Title: Meehan's Monthly, v. 12 Place of Publication: Phila. PA Copyright Date: 1902 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg1 1 0.6 FILMED WHOLE OR IN PART FROM A COPY BORROWED FROM: CORNELL UNIVERSITY MEEHANS' MONTHLY A Magazine of Horticulture, Botany and kindred subjects. 11 EDITED BY S. MENDELSON MEEHAN, Volume XII, 190a. ILLUSTRATED WITH COLORED LITHOGRAPHS BY ! L. PRANQ & CO., AND WITH NUMEROUS COPPER ENGRAVINGS. COPYRIGHTED. Ill THOMAS MKEHAN & SONS, GERMANTOWN, PHILA., PA. ' i r< i ! :iU INDEX TO VOLUME XII COLORED PLATES PAGE Brodiaea capitata 37 Delphinium bicolor i Erigeron Philadelphicus loi Gentiana angustifolia 53 Liatris spicata i49 Mimulus ringens 21 PAGE Monarda menthiefolia 117 Mouotropa uniflora I33 Psoralea subacaulis 165 Rhaninus Carolinianus 85 Smilax Walteri *i8i Xyris flexuosa 69 ILLUSTRATIONS PACK Abies Hookeriana 192 Adventitious Growth from a Bryophylluni Leaf 92 Alpine Plants, A Rockery for 132 Andromeda Japonica 78 Aquilegia flabellata nana alba 64 Arundo Donax I37 Bailey, Prof. Wm. W I95 Beech, Fern-leaved i55 Bird's-eye Maple, How Cut 68 Border Flowers no Bougainvillaea glabra Sanderiana 9 Chayote Fruits 81 Coffee Tree 77 Colorado Blue Spruce 189 Crab-apple, Bechtel's Flowering 32 Crataegus coccinea 62 Dolichos Japonicus I75 Douglas Fir 190 Driveway, A Neat, Effective 124 Epiphyllum latifrons, Night-blooming 188 Evergreens, Elizabeth Park 30 Evergreen Grouping 7 Fir, Nordmann I57 Gingkos and Stone Pines 159 Group of Elk, Minnehaha Park 29 Gymnocladus Canadensis 77 Hardv Perennials along a Water-course 143 Hollyhocks I45 Hydrangeas at "Sunset" 142 Insect-cut Leaves 104 Kudzu Vine, The I75 Landscape, A Welcoming Front 58 Light upon Plants, Effect of. 46 PAOB Lilacs 94, 95 Maple, Blood-Leaved Japanese 161 Maple, Red Cut-leaved Japanese 109 Matrimony Vine, The 122 Melons Under Glass 163 Ocklawaha Scenes 25, 26, 27 Orange Trees from Frost, Protecting 12 Pagoda Tree, The Chinese 108 Palms, Wild 4i, 42 Park Scene 45 Phlox subulata 80 Picea concolor u Pin Oak, A Beautiful Specimen 90 Pine, Screw 43 Pontederia crassipes 33 Prairie, A Texan 40 Quartered Oak, How Cut 68 Quercus imbricaria 126 Residence, Side View of. 74 Rock Gardens 97. 128, 177 Rose Garden, A Formal 171 Rose, New Dorothy Perkins 176 Solitaires, Contour Effect of. 59 Sophora Japonica 108 Spiraea sorbifolia 93 Stable in Pretty vSetting 75 State Flower, Texas 4 Tamarisk, The i73. ^91 Viburnum prunifolium 47 Walk, A Gently Winding 60 Walk, A Turf Garden 112 Wichuraiana Roses, Hybrid 139 Wild Scenery, A Pleasant Place in 185 POEMS PAGE Advancing Spring 39 An October Sunset 15^ A Rose Without a Thorn 114 A Spring Gust 55 A Sunset Scene 183 A Tribute to Thomas Meehan 35 Autumn 169 Childhood's Violets 89 Clematis and Ivy on Mt. Helicon 44 Dark Shadows Fly 131 Fairy Flowers I79 Grateful Shade 99 Hay-Time 121 Hope 51 In Silence 3 Modernity I53 Nymphs in a Garden 170 Palmyra 35 Strength from Nature 164 Thankfulness 146 PAGE The Babbling Brook 119 The Banyan Tree 28 The Coming Storm 103 The Crown Imperial 57 The Death of Autumn 167 The Garden in Spring 73 The Garden of the Famous Roman Alcinous... 6 The Husbandman 187 The Kewites ^64 The Lily Flower 105 The Magic of Spring 71 The Return to America 65 The Ruin ^37 The Waning Year 154 The Wild Columbine I35 Under the Holly Bough i94 Utility of Beauty 87 Weeds 83 Welcome to Spring 23 : ! ir p GENERAL TOPICS PAGK PAGE Abies Hookeriaua iq2 Aconites o^ Agassiz Association, The 84 Alabama, Plant Ivife of. cj Alpine Plants .'*.. 131 American Gardens 147 American Philosophical Society 52 Among the Water-fowl 148 Andromeda Japonica 77, gi Anemone, Double Rue ' 52 Ants Raise Mushrooms PAGK 72 Apples, Notes on 34, 88, 178 Apples, Flowering 32 Apricots for Indoor Culture m Aquilegia, New Hybrid 63 Arabis alpina crispa 142 Aralias and Yuccas in Rock Gardens 144 Arboriculture, Officers of International Society of 148 Arbor-vitai, Rollinson's Golden 138 Art Out of Doors 84 Arundo Donax, Foliage Effects of. 137 Asclepias quadrifolia 120 Ashes for Cabbage Worm ..* 113 Asparagus '^j\ m Asparagus Comorensis 63 Asters, the Satisfactory 48 Astilbe rivularis jy8 Azalea anut^na. Arrangement of 48 Bacteriology, Agricultural 67 Bailey, Prof. W. Whitman 52, 195 Bananas by the Pound 178 Baobab Tree, The Senegal 176 Barberton Daisy 48 5^^°!; 3' '.'.'.■.*.■.'.'.' .*.*'.V.8o. Ill Bee, The Leaf cutting u^^ icj Beech, Fern-leaved ' i^c Bees, Rubber-gathering ' 72 Bergamot ,,4, 117, 13J'. 148 Biology, Elementary 147 Birch Disease, The jqc Birds, Notes on 4o,'Vo3, 168 Bird s-eye Maple 68, loo Blackberries, Some Desirable 82 Blazing-star, Blue !...!!!!!! ijg Bloodroot, The Snow-white 72 Blueberries, White "* iqo Bone Meal, Fertilizing Elements of. . q Border Gardening ,09, 144 Botanical Appointments 52, 146 Botanical Names and Poetic I,icense ' iSo Botanical Section Officers of the A. A. A. S oo Botanical Studies \ Botanizing on City Vacant Lots....................' 184 Botany, A Popular Course in 88 120 Botany of all Known Plants ' loo Botany, Problems of Systematic =2 Bougainvillaeas **' g Brodia-'a capitata V7 .^ Bryophyllum !.*!!!!'.!'.!.*!!.*!:. 91 Cabbage Worms, Ashes for ...'.** jj^ California 2^ Callicarpa Americana "*' .g Calochortus or Mariposa Lilies ...\... 197 Camera Shots at Big Game 51 Carnations and Picotees 68 Centennial Exposition, Oregon's r2 Century Plant Blooming ^, chayote ;::::::::;::; ^3 Cherry, Fruit of Mahaleb ^8 Cherry Trees, Transplanting . 64 Chestnut and Hickory Grafting -jZ Chestnut Trees, Rejuvenating Old [ 154 Chicory ^4 4^ Chimonanthus fragrans ^ 48 China Tree .' ^2 Cicely, The Woolly Sweet !.!!!............ 8c> Clematis Davidiana 142 Clematis paniculata 140 Clematis Reminiscences 183 Climbing Plants, The Book of. 197 Close of a Beautiful Life 35 Cocoanut Palms 27 Colorado Fir jq Columbine, Dwarf White Japanese 63 Corchorus, The Single-flowered 92 Cow Pea, The 83 Crab-grass *'* 156 Cucumbers as Climbing Vines 80 Cultural Hints, Some 78 Currants, Some Desirable 82 Cut-flowers, To Make Lasting 84 Cuttingof Roots, Trees Damaged bv 105 Cyclopaedia of Horticulture ' 65 Damp Situations, Trees for 61 Dead Wood in Young Plants 138 Delphinium bicolor j Delphiniums, Hybrid no Delphinium, Notes on 39, 65 Deutzia gracilis rosea 77 02 i^d Dewberries 64 , 9D Diatoms 24,' 39 Dicentra spectabilis ' ji Dioscorides and His Era 83 Dolichos Japonicus 176 Driveway Entrances 124 Dwight,'Gen. Henry C 65 Dysentery, Geraniums for -6 Elderberry Bush 36 Elderberries for Pies u- Epiphyllum latifrons 188 Erigeron Philafielphicus 101 Evergreens, A Nook of Choice 189 Evergreens, Clipping 107 Evergreens for Grouping 6 Evergreens Lack Hardiness, Whv 156 Filberts and English Walnuts in Kentucky 123 Fishes, American Food and Game 147 Fleabane. Philadelphia loi Flora of Northwest America, A 51 Flora of Tennessee ^c Floral Associations 186 Floral Displays in Windows 180 Florida, Temperature of 27 Flower Beds, Cultivating ..' 94 Flower Gardens, To Keep Chickens from 132 Flowering a Weakening Process 122 Flov^ers, Notes on j^^ 84 Forest Engineer |.... . ',48 Forester, The !..!!!.....!!!. 66 Forest vSchool for Pennsvlvania, A 84 Forest Trees and Forest Scenery. 20 Forestry in Minnesota . 197 FruitNotes. .... 34, 50', i"3o, iNo Fruit Trees, Irrigated 49 Fruit Trees, Planting for Effect 172 Fumigation Methods uc Future Issues, Plans of. .......!!.... 36 Gaillardia grandiflora .'..[ 3- Galax Leaves, Keeping Fresh ...!......... 61 Game Preserves, Tree planting in 88 Garden of Cosmopolites 160 Garden Notes '//^g^ ,27 Gentiana angustifolia .53, 66, 71 Gentian Flowers, Changes of Color in .... 167 Geraniums, "Sun-proof" 107 Gerardia purpurea 153 Gideon Memorial, Peter M 116 Gingko 157 Gladiolus, Groff's Hybrid 63 GofT, Death of Prof. E. S 131 Grafted Plants, Suckers on 138 Grape Thrips, Death to 113 Grape, McKinley Early 64 Grapes, Varying Quality of Niagara 130 Greenhouses Illustrated 100 Green's Fruit Grower, Merging of. 132 Grouping Plants for Foliage Effects 80 Grouping Plants in One Pot 187 Gumbo-limbo 99 Gum Trees, The Sweet and Sour 167 Gyninocladus Canadensis 76 Hardy Flowers, Rearranging Gardens of. 142 Hardy Plants, A Plea for 196 Hawthorn, A Beautiful American 62 Heaths, Our Noble 55 Hedges, Notes on 76, 140, 154. 155 Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs for Hardy Border 63 Herbarium Specimens Exchanged 116 Hibiscus Syriacus paeoniflorus 77 Hickory, The Hales Paper-shell 113 Hollyhocks in Border Gardening 1^4 Home Grounds, Beautification of. 57 Hopniss 66 Hop Vine, Rapid-growing 105 Horse-chestnut, Flowering of 71 Horticultural Manual, American 194 House Plants, Satisfactory 172 Hydrangea Flowers 156 Hydrangea paniculata, Pruning 1S7 Indian Pipe 133 Insects and Flowers i?46 Insects, Leaf-cutting 119, 151 IponiiEa pandurata 153 Irises 10,94, 127, 158, 193 Irrigation Farming 148 Jamaica, Fruits and Flowers of. 43 Katydid, Periodicity of the 153 Kentucky, Filberts and English Walnuts in 123 Kudzu Vine 176 Kumquat, The 43 Lamson-Scribner, Prof. 65 Landscape Gardening 73» 90» i'6, 164, 174 Larch Trees 88 Lattice Plant, The 169 Leaf-cutting by Insects 103, 119, 151 Liatris spicata 149 Lightning, Willow Trees and 135 Light upon Plants, Effect of. 46 Ligustrum Japonicum 109 Lilac, Improvement in 94 Lilac, The Persian 92 Lilium superbum. Double 152 Lima Beans, Training 96 Locusts, Seventeen-year 28 Louisiana Flowers, Some Prominent 135 Louisiana Purchase Exposition 52 Lu pi n us sub-carnosus 3 , 40 Lycium Chinense 122 Magnolia stellata 79 Mandarin Orange "Oiieco" 163 Manning, Robert 65 Maple, Bird's-eye 68, 100 Maple, Blood-leaved Norway 158 Maples, Notes on Japanese 106, 107 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Secretary of the 148 Matrimony Vine 122 May Apple, Flowering of. 87 Maynard, Removal of Prof. S. T 131 Medicinal Plants, Extermination of. 40 PAGK Meehan, Thomas I3> ^7 Meehan, Tributes to the Works of the Late Thomas 196 Meehans' Monthly, Discontinuance of i79 Meehans* Monthly, Future of 20 Melons under Glass 162 Mexico 43 Miller, Charles H I94 Miller, Samuel 35 Mimulus ringens. Notes on 21, 23, 65 Monarda menthaefolia 117 Monotropa unifiora I33' '52 Morton, Hon. J. Sterling 114 Moss Pink 80 Mulching Trees, Importance of. 125 Nashville Breadroot 165 Nature Neglected ? Is 7^ Nature Study and Life ^9^ Nature, To Advance Education in 104 New Degree 148 Nipa 100 Nordmann Fir '57 Nursery Stock, Notes on 138, 170 Nuts, Storing 193 Nymphaea Signoureti 79 Oaks, Notes on 89, 107, 125 Ocklawaha River, Vegetation along 25 Orchard Cultivation, Winter 11, 34 Orchid, A Rare Florida 3 Oranges, Notes on 12, 178 Origanum vulgare 9^ Our Native Plants, Eradication of 131 Pagoda Tree, Chinese 109 Papaw Fruit, Quality of. 9^ Paper Mulberries Fruiting 63 Parkinsonia aculeata. Evergreen Character of. 168 Parks, Development of. 28 Parks, Our National 66 Paulownia imperialis I54 Peach, White Heath Cling 82 Peaches for Indoor Culture m Pear, Notes on 9^*^. i^^» 13° Penelope and the Fays 87 Pepper- wood I79 Perennials, Notes on 80, 144, 160, 178 Persimmon as an Edible Fruit, The I45 Pests Turned to Profit 148 Petunias, Improved 32 Phlox divaricata I44 Phlox subulata 80 Physics of Agriculture 84 Picea concolor 10 Pineapples, Fruiting Period of 43 Plant-breeding Conference, International 148 Plants, Care of 8 Plants for House Culture 7. 3i Plants, Notes on 79. 180 Plants of the Rocky Mountain Region, Aual> li- cal Key to 194 Plants Transplanted, Treatment of 124 Plants, Winter Effects on Some 174 Platycodon Mariesii i44 Plums, Prolific Japanese m Podophyllum, Flowering of. 87 Polypodium incanum 47 Pontederia crassipes 3^ Poppy, The Golden I47 Porto Rican Agricultural Possibiliiie^ 180 Potatoes, Improving 9^ Potato Vine, Wild >53 Pot Marjoram 9^ Practical Forestr v '46 Preservation of Native Plants 114 Primrose, English 48 Primrose, The Baby 156 li lill !l1I !: ' i;ll PAGE Prinos verticillata 3 Privet, Evergreen 109 Prize Gardening 67 Promptness, Urgency for 78 Prune, Thanksgiving 64 Pruning, Notes on 61, 137, 140, 188 Psoralea subacaulis 165 Putnam Society, New Officers of. 35 Pyrethrums, Double 33 Quartered Oak 68 Quercus imbricaria 125 Rain and Plant Growth 148 Raspberries 120 Rattlesnake Weed 88 Red Spider, Ridding Evergreens of 1 05 Rhamnus Caroliniana 85 Rhododendron Bianchii 79 Rhubarb, I^arge iii Roadsides, Planting Pear Trees by 145 Rock Gardens, Notes on 95, 127, 177 Rose Garden at Yaddo 170 Roses, New 10, 33, 63, 93, 176 Roses for I/Ow Walls 138 Roses, Notes on ic6, 136 Rose, The Cherokee 179 Rose, The Philadelphia Rambler 92, 123 Rubus Canadensis 96 Sargent's Silva 52 Sauce Dressing for Table Fruit 116 Saxifraga crassifolia 10 Schimper's Geography 66 School Gardens 31 Science, American Association for Advance- ment of. 132 Seashore, Planting Along 60 Seeds of Commercial Saltbushes 52 Seeds of Plants, Development of 5 Seeds, Slow Germination of Some 190 Shade Trees 105 Should Lawn Grass be Closely Cut ? 107 Shrubs and Herbaceous Plants for Hardy Border 63 Solitaires, Ornamental 44 Sophora Japonica 109 Souvenir of Plymouth Parks 51 PAGE Spiraea sorbifolia 92 Spraying Tower 89 Spring Flower, A Diminutive 68 State Flowers 3. 23. M7 Steele, F. K 65 Stone Pine, Swiss i57 Strawberries 82, 120 Sugar Beet, Jaensch's Victrix 107 Sunset's Hydrangeas 14^ Tamarisk, The i74, 191 Tarragon Ivcaves 9^ Tender Plants, Wintering 141 The Complaint of the Flower 186 Thomery, Residence of Henry IV 116 Trailing Arbutus, Transplanting the 187 Trees and How to Identify Them, Our Native.. 197 Trees, Notes on 5, 115, ii9» 121, 168 Trees, Some Hardy Ornamental 76 Tulips, To Keep in Bloom 64 Umbrella Plant, The 8 Vacation Resorts, Winter 24, 41 Viburnum prunifolium 47 Vines, An Effective Arrangement of. 123 Vines, How to Train Newly Planted 123 Viola odorata, Officinal Properties of 72 Violet, New '• Pink Gem" ir, 130 Walking-sticks, Making 100 Walks, Turf Garden no Walnut, Curly 68 Walnuts, English and Filberts in Kentucky 123 Waste Ground, Beautifying 142 Weeds .' 89, 180 White Birches, Failures of 89. 124, 170 Wild Flowers, Field Book of American 197 Wild Flowers of California 194 Wild Scenery, Pleasant Places in 185 Willow Trees Lightning Proof? Are 104 Winter Buds, Interest in 56 Winter Care of Water-lilies and Fish 170 Witch-hazel , Seed Dissemination of. 5 Woodruff or Waldmcister 103 Xyris flexuosa 69, 71 Yuccas in Rock Gardens I44 [■ ! ■^^ ' Voi...^! Plate ^ i )|'l.f1IIN!l'M iM('0|.()|? DELPHINIUM BICOLOR. TWO-COLORED LARKSPUR. NATURAL ORDER, RANUNCULACE^. Delphinium bicolor, Nuttall.-Pubescent ; petioles somewhat dilated at the base ; leaves digitately five-parted • lobes three to five cleft ; divisions linear, short, rather acute ; racemes lax, few flowered, the pedicels elongated and spread- ing ; spur rather slender, as long as the sepals ; lower pedicels broadly obovate. entire, sparingly bearded. (Torrey & Gr&y'H Flora 0/ North America.) . f « j- v y «. The whole family of Larkspur is a particu- larly interesting one,— whether];considered in its scholastic history, or in its purely botani- cal features. The botanical name is extremely old, delphinioyi being used by Dioscorides, an old Greek writer before the time of Christ, and who tells us it was so named ''because the slender segments of the leaves resemble dol- phins,"—the name signifying a dolphin in the Greek language. Sibthorp, in his Flora Grceca, refers the delphi?iion of this early writer to two distinct species ; but authors of our day do not agree with him as toVhy the plant was so called. The modern interpretation is that the unopened bud, with the tapering spur or nectary, is like the popular idea of a dol- phin. The close student of history will, how- ever, find many of these contradictory expla- nations of matters connected with plants, and the fact will afford an additional inducement to go over and study anew the reasons given for things. As an illustration of how errors may creep in, it will not be out of place to note here that one species of larkspur is known among the country people of England as "Stave's Acre," and anyone with no light but the name itself would be very likely to associate the plant in some way with an acre of land, — but when he afterwards learns that there is a species with the Latin name of Delphifiiiim Staphis-agria, he gives a reasonable guess at the origin of the name. In like manner as regards its English appellation, larkspur, there is much difference of opinion. The ac- cepted explanation is that it is from the resem- blance of the ♦•dolphin-like tail" of the flower to the "spur of a lark,"— but the critical examiner may be pardoned for wondering why this particular bird's "spur" should have been selected for comparison when there is nothing very remarkable to distinguish it from the "spur" of any other bird. The Italians call the plant Sperone di cavalier e, or knight's-spur, which might refer to the seed vessels, or even the jagged outline of some of the leaves, with more force than to the floral spur. Even granting the " lark " in the case, the French pied d'alouette, which is among the oldest of common names, would refer to that bird's foot instead of to its "spur,"— and, indeed, a French writer tells us that "It owes its name to the singular form of its seed vessels, on which may be distinguished not only the claws, but the joints of a bird's foot." We are glad to have this opportunity of exer- cising the student a little on this subject of accuracy. It is too much the custom to take these historic points "just as we find them," and of secondary importance, — but if they are worth anything at all, they are worth getting as accurately as it is possible. Linnaeus thought that this plaijt should be regarded as the true hyacinth of the ancients, of which a pretty account has been given in the twelfth book of Ovid's Metamorphosis ; but there is also another old story of the crea- tion of Delphinium, which is not as often told as that about Ajax. It is said that a poor fisherman falling in the sea was rescued by a kind-hearted dolphin, which carried him on its back to the shore. Some time after- wards, other fishermen set their hooks to catch this dolphin, but gratitude in the heart of the rescued fisherman caused him to thwart the designs of his fellows,— but he was de- tected and the exasperated crew drowned him therefor. The dolphin found his body, took it to Neptune, and urged on him to ask of Flora ' (0 ■ il t i I DELPHINIUM BICOLOR. TWO-COLORED LARKSPUR. NATURAL ORDER, RANUNCULACE^. DKLPHiN.rM HicoLoR. Nuttall.-Pubesceut ; petioles somewhat dilated at the base ; leaves digitately five-parted • lobes three to five cleft ; divisions linear, short, rather acute ; racemes lax. few flowered, the pedicels elongated and spread- ms: : spnr rather slender, as long as the sepals ; lower pedicels broadly obovate. entire, sparingly bearded (Torrev & C.raiy's Flora of North America.) ' The whole family of Larkspur is a particu- larly interesting one,— -vvhetherjVonsidered in its scholastic history, or in its purely botani- cal features. The botanical name is extremely old, delphinio)} being used by Dioscorides, an old (;reek writer before the time of Christ, and who tells us it was so named *' because the slender segments of the leaves resemble dol- phins,"—the name signifying a dolphin in the (;reek language. vSibthorp, in his Flora (hcrca, refers the delphinion of this early writer to two distinct species ; but authors of our day do not agree with him as to^why the plant was so called. The modern interpretation is that the unopened bud, with the tapering spur or nectary, is like the popular idea of a dol- phin. The close student of history will, how- ever, find many of these contradictory expla- nations of matters connected with plants, and the fact will afford an additional inducement to go over and study anew the reasons given for things. As an illustration of how errors may creep in, it will not be out of place to note here that one species of larkspur is known among the country people of ICngland as " vStave's Acre." and anyone with no light but the name itself would be very likely to associate the plant in some way with an acre of land,— but when he afterwards learns that there is a si)e(ies with the Latin name of ndphiniiim Staphis-a^ria, he gives a reasonable guess at the origin of the name. In like manner as regards its Ivnglish appellation, larkspur, there is much difTerence of opinion. The ac- cepted ex])lanation is that it is from the resem- blance of the ''dolphin-like tail" of the flower to the "spur of a lark,"— -but the critical examiner may be i)ardoned for wondering why this particular bird's ''spur" should have been selected for comparison when there is nothing very remarkable to distinguish it from the "spur" of any other bird. The Italians call the plant Sperone di cavalicre, or knight's-spur, which might refer to the seed vessels, or even the jagged outline of some of the leaves, with more force than to the floral spur. Even granting the "lark " in the case, the French pied d'alouette, which is among the oldest of common names, would refer to that bird's foot instead of to its "spur,"— and, indeed, a French writer tells us that " It owes its name to the singular form of its seed vessels, on which may be distinguished not only the claws, but the joints of a bird's foot." We are glad to have this opportunity of exer- cising the student a little on this subject of accuracy. It is too much the custom to take these historic points "just as we find them," and of secondary importance, — but if they are worth anything at all, they are worth getting as accurately as it is possible. Linmeus thought that this plaijt should be regarded as the true hyacinth of the ancients, of which a pretty account has been given in the twelfth book of Ovid's Metamorphosis ; but there is also another old stor}^ of the crea- tion of Delphinium, which is not as often told as that about Ajax. It is said that a poor fisherman falling in the sea was rescued by a kind-hearted dolphin, which carried him on its back to the shore. Some time after- wards, other fishermen set their hooks to catch this dolphin, but gratitude in the heart of the rescued fisherman caused him to thwart the designs of his fellows,— but he was de- tected and the exasi)erated crew drowned him therefor. The dolphin found his body, took it to Neptune, and urged on him to ask of Flora (0 : PLAT IMTPNTTTrkTVT A T MEEHANS' MONTHIvY — DEIvPHINIUM BICOLOR. [Jan, the favor of turning the body into a flower, which she did, and Delphinmm is the result. In tracing the authority for names in modern botany, it is not customary to go much beyond the time of Linnaeus or his contemporaries, and thus Tournefort is usually credited with the name in modern botanical? works ; but it was in use in connection with an European species by Clusius, who published a "History of Plants" in 1601. The genus Delphinium is widely distributed, having representatives all over Europe, North- ern Asia, and North America. Our pretty species, Delphi?tiutn bicolor, the Two-colored Larkspur, has been unfortunate in being con- fused with a Pacific species, D. Menziesii, and under this name it occurs in almost all collec- tions made of late years in the Rocky Moun- tains. In his "Bibliographical Index," pub- lished in 1878, Mr. Sereno Watson shows that it is really the DelpJmiiuni bicolor which was found by Captain N. B. Wyeth on his commer- cial expedition across the continent in 1834, and was described subsequently by his fellow- traveler, Nuttall, in the "Journal of the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences." How distinct it is from the D. Menziesii of the Pacific Coast may be seen by comparing with ours a plate of that by Lindley, in the " Botanical Register," No. 1 192. In the true D. Menziesii, the spur is short and straight, while that of ours is nar- row, slender, and curved downwards at the end. The specific name, bicolor, is from one of the petals being nearly white ; but this character varies in Rocky Mountain plants. It is one of the most beautiful wild flowers of the Rocky Mountains, usually found growing where good soil has collected by long washing from the mountain sides, and dwarf shrubs and other coarse herbage afford it some little shade. The writer never found it in great quantity in any one place, so as to give any special charac- ter of its own to the natural scenery ; but its chief mission in the great picture seemed to be to lend a charm to other things. Dr. C. C. Parry, however, who was connected with the expedition of Captain Jones, in 1873, speaks of it in his summary of the " Report of the Botany of Western Wyoming," as being abundant on the Green River, and as forming one of the features of the vegetation of that region calling for special remark. In this report, as in most others of that time relating to the Rocky Mountain region, it will be found referred to as D. Menziesii, as already stated. Very few of the Rocky Mountain flowers adapt themselves to garden culture in the Eastern States. A good root of this plant, brought from South Park, Colorado, in 1873, did not flower till 1878, and from that the draw- ing for our plate was made. In more northern regions, the cultivator would probably be more successful. A great deal of botanical interest offers itself to the student in the study of irregular flow- ers in the economy of plant life, — and especially as to the office of the spur in cases like this. We have not room in this chapter more than to suggest to the student that modern specu- lations connect this spur with cross-fertiliza- tion,— the sweet secretions it may contain being thought to be designed to attract insects that should bring foreign pollen at the same time. But it is worth remarking, in connec- tion with this subject, that, as in so many ranunculaceous plants, Delphiniums have the power of increasing their normal number of petals, — or, as florists say, they come "double," in which case they invariably lose the spur, and in this condition are visited by insects as freely as before. Additional interest lies in comparisons be- tween the spurs of the Delphijiium and two other genera of Rantinailacece , i. e. , Aquilegia and Aconitum, the only other prominent native spurred flowers in this order. In Aquilegia flowers all the petals have slender spurs — some long and almost straight, as in the beautiful Rocky Mountain Columbine, A. coerulea ; others are very short and hooked. One sepal only of the Delphinium isspurred, and this is rather short, wide -necked and of more or less curved outline. The Aconitum has one sepal spurred — or hooded — and two petals. The latter are small, slender, hooked and covered by the curious hood from which the common term Monk's-hood is derived. These irreg:u- larly-formed petals and sepals may frequently mislead the amateur botanist by their general appearance, as the plan of ranunculaceous flowers generally is simple and better adapted for quick analysis. Explanation of the Plate:—:. I^ower portion with the root of a rather undersized plant. 2. Upper portion of the flower-stalk. Prepared by Thomas Meehan. 1 i J* A WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE, IN SILENCE. The spider weaves its graceful web, And silently the mosses bright, With beauty clothe the fallen tree, Lest its decay oflend our sight. All things in nature thus aspire, The charm of beauty to unfold ; I now am but a fallen tree. Like mosses bright, oh, manifold. May God's own grace encompass me. San Diego, Cal. MrS. E. E. OrCUTT. A Rare Florida Orchid, —Dendrophylax LiNDENi. — The Dendrophylax is a genus of epiphytal orchids, of which only two species are well known. These are natives of the West Indian Islands. Mr. W. C. Steele, of Switzerland, Florida, says that a third species is found in that State, Deyidrophylax Lindeni. As there are only about half a dozen tree-loving orchids in Florida, visitors will have something rare and interesting to look for. Mr. Steele thus describes it : * ' This is a veritable curi- osity from the fact that the plant has no leaves. The fleshy roots grow up from a common centre and creep over the bark in all directions. From the centre arises the flower stalk, which bears one or two very curiously shaped white flowers, from one to two inches in diameter. ' ' Botanical Studies Simplified.— Prof. Asa Gray's preface to his revised edition of " Gray's Lessons and Manual" gives the following advice to the student, which is somewhat remarkable, yet true in a certain sense : ''No effort should be made to commit technical terms to memory. Any term used in describing a plant or explaining its structure can be looked up when it is wanted, and that should suffice. On the other hand, plans of structure, types, adaptations, and modifications, once under- stood, are not readily forgotten ; and they give meaning and interest to the technical terms used in explaining them." It should not be inferred from this that Prof. Gray did not recognize the value of perfect familiarity with technical names, but rather a mastery of them would come naturally with advancing work in another direction, — that the other knowledge gained would make much analysis and technical terms largely unneces- sary. For example, there are certain characteristics, confined to certain classes or orders of plants, familiarity with which may lead very close to identification without necessitating a long analysis through numerous divisions and sub- divisions. This prominent character may be in the form of flower, the seed, or the leaves. Whatever it may be, one is brought to the point of determination quickly, and frequently in a more interesting way. Prinos verticillata, Yellow-berried. — I have just read an interesting article in Meehans' Monthly, of Nov., 1901, on Ilex {Prinos) verticillata. There is one interesting fact about the plant which you do not mention, viz. , that a yellow-berried form is occasionally to be found. I had the good fortune to discover, two years ago, a small clump of Ilex verticillata laden with golden -yellow fruit instead of the normal scarlet kind. An account of the same was published in Rhodora, of Dec, 1900. But a few miles distant from this plant I found a good-sized tree of Ilex opaca, bearing a fine crop of similar clear yellow berries. Men- tion of this last was made in Rhodora, of March, 1901. Specimens of both kinds were sent to Gray Herbarium, Cambridge. New Bedford, Mass. E. WiLLIAMS HERVEY. [The fact that occasional yellow-berried specimens might be found was recorded in Meehans' Monthly for Dec, 1898. Mention should have been made of it in the recent chapter. — Ed.] Texas State P'lower, — Lupinus sub- carnosus. — By recent resolution of the State Legislature, Texas now has a State flower. This effect had its initial impulse in the action (3) III Ni III MEEHANS' MONTHLY — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. [Jan of the women's clubs, who demanded the Blue- bonnet, or Buffalo Clover, as the State flower. This flower, improperly called Buffalo Clover, is no clover at all, but belongs to the legumin- ous family, the rightful name of this species being Lupinus Texensis. There are many > y TEXAS STATE FLOWER--FLOWERS BLUE. varieties of the lupin growing wild all over America, and usually occupying the finest sandy soils. Some kinds are perennial, and others annuals. Some have flowers of yellow, pink, white and purple, but the prevailing color is blue. As the lupin will grow on almost any sandy spot, the seeds are gathered and sown on sandy barrens near the sea-coast, to be plowed under for manure, with the most satisfactory results. Just why this modest, unpretentious little Lupinus Texensis has been chosen as State flower in this great ocean of brilliant flowers, can not be said, unless it is its beautiful blue, which almost covers our prai- ries in the early spring, filling the air with a most delicious fra- grance. The flora o f Texas is, indeed, rich and varied, — it is simply grand. To gaze upon the prairies in the spring it is almost impos- sible to realize it is not a delightful dream. There are great stretches of pale-blue Laven- der; dainty pink Oxalis ; delicate white Candytuft ; beautiful purple and white Pent- stemon ; dainty, clinging Lentil ; short-leaved Skull-cap, with its blue and white flowers ; the great yellow Evening Primrose, and sil- very white Prick- ly Popp3^ The Wild Onion is also a pretty sight, with its flowers of white, dainty pink and deep red ; also red, yellow and pink Gaillardias ; golden- yellow Coreopsis ; beautiful white Erigeron ; blue and yellow flax ; Phlox in every shade of red, white and purple. Later there are the 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. i ^ scarlet plumes of Standing Cypress ; blue, red and white Abutilons ; pink, blue, white and purple larkspur ; purple and white Verbena, and thousands of others too numerous to men- tion, for Texas is the native home of many of the carefully cultivated flowers of other States. Fort Worth, Texas. ELLIE STELLE. [The illustration on opposite page, with the flowers colored a most beautiful shade of blue, as shown by Miss Stelle's original painting, will appeal to the imagination of our readers as likely worthy of the honor bestowed — con- sidering beauty alone. There has been considerable inquiry' as to what is meant by Buffalo Clover, and only a few days before this interesting communica- tion reached us, a note from Mr. Geo. Wolfe Holstein, of Wolfe City, informed us that it was the Lupinus sub-car7wsus. We have not taken any liberty with Miss Stelle's manuscript ; but it is well to note that Lupinus sub-carnosus is the name adopted by botanists. Under this name it is figured and described by Hooker in plate 3467 of his "Botanical Magazine"; but in jJlate 3492 he figures it again under the name of L. Texensis, not noting that it was the same as the one he had already named. The Texan Blue-bonnet is a dwarf perennial, and the Legislature might have done worse in their selection of a State flower.] Seed Dissemination of Witch-Hazel. — Your excellent plate of Witch-hazel recalls my first acquaintance with it. A friend who was visiting us found it and brought some of the branches containing fruit to the house, and hung them up in the sitting-room as a curi- osity. This was in August, two months or more before the fruit is scattered by Nature. The next day I was startled by a snapping noise, which it was puzzling to account for. Finally, a seed thrown entirely across a 16-foot room revealed its source, and investigation showed that others had been thrown nearly or quite as far, though not all reached its utmost bounds. The dry air of the house had prema- turely expanded the capsules. The experi- ments of the late William Hamilton Gibson are interesting: •' My experiments with the pods upon a long piazza and elsewhere proved that the momentum of the seed would com- monly carry it to a distance of twenty feet, often over thirty feet, and in one or two in- stances the diminutive, double-barreled how- itzers succeeded in propelling their missiles to a distance of forty-five feet by actual measure- ment." Bessie L. Putnam. Development of Seeds of Plants and Fish Eggs. — It is quite an interesting fact that the plan of development of plants and fish from the ^%% is practically identical. This is most noticeable where the former have large, * ' meaty ' ' cotyledons or seed leaves. The pea affords a good example with which to illus- trate this curious phase of vegetable and animal life. Before planting, the pea seed is comparatively small and wrinkled, but soon after being placed in the ground it becomes appreciably larger by the absorption of moist- ure. So, in like manner, the eggs of fishes swell in size after having been ** laid," also by the absorption of water. When the pea seed has sprouted, the little plant for some days draws its sustenance not from the earth, but from the contents of the cotyledons or seed leaves. When the supply is exhausted, the rootlets begin to exercise their functions, and food is taken from the soil. When, after the proper period has arrived, the little fish strug- gles, tail foremost, from the ^^z, it is found that a sac is attached to its stomach. The little creature feeds on the contents of this sac in the same manner as the wee plant does on that of the cotyledons, until they are all ab- sorbed. Then the young fish receives its supply of food in the ordinary manner. It is also a curious fact that the fertilization of the fish ^%% is performed almost in the same manner as is the same function in plant life — namely externally. W. E. Meehan, Statisticinn Penua. Fish Commission. Elongation of Tree Trunks. — It is a rather common error among people not very familiar with plants that the trunks or stems of all plants elongate, and that the branches starting from the main stem of a tree, five feet from the ground, say, will a year or two later be six or seven above the ground. This is not so. The first year, while the main stem or axis is growing, a small young branch may be carried with the growth, but usually only in the shape of a bud, even then. After that, the position of the branch is fixed. ^\jk wk i I GENERAL GARDENING. THE GARDEN OF THE FAMOUS ROMAN ALCINOUS. Four acres was the allotted space of ground, Fenced with a green enclosure all around ; Tall, thriving trees confessed the fruitful mould; The reddening apple ripens here to gold. Here the blue fig with luscious juice overflows, With deeper red the full pomegranate glows. The branch here bends beneath the weighty pear, And verdant olives flourish round the year. Beds of all various herbs, for ever green. In beauteous order terminate the scene. Pope's "Homer " Evergreens for Grouping.— The accom- panying illustration is intended to show a few of the evergreens used frequently in grouping. Commencing with the bushy specimen at the extreme right is Retinispora plumosa. This has been kept sheared annually, as it was not desired that large evergreens should occupy this position— a natural division between the rear and front lawns and nearing a path round- ing a corner of the house. R. plumosa is a graceful evergreen in its growth, and it seems a pity to shear it oftener than once in two years, being sufficient to keep it compact, but of course it is sometimes necessary, as in this instance. Its golden variety is very beautiful and valuable for the same purpose,— in fact, it is more largely used than the green because of its color. The second plant from the right is quite characteristic of the common arbor- vitse, though it also has been sheared a trifle. Its rapid growth and upright habit commend it for many purposes. There are many varieties of this arbor-vitoe to give change and color in groupings. The variety spiralis has a slightly twisted growth which distinguishes it a trifle ; filifolia, with its crested or fern-like foliage, is markedly different and maintains a more com- pact appearance— its growth naturally is slower. In the foreground is seen a Globe Arbor- vitae, a very slow-growing variety considering (6) advancement in height. It grows evenly and with perfectly globular symmetry— it would seem to swell rather than grow. There are several varieties of globe-shaped arbor-vitae ; this one is known as globosa and has very pretty foliage. Variety pumila is very dark- green in color, and the foliage seems a little stiffer and less even. Hoveyi is similar in general habit, but grows a little taller than it is broad and is distinguished especially by what might be termed fan-shaped growth ; the leaves on the twigs of each main branch are exactly opposite one another, making an ever- green ball in layers of growth. The Little Gem variety is the dwarfest of all arbor- vitaes ; a five-years-old plant is but a small tuft of dwarfed growth that would defy the famous Japanese dwarfed evergreens. It is inclined to grow flat rather than round. One or two plants of a little larger growth could have been used to advantage in the foreground of the group illustrated— say a Tom Thumb Arbor- vitae, the fine foliage of which more closely resembles a Retinispora, and a Chinese Golden Arbor-vitae, Biota orientalis aurea. These grow a little taller and are very distinct. Immediately back of the Globe Arbor-vitae IS a Biota orientalis, or possibly it is its variety, elega7itissi7na, popularly known as Rollinson's Golden Arbor-vitae. Both are good for their color and upright habit of growth, as well as for hardiness. A similar plant is located a little back of the Globe and immediately to the left of it. Most persons will recognize the Yucca in the foreground to the extreme left. This is a won- derful plant in many respects. A native of hot, dry and sandy places, most frequently, it thrives in the poorest situations. Its hand- some stalk of white, bell-shaped, fragrant flowers is a charming landscape feature, espe- cially with a background of foliage as a setting for the flowers. It is practicable, by the way, to plant the Iris or flag near Yuccas ; the foliage is not very different in general appear- ance from a short distance, and apparently )« ♦ « at 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. from the same group one may have Iris flowers in May and those of the Yucca in June, or near those periods according to locality. The two other evergreens in the group are identical with others already described. The whole illustration is presented not as an arrangement applicable for any position, though it looks very well where it is used, but rather to illustrate the growth of such plants suitable for grouping in general. One mUvSt always make the selection for beds to fit the surround- ings and with future results in mind. Evergreen bedding forms a prominent fea- ture about the grounds of many Newport, R. I. , residences. Golden varieties are greatly in favor,— in some cases they are almost exces- sive,—the kinds mostly used being Reti7iispora plumosa aurea, R. pisi- fera aurea and golden yew^s. This style differs from that in the illus- tration. The plants are banked about road- way' entrances, at bends along the drives or by the dwellings or other buildings. They are massed and not partly individualized as pict- ured. In such cases it becomes necessary to move and rearrange them every three or four 3^ears or remain in dan- ger of having the foli- age die out from such close contact, as it surely will. One may see much of interest at Newport in gardening. Here the rare Japanese Um- brella Pine is frequently used in bedding-— a plant that hardly seems adaptable, yet which in good hands can be made to seem in perfect harmony. Commodore Gerry's gardener has shown considerable taste in this respect, and can show a beautiful lawn, and well-kept grounds generally, under more or less un- favorable conditions. Mr. Hunnick, gardener for Frederick W. Vanderbilt, Esq., has made effective use of the little evergreen Azalea amoma, massing it about the front of the house. The display of flowers must be a wonderful sight. Also at Newport we have another example of evergreen bedding on the grounds laid out by Mr. Charles H. Miller, landscape gardener, for E. J. Berwind, Esq. This is in a form exactly similar to what is termed summer bedding,— dwarf evergreens, or such as may be kept dwarf, being used in place of tender flowering plants. Golden Yews and Douglas' Golden Juniper w^ere mostly used for this purpose, and heath for edging. They will all be kept closely clipped and formal, the location on ter- races surrounding the residence making the design very appropriate. Returning to our illustration, we want to re- fer in praise to the taste displayed in arranging the grounds and caring for the plants where EVERGREEN GROUPING. the photograph was taken, the Philadelphia suburban residence of Mr. Justus H. Schwacke. Not large, comparatively, it is an example of what care and forethought will accomplish. Small properties will often require more judg- ment in laying out than large ones, where natural features may make a finished land- scape with but little effort. Plants for House Culture.— My answer to the question asked in Meehans' Monthly for December, ''What flowering plants have you found best suited to ordinary house culture ?" would be, from practical experience of my own, in having during the winter my windows filled with blooming plants, that the ii SN'il 3 MEEHANS* MONTHLY— GBNERAI. GARDENING. [Jan. Geraniums, of their diverse varieties of im- proved strains, are the most responsive and lasting bloomers. Then, also, the Begonias, of which the new Gloire de Lorraine is cer- tainly the most prolific and brilliant, with its rosy-pink flowers, lasting for months at a time in their beauty. We had a display of them, in one of the greenhouses at our Elizabeth Park, arranged in hanging pans or baskets, which was very beautiful and much admired by all visitors. The Heliotrope, Ber- muda Oxalis, Petunia, Nicotiafia affinis, and Nasturtium are all good winter bloomers with ordinary care, with sunlight and living-room temperature, and with slight protection of a paper cover against drafts during the night. After Christmas, the Hyacinths and Tulips, with other diverse bulbs, begin their display! The Crab Cactus and Globe Mammillaria, as also the Rat-tail Cactus, are in bud at this time and will bloom by Christmas. Of foliage plants succeeding best, I do greatly value the Begonias rubra, metallica and a few Rex varieties ; and then the Coleus are grand, showy plants in the sunshine before the house window. Mrs. Seuger. Hartford, Conn The Umbrella Plant.— As a window plant for amateurs, the Umbrella Plant, Cyperus alterni- folius, offers several advantages. It is nearly as ornamental as a palm, though of much more simple culture and rapid growth. ,Itis comparatively free from insects, and will thrive in a sunless window. An abundance of root moisture and the foliage kept free from dust are the prime requisites. The roots should never be allowed to become dry. A very satis- factory method of growing is to pot in rich, alluvial soil and enclose the porous clay pot in a jardiniere of water. Thus the necessary moisture is always at hand. Bessie L. Putnam. [The Umbrella Plant may be grown in an aquarium very satisfactorily. Simply set pot and all right in the water, allowing the top to stand above the water. — Ed.] Care of Plants. Syringe carnation plants and roses at least once every two days with clear water. Tepid water about 45° to 50° is safest to use. Fuchsias will also require fre- quent syringing with clear water, especially on the underneath side of the foliage. Give Genistas and Azaleas plenty of water at the roots. The Azaleas should be syringed daily. Palms, Ficus, Dracaenas (Cordylines), etc., should have their foliage sponged once every week or two. Easter lilies are very subject to aphis or green-fly. Examine the tips of the growth frequently and use a little dry tobacco dust or tobacco water as a preventive or remedy for these pests, as they are hard to eradicate if they once get'possession of lilies and similar plants. Water all plants early in the day, and retain as moist an atmosphere as possible where the plants are growing. Although the Hoya car?wsa (Wax Plant) cannot be considered an ideal house plant, it will, under favorable conditions and culture, often produce quite a number of its beautiful, wax-like, sweetly-perfumed umbels of flowers. Thoroughly good drainage is a very essential feature for successful culture and subsequent flowering of this plant. When once the'plants are well established, frequent re-potting is not necessar>% once in every two or three years being sufiicient if the drainage is perfect. To flower them successfully the plants must be treated liberally, so as to produce as much young growth as possible early in spring. This young growth will usually produce in July or August a wealth of bloom. W. Hunt, in Canadian Horticulturist. Begonias and ferns are especially happy in a south window until about February ist, when the sun becomes so powerful that the curtain must be drawn from ten in the morn- ing until about three in the afternoon or they will be seriously burned. Always have the water luke warm for the reason that a large number of our house plants come from the tropics. Give them a very generous soaking, not all at once, but wait fvwe: minutes between waterings and you will be surprised to see how much some of the plants will take up. I always water twice, and some- times thrice, until the saucers are full, then give them a grand rest for three or four days, until the surface earth is dry to touch. Watch your plants and if they do not look quite right, just carefully turn the pot down, striking the rim against some object by a quick rap. holding the plant and earth in the other hand, and you may be greatly surprised at what you find. Often the writer has found worms and insects sucking the life of the plant )« II 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHI.Y--GENERAI. GARDENING. day by day. Never allov/ the pots to stand in the sun, without being protected either by cardboard or by sinking them in a box of sand. Nature is never so unkind as to submit roots to a baking process. Try to keep the temperature as even as pos- sible, about 70 during the day and not lower than 50 or 60 at night. We often hear it said that plants, especially a large number, are unhealthful in the home, but do not be at all worried, for physicians of both schools are not of that opinion. — Exchange. [As regards un- health fulness of plants in a living room, we think a distinction should be made between grow- ing plants and cut flowers, and also be- tween fresh cut flow- ers and those we term in a " fading *' condition. The de- composition of vege- table matter, which is really what is taking place with the fading flower, can hardly be con- sidered healthful. A living plant con- sumes atmosphere that is unhealthful for beings to breathe, and is distinctly re- verse in the condi- tions produced. -Ed.] BOUQAINVILLiEA GLABRA 8AN0ERIANA. Bougainvill^as. — A hard word is Botigain- villcEa, —y^t, when Captain Bougainville was introduced to the ladies in the drawing room, as probably he sometimes was, no doubt the ladies remembered easily the Captain's name. It belongs to a natural order of plants known as NyctaginacecE , one of the peculiar character- istics of which is the calyx made to do duty for the petals of ordinary flowers. Who would imagine, for instance, that the beautiful flowers of the Marvel of Peru— a member of this order — are colored calyx cups, and not flowers, as we usually find them, at all ! Sometimes even the uppermost leaves, or bracts, are colored like petals, — and that is the way in BougainvillcBa. Up to recent times there was but one species in cultivation, B. spectabilis, a rambling grower which rarely flowered. It is so seldom seen in blossom, and the colored bracts so unlike ordinary flowers, that, some years ago, a fraudulent exhibitor in a so-called sea?ice in Boston had little diffi- culty in persuading a cultivated Boston audi- ence that they were brought by the called-up spirits from another world. Other species* dwarf growers and free bloomers, are now being intro- duced by florists with good advantage in cut-flower work. As they can be made to bloom in mid- winter and early spring, they are es- pecially valuable in this line as well as for pot plants. In the accompanying illustration of Bou- gain villcea glabra Sanderiana, a dwarf variety of another Brazilian species, one may get a good idea of the beauty of the whole family. The three-leaved, colored bracts in the picture can readily be dis- tinguished from the leaves. The illus- tration originally appeared in Mailer's Garten Zeituyig. Fertilizing Elements of Bone Meal. — A wrong interpretation may be made of a sen- tence in the December article, "Successful Plant-culture in Windows," where it reads, "Potash, present in wood ashes or bone meal, will sometimes be acceptable." An explana- tion is perhaps unnecessary for practical re- quirements, but it is well for the reader to know that bone meal does not also include potash. The most prominent fertilizing con- I lO MEEHANS' MONTHI^Y — GENERAL GARDENING. [Jan. stituent in bone meal is phosphoric acid, and this is also contained in wood ashes, though usually in a very much smaller proportion. EW 01 R^RE FL/^IMTS, More Hybrid Wichuraiana Roses.— Rose hybridizers have found a hobby, the last five 3^ears, in creating novelties with the Wichurai- ana as one of the parents. The varieties produced have all, perhaps, been commend- able, but before long it will doubtless be over- done, the variations so slight as to be unneces- sary and confusing. The variety Pink Roamer, one of the first set produced, can hardly be excelled as a single- flowered variety. Now we have among recent creations Lynch's hybrid, a semi-double, pink flower containing General Jacq. blood ; Dorothy Perkins, a double pink, originating with Messrs. Jackson and Perkins, and having Mad. Gabriel Luizet Rose for one of the parents ;'and Pink Pearl, a double originating with Manda and hybridized with Meteor. Doubtless there are others already on the market or that will soon be disseminated. They all have more or less the habit of the Wichuraia7ia, which is popular in so many ways. Colorado Fir, Picea concolor. — It is generally conceded that among evergreens, hardy and ornamental in the United States, none is more greatly to be admired than the Colorado Blue Spruce, Abies pujigens. It is quite natural that any one thoroughly familiar with that beautiful Blue Spruce, especially in its highest-colored forms, would grant it the honors unquestioned ; yet he who has enjoyed the privilege of strolling through the grounds of Mrs. Anderson, of Greenwich, Conn., which abound in magnificent specimen evergreens of the rarest kinds, or through Mr. H. H. Hunne- well's pinetum, at Wellesley, Mass., would find diflSculty in choosing the choicest ever- green. We illustrate a specimen of Picea concolor in Mrs. Anderson's collection, which, though the photograph lacks a little detail and the natural color and life which cannot be seen except with the real object before you, will be recog- nized as being a very fine specimen. One must really see the plant and know of its char- acter to fully appreciate its worth. Like the Blue Spruce, there is a wide range of color in the foliage among seedling plants. The writer knows of a specimen as ' ' blue ' ' as the bluest spruce ; his first view of it was a revelation, and, indeed, such a shade of ''blue " may be considered very uncommon. Nevertheless, it shows its capabilities in that direction. Un- like the former, Colorado Firs lacking color are still very attractive. The Colorado Fir also vies with the Blue Spruce in hardiness. It will stand the severest winter and raking winds, — a reputation such Rocky Mountain evergreens ought to bear naturally. While the Blue Spruce is sharp and stiff to the touch, our subject is rather soft and more graceful, making a very handsome specimen for lawn planting. The leaves are longer and more spreading rather than half-rounding the stem as in the spruce. Surely it is an evergreen that must eventually come more to the front in popular favor. Mr. Robert Williamson, Mrs. Anderson's gardener, is properly proud of their fine trees, and it was through his kindness we were enabled to illustrate this specimen and the Cedrus Atlantica glauca in Vol. X, No. 12. TME Mi^IKID)! rLOWEl ^i^lID)EJN. Saxifraga crassipolia. — The evergreen character of Saxifraga crassifolia makes it very attractive at all times of the year, the broad, bright-green leaves being conspicuous in sum- mer, and also in the bronze shades in winter. It is almost the first flower to bloom in spring. So anxious are they to bask in the warm spring sun the flowers peep out from amongst the low leaves before winter is fairly gone, and in such haste they are not borne on stems as they are later in spring, and as illustrated in Meehans' Monthly, Vol. X, No. 5. This early spring- blooming character naturally lends the plant to good forcing privileges, an attention it has not yet received. Iris pumila. — Few plants have delighted the writer more than the dwarf Iris, /. pumila. Not that it is a remarkably showy plant for general garden purposes, although it is fairly good in that respect, but more because of its many unique characters. It is just as dwarf as it can be, the little tufts of foliage being 1902] meehans' monthly — general gardening. II !• II little more than six inches in height, and the bright flowers usually nestle amongst them. There are several varieties of pumila, but one of the best is a rich shade of purple. It is the earliest of all Iris to flower in spring— so early that its inclinations advance the bloom- ing period to the previous year, and one may see** numerous flow- ers in late fall, — in fact, among a number o f plants there are nearly always a few flowers in sight. This Iris will be recognized as being very valu- able for border- ing beds or clumps of other Iris, or for bor- dering any beds of herbaceous plants. The spe- cies of Iris are so numerous in cultivation, it is an easy matter, by careful selec- tion, to have a bed of continu- ous bloom for many months. Heart, Dice?itra spectabilis, as an all-round plant. One of the first herbaceous plants to bloom in spring, it is invaluable in mixed borders of similar plants, or planted in solitary beds to be filled later with summer plants. To many, a bed of it would be more attractive than of tulips or hya- cin ths, and would be more useful, for there is no more graceful, lasting and adaptable cut flower for vases. It may be forced in win- ter with greatest ease, and is, therefore, an ex- cellent plant for amateurs. The form and beau- tiful color of the flowers are at- tractive to every one. PLES. New Violet, *TiNK Gem."— A clear pink violet is un- doubtedly a new shade of color in hardy violets, and is sure to awaken wide interest in the new Pink Gem. A little bed of it will produce a sheet of bloom, so to speak, and will increase and soon carpet the ground. PICEA CONCOLOR. DiCENTRA SPECTABiLis. — Too much praise cannot be given the well-known Bleeding Winter Or- chard Culti- vation. — Fre- quently the wri- ter has taken occasion to issue a caution that statements reg- ulating horti- cultural work should not be considered suit- a b 1 e for every purpose to which they have been applied. The successful horticulturist or gardener is he who reasons largely for himself, realizing that information and instruction is only generally applicable, and must be made to fit the conditions in hand. This is brought up forcibly by a statement in the American Agriculturist seeming to contradict that in I' • 1^ 12 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. [Jan. Meehans' Monthly for December, under the head of '• Winter Orchard Work." We believe Mr. Roland Morrill, of Michigan, to be one of the best authorities on peach- growing ; his success is good evidence of that. He states : "I would not, under any circum- stances, practice what I have seen in some southern orchards, that is winter plowing or cultivation . I am fully convinced of two things in peach culture. First, any disturbance of soil or roots while a tree is dormant or in a resting stage is injurious. I am aware that the inclination to do things out of season, as a matter of convenience, is sometimes almost irresistible But in my experience I have known circumstance, it is safe to assume a little additional cold under the natural law explained will do no harm. Where there is doubt, as in Michigan, the suggestion must be handled with judgment. Again, objection is made to the disturbance of the roots when the trees are dormant. Of course, one must be reasonable in what he does. Most' roots contain a..«tore of food of which the plant should not be robbed when it needs it. But is reasonable cultivation likely to disturb them ? Towards the surface of the ground may usually be found a great abund- ance of fine, hair-like roots, — but these are almost all annual, they are past harm in winter and simply occur as feeders in the growing season. And grant that just a few of the important roots be injured, the regular win- ter or early spring pruning, which Mr. Morrill approves, would count- erbalance the loss of roots. If this reasoning be sound, then it would seem to resolve itself into questions of hardiness — whether or not the trees in a particular locality can stand a little more cold in the soil ; and whether or not the proposed cultivation will disturb good roots to any serious extent. PROTECTING ORANGE TREES FROM FROST always paid a penalty when I violated these laws of nature." Mr. Morrill's reasons for his stand are explained by a writer in the National Fruit- grower partly as follows : " It is well known that cultivation not only prevents the escape of the soil water, but it also stops the radia- tion of heat which neutralizes the cold air so as to prevent frost. Uncultivated ground will absorb heat on a warm day and give it back to the air at night, so that plants on fresh culti- vated soil will always be injured while they would entirely escape on a compact surface." This question of heat or cold and their effect is one of the conditions that may seldom arise. Where the peach is perfectly hardy under every Protecting Orange Trees FROM Frost. — Following the illus- tration of an orange orchard in Florida protected from frost, we present another showing a further plan where only a few trees are grown. The board removed from the top and the doors on the side allow circulation of air and some light. The young plant in the enclosure is just coming into bearing and is one of the farthest north in Florida at the present time. Early Oranges. — It was reported that the first carload of Californian oranges was on its way East the last of October, breaking all re- cords for earliness. Florida oranges began coming just previously, and Porto Rico oranges preceded them. Porto Rico being below the frost line, has an advantage over Lower Cali- fornia and Florida, where precautions against and loSvSes from frost exist. 1902] c-.' MEEHANS MONTHLY — BIOGRAPHY. 13 U 14 * } vB \ A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THOMAS MEEHAN.* No man is born into the world, whose work Is not born with him, — there is always work. And tools to work withal, fof those who will, — And blest are the horny hands of toil ! The busy world shoves angrily aside The man who stands with arms akimbo set. Until occasion tells him what to do,^— And he who waits to have his task marked out Shall die and leave his errand unfulfilled. — Lowell. Had Thomas Meehan before him, from boyhood till death called him from earthly labor, the foregoing quotation as his prime motive in life, he could not more fully have exemplified his belief in the sentiments expressed. Not necessarily did his hands feel the burden of toil, though he did much more than the average man's share in that respect, but rather did he typify men v^/ho give all their powers of body and mind to whatever lies before them that is high, noble and in the path of duty. He was born March 21, 1826, at Potter's Bar, near London, the birthplace of his mother. His father was of an old Irish family of Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland. The earliest recollections of him that we can command from any immediate source show him in very early youth assisting his father and mother in the general support of the family by some of the various means possible at home and apart from the regular income the head would receive from his position as gardener on a large English estate. And right here existed that whole- souled energy that never faltered to the last. With nothing but the simple rudiments of education taught by his mother, and a little schooling for two or three years, by observation and study he advanced himself diligently and- laid the foundation for a knowledge wonderful in extent even though elementary in all but his chosen specialties. The incident so frequently told of late concerning his discover}^ of a certain maternal protection extended by snakes to their young, is true, and while the information gained showed no particular effort on his part, the observation and recording of the fact at about the age of eight years showed a studious tendency for culling knowledge from things about him. The protection referred to was upon the alarming of a snake and her young. The mother would open her mouth and permit the young to enter her body and remain till danger was past. The idea would seem at first to most persons somewhat absurd, especially as the young of a snake are produced in very large numbers, so at the publishing not many years later of a boyish essay prepared at the time, it is not to be wondered that it called forth criticism. Dr. Lindley, an eminent horticulturist and botanist of England, ridiculed the idea and singularly burlesqued it by an illustration in the Gardeners' Chronicle under the title of " Meehan's Viper." A snake was represented with its mouth open and little ones crawling in it. The tail of the viper was spear- shape and with it a mouse had been impaled and was being carried to the snake's mouth. But Prof. Brown Goode, of the Smithsonian Institute, took up the subject and proved the lad correct, thus adding a most singular fact hitherto unrecorded. The caricature was never fully understood by many till explained by Mr. Meehan but a year or two ago. Several attempts were made to secure a school education for the boy, but from lack of patronage the schools could not be maintained, and his education received but little impulse from that score, till at the age of 10, when he attended a Lancastrian school for two years, at the end of which time he ceased and went to work under his father, then in the employ of Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt, at St. Clare, Ryde, Isle of Wight. At night he would study * Within the past six weeks, the death of Thomas Meehan has been chronicled, and the history of his life has been briefly told in all the prominent sections of the jflobe. It seems like repetition to attempt a sketch here, the limited space making it necessary to hold to facts that are already so largely known ; but as we wrote in the December issue of the fitness in closing the volume of his work by including his portrait, so we con.sider it a privilege to record something of the life of him whom we feel will in spirit help to guide our efforts to continue the work he laid down. Fearing to take more space than we should in justice to those whose interest in horticultural lines requires the usual information, we may not speak of as much as we would like, especially to those older readers of Mekhans' Monthly who have been drawn to a closer acquaintance with the past senior conductor.— [Kditor. J \ i u o' MEEHANS MONTHLY — BIOGRAPHY. [Jan. the Linn?ean System of Botany and read horticnltiiral periodicals, for which he personally subscribed. From his own savings, from time to time he purchased standard books from which he continued his studies. This persistency in self-education was a matter of considerable pride to his watchful parents, and was used as a stimulus to the younger children. Thomas Meehan has been made known to the world most largely by his writings, and these commenced for publication when he was but twelve years old ; the first, preceding the circulation of the snake essay, was on the making of double-flowering stocks from single ones. This was followed in two or three years by a scientific paper on the sensitive nature of the stamens of the Portulaca. About that time he also produced the first hybrid Fuchsia. These all coming to the attention of the Royal Wernerian Societj', he was nominated to membership in that exclu- sive, but prominent, scientific organization, in all probability^ without their knowledge of his being a mere lad. Edward Meehan, the father of Thomas, was considered one of the best gardeners in England. He had a remarkable knowledge of plants and was considered a good botanist in certain respects. Doubtless the son owed much for his own foundation of horticultural knowledge to his father's early tuition. While relinquishing his daily studies, Thomas determined to continue his education, and so, associating himself with a number of young men between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one, a scheme of self-education was carried on, including ancient and modern languages, mathematics, chemistry, and other studies of a high order. Without a professional teacher, the plan was that the one showing most proficiency in any one branch should lead the others. It is believed that the once popular Mechanic's Institutes originated from the work of these young men. At the early age of seventeen the young gardener obtained a position as head-gardener to Paymaster Vaux, from which he was obliged to resign because of sickness and his youthful appearance. At 1 8 he was with Sir Augustus Clifford, near Ryde. He was offered charge of Appley at 19, but was induced to go instead to Kew Gardens, where his horticultural education was immensely broadened. Here he successively worked in and had charge of the various houses containing plants from all over the world. One of the methods taken to familiarize himself with the plants at Kew was by cataloguing them, and this he did, examining into the history of each from time to time. This catalogue, preserved without much reason, is now evidence of plants existing there at that time in spite of contrary statements. Upwards of 1,600 plants were enumerated. Many experiences at Kew, as well as during the time of his employment on the several estates as gardener, gave food for pleasant recollections and recital to close friends in after years. Not infrequently, they were associated with Queen Victoria, then but a young girl, for she took seeming interest in plants and flowers and visited Kew Gardens frequently. In Meehaxs' Monthly for January, 1899, the illustration of a banana flower led to recollections which were rather amusing. Without going into details, which many of our readers will already recall, it related to his holding up for the Queen's view a bunch of bananas, just produced at Kew ; and while Sir Wni. Hooker narrated at length the history of bananas, the bunch grew seemingly heavier and induced the holder to put his hat on and take the bunch in both hands. This procured for him a scolding from Sir William after the Queen's departure. About the period of his stay at Kew he must have written considerable for publication —not solely in relation to botanical or horticultural matters, but of affairs that were holding the attention of men in various lines. He may have been fond of an argument then, but always with a firm belief in the right of the cause he advocated. The language of his writing was remarkably thoughtful and well chosen for a self-educated young man, and must have earned him the considerate attention of wise and older men. As correctly stated in other recent accounts, while at Kew he became intimate with John Murray, who afterwards went to America, and became a popular Unitarian minister, but he could not impress young Meehan that America presented better openings for a young man than England. But subsequently he made an engagement with the Earl of Shrewsbury, through the friendship for him of the Countess of Clare, to be head gardener at Alton Towers. Soon after > •i 1902] MEEHANS' monthly — BIOGRAPHY. 15 the engagement he received notice that only persons of one particular religious denomination were engaged in that establishment — that the engagement with him must therefore be cancelled. Annoyed that a matter of this kind should be in the way of advancement, he decided to follow his friend Murray to America if the chance offered. Murray had found a starting point with Robert Buist, the famous Philadelphia nurseryman of that time. A letter to Mr. Buist brought the promise to aid Meehan also in the future. There is little foundation for the statement that political reasons induced Sir W. Hooker to look with disfavor on Meehan. The only ground for disapproval was that Meehan and some others, while willing to act as special constables at Kew during the Chartist riots, objected to serve in that capacity in any other part of London. There was also some disagreement about the taking of specimens by young gardeners, Meehan refusing to divulge the names of some whom he knew to have been guilty of the practice. Both Sir Wm. Hooker and the curator, John Smith, were subsequently on friendly terms with Meehan. After serving the two years at Kew he found employment in the nursery of Bridgewater Page, of Southampton. After a short time here, through the favor of Lady Catharine Vernon Harcourt, he was engaged as gardener to the Earl of Hardwicke, at Sidney Lodge. Here again he found good friends, and the Earl and Countess, before starting on a long voyage, arranged that on his return the aged gardener, Donn, at Wimpole Hall, at Cambridge, should be pensioned, and that he should have his place. Following this Mr. Buist wrote that he might now come to him. The struggle between having the chance of succeeding to such a high position, and going across the water was severe; but America won, and Mr. Meehan reached Philadelphia the day following his twenty-second birthday. The voyage was in several ways a remarkable one. The sailing vessel, the Devonshire, under a skilled captain, made the trip in the then speedy time of two weeks, and attended by a fierce gale in which it was nearly lost. Here the subject of our sketch figured prominently in insuring the safety of the vessel by executing important commands of the captain, which, in the storm, were not carried to the crew. After being in ^Ir. Buist's employ about a year's time as superintendent of his nurseries, Mr. Meehan was transferred to the sole charge of Bartram's Gardens, then owned by Mr. Andrew M. Eastwick, the change being made under an agreement between Buist and Eastwick that the former should secure some one for him in the latter' s absence in Russia. These gardens were many years afterwards consecrated to public use when, as a City Councilman of Philadelphia, the former gardener secured them as a public park. About the time of his stay at Eastwick's, occurred an incident that might have cost him his life. The details would furnish an interesting narrative, but we must be brief On the occasion of one of the annual freshets in the Schuylkill River, he went out single-handed in a small boat to the rescue of two men being washed out into the wide mouth of the Delaware in a canal boat. After reaching the latter, it was found impracticable to leave, and he retired to the cabin to dry his clothes. While there the boat completely capsized. Air confined in the cabin gave him a moment to exercise his rare presence of mind, and he dived down and through the hold rising to the surface outside. His escape seemed a miracle. After swimming to shore, and more or less exhausted, he returned part way to aid the two other men who had just appeared after the capsizing. In 1852 he was called to the charge of the grounds and conservatories of Mr. Caleb Cope, ex-president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, at Holmesburg, now occupied by the Edwin Eorrest Home. Here he took to wife Catharine Colflesh, daughter of a noted farmer, a neighbor of Eastwick's. Mr. Cope had received from Kew seed of the Victoria regia, for which a large house was specially erected. Here had just been flowered that queen of water lilies for the first time in the United States. While at Bartram's Gardens, or, perhaps shortly after, Mr. Meehan conceived the idea of preparing a small volume for the numerous admirers of the " indefatigable botanist" Bartram, describing the trees then growing in his far-famed old botanic garden. The collection of plants there then was considered the finest of full-grown trees in this coun- try, though since run down and far surpassed by others. But at the suggestion of \\\ 1(1 It! II. 'J 5 w i6 MEEHANS' MONTHIvY — BIOGRAPHV. [Jan. Dr. William Darlington, of/ West Chester, Pa., an eminent botanist, he was induced to enlarge on his notes prepared, and in 1853 ' was published his first and only complete book, under the title of "The American Handbook of Ornamental Trees," dedicated "To the Memory of John Bartram, the Patriarch of American Arboriculture." The book was, and still remains valuable largely from its being a record of facts. Every plant described (about 300) was personally known to the author. It has been said Mr. Meehan was a prolific writer. Scanning his life we see no point where his pen may have been long at rest. At Buist's, Eastwick's and Cope's, he wrote frequently for publication in the " Horticulturist," one of the best articles of which, on Landscape Gardening subjects, we consider of such interest as to merit reproduction in a future issue of this magazine. Towards the close of 1853, his ideas of advancement led him to consider the abandonment of private gardening and the establishing of a nursery, and as opportunities were given he collected seeds with that end in view. In the spring of 1854, with his savings of $1000 he rented ground in upper Germantown, now built upon and divided by a street bearing his name, and established the Germantown Nurseries, and at Upper Dublin ground was bought for the nursery proper. This was the first attempt to make a specialty of the many beautiful trees and shrubs of America. The combination of places at Upper Dublin and Germantown was finally found too expensive and inconvenient to operate, ffhis venture he considered as invaluable experience and prompted his keeping close to the city thereafter, locating on a larger tract quite near the first, increasing from time to time till seventy-five acres were completely covered and other extensions became necessary. The "Gardeners' Monthly" was established in 1859 with Thomas Meehan as editor, in which capacity he remained for thirty 3^ears, when publication ceased upon the death of the publishers. It was the foremost horticultural magazine of that period, and was a field for the publication of articles by the best horticulturists in America. In i860 the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences elected Mr. Meehan to member- ship, and to its affairs he gave freely of his time and was regularly active. His "Contributions to the Life History of Plants," published through the proceedings of this institution, are con- sidered of eminent value to science. But a short time before his demise, he had presented a paper on the "Bending of Mature Wood in Trees," the result of years of thought and observation. Still other papers were in course of preparation. He was chairman of the Publi- cation Committee, and for twenty-three years Senior Vice-President. For sixteen years he was the agricultural editor of "Forney's Weekly Press," besides horticultural editor and contributor to a number of monthly and weekly papers and magazines. He was for thirty years regular editorial contributor to the science department of the New York Independeyit. It is said that when the Civil War was imminent, he printed and circulated the Philadelphia end of the Crittenden resolutions. At the close of the war he went, at the instance of Col. Forney, to confer with the Southern leaders, and offer them the influence of "Forney's Press" in building up Southern industry. In 1868 he became a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was elected a fellow in 1875. Its meetings he attended with regularity for many years till cerlain physical inconveniences induced him to give up traveling. Before this great body of scientists he read important papers, prominent among which was " A Contribution to the Doctrine of Evolution and the Theory of Natural Selection." This was prepared especially in response to a general request by his scientific friends who knew of his progress in that line of thought and study. Several times had he been invited to accept the vice-presidency of the association, but for personal reasons he felt it necessary to refuse. By many he was ranked with and was intimate with Darwin and other men in evolutionary work, and was the promulgator of the doctrine that self-sacrifice enters into nature quite as much as the struggle for existence. He was also the practical discoverer that the lower state of vitality in vegetable life was apt to produce male flowers and the stronger and more vigorous, the female. I* o « 1902] MEEHANS* MONTHLY — BIOGRAPHY. 17 The title of Professor, to which he was always averse to making claim, came to him with his appointment to the newly created oflSce of State Botanist, by Gov. Hartranft. This posi- tion he held through all succeeding administrations. It was not only an un remunerative office, but considering the correspondence occasioned by constant demands for information on botani- cal subjects it was an expense, cheerfully borne. Indeed, Prof. Meehan could well feel proud that while his time was so abundantly given to the public in so many ways, he never held a salaried public office nor was benefited in any material way by such connections. At one time he was lecturer at the University of Illinois ; and again one of the Board of Visitors of Harvard University. He was one of the editors of the American edition of the EncyclopcBdia Britafmica. Mr. Meehan was a great traveler for many years throughout the whole United States, includ- ing Alaska and to some extent in Canada. But his trips were never distinctly recreative though they had that effect and sometimes bore the term. He was ever a student, a thinker and an educator, and nothing in his travels escaped his notice or left no imprint on his memory. Not only in purely scientific matters did his investigations lead him, — everything interested him and was met by a broad intelligence but few men possess. His letters regularly written and published in "Forney's Press" and in the "Bulletin" were full of interesting facts about plants, the country and the people, their habits and life, so popularly written as to commend them to any one's attention. Several of his trips in parties consisting largely of editors and scientific men took the form of explorations in the far West. No railroads existed in the West and they went overland in wagons, camping and roughing it generally. Through becoming separated iiom his party in the Wasatch range of the Rocky Mountains and temporarily losing his way, he discovered a hitherto unexplored canon. His friends urged his giving it his own name, but with his usual averseness to prominence he named it for his botanist friend. Dr. Engel- mann. It was probably on this same trip that with Mr. Josiah Hoopes, he sent home branches of the Engelmann Spruce, which he had used as a pillow in camp. The wood was propagated by Mr. Hoopes, and a handsome specimen was reared on the lawn of Mr. Meehan 's residence at Germantown, where it still remains. It was twigs from this same tree that finally pillowed his head as it reclined — the flesh motionless, the spirit fled. The great Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876 had Mr. Meehan as an indefatigable worker in the horticultural interests, in an official capacity and otherwise. His private exhibit of plants was most remarkable for that time, and marked the introduction of a great many of our most useful foreign plants to-day. Prominent among them is the Japanese Blood-leaved Maple, the original plant of which still adorns the residence grounds of the deceased. The "Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States," a serial composed of chromo- lithographs and chapters like those of Meehans' Monthly, was commenced in 1878. The author's first idea was to make it a systematic, illustrated flora; but further thought revealed to him that such a work would demand more than the life-time of one man if it be carried out as planned, so it was made irrespective of order and to cover the more familiar and beautiful subjects of nature, and those with wide distribution. It became necessary to abandon the work upon the death of one of those interested in the publishing, and it ceased after the publication of four volumes, containing 192 plates and texts. That he never lost sight of the work begun is seen by the combining of this feature in the issues of Meehans' MonthIvY. The latter, as most are aware, commenced in 1891, and the work of the leading chapters and the burden of the editing have been wholly his with nominal assistance from the three sons connected with the publication. Chapters prepared well in advance insure at present an indefinite continuation of his personal work in this line. Prof. Meehan's knowledge of plants all over the world is beyond conception. It has properly been said that other botanists have been better informed concerning the plants of given localities ; but no plant from any clime was unfamiliar to him. Plants, specimens, twigs, leaves or flowers were almost daily received at his office for identification, and it was a cause for wonderment to those about him to see him usually without hesitation write off" the names, and possibly add some remarks about their history. \\ 1 1 1' ! i8 MEEHANS* MONTHI^Y — BIOGRAPHY. [Jan. He was an active member of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, eminent for its distribution of useful knowledge, and was chairman of its Standing Committee on the Michaux Legacy. He was Professor of Botany to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society ; one of the founders and a trustee of the Philadelphia Commercial Museums ; an originator of the Penn Club, an organization for the welcoming of distinguished guests to the city of Philadelphia ; an early and active member of the Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association, and the American Pomological Society, of which he was lately chosen vice-president ; an originator and active worker in the Germantown Horticultural Society, where he lectured, monthly and for many years, on popular topics before interested local audiences. Besides these well-known connections, there were many organizations that enrolled him as an honorary or a correspond- ing member, both foreign and local. Seven years ago a new genus of plants was named Meehania in his honor. A few years ago on the occasion of his oldest son's trip to Greenland on a relief expedition to Lieut. Peary, a new glacier was discovered and named the Thomas Meehan Cilacier. Almost all the noted botanists, scientists, horticulturists and agriculturists of his time could be classed as acquaintances of Thomas Meehan. Many would profess more, being bound by personal intimacy or by long-continued correspondence. Not only in this country but abroad did his circle of friends exist. Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller,— whose portrait and occasional writings in the early volumes of Meehans' Monthly, and who did so much in the horticultural development of Australia, made him familiar to a few of our readers, -professed warm friend- ship and was a life-long correspondent. The Comt6 de Paris, whose efforts to reclaim the throne of France will be well remembered, was an enthusiast on plants and established a warm friendship, mainly through years of correspondence, with Prof Meehan. They met but once or twice. The Comt^'s photograph with friendly greetings in his own hand-writing was always highly treasured. While Darwin's doctrines were frequently attacked in certain weak points or extended in the light of personal thought and investigation, in their essential points he had the support of Thomas Meehan, and strong friendly relations existed between them Dr Masters, of the London Gardeners' Chronicle, and Mr. George Nicholson, until quite recently Curator of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, were among his personal friends. Aside from his circle of scientific friends, he had a host gained in his public life. In 1882 he was elected a member of Common Councils, the lower legislative body of the city of Phila- delphia, where he remained a faithful working member till his death. With one other he divided the honored title of the Father of the House, from his long period of service. He was never absent from his seat, but for a couple of weeks' sickness. A short time before he was elected to the local School Board, which position he held till last January. While he took a broad interest in all affairs of the city, he took schools and small parks especially under his care His last public act was the presentation, on October 3rd, of a bill to raise $2,000,000 for the erec- tion of new school buildings. By his foresight, new schools have been provided for in the securing of land well in advance of their needs. The colored population owe their advance- ment in public education to his untiring efforts in their behalf. He introduced separate schools for their instruction under teachers of their own race. For this his memory is recently honored by the naming of one of these schools for him. Soon after entering Councils Mr Meehan began a movement for the establishment of small parks, and through his persistent efforts the organization of the City Parks' Association was formed and the public interested Some thing like twenty-eight of these small parks and breathing places were added to the city mainly through his efforts. In recognition of his labors, Mr. Meehan was given eight years ago, a large silver plaque, on which were engraved a record of his work and the representation of four of the most famous of the newly acquired parks. This and the Veitch Medal presented him last year for " distinguished services in botany and horticulture " (only the third \merican to be so honored) pleased him more perhaps than any honors that ever came to him-for it must be known he cared little for honors. When he first took his place in Councils German town had but little more than dirt and muddy roads. Now and almost entirely by his efforts not one such is to be seen except of very recent opening and those on the outskirts kept back by II . II 1902] meehans' monthly — BIOGRAPHY. 19 a certain rate of taxation preventing the pressure of such improvements. Of his personal stand- ing in the legislative body we prefer to quote from City and State: " Mr. Meehan was one of the few Councilmen against whose integrity never a whisper has been heard. He had won the respect of his fellow members and served his constituents well ; ' ' and the following extract from a letter from a fellow member published in the same paper : "My aftection for him was • so great as to make any written tribute to his memory altogether inadequate. No man in the Council Chamber was more watchful of the public interests, more intelligent in the discussion of public questions, and more persistent in opposition to pernicious legislation. No measure was ever passed without his careful consideration, and the belief in his intelligence and integ- rity was so widespread among the members as to make his views of commanding importance to all thoughtful men. He never spoke unnecessary words. He never spoke unkind words. He was a thorough democrat in the best sense of the term. All men could approach him and he met all with kindness. He hated wrong-doing and voted and worked persistently against the betrayal of the city's interests for the advantage of private corporations, but he never questioned the motives of his fellow members, and he made no enemies. Great as was his opposition to bad legislation, greater still was his initiative in constructive legislation. At the beginning of every councilmanic year he would introduce more bills than any other member. These he would follow through committee and on the floor until they were enacted into laws. The journals of Common Council for the past twenty years are volumes that should be treasured by his family as an epitome of his useful life. There should be grateful recognition of his services to the cause of education. The story of his life— quiet, unpretentious, beautiful, and successful— should be told to every pupil of our public schools, for it was for those boys and girls that he was ever solicitous. ' ' Poetry had a comparatively unexpressed though strong part in the being of Thomas Meehan. His were the beautiful selections used constantly in this magazine, of which the quotations used in this article are reprints. They contain the highest sentiments and breathe of his own nature. We have touched on many of the events and phases of his life proudly conscious of the great fount of knowledge, wisdom, and works of good and influence in behalf of his fellow men and his city, but there is at least one of which we cannot write— that knowledge of his quiet, peaceful home life, surrounded only by his plants, his books and his family ; of the struggles of those early days to be successful in every undertaking — his business — his scientific pursuits — the earning of his daily bread. These are subjects solely for the helpmeet who contributes so largely to the successes, and to the family who are now left to feed upon the fond memories of the days and hours past so full of the incidents and teachings that exhale from every pure and noble life. O Death ! the victory is not thine, When life for love we give, — And long as yon bright sun shall shine, The Heliotrope will live. Will live in other hearts to bloom, For love can never die. But sheds on earth its sweet perfume, Eternal as the sky. —Clarke. i I \ LITERARY REVIEW AND GENERAL NOTES. The Futurk of Mekhans' Monthly.— Com- mencing with the current issue, this magazine will be edited solely by S. Mendelson Meehan, one of the former assistant conductors As the Senior Conductor of Meehans' Monthi^y, Thomas Meehan, was recognized as the author of the leading chapters accompanying the colored plates in each issue and practically all the scientific facts and remarks contained in the body of the work, it is natural that, with the laying down of his pen, the readers, who have become accustomed to his writings, and learned to appreciate the breadth of knowledge he possessed, will desire to know something of the future of the publication, and along what lines the editorial work will run. As noted in the biographical sketch, so many leading chapters were prepared in advance that that portion of the work will continue without change for a long time to come, after which, if the personal instruction of the author and a good knowledge of his style by the present editor avail, the work will be continued to the best of the latter' s ability, and in accordance with an expressed desire. The present editor has long been closely identified with the work of the Monthly and has the same interests at heart that existed in the previous conduct of the magazine, so he hopes he may be able to make it instructive to the readers and hold their patronage. The old subscribers and the contributors are thor- oughly familiar to him and seem like old friends. Needless to say the latter are just as welcome as heretofore, and adding to their number from the ranks is looked forward to. It has been a policy of Meehans' Monthly to make its pages helpful in the broadest sense ; no request for information on any hor- ticultural or scientific subject but will receive careful attention. Even as information is willingly given, the readers are urged to com- municate with each other through the pages on subjects of general interest with which they are familiar. Where there is silence from the readers, the editor will be puzzled to know if he is treating subjects of real interest. Horti- cultural magazines would have a better sup- (20) # port if the subscribers would occasionally express themselves. The editor fully realizes the disparity of knowledge and experience that will be dis- closed by the change, yet would not wish leniency nor allowance shown him in judging the views expressed by him, as the publication must stand for horticultural truth and knowl- edge. He looks forward with great confidence in the perfect support of the horticultural world. Forest Trees and Forest Scenery (illus- trated), by G. Frederick Schwarz, The Grafton Press, New York, is a delightfully interesting book even to those who know but a little about forests. The reader is brought to a comparative study of forest trees as individuals and in their general aspect as a whole — not exhaustively, though nothing is left unsaid that is necessary to a careful treatment of the subject with the end in view of opening one's eyes to the beautiful forms and habits of the trees of the forest. It is so entertainingly written, the casual introduction of forestry problems will thrust itself on no one, — in other words, it is a book that the trained and untrained will read from beginning to end and enjoy alike. We are led to appreciate the natural beauty of our forests compared with the artificial forests of Europe ; to deplore the shameful ravaging of certain forests as especially exhi- bited in the South, where available timber is cut or used in drawing turpentine and resin, and the remainder allowed to take care of itself, forming a scene of desolation ; we acknowledge the oncoming systematic forestry necessary for preservation, and look forward to means and conditions that will not lose to us the sylvan beauty which should exist to the delight of our pastoral temperaments. The author has avoided the use of botanical names and terms in the body of the work, but ends with a complete index that is quite sufii- cient for all purposes, and commends it to the unfamiliar, who are always averse to being confronted with Latin names. n (I I t 1 M- I ^■• ■ P Mr \).\ \olXII r^LAT^. 2 1 1 I! MIMULUS RINGENS. GAPING MONKEY-FLOWER. NATURAL ORDER, SCROPHULARIACE:^. The little family of nionke}^ flowers is well known in gardens. The western species. Mimulus luteus, is the one that has had the most to do with its popularity, as it is chiefly from this one that the numerous beautiful forms have been produced. The flowers are often painted and spotted in various fanciful ways, suggestive of the painted harlequins or mimics of the theatre, and from this the botani- cal name Mimulus is derived, and not from any resemblance to an ape or a monkey, as popularly supposed. Linnaeus himself tells us that a "masked mimic" suggested the botanical name to him. This great botanist, however, knew well the value of retaining con- nection with ancient history wherever practi- cable. It was his custom to adopt for the desig- nations of his genera and species such terms that had been applied either to the same or allied plants. The old Romans gave the name of Mimmulus to what we now know as the Rhinanthus or Rattle-box plant. Some of the fathers of modern botany anterior to Linnaeus had associated the modern Mimulus with Gratiola, Euphrasia, Pedicularis, and other allies of the Rattle-box,--and it would have been in accordance with the usual practice of Linnaeus to have adopted Mimulus on this account. However, the family has come to be known as monkey-flowers, and will doubtlessly continue so, and our text-books will probably continue to give the origin of the botanical name as from "a Greek word, signifying a monkey." Resemblances in flowers are, how- ever, far fetched. Dr. Mitchell, one of our early American botanists, and in whose honor Linnaeus named the pretty Partridge Berry, Mitchella repens, thought he saw in the un- opened flowers a resemblance to a dog's snout, and, regarding our two eastern species as worthy of being formed into a separate genus, proposed the name Cy?iorrhyncus for it. The dog's snout may not be clearly defined in the flower,— but it certainly offers nothing sug- gestive of the face of either a monkey or a harlequin, as some of its western brethren do. The habit that many botanists have, wha think they are called on to give a common, as well as a botanical name to the plant they describe, of indolently offering a translation of the Latin, instead of industriously searching for a common name already in circulation for it, is not often successful. They rarely come into common use. In this chapter the early name of "gaping monkey-flower," given by the botanists and adopted here, is never heard among the common people. "Dog-snout'* would be much more likely to win popularity. Our plant has, indeed, in few ways received popular attention. It does not win the passer, by " Like a sweet flow'r that on the breeze Sheds its rich fragrance. ' ' It, moreover, has no ambition to push itself forward into high and prominent places where it may receive the applause of the multitude, but modestly confines itself to the borders ol swamps where its beauty must be sought for by the genuine lover of wild flowers. One might almost imagine it as following the poet Gay in remarking that " Coxcombs are of all ranks and kinds, They're not to age or sex confined, Of rich, or poor, or great, or small, 'Tis vanity besets them all." , (21) i f ^ ■ t.'t' i:.-M-.' \u. •;,:■,•- i r... •:< ■ \! w \ \ \ K ' . ■ I \ • \ \ I I . \n\.M i'j.A'i !-, 4! MIMULUS RINGENS. GAPING MONKEY-FLOWER. NATURAL ORDER, SCROPHULARIACE^. cellular. Gray's "^ S FToro/j^^TJ ^'"^' ' calyx-teeth subulate, slender ; seed-coat rather loose ^/a/... Chapman's i-La.TXZ^^^^ See also Gray's A/«„«a/ .^M. Bo,:ny of the Northern United andC^ana/a.^ua^ZVa^^^^^ ^f ^^^ ^^ortHern States The little family of monkey flowers is well known in gardens. The western species, Mimulus hiteus, is the one that has had the most to do with its popularity, as it is chiefly from this one that the numerous beautiful forms have been produced. The flowers are often i)ainted and spotted in various fanciful ways, suggestive of the painted harlequins or mimics of the theatre, and from this the botani- cal name Mimulus is derived, and not from any resemblance to an ape or a monkey, as popularly supposed. Linn.eus himself tells us that a "masked mimic" suggested the botanical name to him. This great botanist, however, knew well the value of retaining con- nection with ancient history wherever practi- cable. It was his custom to adopt for the desig- nations of his genera and species such terms that had been applied either to the same or allied plants. The old Romans gave the name of Mimmidus to what we now know as the Rhinanthus or Rattle-box plant. Some of the fathers of modern botany anterior to Linuicus had associated the modern Mimulus with Gratiola, Euphrasia, Pedicularis, and other allies of the Rattle-box,— and it would have been in accordance with the usual practice of Ivinn.'cus to have adopted Mimulus on this account. However, the family has come to be known as monkey-flowers, and will doubtlessly continue so, and our text-books will probably continue to give the origin of the botanical name as from "a Greek word, signifying a monkey." Resemblances in flowers are, how- ever, far fetched. Dr. Mitchell, one of our early American botanists, and in whose honor Linnaeus named the pretty Partridge Berry, Mitchella repens, thought he saw^ in the un- opened flowers a resemblance to a dog's snout, and, regarding our two eastern species as worthy of being formed into a separate genus, proposed the name Cynorrhyucus for it. The dog's snout may not be clearly defined in the flower,— but it certainly offers nothing sug- gestive of the face of either a monkey or a harlequin, as some of its western brethren do. The habit that many botanists have, wha think they are called on to give a common, as well as a botanical name to the plant they describe, of indolently offering a translation of the Latin, instead of industriously searching for a common name already in circulation for it, is not often successful. They rarely come into common use. In this chapter the early name of "gaping monkey-flower," given by the botanists and adopted here, is never heard among the common people. "Dog-snout" would be much more likely to win popularity. Our plant has, indeed, in few ways received popular attention. It does not win the passer- by " Like a sweet flovv'r that on the breeze Sheds its rich fragrance. ' ' It, moreover, has no ambition to push itself forward into high and prominent places where it may receive the applause of the multitude, but modestly confines itself to the borders ol swamps where its beauty must be sought for by the genuine lover of wild flowers. One might almost imagine it as following the poet Gay in remarking that " Coxcombs are of all ranks and kinds, They're not to age or sex confined. Of rich, or poor, or great, or small,' 'Tis vanity besets them all." (21) u ■ I I I 'H I III I ^OR PLAT TNTPMTTrkXT A T '^' 22 MEEHANS' MONTHLY— MIMULUS RINGENS. [Feb. In polite history it has found no place, and nowhere in medicine has any virtue been claimed for it. So far as yet has been developed, its place in nature has simply been to beautify the waste spots of the earth,— a special provision of Providence the late Duke of Argyle insisted was one of the great laws of nature, — quite as much as an enticement to insects to visit for the purpose of securing cross-fertilization . In connection with the subject of cross-ferti- lization, a singular behavior of our plant has been referred to this supposed arrangement. The stigma is formed of two thin plates which are irritable like the leaves of the sensitive plant. About the time when the pistil is ready to receive the pollen, these plates ex- pand. When touched by any foreign substance, the plates slowly close. Usually in plants of this order the anthers mature their pollen before the pistil has finished its growth. Pushing through with the plates closed, it is assumed that it prevents the deposition of its own pollen on the inner receptive surfaces. An insect visits the flower while the plates are expanded, depositing the foreign pollen, and the plates then close, giving the introduced pollen a chance to develop its tubes. This is the hypothesis. There seems, however, to be no record of any actual experiments or close observation on this point, — and there is yet a good opportunit}^ for the student of plant- life to discover new laws. The peculiar beha- viors of plants are often of service to the student in matters of classification. Some botanists place the order of Trumpet-flowers, Bignoniacece , very close to the order of Scroph- nlariacecp, in which MimuUis is placed. Some species of the former family have thin, irritable plates for the stigma just as Mimuhis has, indicating that the clOvSe relationship botanists have supposed is correct. These small points in the history of plants have often a bearing on the greater questions that stir mankind. In the case of our Minm- lus ringens, it is very common in the eastern part of the North American continent, from Canada to Iowa and Western Texas. Then there is an immense region beyond the Missis- sippi in which it is absent. It appears again in the Kurline Islands, which are situated between Kamchatka and the larger islands in North Japan. Miguel records a Minmlus Japonica from Yezo, of which little is known, but which is believed to be also our plant. In whatever manner the present species may have originated, there seems little doubt that identical species had a common origin, and the appearance of the same thousands of miles apart from each other is to be taken as a proof that catyclisms have occurred pro- ducing immense changes on the earth's sur- face since these species first came into ex- istence, and which have led to the absence of the plant over the great interval. Our plant occupies an interesting place in the taxonomy of botany. It is among the earliest of North American plants brought to the attention of European botanists, being in the collection sent by Clayton to Gronovius from Virginia. It was thought then to be a Ruellia, and in a later edition is recorded as a Lysimachia, and its relation to Graiiola sug- gested. Plukenet figures and describes it as a Euphrasia, while Morison would have it to be a Digitalis. Under the reorganization of botany by Linnaeus, it came to be Mimulus, where it yet stands. As already noted, Dr. John Mitchell, in the eighth volume oi Natura Curiosorum proposed a number of plants of Eastern North America, adopted under Linnaean names, as reallj^ forming new genera. Of these Linnjjeus accepted a number as sound, but objected to a dozen or more of them, and among these the taking of our species of Mimulus, AI. riiigens, as the type of a new genus, Cynorrhynchium. Linnaeus especially objects to this in a letter to Haller, under date of September 13, 1748, wherein he asserts that "it is certainly a Miviulus.'' But the time may be when this, and its related species, Miimdus alatus, will come to be regarded as distinct. Dr. Asa Gray, in the volume cited for the description, places the two in a dis- tinct sub-section. Its general habit, its pin- nately veined leaves so different from the almost parallel ribs of the western species, and other characters, would seem to form a valid distinction. There are about vSeventy species, though but a few are in cultivation. Mivmlus moschatus is the well-known Musk Plant. Explanation of the Plate: — i. l^ower section of flower-stalk of a plant from Eastern Pennsylvania. 2. Upper portion of the same. 3. Perfect flower. Prepared by Thomas Meehan. ; WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. WELCOME TO SPRING. Come, gentle Spring ! ethereal Mildness, come, And from the bosom of yon dropping cloud, While music wakes around, veil'd in a shower Of shadowing roses, on our plains descend. Thomson. Additional Notes on Mimulus. — The genus Mimulus is almost exclusively Ameri- can, and most of them have been made known to us through explorations in our western territories. When Willdenow published his great work, Species Plaiitarum, in 1800, only four species were known, — our two eastern ones, the M. glutinosus, a shrubby one from California, — though its native country was unknown at that time to this eminent author, — and the M. luteus, of which they had Peru- vian specimens. At this time some half hun- dred are enumerated. The bulk of these is located in the country extending from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, some thirty alone being credited to California. One of these, the musk plant, Mimulus moschatus, must be familiar to all who have visited the celebrated Big Tree groves, under which the Musk Mimulus is common. It is, however, far inferior in beauty to the forms that have been selected for cultivation by florists. In modern times what is known as evolution has become an all absorbing topic with students of floral life. It seems to be conceded that in some way existing forms of vegetation have been derived from pre-existing forms. How this has been brought about seem^ to be the great theme for discussion. The thought most generally accepted is that plants finding themselves under new conditions took on new forms that were better adapted to the new conditions. But when this is granted, the man- ner in which this change has been brought about has not been demonstrated. The author, as the reader must have noted from many suggestions in these papers, has taught that the changes are brought about by the degree and direction of life- energy ; and this is dependent in a great measure on the power of the plant to avail itself of nutrition. A use- ful lesson in this line is afforded by compar- ing Mimulus ringens, as illustrated, with the western forms. Comparing this with the illustration of Mimulus cardinalis in the num- ber of the magazine for November, 1898, it may be noted that there is a strong arresta- tion of growth in the central stem, as the plant comes into bloom. The result is to give the flowers a somewhat corymbose char- acter. The flowers are all longer than the main axis. In Miinulus ri?ige?is, as we see in our picture, the energy is strongly directed towards strengthening the main stems, which continually extend, and even originate side branches as the flowers grow, so that the in- florescence may be almost termed paniculate. It has been further noted that whenever a variation occurs in one character by the diver- sion of energy to a particular direction, the diminution in other directions induces a change of form. We thus see that in this re- spect is a force quite equal to any evolution- ar}' demand. T. M. The Texan State P'lower. — Though the communication of Miss Stelle, in the last issue of Meehans' Monthly, identifies the plant adopted by the Texan s as Lupinus sub-car?iosus, the annexed note from Mr. Geo. W. Holstein, of Wolfe City, has some additional points of interest worthy of being placed on record. •* You will perhaps remember my telling you last summer of a lovely, blue wild flower which we called Buffalo Clover, and which we sought in vain to identify. I understand the enclosed clipping to refer to that flower, although the name may not be quite correct : ♦ Floral Embleyn of Texas. — Both branches of the legislature passed the resolution declar- ing the Bluebonnet {Lupinus sub-carnosus) the State flower of Texas. The flower was the selection of the Colonial Dames, and the fight through the legislature was carried through by (23^ li \ I 24 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. [Feb. them despite a strong sentiment in favor of the cotton boll as the official floral emblem of the State. ' I have little faith in the ordinary newspaper paragraph. I hope to be able to secure you seeds this season. I noticed, this morning at breakfast, a singu- lar effect of sunlight on flowers. We had gathered a bunch of lovely, purplish-blue, composite flowers, and placed them on the table. Just as we sat down, the sun came from under a cloud and shone directly upon them . Immediately the flowers began to open , and so rapidly that we could actually see the petals move. The singular part, of course, was the rapidity with which the flowers responded to the influ- ence of the sunlight. I would have expected it to require more minutes than it did seconds. ' ' Diatoms. — The name diatom is applied by scientific men to certain varieties of algse or sea- weeds. We say "sea-weeds," but they need not necessarily be at all maritime ; a vast number of them live in fresh water. As plants they are remarkable for their sili- ceous shells, called " frustrules," and for the startling fact that, when living, they move about freely in the water, avoiding obstacles and acting like conscious animals. Indeed, they were for a long time so considered, though now, by general consent, given up to the botanist. Their mode of reproduction closely imitates that of the desmids or chain-algae, with which they are often associated. Their coverings, widely various in shape, often assume the most ornate and beautiful appearance. If we visit a cathedral, palace, or temple, the highest evidence of man's structural art, we may perchance find something to offend. The builder has said : ♦' Here is a corner which need not be finished, or it may be completed in stucco. Who is going to pry into this recess, remote and dark, and difficult of ap- proach, to discover an omission or a fraud ? We may here either leave our work undone or do it incompletely. " Nature, on the contrary, exhibits no such unfinished corners. The curves, lines and decorations are as perfect in the dark places as in the noon-tide glare. The minutest object is clothed in elegance. The diatom, often requiring the highest powers of the microscope to resolve, presents the most astounding accuracy and beauty. Sometimes the ornaments of these tiny shells consist of striae or closely parallel, fine lines, causing refraction of light ; again, they will be marked by concentric circles resembling the so-called mill-turning on the cover of a watch. Other species will be dotted over or armed with projecting spines or tubercles, or there will be interlacing and intricate patterns made from circles or ellipses. All of them are exquisite. The architect, the designer of oriel windows, the chaser of silver or gold, the house decorator, might well resort to these little creatures for his patterns. An interesting fact concerning them is, that their fossil remains exist in vast deposits, con- stituting the well-known Tripoli-powder used in polishing metals. The city of Richmond, Va., stands upon one of these stupendous heaps. We have some large deposits even within our own city limits. From their unequaled beauty they have ever proved attractive objects of study, and, on account of their extremely minute sculptures and lines, they are useful test objects upon which to gauge the power and accuracy of microscope lenses. Providence, R I. W. WHITMAN BaiLEV. WINTER ¥i!^/ITI©N RESORTS. Winter vacations have now become as popu- lar with many persons as summer ones, and while a few may prefer to journey northward to witness King Winter in all his glory, the majority will prefer to go far south where they may bask in the warm winter sun and enjoy all out-door recreations by day, retiring to a welcome warm room at night. Of course, the almost complete change of scene from more northern surroundings to tropical or sub- tropical, is the main attraction, and makes in Southern California and Florida a Mecca for privileged pilgrims. Mexico, Jamaica, Cuba, and the new possessions of the United States also have charms for many and are in- creasing in popularity every year. To satisfy a general desire for information, news and notes about such places, Meehans' Monthly will devote space to that object in a few suc- cessive issues. The articles will be principally 1902] MEEHANS' monthly — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. 25 relating to Florida, with which the editor is most familiar. Readers are invited to ask for special information and to contribute any origi- nal notes of general interest. Vegetation along the Ocklawaha River, Florida. — It must be confessed that Florida scenery in mid-winter is not particularly attractive as a whole, — but that does not sum it up nor should it impress seriously any one contemplating a visit to "The land of Flowers," other than to modify his expecta- tions and lead to the location of really interest- ing features. Through most of the southern Atlantic States, the traveler looks out from his car- window upon many desolate pictures of exhausted pine forests, the trees drawn of their sap for turpentine and resin — cut down for lumber — some partly burned and others fallen — posterity seems to have been forgotten. But they do not lack interest for the careful observer, and one may watch the gradual change in vegetation, most noticeably the addition of the Scrub or Saw Palm. It is the chief forma- tion of Florida underbrush, and is seen thickly by acres in extent. We must therefore look to special features to hold our interest, and one of the most important of these is a trip along the Ocklawaha River. This one hardly claims as beautiful scenery — it is rather odd and weird. Like certain people it has a person- ality that attracts and that makes it a trip never to be forgotten. Perhaps most conspicuous in Ocklawaha vegetation is the great Bald or Deciduous Cypress, Taxodium distichum, the chief timber tree of that vicinity, which is being rapidly cut and converted into lumber for various pur- poses. For the greater part along the river all the cypress timber large enough to be of value has been cut and removed, so to call the cypress the most conspicuous of the vegeta- tion is perhaps to be understood in a different sense. There still remain old hollow trees, dead or nearly so and an abundance of young ones. The old sentinels of this forest are truly greybeards in appearance, draped as they are with long Spanish Moss, oftentimes many yards in length ; while at night, in the glare of torches on the boats, which are lit to show the tortuous river path, they are weird and more stately than ever. Trees are removed from along the river in belts of about a mile wide on either side, the huge trunks being hauled to the water's edge by means of a heavy chain and steam power. Though a rough path is hewn, the hauling is attended by much crashing as the logs resist- ingly pass on to their doom. The river reached, these logs are formed into FIG. I. A PINE RAFT ON THE OCKLAWAHA. a long chain of rafts and carefully floated down to the St. John's River, from whence they are transported to local saw-mills. Fig. i pictures one of these rafts, and one will typify them all, for they are regulated in size by law, and specific rules are observed in relation to their guidance, that they may not prove danger- ous to steamers. The illustration gives a cor- rect idea of the average width of the river, — creek, many would term it, — and with the width of the raft it will be seen that difficul- ties might arise in guiding it safely. This par- ticular raft may consist of pine, which is also extensively cut. In removing the timber, it is not immedi- \ I f ii ;l , \ 26 MEEHANS' MONTHLY— WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. ately cut down as many would naturally sup- pose, but the trees are first girdled, each woods- man cutting certain marks in the tree he so girdles by which he may later identify it. In about ten months after being girdled, the trees are practically lifeless and are removed. The reason for this procedure is, that trees freshly cut would be heavy with sap and would not float in the water. The borders of the forest are variably swampy, sometimes miles in width. Only occasionally are the banks slightly elevated above the river level, and at such places will usually be found a lonely landing where resin [Feb. FIQ. 2, A LONELY LANDING ON THE OCKLAWAHA. and turpentine chiefly are loaded on the little river steamers and shipped to the market. Our Fig. 2 is hardly typical of these little landings,— there is too much evidence of life Seldom are there buildings of any description in sight. The tall trees by the buildings are cypress clothed in moss, as are also the major- ity of those in the background. To the ex- treme left of the picture the common enlarge- ment of the cypress trunks at their bases is plainly seen in one tree. To the right are a few pine trees, which are abundant in some parts. The distilling of turpentine and production of resin form one of the chief industries in Florida and other southern States, and visi- tors should not fail to explore one of the dis- tilleries. The crudely made barrels containing resin may be seen in the rear of the building where they are waiting to be shipped. The pines are limited to two or three species, Pinus palustris, the familiar Long-leaved Pine,' being perhaps in greatest abundance. They grow tall and straight, as a rule, with very few branches, and these are bunched at the top. Thick trunks are rare. At the time the photographs were taken, along the riverlbanks were seen occasional Sweet Gums, Bay Trees and Swamp Maples. Brilliantly col- ored foliage, remnants of fall glory, brought the gum trees into prominence ; while the maple in some cases had its spring dis- play of red flowers and buds. There were, also, the livening green Cabbage Palmettos, Sabal J^almetto, very frequently inter- spersed—growing luxuriantly in the sandy soil, moist grounds or actually in swamps. This ability to thrive under such conditions was something of a surprise, yet exemplified the well-acknowl- edged fact that trees will fre- quently adapt themselves in time to existing conditions. A few of these pines are seen in Fig. i, their long stems surmounted by the bunched leaves. But the green of the palmetto was not alone in the color embel- lishments of the river's banks. the most charming, perhaps, being a profusion of large holly trees heavily laden with bright scarlet berries. These trees are popularly called Christmas-berries by the natives. A species of ash also exists in these forests, but none were observed near the river. The Wax Myrtle, Myrica cerifera, is abund- ant along the banks, growing with rather more luxuriance than the writer has seen it in New Jersey wilds. In Florida, it frequently attains a height of thirty or forty feet. The Ocklawaha River is but a narrow stream. But it is wonderfully attractive to visitors,— not only in the wild vegetation that exists, but in f 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY— WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. 27 the manner in which it is displayed. Branches overhang the banks, scraping the sides of the passing steamer— not only one side but both in the narrower portions. It is difficult to imag- ine the narrowness and crookedness of this stream, but Fig 3 will aid in showing this. The little steamers are forever turning, first to one side then to the other, restlessly poking here and there close to the banks, — sometimes backing a little to make a sharp turn,— con- stantly wriggling like the rattlesnakes and moccasins occasionally seen swimming across the stream or stretched along a limb. There are many interesting facts to be told in con- nection with a trip along this river, both as re- gards the vegetation and animal life, some of which the writer hopes to present in future issues. Temperature of Florida in January. — Those who may be unfa- miliar with Florida and the ** Sunny South" will have different concep- tions of the temperature. The first experience upon a visit there will cause surprise to every one. How- ever, from frequent reports we must know there is sometimes frost, as early spring frosts occasionally in- jure vegetation. In January, 1900, the writer found a chilly atmosphere in St. Augus- tine, — more especially at night, when a light overcoat was always a comfort. During the day, in bright sunlight, the perspiration is readily brought out. At the period men- tioned, no actual frost had been pre- viously experienced that season, but one morning the inhabitants awoke to find all the luxuriant banana plants frosted and withered. It was a pitiful sight, though as few plants are grown in that vicinity, it was hardly looked upon as any great loss. As far down the eastern coast of Florida as popular Palm Beach, temperate weather is experienced, though the extreme of cold is not felt. There tropical vegetation has a chance for existence and the beautiful surroundings make the fact self-evident. dinally, and that there is a wide range of tem- perature. As far north, however, as San Francisco, there is considerable warmth, and calla lilies and fuchsias may be seen out-of- doors growing luxuriantly. But one must keep well south to get the best effect in tropi- cal vegetation. The section of which Los x\ngeles is in prominence, will be found the Mecca of winter tourists. Cocoanut Palms.— The cocoanut is one of the handsomest palms by its long, graceful leaves. It grows luxuriantly as far north as Palm Beach, Florida, and a few specimens may be seen a little above that point. Used to line California. — Visitors to California should bear in mind the extent of the State longitu- FIG. 3. THE NARROW, WINDING OCKLAWAHA. walks, they present a picturesque scene, the low branches curving gracefully overhead. The nuts and their development are very inter- esting to observe. As a long time is occupied in the growth of the nuts, they may be seen on the same tree in many stages from small, acorn-like ones to the immense, brown-husked fellows, all in large bunches. The flowers, too, for a new crop, may be included in the collection. It is a matter for concern that there ap- pears to be little or no attempt to propagate cocoanuts in Florida, even though they be for ornamental purposes only. They are far from being so plentiful as they were fifteen years ago. I GENERAL GARDENING. THE BANYAN TREE. Branching so broad and long, that in the ground The bending twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar' d shade. High over-arched, with echoing walks between. There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds At loopholes cut through thickest shade. Milton. Injury from Seventeen-year Locusts. — This year, it is said, we may expect a visita- tion from destructive locusts, classed as the seventeen -year breed. Prof. J. B. Smith, of the N. J. Experiment Station, issued an alarm to tree-planters warning them not to plant this coming spring, but if so to avoid pruning very severely if at all. At the commencement of the great San Jos^ scale scare, Prof. Smith took what many con- sidered to be a well-judged stand in relation to the laws and methods that should be observed in dealing with it ; but now many will also deplore that the same judgment was not exercised to moderate the alarm over the locusts. No one, apparently, denies that these locusts will cause some destruction, but it is also understood that the ravages are almost within certain confines and not widespread. The borders of woods and old thickets are said to be the chief breeding and feeding places, and it is safe to say that but little planting is likely to occur very near the places of real danger. Certainly, within the writer's district, no seri- ous harm was felt at the time of the last visit of the locusts, 17 years ago ; or if it did it was so extremely insignificant as to have left no impreSvSion on any one's memory. Artistic and Natural Development of Parks. —The daily increasing interest in pub- lic parks is quite noticeable, and that there is room for deep study, forethought, and thorough work in connection therewith is plainly evi- (28) dent. To successfully organize and maintain a public park or park system requires a head or heads skilled in many departments. Lack- ing this, parks frequently become simply a lounging place for loafers, instead of a beauti- ful resting or recreation place for children and daily toilers of the city, who need the fresh air that open spaces afford. Small parks in a large city are to the masses what the oases are to a desert traveler. In providing for parks, city authorities should look long ahead. The time for com- mencement is not after the density of popu- lation makes the need more imperative, though it is frequently necessary to make late pro- visions to cover earlier neglect ; but rather, as the advance of improvements indicates the future growth of a city, by foresight should certain ground be set aside for use as expedi- ency may suggest later. In the hands of a competent landscape gar- dener and engineer, almost any piece of ground with more or less natural advantages for park purposes, yet possibly worthless for anything else, may be literally transformed into a most pleasing spot. The question of competency is a serious one, as is also the divorcement of park affairs from politics. Besides these two, progress is frequently interfered with by lack of sufficient financial appropriation by Council- men not sufficiently appreciative of the material benefits a city derives from parks. When a city shows itself intelligently desirous of mak- ing permanent provision for the health and happiness of its people, there can be no better sign of its future prosperity. After all, the choice of a suitable man to superintend the development of city parks is one of the most important considerations, for the mere provision of land to be devoted to public uses, and appropriations of money to further the project, are only foundations for great possibilities. The superintendent of an extensive park system must combine executive ability, a broad knowledge of horticulture and skill as a landscape artist. Furthermore, he 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. 29 must either be an engineer or have such a man for a right-hand assistant. He must be a man who knows how to attract and please the public, and to throw open to view the many beautiful aspects of nature. Men with these qualifications are not plentiful,— or, at least, they have not yet advanced to public view. Doubtless with the progress being rapidly made in establishing new parks, the right men can be brought forward. Considering that the chief development of parks in the truest sense has only been within been largely the result of development. Things are different with the new Bronx Park, a feature of which is had at once in the pretty little gorge and stream. Philadelphia's great Fairmount Park holds one of the most charm- ing strips of nature in its Wissahickon Valley, through which a broad stream winds, lined by a beautiful drive-way and bridle-path miles in extent. A number of other American cities are taking in these choice pieces of nature, which form attractions the enjoyment and apprecia- tion of which the public can never fail to GROUP OF ELK. MINNEHAHA PARK. recent years, the art may be considered largely in its infancy. Central Park, New York City, is considered the oldest one of its kind in the United States, and 1851 found Charles Down- ing, the pioneer of landscape art, appealing strongly for its establishment on a large vscale. Dying a few years later, he was unable to vSee the happy results of the movement to which he lent his aid ; but the extraordinary growth of the city makes the wisdom and benevolence of it evident to-day. Central Park is a practical example of land- scape art, for the * * natural ' ' features have realize. Minneapolis, Minnesota, is one ot these favored cities, having her chief parks on the high banks of the Mississippi River, and containing the famous Minnehaha Falls. Not only in summer may pleasure be found in a well located and carefully-developed park, but there are many winter aspects that may delight the lover of nature. The Falls of Niagara in winter presents a sight in its icy garb which attracts visitors from long distances ; and in like manner, only on a smaller scale, the Minnehaha resembles the glistening walls of imaginary fairy-land. In fact, wherever a little ' '■ * (I t P 1 ! I ■ !l ^ I i 30 • MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. [Feb. stream trickles down the side of a wooded slope, and winter is strong enough to make itself felt, an icy path is shown broken and spattered into countless shapes. Where the extent and natural character of the park will permit, the introduction of cer- tain animals, like deer, moose, elk, and many others quite uncommonly seen outside the confines of a Zoological Garden, is a popular feature. Through the courtesy of Hon. W. M. -' .- 'i. ■'■■ --^ , *-H. ■ ^, 'V . ''*\- U:-^.. Mh.. ^\ >'u. by a few persons to whom their winter appear- ance gives a feeling of gloom. But to those accustomed to searching the face of nature at all seasons and from all sides, it is but the prominent appeal of constancy, and lends a warmth to the landscape quite appreciable. The accompanying illustration of a spruce- lined pathway, the massive evergreen walls rising majestically on either side, cannot but demand admiration. The bend in the pathway J '• ^-'^Mr^-K ^% ELIZABETH PARK EVERGREENS. Berry, superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks, we are enabled by a photograph to give our readers a peep at a group of elk gathered in Minnehaha Park. The picture speaks for itself, and hints at the interest these animals must awaken among the people who are given the opportunity of seeing them there in real life. Besides the elk, they have deer and one moose, numbering in all 29. The extensive use of evergreens is deplored is just sufficient to arouse wonder as to what view will present itself beyond. This photo- graph was taken in Elizabeth Park, Hartford, Conn., which is, by the way, one of a park system which does great credit to its superin- tendent, Mr. Theodore Wirth. According to a writer in Park and Cemetery, Mr. Wirth is one of the few men who have made the practical working of parks a life study, having decided when a boy to adopt that profession. His 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. 31 studies have been augmented by practical work in the most desirable parks, both abroad and at home, until he now occupies one of the most responsible positions of its kind in this country. When unaccompanied by the disagreeable side of public life, in the petty jealousies and struggles for honors among many city officials, perhaps no pleasanter study and occupation can be found than is offered in park lines. May the profession be honored by men faithful and true in their efforts to place the American parks at least on a plane with those of any other nation in respect to the best landscape art. Plants Suitable for House-culture. — Not long since I received an asparagus fern, and was told it would not need much sunshine. It is placed where it has light, but no direct sunshine, and it is growing rapidly. The vase is in a saucer with moss constantly wet. Most plants love sunshine as children love smiles. In Vermont, for house-plants, we had a circu- lar table turning on a pivot, so all the plants could have smiles from the south window at times. Some one said it were better for the Cacti family in a stove-oven than with abun- dant water, which often proved destructive. Geraniums live and bloom with very little water ; too much to slips sometimes prevents their rooting. Ferns, Trilliums, and all plants whose native home is the shaded forest, require loose earth from the wild woods, decayed leaves, etc., as far as may be, to make them less homesick. But, •• Successful Plant-culture in Windows," in Meehans' Monthly for December, seems sufficiently explicit. Mrs. E. E. Orcutt. [Our correspondent's plan of using a pivot- table is particularly suggestive. — Ed.] School Gardens. — In answer to a question lately propounded by the West Branch of the Y. M. C. a., of New York City, '* How to Give Away a Million Dollars or More to Make the World Better, ' ' I would suggest : the introduc- tion into our country school districts of educa- tional preparations for rural life comparable to the preparations for urban life which the bene- factions of Mr. Carnegie and other humani- tarians have conferred on our cities. In pur- suance of this object, I would apply to the two hundred thousand or more schools of our American country-side (numbering upward of 11,000,000 pupils) the system of training in rural industries and nature-studies now fully established in several European countries. A central feature of this system is the equipment of each and every country school with a plot of ground of not less than one acre, partly laid out in as many individual beds as there are pupils, in which beds, during suitable weather and under competent supervision, the pupils work, under the double incentive of prizes for the most productive beds and ownership of the products. Other parts of the plot contain object lessons in horticultural and other depart- ments of plant life. Instead of catering to the vanity of the mob by wars of conquest, which history shows have ever been a menace to free institutions, the peaceful and uplifting methods here out- lined would leave no blight or bitterness, would cause the earth to yield her bounty for the sustenance of her children, and should make rural life sufficiently interesting and profitable to retain at least the country-born on the ances- tral acres. A small portion of the assumed fund might be profitably invested in a few model school gardens and the remainder in a contribution of half the expense of all others,— first come, first served,— until the fund was exhausted. George Henry Knight, (Some time a Country-School Director in Ohio and Kentucky.) [Meehans' Monthly has been requested to state its attitude in relation to the ideas above expressed. We can neither justly condemn nor approve the suggestion, for, while the idea of education in those lines is good, it does not seem advisa- ble nor practical to apply it all at once nor in such a widespread manner. The educational system of our urban schools and great institu- tions is the result of growth and continued improvement covering a long period of years. Our Manual Training Schools have earned an important place for themselves, but as special schools only ; it would be impractical to teach the same lines in all schools. Every advance in educational matters must come gradually ; mistakes would be too costly— educationally, not financially. To be sure, school gardens are successfully maintained in some European countries, so the idea need not be considered H j \ y • MKKHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GAHDENIN(;. [Feb. stream tricklCvS down the side of a wooded slope, and winter is strong enough to make itself felt, an icy path is shown broken and spattered into countlevSs shapes. Where the extent and natural character of the park will permit, the introduction of cer- tain animals, like deer, moose, elk, and many others quite uncommonly vSeen outside the confines of a Zoological Garden, is a popular feature. Through the courtesy of Hon. \V. M. by a few persons to whom their winter ai)pear- ance gives a feeling of gloom. But to those accustomed to searching the face of nature at all seasons and from all sides, it is but the prominent appeal of constancy, and lends a warmtli to the landscape quite appreciable. The accompanying illustration of a spruce- lined pathway, the massive evergreen walls rising majestically on either side, cannot but demand admiration. The bend in the pathway ELIZABETH PARK EVERGREENS. .1 Berry, superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks, we are enabled by a photograph to give our readers a peep at a group of elk gathered in Minnehaha Park. The picture speaks for itself, and hints at the interest these animals must awaken among the people who are given the opportunity of seeing them there in real life. JJesides the elk, they have deer and one moose, numbering in all 29. The extensive use of evergreens is deplored is just sufficient to arouse wonder as to what view will present itself beyond. This photo- graj)h was taken in l^lizabeth Park, Hartford, Conn., which is, by the way, one of a park system which does great credit to its superin- tendent, Mr. Theodore Wirth. According to a writer in /'arA^ and Cemetery, Mr. Wirth is one of the few men who have made the practical working of parks a life study, having decided when a boy to adopt that profession. His 1902] MEEHANS MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. 31 Studies have been augmented by practical work in the most desirable parks, both abroad and at home, until he now occupies one of the most responsible })ositions of its kind in this country. When unaccompanied by the disagreeable side of public life, in the petty jealousies and struggles for honors among many city officials, perhaps no pleasanter study and occupation can be found than is offered in park lines. May the profession be honored by men faithful and true in their efforts to place the American parks at least on a plane with those of any other nation in respect to the best landscape art. Plants vSuitable for House-culture. — Not long since I received an asparagus fern, and was told it would not need much sunshine. It is placed where it has light, but no direct sunshine, and it is growing rapidly. The vase is in a saucer with moss constantly wet. INIost plants love sunshine as children love smiles. In Vermont, for house-plants, we had a circu- lar table turning on a pivot, so all the plants could have smiles from the south window at times. vSome one said it were better for the Cacti family in a stove-oven than with abun- dant water, which often ])roved destructive. Geraniums live and bloom with very little water ; too much to slips sometimes prevents their rooting. Ferns, Trilliums, and all plants whose native home is the shaded forest, require loose earth from the wild woods, decayed leaves, etc., as far as may be, to make them less homesick. But, •* vSuccessful Plant-culture in Windows," in Meehans' Monthly for December, seems sufficiently explicit. Mrs. Iv. p:. Orcutt. [Our correspondent's plan of using a pivot- table is particularly suggestive. — P:)d.] School GardivNS. — In answer to a cpiestion lately propounded by the West Branch of the Y. M. C. A., of New York City, '* How to (;ive Away a Million Dollars or More to Make the World l^etter,'* I would suggest : the introduc- tion into our country school districts of educa- tional preparations for rural life comparable to the preparations for urban life which the bene- factions of Mr. Carnegie and other humani- tarians have conferred on our cities. In pur- suance of this object, I would apply to the two hundred thousand or more schools of our American country-side (numbering upward of 11,000,000 pupil.s) the system of training in rural industries and nature-studies now fully established in several PAiropean countries. A central feature of this system is the equipment of each and every country school with a plot of ground of not less than one acre, partly laid out in as many individual beds as there are pupils, in which beds, during suitable weather and under competent supervision, the pupils work, under the double incentive of prizes for the most productive beds and ownership of the products. Other parts of the plot contain object lessons in horticultural and other depart- ments of plant life. Instead of catering to the vanity of the mob by wars of conquest, which history shows have ever been a menace to free institutions, the peaceful and uplifting methods here out- lined would leave no blight or bitterness, would cause the earth to yield her bounty for the sustenance of her children, and should make rural life sufficiently interesting and profitable to retain at least the country-born on the ances- tral acres. A small portion of the assumed fund might be profitably invested in a fevr model school gardens and the remainder in a contribution of half the expense of all others,— first come, first served,— until the fund was exhausted. George Henry Knight, (Some time a Couuti y-School Director in Ohio and Kentucky.) [Meehans' Monthly has been reciuested to state its attitude in relation to the ideas above expressed. We can neither justly condemn nor approve the suggestion, for, while the idea of education in those lines is good, it does not seem advisa- ble nor practical to apply it all at once nor in such a widespread manner. The educational system of our urban schools and great institu- tions is the result of growth and continued improvement covering a long period of years. Our Manual Training vSchools have earned an important place for themselves, but as special schools only ; it would be impractical to teach the same lines in all schools. Iwery advance in educational matters must come gradually ; mistakes would be too costly— educationally, not financially. To be sure, school gardens are successfully maintained in some European countries, so the idea need not be considered I f 1 ; I II I 'M m il INTENTIONALSECOND EXPOSUR 32 MEEHANS' MONTHLY— GENERAL GARDENING. [Feb. new and untested ; but we also recognize that what is possible educationally in European countries — and especially in connection with gardening subjects— is not necessarily so in the United States. Innumerable difficulties would arise at the start and take years to overcome— perhaps never be adjusted with complete satisfaction. Among these would be the securing of com- petent instructors — and who would judge of their competency ? With the changes in culti- vation methods necessary in nearly every locality, according to local requirements of climatic and soil conditions, there could be no Chestnut and Hickory Grafting.— The art of grafting may be quickly learned, but uniform success is difficult to obtain even with experience of long standing. Chestnut graft- ing is considered one of the most difficult operations, and the best hand is never com- pletely successful. The hickory is perfiaps quite as uncertain. Improved Petunias. —The Petunia, though a rather common flower in some respects, has certain real merits that will keep it ever popular with many per- sons. Its field for favor has been widened by the origi- nation of a new strain of • ' Star ' ' and ' ' Feathered ' ' varieties. Prof. Maynard, of Amherst, Mass., says: •'I am sure all lovers of the truly beautiful will welcome and use both of these new strains largely in the future in their ornamental work." A. B. Howard, of Belcher- town, Mass., is to be credited with .the origination of these varieties. BECHTCL'S DOUBLE-FLOWERING CRAB-APPLE. text-books that might be considered standard. We do not say these things cannot be accom- plished, and the difficulties overcome, but rather they must of necessity come slowly. The immediate or early expenditure of $i,ooo,- ooo.oo for a purpose of this kind would be a waste of money and would not so well reveal the value of the system as would a slower pro- cedure. Let a few test schools first be estab- lished in one or two country districts, that we may know exactly what to expect, and profit by mistakes and the knowledge of difficulties before making a great outlay and upsetting present established schools.— Ed.] Pontederia crassipes grandiflora. — The Water Hyacinth, as Pontederia crassipes is known in our gardens, is a favorite with cultivators of aquatics, though a sad pest in the lakes of Florida, where it is an escape from cultivation. Lyoji-Horticole refers to an improved variety that has ap- peared in the Old World, and gives the account quoted : "This new plant is a remarkable aquatic species, floating on the water by means of leather-like little bottles formed at the petioles by the closing of the leaves. The old variety was almost sterile, rarely flowering ; the vari- ety floribunda, on the contrary, flowers every year. Pontederia crassipes has large, beautiful, blue flowers on a smooth stem. It needs a temperate bed in winter. Our sketch gives a capital idea of this water plant." 4 1' ; 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. 33 This is an interesting plant to grow in a dwelling, as it will flourish in water without any particular attention. PONTEDERIA CRASSIPES FLORIBUNDA. Flowering Apples. — There are but few flowering trees, small or large, that have more beautiful blossoms than certain of the com- moner things, as cherries, apples, peaches and plums. What prettier sight is there than many of our orchards, the beautiful pink flowers of the peach, — the large, white, crim- son-touched apple blossoms, — the graceful, drooping white cherries intermingled by bud- ding green leaves ? Under cultivation solely for ornamental pur- poses are a number of handsome species and varieties, many with large, double flowers, and it is more particularly with these this article is concerned — Pyrus coronaria, P. Malus floribunda and varieties Parkma^mi, Toringo and spectabilis are very popular. A few years ago a magnificent large-flowering variety was introduced and named Bechtel's Double-flowering Crab, and this in many re- spects is the best of all, though it is difficult to justly compare it with the dainty P. Park- pianni. Our illustration on preceding page, from the London Gardener s Chronicle, indicates the size and form of its flowers, though somewhat reduced. In nature they are white, prettily shaded with pink. They resemble small roses and like them do not last very long — the one great objection to all ornamental flowering fruit-trees. When considering the location of these trees, it is but necessary to imagine a similarity of habit to that of the fruiting trees, though usually of much dwarfer habit. They flower in great profusion and may be used effectively singly or in masses and groups. THE mi/^I^^T fLOWEl ^/^ll^EN, The Hardy Cloth ilde Soupert Rose. — One of the most satisfactory of everblooming white roses of a hardy character is Clothilde Soupert. In the vicinity of Philadelphia, it requires no winter protection whatever. It commences to flower with other roses in June, and continues till freezing weather comes. In common with most all others of the ever- blooming class it flowers profusely towards the close of the season, as well as moderately from its commencement. Because of its many good qualities it is a popular rose for planting in cemeteries. There is now a climbing vari- ety of this rose, which will be in great demand should it prove as hardy as the type. J. Double Pyrethrums. — The single-flowered Pyrethrum roseum is a pretty thing and indis- pensable in hardy flower gardening ; but the doubles make a finer display and are con- sidered even more valuable. The double white Bridesmaid variety is a handsome form. Mr. Hunnick, gardener to Fred. W. Vanderbilt, Esq., Newport, R. I., uses them freely in the flower garden, along pathways, with great effect. To a considerable extent they resemble fine flowers of the white hardy Chrysanthe- mum, blooming before season. This resem- blance is easily accounted for by the close re- lationship between Pyrethrum and Chrysanthe- mum. ANewGaillardia grandiflora.— There is now but little doubt the new, compact form of the well-known perennial, Gaillardia grandi- flora, IS an improvement over the old form and is likely to supersede it. Improvements often take abnormal forms and we are inclined to fall back on the older types, fearing to go to extremes ; but in this new plant, nothing of the old form is changed but the habit, which is noticeably neat and the flowers more erect. A good future is surely in store for it. The constant summer-blooming character insures ^t 34 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. [Feb. the Gaillardias popularity, and the compact form makes it available for almost any pur- pose, and especially for bordering. Aconites. — The best aconite for general gardening purposes is Acofiitum Napellus, It makes a tall, leafy stem, at least three feet in height, at the summit of which is a somewhat compact spike of blue flowers. The flowers appear in fall, and in general appearance take the place of tall Delphiniums, which are closely related. This is the deadly poison aconite from which the extract is made for medicinal purposes. The entire plant, root and top, is used. Aconitum uncinatum has somewhat of a sprawling habit, and is less ornamental. The so-called Winter Aconite is not an Aconitum but Eranthis hyemalis. Fl^^lTS ^ VE^ETi^PLES. Whitewashing Fruit Trees. — The old- time method of whitewashing the trunks of trees is not usually credited with its full value. Farmers follow it considerably, though perhaps more from a country habit than with a definite reason before them. Our December issue recommended it for the purpose of cleansing trees of scale and other insects in connection with winter orchard work. Prof. W. T. Macoun, Horticulturist for the Canadian Department of Agriculture, adds that it is most efficient composed of sixty pounds of lime, twenty-four gallons of water and six gallons of skim milk, or those proportions. The milk makes the wash stick better, giving the lime more opportunity to exercise its caustic properties. A little glue is sometimes substituted for milk with the same results. It will be found practicable to apply the whitewash by means of a spraying machine, — in fact, machines are now made for this special purpose, and can be utilized for any ordinary painting about the out-buildings. Those who object to the conspicuous appear- ance of whitewash may add some sifted hard- wood ashes to the mixture to darken it. It has been claimed that whitewash sprayed thickly so as to cover the buds of peach trees in late winter will protect the latter from danger from frost. This must be done, says Prof. Taft, when the buds are being encouraged to expand prematurely. It is not always profit- able to the commercial orchardist, because of the labor attending it, but may be carried ou* by the owners of a few trees for home-fruitin^ purposes. Bordeaux mixture may be com- bined with it to aid in preventing fungus attacks. Winter Orchard Cultivation. — Another thought in relation to the desirability of orchard cultivation in winter, a subject dis- cussed in our last two issues, is brought out by Prof F. H. King, of the University of Wisconsin. It may be utilized to show that winter cultivation,— or, better, late fall, when the wood is well ripened and trees dormant, — while it does provoke less radiation of fresh heat, it also better retains the heat stored up in the soil the preceding summer months. Therefore, in losing at one point, there is a gain at another. In heavy soil, cultivation might induce retaining of excessive moisture, which would be detrimental in some respects ; in light soil the gain in moisture would be appreciated for use the following summer. It is evident there is much to be considered in relation to this subject, and especially that the general conditions of the soil must be well known. WiTLOOK Chicory. — An illustration and description of Witloof Chicory were given in the December issue. The following cultural information is added from American Garden- ifig : "In digging and preparing the roots, do not cut the top off like a carrot or parsnip. Twist the outer leaves off, leaving the centre intact. In storing lay it in rows with the heads out, covering the root with sand or earth. Follow up in tiers in regular rotation. Box up as required, bring into heat in some dark place or keep the top well covered, so that it will bleach out nice and white. Heat is preferable in forcing rather than a slow temperature. It makes it more brittle and tender, and as it is used almost exclusively for salads, tenderness and crispness are indis- pensable to make it good." Apple King OF Tompkins County.-— English apple-growers place this American variety among their leading kinds as an all-round variety for general excellence. BIOGRAPHY AND LITERATURE. PALMYRA. Palmyra in the desert stands, But sheltered from its burning sands By wooded hills, upon whose sides The tiger lurks, the leopard hides : Far from the city they arise, Which, underneath soft Syrian skies, The *' Diamond of the DCvSert " lies, An island in a sea of sand. Mary Bayard Clarke. Samuel Miller.— Horticulture parted with a great devotee in the death of Judge Samuel Miller, of Bluffton, Mo., who passed away on October 24, 1901, at the advanced age of 81. Of late years, Mr. Miller had given a great deal of attention to the improvement of our native persimmons, and had achieved some success with them ; but he will best be brought nearer to our readers as the originator of the Martha Grape, which, once prominent, has lately been covered by the popular Niagara. He was hon- ored and esteemed by his fellow-men, in whose memory his enthusiasm for horticulture espe- cially will long remain bright. A Tribute to Thomas Meehan, Botanist. 'Twas meet that thou, reluctant, shouldst not heed, When from the fields Klysian came the call ; Shouldst linger till the flowers fade and fall, And only at their death, thy parting speed. Rare lover of Nature (blossom, root, and seed), Whose wooing won her beauty's richest store, And coy confiding of her secret lore. Thy requiem shall be the fullest meed Of men, — the mournful chanting of the winds, — The sighing of the sad, deserted trees. Methinks in that fair Land that knows no night, Thou wilt not seek thy joy in kindred minds, But 'midst the asphodels, with pure delight. Thou' It roam alone the wide, immortal leas. Rachel P'rances Sharpless. Ogontz p. O., Pa. The Close op a Beautiful Like. — As the foliage of autumn trees is much more brilliant than in the summer, growing time, more varied and noticeable before "the fall of the leaf, ' ' so the radiance of a good life at its set- ting or declining sun, calls for deeper thought ; and as Professor Meehan beautifully remarked in the December number of the magazine : * * It is not until the tree has grown and its handsome proportions are in evidence before us, that we are curious to know something of the seed which bore it" — words all so true and beautiful, I cannot let them pass with once reading them. Then he goes on to speak of and honor the dear memory of those who have been useful and helpful to their day and genera- tion, into whose companionship he has now entered, certainl}'^ in the effort to benefit hu- manity, and leave a record worthy of others to follow, enjoy, and commend in turn. Mrs. E. E. Orcutt. Np:w Officers of the Putnam County Horticultural Society. — A regular meeting of the Putnam County Horticultural Society was held January 4, 1902. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Mr. Wm. Church, president ; Mr. Wni. N. Benjamin, vice-president ; Mr. Frederick Am- merman, secretary ; Mr. J. G. Southard, treas- urer. The Exhibition Conmiittee reported financial success, with a balance of $60.00. W. J. Buckley. P'lora of TennEvSSEE and Philosophy of Botany, by Augustin Gattinger, M. D. ; pub- lished through the Tennessee State Bureau of Agriculture. — This valuable work of nearly 300 pages, supported by the State of Tennessee, is ostensibly for distribution amongst citizens of that State ; but its contents are of such unusual character and of such wide-spread interest, it is to be hoped its dissemination will be broader. The *• Flora " is a complete synopsis of Ten- nessee plants, not intended to assist in the determinations so much as to give an up-to- date catalogue and guide to locations. Where some description has been found desirable in a . (35) A- 1^' i ^1' 36 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL NOTES. [Feb. few cases, it has been well given. We deplore the adoption of the new nomenclature, not- withstanding Dr. Gattinger's reasons as ex- plained in the preface. Meehans' Monthly has from time to time fully recorded its views on this subject. It is safe to say that no amount of effort will be able to change the names so firmly established— our Cystopteris, recently illustrated, among them. The Index of Genera should have contained a list of the old names as well as new ; no one but the apostles of the new nomenclature would think of picking out Filix as the generic name for the plants so well known as Cystopteris. The number of species listed is 2,218, of which the ones in cultivation and of officinal value are indicated by a chart. Dr. Gattinger has authority for the statement that "in the entire area of the United States no part in an equal territory possesses so great a diversity and complication of structure," botanically and geologically. The area of middle Tennessee was an unexplored region, botanically, when the author first took up his residence there, and he claims the honor of being the pioneer in that field. Surely none could have been better fitted for thorough investigations in the lines followed. The book is evidence of the author's wide range of knowledge and thought and capacity for re- search. More than one-third the number of pages is devoted to the ' ' Philosophy of Botany." The first chapter in this part, •* An Epitome of the History and Philosophy of Botany," is an especially valuable contribution to literature. "Forestry" and "Modern Thoughts on the Origin, Evolution, and Sig- nificance of Life ' ' are other important chapters. Dr. Gattinger's book is one of the best of the many excellent works, the outcome of a long, devoted, scientific life, now numbering 76 years. ^EMEI^i^L MOTES. Plans for Future Lssues. — The editor takes this opportunity to thank the many friends who have contributed to the future support of Meehans' Monthly by their kind words of encouragement. He is anxious to make the publication valuable to them, and to that end is always eager for suggestions that will lead to added interest. Questions asked will always have careful and considerate attention. In the matter of illustrations, it is proposed to have several series of particular interest to persons who are anxious to know more about choice and rare trees and plants. The initial of one series is the Bechtel's Flowering Crab Apple in this issue. Following issues will picture beautiful flowering trees and occasional shrubs. A series of fine specimen evergreens will commence later, and for this and others we shall be glad to receive photographs or notes from the readers. The Winter Resort illustrations will continue for a few issues, changing continually in character and interest. Many interesting and instructive articles are prepared and others are under way for the future, among them being several on practical landscape gardening. Mr. Richard Rothe, whose name has been made familiar to our readers, will contribute illustrated articles on this subject. Geraniums for Dysentery. — From time immemorial Pelargoniums have been known amongst the Caffres and Zulus as a remedy for dysentery. It seems the natives simply nib- bled the dried root of the plant. In English hospitals it is used in the form of a decoction : four ounces of the roots are boiled twenty min- utes in a pint of milk. Two (tea?) spoonfuls of it are given to the patient every two hours. It seldom takes over 48 hours to effect a cure. [The above is from La Setnaine Horticole, A much simpler remed}'^ for these temporary disturbances of the bowels is a couple of table- spoonfuls of pure cider vinegar.] Elderberry Bush. — The plea for the beau- tiful Elderberry Bush, recently made in Meehans' Monthly, is well made. F'amili- arity too often breeds contempt, especially in floral matters. One of the most beautiful of pieces for Children's Day was a bell made entirely of these creamy white flowers, save the clapper, which was a bud of our native water lily, NymphcBa tuberosa. The fruit, too, furnishes "pie-timber,'* which is a favorite with many. I,acking acidity in itself, it must have this supplied. Boiled cider or rhubarb are the most common attendants for this purpose. Bessie L. Putnam. t. ' |i 1 ; \oi..XII Plate 3, '11 V . t 1 ■>!""hi.\i-:.\ ( .\i"''-vi;\ |i ? si Mil BRODIyEA CAPITATA. THE HEADED BRODI^A. NATURAI, ORDER, LIUACE^E. BRODI.CA C4PITATA, Bcntham.— Leaves a foot long or more, two to ten lines wide, carinate, usually glaucous; scape a foot or two high, sometimes much shorter than the leaves ; flowers few to many, nearly sessile, or on pedicels one to six lines long ; perianth rather broadly funaelform, six to ten lines long, from blue or purple to white ; inner anthers nearly sessile, linear, two lines long, slightly shorter than the oblong-lanceolate appendages, the outer smaller, on short, naked filaments, broadly dilated at the base ; capsule ovate, sessile, three lines long, beaked by the slender style nearly as long; seeds several in each cell, two lines long. Sereno Watson's Botany of the Geological Survey of California. The first impression on meeting with this pretty California wild flower would be that it was some sort of an onion, — and the impres- sion would not be far wrong, for it is closely related to that well-known family of plants. But in the natural order of lilies in which this, the onion, the hyacinth, and other familiar plants find place, many striking differences are found in the flowers and fruit, and on these differences the various genera are founded, — though the onion is taken as the general repre- sentative of the whole. Of the section known as the alliaceous, or onion, section of the lily family, nearly fifty genera have been estab- lished, or about one-fourth of the whole order. They abound in the western part of our con- tinent and are among the chief glories of the Pacific coast, numbers being found at various points from Alaska to Patagonia. They seem to have a preference for dry and rugged places, or any position in which there might seem to be a severe struggle for life. To the ardent botanist, few pleasures are greater than to be among the first to explore the vegetation of the desert solitudes where these beautiful flowers love to grow. The poet Percival ex- claims in regard to such an experience — * * No inheritance Of gilded palaces, or loaded fields. Bent with a thousand harvests, could so fill My spirit with the stirring health of joy. As thus to hold myself the sole possessor Of such a solitude." Though familiar with the plant here illus- trated in the dried state, the author's first acquaintance with it in a living condition was in the dry region of California, known as the valley of the Saint Joaquin, in which, during the month of July, it helped in that dry soli- tude to form the pretty picture such as that which inspired the poet cited. It was bloom- ing in abundance everywhere, then in July, — though specimens were collected some years later, by Mrs. Thomas Meehan, in San Diego, in the month of April. Dr. Watson, in the work from which the description is taken, notes that he found it in flower from February to May, — a very long period of time for any bulbous plant to cover. BrodicEa capitata is well represented in her- bariums of California plants, — but no speci- mens seen by the author have the bold, broad leaves represented in our illustration. The specimen was kindly furnished our artist by Mr. Jackson Dawson, the eminent gardener at the Arnold Arboretum, who received it from California, though the exact locality was not noted. The leaves are shorter and broader than usual, though not much beyond the light lines given as the maximum in Mr. Watson's description. Considerable variations are, how- ever, recorded by observers in individual plants of the species, or in whole groups in different localities In many cases specimens are found encroaching on the lines marked out for other species ; but Professor Wood notes that among all these aberrations, the species may always be decided by its seeds being thrice larger than in related species. The only illustration of this pretty plant appearing previous to our present illustration, probably, is the one in the ' ' Botanical Maga- zine, ' ' No. 59 1 2 , in the volume for 1 87 1 , where it appears as Milla capitata,— zn^ not as Brodicea (37) I J .. brodl4^:a capitata. THE HFADED BRODI^A. NATURAL ORDER, MUACE^. BRODiiEA CAPITATA, Bcntham. — Leaves a foot long or more, two to ten lines wide, carinate, usually glaucous; scape a foot or two high, sometimes much shorter than the leaves ; flowers few to many, nearly sessile, or on pedicels one to six lines long ; perianth rather broadly fun«elform, six to ten lines long, from blue or purple to white ; inner anthers nearly sessile, linear, two lines long, slightly shorter than the oblong-lanceolate appendages, the outer smaller, on short, naked filaments, broadly dilated at the base ; capsule ovate, sessile, three lines long, beaked by the slender style nearly as long; seeds several in each cell, two lines long. Sereno Watson's Botany of the Geological Survey of California. The first impression on meeting with this pretty California wild flower would be that it was some vSort of an onion, — and the impres- sion would not be far wrong, for it is closely related to that well-known family of plants. But in the natural order of lilies in which this, the onion, the hyacinth, and other familiar plants find place, many striking differences are found in the flowers and fruit, and on these differences the various genera are founded, — though the onion is taken as the general repre- sentative of the whole. Of the section known as the alliaceous, or onion, section of the lily family, nearly fifty genera have been estab- lished, or about one-fourth of the whole order. They abound in the western part of our con- tinent and are among the chief glories of the Pacific coast, numbers being found at various points from Alaska to Patagonia. They seem to have a preference for dry and rugged places, or any position in which there might seem to be a severe struggle for life. To the ardent botanist, few pleasures are greater than to be among the first to explore the vegetation of the desert solitudes where these beautiful flowers love to grow. The poet Percival ex- claims in regard to such an experience — * • No inheritance Of gilded palaces, or loaded fields. Bent with a thousand harvests, could so fill My spirit with the stirring health of joy, As thus to hold myself the sole possessor Of such a solitude." Though familiar with the plant here illus- trated in the dried state, the author's first acquaintance with it in a living condition was in the dry region of California, known as the valley of the Saint Joaquin, in which, during the month of July, it helped in that dry soli- tude to form the pretty picture such as that which inspired the poet cited. It was bloom- ing in abundance everywhere, then in July, — though specimens were collected some years later, by Mrs. Thomas Meehan, in San Diego, in the month of April. Dr. Watson, in the work from which the description is taken, notes that he found it in flower from l^>bruary to May, — a very long period of time for any bulbous plant to cover. Brodicra capitata is well represented in her- bariums of California plants, — but no speci- mens seen by the author have the bold, broad leaves represented in our illustration. The specimen was kindly furnished our artist by Mr. Jackson Dawson, the eminent gardener at the Arnold Arboretum, who received it from California, though the exact locality was not noted. The leaves are shorter and broader than usual, though not much be3'ond the light lines given as the maximum in Mr. Watson's description. Considerable variations are, how- ever, recorded by observers in individual plants of the species, or in whole groups in different localities In many cases specimens are found encroaching on the lines marked out for other species ; but Professor Wood notes that among all these aberrations, the species may always be decided by its seeds being thrice larger than in related species. The only illustration of this pretty plant appearing previous to our present illustration, probably, is the one in the "Botanical Maga- zine," No. 5912, in the volume for 1871, where it appears as Milla capitata, — and not as BrodicEa (37) N |a III iM TNTENTIO CiK< OND EXPOS UR 38 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — BRODI^^A CAPITATA. [March capitata, as originally referred by Bentham, who first described it from plants collected in Mexico, by Hartweg, in 1839. The original Milla was the species known as Milla biflora. It was among the earliest of the seeds of native plants collected in Mexico after its settlement by the Spaniards, and was raised in the Royal Gardens at Madrid, and named, as so many of the well-known Mexican plants were, by the celebrated Cavanilles. Julian Milla was the head gardener in the establishment, and was honored by the great botanist in this plant's name. A number of species since discovered have been referred to the genus, but have later been referred to others, M. biflora being the only one left to hand down to us the gardener's name. Brodicea was separated by Sir James E. Smith, a celebrated British botanist of the early part of the past century. He named it in honor of James L. Brodie, a good Scotch botanist, who excelled particularly in the study of ferns and the lower orders of plants ; it was not for the great physician of that name, as sometimes supposed. The plant as depicted in our illustration seems to differ considerably from the picture in the *' Botanical Magazine," besides in the many long, grass-like leaves. The bulb is represented as whitish-green and ovoid, and the stem as solid instead of being a mass of hollow tubes as in ours. But so far as the bulb is concerned, the root has been cleared of its tunic, the proliferous bulblets, and the old parent bulb at the base. The differences are, therefore, chiefly by omissions rather than by any errors of fact. The ovarium is, however, represented as pentangular, while in our case it is triangular. This may be a constant varietal character, as the regular nar- row leaves may be. The variations have given rise to a number of genera established by some authors. These, though very trying to those who deal with systematic botany in the abstract, are very welcome to the close student of Nature as she presents herself in the living dress. In the present case, Milla is distinguished from BrodicBa, by having the upper portion of the corolla — or segments of the perianth as it would be called — wheel -shaped or rotate when expanded ; while Brodicsa, as seen in our pic- ture. Fig. 2, is always funnelform. These segments are also always longer than the tube. Then in Milla there are six perfect antherifer- ous stamens ; in Brodicea there are but three, as in Fig. 3, and the other three are developed as mere membranes, as seen in the centre of the enlarged flower. Fig. 2. These mem- braneous expansions form a sort of crown in the mouth of the corolla-throat. In our species these are each one bifid or cleft, — and this again has been taken as the basis for a new genus by Kunth, and our plant would be described as Dichelostema, from this peculiar character. Indeed, in a " Sketch of the Natural Or&er LiliacecBy'' as represented in the States of Oregon and California, at page 173, vol. for 1868, of the proceedings of the '• Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia," Professor Alphonso Wood records our plant as Dichelo- stema capitata. In other species of the original Milla, peculiarities have been noted and other genera founded on them ; but they have been generally remanded to BrodicBa by the mass of systematists. The facts furnish a useful lesson to the student, that as to what should or should not be regarded as a genus is a mere matter of opinion. It does not follow that nature is not really arranged in genera, but that there may be ground for difference as to what should be regarded as dividing lines. In the large collection of specimens ex- amined by the author, the larger number, if not all, are from dry and desert localities. But the original, collected by Hartweg, was found in woods in the vicinity of Monterey. It seems a strange transition from the open to the shade. One might imagine the denizens of the wood giving the stranger a hearty welcome. * ' The merry vines Go gadding in the brisk and spirited air. That even calls from out the barren rocks A welcoming smile" and made the plants from the desert wastes feel as if they were at home. A remarkable feature in the history of Lilia- ceous plants, of which our Brodicea is a mem- ber, is their great abundance on the Pacific coast in comparison with their scarcity on the Atlantic slope. [See also page 43. — Ed.] Explanation op the Plate :— i. Complete plant from California. 2. Enlarged flower showing the awned stamin- odes attached to the petals, and pollen grains distributed over style and stigma. 3 Perfect stamen attached to sepal. 4. Head of flowers with staminodes forming a crown in the centre of the perianth, and covering the pistil. 5. Cross- section of ovary, slightly enlarged. 6. Pollen grain magni- fied 270 times. _ ■• , ^ Prepared by Thomas Meeiian. WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. ADVANCING SPRING. As yet the trembling year is unconfirm'd. And Winter oft at eve resumes the breeze. Chills the pale morn, and bids his driving sleets Deform the day delightless ; so that scarce The bittern knows his time, with ingulft To shake the sounding marsh ; or from the shore The plovers when to scatter o'er the heath. And sing their wild notes to the listening waste. Thomson. Notes on the Delphinium and "Alci- Nous."— The article on the larkspur in your January number is very interesting and sug- gestive, but contains some misleading state- ments. For example, Dioscorides is quoted as a writer '♦ before the time of Christ." While the date of this Greek author is not exactly known, there is good reason to believe he wrote about fifty years after the Christian era. And the quotation itself I do not find. His great medical treatise has two short chapters on Delphinium, which run as follows : ''Delphinium sends up from a single root stems two spans long, or even longer, about which grow leaves, divided, small and oblong. The flower is like Leucoium, purplish, dolphin- like, whence the plant has its name. The seed in pods resembles millet ; and when drunk in wine is a most excellent remedy for those bitten by scorpions ; and they say that scorpi- ons also are paralyzed when the herb is put near them and they become inactive and torpid, but when it is taken away they revert to their normal condition. The plant grows in rocky and sunny places." "There is also another Delphinium that resembles the foregoing, but has much more slender leaves and stems ; it has the same virtue as the preceding, but in a less degree." The title of the verses on page 6 speaks of the ''Roman Alcinous." Is the writer con- fusing Alcinous, king of Scheria, who lived some centuries before Rome was founded, with Antinous, the favorite of the Roman emperor Hadrian ? L. H. Elwell. Amherst, Mass. [The present Editor is glad to have pointed out any possible errors in the leading chapters or any part of the Monthly, though it may in some instances be impossible to investigate them, lacking knowledge of the immediate source of the author's information. If, as Prof. Elwell admits, there is uncer- tainty of the actual period in which Dioscor^ ides lived, there is also possibility that the author found some acceptable authority or fact to warrant his statement that he lived before the time of Christ. One work consulted by the Editor even reduces the date given by Prof, Elwell to ' 'about the year 40. ' ' Notwithstand. ing, the author may have made the statement inadvertently. The foregoing translation of Dioscorides* writings on the subject may be correct accord- ing to the translation consulted by Prof. Elwell ; but there were several translators of the original of Dioscorides, and slight differ- ences might be expected. Is it possible the contradictory translations as quoted may be thus accounted for ? According to Pope's translation of Homer, the Alcinous referred to was King of Phaeacia. The Editor is unable to determine why the king should have been termed "Roman," unless he had some rather obscure connections or sympathies in that direction. The comments for the sake of accuracy are appreciated, as will be any further that will throw light on the matters in dispute.— Ed.] Diatoms.— The interesting article on dia- toms by W. Whitman Bailey in the February Monthly brought to mind a very interesting experience that gave my egotism as a gardener a severe check. I had often been annoyed— and I am sure many others have— by a green scum forming on the surface of the soil in greenhouses kept at a high temperature. I asked one of the professors in charge of a near-by laboratory to allow me to examine it under a microscope, which he very willingly did. The sight was a revelation. It was like (39) i^ilii 40 MEEHANS' MONTHIvY — WII^D FI^OWERS AND NATURE. [March looking into a dense forest of the carboniferous period, the long-jointed trunks of the oscillaria waving to and fro and the boat- shaped diatoms darting about in every direction, their beauti- ful green and amber tints constantly changing in the light with every movement, — all seemed activity and life, and quite a contrast to the rather unpleasant-looking slime. I never scraped it from the surface of a pot since, without thinking what I was destroying. Ernest Hemming. Spruce, of which there are several side by side. But never have they twice chosen the same tree. Bessie I,. Putnam. Birds in their Old Nesting Places. — That birds do return to old spots is apparent in the case of a pair of robins which have Extermination of Medicinal Plants. — The September number of the Monthly con- tained some notes on the extermination of many plants by professional root-diggers. It is not the hunters for medicinal plants alone who have to be feared. Those who desire pretty and rare plants for their gardens, and botanical students as well, have to be closely watched. A good plan to follow by those who know of a few rare, flowering plants which they wish preserved, is to go to where the plants grow early in spring, or before the opening of the flowers, and pinch off all flowering shoots. This pre- serves the plant, even though the flowers are missed. The writer has more than one rare plant in mind which has been preserved in this way. C. M. L. A TEXAN PRAIRIE COVERED BY LUPINU8 nested in our yard for three or four consecutive years. The female is extremely pugnacious, fluttering into one's very face, scolding ve- hemently if we chance near her nesting place. The male makes almost as many threats, but he always takes a perch on a tree near by, just out of reach, — and, I may add, out of danger. At first he assumes a most threatening air. But when this fails he confesses that his maxi- mum is reached. Not so with his mate, who descends to the lower limbs, bristling like a mad hen. And in one or two instances she has even flown against the bonnet of the offender. The demonstrations of this pair are so pronounced as to be readily recognized from year to year. They always build in a Norway LUPINUS SUB- CARNOSUS. — We feel fortunate in being able to sup- plement the recent 8UB-CARN08U8. remarks on the beautiful annual, Texan Blue-bonnet, as well as the picture of a single flowering plant, by the illustration that accompanies this note. If it be remembered that the flowers are of a delicate porcelain blue, the magnificent effect exhibited by a field such as our illustra- tion depicts, can be imagined. It is not sur- prising Texans should consider it so favorably as to desire it for their State floral emblem. The photograph is reproduced through the courtesy of Prof. William L. Bray, University of Texas, Austin, an article of whose it accom- panied in the Botanical Gazette. See Meehans' Monthly, pages 3 and 23 of the current volume, for illustration of an indi- vidual plant and the accounts referred to. 1902] meehans' monthly— WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. 41 WINTER ¥ifllC.flTl©N RESORTS. No one visits Florida without stopping at least a few days in the quaint old city of St. Augustine. To be sure, nearly all the fairly large towns along the east coast are visited for a brief period if there be time to spare them. The careful traveler procures a ticket from his own city right through to his furthest point in Florida,— say Miami, Palm Beach, or even Rockledge. With this, at re- duced expense, he is permitted to stop over at any point on the eastern coast. But before all the oldest American city is dearest to our hearts. St. Augustine has a charm almost indescribable,— and it is a curious mixture of the ancient and modern that makes it so. The horticultu- rally inclined will find plenty to in- terest them about the city, and it is this fact that leads the writer to touch briefly upon it. As intimated in the February Monthly, the Florida mid-day sun is quite warm, and a little shade is grateful even in January. Among shade trees, the Water Oak probably predominates. It is rapid-growing, has a beautiful form and is almost entirely evergreen. In general ap- pearance, it is not unlike the Willow Oak. The China Tree, Melia Aze- derach, is a common small tree for street and yard. It is generally dis- tinguishable by its low, spreading, globular head — umbrella-shaped, many term it. This tree is distinctly deciduous, and surrounded in the bly suited is its form to the surroundings, architecturally. Like the erect-growing Lorn- bardy Poplar, it serves certain purposes as few others could. The transplanting of palms generally takes place in May or June, when they are growing. No pains are taken to obtain roots, and trees from 15 to 25 feet in height will be successfully moved, the leaves being cut back to check evaporation. Stays are placed to support them till they root. The tree bare of leaves to the left in Fig. i reveals the fact that even in this climate, which is more or less warm all year, the trees take a rest. But the visitor finds this difficult to realize at first. The church in the same picture FIQ.I. A CA early months by so many evergreen trees, its bare limbs do not seem to contain life. Of course, the Live Oak is used for shade, and grand old specimens line some of the streets, their branches overtopping and meeting. Draped with moss, they form an inviting re- treat from the open and mostly noisier streets. It will seem strange to class a palm amongst shade or street trees, because of its erect, rather slender growth, yet it is so considered and answers the purpose fairly well. Then it has advantages in being easily obtained from the wilds and transplanted at moderate cost and with ease. Fig. i shows a nice specimen used for the purpose, and shows how admira- BBAGE PALM. OLD R. C. CATHEDRAL. ST. AUGUSTINE. is claimed to be the oldest extant ; but that may be safely doubted. It was mostly de- stroyed by fire more than a decade ago, but was rebuilt. It stands facing a very pretty square which terminates at the old sea-wall and slave (?) market. On the same street, a little piece in the opposite direction, is the world-famous Hotel Ponce de Leon. Its grandeur has probably never been overstated as regards the interior ; outside, the architectural beauty of the Span- ish Renaissance is equally charming and befit- ting its situation in this old Spanish town. The grounds surrounding the Ponce are in some respects run down or overgrown, though I I) 11 i'! i| iij I 42 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. [March the present gardener is getting it into condi- tion again. On either side of the main en- trance gate stands (or did stand in 1901) a Gum Tree, or Eucalyphis, one of the largest, rapid- growing trees known as found in its native home, Australia. The specimens noted were possibly 15 feet in height and very bushy— all one year's growth. The lawn and gardens are fittingly laid out in an old style, and contain many interesting subjects. There are huge Chinese Arbor- vitaes,— a favorite in the South,— and fine old Cherokee roses forming an attractive arbor. Opposite the Ponce, but separated by a small square, stands another hotel of the great FIQ. 2. AN ODD, BRANCHING PALM, DAYTONA, FLA. Florida East Coast System, which is but little less grand — a term that may be generally applied to all the hotels of that system. But the square is at present our chief attraction. It is laid out in a formal manner, nicely kept, and divided by numerous walks. Along the streets are fine, conspicuous trees that should have their full share of comment. The Evergreen Magnolia, grandiflora, — or M, foetida, as some now call it, — is perhaps the best of all, with its large, glossy green leaves. The leaves on some individual trees have a deep russet on their under surface. No tree has a richer appearance in southern scenes, wild or cultivated. There are also a Bay Tree of some kind, the Camphor Tree, hollies and the variegated and green-leaved Pittosporums. The latter is a superb, large, evergreen shrub and is hardy as far north as North Carolina. In the wilds of Florida, and about St. Augus- tine in abundance, the Spanish Bayonet Yucca is prominent. It is a trunk-producing species, bearing a stalk of handsome flowers in April or May. A considerable portion of the present city of St. Augustine stands upon reclaimed ground, originally a wet waste. No trace of it is now to be seen. Thirteen years ago the vicinity boasted a fine orange grove, which the writer well remembers visiting. The trees were then loaded and bent with the weight of golden fruit. The first disastrous ' 'freeze, ' ' some years ago, changed all this, and there are now no signs of an orchard, — nothing but a few petted trees in various yards. At night they are pro- tected from possible frosts by means of a night-cap-like can- vas, giving a martial appearance to the lots. Leaving St. Augustine, we will very briefly stop at Daytona, a picturesque town not far below the former place, just to look at a natural curiosity in the shape of a three-branched Cabbage Palm. In Fig. 2 will be seen a small, simple-stemmed palm and the branched one referred to. During all the writer's travels through Florida, not another such tree was seen. The Live Oak in the back- ground is one of many such trees in Daytona, and they make the town one of the prettiest along the eastern coast. The Screw-pine, Pandanus, is closely allied to palms, but it is always capable of branch- ing, as will be seen in Fig. 3. The photograph from which the plate was made was taken in the gardens of the Hotel Royal Poinciana, at Palm Beach. This is the first real bright garden spot reached by the visitor going southerly through the State. Its charm differs from that of the Ancient City in being more tropical in its every surrounding. Flowers and rare plants, cocoanut trees and huge ole- anders abound everywhere. Veritable jungles exist teeming with interest for the lover of the MEEHANS' MONTHLY-WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. 43 1902] purely natural ;-but these all form a story of their own which may have utterance at some future time. The KUMQUAT.-Visitors to Florida or simi- lar far-southern points should secure a plant or two of the Japanese Kumquat for their con- servatories. This plant is a dwarf member ot the Citrus family, and abundantly produces small ''oranges," in shape and size much resembling silk-worm cocoons, but a trine larger and more nearly round. The truit, though slightly acid when first bit into, has a ' rather pleasant taste. It is excellent for preserving. Century Plant Blooming. — It is seldom a northerner has the privilege of seeing the odd-looking flower-stalk of the Century Plant, unless he has visited some of the more tropical locali- ties, where they are frequent. The flower-stalk rises to a height of about fifteen feet, the flowei^ at the top. Fruiting Period of Pineapples.— The fruit of pineapples do not com- mence to form much before the month of February in Florida, and it takes several months for them to mature. They are grown in the State mentioned very extensively. Fruits and Flowers of Jamaica.— Those who have visited Jamaica are loud in praise of its floral beauty and the abundance of its tropical fruit and vegetation. Governed by the English, it offers every opportunity to the visitor to enjoy its natural beauties and inspect its industries, Mexico.— "A land of white sunshine, redo- lent with flowers ; a land of gay costumes, crumbling churches, and old convents ; a land of kindly greeting, of extreme courtesy, of open, broad hospitality," -such is the en- comium bestowed by a great traveler writing of Mexico. After all, what land is devoid of special attractions where nature has sway of her artistic powers and the high arts of man are made to join harmoniously in every pro- duction. Additional Notes on Brodlica.- In addi- tion to what has been said of Brodicea and related plants, it may be noted that the Lilia- ceous plants of Japan are numerous, though there are few identical or nearly so across the Pacific in Japan. The species of the order are somewhat numerous in the Asiatic flora. The true lilies are represented by numerous species in Japan, as they are in Eastern Atlantic States, as well as in California, and one might well expect to find some of the coincidences of similar species in the two widely divergent regions, as we do in other cases. FIG. 3. A LARGE SCRtW-PINE, PANDANUS UTILIS. The three membraneous phyllodes or false stamens in Brodiaa, as against 'the six perfect ones in Milla. will also interest the student in plant life. That element in the doctrine of natural selection, that plants have taken on various forms in response to adaptation to con- ditions of usefulness to the plant, will cause reflection as to the value to the species of three false stamens in the one case against the six perfect ones in the other. It may be an arrange- ment to secure self-fertilization, for the mem- branes press over the stigma, and the pollen from the perfect stamens is scattered over it. How can either condition be of any superior advantage in the economy of plant life?-T. M. I ' N 42 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. [March the present gardener is getting it into condi- tion again. On either side of the main en- trance gate stands (or did stand in 1901) a Gum Tree, or Eiicalyptus, one of the largest, rapid- growing trees known as found in its native home, Australia. The specimens noted were possibly 15 feet in height and very bushy— all one year's growth. The lawn and gardens are fittingly laid out in an old style, and contain many interesting subjects. There are huge Chinese Arbor- vitaes,— a favorite in the South, — and fine old Cherokee roses forming an attractive arbor. Opposite the Ponce, but separated by a small square, stands another hotel of the great FIG. 2. AN ODD, BRANCHING PALM, DAYTONA, FLA. Florida East Coast vSystem, which is but little less grand— a term that may be generally applied to all the hotels of that system. But the square is at present our chief attraction. It is laid out in a formal manner, nicely kept, and divided by numerous walks. Along the streets are fine, conspicuous trees that should have their full share of comment. The Evergreen Magnolia, grajidi flora, —or M. fcetida, as some now call it, — is perhaps the best of all, with its large, glossy green leaves. The leaves on some individual trees have a deep russet on their under surface. No tree has a richer appearance in southern scenes, wild or cultivated. There are also a Bay Tree of some kind, the Camphor Tree, hollies and the variegated and green-leaved Pittosporums. The latter is a superb, large, evergreen shrub and is hardy as far north as North Carolina. In the wilds of Florida, and about St. Augus- tine in abundance, the Spanish Bayonet Yucca is prominent. It is a trunk-producing species, bearing a stalk of handsome flowers in April or INIay. A considerable portion of the present city of St. Augustine stands upon reclaimed ground, originally a wet waste. No trace of it is now to be seen. Thirteen years ago the vicinity boasted a fine orange grove, which the writer well remembers visiting. The trees were then loaded and bent with the weight of golden fruit. The first disastrous "freeze, ' ' some years ago, changed all this, and there are now no signs of an orchard, — nothing but a few petted trees in various yards. At night they are pro- tected from possible frosts by means of a night-cap-like can- vas, giving a martial appearance to the lots. Leaving St. Augustine, we will very briefly stop at Daytona, a picturesque town not far below the former place, just to look at a natural curiosity in the shape of a three-branched Cabbage Palm. In Fig. 2 will be seen a small, simple-stemmed palm and the branched one referred to. During all the writer's travels through Florida, not another such tree was seen. The Live Oak in the back- ground is one of many such trees in Daytona, and they make the town one of the prettiest along the eastern coast. The Screw-pine, Pandajius, is closely allied to palms, but it is always capable of branch- ing, as will be seen in Fig. 3. The photograph from which the plate was made was taken in the gardens of the Hotel Royal Poinciana, at Palm Beach. This is the first real bright garden spot reached by the visitor going southerly through the State. Its charm differs from that of the Ancient City in being more tropical in its every surrounding. Mowers and rare plants, cocoanut trees and huge ole- anders abound everywhere. Veritable jungles exist teeming with interest for the lover of the MEEHANS' MONTHLY— WILD FLOWERS AND NATURE. 43 1902] purely natural ;-but these all form a story of their own which may have utterance at some future time. The KUMOUAT.-Visitors to Florida or simi- lar far-southern points should secure a plant or two of the Japanese Kumquat for their con- servatories. This plant is a dwarf member of the Citrus family, and abundantly produces small -oranges," in shape and size much resembling silk-worm cocoons, but a tritle laro-er and more nearly round. The truit, tho'ugh slightly acid when first bit into, has a rather pleasant taste. It is excellent for preserving. Century Plant Blooming. — It is seldom a northerner has the privilege of seeing the odd-looking flower-stalk of the Century Plant, unless he has visited some of the more tropical locali- ties, where they are freciuent. The flower-stalk rises to a height of about fifteen feet, the flowefs at the top. Fruitinc^, Period oe Pineapples.— The fruit of pineapples do not com- mence to form much before the month of February in Florida, and it takes several months for them to mature. They are grown in the State mentioned very extensively. Additional Notes on Brodi.ea.-Iu addi- tion to what has been said of Brodura and related plants, it may be noted that the Lilia- ceous plants of Japan are numerous, though there are few identical or nearly so across the Pacific in Japan. The species of the order are somewhat numerous in the Asiatic flora. The true lilies are represented by numerous species in Japan, as they are in Eastern Atlantic States, as well as in California, and one might well expect to find some of the coincidences of similar species in the two widely divergent regions, as we do in other cases. lU FIG, Fruits and Flowers oe Jamaica. — Those who have visited Jamaica are loud in praise of its floral beauty and the abundance of its tropical fruit and vegetation. Governed by the English, it offers every opportunity to the visitor to enjoy its natural beauties and inspect its industries. Mexico.— "A land of white sunshine, redo- lent with flowers ; a land of gay costumes, crumbling churches, and old convents ; a land of kindly greeting, of extreme courtesy, of open, broad hospitality," - such is the en- comium bestowed by a great traveler writing of Mexico. After all, what land is devoid of special attractions where nature has sway of her artistic powers and the high arts of man are made to join harmoniously in every pro- duction. 3. A LARGE SCREW-PINE, PANDANUS UTILIS. The three membraneous phyllodes or false stamens in Brodicra, as against the six perfect ones in Milla. will also interest the student in plant life. That element in the doctrine of natural selection, that plants have taken on various forms in response to adaptation to con- ditions of usefulness to the plant, will cause reflection as to the value to the species of three false stamens in the one case against the six perfect ones in the other. It may be an arrange- ment to secure self-fertilization, for the mem- branes press over the stigma, and the pollen from the perfect stamens is scattered over it. How can either condition be of any superior advantage in the economy of plant life?-T. M. I \ li INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE i!i I ! I 1 GENERAL GARDENING CLEMATIS AND IVY ON MT. HELICON. Here is a ruin,— once a temple, now Tpile Fallen, shapeless, and o'ergrown.~a mingled Of blocks and broken pillars, fretted ceilings And sculptured friezes, moulded cornices And wreaths and garlands, heaped confusedly, And veiled with clematis and ivy, where Under their verduous tufts, the lizard works And serpents cast their coats, or in the sun ' Lie basking in their burnished mail, and roll Their fascinating eyes. Percival Ornamental Solitaires* in Landscape Gardening. -When designing and executing the work of moulding more extensive grounds, after the modern landscape gardener has passed the stage of the general distribution of light and shade,-that is, the outlining of wooded sections as shade, and the open (the lawn)aslight,-the employment of solitaires as parts of the special ornamentation becomes an important question. To follow the broad lines of nature, he will place them as sentries, irregularly along the curved lines of densely wooded sections ; here for the purpose of form- ing deep recesses, -there, perhaps, for the sake of veiling or interrupting monotonous parts. In the framing of sceneries in parks, and even in their very composition, still more does the solitaire often play an important role. Only a thorough knowledge of the habit of trees, the condition under which they thrive, a wide foresight and an artistic eye, can avoid blun- ders frequently made in placing trees. The ornamental solitaire requires, first of all, ample space for its full development. When more advanced in age, its characteristic con- [ * Mr. Rothc has employed an uncommon term in con- nection with his article which may be better for explanation Reference is made to "solitaires." corresponding to what are generally called " specimen trees." This application of a word, usually made to a single precious stone or gem seems rather appropriate for a perfectly-formed, solitary plant in a landscape setting, and might well receive general adoption. Thia opportunity is taken to further announce another illustrated article from Mr. Rothe's pen on a landscape gardening subject ; it is expected to be in readiness for the next issue, and will deal principally with the landscape sur- roundings of dwellings. — Ed.] (44) . tours will become conspicuous, and we look for harmony and proper contrast with the background and eventually near-by associates To plant a dark Purple Beech, or a compact robust Norway Maple in front of a sombre,' ngid-looking pine grove, would hardly have the desired effect ; while, in this instance, the light, graceful birch, or willow, not only breaks the rigidness, but also forms a happy contrast. The study of the characteristics of trees, the determination of congenial forms, and the dif- ferent effects in grouping various contours is a science no landscape gardener can enter too deeply into. It is with sincere regret that I say, the aver- age American garden and park show far too often lack of proper consideration and care for the ornamental solitaire. Especially in subur- ban gardens, where space limits only permit the employment of a few trees and these trees should in time constitute the main ornaments of the grounds, they appear anything except naturally beautiful. The fact that frequently the owner of a new home desires shade near the house at once, leads (or rather misleads) him into the planting of large trees. While in some locations and under exceptionably favor- able circumstances this procedure may prove a success, in by far the most cases it has disap- pointment in its train. Considering that the selection of varieties in this instance is always extremely limited, and keeping in mind that young, vigorous trees, when properly planted in well prepared soil, within the brief time of four to five years outgrow those shifted at an advanced age, the conviction that patience is here a well-paying virtue is easily conceivable. Likewise is the advice of a thoroughly com- petent landscape gardener, at all events the best safeguard against future chagrin' and deceit. The work is of far-reaching conse- quences and blunders appear usually at a time when to correct them causes not only greater expenses, but also disturbance, when one ought to be about to enjoy beauty. If all is done well so far, it depends there- 1902] MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. 45 after solely on the future attention, and just there is the weakest point, for more sins are committed during this period than at any other stage of development. When of a naturally low branching tree, for some reason or another, an imprudent hand, with saw and hatchet, severs the strong limbs which were to consti- tute the wide extending arches of a lofty crown ; when around its base a merrily whirl- ing but unscrupulously-guided lawn mower tears part of the bark away ; when at last in the fall a roaring fire consumes the thick layer of dry leaves, thereby not seldom burning part dener or nurseryman to find out what ails his •' shade trees." Shade-trees. — We can never have enough of them on our city squares and thoroughfares. We need smooth, erect, tall-trunked shade trees along the main drives in our public parks; we enjoy them, when lined along our boule- vards ; but in the open park sceneries and on our lawns let us have trees as nature has designed them. Let us have pure contours and let us realize that not shade-capacity but individual beauty is the paramount issue. If the fundamental principle of our landscape A PABK SCENE. 8HOWING EFFECT OF SOLITAIRES ON AN EXPANSE OF LAWN, of its natural protection above ground to a crisp; then it needs hardly yet the ravaging of insect pests to render the existence of a tree a perilous one. It is sometimes astonishing to see how much nature does in counteracting the deadly consequences of gross abuse and neglect of trees. The fungi, as silent but powerful agents of decomposition, within the bare, woody, cellular tissues soon do their destruct- ive mission, and the tree becomes alarmingly sickly looking. At this juncture, the hour may be very near in which the owner, perhaps for the first time, consults the landscape gar- gardening is to follow the broad lines laid down by nature, why not let nature have its freedom when the individual tree and shrub comes in question? Why not encourage nature to produce the most perfect forms in- stead of maiming or rudely intercepting its course ? There is the common horse-chestnut with its inclination to branch low. Is there a nobler sight than when seen as a solitaire, its majestic crown from the ground up to its lofty height adorned with countless white, erect racemes in May ? There are also the many genera of ¥ i! 46 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. [March evergreens, a number of their fairest represen- tatives natives of our country. Is it not far more charming to see their wide-stretching, virid limbs lashing the earth, while the grim, northeast wind sighs in their tops, instead of having the resin slowly oozing out of wounds for years, made so by imprudent cutting of their lower branches ? The accompanying illustration, a park scene, shows to some degree the effect of solitaires when grown in their natural state. At a con- siderable distance back in the centre is seen a magnificent specimen of Fagus sylvatica, var. pendula that is claimed to be the largest on the European continent. The writer saw it in 1893, in Klein Flottbeck, Germany, on the grounds of Villa Roosen. Its present dimen- sions, as given by Herrn Willhoeft, the head gardener, are : Total height, 16 metres ; circum- ference of trunk 50 centimetres above ground, 2 metres, 18 centimetres ; circumference of crown at the base, 51 metres. The tree was planted in 1835. While some of our public parks and large private places now compare favorably with the best European creations, we can nevertheless not omit the fact that, at present, our work in this line, in its essentials, bears still the stamp of ' ♦ to-day and yesterday. ' ' It will, therefore, rest with our park commissioners and super- intendents, as well as our landscape gardeners, wealthy country residents and their gardeners, to make it their highest ambition to enrich our landscape sceneries with the fairest and noblest forms of trees. Our Creator has bestowed to us forests with the richest arborescence on earth ; our parks and home grounds should bear every evidence of it, and should, in time, in wealth of variety and natural beauty, become the leading in the world. Richard Rothe. Laverock, Pa. Effect of Light upon Plants.— A gentle- man asked me some time ago why a privet hedge he planted under some trees did not grow. I told him the cause was insufficient light. A good lawn or a good hedge in a dense shade is impossible. The shrubs and the grasses require the sunlight which the leaves of the trees intercept. Light is a prime necessity to plant life, and lawn grasses and shrubs are no exceptions to this rule. Vegetable pathologists tell us that it is only through the action of the sun's rays on their leaves that plants can perform their functions properly. Plants deprived of light, like factory children, look sickly. Some classes of plants require less light than others. Ferns, for instance, are generally thought to be shade-loving plants ; yet it is not the light so much they dislike as the hot and arid surroundings that are the general accompaniments of full exposure to the sun- light. The florists now grow successfully the "Boston Fern," Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoni- ensis, exposed to full sunlight in their green- houses. And it attains a sturdiness and vigor never seen in shade-grown plants. Orchid collectors tell us that in high alti- tudes in the tropics Odontoglossums and other cool orchids stand a considerable amount of direct sunlight. Yet in our greenhouses they need shading the greater part of the year. In their natural habitats the free circulation of air around the plants enables them to bear more light than when surrounded by a cr>'Stal roof Bad glass in our greenhouses makes shading a necessary evil. If there ever be glass made that will exclude the ' • heat rays ' ' of the sunbeams and transmit the "light rays," the cultivation of plants in green- houses will be immensely simplified. According to a French scientist, M. Camille Flammarion, none other than white material should be used for shading plants. He found by experiments that red light abnormally forced the plants ; that green light forced them to a lesser ex- tent ; that white light was normal, and, therefore, natural, while blue light re- tarded growth injuriously. This is import- fS ant, as it has '^^ ^^YS^ been some- CFFICT OF LIGHT UPON PLANTS. 1902] times the custom to use colored glass in green- houses, and also to paint the glass various colors in shading them. Buffalo, N. Y. Wm. FiTZWILLIAM. [The reasoning and facts noted by Mr. Fitz- william are correct, but there is another factor that should never be forgotten when it is desired to establish plants beneath other trees. Besides contending with reduced light, there is the reduced state of fertility of the soil occa- sioned by the network of roots belonging to the over-shadowing trees. A slight shadiness with abundant air circulation will rarely be objectionable, but rather produce a mellow light that is devoid of the heat Mr. Fitzwilliam points out is often detrimental.— Ed.] MEEHANS' monthly — GENERAL GARDENING. 47 illl Growing Polypodium incanum. — In the April Fern Bulletin I notice a note speaking of the difficulty experienced in attempts to grow Polypodium inca?ium. While I am not yet pre- pared to say I have succeeded in doing this, I can say that I have a plant, taken from the woods nearly two years ago, and fastened on the trunk of a low-growing plum tree, which is still alive and in apparently good condition, and which the past summer put out a number of new fronds. I have taken the liberty to send you in a separate package some roots of the fern, and in this connection beg leave to suggest that while the atmosphere of a conservatory is usually moist, it may be desirable to subject the fern at intervals to a long continued spray- ing of a day or more, thus treating it as nature does in the heavy rains. That the fern does not object to the light, even the direct sunlight, is shown by a very flourishing patch growing here on the north face of the roof of an old hip-roof house, where it gets the sun all summer mornings and even- ings. I also know one or two other patches on the trunks of trees growing in the open. Portsmouth, Va. ELLIS B. NOYES. Viburnum prunifolium. — Wolves and other undesirable creatures are so generally expected in humble sheep's clothing, it is no uncommon thing to miss something especially worthy, if it be not brought very openly to view. This is just the result in connection with the Sheep- berry, Viburnum prunifolium. A plant of this, given opportunity to display its good form and showy flowers, would be a revelation to many persons. The accompanying illustration, from the Garten-Zeitufig, shows the profusion of its ii .)' \ n 1! r I VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM. attractive white flower-heads, which appear in early spring. These are followed by orna- mental black berries in the fall. The foliage may be a little larger than pictured, and is of il I 48 MEEHANS' MONTHLY — GENERAL GARDENING. [March a dark-green color. The growth is that of a large shrub, rather than of a small tree. It is valuable as a hedge plant. The Barberton Daisy, Gerbera Jamesoni. — One of the most startling recent introduc- tions made from Europe last year was Gerbera Jamesoni. Its propagation evidently baffled European growers, as it was by no means new to them ; but by good fortune it fell into American hands and has been propagated to such extent its general dissemination is cer- tain. Mr. A. Herrington, Madison, N. J., and Mr. Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia, should be credited with its successful introduction here. The plant is of South African origin and is said to be of easiest possible culture, succeed- ing admirably and flowering continuously throughout the entire year, — in summer when planted out in an open, sunny border and in winter in a sunny position in conservatory or greenhouse. The flowers are daisy-like, fully four inches across, and are bright orange-red and scarlet to deep vermilion. It is a very striking color always admired. Chimonanthus fragrans. Chimo7ia7tthus fragrans, or C prcrcox, as it is sometimes called by reason of its very early flowering, is a rare Japanese plant. Its flowers are unique and pretty and deserve more attention from rare-plant lovers. A correspondent asks if it is hardy in Ohio. Nothing has been recorded to the contrary. Gallic ARPA Americana.— The beautiful plate of the French Mulberry, Callicarpa Americana, which appeared in the Monthly last autumn, leads me to enquire whether any successful efforts have been made to cultivate this shrub in the north. The one common in gardens is Callicarpa purpurea ; and it is much prized for its lovely violet-purple berries in the autumn. Nurserymen tell us it is difficult to sell plants of it in the spring to those unacquainted with it. Like very many of the VerberiacecB , to which it belongs, it is of a half-shrubby char- acter, the shoots dying back one-half or more in winter, and the dead portion impresses a would-be purchaser unfavorably. But cut it down almost to the ground, and a beautiful shrub will result, which will be a grand sight when autumn comes. As already suggested, many shrubs in the same natural order behave in the same way. There come to mind the Vilex agnus-castus and Caryopteris Mastacanthus, both in the same order, and both behaving as the Callicarpa does, and requiring the same treatment. Prune all well in spring, and these shrubs will dis- appoint no one. J« M. TIHIE M/^RIS^T FLOWER