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CONTENTS OF REEL 142
1 ) The Philadelphia florist and horticultural journal, v. 1 , 1 852-1 853
MNS#PStSNPaAg142.1
2) The Florist and horticultural journal, v. 2, 1853
MNS#PStSNPaAg142.2
3) The Florist and horticultural journal, v. 3, 1854
MNS#PStSNPaAg142.3
4) The Florist and horticultural journal, v. 4, 1855
MNS#PStSNPaAg142.4
Title: The Philadelphia florist and horticultural journal,
V.1
Place of Publication: Philadelphia, Pa.
Copyright Date: 1852-1853
Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg142.1
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260 Philadelphia, [Pa. $bs.n.] $c1 852-1 853
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INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE
I
193560
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THE
AND
iciMroiii juiitti^iiL,
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Conducted by a Committeo of Practical Gardeners. R . ROBINSON SCOTT, Editor, No. 48
S. Third Street, above the Uirard Bank, up stair.-*.
Vol. I.]
Philadelphia, May, 1852.
[No. 1,
NATURAL SYSTEM OF BOTANY:
ITS SUPERIORITY.
ReRd at the Stated Meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, March 10.
The legitimate duty of any society being to take advantage of all
plans whereby the objects for which it has been founded may be aid-
ed or facilitated, I have taken the liberty to oflTer a few suggestive
remarks on the superiority of the natural system of classification in the
veo-etable kino-dom over the Linnaian or artificial. The opinion of
most persons is settled upon the matter, who are at all acquamted
with Botanical science ; and many who are encouraged to abandon
the old landmarks which the great Swede had set up, by men who
have tested the efficiency of each, and the high character and novelty
of this comparatively modern system— are at a loss to know why the
natural systems of Jussieu, or Decandolle, or Lindley, or Endlicher
are so much extolled as an infinitely superior means of acquiring a
knowledge of the mass of objects which comprise the vegetable crea-
tion—why the efforts and achievements of the venerated Linntpus
should be depreciated, or his scheme superseded, and his system which
first cast light upon the apparently confused mass of individuals which
comprise the Vegetable Kingdom, should, after so much service, be
cast aside to give place to what appears an intricate and difficult means
of obtaining the necessary information, viz : the technical name of a
plant. Could I, a working gardener, "unsifted in such perilous cir-
cumstance" as the disputes of scientific devotees, who know nothing )
of nature but from actual contact and observation, aided of course by 6
^a little reading and enquiry, could I open up to view the gratification u)
M^^>
„^j
sometimes the first efi'ect is to produce an accumulation of sap in a
certain branch, which is forced into the remaining buds and there
stored up against a future year. In ordinary cases it occurs that by
this means, short or bearing branches, or sjpurs are obtained in great
abundance. The cultivators of the Filbert (Corylus JJvellana,)
procure by this practice a greater abundance of bearing wood, than
nature unassisted would furnish. For as the hazel nut or Filbert is
always borne on the wood of the previous year, it is desirable that
every bush should have as much as could be obtained of that wood
(to this consideration all others are sacrificed ;) and such is readily
obtained by observing a continued system of shortening the young
branches of two-thirds, the effect of which is to force all the lower
buds into growth the successive year and thus each shoot of bearing
wood produce many others.
The effect produced upon one part by the abstraction of another
thus shown, is the development of buds, which would otherwise
have been dormant. This may be shown in many other ways ; thus
if all the fruit of a plant is taken off one year after its formation, the
fruit will be finer and more abundant the year following, which
naturally occurs when late frosts destroy our crops , if of many
flowers only one is left, that one fed by the nourishment intended for
all the others becomes so much the finer. And also of two unequal
branches, the stronger is shortened and stopped in its growth, the
other becomes stronger ; and this is one of the most useful effects
connected with pruning; because it enables a skilful cultivator to
equalize the growth of all parts of a tree and as has already been
stated is one of the most important consequences of the operation ;
for example, we may say that a seedling tree has a hundred buds to
support, and consequently the stem grows slowly and the plant is
stunted ; but being cut down so as to leave only two or three buds,
these push with great vigor and it becomes luxuriant. Nothing is
more strictly to be guarded against than the disposition that some
plants have to bleed, such as the vine and some climbers that are very
milky, &c. when pruned, to such an extent as to threaten them with
total exhaustion. It is also not unfrequent in fruit trees with gum-
my mucili ginous secretions, such as the plum, the peach and other
stoned-fruits. This property arises from the large size of the ves-
sels, which vessels are unable, when cut through, to unite suffici-
ently to close their apertures, and so long as the roots continue to
^ absorb their fluid contents from the soil so long will this emission
Stake place ; and if it is allowed to go on, the system of the plant
i^^V^.
om actual o!)servation of such as have
been under my charge. 1 think you can rely on the descriptions at
all events as Philadelphiun. J- ^'
.^pril lOM, 18r)'2.
1^' 0. 1 , Black )1 0 r 0 C C O — young wood reddish, smooth, foliage
rather large, dark green with lobes, these deeply serrated ; footstalks
long crinison colored. launch, large, rather loose. Berries large,
ova!, of a dark red or purple color, thick skin, sweet pleasant llavor,
large and hangs a long time on the vine — second rate.
No. 2— Black II am bur? — This well known grape scarcely
needs description, as it is the one commonly grown for a general
crop under glass, (in this country) being one of very best (if not the
best) either as regards a certainty of crop or llavor ; young wood
of a light green color, smooth. Foliage light green, broad, and
smooth ''on the upper side. Bunch, above medium si/.e, with short
shoulders. Berries good size, roundish, oval and deep purple when
^V ripened, but when the vine is burthened with too much fruit it never
^0 assumes that fine dark color so much admired, but has a reddish hue, O
Vand then become what is commonly known as the Red Hamburg. C»^^
d^CVO"-, ^^ ^-^
;
The Philu(l<^ll»l»i« Florist a- llorl: .lounuil.
Ji^'^
P
l\ .
'ft
//
f^b
color plate
intentional second exposure
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
1
I.
i
^^'''C
9
/C^ There nre doubtless a great many seedlings from this grape or sports w
'from vines in peculiarj soils and situations. These have had names '^^
y bestowed on them to please the fancy, and sometimes the vanity of
embryo cultivators or enthusiastic amateurs, but so near the present
that they do not merit the distinction. Such are the Red Hamburg,
HamptoxN Court Victoria, Frankenthal, or Frankendale, &c.,
&c.
Jl, Black Fcrrar — Young wood dark green, smooth, foliage,
lio-ht o-reen lobes not deep, irregular serrated ; foot stalks short and
rouo-h. Bunch loose, berries large, oval, black, thick skin, sweet
flavor, very similar to Black Morocco, No. 1.
1^0. 4 — Bishop — Young wood reddish, foliage dark green with
fine deep lobes, (botanically quinquefid or pentifid) deeply serrated ;
pubescent, (dark crimson) foot stalks. A very strong grower, (which
1 consider not worth cultivating,) bunch large loose ; berries reddish,
purple, large, oval, thick skinned, flesh fine, sweet, differs little from
Black Morocco, No. 1.
James Powell.
Philadelphia, April lOM, 1852.
The importance to amateurs and even practical gardeners of a
useful descriptive list of Foreign Grapes is so generally conceded,
that we cordially write observations upon Mr. Powell's list as it
appears. It will be continued in future numbers. — Ed.
The Patriarchs of Horticulture and Botany,
The tomb of Old Flanders' family of the Tradescants is dilapidated,
and the admirers of ancient Botanical spirit and enterprise intend re-
storing it. Who does not know Tradescantia, or spider plant, discolor
and T. Zebrina ( Why the latter is all about. I saw a plant of it
luxuriating in a window in Poplar street a few days ago, in the north-
east portion of the city. But more, the Tradescants introduced many
North American novelties to Britain before Bartram's day; even one
of the Hacamatai or Tacamahae, (Popuhts ulha,) and the Fox Grape
and Marvel of Peru, (4 o'clock.) Will not gardeners perpetuate
even in Britain, the glory of their order. Subscriptions will be re-
ceived by Sir W. Hooker, at Kew, for fhe above purpose. Alas, gar-
deners are poor men. Of John Bartram's memory we shall speak
again.
\P^ The Botanical name, Hactshish, about which there is some-
thing in the papers, is not properly spelled ; 'tis Cannabis Indica, not
Cannabris. The common Hemp of commerce is Cannabis sativa, a .
I plant of the natural ord. Urticacea of Linde, and of course partaking /
^'j of the strong diuretic properties of the common nettle, Urtica dioica. d^
<.1
I so much used as a vegetable in Ireland, and very medicinal. ^^)
3' 9-^1^
2
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [May
vJV ^<^<^^
NATURAL SCiENCK ''^
« Mothodum intdliso nature convenicntem ,
p W^ solicit communications from the farmers around us, statistical and
Vo-eneral, with plans of croppin-, and feeding, nature of soils m the
1
V.J
\
different districts of this state ; quality of the breed of cattle, 6cc.,
&c., in order to ^ive some idea of the actual state of Agriculture in
this'rountry. We shall be ready to answer any inquiry on the sub-
ject of Acrriculture to the best of our ability. In our next number
we shall furnish a few extracts from the report of the x\gricultural
Inspector, Ireland, for the years '50-51.
»■»■
INDICATIONS OF THE CREATOR IN THE VEGE-
TABLE KINGDOM.
In the great procession of the events of the moral universe, and the
sil-nt but'^not less beautiful sequence in th.' natu.al world, we are de-
termined by the constitutions of our minds to view all in the order of
cause and effect ; or at least of antecedent and consequi«nt, for some
deny the reality of cause altogether, admitting only the notion of tune
or succession in the relation of any two events. Whether there .s
any power in the antecedent to produce the consequent, is a metaphy-
sical question which is foreign to my present object. The notion of
cause is all but universal. In the simple curiosity of the child, and the
more enlightened reflections of the man; in the rude Indian, who hears
the voice of the Great Spirit in the deep-toned thunder, and the phi-
losopher who asks what power originated and sustains this great thea-
tre of our existence \ Whence comes this idea of causation \ Is it a
primary idea— the product of the universal reason, rising spontaneous-
ly in the mind of every child ! Or is it the result of intimations from
without, associated with the notions of time \ On the first hypothe-
sis the idea of a first cause is direct, intuitive, an indestructible fact,
or state of human nature. On the second, it is the result of reflections
upon the phenomena outside of the soul. It is the last analysis, the
cause of which all other causes are effects. If we do not accept the
first theory, our argument for a first cause must consist entirely of the
inference of cause from effect. If we do admit this theory that the
idea of a first cause is innate or primary, the argument from effect to
cause is by no means unnecessary, for it supports the other in a very
satisfactory manner.
In the arrangement of the external world, we observe the most per-
feet adaptation of means to ends. In this we see contrivance, and we
know nothing of contrivance but as the result of intelligence. Thus
comes the idea of a great intelligence, which may account for all
known phenomena. Now let us look at plants to see what indica-
' tions they afford of the great first cause. The position of the vegeta- ,
f^ble kingdom— its relations to the other departments of nature, affords^)
:#- .° -^tRfS#>
(^ very powerful evidence of a great, intelligent, designing Mind
, y' see the force of this point, we should endeavor to obtain enlarged, ^
/ comprehensive views of the universe. It is only by surveying the ^
parts separately, then by a higher effort of mind seeking to grasp the
whole, that we can arrive at those subtile, beautiful, e.ndless relations
which bind all things into one great whole, and forever stamp them
as the productions of one Great Mind. The chemical constitutions of
plants is tlie same as that of animals ; and indeed, all their elements
are found in inorganic nature. Then the form of the ultimate par-
ticles, of which plants and all matter is composed, is probably the
same. Now just conceive of the material universe reduced to these
homogeneous particles, all chaotic, motionless, clear. What but an
Infinite intelligence could lodge the rocks in their silent dwelling
place, build the mountains on their everlasting foundations — clothe
their naked limbs with garments of beauty j or send the ox to browse
at their feet, and the eagle to perch on their heads. The vegetable
kino-dom hcdds an intermediate position. There is inorganic matter
on the one hand, and the highest form of organization, the animal, on
the other. Now the inorganic is evidently to be regarded as a means
to something ulterior. Its office is to form a theatre and a sub-
stance, which by combination with the principle of life, curious
and beautiful orders of being are to be formed. But animals can-
not be formed directly from and sustained by matter in the inorganic
state. Their food must be organized. There then comes in the
agency of plants ; they stand in direct contact with inert matter, and
transform it into a state which animals can assimilate. Now it seems
unnecessary to point out the marks of design in this great arrange-
ment. They are sufficiently obvious. The globe was evidently in-
tended to sustain animal life, but this would be impossible without
the mediation of plants. In the order of creation, plants preceded an-
imals ; what but Infinite intelligence could see so far — determine and
arrange with such admirable precision. But leaving the boundaries
of the kingdom, we find numberless instances of the most consummate
skill within its own borders. For instance, in the structure of plants,
what can be more striking than the simplicity of the elements, and the
untold variety in the complicated results. A few little germs, differ-
ing but little in size and shape, constitute the elementary organs of all
plants. But their combinations how various and beautiful ! The root
that penetrates the earth, the stem that extends into the atmosphere —
the leaf that fans the element that surrounds it — the flower of every
imaginable color, the delicate stamens and pistils — and the seed, the
{ consummation of all. An architect can build houses of various forms,
< ; with the same bricks ; but how few are his variations in comparison ^
('• with the wonderful variety in the domain of Flora. How inferior his tf^
J
o,'
^rm
1\
Hi
14
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOPtlST.
[May
fefittin-s and joinings to the exact adaptations in the humblest plant- g^
^ how slilfand inele-ant the outlines of his works, compared with the ^
perfect symmetry in every plant. The position assumed by the plants >^^
of the embryo in germination, is one of the most convincing proofs of
skilful contrivance to be found in nature. Why does the radicle al-
ways seek the soil, and the plumula as invariably asc^^nd into the at-
mosphere'? Does gravity explain the phenomenal If it will account
for the downward direction of the root, how can it account for the
stem ascending into the atmosphere '? Shall we with some, place it
among the vitiil phen.mena of vegetation! What is that but saying
that the plant is so created, that its parts observe these respective di-
rections ; and what could so arrange this but Infinite wisdom and pow-
er] This fully accounts for the pht-nomena, and we know of nothing
else that can.
Again look at the functions of the leaves, observe their perfect
pneumatic structure, how nicely adapted to the various degrees of
heat, light and moisture, to winch they are exposed— when the sit-
uation is unfavorable to respiration, the leaves are fitted with this
epidermis, and large active stomates, but when the situation naturally
favors it, to too high a degrc^e, it is counteracted by a thick leathery
skin, and small sfomates. In the case of leaves growing under water,
the stomates are entirely absent. Why ] siu.ply because they could
be of no use there.
In the clothing of buds we find evidence of sti iking adaptations.
In trees natives of cold climates, the buds are formed during the sum-
mer, but they are not to be developed till the following spring.
These buds are of the highest importance for they contain the rudi-
ments of branches, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds ; they are very
tender, now how are they to be preserved during the severities of
winter 1 In this way nature has provided for them,— they are cover-
ed with scales adapted in number and thickness to the exposure of
different species. The arrangement and packing of these scales is so
perfect that art cannot imitate it. And this is not all, in some, as the
horse-chestnut the whole is covered with a coat of gum, which
forms a very powerful protection. The whole process of reproduc-
tion, offers many illustrations of the existence and care of the Creator.
Look at the end— the perfV-ction of the seed, observe it is indicated in
every part of the process. The stamens and pistils are placed near
each other, that the fertilising inHuence of the pollen may not be
thwarted, and they are both matured at the same time for the same
purpose. There is beautiful contrivance in the relative position of
these organs, they are long or short, erect or drooping, and all for
the one purpose of conveying the pollen to the ovules. ^
6 The constitution of the seed is one of the finest examples. The U^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
15
^> V. .'>■' — — sr
seed is composed of the germ, and of provision both for its preserva-*^j
tion and support in the first stages of growth. The embryo is one ofo^^
the most brittle and tender substances, "jet it is folded up in the most \
perfect security within the integuments and the albumen of the seed.
So great is the conservative power, that seeds have been known to
germ.inate, when more than a thousand years old. The preservative
power prevents both decay, and untimely germinations. Before the
germ can assume the active state, the preserving power must be over-
come, and when it is no longer needed for that y)urpose, it subserves
another not less important. Namely, the support of the young plant,
before it can live by its own proper functions. All this is effected in
the seed itself, which is a perfect laboratory.
I cannot close these remarks without noticing the large develop-
ment of beauty in plants, that ethereal presence which lends such a
charm to all material objects. Plants supply us with food, and this
indicates the goodness of God. But they minister to higher wants,
delighting the soul with their elegant forms, and their lovely colors.
Now this beauty which is so profusely lavished on the daughters of
Flora is far more than a rigid utilitarianism demands, and if we could
suppose mere mechanisms to be the result of chance, we must look
higher for the exquisite, artistic finish, which characterises all the
members of the vegetable kingdom. It is needless to specify cases —
the most important thing rs to view the subject from the right point.
Then is every fact we acquire, and every law we discover a testimo-
ny to the great doctrine we have been considering. Habit has so
familiarized us with these beautiful objects, that many of us forget
to bestow a thought upon them. We eat our bread, wear our linen,
and sail the ocean in our majestic ships — without a recollection of
the oTowth of the corn, the flax or the oak. Let us be more mindful
in the summer that is opening upon us. May we draw from the
study the consoling inference, that "If God so clothe the grass," He
will not forget us, his rational creatures. Thus shall we rise Irom
nature up to nature's God. J* M.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
There is "something" going on in the pages of the Horticulturist
about our society, and societies in general. Several dangerous look-
ing shells have exploded, but as yet no body seems to be much hurt.
The war has already lasted three months, and to all appearance, "the
end is not yet." Now, with every respect for the gentlemen engaged
in this controversy, I do not see that there is much to found a differ-
ence upon. One gentlemen, " a working gardener of Philadelphia,"
^'does not consider the society absolutely perfect, believes it might |
MQ^
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i
16 THE PIllT.A][)ELrHIA_FLORIST. ^^ [May
(Virve the cause of hortlciiUure far more than it does, and that someh)
; uh.as of his own would be advantageously adopted. In th>s opm.on , ,
" he probably does not stand alone, nor from his censnre could any \
society be Exempted. No society is perfect-there is always room
for improvements, and each individual member of such soc.et.es
would be worth Barnum's attention, had he not some LtUe ulea of
the superiority of his own ideas. But a society is not an md.vulual,
and .ome members must concede somHlnng in all deta.l matters. So
far I do not see that our society is such a vny scandalous affa.r. Me
considers that gardeners have no direct influence in the management
of the society. This must be a misconception If so, I do not see
that the society is to blame. No good gardener has, to my know-
led^e ever been refused admission to membership m the society ;
eveW detail, no matter how small, is laid before the members as-
semlded at each monthly meeting, the majority of whom are
gardeners generally, and by them adopted or rejected. If any mem-
ber, let him be a gardener or an amateur, or neither, have any
su-estions to make they are always attended to. Now .t seems to
meTthat if the arrangements of the schedule of premiums, are so
yery defective, and if such important improvements could be made
in it, the society would have been proud to receive them when the
schedule was proposed for adoption. It is neither fa.r jus , nor
generous to .it quietly by in a meeting, a'ssent (tac.tly to all that
™sses, and then come out with such a "did you ever!" before the
world. Is it fair to condemn the usefulness of the society because
plants " grown by the yard" are brought there X Does the society
Low the plants! Does the society colour the grapes 1. 1 rather
Luess " the society is better pleased with good specimens tnan with
ba'd ones. Let the " working gardener " bring his Chiswick grown
specimens there-it will be time enough then for the society to turn
out tlielean ones. Sam Slick tells us never to "«/3/ we can go
ahead but go." A clever fellow that same Sam-should like to see
a few'more of 'em. There are many things in the management of a
society which those who are not in its actual machinery deem ob-
iectionable, but yet would wear a very different aspect under other
circumstances. Now with regard to gardeners not being on the
committee-our friend considers this a great g^i'^""'^'^--'^'s « ^
matter of opinion. I, as a gardener, would rather be off them; I
have never felt more ill at ease than when I have been on committees
under which the inspection of my own things have fallen. So with
reorard to the designs-I have no doubt but that the majority of the
V members consider them most untasteful object. But a society mu.
^ be ptcuniarily as well zs scientifcally successful.and if the committee
^^ of management err in deeming the designs important to these ends.
^O
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
17
f^^they would no doubt be glad to act on a better when pointed out to
Cithern. Some novelty or some show with the mass of the public
/ seems to be necessary. Had not Mr. Cope's liberal contribution of
the Victoria, been a good substitute for the absence of the designs
usually there, I fear many of the citizens would have deemed the
exhibition a failure last year.
Thomas Meehan.
While our talented friend has changed the Venue in this cause, let
us hope that he has not drawn an old house about our ears while yet
in a state of helpless infancy, and still more anxiously let us hope
for an impartial verdict on the merits. — Ed. P. Fl.
A few species of native plants are in bloom. Of these we may
noie^^nemone thalictr hides, (Meadow rue like Anemone.) The
English name used for Anemone is wind flower ; a pleonasm which
weV no means admire or encourage. We shall do our best for
those simple speaking persons, who eschew pedagogism, as a French
friend of ours terms it. But we must preserve intact the fundamental
rules of technical science, which so much facilitate the study of na-
ture, and are so much valued by scientific minds. The technical
language of chemistry is justly esteemed one of the greatest achieve-
ments of the human mind.
Our small friends are waiting for their turn in the list— these nre
Droba verna, early whitlow grass, so common everywhere in cultivated
ground, with its minute size abundance of white and delicate flowers,
and curious siliquea or pouch. Linnseus's system merges in the
classification of the tribe, to which this plant belongs, into the natural
system, for he takes into account the structure of the seed-vessel, and
arrangement of the seeds. We shall explain this in the dissertation
promised on the several systems of Botany. We have yet Epigea
repens, a beautiful American plant, which will not be naturalized m
Britain— at least it is with difficulty kept alive there from its peculiar
habits, and the nature of its roots ; it luxuriates only on its native
soil, as nature intended it should. C alt ha palmtris has flowered al-
ready in the Jersey marshes ; this is the May-flower of Britain, which
the pent up citizens of their manufacturing towns collect when a
day of respite is allowed him at the approach of spring. All love
flowers if they knew it. We have yet Saxifraga rupestns in abun-
dance ; every one who walks into the country sees it ; and Claytoma
Virginica, and Symplo carpus faetidus or skunk cabbage-the roaches |
[ know this plant, I am told, by colored inhabitants of our vicinity, /
cl^who sell it for the discomfiture of this pest of housekeepers. Next^
(^^month we shall give more natives. ^)
^^
o^
.^fOSi?
o^
I
■^\
IS THE PHILADELPHIA FLOPJST.
TRANSACTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES.
[May
r *i f <
LiNN^AN, British, March 2d, Robert Brown, Esq., in the Chair. 1
A collection of specimens from the Herbarium of the kite Dr. feibth-
orp illustrative of his tour in Greece, and collected by him, were
presented by Dr. Daubenv. Mr. A. White exhibited specimens oi
the Eurostus vnlidus of Dallas, captured by I'ortune in ^oitliern
China Attention was directed to the fact, that although the insect
when dry was brown, when immersed in s| irits of wme, it presented
a beautiful green color. The importance of ascertaining the color
before death was enforced, as many im|)ortant characters are thusob-
tained which do not exist in the preserved specimens. A series o
drawino-s from the Misses Har-iet and Helena Scott were exhibited
to illustrate the Entomology of Australia, a work by their brother ; a
paper by Mr. Swainson accompanied these accurate and beautijul
drawing confined chielly to butterflies and mollis— many rare species
are found in Australia. A fruit of Araucaria Bidw.Uii, was present-
ed : this tree a congener of A. imbricata, the Chili Pine, attaining a
heicrht of 80 or 90 feet in its native locality, with huit as large as a
(common) man's head, and quite as hard no doubt. Dr. ihs. ihomp-
son elected a Ft'Wovf.— .I '>rn/gcd from London jjaper.
Entomological British, JVIarch, in our next.
British Hort. London, March 2nd, Sir C. Lemon Bart. M. P. in
the Chair.— Fellows elected. Lady D. Nevil and M. Sneyd, Esq. A
cuv\om Cynoches (Orchid,) was sent from Messrs. Kol isons ne^ to
crardeus, purchased at a sale; also from J. H. Schrceder s garden a col-
Section of orchids, Ca-logvne cristata, covered with bloom-, ^nsei ha,
^fricana, Dendrobium Heyneanum (white) best ever exhibited, £;n.
dendrum odoratissimum and Lycastc, high colored lar. Skmnern. A
Kniffhtian medal awarded. Messrs. Jackson, Nurserymen for J^fr/r^«.
ta sansuinea, (one of the arrow root family,) a Banksian Medal. This
is a South American plant, flowered for first time m England. Hayes
of Edmonton, sent two single fringed seedling Pnm^ula smensis Chi-
nese primrose; from Messrs. Veitch, a branch of Acacia dealbata cut
from a standard tree 20 feet high, at present in bloom at their Nur-
gerv— perfectly hardy tree S.E. of London. Messrs. Standish & No-
ble sent a new seedling. Rhododendron, in flower, named R. aha-
turn, and really pretty, only 0 inches high, forced, hardy »/ g'-o^vn o"^
doo^s— a Banksian Medal awarded. A Cyclamen from Mrs Atkins,
Painswick, Gloucestershire, a cross between Perdiam and Coum-a
certificate awarded. (There is such a var. in our vicinity. Ed.H.) A
certificate awarded ; a Kipley Queen Pine Apple weigh 3 b 3oz.
by Mr. Jones, gardener to Sir J. Guest, Bart. Bunches of black Ham-
birgh Grapes just ripened, from Mr. Mitchell Brighton; a certificate-
(outdoor temp, at this time about an average of 40- Fah Ed. Fl.—
New "yellow crowned" Seakale, from Mr. Prestoe gardener to E.
W. Blunt, Esq., Kempshall Park, The Nepal Berberry was by far
the most Remarkable plant furnished ; ashleaved BerberisJ\epaJen-
*i*, from London Hort. Society Garden, Chiswick, described from
Oatacamund in the Neilgherries found by Fortune. Cuttings of fruit ^
^ trees were distributed to Fellows of the Society ; some plants were ^
S furnished from the Society's garden.— /6. ^
i^9^> ^^'
1852.]
THE PniLADET.PHIA FLORIST.
■'^-^^t^^;
littrari] lepnrtmtnt.
Without a little enthusiasm, the woild would be at a stand still. — w. h. ».
Gardeners can read and write sometimes, and many know something
of the literature of the day. A few are good Botanists, Musicians,
Artists, i'oets. Entomologist?, and all are critics more or less. We
propose then to indulge in the taste for literature at the expense of the
mere practical gardener. Poetry and Flowers are closely connected.
Without flowers we should have had little tasteful poetry; without po-
etry who could paint the flowersi How many have deified the Rose
in verse — how many roses have the poets paintedl The Gorse, or as
the Highlander has it, the whin, or furze we are told, was almost wor-
shipped by Linnseus ; that is, he found in it another incentive to ador-
ation of the God of Nature. Oui fair readers, gentle and rosy-finger-
ed, I hope, will grace this department with their chaste effusions; if
not, we must appeal to the hard-handed mechanic, who in our need
has already aided us with the following :
fFf>r thp Phihulolphia Florist.]
The Lily, Rose, and Violet.
Who rjof's not love iho^p hoauti^ons flowers?
HwiH't ornium'Uls of NiiLuru'a bowers;
What eye so stoicn' i-an viow
Their dazzliny; white, ami rod, and blue,
And not think on tin* kindly powwra
Which gave to earth these heavenly flowers ?
I love all nature — from the trcBS
Which si>;h and moan with eveninjr's breexo,
To where the oak, wth mi-^hty crash.
Falls thaundi'rinn 'neatli tlic lijfhtnin^'s flash!
1 love the floods, and r>ck8, and rills —
The gloomy t^lens and sun-lit hills —
The sun, and gales, anv -^^^^^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
21
D^'
t ^kM nnit ISortiniltnral SoiirnaL
d
Philadelphia, May, 1852.
OUR APOLOGY.
For what 1 Not for being what we are : a number of plain
Philadelphia Gardeners, unaided by any friendly clique or influence
of notable patrons. Not for tr\ ing to be what we are not ; Authors
instead of Workingraen. Not for venturing upon our undertaking
without previously enlisted support, and trusting to the appreciation of
the community in which we live for our patronage and support. —
This would be to apologize for Philadelphia. Shall our apology
then be for Philadelphia 1 Philadelphia as wanting in interest in
Horticulture 1 Old Philadelphia, that boasted the first Green Houses
on the American Continent, whose Bartrams, more than one, were
among the first collectors of the world, and that was foremost, almost
without competition in the great work of introducing the floral natives
of the new to the old world, and naturalizing those of the old world
the new. Or is it the Philadelphia of the Horticultural Socety, still
substantially the only Horticultural Society of the Union that now
founded twenty-six years, goes on with every year increasing in means
and usefulness 1 Or Modern Philadelphia is it, the Philadelphia that
sends its bouquetstothe reigning belles of the whole Union ; that sup-
ports they say its 1500 Gardeners and 5000 Garden laborers,— of
whose florists one has over 20,000 square feet under glass; the city
that imports so many varieties of exotics every year, and that is
known to possess collections of rare and beautiful plants in value ex-
ceeding $200,000 % Or are we to mean the Philadelphia of the past
year, itself, that has seen the Victoria Regia blossom in glory— the
past year in which we discover that two of our fanciers alone
have paid the sum of $280 and $4-00 each, for exotics imported by
them from Europe and introduced to the United States for the first
time 1 Or the Philadelphia of the month in which we write, the
Philadelphia of April 15th; when, at an entertainment given by a
lady, one of the brightest ornaments of elegant and refined society,
her drawing-room conservatory presented the most admirable specta-
cle of at least eight thousand dollars worth of flowers in full and
perfect bloom. The foreigners who were there, admitted how few
Palaces in Europe could array that charming sight. No ! no, I'hila-
delphia may be slow in publishing and proclaiming her own merits ;
but she never has been deficient in zeal for Horticulture !
Still why should we not be content to keep our mouth-pieces at the
'^ North, where they say they are getting to do all the talking and writing
"U
■vi^^M
22
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
\
<>(
-.ivS''
--<-•.
[Mat
0\
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
23
i5 oHhe rest of the Union. Why not continue to depend upon them ; why '^^
^2 not specially patroni.e some such excellent periodical as Dowmng s c/
y HortLlturfst, or Hovey's Magazine X Because the -•f-''". ^
I Sects of the kingdom of Flora, persist in acknowledgmg geographical
differences and sectional distinctions. They require an o^S''" str.ct-
ly local, the exponent of their wants, that depend upon latdude and
longitude, and the peculiarities of climate and season. "Ihe Ho.ti-
culturist," is an excellent organ for the North Eiver Country-good
for the Gennessee Country, not far out of the way perhaps for Upper
Canada, even; but the season at Albany, where it is P»bl.shed 's
earlier and later by just one lunar month, than the season at Phila-
delphia, its indigenous Flora differs from our own: and the same
exotics either cannot be raised in the two places, or reqmres a totally
different climate treatment. And there is no Journal of .ts k.nd pub-
lished South of the Horticulturist ! Our Florist will be hterally alone
between Albany and New Orleans. Surely if the gentlemen Flonsis
of Northern cities can sustain their several Journals, those of Phila-
delphia can maintain one ! , , . , i„„i.
But we don't count merely upon the favor of the r.ch-we look
and hope for our chief patrons among those of like degree w.th our-
selves. Philadelphia has been called by two good names! Ihe
City of Mechanics, and ,he City of Flower Gardens. The first manu-
facturing city of the Union, her mechanics are mainly of the class
who are moral and intelligent, and who cherish the refinements as
part of the comforts of their homes. The City of Deep Lots-.t is by
reason of the many gardens attached to her long rows of even houses,
that our town plot spreads over an area of ground more than one
fourth.greater than the Metropolitan City of New \ork. And who
Bmon«r us does not know how many floral gems of beauty bloom in
Philadelphia South-side windows-how many choice fru.ts are ripen-
ed in humble Philadelphia back yards 1.
The Yards and Gardens, have no Organ. It does t/iem no earthly
sood to have at second-hand, the statistics of English noblemen's con-
servatories, or how Pines can be raised at less th.n a Guinea a pound !
We shall try to write for the yards and windows. We mv.te com-
munications of all kinds from the yards and windows We shall
never need to apologise for the short comings of the rich, so long as
we can insure a sufficient number of Yard and Window Patrons.
No, indeed, our apology is offered for nothing of the kind Our
apology is for the present number of the Florist, and the
circumstances of haste under which it is produced. The late
unusually inclement season has given rise to a general call from )
the Yards and Windows, for a Calendar of Operations for Amateurs^
at the commencement of the Spring Season. A particular desire was ^
U:m^ -^''*
~-<^<«
(^manifested too to have freely published the April Report of the Penn.J^j
Nj Horticultural Society, kindly placed at our disposal by Thomas P. c>
/ James, Esq., for whose kindness we have to acknowledge our especial \
oblip-ations. ^
An issue like our own has been long talked of; There seemed to
be a doubt among its best friends whether it would have any better
than a conversational existence. It was time to hazard something —
And so, Gentlemen, Ladies, Editors, Amateurs, Gardeners, and Mem-
bers of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Gardeners Union,
the Philadelphia Florist makes you its bow, promises to do its best
hereafter, and asks you kindly to acknowledge its first appearance.
We have a few words to say in answer to the members of the gar-
dening craft. They have asked many questions with regard to our
motives and plan of proceeding — who was to conduct this Journal —
who would support it 1 Talked of other failures of swindling pro-
jects practised upon them. These questions we had every reason
to suppose would be proposed ; we shall best reply to them by acts.
We thank them for their careful solicitude for our personal safety
and their own. To those who proposed no difficult and chilling en-
quiries, but went with us cordially, we tender our thanks, and respect
those close and calculating men no less, who form the ribwork of civil
society, by binding in certain form the swaying intellects of the san-
guine and enthusiastic. " Without a little enthusiasm," said a learn-
ed divine in our hearing, " the world would stand still ;" yet we ad-
mire those most whose enthusiasm in such an undertaking as the pre-
sent is manifested in something beyond mere words ; or do not the
very enthusiasts talk away their enthusiasm 1 We hope not. We
shall see. Our reasons for commencing a new speculation amongst so
many older and abler speculators are simply these. We do speculate
upon procuring circulation for another Journal devoted to the sublime
and beautiful, even in Philadelphia, a mercantile city, where money
and stocks rule the roast— where gardening, gardeners and gardens are
but called into requisition to trifle away a leisure hour, and Horticul-
ture and Botany terms not well understood— where it is supposed
the Philadelphia Florist and Horticultural Journal will prove
an ephemera or a nonentity, and its ardent originators and kind pro-
moters but idle dreamers. We speculate however on far different re-
sults—upon the discrimination of a scientific public ; upon the intel-
lectuality of Americans as representatives of true republican institu-
tions ; upon the good morals of the gardeners of this vicinity ; on the
refinement and skill of our citizens ; on their love of the beautiful in
.^ nature, for nature swells with beauty ; and on the passion for novelty,
(t) not least in the list of items which we have just run over.
fev ^^PQ^^
X
24
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
• .4
1
[May
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
?
Philadelphia is not a mere mercantile city, where the race for ri»
wealth is run by citizen and foreigner, which overturns or tramples ^
upon the divine and beautiful, moral and intellectual principles ^
of nature ; it is a city where these principles are cherished and appre-
ciated where Ihe artizan of enterprise appeals not in vain to the
millionaire, nor the gardener to the territorial proprietor, nor the clerk
to the merchant for aid and succor. And in these conclusions we
state facts as we find them in the Quaker City, as other immigrant
foreigners have found them.
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection.
Gardeners are generally much addicted to perambulation ; they
learn much in this way, more than being closely confined in their own
conservatory or truck patch or parterre. We wander much about.
We derive pleasure from the knowledge we gain in the small plant
houses of enterprising amateurs more than in the immense collections
of old cultivators.
General Patterson's houses contain at present some valuable speci-
mens of plants such as Illicium fioridanum, Polygala oppositifolia,
Tropoeolum canariense, Franciscea latifolia. Fine specimens of orange
trees bending with ripe and perfect fruit, and a variety of large and
showy specimens of more generally distributed phnts— Gardener^
Isaac Collins, Locust and Thirteenth streets.
James Dundas, Esq.— The plant houses of this distinguished ama-
teur of horticulture, always open to the lovers of the science, are
worthy a visit at this season. The eye fatigued with snow, and
frost, and rain, and mud, rests here on luxuriant vegetation in a state
approaching nature. The orchids hang in pendant spikes from de-
cayed vegetable matter, in the shape of rustic wood work, nine feet
in length, a spike of oncidium altissimum— or (tallest oncidium) wan-
ders amongst the frond of the Latania or Palm. The curious pitcher
plant with its well adapted operculum hangs from its block in humid
luxuriance, JV. Rafflesianum is the new species and may be s>een here,
and the little pitcher plants all around indicate the old gardener's
success in impregnation and cultivation. Mr. Bisset is your friend if
you are a friend to horticulture. He has also Fuchsia Chalmerii, Snow-
drop, Gay Lad, Chateaubriand and many others in full bloom. Also
Maxdlaria Grahamii, Oncidum CehoUetii, O.Jlexuosum, 0. Carthagi-
niensis and others in fine order. But our list would swell, and the
Magnolia out doors tells that all are not in the houses which are
worth notice. We shall call again before November. We have not
had time to stop at other places in the vicinity but shall do so at our
"i) first opportunity.
3iQ9b- -cPC^M
~"^C.
25
1852.]
^^^ ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN, GLASNEVIN, DUBLIN. -0
By the Curator's Report of this Garden, we learn that steps have V
been taken to cultivate the Victoria Regia there. A brick and cement |
tank, fifteen feet square, has been built at the end of one of the
houses. The sugar beet, so interesting as an economical crop to the
Irish proprietor, has been experimented upon in twelve different ways ;
prepared manures were applied, as well as turf mould — the former
experiments were intended as a test for the analysis of the roots, the
result will be reported Flowers and plants have been furnished from
the Garden to the Dublin School of Design. An economical museum
is wanted, as there is at Kew. *
\r^ Now Spring is upon you, gardeners, farmers, truckers, and all
others interested in the soil and weather. As a friend, we would ad-
vise you to be active, energetic, decided, and yet careful; those not
familiar with our climate must just gain experience as others have
done— by paying for it. Take heed, as Poor Richard says, that you
do not pay dearly for it. Our spring is i-hort, very short ; to-day, our
plants languish for sun and light and air— to-morrow, they wilt and
become parched by rapid and unusual evaporation. Watch plants
in pots, accustom them gradually to these sudden transitions of heat,
litrht, drought; and cold, shade and over moisture— the delicate leaves
cooked by the artificial heat, must be gradually restored to vigor and
health. Vegetables must be got in at once ; all small seeds, flowers
and others, must be sown as soon as possible. By our next appear-
ance we shall, I hope, have to congratulate the craft, on their release
from a spring, late and ungenial, to a pleasant summer— sursum
corda.
We have received many encouraging letters from friends, exiciting
us to carry oul our project, which we are determined to do at all haz-
ards, without however involving any risk. We have relinquished the
spade for the pen, but are well disposed to resume the former at any
time; indeed we shall always fraternize with our old friend. "I
never murmur at the lot which dooms me as the rich man's slave."
Our especial thanks are due to those contributors who went to work
for this number, and although a few were late, they will be early
next time.
Communications received from W. Sanders, Baltimore, John Mur-
ray Meadville, Pa.; F. Norton, New York ; F. W. Connor, Glasnevm,
Dublin; A. Campbell, do; Thos. Kirkpatrick, Esq. M. D., Dublm.
We shall give a few extracts in our next from these communications.
\p- A testimonial is preparing for C. Mcintosh, author of the Prac- /
.al Gardener and Book of the Garden, gardener to the Duke o(d
tical
Buccleuch, Dalkeith Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland.
G
^)
I
i
26 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [May
U^ m?*" We have to return thanks to Messrs. Scattergood & Howell, oj
for their attention in getting up the cut for our cover so hurriedly, and '(3
yet so tastefully. We knew Philadelphia was hard to beat. Our
friends can judge how much we erred in our calculations in this de-
partment. Mr. HofTy's lithograph is also creditable, and with the
finish put on by Messrs. Duval, and the coloring from the School of
Design, we congratulate our readers on the production of a really ori-
ginal affair.
\j[j^ The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has a few words to
say as to its claim to public support, and the value of such a society
cannot be overrated in a"community like ours; with a spacious Botan-
ic Garden, which Philadelphia must one day own, we should be toa^
aufait in Horticulture.
in?* All communications for publication with names of writers ap-
pended, to be addressed to the Editor, at 48 S. Third St., above
Girard Bank, up stairs — all plants for examination, or specimens for
determination, must be sent free of expense — all plants with leaves
flower, or fruit, will be named if possible, or any enquiry as to garden-
ing, botanical or agricultural matters replied to. Several communi-
cations too late for insertion, will appear next month.
\^y^ Of the Association of free and Independent Gardeners, we
could learn nothing officially, we waited anxiously, and still anxiously
watch for some indication of preparations for their Spring exhibition,
this is much wanted, and would, no doubt, be a successful project.
IJ7* We advise all our gardening friends to look out ! They may
see by a resolution passed unanimously at the last stated meeting of
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, that a Committee of Inspec-
tion is to visit all garden establishments within the influence of the
Society ; that is to say, if we comprehend aright, all members' estab-
lishments. Many amateurs love seclusion, science loves seclusion,
plants prefer, one would suppose, "to blush unseen, and w^aste their
sweetness on the desert air," however many amateurs wish to be re-
cognized as such ; and we trust the committee will meet with no un-
necessary obstacle, if their tour of inspection is to be productive of in-
formation or benefit, either to Horticulture or Gardening.
\j[/^ We claim to be excused for the report of the Penn. Hort. So-
ciety. We made it up from our memory more than from the official
report which has already appeared in the " Evening Bulletin."
[t7* For description of plate, see page 32.
\j[j^ The Botanical description, we must omit till our next.
ms)^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
Reported for the Philadelphia Florist.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
27
The stated meeting of this Society was held at their Hall, Lower
Saloon, Chinese Museum, on Tuesday evening, April 20th, 1852 —
W. D. Brip^ckle, M. D., V. P., in the Chair.
The display of flowers, plants, and vegetables was considerable,
taking into account the extreme severity of the past season, which is
not the least repentant of its severity ; the rain having continued with-
out any intermission duriiig the day. The turn out of zealous ama-
teurs proved the taste for horticulture evinced in our city and county.
Amongst the objects observed on the table, were a fine collection of
plants from the nursery of R. Buist, Rosedale, foreman, Wm. Mc-
intosh, consisting of Arbutus nepalensis — (Nepal, strawberry tree,)
a new plant with beautiful light colored flowers, edged with rosy pink
— much like the old Arhutus Andrachne^ but with lanceolate leaves.
A fine specimen plant of the new Campanula nobilis var. alba —
(stately white Bell flower), first time before the society. Also
Epacris hyacinthiflora, for the first time exhibited here. An Au-
ricula, whose appearance was quite refreshing to the florists of the
"old school," also attracted notice — it is named '''■Morning Star,''^ a
special premium of four dollars was recommended. Some fine and
distinct varieties of cinerarias, with a few neat Ericas^ or heaths
from the Cape of Good Hope — Erica brunioideSy E.pubescens major ^
and E. pubescens minor made up this select lot. From the garden of
C. Cope, Esq.; gardener, Thomas Meehan, we observed Passijlora
racemosa (racemed Passion vine), Manettia bicolor (two colored
Manettia), a large trained specimen of the scarlet Defiance Verbena.
Justicia Carnea (a large and showy specimen though an old and well
distributed plant, desirable for borders in summer, to be taken up and
housed in fall), seedling Cinerarias of merit, and specimens of the
double white, red, and fimbriated Primula sinensis (Chinese primrose),
Cuphea platycentra (broad crowned Cuphea). From the same con-
tributor were fine specimens of the showy Orchids (Nat. Ord. Or-
CHiDACE of Lindl.), Gongora maculata, G. picta^ Oncidium lancea-
numj 0. luridum^ J\Iaxillaria striata and other plants. The most
rare and interesting plant exhibited in this collection was Henfreya
scandens, a beautiful plant of the N. Ord : Schrophulariaceae or Fig
wort tribe, with dark green foliage and pure white trusses of ringent
or gaping tubular flowers, in habit so strikingly peculiar as to consti-
tute a most desirable plant for the recherche amateur ; but we must
soon close our admiratory observations or we shall get beyond all rea-
sonable limits. A seedling Rhododendron, a hybrid with the Chinese
^ Azalea, (Azalea sinensis) was produced by John Sherwood, greenM
28
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
:l
(^
^
D"
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
T^ house, Sch. Seventh and Market streets, which attracted the notice ^
(P of the curious in Hybridisation. ^
A well grown specimen of the desirable Pimclea spectahilis was an
object of special attention from R. Buist's houses.
A fine collection of Faissies, Heartsease, Johnny jumps — (et hoc
gemis omne of native terms) were shewn by James Powell, nursery
gardener, Francisviiie, Ridge Road — the first premium was awarded
him. A good selection was also furnished by R. Buist's foreman — to
which the second prize was adjudged.
A group of Roses in pots, of everblooming varieties was furnished
from the house of C. Sheetz, to which the first prize ivas awarded.
For a collection from Thos. Meghran a second premium.
Bouquets, for design of cut flowers — for the best Thos. Meehan.
Suitable for hand, premium to A. Burnett, gardener to Joseph Ripka.
Basket of cut flowers best to Thomas xVleehan.
In fruits there was no competition reported for the regular premi-
um set forth in the schedule : we observed however a basket of well
ripened strawberries deposited by Thomas Meehan, also a dish of
grapes from vines which had borne a crop last fall ; a dish of Bald-
win apples from C. Horton, Esq. Maine ; to each of these articles a
premium of $1 was recommended.
Another bloom of the Victoria was exhibited by C. Cope, Esq.
Vegetables for the best display which consisted of Lettuces in six
sorts, Radishes, French Beans, Early frame Peas, Asparagus, Parsley,
Cucumbers, &c., prize to Thomas Meghran, Gardener to R. Corneliua,
Esq. $2 was awarded for a dish of Peas, and a basket of Beans ;
also $1 for a plate of Mushrooms.
The Meeting having beer organized, the minutes of last meetings
read, and reports of the difl^erent Committees for the evening reported
and adopted. The Committee on the Portrait of the President was
called to report progress, which they did by stating that one of their
members being unable to attend, they requested indulgeace till a
future meeting, but stated that the Painting had been executed and
suspended in the Hall this evening — (which was regarded with no
small satisfaction by the many admirers of its original ; it seemed to
be suspended unfavorably as regards light ; we are not critics in these
matters however.
A resolution was brought up again which had been discussed at a
previous meeting, respecting a Committee of Inspection of the Gar-
dens around Philadelphia. The resolution being read is as follows:
Res^lved^ That a Committee of five be appointed to inspect all the j
Gardens, private and commercial in the neighborhood of this city. — /
^h That|the proprietors of surh gardens be requested to furnish said Com- e
(^' mittee with a true and cunect statement of tht'ir respective Establish- ^J
I
29
( ?j ments, enumerating extent of ground, quantity of glass, &c. &c., and J^J
^ any other desirable information. C/^
Resolved^ That said Committee be authorized to employ Amanuen- \
sis if required, and tnke such other measures as to present to this
Society on or before the Monthly Meeting in INovernber next, a full
report of all the Establishments aiound the City. Passed nem. con.
CALENDAR OF OrEllATIONS,
Written by Practical Gardeners, for the Philadelphia Florist,
APRIL AND MAY.
Oh, such a Spring after so severe a Winter! and preceded by sdch
a hot and parched and dry Summer ! Yet this is only as it should be.
The renovating frosts destroy the germs of disease and impurity,
cleanse and invigorate Nature after summer's drowsy heat.
The snow adds in its mysterious way to the fertility of the soil, pro-
bably as the special absorbent and conductor of ammonia, preserves
the herbage from cutting winds, and wraps the face of Nature in still-
ness while she sleeps. And now the heavy rains are falling to re-
plenish the springs, and streams and rivers, and irrigate the plains so
that, against the solstice next approaching, ''by the scent of water all
green things shall bud and blossom throughout the land." With this
effusion our contributor begins a little abruptly the
CALENDAR.
Shrubs, ornamental and ugly^ nust be trimmed and relieved of all
dead and unsightly branches and shoots. The extreme frost of the
last rude season, has left none too much to cut.
Roses, must now be finished ; all pruning must be got through with,
and the mind of the Gardener relieved of it for good. Vegetable
seeds are sown to some extent, such as Peas, Spinach, Parsnip, Carrot,
&c. Onions have been planted— go on sowing Peas at regular inter-
vals of two weeks ; a few rows at a time, to keep up a succession ol
this most desirable leguma. Beans also, as soon as is safe or advisable,
which must be left to the judgment of the weather-wise gardener ; sow
however, in regular succession when once commenced ; the honest
seedsman will tell vou the best sorts according to peculiar circum-
stances ; Cauliflowers or Chou-fleurs, are now being cut, and forming
heads in frames ; salading is in good order, where carefully tended
during the past winter.
Cabbages, are beginning to stir out of close quarters, as well as
many other prisoners who do not fraternise with Master Frost. But,
why do i write 1 all Cabbage gardeners know these things. (Our
correspondent writes for Amateurs,) Well, what they know does them
as little harm as what thev don't know— Strawberry plantations are
no doubt completed; we' shall watch this nice fruit, and learn all
i about it, and then try to teach what has been learnt— there are
\ many strange systems in our day ! . , . . .
9^ Potatoes, have got a cold wet bed to start in, this spring, we hope
pthey may not rot, especially those which cost four dollars per bushel.
tl
t»
THE PIIILAUELPHIA FLORIST.
[Mat
1852.]
ift Five kinds have been lately introduced, Kemps, Prince Regents, Fort}'
fold, Early frame, and American natives.
V) loiu, iLariy irame, anu rviueiican natives.
7 Beets, if not already sown, should be sown as soon as the state of
the soil will permit, at present it is charged with water and will be
unfit for operating upon for some time.
Rhubarti, is now tit for use at least those plants kept covered un-
der barrels and otherwise, will afford some stalks for early use.
Tomato. — This prince of the Vegetable Market is in the back
ground from the nature of the season, its time is coming ; small
plants are hardening ready to plant out when Spring shall say " I
have come!" Have your plants strong and hardy, and plant a few
out as soon as possible — keeping a number to follow in succession;
for extensive crops, they may be sown in the open border after May,
should the soil become sufficiently friable. Egg plants demand similar
treatment.
Celery — Should be up in frames and coming forwnrd to plant out,
they should be pricked out, as we term it, as the latter part of July
is quite time enough to plant out for a general crop. The summer
drought is too great for this peculiar and succulent vegetable. Good
Celery is one of the most valuable crops the Gardener can have ; good
stalks sell for eight cents each when scarce. Many plans are had re-
course to for keeping the plants shady and moist. We shall give some
of them in our next.
Salsafy, or Vegetable Oyster, should be sown as soon as possible in
deep free-soil as it strikes its roots deep — take pains in thinning early.
All seeds, almost, should be sown on the approach of dry weather.
PLANT HOUSES— Green Houses— .^zt/Zeas.— Repot all those
t/iut require ?V, which should, in fact, be done at once with all
plants in ])ots, those which have been forced w'ill require hardenin9V--
■d^^i
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[May
(9
[Plate 1.]
DICENTRA (DIELYTKA) SPECTABILIS.
JAPAN DICE NTRA.
JsCaturalOrd — Fumariacrce Juss ;
Class Diadel/jhin Linn ; Ord. Hexandria.
Synonymes. — Uielytra spectabilis Bork. Hook from J)is Jwo ehjtron a
spur. Dielytra De Ci'ind, Prod — Vol. l^i". 12G. Fumaiia spectabilis —
Linn: Cysticapnos spectabilis —Corydalis spectabilis — Pers.
POP. DESCRIPTION.
Herbaceous Perennial, from China and Japan, flowered first time in
the vicinity of Philadolphia, during the past Winter, imported by a
Nurseryman of the citv, from London, where it flowered inthe winter of
1848 at Messrs. Knight and Perry's, Kinor's Road, Chelsea; introduced
previously to the Garden of the London Horticultural Society's Gar-
den at, Chiswick, by Mr. Fortune, who observed it in the Fairy Gar-
dens of the Mandarins, about Chusan, where it is much cared for and
called by them, the Red and White Moutan Flower, in their vernacu-
lar Hong-pak-moutan-wba— closely allied to the pfeonia — the
plant, now past bloom, having been forced, may be seen at the Con-
servatory of Jas. Dundas, Esq.
Cultivation. — ^For forcing requires a 4 or 6 inch pot with rich soil
loam and leaf mould, with a little sand — moderate heat in December
and January— will flower in February and March— in open ground in
May. Not yet proved to be hardy in Britain, but must prove so inthe
vicinity of Philadelphia ; as is, its companion Wei^dia rosea, in-
troduced from the same locality by the same collector, and which,
with Forsythia viridisnima^ has proved a desirable object, for the Con-
servatory in early Spring, and even throughout the Winter when
judiciously managed. We shall have its capability of enduring frosts
tested at the first opportunity. It proves a most desirable plant for rooms,
and may be easily taken care of by allowing the roots to dry off", after
flowering as we do some of the Pceonias, so well known. The roots
will continue dormant until at a proper season they may be again ex-
cited by heat,fresh soil and water-a Russian Botanist first introduced it to
the notice of the Great Linnaeus, probably by forwarding a dried spe-
cimen.
Loudon's Tomb at Kensal Green. — P. MacKenzie, in the London G.
Chronicle, complains that Loudon's Tomb is concealed in Kensal
Green Cemetery, or at least not prominent. Why should we com-
plain that the mortal remains of the illustrious are hidden — 'tis well
that they are. If they have been illustrious as human benefactors,
their memory lives in the recollection of the good and wise. What
good man cares to have his tomb gazed upon by idle cockneys, Lun-
chers, as they term them at Kew— seekers after the showy and glar-
I ing things of this vain world. However, every one to his taste.
mi^p^^.
.^tfCiS^
■^Gcsm
THE
1 wmLmmmik wmEm
AND
HOETICULTIIEIL JOllRlil,
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Conducted by a Committee of Practical Gardeners. R . R OBINSON SCOTT, Editor, No. 48
S. Third Street, above the Girard Bank, up stairs.
Vol. I.]
Philadelphia, June, 1852.
[No. 2.
ACCLIMATISATION OF PLANTS.
BY THE EDITOR.
Having emerged from a winter unusually rigorous, we look around
for the favorites to which we bade adieu last fall, in the hope of meet-
ing them again, re-invigorated by spring's genial showers and sunny
beams. Alas ! how many have been arrested in the path by scourg-
ino- frosts and decomposing rains 1 And what are those which have
so perished — are they not the pampered offspring of tropical fields, the
nurslings of the conservatory, from whose hospitable roof they were
excluded for want of space, and left to herd with the more hardy deni-
zens of our colder climate 1 They are. T^ey are the natives of soils
warmed by the same sun, but in different latitude and longitude— the
indigenous plants of countries possessing a different thermomelrical
range from our own ; perhaps luxuriating at a greater or less eleva-
tion, fed by warmer or colder rains in the summer, and cheered by
stronger or weaker beams from the sun in winter; sheltered, perchance,
in winter by deeper and more constant snow, and dried in summer by
periodical winds, peculiar in their character and effect. How can we
marvel that such things are—'' Can such things be, and overcome us
like a summer's cloud 1"— they can be, and are so fixed, and we must
bend to this disposition of things without a murmur. Let it not be
supposed that because some successful and enterprising gardener has
raised the stately Cedar of Lebanon away from its cherished hills and
loved streams, and transported from the region where the Great Teach-
er trod, the Paliurus aculeatus, emblem of his sufferings ; or brought
from Asia Minor the Chamcerops humilis, which is known only as an I
4) indigenous plant along the shores of the xMediterranean, and planted p'^
/Viit in the rock-work of temperate and humid Ireland ; or coaxed the^]
.^tfO^M
o
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[June
(^Calla mthiopica, now Kichardla (sthiopica or Egyptian Lily, into the ^,J
^ ponds in the southern portion of that country, to vary with its tropical cf^
/ aspect the monotony of the surface, clothed with J^ymphcEa and >
Kuphar, and Typha a?igustifolia, and many other pretty aquatic plants,
— let not the daring Horticulturist suppose that there is no limit set to
human skill and ingenuity, when in close competition with nature;
there are decidedly limits set which must endure with time — insur-
mountable obstacles to the generalization of the vegetation of the
world. And looking at this matter in the most familiar light, apart
from any question of Divine wisdom or Supreme skill in the arrange-
ment of nature's scheme, must not the propriety of such a law be evi-
dent to the most casual observer, when he considers the love of change
which characterizes the human mind— the love of variety even in
the individuals of his own species. Man loves variety in form and
coloring, and taste and smell ; looks in new districts for objects unfa-
miliar to him, because he knows they are to be met with. Were such
absent, he would return to his former locality or place of abode dis-
concerted, disappointed ; his desires conform to the natural arrange-
ments of nature — the arrangements of nature square with his moderate
desires ; he looks in the country for green fields— they are there ; in
woods for foliage nnd shade— it is there; in the streams for minute
specimens of vegetable and animal life— they are there. He does not
look for the whale on the mountain side, or for the Arabian steed
bounding through the deep, no more than he would look for Finns
sylvestris in the meadow lands of the south of France, or the ^rau-
carta imbricata on the sandy plains of New Jersey ; or the Vanilla
plant hanging on the bark of our Pennsylvania oak ; or the Acacia pu-
bescens growing by the side of the sweet shrub (Calycanthus.) We
have hinted what we do not expect to see according to the natural re-
gulations which govern climate. We have now to enumerate what sur-
prising results have ensued from skill and ingenuity directed to the
acclimatisation of the plants of one country in another — the desire
to vary the landscape, to refresh the eye by throwing in new forms, to
break the monotony of the long rows of trees ol similar outline and cha-
racter. The foreigner who visits this country is struck (especially if he
comes from Britain) with the aspect of nature in our forest trees ; he
sees whole lines of beautiful cedars, still left as they have been plant-
ed by nature, unsurrounded by any brushwood or bramble; his old
friend, the Hawthorn {Craiagus oxyacantha) is almost wholly absent
as a hedge-row ; the Gorse or furze, which in some districts in Britain
is the prevailing feature in the fences, is not at all seen in this char-
l acter. The evergreen privet (Ligustrum vulgare) not at all common,
Q3 and nothing will after a time be seen but Osage, Osage, Osage! with ,
(^Mts dark shining foliage and spiny branches after age has matured it. ^
§. .19 V ^^^^^
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
35
9
Tw We saw a large plant of the Madura once against a wall, and formed
pa very different opinion of it to what we now entertain. There it was c
/ a foreio-ner, a nursling, and commanded respect — an inhabitant of the
' great receptacle which the garden of Kew forms for the natives of all
countries and climes. The Paper Mulberry, too, was there, (perhaps
the multicaulis so well known to speculators) as a beautiful and showy
arborescent shrub, with its multiplicity of forms in foliage, it being a
common practice to puzzle the greenhorn by challenging him to find
two leaves identical in their lobes. We had there also the Forsythia
viridissima planted against a wall exposed to the south, and it aston-
ished us one morning with its fine yellow bloom and naked branches,
being alone, almost without a Chinaman or a label to tell its name.
Fortune was but one mile distant, so that its identity as one of his pro-
teges was soon discovered.
We had also as an acclimated inhabitant, Weigelia rosea, Crypto-
meria Japonica, Jlcacia JuliWissln, Eucalyptus pulverulentus perfoli-
atus, and many other New Holland plants, Ericas from the south of Eu-
rope, and Rhododendrons and Azaleas from the Himalaya, and Nepal
plants without number, and North American grapes, and Ampelop-
sis hederacea, and other species; and Ph\tolaccadodecandria, or poke
weed ; these all flourished there, or, as they term it, were acclimated.
How far their idea of acclimatisation goes we cannot say ; we do not
believe they were acclimated. In fact, we do not much believe in ac-
climating plants at all ; but we shall give more facts next month, and
allovv' our readers to judge for themselves.
NATURAL SCIENCE.
*< The rnan who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before,"
A,C. CoBHET.
Agrif Ultlir:', The science by which we are supported— the science
that" teaches man how to use the gifts of God— which affords nutri-
ment and aliment to all created beings, without the aid of which we
should be no better than the Nomadic hordes of South America or Af-
rica. The farmer is rather low in spirits, although his carefully stored
potatoes realise $1 and {^1.25 per bushel, and other provisions in pro-
portion; beef $12 per cwt., vegetables as parsnips, carrots, &c., almost
any price. The housekeeper, ignorant or unmindful of natural con-
sequences, exclaims against the farmer or dealer, and he wonders at
the want of sympathy displayed towards him— his operations are back-
ward, he is burned with work to be done ; he hates to come to mar-
ket, yet money must be had. His soil, if clayey, is not yet in perfect
working order ; his potatoes, if early planted, likely to rot, if not al-
ready rottino-; his small seeds not yet vegetating on the Hlh ol May,^
land his family not diminishing in number ; but the cheerful mind doesC^)
''>Oo-
^x^*i
36 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.-
t
\
[June
(^ not;fear — he goes to work spiritedly, reduces his lumpy soil to minute j;^j
'o and convenient particles, or, as we term it, to a proper ti/th, sows his c^
seeds with the full assurance of a fair return — for the Fall will return
as it always has done, full of fruits, from Ceres and Pomona.
The reading and improving farmer does not bury his corn as he gets
it off the cob ; he prepares it by immersion in some medium which
hastens its germination and preserves it from attacks of insects. He
has read in the various agricultural works what these preparations
are, how applied, and where procurable; he adds to his corn hills a
portion of active artificial and concentrated manure, endeavors to plant
immediately before rain, so that the strong compost by aid of moisture
will produce the most beneficial result. And he hopes to be repaid
for all his extra trouble and expense by an extra crop, and will have
no reason to blame Liebig, or Johnston, or Skinner, or Mapes for so
advising him — for Mapes has analyzed his soil at a cost of .f?5, and
discovered that some necessary ingredient was wanting, perhaps chlo-
ride of sodium or common salt ; he has at his suggestion supplied it.
Perhaps there was a deficiency of silica to invigorate the stem, and
marl has been added ; perhaps phosphates were in small quantity, and
guano or bone dust has been laid on in quantity and at a cost, but he
hopes to be repaid, and he has faith in scientific agriculture — he will
not be disappointed.
To the Editor of the Florist.
STATISTICS OF HORTICULTURE.
BY DUNS SCOTUS. CONTINUED.
It was about that period that the Horticultural Society changed its
time of meeting to moonlight nights, to suit the convenience of its
country and suburban members. Amongst the country seats enume-
rated I should have mentioned Thompson's and Sims', the former now
occupied by the venerable J. Longstreth, and the latter is known as
Laurel Hill Cemetery. Of the gardeners and nurserymen then cele-
brated, very few remain to see the now giant progress of the art;
there are, we believe, but six of those veteran gardeners, now silvered
with age, who then took an active part in Horticultural affairs; their
names are worthy of record in your journal — these are Col. Carr, of
the Bartram Garden ; Mr. Esher, market gardener. Ridge Koad, now
retired in comfort ; Mr. A. D'Arras, Nicetown ; Mr. Maupay, Rising
Sun ; Mr. Bauman, Germantown, and Mr. Graham, of Blockley. —
Pratt's country seat (Lemon Hill) was then in its glory, with its mar-
\ ble fountains, grottos and fish ponds, splendid collections of plants, /
vp kitchen garden, flower gardens and plpasure grounds, with beautifully c^
fijkept walks miles in length. Visiters were only admitted by tickets/^J
i
* ■ *
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
"^^o.
37
:-^^.C.<»
je.'^
rA
CI %~> -~r ^ ' -^ r J\
fe which were furnished gratuitously by the spirited proprietor to all re- X)
g>^ spectable applicants. The fine specimens of orange and lemon trees c..
7 were nearly equal to those of the Tuileries. The best private col- \
lection of Camellias was then at Clapier's, and consisted of about a
dozen miserable specimens; compared with the forests of those plants
now cultivated like willows, they would present a striking contrast.
The Geraniums of those days embraced about eight sorts, ^yard longs ;
the monthly, daily, and tea roses numbered four kinds— Pink Daily,
Hamilton Monthly, Sanguinea and Tea Rose. The cluster monthly
sorts, now Noisettes, were Champney, White Cluster, and Landreth's
Carmine. The Azalea and Rhododendron had just then made their
appearance, and were introduced we believe by Hibbert. Landreth's
Nursery had the finest collection of Camellias and Hyacinths, and if
we mistake not, the famed Camellia Jacksonii or Landrethii then made
its debut.
Now sir, having given you these outlines, you and your readers can
complete the figure, and compare it with the year of 1852, the epoch
of the " Philadelphia Florist and Horticultural Journal." I cannot
close without one word about the first Horticultural periodical in the
United States, started in Baltimore say twenty-two years ago. It was
$5 subscription per year, to be issued monthly, with one colored plate.
It ceased with the first number, which had a miserable daub, intended
to represent an Orchid in it, and cost me a V per Dickehut its Editor.
We opine brighter and longer days for the " Florist."
[to be co.ntinued.]
FOREIGN GRAPES.
DESCRIPTIVE LIST.
Prepared for the Philadelphia Florist, by James Powell.
No. §. Charlesworlh Tokay.-Young wood green, foliage dark green,
broad in proportion to length, deeply lobed, irregularly serrated ; foot-
stalks long, tinged with red ; bunches compact ; berries oval, yellow-
ish white, skin thick ; an excellent grape, with Muscat flavor.
NO. 6. Chasselas Red.-Young wood green, changing to a blueish hue
before ripening ; foliage thin in comparison to others ; pendulous with
deep lobes, underside red ; petiole or leaf stalk short ; bunches large,
berries round medium size, thinly set on ; bunch red when fully ripe,
and well colored ; flavor very sweet and pleasant.
NO. 7. Chassflas Golden.-Young wood green and smooth ; foliage dark /
green with a light purplish tinge on the under side ; lobes not deep,^
ibluntly serrated ; petiole long, pendulous ; bunch large, well-shoulder- (^)
^^^Cl€j«?
'"iOo
■j--
^»;j
"^ slightly smoky ; a sweet and excellent grape, and a good bearer.
No. 8. Dff'ins Superb.— Young wood light green, changing to a red-
dish brown on the exposed side; foliage dark green, slightly lobed, of-
ten almost entire, broadly serrated, recurved ; a robust grower; bunches
shape of the Black Hamburg, (No. 1.) berries large, often 3in. in cir-
cumference, round ; color light amber, of a sweet and pleasant flavor;
a grape well worthy of cultivation.
No. 9. De la rakstillf.— Young wood reddish ; foliage light green,
pubescent on the underside ; tive-lobed, lobes deep, deeply serrated ;
petioles long, brownish, pubescent ; bunches large, often twenty or
thirty inches in length with very long shoulders ; berries rather small
oval, with a rather thick skin, and firm flesh of a dull yellowish color,
speckled with brown spots on the exposed side ; flavor sweet and plea-
sant ; rather late, shy in setting its fruit.
No. 10. DnreltO.— Young wood light green ; foliage large, deeply lobed,
broadly serrated, very downy on the underside ; petiole long, thick,
with a red tinge ; bunch long loose, shoulders long; berries long oval,
medium size — a stron^: grower.
'c o"
No. 11. Esperion.— Young wood red ; foliage dark green, with five
deep lobes, broad and irregularly serrated ; petioles long red. The
leaves chansre to an orange hue before falUng ; bunches medium size,
well shouldered; berries varying in form, of a deep purple color in-
clining to black, not high flavored but pleasant; a very prolific and
hardy grape, known by the following synonymes : — Blue Windsor^
Turner'' s Blacky Cumberland Lodge.
No, 12. Eschalot. — Young wood reddish green, smooth ; foliage dark
green, with five deep lobes, deeply serrated; petioles long and smooth,
tinged with red.
NOTES ON GRAPE CULTURE.
BY %VM. SANDERS, OF BALTIMORE.
The culture of foreign grapes under glass, without the aid of arti-
ficial heat, is a subject gradually rising in importance, and one par-
ticularly worthy the attention of every person possessing opportuni-
ties for its adoption. That the finest grapes can be produced in their
greatest perfection in cold structures has been fully demonstrated.
Even in greenhouses, with a border prepared outside for the roots,
a yearly production of a crop of this delicious fruit may be easily
cV) secured, provided arrangements be made for the withdrawal of the
(•-^ vines during the winter season. The following'notes on the practical
\
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
39
(^management of a grapery may serve as a reference to the uninitiated, i*;J
)p and show the facility with which fruit is cultivated in the Midland c^
/ States. ^
The vines were planted in April 1850, the majority were two
year old plants headed down to one eye; a single cane was produced
from each, which, although stopped twice during the season reached
the top of the rafters, 19 feet in length. In November they were
pruned down to lengths of 8 and JO feet and laid horizontally along
the bottom of the front lights ; the house was kept open except in
severe weather.
About the end of March 1851, the buds commenced to expand and
show symptoms of growth; they were allowed to remain in a hori-
zontal position until all the buds were equally started f.om the top to
bottom. On the 19th April they were all tied up to rafters, very
regularly broke and showing plenty of fruit ; had occasional syring-
ings with soft water on mild evenings.
April 29th, commenced tying the young shoots to trellis, all those
intended to bear fruit were stopped (that is, the ends pinched out) at
the second joint beyond the young bunch ; picked ofl* all the fruit
bunches from balance of shoots, but were not stopped at present.
May lOth. All the laterals that were forced into growth on the
shoots stopped 29th April were taken out, except the leading one,
which was not disturbed. The whole of the non-bearing shoots
were cut back to within four joints of the main stem.
May Uth. Up to this period they have been regularly aired dur-
ing the day, and closed at night, except on a few mild evenings, when
a *^mall portion of air was allowed all night. All the top-sashes
were now lowered about 18 inches, and remained down day and
night during the rest of the season.
19M. Tied up all that required it, and again stopped the bearing
shoots, taking them ofl' at one joint above where they were stopped
on 29th April ; the non-bearing shoots were divested of all laterals
save the leading points. A humid atmosphere maintained by sprink-
lincr the house with water twice a day, and the vines watered with a
syringe every evening.
Uth, Growing luxuriantly. Black HAMnuRc, Royal Muscadine,
EsPERioNE, and z'infindal vines in full flower. All in flower before
the end of the month.
June 2nd. The leading shoot of the main stem has, so far, been
allowed to extend, it was now checked by breaking of the point, at
the same time cleared away all side shoots, except a few at point to
carry up the sap, stopped leading points of non-bearing shoots left
3 18th May ; berries swelling.
) 5th. Observed appearance of mildew. A few of the front sashesU
^^5^>^
40 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^ have been regularly opened during warm days, and shut in coia ^j
'^'^ nights, or during rustling winds. 1 now perceived that the mildew c^^
w^B confined to those grapes contiguous to the sashes operated upon,
which for convenience were always the same, while those farther
removed were perfectly exempt. Being aware that this mildew is
caused by arid air acting upon the tender tissue of the fruit, I deter-
mined to keep the front lights close in future, and by way of com-
promise, lowered the top sashes a little more, so that there was an
opening of at least 2 feet all along the top of the house. Have pre-
viously arrested mildew on grapes by dusting them with sulphur ; re-
solved to defer its application in this case, until further observation
proved the increase of the evil. In the meantime kept the atmos-
phere moist by liberal use of water on the floor.
12M. Commenced thinning out the berries, mildew appears to be
arrested, the berries that have been attacked swelling as freely to all
appearance as the others. Cut out all the laterals left on leading
shoot on the 2nd, leaving the top one to run up the rafter, pinched
the points of all other shoots on the vines. The bunches now elab-
orate a large amount of sap therefore, there is less danger of burst-
ing the eyes for next year's crop by close stopping.
°i9th. Finished thinning the bunches, berries swelling finely, those
mildewed swelling unequally, but no appearance of spreading. The
foliage has not been syringed since the vines were in flower ; but
plenty ot water used on the floor, and the roots soaked twice a week
with rain water.
Ju/y Ut. Weather hot and dry, stopped leading shoots. They
have now advanced to ihe length desired for next year's fruiting, all
growth made in extension after this will be removed in the wintei
pruning. From scarcity of water the house is rather too dry.
1th. Weather still parching. The floor slightly sprinkled with
water daily, vines still growing luxuriantly j but »how symptoms of
deficient nourisliment at root.
1 Itk. Rain, partly filled tanks ; watered each plant thoroughly.
19M. On account of the recent dry weather, the vines have not
extended much in growth. Royal Muscadine showing symptoms of
ripening. Mildewed berries turning brown and hard. Black Ham-
burg, Muscat of Alexandria, and Zinfindal seem more susceptible
of mildew than the others ; some of the berries changing color.
28M. Pinched the top out of every growing shoot on the plants.
Cut bunch of Royal Muscadine fully ripe. Black Hamburgh
coloring.
August \2th. Zinfindal ripe.
llth. White Gascoigne.
f^>, 2lth. Black Hamburgh.
^ 28M. Muscat of Alexandria.
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
41
y^ There were various other sorts in the house which ripened well,''®
<-/ and all cut before the end of September. The vines were then care-
fully gone over, and the leading shoot deprived of all growth made
since July 1st. All the others were shortened back to where they
were cut on the lOth May. The border received no more water, and
the wood ripened well ; buds for next year's crop swelled up, full and
prominent, and equally so all over the plants. Herein lies the great
desideratum in pruning. Much might be said on this subject. It is
not my intention at present to enter physiologically upon the ques-
tion. Common sense, however, points to the fact, that the proper
time to prune plants, is while they are growing.
What advantage is gained by allowing a grape vine to make a
large quantity of shoots in summer, and pruning the whole down to
a walking stick in winter? There is certainly some care and experi-
ence required in regulating the summer's growth, so as to concentrate
as much strength as possible into the buds for next year's crop, with-
out causing them to break into leaf. I have endeavored in the fore-
going remarks to show the practical method of securing this desidera-
tum by a series of partial checks during the growth of the plant.
With regard to the appearance of the grapes when fully ripe, the
coloring was most perfect. White Frontignans, Royal Muscadine,
and Muscats had that beautiful amber hue so characteristic of per-
fect development and superior flavor. The Hamburghs, Tripoli, &c.
were of a glossy black. There is no danger of growing black grapes
red, under our bright sun, if properly ventilated. I never moved a
sash after closing the front lights on :the 5th of June, until the end
of August when the front sashes were again thrown open.
We are greatly indebted to Mr. Sanders for this extract from his
journal. AH scientific gardeners we hope keep such a diary of
their operations; if so, we shall be quite at ease with regard to prac-
tical matter to lay before the Headers of this journal. If any scien-
tific gardener omits to chronicle his difliculties and successes, he should
at once correct his oversight, and after having procured a convenient
pocket diary, set himself down after dinner or supper, before he
smokes, to note the occurrences of the day. We shall reserve a
column for future extracts from Mr. Sanders' intelligent and useful
diary. A great many terms are used by gardeners in describing their
routine of culture, which we shall take care to explain: such as
stopping of shoots, breaking of buds, mulching of plants and pots,
starting of buds. Mr. S. attends to this very properly himself. We
^ direct particular attention to his obseivations on mildew ; they are
practical and judicious.
mi
6
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
1:"
."I
;» i
\^^^
THE EPACRIS.
[June
7)
er
A horticultural writer lately demanded of the " Working Garden- ^
" in the " Horticulturist," where were the Epacris X We shall
shew him in a few weeks, if he visit the Chinese Museum. We have
in this vicinity grandiflora, paludosa, miniata, hyacinthiflora, and many
others. We copy the following from an English paper :
" The Epacris. — It is many years since we first became acquainted
with Epacris granJijlora—d. good and useful plant, but one that has
suffered much ill-treatment from early cultivators, for its powers of en-
durance are great. Any plant approaching what we would now call
a specimen, was sure to be rusty in the foliage and dead at the points
of the shoots. What a contrast to the noble bushes of it which of
Jate years have been exhibited, clothed profusely with both foliage
and bloom.
Epacris miniata, being comparatively of late introduction, Tias es-
caped much of the bad treatment to which grandiflora was subjected.
It is deservedly held in high estimation by plant growers, and is to be
seen frequently in great perfection in many collections at our great
exhibitions.
Epacris pungms, and pulchella, of late years have fallen into dis-
repute, owing to their not flowering seasonably for the shows; never-
theless they are still worthy of a place in the greenhouse. I have a
vivid recollection of the beautiful specimens of these plants, which
were at one time exhibited by Mr. Green, at 21 Regent street. They
were tall, many-stemmed, with gracefully drooping branchlets, cloth-
ed with wreaths of flowers.
Epacris impressa, together with campanulata, alba, rosea, rubra,
grandiflora, and olher varieties, are very desirable plants for floral dis-
play, during the winter months. Indeed, to ladies and gentlemen
who have only a green-house, they are indispensable ; they are of
easy culture, simply requiring during winter all the light that can be
given them by day, and protection from frost at night. The soil best
adapl>'d for their growth is the same as that which is proper for
Heaths. As the flowers are always produced on the young wood, it is
necessary that shortly after blooming the shoots can be cut back, and
properly thinned and regulated ; and the ])lants should be repotted,
giving them a moderate shift. They should be kept in the house un-
til they begin to grow, when they may be put out of doors in a shel-
tered situation, or into cold frames, if these are to spare. At first,
they merely require to be protected from heavy r.-ins, and from frost
I at night. As the weather becomes warmer, and the plants commence
cV growing freely, they should be fully exposed to the sun's rays, taking ,
(V^care that the pots are shaded, to prevent too rapid evaporation and^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
43
o
r?N consequent injury to the young roots. They may be watered withj-,J
much advantage at this stage of their growth with weak manure wa- c-^-j
ter. It is very essential that the water be well aired for a day or two \
before using it, as thousands of plants in pots are yearly destroyed by
employing water at a low temperature from wells, tanks, and ponds,
from which the sun's rays are excluded. Their rapid growth and vi-
gorous health will amply repay the little attention they require ; and
although Epacris impressa and its varieties may not be elevated into
distinction by their displ ly at our great exhibitions, yet they will be
not the less appreciated by all admirers of pretty flowers. Tassel."
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM:
ITS HABITS AND CULTIVATION.
BY F. NORTON, NEW YORK.
The Chrysanthemum forms the principal attraction of the conser-
vatory in the Fall, when the prolusion of flowers produced throughout
the Spring and Summer seem exhausted, and the walks are strewed
with the dead and dying. Then the Chrysanthemum comes to cheer
us on, and gives hope of the early Spring flowers closely following in
the wake of Winter. November and December then have their Chrys-
anthemum or Golden flower, white, yellow, lilac, marone, crimson,
laced pink, dusky purple, and dingy brown. Their Tom Thumbs, or
Pompons and Minervas or Giants, the old sinensis and its crowd of
varieties. The Daisy Chrysintheraum, what is it 1 A Chrysanthe-
mum like a daisy in form and size, in color and form almost as various
as the Dahlia itself. Having had last winter about forty varieties in
flower, I felt proud in the centre of this great city to have to exhibit
to the visitors a profusion of bloom — and their admiration of them was
boundless. I wish now to tell your readers that there is no difficulty
in cultivating the Chrysanthemum ; most of them about Philadelphia
know this already, but you mast tell them something at times which
they already know, for the benefit of your less experienced supporters.
An obstinacy, however, attends the Chrysanthemum, with regard to
its season and style of blooming ; it is a good time-keeper, does not
want to herd with ever-blooming Rose, or Fuchsias, or Azaleas — it
wants all the conservatory to itself, as it cannot compete with its more
showy and sweet-scented brethren of the spring and summer. The
reason it is an autumnal flowering plant is, that requiring the great
heat of summer to perfect and develop its growth, it cannot by forc-
ing be brought into luxuriant bloom at any other than its own season;
or if it can, the advantage gained is not worth the trouble and expense
of changing its season. [Our correspondent, I fear, is ignorant of the
^experiments in this department, communicated to the Penna. Hort.
k^3'\>
/
44
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOPvIST.
hi
fi
[June
(^
N"
\-^
^Soc. by Thos. Meehan, at Bartram's Garden, in November last. — Ed.] J^)
y Heat with shade would increase the evil of which we complain in the c^^
long stems. All that can be done therefore is when they show their
bloom to hasten the opening or expanding of the buds by increase of
temperature.
The stragglinor habit of the Chrvsanthemum can be counteracted
only by the method pursued in the propagation of the new plants, and
during the first year of their growth; indeed, they should be renewed
each year, rejecting two year old plants. The cuttings should be ta-
ken from the end of the shoots or branches, and at as late a part of
the season as possible, in order to ensure a more dwarf habit and
earlier bloom ; cuttings may be taken from the tops of the shoots so
long as there is no bloom to be seen ; by this means, the plant being
already partially developed, its flower buds will be matured sooner
than by taking an offset from the root, having no tendency when cut
to form flower buds. Make the cuttings 3 or 4 inches long, cutting
or stripping the leaves oiT half its length ; cut it smoothly across the
extremity so as to leave no ragged edges, and to present the least pos-
sible amount of surface to heal, callous^ or granulate, which must take
place before any roots can be made — a rule which should be observed
in general propagation ; insert the cuttings thus prepared up to the
leaves which remain, or about half their length in rich, open or por-
ous soil, composed of leaf mould, peat or Jersey soil and loam, in
proportions according to the judgment of the operator, which after all
is the best regulator in these matters, for we cannot measure a small
portion of soil accurately, and long dry tables of component parts be-
long rather to the laboratory than the potting shed of the amateur, for
whom this simple article is written, as 1 am not gardener enough to
pretend to teach the *' working gardeners," and cultivators of Victoria
Regia, who know all about Chiswick and Kew, and every thing else
— the Crystal Palace and Sir Joseph Paxton not excepted.
But I have not done with our fall friends, though this is spring, and
a six-months must elapse before the Chrysanthema will look around
for admirers. Put the cuttings in seed pans (or cutting boxes, accord-
ing to old Bisset's plan, with a cover of glass;) never let them wilt; do
not shade them too much, but only when absolutely necessary; slight
bottom heat hurries them up, for this is a great country to do things
right off. Wipe the cover of the box or pan regularly, to prevent
damping from moisture. Novices in propagation will be more suc-
cessful in early spring, the wood is then soft ; they should however
continue putting a few in all through the season — the later the cut-
tings are taken however, the more dwarf and pretty the plant will be
^j by observing the proper system of after culture. After being satisfied ^
(•^ that they have rooted, they should be potted into convenient sized ^)
;asv
\
1 1
I
1852.]
45
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
I "^ pots, say 2 or 3 inch pots, shifting them, if successful, into 6 in. pots, (^
v-men.
"Now, my dear sir, will you be so good as to tell me what practi-
cal good chemistry is to a farmer (as a farmer), and what discovery
has chemistry ever made that would enable him to raise one blade ot
grass more? 1 am particularly anxious that you will publish the an-
swer to these questions in the "Plough, the Loom, and the Anvil,"
first, because you would take a more impartial view of the subject,
than any one I know— and secondly, because there is considerable di-
versity of opinion and much interest manifested by the farmers in
this section of country. I trust you will not consider it presumptu-
ous or arrogant in me to array myself on the negative side of this
question, and in opposition to such men as Von Thaer, Liebig, and a
host of others. With all due deference to their learning, 1 think
they start on false principles."
"We have no idea that "grown up" farmers are generally to be
benefitted by lectures on Agricultural Chemistry. But if taught at
school, it would be to the man all his life an interesting and valuable
accomplishment. That chemistry may throw light, however, on the
constituent elements of soils, food, plants, and manures, who can
doubt] Dr. Higgins, the State chemist of Maryland, has, by analysis,
detected deficiencies and impurities in various artificial manures, and
given most salutary advice on the subject to the legislature and farmers
of that State."— J. S. Skinner.
In reply we introduce our ideas written at the time,
A correspondent in the "Plough" appeals for a judgement
against the extension of agricultural chemistry amongst practical
farmers situated as you are, the agent for the transmission of the
ideas of your readers, it is prudent in you to withhold your decision
and await a more ample examination of details. It is but just to al-
low those who have seen chemistry carried into practice in the field
and garden, and witnessed its real capability to define and regulate
material laws, and explain and exemplify actual operations, which
( though slow and hidden in their progress, act upon and in the end
cV govern the great and fundamental operations of those whose office it
/ijis, from the willing and almost mysterious earth, to produce the Pabu- GA
m^s^ -^'^-
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
47
lum of our existence. For what is the bosom of the earth but a^
great retort in which the Creator has mingled the essential elements c^-j
of matterl — himself the great manipulator, mankind but his assist- \
ants — insignificant indeed they are, and blind, but feeling around
them for some path to lead them into the light and open way. Let
those whose eager desire to grasp at the substance, take heed, lest they
indeed overlook the primary laws by which their puny operations are
regulated; let not the ignorant farmer imagine that while he laughs at
the agricultural chemist and his theories, he carries on his pursuits
without him; and let not the husbandman who sees in his barn orgran-
ary, the fruits of his industry stored up, boast that they are so, with-
out his knowing botany or veg':'table physiology, or chemistry; other
less fortunate individuals have preceded him and cleared away the
rubbish, leaving him a clear path, and he takes advantage of their
hard labors without knowing the obligation, or acknowledging the
benefit. Nay, sometimes the practical man treats with scorn and
contempt the earnest assurances of the man of science, when he tells
them that without a knowledge of the laws of matter he only plods
on in the darkness of past ages. Why does the farmer add lime,
charcoal, nitrate of potash, guano, nitrate of soda, chloride of sodi-
um, (common salt), soot, street refuse, common manure, night soil,
&c., &c. to his field and garden crops! — simply because chemists have
discovered the necessity of these substances to the development of
the vegetable organism. Why has the venerable Liebig spent his
days and nights in an unwholesome laboratory, exhausting his physi-
cal energy, if not to benefit mankind! Why do the enlightened por-
tion of the citizens of this republic listen with attention and contri-
bute to the support of Johnston of England in this country and his
own! Why did Sir Charles Lyell risk a laborious journey over the
"States," if not to arrive at some truths and collect some useful
information] And when the name of Humboldt occurs, do we not
revere the ardor of that spirit which made all difficulties disappear in
order to search into nature.
Pardon me for suggesting to you, sir, the necessity for a fair and full
investigation of the claims of agricultural chemistry to the notice of
practical men. I have seen its utility tested in the case of that un-
fortunate country, Ireland— for when all other projects failed, the
British government established a system of agricultural education,
blending science with practice, which promises to do something, and
a ('reat deal towards the amelioration of the distress which causes
Ireland to be a reproach to her proud mistress England.
The largest known flower in the vegetable kingdom, larger than the
{•^ Victoria Lily, is the flower of a plant called Rnfflesia Jirnoldii,
^tPCiS-a^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [June
RELAND.
48
(^ REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS L\ IRE
To BV DR. KIRKPATRICK, AGRICULTURAL LXSPECTOR.
Y Dublin, April, 1851.
■ To the Commissioners of X'Kional Educado?}..
Gentlemen:— In submitting my Third Annunl Report on the
Aj^ricultural department of the system of National Educatinti in Ire-
land, 1 beg to congratulate the Commissioners and the public on the
steady progress it continues to make, notwithstanding the various
counteractmg influences with which it has had to contend.
At the date of my last report there were thirteen Model Asricul-
tural Schools in operation, and ten for which building grants had
been made. At the present date there are seventeen in operation —
five in paitial operation, and three in course of building.
In the district Model schools having agricultural departments in
connection with them, the -pupil-teachers" attend the lectures of the
ao-riculturist, and receive practical instruction on the model farm at-
tached, in the various operations of which they are required to assist
at specified times. Though objections have been urg/d against this
arrangement, as calculated to interfere with tiie special objects ot
their training, and though, I regret to find that, in one instance, some
reluctance has been exhibited by the pupils themselves as to taking
part in the drudgery of agricultural labor, still I think it can be car-
ried out so as not only not to retard, but, as I believe, to promote
their advancement in the other departments of their study, by train-
ing them to habits of industry, showing them how they may turn
every hour of their time to profitable account, and invigorating
their physical, and, consequently, their mental constitution.— "The
vigor of the body imparts itself to the intellect; and not only re-
lieves the monotony of the school-room by the alternate labor in the
fields but it gives zest and energy to the powers of the mind." As
to the objections of thepuoils themselves— if they are the offspring
of false pride, 1 think a little reflection should be sulhcient to show
their absurdity. Why, instead of its being a degradation to assist m
even the lowest offices of agricultural labor, it should, to every sen-
sible mind, form an additional ground for esteem and approbation. In
proof of this 1 might cite many instances of individuals of high rank
and attainments who considered it an honor and a happiness to share
in this employment ; but I need not go farther than our own day
our own country, and our own schools, to find an instance in which
a gentleman of high acquirements, and independent fortune (the
brother of a baronet and high sheriff of one of our eastern counties),
in order to acquire a perfect practical knowledge of agriculture, en-
tered as an extern pupil at the Glasnevin establishment and cheer-
fully assisted in all the farm operations. I have seen him* with his
coat off lay incr tiles in the bottom of a drain, and joining in every
other kind of'^labor on the farm— yet he never thought it any degra-
dation to be so employed ; and 1 think it would be an insult to corn-
mon sense to ask whether he, or one of the same rank, who would
be afraid to soil his fingers, should be entitled to the most respect.
If the objections are made on the ground that it is useless to re-
quire them to assist in or learn the practical details of farming, as
\ such is not the profession they are destined for in aiter-life, I would
O: ask is it useless that their physical constitutions should be improved,
(^ • Vere Foster.
^3^,.-^^^ . ^-c^-zym
\
1852.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 49
m:it^:P^' ■ ~^<^^'^
(^ which can be effected much better by a little useful labor, than useless,
\3 and, perhaps, often injurious amusement! Is it useless to train them
,/ to habits of industry 1 or are their circumstances in after-life likely to
be so independent, as that their being able to add to their comforts
by the skilful cultivation of a plot of ground in their leisure hours
should be of no importance 1 It is not improbable but the majority
of them, when their course of training is expired, and they come to
conduct schools themselves, may be able to procure a small portion
of land in connection with their schools or with their dwellings ; and
frotn the agricultural in^^truction they have previously received, they
will be enabled to act in the double capacity of literary and agricul-
tural teachers, if the latter should be required. They will at least,
as I before remarked, be able to turn their leisure hours to profitable
account, thereby improving their health and circumstances, as well
as their status in public estimation; and affording to the surrounding
peasantry a model of thrift and industry which cannot fail to be pro-
ductive of beneficial results. *****
In concluding my Report for the past year on the system of Agri-
cultural Instruction, I think I may, with greater confidence than ever,
indulge the hope th it it i.s destined amply to fulfil all the anticipations
of its°founders. Though its progress has been, and still continues
comparatively slow, owing chiefly to the general depression which
yet unhappily exists, though it has not put forth many branches, it
has, at least, established its roots firmly in the soil. After another
year of trial, durin": which its operations have been anxiously and
minutely watched, I am convinced that it only requires to be more
extensively established to become an efficient agent in the elevation
of our island to that stand ird of prosperity which its many natural
advantages so eminently fit it for attaining. In attaching so much
importance to an agency of aj yet so comparatively limited opera-
tions, I may be considered by our opponents (of whom, no doubt,
there are still many, though their number is happily diminishing be-
fore the light of experience), as an interested partisan, or a visionary
enthusiast. Nevertheless, I state but my own sincere conviction, ar-
rived at by careful inspection and anxious investigation, and fortified
by the testimony of men, w^hose opinions are entitled to the highest
consideration. On my various tours of inspection during the past
year, I have mad<.' it a special object to ascertain the views of men of
station and intelligence on this important subject. Circulars have
also been transmitted to the Patrons and Managers of the Agricul-
tural Schools longest in operation, and the replies received bear testi-
mony to the trutli of what I have here asserted. It is true, that of
the present class of small farmers in Ireland, but comparatively few,
living in the neighborhood of the Agricultural Schools, have adop'ed
many of the improved practices they saw there ; but anv person con-
versant with the social condition of the country, will find many
causes which sutiiciently account for this apparent apathy to im-
provement, not the L'ust prominent ot which is the general absence
of information, and want of early training in correct and rational^
principles *'we must," as has b<'en truly said, "educate the child, if
\ we would reform the man." To remove this barrier to our social
^ progress is the great object of the National Agricultural Schools. ^
/? Wiren this has been effected, as under Providence it shall, if those c.
(•^entrusted with the arduous, but honorable task of removing the ob- ^j
k^-^ -c? rich man's slave;
His weekly oasc I covet not —
Nor power 1 sock, nor wealth I crave.
Lalwr is pood, my stronjr right hand
Is evi^r ready to endure;
Tho' meanly born, 1 bless my land,
Content to be amongst its poor.
But look upon thifl forehead pale,
This tjntless cheek, this rayless pye;
What do they ask? The mountain gale,
The dewy sod and open sky.
I read of high and prassy hills,
Of balmy dells, and tangled woods;
Of lily-cups, where dew distils,
Of hawthorns where the ring-dove broods.
I hoar of bright and perfumed flowers.
That spring to kiss the wanderer's feet;
Of forests where the young fawn cowers.
Of streamlets rippling, cool and sweet.
The radiant summer T)pams may fall,
Hut Tail to light my cheerless gliMnn;
Tliey cannf>t pierce the dusky wall.
Where pallid fingers ply the loom.
No warbler sing« his grateful joys;
No hulen We goes humming liv ;
Nought breaks the shifting shuttle's noise,
But angry oatU or suilering t^igh.
Pent with the crowd, oppressed and faint,
My brow is damp, my bn-ath is thick;
And. tho' my spirit yield no plaint,
My pining heart is deadly sick.
I cannot see the bine of heaven ;
I cannot see tho green gniss sod ;
I pant to share the blessintrs given
To all and each one by a God.
Give me a spade to delve the soil,
From early dawn to closing night;
The plough, the tlail, or any toil
That will nut shut mo from the light,
1 oft^'n drenm of an old tree,
With vinlfts roiuid it growing wild;
I know that happy drejun must be
Of where 1 played a happy child.
A dog-rose hedge, a cottage door.
Still lingers on my wearied brain ;
I feel my soul yearn more and more.
To see that hedge-row once again.
Double the labor of my task,
Lessen my iKK>r and scanty fare;
But irive. i>h. give me M'hat 1 a.sk —
The sunlight and the mountain air.
in^ The Committee on the Moore Testimonial has been pretty
successful, having added to the list of subscribers most of the distin-
guished literati corps-diplomatique, aristocracy, and literary democra-
cy of Britain and Ireland. The Irish in America are compelled to
move soon, for the sake of liberty, and the man who has written the
history of their native country, free from foreign influence and secta-
rian bigotry. A requisition for a meeting is in preparation. Moore's
memory has claims on Americans — he was the guest of America in
the early days of the history of the United States — he wrote their
^)j boat song, and described the striking portions of northern scenery.
(•J: Let his memory be cherished. ^
"^9V - . x9QSM
)
G
i
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 53
t /(ori5t atiu Il^ortitiiltural llonrnaL
We need not commence on the 21st of May to tell our friends and
supporters how to manage their spring operations ; for the majority of
amateurs have "fixed up" in their yards for the summer. A few will
want the gardener's hook or scythe periodically to trim their grass
plat; and some will allow him to extend his care to the stirring of their
flower border with the rake ; many attend to both themselves; we think
they are right — the gardener will not lose much by this. Most per-
sons who intended sowing annuals, have already done so; small lawns
are laid down with mixed lawn grass, obtained ready mixed of the
seedsman. We hope they may be pleased with their grass plot when
it vegetates, for many are disappointed ; in fact, few take the neces-
sary precautions to insure success. They do not dig deep, and get
soil minutely pulverised ; they do not roll it properly after being dug;
they do not rake it properly; they do not take care to banish a quan-
tity of worms who cut up the surface after seed is sown ; in fact, they
do not lay down their plot in grass, but scratch it up and scatter the
seed. We astonished a very learned amateur a few days ago, when
on enquiry as to the proper depth to dig his yard, we replied spade
deep. Oh nonsense, said he — but did not wait till we had finished,
and he misunderstood us.
To those who have not been successful in their grass plot, we would
say procure good loamy soil, dig it spade deep; tread it or roll it; rake
it u»til all lumps are taken off and it becomes quite level — at least
with no inequalities of surface ; sow the seed which should be in se-
veral sorts — clover a large proportion, sweet vernal grass, (^^nthoxan-
thum odoratum); also a large share sheep's Fescue, (Festuca ovind),
Timothy or Herds grass, {Phleum nodosum) and Cock's iooi(Dactylis
glomernta,) with a quantity of Lolium /}gre;i7ie, or perennial rye. Now
to procure all these in mixture, the necessity of having to purchase
the grass seed already mixed is obvious, for the amateur who wants
sixpenny worth cannot purchase a cents' worth of each, but he has
them already prepared, and trusts to the honesty of the mixer. We
may state that many other sorts of grass seed may be substituted for
some of the above mentioned ; take care however to have White Clo-
ver, sweet vernal Timothy, and Perennial Rye. For shady places
i take in preference Dactylis or Cock's foot, called Orchard grass ; for
X^ parched and dry situations prefer Poa or Meadow grass; and Sheeps' ^
/i) Fescue instead of Sweet Vernal and Perennial Rye. However, few^
54
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[JlTNE
(?! agree as to these matters. When the sod vegetates, roll it well, or^^
cP tread it; then cut it frequently for the first season, water with a little ^^
/ guano water, and sprinkle it with charcoal or some chemical manure,
such as nitrate of potash and gypsum — soapsuds cannot be beat. Do
not let the dogs and cats destroy it, nor allow the bones from the cui-
sine to be deposited on it, for the gardener's hook suffers thereby no
less than the grass itself.
We have done with grass plats for the season ; fall is the best time
to lay down lawns, however, against which time we shall pref)are a
more extended routine of cultivation and preparation. We observed
a few days ago a systematic process for sowing lawns at the Pennsyl-
vania Hospital ; we admired the equality of surface and care exhibit-
ed in sowing the seed — all who observed it had a good lesson on lawn
culture. Almost all annuals have been sown ; some of our gardening
cotemporaries furnished lists of the most desirable sorts. Annuals,
when sown out doors in May, give little satisfaction ; our spring does
not suit their quick development, and the frosts of autumn reach them
before they are fully i-i bloom. The better plan is to sow the best
sorts in the fall in boxes, keeping them from frost during winter to
bloom in March, April, and May, such as Stocks, Wallflowers, Sweet
Williams, (Dianthus barbatus), Chinese Pink, Carnations, Schizanthus
J^emophilas^ CoUinsia bicolor^ and the new sorts Mignionette cinera-
ria, a perennial; Cakeohrin, perennial; Pansies, imported seed ; Jpo-
maa limbiata, J. Burridgii, Ipomcca Quamoclit, cypress vine ; Evtoca
viscidea, Phncelia tanaccb folia. Asters in sorts; Clintonia pulchella,
Grammnntfies gentianoides (see plate) ; but the variety is endless, and
we are a little late in advising; — lookout, however, for this list in the
month of October, act thereby, and you will not be disappointed.
Verbenas are in crowds in our market, Roses in hosts — some tall
lor the rear rank, the dwarfs must he kept in the front; "yard long"
Prairis are in demand for running, they will supercede the running,
creeping or trailing plants called Vines — no matter whether they pro-
duce the alcohol or not. The old Vitis vinifera however, maintains
its character, and we hope always may, it is so practical in its associa-
tions ; and its juice no doubt helps the poet out of many a puzzling
measure. The yards have had sufficient attention we hope, both from
practical gardeners and practical writers ; some have been neglected,
and still lay gasping for some pure air, and sun, and moisture — oh ye
wicked gardeners, why cannot you do all at once! The windows are
in full display — Jasmines, Heliotropes, Fish Geraniums, Rose Gera-
niums, Waterloos, Apples, Pennyroyal, Nutmeg, and all ihe other fa-
L miliar sorts are in bloom ; Pansies, Verbenas, Roses, Callas, and a mul-
c\^titude of others luxuriating through the wide streets and squares of p,-
/2 famed Philadelphia, with plenty of air and light, and no doubt suflS-^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
55
rj^cient water, for who would allow a favorite plant to thirst for waterl
~ Do not water the plants while the sun is on them, but prefer watering
on the surface of the pot in the morning and the foliage in the evening.
Our Friends and our Censors.
How many friends can the "Florist" reckon 1 — we dare not tell.
How many censors can we enumeratel — we do not wish to say; those
we have are severe. We do not thank Snooks or Jones for their of-
ficious advice — nor indeed do we value the llattery tendered by Smith
and Brown ; we cannot sell it nor trade it — it is not marketable. "Of
all who tickle when they touch, clothed in rags or dressed in ermine,
flatterers are the most teasing vermin."
Baltimore, April 7, 1852.
Dear Sir — I am in receipt of a prospectus of the''Philada. Florist,"
and approve highly of the design. I will do all in my power towards
its circulation in this vicinity, and I doubt not will find you a few
subscribers. ... I shall embrace every opportunity of
bringing it before the notice of gardeners and amateurs. W. S.
Meadville, May 3, 1852.
Dear Sir — I gladly received your first number of "Philada. Florist"
on Saturday. I have only had time to look at it, not read it, so I
have nothing of criticism to oflTer. In lieu of that, I send you six
subscribers, with six dollars. J. M.
" The Philadelphia Florist," is the title of a new Magazine, devot-
ed to Horticulture, Botany, &.C., just started in this city by a commit-
tee of practical gardeners, under the editorial charge of R. R. Scott,
The contents of the first number are spirited, and if the Magazine is
continued as it has begun, will greatly advantage those engaged in
the cultivation of flowers. — Do/. JS'ewspnptr.
"The Philadelphia Florist and Horticultural Journal." The first
number of a new monthly })eriodical with this title, has just made its
appearance, bearing upon its face the evidence, we think, of success.
It is an exceedingly well got-up work, and the editor is a practical
gardener, who understands, perhaps, the aims and objects of such a
publication, and the way to accomplish them as well as any other
man. The initial number, we repeat, has a character about it which
we much like, and which we are very certain will secure for the work
that degree of support which will not only secure its permanency, but
also remunerate properly the undertaking. When we say that the
price of it is only one dollar a year, it is to be presumed that no gar-
dener, or those who have a garden, will fail to pay it. — Germ. Tel.
"The Philadelphia Florist" is the title of a new monthly Magazine,
devoted to Horticulture, Botany, and (he kindred sciences. This is
a work which should be in the hands of every Botanical student and
I practical gardener in the country. It supplies a desideratum long
\ needed by the lovers of Horticulture, and from the excellence of the
y? initial number now before us, will, no doubt, supply in future num- ^
(•^ hers that variety of information so generously and judiciously put forth Q\
iQ9v .^ books in the running brooks, and good in everything." ^,
P Our last Calendar was brief read, now our more extensive and^
J>
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
57
~^6c
unpractical calendar, not overlooking the naturalist's part, prepared from^^J
A~* observations taken during the past few days around the city. The ^
' Botanical portion by Thomas Hutchinson, and the Entomological by \
Hobson & Hidings. Dr. Conrad of the Penna. Hospital furnishes the
state of the thermometer.
CALENDAR.
Plant-hotjses are now almost emptied of their contents, or at least
should be — we observed yesterday a great many plants bedded out.
Such as Justicia carnen, scarlet and other Geraniums, Canary Bird
Flower, Petunias, Verbenas, Pansies, Aloiiaoa or Hemimeris^
•^nagallis^ Grummanthes^ Antirrhimum, Lobelia, Cypress Vine, all
kinds of Morning Glory, and Burridges Morning Glory amongst
the rest. We are looking out fur an Evening Glory in the way of a
fine Oenothera perhaps Evcfiaridium gr andijiorum vi'iWhe the plant —
it belongs to that tribe and is greatly cracked up, perhaps by inter-
ested annual growers. Grammanthes is the Day Glory, for it hates to
see the dewy shades of evening; loves the sun as well as any Heliop-
hila or sun lover. Get out all plants not already removed; repot
those which require it, take care to put them in a shady place alter
their removal, until they take to their new pots and quarters. Look
out that you do not expose Fuchsias, Heaths, Epacrides, Azaleas,
Rhododendrons, and other similar plants to the sun and rain.
Flower Garden. — Bed out! Bed out! every one is at it, nothing
stops them; Abut dons. Salvias, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Pelargoni-
ums, Fish Geraniums, Fuchsias^ Lobelias, Hemimeris, Anagallis, Stocks
Wall-flowers, all the host of tender annuals. Convolvulus or Morning
Glory, Ipomaea {Burridgii) Burridges Morning Glory. I lirabiata
margined morning glory (quite new imported by J. F. K.) Gram-
manthes gentianoides. Dahlias, in innumerable sorts, they are in the
schedule of prizes for the Horticultural Annual Exposition in Septem-
ber— although rejected in all respectable exhibitions in England —
so that the extensive growers should attend to them.
Cacti you need not plant out, keep all you have got, they will be
wanted in September next ; you may preserve even the commoner
species — we want a strong muster of the hedgehogs (Echinocactus)
let them not be ''snubbed," " abused," or slighted, they belong to the
vegetable kingdom as well as the Dahlias and Cape Heaths, are
brethren of the Victoria regia. Philadelphia has Cacti, and Cacti
have friends, all observations to the contrary, notwithstanding. Take
care of Epip/iyllvm alottim^ Hookerii\ speciosum^ Je7ikm.sonii\; —
Cere¥S May^ ARDU.Scottti.frrandiJlorus, and many others. Attend to
the Mammillarias; remember the Pereskia Blio and rats tail, Turks
Cap, and Prickly Pear, Cochineal, and Cactus speciocissimus, — the
Mexican volunteers know all about them ; keep them well watered
through the summer while growing, expose to the sun, on a bottom of
coal ashes, or gravel, in pots — shift first, all which require, it and all
will be right.
Pelargoniums are now in full vigor ; those lately exhibited at the
Museum were splendid specimens, and j.lmost given away, as to price;
^ Fuchsias were very chi3ice there also ; Snow-drop was a striking
'^^ plant. Fuchsias are easily grown, if proper care be taken at a pro-
3Q^
7^a«
58
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[June
per season, never allow the young plant to stop growing, until it at-
tains its desired size and shape, then check it by withholding water,
(not too nmch),— a tendency to produce flowers will then be induced.
Fruit Houses— forcing has been attended to at several places;
Strawberries ripe ; set the plants, from which fruit has been gathered,
to rest at leisure ; plant them in good, richly manured soil, to recruit
them. Cherries are ripe in a few places ; Nectarines far advanced,
and fruit well set— out-door strawberries look wrell (and in fact all
out-door fruits). Grapes are in tine condition, as the atmosphere
has been clear and not very changeable ; attend diligently to stopping
of shoots, they must be stopped judiciously, or a waste of the energy
of the plant takes place, see Mr. Sanders Diary— air those in flower
well, to scatter the pollen; no water while in flower from ihe syringe,
it wets the yellow dust and hinders impregnation; watch all well, and
attentively.
Vegetables.— Tomatoes are in market; Peas from the south and
from under cover; any quantity of Asparagus, do not let it be cut too
close, add some manure and salt after cutting; salt in June and manure in
fall. Beans are getting forward ; Cantelopes planted out as well as
all other tender crops ; sow in regular succession ; tie up Tomatoes
or confine them with stakes, like trellis work.
Potatoes are up; we saw a fine specimen of mercers, yesterday.
Salading is in abundance ; spinach out of repute ; sow, however, in
succession to fill the pot, as the Irishman says, " fill up, fill up, if it
should be only saw-dust ;" take peas in good season, you cannot af-
terwards; you may try, but you will fail ; Lima Beans ; take care of
Limas, they create quite a luror when on the table. Try the New
Zealand Spinach, Black Turtle Bean, Walcheren Cauliflower,
HoBsoNs Giant Rhubarb, Okra of course, mountain sprout, and
mountain Sweet Water-melon, Caubul Cantelope, Great Mammoth
Squash ; Bishops' Dwarf Pea, Prince Albert Do., Skirvings Im-
proved Ruta Baga, for .July or August sowing, Cabbages all sorts,
to be found in the seedsmens' catalogues, to be had at this ofiice.
But we must close, by telling all our gardening friends, to work, rather
than read for two or three weeks to come. Allans!
NATURLISTS' CALENDAR— BOTANY.
1 Anemone nemorosa, Wood Anemone, Woods, Penna.
2 Arum triphyllum marshes and shady margins of creeks var atro-
rubens.
3 Agrostis ; several species a grass, fields.
4. Acer ruhrum and others in flower, in April, scarlet or yellow
bloom — swamp maple (every where 1)
5 Actaa rubra, red Baneberry — Woods.
6 Aster or Erigeron, Woods, Penna.
7 Dicentra cucullaria, (Cultivated R. Kelv.) — Dutchmans Breeches
— Woods, not frequent.
8 Cardamine pratensis^ marshes, Penna. cuckoo flower or meadow
cress.
9 Draba verna, common Whitlow Grass, (in pod May,) (plenty.)
10 Geranium maculatum, woods, Penna.
11 Orchis spectabilis, (Jersey showy orchis.)
•y 12 Physurus pictus, woods, Penna.
m^sp^
^4 Wi^
UJ
* 1
^Jl
Us
i "rt A/y«,*^. A^ w!
-•^— 1 of P- ■ -
hi
It en-
tile
M
1 P-
i
i^ lIUlKi
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
69
! !%• nf
iii:f we
f.Hrt
I li i I
1852.] — -.rvv-^
13 Podophyllum peltatum peltate leaved May, Apple. )^
14> Po/ewiomwffi Greek valerian not repens but officinalis 1 woods p/
plenty, Penna.
15 Silene Virginica, cultivated R. Kelv.
16 Viola yellow, light blue, and white and many others — for which
we have not space.
STATE OF THERMOMETER.
Mean temperature for the month, 40.6°; Mean Maxima, 52.6«; Mean Minima
46 6« The mean for April for 22 years is r)2°. Amount of rain, 6.44 inches—
this is a greater amount than has fallen in any April except one, April 1841.—
Snow fell upon 4 days, rain upon 21 days. The mean temperature for May up
to the 18th, is 61.7'% and the amount of rain 1 .75 inches.
Pennsylvania Hospital, May 19, 1852.
03?* Botany is not current, therefore, we do not publish any Bo-
tanical description of Plate 1. nor of any of those in our present No.
(I~r* Thos. Meehan's contribution never reached us ; nor that of
R. L. Colt, until yesterday, and opened— we refused it at the Post
Office ; nor that of A. L. Kennedy, said to be delivered at our Office.
We have, therefore, removed to 63, Walnut St., at Mr. Benjamin
Mifflin's the Printer of the "Florist," where all communications,
plants, fruit and papers, are to be sent. We would warn our subscri-
bers in the country, from enclosing money, unless they register their
letters.— Office, No. 63 Walnut Street, below Dock, North bide—
Third story.
\n^ The Plates were executed at the School of Design, under the
superintendence of A. Hill. Descript. of Grammanthes in our next.
^■»»
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 11.
Nepenthes Rafflesiana, N. ord. Nepenthaceae, Class Discia, Na-
tive of Sumatran Islands. t n 3
Sir S. Raffle's Pitcher Plant, Introduced by Jas. Dundas. ^ ^
One of the curiosities of vegetation— a receptacle or reservoir for
water in the marshes of hot and tropical climates, where at certain
seasons the parched traveller searches in vain for the indispensable
element. The birds that flit around the Pitcher Plant, dip into its
cup and are pleased to find that there is therein wherewith to allay
their thirst, so that thev may continue their joyous chirrup or song.
It contains distilled water in the appendages to the petiole or leal
stalk which is dilated, the operculum or lid (botanists are agreed) is
the true leaf— it closes over the vessel and hinders quick evaporation
durin^r the extremes of the sun's heat. The plant was introduced in
quantities from the Sumatran Islands and Borneo by Mr. Low, through
the means of Rajah Brooke. Many were dead. The plant is now
well dispersed amongst those who can cultivate it, it costs high at
nurseries. The plant from which our Plate was tak.n was impor ed
by Jas. Dundas, Esq. from London, and has been successfully culti-
vated by his gardener, Mr. Jas. Bisset, Sr., who kindly lurnish^d
specimens for that purpose. Of its cultivation we shall permit Mr.
Bisset to speak next month. Mr. Cope and R. Buist, and we believe
P. Mackenzie imported it dead. ,„,,/, r« i« .
PLATE III.— Is the new, white, stately Bell flower. Campanula I
nobilis alba, exhibited at stated meeting of the Pennsylvania Horti- J^
cultural Society, April 20th, and is presented to his numerous sup
porters by R. Buist, the grower, Rosedale.
il^9V
.^^.x^om
60
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
INTRODUCTION TO LECTURE
ON THE
CURIOSITIES OF VEGETATION,
AT Chinese Museum, May 14, 1852.
[June
I"/
\
It is interesting to examine the history of the objecis which for the
most part serve us for food, and supply to our domestic animals also,
the requisites for their maintenance, many of which in turna^e appro-
priated to the uses of the cuisine^ the animals haVing assimilated the
herbs which are cultivated as forage to their own organization, and
rendered it more appropriate to our use. Many argue that we err in
depriving cattle of life, in order to convert them into food. 1 fear
some time will elapse before the error be abandoned. I would not
say that these do not state the truth; man is so formed as to assimilate
vegetables to his own system; and though it may be more convenient
to seize upon the already prepared matter— yet surely the cow and
sheep were not created to be slain by man. It is also interesting and
useful to know how many of the drugs which we swallow from year
to year are taken directly from plants — how many of our garments
are preparations of vegetable life, converted by art and through the
aid of machinery to that state in which they fill the stores and ware-
houses of our merchants. But in one lecture I could slightly touch
upon these matters ; the subject is endless. How many separate and
distinct plants are known to Botanists, is a question which no doubt
occurs to many persons. These we term species or distinct individu-
als, as for instance man himself, or the dog, both of which remain
unchanged, it is believed. I have mentioned man, because it is suffi-
ciently evident that he is distinct from all other creatures ; that he
does not become by change of climate, food or locality, anything else
than a reasoning, reflecting being, speaking and acting with a free
will, when permitted to do so, independent, as we term it, of any for-
eign or exterior agency. The cat also retains its carnivorous, prowl-
incT. nocturnal character and habits without alteration unless so by force
or interference with the provisions of nature. Then why should not
also plants preserve their individuality distinct 1 They do, it is be-
lieved. A species then is a distinct organized being. The number of
species of plants described by Botanists up to within a few years ago,
was, according to Loudon's Encyclopcedia, first additional supple-
ment, published in 1832, 18,109; according to Lindley's Vegetable
Kingdom, 2d ed. 1847, 92,000; enumeration of species known to Bo-
tanists according to Humboldt, 86,000 in Delesserfs Herbarium Paris,
l^ 74,000 Royal Herbarium, Schoneberg ; 26,000 enumerated in Lou-
^ don's H. Brittanicus, 1832. But as yet no authentic enumeration has
(^been or can be made without the co-operation of Botanists. In the^
m?^:^
-^cf^S
i i
1
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
61
^^(5^
Botanic Garden of Berlin, supposed to be the most extensive in cul-(^
tivation, there are of the natural order of composite or compound ^
flowers, as the dandelion and aster. Compound, 16,00; Leguminosse, >|
1150, peas, beans, vetches, clover, &c., are familiar examples ; Labia-
tese, 428, salvia is a familiar example; Umbelliferae, 370, parsnip, car-
rot, hemlock, &c., are familiar examples ; Grasses, 3544, grasses, as
Timothy, sweet vernal, orchard grass, &c.; Cyperace®, 2,000, carex,
or sedge, numerous in this vicinity. Of the order Composite there
were known to Linn«us, the great Swedish Botanist, 785 species of
compound plants or syngenesia according to his classes. Now there
are 12,000 known to Botanists of this most extensive order.
[to be continued.]
*♦» ■
The Gardener's Society's Exposition.
Be it known to all men and others, who know anything of Garden-
ing, that the great exhibition of the Gardening Society, is amongst
the things that have been. A fait accomplit—we would have wished
for the sake of the Venerable Horticulturist, who presided over
the Committee of Arrangements and a few others unnecessary
to enumerate, that he had been supported by better men; we
say this advisedly. We could have wished that for the sake of a new
charitable institution, the men for whose benefit it was originated
had felt their position. We shall say no more, the exhibition was a
successful one, and we shall notice it at more length in our next
number. t^ -o u
Amongst the contributers, we would enumerate Mrs. Dr. Rush,
Jas. Dundas, Esq., F. Knorr, A. Dryburgh. J. D. Fulton, and several
others not known to us.
A fine Amaryllis from the " windows," was contributed by Mr.
Cresson.
The list of Public Contributors, we shall give at another time.
C. Cope, Esq., sent some fine Strawberries as a Donation, to be
sold for the benefit of the Society— also cut flowers.
Thos. P. Croft, contributed seeds for the same purpose. The ex-
hibition lasted four days.
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection.
We stopped at a place in Chestnut street, Florence's we believe,
gardener Wm. Furmage. We were surprised to find a neat minia-
ture garden with lawn and borders well kept, and greenhouse and
. conservatory filled with healthy specimens, a few fine oranges and
V) lemons, good greenhouse plants and tender annuals.
m^j^b^ ^tfos^
62 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[June
Vingbrook - the seat of C. Cope. The lily ot course >s here g
_.and cacti in odious deformit,,, prickly pears, -rabs, hedge hog, cv
mamms and many chapters of so small a
book as the "Florist" to write the history of this beautiful art Many
ideas shall pass before our mind's eye to be rejected or remodelled-
many suppositions will be hazarded, many assertions made on slight
foundatioi!l-yet as few as possible. We shall endeavor to olfend
none or excite any; to give to all the friends of our profession fair
play shall be our aim ; to drag no modest man to light who would ra-
Lr remain hidden, if we can discover his wishes in due time. But
the authentic and ample history of American Horticulture must be
written by some one ; therefore we shall try it.
I Twenty years ago-and no doubt this is quite iar enough to recede
[ _we should have been p«..led to fill a small green-house with the ^
\ plants of New Holland or the Cape of Good Hope Greater and more ,
(^difficult would have proved the task to collect into one hot-house ofU)
s^39^^_ ^ --^^^.-^
66
THE PHILADELPIirA FLORIST.
o^
(^the smallest dimensions of our city hol-houses, the indigenous plants-^')
^ of Borneo and Sumalra and Brazil, Java and Ceylon. Our Parks e.^
y were then no doubt quite pleased to give sup[.ort to such pines as \
( ?«o/).v, Vinsufo, Pindroir, Abies Wchbiann, and others of this class.
The Cetlrus J) roil warn or Dcodara, as we terui it, or in English, Deo-
dar Cedar, luxuriated then at peace on the mountain ranges of the
lofty Himalayas, at thousands of feci of elevation ; the hot blasts which
abound over the territory at the foot of this gigantic Ossa, are cooled
before they reach its folinge; therefore a colder climate such as ours
does not quite annihilate it — but it does not luxuriate here, h'ome
far-seeing gentlemen amateurs will not plant it, for they say "some
twenty years may pass, and then comes a frost, a biting frost, and
nips its buds," as Wolsey says; but then some ten years, and the hand
that planted the Deodar Cedar in the vicinity of Philadelphia may be
gathered to his fathers; and in the classic grounds of the Woodlands
Mr. Carvill may prune off for the thirtieth time the dead limbs of Ce-
drus Deodara, while the short-set'ing mortal may slumber beneath its
roots. The tall Salisburia waves its branches still in the Woodlands ;
graves rise up around it, and no murmur of d«rath for the Gingko — it
hears no funeral bell. The Cratcegus oxyncanthn grows in the Wood-
lands Cemetery, and the tine scarlet variety also is healthy and cloth-
ed with bloom. The milk-white Thorn becomes red or scarlet and is
much admired, but it has not reached that size or form to render the
poets lines applicable —
" if Heaven one draught of heavenly pleasure spare,
One cordial in this melancholy vale,
'Tis when a youthful, modest, loving pair,
In others' arms breathe out the temler tale,
Beneath the milk-white Thoin that scents the evening gale."
»♦»
HAFFLESIA ARNOLDII.
Dr. Arnold's Ralilesia — growing on the stems of plants, such as Cis-
sus, and several species of pod plants (Legumino.s.e) in the East In-
dies and parts of ^^outh America, is found this remarkable and anoma-
lous plant, furnished with neither stem, nor stalk, nor leaf; it luxuri-
ates as an immense flowering pari:«ite, its whole structure being con-
densed, if we may so term it, into a gigantic inflorescence. Its ap-
pearance can only be guessed at by those who have not seen either
the plant itself or an authentic figure of it. We enjoyed the latter
privilege at the Royal Gardens, Kevv. The enthusiastic mind of
Bauer and his pencil did all for its illustration that could be desired ;
and the venerable President of the Linn^an Society described it. For
a description, see Linmran Society's transactions. One of the species i
called in Java Pntma, is employed medicinally in a very important /
^ disease. The following is from a contributor, prepared for the Hor-^.
* ticultural Journal: (^j
0
1852.]
0.r, o - ^ —
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOPJST.
67
(tf-j "Seeing this remarkable flower mentioned in your last number, I^^.j
nceived that a short account of it would not be out of phice. The c^^
conceived tliat a sliort account oi it would not be oui oi pince. ine ^ij
following description, perhaps by Dr. Arnold h'mself, is quoted in a >
letter of Sir T. S. Raffles to a noble English lady :
'The Sumatran name of this plant Petimum ISikinili, or Devil'f-
Siri (bethe) box. It is a native of the forest, particularly those of
Passumah Uln Manna. This gigantic flower is parasite on the lower
stems and roots of the Cissus angustifolia of Box. It appears at first
in the form of a small round knob, which gradually increases in size j
the flower bud is invested bv numerous membranaceous sheaths,
which surround it in successive layers and expand as the bud enlarges,
until at length they form a cup around its base. These sheaths or
braces are lirge, round, concave, of a firm membranaceous consistency,
and of a brown color ; the bud before expansion is depressive, round,
with five obtu.-e angles, nearly a foot in diameter and of a dusky red.
The flower when fully expanded is, in point of size, the wonder of the
vegetable kingdom ; the breadth across from the top of the one petal
to the top of the other, is three feet. The cup may be estimated to
contain twelve pints ; the weight of the whole is Irom twelve to fifteen
pounds. The inside of the cup is of intense purple, and more or less
densely yellow; and soft, flexible spines of the same color. Towards
the mouth it is marked with numerous depressed spots of the purest
white, contrasting strongly with the purple of the surrounding sub-
stance, which is considerably elevated on the lower side.
The petals are of a b ick red, with numerous pustular spots of a
lighter color. The whole substance of the flower is not less than half
an inch thick, and of a firm, fleshy consistence. It soon after expan-
sion begins to give out a smell of decaying animal matter. The fruit
never bursts, but the wnole plant gradually rots away, and the seeds
mix with the putrid mass. It seems to be a flower unknown to most
of the natives, as well as to naturalists ; its colors red, yellow and pur-
ple and most brilliant. The chemical composition being fungous, it
would not keep; and we had not enough spirit to preserve a whole
flower.' "
A draft for one thousand dollars has been received by George P.
Burnham, of Boston, from one of his New Orleans correspondents, in
payment for a splendid lot of " Cochin China," " Red Shanghai," and
" White Shanghai " fowls, sent out by the Crescent City, by Mr. B.,
from his imported stock. This is getting up the steam to some pur-
pose. Mr. Burnham's sales, for large samples from his imported Chi-
nese fowls, have reached over $4000 since the last November show in
Boston— averaging upwards of $20 a week. He has received as high
/^as $,')0 for a single pair of his "Cochin Chinas."
ms)h^ -<^^^
\
THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
[July
\
NOTES ON GRAPE CULTURE.
BY WM. s,\r\D]:i:s.
GrnpPS OutdflOrs.—Thcso aro biuldino- forth quite strong, notwithstand-
ing tin- past seven' winlor. In some cases however, where the last
yelir's nrrowth has been luxuriant, and, in consequence not sufficiently
ripened and solidified, they are tardy in leafing out. All such branches
should be cut close in. Much injury to arbor griipes occurs from al-
lowincr too many shoots to
May, 1852. \
To the Editor of the Florist.
I beg to thank you for the first number of the "Philadelphia Flo-
rist," which reached me a few days ago, and which I have just read
with very great satisfaction. I assure you that it affords me sincere
pleasure to find that you occupy at present a position in which you
will be able to disseminate to others a knowledge of that science
which you yourself have so carefully studied, and with which you are
80 well acquainted. I am also happy to perceive that you ofl'er the
\ use of the columns of your Journal for the insertion of communica- j
9d tions on Agricultural subjects. This, in my opinion, will very much P
(^enhance its value, as it will be a very desirable channel through which ^
i;?9v -tf^a^
72
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[July
(^to diffuse a knowledge of the most approved systems and practices of^^j
/P husbandry amongst that section of the community whose services are r,
so indispensably necessary for the well-being of their country, but \
whose daily toil, it is to be regretted, is very frequently expended
both unskilfully and unprofitably. The extensive information also,
both scientific and practical, which I know you to possess on this pro-
posed department of your labors, will, 1 should hope, be brought to
bear on the agriculture of your adopted country. You will thus be
able to render your publication what it ought to be — a most valuable
acquisition to the farmer as well as to the gardener; and which, I am
confident, will in time be duly appreciated.
A lecture of mine, on Agricultural Education, delivered at the com-
mencement of the present session, has just passed through the columns
of the Farmers' Gazette. It is contemplated, in reference to it, that
it should appear in the form of a small pamphlet for general circula-
tion. Should this be the case I shall forward you a copy of it ; and if
you consider the matter contained in it worthy of a place in the pages
of the Florist, you will be at liberty to give it insertion In the event
of a delay in carrying out this arrangement, I shall endeavor to pro'
cure the numbers of the Gazette in which it appeared, and transmit
them to you.
With best wishes for the success of your yournal, 1 am, dear sir,
yours very sincerely, John Do.naghy.
Agriculture~As it is in Britain.
BY F. W. CONNOR.
Sir : The agriculture of Britain is now settling down in the
steady path of progress. High rents have ceased to be the order of
the day — protection has vanished— and energy, industry, and eco-
nomical habits form the distinguishing features in the character of the
cultivator of the soil. The more science is brought to bear upon
practical knowledge, the more rapidly are the interests of agricul-
ture advanced. In the way of improvements much attention is de-
voted to the construction of implements for abridging and economi-
sing farm labor. Several improved patterns of ploughs and grubbers,
suited for different soils and circumstances, have lately made their
appearance. Steam power is becoming more generally employed,
and it is not a little curious to witness the ''talP' chimney gracing the
farmtsead. Steam engines of five horse power are in much request,
and it is not uncommon to observe the ditlerent operations of thrash-
ing, winnowing, sacking and weighing corn; chopping hay and straw
I into chaff; crushing oil cake, bones, and corn; churning, pumping wa-
q. ter, and cutting turnips, going on at the same time. Hussey's reaping
(^"jmachine is likely to prove satisfactory, as a great many orders haveC/^
1852] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
73
dr.o
I-
■ ' ■' ^- — , \
e-^ been given to the maker, Crosskill, of Yorkshire. Much attention is^T»
devoted to the manufacturing of manure. Independent of new ar-
tificial manures daily brought into market, that of the farm-yard is
not neglected. The manure heap has become an object of care, be-
ing roofed over to throw off the rain. Liquid manure tanks of a cir-
cular form are becoming general, as they afford the largest area at
the least expense of walls. Metallic or glazed earthen pipes are laid
from the tanks to the fields on the farm, the liquid manure being
forced through by a pump, and distributed principally over grass land
by a gutta percha hose. The management of cattle has been care-
fully improved. Shed feeding in boxes 8 feet by 12, and never re-
moving the manure until the animal is sent to the butcher, is a plan at
present favorably received. A layer of peat mould or vegetable soil
is first placed in the bottom of the box to absorb the urine, and layers
of cut straw placed over it as required. Manure of good quality is
thus made. Others use no straw at all for litter — but house the cattle
on boarded floors with wide joinings, to allow the urine to fall through
into prepared channels leading to the tank. The solid manure is
mixed with water, agitated in the tank, and forced along the pipes to
irrigate grass land. The rearing and fatting of cattle is well attended
to just now. Cattle of a rapid growth and aptitude to fatten being
desirable, it is the farmer's object to procure such feeding stuffs as
will best second his ends. Linseed and oil cake are largely em-
ployed— the former being sieeped in cold water becomes gelatinous,
and when mixed with cut hay and straw, turnips, &c. in winter —
chaff, cut grass, &c. in summer, forms a nutricious matter for fatten-
ing cattle. The manure produced from this kind of feeding will be
rich and of primary importance. Think of a farmer in Berwickshire
paying X670 last season for manure !
The manufacture of sugar from the beet goes on successfully — the
prepared article is equal to the best cane sugar. I use it. Sir R.
Kane has completed 1(37 analyses of beet root in different stages of
its o-rowth, with the view of determining the correct value of the
plant.
The cultivation of flax is taking place on a more extennve scale
this season than heretofore. Many cultivate it lor the sake of the
seed to fatten cattle— the fibre being but of secondary importance.
The want of local markets, and a quick and easy plan of preparing
the fibre for market, are difiiculties yet to be removed. Claussen's
process, although ingenious, has not given entire satisfaction. A gov-
ernment enquiry was appointed to investigate its merits— their report
I believe is not yet handed in. /
4> Agricultural education is making rapid progress under the Irish Na- ^
("^'tiond Board. There are sixty-two model and ordinary agricultural^
^-- ^tfOS'M
10
74
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOIIIST.
[July
(^schools in connection with the Board — exclusive of ninety workhouse J^j
^ schools. When it is considered that from three to sixty acres of land c;^
/ are attached to these schools as 7worfe//ar77Z5 — and that improved sci-
entific and practical knowledge is made a daily lesson among the
ordinary subjects of school instruction, you will readily perceive the
value and importance of the machinery at work for ^'learning the
young — and improving the old" in correct methods of Irish hus-
bandry. The same system of agricultural education is going to be
introduced into the parochial schools of Scotland. England has done
so in many instances.
Altogether the prospects of British agriculture are not on the
darkest side, and it is hoped ere long that the legislature will relieve
the landed interest of the unequal taxation it is saddled with, exact-
ing at the same time from other species of property its duties — as
weel as protecting its rights.
We have endeavored to abridge this report but feared io sj)oil it ;
the importance of the subject requires our attention. — The report is
from the '•''JlthencEumy
KEV7 GARDENS.
We gave a few weeks back a statement of the public money wants
of the diflerent othcers of the British Museum. Since then we have
received Sir William Hooker's money estimate of his necessities at
Kevv for the year ending 31st March, lb53. He requires, it appears,
10,929/. 16,9.* for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew,— 1,28(5/. 16s.
for the Royal Pleasure Gardens at the same place, — and 150/. for
cases and other fittings — we suppose, for specimens. As Chancellors
of the Exchequer and Lords of the Treasur}- are, however, not ac-
customed to encourage claims, or Parliament to grant them (we hope),
without some fair show of reason. Sir William, on the last day but
one of the year, sits by his parlor fire at Kew (perhaps in the very
house in which Sir Peter Lely lived), and indites the following able
and satisfactory Report.
Royal Gardens, Kew, Dec. 30, 1851.
During the last ten years in which it has been my privilege to pre-
pare a Report on the state and progress of the Royal Gardens at Kew,
1 have on each occasion been enabled to show a progressive increase
in the number of visitors, and have also had the gratification of enu-
merating the various presents made both to the Gardens and to the
Museum.
The past year affords a still more favorable Report. The number
of visitors has been 327,000 — a progressive increase, in the follow-
ing ratio : —
1841 9,174 1847
1842 11,400 1848
1843 13,492 1819
1844 10,114 18.50
184.') 2SJ39 1851
1846 40,573
64,282
91,708
137,805
179,027
327,900
^QSM
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOIIIST.
75
\^
This great increase has, no doubt partly arisen from the gracious
cy' permission given by Her x\'L)jesty, allowing the Pleasure Grounds at
Kew lo be open to the public daily during the summer months : it \
may also be attributed to the concoursi' of persons attracted to Lon-
don and its neighborhood by the Exhibition. The reports of previous
vans have, howevt-r, proved that, withoul these adventitious causes
of increase, the additional number of visitors may be, in a considera-
ble measure, referred to the j)opularity of the gardens, and to the
opportunity which they allbrd for instruction.
As these advantages become better known, it may be expected that
the number of visitors will steadily augment; and it is an agreeable
duty to state, that with this vast concourse of people, of all kinds
and grades, including a great number of foreigners, no misconduct or
willful mischief has occiirred; while many little irregularities, for-
merly common, have nearly, if not entirely ceased, though unrestrict-
ed acces.-? was permitted to every part of the grounds, to all the hot-
houses, green-houses, and the Museum.
in the Pleasure Grounds an imi)rovement has been effected by the
formation of the Sion Vista, with a broad ^rravA walk, which stretches
in a continuous lin- from the great western door of the Palm Stove
to the river, opposite Sion House. This was part of the plan former-
ly designed for these grounds, which has now been executed, and
promises to add to the beauty of the Gardens.
The whole of the woods in these grounds have, during the autumn
and present winter, undergone considerab'e thinning. This should
have been done thirty years ago ; but I still believe that it will assist
the growth ot trees which have been until now over crowded, and
will eventuallv improve the Pleasure Grounds.
The open glades have been systematically planted with a great
number of young trees, forming an Arboretum, which, il continued,
promises to be the most perfect in Europe.
A Lodge has been built at the Pagoda Gate, which will contribute
to the public convenience, and afford a residence to the foreman
who has the immediate care of these grounds.
The Ha-ha fence, which separates the Pleasure Grounds from the
Deer Park, has been completed, and an iron fence is substituted tor
the wooden paling, which was decayed and unfit for repair.
A small Nursery of about four acres is in active operation for the
rearinvr of trees and shrubs, which may hereafter be transferred as
specimens to the other pleasure grounds and parks. ^.,,,„^
A considerable portion of the Gardens, situated about the Museum
and skirting the Richmond Road, was divided into narrow strips by
two loner unsightly walls, the intermediate piecehaving been a kitchen
gird en and paddock in the occupation of his late Majesty the King
of Hanover By the recent demise of that sovereign the ground in
question has reverted to the Crown, and Her M.jesty the Queen has
eraciously granted it as an addition to the Hotanical Gardens. A
lortion of U will forthwith be devoted to forming ^Medical Garden.
^ The Victoria Re^in. blooming almost daily from March till Christ-
mas has been a grelt attraction! and it will be reared and seen ,n
much tuller perfection when a house, containing a tank of suthcient
magnitude shall have been built. The plans for this house are now J^
'"HZ^yZ House for the cultivation of the ferns of temperate ^V)
76
^-^'
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORLST.
[July
^v3Cc?
?
\
("^ climates has been added to the plant houses, and two ranges of frames ^'^'j
^for rearing seeds, &,c. e/^
The content!* of the several plant houses spe^ak for ihemsolves.
The ah'cady celebrated, tiiough still young, collrttion of Khododcn-
drons, from the Sikkim Himalaya, are j)rotnising well, and some
showing flower; and the accession of new plants, especially of tiie
useful kinds, is considerable. In the Palm Stovtr the growth and
vigor of the inmates attest the excellence of the structure for cultiva-
tion, the foliage of some of the plants already extending to GO feet
from the ground. The palms and tree ferns are among the finest ever
reared in Europe. The crowds of visitors to the gallery of this
stove have necessitated the erection of a second spiral staircase for
their acconunodation.
The number of plants distributed by the Royal Gardens this year,
as shown by the books, exceeds 3,000 : many are of great rarity and
value. Among other recipients are the Botanic Gardens of Oxford
and Cambridge, the Botanic and Experimental Gardens of Edin-
burgh, those of Gbisgow and Belfast, the College and Glasncvin
Gardens of Dublin, many eminent nurserymen, and numerous private
gardens. These plants are given on the system of exchange, but
when required for purposes of public instruction they are freely be-
stowed, whenever they can be spared.
To correspondents abroad we have despatched sixteen Wardian
cases of useful plants, viz., four to New Zealand, one to Hohart
Town, three to Calcutta, two to Madras, one to Trinidad, two to
Jamaica, one to V^alparaiso, one to Sierra Leone, and one to British
Honduras ; also various closed packages of roots and seeds to the
same and other places. Among them are the seeds of the Victoria,
which is now flourishing at Calcutta, in Ceylon and Trinidad. No-
where, however, has this splendid aquatic succeeded so well (under
glass, be it observed) as in the United States, and nowhere has its
introduction been so highly prized. The flowers have attained a di-
ameter of 17 inches, and the leaves of 6i feet. "The excitement,'*
says our Philadelphia correspondent, "caused by the successful cul-
ture of the Victoria Water Lilv on our side the Atlantic has been
extreme, and every one has declared that the glowing accounts of
its beauty are not at all exaggerated."
The Museum of Vegetable Products has increased beyond all ex-
pectation, and at a most trifling cost to the country ; for the advaji-
tages it affords in the way of information and instruction are now so
obvious, that many contributors who desire to make known various
vegetable products and preparations have sent specimens to this Mu-
seum, and donations have accumulated, we may say daily, for the
last six months. All the available space in the building is now de-
voted to the Museum, and fitted up with glass cases, which are rapid-
ly filling. For many valuable contributions we are indebted to the
Great Exhibition. They consist of vegetable products, raw, and in
various stages of manipulation, and manufactures of vegetable sub-
stances from all parts of the world. The exhibitors have manifested
great interest in the Museum, and have generously aided its collec-
tions. The Secretary of State for the Colonies has also placed at our
disposal many vegetable products from the distant possessions of the i
Crown. 1 have likewise, with the sanction of the ('hief Commis- /
^. sioner of Works, purchased an interesting collection (correctly named) r^
of all the Woods of Tuscany from the Tuscan Commissioners ; this Cm
m^&b^ .
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
77
1852.]
country yields much of the valuable timber for our navy. Messrs.
Peter Lawson & Sons, of Edinburgh, have presented to the Museum <
their collection of Scottish agricultural, horticultural, and arboricul-
tural products. This forms in itself an important addition to our
stores. The names of contributors stand attached to their respective
donations, which need only be inspected to attest the worth and ex-
tent of the gifts, and the liberality of the givers. And when the
Guide Book to the Museum is printed, which has been necessarily
delayed, in consequence of the great recent additions, a yet wider
publicity will follow. Such contributions, together with the collec-
tions received during this year from Dr. Hooker's Travels in Eastern
India and the Himalaya, will more than fill the present structure.
Hitherto we have, in noticing the collections in the Royal Gar-
dens and Museum, pointed chiefly to their public utility, in affording
to a large portion of our population the means of inspecting what is
most wonderful and beautiful in the vegetable creation. It remains
to show that they are no less important to the country in a scientific
view. This is evident in the many new plants that have been lately
introduced and published, and the numerous discoveries hereby made
of those plants which afforded useful products. For example, the
African Oak (or Teak, as it is sometimes called), the Gutta Percha
Tree, the Rice Paper Plant (so termed) of China, the Chinese Grass,
which yields a fibre among the most valuable in commerce ; the Ce-
dron of South America, the Vegetable Ivory, the Coquilla Palm (its
nut and fibre both articles of trade,) the Gum Bdellium Tree ; all
these afforded important articles of commerce, while they were to-
tally unknown to science j now they are clearly ascertained and de-
scribed.
Many able botanists, of our own country and from abroad, frequent
the Garden and Museum, also the Herbarium and Library of the
Director, for the express purposes of study. M. Treent, of Paris, re-
mained here for several weeks to examine the anatomy and physiolo-
gy of the Victoria, and to make elaborate drawings of it. The Pro-
fessor of Botany at the University of New Cambridge, Massachu-
setts, Dr Asa Gray, who was charged with the publication of the
Botany of the United States Exploring Expedition, under Captain
Wilkes, and who required to compare that collection with the various
herbaria in Europe, spent three-fourths of the time (a year) allotted
to that purpose in examining the collection atKew, because it yielded
him the largest amount of important inforination.
Scarcely a day passes in summer, but one or two artists may be
seen making drawings for botanical and other works, of such objects
as they cannot easily meet with elsewhere.
Her Majesty has graciously given a house on Kew Green as a resi-
dence for ihe Director of the Gardens; and this will enable him to be
always on the spot, and to bestow more continual attention than was
compatible with a residence at some distance from Kew.
(Signed) W. J. Hqoker^ Director.
Protect your Fruit Trees from hiscctfi. — Mix powdered sulphur and
copperas in equal quantities, and apply it to the roots of apples, pears,
V peaches, plumbs, or any other kind of trees. First dig away the earth
0 and sprinkle it in from four to sixteen ounces, and replace the dirt.— ^
/^) You may scatter a little in the crotches, or rough bark, to great ad- A
\(^ vnnf norp. ^ _ Wl
^C*) vantage.
■%Q
"^n.
^Cr^
,^^QSU
78 THE PIIILADELPniA FLORIST.
[July
Consi-
British
\
The Crystal Palace.
By all accounts (his ^reat achievement of art is doomed,
derahle interest for its preservation has been manifested.
Treasury lettiM-s have been written, and committees of inquiry ap-
pointed, and reports sent in. We know how indefinite are the con-
clusions of such committees, how wastefel of public time and patience
they are. However, some information has been obtained. Sir Jos.
Paxton has written a letter which we subjoin ; also the letter of the
contractor. Price to the government as it now stands, JG65,834', or
in round numbers, about {{j300,000.
'' Sir — I have read with surprise the report of the commission ap-
pointed by the Treasury to make inquiries on the cost and applica-
bility of the Crystal Palace. The whole bearlnor of my evidence was
in favor of the plan suggested by me, and admitted by the commis-
sion to be the best proposed — viz. to convert the Crystal Palace into
a winter garden; but the only portion of my evidence which has been
adverted to in the report is a detached sentence, the meaning of which
has been totally misunderstood, if the opportunity which I request-
ed, and which was aflbrded to others, of making verbal corrections in
my printed evidence had been given to me, I should have made this
sentence clearer; but as it stands now, the sense which has been at-
tributed to it arises from a strange misapprehension. I never would
have recommended the conversion of the Palace into a winter garden
if I had not felt convinced that it was for the public advantage, even
in an economical point oi view. Though, in my opinion, the cost of
a new building on the same scale as the present might be somewhat
reduced and its plan considerably improved, the mere expense of ad-
opting what we have got to the purposes of a winter garden bears no
reasonable proportion to that of erecting and fitting up an edifice of
the kind and size de novo. The destruction of the building, when its
purchase has been so nearly completed, would, in my opinion, be a
wanton sacrifice of property; and the reference in the report to the
possibility of constructing a more suitable edifice at a less expense
than would be required for the necessary outlay on the Crystal Pa-
lace, is not only a misrepresentation of my evidence, but tends to
blind the eyes of the public to the foolish piece of modern Vandalism
which the report of the commission sanctions. — 1 have, &c., Josmi
Paxton, Devonshire-house, March 23."
"The Government and the Royal Commission have decided to al-
low the contract under which the Crystal Palace was constructed to
I take its course. In accordance therewith, the building will shortly be j
A pulled down. We feel that a structure of the kind, novel in design, 6
/Vjand which has excited the unqualified admiration of the whole world, C,\
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
79
^jis adapted for many purposes of public instruction and recreation, andf ® j
ought to be preserved — that the extensive uses to which so large a "t)
covered space might be adapted are well illustrated in the evidence of
Mr. Cole and Mr. Dilke before the commission on the subject, appoint-
ed by the Lords of the Treasury. But, in the report of that commis-
sion the objection is taken, founded on a flagrant misconception of
Sir Joseph Paxton's evidence, that it would be possible to construct a
new building better adapted for a winter garden, at less cost than
would be required to render the Crystal Palace permanent, and to
adapt it to Sir Joseph's plan. We have no hesitation in saying that
this is a monstrous mistake, and that, if the present structure is thrown
away, it is simply a wanton destruction of JG 160,000 worth of public
property, which is not likely to be replaced, except under an amount
of excitement equal to that which produced the great exhibition. The
building can only now be preserved by a manifestation of public opi-
nion in its favor ; and that the most ample opportunities for that pur-
pose may be afforded, we shall for the next week throw open the doors
to all visitors free of charge. We leave the fate of the building to
this final court of appeal, confident that, if our views are sound, they
will yet be carried into effect. We are, &c., Fox, Henderson ^x^} ibem cover it. boib far and wide—, Sirik»' deep —strike home — strike
Cover It with iheir graves!
through-
Much has been done— but more remains 'i3g ^.jgp, be firm, be cautious, yet be
Ye have fought long »nd well.
The trumi) that, on the iE^ean, glory
blew.
Seem'd wiih a storm to swell.
Asia's grim tyrant shuddered at the
sound.
He lenp'd upon his throne;
Murmur'd his horse-tail'd chieftamry
around —
** Another Marathon!^*
Dodona. 'mid her fanes and forests hoar
Heard it with solemn glee
bold!
Be broihrr-true— be One!
I teach but what the Phrygian taught of
old—
Divide, and he undone!
Hallow'd in life, in death iipelf, is he
Who ior his conmry dies ;
A light, a s'or to nil ♦mnrity —
Arise ye, then! arise!
O countrymen! O countrymen ! once
more — .
P,y pnnh— and seas— and skies—
Heard it with solemn glee : He ,veu— bv sa'red Hades- 1 implore!
And old Parnassus, with a lofty roar. By He. n.en ^^^^y ^ ^^^^^ ^
Told it from sea to sea ! I -^^ «.
^ striking specimens of Horticulture. ^^^^ ,x.
' ';ic)o^.. —
11
v\
82
THE PHILADELPIirA FLORIST.
^3&P^
[July
Beer, Dickens says, "when taken in moderation, is wholesome and
refreshing — smpifying and to staiion-house leadin;r, when taken to
excels." We are ^lad to hear him come out on Beer as follows, he
takes for his vehicle a Beer dray, and with the Beer deliverer visits
the Taps of old London.
"That oblono- board, all blue and gold, I have spoken of as visible
from my parlor window, has no mysit-ry for me. Plainly, unmis-
takeably, it says i^eer ; a good tap; fourpence a pot in the pewter j
threepence per ditto if sent for in your own jug.
And if you admit (and you will admit, or you are no true English-
man) that beer he good — and, being good, that we should be thank-
ful for if — can you tell me any valid reason why I should not write
on th(? subject of Beer] Seeing how many thousands of reputable
persons there are throughout the country who live by the sale of beer,
and how many millicms drink it, seiingthat beer is literally in every-
body's mouth, it strikes me that we should not ignore b( er taken in
its relation towards belles lettres. Tarry with me, then, while 1 dis-
course on Beer — on the sellers and the buyers thereof — and of their
habitations. 1 will essay to navigate my little bark down a river of
beer, touching, perehanee, at some little spirit-creek, or gently mean-
dering through the "back-waters" of neat wines.
When the Spanish student — immortalised by Le Sage — was in-
ducted into the mysteries of the private life of Madrid, he availed
himself of a temporary aerial machine, in a perj-on of diabolical ex-
traction, called Asmodeous — who further assisted him in his bird's-
eye inspection, by taking the roofs ofl tlie houses. When the nobili-
ty and gentry frequenting the fashionable circles of the Arabian
Nights, were desirous of travelling with extraordinary rapidity, they
were sure to be accommodated with magical carpels, or swift-flyino"
eagles, or winged hordes. Th^n they could be rendered invisible, or
provided with telescopes, enabling them to see through every obsta-
cle, from stone walls to steel castles; but things are changed, and
times are altered now. One can't go from London to Liverpool
without buying a railway-ricket, and being importuned to show it
half-a dozen times in the course of the journey, if you want to study
character in the Stock Exchange, you can get no more invisible suit
to do it in than a suit of invisible green, and run, moreover, the risk
of hearing a howl of "201!" and feeling two hundred pair of hands,
and two hundred pair feet to match, bonnetring, btifTetting, hustlino",
aud kicking you from the high place of Mammon.
The heavy wheels of our chariot have been rumbling, while I
spoke, through the great thoroughfare which commences at Charing
Cross, and ends at Mile End — somewhere about inhere there was,
once on a time, a Maypole. It diverges, going westward ; and we
are in a trice in a street, in which I never was in a vehicle in my life
without being blocked up, and in which, in the present instance, we
are comfortably wedged with a timber-laden waggon, a hearse, and
an advertising-van in front, and a Hansom cab or two, a mail-phaeton, i
\ and JVlr. Ex-Sheriff Pickle's elegant chariot behind. Leaving the re- /
^spective drivers to exchange compliments, couched in langua'ge more (P
(V)or less parliamentary, we will descend for a moment — for the neigh- (7\
1852.]
83
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
borhood is thickly studded with public houses — and we shall have jA
time, ere our chariot be extricated, to investigate numerous varieties ^^
of ^'London on Tap."
One word about the customers, and we will rejoin our chariot,
which must surely be extracted by this time. Thieves, beggars,
costermongers, hoary-headed old men, stunted, ragged, shock-haired
children, blouzy, slatternly women, hulking bricklayers, gaunt, sickly
hobbededoys, with long greasy hair. A thrice-told tale. Is it not
the saine everywhere I The same pipes, dirt howling, maundering,
fighting, staggering gin fever. Like plates multiplied by the elec-
tro-process— like the printer's *'stereo" — like the reporter's "mani-
fold''— you will find duplicates, triplicates of these forlorn beings
everywhere. The same woman giving her baby gin ; the same hag-
gard, dishevelled woman, trying to coax her drunken husband home;
the same mild girl, too timid even to importune her ruthan partner to
leave off drinking the week's earnings, who sits meekly in a corner,
with two discolored eyes, one freshly blacked — one of a week's
standing. The same weary little man, who comes in early, crouches
in a coiner, and takes standing naps during the day, waking up peri-
odically for -fresh drops." The seme red-nosed, ragged object who
disgusts you at one moment by the force and fluency of his Billings-
gate, and surprises you the next by bursting out in Greek. and Latin
quotations. The same thin, spectral man who has no money, and
with his hands piteously laid one over the other, stands for hours
gazing with fi;hy eyes at the beloved liquor— smellin«4, thinking of,
hopelessly desiring it. And, lastly, the same miserable girl, sixteen
in years, and a hiTndred in misery ; with foul, mutted hair, and death
in her face; with a tatiered plaid shawl, and ragged boots, a gin-and-
fog voice, and a hopeless eye.
We shall borrow for our readers from time to time a few sentences
from this series of Papers in "Household Words."
Reported for the Philadelphia Florist, by the Editor.
New York Horticultural Society.
The first semi-annual exhibition of this newly organised society
took place at the Metropolitan Hall, Broadway, on Wednesday last
June 10th, and was kept open till Friday night. Much interest and
enthusia<:m was displayed by the citizens in this much required ra-
tional amusement. The room occupied, is not so spacious nor so well
adapted for the proper display of tall specimens as our Society's Hall.
A few of these only made their debut on this occasion. Finely
grown and ag»*d specimens of tropical novelties are not to be found
in Gotham ; for the rest, there was no dearth of Roses, Verbenas,
Calceolarias, Pelargoniums, even the Cacti, where there in rank
and file ; one old crooked specimen looked demure, he was miscalled
Opuntia senilis; such old men take ill with being called old. Opuntia
senilis we do not know. We know Pi/ocereus senilis or old man
Cactus, and have seen specimens at Kew,more than 12 feet in height. /
There was a fine specimen of Dacrydium cupressinum (Cypress >^.
formed Dacrydium) from Messrs. T. Hogg & Son, nurserymen, York-f»>)
PSPd^ _^e -li^^
84
THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
«^
[July
ff ville. A plant of ^draucarin exceha was also exhibited, about 14- ^)
5 foet high, but the top was necessarily bent, the ceiling being low. "^
/ Some tine Azaleas were there from xMrs. Holbroolc, Eighteenth street.
Sixth avenue — gardener, David Scott, formerly of our city. A fine
specimen of Bonapartia juncea, named in honor of (not Louis the
nephew, but the uncle himself) Napoleon Bonaparte — Lucien was
more of a naturalist, especially in Ornithology. A name is a name,
and the less change the better — we cannot be learning all our lives.
A tine specimen of the Butterfly orchid Onc.idium papilii>, and onci-
(tiuni Jlexuosuni also in fine state. A fine collection of our friends
the Cacti, from T. Richardson, curious and interesting. The Richard-
sons at home and abroad have shewn themselves friends to Horticul-
ture. We have seen them exhibit plants before to-day. T. Hogg's
plants were novel and select, and excited the amateurs in novelties.
In fact a friend of ours brought some of them to this city, although
we would have it that our nurserymen are posted up in all Horticul-
tural desiderata.
Premiums of the Horticultural Society. — We subjoin the list of
premiums awarded at the late Exhibition, and have the satisfaction
of stating that measures will at once betaken to arrange for the au-
tumn display, which will fully sustain the character of excellence so
triumphantly achieved at this first semi-annual exhibition : Tribune.
PlantSy Flou'ersj BoqnetSy BasletSj J^-c.
Thomas Hog«j; & Son, best 6 Hot house Plants $r) 00
Louis Mpiuuid, best <) Greenhouse Plants -O 00
Robert Rennie, 2nd best Greenhouse Plants 3 00
Geo. Gamjjoo, (iardener to Wm. C. Langley, E^q., best G Pelargoniums 5 00
Geo. Gani;i<'e. (iardent^r to Wm. ('. Lanj^ley, Esq., 2nd best do 3 00
John VV. Wood, best 2 Fancy Pelarjioniunis 2 00
J. E. Ranch, 2nd best G Fuchsias (no lirst) T) 00
Wm. ChalmiTs, Gardf-ner to Thos. Richardson, Esq., best 20 Cacti 2 00
Alex, (iordon, Gardener to Edwin Hoyt, Esq., best tall growiog Cactus 2 00
John W. Wood, best G Verbenas 3 00
Andrew Maythorn, 2iid best Verbenas 2 00
Wm. Davidson, best Seedling Verbena 3 00
J. E. Rauch, 2rid best Seedling Verbena 2 00
Charles More, Cnd best 3 Roses in pots (no first) 3 00
M. J)onadi, 2nd best 12 Pansies in pots (no lirst) 2 00
IVI. Donadi, best 3 Carnations in pots 2 00
John;W. Wood, best 1 Petunias jn pots 2 00
John Cranstoun, best display of Cut Flowers .*) 00
J. 1'.. Rauch, 2nd best display of Cut Flowers 3 00
John W. Wood, best show' of Pansies I ,'50
D. Boll; best general display of Roses T) 00
J. F). Lenoir, 2nd best general display of Roses 3 00
Isaac Buchanan, best seedling Rose 2 00
Robert Rpid, best pair of Hand Bouquets 3 00
William Wilson, second best Hand Bouquets 2 00
James An^us, best Parlor Bon(|uets 2 00
William Wilson, second best Parlor Bouquet i 00
Walter Park, best Basket of Flowers 3 00
John Young, second best Basket of Flowers 2 00
Wm. Chalmers, Gardener to Thomas Richardson, Esq., best display of
' Cinerarias 3 00
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
'^^'
2 00
1 00
2 00
2 00
2 00
2 00
2 00
1 00
5 00
1 00
-^o
'V^
^^QSA
1852.]
H Fntlt.
VJ Henry Van Horn, best tw^o pounds of Cherries
William M. White, best quart of Strawberries
J. W. Hayes, second best tjuart of Strawberries
Wm. M. White, best Seedling Strawberry
J. Hartman, Gardener to Wm. H. Paine, Esq., second best display of
Strawberries, (no lirst)
Shepherd Koapp, Esq., six splendid Lemons, grown under glass
A plate of beautiful Nectarines, grown under glass, from W. C.H. Wad-
dell, Esq., too late for competition.
George Saul, Gardener to Shepherd Knapp, Esq., best three bundles of
Asparagus
Wm. Cranstoun, Gardener to Edwin A. Stevens, Esq., best three heads
of Caulidower.
Julius Hartmann, Gardener to Wm. H. Paine, Esq., best half peck of
Potatoes
Alex. Gordon, Gardener to Edwin Hoyt, Esq., best brace of Cucumbers
Alex. Gordon, Gardener to Edwin Hoyt, Esq., best twelve stalks of
Rhubarb
Geo. Saul, Gardener to Shepherd Knapp, Esq., best six heads of Lettuce
Julius Hartmann, Gardener to Wm. H. Paine, Esq., best general display
of Vegetables
Geo. Saul, Gardener to Shepherd Knapp, Esq., five beautiful Cucumbers
In addition to the above, there were some discretionary premiums
awarded. There were also a great many very beautiful things pre-
sented for exhi!)ition only, a full list of which will be published by
the Society, with the names of those who presented them; but the
Victoria Regia, the great centre of attraction, from Caleb Cope, Esq,
of Philadelphia, must not be here omitted.
Maryland Horticultural Society.
Reported for the Florist,
This young, or like its neighbors, this revived Society, begins to
become more than a nominal aid to general Horticulture. There are a
few men about Baltimore, who, if they only will, can move it along.
Guard against monopoly in awarding your prizes — in selecting your
officers, in your kindness to strangers. Let your Society — we would
say to the amateurs of Baltimore, and its eminent florists and nursery-
men, its well-versed horticulturists— be a fair and free society. Mr.
Saunders has reported for us the following :
0/icer5— President, Dr. Thomas Edmonson, Jr.; Vice Presidents,
Henry Snyder, Samuel Sands, S. Feast, Sr., John Feast; Treasurer,
Edward Kurtz; Cor. Sec. Wm. Saunders; Rec. Sec. R. F. Pentland.
The Society held their May exhibition on Thursday the 27th. A
beautiful and unique display of flowering plants graced the tables, evi-
dencing that the horticultural ability and zeal of Baltimore are of no
ordinary character. Many seedlings of a superior character were ex-
hibited. In this respect the amateurs and florists of this city have ar-
rived at great perfection. Seedling Camellias, and roses of unsur-
V passed excellence are here " born to blush unseen," if we may judge
p. from the modesty of the possessors.
'^ The President of the society furnished several disbes of seedling
'v'>U)o-^^ — — ^C^M
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
r>?)&^
■^^(
[July
»^-, ff^ 1
(.'
strawberries ; his "Haerlem Orange " is a fruit possessing desirable ^^
^~ qualities; it is of medium size, shape conical, a constant and abundant ^
7 bearer, and pronounced by competent judges to be superior in flavor ; \
Marylandic.a, another seedling raised by this gentleman, is also a
fruit of merit. A dish of beautiful fruit, seedlings from Hovey's seed-
ling, were much admired; it did not appear, howevtT, that they were
superior to that variety, with the exception of ripening eight or ten
days earlier.
In the vegetable line, Mrs. Rodiewald contributed fine cauliflower
and dwarf beans; superior rhubarb, asparagus, potatoes and mushrooms
from Dr. Edmonson ; and very large Victoria rhubarb from J. Feast.
The principal attraction was the following pL nts — Messrs. S. Feast
& Sons^ent a collection of Geraniums, among which were conspicu-
ous plajits of Camilla, Rosamund, Elegans, William &, Adelaide, Bella
and Mastee ; a collection of Calceolarias, well-bloomed ; Veronica
Andersonii, Crinthojolum aureum, and fine bouquets. Dr. Edmonson
contributed a great variety of promising seedling roses; Fvchsias, one
in the ring, Sir J. Falstatf, Lady of the Lake, Beauty of Salisbury,
Sidmonthis and Longiflora; luxuriiint Nepenthefi (Jistillatoria; beautiful
flowered Ixora Coccinea^ and seedling Cacti ; Verbenas, Clotilde,
Graciosa, Mad. Clunet, Sunset, Talleyrand & Sir Seymour Blanche.
John Feast exhibited a general collection of flowering plants, includ-
ing Tremandra verticiUata in fine order, Rhyncospermum jasminoides^
Boro7iia viminea^ Lillium eximium^ Leschennultia splendens^ Bego-
nia hydrucotylefolia Mitraria coccinea^ Thibaudia vnccineum^ &c.; fine
Geraniums and Fuchsias, and several handsome bouquets.
Messrs. Pentland, Greenmount Gardens, sent an extensive as-
sortment, beautiful specimens of Amie V^ip.ert rose, cut blooms of
Geant de Battailles Granville, Paul Joseph, Souvenir de la Malmai-
son. Madam Laflay, Monthly Cabbage, Yellow Tea, and General
Stewart, a seedling named Dr. Edmonson, apparantly an acquisition
Cuphea Platycentra^ Leschennultia formosa^ RvsseUia jvncea^ Ver-
benas, Reine de jour and Amour, beautiful cut flowers in variety.
From the garden of T. Wynans, Esq., were fine Spotted Cal-
ceolarias, Pelargoniums Blanche, Lyra, Village Belle, Aspasia, Anais,
Berangeria, Lady Clementine, Magog, &c., Verbenas, Reine de
jour, Sunset, Madame Gourney, Striped Eclipse, Heroine and Malvi-
na. Cinerarias, Newington beauty, Apollo, Resplendent, Jetty
Treffles, Glowworm and Delight.
E. Kurtz, Esq., exhibited a collection of beautiful spotted Calceola-
rias, splendid Verbenas, Roses, Paul Joseph, Geant de Battailles,
Persian Yellow, Lady Stanley, Glory d' Angers, Bernardin de St.
Pierre, pink and white moss. Countess Duchatel, Madame Cusine, De-
voniensis, Charles Souchet, &c. E. W. Stobie, had fine plants of
Lillium eximeum, and seedling Verbenas, one named Agnes seemed
worthy further attention.
Mrs. Rodievald, sent a neat display of well bloomed Pelargoniums,
Fuchsias, &c.. Bouquets in variety.
Jas. Galloway, Clairmount Nursery, contributed a fine bloomed
Azalea, variegata, Pelargoniums William and Adelaide, Mustke, /
Mount Etna, Orion, Hebe's Lip, Forget me not, Arabella and pyra- fP
midal bouquets. Q\
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L.IU
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 87
^3}~^P^ " ^tStl^
Cljt /Inrist aiiu I^iorfirultural Journal.
Philadelphia, July, 1852.
Three Months' Experience in American Horticulture.
When, on the sixteenth of March last, (or thereabouts,) we were
driver reluctantly from the potting bench and stoke-hole of a Phila-
delphia amateur — whose extreme love of the new and beautiful sur-
prised and cheered us — to the writing desk of the editor, hitherto held
sacred by us, we did not anticipate anything but trouble and difficul-
ty. Either the wild prairie, clothed with Nature's own productions,
unseen in many cases hitherto by man in his civilised intelligent state,
or at least in that character which forbids him to search deeper than
the surface or outskirts — either this was to become our field of opera-
tions, or the work on which now we spend our time. The turbulent
area of political jargon had been seen on a different soil,only to warn
us that here there was no place for us in such a capacity ; we knew
but few — still fewer knew us. Who is this upstart 1 — this pretentious
abortion 1 Harder words than these have been used to designate the
humble editor of this embryo journal. We thank them for using these
specious arguments, they live but an hour. We dreaded the "Jeff-
ries" of Horticulture ; they have not treated us any otherwise than
as gentlemen, who, placed on a high commanding eminence, should
treat the crawler up to their popularity, with silence. Thegrovellin
underwriters have had their fling, and we are here, thanks to our
friends who have written and paid, and induced their friends to write
and pay, and we hope for at least nine months more we shall say good
morning to the Hawthorns and good night to the Knights ot our pro-
fession. The Philadelphia Florist does its best — it is a laborious ma-
chine, a real task to its father and friends ; but when the machinery
becomes lubricated by a little oil from the mint, not Cat mini, (nepe-
ta cataria,) it shall move along smoothly from Canada to Florida.
THE CALCEOLARIA.
(see plate v.)
Its Character and Cultivation. — By the Editor.
One of the fugitive creations in which the kingdom of Flora
abounds. How beautiful, various and striking are the forms of Cal-
\ ceolaria, or Lady's Slipper ; (Ladies' Pockets our lady amateurs call
\ them, and transfer the former name to the Balsam. Any name will
(tsuit us, as we have a good memory and can be accommodating in this
o
I
^
88
n > . L>
THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST. [Julv
"^^bia^i
[^ way.) The very aspect of this plant would convey some idea of its ^ J
^f evanescent character. There are two sections of the genus — one em- em-
braces what are termed shrubby Calceolarias, or those which do not
die down after blooming, but renew their shoots every season by shoot-
out buds from the old stem and branches. These are from C. rugosa
and C. intcirrifolia.
The shrubby species are not so showy as the Herbaceous; they are
generally yellow or dark pink in color ; their leaves not so broad or
wooly, and more serrated ; their flowers smaller in size and different in
shape, although still very ornamental and more valuable to many than
the more transient though beautiful herbaceous varieties. Hitherto
their cultivation has not been much extended, as the seeds after vege-
tation require minute attention. Our specimen is from a seedling
raised by R. Buist, not chosen tor any peculiar character or merit, but
being a seedling it was without any characteristic appellation. One
of our friends admired it, and suggested the name which it bears —
Anna Neal. The name is in honor of Mrs. Neal of this city, and her
friend Mrs. Anna Hill, of the School of Design— a lady who has taken
a trreat interest in the success of the " Florist." Mr. Buist kind-
ly permitted us to name it as above. The drawing is true, and we
hope will please the fastidious, as far as they make up their minds to
be pleased. This is a small sketch ; Mr. Saunders has promised a his-
torv of this interesting tribe next month.
New Plant. — At the Stated Meeting of the Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society of the 19th ult., a plant from California was exhibit-
ed by Wm. Hobson, raised by him from California seed obtained from
a friend, it flourished and at length flowered in May, and was depos-
ited on your table to be determined, on the last evening of meeting.
If the Botanical Committee have not already described and determin-
ed it, I beg to offer the following suggestions as to its identity. It
appears at first sight to resemble Echium, a genus of Boraginea? or
rough Plants which are furnished with a circinate inflorescence.
But although having a circinate inflorescence it does not agree in
other important characi eristics. We then refer it to Hydrophylla-
CE^, a natural order also furnished with a circinate inflorescence and
not to detain the unscientific part of the audience state my idea that
the plant is a new form of Phacelia, at least new to all our friends
who have examined it. The grower put the specimen in my hands
to name. I therefore, subject of course to revision of Professional
Botanists, of whom I am not one, would call it Phacelia setosa?
bristly Phacelia, or Caterpillar Plant.— R. R. Scott.
To the Pennsvlvania Horticultural Society— Stated Meeting June
15th, 1852.
;39v 1^^:
i
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOmST. 89
f
(^ [D*OiJr spirited friend at New York, of the American Gardener's fo
Chronicle we do not pretend to notice. The handle to our name is (j
just sufficient to lift Us by, and no more. Jf more is required he can
have it at the shortest notice — with deeds given under hand and seal
to substantiate :i\\ pretensions. We would say a word for our talented
cotemporary the "Working Farmer." Prof. Mapes we know will not
see, or if he do, will not notice such miserable cavil as is vented
about "When HOUSES." We hope that at some future day, science
will have more gentlemanly advocates than the Empire city now pos-
sesses. Oh, mantle of Linnaeus and Knight where hast thou descended!
We recommend the "Working Farmer" as a tried, scientific and prac-
tical sheet — not a whit too chemical, though the "Plough" thinks it
cannot turn up the furrow, loaded with salt and soot, and gypsum, and
fiiano. We shall see when the husbandman comes round to gather
D
the crop, where it is heavy, and where light.
\^ One of the speakers at the Horticultural Exhibition at New
York eulogised our friends across the ferry in the following words : —
It is conceded that notwithstanding the sterility of their soil and seve-
rity of climate, Scotch gardeners are more talented in their profession
than any others.
(i;7» The correspondent who enquired last month about Stowell
Corn, knew more about it than we did. We would thank such men
to help us with their knowledge.
[I3?-Thomas Hutchinson, who left this city two weeks ago as col-
lector of native plants and seeds, has written a journal of his tour to
Cincinnati. We shall copy from it copiously next month. He pub-
licly returnts hanks to Messrs. Cunningham, of Pittsburg — Mr. Rob-
inson, Sharpsburg— Mr. G. MacHattie, at C. F. Spangs, Pittsburg,—
and to Mr. Pentland, Cincinnati, Gardener to N. Lorgworth, for their
kind attention towards him.
\j[j^ We must hold over a paper on the cultivation of the Straw-
berry—and Mr. Powell's article on Foreign Grapes; also, Thomas
Hutchinson's conclusion of the paper on Pruning— with many other
important matters.
0~?* L C. Haight, of 5th Avenue, 15th Street, New York, Gardener,
F. Norton, has in his pretty conservatory, fine plants of Doryanthea
exelsa in bud, also. Yucca aloeifolia a fine collection of Acacias
Araucaria excelsa, &ic.
p* The state of the thermometer is left out, and a Botanical four
in New York, New Jersey, and Chester county, Pa., with the contin-
uation of the article on Acclimatisation of Plants. Also, notices of
(^public and private gardens in the vicinity of New York.
' 'JSPd^^ — —
12
h
I
h'
1
►f \
[July
Dr. J. Rush, has collected into his fine conservatories, those 1>
90 THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection.
\
choice and rare specimens which we do not meet with on this conti-
nent or in any other Gardening Establishments. A visit here quite re-
freshes us, brings to our recollection old friends, whom we used to
supply with water, and heat, and admit a little air at times, when we
had leisure to open the sashes — plants want air, without it they be-
come mere abortions, descending in the scale of organized beings to
anomalies of vegetation. Here we have finely finished houses, con-
structed so finely, as to give an idea of some extensive museum or
Palace Conservatory; do not those dense sashes hinder the light 1
pard m the liberty — we have here the Sugar Cane, Coffek-tree Ma-
HOGAXY, Tea, Nutmeg, Musk-tree, (^^^ster argophijllus) Golden' Fern,
{Gijmnograinma chryaantha) Kennedias, Palms, large Fuchsias; Cin-
erarias, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, Gloxinias, Cac-
ti, Musas, Pine Apple Plants, ( Ananassa ananas). We can-
not pretend to enumerate a tithe of the novelties collected here, and
notwithstanding, the talk which the cavillers at Gotham, may in-
dulge in, Mrs. Dr. Rush is known as a liberal supporter of the arts
and sciences. We are sorry we cannot say more for the sake of her
quiet and obliging gardener, but our space this month is limited, so we
must proceed to
Hamilton Village — w^here once flourished a Horticultural Society.
It still holds its meetinirs with doors closed to such annoving visitors
as practical gardeners; howt'ver, there are many rare plants in this
neishborhood, which we shall proceed to enumerate :
J. F. Knoer, imports the novelties of France and England in
the way of Koses, Chrysanthemums, V^erbenas, stove and green-house
plants, Camellias, Dahlias, Carnation, and everything in fact, new
and rare, Ipomte Limbiafa, I. ficifolia, Passiflora diversifolia, new and
distinct, Medinilla Magnifica, M. speciosa nat. ord. Melastomacece,
beautiful hot-house plants, with fleshy dark green leaves, and large
spikes or thyrses of flowers terminal on the branches ; of JMedinillas
there are three distinct species, M. erythrophylla, M. specinsa and M.
Mngnifica^ they are allied to Pleroma, Osbeckia, Rhexia, Melastoma,
&c., which last is the type of the order Melastomace^ — we must
close here for the present, although we have never noticed Agnostus
sinuatus (Stcnocarpus Cunmnghamii,) 2l fine "N^w Hollander, nat. ord.
PROTEACEiE or Bank's Tribe — we shall visit with J. F. K's. permis-
sion, his vegetable garden again, to see how it goes along. — The
weather is too warm to walk much, and we cannot aflbrd to ride, so we
must poke about the Rus-in-Urbe establishment against our will, —
The Committee of Inspection of gardens will soon be about; two
members have declined acting, the president W. D. Brinckle, has^
filled up the vacancies of Capt. Marston and R. Robinson Scott. ^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 91
On the Bleeding of Trees from Pruning
Mr. Editor — I hoped I had done with you for a time. I have no
idea of setting myself up for a "teacher amongst my brethren." I
have had to learn much since my advent in this land ; I have had
much to unlearn, and I am not ashamed to avow that I expect to learn
much more, notwithstanding that a friend has thought fit, in another
quarter, to give me a poke on the novelty of my knowledge, when
compared with his own. I am more happy in reading the experience
and ideas of others than in publishing my own. When I give you
any ideas of my own, I look upon that act as one of justice in ex-
change for what I get from others through the same source. When I
wrote you my congratulatory paper on the appearance of the Florist,
1 incidentally stated that bleeding did not injure a grape vine. How
cold must have run the blood of my censorious friend when his won-
dering eyes first caught sight of the presumptuous sentence ! How his
nerves must have shuddered with galvanic twitches, when his keen
understanding really began to comprehend the mysterious import of
the audacious words ! Rank, awful heresy — burn, yes, away with the
atheist !
But, to come more to the point, I scarcely believe that I shall be
doing myself credit in noticing such an attack from one who could
fasten on you for observing that the first greenhouses in the Union
were erected in Philadelphia, because some were in existence "in
Pearl street seventy years ago," in spite of a fact mentioned in a work
which ought certainly to be read at least by an Editor— why, the ve-
ry owner of those houses was probably dead before the seventy years
alluded to. However, as there may be so?ne others who still held to
the orthodox view, i will point out why I slated that the grape vine
is not injured by bleeding. To be honest, I will state that the idea
is not my own ; I first road it some years ago in an agricultural jour-
nal. Like all new ideas I meet with, "1 laid it by" till circumstances
should enable me to test it myself.
Sir, "once upon a time" I set two men to "prune up" a stock of
silver maples. The leaves had but lately fallen. After pruning for
a time, I was informed that the trees bled a little; 1 thouglit fit to have
the operation stopped. In the middle of winter, when I thought the
wood would certainly be ripe, 1 had a considerable more pruned—
these bled much; I mentioned the fact to an older and wiser head than
mine. His reply was "Oh, it won't hurt them any, they bleed any
time." Through pressure of work, some of these maples were left
unpruned till the leaves wore nearly bursting; then they did bleed—
I here was a glorious opportunity to observe the effects of bleeding. I
9:^ watched them frequently after, but I never saw the slightest dliTerence d
0^ in their appearance or health; I pursued the subject further. On tak- ^
J
^•'»-9'V^ -
::.^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [July
''^i ing charge of an establishment I found a trellis covered with unprun- g.
ed^sabeUa vines ; it was in the middle of April, and the eyes were "
bursting. They looked so untidy that I determined to prune them,
bleed 0° not ; 1 did not so firmly believe in the injurious effects of
bleeding then as I had formerly done— I resolved to decide it then,
and forever. 1 pruned half the trellis of vines, and let them bleed as
they might; the other half I left unpruned, but made them look as tidy
as I could. They proved equal ultimately in all respects ; the prun-
ing had not injured them— the only advantage gained was the impro-
ved appearance I desired. Well, sir, 1 had gained my point. I had
proved that bleeding was not injurious. I next endeavored to under-
stand why it was not so, and I found ample reason; 1 watched the pro-
cess of bleeding, and found that it ceased immediatety on the opening
of the blossoms'; on examining the wood I found that the/ow seemed
to proceed through the pores of the wood, rather .than through .the
bark or the alburnum; and upon collecting some of the fluid, I found
both in the vine and the maple that it tasted nearly like water, quite
different from the taste of the alburnum or inner bark. 1 watched
also the growth of the maple further— I found that in trees of the same
age, growing side by side, those bled most which had blossom buds,
and that the bleeding ceased on the expansion of these buds— those
which had no blossom buds were irregular in the time when their ceas-
ing to bleed arrived.
From these tacts I concluded that the moisture given out in bleed-
ing was very raw, crude sap, kept in readiness by the plant to supply
the great extra evaporation which must naturally take place on the
bursting of the buds. It seemed, firstly, that some source to supply
the sudden evaporation was necessary ; secondly, the flavor of the sap
showed that it could be of very little service, except to supply that
evaporation, as, had it been ever elaborated in the leaves, it would
have tasted like the inner bark; and thirdly, the experiment on the
grape and the maple proved, by their being uninjured, that the buds
left on the trees after pruning did obtain from the stock that was left,
sufliicient for all their evaporating purposes.
In conclusion, I beg to assure my friend that I write these remarks
in a good spirit, for what 1 believe to be a physiological truth. It
will be the last time, however, that I shall notice the closeted cavil-
ino-s of any one. What I write is from my own observation and ex-
peHence. If these are different from those of my friends, it will be a
pleasure for me to know it through the '' Florist," and study their
point. A Pharisaical prayer for our "practical" improvement in the
\ profession will not prove or disprove any one fact. Let us have bet-
cV ter arguments than these. Thos. Meehan.
P — %
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^^^^Gfci
CALENDAll OF OPERATIONS,
Written by Practical Gardeners, for the Philadelphia Florist,
Hints for July — The Flower and Vegetable Garde?i. — It is custom-
ary for writers to apologize for imperfections which may be found in
their productions. In arranging a calendar of operations it is impos-
sible to lay down rules infallible in their application to circumstances
so varied as those which surround each operator. It will therefore be
our endeavor to give rather the principles upon which our practice is
founded, when the judgment of most readers will lead to their correct
application.
Hot-House or Stove. — Plants in this department are very liable
to get scorched by the sun in our endeavors to keep the house close,
in order to preserve its humidity. Th^ glass should be painted with
white paint on the outside — it will last two seasons; no evil will arise
to the plants in the winter time by the slight obstruction of light. —
Air should only be given at the top sashes when the thermometer rises
above 95°, and the house should be syringed, and water thrown on
the paths before airing, or so much moisture will escape with the heat-
ed air as to check the growth. If the plants are likely to become
drawn^ water them only when they are quite dry. Acanthaceous,
plants as Justicias, Kuellia, Geissomeria, Aphelandra, &c., as well
as other fall and winter blooming plants will have to receive their
last potting now. Cestrum aurantiacum is a beautiful fall blooming
plant.
Greenhouse. — Erica, EpacriSy Correa, and other fibrous rooted
plants will do better kept in the greenhouse all summer, provided the
glass be painted to exclude the burning rays of the sun ; the top sashes
should be thrown open a considerable distance, and left open during
the summer, except before the commencement of heavy rains. Hard-
wooded plants can be '-^grown in America" only by being kept under
glass — the out-door atmosphere is too arid, and the heavy rains swamp
them. Chinese Primroses ought to be sown now ; no greenhouse
ought to be without their blossoms in March and April. Soft-wcoded
plants are better out of the house now ; they should not however be
exposed to the full sun — the leaves of all plants grown under glass are
more or less injured by full exposure to the sun. Cultivators are di-
vided in their opinions respecting the propriety of turning out Came-
lias in Summer; where they are to be turned out ^they will do best
under the deepest shade — those kept under glass will require occa-
sional heavy syringings, to keep down spiders, and insects generally.
1 Rhyncospermum jasminoides is a good new cUmbing plant for the
q-j greenhouse ; color, white, fragrant.
(^ Flower Garden.— The grass should be kept frequently mown—
^-i^-b- ——^Qsm
94 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[JULT
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
f
fethecoarserkindsaredestroyedby this time, while the finer kinds,
^grovv closer and make a more velvety surface. Flower beds will re- '
quire frequent stirring of the surface soil, in order both to keep down
the weeds and to render it cool ; where the (lowers are grown in masses
they should be frequently pegged down— it shades, as well as sooner
fills the beds. Now is the season to observe what kinds of plants are
best adapted to bedding out purposes, so that cuttings may be procur-
ed in time for next season's plants. All the various kinds of Petu-
nias are excellent, they endure any amount of drought or heat, and
are very showy. The Senecio Jacob.ea, or s. elegnns, makes a good
crimson; Gnillurdia picta, French Marigold ; Cuphea platycentra,
Scarlet and Pink Geraniums, all make fine bedding-out plants. Ver-
benas and Heliotropes are more nice in their soil, they often fail.—
Roses may now be budded, but wherever practicable they should be
propagated from cuttings or layers— budded plants often die, and gen-
erally sucker much.
Vegetable Garden.— In the early part of the month another crop
of Dwarf Beans may be put in ; they will come in most useful be-
fore winter ; the early six weeks is the best for this crop. If the
ground has been trenched deeply, sow also another crop of Banksian
Marrow Peas ; Savory, Cape Brqccoli, and Drumhead Cabbage,
ought also to be put out at once ; Kohl Rabi does best in rich stony
loam. Those who can protect the Large Sulphur Broccoli in win-
ter, ought to plant out now in deep, rich soil— they will head the Feb-
ruary following. Endive, in many places, has become essential ; to-
wards the end of the month sow for the main crop. We have given
up growing the Batavian, the Curled being always preferred. To-
wards the end of the month, sow a few Ruta Bagas, (Skirving's im-
proved Swede,) and prepare for the main crop— ground sloping to
the North produces the best crops, in all cases keep down weeds;
never sulTer one to flower, much less seed — 1 would rather be a week
behind with a crop than allow a weed to get ahead. T. J.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The sixth stated meeting of the Society for 1852, was lield on Tu-
esday evening at the Society's Hall, Chinese Museum, VV. D. Brinckle,
M. D., V. P. presided, (at last stated meeting P. A. Key8^*^ presided,
not Dr. B., as we had it. We wonder where our President is?) The
display was not so extensive as we had anticipated, either in fruits or
flowers. Jas. Bisset, Sr. exhibited cherries, for which a prize was a-
warded; Mr. J. S. Lovering's gardener, Mr. Miller, exhibited flowers
and fruit, consisting of several varieties of choice strawberries, which
excited the Epicurean dispositions of w^hol— every one who saw them
m^''^ - — '- — ^^^^
95
—they were considerately left on the table after the exhibition as an
exciter; but alas ! they were eventually closeted. All the fruit was
not borne away Scott, free. Mr. B.'s cherries were reduced consider-
ably; almost every one tasted Gerhard Schmitz's fine Pennsylvania
seedling strawberry. Old Gerhard is a great one to raise seedlings
of pears, dahlias, peaches, strawberry, and he makes, we believe, cho-
colate too.
R. Buist's foreman, Wm. Mcintosh, exhibited plants as follows:
Ixora coccinea, Ang?lonia grandiflora, Rhynchospermum jasminoi-
des, Gesneria lutea. Gloxinia rubra, Rondt^letia speciosa, Sollya hete-
rophylla, Petunias elegans and eclipse. Fuchsias, M. Chauvierii, Dr.
Adam Clark. Fancy Geraniums — Ytolmskii, Clown, Jenny Lind,
Mad. Miellez, Spleanii, Ogre.
C. Cope's gardener exhibited the following plants: Begonia san-
guined, Brugmansia Knightii, Oncidium luridum, Gongora maculate.
— Fuchsias — Gay Lad, Corallina, Snow Drop, Napoleon, Beauty of
Leeds, Exoniensis, Princess Alice. Vekbenas — Hovey's America,
Diadem, Republican, Nectar Cup, Orb of Day, and three Pelargo-
niums.
We shall look anxiously for the return of Mr. Buist, with the plant
novelties of Paris and London, he set out on his important journey on
last Saturday, in the "Arctic" in good spirits — we hope we will be
borne out in our statements, that Philadelphia is not behind the time
in Horticulture, although we saw some fine new plants at Hogg & Co.
New York. Mr. Burnett exhibited plants we believe, but he left us
no list. The premium was awarded to F. Lennig's gardener.
Thos. Megrahn, deposited a collection of vegetables, consisting of
Peas extra early. Spinach, Lettucf, (iBw^^cr and Large Black)
Radish long scarlet and turnip rooted^ Parsley, Thyme, Onions silver
skinned. The designs were numerous and fine ; R. Kelvington, de-
posited a fine basket of flowers. — We have to apologise to Mr. K. for
omitting to notice his basket of indigenous plants last month contain-
ing some rare natives we have not heretofore reported the proceedings
of this society as official, Mr. James, however, has handed us the
following awards :
By the Committee on Plants and Flowers — Plants in Pots: For the
best and most interesting collection, to Thomas Meehan, gardener to
Caleb Cope ; for the second best do. to John Pollock, gardener to F.
Lennig; for the third best do. to Wm. Mcintosh, foreman to R. Buist.
Bouquet design, formed of cut flowers — for the best, to John Miller,
gardener to Joseph S. Lovering; for the second best do. to Thos. Mee-
han ; for the best bouquet suitable for the hand, to the same ; for the
best of indigenous flowers, to the same. Basket formed of cut flow-
ers— for the best to Robert Kilvington; for the second best to Thomas
% Meehan; for the best of indigenous flowers to the same.
96 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[July
The committee awarded a special premium of two dollars to Peter
... ■, -r . rr«l l!.^<^ n mit-rtVki:!!*
Raabe for a fine display of seedling Verbenas. They notice a number
of tine flowers of the Night-Bloomino; Cerent, from the collection of >|
Caleb Cope; and a new plant, the Phacelia setosa, from \Vm. Hobson,
grown from seeds collected in California.
By the Committee on Fruits. Strawberries— for the best 2 quarts,
the Pennsylvania, to Gerhard Schmitz ; for the second best, the Ho-
vey's seedling, to John Miller, gardener to J. S. Lovering. Cherries
-for the best 2 quarts, the May Duke, to James Bisset, gardener to
James Dundas; for the second best, the May Duke, to Isaac B. Baxter.
The committee observe that the display of Strawberries wasremarka-
bly fine, and the fruit ot great size.
By the Committee on Vegetables. Vegetables-For the best and
most interesting by a private gardener, to Thomas Meehan, gardener
to Coleb Cope; for the second best do. to Thomas Meghrai>, gardener
to Robert Cornelius.
On motion, the chair appointed delegates to proceed to Washington
to represent the Association at the. Agricultural Convention to meet
there on the 24th. David Landreth, J. Price Wetherill, Dr Hare,
Thos. Hancock, C. B. Rogers, R. Robinson Scott, and Ihos. Meehan
we believe were the members appointed. ^ , e n
The portrait of the late respected President was executed by Sully
at a cost of $100. '!'• ?' J^^^^^' ^''' ^''''
West Chester Horticultural. Agricultural and Industrial
Exhibition.
The June Exhibition took place at Horticultural Hall, on Thursday
17lh inst., and was continued on Friday and Saturday. This was ra-
ther a miscellaneous affair, possessing more real interest than a niere
flower show. The evidences of youthful female industry were there
displayed in specimens of needle-work, showing the gradual progress
of the needle in the hands of the child, the young girl, and the maid
and matron; and more than the matrons of Chester county most have
been pleased with these proofs of thrift in the housewives of their d.s-
trict Agricultural implements were numerous ; Pennock's grain drill
attracted attention; a fine assortment of plooghs and harrows were de-
poMted In Horticulture, Paschall Morris and A. Marshall exhibited
lar-e collections ot plants and vegetables; indigenous plants also occu-
pied a place. Strawberries were in quantities; those of A. L. Felton
of Philadelphia, however, took the lead. A full report willappear m
the West Chester Register.
IP- A large amount of original and other matter has been left over
unavoidably. , ^
jji^29^V ^ — -"^^^ ^
^t^n^^i^^^^^-^*.-^
efiyTTtrrrt"^^
iig^ (Zd^^-c-^tltX/
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [July
— ■ ■ ' "~'^^^^'
(^ 'The committee awarded a special premium of two dollars to Peter ^
y Raabe for a fine display of seedling Verbenas. They notice a number <^
/ of fine fiowers of the Night-Blooming Cerew, from the collection ot ^
Caleb Cope; and a new plant, the Phacelia setosa, from Wm. Hobson,
grown from seeds collected in California.
By the Committee on Fruits. Strawberries-for the best 2 quarts,
the Pennsylvania, to Gerhard Schmitz ; for the second best, tlie Ho-
vey's seedling, to John Miller, gardener to J. S. Lovering. Cherries
-for the best 2 quarts, the May DuUe, to James Bisset, gardener to
.lames Dundas; for the second best, the May Duke, to Isaac B. Baxter.
The committee observe that the display of Strawberries was remarka-
bly fine, and the fruit ot great size.
By the Committee on Vegetables. Vegetables-For the best and
most interesting by a private gardener, to Thomas Meehan, gardener
to Coleb Cope; for the second best do. to Thomas Meghran, gardener
to Robert (Jornelius.
On motion, the chair appointed delegates to proceed to Washington
to represent the Association at the. Agricultnral Convention to meet
there on the 2+th. David Landreth, J. Price Wetherill, Or Hare,
Thos. Hancock, C. B. Rogers, R. Robinson Scott, and Ihos. Meehan
we believe were the members appointed. , , <, ii
The portrait of the late respected President was executed by Sully
at a cost of $100. _^ T. P. J«.es, Rec. Sec.
West Chester Horticultural, Agricultural and Industrial
Exhibition.
The June Exhibition took place at Horticultural Hall, on Thursday
17lh inst., and was continued on Friday and Saturday. This was ra-
ther a miscellaneous affair, possessing more real interest than a mere
flower show. The evidences of youthful female industry were there
displayed in specimens of nee.lle-work, showing the gradual progress
of the needle in the hands of the child, the young girl, and the maid
and matron; and more than the matrons of Chester county most have
been pleased with these proofs of thrift in the housewives of their dis-
trict A.'ricultural implements were numerous ; Pennock s grain drill
attracted attention; a fine assortment of ploughs and harrows were de-
posited In Horticulture, Paschall Morris and A. Marshall exhibited
lar
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
99
^b^ .x?Q*r-
I
#
m
^r
I' I
100 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
seeds, require particular attention from the time they are sown until,-.)
the young plants take roothold in the soil.
The following 1 have found a very successful method of vegetating \
seeds of this character. Prepare a small sized, say a four inch pot, by
filling it two- thirds full with drainage and rough siftings of soil, and
fill up with a light rich compost, such as a mixture of fibry loam, sand
and leaf mould ; press it to a perfectly level surface and sow the seeds.
Now, insert this into an eight inch pot, first filling the latter with
moss until the rims of the two are level, pack between the two firmly
with the same material, and soak it thoroughly with water. By moist-
ening the soil gently in the first place and keeping the m.oss constant-
ly wet, the inner pot will absorb sufficient moisture to vegetate the
seed, and obviate the liability of disturbing the soil by top watering.
Evaporation will be further arrested by covering the whole with a
flat piece of glass. Light may also be excluded by a sprinkling of
sand on the glass. Light may or may not retard germination, but in
its exclusion the escape of moisture is in a measure prevented, and the
more appropriated germinating degree of dampness secured.
When the young plants commence to grow they require to be trans-
planted. Unless this be attended to before they crowd each other,
many of them will decay. Plant them two inches apart in pots or
boxes, prepared the same as for seed ; the soil should be kept regularly
moist, but not wet. The front shelf in the greenhouse is perhaps the
most suitable situation for them all through their growth, until they
show flower ; when sufficiently strong place them singly in three inch
pots ; throw a syringe full of water over them occasionally, to keep
the surface damp. This, however, is independent of the regular wa-
terings, which must not be neglected. The only evil to be dreaded
is the green fly, and they are easily got rid of by filling the house with
tobacco smoke once in every two weeks or so. If this pest once get
a footing on Calceolarias they are done ; the leaves curl up with the
insects inside, no ordinary fumigation can reach them, and the growth
of the plant is completely arrested.
From three inch I shift them into seven inch pots, the size they are
flowered in ; larger sized plants will be obtained by giving them more
pot room, but generally at the expense of bloom. All plants flower
most freely and perfectly when the pots are well filled with roots.
The reason is plain : So long as the roots find opportunity for in-
crease, extension of growth is favored and the flowering period re-
tarded. On the other hand, cramp the roots and luxuriant growth is
checked, and a flowering state induced — a physiological rule, which
is, as far as I am aware, without an exception. The soil should be of
a very porous character ; partially rotted turves mixed with a third of
decomposed manure, having a quantity of small pieces of charcoal iq-
101
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
M^^yp^ — ~~ ~
(^corporated with it, and a portion of sand, if the loam is tenaceous,^
Q^ will be found suitable. Air and water must have free and ready pass- ^
age to and from the roots ; when they are in flower, shading must be \
resorted to, the blooms soon decay under bright sun. Aridity in the
atmosphere is equally injurious ; therefore keep the house damp by
using water freely on the paths, under the stage, and, indeed, all va-
cant places.
Their management in a general way is most simplified when treat-
ed as annuals : save a fresh supply of seeds yearly, and pay no atten-
tion to the old plants. They may be kept, and offsets are obtained
with facility, but unless with particularly fine varieties, they are not
worth the trouble ; and even under the best care I am satisfied that a
large per centage of them will perish after they cease blooming. It
must be remembered, however, that I allude to this locality, as I know
from experience that it is not applicable to more northern latitudes.
So much for difference of climate. Your contemporary of the "Am-
erican Gardeners' Chronicle," in a recent number of that paper, in-
forms us in a somewhat officious manner, that if we understand first
principles aright, successful practice will follow as a matter of course,
without reference to the physical peculiarities of climate we may la-
bor under ; and we are led to infer from his remarks, that European
gardeners, if properly educated, can practice immediately on their ar-
rival in this country as successfully as they did in the one they left.
The reverse of this is a notorious fact. These are sentiments that no
unprejudiced foreign gardener, of any experience in this country, will
endorse ; and I do not hesitate to say that the best informed Horticul-
turist in Europe, whatever his first impressions of American cultiva-
tion might be, would find that he had much to learn, and something
to unlearn, before he could attain equal excellence. He would find
that one year's direct experience would be of more practical benefit
than the accumulated theoretical knowledge of half a century. But
I am digressing from the subject.
To propogate Calceolarias by offshoots. After they are past flower-
ing, select a shaded situation out of doors, plunge the pots well down
in the soil, and fill up among the shoots with leaf mould ; if a frame is
convenient put it over them, and shade the glass ; endeavor to keep
the atmosphere humid by frequently sprinkling the plants and soil with
water. In due time roots will emit from the shoots; these may then
be potted separately and taken into the greenhouse j if shifted as they
progress they will make fine specimens by the time they bloom.
Still larger specimens may be obtained by the following treatment:
When the plants have ceased flowering, cut down the flower stems,
clean out all decayed leaves, select a situation on the north side of a
fence, and plunge the pots to their rims. Do not give too much wa-
;q9v-^
.^■xi^QS^m
102 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. fAucusT
m'St)P- "- ■ — — ■--^ -c?^^
[August
112 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
culiuristi Is 80 important a profession as that of the culiivation of the (^
soil to be suffered to lie in abeyance, when ihe liglit of more extend-
ed knowledge, in reference to the laws which guide its operations,
can be both explained and exemplified to the rising generation by
the intelligent teacherl
Heretofore the means considered most effectual in disseminating
agricultural knowledge consisted, for the most part, in the establish-
ment of agricultural societies, the holding of cattla shows, (fee, all
of which have been eminently useful. The Highland and Agricul-
tural Society of Scotland, for instance, has placed that country, not-
withstanding the many natural disadvantages under which she labors,
in the foremost ranks of the nations of the world, as regards this
great division of labor. Admitting to the fullest extent the incalcu-
lable amount of good which well-managed associations of this kind
are capable of effecting, still, however, I am of opinion, that until
the minds of the rising generation of farmers be properly expanded
by a suitable agricultural education, the influence and usefulness of
such associations must be very greatly limited. The opinion of a
man, so eminent for his scientific attainments and great philanthropy,
as Professor Hitchcock is known to be, should carry much weight
with it on a point such as this. I shall, therefore, take the liberty of
quoting his views on the subject. He says — "Both in England and
Scotland, and indeed in Ireland also, agricultural societies have been
an important means of advancing practical farming. Some intelli-
gent gentlemen, whom I met abroad, were even of opinion that these
societies were all that is needed, and that schools would be superflu-
ous. But men do not so judge in respect to other departments of
knowledge. Societies have long been in active and successful opera-
tion in the various physical sciences ; but they are not thought to
render schools and colleges unnecessary. The societies aid the
schools, but the schools must train up men to be efiicient members
of the societies."
We know that our old farmers are prejudiced in favor cf the pecu-
liar modes of cropping and management which characterized the
husbandry of their fathers, and that they still cling to them with a
tenacity of purpose which it is extremely difllicult, if not impossible,
to completely overcome. We know, also, that most of their practices
are at variance with the well-established principles of modern agri-
culture; and that by adhering to them, through ignorance, and by
transmitting them to their sons, who, in most instances, are as igno-
rant as themselves', a perpetuation of the evil is continued. How,
then, are we to proceed, with the view of removing most effectually,
the principal cause — ignorance — which appears to operate so pow-
erfully in retarding improvement! Simply, in my opinion, by af-
fording a suitable agricultural education, in our ordinary schools, to
all the youths in attendance who are destined for the tillage of the
soil. The information which would be thus afforded, on agricultural
matters, would enable those who would receive it to conduct the bu-
siness of their farms, in after life, in accordance with the most ap-
proved practice, to effect judicious improvements in those depart-
ments of their labors which admitted of such, and to dispel, by de-
grees, those erroneous prepossessions, in favor of particular modes of /
management which have heretofore formed so great a barrier to pro- o\^
gressive advancement in the art of culture and in its accompanying C»j
1852.]
Q
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 113
-^^tXmM
®3 details. Youth is the most favorable time for making impressions;'^^'
and if these be based upon just and proper principles, time will not
eJJ'ace but strengthen them. It is my firm conviction that a pupil thus
educated will, when he enters upon the busy scene of farming life,
either on his own or on another's account, follow out the system re-
commended when at school; and after he has proved and experienced
its superiority above others he will, both by precept and example,
endeavor to extend it.
The views of Dr. Anderson, chemist to the Highland and Agricul-
tural Societv of Scotland, as contained in a lecture recently delivered
by him on agricultural chemistry, are well worthy of notice. He
says — when speaking of the progress of Scottish agriculture —
" The means which, at the present lime, I look upon as the most
important, and best adapted to this end, is the extension and improve-
ment of agricultural education." And again, he says — "What I look
to is not school education, but something superadded to it; in fact, to
a professional education which shall instruct the young farmer in the
principles of his art and their application to practice. The introduc-
tion, in short, of a rej^ular and systematic course of study, which
every farmer should be made to go through, in order to fit him for
the duties of his profession. The necessity for such a systematic
course of education has long been admitted, but it is remarkable that
in Scotland, where agriculture has been so long in an advanced state,
we are more backward in this respect than any other country. In
every other Euro,)ean country, the governments have done everything
in their power to encourage agricultural education, except in Scot-
land and England and in the latter division of the empire, private en-
terprise has done the same. It is only Srotland which is still without
regular educational establishments for the instruction of farmers."
Still further, he adds —
' *' Many of my audience are probably aware that a movement has
recently been made, by the educational committee of the General
Assembly, for introducing a system of instruction in the elements of
agriculture into the parish schools. That movement, which has arisen
out of the condition of the Highlands, and the absolute necessity for
introducing a new system of cultivation in the small crofts there, I
look upon as an important step in the right direction ; but it does not
by any means fulfil all that I desire. It provides merely for the in-
struction of the peasant cidtivators, and must be considered only as a
part of any general system of agricultural education," He then goes
on to say, that there should be established in Gotland a great agri-
cultural institution, or college, for the professional instruction of
those who are to occupy the large farms of the country.*
On the whole, it is evident that Doctor Anderson looks upon the
introduction of agricultural education as the principal means by
which to advance the ai^riculture of even the boj-t cultivated coun-
try, perhaps, in the world ; and why should there be any objections
raised to its general introduction into, perhaps, one of the worst 1
North British Agriculturist of 21st January, 18.j2.
Sig^^
[to he continued.]
.-?- -^^<3€m
(j^a Cattleja labiata. Where these are grown syrmge them twice a day,,,
^ give abundance of water while growing; see that they have blocks of "^
wood, which produce srial roots. Renanthera coccinea will do best
entirely on wood. The Zygopetalons, Bletia, and Phajius do better
in pots of peat and some charcoal. Achimenes must have abundance
of water, while growing they can scarcely have too much ; reduce the
quantity when they begin to bloom — the flowers are larger and finer.
A. pedunculata takes less water than the others. Gloxinias, on the
other hand, take more water when blooming.
Continue to propagate all desirable plants ; now is the very best
time ; most stove plants strike root readily in road sand which has
been washed by rains. A good stock of some plants should be raised,
as Euphorbia jacquinceflora, and Poinsettia—they add much to the in-
terest of a stove in winter. Let not the Cactus be forgotten — Epi-
phyllums, if they have been grown w^ell in the Summer, and now kept
rather dry for a month or two, will be gloriously in bloom at Christ-
mas day. Almost all Cactuses delight in having their heads dry and
their roots cool and moist. Where they are grown with pans of wa-
ter under each pot, and water conveyed to them only this way, they
do thrive some. Russelia juncea, that has been grown with abun-
dance of moisture, should be kept drier now ; it will bloom handsome-
ly in the fall. The same may be said of most fall blooming stove
plants. Amongst the new stove plants advertised or for sale by the
nurserymen, we note the following as being really desirable : — Bal-
samina latifolia, B. repens. Begonia, albo-coccinea, B. cinnabariana,
B. coccinea, Chirita moonii, Jatropha pandurajflora, Hindsia longiflora,
H. violacea, Eranthemum albiflorum, Porphyrocoma lanceolata, Mus-
soenda macrophylla, Leianthus longiflorus, L. nigrescens.
Greenhouse. — Heaths and Epacrises, with other hard-wooded
plants, suffer more at this period than at any other in the year — the
aridity of our fall atmospheres annoys them. Keep them under glass
if possible, with abundance of air, yet shaded from the sun's rays. —
The great desideratum in the cultivation of these plants, is moisture
in the atmosphere. This can only be under control under glass or
cover. Geraniums or Pelargoniums which have done flowering should
be put in an airy but shady place out of doors, to ripen their wood ;
in about two weeks after, the shoots will be sufficiently ripe for pro-
pagating— then the plants may be cut down to within two or three
inches of their roots, or from where they were cut down the preceding
year. Orange trees will require an abundance of water while grow-
ing ; horn shavings or farrier's hoof parings act magically on them as
a top dressing. Towards the end of the month sow Mignionette, Rho-
danthe Manglesii, Phlox Drummondii, and other handsome annuals
that may be desirable to bloom in Winter. It should be the aim ofi^N
;^9b- <^^
120 THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
^
[August
^ Savoys, and all Winter Cabbage are of course planted ; see tbat p,
they do not suffer from drought — they, like Celery, love soapsuds. — ''
Onions as they ripen, must be taken up and left in the sun a day or so
to dry — rope them if there be leisure, they will keep so " any length
of time." Tomatoes — preserve the earliest and largest for seed; don't
neglect this. Take an early opportunity of getting the Turnep ground
ready, and by the end of the month watch some impending shower to
put in the seed. The strap-leaved Dutch is the most generally usefuL
Don't forget the weeds — rake off the purslane besides hoeing it up,
T.J,
Philadelphia, August, 1852.
Flora is now in her glory. Earth teems with flowers and fruits —
and it seems but a day since Winter bade us adieu, dragging himself
reluctantly away from the path of Spring. Humanly desponding, aU
trembled for the crops, which lay patiently waiting for the sun's rays
to bring them to maturity. Man is sometimes prone to impatience —
to despair of the future. We now cast our eyes upon immense vege-
tables, borne by the willing soil, respondent to the anxious desires of
the arduous cultivator. The operative class begin to hope that prices
will fall amidst so much abundance; and so they will. Plenty will
crown the industrious efforts of energetic labor, and the next frost will
find them prepared to meet the scowling blast. But such results are
not independent results of Nature's providence. They are the com-
bined effects of human foresight and toil. The certain consequences
of provisions made in accordance with natural laws. And Science
has much to do in such matters, no matter how unscientific may be
the operators. However independent of the schoolmaster or printer,
they have been taught by some agency, though they cannot tell and
do not inquire how it came. From the earliest times to the preient
day, men have been gathering knowledge from observation of the cre-
ation around them, and of which they form an important portion. In
the study of the philosopher these observations have been classified,
important deductions drawn from them, which are denominated theo-
ries, and lau2;hed at, at times, by merely practical men who do not
deem that theor\' is rather based on practice than practice on theory.
"This under worship of the selfish idol which men call the practical,"
does more harm than is commonly imagined. The idea of vital force |
y to which cause the little understood phenomena of the flowing of the J
^ sap, the germination of the quiet seed when committed to the earth? o
^and many other such occurrences against which we cannot close ourjfj
^^^s^b^ ^d'^m
1852.]
THE PHILADELVHIA FLORIST. 121
^s^eyes, is merely an idea deduced from the facts themselves. While we^
would be willing to allow all due weight to what is understood
by the word practice, we must not give undue importance to details of
operations carrit-d out in ignorance of fundamental laws which govern
matter in all its changes. The practical gardener is a mere machine
without the light of science; and by this we would imply, not the
rigid technical terms unchanged, and supposed to be unchangeable, in
\ise in the schools^ but a knowledge of at least the accidence of Natu-
ral Philosophy, comprising as it does the laws of motion, the influepce
of matter on matter; tlie composition of the crust of the globe; the
laws of heat and moisture, and a little of vegetable physiology, with
its copartners, Botany, Entomology, Zoology. But tiie working gar-
dener despairs, for he is a man of limited means — limited in leisure,
and some might suppose in intellect. Not so, however. Delving in
soil, or as we call it, rlirf, does not imply intellectual incapacit}' — on
the contrary, with a due regard to other conditions, it invigorates the
intellect, and although the "ea/M worm^^ stoops his back, and with
prone front pursues iiis avocation, yet he can re-elevate himself, and
be a man again.
Why are there not more American gardeners 1 Because it would
seem to them an occupation unworthy their high intellectual charac-
ter and elevated ideas of human excellence. Why do we foreigners
all the drudgery 1 This is a question of political as \yell as moral
bearing. I shall leave its solution to more deep thinkers, those who
tell us that •' almost all our gardeners are Irish or English, with a few
Scotch ;" or transpose it, Scotch and English, with a few Iriili — al-
ways put the Irish last, for if you let them at the head they willmake
a fuss ; but here I have placed then\ in their comparative position.—
There are more gardeners from Scotland than from either England or
Ireland. We wish there were more natives among us, for the credit
pf our profession. This article is rather an **onmibus," but we. muat
reach its point. We would desire to establish a better feeling amongst
jis; to do away wilh these di:>tiuctions of country or section of coun-
l^y, would hide the dark fact from American eyes that we are jealous-
minded. Let those re-echo the humiliating fact who seem disposed
to perpetuate aniinoiity. We must meet it, if true — deny it, iff. Ise.
Yes, our gardeners are for the most part foreigners — strang^^rs to our
climate ; aliens, if you will, to our race. But how can this defect be
remedied] — only by making them as much as may be, American citi-
zens and true rej)ublicans. Try to forget they are so, when at times
i the peculiar views characteristic of their trans-Atlantic origin force
(-\^ themselves in, give no more importance to these trifles than is their
m^spo- ^d^m
16
122 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Aug'ust
" Lives there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said —
This is my own, my native land !"
Time will modify these distinctions, if that is the wish of the Ameri-
can public. If not, let them continually force it upon foreign gar-
deners ihat they are aliens, and then — How 1
Ploughing in Green Crops.
It would seem that our agricultural friends connected with the press
are as tenacious of old systems as the "old fogies" are of political er-
rors—merely because they are old. The great increase in population
in all agricultural and manufacturing countries, demands at ihe hands
of the tiller of the soil the most rigid economy of labor and expense.
Therefore, to cultivate a crop at a great cost and return it directly to
the soil, is a practice very questionable as regards utility or economy.
It lay8 a double price on each acre thus treated, so that the ensuing
crop must be supposed to produce a yield greatly above the average.
That such proves always to be the case is by no means certain. A
great many considerations arise as to the nature of the soil before the
adoption of this treatment — the absence or presence of certain pro-
perties, the physical texture of the soil, and many other topics demand
consideration before we could with accuracy assert that the green
irop, even if clover, had added the accumulated matter to the soil. —
There can be no doubt but that to a soil greatly deficient in organic
or nitrogenous matter, all other matters requisite to fertility being pre-
sent and ready to be called into action, the addition of the one materi-
al beino" the one alone wanting — would produce immediate and
striking benetit, an extraordinary yield, and altogether surprise and
encourage the experimental farmer. But to soils already possessing
a portion of organic compounds, some of the inorganic matters being
absent, we submit that the result would be totally different. On the
whole, the wasteful process of losing one crop to increase another,
does not savor much of improved husbandry, and is enumerated by us
in the list of systems of which the bare fallow is a familiar example—
"agricultural old logy ism."
P* It has been judiciously remarked by the editor of Hovey's
Horticultural Magazine, in a review of the Philadelphia Florist,1hat if
our statement is really true, that there is a totally different climate
treatment required for exotic plants in the latitude of Philadelphia,
from what is customary in Boston or Albany, the appearance of "an
organ the exponent of their wants" will be a benefit and is hailed
'with pleasure. And it has been enquired if it is really true that we
m^j^po^
^tfOS-M
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
123
'^x
(•-vare alone between Albany and New Orleans. That extremely mo- r^
rP dest chronicle of New York has also a few words on this point. ^
We are far however, from placing Hovey's respectable Magazine in \
the same category with this reprint of foreign matter and critic of
Piiilad^ilphia bantlings, which have already overgrown his own
child. We shall endeavor to satisiy them on the matter by facts.
We stated our local claims, as we expected them to be responded to
first, by those who knew us. We never wished to be local or sec-
tional, but would prefer to be for the whole Union^ rather than for
Philadelphia^ even if less successful. We know there is room for
many other Gardening journals, no matter what others think or say
to the contrary ; and although we have been bearded by a foreigner
like ourselves, yet we do not despair as long as we are hailed by the
American press and people.
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection.
We have visited many gardens since writing our last chapter on
this head. We have not space to do justice to them all, since it isde-
manded of us by our correspondent *' Brougham," to be more minute
and particular in the lists of plants. Amofigst the plants slightly no-
ticed in Dr. Rush's collection, we submit that many were rather un-
common ; for instance, Myristica moschata (nutmeg tree;)— even the
old »^ster argophyllus^ or musk tree is not very frequently seen in our
conservatories; but as we have on hand a full list of the interesting
plants of this collection, taken with some labor, we will furnish a few
more in our own time.
We visited the grounds of W. Walsh, Esq., Frankford, and were
gratified at the appearance of fine crops of early vegetables ; we no-
ticed here corn in bloom, or tassel, as it is termed — the tassel, we
would inform the uninitiated, is the male flower. This plant, Zea
Mays^ being dioecious or bisexual, the cob is borne at the base of the
female flower. Mr. Shields, the head gardener, wns complaining
much of a grub or worm that cjt off his Ochra plants on their appear-
ance— a sooty-colored grub, with alarming machinery of destruction.
We shall give Mr. S. its history at an early date. His crops were
creditable in every respect — fine peas, tomatoes, and squashes at this
early season were quite refreshing to the view. In the flower garden
we were much pleased ; Mr. Ross has fine beds of Verbenas, Petunias,
Phlox, scarlet Geraniums in all their varieties. We found a fine
healthy plant of Dicentra spectabilis in the greenhouse — it might be
planted out to advantage in a proper aspect and situation. Fuchsia I
arborescens syringeejiora in vigorous health ; fine Celery at this time A
/«L^ planted out in a fine deep trench, saturated with soapsuds from the^
^
124 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[AtJGUST
^laundry, promised a good crop ; this is the way to grow it— we also,*
observed it practised at Girard College by Mr. Jones. The plant of '^
Araucaria imbricuta here has been quite destroyed, rather we should
presume by damp and want of air in attempting to protect it from the
extreme frost, than to the severity of the frost itself. In other situa-
tions we have found it quite safe ; but its exposure here was rather
prominent for so severe a Winter. We were pleased to observe things
going on so well; but from the taste of the spirited proprietor, the en-
ergy of JMr. Shields, and attention of Geo. Koss, his assistant, such re-
sults might be expected.
The o-reat collections of overgrown vegetables contributed for some
time past to the stated meetings of the Penna. Hort. Society, were from
the grounds of K. Cornelius, Esq., and raised by T. iVIeghran. He is
going now pretty deeply into grnpe culture, as he has a neat span-
roofed vinery filled \vith young and promising plants. A large plan-
tation of Stowell corn promises to furnish us with an opportunity of
testing its much boasted character. A trial of Cranberry culture, no-
vel and interesting to the promoters of American Horticulture, has
been commenced by Mr. Meghran; the situation chosen we think is a
good one, and no pains spared in their treatment. Many fine herba-
ceous plants are to be met with in the flower borders; but as the place
is only progressing towards maturity, we shall wait a more favorable
opportunity to notice it.
Proceeding, we made our way to Springbrook, where a splendid
flower of the unceasing Victoria Regia was about to be cut. After it had
been removed from the parent stem we had a favorable opportunity
of examining its peculiar formation ; its dilated peltate stigma, closely
beset with petaloid stamens, is worthy of attention. Our journey af-
terwards lay through the woods, among the bulHrogs and snakes ; and
as the natives of the bogs and thickets do not much interest our read-
ers, we must reserve our diary for some future day, when Botany will
not be quite so out of place as it seems now to be.
Trenton is a fine town in its neatly designed houses, with well kept
grounds attached to many of them. Tlie residence of Chas. L. Pear-
son is finely situated, and may become a neat and strikingplace. We
4id not spend much time here among the gardens, being much inter-
ested in a visit to the paper factory of Messrs. Dewey & Kay. We
were much gratified by a view of the entire process of paper making,
of which we shall speak again.
Beirose, the country seat of H. Farnum, Esq., attracted our notice,
beautifully situated on the west bank of the Delaware, below Risdon's
I landing. There is here a plant house and vinery with span roof; few
Vo make now those lean-to constructions, so disadvantageous both to the
r^ objects destined to inhabit them and the proprietors. In the green-
^ Fiorisl and Hort- Journal
/ O.
T/i^yr/ic'rf-/'J
i^rotn ihe Colleclion ^ Caleb Cope Esq
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
125
house we observed many new varieties of Fuchsias of merit, raised^
from seed obtained at Paris. These were for the most part dark va- '^'
rieties. Many fine li^^ht Fuchsias were in bloom— Purity was one of ^
the best. The gardener, Mr. McClean, informed me that he had nam-
ed one of his seedlings Belrose. It is certainly worthy the distinc-
tion. Seedling No. 1 is also worth naming. A neat plant of Mm-
ziesia poUfolia rubra in good health pleased us much ; also, Erica
ventricosa superba, recommended at p. 104 of this number — we hope
to see more of its family soon ; it was also in good order. A plant of
Dicentraspectabilis was also observed here ; it was rather drawn up,
as gardeners term it; we understood from Mr. Farnum that he had
bloomed it out doors early in the present season. Its hardy character
has been satisfactorily tested ; and therefore we may look for the showy
Japan Dicentra, or Dielytra or Dutchman's breeks, if you like it better,
planted alongside Pceonia Movtan, its friend and compatriot. A hur-
ried glance at the grounds satisfied us that new trees and shrubs were
not scarce. We noticed with gratification several new Gladioli from
Europe, imported by Mr. F.; Madame Blouet and Madame Georgeon
were in bloom, the former very rich in color, and quite a novelty-
clear carmine, with light streaks on the under lobes of the corolla.—
Mad. Georgeon ij' darker, but was not quite expande^ We should
like to have a group of these figured, if Mr. F. woulW^ofjus with
specimensti^ ' * ''
Again we are under the obligation of stating that we looked in at
Springbrook, and- found an Achimenes gloxinisflora, which with due
permission we brought to the city and present its fac similie to our
readers.
PLATE VI.— ACHIMENES GLOXINLEFLORA,
Gloxinia flowered Achimenes.
Nat. ord. Schrophulariaceje. Native of South America.
Imported we believe by Mr. Hovey of Boston. The plant from
which the drawing was taken which appears with the present number,
was cultivated by Thomas Meehan, gardener to Caleb Cope, Esq.,
Springbrook, Philadelphia ; and was exhibited by him at the last
Stated Meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, on the
20th instant. We have been informed by a friend that it had been
previously exhibited by another gentleman ; but we have not had the
pleasure of seeing it there, therefore we shall not say this is the first
plant introduced here. A great many of these rare and beautiful
plants have been overlooked at our exhibitions, where rare Horticul-
tural specimens are not more valued than a bunch of beets, nor half
ISO much. The plate was executed by A. HofTy.
^^9^.
D-^
.^^xpc^s^m
t
I
COLOR PLATE
risL ar
^
^
^^
.^
r , /// ///cn^ a/^ ' /
y ////f
e/fr-
1852.] THE PIIILADELPIITA FLORIST.
^^
w^
Q
125
(T^, house we obsc^rved many new varieties of Fuchsias of merit, raised,
from seed obtained ;it I'm is. These were for the most part dark va- -^
rietics. Many fine li'j;lit Fuchsias were in bloom — Puritv was one of ^^
the best. The t^rardt-nrr, Mr. .McCI.'an, infornu-d me that he had nam-
ed one of his seedlin«;s Bklkose. It is certainly worthy the distinc-
tion. Seedling No. 1 is also worth naming. A neat plant of .Ve;i-
zicda poUfolia rubra in go -d ht-alth pleased us much ; also, Erica
ventricosa supcrba, rt commended at p. 104 of this number— we hope
to see more of its family soon ; it was also in good order. A plant of
DkeJitra specfabi/is wns also observed here ; it was rather drawn up,
as "-ardeners term it: we understood from Mr. Farnum that he had
bloomed it out doors early in the present season. Its hardy cliaracter
has been satisfactorily t» sted ; and tiierefore we may look for the showy
Japan Dicentra, or Dielytra or Dutchman's breeks, if you like it better,
planted alongside Pwonia Moutan, its friend and compatriot. A hur-
ried frlance at the grounds satislied us that new trees and shrubs were
not scarce. We noticed with gratification several new Gladioli from
Europe, imported by -VIr. F.; Madame Blouet and Aladame Georgeon
were in bloom, the former very rich in color, and quito a novelty-
clear carmine, with liglit streaks on the under lobes of the corolla.—
Mad. Georgeon is darker, but was not quite expande^.^ We should
like to have a group of these figured, if Mr. F. woul&»wvor:us with
specimens.
A(rain we are under the obliiijation of stating that we looked in at
Springbrook, and found an Achimenes gloxinia^Hora, which with due
permission we brought to the city and present its fac similie to our
readers.
PLATE VL— ACHIMENES GLONTNLEFLORA,
Gloxinia flowered Achimenes.
Nat. ord. SrHROPHiiLARUCBB. Native of South America.
Imported we believe by Mr. Hovey of Hoston. The plant from
which the drawing was taken which ap[)ears with the present number,
was cultivated by Thomas Meelian, g;ndenei to C"ah-b Cope, Esq.,
Springbrook, IMdladejphia; and was exhi!)ited by him at the last
Stated Meetinir of the IViuisylvania Hoitirnltural Society, on the
20th instant. We Iiav.- h. .n informed by a friend that it had been
previously exhibited by anotlu-r gmth-man : hut we have not had the
pleasure of seeing it there, therefore we slia'.l not say this is the first
plant introtluced liere. A great n.any of these rare and beautiful
plants have h-M-n overlooked at our exhibitions, where rare Horticul-
tural specimens nre not more valu-d than a buncii of beets, nor half
ilso much. The plate was executed by A. Holly.
5^::
7.
.O'ZX
ruin Ihe Collect, o;. ./ •, ueu i
[August
k
"^ Mr. Robertson, gardener to H. Ingersoll, Esq., Green Lane, t?X'^)
)P hibited some fine new Gloxinias— niimely. Griffinii, rubra grandiflora, 'gL
Pulcherrima, Godfroid de Bouillion, &c., and some large Aclnmene»y N^
longiflora, A. longiflora alba, &c., &c.— 3id premium awarded. j
Other collections were exhibited of which we cannot say much.
Thos. Meehan, gardener to C. Cope, Esq., exhibited Achimens glox-
inaeflora, new and rare— A. Skiiinerii, A Liepmannii, A. grandiilora,
A. Venusta, A. rosea, Adamia versicolor ne.v Nat. Ord. Hydrangea-
ce(E, Beloperone oblongata, BrowaUia alata, Jlngtlonia Gurderii,
Gloxinia, Marie Van Houtte; Fuchsias, Fair Kosamond and Don Gio-
vannii, and many others for the enumeration of which we have not
space.
In the Basket of Flowers was placed the 77th bloom of Victoria
Regia, (we apologise for our omission of the 7l)lh in the last report.)
A fine collection of vegetables was deposited by Mr. Meehan,
amongst other things we noticed very large Onicns, well saved, Wal-
cheren Broccoli, early White Corn, White Egg Plants, Victory Peas
20 sorts in all. Nectarines— Pitinas on, Orange and Elruge j
Peaches, Plums, two kinds— a special premium was awarded.
R. Kilvington exhibited Hand bouquets of Flowers, cultivated and
indigenous, and obtained prizes for each. Isaac Collins obtained the
premium tor the design— '^nd to Thos. TJeehan, and also for Basket
I of Cut Flowers, cultivated and indigenous. Want of space compels
us to continue the report till next month ; but an oliiciul report has
appeared in the ^'Bull-tin." i ^""^
Collections of Veg -tables to which premiums were award^'d irere
deposited by A. Feltou, Jr., Thos. Meglnun, and John Miller, gar-
dener to Joseph S. Luveriug, Esq. A tine collection ol seedling
Pinks from Dianthus cart/iusa, and D. imptriulia, also fine Double
Poppies we believe from Paspaver MarseiHil, horn the Garden of
Thos. F. Croft, Coatts Street near the l*rison.
National Agricultural Conveution.
"We are sorry that we cannot devote a larger space to the proceed-
intrs of the National Agricultural Convention. The Convention as-
sembled at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 24th.
After some preliminary discussion, the convention having been called
to order by Mr. C. B. Calvert, President of the Maryland State Agri-
cultural Society, who nominated Frederick Watts, President Pennsyl-
vania Agricultural Society,as temporary Chairman, and Richard Mer-
cer of Maryland, and Daniel Lee of Georgia as Secretaries, pro tern.
A roll of the States was called to ascertain the number and names
of delegates representing the various Agricultural Societies of each
^ State, when the following was reported:
m^^^^ -^^^
THE
/■f iiaiiiiLf im mwmm
AND
HAD VTf^TTT TTT D \ T TATTD AT 1 T
JliUmIII^IjuIIxiIJu JUlJMiiilL,
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited and Published by R. ROBINSON SCOTT, No. 63 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock Streets, up stairs.
Vol. I.]
Philadelphia, September, 1852.
[No. 5.
[Jy* For proceedings of Nat. Agricultural Convention, see p. 136.
»♦■
The Importanoe of a National Botanic Garden.
BY JOHN MURRAY, MEADVILLE, PA.
I have frequently asked myself and others — Why has this country
no National Botanic Garden! Why is there not an'institution where
representatives, or a congress of the flowers of all countries might be
seen in a day 1 Is it because the climate is not adapted to it \ No !
it is true there are difficulties in the way of cultivating plants natives
of polar regions j but for the denizens of sunnier climes there are no
insurmountable obstacles. In the midland States there is a Summer
sun, which, with the assistance of glass, and coal or wood in Winter,
an artificial climate may be formed, adapted to the culture of the
spice plants of Ceylon, the lofty Palms and gigantic Ferns of the
West Indies, and the beautiful Orchids of Brazil. Is it because the
nation is too poor to form and maintain such a garden 1 No ! It is
blest with material prosperity ; and already it teems with wealth. Is
it because the people are too utilitarian to maintain an institution lor
the gratification of the curious, or the pleasure of the few who may
be interested in such matters! This can hardly be the reason, as a
Botanic Garden appeals strongly to the economical interests of a great
agricultural, manufacturing and commercial community like this.
Perhaps one reason may be found in the nature and relations of
the general government to the governments of the several States and
individual citizens. I do not say that the government is weak, but
that there is much more independence on the part of the citizens, or
at least less interference on the part of the government than in coun-
tries where despotic and monarchical institutions prevail. The peo-
ple are jealous of the thorough organization, and especially of the
•J centralizations in older nations. They do not look to the government G^\
i>9V _^ ^^QCM
130 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Sept'k.
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
I
as the master, but the servant. They scarcely ask it to act the parti
of a guardian. Now if they do not choose the interference of govern-
ment in the formation of a Botanic Garden, they have not organiza-
tion enough to do it in any other way.
Perhaps another reason may be found in the fact that the subject
may not have been brought before the people sufficiently. We can-
not expect them to engage in such an undertaking without some tol-
erably correct idea of its importance, its value and uses. I write
merely for the purpose of calling the attention of those much better
acquainted with the subject to its importance — the propriety of its
discussion, and the expediency of informing and rousing the public.
Owing to the generally happy equality pervading the citizens of
this country, such vast fortunes as are common in more aristocratic
nations can rarely be amassed, and never long retained; consequently
the surplus for works of taste and elegance is small. It rarely accu-
mulates sufficiently to become a marked feature. This fully accounts
tor the lim.ited extent of American gardens and the ])overty of the col-
lections, which must be felt by those acquainted with European gar-
dens. Such magnificent private collections as those of Chatsworth
and Syon-House, are neither desirable nor possible here. They would
be contrary to the genius of republican institutions, since the estab-
lishment of the few cannot grow to enormous proportions without in-
terfering with the development of those of the many. But if Ameri-
ca does not now possess these, there is no good reason why she may
not, and shoiild not now have a National Botanic Garden equal to
Kew. The first thing to be done is to show to the people the nation-
al, social and individual advantages of such an institution.
In commenting briefly upon these, I shall notice first its economi-
cal or material value. To understand this, it is only necessary to re-
member the large place occupied by plants in the fields of the farm-
er, the mills of the manufacturer, the ware-houses and (-hips of the
merchant. It is astonishing how much ignorance prevails amongst
these classes generally, respecting the nature of the materials passing
through their hands daily. Now knowledge is power here, as else-
where. Let the farmer see wheat, rye and maize in their simple, na-
tural state, he will have a much clearer idea of the nature and effects
of cultivation. How these plants have come to their present state —
how that may be preserved and improved, &.c.
These remarks apply substantially to the manufacturer who begins
with vegetable products as his raw material, subjecting them to vari-
ous processes by capital and labor, until they are so much changed
thnt they can scarcely be recognized. Of the utility of plants in med-
icine nothing nt^ed be said, as it is fully admitted. On these and si-
milar grounds a Botanic Garden is highly desirable ; but I should be
sorry to rest it entirely or chiefly on them. There is a higher reason
— knowledge for its own sake — that is, as an end, and not as a means
to anything else. We are far too much given to the petty task of
testing Heaven's gifts by dollars and cents. We seem to forget that
the acquirement and possession of knowledge simply for its own sake,
is of any great value. We toil enough for the supply of real and im-
aginary wants, but forget the higher wants of the intellect. Now I
would say, we ought to possess a grand Botanic Garden, because of
•-the facilities it would afford for the study of the vegetable kingdom —
i^^9b^__
..tfO^^
131
f^that department of nature on which the wisdom and power of the^)
V Creator have been impressed so brightly; aud especially upon which ^
7 He has abundantly lavished the divine quality of beauty. Without \
such a garden we may gain partial views of the vegetable kingdom,
but we cannot see its vast variety and grand harmonious unity. Ev-
ery zone, latitude and region has its own appropriate vegetable forms.
To visit them in their native localities would be to see nature as she
is; but since this is impossible, we ought to do the next best thing —
bring nature to our own doors. We are furnished with wonderful
facilities for this — national prosperity — which affords an abundant
surplus for the education of the intellect, and the elevation and refine-
ment of the moral nature. A rich soil, with abundance of water —
iron, wood and glass, the materials of hothouses; and enterprise, skill
and industry to mould them into suitable forms. Men of daring spi-
rit, who would love to penetrate the jungles of India, and explore the
rich forests of Brazil. A wonderful power in plants themselves, by
which they adapt themselves to different circumstances. In some the
roots may be dug up and transported to any distance — in others, the
entire plant may be sent ; and in most, seeds may be collected and
easily transported. Then our sails whiten every sea, and our ships
line every port, bridging the deep from every country to this.
0ln view of so many facilities I cannot think we shall be long with-
out a Garden, and collection of plants worthy of the nation. If we
are, I fear it must indicate a state of mental lethargy in regard to pure
science, which, 1 am slow to believe, exists at the present time. It
appears to be a fitting time to undertake such a work. The nation is
in all the vigor of youth, and supply has so far gained upon demand,
that the whole thing can be done without the least ditlicultv. This is
a transition state, from which it will soon be shown that devotion to
mere national interests cannot satisfy. Intellectual capacities and
tastes are awakening, which demand sustenance not less than the sto-
mach needs its portion, and the back its covering.
I trust this subject will receive that attention which its importance
demands and deserves.
* [For the Phila - ^^'^M
132 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
g^&P^
[Sept'k.
a choice peach. The heavy crops which they obtain off a very small ^j
piece of ground is surprising ; with deep digging, heavy manuring and^
always two crops on the ground, the produce of fifty feet by one hun-
dred, grows potatoes and other vegetables for a small family — no re-
fuse, all is returned to the garden, where they grow as line onions in
five months as w^e do in sixteen.
The garden of the homestead or the farm-house contains generally
from i 10 i acre, and is kept in order by the man-of-all-work, assisted
by the matron of the house ; her orders are at once and immediately
obeyed ; they are like the laws of the Medes and Persians. A neat
hedge forms the enclosure, frequently with a low wall on the North.
The dwelling is covered with apple, pear, plum or apricot trees ; and
I was frequently surprised to see the fine keeping displayed. Hoses
and hollyhocks were favorite flowers, though frequently there was a
neat collection of Phlox, or other hardy herbaceous plants, especially
where the younger members of the family had grown up to take their
part in ornamental affairs. It was a matter of warm attraction to me,
to see the mother, daughter and sons, all congregated together iii t^
garden sanctum^ discussing, arranging, cleaning and planting their fa-
vorites ; a pleasure, indeed, to see the miss in her teens handling the
budding knife to multiply some favorite fruit or rose, and to watch its
development with enchantment at the success of her handiwork. We
at once cast our inner mind to our own fair States, and asked the ques-
tion— how many of our free born maidens devoted a leisure hour to
such rational and beneficial enjoyments 1 It is true, my personal ac-
quaintances are limited, but 1 could only toss in my mind five young
ladies who really took a hand in such matters of perpetual pleasure.
There is no time so intellectually rich as that devoted to the observa-
tion of nature's products from every clime. The gardens of the Eu-
ropeans are also well stocked with small fruits, such as strawberries,
gooseberries, currants, black, red and white; all of which we can lux-
uriate in, except Gooseberries. We do not, however, give those small
fruits so much nourishment as they actually deserve; they require very
rich, deep soil, having a copious supply every year, giving black cur-
rants a shady situation on the north side of the fence. We often hear
many sigh for the fine fancy hedges of Great Britain, but we over-
look a hedge of far more grandeur than any that that country can
boast of, a hedge of ^Hibiscus syriacus, or ^Ithea^ easy of culture,
easily kept, and a floral diadem from July to November, of any color,
from white to purple — a fence such as England's wealth cannot pro-
duce, may enclose every farmer's garden from Florida to the lakes — all
that it requires to keep it in perfection is a close pruning or shearing
every winter, when no other labor can be performed. Their few fa-
•^vorite pears are Gansds Bergamit^ Louisa of Jersey^ (as they name
\
3II^9^>^_
^^xioS'im
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
133
\p Bonne Louise de Jersey) Williams'' Bon chretien, or Bartlett and Jar- r^)
cr gonelle; the last is a universal favorite, being a fruit adapted to a cool ^
I climate. If you ask in Britain what is the best currant, they say Vic- \
TORiA. That appears to be the all-inspiring name for every good thing,
and not a few very indifferent ones. The common red currant that
we now grow is mostly discarded from every modern garden ; but we
say in apples and pears they are behind any common farm orchard of
the United States.
The gardens of the wealthy are gorgeous, and often in the most per-
fect keeping, in extent fiom five to fifty acres; even some of their
pleasure grounds enclosing five hundred acres, twenty to thirty acres of
which is mown by a very ingenious and indispensible machine every
ten days or two weeks. This machine is drawn by a horse, as fast as
he can walk, covering four feet wide, and cost about $100. The trees
in the lawns however, are entirely deficient of the symmetry, growth,
and verdure of those of the States, the heads of them most frequently
indicating by their growth that the wind has always blown upon them
from one quarter. The evergreen shrubbery far eclipses any thing that
we can compete in or ever will be seen in the middle and eastern
States, till some new suitable plants are discovered ; but all south of
Washington may be ornamented with even more lively green, for if
we have to drop the Aucuba and the Rhododendron, we can take up
the Evonymus wild orange and the magnolia. Their leading ever-
greens are Laurel, (Portugal & Common) Bay, Holly, Laurustinus,Aucu-
ba. Rhododendron and Sweet Bay, with Ivy in profusion for covering
old walls and shady places, where its perpetual verdure forms a man-
tle or carpet of fascinating green — with us a neglected plant, and rare-
ly applied where it is applicable. Give the plant good rich soil, and
moisture to start its first few years'; growth, when it will rapidly reach
its intended boundary. Another neglected plant with us, and always
employed by them in every imaginable shape, is the English Yew,
and it does luxuriate with us. Give it good soil, and it will grow in
sun or shade ; a yew within two miles of Philadelphia, planted by its
present owner, is 25 feet high and 40 in circumference. The Privet
(Ligustrum vulgare) is one of the most useful plants for forming ever-
green hedges ; its rapid growth, and beauty when covered with its del-
icate flowers ensures for it many admirers. We have said this much
in favor of privet, because it is before our ^eyes in sombre green, and
gives a clothing and shelter to a situation otherwise bleak and bare.
In the United States we have other substitutes even at our own door,
if we would only make them available — such as Hemlock Spruce,
Virginia Cedar and American Arborvitae. Where these are not at
hand, nor a disposition to procure thern, the Althea is universal, and
you have only to stick in the young shoots, cut into 8 inch lengths, in
3*?Q9b^
.^xPQ^m
134 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST, [Sept'h.
m:idP- ^%c^
good rich soil a few inches apart, and in two years you have the em- 5^^
bryoof a beautiful hedge. A splendid pattern may be seen under the
indefatigable Mr. Graham, at Blockley, near Philadelphia.
•J
\
Regent's Park, London, June 30, 1852.
Dear Sir: To give you or your readers a detailed account of a
London Flower Show, would go rather beyond my intention, if how-
ever, I serve you the cream, you will excuse the sediment. The bed-
ding out system as it is called, is practised to some extent in the
gardens, but more of that anon; I cannot pass over, however, abed of
Giant of the Battle's (Scarlet) Rose, edged with Nemophilla insignis
(blue) both in full splendour, the charm was irresistible, but to the
flower tents covering nearly two acres, including the Rhododendron
Show. The first entered by me was the Fruit department. One
dish only of Muscat Alexandria and another of Black Hamburgh,
wer^ finer than our Philadelphia Shows of the same, these were per-
fect in the extreme, very large and plump, the latter perfectly and the
former barely ripe, the Hamburgs was as large as Orleans plums, and
the muscat nearly as large as Bolmars ; the other grapes were mediocre
and several lots much tossed, and one entirely destitute of bloom.
The Pine Apples were abundant and weighed from four to eight
pounds each. Nectarines the same sorts that we generally show and
did not exceed samples that we have seen from Mr. Longstreth or
Mr. Cope ; Peaches inferior to bushels we yearly exhibit, and only a
few dozen exhibited, consisting of Noblesse, Royal Georges and some
others; Strawberries, the fine sorts were La Leguiose, British
Queen and Myatts Elenor, others inferior, the B. Queen has one de-
cided fault, that it does not uniformly ripen well to the point, «re do
not think it more than second-rate in flavour in its greatest perfection ;
Cherries, such cherries we cannot produce, especially that basket of
Elton's, brilliant as refined wax — Early Black, shining like polished
ebooy, they had evidently been all carefully wiped and laid with
their stems inward in the softest silk paper ; you could not pass them
without a smile.
Calceolarias, all of the herbaceous sorts and beautiful, the plants
were about six feet in circumference, having every flower and shoot
tied into its position to give a rotund form to the plants disagreeably
artistic, with a forest of sticks to each plant, one of which had seventy-
three, my taste would have disqualified such shameful objects, 1 did not
note any of their names, being forced on by the crowd, who rushed
forward to the adjoining stands of fancy Geraniums, they eclipsed all
my ideas of their beauty, plants naturally ol a dense bushy habit, re-
quiring very little timber for support, and exhibiting a mass of flower c,
equal to all the butterflies of the American Continent, if placed in the ^
§i^9=o ^xfJ^M
i
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 135
mci^yp^ '. ^^<^^
^New York Crystal Palace — I gave the pfize to (who got it I can-
not tell), the collection of eight sorts, consisting of Madam Rosalie,
Delicata^ Queen Victoria, Magnific, Hero of Surrey, Empress, Queen of
France, and Prince Galizin — the specimens were from two to four
feet across, and about two feet high, one mass of bloom and evidently
arranged in regard to color by a master hand or the eye of a painter
— Heaths, to see their beauty, visit a London Show or Edinburgh
Botanic Garden, the plants were from two to five feet high, and from
six to twelve feet in circumference, one uniform picture of bloom,
and verdure from the pot to the tip. Mr. Smith, of Norwood, ob-
tained the Gold Medal for 'the following sorts: Irbyana, tubata, tri-
color, retorta, Cavendishii (yellow,) ampuUacea, Bergiana, tricolor
elegans, RoUisonii, mulabilis, metuliflora and tricolor rosea. The
prize hothouse plants were specimens of equal merit with any of the
preceding, they contained Dipladena crassinoda, Franciscea augusta,
Kalosanthes (Crassula) coccinea ; Ixora javanica and coccinea, Cath-
aranthus (vinca) rosea, Sollya linearis, Leschenaultia biloba (blue)
supeibly grown and in full bloom plant full two feet wide and hi around, except at C, where a slice (so to speak,) is taken out down to^
fthe level of the walks. This space is used for large plants in tubs, c^
which completely conceal the entrance (which is by a glass sash door)
at F, to the interior of the stage. There are several advantages, I con-
ceive, in this arrangement, one of which is that it greatly diminishes
the volume of air to be heated ; and also furnishes a useful and com-
modious room for various purposes ; whereas in ordinary houses this
space is almost entirely lost in consequence of its inaccessibility; and
frequently a due regard to neatness prevents its being used for any
purpose.
The advantage in the arrangement of the water is, that it entirely
dispenses with the expense of an under-ground cistern, pump, and the
labor of pumping. 1 do not, of course, suppose that this arrangement
of the centre staging will be adopted by our commercial gardeners;
but I think it is particularly ada[)ted to greenhouses and vineries at a
gentleman's country seat, where neatness is so desirable. I am not
sure that this plan is entirely new, but 1 have never seen any thing
like it, either in this country or Europe.
1 have endeavored to explain the arrangement of the house as clear-
ly as possible ; but if I have overlooked any thing, I leave my address
with you, and my gardener will take pleasure in showing the house
to any of your readers who may require further information. I will
merely add, that the house has been in use a long time, and has suc-
ceeded admirably. I omitted to mention that the heating apparatus
(hot water pipes) is under the front stage or table.
With my best wishes for the success of your excellent and /Jrar/ica/
periodical, I am very respectfully yours, D. R. K.
Mr. Editor : — Perhaps you will recognize In me one of the indi-
viduals who gave the negative when your periodical was proposed. —
1 did not doubt of the public want, nor of the material aid to support
it, nor of the local habitat of the work ; neither, sir, did I question
your ability. But your electric movement was a shock to our nerves
that cast us into a trance that is yet barely dispelled — our eyes are
open ; we say go on — fear no critic — the length and breadth of the
Union is your palladium. Honor to all — honor succumbs to no fic-
tion or faction. The Florist and Journal will yet circulate in prece-
dence of all others, at double its present price, for the following rea-
sons, 1st — That its editor is not a nurseryman or florist, nor in any way
connected with such ; his opinion is not, therefore, regulated by his
stock or his pocket. 2d — He is practically, classically and chemically
acquainted with the business. 3d — The contributors, apparently, are
principally practical men. 4th — It presents one illustration of a
plant in every number Cdid your prospectus promise this!) .5th — The
price almost a gratuity to your subscribers, 8 l-3d cents a number. In
case some of your subscribers ask what have I to do with that, I will
inform them I love mignonette, and like a supply during winter. —
That 1 obtain bountifully in pots, or a small fancy box, having always
a few duplicates for my friends. About the first of September I buy
121 centsworth of seed, and procure some rich soil from the woods,
and mix therewith one-half fine loam with a little fine road oi* river
? sand ; sow the seeds on the surface, pressing them down with the bot-
^ torn of an empty pot j give a copious watering every evening and G
J>
1852] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
m'f^^ ~ — ~
morning, covering the box or pots with a newspaper during severe i^)
sunshine till the seed vegetates and makes its appearance; 1 then re-
move the i)aper entirely, keeping the plants fully exposed, watering
as usual twice a day. When the plants are one-half an inch high, I
thin them out to three inches apart; on the appearance of very cold
weather I remove them to the house close to the window, and never
allow any tire heat where they are till they begin to bloom, when they
are taken to the coolest window in the parlor, when they resale us
from December to February. 1 never allow my plants to seed.
Yours, &.C. J. G.
FOREIGN GRAPES.
DESCRIPTIVE LIST.
P,REPARED FOR THE PHILADELPHIA FloRIST, BY JaMES PoWELL.
No. 12. Eschalot, continued. — Bunch slightly shouldered, like
black Hamburgh in form and color; fruit well flavored, slightly fleshy
and delicious; according to our informant, one of the most delicious
grapes cultivated.
Mr. Powell not having had experience with respect to the fruit of
this vine, a friend has furnished us with the above description of the
fruit, adding that he considered the Eschalot grape, procured from R.
Buist, with cut leaves, (though he doubts if it is the true Eschalot of
the French) a very desirable fruit, and of quite a hardy character if
properly situated, as it produced good bunches in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia, but being on a bad exposure it was eventually killed.
We are informed that it received its name from its being grown on
poles in the vineyards of Europe. — Ed.
13. Frankendale, FrnnkenthaJ. — Voung wood light green; foliage
dark green, irregularly lobed, often entire; footstalk long, of a brown-
ish hue; bunches tolerably large, with small, handsome shoulders very
much resembling the black Hamburgh; berries large, shape nearly o-
val, with a thin skin of a deep purple color approaching to black,
bearinsr a blue bloom; sweet and excellent flavor, might be easily mis-
taken for the black Hamburg, which it much resembles — indeed some
suppose it to be but a variety of that grape.
14. Frontignac Black^ Black Frontignan, Black JMvscnt. — Young
wood light green, smooth foliage dark green, not deeply serrated; fool-
stalk stilf, rather long, of a reddish tinge ; bunches small and short ;
berries round, not very large, with short stems, quite black when fully
ripened, and well colored, having a rich musky flavor ; indispensable
in a vinery, being remarkable for bearing.
15. Frontignac White, White Front ignnn^ White Muscat. — Youno"
wood light green, smooth; foliage dark green, altogether very similar
in appearance to the last ; bunches rather long, without shoulders ;
berries round, medium size, closely set on ihe bunches, of a muddy
white or greenish \ellow color, covered with a thin white bloom — a
very rich fruit, with a high musky flavor. By those who prefer musk
A flavored grapes, this is considered the best; though the white, black,
^and grizzly difl^er in little else than color, they are all good, and should^
y* have a place in every collection. ^j
3i^39^>. ^^m
i
i
[Sept'r.
Ni
1
140 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
16. Frontignac Grizzly, Grizzly Muscat. — Young wood light ,
green^ smooth; loliatre dark green ; lobes not deep, broadly serrated ;
footstalks short, slightly tinged with a brownish hue; bunches of me-
dium size, with small narrow shoulders; berries round, larger ihan
those of the White Frontignac, and growing closer on the branch, of
a pale brown color, intermixed with red and yellow; very rich and
musky flavor.
17. Fromenthal. — Scarcely different from the Black Hamburgh,
not demanding a distinct description.
18. Frontignac Blue, Purple Constantia^ Black Conatantia. —
Young wood light green, smooth; foliage dark green, lobes not deep,
the old leaves recurved, turning purple, mixed with orange before fall-
ing ; footstalks short, reddish; bunch very long, berries round, rather
thickly set on the bunch, of a medium size, black or deep purple col-
or, and very rich flavor.
19. Grove End Sweet Water, Early White Malvoise. — Young
wood green; foliage green; lobes not deep, slightly incurved; footstalk
short, green; bunch rather long, compact; berries closely set, roundish
oval, of a dull greenish yellow, thin skin, sweet and good flavor — a
profuse bearer.
20. Gros Mier du Kenthal. — Young wood light green ; foliage
dark green, deeply lobed, broadly serrated, very rough on the under
side; footstalk longish, rough, with a purple tinge.
21. Hanstretto. — Young wood light green ; downy foliage, dark
green ; lobes rather deep, broadly serrated, very downy on the under
side ; footstalk long, downy, of a brownish hue ; bunch long, loose,
berries medium size, oval ; longuish footstalk, with a thick skin of a
dark purple color, sweet, with a little acidity, but pleasant — a very
good grape for growing in the open air.
22. LoMBARDY Black, West St. Peters^ (Poonah of some.) — Young
wood light green, changing to a blueish color before ripening; joints
rather short ; foliage dark green ; rather small lobes, not deep, irregu-
larly serrated ; footstalks long, smooth, with a blueish tinge ; bunches
long, with large shoulders; berries large, round, even size, of a very
black color when fully ripe — a very high flavored grape.
23. Lashmere's Seedling. — Young wood green, smooth ; foliage
dark; rather small green lobes, not deep, bluntly serrated, downy on
the underside ; footstalk shortish, green, sa.ooth ; bunch medium size,
compact, berries closely set on the bunch, even size, roundish oval, of
a dull, greenish yellow, covered with a thin white bloom — a grape
with a very rich saccharine flavor, remarkably early, and excellent
for fruiting in pots, being a great and steady bearer.
24. Muscat Muscadine. — Young wood green; foliage dark green ;
lobes various, not very deeply serrated ; footstalk long, pendulous,
smooth, with a reddish tinge; bunch rather long; good size, often with
two neat shoulders ; berries even size, on long footstalks, loosely set
on the bunch, round, a little flattened at the base, the skin thin, tran-
sparent, greenish yellow, covered with a thin white bloom, of a fine
sweet musky flavor — a free bearer.
A fine specimen of Gros Mier du Kenthal may be seen at J. C.
Green's, Esq., New Brighton, Staten Island. Ed.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
1852.]
PRUNING— By T. Hutchinson,
(conclusion.)
The seasons for pruning are midsummer and midwinter. At the
former season new and superfluous shoots and branches should be re-
moved; at the latter period the thinning and arranging of thediflTer-
ent parts of the tree should be attended to. The winter pruning is,
however, sometimes finished in the autumn , the gooseberry, for in-
stance, is sometimes pruned before winter, and the grape vine when
weak. The eff'ect is found to be that the shoots become stronger the
ensuing season. This is quite reasonable, as a little reflection will
show. During the season of rest in wmter, a plant continues to ab-
sorb food slowly from the earth by the roots, and if its branches re-
main unpruned, the sap at that season introduced into the system will
be equally distributed to all parts of the plant. If late pruning is had
recourse to, and part of its branches are removed, of course a large
portion of the accumulated matter will be wasted, and the remaining
portion of the plant retains no more than its exact proportion as to the
entire size of the original tree. No increase, therefore, of growth is
taken advantage of— whereas on the contrary, when earlv or autumn
pruning is adopted, the excess of wood is removed before"^ the sap has
accumulated in them, and then all that the roots can collect during
the winter will be stored up, and a more vigorous plant will be the
result at the approach of spring.
The object of pruning is not invariably to increase the vigor of a
plant. The spring may prove the most judicious period, if n'ot defer-
ed till the sap is in rapid motion.
Taking the Fig as the type of that section of trees which produce
the fruit on the wood ol the same year, it should, when trained to a
trellis, be pruned in Winter, as that is the best season to encourage
the young shoots on the lower branches. The Summer pruning of
this fruit is performed by pinching in the ends of the young shoots at
the third or fourth leaf bud, whereby short jointed wood is produced.
This mode lessens considerably the Winter pruning, which should be
performed immediately after the leaves have fallen ; always bearing in
mind that on the young wood the fruit is produced. The Walnut may
be also brought into a bearing state in this way when over luxuriant.
The above observations 1 now conclude ; and they are as you de-
tired, merely practical hints, as I am little else than a practical ray-
self — and things are so fixed now that foreign practicals must look out
for breakers ahead ; Jeflrey's is about.
To the Editor of the Florist.
Feeling somewhat in a critical mood, perhaps I may be indulged in
a few friendly remarks in reference to your July number. As to your
remarks in the leading article, about being puzzled twenty years ao-o
to fill a small greenhouse with New Holland, Cape, or tropical plants,
they show you have not informed yourself on the subject — at any rate
as regards N. H. and Cape plants, as all must allow a great increase
of tropical plants of late years ; but at the same time they were not so
deficient of these as you might suppose.
On referring back to old catalogues, I think you will find even
more N. H. and Cape plants in cultivation than at the present day. —
3i^^>^
.^tPQSM
!Q9V^
,^xf^^Sm
142
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^^f>?^
\
[Sept'r.
^In an old memorandum made many years ago, of plants seen at Messrs /-•
Hibbeit & Buist, of your city, I find aniono; other plants the follow- ^
ing : — Gloriosa superba, Maranta zebrina, Boronea alata. Euphorbia
heterophvUa, Corroja pulchella, Amaryllis, several species, Swainson-
ia galegrefolia, Crovvea sali^rna, Diosm.a ciliaris, capitata, Templetonia
sps. Eutaxia myrtifolia, Melaleuca fulgens. Chorizema nana, rhombea,
Cunonia capensis. At Mr. Kobert Carr's I find Magnolia fuscata, Ix-
ora coccinea, rosea, Malaleuca styphelioides. Acacia dealbata. Are
not these N. H. and Cape plants ( And on referring to another me-
morandum of plants sold from a nursery, I find among many others
the following, and I have no hesitation in saying you will find some
of them rather difficult to purchase at the present time : — Zygophyl-
lum Morgsana, Monsonia speciosa, Podalyria sericea, Myrtustomento-
sus, Strophanthus dichotomus, Protea argentea. Acacias, a number of
sps., Hovea Celsii, Beaufortia decussata, Epacris grandiflora, Daviesia
mimosoides, Banksia grandis, Liparia sphcerica, Latania borbonica,
Strelitzia regina, Edwardsia microphylla. In the collection of Dr.
Hosack, of Hyde Park, we find Dillema speciosa, which was also to
be found in Philadelphia, and Urania speciosa.
In a catalogue published eighteen years ago, I find among other
plants offered for sale, Ardisia elpgans, solonacea, Banksia, four sps.,
Bignonia venusta, Brunia nodiflorum, Bossia^a ovata, Callicoma ser-
rata, Callothamnns quadrifida, villosus. Chorozema ilicifolia, Dory-
anthes excelsa, Grisleatomentosa, Lambertia formosa, Acacias, twen-
ty-five sps.
I think enough has been quoted to show that florists were not so far
behind the age twenty years ago as you would have us believe; and it
would perhaps be as well before sending such statements abroad to be
well informed on the subject.
Equally wrong are you in your supposition that "our parks were
then no doubt quite pleased to give support to such pines as Pinsapo,
Pindrow, and Webbiana." Why, sir, Picea Pinsapo was only intro-
duced into Great Britain in 1838, and Abies pindron in 1837, unless
it is the same, as it appears to be, as the Webbiana introduced in 1822,
(see Dbnn's Hortus Cantrabrigunsis, 1845.
I think any person knowing our Pine from another, would be pleas-
ed if you could show them any park in Philadelphia, or elsewhere,
rejoicing in either of these species (or their support. I certainly
should, if it were only two feet high, instead of a plant twenty years'
standing. Yours, &c., T. H., Jr.
We have at least gained another chapter on the " Statistics of Ame-
rican Horticulture." Who shall supply the next! Ed.
Seedling Camellias of America,
By a Philadelphia Florist.
The Camellia stands pre-eminent in American Floriculture as a
standard plant, useful in almost all capacities as an ornamental ever-
green; for the large conservatory it is unsurpassed, as a window plant
it is valued, as a Green House bloomer it is amongst the first. For
• the benefit and amusement of your readers 1 shall from time to time
(i trace the progress of the Camellia towards perfection in this country, Ji,
k^S^o^ —^^fQS^ii
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
143
[^ by describing those varieties produced here and which are generally ^
S^ cultivated, or worthy of cultivation. ^
The first seedling we shall notice as occupying the attention of the
Florist was
C. Japomica var. Floyii ; raised by Mr. Floy, Bloomingdale, New
York, of a shrubby habit with very large dark green foliage ; the
Plant always presents a beautiful appearance, a profuse bloomer, its
large pink buds promise something extra, but when full blown is a
very indifferent flower, proving much smaller than the appearance of
the bud had led us to expect. It is now classed as a third rate flower
and is only admired in collections for its shrubby habit and foliage
before described.
C. J. Var. Landrethii ; raised by the Messrs. Landreth of Phil-
adelphia, a handsome shrub when well grown, of dwarf habit, densely
covered with foliage, commences to bloom in January with ordinary
treatment ; flower very delicate, light rose colour, petals imbricated,
size medium, a profuse bloomer, its delicately coloured flowers se-
cures ior It a more than common share of attention from the visitor j
it deserves a place in every collection of a dozen sorts.
^ C. Prattii ; raised by K. Buist ot Philadelphia, forms a shrub of
vigorous growth, large foliage but not inclined to become a good
shape, except by free use ot the knife ; flower, large ; petals imbri-
cated J colour, light rose, sometimes assuming a ragged appearance
when the blooms first appear ; towards spring the edges of the petals
turn up towards the centre of the flower, and assume a bright red
colour on the edges. A free bloomer and bears the expanded flower
lor a long time, worthy ot cultivation, contrasts well in the conserva-
tory with others of its class.
0. BiNNEYii ; raisL-d by Mr. J Smith of Philadelphia, is a handsome
shrub of ordinary habit; foliage medium size, dark green, commen-
cing to bloom in December, flower of a dark red colour, sometimes
with occasional white stripes in the centre of each, petals imbricated,
medium size, a profuse bloomer and one of the best general flowers;
holds a first rank, it should be in every collection.
C. Hempstkadii ; raised by the late firm of Ritchie & Dick, of
Philadelphia, a handsome shrub of free growth, large, foliage dark
green, ot a beautiful appearance, commences to bloom in January,
flower of a bright cherry colour, petals imbricated, large size, with a
prolusion of buds, but will not open well when kept in a damp at-
mosphere. A fir^ class tiower, useful in every collection when pro-
perly treated.
[to be continued.]
FLORICULTURE.
What are generally known by the term florist's flowers, are those
hybrids or monstrosities which by artificial means are metamorphosed
into shapes quite dissimilar to the original stock from which they may
have been produced. Thus from Viola tricolor, Pensee of ihe French,
Pansy or Heartsease of the English, and Johnny Jump-ups of Yankee
land, have been produced the multitude of forms which for the last
twenty years, have successively taken the lead as "florist's flowers
or show flowers," in their respective classes. From Georfrina mutu- y.
bills and Dahlia glabrata have been produced the endless forms and C«^j
.1
144
;^7>c^^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
_ [Sept'r.
V colours, (eorce/?^ 6/?/e), which now are met with every where, until'^)
f' Dahlias have become so common or vulgar, or something else notw
desirable, that almost every person en bon ton discards them from his V3
garden plot. Forty Blooms are required this month to compete for \
I a silver medal at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Pelargo-
I niums form another group of the llorist's favorites, of all shapes and
hues in leaf and flower. They are by no means the most valueless of
these artificial creations. Carnations from Dianthvs Caryophyllm
divided into Carnations, Picotees, Pinks, and again into Flakes, Bi-
zarres Selfs, are great favorites with the ladies; Auriculas must not be
omitted. Chrysanthemums are now attracting much attention espe-
cially the daisy sorts. Calceolarias have had a great run, and Holly-
hocks are daily imjroving; then with Tulips, Hyacinths, Ranuncu-
lus, Anemones, Asters, &c., winding up with the never dying Kose,
we complete this brief enumeration of some of the varieties of flor-
ist's flowers. But how many important points are to be determined
before a decision is arrived at, as to the comparative merit of our
florist's flowers. How jovially two old fogies of the real old school,
will set themselves to determine those nice points of fringed petals,
broken calyx, weak stem, open eye, sported colours, imperfect form,
and the hundred and one peculiaiitits of structure or form which at
once meet the eye of the practised florist; they can with the greatest
facility point unerringly to defects which the botanist never would
dream of, nor even the anatomist discover. But they have their
standard of perfection. We cannot complain that we are uninterest-
ed in the trifling difl['erences, 'tis their forte as much as the peculiar
insertion of the stamen is a matter of moment to us ; allow them to
enjoy their forte, nay, encourage them in their aim to arrive at what
they have decided to be excellence. We must, however, in reply to
our clamorous friends in Floriculture promise to engage for their es-
pecial benefit, a person to superintend this department, that is when
we increase our circulation to such an amount as to warrant the ex-
penditure, or else, rather than make pretensions to he a Floriculturist,
we will leave the entire department to the superintendance of the
challenge florist, a little further northeast, and confine ourselves to
muck and Cabbages, Fuchsias, Camellias and such like; or finally,
we must draw upon some of the old Lancashire Heroes for matter in
their own Uae, m their owu native style.
Gardens of Industrial Institutions, (fclleges, &o.
Horticulture presents its claims to the attention of the public in a
very inn portant light, viz: with respect to its influence and profit in
public institutions. The reproductive principle now so well under-
stood, partly we must admit by means of the arguments of the Com-
munists a rather unpopular class of Philanthropists, has brought the
question to our very doors, and it is now demanded whether Orphan
Schools, Charitable Asylums, Alms Houses, Hospital, Prisons, &c.
shall continue a tax on operative society or remunerate by their own
syilem of reproductive machinery, society for their establishment
and maintainance while in a state of progression ; when we see the
city darkened by the massive prison and carry our eye around it to
discover how much of the soil of the earth has been allotted for its
unfortunate inmates, how much of its ameliorating influence has been -,
brought to bear in the shape of a farm, vegetable or even flower *^
«^5^>^ ^d^m
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
145
/W garden, or have the moral wants of criminals ever been considered in
v^this most important particular. Is the criminal no longer a man 1 C^
y can he pass hour by hour, and day by day and never dream of the ^
^ bright flowers which in the earlier days of innocence bloomed around
his path ; might not the glorious sight of such, impress him once more
with moral sentiments, or if he must remain a criminal pent up from
the mass of society, an outcast from their family, yet cared for and
protected, being a brother— can he not labour by 'his hands, producing
food, while he protects his frame from disease by enervating toil ;
breathing even in his misery, the pure air of Heaven, borne to him
over the trifling walls which hide from him the busy world, but which
cannot outclose the sun or air, or rain, or wind. We fear not but a
day will come, when the unfortunate mortal, short-sighted and weak
minded enough to break the civil laws of the society in which he
moves, will be reformed by the sweets of manual labour in the farm
and garden. When the scaffold shall not be re-erected, but the un-
forgiven of man shall toil for his own and his fellow men's advan-
tage, while he is permitted to live a prisoner, bound by the laws of
civil society, for the term of his natural life. We purpose no*v
monthly to speak of Horticulture as a reproductive process, whereby
a large amount of food may be raised by congregated bodies in pub-
lic institutions, and for the present ofler a few hints obtained from a
correspondent, as to the grounds of Girard College. Every Philadel-
phian, as well as every lover of his kind, exults at the prospect of the
niassive pile of marble which stands on the north-west portion of our
city, around it is spread a lawn and shrubbery and exercise ground,
and a little distant a large vegetable garden or truck patch ; with the
produce of this truck patch, and the proceeds of grass in the shape of
hay from th^t lawn, we are now roncerned. ' There are, we
are informed, about twelve acres ; ten acres yielding grass; with
two and a half acres occupied with vegetables. The amount of
manual labour employed to work the whole varies, according to the
season, at times as many as six men have been employed, one man is
more generally the extent of the assistance afforded the gardener.
The gardener, Mr. Jones, is an active man, and anxious, we be-
lieve, to reflect credit on the Managers of the Institution as well
as to fulfil his personal duties. Works of alteration and improve-
ment have for the past twelve-months absorbed a large portion of
the labour supplied, as may be seen from the following memorandum:
Number of days spent,— April 221, May 80^, June 77| — reckoning
men as days. Total in 3 months, ISO days or 2 men per day lor the 3
months. During this period with the assistance of about ten pupils
of the College from fourteen years upwards, there was taken olf and
saved 16 tons 12 cvvt., 2qrs.,' of Hay at 5^ 20, and all other neces-
sary operations proceeded with appertaining to such an establishment.
The garden crops of vegetables engross a large share of attention, and
after a careful inspection, I do not hesitate to say, that they will
compare with those of any similar establishment ; Mr. Jones obtained
the Premium for his Tomatoes at the monthly meeting of the Penn-
sylvania Society, and to our own knowledo^e, he gathered tomatoes
about the 21st, of June, in quantity. We shall take care to furnish
I our readers with the annual product of this two and a half acres un- j
A^ der the cultivation of Mr. Jones, an assistant and some pupils, who I ^
J? fear are not very profitable helpers; when the hoes are sharp, and the cr
(i^ crops tedious to thin.
r
LP
19
146 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Sjtt'b.
CALENDAll OF OPEHATIONS, ^
FOR SEPTEMBER.
Written by Practical Gardeners, fot tUe Philadelphia Florist.^
HARDY FRUIT.
<
Strawberries. — The early portion of this month is a suitable sea-
son for making new plantations of the above. As the strawberry is
comparatively a permanent plant, ami one that requires continued
good treatment, the preparation of the soil in the first instance is im-
portant. The soil should be trenched at least eighteen inches deep
and well manured ; very frequently v.e have a 'spell' of dry weather
just as the fruit is ripening, and on shallow soil they ripen premature-
ly, attaining neither proper size or flavor — therefore stir up the soil to
a good depth, which will enable it to absorb and retain an available
supply of moisture for the roots when the top supply fails. There are
various methods of planting; they can either be placed in rows of 2i
feet apart and 9 inches from plant to plant, or mark out beds 6 ft. wide
and put 4 rows in each, the plants 15 inches asunder every way. Bos-
ton Pine, British Queen, and such like robust growers require plenty
of 'elbow room;' they do best in hills 30 inches apart, placing 3 plants
in a tiiangular form to each hill; cover th^ ground between the plants
with tan bark, and they will soon commence growth. Old planta-
tions should be treated with a dressing of guano or leached ashes; sow
the former at the rate of 4-00 lbs. to the acre. This valuable manure
is most advantageously applied at this season; it should be immediate-
ly incorporated with the soil, as its beneficial effects are limited if left
exposed on the surface.
Root Pruning, — We would take this occasion to revert to the sys-
tem of root pruning fruit trees to induce fruitfulness. This is looked
upon with diffidence by many cultivators, although its good effects are
placed beyond ail doubt. Like everything else, a proper discrimina-
tion of the subjects to be operated upon, and the manner of perform-
ing the operation are alike necessary. Many of the operations in hor-
ticulture seem more formidable in the theoretical abstiact than they
are in the practical reality. In our last we alluded to the system of
checking a luxuriant tree by pruning part of the young growing shoots.
Perhaps we would state the case more justly by saying that the sap
would thus be directed into other channels, with a tendency to burst
otherwise dormant eyes, some of which might form fruiting shoots. It
will be lemembered, however, that we alluded more particularly to
pear trees grafted on quince, as our remarks there are scarcely appli-
caole to free growing stocks. That any system of mere branch prun-
ing will change a healthy, luxuriant tree, from a barren to a fruitful
state, we think questionable; indeed, after repeated experiments, we
do not believe in it at all. Pruning in winter will not doit, from the
fact that the plant is continually absorbing nourishment by its roots,
and accumulating sap in the branches (except in frosty weather;) and
although we prune off a portion of the branches, the remaining parts
are well stored with sap, which affords a ready supply to the buds on
the first excitement of spring. The roots are again set in active mo-
tion, the branches shoot forth with redoubled vigor, and the tree is
^further removed from a fruitbearing state than ever, b'ummer pruning
j^ is also inefficient, it is true that a reciprocal action is constantly going
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
147
I on between the roots and leaves— the one depending, to a greai ex- ^^
iQTii, upon the other for support— hence it might plausibly be siJf])pos.
ed that the removal of branches during growth would be one of the
most effectual means of enfeebling the plant; and no doubt it is, if car-
ried to excess— but enfeebled growth is not indicative of fruitfulness.
In ordinary pruning, however, it does not even check luxuriance—
Any person may prove this by cutting the head of a young growino-
tree in summer; the plant will appear stationary for atime,1)ut the
roots being in a powerfully absorbing condition, a reaction will cer-
tainly follow, and several branches will shoot up, each as strong as the
one cut off. So long as the roofs are allowed to extend and multiply,
no branch pruning compatible with healthiness will induce a fruitful
habit. Hence we resort to root pruning ; and by thus getting at the
root of the matter, our efforts are seconded by success, ''if, therefore,
you have a plum, pear or other fruit tree which has attained a fruit-
bearing size, but shows no indication of a frnit-bearing disposition,
open a circular trench eighteen inches or two feet from its stem, and
dig down the same depth, cut back all roots you meet, then introduce
a spade underneath the ball of earth so that no perpendicular roots
may be left, fill in the soil as before the tree is "loot pruned," and
henceforth the "balance of power" will be changed. We may have
something more to say in relation to this subject hereafter.
Gathering Fruit.-^Therp is in general too little attention paid to
this matter ; pears, especially, should be attentively watched, as many,
indeed most varieties, are improved in flavor by being picked before
fully ripe. Some of the finest sorts have had hard names bestowed
upon them for their insipidity, solely for want of proper management
in this respect. They shouhl be gathered as soon as they will part
easily from ^hetree without using force. Our criterion is to cut a fruit
in two on the first indication of maturity, and if the seeds are of a
brown color, the crop is gathered, handled as carefully as eggs, and
laid on shelves in a cool, dark apartment, where they gradually ripen
to perfection.
Grapes under Glass. — The principal object with these now, is the
ripening of the wood ; the roots, if planted inside, will require no fur-
ther artificial waterings ; if the border extend outside, they should be
covered in a manner to throw off excessive rains, in bright weather
syringe the foliage occasionally, which will keep down insects, and
otherwise prove refreshing. S. B.
HINTS FOR SEPTEMBER.
Hot House. — Orchidaceous plants are becoming daily more com-
mon as the easiness of their cultivation becomes understood. Blctias
(Phajus) are in many collections. B. hyacinthiflora, B.Tankervillae,
and B. Wallichii, are about to grow now. They ought to be at once
repotted, and abundance of water given ; they will flower beautifully
in the winter. All orchidece, grown in pots, should be repotted after
they begin to grow ; they should be shaken out of the pots they grew
in, the old decayed roots (which are generally annual) cut off, and
I placed in the same or little larger pots; turfy peat, with a third of
k broken pots and charcoal, or old wood, suits most kinds, especially the
species of Bletia, Maxillaria, Lycaste and Calanthe. Leaves of Glox-
inias of any desirable kinds may now be struck in sand ; choo.<:e those ^
^ which are tolerably mature, but not by any means turning color. — ^
i^9V ^i
■•"3«
M
[Sept'r.
148 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
'M'^Typ-
\«r)When any of the Gloxinias or Achimenes show signs of yellowness n^
for a disposition to rest, water should be withheld gradually. So with ''
all other plants in a less degree — all require rest at some season ; gen-
erelly stove plants desire rest in the fall, and resume growth in the
w^inter. The more they are rested in the fall by withholding water,
and being kept in a low temperature, the better they will flower when
th^y do grow. Those which are growing require constant syringing
and abundance of water; others, as Justicias, Aphelandras, &c., the
most extensive family of stove plants, will now be showing flower, and
require removal to a dryer and warmer part of the house. Where
flues are still retained for heating purposes, see that they are in good
order. Gas from the fires, through defective flues, is very injurious
to most plants.
Grken House, Conservatory, &c — Pelargoniums that have been
cut down, if they have shot forth their buds a little, should be shaken
out of the pots they flowered in, their roots reduced, and replanted in
small pots — they will make better plants next year than your cutting
plants. Chrysanthemums should receive their final shift ; 1 find a
sandy loam, wif h about a teaspoonful of guano to as much soil as would
go into a twelve inch pot, the best for flowermg them in. The min-
iature or Pompone varieties drew much attention last fall, and will
probably become very popular. Fuchsias, Cinerarias, and Calceolar-
ias ought to be procured now and kept growing all winter. Mr. Saun-
ders' paper in the last on the Calceolaria, is worth more than a pass-
ing perusal. 1 have seen years ago how he grew them, and believe he
has kept back no secret. The Pansy has for some years fallen into
disrepute; it "could not be grown." Latterly they are "getting up'*
again — they are truly "Johnny-jump-ups." Sown now, kept in a very
cool greenhouse, and repotted very early in spring, there is no prettier
ornament of the greenhouse. When they have done flowering, they
should be turned out of pots into a rich, moist, partially shaded and
cool situation for the summer season, and propagated from cuttings in
the fall, at the same season as we sow the seed. Carnations and Pinks
have also fallen ofl", undeservedly so. To be grown to perfection in
America as in England, they must be flowered in pots, the rooted cut-
tings or pipings ought to be potted now, and encouraged to root well
before winter ; early in November they should be potted in sandy
loam, with a portion o( well rotted cowdung, and kept growing in the
greenhouse. If the societies were to ofl'er premiums forPansies, Car-
nations and Pinks, about three months earlier than they do, we should
hear of a success ifi their cultivation over that of the old country, equal
to that obtained by the world-renowned Victoria Regia. As soon as
the weather becomes cool and moist, take up any spare Spiraeas, Dent-
zias, Persian Lilacs, &c., and pot them carefully; get them well esta-
blished before winter ; if there be command of a little heat they will
flower beautifully in the winter months, or very early in spring. If
Dahlias are wished for seed, with the object of producing fine varie-
ties, mark the finest flowers on each wished for kind as they bloom —
the first perfect flower the plant produces is the most likely to produce
a fine progeny. The centre spike, or first flowering of a stock, pro-
duces nearly all plants of double flowers. If the annuals desired for
winter flowering are not yet sown, don't delay ; "stock gillies," and
wall flowers must be sown in fall, or they will not flower next season.
^^ Dentzia gracilis promises to be a valuable winter flowering shrub —
i^ flowers white, like the wild cherry, and pendulous.
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
149
{*>, Flower Garden. — Attend to the saving of seeds desired. In all
'o plants seeds of the first flowers produce the best progeny; all biennial
y plants should have their seed sown as soon as ripe. In this country,
many plants, annuals in England, are best treated as biennials — Ipo-
mopsis picta, Rocket Larkspurs, and Chrysanthemum ericoides are
instances. Where any of the hardy annuals are desired to flower
early and fine, they should be sown in a dry sheltered situation as soon
as ripe, and transplanted in spring to where they are to remain. About
the end of the month, Tulips and Hyacinths intended to be bloomed
in the open ground, should be planted; the soil should be of a moist
nature, but not wet, loamy and well dressed with stable manure — coal
ashes mixed with it improves it ; I have seen finer hyacinths in Ame-
rica under such treatment than in any country else. They ought to
be put about four inches deep in the soil.
In the last month's paper the reader is requested to correct "herba-
ceous plants delight in perpetual shade," to partial shad^ — an error of
either the printer's or writer's. Continue to propagate by division of
the roots or seeds; the earlier after flowering they are divided the bet-
ter plants they make; and if the seeds are not sown till spring they
will not germinate till the next. America is peculiarly the country
for herbaceous plants; they are neglected only because they are na-
tives. "Mr. , what is the name of that elegant ipldiniV^ " Dode-
cathon Meadia, Madam." " O! how very pretty; what is the price 1"
" 75 cents." " I will take one home." My friend, who had not sold
hitherto many herbaceous native plants, partially mused on the grow-
ing taste for them, and partly (probably) on the price he could obtain
for them, when the following — "^Mr. , what country is it fromi"
led him to reply with a glow of pleasure, " Why, Madam, of our own;
it is a native plant." " O, a wild thing! Then I don't want it." —
The anecdote speaks for itself. Evergreens of all kinds are best plant-
ed at once ; if not finished by the end of the month they are best de-
ferred till April or iVIay. The soils best adapted to the different kinds
are not at all studied ; they ought to be — no trees suffer more from un-
kindly soil than evergreens, especially Coniferse.
Vegetable Garden. — Celery should be earthed up once a week, if
growing strong and earliness be desirable; it ought not to be done too
soon, but rather watered frequently with strong soapsuds or manure
water. Do not earth up much at a time, or the hearts are apt to rot.
Potatoes should be taken up as soon as the vines are decayed ; in stor-
ing them, place a little earth among them to prevent them sweating,
which causes them to sprout and become weakened. The main crop
of white Turneps should be sown at once ; transplant Endive — they
love a rich loamy soil. Radishes and Lettuce for the fall may be still
sown. Cauliflower, sow about the middle of the month— the Walch-
eren does pretty well, comes in after the Dutch. Onions may be
sown by the end of the month in a sheltered spot; transplanted in the
spring, they make fine bulbs the first season. Sow Early York Cab-
bage at the end of the month. Sow some prickly Spinage by the
middle of the month, on moist rich soil—if the winter prove nriild they
will live over the winter, and come in early. Attend to directions
given last month for keejnng down weeds— if hoed up, as they ought
to be before they seed, they enrich the manure heap. Keep every
>^ department clean, every tool in its place, and labor will become a
(ij pleasure and the earden a paradise. '1'. J.
m^^jb^
^x^^Qsm
[Sept'r.
150 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^:it)P-
NOTES CENSORIAL.
As the space you allow for our "Notes" is rather restricted, we will
confine our censorship to one or two subjects which seem to us to re-
quire correction.
The Monthly Tour of Inspection. — We are informed that you made
a mistake ii» your distribution of offices on the place of Mr. Welsh —
Mr. Shields being farmer^ and Mr. Ross not his assistant, but head
gardener.
jichime?ies Gloxinceflora — Really a horticultural p:erri; but we must
say that your plate of it is most striking evidence of the loss to your
subscribers by the death of Mrs. Hill. We hope they will suspend
their judgment of the tlower until they see it in bloom, or a better re-
presentation of it. The plant has been in this neighborhood nearly
two years, and was exhibited in a collection of Achimenes in the
spring of 1S51, What you say of the value set upon new plants at
the exhibitions of the Penn. Hort. Society is painfully true. We saw
the other evening there (August stated meeting) a few spikes of Gladi- ^
oli Gandavensis and floribundus labelled "weu;, and shown for the first
time.^^
Penn. Hort. Society. — Still the same discernment in bestowing pre-
miums. Isaac Collins, gardener to Gen. Patterson, exhibited a large
collection, which received first premium, probably because it was the
President's. Mr. Bisset's second, because it was the best. The prizes
awarded the designs seemed to be made on the same principle. What
ails that commilteel What rules have they in judging of the best and
most interesting collection \ Is it size 1 — for then the lucky man who
flowers the biggest Hydrangeas can always take the premium. A com-
mittee should have some knowledge of plants, their variety, growth,
&c. The exhibitions of the Society will certainly fail, if gardeners
feel assured that their fine collectious will be passed over, or a place
assigned them inferior to their merits. Brougham.
As Mr. Saunders furnished us with a sketch to illustrate his remarks
on the introduction of Grapes into Greenhouses, which we could not
have engraved in time to insert with the communication, our readers
will find it annexed :
" It consists of a wooden frame made
to fit into the upright lights in front ; the
end pieces taper from a point at top, to a
breadth of 8 or 10 inches at bottom; board
at bottom same width, and furnished with
two semi-circular holes for the introduc-
tion of the vines. See p. 114-, Aug. No.
d^T*" W. D. Breckenridge has been appointed to 'superintend the
improvement of the public grounds at Washington, in the room of the
late A. J. Downing. Mr. B.'s extensive knowledge in the various de-
partments of horticulture promise that the public will not lose so much
V)as was anticipated in this department by the late accident.
3I?^9^>^
^tfO^III
1852.] THE THILADELPHIA FLORIST.
151
m
I
•■
,1)
€\)t /(orist nnb Inrtiniltiiral Sonfnnt
Philadelphia, September, 1852.
OUR LOST FRIENDS.
The issue of our last number was accompanied with the melancholy
tidings of death. A fatal accident, unequalled for some time in the
northern States, robbed the readers of the Florist of the services of Mrs.
Anna Hill, as an artist — to us the most immediate concern j but it
also deprived the horticultural world of the services of A. J, Down-
ing, late Editor of the Horticulturist.
For us, who were but partially acquainted with Mrs. Hill, it would
be useless to expatiate on her fine qualities, or to add to the sorrow
which her sudden death has caused in the large circle of her acquaint-
ance J we will only afford a passing souvenir to her memory, since
words are not sufficient evidence of sorrow ; and it is to be hoped that
her services in the department in which she was engaged will be ap-
preciated sufficiently to warrant a fit tribute of respect being paid to
her memory.
What shall we say with respect to Mr. Downing's loss % In him
the American people possessed one man with pure taste in horticul-
ture, and of much skill and experience. As a writer, he pleased most
parties by a conciliatory course of conduct, refusing to allow the feel-
ings of his supporters to be hurt ; he managed to maintain as good
feeling amongst his numerous correspondents as it is possible to secure.
We have heard with pleasure that a eulogy will be delivered on his
character, at the meeting of the Pomological Congress, on the 13th of
September, at Philadelphia, by M. P. Wilder, Esq., at the request
of W. D. Brinkle, Esq., President.
Death has also snatched away a young friend of ours, Willie Kane,
a high-minded youth, whose precocious talents had no doubt led to
that premature departure from this busy scene, which now overwhelms
his relatives, and creates deep feelings of regret in the minds of those
who shared in his sports and lively joyousness of spirit which charac-
terized him. A rather protracted sickness had partially prepared the
minds of his relatives for the result. He died on the 25th August, at
the residence of his father, Hon. John K. Kane, in this city.
Died, on the 25th August, Samuel Murphv, gardener, formerly of
Dromore, Co. Down, Ireland, and late of New York. He was cut off
in the vigor of youth by a few days' sickness, a fellow-laborer of our
own, with whom we spent many of our early gardening days.
The violent form which dysentery has lately assumed, should be
known to all who are not prudent in their choice of fruits.
V
1
THE PHILADELPHIA PLOrjST.
\
_ [Skpt'h
<^' " v\
Nolhins is more characteristic of refinement in civilized life than (*)
the encourasrement extended to those arts and sciences of decoration p
which tend to beautify the homestead, and make the d.vvelling of man
a place of rational enjoyment, soothinojin its elfect on tlie ruffled tem-
per after its contact with the mercantile bustle of the city, and bring-
ing the mind back by stealth to the contemplation of those gifts in-
tended for our gratification and amusement. The individual who de-
lights in his leisure moments to walk with nature, to view the Divini-
ty in the forms of leaves and flowers, and looking around and on
high, sees in the majesty of the tree and verdure of the grass matter
for reflection and incentives to adoration, cannot at that time enter-
tain grovelling, unworthy ideas of men and things. This is the moral
view of horticulture ; — this is its value as a destroyer of the rougher
feelings of our nature — a smoother of the asperities which are created
by an unnatural desire for wealth and rank in this great scale of be-
ing. It is argued, at times, that the means spent in the gratification
of this love of the new and beautiful of earth's offerings brings no re-
muneration— no return for the outlay — renders no account — is all loss
and no profit, and acts at times as a great drain upon limited means.
The benefits which flow from the cultivation of horticultural taste are
unfortunately not evident to the superficial observer; they lie con-
cealed in the social relations of families — are hidden beneath the sur-
face, and produce their fruits at sundry times and in various ways. —
It is sufficient for us to know that evil propensities are checked ; the
desire for variety so predominant in some minds directed into a harm-
less channel, where it may be amply satisfied; the contact with cor-
rupt and debasing practices avoided, and the entire moral animus
strengthened and preserved. And how differently are these results ef-
fected in this country and Europe. We are told, this month, by a
keen and able observer, that horticultural taste flourishes in Europe —
that it is the pastime of the matron, the maid, and the child. That
there the ten hours factory toiler extends his day to two hours more,
making the usual twelve^ in order to gratify a little gardening mania
that he has for large gooseberries, broad pansies, and well marked bi-
zarres picoleesand flakes ; and this in England, and in Lancashire,
" where pallid fingers ply the loom." And it is not as a reproach that
these distinctions are drawn — he does not see at home as well as he
sees abroad. We could lead our friend to corners of this fair city
"where he might find the same spirit exercising its influence — where
Carnations of merit, and valuable Hoses and choice Camellias and rare
Fuchsias are tended bv amateur hands, everv bud of which is a source
of pride to its owner which could not be valued since the enjoyment
it has afforded is unbounded; and our gratification in their inspection
has been little less than that of the simple-minded individuals who ^
.i
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 133
[p in their yards have devoted so much time and pains to the nurture of ^
rp these few floral gems. We can in Philadelphia realise the roof gar- ^^
( dens we have hitherto only read of. And why should it be otherwise! \
Have not many of the peaceful citizens who compose our pDpulation
been transported here, from those very scenes where horticulture has
been nursed ; and can they lay aside the cherished objects because
their lot is ca^t a few degrees west or south of their nativity ? But we
calculate erroneously, or America will yet be the home of gardening.
We can imagine a period when naked fences will no longer meet the
eye in the neighborhood of Philadelphia— when the Ailanthus and
Abele tree will hold the position suited to their peculiar characters,
and be no longer an ofl^ence to the organs of sight and smell, planted
as they often are, against our windows and in our small yard gardens.
We look forward to a time when there will be no lack of ornamental
shrubs of the ever^rreen character — no difficulty in choosing a close
and ornamental hedgerow. We are progressing — we must progress.
A leading spirit can do much, has done much to effect this most desi-
rable result — the decoration of the abodes of j)eace and contentment.
One such has been snatched from ua in the midst of his enthusiasm —
transported from the Elysian fields he could so well paint to his own
expansive imagination, we nre told, to regions where all is svmmetry
and perfection. And when this Continent has put on a mantle of rich
foliage — when the lofty Himalayas shall improve by their majesty the
native landscape which claims for its portion the Laurtl, Azalea, Red
Cedar, Althaea, Rhododendron, Cornus, Dwarf Elder, and the multi-
tude of flowering shrubs which have been so profusely scattered by the
hand of nature. Then when eulogies and epitaphs, and even monu-
ments will fail to U-l] of the mind that first taught us to decorate our
homes, and to make our homes so that they would be worth decora-
tion, it would be known by some unfailing tradition th:»t a leading spi-
rit had been there, for the evidences of design iemain to prove the
fact J and the name and memory of A. J. Dowkl\g will be associated
with the scenei of improvement.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
It has been found necessary, for the promotion of certain objects
which would otherwifse remain neglected, to form associations devoted
to particular arts an«l sciences, where mutual assistance and anxiety
are enabled to efl^ect what individuals would fail to accomplish. Aided
by means and council, steps are taken to protect and enco'irage, to
foster and improve the certain branch of science or art, to the interests
\ of which each society is to be devoted. Horticulture is not forgotten.
9? As we approach the fall months we are reminded that the great feast of c*^
QS^ Flora and her friends takes place at this season ; when the eyes and the i^)
1
20
hii
I
u ■
1(
LI
4-;
• *
154 THE PHILADELPHIA FLOHTST.
[Sept'k.
"J? mind shall be feasted with beauty and knowledge. No spontaneous (n»)
accumulation is to produce the great results anticipatedj for nine '^'
months, certain places have been placarded with an immense sheet,
headed "Schedule OF Premiums." We are sorry that our limited
means do not permit us to indulge in the repetition of the various
items contained in it. " And who are to receive the premiums this
tiraeV A very out of place question; and yet that is the question
commonly demanded of the cunning ones in horticulture. One says,
" Oh, it is easy to tell who will get it." Certainly, we would say —
** whoever merits it."
We trust, at least, this will be the result. In order to satisfy our-
selves in case any competitor might consider himself aggrieved, as
frequently many do, let us throw out a few hints to the competitors
on this head — the judges we will not pretend to advise. Take the
schedule for your guide; take it as it is — not as it should be — for bet-
ter or worse ; be guided by it — you made il, or you suffered your offi-
cers to make it — though right in front we see those coarse and stink-
ing things, Dahlias advanced for the silver medal. Running our eye
along, we see another silver medal offered, and for what 1 ^^The Cac-
^«," neither more nor less. The Night Flowering, Turk's Cap, Old Man,
Hedge Hog, Crab Cactus, Mammillarias, Phyllocacti. We think we
see the huge masses of sap and flesh taking their stand for judgment.
Following farther, we see another silver medal, for whatl — oh, for a
design. We shall make no comment ; that is unsafe ground to tread
on. Well, we hope the schedule is better than the gardeners think ;
though few have forty good Dahlias, many have twenty good Cacti —
some specimens twelve or fourteen feet high are about. Will they be
in blooml — the schedule does not inform us. We hope all will be
well ; and let no one ask who made up this schedule — that is not to
the purpose ; why did not the members see to these things in good
timel Now as to the judgment, let there be no underhand work —
no tampering with judicial authority; no interference, whatsoever, in
the Hall, during the presence of the judges; no whispering " that is
his," or "this is mine," or ''thai is Tom's, or Dick's, or Harry's" — let
us have a decision on the merits, irrespective of influence or authority.
We have heard enough latterly of this disagreeable carking at the re-
sults— the complaints are often well grounded, and often groundless.
The gentlemen no doubt do their utmost to please. How few succeed
in such circumstances. Thorough acquaintance with the duties to be
performed, will, we hope, place the judges far abo^e suspicion as to
skill ; their character as men should be quite sufficient guarantee for
the purity of their award. We are grieved to hear disrespect cast
upon the men who kindly undertake the most difficult portion of the A
•. duty. We hope our friends whose honor and reputation is in their Q\
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST, . 155
I hands, will be as forebearing as their interest will warrant. Late de-r
cisions at the monthly meetings have not given satisfaction ; it can
serve no purpose to conceal this fact — it is palpable, and may as well
be clearly stated, and data furnished on which we cannot help coming
to this conclusion. We trust a new leaf will be turned over, and that
good feeling will prevail at the great feast of Flora and Pomona on
the 15th, Kith, and 17th instant, at the Chinese Museum, Philadel-
phia.
New York follows. We know she will retrieve her character ; we
doubt much if Philadelphia will long bear away the palm. The means
are not wanting at New York; a few spirited individuals have taken
the matter in hand, and from what we know of the gentlemen who
compose the committee of arrangement, we shall be much disappoint-
ed if something worthy tiie Empire City do not result from the prepa-
rations now making. That room in the Metropolitan Hall is too low
in the ceiling ; good plants will never be exhibited there to advantage.
We publish the Schedule of the New York Society. We should have
been pleased to have done as much for the Pennsylvania Society; but
they do well to economise their funds, and let us help ourselves.
ANNUALS— SELECT LIST.
The crowd of trashy annuals which we meet with in the summer
months, speal^s very little for the taste or skill of the gardener. The
amateur cannot be blamed — he is at the mercy of the seedsman. We
shall interpose a few hints for his especial benefit, leaving the garden-
er to continue drawing upon his own knowledge. And taking up a
list of choice flower seeds, let us glance the eye over the various claim-
ants for public favor; lest, however, we might overlook the old stand-
ard sorts, we shall first enumerate them ; they are —
Mignionette ; Double Wallflower; Brompton, Giant, and ten-we«'k
stock ; Phlox Drummonilii in all its varieties; Schizanthus, several spe-
cies; Primula sinensis ; Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Pansies, China Asters,
dwarf French Marygold, Chinese Pinks.
After these, try Portulacca (new white); Grammanthes gentianoides;
IpomaeaBurridgii; I. limbiata, Zauschneria; Californica; double Rocket
Larkspur; Eucharidium grandiflorum; Papaver Marseillii; Salpiglossis,
several species; Leptosiphon densiflorus; Tropceolem canariense (creep-
er;; Eccremocarpus scaber (creeper); Lobelia gracilis, and many
others, which we shall enumerate before Spring.
To secure a good show of annuals, the choice varieties should be
sown in pans or boxes in September or October, and keeping them
\ from the frost throughout the Winter, be held in readines to transplant
VD at the first opportunity in May, or often by the latter end of April,
^ when the season proves a propitious one. Those sown in Spring in ^
;^£>V~_
I
156 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Sept'r.
e^ the open !)or(!er, shnwld be sown on a li(tle patch of sand, or veryf*
sandy soil prepared for the purpose. Mr. Bisset, who is generally suc-
cessful in this de])artment, treats his so ; he does not make a deep hole
with his finger and bury the small seeds, but scatters them thinly over
this prepared spot of sand, where they seldom fail to vegetate. The
sand also attracts moisture and retains it ; does not become baked into
hard masses after rain, but serves as a fair medium for germination. —
We hope to see many of the commonly sown annuals rejected at an
early date from seed catalogues ; they only serve to confuse the ama-
teur.
United States Agricultural Society.
[H?* This newly organized Society has at length published ajournal
of its proceedings — a bulky affair, and presented gratis. We begin to
tremble for the small practical sheets at $2 and ^l per an. which are
now in competition with this formidable docunient. We are iavored
by a friend, with the perusal of No. 1., for August, of the Journal of
the United Stales Agricultural Society; and of course look for some-
thing extra from tlie centre of this great Confederacy. Nothing prac-
tical is there — pardon so small a journal as ours, for sitting in judg-
ment on the celebrities who have issued the Journal, raised as they are
to a high platform which we never may reach. In fact, they may
iweep us olF the carpet by the power of centralization.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The report of the stated meeting of July we were obliged to cur-
tail. Amongst the objects exhibited on that occasion, which were not
enumerated last month, were a plant of Zauschneria Californica, by
W^m. Mcintosh, foreman to R. Buist, Rosedale ; Apples and Peaches
by John Perkins ; Pears and Gooseberries from Isaac B. Baxter; five
varieties of Cherries and one of Plums, from Mrs. J. B. Smith; and
white Currants from the garden of Miss Gratz.
The President having taken the chair and the meeting being called
to order, reports ot committees read, &c., &,c., notice of a motion was
handed in by Dr. W. D. Brinkle to alter a standing by-law regulat-
ing the payment of members. A motion was oflered by the same
gentleman for the appointment of iifteen delegates from the Society to
the Fruit Congress to meet at Philadelphia September 13th, carried.
The President stated, that as he had not made himself familiar with
the members, he would request two days leisure to make a selection.
A report was called for from the delegation to the Agricultural Con-
vention at Washington. Thomas Hancock, the only member of the
delegation who had attended there, then in the hall, stated that he was
excluded from the delegation representing Pennsylvania, being a New
Jersey delegate. C. B. Rogers had presented his certificate, but made
^^ no report. Mr. Hancock informed the Society of the result of the
*^ Convention. The President requested that the Society would excuse
li^^v^.
^tfOSM
1852.]
THE PIJILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
157
■^-<:,
o€i
o
(•r^the members of the delegation then present, as they had heard their )^)
apology. [These delegations are mere formal proceedings — Ed.] c/
The meeting adjourned. V
Stated Mketing, August 17, 1852.
Dr. W. D. Brinkle, V. P., in the chair. After the usual routine of
business, the motion for a change in the article of the constitution re-
lating to annual payments of members, was called and read. Thomas
P. James, before the passing of the am-»ndment, desired to record his
opinion that no beneficial results would follow the proposed amend-
ment ; confusion in the treasurer's accounts would be one evil which
would arise from it, and the taking advantage by new members of the
privilege of free exhibition tickets at a small cost of 75 cents for three
months' membership.
E. Meredith stated his opinion that the latter was not an evil to be
dreaded, as few would be bO mean as to avail themselves of the clause
for that purj)ose.
Mr. Hancock and T. Parker offered some remarks, when, by Mr.
Hancock's amendment on the insertion of the words pro rata, the
amendment to the by-law was passed.
Resolutions expressive of regret at the loss of A. J. Downing, a fel-
low-member, were passed.
The attention of the Society was called, by R. Robinson Scott, to
a by-law wliich provides tiiat the committee for awarding prizes shall
meet half an hour previous to the opening of the hall to the public.
In explanation of the necessity of strict attention being given to this
provision, he stated that the committee were embarrassed by being
Mirrounded by visitors and competitors, and their private remarks in
the fulfilment of their duty caught up, and sometimes misconstrued.
He insisted that the clause shoukl no longer remain a dead letter, as
it was invariably the practice at European exhibitions to exclude from
the exhibition room, during the time of makingthe awards, all visitors
and competitors. Mr. Meredith coincided in the opinion of the neces-
sity of sticking to the rule.
Mr. Finn offered some opposition, and said there was no aepessity
for any new rules.
R. R. Scott also requested to know if a selection of the delegates
had been made to the Pomological Congress, for which purpose Gen.
Patterson had solicited two days in the interim. The Secretary re-
ported that they had not yet been chosen. The following prizes were
awarded :
Plants in Pots. — For the best and most interesting, to Maurice Finn,
gardener to John Lambert. Bouquet Design — For the best, to Thos.
Meehan, gardener to C. Cope; for the best hand bouquet, to H. A.
Dreer'g foreman ; for the best basket of cut flowers, and for the best
basket of native flowers, to 'J'hos. Weehan ; and special premiums for
five new plants to do.; and for a fine collection of cut German asters,
German ten week stock, and other annuals, from H. A. Dreer's gar-
den.
Fruit, — Grapes — For the best three bunches of a black variety (the
Black Hamburg) to James Meredith, gardener to J.N.Dickson; for /
the second best, to A. J. Smilh, gardener at Eden Hall; for the best of o^
V)a while variety (the White Nice) to do; for the second best (White Gj
158
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Sept'r
o^ Tokay) to Wm. Johns. Xectnrines — For the best six specimens (theS^
p Newington) to Matthew Gardiner, Alex. Brown's gardener ; for thec7
second best (the Elruge) to the same. Plums — For the best (Heine
Claude) to Mrs. J. B. Smith ; tor the second b»'sl (Flushing Gage) to
Thos. P. James. Pears — For the best eight (Tyson) to Wm. Parry;
for the second best (Manning's Elizabeth) to H. W. S. Cleveland.-^
Jpples— For the best half peck, (Early Bough) and for the second,
(the Hagloe) to John Perkins.
The fruit committee submitted an arim^crm report of objects shown
to them since last meetins:.
Vegetables. — For the best display by a marketgardener, to Anthony
Felton, Jr.; for the best by a private gardener, to Thos. Meghran, gr.
to R. Cornelius; for the second best, to Maurice Finn; and special pre-
miums to Anthony Felton, Jr., for a display of Egg Plants, and to T.
Meghran for a display of new Corn called "Stowell's evergreen sugar
corn," being remarkable in size, and represented as very productive
and superior for the table.
The committee also notice with pleasure, and call the attention of
the Society to a new variety of Salad, called the Speckled Salad of
Austria, ^rown from seed obtained from Vienna, and exhibited by Dr.
J. Khea Barton.
A fine bloom of the Victoria was exhibited, fromR. Buist's houses
Rosedale, foreman, Wm. Mcintosh, the second successful cultivator of
the renowned Lily. We have seen no notice of it in the Secretary's
report in the '^Bulletin"— /atrp/ay. A neat collection of plants were
deposited by P. Mackenzie, Sch. 5th and Spruce, consisting of Fuch-
sias, Gloxinias, &,c.
The display of Fruits was large ; Grapes were in supply, many of
the bunches not well colored, and some quite destitute ot bloom.
Pears were almost all over-ripe. The pyramid of flowers on the cen-
tre table was well formed, and decorated with three buds of the C«-
reus glauca. The basket of flowers contained a flower, in its second
stage, of the Victoria. Two baskets of indigenous flowers were exhi-
bited (not for competition) by R. K. Scott. A new plant, Franciscea
villosa, was exhibited from Caleb Cope's houses, not remarkable for
anything but the character of its leaves, which difler in being soft or
villous, and more oval than those of the old species. We must omit
many other interesting matters. We would recommend all competi-
tors to send their plants to the room at least one hour before the time
of meeting, as the by-law must be carried out.
The following are the Delegates from Penn. Hort. Society to the
American Pomological Congress:
Gen. Robert Patterson, Caleb Cope, Thomas Hancock, David Lan-
dreth, E. W. Keyser, Robert Buist, 1 homas P. James, J. E. Mitchell,
Peter Mackenzie, J. D. Fulton, Dr. Robert Hare, Dr. Thos. McEwen,
Peter K. Gorgas, John R. Brinckle, Edw. Harris, John Perkins.
New York Horticultural Society.
At a meeting of this Society, held at Stuyvesant Institute, August \
2d, 1852, after some appropriate remarks by Mr. Peter B. Mead, the /
following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: >
Whereas.^ This Society, by a melancholy calamity, has been sud- C^
M39V ■ ^t^Qsi
159
^?
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
,>^denly deprived of a valuable and esteemed member; and whereax, ItJ^
becomes our duty to pay a proper tribute to the memory of one whose
services in the cause ot Holticulture has given him a lasting claim to
our gratitude and esteem ; be it therefore
Resolved^ That, in the sudden death of our late associate Andw. J.
Downing, Esq., we recognize the hand of an overruling Providence,
and that we deeply deplore the loss sustained by his family by his
calamitous death, and hereby tender our sympathies to them in their
aflliction.
•
Resolved^ That, in common with all who take pleasure in horticul-
tural pursuits, we feel that we have sustained no common loss in the
death of one so eminent in liis profession, and whose labors in rural
aichitecture and landscape gardening will remain as enduring monu-
ments of his judgment and taste.
Resolved^ That the Corresponding Secretary be requested to for-
ward these Resolutions to Mrs. Downing ; and also furnish copies for
publication in the Horticultural Magazines.
We are indebted for the above to P. B. Mead, Esq., and for other
useful information.
Maryland Horticultural Society.
The July Exhibition was held on the 22nd. Owing to the exces-
sive heat^ we suppose, very few visitors were present ; although the
display of articles was extensive and interesting, — S. Feast & Sons,
kindly sent a leaf ot the Victoria Regia for the inspection oi the com-
pany. This measured a little over four feet in diameter.
Contributions were presented as follows:
Vegetables, S. Feast & Sons, Egg-plant and Tomatoes; Dr. Ed-
mondson. Tomatoes and Kidney-beans ; D. Lushby, Egg-plants, To-
matoes, Beets, Carrots and Cabbages ; James W. Jenkins, had ex-
cellent samples of Corn, Beets, Parsnips and Carrots; J. Register,
Peppers and Tomatoes ; Beans from Mr. Winans ; Lima-beans and
Tomatoes from Nich. Popplein ; Mr. Watt, gardener to President
Fillmore at Washington, sent an assortment of well grown vegetables,
consisting of Egg-plant, Corn, Carrots, Okra, Tomatoes and Beets.
Fruits, E. Mochler, sent seedling Plums, Apricots and Peaches ; —
Beautiful Early Bough-apples from J. Register ; Dr. Edmondson sent
a fine dish of Black Mulberries and white Currants, — Mr. Popplein,
fine Apricots ; splendid Currants from G. Brown, Esq., Messrs. Foise,
Winans and S. Feast, each sent fine Jargonelle and Windsor Pears.
Plants and Flowers. The President of the Society contributed
most liberally. He had many fine old specimens of rare plants. A
seedling Erythrina of arboreous habit, a large branching plant twelve
feet high. Many large plants of E. Crista-galli, Chinese Hibiscus,
Draccenia and Lophospermum, Ixoras rosea and Coccinea, Eucomus
punctata, Crinum amabile ; fine plant ot the rare Magnolia pumiia.
Above twenty var. of the best Fuchsias in cultivation profuse of
health and flower, Cereus grandiflorusin flower, also, Achimenes picta
and Rondeletia speciosa. In addition to this valuable collection,
there were many fine seedling petunias, Volkamerias, Melrosideros
and Gloxinias.
^ In Mr. John Feast's collection were many new and valuable
2fc plants, we noted a feW, as Prosthanthera violacea, fioronia anemo-
160 THE PHILADELPHIA FLOPvIST.
[Sept'h
'^nefolia, Cyrtoceras reflexa, Adamia versicolor, Ceropegia elegans, ^)
^-5' Bouvardia triphylla Franciscea violacea, JMaid of Orleans jasmine, ^^
y Fourcroya Americana, Duranta ca^ulea, Lisnoiiia, Gardenia Fortunii,
f the beautiful Evergreen VV^eepiiig Cyprei;s of Chitia, with many other
j rare evergreens. Fine collection of exotic Ferns and Lycopdiums.
I Specimens of Sago Palm, Agapanthus umbellatus alba, and a fine
flowered collection of choice Gloxinias, cut llovvers and bouquets in
variety. C. U. Stobie, furnished an assortment of new fuchsias, we
observed Diadem of Flora, Snowdrop, Pearl of England, Actaeon,
Defiance, Psyche, Speciosa, Conciliation, oX iffJOutyn:
COLOR PLATE
160
THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLOP.IST.
c : D — •
[Sept'r
^nefolia, Cyrtoceras ivflexa, Adaniia viM-slcoIor, Ceropegia elegans, ^)
^^Bouvai'dia Iripliylla Franciscea violact-a, Afail of Orleans jasmine,'^/
9 Fourcroya AmtMi(:ina. Diiiuntit cdTiil.';!, Li:no:iia, Gardenia Fortunii, P
f the beautiful Ev^iu^r.-en W'.'.'i/nii-- Cypri's of r!,;!i;i, witii many otlitT \
rare evergreens. Fine collection of e\ot:c Feins ami Lycopdiums.
Specimens of Sa,2:o Palm, Ao;;ij)nntluis lunlxdhitus alba, and a fine
llowered colled ion of choice (iioxinias, cut flowers and boucpiets in
variety. C. V. ."Stobie, furnished an assortment of new fuchsias, we
observed Diadem of Flora, Snowdrop, Fearl of England, Actaeon,
Defiance, Fsyche, Speciosa, Conciliation, tS'c. Fine bloomed ])lants
of Agapanthus uinbellatus, and Flumhago Kosea, several choice
Kosps, &c.
Messrs. Pentland, Bro., Greenmount (hardens, exhibited a variety
of seedliniz; verijcnas, one named Delicatissiiiuj, has all the properties
of a first rate llower ; fine form, and lirL'-fN both in tiower and truss,
flesh color, with a very distinct ])!!r|de fy(>, a decided acquisition to
this tribe of plants. Beautilul Lillium " lancilolium, large h'usselia
juncea in fine llower. Koses in {piantity, and several hand bouquets.
S. Feast &, JSons, had llowering plants of Crinum amabile, Nerium
Tabernwmontana, Pentascarne i, Lantana mutal)i!is, Flund^ago capen-
sis and Larpenta^, Gesnera, Hoya Carnosa, Gloxinias, Achimenes,
and the beautiful foliaged Alaranta Zebrina. A great quantity of cut
flowers, hand bouquets, kc. — The leaf of the aquatic queen, before
noticed, was a novelty in this quarter j the plant is expected to flow-
er early next month.
T. Winans, Escp, s'^nt a collection of Acliimenes, and Japan Lillies,
flowering ])lants of Torenia Asiatica, Fknnbago Larj)enta^, Gesnera
Zebrina, Cuphea Flatycentra, Juchsias, in variety, alo a pretty pot of
Lycopodiun Ccesium-arboreum.
Many other contributions of flowers were on hand, very fine double
Balsams from Aidt k Son, and seedling verbenas and petumias from
Mr. Kemp of more than mei/iocre merit, the bouquets of J. Gal-
loway, Claremont, were much and justly admired.
W. ^AUa'DEKS,
- -mi I m
PLATE VIE— 1. GL\t.:nLr.s,^ Fanny Koug-t ; 2. M. Couder j 3.
M. Georgeon.
A group of three newly iutroluced Glatligli, hybrids; imported by
H. Farnum, Esq., and drawn by a young lady at the School of Design.
TO CORIIESPOXDEXTS.
F. W. C.'s rommunicatinn, Dublin, has be-n imavoidablv left ovorj
also, that of "V)ta!or." Th^' r-ply to '-Alayihorn'' we will not pub-
lish ; let him go afi ■ad. slim- an 1 all. Dr. Warder, of the ''Western
Review," s lys, ''\\^■ >,( ,,\\{ wiih tie' dft-Minination to fiirht with no
one."' \\ e n )\v en Io:m- it ; ours is n>){ a warlike occupation. ".l.B.'"
enquirt'^ \v lo nr<^ n w m nmitt'e. We have n ).'!•' now ; we did not
feel di-p )- d to h ive th 'lu ,tt! i'd<('d, so w.' disband d tlu'm, and take
I all tli'« r.'s;)on,ibility of m m i^ lii 'ut — but tiiey wo.k harder now for
us than b''lrii('.
We thaidv "S. W. Af.,'' Columbia, fr.r his list of subscribers; also,
Wm. Saunders, ami .John Graham. Col. O'Brien has done well, in d
Mass. Swell k up now, and we shall do our best. ^
m^IPo^ __ _^___^cxi<:4
f
Fro/// ihf (ollertion ol'
II Fdnuim.Ksq.
It thf .fi^ifi'l Ltf' />f.Ttyn
COLOR PLATE
INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE
1 >
I
THE
mmm mjmm
AND
HORTEETUBE JOlim,
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited and Published by R. ROBTXSON fiCOTT. No. 03 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock Streets, up stairs.
Vol. I.]
Philadelphia, October, 1852.
[No. 6.
NOTES ON THE CACTI.
No. II.
Eplphylliim truncatum and its varieties make nice small flowering
plants in one year from cuttings ; if good sized shoots are taken off
early in the Spring, and as soon as they are struck, shifted into four
inch pots and grown smartly through the Summer, water withheld
gradually and the shoots thoroughly ripened in Autumn, they will
flower well the following year.
The grafting of Cacti is easily performed; but in carrying it into
practice, some very unnatural looking vegetable monsters have been
produced. We have seen a large mass of Epiphyllum truncatum three
feet in diameter, growing on the top of a wiry stem of Pereskia not
one inch thick, propped up and supported in every possible manner.
It must, however, be confessed, that tliey flower very well in this fash-
ion, frequently blooming two or three times in one season, owinj::, no
doubt, to the small amount of nutriment that the stock is capable of
transmitting to the succulent leaves of the graft, causing the formation
of flower instead of leaf buds. The free growing Cerei, such as C.
speciocissimus^ and C. /leocagonus B.Te better adapted for stocks. The
Epiphylla, when grafted on these, become hardy greenhouse plants,
and the flowers are larger and superior to tRose grown on their own
roots.
Cuttino-s of either of the above mentioned Cerei should be rooted
and grown witli a single stem. W\wn they reach the de^^i^ed height,
cut oft' the top horizontally, and prepare the graft by parinir oft* half an
inch of the bark at the base, and cutting it in the shape of a wedge.
With a knife or sharp pointed bit of wood, m.ake an incision on the
^ top of the stock, fit in the graft, and secure it with a wooden peg (or ^
(^^ spine) run through both stock and scion ; tie a small piece of dampC
m^-b — ,, ^cfo^k
21
Jt
162 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
m^^r^p- " ^
[Oct'r.
moss round it, and the operation is complete. Large specimens may j-i
soon be obtained by cutting down an old plant to two or more up- *^f
right stems, and inserting a number of grafts from the surface of the
soil to the top of the stock in the angles of the stems, securing tliem as
before mentioned. Place them in a warm temperature, well shaded ;
syringe them frequently, and in ten days or a fortnight they will be
firmly united ; after they have grown a little they will require more
air, and to be treated the same as the others.
The treatment of all the genera of CACTACEiE is the same ; they re-
quire to be kept dry in winter; in early spring they must be brought
forward and watered, they then flower, and immediately after, —
which is very inconvenient, for it spoils the bloom, they commence
growing. They should be grown as rapidly as possible in a shaded
house, giving plenty of water, and once a week a good application of
manure water ; towards the end of July or in August the}' should be
turned out of doors, where the sun and air will ripen the young shoots.
Gradually diminish the supply of water, and cease it altogether or
nearly so, in winter. The best soil for Cereus, Phyllocactvs and Epi-
phyllum is a mixture of equal parts loam, leaf mould and sharp sand ;
these should not be left so dry as to shrivel, as it often necessitates the
cutting away of the best part of the plant. The round kinds do not re-
quire so rich a soil, and they will bear drought much better; they
should be wintered, if possible, on a dry shelf near the glass, where
they will have all the light and air possible, and away from heat and
moisture, which would prevent their enjoying that rest which induces
successful flowering in the spring.
We shall return to the subject when we find more materials for ob-
servation.
CULTURE OF ACHIMENES.
BY THOMAS MEEHAN.
The genus Achimenes is now so well known for its beauties, and for
its interest, that nothing need be said of it here. It will be in there-
collection of most gardeners when it consisted of only a single species
the Cyrt7/a;)t//cAc//a of L'Heritier. In consequence of that name
having been already given by Linnaeus to a genus of North American
plants, it was changed by Willdenow to Triverana coccinea^ and was *
subsequently named Jlchimenes by Patrick Browne. Within the last
ten years the number of species and varieties increased from one to
near fifty, all of which are beautiful ornaments to the hothouse and
greenhouse. They can be grown to the greatest perfection in a moist
warm atmosphere, partially shaded, in a soil composed of equal parts
i; broken charcoal, leaf mould and sand, and when growing can scarcelv^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
receive too much water. To have fine specimens of single plants,
they may be pinched in occasionally. I have had a single plant of
A. peduncularis by this system three feet high and two feet in diame-
ter. Where there is not the convenience of a moist stove, they will
do well in a greenhouse. As soon as the flowers show signs of Ceas-
ing to be produced, water may be gradually withheld till the shoots
die down, when the pots may be stored away till the next spring in
any dry place secure from frost. To be brought forth in early spring,
shake the bulbs or scaly roots out of the old soil, rejecting those too
weak to form flowering specimens, and rej)ot in the compost recom-
mended. Many gardeners prefer using a large proportion of rich
loamy soil, and have produced fine specimens, with a profusion of
bloom in pans. For the information of amateurs, a list of choice
Achimenes is added:
AcHiMEXEs — longiflora, alba; major; grandiflora; pedunculata; picta;
hirsuta; patens; pyropcea; ocellata; Skinnerii; Hillii Kewensis; glox-
iniseflora.
Window and Yard Gardening.
Mr. Editor : — To show the interest T take in the welfare of the
"Florist," and in the diffusion of gardening knowledge, 1 undertake,
at your request, to furnish a few monthly hints on the above subjects.
I do so, however, with much diffidence, being confident that 1 can
acquit myself better with a spade than a pen in hand. 1 also doubt
whether I will be able to suggest an idea that would improve many of
the floral pets to be seen in out-of-the-way corners in this city. I oc-
casionally get a glimpse of specimens that would be an ornament, if
not a model, to some of the best collections of plants; but if my re-
marks be the means of making one long-legged geranium assume a
more compact and pleasing aspect — or assist in bringing one wo-be-
gone orange tree into a thrifty state, I will consider myself amply re-
paid for the trouble of writing them.
It cannot be expected, that in writing such monthly notices a de-
tailed account of the entire management of every plant incidently
alluded to can be given. The more important point, perhaps, is to
explain the physiological principles on which the health of plants de-
*pends; therefore my remarks will in the main assume more of a general
than special character.
Oleanders, Myrtles, Pomegranates, Orange and Lemon trees that are
quartered in cellars during winter, should now be under preparation
I for the change — that is, they should be gradually hardened by receiv-
w^ ing a less amount of water. Do not suppose by this that you are to
' •^ *'dri66/e" a decreasing quantity every day on the surface of the soil — C» j
'3£^ ^-cPCl^i
164
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Oct'r
CfT^
^^)if yoQ have been praclisinir this drihhlin^ system dally on yourplantsi
all summer, they will look miserable enoup;h. Before you water any 1)
plant, satisfy yourself in the first place that it actually requires it; ex- \
amine the soil, and if it is dry, give a good soakinq;. Let it be dry
again before you give it any more — never mind although a week or
ten days intervene between the waterings ; as long as it is wet it re-
quires no water.
Geraniums. — If you have not already dgne so, you should lose no
time in pruning away all of this year's growth, except two or three
buds at the base. If they have long bare stems, cut them down to
within six or eight inches of the pot ; do not give them much water
until you perceive symptoms of a young growth. This should have
been done several weeks ago, but it is better to do it now than leave
it undone altogether.
Roses. — If you have a moderate sized rose bush in your flower bed,
and would like a few blooms in your parlor window about Christmas,
take it up carefully anrt put it in a pot ; 'give it a good watering and
set it in a shaded place for a week or two. If it wilts much, prune
back some of the strongest shoots and cut out the weak ones. Should
you purchase a few plants for this purpose, prefer either of the follow-
ing— Mrs. Bosanquet, Agrippina, Hermosa, and Souvenir de la Mal-
maison.
Bulbous roots of Hyacinths, Narcissus, Crocus, &c., for the win-
dows, should now be procured and potted. Let the pots be well drain-
ed J an oyster shell at the bottom, with a handful of charcoal at top, is
as good for this purpose as anything. A little charcoal mixed in all
your potting soil will be highly advantageous to the plants — it pre-
vents it from getting hard, and lets in the air to the roots. After pot-
ing your bulbs place them in a quiet corner, and cover up the pots
with ten or twelve inches of coal ashes or common soil, cover it with
a few boards to keep off heavy rains. Let them remain so for six or
seven weeks ; if you then turn one of them out, you will be delighted
with the polful of roots it has made. If you grow these bulbs in glasses
of water, take care that the water merely reaches to the bottom of the
bulb ; keep them in the dark until they have made some roots — dark
colored glasses are always to be preferred.
General Remarks. — You need not trouble yourself about procur-
ing a variety of soils for different kinds of plants. Get a quantity of '
tough turfy sods, and lay them in a j)ile with the grassy side down ;
when you desire to use it, chop it up with a spade, (not too finely,)
and mix about one-fourth of sand and charcoal dust with it. With
\ proper care in draining pots well, you will find all your plants grow j
<^)^ thrifty and flower abundantly in this soil. Chrysanthemums will soon x)
(Vbe in flower now ; keep them neatly staked up; use as small stakes asG j
f
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 165
c^ possible, and keep them hid — when the stake is more conspicuous than
the plant, it takes much from the beauty of the latter. Order and
neatness are characteristic of a well regulated mind ; and as there are \
few persons who do not derive a certain amount of enjoyment even
from the appearance of order, regularity and good management, so by
practising these virtues you will have the additional satisfaction of ex-
tending pleasure to others as well as yourself. D. D.
Q;;7* The increasing demand for information in the department of
Window Gardening, renders the communication of " D. D." very ac-
ceptable. We hope he will continue to furnish timely hints on the
subject,
FOREIGN GRAPES. *
DESCRIPTIVE LIST.
Prepared for the Philadelphia Florist, by James Powell.
No. 25. MvscAT, Cannon Hall. — Young wood reddish green,
smooth; foliaq;e large, dark green ; lobes deep, deeply serrated ; foot-
stalk long, rather thick, of a red hue; bunch long, berries large loosely
set on the bunches, oval, white, skin rather thick, musky flavor, but
not so high as the Muscat of Alexandria.
With respect to this grape, it must be admitted that gardeners fail
to procure a well-set ciop in this climate. We have seen miserable
bunches with a few large berries on one side, just enough to show how
desirable it would be to have a finely set bunch ; but as yet we have
not seen it — it seems to req^uire a warm situation in the house.
26. MtrscAT OF Alexandkta, Tottenham Park^ White Malaga.
Young wood bluish green; foliage large and strong, of dark green hue,
with deep lobes, deeply serrated margins, long footstalk, of a purplish
crimson color ; bunch("s long, large shouldered; berries large, oval,
yellowish white, thinly set on the bunches — a grape with a high musky
flavor, suitable for planting in the warmest part of the house.
27. Muscat, Blanche Hative. — Young wood brownish green ;
foliage large, when growing strong of a dark green color; lobes not
deep, broadly serrated, rather recurved ; footstalk rather long, pink ;
bunches good size, rather compact, often with small shoulders; berries
closely set on the bunches, globular ; short footstalk, of a yellowish-
white color; thin skin, covered with a thin white bloom, with a very
pleasant musky flavor — an early grape, and a very free bearer, fruits
well in pots.
28. Muscat, Austrian. — Young wood reddish green ; foliage
strong; lobes not deep, rather broadly serrated, smooth; bunches long,
loose, large shoulders ; berries oval, dull yellow, thick skin, slight
musky flavor, but flat — an indifferent grape.
29. Miller's BuRGUNDy.-i-Foliage small, lobes not deep, covered
on both sides, especially in the spring, with a cottony substance, which
*-^ in the young state is almost white; bunches short and thick; berries'
!Q9^>^
.^dom
166 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^^^
f
[Oct'r.
small, round, black, equal in size, very closely set on the bunch, of ar»
sweet, rich flavor — a hardy grape.
30. MAUJiiLLoy!^ Eur/y Jura M(rjrilh?i. — Young wood green ; fo-
liage small, erect, lobes not deep, very rough on the underside ; foot-
stalk short, smooth, with a reddish tinge, bunch com})act, small shoul-
ders; berries round, medium size; short, stifle footstalks; black thick skin
with a thin blue bloom, sweet, with a slight acid taste — a very early
grape.
31. Madeline, Early Black Juhj^ MaurUlon Hative. — Bunch com-
pact, berries round, medium size, black, thick skin, with a sweet, plea-
sant flavor — second quality, but one of the earliest grapes.
32. Purple D.amask. — Youngr wood srreen, sligrhtlv tinned with red,
downy; foliao;(^ dark green, strong deep lobes, broadly serrated, downy
underneath; footstalk long, reddish; bunches large, with small should-
ers; berries very»large, oval, thickly set on the bunches with long foot-
stalks of a dark pur[)le approaching to black, covered with a thick
blue bloom; rather thick skin, sweet saccharine flavor — sets free, and
a great bearer.
33. Partridge Foot. — Foliage dark green, very rough, downy on
both sides; lobes deep, footstalk long, green ; bunch of medium size,
with small shoulders; berries tiiickly set on the bunches, uneven in size,
round, with stitF footstalk; skin thick, of a dark purple or black color,
flavor sweet and pleasant, with a slight acid taste — a great bearer.
34. St. Peter's, Black, St. P?ter''s Black Palestine. — Young wood
reddish, smooth; foliage large, five-lobed, broadly serrated, pubescent
on the underside, dark green, with purple blotches before falling; foot-
stalk long, of a purplish hue; bunch long, generally without shoulders;
berries of a good size, globular, thickly set on the bunch, skin thin of
a black color; flesh delicate, very excellent and well flavored, rather
late ; the berries are very apt to crack if subjected to a high temper-
ature.
35. St. Peter's, Oldacker's. — Young wood green", quite smooth
foliage, generally almost entire, rather broadly serrated, having long
reddish footstalks covered with short stifle hairs; bunch large shoulder-
ed; berries black, round, with thin skin, delicate sweet flavor. A very
excellent grape, and if in a dry house will hang on the vines till
March.
36. Raisin de Carmes. — Young wood green, smooth; foliage dark
green, downy on the underside; lobes deep, recurved; footstalks green,
rather short, thick, pubescent; bunch long and of good size; berries
large, roundish oval, of a purple color with thick skin, of a sweet fla-
vor. A very excellent grape.
37. Sweet Water. — Young wood green and smooth; foliage rather
large, often deeply lobed, penduluos, recurved; footstalks long, smooth,
of a pink hue on the underside; wood short-jomted ; bunch medium
size; berries large, round, of a white color, and when fully ripe and
exposed to the sun, shaded with a light brown ; very saccharine and
rich flavor, sometimes sets partially — a well known grape.
38. Syrian. — Young wood green, smooth ; foliage large, lobes not
deep, broadly serrated; footstalk long, smooth, tinged with pink, with
brownish blotches; bunch large, regularly formed, with broad should-
ers; berries large, of an oval form, white, flesh firm, and if well ripen-'
m^£P:y^
1852.1
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
.--tfOS^M
led of a pretty £rood flavor; an excellent bearer, will bans: a long timej^
on the vines after being ripe. Bunches of this grape have been grown
to an immense size ; Lindley mentions one that was o^rown at Wel-
beck by Mr. Speechley, that meas\Hed 1!) inches across the shoulders,
its length 21 inches, and circumference 4] feet, and weight ID.' lbs.,
supposed by some to be the variety of grape mentioned in the Old Tes-
tament.
39. Scharge's Henling. — Young wood green, smooth; fol. large,
lobes not deep, irregularly serrated, the underside of the leaves covered
with a thin, white, cottony down ; footstalks long, thick, of a purple
color, slightly downy ; bunch medium size, compact; berries rather
small, dark purple, inclining to oval form, of a sweet and pleasantfla-
vor. A great bearer, and well adapted for pot culture.
40. Victoria. Young wood green, smooth; foliage dark green, large,
of a thin texture, lobes pretty deep, broadly serrated ; footstalk rather
short, green, with brown blotches ; bunch medium size, with short
shoulders, rather longer than the Black Hamburg, which it very much
resembles; berries good size, inclining to oval, of a deep purple color
when fully ripe.
41. White Bual. Young wood green, slightly downy; foliage dark
green, five lobed, recurved, broadly serrated, the underside covered
with a thin white down; footstalk long, downy, green, with a few pink
stripes on the underside; bunch compact, large shoulders, berries obo-
vale, greenish white, skin thick, flesh firm and sweet.
42. White Portugal, White Hamburgh White Lisbon^ White Rai-
sin.— Young wood dark green; foliage dark green, large, of a reddish
hue when young; lobes not deep, broadly serrated; footstalk long;
bunch large, loosely formed; berries larg*', oval, with thick skin, of a
greenish white color, flesh hard, but of a pleasant sweet flavor; it will
keep a long time alter it is ripe. Large quantities of this grape are
annually exported from Portugal to diflerent countries, and is the Por
tugal grape of the stores. The value of those sent to London alone is
estimated at $50,000.
43. Zante, Black Corinth. — Young wood purple, downy ; foliage
dark green, lobes not deep, broadly serrated, downy on the underside ;
footstalk long, dark purple, covered with a whitish down; bunches small,
but long in proportion to the size, with small handsome shoulders; ber-
ries small, about the size of the red currant, of a deep purple color and
a sweet saccharine flavor ; it forms a very handsome bunch. This
grape is the well known currnitt or Corinth of the stores, and is export-
ed from the Ionian Isles to the extent of 6000 tons annually.
\[j^ The cultivation of Foreign Grapes is beginning to attract much
attention in this country. Many fine graperies are now in course of
construction, and much interest is manifested in the matter by ama-
teurs. In the neighborhood of Philadelphia, fine specimens of Black
Hamburg, Syrian, White Frontignan, Grizzly Frontignan, and many
others are produced. Skill is necessary on the part of the gardener
to ensure success ; but possessed of this, there is no obstacle to the un-
limited cultivation of this desirable fruit, which would certainly prove
^,
(^ a remunerative crop in skilful hands,
Sl^^V -
.-^t^Ci^'^lk
168 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Oct'r
On Renovating Old Specimens of Plants.
BY T. JOHNSON, PHILADA. COUNTY.
I frequently meet with old specimens of orange trees in my wan-
derings, the owners of which would "do anything" to "hring them
round again." There are also many who have plants, which have
been shifted from pot to pot till the plants have grown too large for
their situations j while there are again other plants which have been
grown with the view of obtaining a fine bloom, which must either be
thrown away or renewed. J will show the manner of proceeding in
such cases. Orange and many other similar trees become sickly
through a superabundance of water in the winter season, joined to a
defective drainage. To eflect a good change early in spring the
plant should be cut in considerably, and no more water given than is
absolutely necessary to preserve the leaves from shrivelling. In about
three weeks have a preparation ready of half rotten turfy loam, and
about one third road sand — shake out the plants from the old pots or
tubs, wash the roots, cut out the decayed roots, and shorten the long
ones, then select a pot just large enough to hold the roots easily, and
pot in the compost prepared — water well, and, if there be the conve-
nience of a moist heat, place them in it for a few weeks ; if not,
place them in a shad}'^ situation out of doors, and give them water
only when they appear about to become dry. When it is desired to
reduce the size of a large specimen, see that the wood is well ripened
before pruning it. ii' it has been grown in doors, set it out in an
airy situation, but shaded from the full rays of the sun, and lessen
the supply of moisture. This will soon ripen the wood, which will
be known by the stems being considerably deeper colored, and ap-
pearing much firmer ; then cut down to about a foot or six inches of
the ground, as maybe desired. Still keep it rather dry — when it has
pushed forth shoots half an inch in length, shake out the plant from
the old soil, prune in the roots, and replace in as small pots as desira-
ble, in a rather poor but light soil — the nature of which must vary
to suit each given plant. This treatment will be successful in most
cases. The only difiiculty I have ever found has been with heaths
and some other hard wooded plants, but w^ith the wood of the old
specimen perfectly ripened they also break well, when cut down in
the above manner. In the case of plants which have to be cut down
to flower again the next season as the geranium, the fuchsia, and the
like, treat as recommended for the last, but be careful that the plants
are shifted out into larger pots before the roots become cramped in
the smaller ones.
1 have now redeemed my promise as to window plants. I shall be
delighted if any effort of mine aid your really es'^ential work. I con-
ceive it to have a claim on the amateur, the gardener, and the trade
generally. It serves to bind each class of Horticulturists the more
^Ao the other, by bringing together the stock both of knowledge and S^
V_r li:^^ «rk;^J. u.i/^.K In/^'ulrliiolltr T^/-»CC*^COtiC ^j
of novelties which each individually possesses.
m^s>b^
nf
}SM
\
I
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 169
^ On the Accumulation of the Sap in Plants. U>j
"Raw, crude sap, kept in readiness by tiie plant to supply the great extra k/
evaporation, consequent on the burstinj; of the buds. ^Ke^M in re(uliness'—\\\\% X)
18 something new. Where was it kept?— and what kind of a reservoir had the
plant to keep it in? We have never found anything of the kind in plants. Does
not the sap as collected by the roots ascend immediately to the leaves to be
elaborated?— cut ofl" the roots and you will soon see there is no stock 'kept in
readiness.' "
Mr. Editor :— In the July No , you published an essay of mine
"On the bleeding of trees from pruning." That paper has been
copied into a portion of the American press, and received the appro-
bation of many acute observers. One journal however, disputes —
not the accuracy of the experiments,— h\}i merely the reasons which I
presumed to offer in explanation of them. If my theory is not cor-
rect, the practice was on which it rests. If he is not satisfied with
my deductions, I would thank him to give better ones. The theory
is not so very material when the practice is correct.
In the course of his remarks, he uses the observations I have ex-
tracted above. It has occurred to me that a short essay on the ac-
cumulation of sap during the plant's season of rest might interest
»'The Florist."
Most have observed, that very little moisture exudes at the place
of excision of a branch sv-vered just after the fall of the leaf. Later
in the season there is more, and early in the spring the shoot be-
comes full of sap, and "bleeds" profusely when cut. This fact bears
on the inquiry '^Does not the sap proceed immediately to the leavesl"
In answering that it does not, let us understand why. After the fall
of the leaf, trees are not, by any means, completely at rest. The
roots continue to collect sap at all times, unless encased by acciden-
tal circumstances — such as frost. The vesicles of the softer part of
plants (cellular tissue) are elastic — they are capable of contraction
and expansion. ^
After the fall of the leaf, the collected sap is stored in these vesi-
cles. This is a beautiful provision of nature, — enabling the plant to
continue its sap collecting processes — making these cells, as it were,
countless reservoirs o{ enervating fluid, ready for the active demand
for carrying on her busy spring operations. The accumulation of
sap in these reservoirs during the winter is sometimes very great.
Dr. Neuffer states, that at Turbingen in Wirtemberg, or in about lat-
itude 48^, nearly all the trees contained eight p;*r cent, more aqueous
fluid in March than at the end of January. It is pretty evident there
must be some considerable "reservoirs" somewhere in plants ; not-
withstanding that my friend "did look, but did'nt see anything."
We are told with a "clencher" to "cut the roots, and you will soon i
see there is no stock kept in readiness^ 1 have met with very few I
\ men who have not seen trunks of trees felled in winter produce some^\
^pretty good shoots from them the following spring. i have seen'"^)
22
170
'-¥/-.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Oct'r
(^shoots 18 inches long on the English eJm, two successive years after )^
'^ being filled, and 12 inches on the ash and oak — and in 1850 I saw
large poles of ailanthus standing on end against a south wall with
shoots six, eight, ten, and twelve inches long, and plenty of them.
They had to find out the reservoirs where the sap was kept in readi-
nessy when their "roots were cut off."
In concluding allow me to point out a small tithe of the advan-
tages of a more extended study of vegetable Physiology. To young
gardeners it is invaluable, leading them to a knowledge of the prin-
ciples on which their practice rests, the reasons why their o})eriations
are in their various ways conducted, and thus opening the way to all
kinds of improvements benefitting themselves and their cause. 7'o
the amateur or patron, and the lover of nature, it unfolds innumera-
ble sources of the purest mental enjoyment — while to the general
philosopher, it may often afford the material for many useful discov-
eries, fraught with advantage to natural science in its various branches
and consequently to the human race.
Thomas Meehan.
Aspects of Agriculture in Great Britain*
BY F. W. CO.XNOR, DUBLIN.
I promised to write you a few notes from time to time on the state
of agriculture with us, as no doubt it is a matter of some importance
to your readers to know how we manage to keep afloat with high rents
and a potato disease still continuing. Since my last the gene.al elec-
tions changed but little the aspect of parties as regards the principle of
protection. The country failed to reverse its former testimony to any
extent, leaving the protectionist party in almost as unst^ttled a posi-
tion as they occupied previous to the appeal to the country. Strong
feelings were evidently evinced by both parties not at all creditable
to the usual coolness of John Bull. The most in^portant feature is
the successful issue of the harvest which after all is of more moment
than all their electioneering contests. Flax and green crops generally
have had a propitious season, but the unfortunate potato has again
failed to a o-reat extent. The disease havinjr returned in its most
virulent form, carried off more than half the crop. For some time
past and indeed we may say for the future, potato culture may be
considered as nothing less than gambling — as the result is almost as
uncertain.
The meetings of the several Agricultural societies have been pro-
ductive of much renewed int^^rest. At one meeting at Lewes, in
Sussex 44 prizes were given for implements, varving from $20 to
$200. Drilling and threshing machines attracted a large share of
attention. Some of the latter of from 2 to 8 horse power were ex-
hibited. Much improvement has been effected in the breed of pigs,
both in the large and small kind. We are becoming quite connois-
seurs in our regards for this section of the farm aniuials, and the ef-
^ fects are already visible. Indeed we are becoming quite a pork con- ^^
Assuming people. In the poultry line beautiful specimens of the ^
m^
o^^
^Qsm
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
171
1852.]
^Dorking and Cochin China were produced and as young fat fowls;
draw from $1 to $l,f)0 each, there is some interest exhibited in ^^
their management. Gee.«e were shewn 14 we^'ksold that weighed 40 V>
lbs. I hope this will excite American housewives.
The Royal Society offers a prize of .oO sovereigns about $2.^)0 for
the best account of the geogra[)hical distribution of guano, with sug-
gestions tor the discovery of any new supply accompanied by speci-
mens. The essay to be forwarded by the 1st March, 1854 — probably
some of your go-a-head men may enter the lists. I am not aware of
any other nation likely to be so well informed on the subject. There
is little new in the scientific world except the discovery by Dr. Wil-
son, of Edinburgh of the presence of Fluorine in sensible quantities
in siliceous plants, particularly those of the order Equisetaceae and
Graminacf^te — the subject is still under investigation.
You have no dou!)t been informed of the sensation created by the
Rev. Mr. Smyth, of Towces!er in growing wheat. He has taken a
crop of wheat off a four acre field for the last seven years successive-
ly without the application of manure, and the produce of grain in-
stead of diminishing has actually increased from 17 to 40 bushels of
61lbs. He sowsonp pe k (S quarts) of seed per acre, dibbled in tri-
ple rows one foot asunder, the intervals between each triple row be-
ing three fe^•t. He yows in September, trenches his three feet space
in November when the wheat is green and labor abundant and cheap.
A few inches of the sub-soil is brought up to be ameliorated by ex-
posure to the winter's frost, &c. He hoes also the foot space in
the spring, until the luxuriance of the crop excludes farther opera-
tions. The three feet space which had been trenched is sown the
following year in triple rows with wheat. Thus half the land is only
under the crop each year, receiving at the same time all the advantage
of summer fallowing, perfect comminution, aeration and cleaning of
the soil which conduces to its fertility. The changes published by
M. Fabre in the JE^ilops ovata to true wheat has also attracted con-
iiderable attention. Finding a tendency in this grass to sport, he
sowed the seed successively until from its hungry, miserable state it
became transformed into a plump strain, its quantity of flour increased,
its size augmented, and a sample of wheat produced equal to that
of the neighboring farms. This was no laboratory experiment — it was
carried out on a large scale in the open field. It has no doubt given
rise to many speculations and all'ords a proof of the tendency in
plants to transformation by culture.
CURIOSITIES OF VEGETATION,
(Concluded from page 60.)
Amongst the 92,000 species of plants known to botanists, accord-
ing to Lindley in his vegetable kingdom, there are many remarkable
natural productions, a description of which, with their uses and pecu-
liarities would no doubt prove interesting to many readers who have
not sufficient botanical taste to induce them to search for details in
extensive works on the subject. In the lowest forms of organised vege-
tables we find striking peculiarities of structure and composition.
I Amongst sea weeds, and fungi or mushrooms th(Te are many indivi-^
A duals useful in domestic economy. Several are used as articles of
^food — and the value and importance of sea wrack in the manufacture ^\
v^of Barilla, is known to all who have visited the shores of those coun- '*-)
172
[Oct'r.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
entries where its manufachire forms an important portion of the staple (-•
occu[)ation of the inhabitants. The value of sea weed as a manure is c
also well known, and on most of the shores washed by the sea where
it is deposited, it makes up a portion of the actual value of the ad-
joining farms. Another sort of sea weed called s/oke is used as food
in times of scarcity, being boiled like any other vegetable. Some of
the fresh water Algseare so minute as (o be scarcely distinguished by
the naked eye in the water, and in one instance so abundant is a pe-
culiar species in a fresh water lake as to give a green tint to the en-
lire water, and it is named from that circumstance Glnsslough^ or
Green lake. The green Aigse is minutely distributed through the wa-
ter. Amongst mushrooms much attention is paid to the cultivation
of several sorts. The eatable mus^hroom ^^garicus campestris is uni-
versally sought after and valued in cookery, and is successfully culti-
vated from spawn prepared by the gardener. Another species is
much used in Kamschatka by the peasants to produce intoxication and
pleasant sensations akin to those produced by opium. It is called
Jimanita muscarw, its effects on the nervous system are very re-
markable. Another very curious form is the Spharia Robertsiiy a
fungus growmg from the head of a caterpillar from sporules inhaled
by it until the animal is destroyed by the growth of the fungus. The
Ergot of rye is another familiar instance of a species of fungus very
destructive to one of our most useful cereal crops, and which has oc-
cupied the attention of scientific men from lime to time in enquiries
as to its progress in its attacks on the grain of the husbandman. But
although much attention is drawn by these inferior objects of the
vegetable kingdom, much more is given to those peculiar forms which
arrest the attention by their size and form, their beauty and fragrance.
Many plants produce poisons of the most acrid nature, which can be
so modified by cooking as to become harmless and even nutritious.
The Tapioca plant or cassava, JI/«/ii7/o^ utilli^sima, or Jatropha Alan-
ihot is furnished with an acrid juice of the most poisonous quality,
which if even allowed to enter the flesh causes excessive irritation
and sometimes mortification; yet this plant can be converted into a
useful and delicate article of food. The natural order to which it
belongs is well known for its dangerous properties — all the individuals
composing it are furnished with a milky juice which conveys some
suspicion of their poisonous nature. An individual of this order
called the sand box tree, Hura crepitans^ is peculiar from the fact that
the ripe fruit bursts suddenly, emitting a kind of dust — the juice of
the plant is quite fatal when taken internally. This as well as the
Tapioca plant is a native of the forests of South America. The Man-
chineel is also famous for its deadly properties — it is supposed that
persons have died merely from sleeping beneath it. It is a matter of
certainty however, that its juice burns intensely the skin on which it
may fall j^ it is called by botanists Hippomane mancinella. Jn this
suspicious order of Euphoibias is also found the Euphorbia caput
Medusa^ or Medusa's head, so called from the resemblance of its
branching head to the fabled Medusa, it is not however quite as pro-
lific as that monster. The tree from which the bottle India Rubber,
is procured is also found in this section (^Siphonia elastica.) The bot-
tles are procured by smearing over repeatedly with the juice, clay I
C\^ moulds of the form desired, the action of the atmosphere inspissates A
/'^' the juice. This tree is familiar to most persons in this neighborhood's
v^ as the gum tree. The Croton from which the celebrated purgative^
\
1852.1
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
17.S
oil is procured, is also found in this remarkable group, which is com- (*^^|
posed of some of the most insignificant weeds of temperabe climates, C*/
and at the same time the most important and dangerous of tropical
trees.
Slight reference can only be made to the variety of uses to which
the various products ^f Palms are applied in the human economy.
From the well known cocoa nut (cocos nucifera), the fruit of which
is generally diffused over the civilized world, to the cabbage palm, so
useful in some localities as an article of food. We meet with the
vegetable ivory PhyteUphas macrocarpa^ whose nuts yield a sub-
stance almost equal in durability to the ivory procured from the ele-
phant, and with the advantage of being very abundant. These nuts
are now converted into all kinds of ornaments and devices not
easily distinguishable from the original article when manufactured.
The living plant forms a beautiful object for the conservatory, but
as yet is not generally distributed amongst cultivators. The date
palm is well known as the plant which yields in abundance the date
of our shops, and is of vast importance to the Arab of the d^seit as
an article of food. Specimens of this palm are quite common in all
extensive collections, and are to be met with in those of this neigh-
borhood. The wax palm Ceroxylon andicola^ attains a height of 180
feet, and produces a kind of wax which forms a coating to the trunk,
it exudes from the point of insertion of the leaves. This palm is also
in many collections, at least in Europe. The doom palm of Egypt
is another remarkable individual of this order, (Hyp/iene thebaica)^
used also as an article of food. It has been found very difficult to
procure living plants of this species — a valuable description of rope
is made from its fibres. The Betel nut is still another remarkable
natural production of the palm tribe, peculiar for its narcotic proper-
ties procured from theAreca catechu. But only a tithe of the curi-
osities of palms can be mentioned here. Even from one individual
species in its different stages of growth and development are produced
food, drink, clothing, cordage, covering for tents, oars, baskets,
buckets, cradles, material for torches, and a substitute for writing
paper, with oil for lamps, and many other less important articles of
domestic economy. The grandeur of their forms is not a matter to
be lost sight of — they elevate our ideas of the Creator when we sur-
vey these mighty offsprings of the soil on which we tread.
And turning to the more familiar habitants of our own climate,
there are thousands of objects worthy much minute attention, but
v^hich are too often overlooked. The great diversity of character in
the gourd tribe or Cucurbitace^, must have often been a matter of
reflection to even casual observers. The melon, cucumber, and
squash in all their numerous varieties are worthy of note. The
small gherkin, and balsam apple, and the curious squirting cucumber
(Momordica elaterium,) are but approximations to the mammoth
pompion, which astonishes us by its rapid growth, passing over the
various intermediate forms of crook necked, turban and bush squashes.
A species of Convolvulus closely allied to the morning glory of our
arbors, gives us a useful root the sweet potato (Convolvulus Batatas.)
And the old and more generally cultivated potato is related to as cu-
rious a family, when we take into account the diversity of character
observable in the solanum tribe ; which also contains our familiar
friend the tomato, Solanum I y coper si cum] and the egg plant, Solanum ^^
melunsena, ^
m^9^b^
174 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Oct'r.
(^ Whpn we contrast the difference that exists between the size of the ^
w leaf of the« great palms, perhiips the most strikino: form of leaf is',
that of the floatint^ Victoria lily — now so well known, with the mi-
nute duck weed (Le/nna) of the marshes ; or the still less developed
forms of Dodder {cuscuta)^ Avhich has no true leaves ; and the Oro-
banches or broom rapes, which rise up Irom tht^soil destitute of leafy-
beauty — the tooth wort and beech drops, and bird's nest or monotro-
pa, so unique in appearance furrtish'd with perfect flowers and seeds,
but no true leaves ; we must certainly admit that there is in the
products of nature a vast and endless variety of Ibrms curious and
interesting to the casual observer if brought in a proper manner be.
neath his notice. Peculiar forms are adapted to peculiar localities.
Orchids resemblino^ in form, flies and moths, hang to the bark of trees
in the tropics. Others similar in the shape of their flowers but dif-
ferent in most other points are found growing in the soil in tempe-
rate countries, and quite dissimilar vegetable productions indifl^erent
countries serve a similar purpose in the economy of nature. The
value of a more extensive acquaintance with the products of the ve-
getable kingdom will it is hoped soon be universally acknowledged,
and the forms which now are matters of curiosity to many will be-
come familiar, at least so much so as description and history can make
them to the general reader. The walk in the country is 8o much
more interesting when the objects are familiar which spring up around
the feet, and the satisfaction at the srght of some fine specimen more
lasting when its history is known.
The forenoing remarks are intended to excite a desire to know more
of the productions of the vast field which is spread around us,
■♦■
Cultivation and Propagation of Green House Azaleas.
BY F. N., ^•EW YORK.
The varieties of Azalea Indica now in cultivation are very numer-
ous and many of them strikingly beautiful. 1 shall not now attempt
to enumerate them, but offer a few remarks on their propagation and
culture which may prove interesting to the amateur. 1 have suc-
ceeded best in propagating them in July, when their wood is about
half ripened. I use cutting pots or pans, filled ahout half way up
with broken potsherds over which a small quantity of rough vegeta-
ble soil should he placed, to prevent the fine moidd from mixing with
the drainage. Fill the pots with a mixture of two thirds peat and
one third sand, sifted so as to clear it of all lumps, to within half an
inch of the rim. After pressing the soil lightly with a small pot or
circular board made for the purpose ; cover with fine bar sand, and
after sprinkling it with a fine rose watering pot, to settle it, insert the
cuttings, prepared to a length of about two inches. After the cut-
tings are put in, they should be covered with a bell orlass to prevent
evaporation, and the pot plunged in a bed with a slight bottom heat,
and at a temperature of (i.j or 70*^. In the course of two months
they should be rooted, when they will require a little air, which may
be given by tilting up the glass on one side. In one or two weeks
they may be removed to the greenhouse to remain till the latter end
of February or the beginning: of March, when they will require re-
potting into two inch pots in a mixture of peat and sand — they may
then be placed in a hot-bed at a temperature of about 60*^ for four or Ps
*;(five weeks and afterwards removed to the front of a warm house for"*
m^£p^^
.^xPQS'M
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
175
(
f^some time. Towards the middle of May they will require fresh poi-
nting into four inch pots in the same compost as before, pressing the
y soil firmly round the ball of the plant in potting. They should be
afterwards removed to a cold pit or frame, and kept close lor two
weeks or more, and well shaded from the burning rays of the sun until
well established, wh»>n air and light may by degrees be admitted.
Look over them carefully at intervals and stop all those luxuriant
shoots that will bear it. The plants will be much benefitted by being
carefully shaded during the severe summer sun until their growth is
established. Give all the light and air possible in order to secure
vigor and healthy aj)pearance, and to ensure the ripening of their
wood. They may remain without repotting till the following spring,
when they must be shifted as the vigor of the plant may warrant.
About the end of June if they have flourished, they will be assisted
by another shift, and will still continue to incrensn in size if proper-
ly attended to, as frequent shitting is found to be the most secure
method of treatment and less d:ingerous in the hands of unskilful
cultivators. The following spring will produce fine young plants in
a fit state for flowering in six inch pots. As they increase in age, a
freer state of bloom is secured by adding a portion of loam to the
compost, making one part of loam to one of peat, with a little sand to
preserve the porosity of the soil. They may be induced to flower
earlier than usual by a little forcing, if that can conveniently be man-
aged, or they may at least be kept in a warm part of the green house.
Hardy Plants in North Carolina.
A correspondent from Fayetteville, N. C, furnishes a few notes of
plants which have withstood the winter in his neighborhood without
protection. Amongst these were Oxalis Bowii, Hedychium flavum,
Alstrcemerias ; Pittosporum tobira, Escallonia rubra, Chinese azaleas,
single camelliiis, Aucuba japonica. They had a shady .situation and
the soil Wiis well drained. Severals were partially protected by put-
ting a few inches of charcoal dust over them such as Manettia cordi-
folia, Bouvardia triphylla, Erythrina Crista Galli, several species of
Amaryllis, Agapanlhus urnbellatus and Calla yEthiopica.
Knight's double flowering lirugmansia was however cut down last
October, although covered with lli inches of charcoal, it is now
quite vigorous, and has been in bloom since the 15th August, and is
6 feet high. Metrosideroa semptrvirens^ the Cape jasmine and Olea
fragrans stand mild winters, but during hard frost it is necessary to
place a box or barrel over them. I have come to the conclusion that
plants intended to remain out all winter should be set out in spring,
that the roots may have time to get established. The chance of suc-
cess is increased by having the soil well drained and sufficiently rich
to ensure the mature growth and health of the plant in order to ripen
its wood. I was however, unsuccessful with a few which I risked
without protection, such as Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus), Manettia
cordifolia, Erythrina crisla-Galli, Amaryllis and Bouvardia. Aloysia
citriodora and the Hydrangeas were killed down. They came up
however in spring, but the latter did not bloom. If the foregoing
notes of my experience should prove of any service to your readers
you are at liberty to use them ; but as 1 have not much facility for
increasing my Horticultural knowledge in this locality, you must
excuse my not furnishing more valuable information, indeed I cannot^
^ boast of many participants in the pleasant pursuit. C. Lutterloh.^
[Oct'r
176 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
mii^yp^~
"^ CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS,
FOR OCTOBER.
Written by Practical Gardeners, for t^e Philadelphia Florist.
HARDY FRUIT.
Planting Fruit Trees. — There is some difference of opinion among
cultivators as to the most suitable season for planting fruit trees ; al-
though we are inclined to believe that the majority prefer planting in
the fall. We decidedly prefer that period for this operation, hav-
ing learned from that best of all monitors, experience, the advant-
ages gained by it. We have seen numerous statements condemning
fall and recommending spring planting; but "facts are stubborn things,"
and so far as our observation extends, we consider it nearly the gain
of a season in the establishment of a tree to transplant it immediately
on the fall of the leaves, or as soon as they change color and show
symptoms of having performed their allotted mission. It is quite pos-
sible, that in some cold, damp situations trees planted at this time
may make little progress in the formation of roots during winter, and
be in a worse condition for growth in the following spring than if they
had not been removed until that season ; but this is an extreme sup-
position— we opine few fruit growers would plant trees in such situa-
tions, either late or early. Some people reject the idea of roots ex-
tending without a* corresponding action of leaves. These are princi-
pally that section of sap-circulationists who hold that vegetable life is
dormant during the time between the tall and renewal of leaves, who
consider that the sap moves up on the excitement of heat, gradually
tinds its way to the top, and finally descends to the roots where it re-
mains snug until spring again invites it to its periodical journey. The
accidental neglect of a lew trees that were lifted in the fall, and
thrown into an out-of-the-way corner, with the roots carelessly cover-
ed, was our first ^'ocularly demonstrated" lesson on this subject. On
removing them in spring, we found a mass of young roots intertwined
to a degree which made them difficult of separation.
In propagating choice plants by cuttings, gardeners place the slips
into the heated soil of a '*hot bed" to stimulate the formation of roots,
while the tops are kept cool and apparently dormant. The same re-
sults attend autumn planted trees. The soil parts slowly with, and
still retains much of the accumulated heat of summer, while the tem-
perature of the air is rapidly decreasing. From direct experiment we
have found the maximum heat of the soil to be in the month of Sep-
tember. During the month of October, 1851, we ascertained the av-
erage temperature of the air, at 7 o'clock a. m., as indicated by a
thermometer buried 18 inches in the soil, to be in relation as 49 to 60
— showing that the air was much cooler than the earth. Here we
have a natural hoi bed, as it were, in which to plant trees. In spring
the reverse of this takes place, the air at that season rapidly increases
in temperature, while the soil absorbs heat slowly. Trees planted at
that season are early excited into leaf; each leaf acts as a pump, drain-
ing the juices from the plant, which as yet has no roots to supply the
demand. Hence we frequently observe spring planted trees pushing
forth shoots and apparently doing well, suddenly wither up and die
mediately above the drain, its roofs had completely monopolized the c
^ whole area, every crevice was matted with fibry roots for a consider- C^
k^S)^ ,3 ^
.^^fOS-lig
I^Q9-'^
-^x^QS'm
190 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Oct'r.
ms^yp- — ■ -^c^
{tr\ihe necessity of educi^ion amongst farmers, and pointed out to them r»
\> their importance as a class.
7 At the dinner where Mr. Gowen presided, he prefaced a toast com-
plimentary to the orator of the day, by alluding to the influence and
character of the N. Y. Society, and the aid rendered by it to the cause,
to which Mr. Johnston suitably responded.
The ploughing match came off at the Hunting Park, in the after-
noon. On the whole the exhibition was a successful one. The in-
crease in the poultry department was observed by the committee, as
they found great difficulty in judging between the dilferent competi-
tors.
■■»■
Culture of Grapes under Glass.
BY WM. CHORLTON, NEW BRIGHTON, STATEN ISLAND.
If the cultivator in his multifarious operations were to work more
in accordance with the laws by which the vegetable kingdom is go-
verned, he would in many cases produce more important results than
are now generally obtained. The actual product might not be greater
hut the results would be more certain, and the failures less in propor-
tion, than is too often the case. Notwithstanding our boasted excel-
lence and skill, there is yet much room for impiovement and unfortu-
nately many of us have many practical prejudices to overcome. How-
ever liberal minded we may wish to appear, there are many dogmas
and much pedantry in existence amongst us. Our training has some-
what instilled these feelings into our minds ; we have become habitu-
ated to it, and the great apparent success of particular methods, have
in a great measure convinced us that those operations are somewhat
approaching perfection. It is very true that we have made great
progress within the last few years in the science of horticulture, and
have overcome many of the old superstitious set rules by which our
forefathers worked, but there is much yet to be done. We have some-
thing to unlearn, and a great amount to learn before the goal of per-
fection is arrived at. To goto school with ourselves, to observe and
take nature's laws for our guide, to woo her and coax her to give up
her yet hidden treasures and assist us in our handiwork, and before
we denounce anything that may seem to be opposed to our ideas in
practice, we ought to weigh calmly and consider the matter and not
come to too hasty a conclusion till proof of its inferiority has been
fully demonstrated. I am led into this train of reasoning by thinking
of the general way in which we grow and prune the exotic Grape
Vine on the one hand, and that which has been, and yet is practised
in some isolated cases on the other. I find that where the head has
been allowed to extend itself somewhat from year to year (other cir-
cumstances being suitable) there has been the greatest Icpgevity and
more certain and permanent crops.
It is a physiological fact, that all plants according to their struc-
ture increase in bulk and solidity of branches, trunk, and roots, pro-
portionately to the amount, healthiness, and quantity of the leaves,
freely exposed to light and heat, and without the observance of this
due proportion all are comparatively deteriorated. Take for exam-
ple an oak, practice upon it the same treatment as the grape vine re-
ceives, keep its trunk pruned to the same space every season and it is
evident that in time it would become stunted in every part, its con-
^stitution enfeebled and its period of existence shortened. {Some may
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
191
'^
(r^say that the comparison is not correct, that the two cases are very dif-^^
^ ferent. In what I would askl The same general law governs both
/ with this difference, that the grape vine bears it for a time with more
( impunity. In the long run it will arrive at the same state of degene-
racy, for man cannot aller nature's immutable laws, although he may
for a time seem to divert them to suit his own puny ideas. This is
no new idea, as the utility of allowing periodically an extension of
branches has been often treated of from Speechly downwards, and its
good effects as often demonstrated, as is proved by many examples of
old and yet productive vines in Britain and elsewhere. As in course
of time a vine if yearly allowed to occupy more space would fill an
ordinary house, it becomes a matter of consequence that the crop
should not be lost during the interval. If the following method has
any pretence to novelty and the accomplishment of the object I am
pleased to record it. Admitting that the house has to be planted ;
choose a vine of the most favorite kind, which is intended to remain
permanent — plant it midway from each end of the house. At a dis-
tance of twelve feet plant others of the next desirable sorts as they
may remain for some years, fill up the spaces with any other sorts
that fancy may dictate, so that each plant may be about three feet
apart. At the end of the first season's growth if sufficiently strong,
head down to five or six feet, and disbud each alternate eye, leaving
the rest about eighteen inches apart on each side the cane, from which
a light crop may be taken the following season. Be careful in break-
ing the following spring to get the lower eyes as strong as the top
ones which is easily done by good management. The second sea-
son's growth may be cut back to the same leneth as last, which will
leave a cane often to twelve feet long and side spurs on the lower
part or preceding year's growth. These spurs may be shortened in
to the lowest good eye each, and dishud the present year's cane same
as last. So far we have extended the plant perpendicularly, and we
will suppose that we have a house of well grown canes two years
old, reaching to the top of the rafters, and qualified to bear a good
crop. The next season, allow each other vine to bear as heavily as
is considered safe to color off the fruit, as these vines are to be re-
moved the following fall. Those which are to remain may not be
allowed to carry quite a full crop, which will ease and strengthen
them, and the extra fruit borne on those to be removed will make up
the deficiency. At pruning time remove those which have borne
heavily, viz, each alternate vine, and cut back the side spurs to about
a foot each, these will fill up the spaces next year, and are intended
to become the permanent bearing branches ; to be trained horizontal-
ly and spurred in as is usual with the perpendicular canes. Each jear
allow these horizontal branches to extend a foot or more according to
strength, and as they approach the next vine, bear it somewhat heavi-
ly and take it out. By this method a roof capable of accommodating
twelve or more vines in the ordinary way, will in course of time be
filled by one, and if the house is a very long one, more in propor-
tion. As many kinds cannot be grown in the same space, but as
there are so few which are the very best, this will generally be of lit-
tle consequence, besides a variety may be planted at the first, and a
few sorts of the best quality will remain as permanent plants, care
being taken at planting, that known good kinds are put in the right
^ places.
m^^sy'^y^-
.--tK^M
mospo^
.^r?(^Kk
192 THE PHTLADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Oct'«
^ I submit the above remarks for your censure or approval as y^xxrm
p may deem best, being convinced in my own mind that it is more in cz
" accordance with nature,- and will lead to more certain and permanent
results than our present cutting away system.
»■♦■■ ■
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Window Plants.— A great variety of plants might be successfully
cultivated in south windows duriiig the winter by a little attention,
takino- care that they are in a good state in the pot at the commence-
mentrin good soil, and well drained. Care must be taken in the sup-
ply of water, as many })lants are lost by watering too frequently, ac-
cordin Owino- to circumstances which we need not here explain. We
hav^been obliged to publish this number without a plate ; the ditficul-
ty of procuring a true representation, and the chances of its being im-
^ perfect are so great, as to overcome the benefits resulting from it. We^
•-'shall try to make better arrangements in future. ^
3i^9^> — — — ^^^^^
THE
AND
nORTICULTllAL JOllfflL,
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited and Published by R. ROUrXSOX SCOTT, No. 03 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock Streets, up stairs.
S^,
(
O
w.
FOREIGN HORTICULTURAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
The position of American Horticulture in comparison with that of
older nations, begins to command some little attention along with
other questions of social progress. In order to form a judgment on
the matter, some knowledge of facts is necessary. We propose to
offer a few remarks on the estahlishmenis devoted to the promotion of
Botanical and Horlicultiiral science in Europe ; and while we are not
disposed to cavil with those who wish to elevate American Horticul-
ture, vet we do not wish to have foreign horticulturists depreciated
without some acquaintance with the actual achievements attained in
the art in foreign countries. An enumeration of the various institu-
tions devoted to this beautiful branch of science, will, we trust, prove
acceptible to our readers. Public gardens being the most important
will be noticed first.
In England, there are botanical gardens at Liverpool, Manchester,
Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Cambridge and London ; some of these
do not receive apprentices, choosing only such as have learned the
routine of o^ardening in private establishments. Of these, Kew Gar-
den is by far the most extensive, giving employment to from thirty
to fiftj journeymen gardeners and a great many garden laborers. We
shall not here enter minutely into the regulations or arrangements of
this great depoiitory of plants and temporary school of journeymen
(rardeners, as it will be the subject of a separate chapter at some fu-
ture time, but will content ourselves witli stating that now-a-days few
gardeners can be found who h;ive not 'been at Kew.' Alter all, it is
but a poor recommendation, as proper habits of labor and a general
course of horticultural training is not within the reach of each indi-
vidual, so subdivided are the various operations.
-^P.^
O^-
2')
)
r
194 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Nov'r.
\7( Regent's Park Botanic Garden, London, is the next in importance. r»)
)p The garden of thf* Hoyal Botanical Society, a pleasant resort where c^
is most required, in the centre almost of a vast city, and yet en- \
remote from the city dwellings by a vast enclosed park, where \
J such
I tirelv
the Zoological Gardens are also situated. R. AJarnock, the obliging
curator of ibis establishment has displayed refmed taste and skill in its
arrangement and management. The exhibitions held in the summer
months renders this garden celebrated as the resort of the elite of the
metropolis. The Horticidtmal Society's gard.n is situated at Chia-
wick, a village about tive miles south of London, also celebrated for
its extensive exhibitions in she months of AJay, June and .luly. This
is rather an experimental than a botanical garden, whose members are
entitled to seeds of newly introduced plants collected for the society,
and also entitled to recommend a gardener to be employed in the gar-
den. By means of this society many new and valuable plants have
been introduced ; Kew Garden is only one mile distant from Chiswick,
so that the visitor is at once in the very centre of horticultural attrac-
tion. Th» fruit catalogue of the Horticultural Society of London,
prepared by R. Thomi)son of the society's garden, is acknowledged as
one of the best authorities in pomological nomenclature ; and John
Lindley, Ph. D., is Vice-Secretary— but he casts all other officers into
the shade, by his assumption at times oi' the duties of all the others,
to the no small discomfiture of such as are vain of their peculiar pre-
rogatives He is also editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle, and wo to
the poor gardener who dare complain of injustice done him at the so-
ciety's exhibitions, especially since the opj)osition paper conducted by
R. Marnork has ceased to exist, which was set on foot to try to defend
the working orardeners from this horticultural Hercules — but alas!
capital has always got the upper hand of labor, and the gardeners and
their journal were once more overcome. These were the days when
theory and practice were pitted against each other.
We shall leave Chiswick and Dr. Lindley to enrich the Horticul-
tural world — one with new and rare plants gratis, in return for the
annual subscription to the society — the other with new and undigest-
ed theories and new systems of Botanical classification, each suc-
ceeding one superseding the former. The last and most elaboiate he
has drawn up, is a revision of that of the late tainted Prussian Bot-
anist Endlicher; but not considered by botanists as worthy to be fol-
lowed out. It may be found in his Vegetable Kingdom, London,
Bradbury & Evans, 18-1.7 ; a work full of condensed and useful
hints, the history and uses of plants— cost about seven dollars. Lind-
ley and Sir Wm. Hooker are the two greatest British botanical wri-
ters ; but as botanists, both are considered inferior to the venerable
Robert Brown of the Bansian expedition — now curator of the Bank-
sian Herbarium British Museum, and author of the ''Piodromus''' which
bears his name. There is also a Botanic Garden at Chelsea; near
London, connected with the Apothecaries' Society, a repository for
medical plants especially; Mr. J. Miore is curator, author of a work
on British Ferns. 'J'here is also a society called the South London
Floricultural, but as yet no garden is attached to it. It serves to en-
f courage the taste for Floriculture which is not within the province of
\ the other societies — at least they do not attend particularly to the
^h matter.
(^•J The Botanic Garden of Cambridge, connected with the University G^
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 195
C^o( that place is well known, and contains a fine collection of old >!^
V sp^'cimens of the most interesting plants.
y The Botanic Garden of Manchester is also worthy attention, and
( furnished with spacious ranges of glass and a fine conservatory — and
valued by the inhabitants of that great manufacturing town as a
pleasant and hr'althful resort.
Liverpool, where trade and sliipping would seem to absorb all minor
matters,has also its Botanic Garden, which holds its fetes periodically
to the great gratification of the inhabitants of a city rather crowded
and smoky.
Hut we have yet to enumerate tlie Public Gardens of Scotland or
North Britain^ always proverbial for her numerous gardeners. That
of E Jinburs:'! is the most extensive, and celebrated as beino; the scene
of the labors of McNab, whose successful cultivation of the Heath
tribe has made his name familiar to most gardeners. He was one of
the most successful cultivators of his time and respected by the en-
tire profession. The collection of Palms at Edinburgh were consid-
ered to be second to no otiier in the country. Such was the respect
entertained for Air. McNab that a testimonial was got up and pre-
sented to him to which most of the gardeners of the kingdom con-
tributed— he has since died and was mourned as one of the veterans
of horticnlture.
There is also an Experimental Garden in Edinburgh, formerly cop-
ducted by a son of the late McNab, (who is now curator of the Bo-
tanic,) where the other branches of the business are attended to.
Glasgow has a fine Botanic Garden, and the talented curator has
enriched the science by many successful experiments, and by his
means, many new plants have been introduced to the gardens and
conservatorie.'j. David Murray is now a veteran in the ranks of hor-
ticulture, and is justly respected by all who have an interest in the
science.
Much has been done for Botanical science in this enlightened sec-
tion of Great Britain. Her Professors have been eminent and in-
dustrious— her working Botanists earnest and enthusiastic pioneers.
And here let us not forget that the Botanist of Dundee, Wm. Gard-
ner, the umbrella maker, has been called from the busy scene of
life after doing more than any individual in his sphere to exalt the
character of the Deity by bringing his work to the notice of his fel-
low-men, and unfortunately like mo.-it devotees of science he has died
in penury, without provision or means being left for the support of his
family. But Wm. Gardner will not be forgotten.
Turning to Ireland, we find Botanic Gardens are not wanting even
here where there is so much deAtitution and misery. Dublin, the
metropolis, has two Botanic Gardens. The Glasnevin Garden, sus-
tained by and connected with the Royal Dublin Society, has an ex-
tent of about 30 acres, beautit'uUy laid out and kept by D. Moore,
A. L. S., author of a work on the grasses — there are here extensive
conservatories filled with rare specimens. Professor Harvey lectures
here during the summer season, he is known in America as the au-
thor of one of the Smithsonian contributions to knowledge, a work
on American Algte or sea weeds. Prof. Harvey is an eminent bota- |
[ nist, he visited this country a few years ago. There is also a Botan-
\ ic Garden connected with Trinity College, of which Dr. Mackay has
yo been curator for many years, assisted by Mr, Bain. This establish-^
'^ ment has been Ions celebrated for superior skill, and old and fuUC^'
3i^V .
_-tf^-^M
[Nov'r
196 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
(^ o:rown specimens of rare plants. It is. celebrated also for the success of J^j
V^ an experiment unpnraileled in horticulture. A Driijron tree had grown c/
too tall for the conservatory and the sub-curator, Mr. Bain cut off a por- v
tion of the trunk, and by care and attention succeeded in g:etling the \
remaininii: [)aits to unite again. Piof. Allman lectures on Botany in
connection with this institution.
Belfast, the most tlourishing and most important manufacturing
town in Ireland, has a Botanic Garden, consisting of about 18 acres
beautiiully laid out,'tvvo large conservatories of wrought iron and
curvilinear roof, the first of the kind constructed in the country, as
•well as a house appiopriated to the cultivation of Orchids, of wliich
there is here an extensive collection. i\Jany of them weie presented
by the lamented Capt. C'rozier, one of the companions of Sir John
Franklin, of the recovery of whom we have almost lost hope. A
fine collection of plants are to be found in these grounds, which are
justly ranked as the most attractive in their arrangement and keeping
in the kingdom. The curator, D. Ferguson, assumed the charge of
this garden, having previously been foreman at the Glasgow Gardens
under David Murray.
We have now run over the principal Botanical establishments in
Great Britain, and trust tfiat tliey do not j)resent so great a contrast
with our own country as to create discouragement. America will yet
have her flourishing Botanic Gardens, where American gardeners may
be trained in the beautiful art of Horticulture. Then our Horticul-
tural Magazines will not be filled with tirades ag-ainst the British
gardeners and gardening, but the jichievements of the mother coun-
try will be apjjreciated as the ground work of our own systems, modi-
fied and directed of course by climatic experience and cultivated
taste derived from the experience of foreign operators, adapted to re-
quirements of our soil, climate and political character. Then the
gardener will be respected as much as any other mechanic, or even
professional man, if he has studied the sciences connected with his
pursuits. And then the many social evils resulting trom a wrong oc-
cupation of leisure hours shall no longer be complained of, for the
improved moral tone of the community shall seek recreation in harm-
less amusements and pursuits. We hope we do not look too far be-
fore us when we think we see such a state of things approaching.
GRAPE CULTURE.
It is instructive to watch how practice often overturns a long es-
tablished and fondly cherished hypothesis. The late lamented Down-
ing once observed, that in America the notion was very prevalent
that to grow fruits to perfection, all that was necessary was to " dig a
hole, put in the tree, and leave the rest to nature." America, with its
fertile and unexhausted soil and fine climate, is well calculated to or-
iginate such an idea ; and it is not surprising that this, like many other
fancies, should be carried too far. The knowledge that the different
I species of fruits and vegetables have to be, to a great degree, adapted
Q^ to the climate in w^hich they are grown, is of very recent origin. —
[«i^ England may glory in her Ribston Pippin Apples, her Koyal Kussets,
mos)^ d^M
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
197
(^ Hawthorndens and Nonpareils, but we can raise our own heroes, and
point to our Newtown pippins, our Baldwins, Pennocks, and Northern
Spys. So with pears in their Jargonelles, Chaumontelles and Gan-
sell's Bergamot— they have all that Victoria herself could wish. We
on the other hand, have raised our own Seckels, our Petie and our
Chancellor, though some of the Doyennes, Bonchretiens, & Duchesses,
still cling to the soil of their adoption. Proceeding on, we have the
Grape in the same category. Foreign kinds, with the exception, per-
haps, of the Golden Chasselas and Miller's Burgundy, refuse to ac-
knowledge the potency of our "soil and climate" to bring them to
unapproached perfection. They must await the same course of ope-
rations as our other fruits; to be carefully hybridised, or sported from
seeds. In the mean time we have learned the lesson that the foreign
grape can only be successfully raised under glass ; the knowledge of
this fact has become so wide-spread that graperies are springing up in
the vicinity of every town almost, and the cultivators and cultivation
of this fine subject threaten to rival the Dutch Tulip mania, or the
more recent Multicaulis bubble, with this difference— that it promises
to be more profitable. The gardening community, like all other sec-
tions of the human family, must have some hobby. It is well that it
is looking towards a point so rational and practicable. We are con-
vinced that notwithstanding the length of time the grape has been un-
der glass cultivation, perfection has yet to be attained. There is not
a subject connected with grape growing, from the formation of the
border for the roots to the gathering in of the bunches, but will bear
to be written upon again and again. There has been too much of
dictative dogmatism — too little of actual experiment ; and even where
the latter has been employed, conclusions have been often too hastily
arrived at, through a dim perception of the relation between cause and
effect. The pages of the "Horticulturist" will bear witness to the
great difference of opinion between our most distinguished horticultur-
ists. The great majority of grape growers still prefer deep, rich bor-
ders; they know the vine to be a '•'gross feeder,''^ and they have pro-
duced their finest fruits from soil loaded with carrion, and highly sti-
mulating substances ; others repudiate "the whole hog," contendino-
that a moderately rich soil, all other circumstances being well arrang-
ed, will produce as fine fruit as the purse-exhausting animalised bor-
ders. R. Buist stands forth consj)icuously as an advocate of the latter
mode ; a cultivator whose extensive experience has probably caused
the "other side" to dread the advance of their arguments in reply.
So also in the various modes of pruning, training, airing and ventilat-
ing— still the same diversity of opinion exists.
There seems to be a general tendency to consider the vine generally
as too severely pruned — one-half the cultivators arguing, physiologi-
^9,Sy>o^
^^^CZS-M
1)1
198
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Nov*R.
cally, that a great abundance of stored-up sap for next year's crop can (*
only be obtained by an abundance of leaves in this — the other point-
ing practically to the great weight of grapes their abundance of leaves
have produced. So in tht> training — the best grape growers are advo-
cating the horizontal training of the branches. H. W". S. Cleve-
land, generally the champion of the grape growers in the Chinese
Museum in our city; VV. Chorlton, that of the Metropolitan in New
York; James Powell, of Philada.; and we believe J. F. Allen, the well
known author of a treatise on the grape vine — they also have their
theory and their practice. They contend that the vertical system, by
having the top of the vine in the highest part of the house, where the
heat is the greatest^ from its ascending property causes the top buds to
burst first, increasing the tendency to be always the strongest, and so
to keep the crop irregular ; while the horizontal system, assisting the
reorular bursting of the eyes while it obviates the difficulties attending
the severe pruning vines on the vertical mode generally receive. This
is rather a new subject, and well worth much consideration. The air-
ing and ventilating of graperies is ako raising a breeze. We believe
that the knowledge of the fact of the grape milder being often caused
bv injudicious ventilation, was first made known through our pages, in
the articles of Mr. Saunders, on grape culture, and in the monthly cal-
enders of our contributors. The fact, however, was known to our
Philadelphia gardeners before. Mr. John Sherwood, formerly in pos-
session of the extensive graperies erected by the late Nicholas Biddle,
at Andalusia, had long ago observed it ; but it seemed to be quite lost
sio-ht of. Still there is room for abundant further observation, and we
should be glad to receive contributions on these subjects from those
having them under observation.
The Victoria Regia.
I frequently receive inquiries from residents of the southern States
respecting the growth of this hne water Lily in the open air. I take
this mode of reply. The Victoria will grow in any place where the
temperature is regular, of from 70*^ to 90" — sudden fluctuations of
temperature are highly injurious to it. It delights in shade. The wa-
ter in which it is grown ought not to be less than four feet deep, and
ten feet is far better. Very few who have received seed from us have
succeeded in germinating them. When subjected to strong light, we
find a difficulty. In the shade they germinate in about twenty-one
days. We judge from this that the .«eed usually germinates in its na-
tive places in deep water ; and if obliged to sow them in shallow wa-
ter, we shade them till they grow. If circumstances accord with the
above, they might succeed in the open air in the South; in other cases
I fear not. Thomas Meehan.
P©=b^-
^tfQ$^5KJ
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
199
Observat^'ciis of European Horticulture.
Paris, July 6, 18.52. V
I furnished you with a few notes from London and now present (
you with my observations on what I observed peculiar in French
Horticulture.
When we steamed and staged — or rather dilligenced — it from
London to Pans thirteen years ago it occupied 2i days, now only
half-a-day. You sup in London and take an early breakfast at Hotel
Maurice, France. In general horticulture France is behind England ;
though we think that the Jnrdin des Plnntes at Paris, by its methodi-
cal system of arrangement takes precedence of Kew as a botanical
school for the student — those systematic arrangements in the vegeta-
ble, medicical, and arborescent departments are in detail and explicit.
They may not be in such beautiful and picturesque order as at Edin-
burgh but they are decidedly before Kew. The flower markets with
their profusion of common place things mav strike the uninitiated as
grand, but to the partial eye the produce is interior — but the detail
and arrangement is good; every thing goi up for show. The roses
were displayed before us in seas of beauty, wave upon wave they
come rolling along — but for intrinsic beauty the bouquets of Convent
Garden surpassed those of the Flower Quays. The pine trees in the
Garden of Plants are of far superior growth and more symmetrical
than those in the vicinity of London. As you enter Kew you are
struck with a good specimen of Abies Sabina with its peculiar soft
sea green, but when you see the same in the Garden of Plants you
have to pause and admire its clothed symmetry — so with many
others.
The Rose Nurseries of Paris are behind those of Orleans, Angers,
and Lyons. Many of the establishments that have very formidable
catalogues have very informidable collections comparatively, (with
few exceptions) mere handfulls. Their taste in cultivating is how-
ever much improved ; they propagate the fine kinds in quality by
budding only. The following amongst many, were very beautiful in
fact irresistible. Baron Halley, Noemie, Louise Peronet, Chateau-
briand, Caroline de Sansal, Pius 9th, Julie Knoeder, Mad. Ttideaux,
(an American variety and highly esteemed in France) Kosine Mar-
gottin, Geant des Battailles, Baron Prevost, Madam Rivers, Standard
of Marengo, Julia Margottin, Auguste Mie, Eugene Sue, Doctoi Jul-
liard, Wm. Griffith, an(l some others, amongst the now popular class
of hybrid perpetuals to which all the above belong. The Bourbon
family, is also a great favorite amongst them; however, it was not an
easy task to find rivals for Souvenir de la Malmaison and Boll's Henry
Clay. Teas, Bengals, and Noisettes are overlooked; they are not gen-
erally hardy in En^jland, (which is the great mart for French roses)
some of the English nurserymen purchasing from 4 to 10,000 plants
in a season. The gardens of the peasants, are judiciously slocked
with a few select pears, a few grape vines, and a few select standard
roses. The Railroad crossings and stations, are all decorated with
roses and fruit trees ; the latter cultivated as pyramids, trained in
conical form, and with generally fair crops. They are more judi-
cious in their selections than our American friends; they prefer few
and fine sorts known as certain bearers; whereas many of our planters
go over half the catalogue and take one or two of a sort. That there
^.19=^^-
^--.
• r
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 201
1852.]
\J The day could not have been rivalled to show off the fashion of^^
the great metropolis, the floral and the fruitful products of her gar- '''
dens and vast conservatories, to more supreme advantage than that of
the 10th of July, 1852. Early in the morning, the whole vicinity
was alive with waggons and vans with I heir towering loads of plants
and carefully protected fruits, (no vegetables exhibited.; The various
Tents covered nearly two acres ; the plants were nearly a repetition
of those exhibited at the Regent's Park, with the addition of a few
more competitors. Every contributor arranged his own productions,
under the directions of the renowed Thompson for fruits. The new
curator, Mr. Gordon divided out the spaces for plants, whilst Lindley
the Hercules of the age in the science, rested under the cooling shade
of a birch with his various couriers in attendance — by 10 o'clock all
must be, and was arranged. I was highly ])rivileged in being per-
mitted a spectator of the whole, and profitably admired the kee'nness
of perception and very critical eye of many of the contributors in
arranging the various colors of their competing plants. Pine Ap-
ples were deposited in quantity, the heaviest 71b. 10 oz. Of Fuch-
sias, the best reds were 8ir J. Falstaff, Voltiguer and Alpha. Fancy
Geraniums, Fairy Queen, Jenny Lind, Madam Kosati, Albonii, Deli-
catum, Beanti, Clementine and Perfection were the most remaikable.
This lot of plants w^as one of the centres of attraction, they were
from 2 to 4 feet in diameter. The air plants the same, or nearly so as
those of Regent Park, and showed evident signs of being on tfie
wane. Grapes of stupassing splendor, the only new sort was Jud-
son's, Richmond Villa, bunch, medium size ; berries, very large,
round, oval, of a reddish black color. ^Strawberries, very large,
principally of the British Queen variety, on which Kittley's Goiiah
appears to be an improvement, and looked better than the faulty
green, or half ripe ))oints of the former. In Cherries, Knight's early
black was the leading sort. Seedling Veibenas, Scarlet King,
British Queen, (white,) Drummondii, (mottled) were worthless, and
would not have brou^dit over ten cents each in Philadelphia market.
There is a load of Achimenes! Six large baskets, each 12 iet^t in
circumference, and I suppose each basket contains G plants, and good
at that ; all eyes are turned towards them, splendid ! magnificent !
grand ! fine man ! look Patrick ! ! were the exclamations oi as many
individuals. But, behold! to my silent astonishment, there was only
one plant in each basket, and that j-lant was grown in a 12 inch shal-
low-pot— -put that in your pocket Achimenes growers.
The rush was now to the Achimenes tent, where with the favorite
old sorts 1 saw the following new ones: patens major, daik violet; lono*-
iflora major, large blue; Marguerite, pure whitej Warsewiczi, hlue;
Khelii, rose; and Backmanii were worthy of note. A plant of [Asian-
thus Russellianus^ three feet wide and as much high, with its tulip-
shaped flowers, I s;'t down as the best grown ])lant at the exhihition,
all its critical habits and nature considered, but was disapj)ointed on
my visit in the afternoon to find it only third best. Punctually to the
hour the bell tolled 10 o'clock, all and ^\i'\y one moved out at one
gate, when the judg-'s of the day entered by another; their delibera-
tions were then carried on sihnt and alone till 12 o'clock, when the
Fellows of the Society were admitted.
The public at five shillings a ticket followed at 2 o'clock, where- ^^
I
203 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
• [NoVb.
into thev continued to pour by the thousand till 5 o'clock, covering
the rrounds of the garden and the contiguous grounds of the Duke ot
Devonshire, which are thrown open on such occasions. Musjc from
two of the finest bands enlivened the scene and kept all in motion,
the tents and their vicinity as crowded almost as (be Philadelphia
shows are from 8 to U) o'clock in the evening. Specimen pl^ts of
the new Sax-Gotha and Fitzrova were displayed, but not of snthcient
size to show their habit. In the ground the mo?t graceful and attrac
tive of the new evergreens were Thuja Goveniona and Cnpressus
funebris. 1 left these exciting scenes with the conclusion that Lon-
don was the place for patience and flowers— Philadelphia for iruits
and temporary excitement. ^' Buisx.
New Introductions'
The conservatories of Philadelphia are still receiving novelties In
the horticultural line. A few days ago we observed a fine importa-
tion of new and select plants by an amateur, amongst which wenoted
Capania grandifiora, a splendid Gesneriaceous plant, producing
large Hesh-colored flowers, delicately marked with rose-colored dots; in
shape and size equal to the largest of our Gloxinias. Pachira (Caro-
linia) alba, a plant of the sterculiaceous tribe, a splendid plant with
beautiful digitate leaves; the genus Curolinm is rejectedfor that of Pa-
chira of Aublet— the former is a genus ofthe younger Linnteus. The
plant attains the height of a tall tree. The celebrated monkey bread
tree, Adansonia digitata, is found in the same group. We noticed
tlso AllopUctus speciosus, a Gesneraceousplant with beautiful foliage,
and no doubt will prove an acquisition to this already showy and ex-
tensive tribe.
We shall notice many others of this rare lot before next month.
Proper Names of Plants.
We observe that a little more attention is now given to the accura-
cy of Botanical names. A communication on the subject of the word
CUrodendron has been received. Although we never doubted that
the^ above was the correct method of sp-'Uing this word, yet we be-
lieve we have written it Clerodendrum, on the authority of some au-
thor. We however cannot now find any authority worthy of reliance,
making of the Greek word dendron, tree, dendrum, which has no
meaning. We adopt Clerodendron on the authority of Linn^us the
author of the genus; Loudon, the author of the Hortus Briltanicns, and
Lindley, of the Vegetable Kingdom. Many others might be quoied,
\ but we recommend these to tho attention of the compilers of the Hor- ^
(•Jtus Americanus, New York. G
mi^b^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA. FLORTST.
203
1
Notices of New and Select Plants. ^
The taste for new and i-are plants has become so general in the *^-'
neigKborhood of this flourishing city, and indeed throughout the en-
tire Union, that information of ihe character of those novelties brought
before the Horticultural public from lime to time by the Nurserymen
and Florists, has long been considered an important portion of the
duties of a Horticultural periodical. We have observed in several
cotemporaries lists of this kind, but we differ most materially with
some of them in our conceptions of what may be esteemed new and
select. It is not our intention here to enter into a criticism on the
kind of matter which any journal may think fit to present to its
readers 5 it is entirely their affair, not ours. It shall be our aim, how-
ever, to notice only such novelties as we deem worthy cultivation,
or such as have been actually introduced here — gleaning our infor-
mation from reliable sources, and giving condensed accounts of their
habits and character.
We cannot commence the series better than by laying before our
readers an account of the
AMHERSTIA NOBILIS,
N. Ord Leguminosce, — A native of the Birman Country.
The (irst specimen of this splendid plant as we stated in our last num*
be r, had been imported by F. Lenuig,Esq.,of Philadelphia, and isin a
flourishing condition. When first introduced to Britain it was looked
upon as the greatest novelty of the day, the great Horticulturists of
the metropolis of the world, vied with each other in their anxiety to
see it produce its splendid racemes of flowers. Its introduction had
been attempted several times by Dr. WaHich, the describer of the
plant, but without success, until the Duke of Devonshire sent Mr.
Gibson into the Birman Country on a special mission to procure the
Amkerstia. This undertakings proved successful, as Mr. Gibson in-
troduced to the Conservatories of Chatsworth, a fine living specimen.
But strange to say, with alt this labour, expense and care, the speci-
men at Chatsworth failed to produce tlowers, until at length a much
youngrr plant introduced in 1847, by the attention of Lord Hardinge
to the Conservatory of Mrs. Lawrence, at Ealing Park, near London,
by careful and scientific skill in cultivation bloomed for the first
time. There were also, plants introduced to Kew, Chiswick, and
Frogmore Gardens, about this period, A similar fact may be ob-
served with regard to that king of the Proteaceas; Stenocarpas Cun-
ninghamiu The first specimen ot this fine plant introduced to Kew
Gardens, althoufrh it flourished and became a fine and healthy speci-
men, failed to bloom, while a small cutting of one foot high, no doubt
emanating from one of the first introduced plants, furnished a beauti-
ful bloom, in a tem|>erate house at the garden of the United Gard-
ener's Society, Chelsea. The form of the flower of the Amherstia, is
somewhat peculiar, although a Legumiuous plant as may be easily
seen by its pod. its flowers do not at first sight seem to be of the
Papilionaceous or butterfly form, so common in that order. In a
description of the figure ofthe plant given in the ^^Fhredes Serres,^^
of Van Houtte ; which was copied from the original drawing in Dr.
Wallich's *'Rare Asiatic Plants," a copy of which we believe is to be 1
found at the Academy of Natural Sciences in this City : we find the /
following remarks : A Martaban tree, forty feet high, with deciduous c\
stipules, and large abruptly pinnate six to eight paired leaves j — ^J
: : -^^^m
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
204
(^Flowers in lar^e, beautiful, pondiilons, scarlet, axciUary racemps;— - J?;
\5 petals; the lateral ones, reddish, and the hinder ones, spotted with
y yellow round e}'es on the apex ;— Pod, coriaceous, red.
I It is still the only type of its irenus, and may be grouped with the
gpnera Junesia lluniholdtia, .^f-^1ia, Antlioiwta, Paloven, Eperua,
*Parivoa, Macrolobium, &c., of the same nat. order and group C(Esal-
In its general appearance and foliage it recals to our minds tne
Brownen of !S. America, a plant, also lately introduced here, i)rodu-
cing beautiful heads of bright scarlet flowers, suggesting lo the super-
ficial observer, a connection with the Uose-family. W ith which or-
der, Botauicallv. Leguminous plants are closely connected. Two
species of Brownea B, Coccinm and ernndiceps are now to be found
in the City Conservatories of Philadelphia ; and tiiis new acquisition
mak^s up "three individuals of this natural family.
The.name Amherstia was adopted by VVallicb inhonor of the Countess
of Amherst and Iter daughter. Lady Sarah Amherst, both zealous and
accomplished promotors'^of Botanical Science in the East Indies.
Dr. J. E. Planchon,savsin his description of the plant m Van
Houttes 'Flore des Senes]' from which some of the foregoing details
are translated.
"Its whole history is in unison with the grandeur and beauty ot its
attractions. Its llowers adorn the altars of the God of the Birmans.
Its name recals the graces united with science. Its discovery, intro-
duction, and publication, are due to the generous patronage exercised
over Botanical Science bv the Hon. E. 1. Company.— In conclusion,
its tlowering at Ealing Park, constituted one of the greatest triumphs
which Horticulture has for some years inscribed on her annals."
CULTIVATION.
Mr. Smith, states that it is of great importance to protect its leaves
against the direct rays of the sun ; as the membranaceous texture
of these organs, renders them very sensible to the effect produced by
sudden eva'poration. The defects observable in this respect, are caused
perhaps, by too dry an atmosphere, or by the insufficient quantity ol
liquid absobed bv the roots. It appears that the greatest care has not
been sulHcient to protect the edges and top of the leaves from being
burned and scorched ; thus imparting an unhealthy appearance to the
tree. But this is an evil from which Brownea and several other
plants, furnished with leaves of a similar texture, often suffer. The
specimens of Amherstia in the Bot. Garden, at Calcutta do not even
escape this defect. A perfect drainage, and soil permeable to fluid,
are indispensible condition to its successful cultivation. It may be
propagated by cuttings placed in a hot-bed without a bell-glass. It is
not likely the plant will produce seeds in our houses. T^ans. from
V. Houtte's ''Flore des Serres.'' Should the plants suuceed here so
as to flower, we are disposed to believe that it would ripen its seeds
in our climate. — Ed.
MICROSPERMA {EuCnido) BARTOXIOIDES.
Nothing can be more humiliating to American Botanists, who are
1 anxious for the promotion of the science on this great continent than
\ the fact that the novelties discovered here are received second hand
Vp from European Nursery and Seedsmen, and presented to their notice
(V^ beautifully figured in 'European periodicals. Or perhaps, like true
31? ^V^
..-cfOSiS
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
205
^K^^
.^citizens of the world, they rejoice that since there is not suflicient.^
V3 taste and enterprise to attend to these things here, they are attend-^
ed to elsewhere. v'
Our attention was drawn a few days ago to a plant exhibited ^
by R. Kilvington of this city, which we knew we had seen figuredeas
something new and rare ; it was Microsperma bartonioides, which
seedsmen have had for sale as an annual under the name o( Eucnida
and this seed was imported from London ; the plant is from Texas
and Oregon transported to Europe to be transmitted again to its na-
tive country, labelled and priced. It is, however, a prelty plant, al-
lied to the Loasabut not quite so pungent, as that well known creeper,
Lonsa nunmtiaca. It is figured in the "Flore des Serres"— from
which we have translated the following:
Microsperma barionioides, better known under the title Eucnida
is a Mexican plant, which appears to have flowered first in the Bot.
Garden of Munich, introduced by Karwinski, furnished with large
golden yellow petals and beautiful tufts of stemons. with delicate fil-
aments, being of annual duration, it flowers in the open air in our
climate. (Belgium.)
Window and Yard Gardening.
Dahlias. — If you have any of those in your flower border, you will
be able to note with accuracy when the first frost occurs, as they are
very susceptible of cold. When their beauty is past, take up the roots
and lay them in a dry, airy room for a few days with the stems down,
to prevent moisture lodging about them, then store them away in a
dry cellar for the winter j any place that will preserve potatoes will
also preserve these roots.
Fuchsias. — As these go out of flower reduce the quantity of water
at their roots; prune in the side shoots, they will keep well any where
out of the reach of frost, provided they are at the same time kept dry.
Scarlet, or Fish Geraniums will keep in a similar manner.
Verbenas. — A small box filled with rooted runners is perhaps the
simplest way of keeping them over winter ; they will stand a good
deal of cold and do well, although some distance from lii^ht, but in
either case must receive little or no water.
Camellias require a freer circulation of air than they can receive
as a window plant, consequently they do not give much satisfaction
when kept in close rooms. Do not give them much water at present
until the flower buds show symptoms of expanding. Watering is an
important item in the management of plants, and its improper appli-
cation is the most fertile source of disappointment. At this season
when the days are short, sun less powerful and temperature low, plants
do not use much water; Camellia buds often drop off' from the plants
being kept too wet «nd confined at this time; — of course, there is a
medium — they will also sufl'er if allowed to get as "dry as dust."
General Remarks. — Always when you water a plant see that the
surplus runs freely out at the bottom of the pot; if it does not, you had
better turn it out and re-arrange the drainage. Even plants that de-
light in moisture will not thrive when it stagnates about their roots.
!Q9b^
^-v^Q^l
H
206 . THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov'r.
Green bugs, green fly, or JJphis, will come upon plants, but it is an r,
easy matter getting rid of them, either by putting them in a close room c/
filled with tobacco smoke, or, a simpler method, pour boiling water
over tobacco, (refuse stalks from the manufacturers answers the pur-
pose) then dilute the liquor with rain water until it appea»s slightly
colored; lay the infested plmt on its side (if in a pot) and distribute
the water with a syringe or through a fine rosed watering can, turn it
round so that every leaf recnive a portion j one or two such applica-
tions will generall}' clean the plants.
Sponge over the leaves of the plants frequentiv, leaves are their re-
spiratory organs, and they cannot pertbrm their functions if coated
with dust. Do not neglect the underside of the leaf; indeed, it is more
important thin the upper surface.
As a matter of cleanliness and neatness, the pots are generally plac-
ed in saucers; after watering always empty out the surplus that has
come through the soil, otherwise it will prove injurious to the roots at
this season.
Some plants accommodate themselves better than others to window
culture. The Cactus family form a very interesting and easily man-
aged collection, more especially the dwarf kinds, such as JMajnnnlar-
1% Melocactus^ and Ec/unocnctus, they are eminently chanty plants,
requiring very little water, and never making "a mess" with falling
leaves and buds. Akin to these are the different varieties fof ./f/oe*,
jj. nigras A. Humilu^ A, varicgata^ A. retusa^ &c. So is the Seni'
pevivum^ and Mestmbrynnthemum tribe, all requiring much the same
treatment as Cacti, and equally interesting in their diversity of foliage
and peculiarity of growth.
The Cyclamen is a beautiful fam.ily, flowering all through the win-
ter; some of the varieties are very fragrant. The Chinese Primrose
also suits well, so that it is not killed with too much water. Then
there is the universally beloved xMignonette, also kydropathically in-
clined. The Oxaiis or wood-sorrel family also deserves a place, espe-
cially the species Boweii, tutea^ and versicolor; Lac/ienalias are also
beautiful, both in color and flower. Then for evergreens there is the
classic Myrtle, the Sweet Bay, Chinese Azaleas, and the fragrant
Daphne. A place must also be retained for Mosses, Lycopodiums and
Ferns, the flowers of which are truly "born to blush unseen. No mat-
ter what peculiar hobby you ride, whether in oddity of growth and
formation, variety in foliage or the beautiful in flowers, Flora can ac-
commodate you, and a few of her novelties will be noted occasionally
in these papers, D. D.
Mr. Editor : — It is to be very much regretted, that among the nu-
merous intelligent gardeners and amateurs of this city and its neigh-
borhood, so few are found who pjiy any attention to the study and
collection of native plants. We are justly celebrated for the liberal
importation of foreign plants and hybrids, from the noble Victoria and
Amherstia to the last seedling Verbena ; but in the neighborhood from
whence Bartram sent plants which were the delight and astonishment
of Collinson, Dillenius, Gronovius and the great Linnaeus, there are
very few who think of spending a few hours in the collection of our
indigenous beauties. A premium is offered by the Pennsylvania Hor-
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
(^ticultural Society for a display of indigenous flowers, but there is lit
^ tie or no competition
I How little, for instance, is known of our native orchids; the Orchis, \
the Habenaria, the Cypripedium, or the Spiranthes and Goodyera;—
we see the Cheirostylis marmorata and Anechtochilus argenteus im-
ported from foreign nurseries at respectable prices; but who cultivates
Goodyera pubescens, equally beautiful in flower and foliage 1 The
native Cypripedia are among the most beautiful of this beautiful ge-
nus, yet 1 do not believe that a single plant of C. spectabile is to be
found in this country. Peter Collinson thought '^ it must be a fine
sight to see the White Calceolus near three fii^t high ;" but very few
gardeners in this neiphborhood have ever seen it in flower.
Looking over a catalogue of one of the largest nurseries in Europe,
I find advertised Anemone mnhijidd. and vir^ininno; Thaliciruvi ane-
monoides; Mitchella repena; Lobelia cardmnhs and syphUitica; Clay-
tonin virginica; Penstemon pubescens; Spigelia marilniidica; Podho-
PAYLLUM PELTATUM, and hundreds of other natives which are unknown
to or entirely neglected by us.
Any one walking now into the fields and woods, or by the brooks
and marshes, would be delighted with the number of beautiful Asters,
Solidago, &c., which he would see in bloom. It would seem, sir, that
to be valued at all, a plant must have its credentials from Mr. Van
Houtte, or from the Messrs. Henderson, and cost few or many francs
or shillincrs.
A moderate sized bed in your garden might be planted with natives
so as to have a continued succession of bloom from early spring until
frost; and they have the additional merit of flourishing best when left
to take care of themselves. Very few visitors will know when look-
ing at your beautiful variety of herbaceous plants in bloom, that they
are only "wild things," except perhaps a few of your lady friends —
and those only of them who go to the country in summer, instead oi
improving their health at Newport or Cape Island.
At another time I will have more to say on this subject, when you
can afford me space in your pages. Philarv^nsis.
Retrospective Criticism.
Cultivation of Cacti. — In the first part of your contributor's
*'notes,'' he recommends when seeds are sown, to cover the pot with
a piece of glass. In the majority of cases, 1 think that the plants
would damp off as they came up, although they might come up sooner.
I see that the London Horticultural Society offer a premium at their
spring show, for six tall Cacti in flower, which our Society would do
well to imitate.
Achimenes. — We hope that next September we will see several
collections rivalling the growth of those shown by Mr. Ingersoll's
gardener, which were certainly better than any ever exhibited in this
city, although in timber rivalling the Calceolarias Mr. Buist saw at
the London show.
Winditw Gardening. — Few plants seem to succeed as window plants;
chiefly, perhaps, from the want of proper light. Fuchsias get very
•^ leggy, indeed they seem to endeavor to turn into climbers. The
mis^^o^-
.^dOSi^
;^9b^
.^ri^M
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov'R
^same with Geraniums, unless kept well topped. Koses are very apt r^
^.p to be destitute of leaves, and Heliotropes won't flower ; but run into
long growths like the Fuchsia;^. Still, here and there one sees a good
collection of plants grown in dwellings, though no especial reason
appears why they should be better than others.
The list of Foreign Grapes does not seem to be brought up to the
present time, as we know many grapes cultivated in this vicinity,
which are not enumerated there. Much dithculty however, has al-
ways been experienced by persons not familiar with the science in
recognizing plants and fruits from descriptions. We hope Mr. Powell
will favor your readers with a supplement, bringing up your list to the
present time.
Your fellow-workers in the fields of science don't seem to ajrree
yet about the sap question. I think the best way to serve our New
York neighbors is to let them write away ; they generally "show
themselves up" sufficiently, without your correspondents pointing out
their errors.
The ^ispects of ^Agriculture in Great Britain are certainly very
interesting. The proposals of remedies fur the potato-rot, Mr.
Smyth's alternate system of wheat growing, the contests of reaping
machines, occupy the attention of the societies and papers there, to a
very great extent. The palm is generally awarded to the reaper of
Mr. Bell, a Scotchman, first made some twenty-live years ago, but
like many things offered to (he old fogyism of farmers neglected until
now. It is driven by horses behind the machine, and consequently
can charge right through a field of grain, while a path must be reaped
for the American machines to bf-gm on — and it delivers the grain
better. The discoveries of M. Esprit Fabre, in relation to the con-
version of jEgilops ovata into Triticum, is another evidence of the
use of science in practical masters.
The inhabitants of our Southern States are certainlv favored as
regards open air cultivation. We have heard of Camellias growing
in the open air in South Carolina and Georgia to a very great size;
and the roses, such as Chromatella, Triumph of Luxemburg, &.c.,
which require shelter here, become enormous specimens.
A good collection of fruits will be much more certain, now that
we have a Pomological Society organized. It is certainly much more
satisfactory to have apples and pears recommended or rejected by
such a society, than for individual growers to take upon themselves to
publish certain varieties as unlit for cultivation; especially as we find
that "doctors disagree" on that subject as well as others.
Pennsylvania Horticvlturul ISociety. — The exhibition this 5'ear was
certainly a very superior one. The number of new plants shown
was greater than we ever recollect, though very few persons knew of
their whereabouts on the tables, owing to the plan of arrangi'ment.
A table might be set apart for these, and tlien greater facilities for
examining the many novelties introduced here by our nurserymen
and amateurs would be afforded. In plants there was not nmch com-
petition. We heard some complaints about the awards for cut
flowers; but it will not do to carp at the judgments of infallible com-
mittees. Brougham.
^♦»
Horticultural judges in Europe, according to a correspondent, con-
'^duct their deliberations "silently and alone." We recommeud their rA
example to horticultural judges in America. (•J
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST, 209
Floriculture— " The Lancashire Heroes," (^
BY WM. CHORLTON, STATEN ISLAND, N. Y.
In reading over your September number, I was somewhat amused
at your pleasantry respecting the proju'rties of Florist's Flowers and
the^- Lancashire Heroes." Havirg been '' born, bred, and brought
up m that county of "Baiziers," (Bear's Ears, Primu/a auricula.)
Folyanterns {^^ Primula elatior,) and '' Big Tavberries," (Gooseber-
ries ) though not ciainiing fo be a hero amongst tlum, yet 1 may
perhaps be able to assist some little in disseminating a triflp of ex-
perience in the cultivation of their justly esteemed "hobbies."—
Heroes you well name them, not aspiring to glory in the battle field
on the ocean, or in the senate, but true heroes inVural life, contented
and happy, good natured and hospitable, so long as the cravings of
nature are satisfied, and a few shillings to spend on their favorite
flowers and gooseberry bushes. No better example of the blessings
of rural lite, well diieded, can be found than bv a sojourn amongst
this intellectual, but often neglected class, where trumpet tongu"ed
the voice of contentment would speak home to the mind of mar°y a
dissatisfied and grovelling wealth seeker. Here will be found a clean
garden plot, Avell filled with the useful and ornamental—each portion
allotted ofi'by straight lines and right angles into beds of sweet herbs,
vegetables, and next to his industrious family and honest wife, his
greatest and only treasures, Florist's Flowers Upon these he fixes
the whole bent of his mind during his leisure moments. Here after
the day's hard toil he may be seen when the sim goes down, and in
the morning when the sparrow wakes. He rides his hobby with an
enthusiasm and perseverance to himself only known. His only com-
bativeness being a pleasant rivalry with his neighbor, who in his turn
strives equally hard for the Copper Kettle or New Spade at the next
exhibition, when and where he may be seen and heard discussing
the nice points and beautiful detail of peifection in form, color and
size, with the greatest precision and quaint eloquence. Although
moving in so humble a sphere generally, this class of men are capable
to a wonderful degree of appreciating the beautiful, and have fixed
the criteria of perfection so accurate that even careless observers have
been forced to admire, and all have acknowledged their standards of
excellence. An impulse has been given to improvements which have
become of world wide renown, ll examples are wanted, only com-
pare the Dahlia, Pink, Carnation, Polyanthus, Auricula, Pansy and
many others with the original, indigenous or exotic, and we have
ample proof of the benefit that this class has assisted in conferring on
our more wealthy lovers of flowers, who have been reposing on their
beds of down, while his coarse (and often only) fabiic of a coverlet
has frequently been protecting his treasured pots, to his own dis-
comfiture. Neither is it alone in the improvement of flowt-rs that
these men have become a benefit to society, tor where the mind
constantly delights to dwell, so is the character of the individual fixed,
and the study of floweis has a beneficial, moral and religious tendency,
producing social, domestic and kind feelings, and leading without
sectarian bickering the mind "through Nature up to Nature's God."
Again, a mind that is led to apjHeciate and cultivate these disc
rimi- /
r and ^P
)p nations is naturally, and imperce|)tibly as it were, ltd on to ordei „..„ ^, ,
1^ neatness in all its actions, and ultimately a well directed performance C#\
m^y^ _ _ ., -.^
210
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
o^
u
,«^, of all thing's. The influence of such characters is great
[Nov'r.
over their
neighbors, for one neatly kept garden leads to imitation in others,
and imitation leads to imp-ovement. Where the garden is treasured
there will be a well guided household — this is clearly demonstrated
in the dwellings of the florists, for however coarse the food or meagre
the furniture, there is a clean *'hearth-atone," a clean tidy wife and
children, everything orderly and neat, social comfort, and domestic
contentment has there its abode. Frequently have I known the dis-
sipated collier and his slovenly wasteful wife reformed by the in-
fluence of these examples. When neither the stern reasoning of the
reverend divine, nor yet the austere lectures of the indomitable Mrs.
Pardiggle (as Dirkens has it) could make any impression, the country
florist has accomplished the reformation by the sight of his beautiful
spot, a little friendly chat and the gilt of a few flowers. It would be
well if we had more of these "Old Fogies" around our ditferent
neighborhoods; surely the force of example is needed. If here and
there throughout the country their little paradises were dotted about
they would look 4ike something celestial amongst the innumerable
slovenly lots. May we see the time when an ill kept cotter's garden
will be a novelty. And here a word to the committees of Horti-
cultural Societies : — Give a list of prizes for the productions of small
gardens at your exhibitions, it has a great tendency to encourage
those of little means, to cultivate their small lots. Tne following
brief remarks may be of service to some of your readers who are fond
of winter and early spring flowers : —
Place one or more frames, according to means or space at command,
in a sheltered spot facing the sun, loosen up the bed below, a spade
deep, and fill in eight or ten inches of good mould ; obtain a quantity
each of. Polyanthus, Primrose, Neapolitan, or other sweet violets,*
(the Neapolitan is the best,) Ten Week or Intermediate Stock, Wall-
flower, Auricula, Pansy, Snowdrop, Crocus, Hyacinth, Early Van-
thol Tulip, Sweet Alyssum and Mignonette. The two last may be
carefully lifted with balls of earth about the roots, though it is better
to sow them in the frame about the beginning of September. Plant
at the distance of six to ten inches apart according to habit of growth,
give a good watering to settle the soil and fix the roots, keep the
glass close and shaded for a few days, afterwards give air freely in
bright and mild weather. Line the outside of the frames to the top
about a foot wide with earth or litter to keep the frost from penetrat-
ing, and when severe weather sets in ; cover with straw mats or other
convenient material, at night ; give air freely throughout the winter on
bright days, avoiding cold cutting winds, and close up a little before
sundown, to retain some warmth for the night. At intervals when
the soil gets dry give a good soaking of water, not little and often,
but a sufficient quantity to pass down to the bottom roots. Allow the
soil to become dry again before more is applied, always taking ad-
vantage of a fine morning for the application. In severe weather it
is better to be too dry than too wet. Attention to these little points
will ensure success, and without the aid of a greenhouse — by these
means a fine display may be kept up throughout the whole winter,
and a perfect dazzle in early spring. There are few persons who
have not these means at command, and those who have not tried it
will be well satisfied with the results. A little stock of the greater
.part once obtained will serve from year to year, so that the first ex-
^§
212 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Nov'r
e^ possible to plfice a tree in such a soil and situation that it would make,-,
'> only a moderate growth of well matured short jointed wood, then pro- c/
bably no pruning would be requisite. It almost seems a negative prac-
tice to allow a tree to make a lar. ^cFQ5 %
6
O
1852.]
j.O^P^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
213
HINTS FOR NOVExMBER.
The winter season should he for all things one of rest, and in eve-'
ry department of horticulture this should now be the prevailing idea.
Plants which have not ceased to grow, should be encouraged to do so,
by having less water given to them, and by keeping them in a drier
atmosphere.
In thk Hothouse, all that will be required is to maintain a regular
temperature of bO^ for the nights, and 70^ by day, keep the house
moist by pouring water over the pipes, or keeping pans of water on
the flues, and water only when the plants might otherwise "flao-" for
the want of it. It is the best time to pinch back plants desired to
become specimens, as pinching back when plants are growing strongly
weakens them. Give air only when necessary to keep down the
temperature. Fresh air not only assists the growth of plants but
encourages them to grow. Plants live, but do not grow in a Wardian
case. This month our aim should be rest.
In the Greenhouse, our operations vary a little from the above.
New Holland plants now possess their highest interest. Epacrises
are coming into bloom, as are also Eriostemons, some Heaths, Cor-
reas, and the like. Such require their amount of water, rather in-
creased than diminished. Camellias, often drop their buds about
this period if they get too dry, or frequently from too much water, if
the drainage be bad. Where fine specimens are desired they ought
not to be allowed to jjroduce many Uowers. Growth and flowerino-
are opposite tendencies in plants, by checking one, we increase the
other.
In the Flower Garden, whatever desirable half hardy plants
were there, are by this time taken up. li the beds require manure,
it should be laid on at the first opportunity, and after the leaves are
all cleared up for the season, the ground should be dug up rough, as a
greater surface is thus exposed to the action of the frost. In many
first rate English gardens hardy evergreens are kept in pots, and
when the half hardy plants are destroyed in the beds, they are
plunged in their places giving the flower garden a cheerful appear-
ance even in winter. In the fine keeping of our lawns we are rather
behind the age. In prepnrin^ the ground, it should be deep dug, and
the kinds of grasses selected for the purpose. If the ground intended
for a lawn could be cropped a season previous, so as to give the weeds
a good clearing out, it would be an ultimate advantage. As the
grass seed comes up, all weeds should be carefully kept out of it, and
after rains the ground should be rolled. As soon as the scythe can
be used to advantage mow, and sweep thi^ litter off. Use a rake on a
new made lawn as little as possible. On old ones, a birch broom does
the work better than a rake, besides carrying off dirt and stones
which a rake would leave.
In the Vegetable Garden, there will be abundant interest in
taking measures for the improvement of the soil. Those of a stiff
texture will be benefitted by draining, turning up to the action of the
frost, or by mixing with it soil of a sandy nature. Soils which have
become exhausted will be renovated by trenching, and those which
are poor by liberal applications of manure. Soils which are found
too liglit may be improved by a slight dressing of salt, or by mixing
2 charcoal dust with it. Salt is recommended by most writers now-a-days
^ as the best manure for asparagus. If the plants are where they ought
[Nov'r.'
214 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
(r)to be, in light shady ground, the advice'is excellent. On stiff soils, n,
^it makes bad worse. As soon as the asparagus stems are ripe and cut
off, give the bed a good covering of stable manure, and let it lie all
winter. The same may be said of rhuharb and all similar vegeta-
bles. Rhubarb can be had very nice at Christmas by taking up care-
fully a few roots, potting them, or in boxes, and placing them in a warm,
dark cellar. Mushrooms, also may be had very easily by placing
half dry manure, that had not undergone much fermentation before
it became half rotten, in boxes, rammed in tight, and spawn placed
on the top, with about an inch of dry soil on the top of the whole —
and the box placed anywhere, where a temperature of 65° can be
maintained. Endive when blanched can be kept in use all winter
by being kept in a cool, dry place, free from frost, and darkened.
The plants must be taken up with as much earth as will adhere, and
closely packed side by side. If there is a spare frame, nothing would
be more desirable than to plant it closely with Lettuce. They will
come in use very early. Carrots, Parsnips, Salsafy, &c., should
be taken up before frost sets in, and packed away in layers of sand,
in order to avoid fermentation. Celery is best preserved by being
taken up, placed in rows thickly together, covered with soil, loose
straw thrown over it, the whole, kept dry by boards or ola shutters.
T.J.
Pliilailelphia, November, 1852.
The knell of the departed season has been sounded, and nature
once more prepared to enter into the annual state of quietude and re-
pose designed to recruit the exhausted system of active vegetable life,
and to vary the aspect and character of this creation, so nicely arrang-
ed for human gratification and enjoyment : — the season of flowers has
passed away, and it would be vain and unreasonable in us to attempt
to recal or prolong it, as in the immutable course of natural laws it
shall return when the devastation caused by the purifying frost and
nutritious snow shall have prepared us for a fresh appreciation of the
gifts of spring. Yet Art, in its stubborn attempts to modify, has al-
most defied Nature. The winter gardens of older nations do not quite
yield to the requirements of the season — do not relinquish altogether
the summer verdure, but preserve for the gratification of a few, the
pleasant accompaniments to the social enjoyments of the winter sea-
son— verdure and flowers. The winter gardens of America are scatter-
ed, not concentrated into one place. We have as yet no Jnrdlnd^-
Hiver^ as there is at Paris, nor Crystal Palace as at Sydenham; nor can
we, by accumulated capital in our free Republic, realise what the law
of primogeniture easily effects in monarchical countries. Yet we are
trnot quite destitute of the benefits of the winter garden, and we areC»\
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
215
happy in the absence of this unnatural law. The impulse afforded^
by salutary laws to the enterprise of the citizen, affords us abundance "^
of flowers to deck the rich halls where beauty and dignity assemble
for relaxation. The rigor of the season admonishes us to close out the
chill air of winter, and live as if it were summer, surrounded with the
foliage and flowers of other climes, and an artificial atmosphere ren-
dered quite convenient by human skill and invention. We cannot
traverse the city and its districts without being struck with ranges of
glass of immense extent, under which are deposited the vegetable pro-
ductions of climates of a different character from our own — where
science and skill are concentrated, and a portion of the surplus capital
of the merchant is turned into quite a different channel, producing
nothing but the means of natural and pure gratification and enjoy-
ment; for after all, the bouquet which this evening adorns the draw-
ing room centre table, is to-morrow, or the day following, but decayed
vegetable matter, making but a very trifling return for the outlay, ac-
tually absorbing the means spent in its production — returning nothing
but a little of that pure pleasure so free from alloy, which is after all
but too rare in the social system of the present day.
The many mercantile winter gardens, where anxious skill and in-
cessant labor nurse the tender plants of tropical climates, have not left
the American public destitute of the graceful accompaniment to the
evening party, soire^, concert, and ball — a choice bouquet of natural
flowers. We are well aware that there are many jiersons of high at-
tainments who can appreciate the divine and beautiful in other de-
partments of nature, and yet do not admire, do not care to behold
these frail offerings, produced at a waste of time and means. We
grieve that there are any such; but time will change this want of at-
tention to the smaller creations of their revered and provident Father.
Winter then comes apace, and cuts down as he approaches our favor-
ites in the garden. We appeal to art to afford a protection against
his destructive hand ; but he destroys only to renew. We fly to the
conservatory — Hie ver cefernzim. Here art almost defies nature — or at
least assists it. To the cultivation of that art we have devoted these
pages, and those who already appreciate the glorious influences of
Horticulture, must not content themselves io see and admire, they
must read and study, so as to make the science so general that even
the mass of our people shall acknowledge its softening influences on
their lives and actions. 'Tis true, there is here no profitable invest-
ment for capital accumulated by excessive labor and devotion to mer-
cantile pursuits; but the Deity is here in the flowers — he can be seen
and admired in his creatures — a most important feature not witnessed
in the steady accumulation of wealth. We of course advocate our
"^own interests in these remarks; we admit it, but in doing so we hope'
216
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
-w
[Nov'it
^ we effect more; it is hoped an influence is encouraged which tends [^
much to benefit societv.
Spring shall return again. The seasons change, but their course
never changes. The leaves fall by the breath of Autumn, and why 1
Who can define, who has explained satisfactorily, with all the scien-
tific research accumulated into books and journals to the present dayl
Who has satisfactorily ex^jlaint^d this simple natural phenomenon ? —
Who has traced the causes of the germination of the seed after remain-
ing for centuries quiescentl Who has yet sliown the nature of the
force which impels the sap through the multitude of vessels in the
ligneous structure? We must not despair because we, crented beings
ourselves, cannot read the mysteries of creation in detail. Progressive
creatures, it is our duty still to progress, though we may never reach
perfection. The humble gardener goes through the various opera-
tions of the season ; we wish to make him reflect as he proceeds that
he acts upon living organizations, susceptible like ourselves of good
and bad treatment. Towards the improvement of the science and the
operator, all our suggestions and researches tend j and we here solicit
the aid of all interested individuals.
Arboriculture— Indigenous Trees.
The claims of the Indigenous trees of America have from time to
time been pressed upon the attention of those engaged in planting. The
reason and taste has been appealed to, and the subject is renewed at
intervals. It may not therefore, be considered injudicious in us to of-
fer a few remarks on the subject, which is of some importance as re-
gards the future character of the decorative jortion of American Ar-
boriculture. We rejoice to see the claims of any neglected portion
of nature's ofTsprmg presented and enforced, but not in antagonism
to some other equally worthy section oi the family.
Let us enquire why Indigenous trees are not more cared for; may
it not appear that the people who plant trees have not been made
acquainted with the beauties and advantages of the indigenous pro-
ductions which flourish in every wood and forest, imparting to the
country an air of grandeur and freshness, which elevates the moral
feelings, and makes Americans feel proud of their country. Her
majestic children of the forest, stately in appearance, and profusely
scattered over the length and breadth of the country, are bulwarks of
prosperity; even in tht- ir fall they form objects of interest and value,
ministering to household and national wants. The timber of any
country is an important item in its political economy. If American
trees are not cultivated for their ornamental beauty, American ship
ping constructed of them is valued and admired all over the world.
mQi>^
'c?CLq
1852.]
THE PHILADELPtllA FLORIST. 217
( r)But, why are not American trees more in demand for planting! sim-!?^
cpply because they have not had attached to them, according to the prin-
ciplesof political economy a value sufficient to make the'm desirable.
Their beauty is acknowleged when pointed oUt— ''Look at that
stately Tulip tree" says one, "with its splendid flowers." Splendid !
superb! answers his friend, "Where can I procure a number of them
to ornament my lawn." "At the nurseries," is the rejdy. The nur-
sery is sought out and the cost ascertained ; and the proprietor per-
haps questioned as to where they were obtained. If in the woods his
customer replies that he too can procure them there. And the dealer
thus disconcerted, either does not care to keep a supply on hand, or
if he do, must not sell them as American plants at all, but call them
Liriodendron, tv/ipifera, and im])ort them from France, where they
have been cultivated from seeds obtained from North America. But
this is the same North Amtrica which we live in, and the Lirioden-
dron is our f .miliar friend the Tulip tree. We once travelled a good
distance in England to obtain specimens, and these were obtained
with no Httle difficulty from a splendid specimen growing in an
extensive park, and so valued that our depredations on the°flowerg
would have been treated if discovered, as peculiarly officious. Now
we see it everywhere, and we admire it none the less. The Catalpa
is another specimen which we once held as rare and desirable, but
such miserable specimens of it as we have seen in the English nurse-
ries. Why they^gave us no conception of the plant whatever. Now
we view it as a rich and luxuriant tree with tropical aspect, and quite
refreshing to the eye. If it could be transformed into a hothouse
plant by acclimatisation in an opposite direction to that, towards
which these experiments generally tend, it might yet become popular
and valuable in America.
And our Gymnocladus is no mean specimen of the richness of
spontaneous American Arboretums. We think few can help admi-
ring the Kentucky Coffee tree, with its pomj)ous botanical title Gpto-
cladus canadensis, pared down to the simple Kentucky coffee tree.
And then for an ornamental shrub, what is more graceful than Chio-
nanthus Virginica or fringe tree; even the Dog Tree in its snowy beau-
ty, is by no means a mean accompaniment to our rural landscape;
true, it is without the fragrance of the Hawthorn, so valued bv "our
excessively travelled friends," and without the freshness which its
foliage imparts to the Cratcrgus contrasting with its flowers, but the
Cornus Canadensis is a splendid plant. The sweet Chestnut, Casta-
nea Vesca is not to be overlooked as an acquisition to a lawn, peculi-
ar in its outline, but striking in its habit; witli its deep green and lon«-
continuing foliage no more beautiful object can be .found for certain
;
/»; purposes— 'tis true the Horse Chestnut produces abundant pyramids C#\
^^^^ 28 -^^^
218
THE PIIILADELPHrA FLOTJST.
^?-^
[tJ o{ beautiful flowers, and besides, every one cannot get i(; it must be ^
purchased and that not at the cheapest rate. But then we have the c7^
Pavias, the Ohio Buck Eye— why it is little inferior to the (Esculus \
and very similar in habit, indeed it was once included in the same
family, but the officious botanist drew a separating line, and these
botanists are not to be opposed in their nice arrangements by the
uninitiated, they have it all to themselves and they do well to make
the most of it. Our Evergreen Cedars, or Red Cedar as it is called,
must certainly command the respect of Americans. Look at those
splendid trees in Mantua, Hamilton Village, and all around, and who
will not exclaim, America is rich in evergreens.
But they cannot cheat us out of our ornamental shrubs, the Mag-
nolias, Azaleas Kalmias and Althaea. They may for a time exclude
from the favored boundaries of the country seat the more common
trees, as they are termed, (no product of nature is common) yet the
majority are forced to acknowledge the rich and abundant bloom
afforded by the Magnolia ; how striking is its pure white flowers, so
profuse in the early spring, charming to the eye even of the merchant
absorbed as he is, hurrying towards his counting house. The Caly-
canthus or Shrub is a universal favorite. Let but the claims of
American Trees be fairly represented — let them be seen in a Public
Park or Botanic Garden, so arranged and accompanied by other
attractions, such as neatly kept flower borders — collections of Ameri-
can Herbaceous Plants, Hardy Shrubs and well kept Lawns — place
in such company, and with such accompaniments, the stately trees which
are the spontaneous production of our country, let their technical and
familiar names be legibly displayed, and we do not fear but they
would be valued by the people of good taste in America.
While the advocates of more attention being given to indigenous
trees would claim for certain favorites a trial, they would not it is
hoped become exclusive ; if so, they would exhibit bad taste, and
narrow and contracted ideas of the beautiful in nature. No Euro,
pean would dream of banishing the Araucaria from the park, but all
who possess specimens, pamper and encourage them; and so it is
with the Cryptomcria Japonica^ and hundreds of others, and North
American trees are not the least numerous in the Arboretums of
British Botanic Gardens. The Shrubs of America are more valued
there than here. Kalmias, Gaultherias, Azaleas, without number
cultivated with much expense, are never looked upon as intruders
and such is also the case with the difl^erent Maple trees so abundant
in America — they are there planted and cared for, and iheir native
country if known, is only looked upon as a stronger argument in
\ their favor. While therefore we hope to see American trees more
A- valued in the parks of this country, we have no idea that the hardy
\^ and ornamental trees of other countries will be undervalued or ex-
1352.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
219
e^ eluded. The*«nion of all the objects in nature tends to heighten our
reverence for the whole system ; and while we admit that our herba-
ceous flora is much too little cared for, we believe there is no fear of
neglect with respect to Arborescent Natives — they stand up in defence
of their claims, and cannot be overlooked. In order however to
bring the matter fairly before the public, there must be something
more than writing ; the comparative value of the several applicants for
favor must be clearly shown, and to this end we would say to the
enterprising citizens of this flourishing portion of the Union, give us
a Botanic Garden — set apart a few acres of the abundant territory of
America and dedicate it, free from the encroachments of speculation,
to the service of the beautiful in nature. Give the peaceable inhab-
itant of the city who wishes to indulge in a little intellectual recre-
ation, a park to walk in, where he can read nature out ot her own
book. 'Tis true we have squares, but we g^-t fatigued in them. Eve-
ry tree, nay every spot of ground in Franklin and Washington
Squares, and even Logan and Rittenhouse, has been marked and
traversed time after time. The squirrels which sport amongst the
branches of their trees are quite domesticated by our frequent visits,
and we can see no flowers here. The trees are growing so tall that
we only become familiar with their trunks and we can scarcely sat-
isfy ourselves whether or not that tall specimen is Frnxinus acumina-
ta^ for its leaves if they are acuminated, are out of our reach. Give
us even a small l5otanic Garden for a bcgiiming. Let it be at Bush
Hill, Green Hill, Laurel Hill, or Lemon Hill: the last mentioned
place is not the least appropriate, in fact it is the very locality for
such an acquisition to the beauty of the city. With Fairmount, Gi-
rard College, and Laurel Hill all in its vicinity, how different would
the Falls of Schuylkill appear viewed from the terrace surrounding a
grand conservatory on a fete day, situated on the sloping ground of
Lemon Hill, with a band of music to charm the invigorated specta-
tors. We do not fear but that the refined taste of the citizens will yet
have an impulse imparted to it, in such a direction. Then, our cor-
respondent ''PhilarvensiSy^^ will be gratified by seeing Podophyllum
pehatum labelled and growing where it may be recognized and ad-
mired as a real native ; and Gymnocladus and the Pavias alongside
Paulownia, Laburnum, and the CEsculus.
■♦^
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection.
When we commenced the publication of a horticultural journal we
did not intend to confine our operations to the business of receiving
I communications, arranging and replying to them. We proposed to
Vo ourselves to note the actual progress of horticulture by visiting those
(J establishments where the science is promoted and encouraged, thereby ^^
i
y
220 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov'r
U3 becoming conversant with the position of horticulture in America, [^)
q and not depending on the communications of correspondents alone for ^
our information. With this view many gardens and country seats \
were visited, and most of the nurseries and public gardens in the vi-
cinity of Philadelphia and New York. Many of these did not appear
to us worthy of especial notice ; and with regard to the nurserins, we
do not believe it to be our cflice to speak, either in praise or dispar-
agement. We would have been much disposed to lay before our rea-
ders the details of our visits to many of them, and to recount the plant
novelties that we observed, but to do so would perhaps be to lay our-
selves open to the charge of promoting the private interests of certain
dealers, so far as that could be done in such a journal as the "Florist,"
by recording our opinion of the merits of certain plants found only
in certain establishments. We shall, Ave hope, preserve the journal
from such insinuations. We discontinued our notes for the last three
months. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as most of our
readers are aware, appointed a committee of inspection of gardens,
after the motion having been carefully discussed at two stated meet-
ings; we declined serving on that commiltee, as we were doubtful of
the result of its appointment ; but we did not wi.sh our notes to clash
with its proceedings. The committee's report w-as made returnable
at the stated meeting in November, and as that time is not far distant
we presume its labors are completed — we shall therefore now resume
our notes.
We visited the country seat of C. H. Fisher, Esq., in the neighbor-
hood of this city, one of the most extensive of the rural residences of
the merchants of Philadelphia. The situation and surroundino- seen-
ery are of themselves well calculated to attract the attention and ad-
miration of the visitor. No matter from what point the chateau is
approached the richness of the Ian Iscape is apparent, while the com-
manding aspect of the mansion itself renders it a conspicuous object.
Surrounded by woody valleys on all sides, the family residence is
quite removed from the public thoroughfare, and situated as it is on
the breast of a hill a view is afforded miles in extent. Nor is thjs es-
tablishment entirely isolated, several fine residences are scattered
around in its vicinity — that of the Hon. J. K. Kane is situated on a
neighboring eminence, vieing with it in the grandeur of its forest trees
and well chosen site. In the valley on either side is also to be found
a neat mansion with its garden and conservatory, the latter appearing
conspicuous by its glass sashes through the trees so profusely scatter-
ed around. Although quite a newly arranged place, that of Mr. Fisher
rapidly progresses towards perfection. Besides the care and taste dis
>3 played in the decoration of the lawns and shrubberies, the gardener,
)Wm. Hammill, does not neglect the greenhouse and vinery. The
: ^^ of J. C. Green, Esq., Staten Island, where Mr. Chorlton is gardener. '^
This vinery has been planted with choice vinps, which are yet young \
and have not yet borne a crop ; but from the achievements of Mr. |
Hammill in other branches of his business, we have no doubt but he
will produce a respectable return from these vines. A neat and com-
pact forcing pit has just been constructed, as well as a fine pit for cau-
liflowers in the same range. When time is afforded, we hope to rank
this place as one of tlie fust in the United States in exotic horticul-
ture ; but such rt'sults are not attained by rea.sonable expenditure, it
must be carried on with spirit and determination.
■.♦■
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The 10th Stated Meeting of the year was held on the 19th inst., in
the Lecture Koom of the Chinese Museum, the Hall being occupied by
the Exhibition of the Franlvlin Institute. As neither the President
nor any of the Vice IVsidents were present. Dr. Brinckle, who is
seldom absent, being m attendance at the State Fair of the Pennsylvania
Agricultural Society, Lancaster, Caleb Cope, Esq., late President, was
called upon to preside. The display would have be-en extensive but
that the schedule was litiated to a few objects. Several persons
brought specimens of Esculents but did not deposite them. A. Fel-
ton, Jr., however, persisted in doing so, and we do not believe they
were in the way, and they certainly improved the appearance of the
platform, as they were quite re.spectable specimens.
Thomas Meehan deposited several well-grown specimens of the
Lilliputian or Pompone Chrysanthemums in profuse bloom, which
proved how great and desirable an acquisition these are to the Fall
flowers, as we were rather short, at this season, until these came into
cultivation. The large sorts were not sufficiently compact in habit,
or in the character of their flowers; these sorts are attainable now in
this country, for on referring to our advertising sheet, numerous col-
lections will be found advertised by several dealers. A fine plant
newly introduced was also exhibited from the same collection, called
Crowea Intifolia— its shining green foliage and dnlicately rose-
colored flowers, impart to it a pleasing appearance. The specimen
was well bloomed— it is a greenhouse jdaiit, with the appearance of
an Enostemon; an older species C. saligna, is more familiar to our
readers, it is the next family to Eriostemon in the Natural Order to
which they belong— Kutacea^ or Rue tribe. The pretty Texan or
Mexican plant, Microsprrmn [Eucnidn) bartonioides was exhibited
by K. Kilvington— is will be found described at page 196 of the
present number— we hope it will not share the same fate as the
lavorite Dodecatheon, of which our calendar writer relates an anecdote
at page 149 ; yet this too, is not less a weed than the other— so
IS the Victoria when found growing in the River Amazon in abun-
dance. Microsperma however is a pretty weed and one which we
hope will become familiar in the annual border. A Bouquet for the
Centre Table was exhibited by Thomas Meehan, also a basket of
Cut Flowers— in it we observed a beautiful spike of Hedychium
macrant/ium along with other novelties, ihe centre bouquet was'
:^9v_.
^^^K^m
[Nov'r.
222 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
(e-v adorned with the leaves of the curious Aristolochia or Birthwort, a r»
'^'o species allied to the Dutchmans pipe, (Aristolochia Sipho.) This c^
/ individual was said to he ^?. Bra.si/ie/isis., and it flowered at F.
Lennigs this season in the open air, but supposed to he ^^. hijperboren.
Its dusky colored bird-shaped flowers are more curious than beautiful;
it is like a freak of nature in the V^etjetablc Kingdom. The basket of
Indigenous flowers contained specimcjis of our Autumnal Flora —
such as Gentiana sapoiuiria^ with Irirge blue flowers; the curious
Epiphegui or Beech drojos, foimd growing hv the trunks of beech
trees, a plant without perfect leaves, being furnished with a few
scales along the stem, and one which might be consid«'red by some
without much beauty; also specimens of the S/n'titfithos, (Neottia)
or Lady's tresses, a little terrestrial Orchid, found in abundance in
several pastures in the vicinity of the city. It is hoped the Native
Botanists will pluck up courage to compete a little more than they
do. Pears, Apples, Plums and (J rapes were exhibited. A premium
was awarded to C. Cope's gardener, tor 12 specimens of the Duchess
D' Angouleme Pear; specimens of Passe colmar, Napoleon and Ex-
cellentissima were also exhibited by the same, as well as Keine
Claude Bavay Plum, grown under glass. iMrs. Smith's gaidener ex-
hibited a variety of Pears, and a special premium of ^\ was awarded
him for specimens of the Beurre d' Aremherg. T. P. James, Rec'd
Secretary, exhibited Pears and IMums, and a *2d prize was awarded him
for specimens of the Mouille Bouche Pear. To N. \V^ Roe, Woodbury,
the first was awarded for 12 specimens of the Golden Pip})in Apple.
A special premium was awarded to H. W. S. Cleveland tor Black
Hamburg and Muscat Grapes. Benjamin Gulliss exhibited fine
Quinces. Pears were exhibited by jMr. Kryder — Apples b}' Mr.
Snyder — Butter Pears by A. Parker — by S. Dick, Isabella Grapes —
by B. V. French, Mass., Diana (irapes, flavor somewhat foxy — by J.
Watt, Rochester, St. Lawrence Apples, to which the 2d premium
was awarded —and Tomatoes by .1. Anspach.
A |)ortion of the minutes having been read, new members were
elected and others nominated.
Caleb Cope from the chair stated, that having lately presented
some fruit to a friend and relative, he took occasion therewith to en-
force the claims of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and in
reply he received a check for $50 dollars, which he begged leave to
hand over to the Society. He could not help remarking, that as far
as he could ascertain by a careful review of the minutes, that this
was the first money donation that had b:'en made to the Society
since its foundation. The donations received amounted to a few re-
relinquished premiums and some books for the library. 'Tis true this
donation was trifling in amount, but it was at least a begiiming, and
he hoped the example would be imitated. He was surprised, and it
was a reproach to the wealthy community in which the society was
situated, that while the wealthy persons of the neighborhood enjoyed
its privileges, and were benefitted by its labors, no acknowledgment
was made by them of its usefulness — they attended its meetings while
alive, but left nothing behind them for its support and extension. —
That while other similar societies were encouraged by donations of
i money and legacies, that of Massachussetts for instance, having re-
A^ ceived rising {1520,000 besides a promise by will of a space of
Aground of which to form an experimental Garden, this society ^v
(i^ should be neglected and sufl'ered to struggle on Irom year to year. J^
m?9h~^.-- -. .^^tF^^'M
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
223
(
(e-)He hoped that this was a beginning of a better state of thinn-s, and ^
J3 that it would be imitated by others — he hoped the fact that this was q^
the first actual donation of money to the society, would be noticed
in the proceedings and ti.inutes, both public and private.
The donation was handed over to the Treasurer, and' a vote of
thanks unanimously awarded to the donor, Thomas P. Cope, Esq.
The thanks of the Society are also due to the unceasing vigilance of
the Chairman for his attention to all opportunities where the interests
of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society can be served, of which
he carefully avails himself — to his exertions the success and exist-
ance in fact of the Society is mainly owing.
On motion the Meeting adjourned to the 16th November.
Lancaster State Fair.
We visited the State Fair at Lancaster where so many farmers and
others were congregated, some to display their productions and some
to examine them. We hoped to see an'^extensive exhibition of Hor-
ticultural productions, as the German population are proverbial for
cottage gardening, and this is their head quarters ; we were disap-
pointed ; but for the display of evergreens from P. Morris & Co.,
West Chester, the Floral Hall would have looked rather empty.
Some fine fruits were deposited; and H. A. Dreer, of Philadelphia,
exhibited a stand of Roses, and a collection of Cranberry plants and
fruit, which attracted much attention. A large specimen of the Screw
Pine was observed from JMr. Vondersmith, also a plant of the Musa^
or Banana. There were some fine specimens of Esculents deposited
but not an extensive assortment.
Some beautiful fabrics of bed quilts were displayed and a variety of
manufactured articles. Peter A. Browne, Esq., had a small "lent
filled with specimens of wool— for observations in this department
Mr. Browne is celebrated. The exhibition of horses and black
Cattle was extensive. Hogs and sheep were also numerous. The
decision of the Judges at the Philadel[3hia County Exhibition wa»
here reversed in the matter of the Hull, Rockland, the property of
James'Gowan, Esq., Alt. Airy, and thatof Chas. Kelly, Esq., of Dela-
ware county. Mr. Kelly's animal obtained the first premium at
the Philadelphia Co. Exhibition on the 31st of October, and Mr,
Gowen*s, the fir>t at Lancaster, on the 20th of October. We re-
commend this lact to the notice of those curious in such matters. —
We would suggest to the Committee of Arrangement, that Reporters
should be adnulted free of charge, as is always the case at similar ex-
hibitions— this privilege was refused us however, in this case.
We have only space to publish the list of premiums, as far as
Philadelphia contributors are concerned: —
Awards— Ca///e 2 year6 and upwards. Gen. G. Cadwalader $15
for best herd of Cattle.
Dvrhams — James Gowen, Mt. Airy for his Bull, Rockland, 1st
premium $15. Charles Kelley, Kelleyville, Delaware Co., for his
Bull, 2d premium .$10. Samuel Cooper, !f^7 for 2d best Cow.
Alderneys — H. Twaddel $12 for best Bull, no competition — $8
for 2d best, $10 for best Cow, 87 for 2d best, $8 for Heifer.
Durhums under two years old — James Gowen for short horned
Bull, Leopard $8. R. Cartwright for 2d best $5. James Gowen
<^ for Durham Heifer, Dairy Maid, $6. Gen. Cadwalader for Heifer'
lt^^9V.
^^x^Qsm
224
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
_ [Nov'r
^Calf, Blossom, 1st pipmium Jf^G— do for Bull Calf, Bravo, 4 months W^
y $3— do Heifer Calf, Tl)yr;i, I months Jj^'J. Alderney Heifer, 2 years,
y 1st premium to H. Twaddell ^J6.— do do 1 year Jt5l— do do 4 months
' $4. Alderney Bull under two years, 1st j)re'mium to A. Clement $8.
Ayrshire Heifer Call, Ked Lady, under one year to Gen. Cadwalader
$4. The Judges notice from Gen. Cadwalader, 30 head of Cattle.
James Gowen for pair of full bred Devon Oxen, 2d ])remium.
Sheep—A. Clement, 2d best Buck $-1. Gen. Cadwalader, best
Ewe $6. A. Clement, 2d best S. Down Buck $4. Gen, Cadwala-
der, 2d best lot -f 4.
Swine — J. Wilkinson, for best Boar oTer two years SG— do do under
1 year $4— do best Sow over two years for '^Old Pink" $G — do best
Sow over 6 months, and under 1 year $6.
Horses — J. Clark, best Stallion' for saddle ^15.
Povkry—R. Cartwright, $2 best Cage. \{. Fraley, .$1, 2d best
pair Dorking fowls. J. McGowen $2, 2d best pure Shanghais.—
R. Purvis $1, 2d best— do best pair Cochin China. James Gillespie
$1, 2d best do, also a special ])remium of $8. A. Clements, special
premium .f 5. Wm. Leonard tor Shanghais $2. R. Fraley for 2d
best for Wh. Shanghais -iJG. Dr. McClintock ^\ 2d best do. R. Purvis
$2 for Cochin China. VV m. Leonard S2 for Sebright bantams, do $2
for Japan Fowls. R. Fraley .$2 for pair Grey Chittagongs.
Fruit — J. B. Baxter }ii>2 for Gra})es.
Agl. Implements— ^^\eTy & Co. .$8 for left hand Cutter Double H.
Plough, No. 40. Prouty & Barrett for Rod and Cutter 2 H. No. 55,
5, 2d premium— do 1st premium for 1 Horse Plow 5 — do for double
Michigan PI. 1st premium 5. Savery & Co., for Side Hill, PI. No.
3, 2. Prouty & Barrett, for extra Cultivator, 1st premium 4, C. B.
Rogers deposited several tine Ploughs and other farm Implements, which
being entered late, only a 2d ])remium could be awarded of 3.
Prouty & Barrett for best Ox Yoke 2— do for Corn Shelter 4, and
for another sort .5. Savery & Co. for Vegetable Cutter, a Diploma.
Jas. Aldrick for Hay, Straw and Corn Cutter, a Diploma. Savery
& Co. for Thermometer Churn 4. Prouty &, Barrett were awarded "a
Diploma — do for largest lot of Implements 20. Savery & Co., for
next largest lot 10. N. Longworth, Cincinnati, for Domestic Wine 3.
Ploughing Match— VxouXy & Barrett 1st premium for No. 55
Plough.
Mechanic ^rts—R. Jackson, 2 for Zeyphr Work. Savery & Co.,
a Diploma for Enamelled Ware. BouldVn Sc Price, 5 for Composite
and other Candles. Lacy & Philips, for a sett of Harness G. G. W.
Wagner, 5 for Buggy Waggon. Peter A. Brown's collection of
Wool was noticed with satisfaction by the Committee.
We have endeavoured to give a correct list of the successful com-
petitors from Philadelphia county, and we are sorry our space does
not permit us to give a complete list. Journals in other states can do
as much for theirs, and then all will be pleased.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The Report of the Maryland Horticultural Society, has we are
sorry to say, been excluded. It will be published next month.
We hope our subscribers see the advantage of pre-payino' the i
Postage at their respective otiices, as it is a mere trifle. /
Errata. — At page 199 for pariiW, read practical, and for quality ^9\
read quantity. ^
f^.
THE
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited aad Pubhshed by R. liOmXSON SCOTT, No. 63 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock fetroots, up stairs.
V^)L. I.]
Philadelphia, Deci-mbeu, 1852.
[No. 8.
Progress of Arferican Horticulture — Glazing.
There is a great dilFerenne between the objects aimed at in Agricul-
ture and Horticulture. The former seeks to raise the largest quantity
of produce at the smallest possible cost— the latter aims at gratification
and pleasure, aside from the cost. The boast of the agriculturist is,
that he raised so many bushels per acre, whilst the cost amounted to
only so much. The pride of the horticulturist is, that he possesses
the rarest flowers, the choicest fruits, the most superb vegetables; that
his grounds are unique, his arrangements pleasing, his trees magnifi-
cent, his whole garden a source of unparalelled pleasure. Yet the
cost has something to do with horticulture — a given sum will only
purchase a certain amount of pleasure, and the cheaper we can make
horticulture, the greater and more extensive can the gardening opera-
tions become. This is a grave question for gardeners. They are in-
terested in every thing that lends to lessen the cost of gardening ope-
rations to their employers. We all often inquire whether gardenino-
ever will be carried on to the extent in this country that it is in Encr-
land; and when we look at the vast fortunes of the English nobility
the hereditary pride in their gardens handed down by their ancestors
bound fast by the ties of the law of primogeniture, we deem it impos-
sible that the accumulations of one man's life can ever give American
gardening so high a pedestal in the temple of fame. Yet there is one
avenue left open for us, one course by which we may possibly contrast
favorably with them — in producing the same results we can aim at re-
ducing the cost. We are far behind in machinery connected with our
\^ profession. Agriculture should make us blush. The strong compe-
0) tilion in it has brought machinery to a j)oint seemingly approachiu"- ; >
f ** P^'f^'^'ction. What has Horlicultuiv done — leaving out the hydraulic v^\
^35^3^
29
— eo^y^
226 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
'6D^
[Dec'r.
?^ ram, hot water apparatus and tank system 1 — Very little. We must
awaken ; we have slept too long — the sun of agriculture has long been
risen ; we must haste to make up with it. If our employers have \
$3000 a-year to spend in gardening, and we can invent machinery or
suggest ideas by which we can get as ^much done, and as well, for
$2,000, we have $1,000 saved to increase the beauty of the estab-
lishment, employ an extra hand, and add to the glory and honour of
American gardening. Thus, and thus only can we expect to compete
with British Horticulturists — America is pre-eminently the country for
ideas and machinery. Let Horticulture not be forgotten in its appli-
cation.
Following out these ideas we would call attention to the use of putty
in glazing. It is a source of continual annoyance, dripy and expense,
while it can be entirely dispensed with. Every one accustomed to hot
houses especially, is aware of the constant re-puttying they require. —
It can be dispensed with in the following fanner : Let the glass be
cut to fit the sash, but not too tightly, or it will break by the expansion
of the wood ; then the rabets being first painted with rather thick painty
lay in the glass as in common glazing, then paint them in ; when dry
give it another coat, if you like. We have recently seen some glazing
on this system, and it "canH be beat." The "putty never peels off," of
course the glass is as firm as possible, and there is not the least begin-
ning of a leak. Where the sashes are very steep, the squares might
be tacked in by small triangular tacks, such as is used for tacking in
squares in greenhouse doors ; but from the firmness of the specimens
we recently examined, we believe this will be found to be unnecessary.
Not only is this system, (which we shall call the American system,)
cheaper in the end, than the putty system, but also in the first cost. If
the present mode be properly performed, the rabets should be painted
before the placing in of the glass, and after they have been puttied,
they are again painted. The ''American" system asks no more. *
AGRICX7LTUHAL EDUCATION.
In a country like this, where Agriculture is the occupation of so
large a proportion of the inhabitants — where so much of the produce is
exported for the sustenance of the people of other countries more dense-
ly populated — where the soil is still, comparatively speaking, unex-
hausted, or still remaining undisturbed by the plough; and the resources
for the extension of remunerative agriculture inexhaustible — it must
be a matter of surprise to many that as yet nothing has been done to-
wards establishing a system of Agricultural education. No National
or State machinery yet set in motion to accomplish so desirable an ob-
J jectas the education on sound principles of the rising generation of(
;^i>b^.
--cfOS^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
227
cultivators upon whose exertions depends the supply of food for mil-
lions of the human family, not only within the bounds of our own ter-
ritory, but even in foreign countries. Satisfied no doubt with the pro-
gress already made in the art, the necessity for educating the farmer
is questioned; it is a matter of doubt with some, whether special pro-
vision should be made for his instruction in the principles on which
the success of his operations depend. Will not the soil yield its pro-
duce without any scientific knowledge being applied by the operator^
It has done so heretofore— why will it not continue so to do 1 Such
a deduction is by no means clear or correct. Were the natural laws,
which must be observed before success can attend the exertions of the
farmer, so clear and apparent that even the most superficially educated
peasant might read and understand without effort or study, then it
might be considered as a matter of indifference whether or not any
means were provided for putting the information required within the
reach of those concerned. On the contrary, when it is a well known
fact that the principles on which successful cultivation is based are by
no means perspicuous or obvious, then those whose duty it is to watch
over the vital though less clamorous interests of the commonwealth,
should take care that the means of obtaining a knowledge of the more
important and fundamental laws of matter in relation to the tillage of
the soil, be placed within the reach of every citizen desirous to obtain
it, from youth to age.
Few citizens of this Republic can be found unable to read and
write. Trained under its efficient school system the majority of them
have had the benefit of a useful elementary course of education; most,
if not all of our farmers can read ; but how few have by reading been
made acquainted with the component parts of soils, with the compo-
sition and decomposition of the bodies used by them in their daily
operations — with the different agents, active and passive, brought into
combination to produce what appears a simple result, the absence of
any one of which would affect materially the success of the operation.
Yet such acquaintance with a few principles as would render these
farm operations intelligible and reasonable to themselves and satisfac-
tory to others, might be easily imparted, and would, we are certain,
improve the social and moral position of this most important section
of our fellow laborers. It may be argued that farmers are opposed to
any attempt to spread information amongst them, affecting their an-
cient methods of tillage j that they are more disposed to follow out
erroneous systems because well established, than to adopt novel me-
thods recommended to them by experimentalists, that the advices of-
fered them by means of agricultural journals is rejected and sneered at.
We cannot blame the farmer when he refuses to follow out a new
practise which he cannot clearly comprehend ; isolated statements
*a9^> ^P^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
""^C3
[Dec'r
^ cannot satisfy him that he will be as successful with a plan the reason ^
of which he does not clearly understand. The groundwork on which ^
it is based has not been fairly represented, and his mind is not satisfied ^|
on the matter. In the question of thorough draining, for example,
the benefits of which are extolled by many agricultural writers, but
the scientific principles on which these depend are not set forth so as
to afford convincing evidence ; and the farmer who deplores the parch-
ed state of his land during the summer season, cannot understand why
draining away the surplus water could benefit it. Yet such is the fact;
thorough draining, by rendering the soil pervious to air and the peri
odical rains, preserves the texture of the soil and prevents that incrus-
tation consequent on the rapid evaporation by the sun's rays, which is
so common on land which is wet below. Agricultural journals can
never afl^'ord that knowledge of first principles which is so necessary ;
the information generally contained in them is of a casual nature,
easily lost sight of, even if attended to. What we want is a well di-
gested system of rural tactics, placed in the hands of those designed to
live by the plough — a system based upon strictly scientific principles,
adapted to practice and to the peculiarities of each section of this vast
agricultural field, and to each class of agriculturists in that field ; that
system to be illustrated by actual practice in model farms, in several
localities in each State of the Union. With such an organization no-
thing need be feared respecting the capabilities of American agricul-
ture ; the soil is ready for the intelligent operator, but intelligence is
requisite to preserve its proper condition.
We hope to see a system of Agricultural training set on foot,which
after teaching the young farmer the composition of soils, will take
him into the field and show him the existence and characteristic of
each component part ; which while it explains the changes and modi-
fications of the geological structure of the earth, will point out in
nature the results of these changes. While it teaches him the com-
position and action of the different gases affecting vegetation, will
make him familiar with their physical characters, not only explain-
ing but proving the changes they undergo and effect in soils, and
manures. Then at length the farmer would begin to value his posi-
tion, which is by no means an unimportant one ; and his importance
as a citizen would be acknowledged at other times, as well as on
"election day," when as B. P. Johnston tritely expressed it, "he was
a very important man."
There has been much talk about Agriculture lately in connection
with legislation. In fact it is believed that Congress will legislate
in behalf of the Agricultural interest by a Bureau or something
else in that way. We are even now waiting for the action of the
<^ United States Agricultural Society lately organized j we hope it will
^ -.^^^^^
mo^y^^^-
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
229
(^5 prove an efficient exponent of Agricultural wants. But after alljt)
more is to be expected from one efficient Model Farm well conducted ^^"
in any state, than such general organizations. The establishment of
such has been urged and recommended time after time by our states-
men who have witnessed their salutary effects in other countries. We
believe after all the move must be made either by some state or
county society and we hope that of Pennsylvania or Philadelphia
county will set the example.
We shall not now detail the plan which might be proposed for the
establishment of model farms or agricultural training schools. Such
an establishment has been in operation for some time in this county,
but being a private establishment it cannot be said to meet the de-
mands of the state, although no doubt a very useful institution. We
hope, however, to see the benefits which it was intended to afford in-
creased in the coming year, and it will then serve to point to what
might be realised by a more extensive organization.
Retrospective Criticism.
Foreign Horticuhurnl EstabHshments.—The botanic gardens of G.
Britain, whether royal, belonging to societies, or supported by sub-
scription of townsmen, are what we hope to see in many places in this
country. We have so extensive a flora, and American plants are so
much desired in Europe, that very profitable exchanges could be made
with any of those foreign establishments. It seems to us that the longer
the pui chase of ground fortius purpose is put off, the more difficult will
be its acquisition, as the bricks will soon cover all the ground between
the rivers here, and prices are rapidly advancing in all the suburbs.
With respect to gardeners who have " been at Kew," in the earlier
years of our horticultural experience we often doubted whether there
were more than two places in the United Kingdom,^as all the garden-
ers we saw had either come from Kew, or the Duke of Buccleucrh's.
Grape Culture.^The culture of foreign grapes under glass is a mat-
ter very interesting to the amateur and the market grower. To one>
for the importance of having so fair a dessert fruit'always attainable—
to the other, on account of the very good prices realisable for his pro-
ductions. A good system of growing them is followed by many of
our gardeners, and those who wish to follow in their footsteps have
only to read and practise. Subscribing to the "Florist" will furnish
the first requirement, which is also the most important in ouropinion.
European Horticulture.— Your readers are very much indebted to
Mr. Buist for his observations. We have a better idea of flower shows
and gardens from his too short letters than we have gotten from Eng-
•^ lish and Continental papers in several years. His continuance of the S
^^^^^^ — ^ ^c?cS
230
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
f
[Dec'r,
(^subject will be a favor. One thing in the arrangement of exhibitions :
f Each competitor arranges his own productions. If that could be ac-
complished at our annual exhibition, it would give, we think, much
more satisfaction. We know it would be difficult, as some collections
outshine others so much; still many would like to see it tried.
J^ew introductions. — We have seen a figure of Capanea grandijlora
which you mention as having seen in a collection ; its flower is quite
twice the size of a large Gloxinia, and if a free bloomer, will be a
great acquisition. If you attempt to correct the spelling of the names
which plants generally receive, it will keep you rather busy than other-
wise. But it would be gratifying to see more attention paid to the
matter. With regard to the gender of the adjective or specific name,
most gardeners consider all names of plants feminine, and in nine cases
out of ten you will read Clerodendron japonica and Cereus grandi-
flora.
We hope to see a handsome figure of the Amherstia in the "Florist"
one of these days, as well as of the Victoria. Very many persons who
live at a distance would be delighted with a good figure of eilher of
these, which otherwise they may never have a proper idea of,
Microsperma bartonioides is a beautiful plant, and we hope to see
it on sale next year, so that we may beautify our borders with it.
Window Gardening. — The suggestion of Cyclamens and Oxalis for
window culture is the best we have seen ; the former, especially, con-
tinues long in bloom, and is very attractive.
Hurrah! for the Jfatives. — We hope you will receive many com-
munications on the same subject. Your friends in the country have
an excellent opportunity of noting the pretty plants in bloom, and
with a very little trouble they can furnish you with notes of those
growing in their localities, which by interchange, will also help the
formation of those beds which your correspondent mentions.
Floriculture, — It does not seem to us that much competition takes
place here in some florists flowers. Camellias, Roses, and Dahlias re-
ceive their share of attention, but very few Pansies are shown, (we
think only three sets this year;) Carnations are shown to some extent,
but we rarely see either Polyanthus or Auriculas — we recollect but
one specimen of the latter shown this season. The influence of flow-
ers in humanizing is like that of any other beautiful pursuit — the in-
tellectual drives out or subdues the animal, rendering men better and
happier.
Calendar of Operations. — The pruning of fruit trees cannot be too
well attended to j we have seen gardeners go to work like a little boy
with a new knife, cutting away in all directions; and we have often
3il?9b^
^tfOS'M
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
231
felt sorry that they could not be taught better in the same way, viz : ^^
by cutting their fingers. W e have always thought figs in this climate
/ perfectly hardy. We have known them attain 12 ii. of height in ex-
* posed situations in city gardens.
Indigenous Trees.— M is with these as with our shrubs and herbace-
ous plants— they are not valued in their own country. There are
many fine old places, however, in this neighborhood, where our forest
friends have full s^xay, being either left when the place was cleared,
or transplanted near the house many years ago. We were brought
up under the shade of an avenue of the Liriodendron tulipifera, mingl-
ed with Castanea. The city government could certainly not do a
wiser thing than to give the occupancy of Lemon Hill to the Penn-
sylvania Horticultural Society for a Botanic garden.
Penn'a. Hort. Society.— As the Society has a good reason (the oc-
cupation of the large hall by the Franklin Institute) for not admitting
plants and vegetables for the October meeting, the rule excluding con-
tributions should be enforced. It would be so in England, as many
other rules are which are overlooked Jiere, such as awarding premiums
before the exhibition is opened, disqualifying fruit and plants for not
being ripe, or in proper quantities. It is gratifying that donations to
the Society have commenced ; we hope that the rich ladies and gen-
tlemen of this city will follow Mr. Cope's excellent example.
NATIVE ORCHTOS.
We extract from a late number of the Gardener's Chronicle some
remarks by the editor, (Dr. Lindley) on a subject which we know to
be interesting to many of our readers.
*' A discussion has found its way into our columns, concerning the
possibility of growing hardy terrestrial Orchids as ornamental plants.
Opinion is divided as to this, one side insisting upon their being per-
fectly cultivable, and well suited for bedding out or forcing ; the other
maintaining first, that they are not cultivable, in the horticultural sense
of the term, or if they are cultivable, they are not worth the trouble
they occasion.
In this as in many other disputed matters, both sides are right; but
there is more right on one side than the other. Some are certainly
not worth cultivating, except in botanical gardens. Others are per-
haps not cultivable at all, such as Neottia nidus avis, some kinds of
Epipactis and other fibrous rooted species. But to say that the tuber-
ous kinds of Orchis and allied genera, Platanthera, Ophrys, Serapias,
and the like are either uncultivable or difl[icult to cultivate, or un-
worthy of cultivation, is to evince a singular acquaintance with
^ notorious facts. Orchis mascula, latifolia, maculata, &,c, are frequent-
232 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
m^l)P^
[Dec'r
/ — - « - '
^ly cultivated with perfect success for years together; and with good r^
^ management they become far handsomer than in their wild state. "^
^
\
It is, however, a circumstance to be noted, that they all thrive best \
if sheltered. Treated as frame or greenhouse plants, they acquire a i
vigour and brillifcncy of color which they are not unusually thought
to possess. Although natives of our own country in many cases, and
in others inhabiting climates where the winter is rigor9Us, yet they
evidently like warmth by day, and to be guarded from a very low
temperature at night. 0. mascula and Morio managed as greenhouse
plants, well fed and skilfully put to rest when the time of annual
torpor arrives, and then taken care of^ become objects of such striking
beauty as even to be thought new species by persons not critically
acquainted with them. It is indeed probable that the magnificent
Orchis foUosa of Madeira, at one time a most beautiful decoration of
greenhouses, but eventually the victim of negligence, is nothing more
than a noble form of our own 0. latifolia^ invigorated by a long
residence in that temperate island, i^ossibly the explanation of the
circumstance now alluded to is to be found in the natural habits
among grass, or in woods, where they are guarded from night's cold
by the surrounding herbage or the overhanging foliage.
The cause of failure in the cultivation of these plants is, we believe,
attributable to nothing whatever except a neglect of shelter when
they are in leaf, and to ill treatment when going to rest, provided al-
ways they were originally in good health when brought under domes-
tication, which is nineteen times in twenty not the case. For what
does a person do when he sets about growing wild Orchids, except go
into the neighboring lields with a trowel when the plants are in flower,
take them up with " a good ball," pop them into a basket, where their
tender leaves are crushed and ruined for life, and then transfer them
with little skill or care, to a flower-pot or a flower border 1 Under
such conditions the consider is, not that they unusually languish and
die, but that they ever live.
The following shows the manner of growth of tuberous Orchids,
and explains the cause of the failure which so so often attends their
introduction into gardens.
When a tuberous Orchis has completed its growth, and is prepared
to undergo its annual rest, it consists of a somewhat horny oblong
body or tuber, which we will call B, with a minute bud at one end,
and probably the remains of an old tuber, A, adhering to it. The
tuber B is firm, plump, and filled with grams of starch imbedded in
mucilage analogous to gum tragacanth, among which is dispersed a
small quantity of a fragrant or strong smelling matter similar to the
CS^ principle which gives its peculiarity to Vanilla. Thus organized,
(^thus prepared, it remains in the ground during the autumn, hardening C»N
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
.^3.>
^^y^
233
under the influence of the high earth temperature of the hottest months ^
of the year, and no doubt undergoing at the same time, certain other ^
constitutional changes, of whose exact nature nothing is known, but
which result in what gardeners call ripeness. Then succeed the wet
and cold of winter, which the Orchis tuber is now provided with the
means of resisting. Spring follows and earth temperature rises; the
new growth commences and leaves unfold. At this time A disap-
pears if it had not rotted off' before; it had already been dead matter
from the first completion of the growth of B for the food of which it
previously served.
With the renewal of growth the following changes take place ; B
having thrown up a new stem, also produces from its neck certain
fibres, c c, which spread around it in the earth in a circle, and more
or less horizontally. It also produces a new tuber from one side of
its neck, which tuber may be called D. This D gradually organizes
itself as B did, sucking out of B the food therein contained, exactly as
B sucked its food out of A. It does not appear that after the first B
has any influence upon the growth of the plant, food for the leaves
being provided by c c, and returned by the leaves to D. All this
is going on during the growth of the new tuber D, the vegetation of
the leaves, the display of the blossoms, and the ripening of the seed-
vessels, if any are produced. In the midst of these important opera-
tions the plant collector takes the Orchid and puts it in his garden.
The flowering time is preferred because the plant is most easily found
at that period. All the horizontal roots, cc, are necessarily cut through
or mutilated, for they spread far around the central stem; the leaves
are crushed when in full activity, and when all they can do is impera-
tively demanded by the young tuber D ; and from the shock thus
communicated to the constitution, the young plant never recovers. D
is half-formed, is afterwards starved, and ends in being a shrivelled
impotent body, incapable of carr3'ing on its race, or only capable of
producing an emaciated offspring.
But if the new plants were not taken up till D was fully ripe, how
diff'erent would be the result. The fibres c c, would then be dead
and useless; the leaves wouhl have completed their important duties,
and all the organization of which D is susceptible would have been
secured. In that stale D would give birth to a new plant with all the
constitutional vigour proper to the species. That tins is so, is proved
by the facility with which imported Orchis roots, collected bv experi-
enced and sagacious persons, always grow, and by the vio-our of their
first offspring.
Those who know terrestrial Orchids only by the species commonlv i
wild in England, form a very inadcqu.itf notion of what they really /.
(i^are in the south. Orchis undulatilblia, militaris, fusca, papilionacea,
a
234 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.-
[Dec'r.
longibracteala, longicornu, an J sambucina, Ophrys tenthredinifera J^
and lutea, with Serapias cordifolia, would form a cluster of a bright ^
colors and beautiful forms, such as it wouhl be difficult to eclipse even \
among the Epiphytes of the tropics. As to any outcry about the
impossibility of growing them, we can only say that it will be chiefly
raised by the same class of gardeners as that which maintained the
uncultivableness of Epiphytes in any way, and of Roses in pots, and
and of plants in geneial in slate boxes.
THE GLOXINIA.
All the varieties of this interesting genus are easily cultivated.
What they require is a moist, warm temperature during their growing
season and when in flower ; most of them remain long in perfection
if guarded from damp. Gloxinias, especially, deserve the attention
of those who require a supply of gay and vaiiously colored flowers
throughout the year, as with proper accommodation it is easy to have
them in blossom during nine months out of the twelve.
Their propagation is exceedingly simple. The pots should be till-
ed half their depth with potsherds or charcoal, the other half with
light, sandy peat, covered lightly with silver sand. This arrangement
will answer for either of the ordinary modes of incresk&ing this
plant. Leaves cut through the main ribs, laid upon the surface of
the sand, and kept in contact therewith by means of a few small
pebbles, will form small tubers in the course ot a month or six week*,
if kept properly moistened and placed in a sharp bottom heat of from
80" to 85°. Cut'ings formed of the leaf stalk, having part of the
leaf attached, with or without a bud at the base will also forn> tu-
bers in the course of a few weeks ; and cuttings of the stems taken
off when they have become moderately firm, root freely and foim
useful flowering plan;s the second season. The cuttings should be
potted singly in small pots as soon as they are rooted and have com-
menced growing ; but if late in the season before they are ready to
be separated, it will be better to let them remain over winter in the
cutting pot. If potted keep them in a warm, moist situation, and
encourage active growth. When the energies of the plants seem
exhausted, gradually discontinue water, and allow them a season o(
rest in a dry temperature of about 50*^.
At any time in spring, where a heat of 60° with a close, moist at-
mosphere is at command, turn the young plants carefully out of the
soil in which they have been wintered, and repot them in small pots;
water sparingly until growth has commenced, and then keep the soil
V properly moistened, and maintain a humid atmosphere by a free use
^ of the syringe. Attend to shifting as this may be necessary to af-
M^ ford space for the roots; one moderately large shift will be suflicient,
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIAFLORIST. 235
U^and this should not be delayed until the roots have become rotted, as(^
^ in that case the plants would probably receive a check, and it is diffi-
I cult to get them into free growth a second time. When the flowers
begin to appear give air more freely but not rashly, and gradually
harden them for being placed while in flower in a temperature of
about 55° or 60°, where they will remain long in beauty. As the
flowers are impatient of damp, avoid watering overhead, and take
care not to have a stagnant atmosphere at night. When the flower-
ing is oyer gradually withhold water, and let the plants go quietly to
rest. The bulbs should have attained considerable size by the end
of the second season, and will form handsome specimens the follow-
ing year. If a succession of blooming plants is desired this will
easily be secured, with a good stock, by starting a few, at intervals of
six or eight weeks, from January to August. Care must be taken,
however, to expose them as freely as possible to light, otherwise those'
grown early in the spring and late in the autumn will form but poor
attenuated specimens.
A soil composed of two parts rich, fibry peat, one part leaf soil,
and one part light, turfy, sandy loam, freely mixed with sharp silver
sand, will suit the Gloxinia perfectly. If the loam is not of the
character described, it had better not be used, as a strong te-
nacious loam is not suitable for such tender rooted plants, its place
may be supplied by an extra proportion of leaf soil, and a small
quantity of thoroughly decomposed cow-dung. In potting, be care-
ful to have the pots properly drained, and cover the draining male-
rials with a thin stratum of rough pieces of peat.
BARTRAM AND TEMPLETON.
Mars had, and still has his votaries, the fame of whose exploits is
noised abroad in every land and in all ages, claiming a large portion
of the attention of readers, and affbrdin^r much matter for silent re-
flection to the philantropist who cannot see in war that panacea for
human ills which many would represent it to afford. We have a few
words to say of another class of toilers in the great field of humanity
— those who, secluded from the gaze of the idle and oflicious, free
from pomp or hope of empty praise, labor arduously to learn the plan
of the great system of nature. The two individuals whose names are
at the head of this article, are known to scientific men generally, as
two of those children of nature, who are allured to a study of her
works by their own grandeur and beauty; and who surmount all ob-
stacles, overcome all trivial difficulties and annoyances in the com-
pletion of their purpose How vast are the achievements of many of
these self-taught naturalists ! Frequently struggling with embarrassed ^
r^jj means, they lose sight of their straitened circumstances and sink ^
5«^v^ . . _^,:'3-^
236 THE PHIL ADELPIIIA FLORIST.
[Dec'r
(^ their considerations of personal comfort in the oll-absorbin. ^mt of"^
V he nteilects. Such a man was John Barlram, whose name adds ^
/ u re the scientific character of Philadelphia. Such a man was ,
' Join Templeton, who, in a similar position in a ^^f -^ ^P^^^ ^.^
action achieved similar results in Botanical science ; both have passed
away from the scene of their operations-but they are not forgotten,
Timers m-^^^ changes in the history of countries, even a cen-
tury;odLssuch%s\o command the atten,^ the ant.quanan
We have only to .o back a century, and we find on the banks of the
Schuylkill/near Gray's Ferry, the plain and hospitable John Bartram
ntresting himself 'in the offspring of his neighbormg woods and
Sets, collectmg with care and preserving -th attention th^^^^^^^
nute mosses, as well as the more showy llowermg plants .o abundant
in the woo s of Pennsylvania, and the various spec.es of trees nd
hrubs which compose the arborescence of this rich section of country.
To find a man in such a sphere of life as John Bartram occupied e-
votin. so much of his time to such pursuits, must have been a matter
oSpise to his more practical ^ and it was only when
chance cast in his way some f.Uow-student, who, .n the same pursuit
of natural history, had been led into his domains, that lus achieve-
ments were at all likely to be acknowledged or appreciated. Science
however, was in a comparatively advanced state m the mother coun-
try, and here Bartram found a mart for all his botamcal novelties,
and ardent friends in the promotion of his favorite science, for at this
period the botanical world could number a few great luminaries. Bar-
Lm's researches and discoveries were appreciated by suc^i men as
CoUinson, Sloane, Gronovius and others ; and the -P-- b-g-phy
lately published, compiled by Dr. Darlington ol West Chester, has
Placed his remarkable achievements in botanical discovery fully on
record. In forming a judgment of the value of such men, ^« "^^ J""
form ourselves of the state of knowledge at the time in which they
labored. With regard to Bartram, we may say he was alone on this
continent, the most indefatigable collector of indigenous plan s; but
he was not content with their mere discovery-he knew thai the pub-
Ucationtu the scientific world of the riches of Americas woods and
r^arshes was the great end to be accomplished. And how precisely
he seta about describing his interesting novelties-the attempts at their
identification and comi,arison are striking and original. We need not
detail the gradual course of correspondence which was carried on by
Bartram and British botanists of note. By his promptness and atten-
tion to the wishes of his patrons, he became celebrated in Britain as a
% collector of American plants, and was respected by the most eminent
-)men in science. His claims on those in his own immediate circle ^)
1852 ] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
237
(^were of no light character; he acted towards those connected withf.
him in the molt kind and affectionate manner, rendering him dear to ^
the entire circle of his fric^ids; iiis profound reverence for the Deity
has never been questioned. How could itl— his whole existence was
one entire worship of the God of nature. Bartram has left his name
behind him, and as long as Philadelphia holds its position as a great
and enlightened city, where science is cherished and knowledge va-
lued for its own sake, so long will John Bartram's memory live, and
he be ranked amongst the early benefactors of American letters.
'Tis true, a change has come over the scene of his operations ; we
can no longer wander along the avenues where Bartram trod, or point
to the plants his reverential hand tended and caressed. The improv-
ing hand of the architect has piled up a massive palace, which has
cast into the shade the humble residence of the late John Bartram—
"built with his own hands,"— and the landscape gardener, urged by
improved taste, has cut out new sweeps, laid down new lawns, rooted
up old trees, and planted new ones. Yet transformed as is "Bartram's
Garden," the spirit of the man still lingers about the spot. The noisy
locomotive hurries past, also an innovation ; and in another century
few would know how humble was the residence of the Philadelphia
Naturalist.
Bartram flourished in the early part of the last century. Of his co-
temporary Templeton, who lived until the beginning of the present
century, we have yet to offer a few remarks. Of a disposition much
akin to Bartram's, he, like his American brother, was almost alone in
his day, as far as botanical science was concerned ; or, as we heard a
iriend express it, '* Temph'ton lived before his time." There was no
one to share the gratification he experienced, none to appreciate his
discoveries. He published no work to perpetuate his memory— the
fruits of his arduous labors lay on his own shelves in his own hand
writing, and in his extensive Herbarium— both which have been since
made available in all Botanical works touching the flora of his native
country, Ireland. No compiler of British botanical works but must
acknowledge himself under heavy obligations to the manuscripts and
specimens ol the late John Templeton, and in the arrangement and
determination of the flora of Great Britain and Ireland. Unique spe-
cimens have been found in his collection which cast light on many
obscure points in classification. His manuscripts and herbarium have
been freely devoted to the use of authors requiring to consult them.
But like Bartram, his garden was quite characteristic of him— there in
wild luxuriance was to be found the rarest botanical gems— the plants
of North America were there in a state closely approaching that of
/
^ their native habitat, the gorgeous Rhododendron shaded the more ^f
S minute denizens of western climes; and by the margin of the brook Q)
-^C*^
238 THE PHILADELPHIA^ORISTV
[Dec'r.
If
^n^ight be discovered (hose plants suited to such a local.ty. Tt.e- was^^
5 here none of that formality which characterises the garden of the mo- ^
y dern amateur. Templeton, like Bartram, has passed away ; the old
' house, we suppose, still stands, and before it the o d tree where
William of Hanover tied up his horse, when he made the conquest of
unhappy Ireland; and although the Botanist has long ceased to attend
to the cherished favorites which were so profusely scattered about the
.rounds of Cranmore, (great tree), and though other less cunning
hands turn over the precious leaves of his herbaria, yet he too is re-
membered as a child of nature. Amongst the late evidences of the
riches of his collection of dried plant., we might mention that m
18*7 one of the young men employed at Kew, when on an herbor.s-
ing excursion along the Thames, near London, found a speces of
fresh water Alga., quite new to him, but very beautiful. He procured
a quantity, and on his return submitted it to Sir W. Hooker lor deter-
mination; it was decided to be Uore,, ramosnssima, found described
in Templeton's manuscripts, with a dried specimen in his herbarium.
At first sight the collect-or thought he had made a rich discovery, but
the venerable Templeton had anticipated him more than fifty years
Bartram's name descends to posterity, associated with a genus of
beautiful mosses-iJar^ramw, fit subject to perpetuate the lame of a
modest laborer in the field of nature. Templeton's name is attached
to a genus of Leguminous plants not very commonly cultivated in thi0
Kqute occasional caterings in acUii.ion to '^e above ^nt and ^
■S thev o,.-ht never to be allowed to get entirely drj . The th.rd class ^
'liU at tils require an abundance of water and good dra.nage, and
r h m re liJ than any of the others. They have the.r season of
rehire Whs, when thJy should he Uept -ler ^d a..ost dry^
They mostly prefer a mixture of sharp, sandy 1-=^' J''"' "J" t,
ihnlechantemi^'ht he written on this division. The fourth class
Uketh ot£-e their season of r^ when they require less wa-
er drie^t^osphere, and more sunlight; but they ought not by
aJ; mel-ever o be qu.te dry. or they are not easily recoveed.
They are aL gross feeders, and don't like to be stinted in either
po' LI, or wat^er when growing, On the whole ore id. do no re-
ceive so much fresh air generally as they ought. This should to be
:::uedo„lybythetopsash,ai.f.a.^^^^^^^^^^^
''rCntr^rr;:;hn:^h!;:irrmuch mature will esc^^^
TnTealsioofa^^ materially to aSect the hygrometric con-
. . of Te ho..se and thus do more harm than the fresh air would
a:::! li r; be gWe.. ^.s .henever the e..terna. temperature
" tly'rming, the water ought not to be suiTered to fall on the flow-
i U Thev frequently rot off before they expand from th s
cause, ^«P^<='^ "y * „any other valuable and beautiful genera m cul-
^"T' M h I hav^ not included in the above divisions, because 1
"";! the opportunity of cultivating them myself. I cannot
Sr; C onlde thl brief sketch than by giving a list of
sot good kinds of the easiest growth, for the use o. beginners .n
^t :^:!^n growing them well, t..y wiU be better prepared
for managing the more difficult and fastidious ones.
Phajus TankervilltP,
Calaiithe veiatrifolia,
J^obralia xMacrantha,
Oncidium sphacellatum,
u luridum,
u flexuohuni,
Cattleya Skinneril,
4t labiatn,
u Mossia*,
it granulosa,
Fernandezia elogans,
Brassia Lanceana,
Stanhopeagrandiflora,
u maculata,
44 Wardii,
Gongora atropurpurea,
" maculata,
Dendrobium nobile,
»k chrysostoma,
*t chrysanthenia,
Eulophia Mackaii,
Maxillaria picta,
».' aromatica,
Hipmaria {Goodyera,) discolor.
Cypripedium insigne.
i
h No definite nil. can be given for the temperature of a„ orchid G^
1S52.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 241
f
(^ house, any of them when growing like a high temperature. It is r«
^ generally kept too high in winter. Unlike most plants, they delight ^
more in shade when growing, and like the full light better when
their growth is nearly mature. 1 generally keep my orchids about
60" in winter, to about 90^ or 100^ in summer.
Thomas Meehan.
Foreign Horticultural Establishments.
To convey an idea of the extent of the nursery establishments to
be found in the vicinity of London, and other metropolitan towns of
Britain, would be a dillicult matter, except to those who have visited
some of our largest American nurseries. I think it not out of place,
however, to make a passing allusion to some of them, in order to in-
form our readers whence are obtained some of the novelties we hear
so much talk of at horticuluiral exhibitions, and about which there is
so much written in the pages of the "Florist." Nursery establish-
ments, like all other trading concerns, are subject to changes from pro-
sperity to adversity ; from the possession of one pe;»on they pass to
that of another, and some of those once celebrated now stand only as
second or third rate ; and many have quite fallen behind the time. —
Loddiges' was once celebrated as the great receptacle of new and rare
plants. Orchids, Heaths, Palms and Camellias; and the extent of glass
in this establishment astonished the visitor. We once spent a day
here in company with Dr. J. E. Planchon, and were much gratified by
a minute inspection of the riches of the collection of Conrad Loddiges
& Sons of Hackney, London. The houses all communicate with
each other, and form a quadrangle, so that the visitor once entered,
does not pass into the open air till he has inspected the entire collec-
tion. The specimens of Palms were trigantic and numerous, and were
growing in almost wild luxuriance. But what a multitude of Orchids
from all parts of the Tropics, amounting to almost 20,000, plants sup-
posed by the owners to be distinct, and numbering IBoO in their
printed catalogue. We met but one individual in the entire ranges
of glass, and that individual was the indefatigable Loddiges himself,
working amongst his favorites. We requested a catalogue, and one
was handed us of forty pages and gilt edge ; and what treasures are
enumerated in that catalogue! — treasures which the enthusiasticown-
er often refused to part with, even if a reasonable price were offered ;
but the auctioneer, we believe, has h .d his hammer hanging over the
valuable plants found alone in this gie .t d.-posi'ory ; and we do not
make a mistake when we state thut even Philadelphia can boast of
\ possessing her portion of them.
9^ But following up the Hackney road. We arrive at another grt-at ^ '
6U Horticultural Emporium. The Nursery uf liu-h Low iic Son is siluii-^)
/
^^^^
.^C?^'^
I
31
I
Q42 THE pniLADELPniAJFLOIUST.
[Deo'b.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
243
^^
^-C.
oGC
|?ed h.e. AS Mr. Low is well known to the t.^e ^^^^^^^
^respected as an enterprising nurse.-yn.an, we need -^J f ^ ;J \
eJracterorhis establishment; vv^^^^^^^^^^
fir 'i: tiw^ ;i Si: • ^i' .e :l ^l conservato.es
n sV ini^y ha^e been enriched fron. his collections, and no doubt
h td h lelf notinn, the worse for dealing wHh PhUadelp .a iner-
ants. The Amherstia was one of the latest novelt.es -Pojed^ '
hi... He has imported many rare plants from «-"- -J^ ^^J^^^
joining region, as his .on was connected wUh t e Kajah ^^^^^J^
sincrular exploits amongst the Sarawaks created some no.se a f.w ) . ars
Jo It ws by this means that the famous Gulta Pe.cha was .ntro^
dCed a livinl plant was obtained wUh much diihculty , and nam d
bvSir Wm UoLrlsonandraGuaa, Orchids are imported by Mr.
Jew nlaTgequantUies, and frequently sold by -tion .mmed.tely
after their LJortation. We may rank Mr. Low^s as amongst the fiut
^^ T^k^rino^iher route through U.e great metropolis, we are led to
P Je A de Place, the establishment of Henderson ..Son whe. t er
.rP to be seen very tine specimens of new and rare plants. The place
TZ : eTnsilJas som^ others of i.s class, but many t^ne plants a.e
spread throughout the country by this enterpr.s.ng firm. ^J^ ^^^
land plants, :uch as Acacias, Boronias, Eriostemons, ^roweas P.me
as L., are more particularly attended to, and Heaths are cultivated
w th luc^ess. Orcldds also att.act a share of attention. In connec
tion with this nursery was once a flourishing mutua -F-^-;;^'
ciety where gardeners met to debate the ddferent doubtful po.nts m
eir profession, and to impart to each other the experience gained in
Uie various op;rations of horf.c^.ure. Mr. Appleby, foreman
Henderson's, took a prominent part in the proceedings, and tha es
Moore now curator of the Botanic Garden at Sydney, also enhghten-
ed the'greenhorns as they came up to London to the nu. series from
he Duke of Buccleu,h's, and other places far north and west, to be
cockneyised. And thus has the science of Horticulture been elevated,
and we hope it w.U yet be elevated to a higher point -f;-;'^!---
But we have yet more examples to furnish of the spu ,t which Lon-
don infused in the *' chiels o' the Bothy. " Wc have to go to Lhel-
sea, where old Joey Knight has done so much to improve the profes-
sion The establishment of the Messrs. Knight& Perry, King s Road,
Cheisea, is also an extensive one, and we believe few employers have "
done so much to improve the moral standing of the profession. The
V reputation of this firm proves that there is some merit in attempting to
CV, rescue the gai'dener from habits of slothfulness and ignorance and
(t teaching him a better system of life, and a plan of action whereby he
m 19V^ _^crO.
1852]
femay appreciate the beauty of the objects amongst which he labors — f»
:-' But we must first state that this is a first class nursery, and has been ^^
the means of producing many valuable plants. The well diffused
Plumbago Larpent« emanated fiom this place, as many, we believe,
as -2000 plants having been propagated, worth .$10 each— such is plant
business in the great Metropolis. Attached to this establishment,
which consists almost exclusively of conservatory and stove plants, is
a lecture room and library, with chemical apparatus, &c., for the use
of those employed in the garden ; and interesting debates are carried
on on all subjects of horticultural interest. Mr, Knight endeavors to
improve his men while attached to his establishment, and no doubt his
exertions are appreciated. Many splendid specimens of rare and val-
uable plants are to be found in the collection, and no one should visit
the horticultural establishments of this neighborhood without looking
in at the King's Road Nursery, Chelsea. In the immediate vicinity is
the garden of the United Gnrdeners' Society, where the Victoria
bloomed in the open air, and the Stenocarpus Cunnmghamii outran
the old Kew specimen. Alas, poor Kew ! how thy gardeners are
doomed to be outstripped in the honorable race of merit and skill in
cultivation. But we will close our second chapter on foreign horti-
cultural establishments; for we hear the noise that the first chapter has
made already gathering about our ears— for there is a gun from Alba-
ny, where the working gardener hailed from in the spring; nothing
less than a side shot at the great "Hercules" himself—
To the Editor of the Florist. ^
Ai^ANY, Nov. 19, 1852.
Dear Sir:
In reading your article on Foreign Horticultural establishments,
I have been struck with your remark about the great reformer, the
Hercules of the age, &c. This Hercules, as he is modestly styled,
has certainly done something that Hercules, the son of Alcmene and
Jupiter never did. He killed the Hydra of Lerna, suffocated in his
arms the giant Anteus, and other things— our modern Hercules has
neither killed or suffocated anybody that I know, but in his Ti'an
labors he may boast himselt to have severely wounded the tongue of
Homer, with his Myanths, Spiranths, &c. Yes, Spiranlh— do you not
hear at once how this name anglicised from the Greek Spiranthes, is
much more inttlligible, much more easy to keep in mind] Certainly
it is more easy. Spiranthes, Spir-anthes, that is horribly difficult;
while Spiranth ! do you not hear how harmonious and plain it sounds
in Englishl Perhaps you will say that everybody has his own taste,
that some persons, for instance may prefer to call and write Maxil-
laria stapeloides simply, while some others may prefer the English
name "Jawplant," "carrion flo,ver." "Degustibus non disputandum.'*
i?^v ^ — ^ ^^^^^^
244 THE PHILADELPinA^LqRIST\
(^However, I would rather, and rr^any besides me would, that instead
of the Herculean labor of anglicising Greek names, when every day,
the English as well as other tongues must be Hellenized, if I niny
say so, for want of proper expression, he would try to kill the Hydra
of misery, which has more heads than the serpent of Lerna or to
suffocate that other Anteus of ignorance and superstition which de-
crrades and brutifies so many millions of men. Your remark struck
me so much the more as I had an idea, that this great promoter of
useless reform-who, with J. J. Ko.sseau, thinks that a man can be
a great botanist without knowing the name of one plant! strange
aberration ! that this man would not perhaps write a word to eradi-
cate the vices which consume society, nor give a farthing to alleviate
the misery from whence the same vices are derived. If »^^ J« ^"^'^ ^
philanthropist as to reform the Greek names of plants for the benefit
of .ardeners and the illiterate, for I suppose he does not anglicise
these names for scientific men, for the learned, for Decandolle, De
Jussieu, Asa Gray, Torrey, Blume, Brogniart, De Vriese,F.scher &c ;
for these men without being Hercules, know as much about Alpha
andOme-aashe does: but although he is a philanthropist, and 1
am only 'a proletarian, and would be no doubt an outcast, to the gen-
tleman who lately christened the Saxe^Gotha, and Fitz-Roya, (by
the way, how will he anglicise thos^ namesl) I will tell h.m how he
would be a useful reformer ; but perhaps you do not allow men of my
stamp to give advice through your columns, so I will keep my advice
until it is called for.
1 think with vou that the magazines should not be filled with ti-
rades against British and other gardeners, when these gardeners
shall have tried to make their deeds agree with their talk; when their
words will be consistent with their actions, when they shall have
shown to the American Horticultural public, not that they have done
this or that at home,but have done it here, in the Uoitecl States, in
the grand Republic of America, the home of all of us.
Gardeners will be respected as other persons, when they stiallliaTe
made themselves respectable; when most of them have ceased to con-
pider themselves as mere lacqueys; when they will have the sentiment
of their own dignity ; when they will command the respect of their
employers, not by the idle talk of having been the gardener of such
a one, but by their doings and good behavior ; when they will have
instructed themselves in th/ir art, for I call gardening an art— an art
which is viUified by a large majority of those who practise it. If gar-
deners are not better considered in most cases it is their own fault :
What do most of them care fori High wages and little to do. Let
the employer be satisfied or not ; as long as he pays, that is enough :
and do they think such principles deserve consideration— I do not.
I
1852.] THE PHH^ADELPHIA FLORIST^
j.p
245
U
.^^'
-§
V'
't^ One piece of advice [ would give Dr. Lindley, that is to lecturer^
them (the gardeners) on the subject of paying a little more attention ^
to their education, and of spending a little more of their savings in ^
procuring themselves means of instruction, and less in buying that
"for poison to green tlies, if to nothing else.**
I see that your reflections, about the tirades against gardeners have
been suggested by the recollection of an article in the June Horti
culturist of this year, which article I do not myself entirely approve.
I did not like that sort of personality to one nation, the Irish — for if
ignorance and vanity can be personified under the name of "Paddy,"
or "Paddies," I am sorry to say, that in my opinion there are Paddies
in all countries of the world — there are Paddies on the banks of the
Thames, of the Clyde, of the Seine, and of the Rhine, as well a* on
those of the Liffy. "La sottise humaine" inhabits all quarters of the
globe.
[ think with you that you do not look too far into the future, when
you believe that a new state of things in Hoiticulture is approaching.
Only stimulate — stimulate, and encourage communications like that
of "Philarvensis,"* and Brougham, on the Penna. Horticultural
Society; and above all, do not forget that "the Light springs from the
Shock."
Anthophilus.
• Qui fait aimer les champs, fait aimer la Vertu. — De Lillk.
Exeter, England, July 12th, 1852.
[COKTiaVED.]
This place is famous for two of the most spirited nursery establish-
ments in England, and we were going to say more famous for being
the place from which the cj-I 'brafed, and ever to be celebrated
Devoniensis Rose emanated. It is about eight years since we imported
two plants of this favorite tea rose, at a guinea each, and strange to say,
by the mere force of competition, it was sold in Philadelphia within
six months after importation for 25 cts. Its merits became known, it
took the ascendant, and has till now maintained its position. —
Roses, fancy trees and rare plants are the great staple of the Exeter
nurseries. I saw within an enclosure of about two acres, more new
and rare plants than there is to be found in any other spot of Europe j
plants of irresistible beauty. Purchase! You must purchase — I did.
We here saw a large bed of the California Pagoda plant. No doubt
Mr. Editor many of your readers have had seeds sent from their Cali-
fornia friends, under that attractive name, i received and cherished
with care such a parcel, and intended to turn them some day into the
root of all evil; but behold! what was my surprise to see it here in
quantity just to be let out to the public for the first time, under the
[jjk name of CoUinsia monticolor, a very beautiful annual.
M39v_- -^^?^m
246
THE pniLADFJ^HIAJLORIST^
(^ ifthU .i.d and rich cU.a.e, very .any of the f.ne l^al^J^^^-^
^ K h .nrh as Fuchsia, Ceanothus, Clhnlhns, Fab.ann, M.trar.a, -(
rUon:r.: la o;t ana «ower .i.h the greatest .n^iacenc.
We could not pass without noting a plant about * '^ ' J'''''';^
Mitraria, covering a wall, ana loaded with .ts large ■nfl*"^'^ J^^"^'
flowers/really magnificent; and Cose by it was a ^ J^ ^ush o
Escallo^ia macrantha, a fine shrub with very sh.n.ng ^f^^'l'j^
„,etrical habit and profusely covered wUh its rosy '^^ ^ ^ ;™- ,',
noted at once, "if it proves hardy in l^''''^''l''i''^'V7''' i I'a
as the insurance brokers have it. I could not but ch.de he .nert
; ceptions of -nany o. our shrub planters .ho ao not pure ase (a
I fact they will no, be persuaded to do it) the very .nterest.ng fam ly
of Berberis; they are all lovely, and the "-^'^ -■*^. ".\'';;";^;;.
at allfmes. Berberis fascicularis, illicifolia and Darw.nu a e .nd.s
pensible low evergreens, covered in early spring w.th a Vf-^^onof.
lllow flowers, succeeded by a load of bright purple fru>t. The
Lucarias and Deodar Cedar grow in wild — riance an for. very
beautiful objects amongst the dwarfer evergreens, wh.ch -J =^' P "^-^
in such demand, and will continue to be. How spnng hke w.l .t be
to see our surburban residences clothed in perpetual verdure; .t ^lU
le a life and expression of cheerfulness to our cheerless tame and
forlorn looking country seats. A country residence w.thout ever-
gree appears" to me L a half clothed man, with .he thermometer
Tzero- <^ive the same situation a liberal supply of the evergreen
le, a^/you at once make it appear as if prepared for the s.orn.
Our attention was also arrested by several new fru.ts The Ka.s ha
Apricotand the magnum bonum Raspberry -•''^'^f^lJ^
The kernel of the former is as palatable as a sweet almond, and the
latter has all the qualifes its name implies-a very rare "" '°
new things. 1 have no doubt but some of your choice Philadelphia
"mat urs may fruit both of these next season, when we hope to have
"r pinion on their merits. In small fruits and large fruits, m
Ust and garden ornament, we are in Philadelphia, behind the age
„ decoratWe painting, furniture, carpets, mirrors, equipage and dre.
we are up to the mark; but they are mere visionary objects, soon ge
Tut of fashion, out of favour, are readily soiled, and require constantly
o be renewed. With good fruits, fine trees and gorgeous evergreens
they grow every year finer, we become more attached ,o them and
he r fruits yearly increase ; if they are more than our household de-
m nd, our friends are near us, or the market is at hand. We opine
It in the county of Philadelphia, there will be more fruit tree,
planted within 12 months Irom this date than there have been in any
V L preceding years of her history. The pinaster and Black Au.tr an
£ Spruce are much used in belting and shelter; they are very prominent ^
I
I
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
IT^ objects in the landscape; the former tapering, and the latter dark and|-,l
(V dense; both of rapid growth, and much neglected in our ornamental"^
1852.]
(
work. It is true that large trees cannot be obtained of them in the \
United States, but they are both of rapid growth, and in good pre-
pared soil will, when well established, grow from 2 to 5 feet every
season ; so that a tree of 2 feet higli wht^n planted, will be 15 or 20
feet high in ten years, or 40 feet hil, be rende.'ed nt for green
c op cultivation, from the light sands of Norfolk and the sandy so.l
of New Jersey, to the clays of Pennsylvania and the *— - f ^^
of the coast of Guinea ; we read one and the same lesson, viz. that by
judiciously cultivating green crops, we create a power capable of
lelioratLg the physical imperfections of the soil. The culture of
green crop, enables us to maintain more cattle, ot a purer breed and
,0 keep them in the best condition. Green crops are not so exhaust-
ing as grain. The turnip possesses large leaves wh.ch as organs of
nurishment takes a good deal of food from the a,r, and consequently
less from the soil-whereas a grain crop, wheat for mstance, pos-
esses a narrow system of leaves, is allowed to ripen .ts seed, which
latter is sent to market, and sold, making little if any return. In fact
in selling crops we but sell so much of the fertility of our farm. Now
the turnip being a biennial plant, is generally consumed before its seeds
are matured, hence, it is not so exhausting as a crop of wheat. Again,
manure can be dircal;, applied in almost any quantities to green crops
Without injury-not so to a grain crop, lor such an app ication would
encourage the growth of the straw, at ,he expense of the grain.-
Turnips and carrots 5cc, yield from five to seven times the actual
quantity of food that corn crops do; and since stock follows subsist-
ence it is plain, that a cop which will produce five times more food
ban another, w;uld feed five ti.i.es as many cattle. And if the farmer's
: be o raise the largest crops, at the smallest cost, in the shortes
1 and at the least expense, is it not his interest as well as his duty
'o fix his attention to those systems of culture, '^f -" ^l"
large returns, unattended with undue exhaustion of the landj The
, 'rowth of turnips, carrots, po.atos, &c, allows the soil to be freed I
k.Lm weeds, hence, such crops are appropriately terme cUans.ngJ,
^crops i as also re.able preliminary to the
cultivation of all exotics, and the grape more especially d.lights in
warmth at the roots, a condition it cannot enjoy without a proper
outlet for superfluous water. In gravelly, or sandy sub-soils perhaps,
no artificial preparation is requisite, although even in these cases 6 or
8 inches of drainage will be of advantacre. In retentive clayey sub-
I soils, the bottom of the border should have sulhcieut slope to carry
\ the water freelv off into a drain embracing the whole extent to be oc-
9? cupied by the roots, a depth of 12 or 14 inches of drainage shouhi^^
(^be laid on the bottom ; this may consist oi brickbats, oyster shells, v^|
^3^^^^ ^QS^m
H
■f
4
FDec'r
*- - — - ^ ->
250 THEjW.^DELPmAJXOMST\
2j bones, charcoal, ston«, anything that will allow -■^^^^^^^^'^^d
V^It cannot be made wo drv-in reuhiy clnun.ng does not *y Ik so a^ c^^
=^All soils have their ro.peclive absoilnng P".-l'^-' ''^ ^'"' 3, '^'^ \
have absorbed as much water as they can .'e-a.", >!'- '.f «■'" P""^^ '
away by the drains, otherwise staf;nate and cool the soU.
Next in order follows the material for 1'"' ™°'\'" '^^[.^'t'^'.e U,e
without nmch comn.ent upo,. the practice of others, « f " " f'"/.^^^^
method we practise. Premising, however, that ^^^ '^^^ /"j'^t
throu-'h" the -reater part of the various receipts r.-commmded uu
'rthse last'' 0 yea's, such as, .lead horses, do.s, di-solved bone
laughter house oiill, guano mixtures, poi.drett.., -» '-"'^ ' " '^^f!
of barn yard manure. Our advice to beginners ""■" ^° ;' .^;„ „
Mark oir the breadth you intend the border '" '■^;'f'- ' .^^^ ";"
limit in this respect, we are content with VI or U "' ' >'' ' X„ „
as much wider 'as you please. Now commence "t "■"■> ' ^^^^J 7",
out a trench 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep if he sub-soi S »ve or
sand If clavev, di" down 5 inches (urther and hi up tte space
withdr nage^n^ terials. Throw the next 4 feet trench into he
o, en space, rejecting all the bad soil you meet, '^ving dow sulhci t
drainage in the bottom of each trench; if necessary, «« F^ "' /'^f
soil falling among the drainage throw a sprinkling °.f ^1^ ' htter of
any description overit, a rough sod with the grassy ^ ''^ /i°;\" '^ l^'-
win the'whole length of the border has been t';^''''--'','" "^„
ner, fill it up to the desired level with turly sod, chopped up coa ely
and mixed with a fourth part of charcoal ^^ -ok.n h<^^.J^^^-^
it over again in the opposite ,°"^
two feet border will be burned up in summer/ A 'gross feede. so
a cabba-e when planted on a dunghill. We protest against thi.
g/,Lo„ou; character so frequently 1<,'-'''-' "S-n^/. 'h- ge-rerou ex
otic now-a-days; after many years' observation of Us habits we be
Ueve tLt it enjoys more robust health and gets through its yearly b-
Ws more satisLtorily to itself, and profitably to its owner when kef
on rather "spare diet. Even allowing it to be a gross ff-^e'. there 'S
no reason f,r indulging it in such an unnatural propensity o Us i^an-
?f°st inkiry. l>erhaps°we are behind the age, but we prefer se ing
al? ruii tLs in rather poor soil, so that it is h.^althv and ^ee from
excess of water. It is an easy matter to apply stimulants when the
plams stand most in need of it, viz : when ripening the fruit.
We cannot suppose for a mom.nt that any one who has t"'' spider "pretty tight." The mealy bog S)
M is readily killed by hvdio-sulphale of lime ; this is made by putling c^
)
\b IS readily kiliea dv nvuiu-Mi:|Muiir ui i....^ , —• ■ ^ . . " u
y sulphur and unslacked lime togethv-r, mixins: with .vater, and stirrmg. \
I For use, a tea-cupiul may be put to (our gallons of water, to syrino;e
over the plants. Scale are killed readily by strong soapsuds, or a weak
solution of whale oil soap. Thrip and aphides by the w-ell known
application ot tobacco smoke. Hyacinths that are desired to flower
eaily, and have been plui.cred out ot doors, when browght in should
be placed for some days in the coolest and darkest part ot the house,
and receive very little water. All these things to be mcreased gra-
dually, to avoid injurious checks. ^
In the Greenhouse, attend to what has been said in this journal on
ventilation; it is one of the most important subjects connected with
plant growing, and ought to be thoroughly understood. VV hen plants
are not growing and it is desirable to rest them, they require no air;
if the temperature rise higher than is desirable, open the top sashes or
ventilators; as the heated air escapes the cold air will find its way in
somehow to take its plact». Bh verv^ cautious about opening side ren-
tilators; the sudden rush of air bv them often gives the plants a check
from which they seldom soon recover; if the air admitted is not even
near the de^rree of cold the plant will bear, a sudden change is injuri-
ous. A house suddenly lowered in its temi)erature but six or eight
decrrees, will receive more injury than a gradual fluctuation of twenty
or'thirty. Many a house of yJUow, sickly-looking, stunted plants,
supposed to have been brought to that condition by bad drainage and
over-watering, owe their - wo^s, and wrongs, and ills," to sudden
checks caused by injudicious adKli»^k.n of draughts through side ven-
tilators.
Flower Garden.— "ShichhRs hem said on tlie protection of half-hardy
trees from the frost. In many cases all that is necessary is to shade
them from the sun; frost itself is not so injurious to Tegetable structures
as is the sun suddenly thawing it. The true reason of this is not right-
ly understood :— the latest idea is, that the sup on being expanded by
the frost is forced into the air chambers, when the sun by its warmth,
expands the air and forces it in the cells— thus, when the whoie is
thawed, causing dilierent agents in processes to change places^ pro-
ducing disruption of tissue and engendering decay. This will show
the utility of even very slight protection to favorite tender things.
The Vegetable Garden has still some attractions. Seakale is a tine
dish when blanched ; where leaves are abundant to cover them wrth,
it is "clever." In England they have "seakale pots"— here we can
nail old boards together lor -pots'" to place over them, about eighteen
inches deep; place these over the crowns of the roots, and put a
loose piece of board over the top of the box, then cover all with
the leaves; it will be ready for use in about two month.-?. Spinach
and Lettuce may be protected by sprinkliug light litter sparingly
over them. Parsley ought to have a small frame over it it desired
in winter, or a fevir roots carefully taken up, planted in boxes, and
placed in a cool greehouse.
Ice House. Where there is a gardener kept this is under his super-
\ intendence. In giving directions for this department, we cannot do ^
/b, better than explair> the princijiles on which the preservation of ice o^
[^ depends. The main thing of course is, to keep the temperature of^
M^9^^> ^ -c?CiV^
1852.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
253
5^
#i
r?^the house below freezing point. To do this we have to take measures^
N^ to exclude the external air, and secondly to prevent the natural warmth
f of the ground from affecting it. To this end the bottom and sides
I should be hollow, so that there may be a stratum of air enclosed be-
tween two faces, these communicating with a ventilator at the top,
whereby any heat wliich may arise, can escape. Where it is desirable
to keep ice a very long time, or without much waste, the hollow sides
might be made double ; this would prevent entrance of heat, either by
radiation or conduction. In collecting, the largest and thickest lumps
should be chosen, as they will be fewer air cavities in the whole mass
when the house is tilled. Shavings is the best material to cover the
whole when finished, being less liable to decay than straw, so giving
out less heat by decomposition. Ice wells are of the last age. Houses
above ground can be made to keep ice longer than the very best
wells, besides being cheaper, more easily managed, and less trouble-
some in keeping in order. T. J.
€\}i /lorint aiib l^Jortimltural HournaL
Philadelphia, December, 1852.
But a few years ago, and American horticultural literature was un-
known. What had we even ten years ago that was worthy the name
of a horticultural magazine — what encouragement had the horticul-
turist to devote his time and attention to the instructing of his coun-
trymen in the beautiful art. A few years have rolled by and the as-
pect is quite changed — now the fear seems to be that the serial litera-
ture of gardening is about to be overdone. The *' Horticulturist,"
under the able conduct of the late A. J. Downing, appeared to have
established itself as the authority on these matters. Hovey's Maga-
zine, from the experience of its conductor, has attained a respectable
character. The W^estern Horticultural Review claims a share of con-
sideration as the exponent of the principles carried out in the western
portion of the Union. Amongst the vineyards and strawberry planta.
tions of Longworth, it has at least a fair opportunity of elevating it-
self under the editorship of Dr. W^arder. The Ohio Cultivator de-
mands attention, but its sphere is more agricultural than horticultural;
it is, however, one of the most reliable of its class. Then we have the
"Soil of the South," and Southern Cultivator, professing to watclk
over the more immediate interests of southern cultivation, so different
in all its details and operations from that carried out in the northern
states. All these have their chosen and separate spheres of action.
They do not as yet encroach upon or clash with each other — we be-
l lieve there is room for many more. We have yet in the north the
I Farmer and Arlizan, of Portland, Me., and in the west, the Farmer I
(\j and Dairyman, all good and useful in their way. The agriculturists h
i'^ of New York have the Albany Cultivator, the Rural New Yorker, theG\
'ik^SJ^ ^x5Qsk
i
ii
1
i
i
1
!
254 THE PHlLADErJ^IlIAJFLORIST^
[Dec'r.
-'Genessee Farmer, .ml many others which we have no acq.mmtance ^j
?with directly. And the Workins Farmer, not least in the list, must (3
^ not be overlooked. We are glad to k„ow all these, and to exist on ^
terms of ii.timate friendship wi'h all of them. We may now ask,
what has Pennsvlvania to ofler as an offset against all thesel-or ra-
ther what had Pennsvlvania, at the beginning of the present year m
horticultural literature^ Nothing, but a farm journal that professed to
interest it.elf in any way in gardening affairs. We launched the
"Florist and Horticultural Journal " hopefully on the waters, desti-
tute at the time of any craft similar in character; and now we are
about to fit her out anew— «e are about to solicit an increase and
continuation of the support already bestowed upon us. But we can-
not be content to lay behind all our cotemporaries, limited by the mere
nominal charge of one dollar per annum for more than 400 pages of
the best practical information, and several colored plates which cost
all the money. We must rank ourselves in cost, as well as value,
with those respectable periodicals which now benefit the community
by their valuable in formal ion.
Requirements of Horticulture in the U. S.
Horticultural science in this country is yet in its infancy. We
have not yet arrived at that point of luxury which lavishes on the
park, the conservatory, and on the gentleman's kitchen and fruit
gardens, sums equal to the Income of some of our richest men. Nor
will the demand for such things here permit of such vast nursery es-
Ublishmenls as are to be found in England, or on the continent. As
this country grows older, we shall advance in wealth and extravagance,
it is not now a new thing to have salads and other vegetables grown
under glass during the winter season, but no one thinks of growing
cucumbers yet, from 3 to 30 shillings sterling a brace. But we shall
no doubt come to that.
Some very larg.- prices have lately been paid for rare and fine
plants, by the amateurs and nurserymen of this neighborhood, but we
little realize the money expended by English noblemen, m enriching
their collections with the rarities of other continents. The Duke of
Devonshire, and the late Earl of Derby, had their collectors in India
and in South America, as have the Botanic Gardens, and the larger
nurserymen.
It may yet require many years before we cease to depend on bu-
rope for rare plants; even those of our own continent we receive
second hand from there; the plants of California and New Mexico, the
Cacti of Mexico, the Orchids of Central America, and all the rarities ^
}s of tropical South America, which are so much nearer to us, we give o
V profitable prices to foreign nurserymen to send back to us across ^he^
i:f£Po^ ^ .^t?^^
I
1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 255
Atlantic. While we are thus dependent as well for plants.asfor scientific (-•
knowledire of their treatment, and their structure on the cultivators and "
botanists of the old world; we require periodicals which shall announce
to all classes of Horticulturists, whether amateurs, nurserymen, vege-
table growers or kitchen gardeners, the latest additions to the stock
of plants, esculents, fruits, &c., of our contemporaries across the water,
as well as the improvements in culture, dijjcoveries in science, and all
such material information as is most needed in carrying on well
managed places. This want has heretofore been supplied in this
country by but few magazines devoted to this department of science;
there is room for more. In all parts of the country Horticultural
Societies are springing up, and every where the increased taste for
floriculture is showing itself in well laid out gardens, and neat green-
houses.,u:^Surburban residences are more sought for, and the inhabitants
of cities, instead of, as formerly escaping from town to suffer the
penance of fashion, in the small rooms and crowded saloons of water-
ing places, seek their quiet villas, within reach of business, at the first
appearance of summer, there to luxuriate in the green shade of our
beautiful woods, and to enjoy every morning and evening, the varied
beauties of well kept flower- borders.
We intend all this as prefatory to the announcement that the
comino- volume of the "Florist" will be issued under ditferent auspices,
and in better style than at present. Arrangements have been made
to procure plates from Europe, in correctness and artistic merit sur-
passing anything that can be procured here; and with each plate
will be a contribution from one of the most celebrated continental
botanists. Contributions will also appear from eminent scientific
gentlemen of our own country, on Botany, Entomology, Pomology
and Aoriculture. Selections will be made from the English and
Continental magazines, of such matter as will be of most importance
to our readers. Regular contributions will appear from some of the
most able contributors in the United States, and all the news, foreign
and domestic,relating to the subject, will be given in each number.—
The price will be increased to two dollars a year, and it will be de-
cidedly the cheapest magazine of the kind in the country. The
present volume will be hurried through, as we wish to start in January
with the new volume; with this view we issue the present number, and
shall endeavour to issue the remaining ones before the first ol the
year. Persons wishing to subscribe will please send their names, and
the names of as many of their friends whom they can persuade to do
likewise, as soon as possible to the Editor of the ^'Florist," No. 63
Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
■♦^»^—
•^ The Pennsylvania Poultry Society's exhibition was held last week.
S^i>b^ — — -<^^
I
''1
256
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[Dec'r
§
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
The stated meeting of this Society was held on the Kith Nov. This ^
beine the Chrysanthemum night, there was a fine display, pnnci pally ]
of the Pompone varieties; collections of twelve shown for compeU.on
were staged by Messrs. Buist, T. Meehan, gr. to C. Cope, Esq HA.
Dreer Parker, and others. Mr. Bnist's collection obtained the hrst
premium. Thos. Meehan exhibited from Mr. Cope's houses a hand-
some collection of green and hothouse plants, embracing Bilbeig.as,
Tillands.a, Crowea, &c. also, three new plants shown for the first time.
Some very fine pears were exhibited, and collections of vegetables by
A Felton and Mr. Ripka's gardener. Several designs and houquets
were shown, and a stand of Chrysanthemum blooms, embracing near-
ly fifty new varieties, by John Bell, gr. to J. F. Knorr. Esq. A very
larcre Pear from France was shown during the evening, weighing near
two pounds. Mr H. W. S. Cleveland acted as Secretary in the ab-
sence of Mr. James.
New Tork Horticultural Society.
A special meeting of this Society was held on 22d Nov., Shepherd
Knapp, Esq., in the chair. The report of the committee on diplomas
having been read, was referred back, with power to lithograph. The
committee on nomination presented the following officers for election.
President, Shepherd Knapp; V. P's., W Coventry, H. W add el I,
Wilson G. Hunt, Nicholas H. Anthony, W. W. Livermore, John
Groshon; Treasurer, Jacob C. Parsons ; l^ec. Sec, Gtorge VV. Curtis ;
Cor. Sec, P. B. Meade.
07- The article on the Gloxinia should be credited to the "Gar-
deners' Chronicle.'*
Erbata—P. 231, for "singular acquaintance'' read "singular unac-
quaintanceV' and p. 232 in two places for -unusually" read "usually."
These last were corrected in part of the impression.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The present volume will be completed by the issue of two doubly
numbers-one on the 15th and the other on the 31st December-ihe
"ervolume to commence in January. Those who have "ot received
all the number, will either be furnished with them, or credited with
the balance due them in their subscription fo^'h" "•-*;, ™1>""^;
Communications are acknowledged from W m. S., Baltimore; T.M.
Pa • F Norton, N. Y.; Hortus, Phila.; Anthophilus, Albany, some of
whUh have been held over till next number. .. ci • ♦
Postmasters and others are requested to act as agents for the Florist.
We have received new subscribers from J. /iminerman, Lancaster,
J S. Downer, Elkton, Ky., C. Lutterloh, Hyettev.lle, F. Norton N. cr
y., W. Gain, Savannah, and others, to whom we are much indebted. U_
3ii^^b-_ - — - -^^-^^
■Y
•J^'
THE
r» j
mmL
w "^p^r^ ^ '^^ '^ ' ^ vf c^ini "^
WMms
A \
AND
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited and Published by R. ROBINSON SCOTT. No. 03 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock Streets, tip stairs.
ON TH£ PELARGONIUM.
Probably there is no flowering plant that has been so long popular
and familiar to everybody as the Geranium, or rather the Pelargoni-
um. It is generally the first thing thought of for a parlor window ;
and indeed it would be ditficult to find a substitute, as it seems to ac-
commodate itself to any treatment short of downright neglect. It is
well worthy, however, of all the care that can be given it. The diver-
sity of color, delicate tints, and beautiful pencillings of some of the
new varieties are not excelled in any other flowers. Although they
will live under very indifferent treatment, still to bring out their true
character some little timely attention is requisite. The following re-
marks upon their treatment may therefore be ust^ful to beginners.
»' The family of Geranium has been divided by L'Heritier into three
distinct genera — 1st, Erodium, having five stamens, five nectariferous
tubes, scales and glands, and the awns of the fruit twisted and bearded.
2nd, Pelargonium, which includes most of the Cape species, having
seven stamens, an irregular corolla, and a nectariferous lube running
down the peduncle. 3, Geranium, having ten stamens, a regular co-
rolla, five nectariferous glands? at the base of the longer filaments, the
awns of the fruit b9^
^.^tfCiS'lii
1853]
The following are twelve of the best that I noticed this past season:,'
Lyra, Blanche, Orion, Aspasia, Brilliant, Belle of the Village, Beran
garia, Rollo, Refulgnnt, Magog, Cassandra, and Forget-me-not.
Baltimore, Nov. 185-2. W. S.
The Management of Window Plants*
BY F. NORTON,
So much has been communicatedthrough the medium of your wide-
ly circulated '^Flori.st," on ihe proper treatment of plants in rooms
that it might be supjmsed I was entering on a subject already exhaust-
ed. However, as the successful cultivation of such is attended with
some difficulty, particularly to those who have not yet had an opportu-
nity of becoming familiar with the requirements of such plants as they
generally admire and endeavor to nurse, a few observations will not
j)erhaps be considered superfluous. Every family of plants has some
peculiarity in structure and habit, and therefore demands more or less
special provision as to soil, water, or air— all require more or less va-
riation in the general course of treatment. A? to the situation in
which they are placed, the room should be as light as possible, and
airy; if dark and close, few plants can be expected to flourish in it. If
on the contrary, plenty of light is afforded, as well as sufficient air
and exposure lo the sun's rays in winter, they may succeed as well as
in an ordinary greenhouse. If th.-y become unhealthy and begin to
decline, the lesuU may be generally attributed to one or more of the
following causes— want of light and air, injudicious watering, want ol
suitable soil, or accumulation of tilth on the leaves. The sufficient
supply of light and air i.s perhaps the most essential point to be ob-
served, if mdet^d we can make any dilference in points so necessary
to the health of the plant as all the above named are; however at-
tentively the other conditions may be observed, want of pure air will
generally frustrate our attempts at cultivation. The want of a suf-
ficient supply of light will prevent the growth of a handsome plant,
rendering it sickly and weak. Plants in rooms therefore ihould be
placed a's near the light as they can conveniently stand, and receive
as much air as can be admitted without reducing the temperature too
much. Water should be carefully and judiciously supplied, as its care-
less application does more injury to plants in rooms than is common-
ly imagined. To prevent the soil ever b-coming baked, as is often
the case with clajey soils when not carefidly attended to, is a point
of essential importance, as in that c^ise the roots are bound up and de-
I stroyed by the compression ot the particles. The best criterion is the
C)^ appearance of the surface of the pot; som- gardeners judge by the , -
C weight of it— this requires som- i.r.idice, however. The surface ofCj^
/
nil
i
260 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
rjAN'Y.
te the pot should never appear wet, unless immediately after the appli- ^
cation of the water; it should not, on the othrr hand, appear quite dry, ^
but in an intermediate state. This is the most important point for the ^
attention of the amateur, the experienced gardener needs only to look
at the surface of the soil to tell if the conditions are complied with to
ensure its healthy state. This accuracy of observation of course is
the result of practice, and can be attained by any who attend to the
matter carefully. To prevent the soil having a dry appearance is a
matter of importance with many, they therefore water continually at
certain intervals; but in this course they commit a great error. The re-
suit is, that the soil becomes sodden and sour, and the roots perish.—
Others, to avoid this evil which they have been guarded against, run
into the opposite extreme— not affording sufficient moisture to preserve
the life of the plant. If anything, however, seems to be the matter
with the plant, a dose ot water is the common remedy applied, with
the utmost faith in its restorative powers. This is not to be wondered
at, when it is remarked how soon a plant wilting for want of water
will be invigorated by an abundant supply. But dosing a sickly plant
with water, is like a'physician crowding the stomach of his patient
with medicines which even the strongest stomach could scarcely bear.
This over-supply of water will manifest itself in the falling off of the
leaves after their having turned yellow and sickly. Almost a similar
result follows excessive drought, the leaves in the latter case, howev-
er, present a shrivelled appearance before their fall ; the consequence
in each case is the loss of the leaves, on which depend the health and
existence of the plant. Excessive dryness is at once indicated by the
flabby appearance of the leaves, and if not too long in this state may
be restored in a few minutes by a copious supply of water. The re-
sidue of water which escapes from the pot should be poured out of the
saucer, as the plant would ab.^orb it again by capillary attraction.—
The water used should always be of an equal temperature with the
atmosphere in which the plant is growing, or nearly so, as excessively
cold water chills the roots ; it should be allowed to remain in the room
for some time, or a little warm water added to it. An unclean state
of the leaves of the plant may be caused either by insects, such as
scale, thrip, mealy bugs, aphis, or green fly, red spider, &c., or by ac-
cumulated dust. Various methods are recommended for the removal
of the former; scale may be removed by washing with soap suds, or
by covering the leaves and stems affected with a thick coating of soap^
which, when it dries, peels off, taking the scale with it; thrip is re-
moved by a small brush ; green fly, by enveloping the plant in fumes
of tobacco smoke, by placing the plant in a bell glass and burning
some tobacco in it, or by syringing with tobacco water, or by syring-
ing the plant first, and then sprinkling it with snuff. The green fly^
iig^9bw ^^^.-^^
I
261
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
0r\ is by Air the most common pest, and may be kept in check by heavy r»j
syringing from its first appearance on the plant. Red spider is only ^
removed by cleanliness and frequent syringing; as it is the most mi- \
nute, it is also the most troubhsome enemy; its presence is indicated
by yellow dots and a sickly appearance on the leaf. Dust may here-
moved by a sponge and clear water, and this should be carefully at-
tended to, as thp lungs of the plant become choked by it.
Potting in unsuitable soil, or the wearing out of the soil in the pot
before its renewal, is another great defect in cultivating house plants.
This is the most troublesome point to rectify, as few ladies care to work
amongst "dirt," and besides it is not very conveniently procured in
cities, and persons are often content to have their plants perish or de-
cay, rather than put themselves to the trouble of procuring a portion
of suitable soil from the florist who can always supply it.
VViih renpect to the requisites of soil and potting, attention should
be given to the character and habit of the plant ; if its branches are
loose and slender, its leaves small, its wood hard, &c., it will doubt-
less have small fibrous roots ; these require hard potting in sandy loam
or loam and peat. Ericas or Heaths which are extreme in this cha-
racteristic, require almost entirely peat, as well as many other fami-
lies of a similar habit ; peat has a tendency to preserve the roots from
decay. Those whose wood is stronger and roots more robust, and
leaves broader, require more loam in the soil, such as Acacias, Ardisia,
Stenocarpus, Camellia, &c., &c. Those plants which are of a rapid
growth, and furnished with soft broad systems of leaves, as Pelargo-
niums, Chrysanthemums, fleliotropes, Chinese Primrose, Fuchsias,
Cinerarias, Calceolarias, &c., n-quire more or less stimulating sub-
stances, as guano, leaf mould and other manures. This is also true of
almost all bulbs, such as Hyacinths, &c. Sparaxis, Ixias, Gladiolus, &c.
thrive well in a compost of rich sandy loam, without peat. Plants
with vigorous roots and but slender heads, such as Veronica, Scutell-
aria, Ruellia, Maurandia, &c., require a light sandy soil with a portion
of leaf mould and decomposed matter. In potting always place plenty
of potsherds over the bottom of the pot, and afterwards the riddlings
of the soil, to ensure good drainage.
Orchids, and such plants, are not of course included in these re-
marks, as few are grown in rooms, and many of them being epiphytal
require peculiar treatment; some of the terrestrial species could be
grown in rooms wi'h moderate attention. The soil for such Orchids
as Ophrys, Calopogon, and others, isjequal parts light sandy loam and
turfv peat, with a little h-al mouhl, well drained and sparingly water-
ed, withholding it at th<'ir season of rest. Succulent plants ot all
kinds require v»'ry lillle wat^r; many ot these are well adapted for
*>» cultivation in rooms; the old practice was to use poor soil, as sandy G]
«
i
262
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Jan'y.
fe loam and lime rubbish ; many now recommend strong loam. 1 do ..
^not believe in either extreme. Such plants as Aloe, Cacabas, Coty.
/ ledon Sempervivum, Mesembryauthemum, &c., all belong to this
class, as well as the various kinds of Cactus, on which your readers
are already well informed.
Some aquatic plants are easily cultivated in rooms, as the Egyptian
Lily, {Richardia (Ethiopica,) and do well in loam or loam and peat ;
theV require copious supi)lies of water, and are most easily managed
by placing the pot in a pan of water. Bulbs generally succeed well
in rooms with less care than most other plants and require rich coil.
NATIVE PLANTS.
Mb. Editox :-In continuing my .'..marks on what I think the too
much ne-lecled subject of native plants, 1 wish to speak of several
classes o( plants which are particularly interesting. Perhaps the
most singular and beautiful is the Orchis tribe, of which there are
many species immediately at hand. Orchis spectabile, the Aplec
trum, Cymbidium, Habenaria, &c., are to be found in th.s and the
neighboring counties, and plentifully in near parts of New Jersey.
The Neottiffi are represented by Spiranthes and Goodyera, winch are
certainly worth cultivating, especially the latter: its leaves are as
beautiful as those of any variegated plant we have : and the humble
admirer of beautiful foliage who cannot spend guineas for an Last
India Neottia, can indulge without cost in Goodyera pubescens. The
Cvprip'-dia are without exception a beautiful genus. W e have Cyp.
acaule or humile growing near us in Jersey, and pubescens and per-
haps parviflorum are to be found in Chester county, C. speclab.le
may be obtained on the mountains in Pennsylvania, but it is very
hard to .'et ; it is very highly valued in Eutope as one of the most
beautiful of Orchids ; there are two other species indtgenous to the
United States, C. candidum and C. arielinum, the last variegated red
and white, and beautiful beyond desc.iption. The Sarracen.as are
interesting and beautiful ; S. purpurea is so common about here as
sometime! to be sold in the market ; y-t it is as beautiful as the b.
Drummondii of Florida, which at Chatsworth, the seat of (he Duke
of Devonshire, divided the attention of the visitors of the Victoria
regia— here it is only the "pitcher plant."
The Drosera or Sundew is a very interesting genus, nearly allied
to the Dionsa, or Venus flytrap of the .outh. D. rolundifolia, fili-
formis and longifolia are found within two or three miles of Phila-
' delphia and like the Sarracenias they can he cultivated in pots
I placed in saucers of water, though in Europe they cover them, as
d, well as the Uionoea with bell glasses.
(l^ The native Ferns are of very great beauly-the various spec.es of V)
18.53.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 265
(j^Adiantnm, Pteris, the Woodsias, Aspleni'jm, Schizaca, &c. equal in^
M beauty any collection of exotics we have ever seen : and we respect
/ fully suggest to the schedule committee, to offer another medal for a \
collection of indigenous ferns. |
As to pointing out localities where this or that plant may be found
we say let every one find that out for himself; it is of great disad-
vantage to learners to have all the difficulties in their way smoothed
for them ; I recollect at school thai the boy who had his Latin trans-
lated for him was always behind the one who used his dictionary :
so the plant collector will remember better both the plant and the
locality if he finds it himself, than if told to go to such a swamp and
near such a tree he would find so and so : but if he is out herborising
and finds plant after plant new to him, and happens on something
rare, how much more will he value it. Besides this pointing out of
localities has another bad effect — everybody goes after a rare plant,
until it is entirely rooted out and the locality is a locality no longer.
In England, Cypridedium calceolus is not to be found except in gar-
dens, and not frequently in them ; any person or persons who are for-
tunate enough to know its habitat, now grown wise, keeps it a pro-
found secret. C. pubescens has been exterminated in this immediate
neighborhood, and we believe that C. spectabile was found by Bar-
tram in this county, (not country, as you made me say in my last
letter.)
We hope to see the tinne wlien natural history will form an impor-
tant branch of early education ; in this respect we cannot but com-
mend the educational institutions of the Society of Friends — West-
town school has turned out more lovers of nature by far than any other;
and we well recollect the young " broad brims " from Haverford
school prowling about the neighborhood with botany boxes and nets
for butterflies.
In the last number of Hovey's Magazine was an account of a visit
to a celebrated locality in Vermont. Why cannot some of your
readers, among whom we know are several of the best native bota-
nists, give you an account of the varieties found in this neighborhood,
which is said to be almost the richest in the United Statesl
Philarvensis.
MILDEW ON GRAPES.
One of the greatest pests that vine growers have to contend against
is the mildew, which I have invariably found made its appearance
among vines after a cold rain, with an easterly wind prevailing—
' (there is an old saying, '*that the wind from the east is neither good
for man or beast," nor I may add with truth, for vines either.)— it
o very rarely attacks these before July or August, which I attribute to
•^the vines having by this time attained a vigorous growth, as they are
3i^v .^x?^^^
264 THE PIIILADELPillA FLORIST, [Jan^V
MC^T)cp- ^^^
^more susceptible of the sudden cliange of temperature to which we ^
'^are subjected, and the weather for two mon'hs previous to this is
generally bright and clenr, the wind prevailing from the south-west, ]
and less sudden changes of temperature. But in July and August we
are subjected to violent thunder storms, succeeded by an easterly
wind and rain, perhaps for several days, and when such is the case
you may expect the mildew to appear, and the vines will reqmre
close inspection to detect it, for it is not often discovered till too late.
On its first appearance a kind of transparent blotches are observeable
on the leaves, of a rather lighter hue than the general colour of the
leaf which may be seen by a careful observer, but by a person taking
a cu'rsory glance at the vines it might not be noticed; and if not ar-
rested in this stage, it will soon spread over the leaves and shoots as
well as the fruit,before you are aware that the vines are at all attacked.
I believe giving front air, injudiciously is another cause of mildew.
I would only recommend ventilation at the top, and not too much
there either, being guided bv circumstances ; in lact 1 am of opinion
that vines in a cold house will do well without giving air by opening
the sashes, if in glazing the house a small space was left between the
laps of the glass, and the vines not trained too near the sashes. Ihis
is my theory of the causes, and if the above hints will be the means
of brincrincr out the experience of others more competent than myself
my end will be obtained. Some attribute the mildew to excess of
moisture, others to want of air, and advocate free ventilation; but I
think there is ample proof that want of air is not the cause, for any
one mav see that vines grown in the open air are always worse mil-
dewed "than those under glass, which 1 believe is the only cause why
the foreign vine will not succeed in the open air. A vine that is
badly attacked with the mildew loses its leaves long before the wood
is ripe, consequently the functions of the vine are stopped, and the
plant thereby rendered incapable of enduring the frost. It is said
prevention is better than cure. The following treatment 1 have
adopted in growing vines in pots which will apply to fruiting vines
ftlso
After starting the vines in the spring at the usual time and in the man-
ner which is needless for me to detail, 1 keep them growms; as fast
as possible, never suffering them to have a check by a sudden fall m
the temperature of the house, keeping up a good heat in the day time
and syringing freely, being always careful to watch the change of
wind to the east, and put on a little fire, raising the temperature to
admit of giving air for the escape of the evaporation from the flues.
By this method 1 have succeeded in keeping the vmes free from
d mildew; as for curmg it when once introduced I believe it cannot be
/2done. Sulphur dissolved in slacked lime and applied with a syringe U^
■ •
1853.] Tllli PHILADELPHIA PLOmST. 265
(^will arrest its progress, hut it requires fo be applied very carefully or r»
" it will kill the points of the shoots and the young leaves, particularly "
if the sun is out after syringing:. I I'^ve seen vines completely
scorched with it, and if you don't hurt the vines with it, the spots will
turn brown and eventually dry up, giving the vines a very unhealthy
appearance. Flower of sulphur dusted on the affected parts will al-
so stop it for the time being, to be performed again on its next ap-
pearance When, however, the fruit attains a certain stage of ma-
turity few persons are disposed to apply the sulphur, and for this
reason care should be taken to have it exterminated before that ad-
vanced period of the operations. A high and dry temperature, with
the use of suli>hur, will be certain to check the mildew.
J. P.
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.
Mr. EniToK. — As the season of hardy flowers is nearly past, "the
last rose of summer being faded and gone," and little left to adorn the
flower border and greenhouse but this useful and highly ornamental
plant, blooming as it does at a season when other flowers are scarce,
and combining in the genus so many varied and beautiful colors; at
the same time so freely that under very ordinary treatment it amply
repays the cultivator. Yet although naturally a free bloomer it can
be very much improved by cultivation; and my object in soliciting
a small space in your pages, is to give some of your amateur friends a
few useful hints relative to the pot culture of this plant, and also a
slight description of some of the best and newest sorts.
To grow the Chrysanthemum well, the plants should be raised every
season from cutting? or side shoots taken fiom the old plants about the
end of April, planted in four inch pots in light sandy loam, put into a
greenhouse or frame, with a slight shade from the sun until established,
when the shading may be removed. When the plants have grown to
the height of six or eight inches, top them, and if roots are forming
round the sides of the ])(jts, shift them into six inch pots, using a com»
post of turfy loarn, well rotted manure and sand ; plenty of air should
be admitted at all times, and the plants kept free of each other, as
they are apt to get drawn and lose their lower leaves if too much
crowded. When roots are showing through this last shift, they may
at once be put into their blooming pots, w hich should not be less than
nine inches for Pompones, and twelve inches for tall growing sorts.
The shoots require to be staked out to prevent their being broken, to
\ keep the plant in shiipe, jind admit li;iht and air. A situation in the I
c\ open air nhould now Ik- cliosfn where tlie plants will be fully exposed ^
(•-to the sun aiiU at the saa.e time hheUered from high winds; plunge theGN
Misp^ ^, — ■ -t^^om
o4
THE PHlLADELrHIA FLORIST. [Jan'y,
266
k poVto the top, allowing ll.e plants pl.nty of space to grow without
bein.. crowcl.Hl. All tl.U the.v now require is «-.ter when necessary, o
and liquid manure n.ay be given occasionally, looking them over now ^
and then to see that none of the shoots rrs eight feet high with a few green
leaves at top, and he,e and there a solitary llower ; but handsome,
bushy plants, clothed with foliage to the pots and covered ^.th such a
profusion of (lowers that he will scarcely recog,r>se h.s old e.ght leet
favorites in their transformed state.
The dillerent sorts I int.'nd to recommend are those th.-it have come
under my own notice, and are w. 11 worth the attention of every lover
of this nower, many of the newly introduced sorts being very hand-
some in form, almost to be compared to the famed Kanunculus of the
old world, and very little inferior in point of color. The foUowmg
Pompones are deserving a place in every collection : B,zarre, prira-
rose, yellow ; Vor, golden yellow ; fioturn, yellow, very compac ;
1 Mignou,;ce, yellow, shaded with bronze, very dwarf; Cnhele, bright
yellow, slightly bronzed ; La Miniulurc, orange yellow; Co:n,,ac,um,
pure white ; Pvmpoue, white ; L„„a^, d.rk rose ; Uenoncule, pale rose
white centre ; Ehgnnte, rosy white ; Pcrfecta, dehcale rose, .shaded
with white ; Paqueretle, white, shaded with i>ink ; Uorauus wh.te,
tinrect.ons
eiveu they will be aid., to adorn their greenhouse^ ori-iilnr window
when'lh,. merciless Irost has laid low all ,he gems of the lluwer plots;
(or when all is d,- ,late without, lh.-,r delicate lluwrrs will speak ol
a com.ng si„ing, and will forur u fU.ing subject lor those who eau ad-
,' , ,r I • 4..... *' lloKTlCOLA.
mire the beaulilul m iiaiuie.
(^ Give not thy torgue too great liberty, lest it take thee prisoner.
'
1853] THE PHTLADELPHIA FLORIST.
MODSL FARMS.
267
What a vast amount of matter has been written, from time to time,
on the fertile topic of the cultivation of the soil! Whole volumes is-
sue annually from the legislative departments in all countries where
civilization is acknowledged to have reached; and every little coun-
try newsjaper has its column for farmers, of paramount importance to
the Fi^aders thereof. Can we admit tiiat the amount of benefit accru-
ino- to the community of airricultuiists is commensurate with the pains
taken or money expended in thus spreading agricultural knowledge 1
Can we rest satisfied that a fair proportion read, and benefit by what
is written for them \ That when they read, they can comprehend-
that comprehending, they practise the improvements proposed, thus
profiting decidedly in the end! I fear that we cannot arrive at this
conclusion, for if the earnest recommendations of the friends to im-
provement were attended to, even in a reasonable degree, we would
not now witness those defective systems of husbandry that in the face
of so many other improvements astonish the inhabitants of other coun-
tries who visit us. One thing is clear, that immense quantities of grain
is produced by American farmers ; that fine cattle are fatted and made
available to the consumer; that the farmers themselves are an inde-
pendent and energetic class, the firmest friends to our republican in-
stitutions. But then when we calculate that the soil of America is yet
comparatively a virgin soil ; that as yet the population is by no means
dense— that land is abundant, and its tenure certain and secure ; then
comparing our advantages with the position of agriculturists in older
nations, we must admit that our burthens are lighter, our opportunities
vastly superior to theirs. Manual lahor alone is not in our favor, as
a great ditUculty in American farming is the high price of labor. Even
here we are not to be beaten, for the genius ot the American mechanic
comes to the aid of the farmer with his machinery.
We would gladly see a system of agricultural training introduced
to this country which would impress upon the mind of the agricultural
youths of the country tlip propriety of certain improved systems which
both in theory and jiractice have stooil the test of years. Improve-
ments based on scientific knowledge and the truths of science; sys-
tems in accordance with natural laws and the j rinciples of political
economy. It is only within th- last fifteen or twenty years that the
principles and prac'icp of thomi .:h druinir-g lu.s h -en clearly under-
stood and practised in Europe, ;, ^vmt ref riu.tit.n havinj: tak.Mi place
in this matter by the introducti..n (d a (•.vnpiir,.tively new system, by
Smith, of Deanston, in Scotland. Thi> w;.s :u <<.nu.;u.ied by subsoil j
ploughing, and for a time the whole ngiiee.KuiMl eonmumity of (Irv^i p
Britain was agitated by this man's innovation. Hut Smiih of Dean- Vj
-P' j^ ^
268 THE PIIILADELPIITA FLORIST. [Jan'y,
m^ty?^-^ — — ^^^^
tt ston proved the correctness of his principle, nnd many farmers have
^^ since proved it in practice. It was no small matter to cut up whole
acres and run drains to the depth of three and a half feet at intervals
of fifteen ft. across the field, runnino; these into a main drain perhaps
four or four and a half iWi deep. Yet great as was the expenditure,
thousands of acres have thus been drained durinj: the last ten years, as
without this thorough draining all other subsequent improvements are
in a great measure lost. We do not say that it would be necessary
thus to thorough drain the lands of America, where the rapid approach
of the scorching summer follows so closely on spring as to evaporate
the pools of water that we have waded through in the furrows of some
of our Philadelphia county arable fields in the month of March, not a
drop of which remains in the latter part of April or May, when the
farmer comes round to prepare for the crop. We do not say any good
farmer would suffer his fields to lie thus deluged with water, the eva-
poration of which renders the soil unfit for the necessary operations,
and the continual flowing of which w^ater to the surface to be contin-
ually evaporated, reduces the natural temperature of the soil many
degrees, as well as renders it tenacious and difficult of pulverisation or
reduction to a proper tilth. Thorough draining would not hurt many
fields in Pennsylvania, even those fields which during the droughts of
summer appear never to have received a shower of refreshing rain ;
but dis capable ol
affording. . • i •„
Amonost the manv sources of pleasure to the human mnul raruy
stands pr°e.eminent." It is probably one of the usual attendants of
beauty. Were all the daughters of Eve moulded to the form and at-
tributes of the Marchioness of Douro. it is probable that Add.son s
ideal beauty with a large lump under her chin, would really be es-
teemed perfection. If rarity has no connection essentially with
beauty, it certainlv lends it an additional charm; and, if no pure
principle of taste be violated, that landscape will be most adnured
which contains the fewest of every day s.eaes. Trees generally form
the most interesting portion of a landscape. It their form, color,
habits, and general appearance are beauliful. and their connection
with surrounding objects expressive and approp.iate, they aid to o,m
a beautiful landscape; and, if to all these they are of a kind rarely to be
met with, the landscape, beautiful as it would otber«Mse be, possesses a
hisher interest. It is diffic.dt to un.l.uVand ll.e olj.ciions to t„e
etnployment of "foreign" trees in landscape p,rd..,ung, Inough
amon<;t the objectors are many n,en of the l„.hes. standing m
the profession. The wni.'r of tlie otherwise beautihd l,.per on
..Rural taste audits Mission.-' in t!,e Oelo!»r ll..rtic.lu„:.t. com-
plains that "westriv,. to Ml our ,,a:lcs with something r.re and im-
ported instead of ado:nin:: Ui-m with (he equally h ...uiul products
1 of our'own soil. The riv -.hv in importir, , foreiu-n ■! n,.s, hauls, and
V Se-:Xtt" o,^;.i\.':: •u;'.i;. - smaU d, rim..ntof
\ geniiemtn, „i .,„... ^n if ♦)■..• in. •nnln'^ <> th^- writ. t 1>" clenrlv
^^ American mdepend.'nc.'. it •'• ■'"''> in 1 .n Ucai-o ^ar- -• 1
(^expressed, does not tlie anrun.-iU i rove ioicelc..! la lan.Ucan .ar ^
I
18.53.] THE nilLADELPHIA FLORIST.
^dening we employ ar^ to produce a pleasinficly nntural elfect. Because^,
the world of mankind, to suit its own fancies or necessities, divides
the earth into kingdoms and countries, and pronounces all beyond ^
the boundaries of any given section /ore/g^^ ; it does not follow that
the world of nature must do the same. If we are to object to some
plants as being '^foreign.-is," let us understand the nature of our ob-
jection. '^Our country'' is a pretty *'big" word. From the 8t. Law-
rence to the Rio Grande, the Atlantic to the Pacific — and even then
when are we to stop. A plant to day a ''foreigner," !nay be a native
to-morrow. Should Mexico, Canada, or Cuba become annexed, we
.shall have a few thousand more flocking to the oliice of some botan-
ical notary for their "naturalization papers." Flora laughs at the
idea— in her code of laws, judged by a jury of humanity, the noble
old Taxodium in Bartram's Garden is as much a "foreigner" there, as
the Platanu.s orientalis whose branches are intertwined with it. In
our flower garden we cannot see that the white Vinca of Madagascar,
or the riumbago Larpentie of China, can practically be considered
less foreigners than the Escholfzia crocea or Eupatorium ca'Jestinum
from States of our own esteemed Union. The fact is, all plants are
"foreigners" when not growing in their native localities.
What plants or trees are to be used in landscape gardening, does not
nor ought not, to be made a question of national partiality. If any
given tree possesses any property which any given American tree does
not possess, while at the same time it has every property of the other
with that peculiar one of its own, it ought to have the preference.—
What is as well adapted for planting on the top of an elevated piece
of ground, as the Norway Spruce, if that piece of ground happen to be
appropriate to the surrounding ^cenery X Its erect, heaven-aspiring
top, darting upwards as if in proud contempt of the hill's height on
which it grows, while the half-ascending yet pendulous branches as
if half-wishing, yet fearing to follow their leader to the dizzy height
to which he aspires, seem to embrace the ground beneath them. The
Hemlock Spruce is the only "native" approaching this in such cases ;
and those who have seen large specimens of each side by side can only
appreciate the superior beauty ot the former.
There are often many properties which the so-called foreign trees
possess which can be found in no others, thus rendering them in some
cases indispensable. As the dark, sombre evergreen is the associate
of our ideas of winter, so the li.:ht, airy, sprightly habits of deciduous
trees are of the jovous freslmess of summer. It is a very desirable
point in all gardens which are connected with a summer residence,
that the deciduous trees they may contain are, many o! them, of those i
kinds which retain their leaves to a late pniod of the autumn. The ^h
2 British Oak, carrying with it that impregnable pride which in its ownC^
M^
\n
ZT^^
^^C?^2^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
e.o
-' - ... W^\
country and on its own waters some poeis have given it, is the last of ^
all oaks to surrender Hs freshness to an American frost. I have seen ^
it full of ^reen leaves two weeks after the willow-leaved, the latest ^
of our oaks, had given up every leaf to the enemy. The Elseagnus an-
gustifolius will retain its willow-like folif'ge nearly the whole winter,
so that at Christmas one unused to its "American" appearance, would
deem it an evergreen. The Hippojiluie rhanmoides has, in a great
measure, this characteristic also. The J^ihamnus catharticus is green to
the ''last," as also is Paliurusaculeatus. When in their spring advanc-
ing habits, the Horse Chestnut by its earliness, and the English But-
tonwood by its lateness, give a high interest to a landscape. The late
Mr. Downing observed, that the latter was exempt from the disease
which renders the American variety so obnoxious in many situations.
He was led to believe the cause of the disease to lie with spiing frosts.
This is confirmed by the fact of the American buttonwood budding
forth from a week to ten days earlier than the other. Whether this
be the reason or not, the disease has given the English variety a po-
sition in landscape gardening which no other tree can fill so well.
The landscape gardener then can know no difference in his opera-
tions between "native" and "foreign" in his materials — he has ideas
to express; whatever expresses these ideas most suitably he must use —
and a "foreign" or rare plant will often become indispensable, while
its very rarity will give it an additional charm, which in every cir-
cumstance is sure to please.
■♦»
RETROSPECTIVE CRITICISM.
Progress of American //orfict^^fMrc— Judging from what we »ee
around us, the number of new places springing up, and the increased
horticultural structures in those already established, the number of
horticultural societies and the addition to the horticultural pres», we
may say that American Horticulture is progressing, and very rapidly.
As we heard it predicted a few days since— in a few years we shall be
op with, if not ahead of, England in gardening, as we are so energetic
in every thing we do. Certainly, comparatively speaking, we are now
before the English, for in proportion to the time and wealth, we have
done more than they. More actual attention is paid by amateurs here
to their gardens than there, for they have these places for their own
amusement, and because they take an interest in them ; while in the
old country a gentleman or nobleman has conservatories becairse his
place would not be complete without them. He gives orders to his
steward to hire him a gardener, who gets up houses and vineries; when
. they are finished and supplied with jdants, the family walk in, per-
•Jhaps once a day, admire, and walk out. This causes much difficulty G^
S^5=^>- —
..^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLOEIST. 273
1853.]
^ with foreign gardeners here, as being used to this system they cannot r.
(in some instances) bear with what they call interference, but which "
should be considered as encouragement, on the part of their masters.
As to the Glazing, we have seen and examined it, and as far as we
can judge, it will answer admirably ; we know of two places, one near
here and one in Connecticut, where it has succeeded. One way in
which horticulture may be best encouraged isJ, in discriminating and
liberal awards for new plants, fine specimens, &.C., by our Societies.
We would like to see, not bronze or silver medals, but seveial gold
medals awarded for collection*!; and let these be convertible into cash
if the gardener should prefer it ; though we do think, or we would like
to think, that gardeners generally would prefer the medals— still some
of them need the money more. We would propose that among the
gentlemen ot ample moans who are members of the Society, a fund,
say of $1000, should be raised, the interest of which would provide
one or two gold medals to be awarded each year for some special ob-
ject,
Agricultural Education,— '^o much has lately been said on this sub-
ject, that it is to be hoped that something will come of it. The way
in which this instruction is to be had, whether by government schools
or by private institutions, is a disputed question ; but so as our farmers
do become educated, it matters little how it is done.
J^ative Orchids,— We. are glad to see this subject agitated j so much
may be done for science by a proper attention to the growth of indi-
genous plants of all kinds: not to speak of the added beauty to our
collections by the introduction of so many homely novelties — for they
would be novelties to nine-tenths of the horticultural public. The
details furnished in the article of Dr. Lindley are very interesting
and instructive, not only in the collection of Orchids, but in their pre-
servation in borders or in pots. We hope to see an interest awakened
in these plants which may lead to an extended cultivation of them.
The Gloxinia. We have in this neighborhood some fine collections
of this handsome genus ; but we do not see them well shown at the
exhibitions— certainly, we have not seen such fine plants (with one
exception) shown, as we have seen in amateur's houses. The sche-
dule may be defective on this score, or the premiums not ofR^red at the
proper season. Some of the best varieties we have seen among the
new ones are Xapoleon, Grand Duchesse, Inline, Quven Victoria,
Marie Van lloutte, Lady Mary Cecil, and others.
Bartram and 7>/n/j/e^o«— Instances, both of them, in some degree,
of unappreciated merit, at least in their own time : and, in liartram's
case, in his own country— hut their reputation extrmls now over the
scientific world. The study of natural science has its own reward;^
6o
c
274 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
rjAN'y.
2 reputation is a very small part of the pleasure derived from study o([
the inexhaustible tield of nature.
Management of Orchids.-W hy haven't we more of this beautiful
family in cultivation! To be sure they are, some of them, very ex-
pensive ; but for a few hundred dollars a very f-ne collection might be
had, which might be continually added to; and we know that Cattle-
yas, Maxillarias, and some others, may easily be obtained from South
America. We do not often see more than one or two exhibited at a
time here ; still there are some very fine specimens in our houses, and
some which are probably only kept because they are Orchids, such as
some Oncidiums, Epidendrums, &c. I think that if amateurs would
confine themselves to a much smaller number than those proposed by
Mr. Meehan, it would be well enough at present. Lycaste Skinnerii,
and several Catlleyas, as crispa, labiata, fimbriata. Mossia>, someDen-
drobiums which are very free blooming, and Stanhopeas and Gon-
goras for fragrance would make a beautiful show. We lately had the
pleasure of seeing in bloom at Mr. Dundas' a ilant of Peristeria, the
Holy Ghost plant of the Spaniards, the column of which resembles
very closely a dove brooding over her nest.
Foreign Horticultural Esiah!ishmmts.—ljoad\ges' nursery comes
very apropos after the Orchids, as from his place has emanated so
many fine ones ; his name is perhaps lost to the horticultural world,
but the greater part of his collection will be preserved at Sydenham
under the care of the great Paxton. Hugh Low & Co., are almost as
well-known in this country as Buist, or Parsons, or Hogg, and we hope
still to hear of many of his plants in this country. The others are
also well known to the readers of horticultural books and papers—
but does any one, even on this side of the Atlantic, dare to attack the
great Dr. Lindley, the Lion of Botanical science and of Horticulture!
Yet perhaps he is as open to attack as any lesser mortal— especially in
his attempt to anglicise botanical names, which, if his own paper be
any criterion, won't work in all cases: for instance, in his reports of
the London Hort. Society's exhibitions we read ''Mr. Franklin, gr. to
Mrs. Laurence, exhibited Vanda teres, Lycaste Skinnerii, Cattleya
MossicE superba, and the Dalhousie Dendrobe-;' I don't think that 1
ever saw the translation carried out in a single instance; it is certainly
an affectation which will die out in time. But the learned doctor
seems to be objectionable on other accounts; he certainly does ride
rough shod over the heads of the poor gardeners, and all who presume
to q'liestion his sway. He is like many other persons in ofiice, they
"wax fat, and kick i" but generally speaking, tht-y lose entirely the
respect of all who come within th./ir sphere. What "Anthophilus" has ^
^ to say about gardeners is remaikably true j some of the specimens weg\
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
275
1
(^ receive from the old country are so content with having been at a ;^^
V great place at home, that they are w.lling to rest their reputation en ^^
tirelv on that fact, without exerting themselves to do anything here ; \
and for instruction, it has often surprised us that any gardener should
neglect perfecting his education as much as possible, since so much is
gai^'ned by it in hfs profession. We hope that ''Anthophilus" will fa-
vor your readers with more of his remarks on these subjects, as gar.
deners and amateurs n^ed stirring up occasionally ; and the advantage
is areat when it can be done by one evidently so enthusiastic and so
cosnioj;olitan.
Mr. Bunt's account of the hardiness in England of such beautiful
shrubs as Mitraria end Escallonia, makes one sigh for a more genial
climate ; but we are already too hot almost for Heaths and some other
such plants— we cannot enjoy each extreme of plant growing, unless
we could manage cold-houses to summer our plants in.
Green Crops.— M is being discussed now in the English papers,
whether roots grow after the leaves are cut ofT; and it seen.s from the
experience of m my persons that such is the fact. And it is certainly
a most useful fact," for if the outside leaves of turnips for instance, can
be taken olf and M to cattle, without diminishing the yield of roots,
how much more is obtained from the ground. In the matter of liquid
manures ot all kinds, peat charcoal is coming into great use as a means
of distributing them ; but we suppose Mr. Connor will tell us all about
it in his chapter on manures.
Ca/enr/ar.— When we look at the fact that the best Grapes of Eu-
rope grow on gravelly hills it is surprising that any persons should
persist in reitJrating that the grape prefers strong manures, especially
put on in such a wholesale v\ ay as some think necessary. But scien.
tific grape growing, as well as scientific growing and doing of everv-
thing else, is pushing aside the old methods, and we now must have
reasons for what we do. The potato rot is a witness against gross
feedin
"Pretty! 'tis lovely. Its price 1" — "A guinea — thank your lady-
ship ;" and one of the two plants stood proudly in her ladyship's
boudoir.
"My dear Charlotte, where did you got 1" &c., &c. — "Oh ! 'tis a
new thing ; 1 saw it at old Lee's; pretty, is it not 1"— "Pretty ! 'tis
beautiful !— Its price 1" — A guinea : there was another left.
The visitor's horses smoked off to the suburb ; h third flowering
plant stood on the spot whence the first had been taken. The second
guinea was paid, and the second Fuchsia adorned the drawing room
.J of her second ladyship. The scene was repeated as new comers saw, _
t; and were attracted by the beauty of the plant. New chariots flew toQ
iwaev ^'M
I
1853.] THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
;'jfj
'P^
277
' ■ (J-
^the gates of old Lee's nursery ground. Two Fuchsias, young, grace- ,^
'"■ ful, and bursting into healthy llower, were constantly seen on the same ^p
spot in his repository. He neglected not to gladden the faithful sail- ^
or's wife by the promised gift; but ere the flower season closed, 300
golden guineas chinked in his purse, the produce of the single shrub
of the widow of Wapping; the reward of the taste, decision, skill, and
perseverance of old Mr. Lee. — Shepherd.
Piiihitlolphia, January, 1853.
The facility with which experienced gardeners can be procured by
those interested in horticulture and possessing the means of gratifying
their taste for the beautiful in nature, has much to do with the pro-
gress of the art. A gentleman may have good taste, correct ideas of
what he would desire in the horticultural department of his establish-
ment ; he may possess much accurate botanical knowledge with a just
conception of what constitutes a landscape, but the details he does not
feel disposed to attend to ; other n.atters demand his attention, and he
desires to delegate a portion of this business to another, whose sphere
it is to be informed on all the practical concerns necessary to carry
out the object in view— the formation of a garden and its accompani-
ments. This is the duty of the gardener ; but how various are the
qualifications, how different the degress of competency, how diverse
the sort of information possessed by the different individuals who de-
signate themselves by the appellation of gardener ! The branches into
which their duty divides iti^elf are no less various in their character,
nor less numerous. They comprise operations quite dissimilar; in-
clude the most delicate as well as the most rude extremes in manual
labor— from the inserting of a minute bud, which is the rudiment of a
future tree, to the uprooting of the giant of the forest when it presents
an impediment to the carrying out of a favorite design— from the hy-
bridisation of a flower, to the removal of a hill which happens to have
been pitched by nature in an awkward position for the pnfection of
the landscape according to a peculiar plan. Vicissitudes of tempera-
ture have to be endured, varying from 31 ,, which is at least the high-
est temperature of the ice house in summer, to 100^ or upwards, the
temperature to which the vinery often reaches at that season. The
enthusiastic gardener forgets all thrs^ diliiculties whm truly interested
in his profession, and values the safety of his tender plants and the
I success of his crops, above all personal considerations. Inured to these
C^ changes of climate and accustomed to manual labor, he exposes him-
/Sself to the severity of the seasons and adapts himself to the require- C
m^"^ . - - ..^^^m
THE PHILADELPfflA FLORIST.
FJan'y.
ments of his social position ; but in order properly to fulfil the duties r
he undertakes, he must be, to a certain extent, educated. He forms a '
poor assistant to the improving employer if he cannot appreciate his
ideas and sugrgestions, as to the elements of beauty in the arrangement
of the garden, park or conservatory. If he cannot converse with him
at times upon the current topics of horticulture at home and abroad,
and enumerate some of the improved systems proposed in the different
departments of his business— if the common plants which spring up
around him are unknown to him in a botanical point of view, and their
position in the great scale of organised beings not ascertained or con-
sidered— if he only works without thinking or reffecting— if he carries
on his operations without study or enquiry into the causes which re-
gulate them, then he is but a poor apology for a horticulturist, and not
in reality a gardener.
The amateur desires to call to his aid an individual who possesses a
knowledge of the peculiar business which he professes ; not a man who
can dig a°nd lop, and bury a tree here, and root up another there— but
a man°with a fair amount of muscular strength, possessing an intelli-
gent mind, cultivated to a certain extent. He wants to learn from
him what he should do to gratify a certain taste, and how to do it in
the most appropriate and least expensive manner. How necessary it
is then, that the gardener, whose advice the employer seeks in the pro-
posed outlay of a large sum of money, should be informed accurately
on the questions within his province. More than this— he should be
obliging, and patient in the various difficulties connected with the de-
tern^inrtion of points of difference between himself and his employer,
adapting himself as much as possible to the circumstances in which he
is placed, and making allowance for the different tastes of different in-
dividuals'. A gardener, in fact, to afford satisfaction to an amateur
interested in horticulture, must be a man of intelligence, of general
information, and agreeable in his manners. Brought in contact fre-
quently with persons of refined taste, his address must be such as not
to disgust them. We are led to make these remarks by the frequent
difficulties that arise in the selection of gardeners; much trouble is
caused by the want of a proper understanding of the duties of a
gardener ; much also by the difference that is observable between the
arrangements in this country with respect to them, and those prevail-
\n^ in Europe. All admit that we are dependent on foreign countries
for our gardeners ; we are, because there, the art and science of horti-
culture has reached its climax. There, nothing is wanting in the ex-
tensive horticultural establishments that is requisite to prepare the gar-
dener, who undergoes a proper training, for assuming the charge of
Vj any similar concern; and thus, by attention to the principles on which ^
5 the diff'erent operations are based, nothing is necessary on a gardener's ^
■^^^
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
'^arrival in this country from Europe but to make himself acquainted
^ with the differences of climate, the nature of the arrangements carried
out in this country, (at present very different from what he has been ^
accustomed to,) the plants most commonly cultivated and best adapted
to the climate, and to the wants of the horticultural public ; and then
to try and make himself familiar with the spirit of the free institu-
tions, which has no small share in the future happiness of the native
of a foreio-n land. It will not serve any good purpose to indulge in
odious comparisons of the establishments met with here, and in the
country he has just left ; this only tends to discourage those who place
confidence in the statements made of the superiority of foreign esta-
blishments, but far oftener to create a feeling of contempt and oppo-
sition in the minds of those who are strongly prejudiced in favor of
the character of their own institutions. And after all, there is so
much to admire here — so much luxuriance of climate, and abundance
of the gifts of nature— so much fine fruit, and no scarcity of fragrant
flowers— so much freedom to admire, and enjoy, and participate in
these, that in the end we think the superiority is not worth contend-
ino- for. The amateur here enjoys his neat little greenhouse because
he has watched its construction, collected with care and at a cost the
plants it contains; he has tended the plants daily, and watched with
anxiety for the opening of the bud of some great novelty— and is
he not more gratified than the aristocratic individual who expends
thousands of pounds annually on a conservatory and is ignorant of its
contents, not knowing, perhaps, a Brownea from a Rose or a Rhodo-
dendron] AVe pri/.e the spirit of our amateurs, and we would rejoice
to know that wh»»n they employ gardeners they meet with men dis-
posed to appreciate their love of a profession which they have chosen,
we trust, for its own sake. We hope a better understanding will soon
prevail between amateurs and gardeners. Every disposition is exhi-
bited here for the advancement of gardeners and gardening; all can-
not be eff'ected at once. Horticultural societies are after all the great
means of rendering them familiar with each other, and these, we are
glad to find, are increasing in number.
Asain we must reiterate our conviction that the great desideraftim
is a Public Garden, Botanical or Horticultural, where the intelligent
gardener, when he arrives in this country, could in a few months be
made acquainted with dl its peculiarities of climate and plants, and
be trained by able and experienced men in those branches which no
intelligent crardener will deny are new to him, if he has been brought
up in the gardens of Europe. But more than this : those men's abili-
I ties could thus be tested who professed acquaintance with a difficult
CV, profession whose first principles were unknown to them. Then at
(^ length the amateur could provide himself with a suitable gardener, and
..-t^ci^lt
280
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[JanV
^ the youth of this country, whose tastes were directed to the rural arts, n.
J^ could find a suitable institution where they might learn a beautiful and i
I pleasant, if not a very remunerating; occupation. We hope to see
many of our youth chose this line of life, as by that means the busi-
ness would begin to be recognised as an honorable mode of procuring
a livelihood, and rank with others in the scale of respectability, if not
in the amount of emolument.
The New Year is approaching, and with it comes a new schedule
(at least we hope it will be new) of i)ivmiums in our Horticultural So-
ciety. We suppose that every one directly interested in horticulture,
that Is every one who grows plants, fruits, or vegetables, could sug-
gest some alteration, or what they think improvement in this matter.
There are, of course, as many oi.inions on this subject as there are
such persons; and we hope that when the schedule is offered, the pre-
miums will be well debated-and in this way more persons will be
satisfied. We propose to say a f.w words on the matter, giving them
for what they are wor.h : as we are not of those who think their opi-
nions absolutely right, and who wish to cram them down the throats
of every one else. We know that there are many older and wiser
heads than our own at work ; to such we listen with deference A
person who proposes reforms, or objects to what is already establish-
ed is generally looked upon with suspicion; but conservatism in sci-
entific^'matters, especailly in so rapidly advancing a science as horti-
culture, is not to be thought oi : old fogyism is no longer respectable.
Becrinnincr Nvith the stated monthly exhibitions-the principal com-
petition is in the way of " the best collection of plants," without de-
signatincr number or kind, whether greenhouse or hothouse, or hardy;
^vhether for superior growth or rarity. As this is an especal cause of
disappointment and complaint, the limits could not be too well defined.
We would say, limit the number to twrlve or twenty specimens, not
exceeding the latter number; kt the giowlh be the first criterion, as
exhibiting the skill of the gardener ; if equally well grown, then the
value of the coUection-but in t!/is the judges may err in preferring
well crrown Pelargoniums to other plants not so well looking, of more
difficult kinds, as Heaths, and sucli plants which are usually thought
more intractable. As to the nund)er, we have seen such crowds of
plants, sometimes mere trash, shown for competition, that the sooner
they are limited the better, 'i'h. plants which obtain the gold n.edals
at the Chiswick shows are not always of the rarest kinds, buttJiey are
specimen plants, such as Allamanda cathaitica and bclK^tln, 1 imelia
spectabilis^Epacris grandillora, but of a .iz.^ and compactness that
, those of us who have not seen th.m have little id.a of, and always m ^
^^^.plendid bloom. If we mistake not, relargoniums, and such plants aa^
-are specialities, are excluded from collections. n,^r^
t85l]
TliE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 281
^ Again, in the designs — we would think that they should be prefei- ro^
ed for gracefulness, for appropriateness, and for the rarity of the
flowers which compose them. A large pyramid of coarse flowers makes
a showy object sometimes, but there is no real beauty or value in it;
a basket, is generally, we think, a much handsomer and more tasteful
object. There is a premium offered for this, and ft)r a hand bouquet ;
both of these are useful. Whether baskets and bouquets of indigen-
ous plants promote the study of native botany, is a question. The
collection of named indigenous plants in pots we consider a most in-
teresting and important one ; but the judges must know enough of na-
tive botany to be able to distinguish the rarest collection. Twenty
plants might easily be shown in pots here, which, if shown in London,
would ret:eive a Banksiaa medal.
The committee for awarding these premiums have no easy task —
they will generally be censured for something by some body; but if
composed of men of taste, who are acquainted with plants, and who
are thoroughly posted up, they cannot err very far. No judgment
should be made without their being able to give a reason for it, for
judges of all kinds are in a measure responi^ible to public opinion, and
the reputation of the society dept-nds in a great measure on their capa-
bility. It is an acknowledged difficulty in all societies, to procure
persons willing to act as judge?? who are capable, and yet entirely dis-
interested ; amateurs of sufficient knowledge generally are exhibitors
themselves, and nurserymen are interested in the success perhaps of a
certain plant, or kind of plants; but ditficulties can be overcome, and
we have no doubt will be in these cases as well as in others. That
the judges could carry out the rule of making awards before the Hall
is crowded with visitors, we believe entirely practicable j if the hour
is too early, keep the vi^^itors out another half hour.
We shall return again to this subject, and take up Other parts d' thff
schedule; meanwhile we invite communications fronn any one who
has any ideas to offer, as we would like to see tlw mattt^r well dis-
cussed.
Winter is upon us, and in a ivW Weeks eVen the fi'TV rOses which
are left in our gardens, and the useful Chrysanthemum, willc^ase to
enliven th«' scene. The forest trees have been bare of leaves for a
month past, and how dre;.ry ;n»d d.- nlito will those places, wiiich ;in'
destitute of evt'igreetis, i^j^.Mr! Iii^oiih* nt-ighborlnjiMls, llnre are
cedars enout'-h of th.- cofunion kind to lake away from the ifi'iie hare-
ness of the scene. Thrs is td)servahle in the districts to the westward
of the city, in West Fhiladelphitf, a;:d on the western bank of the '
('* Schuylkill, above Fairmount. J^
i^v — — — -d^^
282 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^ But in the absence of evergreen tree., it should be the t-f '""^^ff'
' the sardener. or the person under whose care the place u, to keep the H
g,o.rnds in .he very neatest order ; if they cannot be ornamental \
them be as little shabby as possible. Too many P"^.°"7"f: *'";
the excuse for all sorts of litter and oncleanrmess.say.og tothem«.lye8
always, " it's of no use now ; when spring comes, I will clean up. -
But how much would be added to the xvinter api.earance of your
place, if all dried leaves were gathered up and put away m an out-ot-
ihe-way corner, along with the remains of herbaceous plants and such
other ve^elable matter as will enrich your compost heap. Have your
roses neatly tied up and covered with straw-they make cones «h.ch
are at least pleasing from their regularity, and when covered w.th
snow quite prettv ones ; sweep the grass off as cleanly as poss.ble, so
that the meltingsnow disclose charming spikes ol green, in place ol,
.s is often the case, a piece of brick, or a block, or an old wa.er.ng-
pot. Gather up all the stakes which are left in the Aow-^-j^borders^
and put the best of them carefully away for another year By a lew
days' labor voumay thus have a yard which will be p easant to look
upon, and which will make much abused w.nter not h^l^ f°f "^^reeable
as some people assert it to be. Above all, let no one disturb the few
birds which are about the place during the cold weather; snowb.rds
are always plenty, and it is always pleasant to see them shaking the
snow from the dead branches in their happy gambols.
It would appear, from the following advertisement, which we take
from the "Gardener's Chronicle," that gardeners are plenty in Eng-
land :
« Wanted, a Gardeneb.-A clerfryman wants a sober, industrious
man who understands greenhouse and the usual garden work. He
Zst' be able to milk a cow, and to make hin.self generally useful, as
rother mln is kept reguUrly. He must also be able to teacfs and
?ead a band and to MUg in church. A young man o old.gmg d,spo-
lion and good character will find a coudor.able and coustan place,
and his wa|es increased ; but they will be but moderate at hrst. Ad-
dress, post paid" &.c.
A course of lectures on Botany has commenced at the Hall of the
Franklin Institute, by Dr. A. L. Kennedy, on Monday even.ngs. The
second lecture of the course embraced .he foru.at.ou ol the cells of
plants. The lecture, explained the manner in which cells multiplied
IhetBselves, their various forms and func.ions, tl,e great foi^e they were
I capable of exerting in their formation, illustrated by the undo ated
\ surface of our footways ; and afterward* illus.rat.d by experiments the
2 nature of vegetable fibre as compared with animal.
j^V
■'^ll
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST^
283
^^-c.
and others are in cours • of completion. Grape c dture utuler glass is ^
inow being engair^d in with spirit. o/-r^.,..
284 THE PIIILADEmiIA^I/)RIS^
ci "^ o
t
o
Testimonial to the late A. J. Downing. ^
A circular has been issued by tho committe of the American Pom- ^h
olo-ical Society, appointed to collect subscriptions, and make arrange- ^
mcnts for a testimonial in memory of the services rendered to
Horiculture by the late A. J. Downing.
Circular of the American Pomological Society.
The undersio-ned were appointed a committee by the American
Pomolo-ical Society, at its late meeting in Philadelphia, (with power
to add to their numher) to solicit fron. individuals suoscnptions, each
of one dollar or upwards, to procure such testin.on.al as the commit ee
may deem suitable and expedient, in memory of the lunn-nted Andvs.
Jackson Downins;. . . tt„^,!
His private virtues, his great worth and .mportant services m Horti-
culture Rural Architecture and the various hranches ot terra-culture,
and his nun.erous and valuable publications, justly entitle him to this
^^ilfdilch'arge of the duty imposed on ur, we transmit to you this cir-
pular, and earnestly request your prompt co-operation m lulfilment ot
this benevolent desic-n. . ,, . • i
^^Isspcietionsaswdl as individuals who may ^^'ceive this circii ar
I are requested to transmit by mail or otherwise, the.r contributions to
either of the subscribers, who will register their names, residence and
• "£&. Wilder, Boston; Robert Bnist, Caleb Cope Philad'a,
H. VV. S. Cleveland, Burlington, N. J.; Benj Hodge Bulialo, N. \.,
F.R. Elliott, Cleveland,0.; Lawivnce Young, Spnngdale, ^y-^^]-^'
B eckenridge, Washington, D.C, John A. 1-""--^^, ^«;;\l^fi.!i^ j^/l^
The several Vice Pn- sidents of the American Pomological Society,
and the chairmen of tlie various State fruit committees are hereby
constituted members of tjie above committee, with authority to appoint
associates in tHeir respective States and Territories.
"^ M. P. WILDER, Ch'n.
Is'ewgpapers ^d periodicals will please notice.
» 1 1 . —
Our Monthly Tour of Inspection
Helendale Nursery, Darby road. Mr. Dick has lately removed
to his new place here, and has four houses and one in course of, erec-
tion each 130 feet by 24. Camellias and Roses seem to be the plants
especially cultivated; of the former ho has about twenty thousand
plants. He also cultivates Azaleas, which are sold in quantities to
the tre^de/ AU the houses are heated by iron pipes, and water will be
introduced by hydraulic rams, driven by a little creek which runs
Ihrou^^h his premises, and into which his land is drained. W e also
noticed some fine specimens of dwarf pears, and some ornamental
tree«. Tjie Roses are grown on their own roots, as Mr, Dick thinks
they succeed better than the standards,
Camellia place, W^est Spruce Street. Mr. Mackenzie, the proprie-
^ tor of this nursery, is one of the few who have not been driven out
g39V^ - --^'^
Ov
1853.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 285
mii^ " """ ^^cg
"^of town by the requirements of building. He has there a very large ^
^ and fine stock of Camellias, some of them new varieties, such as the '
Queen of Denmark and Archduchess Augusta; also several of his own ^
seedlings, his last one, Jenny Lind, being among the best American
varieties. W^.' noticed a large stock of Conifers, Araucaria excelsa
and imbricata, Juniperus excelsa, Thuja plicata, Taxus elegantissima,
&c. ; a large assortment of Acacias, twenty varieties of Azaleas, and
some fine horsershoe geraniums, the fine white flowering one, and
Cerise unique. Flower of the day, and several other new scarlets. —
In the hothouse were fine young plants of MediniUa speciosa, Ixora
handhuca, Hoya hella, several ./leschynimthus, Cenlradeninfloribvnda
and other choice plants. Over the rafters of this house was trained
a very large specimen of Bignonia venusta, which furnishes every
year hundreds of clusters of its beautiful flowers. In frames was a
large stock of the beautiful Deut/ia gracilis. The Fuchsias were not
in bloom, but we saw plants of Ajax and Alpha, dark, and of Expan-
sion and Beauty of Holgate, light varieties. One or two fine plants
of the new Campanula Vidalii were on the stages, but it has not yet
bloomed in this country to our knowledge.
Those who wish to see a handsome and well kept place, should visit
the gardens of the Philadelphia Almshouse, under the superintendence
of Mr. Graham. A large fplot is laid out adjoining the insane de-
partment, which is the fruit and vegetable garden, and part of it is
devoted to flowers, of which there is a fine collection. The southern
side of the garden is bounded by the beautiful Althcea hedge, men-
tioned by Mr. Buist in your September number, a sight of which in
bloom is alone worth a visit to Blockley; the variety is we believe
the painted lady, rose color and white. At present there is of course no-
thing to be seen out of doors, except neat, well cleaned beds'and borders.
The box edging is very extensive, and is kept well trained. A single
pitch house is on the north side ; and like the outside it is kept in the
neatest order. The Camellias were just coming into bloom, and we
noticed many fine varieties; Roses and Geraniums occupied a large
part of the staging. Mr. Graham has a fine variety of Cacti, one of
which, Phyllocdctus Grnhajnii, a well known seedling of his, we think
the finest hybrid of this family ever raised. He has also produced
an anemone-flowered Camellia, which bears his name. Kitchen gar-
dening is carried on here very extensively, the large population of
the establishment requiring a great supply ; as much as twenty bushels
of tomatoes have been used in one day. The labour is performed
entirely by paupers.
Federal Street Nursery, R. Scott, proprietor, is located on
Schuylkill Sixth, below Federal street, and although in a location by
'£no means inviting at present, from its contiguity to brick fields, willG
_ ^x?ions, man could
not thus gratify his taste until these peculiarities were overcome ; and
hence the study of the several circumstances involved in this adapta-
tion of means to ends. In the infancy of this attempt to overcome
theprovisionsof nature in the distribution of plants, by removing
p from their native forests the objects deposited there, and placing them^.
' under circumstances such as the ingenuity of the naturalist could at the /^
;39V -^^^**
ol
290 THE PHILADELPHIA FLOIIIST. t^o.^^
(^time dovise, we mav well imagine that many disappointments were;^
^^ experienced, and that the progress in this branch of science was slow ^
and uncertain. By constant attention and perseverance, however, ef- ^
fects were traced to causes, and in the gradual development of human
intelligence, laws were observed and defined which it was proved re-
gulated plants in their development j and from age to age, as other
branches of natural science progressed, Horticulture also advanced.—
The advantages which accrued from the facilities it afforded for the ex-
amination of°the component parts of plants were most important, as
the vegetable kingdom contains so many essentials in human economy
that their character and composition was a most useful subject to en-
cracre the attention of the student of nature, if we consult one of the
tre°atises on plants, published before Botany, as a science, began much
to be studied, we will find the most detailed accounts of the virtues of
such plants as came under the notice of the herbalist, there is not a
single individual but has had attached to it a long line of vtrtuts al-
most entirely lost sight of at the present day, or cast in the shade by
some more powerful extract of a native of the tropics. The fact is
clearly perceptible, that tropical plants, in a living state, were little
known in English gardens in the day^ of Tmner, who flourished m
the middle of the Sixteenth Century. As the science of Horticulture
is 80 closely connected with that of Botany, we may expect to trace
their cotemporary progress ; and wlien we consider what even a cen-
tury has effected in making us familiar with tropical forms of vegeta-
^ tion, when we are now quite familiar with plants which a century ago
were known only by what were deemed fabulous accounts— when the
living plant from the most remote and inaccessible tropical forest can
now be inspected in our conservatories, we must admit that at least
something has been done. We cannot pretend to form an opinion as
to what may be achieved in the next century ; but if we calculate by
comparison with the past, we must expect great things. The immense
structures of iron and glass which are now erected with no more dif-
ficulty than was some years ago experienced in constructing an ordi-
nary conservatory, afford us reason to hope for great things in plant
cultivation. Methods of heating such structures have also reached a
point of comparative perfection, and from what we have seen of plant
culture even in our own vicinity during the past season, we are led to
conclude that more dilhculties will be attempted and overcome. Ma-
ny points in horticulture which were but a few years ago estimated
as difficulties, are now no longer considered so ; and many which now
occupy the same position in the minds of the majority of cultivators,
will ere Ion- be classed amongst the common routine of operations.
In attaining these results, there is n.uch perseverance and energy re-
quired s ai^d those who hope to share in the benefits and improvements
1853 ] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
39b^
^^c?Ci^;
291
($ which increased knowledge ensures, must first endeavor to obtain aj*J
N^fair proportion of that knowledge, and not to lag behind in this pro- c^
/ gressive age of enlightenment. Whether we consider horticulture in ^
the means it affords of supplying, to a great extent, food for our con-
sumption, or the means of making ourselves acquainted with the char-
acter and composition of a large proportion of the oig.nic forms with
which the globe is invested, it must still be esteemed as one of the
most useful pursuits in which mankind can be engaged. The tall
palms of the tropics have been introduced to the conservatories of
temperate countries, and flourish there under the care of the gardener.
The numerous forms of Epiphytal Orchids, which from their peculiar
habits might have been supposed almost beyond the skill of the culti-
vator, now (lourish luxuriantly in the hothouses of our amateurs Rare
and curious vegetable forms, the products of which have been known
and used in the arts, may now be viewtd in the original state, without
visitincr their native habitat, which was beyond the reach of many ar-
dent lo^'vers of nature. The ColFee Tree, the Tea plant, the Sugar Cane,
the Date, Palm, the Cocoa Nut, the Croton Oil plant, the India Rub-
ber, Gutta Percha, and Vegetable Ivory, are all reduced to cultivation
and form objects of interest to those who visit plant collections ; and
in fact there are few remarkable plants already discovered which have
not been introduced into some of the various collections which now
enrich those countries where science is cultivated. Nor has the pro-
gress of adapting to our wants such loreiun fruits and esculents as are
susceptible of cultivation been less than in the branch just mentioned.
Many of the fruits bestowed by nature on countries of a higher tem-
perature than our own, have been adapted by skilful cultivation to our
uses, and are raised in nbundance by the enterprising gardener, bome
new object is daily added to the list of those already brought withm
the province of the cultivator, and it is hoped that we will go on pro-
gressincr, rendering the beautiful and useful forms of vegetable life
familiar to the intelligent public, which are now beyond their reach.
THE CINERARIA.
A few remarks on the cultivation of this showy family of plants
may not he unacceptable to your amateur readers, as its br>ll,ancy of
colors and profusion of bloom rend.r it well worthy the attenfon of
those who desire variety without n.uch expens.. or care. The C.ne-
rariaisoneof those plants which may be cultiv,,..,! ...out much
diliicultv, and of which there is an endless va.iely produced rom seed.
I Many prefer raising th- phu.ls frou, year to y...r lVo,„ seed; hy sow- /
\ i„K in the fall and l..,.pin, tl^.n .rouin, du in. winter they have ^
^ hem in a proper st.t.. for dowering ,n the spr.:,, helo.e the extremeC
V
1^39^;
1
p
292 THE PITTT.ADET.PIITA FLORIST.
•K
[No. 10
feheat of summer overtakes them, as they do not seem to flourish when ^J
^exposed to it. They may be had in bloom through the entire winter ^
by proper management. )
After the plants have done blooming, remove them to a shady situ-
ation, giving them water but sparingly ; about the middle of July re-
pot them in a rich light soil to start the side shoots into growth, as
they are the best for the new stock. As soon as they are sufficiently
advanced, separate them carefully and pot into small sized pots, which
should be placed in a frame and kept rather close until they get esta-
blished, when they will require plenty of air, and should be kept as
near the glass as possible, and repotted as they require it ; they should
never be allowed to become pot-bound, as their growth will thua be
checked, and they will have a tendency to send up flower stems pre-
maturely before they have attained suflicient size or vigor. They
should never be allowed to wilt for want of water, as it incurs a loss
of foliage and checks the vigor of the plant, thereby diminishing its
blooming properties. An important point is to preserve them from
the green fly, as they are very liable to be attacked by it, and it in-
creases rapidly in numbers upon their foliage if not subdued by fumi-
gation with tobacco. After the plants begin to throw up their flower
stems, a watering with manure water (prepared from farm-yard ma-
nure) about twice a week, will greatly assist them in increasing the
size of the flowers and in their expansion. When fully in bloom they
should be kept cool and shaded from the sun, as by this means they
will remain longer in bloom. They seem to flourish best in a compost
of loam and sand, with a little leaf mould ; no plant seems to succeed
better by the application of diluted liquid manure, wliich may be easily
procured by dissolving some of the farm-yard manure, and diluting it
sufticiently. There are a great many varieties of the Cineraria now
in cultivation ; and new seedlings, of brilliant color and endless vari-
ety, are annually produced from seed. J. S.
Waterbury^ Ct,
LUCULIA GRATISSIMA.
This is one of the most beautiful and most deliciously fragrant of
all our winter floweiing plants. With a little management, it maybe
had in blossom from September to March ; and, with the exception of
Pinceana, 1 am unacqtiainted with any plant which flowers at this sea-
son, and requir.'s so little artificial heat, and so little care generally in
its management, which is .'qijal in respect of both beauty and fra-
I grance. "^That it is not more generally cultivated is owing, I believe, ^
O, to a somewhat pr^'vah-nt, but mistaken notion, that it is difficult to o.
i)
(*-" manage. I miisl, liowcvi-r, admit that it is soimnvhat difiicult to pro
18.53.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
293
^pagate, as cuttings, when not well matured, are apt to damp off in hot- ^^
tom heat ; and when too hard, they frequently take so long to root ^
that they exhaust the patience of the propagator ; and it is difficult, if "^
not absolutely impossible, to give instructions which would enable the
inexperienced person to select cuttings in the proper stage of ripeness;
but practice and careful observation will overcome this difficulty, and
the Luculia will be found to root in bottom heat in a shorter time than
is required by many of our favorite plants. Until this is the case,
however, adopt the following method, which, if slow, has the recom-
mendation of being sure.
Select cuttings of short-jointed pieces as early in the season as they
can be had in a rather hard state. These may be obtained in May, if
a plant is left without being cut down after flowering. Slip them off
with a heel, and use the knife merely to remove any loose bark which
may extend beyond the wood, and to divest them of superfluous leaves.
Insert the cuttings thus prepared in small thumb pots filled with sandy
peat, and give a moderate watering, to settle the soil, &c. But ob-
serve, with respect to the soil, that it should be in a rather moist state
when used, as the cuttings are impatient of damp, which, in the event
of repeated waterings being necessary, it is difficult to prevent. After
potting, place them in a shady situation in a house, the temperature
of which may average 55"", and cover them with a hand-glass. The
only farther attention which they will require, will be an occasional
sprinkling ot water; this should be applied towards the evening, the
plants left uncovered until the following morning, and in cloudy wea-
ther it may be necessary to remove the hand-glass, or place it so that
there may be a circulation of air, so as to prevent damp. If cuttings
are properly attended to in these respects, and allowed to remain du-
ring the summer in some quiet corner, the probability is that nine-
tenths of them will root. They should be carefully attended to du-
ring the winter, and should not be thrown away; even if alter having
been in the cutting-pots the whole summer they should not be found
rooted, give them the farther chance of a little bottom heat during
next January. As soon as they are fairly rooted they will grow away
freely, and should be shifted into a size larger pots, and gradually ex-
posed to a freer circulation of air. No advantage will he gained by
keeping them in a temperature exceeding 60^ as, if they are kept in
a warmer place, they will grow weaker, and will require so much
stopping to keep them bushy that the loss will probably exceed the
profit. As the sun becomes powerful, it will hv nt-cessary to shade at
least a few hours during the middle of the day, for this plant is ex-
ceedingly liable to sutTer from the direct rays of the sun ; and I have ,
u never been able to do any good with it, exce^it when I could protect^
Sit in this respect; and 1 hav also found that sudden exposure to dry-U^
294
THE PIIILxVDELPnTA FLORIST. [No^ 10
ing currents of air injures it more than most plants. With attention^
to its wants in these respects, and if allowed plenty of pot room, and ""'
kept free from insects, the plants will form nice specimens by the end
of the first season, and may each produce flowers, but this will greatly
depend upon their havintr been stopped at the proper season. The
weaker plants should not be stopped at all, and there will be nothing
gained, as respects the production of blossoms, by stopping even the
stronger plants more than once, and none should be stopped later than
the middle of July, or the first week in August.
As soon as they have pretty well ripened the wood from which
flowers are expected, they should be kept rather cool, or they may be
removed to a shady, but airy situation in the greenhouse, or to any
place where they can be assisted to harden their wood by a cool, dry
atmosphere. Such of the plants as have never been stopped will pro-
bably show flower towards the middle or end of September, when they
may be removed to a damper atmosphere and kept rather moist, so as
to encourage them to develope their beauty and fragrance ; and if the
plants are renjoved from the greenhouse, or cool situation in which
they were placed to ripen their wood, to a warm^r situation, at inter-
vals of about a fortnight, they will afford a succession of flower for at
least three months. While in blossom they will be found to require
a rather dry atmosphere ; and unless this is provided, their beauty will
be short lasted. I hav(^»fnund a sitting room window to suit them ex-
ceedingly well at this time, but situations where the temperature will
average from -i-O*^ to 45^', and where they can be protected from damp,
is all that they require.
When they have done flowering, the plants should be rather spai^
ingly supplied with water for a fortnight, previous to their being cut
back, and they may be stowed away in any spare corner of the green-
house or cold pit, where they will be safe from their great enemy-
damp. After being treated rath.-r hard for a fortnight, they should be
cut back sufficient ly to secure a compact, bushy growth, and now is
the time when they can, with least trouble, he thoroughly cleared of
insects. They are especial favorites with the black thrips, as most
delicate plants are, and if these pests have a residence about the place
at all, it maybe looked for upon the Luculia, and they should now
be carefully removed at any expense of time and labor; for it they
are permitted to establish themselves they will do much injury during
the ensuing season. After tin- plants have be.n cut hii( k and cleaned,
a portion may be encniira^^^'d to l^iuw early in the season, so as to come
into flower soon in the aulunm ; but it will be advisable to introduce
them into heat very <:rudually, otlierwise they will bi^ak their upper-
most buds only, and will consequently become naked below. It the ^
^" plants can be hept durinir tli- ir .v cuud scabou's giowth in a moist %\
stf^e-
,.c
'C
1^
1853.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
295
p
O
growing atmosphere, where they will receive abundance of light and r»J
^y protection from the direct rays of the sun during the summer months, c^q
/ and also guarded against the attacks of insects, and allowed plenty of \
pot room, they will form handsome specimens, and flower abundantly
during the dull months of winter.
With respect to soil, the Luculia is not difficult to accommodate.
For its pot culture, I u^e about one-half turfy-peat, and one-half light
turfy-loam, adding a portion of silver sand, more or less, according to
the nature of the other materials.
Those who have room for the Luculia in the conservatory border
will find it a most eligible plant for such a situation. But it succeeds
best, shaded from the direct rays of the sun from the beginning of
May to the end of August; and in order to bloom it in perfection, it
also requires to have the house kept rather close. It will not thrive in
a temperature under 40° or 45^; for where the temperature does not
average this, the flowers are liable to damp off*. Planted out, it will
thrive perfectly in any light soil, whether peat or loam. It will be
found to require some attention, in order to keep it clear of insects,
and also the same treatment with regard to stopping and cutting back,
as recommended for young plants ; but as it cannot receive any assist-
ance in the way ot heat and moisture, never stop later than the middle
of July. — Alpha, (of the Gardener'' s Chronicle,')
REPOSE OF PLANTS.
A taste for the cultivation of flowers is now being so extensively
diflfused, I think it would not be without its use to endeavor through
the medium of the ''Florist" to draw the attention of amateurs to an
observance of some of the more prominent laws on which are found-
ed the successful practice of plant cultivation. It is a well known
thouffh much neglected fact that all plants must have a shorter or
longer period of entire rest and repose, Were the amateur to keep
this fact constantly in view he would have much fewer losses to re-
gret and a far healthier collection than is generally the case. To
show that this repose is necessary we have only to point to nature,
and ask what is it that imparts to winter its dull and death-like ap-
pearance! we answer, nothing but this universal sleep of nature. If
the cultivator will have success he must copy nature, for he may rest
assured she does nothing in vain, and in proportion to the faithfulness
in which she is followed, will the measure of success be. It must
ever prove a vain and abortive course to force the growth of plants
when they ought to be dormant : in this state of hybernation they are
collecting a store of nourishment, which when the proper season ar-
/^ rives will enable them to perform all the various functions for which
%( they are eminently adapted. Having ascertained the truth of this ^
S^9b^ -^f=C^M
296 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST
rNo. 10
^ naTural principle of vegetable repose it can be turned to good account,
"^in the artiticial way in which plants for the most part are kept in our
plant structures. We can assist, liasten, retard, or complete the work
as circumstances may dictate; and seeing that this is the most favora-
ble condition for plants surviving unhurt the rigor and severity of
winter, the cultivator will at once perceive the importance of ob-
serving this, and allowing his plants to arrive at this stage before the
severity of winter overtakes them in a growing and succulent state ;
and moreover, they will require to be treated while in this condition
almost as if they were dead ; they require no stimulants whatever,
for if heat and water were to be administered at this season, a spring
time would be created in the house while there is little sun light, so
essential to their proper development. Though this neglect of a uni-
versal law, plants are not allowed the necessary rest, but are forced to
dwindle on, for they cannot be said to grow, and are robbed of all
the material necessary to promote vigor, hence every expectation is
blasted, every hope frustrated through ignorance of a principle which
maybe seen in full operation by all who choose to use their senses.
This is a common error among cultivators, they are anxious to antici-
pate, but in doing so they commit a fatal mistake; they are anxious to
speed, while they are doing all they can to impede ; however, all
plants do not require the same period or the same season of repose,
yet the law is general and the exceptions must be corrected in prac-
tice. A good collection may contain plants from all quartersjof the
globe ; some may have been obtained from the recesses of the forest
where the sun's rays scarcely reach, others from the mountain side,
where a pure air, and a clear light prevails; this points out to the in-
telligent cultivator the necessity of making himself acquainted with
all that pertains to his plants individually ; the country they come
from, their widest range of distribution in that country, all the various
elementary influences to which they are there subjected, the soil in
which they attain their greatest luxuriance both in flower and foliage ;
in a word, all the facts connected with their native habitat, becomes
very useful in one way or other. When this knowledge is attained,
cultivation becomes something more than the work of chance, it ranks
as one of the sciences; in lact it is only where thus followed out that
an intelligent mind derives from it that degree of pure pleasure which
it is 80 well fitted to aff'ord, when success can be traced not to chance
but to skill and forethought. Our advice to every amateur is to pur-
chase some work on the physiology of plants and make himself mas-
ter of it in all its details ; it is not a dry and uninteresting study, but
one richly fraught with pleasure, and moreover lu- will be constantly
1 seeincT in attending on his collection of plants, illustrations of t^'hat
A he reads; he will as certainly see cause in this, as in other mat-
%ters, he will learn to assist the efforts of nature rather than to ob- q^
@ struct her. ^^^^r^
18.33.] __THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST^ 297
r^ Amateurs oftener kill through excessive attention than neglect; the »
^y means are different but the end is the same, death follows either. He
may also learn many Useful lessons by close observation, when he has
an opportunity of being in the country ; every mountain, wood, and
o-lade are ever ready to off^er some illustration of the great laws by
whi(^h nature is governed. He will often see instances of plants having
come under accidental circumstnnces which have produced a new
aspect. This may turn out important information ; in fact, informa-
tion useful in carrying out his operations. If a richness of flowering
has been the result of a certain dause, it may produce similar results
with him. If a luxuriance of foliage has followed, the same cause
may produce a like eflect. If gracefulness of outline, such may be
produced again. It will be for him to note these causes, to store up
thfse facts, and make use of them as occasion may require ; he may
imitate, modify or avoid as best suits the end in view. No informa-
tion of this sort, or indeed of any sort is useless, it will be useful
tooner or lateri The man possessing a general acquaintance with
the internal structure of plants, and the various relations which the
different orders bear to each other, combined with an extensive know-
ledtre of the numberless external effects and transformations, pro-
riuced by causes under his control, has an immense advantage over a
person who cultivates his plants according to mere verbal directions,
or does as he sees or has seen others do. He knows that in certain
seasons such and such treatment is necessary, but he is ignorant why
he ought to do so. Now plant cultivation is modified by so many
circumstances, many of them beyond control, that to know that this
treatment or the other is required, is not all ; he must know when and
why it is necessary. If this knowledge from experience and obser-
vation be wanting, nothing can adequately supply its place. The
best calendar of operations will not make a good gardener, lia Use
is merely to refresh the memorVj for were such full and correct as they
could be made, the farther they would be from the end at which they
aim. 1 heir value decreases as the directions for one portion of the
country do not apply without modification to all parts; for this
reason I look upon a work buch as the "Florist" as rendering the most
important service to amateurs, im))rovements being noted as they are
discovered, and that too at a small expense. However, no work can
supercede personal study and observation in the lover of plants, all
his exertions tend towards the observance of natural laws, and the ama-
teur, even with his artificial structure and confined root room, will
have the most amj)le satisfaction and reward for his labor.
A Subscribes.
\
t) ID* Catalogue receited from R. Scott, Federal Street.
.^^dOS'-m
■^s
298
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
w
•^
i
f
On the Culture of the Hollyhock.
There are few plants that contribut-.' so much to the embellishment
of gairdens and jdeasure grounds, as the Hollyhock; whether it if
plant.nl in lines, masses, or detached sj«ecimens, this gorgeous gem of
flora is certainly an object worthy of admiration. It rears up its
lofty pyramids of flowers, ao if in defiance of its more humble com-
peers; being a vigorous grower, easily propagated, and of such
dazzling beauty, it is indeed a wonder that it is not niuch more in-
troduced into flower gardens and shrubberies than it is, presenting as
it does a brilliant display of flowers for many months, and at little
or no expense or trouble to the cultivator; indeed it will yield to no
other flowering plant in facility of culture, and the brilliancy and
variety of color it displays.
The Hollyhock will thrive in any common garden soil, provided it
be deep and rich, if it is not, trenching and manuring must be re-
sorted to. This is best performed in autumn ; trench to about the
depth of two feet, if the ground will admit of it, incorporating plenty
of manure. As the operation proceeds, leave it in as rough a state
as possible, or lay it up in ridges, so that irt may have the full benefit
of the winter's frost. >n spring, previous to planting, dig in a good
dressing of thoroughly decomposed manure, after which the ground
may be consideretl in a state fit to receive the plants. The propaga-
tion of the Hollyhock is very simple ; it is generally propagated from
eyes much in the same manner as the grape vine. When the plants
are in flower, select those you wish to propagate; take a stem and
split it down into lengths separating ea<:h bud, pare away the pith,
and cut them about two inches below the eyes; care must be taken
that it is a leaf bud, rejecting all those that are developing flower
buds. When the eyes are prepared, insert them in a frame of light
sandy soil ; keep them shaded until they are rooted, when they may
be gradually exposed to the sun. They may also be increased by
cuttings, but eyes are preferable as they generally make the best
plants. If the situation be dry they may at once be transplanted to
their flowering quarters, but it is better to pot them in middling sized
pots, and keep them in a cold frame or greenhouse all winter, and if
turned out in the spring, as soon as the weather will permit, they
will generally do better than if planted in autumn. Inf planting al-
low four feet between each plant, if in a single line, but if in clumps
three feet will be sufllcient. As soon as the stems are a foot or eigh-
teen inches high, thin them out, leaving one, two or three stems,
according to the strength of the plant, or the position in which it is
growing; thus, plants growing in the centre of a clump may be
^ allowed to have but one stem, while those growing towards the
'^ ootside may be allowed two or three, which will keep them from
M^9b^
^.^xiQS^i
On the Cultivation of the Vegetable Garden.
Draining.— In making a few remarks upon some of the most prom-
inent points in the cultivation of the soil, the first and most impor-
tant inquiry is its relation to water. It is useless to attempt further
improvement on a soil naturally wet, until it i>. drained. Probably, it
rarely occurs that a -wet spot" is fixed upon for garden purposes, but
it is necessary to drain all soils more or less, belore the utmost advan-
tages of deep cultivation can be secured, and deep culture is absolute-
ly indispensable to produce well matured and fine flavored vegetables.
I have very often seen the remark made, that diainii g was oi no use
here where the sun is so powerful, and droughts frequent, since a de-
ficiency of moisture is commonly the greatest evil the vegetable
"i^ grower has to contend against, it is for this very reason that 1 would
M^V^_ — -^^"^^
1853.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 299
(j^growing so tall. Each stem should have a separate stake, which need(^^»)
not be more than three or four feet above ground ; stake them before ^
they get very high, and secure them well by tying, and they will \
grow erect. In dry weather they will be greatly benefited by liberal
supplies of weak liquid manure, taking care not to let it come too
near the stem. If fine flowers for exhibition be wanted, the blooms
will be improved by cutting away all laterals, thinning the flower
buds, and pinching in the top of the spike ; but while this improves the
individual bloom, it will materially shorten the period of flowering
and perhaps disfigure the appearance of the plant. After they are
done flowering, cut down the stems and clear away all decayed foli-
age. They will require some half decayed leaves, tan, or such like,
laid round their necks during winter, as the frost is ai)t to injure them
in damp situations. To raise Hollyhocks from seed, always save it
from the best sorts, sow it as soon as it is ripe, in any dry sandy soil;
if not sown too thick they may remain in the seed bed all winter,
in spring transfer them to a piece of well prepared ground to prove
them. They may be planted pretty close, say about a foot or eigh-
teen inches apart ; attend to staking and clearing away laterals ; when
in flower carefully mark those that are worthy of growing and pro-
pagate them. If the seed be carefully saved you will seldom be
disappointed in having some good sorts, which will amply repay any
trouble connected with them. The Hollyhock is admirably adapted
for planting in clumps, and if proper attention be paid to the harmon-
izing of colors, they have a charming elFect. They may also be
planted in single lines to good advantage, and a few of the lighter
colored varieties may be introduced into shrubberies, where they
serve to .elieve the monotonous appearance of a mass of green foli-
age. In whatever situation they are planted, they will seldom fail to
attract attention from all lovers of Flora. Althaea.
m
300 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
r
rNo. 10
— ^^€g^
^recommend underground drains. Not so much for taking ofT water, ,-oj
but as a means of increasing its retention in the soil, and allow an ^^j
admission of air to the roots of plants. In gravelly and sandy soils, ^^
draining in conjunction with deep cultivation will secure a more am-
ple and lasting supply of moisture in dry weatiier, and keep vegeta-
tion in a luxuriant condition. This may seem paradoxical, but it is
nevertheless true. The soil is rendered more porous, water perco-
lates freely into it, carrying nutritious matter to the roots, air follows,
holding moisture in suspension, and when the surface supply fuils,
this suspended moisture is again brought up by capillary attraction, a
principle in cultivation which is not sutficiently understood or recog-
nized.
Clayey soils are still more improved by this system of underground
ventilation. A compact surface is formed immediately below the
cultivated soil, which forms a perfect basin for the retention of water
to the exclusion of atmospheric gases. The strongest clays have
their "weak points;" here we find a natural crack, and there a vein of
sand; here againja bit of gravel and there a stratum of decomposed
vegetable matter; so long as there is no vent underneath, these re-
main comparatively inactive, but ^undermine ^them with drains, and
their action is at once apparent, the subsoil that before held water as
in a basin, now transmits it like a filter. As the water sinks into
the soil a supply of fresh air immediately follows. From the in-
creased porosity of the soil the water that falls from the clouds con-
veys the ammonia, and carbonic acid to the roots of plants, which it
has absorbed during its passage through the atmosphere. The air ad-
mitted disintegrates and decomposes the mineral ingredients in the
soil, rendering them soluble and fitted for absorption by vegetation.
There are, perhaps, few soils actually deficient in inorganic sub-
stances, if properly presented to the atmosphere for decomposition. |
consider that the physical condition of the soil (its relation to air and
water) is of more importance than the introduction of the most valu-
able manures, although "the books*' would lead us to believe that it
is entirelv subordinate to its chemical constitution. Chen.ical ex-
periments have proved the failure of crops to proceed from a defi-
ciency of inorganic matter, although present in suilicient quantity in
the soil, yet in a state unfit for the purposes of vegetation. Many
and important are the chemical changes efiected in this laboratory of
nature, when her great agents air and water are allowed suflfjcient
gcope. Another advantage derived from the removal of superfluous
water in soils, is the increase in temperature they receive. A wet
soil is always cold. The heat of the sun is expended in evaporating
the water instead of warming the soil; the water must be removed
/t before the soil absorbs heat. On undrained, tenacious soils this isC^
ia9b> 'C?C_^^
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
"Siya^ ~ —
301
\^«J more observable. In spring plants are deprived of that genial warmth.'*)
60 favorable to their growth, hence vegetation is slow of action, ^{j
Every shower that falls upon such a soil during summer checks \
rather than stimulates from the subsequent cold produced from evapo- i
ration of the water. Solanum Tuberosum.
TVotices of it femr ]\eivand Rare Plants,
Flowered this season for the first time, at Springbrook:
Crowea LATiFOLiA. — A Very pretty Rutaceous plant imported from
Messrs. Loddiges, by Mr. Cope. The flowers are of a rosy waxy
purple, about half an inch across, and come out singly from the axil
of each leaf on the young shoots. The leaves are not so long or
broad as the old C. saiigna^ but are of a more shining green. Our
plant is at this time about fifteen inches high and nine inches across.
It commenced to blo)m in S*{)(embM'; continues to produce flowers
abundantly, and will probably for two months more. It thrives well
with me in a soil composed of the principal part peat, with the re-
mainder of equal parts sharp sand, loam and leaf mould ; I keep it
in a greenhouse, kept rather close, and shaded from the direct rays of
the sun.
Oldenlandia Deppei — A Cinchonaceous shrub, very nearly allied
to Pentas botanically, but very ditTerent in general appearance — its
chief recommendation consists in its ever blooming property. We
received our plant just struck from the original, imported through
Messrs. Hogg of New York, last June ; it was tiien in bloom, and has
continued ever since increasing in profusion with its age. Each
flower is very small, but they come out in about four or five togethef,
and are of the purest white. This plant is now about one foot high,
by the same in diameter. It does well in a soil composed entirely
of burnt loam and sharp sand, in the same house, and under the same
circumstances as the Crowea.
Eranthemum Semperflokens — A beautilul species belonging to
the very essential family of Acanthacetp. Our plant was imported
from Messrs. Lee, of the Hammersmith Nurseries, London, by Mr.
Cope, and is considered one of the best introductions of the snason.—
The flowers come out in long spikes, most profusely, rather small, but
of a fair white. The leaves have the prettiest appearance of any of
the family, being of a deep glassy green. The plant is growing in a
peaty soil, mixed with a little well decayed leaf mould and sand, but
it will no doubt thrive in a loamy soil. It is blooming in a dry stove
kept about 70^, and exposed to the full sun.
1pom^.a FiciFOLiA. — A Cou volvulaceous plant, which has also /
flowered in other i*hiladelphia collections. We received ours in the rP
i( spring, from Messrs. Hovey, of Boston. The leaves, as the namej;^)
i ■
302
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
7J
[No. 10
(^ implief, are shaped like those of the fig, but smaller in size. The
flowers are of a rosy purple, and are produced very abundantly. It
is the best of the perennial " morning glories." It has succeeded well
with us this season in a gre»^n house, kept in a warm place, but shelt-
ered from the direct rays of the sun, in a soil composed of the most
part of rotten turfy loam, enriched with a little rotten manure, and
mixed with sharp sand.
If you consider these notes useful, I shall be happy to continue
them. Thomas Meehan, Gr. to Caleb Cope, Esq.
Luculia Gratissima. — This beautiful plant has just flowered in the
houses of J.F. Knorr, Esq., West Philadelphia. To most of our gar-
deners it is familiar, but this is perhaps only the second time it has
ever flowered in this country, it having bloomed with Mr. Buist about
fifteen years ago. It is certainly a most attractive plant, having a
large terminal head of deliciously fragrant pink flowers, each being
an inch and a half broad. Each head lasts about ten days.
LECTURE ON AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
BY JOHN DONAGHY,
Superintendent of the Glasnevin Model Farm, and Teacher of Agriculture to
the Commissioners of National Education, Ireland.
(Concluded from page 113.)
Notwithstanding the taunts which have been, and which are still
being levelled at those who advocate the propriety of inculcating oa
the minds of young farmers the principles of those physical sciences
which have relation to agriculture, I cannot perceive why the appli-
cation of scientific knowledge to the operations of this important art,
should be less necessary than it is to those of any other industrial pur-
suit, whether manufacturing or commercial. Liebig, the celebrated
German chemist, says, on thi.s point — *' The great desideratum of the
present age is practically manifested in the establishment of schools in
which the natural sciences occupy the most prominent places in the
course of instruction. From these schools a more vigorous generation
will come forth, powerful in understanding, qualified to appreciate
and to accomplish all that is truly great, and to bring forth fruits of
universal usefulness. Through them the resources, the wealth, and
the strength of empires will be incalculably increased."
We can readily conceive that in newly settled countries, with a
virgin soil to cultivate, a thin population to support, only a nominal
i rent to pay, &c., defective modes of tillage may sufiice for a time in )
n^ supplying the wants of the inhabitants. But we are not to expect a ^O
•!^ similar result in an old country, with a dense population, the compe- Q\
^9£Pd^ .__ _^<^^:^m
18.53.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST, 303
(«^tition for land such as to render it comparatively high, and what is,-,
(J"* equally inimical to successful culture, the greater portion of the land
/ in a state of exhaustion from under cropping.
The consequences which may be expected to flow from a case of
the latter kind, may be thus explained :
The population of a country always increases as the means of sdb-
sistence increase ; but beyond this limit it cannot increase, though il
has a tendency to do so; for, when it arrives at the limitation point,
counteracting agencies come into operation which cut off* the inhabi-
tants, and gradually establish an equilibrium between the produce of
the country and !he number of inhabitants dependent upon it for sub-
sistence ; or else ultimately induce a preponderance of the former. —
From the eff'ects thus product'd by a superabundance of population,
we at once perceive the absolute necessity which exists of using our
best endeavors to make the agricultural products not only keep pace
with the demands of an increasing population, but also to exceed those
demands to as great an extent as possible. I have only to refer you
to the unfortunate case of this country throughout the late calamitous
years, in illustration of this point, to show you the cogency and appli-
cability of this reasoning. Here, in consequence of the density of our
population and the injudicious and sluggish mode of culture generally
pursued, the loss of only one of our crops induced an amount of death
and suffering too painful to dwell upon. Suffice it to say, that, in
1841, our population was upwards of eight millions, whilst in 1S51 it
was only about six-and-a-half millions. And a similar result, to a
greater or less extent, may be occasionally expected in every densely
inhabited country, in which means are not taken lo make the agricul-
tural products keep pace with the increase of the people. It would be
preposterous to expect that the same imperfect culture which was
practised a century ago would be capable of furnibbing even our pre-
sent reduced populatioti with the necessary supply of such products,
and a sufficient surplus for exportation. And if our population is to
increase, in future, in similar ratio to that which it did in years gone
by, so must the products of the land, and our agricultural knowledge
also.
But, by what means is agricultural knowledge to be diff'usedl This
is the all-important question. 1 have already stated it as my opinion
that it can be best eff'ected through the instrumentality of the school-
ntaster, in conjunction with the present modes in operation. I know
that the duties of this ofliicer are at present onerous enough, and that
his services are, in most instances, but poorly remunerated ; but I
I should hope that the introduction of agricultural education into his
Mo routine of business will not only better his condition, but also confer
(^most important benefits on the rest of the community. Already hei)
t a
5)1^29^-
304
THE PIIILADELPHIA FLORIST
[No. 1 0
"^ takes a most prominent part in preparinjr youth for, I may say, every^
\S profe3:>ion in life ; a slight fxtension of his duties will embrace ears that *' not less
than one hundred village teachers were in training at this institution.
These, as De Fellenberg appropriately termed them, were the hope of
their country ; and well miiiht he say so, as they would communicate
the industrial education which they were there imbibing to thousands
of pupils throughout the different cantons."
At Hohenheim, near Stutgard, in Wurtemberg, there is a similar
institution, which was founded by Schwartz, and afterwards endowed
by the king with a royal seat and extensive buildings. The land at-
tached to it embraces an area of 900 acre?, on which an exemplifica-
tion of different branches of husbandry is afforded to its pupils. This
establishment is said to have exercised a highly advantageous iafluence
upon the agricultural condition of the most of Wurtemberg.
Prussia has an a^^ricultural college at Moeglin, near Frankfort-on-
the-Oder, with 1"200 acres of land attached, and has for its presideul
a son of the disUnguished \'on Thaer. Here, also, both the principle*
and practice ol ditlerent branches of husbandry are afforded to the pu-
pils.
Russia has an agricultuial college under the immediate patronage of
tte emperor ; and agricultural schools, for combining the science with
the practice of agriculture, are ia active operatioa throughout the diP
ferent parts of the country.
France has an agricultural college at Greignon, with an extent of
land connected with it comprising 1000 acres. Here, also, the pupils
are taught both the science and practice of husbandry.
It seems unnecessary to refer particularly to any other agricultural
schools. Suffice it to say, that in IbSO the number of these establish-
ments, scattered over continental Europe, amounted to about 280. Of
this number there were 7r) in France, 6() in Russia, 35 in Bavaria, 32
in Austria, 32 in Prussia, 9 in Belgium, 7 in Wurtemberg, 5 in Sai-
ony, 5 in Schleswig Holstein, 2 in Bnmswick, and the remainder, for I
the most, in the dnchies and j)rin(.i[;alilies. |
Thus we find that agricultural education is now afforded to the tillers I
of the soil in iome of the most poweiful, as well as in some of the most p
£)enlightened countries in tiiu woild. Why should we, therefore, whose G>
lSr,:5. til!.: PHILADELPHIA FLOtllST. 305
(e-) interests are so much bound Uj) with the ])rogress or retrogression of a -»^
knowledge of husbundry, hesitate to puisue lliut course which appears
to be the most etlicient in disprlling the clouds of ignorance and dif-
fusing the liglit of k[io\vit'(lge, in rL-f\*rence to this all-important art]
the testimony of the agricultural inspector, as recorded in his reports,
of the very successful working of all those schools which have been
properly organized, and which have hud sufficient time to develope
their capabilities, prove, to a demonstratioUj the usefulness of the sys-
tem. It is not to he expected that in agriculture, as in some of the
other divisions ol labor, an instantaneously successful result can be ob-
tained. Years of toilsome labor must sometimes be expended on ex-
hausted or unijnproved farms ere they can be brought to a remunera-
tive state of protiuctiveness. Tnia fact, hovveVer, which is as clear as
noon day to every one aciju ainted with the cultivation of land, has
been sometimes overlooked ly the opj)onents (jf the i>ystenjj and what
was, in f»ct| mei itorious, under the circumstances, s tually condemned.
1 well renienjber that at the time when tlie system is first introduced,
those who took an active part in its development were met by the
•neers and jibes of even the very persons whom it was intended more
*speciaily to benefit. But, in due time^ the success attendant upon the
course of ciopping and iieneral manag^'uient pursued by the agricul-
tural teachers, had tl)eeilect of grauu.illy stemming the current of re-
proach which WttS lorelled at the system ; and we have now the satis-
faction oi lking forward, with uo sniall degree of confidence, to the
jio distant day whett th© esinnple of those teachers will be generally
co[»ied, and tlie blessings resulting from their labors very widely, if
not universally, felt.
Few who have given the sul)ject of education (hat serious coh-
iideraiion which its iiiiportance demands will, I shodld think, object
to a mode of imparting it amongst the rising generation of farmers,
which has for its principal objects the inculcation of correct principle*
of husbandry, the infusioa of early habits of industry, the proper
development a( the physical energies, and strict moral rectitude of
conduct. It should be remembered ttiat the youth of our present day
will, in some ten or fifteen years hence, become the bones and sinews
of the coimtry j and that just in jiroportion to the kind and amount
of education now afforded to them^ will the adv^ancement of the
community, in social improvement and national I'rosperhty, depend.
1 have new, gentlemen, staled my views in ielereftce to the sub-
ject proposed to i)e con>idert'd, ano I .should hope that yoa will give
them that careful consideration wiuuh the impurti^nce of the matter'
' demands. I am tlie more anxious that you should, inasmiich as,
( through yowr instruuieul.lity, « ven in li.e caj-acily ul literary t-eaehers h,
'^; — agricultural progress- may be very great. y prom»tet+. Few under- (^
ffw •
oU
1>
|:
ii
306 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [No. 10
S«^^)a^^ ~ "^ ■" ~^^*-^'*
Stand better than I do the position in which the intelligent and well-r*/
conducted teacher stands in the estimaiion of the parents of the '^
children committed to his care, as 1 was a teacht^r myself. Therefore, \
I would say, that the teacher can exercise a very important influence
over the inhabitants of the neighbourhood in which he is placed, both
by affording them good advice, and by setting them a proper example.
And should he be able, by his labours in this way, to improve their
social condition, and with it their domestic comforts, he will enjoy,
at least, the true gratification, not only of having discharged his duties
faithfully to the commissioners, who have provided him with a suit-
able agricultural education, hut also of having been the means of
alleviating the misery and wretchedness of his ftUow-countryTnen.—
It may be the case that some of you may yet be employed in the
capacity of ordinary agricultural t^^achers ; others of you may aspire
to a higher grade, and receive a more practical training; others of
you, again, though still literary teachers, may find it advantageous to
rent a few acres of land for the benefit of your respective families;
and still further, the time may not be far distant when the landed
proprietors will find it their interest to attach a lew acres of land to
the schools scattered over their estates, as example farms; in any of
which cases the course of instruction in agricultural matters, which
you are about to receive, will prove highly serviceable, and the re-
ward for your labour will be of a more substantial character than that
before referred to; it will consist, at least in part, of the produce of
your little farms, which will render you less dependent upon others
for the means of subsistence, and consequently, make you more happy
and contented.
CUTHILL ON THE POTATO.
The Potato is a native of the sea-side ; it is found on the coasts of
Peru and Mexico, New Z-aland, &c. &c. When ripe it is like a ball
of flour, rich in starch, although small in size. For a long time after
it was introduced into this country it was left in the ground summer
and winter, not being taken up unless wanted. In time we found
that we could eat more of this tuber; we also found that they were
liked by pigs and cattle; we began to use them more freely. We
also discovered the plan of taking them up out of the ground when
ripe, and putting them carefully away in rooms or lolts ; in time our
crops increased so that we could not find room in-doors for them, and
we at last pitted them out of doors ; this may not be more than 70
years ago. This pbn of wintering the Potato was the commence-
ment of its ruin ; the increase of crops by manures was so abundant
^that no means was left untried that might still increase them; but
i strange to say, we still left them to grow in large heaps, covered ^
m^^y^o^ - ^^^fk
807
1853] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
(e- thickly with straw^ and mould, and even thatched with a still heavier,*
^ great coat, stopping all perspiration from escaping. The consequence!
/ of such management soon showed themselves ; the Potatoes heated,
1 sweated, and afterwards began to grow; so that when the spring ar-
rives they are found all matted together, their very life's-blood being
extracted from them ; they are taken out and pulled to pieces, and
what niiture has plac^d inside them for their own support is extracted
and \)u\ ed away from them before planting ; they are then cut into
eyes, and if the Potato be ;i hirge one we have the inside left; this
is given to the pigs, not even allowing a fair proportion to the eye;
we dust the wounded and exhausted purts over with lime; we have
our land prepared at great expense and much care, to receive this
already half killed tuber, or part of orie ; it is planted, but before it
can grow it must fill its empty cells with water, the starch, gluten, and
other matter having been sweated and grown out of it. It grows ;
but how ( Why with a watery, Balsam-like stem, that when it is
squeezed the wal^-r run^! out of it. Can f)eople wonder, then, when
unfavourable weather comes on, that such a |)lant cannot stand it 1
When the plant his grown fur a time, and produced tubers — some
perhaps nearly ripe, while others are in a rapid state of growth — dull
rainy weather prevails for a week or so ; after this the sun breaks o it
in all its vigour upon the earth ; the plant is so full of water that
evaporation and elaboration is stopped, the stomates or breathing
pores— small harv vessels which admit the gases and the air to elabo-
rate the sap — get stopped, so that the moisture which the plant does
not want cannot evaporate. This being the case, the whde plant gets
confused, the poisonous sap ferments, the circulation still continues,
away go the tubers that are not ripe, those that happen to be nearly
ripe sulfer less, on account of the flow of sap being finished. The
Potato, like all other plants, it mismanaged, must suffer less or more,
and the more especially if the weather is favourable to such disease!.
All plants are liable to mildew, according to their kind.
In order to bring back this much abused, but most useful and splen-
did vegetable to its orginal health, we must consider the climate from
which it comes (and like the Lisi^nthus Russellianus, which has battled
the skill of the best gardeners to keep and grow, we must look into
its natural and native treatment.) The Potato, then, being a native
of the sea coasts of Peru and Mexico, where a large amount of salt
spray must be deposited at all times, the air much impregnated with
the saline gases, if thi^^so, then we ought to use much salt and no
strong manures whatever. Much has been said and written about
autumn-planting in this country. If the system which 1 have practised /
for the last 22 years cannot be followed out, then let autumn-planting ^P
be strictly followed out, only let the Potatoes be well greened until ^
308 THE PniLADELPlTTA FLORIST. _ [No. 10
U^ they are quite dark, the skin then gets so tough that no insect can • )
^ touch it ; but the tubers nnist be planted whole wlien the eyes begin ^
to grow. They then grow slowly, forming a woody stem, as they do ^
in their native countiv. This lirst woudv formation never leaves the
stem, even to its very top ; the vessels are contracted and small ; they
contain much less waler, us is the case in tiieir native country; and
it is a well known fact, that the Potatoes on the coast of IVru have a
dry resting season, there being no rain whatever for several weeks —
This may be called their v/inter, but here, when planted, unprepared
for the wintei\s rain qnd cold damp earth, it is quit<' a diflVrent thing
altogether. And then, again, what manures do they gt-t in their na-
tive state! None but salt-water spray and virgin mould; clearly
showing that if we want to preserve the Potato we must take its na-
tive situation as our guide, foregoing all rich and stimulating manures,
and be contented with a mucli smaller crop, but with a much liner
flavour, and richer in starch. The Potato is like all other plants or
animals, overgorging or overfeeding tends always to ilisease, and should
unfavourable circumstances occur diseases must break out. We
blame everythin? but ourselves as having been the cause of it ; one
tiding is certain, the poorer the laqd, the more woody the stem of the
Potato, the less luxuriant in foliage, and the smaller the crop. But
one Potato rich in starch is worth three watery ones for food ; in fact,
a Potato without starch is Avorthlesseven for pigs.
I have practised my system now for 22 years; I first discovered it,
as it were, by accident, when at Viscount Canterbury's, in Essex. —
The foreman came one wet day and said that the Potatoes in the loft
•were sprouting, that they wanted picking over. A thought struck me,
when I saw them, that if they were put into 3-inch pots they would
come earlier than by picking the sprouts then off; it was an early
round sort. Some one or two thousand were potted, and kept in an
emptv vinery : they were planted under the south wall, and they
came in verv early, beating those in the frames. This was the com.
mencement of my pl^n of greening and wintering, which I have
followed ever since ; neither have I cut a whole Potato since. 1 have
many hundreds of letters by me thanking me for my pamphlets, some
of them from persons who cultivate many acres of Potatoes. I have
just had one from a person in Norlhamptonshire, saying that he grew
8 acres, all sound, and that he was clearing 22/. per acre, after all
railway expenses were paid, besides saving enough seed to plant 12
acres next year, while all those around him were diseased, and the
same sort too (Regenls,) all carefully wintered as laid down in my
I pamphlet. One thing we ought never to forget — if a thing can be j
CL well done on a small scale, it can also be done on a large one ; if not, ^r
/•J do not do it at all. Jarnes Cuthill, Camber wtlL ^
18.53.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
309
\
xD Some New Plants lately sent out in Europe.
7 Ch'ius discolor. This magnificent new variegated plant is a na-
' tiveof Java, and has been recently introduced to this country by the
Messrs. Rollissons' of Tootini;. It was the admiration of every one
who saw it at the Chiswick and Regent's Park exhibitions during last
summer, and it has been awarded several medals. The foliage is sin-
gularly bi-autiful. It is a climbing evergreen stove plant, with leaves
about se'ven inches long and three broad, their under sides being of a
beautiful reddish-purple ; their upper parts richly veined with red,
purple, and white, so as to be very striking, producing a fine effect in
a stove or Orchid-house. Two fine plants of it were at Messrs. Roll-
issons'a few weeks ago ; they wa^re growing in pots, and trained
against the end wmU of a stove, in which the charming effect of the fo-
liage was all that could bo desired ; and this, being an evergreen spe-
cies, makes it n.ore vaUiublp, as of course it retains its beautiful leaves
during winter as well as summer ; and during the dull months we want
some of these beautiful variegated plants to decorate our stoves. It is
of tolerably easy culture, ami grows well in a pot, or planted out in
the stove. The way in which Messrs. R. treat it is as follows : — It is
grown in a pot with good drainag*^, the soil consists of light turfy
loam and peat, adding some Iraf mould in equal parts, with some sil-
ver sand, and mixing all well together. If it is grown in a large pot,
three inches ol drainagi' are given, with rougii peat or moss on the top
to keep the mould from stopping up the interstices of the crocks,
which is very detrimental to all plants. If they have not good drain-
age, so that the water can pass oif quickly, they will not thrive. The
pot is then filhd up w^ith mould, and the plant placed about half an
inch below the rim. Afterwards a gentle watering is given to settle
the mould, and the plant is pl.ic tl at the hottest part of the house, and
always kept shaded when the sun is p«)werful, which ke<'ps the foliage
of a much better color. When grown in a pot it should be trained
round some sticks, or round a trellis, or agaiiisl a wall ; it also looks
well up the rafters of a house. Aft«r the plant has done grov/ing,
which will be about Noveuiber, allow it a season ofi rest, by keeping
it rather dry at the roots, only giving just water enough to keep it a
little moist till it is time to start it into growth, which is about Feb-
ruary ; then more water may be given, but not too much at first, until
it roots frenly, when it may have a good supply. B. S. WUliums^ in
Turner^s Floriat^ Frultisi, and Car. ,Mis.
^esc/njncjn(/ii/s sfdrndtdi/s. LuromI.e, Pine-' 5c Co. Iiav»' lately sent
I out thi.s heautifid hybrid. It l).'a!s clustt is of fi.ry-r»'(l colort-d flow-
ed ers, numbering from S to 10 on each pi uit, producing a striking effect. ^
(•J Phctanthus concohr jn'cta is a new varirgated plant advertised byC.^
I.
I
310
THE PIIILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^
FNo. 10
■^the Messrs. Low, of Clapton. It is a hothouse plant, with tender, pale
green leaves, prettily blotched with deep brown.
Coc/itearin acnuHs, or winter Violet grass, is also a new thing shown
in London. If sown in an American border, or similar place, it grows
and blooms from this season up to Christmas. A little patch of it ta-
ken up and put in a saucer in water, will also keep flowering a long
time, rendering it an inti^resting plant for the drawing room window.
Fuchsia prinreps. The Gardeners' Chronicle says of this : '' That
must be a very tine florist's flower that would induce us to notice it in
our editorial colums * * but we feel obliged to bring for-
ward as prominently as possible a new Fuchsia in the way of Corallina,
the beauty of which we can scarcely tind adequate language to de-
scribe. Flowers of the deepest rose color, three inches long, with a
deep purple corolla, stamens projecting an inch beyond the flower, the
slender pale pink stalk of which is from 2 to 3 inches long: such is a
single blossom. Every twig is loaded with from 3 to 7 of these gor-
geous flowers, so that the branches are forced downwards by the
weio-ht which they are unable to support. Add to this that the leaves
are firm, deep green, with bright reddish stalks, and that the young
wood is of the same color, and the mind may conceive what a magni-
ficent eflfect is produced by this variety, what has been well named
Fuchsia princeps by Messrs. Lucombe &. Pince, of Exeter, the raisers
of it."
Hexacentris mysorensis. An extraordinary and beautiful new clim-
ber, requiring the temperature of a siove or warm greenhouse, pei-
fectly distinct in its character from anything yet introduced. It is a
most abundant bloomer, producing its long pendulous clusters of large
golden yellow and deep crimson flowers in great abundance, continu-
ing in perfection for several months. The habit of the plant is ex-
cellent, with neat dark green foliage, and is of easy culture. A plant
of first-rate quality and gieat beauty, sent out by Messrs. Veitch, of
Exeter.
Cultivation of^the Xenpolitan Violet, — In the early part of May, 1
take the plants from the cold frames or house, shake the whole of the
soil frum the roots, and divide them according to their size; large plants
will divide very well into three, the small ones into two jdants. These
are then planted out on an east or west border in rows one foot apart,
and the same distance from plant to plant, taking care the border is
well du£ and hijrhlv manured with well decomi)()sed hot-bed ma-
nure, or rotten cow dung, which last 1 find of great service to them.
After jdanting they must be well watered, and should the summer
months prove very dry and hot, they will require to be well and fre-
quently supplied with manure water, for if the plants do not grow
I
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
311
f_\
U^ strong at that season they are very liable to be attacked by the red^j
CT spider, aUil will produce small flowers, with little or no perfume ; they c^
/ will also be longer before they flower. I let them remain in the beds \
I to the middle or latter end of September, as they will not improve
much after that time ; they are then taken up with a little sand ad-
hering to the roo's, and potted, each plant in a six inch pot, filled with
a compost consisting of equal portions of sandy loam, well decomposed
tree leaves, and, if attainable, very rotten cow-dung; if not, rotten
dung from an old hot bed, or, what is better still, bone dost ; the pots
must be well drained, and I find charcoal the best material for that
purpose ; by no means use peat soil. When potted they should be well
watered, after which I place them in a situation well exposed to the
sun, air, and light, and keep all the runners picked clean off as they
appear, as I find they injure the plants if allowed \o remain. I also
keep all the dead leaves picked ofl'. About tlie middle or latter end
of October they should be placed in a frame or pit, nearly filled with
old tan, or any dry material, without heat, bringing th«»m to within 3
or 4" inches of the glass, as that is of great importance, for if they are
plunged deeper in the bed, they are liable to damp off in the winter
months in bad weather, and I find if the foliage is bad the flowers are
bad also. During the winter they require liitle or no water, at least
I never give them any till I see them flag, taking care then not to wet
the foliage, for thnt should be kept dry, or they will lose it by damp.
Air should be admitted freely at all times; when favorable, a cover-
ing must also be used to exclude froat from them, as that is very in-
jurious to their flowering. By the above treatment my plants have
produced me great quantities of large and strong-scented blossoms. If
Violets are required later in the season than those in frames will last
in flower, by a little good management they may be obtained nearly
in every month of the year: my method is to take up part of my
plants in July and August, and plant in a south border, in beds, the
soil of which is prepared for them of equal parts of light loam, well
rotted dung and river sand, carefully avoiding peat, as I have, in some
instances known it to destroy the whole of the plants; they are planted
from a foot to 1.') inches each way, and, if it is required, well water-
ed ; the runners and dead leaves are all picked off at they appear, and
the soil of the beds kept well stirred with a Dutch hoe ; at the latter
end of October the beds are hooped over, for the purpose of shelter-
ing them in bad weather, with mats. By following the above mode
of treatment this favorite plant blooms with me abundantly, and I can
confidently recommend it. — G. Youjifr^ in Gar, Rec.
— — ^^♦^
The Trustees of Amherst (Ma^^s.) College have appointed VVm. S. j^
)^ Clark, Professor of Analytical and Agricultural Chemistry, and Rev. d
i John A. Nash Instructor in Agriculture. ^
&t^ -ti^^
\
313 THE PHILAUELPlllA FLORIST
[No. ] 0
-c/
N^ €\)t /lorint iinb |I^ort!l•^lltlIra[ Journal. ^
?-
The remark of our correspondent '' Aritliophilus," that gardeners
do not make their actions agree with their talk ; that they do not
show what they can do here, but prefer talking of what they have
done at home, deserves very serioos consideration on the part of those
to whom it is addressed. Men in any station of life, who talk instead
of actino- who say a great deal about how a thing should be done,
yet do nothing — are sure never to get along. It must be so with gar-
deners; with very few exceptions tliey are all foreigners — English,
Scotch, Irish, Dutch, French and German— each with their own no-
tions of how things should be grown ; and all of them, we suppose,
come over here from the overstocked labor market of the old world,
to make a living, and if possible, more than a living, in their new
home. We say, we suppose they come to make this living ; but as
some of them are more inclined to tell of the wonders of gardening
skill in tl>e old world than to reproduce tliese wonders here, we are
led to the opinion either that they don't care to exertthemselves here,
when they may be assured they will go beiiind in plice of sncceed-
ino" J or, we must suppose that they are very inferior s|)ecFmen9 of fo-
reign gardeners, and are not able to grow these very tine plants we
hear them talk of.
But we know^ that this last is not the case ; we have good gardeners
here first rate gardeners— men who would stand high among the
head t^ardeners even in England, wh»'re John Bull's long purse has
collected the best talent in every profession ; and we want those men
to come forward and r/o, to overcome what obstacles they have to con-
tend with, and to show their employers and all who take an interest
in these things, how great things they can do here under the Ameri-
can sky, in American houses, for the American horticultural public.
They have made this country their home, and they must keep up with
the progressive spirit of the people they live among. The best and
most proper description they can give of the splendid specimen plants
which they li^ive seen, or tl>i'y have grown at home, would be to stage
such plants (or as near like them as they can) on the tables of our
hoTticultupal societies, and then we will have faith in their ability —
for seeing is better than hearing. xMany object that tley have not fa-
cilflres for doing this ; — very well ; we say, do what you can ; donH
iTKrke up your mind, with your hnids in your pockets, that you c;in't
do it, and go on talking about the specimen Pelargoniums and the
'' Chrysanthemums live feet through," and the Heaths, and soon,
which you have seen at Chiswick, or at the Edinboro' botanic, but
.work and keep (ptiet, while otheis try.
)
I
185.1
THE PlilLADELPlilA frLOllISt.
c
81.S
*J And, above all, when you see other gardeners doing their best, and y *
ntx?^
showing what they have of plants, because they have more energy
than you, don't stand by and disparage their work and sneer at it, but
go to work like men and beat it if yoUcan; and then like men also,
you n^'jU be satisfied with your victory, and will not plume ybUrself
upon an advantagt^ gained over one of less skill.
We have good gardeners here ; we say it willingly, for we arfc
proud of the'm, and are friendly to those who have come among Its to
gain their livelihood by the exercise of the skill which they have ac-
quired in the eistablishments of their native countries; but we want
deeds, not boasting — and we want td see Philadelphia, New York,
Boston, Baltimore and Albany coming up to the work, and compet-
ing for the prize of sUill. Let us see in the coming year what can be
done in this matter, and we will have fair reports of all that will be
exhibited at the principal points of the country. And if, as we hope,
the men for whose benefit prizes at horticultural exhibitions are olfer-
ed, come up to the work and show what they know,' we shall have
no more talk of "■I'atldies" from any country.
The last received "Gardener's Chronicle,^' (Nov. 20,) contains se-
veral articles of interest. First — a notice of an introduction by M.
iiamare-i'icquot, who was sent out by the French government about
six years ago to procure some of the dried fruits used by the Ihdians
of North America as a substitute for the Potato, which was then threat-
ened with exterminaticrn. He procured alegnminous plant, with tu-
berous roots, which turned out to be the Pso ralea esculenta. M. La-
mare-P. modestly gave it the nanae of the Picquotiane.
Analysis proved it to abound in farinaceous matter j and in its na-
tive state it was very hardy, and not alfected either by wet err long
dryness. But the experiments of the French cultivators have not pro-
ved successful. It cannot be multiplied to advantage by tuber*, nor
in an agricultural way by cuttings, so that the only way of increasing
is by seed ; but here we are stopped by the fact that but a small pro-
portion of the cultivated plants produce seed. The editor ol the
'^Chronicle" however, is of opinion that in the hands of experienced
gardeners it may succeed.
Signor Gasparrini, Professor of Botany, at IVaptes, is anxiotiy to
ffpl! his herbarium of Phanerogamous and ('rr.ytogamous plants, con-
taining about SOO ) '•i)ecie-^, arr..i!::«(l lu •-.diii- tf) the natural system. j
The price a>ked rj» somewhat more than ei<-h! he.ri(ired dollars\ |
I Mr. Furluiie contilbntis a ii.4ie.- of on.' of his introductions, the
q^ Skimmia japonica, a hardy evergreen irwaif bu^h, with hmdsDuie ,
/^•^ brii^ht red berries. To this g -ntleman we oWe the introduction of^
S 19^^ .-^^m^
40
314 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
~^'6'oi"*^
r?N Weigela rosea, a very liandsome fpring blooming shrub, with rosy(^
pink blossoms; and of anotJier hardy plant, the Forsythia viridissima^Hj
with very dark green leaves and charming yellow flowertj both are \
now well known in the neighborhood of our large cities.
The ^'Chronicle" is translating an article on the impossibility of
predicting the weather, written by M. Arago, for the *'Flore des Series
et des jardins de FEurope," a most valuable work published at Ghent.
James Cuthill, of Camberwell, the most intelligent writer on root
growing whose productions we »ee, and whose article on the Potato
we copy into our present number, contributes an article on keeping
roots and on growing winter vegetables. He deprecates the keeping
roots intended for the table, dry, as they become tough, and require
soaking. He recommends keeping the crop in the ground until want-
ed for use ; such is the custom of the London market gardeners.
The Entomological article is on the common dust nioth, JIgrotis
segetum^ the caterpillar of which attacks turnip crops, doing great da-
mage. In our new volame we hope to receive valuable original con-
tributions on this science.
An account is given ©f the progress of the great Crystal Palace in
its new quarters at Sydenham. Sir Joseph Paxton, with his skill in
hydraulics, will make a magnificent show of fountains and cascades.
The Park contains three hundred acres. Messrs. Loddiges' plants are
already secured for the Company, and it is reported that 50,000 scar-
let Geraniums have been contracted for, for bedding purposes. The
collection of trees will, no doubt, be very splendid ; and landscape gar-
dening will be displayed to the greatest advantage.
In London, there are, in round numbers, about 240,000 fat oxen,
1,.')00,000 sheep and lambs,30,000 calves, and 40,000 swine annually
slaughtered.
A remark has been made In our pages, that gardeners generally
seemed to consider all n;imes of plants feminine. There does seem to
be a great confusion of ideas with regard to the proper termination of
adjective names; but how it is to be mended without making all gar-
deners moderately good Latin and Greek scholars, we know not. The
merely mechanical rule, that the terminations of generic and specific
names sFioold be the same, will answer in most cases; but there are
instances where it will not do, as in some names of Greek derivation,
and some Latin name* ending in w? are feminine, as Citrus, which
must have medica ; the pomegranate is called Pnnica granatum, the
\ generic and specitif names of which are both nouns, Granatum being )
Ct the Latin name of the fruit, as al.^o Punica, as we learn from Colum- ^O
f^ ella, ' Mala dulcia granata. qwae Psnica vocantur,' 'sweel many seeded G ^
18
M'
ir~\r^
^^tf^M
^
53.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
315
o
apples, which are called Punica,' a name given on account of its red
color, Pomum puniccum being Ovid's name for it ; nevertheless, we
think that Pimicum granatum would have been more grammatical,
pomum being understood. To begin at the beginning, nurserymen's
catalogues should, as far as possible, be correct in this matter, as the
names are made known in many cases through them, and their errors
(if there be any) become established. The European catalogues are
as a rule correct in their nomenclature; that is, those of the large es-
tablishments; but even in the "Gardener's Chronicle" we find adver-
tisements written with as litle regard to grammar as the most unlear-
ned of us could be guilty of. In one advertisement we find Mimulus
spectatissimus, pulchellumy and majtstica, Geranium aurantiaca, and in
another G. mai^inata.
Names of Greek derivation are not generally well defined in their
genders, for instance Clerodendron is neuter, and the adjective should
end in urn ; but Centropocron is masculine, and requires the specific
adjective to be in wv. Agalmyla is feminine, Ceratrostemma and Bra-
chystelma are neuter; Aeschynanthus, which has assumed a Latin ter-
mination, should be n»-uter. But the subject is full of difliculties, un-
less every one, as we said before, has a classical education, which can-
not be reached by many men, and would not do them much good if
they did acquire it. But if the names were rightly written in the first
place, we should become accustomed to their sound, and thus give
them their proper terminations. But we must not try too many re-
forms at a time, or our friends the gardeners will get out of patience
with us.
Floating Melon Beds in the Vale of Cashmere.
We extract the following; account of these, given by an English
traveller, Mr. Moorcroft, from the ''Revue HorticoUy
*' The lakes of the valley of Cashmere are in general shallow and
full of a vigorous aquatic vegetation, consisting of Nymphaas, of Iris,
of reeds of every description ; and as boats are obliged to pass over
them frequently, they lollow certain passages which are like opened
roads, where the navigation is not impeded. The intervening spaces
are made profitable by the country people of the neighborhood, who
have set about cultivating there melons and cucumbers. To effect
this, armed with a sort of scythe, they cut the aquatic plants about
eighteen inches in depth, so as to sever all connection with the soil,
and then keep them up so as to make a kind of thick floating raft about
six feet wide and of various lengths. When these rafts are construct-
ed, they cut the tops of the plants which are above the level, and
S spread on the top the mud which they get from the bottom of the
;^9b^
..tfO^Ji^
r«
816 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 10
U^ marsh, and which, ppnetratlno; between the stalks and interlaced leaves r»
of all these plants, serves to bind them and lo make a surface, which
harden^ still more when covered with a bed of rushes. The next
thing is to make these artificial islands stationary ; the cultivators do
this by thrusting in at equal distances stalks of willow, ^.ufficiently
deep to res-ist the force of the winds — an arrangement which permits
these floating masses to rise and fall with the water of the lake. With
fresh grasses, they form along the whole length of the raits conical
heaps about a foot and a half high, and as large at the base, and hol-
lowed at the top into a kind of nest, which they fill with the mud
from the bottom of the lake, and which they generally mix with wood
ashes j then planting commences. The cultivator takes young plants
of melons and cucumbers, which he has in readine^js; he puts three in
each heap, and abandons them to themselves,"
JUoorcroft, and after him another traveller who has passed through
the valley of Cashmere, assures us that they have never aeen in Eu-
rope so vigorous and productive plantations of melons and cucumbers.
The gathering is done liko the planting, in boats, in which they go
around the beds. These beds are generally strong enough to bear the
\veight of the man whose business it is to gather the produce. This
fnode of culture is not contined to Cashmere ; it is also found in China.
In that country each cultivator possesses his raft, numbered, which he
moors to the bank, and which he launches into the middle of the
lakes or of the ponds, after having deposited his young plants of
pielons or of water melons, which he tends and gathers by drsfwing
to the banks the little floating islands which bear them. This Chinese
culture is very rational, they know how much need of water melons
have at their period of full growth, and they understand how their
young roots, in continual contact with the water into which they
penetrate, serve to give the plants uncommon vigor. This mode,
then, very simple as is evident, is in harmony with what we know
of the vegetation of melons, and of the functions of roots. JSTaudin,
Humboldt in his '* Aspects of Nature," says of the valley of Cash-
mere, "the delightfulness of its climate is considerably impaired by
four months of snow in the streets of Sirinagur, its principal city. —
• • • The beauty of its vegetation has from the earliest
times been very differently described, according as the visitor came
from the rich and luxuriant vegetation of India, or from the nortt^ern
regions of Turkestan, Samarcand and Ferghana."
8
GARDEN MEMORANDA.
DaYBtTRGn's, Logan Square. Mr. Dryburgh has been established a
long time, and he is already surrounded by buildings. His speciality
is the furnishing of cut flowers j and here we may see in the present,
3i^a9b^___ <^m
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
■' i'MyP^
317
•rYwhich is the bouquet season, very extensive arrangements for furnish- J^j
f ing bouquets and floral ornaments for balls. One range of glass is
devoted to Camellias, where are collected many fine plants for sale,
as well as to furnish the most valuable of ball room ornaments. In
another house are planted in the ground, back of the stage, the
Abutilon striatum, yielding a large supply of its graceful flowers. —
The stage is filled with Poinsettia pulcherrima, with its striking whoil
of scarlet leaves. Another house was filled with Stevia serrata, whose
tiny white flowers are so useful to the bouquet maker ; in another
place are hundreds of heliotropes, of mignonette, of Epiphylla, &c.
Several large houses are devoted to roses, of which Mr. Dryburgh
has a large and excellent collection. The ground in cultivation is
large and is filled with roses, vines and other hardy plants cultivated
for sale. We omitted to mention the acacias, of which there are
some very large specimens.
R. Kilvington's, Schuylkill Third near Vine St. Mr. Kilvington
has in his houses very many tine specimens of stove and greenhouse
plants, including most of the standard plants used in the decoration
of conservatories and windows, together with many novelties. His
collection of Exotic ferns is very extensive and well worth a visit.
Mr. K. is well known as an enthusiastic botanist, and in his garden
is to be found the only collection of cultivated indigenous plants in
this city. In spring and summer the lovers of "wild things" and the
botanist may find many beautiful and rare plants. The bouquets
from this nursery are well known to all who admire flowers.
All those gentlemen w^ho have money and taste enough to keep up
gardens, and who employ gardeners, cannot be sufficiently careful in
doing their part of the work ; that is, in providing all things which
are necessary for carrying dti gardening operations. It is of great
importance that the workman should have the concurrence of his em-
ployer in all his schemes, but it is also a great matter that he should
have every facility for doing his work, whether in tools, material,
or assistance. An incomplete or inferior set of garden tools — want
of proper arrangements for storing them when not in use — of proper
facilities for potting and training plants, or insufliciency of soils or of
pots, and of many other details of horticulture, must needs be very
discouraging to the spirited gardener, who wishes to do his best, and
make his place worthy of his skill. These things are in many cases
not sufliciently thought of. A gentleman may have a place — he has
perhaps a fair collection of plants ; they have been neglected by a
sham-gardener ; when this one is providentially removed, the owner
looks around for a new one, or applies to a nurseryman, who sends
^ him one well versed in his ])rofession j the first business is to set mat-
3l?^9b^
.^^^d^C'S'M
THE PIIILADELPfflA FLORIST. [No. 10
318
ters to rights, this requires time and patience nnd labor, for undoing r.
fbad work is harder than to begin afresh; but if the new comer finds
the tools spoilt and others lost, so that he has double difficulties to
contend with, he becomes^discouraged and perhaps settles down into
a jog-trot and just "gets along." So we say to the amateur, see at
the start that the place is well furnished with tools ; your gardener if
worth anything, will keep them in order, but to do this properly, he
must have a tool house, where he can put them away in a dry clean
place; he should also have a neat convenient potting shed where
shifting could be done, and soils and pots kept, and unpacking attended
to without causing a litter in the houses. Where a gardener finds his
work appreciated, and sutliciently noticed by his employer, he will
feel encouraged to renewed exertion; but it is so often the case that
his best skill receives a mechanica' "very pretty," that he must often
wonder why people have gardens at all. We wish to do our best to
increase the taste for horticultural pursuits, and to this end we would
have people put themselves in the way of learning more about plants.
The best means of doing this is to attend the meetings of horticultural
societies, where flowers and fruits are exhibited, and talked about ;
and as we have a well established and respectable society here, all
who wish to improve their opportunities should become members of
it. At each monthly meeting is a fine display of various plants, and
fruits and vegetables, and a certain amount of information is to be
gained by attending to the proceedings. The society also possesses a
fine horticultural library ; the opportunity of reading this is sutficient
inducement for the payment of the small sum required of members.
Pennsylvania Poultry Society.
This Society held its exhibition lately on the lot next the High
school, running from Thirteenth to Junip'T street. The coops were
placed under canvass, and very many persons visited the show during
the three days it continued, although Friday was a very wet one.
About fifteen hundred fowls were exhibited by Dr. James M'Clin-
tock, the President of the Society, Samufl C. Radford, Dr. Jam.es T.
Crabbe, David Davis and R. A. Smith, of West Philadelphia ; Reuben
Hagy and Samuel A. Bumstead, Roxborough ; Harmon Osier, William
Chancellor, L. Wister, R. Fraley, Germantown ; Richard Cartwright,
North Penn ; F. G. VVolbeit, Frank ford ; Peter i>arker, Penn District ;
Stacy Wilson, Kensington ; William Leonard, Dr. H. J. Brown,
George Simler and William Krouse, Philadelphia city; and Aaron
Clement, John B. Perry, John Simler, R. Wister, Jr., and James
Killen, Philadelphia county ; Dr. D. L. Heist, Blue Bell, Montgomery
county, and John S. Lippincott, Mount Holly, N. J.
•J The collection embraced the pure Irish and Japanese Game Fowls j^^j
MJ5V - -.^KJ««
/
18.53.1
(
[
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. S19
"^ for its fine varieties of that elegant llower. Q\
•■QSPo- - — — -cf^^k
41
322 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 11
^ Among our contributors will be several of tbe most able scientiiic
men of the present day — we need only mention the names of Prof.
Haldeman, Dr. W. D. Brinckle and John Cassin, Esq., as evidence
of the high standing our magazine will take. Our practical contribu-
tors have already proved themselves; among them are some of the
most able horticulturists in the north and the south, and we hope that
our magazine will be an authority upon all matters of horticulture in
the United States. Native botany will receive a fair share of our
attention, whereby we hope to awaken an interest in our too much
neglected Flora. In this department we have been promii^ed the
assistance of several botanists of reputation. Our calendar will be
continued by the same able contributors who have furnished that of
the present year. The editorial department will be conducted care-
fully yet independently ; our European communications will be of
much value. Hoping to receive the encouragement, not only of this
city and neighbourhood, but of the entire union, we will do our ut-
most to deserve success.
■♦^
THE CYCLAMEN.
Few winter flowering plants are more useful than the varieties of
this charming genus. Strong, healthy specimens prod'jce a plentiful
succession of their singularly formed blossoms, which, if guarded from
damp, will remain for several weeks together in perfection. All tbe
varieties are compatit in growth, of easy culture, and hence they aie
well suited for persons whose accommodation is limited, or whose
knowledge of plant cultivation is not great. Those about to add a
few varieties to their collection cannot purchase them at a better sea-
son than the present j for if sound healthy plants are obtained now,
there will be no risk of their decaying (instead of starting into growth)
fts frequently happens with plants that have been kept c^uite dr^ dui-
ing the summer.
Good healthy plants procured now will probably have commenced
growth, and should be kept rather close for a week, when it will be
advisable to examine the state of the roots, and, if well furnisht-d, shift
into pots a size larger ; otherwise repair the drainage, and defer shift-
ing until the roots indicate a want of pot room ; and then a moderate
shift only should be given. At this season the plants should be placed
near the glass, and should receive a sufficient supply of water to keep
the soil in a nice moist healthv condition. Provided frost is excluded,
the temperature in which they are grown is of little consequence, ex-
cept where plants are wanted in flower without loss of time; and as
the blossoms appear before the foliage is well developed, there will
^ be little difficulty in securing these at any period from November to
mQsy:^^
.bv -
I
1853.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
The following is a list of good showy varieties:
827
aristata,
Juliana,
delecta,
depressa,
tricolor,
ventricosa superba,
Linnseides superba,
vernix coccinea,
elegans,
eximia,
Lambertia rosea,
retorta major,
geminiflora,
JBanksia, alba,
Bowieana
Hartwellii,
odora roseai
Albertus,
ampullacea,
Cavendishii,
hybrida,
hyemalis,
And now, if some of our good Philadelphians will come out and
give the foreign gardeners a chance of displaying their skill and ol
staging their handiwork in the Chinese xVIuseum, we may hope perhaps
to see another Chiswick. Experiment.
RETROSPECTIVE CRITICISM
The Pelargonium. How very much astonished some of our lady
friends are at hearing a new name for their old favorites ; but with
the new name they got a new flower, and a very handsome flower it
is. With such regularity of petal, in the new varieties rivalling old
Hooper's Pansies, with such splendour of colour, with such handsome
foliage, it must needs arrest the attention of every one. And when
we arrive at more perfection in growing them, we may hope to see
very fine specimens. There is one obstacle we have to contend with,
which is, the ditficulty of importing them ; like all other soft wood-
ed plants they will not bear a long voyage ; out of eight fine tarieties
we saw arrive here in twenty-days (from nursery to greenhouse) from
London, only one survived ; and they were not young plants, but had
strong woody stocks. It has been recommended to cut in plants and
pack and send them as soon as they break out, others recommend
packing in powdered charcoal. We wish some of your contributors
would give their experience in the matter.
Management of Window Plants. We are glad to see this subject
■till receiving your attention ; for nothing is more pleasant than to
■ee windows full of beautiful flowers; especially on cold days when
our noses are freezing, and nothing is to be seen but hard^ pavements I
and bare trees, as we have no evergreens in town. Ivy might be cP
!krun up our trees in the streets, but perhaps the boys and b'hoys, tojjj
328 THE PHILAUELPIIIA FLORIST
[No n
1
^show that this Is a free country, would pull it down. It certainly is ^
^one of the evidences of our entire liberty, that a person cannot keep'^
an orchard or a fruit tree in any accessible place, on account of the
depredations committed upon them. We saw two magniticent
chestnut trees cut down this summer, at a gentleman's suburban resi-
dence to save his vinery from destruction by clubs and stones;
another family in the same neighbourhood lose a large part of their
garden when these nuts are ripe, because they dare not go near the trees
for the same reason ; and we heard of a gentleman's being obliged to cut
down a fine pear orchard, because he could not protect it. But we are
wandering from the windows. It is not likely that persons who have
no other facilities than windows and yards will grow heaths, neither do
we suppose that Stenocarpus will become a window plant; at least it
would require a church window to flower it in. Bulbs and succulents
are perhaps the best for room culture as they are most easily managed
and as you remarked before, are cleanest.
J^ative Plants Your correspondent should receive tbe help of
some of the many plant collectors whom we have in Philadelphia
and its vicinity ; but there seem to be very few who think indigenous
plants worthy of cultivation ; we hope to see that mended ; if they
could go to England or to Scotland and see our weeds in cultivation,
they would come back perhaps with a better opinion of them.
Mildew on Gropes. "Quot homines tot sententise," the east wind
may be more hurtful to the vine than any other, but we would say
that it was not because it was the east wind, but because in this
neighbourhood it frequently brings a cold rain with it. Leaving an
open space between the laps of the glass would b« rather ajpt to cause
a great deal of drip.
The Chrysanthemum. We certainly bad a good show of these
beautiful flowers at the November exhibition of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, although the exhibitors seemed to be labouring
under the disadvantage of mixing pompones with large sorts. We
venture to suggest that the number of plants In * pot should be de-
fined ; and a premium given for the best plant on a single stem ; also
that (he larg*' sorts and pompones should be separated. We will add
to the list given by your correspondnnt, the following as fine,
Auo-ustinus, BtTgeronf'tte, Veloda, Marie Vouzel, Hendersonii, Sol-
faterre, Asmodee, and La Fianci-e, pompones; and Osiris, Rossini,
Queen of England, among the large sorts.
Model Farms. . '^What a vast amount has hern written" about
I model farms and yet we have but two in this country. There seem 1
\ to be some things, to learn which, people imagine it is unnecessary to J^
^ ffo to school. To tell a countryman that in town we go to school toCV^
1853.
TH^ PHlLADIJLPIilA FLORIST. 329
Ut) learn to ride, to the gymnasium to learn to work, seems to him re.^)
<^ markable ; and his opinion of learning farming out of books is not a
very favourable on. But a model farm where fcientific instruction is
combined with practice must needs be an excellr-nt school for the son
of the fa; mer, and for the city boy, who has a mind to lead a more
healthy life than his brothers.
Foreign Trees in Landscape Gardening. Although our own trees
do not receive the honor due them in their own country, we must say
that we agree with Mr. Meehan, that in constructing a landscape we
must use what best serves our purpose without asking any narrow-
minded questions about its origin. The rare beauty and adaptiveness
lo ornamental gardening of many of the newly introduced evergreens
is acknowledged by every one of taste.
Looking at your editorial in connection with the clergyman's ad-
vertisement, which you copy from the Gardener's Chronicle, we are
reminded of the very great difference between what a gardener ex-
pects to do in this country and in Great Britain. The advertisement
seems to us here, rather farcical ; but it was inserted in the columns
of the most respectable horticultural journal in England. We would
like to see the man professing to be a gardener here, who would milk
a cow or do general house work ; we have heard of their taking cafe
of a horse, but we recollect in one instance, the horse was exercised
lo the neglect of tlie garden. No one here expects a gardenef to
wash ofl" the pavements, or to do work which generally falls to the
lot of the house servants ; but it would seem that in England they do
a great many things which they are unwilling to do here'. Our
opinion of the matter is this, that if a gentleman wishes to have a
good garden, and plant houses, he should get a good gardener; and if
the gardener is industrious, he will find quite enough tO' do in taking
care of his department ; nevertheless, we think that a gardener loses
nothing by accomodating his master in such things as are of little
moment to him, but which may save much expense in keeping up
a place.
Achievements of Horticulture. — Contrasting the upright corHerva-
tories (whose large brick pillars excluded the light) of twenty years
ago, with the light and graceful span-roofed or curvilinear structures
of the present day : and the few orange trees, and laurustinus and
oleanders (we beg their pardons, jYeriums) with ihe gracefQl,rafe and
curious inhabitants of our houses now, we may indeed say that great
things have been achieved. But, far as we have advanced, we have
still a great way to go; in science, especially in raturalscience, there
I is no perfection, there is always a future stretching away before the /
explorer, always something new. What is new to-day, will be fa- ^h
•^miliar on the morrow, and difliculties present themfelves only to beG^V
1
330
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 11
'^•o^ ^ — ^ overcome. Our country is now taking her part in the improvements^
of scientific gaidening and agriculture : inventing some machines,
adapting and improving others, we advance along with the old world,
having ihe benefit of its experience, and quickening it by our young,
fresh energy.
The Cineraria. — We hope that the Philadelphians are coming out
this year with their specimens of these plants, so that the best collec-
tion shown in our exhibitions shall not again be from a stranger, as
was the case last spring : although the prizes are open to all the
world, yet it does not seem right to let ourselves be beaten on our
own ground.
Luculia gratissima. — We sincerely hope that our cultivators will
try again with this beautiful plant, and succeed in placing it among
the lists of plants which can be grown in this country. We hear of
such splendid plants of it, in England and Scotland, grown in vine-
ries and Camellia houses, that it does not appear difficult to manage.
We fear that the judicious system of letting alone has not been tried
in its case; it has perhaps, like many other good^ things, been nursed
to death.
Rtspose of Plants. — it is a pity that amateurs do not study more the
sciences connected with plant growing; they would then be able to
understand more the reasons of certain systems of horticulture, and
perhaps to assist, with the theoretical knowledge they may acquire,
the practical experience of the gardener. A gentleman, especially if
he lives in the country, should know something about everything that
goes on under his direction, so as not to be at the mercy of his subor-
dinates— a good general should know how to load a cannon, as well
as to plan a battle, and the more perfect any one is in the detail of
his business, the better his whole work will be. As for the repose of
plants, many persons who cultivate, think that they have nothing to
do but 'o grow, else why put them into greenhouses, and protect them
from frost. If all work and no play don't suit Jack, all work and no
rest will kill plants.
The Hollyhock is beginning in England to receive a great deal of
attention, and we hope to see some of Chater's best sorts shown here;
they are much undervalued here, as we have none of the fine ones in
common cultivation; but we are rustic enough to admire even the or-
dinary single ones which are to be seen reaching above the white
pale fence of our farm house "posy patches.'* We have as yet only
heard of the new varieties, but if they can b^at the large double
straw coloured one which is grown around I'hiladeiphia, we should
like to spe them.
^ew and Rare Plants. It is a very good idea to have notices of
•- all the new things which are introduced here, as m.any things supposed
\:i£P^
..^5V -t^^ »
;
II
332 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 11
miy^f^' ; ^t:Gi n
rjjor wind flower; the charming Houstonia or Blviets, better known 'n xj
^ this neighbourhood by the name of '* Quaker lady ;" the Ranin^cvlus c/
whose yellow cups dot the meadows with gold ; Epigwa repens, or
Trailing Arbutus, with its fragrant rosy flowers. We have a continued
succession during April and May of tiny beauties, which precede and
accompany the blossoming of the fruit and forest trees. A collection
of these early blooming plants may easily be made in your native bed,
or even in a out-of-the-way corner of a grass plot. The violet among
grass is very pretty, and has lately been introduced into Washington
Square — in spring the blue flowers are the admiration of the promen-
aders in Walnut street.
It is to be regretted, that with all the beautiful ta.stes for music, for
painting, and other refined and graceful arts which are so assidously
instilled into the minds of our young ladies, their confinement to the
city does not permit them to become familiar with the beauty of the
fields; that regard for the requirements of fashion, and the hothouse
education of this country, forbids the blooming cheek and luxuriant
figure of the farmer's daughter to the city belle; as a distinguished
German 'professor remaiked to a gt-ntleman of this city, ''1 do not
understand your American woman, they are so scrawny." This was
not intended for their ears, but they certainly do not compare in luxu-
riant health tp the light haired " frauen " of Germany, nor with the
more robust beauties of England. That this is owing: to the want of
country life and out of door exercise, is not to be doubted ; that *' God
made the country, and man made the town" is evinced by the difference
in the sturdiness of the farmer and of the mechanic, as well as in the
pa^er faces and more slender figures of our city ladies. Many of these
latter would be shocked at having the redundancy of waist of the milk-
piaid, but the inpreased enjoyment of health would compensate for pos-
sessing a figure more nearly resembling that of the Penelope in the
Academy, than of the model of the Pari.sian dressmaker ; besides this,
as, to a sensible man, a stout sandal, or an india rubber shoe, is more
beautiful on a lady's foot than the tiniest gaiterj so the bloom of
health would be more appreciated than the utmost waxen delicacy of
complexion, which the exclusion of sun light and fresh air could give.
1 am gratified to receive the approbation of one, whom 1 know as
one of the best horticulturists, as well as an enthusiastic admirer of
native plants — I refer to your correspondent, " Anlhophilus," •who I
"wish would assume my place in advocating their culture.
Philarvensis.
•A un bon chat un bon rat. Diav.
All roots should be excluded from the light during the winter, and
kept in as low a temperature as can be made convenient without dan-
[Vger of freezing. ^i
JKg39V^ — . ^K?Qm
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
CALENDAR OF OrEllATIONS,
Written by Practical Gardeners, for the Philadelphia Florist.
FRUIT.
Grorpe*.— Having previously alluded to the formation of a border
for growing grapes, a few remarks upon the kind of structure adapted
for the growth of the vine, and setting out the plants may not he in-
apropriate. With regard to the structure, experience proves that a
span, or curvilinear-roofed house set north and south, is best buited to
this latitude. Single-roofed houses with their fronts facin» the south
Are much more diflicult to manage. The intensity of the sun's rays
on a summer day, striking directly on a large sheet of glass, raises
the temperature and evaporates moisture to such an extent, as to ren-
der it a matter of extreme difficulty to secure a proper atmosphere
for vegetable existence. A prevailing error also, in Uan-to houses, it
in having the roof too flat, so that the rays of the sun strike perpen-
dicularly upon it. These objections are obviated in a great measure
in double-roofed houses, when the end of the structure faces the
south. It is not necessary, however, to use a compass in laying out
the site,i as a few degrees east or west is practically unimportant.
Many would-be-gardeners endeavor to throw an air of mystery and
intricacy over everything connected with horticulture, and we cannot
forbear a smile, (in our shirt sleeves) when we see one of these ar-
chitects laying olTa grapery, with all the appurtenances of a land
surveyor. Unless for external cfl'ect, the less parapet wall the bet-
ter ; indeed, it would be preferable for the plants if the glass em-
braced the ground. We would like to see some improvement in
structures devoted exclusively to the culture of the foreign grape.
We are of opinion that training the vines close up to the glass, and
allowing the fruit to hang down clear of the foliage, is not the most
natural method, exposing as it does the fruit to all the vicissitudes of
temperature. It is an established fact that mildew is the greatest
enemy to the giowth of the foreign grape in this climate. Also, that
this disease arises chiefly if not entirely from aridity in the atmo-
sphere. Thf grape is a hardy plant, at least we have seen them en-
dure a cold of 8^ below zero of Fahrenheit's scale, and grow as
well the following summer as those protected in houses. In fact, the
principal necessity for growing them under glass is to secure facili-
ties for giving them a sufficiently moist atmosphere. Perhaps there
are some kinds, such as the Mu-scats, that would not ripen properly
without a little artificial aid, but in favoralile localities out of doors
we have seen many varieties, such as, Zinfindal, Black Hamburgh,
White Frontignan, Tokay, Sweetwater, and Golden Chasselas, ripen
^perfectly. So that it is neither from the intensity of the cold in win-
m^<^
.^^^^'M
334 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 11
^ter, nor the want of heat in summer that they have to be grown un- r
der glass. We question, whetiier as a general thing they would with- ^
stand the extremes of sun and frost during winter, as those mentioned >
above were under peculii^r circumstances, but by laying 'hem close
to the ground and covering with leaves they would remain uninjured.
But the bellies.)! these high flavored fruits are thin skinned and their
delicate tissues are injured by the aridity of our clear climate in sum-
mer. Our observation leads us to helieve that the fruit would be less
likely to be acted upon by ihe atmosphere were the plants trained
perpendicularly, that the foliage might to a certain extent protect the
fruit. As houses are at present constructed this system of training can
only be pirtially adopted, as the upright available space gradually
diminishes towards the sides. Hut by raihing ihe sides to an equal
height of ten feet all round, and forming the roof with a series of
small spans laid on horizontal rafters, the highe. -r^_-.
-^.^pQ^n
1853]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
339
^-- "A."
(^ ment except by way of preparation for another year. Manure can r»
be placed on the ground wherever required, and asparagus beds, if ^
not affeady done, should have a slight covering of it. Bean poles, \
pea brush, and slakes of all kinds should be got now, the tool houjjje
gone over, and put in order, and everything kept in good order and
studiously in its place. When the season of operations commences
there will then be nothing to hold hack our attention. Where there
can be a heat of 60'' commanded Bush Beans can be easily grown
in pots, and can be gathered in two months from the time of sowing.
fl there is an abundance of leaves or manure at command, and small
frames, beds may be put up for early spring salads at the end of the
month. Radishes and Lettuce are however very impatient of too
much heat — they will come on well if the temperature be kept at
45". When it goes above that the sashes should be lifted entirely
ofl^. The same remarks apply to the Potato, and the early Horn Car-
rot, C/iw///ZoM?er5 in frames require all the air possible. Never al-
low them to become dry, this is the cause of many failures by way
of "bultoninir off."
T. J.
The Aerial Roots of Orchids of the Tropics.
(From a Paper by Dr. W. H. de Vriksk, Reg. Bot. Prof., Leyden.)
The so-called Orchids do nof, like true parasitic plants (as Viscum,
Loranthus, Kafllesia, Balanophora, Rhopalocnemis,) subsist on the sap
of the plants to which they are attached, and in which they take root ;
but on the nourishment they gather from the atmosphere in which
they extend, or spread out their generally silver white roots. Hence
botanists have given them the name of air-roots, in opposition to
others which grow in the ground. Such are to be found among the
genera Aerides, Vanda, Saccolabium, of the damp and hot parts of
India; Schomburgkia, of the woods of Honduras and Guiana; the
superb Ljtlias of South America ; the many-formed Epidendrum of
the South American islands; the beautiful and sweet smelling
Stanhopeas, &c.
In the cultivation of these plants, the natural means of growth
must be imitated as near as possible. If they be treated as terrestrial
Orchids, a failure will be the result. These grow under quite different
circumstances. It is worthy of remark, that a peculiar apparatus is
required to promote the growth of each of these sorts of plants.
The air-roots of the parasitic Orchids of the tropics have a forma-
tion quite peculiar to them. We shall endeavour to point out its I
chief characteristics. It may serve, if need be, to show the intimate I
Op connection between theory and practice. The roots which penetrate rP
(2 the ground, and thence derive their necessary sustenance, are com-J^
Sa9V . ^^^^*
t
»
340
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST,
X
>^
[No. 1 1
f J; posed of cells. The cells of those air-roots possess a thin transparent ^
membrane, and contain mucilajie with all those particles, the presence c/
of which in the cavities has been ascertained by microsco[^c anJ \
chemical observation. Tliey are nitrogenous particles, dextrine,
sugnr, all dissolved with mucilage in water. 'J'he absorbent organs
are chiefly the outermost and tenderest cells. They are of great
consequence to the plant. By the action of endosmose they absorb
from the ground water and divers earthy particles, so far as they are
soluble in water, and the nature of those particles and of the mem-
brane of the cells permit their admission into the cavity of the cell.
Besides, they lake up particles which are produced by decomposition
of animal substances, and the remains of vegetables in the ground. —
The latest researches prove most satisfactorily, that with the water
which is in the ground, several salts, of lime, potash, soda, and even
salts of metals, as well as gases, carbonic acid, ammonia, are taken
into the plant, by means of the peculiarly formed extremities of the
roots, which are called spon^ioles, in the cells of which are never
found either incrustation or openings; and which, notwithstanding
the absence of the latter, are, however, p»^rfectly pervious. The
surface of the root branches does not absorb any liquid, nor does the
surface of the trunk root itself.
Quite otherwise is the case with the alimentary parts of the so-
called air-Orchids. Their exterior is white as snow, dry, the surface
smooth, and for the most part not divided or branched ; transparent,
and more or less sappy only near the point. They grow to a remark-
ably great length, and rarely attain the thickness of a quill.
If these roots be cut in a cross direction, and the slice carefully
examined by the aid of a microst;ope, a very singular state of the
web of the cells will be perceived. What should be called the bark
of the root is in this, one would say, a kind of papery tissue, which
covers the air-root externally ; each cell is literally filled with spiral
threads or fibres of an extraordinary fineness. Whereas in the usual
web of cells the greatest diameter is in the length of the cell ; in this
the breadth much exceeds the length. Now, in all other cells of
plants, which are exposed to the light and air, we meet with many
particles which are considered as the produce of the growth of the
plant, united with those of the atmosphere and the light (among which,
e. g,f the globules of a green color have a principal place) ; but in
these we find the cells quite empty, except of the fibres, which run
in all directions, and frequently cross each other. More inwards fol-
lows the simple web of the cells, and lastly, the fibrous part of the
\ roots, in the middle of which, again, cells are found. These roots
^ must be, naturally, well calculated to imbibe moisture, which they
"^ require in great measure j and, in case they are not continually ex-'
g-^^]^ - THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 34 1
imposed to it, the membranes quickly lose the power of absorption.;^'
cT The circumstances in which these plants are found in their naturaf
state are particularly favorable, not only for the growth and develop-
ment of their roots, but also for their power of absorption. We meet
with them chiefly in the so-called aboriginal woods of Brazil, the
northern parts of South America, India, &c. A high temperature, a
great degree of moisture, a damp bottom of mould, continually be-
coming thicker by the falling of leaves, and always in a state of de-
composition, by which many gases, carbonic acid, and ammonia are
communicated to the almost undisturbed atmosphere of those woods,
constitute the condition that most conduces to the growth of the air-
roots, which are thus exposed to all the circumstan°ces that are most
favorable to the absorption and changing of substances, which is the
only object for the forming of new organs. If we can closely imi-
tate this combination of circumstances in our hothouses, we are cer-
tain of success in the cultivation of these beautiful plants. Experi-
ence teaches us that low houses are tiie best. The presence of sub-
stances in a state of decomposition and emitting ammonia is also
required ; this last is necessary in every collection of plants. Moist-
ure, with a temperature of 66° to 75° Fahrenheit, must be artificially
procured, to produce a feeble imitation of what Nature exhibits to
us in her great laboratories. .
This formation of air-roots is not confined to the group of Orchids ;
it is also observed in several other groups of plants, as Arads and
Pandaneae, which, however, in this respect demand a careful investi-
gation.—T. P., Gard. C/iron.
To the Editor of the Philadelphia Florist.
Sir : — Wliat change has come over the principles of the "Florist,"
that encourages you to write in such a style about the gardeners who
come here from Europe to make a living, and enrich and improve
American gardens by bringing with them European style and re-
finement 1 If such is to be your principles for the coming year, do
not add my name to your new list of subscribers. The reflections
made by "Anthophilus," as regards high wages and little to do, "let
the employer be satisfied or not, as lon^ as he pays," such is not the
sole object looked for by the majority of gardeners in this vastRepub-
lie, but the reverse. True, why not remunerate gardeners in propor-
tion to their labor, the same as other tradesmen. In fact, there is no
class of men in general so mis-rably paid for the amount of labour j
which they have to perform as gardeners. There has been enough on /
'•) that subject. p^ ]^^ A.
^^-^^ ri cultural
rights.
The Farmer's CdM?AifioN, is the title of a new candMate publish-
ed at Detroit, Michigan, at fifty cents per year. It is neatly printed,
and we hope from the fact that it is a work of love, that it will be
supported by all interested. It has a strong editorial troupe and pro-
mises well.
The Western Reserve Farmer and Dairyman, is devoted to
the agriculture of the western reserve of Ohio, and treats the farmers
of the locality to valuable information connected with their opera-
tions. It is also one dollar a year, and published at Ashtabui^ Jeller-
son County, Ohio.
The Genessee Farmer, is by far the neatest and best established
of cheap agricultural and horticultural periodicals. The volume for
1852 has just been completed, and the horticultural standing of
P. Barry, the editor of this department, makes the information con-
tained in it valuable. In his capacity of editor of the '"Horticultu-
rist" we hope to be more familiar with his writings.
I
The Irish Industrial Exhibition will take place in May; a committ- J
.J^tee has been appointed in this city. ^
^39V_
..^■.?5^
i
■ «
i
[No. 12
348 THE PIIILADELPIIIA FLORIST.
^'if^^'^~ .^. „,
[^ The Brewers and Malsters of the city and county of Philadelphia n^
(T have issued a circular address to the Farmers of Pennsylvania, urging
upon them the advantages of cultivating Barley. They say :
** Within the county of Philadelphia there are annually consumed
for the purpose of brewing, about Six Hundred Thousand bushels of
Barley, supplied from the State of New York, wliich has been sold in
Albany, its general depot the last three years, at an average price of
from Seventy-five to Ninety Cents per Bushel, which, by comparison
with the prices of other grains within the corresponding period, has
yielded a much larger profit to the cultivator. The demand is conti-
nually increasing. About equal quantities of the two and four-row'd
are used, and the so-called spring barley is much preferred to the win-
ter grain for malting.
The State of New York now produces an annual averao^e crop of
about Two Millions Five Hundred Thousand Bushels, which meets
with ready purchasers during the months of September, October and
November ; but the farmers there, continuing to sow the seed each
year of the previous crop on the same land, the quality of the grain is
deteriorating; this is of great importance both to the raiser and con-
sumer, as the heaviest, brightest and clearest barley always commands
the highest prices and readiest sales in the market.
The present time appears to be a favorable one for the introduction
of its culture in our State, and its becoming a staple article in our
mailcet, whereby the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars or more,
now annually transmitted by the brewers of this city to New York,
would be enjoyed by the agriculturalists of our State.
The entire adaptation of the climate and soil of Pennsylvania to
the cultivation of barley — the increasing demand in this city, as well
as the neighboring ones of New York and Baltimore — the new facili-
ties that are opening for its transportation from all parts of the State
to markets where it finds cash purchasers, all unite as strong induce-
ments to agriculturalists to turn their attention to its production.
■■♦■
We have received the first number of the Farm & Garden, a
Monthly, made up of selections from the columns of the Agricultor,
a paper published weekly by Messrs. A. B. Allen & Co., of New York.
It is well gotten up, and furnished with many useful wood cuts, and
a lithographic frontispiece. The reading matter is valuable and will
be found useful to all who are enorased in agricultural and horticul-
tural pursuits,
Wanted, a Situation as Gardener. — A young man, thoroughly
conversant with greenhouse work and forcing, wishes a situation as
above. Address *'C. E.," care of Wm. Saunders, 577 Baltimore St.,
•^ Baltimore, Md.
irt^sxb^
■cpQ^m
M'Sfyp^-
'^^'nSl
THE
iPiiMiaaiPiM 1
A MAGAZINE OF
Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences.
Edited and Published by R. ROBINSON SCOTT, No. G3 Walnut Street, between Second
and Dock Streets, up stairs.
Vol. I.]
Philadelphia.
[No. 12.
Foreign Horticultural Establishments.
We do not wish to devote too much space in an American periodi-
cal to the description of foreign gardens, or the provisions made by
European tradesmen for the gratification of their supporters, for Ame-
ricans are justly fond of their country and its institutions, glad to
cherish any attempt on the part of their fellow-laborers to make their
country rich in the refinements as well as the necessaries of life. But
while we are progressing rapidly here, it will not hurt us to spe and
know how far they are ahead of us on the other side. We have, in
two preceding articles, sketched several of the more prominent nur-
sery establishments in the vicinity of the great metropolis, and now
propose to enumerate a few further north and west, several large nur-
series having become noted for the supply and cultivation of parUcular
families of plants.
We have been to xMessrs. Knight & Perry's, King's road, Chelsea,
famous for Coni ferae and rare hothouse and greenhouse plants. We
arrive, a little further on, at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley & Osborne,
Fulham road, one of the oldest established of its class, and still main-
taining a fair character for ornamental trees, shrubs and conifers
though we lately heard it remarked by an American dealer, that he
was disappointed in visiting it. Certainly, he must have been, after
being to some of the previously enumerated places. We have the
Messrs. Rollison's nursery, of Tooting, rich in its collection of Orchids
and Cape Heaths; also on the Voute, Mortlake, a village or little town
on the way to Kew, is famous for its market gardens; and their aspa-
ragus beds, or fields, lor extensive fields are filled with this valuable
*> esculent, cultivated for the London market, distant about eight miles. gN
V
350
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
[No. 12
0\
There are several ancient country seats in the locality, and close to;^
Mortlake, about half a mile from the Kew gardens, is the house which
was in our time appropriated to Sir \Vm. Hooker — a mean Kpecimen
of government liberality ; but old Mr. Aiton was then still alive, and
pensioned handsomely on the fund which should have supported the
acting and respected Director of the Itoyal Botanic Garden. We
hope Sir William is better treated now. No doubt some of our rea-
ders will yet visit this place, and thi^refore we are a little accurate. —
And right on the road to the gardens, by the margin of Kew Green,
and over against Kew Church, in which are deposited tablets to the
memory of many worthies, and amongst others Ferdinand Bauer, thn
accurate botanical draftsman, is the chateau (if such a term may be
applied to a crowd of low buildings) of the Duke of Cambridge. The
late duke was quite a homely man who had a word for every Kew
gardener he met in his frequent perambulations through this extensive
pleasure ground — for sucii it was to him, his rear entrance opening
into it. Oh, a duke is a great thing in ^old England — much more a
duke of the Blood RoyaJ — and the unsophisticated countryman from
the far north or extreme west, was much pleased to be asked by the
old duke where he came from. But the duke is gone ; and so is his
elder brother, the King of Hanover, who lived opposite when at Kew,
which was mighty seldom ; and now the young Duke of Cambridge
has ^'received the benefit of the dying" of another great duke ; but
they have it all to themselves, and we wish them much joy — that is,
the loaves and fishes, and titles and glitttr.
We commenced about gardens, and must end with them. Follow-
in*' the Richmond road we come to a Florist's ground, one Harrison,
who once figured away amongst Pansies, Tulips, and all other florista*
fancies, as he published the »' Floricultural Cabinet," some copies of
which we have seen in this city. Passing through the famous town of
Richmond, on whose hill the poet Thomson sat and mused, overlook-
ing the waters of the Thames and the pretty village of Twickenham,
venerated as the scene of Alexander Pope's labors, and following the
Thames, we arrive at Kingston, and find the nursery of Messrs. Jack-
son, the most celebrated depot for Cape Heaths within a great dis-
tance ; the plants are generally found thrifty and healthy, and in great
variety and abundance. We shall not stop to enumerate the Cape
Heaths; we hope American gardens^will soon be rich in this graceful
and elegant genus, and that our experimenting correspondent will be
attended to. There are in;this neighborhood many fine country seats,
such as Richmond House, and Twickenham Lodge, from which two
places some of our correspondents learned a little of their horticultural
^- experience ; and they were not inferior bcbools, as the head gardeners A
I
1853.1
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
351
here are gonerally first class. Not far from this is Isleworth, where S^
Beck, the Pelargonium grower resides, who is a dealer in slate work,' '
and first introduced the use of slate tubs as a substitute for pots. He
has made a great revolution in Geraniums, and was the editor of
"Beck's Florist," now Turner's. Here we are right on the Duke of
Northumberland's fine mansion and splendid conservatories—Syon
House, gardener Mr. Ivison j and here was raised Gloxinia Cartonii,
by the late gardener Mr. Carton. We shall not stop to speak of the
riches of this collection ; we are on the way to the great American
nurseries of Knap Hill, Woking & Bagshot. The Knap Hill is the
property of Hosea Waterer, and rich in Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kal-
mias, Ledums, arborescent Heaths, &c.,&c. Mr. Waterer exhibits his
plants each season at a tent on his ground at Chelsea, where those who
have not leisure or sufficient interest to lead them out to Knap Hill by
the Southampton railroad, can feast their eyes on the beauties of the
spring season. How gorgeous are the displays of Azalea and Khodo-
dendron to be seen at Chiswick, Regent's Park and Hosea Waterer's
grounds ! Messrs. Standish & Noble are also on this route, and are
enterprising importers of new and rare ornamental plants, especially
ConiferjE, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Fortune's novehies have found
their way here, as Cupressus funebris^ and others of its stamp. The
Messrs. Standish are enterprising men. Another firm of the Waterer
family are to be found at Bagshot, whose grounds are rich in the
Ericacese ; indeed, these plants seem to do better here than in any
other locality, which arises from the nature of the soil and subsoil,
which is entirely silver sand and peat in a great many places, so much
so as to make the country around quite barren. We are not far now
from Windsor — but perhaps our readers have had enough for this time,
and we shall return to the subject again, r.r.s.
THE FARM ANIMALS.
One of the most useful, and in fact indiipensible productions,
animal or vegetable, provided for human use by the wonderful organ-
isation of animal economy, is milk— pure and unadulterated milk.
It forms at once a harmless medicine, a stronj^ and nutritive beverao-e
or the means of producing an article of fofid in universal demand.
It must at once be evident then, that proper care and attention should
be devoted to its production, in a good and pure state. We break in
upon the economy of nature, and rob tlie mother of the food destined
for her oflTspring, which we either de.stroy for use, or raise by other
less expensive and artificial means. The milk, that valuable secretion
n^ provided by nature, we are too glad to obtain for our own immediate ci^
(^use. But so habituated do we become to the usual routine of daily ^^
V
352
m
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST
'^^P'
[No 12
:§
life in city and country ; and so generally aie the denizens of the city
disposed to be sati^5fied wi'h foVeigii beverng's, that the subject of rrjilk,
/ except as a mere coloring to (heir tea and coflee, is little thought of —
then the family is pleased to call it cream, and a small portion, a
trifling doj;e, finds its way into our breakfast cup; so small indeed is
the quota, Ihat if it were generally worse than it is, it would not
poison us omnivorous animal-, AVe, however, have thought it right
to ask our friends what this is (hat they generally use; whether it is
cream or milk, or water and milk, or both, or neither, but they will
not answer us, for they neither know nor care, at least many of them ;
and why should we be officious, or poke our fingers into our readers'
coffee cups or milk pitchers. We do it from principle. 'Tis true,
we may not yet have arrived at the unenviable condition of Ihe Lon-
don public, who have been exhibited to the civilized world, and to
themselves, as consumers of the most loathsome material under the
name of milk, hawked from dealer to dealer — decocted by this one,
concocted by that — until the article called milk undergoes so many
metamorphoses, that the consumer just takeb it for granted that it is
milk, or if it is not, it has a little of the color, or if not much of that,
it will impart a color to his coffee or congou, and satisfy his visitors
that at least the usual provision was made for the procuring of the
article milk, or last and most soothing the final conclusion, that no
better could be had. Oh no! we are far from this state of things in
Philadelphia or New York. We do not hear continually of govern-
ment employing chemists to analyse and report the increase or decrease
of crime or fraud in this commodity, but we get along pretty smooth-
ly, and receive most, if not all our milk, from the sweet healthy
atmosphere of the country, and we prove at once that this is the case,
for behold, we may see the milk waggon plodding along at all hours
of the morning to the city, with its load, and jaded attendants, who
have not a chance of resting at their proper time. How long the
milk waggon will thus continue to make its visits we cannot say, for
the country is every year becoming more distant, and alas, we fear
cattle jobbers and milk jobbers will but too soon begin to make
extensive city dairies, and bring our milk sheds to our doors. We
are not without specimens already, but how soon and rapidly they
will multiply. Our object then is merely to call attention to the
proper treatment of the invaluable cow, the second mother of the
human family, to crave for her wants a little more attention, to make
her owners think that she too loves fresh air, fresh water, clean food
and a clean bed, and that in doing this for her, she will duly reward
them in return. We have seen cows carefully attended to, cleaned,
aired, exercised, treated with clean food, provided with fresh and
2 wholesome drink, preserved from noxious vapours by preserving around vV
1853.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
353
them clean quarters, and after all it did not cost a great amount of:^
extra labor — system is all that is wanted.
Begin at the beginning, construct proper sheds with facilities for
cleansing, feeding, watering, airing; clean the stalls regularly ; feed
them like clock work, for the cow wants to eat just as regularly as
we do, and much more so, for we are reasoning beings and can make
allowance for deficiencies, but she is not so, and cannot, but is quite
dependent on our attention. Water them regularly, taking care to
rinse out the feeding trough, and give plenty of pure air, by removing
out of contact with the breathing atmosphere, all filth made by
the animals; We do not stop to enquire, can this be done, we have
seen it done, and assisted in doing it, and it became after all a light
and pleasant affair, when regularly attended to. The milk obtained
from healthy animals treated carefully in the above particulars, would
be milk In fact, and prove a very nutritive food for the members of
the family, capable of conversion into infinite forms by proper skill.
We grieve to see poor animals scarcely able to draw their limbs
along, clogged as they are with their indurated excrements; breathing
a filthy atmosphere almost destitute of oxygen — and one cow consumes
a lafge amount of oxygen m a day — dragging out a miserable exist-
ence, fountains as they are of the very life-blood of society. We
know there are some of these filthy cow hovels about our cities, but
we know they can never be allowed to accumulate, free country as
it is, for the public voice would cry out against them before they
could reach half the magnitude which they attain in older countries.
But do our farmers attend to the cleanliness and healthy condition of
their cattle 1 They do not ! Most assuredly there is a great defi-
ciency in this respect ; labor it is said is too high, " we cannot afford
time to keep our cow houses like parlors, it is all humbug, leave us to
mind our own business." But it is our business, and every man's
business, to attend to the public health and public welfare ; and every
man should be allowed a voice in a matter so clearly connected with
the very elements of health — pure and uncorrupted milk, pure fiom
extraneous mixtures ; uncorrupted by foul diseases, engendered by
impure food and a fnetid atmosphere. We shall state clearly and
concisely in our next paper, how this can be efTected without a great
expense of labour.
The Heath in America.
Mb. Editor — You are a very bold man — a very rashly bold man.
Don't you know that poor .Mr. Downing got himself in a very sad
I scrape aniongst us poor })racticals, for treading too hard on some of j
Cl our cornsi You must know sir, that gardeners are not like the con- .6
^
(^gregation Dean JSwift threw his book at. He pretended to point outv#^
^^SP:y^
45
^cfQ^^
i«-
.1
,1
ii
35^ THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [No. 12
W:i€^ ^ ^cm
a very bad woman, particularized many of h^^r imperfections ; and,
affecting to waim with his subject, threatened to tbrow his book at
her brazen face, advising all the rest to hold down their heads lest he
should hit the wrong one. But lo ! they «// held down their heads —
there was not an imperfect woman amongst them — no, not one. With
us it is just the reverse — show how a few of us are far behind the
age, how we may improve ourselves, how good situations are in-
jured by *'bad mismanagement," and we each apply it to ourselves.
We^re of that '^shani" set — we won't stand it. Sir, you are a very
bold man, you not only try to mend our manners and better our
ways — crushing our defective members with as little feeling as a sur-
geon lops off" a broken leg — but you presume also to give those gen-
tlemen a hint who expect their gardeners to ''do up everything,"
repair old errors, restore old neglects; renovate, in fact, a killed-up
place — without affording them reasonable means to effect it. How
very rash ! How do you know but that employers are like the
others, and each fancy that you are pointing to him. But that is
your look out. You say there are some indirferent gardeners, and
some unreasonable employers. May your endeavors mend them — you
speak of Heaths, and why don't we grow them like we have seen
them at Chiswick] I will tell you, sir, if you will allow me. It is a
well known fact that the Heath has been tried and tried again, and
again by many first rate gardeners and has hitherto failed — without
examining the matter it has been set down that the climate is "too
hot for them." Certainly there is a great dilTerence in the climates
of London and Philadelphia. The mean temperature of the hottest
month in the former being about 04^°, while the latter is considered
at 77". But although there is that great difference in favor of the
climate of London, there is not so much difference between this and
the Cape of Good Hope— the native country of the Heath. The
mean temperature of the hottest month there is about 74°, so that in
so far as mere temperature is concerned we are nearer to its natural
state than the London grower is. \\ hy the mean temperature of the
whole year at the Cape is figured so high as 66'', or higher than the
mean temperature of the hottest month in London, by a degree and-a-
half. Mere temperature then has nothing to do with the failure to
grow heaths in America, it arises from the fact of our sticking to
the London system of management, fit only for a London climate. —
Why, the "Horticulturist" informed us last summer that he saw no
Heaths in England in general collections better than Breckenridge
grows them at Washington. If only one experiment is successful, it
shows that our "hot climate" is no obstacle, the thermometer at the
Cape of Good Hope is said to be frequently as high as 100° in the
shade, and 1 doubt whether it ever exceeds that at Washington. I had
afi;j9v_.
.--tfC^M
ft
135.3 ] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
m ^it)p^~ —
355
^in one situation I held in Am«-rii!a eight young Heaths (two year old,) ri
these I grew for two years with as much success as I ever did in Bri-
tain, though 1 was told when I started that they "could not be grown."
I did not grow them in '-all peat" as I used to do, I used full a third
of turfy loam with them; I had found in a previous situation that it
would never do to go in for peat to such an extent as I had been habi-
tuated ; [ knew that peat was mainly composed of vegntable matter; I
knew that when vegetable matter was made to decompose rapidly, it
had a highly injurious effect on whatever grew in it — and vegetable
matter of all kinds does decompose rapidly when exposed to rapidly
succeeding extremes, v.'hether of heat or cold, drought or moisture. I
found few of my peat i)lants do well, and on consideration the reason
was obvious. The drought of our summers rendered repeated water-
ings necessary. These repeated waterings and alternate dryings, act-
ing on the peat, prod iced the injurious acids alluded to, and the dry-
ness of our days with the copious dews of our night, added to the ef-
fect. To mix loam with the peat was the first move 1 made in the
path of progress; but this was* not all — I found that by keeping them
all the season in-doors, or under a raised frame, wilh all the air possi-
ble, I gained the power to a certain extent ot keeping the atmosphere
about them more regularly moist.
I am sorry that 1 have no Heaths now ; I have never been able to
learn the fate of my pets, but learned from them while 1 had them
that the climate of America is not io) hot for Heaths, but that by
adapting soil and atmospheric moisture to the climate, they will do as
well here as anywhere.
A LovEE OF Heaths, Paii^A*
CURIOSITIES OF VEGETATION.
So great is the diversity of form in the vegetable kingdom, that
many persons not at all interested in plants scientifically, or even as
ornamental objects, are attracted by the curious formation of certain
parts to examine and admire them, and perchance to enquire further
into their history and characteristics. Thus provision is made to ar-
rest the admiration and attention of the most thoughtless of mankind,
and plans laid to 1 ^ad them into a due reverence for the works of na-
ture. Amongst th^se peculiar forms, the
NEPENTHES, OR PI TCHER PLANTS,
stand prominently forward ; and as several species have been general-
ly introduced to collections, attention is again called to their peculi- J
arities of habit and structure. The conservatories of our city can .p
•-'boast of the possession of only two species as yet, but it is to be hoped Q
M^sy^^-^
^.^.
--tK?v^
1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
^is quite a peculiar one in its entire structure, and it has been a matter,
of difficulty to systematic botanists to assign it a proper place in na-
tural systems. R. Brown, perhaps the best authority, brings it into
association with Arisiolochias, (the Dutchman's Pipe order, if we must
anglicise terms,) the structure of the wood warrants him in this view
of its affinities. Brogniart, however, differs with him, and is joined
by Endlicher — both good authorities. It is not a matter of much mo-
ment to us, at present, how the question should be decided ; we may
rest satisfied in knowing that the tribe is a peculiar one, and demands
care also in cultivation. The genus is bisexual, the stamens and pis-
tils being borne on separate plants; perfect fertilisation, however, has
been procured, as Mr. Bisset's seedlings of N. distillatoria testify. We
regret that we could not induce him to put on paper for the benefit
of our readers his experience in the cultivation of this interesting fa-
mily ; but while he imparts his knowledge freely, though orally, he
refuses to enter the lists as a horticultural writer. He grows his pitcher
plants in a warm and moist Orchid house, strikingly adapted to both
tribes of plants, and pots them in peat mixed with chopped sphagnum.
The atmosphere of the house is the great point to be attended to, as in
other respects there is not much peculiarity in their management. N.
distillatoria is of a twining habit, its stems being slender, and is sup-
ported by twining the tendril of the pitcher around some support, such
as a wire trellis. It seems to be supported in its native habitat, the
swamps of China and East Indies, by seizing on those reed-like plants
generally found in such situations ; and thus the pitcher, when filled
with water, is supported erect. N. Rafflesiana is more erect and ro-
bust in habit, and is by far the handsomer species. The other pitcher
plants, such as Sarracenia, are well known in America, and flourish
in the swamps of New Jersey, Carolina, Florida, and other States. —
S. purpurea is the most familiar species to northern botanists. The
New Holland Pitcher Plant (Cephalotus follicularis) has not yet been
introduced to American collections, as far as we can learn ; it is an
extremely pretty little plant, of the habit of Sarracenia or Dionaa,
and referred to that portion of the natural system. It bears crowds
of perfect little pitchers close to the ground. The first plant was, we
believe, introduced to Kew Gardens in 1847 or 1848, and has not as
yet been widely diffused. Its culture is much the same as that of Di-
onaa miLScipulay or Fly trap of the Southern States. s.b.s.
The Cultivation of the Vegetable Garden.
Trenching, Manuring, &c. In the proper cultivation of the soil,
draining is unquestionably the foundation for future improvement,
•-'but it is not by any means the only requisite. Proper tillage or
31^%^
.^:^m
i
358
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
£) working the soil — giving back throup;h (he medium of manures the M
ingredients extractid by continual cropping — and a proper system of\J
rotation in crops are all equally essential to remunerative success. —
The importance of deepening and pulverising the soil, is pretty o-ener-
ally recognised by all good cultivators. Our f()rerath.-rs recognised
the principle in their summer fallowing, and more modern ingenuity
h?s brought the subsoil plough to its aid. We also read of one Jethro
Tull, who maintained tliat pulverisation was the only requisite to
secure a succession of bnutitiful cro[)s. The theory upon which these
practices are founded has of later years been properly explained.
Since vegetable cliemistry has been recognised as a branch of natural
philosophy, and become the subject of scientific research, most im-
portant truths have been discovered, errors in practice corrected, and
causes of failure made clear; true principles deduced, and results
arrived at which were hitherto considered unattainable; but the diffi-
cult}' of arriving at principles of universal applicability becomes
apparent when we consider the various influences to which vegetation
is constantly subjected; the modifying effects of climate and atmos-
phere; the different combinations of the elements constituting the
soil: and above all, the limited knowledire coricernins the laws of
vitality, and the influence that vegetable life has in rendering these
elements subservient to its use. Neither can it be doubted that the
occasional discre[)ancies between the deduction and application of
scientitic principles arist-s from the fact, that the requisite knowledge
to deduce and apply is seldom combined in the same individual, and
while the scientific man reproaches the practical cultivator for his
indifference to the revelations of science, and his prejudice for old
established customs, the latter reminds him of the want of harmony
among men of science, and the varied opinions held by them upon
the same subjects. It has also been remarked, that behind even the
msst extravagant and fantastic pn-judices, it is seldom that there is
not some lurking truth upon which ihey are founded, of undoubted
and indisputable value.
Both science and practice agree in confirming the beneficial results
of the frequent exposure of soil to the air, disintegrating the mineral
bases and rendering it a fit medium for the ramification of roofs. But
it is not on the surface alone that these preparations are n^cessa^y,
roots must be enticed down, and this is only to be effetted by deep
aeration. Trenching is undoubtedly the most thorough process of
loosening and deepening the soil. The advantages of this operation
I are various; the surface soil that has been exhausted by continual
cropping, is replaced by a portion of subsoil enriched with the nutri- j
live matters that have naturally sunk and been washed down by raini ^
'^from the surface, and carried beyond the reach of the roots; theC»
Mc^ev^-
^^fc^-ai«
1853.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
359
manures applied are more freely incorporated with the soil, and theirr*
action becomes more regular and uniform. A free passage is given to
heavy rains, and, in consequence, the surface is sooner dried and fitted \
for the performance of necessary work. The roots of plants can ex-
tend into a medium where they are exempt fiom the extremes of
drought and heat, and obtain a more regular supply of nurishment,
being neither so likely to suffer in wet, or burnnd up in dry weather,
as in the former case the surplus passes freely down, and in the latter
is drawn up by capillary attraction, more especially where a judicious
■ystem of surface stirring is persevered in, preventing rapid surface
evaporation.
Notwithstanding that deep trenching will ultimately prove benefi-
cial in all soils, (premising thny are sufficiently drained, for it matters
not how deep they are trench-d if roots are prevented from descending
by retained water,) attention must be given to the nature of the
subsoil, if of a ferruginous character it will not be immediately pro-
ductive. We are informed by chemists that oxygen, which we are
accustomed to consider as a gas, fcrms nearly one-half of the whole
solid crust of the globe. In the subsoil it exists in combination with
metallic substances, injurious to vegetation. But on sufficient exposure
to the action of air, frost and rain, such earths are generally very
favorable to the growth of vegetables. In the management of soils
of this description, it is of much importance to turn them over fre-
quently, exposing new surface, and bringing the hitherto excluded
earths to the action of the atmosphere — frost is a valuable auxiliary
in this improvement. The water in freezing expands and separates
the earthy particles, on the return of mild weather a gradual crumb-
ling and granulation takes place; the meliorating action of the
atmosphere thus pervades every part, pr.xlucing a friability not
Ittainable by any other means. It is.a matter of regret that so little
attention is given to this gratuitous fertilizing property of the atmos-
phere. There are very few soils actually deficient in inorganic
materials, were they duly exposed to the oxygen of the air, their
latent principles of fertility would then be rmdered available for the
purposes of vegetable growth. In connection with the amelioration
of adhesive soils, the use of charred materials may be mentioned
As a corrective, charcoal cannot be too highly recommended. In a
physical view it renders the soil porous and permeable to gases, and
chemically its absorbing and disinfecting properties are equally valua-
ble. Its capability of absorbing ammonia and other gases give it
value as a fertilizer ; reduced to a powder and mixed with seed before
sowing secures a speedy and healthy development of the young
plant.
2 There has been much discussion lately regarding the relative value
I^V ^-d^^^
360
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST
[No 12
■ — ^6'^r"
'^and economy of fresh and decomposed manures. Much depends)*;
upon the nature of the soil, and the species of crop for which it is to
be applied. For early crops remaining only a short time in the
ground it should be well decomposed, that its action may be of im-
mediate benefit. On the other hand for more permanent and lasting
crops, it may be used in a fresh and more bulky state, in which case
its action will be more protracted. When ground is accasionally
trenched to a depth of eighteen inches or more, it is a good practice
to lay five or six inches of fresh manure in the bottom of the trench.
This in the mean time will entice roots to descend, and when the
soil is again tnrned over it will be in the best possible condition for
enriching the surface. This system of trenching and manuring deeply
is particularly suitable for esculent roots as carrots, parsnips, &c. On
thin soils these cannot be cultivated to any advantage, and when the
superficial soil is rich, a tendency to emit root fibres near the surface
is induced, detrimental to their longitudinal extension.
Rotation of Crops. — Among the essentials requisite to a high
state of cultivation, a proper system of rotative cropping accupies a
a prominent place. It is a frequent error, more especially committed
by those with small gardens, to cultivate the same kink of crop suc-
cessively on the same piece of ground. Success under this method
might be constantly secured by returning to the soil the several ingre-
dients extracted by the plants; but even supposing this practically
attainable, and looking at it as a matter of mere economy, a change
of crop is desirable, as two dissimilar crops may be produced on the
same piece of ground in one season, a practice not attainable to any
extent without a change of crop ; and further, the growth and cultiva-
tion of one kind of plant frequently gives the soil the best preparation
for that of a different sort of vegetable. Physiologists do not
altogether agree in their opinions upon the principles on which the
beneficial effects of change of cropping depends. What may be
termed the excretory theory proceeds on the supposition that the
roots of all plants during their growth give out certain substances
peculiar tojthemselves, and unfavorable to their growth upon accumula^
tion, but which are capable of promoting and acting as stimulants to
the growth of other species.
Jt is a well ascertained fact that plants do impart to the soil a
portion of the juices they have formed within themselves. The soil
round the roots of the oak has been found impregnated with tannin.
The roots of the sponge imparts an acid resinous matter. The poppy
exudes a snbstance analogous to opium; indeed, the root of any plant,
if JTiowing in water, will toon render it turbid, but the quantity of i
such matter hitherto detected has not been considered of sufficient ^
import to account for th^ remarkable beneficial results which has ^v^
^ followed a rotation of crops. ^
THE PHILA.DELVHIA FLOIIIST. 361
185.1
V Thp above theory although supported by very high authority, is ^J
^gradually giving way to the following, viz: That although the bulk ^6
of plants is made up of the same primary elements, yet, different \
species require very unlike proportions of these elements, so that
each kind of plnnt has a characteristic formation peculiar to itself.
There is consi.lerable variety in thi.^ re.^pect among the different
tribes of plants, each seeming to grow most advantageously when
supplied with ingredients abounding in th^ir distinguishing elements.
it follows, then, thai if the various substances required by a plant for
its healthy growth, are deficient in the soil, that plant will not thrive,
although a plant of different formation may grow luxuriantly upon it.
From this it appears that the reason why a crop if constantly grown
upon one spot, will yearly diminish in productiveness, does not arise
from a repletion of any substance, but rather from exhaustion ; and
that the snme crop may be successfully grown upon the same soil for
an indefinite number of years, by annually supplying those elements
extracted by the crop. This might be practicable if the exact amount
of these substances were known, but so far as present knowledge ex-
tends there is no accurate, practically usf^ful information on the sub-
ject, sufficient to warrant its adoption. In a j)ractical view it is evi-
dent from either of the above theories, that a change of crop is an
essential requisite to successful cultivation.
In cultivating garden vegetables, there is ample room and facilities
for a frequent change of crop, and it may also be remarked that there
is a wide fit^ld for experiment in ascertaining the kinds best suited to
succeed one another in a regular system. In general, long-rooted
plants as beets, carrot^, parsnips, &c., should be followed by those
that root near the surface, nnd if the manure applied to the former
crops has been put well down, it will, on the soil being again turned
over, bring its remains in a position for immediate benefit to the
latter.
Plants that are grown for their seedff, shonld be followed! by those
grown for their leaves. The seeds of all plants contain a larger
amount of mineral ingredients thad their leaves, and will in conse-
quence exhaust the soil to a greater extent than crops used before the
seed riperis. Early summer crops shorld be followed by those to be
used in the fall and wintifi • In reducing these into practice, two
methods may be adopted ; either by having only one crop at a time,
and when that is removed, immediately succeeded by another; or^
have two or more crops on the same patch, so arranged, that the one
will be removed before it interferes with the growth of the other. In
illustration of the first mode, a piece of ground may be sown with i
early peas, which will be cleared oif in lime for a crop of turnips, /^
^ beets, or spinach, or, a crop of early potatoes succeeded by a plant- C»\
t
362 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
FKo. 12
l^-^ingof winter cabbage, or brocoli. Early crops of turnips, carrots,,^
y and beet, will be removed in time to admit oi^ a planting of late'
dwarf beans; many modirtcations and resources will present them-
selves in practice. Perhaps the most economical method, especially
where ground is limited, is to grow several crops at the same timej
lor instance, peas may be sown in March, in rows six feet apart— in
May a row of melons may be planted in the space betwt^en the peas,
the shade afforded by the peas will be beneficial to the young meloii
plants— or between the peas, a row of bush bt^ans may' be planted—
when the pea crop is gathered, the space it occupied may be planted
with purple brocoli; and the beans succeeded by a late crop of turnips.
It would be easy to multiply examples, but it is not necessary, as
those who are inclined, and will exercise due foresight, will find room
for many expedients. Much can be produced on a small scale by
adopting this method, and it adords great facilities for sheltering
young and tender crops, by those more malured and of robust growth"
It may, however, be remarked, that although most plants are bene-
titted by a little shade and shelter when young and delicate, it is
highly injurious to their h'ealthy development if continued
CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM.
The following brief notes have been prepared for the readers of the
*' Florist." If you deem them suitable, they are at your service,
formation of the i/ft/.— Collect a quantity of fresh horse droppings
from tl)e stable where oats are fed to them ; shake cut or separate the
droppings from the straw, after which fermentation will commence j
they should then be spread out under an open shed or some such place,
to the depth of a foot j then collect a fourth part of cow droppings from
an old pasture which may be half dry ; spread them regularly over the
hora- droppings, and keep turning the whole every alternate day un-
til the excessive heat subsides or is exhausted, which may be a week
or ten days, according to the state of the atmosphere. Select a warm
cellar or stable, or if there is space under the greenhouse stage it will
suit, if it can be preserved from drops falling from the stage. In Eng-
land they are grown on shelves placed in the stable or in sheds erected
for the purpose in the stable ; no other heat is applied except that im-
parted by the horses' breath. The bed should be constructed two
feet in depth by making a box, varying in width and length accord-
ing to the taste or judgment of the grower j introduce the droppingg,
making them as solid as possible by beating and treading to a depth of
^ 16 or 18 inches J after which a renewed and violent heat is in some .^
• instances generated j in such case I use a stake or garden dibble, which §N
[^9V ..f-is.^
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
363
«3 I drive down towards the bottom of the bed at about a distance of \^^)
inches over the bed which form air chambers for the escape of steam ^h
and vapour, which is injurious to the action of the spawn ; after this, \
the heat will decrease rapidly. When the bed has reached a proper
temperature the spawn may be inserted in holes made by a mallet or
other suitable instrument, to the depth of two or three inches, then
close the air chambers with the mallet, and the spawn will be in im-
mediate operation. I never add soil to a b-d until I see the spawn in
motion, then I collect some maiden soil from a loamy sod which has
not been broken for many years, and cover the bed to the depth of 3
or 4- inches, and beat it tirm with a spade, covering it over with hay
or boards to keep it dark and make the mushrooms white. Watch the
bed cloj-ely, never giving water but when nearly dry, and then it
should be heated to a moderate temperature. From such a bed which
I spawned on the 1 6th of January 185*2, I cut a dish in five weeks, and
the bed remained in bearing for three months, during which time I
cut some bushels of mushrooms. It contained about six square yards.
I renewed it in November, and spawned it on the 15th of the same
month, and will furnishv.*d my employer with a dish of mushrooms on
Christmas day.
W. Hammill, Woodbrook.
Mr. Editor — I wish to hear aji^ain from your correspondent at page
200, if he was very sure that the vineyards between Orleans & Nantes,
on the banks of the Seine, were planted with white and rose Chasse-
las. I have seen vineyards from near Lyons to Paris, through Burgun-
dy, then to Kheims!, Charnpaorne, &.c., and I have never seen nor heard
of the Chasselas grown in vineyards to make wine ; but if he says so,
I will believe him. My impression was that these grapes were only
cultivated for the table, and are unknown to most of the vine dressers.
The mistake, if any, must be attributed to the uncertainty of observa-
tions by steam. M.
A machine for transplanting large trees was lately tested at Edin-
buro- in presence of a body of gentlemen interested in horticulture. It
is arranged with cutters, which are inserted at a distance from the
trunk, and then forced to meet underneath, cutting the earth in the
form of a wedge. Arrangements are made tor the removal of the
tree when disconnected ; and from the success of the first experiment I
1 no doubt is eniertained of i?s utility. It is supposed the weight re-
A moved amounted to thirteen or fourteen tons, 'i'he inventor is Mr.
/^McGlashan. 0\
m ^v^- . ^'^^^
'■!s
'v|
364 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. FNo 13
€\)t /Ions! milt l^ortifulturul Soiiriml. ^
Our labours for the coHi])letiori of the first volume of the Florist
being well nigh finished, we propose to take a glance at the past and.
to speculate a little on the future success of the periodical. Beino- a
novice in editorial affairs, we are well aware of the short coininf^s and
errors which marked the volume now about to close. The onlv rea-
son we can advance for projecting such a Mat^azine is this — that no
qualified individual seemed disposed to undertake the matter, and we
were most anxious that rhiladelphia, and Pennsylvania, should pos-
sess a practical Horticultural periodical. The experience of the past
proves to us that there is sufficient taste and spirit to support such a
periodical ; all that is wanting is time and means to produce a valuable
affair. We may congratulate our readers on having secured the ser-
vices of many of the most competent horticulturist^', wlo Ireely give
the result of their experience lor the encouragement of the science;
and we can promise for the coming volume an increase of talented con-
tributors amongst scientific men. The desire which exists in distant
parts of the Union for a good and reliable g-jide \n the several opera-
tions of gardening has been manifested, and it shall be our care to
furnish them with such information as will be best suited to their
wants. The notice which persons begin to take of our indigenous
plants, encourages us to devote a space to the sjibject of the Indigenous
American Flora, and from the facilities which we enjoy of examining
valuable herbaria, we hope to be able to satisfy the enquiries of all
who take the pains of forwardini:^ proper specimens for de:ermination.
This subject has always engaged much of our time and attention. On
the subject o( Fruit and Fruit Trees we have been rather limited
throughout the past year, but the assistance of several eminent po-
mologists having been procured, we hope in the future to remedy that
defect. With respect to the social questions which are closely con-
nected with our subject, involving the improvement of our gardeners,
we have never shown any disposition to refuse to them that considera-
tion which is due to a mutter so impoitant ; and we may here state that
it has been far from our purj)03e to create any sectional jealousies be-
between the various classes of which the body of practical horticul-
urists is composed. Placed as we are here to fulfil our destiny, we do
not believe that the question of particular country where we had cur
origin is at all relevant. During the progress of our undertaking we
have no doubt offended certain individuals, and thus entailed on our-
selves opposition ; if such arose from an independent criticism of pub-
^'^ lie acts of public bodies, we submit that we were entitled to that
UQSP^^
-c?C?VM
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
365
'o^ii.
»853.]
v^ — -.
^inestimable privilege, and hope that in exercising it w- have not over- It
stepped the proper limits. The opposition created by such a course ^
we hope to overcome and survive. We are not disposed to enter into
the peculiar instances where this opposition was incurred, as doing
so would only tend to attach undue impoitance to an unsuccessful at-
tempt to control free opinion, which no honorable individual would
sanction.
We have to return our sincere thanks to our contributors who have
done so much to make the Florist a valuable guid" in the routine of
operations connected with the Farm, Orchard, Flower Garden and
Conservatory, and to express our sense of the obligations we owe for
the invaluable information furnished on any required topic. Gardeners
have done much for the Florist, both as contributors to its pages and
as agents, and all gratuitou.-ly, with no hope or prospect of reward,
except the extension of their favorite pursuit.
We shall not here make any promises with regard to the forthcom-
ing volume J it will speak for itself j and as the j ast has been only the
initiation of the matter, we expect that those who have benefitted by
our exertions, and are favorable to the project, will continue their
support.
R.K.S.
A BOTANIC GARDEN.
There was once a Botanic Garden in the vicinity of Phil idelphia :
It was created by the enthusiasm of a genuine natumlist. but it did
not long survive its founder and director ; it is no lunger a botanic
garden, but the residence of a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, who
has spent no pains or expense in modernising it ; and now, with a
splendid mansion, and neat lawn and gravel walks, it forms an attrac-
tion to the visitor more generally appreciated perhaps than John Bar-
tram's garden, filled wiih botanic novelties and gems, little cared for
by the mass, who look with more interest on a stuUly pile of masonry
than on a rare tree or shrub. But as our country progresses in scien-
tific knowledge the taste for such evidences of refinen)ent increases,
and the necessity for intellectual recreation becomes as pressing as the
more 6ensual demands have heretofore been. There can be little
doubt but that in a few years a Public Botanic Garden will be pro-
jected, if not by some society or corporation already in existence, it
may be by some spirited conipany of gentlemen associated for Ihepur-
I pose.
5,00 One pan;e for 1'2 insertions, $25,00
i ** " 1,50 i
Ati Unless by special agreement.
m^^ _^-dm:
15,00
10,00 g.
S58
5
THE PHILADELPIlIA PLORlST
ZJO
ILLUSTRATIOKS.
r
fNo 12
PLATE
ti
«i
«i
««
it
1.-— Dinrntra .spec'nhlH«», . • •
II. — NVpenthes Rain^s'uma,
III. — Cimjianula nobilis alba .(Frontispiece.)
JV. — Giarnmantln'S gentinnoidcs,
V. — Calceolaria Anna Neal, • •
VI. — Achimenes orloxiniaefloia. • •
VII. — Gladiolus - - • .
WOOD CUTS.
Suburban Greenhouses, . • •
Nepenthes Rafllesiana, - - -
Frame lor introduction of Grape Vines into Green-
houses, - • . . •
32
.^0
59
87
125
159
137
150
TABLE or CONTENTS.
No. 1.— MAY.
Natural System of Rotany, page
Statistics ot Horticulture,
Theory and Practice of Pruning,
Foreign Grapes, Descriptive List,
PHtriarcbsol Horticulture and Botany,
Natural Science. Botany, systems of
classiticatutii,
Entomology. Agriculture,
Indications of the Creator in the Ve-
getable Kingdom,
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,
Native Plants,
Transactions of Scientific Societies,
Lily, Uose and Violet,
19
1 Emigrant's Adien,
4 Labors Cry. School of Design. Ar-
Gj mand Marrast,
8 Oar Apology,
U Monthly Tour of [nspection,
Kditoiial Notes,
10 Heport ol Pennsylvania Horticultural
111 Society,
Calendarof Operations, April & May, 29
12 Circular of Pennsylvania Horticultu-
1.) ral Society. 31
17 Description of Plate Dicentra Specta-
18' bills, 32
l Editorial,
20 Our Friends and Censors,
37 Gardeners and A.ssociation,
38 Calendar of Op;»rations,
42 Native Plant Calendar,
43 Description ol' Plate 2, Nepenthes
4(j| liattlesiana.
47 Curiosities of Vegetation,
IGanlener's Society Exhibition,
48 .Monthly Tour of Inspection,
50 Ueport of Pennsylvania Hortkultu-
Oil lal Society,
52
53
5.-5
56
.')8
58
59
6S
61
61
63
M^S)V_-.
1853.
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
No. 3— JULY.
^^^cGt
y Statistics of Horticulture, (jr> Npvv York Horticultural Society,
Katllosia Arnoldu. * 50 Throe Months Experience in Ameri-
WotH-s on Grape Culture. 6^ can Horticulture,
Window Gardening, Ucpotting Plants, C!t The Calceolaria,
Alanagement of the Kuchr^ia, 70 Phacelia S:^tosa ?
Foreign Agricult'l Correspondence, 71 Kditoriiil Notes,
Agriculture as it is in Britain,
Report of Kew Gardens,
Crystal Palace,
A Leaf from my Diary,
A Voice from Marallw^n,
Beer,
72 .Mont Illy 'J'our of Inspection,
74 Bleeding of Trees from Pruning,
78 Calrndar of Operation.'^,
7!) Report of Pennsylvania Horticultu-
81
82
rul Society,
94
West Chester Horticultural Society, 96
No. 4.— AUGUST.
Notes on the Cacti,
Management of the Calceolaria, ,
Cape Heath— Erica.
National Agricultural Convention,
Notes Cen-sorial,
97 Ploughing in Green Crops, 122
99 Review of Philadelphia Florist, by
102 Hovcy, «
101 Monthly Tour of Inspection,
106 Description of Plate 6, Achimeues
125
Lecture on Agri'coltural Education, 110 gloxiniceHora,
English, Irish and Scotch Gardeners, J 14 Maryland Horticultural Society,
Notes on Grape Culture, 114 Chester Co. " <«
Calendar of Operations, 11.') Pennsylvania " **
Editorial, 120 National Agricultural Convention,
126
127
127
128
No. 5.— SEPTE.MBER.
Importance of a National Botanic [Calendar of Operations,
Garden, 129 Notes Censorial,
Impressions of European Gardening, 131 Plan for introducing Grape Vines,
National Agricultural Convention, 130 Our Lost Friends,
Suburban Green Houses, 137 Horticultural Societies,
Foreign Grapes— Descriptive List, 139 Armuals— Select List,
141 United States Agricultural Society, 156
" Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 157
142 New York " «« 158
143 Maryland <« "159
144 Description of Plate 7.
Pruning.
Criticism
Seedling Camellias of America,
Floriculture,
Gardens of Industrial Institutions,
146
150
(i
151
153
155
No. 6.— OCTOBER.
Notes on the Cacti, No. II, 16r
Culture of Achimeues, 162
Window and Yard Gardening, 163
Foreign Grapes — Descriptive List, 165
Renovating Old Specimens of Plants, 108
On the accumulationof sap in plants, 169
Aspects of Agriculture m Great Bri-
tain, 170
Curiosities of Vegetation, 171
Cultivation and propagation of Green
House Azalea, 174
Hardy Plants in North Carolina, 175
Calendar ot Operations, 176
No. 7.-
Foreign Horticult'l Establishments,
Grape Culture,
Victoria Regia,
Observations on European Horticul
ture,
New Introductions.
Proper Names of Plants,
Notices of New and Select Plants,
Amhersiia Nobilis,
Microsperraa bartonioides,
Retrospective Criticism, 179
Hamilton Village Horticultural So-
ciety, 180
Editorial, 181
Pomology, 182
American Pomological Society, 184
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 184
New York • «< ««
Chester Co. ♦< « '<
Philadelphia County Agricultural So-
[ ciety, «
Culture of Grapes under Glass, 190
Notice to Correspondenta, 192
205
207
m^s^ —
17
-NOVEMBER.
193 Window and Yard Gardening,
IJC) Indigenous Plants,
198 Kftrospective Criticism,
rioricnltnre. Lancashire Heroes,
199 Calendar of Operations,
202E«litorial,
«' Arboriculture. — Indigenous Trees,
203 Monthly Tour ot Inspection,
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 221 ^\
204 State Agricultural Fair, 223^
m
370 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
No. 8.— DECEMBER.
[No. 12
i
actyli8 glomeraia 53
57 Drihlas 57, 20.'). glahrn-a. 14J f*
173 Deltgaies to Poinological Coinfrtss 1 J8
35(3 Dendroi.ium
93 chrysosfoma
106' Heyneaiiuin
62 67 '^^can's superb Urape
' 2 ^*^ I*' ^^"leetine
^..^| DureUo
' - Deutziu gracilis, for forcing
I'^'Diuiidiia
30 Dielytra
1^0 Dice iiira epectabilia
G2 Cuculluria
Diosma ciliariu
328, aeeDdleuiactaa
Dipieiacaiiihiis speriabilis
r
1J7
ti2
18
32
38
38
ua
2
33
32
58, 336
94
178
217 Dianihiis harbaiUH 54, Caryophyllm 144
Black
126 ;
96
Cineraria
Claytonia virginica
3-7 Dodeciitlteun niradia
Dodder
Dacrydum ciipressimum
Duryphora sassafras
Doryaiiihrs tjxelsa
^ Draba verim
ll^Uwarf Beans
18
37, 362 Echinocacti
33 iichnnipsis
309'Kdiiorial
149
174
83
325
m
17, 58
94
97
97
277
54, 17b, 291, 338 Editorial 253, Horlicultural Magazines
207|Ediioiial 321, 212, 314, 317
Clerodendron Bethunianum, 62; De- Electricity, eflects of, 011 Hops
j75;'Kuro8lU8 valid us
34.
latiiulia
vonianum
Chironia pulchella
Clivia nobilis
Cock's foot grass
Cocoa nut tree
Collinsia bicolor, 54; monticolor
Cochineal
Cochlearia acaulis
Coffee tree
Committee on Botany
Convolvulus batatas
Compositce
Cotiv.illuria majalis, double
Cornus Canadenf-is
Correa 93, 213, 337, pulchella
Corydalis
Corylus avellana
Craioe^ua o.xyLaijtha
Crowea satigna 112,
Cream Nuts
Cress-bitter
Cryptomeria japonica
Crystal Palace
Croton Oi! plant
Cuph<'a p'atycentra
Cucumbers
Cucurbitaceoe
Cultivation of Cacti
Cunonta ciipensis
Currants, Cherry
CurioHitifS of Vfgetation
Cupreffsus funebris
Cyiioches
Cytisus canariense
Cyperucfce
Cymbidium latifolium
Cyclamen
/? Cypress Vina
•^ Cypripedium
G6
142
32
S7
21 -
35, 62,
^^9b^
Kj Knglish Yew
QA Epacris hyacinthiflora
^r, l^pigea repens
, ' Epiphyllum speciosum
' Jenkinsonii
Ackermannii
H alatuin
310 Hookerii
126, 90i speciofrum
245i Jeiikiusuiiii
173 Esperion Grape
(il Epidendron odoratissimum
Q^ Epiphyllum truncaium
217 Epacris grandiiiora
loevis
mtniata
pungens
imprcssa
301-4 Erica venincoea Buperba
}(, Erica
^g Cavendishii
2\g Ausiralis — Mackaii
Select list
Ergot of Rye
Kraiitlieinum albiflorum
Eriostemons
Eranilicmum semperflorens
Eucalypius
Erica brunioidrs
pubesceas mnjor
minor
Eschalot
(Euphorbia c.nput medusae
European Gardening
•Siirubbery
Eschalot
h^ugenia Jambosa
Eutoca viscida
Euphorbia heieropfiylta
jacquininura
93,
108
172
64
64
173
207
14v!
126. 335
171. 355
2()V
IS
(M
61
12«i
IS, 20
y,
20".
325
18
133
27
17
98
98
98
57
67
57
57
39
18
97
42
64
«4
64
64
125
102
1U2
103
104
r*2
118
213
301
324
27
:.7
27
57
172
178
133
139
136
54
142 Q
118^
-.-^^VM
18.53.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
r^ Experimental Garden, Edinburgh
Euiaxia pungens
laevigata
Copelandii
Evonymus
Japonica
Eucalyptus pulverulentus
perfoliatus
Eucharidium grandiflorum
35
155
Fan Palm
Festuca ovina
Filbert
Ficus Indica
Flax
Floriculture
Lancashire Heroes
Flower Garden
Floating melon beds, in Cashmere
Foreign Grapes
Hort. Establishments
63
7
2
73
143
208
119,252
315
208
195 Giant of the Battle's Rose
64Girard College
64 Giant Trees of Tasmannia
64Geissomeria
^^^Ginseng
^i Gloxinia
CO ,. .
list
propagation of
Cartonii
3Q'Glasnevin Bot. Garden
Gladiolus list
Glazing
Gloriosa superba
Gladiolus Fanny Rouget
Gongora Macnlata
picta
Gladioli Mad. Blouet
Mad. Georgeon
Golden Fern
Gooseberries Whitesmith
Goodyera «„#
193,241,349(3,, J ' I9
^J^^'' , . . , J8J Green House 118
Grapes, descriptive list 165 Q^een Crops 247
Four O plock 9 Grapes Descriptive list 139
Forsythia viridi^sima 178.314, ^ ^p^,/ 8,37,38.39,58
Fourcroya Americana I60! ^^ ' '189,190,117
139
Foreign iree» in landscape gardening 269
1" rankendale
Frouliguac Black
White
Grizzly
Fromentha] •
Frontignac Blue
Fraiici8cea latifolia
Fraxinus acuminata
Franciscea villosa
Fuchsia, the introduction of,
princeps 276,310
under glass
J^^ on I he Seine
J ^^ Grape Vine
Culture
149
149
149
24
219
158
Fuchsias 205
Arborescens syringieflora 123
Belrose 126
Gay Lad 34
Chateaubriand
Corallina 63
Chauvierrii
Napoleon 63
Purity 125
Bnow Drop 63
Lord tiandon 63
Pomariaceffi 32
Gaultheria
Gardenia Fortunii
Garden Memoranda
Gathering Fruit
Gardens and Gardeners 277,
Gardeners
Gailiardia picta
Gardens of Industrial Institutions
Genders of plant names
Georgina mutabilis
Geraniums
Gros Mierdu Kcnthal
Grove End Sweet Water
vine borders
Ground Nut
Grammanthes gentianoides
Gramineoe
Green fly
Guava
Gymnogramma Chrysantba
Gynerium argenteum
148
362
6
196
149
349
10
64, 57
61
200
62
63
343
Habenaria
Hardy plants in North Carolina
63tlucafnaiac
Hamilton Village Hort. Society
Hactshish (Cannabis Indica)
Hawthorn
327, 135, 213
•^Gingko
maculatum
scarlet and pink
37,54, 57, 85, 95 Holly
Heaths, list of
Heath growing 326, in America
Hedychium flavum
roacrantbum
218 Hemimeris
160 Heliotrope
316 Hemp
146 Herbaceous Plants, list of
114 Henderson's 202, Knight &l Perry
322 Henlreya scandens
Q4 Hcxaceniris mysorensis
14jiHepaiica
«., Heliotropes
^ Hippomane Mancinella
^'•, Hibbertia Cunninehamii
58 « Horticulturist**
94 Hulosteum urnbellatum
66 Hollyhock, culture of
.^yf^m
374 THE PE
Moriiculture in U. S.
Huriiculiural Publications
Sucitities
Hothouse
Plants (prize)
Houstonia
Hoya Ctinninghamii
Horse Chestnut seedling
Hydrangea Japonica
Hyacinths
Hydropliyllacfae
Hura crepitans
Hyacinths
254
346
153
251
135
322
61
64
63
337
88
1-8
178
Ice floiise
252
Imprests ions of European Gardening l;{t
Hiiciii'ii flttridaiiucn
24
Il< X EiiropcEUs
61
lodieenou:^ i'rees
217
lodig.Mious Plants
L)8
Itiirn. of Gniptf^ into greenhou
sea 114
Infects On Fruit 1 reea.
97
Irdia Ru')lter Tree
172
Ipuuicea ficitolia
301, yo
liiiibaia
54, 57
qiiarnoi-lit
Burridgii
90
90
Ipomopsix pina
It9
Ixora G iffi hii
iSi*
Jatrupha nianiltot
U>-
paiduraslulia
I8i'
Jardin des Plauies
19!)
Jasmines
51
Jusiicia carnea
27, 57
Kalinia
2!^
Kaislia Aprifot
24 (
Keepin2 efirdens clean
2S|
Kevv G.irdeuS
74
Kennedia
9(
iuihl Rabi
9^
Lady*8 shipper
7
Loelia anceps
34 f
Lantana seltowii
Ui^
Laurustinus
13:^
Latatiia liorhonica
21
Lagerritrccrnia
]8^
Jjatfhroeres seedlini^
U\>
Leianthux lungiflorua, nigrescena Hh
Leguiniiin««
10, CI, 6t
J*ecythis Ollaria
1(1
J*f c\ thiUacex
10
Leciuiea uii Botany
28-.
Lilacs, for forcing
\4f
LiMamhus Russelianui
3U7
Ligusiium vulgare
133, 34
Liquid manure tanks
7;'
Linodcndrun Tuiipifera
217
.Lima Bfan«
6>
Lot>eha (>ardinalis, syphilitica
207
Jmperflorena
176
yi owing Machine
133
tlonthly tour of Inspection 108,
150,
945, 284
vionotropa
170
VtuMiing Glory
67
vligiiiunette
64, 118
In hoxea
138
Vfitchella repens
207
kiiiler'tt Burgundy
165
vloutordiea bllaieriuoi
173
vliidew on G tapes
263
viimtMa pudica
19
Bcn»iiiva
•«
prustrala **
Microsperma barlonioidea 221,204
vioiikey Bread J reo 3
t4odei Farms 269
•tuseuni of Vegetable products, Kcw
Gardens 76
Vluacai of Alexandria 165, 40, 41, 134
Blanche H alive
AuMiriaii
Camion Hall
MuHCudine
Munduli
dyrilea
^xfQ5^M
1853.]
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST.
Mua.saenda m-crophyiJa
Myristica mosi haia
Myatl'a Elenor
Native Orchids
JNational P.itanic Garden
118 Phlox Drummondii
I2:t Phil. CO. Agn. Society
134 P"''i"8
iPrilox list
Phleum nodosum
231
I'?9, 178
Phacelia
laiiacetifoli
seioSd
Agricultural (.onvenlion '28 PhalBnop.is jjranr iflora
Native plants, Philarvenaia 262, 1^8
Nectarine 134
Neapolitan violet |U3
New York Hoit. Soc'y 256, 83, 108, 189
NepenthactSB 355 59
Nemophila
insignis
24, 69,
Nepentha di^tiilutoria
• * Rufflegiana
New plants at Sprini^brook
Nutmeg 'I'ree
Nyinphsea
N uphar
Obs. of European Hort.
Ochra
Oldenlandia Deppii
Oleanders
Olea fr^'tirans
Oncidium pipilio
O flexu sum
Oncidium ahissimum, flexuosum
ceboiieiit
Opuntias
Opuniij conhinilirera
sen lis •
Orchida, roots of
management of
at Loddiges'
at Lo^*a
Obchidaceje
Orchis speciabilia
Orobai c'le
Orchard Grnsa
Orange Trees
Ormitiogalum aureum
Osbeckia
Pachira alba
Paliurus aouleatua
Pansy
Pancratium
Paper Mii.b«rry
Psoiiia Mouian
Paiasiflora diver^ifolia
raceinor
m^ Phyllocacii 62, 97
aniaitiiis
Phyelephas macrucarpa
Pieronia
Planting Fruit Trees
Ploijghii g III Green Crops
Plectranihus coiicidor picia
Pinielea spec'al)ili8
Pine Apple Ripley Queen
Pine Apples
Picquotiai.e
l'ittD>porum Tobira
Piiius sy vestris
excelsa, Pindrow
inops Piiisapo
Pilocereiia senilis
Poa annua 3.
Podophy.lum peliatum
Poinegranaiea
Foinolog-y
I'opulua allta
Poiato, Cuihill on the
Purphyrocoma laiiceolata
P«>leiitoniuni repiaia
Polyi/:ila oppositilo ia
Poi setiia pulcherrtina
Primula sinensis
Propagation of Cacti
Progress of American Horticulture
339(Pnck;y Pear
239 Privet
24lj ;'ro8iranihera violacea
242, l35i Prize Esaay 011 Guano
147. 274, Pruning
5n| Fig
I74 Psidiuin pyriferum
53'Piirp|. Dainask
n8,li)3 Public "-quares
8H Public ParKs at VVaahingtosI
9.J
RafBesia Arnnldii
ilaniinculus
(liiiMin des Carmes
Raspuerry, Kivcrs' monthly
magnuiu bunum
Raspberries
Red Spioer
(egent's Park Boi. Garden
Renantht-ra coccinea
Renovating o.d i>pc. of Plants
.Metros Criiicisin 2:^9,292, 207, 3.^7
Repose ol Plants 295
Reso. on death of A. J. Downinsr 158
Rhododendrons 30,37,58
204
33
52
62. 63
125
90,18
27
5^
IK.
225
98
133
159
171
21 (
149
62
Ib6
340
150
107, 47, 66
178
166
126
246
117
70
194
118
168
Rhododendron ciliatum
Rhubarb
Hobson's giant
Rhyncospermiim ja.Hnnnoidea
Rhodanthe Mangleaii
Rhipsalis
Rhus nov. sp
Rhexia
Riciiardia (Eihiopica
Root Pruning
Rocket Larkspura
Rosea
3l^^y^>^
.^-d^^m
S76
THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST
^ Rose superba, Queen of the Prairies
V*) Baltimore Belle, Caradnri
rP R
1
Lose
Rose Nurseries of Paris
Rotation of v^rops
Royal Vluscadiae Grape
Ruellia
Ruta Baga
Rutaceae
Rye Grass, perennial
Russclia juncea
Joe
5, 29, 37, 62, 64
199
3(>0
39, 40, 41
93, 126
58, 119
64
53
118
St Peter's Black Grape 166
Oldaker's Grape 166
Sago Palm I8S
Salsafy 30
Salading 58
Salisburia adiantifolia 61
Sand box Tree 172
Saxifraga Pennsylvanica 17
Sarracenia 357
Scarlet Geraniums 205, 94
Scharges Henling I67
Schedule of Penn. Hort. Socr 280
Schrophulariaceae 125
Schizanthus 54
SCHROPHULARIACEJB S7, 62
Sea Weeds 172
Senecio Jacobaa 63, 94
Sloke 172
Skimmia japonica 313
Shrubs 29
Shaddock 188
Shanghai fowls 108
Siphocampylus niiida I26
Siiene Virginica 59,
Sir Wm. Hooker's Report
Siphonia elasiica
Solanum Lycopcrsicura
Sparaxis versicolor
Spiraiithes
Squirting Cucumber
Speckled Salad of Austria
Spigelia Marilandica
Spiraeas for forcing
Sphaaria Robertsii
Spinuch
Statistics of Horticultura
Stowell's Corn
Strawberries 116, 126, 146, 134
1 halictrum anemonoides
riiuja Goveniana
i'horea ramosissima
Timothy Grass
Tomato
Forenia Asiaiica
lour of Inspection
Tradescarit
Tradescantia Zrbrina
Treniandra veriicellata
Iremandrace^
Tripoli tirape
TropoBoium canarieuse
'Tulips
Turnera elegans
Turnip Ruta Baga
Typha angusiiloiia
Umbeixifer-k
Urtica dioica
61
9
Vanessa antiopa 11
Vanilla 11,34
Vegetables, culture of 339, 149 252. 299
119, 214, 95, 94
Vegetable Ivory 173
Verbenas Hovey's America 95
Diadem 86, 95
Republican 95
Nectar cup 95
Orb of Dav 95, 94, 205
scarlet Defiance 27
Veronica Andersonii 86, 126
Victoria regia 75. 85, 128, 2T, 25, 75,76
124. 107,186, 148, 198, 158, 159
Victoria Rhubarb
Vmca ulba
Viola
Violet
Viola tricolor
Visnaga
Viiis vinifera
86
JI9
59
59
143
II
54
Hserlem orange
Marylandica
Pennsylvania
Stephanotis 'Thouarsii
Stenocarpus Cunninghamii
Suburban Greenhousscs
Sugar Cane
Swainsonia galegsfolia
Sweet Shrub
Sweet Vernal Grass
Sweet William
Swuet Potato
Swamp gum giant
Symplocarpus loetidus
Tacsonia sanguinea
Tapioca plant
Taxodium distichum
Templetonia
108
Hi
173
63
207
173
158
207
148
^5a Wax Palm I73
j4j|VVax Plant Cunningham's 64
i94UVaidian cases 76
West Chester Hort. Society Io9, 1^9
VVeigela r-sea 178,2l4, 32, 35
86
86
96
188
2o;t
137
90
White Gascoigne Grape
^Vhiie Froniignana
Whitlow Grass
White Bual
vVhue Portugal
Wheat Cultivation, Smith's #y si em
142 VVindow and Yard Gardening 163
34:
531 Window Plants, list
54;VVuidow Plants
173!
324; Yucca aloeifolia
324|
iZamia horrida
jZauschneria Californica
|g;.;Zea. Mays
|-^2;^i^''ia iriiuliata
40
41
58
167
167
171
207
108, 205, 69
192
250
89
324'.Zintindal Grape
j4.,iZyjiopetalum
Testimonial to the late A. J. Downing 284
188
126, 156
123
63
39 40
118
^\
I
\