, in consequence of being shaded from the fierce rays
of the mid-day and afternoon sun. It is worthy of remark, that whilst the
blossoms on a southern exposure have suffered very considerably from the
effects of the severe weather of last month, those on an eastern aspect
have sustained no damage whatever. Grown on arches in particular situa-
tions, or trained to imitate a shrub on a nicely kept lawn, the effect in either
case is pleasing, or if it is allowed to ramble over a specimen of laburnum,
its delicate flowers mingling with the brilliant yellow of the laburnum
produce at once variety and contrast. — (Gardeners^ Chronicle, 1849, p. 342.)

Verbena Pegs, — The following plan may be found a less troublesome
mode of procuring pegs for verbenas, &c., than the ordinary custom of
cutting hooked pegs out of old besoms or bundles of fern. Get a bundle of
the unpeeled thin ends of the willow twigs, about from one to two feet long,
from the basket maker's, and cut them into lengths from four to six inches
When your plants require pegging, you have only to take your basket full
of these little sticks, and, bending them in the middle, they will be found
to answer perfectly. Keep the bundle of twigs with the thick end in wa-
ter, to preserve their toughness, until they are wanted to be cut up. Any
basket-maker will furnish a bundle of these ends, enough for a large gar-

320 General Notices.

den, for about 6<f. ; and if you make it Is. he will probably add a quantity
of nice white peeled sticks for tying up plants to. — [lb. 1849, p. 342.)

Oxalis fioribunda a bedding plant. — Those who have only seen this oxalis
treated strictly as a greenhouse plant can form little conception of what a
showy thing it is when planted out of doors in masses. In planting it out,
however, a little discretion is necessary. Avoid any situation where, from
the position of high trees or buildings, the rays of the sun would be ex-
cluded from it during the greater part of the day ; for its flowers will not
expand fully in the shade, or in very dull weather. From its dwarf neat
habit, no difficulty will be experienced in finding a situation for it ; but the
most appropriate one is, on raised beds among stones, on rockwork, or
round the margin of beds containing taller plants, where it forms an excel-
lent edging during summer. It must be admitted, however, that this pretty
little plant is not propagated with that facility with which verbenas, petu-
nias, salvias, and many other bedding plants are ; but when a stock of it is
once obtained there is no further trouble, for the same plants can be made
available many years in succession.

When the season is too far advanced for the flower garden to be any
longer an object of great interest, oxalis floribunda ought to be taken up
and potted, in any light sandy soil, and placed on a shelf in the greenhouse,
where it will be safe from severe frost or damp in the winter. In taking up
the old plants, a quantity of short shoots will sometimes be found growing
round their necks, close to the ground; these ought to be cut off" close to
the stem, and planted in sandy soil, in store pots half filled with crocks,
after the manner of cuttings. As these shoots seldom exceed one and a
half inches in length, (not including the leaves,) let them be inserted into
the soil their whole length, and watered, in order to settle the soil about
them ; and if placed in any close pit until they emit roots, they will form
an excellent stock for planting out the following summer.

Though the oxalis floribunda cannot be depended upon as being suffi-
ciently hardy to stand our winters out of doors without protection, never-
theless, it is by no means so impatient of a low temperature as some might
imagine. I have known it, when planted on a pile of stones laid against
the south side of a building, with a little light soil thrown over them, but
allowing some portion of the larger stones to stand up above the soil, to re-
sist all the vicissitudes of three winters in succession without any protection
whatever, unless the projecting stones can be considered as such. And in
this case its condition was not such as we frequently witness in half hardy
plants under such circumstances, — a mere existence throughout the winter,
and in spring so much injured as only to be fit to be thrown away ; for
these, in the intervening summers, flowered in the greatest profusion. — {lb.
1849, p. 324.)

Dahlias. — As the plants advance in growth, they must be tied carefully
to stakes arranged so as to preserve a natural appearance ; avoiding, on the
one hand, a tight broom-like fashion, and, on the other, an awkward sever-
ance and, as it were, dislocation of the branches. Unless regular tying is
attended to, some unlucky wind will tear away a large portion of the plant.

General Notices. 321

Pruning must not be neglected, the operation being regulated by the habit
of the flower. If liable to become coarse, the knife must be little used, but
if the tendency of the flower is to diminutiveness, it may be applied with
advantage.

As it is of the utmost importance to keep up a regular moisture at the
root, mulching is recommended in hot weather, i. e., from the time of
planting till September, or nearly through the whole season of growth. T
have for several years been foiled in my attempts to keep evaporation from
proceeding too rapidly, by the birds, who have scraped away, in the early
morning, the grass or other covering placed around the plants at night.
Last year, I covered the mulching with twigs, but from some cause I could
not discover, they still persevered, and rendered my efforts futile. This
year, I intend to plant deeper, and gain a mulching by an extra thickness of
mould between the surface and the root. I am not aware that this plan will
have any disadvantages, while it will allow of a small depression being
made to retain water. The principle to be remembered is, that artificial
watering is, to some extent, an evil, as it hardens the soil and carries its
fertilizing properties out of the reach of the plant. Whatever means,
therefore, can be adopted to retain moisture, are, so far, favorable to a
healthy development of vegetable growth. The best growers recommend
frequent waterings with a fine rose over the foliage, when the sun is oflfthe
plants ; besides the general benefit, it is said that the moisture prevents, to
some extent, the attacks of earwigs.

The mention of that foe to florists, just alluded to, reminds us of the dis-
appointment so often felt, when, having succeeded in getting a good bloom,
our labors are neutralized by the fine teeth or mandibles of earwigs, ruining
in a night the finest specimens. How can they be guarded against 1 No
doubt by a greater acquaintance with the habits of the insect, and a more
diligent warfare against it in all its stages of growth. But as this radical
eradication of the pest is not to be looked for, we can only indicate the
modes of checking their propensities, in some particular case. They may
be caught by hundreds and killed, by bean stalks placed among the foliage,
or small pots half full of moss on the tops of the stakes. But the mischief
is then partly done, as will be manifest from the color of their internal
juices, which are yellow, crimson, or orange, according as the flower they
have been eating is of either of those hues. It was once thought sufficient
to prevent their ascent, by water-pans, or by wool tied around the stem ;
but it is now known that earwigs have wings, and are consequently not de-
pendent on their feet for access to their food. That they can fly is undeni-
able, but that they exercise the power much may be doubted. I never saw
one on the wing, nor even preparing for flight, although 1 have been out in
the nights of summer repeatedly, and watched their movements with a can-
dle. I am inclined to think the faculty of flying is but rarely used, and
that, therefore, while traps should be placed to catch them, means should
also be taken to prevent their ascending to the dahlias. It is known they
dislike cotton or wool, which entangles their feet, and perhaps some oily
substance in addition would effectually repel them. The wool should be
VOL. XV. NO. VIL 41

322 General Notices.

tied lightly around the whole stem and the stake, so as to render ascent
impossible without passing over it. — {lb. 1849, p. 325.)

Fines. — A generally successful cultivator of the vine hasnotunfrequently
to lament the failure in the setting of some of the superior sorts of grapes,
such as the Muscat of Alexandria, the Tottenham Park Muscat, Black Mo-
rocco, West's St. Peter, &c. On the Black Morocco, this season, produ-
cing a profusion of unusually large bunches, there is only one on which the
berries are even partially well set ; the rest are composed of small stoneless
berries with here and there a single one swelling off ; the excepted bunch
happened to be placed upwards towards the glass. An unusually large crop
of the St. Peter grape is likewise composed of similar defective bunches.
The same complaints are frequently made by other cultivators, and the sorts
of vines alluded to have been discarded by many, owing to the failure.
Will you favor the writer with an explanation of the cause of this defect in
the setting of the grapes, and suggest any mode of treatment likely to reme-
dy it. The temperature of the house has been usually from 75° to 80°
during the time of blossoming, with as much moisture as possible [Oh?] pro-
duced by water thrown on the hot iron pipes, syringing being discontinued
during that period, air being freely admitted. Nothing can exceed the
strength and vigor of the vines, the stems of many of 15 years' growth be-
ing as large as is usually found at double that age, great attention having
been paid to the original composition of the border, which has since been
largely supplied with decomposed animal matter. — Clericns, Devonshire.
[As much moisture as possible I There is the mischief. Vines cannot set
their flowers in moisture.] — {lb. 1849, p. 325.)

Antirrhinums. — It is often asked can the capabilities of these flowers
ever enable them to enter the rank of florist flowers ; and if so, what posi-
tion will they be able to elevate themselves to among these too-frequently
overruled and rigidly-disciplined favorites. In reply, I would state that the
snapdragon flower, as regards markings and colors, is endued with powers
and capabilities which, with attention and judgment in cross breeding and
culture, will ere long prove its right to range prominently amid the best of
Flora's productions. A very brief period has as yet been devoted to the
improvement of the antirrhinum ; and yet the rapid advancement the better
and more attractive properties of this flower have made in this short space
of time encourages me to hope that we may expect greater distinctness and
regularity in its stripes and markings than in tlje carnation or the tulip
themselves. This statement is based upon the fact that A. Youngii, a
chance seedling, is a flower regularly marked and invariably having equal
coloring on each side. Last year, out of eight or ten bushes of it planted
in different parts of my garden, I did not discover any difference in any one
of the flowers, which, however, are by no means good as to form. I believe
that the old reticulatum, and the varied ones like Ibrahim Pasha, will sus-
tain the same fact with regard to invariability of marking. A right standard
of perfection by which to judge of this flower is yet, however, a desidera-
tum.-(/J 1849, p. 325.)

Summer Treatment of Hardivooded Greenhouse Plants. — Every one

General Notices. 323

knows the danger of allowing any of the hard-wooded plants from Austra-
lia or the Cape to flag. Neglect them only for one day during a dry sum-
mer, and their tissues become contracted, the leaves and tender tips droop,
and then the greatest care the gardener can bestow will not be sufBcient to
recover his favorites, whose roots are confined within the narrow compass
of the potter's handiwork. Nature has not endowed plants with the power
of locomotion, but by successional layers of organized matter the roots
become elongated, and in pot cultivation soon reach their prison walls, and
of course are there ill situated to withstand drought. But see similar
plants in their native country, — they there possess a luxuriance of growth
and profusion of blossom that calls forth the admiration of every traveller.

The heath is a plant which is well known to be very impatient of drought,
but look at it as I have done on the mountains behind Cape Town, where
heat and drought far exceeds any thing of the kind in this country. Again,
witness the vegetation of New South "Wales, where the majority of our
most lovely greenhouse plants is to be found. There I have seen the
Banksias, the lovely Epacrises, Chorozemas, Boronias, Pultenseas, &c.,
flourish among rocks and thrive upon sandy plains exposed to the parching
sun, and for a long period without a drop of rain ; but their roots are there
at liberty to pursue what course they please, and so they penetrate to a
great depth, where they are kept cool and moist during the driest seasons.
That king of the Australian forest, the noble Eucalyptus, whose size
astonishes every traveller, occupies immense tracts of strong marl, broken
only by an occasional gully, where I have seen the princely palm, from 80
to 90 feet in height, and the most lovely ferns the Cryptogamic botanist
could desire. Again, round the margins of swamps I have delighted in
the sight of the strong-growing Acacias, such as armata and dealbata,
many of the Melaleucas, Eutaxias, and the humble Blandfordias. On such
trees are numerous parasitical plants, not the least curious of which is the
Acrostichum alcicorne, which is perfectly at home on the top of the Casua-
rina, appearing at a distance like some huge bird's nest. Planted there by
the hand of nature, and watered by the dews of heaven, it attains a size
unequalled under artificial cultivation.

Looking round on the various forms of vegetation in distant countries, I
thought their captive brethren were often harshly treated. For instance,
how frequently do I see them taken from the greenhouse and placed behind
some wall, hedge, or high trees during the summer months, thus depriving
them of part of the sun's power at the very time when they ought to receive
every ray of his light; for, it should be remembered, that the brightest of
our summers cannot for a moment be compared with those of the countries ef
which these plants are natives, and where the majority of them stand fully
exposed, ripening and hardening their systems to an extent which enables
them at the approach of winter to withstand degrees of cold that would
surprise many people. I have of»^n thought that nature's laws would be
more perfectly fulfilled if, on shevt removal from the greenhouse, these
plants were placed where they could receive the full benefit of the sun,
while the pots might be plunged in sand or the common soil. By so doing

324 Foreign Notices.

the roots would be kept cool and moist ; comparatively little water would
be required, and the plants would acquire a solidity that would enable
them to bid defiance to damp and mildew in winter, when they could also
bear a few degrees of frost with impunity. — {lb. 1849, p. 212. J

Art. II. Foreign Notices.
FRANCE.

French Bouquets. — The Marchands de Bouquets are a very numerous
and thriving fraternity in Paris. In all the principal streets, and particu-
larly in the arcades and passages near the theatres and places of public
amusement, are to be found their attractive shops, where nosegays may be
procured at from ten sous to twenty francs throughout every day of the
year ; a still more numerous, yet humbler class, sell in the public streets,
and at the railway stations, roses, violets, carnations, camellias, in fact,
every flower in its natural season from January to December at from one to
five sous (^rf. to 24</). The amount spent by the Parisians in this way is
almost incredible ; thousands of persons obtain a living by selling these
halfpenny bouquets ; to understand this, it must be borne in mind that the
manners of the continent are different from those in England ; that in catho-
lic countries almost every day is the " Jour de fete" of some saint, and that
in France it is the custom for every one to present flowers, either growing
or cut, to tlieir friends on their birth-day or "jour de fete ;" so universalis
this, that a duchess gladly accepts the friendly homage, and the meanest
inhabitant of a garret feels neglected, if not insulted, without it.

To meet this demand, there is a distinct and numerous class of florists,
occupying small gardens from a quarter to one acre of ground, adjoining
the city walls in the Faubourgs St. Denis, Menilmontant, Charonne, Mar-
ceau, and St. Jacques, whose sole occupation is the cultivation of these
flowers ; each has his " specialile" which he grows upon a large scale and
can afford to sell at a cheap rate. Everything is done upon the most eco-
nomical plan ; to save expense, the plant-houses are built two, three, or
four feet below the surface, exactly like spanroofed pits ; the front or south
lights are glass, the back or north is generally covered over with deal
boards ; this enables them to cover the whole thickly over with leaves in
winter, and effectually prevents the frost from entering ; there is not one in
fifty of these houses ever warmed by any other means ; fuel is very expen-
sive ii Paris, and it would not answer their purpose to be at the expense of
fire heat. Tan is abundant, and procured at a reasonable price ; it is every-
where used in these gardens for bottom heat.

With these florists you do not find any large collections or general stock ;
few grow more than ten or fifteen kinds of plants to bloom in succession,
that their energies may be concentrated upon one thing at a time, and, as
might be expected, what they do is done well. The " speciality" of one

Domestic Notices. 325

consists of camellias, azaleas, roses, orange trees, and hard-wooded plants ;
another of ericas, epacris, pelargoniums, &c. ; another of violets, pansies,
carnations, &c. Thus an immense quantity is raised. Tt is no uncommon
thing to find in one of these little gardens 10,000 or 15,000 camellias ; in
another, as many roses or crassulas. I am quite sure that for Midsummer
day (Fete de St. Jean), there are not less than 60,000 or 70,000 plants of
Crassula coccinea cultivated about Paris. The white chrysanthemum, es-
pecially the new white anemone flowering varieties, are now largely culti-
vated for cut flowers in December. The Rose du Roi (crimson perpetual,)
is almost the only one sold in the markets. I have seen it in bloom during
every month of the year ; its delicious fragrance, fine color, form, and
habit, render it decidedly more useful than any of the China and Provence
kinds. The Indica minor, alba, and coccinea, are also extensively grown
for the Marchands de Bouquets ; they are, with the violet, chrysanthemum,
and camellia, their grand resort for the winter.

I have often been struck with the difference between the bouquets of
London, Paris, and Brussels; in London, it is no uncommon thing to see
beautiful stanhopeas, oncidiums, and other orchids, forming part of a bou-
quet ; in Brussels, also, you see some fine rare flowers, but nothing of the
kind is to be seen in Paris. In the latter town, in general, they are com-
posed of the common flowers of the season ; they are, however, neverthe-
less very pretty, — the secret lies in the grouping. Most decidedly the
French understand harmony of color and tasteful arrangement better than
any other people ; it is thus that they make up an elegant nosegay for a
mere trifle ; even in November, December, and January, you may always
procure them at a moderate price ; this is no doubt, in part, owing to the
climate, but in no little degree to the means used in retarding or prolonging
the bloom. During those months, there is a plentiful supply of violets,
cyclamens, epacris, laurustinus, white chrysanthemums, fairy roses, Chinese
primulas, oranges, ericas, and camellias ; and as the national colors are ever
dominant with the Parisians, they make up very pretty tricolor bouquets of
fairy roses, violets, and primula sinensis or white chrysanthemums. — {Gar-
deners^ Chronicle, 1849, p. 356.)

Art. in. Domestic Notices.

New Haven County Horticultural Society. — The nineteenth annual exhi-
tion of this society will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
the 25th, 26th* and 27th of September next, at New Haven. Liberal
premiums will be awarded for flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Northwestern Pomological Convention. — Some of the western papers
propose a horticultural convention, to be held at Chicago in the coming
autumn. We have no doubt it would be attended with the best results.
Such is the extent of our country, that it is next to impossible to carry fruit
and attend conventions at a very great distance. A meeting of the kind

326 Albany a) id Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

proposed would be of great service to the pomologists of Iowa, Wisconsin,
Illinois, and Missouri. — Ed.

Vermont Fruit Grower''s Convention. — A notice has already been is-
sued for holding a convention at Montpelier, on the 18th of October next.
This has been decided upon by the State committee appointed at the North
American Pomological Convention. Communications and specimens of
fruit are requested to be sent to the care of Daniel Baldwin, Esq., of Mont-
pelier, who will take charge of them. The notice is signed by the com-
mittee, of which C. Goodrich, Esq., is chairman. — Ed.

Art. IV. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

The exhibition of the society, on Wednesday the 20th June, presented a
fine display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. The reports of the several
committees are annexed, in which a description of the articles on exhibition
may be found. The attendance of visitors, taking into consideration the
overpowering heat of the weather, was large. The flowers were very
tastefully arranged upon a new stand designed by Mr. J. M. Lovett, which
added much to the display. The increased interest manifested in the exhi-
bitions of the society, is very encouraging. — B. P. Johnson, Secretary.

Fruit. — The Committee on Fruit report that there wexQ exhibited by
B. B. Kirtland, Greenbush, six varieties of strawberries, viz. Burr's New
Pine, Iowa, Sciota, Columbus, Burr's Old Pine, and Ohio Mammoth. By
E. Prentice, Mount Hope, five varieties of strawberries, viz, Ross Phcenix,
Early Virginia, Iowa, Hovey's Seedling, and Stoddart's Alpine. By Dr.
J. Wilson, Bethlehem, four varieties of strawberries, viz, Early Virginia,
Black Prince, Bishop's Orange, and White Alpine. By Wm. H. Dewitt,
Ross Phoenix and White Alpine strawberries. By V P. Douw, Wolven
Hook, Ross Phoenix, and Iowa strawberries, and Green Citron muskmelons,
grown under glass. By E. C. Mcintosh, Hovey's Seedling strawberries.

By J. Rathbone, Kenwood, Cincinnati Pine, Early Virginia strawberries,
and May Duke cherries. By Wm. Cooper, Guilderland, Early Virginia
strawberries. By J. Wilson, five varieties of strawberries, viz, Crimson
Cone, Columbus, Alice Maude, Burr's New Pine and Aberdeen Beehive,
(two plants of which new variety were exhibited, growing in pots, and
heavily laden with fruit.) By Stephen E. Warren, Troy, Iowa strawber-
ries. By E. H. Pease, Hovey's Seedling and Boston Pine strawberries.
By Dr. Herman Wendell, four varieties of strawberries, viz, Aberdeen
Beehive, Swainstone Seedling, Boston Pine and lowas. By Luther Tuck-
er, Bethlehem, six varieties of strawberries, viz, Royal Scarlet, Boston
Pine, Crimson Cone, Ohio Mammoth, Old Hudson, and Hovey's Seedling.
By J. M. Lovett, Swiss Home, Bethlehem, Iowa strawberries.

PREMIUMS.

For the best and most extensive collection, not less than half a pint of

each variety, to E. P. Prentice, $3.
For the second best with same requirements, to B. B. Kirtland, of

Greenbush, $3.

Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. 327

For the best and finest flavored variety, to B. B. Kirtland, for Burr's
New Pine — a delicious, hardy, and productive variety, but of compar-
ative moderate size, $2.
For the second best, with same requirements, to Luther Tucker, for
Royal Scarlet, a large and beautiful as well as delicious variety, and
but little inferior to the above, S 1.
The committee beg leave to remark, that it will be seen by the report
of entries given above, that the much lauded Aberdeen Beehive strawberry
was exhibited by two gentlemen, one of whom exhibited plants laden with
fruit growing in pots, and one fruit from plants of open culture, and as far
as they are able to judge by comparison with other varieties, they are dis-
posed to think that it will be found to prove a hardy prolific, when grown
with a fertilizer and rich variety, but not by any means superior, if equal
in these particulars, to many favorite and well known old varieties. They
also beg leave to add, that several varieties of Burr's New Seedlings were
exhibited by two gentlemen, all of which have proved to be hardy and
thrifty growers, and the New Pine, a prolific, large-sized, and delicious, as
well as beautiful variety, and also one well suited for marketable purposes,
as it is of firm flesh, keeps well, and bears transportation remarkably well. —
Herman Wendell, Chairman.

Floral Designs. — Greenhouse Plants, &c. — The committee reports
that there was exhibited by Joel Rathbone, of Kenwood, two beautiful
round vase bouquets — not in competition — arranged with good taste, and
composed of fuchsias, eupatoreums, gloxinias, pelargoniums, and other
choice flowers.

By Dr. Herman Wendell, one large round bouquet for centre table vase,
arranged with good taste, and composed of choice roses, pinks, pansies,
spireas, &c., &c., to which the committee awarded the premium of $2 ;
one large flat bouquet for mantle vase, tastefully arranged, and composed
of about the same varieties of flowers ; a basket bouquet with handle, ex-
quisitely arranged, composed of choice rose buds, pansies, forget-me-nots,
&c. &c., to which the committee awarded the premium of $2.

By James Wilson, of Albany, a very beautiful and well arranged large flat
bouquet, for mantle vase, composed of choice and rare roses and buds, pelar-
goniums, fuchsias, spireas, &c., &c., to which the committee have awarded
the premium of $ 2 ; a large round bouquet for mantle vase, composed of
about the same varieties of flowers ; a round hand bouquet composed of
rare and beautiful flowers, as hoyas, pelargoniums, &c., and arranged
with exquisite taste, to which the committee have awarded the premium
of $ 1. A flat hand bouquet, arranged with equal good taste, the premium
of $1.

By L. Menand, a very beautiful round hand bouquet, composed of rare
flowers, arranged with skill and taste, and several varieties of plants growing
in pots, all in beautiful bloom and fine order, evincing Mon's well known
skill — and for which the committee awarded the premium for the best six
plants of different varieties in pots, $2.

Flowers, &c., in variety were also contributed by S. E. Warren, J. M.

328 Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

Lovett, E. P. Prentice, \V. Brincle, Mrs. Brinkerhoff, Mrs. J. Gary, Mrs.
S. Gary, Mrs. Shire, Mrs. G. Wait, and Mrs. B. Wait.— S. E. Warren,
Chairman.

Flowers. — The President, Mr. Rathbone, Dr. 11. Wendell, and Messrs.
Wilson, were the principal exhibitors, and these gentlemen contributed a
great variety of roses and other flowers. Flowers were also sent by W.
Buswell, J. S. Gould, E. P. Prentice, W. H. DeWitt, E. G. Mcintosh,
&c, We have not space for the whole report and give the list of premiums.

PREMIUMS. ,

The committee have awarded the premiums as follows : —
Roses. — For the best exhibition, to James Wilson, $3.

For the best twelve varieties, viz. Princess Lambelle, Beauty Etheriel,
Violateum, Madam Audot, Kean, Lady Stuart, Bourbon Moss,
D'Agesson, Schon Brun, Blanche Superb, London Pride, and Vio-
lateum, to James Wilson, $2.
For the best six varieties, viz, Persian Yellow, Lanzezeur, Leda,
George IV., Tricolor D'Orleans, and Princess Clementine, to James
Wilson, $1.
P(E0NiEs. — For the best exhibition, to James Wilson, $2.

For the best six varieties, viz, Whilejii, Humii, Reevesii, Pottsii, Al-
bicans, and Fragrans, to James Wilson, $ 1.
Pansies. — For the best ten varieties, to Dr. H. Wendell, $2.

For the best six varieties, to Dr. H. Wendell, S 1.
Pinks. — For the best three varieties, to James Wilson, $ 1.

For the best display of annual and perennial flowers, to Joel Rath-
bone, $2. — J. M. Lovett, Chairman.
Vegetables. — The show was remarkable for the excellence of the speci-
mens, which were so good the judges found it somewhat difficult to dis-
criminate which was the best in some cases.

Dr. Wendell sent Victory of Bath cucumbers, Rhubarb, Hoo-Sung, a
newly imported Ghinese vegetable, and some fine specimens of large Early
Asiatic cauliflowers, the seed of which was forwarded to Dr. Wendell
from the London Horticultural Society. It was sown 15th of March, and
the plants set out in May. We believe this to be a very fine variety, and
will be quite an addition to our stock of early vegetables.
The report is as follows : —
The premiums awarded were as follows : —
Beets. — To E. P. Prentice, $1.
Broccoli. — To E. P. Prentice, $2.
Cabbage. — To E. P. Prentice, $ 1.
Cauliflowers. — To V. P. Douw, (under glass,) $2.

To E. P. Prentice, (open ground,) $ 1.
Celery. — F. Keisel, $1.
Cucumbers. — J. L. Rathbone, $2.
Lettuce. — Peter Chapman, $1.
Peas, (Landreths.)— V. P. Douw, $L
Potatoes. — B. Warren, Troy, $1.
Rhubarb. — P. Chapman, $1.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 329

Also, the following discretionary premiums : —
Parsley.— F. Keisel, $2.
Kohl Rabi.— J. S. Gould, $1.
Roman Emperor Cucumbers. — V. P. Douw, $1.

To Dr. Herman Wendell, for his display of new and foreign vegeta-
bles, $2. — R. F. Johnstone, Chairman.

Art. V. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, June 2d, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held
to-day, — the President in the chair.

The committee to fill the vacancy in the Fruit Committee reported that
they had made choice of S. Downer, Jr.

A communication was received from M. Vattemare in relation to an ex-
change of horticultural works of the various horticultural societies of
France, and accompanied with several French publications. The thanks of
the Society were voted to M. Vattemare, and his letter referred to a com-
mittee.

Messrs. Owen and Copeland were appointed a committee to fulfil the
request of the librarian of Harvard College.

A committee of five was appointed as delegates to the North American
Pomological Convention, at Syracuse, viz : — C. M. Hovey, Jos. Lovett, B.
V. French, A. D. Williams, E. Wight.

W. R. Austin was elected Treasurer of the Society.

Adjourned one week to June 9th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, ranunculuses
and anemonies in variety, and several sorts of herbaceous plants. From M.
P. Wilder, six rhododendrons in pots, roses, &c., and the following tree
paeonies : — Rosea superba (superb), Le Soliel (fine), Imperatrice Jose-
phine, &c. From J. Breck & Co., herbaceous plants and tulips in great
variety. From J. A. Kenrick, Magnoh'a Soulangfana, azaleas, &c., and a
fine branch of Wistaria Consequano in full bloom. From W. Kenrick,
Wistaria Consequana, striped horsechestnut, &c. From A. Aspinwall,
roses in variety.

From Hovey & Co., splendid tulips, ranunculuses, and anemonies;
among the tulips in the prize stand were the following : — Aglaia, Rose
blanca. Ambassador d'Holland, Polyphemus, Lewald, Lord Hill, Madame
Vestris, Optimus, Camuse de Craix, Gloria Mundi, Trafalgar, &c. From
Messrs. Winship, azaleas, and a variety of hardy shrubs and plants. From
P. Barnes, roses and cut flowers in variety. From J. G. Swan, Medford,
a collection of indigenous plants. Cut flowers, &c., from J. Hovey, A.
Bowditch, and others.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED.

Tulips. — For the best thirty distinct varieties, to Hovey & Co., $8.

For the second best, to J. Breck & Co., $6.

For the third best, to A. Bowditch, p.
VOL. XV. — NO. VII. 42

330 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Pansies. — For the best twelve varieties, to J. Breck & Co., $4.

Gratuities. — To M. P. Wilder, for rhododendrons, $2.
To Hovey & Co., for fine ranunculuses and anemonies, $2.
To A. Bowditch, for cut flowers, $1 50.
To A. Bowditch, for hand bouquet, ^1.
To Miss Russell, for basket of flowers, $1.
To Messrs. Winship, for mantel bouquets, $1.

Fruits: From J. F. Allen, figs; nectarines — Hunt's Early Tawney ;
grapes — Chasselas Bar Sur Aube, Black Hamburgh, Zinfindal, White
Frontignan, Grizzly Frontignan, Red Chasselas, Deccan's Superb, Gross
Noir of Loraine, Verdeiho. From T. Needhara, grapes — Black Ham-
burgh, While Frontignan, Chasselas Musque.

From D. T. Curtis, pears — Easter Beurre, two specimens, of perfect
texture, and fine flavor, saved from the dozen exhibited by him March 24th.
The specimens since then have been wrapped in fine soft tissue paper, and
placed in a wooden box, excluding the air, with very dry buckwheat chaff,
then placing in a cool cellar. The experiments made by Mr. Curtis in re-
gard to ripening and keeping this variety of pear are well worthy the at-
tention of fruit growers.

Vegetables ; From F. A. Davis, asparagus. From T. Needham,
Young's Champion, and Manchester Prize cucumbers. From S. Walker,
water cress.

June 9th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

W. R. Richardson, and F. A. Davis, Boston, and F. W. Lincoln, Can-
ton, were elected members.

Adjourned one week to June 16th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, ranuncu-
luses, anemonies, double and single hawthorns, and other flowers.
From A. Aspinwall, Noisette, Hybrid perpetual, and other roses. From
J. Breck & Co., tree psBonies in quantity, and other flowers. From T.
Needham, pelargoniums, roses. Clematis Sieboldii, &c. From J. A. Ken-
rick, Wistirta Consequana, and other flowers. From M. P. Wilder, tree
peonies, among which we noticed Le Soliel, Grand Due de Bade, Ot\6nis,
Heldtt, R6sea superba, &c., all fine ; also roses in variety.

From Hovey & Co., several new lilacs, viz: — Saugeana, grandifl6ra,
Charles X., Vatteiina, &c. ; rhododendrons, twenty var. azaleas, hawthorns,
and other flowers. From Messrs. Winship, hawthorns, azaleas, &c.
Roses and cut flowers of various kinds from J. Dunklee, W. Kenrick, P.
Barnes, L. Davenport, J. Nugent, J. Hovey, and others.
premiums and gratuities awarded.

Hawthorns. — For the best display, to Messrs. Winship, $3.
For the second best, to J. A. Kenrick, #2.

Hardy Azaleas. — For the best display, to J. A. Kenrick, $5.
For the second best, to Messrs. Winship, $3.

Shrubby PiEoNiES. — For the best six varieties, to M. P. Wilder, $5.
For the best display of flowers, to J. Breck & Co., $3.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 331

Gratuities. — To Messrs. Winship, for a display of spiraeas for three or
four weeks, ^5.
To Messrs. Winship, for two flat bouquets, $1.
To J. A. Kenrick, for Wistaria Consequ^no, ^1.
To W. Kenrick, for bouquet, $1.
Fruits : From J. F. Allen, Black Brunswick, Brown and White figs ;
grapes — Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, Garden Tokay, Red Chasselas, Griz-
zly Frontignan, Black Prolific (large bunches), Zinfindal, Chasselas Bar
Sur Aube, Black Hamburgh, Deccan's Superb, Purple Muscat of Alexan-
dria (?), Black Frontignan ; peaches — Grosse Mignonne, and George IVth ;
nectarines — Hunt's Early Tawney. From A. Bowditch, grapes — Black
Hamburgh ; peaches— Coolidge's Favorite. From T. Needham, grapes —
Chasselas Musque, White Frontignan, Black Hamburgh, Red Chasselas,
Chasselas Fontainebleau.

Vegetables: From W. C. Strong, brace cucumbers. From J. A. Ken-
rick, Myatt's Victoria rhubarb, twelve stalks, nineteen pounds.

June \Qth. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, —
B. V. French, Esq., Vice President, in the chair.

M. P. Wilder, from the Committee on Finance, reported that stocks had
been sold to the amount of $3,571 75, and that that amount had been paid
over to the treasurer as part of the fund to pay off mortgage.
Adjourned one week to June 23d.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From J. S. Cabot, a large collection of fifty-
six varieties of irises, some of them exceedingly splendid. From M.
P. Wilder, a fine flower of a new tree pseony called the Triomphe de
V^ an dermal sen, an exceedingly large, showy and superb variety ; also a
variety of other paeonies. From Hovey & Co., twelve varieties of hardy
rhododendrons, very splendid ; also seedling antirrhinums and pansies, and
twelve kinds of ranunculuses, hardy azaleas, &c. Cut flowers in variety
from the President of the Society, Breck & Co., Messrs. Winship, P.
Barnes, A. Aspinwall, W. Kenrick, J. Nugent, A. Bowditch, and others.
gratuities awarded.
To W. Kenrick, for fine specimen of laburnum, $ 1.
To J. Nugent, for round bouquets, $ 1.
To A. Bowditch, for six hand bouquets, $ 1.
To Messrs. Winship, for mantel bouquets, $ 1.
To P. Barnes, for cut flowers, $ 1.
To J. Quant, for Veronica Lindleyana, % 1.

Fruits: From Messrs. Hovey & Co., Wilmot's Black Hamburgh No.
Ifi, Black Hamburgh, and Red Chasselas grapes. From O. Johnson, beau-
tiful specimens of Coolidge's Favorite peaches. From J. F. Allen,
grapes — Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, very fine. Black Hamburgh, Zinfindal,
White Frontignan, and other sorts ; peaches in variety ; nectarines — Hunt's
Early Tawney, fine. From A. Bowditch. strawberries — Early Virginia.
From T. Needham, grapes — Black Hamburgh, fine. White Frontignan,
Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, extra large, very fine, and other sorts. From
J. Richardson, strawberries — Richardson's Early, Early Virginia, and Bos-
ton Pine.

332 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Vegetables: From J. Lovett, Victoria Giant rhubarb, forty-one inches
long ; — twelve stocks weighing 21^ pounds : also four new seedlings ; — all
look well. From O. N. Towne, cauliflowers. From G. C. Crowninshield,
by J. Quant, Prince Albert peas.

Jvne 23d. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day, — the
President in the chair.

A letter was read from S. Moulson, of Rochester, N. Y., accompanied
with Northern Spy apples.

Adjourned one week to June 30th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, moss and
other roses, and cut flowers in variety. From J. P. Gushing, Esq., a fine
display of double German stocks. From J. S. Cabot, twelve fine varieties
of pa?onie?, including sulphurea, Buyck?'?', &c. From Ilovey & Co., twelve
varieties of pasonies, among which were festiva, striata anemoneflora, Heri-
cartjcina, &c. ; also ten kinds of moss roses, including fine specimens of
Princess Adelaide, prairie rose Mrs. Hovey, and others ; hardy roses in va-
riety, and a cut flower of the new and superb C^reus crenatus. From M.
P. Wilder, twenty-two varieties of pseonies, among which were sulphurea,
Buyckn, festiva, &c. ; also moss and other roses. Roses and cut flowers
from Breck & Co., P. Barnes, W. E. Carter, Messrs. Winship, A. Bow-
ditch, and others.

AWARD OF PREMIUMS.

PEONIES. — For the best twelve flowers, to M. P. Wilder, S5.
For the second best, to J. S. Cabot, $4.
For the best display, to Breck & Co., $3.

Fruits : From J. P. Gushing, Esq., by G. Evers, grapes — Black Ham-
burgh, Syrian, Grizzly Frontignan, White Frontignan. From J. W. Fos-
ter, strawberries — Virginia, and WiJley Seedling. From J.Richardson,
strawberries — Richardson's Early, Boston Pine, Cambridge. From A.
Bowditch, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling. From T. Needham, grapes —
Chasselas Musque, Red Chasselas, fine. White Frontignan, Black Ham-
burgh, very fine, Chasselas Fontainebleau, Wilmot's Black Hamburgh,
extra fine, very large. From Hovey & Co., strawberries — Aberdeen Bee-
hive, and Boston Pine; grapes — Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's Hamburgh,
No. 16, Red Chasselas, and Golden Chasselas. From Samuel Moulson,
Rochester, N. Y., apple, Northern Spy, in good state of preservation, fine
specimens.

Fruits tested. — Richardson's Early strawberry sustains the reputation it
has heretofore borne. Seedling strawberry, from the President of the Soci-
ety, bears a resemblance to Richardson's Early, somewhat less acid, regular
in form.

Semi-annual Exhibition of the Society, June 25th, 2C)th, and 21th. — The
first semi-annual exhibition of the Society took place on Monday, Tues-
day, and Wednesday, the 25th, 26th, and 27th, having been postponed
from tde 20th, on account of the lateness of the season. The show was
much better than was anticipated ; the weather had been exceedingly hot
and dry the week previous, and many plants had begun to feel the efl^ects

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 333

of the drought ; but, notwithstanding this, the display was lemarkably
fine. The roses were of course the main feature of the exhibition, and
they were surpassingly fine as well as liberally supplied. Some of the
sorts surpassed any ever before exhibited. The display of pot plants was
limited, but the specimens were remarkably well grown. Of fruits, there
was a superb display of grapes. The strawberries were not so fine as we
anticipated; but this must be attributed to the lateness of the season, as
the Hovey's Seedlings were scarcely ripe. In the variety of flowers, &c.,
contributed, we can only enumerate a few of the most important kinds.
The Epiphytes, of Mr. Lowell, were highly beautiful, particularly a speci-
men of Cattleya sp. nova: they were also exceedingly well grown by his
gardener, Mr. Owens. Stephanotus floribundus, and Ixora coccinea, from
Messrs. Hovey & Co., were the most admired objects in the room : finer
grown plants have rarely been seen. The pelargoniums, from the same
gentlemen, were very large and in fine flower for so late a period of the
year. The roses of Messrs. Hovey & Co. were truly magnificent, embra-
cing such as Walter Scott, Cyntie, Neron, Louise Leker, Gil Bias, Boula
de Nantiel, «&c. Messrs. Breck & Co. made a fine display of herbaceous
plants, particularly of delphiniums. Our report is as follows : —

From the President of the Society, prairie and other roses, phloxes, &c.
From A. Aspinwall, a fine collection of roses. From Jos. Breck & Co.,
a large collection of campanulas, phloxes, spiraeas, double stocks, &c., and
fine roses. From J. A. Kenrick, fine blooms of Magnoha macrophylla,
and longifolia, Kalmz'a latifolia, &c. From M. P. Wilder, a fine collection
of roses, pseonies, and other flowers. From John A. Lowell, fine plants
of Cattleya nova sp., C. crassifolia, Oncidium flexuosum, Burlingtonm
rigida, Brassia verrucosa, Plumieria rubra, Tecoma jasminoides, &c. From
Hovey & Co., Stephanotus floribundus, Ixora coccinea, Hydrangea japon-
ica, Veronica Lindleyana, Whitfieldja lateritia, G^snera tubiflora, six kinds
of fine gloxinias, and pelargoniums, viz : — Beck's Cassandra, Aurora, Isa-
bella, Rosy Circle, Drury's Pearl, and Forget me not ; ten var. of prairie
roses, including Mrs. Hovey, one of the most superb of all the prairies ;
sixteen varieties of moss roses, and three hundred varieties of hardy roses ;
Kalmia latifolia, thirty var. verbenas, Abiitilon Bedfordtanwrn and venosum,
and numerous other flowers.

Cut flowers, roses, bouquets, &c., were exhibited from A. Bowditch,
B. V. French, W. Kenrick, 0. N. Towne, J. Quant, E. Wight, A. D.
Weld, P. Barnes, Messrs. Winship, Louis Davenport, W. W. Merrill,
Mrs. Spaulding, Miss Dyer, of Lynn, and others.

AWARD OF PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES.

Roses. — For the largest and best collection of roses, and best kept dur-
ing the exhibition, to A. Aspinwall, $ 12.

For the second best, to Joseph Breck & Co., $ 10.

For the third best, to Hovey & Co., $5.
Class I. For the best thirty distinct varieties, to A. Aspinwall, $8.

For the second best, to Hovey & Co., $6.
Class II. For the best twelve distinct varieties, to J . Breck & Co., $ 5.

334 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Class III. For the best ten varieties of hardy perpetual roses, to A.
Aspinwall, $5.
For the second best, to Breck & Co., $4.
For the third best, to Hovey & Co., $ 3.
For the best collection of China roses, to A. Bowditch, $6.
Class IV. For the best display of prairie roses, to Hovey & Co., $4.

For the second best, to Messrs. Winship, $3.
Plants in Pots. — For the best display, to Hovey & Co , $8.
Pinks. — For the best pinks, to John Quant, $4.
Herbaceous Plants. — For the best display, to J. Breck & Co., $8.

For the second best, to Parker Barnes, $ 5.
Magnolias. — J'or the best display during the season, to J. Kenrick, $3.
Gratuities. — To J. A. Lowell, for display of parasitical plants, $5.
To Hovey & Co., fine display of pelargoniums, $6.
To Hovey & Co., for plant of Stephanotus floribiindus, $5.
To Hovey & Co., for display of Sweet Williams and verbenas, $3.
To O. N. Towne, for hand bouquets, $2.

To A. Bowditch, for fine display of herbaceous and other flowers, $5.
To A. Bowditch, for hand bouquets, $2.

To Miss Russell, for display of flowers, and flower baskets, $3.
To Mrs. Spaulding, for plants and bouquet, $ 3.

To B. V. French, for large and well kept display of roses and herba-
ceous plants, $5.
A. Bowditch, Parker Barnes, David Haggerston, Judges.
Fruits : The principal fruit exhibited was grapes, and the specimens
were all good, and some of them superior to any ever before shown at the
room, particularly at so early a period. Mr. J. F. Allen sent a profusion
of kinds, numbering upwards of thirty. The most splendid specimens
were from Messrs. Hovey & Co. and T. Needham, and we hardly knew
which to admire most, the Victoria from the former, or the Cannon Hall
from the latter ; the clusters weighed about two and a half founds each, the
berries very large, and the Victoria fully colored ; Mr. Needham also sent
some fine berries of Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, but the clusters were
small. Mr. Allen had a bunch of the Chasselas Musqu6, which was finely
grown. Mr. 0. Johnson sent a dish of beautifully colored and good sized
Coolidge's Favorite peaches. Of strawberries, as we have before re-
marked, the show was not large ; the kinds were principally Hovey's Seed-
ling and Boston Pine, of which Mr. Richardson sent some fine specimens,
particularly of the latter. Messrs. Johnson and Aspinwall also sent fine
Hovey's Seedlings.

From O. Johnson, Coolidge's Favorite peaches, and Hovey's Seedling
and Prolific Hautbois strawberries. From A. Aspinwall, Hovey's Seed-
ling strawberries. From W . C. Strong, four varieties of grapes. From
J. Y. Allen, thirty-two sorts of grapes, among which were Black Ham-
burgh, Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, Chasselas Musque, Chasselas Rose,
Chasselas Red, (?) Muscat of Lunel, Muscat of Alexandria, Tottenham
Park Muscat, Violet Muscat, (?) Austrian Muscat, St. Peters of Aliers,

Horticultural Memoranda. 335

not true probably, White Rissling, Ferral, Cannon Hall Muscat, Red
Traminer, Black Prolific, Black Tripoli, Deccan's Superb, Scharges Hen-
ling, and a seedling; figs, three varieties, from the Azores; lemons, Ber-
gamot, Lime; peaches, Hoffman's Early, George IV., and Grosse Mig-
nonne; nectarines, Hunt's Early Tawney, and Temple. From E. Burns,
handsome Black Hamburgh grapes and tomatoes.

From Messrs. Hovey & Co., five varieties grapes, viz: Victoria, Muscat
of Alexandria, Wilmot's New Hamburgh No. ]6, Red Chasselas, and
Black Hamburgh ; lemons of large size, Aberdeen Beehive strawberries,
and May Bigarreau cherries. From T. Needham, grapes — Wilmot's
Black Hamburgh, White Frontignan, Black Hamburgh, Red Chasselas,
Muscat of Alexandria, Cannon Hall Muscat, Black Frankindale in a pot,
eight bunches on the vine ; oranges, one dish. From J. Richardson,
Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, (Hovey's,) Cambridge, Alice Maude, and
Aberdeen Beehive strawberries. From Mrs. S. Spaulding, fine lemons.
From 0. N. Towne, grapes — Black Hamburgh, Royal Muscadine. From
S. W. Cole, apples — Sutton Beauty, very handsome. Red Russet, Ladies'
Sweeting, Roxbury Russet, Shawmut, Philadelphia Pippin, Tewksbury
Winter Blush, in good state of preservation. Jenny's Seedling strawber-
ries from A. Bowditch, and W. P. James.

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grafe vines, in the greenhouse or grapery, will now begin to color their
fruit. Continue to go over the vines once a fortnight, and stop all laterals.
Keep the house well damped, as now is the time to give the berries a good
swell. Air early in good weather, and close the house in good season.
Towards the last of the month, as the berries get well colored, the
house will require to be kept rather drier. Vines in cold houses will
require just the same management we directed for the greenhouse in our
memoranda for June. Keep the laterals stopped, and guard carefully
against mildew, the only thing to be feared in such houses. If the border
is dry, it should be liberally watered, and mulched with old hay or coarse
manure. Vines in the open air should be kept clear of wood, by cutting
away all the new growth not wanted for next year.

Strawberry beds will require to be looked after as soon as the fruit is gath-
ered : lay in the runners, if they are wanted ; if not, dig them up or cut
them oflF.

Fruil trees should now be summer pruned, as we have advised in a pre-
vious page. If our directions are carefully followed, a plentiful supply of
flower buds will be the result. Young grafted trees should be looked after,
the ties loosened, and the young branches staked, as one high wind might
destroy the labor of a season. Plum and cherry trees may be budded the
last of this month.

336 Horticultural Memoranda.

Peach trees in pots should now be liberal!)' moistened as the fruit is swell-
ing off.

Figs in pots will now be showing their second crop, and should be liber-
ally watered occasionally with liquid manure.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias should now receive attention. Keep them well syringed, and,
if in a dry situation, a good mulching at the root will bring them on in fine
condition. See that they are properly staked and pruned.

Pelargoniums should now be headed in, and ihecuttings put in for young
plants, if a slock is wanted. A frame or hand glass under a north fence,
or where they will be shaded in the heat of the day, is the best place. If
only a few are wanted, they may be put into pots.

Camellias should now be potted ; after this is done, they should be placed
in a sheltered, shady situation till September. Inarching may be com-
menced again the last of the month.

Carnations and Picotees will now be in full flower, and, if wanted for ex-
hibition, will require some attention, — such as tieing up the flower buds,
shading, &c. Layering should also be commenced the last of the month.

Azaleas may be shifted now, if not done before. Now is a good time to
graft the variegata, and other slender-growing sorts, on to the old phoenicea.

Tulips, Hyacinths, Ranunculuses, and other spring flowering bulbs, should
now be taken up and laid away till October.

Achimenes, of sorts, should now have a shift into larger pots.

Sweet William, Blue Bells, and other biennial and perennial flower seeds,
may now be planted.

Mignonette and Stceet Alysium should be sown this month for winter
blooming.

Pansies should be propagated this month by cuttings. Seeds may also
be sown now for blooming in spring.

Roses, after they have done blooming, may be layered, if young plants
are wanted of any particular kinds. Prairie roses may have the old branches
cut out, if crowded, so as to make room for the new shoots.

Chrysanthemums, in the open ground, may have the tops of the strong
shoots layered off into pots, and they will be fine dwarf flowering plants in
November.

Oxalis Boioiet and hiria should be potted the last of the month, as they
begin to bloom in August.

Heliotropes, Scarlet Geraniums, and other showy plants suitable for bed-
ding out, should now be propagated for next spring's stock.

Neapolitan violets should be kept well watered if the weather proves dry.

Hardy shrubs, of many kinds, may now be layered.

Gladioluses should be carefully staked up, or the first wind will be likely
to injure them.

Greenhouse plants, of all kinds, should now be pruned so as to make good
shaped plants before autumn. Cuttings, of many kinds, may also now be
put in, if a young stock is wanted.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE-

AUGUST, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Some Remarks on the more general Cultivation of
Indigenous Trees, Shrubs, and Herbaceous Plants : with a
Notice of the Vaccinium Vitis-Idce^a, growing in Roxbury.
By Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn.

Dear Sir, — In the last number of your magazine is an in-
teresting account of a botanical exploration in the County of
Essex, by John Lewis Russell, Esq., one of the most eminent
and meritorious botanists of New England, which I have read
with great pleasure, and ardently hope that more attention
will be soon given, by our proprietors of nurseries, to the cul-
ture of indigenous trees, shrubs, and herbaceous flowering
plants, for there are many which, while they are highly ap-
preciated in Europe, cannot be found in the nurseries, or the
ornamental grounds of gentlemen residing in the country, on
this continent. The Vaccinium Vitis-Idce^a, (mountain cran-
berry,) which has been found in Danvers, and, hitherto, in no
other part of this State, as alleged by Mr. Emerson, in his
invaluable ^^ Report on the Woody Plants of Massachusetts^'^
has been discovered in this town. Last summer, while lay-
ing out the avenues and paths in Forest Hills Cemetery, a
space of ground about thirty feet long and twenty wide,* on
the summit of a hill, was found to be covered with that beau-
tiful plant ; and this spring, the whole area was whitened by
the delicate blossoms. I had never seen the plant before, al-
though I have travelled over a large portion of the New
England states.

* It is on the Ccistern side of Mulberry Avenue, near its junction with Beech cuid
Mount Warren Avenues.

VOL. XV. — NO. VIII. 43

338 Remarks on the Culture of Indigenous Trees, ^'c.

There is a plant now in bloom on the hill-sides at Forest
Hills, which merits cultivation from its beautiful spikes of
trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, — the Gerardia flava. There
is another variety of the same genus, — Gerardia pedicularia, —
which has numerous branches, equally elegant. As they are
perennial, they are appropriate for the borders of garden
avenues.

As an ornamental shrub, or small tree, the June berry, —
Pyrus botrydpinin, of Willd., and Amelanchier canadensis,
of Torrey and Gray, — is among the earliest and most beau-
tiful of our forests, and should be civilized by cultivation.

The Lilium canadmsis. or yellow lily, which is to be
found in wet meadow land all over New England, is one of
the most superb of that family of plants, and is much im-
proved by cultivation. I have cultivated them for several
years. Instead of one or two flowers, they have ten or a
dozen, and have attained the height of five feet and a half.

The native rhododendrons and Kdlmia latifolia, I was glad
to find in your nursery last spring, and to learn that you had
numerous seedling plants, for they are our most magnificent
flowering shrubs, and I know not their superiors among all
the exotic shrubs which are most celebrated, for they are un-
surpassed in beauty when in bloom, and being so hardy as to
endure the most rigorous winters, as far north as Maine, they
can be introduced into every garden, and will be deemed the
most precious acquisitions which have been made from the
domain of the American Flora.

To these shrubs may be added the azalea, the rhodora, and
the fine species of the cornus, which ascend to small trees,
and are all elegant. Allow me to recommend the appropria-
tion of a portion of your extensive and valuable nursery to
the culture of native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous flowering
plants, which can be cultivated in this State, and thus enable
your fellow citizens to obtain specimens of American trees
and plants without sending to England, Scotland, France, or
Holland for them.

With assurances of gratitude for the eminent services you
have rendered your country, by the publication of the Maga-
ziPrt: OF Horticulture, the splendid work on Fruits, and the

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 339

establishment of a large Nursery, I have the pleasure of being
your sincere friend, and most obedient servant,

H, A. S. Dearborn.
Hawthorn Cottage.^ Roxbury^ July^ 1849.

Our thanks are due to Gen. Dearborn for his valuable sug-
gestions, and more particularly for calling the attention of our
botanical friends to the fact of the Faccinium Fitis-Idas^a
growing so near our city, and yet so long escape the attention
of botanists.

It is certainly somewhat surprising, that our native shrubs
and plants are not better known, and more extensively intro-
duced to our gardens. Mr. Mcintosh, of Dalkeith, the editor
of a Scottish journal of horticulture, in the latest number
(dated July 4,) received by the last mail, in noticing the
April number of our magazine, and our article on a selection
of shrubs for gardens, justly remarks, " that it will be perused
by the English reader with some surprise. We, in Britain,
look upon the hardy deciduous and evergreen shrubs of
America as forming one of the grandest features in our gar-
dens, and are apt to picture to ourselves how magnificent
must be the dressed grounds of an American country gentle-
man, supposing them to be planted with the numerous splen-
did trees and shrubs with which that country so much
abounds." We only hope, for the credit of the taste of our
countrymen, that such a neglect of the growth of our own
trees and shrubs will not long exist. A few such papers as
those of Mr. Russell's and Gen. Dearborn's, cannot fail to
awaken our amateurs and nurserymen to the importance of a
more extended cultivation of our indigenous trees, shrubs, and
plants. — Ed.

Art. II. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of
Pears. By the Editor.

The severity of the past winter, in the vicinity of Boston,
was particularly injurious to pears : and they seem to have
suffered fully as much in their blossoms as the peach trees ;
for, in many localities, there is an abundant crop of peaches

340 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

the present season, while there is scarcely a place within a
large area near the sea board which can boast of an exemp-
tion from the general destruction of the crop. This, to us,
and we think we may say to our pomological friends, will be
a serious loss, in some respects ; for we shall not have the
opportunity, for at least a year, of testing the qualities of
several new and reputed fine pears, which, the present season,
would probably have afforded us excellent specimens. For-
tunately, we have a quantity of drawings on hand, which
will enable us to give, from time to time, a continued account
of many good things, until another year, when we may look
forward for a bountiful crop which will amply repay our
present loss. We now are enabled to present the descriptions
and engravings of six American seedlings, some of which are
of high merit.

109. MoYAMENsiNG. Dictionary of Gardenings Am. Ed.

Smith's Early Butter, of some.

The first account we have of this very fine pear, {fig. 29,)
is a brief description of it, accompanied with an engraving,
in the American edition of Johnson's Dictionary of Garden-
ings published in Philadelphia, and edited by Mr. D. Lan-
dreth. As no higher eulogium was passed upon it, than that
it was a " desirable variety," we did not immediately add it
to our collection ; and it was not till last year, when several
most beautiful specimens were sent to us by J. P. Gushing,
Esq., from his fine collection, that we were aware of the su-
perior qualities of the Moyamensing pear: Mr. Gushing does
not keep a variety in his collection which does not rank
among the very best, and that he highly appreciated this va-
riety, we considered sufficient to establish its merits : but,
upon tasting the specimens, we found them even better than
his good opinion of its qualities had led us to expect. The
following note accompanied the specimens sent to us : —

Dear Sir, — I send you a few of the Moyamensing pears,
produced from scions, received from Dr. Brinckle of Phila-
delphia, which he represents as a seedling produced in the
garden of J. B. Smith, Esq., of that city. It does not ripen

Descripiions of Select Varieties of Pears. 341

here as in Philadelphia, which Dr. B. says is from the middle
of July to the last of September. The first I observed in
eating here was about a week since ; if you have not had
specimens grown here, those now sent will enable you to de-
termine the quality. I think it less good than those grown in
Philadelphia, which I thought, at the time they were sent me
by Dr. B., were nearly equal in quality to a St. Michael, and
consequently very desirable ; probably our climate affects

Fig. 29. Moyamensing Pear.

them unfavorably, compared with the one in which they
originated. — Yours, very respectfully, J. P. Cushing, Water-
town, Sept. 24, 1848.

The original Moyamensing pear tree stands in the grounds
of the late J. B. Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia, and, three or
four years ago, it was thirty feet high. It was, we believe,
introduced more particularly to the notice of cultivators by
Dr. Brinckle of that city, who sent the scions to Mr. Gushing
in the spring of 1846, from which several fruits were gathered
last year. Dr. Brinckle also sent scions of it, the present sea-

342 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

son, to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and to our-
selves; and, by the liberality of Mr. Gushing, we also
received a few scions from his tree, all of which are now
growing finely. Its productiveness, as well as early bearing,
are qualities which render it very valuable.

The tree is a good grower, somewhat open in its habit, and
it drops its leaves earlier than most other pears ; the wood is
stout, rather short-jointed, and of a light yellow, or reddish
yellow, shade.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and two
and three quarters in diameter : Form, round, slightly de-
pressed at each end, with an uneven surface, occasionally
slightly furrowed from the stem to the crown : Skin, fair,
smooth, pale lemon yellow when mature, nearly covered with
large irregular patches of smooth russet, and sparsely dotted
with small russet specks : Stem, short, about half an inch
long, very stout, swollen, knobby, fleshy at the base, and in-
serted with scarcely any cavity : Eye, small, open, and deeply
sunk in a rather large, open, and furrowed basin ; segments
of the calyx long, slender, projecting : Flesh, yellowish white,
rather coarse, buttery, melting and juicy : Flavor, very sug-
ary and luscious, with a rich spicy aroma : Co)^e, medium
size : Seeds, medium size, obovate. Ripe in September.

110. Locke. Magazine of Horticulture, Vol. Ill, 1837.
Locke's Beurre, of some.

A full account of this pear {fg. 30,) will be found in one
of our earliest volumes, (III, p. 52,) a brief abstract of which
we republish for the benefit of those who have not those voU
umes in hand. Twelve years have passed by since we first
introduced it to notice, and, during that long period, from the
number of new sorts which have attracted attention, the
Locke, like many other native sorts, has been forgotten, and
its place usurped by foreign varieties not possessing a tithe of
its merits.

This pear was produced from seed by Mr. Isaac Locke, of
West Cambridge, a very successful orchardist, and who, for
many years, gathered a surprising large quantity of fruit from
a moderate extent of ground. In the fall of 1827, Mr. Locke

Desanptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

343

planted a quantity of pear seeds upon an old asparagus bed ;
a large number of them vegetated, and the trees grew vigor-
ously, and soon attained a large size. During the severe
winter of 1834 and '35, (similar to that of 1848 and '49,)
every tree was destroyed except the one which produced this
pear. The succeeding year, this tree flowered, and produced
a few pears ; and, in 1836, it bore upwards of a peck of fruit.
We sent Mr. Manning some of the specimens of this pear,
which we had from the original tree, and he liked it so well,

Locke Pear.

he immediately procured scions ; subsequently we added it to
our collection, and the trees will not probably bear till another
year. But, since our first description of it, we have several
times had specimens from Mr. Manning's trees, and our draw-
ing and present description are made from fine fruits received
in 1847 from his collection.

The Locke pear was raised from seeds of the St. Germain,
or the Doyenne blanc, but from which Mr. Locke is not sure.
The habit of growth, leaves, and general character of the

344 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

tree assimilate to the St. Germain, and we should think it a
seedling from that old pear, probably impregnated with the
Doyenne blanc. The wood is of a dull yellow color.

Size, medium, about two and three quarters inches long,
and two and a half in diameter : Form, roundish obovate,
full at the crown, ending obtusely at the stem : Skin, fair,
slightly rough, yellowish green, becoming lemon yellow when
mature, very broadly tinged with bright red on the sunny
side, and covered with rather large, irregular shaped, pale
russet specks : Stem, medium length, about one inch long,
rather stout, pale brown, dotted with gray, slightly curved,
and inserted with scarcely any cavity on the obtuse point :
Eye, rather small, open, and slightly sunk in a very shallow
basin ; segments of the calyx broad, irregular, and partially
recurved : Flesh, yellowish white, coarse, melting and juicy :
Flavor, rich, sweet, perfumed, and excellent : Core, large :
Seeds, medium size, very pale brown. Ripe in December.

111. BuRLiNGAME. N. E. Farmer, Vol. IX, p. 82.

The Burlingame pear {^fig. 31,) is one of the pears early
brought to notice by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
through their honorary member, Dr. S. P. Hildreth, of Ma-
rietta, Ohio. In the fall of 1830, he sent a drawing and a de-
scription of this variety to the Society, and requested that, as
it was a seedling, they should give it a name. In accordance
with Mr. Hildreth's request, they called it the Burlingame, in
honor of Mrs. Burlingame, of Marietta, a daughter of the late
Rufus Putnam, who saved the seeds from pears eaten on the
way from New Jersey to Ohio, as long ago as 1790. Owing
to the tree having been planted in an unfavorable soil and
situation, it did not bear till the fourteenth or eighteenth year ;
from that time, up to 1830, it continued to be a regular bearer,
and free from the blight which affects the pear trees in the
west.

Scions were sent to the Horticultural Society in the spring
of 1831, and distributed among the members ; but, from some
cause, it does not seem to have become generally knov/n, and
even our pomological writers appear unacquainted with it.
Kenrick mentions it in his last edition of the American Or-

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 345

chardist, (1842) ; but neither Mr. Manning or Mr. Downing
give any account of it ; and, among the multitude of varie-
ties cultivated around Boston, the Burlingame is rarely seen.
Last autumn. Dr. Hildreth sent us some of the pears, ac-
companied with the following note : —

Dear Sir, — I send you five Burlingame pears ; four are
hard yet, and one ripe, to give you the color of the fruit.
They are below the average size. Some years ago, I sent a
drawing and description of the fruit to General Dearborn, the

Pig. 31. Burlmgame Pear.

first president of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
When fully ripe, we think it a fine pear, both in appearance
and taste. I have not seen the name amongst your fruit, al-
though scions were sent to Messrs. Kenrick and Manning
many years ago. — Yours, ^'c, S. P. Hildreth, Marietta,
Ohio, August 2oth, 1848.

The specimens, when they came to hand, were all fully
ripe, though not so much so but that we could make a good
drawing as well as judge of the quality of the pear, Avhich
was nearly first rate.

Dr. Hildreth describes the tree as growing pyramidal, and

VOL. XV. — NO. vm. 44

346 Descinptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

broad at the base ; wood strong, light brown, inclined to
green, and speckled with fine light-colored dots ; leaves large,
oval, pointed, nearly flat, and serrated on the margin ; petioles
long. In Marietta, it ripens from the middle of July to the
last of Angust, — best when ripening on the tree, but very good
if gathered when hard and ripened in the house.

Size^ medium, about two and a quarter inches long, and
two and three quarters in diameter : Form., round, largest at
the crown, and slightly depressed at each end : Skiii, fair,
smooth, pale yellow when mature, deeply shaded with light
red in the sun, and thickly covered with small russet specks :
Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch long,
rather slender, curved, and deeply sunk in a rather large,
open cavity : Eye, medium size, open, and very slightly de-
pressed ; segments of the calyx short, pointed : Flesh, white,
slightly coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, and
perfumed : Core, large, somewhat gritty : Seeds, large. Ripe
in August and September.

112. Stevens's Genesee. Am. 07'chardist, 4th Ed., 1842.

Guernsey, Pom. Manual, Vol. I, p. 145.

Genesee, Ken. Am. Orchardisl, 1st Ed.

Stevens' Genesee, London Hort. Soc. Cat., 3d Ed., 1842.

Stephens's Genesee, of some.

For the earliest account of this excellent American pear,
{fig. 32,) we are indebted to Mr. W. R. Prince, of Flushing,
L. I., who briefly described it in his Pomological Ma7iual,
published in 1S31, under the name of the Guernsey pear, in
honor of J. K. Guernsey, of Monroe County, N. Y., who sent
him scions for propagation ; subsequently, however, to the
publication of that volume, and before the index was put to
press, Mr. Prince inserted the name of Stevens's Genesee,
with a note, that, " in future, that name would be adopted,
Mr. Guernsey having informed him that it was raised from
seed by Mr. Stevens, and that it ought to bear his name."

It is somewhat remarkable, that a pear possessing so many
fine qualities should have been so briefly noticed by pomolog-
ical writers. We could find no correct account of its origin
in any of our treatises on fruits, and we are indebted to the
Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 347

1847, (p. 327,) for the following history, which had never be-
fore been published : —

"In 1794, James W, Stevens, Esq. removed from Philadel-
phia to Batavia in this State ; but previous to such removal,
however, he procured pear seeds from fruit grown in the vi-
cinity of Philadelphia, and took them with him to Batavia,
where he planted them. Mr. Stevens succeeded in fruiting a
large number of varieties, from which he selected this one for
general dissemination, and distributed scions pretty exten-

Fig. 32. Stevens's Genesee Pear.

sively among gentlemen in that region of our State, and,
among others, he gave some to a Mr. Guernsey, of Pittsfield,
Monroe County, who gave it the name of Stevens's Genesee,
and first brought the fruit to the notice of pomologists in
Rochester."

This pear is but little known, except in Western New
York ; it is there extensively cultivated, and justly holds a
high rank, — nearly equalling the well known Doyenne blanc,
so generally disseminated under the name of YmeAHEu in

348 Descriptions of Select Vaj^ieties of Pears.

that region. During our visit to Western New York last au-
tumn, we saw some very beautiful specimens of the fruit at
Rochester, and, through the kindness of our friends, brought
home several, from one of \vhich our drawing was made.
Its only fault is that of occasionally rotting at the core: it
should be gathered rather early, and ripened in the house.

The tree is moderately vigorous in its growth, of a rather
diverging habit, with dark grayish wood. At Rochester, it
often ripens the last of August, about the time of the Wil-
liams's Bon Chretien, but in New England, its period of
maturity is September.

Size, large, about two and three quarters inches broad, and
two and three quarters in diameter : Form^ roundish obovate,
somewhat of the shape of the Doyenne blanc, but rounder,
and fuller at the base, and broader at the crown : *S'A-m, fair,
smooth, of a pale yellow when mature, considerably covered
with small russet specks : Stem^ medium length, about one
inch long, rather stout, thick at the base, and inserted in a
rather shallow, one-sided cavity : Eye, medium size, open,
and little sunk in a broad shallow basin ; segments of the
calyx short, stiff, projecting : Fleshy white, fine, melting and
juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, perfumed, and delicious : Core,
medium size : Seeds, ?. Ripe in September.

113. Gustine's Summer.

This new pear, {fg. 33,) of which we have already given
a brief account, (p. 106,) was sent to us by J. M. Earle, Esq.
of Worcester, president of the Worcester County Horticultu-
ral Society, and, so far as we could judge from a single speci-
men, it appears to be worthy of cultivation among our limited
number of early pears. Not having fruited it ourselves, we
requested Mr Earle, who has a fine collection of the best
pears, to give us some account of its origin, and general
qualities, and the following is his reply : —

Friend Hovey, — Thy letter is at hand. I did not fruit
Gustine's Summer pear till last year, and then had but eight
or ten specimens. I do not recollect about the one sent thee,
only that it was one of two or three of the last of them, and
I thought it was hardly a fair specimen. I think they will

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 349

average larger than a good sized Madeleine. My trees came
from John Wilcomb, of Flushing, who said they were "as
good as Dearborn's Seedling, and twice as large." I put a
good deal of confidence in his judgment. The tree appears
to be very hardy, of a pretty strong and upright growth, giv-
ing off rather long spurs, nearly at right angles, and perhaps
one fourth of them pointed or thorny. Probably as the tree
grows older, it may lose this characteristic. I could send thee
specimens of the leaves, but suppose thee hast it growing. I

Fiff. 33. Gustine's Summer Pear.

expected more fruit from the tree this year, but it perished in
the general blight of fruit which we had, and I believe there
are but two pears on the tree. I nearly forgot to say, that
Gustine's Summer originated in New Jersey, as I understand,
and was first disseminated by Mr. S. J. Gustine, nurseryman,
at Morristown. I presume he would give thee any desirable
information respecting it. — T/ii/ f7'iend, J. M. Earle, July
2lst, 1849.

Size, medium, about two inches long, and two and a half
in diameter : Form, roundish, flattened at the crown, and
very obtuse at the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, clear lemon yel-

350 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

low when mature, and dotted with small russet specks : Stem,
long, about one and a quarter inches, slender, curved, little
fleshy at the base, and inserted without any cavity in the ob-
tuse end : Eye, medium size, open, and slightly depressed in
a broad, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx pointed, di-
verging : Flesh, white, rather coarse, melthig and juicy :
Flavor, sugary, pleasantly perfumed, and good ; Core, medi-
um size : Seeds, small. Ripe in August.

114. Oswego Beurre'. Horticulturist, Vol. I, p. 324.
Read's Seedling, of some.

We have already given some account of the origin of the
Oswego Beurre, {Jig- 34,) in an article in our volume for
1847, (XIII, p. 198,) in which we made some remarks rela-
tive to its name, believing its legitimate title to be Read's
Seedling. From the facts which were first published with the
description of it in the Horticulturist, it appeared that a new
name was given to it by Mr. Allen, who introduced it to no-
tice. But since that time, having conversed with him in re-
gard to this subject, we see no impropriety in its being called
the Oswego Beurre, — though we think it would have been bet-
ter to have left the Beurre off, and called it the Oswego pear.
We had learned from the Genesee Farmer that it was well
known by Mr. Read's neighbors as Read's Seedling ; but Mr.
Allen states that he gave it that name himself, when he pur-
chased the stock, merely to designate the variety in the nur-
sery ; at the same time intending to have it known to the
pomological world as the Oswego Beurre, under which name
it was first described.

The original tree was raised from seed by the late Deacon
Walter Read, about twenty-four years ago. The facts, as
gathered from Mr. Read's family, are, that he had a rich pear
given to him by a friend that had but three seeds, which he
saved and planted, two only of which came up ; one of them
was destroyed by cattle ; the other grew up, and now stands
where it was planted. It is said to have fruited when only
six years old, and has continued to bear every year since, and
one season produced sixteen bushels of pears. It is a very
hardy tree, and holds its fruit well in severe gales, ripening

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 351

equally fine in cold and short seasons, when other fine varie-
ties were indififerent.

Tree vigorous, of upright growth, yellowish wood, and
rather small, ovate leaves.

Size, large, about two and a half inches long, and two and
a half in diameter : Form^ roundish obovate, largest in the
middle, narrowing a little to the stem end, which is obtuse :
Skin, fair, little rough, green, becoming greenish yellow when
mature, and very slightly traced with russet : Stem^ medium

Fi^. 34. Oswesco Beurrd Pear.

length, about one inch long, rather stout, curved, and inserted
in a round, shallow cavity : Eye, medium size, partially
closed, and slightly depressed in a shallow basin ; segments
of the calyx short, stiff, projecting : Flesh, white, fine, melt-
ing, buttery, and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, and sprightly,
with a fine perfume : Core, small : Seeds, small, plump, and
very dark. Ripe in October, and keeps to December.

352 A few words about Strawberries.

Art. III. A fe\o words about Strawberries. By the Editor.

Our readers must not infer, from the heading of this article,
that we are about to discuss the old strawberry question, now
so satisfactorily disposed of Our intention is merely to make
a few remarks upon the relative merits of some of the newer
kinds, brought to notice the last few years, and to answer the
inquiries of several of our friends, who wish to know our
opinions in regard to them, and how far they are worthy of
general cultivation.

Out of several of these letters we present only the follow-
ing one, from our respected correspondent, Dr. Bayne, of
Alexandria, D. C, whose remarks on the cultivation of straw-
berries have, from time to time, appeared in our pages, and
who is not only an extensive cultivator of this fruit for the
Washington market, but the originator of several seedlings.
Dr. Bayne writes as follows : —

My Dear Sir,— In the constant accessions to your hst of
strawberries, have you yet procured one which can success-
fully compete with Hovey's Seedling? In reply, I think you
will concede with me in saying, it stands yet unrivalled.
Taking all its qualities into consideration, viz., — size, — pro-
ductiveness,— flavor, and beauty, — it must still be retained at
the top of the list.

The Boston Pine has also continued to prove, with me, a
very fine and productive variety. Some very eminent culti-
vators have asserted that no staminate variety merits a place
in any fine collection, except as a fructifier. Notwithstand-
ing, I pronounce the Boston Pine much more prolific than
many pistillate varieties. In evidence of this position, I have
this season counted, upon single 'plants^ sixty and nj)wards of
fine, perfect berries^ and they have yielded, at one jyicking,
half a pint of splendid fruit to the plant. This extraordinary
yield was obtained from a bed highly cultivated, and from
plants set out twelve inches asunder, and kept distinct.

If the Boston Pine only proved here, as it does with you,
to be eight or ten days earlier than Hovey's Seedling, I would
consider it the most desirable variety yet originated^ at least so

A few words about Strawherries. 353

far as my experience goes. — Yours respectfully, J. H. Bayne.
Alexandria., D. C, June 25, 1849.

It is almost imnecessary to say that this is the same opin-
ion which most of our correspondents express in regard to
our seedhngs. Fifteen years have passed away since they
were produced, and among the thotisands of seedlings raised
in this country since 1834, not one of all that number, do we
believe, can equal either of them. This may seem a bold as-
sertion, and will undoubtedly be taken by many for what it
is worth. Yet we will maintain its truth. We have no de-
sire to overrate our productions. We are perfectly content to
let them stand on their own merits. But when so many at-
tempts have been made to laud worthless kinds above them,
to the great disappointment and vexation of cultivators, we
feel it no more than our duty to express our opinions freely,
whether they may be thought warped by prejudice or not.

So far as we have any knowledge. — and if we are wrong,
we shall be glad to be corrected, — we believe our seedling
strawberries were Xhe first ever produced in this country. But
immediately after their introduction to notice in 1838, many
amateurs and cultivators began to raise seedlings, and, up to
the present time, an immense number has been raised in vari-
ous parts of the country. Dr. Brinckle, of Philadelphia,
raised and described upwards of seventy ; Mr. Burr, of Ohio,
upwards of a dozen; Mr. Buist, Mr. Prince, and others, have
also produced seedlings. At least six or eight of all these
possessed remarkable merit, and some of them were stated to
far excel Hovey's Seedling.

For the sake of reference at some future time, we copy the
following, from the descriptions or advertisements of three of
these new strawberries : —

Cushing, (Brinckle's.) — Fruit very large, round, some of
the berries with a short neck. This plant was exhibited at
one of the meetings of the Philadelphia Horticultural Soci-
ety, this summer, (1846.) with twenty-six fme berries on it,
several of them four and a quarter inches in circumference.
Not long since, Mr. Longworth, of Cincinnati, offered one
hundred dollars for a strawberry with perfect anthers, that
VOL. XV. — NO. viii. 45

354 A few words about Strawberries.

will bear a full crop of fruit as large as Hovey's Seedling.
Such a strawberry is, I think, the Cushing.

Buist's Prize. — This magnificent strawberry was grown
from seed in 1842. In flavor it far surpasses Hovey's Seed-
ling ; every flower being perfect, it excels it as a general and
constant bearer, is also earlier and continues longer in fruit,
having upon the same plant, at the same time, ripe fruit and
perfect flowers.

Burr's New Pine. — Compared with Hovey's Seedling, the
New Pine is equal to it in average size, while it greatly ex-
ceeds it in productiveness, and especially in flavor. Fruit
large, color pale red ; believed to be the best strawberry cul-
tivated.

Besides these, if we may believe the evidence of individuals
"born in a garden," the ^^ Black Prince is, on the whole, the
highest flavored and the best strawberry yet known in this
country."

But, without occupying room in copying additional evi-
dence of the supposed superiority of all the new kinds, let us
see how the public, through our Horticultural Societies, re-
gard the matter the present season.

In Philadelphia, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Joseph
J. Hatch, for Hovey's Seedling, who exhibited only that va-
riety and the Boston Pine. In competition, were the Black
Prince, Burr's New Pine, and a dozen other sorts.

In Rochester, the first prize was awarded to M. G. Warner,
for Hovey's Seedling, and the second to Lewis Burtis, for
Hovey's Seedling. In competition, were the Black Prince,
Burr's New Pine, Cushing, and a dozen others.

In Boston, the first prize was awarded to Josiah Richard-
son, for the Boston Pine; the second, to O. Johnson, for Hov-
ey's Seedling; and the third, to Hovey &Co., for the Boston
Pine.

These are the reports, so far as they have come to hand,
and are but the repetition of the same thing, for a dozen
years. And now Dr. Bayne's question may again be per-
tinently asked, " Have you yet procured one which can suc-
cessfully compete with Hovey's Seedling 7" Where are these
noted kinds which were to surpass it 7 Why do they not take

A fev) words about Strawberries. 355

the prizes? Why do they not appear at our horticultural
exhibitions? Why are they not seen in our markets? This
is what puzzles the amateur cultivator. He is desirous of
adding all the fine sorts to his collection, and when he sees
a flaming advertisement, or an editorial notice, setting forth
a variety as surpassing Hovey's Seedling, he is willing to
purchase a few plants at any price ; but all — every one of
them — have proved a failure; and, fearful of the same disap-
pointment again, the numerous inquiries, similar to Dr.
Bayne's, are made of us, as to what are real acquisitions to
our list of strawberries.

The remarks already made, are our best reply. We, at
least, know of no two varieties which will at all equal the
Seedling and the Boston Pine. Four years ago, (Vol. XI,
p. 294,) we stated this, and we have seen no occasion to alter
our opinion. Others there are which are good — but we take
it that this is not what the cultivator will be satisfied with.
In a fruit like the strawberry, those kinds combining the
merits of all others, are only wanted — and any thing less
than this would be comparatively worthless.

In our remarks, we do not, of course, intend to include
seedlings not yet brought to notice, of which there are thou-
sands, and among them, perhaps, some which may prove
better than any thing yet known; — it is only of kinds al-
ready in cultivation, that we refer to.

It has been stated, that no new variety of fruit should be
introduced to cultivation, which does not possess some owe or
more qualities over those of the same kind, already known.
This is perfectly true, and is just the principle we have
adopted in the growth of any new fruit or flower. Let this
test always be adopted, and then our catalogues will contain
a far less number of comparatively worthless sorts.

But the question is, who is to be the judge of the qualities
of a new seedling; it may be said, the producer is not, for he
will be prejudiced in its favor. This we admit in most in-
stances, for we have seen too many inferior productions
palmed off as the best of their kind. An individual names a
seedling strawberry, and without, perhaps, ever having had
the true Hovey's Seedling, or seen it under good cultivation,
he at once assumes that it is superior to that variety. But

356 CuUivation and Management of the Ranunculus.

there are exceptions to this rule, for we know that there are
amateurs, as well as nurserymen, who will not let any thing
go out under their name, which shall not come up fully to
their descriptions, made with a full knowledge of the merits
of every variety of the same fruit.

Let any cultivator cast his eye over the long list of " re-
nowned" varieties of strawberries, as one of our nurserymen
has described some of them, which have already become
among the things that were; and we will venture to assert
that, out of the very large rmmber of seedlings of a more re-
cent date, not one of them will be cultivated half a dozen
years hence.

It is gratifying to know that, notwithstanding the small
chance of obtaining new strawberries of superior quality,
from seed, so much interest is manifested in their production.
Many of our amateur friends, around Boston, possess a
great number of plants, and our only hope is, that they may
be repaid for their labor, by the fortunate discovery of at
least one variety which shall eclipse any thing yet known.

Art. IV. On the Cultivation and Management of the Ra-
nunculus. By Dr. F. Horner, Hull, near London, With
Remarks. By the Editor.

Few flowers equal in brilliancy of color, or perfectness of
form, the ranunculus, and the best evidence of its real beauty
is the admiration which even a single bloom always excites
wherever seen. We well recollect the delight with which
every visitor viewed a small bed of these plants, which we
were successful in blooming in our younger days, when we had
more leisure upon our hands, and, — "no copy" to supply,—
could devote a few spare hours to the proper preparation and
careful management of a bed of ranunculuses, as well as
many other of the florist's favorites. It is long since we
have had a collection under our immediate care, but our ad-
miration for it has not decreased, nor our desire to cultivate
it in the least degree lessened. We hope soon, in common,
we trust, with many of our amateur friends, to avail ourselves

Cultivation and Management of the Ranunculus. 357

of the good advice which we are about to lay before them
from Dr. Horner, a very successful ranunculus grower, near
London.

It cannot be denied that the ranunculus is, in some degree,
a '-capricious" flower; for we have seen many beds which
would not afford sufficient bloom to repay for the labor of
planting. But that this may not be avoided when its habits
are thoroughly studied, it is idle to believe ; for the art of
cultivation has been carried too far to stop in this almost soh-
tary instance of the ranunculus.

In our earlier volumes, (VI, p. 416,) we have already de-
tailed our own experience in the cultivation of this beautiful
flower ; and later, our correspondent, S. Walker, Esq., has
given our readers the results of his management, (X, p.
326,) which has been equally as successful as our own ; both
of these articles are of the highest interest to cultivators in
our climate, which will not admit of precisely the same treat-
ment as that of Great Britain. In connexion with Dr. Hor-
ner's advice, they furnish all the instruction needed to grow
the ranunculus, with ordinary judgment and care, in as fine
condition as the amateur could wish.

As the season is now close at hand when operations should
be commenced, the amateur should lose no time in getting his
bed ready, for it is on the proper preparation of the bed that
success, in most cases, depends. This being done, the roots
can be purchased at a leisure time before the planting season
arrives. We can assure our floral friends no flower will give
them so much pleasure as a bed of ranunculuses, and our
only hope is, that the reading of the annexed article will
prompt those who are admirers of all that is elegant in na-
ture to secure a hundred or more roots : —

As the ranunculus will this month be in bloom, and conse-
quently especially attract the attention of florists, I beg to ofler
a few remarks on its management.

This is indeed a flower of extraordinary characteristics,
uniting in itself properties and endowments of rare and almost
opposite combinations. For we may say of it, that it is
grand, yet elegant ; gorgeous, yet simple ; dazzling to behold,
yet lovely to look upon, &c. And assuredly its richly luxu-

358 Cultivation and Management of the Ranunculus.

riant and diversified foliage, bespreading the ground; its
graceful flower-stem, erect and elegant, rising from the midst,
and canopied with its symmetrical crown of bloom, of every
tint and hue of color combined, intermingled, yet uncon-
founded and distinct, commands our preference and admira-
tion. Nay, further, it may be observed, that, though the
cultivated varieties of the ranunculus now amount to some
thousands, yet all differ from each other in their marking or
colors.

The circumstance of this flower not being universally grown
by florists may be attributed to the uninviting character of its
being a rather capricious flower; but rather it should be said,
that it is one which will not do well unless it be suitably
managed. There is little, however, really discouraging in
this ; for it will be found that nothing can be more simple and
easy of fulfilment than the practice adopted by those who are
uniformly successful in its cultivation.

The Ranunculus asiaticus, the variety grown in our gar-
dens, is a native of the Levant, and of the natural order
Ranunculaceae of Jussieu ; and this circumstance at once aids
us in determining the kind of soil and situation most suitable
for it. The wild ranunculus, or buttercup, affects a cool,
moist, and shaded locality; these conditions, therefore, it is
desirable to realise in the culture of the garden variety.
Hence it is indicated that the bed should be formed of a re-
tentive soil, should not be in an elevated part of the garden,
and not subjected to the hot rays of the mid-day sun. It
may, moreover, be about four feet in width, and should have
board, or slate, rather than box edging, that refuge may not
be afforded to slugs, which often eat the newly-formed flow-
er-bud. As the roots of the ranunculus strike deep, two and
a half feet of soil is required.

The natural soil of the garden having been dug out, let it
be replaced by a compound of pasture soil and cow manure.
The surface-soil of a rich old pasture, well turned over and
exposed to a winter's frost, and thoroughly enriched and uni-
formly incorporated with cow manure, not less than a year
old, forms an appropriate compost ; and by adding, year by
year, about three inches of such manure to the surface, and
digging it into the soil about a spade's depth, a fit medium for

Cidtivation and Management of the Raniincidvs. 359

their successful growth is perpetuated ; and such is what I
long practised and recommended. Sand should be added or
withheld, according to the nature of the soil : if it contain a
small portion naturally, it is the more suitable, A stiff or
clayey loam (as in this neighborhood,) is too adhesive, and
requires a considerable admixture of sand to moderate its
stiffness ; yet a light, sandy soil is wholly unfit.

I am anxious now, however, to make known a different
method of preparing the bed, and one that I have found to be
still more efficacious and satisfactory in its results ; though
the description may appear tedious, from a wish to be thor-
oughly understood, the actual labor is really very inconsider-
able.

As soon as my tulips are taken up (for, from want of free
accommodation, I have the bed so arranged as to serve the
purpose of growing tulips and ranunculuses alternately), the
soil is thoroughly dug over, and so left for some days. The
surface being made even, it is then covered two and a half
inches thick with perfectly fresh cow manure from the cow-
shed, and which is smoothed down with the spade, and al-
lowed to remain thus exposed to the sun and rain till Septem-
ber. By this time, it will be found to be lessened in quantity,
from the percolation and washing into the soil of the more
soluble or fluid portions, as well as from the process of de-
composition it has undergone.

It is now thoroughly and minutely chopped, or broken up
with the edge of a sharp spade, or other instrument, and again
left till October. At this period it is dug in, and well mixed
with the top six or eight inches only of soil ; that beneath be-
ing on no account disturbed, in order that it may retain its
requisite firmness or solidity. It is once more turned roughly
over in December, that it may be thoroughly acted on by the
frost; and at the end of January, the surface is finally made
even, and at the same time moderately compressed with the
rake. As, whether this or any other method be adopted, it is
highly beneficial that the top three inches of soil, in which
the roots are set, and have to form their tubers, should not be
too compact, 1 now cover the bed with about half an inch of
sand, arid by a free action with the teeth of the rake, thor-

360 Cultivation and Management of the Rannncnlus.

onghly mix it with the surface soil, and leaving it perfectly
smooth and even, plant the rannncuhises in the course of a
week or ten days following. St. Valentine should be consti-
tuted the patron saint of ranunculus planting. The operation
should on no account be deferred beyond the fourteenth of
February. It is impossible to express too strongly the impor-
tance of early planting.

The method of planting the roots is of much consideration,
as error in its performance is a very common cause of failure
in respect to their flowering. It is the worst of practices first
to plant them (after the manner of tulips), and then to cover
them the requisite depth with soil. Nor do I recommend the
setting of them in drills, as some excellent cultivators are
wont to do; and especially if a light and different soil is
placed in the drills in which the roots are to be set, and with
which the drill is afterwards to be filled up. The soil should
be uniform in texture, or mechanical properties, that the
effects of general agents, viz., of rain, sun, drying winds, &c.,
be at least uniform. Dibbling the roots is the best, and is as
far preferable to any other method, as is the dibbling of beans
superior to drill sowing. Half a dozen holes may be made at
once by means of an instrument similar to the head of a rake,
having pieces of wood one inch and a half long (and covered
with tin to lessen the adhering of the soil thereto) projecting
from it, at the regulated distances of four inches ; these being
pressed into the soil, the holes are formed.

The practice, however, which I myself adopt and prefer is
the following : Having marked out on the surface of the bed
the situation of the rows, holding the root by its crown be-
tween the forefinger and thumb, and using the middle finger
as a dibble, a hole is made by a downward and lateral pres-
sure, about one inch and a half in depth ; into this the root is
inserted, or fixed, moderately firm, that the claws or tubers
have hold of the soil. The whole being planted, the holes
are filled up from the surrounding soil with the fingers, and
then the surface is smoothed over with the palm of the hand.
Strong roots may be planted about four inches apart : when
they are smaller, it is desirable that two should be planted
together, as all weak roots will not bloom, and it greatly de-
tracts from the appearance of a bed to see occasional vacan-

Cultivation and MaJiagement of the Ranuncvlus. 361

cies. The rows also should be the same distance apart from
each other as the roots are iii the rows, viz., four inches. It
adds materially to the general effect of a well-bloomed col-
lection, to see this uniformity of space : a wide gap between
the rows is unsightly, and, as I shall show, is not required
for any one purpose — assuredly not for watering.

There remains but one other duty to be fulfilled, till the
gorgeous period of flowering — and it is one of vast import-
ance : when the plants have all appeared above ground, the
bed must be covered, about an inch in depth, with sand ;
which, when the foliage expands, must further, by moderate
compression and manipulation with the fingers, be carefully
disposed also around the crown of the roots or insertion of
the leaf-stalks. The sand serves the very important purpose
of preventing crackiiig of the soil in hot, droughty weather;
and this it accomplishes by its virtue of preserving it moist
— a condition of it essential to success. It may further be
added, that its application appears unpalatable to the dis-
porting of those large worms, which often commit consider-
able mischief by forming wide holes amongst, and partially
undermining the roots ; such holes, moreover, are readily
filled up by it: whilst old manure, used as a top dressing,
rather encourages their gambols, and itself cracks also after
having been wet, and is therefore less commendable.

But I now proceed to notice the most serious error in the
management of the ranunculus — an error that is committed
by all, and was by myself also until a later period; I mean
artificial watering. Let not one droj) he given in hot,
droughty weather. I am aware that this will appear a
" hard" saying, to florists ; but of its justness, both experi-
ence, observation, and experiment have wholly satisfied me.
The untoward results of watering the soil have been ob-
served by every writer on the ranunculus ; but its baneful
effect of turning the foliage yellow has ever been attributed
to a wrong cause, namely, to the " water falling upon the
leaves :" hence the repeated injunctions, to be most careful
to water only between the rows. In my experiments, it was
always found as I anticipated, that less injury resulted to the
foliage when water was cast over the whole with the rose of
the watering-pan, than when poured only between the rows.

VOL. XV. — NO. VIII. 46

362 Cultivation and Managemetit of the Ranunculus.

"Practical" men attribute the effect to the water "burning"
or "scalding" the leaves, although the operation is performed
at eventide. They reflect not that the smartest thunder-
shower injures not a leaflet.

The reason why many plants suffer from being supplied
with water during the continuance of hot, sunny weather,
seems to be the absorption of a large quantity of fluid by
their roots, and the consequent excited and increased exhala-
tion of it by their leaves; which finally induces exhaustion of
their functions, and death. Yet, there are peculiarities in
many varieties of the ranunculus, in which watering seems
to effect the injury in a different way. For I have observed
that the foliage acquires, during the prevalence of hot,
droughty weather, a peculiar, bright, shining, and polished
appearance — a condition preventive of, and, indeed, a pro-
vision against, free exhalation. I conceive, therefore, that in
such instances, the water, which is abundantly absorbed by
the succulent roots, meeting a hindrance to its being freely
carried off, a state of over-repletion is induced, and conse-
quent decay. And this explanation finds corroboration from
the fact, that the leaves and leaf-stalks are not in these cases
dried up and withered, but are rather found in a condition of
damp or moist decay. If, however, sand be employed as a
covering in tJie manner I have pointed out, and the other
conditions of the bed be attended to as before advised, as to
the retentive nature of the soil, and its being left undisturbed
from a few inches below the surface, artificial watering will
be wholly unnecessary, and hence no extra space should be
left between the rows, as previously shown, for such purpose.

When the plants are in flower, an awning should be erected,
as in a tulip bed, to preserve them from the effects of the sun,
rain, &c. As soon as the perfection of the bloom is past, let
it be at once removed, and the bed freely exposed to the
weather.

A most important operation yet remains to be stated — the
taking up of the roots. If too long delayed, they again issue
forth new fibres ; an untoward circumstance, which either
prevents their flowering the following year, or which des-
troys them altogether. On the other hand, if they are har-
vested too soon, the roots pine and shrivel, and bloom week-
ly ; yet, of the two, this is the lesser evil. As soon as the

Cultivation and Management of the Ranunculus. 363

foliage, together with the flower-stems, have turned yellow
and withered, they are ready for taking up ; and. rather than
any risk of their new growth should be incurred, it is better
at once to remove those which present this appearance, than
to defer the operation till the whole are ready. It is a useful
and necessary precaution, when the weather, two or three
weeks after their flowering, becomes warm and showery, to
replace the top awning, leaving the sides exposed, as by thus
keeping off" the wet, their disposition to new growth is coun-
teracted.

In conclusion, I may observe, that I Avas led to adopt the
practice of using fresh cow-manure in summer, from having
found that, when the soil of the bed was well watered, a
short time before planting, with fresh liquid manure, the
plants grew most vigorously. Since, however, it is some-
what troublesome withal, I adopted its application as now
pointed out.

It will, of course, be seen that such method of using it is
not the recommendation of fresh manure in which to grow
the ranunculus, for fresh manures are wholly prejudicial to
it. It is, in truth, no longer fresh manure in February ; but
the soil of the bed has become impregnated with all its invig-
orating properties — unwasted or dissipated by the long expo-
sure and frequent turnings, &c., in the compost heap : the
practice is as successful as it is sound in principle.

It will constantly be found, that in the case of those plants
which do not bloom, but, on the contrary, that look dwind-
ling and out of health, the soil around their crowns is loose ;
hence, it is absolutely necessary, at least twice during their
growth, to compress it firmly with the fingers immediately
around them. This looseness of soil is produced, in the first
instance, by the protrusion of the abundant foliage, and, at
an after period, by worms, which make their holes close to,
or even in the midst of, the plants. Let it, then, ever be
borne in mind, that this operation has to be performed as
soon as the foliage has fairly appeared above ground; and
again about three weeks afterwards, when it has obtained its
full growth.

When circumstances will not admit of the bed being made
in "a somewhat shaded locality," but, on the contrary.

364 Cultivation and Managevieiit of the Ranunculus.

where it is subjected to the rays of the mid-day sun, it is im-
portant that it should be formed lengthways, from east to
west ; as thus, by erecting a temporary side awning, or shade,
along its southern side, there will be afforded to it the neces-
sary and welcome protection from a scorching sun. Such
defence will not, of course, be required at all times, or in all
seasons; but during the continuance of sunny, droughty
weather, its value will be fully appreciated by all who adopt
it. To those who will have recourse to artificial watering in
hot, dry weather, let this rule, at least, be imperative — never
water the ranunculus bed without, at the same time, shading
it ; otherwise it is mere waste of labor, and donhhj hurtful to
the plants. The turning yellow of the leaves, I have previ-
ously shown, is, in nearly every instance, produced by the
ill-judged practice of watering in hot weather; though, ni a
few cases, it is dependent upon looseness of the soil about the
crown of the root ; an event which is much more likely to
happen when the tubers are planted in open drills than when
they are set by dibbling, as I have recommended.

It is only in dull, cloudy weather that watering can be had
recourse to with benefit and impunity; but advantage may
always be taken of even a slight shower to apply it as abun-
dantly as may be required. For at this time the atmosphere
itself IS in a kindred state — an harmonious condition now sub-
sisting between the moistened earth and roots, the leaves and
the surrounding air, wholly opposite to that which obtains in
hot, droughty weather, on water being supplied copiously
and artificially to the roots, whilst the leaves are exposed to
a parching air — an iiicongrtdty of which the ranuncvlus is
especially impatient. Watering is, moreover, a greatly unne-
cessary evil ; for, if the bed be properly prepared, and a cov-
ering of sand be used, as before pointed out, and, it may be
added, if the bed be shaded, as much moisture will be secured
to the plants (since the roots of the ranunculus strike deep)
as, under the conditions of the atmosphere, is suitable ; and
surely it is better to keep in the moisture than to apply it ar-
tificially. When the flowers are expanding, and the awning
is erected, it is well to give the bed one rather plentiful wa-
tering, to enable the plants to support the great demand now
made upon them.

No management, however judicious, can fully compensate

Cultivation and Management of the Ranunculus. 365

for an untoward and dry season; for the ranunculus delights
in natural moisture ; and if the flowers be not deficient in
number, they will be so in size, color, or vigor. I recom-
mend sand as a top covering for the soil of the bed, it being
always at hand, and answering well the purpose of keeping
in its moisture; but old tanners' bark, and especially, I
would observe, moss, will prove excellent expedients. Moss,
if compactly placed amongst the plants, would not only have
a neat appearance, but would afford, perhaps, the most effi-
cacious means of preserving the soil moist. Its value is fully
attested in a recent number of the Gardeners^ Chronicle^
wherein, also, the evils of watering in hot, droughty weather,
and the benefits of top-dressing, are judiciously insisted upon,
in entire accordance with my own views and experience. In-
deed, the spreading and luxuriant foliage of the ranunculus
at once points out the utility of, and affords, a covering for
the soil ; and it was greatly on this account that I recom-
mended that the wide distances between the rows should be
abolished, and the roots set but about four inches apart.

P. S. — As many of the views in the preceding part of my
last communication may be subversive of the opinions and
practice of others, and hence, possibly, looked upon with some
disinclination or distrust, I beg to detail a fact corroborative
of their soundness and efficiency. The beds of five extensive,
and usually very successful, cultivators of the ranunculus at
this place, have this year, with one partial exception, proved
an absolute and total failure — such was the continued hot,
droughty weather during the whole of the critical month of
May; whilst my own collection, treated as I have advocated,
was one general mass of bloom ; though, for the sake of se-
verely testing one portion of my plan, no shading of the bed
was resorted to ; and yet the soil, an inch from the surface,
indicated an almost sufficient degree of moisture. It may
further be added, that one amateur (the partial exception al-
luded to,) who was induced to follow, yet but in part, my
suggestions, — namely, by using (although but a little) fresh
cow-manure in summer, and resorting to (though but to a
thin) covering of sand, and refraining from watering, — had
more and better flowers than all the remaining four cultiva-
tors conjointly.

366 Or the Cultivation of the Pansy.

Art. V. Oil the Cnltivatioji of the Pansy. By Mr. Tur-
ner, Chalvey, near Windsor. With Remarks. By the Ed-
itor.

(^Concluded from p. 316.)

[By some oversight, the conclusion of Mr. Turner's capital
article on the Pansy, in our last number, was omitted ; but
as the time was brought down to July, their treatment in
the remaining months of the year will be just in time,
though it would have been preferable to have had the arti-
cle entire: our floral friends, however, must give us their
indulgence for the error. — Ed.]

AUGUST.

Ey this time the old plants that have been flowering for
the last four months, will have lost their beauty, colors, and
size. To make up for this, the young stock will now be
coming in as a succession. The blooms of the latter will be
small at first, but gather them until the plants are capable of
producing them good in size and color.

Sow all the seed that has been saved up to this time,
making use of fine light soil, either in pans or a raised bed ;
we place pit-lights over it, but open at the sides, the object
being to protect the plants in a young state from heavy rain.
When watering, be careful to do so through a fine rose.
When the plants have several rough leaves, plant them in
beds for blooming.

If mildew appear on any part of the stock, syringe the
plants so infected, and shake black sulphur over them when
in a wet state ; care should be taken that the sulphur is
shaken on the under part of the foliage. This pest generally
attacks the oldest plants, and when this is the case, it will
be most advisable to take them up and part them. The
young shoots, with roots, should be dipped in water, after
which cover them with sulphur, which can be done much
more efi'ectually when in the hand than when growing.
Plant them out as stock plants, not to be watered over the
foliage for a week at least; after that time, rain or watering
will show that the mildew has been got rid of, and the plants
will soon grow out of it.

On the Cultivation of the Pansy, 367

SEPTEMBER.

All the seed that can be saved up to the middle of this
month, from the first of August, should be sown as often as
a sufficient quantity can be got together; but we recommend
all that can be procured after that time (and there may be a
considerable quantity) should stand over till April, and sown
in pans, as before directed.

If pansies are grown successively on the same spot, a part
of the soil should be removed, so as to introduce a good quan-
tity of fresh earth. The best for this purpose will be the top
spit of a meadow that has been laid up some time. Take
care that it is free from wireworms, and commence at once,
that the beds may be well prepared to receive the plants next
month. (See instructions for March.)

Put in a liberal quantity of cuttings of good kinds at this
time ; place them in pots, and continue so to do for six weeks
to come if a large increase is desired. Choose the young side
shoots from healthy plants.

OCTOBER

Is the principal month for planting, and the sooner in the
month it is done the better. Many defer it until November,
but we should prefer the last week of September to the first
week of November, because, if well established now, many
advantages will follow. Full directions for preparing the
beds, planting, &c., have been given in our previous papers.
Choose healthy, vigorous plants, and not too large. Place a
number in small pots for wintering, in cold frames; of the
less valuable kinds, six or eight, in pots of a large size, will
winter well, and take less room.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Is a quiet time with pansies. Those in pots should not be
exposed to heavy rain ; and those who have a number of
small glasses will do well to place them over their best plants
during a very wet time. Tilt the glasses on one side with a
small flower-pot to prevent the plants from drawing. (See
practice for January, to prepare for winter.)

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

We have been requested to state the best plans for keeping
down insects. The greatest enemies to the pansy are the

368 On the Cultivation of ike Pansy.

wireworm and grub. If we have not cleared our soil of the
former, previous to planting, we place pieces of potato or car-
rot under the surface, which should be examined two or three
times a week, and all that have been attracted there de-
stroyed. The latter are easily found when raking over the
beds.

Slugs and earwigs are the most destructive to the blooms.
If the former are numerous, it may arise from slovenly gar-
dening;* weeds, and all kinds of rubbish, should not be al-
lowed to accumulate. The surface of the soil cannot be
moved by raking or hoeing too often, for more reasons than
keeping insects under. Earwigs should be trapped on the
plan adopted by the dahlia growers.

We have also been called upon to state what we consider
the best number of blooms to exhibit. This must depend on
the time of the year, and on this subject taste will vary — not
that we hesitate to state our opinion. In the height of the
pansy season, say any time in May, we recommend 24 for
amateurs in 4 sixes, and 36 for nurserymen in 4 nines. So
much can be said about stands for showing them on. that it
must form a separate article, with plans and dimensions, as
uniformity ought to be enforced by the different societies.

We recommend that it be made a rule that any stand con-
taining a flower with two decided shades of ground-color,
should be disqualified. A carnation with a run petal, would
be fatal to the best stand ever put up, although this is a plant
that produces but two to three blooms annually, at the out-
side; whereas the pansy has its hundreds, and should be
subject to rules as stringent.

We hope those who grow for exhibition, and have attended
to our directions, will be able to give a good account of them-
selves after the shows are over ; but there is far more pleas-
ure in witnessing a fine collection at home in iheir freshness,
than in looking over the best exhibition of cut blooms.

* Though we are aware that in some situations they seem indestructible. It is a
good plan to sow lime, slacked to a very fine powder, on the adjoining ground very
early on a mild, damp morning. Those on the beds may be trapped with cabbage or
lettuce leaves, which should be spread at night, and examined the next day.

Ploricultiiral and Botanical Notices. 369

Art. VI. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of Neio and
Beautiful Plajits figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with
Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or originated i7i,
American Gardens.

California Plants. — In our last, number, we gave an ac-
count of several new annual plants introduced into the London
Horticultural Society's Garden, by Mr, Hartweg, in his late
expedition to California. In some prefatory remarks, we
stated that we hoped our own government might do something
towards exploring the botanical riches of the newly acquired
territory of New Mexico and California.

Since then, we have noticed, in a late number of Silliman's
Journal of Science, that Mr. Fendler has undertaken to make
"Botanical collections in New Mexico and in the Rocky
Mountains, and that the first part of the account of the plants
already collected, with descriptions of the new species, crit-
ical remarks, &c., is printed as the first article of the fourth
volume of the Memoirs of the American Academy, now in
press; and separate copies (of one hundred and sixteen pages
quarto) are distributed to the subscribers to Fendler's Collec-
tions. Several sets of the Santa Fe Collection, in specimens
of unrivalled beauty and completeness, are still in the hands of
Dr. Gray, at Cambridge, and of Mr. Reward, of London, who
may be applied to for them. Mr. Fendler is now on his
way to explore the great interior basin between the Sierra
Nevada of California and the Rocky Mountains, especially
around the Great Salt Lake, the Utah Lake, and the adjacent
mountains. The collections are to be studied and distributed
by Dr. Gray and Dr. Engleman, to whom those desirous to
subscribe for them, should apply, and will be issued at the
same price as the Santa Fe Collection, namely, at ten dollars
per hundred specimens.

Mr. Charles Wright is also on his way from Texas, across
to El Passo, on the Rio del Norte, a little below lat. 32°, in
the vicinity of which he will collect, the present season, and
another year extend his explorations into other parts of the
country never yet visited by botanists. The price will be the
same as that of the collectionSj and applications may be made
to the same gentlemen.

VOL. XV. — NO. VIII. 47

370 General Notices.

New Seedling Epiphylliim. — Our correspondent, the Rev.
P. S. Fall, of Frankfort, Ky., a zealous amateur, and suc-
cessful cultivator of the Cactae, has recently produced a splen-
did seedling epiphyllum. "The flower is, in color, like that
of splendidum, but is fully eight and a half inches in diam-
eter, and has, more decidedly than Mayfly, the beautiful
purple [violet] tint of speciosissimus on the inner petals.
The anthers are rose pink, on white filaments, and the style
and stigma of a bright scarlet. It expands finely, and the
petals are numerous, and about one and a half inches wide.
In habit it resembles Jenkinsonia, while many of the stems —
all of them at first — are like those of speciosissimus. I thought
for some years it would prove to be a cereus. At the time of
its flowering, Triumphans, Ashland, and Superbissimum, all
superb sorts, as well as Mayfly, Mr. Longworth's fine seed-
ling, Grahami, roseum, speciosissimus, &:c , were in bloom;
and, although no particular care had been bestowed upon the
plant, the superior splendor of the flowers was at once evident
to all who saw them."

Mr. Fall is desirous of disposing of his seedling to some
person in the trade, as so fine a plant ought to be sent out ;
and any nurseryman wishing to purchase the stock, should
address Mr. Fall, at Frankfort, Ky.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. 1. General Notices.

On keeping wp a succession of Flowers. — To keep up a succession of flow-
ers as long as possible, is one of the chief objects of a flower gardener. A
parterre without blossoms is like an orchard without fruit ; every expedient
is therefore had recourse to for the purpose of retarding the flowering of
some kinds, and expediting tliat of others. Our early spring flowers, which
are chiefly bulbs and tubers, would be inclined to flower again in the au-
tumn if they were not checked by the great heat of the summer in those
countries of which they are natives ; or, if in imitation thereof, the careful
florist did not remove them out of the bed in which they have already flow-
ered. Thus, by stopping their growth and keeping them in a colder and
moister climate than their own, we keep them from blooming till the season
■when their blossoms are most welcome to us. In this way, many of these
bulbous and tuberous-rooted plants can be flowered almost at any season ; but
there are rules of propriety in the execution of these proceedings : a snow-
drop would scarcely be regarded at midsummer, while surrounded by so

General Notices. 371

many gaudier beauties; neither would the tulip — that bright queen of the
garden — look well amid the sober tints of autumn. Nature intends that her
beauties shall be dispersed over the whole circle of the year, and the florist
assists in this arrangement, and for this assistance claims for himself the
privilege that she shall be, to a limited extent, subservient to him in some
instances, while he encroaches upon her seasonal laws. The British florist
has a peculiar claim to this privilege, because he has taken under his care
the floral beauties of every clime in both hemispheres — afllarding to each, as
near as can be, its natural temperature, its natural soil, and its natural rank
and station among others. If, then, he should occasionally interfere with
nature's laws in bringing forth flowers out of the season, he is not only ex-
cusable as their cultivator, but it is creditable to him as their guardian. To
have them always in beauty, would diminish rather than advance them in
our estimation ; but the recurrence of a flower when not expected — and es-
pecially if obtained without any derangement or mutilation of the plant op-
erated upon — would be a delectable rarity, and really a desirable incident in
the flower garden. Every one knows that transplanting rose-trees late, or
pruning them late in the spring, procures a late bloom — three weeks or a
month later than the usual time of flowering. I am speaking of the com-
mon Provence rose, though this treatment of rose-trees is less necessary
now than it was before the introduction of so many French and Chinese va-
rieties, some of which are always in flower during the summer and autumn
months. The laburnum is a highly ornamental plant from the latter end
of May to. the middle of June ; if the flowering shoots be cut back, and the
tree divested of its racemes of pods, it will again bloom nicely later in the
summer ; indeed the whole of the Cytisuses may be made to flower twice
in the summer, by careful cutting back after the first flowers fade. The rose,
acacia, and several others of its congeners, will flower a second time ; and so
will the Althea frutex, presenting its second flowers as late as October,
when flowers of any kind are much wanted. Checking the growth of her-
baceous border flowers, by transplanting, or by divesting them of a few of
their stems, to delay the flowering, or only allow it to be developed gradu-
ally, is an old expedient ; and with attention paid to this management of
perennials and biennials, and to the difl^erent times at which annual flowers
may be sown, a continued display of flowers maybe kept through the grow-
ing season. — {Gard. Journal, 1849, p. 387.)

Liquid Manure. — All gardeners may read with great advantage a lead-
ing article in the Chronicle of last week, on the proposed employment of
the sewage of London for agricultural purposes. The immense benefits de-
rived by growing crops from a discreet application of liquid manure, are
there placed in a clear light, and we hope our amateur friends will act upon
the principle stated in the sentence, " what is true of a grass field is
equally true of a cabbage garden, of celery, peas, lettuces, asparagus, and
all kinds of garden stuff " The inhabitants of large towns, having no gar-
dens, are obliged to let the sewage made on their premises run away. But
those who have any land to cultivate, should employ all the refuse of this
kind at once, so as at the same time to benefit their crops, and prevent the
existence of a nuisance.

372 General Notices.

What are called the slops of a large family, commonly produce a nui-
sance by being thrown into receptacles with more solid matters, where they
are allowed to remain until a still greater pest is created by the necessity
for removal ; this is the ordinary procedure, except in cases where common
sewers or dom-wells carry off such substances. It is obvious that these
slops are highly fertilizing, and are capable of doing much good, either to
fields or gardens, and we have for some time past employed them day by
day, as they are produced, upon various horticultural productions. The
pails are placed in a fixed spot by the housemaid, and the gardener applies
the contents, either unmixed or diluted, as the case requires, in the course
of the day. All the roses have had a plentiful supply more than once this
season. Asparagus, peas, and strawberries, have evidently been benefitted
by the application, especially the former, our practice being to pour some
of the liquid on all the places from which stems have been cut, on the same
principle as that indicated in the leading article above referred to, in rela-
tion to grass. We must quote a few lines of the passage, because they are
so exactly applicable to our purpose. " Cultivators who know nothing of
manure, except from the action of the solid, and sometimes not very useful,
materials produced in farm-yards, cannot believe that half-a-dozen crops of
grass per annum are possible, each heavier than the preceding. Neverthe-
less, such crops are attained by skilful men, and will one day be common.
Liquid manure works the wonder." To say the least on the subject, what-
ever goodness exists in the slops is disposed of in the most expeditious and
convenient way, and is made immediately available. The same observa-
tions apply to soap-suds made on w ashing days ; these are never allowed
by us to run to waste, but are at once applied where they seem to be needed.
{Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 389.)

Achimenes. — Few plants are more attractive than the different varieties
of Achimenes now in cultivation, but they are seldom seen in that state of
excellence which they are capable of attaining. It is customary to grow
them in boxes, shallow pans, baskets, and pots, but I prefer the latter ; for
their bloom is soon over in shallow pans, baskets require too much looking
after, and stiff unsightly boxes, which always meet the eye when looking at
the flower, detract greatly from that imposing effect they create when prop-
erly arranged in pots, and trained in the way in which Pelargoniums are
shown at Chiswick, only a little higher in the centre than the Pelargoni-
ums, and allowed to drop a little over the edge of the pot. Nothing can
exceed the beauty and elegance of A. longiflora and patens grown in this
way. Instead of planting the tubers at first in small pots, and shifting
them into larger ones as they advance in growth, as is commonly done, 1
use pots of 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep. After covering the bottom
with a few crocks, I spread a layer of moss over them, on which T place 6
or 7 roots, and cover them slightly with a little leaf-mould, or well rotted
cow-dung and sand. As the young shoots lengthen, more soil is added un-
til the pot is filled to within 2 inches of tlie top, which space is afterwards
filled up with moss pressed down firmly with the hand ; the stems thus bu-
ried in the soil soon emit a profusion of roots which are never brought into
action when the tubers are planted near the surface. I have had pots of A-

Domestic Notices. 373

longiflora, measuring 2^ feet high, and as much through, covered with
bloom from the beginning of May to the end of September, and many of
the flowers measured 3 inches in diameter. — {Id., 1849, p. 389.)

Vines in Pots. — In the Journal of the 9th inst., you requested informa-
tion on this branch of gardening. Whether there is any thing new or
worthy of the attention of your readers, in the plan I am about to detail, I
leave you to determine ; I never saw it practised until tried by myself.
There is not so much trouble attending it as in growing vines from eyes,
especially where the forcing departments are small. At the winter pruning
of the out door vines, (Royal Muscadine and Winter Frontignan,) I leave
several young canes which spring from the lower part of the vine, and
which are purposely retained at the previous summer dressing ; these should
be strong and well ripened shoots in April or May. I lay them in 11-inch
pots, plunged level with the surrounding soil, and as close to the wall as
convenient, and filled with good rich loam and deer dung in a rough state.
1 leave two eyes above the soil, and, as they both break, I rub off the weak-
est shoot, tying the one left to a stake, close to the wall. When they have
reached the height of three or four feet, I begin making small incisions be-
tween the pot and the parent stem, which I repeat at intervals, as I find
the vines are making roots, till they are finally severed from the parent about
the end of July, or when the pots are getting full of roots. Watering with
clear liquid manure must be attended to from the time growth commences,
as keeping them moist accelerates their striking root. When they have
made wood eight or ten feet long, they are kept stopped in, and when the
first symptoms of maturity show themselves — which it will do about the
end of August — they are taken up, carefully, lest the roots are injured, and
potted in as large pots as may be convenient, the larger the better, using
the compost already named. They are then placed in a south-east aspect,
and kept rather dryer, which will, by degrees, bring them to a state of rest;
whilst the roots will be laying hold of the new soil. As soon as the au-
tumn rains set in, they are pruned to the length of five feet, and removed
to an open shed where they are kept dry, till carried into the forcing house,
where the treatment is in every way the same as for vines produced from
eyes, which I need not recapitulate. — [Gard. Journal, 1849, p. 387.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

The Elton and Black Eagle Cherries. — The drought is making sad
work with our fruit, more than decimating what escaped the blast. I refer
particularly to pears, plums, and peaches. We have had a very heavy
crop of cherries, and they have been very fine — the Elton, most delicious ;
the Black Eagle takes the lead of the black cherries, but I fear it will be
an indifferent bearer, contrasting strongly in this respect with the Florence,
which, on my trees, bears in such masses, that they nearly all rot before
they are ripe enough to gather. — Thy Friend, J. M. Earle, Worcester,
July, 1849.

374 Domestic Notices.

Belle de Bruxdles Pear. — Permit me to say, that the Belle de Bruss-
ells, or Belle d'Aout, usually cultivated in New England, is not the same
as that grown by EUwanger and Barry, which they prize so highly. I have
both growing in my garden. They are quite distinct. I have compared
mine with trees from Col. Wilder, Manning, and other sources, and find
none others like that from E. & B., but all of" them like each other, hav-
ing a more downy leaf than that from E. & B. It may prove, therefore,
that Elhvanger and Barry's is the true one, and that it will be as good here
as with them — Thy Friend, J. M. Earlc, Worcester, July, 1849.

[We do not know how far Messrs. Wilder or Manning's trees are cor-
rect, but we knov? that our Belle de Bruxelles is the same as EUwanger
and Barry's, for we have seen the fruit of each, and examined the trees.
Messrs. E. & B. sent specimens of the fruit last year to the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, for exhibition, and we had an opportunity to try
them. We were satisfied, as well as the committee, of the identity with
the pear cultivated under the same name in many collections around Bos-
ton. In some cases the Belle et Bonne has been received from France as
the Belle d'Aout, and no doubt this has been often sold for it. The Belle
et Bonne has a slightly downy leaf. — Ed."]

Munificent bequest to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — We leirn
that the Hon. Theodore Lyman, whose death took place on the 17th of July,
at his residence, in Brookline, made some noble bequests of his ample
wealth ; among others equally liberal. Ten Thousand Dollars are given
to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ; on what conditions have not
been made known, but, undoubtedly, to be used in such manner as will best
promote the interests of the society, of which he was an Honorary mem-
ber.—£rf.

Horticultural Club at Flushing, L. I. — A Horticultural Club has been
established at Flushing, the meetings of which are holden weekly on Sat-
urday evening. The Flushing Journal, containing a report of the articles ex-
hibited at the meeting, July 30th, has been sent us, from which, we notice
that Messrs. Winter & Co. exhibited half a dozen bouquets, and Messrs.
Parsons & Co. twelve varieties of cherries, and three bouquets.

Mr. Thomas McMinn, gardener to Mr. Wells, at Jamaica, carried off the
palm of the evening. He exhibited eleven dahlias, and two superb petu-
nias, one of which he has named Hoveyi, in honor of Mr. C. M. Hovey, of
Boston ; fourteen fine sorts of phloxes ; sixteen of pelargoniums, &c.
Mr. McMinn was highly complimented by the committee ; all the articles
exhibited by him proved his merit as a master of his profession. It is too
bad that our gardeners should permit Mr. McMinn to run away with all the
honors. Although we have among us all the material for a first-rate exhi-
bition, we have our doubts whether any gardener can excel Mr. McMinn.
{Flushing Journal.)

[We must return our thanks to Mr. McMinn for the compliment intended
in naming his petunia after us, and we shall take especial pride in cultivat-
ing the plant which he has been kind enough to offer to send us. Flushing
must indeed have lost its renown, as containing the oldest and most exten-

Albajiy and Rensselaer Ho7-tiailliiral Society. 375

sive nursery establishments in the United States, to have all the prizes car-
ried off by its neighbors from Jamaica. — Ed.]

ExhiUlion of Strawberries at Rochester, Neio York. — The following is
the report of the committee, as published in the Rochester papers : —

Matthew G. Warner, Esq., presented thirteen varieties of strawberries,
viz : Hovey's Seedling, Columbus, Ross's Phoenix, Black Prince, Boston
Pine, Burr's old seedling, Rival Hudson, Hudson, Corse's seedling, Crim-
son Cone, Burr's New Pine, Early Scarlet, Austrian Scarlet; the Hov-
ey's Seedling being entitled to the Society's highest premium for the best
quart. Mr. Lewis Burtis presented Hovey's Seedling, fine specimens, en-
titled to the Society's premium for second best quart. Matihew G.War-
ner, Esq., entitled to Society's premium for the largest number of varieties,
and best grown pint of each.

Messrs. EUwanger & Barry presented Myatt's Eliza, Boston Pine, Early
Scarlet, Black Prince, Burr's Seedling, and eight new seedlings, worthy
the thanks of the Society, being a larger number of new seedlings than has
been offered on any previous occasion. Your Committee think a premium
ought hereafter to be offered for seedling strawberries of superior merit.

Mr. Charles Paulk, of Honeoye Falls, presented seven varieties of straw-
berries— Bishop's Orange, Black Prince, Prolific Hautbois, Stoddard's Al-
pine, Hudson's Bay, Boston Pine, and a new seedling. Messrs. Bissell,
Hooker & Sloane, presented Burr's New Pine, Columbus, Burr's Old
Pine, Black Prince, Gushing, Early Scarlet, Hudson, Rival Hudson, Bos-
ton Pine, and Hovey's Seedling.

It affords your committee pleasure to learn, that strawberries are receiv-
ing much more attention than heretofore. The above gentlemen, we are
informed, have three acres in cultivation, and supply the market with sev-
eral bushels daily.

M. B. Seward presented Aberdeen Beehive Strawberry. James H.
Watts, Esq. presented splendid specimens of Northern Spy apples, in per-
fect order. Your committee beg to call attention to the lateness of the
season for apples, the delicate sprightly flavor of the Spy up to the last
moment that it can be kept. Newtown Pippin, and all the most celebra-
ted dessert apples, having disappeared, leaving the Roxbury Russet chief
competitor. Your committee think that after several years attention to the
subject, that it is not exaggerating to say, the "Northern Spy" is the best
and most beautiful dessert apple ever offered to your Society for competi-
tion, at so late a period as the 23d of June. — P. Barry, Chairman of Com-
mitllee. (Rock. Bern.)

Art. hi. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

Second Exhibition for 1849. — The second exhibition of the society,
held at the Agricultural Rooms in the Old State Hall, on Tuesday, the
3d inst., as will be perceived by the reports of the committees annexed,
was, in all respects, such as to encourage its members to further efforts.
The hall was opened to the public, at 1, P. M., and from that hour until

376 Albany and Rensselaer Horticiiltin'al Sociciy.

the close of the exhibition, was thronged with ladies and gentlemen from
this citj', Troy, and their vicinities.

At a meeting of the society, Joel Rathbone, Esq., its President, in the
chair, the following gentlemen were chosen delegates to represent it in the
North American Poraological Convention, which is to assemble at Syra-
cuse, on the Hth day of September next, viz : From the county of Albany,
J. McD. Mclntyre, Herman Wendell, M. D., E. Emmons, M. D., B. P.
Johnson, A. Osborn, and James Wilson ; from the county of Rensselaer,
Y. P. Douw, Stephen E. Warren, B. B. Kirtland, D. Thomas Yail, Amos
Briggs, and William Newcomb.

Fruit. — The exhibition of cherries was large and fine, and the following
were the exhibitors : —

By E. Warren, Esq., Troy, seven varieties of cherries, viz : Black Tarta-
rian, May Duke, Elton, Early White Heart, Black Heart, Belle de Choisy,
and Napoleon Bigarreau.

By J. McD. Mclntyre, Albany, two varieties of cherries, viz : Trade-
scant's Black Heart, and May Duke, and also some very fine specimens of
Lancashire gooseberries.

By Dr. H. Wendell, fourteen varieties of cherries, viz: May Duke, Wa-
terloo, Elton, Napoleon Bigarreau, Florence, Wendell's Mottled Bigarreau,
(unripe,) Belle de Choisy, Carnation Bigarreau, (a seedling,) Graffion or
Yellow Spanish, Black Tartarian, Bigarraeu Coleur de Chair, Large Red
Bigarreau, Black Bigarreau, and a French variety, received without label,
resembling China Bigarreau.

By V. P. Douw, Greenbush, two varieties of cherries, viz: Early Rich-
mond, and Black Tartarian, very fine Whitesmith gooseberries, and Green
Citron muskmelons.

By Dr. Kirtland, Greenbush, seven varieties of cherries, viz: Elton,
Graffion or Yellow Spanish, Black Eagle, Black Heart, Honey Heart,
May Duke, and a seedling resembling Transparent Guigne; eight varieties
of strawberries, viz : Aberdeen Beehive, White Alpine, Hovey's Seed-
ling, Black Prince, Ohio Mammoth, Sciota, Columbus, and Burr's New
Pine. This exhibition of strawberries attracted much attention from their
large size and beautiful appearance, and the committee cannot omit to add,
that the further opportunity offered them to compare Burr's New Pine with
other standard varieties, fully confirms them in the opinion expressed at the
last exhibition, viz: "That it was entitled to the first rank, taking into
consideration its many desirable qualities."

By Col. Rathbone, of Kenwood, a dish of very fine Red Antwerp rasp-
berries. By E. E. Piatt, of Arbor Hill, nine varieties of cherries, viz:
May Duke, Black Heart, Black Tartarian, Graffion or Yellow Spanish,
Black Bigarreau, and four varieties of seedlings, not fully ripe, but giving
promise of superior qualities. By J. Teller, Greenbush, Napoleon Bigar-
reau, and Early White Heart cherries. By Dr. March, Albany, three
varieties of cherries, viz: May Duke, Black Tartarian, and Black Heart.

Premiums. — For the best and most extensive collection of cherries, to
Dr. H. Wendell, $3.
For the second best, to E. E. Piatt, $2.

Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. 377

For the best three varieties, Black Tartarian, Elton, and Belle de

Choisy, to S. E. Warren, $2.
For the best one variety, Black Tartarian, to E. E. Piatt, $1.
And the follovring discretionary premiums : —

For very fine Red Antwerp raspberries, to J. Rathbone, $1.
For large and beautiful gooseberries, to J. McD. Mclntyre, $1.
For Green Citron muskmelons, to Y . P. Douw, $1.

For the committee, John Wilson, M. D., Chairman pro tern.
Floral Designs, &c. — These were numerous and beautiful. Mr. Jas.
"Wilson was awarded $2 for two fine bouquets. Dr. Wendell exhibited a
fine round bouquet, and a basket of flowers, for which $3 were awarded.
William Newcomb, one flat and one round bouquet, $2. Col. Rathbone,
the President, and others, contributed to the display.

Greenhouse Plants and Flowers. — Col. Rathbone, Dr. Wendell,
James Wilson, W. Newcomb, Mrs. S. Waitt, and V. P. Douw, were the
principal contributors. The following is the award of
Premiums. — For the best varieties of fuschias in pots, to James Wilson,
for Lady Millbank, Chauviere, Comet, Exoniensis, Caroline, and
Acantha, $2.
For the best six plants, of difl^erent varieties, in pots, to James Wil-
son, $3.
For the best six varieties of carnations, to James Wilson, for Achilles,

Euterpe, Cynthia, Brunette, Lady Peele, and Mirabelle, $2.
For the best six varieties of picotees, to James Wilson, for Scarlet

Flake, Flora, Eloise, Climax, Cleopatra, and Incarnata, $2.
For the best display of annual and perennial flowers, to William New-
comb, $2.
And discretionary premiums of %2 to Joel Rathbone, Esq., for a fine

display of growing plants and cut flowers.
Also, a discretionary premium of $i to V. P. Douw, Esq., for a beau-
tiful display of cut roses, and other flowers. W. Newcomb, Chair^n.
Vegetables. — The committee respectfully report, that the contributions
to the exhibition, were as follows : —

W. Newcomb, of Pittstown, Hoo-Sung, and very large and fine Silver-
skin onions. Mr. Newcomb informs the committee, that he thinks the
Hoo-Sung an excellent vegetable, and when cooked in the same manner as
asparagus, is more palatable. V. P. Douw, of Wolvenhook, Early Mo-
hawk beans, fine Early York cabbages, and fine Blood beets. N. B. War-
ren, of Mount Ida, Troy, Marrowfat peas, very fine, and Mountain June
potatoes, more fully grown than at the last exhibition. These potatoes
were remarkable for size and healthiness of appearance. Joel Rathbone,
of Kenwood, Hoo-Sung, and Early Mohawk beans.

Premiums. — On onions, W. Newcomb, of Pittstown, ^1.
On Marrowfat peas, N. B. Warren of Troy, $1.
On beans, Early Mohawk, V. P. Douw, $1. B. P. Johnson, Sec'y.
VOL. XV. — NO. VIII. 48

Massachnsetts Horticultural Society.

Art. IV. Answers to Correspondents.

Knight's Monarch Pear. — M. C. Johnson. Knight's Monarch can be
readily distinguished from the spurious sort, by the wood, the habit of
growth, and the leaves. The spurious kind has dark purplish shoots, small
leaves, and a straggling, irregular growth. The true kind has olive colored
shoots, (inclining to yellowish.) medium sized leaves, and an upright and
regular, though somewhat spreading, habit. The wood of the spurious sort
is also more lomj, and shorter jointed, and less vigorous than the true kind.
We have both growing among our specimen trees, and they can at once be
distinguished from each other.

Summer Pruning Grapes. — Allen Coffin. The process of summer
pruning is simple. If the spring pruning was properly done, and the
shoots tied up to the trellis, all that is now required is to top every branch
two eyes above the bunch of fruit, or the shoots that have no fruit, to about
four eyes. This is premising the vines are pruned on the spur system.
If on the long rod, or renewal plan, then all the shoots should be topped,
except those which are to furnish the shoots for next year. This has only to
be kept in view, no matter what form the vines are trained in. But all the
laterals should be kept topped to four eyes or joints ; if with fruit, then two
eyes beyond the fruit. By attending to this, the vines are kept from becom-
ing all matted together — the sun penetrates to the fruit — the air circulates
freelv, and ripens the wood — and there is an appearance of order and neat-
ness, which should always attend good cultivation. Keep the branches,
intended for next year's bearing, carefully tied in, as it checks the growth
to have the ends of them broken off.

Best Twelve Camellias. — An Amateur. For a small collection, such
as yours, twelve of the most desirable are Double White, Lady Hume's
Blush, elegans, Landrethn, Henry Favre, candidissima, irnbricata, Donckel-
aeri, Chandler;, Duchess d'Orleans, Eclipse, Amabile ; these combining
variety of color, of good habit and free growth.

Strawberries. — T. S. C. The first of September is early enough to
plant a new bed; on old ground, such as yours, the best plan is to
trench ; and this should be done immediately, so as to allow the earth to
settle. Trench two feet deep, and before planting cover the surface with
two inches of old well decomposed manure, and dig it well in ; then mark
out the rows and plant. You need not doubt of the best results from a bed
so prepared.

Art. \ . Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, June 30th, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

Mr. Breck, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, reported that
the semi-annual exhibition had not been of any profit to the Society.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 379

It was voted, that twenty-five dollars be paid to Mr. D. Haggerston, for
superintending the semi-annual exhibition.

Mr. Jacques's Treatise on Fruits was presented by the author, — and the
thanks of the Society voted for the same.

A letter was received from Dr. Brinckle, which was refened to the Com-
mittee on Publication.

Adjourned one week to July 7th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, a fine display
of Prairie roses, three varieties. From Hovey & Co., thirty beautiful vari-
eties of hardy roses ; and several varieties of new Prairie roses. Cut flowers,
roses, bouquets, &c., from M. P. Wilder, W. Kenrick, Messrs. Winship,
P. Barnes, W. D. Winchester, A Bowditch, S. Bigelow, J. Brack & Co.,
and others.

GRATUITIES AWARDED.

To Hovey & Co., M. P. Wilder, P. Barnes, and Messrs. Winship,
a gratuity of $2 each, for fine displays of flowers.

Fruits: From J. F. Allen, Hoffman's Favoriie, Geo. IV, Grosse Mig-
nonne, and Yellow Rareripe peaches, all good ; fourteen varieties of grapes
— among which, were the De Candolle, Scharges Henling, and Wilmot's
Black Hamburgh; also figs. From O. Johnson, very beautiful Coolidge's
Favorite peaches, and two baskets and six boxes of Hovey 's Seedling straw-
berries, remarkably large and splendid specimens. From Jos. Richardson,
four baskets Richardson's Late, and one each of Hovey's Seedling, Dept-
ford Pine, and Jenny's Seedling. From J. Quant, Hautbois strawberries,
very large and fine. From Hovey & Co., five varieties of grapes, in-
cluding a splendid bunch of the Victoria, weighing 2| lbs ; also one large
basket Hovey's Seedling, and one of Boston Pine strawberries. From A.
Bowditch, strawberries. From J. W. Foster, Hovey's Seedling and Wil-
ley strawberries.

Vegetables : From S. Bigelow, by E. Burns, potatoes, the first of the
season.

July 1th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day, — the
President in the chair.

The following members were elected : — Thomas Rice, Jun., Newton
Lower Falls; L. C. Child, East Lexington; James Huckins, Roxbury ;
Nicholas Delcor, and Z. B. Crooker, Brighton.

Mr. Breck, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, reported the
proceeds of the semi-annual exhibition to be $ 110 75.

Adjourned four weeks to August 3d.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, Prairie roses
and cut flowers. From Hovey & Co., fifteen varieties of Prairie roses, as
follows: — Queen, Perpetual Pink, Superba, Baltimore Belle, Pallida, Car-
adori Allen, Miss Gunnell, Mrs. Hovey, Eva Corinne, Anne Marie, Jane,
Pride of Washington, President, and Triumphant; also phloxes. Van
Hovittew, Goethe, Standard of Perfection, Speculum, and amabilis striati-

3S0

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

flora. Cut flowers, bouquets, &c., from Brack & Co., W.
Messrs. Winship, J. A. Kenrick, P. Barnes, A. Bowditch, Mrs.
ding, and others.

GRATUITIES AW.\RDED.

To Hovey & Co., for collection of Prairie roses,
To Messrs. Winship, for mantel bouquets, .
To Miss Russell, for basket flowers,
To A. Bowditch, for hand bouquets.
To Miss Kenrick, for basket flowers.

Kenrick,
S. Spaul-

$2 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00

To Breck & Co., Winships, and Miss Barnes, for cut flowers, each 1 00
Fruits : From Hovey & Co., six varieties of grapes, and Boston Pine
strawberries. From J. F. Allen, seven varieties of giapes ; Violet Hative,
and Lewis, and Late Crawford, and other peaches. From T. Needham,
four varieties of grapes, including Cannon Hall Muscat. From 0. Johnson,
Black Tartarian, Bigarreau, Sparhawk's Honeyheart, and Bigarreau Col-
eur de Chair, (?) all fine; also Jenny's Seedling strawberries, and Cool-
idge's Favorite peaches. From A. W. Withington, Seedling strawberries.
From G. Merriam, Black Tartarian, and Hyde's Honeyheart cherries.
From Jos. Richardson, Richardson's Late, and two other kinds of straw-
berries. From George Walsh, New Black Bigarreau cherries, fine.

Vegetables. — From James Parker, Champion of England cucumbers.
From George Newhall, string beans. From James Nugent, string beans.
July lAth. Exhibited. — Flowers : From Hovey & Co., seven varieties
of Prairie roses, viz., Mrs. Hovey, Perpetual Pink, Eva Corinne, Anne
Maria, Triumphant, President, and Ranunculiflora ; also carnations and
picotees. Cut flowers in variety, bouquets, &c., from the President of the
Society, P. Barnes, J. Hovey, A. Bowditch, C. A. Hewins, Messrs. Win-
ship, and J. E. Swan.

GRATUITIES AWARDED.

To J. E. Swan, for a bouquet of native flowers, . . $2 00

To P. Barnes, for cut flowers, . . . , 1 00

To John Hovey, for hand bouquets, . . . 1 00

To A. Bowditch, for hand bouquets, . . . 1 00

To Messrs. Winship, for mantel bouquets, . . . 1 00

Fruit: From O. Johnson, Black Heart, Napoleon Bigarreau, White

Bigarreau, and Black Tartarian cherries, all fine ; also Black Hamburgh,

White Fronlignan, and Zinfindal grapes, and Franconia raspberries. From

T. Needham, Cannon Hall, and three other kinds of grapes. From J. F.

Allen, handsome peaches. From E. Burns, Black Hamburgh grapes, and

fine gooseberries. From A. D. Weld, Red and While Dutch currants.

From Hovey & Co., Wilmot's Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's B. H. No.
16, Black Hamburgh, Golden Chasselas, Red Chasselas, and Vv'hite Chas-
selas grapes. From H. Vandine, fine Elkhorn cherries. From H. K.
Moore, Elkhorn cherries. From J. S. Sleeper, Florence, Black Heart,
and Seedling cherries. From C Newhall, Knevel's Giant raspberries.
From Jos. Richardson, Richardson's Late strawberries. From J. Hovey,

Massachusetts Horticultural Societij. 381

gooseberries. From C. E. Grant, Fastolff and White Antwerp raspberries.
From George Walsh, splendid New Black Bigarreau cherries.

The committee tasted the Cannon Hall Muscat grape, and pronounced
it a " very fine" variety.

Vegetables : From Jos. Crosby, Early cabbages and cucumbers. From
Q. Hersey, Hingham, string peas.

July2\st. Exhibiled. — Flowers: From Hovey & Co., carnations and
picotees, upwards of 200 blooms, in more than twenty-five kinds : The
prize stand of ten flowers comprised Princess Victoria, Beauty of Cam-
bridge, (Hovey's,) and four Seedling picotees, and King Alfred, William
IV, Barker's Queen, and one unnamed carnation ; also 20 varieties of
double hollyhocks. From P. Barnes, picotees, hollyhocks, and other flow-
ers. From J. Breck & Co., 20 var. double hollyhocks, and other flowers.
Cut flowers, bouquets, &c., from the President of the Society, A. Bow-
ditch, J. Hovey, E. Burns, J. Nugent, and others.

PRE.MIUMS AND GRATTJITIES AWARDED.

Carnations and Picotees. — For the best ten flowers, to Hovey &
Co., $5.
For the second best, to J. Nugent, $4.
For the best display, to Hovey & Co., $ 3.
Hollyhocks. — For the best display, to J. Breck & Co., $3.
For the second best, to Hovey & Co., $2.
For the third best, to P. Barnes, $ 1.
Gratuities. — To James Nugent, for cut flowers and bouquets, $ 1.
To A. Bowditch, for picotees, hollyhocks, &c., $ 1.
To John Hovey, for bouquets, $ 1.
To E. Burns, for bouquets, $ 1.
Fruit: From Messrs. Hovey & Co., Muscat of Alexandria, Wilmot's
Hamburgh No. 16, Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's Hamburgh, Muscat
Blanc Hatif, White Frontignan, Red and White Chasselas, and Victo-
ria grapes, — one very large cluster of which last weighed nearly three
pounds. From O. Johnson, fine FastolfFand Franconia raspberries ; White
Dutch currants, and Seedling cherries, not ripe. From J . F. Allen, Cannon
Hall Muscat, and White Nice grapes, and handsome peaches, the largest
weighing half a pound, and eleven inches in circumference. From C.
Newhall, Knevet's Giant raspberries : Mr. Newhall states, that the
plants have stood out the three last winters, unprotected, without any in-
jury. From Jos. Lovett, fine Knevet's Giant raspberries, and Red and
White Dutch currants. From Jos. Richardson, Richardson's Late straw-
berries, and fine Franconia raspberries. From George Wilson, fine White
Dutch currants. From A. D. Weld, Red and White Dutch currants. From
J. S. Sleeper, Seedling cherries, which the committee pronounce fine.
From S. & G. Hyde, Seedling cherries, also fine.

Vegetables: From Jos. Crosby, Early potatoes, very fine. From W.
W. Wheildon, tomatoes, and Winter squashes.

July 28lh. Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society,

382 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

^conitam variegatura, Yucca filamentosa, &c. Frond J. Breck & Co., forty
varieties of fine hollyhocks, several of phloxes, and other flowers. From
P. Barnes, fine specimens of the Mountjoy Prairie rose, from plants dis-
tributed among the members two years ago ; a desirable and pretty late
flowering kind ; also other flowers. Cut flowers, bouquets, &c., from M.
P. Wilder, Messrs. Winship, Miss Barnes, J. Nugent, J. T. Buckingham,
A. Bowditch, J. Hovey, J. G. Swan, Miss Russell, Miss Kenrick, and
others.

GRATUITIES AWARDED.

To A. Bowditch, M. P. Wilder, P. Barnes, Breck & Co., J. Nu-
gent, J. Hovey, Messrs. Winship, J. G. Swan, Miss Barnes, Miss
Kenrick, and Miss Russell, for cut flowers, bouquets, &c., $1 each.

FauiT : From O. Johnson, Zinfindal, and Black Hamburgh grapes, very
fine, also Muscat of Alexandria ; Franconia raspberries and White Dutch
currants, both fine. From J. F. Allen, White Nice and Poiteau Noir
grapes, also Violet Muscat (?) grapes, and nectarines. Currants, from A.
D. Williams and A. D. Weld. From George Wilson, fine Victoria and
White Dutch currants. From M. P. Wilder, Cherry currants, and Late
Duke cherries. From J. Hovey and Jos. Lovett, fine gooseberries. From
Hovey & Co., very large and fine Victoria currants; also White Dutch,
and fine Victoria, and Wilmot's Black Hamburgh No. 16 grapes. From
W. C. Strong, five varieties of grapes, and Peach plums. From James
Nugent, Black Hamburgh grapes. From S. Dike, Seedling Mazzard
cherries.

From R. S. Colt, Esq., Patterson, N. J., Muscat of Alexandria, Cam-
bridge Botanic Garden, and Seedling grapes; the latter a hybrid between
the Black Hamburgh and Cambridge Botanic Garden grape ; both were
injured by transportation, but the committee thought favorably of the seed-
ling. From Capt. Lovett, Seedling gooseberries, which produce well.

AWARD OF PREMIUMS ON FRUITS.

Strawberries. — For the best specimens, to Josiah Richardson, for the
Boston Pine, $6.
For the second best, to O. Johnson, for Hovey's Seedling, $4.
For the third best, to Hovey & Co., for the Boston Pine, $3.
Cherries. — For the best specimen, to G. Walsh, for a seedling, (?) $C.

For the second best, to O. Johnson, for the Black Tartarian, $4.
Gooseberries. — For the best specimens, to J. Hovey, $5.

For the second best, to Jos. Lovett, $3.
Grapes. — For the best specimens, before July 1, to T. Needham, $ 10.

For the second best, to J. F. Allen, S7.
Peaches. — For the best specimens, before the second Saturday in July,
to J. F. Allen, $G.
For the second best, to O. Johnson, $4.
Vegetables. — From G. S. & A. Parker, fine potatoes. From A. D.
Williams, beets, carrots, corn, cabbages, and potatoes. From J. Crosby,
tomatoes, and cabbages.

Horticultural Memoranda. 383

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR AUGUST.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grafe Fmes, in the greenhouse or vinery, will now have their fruit well
colored, and some of the earlier kinds nearly or quite ripe. The house
should now be kept rather dry, and well aired, opening the sashes very
early to let off the damp collected during the night. Continue to stop all
the laterals, and to tie up all the leading shoots (if the vines are young,) to
the trellis. Give the border a very liberal watering if this dry weather
continues, and mulching with old stable manure will have a good effect.
Old vines may be now inarched with young vines in pots. Grapes in cold
houses must now be carefully managed, to prevent mildew; if, from any
cause, it should appear, apply a solution of sulphur, as we have directed in
previous years. Continue to lay in the wood wanted for next year on out-
of-door vines, and stop all laterals and superfluous shoots.

Strawberry beds will need attention. Keep them clear of weeds, and lay
in the runners, if they do not take hold freely. The last of the month is a
favorable time to make new beds, if the young runners are sufliciently
rooted. Now is a good time to trench ground for new beds. Now is the
time to lay young runners into pots, for forcing next winter.

Plum, and Cherry, and Pear trees should now be budded without delay.

Fruit trees, of all kinds, should have their summer pruning finished this
month. Attend to the destruction of insects, particularly the slug on the
pear and cherry trees, and the green lice on the apple ; oil soap, freely ap-
plied, will kill them off.

Peach trees in pots should be well watered, giving liquid manure to the
youngest plants not in bearing, in order to secure a good growth.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias will now require daily attention, if fine blooms are wanted. It
is useless to expect shoio floivers unless they have good treatment. In this
dry weather and hot sun, the ground should be liberally mulched with cow
or horse manure, and a good watering given to the plants, over the foliage,
every night. In addition, they may occasionally have liquid manure.
Carefully tie up all branches, and trim away suckers and small shoots.

Pelargoniums, now headed in, should be kept in a half shady place till
well broken ; water sparingly ; cuttings, put in the middle of July, will
now be rooting, and must be kept shaded in the middle of the day.

Carnations and Picotees should now be layered. Have some good, pre-
pared soil ready, in order that the layers may root strongly, by which
means a better bloom is secured for next year. Seedlings raised this year
should be pricked out into beds, in order to get them strong enough to blow
next year.

Camellias should now be potted, if not already done ; this should not be

384 Horticultural Memoranda.

left too late. Keep the plants well syringed. Grafting may be done now,
as well as inarching, and cuttings may also be put in.

Oxalis hirta and Bowiei should be immediately potted, especially the
former.

Verbenas, for keeping over for winter blooming, or for a spring stock,
should now be layered into small pots.

Chrysanthemums , in small pots, should be shifted into a larger size. Old
plants may still have the tops of their shoots layered off.

White lilies should be taken up, divided, and reset the last of the month,
if a large stock is wanted.

Cactuses may now be shifted into larger pots.

Pansies may still be propagated from cuttings. Seeds may be also sown
now for spring blooming.

Mignonette, Sweet Alyssum, NemophUa insignis and Scldzanihus , may
still be sown for blooming in winter.

Callas should be potted the last of the month.

Ericas should be carefully looked after. If they need repotting, do the
work at once. Cuttings put in in February or March, may now be potted off.

Japan lilies should be rather sparingly watered after they have done
flowering.

Heliotropes, for early winter blooming, should now be shifted into larger
pots.

Orange and Lemon trees should be budded this month.

Roses, of all kinds, should now have their layering finished. Budding may
now be commenced. Roses in pots, wanted for blooming about Christmas,
should now be shifted into larger pots, and headed in ; water fortnightly,
with liquid guano. Cuttings of all kinds of Bengal, Tea, Noisette, Bour-
bon, and Hy. Perpetual roses may now be renewed from cuttings.

Achimenes, for late flowering, should now be shifted into larger pots.

Fuchsias, in small pots, should now be shifted into larger ones.
Euphorbia jacquinceflora should now be shifted into larger pots, and all
the shoots topped, in order to make them dwarf and bushy plants.

Duphni odora cuttings should now be potted off; the old plants may also
be shifted, if they require it.

Acacias, of all kinds, require a good degree of pot room, if fine plants are
an object ; water, also, with liquid guano.

Chorizcmas may now be shifted into larger pots.

Antirrhinums should now be propagated from cuttings.

Coxcombs, in pots, will need a shift into larger ones.

Oleanders, now in bloom, should be abundantly supplied with moisture.

Chinese primroses, of the double kinds, should be kept in a cool frame
shaded from the noonday sun. Seedlings, in small pots, should now be
shifted into larger size.

Greenhouse plants. Continue to look after them now, and repot and
prune all such as require it.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE-

SEPTEMBER, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Beautiful Native Trees, Shrubs, and Herbaceous
Flowering Plants, groiving in Massachusetts, worthy of
general cultivaiio?i. By Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Haw-
thorn Cottage, Roxbury.

Dear Sir, — Since my letter of July, it has occurred to me
that there are several other native trees, shrubs, and herba-
ceous flowering plants, which are as much entitled to the
special attention of the cultivators of ornamental grounds
and nurserymen, as those I named.

The Tupelo multiflbra, or aquatica, which in New Eng-
land is called Pepperidge, Swamp Hornbeam, Wild Pear,
Snag Tree, and Horn Pine, is a very picturesque inhabitant
of our forests, as the branches are numerous, close together,
horizontal or slightly drooping, and the leaves which are of a
glossy green, until autumn, when they change to a deep scar-
let or crimson tint, and the berries are blue. They attain a
height of from thirty to forty and even fifty feet, and isolated,
or mingled with other trees, it is worthy of culture, from its
unique ramification, foliage, and form. Mr. Emerson de-
scribes one of these trees, which he examined in Cohasset,
that, at the surface, just above the roots, was eleven feet in
circumference, the height forty or fifty feet, and the average
breadth of the head sixty-three feet.

As I shall designate only such trees and plants as are to be
found in this State, as most worthy of your notice, allow me
to name two of the former, which are limited in their range
and consequently not generally known. They are the Hack

VOL. XV. NO. IX. 49

386 Beautiful Native Trees, Sh?-ubs, (^c.

Berry, — Celtls crassifblia, and the Overcup White Oak, —
Qiuercus 9}iac?'ocdrpa.

The former, Michaux describes as " one of the most beau-
tiful trees of its genus, and one of the most remarkable for
height and majesty of form." Mr. Emerson states that he
found it in only two places, — Springfield and West Spring-
field. The most remarkable specimen grew a few rods north
of the Hampden House, and at six feet from the ground was
thirteen feet in circumference, and was fifty or sixty feet in
height.

The Overcup White Oak, or Bur Oak, is found in Stock-
bridge and other towns in Berkshire County, where it is
called Pin Oak, from its being preferred to any other material
for pins or treenails. Mr. Emerson truly remarks, that "the
beauty of this tree, the abundance and luxuriance of its
foliage, and the extraordinary size of its acorns, recommend
it to the landscape gardener, and the value of its wood to the
forester."

The Magnblm glauca, — Beaver Tree, or Swamp Laurel,
is not found in this State, except in Gloucester and Essex.
All who have seen this superb tree must unite in this just
encomium of Emerson: — " No plant is, at every season, and
in every condition, more beautiful. The flower, two or three
inches broad, is as beautiful and almost as fragrant as the
water lily."

There are only fifteen species of this magnificent genus of
trees, and nine of them are natives of the United States;
five of the others are indigenous to China and Japan, and
one to the West Indies.

Several of the Magnolia, besides the glauca, can be reared
in our climate. The Magnolia grandiflora, or Big Laurel,
is one of the largest forest trees of this country, as it some-
times attains the height of ninety feet, with a diameter of
three feet.

The Magnolia tripe tala is found as far north as Lake
Champlain, in the state of New York, and has been long
cultivated in the vicinity of Boston.

This elegant family of trees received its name from Plu-
mier, in honor of Peter Magnol, the celebrated botanical pro-
fessor of Montpelier, in France, who died at the commence-

Beautiful Native Trees^ Shrubs, ^'c. 387

ment of the last century. He was a physician of extensive
practice, but assiduously cultivated botany. Numerous stu-
dents sought instruction from him, in that pleasing and use-
ful branch of natural history. Fagol and the illustrious
Tournefort were his pupils. He published several works on
botany before the birth of Linnseus, and was one of the
great pioneers for that eminent author.

The six species of the Viburnums are all very appropriate
for the borders of groves, and other portions of embellished
grounds, from their profuse cymes of delicate flowers and
deep green and abundant foliages. Some of these shrubs
are known in the country as White Rod, Arrow Wood,
Cranberry Tree, and Wayfaring Tree.

The Cardinal Flower, — Lobelia, cardinalis, — is the unri-
valled queen of our herbaceous plants, for its long raceme of
brilliant scarlet blossoms is so intensely vivid in color, that,
in the bright sun-light, it seems to flash like the scintillations
of a flambeau. Although its natural position is in moist land,
and usually on the margins of brooks, it flourishes, by cul-
ture, in elevated situations, and should be in every garden,
it being perennial.

The Marsh Hibiscus, — l^ib'iscus palustris, — is one of our
rarest and most conspicuous native flowers, for the corolla is
larger than that of any other indigenous plant, it being equal
in size to those of the hollyhock, and of a superb purple tint.
This is also a sub-aquatic plant and perennial, but can be
reared on high ground. Some twenty-five years since, I
found the first of these plants I had ever seen, in a swamp,
at the head of Tarpaulin Cove, on Nashawn island. It was
in bloom, and I had it taken up with a large quantity of
earth and thus transplanted it to my garden. I first, how-
ever, divided the roots, and sent half of them to that ever
honored and distinguished benefactor of rural industry, John
Lowell, Esq., who reciprocated the favor, by presenting me
an exotic white species, with a dark eye. I set it out beside
the wild plant, and the next season, when they were in
bloom, I cut oft' one of the white flowers and inverted it over
one of those on the native plant, for the purpose of obtaining
a hybrid variety ; when the large pericarp was matured, the
seeds were carefully preserved and planted the next spring.

388 List of Pears which succeed on tlie Quince.

I raised about forty plants, and they were of all the shades
of red, from nearly white to crimson, and each had the dark
spot of the white kind.

No one is more disposed to commend the meritorious efforts
which our nurserymen and numerous amateurs have made,
to multiply our varieties of fruit and ornamental and useful
trees and plants, by importations from all parts of the globe,
for they are entitled to the gratitude of their countrymen.
Still, it is very desirable that all our native species, which
are worthy of culture, should claim at least equal attention,
and I think the first ; for how peculiar and extraordinary
would be considered a visit of an American to Europe, for
the purpose of beholding the lakes of Switzerland and Scot-
land, the Rhine, the Rhone, and the Danube, and the cas-
cades of Italy, before he had traversed our own inland seas,
and the majestic rivers, Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri, and
stood on the brink of the thundering cataract of Niagara.

Let us first look at home, and direct our attention to the
beautiful, the grand, and the valuable, and endeavor to pro-
cure afterwards whatever may be found better or useful in
other regions of the earth.

Hawthorn Cottage^ Roxbury^ August 23, 1849.

No individual in this country is so well acquainted with
the merits of our native trees, shrubs, and plants, as adapted
to ornamental planting, as Gen. Dearborn. He has seen and
studied them in every locality, and we only hope he will
continue to give our readers a further account of these native
trees, of which the few he has named only form a small por-
tion, which deserve to form a prominent feature in every
ornamental plantation. — Ed.

Art. II. List of American and Foreign Varieties of Pears
which succeed on the Quince. By W. Reid, EHzabethtown
Nursery, N. J.

Dear Sir, — A remark made at the Fruit Convention, held
at the city of New York, last October, by one of our leading

List of Pears U'hich succeed on the Quince.

389

nurserymen, relating to varieties of pears that succeed on the
quince stock, has induced me to send you, for publication in
your Magazine, a list of some of the varieties that grow well
with me. The remark that I allude to, was, that there were
very few of the American varieties of pears that would grow
on the quince, except Dearborn's Seedling.

I trust the annexed list, which contains only a few of the
leading kinds of American origin, and some of the new Eu-
ropean varieties, may be of some use to those who are bud-
ding on the quince, and also to persons purchasing trees, who
may be desirous of having their collection all on Dwarf
stocks.

American Varieties.

Andrews,

Columbian Virgoulouse,

Swan's Orange,

Lawrence,

Oswego Beurre,

Pratt,

Seckel,

Stevens's Genesee,

Gushing, &c.

Foreign Varieties.

List of new European varieties, principally of French ori-
gin, and of great celebrity in that country, and of which
some very high testimonials have been sent here with them.
Those who are anxious to see the fruit as soon as possible,
will be gratified to learn that they may be enabled to do so
by working them on the quince : —

Beurre de Malines,
Beurre d'Esperin,
Beurre de Kackingheim,
Beurre Langelier,
Beurre de Spoelberch,
Beurre Giffart,
Beurre Duvernay,
Doyenne Goubault,
Duchess of Orleans,
Belle Excellente,
Neil d'Hiver,
Louis de Boulogne,

Fondante de Malines,
Soldat d'Esperin,
Cheminette,
Chenille,

Surpasse Fortunee,
De Lepine,

Bergamotte d'Esperin,
Elize d'Heyst,
Crassane d'Hiver,
Gratioli, of Jersey,
Delices de Charles,
Doyenne Goubault,

390 List of Pears which succeed on the Quince.

Benoist,

Belle Apres Noel,
Arch Diike Charles,
Bonne de Zees,
Hispeteaii,
Beiirre Dnrfour,
Colmar d'Aremberg,
Elizabethtown, August 9, 1849.

Catinka,

Nouveau Simon Bouvier,
Triomphe de Jodoigne,
Beurre Sterkman,
Theodore Van Mons,
Arbre Conrbe, &c.

We are glad to hear from Mr. Reid, on this subject, which
is of great importance to all nurserymen, as well as amateur
cultivators; for it is well known that some kinds of pears
will not succeed upon the quince, for any length of time,
and the trees often die off just as a good crop of fruit is an-
ticipated. Nothing is more vexatious, to say nothing of the
loss of time and disappointment, than to have two or three
out of a fine row of twenty-five or fifty handsome pyramidal
or qvenoidle trees die out, thus destroying the regularity and
symmetry of a plantation. We have ourselves experienced
this, and our desire is to guard others against such effects.
For this reason, we have made, and have still in course of
trial, a number of experiments to ascertain all the kinds of
pears which will thrive well with the quince.

We are pleased, therefore, to give the annexed list, by Mr.
Reid, who is a careful and observing nurseryman, and we
should place great reliance upon his experience, when time
has allowed a fair trial. But, as regards new sorts, such as
the Pratt, Oswego Beurre, &c., introduced altogether too
short a time to test their growth on any stock, Mr. Reid's
advice should be taken with some caution.

Notwithstanding Mr. Reid's remarks, we still adhere to the
opinion he has quoted, viz., that "very few of our American
pears appear to succeed well upon the quince."* We believe
we made this observation ourselves, at the Convention of
Fruit Growers, when called upon to give some information
about the Dix pear. We have now above seventy varieties
of American pears, and of all this number, not more than ten

* We did not say " that double-worked pears do not succeed well for any length of
time," as is incorrectly reported in the Procecc/w^-s, published by the Convention.
—Ed.

New Seedling Cherry. 391

or twelve have been long enough cultivated to ascertain with
certainty whether they will succeed on the quince. By cer-
tainty, we mean whether they will make good sized trees,
and bear one or two good crops, without impairing their
health and vigor. The Seckel will succeed on the apple for
a year or two, and then it dies out. Of Mr. Reid's list, only
the Andrews, Seckel, Stevens's Genesee, and the Gushing,
have been introduced a sufficient time to test their growth.
We have not been able to make the Seckel grow well on the
quince, though it may do so. With the exception of Swan's
Orange, we have not tried either of the others. Two years
grafted trees of the former look exceedingly well, and we
hope they will continue to thrive. The Andrews and Colum-
bia are very poor growers, even on the pear.

We should be pleased to know that every pear, American
or foreign, would grow well on the quince, for we think that
the most desirable stock for all purposes but orchard culture ;
and we trust that every nurseryman, and, indeed, every am-
ateur, who has any experience on this subject, will commu-
nicate to us the results of their experiments. By this means,
a fund of valuable information may be secured, and, by com-
paring results, a list made out of such sorts as grow well on
the quince, which will be a safe guide to all who are propa-
gating trees for sale, or for their own gardens. — Ed.

Art. III. Some account of a New Seedling Cherry. By
Henry Yail, Esq., Troy, N. Y., in a letter to the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society. With a description and
engraving of the Fruit. By the Editor.

The following letter was communicated to the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society, at a late meeting, by Henry Yail,
Esq., of Ida Farm, Troy, N. Y., with specimens of the
cherries for trial; and it has been kindly furnished us for pub-
lication by the president, Samuel Walker, Esq. The cher-
ries, when they came to hand, were somewhat injured by
carriage, and a just estimate of them could not be made by
one trial. The variety appears to be equal to the Late Duke

392 Neio Seedling Cherry.

in quality, and being a native seedling it may be better
adapted to our climate than foreign kinds, and deserves fur-
ther trial. A few of the cherries were placed in our hands,
from which we have made the annexed engraving and de-
scription of the fruit.

Mr. Vail's seedling belongs to the class of late subacid
cherries, of which we now have the Arch Duke, Late Duke,
Lemercier, and Belle Magnifique, all large and fine kinds ;
what particular merits it possesses over these, one trial does
not give us an opportunity to decide. But its American ori-
gin must give it a hardy habit, which, combined with pro-
ductiveness, size, and good quality, will render it a desirable
acquisition.

My Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of sending you, per ex-
press to-day, a {q\j specimens of a seedling cherry which
originated on my place. The tree from which I send the
fruit is now seven years old, and, in its habit, very nearly
resembles the Late Duke. It appears to be very prolific, the
fruit growing in clusters, and is now just in perfection,
although the tree stands very much exposed, being in a posi-
tion to receive the rays of the sun from early day to its
setting.

A. J. Downing, Esq., to whom I sent a few specimens of the
fruit, writes to me under date of 7th inst : — " I am really much
obliged to you for a sight of your new seedling cherry, which
I am greatly pleased with. Indeed, if this variety continues
to prove itself as good a bearer as these branches before me
indicate, it will be a great acquisition. It very nearly resem-
bles the Late Duke in appearance and season of ripening,
but it is a better cherry and a far more prolific one, as the
Late Duke is such a poor bearer that it is very little culti-
vated. 1 have made a drawing of the specimens sent, and
will be glad to notice it in the Horticulturist. What shall I
call it? Perhaps VaiVs August Diike^

As I should be pleased to have the fruit examined by your-
self and the fruit committee of your truly valuable society,
I take the liberty of sending to your address a few speci-
mens, which I hope will reach you in good order, and in
season for your exhibition on Saturday next, and shall be

NeiD Seedling Cherry.

393

pleased to hear from you whether it passes the ordeal of your
discriminating committee. — Truly yours^ Henry Vail, Ida
Farm, Troy, N. Y., August 9, 1849.

To Samuel Walker, Esq ,

President Mass. Hort,

Soc.j &c.

The fruit committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society reported that the "cherries were somewhat decayed,
and they could not so well judge of their quahty, but, from
their being so late, and said to be an abundant bearer, the
cherry promises to be a valuable acquisition."

Our description is as follows : —

Fruit, large, fully one inch in diameter, and about the
same in length: Form, roundish, heart-
shaped, slightly flattened at the base:
Skin, deep shining red : Stem, very
long, about two inches in length, rather
stout, and inserted in a medium sized
shallow cavity : Flesh, pale amber,
tender, and melting : Juice, abundant,
subacid, rich, and good : Stone, small,
ovate. Ripe in the early part of Au-
gust.

Mr. Downing, in his letter to Mr.
Vail, speaks of the Late Duke as such
a "poor bearer that it is very little cul-
tivated." Does he here have reference
to the ti'ue Late Duke, or to a spurious
one which we had from the Highland
Horticultural nurseries six or seven
years ago, and which appears to be
some sort of a Morello? The true Late Duke, as figured in
our Fruits of America, and described in our Magazine, (vol.
xiii. p. 397,) is a great and constant bearer, and one of the
very finest late cherries in our collection. We have had it in
bearing three or four years, and the Pomological Magazine
particularly recommends it on account of its "appearance,
size, flavor, and productiveness." — Ed.

VOL. XV. NO, IX. 50

VaiVs Seedling
Cherry.

394 Fine species of Cowparsnep.

Art. IV. Notice of a fine and showy species of CoiDparsyiep.
(Herac/eum Wilhelmsii.) By John Lewis Russell, Prof.
Bot. and Veg. Physiol. Mass. Hort. Soc, &c., &c.

In 1844, Professor Fischer, of the Imperial Botanic Garden
at St. Petersburg, forwarded to the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society a collection of seeds, out of which I was so for-
tunate as to raise the interesting subject of this article. The
seeds were sown in April of that year, but the plants did not
make their appearance until the following Spring. In June,
1846, two surviving plants, out of the only th?'ee which vege-
tated, produced flowers ; and for the successive seasons have
rendered themselves eminently conspicuous for magnitude of
dimensions, as well as for elegance of style in inflorescence.

Any one who is familiar with dark, shady, and rich woods
on rocky soils in this vicinity, must have frequently noticed,
in the month of June, a tall plant, with coarse, downy foli-
age, commonly known as cowparsnep, and incorrectly called
by some, "master wort." Passing through Harbiony Grove,
in which the cemetery grounds of Salem, Massachusetts, are
located, early in that month, my attention was arrested by a
fine natural groupe of these cowparsneps, covering the shelv-
ing sides of a slope, and giving to the spot the air of some
exotic culture. The peculiar beauty which this otherwise
coarse plant threw around the scene, suggested to me that
some of its foreign co-species might, perhaps, be worthy of
cultivation, as well adapted to cover such grounds which
are often filled with unseemly briars. I wished that I could
have seen, at the time, the Siberian species, which, of the
foreig-ti species, is the only one known to me, and which, as
an object of curiosity, I shall attempt to describe.

Herad^um Wilhelmsii {fide Fischer,) is a very showy
plant, growing to the average height of about five feet, with
large umbels of numerous snowy white, rather small, flow-
ers, and with enormous leaves. Of these latter, I have speci-
mens before me, cut from the two plants above-mentioned,
which have been growing in a rich, stony soil, on the edge
of a peat meadow, and under no especial cultivation. One
of these leaves measures, from the base of the petiole to the

Fine species of Cowparsnep. 395

tip of the leaf, five feet and ten inches in length, and its great-
est breadth is that of more than four feet. The other leaf,
cut at random, was five feet in length, measured in the same
way as was the last. The petiole is hollow, stout, and lon-
gitudinally grooved, smooth, irregularly marked with dark
red spots and dashes, and highly scented (as is indeed the
entire plant) with a strong anisate odor, rather too pungent to
be entirely pleasant. Each leaf is pinnate ; the two lower
pinnae being also petiolated, the two next above, sessile ;
while the two upper become connate with the odd leaflet
which terminates the leaf. Each leaflet or pinna is deeply
gashed or cut into ; and is subdivided many times by similar
incisions on the edge of each subdivision. The color is of a
deep, rich and dark -green above, much paler beneath, and
very strongly veined. At the joints and nodes of the entire
plant are delicate glass-like hairs, which, when immature, as
for instance on the young foliage, are straight, stiff", and very
conspicuous, but become less so, and, indeed, turn to a curled
appearance, or into a sort of wool or down.

From the bosom of several of these noble leaves, one or
several main flower-stalks ascend, bearing modified leaves of
the same general character, but towards the top having at
their bases ochrece or sheaths, forming the involucral invest-
ment of the unexpanded umbel. As the main umbel ex-
pands, several partial ones are extended from beneath the
uppermost, which give a succession of flowers after the head
has passed out of blossom. Each blossom consists of five
white petals, two of which are longer than the other three,
and are divided into two very unequal lobes. The stamens
are five in number, and the styles are two, all situated about
a disk, which crowns the seed vessel. This httle blossom, it
is to be observed, is pedicillate, and is clustered, with several
others, into a partial umbel, which umbel is again supported
on another longer and larger pedicel, as is the character, in-
deed, with the generality of the umbelliferous plants. The
heads of blossoms of these flowers will measure across from
one to two feet, and become by mere aggregation very showy.

Notwithstanding its strongly aromatic scent, the plant is
freely visited by numerous sorts of insects, such as bees, flies,
cantharis, &c. ; though I have noticed no special injury that

396 Pine species of Coivparsnep.

they inflict. On the ripening of the fruit, as the seed is tech-
nically called, a curious cimex is found among dried um-
bels, which so nearly resembles the seed as to look like an
animated seed, there being two parallel dark lines down its
back, similar to the vittse of the fruit.

The Heraclea seems to be numerous in species ; and, in a
catalogue of seeds of the St. Petersburg Botanic Garden,
five species are noticed besides the HexvioXeum sibericum L ;
and all may be as remarkable for some prominent quality as
is the HexQ.c\eiijn Wilhelmsu for its speciousness. Loudon,
in his Encyclopcedia of Plants^ &c., enumerates some ten
species; and Burnett, in his Onilhies of Boia?!!/, assures us
that " the Kamschatdales and Russians eat the young shoots
and leaf stalks of Heracleum sphindylium after the rind,
which is acrid, is peeled off. This species is considered very
nutricious, and large bundles of it are collected and dried,
during which operation the stalks become covered with a
saccharine efflorescence, which is considered a great delicacy.
To what use our present plant, or even the common native
species, {Heracleum lanatum,) can be applied, I am unable
to say.

The delicate hyaline structure of the hair or down, invest-
ing the joints of the stalks and petioles, affords an excellent
subject in which to observe the spontaneous movements of
particles of matter {chlorophyll,) in the interior of each hair.

This phenomenon was once considered as only occurring
in very rare instances; but many plants have been ascer-
tained to exhibit this gyratory and circulatory motion of cor-
puscles within their cells. In the present instance, I have
found both motions, viz: a current of larger particles floating
within a turbid fluid, and myriads of others, of a medium
size, rotating on their axes, and resembling those animalcules
known as monads. To the microscopist, this feature of the
plant would, doubtless, prove interesting.

Having on hand some fresh seed of this present year's
growth, it shall be at your disposal, Mr. Editor, should you
deem it worthy your acceptance.

Sottth Hingham, July, 1849.

FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. 397

Art. V. FloricuUural and Botanical Notices of New and
Beautiful Plants figured iji Foreign Periodicals ; tcith
Descriptions of those recently introduced to^ or originated in,
American Gardens.

New Phloxes. — Some time since (p. 220,) we mentioned
the names of several new phloxes which have recently been
introduced ; since then nearly all have flowered in our col-
lection, and we have made descriptions of each, which we
shall present to our readers in a future number. Some of
them are exceedingly beautiful and distinct: — Annais, Ca-
mille, Reine de Jour, Robert de Flandre, These, Triton, Ar-
sinoe, &c., have blush or white flowers, with various colored
eyes, some crimson, some violet, and others pink or rose.
Rosetta is a fine large dark rose-colored flower, very showy ;
the beauty and variety which now exists in this hardy class
of plants, through the exertions of the French and Belgian
florists, render them the especial favorites of the garden.

New Portulacas. — The two new varieties of Portulacca, —
the golden and the white, — are fine acquisitions ; grouped
with the scarlet and crimson, they make a brilliant contrast,
and, in the noon-day sun, they literally present a sheet of
"crimson and gold," so profusely do they bloom. With
such additions to our annual plants, it will not be for the
want of objects if our gardens are not radiant with brilliant
colored flowers.

108. Ionopsi'dium acau'le Reich. Stemless Ionopsidium.
(^Bt^assicdcea.) Spain.

An annual plant ; growing six inches high ; with violet flowers ; appearing in summer ; in-
creased by seeds and runners ; or cultivated in any good soil. Flore des Serres, 1S4S, pi. 3S9.

A very pretty annual introduced from Lisbon, where it
grows abundantly on the basaltic rocks in that vicinity. It
is a fine plant for rock work for shady situations, " and merits
the attention of all amateurs for its very small stature, its
pretty heart-shaped foliage of an emerald green, and for its
innumerable delicate violet-colored blossoms." It was intro-
duced to England in 1845. It is a hardy annual, flourishing
in any good, rather moist soil, and blooms from April to
October. A desirable acquisition. {Flore des Serres^ Sept.)

398 Floriciiltiiral and Botanical Notices.

109. EcHi'^TEs pelt.Ota Velloz. Peltate-leaved Echites.

{ApocyndcecB.) Brazil.

A hothouse climber ; with yellow flowers; appenrinj in summer; increased by cuttings ; cul-
tivated in leaf-mould, heath soil and loam. Flore des Serres, 1848, p. 390.

A beautiful species of the handsome tribe of Echites,
producing clusters of pale yellow flowers, which blooms
abundantly all summer. It is similar in habit to the other
species, and its flowers are large, pale yellow, and appear in
clusters of four or five. It grows freely in a warm green-
house or in the stove, and needs a good sized pot, in which it
flowers freely {Flore des Serres, Sept.)

110. Sti'fftia chrysa'ntha Mikan. Golden-flowered Stiff-

tia. {Aster d,cecB.^ Brazil.

A greenhouse plant; growine four feet high; with yellow flowers; appearing in spring; in-
creased by cuttings ; cultivated in leaf mould, losm, and sand. Flore des Serres, 1849, pi. 391.

A very showy shrub from Brazil, where it forms a small
bush eight or ten feet high. It has a beautiful glossy foliage,
and the branches are terminated with a single head of rich
orange yellow flowers, each head being two inches long and
composed of hermaphrodite and equal florets. Its culture is
not difficult. It should be kept in a light and airy place, and
in summer repotted and watered, and the shoots nipped off"
to make bushy plants, as it has a tendency to run up. It is
a showy plant. {Flore des Serres, Sept.)

111. AlLOPLe'cTUS KERENS Hoo/c. CREEPING AlLOPLECTUS.

(Ge5we;'aceae.) California.

A greenhouse runner ; growing two feet high ; with yellow flowers ; appearing in spring ; in-
creased by layers and cuttings ; cultivated in leaf mould and peat. Flore des Serres, 1«4S, pi. 302.

A very interesting running plant, found on the mountain
of St. Martha, a part of the Sierra Nevada range in Califor-
nia, by Mr. Purdie, collector for the Kew gardens. It grows
generally at the base of trees or shrubs, and its stems twine
around them for support. In spring the branches are cov-
ered with its beautiful yellow flowers, which are highly
ornamental among the small foliage. M. Van Houtte states
that it is a pretty plant for growing Avith orchidge, as it runs
over and often covers up the coarse appearance of the earth
in which they grow. {Flore des Serres, Sept.)

Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. 399

112. Ho^A imperiaYis Lindl. Imperial-Flowered Hoya.
(A5c/e/?iadace9e.) Borneo.

A itore climber; grouting six ftet high ; with violet colored flowers ; appearing in summer ;
tncreaserl by cuUings, and grown in leaf mould, peat, and sand. Flore des Serres, 1S4S, pi. 393.

This new Hoya " is one of the most noble climbing plants"
that has been introduced ; among the Echites, Dipladenias,
Bignonias, (fee, there is nothing which will compare with
this. It has a superb and ample foliage, and the flowers are
produced in large umbels of from nine to fourteen each ; they
are of a brownish violet, and contrast prettily with the
ivory white centre ; they are borne on a long pendent stem,
and exhale at night a very sweet odor ; these, says the writer,
are " en gros the qualities which signalize this magnificent
asclepiadious plant." It was found in Borneo by Mr. Low,
Jr., and introduced to the collection of Low & Co., of Clap-
ton, who exhibited a plant in flower last season at the Re-
gent's Park. It is a great acquisition, and we hope to see it
ornamenting American collections. We ourselves paid three
guineas for a small plant, but unfortunately it was too weak
to reach us alive. It must be a splendid companion to the
Stephanotus, whose foliage and habit it greatly resembles.
Its culture and treatment is similar to the old wax plant, (H.
carnosa,) but it requires little more heat, and a larger trellis,
as it is a more rapid grower. {Flore des Serres, Sept.)

Art. VI. Notes on Gardens and Nurseries.

It is some time since we have given our readers our usual
notes on the gardens and nurseries in our immediate vicinity.
As opportunity has afforded, we have laid before them ac-
counts of our visits to gardens and nurseries in various parts
of the country, somewhat, perhaps, to the neglect of the
many flourishing places near at home. We will, however,
endeavor to make up for this in future, by a very general as
well as full account of all that is to be seen of interest in our
neighborhood.

Linmere, Residence of R. S. Fay, Esq., May 28^^.— One
of the most beautiful sheets of water in Essex County, is

400 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries.

that known as the Lynn Mineral Spring Pond, in Lynn, situ-
ate about two miles from the village, between the Salem
Turnpike and the old Danvers Road. Skirting the borders
of this pond for a long distance, and extending over three or
four hundred acres to the south and east, are situated the
picturesque and varied grounds of Linmere, the residence of
R. S. Fay, Esq. It is but two years since the proprietor took
possession of the place, which was then, and had been for
some time, in a much neglected state. Some attempt had been
made to remove some of the rocks, clear ofl' some of the wood,
and reclaim some of the low lands, but these had been only
half done, and added to the disordered appearance of the
place. To put it all in good condition, and to make only the
alterations necessary for an ordinary country residence, re-
quired no small amount of labor and expense, and a per-
sonal superintendence which some gentlemen would shrink
from undertaking. But these and all ordinary obstacles to
the improvement of the grounds, Mr. Fay took pleasure in
removing, and he at once set about accomplishing his objects.
Two years only have elapsed, but the changes seem as if
they could only have been the result of years.

To reach the old Mineral Spring House, a private road was
originally made from the turnpike to the old Salem road, but,
in time, it had become much travelled; and as it passed im-
mediately before the house, and between it and the water, the
first object was to close it in order to give some seclusion to
the place, as well as to plant and ornament the immediate
view from the house towards the pond; to this end the land
was graded, ploughed, and subsoiled, and a fine lot of Nor-
way spruces and other evergreen trees planted, which, at
this time, had grown so as to completely change the appear-
ance of the place. On the east side a new flower and fruit
garden had been formed on the site of the old one, and this
was now filled with trees and plants. The second objec^
was to make that part of the old road, from the turnpike, into
an entrance avenue, and to remove a small farm-house, which
stood near the main house, to the entrance gate, where it
could be altered into a neat lodge ; this being done the whole
avenue was planted with trees of different kinds and at vari-
ous distances, so as to form a picturesque belt. To the

Mr. Fay'' s Nursery. 401

right and left of the road, at short distances, the natural
woods cover the ground, but scarcely a tree or shrub, the
whole distance to the house, had been left standing. The
sides of the avenue were cut away in some places and filled
in in others, and now a handsome row of silver maples,
oaks, elms, sycamores, &c., ornament it the whole length,
and a few years' growth will line it with verdure. Many
and various improvements have been carried out, and others
are in contemplation, but we have not time to mention them.
Our principal purpose now is to notice some of the plantations
of trees, and particularly of evergreens, to which Mr. Fay
has given especial attention. Every kind of pine, of which
there is any hope of its proving hardy, has been imported
from England or purchased at home, with a view to form a
complete collection ; and some new and rare sorts are not
only growing here, which were set out this spring, but others,
which have stood out the last severe winter, without the
least injury.

The following is a list of some of the latter, with their
height : —

Pinus Cembra^ 1 foot high.

Pinus excelsa, 2 feet. This is a splendid tree.

Picea. Pi7isdpo, 2 feet, fine.
■ ^^bies Smithid?if/, 2 feet. A most elegant tree.

Pinus sp. from the Columbia River, raised from seeds col-
lected by the Exploring Expedition, 3 feet.

The Deodar cedars, of which there are several, were pro-
tected with pine' boughs, but having only been planted six
months they lost part of their tops,

A great number of new and rare shrubs have been planted,
of which we shall give a list after they have stood out one
or two winters.

The most important of Mr. Fay's labors has been the
planting of about eighteen acres of his high lands with
Scotch larches, upon which he set out upwards of twenty
thousand, at an expense not exceeding iwo dollars per acre,
besides the cost of the trees, which, of course, is not large,
for they are only three years old. When we saw them
they were looking well, but they have undoubtedly suffered
by the late drought; at the time of our visit at least four out

VOL. XV. — NO. IX. 51

402 Notes on Gardens and Ntirseries.

of five were thriving. This is an experiment which will
soon show how valuable the great quantity of apparently-
worthless land may become, when covered with a growth of
larch and oak, which lies between Lynn and Salem, a great
portion of which can be planted at as little outlay as that of
Mr. Fay's. We shall at another time give some further ac-
count of these trees and the success attending the experiment.
Mr. Fay is now on a visit to Europe, where he will make
himself acquainted with a greater part of all the hardy trees
and shrubs, by an inspection of the principal places where
arboretums have been planted ; and on his return it will, we
believe, be his intention to form a pinetum. He pointed out
to us a piece of ground admirably adapted to the purpose,
and he has not only ample means, but the good taste and
judgment to carry it out.

Belmont Place, J. P. Ctishing, Esq., July 25th. — Since our
last account of this fine place many improvements have been
made, one of the principal of which, as relates to the garden
and house, is the removal of the brick wall which formerly
separated it from the pleasure-ground. Not only has that
been wholly removed, but a portion of the large Norway
spruces, which had grown with such rapidity as to form a
complete belt, have been taken out, leaving a sufficient num-
ber for all the purposes of a screen, and showing off those
that remain to great advantage, their tall and stately stems,
thickly studded with fine spreading branches, and densely
clothed from the ground, — perfect pyramids, indeed, of ver-
dure and beauty. How grand a tree is the Norway spruce !
and what a feature it makes in the scenery of any pleasure
ground or suburban villa. The Arbor Vitae is admirably
adapted for a hedge or screen, but as single trees its form is
so clumpy that it cannot be introduced, where large quanti-
ties of evergreens are wanted, with such good effect as the
Norway spruce.

The range of forcing houses has also undergone a change;
the old sashes have been removed and their places supplied
with an entire new set, made on a different plan from the
others, and with regard, we presume, to strength : the glass is
only about five inches in width and sixteen or eighteen inches
in length. This admits of a large number of bars ; and, as the

Mr. Cushmg^s Gardens. 403

sashes are fourteen feet long, it prevents them from sagging,
which greatly mars the beauty of a roof.

In the stoves, the vines have undergone a renovation ; all of
them were headed down last year, and a new shoot taken up
from the bottom, which this year produced a very good crop.
The cold houses, at the opposite extremity of the range, were
producing a fine crop of fruit, all of which looked exceed-
ingly well under the charge of Mr. Shimmin the gardener,
and his foreman, Mr. Everts.

The large central conservatory was partly filled with fine
specimens of achimenes, fuchsias, gloxinias, gesneras, &c.,
which were producing an abundance of flowers. In the
framing-ground, in the rear of the houses, the plants were in
the most vigorous condition. All but the camellias were
plunged, and notwithstanding the dry summer they looked
healthy and strong.

The two large peach-houses were producing a fine crop of
peaches and nectarines upon the trellises, and the trees were
well filled with good wood for another year. On the back
wall of one of them, which is covered with pears, there were
some very handsome specimens of the Winter Nelis, Brown
Beurre, Passe Colmar, &c.

Notwithstanding the general destruction of the pear blos-
soms around Boston, Mr. Cushing's Wall and Espalier trees
are well filled with good specimens. The Duchesse d'An-
gouleme, Winter Nelis, Beurre Diel, Glout Morceau, &c.,
very large and fine. The peaches were all destroyed by the
winter except a Coolidge's Favorite, on a trellis on the east
wall ; this has a good crop.

The flower garden, as usual, was brilliant with showy
flowers, notwithstanding the recent drought; the show of
carnations and picotees had been fine, and the autumnal
roses were just beginning to bloom. Another improvement
we forgot to notice, is the gravelling of all the walks with
the brown colored or Med ford gravel. Formerly they were
covered with the siftings of broken granite, and the light,
almost white tint, was not only trying to the eyes, but not
in good keeping with the grounds. No kind of gravel is so
well adapted for garden walks, or harmonizes so well with
the surrounding scenery, as this; and as it binds well and

404 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries.

treads hard, so that its surface may be easily swept, it has
advantages over most other kinds. The mall and walks of
Boston Common have all been covered with it at an expense
of about fifteen hundred dollars. It is found in Somerville
and Medford in considerable quantities.

Oaklij Place^ Mrs. W. Pratt. — When we were here last,
in the fall of 1845, the new greenhouse had just been built
and was scarcely completed. Now we found it well stocked
with many of the showiest summer flowering plants, and the
roof covered with vines, bearing a large and fine crop,
though yet very young. The introduction of the new achim-
enes, gloxinias, fuchsias, and Japan lilies, enables our gar-
deners to make the greenhouse a place of interest in summer
as well as in winter; and, when well managed, as attractive
as any part of the grounds.

The whole premises were in fine order, under the care of
Mr. McLennan, who is a thorough gardener. In the framing
grounds there is a long range of melon pits, which was filled
with healthy well grown plants of the Persian and other fine
sorts, with an abundance of fruit, some of which was begin-
ning to change color. Mr. McLennan grows his melons to
great perfection, and we hope to be able to give some account
of his system of cultivation.

The borders of the garden were gay with stocks, sweet
peas, balsams, &c. Bignon/a radicans grows finely here,
and, trained up to a pole, is a perfect mass of foliage, en-
riched with immense clusters of its showy trumpet-shaped
blossoms. In winter the shoots are loosened from the pillar,
and laid upon the ground with scarcely any covering ; and
in this way it is never injured, no matter how severe the
weather. B. grandiflora is managed in the same way.

Passing by some large bushes of the Calycanthus (sweet
scented shrub,) we noticed that it was coming into bloom.
As this somewhat surprised us, Mr. McLennan stated that he
always got a second crop by pinching out the tops of the
shoots in July, when laterals would be produced, and an
abundance of flowers. He has followed this system for four
or five years, and always with the same results.

Gooseberries succeed finely here with scarcely any trouble ;
they are not infested with mildew as in many places, which

Mr. Winchester'' s Gardens. 405

shows conclusively that it is not the soil but the situation
which causes it. Mr. McLennan covers the ground with
short hay, which keeps the soil cool and moist. At Mr. Cush-
ing's, only a quarter of a mile distant, but considerably
lower, a principal part of the berries mildew. The crop of
pears is light, but more abundant than in the gardens in the
valleys on each side.

We cannot omit to give Mr. McLennan credit for the neat-
ness and order of every part of the grounds.

Residence of Col. Wm. P. Winchester^ Cambridge. — Col.
Winchester's grounds are situated on the private road run-
ning from Mt. Auburn to Brighton, to the south of the ceme-
tery, on the bank of Charles River, — a retired and pleasant
locality. The house, which is a beautiful structure in the
Italian style, b)'' Gilman, is built of brick, and painted of a soft
stone color. It is large, with two fronts, one facing the lawn to
the west, and the other looking towards the river to the south,
which, just at this spot, makes a sudden bend. '■ It stands on
a gentle eminence, which slopes away to the river side on the
east, and is approached by a winding avenue of some length.

Every thing is new ; the house has been completed the
past spring, and all the planting, amounting to many hun-
dred trees, has been done the present year ; but Col. Win-
chester has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. J.
W. Brown, his gardener, who fully understands laying out
and arranging the grounds, and already much has been ac-
complished. A dry and unfavorable summer has been severe
upon the newly planted trees, which, at the time of our visit,
were suffering for want of rain ; but, notwithstanding these
reverses, we found everything in better condition than we
expected. In the rear of the house, and overlooked from the
drawing-room, Mr. Brown has laid out a neat flower-garden
in various shaped beds, corresponding with the form of the
ground, with box edgings and gravelled walks ; these beds
were planted with balsams, verbenas, German asters, portu-
lacas, roses, and other showy plants, and now presented a
blaze of bloom. This garden is reached from the river front
by a long flight of steps to the left, and forms a gay feature
from the portico.

So new a place does not, of course, present a great deal of

406 Notes o?i Gardens and Nitrseries.

interest, but, with Col. "Winchester's ample means and good
taste, and with a gardener so fully capable of carrying out
his wishes as Mr. Brown, we have no doubt, at another time,
we shall have a great many improvements to record, not the
least of which will be the erection of a grapery, peachery,
and conservatory.

Nursery of W. Kenrick, Nonantum Hill, Newton, August
Sth. — The nursery of Mr. Kenrick comprises in all upwards
of fifty acres, but only about twenty are occupied as a nur-
sery. Part of the remainder is fine land, covered with a
good growth of timber, and commands a fair price for build-
ing lots, the facilities of travel by railroad having made New-
ton Corner a favorite place for summer residences. The
view from Mr. Kenrick's grounds is one of the most magnifi-
cent in the neighborhood. In the foreground lies the pretty
village of Newton Corner, with Watertown beyond ; Cam-
bridge, with Charles River winding along its borders, and
Boston with the harbor stretching away to the east ; and
to the west, in a clear day, the noble Wachuset may be seen
towering its blue top above the finely undulated country
which lies in that direction.

It is now more than fifty years since Mr. Kenrick's father
established the nursery which has long borne his name, and
which has been continued since his death by the two sons,
William and John. It is twenty-six years since Mr. Ken-
rick established his nursery on the grounds of his father,
sixteen acres of which he inherited at his death, the other
portions having been added by purchases at various times.
During this period Mr. Kenrick has disseminated a great
number of trees, and among them many new kinds. It was
through his exertions, accompanied with those of Mr. Man-
ning and Gen. Dearborn, that Dr. Van Mons's fine pears were
so early added to our collections ; and two visits to England
and France enabled him to procure many new fruits. Mr.
Kenrick's pen was never idle. In addition to a large corres-
pondence, he from time to time, for many years, contributed
liberally to the old New England Farmer, and his articles,
on various subjects, were instrumental in awakening public
attention to the importance of horticultural pursuits. His
American Orchardist was written at a time when it required

Mr. Kenrick's Nursery. 407

a great amount of labor to gather np the information. Hor-
ticultural magazines were then unknown here, and he had
not the opportunity to copy page after page, without ac-
knowledgment, as others have since done, but his work was
the result of his own labors, aided by such veteran horticul-
turists as the late Hon. John Lowell, R. Manning, S. G.
Perkins, Judge Buel, Gen. Dearborn, S. Downer, and others.

We have perhaps digressed ; but our apology must be our
high appreciation of the labors of Mr. Kenrick, whose mod-
est, unassuming, and somewhat retired habits, have made
him but little known, except through his writings.

There are some fine specimens of trees and shrubs on Mr.
Kenrick's grounds. The Wistaria Consequa/ii stands here
without any protection, and never fails of an abundant bloom,
and this, too, on the north side of the nursery; thus conclu-
sively showing that cold does not injure it, or other trees we
shall name. The Osage Orange (Madura aurantiaca) not
only stands here in the same locality, but, last year, Mr.
Kenrick exhibited some of the fruit produced on his trees.
The elevation is probably between 200 and 300 feet above
the sea. There is a very large and beautiful specimen of
the common weeping ash, (i^raxinus excelsior pendula,)
planted fifteen years, and twenty-five feet high, and thirty
feet through the branches, reaching to the ground. A re-
markable specimen of the Scotch pine or fir, (Pinus sylves-
tris,) eight years planted, about twelve feet high and of fine
form, proving it to be one of the most ornamental species,
and worthy a prominent place in every pleasure ground. A
variegated leaved sycamore, twenty-five feet high, very hand-
some ; some large copper beeches, and a number of Norway
spruces thirty feet high, and planted so as to show their
noble character, throwing up their conical heads and clothed
with verdure down to the very soil in which they grow ; this
tree cannot be too highly praised as an ornamental evergreen,
whether planted for the purposes of shade, shelter, or pictur-
esque effect. Unless we except some trees at Mr. Cushing's,
these are the finest Norway spruces around Boston.

Many other rare and fine trees we might name, of which
single specimens, or more, have been set out, from time to
time, around Mr. Kenrick's house, for ornamental effect, and

408 Notes on Gardens and Nwscrles.

which have now arrived at full growth so as to develop their
real beauty, but we have not the space at present. The
grounds were in very good order.

Nwsery of J. A. Ke?irick. — Immediately adjoining is the
nursery of Mr. Kenrick's brother, who occupies the home-
stead,— a fine old house, which has been built upwards of
one hundred and Uoenty yeai's, having an oak-timbered frame,
and now firmer than many which have not been erected
quarter of that period. Mr.Kenrick has eighty-five acres,
seventy-five of which descended to him from his father, but
not more than ten of them are occupied as a nursery. Much
of the remainder is in orchard and tillage land. Mr. Ken-
rick has, some fine specimens of magnolias, particularly one
of the M. macrophylla, which usually flowers every year.
There are. also here some large and handsome specimens of
hardy azaleas, laburnums, &c., but, as night was approach-
ing, we had. to defer. a more particular account of things till
a more favorable oppprtunity. Mr. Kenrick has a very good
collection of trees and shrubs.

Wins/lips^ Nu?'series, Brighton. — Since our last notice of
this establishment, nine, years ago, (Vol. IV. p. 414,) many
improvements have. been made in the grounds, and a consid-
erable quantity of land added to their extent, the whole now
comprising nearly forty acres, covered with a fine stock of
all kinds of trees, but more particularly of the ornamental
varieties. Since the death of Capt. Jonathan Winship, his
place has been most ably filled by his son, Mr. Lyman Win-
ship, who, in connection with Mr. Story, now superintend
every department of the business.

That, portion of the nurseries which has been more re-
cently improved, lies to the north of the Worcester Railroad,
which, it will be recollected, passes through the grounds.
This land is admirably adapted to the growth of trees, being
deep, mellow, and easily worked, and with a gentle slope so
as to carry oflT all superfluous water. — an important thing in
nursery grounds, where there are quantities of young stocks
and trees, which are liable to be thrown out of groimd by
the freezings and thawings of winter. Messrs. Winships ex-
perienced the bad eflfects of this in the winter of 1835. when,'
owing to the embankments of the railroad, the water was

Messrs. Winship^s Nursery. 409

prevented from flowing ofl!", and the result was the loss of a
great quantity of stocks and young pear trees. No land
that is not well drained is suitable for the purposes of a
nursery.

Ten years have materially changed the features of the
grounds, for, during this long period, two or three crops of
trees have been taken from some parts, and probably but a
very small portion of those growing in 1838 are now upon
the premises. The great demand for large-sized trees has
enabled the proprietors to dispose of the larger part of those
on hand, and the scattering ones which remain, have been
taken up and reset, and new plantations of young trees put
out. By such management the grounds always present a
neat and business-like appearance, and work can be done to
much better advantage than when a few trees of large size
are scattered over a square to prevent despatch in planting,
and injure the young stock by a dense shade. We throw
out these remarks that young nurserymen may see the ill
effects resulting from allowing trees to remain too long on
one spot of ground.

The most interesting things we noted, were the arbor vitse
hedges, of which there are three or four of great beauty, —
one, in particular, enclosing the ground on the north side of
Mr. Winship's house, which was upwards of seven feet high
and three feet broad at the base, pruned in the form of an
inverted V, and without a gap in the whole length, which is
upwards of 100 feet. It has been planted five years. Noth-
ing could be more beautiful than this, for the purpose of a
screen to disagreeable objects, or for shutting out one part of
the garden from the other, as it is one mass of verdure the
year round. But little care is needed to keep it in order.
Two clippings, one in June and the other in August, are all
that are required to keep it in shape. The trees are now to
be procured at reasonable rates, and we know of nothing so
well adapted for this purpose as the arbor vitse.

The drought had been so severe that but few shrubs were
now in bloom; the finest thing we saw, was a Clematis flam-
mula, one sheet of snowy blossoms. Why is not this, as
well as the other sorts of clematis, oftener seen in our gar-
dens? a question we should be pleased to have answered.

VOL. XV. — NO. IX. 52

410 N'otes on Gardens and Nurseries.

Can any thing be more beautiful than this species ; it is
nearly or quite hardy, only requiring to be loosened from the
trellis and laid upon the ground, where it keeps without the
least injury. This and the Wistaria Consequana should be
planted in every garden, and we hope to see them both as
common as the lilac.

The stock of maples, ashes, elms, sycamores, &c., is large,
the trees thrifty and well grown. A great quantity of young
stocks of fruit trees were planted the past spring, and were
now, some of them, being budded. Arbor vitses, white pines,
and hemlocks, in good quantity, especially of the former, and
the collection of various ornamental shrubs excellent.

The grounds were in the very best order, and it was a
gratification to see such neatness and cleanliness in every
part. A nursery should no more be overgrown with weeds
than a gentleman's flower garden.

Garden of O. Johnson^ Esq., L'j/7i?i, Aiigiist^th. — We could
scarcely believe, until we had referred to our Magazine, that
a period of six years had elapsed since our last visit to Mr.
Johnson's garden. The trees had now grown to a good size,
and the hedge, which had then just been planted, now pre-
sented a formidable barrier between what were at that time
termed the old garden and the new, yet it did not seem that
six years had slipped away.

Mr. Johnson is as devoted to the pursuits of horticulture as
in years past. The same neatness, order, and good keeping
of the grounds were every where apparent, and it was a
source of great gratification to find it not only kept up to the
"economxic point," according to the late Mr. Loudon's stand-
ard, but something beyond it. Not a weed was to be seen in
any part.

Mr. Johnson's espalier trees are models for imitation, and
their management reflects much credit upon his skill. A
Duchesse d'Angouleme was covered with superb fruit, even
in this scarce season ; but it is somewhat remarkable, that
while some cultivators complain of the Duchesse as a shy
bearer, and wanting in flavor, it never has failed to pro-
duce a fine crop, here, of delicious fruit. The standard, as
well as pyramidal, pear trees, were bearing a much larger
quantity of fruit than those in the immediate vicinity of

Garden of O. Johnson. 411

Boston, thus showing that the winter did not affect all locali-
ties alike. In Salem there is scarcely any pears ; even Mr.
Manning's great collection of trees is almost barren of fruit.

The quenoiiille trees, which we mentioned in our last notice
of this place, (Vol. IX, p. 423,) and which had then just
been planted, were now many of them full of fruit ; they
are exceedingly well managed, and though Mr. Johnson does
not tie down the branches to the extent that is usual in
this style, by the French gardeners, yet they are sufficiently
so to have a good effect, and to have the desired object of
bringing the trees earlier into bearing. The branches are
fastened down by exceedingly fine wires, which have one
end made fast to a peg in the soil, and at a short dis-
tance they are scarcely perceptible. Louise Bonne of Jersey
and others, were producing a good crop. The Rostiezer, Mr.
Johnson considers not inferior to the Seckel, and we fully
agree with him, that it is one of the most delicious of all
pears.

Mr. Johnson pointed out to us the beds of our seedling
strawberry, from which he gathered seven hundred quarts of
fine fruit the present summer. They occupy, in all, less
than seven thousand feet of land, in four separate beds, with
a few Virginias intermixed as fertilizers ; this shows the pro-
duce to be about four thousand Jive hundred quarts to the
acre ; taking the quantity of ground, a crop, we venture to
state, never exceeded, if equalled, in this Ancinity, or, we
think we may safely say, in any part of the country.

The Buckthorn hedge, which separates the front from the
back garden has been well managed. It was planted in
1841, and was now eight feet high, three feet through at the
base, and trimmed in the form of an inverted V. No better
specimen could be desired, and an inspection of it will fully
convince any one that it is the best plant we yet have for a
hedge. Two shearings a year keep it in perfect order.

The blackberry, as well as the raspberry, is cultivated in
great perfection here, the principal stock of the latter being
the Franconia, which Mr. Johnson likes on account of its
bearing-carriage so well. The blackberries were just now-
beginning to bear, but we are inclined to think they will soon
become indispensable additions to every garden. The rich

412 Noies on Gardens and Nurseries.

and noble appearance of its large berries are always admired.
Our cultivators who have leisure should give their attention
to the production of seedlings, with the hope of securing some
greatly improved varieties.

The viuerj'", of which we gave a diary some time ago,
(VIII, p. 201,) was now bearing a heavy and fine crop of
fruit, principally Zinfindal, Black Hamburgh, White Frontig-
nan, and Muscat of Alexandria ; those in the cold division
of the house were coming on well. The early ones had
mostly been cut, with the exception of the Muscats. Six
years do not seem to have impaired the health or vigor of
the vines in the least. They are pruned on the spur sys-
tem, and Mr. Johnson's efforts are to procure medium-sized
bunches of perfectly colored and well-ripened fruit, in pref-
erence to large clusters of half-colored and inferior-flavored
grapes.

The flower garden, as usual, was gay with phloxes, ver-
benas, &c., though these flowers were not displayed in the
profusion of ordinary seasons, in consequence of the severe
and long-continued drought. The garden engine had been
freely used, but, with the scorching sun, all the appliances
of this kind did but little to overcome the parching dryness
of the earth. Our visit affbrded us a great deal of pleasure.

Residence of E. R. Miidge, Esq. — The beautiful grounds
of Mr. Mudge are situated near Lynn Beach, and comprise
an extent of about one hundred and forty acres, a larger
part of which are woodland. The house is a fine granite
building, in the rural Gothic style, and stands on a gentle
eminence, the land sloping off" in either direction, with a
lawn of three or four acres in front, and the flower and fruit-
garden, which occupy an acre or more, of a parallelogram
shape, to the left, and only separated by a Buckthorn
hedge. The approach is by a curved avenue, leading to the
rear of the garden, to a large open area between that and the
house. Our time was limited, and we only had an opportu-
nity to take a hasty walk over the premises, but we trust we
may have the pleasure of visiting Mr. Mudge's place again,
when we are sure we could find much to note down of inter-
est. The improvements in contemplation will materially
add to the beauty of the grounds, and, with Mr. Mudge's

Mr. Tudor' s Garde?i. 413

means, we do not doubt that his residence will be one of the
finest in the neighborhood.

The lawn has been exceedingly well managed, and pre-
sented a soft and even surface, notwithstanding the recent
dry weather. This may be easily accomplished by frequent
mowing and rolling, by which means alone a lawn can be
kept in good condition. Unless it is intended to gi\'e the after-
care necessary to have a good lawn, it is only time and ex-
pense thrown away to make the attempt in the beginning;
and, with proper attention, we are certain that a soft and
verdant lawn may be obtained in our climate, if not to the
same perfection as in England, at least in sufficient beauty to
be one of the most attractive features of a villa residence.

Very few trees have yet been planted, but Mr. Mudge has
a nursery of young trees, and intends to add many more,
with a view to plant largely another year. The Buckthorn
hedges were thick, dense, and good. A small grapery, about
fifty feet long, occupies the back part of the garden ; in front
are beds of flowers and shrubs on turf, and near the house a
fine lot of dwarf pears on the quince. In the rear of the
grapery is the kitchen garden.

We alluded to the order and neatness of Mr. Johnson's
garden ; and it will not at all detract from the merit of his
place to say, that, in this respect, his neighbor, Mr. Mudge,
is a formidable rival. Lynn must be awarded the palm for
the high keeping of her gardens.

Residence of F. Tudor, Esq., Nahant. — Nahant is a bold
promontory, jutting out into the sea, and only reached by a
narrow beach of three or four miles in length. Here, during
the summer season, the citizens of Boston resort to enjoy the
refreshing breezes, which, cooled by the sea on all sides,
give it the air of the autumn season. With the excep-
tion of a few rows of cotton-wood, (Populus canadensis)
a stranger sees scarcely any thing in the shape of a tree or
shrub, and if his visit should be in July or August, he would
wonder why they have not been more abundantly planted
around the few cottages which are scattered over the place.
At this season, the waves gently lave the rugged rocks, and
the Eastern breezes waft nought but freshness and vigor ;
one would think Nahant might be as easily converted into a

414 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries.

garden as similar waste of country a hundred miles inland.
But change the time : look at Nahant in spring or autumn.
The dashing waves fiercely lash the bold promontory, and
throw high their spray over tree and shrub : the wind
sweeps with maddening force, divesting trees of their foliage,
twisting off their branches and uprooting their trunks ; then
it only seems remarkable that any thing like vegetation can
live on such an exposed and bleak a place.

It is said that formerly, many years ago, all the islands in
Boston harbor were covered with forest trees, and that they
were cut by the neighboring people for fuel and lumber. If
this is true, there can be no doubt that they may again be so
covered, and the project only needs to be set about in earnest,
and in the right way, to restore them to their original verdure
and beauty. That this will be done at Nahant there is good
reason to believe, for Mr. Tudor has begun the work, and
shown that there is no obstacle to its being accomplished.
What he has done others may do. Visionary as some have
considered his labors, he has demonstrated this, and the
proprietors of these seaside residences must feel indebted to
him for the avenue of trees which now adds so much to the
beauty of the place.

Mr. Tudor was one of the earliest proprietors here ; his
cottage was built twenty-five years ago, in an exposed loca-
tion, and without a tree of any kind near it. With a great
love of gardening, Mr. Tudor at once saw how great a field
he had for improvement: this he intended to make his sum-
mer resort ; but, without a garden, without trees, that would
not do. Art must do something to overcome the disadvan-
tages of such a bleak spot ; and to Mr. Tudor's ingenious
mind the very obstacles to be overcome suggested the means.

The great difficulty was to break the force of the winds.
Thick belts of trees would do this, provided they would suc-
ceed ; but, as too much time would be lost in the trial, re-
course was had to more immediate means of effecting this
object. A high board fence would answer, but that would
be very expensive and constantly liable to injury from high
winds, which, striking against it with immense force, would
perhaps prostrate it at once. The plan decided upon, was to
erect high and substantial palings all around the garden.

3Ir. Tudor's Garden. 415

against which the wind could strike and expend its force,
and do no danger to the enclosure. To this end preparations
were made, and, twelve or fourteen years ago, about three
and a half acres were enclosed in this way. The paling has
received no injury, and has required no repairs up to the
present time. This area now forms Mr. Tudor's garden ;
and for vigor of growth and abundance of product, few trees
in the most favorable situations around Boston surpass them.

The palings are about eighteen feet high, and are made of
boards sawed to the thickness of an inch and a half, and
placed about one inch apart. The main posts are cedar,
with others as braces on the inside, standing about two feet
from the base. The palings are nailed to horizontal strips of
board, about eight inches wide and three feet apart. Inside
of this, at the distance of about six feet, is another paling,
built in the same way, but only sixteen feet high, and, on two
sides, the east and west, there is a third paling or trellis like
the others, but still lower : both of the inner ones are used as
trellises, upon which pear and other trees are trained. These
double and treble palings, it will be seen at once, completely
break the force of the winds, so injurious to tender shoots
and leaves, and act as a barrier against the salt spray, which
is alike destructive to vegetation.

We shall not attempt to enumerate all the improvements
here, but, before we allude to the rapid growth of the trees
and their fruitfulness, we must not omit to state that Mr.
Tudor did what but few do, but Avhich should never be left
midone, — that is, he trenched the whole garden nearly three
feet deep, bringing the gravelly subsoil to the surface, where
it could be enriched and made fertile. It was then laid out
and planted with fruit trees of various kinds, some of which,
particularly the apples, are of very large size. In common
with the neighborhood of Boston, Nahant suffered from the
severity of the winter, yet we noticed Mr. Tudor had more
fruit than many gardens where there are many more trees.
A Chumontelle, trained to a trellis, was bearing a fine crop
of handsome fruit, and a pyramidal tree of the Louis Bonne
of Jersey was literally loaded. All the pears were in fine
condition. Mr. Tudor has a seedling variety, which promises

416 Notes 071 Gardens mid Nurseries.

well : it WIS planted eight years ago, and is supposed to be a
cross between the White Doyenne and the Seckel.

To show what can be done in the way of removing large
trees, Mr. Tudor pointed out to us an apple tree removed from
Cambridge in 1843 ; it was then twentij-sevcn inches in cir-
cumference; now it is full of fruit, and measures thirty-eight
inches round ! Espalier pear trees, of very large size, were
bought of the late S. G. Perkins, seven or eight years ago,
and have grown vigorously, and borne fruit annually. Among
the new pears, we noticed Doyenne Goubault in bearing;
also, St. Michael Archangel, which is quite distinct from the
old St. Michael, though the latter is often received from
France for that variety.

Mr. Tudor is trying a series of experiments to ascertain, if
possible, the cause of the cracking of the St. Michael or
White Doyenne, and some other pears. He thinks our hot
sun is a principal cause of it, and, to test this, he has had a
paling erected sufficiently high to shade the tree : but, as the
fruit buds were destroyed, the experiment will have to be
continued another year. If, after a fair trial, the sun is not
found to produce cracking, other experiments will be made,
to ascertain, if possible, how this delicious pear can be
brought back to its former excellence, in all soils and situa-
tions. With Mr. Tudor's enthusiasm, pomologists may be
assured, that no pains nor expense will be spared to accom-
plish liis views.

The cherry succeeds admirably in Mr. Tudor's garden,
trained as espaliers ; some of the trees cover four or five hun-
dred square feet, and produce abundantly. The peach, Mr.
Tudor has not foimd to succeed well ; the precarious time for
the crop is in June, when, from some cause, the fruit all
drops from the trees. We never saw finer currants than were
growing here ; the bushes loaded with fruit. Mr. Tudor has
tried the mode of catching insects in broad-mouthed bottles,
which we gave an account of, four years ago, (Vol. Xll, p.
467;) hy coimting the insects in o?ie bottle, and making an
estimate of the whole number suspended from the trees, the
enormous quantity of one hundred and ten thousand were
caught in thirty-six hours.

Mr. Tudor's grounds are not only in themselves worthy of

General Notices. 417

inspection by all cultivators, but they teach an important
lesson to all who are interested in horticultural improvement.
They demonstrate that beautiful gardens and fruitful or-
chards may be enjoyed in the bleakest situations, in the im-
mediate vicinity of the seashore; and, as New England
possesses so great an extent of seacoast, abounding in places
desirable, from the salubrity of the locality, for summer resi-
dences, Mr. Tudor's example will be well worthy of imita-
tion ; and though all may not possess the means of accom-
plishing as much, there are others who will be ready to avail
themselves of his plan, without regard to cost, gratified to
know how much they may enjoy, and acknowledging their
indebtedness to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Tudor, in
his triumph of art over nature.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Notices.

Injurious effect of excessive quantity of Fruit. — Writers on rural econ-
omy, in order to adapt their style to the intelligence of their readers, dis-
tinguish fruit trees from forest trees. But, strictly speaking, this division
is not correct. All trees, as well as herbaceous plants, have their fruit, as
indeed the vphole of the vegetable kingdom, not even excluding Cryptoga-
mous plants, if we may trust to the most learned botanists. These fruits
are frequently what we usually call seeds. What we are more especially
accustomed to call fruit, is generally only the substance which forms the
outer covering, sometimes leathery in appearance, as the shell of the wal-
nut, or fleshy, like that of the peach or the apple. This preliminary ob-
servation was necessary in order to explain that an excessive production of
fruit may happen to any plant brought into a state of peculiar vigor, either
by the nature of the nutriment given it, or by that of the locality in which
it is placed, or by the extraordinary character of the season. This, how-
ever, is more especially apparent to the agriculturist in the case of the trees
more commonly styled fruit trees We see frequent examples of it in the
apple and pear. Now, it is certain that this superabundance is the cause
of the fruit being inferior in quality ; and often their external conformation
is not good. An apple tree overloaded with fruit has them generally of a
very small size.

Cultivators usually care little if the seeds of a large number of plants are
well formed or not. As far as concerns them, all they look for is, that the
fruit should be externally Avell formed, and that their flavor should be as

VOL. XV. — NO. IX. 53

418 General Notices.

rich as possible. Yet it is necessary that they should prevent the evil con-
sequences to the tree of too great a production of these fruits. It is well
known that the apple and pear give a crop of fruit only in alternate years,
remaining much debilitated after having fruited. This appears to me to be
owing to a defect in the distribution of the sap ; being all drawn towards
the nutriment of the fruit, it cannot ensure the robust formation of the buds,
the hope of the following year. But even worse evils are to be feared.
Gerbezio gives the history of an apple tree wiiich, after having produced
one autumn an extraordinary quantity of apples, became, in the following
month of March, almost stripped of its bark, which detached itself from the
wood, commencing at the bottom of the trunk and continuing upwards
along the branches, and in a short time the tree perished. Last year I ob-
served something of the same kind in an apple tree, which the farmer as-
sured me had required the support of eight poles to prevent the branches
being broken down by the weight of the fruit. It was old, and to its age
was attributed the disease in question ; but, in my own mind, I was more
disposed to ascribe it to the over production of fruit. Peaches, plums, apri-
cots, pears, and almos! all fruit trees, are liable to this disease, which it is
very necessary to prevent, more especially where the ♦ree is valuable from
the quality of the fruit. This is done by depriving it of some of the fruit.
The practice becomes necessary at all times when the tree is weak, for
the purpose of ensuring the due formation of the new branches, as above
stated.

Much caution must be used in this process of thinning; too much haste
in the operation must be avoided, as winds and insects cause a great num-
ber to fall, thus naturally assisting the tree. We must be careful not to
tear off the fruits w'e thin out, but cut them off with a sharp instrument.
The best rule to follow is, to choose the lime when the fruit has attained
about one half of its size, and then to cut out one wherever three or four
grow together. Some amateurs complain that some of the finer kind of
grapes, which they cultivate on trellises, and reserve for the table at a later
season, do not ripen well, on account of the grapes being too close in the
hunch. The remedy is easy : you have only with a pair of scissors to cut
out a portion of each bunch, taking it from the part next the trellis and
near the stalk, not from the extremity of the bunch, as is sometimes recom-
mended.

I cannot pass over silently a circumstance in the cultivation of the vine
which I have often observed. When the crop has been scanty one year,
the vine is allowed the next year to overload itself with fruit, in order to
have a good vintage; but the grapes are then not of the best quality, and
the plant usually suffers considerably from weakness. The evil is then
owing to the inexperience and avidity of the cultivator. In the case of tall
trees, the above-mentioned methods are not practicable. In their case all
that can be done is to counteract the weakness following the over-produc-
tion of fruit, by working and manuring the roots, not immediately round
the trunk, according to the ordinary practice, but over the ultimate fibres of
the roots, which are those which suck up the juices. As the roots gener-

Domestic Notices. 419

ally occupy pretty nearly the space of ground which is covered by the
branches, that will readily indicate where the manure is to be applied. Her-
baceous plants, overloaded with flowers, require attention to a process im-
portant for the insuring the good quality of the seeds which it is wished to
gather. I proved it through a long series of years; and, moreover, it is
the constant practice of gardeners, with the most beneficial results. Let
the main shoot of the plant be stopped, and the lateral branches alone pre-
served. Even these, when too numerous, should be thinned out. The best
established principles of vegetable physiology are in favor of this practice.
The sap is always more elaborated in the horizontal branches, and that
which, if left at liberty, would go to form the upright shoot, is forced into
the lat^iral branches, is then more elaborated, and adds vigor to the seeds
which are formed — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 389.)

Fuchsia serratifolia. — This fuchsia has succeeded admirably with me
under the following treatment : — In January I plunged my old plant in the
stove, which is heated on the tank system ; it soon made three shoots. I
allowed it to remain there till the shoots were about one foot in length.
The plant was then repotted, and placed in a warm greenhouse, where it
grew very strongly ; it reached the height of about 2i feet without show-
ing the least inclination to flower. At this stage water was given it, but
sparingly, for a few days, when the leaves turned yellow and most of them
fell ofl^. It was kept quite dry for about a week, which partly ripened the
wood ; it was planted in the flower border about the 20th of May, when it
soon sent out 50 lateral branches, 43 of which are producing fine clusters
of blooms. I have no doubt that fine specimens may be grow in this way,
and by leaving only one shoot to take the lead instead of three. — ( Gard.
Chron,, 1849, p. 486.)

Rhubarb Preserve. — Rheum australe or R. Emodi is the proper kind. It
makes a most deliciously flavored preserve, nearly if not quite equal to
that of the Winesour Plum. It may also be made so as to nearly resem-
ble tamarinds, being a very fine acid. This rhubarb was many years since
distributed to the fellows of the Horticultural Society from Nepaul, but
owing to its lateness and great acidity, it was generally soon rooted out,
and is now seldom seen in gardens. It is however well worthy of a place
in all, merely for preserving. A hybrid between it and the common rhu-
barb is also very deliciously acid, and now just coming into perfection. —
{Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 390.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

Exhibitions of HorticuUvral and Agricultural Societies — The ar.nual ex-
hibitions of several of these societies will be held as follows : —

Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
and Friday, the 17lh, 18th, 19th, 20th, September.

Norfolk Agricultural Society, Dedhara, Mass., 26th September.

420

Domestic Notices,

Worcester County Horticultural Society, at Worcester, commencing
September 20th.

The New York State Agricultural Society, at Syracuse, September lOtli,
11th, and 12th, and the Pomological Convention on the 14th.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Wednesday, Thurs-
day, and Friday, 12th, 13th, and 14th, September.

New Haven Horticultural Society, at New Haven, September 26th,
27th, and 28th.

Albany and Rensselaer Society, at Albany, Wednesday and Thursday,
the 19th and 20th September.

American Institute, New York, commencing Tuesday, October 2d, and
the Fruit Growers' Convention on the same day.

Maryland State Agricultural Society at Baltimore, 10th, 11th, and 12th,
October.

Horticultural Exhibition of the American Institute, New York. — The
22d annual fair of the institute will be held at Castle Garden, New York,
on the 2d of October next. The premiums, as usual, are very liberal, and
so numerous that we have not room to give the entire list. The principal
ones are as follows : —

FLOWERS.
To be renewed durins the Fair.

For the largest display of dahlias

For the second do.,

For the third do.,

For the fourth do.,

For the fifth do.,

For the sixth do.,

For the next largest display.

For any further display.

For the best ornamental design of cut flowers,

For the second best do

For the third best do..

For the next best do.,

For the best and greatest variety

For the second best do

For the third best do.,

For the next best do..

For the finest display of bouquets,

For the second best do..

For the third best do., .

For the best and most beautiful

For the second best do.,

For the tliird best do.,

For the next best do..

Silver cup, $ 10 00

Silver cup, 8 00

Silver medal.

Boudoir Botany.

Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.

Parson's Rose Manual.

Mrs. Loudon's Ladies' Flower Garden.

Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.

Silver medal.

The American Flora.

Hovey's Magazine of Horticulture.

Mrs. Loudon's Ladies' Flower Garden.

of roses and cut flowers, Horticulturist.

American Flora.

Parson's Rose Manual.

Prince's Manual of Roses.

Silver medal.

Downing's Cottage Residences.

Lang's Highland Cottages.

ouquet, Hovey's Mag. of Horticulture.

The American Flora.

American Flower Garden Directory.

Prince's Manual of Roses.
The following premiums are offered for roses and dahlias, to be exhibited
on Monday, October 9th, at 12 o'clock : —

Domestic Notices. 421

For the best 20 -varieties of roses, (named,) . - Silver medal.

For the second best do., . . Browne's Trees of America.

For the next best do., .... Parson's Rose Manual.
For the best 24 varieties of named dahlias, . . Silver medal.

For the second best do., . . Browne's Trees of America.

For the next best do., . . Downing's Landscape Gardening.

For the best 12 blooms of seedling dahlias, . . Silver medal.

For the second best 12 blooms of do., . . The American Flora.

FRUITS.

For the choicest and greatest variety of fruit. Silver cup, $ 10 00

Apples. — For the greatest number of choice varieties, Silver cup, 8 00

For the second best assortment, 6 numbers of Hovey's Fruits of America.

For the third best do., . . . . Horticulturist.

For the next best do., . Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.

For the best variety of table apples, not less than twelve.

Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society.

For the best variety of winter apples, not less than twelve.

Transactions of the American Institute.
Cranberries. — For the best cultivated cranberries,

Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society.

For the second best do.. Transactions of the American Institute.

Grapes. — For the best native grapes, . . . Silver medal.

For the second best do., 4 numbers of Hovey's Fruits of America.

For the third best do., . Downing's Fruit Trees of America.

For the next best do., . , Hoare's Treatise on the Vine.

For the best foreign grapes, .... Silver medal.

For the second best do., 4 numbers of Hovey's Fruits of America.

For the third best do., . Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.

For the next best do., . . Hoare's Treatise on the Vine.

Peaches. — For the best and greatest variety, Hovey's Mag. of Horticul.

For the best freestone peaches, not less than twelve,

Downing's Fruit Trees of America.

For the best clingstone peaches, not less than twelve,

Bridgeman's Gardener's Assistant.
Nectarines. — For the best nectarines, not less than twelve,

Transactions of the American Institute.
Pears. — For the greatest number of choice varieties. Silver cup, $8 00

For the second do., 6 numbers of Hovey's Fruits of America.

A complete programme of the whole arrangements of the exhibitions
and lists of prizes, may be had on application to J. W. Chambers, secre-
tary of the Institute. — Ed.

National Convention of Fruit Growers. — The second session of the
American Congress of Fruit Growers, will be held at Castle Garden, in the
city of New York, on Tuesday, the second day of October next, at 10
o'clock, A.M.

As it was at the last session resolved, that all pomological, horticultural,
and agricultural associations of North America, be invited to send dele-

422 Domestic Notices.

gates to tliis Congress, the undersigned respectfully urge upon all such
societies, the immediate appointment of delegations composed of the most
experienced fruit growers and pomologists, as it is intended to make the,
coming assemblage the most interesting on this subject ever held in this
country.

The undersigned also respectfully invite all pomologists, fruit growers,
orchardists, and nurserymen, and all others interested in the subject, to
attend the coming session.

Among the objects of this congress are the following : —

To endeavor to ascertain, by comparison of fruits, the relative value of
varieties in different parts of the country.

To ascertain from the reports of the State fruit committees which are
the best varieties for local cultivation, which are adapted to general culti-
vation, and which are always worthless. To compare opinions respecting
the value of new varieties ; to discuss the diseases of fruit-trees ; the best
manure and methods of cultivation ; unsettled points in pomology, and to
elicit and disseminate information, and maintain a cordial spirit of inter-
course among horticulturists.

Essays and papers may be expected from distinguished scientific and
practical cultivators on various interesting topics in pomology and horticul-
ture.

In order to increase as much as possible the interest of the convention,
the delegates are requested to bring with them (carefully packed and a
label pasted on the fruit, or the name written directly on each specimen, so
as to present them in good order,) specimens of all fruits grown in their
vicinity that may be worthy of notice, together with a small branch and
leaves, if possible, of every new variety.

Every contributor is earnestly requested to make a list of his specimens,
and present the same with his fruits, in order that a report of all the varie-
ties entered, may be submitted to the convention as soon as possible after
its organization.

The convention will hold its meetings in the new saloon. Castle Garden,
kindly provided by the American Institute for its accommodation. — Mar-
shall P. Wilder, President; S. B. Parsons, P. Barry, Geo. B.
Deacon, Secretaries. — August 1, 1849.

Belle de Bruxelles {or Belle d'Aont) Pear. — Mr. Editor : I notice in the
last number of your Magazine, a communication from Mr. Earle, President
of the Worcester Horticultural Society, in which he intimates that the
Belle de Bruxelles pear of my collection, and also of Mr. Manning's, is
not the same variety as the one disseminated by Messrs. Ellwanger &
Barry of Rochester, N. Y. I may have unwillingly dispensed scions or
trees, which are not true, for " mistakes will happen" in pomology as well
as in other things, but the kind known by me for ten years past, under this
name, is identical with the sort sent out by Messrs. E. & B., and of whom I
have received both trees and fruit. I know Mr. Earle's desire for accuracy
in these matters, and have therefore, to prevent further confusion in the
nomenclature of fruits, sent him specimens from my trees. The variety gen-

Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. 423

erally imported from the French nurseries as Belle de Bruxelles is Belle ct
Bonne, of Thompson.

There is a handsome colored engraving of the pear in question, in Noi-
sette's Jardin Fruitier, but [ have received it under its only proper name
from one nursery, namely, at Orleans, from whence my original trees were
imported. It now comes to us, both from France and England, under the
name of Belle d'Aout. — Yours, cj-c, Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, August
18,1849.

Art. III. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

Third Exhibition for 1849. — The exhibition of the society, held at the
hall of the State Agricultural Society, on the 25th inst., was a most suc-
cessful one, especially in fruits and vegetables. Owing to the extreme
drought, the show of flowers was not as extensive as at some former exhi-
bitions, the show of gooseberries was more extensive in variety, and the
fruit finer in quality than any we have seen, and of cherries and currants,
it was unusually fine. The society has reason to be encouraged from the
spirit which is displayed in every department.

Fruits : The committee on fruit reported that there was exhibited by
Henry Vail, Esq., Troy, six varieties of cherries, viz.. Black Heart, Black
Tartarian, Black Eagle, Early White Heart, Late Duke, and a very beau-
tiful bright red colored seedling of the Morello family, resembling the
carnation, — this seedling was raised by Mr. Vail ; seventeen varieties of
gooseberries, (of very large size, and entirely free from mildew, this is
attributed to the application of thick layers of salt meadow hay under the
bushes ;) five varieties of currants, viz.. Red Dutch, Champagne, Cherry
Currant, White Dutch, and English Black ; and five varieties of rasp-
berries. By B. B. Kirtland, Greenbush, four varieties of cherries, viz.,
Black Heart, Graffion or Yellow Spanish, Kentish, and a seedling resem-
bling Transparent Guigne ; three varieties of gooseberries ; also,. Made-
leine pears, fully ripe. By A. J. Parker, Sweet Montmorency cherries
and four varieties of gooseberries.

By Dr. Herman Wendell, nine varieties of cherries, viz., Holland Bigar-
reau, Yellow Spanish or Graffion, Elkhorn, Wendell's Mottled Bigarreau,
Black Tartarian, White Bigarreau, May Duke, Black Morello, and Trans-
parent Guigne ; seven varieties of currants, viz.. Knight's Sweet, White
Grape, Cherry Currant, Black Naples, Red Dutch, Champagne, and
White Dutch ; and five varieties of gooseberries. By E. P. Prentice, of
Mount Hope, six varieties of cherries, viz., Black Tartarian, Late Duke,
Downer's Morello, Black Mazzard, and Black Heart; three varieties of
currants, viz., English Black, Red Dutch and White Dutch ; also, fine Yel-
low Harvest Apples, fully ripe. By E. E. Piatt, White Bigarreau, Graf-
fion or Yellow Spanish, Holland Bigarreau, and eleven varieties of seed-
ling cherries, several of which were of veiy fair character, much resembling

42 1 Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

their parent, the White Bigarreau, and one of which, — too unripe to enable
the comnaittee to judge of its character, — promising to be of large size and
fine appearance. By Ely Young, ripe and beautiful Peach Apricots. By
Mrs. Weed, of Washington Street, very fine Woodward Whitesmith goose-
berries. By James Wilson, of Albany, forty-one varieties of gooseberries ;
eleven varieties of currants, viz., Knight's Sweet Red, White Grape, Red
Grape, Cherry Currant, Red Dutch, Longbranch, Victoria, Knight's Late,
White Dutch, and Naples Black ; also Imperial Morello, and Late Duke
cherries. By \ . P. Douw, of Wolvenhook, Red and White Antwerp
Raspberries, Stoddart's Red Alpine strawberries ; five varieties of gooseber-
ries ; and also Black Morello cherries. By William Newcomb, of Pitts-
town, Whitesmith gooseberries, very fine; also, English and Missouri
Black Currants. By John S. Gould, Red Alpine strawberries, and Green
Amber gooseberries. By Warner Daniels, Woodward's Whitesmith
gooseberries, and a seedling variety resembling it.

Premiums. — The following premiums were awarded : —
Cherries. — For the best and most extensive collection, to Dr. Herman
Wendell, $3.
For the second best, and second most extensive collection, divided be-
tween Henry Vail, Troy, and E. P. Prentice, Bethlehem, each $ 1.
For the best three varieties, to Dr. H. Wendell, for Elkhorn, Yellow

Spanish or Graffion and Wendell's Mottled Bigarreau, $2.
For the best one variety, to Dr. H. Wendell, for Wendell's Mottled
Bigarreau, $ 1.
Gooseberries. — For the most extensive collection, to James Wilson, of
Albany, $3.
For the best collection, to Henry Vail, Troy, $3.
For the best and finest flavored variety, to Henry Vail, for Compton's

Sheba Queen, S2.
For the second best variety, to Henry Vail, for Lady of the Manor, $ 1.
Currants. — For the best and most extensive collection, to James Wil-
son, of Albany, $3.
For the best and finest flavored variety, to James Wilson, for Knight's

Sweet Red, $2.
For the second best variety, to Henry Vail, for White Dutch, $ 1.
Raspberries. —For the best and most extensive collection, to Henry
Vail, of Troy, $3.
For the best and finest flavored variety, to Henry Vail, for Fastolflf", $ 2.
For the second best variety, to Henry Vail, for Franconia, $ 1.
And special premiums of one dollar each, to Ely Young for Peach Apri-
cots, to B. B. Kirtland for Citron des Carmes pears, and to Ezra P. Pren-
tice, for Yellow Harvest apples. — Sanford Howard, Chairman.

Greenhouse Plants and Floral Designs. — The committee report that
there was exhibited, by J. Wilson, the following varieties of plants grow-
ing in pots, to which the premium of three dollars was awarded, viz.,
Tor^nia asiatica, Gloxinia speci6sa, Achimenes picta ; and Fuchsias, Zeno-
bia, Conspicua, Lady Millbank, and Arborea. Also, by Mr. Wilson, a

Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. 425

beautifully arranged round bouquet for centre table vase, composed of
choice roses, spireas, dahlias, pelargoniums, &c., &c., to which the pre-
mium of two dollars was awarded. A flat bouquet for mantle vase, com-
posed of choice flowers tastefully arranged. A flat bouquet for the hand —
to which the premium of one dollar was awarded, — most exquisitely ar-
ranged with abutilons, hoyas, carnations, Stephanotus floribundus, and
other rare flosvers,and a round bouquet for the hand, equally well arranged,
and also composed of rare exotics, to which the premium of one dollar was
awarded. By Joel Rathbone, a large round bouquet for centre table vase,
composed of fuchsias, roses, pelargoniums, gloxinias, hoyas, &c., &c.,
arranged with much taste and skill. By Dr. Herman Wendell, two basket
bouquets, with handles, — one round and one oval, — composed of carna-
tions, pansies, Stephanotus, roses, &c., &c., arranged with fine taste and
much skill, to one of which the premium of one dollar was awarded. By
John S. Gould, a small basket bouquet, composed wholly of choice pinks,
most tastefully arranged, and a large basket bouquet for centre table, with-
out handle, arranged with much skill. By William Newcomb, of Pitts-
town, aflat bouquet for mantle vase, arranged most beautifully with rare
dahlias, roses, verbenas, carnations, &c., &c., to which the premium of
two dollars was awarded. — Wm. Newcomb, Chairman.

Flowers. — The committee on flowers report that there was exhibited by
V. P. Douw, of Wolvenhook, a large collection of annual and perennial
flowers, numbering over forty varieties ; fifteen varieties of roses, among
them La Reine, Solfaterre, Rivers, &c. ; and fifteen varieties of pelargo-
niums. By Col. Rathbone, of Kenwood, a collection of over fifty varie-
ties of annual and perennial flowers ; sixteen varieties of pelargoniums ;.
sixteen varieties of Hybrid Perpetual and Tsle de Bourbon roses ; seven-
teen varieties of verbenas, and a choice collection of carnation and picotee
pinks. By James Wilson, a distinct and very beautiful seedling phlox,
with pink ground and white stripe through the centre of the petal ; roses
and dahlias in variety. By William Newcomb, of Pittstown, a collection
of over eighty varieties of annual and perennial flowers, among them were
several very beautiful double hollyhocks, and a great variety of dahlias.
Premiums. — The premiums were awarded as follows : —
On Dahlias. — For the best exhibition, to William Newcomb, $3.
For the best twelve varieties, to William Newcomb, for Constanlia,.
Lady St. Maur, Fulwood Scarlet, Golden Souvenir, Antagonist,.
Robert Burns, Col. Baker, Ansell's Unique, Baron, Cleopatra,
Mrs. Rushton, and La Tour L'Auvergne, $2.
For the best six varieties, to J. Wilson, for Model, Melanie A.dam,.
Cheltenham Queen, Constantia, Minerva, and Standard of Perfec-
tion, $1.
For the best display of annual and perennial flowers, to William New-
comb, $2. — For the committee, Sanford Howard, Chairman.
Vegetables. — The committee on vegetables, report that the exhibition
was a very choice one, the exhibitors having brought forward several new
and delicious looking varieties.

VOL. XV. — NO. IX. 54

426 MassacJmseits Horticultural Society.

Dr. Herman Wendell, Swiss Chard or Silver Beets. The tops or stems
of the leaf of this vegetable are cooked and eaten as is asparagus, and, as
far as appearance goes, it is the most luscious looking vegetable we have
seen this season ; their fresh, dewy, and crisp creamy stems, made the
mouths of some of the committee water in spite of the epidemic reports.
Also, California Acorn squashes. The seeds from which these squashes
were produced were received by Mr. Johnson, the secretary of the society,
from the Patent Office last spring, who distributed them to several gentle-
men ; they appear to be very fine, and are nearly a month earlier than
other summer squashes.

Premiums. — The premiums were awarded as follows: —

On corn, for the best exhibited, to V. P. Douw, $ 1.

On cucumbers of open culture, to Joel Rathbone, $ 1.

On egg plants, to E. C. Mcintosh, of Albany, $2.

On squashes, to Dr. Herman Wendell, $ 1.

On tomatoes, to Joel Rathbone, $2.
The committee also recommend a special premium of one dollar to Dr.
Herman Wendell, for the Swiss Chard ; and one of the same amount to
E. P. Prentice, for four varieties of tomatoes, being the greatest number
exhibited by one person. — B. P. Johnson, Secretary.

Art. IV. Maasachusetls Horticultural Society.

Saturday, August Uh, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

Mr. C. M. Hovey presented the following votes, which were passed
unanimously : —

Voted, That the members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
having learned, with feelings of the deepest regret, of the death of their
respected fellow-citizen, the Hon. Theodore Lyman, an honorary member
of this association, and the munificent donor of a liberal sum for the pro-
motion of the objects of the Society, therefore.

Voted, That, in the sudden death of Mr. Lyman, the community have
sustained a severe loss and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society one of
its most ardent and enthusiastic friends. Deeply interested in all that per-
tains to the cultivation of the earth, and endowed with a true taste for
landscape beauty, his example, as evinced in the arrangement of his own
elegant grounds, had a high influence in disseminating a love for horticultu-
ral pursuits.

Voted, That the Society sympathise with the family of Mr. Lyman, in
their afflicted bereavement, and respectfully tender their condolence.

Voted, That the above be placed upon the Society's records, and a copy
of the same be transmitted to the family of Mr. Lyman, by the Corres-
ponding Secretary.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 427

The following members were elected : —

Geo. T. Blake, H. B. Stanwood, Henry Poor, and J. P. Goddard, Bos-
ton ; Peter Smith, Andover ; Henry Shimmin, Wa'ertown.

Adjourned two weeks to August I8th.

Exhibited. — Flowers: From J. Breck «Si Co., A. Bowditch, Messrs.
Winship, J. Hovey, J. Nugent, P. Barnes, E. Burns, Miss Barnes and
Miss Russell, cut flowers, bouquets, die, «Sic. From J. G. Swan, indig-
enous flowers. From Rev. H. A. Graves, a collection of Melocacti from
Jamaica, W. I.

GRATUITIES AWARDED.

To P. Barnes, J. Breck & Co., J. Hovey, E. Burns, Miss Barnes,
INIiss Russell, J. Nugent, Messrs. Winship, J. G. Swan, and A.
Bowditch, $ 1 each, for cut flowers, bouquets, &c., &c.
Fruit: From Hovey & Co , Muscat of Alexandria, Victoria, Macrea-
dy's Early White, White Chasselas, and Chasselas Bar-sur-aube grapes ;
Jacques peaches, raised in pots, very fine ; Seedling cherries, and speci-
mens of the Guava, (Psidium Cattleyanw/n.) From A. D. Weld and A.
D. Williams, White and Red Dutch currants. From O. Johnson, Hough-
ton's Seedling gooseberries, Franconia raspberries, and Black figs. From
J. F. Allen, fine peaches and nectarines. From O. N. Towne, three
kinds of grapes. Blackberries, very fine, from C. E. Grant and Galen
Merriam. From J. Hovey, fine Early Harvest apples and Seedling goose-
berries. From J. Nugent, Black Hamburgh grapes.

August \Uh. — Exhibited. — Flowers: From M. P. Wilder, Perpetual
Roses, Phloxes, and other flowers. Phloxes, Balsams, and other flowers,
from Hovey & Co., Breck & Co., J. Nugent, A. Bowditch, T. Need-
ham, J. Hovey, P. Barnes, Messrs. Winship, and others. The balsams
of Mr. Needham, which obtained the first prize, were very fine.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED.

Balsams. — For the best display, to T. Needham, $3.
For the second best, to J. Nugent, $2.
For the third best, to Breck & Co., $ 1.
Gratuities. — To Breck &. Co., for cut flowers, $ 1.
To M. P. Wilder, for cut flowers, S2.
To P. Barnes, for the same, $ 1.

To Messrs. Winship, J. Hovey, J. Nugent, and A. Bowditch, for
bouquets, S 1 each.
Fruits: From 0. Johnson, M. of Alexandria, B. Hamburgh, Zinfindal,
and W. Frontignan grapes, very fine ; also, blackberries, figs, and Made-
leine pears. From J. Nugent, 3 var. grapes. From W. A. Strong, B.
Hamburgh grapes and Peach plums. Frorn A. Bowditch, grapes. From
J. F. Allen, Whortley Hall grapes, and peaches and nectarines. Black-
berries, fine, from C. E. Grant and G. Merriam.

From Hovey & Co., B. Hamburgh, August Muscat, Macready's Early
White, M. of Alexandria, (very fine,) W. and Grizzly Frontignan, (very
fine,) W. and R. Chasselas, Muscat Blanc Hatif, Muscat Jesus, and Chas-
selas Bar-sur-aube grapes ; also three dozen splendid Jacques peaches.

428 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

From A. H. Ernst, Summer Queen apples. From E. M. Richards, Chris-
tiaria melons. From B. V. French, currants, blackberries, and apples.
From A. D. Weld, Sugar-top pears. Seedling plums from C. Stearns.
From H. K. Moore, Moor Park apricots. From J. Hovey, Early Harvest
apples and plums. From W. W. Whieldon, melons.

The committee report that some seedling cherries, raised by H. Vail,
Esq., of Troy, were received in a somewhat decayed state, and that they
could not so well judge of their quality ; but, from their being so late, and
said to be an abundant bearer, the cherry promises to be a valuable acqui-
sition. Gros. Bleu grapes, a new black variety from Hovey & Co. ; they
promise to be of good quality.

Vegetables : From W. W. Whieldon, Egg Plants and Canada squashes.
From A. D. Williams, tomatoes, and Chenango and Early White pota-
toes. From N. Green, Manchester Prize cucumbers.

August l%th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, —
the President in the chair.

A copy of the Eighth Volume of the Transactions of the New York
State Agricultural Society, was received from B. P. Johnson, the secretary,
and the thanks of the Society were voted for the same.

Adjourned one week, to August 25th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, seedling
phloxes, and other flowers. From Breck & Co., seedling phloxes, two or
three of them very fine ; the prize stand contained nine seedlings and
Nymphae'a alba; also, a display of annuals, &c From M. P. Wilder, a
fine collection of phloxes, heaths, perpetual roses, &c. From Hovey & Co.,
thirty varieties of new and fine phloxes ; the prize stand contained Prin-
cesse Marianne, Robert de Flandres, Thes6, Rosetta, alta cler^nsis, Blanc
de Neuilly, CEil de Lynx, Annais, Marchantia speciosa, and speciosa.
From J. W. Brown, gardener to Col. Winchester, fine balsams, asters,
phloxes, &c. From H. S. Waldo, very fine balsams. Bouquets, cut flow-
ers, &c., from J. G. Swan, P. Barnes, Miss Barnes, J. Nugent, T. Need-
ham, J. Hovey, Miss Russell, L. Davenport, A. Bowditch, Miss Kenrick,
Mrs. Dagget and others.

PRE.MIUMS AND GRATUITIES AVVAUDED.

Phloxes. — To Jos. Breck & Co., for the best ten distinct varieties, $6.
To Hovey & Co., for the second best, $4.
To M. P. Wilder, for the third best, $3.
Gratuities. — To Miss Barnes, Mies Kenrick, and Miss Russell, for
baskets of flowers, S 1 each.
To Messrs. Winship, J. Nugent, and A. Bowditch, for cut flowers

and bouquets, $ 1 each.
To P. 15arnes, T. Needham,and J. W. Brown, for cut flowers, $ 1 each.
To M. P. Wilder, for ericas and roses, $2.
To J. Hovey and J. G. Swan, for bouquets, $ 1 each.
To Miss Dagget, for a plant of Vallota purpurea, S 1.
Fruit: From M. P. Wilder, Monsieur Hatif plums, very good: Mr.
Wilder thinks this may be identical with the Italian Damask. From J.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 429

F. Allen, nectarines and peaches, and two fine clusters of a new grape,
the largest weighing three pounds, called the Bishop. From T. Need-
ham, four varieties of grapes. From A. Bowditch, Black Hamburgh
grapes. From C. Newhall, M. of Alexandria and B. Hamburgh grapes.
From W. C. Strong, grapes, five sorts. From Breck & Co., Fondante
d'Ete and Belle d'Aout pears.

From Hovey «& Co., nine varieties of grapes, including the Cannon Hall,
and two dozen fine peaches. From H. Vandine, several kinds of plums.
From 0. Johnson, three sorts of grapes, figs, Franconia raspberries, black-
berries, and pears. From Jos. Richardson, Italian Damask plums. From

G. Merriam, peaches and French Jargonelle pears. Currants, pears, and
other fruits, from A. D. Williams, Messrs. Winship, S. W. Cole, John
Hovey, and George Newhall, and others

August 25th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day —
the President in the chair.

Letters were received and read from the Chester County Horticultural
Society, Penn., and the New Haven Horticultural Society, Conn., inviting
a delegation from this Society to be present at their respective annual exhi-
bitions.

Voted, That a minute of the reception of the letters be made upon the
records, and an acknowledgment forwarded to the societies by the corres-
ponding secretary.

Voted, That a delegation, consisting of five members, be appointed by
the chair to attend the annual exhibition of the New Haven Horticultural
Society, and Messrs C. M. Hovey, Joseph Breck, Josiah Lovett, 2d, Ebe-
nezer Wight, Wm. T. Austin, were appointed delegates.

Voted, That the societies to whom an invitation was extended last sea-
son be invited to be present at the coming annual exhibition.

A communication was received from Lawrence Young, Esq., of St.
Louis, Mo., in regard to the use of lime as a preventive to the ravages of
the curcujio upon the plum, and it was

Voted, That the letter be placed in the hands of the committee of publi-
cation, to be printed with the Transactions of the Society.

Exhibited. — Flowers : Phloxes, in variety, and other fine flowers, from
M. P. Wilder, Breck & Co., P. Barnes, and T. Needham. Cut flowers,
bouquets, &c., from A. Bowditch, Miss Barnes, Miss Russell, J. Hovey,
W. Kenrick, J. A. Kenrick, Messrs. Winship, J. Nugent, and others.

GRATUITIES AW.4RDED.

Cut Flowers, &c.— To M. P. Wilder, Breck & Co., P. Barnes, and
T. Needham, $ 1 each.

Bouquets, &c. — To Miss Russell, Miss Barnes, Miss Kenrick, A. Bow-
ditch, J. Nugent, J. Hovey, and Messrs. Winship, $ 1 each.

Fruits : From Hovey & Co., eleven varieties of grapes, including the
Zinfindal, Chaptal, White Nice, and Wilmot's No. 16 Hamburgh. From
O. Johnson, three kinds of grapes. Early Bough apples. Black figs. Dear-
born's Seedling and August Muscat pears, Washington, Brevoort's Purple,
and one other kind of plum, and a nectarine. From W. W. Merrill, fine

430 Obituary.

Washington plums. From E. M. Richards, two fine Christiana melons.
From Geo. Newhall, one of the same. From Warren G. Rayner, Salem,
fine Rosfiezer pears. From M. H. Simpson, Saxonville, Washington
plums. Grapes, of several kinds, from W. C. Strong, T. Needham, A.
Bowditch, and Jas. Nugent. Barllett pears, from a graft of last year, by
W. Curtis. From H. Amandine, Jefferson, Yellow Gage, and Orleans
plums.

PREMIUMS AWARDED ON FRUITS.

CoRRANTs. — To Messrs. Hovey &. Co., for the best specimens, (Victo-
ria,) S5.

To Geo. Wilson, for the second best, (White Dutch,) S3.
Melons. — To Geo. Newhall, for the best, (Christiana,) $5.

To E. M. Richards, for the second best, (Christiana,) $3.
Raspberries. — To J. Lovett, for the best specimens, (Knevet's Giant, )§5.

To Jos. Richardson, for the second best, (Franconia,) S3.
Blackberries. — For the best, to G. Merriam, $5.

For the second best, to O. C. Grant, $3.
Summer Apples. — To John Hovey, for the best specimens, (Early Har-
vest,) $6.

To 0. Johnson, for the second best, (Bough,) $4.
No summer pears worthy of premium.

Art. V, Obituary.

Death of Hon. Elias Phinney. — We regret to announce the death of
this distinguished agriculturist and friend of horticultural improvement,
which took place at his residence in Lexington, Mass., on the 24th of July,
at the age of seventy years. Mr. Phinney was one of the most scientific
and practical cultivators in New England. His farm was an object of
great attraction, and was visited by gentlemen interested in agriculture
from all parts of the country. By his enterprise and industry, his estate,
naturally hard and rather sterile, was transformed into fertile pastures,
arable fields and t'ruitful orchards. Mr. Phinney also did much to improve
the breed of dairy cows, and the Massachusetts Agricultural Society
placed the valuable stock, imported by them, under his care. Notwith-
standing his arduous duties as clerk of the courts of Middlesex for many
years, he found the leisure to attend to the labors of his farm, every de-
partment of which was superintended by himself. In his death, the agri-
cultural interest has sustained a severe loss.

Died, at his residence in Lansinburgh, N. Y., on the 4th of August,
Alexander Walsh, Esq., in the 67th year of his age. Mr. Walsh was
an eminent merchant of Western New York, and a devoted friend of horti-
culture and agriculture.

Horticultural Memoranda. 431

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR SEPTEMBER.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines in the greenhouse will now have fully ripened their fruit,
and probably a greater part of it has been cut ; but if any remains, the
house should be kept dry and well aired. They will need looking over
occasionally to keep off the laterals, which will continue to push from the
joint where they were last stopped. Keep the house open in all good
weather in order to ripen the wood. Our directions for the management of
the vines in the greenhouse last month may now be applied to the cold
house, where the fruit will be changing color rapidly, and some of the
earlier kinds nearly ripe. Air early and close up in good season at night ;
keep the house as dry as possible, especially in dull weather. Vines in
the open air should now be divested of all the useless wood not wanted for
next year ; this will admit of the wood ripening more freely, and swell it
up to good size.

Strawberry beds may now be made with good success. Have the ground
well dug or trenched and manured. Set out the plants, and, if the weather
proves dry, give an occasional watering until well established.

Rnspberry plantations may be made this month with good success. The
ground should be well prepared.

Currant and Gooseberry bushes may be planted this month.

Peach trees, in pots, should now be placed where they will have an
abundance of light and air to well ripen the wood.

Budding of all hinds should now be completed, as delay now is attended
with danger. See to the early budding, that the ties are not girdling any
of the rapid growing stocks.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias will now be in full bloom, and will require some attention if
good flowers are wanted ; attend to the pruning of the plants and the tying
up of the shoots; pick off all small buds, and continue to water every
other day over the foliage.

Pelargoniums should now be repotted ; reduce the old ball and place
them in small pots, in a rather light soil.

Carnations and Picotees. — Layers should now be taken up and potted,
using about four inch pots ; where there are considerable quantities they
may be placed in a cold frame, and in this way may be wintered with safety.

Camellias should now be got in readiness for their winter quarters ; the
pots should be washed, the soil top-dressed, and the leaves, if dusty, care-
fully washed. Seeds should be carefully looked after, or they will drop
from the capsules and be lost. They may be planted immediately.

Ixias and Sparaxis may be planted this month.

White Japan and other lilies may be planted this month.

Chrysanthemums should be shifted now, if not already done. Plants

432 Horticultural Memoranda.

layered should be cut from the old plant the last of tlie innnth, and imme-
diately repotted and shaded a few days.

Roses should be taken up and repotted the last of the month. Plants
raised from cuttings or layers should now be potted off.

Mignonette and Sweet Alt/ssum, in pots, should be kept in a frame and
carefully watered.

Cyclamens should now be repotted, if not already done.

Paonies, of the herbaceous kinds, may be safely and successfully trans-
planted this month.

Verbenas should now be propagated, both by layers and cuttings, for a
spring slock.

Ericas and Epacrises should now have a shift into larger pots, if they
need it.

Gloxinias, Achimenes, cf-c, done flowering, may be placed away on a dry
shelf.

Gesnera zebrina and late started achimenes should be shifted into larger
size pots.

Oxalies of all kinds should be potted now.

Nemophila insignis , sown last month, should now be potted off into small
pots.

Azaleas should now be put into a frame or the greenhouse, where they
can be sheltered from heavy rains.

Herbaceous plants, of all kinds, may be safely transplanted this month.

Chinese primroses in small pots should be shifted into larger size.

Orange and Lemon trees, turned out into the open ground, should now be
taken up and potted.

Salvias, of all kinds, should now be propagated for a spring stock.

Cactuses should now be rather sparingly watered.

Victoria, lOiveek and other stocks may yet be sown ; those planted last
month should now be potted off singly in thumb-pots. Large plants in
the ground should now be taken up.

Ncepolitan violets should be taken up carefully, and planted out in a frame
this month. Such as are wanted for blooming during winter in pots should
now be taken up and potted.

Abutilons, planted out for blooming during summer, should now be taken
up and potted.

Pansies, raised from cuttings or layers, should now be set out in prepared
beds, according to the directions of Mr. Turner in our July number.

Schizanthuses , sown last month, should now be potted off, placing three
plants round the sides of a small pot.

Cinerarias should now be divided at the root, and potted singly into
4-inch pots.

Tulip beds should now be prepared for the roots by turning over the soil,
so that it may be well settled before November.

Japan lilies, in pots, should now be sparingly watered.

Greenhouse plants of all sorts should now be got in readiness for their
winter quarters.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE.

OCTOBER, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. The Blight in Pear Trees. By J. H. James, Esq.,
Urbana, Ohio.

In a foot note to the article on the blight in pear trees,
published in the January number of your Magazine, you
assure me, that the destructive blight of the West, is distinct
from the insect blight as described by Mr. Lowell, and you
promise to discuss the subject in another number, and to
show, on the authority of Dr. Harris, the true nature of the
insect blight.

You have not recurred to the subject, and I resume it. In
the article referred to, I have given an extract from Dr. Har-
ris's Book on Insects, which contains all he says on the Sco-
lytus pyri, and the blight in pear trees. This authority is to
me conclusive proof, that there is no such thing as insect
blight in pear trees. The account given by Mr. Lowell,
which is followed by Dr. Harris, is thus : — "The insect had
eaten from the root of a bud, behind which, probably, the
egg was deposited, following the course of the eye of the bud
into the pith, which he had consumed, together with all the
heart wood." All the descriptions of insect blight that I have
read, are copied from this description of Mr. Lowell's, and, if
the cause thus assigned is inadequate to produce blight, or
death in the limb, the hypothesis must be abandoned.

It is here assumed, that the destruction of the pith and of
the heart wood, would cause the limb to perish. If this were
true, no hollow tree could live, and yet our forests abound
with evidence, that trees will live for ages, with a mere shell

VOL. XV. — NO. X. 55

434 The Blight in Pear Trees.

of sap wood, and with this means of support, the extremest
branches continue green and flourishing. If the destruction of
the pith and heart wood, would cause bhght, no hmb, broken
beyond the centre, could ever live. But in the propagation
of plants by layers, and in the planting of hedges, it is an
every day's practice to cut beyond the pith, and even split
the limb upwards, and the limb so treated, not only lives,
but overcomes the wound, and maintains the successive an-
nual growths at the extremity. If the sap wood remains en-
tire, as it did in the case described by Mr. Lowell, the limb
could not die, although the pith and heart wood should be
taken away; even one fourth of the sap wood, if a live bark
were adhering to it, would preserve the life of the limb, if the
residue had been severed by the knife or by a storm; and to
assume that the destruction of the pith and heart wood
would cause its death, is not only unsupported by evidence,
but is in the face of evidence to the contrary. If the blight
in pear trees is caused by an insect, it is caused in some
manner not yet described. At present we are bound to main-
tain that there is no such thing as insect blight in pear trees.
Let me add, however, that there is an injury caused by in-
sects, to the growing shoots of the pear, by which the ex-
tremity of the shoot droops and dies, but the only effect of
this is, to cause the pushing of the next good bud below the
injury. This kind of injury is confined to shoots that have
not reached the woody state.

Your fire blights and ours have the same external charac-
teristics, according to the descriptions given, and it is fair to
conclude, that they are both produced by the same cause.

The injury is caused by cold, occurring at some period of
active growth, when the tree is not prepared for the expos-
ure. The effect is not shown by killing the young shoots,
for they always put forth their leaves the next year, and this
disposes of the surmise about unripened wood. The injury
is always to the trunk, or the larger limbs of the tree, and is
nearly always confined to a small spot, producing a girdle of
dead bark, which is followed by the death of all that part
which is above the injury. For, although a tree may, by the
heart wood only, put forth its leaves and make long shoots
of new wood, it cannot continue to live, without a living
passage maintained between the bark and alburnum, from

The Blight in Pear Trees. 435

the leaves and spray to the roots of the tree. This injury oc-
curs either in autumn or in the spring, and, perhaps, at both
periods. The general effect is, most probably, produced in
the spring, for it is found that those localities, where the
fruit usually escapes destruction by spring frosts, are meas-
urably exempt from fire blight. The Detroit River and the
Niagara are instances of this.

As a means of avoiding this evil, it is of great importance
to graft only on hardy stocks, of a tried kind. I have lost
two trees, where the injury was in the stock only, and below
the graft. It is also desirable to have the graft near to the
ground, so that the entire trunk may be of the kind sought.
A very moderate protection to the trunk will preserve it from
injury, such as a hay-band enveloping its whole length, a
mat drawn loosely round it, or even a single fold of coarse
cotton. If the trunk be saved, even should the limbs perish,
a new head will soon be formed, to supply the place of the
one destroyed. Mr. Downing tells us that he has arrested the
progress of blight, by cutting off the limbs and burning them.
His supposition is, that he thus destroyed the insects con-
tained in the limb, and prevented further depredations. I
have seen trees that were never lopped at all, when the limbs
had been blighted, and the blight has equally ceased and dis-
appeared from the neighborhood, so that the burning and the
non-burning seem to have the same effect. The ready and
obvious explanation is, that the blight disappeared because it
it is not a thing of annual recurrence, but only happens in
peculiar seasons, which experience proves may occur only at
long intervals.

I feel great confidence, Mr. Editor, that there is no such
thing as insect blight in pear trees, and we may, therefore,
drop the distinction of frozen sap blight, and come back to
the old name of fire blight, which was given from the appear-
ance of the effect produced, and does not mislead us. I sub-
mit, again, to your consideration, that the true point of in-
quiry is, to learn how the invasion of cold acts upon the
tree, so as to produce that local engorgement of sap which
speedily ferments and then dries away, and leaving a dead
girdle round the trunk or limb, and, of course, killing the top
above it.

Urbana, August 24, 1849.

436 Hints on Pruning.

We have not forgotten our promise to show that there is
such a thing as insect blight of the pear, and that it is quite
distinct from the blight of the West. We trust that, by the
assistance of our friend, Dr. Harris, we shall convince our
correspondent, Mr. James, of this, and will refer him to a
future number, to see this satisfactorily explained.

We are glad to see Mr. James proposes that the true name
should be applied to the disease — if so it can be called — that
is, the Jire blight ; frost has no more to do with it, than in
causing the potato rot, and no individual who has carefully
observed it, will venture to assert this. It is, undoubtedly,
the result of a peculiar state of the atmosphere, in connection
with moisture and heat, and only prevalent when such a
state exists. What are the best means of guarding against it,
remains to be ascertained. Mr. James's article should be
carefully read, and we hope it may lead to further investiga-
tion, and, in the end, to the means of preventing it, or, at
least, of checking its attacks. — Ed.

Art. II. Hints on Priming. By R. B. Leuchars, New
Haven, Conn.

As the proper period for this operation is now drawing
near, I hope a few hints will not be unacceptable to your
readers. I am aware that there is no lack of eminent writers
upon this subject, but there is abundant scope for all. A
wide field is presented for the occupation of our thoughts
and the exercise of our energies, and a correct knowl-
edge of these matters can only be obtained by a unity of
purpose — a unity of action — and a unity of observation. If
proofs were wanting to show the indifference of what may
be termed ripened wood, to heat, cold, drought, and moist-
ure, when compared with unripened wood, which, though
apparently thrifty enough, is, nevertheless, more vascular,
and has made less wood in proportion to its bulk, we have
plenty of illustrations of the above fact, this season, in this
locality. We have abundant evidence that a tree, like any

Hints on Pruning. 437

thing else in nature, must have its elements so adjusted that
combination between them and the air may take place regu-
larly and rapidly, when they are brought into action, that
properly organized wood may be formed. When this is not
the case, and certain elements are present in excess, decom-
position takes place in the redundant secretions; the decay of
the parts, and the ultimate death of the tree, is the conse-
quence.

If we consider the various parts of the stem of a tree, viz.,
the pith, the wood, the medullary rays, and the bark, to con-
sist of bundles of small, hollow tubes, of various sizes, and of
different kinds, intended to contain liquid and gaseous sub-
stances, and to convey them to different parts of the tree ;
moreover, if we consider the root as the lateral prolongation
of the stem downwards into the earth, and the branches as
the upward prolongation of the stem into the air, which cir-
cumstance is, in some measure, proved by the facility with
which branches may be transformed into roots, and roots
into branches, the original position of a tree may thus be re-
versed, and the roots and branches, being thus mutually con-
vertible, must, in their general structure, be very much alike.
Lastly, if we consider the leaves and spongioles as performing
analogous functions, and acting reciprocally upon each other,
which is evident from the appearance of trees in a hot day,
the supply of moisture inhaled by the roots being too small
for the quantity exhaled by the leaves, at the extreme points
of the roots, the bark becomes white, soft and spongy, a per-
fect mass of mouths, or pores, and vessels. It is by these
spongy extremities that liquid or gaseous elements are capa-
ble of entering into, or making their escape from, the interior
of the root. The branches and twigs, in like manner, are ex-
tensions of the trunk, and the leaves may be considered as a
still further extension. The fibres of the leaves are minute
ramifications of the woody matter composing the shoots, and
are by them connected with the larger branches, and through
them receive the sap which they contain. The green part of
the leaves may be considered as special expansions of the
bark, by which it is fitted to act upon the air in the same
way as the spongy terminations of the roots are fitted to act
upon the water, and other substances they meet with in the

438 Hints on Pi'un'mg.

soil ; for, as the fibres of the leaves are connected with the
wood of the stem, so the green portion of the leaves are con-
nected with its bark, and by this, part of the juices of the
tree are acted upon by the elements of the atmosphere. The
green part of the leaf may thus be termed the laboratory of
the tree ; there, the materials for future fruit buds and flow-
ers are separated from the sap; there, the woody fibre is
formed and prepared for the next year's layer ; and, as the
superfluous, unassimilated sap descends, it is deposited be-
neath the inner bark, and forms what we call the annual
ring or layer of wood.

Now. if we will give these considerations their due weight,
I think we will pause a little before we apply the pruning
knife, either to the root or branch of a fruit tree, and ask our-
selves the question. How can we best assist nature in main-
taining this reciprocal activity, so that a due amount of sap
may be assimilated and concentrated for the production of
fibre and fruit?

I believe it will be admitted, that when a tree is growing
quick and luxuriant, there is less concentration of sap by the
leaves, than when the young shoots are less vascular and
more woody. More water is absorbed by the roots, because
more is demanded by the leaves to form young shoots, and
to supply the loss by excessive natural perspiration, as well
as mechanical evaporation. The absorbing roots are forced
into an unnatural state of activity, which continues long
after the leaves have ceased to perform their functions, and
when they no longer demand the supply. Hence, the break-
ing of the buds in autumn, the bursting of the bark in winter,
and the growth of late shoots, which never ripen.

The general panacea for these evils, is to prune, i. e. to cut
off a certain quantity of branches from the tree, in winter —
very frequently the lower ones are taken away, and the stem
is left bare. The exterior sap vessels are thus exposed, with-
out shade or shelter, to the influence of the burning sun in
summer, the rays of which, by reflection, frequently rise to
120° Fah., a fertile source of what is termed sun blight : and
more, those branches are taken off" which alone were ca-
pable of modifying the current of ascending sap in its up-
ward course; by drawing it off" into the lateral branches. I

Hints on Pruning. 439

am of opinion, that this winter-pruning cure is worse than
all the other evils put together. I am happy to see that some
able horticulturists are now raising their voice against this
unpractical barbarism, a practice as unnatural as it is un-
profitable. It is like setting the trees on stilts, under the ill-
judged pretext of cropping the ground beneath them. If a
tree is worth root-room in the ground, it is worth head-room
in the air ; and if it is not worth both these, it is worth noth-
ing at all, except for ornament; and, if it is not wanted for
ornament, it should be cut down. But a fruit tree may be
both useful and ornamental, and abundantly pay for the gar-
den room that it occupies ; and those who have little garden
room to spare for fruit trees, should try the system of growing
small pyramidal or conical trees, clothed with branches, from
the ground upwards. It is very easy, during summer, to
stop the wood-making propensities of a tree, by depriving it
of the power of drawing excessively upon the roots for moist-
ure, and the roots, in like manner, may be placed into a po-
sition to imbibe healthful secretion for its nourishment.

Notwithstanding all the volumes that have been written
on the motion and circulation of vegetable fluids, we are still
in the dark as to the proper time, season, or period of the
year for cutting the roots or branches of a tree. We may
reason ourselves, individually, into the supposition of one pe-
riod being better than another, — but where is the proof 7 Ex-
perience has taught us, that autumn is the best time for what
is called winter pruning, immediately on the fall of the
leaves, or when they can be shaken from the tree; but even
then the sap is sensibly in motion. Still, we know that
spring pruning is bad ; that pruning in mid winter is little
better ; and where severe pruning must be done, that autumn
pruning is the best of all, both for roots and branches, and
this, too, is the slackest time of the whole workable season,
yet, not in one case out of ten, is it taken the advantage of to
get the pruning work accomplished. Will some of our exten-
sive horticulturists direct their attention to this matter, and
give us the benefit of their experience.

New Haven, Cojin., Sept. 1849.

We must commend this excellent article to the attention of
all cultivators. — Ed.

440 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

Art. III. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties
of Pears. By the Editor.

In the dearth of fruit the present year, more particularly of
pears, \vc are unable to complete our descriptions of many
new varieties, or to secure specimens of other fine sorts, of
recent introduction into our collection. We, therefore, im-
prove this opportunity to give an account of some of the
older kinds, which are found in general cultivation, and
which are of interest to the pomologist and fruit cultivator.
They will not all come under the denomination of select
pears, perhaps, but as our descriptions and engravings are
to serve two purposes, viz., to make known the new and fine
kinds, and to aid in the identification of old ones, we include
them under this head.

115. Summer Bonchre'tien. Pom. Mag., vol. 1, pi. 14.

Boncr6tien, "J

Bonchr^tien d'Ete, I

Die Sommer Christbirne, }Pom. Mag., vol. 1.

Die Gate Christbirne,

Sommer Gute Christenbirne, grosse, J

Gratioli, ^

Gratioli d'Ete,

^ . ,. , o ^Hort. Soc. Cat., 1842.

GratioU de noma, '

Summer Apotheckerbirne, J

Richards's Beurre, of some collections in New York.

This very old pear, {fg. 30) which has been cultivated all
over Europe, and, to a considerable extent, throughout the
northern and eastern sections of this country, is supposed to
have originated in the early part of the sixteenth century. It
has been mentioned or described in every pomological work of
any note, for more than one hundred and fifty years. It was
one of the first pears introduced by the early French settlers
into America, and very old and large trees are found growing
in various parts of the country. Varying very much in its
quality, according to soil and locality, it has been, and
still is, thought by many to be a very fine pear ; and, two
years ago, it was described in the Horticulturist, as a new

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 441

variety, under the name of Richards's Beurre, and pro-
nounced superior to Swan's Orange. When well grown and
ripened, it is a most beautiful fruit; the skin being of a rich

Fi^. 36. Summer Bonchretien Pear.

yellow, covered on the sunny side with a brilliant red. The
flesh is between breaking and melting, and the flavor sugary
and good.
The Pomological Magazine states, that "its place is toO'

VOL. XV. — NO. X. 56

442 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

often supplied by inferior varieties, whose merits are more
frequently novelty than excellence;" this was in 1832; but
now that we have so many fine pears, this can scarcely be
true with us ; yet it is so good a fruit that those who possess
large trees should retain it in cultivation.

The tree is a somewhat rambling grower, with straggling
branches, and roundish, wavy leaves. It does not succeed
upon the quince, and should always be worked on the pear.

Size, large, about three and a half inches long and two
and a half in diameter : Form, obtuse pyramidal, knobby and
very uneven in its outline, large in the middle, narrowing to
the eye, and obtuse at the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, pale
lemon yellow, often broadly tinged with bright red on the
sunny side, and covered with small green and russet specks :
Stem, long, one and a half to two inches in length, rather
stout, curved, little swollen at the base, and obliquely in-
serted in a small cavity on one side of a swollen lip : Eye,
medium size, open, and rather deeply sunk in a large, un-
evenly formed, and open basin ; segments of the calyx me-
dium length, pointed, projecting : Flesh, yellowish white,
little coarse, tender and juicy : Flavor, sugary, pleasantly
perfumed and good: Core, medium size, little gritty: Seeds,
long and pointed, mostly abortive. Ripe in August and Sep-
tember.

116. RoNVTLLE. Neiv Duhamel.

The Ronville pear {fig- 37) is but little known to pomolo-
gists. The New DuhaTnel gives a beautifully colored figure
and full description of it; but the Catalogue of the London
Horticultural Society, for 1842, does not enumerate the true
one, though it gives the name of Ronville as a synonyme of
the Martin Sire, a crisp winter fruit, while the true Ronville
is an autumn pear, with melting or half melting flesh. We
only know of the existence of this variety in collections in
Salem, and our specimens were given to us in 1844, by Mr.
J. F. Allen, of that city, in whose garden there is a large tree,
which uniformly bears good crops. In size, and general
form and appearance, it so much resembles the Swan's Or-
ange, that some cultivators have insisted upon it that the

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

443

latter was synonymous with it; but a single glance at the
wood and leaves, allowing the fruit to be similar, at once de-
cides their distinctness. Swan's Orange has a pale, yellowish

Fig. 37. Ronville Pear.

wood, while that of the Ronville is a deep olive green ; in
habit of growth they are very dissimilar.

Though the Ronville is a very good pear, and a profitable
variety for the market, our account of it is now given in order
to prevent any doubts of its entire distinctness from Swan's
Orange ; for the latter is too valuable a fruit to be so soon
involved in the confusion which attaches to a large number
of our best pears. The merits of the Ronville have, we think,
been overlooked ; yet it cannot be compared with Swan's Or-
ange, which ripens at the same period.

444 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

Size, large, about four inches long and three and a half
inches in diameter : Form^ oblong, shghtly flattened, largest
in the middle, narrowing a httle to the eye, and tapering to the
stem, where it ends obtusely : Skin, fair, smooth, pale green,
becoming yellowish when mature, somewhat russeted around
the crown and stem, and regularly covered with brownish rus-
set specks, thickest on the sunny side: Stem^ medium length,
about an inch long, rather slender, smooth, little swollen at
the base, and obliquely inserted in a shallow cavity, formed
by a few uneven projections of the fruit : Eye, medium size,
closed, and sunk in a narrow, uneven basin; segments of the
calyx, long and pointed : Flesh, white, coarse, tender and
juicy, little gritty at the core : Flavor, sweet and pleasant,
with a slight musky perfume : Core, large : Seeds, medium
size, long, pointed, light brown. Ripe in October and No-
vember.

117. Vallee' Franche. Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed., 1842.

De Valle6,

Bonne de Kienzheim, ^Hort. Soc. Cat., 3d Ed., 1842.

De Kienzheim,

As late as 1842, the Vallee Franche {fig. 38) was classed
among the first rate pears in the Catalogue of the Hort. Soc. ;
but, among the many recent accessions to American collec-
tions, it cannot be estimated above a second-rate fruit. It
comes at a season when we have a good supply of large,
handsome, and excellent pears, and as it does not keep long,
its place can be supplied with better kinds. It is, however,
a most abundant bearer, and in large collections it may have
a place. It is one of the sorts which grow freely upon the
quince, so much so that we have made use of it as a medium
for double-worked trees.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and two
and a half in diameter : Form, obovate, broadest in the mid-
dle, and tapering to each end : Skin, fair, smooth, pale green,
becoming yellowish when mature, russeted at the base
of the stem, and regularly, but not thickly, covered with
russet specks : Stem, long, about one and a half inches in
length, moderately stout, slightly fleshy at the base, curved,
and obliquely inserted in a very shallow cavity : Eye, large.

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

445

partially closed, and little sunk in a furrowed basin ; seg-
ments of the calyx long, narrow, pointed : Fleshy yellowish,
coarse, tender and juicy : Flavor , sweet, pleasantly perfumed,

Fig. 38. Vailed FrancJie Pear.

and good : Core, large : Seeds, medium size. Ripe in August
and September.

Like most pears of thia season, they should be gathered and
ripened in the fruit-room.

118. Passe Colmar. Pom. Mag., vol, II, pi. 64.

Passe Colmar Epineaux,

Colmar Epineaux,

Colmar Gris,

Passe Colmar Gris,

Passe Colmar gris dit Precel,

>■ Hort. See, Cat., 3d Ed., 1842.

446 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

)■ Hort. Soc. Cat., 3d Ed., 1842.

Beurre Colmar gris dit Precel, "

Precel,

Fondante de Panisel,

Fondante de Mons,

Colmar Hardenpont,

D'Ananas,

Present de Malines,

Marotte Sucre6 Jaune,

Souveraine,

Colmar Souveraine,

Gambler,

Cellite,

Colmar Preul,

Colmar Dor6,

Beurr6 d'Argenson,

Regentin,

Chapman's,

Passe Colmar Dor6 ? of some English Catalogues

J

Few pears can claim so high a character as the Passe
Colmar, {fg. 39.) When well grown and properly ripened,
we have thought that no pear of its season, or, we might
perhaps say, of any season, could surpass it. Jt possesses a
flesh of honied richness, combined with an agreeable aroma,
and at its season of maturing, in January, is one of the best
of pears.

The multitude of synonymes above quoted, is the best evi-
dence of its superiority. Grown under favorable circum-
stances of soil and locality, it has received a new name, as it
has passed out of the hands of various cultivators, until the
synonymes have become more numerous than those of any
other pear, except the Doyenne Blanc. Some English nurse-
rymen still insist that there are two distinct sorts, which they
call the Passe Colmar and Passe Colmar Dore ; but, having
fruited them both in our collection, we are inclined to be-
lieve they are alike, and have, accordingly, placed the latter
among the other synonymes. It was raised by M. Harden-
pont, of Belgium. The Passe Colmar is a most abundant
bearer, and the fruit is often small, on account of its not
being early and judiciously thinned ; and when this is neg-
lected, the pears do not attain their full size, and, in ripening,
shrivel and become nearly worthless. From this circum-

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

447

stance, some cultivators have discarded it from their collec-
tions. Like all free bearing pears, it should have a rich and
generous soil. The trees are very vigorous growers, and fre-

Fiff. 39. Passe Colmar Pear.

quently flower and produce a second crop. On the quince
it succeeds admirably, uniting well with that stock, and
forming a handsome pyramidal tree. Wood, clear, yellow-
ish brown ; leaves, ovate, erect.

Size, large, about three and a half inches long and three
in diameter : Form, obtuse, pyramidal, full at the crown,
contracted in the middle, and obtuse at the stem : Skin, fair,
yellowish green, becoming pale yellow when mature, some-
what traced with russet around the eye, broadly tinged with
red on the sunny side, and dotted with scattered green and
russet specks : Stem, medium length, about one inch long,

448 Descriptions of Select Vai^ieties of Pears.

nearly straight, swollen and fleshy at the base, and obliquely
inserted in a very shallow cavity : Eye^ medium size, open,
and little depressed in an abruptly sunk and round basin;
segments of the calyx, short : Flesh, yellowish, fine, melting,
buttery and juicy : Flavor, rich, saccharine, and delicious,
with a delicious aroma : Core, medium size : Seeds, large,
plump, brown. Ripe in December and January.

119. Long Green of Autumn.

Verte Longue d'Automne.

The Long Green of Autumn, {Jiff. 40) is one of the few
pears which have not yet been extricated from the confusion
of nomenclature. We do not find it distinctly described in
any pomological work which we have consulted; but in al-
most every instance it has been confounded with the old
Verte Longue, or Long Green.

Our first acquaintance with it was some time ago, in the col-
lection of Mr. R. Manning; subsequendy we received it from
France, and afterwards we had it from several collections.
Last year we received it again from France, as the Long
Green, and now have specimens from these trees before us.
It is quite distinct from the latter pear, being smaller, more
oval, with a long stem, and always more or less tinged with
dull red or brown on the sunny side.

Mr. Prince, in the Po?nological Ma7iual, evidently enu-
merates it as a synonyme of the Verte Longue, under the
names of Autumn Mouthwater and Verte Longue d'Automne.
The Catalogue of the London Hort. Soc. does not enumer-
ate it ; and neither Mr. Kenrick or Mr. Downing give any
account of it. The similarity of name has, undoubtedly, been
the cause of this omission, and writers, who have not been
well acquainted with the fruit, have supposed that the addi-
tion of the word "autumn" to the name of Verte liOngue, was
only of local application, and did not imply a distinct fruit.

The variety is evidently one which is considerably culti-
vated in foreign collections, as we know of trees which have
been received from various sources in France and Belgium.
It is but little later than the Verte Longue, and it is to be re-
gretted that some name less likely to lead to confusion, was

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

449

not adopted ; but, the distinction once known, we hope, here-
after, the two varieties may readily be identified.

The tree is a vigorous grower, and succeeds equally well

Fig. 40. Long Green of Autumn Pear.

on the quince, or pear stock : it is of upright habit, and the
wood is of an olive brown shade, and dotted with large
whitish specks. The fruit is in perfection three weeks later
than the Verte Longue.

Size, medium, about three inches long and two inches in
diameter : Form, pyramidal, round, and rather full at the
crown, tapering to the stem, near which it is slightly con-
tracted : Skin, fair, smooth, dull greenish yellow, dotted and
marbled with brownish red on the sunny side, and regularly

VOL. XV. — NO. X. 57

450 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears.

covered with russet specks : Stern^ loiig) about one inch in
length, slender, curved, and obliquely inserted, without any
cavity, in one side of a swollen lip : Eye^ small, open, and
set nearly even with the surface of the crown ; segments of
the calyx short, connected, reflexed : Fleshy yellowish white,
fine, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, slightly perfumed,
and excellent : Core, small : Seeds, medium size. Ripe
in October.

120. Julienne. Coxe's Vieto, &c.

Summer St. Michael, of some collections.
Duquesne d'Ete ? Hort. Soc. Cat., 1842.

The Julienne pear {fig. 41) was first described by Coxe,
about thirty years ago ; but whether a new or an old pear at

Fig. 41. Julienne Pear.

that lime, he does not state ; he intimates that it might be a
synonyme of the Arch Duke d'Ete. Up to the present period.

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Pears. 451

however, in the muUitude of kinds which have been intro-
duced, no variety has been found hke it; and we are ahnost
forced to beheve it to be a native fruit. In the autumn of
1844, we saw, in the collection of the London Hort. Soc, a
variety called the Duquesne d'Ete, which we considered sy-
nonymous with the Julienne, but, without any more knowl-
edge of that pear, we, for the present, continue the name of
Julienne.

As an early summer pear, the Julienne has been consid-
erably cultivated and introduced into most collections of this
fruit. In some seasons and localities, it proves to be a fine
variety, but from its variableness it is not so highly esteemed
now as formerly. Coxe said, it was "certainly among our
finest summer pears;" but this was at a period when the Ty-
son, Dearborn's Seedling, Gushing, &c., were unknown. It
is a most abundant bearer, as well as a beautiful fruit, and,
consequently, is a very profitable market pear. Like all
summer fruit, it should be gathered rather early, and ripened
in the house.

The tree is a very vigorous grower, with long, upright
shoots, swollen at the ends ; it comes early into bearing.
Wood, very bright yellow.

Size^ medium, about two and a half inches long, and two
and a half inches in diameter : Form^ regular, obovate, largest
in the middle, and narrowing to the stem, where it ends
obtusely : Skin^ fair, smooth, clear lemon yellow, when ma-
ture, with, occasionally, a tinge of blush on the sunny side :
Slem^ medium length, about an inch long, rather slender,
curved, and inserted in a small shallow cavity : Eye, large,
open, and slightly depressed in a broad, shallow basin; seg-
ments of the calyx short, stiff, projecting : Flesh, yellowish,
rather coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor, pleasant, sprightly,
little perfumed, and good : Core, medium size : Seeds, small,
very plump and round. Ripe in September.

The Julienne seems to prefer a rather light and warm soil,
as all the specimens which we have had, from trees in such
localities, have been better than those grown in heavy loams.

452 Floriculttiral and Botanical Notices.

Art. IV. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of Neio and
Beaut if id Plants figured in Foreign Pei-iodicals ; with
Descriptio7is of those recently introduced, to, or originated in,
American Gardens.

Abelia rupestris. — This fine species is one of the most
valuable fall flowering shrubs, growing to the height of five
or six feet; it makes a fine, compact, conical bush, with
neat, glossy foliage, and, from the middle of August to Jan-
uary, is literally covered with its dense heads of whitish
flowers, which exhale a delightful odor. For bouquets it is a
fine acquisition, as, at this period of the year, there are but
few fragant flowers except the heliotrope. It should have a
place in every collection of plants.

Heracleum giganteum, belonging to the cowparsnep tribe,
of which our correspondent. Prof. Russell, gave so interesting
an account in our last number, (p. 394,) is advertised in the
Gard. Chronicle, to be " one of the most magnificent plants"
in the world ; it is a biennial, and grows fourteen feet high
in one summer, with a handsome fluted stem, six or eight
inches in diameter, and a compound umbel of white flowers,
twelve feet in circumference, with leaves from five to seven
feet wide. It is figured in Mrs. Loudon's Ladies' Compan-
ion, p. 141.

New and choice ornamental Shrubs and Flowers. — The
editor of the Chronicle, in summing up the novelties of the
year, gives the following list of fine things, which will be
read with interest by all amateurs, as well as professional
cultivators. We hope they will all be speedily introduced.
—Ed.

At this season, when the lovers of plants are considering
on what they shall rely for a supply of novelties in the com-
ing years, it may be useful to point out the real value of some
which are about to be oflcrcd for sale. For the present, we
take a few of the examples to be found in Messrs. Veitch's
Nursery at Exeter.

Fagus ohliqva is an evergreen beech tree, of great beauty,
growing from 30 to 40 feet in height. It inhabits Chili and

Floriculttiral and Botanical Notices. 453

Patagonia, according to Mr. Lobb; Dombey reports it to
grow in the interior of the provinces of Southern Chili, at an
elevation of 1000 — 5000 feet. Capt. King is said to have
found it at Port Famine. It is one of the Robles of the Chile-
nos, and of value for its heavy wood. It occupies, however,
according to Dr. Joseph Hooker, only the lower elevations of
the monntains, and will hardly bear the open climate, except
in the southwest of England and Ireland.

Libocedrus tetragona (also called Thuja tetragona) is des-
cribed by Mr. Lobb, as a tree of 50 to 80 feet in height,
growing as high as the snow line on the Andes of Patagonia.
It is a Coniferous plant, v/ith four-cornered branches, which
must be extremely handsome. Another species of Liboce-
drus, of greater stature, (80 to 100 feet, according to Mr.
Lobb,) has also been raised. These two are said to consti-
tute the famous Alerse of Chili, celebrated for its gigantic
size, and the excellence of its timber. Specimens of Alerse
are spoken of, 24 and 22 feet round, at 5 feet from the
ground; others are said to exist " from 30 to 40 feet round,
and from SO to 90 feet in height to the first branches: above
which the heads of these giants are said to rise some 40 or
50 feet more." No doubt they are among the finest Conifers
in the world. Since they inhabit the same country as the
Chilian Araucaria, and advance to the southward even as
far as Port Famine, it is not improbable that they may be as
hardy as that tree, and if so, they will be of very great value.
Possibly one of these may be the genuine Alerse, and the
other the Cypress of Chili, if, indeed, those trees are as dis-
tinct as is supposed by some writers.

Of Myrtle-like plants several have been obtained, espe-
cially a very pretty species called Myrtus stipularis. These
will be about as hardy as the common myrtle.

A Berberry of unrivalled beauty, evergreen, with deep
green foliage, and rich orange-yellow flowers, is Berbeins
Darwinii. It will, probably, be hardy.

Three Escallonias are raised, of which the EscaUonia ma-
cranlha has become known as the finest of the genus, in con-
sequence of its having been exhibited at one of the meetings
in the Garden of the Horticultural Society. Two others are
something like E. rubra, and will, possibly, have the same
constitution.

454 FloricuUiiral and Botanical Notices.

Desfontainia sj)ifiosa ; an evergreen shrub, with the leaves
of a Holly, from the Andes of Patagonia, will scarcely be
valuable on account of its flowers, which seem to be pro-
duced too sparingly in its native country. Its hardiness is
uncertain.

Embothrium coccineidn ; a greenhouse shrub, with fine,
firm, round foliage, and clusters of deep-red flowers, is a Pro-
tead, and will, probably, turn out a fine thing for exhibition.

Ourisia coccinea, from Chiloe, is a herbaceous plant, with
several long crimson flowers at the end of a scape, like that
of a cowslip.

Luzuriagas, of which L. radicans and a new one are at
Exeter, are greenhouse plants, with a very peculiar scram-
bling or trailing habit, short, furrowed, thin leaves, and mul-
titudes of axillary, spotted, or spotless flowers, the size of a
shilHng. They are very pretty under-shrubs in their own
country, and the flowers seem to hang on well, without
fading quickly.

Virgidaria lanceolaria., from North Chili, may be likened
to a handsome, shrubby Pentstemon, with rose-colored flow-
ers. It will not be hardy.

Argylia is an herbaceous genus of the Bignoniads, with
tuberous roots, and leaves cut almost as much as curled pars-
ley. The flowers grow at the summit of long, erect scapes,
and are fine looking when dried. A species, new, but near
A. 'puhei-ida^ said to have yellow flowers, is growing in Mr.
Veitch's Nursery.

Among other plants, of less moment, are Cordia decandra,
an evergreen shrub, with white flowers, from North Chili.
If the white is pure, it may be a good plant, for the flowers
are large. Crukshanksia is a curious annual, with one of
the lobes of the calyx enlarged into a round, yellow plate, as
happens in Mussa^nda. Frankenia campestiis, with lilac
flowers, may be compared to some sort of thyme.

In addition to these, is Ci'inodendron Patagua^ a shrub, 6
to 8 feet high, from Chiloe and Patagonia, probably requiring
a greenhouse. We can hardly form an opinion of the horti-
cultural value of this plant. All we can say is, that, in a
dried state, it is a fine looking thing, with drooping, bell-
shaped flowers, an inch long, and of some deep-red or red-
dish color. It certainly promises well.

Floriciiliural and Botanical Notices. 455

These indications are, we confess, of a very slight texture ;
but they will suffice as a guide to purchasers, which is all
that they are intended for. — {^Gard. Cliro?i.)

New Hybrid IpoMiE^A (/. Kilhami.^—A few weeks ago,
W. Kilham, Esq., of Boston, exhibited at the Hall of the
Mass. Hort. Society, a new and very splendid Ipomse^a, re-
sembling the I. Quamoclit, (Cypress Vine,) but with flowers
one half larger, and of the most dazzling vermilion scarlet.
It was so beautiful that it was awarded a premium, and
named by the Flower Committee, Ipomte^a Kilhami. We
were just about writing a description of it, when the follow-
ing met our eye, which is so accurate an account of it, that
we concluded to copy it, merely remarking, that the produc-
tion of two hybrids, precisely alike, just at the same time,
and in the extremest portions of the country, is a singular co-
incidence. The Cypress Vine is one of our most common
summer twining plants, and has, probably, been grown with
the Morning Glory, thousands of times ; yet we are not
aware of the production of a hybrid between them, bearing
any resemblance to that now under notice.

" E. B. Bishop, Esq., of our city, has just shown us the
leaves and the flowers of a vine, partaking of the nature of
the Cypress and the Morning Glory. A year ago, the seed
of the Morning Glory and Cypress were planted together, so
as to entwine each other. This year, three vines came up,
and produced, each, a different leaf and flower ; the Morning
Glory has a natural shaped leaf, with a deep orange-colored
flower, small, and round shaped ; the Cypress producing
leaves and flowers perfectly natural ; and the amalgamation
producing leaves as large as the Morning Glory, with half
their size divided out in small spangles, like the Cypress,
producing a flower of beautiful vermilion red, and half-way
between the other two in size." — {Van Buren {Ark.') Intelli-
gencer.)

Mr. Kilham has not yet been able to procure any seeds,
and, probably; it can only be perpetuated by cuttings. — Ed.
Ipom^\ ficifolia. — This beautiful species, though not very
new, is more ornamental, when turned out into the border,
than the I. Learii, as the foliage is smaller, and the flowers,
which are produced in greater profusion, show to better ad-
vantage.— Ed.

456 GeJieral Notices.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Notices.

Cape Bulbs. — I am glad to see your correspondent " Micklewell" appear
again in your pages, treating on Amaryllids. I have just now a bulb of
Cyrtanthus obliquus, throwing up a strong flower-scape — the third speci-
men I have flowered in these twenty years, and I should much wish
" Micklewell" to try its pollen on those Vallotas he mentions, particularly
those grown in the cottage windows, as they are more likely to seed than
those we cultivate with more care in gardens. I could send him some
anthers in a letter, and if the Vallotas to be dusted were placed in a saucer
of water as soon as the flower-scape appeared, it would assist the plants to
make seeds. It would also be desirable to dust some with their own pollen,
and if these did not seed nor those dusted by the pollen of Cyrtanthus, the
question of the union of the two plants would still be left open. Dr. Her-
bert was long of opinion that the Vallota and the two evergreen Cyrtanthi
would unite by their pollen, although in his arrangement he placed Gas-
tronema between them. If " Micklewell," or any other of your readers,
happen to flower Brunsvigia Josephinae this autumn, I would be much
obliged by a few anthers of it, cut off before they open, and folded in a
packet of tissue paper to be sent in a letter, as I had lately to renew the
border in which our plants of Josephinee grew, and I fear this has disturbed
their roots so much that they will not flower this season, although they
ripened ample foliage. When these Brunsvigias are growing in a free
border they gladly receive any amount of water and liquid manure, also
from Christmas up to the beginning of May ; and so do the Ha?manthi. I
want the pollen of B. Josephinae to see if I can push a cross between it
and the Belladona, — a cross which, I believe, has not yet been effected ;
but Dr. Herbert obtained seeds from Amaryllis blanda by the pollen of
Josephinae, and as A. blanda is hardly to be met with now, I should be
content with a cross from the less showy Belladona. Another pollen I am
most anxious to obtain is that of Gastronema clavatum, a little African
Amaryllis which I could never flower, and which is often received among
Cape bulbs under the name of Amaryllis pumilio, and is said never to pro-
duce more than two flowers on a scape, often only one. There is no ques-
tion now but pollen, if carefully preserved, will retain its virtue for some
years. It is more than twelve years since I stated that you might gather
pollen on the Alps of Thibet, carry it home safer than seeds from the same
plant, and apply it successfully at home, and I have seen no reason to alter
this opinion. If Dr. Hooker or Mr. Low had sent home the pollen of
those beautiful rhododendrons they met with in the east, there is no doubt
but it would fertilize our hardier varieties here, and thus procure new
crosses of great and general interest. — {Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 468.)
Roses. — " Devonian" states that he cannot get the larger roses to blossom.

General Notices. 457

Mine were in the same predicament in the early part of the year, but hav-
ing repeatedly observed on a common near me a large accumulation of
sheep droppings, where animals usually take shelter in bad weather, 1 had
some collected, mixed it with a fair proportion of water, until the manure
was well dissolved. The liquid was then applied to the roots of the roses
twice a week in rather strong doses, and by this means in the course of a
fortnight the leaves assumed a rich, green, healthy hue, and the buds of all
expanded beautifully, including La Reine and Souvenir de la Malmaison.
It appeared as if the additional strength given to the plants by the liquid
manure enabled them to throw off the green fly, or they ceased to give the
peculiar nourishment suitable for it. — {Id., 1849, p. 469.)

The Cultivation and Forcing of Strawberries in Pots. — I commence in
July by laying the earliest runners in 4-inch pots, placirig a stone on each
runner, to prevent it from being disturbed. I water when they are dry,
and as soon as the plants become well rooted I repot them, placing one
plant in the centre of each pot, which is 8 inches wide. The plants are
then placed in an open situation on cinder ashes, with a view to prevent
worms from creeping inside the pots. If the weather be hot and dry I
sprinkle the plants daily, and when established with strong roots I occa-
sionally give them a little clear manure water. They remain in this situa-
tion till November, when they are carried into the vacant houses (if any ;)
if not, the- pots are plunged in decayed tan, or cinder ashes, to prevent
them from being broken by frost. I begin forcing in January by putting
some of the plants into the early peach-house, succession pine-stove, or
other houses where the temperature does not exceed 65° with artificial heat,
nor fall lower than 45°. The pots are placed in pans partly filled with
decayed dung, and as near the glass as is practicable. When symptoms of
growth are perceptible, I fumigate two or three successive nights ; for 1
invariably find that insects come to life at this stage of growth, and when
young they are easily destroyed ; but if allowed to infest the plants for
weeks no after treatment will restore the plants to a healthy state, much
less cause them to mature first-rate fruit. As soon as the plants have done
flowering I remove the most forward of them into a higher temperature.
The best situation I have found for the earliest crop is on a shelf at the
back of a fruiting pine-stove. T have grown them on a similar place in an
early vinery, but I do not approve of either situation, because I cannot have
a suitable temperature, — an essential point in forcing strawberries. With
respect to giving air, I prefer a constant supply both night and day, if the
houses are so constructed that they warm it a little before it comes in con-
tact with the plants. I can say little about soil ; for I have hitherto not
been able to procure much else than common garden mould. The varieties
I force are Keens's Seedling and British Queen. — {Id. 1849, p. 469.)

Garden Gossip. — I know nothing of the capability of enduring the cold
of winter possessed by Habrothamnus fasciculatus, as my plant is growing
against the back of my conservatory, where it flowers tolerably well, but
certainly not in the manner of the plant figured in one of the last numbers
of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society. Habrothamnus elegans

VOL, XV. NO. X. 58

458 General Notices.

succeeds well with me against a south wall, where it flowers freely, and
though inferior to H. fasciculatus, its foliage and habit are both better.
Beside it, on the same wall, Jocroma tubulosa is ten feet high, and coming
into abundant bloom; its foliage and habit are, however, weedy, and de-
tract from its value, though its porcelain blue flowers are very interesting.
Can any cultivator give mc hints respecting the management of Brugman-
sia sanguinea, against a conservative walH I planted one in consequence
of Mr. Paxton's encomiums on that at Chatsworth, but hitherto without
any success; as, though it has grown immensely, and fills the recess
allotted to it, its appearance is that of a rank gigantic weed, bearing few
flowers, and those of an unusually dull hue ; would root pruning check its
luxuriance, and cause it to bloom freely ? [You have got the wrong plant.]
Would that beautiful fancy Geranium Unique succeed against a wall, and
attain a height of eight or nine feet, if protected in winter? [No doubt.]
I am glad that a discussion on the merits of Plumbago Larpentae has com-
menced, and I hope all cultivators will record their experience of its merits.
Only two days ago I was informed by a respectable nurseryman that a bed
of it was likely to succeed admirably in the garden of a noble lady in the
east of this county ; there, however, every plant succeeds tbat is capable
of cultivation. If a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Knight and Perry
produced at one time more than 4,000 flowers, it must be valuable. Has
Tacsonia manicata yet been figured? [No.] — [Id., 1849, p. 470.)

Lagerstrcemia indica. — This very beautiful stove plant is so seldom seen
in perfection that I am induced to send an account of one we now have in
bloom. It stands about nine feet high, measures about six feet through
the centre, and has about 150 spikes of delicate purplish-lilac flowers fully
expanded ; some of the spikes are nine inches to one foot long, and as
they hang in graceful semi-pendulous carelessness, they present an aggre-
gate of beauty seldom witnessed. Lagerstrcemia indica is a free bloomer,
under judicious treatment. I have bloomed plants of about eighteen inches
high, but they should be three or four years old. They require to be win-
tered in a cool house, and started in a plant stove early in spring, after
pruning them in hard, reducing the old ball, and potting them in a mixture
of sandy loam and well rotted dung or leaf-mould. When in bloom they
may be removed to the conservatory, and will last a month. A little
manure-water will assist them very much after they show flower. — {Id.,
1849, p. 501.)

On the Cultivation of Hardy Bulbs. — So far as my opportunities have
enabled me to judge, I believe there are comparatively few places in Eng-
land where this beautiful tribe of plants are extensively or well grown.
With the exception of the late Dean of Manchester, who was distinguished
as a botanist for his knowledge of Amaryllide?e in general, as well as for
his success as an amateur grower of a vast collection, there are none who
have given bulbs that attention which ihey deserve, and which has been
freely lavished on other families of plants, if not of less merit as objects of
scientific study, certainly of less beauty and elegance of form. I have
therefore much pleasure in laying before your readers a few observations

General Notices. 459

on the cultivation of such sorts as may he grown in the open ground ; and
beg to assure them that those which I shall enumerate are well worthy of
a place in every garden, and will amply repay the care that may be be-
stowed on them. If they are not grown extensively, they should be placed
in the border in front of a greenhouse, where a limited number will produce
the best effect ; perhaps 500 or 600 plants might be conveniently grouped
together. The finest hardy bulbs are, without doubt, the Alstrcemerias
from Chili, the Ixias, the Sparaxis, with the different species and varieties
of Gladiolus. In regard to the best way of managing the three first I
should say, choose a border in front of any house in your garden with a
warm exposure ; empty this border two feet deep, and put more than a foot
and a half of good drainage at the bottom. The soil should be a mixture,
such as the following: — Two fifths old peat, one fifth well decayed dung or
leaf-mould, one fifth loam, and one part common sand ; mix this well, and
fill up the border with it till about six inches of the top, in order to leave
room for placing the bulbs in, as they will require to be covered five or six
inches. In planting the Alstroemerias it will be desirable to keep them one
foot apart. The Ixias and Sparaxis may be planted closer. If your border
is about four or five feet wide, the bulbs will be most effectively placed as
follows: — Place three rows of Ixias close to the wall, two or three rows of
Alstrosmerias in the middle, and the Sparaxis may be placed in front.
Placed in this way they will form a neai arrangement, according to the
size they attain. The proper time of doing this is about the middle of
October, and the only thing to be observed after that is to prevent them
from getting too wet. As soon as frosty or rainy weather sets in, they
should be covered, by laying on some straw, and then some oiled canvass ;
or they may be provided with lights, supported on temporary frames, and
these may be covered. Where lights can be spared they are preferable, as
they keep off the rain without obscuring the light. In March the bulbs
will begin to show their shoots, and while the weather is not too wet the
lights may be taken away during the day time, and altogether removed in
April or beginning of May. When the weather becomes dry they will
require to be watered frequently, and if proper care has been bestowed on
them they will be in flower in June, continuing to flower, if the weather is
favorable, till the end of August. After flowering they should again be kept
somewhat dry, without, at the same time, being deprived altogether of
water, should there be no gentle showers, during the time they are ripening
their seeds. By the end of September the bulbs should be taken out and
kept clean and dry on a shelf in an airy part of a greenhouse, and where
they will be out of the direct rays of the sun. Gladiolus floribundus and
gandavensis are the two best in respect of their flowers and their hardy
character. G. gandavensis, especially, is a very fine hybrid between
G. cardinalis and G. psittacinus ; it is, in every respect, far better than its
parents. The best way to treat it is to prepare a small bed in the flower
garden with rich sandy soil. Take about a dozen or fifteen strong bulbs,
and put them in by themselves, about six or seven inches deep. This may
be done in the middle of October ; they do not require any cover over them

460 Genei^al Notices.

during tlie winter time. In spring, when tliey begin to grow, water must
be given to them very frequently. The flowers will be seen in May or
beginning of June. G. psittaciiius, cardinalis, and bizarrbinus require the
same treatment. The bulbs must be taken out, after their stems and leaves
get yellow, and they must be kept clean and dry in an airy place till they
are planted again. They propagate themselves by forming a great many
young bulbs during the summer. The following sorts are very desirable,
but they are not so hardy as the gladioli, and most of them require to be
managed like the Alstrcemerias : — Calochortus splendens, venustus, and
luteus ; Camassia esculenta, Chlidanthus fragrans, Phycella corusca,
A''ieussenxia glaucopsis, and Bessera miniata. — ( Gard. Jour., 1849, p. 516.)
On keeping up a Succession of Floioers. — To keep up a succession of
flowers as long as possible is one of the chief objects of a flower-gardener.
A parterre without blossoms is like an orchard without fruit ; every expe-
dient is therefore had recourse to for the purpose of retarding the flowering
of some kinds, and expediting that of others. Our early spring flowers,
which are chiefly bulbs and tubers, would be inclined to flower again in the
autumn if they were not checked by the great heat of the summer in those
countries of which they are natives ; or if, in imitation thereof, the careful
florist did not remove tbem out of the bed in which they have already flow-
ered. Thus, by stopping their growth and keeping them in a colder and
moister climate than their own, we keep them from blooming till the season
when their blossoms are most welcome to us. In this way many of these
bulbous and tuberous-rooted plants can be flowered almost at any season ;
but there are rules of propriety in the execution of these proceedings ; a
snowdrop would scarcely be regarded at midsummer, while surrounded by
so many gaudier beauties ; neither would the tulip — the bright queen of
the garden — look well amid the sober tints of autumn. Nature intends
that her beauties shall be dispersed over the whole circle of the year, and
the florist assists in this arrangement, and for this assistance claims for
himself the privilege that she shall be, to a limited extent, subservient to
him in some instances while he encroaches upon her seasonal laws. The
British florist has a peculiar claim to this privilege, because he has taken
under his care the floral beauties of every clime in both hemispheres —
affording to each, as near as can be, its natural temperature, its natural soil,
and its natural rank and station among others. If, then, he should occa-
sionally interfere with nature's laws in bringing forth flowers out of sea-
son, he is not only excusable as their cultivator, but it is creditable to him
as their guardian. To have them always in beauty would diminish rather
than advance them in our estimation ; but the recurrence of a flower when
not expected — and especially if obtained without any derangement or muti-
lation of the plant operated upon — would be a delectable rarity, and really
a desirable incident in the flower garden. Every one knows that trans-
planting rose trees late, or pruning them late in the spring, procures a late
bloom — three weeks or a month later than the usual time of flowering I
am speaking of the common Provence rose, though this treatment of rose
trees is less necessary now than it was before the introduction of so many

General Notices. 461

*
French and Chinese varieties, some of which are always in flower during
the summer and autumn months. The laburnum is a higlily ornamental
plant from the latter end of May to the middle of June; if the flowering
shoots be cut back, and the tree divested of its racemes of pods, it will
again bloom nicely later in the summer ; indeed the whole of the Cytisuses
may be made to flower twice in the summer, by careful cutting back after
the first flowers fade. The rose, acacia, and several others of its conge-
ners, will flower a second time ; and so will the Althea frutex, presenting
its second flowers as late as October, when flowers of any kind are much
wanted. Checking the growth of herbaceous border-flowers, by trans-
planting, or by divesting them of a few of their stems, to delay the flower-
ing, or only allow it to be developed gradually, is an old expedient ; and
with attention paid to this management of perennials and biennials, and to
the different times at which annual flowers maybe sown, a continued display
of flowers may be kept through the growing season. — {Id., 1849, p. 387.)

Josling's St. Alban^s Grape. — I find myself mentioned in your paper as
being a fortunate man in realizing a sum far beyond what is correct for this
grape. I have no objection to be considered fortunate, but I would be
sorry should it be understood that I obtained money by unjust means. I
will briefly state that the St. Alban's grape is really and truly a seedling
raised by myself, and that I used every means of showing it to persons best
able to judge of its merits. Fruit was sent for opinion to the editor of the
Gardeners^ Chronicle, two seasons to the Horticultural Society's Rooms in
Regent Street, to the editor of the Gardeners' Journal, and to Messrs.
Henderson, Pine Apple Place, by all of whom it was pronounced to be
" excellent and distinct." The fruit in every case is free from cracked
berries, as was also that submitted for opinion to Mr. Thompson. — R.
Josling, St. Alhan''s. I regret that I cannot at present give a satisfactory
answer to the numerous inquiries which have been made respecting this
variety ; and I should, therefore, have preferred remaining silent on the
subject till the facts of the case be fairly made out. The remarks, how-
ever, of your correspondent " Vitis," render it necessary that I should
now inform him, and others, that I have been for some time employing
means for eliciting the truth, and that in the midst of conflicting opinions,
I must be excused for being slow to condemn that which I did not rashly
praise. Under the circumstances, I certainly did not over-praise the va-
riety in question. A giape was sent to the Horticultural Society by Mr.
Josling, and positively affirmed by him to be a seedling. I described it
solely in regard to the intrinsic merit which I found the fruit possessed ;
and, considered in this view, I flatter myself that all good judges will
readily agree that I did it no more than justice ; for I question much
w^hether, in point of flavor, the variety is exceeded, or even equalled, by
any grape in existence. In this respect, at least, I have not to regret,
with " Vitis," that too good an opinion was given of it ; for, until a better
flavored grape can be pointed out, too much cannot be said of the one that
stands preeminent. If it should, however, turn out to be not distinguisha-
ble from the Chasselas Musqu"^, and if with all the goodness of the latter

462 General Notices.

it should also combine its faults, that I should regret as much as any one.
There were certainly no cracked berries in the bunches which came under
my notice from Mr. Josling ; and they had much longer, and also stronger
shoulders than the Chasselas Musqne usually has, or even than I had ob-
served it to possess under Mr. Wilmot's superior cultivation. The leaves
sent for description appeared to me different from those of the Chasselas
Musque. Aware that different modes of cultivation and other circum-
stances have so great an effect in altering the appearance of varieties, that
even those acquainted with them will sometimes be deceived, I thought it
advisable to obtain, for the satisfaction of the public, the most direct proof of
the origin of the grape in question that I possibly could ; and I accordingly
addressed to Mr. Josling a series of questions, distinctly numbered, to
which I requested the favor of a reply. The time when the variety was
raised, and its parentage, were made prominent questions. To all inquiries
as satisfactory answers were returned as could possibly be expected ; they
may be seen by referring to the notice of the grape in the " Journal of the
Horticultural Society," vol. i., p. 296. I need only add, that I feel obliged
to " Vitis," and other correspondents, for endeavoring to clear up the
matter ; and we must recollect that great similarity is no decided proof of
identity.— ( Gar^/. Chron., 1849, p. 485.)

The Chrysanthcmitm in China. — The Chrysanthemum is the Chinese
gardener's favorite flower. There is no other with which he takes so
much pains, or which he cultivates so well. His camellias, azaleas, and
roses, are well grown and well bloomed, but with all these we beat him in
England ; in the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum, however, he stands
unrivalled. The plants themselves seem, as it were, to meet him half
way and grow just as he pleases ; sometimes I met with them trained in
the form of animals, such as horses and deer, and at other times they were
made to resemble the pagodas, so common in the country. Whether they
were trained into these fanciful forms, or merely grown as simjjle bushes,
they were always in high health, full of fresh green leavesj and never
failed to bloom most profusely in the autumn and winter.

The method of cultivating the Chrysanthemum in China is as follows; —
Cuttings are struck every year from the young shoots, in the same manner
as we do in England. When they are rooted they are potted off at once
into the pots in which they are to grow and bloom ; that is, they are grown
upon what would be called by our gardeners " the one shift system."

The soil used in potting is of a very rich description. About Canton it
is generally obtained, in the first instance, from the bottom of lakes or
ponds, where the Nelumbium or Water Lily grows. It is then laid up to
dry and pulverise for some months, when it is mixed with old night-soil
taken from the manure tanks found in every garden. A heap of this kind,
after being laid up for some time and frequently turned over, is in a fit state
for potting the Chrysanthemum. Manure water, taken also from the tanks
already noticed, is liberally supplied during the growing season, and its
effects are visible in the luxuriant dark green leaves which cover the plants.

In forming the plants into nice compact bushes, which, (with due defer-

General Notices. 463

ence to Chinese taste,) f think much prettier than animals and " seven
storied pagodas," their system is as follows : — The plants are trained each
wiih a single stem ; this is forced to send out numerous laterals near its
base, and these are tied down in a neat and regular manner with strings of
silk thread. By having the plants clothed with branches in this way, and
by keeping the leaves in a green and healthy state, the specimens never
have that bare and broom-headed appearance which they often present in
England when they are taken into the greenhouse in winter.

About Shanghae and Ningpo the Chrysanthemum is still better managed
than it is near Canton ; but the success which attends it may also be attrib-
uted, partly at least, to the more favorable nature of the climate, the
plant being indigenous to the central or more northern parts of the empire.
The system of cultivation is nearly the same ; the main points attended to
being those which have been noticed, namely, choosing a rich soil, planting
at once into large pots, training to a single stem, and inducing it to send
out numerous laterals, and giving liberal supplies of manure water during
the growing season. The Chinese are fond of having very large blooms,
and, in order to obtain these, they generally pick ofi all the small flower-
buds.

In China, as in England, the Chrysanthemum flowers during the winter
months. When in bloom it is in great request among the people, and is
used in the decoration of court-yards, halls, and temples. It is everybody's
plant, and blooms alike in the garden of the lowly Chinese cottager as in
that of the blue-buttoned mandarin.

Although we are indebted to China for the parents of those varieties of
Chrysanthemums which now enliven our gardens during the dull months of
winter, yet, strange to say, the progeny is more numerous in Europe than
in China itself. Some of those beautiful kinds raised by Mr. Salter in
France would be much admired even by the Chinese florist. It is a curi-
ous fact, however, that many of those kinds, such as formosum and luci-
dum, which were originally raised from seed in Europe, are also met with
in the north of China.— ( Gar^. Chron., 1849, p. 484.)

Plcroma elegans. — A plant of this beautiful species being now in bloom
in my conservatory, I cannot refrain from recommending it to my fellow
horticulturists who may not possess it. It is well figured in " Paxton's
Magazine of Botany," for March, 1848, but it is there stated to be a stove
plant. This is a mistake, as it will thrive in a greenhouse, where frost is
excluded, being a native of an elevated part of the Organ Mountains, Bra-
zil. That it is capable of being cultivated as a specimen plant of extraor-
dinary beauty, a visit to the gardens of Messrs. Veitch, the fortunate im-
porters of it, will testify, for there may be seen a huge bush, which is lit-
erally a mass of flowers. — {Gard. Jour., 1849, p. 502.)

Use of Charcoal in the Cultivation of Plants, and us a Drainage for Pots.
— I'nder the head of " On the Conditions Essential to the most perfect Cul-
tivation," which appeared in a late number, I fully accord with " G," that
" nothing will compensate for good drainage in pot cultivation ;" but it ap-
pears to me, from the various practical results that I have been enabled to

464 General Notices.

arrive at, in the course of my experiments relative thereto, that an infinitely
more efBcacious " protecting material" than moss will be obtained by the
substitution of charcoal for the purpose, independently of the other advan-
tageous properties that it possesses. I admit that, as "G" avers, moss is
" an excellent filtering agent," so long as it remains in a fit state to act as
such; and, moreover, while its absorbing capabilities last it proves ex-
ceedingly beneficial in the way of supplying moisture to the roots of the
plant on occasions where, but for its presence in the pot, all humidity
might become evaporated, besides acting in some measure as a manure ;
but, where the plant was not removed for some length of time, I seldom
found it to be an efficient material for drainage, because, in that case, when
the moss had not yielded to entire decomposition, which frequently occur-
red, it became so compressed by the roots of the plants, and thereby so im-
pervious to water, as almost wholly to prevent its escape through the pot.
Another objection that I have experienced to the use of moss in pot cultiva-
tion is, that it affords a most inviting harbor for worms, slugs, woodlice,
and other destructive vermin ; and therefore, I consider, that let its other
advantages be ever so great, these cannot counterbalance the injurious ef-
fects attending this evil. I have lost many valuable plants through it, and
in consequence I now discontinue the application. Now, with respect to
charcoal, whether it be wood, peat, or animal, I think that its value, either
in agricultural or floricultural application, is not nearly so well known, nor
so much appreciated, as it ought to be ; that from wood 1 have long used
with the greatest advantage, both in the drainage of pots and as an absorb-
ent in the preparation of manure. For the former it is well suited, when
placed over the hole in pieces large enough to prevent their falling through,
and to the height of about a fourth of the pot, in the same manner as pot-
sherds are employed. Owing to its higiily antiseptic qualities, it will con-
tinue for several years in an undecayed state, and consequently afford an
efficient drainage for a much longer period than moss, while it is calculated
not only to act in like manner as a conveyor of moisture to the plant, but
will also tend greatly, from its powers of imbibing and gradually giving out
any ammonia with which it comes in contact, and other fertilising alkalies or
gases that may exist in the soil, to produce a more healthy growth in the
plant. "The peculiar property of charcoal," says Mr. Squarey, in his
" Treatise on Agricultural Chemistry," "and the only one that makes it
useful in connection with the subject of manures, is its powers of absorbing
various gases in the pores of its structure, and subsequently yielding them
to moisture. It is proved beyond all doubt, that pure, fresh-burnt charcoal
possesses the power of absorbing 90 times its volume of ammonial gas, and
35 times its volume of carbonic acid gas." And he further states: "If
any manure has been applied, containing ammonia in its free state, that is
liable to pass off in a gaseous form, the charcoal will absorb it as it rises,
and retain it until the first rain, when the gas will be dissolved by the water
and carried into the soil, there to be applied for the assimilation of plants,
and the removal of the gas by tiie rain from the charcoal, restores its orig-
inal powers of absorbing gas ; so that this substance, when applied to the

Domestic Notices. 465

soil, acts as a constant reservoir for these valuable gaseous substances, a
property which neither time nor any circumstances can alter. Even when,
in the course of cultivation, the charcoal originally applied on the surface
of the land, is ploughed under the surface, even there it does not lose its
power of absorbing the gases, but carries on its operations with undimin-
ished energy." Professor Johnston, in his valuable work on the " Ele-
ments of Agricultural Chemistry," strongly recommends the mixing of
charcoal, particularly animal charcoal, with liquid manure and other rich
applications to the soil, but apprehends that the cost and scarcity of this
substance may preclude its being brought into general use. On all occa-
sions, however, where it has been tried, I believe that, without any excep-
tion, the results have been found so satisfactory, both as regards quantity
and quality, in the produce of the crop, that they have fully compensated
for the additional outlay. I understand that several manufactories have
been established throughout the kingdom, for supplying this manure in a
prepared and profitable state ; but so many frauds have been detected in
the composition, that purchasers ought scrupulously to be on their guard,
and, if possible, have the commodity analyzed previous to their applying it
to the land. This remark is also applicable to every other manure ; and as
an analysis, sufficient for the purpose, can now be obtained for a mere
trifle, from parties appointed expressly by the leading agricultural societies
throughout the country, there can be no excuse for its omission. A very
excellent carbonised manure (from my having seen an advertisement of it
repeatedly in your journal,) has recently been tried by me in various exper-
iments, on a small scale, in an agricultural as well as floricultural way, and
in most instances, with good success. What are the exact proportions of
its component parts, I cannot say ; but, from a rough analys's that I have
had taken, it appears to be very rich in phosphates, as well as to contain a
considerable share of the sulphates of ammonia, soda, magnesia, and pot-
ash, in conjunction with other highly fertilising ingredients. I am told that,
in what is prepared for flowers, the foecal matter employed is sheep's dung ;
be it, however, what it may, I found an astonishing effect produced from an
application of it to my roses, which not only grew and blossomed more lux-
uriantly, but were wholly exempt from aphis or other insects. — {Gard.
Chron., 1849, p. 485.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

New York State Fair, at Syracuse. — The State Fair was held at Syra-
cuse, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 11th, 12ih, and 13lh of
September. An immense assemblage of people, from all parts of the state
and country, filled the city, it having been estimated that at least 100,000
persons were present during the three days. The show was highly credit-
able to the society.

VOL. XV. — NO. X. 59

466 Domestic Notices.

The horticultural department was very well got up. A large tent was
set apart for the fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and this was well filled.
Notwithstanding the limited crop of fruit in all parts of the state, there was
a good show of pears, and a great variety of plums. The Buffalo cultiva-
tors came in for the largest share of the prizes. The finest pears were
from Mr. Moore, of Cayuga Bridge, who had some really splendid fruit.
Mr. Langworthy, of Rochester, had a fine basket of Swan's Orange, and
some fine peaches. Mr. Denniston, of Albany, sent a great variety of
plums, including many seedlings. Ellwanger & Barry had the Reine
Claude de Bavay, &c.

The flowers, owing to the dry summer, were not so numerous as in
former years ; but the display was very good. Ellwanger & Barry sent a
fine collection of Coniferas, in pots. — Ed.

North American Pomological Convention. — Second Session at Syra-
cuse, N. Y. — The second meeting of this convention was held at Syracuse
on Friday, the I4th of September, and was attended by more than eighty
delegates from various parts of the Union and the Canadas.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Dougall, of Canada West, who
nominated Col. Benjamin Hodge, of Buffalo, as chairman. On motion of
Dr. Herman Wendell, Mr. M. B. Bateham, of Ohio, was appointed secre-
tary, pro tern. The call for the convention was then read by the secretary,
and a committee of five appointed to nominate permanent oflicers.

The committee consisted of the following gentlemen : — N. Goodsell, F.
R. EllioU, C. Downing, A. Bryant, and J. W. P. Allen.

A motion was then made, that all gentlemen present who took an inter-
.est in the cultivation of fruit be invited to sit as members of the convention.

The committee on nomination reported the following gentlemen as per-
manent officers : —

President. — Dr. J. A. Kinnicut, of Illinois.

Vice Presidents. — James Dougall, of Canada West ; Dr. H. Wendell,
Albany, N. Y. ; C. M. Hovey, Boston, Mass. ; M. B. Bateham, Colum-
bus, Ohio ; H. P. Byram, Louisville, Ky. ; Prof. J. J. Mapes, New
Jersey.

Secretaries.— F. R. Elliot, Cleaveland, O. ; B. Hodge, Buffalo, N. Y.

The president, on taking the chair, thanked the convention for the honor
of placing him in the chair, and believed it a compliment to the West,
rather than himself.

The secretary then proceeded to call a list of the delegates to the con-
vention.

The committee on organization then presented a report, containing rules
and regulations for the organization of the convention. The report was
accepted, and committees appointed by the president in accordance with
the same.

P. Barry, Rochester, S. B. Parsons, Flushing, and C. Downing, New-
burgh, were the committee to select and bring up fruits for discussion.

N. Goodsell, C. M. Hovey, and James Dougall, were a committee to
examine the lists of fruits, presented by the members, and correct the
synonymes.

Domestic Notices. 467

Reports from the various state committees were then called for hy the
president, and those handed in were placed in the hands of the secretary
for publication.

The convention then proceeded to discuss the merits of the fruits brought
forward by the committee, and occupied the lime till two o'clock, when it
adjourned till three.

At three o'clock the president occupied the chair.

Dr. Herman Wendell, of Albany, offered a preamble and resolution in
reference to the consolidation of the two conventions, so that but one
meeting might be had in a year, which was adopted. The President ap-
pointed a committee for the purpose of conferring with the other society.
The following is the preamble and resolution : —

Whereas, The National Pomological Convention held at Buffalo, in Sep-
tember of 1848, under the auspices of the N. Y. State Agricultural Soci-
ety, composed of delegates from 15 States and the two Canadas, was the
first general convention of such character ever convened in the United
States, and whereas that convention unanimously resolved that hereafter
an annual convention of like character should be held, under the title of
the North American Pomological Convention, that the first meeting with
that title, should be held in the autumn of 1849, at the place where the
great Fair of the New York State Agricultural Society was to be held,
and on the day succeeding the close of said Fair, therefore we consider this
convention entitled by courtesy to perpetuate itself, but being aware that a
convention of an analogous character was held in the city of New York, in
the autumn of 1848, and that said convention organized itself into a perma-
nent association, under the title of the \merican Congress of Fruit Grow-
ers, which is to assemble in said city of New York, on the second day of
October next, and believing that the advancement of Pomological Science,
as well as the inclination and interests of pomologists throughout this con-
tinent, will be best promoted by a merging of the two apparent conflicting
associations into one general organization for future operations, therefore,
be it

Resolved, by this convention, that a committee of five be designated by
its president, whose duty it shall be to attend the coming session of the
American Congress of Fruit Growers, and confer with the said congress,
or a committee whom they may select, in relation to the meeting of the
two associations, and, as far as this convention is interested, the settling of
questions of priority of organization, places of next meeting, and title of
association, shall be left to the committees whom the two organizations
may appoint, and that we will exert ourselves to induce a general attend-
ance of those interested, wherever the joint committee determine the next
convention shall be held ; but we cannot omit giving it as our opinion, that
the cause of Pomological Science will be most promoted, and the feelings
of the great mass of pomologists best satisfied, if the next meeting should
be held at Cincinnati, or some other western city.

The president then named Dr. Herman Wendell, Prof. James J. MapeSj

468 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

F. R. Elliot, Charles Downing, and Dr. J. A. Kinnicut, as the committee
of conference.

The discussion of fruits was then resumed. The secretary stated, that
the proceedings of the convention would make a pamphlet of nearly one
hundred pages, and that a liberal sum would be required to meet the ex-
pense of the same ; and, upon the probable amount being stated, the dele-
gates present liberally subscribed that sum.

It was voted, that the proceedings should be published under the super-
intendence of the secretaries, and the president and vice-presidents, and be
forwarded to every delegate, and to every Horticultural Society of the
country.

Thanks were ihen voted to the president, and other officers of the con-
vention, when the meeting adjourned. The session was brief, but very in-
teresting, and the display of fruit excellent for so unpropitious a year. — Ed.

Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held
to-day, — the President in the chair.

The delegation appointed last season, with the addition of three members
to be appointed by the chair, were appointed a delegation to attend the
meeting of the Congress of Fruit Growers, to be holden at the city of New
York, Oct. 2d, and Messrs. C. M. Hovey, Eben Wight, and Wm. R. Aus-
tin were appointed to complete the delegation.

A delegation consisting of five members, with power to fill vacancies,
was appointed by the chair, to attend the annual exhibitions of the Pennsyl-
vania Horticultural Society and the West ('hester County Horticultural So-
ciety, and Messrs. M. P. Wilder, B. V. French, Cheever Newhall, Wm.
R. Austin, and Joseph Breck were appointed that delegation.

The President, and four other members, were appointed a delegation to
attend the annual fair of the American Institute, and C. M. Hovey, Wm.
B. Kingsbury, E. Wight, and Wm. R. Austin were appointed delegates.

The following members were elected : — Augustus Parker, Roxbury ;
Levi Whitcomb, Boston ; Dr. M. P. Hanson, South Reading ; Joseph F.
Hovey, Charlestown.

Adjourned one week to Sept. 8th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : From the President of the Society, several seed-
ling phloxes, some of tiiem very fine. From Hovey & Co., a collection of
beautiful dahlias, among which were Mont Blanc, a fine white, Roi de Pon-
telles, Mrs. Hovey, Miss Vyse, Pauline Rosenfeld, &c. Dahlias, cut flow-
ers, bouquets, &c. from J. Breck & Co., J. Nugent, W. Kenrick, A.
Bowditch, Messrs. Winship, J. Hovey, T. Needham, J. Quant, Miss Rus-
sell, G. Bowditch, and others.

GRATUITIES AWARDED.

Cut Flowers. — To J. Nugent, John Quant, Breck & Co, and T. Need-
ham, $ 1 each.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 469

Bouquets, &c. — To Messrs. "Winsliip, A. Bowditch, and J. Hovey,
$ 1 each.

Basket of Flowers. — To Miss Russell, $ 1.

Fruit: From 0. Johnson, five kinds of plums, including some fire speci-
mens of the Green Gage ; also, Rostiezer, Williams's Bon Chretien and
Vallee Franche pears, and figs. From Hovey & Co., six kinds of grapes.
From T. Needham, five kinds of grapes. From A. Bowditch, Black Ham-
burgh grapes. From H. W. S. Cleaveland, Burlington, N. J., Mountain
Sprout melon. From VV. C. Strong, nine kinds of grapes, nectarines and
plums. From H. Vandine, eight varieties of plums. From J. Washburn,
Watson, Muscadine, and five other kinds of pears. From Jacob Deane, a
large collection of apples, several of them seedlings, above twenty kinds in
all; among the number, the Spice Sweet, Williams, Sops of Wine, &c.

The committee tasted the Watson pear, and found it to possess a fine
" bergamotte flavor."

Sept. 8th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

The Vice Presidents of the Society were appointed a committee of recep-
tion to wait upon such delegates as may be present at the Annual Exhi-
bition.

Adjourned one week to Sept. 15th.

Exhibited. — Flowers : The premiums on asters were awarded to-day,
and there was a fine display of these showy autumnal flowers from the in-
dividuals who took the prizes, as w'ell as other cultivators. There was also
a fine exhibition of dahlias. Mr. Carter had some very fine seedling phloxes.

Dahlias, asters, cut flowers, &c. from M. P. Wilder, J. G. Swan, Breck
& Co., J. Nugent, A. Bowditch, P. Barnes, W. Kenrick, Miss Barnes, L.
Spear, Messrs. Winship, L. Davenport, D. Pierce, £. Burns, J. Hovey,
J. Quant, W. Carter, A. Bowditch, Hovey & Co., J. A. Kenrick, W.
Kilham, and others.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED.

German Asters. — To Hovey & Co., for the best display, $4.

To Jas. Nugent, for the second, $ 3.

To L. Spear, for the third best, $2.
Cut Flowers, &c. — To M. P. Wilder, L. Davenport, T. Needham,

P. Barnes, D. Pierce, Breck & Co., and E. Burns, $ 1 each.
Bouquets, &c. — To Miss Barnes, Messrs. Winship, J. Nugent, A.

Bowditch, J. Hovey, Miss Russell, Miss Kenrick, T. G. Swan, and

John Quant, $ 1 each.
Vegetables : From F. A. Davis, fine Lima beans, very large.
Sept. \5lh. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the
President in the chair.

It was voted, that the guests who may be present at the Annual Exhibi-
tion be entertained at the table of the committee of arrangements.
Adjourned one week to Sept. 22d.

Exhibited. — Fruit : Although notice was previously given that the Hall
would be closed on the Saturday previous to the Annual Exhibition, several

470 Massaclmsetts Horticultural Society,

specimens of fruit were sent for examination by the committee. From
Capt. Geo. Wilson, Imperial Gage, Manning's Long Blue, Green Gage,
and Jefferson, the last fine. From Messrs. Winship, Hessel and Wiuship's
Seedling pears. From B. Guild, Beurr6 Beaumont pears. From J. P.
Cashing, Moyamensing and Colmar d'Aremberg, (very fine.) From A.
Smith, Esq., Hartford, Summer Bon Chretien, Dunmore, (fine,) Van Mons
Leon le Clerc, (very fine,) and two other sorts. From B. F. Nourse, Ban-
gor, McLaugblan and Penobscot plums, the former exceedingly fine. From
S. Downer, Jr., Isabella grapes, and plums.

September I8th, li)(h, 20//*, 2lsi. — The Tioenty-first Annual Exhibition of
the Society was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, at
the Society's Hall, in School street.

Owing to the severity of the last winter, and the drought of summer, it
was feared that the exhibition would be greatly inferior to that of the last
year. To a partial degree this was the result, but not to any thing like the
extent that was anticipated. While the old exhibitors of Essex and Nor-
folk fell short, those of Middlesex came in for new honors, and carried off
the palm with specimens superior to any ever before exhibited ; and, while
only a limited number of kinds was shown, the superiority of these few
was apparent to all.

The flowers had been cut greatly short by the dry weather, and *\\e dah-
lias had scarcely began to bloom, and as the Autumn show depends much
on this flower, the display was more meager than usual. But, if the flowers
were inferior, the plants nearly made up for this defect, for some very fine
specimens were exhibited, as will be seen by our report. Of ornamental
decoration there was but little. The bouquets, for the Bradlee and So-
ciety's vases, were very fine, but, beyond these there was but little to at-
tract general attention: the show was, altogether, one of intrinsic merit.

Among the fruit, the most remarkable specimens were the Swan's Or-
ange, gathered from the same tree in Rochester, as those exhibited last
year, and presented by Messrs. Hovey & Co. The Beurre Ranee, and
Queen of the Low Countries, by Mr. Gordon, were very remarkable. The
Andrews, and Louise Bonne of Jersey, by Mr. Stickney, the Buffum, by
Mr. Wilder, the Glout Morceau, by Mr. King, the St. Ghislain, by Mr.
Lickay, the Chauraontelle, by Mr. Wilson, and the Seckel, by Mi. Allen,
were all extra fine. Of grapes, the most remarkable was a huge bunch of
Poiteau Noir, weighing about 4 lbs. ; also, the Palestine, by Mr. Need-
ham, and Black Hamburgh, by Mr. Emerson. The Seedling peaches, of
Messrs. Pettee and Gould, very superior, as were also the specimens of Mr.
Merriam. The apples were few, and generally poor. Of new pears, but
few were shown : the President and Mr. Washburn had the Josephine de
Malines, and the same gentlemen and Messrs. Hovey & Co. exhibited
Swan's Orange, the first which have fruited in New England.

Of vegetables the show was beyond any thing we have ever witnessed.
All the specimens were fine, and the variety extensive ; it was, altogether,
highly creditable to this department of the Society, which they have fos-
tered by liberal premiums.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 471

Our report is condensed as much as possible, in order to bring it within
a reasonable space. It is as follows : —

Plants. — From Messrs. Hovey & Co., a collection of upwards of sixty
plants, embracing several new and rare kinds, among which were Cryp-
tomeria japonica, 6 feet high, Cedrus Deodara, Psidium Cattleya7zz/??i, (in
fruit,) Schubertfa graveolens, Clerodendron squamatum and infortunatum, 10
fine varieties of Fuschias, 8 sorts of Achimenes, Erica, Amaryllis Bella-
dona, Viburnum Tinus, Thuja filiformis, India Rubber Tree, Abulia rup6s-
tris, &c. From M. P. Wilder, a large collection of pot plants, among
which were fine specimens of Lagerstrcemi'a indica. Viburnum Tinus,
Achimenes, var. longiflora, grandiflora, rosea. Erica, var. Massoni, crud*nta,
hyemalis. Aster chinensis, beautiful specimens, grow n in pots. From Par-
ker Barnes, Dorchester, fine specimens of Achimenes Liemann, and atro-
sanguinea, new, From J. W. Brown, six beautiful specimens of balsams,
cultivated in pots. From A. McLennan, three beautiful coxcombs, grown
in pots. From Jas. Nugent, fine coxcombs, in pots, and Achimenes lon-
giflora.

Dahlias, Asters, Cut Flowers, &c. — From M. P. Wilder, a variety
of cut flowers, among which were specimens of rare dahlias. From J.
Breck & Co., fine specimens of choice dahlias; also, a great variety of cut
flowers, embracing fine specimens of Tropae^olum peregrinum. Delphi-
nium Brecku, Aster chinensis, Impatiens Balsamina, and others. From
P. Barnes, a great variety, embracing splendid dahlias, annuals in vari-
ety, verbenas, fine seedlings, coxcombs, Iberis odorata, Calendula officin-
alis, Scabius, in variety, Caprifolium sempervirens, Lathyrus odoratus ;
twenty varieties of seedling phloxes, very fine. From N. Gale, Chelsea, a
large colleciion of cut flowers — among them were beautiful specimens of
the dahlias, asters, verbenas, Salvia coccinea, Cacalia coccinea, Lathyrus
odoraius, and coxcombs. From T. Needham,'a fine display of choice dah-
lias. From J. Nesmith, Lowell, a very beautiful display of cut dahlias.
From L. Davenport, cut flowers in great vaiiety. consisting of the dahlia,
and many others ; roses, a very fine display ; Gladiolus natalensis, floribun-
dus, and Lilium, in variety.

From Hovey & Co., 50 varieties of dahlia, 50 of verbena, 25 of Phlox
Drummondii, German and Pyramidal Asters, in great variety ; 10 new
sorts of phloxes, and a great variety of cut flowers. From J. Nugent,
a great variety of cut flowers, including roses, Impatiens Balsamina, Aster
chinensis, dahlias, &c., all fine. From Messrs. Winship, a splendid exhibi-
tion of cut flowers, embracing verbenas, roses, and dahlias, in great variety.
Cut flowers, in variety, were also shown by J. M. Moore, S. S. Holton,
South Heading, D. Pierce, J. Hovey, E. Burns, A. Bowditch, Otis Pettee,
and others.

Bouquets, Baskets of Flowers, &c. — From Hovey & Co., two vase
bouquets, two parlor bouquets, and other bouquets. From J. Nugent, two
large pyramidal and two flat vase bouquets. From J. Needham, two finely
arranged bouquets, in moss vases, with a fine variety of annuals and peren-
nials, among which were very extra specimens of Impatiens Balsamina.

472 Massacliusetts Horticultural Society.

From l^fessrs. Winship, two large flat vase bouquets, finely arranged.
From J. W. Mandell, two parlor bouquets, and two large flat bouquets, for
vases, all of which were well arranged. From D. Crowley, three large
pyramidal vase bouquets, very finely arranged. Fine bouquets were also
sent by E. Allen, Lowell, D. Pierce, John Hovey, E. Burns, O. N. Towne,
A. Bowditch, P. W. Pierce, Miss Russell, Miss Kenrick, Miss Barnes,
Misses Needham, Miss Crocker, and others; bouquets of grasses, from
Mrs. W. H. Richardson and I. Slickney; and bouquets of indigenous flow-
ers, from J. G. Swan and John Quant.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR FLOWERS, &C.

Plants, in pots. — For best display of not less than 20 pots, to Hovey

& Co., $ 12.
Vase Bouquets. — The best pair, suitable for the Bradlee vases, a prize
of the Bradlee Plate, to Hovey & Co., S 10.
For second best, to Daniel Pierce, $6.
For the best pair of bouiiuets, suitable for the Society's vases, to D.

Crowley, $ 10.
For second best, to James Nugent, $6.
Parlor Bouquets. — For the best pair, to Hovey & Co., $8.
For second best, to J. W. Mandell, $6.
For third best, to Edward Allen, $5.
For fourth best, to James Nugent, $3.
Coxco.MBs. — The best 0 pots, to James Nugent, $3.
Balsams. — The best 6 pots, to J. W. Brown, $3.
Gratuities. — For a fine show of Ericas, and other pot plants, to M. P.
Wilder, $12.
For fine coxcombs, to A. McLennan, $5.
For basket of flowers and bouquet, to Miss Russell, $3.
For bouquets, to 0. N. Towne, $ 3.
For vases and bouquets, to T. Needham, $5.
For grass bouquets, to Mrs. W. H. H. Richardson, $3.
To Messrs. Hovey & Co., L. Davenport, J. Nugent, and J. Breck

& Co., $5 each, for cut flowers.
To Messrs. Winship, and A. Bowditch, for cut flowers, $3 each.
To E. Burns, Messrs. Winship, Miss Kenrick, P. W. Pierce, J.

Hovey, Miss Barnes, and L. Davenport, fur bouquets, $2 each.
To J. G Swan and John Quant, for indigenous flowers, % 1 each.
Fruits. — From the President of the Society, 45 varieties of pears, viz.,
Ananas, Beurri d'Aremberg, B. Brown, B. Diel, B. Duval, B. Golden of
Bilboa, B. Goubault, Belle Heloise, Catillac, Crassane, (old,) C. Al-
thorp, Colmar d'Ete, Columbia, Delices d'Hardenpont, Doyenn6 White,
D. Gray, D. Dore, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Dumas, Dunmore, Eyewood,
Figue, Flemish Beauty, Belle Lucrative, Fondante Van Mons, Franc
Real, (Summer,) Gloul Morceau, Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee, Josephine
de Malines, (new,) La Fortunee, Lansac, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie
Louise, Martin Sec, Monarch, Napoleon, Swan's Orange, Payency, Passe
Colmar, Rousselet de Rheims, Valle6 Franche, Van Mons Leon le Clerc,
Le Cur6, Long Green of Autumn.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 473

From J.Washburn, Plymouth, 49 varieties of pears, viz., Andrews, An-
anas, Williams's Bon Chretien, Bell, Beurr^ d'Amalis, B. Ranee, B. Die],
B. Easter, B. d'Aremberg, B. Gris d'Hiver Nouveau, Clara, Capsheaf,
Comtesse de Lunay, Colmar d'Aremberg, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Doy-
enne Boussock, Delices d'Hardenpont, Dix, Flemish Beauty, Belle Lucra-
tive, Fulton, Glout Morceau, Henry IV, Hericart, Jalousie de Fonienay
Vendee, Josephine de Malines, Julienne, Lewis, Louise Bonne of Jersey,
Muscadine, Marie Louise, Monarch, Napoleon, Passe Colmar, Pitts's Ma-
ria, Queen of Winter, Swan's Orange, Sieulle, Soldat Labourer, Seckel,
St. Ghislain, Stevens's Genesee, Thompson's, Urbaniste, Le Cure, Van
Mons Leon le Clerc, Washington, Black Pear of Worcester, Wilkinson ;
also, Orange quince, Denyer's Victoria plum.

From Hovey & Co., 42 varieties of pears, viz., Beurr^ d'Anjou, B. Rose,
B. Diel, B. Quentin, Belle et Bonne, B. Heloise, B. Epine Dumas, Buffum,
Crassane, Colmar d'Ete, Crassane Allhorp, Dearborn's Seedling, Dunmore,
Doyenn6 Musque, D. Boussock, Due de Bordeaux, Duchesse d'Angou-
leme, Esperine, Excellentissima, Forelle, Figue of Naples, Glout Morceau,
Green Sugar, Henry IV, Hessel, Johonnot, Jean de Witte, Jalousie de
Fontenay Vendee, Knight's Monarch, Le Cur6, Long Green of Autumn,
Marie Louise, Napoleon, Passe Colmar, Rousselet de Meester, Swan's Or-
ange, St. Michael Archangel, Styrian, Van Mons Leon le Clerc. Plums —
Semiana, Roger's Blue. Grapes — Muscat of Alexandria, Tottenham Park
Muscat, White Frontignan, Chaptal, Black Prince, Wilmot's Black Ham-
burgh, Black Hamburgh, Syrian, Duzetto, St. Peters. Melons — Beech-
wood, Christiana, Nutmeg, Persian, P. Hybrid, Valentia, Victoria.

From J. Stickney, Watertown, 41 varieties of pears, viz., Andrews, Wil-
liams's Bon Chretien, Beurr6 d'Aremberg, B.Brown, B. Bosc, B. Bronze,
B. Diel, B. Easter, Broom Park, Brougham, Belle et Bonne, Columbia,
Colmar d'Automne, Doyenne White, D. Gray, Duchesse d'Angouleme,
Dunmore, Flemish Beauty, Belle Lucrative, Glout Morceau, Gilogil, Green
Sugar, Julienne, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Madotte dHiver, MacLaughlan,
Marie Louise, Napoleon, Paradise d'Automne, Passe Colmar, Seckel, St.
Germain, (Prince's,) St. G. Uvedale's, Thompson's, Urbaniste, Virgalieu,('?}
Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Winter Nelis, two varieties unnamed. Apples,
viz., Alexander, Baldwin, Blue Pearmain, Rhode Island Greening, Gra-
venstein, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Ribstone Pippin, Roxbury Russet, Spit-
zenberg, S. Esopus, Yellow Bellflower.

From O. Johnson, 40 varieties of pears, viz., Aston Town, William.s's
Bon Chretien, Beurre d'Angleterre, B. d'Amalis, B. Van Marum, Belle et
Bonne, Bezi de la Motte, Buffum, Bleeker's Meadow, Gushing, Calebasse,
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Dearborn's Seedling, Flemish Beauty, Franc Real
d'Hiver, Gilogil, Henry IV^, Harvard, Hericart, Johonnot, Jalousie, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Long Green, Long Green of Autumn, Marquise, Napo-
leon, Pope's Russet, Princesse d'Orange, Passe Colmar, Rousselet Pana-
chee, R. de Rheims, White Doyenne, St. Ghislain, Seckel, Summer
Thorn, Urbaniste, Le Cure, Valle6 Tranche, 3 sorts unnamed. Plums —
Smith's Orleans, Prince's Gage, Green Gage, Purple, (unknown.) Grapes
VOL. XV. NO. X. 60

171 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

— White Muscat, Black Hamburgh, Zinfindal, White Chasselas. Apples —
Porter, Canada Reinette ; also, figs, blackberries, and a fine muskmelon.

From H. H. Crapo, New Bedford, 39 varieties of pears, viz., Ananas,
Williams's Bon Chretien, Belle de Bruxelles, B. Epine Dumas, Beurr6
Bosc, B. Brown, B. Diel, B. Easter, B. d'Amalis, B. d'Anjou, B. Capi-
aumont, B. de Beaumont, Colmar d'Aremberg, Delices de Jodoigne,
Doyenn6 Gris, D. White, D. Dure, Sieulle, Dearborn's Seedling, Dun-
more, Duchesse d'Orleans, D. d'Angouleme, Roi de Wirtemburg, Flemish
Beauty, Clout Morceau, Julienne, Jean de Witte, Jalousie de Fontenay
Vendee, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie Louise, Madotte, Napoleon, Passe
Colmar, Seckel, Triomphe de Louvain, Vicar of Winkfield, Verte Longue,
Winter Nelis, and 4 varieties, (name unknown.) Grapes — Clinton, (open
culture,) Black Hamburgh, Sweet Water, White Nice, from a cold-house.

From ^L P. Wilder, 33 sorts of pears, viz., Beurre Cutter, B. d'Anjou,
B. Diel, B Golden of Bilboa, B. d'Elberg, B. Easter, B. Beauchamps, B.
Goubault, Belle Cra, Bezi de la Motte, Buffum, Colmar du Lot, Columbia,
Conde, Colmar d'Aremberg, Doyenn6 Boussock, D, Blanc, D. Panachee,
Sieulle, Belle Epine Dumas, Figue de Naples, Jargonelle, (French, second
crop,) Girardin, (not the old sort,) Glout Morceau, Henry IV, Heathcot,
Hericart, Jalousie de Fontenay Vendee, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Passe Col-
mar, Urbaniste, Le Cur6, Verte Longue Panachee.

From J. Breck & Co., 34 varieties of pears, viz., Henry TV, Williams's
Bon Chretien, Beurre d'Amalis, B. Bronze, B. de Beauchamp, B. Chaptal,

B. de Zee, B. Diel, B. Easter, Belle et Bonne, B. Heloise, Colmar Neill,

C. d'Aremberg, Comtesse de Lunay, Duchesse d'Angouleme, D. of Mars,
Belle Epine Dumas, Figue. Forelie, Glout Morceau, Jalousie de Fontenay
Vendee, Louise de Boulogne, Louise Bonne of Jersey, White Doyenn6,
Liberale, Napoleon, Payency, Passe Colmar, Swan's Egg, Vaux aux Pe-
tres, Le Cure, Verte Longue, Winter Nelis, Van Mons Leon le Clerc.

From E. King, 30 varieties of pears, viz., Ananas, Williams's Bon Chre-
tien, Bon Chretien d'Hiver, Belle et Bonne, Bon Chretien (of the French,)
Beurre Diel, B. Easter, B. Brown, B. Golden of Bilboa, Catillac, Cale-
basse Bosc, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Fortunee, Flemish Bon Chretien,
Figue de Naples, Glout Morceau, Heathcot, Long Green, Louise Bonne
of Jersey, Napoleon, Passe Colmar, Poire d'Hiver, Queen of the Low
Countries, Rousselet de Rheims, White Doyenn6, St. Germain, Thomp-
son's, Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Le Cur6, and 4 varieties (name unknown.)

From Messrs. Winship, 24 varieties of pears, viz., Beurr6 Dor6, B.
St. Nicholas, B. Gris d'Hiver de Lucon, Bezi de Vendre, Belle Epine Du-
mas, De Lepene, Bergamot de Paques, Colmar d'Aremberg, Delices
d'Hardenpont, Dunmore, Flemish Beauty, Fortunee, Fondante de Char-
neuse, F. de Malines, Hessel, Jalousie de Fontenay A'endee, Louise Bonne
of Jersey, Oregon, Reine d'Hiver, Stone, Triomphe de Louvain, Wilkin-
son, Williams's Bon Chr(!;tien.

From F. Burr, Hingham, 21 varieties of pears: Ananas, Bell, Wil-
liams's Bon Chretien, Bon Chretien, (Summer,) Golden Beurre of Bilboa,
Charles of Austria, Chelmsford, Crassane, C. Althorp, Culotte de Suisse,,

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 475

Flemish Beauty, Fulton, Harvard, Heathcot, Hinckley, Julienne, Pitt's
Prolific, Petre, Rousselet de Rheims, Remington, Warden. Apples —
Cogswell, Striped Sweet. Plums — Pedrigon.

From W. G. Rayner, Salem, pears — \V. Bon Chretien, Beurre d'Amalis,
B. Die], B. Golden of Bilboa, Dearborn's Seedling, Duchesse d'Angou-
leme, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Marie Louise, Napoleon, Seckel, St. Ger-
main, Stevens's Genesee. From A. Lackey, Jr., Marblehead, pears —
Andrews, Boucquia, Citron of Bohemia, Belle Lucrative, St. Ghislair,
Seckel, and one unnamed variety. Plums — Corse's Field Marshal, Green
Gage, Jefferson, St. Catharine, and a dish of filberts. From A. Dexter,
pears — Andrews, Bussey, Seckel, Washington, W. Bon Chretien, and
one unnamed variety. Apples — Baldwin, Deacon, Sweeting. From H.
Poor, Northampton, pears — Flemish Beauty, and While Doyenn^. Peach-
es— Coolidge's Favorite, Early Crawford, Melocoton, Yellow Rareripe.
Apples — Hubbardston Nonsuch, Porter, Rhode Island Greening, also fine
specimens of wheat. From S. Bigelow, by E. Burns, pears — Duchesse
d'Angouleme, W. Bon Chretien, and Flemish Beauty, also fine specimens
of the Orange quince. From J. Deane, Mansfield, apples — Boxford, Boy-
den, Sweet Codlin, Gilliflower, Heyboy, Monstrous Pippin, N. Y. Pippin,
Pumpkin Sweet, Porter, Pomwater, Red Lucrative, Russet Golden, Russel
Pearmain, Orange Sweet, Seek-no-Further, Striped Sweet, Spice Sweet,
Superb Sweet, Seedling Sweet, raised from seed of the Spice Sweet,
Spitzenberg. From L. P. Grosvenor, Pomfret, Conn., apples — Black,
Porter, Summer Pearmain. Peaches — Coolidge's Favorite, Grosse Mig-
nonne, Royal George, Seedling, Teton de Venus.

From J. Hyde & Son, pears — W. Bon Chretien, Seckel, Watertown.
Apples — Danvers Winter Sweet, Porter, Roxbury Russet, and the berries
of a seedless berberry ; also, several varieties of native grapes. From J.

A. Hall, Raynham, apples — Baldwin, Boyden Sweet, English Pearmain,
Good Sour, Honey Greening, Nonsuch, Pearmain, Pomwater, Peck's
Pleasant, Roxbury Russet, Rhode Island Greening, Seek-no-Further, Tol-
man Sweet, Tender Sweet, Wine apple. White apple. From N. Durfee,
Fall River, pears — W. Bon Chretien, Beurr6 d'Amalis, B. d'Aremberg,

B. Ranee, Calebasse, Crassane Althorp, St. Germain, Rousselet de
Rheims. From Life Baldwin, Brighton, pears — Beurre d'Amalis, Louise
Bonne of Jersey, Queen of the Low Countries, Roi de Wurtemberg, Le
Cur6. From H. B. Crooker, by T. Needham, grapes — Black Hamburgh,
Black Frontignan, Black St. Peter, Cannon Hall, Muscat of Alexandria,
White Frontignan, Syrian, Palestine grape, the largest bunch of this
variety measured twenty-seven inches in length and was proportionally
•wide ; also, some fine W. Bon Chretien pears, and peaches. From W.

C. Strong, grapes — Black Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, Black Mus-
cat, Rose Chasselas, White, White Nice, Syrian, Black Prince, St. Peters,
Frankendale ; also, a few dishes of nectarines and peaches, fine, and three
varieties of plums.

From J. A. Lowell, Esq., by J. Owens, grapes — Black Hamburgh, Mus-
. cat of Alexandria, Reine de Nice, White Frontignan, fine specimens.

476 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

From J. M. Ives, pears — Belle Lucrative, BufTuin, Bezi de Montigny,
Beurre Bosc, Flemish Beauty, Glout Morceau, Golden Beurre of Bilboa,
Lewis, Le Cure, Winter Nelis, Wilkinson ; apples — Minister, Aunt Han-
nah, Swaar ; plums — Red Gage, Wilkinson, Prune, Goliath, Late Yel-
low, Damson, Yellow, (without name ;) quince — seedlings. From J. F.
Allen, pears — W. Bon Chretien, Urbaniste ; grapes — Golden Chasselas,
Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's New Black Hamburgh, White Nice, Portieu
Noir, one bunch weighing four pounds and seven ounces. From A. D.
Weld, pears — W. Bon Chretien, Bun Chretien, Chaumontel, Long Green,
St. Gliislain, Marie Louise, and six varieties without name ; apples — Bald-
win, Black, Fall Pippin, Gordon Sweet, Nonsuch, Lady, Porter, Pumpkin
Sweet, Roxbury Russet, Spitzenberg. From J. A. Kenrick, pears — Du-
chesse d'Angouleme, Flemish Beauty, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Seckel, Le
Cure; plums — Red Gage, Smith's Orleans, Lombard, Blue Imperatrice ;
apples — Baldwin, Cogswell, Hubbardston Nonsuch, also the fruit of the
Tree Cranberry. From J. Lovett, 2d, nine varieties of pears, viz., W.
Bon Chretien, Beurr6 Bosc, Columbia, Harvard, Hericart, Hessel, Marie
Louise, Napoleon, St. Ghislain, Van Mons Leon le Clerc. From G.
J. & A. Parker, pears — W. Bon Chretien and Chelmsford. From J.
Gammell, East Lexington, plums — Lombard, a fine branch ; also Early
Crawford and Seedling peaches. From J. D. W. Williams, grapes — Black
Hamburgh, White Frontignan, Royal Muscadine. From R. Nichols,
Saco, Me., plums — Caledonia, Green Gage, Smith's Orleans.

From G. Merriam, peaches — Coolidge's Favorite, Old Mixon, Craw-
ford's Early, George IV., Lemon Rareripe ; also, Bon Chr6tien and Catil-
lac pears. From 0. Pettee, Newton, (Upper Falls,) peaches — thirty va-
rieties of seedlings, many of them very fine. From W. R. Austin, fine
specimens of the Le Cure pear. From E. S. Rand, Newburyport, pears —
W. Bon Chretien and Louise Bonne of Jersey. From S. W. Cole,
grapes — Strawberry, Coon, Perry's, Buckminster and two seedlings ;
also melons — Water and Citron — fine specimens. From G. W. Gage,
Methuen, peaches — George IV, Coolidge's Favorite, Yellow Rareripe ; and
fine nectarines. From J. A. Gould, Newton, thirty-five fine Seedling varie-
ties of the peach. From G. Phipps, Framingham, fine W. Bon Chretien
pears, and peaches called the Golden Purple. From S. D. Pardee, New
Haven, pears — Howell's Seedling, and two other pears raised by Mr. How-
ell, as yet unnamed. From J. Gilmore, Newton Corner, pears — Flemish
Beauty and Seckel — fine specimens. From Isaac Holden, Billerica, peach-
es— Early Crawford and Bosworth's Seedling.

From T. 0. Jackson, Plymouth, pears — Autumn Bergamot, Bon Chre-
tien Summer, Dunmore, Roi de VVurtemburg, Julienne, and White Doy-
enne. From Peter Nostrand, Flushing, L. I,, Ilagcman pear, found
in a hedge on the farm of Andrew Hageman, North Hampstead, L. I.
From L. Blodget, Boston, While Muscadine grapes, growing in a pot.
From G. B. Peck, Providence, pears — Flemish Beauty and Knight's Seed-
ling— fine specimens. From B. Guild, Esq., Brookline, fine specimens of
the Beurr6 de Beaumont pear. From J. Prentiss, Keene, N. H., two

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. ATT

varieties of apple for a name. From R. T. P. Fiske, Hingham, fine speci-
mens of the Gushing pear. From G. Pierce, West Cambridge, fine speci-
mens of the Porter apple. From A. Nettleton, Springfield, native grapes.
From G. Wilson, Marblehead, pears — Chaumontel, Louise Bonne of Jer-
sey ; plums — Green Gage, Imperial Gage, Smith's Orleans, Manning's
Long Blue, all fine specimens. From Mrs. C. Hutchinson, Boston, fine
specimens of Black Malaga grapes, open culture. From B. D. Emerson,
Jamaica Plain, fine specimens of Black Hamburgh and Sweetwater grapes.
From L. Wheeler, Cambridge, Coolidge's Favorite peach, fine specimens.
From J. B. Moore, Concord, melons — Black Spanish, Long Caroline,
Mountain Sweet, and one variety unknown ; the named varieties were
tested and proved to be of fine quality. From C. Heard, Brighton, very
fine specimens of the Beuri6 Diel, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Napoleon, and
Urbaniste pears. From Z. Hosmer, Cambridge, plums — Denver's Victo-
ria and Smith's Orleans. From D. O. Kellogg, Troy, New York, plums —
Bleeker's Gage, Ida, Jefferson, and Washington. From Vincent Laforme,
South Boston, fine Seedling peaches. From J. B. Kimball, Boston,
Sweetwater grapes, open culture, very fine specimens. From H. C. Mer-
riam, fine specimens of Crawford peach. From John Nesmith, Lowell,
Early Crawford peach, fine specimens. From Q. Hersey, Hingham,
melons — hybrid from Green Persian and the Christiana, fine specimens.
From D. Carter, Lowell, Seedling grapes. From A. R. Campbell, Chel-
sea, fine specimens of Seckel pear. From J. Howland, Esq., New Bed-
ford, fine specimens of the Beurr6 Bosc pear. From J. W. Foster, Ports-
mouth, N. H., a dish of fine figs, open culture. From S. H. Smith, Esq.,
Providence, R. I., fine specimens of the Pratt pear. From Rev. A. D.
Baker, Medford, peaches, fine specimens. From W. P. Niles, Boston,
Black Hamburgh grapes, open culture, fine specimens. From J. Bird,
Watertown, beautiful specimens of the White Doyenn6 pear.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES ON FRUITS.

Pears. — For the best 12 varieties of 12 specimens each, the Lyman Plate,
to J. Gordon, $20.
For the 2d best, to J. Stickney, $ 12.
For the 3d best, to Hovey & Co., $8.
For the best dish of pears, 12 specimens of one variety — J. Washburn,

for the Louise Bonne of Jersey, $6.
For next best, to W. G. Rayner, for the Duchesse d'Angouleme, $4.
Apples. — For the best 12 varieties, 12 specimens each, to George Pierce,
for the Porter, $6.
For the next best, to J. A. Kenrick, for the Hubbardston Nonsuch, $Q.
Grapes. — For the best 5 varieties, two bunches each, the Lyman Plate, to
H. B. Crooker, $ 15.
For the 2d best, the Bradlee Plate, to J. F. Allen, $ 10.
For the best two varieties, two bunches each, to W. C. Strong, $7.
For the 2d best, to Hovey & Co., $5.
Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of fruit of various kinds, to O. John-
son, $10,

478 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Gratuities. — For fine grapes, to J. Owens, gardener to J. A. Lowell,
Esq., B. D. Emerson, and L. Blodgett, $5 each.
For a fine display of peaches, to Galen !Merriam, and Otis Pettee, $5

each.
To F. Burr, Hingham, for a collection of pears, $8.
To G. Phipps, for W.Bon Chretien pears; G.Wilson, Mavblehead,
for Cliaumontelle pears ; H. N. Langworthy, for Swan's Orange
pears; J. Nesmith, Lowell, for Late Crawford peach; A. Lackey,
Jr., Marblehead, for St. Ghislain pear; A. Dexter, Roxbury, for
Andrews and Seckel pear; Henry Poor, Andover, for Flemish Beauty
pear, and Porter apple ; J. Breck <S/. Co., collection of pears ; L. Bald-
win, Brighton, collection of fruit; H. C. Merriam, collection of
peaches ; M. P. Wilder, Columbia and Buffum pears; C. Hurd, col-
lection of pears ; A. D. Webber, Needham, melons ; J.B.Moore,
watermelons, — severally awarded the Society's silver medal, valued
at $5.
Vegetables : From A. D. Williams, fine cauliflowers, carrots, parsnips,
salsify, tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes, in variety, squashes, fine Marrow and
Canada, Sweet and Early White corn. From S. W. Cole, a large and very
fine collection of potatoes, embracing forty standard and thirty-five seedling
varieties. This exhibition attracted much attention ; also, pumpkins. Winter
Crookneck squash. Winter Blood beet. Turnip beet, Bassano beet, Early
Horn carrot, and Cabbage turnip. From F. A. Davis, Lima, Saba, Dwarf,
White Kidney, and London Horticultural beans; Savoy, Red Dutch, and
Large Scotch cabbages ; fine squashes, potatoes, salsify, okra, Martynia,
cranberries, (upland growth,) Turnip-rooted and Blood beets, carrots, pars-
nips, and Ruta Baga. From Q. Hersey, Early Frame, Early (Mauley's)
Egyptian, Shepard's Early, Philadelphia Red, Long Red, Seals-foot, Pink-
eye, Chenango, and Early Red potatoes; also, a variety of fine specimens
of corn.

From Hovey & Co., 14 varieties of corn, many of them very beautiful ;
also, fine Marrow squashes. Giant tomato, Apple tomato true, extra-fine
specimens of Egg Plant (purple). Blood beets, turnips, and five varieties of
potatoes, and fine specimens of Canada squash, three of the growth of
1848. From F. Alexander, Lynn, two very fine and large squashes, the
largest weighing 111 lbs. From J. Bumstead, Roxbury, two fine squashes,
one of which weighed 82^ pounds, the other 62 pounds. From A. E. Bel-
knap, Boston, Yellow tomatoes, raised from seed sent from Cuba ; very
beautiful specimens. From H. Poor, North Andover, White Flat Winter
wheat, produced 30 bushels to the acre ; also. Black Sea Spring wheat,
fine specimens. From J. B. Moore, Concord, Blood beet, Ruta Baga,
Canada squash. Seal-foot potatoes, Darling's Early Sweet corn, ripe ; not
planted until the 10th of June. From J. Lovett, 2nd, several fine heads
of Brocoli. From J. Stickney, carrots, fine specimens, and several fine
plants of the Pomeranian cabbage. Vegetables in variety, from F. Mosely,
A. McLennan, O. N. Towne, Jas. Parker, A. D. Weld, J. D. W. Wil-
liams, O. Pettee, Mrs. L. Spaulding, W. H. Whitney, J. Gammell,
George Walson, G. J. and A. Parker, and others.

Horticultural Memoranda. 479

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES ON VEGETABLES.

For the best display, and greatest variety, to A. D. Williams, a prize

of $10.
For 2d best, to Franklin H. Davis, $6.
Gratuities. — For a fine display of standard and seedling potatoes, to S.

W. Cole, $10.
For a good display of vegetables, to John B. Moore, $5.
For a variety of fine vegetables, to A. D. Weld, $ 5.
For a display of vegetables, to Hovey & Co., $5.
For a variety of vegetables, to Q. Hersey, J. Stickney, and G. J. and

A. Parker, $2 each.
For fine potatoes, to William H. Whitney, $ 1.
For fine specimens of Brocoli, to Josiah Lovett, 2nd, $ 1.
For fine egg plants, to A. McLennan, $ 1.

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR OCTOBER.

fruit department.

Grafe Vines, in the greenhouse, should now be divested of all their yel-
low leaves, and superfluous laterals which spring from the spurs: a thor-
ough cleaning of the house should be made now, in order to have every
thing in order for the plants. Vines in cold houses should be kept well
aired in fine weather, if it is desired to keep the grapes in good order for
some time ; — keep the house dry, and avoid all unnecessary watering.
Vines planted the present year will still be growing, and in order to well-
ripen the wood, on which every thing depends, the house should be well
aired, and shut up early on frosty nights. Vines in pots should be kept
rather dry, and placed in a warm and airy place to harden the wood — prune
off superfluous branches. Vines in the open air, of hardy kinds, should
now be partially pruned, cutting away all laterals and shoots not wanted for
bearing next year.

Strawberry beds should have attention, and, if weedy, they should be thor-
oughly cleaned before winter — it will save much labor in spring.

Raspberry and Blackberry plants may be transplanted now.

Currajit and Gooseberry bushes may be safely removed this month.

Peach trees, in pots, should now be sparingly watered in order to ripen
the wood.

Fruit trees, of all kinds, may be safely transplanted this month ; it is, we
think, the most favorable season, and our success has been better than with
spring planting.

Budded trees should be looked after, especially peaches, which are likely
to be girdled from their late growth.

Figs should remain out in the open air until there is danger of frost, as
it will mature and ripen the wood.

480 Hoi^ticidlural Memoranda.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias, though now in bloom, will probably be cut off by frost before
the end of the month. After the first light frost it is best to take them up ;
a hard frost greatly injures the roots, as the stem continues to die into the
crown when it is severely frozen : take up in a dry day in dry weather, if
possible.

Pelargoniums should be repotted, if not already done ; use a light, sandy
soil, and keep them very near the glass in order to harden the young shoots.
Cuttings should now be potted off.

Camellias should now be got into the greenhouse, giving the same atten-
tion as directed last month.

White, Japan, Tiger, and other lilies, may be planted this month.

Tiger Jiowers, Gladioluses, and other summer flowering bulbs, not hardy,
should be taken up this month.

Ixias, Sparaxis, &c., may yet be planted.

Carnations should be taken up and potted, or placed in frames where
they can be slightly protected.

Roses should be yet taken up ; hardy kinds may be safely transplanted
now.

Duarf Rocket Larkspur seed may be sown in beds this month for early
spring blooming.

Schizanthuses should now be potted off into small pots.

Tulips and Hyacinths may be planted this month.

Sedum Sicboldii, taken up before frost and potted, will flower finely till
December.

Herbaceous pcconies may now be safely transplanted.

Pansies, raised from seeds last month, may be set out in beds for early
blooming. Seeds may be sown now for a succession.

Ericas, which require it, should now be repotted.

Achimenes, done blooming, should be placed away on a dry shelf.

Chrysanthemums should be removed to the greenhouse before frost.

Fuchsias, done flowering, may be partially cut down and placed under
the stage, where they will keep safely till spring, giving them an occasional
watering.

Begonias, of the several kinds, should be repotted and placed in a warm
part of the house, where they will flower freely.

Cestrum aurantiacum may now be shifted into larger pots ; it is one of the
finest autumn flowering plants.

Herbaceous plants, of all kinds, may now be safely transplanted.

Petunias, of fine kinds, should now be propagated from cuttings.

Hollyhocks, in seedling beds, should now be removed to the border where
they are to flower.

Epiphyllum truncatum and violaceum should now be more freely vi^atered,
and kept in the warmest part of the house.

Greenhouse plants, of all kinds, should be top-dressed, staked up, and put
in good order, before removal to the house.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE.

NOVEMBER, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Notes made during a Trip to London ayid PariSy
in the Autumn of 1849. By J. E. T.

I MADE a few notes during a hurried trip to London and
Paris, this autumn, which you may publish, if you think
them of sufficient interest.

Two hours and a half spent at Kew Gardens, about seven,
miles from London, permitted only a very cursory examina-
tion. These gardens, and the collections they contain, have
been raised, by the energy and judgment of the present direc-
tor, Sir W. J. Hooker, the well-known and celebrated botan-
ist, to a high pitch of excellence. Numerous structures of
glass have been adapted to every kind of plant, from the
towering palms, the arborescent ferns, and the lofty acacias
and pines, to the more humble growths of the tropical rocks,
bogs, and plains ; and the stoves have every convenience for
simulating the moist atmosphere and heat required for many
of the tender plants of those regions. There is also an exten-
sive rock-work, for Alpine plants of temperate and cold cli-
mates, on which these gems seem to grow and flourish almost
as well as on their native spots.

It would be impossible for me to say whether I preferred
the magnificent growth of the trees in the arboretum and
pleasure-ground, comprising alone 176 acres, or the fine ap-
pearance of the beautiful pines of all climates, or the palm
and fern-house ; but one department struck me as of singular
utility, and well worthy of imitation here, — it was the collect

VOL. XV. — NO. XI. 61

482 Notes made during a Trip to

tion of patches of all the grasses and various cereals, as well
as that of the native plants of Great Britain, all named and
numbered, and open for the use and examination of students,
many of whom were there taking notes. Would there were
such a collection here ; the study of botany would not then
be merely the dry effort of taxing the memory with a bur-
then of names from text-books, but would be soon invested
with all the interest which really and truly appertains to it.
As these gardens at Kew are open absolutely free of expense
to the public, there is no difficulty in the way of students of
either sex; and it is gratifying to add, that misconduct or
depredations are almost unknown. 1 saw here the action of
the machine for cutting the short grass on lawns ; it per-
formed the work expeditiously and perfectly.

The collection of exotic ferns is most extensive and beautiful,
and contains the curious Evpbdium Kaulfussu of J. Smith,
separated by him from Marddia., on account of each indusium
being stipitate, or mounted on a foot-stalk — almost the only in-
stance known in this extensive family. The singular orchide-
ous plant Peristeria elata, was also there in abundance, and in
profuse bloom. This is called Flor del Espiritu Santo, in South
America, because in the centre there is a perfect miniature
representation of a pure- white dove, with expanded wings
and yellow beak. In many of these curious orchideous plants
the resemblances to animal forms require some stretch of the
fancy to distinguish, — here no imagination is wanted, the re-
semblance is perfect and complete. There was a plant of this
species in the collection of the lateW. Boott; it flowered well
one or two seasons, but, I believe, he lost it.

The only other collection I have room to name, is that of
the New Holland plants, which, Avith the Proteaceaj of the
Cape of Good Hope, occupy a large and lofty glass structure.
In this collection are also numerous young plants, raised from
the seeds sent home by Mr. Drummond, from Swan River.

The varied, grotesque, and beautiful foliage here, as well
as the flowers, are extremely striking, the leaves of several
of the Banksias and Dryandras resembling those of Cycas
and of ferns ; others of the Cape plants resemble firs ; while
the beautiful, white, silky leaves of some of the Proteas form
most singular contrasts, and give an excellent idea of a vege-

London and Paris, in 1849. 483

tation entirely different from any thing that meets the eye in
any other part of the globe. Tliat pest, the scaly bug, was
not absent; and, although I must observe, that I have seen
other conservatories at least as clean as these, yet there was
nothing in them that would strike the attention of any one
as bordering on neglect, unless his eye, like mine, had been
made curiously critical by constant attention to the subject.
I cannot leave these gardens, however, without noticing the
beauty of many of the new fuchsias, particularly of the light-
colored or white ones; the best among them were: — One in
Ring, Napoleon, Acantha, Beauty Supreme. I do not know
whether these are yet in this country.

A new seedling Phlox Drummotidii, called var. Leopoldii,
was also very striking ; it was of the finest color, with a clear
and distinct white star in the centre of each flower.

The only other garden, near London, I had time to visit,
was the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. The collection
of animals is numerous, — they are kept clean, — that of the
birds, in particular, is of the greatest beauty, and in excel-
lent feather. The chief attraction, however, to me, was the
new reptile-house. I was perfectly amazed at the enormous
size of the living and active pythons and boas, only divided
from you by immense sized panes of plate glass, against
which they were constantly striking their forked tongues,
while their bright eyes seemed to invite you to make a por-
tion of their repast; the curious motion of their skeleton
frames was distinctly visible as they glided up and down the
trunks of trees, placed in their compartments for that pur-
pose. In this collection were also numerous and beautiful
lizards, as well as many of the singular and beautiful tree-
frog ; it squats constantly on the trees, and on its back is a
large patch of a most vivid-green color. Having business at
Birmingham, I fortunately happened to arrive the day of the
fruit and flower show at the Botanic Garden, at Edgbaston,
about one and a half miles from the town.

It is impossible to praise too much the beauty and neatness
of the general plantations of the garden : the trees in the pine-
tum had been planted with so much judgment, and so care-
fully tended, that, although many were younger, their forms
and outlines were more striking and more agreeable to the

484 Notes made during a Trip to

eye, than those at Kew; the lawns were also in the most per-
fect keeping. The exhibition of flowers, under tents, although
not large, was beautiful, and the specimens very well grown.
Allamanda, Ixora, Stephajwtus, Fuchsia, and many others,
were in abundance ; the dahlias were exceeding fine, much
deeper, rounder, more swelling, than any I have seen here ;
indeed, the amateurs there, observed, that they had seldom
been surpassed. The show of vegetables was good, not ex-
ceeding, however, what I have, of late years, seen raised
here, except the autumnal crops of peas, Scymetar and oth-
ers ; these were extraordinary. It seems that the mould dis-
ease, which prevents our raising late peas, does not exist
there. The apples and pears were entirely beneath remark,
the best of them would not have been admitted to any exhi-
bition here. I had, unfortunately, not time to make any in-
quiry whether thi« was from temporary causes, or whether
it was usual, but can only remark, that, neither in London
or Paris, have I seen any thing nearly so fine as these fruits
in this country. The grapes and peaches were not uncom-
monly fine, but such as are usually seen in our weekly
exhibitions; the nectarines, however, were excellent. The
weather was beautiful ; a fine band of music enlivened the
scene, and as the price of admission was low, multitudes of
happy faces were pouring in, when I was obliged to leave.
The collection of greenhouse plants was quite respectable;
for lofty specimens they had a domical conservatory, exactly
resembling that formerly belonging to the Public Garden, but
only about two-thirds the size — there was, however, a wing
on each side — and altogether the institution appeared to do
great credit to the liberality of the town of Birmingham.

On my arrival at Paris, I found time to devote an hour to
the Winter Garden, in the Champs Elysees. It is an immense,
lofty and extensive structure of glass, with large halls or an-
tichambers, in which concerts or any great national fetes,
or entertainments are given. There seems not to have been
any expense spared in getting it up; in the centre is a paral-
lelogram, to imitate a lawn, formed of the beautiful vivid
lycopodium, common in our greenhouses, — the efiect of this
is brilliant. There is an Armicaria imbricdta, about 30 feet
high, multitudes of bananas {Musa) in blossom, and fruit,

London a?id Paris, i7i 1849. 485

with most of the rare tropical plants, nearly all growing in
beds, not in pots or tubs ; ponds for tropical water-plants, at one
end of a fountain, which plays to the top of the structure, the
water falling on a small collection of rocks, and beautiful
climbers all round the interior, their branches, tendrils, and
flowers hanging in elegant profusion. The whole is, in fact,
arranged with that peculiar taste for which the French are
so eminent, and by which every thing is made, by means
and calculations generally unknown, to meet the eye exactly
at the proper place and time. I regret much to add, that the
whole undertaking is bankrupt, and, like many other marks
of civilization and enjoyment, will, probably, sink under the
effects of the ill-directed and rude attempts to attain that ra-
tional liberty which can hardly ever be obtained by convul-
sive efforts, but must result alone from steady perseverance
and the exercise of the most mature judgment

One of my greatest regrets was, to have quitted England
without having examined the Agricultural School, at Ciren-
cester, which I understand is quite worthy of imitation.

Bostoti, Oct., 1849.

Such is the rapidity of communication now, not only
throughout our country, but with the Eastern Continent,
that our nearest friends may cross the Atlantic, see the worlds
of London and Paris, and return before we know they have
been absent. Such has been the case with our friend and
correspondent, J. E. T. We are pleased to welcome him
back, and still more pleased to record the results of his walks
in the gardens around London and Paris, and only regret
that he was so hurried for time as not to allow him a better
opportunity to see more of the gardens and gardening of Lon-
don, where he was so well acquainted, and where, for so
many years, he resided, assured, as we are, that he could
have afforded all our readers so much that would have been
instructive as well as entertaining, in all that relates to hor-
ticulture and its kindred branches. We indulge in the hope
that there are yet some things which he may have over-
looked in the present communication, which will serve as a
text for another article.

We would remind our correspondent, that, during his ab-

486 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums.

sence, three of the fuchsias he names have flowered finely in
our collection, viz., Acantha, Napoleon, and Beauty Supreme
— the first of which we had two years ago. Phlox Drum-
mond/t var. Leopolds has already been recommended by us
for its great beauty, (Vol. XIV, p. 311.)— Ed.

Art. II, Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties
of Plums. By the Editor.

Our last article, under this head, appeared in our last vol-
ume, (XIV, p. 149,) when we described four varieties. Last
year we did not have an opportunity to secure many draw-
ings, owing to the limited crop; but the present season, in
this vicinity, the plum was the only fruit which escaped the
general destruction of last winter, and our own trees, as well
as others in the neighborhood, were weighed down with the
profusion of fruit. This has enabled us to inspect many va-
rieties, and to complete the descriptions and drawings of
a large number, which we shall, hereafter, lay before our
readers.

9. Coe's Golden Drop. Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed., 1842.

Coe's. Pomological Magazine, vol. 11, pi. 57.

Coe's Imperial, ~|

Golden Drop, I

New Golden Drop, g^^ ^^^^ 3^ ^^^ jg^^

Uury oeedling,

Fair's Golden Drop,

Golden Gage,

Waterloo, of some French collections.

Coe's Golden Drop {fig. 42) is one of the most delicious of
all plums ; resembling the Washington in size, equalling the
Green Gage in the lusciousness of its juice, and coming in
after both of these varieties have gone, it may be fairly
ranked as one of the best kinds yet produced, and indispen-
sable to even the very smallest collection.

Mr. Downing states, that this variety "succeeds well in

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums. 487

the Middle States," which would imply that it does not suc-
ceed in New England. This, however, is not the case; so
far as we have any knowledge, it ripens freely, and produces
abundantly, unless in the
extreme Northern parts of
Maine and New Hampshire,
where it may not acquire
that richness, owing to its
late maturity, which consti-
tutes its high character.

Coe's Golden Drop was
raised from seeds, nearly
forty years ago, by a gar-
dener of the name of Coe,
at Bury St. Edmunds, near
London, but from the stone
of Avhat variety is not
known. Its excellence, how-
ever, made it a favorite va-
riety, and it soon became
generally introduced into all

choice collections of this Fig.A2. Coe's Golden Drop Plum.

fruit, under the several synonymes which we have quoted
above, except the last, which is of recent addition to the list;
the French have disseminated it considerably under the name
of Waterloo ; trees, received under that name, have fruited in
our collection this year, and proved to be the Golden Drop.

The tree is of a vigorous and rather compact growth,
having smooth, short-jointed, purplish shoots, with promi-
nent eyes, somewhat like the Green Gage, and with small,
glossy, deep-green leaves. It is a most abundant bearer, and
the fruit, which ripens the last of September, if carefully
gathered, will keep in a sound state for more than a month,
shrivelling slightly, but retaining its juiciness and fine flavor.

Fruity large, about two inches long and one and three
quarter inches in diameter, oval, largest in the middle, ta-
pering to the apex, which is depressed, and narrowing to the
stem, where it is abruptly hollowed out ; suture distinct, run-
ning half round, one side little longer than the other : Skin^
golden yellow, fair, smooth, somewhat mottled with green

488

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums.

under the skin, dotted with a few bright crimson specks
on the sunny side, and covered with a thin whitish bloom:
Stem^ medium length, about half an inch long, rather slender,
and obliquely inserted in a small cavity, on the somewhat
elongated base : Fleshy pale yellow, thick, very melting, and
firmly adhering to the stone: Juice, abundant, sugary, spright-
ly, and delicious : Sto?ie, large, very long, rather narrow, com-
pressed, and sharp pointed. Ripe the last of September.

10. Kirke's. Pomological Magazine, Vol. Ill, pi. Ill,

Among the large blue plums, this variety {fg. 43) stands
unrivalled. It is about the size of the Columbia, and sur-
passes that very good plum in its flavor, being nearly or quite

as rich and luscious as the
Green Gage. The Pomo-
logical Magazine, in de-
scribing it, says, that a
"plum as hardy and pro-
lific as the Orleans, — as
handsome as the Damask,
— and as good as the
Green Gage, cannot be too
extensively cultivated."

The origin of the Kirke's
is unknown ; it was first
brought into notice by Mr.
Kirke, whose name it
bears, and was accident-
ally met with by that gen-
tleman, in a fruiterer's
window, in London. Up-
Fig. 43. Kirke's Plum. ou tastiug the fruit, he

found, to his surprise, that it excelled in flavor any purple
plum he was acquainted with ; and, upon inquiry, it ap-
peared that the fruit was received from a gardener in the
country, who had procured the variety from a gardener in
his neighborhood, and that the original tree was introduced
from some foreign country. The Pomological Magazine
states, that it had not been found in the writings of pomo-

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums. 489

logical authors, as late as 1832 ; and since then, now nearly
twenty years, no variety has been received in this country
like it.

The Kirke's plum is as yet but little disseminated here;
we have never met with it in a bearing state, in but few col-
lections, and but few cultivators are acquainted with it. In
the vicinity of Salem, where trees were early introduced by
the late Mr. Manning, it is considerably grown, and justly es-
teemed one of the finest and most prolific varieties cultivated.

The tree is a vigorous grower, with wood resembling the
Red Magnum Bonum, and leaves similar to the Green Gage ;
the annual shoots are moderately stout and smooth.

Fruit, large, about two inches long and two inches in di-
ameter, roundish oval, broadest near the base, and narrow-
ing little towards the apex ; suture very shallow, extending
to the point : Skin, rich deep-violet purple, netted with a
golden russet in the sun, and covered with a thin azure
bloom, which does not easily rub off: Stem, medium length,
about three quarters of an inch long, rather stout, and insert-
ed in a moderately deep and rather open cavity : Flesh,
greenish yellow, rather firm, separating from the stone :
Juice, abundant, rich, sugary, and delicious: Stone, large,
broadly oval, and much compressed. Ripe in September.

11. Huling's Superb. Pomological Manual, Vol. II, p. 55.
Keyset's Plum. Pomological Manual.

No American plum of any merit is so little known to cul-
tivators generally as the Huling's Superb, {fig- 44.) It orig-
inated in Pennsylvania, about twenty years ago, and was
first described in Prince's Pomological Manual, in 1832, and
trees were extensively disseminated from the nurseries of the
author of that work. A gentleman, by the name of Keyser,
raised it from seed ; but, as it was first brought into particu-
lar notice by Dr. W. E. Huling, of that state, it received
his name.

As celebrated as this plum has been. — and we recollect of
seeing it enumerated in a catalogue, in 1832, as being the
largest of all plums, weighing about four ounces each, — we

VOL. XV. — NO. XI. 62

490 Descriptio7is of Select Varieties of Plums.

never had the opportunity to see the fruit till last year, when
we had some fine specimens from Mr. Vandine, of Cambridge.
A spurious variety has been considerably cultivated and sold
for itj around Boston, which is a very inferior fruit; and to

this circumstance we at-
tribute the cause of its
cultivation having been
so much neglected here.
The true variety is
one of the very largest
plums yet produced, ful-
ly equal, if not superior,
to the Washington, in
this respect. Mr. Prince
states, that "it seems
doubtful which will at-
tain to the largest di-
mensions, this or the
Washington plum;" it
is also a most excellent
fruit. It has a firmer
flesh than the Washing-
ton, and it adheres firm-
ly to the stone.
The tree is quite peculiar in its habit; it has an exceed-
ingly vigorous growth, with strong, blunt shoots, and the
leaves are large, broad, and thick ; the buds are also large,
like the Green Gage, with remarkably prominent shoulders.
Fruit, very large, about two and a quarter inches long and
two in diameter, roundish oblong, narrowing to each end,
with the apex slightly flattened ; suture rather shallow, ex-
tending half round : Skin, dull yellowish-green, very little
dotted with dull red near the base, on the sunny side, and cov-
ered with a pale bloom : Stem, medium length, about three
quarters of an inch long, very stout, swollen at the end ad-
joining the branch, and deeply inserted in around, contracted
cavity : Flesh, yellowish, fine, melting, and adhering firmly
to the stone: Juice, abundant, rich, brisk, vinous, and ex-
cellent. Ripe in September.

Pig. 44. Hulinff's Superb Plum.]

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Plums. 491

12. Semiana. Kenrick's American Orchardist, 1832.

Blue Imperatrice, of some.

The Semiana plum {fg. 45) is a very well known and
extensively cultivated variety, around Boston, where it has
been introduced into many collections under the name of
Blue Imperatrice, with which
variety it has been confounded
for a long time. It has also
been made synonymous with
the Prune Suisse, by Kenrick
and other authors, though Du-
hamel, in his description, ex-
pressly states, that its -'diame-
ter is greater than its length;"
wliile in all cases the Semiana
is a quarter of an inch longer
than its diameter. The Prune
Suisse we have never seen in
fruit, but the Fellenberg, re-
cently disseminated as a new

plum, is now said to be iden- 2^5-. 46. Semiana Plum.

tical with it. If this is true, it is quite distinct from the Sem-
iana, as a single glance at the wood and foliage will show.

That it is not the Blue Imperatrice is well ascertained ; we
saw the latter variety in bearing in London, in 1844, and
ate the fruit; and we have already stated, (Vol. XI, p. 406,)
that it was a very distinct fruit, being a higher flavored and
sweeter plum, though not so large as the Semiana.

We have been induced to believe the Semiana to be a na-
tive fruit: its origin we have, so far, been unable to trace
further than that the first trees were disseminated from
Salem, where, we believe, the original tree, from which
all others have sprung, was growing not long since ; but
whether native or foreign, it is certain that up to the present
time, no imported variety has proved identical with it.

The merits of the Semiana we think have been overlooked.
It is one of the latest plums, fully as late as Coe's Golden
Drop, and has the merit of keeping for a long time after gath-

492 The Long Green of Autumn Pear.

ering, shrivelling slightly, but attaining a richness approach-
ing to that variety. The tree is a most prodigious bearer, and
the fruit appears to be less subject to the attacks of the cur-
culio than many other sorts, probably from the firmness of its
skin and flesh, which, from its lateness, does not become ten-
der till long after that insect is gone ; but whether we have
given a proper solution of the cause or not, we have had
abundant crops on Semiana trees, when the fruit of other
sorts, a few feet distant, nearly all fell off, from the sting of
the curculio.

The tree is a moderately vigorous grower, with rather
slender, long-jointed, nearly smooth shoots, and remarkably
acute buds : it comes into bearing quite young.

Fruit, medium size, about one and three quarter inches
long and one and a half in diameter, of oval form, tapering
off to the stem rather more than to the apex ; suture scarcely
perceptible: Skin, dark-blackish purple, covered with a dark-
blue bloom : Ste7n, rather short, about half an inch long,
curved, moderately stout, and obliquely inserted in a round,
very shallow cavity : Flesh, dull yellowish-green, adhering
firmly to the stone : Juice, abundant, with a rich, sprightly,
subacid, and, when fully matured, excellent flavor : Stone,
medium size, ovate. Ripe in October, and keeps a month
after gathering.

Art. III. The Long Green of Autiimti Pear, with Remarks
on its History, (^'c. By Hon. J. S. Cabot, Salem.

Sir, — In the descriptive list of select varieties of pears,
published in your Magazine for October, an error, doubtless
inadvertently, has, as I think, been committed, and some
not uninteresting particulars omitted, with respect to one of
the varieties there noticed, viz., the Verte Longue d'Automne.
As I have no doubt that entire accuracy and full statements
of such particulars as may be supposed to be of interest, are
both desired and intended, I take the liberty, for your informa-
tion, to notice the error, and supply the omissions alluded to.

The Verte Longue d'Automne, as you designate it, is one

The Long Green of Autumn Pear. 493

of the very oldest of our pears now in cultivation ; its origin
and history are lost in its antiquity ; the former, probably,
dating back to the time of that of the Autumn Bergamot,
Bon Chretien d'Ete, and others, of a remote period. The re-
mains of a tree of this variety, with a trunk 15 to 18 inches
in diameter, is yet standing in my garden, that, 40 years
ago, was as large as it now is, with, at that time, every ap-
pearance of an aged tree; and that, from a knowledge of the
time when this garden was laid out, as well as that its past and
present appearance justifies the supposition, I have no doubt
it is at least 100 years old. Other trees of this variety, and,
apparently, of about the same age, are to be found in this
city, and, I doubt not, in Boston or its vicinity also, unless
that, as is most probable, in the latter city they have been
compelled to yield the ground they occupied to other uses.
This pear, I have no question, is of foreign origin, and as
little doubt that it was among the very first introduced from
abroad into this country.

Its merits have, I think, been somewhat overlooked, and
its place sometimes supplied by more recent introductions,
that, frequently, have not much but novelty to recommend
them. I have been familiar with this fruit from my boy-
hood, and have eaten of it every year, probably, for the last
40 years, and though it may not be quite first-rate, or to be
ranked quite on an equaUty with some of them, in point of
excellence, 1 have considered it worthy of a place with the
Brown Beurre, the St. Michael, and St. Germain, old estab-
lished favorites, that even now, when produced in perfection,
have {^^ or no superiors. The fruit of the Verte Longue
d'Aiitomne is, as cannot be said of the others, yet fair, free
from blight or canker, and shows no sign of deterioration.
The tree is a most abundant and constant bearer, the fruit,
as it were, strung on to the branches, in strings, like ropes of
onions; it produces yearly large crops of pears, of a very
pleasant, though not high flavor, somewhat not unlike that
of the Sweet Water grape, and, like it also, a mere bag of
juice. How far, if at all, its age should prevent it from being
considered as worthy of a general or very extended cultiva-
tion, I leave to others to decide, and about this, intend to ex-
press no opinion.

With respect to the correct name of this variety, concern-

494 The Long Green of A7iium?i Pear.

ing which some remarks are made in the article alluded to,
I have no information to impart. When I first remember it,
at a time when not much attention was given to the subject
of the nomenclature of fruits, it was, in this city, frequently
called the St. Germain, probably from some supposed general
likeness to the pear of that variety, but to which, in fact, it
bears no resemblance ; and in Boston Avas sometimes called
the Swan's Egg, though with no better claims to that appel-
lation. So far as my knowledge extends, the name " Verte
Longue d'Automne," very probably the correct one, was first
applied to it by the late Robert Manning, of this city, who, as
I learnt from him, in repeated conversations in relation to it,
knew nothing of its origin or history, and previously was ig-
norant of its name, in consequence of a description of the
fruit or trees, of this variety, having been received by him
from Europe, under that name.

To distinguish this pear from that usually known as the
Long Green, it has been designated as the Long Green of
Autumn, sometimes of Europe, the other being called the
Long Green of Coxe. If the appellation Long Green, des-
criptive, in some degree, of both varieties, is a matter of mo-
ment to either, I have no doubt that the one to which this
communication relates, would, if that is the one by which it
has been known and cultivated in Europe, have, by priority
of claim, a prescriptive right to the appellation ; but, as the
claims of each to it are now so established by use, it will,
probably, be found necessary to continue the application of it
to each variety, with the additions now customary, to sever-
ally designate them.

The error to which I alluded, in the commencement of this
communication, relates to the time of ripening of the Verte
Longue d'Automne — this, in the article referred to, is said to
be about three weeks after that of the Long Green — but
which I should place at a much later period, and consider
that November may be said as its season of maturity.

I have troubled you with this long communication, on a
matter of no great moment, but in which I felt some interest,
because it relates to a fruit, — perhaps as much from youth-
ful associations as its own merits, — that is with me an estab-
lished favorite.

Salem, Oct. 25, 1849.

Stray Thoughts on Roses. 495

We ave not sure that we should not consider an occasional
error or omission in our descriptive account of fruits, similar
to those alluded to in the communication of our correspond-
ent, quite pardonable, if we thought they would always be the
means of drawing out such valuable information as that im-
parted in Mr. Cabot's communication. It is the fault of our
amateur cultivators, that they do not communicate the infor-
mation they possess more freely. Mr. Cabot is one of the
most observing cultivators in the country, and his mind is
stored with pomological knowledge, as his excellent article
at once attests. We were upon the point of cancelling all we
had written about the Long Green of Autumn, after it was
in type, because we did not consider it so complete as it is
our intention to make all our descriptions of fruit; but, as we
did not know when or where we could obtain the very infor-
mation which Mr. Cabot has so happily and timely supplied;
and, as we thought it desirable to clear up the confusion ex-
isting in regard to so good a pear, before it should become
"worse confounded," we, upon second thought, concluded to
let it appear, imperfect as we deemed it at the time.

We are indebted to Mr. Cabot for the facts communicated,
and we sincerely hope that he, as well as all amateur culti-
vators, who possess information on the important subject of
pomological science, will be induced to impart it for the ben-
efit of those who are seeking such knowledge. — Ed.

Art. IV. Stray Thoughts on Roses. By T. Rivers, Saw-
bridgeworth, Herts, England.

We have already copied several capital articles from the
Florist^ a work under the superintendence of our correspond-
ent, E. Beck, Esq. ; and we stated that we should give other
articles of value which we might find in its pages. The
following paper by Mr. Rivers, who is well known for his
zeal in the culture of the rose, will be read with pleasure,
and afford valuable information to all who appreciate this
queen of flowers.

496 Stray Thonglits on Roses.

Tliat part of the communication wliich refers to autumn
pruning, however, should be cautiously followed north of
Washington. Many of the perpetuals are not perfectly
hardy, and, without little protection, often lose a portion of
their shoots in winter ; and though fall pruning may, and
we know will, in a degree, bring earlier roses, still it should
be adopted with caution. But south and west of Washing-
ton, all Mr. Rivers's remarks may be strictly followed.

The list of really good roses is Avell worthy of recommen-
dation to every amateur ; they are all fine, and will never
fail to afford a good bloom of splendid flowers. — Ed.

For some time past, those beautiful roses distinguished as
"hybrid perpetuals" have been gradually rising in the esteem
of all rose lovers ; but this is a crowning season of favor, for
they have proved to be not only the latest but the earliest of
all roses. On the 14th of May last, I gathered a fine bou-
quet of flowers from the open borders, of the following sorts :
Baronne Prevost, Madame Laff"ay, William Jesse, and Duchess
of Sutherland. These, and many others, have been in full
bloom ever since that period. How pleasant is it to reflect,
that these are not, as is the case with our summer roses, the
beauties of a day; in August, September, and even in No-
vember, we may have roses in abundance. A rich soil and
a warm climate is, however, necessary for very late flowers.
In the north of England, I have often seen them with abun-
dance of buds in autumn, which had not opened on account
of the cold and stormy weather. In the midland counties,
and in the south and west, they will give their flowers in
profusion under the most simple culture. Plant them in a
richly manured soil, give them abundance of liquid manure
all the summer, and be sure and shorten every blooming
shoot, as soon as its flowers have faded, to within three or
four buds of its base.

My roses of this group were this season, as mentioned
above, most remarkably early. The season, of course, had
something to do with it, but the management of the plants,
entirely the result of accident, accelerated their blooming at
least ten days or a fortnight ; let me then tell, in as few
words as possible, how I have ascertained the best mode of

Sh'ay Thoughts on Roses. 497

producing very early hybrid perpetual roses in the open air.
In April, 1847, after our long and severe winter, I found
some dwarf plants of hybrid perpetual roses of nearly all
the leading sorts left on hand ; these were planted out towards
the end of the month, and pruned quite close. Owing to
the dry summer, they made very short-jointed shoots, and
were in autumn, for the most part, dwarf compact bushes.
Under the usual course, these plants would have been cut in
quite closely in March, 1848, but they were forgotten till
they were in full leaf. Observing their flower-buds to be in
a very forward state, I determined to let them remain un-
touched. They came into flower in the middle of May. and
have bloomed most beautifully. Plants of the same varie-
ties, pruned in the usual way early in March, commenced to
bloom about the 8th or 10th of June ; thus giving a differ-
ence of more than three weeks between plants pruned in
spring, as usual, and those not pruned.

Now for a method of bringing this into practice. To have
early roses, we must not think of removing our plants every
season: how then is it to be brought about, this new non-
pruning system ? Simply thus. Early in September, shorten
all the strong and robust shoots of those hybrid perpetual
roses which you wish to bloom early, to within six or eight
buds of their base; they will then, in the course of the au-
tumn, push forth laterals, the growth of which will be
stopped by chilly November. They will thus form short
spurs ; from these, and from the bases of those shoots which
bloom in September and October, mind that every truss of
flowers is cut ofl" as soon as faded. You will have an
abundant crop of very early flowers. Do not touch your
plant with the knife after October.

How gloriously beautiful have been, and are, the hybrid
perpetual roses this season ! The glowing warmth of May
gave them a vividness of color quite unprecedented. Baronne
Prevost has been perfectly splendid. This rose ought not to
be mixed with others ; it is so massive and grand that a
large bed in every good rose garden should be appropriated
to it, — plants are cheap and plentiful. Duchess of Suther-
land never before shone in such beautiful array. Madame
Laffay, WiUiam Jesse, Dr. Marx, Aubernon, Augustine

VOL. XV. — NO. XI. 63

49S Siraij Tkonghts on Roses.

Mouchelet, Lady Alice Peel. Louis Bonaparte, Robin Hood,
Due d'Aiimale, and Marquise Boccella, have all bloomed
remarkably early this season, and most brilliantly — in fact,
they are our earliest, as well as some of our finest late roses.

Were I a millionaire^ my rose-garden should be a park,
and my groups of hybrid perpetual and Bourbon roses nu-
merous " as leaves in Yalombrosa." By the way, planting
mixed clumps or beds of hybrid perpetuals is not " good
practice ;" fix on a few really good sorts, and plant a clump
of each. Aubernon, Lady Alice Peel, Due d'Aumale, and
Marquise Boccella, are all dwarf compact growers ; they are
all most beautiful, but, if planted in the same bed, are soon
hidden by such a giant, or perhaps giantess, as Baronne Pre-
vost and some others.

How difficult it is to find among the numerous new varie-
ties of this family any one to excel our established favorites.
We now want a scarlet La Reine, a yellow Madame Laflfay,
and a white William Jesse; there are, however, a few new
roses really worthy of our notice ; a word or two about them
will perhaps not be out of place as a guide to purchasers.
What a crowd of names of new autumnal roses just now
pours in upon me; my brain recoils at the dense cloudy
mass, with only here and there a star to brighten it.

1 well remember the days when the little word " new" to
a flower or plant was at once a passport. In my very early
descriptive catalogues of roses, all that was required was to
have a new rose at a high price, its quality was of secondary
importance — the price sold it. The floricultural world is
now, perhaps, more sad, certainly more wise.

It has therefore become the duty of every cultivator of
roses to prove every variety before he offers it for sale, unless
ofl^ered at the risk. Upwards of one hundred varieties of
hybrid perpetual roses have, as the French term it, " been
placed in commerce" since the summer of 1846; from these
not more than ten or twelve could be selected as really dis-
tinct and good; they are nearly all pretty, — for what rose is
not? — but they are not better than those favorites enumerated
in the early part of this article. Among the new roses that
have bloomed this season in brilliant perfection, Geant des
Batailles holds the first place, — owing, I presume, to the heat

Stray Thonghts on Roses. 499

and warmth of May adding to its usual vivid tints, this rose
was the most brilUant, the most beautiful, I ever beheld.
The figure of it given in Mr. Paul's Rose Garden gives but
a very inadequate idea of its rich, deep, glowing scarlet ; it
is not a very free grower when budded on the Dog rose ; the
Rosa Manetti seems to suit it admirably. I have never seen
such flowers as my plants budded on that stock have pro-
duced.

Cymedor is another brilliant rose of this class, in color
approaching perhaps to the Brompton stock 7 No ; yes ; no ;
who can describe the color of some roses? '■•Cest imjwssible^
Monsieur^'' said Monsieur V., with a violent shrug of his
shoulders, to give more effect to the " sibley " Yes, Mon-
sieur," I replied, " God will give us, in his great bounty,
such beauties as cannot be copied or described." Monsieur
V. was silent.

Soleil d'Austerlitz is another of these brilliant crimson
roses, with neatly cupped flowers, quite worthy of the notice
of the amateur.

Commandant Fournier is also a brilliant colored rose, of a
bright carmine ; a very nice variety. Comte Montalivet,
apparently a seedling from William Jesse, is a fine and very
large rose, much deeper in color than its parent, with flowers
finely cupped, not quite full, owing to which it blooms in
great perfection in autumn. Jacques Lafitte, which last
season was so superb, has not proved a good early blooming
variety ; its flowers have been hitherto crowded with petals,
and imperfect. I observe, however, to-day, (June 19th,) that
it is producing some flowers of the same deep rich rose color
as last season. Reine de Fleurs is a new and very beauti-
fully shaped rose, varying in color from pale rose to rose. It
is most elegantly cupped and decidedly a good variety, but
without novelty in color. Madame Verdier is also remarka-
ble for the extreme perfection of shape of its finely cupped
flowers, which are of a pale blush. The plant is very dwarf,
and forms a compact little bush. Bouton de Flore, of a pale
rose color, is remarkable for blooming in very large clusters,
forming a fine bush. L'inflexible is a new rose of great
beauty, not for novelty in color, as it is merely of a pinkish
rose, but for its neatness and beauty ; it is. indeed, in shape

500 Stray Thoughts on Roses.

quite perfect. Then we have llemi IV, Duke ol^ Devon-
shire, Comte Derby, Nadine Fay, Montaigne, Ariel, Admiral
d'Esteing, Lindley, Malhilde Jourdeuil, Ohvier de Serres,
Titus Livius, or " Tite Live," Reine de Matin, Gulistan,
and a host of others from that fertile source of new roses,
France. These are all pretty enough, but novelty in shape
or color is not to be found among them, and yet they have
all been sent out at high prices. The descriptions. Avritten
by those who raised them, in the usual elastic French manner,
were so tempting, and then the price, generally twenty-five
francs each, made one suppose that they must be fine.
Plenty of disappointment has been reaped; still, it is the
duty of the rose-grower to prove all these novelties. Among
them will occasionally be found a gem, like Geant des Batail-
les, which will reward him for many trials of his patience
and his purse ; and really such a reward is required. About
three years since, I paid twelve pounds for six new hybrid
perpetual roses, from an amateur, a French "gentleman,"
not one of which proved worth a farthing. They manage these
things well (for themselves) in France, and seem to think
that every rose that is new must be good ; but we must en-
deavor to manage better, and to avoid this, as well as many
other Galilean peculiarities. The rose grower should prove
all his new roses before he sells them ; and the real lover of
roses, instead of planting a bed of unknown novelties, should
make a group of Madame Laffay, another of Baronne Pre-
vost or La Reine, another of Due d'Aumale, and so on, pre-
ferring to have a small clump of each sort, rather than a
large one of mixed varieties. The lawn may thus be painted
with excellent effect. It will perhaps be not out of place
here to give a list of a few sorts which are really good, and
of which the plants are now sold at a very moderate price,
so that a clump of each would not be at a heavy cost.

1. Aubernon : crimson ; habit compact, and rather dv.-arf.

2. Augustine Mouchelet : crimson, very brilliant in dry

weather ; habit a little more robust than No. 1.

3. Baronne Prevost : bright rose (how ve?"y brilliant it has

been this season !) ; habit vigorous and robust, fit for
a clump in centre of lawn.

4. Comtesse Duchatel : bright rose ; flowers most elegant

and perfect in shape ; habit compact, medium.

Garden Notes. 501

5. Dr. Marx : brilliant crimson ; habit robust, vigorous,

and rather tall.

6. Due d'Aumale : brilliant crimson ; habit rather more

dwarf than No. 1.

7. Duchess of Sutherland : bright, or sometimes pale rose ;

habit vigorous, equal to No. 5.

S. Lady Alice Peel : deep pink; a most perfect and beau-
tiful rose; habit compact, and rather dwarf, like No. 1.

9. La Reine : brilliant glossy rose ; flowers large, perfect
in shape, and most splendid ; this very fine rose does
not bloom so well early in the season as towards its
close ; habit rather dwarf, about equal to No. 1.

10. Madame Laflfay : rosy crimson; habit about equal to

No. 2.

11. Marquise Boccella : very pale flesh ; habit dwarf — more

so than any of the preceding, and very compact.

12. Robin Hood : bright rosy pink ; a most elegant and

beautiful rose; habit about equal to No. 2.
Now let the genuine lover of roses imagine a fine neatly
dressed lawn, with twelve well-arranged groups, containing
from ten to twenty plants each of the above beautiful roses,
in bloom from May till November, exhaling their sweet per-
fume in the freshness of the morning and evening, and glow-
ing with beauty under the beams of the mid-day sun. Can
any thing in floriculture be more desirable, or more deserving
of admiration from the lover of the works of nature ?

Art. V. Garden Notes, No. 2. By Dr. M. A. Ward,
Athens, Ga.

The " Camak's Red-twigg'd peach" of Messrs. Hovey &,
Co.'s Nursery Catalogue, I suppose to be identical with "Lig-
num rubrum, a curiosity^' in that of Mr. Prince. I greatly
prefer the former name, because it is commemorative of a
most excellent man and zealous pomologist. May it live a
thousand years. I trust Mr. P. will be willing to cancel the
latter, out of regard to the memory of his friend, and because,
as a descriptive name, it is not exactly correct; for it is not

502 Garden Notes.

the ligmiTn, but the cortex only of the young growth which is
ruhrum.

Tlie origin of varieties of fruit has become a matter of
some interest among nurserymen, and at Fruit Conventions ;
and if it be true, as T suppose, that Messrs. Hovey received
their specimens from Mr. Prince, and he his from Mr. Camak,
I have thought it might be worth the while to place upon rec-
ord what I happeu to know regarding the introduction of this
tree into our nurseries.

Several years ago, the late Mr. Camak obtained from me
two or three young trees, which he said he was going to send
to Mr. Prince, as " a curiosity," and I received mine from the
Rev. Mr. Gambel, of Henry county, in this state. In the
spring of 1835, the latter gentleman sent me a seedling of the
previous year's growth, which I took to be some sort of cor-
nus or willow, but the bearer told me it was raised from a
peach stone that Mr. G. had received from a friend at a dis-
tance. Expecting to hear something more about it from Mr.
G., I was not careful to remember the place named, and as
he soon after emigrated from the country, I lost all clue to
the recovery of it, but my impression is, that it was either
from the Indian Nation, or from Texas. My tree soon came
into bearing; and as it propagates itself true by the seed, it
soon became abundantly disseminated. The fruit is large,
long oval, compressed, with a distinct suture, and long pro-
tracted point, or mamelon. Both flesh and skin are of a
bright yellow, without any red on the cheek next the sun. It
ripens so late that it only occasionally is in perfection with
us — but when it does become eatable, is much praised by
those who like clingstones. It is certainly very juicy, and
exceedingly high flavored, though much too poignant for my
taste, reminding one of a pine-apple not quite ripe.

It has very properly been placed in the catalogue of orna-
mental trees; for, if worthless for the table, it is capable of
being used with admirable effect in landscape gardening. Its
vermillion-colored twigs in winter, and golden foliage in sum-
mer, catch the eye at a great distance. Its leaves, which are
without glands, so soon as they are fully expanded, that is,
about the middle of May, in this climate, change to a bril-
liant yellow, as if struck by an autumnal frost, but continue

Garden Notes. 503

fresh and healthy on the tree as long as those of anj' other
peach.

But there is, what I consider a much more remarkable
"curiosity" in the peach tree line. It is that of which I
think I sent you a specimen twig some years ago, under the
name of the Beville peach. Its dwarfish and compact habit
is truly unique. Its branches are as short and sturdy as
those of a Roman apricot. I have now a tree, eight or ten
years old, grafted upon a plum stock, which would make the
narrow eyes of a Chinaman open wide with delight. It
measures about eighteen inches to the first branches, and its
nearly globular head reaches to the height of about four feet,
reminding one, in winter, of a currant bush, trained tree-
fashion, but when in bloom, so dense are the flowers that,
were it not for the young leaves, whose green points begin to
pierce through them, the whole head, seen at a distance,
might be mistaken for a gigantic blossom of the pink-colored
Hydrangea. The petals are large, and the leaves have reni-
form glands ; of course there is not room for one flower in a
hundred to expand its fruit. Indeed, a perfect specimen has
never yet ripened with me. It is, however, said to be very
good, and I have lately heard, that it is grown, for its fruit,
in the neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee.

I am indebted for my trees, to the kindness of J. D. Wat-
kins, Esq., of Elbert, who obtained them for me from the
garden of J. E. Calhoun, Esq., of Millwood, S. C, a gentle-
man almost as well known at the south for his zeal in pro-
moting rural improvements, and for his unostentatious liber-
ality, as is his near relative, the great senator, for his political
renown. In a note to me, Mr. Watkins states, that Mr. Cal-
houn raised this peach more than twenty years ago, from a
stone, brought by a man named Bevil, from some Indian
town of the old Creek Nation, in Georgia, and that the stones
uniformly produced the same sort. He recommends that it
should be called either the "Cherokee," or the "Calhoun"
peach.

Echinocactus Ottonii has flowered with me twice this year.
Some time in June last, two buds appeared on ribs diametri-
cally opposite. They grew with equal step till when about
the size of buckshot, then one of them stopped short, and

504 Garden Notes.

remained quiet, while the other advanced to expansion, and
the flower had fallen. It then started and ran the same
course. The plant, in its pot, has stood in the open garden,
without much care, except to remove its numerous ofi'sets as
they formed, and to give it an occasional watering of soap-
suds. About the middle of September, another crop of six
buds showed themselves, one on every alternate rib, except
the thirteenth, where two sterile ribs came together. As be-
fore, when as big as buckshot, all stopped growing till one
had pushed forward into bloom and fallen, I expected that
they would then start and come forward one at a time ; but
to my surprise, the remaining five buds all advanced equally
together, and on the morning of the 16th inst., when they all
perfectly expanded, and remained so, till the evening of the
next day, presenting a spectacle of floral beauty rarely seen,
and hard to beat.

My Cereus Poinsettu has, this year, bloomed for the first
time. This plant is about 10 feet high, with only three joints
or strictures in the stem, which has eleven ribs, and is about
two inches in diameter for three-fourths of its height. It has
never put forth any sort of a bra.nch or oflset. It is strictly
night-blooming, even more so than the grandiflora, the flower
of which resembles that of this, except in color — this being of
a uniform, delicate blush. It opened the night before it was
expected to do so, and was found withering soon after day-
light the next morning.

Cereus nigricans bloomed with me last year, but not this.
It is a day bloomer, and the flower resembles that of qua-
drangularis. This plant is 10 years old, about 4 feet high,
and about 1^ inches in diameter, showing no joint or stric-
ture whatever, except at one place, where it was accidentally
broken, and has healed over. It has never made any oflset.
It set its fruit — of a globular form, the size of a black walnut,
and marked like the surface of the stem — this remained of
a dark olive-green color all summer. Some time in October
it changed suddenly to a chocolate-color, becoming soon of a
deep red. It continued on all winter, but cracked across hor-
izontally on one side, showing its glairy, whitish, semi-trans-
parent pulp, thickly dotted with rather large, deep black, but
not shining seeds.

General Notices. 505

Wistaria sinensis and the Yellow Banksioe rose, trained to
the same post, which should not be less than from 16 to 20
feet high, make a most elegant combination.

Athens, Ga., Oct. 20, 1849.

We are glad to welcome our old correspondent, after so long
an absence. His communications will always be read with
interest, and we hope No. 3 will be soon forthcoming. — Ed.

xMISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Notices.

Rare Conifera' and Improvements at the Cairnies, Perthshire, the property
of George Pulton, Esq. — The following article on the Coniferae, whicji have
proved hardy in the North of Scotland, we copy from the North British
Agriculturist, published at Edingburgh, and commend it to the particular
attention of gentlemen who are making plantations of this tribe of trees, or
who maybe about forming pinetums, which are now attracting, and deserv-
edly too, so much attention in Great Britain. Though our country is rich
in species and varieties of the pine and fir tribe, yet there are a great num-
ber of equal beauty, natives of Southern Europe and Asia, as well as of our
new territory of California, — which it is very desirable to add to those we
already possess; but as it is uncertain how many, and which, of the great
number recently introduced to Europe will prove hardy, only upon trial, —
and as this can only be done at great expense, we are glad to avail our-
selves of the experience of others, and deduce from their results what may
probably be accomplished in our own clime.

Perthshire is in the North of Scotland, on the eastern coast, in about lat-
itude 57° North, five degrees North of London, and where the weather,
during winter, is very much more severe than around the latter city ; and
such of the pines as have proved hardy in Perthshire, we do not doubt will
be so in the latitude of Boston. P. excelsa and austriaca, Cedrus Deodara,
J.^bies Smithiana and others, we have already shown are quite hardy here.

Several of the species enumerated below, are yet rare and extremely
beautiful, and command high prices ; and to purchase them and at once
risk them to the inclemency of our severe winter, without any knowledge
of their capability of resisting cold, other than that which may be inferred
from their native habitats, is what but few can afford, or are willing to do ;
but with such evidence as that now before us, there will be but little risk
in planting out any of the species or varieties named — and as they become
more plentiful, and obtained at moderate rates, those that succeed can be
duplicated to any extent; the loss of one or two will not be regretted, if
VOL. XV. NO. XI. 64

506 General Notices.

the majority prove hardy. We again would invite all amateurs to try all
the kinds which can easily be procured, and we hope the time is not distant
when we shall be enabled to announce their complete success in our climate.
—Ed.

"The lands and estate of the Cairnies were acquired from Lord Lyndoch,
by James Patton, Esq., of Glenalmond, father of the present proprietor,
between 40 and 50 years ago. They were then partly cultivated, partly
pasture, and partly heath and moorland. Without planting, unless on the
north, where, on the slope skirting the river Almond — which, for about a
mile, bounds them on the north — there was a plantation, row grown to
beautiful timber ; they were much exposed on all sides, even on the north,
where the planted slope was far too steep to yield much shelter. From the
river, the bed of which is about 500 feet above the sea, the lands rise at
first abruptly, and then gradually, till they reach their highest altitude of
600 feet above the sea, whence again they gently slope to the south to near
their southern boundary, where they march with Mr. Smith's estate of
Keilour, celebrated for its pinetum.

Altogether, the lands occupy a ridge of large extent, running from east
to west, exposed for the most part to every wind that blows, especially to
westerly winds, which are here the most prevalent and severe. And these
sweeping ofFthe lofty Grampians — just sufficiently remote to afford them no
protection — must have been severely felt, especially in the spring months.
On the north they were less exposed, for Lord Mansfield's cultivated lands
of Logielmond, which lie beneath the Almond, rise in an unbroken ascent
till they run into the hills which bound the horizon on the north. On the
south-west and east all was open, and the adjacent lands lay lower. There
were few fences, and no drains. The lands were let into small occupancies,
and the cultivation wretched.

Thus situated, and with a soil for the most part naturally cold and damp,
consisting in the higher parts of a peaty texture, resting on a bottom of fri-
able, sandy clay, while in the lower parts it consisted of a detritus of the
old red sandstone run into a loam, the lands of Cairnies afforded an ample
field for improvement, both by draining, fencing, and planting; and, in es-
pecial, from their altitude, diversity of soil and exposure, they were well
fitted for testing the aptitude of foreign Coniferae to many localities.

As yet, however, spruce and larch, then but recent, if not novelties, were
the rage and order of the day. And of these Mr. Patton, senior, planted
largely, wisely throwing them into belts around the various sub-divisions of
the lands. These have now attained a great height, and, with spruces
planted outside, all feathered to the ground, form excellent shelter. These
belts cannot be too strongly insisted on as the best means of improving cli-
mate in high localities.

Besides these plantations, Mr. Patton, at the same time, tried the exper-
iment of a whin ox furze fence, to the efiiciency of which, after the tear and
wear of 40 years, T can bear unpleasant testimony, as it was not without
going a great way about, and some sharp pricking into the bargain, that the
present proprietor and I could get an opening to pass through it.

But what I would more especially refer to, in the late proprietor's plan-

General Notices. 507

tations, is a fine row of Picea halsamea, (the Balm of Gilead Fir,) which
must have been then extremely rare, and which have now attained a height
ranging from 30 to about 46 feet. On measuring the girth, I found one of
them 3 feet, 8 inches, at one foot above the ground. These were planted
about 34 years ago ; the trees are fresh and vigorous, and likely to continue
so for many years to come. The age and size they have attained already,
upset what Mt. Loudon has stated of this tree, in his Aboretum, where he
notices it as growing to 20 or 30 feet, and not of more than the same num-
ber of years in duration. As Mr. Loudon was cautious in his statements
made so absolutely, may he not have referred to an instance occurring in
some rich sheltered holm, instead of the originally heath-clad habitat which
these now occupy 1 This point deserves inquiry. I would especially direct
the attention to the Balsameas, as probably among the largest and finest in
the country. They are very handsome trees, branched to the ground, and,
as the wind lifts the thickly clad branches, the foliage, which is silvery un-
derneath, glitters as if bespangled with hoar frost. Planted round a semi-
circular field, outside a surrounding plantation, they produce a fine effect.
Thus much for what had been accomplished by his father, when the present
proprietor succeeded.

At this time, and previous to Mr. Patton'a commencing his improvements,
this property was sub-divided into many small holdings — the tenants having
little capital and less enterprise. But having, at a very considerable ex-
pense, thoroughly drained the whole, erected suitable farm buildings, with
cottages for the workmen, and put the land under an improved system of
cultivation, he has now the satisfaction of seeing stock and crops of all
kinds produced, which would do credit to the most fertile districts, afford-
ing sufficient evidence that the increased return will amply repay him for
all his outlay, besides the gratification of knowing that he has, by giving
employment to so many workmen, largely contributed to their comfort, and
entirely changed the aspect of his estate.

Mr. Patton began by planting the rarer Coniferous plants about the year
1844, sparingly at first, and more extensively thereafter, as he found they
succeeded. Those first planted were put out, up and down, in belts; but
more recently he has formed and planted a Ptnelvm on the higher grounds,
where the soil is, as I have noticed, of a peaty texture, on a sub-soil of san-
dy clay, drained. He has also planted in a belt of the old red sandstone
base, leading down the slope from the higher grounds to the Almond, on
the north, where, on a flat bottom rising up on the south, into a steep bank
of rich alluvial soil, there is another Pinetum being planted. Here the va-
rious species of Abies, Pinus, &c., are kept in groups, the trees of each
variety being kept by themselves — a much better method than promiscuous
planting.

It is impossible, in a notice of this kind, to offer observations individually
on so extensive a collection of Coniferae ; and again, as in a previous notice
of the Belstane Coniferae, I must restrict my remarks to a limited selection
of species in each section.

Many eminent authorities, such as Endlicher, Paxton, &.c., disapprove

508 General Notices.

of keeping up the sectional divisions of this family into Pinus, Ccdrvs,
Abtcs, and Picea; yet, after being set aside into sub-divisions, under each
of these respective heads, some varieties in each having the same specijRc
name as Pinus excelsa, Abies erccha ; Piniis rehgiosa, Abies reiigiosa, &c.,
where the kinds are specifically diflercnt, I hold it better to adhere to the
original method, which, if not formed, was adopted by Loudon, and other
eminent authorities. Yet the pine grower must lay his account with finding
the same thing under the several heads o{ Pinus, Picea, and Abies; c. g.,
Picea Webbiana, which rejoices with one as Pinus Webbiana, with another
as Abies Webbiayia, while the authorities preponderate in classing it among
the Piceas, a proof how closely one section runs into another.

Of the section Pinus, containing like our own P. sylvestris generally but
two leaves in a sheath, I would instance first —

Pinus pijrenaica. — A native of Europe, of the Pinaster character, found
in the Sierra of Segura and Cuenca, in Spain, sometimes in the Pyrenees,
whence its name — quite hardy — synonyms, P. penicillus, P. hispamca, P.
halepensis major. Spanish name, P. Nazaron.

Pinus Pallasiana. — An inhabitant also of Southern Europe, growing on
Mount Etna, at an elevation of from 4000 to 6000 feet ; still rare, and of
considerable beauty. This is Pinus maritima of Pallas, P. taurica of an-
other, and P. Fallasiana of Lambert.

Pinus Fischeri belongs to the Pumilio section — is a new and rare kind.

And lastly, in this section, I would notice the newer and yet rarer

Pinus austriaca, of the Laricio tribe. — This is a beautiful and distinct
kind, with horizontal branches and rich dark foliage, of rapid growth — in
every respect commendable — provided it is protected, when young, from
hares, which may be efficiently done by a few spruce twigs put round the
base. I measured one of the trees here, and found it 10 feet, with a sum-
mer shoot of 1 foot 10 inches. It is a native of Europe, and perfectly hardy.

The following have, for the most part, 3 leaves in a sheath : —

Pinus Llaveana, Loudon, P. cembroides of Endlicher. — This is often a
twin-leaved species. It was found in the forests of Mexico, between Zim-
apan and Real del Oro, and sometimes near Sultepec, of about 30 feet in
height, and having, like some others, edible fruit , which is brought a great
way to market at Santa Ines, and Santa Barbara, by the native Indians;
ascertained to be quite hardy.

Pinus Ponderosa, so named from the heaviness of its timber; it is a tree
of about 100 feet. Inhabits Northwest America, at the river Spokan, and
at the Falls of Colombia is a splendid species ; but subject, it is stated, to
the attack of a beetle ; I think at Ballindallock. It is yet rare and quite
hardy.

Pinus macrocarpa of Lindley, so named from the great size of the cones,
some measuring, as Ilartweg observed in tlie account of his recent explora-
tions in California, 15 inches in length, while Mr. Gordon, an excellent
practical authority, notes the cones as being of the weight of fully 4 lbs.
each. It is found in North-west America, ranging from 40° N. latitude, to
the bounds of perpetual snow; growing near New Albion, in swampy

Domestic Notices. 509

places. Hartweg found it in the San Antonio range, near Monterey, at
4000 feet of elevation. It is a robust species, reaching from 80 to 120 feet,
and sometimes 4 feet in diameter. Endlicher questions wiiether this is not
the same with the P. Sabiniana of Douglass ; it certainly is not. It is con-
sidered to be undoubtedly hardy. It is still rare and young here.

Pinus insignis. — A Californian species, one of the most beautiful of the
genus, stands an ordinary winter ; but its perfect hardihood is questionable,
as it was killed in some parts in the severe winter of 1837-38. It has stood
the winter here as yet. Hartweg, in his recent account of the vegetation
of California, holds this species as identical with P. radiata, and P. iuber-
culaia, noticed below, the different forms and habits giving rise to the syn-
onyms, being attributable to local causes.

Lastly of this section, there is here the very beautiful and rare P. persica;
though derived from the South of Persia, (hence its name,) it has been
found to be undoubtedly hardy ; very new and scarce.
{To be continued.)

Art. II. Domestic Notices.

Annual Exhibition of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society. — The exhibi-
tion of our Society was a most successful effort, satisfactory to all, and one
that you would have been pleased to have witnessed. I wish you could
have been present to have enjoyed it, and to have done justice to it with
your able pen. An efficient report from the appropriate committee is in
press, a copy of which I will send you, and of which I hope you will take
some notice. — Yours, respectfully, A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati, Oct., 1849.

Messrs. Hogg df Son^s Collection of Plants, at YorhviUe. — Being in New
York, we called at the nursery of Messrs. Hogg, and in looking through
the greenhouses, noticed the following new or interesting plants : — Plum-
bago LarpentfE, Adamza cyanea, Tropse^olum \io\ihianum, Hindsia longi-
flora and violacea, Henfreya scandens, Torenza asiatica, Gloxinza Teuch-
leri. Gardenia Sherbourni;, Scutellaria Ventenati, and many others. Messrs.
Hogg have also a fine collection of Orchideous plants, mostly unnamed, re-
ceived from South America, and among them some fine Stanhopeas. The
whole collection we found in very neat order. — Ed.

Third Annual Exhibition of the New Bedford Horticultural Society. —
Dear Sir, — I send you reports of the several committees on fruits, flowers,
and vegetables, exhibited here, on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of last month,
it being the Third Annual Exhibition of the New Bedford Horticultural
Society ; of which reports you are at liberty to make any and whatever no-
tice you may choose, in your Magazine.

Although our means are small, and until recently these means have been
almost wholly unimproved, still there is some little horticultural taste and
interest here, which we hope to increase, and which, in time, we trust will
enable us to overcome, or at least greatly neutralise, many of the natural
disadvantages of our location. Our soil, however, notwithstanding certain

510 Domestic Notices.

opinions to the contrary, which liave heretofore been put forth as facts, by
those who, perhaps, after all know very little about New England, is very
favorable to the growth of the pear : and nowhere have I ever seen larger
or fairer specimens of this truly valuable fruit, than in New Bedford. The
pear tree is also here very healthy and vigorous, and rarely subject to any
disease. — Respectfully, yours, <^c., Henry H. Crapo, Neiv Bedford, Oct.
12, 1849.

[Our space is so much occupied this month that we are under the neces-
sity of deferring the report until our next number, when we shall give as
much of it as our room will allow. — Ed.]

Botanical Riches of California. — It is probably well known to many of
our readers that Mr. W. R. Prince, of Flushing, is now on a visit to Cali-
fornia, where he arrived, by the way of the Isthmus, early in June. From
an article in the Pacific News it appears that he has turned his attention to
the Botanical riches of the country, and has already made some acquisitions
which will be of more value to lovers of beautiful trees and shrubs, than
even the golden sands of the Sacramento. We copy the following from
the paper above-named: —

" Having landed on the California shore on the 13th of June, we soon
wended our way to the lateral ranges of the Sierra Nevada, bounding the
San Joaquin and its tributaries. Leaving the companions of our journey,
and some laborers I had brought from Long Island, to wash the golden
banks and bars of the Stanislaus and Tuolomne, I proceeded to amuse my-
self by rambling over the mountain ranges and traversing the ravines of the
spurs of ihe Snowy Mountains, and at leisure I intend communicating the
results of my tour.

For the present, I will simply remark that there are hundreds of species
of trees, shrubs, herbaceous and bulbous flowering plants indigenous to
California, which are totally distinct from those found in other parts of the
globe, and the most important of which are entirely new to the botanic
world. The most important of these are two species of pines, and another
of cedar, which attain each a diameter of eight to twelve feet, and which
comprise dense forests of the finest timber in the world, between the ex-
treme spurs and central range of the Sierra Nevada, and whose existence
there in such masses is almost unknown even to those now settled in Cali-
fornia.

A. railroad connecting those immense forests with the San Joaquin or
some navigable branch, would speedily render the aid of Oregon, as regards
supplies of limber, entirely nugatory. Of the oak ( Quercus) there are
five species, three of which are timber trees and two shrubby and unavaila-
ble. The arbor vita>, growing in the pine forest referred to, and forming a
most regular and beautiful cone, is a distinct species greatly assimilating to
the Thuja sib(*rica in foliage, and attaining to a height of eighty to one
hundred feet.

In other localities there are found two species of ash, one of alder, a
myraca twenty feet high and two feet in diameter, a Photinia of great
beauty, fifteen feet high and two feet in diameter, several species of iv'ham-

Domestic Notices. 511

mus, a species of crab apple from which the Indians make cider, a species
of the Cercis or Judas tree, a clematis, honeysuckle, symphoria, and
Cephalantus, with some species of grapes, two fine species of raspberries,
two species of blackberries, several species of currants, a gooseberry, two
varieties of the strawberry of a new and peculiar species, with a large and
excellent fruit, a Caly can thus attaining ten to twelve feet in height, with
very large flowers, which continue their bloom through several months ; a
dwarf horse chesnut or buckeye of fifteen feet in height, and spreading to
an equal diameter, producing a profusion of beautiful flowers ; and many
other productions of equal interest which time will not allow me to
enumerate.

In bulbous flowers this country is particularly rich, many of which are
very striking and of great beauty and interest, and the balsamic character
of very many of the herbaceous plants forms a peculiar feature in that class.

The chanchalagua, so celebrated for its medicinal properties, and of
which bunches, in a dry state, are preserved in so many Indian huts, is
found in considerable patches, in the moist ravines through which streams
occasionally flow from the mountain ranges. Having succeeded in collect-
ing and preserving the seeds and bulbs of above one hundred species of
trees and plants, I shall transmit them to Long Island by the first steamer,
and then proceed to extend my tour to other sections of California." — News.

Swanks Orange Pear. — It gives us great pleasure to record such a favor-
able notice of this superlative pear as the following, from our correspond-
ent. Gen. Leavenworth, of Syracuse, N. Y. It fully substantiates all we
have said in regard to it, and which we now take occasion to reaffirm, after
two more years have afforded us the opportunity of tasting the fruit. Speci-
mens from Mr. Langworthy's tree in Rochester, kindly sent to us by him
in 1848, and this year, have not only been uniformly large and beautiful,
weighing 8 or 12 ounces each, but perfectly luscious, and have shown an
additional merit it possesses over most pears in its long keeping. Fruit
gathered the 6th of September, exhibited three days in Syracuse and four
days in Boston, was per/'ec^/?/ sound on the 6th of October, thus showing
that it has not the defect of most large pears, of rotting at the core. — Ed.

" The Swan's Orange, this year, was most excellent, — never better, and
merited all you have said of it. It was large and fine, most melting and
delicious, — not in the slightest astringent, and possessing an aroma nearly
or quite unrivalled. I last week bought a bushel, and this week offered
them to a large party of friends, and never did a dish of fruit receive more
unqualified praise, or better evidence of its sincerity. — Truly, yours, E. W.
Leavenworth, Syracuse, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1849.

American Congress of Fruit Growers. — Second session at New York. —
The second meeting of the Congress was held in New York at Castle
Garden, on Tuesday, the 2d of October, and continued two days.

The meeting was called to order by the President, the Hon. M. P.
Wilder, who, with the other oflicers, hold their ofiice two years, and im-
mediately proceeded to the business of the convention. About eighty
delegates were present from various parts of the Union. The secretary

512 Domestic Notices.

proceeded to examine the credentials of the members present, who an-
swered to their names, and to read letters from various societies appointing
delegates.

The president then remarked, that, if there was no objection, the presi-
dents and vice presidents of horticultural societies throughout the country,
who might be present, be invited to take a seat with the oflicers of the
Congress.

And, on motion of S. Walker, Esq., it was voted that the same invita-
tion be extended to the president and vice presidents of the North Ameri-
can Pomological Convention.

On motion of Hon. B. V. French, it was voted that any gentlemen
present, who were interested in the cultivation of fruits, be invited to take
seats in the convention.

A committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Saul, of Newburgh, N. Y.,
S. H. Colton, of Worcester, Mass., and W. Reid, of New Jersey, was
then appointed to receive and report a list of the fruits exhibited before the
convention.

Mr. A. J. Downing then moved that a committee of six, with the presi-
dent, ex-ojjicio, be appointed a committee of conference in regard to the
union of the North American Pomological Convention and the American
Congress of Fruit Growers, — and A. J. Downing, Newburg, S. Walker,
Roxbury, Dr, Brinckle, Philadelphia, Dr. Munson, New Haven, and A.
Mcintosh, Cleaveland, were appointed that committee.

The chairman of the General Fruit Committee, A. J. Downing, then
proceeded to lay before the meeting a rejected list of fruits, and the
forenoon was occupied in discussing and disposing of the same. The list,
as finally passed, rejects over 100 kinds of fruit, mostly pears, but as we
have no room to insert it now, we shall do so when the Proceedings are
published.

A letter was read, from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, offering
to furnish a hall, &c., provided the convention should accept of their invi-
tation to meet in Philadelphia another year.

The convention then took a recess.

Afternoon Session. — The first business was the report of the committee
of conference appointed in the morning, which was read by the president
as chairman of that committee.

The committee appointed for the purpose of conferring with the com-
mittee sent to the Congress by the North American Pomological Conven-
tion, on the propriety and practicability of uniting or consolidating the two
associations, respectfully report : —

That, finding the joint committee were fully convinced of the advantage,
in all respects, to the country at large, and to the cause of pomology, of
having but one national convention of this kind, which should, as far as
possible, embody all the talent and experience of the land, — a conviction
which this Congress has always firmly held, — they had great pleasure and
unanimity in immediately adopting the following resolutions : —

1. iJeso/reJ, That the conventions hitherto known as the North A.nieri-

Do7neslic Notices. 513

can Pomological Convention, and the American Congress of Fruit Grow-
ers, be hereby consolidated.

2. Resolved, That the consolidated association shall hereafter be known
as the American Pomological Congress.

3. Resolved, That the next session of the Pomological Congress shall be
held at Cincinnati, in the autumn of 1850, and that the time thereof be
fixed by the president of this Congress, in conjunction with the president
of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, and that notice of such meeting
be given to all agricultural, horticultural, and pomological societies, through-
out the country.

4. Resolved, That the meetings of this Congress, after the next ses-
sion, shall take place bienially, and that the meeting for 1852 shall be held
at Philadelphia.

All of which is respectfully submitted by the committee. — M. P. W.,
Chaii-man,

The convention then proceeded to take up the list of fruits recommended
by the convention as worthy of General Cultivation, and the afternoon
•was occupied in discussing the same.

Wednesday Morning. — Mr. Wilder having been under the necessity of
returning home, the chair was taken by S. Walker, Esq., of Roxbury, Mass.
The discussion upon the list of fruits was continued ; and as the whole
will be reported, we shall refer to this hereafter, having only room now for
the list as finally adopted, which was as follows : —

Pears. — Rostiezer, Andrews, Fulton, Belle Lucrative, Urbaniste, Buf-
fum, Le Cur6, Louise Bonne of Jersey, and Uvedale's St. Germain,
(for baking.)
Apples. — Porter, Hubbardston Nonsuch, Fameuse, Minister, Dan vers
Winter Sweet, White Seek-no-further, Lady Apple, Wood's Green-
ing, Red Astrachan, Winesap, Wine, Hertfordshire Pearmain, Van-
devere, Bullock's Pippin, Swaar.
Cherry. — Belle Magnifique.
Nectarines. — Elruge, Early Violet, Downton.
Apricots. — Large Early, Breda, Moor Park.

Strawberries. — Early Virginia, Hovey's Seedling, and Boston Pine.
Raspberries. — Red and White Antwerp, Fastolff, and Franconia.
Grapes. — Black Hamburgh, Black Prince, White Frontignan, Black
Frontignan, Grizzly Frontignan, Chasselas of Fontainbleau, Muscat
of Alexandria, (under glass); Isabella and Catawba, (open culture.)
Gooseberries. — Houghton's Seedling, Woodward's Whitesmith, Crown
Bob, Red Champagne, Laurel, Ironmonger, Red Warrington, Green
Gage, Green Walnut, Early Sulphur.
Currants. — Red Dutch, White Dutch, May's Victoria, Black Naples,

and White Grape.
Dr. W. K. Brinckl^, C. M. Hovey, R. Manning, P. Barry, and C.
Downing, were appointed a committee to examine and report upon seed-
ling fruits.

Mr. A. J. Downing stated that he had a number of state reports handed
VOL. XV. — NO. XI. 65

514 Albany and Rensselaer HorticuUiiral Society.

in, and it was voted tliat he sliould prepare an abstract of them, for publi-
cation, under the direction of tlie officers of the convention.

Dr. ]3rincki6 subnnitted the report of the committee on seedlings.

After the usual votes of thanks to the president, and to the American
Institute, the convention adjourned at 7 o'clock, Wednesday evening.

The meeting was one of much interest ; a general good feeling seemed
to prevail throughout. All appeared desirous that the two conventions
should be harmoniously united ; for in their union all the objects of such
meetings could be more readily accomplished. We record with pleasure
the bringing about this desired result ; and henceforth we may predict such
results as will satisfy the anticipations of all pomologists.

The display of fruit was very good. There were upwards of forty con-
tributors from various parts of the country. — Ed.

Art. III. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society.

Annual Exhibition. — The Third Annual Exhibition of the Society came
off on Wednesday and Thursday, the 19th and 20lh of September, in the
Hall of the State Agricultural Society, and far exceeded any former exhibi-
tion, not only in the quantity of the fruits, flowers, and vegetables offered
for competition, but in their quality, number of varieties newly introduced,
and beauty of appearance. The reports of the several committees, which
are annexed, indicate sufficiently the extent and richness of the display,
without the necessity of further particularising ; but I cannot refrain from
congratulating the members of the society on the effect of their exertions,
and also from hoping that the success of the past season, under unfavorable
circumstances, may prove a stimulus to them for future effort. — Joel Raih-
bonc, President.

Fruits. — The committee on fruit report, that there were 'exhibited by
A. Bryant & Son, of Buffalo, twenty-six varieties of pears, for which the
committee beg leave to return to Messrs. Bryant the thanks of the society.
From J. H. Bayley, Plattsburgh, 13 varieties of apples, including a fine
new variety called the Northern Golden Sweet ; also 3 var. of plums.
From Dr. J. C. Holmes, Detroit, 20 var. of apples. From James Steven-
son, Imperial Ottoman, and Green Gage plums. From S. Morgan, 3 var.
of apples, 2 of plums, and Seckel pears. From S. E. Warren, Troy, 22
varieties of pears, 15 of plums, and 12 of peaches.

From Henry Vail, Troy, 28 varieties of apples, 37 varieties of pears, and
24 of peaches ; among the latter, were five seedlings, one of which, of me-
dium size, light yellowish white color, and red cheek, having delicate flesh,
non-adherent to the stone, and well supplied with rich saccharine joice, was
decided to be very good, and worthy of further trial ; another, of large size,
and yellow color, one of medium size, and greenish yellow color, and one of
medium size, and yellowish color, with red cheek, as good, and worthy of a

Albany and Rensselaer Horticnliural Society. 515

further trial ; and a white clingstone, of handsome appearance, unworthy of
cultivation. Four varieties of foreign grapes, viz., Black Hannburgh, White
Hamburgh, White Frontignan, and Royal Muscadine ; and four varieties of
native grapes, viz., Catawba, Isabella, Alexander, and a native, from Con-
necticut ; also. Green Gage plums.

From Dr. H. Wendell, Albany, 29 varieties of pears, among which were
the Liberale, Captif St. Helens, Beurre Goubault, Caennais, and some
other new sorts; also, 18 varieties of apples, 23 of plums, including the
Schenectady Catherine ; Isabella grapes, in pots, and four varieties of musk-
melons, viz., Christiana, Hampton Court, Persian, and Citron; and two
varieties of quinces, viz., Orange or Apple-shaped, and Pear-shaped. From
E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, 28 varieties of apples, 11 var. of peaches,
10 var. of plums, and pears, melons, &c.

From Isaac Denniston, thirty varieties of plums, including nine new
seedlings, some of which are of very fine appearance, and may, upon fur-
ther trial, prove worthy of dissemination, particularly one named by Mr.
Denniston the Madison — to designate it — which is of beautiful appi°arance,
good size, and late in ripening — but few specimens being as yet sufficiently
mature to test its quality, the committee therefore prefer leaving it for fur-
ther consideration.

From Joel Rathbone, of Kenwood, seven varieties of grapes, viz.. Black
Hamburgh, Sweet Water, Muscadine, White Frontignan, Horatio, Grizzly
Frontignan, and Isabella; Seckel, White Doyenn^, and Limon pears; and
Gravenstein apples.

From B. B. Kirtland, Greenbush, three varieties of peaches, viz.. Red
Rareripe, Morris White, and one seedling of medium size, globular form,
somewhat flattened at the stem end, yellowish white color, with a beautiful
red cheek, rich, tender flesh, adherent to a small-sized stone, well supplied
with rich, delicious juice, and well worthy of further trial.

From V. P. Duow, Wolvenhook, 14 varieties of plums, 4 of grapes, and
4 of watermelons. From E. C. Mcintosh, 21 varieties of plums, 6 of
grapes, and 2 of pears.

Other contributions were from E. Corning, Jr., Albany, F. W. Aiken,
Greenbush, Dr. A. March, J. Gary, J. W. Ford, J. D. Thorpe, B. R.
Wood, Dr. Ward, Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, Wm. P. Buel, D. J. Wil-
son, E. E. Piatt, J. S. Gould.

PREMIUMS ON FRUIT.

Apples — Best and most extensive collection, to H. Vail, Troy, $3.
Second best, to E. P. Prentice, Mount Hope, $2.
Best six varieties, to H. Vail, for Fall Pippin, Svvaar, Rhode Island

Greening, Newtown Pippin, and Esopus Spitzenberg, $2.
Best one variety, six specimens, to E. P. Prentice, for Rhode Island

Greening, $ 1.
Pears. — Best and most extensive collection, to Henry Vail, $3.
Second best, to Stephen E. Warren, Troy, $2.
Second most extensive, to Dr. Herman Wendell. (This collection of

Dr. W. was more extensive than Mr. Warren's, but had in it a large

516 Albany and Rensselaer Hortlciilhiral Society.

proportion of new varieties, vith great foreign reputation, but with
which the committee were unfamiliar.) $2.
Best six varieties, to Ilenrj' Vail, for Seckel, White Doyenne, Louise

Bonne of Jersej-, Winter Nelis, Bartlett, and Urbaniste, S2.
Best one variety, to John S. Gould, for White Doyenne, very beauti-
ful, and equal to this celebrated variety in its palmiest days, $ 1.
Ploms. — Best and most extensive collection, to E. C. Mcintosh, $3.
Second, to Dr. Herman Wendell, $2.

Best six varieties, to S. E. Warren, for Reine Claude, Jefferson, Ru-
ling's Superb, Washington, Imperial Gage, and Red Magnum Bo-
num, S2.
Best one variety, to H. A'ail, for Reine Claude, $ 1.
As Mr. Denniston's pluitis were not formally entered early enough for
competition, and as they are worthy of great praise, the committee
have determined to award Mr. D. three dollars for them, it being
one of the largest prizes.
Peaches. — For the best and most extensive collection, to H. Vail, $3.
The second, to S. E. Warren, S2.

The best six varieties, to H. A' ail, for Early York, Coolidge's Favor-
ite, Abricoiee, Crawford's Early, Red Rareripe, and George the
Fourth, $2.
For the best variety Red Rareripe, to B. B. Kirtland, $ 1.
Nectarines. — The best exhibition, to S E. Warren, $3.
Grapes, Foreign. — For the best exhibition, to Joel Rathbone, S3.
For the best two varieties, to Joel Rathbone, for Black Hamburgh and

White Frontignan, $2.
For the best one variety, to H. A'ail, for Black Hamburgh, $ 1.
Grapes, Native. — Best exhibition, to H. Vail, S3.

Best two varieties, Catawba and Isabella, to H. Vail, $2.
Best one variety, Isabella, to H. Vail, $ 1.
Watermelons. — For the best two varieties, to V. P. Douw, S2.
For the best one variety Black Spanish, to E. P. Prentice, $ 1.
Muskmelons. — For the best two varieties, to E. P. Prentice, for Green
Citron and Beechwood, S2.
For the best one variety, to Dr. John Wilson, Bethlehem, for Skill-
man's Nutmeg. V. P. Douw, Chairman.
Flowers, Floral Designs, Sic. — The committee on flowers and floral
designs beg leave to report, that the exhibition has far exceeded their an-
ticipations in variety of material offered for competition, richness of display
and appropriateness of the several designs and floral ornaments. It is ex-
ceedingly gratifying to them to perceive the increased interest manifested
by residents of both counties in the welfare of the society, and they beg
leave to express the hope that the farmers of the vicinity may be induced to
give more of their attention, than heretofore, to the cultivation of the finer
fruits and flowers, as well as to the introduction of the newly introduced
esculents, and also come forward and be active members of the society.
By Joel Rathbone, sixteen varieties of fine verbenas ; 5 varieties of rare

Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. 517

dahlias ; twenty-five different varieties of cut flowers, as roses, fuchsias,
asters, &c. A floral design in candelabrum form, six feet high, on a broad
base of green moss, studded with flowers ; the sockets of the branches filled
with exquisitely arranged petite bouquets of choice flowers, the whole
evincing much skill and a fine taste in Col. R.'s gardener. A design in an-
tique form, four feet high, composed of green moss, studded with choice
flowers, and having its angles and apex surmounted with beautiful bou-
quets, tastefully arranged, showing good taste in the gardener.

By D. T Vail, several varieties of choice dahlias, and other flowers ; a
beautifully arranged pyramidal design, elevated on a platform, with mossy
ground, studded with gay flowers, supported on four square columns, and
composed of choice roses, dahlias, verbenas, heliotropeums, surmounted by
an exquisite bouquet of rare greenhouse flowers. A rustic cottage of moss,
studded with white and red amaranths, and altogether arranged with much
skill; both of the above being very creditable to John Quinn, Mr. V^ail's
gardener.

By Dr. H. Wendell, twenty-seven varieties of phloxes; 27 varieties of
seedling verbenas ; 40 varieties of new seedling phloxes, some of which
were very beautiful. A design representing a temple of Flora, of circular
form, supported by four massive pillars, surmounted by a dome, and ele-
vated on a raised platform ; the groundwork of the whole of green moss,
studded with choice and delicate flowers ; the ceiling of the temple of small
flowers, arranged in the form of a star, on a moss ground. A floral design
in shield-like form, covered with dahlias, roses, asters, verbenas, and other
flowers ; and a basket bouquet composed of choice flowers, exquisitely ar-
ranged. The above designs and basket were made by Mathias Tillman,
Dr. W.'s gardener.

Other contributors of flowers, &c., were Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, \V.
Newcomb, (who sent 60 varieties of dahlias,) V. W. Douw, L. Menand,
E. P. Prentice, J. Dingwall, and Mrs. Brinkerhoff".

PREMIUMS ON FLOWERS.

Plants. — For the best six, growing in pots, to L. Menand, $2.
Dahlias. — For the best display, to Mr. Newcomb, $3.

Best twelve dissimilar blooms, to J. Wilson, for Constantia, Orlando,
Lutea Alba, Golden Rule, Cheltenham Queen, McKensie's Perfec-
tion, Lady Ann Murray, Minerva, Caleb Cope, Tippecanoe, La
Belle Blonde, and Marquis of Aylesbury, $2.
For the best six, to Wm. Newcomb, $1.

For the best flower — specimen bloom — to D. T. Vail, for Beauty of
Sussex, $ 1.
Roses. — For the best ten varieties, including Hardy Perpetuals and Isle
de Bourbons, to J. Wilson, for Souvenier de la Malmaison, Dr.
Roques, Mrs. Elliott, Madam Fabert, Eugene Joviene, Crimson
Globe, Eugene Hardy, Emilie Courtier, Giant de Battelles, and
Phosnix, $2.
For the best six varieties, to J. Wilson, $\.
Phloxes. — For the best ten varieties, to Dr. Herman Wendell, for Anais

51S Albany and Rensselaer Horticulliiral Society.

Chauviere, Eclipse, Reine de Jour, Superbissima, Dodonia, Rosea
Superba, Blanc de Neuilly, Mazeppa, Augusta, and Princess Mari-
anne, S2.
For the best six varieties, to Dr. H. Wendell.

For the best seedling, to J. Wilson, for a beautiful flower of fine habit
and form, its petals being of large size, and of variegated white and
pink, 01.
German Asters. — For the best display, to Wm. Newcomb, $ 1.

For the second best, to J. Wilson, $ 1.
Verbenas. — For the best twelve dissimilar blooms, to J. Wilson, $2.
For the best six, to James Dingwall, for Beauty Supreme, Eclipse,

Roseum, Breill's New Purple, New Fulgens, and Suzette, $\.
For the best seedling, to J. Dingwall, $ 1.
Round Vase Bouquet. — For centre table, for the best, to J. Dingwall,

$2.
Flat Parlor Bouquet. — For mantle vase, for the best, to Wm. New-
comb, $2.
Hand Bouquet. — Best and most beautiful round one, to J. Wilson, $1.

Best and most beautiful flat one, to J. Wilson, $ 1.
Basket Bouquet. — Best and most beautiful, with handle, to Dr. H.

Wendell, $2.
Floral Designs. — Best, and most beautiful, and most appropriate, to
Joel Rathbone, $3.
Second best, to D. H. Wendell, $2.
Third best, to D. Thomas Vail, $ 1.

For the committee, Stephen E. Warren, Chairman.

Vegetables. — The committee report, that they were highly gratified
with the very fine specimens shown in this department, and also by the in-
terest shown to obtain the prizes oflered. The committee regret that the
room in which the exhibition was held, had not been large, so as to afford
to the visitors a fairer view of the very many numerous and new varieties
of esculents, which the gardeners of this vicinity are in the habit of raising.
From Dr. H. Wendell, of Albany, twenty varieties of Seedling potatoes.
Many of these seedlings appear to be remarkably fine, and the committee
think the exhibitor deserves high praise for his commendable efforts to im-
prove this valuable tuber ; they would suggest that the most promising of
these new kinds be further tested, and that their qualities be reported on
next season.

There were several other contributors, but we have not space to enumer-
ate them.

PREMIUMS ON VEGETABLES.

To Dr. H. Wendell, for the best new Seedling potatoes, $2.

Dr. J. Wilson, half peck of Winter potatoes, $ 1.

E. P. Prentice, for the best Winter squashes, $ 1.

John S. Gould, of Albany, Blood beets, $ 1.

E. P. Prentice, for the best carrots, $1,

E. P. Prentice, for the best parsnips, ^1.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 519

J. Rathbone, of Kenwood, for the best egg plants, $ 1.

Dr. H. Wendell, for the best Winter cabbage, $ 1.

J. S. Gould, for the best cauliflowers, $2.

V. P. Douw, Wolvenhook, for the best celery, $ 1.

Wm. Newcomb, Pittstown, for the best Martynias, S 1.

J. S. Gould, for the best tomatoes, $\.

E. P. Prentice, for the most numerous varieties of tomatoes, $1.

J. Rathbone, for the best specimens of Okra, $ 1.

DISCRETIONARY PREMIUMS.

To Dr. H. Wendell, for the finest exhibition of vegetables, $2.

Dr. J. Wilson, for his assortment of beans, $ 1.

E. Corning, Jr., for a very large and fine Mammoth squash, $ 1.

For the committee, R. F. Johnstone, Chairman.

Art. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, Sept. 22d, 1849. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was
held to-day, — the President in the chair.

Voted, That the sum of twenty-five dollars be paid by the treasurer to
Mr. D. Haggerston for service rendered during the exhibition.

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the chair to nominate
a list of officers, professors, and committees, for the coming year, and report
at the next meeting, and J. Lovett,2d, D. Haggerston, and E. M. Richards,
were appointed that committee.

Complaint having been made by members and others, contributors to the
annual exhibition, of the loss of their contributions,

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the chair to take into
consideration what means can be adopted to prevent the occurrence of the
loss of contributions for the future, and Messrs. J. Breck, D. Haggerston,
and R. M. Copeland, were appointed that committee.

Voted, That the society loan to the Norfolk Agricultural Society such
of their glassware as they may wish to use at their annual exhibition, the
Norfolk Agricultural Society paying all the expense of transportation, labor,
breakage, &c.

Adjourned one week to September 29th.

Sept. 29th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

The committee appointed at the last meeting to nominate a list of officers,
&c., for the coming year, reported, and their report was referred back to
make a few alterations in consequence of the resignation of nominees.

The committee appointed to investigate the loss sustained by various
members and others, of their contributions at the annual exhibition, re-
ported that they had not been able to discover the transgressors, and recom-
mend the appointment of a committee to take charge of contributions for

520 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

the future, and the expulsion of any member who may be found guilty of
so mean and contemptible an act as taking articles not belonging to him,
and the discharge of any person in their employ ^vho may be found to be
so guilty.

C. M. Hovey, chairman of the committee appointed to prepare and pre-
sent to the Hon. H. A. S. Dearborn, the Society's Gold Medal, as a mark
of esteem for his eminent services while President of the Society, sub-
mitted the following correspondence : —

Dear Sir, — Agreeably to a vole of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
passed at the annual meeting, January 6, 1849, a cop3' of which is enclosed, we now,
in accordance with tlial vote, have the pleasure of })resenting you with the Society's
Gold Tvlcdal.

Many years have passed away since you presided at the head of our association ;
when your zeal in the cause of horticultural science ; — your untiring exertions to ren-
der popular the pleasing pursuit to which it is especially devoted; — your arduous
labors while guiding its affairs in the infancy of its organization, and your extensive
correspondence with gentlemen of science in every country and clime, gave to the
Society a standing and position which has since caused it to be looked upon as the
parent association of our country.

As a small, but not the less earnest tribute to your labors, as the first President of
the Society, at a period when, in addition to its horticultural affairs, that noble monu-
ment of your devotion to its interests. Mount Auburn Cemetery was projected, we
now present you with the Society's Gold IVIedal, and beg your acceptance of the same.

With the assurance of our best wishes for your health and prosperity, we have the
honor, dear sir, respectfully yours,

C. M. Hovey, Cheever Newhall, E. ]\I. Richards, Committee.

Boston, Sept. 2olh, 1S49.
To the Hon. H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass.

Ilanthorn Cottage, Roxbury, Sept. 25lli, 1819.

Gentlemen, — This afternoon I received, with great ])]easure, your very kind letter
and the beautiful gold meilal, which the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has so
generously conferred upon me ; and I request that you will do me the favor of pre-
senting my grateful acknowledgements to the members of that important iuslilulion
for the honor they have done me. I deeply regret, however, that my humlilc efforts
to promote one of the most interesting branches of rnral industry have not been
more worthy of such distinguished consideration and so precious a reward.

For the very favorable manner in which you have been pleased to estimate the
very limited services I have attempted to render my fellow-citizens who arc inter-
ested in the various departments of useful and ornamental cultivation, I offer my
sincere thanks.

With the most ardent aspirations for the prosperity of the Society, and your indi-
vidual happiness, I have the honor of being, gentlemen, your much obliged and most
obedient servant, H. A. S. Deakeokn.

C. M. Hovey, Cheever Newhall, E. M. Richards, Esqrs., Committee.

Meeting dissolved.

Exhibited. — Flowers : The exhibition of dalilias for premiums took
place to-day, and the display was one of the finest for several years. Not
only were the flowers of the most perfect character, but they were shown
in great numbers, notwithstanding the dry weather of June and July. In-
deed we may truly say, such fine blooms were never seen in the Society's
hall ; and their great beauty seemed to revive anew the taste for the culti-

MassacJmsetts Horticultural Society. 521

vation of this most gorgeous flower, which, notwithstanding what is said
about the uncertainty of its blooming, &c., is, after all, Mc Gem of the
autumnal garden.

The principal exhibitors were J. W. Brown, L. Davenport, H. K.
Moore, Breck & Co., James Nugent, T. Needham, A. Bowditch, E.
Wight, C. A. Hewens, J. Hovey, Messrs. Winship, R. W. Ames, H.
Vandine, P. Barnes, and Hovey & Co., who exhibited nearly 300 blooms.

Dr. D. Wood, Dighton, exhibited a few fine ericas, and Mr. Davenport
sent a beautiful collection of cut roses.

PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED.

Dahlias. — In divisions and classes as follows : —

DIVISION A.

Premium Prize. — To Messrs. Hovey & Co., for the best twelve dissimi-
lar blooms, the Society's silver medal, $5 : — for Miss Vyse, Madame
Wachy, Mrs. Shaw Le Fevre, Beeswing, Louis Philippe, Admiral
Stopford, Pauline Rosenfeld, Golden Souvenir, Mont Blanc, Marquis
of x'Vylesbury, Essex Rosy Lilac, and V^ictorine.

Specimen Bloom. — To L. Davenport, $3, for Beeswing.

Specimen Blooms of Various Colors. — Best Yellow, to T. Needham,
$ 1 00, for Cleopatra ; Orange, to I. Spear, $ 1 00, for Latour
L'Auvergne ; Purple, to J. Nugent, $ 1 00, for Caleb Cope ; Claret,.
to Hovey & Co., $1 00, for Marquis of Aylesbury; Maroon, to
Hovey & Co., $1 00, for Louis Philippe; Dark, to T. Needham,
Si 00, for Admiral Stopford ; White, \o Hovey & Co., $1 00, for
Miss Sarah ; Tipped, to L. Davenport, $ 1 00, for Miss Vyse ; Pink,
to L. Davenport, $ 1 00, for Dowager Lady Cooper.
division b.

Class L — To Hovey & Co., for the best twenty-four blooms, $8 00, for
Remembrancer, Mimosa, Constantia, Henry Clay, Stern Von Bram-
schweig, Essex Rosy Lilac, Duke of York, Pauline Rosenfeld, Vic-
torine, Lady of the Lake, Beauty of Hants, Admiral Stopford, Miss
Vyse, Madam Wachy, Louis Philippe, Mrs. Hovey, Essex Triumph,
Berryer, Minn, Baron Frettan, Golden Souvenir, Ithuriel, Sunbeam,
Hermione.
To J. W. Brown, for the second best, S 6 00, for Princess Radziville, Vic-
torine, Madame Wachy, Coquette, Marquis of Aylesbury, Lady of the
Lake, Pauline Rosenfeld, Miss Vyse, Roi de Pontelles, Antagonist,
Cleopatra, HofTgartner Meyer, Admiral Stopford, Baron Frettan, Re-
membrancer, Gloria Mundi, Hoffgartner Morsch, Andromeda, Con-
stantia, Berryer, Minn, Mont Blanc, Viscount Ressegneur, Hamlet.

Class H. — To L. Davenport, S6 00 for the best eighteen dissimilar
blooms, for Cleopatra, Isis, Beeswing, La Polka, Model, Fulwood
Hero, Duchess of St. Albans, Queen of Roses, Madam Walner,
Dudd's Prince of Wales, Dowager Lady Cooper, Miss Vyse, Mar-
chioness of Cornwallis, Roi de Pontelles, Princess Alice, Athelete,
Constantia, Indispensable White.
To J. Breck & Co., ^4 00, for the second best, for Antagonist, Alfred,
VOL. XV. NO, XI. 66

522 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Pickwick, Fire King, Cleopatra, Nonpareil, Prince of Wales, (Gir-
ling's) Bridesmaid, Marquis of Aylesbury, Arethusa, Privateer, Queen
of Roses, Charles XII, Duchess of St. Albans, Ansell's Unique,
Northern Beauty, Marshal Soult, Constantia.
Class III. — To H. K. Moore, $■ 5, for the best twelve dissimilar blooms,
for Picotee, Indispensable White, Latour I'Auvergne, Beeswing,
Jenny Lind, Queen of May, La Polka, Queen of the French, Cleopa-
tra, Caleb Cope, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Marquis of Aylesbury.
To J. Nugent, $ 3 00, for the second best, for Beeswing, Constantia,
Cleopatra, Indispensable White, Lady Harland, Hero of Stonehenge,
Sir Frederick Johnson, Caleb Cope, Charles XII, Louis Philippe,
Miss Vyse, Fire King.
Gratuities. — To Dr. D. Wood, for fine ericas, $2.

To Jj. Davenport, J. Nugent, J. Hovey, A. Bowditch, and Hovey &

Co., $ 1 each for dahlias, &c.
Fruit : From J. F. Allen, twenty-two varieties of grapes, also figs and
Seckel pears. From T. Needham, six varieties of grapes, among them a
fine cluster of the Carmon Hall Muscat. From Hovey & Co., Diana
grapes and Colmar d'Ete pears. From G. Merriam, four varieties of
peaches, all fine. From 0. Johnson, five varieties of pears and Muscat of
Alexandria grapes. From H. Yandine, very fine Coe's Golden Drop
plums. Persimmons and medlars from Messrs. Winship. From J. J.
Low, Payency pears. From Mrs. Nichols, sweet apples.

Oct. 6. — The stated quarterly meeting of the Society was held to-day, —
C. Newhall, Vice President, in the chair.

The annual election of officers, for the ensuing year, took place, and the
following gentlemen were elected : —

President — Samuel Walker.
Vice Presidents— B. V. French, C. Newhall, E. M. Richards, J. S.
Cabot.

Treasurer — William R. Austin.

Corresponding Secretary — Eben Wight.

Recording Secretary — E. C. R. Walker.

Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology — J. L. Russell, A. M.

Professor of Entomology — T. W. Harris, M. D.

Professor of Horticultural Chemistry — E. N. Horsford.

Standing Committees.
On Fruits — J. S. Cabot, Chairman : Eben Wight, Josiah Lovett, 2d,
J. Breck, R. Manning, G. R. Russell, C. M. Hovey.

On Flowers — D. Haggerston, Chairman: A. McLennan, W. B. Rich-
ards, E. A. Story, L. F. Winship, E. C. R. Walker, P. Barnes.

On Vegetables — A. D. Williams, Jr., Chairman : W. B Kingsbury, J.
Nugent, A. Bowditch, A. D. Weld, S. W. Cole, G. Pierce.

On Library — C. M. Hovey, Chairman : H. W. Dutton, J. Breck, J.
Owen. R. M. Copeland, Librarian.

On Synomjmes of Fruit — M. P. Wilder, Chairman : P. B. Hovey, Jr.,
R. Manning, J. Lovett, J. S. Cabot.

Massachusetts Hortmdtural Society. 523

Executive Committee — S. Walker, Chairman : W. R. Austin, M. P.
Wilder, E. M. Richards, O. Johnson.

For establishing Premiums — J. S. Cabot, Chairman: D. Haggerston,
A. D. Williams, Jr., J. Lovett, P. B. Hovey, Jr.

On Finance — M. P. Wilder, Chairman: J. Stickney, 0. Johnson.

Of Publication — E. Wight, Chairman : J. Lovett, J. Brack, E. C. R.
Walker, J. S. Cabot, D. Haggerston, A. D. Williams, Jr.

A copy of the Annual Report of the Commissioner on Patents was re-
ceived from Hon. R. C. Winthrop, and the thanks of the Society were
presented to Mr. Winthrop.

Daniel Denny, of Boston, was elected a member of the Society.

Adjourned one week to October 13lh.

Exhibited. — Flowers: Dahlias, in variety, from M. P. Wilder, S. Sweet-
ser, J. Nugent, T. Needham, and others. Dahlias and a fine lot of roses
from Lewis Davenport.

Fruit: The exhibition of fruits to-day was very fine. The grapes were
numerous, and these, together with the pears and peaches, embraced su-
perior specimens. From T. Needham, Black Hamburgh, White Frontignan,
Syrian, and Black Frankendal grapes, all fine. From L. B. Comins, six
dishes Isabella grapes, finely colored, and well ripened. From J. F. Allen,
Black Hamburgh grapes ; three dishes superior pears — Urbaniste, Eeurr6
Bosc, and Napoleon. From J. Hill, native grapes. From J. Dane, Cale-
basse Bosc ("!), Napoleon, fine, Louise Bonne of Jersey pears, very fine.
From 0. Johnson, Ribston Pippin apples, fine. From G. Merriam, Craw-
ford's Late, Bergen's Yellow peaches, and a Seedling. From O. Everett,
quinces, very fine.

Oct. l^th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

Mr. J. Owen submitted a preamble and resolutions in regard to the for-
mation of an Experimental Garden, and it was, on motion of Cheever
Newhall,

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed by the chair to take the
subject into consideration and report at a future meeting, and Messrs. C.
Newhall, J. Owen, M. P. Wilder, B. V. French, and J. S. Cabot were
appointed the committee.

Voted, That for the future, whenever exhibitions take place in the
Library Room, the exhibitors be allowed to remove their contributions at
12 o'clock.

On motion of C. M. Hovey, it was

Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration
what measures, if any, should be adopted relative to the exhibitions of the
coming year, and to report at the annual meeting in January, 1850, and
that the president be chairman of that committee. — The committee was
filled by the appointment of C. M. Hovey, D. Haggerston, J. Breck, and
J. Lovett.

AWARD OF PREMIUMS ON FLOWERS.

The Committee on Flowers announced the following premiums : —

524 MassacJiiiseits Horticultural Society.

Herbaceous Plants. — For the best display through the season, ihe So-
ciety's silver medal, to J. Breck & Co., $5.
For the second best, Parker Barnes, $4.
For the third best, Messrs. Winship, $2.
Annuals. — For the best display through the season, the Society's silver
medal, to J. Breck & Co., $5.
For the second best, to Parker Barnes, S4.
For the third best, to A. Bowditch, $ 3.
Shrubby Plants. — For the best display through the season, the first
prize to Messrs. Winship, S5.
For the second best, to John A. Kenrick, $4.
For the third best, to William Kenrick, $3.
Rhododendrons. — For the best display of the season, the first prize, to
Hovey & Co., $3.
The second, not awarded.
Exhibited. — Fruit: From F. Tudor, Esq., from his garden at Nahant,
pears — Louise Bonne of Jersey, superior; Beurre Goubault, very fine;
Duchesse d'Angouleme, and Chaumontelle, superior ; Brown Beurr6, fair
and very fine. The specimens of the Louise Bonne, twelve in number,
were the most splendid we ever saw, being enormously large, very fair,
and well colored. The following note accompanied the fruit : —

Louise Bonne of Jersey, of Nahant growth. — This fruit is the largest in
the basket, measures a fraction short of 10^ inches, — weight, a fraction
less than 13| oz.

The whole circumference of 10 fruits in this basket is 8 feet 1 J inches, —
weight of the same, 7 lbs. 45 oz. They are the ten best fruits of a dwarf
tree, producing, in all, 95 fruils, stimulated with rain water, to which is
to be attributed the size of the fruit in a dry summer. All the other fruits
were large, and many of them injured by being blown off by the storm of
the 7th October.

From A. W. Haven, Flemish Beauty pears, very large. From Joseph
Bennet, Colmar d'Aremberg pears. From O. Johnson, White Doyenne
and Urbaniste pears; quinces, superior; apples. From J. F. Allen, Gol-
den nectarines; St. Michael figs; Black Hamburgh, very fine. Rose
Chasselas, White Frontignan, and Golden Chasselas grapes, very fine.
From C. E. Grant, Isabella grapes, G dishes, well colored, well ripened,
and sweet, superior. From T. Neediiam, Black Frankendale, Black
Hamburgh, White Frontignan, Muscat of Alexandria, and Syrian grapes,
all very fine. From F. King, Coe's Golden Drop plums, superior.

From Hovey & Co., Semiana plums; Diana grapes ; Knight's i\Ionarch
very fine, Excellcntissima, Belle Epine Dumas, Hull, Forelle, Due de
Bordeaux pears. The Diana grapes were tasted by the commiitee, who
make the following remark: — "Bears abundantly, and certain to ripen.
This grape is, in the opinion of the commiitee, the best suited to out-door
culture in New England of any they have tested." From J. Bliss, Bald-
win, Ribston Pippin apples, and three other sorts, — one of them a very
large, handsome apple, of fine quality. From J. Washburn, Pear quinces ;

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 525

also Seedling apple quinces, very fine. From B. H. Dewing, quinces,
very fine. From W. Bacon, quinces, very large. Apples, from Elisha
Tower; seedling raised by J. F. Fay, Northboro', a good sized, hand-
some red apple, of very good quality.

Oct. 20th. — Exhibited. — Fruits : From the President of the Society,
Swan's Orange and Monarch pears. From J. F. Allen, three varieties of
grapes, Golden nectarines, and fine Urbaniste and White Doyenn6 peara.
From Jos. Sticlcney, Beurr6 Diel, Brown Beurr6, and Van Mons Leon le
Clerc pears. From John Washburn, Swan's Orange pears, and fine
quinces. Isabella grapes, from J. Richardson. From E. Cleaves, Salem,
a basket of very fine Beurre Bosc pears. From H. Vandine, fine Marie
Louise pears. Splendid specimens of White Doyenne pears from H.
Plympton, Boston,— -these were as perfect as could be produced ; also,
Isabella grapes. From B. D. Emerson, Black Hamburgh grapes. From
Jas. Munroe, Urbaniste pears. From A. Bowditch, White Doyenne and
Monarch pears. From W. Sargent, fine BufTum pears. Fruit of the
Osage Orange, from W. Kenrick. From Jos. Bird, White Doyenn6 pears.

Oct. 27 ih. — Exhibited. — Fkuits: From W. C. Strong, four kinds of
grapes, all fine. From B. D. Emerson, Black Hamburgh grapes, very
superb berries, but not highly colored. From W. W. Merrill, Boston,
White Doyennd pears, very fine. From A. W. Haven, very fine Flemish
Beauty, Seckel, and Napoleon pears. From J. S. Cabot, Waterloo and
Colmar du Lot pears. From C. E. Grant, Isabella, very fine, and Black
Hamburgh grapes, open culture.

From 0. Johnson, a basket of very fine Duchesse d'Angouleme pears.
From A. W. Stetson, Isabella and Catawba grapes. From Hovey & Co.,
Diana grapes and Excellentissima pears. From J. Lovett, Vicompte de
Spoelberch pears, and Drap d'Or and Seedling apples. From S. Leeds,
Duchesse d'Angouleme and Passe Colmar pears, the last a very large speci-
men. From M. H. Simpson, two apples without name, one of them a fine
sweet apple. Pears without name, from S. Downer, Jr., Geo. Wilson,
and T. J. Vinton. Grapes from Geo. Walsh and H. Vandine.

The committee pronounced the Diana grapes well ripened and fine.
Excellentissima pear, fine : Vicompte de Spoelberch pear, fine ; Drap d'Or
apple, very fine.

AWARD OF PREMIUMS ON FRUITS.

Foreign Grapes, (after July 1.) — For the best specimens, (Black
Hamburgh,) to B. D. Emerson, $ 10.

For the second best, (Muscat of Alexandria,) to Hovey & Co., $7.
Native Grapes. — For the best specimens, (Diana,) to Hovey & Co., $5.

For the second best, (Isabella,) to C. E. Grant, $3.
Nectarines. — For the best twelve specimens, to J. F. Allen, $6.

For the second best, to W. D. Strong, $4.
Peaches, (open culture.) — For the best twelve specimens, to G. Mer-
riam, $6.

For the second best, to , $4.

Plums. — For the best specimens, (Green Gage,) to 0. Johnson, $6.

For the second best, (Coe's Golden Drop,) to E. King, $3.

526 Obituary.

Art. V. Answers to Correspondents.

Best Grapes for a Cold Vinery. M. C. Johnson. — The best grapes
for your house, which will contain twenty four vines, as you say you do not
wish for a great variety, are the following : —

Black Hamburgh, 8 vines; Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's No. 16, 2
Black Hamburgh, Wilmot's, 2 ; Black Prince, 2 ; White Frontignan, 2
Grizzly Frontignan, 2; Chasselas of Fontainbleau, 2; White Nice, 2
Muscat of Alexandria, 2.

The St. Alban's grape can be had.

Best Fig under Glass. M. C. Johnson. — W^e think the Black fig of
St. Michael's one of the best for this purpose. This we have seen tried
and it does well. Others may do as well, — the Brown Turkey, Black
Ischia, and White Marseilles, are all excellent kinds.

Twelve fine Roses for Winter Blooming. A lover of Eoses. —
Twelve fine sorts, for this purpose, are the following: — Tea, SoflTrano,
Bougere, Elize Sauvage ; CAma, Cramoise superieure, Fabvier ; Noisette,
Solfitaire, Lamarque ; Perpetual, La Reine, Comtesse Duchatel ; Bourbon,
Hermosa, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Paul Joseph. These twelve would
give a good variety and abundant bloom.

Apricots under Glass. M. C. Johnson. — The apricots you wish to
plant along the centre of a span-roofed vinery, as espaliers would do proba-
bly as well as other fruit trees, and a very good crop might be obtained, if
well managed. Success will depend something upon the management of
the vines ; they should not be allowed to shade too much. Plum trees
trained in this way, in the vinery of Mr. Strong, of Brighton, produce a
fair crop of handsome fruit.

Twelve best Dahlias of 1849. An Amateur. — The exhibitions of
the year have just closed, and if you wish to select your roots now, the fol-
lowing will give you a fine collection for a small one : — Miss Vyse, Louis
Philippe, Mont Blanc, Yellow Standard, Toison d'or, Boule de Feu ; Fancy,
Madam Wachy, Mrs. Shaw Le Fevre, Mimosa, Emperor de Maroc, Sun-
beam, Rainbow.

Art. YL Obituary.

Death of Rev. Henry Colman. — The death of Mr. Colman took
place at Islington, near London, on the 17th of August last, after a brief
illness of only a week or two, at the age of 65 years. The event has
already been generally announced, and we record his decease that we may
have the opportunity to speak of his valuable services in the cause of agri-
cultural and rural improvement.

Mr. Colman has, for the last fifteen years, devoted his attention to the
interests of agriculture. He was educated for the ministry, and discharged
the duties of his profession in Salem, where he was settled over the Essex
Street Church for several years. But his love for agricultural pursuits
induced hina to resign his ministerial labors, and he removed to Deerfield,

Horticultural Memoranda. 527

Mass., where he occupied a large farm, and became a constant contributor
to the few agricultural papers then published.

In 1838 he was appointed, by Gov. Everett, agricultural commissioner
for the State of Massachusetts, and devoted his attention to the duties of
the office untilit was abolished in 1842, completing, in that period, three
reports, extending to more than 1,000 pages. During the latter part of
this time he also assisted as editor of the Neio England Farmer. In 1842
he visited Western New York, and made arrangements to take charge of
the New Genessee Farmer, which duty he discharged for a j'ear or more,
when he made arrangements for his European agricultural tour.

Mr. Colman's Agricultural Reports, as well as the several numbers
which comprise his two volumes of European Agricullure, have all been
reviewed in our pages, and it is unnecessary for us to say how greatly they
have contributed to the advancement of agricultural science throughout the
country. His last " Familiar Letters" we have not had the leisure to
read. In his death, agriculture loses one of its most devoted friends.

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR NOVEMBER.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines, in the greenhouse, or vinery, will now have lost their
leaves, and the wood will be ripening rapidly. Continue to air the house
freely in all good weather. In cold houses, where the crop yet remains on
the vines, the houses should be kept cool and dry, giving air liberally in
fine weather, and closing up rather early. Vines in pots should not be
exposed to frost unless the wood is well ripened. Hardy grapes in the
open air may now be pruned, as about all the wood worth retaining for
next year's bearing will be ripe. All that is green should be cut away,
and, where necessary, the ripe wood shortened back.

StraiL'berry beds should be protected with a light covering of coarse strawy
manure or leaves.

Raspberry plantations should be protected in like manner, or by earthing
over the canes.

Peach trees in pots should be wintered in a warm shed or cool cellar,
where the earth will not freeze sufficiently to endanger the breaking of
the pots.

Fig trees, in pots, should be protected in a similar place to that recom-
mended for peach trees. Under the stage of a greenhouse is a very good
place.

Fruit trees, of all kinds, may be more safely transplanted now than at
any season of the year. Protect newly planted ones, as well as those
already established, with a wheelbarrow of good manure, (or compost, if
no manure,) to each tree. Seedling pears, plums, quinces, &c., should
also be protected with a thin covering of manure. 4

528 Horticiiltiu^al Memoranda.

Cherry, pear, apple, quince, and other fruit tree seeds, may be planted
this month, selecting a good soil in a situation not too moist.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias, if not already taken up, should be looked after before severe
frost. If there is not leisure to attend to it immediately, the roots should
be slightly earthed over. Take up in dry weather, and place the roots
away from all danger of frost.

Pelargoniums should now be repotted and kept in the coolest part of the
greenhouse.

Camellias should be put in order for the winter by carefully washing the
leaves, top-dressing the pots, and neatly staking up the plants. Water
liberally and syringe in good weather. Seeds may be planted now.

Lilies of all the hardy kinds should be planted during the month.

Gladioluses should be taken up before hard frost.

Ixias, Sparaxis, and other Cape bulbs, should now be planted.

Carnations and pica tees should be put into frames and protected in severe
weather.

Tulip and hyacinth planting should be completed this month.

Paonics, of all kinds, may be safely transplanted this month.

Verbenas for early blooming should now be shifted into larger pots. Cut-
tings for a succession may now be put in.

Roses of some hardy kinds will need protection. The Bourbons, Hardy
perpetuals, and Noisettes, if standing in a dry subsoil, with a few inches of
covering, will stand the winter well. Some of the mosses flower better
by bending down the tops and throwing over a slight covering of coarse
manure. Prairie roses in very cold situations do better to peg the strong
shoots down to the soil, so that they may be covered by the snows of win-
ter. All the kinds are not equally hardy.

Chinese primroses may now be shifted again into larger pots.

Herbaceous plants may yet be removed with safety. Before severe frost,
they should have a little covering of leaves or decayed manure thrown over
them.

Oxaliscs may yet be potted for a succession.

Erythrina crista galli should now be taken up and wintered in the cellar
or greenhouse, out of danger of frost.

Pansies, in beds, should have a covering of very old manure or leaf
mould.

Double Ilclianlhuses should be taken up and wintered in the cellar.

Cyclamcnc may now be shifted into larger pots, if they require it.

Half-hardy plants, in pots, may he successfully wintered in frames, where
many of them do better than in the greenhouse.

Naipolilan violets may yet be set out in frames, if not already done.

Greenhouse plants, of all kinds, will now require attention. The pots
should be washed clean, the soil top-dressed and all kinds of insects de-
stroyed. Nothing adds so much to the attractiveness of a collection of
plants as cleanliness.

THE MAGAZINE

OF

HORTICULTURE

DECEMBER, 1849.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Art. I. Notes of a Visit to Oatlands, Hempstead, L. /., N.
Y., the residence of D. F. Manice, Esq. By the Editor.

Oatlands, the residence of Mr. Manice, is situated on the
main road from Brooklyn to Hempstead, about four miles
from Jamaica, and less than a mile from the station of the
Long Island Railroad at Brushville. The location is on a
level plain, without prospect, and has but few natural ad-
vantages for a country residence. The soil is also light, and
rather sandy, and consequently not so well adapted to all de-
scriptions of trees and shrubs, as most places of similar ex-
tent; but, to make up for the absence of all these, the pro-
prietor has brought to his assistance all the means and appli-
ances of taste and art, and has thus made his residence,
saving one thing, a commanding prospect, all that could be
desired, and more than many, far better located, can claim.

The grounds extend over fifty-six acres, eighteen of which
are covered with a natural and dense growth of oaks, ashes,
elms, &c., which have been judiciously thinned out, and now
form a fine park, in the rear of the house. The remainder,
including the flower garden, orchard, pleasure ground, &c.,
is grass and tillage land. The house is a handsome building.
in a kind of castellated gothic, standing about fifty feet from
the road, with the conservatory and hothouse, and flower
garden on the left, — the kitchen garden and forcing-houses
on the right, — and the lawn and pleasure ground, in the rear
of the house, separating it from the park. The approach is

VOL. XV. — ^NO. XII. 67

530 Notes of a Visit to Oatla7ids,

to the right, through an avenue hedged with privet, and
bordered with ornamental trees.

Our visit was somewhat hurried, — but, in the brief time we
were allowed to make the circuit of the place, we noted down
many things, though far less than we could have wished;
for Mr. Manice is an enthusiastic admirer of plants and
trees, and has gathered within his extensive grounds a rare
collection of plants, a choice assortment of fruit trees, and
many of the beautiful ornamental trees and shrubs of recent
introduction to notice; sparing no pains to possess every thing
which could add to the interest or beauty of his residence.

The hothouse is about forty feet long and twenty wide,
with a span roof, and stands about twenty feet from the
house. The conservatory is a large and lofty building, sixty
feet by thirty, and fourteen feet to the eaves, with a span
roof The interior arrangements are a narrow border on the
sides and ends, with a broad walk all round, and a large
paved bed in the centre, on which the plants are placed. The
conservatory and stove are both heated with a powerful hot-
water apparatus, by which a good temperature is easily ob-
tained, though so many cubic feet of air are to be warmed.
The conservatory connects with the stove, transversely, from
which it is entered at one end, opening at the other to the
flower garden.

The stove, at this early season, (Oct. 8,) had scarcely been
arranged for the winter, and but few specimens were yet
in bloom. The collection contains several of the Orchidacese,
a few only of which were in flower, but they were all in
good health, under the care of the gardener, Mr. Parnell,
and gave evidence of good bloom during the ensuing spring
and summer. We here saw a fine specimen of the lovely
Gardenia Stanleydna in flower, a plant we have already no-
ticed, (Vol. XII, p. 28,) but which we had never seen in bloom.
It is even more beautiful than the representation of it in the
Botanical Register. It is, undoubtedly, the finest plant in the
country. Gongora atropurpurea, Stanhopea insignis, Cdt-
tleya crispa and Cyrtoceras reflexa, the last in bloom, were
some of the best orchids. Fine specimens of >S'tatice macro-
phylla, Clerodendron splendens, Napoleona imperialis, and
many others equally rare, made part of the stove collection.

the Residence of D. F. Maiiice, Esq. 531

The conservatory contained some very large and hand-
some camellias, acacias, &c. Two plants, of historical as
well as floral interest, were fine orange trees, formerly be-
longing to Robert Morris, and of such size that one of them
has yielded more than livo hundred fine fruit in one year ; —
they were yet in excellent health, and well-shaped trees.
The citron has fruited with Mr. Manice, and one specimen
weighed 31b. 1 J oz. Psidium Cattleyd/mwi, a very fine speci-
men, nearly ten feet high ; a nice plant of that most desirable
and elegant plant Cestrum aurantiacum, whose rich apricot
colored blossoms, profusely covering the branches in dense
spikes, is one of the finest acquisitions to the greenhouse,
blooming in October and November, when there is so little in
flower. On the shelves the much talked about, much abused,
and rather too much praised. Plumbago Larpent« was in
flower; the color of its blossoms renders it ornamental, but it
has rather a shabby habit which detracts from its beauty.
Mandevillea suaveolens, that beautiful climber, too little
known and too seldom seen, had reached the top of the
house, and hung its festoons of white, fragrant, bell-shaped
flowers in such profusion as to perfume the air with their
odor. All the climbing plants are growing in the border.

Continuing our walk about the grounds, we entered the
flower garden, which is laid out in beds, bordered with
box ; the dahlias were about all that remained in bloom at
this late season, save here and there a stray rose ; and we con-
tinued on to the lawn, where we found much of interest in
the various specimens of trees and shrubs. Bignonia grandi-
flora, trained to a pole, and kept cut in, is a most ornamental
object; here it stands uninjured, but in the latitude of Bos-
ton it may be had in equal beauty ; the only labor required
is to loosen the branches from the pole and lay them on the
ground, where they can be protected with a few leaves. Sal-
isbur/a adiantifolia, the Ginkgo tree, ten feet, fine; several
large and superb trees of the Norway spruce ; Weeping
ash, fifteen feet ; Aralia spinosa is an ornamental object,
standing singly on the lawn ; J.^bies Smith^a?^a, Cedrus De-
oddra, Cedar of Lebanon, Pinus excelsa, and others, were
planted out, but were yet small, except the Pinus, which
was four feet high ; two large and fine chestnut trees, (one of

532 Noles of a Visit to Oatlands,

them the Spanish,) about thirty feet high, and so loaded
with fruit that their branches touched the ground, were ob-
jects which every lover of trees should see; of the Spanish,
Mr. Manice has gathered twenty-four fruits which weighed
a jwiind. In front of the conservatory and stove, and near
the house, were fine specimens of Magnolm conspicua, twelve
feet high, which are perfectly hardy here ; M. purpurea and
M. Soulangedwa. The yew is perfectly hardy.

We now entered the fruit garden, which is filled with
standard and dwarf trees, the former in rows, about twenty
feet apart; the unpropitious season had affected the trees
here, as in other places, and Mr. Manice had but little fruit
this year. We noticed, however, a tree of Beurre Langelier,
with three or four fruits, the first time of its bearing here.
About half an acre is filled with dwarf pear trees on the
quince, now of good size. Mr. Manice has a plum garden
on the plan which we have heretofore noticed, viz., a square
planted with trees, under which the ground is wholly paved
with brick, and surrounded with a high board fence, thus
cutting off" all means of egress for the curculio ; the paving
preventing them from making their way out of the ground,
and the fence keeping them from the enclosure. The trees
were in fine condition, and Mr. Manice informed us he had
been successful in securing abundant crops of plums. The fig
is cultivated here in the open ground, the plants being pro-
tected by large boxes, which cover the plants, with a few
leaves thrown in among the branches, before the top is nailed
on. The plan is worthy of being followed by ail who like to
try the fig in the open air.

The forcing-houses are extensive, being about one hundred
and fifty feet long, and divided into three compartments, one
of which is an early vinery, one a succession house, and the
last a cold house. The crop was abundant, and the vines
were yet bearing a quantity of fruit. One of the houses was
nearly filled with the Muscat of Alexandria, so well ripened
as to have that rich amber tint which it always acquires
when fully mature. The walls are of brick, and every thing
is built in the most substantial manner.

The various hedges, in different parts of the grounds, are ex-
ceedingly well managed — some are of the Cockspur Thorn —

the Residence of D. P. Majiice, Esq. 533

others of the Washington ; some of Three-thorned acacia —
some of buckthorn — some of arbor vitse, and others of the
privet; all look Avell, — but to our fancy the buckthorn and
privet bear off the palm, except when used as a screen, and
then the arbor vitse must claim preeminence. The verdure of
the privet is deeper than the buckthorn, and it retains its fo-
liage very late — qualities which add greatly to its value. The
Washington thorn has a dark glossy foliage, but does not
appear to make so compact a hedge.

We have remarked that the soil was light and sandy, and,
consequently, quickly affected by the droughts of summer,
and to such a degree as to greatly injure not only annual
crops, but trees of all sizes and kinds. To counteract this
want of moisture in the soil, Mr. Manice has, at great ex-
pense and labor, recently completed very extensive water-
works, located in the rear of the park, the reservoir of which
is elevated some twenty-five feet above the surrounding
ground, so as to irrigate every part of his premises. The
water is supplied from a well, elevated by windmill power,
but a gale, subsequent to our visit, having demolished it, Mr.
Manice informs us that he has now adopted a steam pump,
which is to raise two hundred gallojis per minute. The sup-
ply of water from a well, thirty or forty feet deep, is almost
inexhaustible ; a sufficient quantity to fill the reservoir, hold-
ing many thousand gallons, not materially lessening its depth.
From the reservoir, under-ground pipes of iron, ten inches in
diameter, conduct the water through all the main walks,
and when wanted for use, a hose, applied to any of the hy-
drants, which are fitted at convenient distances, will dis-
charge a volume of water with sufficient force to completely
irrigate every portion of the grounds. The expense of con-
structing the water-works exceeded $4000.

Mr. Manice deserves great credit for the taste he has dis-
played in making a place, naturally possessing so few advan-
tages for a country residence, so full of interest. No depart-
ment of horticulture has been neglected, and when the
water-works are completed, Oatlands must become one of
the finest residences on Long Island.

534 Principles and Practice of Horticulture.

Art. II. Desultory Remarks on the Principles and Practice
of Horticulture. By Wm. Saunders, New Haven, Conn.

The amount of pleasure to be derived from horticulture,
and the interest taken in it by its patrons, will, generally, be
found in a pretty exact ratio with the success resulting from
their operations, and the accomplishment of the objects and
ends towards which their labor has been applied. Many who
have entered enthusiastically in the cultivation of fruit trees,
for instance, have, after a time, become disheartened by their
want of success, and the enumeration of their failures has
hindered others from attempting it. And, truly, when we
look to the long array of difficulties, real or supposed, that
are, from time to time, promulgated, there is some allowance
for the conclusion. I say supposed difficulties, for it is evi-
dent that, in many instances, no effort has been made to trace
effects to their proper causes ; and, in some cases, where the
effort has been made, to use a familiar phrase, " the saddle
has been put on the wrong horse." As instances, I may
mention the occasional blistering of the leaves of peach trees,
in the early part of summer, which I have heard stoutly ar-
serted was produced by the aphides, and I once failed in try-
ing to convince a worthy old gentleman that it was a fly
which caused the leaves of his apple trees to curl, and not,
as he supposed, the ants he saw running up and down the
stem ; and in the last number of your Magazine we have an-
other illustration of the fact, in the article on pear tree blight,
where that malady is, I think, traced to its proper source.

It may safely be assumed then, that many of the causes
assigned for particular effects, have been prematurely arrived
at, and facts have been thrown aside to make way for long
cherished theories, which, when investigated, have been
found to be simply absurd, and contrary to any law or pro-
vision of nature; for, although the culture of plants, as arti-
cles of food, or objects of beauty, dates from a very ancient
period, it is only very lately understood to be founded on
general and fixed principles ; and I believe that I am justi-
fied in saying that the majority of those who cultivate the
soil, have yet to learn that it is by the operation of natural

Principles and Practice of Horticulture, 535

laws that plants grow, and that all cultivation, unless found-
ed on these principles, must be uncertain and unsatisfactory.

The cultivator of the soil has constantly to contend with
various incidents which go far to counteract his best efforts;
weather, — climate, — soil, — all have a material influence upon
his operations. Insects and vermin of various sorts have to
be contended with, forming a phalanx of formidable oppo-
nents, requiring skill, intrepidity, and a knowledge of their
habits and natures, to enable him to adopt measures for their
extermination. Sudden and extreme changes of weather are
too well known to be often the cause of ruinous disappoint-
ment, and, if the location and other physical circumstances
are bad, success will be limited, although his management
may be unimpeachable.

Keeping these things in view, it is plain that a thorough
knowledge of the fundamental laws, the definite and immuta-
ble principles on which these physical sciences are founded,
is of the utmost importance to the cultivator of the soil, en-
abling him to see the rationale of his operations, and contend,
with some chance of success, against the many evils with
which he is assailed.

Practice without science may be compared to a ship with-
out either compass or rudder — the sails may be unfurled, and
every advantage taken to catch the favoring breeze, but the
chances of reaching the desired haven are few ; so, seed may
be sown, trees planted, and all the minor details performed,
but, without science (the compass,) success will result more
from accident than certainty ; and the probability of a suc-
cessful termination will, in both cases, be very much alike.

On the other hand, there is not wanting those who, con-
fiding solely on theoretical knowledge, are as little inclined
to listen to the experience of practice, as the others are to the
dictates of science. It is needless to say, the one extreme is
as bad as the other, and it is to the intelligent, practical man
that we must look for the useful application in art of the
demonstrations of science ; and although the truths that sci-
entific research has already revealed, may be looked upon as
only faint glimmerings of mighty principles yet to be di-
vulged, if the light that has already been thrown upon the
economy of vegetable life was more generally difl'used, many

536 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples.

of the obstacles which now intervene, would be observed and
eventually removed.

I hope these desultory remarks will not appear altogether
out of place, for it cannot be denied that an empirical system
of cultivation has long been practised, but is gradually giving
way, and the sooner it is consigned to oblivion the better,
that it may no longer interfere with the progress of science.
To conclude, in the words of the poet,

" Strength may wield the ponderous spade,
May turn the clod, and wheel the compost home.
But elegance, chief grace the garden shows
And most attractive, is the fair result of thought."

New Haven, Oct. 27, 1849.

Art. III. Descriptions and Etigravings of Select Varieties
of Apples. By the Editor.

XXIV. Summer Rose. Coxe's View, «S6c.

Harvest, J of some collections.

Woolman's Harvest, j

The Slimmer Rose {fg. 46,) is a beautiful summer apple,
of medium size, and of excellent quality, well deserving a
place in every good collection. Coxe describes it as an apple
of " singular beauty and excellence, both for eating and stew-
ing;" but, though this was thirty years ago, it does not ap-
pear to have been but little cultivated, except in New Jersey,
where it is known, in many places, as Woolman's Harvest,
under which name we received it from thence, five or six
years ago. It is not often seen in our markets, and what few
find their way there, are received by the way of New York.
Our trees came into bearing this year, and we were surprised
to find it so good a fruit.

The tree grows vigorously, having an erect habit while
young, but forming, in time, a fine spreading head; it also
comes earlier into bearing than many kinds of apples.

Size, medium, about two and a half inches broad, and two

Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 537

deep : Form, roiindishj depressed at each end, very regular
in shape, largest in the middle : Skin, very fair, smooth, of a
pale, greenish-yellow hue, having a waxen appearance, con-

Fig. 46. Summer Rose Apple.

siderably clouded and marbled with a clear bright red on the
sunny side, and rather sparsely sprinkled with russet specks :
Stem, short, about half an inch long, rather slender, and not
deeply inserted in a shallow regular cavity : Eye, medium
size, open, and moderately sunk in an abruptly depressed and
slightly furrowed, open basin ; segments of the calyx short :
Flesh, greenish-white, fine, crisp, and tender : Juice, abun-
dant, subacid, sprightly, high flavored, and excellent : Core,
small: Seeds, small, light colored. Ripe in August.

XXV. Fall Harvey. Book of Friiits, 1st Ed.

The late Mr. Manning considered the Fall Harvey, {fg.
47) " without question, the finest fall and early winter ap-
ple." It is a large, showy, yellow fruit, similar in general
appearance to the Fall Pippin, and also resembles it consid-
erably in its eating qualities. It v.^as first introduced tO'
notice, we believe, by Mr. Manning, and is supposed to have
originated in Essex county, Mass., where it is much culti-
vated, and from whence the market is mostly supplied with
this variety. It is a vigorous growing tree, and a good bearer.

VOL. XV. — NO. XII. 68

538 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Ajjples.

In the nursery it may be easily known from the Fall Pippin,
by its yellower and more slender shoots. When old, the trees
make a good head.

Fig. 47. Fall Harvey Apple.

Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and three
long : Form, roundish, regular, little flattened at each end,
somewhat ribbed at the base, and rounding off to the crown,
which is large, and slightly oblique : Skin, fair, smooth, rich,
deep-yellow, traced with russet around the stem, rarely
tinged with blush on the sunny side, and thickly covered
with small russet dots : Stem, short, about quarter of an inch
long, stout, and little sunk in an open, shallow, and uneven
basin : Eye, large, closed, and very slightly depressed in a
broad, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx, broad, short :
Flesh, yellow, little coarse, crisp and tender : Juice, plenti-
ful, rich, subacid, and high flavored : Core, large, very open :
Seeds, medium size, short and plump. Ripe from November
to January.

Descrij)tions of Select Varieties of Apples. 539

XXVI. Vandervere. Coxe's View^ <S^c.

Staalclubs, of some, according to Coxe.

Few apples have a more beautiful and prepossessing ap-
pearance than the Vandervere, {Jig. 48.) We have had spe-
cimens from various parts of the country, but those from the

Fig. 48. Vandervere Apple.

hght soils of Western New York have been preeminently
beautiful, being perfectly fair, with a yellow ground, covered
with brilliant red in delicate stripes and splashes. In the
West, where it is much cultivated, it is a favorite apple; but
in New England it is ^'^et very little known. We hope, how-
ever, it will be introduced more generally, as we are sure it
would be a favorite fruit.

The Vandervere originated in Delaware, near Wilmington,
and is there much celebrated ; but its good qualities and
handsome appearance have bespoken its praise until it has
become very generally known. The tree delights in a rich,
light loamy soil, and in such a situation the trees grow to a
large size, and produce great crops.

Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and two
and three quarters long : Form, roundish, flattened at each

o 10 On the Cultivation of Grape Vines in Greefikouses.

end, narrowing towards the crown : Ski?i, fair, smooth, rich
deep-yellow, covered with a deep vermilion-red, finely and
rather indistinctly striped, and thickly dotted over the sur-
face with large, yellowish spots : Stem, short, about half
an inch long, rather stout, and deeply inserted in a broad,
smooth, rather open cavity: Ei/e, medium size, closed, and
moderately sunk in a broad, open, furrowed basin ; seg-
ments of the calyx rather long : Flesh, yellow, fine, crisp,
and tender : Juice, abundant, pleasantly acid, sprightly, high
flavored, and excellent: Core, medium size, nearly closed :
Seeds, medium size, sharply pointed, brown. Ripe from Oc-
tober to January.

Art. IV. On the Cultivation of Grape Vines in Green-
houses. By James Hutchinson. From the Journal of the
London Horticultural Society.

In a previous volume, we have detailed at length, the treat-
ment of grape vines in the greenhouse, as deduced from our
own experience; to this article we would refer all who are
about commencing the cultivation of the grape. But, as we
are always glad to give our readers the results of the practice
of successful grape growers, we now do so in the form of an
article from the last number of the Journal of the London
Horticultural Society, by Mr. Hutchinson. It is concise,
plain, and free from all ambiguity, — which cannot be said of
some of the articles in the same journal, — and commends it-
self by its simple detail of facts. In connection with what
has previously appeared in our pages, it will materially aid
the grape cultivator in the successful treatment of his vines.

Mr. Hutchinson's observations on the importance of cover-
ing the border, to preserve a terrestrial warmth, are less ap-
plicable to our climate than to that of England. Our clear
sky, — dryer atmosphere, — and hot sun, — accomplishing what
Mr. Hutchinson endeavors to do by thick covering. It is ne-
cessary to cover the border sufficiently to keep out all frost;
but, beyond this, in greenhouse cultivation, where the grapes
do not break till March, nothing more is required. In early
vineries, where forcing is commenced as early as January,

On the Cultivation of Grajie Vines in Greenhouses. 541

the same covering Mr. Hutchinson recommends, would be
most excellent ; and the water-proof canvas we would sug-
gest as far preferable to boards, which, we believe, are used
by Mr. Allen, and some other grape growers, as the means of
keeping the rains and snows of winter from chilling the bor-
der. His recommendation, of frequently stirring the border,
to keep up the moisture during summer, should be strictly
followed.

Mr. Hutchinson, it will be noticed, makes his borders of
"fibrous turf, leaf soil, and horse dung;" leaving the car-
casses of animals and other vile compounds, often recom-
mended, to those who choose to use them; and we commend
his practice to all who are about building graperies, and
making new borders. — Ed.

The vine has been successfully cultivated in pine-stoves
and vinehouses, in Britain, for many years, but its culture in
the greenhouse has not been attended with equal success.
This may proceed from various causes, such as the condition
of the vine-border, improper temperature, areation, &c. If
the border be imperfectly drained, or the soil exhausted, the
first thing to do is to remove the earth of the border to the
depth of three feet, if on a sloping surface, but if flat, two
feet will be quite sufficient. It should not be less than fifteen
feet wide.

It is impossible to lay down an invariable rule as to the
depth of soil which ought to be removed, in every case, but I
wish it to be distinctly understood that it is not necessary to
dig a deep pit, as some do, for the purpose of filling it up with
a mass of materials through which the sun's heat will never
penetrate ; for, although such a border may be made of the
best composition, it cannot be called a good border.

When the old soil is cleaned out, a good drain should be
made along the front of the border.

In forming the new border, the bottom part should have a
good slope, and should be covered, about ten inches deep,
with rough stones. Over the stones, place a covering of
furze, with the bushy side uppermost and the woody part
under. A row of turf should be placed upon the furze, with
the grassy side downward. This will form an effectual and
a permanent drainage to every part of the border.

542 On the Cultivatmi of Grape ViJies m Greenhouses.

The new border should be composed of fibrous turf, leaf
soil, and horse dung, which should be filled in to the depth of
four feet, as it will finally subside to about three feet. It is
unnecessary to prescribe the proportions to be used of the
above ingredients, as that must depend on circumstances.
Leaf soil is, generally, a scarce substance ; and therefore,
should the loam be of a strong quality, it should be mixed
with light soil, as much of a vegetable nature as possible,
keeping in view the principle that the composition should be
sufliciently porous.

If the old vines have been growing in a wet soil, or a great
portion of their roots decayed or rotten, I would recommend,
in planting them, to lay a portion of the stem across the bor-
der, and peg it down with strong pegs, about six inches deep.
As to what length ought to be laid down in this manner, that
will depend on the state of the old vine. The lower part of
neglected vines is generally bare of young wood, perhaps
half-way up the main stem. Some of the spurs beyond that,
may even be exhausted. I would, therefore, plant so as to
have a good fresh shoot at the entrance of the vine into the
house, or at least, at the foot of the rafter. This shoot should
be cut down to two or three eyes, and if all go on well, it will
grow from twenty to thirty feet the first season. If young
vines are required for planting, good strong vines should be
procured from a respectable nursery, and planted about the
beginning of March. The roots should be well spread out,
and three feet of the stem laid down horizontally, six inches
deep in the ground.

The sorts most suitable for a greenhouse are, — Black Ham-
burgh, Black Prince, Black Prince Hamburgh, White Sweet-
water.

Temperature of the border. — In No. 112 of Loudon's Gar-
deners' Magazine, I have directed the vine border to be cov-
ered, a fortnight previous to the commencement of forcing,
with horse dung of the best quality, to the depth of ten or
twelve inches. I would still recommend the same method,
or something similar, in every case in which the border has
been uncovered, or insufficiently covered during winter. But,
as the successful cultivation of all plants, especially exotics,
depends so much on terrestrial climate, I now prefer to have
the border covered in the autumn, so as to prevent the escape

0)1 the Cultivation of Grape Vines in Gi^eenhouses. 543

of the heat contained m it at that season. It fortunately hap-
pens that I have now sound data to proceed upon, in giving
directions in this matter. The following returns are taken
from Mr. Thompson's Tables of Ground Temperature at
Chiswick, which will apply, with little variation, to the
greater part of Britain and Ireland: —

One foot deep.

Two feet deep.

August,

62.37

61.95

September, .

58.35

59.04

October,

52.38

53.74

November, .

46.79

48.09

I would advise, therefore, that the border should be cov-
ered with a light covering of dry leaves, about the end of
September, for the temperature of the border will fall consid-
erably in October, as will be seen from the above table. A
covering of water-proof canvas should also be applied to
carry off heavy rains. As soon as a sufficient quantity of
leaves can be collected, they should be laid on about eighteen
inches thick. Where leaves cannot be had sufficiently long,
dung or fern might be used instead. But, whatever material
is applied, it must not be forgotten that protection from the
rain is indispensable, or the heat of the border will be exceed-
ingly variable.

The covering should be removed about the middle of May,
when the border should be forked over. It should be fre-
quently stirred with the Dutch hoe, during summer, but es-
pecially after heavy rains. If the border is managed in this
manner, it will seldom require any watering if situated in
the western part of Britain or Ireland. In the eastern part
of this island, the watering of the border should be attended
to when necessary, but especially at the commencement of
the last swelling of the grapes. The water should have been
warmed by exposure to the air.

Temperature of the house. — If the house were covered with
water-proof canvas at night, during frosty weather, very little
fire heat would be requisite, and vines and all plants kept in
the greenhouse, much benefited. In winter the thermometer
should never exceed 40° when the assistance of artificial heat
is required. About the beginning of March, when the buds
of the vines are well swelled, the heat should be raised to 50°
if dull weather, and 60° or 65° during the day, if clear

544 On the Cidtivatioji of Grape Vines in Greenhouses.

weather. This temperature will be advantageous to gerani-
ums, fuchsias, &c., at this season. When the mornings are
frosty in this month, the thermometer in the greenhouse is
generally down to 45° or 46° with me. I have had it as low
as this even when the grapes were in flower, and I have
never observed that they sustained any injury by this low
temperature. As the season advances, of course the heat
ought to be increased to 55° or 60° at night, and to 70°, 75°,
or 80° during the day. 50° and 55° at night, may be safely
taken as a general rule, for the first and second month's
growth. Air will be required, both night and day, at all
times when fire heat is necessary. In mild weather, in win-
ter, I give plenty of air during the day, and a small portion
at night also.

No front air will be required in the early part of the season,
unless the weather is very mild. In summer, when the nights
are warm, a small portion of air should be left on all night
at two lights. If the temperature be low in the morning,
shut the house, and give no air till eight o'clock. It might
be sooner or later, according to the situation of the house. It
is impossible to lay down rules as to the time when air ought
to be given, or the quantity requisite at all times, nor is it
necessary, for this department of the business is snre to be
best performed by the person who keeps general principles
constantly in view, and not by him who is entirely guided
by written directions. It should always be remembered, that
heat should accompany light, and coolness darkness.

Pruning. — I formerly recommended the long system of
pruning vines as best adapted to late vineries; but, as the vines
must be confined to the rafters in a greenhouse, in this case I
would advise the adoption of the spur system. A chief ob-
jection to this mode of pruning is, that in the course of time
the spurs get long and ragged ; but if the border is in tolera-
bly good condition, and covered as I have directed, the vines
will push vigorously from various parts of the old wood of
the spur, which may, therefore, be shortened as opportunities
offer. It is unnecessary to enter further into this department
of the subject, as the summer pruning and the preparation of
young vines for difierent plans of training, are generally un-
derstood by gardeners.

General Notices. 545

Thinning and pruning the G?-apes. — Thinning should be
commenced as soon as the grapes are the size of peas. They
should be thinned so as not to press too much against each
other when ripe. If not sufficiently thinned, they will not
swell properly, and many of them will rot, especially if a
damp season. The great secret in preserving grapes is, to
keep the house thoroughly dry, and as cool as possible, so
that frost is excluded ; therefore give air abundantly. In no
case should artificial heat be applied when the house is shut,
unless during severe frost and the roof of the house unpro-
tected. It is evident that the more heat is introduced to the
house, the more rapid is the ascent of moisture from the
lower to the upper parts of the house ; and, as heat and
moisture are the chief agents in decomposition, the common
method of applying artificial heat, when the house is shut,
for the purpose of preserving grapes, only hastens their decay.

It is not to be expected that so large a crop of grapes can
be obtained from a greenhouse, as from a late vinehouse,
pruned on the long system ; but if the system is pursued
which I have recommended, the produce of grapes in a green-
house will be superior to a vinehouse of the same extent,
whose management is conducted without regard to the recent
improvements in horticultural science.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

Art. I. General Notices.

Rare Coniferce and Improvemejits at the Cairnies, Perthshire, the property
of George Pat ton, Esq. — ( Continued from page 509.) — The following have
leaves in fives, rarely /burs in a sheath.

Pinus Devoniana, — native name, Pino bianco, — is an inhabitant of the
mountain Ocotillo, in Mexico, between Real del Monte and Regla. Judging
from the cones, this should be a stupendous species, as these are a foot in
length ; yet it is set down as attaining only a height of 80 feet by EndUcher.
An undoubtedly valuable kind, quite hardy, yet new, and high priced. It
is, of course, quite young here.

Pinus macrophylla. — Inhabits the same mountainous district in Mexico,
with thalast, where Hartweg found only one tree, which had attained to
no great height, though it is believed to be, when fully grown, a very large
VOL. XV. — NO. XII. 69

546 General Notices.

tree. It is adorned with magnificent foliage, 14 inches in length, which
must lend a transcendent softness and grace to the full grown tree. It is,
as yet, very rare, and highly prized by pine fanciers. Being new, it is
here, of course, quite young.

Pimis Hartwegti. — Is of the same beautiful long foliaged character with
the preceding. This strikingly beautiful Mexican species was found by the
discoverer, whose name it bears, on Monte Campanario, at 'JOOO feel of el-
evation, just above the boundary where the Abies religiosa ceases to grow.
It is remarkable for the length and abundance of its fine, light tasselated
foliage ; and, though by no means a tall tree, must produce a very pictur-
esque effect in the grown specimen. It is believed to favor a swampy bot-
tom ; quite hardy. It is yet quite rare, and is here quite young.

Pmus Russelliana. — Found near the same locality in Mexico, with the
preceding, near the Real del Monte, on the road between San Pedro and
San Pablo. The foliage is remarkable for its length. A large sized spe-
cies, set down as growing on swampy ground ; hardy, also young and rare.

Pinus Montezuma:. — Found on the Orizaba and other mountains, in Mex-
ico, still more remarkable than the above for its length of foliage, " foliis
longis, (pedalibus sesquipedalibus) rigidis," &c. It is the Pinus occiden-
talis of Humb. Bonpl. Kunih, &c., and has a variety named P. Lindleyi of
Loudon. It has been tested and found quite hardy.

Pinus Pseudo-Strobus. — Found at an elevation of 8000 feet, at Angan-
guco, in Mexico, and distinguished, like the above, for its elongated foliage,
which, being of a light glaucous green, is very graceful. It offers well, and
attains, when fully grown, a large size. Of doubtful hardihood. It is here
planted on a shady, shelving rock, where, as yet, it has indicated no signs
of tenderness, having withstood the sharp frost which was here severely felt
in the beginning of June last.

Pinus Lambcrtiana. — Found by Douglas, in North-west America, be-
tween 40° and 43° North latitude, and 100 miles inland, where it reaches
the prodigious height of between 150 and 200 feet. Endlicher even adds
Arbo7- giganlea non nvnquam pedes ducentenos excedente. This is, probably,
the most stupendous tree of this whole division. Though young here, I ob-
served one specimen which has produced cones — abortive it is true — but
though the plant was only 9 inches high, it bore 15 such formations. This
species is quite hardy.

Pinus monticola. — Found in the mountains, near the Kettle Falls of the
Colombia, and at the river Spokan, in North-west America. Beautiful and
rare. It is believed that a spurious species has got abroad in many parts,
which appears to be nothing else than a variety of P. Strobus. Here the
graft is from the Dropmore tree, which is, unquestionably, genuine, and is
plainly the same with that of the Keillour Pinetum, with which I carefully
compared it. The tree is very resinous, and grows to a great size. The
true kind is, undoubtedly, hardy, and strikingly beautiful in its habit. This
species cannot be sufficiently recommended.

Pinus Ayacahtiite. — This splendid species was found by Ebrenberg,
growing in the mountains of Chiapa and Oaxaca of Mexico. Mr. Harlweg

General Notices. &47

also found it in Guatemala. It is a tree of 100 feet; the yountj branches
are clothed with a ferruginous down. It is of the Strobus tribe, but shorter
leaved.

pinus Slrolus nivea. — This variety of the Weymovth pine offers to be-
come a decided beauty. In its native habitats in Northeast America, this
species sometimes attains the magnificent height of 200 feet. It is found
near the Mississippi, at the Lake of St. John's, from 48° to 51° North lat-
itude, and as far up as the Alleghany Mountains. This species is beauti-
ful, and this variety eminently so.

I must, for the present, pass over many other interesting species which
are grown here of the section Pinus, with

Pinus tuberculata. — It is found in Monterey, in California, near the sea-
shore, in 36° North latitude. It is a splendid species, reaching 100 feet,
and quite hardy. I have observed that Hartweg holds this as identical with
p. insignis, the exposure to the sea air producing the tubercules, and cramp-
ing the vigor, w^hich he says constitute the whole difference. Let growers
here determine.

Of the Abietin.e, there are here most of the rarer kinds.

Abies Douglassii — There are here many very promising specimens of this
well-known, magnificent tree. I examined two specimens on the neighbor-
ing estate of Lyndoch, which appeared distinct varieties, one with lighter,
another with darker foliage, the latter having its branches more horizontal,
the former more fastigiate. The dark foliage kind appeared to be from 35
to 40 feet in height, and above three feet in girth, and covered an area of
about 90 feet in circumference, probably the finest of its kind in Scotland.
In noticing this tree among the Belstane Coniferae, I stated it as reaching
100 feet in height. This monarch of the Abietinse attains a far greater
height. "Arbor magna, 150 et 200 interdum pedum altitudinem attingens
trunco ambitu 20 ad 55 pedes metiente," so says Endlicher. Dr. Lindley
notices it as attaining even a height of 230 feet and upwards, with a girth
of 75 feet. It is found forming vast woods, between 42° and 52° of North
latitude, near the Colombia River, and sometimes in Mexico. Again I
would urge the extensive growth of this handsome and gigantic spruce,
which adapts itself to any locality where there is soil to bear it.

Abies Menziesii, is a Californian species of great beauty, perfectly hardy,
and offers here to become very handsome in the full-grown tree, the timber
of which is highly valuable. It is the Pinus Menziesii of Douglas and Lam-
bert, and the Abies Menziesii of Loudon, whose classification is generally
followed.

Abies Brunoniana of the Himalayas, also offers well. If hardy, its grace-
ful habit and beautiful silvery shaded foliage entitle it to a place in every
pinetum ; grows from 70 to 80 feet. Habitat, Bhootan, and Nepal, at Bun-
ipain, and in Gossainthan ; synonyms Pinus decidua, P. dumosa, Abies du-
mosa ; native names in Bhootan Tawo--sAmo-, in Nepal Changathasi Dhup.
Those having the means of doing so, should endeavor to obtain seeds of
this valuable kind, which is a beautiful thing for lawns.

Abies JSordmanniana. — This rare and truly noble species is variously

548 General Notices.

classed as Pinus, Picca, and Abies, Endlicher lending the weight of his
opinion to its being ranged under the latter head. It was discovered by M.
Nordraann, whose name it bears, on the ridge of the Adshar, near Guriel,
above the Fountains of Cyrus, at the river Nataneb, at an elevation of 6000
feet, and in the declivity on the southern side of the mountains lying be-
tween Cartilinia and Achalgich, round about Azehur, as far as the Alpine
region, interspersed with Pinus (Abies) orientalis, as observed by Witt-
man. It has a trunk of the straightest growth, 80 feet and upwards, with
a diameter of 3 feet. Enlicher notices it in glowing language, as among
the fairest of its race : "Arbor certe pulcherrima foliorum colore magis-
quam in reliquis argenteo et strobilorum mole," This is a valuable, but a
high priced species. Its wood is harder than the Abies orientalis, and is
never attacked by insects ; quite new and hardy ; plants very young. I
have noticed this among the Piccas in the Belstane ConifeiEe.

Here also are Ahies Fraseri, Abies ccerulca, Abies Khvtrow or morinda,
and others. I cannot close my remarks on this fine section without an-
other word in favor of the common Norway Spruce.

Abies excelsa of Loudon, the Pinus Picea du Roi of Endlicher, Pinus Abies
of Linnaeus, with a dozen of other synonyms. Planted here, as I have al-
ready noticed, between 30 and 40 years ago, the trees have attained a
height of 50 feet and upwards, and, with their large dark foliaged branches
sweeping the ground, produce a fine effect. These form a beautiful feature,
skirting the belts above alluded to, and have mainly contributed to the im-
provement of the climate, by the shelter which they secure. Growing on
sterile soil, on the loftiest Alps, they court a rigorous exposure. In one of
the most glowing passages of his most impassioned poem,* Lord Byron
thus apostrophizes this beautiful species : —

" But, from tlieir nature, will the tannen grow
Loftiest on loftiest aud least shelter'd rocks.
Rooted in barrenness, where nought below
Of soil supports them 'gainst the Alpine shocks
Of eddying storms; yet springs the trunk and mecks
The howling tempest till its height and frame
Are worthy of the mountains from whose blocks
Of bleak gray granite into life it came,
And grew a giant tree."

Tannen is the plural of Tanne, the German of Fir in general. The pres-
ent is the Swarztann e, Feuchlanne, or Rothlanne, of Northern Germany,
and seeks a still loftier elevation on the Alps than the Picea peclinala, the
Silver Fir, which latter only reaches from 2000 to 4000, while the former
reaches from 4000 to 7000 feet of elevation. As one of the most rapid
growing, and retaining its massive, thickly-leaved branches even to the
ground, throughout its growth, it cannot be too highly extolled a tree for
screens and shelter. It has even been used as fences, as I observed it on
the estate of George Mercer, Esq., of Gorthy, adjoining Mr. Patton's, on
the west, where it seemed to serve the purpose well. Its great cheapness,

* Childe Harolde.

General Notices. 549

and its ready adaptation to every climate and soil, costing only some 2s or
3s per 1000, present irresistible claims on landed proprietors for extensive
planting. — {To be continued.)

Autumnal Treatment of Greenhouse Plants. — The important process of
ripening the wood of these plants, is an indispensable one to their success-
ful cultivation, but is too little attended to by the majority of gardeners,
who, either through having their time too much occupied with the numer-
ous cares and duties which the revolving seasons bring with them in their
train, overlook it ; or, as is the case in many instances, through ignorance
of the utility of this necessary process, as on it depends in a great measure
the attainments of the objects for which they are cultivated, viz., a fine dis-
play of bloom. How frequently do we see greenhouse plants left in the
open air, during the autumn months, in wet seasons, exposed to drenching
rains, the consequence of which practice is the production of watery, ill-
ripened wood ; the fluids are not properly assimilated, the effect of which
in the tender species is, that the powers of vegetation become enfeebled,
and, frequently, a derangement of the vital functions takes place, resulting
in the extinction of vegetable life. All the plants placed under the above
unfavorable influence, require that a higher temperature should be main-
tained through the winter months, to resist the action of frosts, than if the
wood had been properly matured, and a very scanty supply of bloom in the
following season is the inevitable consequence of this system of manage-
ment. Those that are so fortunate as to occupy the greenhouse during the
autumn frequently sustain injury from injudicious watering ; a greater
quantity of water and soluble matter is absorbed by the roots, and drawn
into the system, than can properly be decomposed by the action of the solar
rays in this cloudy atmosphere of ours ; the system is filled to repletion
with crude unassimilated juices ; the tissue distended with watery matter,
and a scarcity, if not a total absence, of these peculiar secretions in the
plant, on which the formation of flower buds depends.

On the other hand, in administering water only in proportion to the
amount of sun-light, keeping the plants as dry as can safely be done, in
preserving the vital functions unimpaired, by not encroaching beyond the
limits which their capacities fit them for enduring droughts, all the vital
actions are maintained in a healthy condition, and there is a concentration
of elaborated matter in the interior of them, tending to the formation of
flower buds, and, from the solidification of the tissue, they are better
adapted to withstand the action of frost during the winter.

As our object is to obtain maturity in the wood, it is requisite that we
should judiciously apply the great agents of vegetation, — light and heat, — in
order to attain the above-mentioned physiological condition ; and, presuming
that all greenhouse plants are secured in their winter quarters before the ter-
mination of August, a temperature of 65° by day, Fahrenheit, max. temper-
ature, and 50^ by night, min. ought then to be maintained, allowing plenty
of air and fire heat to sustain the atmosphere at the required temperature,
excepting when the diurnal temperature can be maintained by abundance of

550 Genei'al Notices.

solar heat ; this course should be followed till the latter end of October,
when the ripening process will be accomplished, at least so far as is prac-
ticable under the atmospheric conditions of this country, considering the
small amount of solar heat we have in the autumn months, when the tem-
perature may be gradually lowered ; merely keep it at the amount required
to repel the attacks of frost. The above treatment is applicable to all ex-
cept autumn or winter flowering plants, which, of course, require a larger
amount of water. — {North British Agriculturist, 1849, p. 331.)

On Forming Evergreen Gardens. — As the present is the most favorable
time for planting evergreen trees and shrubs, permit me to direct the atten-
tion of your readers to this interesting tribe of plants, and to the great effect
they are capable of producing in garden scenery, whether in the natural or
geometric styles. Suited as they preeminently are to embellish and har-
monize with every style of architecture, they may easily be adapted to ev-
ery variety of situation. Considering the great number of evergreen trees
and shrubs now procurable in British nurseries, presenting but few difficul-
ties in cultivation, and the charming interest they afford for seven or eight
months in the year, I hope their intrinsic merits will provide for them that
share of patronage they so greatly deserve. In the palmy days of the fine
old Dutch and French styles of gardening, evergreens were extensively
used and prized, as forming a prominent feature in producing effect. The
green slopes, long terrace-walks, and architectural boundary lines of these
grand out-gardens, would have looked bald and meagre had they not been
accompanied by the yew, holly, and box in this country, and the bay in It-
aly. And, notwithstanding that sometimes fickle personage, called "Taste,"
caused many of the fine geometrical gardens in this country to be destroyed,
and replaced by a style equally as monotonous, and, in many cases, much
more vague and undefined, T consider that an attempt to restore this highly-
embellished style of gardening, (denuded, certainly, of the lions, griffins,
and other nondescripts which would excite no wonder at the present time,)
would be attended with the happiest results, and prove a source of enjoy-
ment to those who admire form, beauty, and proportion in gardening, as
well as architectural display. The only nobleman or gentleman who has
carried out this style of gardening to any extent, (that I am aware of,) is
the Earl of Harrington, at Elvaston Castle, in Derbyshire. Not having
seen this place myself, I can only repeat that I am told it more resembles
the wondrous ideal gardens of eastern romance, some retreat in "Temen's
blissful clime," than the garden of an English country residence ; and I
hope, when finished, its liberal proprietor will grant permission to the pub-
lic to inspect what is considered by competent judges, the highest efforts of
artistic gardening in this country. Evergreens, to produce a proper effect,
should be planted in considerable masses, and by no means mixed with de-
ciduous plants. Sufficient variety for the most extensive designs are to be
procured, embracing every intermediate variety of form and outline, from
the picturesque grandeur of the cedar and araucaria, to the humble savin.
Of flowering evergreens, what among shrubs of any kind can equal in gor-
geous coloring a bank of scarlet rhododendrons? No less beautiful is the

General Notices. 551

delicate pencilling of the kalmia, or the modest-looking andromeda ; and
where shall we find a compeer for those universal favorites, hardy heaths?
Such is the extensive stock of raw material the man of taste has to work
with ; most of them growing in any description of soil, excepting, perhaps,
a i-etentive clay, and on many of the poor, sandy soils where deciduous trees
would barely live, would thrive well ; and even on the most unfavorable
sites, the addition of a little sand and peat-soil, would do wonders in assist-
ing them to grow. I will resume the description of the more ornamental
kinds, in succeeding numbers. — {Gard. and Far. Jour., 1849, p. 709.)

On the Cultivation of Hardy Bulbs. — Liliums : The hardy kinds of this
tribe deserve the particular attention of every flower-gardener. The beauty
of their flowers and elegance of their forms, have always been admired, in
ancient as well as modern horticulture. They are invariably handsome in
their several stages ; but it is when their chaste and gorgeous flowers are
expanded, that they present their highest attractions : there is a fulness
and completeness in their structure, a brilliancy and softness in their colors,
which render them more effective as objects of beauty in a flower garden,
than any other plants. Of the hardy kinds there may be about fifty species
and varieties, all more or less worthy of cultivation ; but in England we
seldom see many more than a dozen grown in gardens. On the continent,
however, they are much more numerous ; and in some places treated with
the greatest success. Few plants can have a better effect, when well-
grown on a large rockwork, than the four species called L. testaceum, py-
renaicum, martagon, and superbum ; they are quite hardy, with the excep-
tion of L. testaceum, which requires a little shelter in winter. Near the
water, or in a flower-garden, or in front of a house, a bed of L. longiflorum,
mixed with L. tigrinum, at about two feet from each other, is most splen-
did ; the pure white color and comparatively dwarf habit of L. longiflorum,
have a peculiarly striking effect in being intermixed with L. tigrinum, the
flowers of which are of a deep orange-color, and spotted with dark purple.
It grows from two to three feet high, and, therefore, in a mixed bed, stands
considerably above the others. L. eximium, and L. Browni, also white
flowering sorts, are not quite hardy, but the flowers are far more handsome
than L. longiflorum ; the former is of pendant habit, and the petals lanceo-
late and reflexed : it is a fine, bold variety, of a delicate white. L. Browni
has a very fine brown shading on the back of its petals, and may be men-
tioned here. The L. lancifolium rubrum, or Speciosum rubrum, (as it is
called by Thunberg,) is considered as the original species, of which the
others are more or less varieties or hybrids. The following are the names
of these varieties : — L. lancifolium punctatum, L. lancifolium album. The
following are sub-varieties of these : — L. speciosum roseum marmoratum,
L. sp. rubrum marmoratum, and L. sp. a]b\im bruneo-maculatum. These,
as well as the different sub-varieties of L. lancifolium, may be grown in
pots ; the bulbs generally begin their growth in February, when they must
be taken out of the old soil, and potted afresh in the following mixture, of
equal parts, of sandy peat, rich loam, leaf mould, and well-decayed cow or
horsedung. The pots should not be too broad on the top. Drain them

552 General Notices.

well before potting ; plant the bulbs four inches deep, and do not give them
any water before the young shoots are to be seen ; put them in a cold frame,
or greenhouse, near the glass, until the young shoots are about six or eight
inches high ; then plenty of air must be given to them. Towards the mid-
dle of May they will require to be shifted into larger pots, and great care
must be taken not to destroy any of the roots. After being fresh potted,
they mav be taken out and placed in the open air altogether, but not ex-
posed to the sun's rays for six or eight days; being in the open air, they
will require a good supply of water, and they may remain out-of-doors until
the flowers are very nearly open, when they may be removed to the con-
servatory, if desired. Managed in this way, they will flower profusely;
and if the conservatory is not too much exposed to the sun, they will keep
in flower for a considerable time. L. Browni and L. eximium require al-
most the same treatment; but, being a little more tender, it would, per-
haps, be better to let them remain a little longer in the house ; and if taken
out, they should be plunged in an open frame, or flower-bed. As soon as
they have done flowering, they must be kept drier, and water must be given
sparingly, becoming gradually less. When ihe stems and leaves get yel-
low, the plants must be left quite dry in a greenhouse ; and about a month
before the time to put them in fresh soil, they must be taken out of the old
soil and put on a shelf. L. superbum, canadense, umbellatum, and phila-
delphicum are very fine North American species, and they can be managed
just as the L. lancifolium. — {Id., 1849, p. 709.)

[We need only add to the above excellent advice, that L. eximium, and
the varieties of lancifolium, in our climate are quite hardy, if planted a
proper depth and covered with a few inches of leaves or manure. We have
just set out a large bed containing over 300 bulbs. — Ed.'\

Cultivation of the Pansy. — I know of no plant so easy to cultivate, and
at the same time so difficult to keep from year to year, as the pansy. It
may be raised from seeds and bloomed in a iew months, and an endless va-
riety of color, marking, and texture, may thus be produced. Choice kinds,
either selected from the seed-beds or procured from the florists, are seldom
bloomed more than once, unless by some expert amateur, or in some favora-
ble locality. In winter the pansy is extremely liable to damp ofl^, although
protected in frames ; and we all know to our mortification the ill eflect of a
Bummer's sun on it. It is scarcely possible to point to another tribe of
plants so peculiarly ihe amateur's as this, or one that puzzles him to culti-
vate more. The following hints may assist him.

Seeds sown in autumn in pans, or even in the open border, will come up
readily in a few weeks. The seeds should be slightly covered with fine
soil, if covered at all, as half the seeds sown rot in the ground, from being
covered too deeply. As soon as they expand the second set of leaves, they
should be planted out into beds, in lines, from 8 to 10 inches asunder. If
the seed has been carefully saved from good kinds, an interesting display
will be the result ; and the raising of new varieties is a labor of peculiar in-
terest. As spring advances, the plants so treated, will commence flower-
ing. The next point will be to select those which possess good qualities,

General Notices. 653

■with a view to perpetuate them. There are many singular and pleasing
varieties that do not come within the arbitrary rules by which florists' flow-
ers are judged, which, nevertheless, are worth retaining for common border
decoration ; but, if a rigid adherence to these rules is determined upon, then
the flowers must be as nearly round as possible, expanding their petals flat-
ly ; crumpled petals, with ragged edges, are points that will justify their
being cast aside. Round flowers, with flat petals, must always have firm-
ness of texture to recommend them ; a flimsy flower in the fancy, although
possessing other properties, is universally discarded. The eye should be
concentrated, and not starry ; the colors soft and clearly defined. These
instructions will enable the amateur to select the right kinds from his seed-
ling beds. As soon as he has determined upon those worth retaining, prop-
agation should be commenced, and this is a simple matter. Cuttings taken
oflfat the second and third joints, will root readily, placed behind a hedge
or wall, on the north side, without any protection whatever. Insert them
two inches apart, and one inch deep, in soil of alight, sandy texture, and
they will root in a few weeks. Take care that all damp leaves are removed
as soon as they appear.

To produce a bed of choice pansies, select a north aspect, with a cool
bottom ; soil of medium texture, and moderately enriched, should be pre-
ferred for the production of large flowers. Keep the soil frequently stirred
around them, and be careful that the border is free from wireworm. If the
plants are put out in September, they will be established before winter ;
and I have frequently found that plants so treated get through the winter
quite as well as those coddled in frames. As their propagation is easy, de-
pend exclusively upon young plants for the following season's bloom.
Seeds should only be saved from beds of selected flowers possessing the
best qualities ; for, it is only by following this up that improved kinds to
any extent can be obtained ; and, as seed is readily produced, it is not
worth while saving that from doubtful or indiflferent sorts. — [Gard. Chron.,
1849, p. 693.)

On (he Management of Fruit Trees. — The present being the most im-
portant time of the year, as regards the planting and root management of
fruit trees, a few remarks on the subject may not be inappropriate, it being
one of the branches of gardening in which there is still much to learn, and
likewise much to be unlearned of the practice of our predecessors, as re-
gards deep borders and the general system of management ; but science
and practice now demonstrate that a well-drained bottom, and a moderate
quantity of soil, is sufiicient for the proper cultivation of fruit trees.

But in the following up of this system, there are still many errors com-
mitted, such as digging out pits in soil that is not considered exactly suita-
ble for the growth of a given tree, and filling the said pit with the requisite
soil. The first evil that results from this system of planting is, that the
trees grow luxuriantly for a few years, until they come in contact Avith the
original soil ; and then the hopes of the cultivator are destroyed, just when
the tree is beginning to bear, by the appearance of some of the evils to
which fruit trees are subject. The second evil is, especially if the situa-
VOL. XV. — NO. XIT. 70

554 General Notices.

tion is at all damp, lliat this mode of planting encourages a degree of moist-
ture about the roots, as the water from the original and undisturbed soil
collects in that which is more porous, which superabundance of moisture
tends to lay the germ of future disease and unproductiveness. When the
natural soil is not considered suitable to plant young trees in, and the ex-
pense of a new border not gone to, the requisite soil ought to be trenched
in, and well mixed with the natural soil to the depth of two feet or two and
a half. As to the first planting, the roots outjht to be regularly laid out,
care being taken not to plant them too deep. Some cultivators recommend
planting on the surface, which may have its advantages ; but, it by no
means obviates the downward tendency of the roots. But the object of the
present paper being to point out the advantages of regulating the growth of
trees by a system of lifting, it is unnecessary to dwell on the different ways
of planting.

Of late years it has become evident, that the old mechanical modes of
managing fruit trees, are attended with so many serious disadvantages, that
more natural ones are beginning to be appreciated. The majority of garden-
ers now endeavor to understand the reason of every practice, and every
effect upon scientific principles, so that, at present the march of gardening
knowledge is very rapid, and the old and fondly cherished opinions of
former days are being fast cast aside ; and among these are the old sys-
tems of pruning and training fruit trees, which, in general, is only a system
of unnatural malformation, by which all the laws of the vegetable system
are greatly embarrassed, circumscribed limits being set to the branches,
whilst the roots are allowed to roam at liberty, untrained and unnoticed.
The limits of the branches being obtained by a course of pruning, that is,
not according to the lavrs of vegetable physiology, or the dictates of reason,
if tlie operator was only to employ that important key to the proper appli-
cation of the principles of horticulture, the thought must at once strike him,
if I bestow such trouble on the branches of my trees, I must likewise turn
my attention to the roots, there being an inseparable connection between
their actions in their natural and unrestricted state ; the absorbing power
of the roots being in proportion to the decomposing power of the leaves ;
but, by the cutting system, the superficial extent of the roots is greatly
increased above the relative proportion which they ought to bear to the
branches, and as soon as the natural habits are encroached upon, the grand
and complicated laws upon which the vegetable system works, are de-
ranged ; and how can it, then, be expected that nature's laws will be fol-
lowed in the production of fruit. Imitating nature is the principal point on
which the gardener's success depends.

Some suppose that by pruning the branches, they lessen the power of
the root, but winter pruning has not the least tendency to it, from the rule
that the sap vessels are filling all the winter by the attraction of the buds,
so when the tree is pruned, all its remaining parts are well stored with sap,
to supply the first demands of the few buds retained, and as soon as a suf-
ficient supply of light and heat is produced, the growth starts with rapid
vigor, whereby the roots are again set in motion to supply a gross and unpro-

GcTieral Notices. 555

duclive growth ; pruning only tends to cause a rapid circulation of the sap,
the efFect of which is, that leaf-buds are formed instead of flower-buds.
The growing season is the only time that pruning can be successfully em-
ployed to check the growing of the root, as then the cause is removed. It
is upon physiological facts, such as the above, that successful cuhivation
depends ; for, unless proper means are employed to limit the amount of
gross young wood, all other means, such as expensively prepared borders,
and favorable exposures, will be unavailable as regards either the quantity
or quality of the fruit, for any length of time. The ameliorating powers of
the gardener for that purpose are many ; but I consider the system of reg-
ulating the growth by frequent and judicious transplanting, the most cer-
tain ; and, when aided by proper stocks, the greater part of the difficulty so
often complained of, in bringing trees to a bearing state, would be obvi-
ated, besides the loss of time. By early and frequent transplanting, fibrous
roots are secured instead of rank growing ones. The frequency of the trans-
planting must be regulated by the growth of the trees, which will greatly
depend on local circumstances and constitutional habits. Trees so treated
will require very little pruning; but, in the earlier stages of their growth,
a certain amount is necessary, to enable them to be trained to their required
form ; but, as soon as the tree is formed, it ought to be lifted and carefully
planted, having its roots regularly laid out, and any that show signs of
rankness stopped. The whole art of transplanting consists in the preserva-
tion of the spongioles. The roots of young trees thus dealt with for several
times, are in no danger of getting down into the subsoil, or from atmos-
pheric influences. And if, at any time, it is not convenient to transplant
them, or if they are becoming fully weighty to manage easily, the extrem-
ities of the roots can, by a very small amount of trouble, be examined, as
their exact position will be known.

The benefit of root pruning upon established and unproductive trees is
now without doubt, the excessive vigor of growth being at once stopped,
and whatever tends to diminish rapid vegetation without affecting the health
of the tree, is favorable to the production of fruit-buds. But, in the root-
pruning of trees that have been mismanaged, or of long standing, there is
one point that I must here recommend, which is the season previous to the
general pruning to cut a few of the roots, by which means they will be sup-
plied with fibrous roots, by the aid of which they are greatly assisted the
succeeding season. — {North British Agriculturist, 1849, p. 362.)

Cultivation of the Hollyhock. — The hollyhock, like a useful custom in the
form of dress, is subject to be assailed by the ever restless fashion of the
times, when its fate for a time may be sealed, until a sober conviction of its
utility ushers it again into favor. Such has been the fate of the hollyhock :
to be alternately praised and as often decried, to make room for something
else, having probably only novelty for its chief recommendation, proving that,

" fashion,
However ridiculous, still is followed."

The hollyhock after lingering in exile among the outcasts of old associa-
tions, and its name immured in musty records, or striving for existence, half

556 General Notices.

buried among old shrubberies lor nearly half a century, is again being in-
troduced on our modern lawns, and the walls of our gardens, to adorn by a
profusion of flowers those situations it is so well calculated to clothe and
decorate. The selection of good sorts should be the primary consideration
of the grower. The most desirable varieties have been shown to possess
stifl^ness of petal in connection with the form of the flower. I have at-
tempted to raise them at various times, from imported seeds, but have as
often been disappointed, and therefore would suggest the propriety of
procuring plants of decidedly good varieties. In planting hollyhocks, to
give effect to their majestic appearance, a tutored eye will readily discover
the position they should occupy, as to grouping and arrangement. We
could view with pleasure, scattered groups or solitary plants rising by the
sides of the falling cascade, or the base of rugged rocks, by the side of the
rippling stream : and when passing over the wide-spanned bridge we could
admire its entrance guarded by hollyhock pillars, well contrasted, and
closely planted round, and supported by invisible iron stakes. Such pillars
may stand singly on the lawn, on either side of the garden doors, and who
would deny them a place by the side of the cottage gate? Such vacant
places as arc sometimes to be met with on garden walls, may also be plant-
ed with them, where they have a neat appearance if properly nailed to the
wall, and afford an excellent situation for obtaining properly refined seed.

The propagation of the hollyhock is easily effected by cuttings, taken off
at any time they can be procured, and rooted in a cold frame ; this is the
most effectual method of perpetuating the finer sorts. The seeds also care-
fully gathered when perfectly ripe, and retained in the calyx until April,
when they may be separated and sown in a well prepared border, in a few
weeks they will be ready to transplant, the first favorable opportunity, to
the places where they are to remain to flower, as too often transplanting
has a tendency to weaken the plants. Where the seed is saved from good
flowers there is no necessity for planting out the seedlings into nursery
rows to test their merits, as I have invariably found that single flowers sel-
dom come from seed well selected. In planting out hollyhocks where they
are to remain, the ground should be well prepared with a good rich soil to
ensure a perfect bloom. A suflUcient number of stakes should be provided
to fasten them to, as they grow. The great prejudice against the plant is
the great stake that is required for its support ; thick wooden poles are cer-
tainly, where they are not hid by the foliage, any think but ornamental. I
received some iron stakes from Messrs. C. D. Young & Co., of Edinburgh,
for dahlias, which if proportioned to the length of 6 to 8 feet, would answer
admirably for the support of hollyhocks, and silence the only plausible
argument against their more general culture. — {Id. 1849, p. 361.)

Plumbago Larpentaz. — In a previous page we have incidentally mentioned
this rather new plant, about the merits of which there appear to be various
opinions among amateurs and practical cultivators. To show in what esti-
mation it is held, we quote the opinions of three different correspondents,
and leave lovers of plants to judge of its real merits for themselves : —

It grieves me, Mr. Editor, to think that while the want of a good blue

General Notices. 557

flowering plant, for bedding-out purposes, is so generally admitted to be a
desideratum, the experience of past seasons with Plumbago Larpentae has
not emboldened some of your correspondents to declare in its favor. For
who that has seen it will say that Plumbago Larpentae is not " divinely,
beautifully blue?" Its habit, too, for bedding-out purposes — is it not all
that the most fastidious could reasonably require 1 And in point of hardi-
ness, it is, I am confident, equal, if not superior, to most of our parterre
favorites. It adds much to ray grief also, that I am unable (although I
have given it what I conceive to be a very fair trial, and seen it tried else-
where,) to say more for it, as a bedding-out plant, than what is implied in
the significant words —

" Alas, poor Yorick !"

As a pot plant I have every reason to believe that it will ultimately prove
itself worthy of all that has yet been said in praise of it. Not that I have
been very successful in cultivating it myself, but having had frequent oppor-
tunities of seeing the original plant when first brought into the nursery of
Messrs. Knight and Perry, I recollect no plant with whose general appear-
ance I was so thoroughly fascinated, or which was so generally admired by
all who had then the pleasure of seeing it in this its pristine glory. What
treatment it had previously received I know not ; but it would seem, from
what I have been able to glean respecting its successful culture, that to
induce it to bloom profusely, it must be grown in a light sandy soil, in very
small pots, and kept in a rather moist heat. By this treatment I under-
stand that many [who?] during the present season have succeeded in bring-
ing it to a very satisfactory state of perfection. I make these few remarks
in behalf of P. Larpentae, believing that in many respects it has been
harshly dealt with, and in order, if possible, to stem, in some degree, the
strong reactionary current now running so violently against it, threatening,
in many instances, even its total annihilation. — ( Gard. Jour., 1849, p. 709.)

When you have a small space to spare in your useful periodical , I would
like to see inserted a notice of the plant Plumbago Larpentce. Your read-
ers who belong to the gardening world all know that this plant is of late
introduction into this country, and no doubt, may have seen the character
of the plant placed in the list of unfacorables. In the months of August
and September of the present year, I have seen seven specimens of the
plant at horticultural shows, and none of them pleased me ; they were
either too much drawn, scorched to brownness in their leaves, wanting in
the abundance of flowers, unshapely in their habit of growth. The sum
is, they all had serious faults.

Now for the redeeming qualities. I am much interested in Chinese
plants, so many good things have come from that country. Last spring I
got a small plant of Plumbago Larpenta, and found that summer was half
over before it showed much growth ; indeed, it has not showed rapid growth
except in September, when it came away with vigor. The plant has been
in a hothouse for five weeks past, the heat ranging day and night between
75° and 50° of Fahrenheit's thermometer. The plant is giving great satis-

558 General Notices.

faction, in a pot 11 inches over, the same in depth, and forming a handsome
beehive cone, about a foot high above the pot, and projecting compactly
over the rim. It is covered with hundreds of its azure flowers. As the
flowerets are of short duration, two or three minutes are required daily to
pick off the old ones. The plant well deserves this attention.

Many plants of recent introduction are recommended for bedding out, and
the P. LarpentBB among the rest ; this property of the plant I doubt, but
will say, a partial shade above, plenty of side light, and air, with heat,
rather above temperate, may form the habitat. When speaking of ■plants,
I will note another plant in flower with us at the present time. It is the
Buonapartia Juncea, {Littaageminijlorce) a flower well known in botanical
collections, by its stiff rushy habit, although more graceful than the com-
mon rush bush, by the handsome bend of its rushy leaves. This is the
first time that the Buonapartia has flowered with us ; the flowers are liliya-
ceous, and have not much beauty, being of a dingy white ; however, the
six stamens and anthers have some show. The flower stem is 12 feet
high, and 5 inches in girth. — {I^orth British Agriculturist, 1849, p. 362.)

Of this plant too much was at first expected, and now having been ex-
tensively grown and flowered for one year, has been pronounced by most
cultivators as worthless. Being a native of Shanghae in China, where the
thermometer often falls much lower than in this country, it was supposed
to be hardy, and would prove a great acquisition as a blue bedding plant;
that such however will not be the case, seems now beyond all doubt. In
many parts of the country plants have been planted out in the best situa-
tions, and scarcely put forth a bloom ; even for the common greenhouse it
seems too tender, as may at once be readily seen from plants in such situa-
tions assuming a reddish stinted appearance ; an intermediate house seems
to suit it best. The following particulars of a plant grown here, may per-
haps be interesting to some of your readers, and may be the means of sav-
ing the species from a fate which, by almost universal consent, seems
awaiting it, viz., being hewn up as a cumberer of the ground, and cast into
the rubbish heap. In May last, my oldest plants, being nearly cut to pieces
for the purpose of propagation, I had a nicely rooted cutting selected and
carefully potted into a four-inch pot ; it was grown in stove heat till about
the end of June, and frequently shifted till the middle of July, when it
received its last shift into a shallow pot or pan 8 inches across, and 5 inches
deep. The house in which it has grown since June has been kept rather
close, but no fire heat used till the middle of September, when a gentle
fire was kindled once a day. It is now one foot high and six feet in cir-
cumference, with 147 heads of its beautiful light blue blossoms, each head
having from 2 to 5 fully expanded flowers, and is indeed a beautiful floral
object, being of the easiest cultivation. It has well repaid the little trouble
bestowed upon it, and having still hundreds of unexpanded blooms, the
plant is expected to flower till past Christmas ; if such be the case, it will
prove invaluable for cut flowers, at a time when such are much in re-
quest.— {Id.)
Bedding-out Plants. — I am glad to observe a discussion going on in the

General Notices. 559

Journal about the plants best adapted for flower gardening, and as in many
places a good autumnal display is not of the least importance, the following
are a few of those I have found most suitable for that purpose. The two
Cupheas, C. platycentra and C. strigillosa, are both good ; and if the latter
is more showy at a distance, as it undoubtedly is, still the former makes a
capital bed for closer inspection. Here it is planted on a raised circular
bed, in a somewhat airy situation, and is generally admired. C. strigillosa
I find to be improved by an edging ; Agathasa ccelestis suits very well, its
charming blue flowers contrasting agreeably with those of the other, and
gives the bed a more lively appearance. But Kay's Calceolaria makes the
best display of all the yellow flowering plants that I have seen, producing
such magnificent corymbs of flowers, well above the foliage. The scarlet
lobelias are now the finest masses of that color ; scarlet geraniums get some-
what too leafy in our beds at this season ; however, those in vases are still
very fine. Here we have these lobelia beds covered with verbenas of the
same color, so that without having a blank in the summer their season of
beauty is considerably extended in the autumn, as about the time the verbe-
nas give way the lobelias are just in their splendor. Phlox Drummondi, as
a red, comes in well, if a good variety is got, as it flowers abundantly.
Lythrum alatum, from the distinctive character it imparts to a bed, deserves
to be patronized ; heavy rains dash the flowers off" a good deal, but from
having such an abundant succession that is not of much consequence ; but
at this season something is required, that there is no mistake about seeing ;
good strong colors are what are wanted, and in that it is deficient. As to
blue, Salvia charaffidryoides is the best, and if strong plants are put out in
good time it makes a very fine bed ; but all blue show best on gravel. We
have had a very fine clump of S. patens ; the bed is large, being in our
principal flower garden, which is exposed to occasional not gentle breezes,
and on such occasions the young brittle shoots of such plants are apt to get
broken ; being upon grass, an edging of the Calceolaria rugosa was put
round, to relieve the cool color of the blue, and give expression to the bed,
and still more to lighten it up and aflx)rd protection. Plants of the Tropaeo-
lum canariense were introduced, planted some four feet apart, and answered
admirably ; in the height of the season the whole had a very brilliant ap-
pearance, but the colors would have blended more harmoniously had that of
the canary flowers been deeper — more of an orange. At the present time,
when the Tropseolum has almost wholly taken possession of the bed, it is
still gay, but looks best at a distance. For a white, a plant received here
under the name of Iberis gibraltaraica surpasses all ; the leaves are linear
and silver-edged ; flowers and odor like the common sweet Alyssum, and
grows some ten inches high ; at a distance the clump appears a complete
mass of white. A^'ariegated geraniums should not be omitted ; the old scarlet
suits best for late work : should that exhibited by the Messrs. Lee this season,
and of which report speaks highly, prove equally hardy, it yvill be a great
acquisition. These, with such indispensables as heliotropes, crimson per-
petual roses, with many others, if skilfully managed, will be found very
useful in prolonging the beauty of the flower garden.

560 Geyieral Notices.

In reading your valuable journal for the last few weeks, I have been very
much pleased with what has been written on bedding-out plants, — a sub-
ject, though simple, yet second to none ; for what can be more beautiful
than a well-arranged flower garden ? In your last week's journal there
was a good list o( blue flowers named, but very few yelloivs; I therefore
give you the names of a few yellows which I find to answer well as dwarf
yellows. The Sanvitalia procumbens, though an annual, is very hardy,
and if sown in March, will flower as long as any plant that is bedded out.
CEnothera maculata and viparia are very good ; maculata shows well at a
distance. Then as />mts the Oxalis floribunda and the pink geraniums are
surpassed by none ; and as a purple the double groundsel, if propagated
from cuttings, is a fine thing. As mention has been made of the standard
geraniums, I will proceed to give you a simple detail of them as grown at
Courteen Hall. We have in this place one hundred and twenty standards
from three to nine feet high, and many of them measure from two to three
inches round the stem, and have had this summer from fifteen to twenty
very large heads of flowers expanded at one time. The sorts we find best
are Smith's giant Scarlet — but we have many of all sorts. The fuchsias
we have arc, for the most part, Giobosa fulgens ; and Corymbiflora fulgens
makes a beautiful standard. We train the heads of Corymbiflora quite full ;
and I have had one plant so trained this summer with twenty-nine heads of
flowers. Fuchsia serratifolia makes a good standard trained in this way.
The Cassia corymbosa and Brugmansia lutea are very beautiful as yellow
standards. The Brugmansia we train flat ; and we have had one plant
this summer which had 107 expanded flowers at one time, and it is now
showing, I think, nearly as may.

Much has been said, and much remains to be said, on bedding-out plants.
I can only bear testimony to what has come under my notice. Various are
the opinions of this and that plant ; and I think soil and situation are very
important. As regards the color of beds in flower-gardens, I have tried
several ; part of what I approve of I enumerate. I object to neither annual
nor any other plant, if I can g?t them to have the desired effect. Helio-
tropium peruvianum, with its varieties, ought not to be despised, though it
looks rather dingy, with somewhat the scent of a cherry-pie. 1 keep it
close pegged down ; and it does well with me. Lobelia erinus, compacta,
racemosa, for small beds or edgings round other beds, do very well. Ver-
bena venosa, though little thought of, I have grown for years. Generally
speaking, it does well under all circumstances ; I have had it to stand the
winter. Ageratum mexicanum, though not a very bright color, has a very
good effect. Plumbago capensis I have had both upright and pegged
down ; and it makes a very good bed. Lupinus pubescens does well at a
distance. The blue Anagallis, grown either in beds or trained down the
sides of a rustic vase, has an imposing appearance. Cineraria amelloides
does well with me ; and were it better known, it would be more appre-
ciated. Salvia patens and S. chamaedryfolia : I prefer the latter, as its
habit and foliage are better than patens. I have grown Comelina tuberosa
for years as a bedding-out plant ; and, though not of good habit, I think it

General Notices. 561

worthy of a place in the flower garden, on account of its pretty blue color.
The annual blue branching larkspur has eclipsed all my blue flowers this
season. I had a bed of it from two to four feet high. Last season I had it
in bloom up to November ; but the early frosts this season made an end of
them by the beginning of October. I cannot make out Avhy blue flowers
are so scarce.

Many of your readers have doubtless experienced that in flower garden-
ing, variety with many ladies is esteemed as being especially charming ; so
much so, that with some, duplicate beds would be regarded as undesirable.
Where such is the case, it will be readily admitted that there is a diflficulty
in obtaining suitable counterparts to many things which are of themselves
inestimable, and being so cannot well be excluded from the parterre. Sup-
pose, for example, it is given to arrange a garden of any dimensions where
two beds of each color used is indispensable, yet no two beds of corres-
ponding colors shall be of the same variety, nor if possible of the same
genus : take, for instance, the case of tvi^o yellows being required, and
Calceolaria viscosissima adopted as one, what have we in point of habit
and color, apart from Calceolarias altogether, to match it? An equal, if not
a greater, difficulty obviously exists in the same way respecting many other
things, which I need not here enumerate. Would that some of your ex-
perienced and intelligent correspondents would direct their attention to this
point ! By so doing, they would confer a boon upon many whom the sub-
ject has much perplexed. In addition to the many excellent things which
have been already nominated in the Journal as being eminently qualified to
become the representatives of their respective colors in the parterre, allow
me to submit Anomatheca cruenta, [This is good,] which, for a small low
bed of a rtd color, if planted thick, is very gay and effective ; with me it is
in bloom from the end of May till the beginning of October. CEnothera
macrocarpa, for a low bed of a light yellow color, is to my mind far from
being without merit. Statice sinuata forms a very neat and effective bed,
and, in my estimation, as a bedding out-plant, is second to none of its
color. In recommending these, let me add frobatum est. — { Gar d. Jour.,
1849, p. 708.)

What is Ripening the Wood? — The question may be better put now than
at any other season, for now is the time when ripening must take place, if
at all. One would think that the question answered itself; but our corres-
pondence tells us that many persons have no distinct notion of what ripen-
ing is, or how it is to be accelerated, or how prevented.

On previous occasions we have pointed out the unexpected fact that
many plants cease to be tender, that greenhouse shrubs may be frozen with
impunity, and that others will endure our winters with no risk, provided their
wood is ripe. We know that the winters of Persia are far more severe
than ours, and yet the vine and peach sustain no injury in Persia, because
in that country the wood is ripe ; the same plants are frequently killed in
England with half the amount of cold — here the wood is seldom ripe.
The most important, then, of all autumnal work is to look to the state of
the wood.

VOL. XV. — NO. XII. 71

562 General Notices.

The ripening process consists in a gradual and complete removal of su-
perfluous water ; and in a perfect conversion of fluid, crude, organizable
matter into the more solid substances which represent it during winter.
These two processes, although essentially distinct, are nevertheless brought
about by the same agents and may be regarded as one. Superfluous water
is driven off by heat, light, and currents of air acting upon the surface ;
sclerogen, starch, gum, resin, and other solid secretions are in like manner
formed by the force exerted upon vegetable vitality by heat and light, and
by the carbonaceous matter derived from the air. If these agents are in-
sufiicient the wood remains soft and watery, and the solid secretions are so
incompletely elaborated that they possess little of the stability natural to
them in a complete condition. Heat and light together, in the presence of
air, if possessing the requisite power, solidify all the tissues and all their
contents, keeping up the play of chemico-vital action until the process of
assimilation and elaboration is terminated.

The efl^ect of this ripening process is by no means limited to giving plants
a power of resisting cold ; that is but an incident in the operation. The
main object is to provide an abundance of food, of the proper kind, for the
instantaneous nutrition of the parts which are about to appear in the suc-
ceeding spring, and also, in many cases, to the production of the embryo
flowers upon which the hopes of the gardener are founded. It is literally
true, that not a flower will appear upon a camellia, or an azalea, or a pear,
or a peach, or a strawberry, or any other tree, shrub, or herb, unless there
has been such an amount of heat and light, and free exposure to the air, as
will have caused nutriment in abundance to be formed, and the young and
tender, nay invisible scales, which come together and make the flower, to
arrange themselves in the order assigned to them by the Creator.

This explains the great advantage of a dry, warm autumn to our straw-
berry beds, which then produce an abundant blossom in the following year ;
while those who coddle and nurse their plants in cool and shady places,
where they are always growing, have leaves in plenty, but not a fruit.
This explains why camellias flower so ill in close greenhouses facing the
north, or darkened by vines, where they have neither heat, nor light, nor
air enough ; and why, under circumstances the reverse of this, a bright
sun, its accompanying heat, and the constant currents invariably present in
the open air, flower-buds appear in crowds.

In England we have little idea of the extent to which this ripening should
go ; it is doubtful indeed whether the wood of exotics is ever ripened in
England. We are told that in hot latitudes the wood of the peach and
vine becomes as hard as mahogany, and as brittle, up to the points of the
shoots. We know that numerous shrubs, especially of the race called
hard-wooded, never become in cultivation what the samples of them brought
from their natural abodes have led us to expect. Among New Holland
plants this is more especially the case ; we see them in our herbaria loaded
with blossoms ; in our gardens we are satisfied if they bloom at all. It is
said that the Grevilleas and Hakeas, and Persoonias are in some instances
sheets of white or yellow, or red ; we are too happy if we see their leaves.

General Notices. 563

In cultivation is to be found a shrub, in little esteem, called Xylomelum
occidentale ; a correspondent, writing from the Vasse River, where it is
wild, speaks of it as " a most beautiful tree ; the blossoms are pure white,
and their drooping soft wreaths, blended with the stern dark green leaves,
are indescribably elegant." All that is wanted to ensure the same appear-
ance here is to ripen the wood as it ripens in Western Australia. Perhaps
no shrubs in existence are equal in perfect beauty to the Verticordias and
Chrysorhoes of Western Australia ; the brilliancy of their flowers when
dead and dried is still metallic, and their number is countless among the
dark green heathery leaves. We shall never see them thus till their wood
is well ripened ; perhaps we may never see them in any kind of beauty,
for it may happen that art is unable to supply the requisites for perfect
maturation. Let us, however, do what we can.

Gardeners may rely upon it that they cannot neglect any means of ripen-
ing perfectly every perennial plant which they may cultivate. They may
be assured that no amount of ripening which they can possibly secure will
be excessive ; on the side of excess they cannot err. Let them, then, now
that the time has come, put in action every contrivance which their circum-
stances can furnish. Spare lights over wall trees, hand-glasses over ripen-
ing herbs, warm dry places for potted plants of all sorts ; heat, light, and
abundance of air secured by whatever means may be at command. These
are what they must rely upon for next year's crop, and without ihem all
the cultivation in the world will be of small avail.

But there is a difficulty in the way. Heat and light are dangerous pow-
ers, and will destroy life as well as invigorate it ; and there is always a
risk, that in pushing the ripening process to its limits by artificial means,
plants may perish under the operation. How to guard against this con-
tingency is what no rules can teach. Here the mere art of gardening
comes into requisition, and experience alone must be appealed to. No
gardener, however, who deserves the name, can have the least doubt as to
the way in which the difficulty can be met. — (Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 547.)

Hints for Amateurs — The following are select, distinct, pot and bedding-
out plants, of various colors, for an amateur's garden, and are easily kept in
a frame or pit during winter: —

Geranium Unique,

" La Belle d'Afrique,

" Lady Mary Fox,

" Cottage Maid,

" Queen's Bouquet,

" Victoria,

" Sidonia,

" Lady Plymouth,

" Ivy-leaved, white,
" " pink,

" new gold-edged,

" new silver-edged,

" Tom Thumb,

Salvia patens,

Salvia splendens,

" chameedryoides,
Campanula fragilis,
" noliilis,

Nuttalia grandiflora,
Nierembergia filicaulis,
Cuphea miniata,

" platycentra,
Aster bellidiflorusj
Anemone japonica,
Heliotropium Voltaireanum,
Gazania uniflora,
Mimulus Conductor,
Small Chusan Chrysanthemum,

)64

Foreign Notices.

CEnothera macrocarpa,
Lantana crocea,

" Sellowii,
Chironia Fischeri,
Anagallis carnea,

" Brewerii,
Saponaria ocymoides,
Silene Schafta,
Alyssum variegatum,
Potentilla Macnabiana,
Viola Neapolilaua,
Double Purple Jacobaea,
Lobelia Erlnus compacla,

" cardinalis,
Gaillardia aristala,

" picta,

Phlox Van Houttei,
Double scarlet Nasturtium,

Double blood-red Nasturtium,

" orange "

Petunia Prince Albert,

" splendidissima,
Verbena Emma,
" Defiance,
" Avalanche,
" Lady Brackenbury,
Calceolaria amplexicaulis,
" Kentish Hero,

Fuchsia formosa elegans,

" Purity,
Plumbago Larpentte,
Zauschneria californica,
Pentstemon cordifolius,
Chelone mexicana,
Sedum Sieboldi,
Mesembrjanthemum polyanthum.

Art. II. Foreign Notices.

ENGLAND.

Dahlias and Dahlia Exhibitions of 1849. — The dahlia season in England
has been exceedingly favorable, and the exhibitions have been numerous,
well attended, and abundant in the very finest specimens. The system of
offering liberal premiums, adopted by various successful cultivators, in addi-
tion to those offered by the several floral societies, has added new zeal to
the principal amateur fanciers, and induced a better cultivation of the
plants, and the production of a greater number of new varieties. The
floricultural journals are filled with the reports of the exhibitions, and, as
usual, we copy the names of the winning flowers of a few of the principal
societies, which will show which are the most successful varieties ; —

North London Floricultural Society. — Best twenty-four blooms: —
Beeswing, Conspicua, Richard Cobden, Queen of Roses, Antagonist, Louis
Philippe, Mrs. Anderson, Gen. Vyse, Mr. Seldon, Golden Fleece, Scarlet
Gem, Privateer, Princess Radzville, Standard of Perfection, Yellow Stand-
ard, Admiral Stopford, Imbricata, Toison d'Or, Emperor, Mrs. Edwards,
Shylock, Triumph, Marchioness of Cornwallis, and Capt. Warner, to Mr.
Bragg, Slough.

Northampton Dahlia Exhibition. — Best twenty-four blooms: — Gol-
den Fleece, Crocus, Mrs. Shelly, Essex Triumph, Beeswing, Princess
Louisa, Lady St. Maur, Marquis of Worcester, Mr. Seldon, Toison d'Or,
Nonpareil, Miss Vyse, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Scarlet Gem, Black
Prince, Earl of Clarendon, Yellow Standard, Princess Radzville, Shylock,
Dreadnought, Berryer, Privateer, Miss Weller, Violet Perfection, to Mr.
HoUiday.

Domestic Notices. 565

Caledonian Horticultural Society. — Best twelve blooms : — Mar-
chioness of Cornwallis, Duke of Wellington, Crocus, Beeswing, Grenadier,
Mr. Seldon, Scarlet Gem, Purple Standard, Princess Radzville, Sir E.
Antrobus, Empress of Whites, and Boule de Feu, to Messrs. James Dick-
son & Sons.

Surrey Amateur Dahlia Show. — Best twelve blooms: — Toison d'Or,
Essex Triumph, Julia, Dr. Graham, Miss Vyse, Black Prince, Mrs. Shelly,
Sir Robert Peel, James Girling, Shylock, Lillywhite, to Mr. Kirkpatrick.

Fancy Dahlias. — The following are sixteen of the winning flowers in this
interesting class, viz : — Mrs. Shaw Le Fevre, General Cavaignac, Lady
Granville, Triomphe de Madeburg, Smith's La Reine, Emperor de Maroc,
Picotee, Madame Wachy, Charles Perry, Sunbeam, Striata Perfecta, Keep-
sake, Jenny Lind, Remembrancer, Miss Blackmore, and Conspicua.

Seedlings of 1849. — Prince Edward, a scarlet; Floral Beauty, crimson
and white, (fancy ;) Mrs. Jewett, white, tipped with purple : Proctor's
Elizabeth, blush, with rosy purple stripes ; Miss Compton, bright red and
white ; Keynes's Magnificent, rosy lilac ; Sir F. Bathurst, (Keynes's) crim-
son ; Legg's Premium, purple; Earl of Clarendon, orange; Sylph, a
white ground variety ; Aurantia Campacta, bright orange ; Gaiety,
(Keynes's,) yellow, mottled with red; Beauty of the Grove, very fine,
dark. These were awarded Jirst class certificates, and are all that were
shown of any great merit.

The amateur will be at no loss to make out from the above a desirable
list of all the choicest additions of the year. — Ed.

Art. III. Domestic Notices.

Horticulture in Illinois. — When a native of Massachusetts comes to
Northern Illinois, he misses the high, rocky granite hills, and the evergreen
trees of New England. Pine trees are found near Chicago, and are said
to be in this county, but I have never seen any of them. The only ever-
green tree which 1 have met with, is the Red Cedar. Our forests are
chiefly composed of oaks, walnuts, (black and white,) hickories, (including
what is called the Ohio hickory, a large kind of fruit,) elms, ashes, maples,
poplars, Kentucky coffee tree, lime tree, &c. &c. Our wild fruits are
plums, crab apples, paw-paws, nuts, grapes, strawberries, gooseberries,
mandrakes, &c. &c. As to wild flowers, we have them from early in the
spring to late in the fall. I have seen asters and viola pedata in bloom
within a few days, beside other compound flowers ; and I suppose 1 could
still find gentians in flower. Violets, of the kind which I have named, can
always be found in bloom here in the fall, but not with you, I think. I
do not remember ever finding them at that season near Salem. I intend,
at some future time, to give you a list of some of our earliest flowers, with
the time of blossoming. But few peaches have been raised near here
this season ; last year they were very plenty. Apples are not so plenty
as they were the last year.

566 Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies.

Peaches are a very uncertain crop with us — they will fail say about 3
years out of 5 ; the trees are great growers and the buds are generally
winter killed. Apples and plums will probably do well here, but pears are
apt to blossom too early, and the sun is, I think, apt to l)e too hot for cherry
trees ; in fact, it troubles some of our apple trees so, that, on the south side
of the trunk and limbs, the bark turns black and dies, and some of them
will be killed by it. In your last number, you say the Julienne pear is " a
very vigorous grower." (I quote the substance, without looking at the
article.) What I have received /or that kind, has always been a sickly
looking and growing kind, and the trees have always died in a year or two ;
but I have a graft of it on an apple stock, (not in the root but on the trunk,)
which grows well, and I hope to see the fruit in a year or two. What was
sent me as Domine Dull plum, blossoms very full every year, but, like the
Cherry plum, the fruit is never set, or but very few, which soon fall off.
The tree is very vigorous, and the kind is said " to bear to a fault." We
have fruited but few of our trees, although we have had some of them
seven or eight years. Golden Russet — one tree is true — one from another
source proves to be the Yellow Siberian Crab, (a slight mistake ;) Mon-
strous Pippin proves to be a medium sized summer fruit, (do. do. ;) Bartlett
pear will probably prove to be Passe Colmar, and so I suppose it will be
with the majority of one lot of trees. I have no confidence in any of the
labels. Our samples of Golden Russet and of Ribston Pippin, were very
fine for the first year of bearing. Red Siberian Crab bears well, also the
yellow, — the latter tree is our earliest fruit tree to leaf out in the spring. —
Yours, respectfulli/, Edioard S. L. Richardson, Kendall, Kendall Co., 111.,
Nov. 1849.

Art. IV. Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies.

New Bedford Horticultural Society. — The third annual exhibition of this
society was held at the City Hall, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,
the 26th, 27th, and 28th of September, 1849. The report which has been
forwarded by our correspondent, Mr. Crapo, is too long to insert entire, and
we therefore copy the prefatory remarks of the committee, with the names
of a few of the principal exhibitors of fruits and flowers: —

The Committee on Fruits present the following as their report: —

They have much pleasure, in the outset of their report, in being able to
state, that the display of fruits on the occasion was excellent and far ex-
ceeded their most sanguine expectations ; for, in addition to the scarcity of
almost every kind of fruit which has so generally prevailed the current
year, the society has been deprived of the aid of many of its former con-
tributors and most zealous cultivators, who are now absent from us, seeking
a more golden harvest in other climes.

Notwithstanding, however, these and many other discouraging circum-
stances, which have attended the exhibition, the efforts of the society, in
this department at least, have been crowned with success.

New Bedford Horticultural Society. 567

The show of pears, the standard fruit of New Bedford, both in appear-
ance and extent, as well as in size and beauty, exceeded that of any former
exhibition, and gave ample evidence that our soil and clinnate are well
adapted to the successful growth of this most luscious and valuable fruit.
Some of the dishes were indeed splendid, and the committee very much
doubt if they have often been excelled at any exhibition. A very large
dish of the Frederic de Wurtemberg from Mrs. Hannah Bates, the speci-
mens of which were very large and handsome, and also a large dish of
the White Doyenn6 from William T. Cook, of great size and exceeding
fairness and beauty, especially merit this commendation. Dishes of the
Flemish Beauty from J. H. Clifford; of the Beurr6 Diel, Le Cure, and
Glout Morceau, from Joseph Clarke ; of the Passe Colmar, from Wil-
liam Swift; of the Bartlett, Glout Morceau, Beurre Bosc, and Seckel,
from James Arnold ; of the Louise Bonne of Jersey and Napoleon, from
Henry H. Crapo ; of the Seckel, from William T. Russell ; of the Glout
Morceau, from John M. Howland, of Fairhaven ; of the Duchesse d'An-
gouleme, from Henry Deane ; of the Seckel, from William Rotch, Jr. ; of
the Bartlett, from Dennis Wood; of the Duchesse d'Angouleme, from
Joshua Richmond ; of the Wilbur, from E. Gardner ; of the Napoleon,
from William J. Rotch, and of the Capsheaf, from John Akin, merit espe-
cial notice for the great size and fine handsome appearance of the speci-
mens, even where all were fine.

Of apples the show was limited, the season having been very unfavorable
to their growth. The committee would here express the hope that the
culture of this truly valuable fruit may be revived in our vicinity, and again
flourish as in former years, believing as they do that all which is essential
to success in this department of fruit culture, is merely for the zealous and
devoted poraologist to take the matter seriously in hand. There were,
however, some very fine specimens and worthy of special notice, among
which were several varieties from William Almy's, of Dartmouth ; a striped
apple, very large and handsome, from Levi Jenny, Jr., of Fairhaven : and
Hubbardston Nonsuch, and another variety without a name, from Samuel
G. Hudson.

The show of peaches and plums was also limited, although some very
fine specimens of each were upon the tables. Some noble specimens of the
quince were also conspicuous, and especially three dishes of the Orange
quince from Charles P. Sherman, the largest specimen of which weighed
18 ounces.

Of grapes the show was fair, both from the grapery and from open cul-
ture, and made a fine appearance, interspersed as they were among the
other fruit, throughout the entire length of the tables. Of the Isabella,
those exhibited by Henry Cannon were very large, both clusters and ber-
ries, and would perhaps be regarded as the best exhibited. Those from
A. D. Richmond were also very fine, and, setting aside size, were perhaps
fully equal to those exhibited by Mr. Cannon. Other dishes of this ex-
cellent variety of the grape, worthy of special notice, were from R. N
Swift, of Fairhaven, Charles W. Morgan, and R. R. Crocker.

568 Exhibitio7is of Hoi^ticultwal Societies.

Fruits : From James Arnold, Esq., President of the Society, 23 varie-
ties of pears, 12 varieties of grapes, peaches, and plums. From C. W.
Morgan, 20 varieties of pears, 3 of grapes, several of apples, figs, &c.
From W. S. Cook, 15 varieties of pears, plums, &c. From John How-
land, 22 varieties of pears, 4 of grapes, &c. From 11. H. Crapo, 44 va-
rieties of pears, 4 of grapes, &c. From Jos. Clarke, 14 varieties of pears.
From William P. Jenny, IG varieties of pears. From William Swift, 12
varieties of pears. From R. N. Swift, 12 varieties of pears, grapes, &c.
From J. M. Howland, 16 varieties of pears, several of apples, &c.

Flowers : James Arnold, C. W. Morgan, H. H. Crapo, J B. Burges,
Joseph Grinnell, Eliza Barney, John Howland, and William Rotch, Jr.,
were the principal exhibitors.

The decorations of the hall were tastefully arranged under the direction
of the superintending committee. They were constructed almost entirely
of the White or Swamp Cedar — Cupressus Thuyoides — forming partitions
with arched passages, and of festoons of the Flat Club Moss or Ground
Pine — Lycopodium complanatum. In this connection we would notice the
suite of Chinese Garden Stands, which have been twice used with such
good effect in our annual exhibitions. They were last year loaned and
have since been generously presented to the society by Gideon Nye, Jr.
Our obligations to him we take pleasure thus publicly to acknowledge.

Nexo Haven County Horticultural Society. — The annual fair of this so-
ciety was held in New Haven on the 26lh of September last. An address
was delivered on the occasion by Mr. S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, which is
published with the report of the exhibition, and we shall notice it another
time.

The show of flowers and fruits was very good, and several premiums
were awarded.

Among the flowers we notice a new Clerodendron, exhibited by Mr.
Leuchars, called C. Sillimani. It is a hybrid between C. fallax and sinua-
tum, having the foliage of the latter and the flowers of the former. It
received a premium of $3. C. Robinson, Esq., had the first premium
for dahlias.

Of fruits there was a good display. Mr. S. D. Pardee, Drs. Monson,
Dow, and Totten, and J. P. Whittlesey, were the principal exhibitors.
The premium for the best was awarded to E. Sandford for the Louise
Bonne of Jersey. Owing to the unpropitious season, but few of the New
Haven seedlings were shown this year.

The committee, in conclusion, remark that "the exhibition of fruits
which has been steadily improving at our annual fairs, has this year been
superior to that on any former occasion — afTording gratifying evidence that
the operations of our society have in this, as well as in other departments
of horticulture, been highly successful in improving the products of our
gardens and orchards.

Many specimens of pears, peaches, and grapes, which this year received
no premium, were far superior to those to which at previous fairs the high-
est was awarded.

PeiiJisylvania Horticultural Society. 569

In the department of pears, especially, it is believed that no society in
this country can boast a more choice variety — for while we now cultivate
all the foreign varieties of established reputation, our own citizens have
added largely to the list of choice fruit by the production of seedling pears
of great excellence. In addition to the large number of choice varieties
produced by the late Gov. Edwards, the late Thomas Howell, Esq., of this
city, raised at least one seedling pear (the Howell) which is pronounced by
distinguished pomologists to be of the first quality. Several members of
our society have within the last few years commenced the cultivation of
pears from the seed, and specimens of their production were exhibited at
this as well as at former fairs, which promise to add to our list of valuable
fruit.

In the collection of grapes, too, great improvement has been recently
made, as the exhibition this year fully demonstrated. Notwithstanding the
backwardness of the season, well ripened and fine specimens were pre-
sented of several varieties of foreign grapes produced by open culture,
while the beautiful clusters of choice fruit, raised under glass by Mr. Ga-
briel, would have commanded high premiums among the many competitors
at the fairs in our large cities, as well as here where they had no com-
petitor.

In respect to apples, while some good fruit of this description was ex-
hibited, yet the mischievous apple worm, which abounds on our light sandy
soil, will prevent our raising it, of the beauty and excellence with which it
is produced in heavier soils, until a remedy against the ravages of this
destructive insect is found.

With this exception, we may safely assert — for the exhibition this year-
has fully demonstrated its truth — that no section of our country can produce
better fruit, or in greater variety, than the city and county of New Haven."
{Report.)

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — The twenty-first annual exhibition
of the society was held on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of September last, in
the saloon of the Museum Building, Philadelphia.

The display, as usual, was exceedingly fine, particularly of plants and
flowers, and the Report, in detail, makes a pamphlet of twenty-five pages.

The principal exhibitors of plants were the President, Mr. Cope, Jas.
Dundas, P. Mackenzie, and John Lambert.

The designs were the most prominent feature of the exhibition, if we
may judge from the report and the number of premiums awarded for the
same. The principal of them are thus noticed in the report: —

By A. Henderson, gardener to E. A. Stevens, Hoboken, N. J. : — A
design representing Mountain's Model of the Washington Monument, in
height about 12 feet, and a square base of six feet, upon which rested the
first or lower apartment, of about half its height, of a round form, con-
structed with thirteen arches according with the original states, the hewn
stone of the masonry represented with lichens, other portions covered with
moss ; the second or upper division was formed of thirty columns support-
VOL. XV. — NO. XII. 72

570 Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies.

ing a dome covered with laurel, and within this apartment an equestrian
statue of Washington, and above the dome a small temple enclosing a
globe completed the device, which was appropriately ornamented with
evergreen and flowers. This had the first premium.

An accurate model representing the western entrance to Castle Point,
the domain of E. A. Stevens, at Hoboken, the stone work in like manner
beautifully represented by lichens.

Also an accurate miniature representation of a twenty-five feet section of
the curvilinear grapery on the same premises as the gate entrance ; the
sash were represented by acorns on wire, the glass by Gomphrena flowers ;
the original of these two latter devices was by Mr. Mountain. Mr. H.
also exhibited a pair of tastefully formed wreaths.

By Peter Raabe: — An he.xagonal arbor, an appropriate and simple device
universally admired ; the supports or columns were of red cedar entwined
with wreaths of laurel interspersed with flowers, the open covering repre-
sented by similar wreaths. From above and within was suspended a cage
containing a delightful canary warbler. It was carpeted with moss ; within
stood a rustic table on which were placed a tastefully formed basket of cut
flowers and a bouquet ; by the side of the table a rustic chair upon which
lay a half-formed bouquet, gardener's knife and twine, and scattered about
on the carpet and table cut flowers, conveying the idea of an horticulturist's
employment. Also a beautiful basket of cut flowers. This was awarded
the second premium.

By Joseph Cook: — A rustic lounge, completely enveloped with moss and
flowers standing upon a floral carpet, in front of which was placed a table
covered with moss and flowers. Also, a beautiful centre table with moss
covering, and on the top displaying cut roses of the finest kinds. Awarded
the third premium.

By Maurice Finn, gardener to John Lambert : — A square tower with
spire rising to the height of about 16 feet, with evergreen covering inter-
woven with flowers. Also a handsome basket of cut flowers. Awarded
the fourth premium.

By Patrick Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz : — A model of a secretary
of original form completely enveloped in green and ornamented with flowers.

By Ben Daniels, gardener to Caleb Cope : — An evergreen model of a
temple, a neat structure festooned with the choicest grapes. A beautiful
bouquet and tastefully arranged basket of cut flowers, and a pair of wreaths.

The display of fruit was good for the year, and the variety, particularly
of apples and grapes, quite numerous. Of foreign grapes, Mr. Buist ex-
hibited about thirty kinds, among them the Gros Gromier du Cantal, De-
can Superb, Raisin des Carmes, and Cochin China seedling. Of pears the
variety was not large, but the following native sorts were exhibited by
diflerent cultivators: — Fulton, Lodge, Petre, Moyamensing, Haddington,
Pennsylvania, Henrietta, Lewis, Spice (?), Wilkinson, Washington, Seckel,
and one or two seedlings. Mr. T. Hancock exhibited 32 foreign varieties.
Of apples the show was large. Mr. Hancock had 95 kinds and Mr. John
Perkins, 63. The show of vegetables was large and excellent. — (Report.)

Cincinnati Horticultural Society. 571

Cincinnati Horticultural Society. — This society held its autumnal exhibi-
tion on the 26th of September, and continued open four days. On Wednes-
day, according to the report of the committee which has just reached us,
the exhibition was exceedingly fine, and gave general satisfaction to the
members and the public ; considering the unpropitious year for fruit, there
was a fine show, and the display of plants and flowers was extensive and
fine. The committee state that : —

" This exhibition, although too late in the season for the display of many
of our choicest fruits and most beautiful flowers, was yet, through the good
taste and laborious exertions of some of our most distinguished horticultu-
rists, far more interesting to the scientific amateur, and more pleasing to
the mere looker on, than was supposed to be within the compass of our
best exertions.

The floral department — a proper appreciation and encouragement of
which in any community is a proof of the prevalence of a pure and refined
taste — was eminently attractive, and gave striking evidence of care and
skill — of laborious exertion and minute attention — on the part of the ex-
hibitors, honorable alike to their mental and physical characteristics.

The decorations were of such a kind, and arranged with such good taste,
as to produce a singularly pleasing effect. The great hall in the Masonic
buildings in which the exhibition was held, is 115 feet long, 56 in breadth,
and about 24 feet high. At the entrance there was a short avenue of cedar
trees, terminated by two Doric columns supporting an arch covered with
evergreens and decorated with flowers and wreaths ; a thicket of evergreens
and large greenhouse plants extended from the columns to the walls.
In the centre of the hall and extending about two thirds of its length,
was the principal table, on which the fruits, the smaller decorative designs,
many greenhouse plants and various flowers were arranged. Against the
wall on each side was a table of about the same length as that in the
centre. The one on the south was appropriated to vegetables and green-
house plants, that on the north to flowers, ornamental devices, and plants
of various kinds.

In the centre of the south aisle, Mrs. Heaver's ornamental design was
placed, and on the north aisle Mr. Jackson's. The former sustained well
the reputation for good taste and skill in ornamental designs which Mrs.
H. acquired at the last year's exhibition. It was a square Gothic temple
with pinnacles, flying buttresses, and other regular Gothic attributes, with
a spire, the top of which was about 18 feet from the floor. The whole
covered with moss and adorned with flowers, neatly arranged. The floor
was a mosaic of dahlias to which there was an ascent of several steps, and
on the platform was placed Mr. Piatt Evens's globe of gold fish.

Mr Jackson's design was a Gothic Monument, in the style of those in
Europe called Crosses, from the circumstance of their being each sur-
mounted by a cross, which they are built to sustain. It was of an octag-
onal form, the parts finely proportioned, and with all the decorations appro-
priate to that kind of monuments. It was covered with moss and ornamented
very gorgeously with dahlias, those splendid flowers, of which he has

572 Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies.

exhibited such remarkably fine specimens this season. The height was
about 18 or 20 feet, its proportions were remarkably good, and altogether it
formed a striking and attractive point in the exhibition.

Near the west end of the hall, in the centre, was Mrs. Hoffner's beauti-
ful Floral Cottage, which with its accessories formed a point of attraction
altogether irresistible. The cottage was about six feet square, and with
the two steps of ascent about 8 or 9 feet high. It was formed of lattice
and wire work, in which the following climbing vines were so skilfully
interwoven as to cover it entirely, without showing any redundance, viz : —
Lophosperma scandens, Maurandya, Barclayana pink and blue, Manettia
coccinea, Ipomea Learii and I. coccinea, and scarlet and white Cypress
vines. These were kept constantly flowering the whole of the exhibition,
being planted in cases on each side, made for the purpose, covered with
moss, and sustaining also several varieties of oxalis in blossom. At each
corner of the cottage was a marble statue (about three feet high,) each rep-
resenting one of the four seasons. Two lambs sculptured in marble, lay
one on each side of the steps leading into the cottage, and in the interior
were a chair and table ; on the latter w'as a globe of gold-fish, above which
hung a rare and curious orchid, the Stanhopea tigrina, with a spike of its
strange and beautiful blossoms hanging downwards, while its leaves were
o-rowing upwards out of a bulb of moss, which was made to furnish as near
a resemblance to its usual habitat on the branch of a high tree as possible.
The chair (and sometimes another) was occasionally occupied by a beauti-
ful child, who dispensed bouquets of flowers to such as made suitable appli-
cation for them.

The smaller designs were in good taste, and produced a pleasing effect, —
Mr. McAvoy's moss vase and bouquet of flowers, however, must not be
classed among them ; for it was 8 or 9 feet high and 5 or 6 feet in circum-
ference. The bouquet which filled it was composed of fine flowers arranged
with great care and labor, and large enough for the Queen of the Giants.

Mrs. McAvoy's Wreath which was thirty-six feet long, extending from
the centre to the wall, was also a work displaying great good taste and
much careful labor in its formation and arrangement. The premium, how-
ever, was adjudged to Mr. Sayer's wreath, extending from the same centre
to the opposite wall. They were so near alike that they appeared to be
but one.

A wreath of evergreens extended along the centre of the hall, and the
two iron columns at the west end were wreathed with the same.

The other designs will be mentioned in the awards : they exhibit great
good taste, and most of them being; works of ladies, give indication of an
interest on the part of the better half of humanity, in our horticultural
pursuits, which will ensure a continuation of successful efforts in the path
of improvement.

The catalogue of plants at this exhibition, shows that much attention has
been given by our horticulturists to the collection and care of rare and curi-
ous exotics, and we have good reason to expect from them more aid in
developing the vegetable wealth, — the rare and valuable products of the

MassacJmsetts Horticultural Society. 573

vegetable kingdom, — of this continent, than is usually looked for in what
was so lately the backwoods of our country.

The floral department, although it was more full than either of the
others, might have been extended very considerably, if it had been judged
expedient."

Flowers : The principal exhibitors of plants and flowers, were the
President, Mr. Ernst ; S. S. Jackson, who exhibited about 30 plants ; Jacob
Hoffner, who displayed the large number of 150 plants, some of them rare ;
William Heaver, about 28 plants ; H. Brachman, 28 plants, and N. Long-
worth, about 40 plants, &c.

Fruits : The department of fruits was by no means as well represented
as that of flowers, but it might have appeared to much greater advantage
if our fruit cultivators could be brought to the belief that it would be proper
for them to exhibit the best they have, even if they have no hopes of hav-
ing premiums awarded to it. The causes of an extraordinary deficiency of
fruits are referred to in the report of the Council.

R. Buchanan exhibited 23 varieties of apples, 2 of pears, and 5 of
grapes, including a White Catawba. Dr. Petticolas, 27 varieties of apples.
M. S. Wade, 12 varieties of apples. F. B. Williams, 8 varieties of ap-
ples. J. F. Warder, 20 baskets of peaches, mostly seedlings. N. Long-
worth, 10 varieties of grapes, raised under glass, among them the Victoria;
also, 8 varieties of native grapes.

The display of vegetables was large and excellent. — {Report.)

Art. V. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, Nov. 3d. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held
to-day, — the President in the chair.

The Chairman of Flower Committee reported the list of premiums
awarded during the year. [This will appear in our January number.]

Mr. Haggerston submitted a vote, recommending an alteration in the
rules and regulations of the exhibitions, so as to exclude all but members
from competing for premiums ; also, that no member shall be entitled to a
gratuity on plants, fruits, &c., unless oflered in competition for the respec-
tive premiums, as advertised by the Society, and the gratuity shall in no
case exceed the lowest premium ; also, that the 17th rule be amended by
striking out all after the first clause.

The whole was submitted to the committee appointed at the last meeting.

A committee of three was appointed to correspond with the leading hor-
ticultural societies of the country in regard to an arrangement of the time for
holding the annual exhibitions of 1850, so as to be convenient and advan-
tageous to the members, and C. M. Hovey, the Treasurer, and the Record-
ing Secretary, were appointed the committee.

The Committee on Exchanges with M. Vattemare, reported that they

574 Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

had attended to the duty assigned them, furnishing him with duplicate
copies of all the Transactions of the Society.

The Recording Secretary sent in his resignation, saying he was about to
leave the vicinity, and a committee was appointed to nominate and report a
new candidate at the next meeting, and J. S. Cabot, Jos. Breck, and E.
Wight, were appointed the committee.

On motion of Mr. Cabot it was voted, that the thanks of the Society be
presented to the Recording Secretary, and, as a mark of esteem for his ser-
vices, a piece of plate not exceeding in value thirty-five dollars.

The President and Treasurer were appointed a committee to carry out
the vote.

B. M. Watson, Plymouth, C. Heard, Brighton, and A. Lackey, Mar-
blehead, were admitted members.

Adjourned two weeks, to November 17th.

Exhibited. — Fruit : From 0. Johnson, very fine specimens of R. I.
Greening apples. From A. Wood, fine Newtown Pippins. From J. Owen,
Lewis, Napoleon, Le Cure, Glout Morceau, Beurre Diel, Bezi de la
Motte, Bicknall, and three other sorts of pears. From J. B. Mantel, an
unnamed pear — inferior. From Hovey &. Co., Belle Epine Dumas pears.

Nov. lOth. — Exhibited. — Fruit : From the President, Swan's Orange
pear. From J. Lovett, 2d, very large and beautiful Beurr6 Diel and Ur-
baniste pears. From A. Aspinwall, fine Beurr6 Diel pears. From Josiah
Stickney, fine Coffin's Virgoulouse pears. From D. Hall, Medford, Beurr6
Diel pears. From John Gordon, Queen of the Low Countries pear.
Seedling pears from F. Tudor, Esq., too ripe to test their quality — size
large, and a good looking pear. From Hovey & Co., Knight's Monarch
pear, exceedingly melting, rich and fine, fully equal to its reputation, also
Belle Epine Dumas pears. Seedling apple by J. M. Blaney, small and of
pleasant flavor.

Vegetables : From R. Sherwin, 8 large potatoes, weighing 8 pounds six
ounces. From A. Hatch, Saugus, a dish of potatoes, raised from the ball,
the product of one seed. From J. E. Teschemacher, Endive, very fine.

Nov. \lth. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the
President in the chair.

The committee appointed to nominate a member to fill the vacancy occa-
eioned by the resignation of the Recording Secretary, reported the name of
the Rev. D. Leach, who was elected to that office.

Mr. A. Bowditch was chosen a member of the Committee on Flowers,
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of E. C. R. Walker.

Mr. Haggerston presented a resolution which he requested should be
appended to the Report of the Committee on Flowers. It proposed a vote
of thanks to the President of the Society for his beautiful exhibition of
flowers, and for his liberality in not competing for premiums and refusing
all gratuities. The resolution was unanimously accepted.

D. W. Lincoln, Worcester, W. F. Weld, Boston, A. W. Haven, Ports-
mouth, C. H. P. Plympton, and Otis Brewer, Boston, were elected mem-
bers of the Society.

Adjourned two weeks, to December 1.

Horticultural Memoranda. 575

Exhibited. — Fruit: From J. F. Allen, four kinds of grapes. From S.
Downer, Jr., fine specimens of Beurre Diel pears. From H. Vandine, fine
Glout Morceau and Marie Louise pears. From T. Needham, Reine de
Nice and three other kinds of grapes. From E. S. Rand, Cross pears,
not mature. From A. Coolidge, Cambridge, pears without name, proved
to be the Belle Epine Dumas. From J. Washburn, Sieulle pears, very
fine. From D. S. Curtis, Easter Beurr6, and a pear without name, be-
lieved to be the Monarch.

HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA

FOR DECEMBER.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines may now be pruned, performing the operation in unfavora-
ble weather when out-door work cannot be done — thus saving valuable
time at this busy season of the year. After they are pruned, the old wood
should be cleared of the rough and loose bark, and then washed with whale
oil soap, diluted to the consistence of thin paint, using a brush so as to
fill all the crevices around the eyes, and thus destroy all insects which may
lurk in such places ; they may then be laid along the front of the house and
loosely tied till such time as the swelling of the eyes foretells the time for
again tying them up to the trellis. The borders should now be covered
with three or four inches of old manure, adding first a light sprinkling of
guano, which will penetrate the ground by the rains of winter. Vines in
pots should now be pruned, and then placed away in a cool cellar or shed,
out of the way of severe frost. Vines in the open air should now be
pruned, and a barrowful of manure applied to each root.

Fig Trees, in pots, should be pruned, and have the branches washed
with whale oil soap, afterwards placing them in a cool place out of danger
of severe frost.

Peach Trees, in pots, should be pruned, and the branches washed as
recommended for figs.

Fruit Trees of all kinds should be protected with a covering of a barrow-
ful of coarse manure.

Strawberry beds should be covered if not already done.

Raspberry beds should also be protected if not already done.

Seeds of Fruit Trees should be planted if the ground remains open.

Scions of pear, apple, cherry, and other fruit trees, may now be cut,
placing them in earth, in a cool cellar, till wanted.

Apple Stocks, for root grafting, should now be taken up and laid in where
they can be protected so as to be ready for use in February.

Seedling Stocks should either be protected with a lightcovering of manure,
or be taken up and laid in, in a dry situation.

Newly Planted Trees in windy localities should be protected by a strong
stake to prevent injury to the roots.

576 Horticultural Memoranda.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Camellias will now be coming into bloom, and will require to be regu-
larly and judiciously watered, syringing over the foliage once or twice a
week in good weather. Continue to stake, wash, and put the plants in the
best order.

Japan Lilies, in pots, should now be removed to a cool cellar or to any
cool place, where they may remain till they begin to grow in February.
Protect those planted in the open ground with a thick covering of leaves or
manure.

Pansies, wanted for early blooming, should now be taken up and potted.
Young plants, in beds, should be protected with a covering of leaves or
light compost.

Carnations and Picoiees, in frames, should be covered with three or four
inches of leaves, covering them with sashes or boards to keep off heavy
rains.

Herbaceous Plants should be protected with a covering of leaves or manure.

Verbenas may now be repotted, and the last batch of cuttings potted off.

NcBpolitan Violets, in frames, should be now protected from frost, and
they will bloom abundantly all winter.

Roses should now be shifted if they require it. Perpetual and Bouibon
roses, in the open ground, should be protected with a good covering of
manure. Prairie roses in very cold situations may be pegged down to the
ground, where ihe snow will generally sufficiently protect them from injury.
Tree roses should be protected with a covering of straw.

Monthly Finks and Carnations may now be shifted into larger pots.

Chrysanthemums, done blooming, may now be placed in a cold frame for
the winter.

Pelargoniums may now have a second potting, previous to their final
shift into their blooming pots.

Cactuses should now be sparingly watered.

Azaleas sliould now be rather sparingly watered.

Heaths, of spring flowering sorts, should now be repotted, if they require
it, and all vigorous shoots topped so as to make bushy plants.

Heliotropes should now be shifted into larger pots.

Achimenes and Gloxinias may be potted the last of the month for early
blooming.

Tulip and Hyacinth beds should be protected with a covering of leaves or
manure.

Ranunculus beds should now be got in readiness for planting in February,
according to the directions of Dr. Horner, in a late number.

Schizanthuses and Nemophilas should now be shifted into larger pots.

Flowering Shrubs, not fully hardy, should be protected by covering them
loosely with straw or branches of evergreens.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas should have the roots protected with leaves
or manure.

Greenhouse plants of all kinds, in small pots, will require shifting into
larger size ; they should also be neatly tied to small stakes. Keep the
house clean in every part.

'

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