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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY
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V.I
1867
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PEESWEUT OF TEE jlMEXCAN FOMOLOSICAL SOCJETT
- or THF.
SS AGmCUZTUSAL SOOETT-
THE
American Journal
OF
HORTICULTURE
AND
FLORISTS COMPANION.
VOLUME I.
BOSTON:
J. E. TILTON AND COMPANY.
1867.
T?-
T^7 ^1
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by
J. E. TILTON & CO.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
Stereotyped by C. J. Peters & Son. Press of Geo. C. Rand & Averv.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
PAGE
Achimenes Culture
305
" Specimen .
• • •
247, 376
Adirondack Grape
» • •
380
Aloysia citriodora
Cottage Gardener
102
Alton Horticultural Society
• • .
388
Angraecum citratum .
• • •
244
Annuals for late blooming
• • •
375
Apple, Bottle-greening
•
357
" Classification .
John A. Warder
193
" Culture
Alexander Hyde
164
" Dwarf
• • .
372
Aquilegia PjTeniaca .
237
Architecture, Garden .
18, 103
• a
J. A. Hughes
207, 343
Artichoke, Jerusalem .
115
Asparagus-beds, dressing
153
" " making and planting
. •
374
" " salting.
369
Asphalt-walks
371
Atmospheric Changes
D. M. Balch
216
Australian Spinach
368
Azaleas, propagating .
. 238
Barleria Gibsoni
244
Begonia Pearcei
247
Benefits of Protection
381
Black Currants, pruning
367
Bohemian Black Bigarreau Cherry
241
Bottle-greening Apple
357
Buerre Clairgeau
301
" Fromental
231
Cacti, propagating
147
Caladia, shading
134
" Specimen
376
Calceolarias, Herbaceous, Culture of
362
Canna discolor
311
Cannabis gigantea
376
Camellia Mrs. Dombrain
278, 309
" Polar Star .
194
" Stocks for .
238
111
IV
Contents of Volume I.
Camellia propagating .
Cattleya Dowiana
Celtis occidentalis
Cestrum aurantiacum .
Champion of Paris Pea
Cherokee Rose
Cherry Profitable for Market Culture
Chrysanthemum Pompon
Chrysanthemums, Newer
City Gardens
Claviga fulgens
Concord Grape
Congress, French Botanical
Conifers, New
" pruning
Conservatory Glazing .
Country House, Plan of a
Crow, Horticultural Value of the
Cupressus Lawsoniana, propagating
Currants, Black, pruning
" from Cuttings
Cyclamen Sowing and Culture .
Cynosurus cristatus
Cypripedia .
Cypripedium insigne
Decorations, Table
Delaware and lona
Dessert-orange Culture
Dipladenia amabilis
Dirt, what is
Dressing Asparagus-beds
Editors' Letter-box
Table
Elais Guineensis
Enemies, Liliputian
Ferns from Spores
" losing their Fronds
Field-culture of the Grape in Massachusetts
Field-mice .
Flowers in Cities
Flowers, Spring
Flowers of May
Foliaged Plants
Forcing Lilies of the Valley
Forget-me-nots
Frcmontia Californica .
French Botanical Congress
F. Parkmaii
F. R. Elliott
E. S. Rand, Jr.
H. H. Hunnewell
E. A. Samuels
George B. Warren, Jr.
C. y. May
Solon Robinson
245
237
369
271
367
184
171
309
310
2, 257
244
337
363
148
303
238
236
45
305
367
237
241
327
301
49
281, 339
306
278
129
153
186, 249, 313, 3S2
127
Chas. y. Spragiie
E. W. Bull .
E. A. Samuels
E. S. Rand, yr.
Francis Parkman
Francis Parkman
2S3
119
375
201
109
74. 264
310
372
336
162
36S
Contents of Voliune I.
Fruit in Ground-vineries
• • • •
370
Fruit-critics .
Donald G. Mitchell
212
Fruits, Native
D. L. Adair .
291
Garden Architecture .
18, 103,
207
343
Geranium, Blue Bedding
• • • •
240
Miss Martin
• • • •
310
Gesnera Zebrina and Splendidissima
• • • •
242
" Culture
• • • •
305
Gladiolus
• • • •
245
Gloxinia Culture
■ • • •
305
Gloxinias from Leaves
• • • •
241
Glyptostrobus pendulus
• • . •
228
Grape Culture in Cities
C. W. Ridgely
167,
294
" " of Greenhouse .
• • •
117
" Concord
• • • •
337
Grapes, Adirondack .
• • • •
380
lona.
• • • •
380
" Spiral-training and Summer-prun
ng of .
379
rusted
• •
376
" lona and Delaware
C. y. May .
281,
339
" in Minnesota .
• •
243
" Field Culture in Massachusetts
E. W. Bull .
201
" ' in 1866
J. M. Merrick, Jr.
II
" Summer-pruning of
John A. Warder
272,
353
Grape-vine, Novel Depredator of
S. H. Scudder
154
Grasses, Ornamental .
• •
311
Greening, Bottle
• • • •
357
Griffinia, the .
• • •
248
Ground between Strawberry-plants
.
369
" Vineries
.
370
Habits of Orchids
Edward C. Herbert
90
Half-hardy Foliaged Plants
310
Hepatica angulosa
287
Hop-plant Propagating
241
Horticultural Doings .
190
Hall, New
124
" Society, Illinois .
122
Alton
38S
" Value of the Crow
E. A. Samuels
45
House, Small Propagating
279
Hyacinths, Culture in Water .
56
" done blooming
312
" Roman
245
Hybridizing Fruits
365
Hydrangea for Out-door Decoration
61
Illinois Slate Horticultural Society
122
Impatiens latifolia
244
VI
Contents of Volume I.
Introduction .
lona Grape .
lona and Delaware
Iresine Herbstii aurea reticulata
Ivy-leaved Pelargonium Silver Gem
Jacaranda digitaliflora albiflora .
Labels for Fruit-trees .
Lawn, the
(I ti
" " Moss on .
Leaves, Propagation by
Lilies of the Valley, forcing
Liliputian Enemies
Lilium auratum
" giganteum
" tenuifolium
Liquid Manure
Literary Notices
Magnoliacese, the
Mammoth Squashes .
Manures, Liquid
March Number, Notes on the
Mathiola bicornis
Mesospinideum sanguineum
Mice, Field .
Moss on Lawns
Mushroom Culture
Musschia Wollastoni .
Native Fruits
Nature and Habits of Orchids
New Plants .
" Strawberries
" Vegetables
Nomenclature of Roses
Notes on March Number
Notes and Gleanings .
Novel Depredator of the Grape-vine
Ohio Pomological Society
Old Plants versus New
Orange Culture
Orchard Sites in North-west
Orchards, Western
Orchid Culture
Orchids, Nature and Habits of
Orchis maculata superba
C. y. May .
Charles L. Flint
P. Barry
Charles y. Spragiie
. 380
281, 339
368
278
280
247, 301
197
277
375
372
372
28
239
Dr. y. P. Kirtland
F. P. Denny .
E. A. Samicels
D. L. Adair .
Edward C. Herbert
y. M. Merrick, yr.
Fearing Burr, yr.
Samuel H. Scudder
, ji2
369
312
369
63. 125, 390
174, 224, 348
160
369
253
238
244
109
375
366
278
291
90
120, 163
157
97
245
237.
301,
C. C. Miller .
y A. Warder
Edward C. Herbert
Edward C. Herbert
365
154
124
302
306
289
321
135
90
280
Contents of Volume I.
VI 1
Pampas Grass
Paradise Stock for Apples
Pawpaw, the
Pea, Champion of Paris
" Select Varieties of
Pears, Culture of
" Popular
" on Quince Stock
Pelargonium Silver Gem
Peperoraia arifolia, var. argyreia
Plants of our Woods and Fields
" New .
Pleroma sarmentosa .
Pomological Society of Ohio
Prairies, Western
Primula-seed Sowing .
Propagating-house, Small
Protecting Seedling Strawberries
Protection, Benefits of
Pruning Conifers
Quince Stock for Pears
Raphanus caudatus
Raspberries for the North-west
Red Spider .
" " on Wall-trees
" Wash for.
Rhododenron Archiduc Etienne
" Grafting
Roman Hyacinth
Rose, Cherokee
" Mrs. Ward
Roses, Culture in Pots, and Forcing
" Grafting with Rubber-bands
" Nomenclature of
" in Pots in Greenhouse
Rubber-bands for grafting
Salt for Asparagus
Sarcanthus erinaceus .
Seasons of 1865 and 1866
Silver Sand, Theory of
Skinner, George U., Death of
Sophronitis grandiflora
Sphaeria morbosa
Spider, Red .
" on Wall-trees
" Wash for .
Spinach, Australian
F.
y.F
y.F.
Joh
Bm
M. L. Dunlap
C. C.
r, Jr.
C. Hyde
C. Hyde
Lewis Russell
Miller
F. Parkman
Joseph Breck
Charles y. Spragiie
366
372
262
367
229
40
81, 144
371
278
309
24
120, 163
305
124
221
239
279
249
381
371
304
276
233. 298
248
368
288
304
245
184
288
53
239
245
377
239
369
305
86
240
3"
309
204
233. 298
248
368
368
Vlll
Contetiis of Vohime I.
Spring-flowers
Squashes, Prizes for Mammoth .
Squirrels, Our
Stephanotis floribunda, pruning
Strawberries, New
" protecting Seedling
Symphocampylus Humboldtianus
Table Decorations
Tapeinotes Carolinas .
Things New and Old .
Thunbergia fragrans .
Tree, the Oldest
Tritoma uvaria and Burchelli
" Seed-sowing .
Tropaeolums
Tydasa and Achimenes
Urceolina pendula
Vegetables, New
Verbena Culture
Vineyard Culture
Wall-trees, Red Spider on
Walks, Weeds on
Western Orchards
" Prairies . •
Wilder, Marshall P., Biography of
Francis Parkmati,
F. P. Denny .
E. A. Samuels
J. M. Merrick, Jr.
W. C. Strong .
F. Burr, Jr. .
C. N. Brackett
M. B. Bateham
John A. Warder
M. L. Diinlap
5
1 60
178
161
157
249
309
49
244
37
248
367
185
312
242
247
288
97
364
374
254
248
376
321
221
65
The thirst for knowledge is as old as the creation ; and mankind ever
has sought, and ever will seek, for novelty as for hid treasure. Trust-
ing to this longing, which is a great incentive to action in the horticultural
world, we venture, at this inclement season of the year, to lay before the
horticulturists of the country a new Magazine of Horticulture. " And in
what," we hear you say, " do you propose to differ from the other horticul-
tural magazines which zealous laborers in the fruitful field monthly present
to us ? " Pardon us : we wish to differ with none, but to aid all ; to go hand
in hand with our fellow-laborers ; and to lend our aid, be it great or little,
to the improvement of horticultural science, and the dissemination of infor-
mation on floriculture and pomology. But let us plainly state our position :
a number of gentlemen practically interested in horticulture, feeling that
there is room for a horticultural monthly of high character and liberal tone,
have agreed to issue such a magazine, and herewith present you the first
number. To the thousands who are interested in horticulture, to whom
each budding tree, each unfolding flower, each ripening seed, is a fresh and
ever-new source of delight, we offer our aid, and the varied experience of
our corps of contributors, many of whom are not unknown to horticultural
literature.
To those whose good fortune leads them to enjoy a country life, where
Nature, ever unfolding her varied pages of instructive beauty, insensibly
makes the soul wiser and better, we proffer our aid to show new beauties,
and to teach how to enjoy them.
VOL. I.
2 Introduction.
To those who choose a city home, we would also teach the art of
home-adornment ; would show how the vine may for them yield its
luscious clusters, how the little front-patch under the windows may be
a constant well-spring of floral beauty, the drawing-room window be
gay with flowers, the ivy twine around the rooms, and the delicate tracer)'
of ferns and mosses look out upon them through the windows of
Wardian cases. To the gardener, whose aim is to produce the most
flowers in the least space, and to whom every new plant of free-flowering
habit is a treasure, we hope to introduce new and valuable plants.
And we trust that in our pages the amateur may find cultural rules,
and records of experience, for which he might look elsewhere in vain.
Horticulture, as treated by us, will be divided into the three great
branches of culture, — flowers, fruit, and vegetables.
The wider field of agriculture we leave for the present, and confine
ourselves to the garden ; although, occasionally, w^e may find space to
treat upon grasses and forage-crops, and the field-culture of vegetables
and cereals.
And, first, floriculture. In this department, the garden, the green-house,
the forcing and cold house, the orchid-house and stove, will each receive
due attention. To us, the garden of a few square feet will not be
neglected as insignificant : many of our finest plants have come from
little garden-plots, where the zeal of some ardent floriculturist met its due
reward.
Each season, all that is new will be presented ; nor will old favorites
be neglected. Cultural treatises on every plant of interest to the florist,
with copious illustrations, will form a prominent feature of the maga-
zine.
Window-gardening, the growth of house-plants, will be treated in popular
language ; and the wild-flowers of our woods and fields, often fairer
than their garden rivals, and too much neglected, will receive well-merited
notice.
Pomology in its many branches will especially engage our attention.
Through the garden, the orchard, the forcing-house, the cold and hot
grapery, and the orchard-house, we shall walk with our readers month by
month, and note the needs, explain the difficulties, of culture, the applica-
Introduction. 3
tion of manures, the treatment in fruit and flower, the preservation and
ripening of fruit, and the different modes of pruning.
The kitchen-garden, so important, and so much neglected, will be under
the especial charge of correspondents whose long experience is sufficient
guaranty for the practical value of their communications. Articles on
architecture, as adapted to horticulture and to country-homes and the em-
bellishment of grounds, will be contributed by one whose taste was never
yet at fault ; and the kindred subject of landscape-gardening will be spe-
cially within our province. Entomology and ornithology, as connected with
horticulture, will be treated by competent writers.
And, to do all we promise, we present you a magazine twice the size of
any now published in the country. Of its style and general appearance
the opening number can enable you to judge ; and we can only say, that,
as improvement and progress are to be our aim, we trust each month may
be an improvement on the past.
For our corps of writers, and other general information, we refer to the
publishers' advertisement : but, as editors, we shall cordially welcome any
contributions from any source ; and we ask the aid of all interested in
horticulture in carrying out our plans.
We shall hold ourselves ready to answer any questions on horticulture
as far as may be in our power.
Our pages will ever be open for discussion on subjects of horticultural
interest, in which, while avoiding all personalities, it will be our aim to
develop the truth.
And we must invoke the assistance of our fair readers to aid our under-
taking. A portion of our pages each month will be devoted to gardening
for ladies, and the culture of plants best suited for the parlor will receive
special attention.
Our course will be independent. Having no interest in any horticultural
establishment, we shall aim to do justice to all.
These being our aims, we ask you to extend to us a cordial greet-
ing ; to take us by the hand on this morning of the new year, and bid us
welcome. We will not always come with a wreath of holly-berries and
evergreen, but, as the days roll on, will greet you with snowdrop and
crocus, with rosy showers of apple-blossoms, with roses and lilies, golden-
4 Introduction.
rod and asters ; month by month, with the rich fruitage of the garden, and
with autumn's ruddy apples and golden pears.
Thus, year by year, we trust to glide with you through the changing
seasons, till we become a household guest, an old friend ; one with whom
you could not bear to part ; one of whom the past has only sunny memo-
ries ; and the future, golden hopes.
SPRING FLOWERS.
In the month of May, an incredible muhitude of little flower-pots —
known to the expert as " thumb-pots " — go forth from innumerable green-
houses and propagating-pits, and in the hands of amateurs, great and
small, are scattered broadcast through the land. Each pot contains a
verbena, a salvia, a geranium, a fuschia, or some other tender bedding-plant,
which, if the purchaser is skilful or fortunate, will give him, towards mid-
summer, an abundance of blossoms. Meanwhile, he must wait ; for, dur-
ing the spring and early summer, the " bedding-plants," with ordinary
management, will do very little for him. Now, it is the aim of this paper
to show how this season of expectancy, occurring at the very time when
the appetite for floral beauty is strongest, may be turned into a season of
fruition.
Every one knows something of the early-blooming bulbs, — snowdrops,
crocus, narcissus, hyacinths, fritillarias, and others, the brilliant and beau-
tiful harbingers of summer. They cannot be too heartily commended to
the amateur gardener ; but their reign is short, and they will not, of them-
selves, supply his want. Their character and culture have been well
6 Spring Flowers.
treated of elsewhere, and it is not of them that we shall speak here.
There is another class of plants, of which very little is generally known,
but which, if not more brilliant, are, in many respects, more interesting,
and, what is no less to the purpose in the eyes of many people, quite as
easy of culture.
Perhaps there is no better way of describing them than to take them in
turn, in the order in which they bloomed under our eyes during the last
spring. Our description, then, will be in the way of a garden chronicle.
The times of blooming, as here set down, must, of course, be taken with
allowance \ for they will vary with different seasons and situations. We
begin with a contemporary of the snowdrop.
April I. — Eranthis hiemalis, or mni&r aconite. This is a little plant,
with a tuberous root and a bright-yellow flower, which often appears before
the snow has gone, shining like a star on the surface of the black oozy
mould. It grows close to the earth, and has a root shaped like a minute
potato, whence it sends out long underground fibres, by which it spreads
and increases. It is reasonably hardy ; but in a severe season, without
snow, is occasionally killed.
The black hellebore, Hellebonis niger, or Christmas rose, with its large
white flowers, shaded with pink, blooms in the midst of snow-storms. In
some parts of England, it is said to flower all winter. We have seen one,
in a neighboring garden, covered with bloom on Thanksgiving Day, when
the borders around were all darkness and desolation. It was protected
during the night by a bell-glass ; and this would be ver}^ useful in the early
spring also, when the frosts, though they cannot destroy its hardy flowers,
are apt to disfigure them. There are other sorts of hellebore ; among the
rest, one with green flowers : but the Christmas rose is by far the best.
April 5. — The next flower that appears is a shrub, Daphne mezereiwi.
It is of small growth, and very pretty, both w'hen in bloom, and when cov-
ered with its bright-red berries, which, however, are poisonous. The flowers
— pink in one variety, and white in another — cling close to the upright
stems, from which, as yet, the leaves have not appeared, and diffuse their
sweet and powerful fragrance, for which the mezereum is well known. The
shrub is compact and bushy. When young and small, its tenure of life is
uncertain, and it is difficult to transplant ; but, when once well established.
spring Flowers. y
nothing will kill it. There is another hardy Daphne, of which we shall
speak in its season.
Now, side by side with the clumps of crocus and the drooping blue-bells
of the Siberian squill, — a beautiful bulbous plant, deformed with an ugly
name, — the hepaticas are opening their flowers. The wild single hepatica is
a beautiful ornament of the garden, where, if planted in soil mixed with
well-decayed leaves, or black mould from the woods, it does very well ; but
the most beautiful of the family are the double red, double blue, and dou-
ble white hepaticas of Europe. They grow here as well as our own species,
and require, like them, a fresh light soil. They have, like the American
hepaticas, a way of pushing themselves out of the ground ; so that they
must be replanted every three or four years, — always in early autumn ; for
they must not be disturbed when in growth.
April 14. — Arabis alpina and Arabis albida in full bloom. They grow
close to the earth, in large circular cushions of evergreen leaves, almost
hidden at present under the dense mass of pure white flowers. Sanguinaria,
violets, pansies, and Adonis vernalis, as well as the narcissus and the hya-
cinth, come into bloom at the same time ; and, when planted in the same
bed, give a rich variety of color. The sanguinaria, or bloodroot, is one of
the most interesting of our wild-flowers. When fully open in the warm sun,
it is in shape like a many-pointed white star ; and, when closed at night, it
is no less beautiful. Even after the bloom has ceased, the leaves, which
continue to enlarge for several weeks, are very ornamental. Nothing can
be hardier, or easier of culture. It thrives in the common soil of the
garden, with no special care.
Adonis vernalis is a fine hardy plant, with lustrous yellow flowers some
two inches in diameter, and leaves finely cut, like parsley. It forms a
clump about eighteen inches high, where its gay blossoms open in bright
relief against the fresh green foliage. Its culture requires no skill, and we
never knew it to suffer in the hardest winter.
Pansies are widely known. They come, by right, within the province
of " florist flowers," — a class whose natural beauties have been enhanced
by a painstaking culture through many generations, and which, to bring
them to their greatest perfection, require a cultivation specially adapted to
them. Pansies, however, will grow and bloom very creditably with ordi-
8 Spring Flowers.
nary treatment. If sown in a rich garden-border in August, and protected
with a few dry leaves or a little coarse hay during winter, they will bloom
abundantly in early spring and throughout the season.
Of the violets which bloomed here last spring, the earliest and the most
profuse in flowering was a single ever-blooming variety lately introduced.
Early in April, the ground was blue with its countless blossoms ; and it
blooms again in October, filling the surrounding air with fragrance. The
double white violet, the double blue English, and the Neapolitan, ought all
to be cultivated, as nothing is easier than their ordinary management ; and
the little care they require cannot be better bestowed. Another pretty
variety is Viola bicolor, striped with blue and white. There is a native
violet, the Canadian, — Viola Canadeiisis^ — which, though single, is of
remarkable beauty. This, with our other wild violets, white, blue, yellow,
and straw-color, is well worth a place in the garden of early flowers.
They grow readily, and usually bloom better than in their native woods or
meadows.
April 1 8. — Erythronium dens canis, the European dog-tooth violet.
Though this is one of the bulbs, we notice it because it is so little known.
It has no resemblance whatever to a true violet. Its ordinary color is a
reddish-purple ; but there is a white variety. It is as large as a crocus,
and extremely ornamental. Our American yellow dog-tooth violet is very
shy of flowering in the garden ; but its foreign relative blooms without
reserve. Both are remarkable for the peculiar mottled appearance of their
leaves.
April 19. — Fiil/nonaria officinalis and Pulmonaria mollis. These plants,
commonly called lungwort, are very pretty both in foliage and flowers.
The leaves, especially those of the last-named species, are curiously
blotched and marbled ; and the flowers are of changing colors, from bright
pink to sky-blue. They are of low growth, and the foliage retains its
freshness throughout the summer and autumn. They are very hardy.
The saxifrages of various species come into bloom at this time. Saxi-
fraga trassifolia and Saxifraga cordifolia are amongst the most showy,
with their broad, smooth, succulent leaves, and their masses of pink flowers
rising to the height of two feet or more. The Cynoglossuni, or hound's-
tongue, with its small flowers of vivid blue close to the earth, is also in
Spi'ing Flowers. g
perfection. It is sometimes called forget-me-not ; but the plant to which
that name rightfully belongs is of a different genus.
Doronicnm Caucasicum is widely different from any of those named
above. It is a composite flower ; that is, formed like a single aster, or a
white-weed of the meadows : but it is of the brightest yellow, and, blooming
in large clumps, makes a gay show in the garden.
Anemone Pulsatilla is one of the best of spring flowers. It is of a bluish
purple, star-shaped when fully open, and resting upon a tuft of finely-cut
leaves. It has proved perfectly hardy here ; but, whether it would do so in
all other situations of this latitude, we are not prepared to say. Probably
it would be winter-killed in a wet, cold soil : in a moderately dry one, it
may safely be trusted.
The Vinca, or periwinkle, improperly called the myrtle, — a name which
belongs to plants very different, — is too well known to need description.
Besides the common single blue species, there is a double blue variety
and a pure white one, both very good. There are also varieties with
variegated leaves ; the one marked with yellow streaks and shadings, the
other with white. All these belong to the species Vinca minor, which has
the excellent qualities of perfect hardiness, and of growing in the shade of
trees, where the deep glossy green of its neat foliage will serve to carpet
bare earth where little else will live ; but, to make it bloom in perfection,
you must give it sun and air. There is another species, Vinca major,
equally attractive, but much less hardy. A New-England winter com-
monly kills it to the earth, leaving the roots alive ; so that the plant
grows again in the following spring. The variegated variety of Vinca major
is very striking. Its large leaves are shaded with white, which, in con-
trast with their rich green, makes it one of the best of variegated plants.
It can be grown out of doors by being covered with leaves and boards in
winter.
The Aubrietias are early flowers not much known here, but exceedingly
pretty. Several circular tufts of them, as large as a foot-cushion, are now
a dense mass of purple bloom, almost hiding the foliage from sight. They
have been in their places for four or five years, improving in beauty every
spring.
Diclytra cucullaria is a native plant, smaller and far more delicate than
VOL. 1. 2
4
lO spring Flowers.
the showy Chinese dielytra now so common. It is of low growth, with
clusters of pink-and-white flowers, which, from their eccentric shape, have
given the plant the popular name of " Dutchman's breeches." Like many
other forest-flowers, its culture requires some care, which, if successful, is
repaid by the delicacy and prettiness of this very graceful little plant.
April 2 1. — Forsythia viridissima. The flowers of this shrub, like those
of the mezereum, appear before the leaves. Its tendency is to a loose,
straggling growth ; but this can be completely corrected by a judicious
pruning. When the bush is thus induced to grow compactly, it becomes,
in the spring, a mass of vivid yellow ; each one of its slender shoots being
covered with flowers, followed, a week or two later, by the rich green
foliage to which it owes its specific name. The other Forsythia — For-
sythia siispensa — is hardly worth cultivating.
The following currants — the Missouri, Seaton's, and the Ribes san-
guinea — follow close on the Forsythia, with their drooping clusters of yellow,
orange, and red, than which few early flowers are more ornamental. At
the same time, the flowers of the Cydonia, or Pyrus Japonica, begin to open.
No family of shrubs is more beautiful, or more worthy of culture ; for they
are hardy and enduring as they are attractive. Their flowers run through
various shades, from deep scarlet to a flesh-color, approaching white. There
are semi-double varieties, and it is said that a yellow Cydonia has lately
been discovered. For depth and vividness of color, the old red Cydonia
has scarcely a rival in the whole catalogue of shrubs.
*
April 24. — Corydalis nobilis. A fine perennial, remarkable for the
beauty of its foliage, and for its large, dense clusters of yellow flowers,
spotted with black.
April 26. — Ibcris sempervirms and Iberis corrcBfolia, side by side widi the
opening buds of the " Guinea-hen tulip," — Fritillaria meleagris. These
Iberis are perennial candy-tufts. The first is pretty well known ; but the
second is scarcely known at all, though it is one of the finest of hardy
herbaceous plants. It is covered with clusters of the purest white flowers,
contrasted with evergreen foliage of a deep shining green, and its bloom
continues a long time. It has stood here five winters uninjured.
Magnolia conspiaia and Magnolia Soiilangcatia are opening their large,
cup-like flowers ; the one of a creamy white, the other deeply shaded with
Grapes in 1866. II
purple. A tree fifteen or eighteen feet high, covered by hundreds of these
rich buds and blossoms, is one of the most splendid garden decorations
which any season can boast. In the shrubbery below, the yellow clusters
of the Mahonia begin to open, much like those of the common barberrj',
but far larger, and brighter in color.
Triniiim grandifiorum unfolds its large triangular flowers of snowy white-
ness ; and the polyanthus, cowslip, and primrose, with their relative the
auricula, display their many-colored blossoms. All these deserve more
than a passing word ; but we reserve them for the next month, when they
are in their perfection.
We have reached now the end of April, and with it the limit assigned
to this paper. In the next number, we shall speak of the flowers of May.
Francis Parkinan.
GRAPES IN 1866.
I PURPOSE to give the readers of this journal a brief resume of my experi-
ence with various kinds of grapes during the present year, indulging in a
few introductory statements by way of preface.
My interest in grape-culture dates from the year 1862 ; and ever since
that season I have taken the liveliest pleasure in planting vines, testing new
varieties, raising seedlings, and accumulating from my own observations
and notes all the information possible, both for my own guidance, and to
help those friends who may have caught the grape-fever later than myself.
I compile, therefore, the present paper from a carefully-kept note-book,
not only as a pleasant duty, but inspired with the notion that perhaps my
brief experience may induce some yet grapeless man to plant one vine, —
the progenitor of many, — and thus introduce himself to a new pleasure and
most fascinating pursuit.
As, in fruit-growing, the results obtained in any given season, however
anomalous they may be, are more or less directly influenced by the charac-
ter of the previous year, a word or two about 1864 and 1865 may not be
out of place.
12 Grapes in 1866.
The summer of 1864 was distinguished for the long-continued drought
and steady hot weather that prevailed from June to August.
The weather up to June 8 was very dry. A slight shower occurred on
the afternoon of that day ; and from that time until the first week in August
not a drop of rain fell, while intolerable heat reigned supreme.
Vines made, perhaps, a little less wood than usual, but did not suffer at
all : on the contrary, even the smallest and feeblest ripened their wood
finely; and what was made was firm and hard. Grapes ripened early; and
frost in gardens kept off till the 8th of October, affording even the late
varieties a chance to mature their fruit.
No leaf-blight, mildew, or rot, came under my observation in 1864.
The season of 1865 was characterized by an extremely early spring (the
roads being in good order, and free from all signs of mud, the second week
in March), freedom from late frosts in May, very changeable weather until
the middle of August, heat and drought lasting up to the 20th of Septem-
ber, and by the prevalence of mildew from the 19th of July till the last
of August.
If we say nothing of the mildew, — and that, after all, did very little real'
damage, — we may pronounce 1865 an excellent year for grapes in this
locality, and very early withal ; Concords and Delawares ripening at least a
fortnight earlier than they did in 1864.
The Delawares on my vines were fit to eat, although not dead-ripe, on
the 3d of September; and Concords were about as far advanced on the 5th.
Before the 19th of July, I had sulphured my favorite vines, as a matter
of precaution ; and on that day I detected the first spot of mildew, which
made considerable headway by the middle of August, when it began to
diminish, and soon disappeared.
The vines that were the most affected by the mildew were the Adirondac,
Delaware, Diana, Isabella, Israella, and some seedlings from the Catawba :
those that were slightly injured were the Rogers 4, 15, 19, To Kalon, and
Clara ; while Allen's Hybrid, Concord, lona, Clinton, and Taylor escaped
untouched. The mildew of 1865 in this localit}- affected only the leaves ;
i.e., there were no signs of that disease upon the berries, which certain
writers call mildew, but which, as unfortunately seen in some places this
year, appears to have a nearer affinity to the rot.
Grapes in 1866. 13
I have been unable during the present season to see any bad resuhs,
any weakness or feeble growth among my vines, that could be traced to the
leaf-mildew of last season ; and I think that this disease, although it alarms
the novice, is, when it occurs late in the season, after buds are well formed
and wood half ripened, of no great consequence, and not likely to do any
permanent injury.
That vine which mildewed worst last summer, a large Delaware, has
borne a splendid crop of well-ripened fruit this season, without losing a
leaf till frost.
The winter of 1865-6 was one of great severity. On the 8th of Jan-
uary, 1866, the mercury was reported in various localities in this vicinity as
standing from 14° to 17° Fahrenheit. This "cold snap" killed the buds
of peach-trees that had been carefully wrapped in straw, and undoubtedly
destroyed tender grapes that were left exposed ; but my delicate varieties
were all covered with earth, except a number of Catawba seedlings, which
were utterly destroyed. As usual, I did not cover any of my Concord
vines, nor did I have a single bud of this variety injured. The Concord is
proof, not only against cold, but against sudden changes from warm to
cold, and vice versa.
The present season, although in very many respects about as bad for
grape-raising as it could be, has, in a certain sense, encouraged amateurs
and others to go on with what they have begun, to plant more vines, and
to continue their experiments in search of improved varieties.
The process of reasoning that encourages us is very simple. If grapes
do as well this extremely bad year as we see they have done, we may con-
fidently expect a return for our labor every year ; and, in two years out of
three, we 7nust have far better success than we have had the present
season.
The spring was extremely cold and backward : vines were slow in start-
ing, but not tardy enough to escape a most disastrous frost that fell on the
night of the 14th of May. A great many vines that escaped the frost
set their bunches imperfectly. Cold, chilly nights in August checked the
ripening of the berries ; and rather early frosts in September came in as a
crowning trial and vexation.
If, after all this, we succeeded in getting good crops of Concords, Dela-
14 Grapes in 1866.
wares, and Dianas, with moderately good returns from the best numbers of
the hybrids, we may well rejoice that our luck is no worse, and go on plant-
ing vines, and preaching viticulture to the unbelievers.
Very many vines whose young growth was cut completely down in May
pushed out vigorous canes from their dormant buds, and some of them even
exhibited a tolerable show of fruit on wood of this second growth.
I saw in my own garden no leaf-mildew, but observed a few mildewed
berries on Rogers 15.
In some situations where the vines were shaded by fruit-trees, mildew
and genuine rot raged without let or hinderance in the month of August ;
but the same varieties of grapes in dry positions were unaffected.
ALLENS HYBRID.
This vine, cut down by frost in May, made a strong, vigorous second
growth, was untouched by mildew, and ripened its wood well. I had no
fruit. '
ADIRONDAC.
My solitary vine was nearly ruined by the frost. I saw this grape in E.
S. Rogers's garden, in Salem, Mass., on the 17th of August, purple, sweet,
and two-thirds ripe, in a very unfavorable situation. I infer that it is very
early, and we are abundantly assured that it is very good.
CLARA.
Vine a strong, vigorous, and handsome grower. Grapes hard, sour, and
worthless Sept. 29. Probably of no value here.
CONCORD.
This variety, of course, maintains its well-earned reputation. Not thor-
oughly ripe with me till very late in September ; but my vines bore a full
crop, with many bunches weighing from eight to nine and a half ounces each.
Grapes in 1866. 15.
CREVELING.
Vigorous and healthy. Vines cut down by frost, but made a good
second growth.
CLINTON.
About three-quarters ripe on Sept. 15, and not improving much after
Sept. 30. To those who may not be famiUar with the fact, I can say that
the despised Clinton makes an excellent jelly.
DELAWARE.
My vines mostly escaped the frost ; and one six years old, but which
has been only two years in its present position, I had the pleasure of see-
ing ripen seventy-six fine bunches. The berries were nearly ripe Sept. 15,
but not so mature as to satisfy a critical taste till after the 20th.
DIANA.
Vines luxuriant, vigorous, and healthy. Fruit well set, handsome, and
ripening with tolerable evenness, Oct. i. The Diana not only hangs well
on the vine, but seems to go on maturing its berries after frosts sufficiently
hard to strip off most of the leaves.
FRANKLIN.
Strong, rampant grower ; seeming, in this respect, much like the Clinton.
Fruit prospects ruined by the May frost.
HARTFORD PROLIFIC.
Vines healthy. Berries dead-ripe Sept. 15.
lONA.
With one exception, my young vines of this variety were cut down by the
late frost. They recovered speedily, and made a good healthy growth. If
this vine proves as vigorous and hardy as its fruit is delicious, its rank is
settled. I received some fine clusters of the lona from Dr. Grant this
fall ; and am obliged to say, in spite of my strong prejudices, that it is
simply the best out-door grape I have ever tasted.
i6 Grapes in 1866.
I am not familiar enough with the Adirondac to institute comparison
between the two varieties ; but, speaking of the lona alone, I am constrained
to say that it is pre-eminently a beautiful, delicious, and, to borrow its
originator's favorite word, refreshing grape.
ISABELLA.
When I laid the axe to the root of my old Isabella vines, I spared one
for further trial. I do not see the need of keeping even this one. It is, in
my experience, a most uncertain and untrustworthy grape.
ISRAELLA.
Vines injured by frost. Vigorous, healthy, and free from all signs of
mildew. No fruit.
LOGAN.
A good grower, with very distinct foliage. Fruit well colored Sept. 4,
unripe Sept. 15, and not particularly good a fortnight later. This grape is
deceptive in regard to coloring, and of no great value.
REBECCA.
My vines, in sandy soil well manured, are feeble, delicate growers, mak-
ing slender wood, and dropping their leaves far too early in autumn.
ROGERS's HYBRIDS.
I have fruited only the numbers 4, 15, and 19, this year; but all these
have come up to the usual standard.
Number 4. — I permitted too many bvmches to remain on the vine ; and
the consequence was, that they did not ripen till Sept. 30. Sweet, good,
and in many respects desirable, but not equal, in my opinion, to the other
two.
Number 15. — My vines were badly cut down, but ripened a tolerable
crop by Sept. 20.
Mr. Rogers calls this his best number; and in growth, vigor, and good
qualities of fruit, it is certainly a very fine grape.
Grapes in 1866. 17
Number 19. — Vigorous, strong, and extremely productive. The berries
began to color Aug. 27 ; and, by the 4th of the next month, were thoroughly
purple.
On the 15th of September, they were about ripe, being full as early as
the Delaware, and one of the handsomest and showiest grapes raised out
doors. I think highly of this number, and shall plant a good many vines.
TAYLOR.
Vine strong, vigorous, and hvUidsome. Berries very small, green, decep-
tively like Delawares when young, getting semi-transparent by Sept. 30, but
at that date sour and worthless. It seems hardly possible that this is the
grape praised at the West for its wine-making properties.
UNION VILLAGE.
Vine vigorous, luxuriant, and healthy. Not hardy : a fact that has im-
pressed itself upon my notice by the way in which some seedlings of mine
from this variety were winter-killed. They seemed almost as tender as a
foreign kind.
Berries well colored, and about three-quarters ripe, Sept. 30. One
vine of this kind should have a corner in the garden, for the sake of the
display the bunches make even if not ripe.
I find I have omitted in the above list Alvey and Conby's August, tolera-
ble growers, and healthy, but of no great merit or value in this latitude.
We shall all live, I trust, to see the present immense list of grapes cut
down to six or eight good, trustworthy kinds, the rest vanishing, unwept,
into the limbo of the rejected ; while amateurs and grape-growers impose the
most rigid tests upon new candidates for favor, approving none that do not
approximate, at least, to the high standard of the lona, Delaware, and
Diana.
Nothing but the most rigid sternness in this respect, on the part of those
who undertake to instruct the grape-planting public, will save purchasers
and growers from immense vexation, loss of time, and discouragement.
J. M. Merrick, Jun.
VOL. I.
i8
On Garden Architecture.
ON GARDEN ARCHITECTURE.
A GARDEN is, Strictly speaking, a piece of ground highly embellished.
Its use is to please, to gratify the senses ; and it does this by presenting
to the eyes at every step the most choice and delightful images and combi-
nations. In this country, perhaps in others, it has been the custom to call
many a piece of ground a " garden " which could with little propriety lay
claim to the name. They are so called, in fact, only by the same demo-
cratic courtesy which accords to women of every character and degree
the title of " lady." A parterre of flowers mixed up in heterogeneous con-
fusion is not a garden : a piece of ground, part lawn, part wood, part
swamp, part strawberry-beds, part shrubs, part beds of flowers, is not a
On Garden Architecture. 19
garden. But a plot of ground, however small, in which the objects
(many or few, according to its size and the style which it assumes) are de-
signed, selected, and combined with artistic views of their natures and rela-
tions, so that, in whatever aspect the spectator may behold them, he receives
a sense of delight, arising not only from the beauty of the individual objects,
but heightened by the harmonious relations which they bear to each other,
is truly a garden.
The objects which may enter into the combination of a garden are quite
numerous ; but, for our present purpose, they may be divided into two classes,
the natural and the artificial. Of the natural objects are flowers, shrubs,
trees, walks, turf or grass, and water in its various forms ; all of which in a
garden must be made amenable to the laws of harmony and contrast which
govern the design. Of the artificial objects are gateways, terraces, steps,
balustrades, vases, fountains, basins, statues, pavilions, &c. ; all of which in
a garden should be in the most exquisite taste of which the style selected
is capable.
It is the purpose of the present article to treat of the artificial objects
which may enter into the composition of a garden, under the head of " Gar-
den Architecture ; " all these objects coming within the province of the archi-
tect to design and arrange. It is obvious, that, as the use of a garden is to
delight, it should, as far as possible, be so designed as never to present a dis-
agreeable aspect ; never to call up unpleasant ideas and associations ; never
to suggest unhappy trains of thought. Now, the natural objects which enter
into the composition of a garden are constantly changing : with many of them
their beauty buds and blooms, and wanes to decay. It is the business of
the gardener so to plant, arrange, tend, and dress the plants and flowers, that
this constant change will, as much as possible, lend beauty to the garden ;
as little as possible give to the natural transitions the signs of decline and
death : and it is the business of the architect so to design and combine
the artificial objects, that they may add to the beauty of the garden when
the natural objects with which they are surrounded are in the prime and
plenitude of their beauty, and leave as little as possible to be desired by
the lover of beauty when both leaf and flower have withered and decayed.
Many artificial objects which are generally considered as peculiarly in place
in a garden are thus at once seen to be properly excluded. Of these
20 On Garden Architecture.
objects are what are called "rustic summer-houses," "rustic fences,"
" rustic gates," " rustic steps," and lath and clapboard trellisses, arcades,
and pavilions, with many others which we shall meet in our progress ;
in general, all objects which have an unfinished and temporary look, and
all which, like " rustic steps," so called, suggest the idea of rottenness and
decay. These things are all well enough in their places. A rustic sum-
mer-house is very well as an accompaniment to a gate-keeper's lodge
or a rural retreat ; but it is not fit for a garden. A shingle and clapboard
pavilion will answer very well for a " cottage ornee," in the " carpenter's
Gothic " style, or for a " bier garten ; " but it is quite unsuited to a
garden.
It is proper to specify that by rustic summer-houses are meant those
which are built of logs and cat-sticks unstripped of their bark, and with
their rough arms but half amputated ; which catch you by the garments as
you go in, fray them when you sit down, and tear them from you when you
rise to go out ; which, in the rough sinuosities of the bark, afford eligible
habitations, breeding-places, and retreats for innumerable insects; over
which beetles delight to clamber ; and which are the nearest approach to a
paradise that a spider can comprehend. These are as unsuited to a gar-
den, as the primitive log-hut, from which they are directly descended, is well
suited to a " hard-cider campaign," and should be forever banished. There
is, however, a kind of rustic edifice which may be used to advantage in a
certain kind of a garden, to which we shall come by and by.
All artificial objects in a garden should have the appearance of both ele-
gance and stability. Summer-houses or pavilions should look as if they
could outlast the winter, without being disintegrated by frost, or blown away
by the wind : and they should not present the appearance of being the es-
pecial homes of bugs and spiders ; for ladies should be able to go into them
and sit down, dressed in silks or muslins, as they would go into a drawing-
room, of which a garden pavilion may be regarded as a sort of out-door
synonyme.
As the garden is and should be an adjunct to the house, communicating
directly with it, and having for its purpose to add to the delight of its occu-
pants, it should be laid out, and all its details should be designed, in refer-
ence to it. From the house, the garden should always present an aspect
On Garden Atdiitecture. 21
of beauty : its pathways should attract the beholder from the drawing-room
or parlor, hall or boudoir, to wander amid their beauties ; its fountains
and terraces should invite him to linger beside and upon them ; its grottoes
and pavilions should allure him to rest beneath their protection. From the
house, it should be but a step, as it were, to the garden ; and the garden
should be so arranged, that this step should not only be direct and natural,
but should give at the first glance a general insight into its beauties, and
excite the desire to explore and admire them. It is, then, of the greatest
importance how the garden is approached from the house.
As a general rule, the approach to the garden from the house should be
not directly from an apartment like the drawing or sitting room, but by a
hall, vestibule, or ante-room specially designed for the purpose ; for while
every view of the garden should present beautiful features, and especially
so every view from the house, it would be destructive of the privacy gener-
ally desired in the apartments of a dwelling-house to have the chief entrance,
or even an important entrance, to the garden opening from one of them.
This objection, however, might not be felt in some cases at all, especially
in a house used only as a summer residence ; and there would probably al-
ways be a choice of the apartment to be made the vestibule to the garden,
should it be desired to avoid having a hall or ante-room especially for the
purpose. Moreover, it is necessary in almost every design to husband the
resources of art, and concentrate them upon the principal features. This
principle, however, is subject in practice to great modifications, arising from
the peculiar circumstances of each case, — the situation and extent of the
grounds ; the size of the house and its apartments ; the use of the dwelling,
whether it be for a mere summer residence or a permanent dwelling-place.
These, and a variety of other conditions, would determine in what way the
entrance or entrances to the garden from the house should be designed
and arranged. If, for instance, the house were merely a summer residence,
the garden-front on an extended scale, the garden itself large and varied,
and it were practicable to have a path and vista opening opposite a window
of each of the principal apartments, the windows of the garden-front might
be French casements carried to the floor ; and thus from each apartment
there would be an entrance or entrances to the garden. But, even in such
a case, it is extremely doubtful whether it would not be better- to preserve
22
On Garden ArcJdtecttire.
the privacy of the apartments, and, by making an open arcade or colonnade
in the centre of the garden-front, give an entrance to the garden which
would be at once elegant, commodious, and convenient of access to the
different apartments. Every architect would certainly give this method
' the preference, as it would add to the dignity of his design ; and it is the
practice sanctioned by all the great masters of the art. It may then be
regarded as the rule, that the entrance to the garden from the house should
be by a vestibule, hall, or ante-room, designed expressly for the purpose ;
and that any departure from this rule should be justified by peculiar cir-
cumstances.
The garden-entrance, in whatever shape or style it may be designed,
should not be highly elevated from the ground. A high basement has the
disagreeable effect of cutting off the house from the grounds ; whereas it
should, in every possible way, be connected, and made to harmonize with
them. At the same time, the house should be so set as not to appear too
low when viewed at a distance ; and the most natural and at the same time
elegant way to avoid this is to set the house up by means of a terrace,
making not more than three steps from the terrace into the house.
On Garden Architecture.
23
Terraces are of two kinds ; the first a level, with an earth-slope leading
to a lower level. This is the original form, a simple embankment to make
a high level on a long inclination of ground.
— r'^ iriTi
w:.. ",'.., fT^?^n^%:m
The other is a level terminated and kept in place by a wall, with a rail
or balustrade on top. This is a highly ornamental, architectural feature,
capable of great modifications in treatment, and of producing varied and
beautiful effects. The cut shows a section of this kind of terrace.
If the house is simple and unpretending in its design, the first kind of
terrace would be appropriate, and the descent to the lower level would be
by a flight of steps without a rail or balustrade, but which might be deco-
rated with vases, designed, perhaps, to hold flowers. If, on the contrary,
the house is much decorated in its character, the terrace and its accompa-
niments must be designed to correspond. A more complete consideration
of terraces and their accompanying features must be reserved for the next
number. Ham7natt Billings.
24 TJie Plants of oitr Woods and Fields.
THE PLANTS OF OUR WOODS AND FIELDS.
The high regard which the native plants of this country hold abroad ren-
ders their better acquaintance and their cultivation an object of interest to
the garden. The wide area, of thousands of miles extent, embraces the
most showy, and likewise the most charming, herbaceous sorts which are
sufficiently hardy to endure the winters of this vicinity. An article of the
necessary brevity for these pages could do but feeble justice to their
claims ; and, if we take a very superficial and hasty glance at them, it will
at least serve as an introduction to their merits, which could be urged to a
greater expansion of detail.
Beginning, in our enumeration, at the lower orders, the admirer oi ferns
may find in the superb fronds of the Californian species some of the most
attractive of these plants. Need we mention scarcely others than the
representatives of the golden Gymnogrammes of that favored region ; the
elegant forms of Adiatum, or maiden-hair ; the hardier and alpine ones of
the Sierra Nevada, or the brakes {Fteris) of the Yo Semite Valley ; the two
new parasitic Polypodies described by Professor Eaton ; and the rock-brakes
{Allosurus) near the Bay of San Francisco, hinting to us of novelties yet to
be found, and worth the search ? For the open border, we have, in New
England alone, species well suited for cultivation. Our maiden-hair be-
comes always attractive, and grows without difficulty ; the climbing fern,
once thought so rare, but now found in several new localities, can scarcely
be excelled, even by foreign species of the same genus ; the curious broadly
lanceolate fronds of the rare Scolopmdrimn, rediscovered near Pursh's origi-
nal locality the past summer ; the more curious walking-leaf {Camptosorus),
which we have successfully cultivated in a covered glass jar in days prior
to the Wardian cases ; the magnificent ostrich-fern {Struthiopteris), now
growing in the shade of our little garden ; the pretty Polypodiums, which
will survive transplantation, and fit themselves to the rock-work ; the ebon}--
stemmed and black-striped spleenworts of exquisite proportions, and the
larger and stronger species, which adapt themselves to the garden ; the
bladder-ferns {Cy stopfer is), delicate and graceful ; the wood-ferns {Aspicii-
z^w), enlivening the woods in mid-winter with their sempervirent fronds ; the
sensitive-fern, whose spikes of fruit-capsules are used for mantle ornaments
The Plants of our Woods and Fields. 25
when dead and dry ; the tiny moonvvorts {Botrychiiim), which are v^ery
accommodating, and root readily in the lawn or on the grassy banks, and
come out afresh when the year is on the decline ; and, lastly, the regal
flowering ferns, stately and handsome as flowers, but never knowing any
distinguishable floral organs (the microscopic botanist only able to tell you
where they are), — what a catalogue of native plants, too little cultivated,
yet all waiting for a better acquaintance with man ! Many of these will
grow where nothing else would. We can see them springing up spontaneously
in the cool, shaded fronts of city houses, where the sun never shines : others
spring out of old mortar, and from between the crevices of walls ; and others
under the shade of trees. Those who visit conservatories and greenhouses
are often attracted by the superb ferns now so universally cultivated. Most
of them are from foreign climates, and some from tropical regions ; but
others, whose forms are the most singular, are from climates no more genial
than our own. The same care bestowed upon our New-England ferns
would, in the course of time, produce as curious and as grotesque forms.
The odd forms of the hart's-tongue are the effects of high culture, causing
an abnormal condition in the young seedling plants. We have specimens
of undulated fronds of this fern from species taken from wild specimens
brought from the Azores. The singular crested variety of the buckler-fern
{Aspidium fUix mas) is but an accidental variation by seed, and carefully
propagated ; but any careful observer can find similar peculiarities in the
fronds of native species, as we know from experience. Cultivation will
produce others ; and the facility with which they produce offspring offers an
incentive to the experiment. We have said nothing of the beautiful and
peculiar species of the South : suffice it to say that we have the superb
golden-rooted fern {Acrostic/uim aureum), whose dark-green shining
fronds rise to the height of eight feet ; the tropical form of the common
brake is seen along the Gulf coast ; the pretty trichiomanes has been found
by Curtis in East Tennessee, and elsewhere by others ; and the delicate
anemia, with its black, velvety root-stock, of Southern Florida, reminds
us of co-species of Brazil. Our native ferns, then, sustain the high reputa-
tion which their flowering sister-plants possess ; and the cultivator of beauti-
ful ferns can find at home the grace and beauty in these plants which wealth
seeks abroad in costly importations of European or Asiatic novelties. The
VOL. I. 4
26 The Plants of our Woods and Fields.
same remarks will hold good in the Lycopods and Selaginellas ; the exqui-
site S. dcnsa of the greenhouse being represented in S. apoda, of the
swampy and grassy meadows of Massachusetts, and other foreign kinds in
the co-species of California.
The seed-catalogues give us lists of grasses as attractive objects in gar-
dening. What can we do here ? Let us remember that Uniola latifolia,
whose flat and stiff seed-spikes rise so prominently upon the stout culm,
and hang so gracefully on one side, as it were, is found on the prairies
of the West, and extends southward as far as Florida ; a much-esteemed
garden ornament, and deservedly so. Some of the Andropogons are
.rivals of the pampas-grass ; the Aira, with its silvery husks and slender
wiry stems, waves on the dry and gravelly soils, and will grow elsewhere ;
the Eragrostis, or love-grass, has attractive spikelets of glaucous green ; the
cord-grasses, if not so common, would be admired for stateliness ; the hair-
grass is of the most delicate character ; the annual quaking-grass of the
garden has an equally beautiful representative in the Briza media of our
pastures ; the delicious vanilla-scent of the Hierochloa entitles it to con-
sideration independent of its lustrous chestnut florets. We have species of
JEriajit/iiis, which would stand favorably beside the sort advertised, and
grasses in the West and South as curious as any from abroad. Nor should
the sedges be overlooked, represented in some of remarkable grace, and
which we have found no difficulty in cultivating, — many indigenous to a dry
soil, and adapted to thip garden, such as C. plantaginea, platypkylla, vestita ;
and that most remarkable species, adapted to rockwork, and so rare, found
in the rich woods of the south, — the Caix Fraseriana of Sims, with strange
broad leaves and odd flower-spikes pushing out so early in May.
The Messrs. Hovey & Co., so well known for their fine taste, and success
in cultivation, received a prize, at the last Annual Horticultural Exhibition
in Boston, for the best specimen-plant. It was a sedge, and called the
Cyperus alternifoVms. Loudon says it is " curious," grows two feet high, and
is a native of Madagascar, having been introduced into cultivation in 1781.
The tropical Cyperi are showy plants ; but we have native species. They
grow almost everywhere. Some are showy too, and all are pretty : but being
weeds of the cornfield, or common in the sands, nobody deems them fit for
flower-beds ; though who can tell what cultivation might do, rewarding
The Plants of our Woods and Fields. 27
somebody, perhaps, with a variegated leaf variety, when it would henceforth
become all the rage? A small pot of a delicate and wiry-leaved grass-look-
ing plant stood out conspicuous at that floral festival among other wonders ;
it was some kind of Scirpus or bulrush : but no name accompanied it ; and,
whether from abroad or from near at hand, we were not informed. It was
very pretty, and its weak stems and leaves hung profusely over the pot's
edge : but any one may find just as pretty, and perhaps the identical, who
seeks for Hcmicarpha on the sandy borders of our rivers and ponds ; and
a chance bit of this completely filled, in a single summer, a large pot, in
which it sprang up from the soil employed by us in cultivating an aquatic
plant.
The beautiful spider-worts, now of every color, white, rosy, light-blue,
and purple-blue, all spring from care'fully-selected seedlings of a wild plant
we find growing plentifully on the rich hills and woods of the West, and
are the garden products of Tradescantia Virginka, commemorating the elder
Iradescaunf, gardener to Charles I., and the part of North America from
where it was brought by some student of the great Linnaeus. The delight
of my old friend Carter, of the Cambridge Botanic Garden, at these new
varieties, as they appeared, I well recall, though many years have flown by
since that time. Closely related is the day-flower {Commclynd). The sky-
blue flowered {ccelestis) comes to us from Mexico : it finds a place in our
seed-lists, and knows of variation in its flowers ; but there are two or three
species nearer home, and belonging to the United States. I have often
wondered why some attempts have not been made to induce the pickerel-
weed to grow in dryer spots. Its rich purple spikes vie successfully with the
vernal hyacinth : perhaps a border of peat and sphagnum would tempt its
growth. Caltha palustris, which ordinarily prefers a similar situation of
mud and water, will thrive in the border, and is cultivated in its double-
flowered condition. For effect derived from stateliness and foliage, the
false hellebore ( Veratrum viride) can be recommended : it does best in the
black soil of decayed leaves on the edges of meadows ; but we have seen it
flourish very well in other soil. A pretty red-berried and rosy, bell-shaped,
flowered, herbaceous plant is the Streptopus roseus, occasionally found in
our rich moist woods, and worth the seeking for. It belongs to the bell-
wort family, and is a fitting companion to the elegant golden-flowered,
28 The Plants of our Woods and Fields.
large-blossomed Uvularia, which we find growing wild in the woods of
Vermont, and yet known in many gardens as a prized border-flower. The
Adams needle, or Yucca Jiiame?itosa, so universally introduced into gardens,
and so conspicuous for its stately column of pure white hanging blossoms,
is nothing but the wild bear-grass of Kentucky, and used for strings and
ties in its tough green leaves. It is, however, the Northern representative
of the Spanish bayonet of the South, and humbly imitates the superber
species seen with us only in conservatories.
The seeker for early flowers in May is gratified to find in his rambles
the yellow adder's-tongue {E/ythronmm Americanum), whose two leaves,
scarcely rising from the ground, are so curiously spotted and mottled with
purplish blotches, and which clasp at base the flower-stalk, surmounted by
its nodding gold-colored flower. We have known this successfully cultivated;
but let it be planted under some thickly-set trees, or in the shade of bushes,
where its erratic habits will do no mischief. In blossom or without, it is a
pretty plant, and perfectly hardy : we only wish we could say as much for its
finer co-species, the E. albidutn, whose whitish or bluish-white flowers are
so pretty ; but we can record no instance of any attempt to make it better
known than in its wild condition in the rich soils of the West.
Admiration for lilies — as increased of late years by the Japan kinds,
and recently by the golden-banded lily {Liliiim aiiratum) — attracts the
notice of amateurs to our native kinds. Conspicuous in the meadows of
Taunton and Providence, in July, may be noticed the elegant and stately
superb lily, or native Turk's-cap, bearing on its summit from two to forty
rich bright-orange flowers, spotted and dashed with dark blotches on the
inside of the sepals. It transplants readily, even if taken up when in
flower; and, treated with a little peat and sand when planted in the
border, will repay all cost and care. Quite similar to it, but not so fine
and showy, is the wild yellow lily (Z. Canadcnse), more common, and
equally readily cultivated. Its color is usually yellow ; but now and then a
red or salmon tinted one can be met with. The blossoms are not so large
in this species as are those of the superb lily : often they are as numerous,
and culture will do much to enhance their value. In June and July, the
whortleberry-pastures of Eastern Massachusetts are enlivened by the ele-
gant wild orange-red lily, its graceful stem seldom bearing more than three
The Plants of our Woods and Fields, 29
blossoms, oftener two, or even one ; but its erect and rich sepals, nar-
rowing at the base into mere threads, form a beautiful open-work cup
of rare elegance. Though not so readily yielding to garden treatment, it
may be subdued to the purposes of ornament ; and it is probable that
raising from the seed would prove highly advantageous. The North-
American lilies have been for many years known and appreciated abroad,
as may be familiarly seen in the orange lilies of the Dutch catalogues,
which, so far as we can perceive, differ in no respect from the southern red
lily of the Southern States but in the minute markings on the interior of
the petals. We have found no difficulty in raising both, and even cross-
impregnating the garden hybrids by the original, or Lilium Catesbai,
which is indigenous to the South. The superb lil}^ too, has been sent to
this country, with other bulbs, from Holland ; and travellers speak of its
culture there, in beds or masses, of great beauty, and even magnificence,
when in full flower.
The lily tribe is represented in our North-American flora by a variety
of interesting plants. We well recall the pleasure we derived from seeing
the wild hyacinth {Scilla (Camassm) esculenta) on the clayey hills of Ohio,
and have succeeded in raising it from the seed ; and a friend assures us
that it grows readily in his garden from bulbs brought from the Western
States. Among the Indians, it is known as the quamash, and very well
represents the Scillas of the garden. The star of Bethlehem, or sleep-at-
noons, so pretty with its starr\', white flowers, is fast becoming naturalized,
and is to be noticed in orchards and meadows ; none the less pretty because
of a weedy character ; hardly a native, coming to us from abroad, but
adopting our northern climate for its home. We cultivate it in a very
thin, gravelly soil, and with success. Who does not know, and who denies
merit to, the lily of the valley ? yet, according to Gray and Chapman, it
grows spontaneously on the Alleghanies, and is in no respect distinct
from our garden kind. In like manner, the garden Solomon's-seal proves
identical with our own found in the Northern United States, — a fact of
sufficient importance, if known, to banish it from some collections, because
not entirely a foreigner ; but, for our part, we shall adhere to it still,
despite its running, subterraneous root-stalks, which make it a little weedy.
It is accommodating, and grows where scarcely any thing else would.
30 The Plants of our Woods and Fields.
With the brief notice of a few other and very beautiful native plants, we
we brins this article to a close. We refer to the Trilliums, which we will
principally enumerate, as they occur in New England, and therefore are
more readily obtained by any one disposed to cultivate them. The nodding
Trillium, or wake-robin, though the least conspicuous, is by no rrieans
uninteresting. It may be found in rich woods, especially if they are moist ;
and we have seen it growing quite near the margin of brooks in such
places. Its leaves are large and broad, while beneath them the pure white
flower hangs suspended on a short and declined stalk. It grows readily in
the garden, and increases. In the cool, damp woods near Burlington, Vt.,
we have found the painted Trillium, — a beautiful species, and so called •
from a few faint crimson stripes upon the upper surface of the petals : it
deserves cultivation. The purple Trillium, or birth-root, grows, usually,
between the crevices of rocks, in mountain glens : we have noticed it at
the base of Mine Mountain, at Chesterfield, N.H.; and since, in quite a
different locality, — a wet, rich maple-swamp in this State. Its flowers are
conspicuous, and of a deep, dull purple color, and emitting a ver)' dis-
agreeable perfume : its admirer must be content with its color, and not
venture beyond. A young friend who discovered it in this situation has
since found the curious greenish-yellow-flowered variety growing there
also. Plants removed thence to my garden, yearly produce an abundance
of showy and early blossoms ; and, under the culture of a gardener in this
city, even the yellow variety, which is quite attractive, flourishes equally
well ; , it being brought several years since from the woods of Temple,
N.H. We have seen also dried specimens of the dwarf white Trillium,
from the rich woods of Ohio, appearing in April, with its pretty white blos-
soms, of snowy purity. Another small and dwarf species is known as
the Trillium sessile, with dark-purple flowers, and varying, likewise, to .
greenish flowers ; rhomboidal, sessile leaves, elegantly motded and
blotched, and found in the woods of the West. Still another, of a similar
character, points to the Western and Southern States for its occurrence,
and known as the recurved Trillium, with rich, dark-purple flowers. The
South is represented in this beautiful native plant still further in two
or three other species, of which I know nothing but the enumeration in
descriptions. The finest by far, however, and the gem of the garden, is
TJic Plants of our Woods and Fields. 3 1
the T. grandiflorum of New England, of surpassing loveliness. Thirty-
three years ago, I brought four tubers of this species from Burlington,
Vt., and planted them in my garden. Some of their descendants, from
offsets and seedlings, remain in the precise spot where they were first
planted. This clump yearly gives me a large amount of flowers : and
others still, distributed among friends, succeed equally well. In May,
nothing can surpass it in beauty : its three broad, pure-white petals,
supported by the green sepals, also three in number as well, rising from
the bosom of three broadly rhomboidal leaves, supported on a stout
herbaceous stem, and crowded into a mass of forty or fifty flowers, strikes
every visitor with delight. As the petals are about to fade, they become
of a pale violet-purple tint, which creates a pleasing variety of color. The
seeds are numerous, and fall soon from the fleshy capsule, germinating
readily, and appearing as young plants during the next spring, and, in two
or three years, blossoming. As yet, I have noticed no variation from the
original type of color or form : a double sort would be a veritable monster,
and another color would not be desirable.
We earnestly recommend to florists just so much of the study of botany
as will make them familiar with the native treasures of our country. We
are quite sure that they can find, either quite contiguous to their homes
or not very remote, beautiful plants enough to render their gardens the
sources of enjoyment and recreation ; and familiarity with genera of other
plants brought from abroad will surprise them oftentimes that the native
habitats and homes of many are American, first collected here, cultivated
for a while in Europe, and then imported from foreign nurseries and
gardens as novelties of the season : in confirmation of which statement, it
occurs to us what a botanical friend told us, — that, among certain new
shrubs, almost every one was familiar to him here, but furnished with
new names !
yohn Lewis Russell.
32 Floivers in Cities.
FLOWERS IN CITIES.
While the country and the suburbs afford most space for gardens, and
the display of floricultural beauty, many flowers may be grown in the city;
and the Hmited space afforded may be used to great advantage. Most
city houses have a front plat of ground under the parlor-windows, seldom
containing less than two hundred square feet ; and all have a back-yard, a
portion of which could be advantageously used for a flower-garden.
The city, also, has the advantage of having a longer season. In the coun-
try, the danger of frost is not over until the middle of May ; and the first
frosts of autumn seldom fail to cut off tender vegetation with the full moon
of September. In the city, on the contrary, frosts seldom occur after the
2oth of April, and thus a month is gained in spring ; and tender annuals
and bedding-plants are often in full beauty after the first of November ; while
the large-flowered chrysanthemums often carry the season of flowers to the
first of December, thus adding six weeks or more in autumn.
As a general thing, the capabilities for gardening are not improved in
the city : the front-yards are sodded, and sometimes contain a few shrubs,
and thus look neat and trim, but do not produce the effect of which they
are capable. Occasionally we see one planted with flowers ; but the selec-
tion of species is usually confined to a few weedy annuals, such as petu-
nias, larkspur, and ageratum, which, rank and spreading, give a multitude
of blossoms, but produce no effect of neatness, beauty, or order. Some
few are, in early spring, gay with early-blooming bulbs, such as snowdrops
crocus, hyacinths, and tulips ; but in a few weeks they present a rank
growth of withering leaves, and the promise of the spring is not borne out
by the rest of the year.
Others again are parched with drought after the middle of May, where,
in a southern exposure, the heat of the sun is intense, and is aided by the
reflection from the brick houses. There is no reason for this, with the
abundant supply of water which can be given in large cities ; and with
plenty of water, and a deep soil, these sunny exposures, while unfit for
the more delicate, low-growing plants, might be made masses of tropical
vegetation, and thus become most eftective.
Flowers in Cities. 33
The exposure, however, has much to do with the capabilities of the front
plat for a garden. Where the street runs north and south, there is little
difficulty ; for the houses receive on both sides an equal amount of sun, and
there is litde difference in the fitness of the front-yard for flowers, and a
garden may also be made in the back-yard. • ■
Where the street runs east and west, either the front or the back yard, as
the case may be, will receive very little sun ; but the yard having a sunny
exposure may be the flower-garden ; and that facing the north may be orna-
mented with such shrubs and plants as thrive best in the shade, some of
which are very beautiful.
One primary obstacle to city gardening is the shallow soil of these
garden-plats. The yards are generally the depository of all the debris of
building ; and, while a thin skimming of loam is spread on top in order to
support the sodding, the subsoil is a compost of broken brick and stone,
lime, bits of wood, and the multitude of other materials used in the build-
ing of the house. No wonder that on such a soil nothing grows, and that
the ground is parched with drought, as a deep soil is essential to freedom
from drought ; and, even with constant watering, a shallow soil will become
dry and baked.
Therefore the first step is to prepare a proper soil. The yard should be
excavated to the depth of at least three feet, and filled in with a compost
of rich loam and well-rotted manure in equal parts, with about one-half a
part of sharp sand. Such a soil will grow most plants, and, if well prepared,
will last for years without manuring. It is well to throw a load of old sods
in the bottom of the hole. This preparation may be made either in autumn
or early spring : the former is the best season, as spring-blooming bulbs
may immediately be planted, and the garden will begin to give flowers in
early April.
We will, however, suppose the renewing of the soil to have been made in
April, and will give the management of the garden for a year from that time.
About the first w-eek in May, all danger of frost will be over ; and, except
in exposed situations, seeds may be planted, and bedding-plants set out.
The garden should be dug over, and, unless the soil is rich, a few barrows
of well-rotted manure spaded in. As the space is small, it should not be
divided into beds ; but a strip or border of turf a foot wide may be laid
34 Flowers m Cities.
around the front and the two sides, which may serve for a footpath, and
which should always be kept well shaven. A neat trellis should be placed
between the two parlor-windows (which will be about the centre of the gar-
den), against the house ; and some woody climbers should be planted to
cover this. For this purpose, the wistaria, the Virginia creeper {Atnpelopsis),
the trumpet-flower {Bignonia), or the Dutchman's pipe {Aristolochia), are
most suitable. But, in a future article, we propose to give a list of many
plants that may thus be used. Herbaceous plants are not generally suita-
ble ; for, though showy for a time, by the end of summer the foliage becomes
ragged and unsightly, and the general effect is impaired. We must there-
fore depend mainly upon bedding-plants, annuals, and bulbs.
Of bedding-plants, almost the whole class is ser\'iceable, as they continue
to grow until cut off by the frost, and flower profusely. The point to be
especially looked to is, not to plant too many or tall rank growers.
Annuals should be carefully selected. A large proportion of them re-
maining only in perfection a few weeks, those only should be chosen which
grow and bloom during the whole season, and which thus are always orna-
mental, either in foliage or flower.
Bulbs may be used most effectively. The foliage is good, and the flowers
very showy : the only care necessary is to cut off" dead flower-stalks and
withered leaves, and to so plant that the flowers may seem to spring from
a mass of green, as the foliage of most bulbs is erect and reedy, and never
covers the ground. Some low-growing annual (such as mignonette) or
bedding-plant (such as a low-creeping verbena) should be employed to
cover the ground.
Where the bulbs are plants in large clumps, this may not be necessary.
Tuberoses {Polianthes tuberosd) and tiger-flowers {Tigridia) make grand
masses, and the foliage is good.
Trees should never be planted, for the simple reason that they grow too
large ; and shrubs, if not wholly discarded for the same reason, should be
those only which are ornamental in foliage as well as in flower. As a rule, fine
foliage is to be preferred to fine flower : some few shrubs combine both,
and are very ornamental. In planting annuals, it is better to buy young
plants already started in a frame than to sow seeds, as thus spaces are
more easily calculated, and crowding avoided.
Flowers in Cities.
35
Bedding-plants can always be obtained from florists in small pots. In
planting, they should simply be turned out of the pots, the ball of earth
crumbled away a very little, and the collar of the plant set a trifle deeper
than when in the pot, the earth carefully pressed around the plant, and a
gentle watering given at night from the fine rose of a water-pot.
Bulbs should be planted rather deep : lilies, three to four inches,
according to the size of the bulb ; tiger-flowers, two inches ; tuberoses,
two inches ; Jacobean lily {Spnkelia), two inches ; and gladiolus, three
inches. These rules admit of exception, and larger bulbs require to be
planted deeper than small bulbs of the same species. Lilies, contrary to
the generally-received opinion, may be safely transplanted in spring, care
being taken not to break the shoot or small roots. All planting should be
finished by the 20th of May; and, if the hot sun causes the ground to
become parched, water should be given at night.
The following plans show proposed laying-out of city gardens : —
Fig. I.
Squares represent i sq. ft.
lO
lo
lO
lO
lO
lo
lO
lO
lO
13
'4
-f
A
14
'3
y.
:9)
II
11
8
7
7
7
7
8
5
7
i
7
5
4
'3'
4
7
> ■
7
4
v3>
4
7
7
I
I
V
2
I
\
2
\
I
I
r
Turf-border, i ft. wide round front and sides.
Outside dimensions, lo X 20 ft.
Inside " 9 X 18 ft.
A. Trellis against house, and bed for climbing vine.
FOR A SOUTHERN EXPOSURE.
I.
Salvia splendens.
8.
Heliotrope.
2.
Tropasolum minor (some variety).
9-
China roses.
3-
Tigridia pavonia, or conchiflora, six bulbs.
10.
Portulaca.
4-
Verbena, scarlet.
II.
Calocasia esculenta.
5-
Verbena, white.
12.
Tournefortia heliotropoides.
6.
Tuberoses, six.
13-
Sweet alyssum.
7-
Mignonette.
14.
Tagetes signata pumila.
^6 Flowers in Cities.
The plants used in the above plan are all easily obtained, and would
give a profusion of flowers from June, until killed by the frost. The tube-
roses and salvias would be especially effective in September. The
bedding-plants should be set in single plants. The alyssum and migno-
nette may be sown, or plants set out, four inches apart ; the portulaca
should be sown in a ribbon, or broad band ; the China roses should be set
out in clumps of three, nine inches apart.
The bulbs of Tigridias should be planted. Tuberoses and Calocasia will
do better if turned out, having been started in pots.
For a display of tropical plants for a warm, southern exposure, let us
take a garden of the same interior dimensions, — nine by eighteen feet.
Here we must bear in mind that luxuriant foliage, and not flower, is the
object ; and that all the plants used, though small when planted, attain
great dimensions in a few months : they should, therefore, not be crowded,
but each allowed to develop symmetrically.
To cover the ground, a sowing of portulaca and sweet alyssum may be
made broadcast all over the bed.
Fig. 2.
Squares represent 2 ft X i ft.
1
^
c
c
•>
9 .
10
:o
10
9
f
i
J -
/
t
k
5
4
5
t
.
t
1
I
J
c
1
3
3
n
*
f
I^--—
A
— ^^
L
Turf, I ft. round front and sides.
Inside measure, 9X18 ft.
Outside " 10 X 20 ft.
A. Bed for climber for trellis against house.
I.
Cobea scandens.
6.
Canna Nepalensis.
2.
Ricinus Bourboniensis arborea.
7-
Canna Muhlcrii.
\
Ricinus Tuniciensis.
S.
Ricinus macrocarpus nanus.
A-
Canna discolor.
9-
Striped Japanese maize.
5-
Canna Annaei.
10.
Colocasia esculenta.
Tilings Nciv and Old. 37
Thus, from eighteen plants, we should obtain a magnificent mass of
foliage. The cobea is a rank-growing vine, with large, purple, bell-shaped
flowers. The flowers of the cannas, or Indian shot, are showy, but
fugitive ; and both they and the Ricinus, or castor-oil bean, are ornamental
in fruit.
We propose, in future articles, to show how the same garden may be
made effective for spring flowers.
Glen Ridge, November, 1866. Edward S. Rand, Jun.
(To be continued.) 1(^
THINGS NEW AND OLD.
This age is not reverent. It gl<5ries in recent accomplishments, and is
dazzled with bright visions in the future. It looks upon past generations
with a feeling akin to pity, as it recounts the many discoveries and improve-
ments which belong distinctly to the present age. In making comparisons,
it is natural and excusable that we indulge a complacent satisfaction as
we note our advance.
Watching the swift revolutions of the steam printing-press, we recall the
old lever-press with a compassionate smile. Is it possible that people
once travelled in canal-boats and upon corduroy roads ? In the mechanic
arts, we do not for a moment tolerate a comparison between the past and
present. Hand-work in spinning, weaving, sewing, knitting, in all direc-
tions, is giving way to mechanism. Even in the fine arts, the hand of genius
finds a rival in some newly-constructed machine at every turn. And so in
husbandry : the changes are equally significant, and comforting to our self-
esteem. We like to put on exhibition the rude plough, the hand-rake, and
sickle, by the side of modern seed-sowers, mowers, and reapers. At our
State fairs, that ox is under weight that does not come up to two tons ; that
sheep is second-rate that is not worth a thousand dollars ; that horse is
slow that does not come to the stand at 2.40. Within a score of years,
the language of the turf has changed from the " forties " to " low down in the
twenties." And, in fruits, who can count the new varieties, or estimate
the superior excellence, of these latter-day gifts of Pomona ? By the refin-
38 Things New and Old.
ing process of hybridizing, may we not yet expect to produce an improved
nectar for the gods ? Thus we reason ourselves into the behef, that, with
us, Hght has come into the world ; that the sun rides high towards the
zenith ; and that the millennium of material things is close upon us. But
we undervalue the past, our present boasting is vain, and we delude our-
selves in respect to the future.
In taking a calm retrospect, we are inclined to agree with the utterance
of the wise man nearly three thousand years ago, that " there is nothing new
under the sun." This in a certain sense, of course ; for do we not hear of
new seedlings in fruits and flowei s, without end of names and merit ? But
of this let us see.
Do the grapes at any of our country fairs exceed in weight the bunch
borne from Eshcol, "between two, upon a staff"? Is there any e\ddence
that our prize South Downs are superior to the first of the flock which
Abraham offered for sacrifice ? And the stalwart Devons — who shall say
that they excel the fat and well-favored of Jacob's herd ? I fancy, also,
that Jehu's span would have made no mean figure upon the Fashion or
Riverside course. Does any one imagine that the Tyrian purple would
appear dull at the present day ? Would not the splendor of Solomon's
court be counted respectable, even in this fast age ? And, in vainglorious
boasting, does our modern Gotham excel the ancient Babel.
In considering these questions, we must come to the conclusion, in the
main, that what is has been ; that it is the same world now as in the Abra-
ham ic period ; that though progress is clearly seen, which seems to go on
with accelerated speed, yet there is no probability of a culmination during
the present age. Our little span of life may be all-important to us as in-
dividuals ; but, with the Sovereign Ruler, " a thousand years are as one day,"
and he works out the great problems of the world's history by slow process-
es. We shall be wise to be patient, and to estimate the past ages of slow
preparation according to their true value. There is, indeed, much reason
to indulge in great expectations ; but there is also an extreme to which this
feeling may be carried. Like prudent men, we are to understand and mag-
nify our work ; while, at the same time, we guard against that boastful and
hurtful habit of exaggerating our mission, which tends to render our lives
a delusion and a vanity.
Things New and Old. 39
In the art of husbandry, we witness the slowest and most patient prog-
ress. We must go back to the earliest ages for the foundations of our
knowledge. The slow steps of advance are wearisome, and are by no
means flattering to the race. Yet we must bear in mind that the subject is
one of difficulty, dealing with uncertain and ever-varying elements, and
requiring almost endless experiments and observations in order to arrive
at the best results. Soils, situations, variations in the seasons and in the
weather, diseases, and other conditions, are so changing, that fixed rules
cannot be laid down as in mechanics ; and the greater evil is, that, owing
to these uncertain elements, random experiments are most unreliable data.
Yet, from the huge mass of past experience, knowledge is gradually sifted.
This knowledge is stated more clearly, is made available, and put into gen-
eral use ; so that, with frequent and important improvements in mechanical
implements, with many discoveries and developments of new varieties of
products, and with some progress in the sciences, as applied to husbandry,
we may safely say there is a steady advance. There are reverses, and in
some instances there are failures. The wheat-crop is almost given up in
New England ; the plum is a fruit scarcely to be found in our markets ;
peaches are no spontaneous growth at the present ; the almost extinct St.
Michael pear was unsurpassed a generation since by any new variety.
Fifty years ago, the Sweetwater grape was a very reliable fruit ; and the
Isabella was sure to ripen, and was excellent.
Our contest with insects, with an exhausted soil, and with diseases in-
duced by climatic changes consequent upon the destruction of our forests,
will require untiring energy and patience. It will not do to delude our-
selves into the feeling that our garners are to overflow with the fruits of the
earth. Yet we may take courage. We are yearly learning new facts in
regard to insects, and acquiring dominion over them. Science is at work
in the vast field of research for the specific food for plants. Practical ex-
periments are developing varieties of plants adapted to the changes in
climate. This is the ^leld, and this the work. It is a struggle of which
this generation saw not the beginning, neither is it to see the beginning of
the end. We may be compelled to abandon one old, favorite, strongly-for-
tified post after another ; the pleuro-neumonia may destroy our herds ; we
may- fail to detect and control the potato-disease ; the plum, peach, and
40 Pear-Culture.
cherry may prove but lingering reminders of former prodigality : still, for
every position abandoned, we take a new and stronger one. The St. Mi-
chael, the Flemish Beauty, and the Glout Morceau pears, may perish ; but
we put in such recruits as the Clapp, the Sheldon, the Beurre d'Anjou, and
the ranks are stronger than ever before. Our cattle-fairs show improving
grades of stock ; our farms indicate slow but gradually-improving culture ;
our horticultural exhibitions plainly tell of more energy and skill, and in
the quality, and especially the great increase of varieties, leave no room
to doubt that the result is a decided advance. But we must gratefully ac-
knowledge that which comes to us from the past ; we must be moderate in
our expectations, and be patient in struggling with unending difficulties ;
and we must be content to know that ours is not to be a finished work ;
that we have no slight task in strugglijig agamst a retrograde ; and that it is
a high and worthy ambition if we can transmit our blessings unimpaired,
adding thereto according to the wisdom and skill which God has given us.
William C. Strong.
PEAR-CULTURE.
The time was, and that within the recollection of many now living, when
the varieties of pears were few in number. The St. Michael, St. Ger-
main, Catherine, and Orange pears, were about all that were generally cul-
tivated in the vicinity of Boston : now there are many collections that boast
of hundreds of varieties. Formerly only a few trees were sold, each
person buying one, two, or possibly half a dozen : now many a garden
or orchard can boast of hundreds, or even thousands, of trees ; while our
market-farmers, who heretofore have raised mostly vegetables, or, if fruits,
the small ones, are now planting pear-trees in great numbers. Once
the apple was the great and leading fruit-crop of Massachusetts, and
some orchards gave a yield of a thousand barrels a year : now apples
grown in this vicinity are a rarity. In old times, it was considered very
difficult and unprofitable to attempt to raise pears, partly because it took
so long to bring them into bearing, and partly because they required high
cultivation : now these objections no longer obtain ; the dwarf-pear giving
fruit at a very early age, and even the standard pear yielding a good crop
in about the same number of years that was formerly required to bring an
Pear- Culture. 4 1
apple-orchard well into bearing. Then our cultivators are more accustomed
to high manuring, and are willing to do full justice in this respect to their
pear-orchards. The story that was told of the father who objected to plant-
ing an orchard because it took so long to bring it into bearing, but who
still lived to eat of the fruit grown by the son on an orchard of his plant-
ing, has been fully illustrated in many an instance in pear-culture. Time
was, and that within a very few years, when the Bartlett and Seckel were
almost the only varieties planted : so that, if a person should say to a nur-
seryman that he wanted three trees, you might be fully sure that one would
be a Bardett, one a Seckel ; and then he would ask what else there was
worth planting, and finally end by buying another Bartlett. Now almost
every farmer you meet will talk to you of Beurre this, or Beurre that, and
go through and discuss the merits of scores of varieties with all the free-
dom of a veteran pomologist. Once the St. Michael, and, later, the
Bartlett, were considered the height of perfection ; and it was regarded
as downright heresy to dissent from this opinion : now many have become
convinced that there are scores of better pears, so far as quality is
concerned, than either of the varieties named.
A great change has been wrought : more pears are raised, more pears are
consumed. If prices were high years ago, they are higher now. The sup-
ply has hardly kept pace with the demand ; and as prices are thus high, and
the supply short, many have been led to enter upon the cultivation of this
fruit on a more extensive scale. Years ago, when Manning, Kenrick, and
others were raising and importing pear-trees, the cry was, that the market
would soon be glutted with this fruit (the same was said of strawberries, and
yet the fruit has advanced in price every year) : but we see no such result ;
for pears bring better prices now than at the time referred to. If we reason
from analogy, we say that what is true of the past will be of the future. It
is possible to plant too many pear-trees : but when we remember the extent
of our country 5 the great increase of population ; the facilities for transport-
ing the surplus fruit to distant markets ; the fact, that, in many parts of the
country, pears cannot be successfully grown, — is it probable, that, for many
years at least, the market will be overstocked with this valuable fruit ? It
has been our desire to see the time when the masses, the poor as well as
the rich, could eat pears as well as other fruits ; but they cannot do it when
VOL. I. 6
■r
42 Pear-Culture.
they sell from five to seven dollars a bushel. Then, if apples are to con-
tinue to fail us, we must have the more pears, to make up, so far as possible,
for the deficiency of that fruit. If, then, it be assumed that pears can be
profitably grown, and that there is a constantly increasing demand for them,
it becomes important to raise such as will best meet the wants of the public,
both as to quality, and time of ripening. It is to be regretted that the
public are not governed more by the intrinsic value of a fruit than by its
showy appearance, choosing generally the bright golden pear, the biilliant
red apple, or the rich-looking black grape, without much regard to quality ;
thus passing by the rich Belle Lucrative to accept the Bufifum, Merriam,
Beurre Clairgeau, or some such variety of inferior quality. By a more
thorough education of the people through the medium of horticultural so-
cieties and horticultural magazines, this evil may in the future be remedied.
An important inquiry is as to what varieties shall be planted, in the present
state of the popular mind, to supply the market, and be profitable to the
producer, if not the consumer. This will require quite a different answer
than the question, as to what varieties shall be planted for home consump-
tion ; for we often speak of this or that variety being good to " sell, but not
to eat." They must be varieties of good size ; for though they be of most
excellent quality, equal to the Johonnot, and, like that delicious variety, small
and inferior-looking, the public will pass by, and refuse to buy them. The
Seckel appears to be an exception to this rule ; for it is a favorite wherever
known. It would seem to be absolute heresy to mention the Bell or Wind-
sor, a very inferior sort ; and yet it is one of the most profitable varieties
now grown for the market. The tree is ver}' hardy, bears well, and re-
quires litde care : the fruit sells well, because it is early ; its color catches
the eye, and thus tempts the passer-by to purchase a pear that is really only
suitable for cooking. The Brandywine is an excellent summer pear, that
deserves a higher place than it has yet received. It is of more than me-
dium size, and thus possesses an advantage over most of the summer pears.
The Clapp's Favorite, one of the handsomest and best of its season, will
fill a place just before the well-known Bartlett finds its way to market. This
variety is a most excellent grower ; and if the fruit is picked when hard and
apparently green, but just when the defective specimens show signs of ripe-
ness, it is good, and keeps well for a summer pear. The Buffum, though
Pear-Culture. 43
rather below size, is very handsome, and of fair quality ; while the tree is a
most excellent grower and bearer. One well-known pomologist declares
it to be a very profitable market-variety. It does best in a light soil. Then
comes the Bartlett, so universally known, attracting the attention of every
one by its good size, and rich golden color ; even the windfalls and thin-
nings ripening up so as at least to be salable, if not good. The tree is a
good grower when young ; a great bearer ; the fruit of large size, and good
quality ; and, taken all in all, probably the most popular variety grown in
this country. The public show their good taste by adopting this pear as a
favorite, though it is not of the very best quality. The Louise Bonne de Jer-
sey is much in demand in the market ; and though it is in some localities
less popular than formerly, yet it stands well as a salable variety. It does
much better on quince, giving superior fruit. The Doyenne Boussock may
safely be put down as an excellent market-pear ; large size, handsome, and
quite eatable. It is a profitable sort, and worthy the attention of fruit-
growers. The Andrews has been raised to considerable extent ; but as it
comes in about the same time with the Bartlett, and is not as attractive in
appearance, it will never become extensively popular. The Golden Beurre
of Bilboa takes a fair rank among this class of pears : the fruit is gene-
rally fair and handsome, but comes too near the time of the Bartlett to be
grown extensively. Soon after will follow the Merriam, a native fruit, and
a prodigious bearer ; a variety that sells well on the fruit-stands at the cor-
ners of the streets. The Sterling, which comes a little earlier, is also re-
garded as a good fruit for the market, because of its beauty, size, and
" fairish " quality.
And then, as we come down to the fruit of October, there is Swan's Or-
ange, too acid for some, yet quite desirable on account of its fine size,
productiveness, beauty of fruit, and vigor of tree. Then comes Beurre
d'Anjou, good in every respect, — good bearer, good size, fair, and nearly
first-rate in quality. It has been said by a well-known pear-grower, that, if
he were to plant a thousand trees, they should all be of this deservedly
popular sort. It rots just right ; for it gives you due notice by commencing
on the outside, unlike many pears of fair exterior. It is true that it
has the fault of blowing off badly, which is a serious drawback in exposed
locations. It does equally well on quince or pear stock, and is destined
44 Pear-Culture.
to become more and more popular as it is more widely known ; and it may
be extensively and profitably planted. The Sheldon is another fine pear,
of recent introduction, and of first quality. The tree is a good upright
grower, and rather early bearer. The fruit does not keep as well as the
Beurre d'Anjou, nor is it particularly attractive, but will be appreciated,
when eaten, by all lovers of good pears; and the public should buy it. The
Lawrence is a late fall or early winter pear, of good quality ; and it grows
fair, and colors up finely with very little care. Its beautiful lemon-color
will sell it, and it has the merit of ripening with ver)' little care. The Vicar
of Winkfield is a pear of second-rate quality, but is, notwithstanding, a
very profitable variety, especially for cooking-purposes, and sometimes
for eating ; for it will, in some seasons and in some locations, give specimens
that will prove nearly first-rate. If it js allowed to overbear, the fruit will
be poor, green, and flavorless. The tree is very hardy, and the variety
does equally well on quince and standard, f Of all the varieties that can be
most profitably grown as dwarfs, the Duchesse.(^ngouleme stands, per-
haps, at the head of the list. The size of the fruit, -^ith its fair quality and
good appearance, will sell it in any market at a good price. Many con-
tend that this variety will do well as a standard ; but experience will show
otherwise. The Beurre Clairgeau is a very handsome pear, and grows to
Sfreat size. It seems to do better as a dwarf than a standard. The Urba-
niste, coming along before the Duchesse, should not be left out of even a
small collection, either for home-use or market. The variety is a long time
coming into bearing ; but, when it has reached a mature age, it yields large
' and constant crops of fine, fair fruit, that will always command a good price
from those who can appreciate a good fruit. Other varieties might be
named ; for there are many more that many will claim can be profitably
grown, and some will declare that they will prove superior to those enume-
rated. It is difficult to give a list that will suit all soils or locations. The
man who plants pear-trees for the most profit will confine himself to five
varieties, or, on no account, exceed ten ; and will be content to let the
curious pomologist and amateur test the hundreds or thousands of varieties
now on the list, with all the new ones that are yearly brought before the
public. It may not be out of place here to add a brief list of pears, in a
brief way, that may be satisfactorily raised for home-use. The number of
The HorticidtH7'al Value of the Crow. 45
varieties for this purpose should be more extensive than the former list
One object in thus planting should be to have as wide a range of flavors as
possible, as well as to embrace all the other good qualities that can possi-
bly be obtained. One 5ther i-hought should be kept constantly in mind in
planting for hom^use, — that of a succession of fruit from very early to very
late. Among the very earliest comes the Madeleine ; a rather poor pear,
of which it might answer to have a single tree. Better, though very small,
is the Doyenne d'£te : then the Supreme de Quimper, Rostiezer, Tyson,
Bloodgood, Pinneo, St. Ghislain, Beurre Giffard, and Brandywine, are all
good pears in their season, and should find a place in such a collection.
The same may be said of Dearborn's Seedling, Clapp's Favorite, Bartlett,
Belle Lucrative, Flemish Beauty (rather sparingly), Beurre Bosc, Abbott,
Sheldon, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Duchesse d'Angouleme (on quince),
Seckel, Marie Louise, Urbaniste, Mt. Vernon, Beurre Hardy, Lawrence,
Beurre d'Anjou, Dana's Hovey, Beurre d'Aremberg (slow grower), Catillac
(for cooking). Vicar of Winkfield, Winter Nelis, Beurre Diel, and Glout
Morceau in some locations. There are many other good varieties, of course,
that can be added to this list, including some of the newer pears of great
promise ; such as Rogers, Goodale, Edmonds, Ellis, Wellington, Caen de
France, fimile d'Heyst, Gen. Todtleben, and others. The above list will
not be suitable to every variety of soil and location, but is probably
the very best for one's own use. In briefly presenting this list of pears, it
is proper to say that those have mostly been selected that by experience
have been found to give satisfactory results ; and no one can go far astray
in adopting it,
• 7. F. C. Hyd^
4 •
THE HORTICULWRAL VALUE OF THE CROW.
Perhaps no branch of American rural economy has been so little
investigated as the food of our native birds. In Europe, within a few
years, the attention of scientific men has been turned to the subject : but
the information they have been able to obtain, although valuable, cannot,
of course, be applied, otherwise than by a series of analogies, to this
countr)' ; and the economical value of most of our species is as yet almost
46 TJie Hortiadtural Value of the Crow.
entirely unknown to us. This ignorance is owing, principally, to the
difficulty attending such investigations, — the killing of great numbers of
birds in all the seasons when they are found with us, which is absolutely
necessary, but which is extremely distasteful to most persons ; and it has
been aggravated somewhat by the contradictory statements of various
persons in different localities regarding the food of some species that
they have had the means of observing.
Of these birds, none have given rise to more controversy than the
Corvidffi, in which are placed our crows and jays ; and I propose to discuss
briefly here this interesting topic, and bring a few facts and arguments,
founded on reason or actual observation, to show their actual value on
the farm.
Until very recently,! have been the earnest advocate of these birds, and
have believed that the benefits they render much more than balance the
injuries they inflict ; but I must say, that, after careful consideration, my
faith in their utility is sadly shaken.
At the outset, I will say that I have kept specimens in captivit)^ ; and
have, by actual observation, proved that at least eight ounces of such food
as frogs, fish, &c., are eaten daily by our common crow. Of course, like
other birds, it can live on a very limited allowance ; but I think that the
above is a reasonable amount : however, to be absolutely within bounds, we
will fix the food of the crow to be equal to five ounces of animal matter
per diem. Beginning, then, with the new year, we will follow the life of
this bird through all the seasons, and then compare the results arrived at
together, good and bad.
During the months of January, February, and March, when the face of
the country is covered with snow, the insects being dormant, and the small
birds away to more southern districts, most of the crows migrate from New
England ; and the few that remain depend upon a scanty subsistence of
seeds of wild plants and weeds, acorns, apples that have been left on the
trees in the orchard, and frozen ; and they occasionally capture a field-mouse
that strays from its nest in the stubble-field or swamp. The life of
the crow during these months is one continued starvation ; and the expres-
sion, "poor as a crow," may be applied to it, as well describing its
condition. It succeeds in finding a few cocoons of Lepidopterous insects ;
meets occasionally with a caterpillar or beetle ; and, on the whole, its labors
The Horticultural Value of the Crow. 47
during these months may be called beneficial ; although the good resulting
from them is of so little amount, that we might safely regard them as
neutral. But, to be beyond the chance of doing it an injustice, we will
assume, that, during the three months above mentioned, the crow does as
much good as during the whole month of April.
Let us adopt, in this discussion, a system of numerals to signify the
relative values of this bird through the year; taking the unit i to represent
the labors of each day. The crow is therefore valuable, during January,
February, and March, 30 units : and, in April, is unquestionably 30 units
more ; for its food then consists almost entirely of noxious insects in their
different forms. It is perfectly safe to say that it would destroy a
thousand insects in making up the amount of food that I mentioned above ;
and it is not improbable, that, during this month, it actually eats that
number daily.
During the first half of May, its labors are undoubtedly beneficial ; for its
food still consists almost entirely of insects : but after the middle of that
month, when the small birds have begun to lay their eggs and hatch their
young, the crow divides its diet pretty equally between them and the insects.
Now, it is not apparent, at the first glance, how immensely injurious it
becomes the moment it begins to destroy the eggs and young of our small
birds ; but we may demonstrate it to an approximation. We will allow, that,
during the latter part of May, half of its food consists of injurious insects
and other vermin : it is therefore beneficial in the whole month about 23
units. But it is perfectly reasonable to say that it destroys at least the
eggs or young of one pair of sparrows, four in number ; one pair of warblers,
four in number; and one pair of thrushes or starlings, four in number: for I
have known one pair of Canada jays to kill and devour the half-grown
young of four families of snow-birds {yunco hyemalis) — sixteen birds in all
— in one forenoon ; and have seen a pair of crows, in two visits to an
orchard, within a half-hour's time, destroy the young birds in two robins'
nests.
Now let us see what the injury amounts to that it does in destroying
the four eggs or young of the sparrows, warblers, and thrushes. It is a
well-known fact, that the young of all our small birds, whether insectivorous
or graminivorous in the adult stage, are fed entirely on insects. Bradley
48 The Horticultural Value of the Crow.
says that a pair of sparrows will destroy 3,360 caterpillars for a week's
family supplies. For four weeks, at the lowest estimate, the young of our
sparrows are fed on this diet ; and the family that the crow destroys would,
in that time, eat at least 13,440 noxious insects ; and as they feed more
or less upon this same diet during their stay with us, killing certainly as
many as fifty insects each, daily, the family would devour 200 per diem,
or, before they leave us in September, as many as 20,000. The war-
blers are entirely insectivorous, and we can certainly allow them as great
destructive capacity as the sparrows. The four that the crow destroys
would have devoured, before they leave us in autumn, at least 30,000
caterpillars and other insects. A pair of thrushes has been actually seen
to carry over a hundred insects, principally caterpillars, to their young in
an hour's time : if we suppose that the family mentioned above be fed for
only six hours in the day, they would eat six hundred per diem, at least,
while they remain in the nest ; which being three weeks, the amount would
be 12,600 ; and before they leave us in the fall, allowing only fifty each per
day, — a very small number, — they would, in the aggregate, kill 20,000
more.
Now, we find that the crow in one day destroys birds that would,
together, eat 96,040 insects before they would leave us for their winter
homes, or about ninety-six times as many as it would eat in a day if its food
consisted entirely of them. It is therefore injurious, during the last half
of May, — keeping our original calculation in view, — 598 units.
During the whole month of June and the first half of July, while its
family are in the nest, it is at least doubly destructive ; for its young are
possessed of voracious appetites, requiring an abundance of food to supply
them. Allowing, then, that, of its and their diet, half consists, of insects
during this period, it is beneficial about 46 units ; but, as at least one-half
of the other half consists of young birds and eggs, it is injurious during the
same period at least 96 units daily, or 4,320 units for June and the
first half of July. The remaining quarter of its and their food during
this time consists of berries and various small seeds, and reptiles ; and
this diet may be considered as of neutral importance, economically speaking.
During the last half of July, and through August and the first half of
September, its diet consists of about half insects and mice ; and the balance^,
of berries and small fruits. It is therefore, during this time, beneficial
Table Decoratiois. 49
about 30 units ; and is not injurious, otherwise than by eating garden
fruits or grains, — items that I do not consider in the present discussion.
From the middle of September until November, its food loses much
of its fruit character, because of the failure of supply ; and it feeds at least
two-thirds on insects and other noxious animals : it is therefore bene-
firial 30 units, and is not injurious ; and, during November and December,
it i«i beneficial to about the same extent that it is in February and March,
or about 40 units.
We have now but to condense the foregoing results, and we have, in the
aggrej ate, the sum total of the crow's merits and demerits.
We find, that, during the whole year, it is beneficial to the amount of 229
units, and that it is injurious to the extent of 4,918 units. If, for the sake
of the greatest indulgence, we take but one-fourth of this enormous
disproportion as the actual fact, we still have an exhibit that proves at
once that these birds are not only worthless, but are ruinously destructive.
In presenting this short article, I will say that I am not moved in the
least by prejudice or ill feeling for a much-disliked bird, but that I state the
facts as they are, and simply to throw a little light on a subject that has given
rise to much discussion and controversy. In conclusion, I will say that
the jays are equally injurious with the crows, and that they are not deserv-
ing of a moment's indulgence or protection at the hands of the ruralist.
E. A. Savjuels.
TABLE DECORATIONS.
During the last few years, much attention has been attracted in Eng-
land to the decorations usually employed for the dinner-table ; and the result
has been the general disuse of the old style of clumsy, awkward epergnes,
composed of heavy-plated white metal and glass, and the introduction of a
neater, lighter, and more artistic form of ornament. These new styles
depend mostly for effect on the flowers and foliage with which they are
filled ; the material of the epcrgne filling, as is proper, a secondar}' place.
At the International Horticultural Exhibition in London, in May last,
liberal prizes were offered for the best designs for table-decoration ; and
the result was the production of many, which, for simplicity, neatness, and
elegance, can hardly be excelled.
50
Table Decorations.
In this country, much improvement is possible in this respect ; and we
commend the subject to the notice of our horticultural societies.
The following description of some of the decorations which attracted
most attention may prove interesting : —
The above figure represents one of the dinner-table decorations. Such
ornaments for the dining-table are confessedly the most difficult arrange-
Table Decorations. 5^
ments that taste has to achieve. If very dwarf, they are insignificant, except
to the guests beside them ; if of medium height, and closely ornamented
with flowers and foliage, they intercept all vis-a-vis communication, and
destroy the effect which ought to be produced by the toict ensemble of the
table ; if tall, so that a portion of the floral decoration is above the heads
of the guests, and the remainder on the level of the table, the effect of those
separated portions of decoration is extraordinarily weakened. This design,
we think, avoids all these defects. Though of medium height, the upper
part is of a form not to obstruct the eye of the guest in any direction ; yet
the floral decoration is sufficiently raised to entirely rescue it from being
considered insignificant, even by the guests most distant from it.
The figure may be thus briefly described : A glass stalk rises perpen-
dicularly from the centre of a circular glass mirror ; and, from the outer
edges of this mirror, glass chains connect it with the top of the centra!
stalk. These glass chains are not by any means small and fragile, but
sturdy-looking links, stouter than those of iron that are used by wagoners
for yoking horses ; and they, not being tight, give a graceful and easy bend
to what is, in reality, a brace. The outer rim of this mirror is very taste-
fully dressed with flowers and foliage ; and a little, but very little, of these
is laid against the three chains, which form so important a part of the
design ; the whole requiring very little of either flowers or foliage.
The flowers used are blue and white iris and double narcissus, foliage of
the same, and a few ferns and variegated leaves in character. For the
border, small plants of lily of the valley and .of ferns, intermixed with ivy.
Side devices, rather smaller than the centre, may have crimson and rose
rhododendrons, with buds and foliage of the same ; a few variegated leaves ;
Virginia-creeper leaves round the top border ; and some maiden-hair fern.
The frame of this device, or epergne, is of solid glass, and rests on a
plateau of silvered glass, ornamented with glass chain-work ; and there are
three corresponding chains of glass from the top to the base.
The specimens shown were intended for a large banquet or buffet. The
proportions would require to be reduced for an ordinaiy dinner-table.
Another dinner-table decoration consisted of three circles of looking-
glass, having an edging of ferns, lycopods, and a few flowers, interspersed;
with a few taller fronds, and pieces of the white-variegated Cyperus
52
Table Decoratio7is.
alternifolius, standing above the rest, or hanging over the glass. The
central glass, which was the largest, was arched over with white coral,
partially concealed by fronds of adiantums and golden fern. Altogether,
this was a tasteful and elegant arrangement.
The drawing-room decoration, of which we give a representation, has for
its flowers lily of the valley only, — with the exception of a purple laslia, —
with three blooms in the centre ; a few variegated stove-plant leaves, and
Culture of Roses in Pots, and Forcing. 53
Japanese honeysuckle, twining up the stem. There is a glass rod in the
centre, to which are attached three light glass chains ; and the glass dish
supporting the rod is placed upon a silvered glass plateau, encircled with
crystal beads.
The use of glass, in many graceful forms, produces effects far better than
those produced by metal. If silver light is needed, the required effect
may be given by employing silvered glass. Ferns and the larger lycopo-
dia are very useful in table decoration ; and the maiden-hair fern (adian-
tum) is peculiarly adapted to this purpose.
AVe have seen a very effective table decoration in the form of a circular
glass dish, about fifteen inches in diameter, from the centre of which
springs a silvered glass rod about an inch thick and eighteen inches high,
supporting another flat, round glass dish about half as large as the lower
one. These glasses, filled with delicate flowers and ferns, with a graceful
vine twined round the central stalk, make by far the prettiest table deco-
rations we have seen.
Adapted from English '•''Journal of Horticulture^''
CULTURE OF ROSES IN POTS, AND FORCING.
The best roses for forcing are those which have been established a
year in pots, particularly if required to bloom early, — say in January. I
shall presume that the plants for early bloom have been obtained in May.
They should be shifted from the small pots in which they are usually
received into pots six inches in diameter, draining these to one-fourth
their depth with broken pots, with a little of the rougher parts of the
compost over the drainage. I have found no better compost for pot
roses than that formed of turf from a pasture the soil of which is rather
strong hazel or yellow loam. The turf — having been pared off two inches
thick, and laid up in alternate layers with sheep-droppings, or, where the
latter cannot be procured, with horse-droppings instead — should be allowed
to lie six months, and then be turned, and, in three more, again turned.
At the end of twelve months, an excellent compost will be the result.
Previous to use, it should be chopped with a spade, and made somewhat
54 Culture of Roses m Pots, and Forcing.
fine, but not sifted. When the turf is of a light nature, it is well to mix it
with cow-dung in preference to horse-manure, and with neither till it is a
year old at least ; using equal quantities of loam and thoroughly-rotted
manure, of whatever kind. About one-sixth of sharp sand may be added
to make the soil porous. To keep worms out of the pots, a little soot may
be sprinkled over the pieces of turf placed on the drainage.
In potting, turn the plants out of the small pots ; pick away the drainage
carefully ; press the balls gently, so as to loosen them ; and place the plant
with its stem in the centre of the pot ; then fill in the compost (which
should be in a medium condition as regards moisture) round the ball, and
so that the roots may be covered about an inch. Press it well, give a
good watering, and set the pots on slates or a concrete floor, in an open
and sunny situation, filling the intervals between the pots with tan or
sawdust up to the rims.
In this situation the plants are to remain through the summer, being
well supplied with water, and frequently sprinkled overhead or syringed.
The very weak shoots should be removed, and any showing for bloom are
to have the buds pinched out. The very long shoots must be cut back to
eight joints, if they make more than twelve : otherwise let them alone.
Stopping the shoots should not be practised until the middle of August.
The pots should be occasionally examined to see that the roots do not
make their way through the holes at the bottom : the object of placing the
pots on slates is to prevent this as much as possible.
Early in September, if all has gone well, the plants will be strong, and
have filled their pots with roots. This being the case, shift them at once
into eight-inch pots, in the same compost as before, adding, however, one-
sixth charcoal, with the dust sifted out, in pieces from the size of a pea to
that of a hazel-nut ; and this, with the sand, may form one-fourth of the
compost. Drain the pots well, and press the soil gently round the ball,
which should be loosened a little, so as to disentangle the roots. If loam
from rotted turfs cannot be procured, then the compost may be formed
of two-thirds loam, and one-third leaf-mould or well-rotted manure, add-
ing about one-fourth of river or sharp sand, and pieces of charcoal. After
potting, give a good watering, and place the pots on the slates ; filling in
the spaces between them with sawdust or spent tan.
Culture of Roses in Pots, and Forcing. 55
lii a month after potting, the pots will have become full of roots : the
plants having the strongest and best-matured wood should then be cut in
to from four to six eyes, more or less, according to their strength. It
should be borr^e in mind that the weak are to be cut in most ; and the
strongest shoots, the least. The weak shoots may be cut in to two or
three eyes ; those of medium strength, to four eyes ) and the strong, to from
four to six eyes. Now, if possible, protect the shoots from wet by placing
them in an open shed, and keep them rather dry for a fortnight or three
weeks. If pruned in the second week in October, they may be thus rested
until the first week in November ; then they will soon break well if the pots
be plunged to the rim in a bed of tan or other fermenting material, with a
heat of not more than 70°, in a house with a night-temperature of 45°.
Here they should be sprinkled through a syringe with water, morning and
evening.
When the eyes have broken, and the shoots are an inch or so in length,
the night-temperature may be raised to 50°, and that is as high as it need
be for forcing roses until the buds show color ; then it may be increased to
55°. When in bloom, a temperature of 50° from fire-heat is sufficiently
high. The plants should be kept near the glass ; and the roof must not be
shaded by creepers, or otherwise. Avoid a high temperature from fire-heat
by night : in fact, it would be well to let the fire go out at night in mild
weather, lighting it in the morning, and working on, so that the highest
temperature may be attained by one or two o'clock in the afternoon. On
the temperatures above named, allow a rise of 5° on dull days ; of 10° on
those days which are cloudy, with clear intervals ; and of 15° in sunny
days. The art of forcing roses is to afford them abundance of air
and plenty of heat by day, and a comparatively low night-temperature ; shut-
ting up in good time after admitting air early, so as to let in, catch, and
retain as much sun-heat and fresh air as possible. By day, the temperature
from fire-heat should not exceed 70°. The sprinkling overhead may take
place from nine to ten, a.m., and again at the time of shutting up the house ;
but in dull, foggy weather, only the morning syringing will be necessary.
Keep the plants as far from the heating-apparatus as possible ; and, above
all, avoid cold currents of air. Let the waterings be copious after growth
has become active ; but on the one hand do not over-water, and on the
56 Improved Culture of HyachitJis in Water.
other afford a supply as soon as the state of the soil shows that water is
necessary : at the same time, the soil should never be allowed to become so
dry as to affect the foliage. When the buds are formed, the pots should be
gradually withdrawn from the hotbed, partly to prevent the roots striking
into the fermenting materials, and partly to avoid a check when the bloom
is nearer expansion. They may after this be set on a hard bottom, as flags,
boards, or slates, and have liquid manure once or twice a -week, but not
strong. It may consist of one pound of guano dissolved in twenty gallons
of soft water.
When the blooms are about half expanded, or hardly so much, the plants
should be removed to a cooler house, from 45° to 50° by night. I have
never observed any check result from doing this, and the color of the
flowers is rendered deeper and brighter, and their perfume more powerful,
whilst the blooming period is likewise prolonged. When the buds are far
advanced towards expansion, syringing should be discontinued, and the
paths sprinkled instead ; also afford the plants ample room, abundance of
air when the weather permits, and all the light possible. After blooming,
they should be gradually hardened off, and not placed out of doors until
danger from frost is past.
To keep up a succession of bloom, a number of plants should be pruned
a month later than the first lot, say the first in the first week in October, the
second in November, and the third in December, introducing them into
the forcing-house in November, December, and January respectively, and
onwards up to March.
The most suitable classes for early forcing are the Provence, the hybrid
perpetuals, and the teas.
G. Abbey, in English '■'■ Journal of Horticulture^''
IMPROVED CULTURE OF HYACINTHS IN WATER.
Probably the greater number of our readers have upon their mantle-
pieces, or in their windows, some of the pretty plain or ornamental glasses
in which hyacinths are flowered in water.
During the chilly days of winter, these plants, by their fresh verdure, re-
mind us of the summer that has gone, and also foretell the promise of the
coming spring.
Improved Culture of Hyacinths in Water.
57
Last year (1864), there were exhibited by Monsieur Vavin, at a horticul-
tural show in Paris, two hyacinths grown in water, in full growth early in
November. The leaves and the roots, as is usual, grew before the flower-
spike, which remained stationary. He then conceived the idea of cutting
off the roots about an inch below the plate of the bulb, as we see in the
following figure : —
In a few days, the flower-stem developed wonderfully ; while the plants
with abundance of foliage bloomed badly. The fact seemed worthy of
notice ; but the season was too far advanced to permit of experiments on
58
Improved Culture of Hyacinths m Water.
different varieties, and the experiment did not seem sufficient to warrant
the adoption of a new rule of culture.
This year (1865), the experiment has been tried with many varieties, and
the experience of last year is fully confirmed : in every case, the finest
blooms have been developed from bulbs of which the roots have been cut
off; they being grown side by side with bulbs of the same variety, with
uncut roots. These latter have in many instances failed, as is usual, to
develop a flower-spike ; and in other cases have thrown a spike, of which
the following figure is a fair example : —
Here, then, we have a new rule of culture introduced, which applies not
only to hyacinths, but also to other bulbous plants.
The rules of culture are simply, then, to allow the flower-stalk to develop
in a cool and perfectly clear vessel.
Improved Culture of Hyacinths in Water. 59
When the stalk is about three inches high, if it is well formed, expose
the plants to a great heat.
If the le?ves grow faster than the stalk, cut off the bunch of roots about
an inch below the base of the bulb. This is the experience of Monsieur
Vavin, the evhibiter. Let us see if the experience of others confirms it.
We have also to see if he is entitled to the credit of the discovery. In
horticulture, as in other sciences, little things are often important ; and we
can show that this little experiment reveals important points in vegetable
physiology.
No modern work which we have consulted mentions cutting off the roots
of hyacinths, nor gives any new rules for their culture.
The Dutch have, for ages, excelled in the cultivation of hyacinths, and
none can produce them more perfectly. Of the old works which treat of
the culture of the hyacinth, we may especially notice the following : —
"The Florilegium " of Swertius, published at Arnheim in 1620, which
speaks of about forty varieties of hyacinths, but does not mention a
double one.
The work of Pierre Voorhelm, seventy years later, describes the first
double variety, " Marie," with white flowers, which sold for one thousand
florins. "The New Treatise on the Culture of Flowers," by the gardener
Pierre Morin, was published in Paris in 1674.
This little book contained, among many valuable articles, a chapter on hya-
cinths. They are classed as single and double, early and late, hyacinths
of Peru (probably Scilla Perimiand) ; and the varieties have strange names.
The culture prescribed differs little from that of other earlier French works,
and the plants do not attain the perfection indicated in the writings of
Dutch authors.
The " Treatise on Flowering Bulbs," of Nicolas van Kampen and Son,
— published in 1760 in Haarlem, and now very rare, — contains chapters
devoted to the choice and composition of soil for hyacinths, and upon the
points to be required for a perfect flower. It does not, however, mention
culture in water.
A "Treatise on the Culture of Different Flowers" — Saugrain, Paris;
published anonymously — gives a more elaborate treatise on history and
culture than any former writer ; and seems to have given the idea of the
famous work of St. Simon on the hyacinth ( " La Jacinthe " ), which
6o Improved Culture of Hyacinths in Water.
appeared in Amsterdam in 1768, and which contains many ideas which
appear to spring from the same source. In the chapter on the culture of
hyacinths in water, the work of Saugrain directs the use of either rain or
spring water, — never hard water, or any containing mineral salts. Bulbs
should begin to grow in October. Advocates a plentiful supply of water ;
the use of earthen pots, provided with a small cock, and made for the
purpose ; and, during cold weather, the plunging of the pots in hot dung.
To have hyacinths all winter, bring the bulbs into growth ever}- ten days ;
but do not force the same bulbs the following year.
Miller's " Gardener's Dictionary " treats fully of hyacinths, and tries to
rival Haarlem in this respect ; but the Dutch rebel, and with reason. The
rules of English botanists, at this time, give no new hints.
In all these works, we find nothing of the theory which we have broached :
St. Simon alone seems to hint at it, when he advances the opinion — at
that time strongly contested — that roots are absolutely useless for the
growth of the hyacinth.
" I do not think," he writes, " that the roots of the hyacinth are the
channels by which the sap is carried from the earth into the bulb ; but, on
the other hand, are conduits which serve to free the bulb from too much
sap, which is introduced by the solid and spongy mass in the middle of
the root, and which is called the eye of the root. It would not be difficult,
I think, to make a bulb throw up its flowers without roots ; as the maritime
squill, the autumnal crocus, the cyclamen, &c. To prove the roots absorb
nothing, I have placed them in infusions of blue, of verdigris, India ink,
and oil. The verdigris and oil killed the plant ; but the roots took up
nothing more than in the other colors, and they were perfectly transparent.
The roots cut or rotted off will not prevent the flower from push-
ing."
We see that St. Simon believed that the roots could be cut off without
injury, without knowing that it aided the flowering. His theory, that the
roots serve as conduits, does not deserv'e a refutation ; but it will appear
less ridiculous if we call to mind the formation of hyacinth-roots, composed
of a simple channel, undivided, incapable of absorbing liquids when the
spongiole at the end has been cut off. We may say that St. Simon
approaches nearest the idea of Vavin.
Hydrangea Hortensis for Out-door Decoration. 6i
The bulb of the hyacinth, before it pushes, contains in its centre the
future flower, perfectly formed.
For its development, a little heat and moisture are suffi-
cient ; and this dev^elopment is independent of the organs of
growtli.
The leaves, on the contrary, take strength, and transmit it to the bulb,
by a call upon the roots, under the influence of light and air. We can
easily see that they absorb the greater part of the nourishment, and that
they impoverish the flower.
Ed. Andre, in "Revue Idorticole."
HYDRANGEA HORTENSIS FOR OUT-DOOR DECORATION.
Perhaps no plant has been more generally cultivated than this variety
of hydrangea since its introduction by Sir J. Banks. It is a very imposing
plant when seen in its smallest form ; but when seen out of doors in au
tumn, seven feet high, in the form of a large shrub, with thousands of mon-
strous flowers resting on fine broad green leaves, it presents the grandest
subject that can be seen in our climate in connection with the flower-gar-
den, or decorating the margin of ornamental water, where it is most at
home. The propagation of this plant is so simple, and its culture in pots
so well understood, that I will not intrude with remarks on any thing
save what relates to its out-door culture.
It is frequently asserted that the hydrangea will only succeed in favorable
localities near the sea. In the west of England, and south of Ireland, it
may be seen with large shrubs, flowering freely without any protection ;
but it also may be seen thirty miles inland quite as fine by some attention
to culture. The Hydrangea hortensis is a wonderful plant to suit situation :
it may be seen in monstrous cymes on a wall facing south. On a north
wall it will flower equally grand, although not so abundantly : under the
branches of trees, on the edge of a pond, or planted on a rock, it will
flower profusely. It must not be inferred from this that good culture is
not necessary : there is no common plant on which high culture will tell
more strikingly.
In commencing with young plants, the practice here is to grow them on
a bed of loam and peat in a rough state. The plants are planted on the
62 Hydrangea Hortensis for OiU-door Decoration.
surface, and mulched with rotted dung, and watered as frequently as cir-
cumstances will permit. The plants are removed and protected in winter
until the wood assumes a shrubby character ; when they are permanently
planted out, or kept in borders, and regularly transplanted to suit require-
ments.
In a climate where frost would destroy the annual shoots, the plants may
be taken up and put into any sort of shed, with straw, or any other thatch,
to keep out frost. In this sort of treatment, it is important to maintain the
vigor of the plants ; and to this end it is necessary, when the plants are
laid in, to pack firmly moist earth about the roots. No more trouble will
be required until the latter end of May ; when the plants may be put into
summer quarters, and the weak shoots should be freely thinned out, and
the beds well watered. The hydrangea will flower but sparingly if planted
deep. Surface-feeding will produce the best result in flower, and prevent
the weakly shoots that are sure to come from deep planting. Our practice
here is to top-dress heavily the large plants with rich pond-mud, about the
end of May ; and this treatment has lengthened the continuation of bloom.
Water is the great element of success in cultivating the hydrangea. In
many places where flowers are cultivated, that element is scarce ; but, in
special cases, deep pits may be dug, and filled up with peat}' sods or other
spongy materials : this has been done here with success. Some of the pits
were dug out six feet deep, the hole filled in with rough sods, on top of
which was put a layer of stiff clay, on which was put a layer of rotted dung,
and hydrangeas planted over the surface-level. The object of the pits is
to secure uniform moisture. The plants are a large size, and flower to ad-
miration. I have tried with various earths the changing of the flowers
fi'om pink to blue. I have found the same result in pure clay, pure peat,
and in the simple bodies : experience forbids me giving any decided opinion
on this matter. Some of the American varieties of hydrangea are very
beautiful hardy-flowering shrubs.
Charles M'-Donald, in " Scottish Gardener.^''
[A mixture of iron filings or blacksmith-forge filings with the earth will
cause the flowers to change from pink to blue. Watering with chalk-water
will counteract this effect, and change the flowers to pink again. In some
soils, the hydrangea naturally flowers blue. — Ed.]
Literary Notices. 63
LITERARY NOTICES.
Bulbs : A Treatise on Hardy and Tender Bulbs and Tubers, by Edward
Sprague Rand, Jun., author of " Flowers for the Parlor and Garden,"
&c., &c. Boston : J. E. Tilton & Co. Price $3.00.
The science of horticulture, as generally understood and practised in this
country, comprehends primarily the culture of fruit ; subordinately, that of flowers.
The tastes of the American people are practical : fruit is pecuniarily profitable ;
flowers gratify only the aesthetic sentiment. But following the accumulation of
wealth, and the multiplying opportunities for its indulgence, a love for the more
delicate and finer gifts of Nature is being rapidly developed ; and notably is
this true with respect to the love of flowers, and floriculture. In passing, it may
be remarked, that the publication of such works as the one under notice has
had a powerful influence in eflTecting this gratifying change. A beautiful garden
is now an indispensable adjunct of a country-house ; and there are few city-
homes which make any claims to refinement and intellectual culture that are
not brightened and perfumed by a few fondly-tended house-plants.
There can be no better evidence of the progress of this revolution than the
fact, that the state of popular feeling justifies the preparation of so careful and
altogether satisfactory a scientific work as Mr. Rand's " Book of Bulbs." Its
subject is strange to most, and novel to all. Only the most enthusiastic floricul-
turists, of whom there have been comparatively few in this country, have taken
pains to inform themselves minutely as to this department of the science. Every
one who knows any thing of flowers is aware that the tulips, the hyacinths, the
crocuses, and the hlies, in his garden, belong to the bulb family ; but what are
the distinguishing characteristics of bulbs, their habits, the best mode of their
culture, the soils that favor them, their enemies in the insect world, with a
thousand other particulars which make up the science itself, are questions which
very few, even of our most ardent gardeners, have been competent to answer.
It is for the enlightenment of these, and of the gi'eat mass to whom the exqui-
site dyes of the amaryllis and the gladiolus, and the creamy whiteness of the calla
{Richardia), are but the common bounty of Providence, to be accepted without
gratitude or curiosity, — it is for the enlightenment of such that this book was de-
signed. We have no hesitation in saying that the work has been admirably done ;
and, if it fails of its purpose, we shall be less sanguine as to the speedy populariza-
tion of floricultural knowledge. To the multitude, who love flowers as mere things
of beaut}-, and to the ardent amateur, to whom they appeal as illustrating the
most exquisite processes of Nature, these biographical sketches of some of the
loveliest of the floral sisterhood are full of instruction and delight.
The fact that no authoritative work on bulbs, suited to the age and the ad-
vanced state of horticultural knowledge, is now extant, makes this publication
especially timely. The works of Loudon and Herbert were admirable in
their day, but are no more suited to this than would be the crude specula-
64 Literary Notices.
tions of Copernicus and Galileo to these post-Herschel times. Mr. Rand may
safely claim for his work that it is the only treatise on bulbs which meets the
wants of floriculturists of to-day.
But this general distinction is speedily lost sight of upon examination of its
particular merits. These are, palpably, its clear and systematic arrangement,
its affluence of learning, minuteness of information, and attractive style. The first
of these is not the least important : it is worth much to be able to open a book,
and, by a glance at the table of contents or the index, to turn without hesitation
to the very topic of which you wish to read. Of the second and third, space
will not allow us to cite evidences ; but a moment's inspection of the book will
convince the reader that here may be found just what he wants to know about
bulbs, set forth in simple and graceful language.
These general remarks have been so extended as to preclude any minute ex-
amination of the features of Mr. Rand's book ; and we can do no more than
merely to indicate in it what seem to us to be characteristics of special excellence
and value to the horticulturist.
The remarks on and rules for the practical cultivation of bulbs embrace all
the instruction that is needed by any one possessing even the slightest knowl-
edge of flowers, in order to the successful cultivation of bulbs. The most un-
practical young lady may learn from these how she may, at small expense and
pains, glorify her parlor with the beauty and fragrance of those flowers which
are specially adapted for house-culture. This portion of the volume cannot be
epitomized : every line of it contains a lesson, which must be read in order to
be learned. The author's views on the preservation of varieties are confirmed
by general testimony ; and his tests by which good bulb-plants may be distin-
guished from poor are simple and conclusive. The tulip, hyacinth, crocus, and
one or two others, as being the best-known and most common bulb-plants, are
properly treated in separate chapters, and more at length ; while rarer varieties,
many of which are unknown in this country, receive briefer notice. It is to be
hoped that Mr. Rand will supplement this popular treatise with another, which
shall supply information of a more eclectic and recondite nature. To the New-
England reader, the chapter on the lily, which, best of all bulbs, flourishes in
our cold climate, will be specially interesting.
It is, perhaps, unnecessary to set forth the inducements to the cultivation of
bulbs : but there may be some readers who are not aware, that, less perhaps
than any other class of plants, they are liable to disease, or to the attacks of in-
sects ; that they are easily cultivated in the garden and as house-plants ; and
that, in beauty and fragrance, they vie successfully with the entire floral family.
Their adaptedness for house-culture should specially recommend them to lady-
amateurs ; few of whom, having read Mr. Rand's volume, — whose elegant dress,
faultless typography, and exquisite illustrations, are fitting concomitants to the
delightful subject he treats of, — but will clamor for a garden-spot if they are for-
tunately rural residents ; or for a conservatory, or at least a flower-stand, if they
are " city people."
MARSHALL PINCKNEY WILDER.*
Marshall P. Wilder was born in Rindge, in the State of New Hamp-
shire, on the 2 2d of September, 1798.
Our limits do not allow us to enter much into detail with regard to any
portion of Mr. Wilder's life, much less that part which is not purely
horticultural.
His paternal ancestors * were among the early settlers of the beautiful
English-like town of Lancaster, Mass. ; his grandmother being sister of
Samuel Locke, a former President of Harvard University. His father
bore the name of Samuel Locke, was of Puritan origin and Puritan prin-
ciples, and connected a farm with his mercantile pursuits. Marshall P.
was the eldest of nine children, and was tenderly loved by his mother,
who was a gifted woman, pious like her husband, a great admirer of the
beautiful in Nature, and a lover of rural pursuits and of countiy life.
Under the influence of such a home, young Wilder caught the love of
Nature and of the pursuits of the farmer. It was here that he learned
to revere every thing that was sacred, and to support the institutions of
* Livingston's Memoirs of Eminent Americans, p. 513.
VOL. 1.
65
66 Marshall Pinckney Wilder.
religion. His ardent temperament, and precocity of mind, led his parents
to desire their eldest-born to have a liberal education; and, having pursued
most of the studies usually taught in common schools, he was sent to
New-Ipswich Academy at the age of about twelve years, with a view of
preparing him for college. But he found the inside of an academy, and
the dead languages, rather too tame to satisfy his genius. He preferred the
wild sports of country life, the healthful exercise of the farm, rather than
scaling the heights of mathematics.
His good parents now gave him his choice, — to go to college and
prepare for one of the learned professions, to enter the store of his father
and become a merchant, or to learn the art of farming upon the old
homestead. He preferred the latter; and was, ere long, a youthful farmer,
familiar with the various processes of tillage, and with the use of agricul-
tural tools.
But, the trade of his father increasing, the young farmer was needed in
the store, which he was induced to enter; but how was his pride mortified
that he was to be a mere apprentice ! — that he must begin at the lowest
round, and ascend the mercantile ladder! He soon found, however, that it
was not good to rely upon his ancestry or parents for a name and success,
but upon himself. He met and conquered the difficulties of his chosen
profession, and finally became a partner with his father.
In the year 1825, Mr. Wilder sought and entered upon a wider field of
mercantile enterprise in the city of Boston. He was then a husband and
a father, and, until the decease of his first wife, resided in the cit}-, near to
his several places of business, but in 1832 purchased and removed to his
present residence in Dorchester. For nearly the whole of his mercantile
life in this city, he has been a member of the firm of Parker, Wilder, &
Co. ; a firm to which he is at present attached. It is a well-known com-
mission-house for the sale of various woollen and other goods manufactured
by several of the leading mills of this section of the countr}\ The pres-
ent warehouse is on Winthrop Square, and is one of the most imposing
and best situated in the city. There is also a branch house in New York.
Mr. Wilder has been an honorable and successful merchant. He has
been too generous and public-spirited to become immensely wealthy; but he
has secured a comfortable fortune without resorting to wild speculation,
Marshall Pinckney Wilder. 67
without ever having failed to meet his business obligations. He passed
safely tlirough the commercial storms of 1837, 1847, 1857, and 1861.
In connection with his business, he has been useful in several moneyed
institutions. He has been a director in the Hamilton Bank and the
National Insurance Company ever since their organization, or for more
than thirty years. For twenty years, he has been a director of the New-
England Life-insurance Company; and has also been chairman of the
Advisory Board of the London and Liverpool Insurance Company.
Col. Wilder has held an intimate connection with military life, under a
conviction that the existence of military power is the surest safeguard of
civil authority. His last command was that of the Ancient and Honora-
ble Artillery Company, at its 219th anniversary.
Col. Wilder was never specially fond of political life. Had he loved it
as well as he does horticulture, he might have occupied one of the highest
places in the gift of the nation.
After his removal to his adopted State, he uniformly declined political
office until 1837, when he consented, at the solicitation of his neighbors,
to represent them in the Legislature of Massachusetts for one year. Ten
years from that date, he was again called to civil office, as a member of
the Governor's council. The next year, he was chosen a State senator
from the county of Norfolk; and, on the organization of the Senate, was
elected president of the body, — a place that he filled with eminent ability.
The name of Col. Wilder was often mentioned, in 1852, as a suitable
candidate for the chief magistracy of the State, by members of the party
in power. His views in declining such a use of his name are expressed
by him in the following lines : " During the remainder of my days, I wish
to prosecute, without interruption, my commercial business; to enjoy, as
far as possible, the comforts of rural life and of domestic tranquillity; and
to devote such time as I may be able to command to agriculture, horticul-
ture, and kindred arts. These are far more congenial to my taste; and in
them I tmst I may be able to do more for the welfare of my fellow-citizens,
for the prosperity of my beloved country, and for the progress of society." *
For a long course of years, Mr. Wilder has occupied conspicuous places
in societies that are devoted to the advancement of agriculture and horti-
culture.
• Communication in Boston Daily Journal, Sept. 7, 1852.
6S Marshall Pinckney Wilder.
As early as 1849, when in the prime of life, he took an active part in
the organization of the Norfolk-county Agricultural Society. At the
primary meeting, his Excellency Charles Francis Adams, our distinguished
minister at the court of St. James, presided, and gave a handsome dona-
tion towards founding the society. Mr. Wilder was elected the president
of the association. He has been annually re-elected from that day to
this. In the autumn of the same year, the first exhibition of the society
was held at Dedham. It was a great agricultural day for that period, with
its assembly of ten thousand people, with the fine cattle-show, and with
the great array of talent that was collected at the dinner-table. The
president was the orator of the day, and, for an hour and a quarter,
discoursed eloquently upon the noble subject of agriculture, particularly
agricultural education. At the festive board were assembled, by his
invitation, Webster, Everett, Mann, Quincy, Briggs, and a galaxy of names
such as are seldom recorded on similar occasions.* The novelt}- of the
presence of ladies at the tables, at the instance of the president, made the
hours pass all the more agreeably ; and the custom was soon adopted at
similar anniversaries throughout New England.
At this period, and during his whole life, Mr. Wilder received many
invitations to deliver addresses before various agricultural societies. The
Governor of this Commonwealth appointed him Chairman of the Massa-
chusetts Commission for the World's Fair in London, in 1850. As
another compliment for his agricultural and horticultural services, he was
appointed a commissioner of the Exhibition of the Industry' of all Nations,
in the Crystal Palace in New -York City, in 1853, and was present on
that occasion. He was also appointed, by the Royal Pomological So-
ciety of Belgium, — a government institution, — the commissioner for
America.
In several addresses. Col. Wilder has advocated agricultural education ;
and, while President of the Senate, procured the passage in that body, by
a unanimous vote, of a bill for the establishment of an Agricultural College,
which failed in the House. In consequence of this failure, he submitted
a bill, which passed into a resolve, authorizing the Executive to appoint a
board of five commissioners, who were to examine the subject more
* Agricultural Transactions of Norfolk County, 1849-51, pp. i3:-i4S.
Marshall Pinckney Wilder. 69
thoroughly, and report to the next Legislature. He was made chairman
of this commission, and in connection with Rev. President Hitchcock
of Amherst College, another member, drew up a report on the subject of
agricultural education; the materials of the report being made up of Dr.
Hitchcock's observations in Europe in visiting a large number of agricul-
tural schools and experimental farms. These united efforts were the seed
which has chiefly given rise to the Agricultural College that is now estab-
lished at Amherst, of which Mr. Wilder is the first tmstee.
At this period, Mr. Wilder was the leading spirit in influencing the
different agricultural societies of this State to act in harmony, and in the
movement out of which grew the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture,
of which he was elected president in 1851, and for eleven years a member,
by appointment of the Governor's council. In connection with the Board
of Agriculture, he suggested a national convention of cultivators, which
should endeavor to do for the agriculture of the whole country what the
Board were attempting for that of Massachusetts. Similar suggestions
came from gentlemen connected with agricultural societies in other States.
As a result, the United-States Agricultural Society was organized at
Washington, D.C., in 1852; and Col. Wilder was elected its first president,
and held the office for six years, or until his resignation of the same.
During his presidency, Mr. Wilder addressed the society in Massa-
chusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky. The attend-
ance of people was often from seventy to eighty thousand a day; and
the cash receipts of a single exhibition sometimes amounted to nearly
forty thousand dollars. Under his administration was instituted the
" Great National Field-trial of Reapers and Mowers " at Syracuse, N.Y.,
— the first of the kind in the world, — when forty-two machines were
entered for competition, and kept up the exciting contest for a week.
At the close of his official duties, the society presented him with its
large gold medal of honor, inscribed to Mr. Wilder as " Founder, First
President, and, Constant Patron;" and with a tea-service of solid silver,
with a complimentary inscription.
Col. Wilder, as a horticulturist and pomologist, has a world wide repu-
tation. It is in this capacity that he is best known everywhere.
Soon after he removed to Boston, or in the year 1829, was organized
JO Marshall Pinckney Wilder.
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, under the leadership of Gen.
Henry A. S. Dearborn, who was elected its first president. Col. Wilder
was one of the noble band that founded this society. At its eleventh
annual meeting, in 1840, he was elected the fourth president of the
societ}-, and was annually re-elected to the same office for eight years.
During his presidency, much from his personal exertions, the property of
the society increased from a small amount to nearly forty thousand dollars.
Through his leadership, the old Horticultural Hall in School Street was
erected, which was for so many years an ornament to the city. It was
a brilliant period in the history of the society. Its several festivals in
Faneuil Hall and elsewhere were attended by the talent and elite of the
country, and constituted gala-days of each year.
It was chiefly through the exertions of Col. Wilder as one of the com-
mittee that separated the society from Mount- Auburn Cemetery, which it
really had the honor of founding, that the committee agreed on the terms
of separation. He was the pacificator, and the proposer of those favor-
able terms for the society which were finally accepted, and which have
been its chief source of wealth, and which must greatly increase those
riches in all time to come. As a memorial, Mr. Charles O. Whitmore has
presented a fine marble bust of Mr. Wilder to the society, which now
adorns the Library Hall, and will forever be a monument of his disinter-
ested labors.* Col. Wilder is still an active member of the society; has
been one of its Executive Committee for twenty-six years, and of the Fi-
nance Committee for eighteen.
But Mr. Wilder has been more widely known at home and abroad as
the President of the American Pomological Society for the past eighteen
years, — a position that he still occupies. He and such men as Andrew J.
Downing, and men of like tastes, had long considered the formation of
such a society as important to the interests of American pomolog)^
Accordingly, in July, 1848, he drew up a circular, calling a meeting of
fruit-growers and horticulturists in the city of New York. on the follow-
ing October. This was signed by committees of several States, Mr.
Wilder's name being first, as in the case of the call for the convention that
formed the United-States Agricultural Society.
* The Horticulturist for 1863, pp. 163, 164.
Marshall Pinchiey Wilder. 71
Col. Wilder has delivered addresses before it in the cities of New York,
Philadelphia, Boston, and Rochester ; as well as a eulogy on his lamented
friend, Mr. Andrew J. Downing. When it is considered that these ad-
dresses, and many others before various societies and on numerous festive
occasions, were written and delivered by a person with little more than a
common-school education ; that they were prepared in intervals snatched
from the grasp of his mercantile profession, in connection with the profes-
sion of a horticulturist, — the industry, tact, learning, and genius of the
orator appear quite remarkable.
We have space for but two or three brief extracts from Col. Wilder's
addresses. In an address before the American Pomological Society,* he
said, —
" Our trees — from the opening bud to the golden harvest ; from the
laying-off of their gay autumnal livery, and during their rest in winter's
shroud, waiting a resurrection to a new and superior life — are all
eloquent preachers, proclaiming to our inmost soul,
' The Hand that made us is divine.'
Taught by their counsels, who does not admire the wisdom, perfection,
and beauty of this fair creation.' — the tiny bud, incased in coats of mail
so that the rude blasts may not visit it too roughly, rivalling in its mechan-
ism the human eye, and destined to perpetuate its own species distinctive
as the soul of man; the enamelled blossom, unfolding her virgin bosom to
the warm embrace of vernal air, bespangling the orchard with starry spray,
scarcely less beautiful than the glittering host of night, dancing in rainbow
hues, and flinging on the breeze a fragrance richer than the spices of
Ceylon's isles, — sweet harbinger of bountiful harvest; the luscious fruits,
God's best gift to man, save woman, — the melting pear, rough or polished
rind, with sweetest, honeyed flavor; the burnished apple, tempting human
taste, from the mother of our race to her last fair daughter; the royal
grape, clustering beneath its bower of green, making glad the heart of
man; the brilliant cherry, suffused with loveliest tints of rose and white,
or dyed in deepest incarnadine; the velvet /^a<r//, mantled with beauty's
softest blush, and vying with the oriency of the morning; the delicious
* See Address for 1858, p. 24.
'J2 Marshall Pinckney Wilder.
plum, veiled with silvery bloom, over robes of azure, purple, or cloth of
vegetable gold." And more of equal beauty and eloquence.
In the course of his address before the same society at Boston, in 1862,
Mr. Wilder uttered these characteristic words : "Oh! let me be remem-
bered in some beautiful flower, some graceful tree, some luscious fruit.
Oh, yes ! far better than storied monument or sculptured urn, let me be
remembered as one who labored to adorn and improve the earth, to pro-
mote the pleasure and welfare of those who are to follow me."
At the Exhibition of the United-States Agricultural Societ}' in 1855,
Ex.-Gov. King of New York remarked, in reference to Mr. Wilder, "I have
served with the president of this society ; and I am here to saj', that I
know no abler, more efficient officer for this distinguished post. At home
and abroad, the same man, the same power, the same vigor, the same intel-
lect, are brought to bear on the great cause we are here assembled to
celebrate."
It is Col. Wilder's custom to rise early, to devote the morning to books,
and to the superintendence of his garden and nursery ; the middle of the day
to mercantile business in Boston; and the evening to his family and study.
During his leisure hours, he has filled several large folio volumes with
his own sketches, delineations, and descriptions of fruits proved under his
personal inspection. This has been the work of a long life. He continues
these investigations daily; and it is to be hoped that the public may have
the benefit of these studies. He has made the pear a speciality. His
collection of pears embraces every variety, foreign and native, of note; to
which he adds the novelties of every year. Having a correspondence with
the most distinguished pomologists of Europe and America, he receives
annually all such as are worthy of notice. His collection embraces twenty-
five hundred bearing-trees; and he has had, during his life, more than
eight hundred varieties of the pear on his grounds. Among plants, the
camellia has been his speciality. He has had many hundreds of varieties,
thousands of plants, and more than a thousand seedlings, some of which
bear the names of himself and family, which he secured by hybridization,
of which he has given a published account.
Enough has been written to give the chief points in Col. Wilder's life.
He has performed the work of several ordinar)' men during a long life.
Marshall Pinckney Wilder. 73
and he has been eminent in all that he has undertaken. He has great
ability as a presiding officer; and has often been called upon, not only to
be the president of several societies, but to occupy the chair on special oc-
casions; as at the first meeting of persons called to consult in reference
to what has now become the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of
which he is a vice-president; at the celebration in Dorchester in 1855, it
being the two hundred and twenty-fifth year from the landing of the first
settlers, when Hon. Edward Everett delivered the oration ; at the second
festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, when he succeeded Mr. Webster
as president of the association ; and on occasions previously mentioned.
Had Mr. Wilder received a liberal education, and become devoted to
either of the learned professions, he would have attained to eminence.
Without the advantages of a public education, he has written more that
will live, and has exerted more influence in the world, than the majority of
those who have enjoyed the highest advantages in schools and universities;
and he stands out as one of the best examples of a self-made man. His
chief influence has been exerted as a merchant, as an agriculturist, and
especially as a horticulturist; while as a gentleman of benevolence, of
public spirit, of ardent patriotism, of unblemished morals, he has made
his influence felt far and wide. His earnest and well-spoken addresses
have been listened to by hundreds of thousands of his countrymen, and
in print they have been read by millions. He has suffered recently from
ill health, but is now convalescent, and, it is hoped, will live long in the en-
joyment of health and happiness.
We cannot better conclude than in the words of Gov. Bullock at the late
Exhibition in Dedham : " I meet here to-day the members of this useful and
prosperous society of Norfolk, sitting and rejoicing under the presidency
of one who has applied the results of well-earned commercial fortune to the
development of the capacities of the earth, so largely and so liberally, that,
in every household and at every fireside in America where the golden fruit
of summer and autumn gladdens the side-board or the hearth-stone, his
name, his generosity, and his labors, are known and honored." *
* The excellent likeness of Col. Wilder which we present is from a fine steel engraving, formerly exe-
cuted in connection with his services wliile President both of the American Pomological and the United-
States Agricultural Societies.
74
Flowers of May.
FLOWERS OF MAY.
In the last number, we chronicled, in their due succession, the opening
of the hardy flowers of April, — such of them as bloomed in our sight last
spring. Now we continue the record with the flowers of May.
We begin with a native of our woods, reclaimed and domesticated. A
bed about four feet in diameter, covered with the broad green foliage of
Trillium, grajidiflorum, on which rest more than a hundred triangular
Flowers of May. 75
flowers, each three inches wide, and of the purest whiteness, is one of the
most beautiful objects in the garden at any season. It is precisely such a
bed as this which furnished the text of what we are writing.
The trilliums are, for the most part, an exceedingly shy family. They
love moist, half-shaded woods, and thrive in the rich mould of decayed
vegetation. There are many kinds ; but most of them, when removed to
the garden, pine and dwindle. We well remember, some years ago,
admiring the profusion and beauty of the pink-and-white flowers of Trillium
pictum, in a swamp at Island Pond, Vt., not half a mile behind the railway
station. These, and the fine native shrub, Viburnum lantanoides, with its
rich clusters of milk-white flowers, were queens of the solitude. Once or
twice since then, we have planted Trillium pidum in the garden, given it
all the rotten leaves it could desire, and otherwise encouraged it to the
best of our skill ; but it would not thrive ; and we doubt if any of it is
now living. The purple trillium is more manageable, and has lived here
six or eight years, blooming a little every spring. Yet, as a garden flower,
neither this nor any other of its race is to be compared with Trilliu7n
grandiflorum, which, in a well-prepared soil, — that is, a light soil enriched
with leaf mould, — will thrive to admiration, and bloom with increased
beauts- every year. The plants should not be often removed or divided,
except for purposes of propagation. It is a tedious and difficult process
to raise them from seed ; and to divide the root is the best way to
increase them for the amateur cultivator. We know no locality where
they grow wild in this neighborhood. Ours were sent us from Canada,
where they grew in a pasture on the slopes of the Mountain of Montreal.
There were about twent}' of the tuberous roots, which, being planted,
bloomed rather feebly the next year, but improved every spring, till they
formed a superb circle of bloom. Some of them have since been divided,
and it will require one or more seasons to restore them to perfection.
The buds open with the whiteness of a snow-drift; and they remain a long
time in this state, at length assuming a rosy tint as they fade.
A bed of polyanthus, side by side with the trillium, forms a striking
contrast with its virgin white ; for it is gay with innumerable brilliant, not
to say gaudy, hues, — red, brown, crimson, yellow, pink, purple, black, and
T^ Flowers of May.
scarlet. The polyanthus, the primrose (not the evening primrose, a very
different flower), and the cowslip (not our meadow cowslip, which is no
cowslip at all, but a Caltha or marsh-marigold), — these three, we say, are
plants very nearly akin, being all closely allied members of the genus
Primula. The auricula is of the same race, and the most beautiful, but,
in the latitude of Boston, not so easy of cultivation as a border-flower. It
usually bears the winter ; but the hot, dry summer withers it away.
Indeed, moisture is the great need of all the family. A damp border,
under a north wall, is a good place for them. Plant them in a light soil
mixed with rotten leaves and very old manure, cover them thinly with dry
leaves or coarse hay in winter, and in the spring they will give you abundant
flowers, rising in bright trusses eight or ten inches from the soft green of
the tufted foliage. After they have done their blooming, you may divide
them ; and thus, in a few years, you may multiply them indefinitely. Or
you may choose the best, remove them while in bloom with a ball of earth
about the roots, plant them apart from the inferior sorts, and save the seed,
from which good varieties will be sure to spring.
The polyanthus and auricula are the pride of the family. The primrose
and cowslip are in less esteem ; though the yellow primrose is, to our
thinking, very beautiful. The two first, though very desirable in the
border, are pre-eminently " florist flowers ; " and those who wish to practise
their elaborate culture in pots will find good directions, in the books of
Hogg and Glenny, on the treatment of this class of plants.
May 2. — Poletnonium reptans. — This is a species of the plant commonly
known as "Jacob's-ladder." It is of a dwarf growth and creeping habit.
The flowers are bright blue, and it will grow anywhere. Chclidonium
diphylla. — A plant with succulent leaves and a yellow flower, not devoid
of beaut}'. Phlox subulata. — This is the well-known moss-pink, whose
innumerable flowers of pink, rose, and white, overspread the garden
borders at this season with their rich masses of color. Nothing is easier
of cultivation. It asks little but to be let alone. The white variet}-, with
a pink spot in the centre, is, perhaps, the prettiest. Phlox divaricata. —
This is of taller growth, with clusters of flowers of a porcelain-blue. It
commonly blooms a little later than the other.
Flower's of May.
77
SpircEa alpina. — A graceful little shrub, not among the most conspicuous
of its race : its best quality is its earliness.
May 3. — Epimedium macranthiim. — This is a very curious hardy peren-
nial, with clusters of whitish flowers of a singular shape and considerable
beauty.
May 10. — Spircza primifolia. — Few shrubs are finer than this, or so fine,
when it is in its perfection. Its long, slender shoots are thickly set with
innumerable white flowers, like miniature roses. It rarely suffers from the
winter : and its foliage in the autumn is scarcely less beautiful than its
flowers in the spring ; for its small shining leaves are painted throughout
78
Flowers of May.
with a vivid red and purple. Spircea Niundertii is much less known, but is
not inferior, at least in its blooming season. Its pliant shoots, bending
with the weight of their clustering white flowers, look as if bowed under a
load of freshly-fallen snow. It is only in plants well established, and
developed by several years' growth, that the beauty of this spiraea becomes
fully apparent ; for the individual flowers are smaller than those of several
other varieties. Spircea ulmifoUa very soon follows, — a fine robust sort,
of the hardiest constitution, and great vigor of growth. The flowers are
in large white clusters, and very ornamental. Caragana speciosa is a shrub
of a very different race, with drooping, pea-shaped flowers of a bright
yellow. Its early bloom makes it desirable.
Uvularia grandiflora is a native perennial of no little beaut}', with
yellow, drooping flowers. The large native Convailaria, Solomon's-seal,
with its pendent flowers of green and white, is also well worth a place at
the back of the flower-bed, where, in a rich, moist soil, it becomes a much
finer plant than in its wild state. The Actceas, also natives, are beginning
to bloom ; but they are most striking when in fruit, with their shining
berries, white and coral-red.
Flowers of May. 79
May II. — Prunus sinensis. — The double variet}' of this shrub is of
rather recent introduction, and is of the greatest beauty. It is much like
the double-flowering almond, which blooms at about the same time, except
that the flowers, instead of being pink, are of the purest white. Like the
double almond, it is of dwarf growth, and should be in every collection of
shrubs. It proves hardy enough here. Occasionally some of its branches
have been killed back ; but it usually survives the winter uninjured. Its
worst enemy is the borer, which now and then attacks it. The double
Chinese cherry is a fine flowering tree, and its blossoms lose nothing by
close examination. The double apples, red and white, when well pruned,
are also beautiful trees at this season ; and the Japanese double crab,
covered with legions of pendent flowers, is one of the finest objects in its
way that can be conceived. It is still rare.
May 13. — The Tartarian honeysuckles begin to open their flowers.
Next to the weigelias, these old and well-known shrubs are, perhaps, held
most in esteem. The red and the white varieties are familiar enough to most
people ; but there is a much rarer sort, which seems, however, to be but a
seedling variety of the old species. This is variously known in catalogues as
Loiiicera Tartarica grandifiora, — the large-flowered Tartarian ; or Lonicera
spedosa, — the showy Tartarian. It is far handsomer than the others ; for
not only are the flowers much larger, but they are much more vivid in color.
They are of a deep rosy-red, often striped and edged with white. No shrub
is more beautiful when in full flower; and, as with the other Tartarians, its
management is of the simplest.
Another admirable shrub, less known than it deserves to be, is the
"wayfaring tree," — Viburnum lantana, — just now. May 16, coming into
bloom. It has large leaves, deep green above, and whitish beneath ; and
at the end of every shoot opens a broad, circular head of flowers like those
of its kindred, the laurustinus. Unlike that plant, however, it is perfectly
hardy ; and though it will grow in time to a small tree, if allowed to do
so, it may easily be kept within any desired bounds by pruning it just
after blooming.
As May advances, flowers open so thick and fast, that to record them
all would be a work of space and time beyond our allotment ; and one
must pause to make a selection. There is one, at least, in bloom for the
8o
Flowers of May.
last few days, which no one who sees it could think of omitring. It is a
perennial, — a columbine called by botanists Aquilegia glandulosa. Its
blooming season is far in advance of that of its kindred. It is of low and
modest growth, its tufts of delicate leaves seldom rising more than a hand's-
breadth from the earth ; and the flower-stalk which they send up is from a
foot to a foot and a half high. At its top it bears one, two, three, or half
a dozen superb flowers, in shape like stars, from two to four inches in
width, the centre white, and the points bright blue. There is not on the
whole list of perennials a more delicate or beautiful flower. The strengdi
Popular Pears. 8 1
of its constitution is another matter. A large bed of them stood out last
winter safely here, with a thin covering of leaves. If, however, this should
eventually prove frail, there is another columbine, — Aquilegia alpina, —
undoubtedly hardy, and almost as good. It dififers from glandulosa chiefly
in that the extremities of the flower-leaves are more pointed. The plant
is, however, far more robust, and has borne the test of several winters
unharmed. It is still rare ; though other columbines are often sold under
its name.
Funkia Sieboldii variegata. — This fine plant takes its place here, not in
right of its flowers, which do not appear till some time later, but for the
sake of its beautiful foliage, just now in perfection. It is one of the day
lilies. Its large tufts of broad leaves, of a soft and delicate green, richly
veined and marbled with pure white, make it one of the most ornamental
of hardy foliage plants.
One more flowering shrub, and we close for the present, reserving the
rest of this month of blossoms for our next. The shrub is an alpine
daphne, — Daphne C/ieorum, — very dwarf in its habit of growth, with small
leav^es set thickly along its pliant stems, which bear at every extremity
clusters of bright-pink flowers, as fragrant as they are pretty. We have
heard imputations cast on Daphne Cneoruni. Its maligners have said that
it is not quite hardy, and needs the protection of its native snow. We
only know that it has stood here for years uninjured, and that it is one of
eight or ten shrubs that are the last we would part with.
Francis Park/nan.
POPULAR PEARS.
There are some varieties of pears to which few persons, however critical,
can for any reason object. Some of these are old favorites, and others are
newer, but equally good sorts. The pomologist and experienced fruit-
grower may think it unnecessary to call by name, and describe, such kinds
as have been so long before the public, and whose good qualities have
become so widely known ; but it should be borne in mind that there is a
large class to whom such information as this will prove acceptable. Since
the apple-crop in the immediate vicinity of large cities, and along the sea-
82
Pop2ilar Pears.
coast of Massachusetts, has proved a failure, many persons have planted
pear trees instead of apple, and almost to the entire exclusion of the latter.
The majority of such persons are novices in pear-growing, and may not
know the best varieties, such as can be planted with a reasonable certainty
of success. It will be the object of this article to give such information
to this large class to whom we have referred. We shall begin with that
old favorite, —
The Bartlett. — This variety has been regarded as of foreign origin,
which opinion has never been questioned until quite recently ; and the facts
Popular Pears. 83
still seem to be greatly in favor of such a belief. Perhaps no pear in the
country is so widely known, and so popular, as this noble fruit. It was culti-
vated extensively by Enoch Bartlett of Roxbury, whose name it bears ; and
was widely disseminated by him. Mr. Downing says, " It is an English variety,
which originated about 1770 in Berkshire, and was afterwards propagated by
a London grower by the name of Williams. It comes from Europe generally
marked " Williams." No pear succeeds better in every variety of soil and
location, and no variety gives better crops of good fruit ; and, though it
may be of foreign origin, it seems perfectly adapted to our climate. Its
earliness is also very much in its favor ; for it comes at a season of the year
when a delicious pear is very acceptable. The tree is an upright and good
grower when young, with yellowish-brown wood, with a rather narrow,
medium-sized, glossy, folded leaf The fruit is large, pyramidal, sometimes
a little uneven and knobby ; stalk stout, about an inch long, set in a rather
shallow, uneven cavity ; open calyx, in a shallow basin, sometimes plaited ;
skin yellow, smooth, and thin, often with a beautiful blush on the sunny side,
and, in some locations, with considerable russet ; flesh white, fine-grained,
melting, with a peculiar perfumed, vinous flavor, not admired by all ;
somewhat variable in quality. Time of ripening, ist to 20th of Septem-
ber. It is a great bearer, and the tendency of the tree on this account is
to premature old age. It does pretty well on quince, but is much better
as a standard ; and the fact that it comes into bearing very early renders it
less desirable to dwarf it. One of our best fruit-growers gives the average
age of the Bartlett-tree, after it comes into bearing, as twenty-five years, —
a much shorter period than is generally accorded to pear-trees.
Seckel. — This is another well-known variety, and one that stands, in
point of quality, before any other pear in the world. It is an American
variety, the history of which is quite interesting, as given by Downing. It
originated near Philadelphia, and seems to have been a chance seedling,
as are many of our very best American pears. The tree is a slow grower,
with short-jointed, dark-colored wood, and small, roundish leaves. It is
quite compact and regular in form, healthy, and long-lived. The fruit is
from small to medium size, quite regular in form, nearly obovate ; color
dull yellow, with russet, and generally with a bright-red cheek on exposed
specimens ; calyx small, nearly closed, in a shallow basin ; stem short,
84
Popular Pears.
slightly cni'ved, rather slender, set in a slight depression ; the flesh
yellowish-white, very juicy, with a rich peculiar flavor and aroma, unlike
any other pear. It is, if possible, too rich, — almost cloying. The time of
ripening is last of September to last of October. The tree is a long time
coming to maturity, but lives to good age, and yields its rich fruit in abun-
dance, which always commands a high price. It is ver)- doubtful if a pear
of better quality can be produced. It seldom does well as a dwarf, and
should not be jdI anted as such.
Urbaniste. — This is a variety of foreign origin that deser\'es a higher
place among pears than it has yet received. It is several years coming into
bearing, even on quince. It is, in all respects, a first-rate pear. The tree
is a fair grower, of regular shape, and compact, ver}^ hardy, with rather short-
jointed, yellowish wood, with peculiar roundish and prominent leaf-buds.
When the tree once comes into bearing, it yields large crops of fine, fair
fruit, which command a ready sale at good prices. Fruit medium to large
size, obovate, obtuse at stem-end ; stalk an inch or more long, often having
one or more leaf-buds upon it, rather stout, set in a slight depression ; calyx
small, nearly closed, in a narrow, well-defined cavity; skin thick, generally
Poptdar Pears.
85
smooth, pale yellow, occasionally nisset, with spots of pale red on fully-
exposed specimens ; flesh nearly white, very melting and juicy, with a very
peculiar and pleasant "rose-water" flavor. It keeps well. Ripe middle
of October to middle of November. It does equally well as a dwarf or
standard.
(To be continued.)
James F. C. Hyde.
86 The Seasons of 1865 and 1866.
THE SEASONS OF 1865 AND 1866.
The horticulturists of Massachusetts have not only a changeable climate
to contend with, but, in addition, hordes of insects of various species, which
swarm in immense and increasing numbers every year, and threaten to
blast the hopes and labors of the cultivator.
It will be remembered that the years of 1864 and '65 were remarkable
for long-prevailing droughts, especially in the summer and autumn of 1865.
The springs had not been so low before in the memory of the oldest per-
son ; and, in many places, water was with difficulty obtained for family use.
In some sections,, young forest and ornamental shade trees actually died
for want of moisture ; and in many places the ground was thoroughly dry to
the depth of four or five feet, which had the effect of preventing the circula-
tion of sap, and so weakening the trees, that the fruit and flower buds were
imperfectly formed, or not formed at all, laying the foundation for the failure
of many fruits and flowers during the past season.
It is well known that the strawberry-crop in this vicinit)' was very de-
ficient ; in some localities, almost a total failure. It was so in my own lim-
ited plantation ; my beds not producing one box, where, on the same extent
of ground in previous years, I had obtained twenty. My vines did not
produce any runners in August, 1865, suffering severely from the drought ;
and this was generally the case in the experience of many others of my
acquaintance. AVith a slight covering, they did not winter very well, and
looked poorly in May, and were in bloom the 14th of that month. On
the morning of the 15th, we had a hard frost, the thermometer falling to
29° : that probably completed the destruction which the drought had com-
menced. All varieties shared the same fate, and the same disappointment
was experienced by many others which I suffered myself. Consequently,
good strawberries, fresh from the vines, were scarce and high; and no others
are fit to eat. Strawberries transported from New York, and other places
south, lose their exquisite flavor, and must be unwholesome, as they are un-
palatable to the consumer, in this their decaying state.
I need not say much about peaches ; for nobody in these days expects to
get any, however luxuriously the trees may look in autumn. I believe this
The Seasons of 1865 and 1866. 87
great drought had much to do with the complete failure of this crop the last
season ; although the extreme cold of Jan. 15, when the thermometer fell
to 16° below zero in my garden, was sufficient to destroy the fruit-buds,
even if they had not been weakened by the drought. This peach-business
is the most discouraging of all others in the horticultural line. I have
alwaj's had a dozen or more healthy peach-trees on my place for the last
fifteen years, destroying those that had a tendency to the disease called
" the yellows," setting out new trees in fresh soil almost every year to supply
their places ; and I do not reniember more than four or five seasons out of
the fifteen when I obtained peaches enough for my family and friends, and
for those I had to fight with the robins and catbirds to save any. The robins
are sure to stick their bills into them as soon as they begin to color hand-
somely, and the catbirds and bees follow suit ; so that at least half the crop
are punctured, and perish before maturing. My peach-trees did not show a
single bloom last spring, but look hopeful now for the next season ; but
probably I am doomed to disappointment as usual.
From the plum-tree we do not expect much ; for, between the black -wart
and curculio, this fine fruit has almost disappeared from the vicinity of Boston.
I had dug all mine up as a nuisance, but spared two trees which seemed to
be more promising, and free from warts. This year they were heavily laden ;
and, being large trees, I expected to obtain from them at least three bushels
of plums. But, before they began to ripen, the bees commenced to puncture
them ; and, to save any for preserving, I was obliged to gather them before
ripe, and my expected crop had dwindled down to about one bushel of sound
and unsound fruit, while the ground was completely covered under the trees
with the fallen decaying fruit. Notwithstanding the freedom of the trees
from warts in the spring, they are now a sight to look at ; for, during the
summer, the black-wart has extended to every branch, and almost ever)'
twig. So much for plums.
Now for the canker-worms and apple-trees. What a sad subject this is
to write upon ! Our beautiful orchards were the pride of our land until
the canker-worms made their appearance ; but now what a desolation is
\\itnessed when the rich green foliage of May and June is consumed by
these voracious insects, and the trees appear as though fire had run over
them !
88 The Seasons of 1865 ajid 1866.
The only complete remedy that I know of to prevent these ravages is
the tedious process and patient continuance of the application of tar. I
succeeded the last season in getting the mastery over them ; so that my
trees retained their beauty, and I secured fruit enough for my own use, and
should have had many barrels to sell but for the apple-worm, and, as I
suppose, the effects of last year's drought, combined. I have from thirty to
forty apple and cherry trees in my garden, which I was determined should
not mar the beauty of my place. I had some faith in Ellis's protector, and
had them applied to about twenty trees which he attached to my trees on
the 23d of October. On the same day, we saw the first solitary female
grub. I was not sure about the safety of the protectors : so I thought it
prudent to tar the trees above, which I did after tacking a strip of tarred
paper, six or eight inches wide, around the tree ; and commenced tarring.
Mixing a little poor oil with the tar, I found it was not necessary to apply it
every day. I watched very carefully day by day, and found the grubs were
not numerous until the 8th of November. The thermometer had fallen
that morning to 18°, and the ground froze. In the afternoon and evening
of that day, the thermometer at 35°, the grubs began to go up in consider-
able numbers, but scarcely a male attending them : some few got over the
protector, and were caught in the tar; but large numbers were stopped, and
remained below the protectors. They continued their movement upwards in
small numbers ; when on the night of the 13th, thermometer 46°, cloudy,
wind south-west, they swarmed in immense numbers ; and ten thousand were
crushed by the hand on the bodies of the trees, below the protectors. I
had whitewashed the trunks of the trees near the ground, that I might
more plainly watch the operations of the insects, which I did every night
by the light of a lantern. I had also covered the ground an inch thick
about some of the trees with muriate of lime, which had no effect in
checking or injuring the grubs. 1 also applied quicklime to other trees
with the same result. After this grand rally of the 13th, they were seen
in small numbers to the close of the month, or until the ground was frozen
deep.
On the night of the 15th of March, and a few following nights, thermome-
ter in the neighborhood of 70°, or on the first warm night after a severely
cold spell, they swarmed again in such numbers, that I thought the earth
The Seasons ^1865 and 1866. 89
must have emptied itself of the pests ; but they continued their upward
movement in small numbers until the 13th of April. The males this
spring were much more abundant than in the autumn. I had followed up
the tarring process till the middle of the month, but found none after the
13th.
I first noticed the ravages of the canker-worm on the loth of May, when
the apple-trees began to show bloom, and the oriole, the enemy and de-
stroyer of the canker-worm, appeared. On the 14th, the trees were in full
bloom, excepting the Baldwins, which did not flower. I supposed the eggs
deposited below the protectors would not avail any thing, even though
they should hatch out, as I concluded the little things, no bigger than the
point of a pin, would not know enough, nor have strength, to climb the tree.
I did not notice them, nor take any means to destroy them : but a neighbor
of mme who has better eyesight, who had used tar, saw the young plagues
marching upwards, which I suppose was the reason a few were found upon
my trees ; but they were not numerous enough to seriously affect the
foliage, or the small crop of apples which rewarded my labors. On the
loth of June, the canker-worms began to descend in immense numbers as
I walked under a neighbor's trees which bordered upon the road. He had
done nothing to check them except to apply the muriate of lime, which, as
we have seen, was no obstruction to them.
I found the fence covered and black with the worms, apparently perish-
ing with famine ; for there was not a green leaf left ia the whole orchard,
and they did not appear to be fully developed, nor have strength to perform
the operation of getting into the chrysalis state ; and I hope the race has
become extinct from starvation.
I shall watch with interest the fate of that orchard. My few well-devel-
oped worms had all disappeared by the 15 th of June. I saw a robin look-
ing upon a worm on the ground one day, but believe he did not eat it ;
but the oriole, bobolink, sparrow, and many other little birds, feed upon
them, and for seven years prevented their increase on my trees.
In a future number, I propose to speak of the apple-worm, of grapes,
pears, and flowers. Joseph Breck.
VOL. I. 13
90
Nature and Habits of Orchids.
ODONTOGLOSSUM GRANDE.
NATURE AND HABITS OF ORCHIDS.
The primary division of orchids is into two general classes, — those
growing upon trees, and those growing upon the ground ; in other words,
epiphytal and terrestrial. In hot countries, the species are generally epi-
phytes ; in temperate regions, we find only the terrestrial classes. These
rules are not, however, without some exceptions : epiphytes often grow upon
Nature and Habits of Orchids. 9 1
rocks or in earth (though, in both cases, the position is rather for support
than one of nourishment), and terrestrial orchids abound in hot coun-
tries.
The pecuUar characteristics of orchidaceous plants will be fully described
in a future chapter. Suffice it at present to say, that there is no order of
plants the structure of whose flowers is so anomalous as regards the rela-
tion borne to each other by the parts of reproduction, or so singular in
respect to the form of the floral envelopes. Orchidaceous plants inhabit all
parts of the world except those which are excessively dry or excessively
cold, both of which extremes of temperature appear uncongenial to their
nature. They abound chiefly in regions with a mild climate, moist and
warm during the greater part of the year.
The flora of the temperate regions abounds in terrestrial orchids, which
are, however, with some exceptions, distinguished by flowers more remark-
able for peculiarity of form than for size, and brilliancy of color. It is, how-
ever, in the tropical forests that we meet with these plants in full luxuriance:
here the species are mostly epiphytal. Establishing themselves upon the
branches of the trees, they either vegetate amid masses of decaying vegeta-
ble matter, or cling by long succulent grasping roots to the naked branches
of trees, from which and the moist atmosphere they derive their nourish-
ment.
They are also found abundantly on the banks of streams near falls of
water, where they are constantly bathed in the rising spray. Some few
species, indeed, seem of a different nature, growing mostly on rocks ex-
posed to a broiling sun, their roots alone absorbing the moisture of the
dew.
In general, a certain degree of shade seems to be essential to orchids.
In Brazil, they are found abundantly in damp woods and rich valleys, em-
bowered among foliage of the most luxuriant description. In Nepaul, as
stated by Dr. Wallich, the epiphytal species grow in company with ferns ;
and the thicker the forest, the more stately the trees, the richer and blacker
the natural soil, the more profuse the orchidaceae and ferns upon them.
There they flourish by the sides of dripping springs, in deep, shady recesses,
in inconceivable quantity, and with an astonishing degree of luxuriance.
92 Nature and Habits of Orchids.
We should, however, err, did we suppose that the principal haunts of
orchids are the deep, shady woods. It is even probable that just the con-
trary is the fact, and that the cases just cited are extreme.
Orchids are chiefly found on the borders of the forests, or in the open
glades or savannas : it is seldom they are met with in the primitive forests.
They are veiy abundant in Brazil near Rio Janeiro, in Mexico, in Colom-
bia, in Trinidad, especially in mountainous places and damp woods ; in
the East Indies, in Java, Ceylon, Nepaul, and China, where they are prin-
cipally found in the woods, on the borders of rivers and mountain-streams.
The localities of orchids are very marked : of some species, only a single
habitat is known ; many are exceedingly rare ; some only being known to
botany by a single dried specimen in an herbarium ; and others once known
in our hot-houses are now lost to cultivation. Some species now in cultivation
have sprung from a single imported plant. The orchids of the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres are entirely different, there being no affinity between
them. Orchids are also most capricious in their locations : sometimes
a river may be ascended for miles, and not an orchid be seen ; when, on a
sudden turn of the stream, every tree becomes covered with them. The
part of the tree on which they live is also uncertain : some are found close
to the ground, others a few feet high, others in the forks of the trunk and
branches ; some only on the trunk, others only on the branches ; and many
only on the topmost branches of the loftiest trees, so high that they are
only discoverable by their delicious perfume.
Some varieties will only thrive when grown on the lower side of a block,
their native growth being on the under side of a branch : of these the fine
yellow cattleya (C citrina) is our most familiar example.
Where they find a congenial home, they grow to immense size ; increas-
ing by the pseudo-bulbs in every direction, and often covering a whole
tree. In many cases, a large tree becomes a large bouquet of orchids ;
or many species, with various-colored, curiously-shaped flowers, are often
found on the same tree.
While all the East-Indian orchids require a hot, moist temperature, many
of the South-American and Mexican species will endure much cold with-
out injury : they are sometimes found where the mercury at night descends
Nature mid Habits of Orchids. 93
below the freezing-point, and where the leaves are covered with hoar-frost.
Thus the different species demand far different treatment ; and from
ignorance of these requirements and peculiarities have arisen many of the
failures which have hitherto attended their culture.
A high, mean temperature throughout the year, and a climate either
constantly humid or at least periodically so, are atmospheric elements
eminently favorable to the production of these plants. All those species
which simply exist by clinging by their roots to the branches of growing
trees, and probably other species, must derive necessarily their nourishment
in a great measure, if not entirely, from the moisture in a very elastic state
that surrounds them. And although Nature seems, in general, to have pro-
vided for the scantiness of their food by the construction of them with a
cuticle capable only of parting by slow degrees with the fluid they receive
by their roots, yet it is obviously requisite that they should be so situated
as to be within reach of an abundant supply, not only at the time when
they are growing, but, to a certain extent, at other periods. Thus we find
that the hottest countries if dry, and the dampest if cold, are destitute of
them ; while there is no instance of a country both hot and damp where they
are not plentiful. It may, however, be remarked, that the terrestrial orchids
will bear a far greater degree of cold and drought than the epiphytal
species ; their range is therefore much greater : and the general remarks
about orchids must be taken with a great degree of allowance in respect
to this class.
Notwithstanding the high temperature of Africa, they are unknown in
the sandy deserts and parched atmosphere ; yet they abound in Sierra
Leone, where the climate is damp, and are not unfrequent in the jungles
at the Cape of Good Hope.
In the ^Vest-India Islands they exist in great quantities, particularly in
Jamaica and Trinidad ; not, however, so much on the coast as on the lower
ranges of hills.
At Rio Janeiro, the mean temperature is 74° 3', and much higher inland;
the woods are so damp, it is impossible to dry plants ; and, in such situations,
multitudes of orchidaceous plants occur. In the immediate vicinity of
Buenos Ayres, however, where the mean temperature is 67° 6', and the air
94 Nature and Habits of Orchids.
dr}-, epiphytes are unknown. No country, however, exhibits in a more
striking manner than the East Indies the necessity of a hot and damp
climate for the production of epiphytes. In the Malayan Archipelago, the
mean temperature of which is estimated at between 77° and 78°, where
the atmosphere is always very damp, they are found in profusion. In
Nepaul, they occur upon the sides of the lower mountains, where they grow
amongst clouds and constant showers ; while on the continent of India
they are almost wholly unknown, except in the mountain-valleys.
In Mexico and Central America, the provinces most prolific in orchids
are Oaxaca, Honduras, and Guatimala : they are also plenty upon the
Isthmus.
The conditions of orchid-growth can thus be easily stated. In their
native countries they are exposed to a dry season, during which they rest ;
and to a rainy season, when the heat is higher, and the air moist nearly
to saturation. To grow orchids in any perfection, their native climate must,
to a certain extent, be imitated : that is, they must have a period of rest in
a dry and comparatively cool atmosphere ; and, during their growth and
flowering, they should be exposed to a high, moist temperature. As orchids
principally grow on the trunks and branches of trees, it is important that
they should be exposed to a free current of air, and also to the light. The
plants should not, however, be exposed directly to the sun's rays, which are
apt to scorch the leaves and wither the flowers ; and some species require
constant shade.
The great heat and moisture are only necessary while the plants are in
vigorous growth ; and this period should be during spring and summer,
the best period of rest being from November till March. It should be
understood that it is this long season of rest which predisposes the plant
to blossom. Of course, these rules of growth and rest can be stated only
in general terms. There are certain kinds which grow uninterruptedly
throughout the year ; and again, even of those which go to rest periodically
on the completion of their growth, it does not always happen that their
time of rest corresponds with that of the largest number. As we come in
course to mention the different species, their proper time of rest, if pecu-
liar, will be indicated.
Nature and Habits of Orchids. 95
It is not alone in the form of the flowers that the orchidaceous plants
differ from other members of the floral world : the whole structure of the
plant is peculiar. The roots are of four kinds : First, Annual fibres, simple
or branched, of a succulent nature, incapable of extension, and burrowing
under ground, as in the genus Orchis. Secondly, Annual fleshy tubercles,
round or oblong, simple or divided, as in the various species of the same
genus : they are always combined with the first, and appear to be intended
as receptacles for matter fit for the nourishment of the plant. Thirdly,
Fleshy, simple, or branched perennial bodies, much entangled, tortuous, or
irregular in form, as in Corallorhiza, &c.; or nearly simple, and resembling
tubers. Fourthly, Perennial round shoots, simple, or a little branched,
capable of extension, protruded from the stem into the air, adapted to ad-
hering to other bodies, and formed of a woody or vascular axis, covered
with cellular tissue, of which the subcutaneous layer is often green, and
composed of large reticulated cells : the stem is often (as in some terres-
trial species) merely a growing point surrounded by scales, and constituting
a leaf-bud when at rest, but eventually growing into a secondary stem 01
branch, on which the leaves and flowers are developed. In other cases
the growing point becomes perennial, thickens, is scarred with the remains
of leaves which once grew upon it, and assumes the state of a short round
or ovate perennial stem or pseudo-bulb.
Or, again, the rhizoma, instead of having pseudo-bulbs, forms short stems,
which are terminated by one or more leaves. The leaves are very uncer-
tain in their appearance : usually they are sheathing at the base, and mem-
branous ; but in some species they are hard-stalked, articulated with the
stem, and have no trace of a sheath. Frequently they are leathery and
veinless ; as frequently they are membranous and strongly ribbed ; and
both these conditions may occur in the same genus, as in Cyprepediian.
The peculiarities of the floral leaves and organs will more properly be
noticed in treating of the classification of orchids. Sufiice it to say, that
the flowers are constructed irregularly upon the ternary type, and consist of
three exterior and three interior pieces, of which the exterior are usually
nearly equal, and less brightly colored than the interior.
On account of the peculiarities of growth and structure, so unlike other
96
Nature and Habits of Orchids.
plants, it was many years before any of these plants were successfully cul-
tivated in England. A few were barely kept alive, but never flowered
satisfactorily ; and their successful culture was considered impossible.
Within the last forty years, however, their true nature has been understood,
until at the present day they are cultivated with success, and bloom with
a luxuriance equal to that of their native haunts.
Edward C. Herbert.
DENDROBIUM MACROPHYLLUM.
Neiv Vegetables. 97
NEW VEGETABLES.
The following brief descriptions of some of the more recent kinds of
culinary vegetables may be of interest, and perhaps will prove of service,
to the readers of the Journal. A few of these descriptions have been pre-
pared from the experience of a single season ; but, in most instances, they
have been drawn from a careful trial of their merits during two or more
j-ears.
Of the Squash, three varieties were tested as follows : —
Bolton. — Distinct and well-defined. The fruit is of an ash-green color,
nearly cylindrical, twelve or fourteen inches long, and four or five inches
in diameter. The flesh is very thick, the cavity small, and the weight
remarkable. The seeds are white. It keeps through the winter, and is of
good quality, but inferior to the Hubbard or autumnal marrow. The name
is evidently local, and its origin unknown.
Moore's Vegetable Cream. — An English variety, resembling the vegetable
marrow, which is also of foreign origin. The fruit is small, oblong, cream-
yellow, and the stem furrowed and woody. Flesh moderately thick, pale-
yellow, and similar in quality to the vegetable marrow and custard ; to
which class it evidently belongs, and with which it would probably readily
intermix or hybridize.
In England and the Provinces, these varieties are highly esteemed, and
are often catalogued and described simply as " vegetable marrow," or
" vegetable cream ; " the general term " squash " being omitted. In some
forms of cookery, they may be desirable ; but, as a whole, they are greatly
inferior to the autumnal marrow, Hubbard, or true Canada crookneck.
Hardiness, adaptedness to cool, humid climates, productiveness, and good
keeping properties, are their principal recommendations. The terms " cus-
tard," " vegetable marrow," and " vegetable cream," by which these varieties
are known, are calculated to convey wrong impressions of their real char-
acter ; and I regret the disappointment of those, who, having been accus-
tomed to the genuine luxury of the Hubbard, autumnal marrow, or Canada
crookneck, have been induced to cultivate " vegetable cream " as a sub-
stitute.
VOL. I. 13
98 New Vegetables.
Melon Squash. — Of the origin of this variety, I know nothing. The
plant is bushy, and the leaves are more deeply lobed or divided than those
of any other variety that has as yet come to my knowledge. The fruit is round;
of a cream-yellow color ; small, measuring in the average only about five inches
in diameter ; and as deeply and almost as regularly ribbed as a green citron
melon ; whence, probably, the name. The flesh is pale-yellow, quite thick,
cooks dr}', and, though not sugary, possesses some delicacy of flavor.
The variety appears to be allied to the egg, orange, and other kindred
sorts sometimes grown for ornament ; and would unquestionably mix with
them if grown ifi their vicinity. The yield is great, the crop is generally
fully perfected, and the fruit keeps through the winter.
. Beans. — Of the numerous new kinds, the following appear to be the
most important : —
California. — A running bean, ripening the last of August, or beginning
of September. The pods are rather short, peculiarly broad and thick,
quite tough and fibrous, and consequently of less value for stringing than
many other sorts. For shelling green, it is one of the best, and deserves
cultivation. It is rich and marrowy, and nearly or quite equals the Lima.
The ripe seeds are broad, kidney-shaped, and of an ochre-yellow color.
The name is evidently local. On the western coast of America, the va-
riety is quite generally cultivated ; and from this source it unquestionably
has been derived.
Dwaff Indian Chief. — This variety promises to be quite an acquisition.
The plants grow from fifteen to eighteen inches high, and are of stocky
habit. The pods are sickle-shaped, four or five inches long, round, diick,
and fleshy, and of the delicate waxen-white color of those of the running
Indian chief It is early, prolific, and, as a string-bean, worthy of cultivation.
The seeds are of a deep indigo blue.
Giant Wax-podded. — Samples of seeds of this new bean were received
from Mr. Henry A. Dreer, seedsman of Philadelphia, by whom the variety
was introduced to public notice. The plants are vigorous growers, attain a
height of seven or eight feet, and attach themselves readily to the poles.
The pods are eight inches long, quite broad, succulent and tender, and
remarkable for the fine waxen-white color assumed as soon as they become
of suitable size for stringing. They are quite light colored after being
New Vegetables. 99
cooked, and exceeding mild and delicate. As a shelled bean, green or
ripe, it has no particular merit.
There are, however, few if any varieties of running beans, now in the
catalogues of our seedsmen, superior to this for stringing ; and there are
probably few more productive. As a market-bean, it promises to be one
of the best, and will soon come into general cultivation ; but it must not
be classed as an early variety, and, in the Northern States, should have the
advantage of the whole season. The ripe seeds are red, and of medium
size.
TiLDEN Tomato- — Seeds of this variety were received from Mr. Henry
Tilden of Davenport, lo., with whom it originated. The plants grew vigor-
ously, and yielded abundantly. The fruit, which varied in form from round
to oval, was of good size, smooth, and handsome, and contained but few
seeds. The only deficiency appeared to be its lack of solidity ; which I
attribute either to the influence of the season, or to the cool and somewhat
wet soil in which the plants were grown. When compared with other
varieties, the marks of distinction in foliage, and habit of growth, were less
prominent than I had supposed.
Many varieties of the tomato exist only in name ; but, however distinct,
constant care is requisite to preserve them in a pure condition. So liable
are they to change and intermix, that it would be safe to predict, that of
the list now in cultivation, including more than twenty described sorts,
not one fourth will appear in the catalogues of our seedsmen ten years to
come.
Fruit that is ribbed and irregular, however large, is not only less attrac-
tive, but really less economical, than that of an opposite character. The
properties of a good tomato are medium size, perfect smoothness, a clear
bright color (pink or red preferred), solidity, and the absence of many
seeds in the pulp ; and these qualities will be found in a greater or less de-
gree in the Tilden, the cook's favorite, the improved apple-shaped, and the
round or smooth red. Many of the kinds described as being " early " or
*' extra early " have all the smoothness and solidity of the foregoing ; but
they are deficient in size, and generally less productive.
Potatoes. — The history of this vegetable shows, that, up to the present
time, there have been catalogued and described nearly seven hundred va-
100 New Vegetables.
rieties : and this list, great as it seems to be, is being rapidly increased ; for
the number of new sorts yearly introduced is certainly remarkable. So
rapidly, however, do varieties degenerate, that, of all the kinds now on
record, nearly three-fourths appear to have become utterly extinct ; and, of
the remainder, a large proportion are cultivated to a very limited extent,
and will soon give place to those more recent and better.
A trial of some of the kinds now prominently before the public gave
results as follows : —
Early Handsworth. — An English variety, claimed to be one of the earli-
est now in cultivation. The plants were low, rather slender, and ripened
early ; but the product was not great. For home-gardens, as a first early,
it may be desirable ; but it is not sufficiently productive for the market.
Early Wendell. — Plant healthy and vigorous. The tubers are white,
of large size, roundish-oblong, and cook dry and floury. The percentage
of unmarketable potatoes was small, and few if any of the varieties tested
proved more productive. It is a promising new sort, and is recommended
for cultivation. Season intermediate.
JVliite Peach-blow. — The plants were stocky and vigorous, and con-
tinued green and flourishing until destroyed by frost. The tubers are of
medium size, or rather large, roundish, nearly white, with a shade of pink
about the eyes. The great yield which the large and strong plants seemed
to promise was not realized ; and the tubers, when cooked, had not the
light and diy character now essential for a table-potato. The variety
appears to require a warm climate, a warm, rich soil, and will probably
succeed well in the Middle and Western States.
Early Sovereign. — Plant small, and of slender habit, decaying early.
The tubers were white, round, smooth, of medium size, and good quality.
It is a good table-potato, and is early ; but the yield was not satisfactory.
Early Stevens. — Originated in the State of Vermont. The plants were
healthy, gave a fair product, and the tubers were early fit for use. It is
greatly preferable to the Early Handsworth, whether intended for the
home-garden or market.
Dclinahey. — Introduced. The plants were low, of feeble habit, and
decayed early. The yield was small. It is inferior to many of the more
recent sorts of American origin, and will hardly come into general culti-
vation.
New Vegetables. 10 1
Calico. — An American variety produced from one of the numerous
seedlings originated by the late Rev. Chauncey Goodrich. The tubers
are of medium size, roundish, somewhat flattened, smooth, white, or nearly
white, with scattered, large, irregular patches of bright pink or red. In
bulk, the variety is showy and attractive ; but it lacks quality, and is not
sufficiently productive. The plants have no peculiarities, and are generally
destroyed by frost.
Goodrich'' s Early. — This variety must be considered an acquisition. It
is not only early and productive, but the plants have been uniformly
healthy. The tubers are oblong, of good size, rarely hollow-hearted, and
cook dry and floury. Some of the later sorts may give a greater yield ;
but, of all the varieties claimed as being early, no one was more produc-
tive, or possessed more of the qualities essential in a good potato, than
the Early Goodrich.
Cuzco. — One of the varieties known as Goodrich's seedlings. The
tubers are very large, roundish or oblong, white, and of fair quality. The
plants are strong growers, and ripen with the season. It is an excellent
field-potato, healthy, yields abundantly, and appears to be worthy of cul-
tivation.
Sebec. — This variety, also known as the " Boston-market " potato, origi-
nated in Maine. The tubers, in bulk, resemble the Jackson white, which
is sometimes sold as a substitute. The skin of the Sebec, particularly
after having been harvested for some length of time, exhibits slight spots
or shades of purple, which are never seen in the Jackson white. The
plants, also, are quite distinct.
From a trial of three seasons, the Sebec appears to be a desirable potato
for the market or garden, and is recommended as being one of the earliest,
most productive, and best of the varieties introduced since the Jackson
white.
These brief particulars respecting some of the newer culinary vegetables
are given as the results of individual experience. Different conditions
will of course, in many instances, produce different results. The influence
of soil and climate is great ; and varieties that may yield abundantly, and
be of superior quality, in one locality, often prove unproductive and almost
worthless in another. The best course to be pursued is to give the most
I02 Aloysia Citriodora.
prominent a fair trial. There will be occasional disappointment ; but the
cost of the experiment will be trifling, and we shall be doing something
towards encouraging the improvement of vegetables, which, it must be
confessed, hardly keeps pace with the progress made in floriculture and
PO^"°^«gy- • Fearing Burr, Jun.
ALOYSIA CITRIODORA.
This popular plant, usually known as lemon-scented verbena, receives
far less attention than its merits demand. It is of the easiest growth,
and propagation is easily effected when the wood of the current year is
from three to six inches in length. Short stubby shoots, with their bases a
little hardened, are the best. July is a good time to put in the cuttings,
which may be side-shoots about three or four inches long slipped off" the
plant. The lower end having been made smooth below a joint with a
sharp knife, and the leaves removed for half the length of the cutting, the
latter should be inserted pretty closely round the sides of a six-inch pot,
drained to two-thirds its depth with broken pots or crocks, and filled to
within an inch of the rim with a compost of sandy peat, loam, and sand, in
equal parts ; the remaining space being filled up with silver sand. Insert
the cuttings pretty closely around the sides, and up to the lowest leaves, or
half their length ; then give a good watering, and cover with a bell-glass.
Perhaps the best mode of doing this is to place the cutting-pot in one of
larger size, and fill the interval between the pots with crocks, placing sand
on the top : the rims should be level. Only water when necessary, and
then give no more than is sufficient to keep the soil moist, as it must always
be. Place the pot in the sunniest window, and shade for an hour or two
during the hottest part of the day. In six weeks the cuttings will have
struck, and the bell-glass may then be entirely removed ; but for three weeks
previously it should be tilted a little by day, and put close down at night,
wiping the glass in the morning if moisture is found to be deposited on it.
The cuttings will strike, but more tardily and with less certainty, without
the glass : they strike best in a gentle hotbed.
" Cottage Gardener.^*
Ofi Garden Architecture.
103
ON GARDEN ARCHITECTURE. — No. 2.
Of all the works included under the head of " Garden Architecture,"
terraces, with their accompaniments, occupy the first place. They date
fi'om the earliest antiquity, and have obtained the most universal recogni-
tion as a means of architectural effect. The celebrated " hanging gardens "
of Babylon were nothing more than a series of terraces, covered with
plants and flowers, rising one above the other. The great palace-temples
of Babylon, Nineveh, Persepolis, &c., were built upon immense terraces.
The Asiatic Greeks placed most of their great temples upon them, rising
from platform to platform by immense flights of steps superbly decorated.
The Tagh-Mihal, or Mausoleum, built by Shah Jehan to his queen, like
many other of the great works of those superb builders, the Mahometans
of India, is elevated on a high terrace. With the middle-age Italians,
terraces were revived with the renaissance of classic architecture : and the
magnificent villas of the princes and nobles of the great art-period of Italy
present splendid examples of their use; as at the Villa d'Este, Villas
Albani, Borghesi, Pamfili, and many others in the neighborhood of Rome.
From Italy they passed to France, where the Grand Monargiee, Louis
XIV., made most profuse use of them in decorating and dignifying the
gardens of Versailles and other palaces; and at about the same period
they were introduced into general use in England, where, at the present
time, they have become an indispensable feature of garden architecture,
never absent, but varied in an infinitude of forms and magnitudes to
harmonize with the size and style of the gardens in which they are built.
The earth-slope, or primitive terrace, presents but few opportunities for
104
On Garden Architecture.
architectural decoration ; the steps being the principal one. These do not
admit the use of a balustrade, as in the more perfect architectural terrace,
but may be decorated with vases, either solid, or to hold flowers; and,
where the flight is on a large scale even figure sculpture is not inappro-
priate. These latter cases are, however, so rare, that they need not enter
into present consideration. The first question is, how to design a flight of
steps for a slope.
Suppose the lines ab, al>, respectively, to represent the grass-slope, and
the problem to be to make a flight of steps to correspond to the slope.
By Fig. I, the front angle of the top step is placed at the superior angle of
the slope, and the other steps are brought out to the line : the consequence
is, that, at the foot of the flight, the slope overruns the steps by the width
of a step; and it becomes necessary, in order to complete the steps out to
the lower angle of the slope, to set in a stone at the level of the lower walk.
This is the English method; but it is obviously open to several objections.
The coping at the sides, without which no flight of steps to a terrace
should be laid, will run too near the ground on the outside if it is parallel
with the slope, and not too high on the inside; and it inevitably gives
the steps the appearance of being sunk into the earth, which indeed they
are. Then the supplemental step at the bottom will always be dirt}'; and,
if the walk is properly graded to shed water, there will be a disagreeable
exposure of the face of the stone on either side the centre, giving it the
look of being badly set ; thus : —
The true way is to set the bottom step on the lower angle of the slope,
which will throw the upper step forward; and then increase the width of
this as a platform-step to suit the design, which may be adopted for the
On Garden ArchitecUire.
105
copings and their finish. This method is shown in the accompanying
cut : —
FIG. 3.
The simplest method of stopping or buttressing a flight of steps is by
a continuous plinth, with the top line running parallel with the slope, as in
4. This is, however, liable to two objections. In the first place,
Fig
FIG. 4
it does not, unless each buttress is made of a single stone, have a proper
constructive look; for it gives the idea that it is set on a slope, and this
suggests a slippery and unstable foundation. Again : the slope and the
buttress, by this method, are on the same angle of inclination; and this
repetition is to the last degree tame and monotonous to the sight, there
being no contrasting forms whatever, — the slight breaks of the steps not
being sufficient to counteract the effect of their general inclination. The
Greek method, and the one followed by all the great builders, is to buttress
the steps with blocks laid in horizontal courses, and broken down to
conform to the steps, as in the following figure. The buttress at the top of
FIG. 5.
the steps should be set up above the ground, so as to mark the point where
the steps commence to a person approaching them from the upper walk.
io6
On Garden ArcJiitecttire.
Some modification of this method (and the variations can be quite numer-
ous) is far preferable to the sloping buttress for a simple flight of steps
without any decorative features, as it gives an effective contrast to the line
ot the slope, and has, besides, a substantial and constructive appearance.
Figs. 6 and 7 show two designs, in one of which the contrast desirable
between the slope and the buttresses is obtained by horizontal buttresses
FIG. 6,
with a slope between, while the other is a modification of the simple hori-
zontal method. Either is in good taste, and may be used with or without
decoration.
Should it be desired to ornament such a flight of steps, the vases or
FIG. 8
""-" ""IT'SJSSSSMses.c^
sculpture should be placed at the top of the flight, unless in extremely
exceptional cases. They will thus be seen from the walk above as well as
On Garden Architecture.
107
from below, and will serve to give distance to the objects behind them ;
whereas, if they are placed at the bottom, they will either come again^it the
bank in a diagonal view, or will cut against the upper line of the slope,
half relieved against the bank, and half against the objects beyond the
upper walk, and thus lose their full effect from either point of view.
The diagram. Fig. 8, gives the simplest way of decorating such a flight
of steps, shown in profile. The upper step should be widened sufficiently
to correspond to the plinth under the vase; and this latter should be set
low, so as to harmonize, and not contrast violently (as in Fig. 9) with the
FIG. 9.
Steps and bank. The effect of this latter from below is shown in the fol-
lowing cut : —
If the house and all its adjuncts are rich and elegant, there is no
objection to decorating even a simple flight of steps with sculpture, if
the flight is of sufficient magnitude so that the objects on either side will
io8 On Garden Architecture.
not look crowded together. The difficulty of doing so satisfactorily is
entirely one of judgment of position and harmonious combination. Stat-
ues in such a situation should not be placed on high pedestals; and great
care should be taken to give them a proper point of view and a simple and
harmonious background. It should be borne in mind that thev will
almost invariably be best seen from the lower level. A very long flight
of steps, to correspond to very rich surroundings, may be decorated both
at the top and the bottom ; but in this case the upper portion should be
the principal one, in accordance with the reasons already given.
It has already been remarked, that there are two kinds of terraces : the
architectural decoration of the first, or earth-slope, we have just been con-
sidering; the other is entirely an architectural creation. This has no slope
whatever. The edge of the terrace is bounded and sustained by a wall ;
and, this making a perpendicular descent, a guard of some kind becomes
indispensable to prevent persons from inadvertently stepping off. This
necessity, so simple, and easily provided for, has been made the foundation
of some of the most superb works of mere decorative architecture,
exercising all the invention and skill of the architect in their design and
execution; for, if it is necessary to have a parapet, why not an elegant
one ? If steps and approaches are required, why not make them on a
grand scale? With the earth-slope, no parapet or balustrade is required.
There is no danger of walking off it; and, as there is no more danger
of this on the steps than at the upper edge of the slope, no balustrade is
required at the steps; and it would be quite out of harmony to place one
here, and omit it at the upper edge of the slope. There are other
reasons why the earth-slope should not have a parapet or balustrade. If
built, it must rest upon a wall. This wall must be solid, and be set deep
enough in the ground to avoid the effect of frost. But why, if you have a
wall, have also a slope ? Again : the sods are always dropping away from
a wall, where they are laid up to it on a slope ; and the line of junction
becomes ragged, uneven, and disagreeable.
Hatn»iatt Bil/ings.
Field-Mice.
109
FIELD-MICE.
No group of our indigenous quadrupeds possesses greater interest, in an
economical point of view, than that great subdivision of the rodentia,
the muridae, in which are comprehended the sub-families dipodinae, or
jumping-mice ; murine, rats and mice proper; and arvicolin^, or field-
mice : and a short article here on their general habits will not be out of
place, particularly as this is the season in which they are especially destruc-
ti\'e in the orchard and nurser}^-, the field and garden.
Of the dipodinas, the genus yaculus is the only representative in this
country. Its most prominent characteristics are a long, slender body, sharp
nose, very long tail, and greatly lengthened posterior limbs, adapted to
leaping.
\i,'^.'
The Jumping-Mouse {yaculus hudsonius) is the most familiar of these
little animals, and it seems to be generally distributed throughout the
countr}-. It is known in different sections by the names " kangaroo-mouse,"
I ro Field- Mice.
" buck -mouse," " long-tailed deer-mouse," and other appellations suggestive
of leaping. In its general habits, it is probably the least destructive of all
the mice ; for, besides being less numerous than the others, its food consists
almost entirely of the seeds of wild plants and weeds.
Though my limits are brief, I will present a little account of its character-
istics. In escaping from pursuit, the jumping-mouse usually progresses
rapidly by a series of long jumps, often clearing four or five feet at a leap :
these leaps are made so rapidly, and in such uncertain directions (usually
zigzag, like the flight of a snipe), that it is very difficult to catch it. It
walks on all-fours, like a common mouse, when not alarmed; and often will,
in escaping, double on its tracks, and steal away through the grass, crouch-
ing close to the ground. This species, when in the woods, digs its burrow
usually beneath a stump or log : this burrow is not ver}' deep or compli-
cated, usually having but one passage. In the fields it builds a nest, some-
times in a tussock of grass, or beneath a stone, or perhaps in a pile of
rubbish. It sometimes lays up a winter-store of seeds and grains: but it
usually hibernates, although not in an entirely torpid state, it being almost
always active on being discovered.
I once, in the winter-season, while cutting up a partially-decayed stump,
found a nest with a pair of these little animals : the nest was made of
grass and leaves; but there was no store of seeds or grain. "Whether or
not the shock of the axe splitting the wood awoke them, they were lively,
and soon escaped by their long leaps. The jumping-mouse is not ver\'
prolific, bringing forth but three or four at a birth but once or twice a year.
I have given this rather full description of the habits of this animal, because
there is a great confusion in the accounts of some other writers ; many de-
scribing it as being torpid through the winter ; others contradicting them,
saying it is active through the year.
In the sub-family murinae are included the genus AIus^ comprehending
the common brown or Norway rat, and the brown mouse or house mouse,
whose habits are so well known, that they need no description here : and
the genus Hcsperomys and Neotoma, the former of which is the most inter-
esting to the rural economist. The prominent characteristics of this genus
are a moderate-sized head, pointed to the muzzle ; large eyes : large,
rounded, and nearly naked ears; and a long, cylindrical tail.
Field-Mice.
Ill
The species are abundantly distributed throughout the continent, and
are known by the name white-footed and hamster-mice in the Northern,
red and long-tailed mice in the Middle, cotton and rice field mice in the
Southern, and prairie-mice in the Western States. They are all eminently
injurious, and in some sections are a great nuisance.
The White-footed Mouse {Hesperomys leucopus) is very generally known
in New England and the North. It often takes up a residence in dwelling-
houses, where it has all the habits of the common brown mouse. It does
considerable mischief in nurseries of young trees by gnawing off the tender
bark, and eating the young buds ; but as it lives more generally in fields
and meadows, in long grass and weeds, than in cultivated grounds, it is
less troublesome than the arvicolinae.
The white-footed mouse builds a large nest, usually in the branches or
hollow trunk of a tree. It often occupies a deserted bird's nest, which it
enlarges to meet the wants of its family. It is more prolific than the pre-
ceding, having two or three litters of six or eight young in the year.
The most important group of the mice is the arvicolinae, in which are
included all our short-tailed meadow or field mice, — Anncola. These are
distinguished by their short, thick body; short tail, usually less than half
112
Field-Mice.
the length of the body; and short, strong limbs. All the species of this
group, which are distributed throughout the whole continent, burrow in
'S**^-
THE MEADOW-MOUSE {Afvtcola ripario).
the earth or beneath the roots of a shrub or tussock of grass. They all
feed upon grasses, bulbous-roots, seeds, and grains. They do not hiber-
nate, but are active through the winter, seeking their food through the
deepest snows. Robert Kennicott, who wrote a valuable paper on these
vermin in the Patent-office Report for 1856, says, —
" The greatest mischief done by meadow-mice is the gnawing of bark
from fruit-trees. The complaints are constant and grievous, throughout
the Northern States, of the destruction of orchard and nurser\' trees by the
various species of arvicolce. The entire damage done by them in this way
may be estimated, perhaps, at millions of dollars. If any think this too
large an estimate, let them inquire, even in a small neighborhood where
much attention is paid to fruit-growing, and it will be found, tliat, wherever
they abound, the injuries committed by these pests are frequently among
the most serious difficulties encountered by the pomologist. This is es-
pecially the case at the \\'est, where no care is taken to protect the trees
against them ; careless orchardists allowing grass to grow about the roots
of their fruit-trees, and thus kindly furnishing the arvicolas with excellent
nesting-places in winter, and rendering the trees doubly liable to be girdled.
Field-Mice.
113
In the nurseries in Northern Illinois, I have seen whole rows of young
apple-trees stripped of their bark for a foot or two above the ground.
Thousands of fruit-trees, as well as evergreens and other ornamental trees
and shrubs, are at times thus killed in a nursery in one winter. The mice
are most mischievous in winters of deep snow. It is usually thought that
they only gnaw bark when no other food is to be obtained ; but it is more
probable that this is palatable to them at all times. Confined specimens,
while abundantly supplied with food of all kinds, ate the bark from twigs
placed in their cage. One reason why fruit-trees are most girdled in times
of deep snow is, that the meadow-mice can then best move about at a dis-
tance from their burrows, being protected by the snow, under which they
construct numerous pathways, and are thus enabled to travel comfortably
in search of food, always to be obtained in abundance where there is any
kind of perennial grass or the seeds of annual plants. Aided by the snow,
THE WOOD-MOUSE (,A . pinetoruni).
too, they climb up the sides of the trees to gnaw the bark at a consider-
able height from the ground. Rabbits are often accused of gnawing the
"S
I r4 Field- Mice.
bark from trees, when the mischief has really been done by meadow-
mice."
In concluding this short paper, it will be proper to mention some of
the methods that have been adopted for the destruction of these pests.
Dig in the earth, at the beginning of cold weather, short trenches, four
feet wide at the bottom, and three feet wide at the top, and about four
feet deep ; the ends inclined at the same angle as the sides. The earth-
walls of these trenches, after becoming frozen, are impassable to mice
that have fallen in, as they will in great numbers. I am informed by
a Scotch gardener, that he has killed upwards of 7iine thousmid in one
winter in this manner. Various poisonous preparations have been used,
some very effectively. A few of the best are as follows : Mix one
ounce of finely-powdered arsenic and one ounce of lard into a stiff dough
with meal or flour; make into pills, and scatter them about the haunts of
the rats and mice. Mix one ounce of flour, two ounces of lard, and half
a drachm of phosphorus, made also into pills ; or one ounce of flour, two
ounces of powdered cheese-crumbs, and half a drachm of phosphorus. An
effective poison is made of the following : Two ounces of finely-powdered
arsenic, two ounces of lard, ten drops of oil of rhodium, mixed with flour
or meal into thick dough, and . pills of it scattered about the orchards and
nurseries.
As " prevention is better than cure," so it is better to avoid the chance
of having mice in gardens and nurseries than to kill them after they have
got there. Before the snow falls then, all rubbish, such as brushwood,
straw, weeds, and other litter, should be raked up and burned ; for these
furnish comfortable homes for these pests. Have no piles of strawy ma-
nure about ; and, above all, take off all piles of stones that may have accu-
mulated. It is better to have them scattered over the surface of the ground
than to have them offering a safe asylum for hordes of vermin. In the
summer, spare all harmless snakes and owls, for their chief food is of mice
and insects; and a few of these benefactors will keep clean a large tract of
land. E. A, Sanntels.
TJie Jenisalcvi Artichoke. 1 1 5
THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE.
{Heiianthus tubcrosus.)
This plant, interesting in many respects, especially considered economi-
cally and agriculturally, was cultivated extensively at the end of the last
and beginning of the present century, and has probably been in Europe
for three hundred years. Now it is completely neglected ; a few specimens
only are sometimes to be seen in botanical gardens : and yet, as an orna-
mental plant, its tall stalks (each plant producing two or three, five or six
feet in height), surmounted by numerous flowers, which remind one slightly
of the sunflower {HcUanthiis annutis), make it most desirable. As an ali-
mentar)' plant, the tubers are prepared in various ways ; and the pulp has the
taste of artichokes (hence its vulgar name, Jerusalem artichoke). Largely
cultivated, it yields abundant and healthy food for cattle and sheep.
As an article of food, it is highly prized by some, and little valued or
wholly neglected by others. The opinion of the best agriculturists is, that
the tubers of this plant, well prepared, make a palatable and wholesome
dish. Cooked with a little salt, or even raw, cows and sheep eat them
readily in winter, if they are fed occasionally, or mixed with hay and
rovven.
Although indigenous to Brazil, and probably also to Chili, the tubers of
this plant withstand the most severe frosts. They vary in size, are very
abundant, and are similar in form to the potato {Solatium tuberosum). Every
kind of soil is adapted to them. They flourish everywhere, and furnish abun-
dant crops, which should be gathered in November ; or the tubers may be
dug even in winter, if the ground is not frozen. Is it not singular that of late
years, when, all over Europe and elsewhere, the potato-rot has appeared,
has lasted so long, and caused almost a famine, while, through a spirit
of rivalry, a multitude of tubers have been mentioned erroneously as edi-
ble, and good substitutes for the potato, no one has called to mind the
tubers of Heiianthus tuberosus 7
C. Bailly Merlieux, in the " Maison Rustique du XIX. Siecle," vol. i. p.
451, has devoted to these plants an exhaustive article, in which he quotes
Ii6 The Jerusalem Artichoke.
and examines all the opinions which have been given on this subject. We
regret not to be able, on account of its length, to reprint it here ; but we
refer those of our readers who may be interested in this subject to this
interesting notice.
He states, from indisputable authorities, the following facts : " These plants
resist the severest droughts, even in soil naturally arid, and multiply in the
poorest land ; they endure the most intense cold without injury ; they
need be gathered only as they are needed ; they supply man with healthy
food, either boiled or baked, although used chiefly for animals ; and
their leaves furnish fodder much sought for by all cattle."
M. V. de Tracy, a celebrated French agriculturist, cites a remarkable
example (" Le Cultivateur," March, 1835) : " On his farm of Paray-le-Fresil,
near Moulins (dep. TAllier), in the summer of 1834, the fields were dry,
and clover grew only a few inches from the ground. Under these circum-
stances, he had recourse to the Jerusalem artichoke, the medium height
of which was at that time from five to six feet, presenting an abundant
foliage of the finest green. From that time (the middle of August) he
mowed these stalks, and for two months a cart-load of about fifteen hun-
dred pounds was brought to the farm each day. This green fodder was
constantly and readily eaten by the cattle. It is worthy of remark, that
the harvest of tubers was not sensibly diminished in the plants where the
stalks had been cut. The leaves of the Jerusalem artichoke may be
dried, and stored for winter-fodder. In a scarcity of fuel, the stalks of
this plant, which are strong and hard, furnish good fuel : they burn ver}''
well when dry ; are useful for heating ovens and for kindling ; they may
also be used for pea-sticks, and for light supports or plant-stakes."
The author concludes his article thus : " The quantit}' yielded by the
Jerusalem artichoke varies greatly, according to the soil, and care bestowed
on its cultivation. V. Yvart, a celebrated agriculturist, after testing it with
the large white common potato, states, that, all circumstances being equal,
the advantage has always been in favor of the artichoke, tlje yield of which
is three or four times greater. M. V. de Tracy estimates the harvest to
be eight or nine times the seed in the clayey-silicious soil of his
farm ; that is to say, from three hundred and twent}' to three hundred and
eighty-five bushels to the acre. He thinks the produce of green fodder is
Greev-hunse Grapes under Horizontal Glass Screens. 1 1 7
•
from sixteen to twenty cart-loads, of about fifteen hundred pounds each,
to the acre."
We might lengthen this article by enumerating all the merits of the arti-
choke, and the modes of cultivating it extensively : but we have said
enough, we believe, to call attention to the cultivation of this almost-for-
gotten plant, and to suggest its culture in the kitchen-garden as well as in
the field ; for the table as well as for the stable ; and even in gardens,
where a clump placed here and there, by its erect stalks, its beautiful and
abundant foliage, and numerous flower-heads, produces a good effect. We
have eaten with much relish these tubers prepared in many ways, but
especially when fried in batter like artichokes.
The roots of this plant contain a great abundance of dahline, identical
with inuline. The tubers, subjected to fermentation, give a great Heal of
vinous liquor similar to beer; and, in this respect, the plant might become
important. Ullhistration Horticole.
[This plant is perfectly hardy with us ; produces tubers and an abundance
of foliage under the most unfavorable circumstances ; and its cultivation
might be profitably pursued. — Ed.]
CULTURE OF GREEN-HOUSE GRAPES UNDER HORIZON-
TAL GLASS SCREENS.
It is now a universal opinion, that the culture of those varieties of the
vine known as " green-house grapes " in the open air cannot succeed in
our climate. In fact, except in some favored spots, even the earliest
varieties, if not sheltered, yield small and uncertain results.
Every day we hear it said, " Grapes used to ripen perfectly here." That
may be true; but those times are long past. What are the causes of such a
remarkable change? Various circumstances must, evidently, have exercised
an influence upon the late ripening which we now observe in this fruit.
AVe believe that the degeneracy of the old early varieties, caused by long
cultivation, as well as the gradual depression of the average temperature
of our climate in consequence of the cutting-down of timber, has occa-
sioned this in a great measure.
1 1 8 Grccn-house Grapes under Horizontal Glass Screens.
It must, however, be noticed, that, during a considerable number of
years, little change has taken place in the average time of the ripening of
grapes, and that we are not sustained by any recent experience when we
complain that they ripen later than formerly. We may have become
more exacting; and, having brought fruit-trees to such perfection, find
ourselves unable to be satisfied with the ordinary- sour grapes of vines
cultivated out of doors. It is with the vine as with ever}' thing else : we
always imagine that what we used to have was better; and so we very often
erroneously invoke " those good old times," which have, however, remained
the same, while we ourselves have changed.
Certainly, after the satisfactory results of our first attempts at cultivation
under glass, by which superb, well-ripened grapes of the magnificent late
varieties have been obtained, grapes produced in the ordinary way must
seem more insignificant and sour than ever.
Indeed, we cannot help becoming thoroughly disgusted with the system
of cultivating green-house grapes in the open air, since they are far from
paying for either the pains or the valuable space we are obliged to devote
to them. In short, as we said at the beginning of these remarks, the
necessity of a glass shelter for tender grape-vines has long been felt. Thus,
ornamental hot-houses lined with grape-vines — hot-houses reserved es-
pecially for this purpose — are now frequently met with here. What still
remains to be accomplished is to reduce this method to its most simple
foiTn, an inexpensive grapery, so as to render this culture ever}-Avhere easy,
pleasant, and lucrative. The mode of culture I am about to describe does
this fully. The little hot-house or forcing-frame, a design of which we give
above, is composed of little sashes, adjusted by means of screws, and
Culture of Ferns from the Spore.
119
resting upon bricks laid on the ground. It will be seen that the space
enclosed in this little hot-house, and the easy system of ventilation, allow
the temperature to be elevated or depressed at will. Moreover, by its
position near the soil, the vine must profit greatly by the radiation from the
ground. Vines cultivated in an open garden-bed, or, better still, at the
foot of a well-exposed wall, and conducted in a unilateral horizontal
position, would be best suited to this kind of shelter.
A branch of vine detached from the wall, and bent down towards the
soil, could also be forced in this way.
Vines cultivated with long canes, and introduced under this simple
forcing-frame, would produce an abundance of fine fruit. Lastly, the
intelligent gardener would be able, in many other ways, to make use of
this simple construction to obtain the finest and most savory of all fruits.
Flore des Sevres.
[This method is in general use in England, and might be advantageously
used in this country. It may be a question, however, as to the effect of
our hot summer's sun on these ground-vineries. — Ed.]
CULTURE OF FERNS FROM THE SPORE.
At the beginning of March, select a warm corner of the side stage of the
greenhouse ; place in a board two feet square ; then break small a quantit}'
of crocks, and cover the board to the depth of half an inch ; chop up very
fine a little sphagnum-moss, and cover the crocks ; next sift through a fine
sieve a quantity of sandy peat, with a small proportion of fresh loam ; then
mix up with a quantity of silver sand equal to both ; press the moss level,
and lay this compost on an inch deep ; and, when done, slightly smooth
and press lightly over the surface ; then give a slight watering out of a
fine rose, and, when the water has subsided, sprinkle on the spores pretty
I20 New Plants.
thick, and finish by putting a hand-glass over all, first painting or white-
washing the glass to cast off the sun's rays ; keep the glass close, excepting
on days of strong sunshine, when the glass ought to be raised a little at
one side up to the moment the plants make their appearance, giving a
sprinkling of water when the surface shows signs of getting dry : thus
continue to keep the soil damp ; but stagnant water must be avoided.
The plants, in the first stages of formation, will be recognized in the
minute cups that make their appearance on the beds, and which will soon
start up fronds. As soon as they can be handled, remove the board off
the stage, and place another in its stead ; which cover as recommended for
the others, only making the bed of earth double the thickness. Take the
plants out singly with a pointed stick, and prick into narrow rows on the
new bed ; give a slight watering out of a fine rose, and return the glass as
before ; keep shaded for a few days, until the plants have begun root-
action, when air can be admitted by degrees. In a few weeks the plants
will be fit for pots, when all danger is past.
A. Kerr, in ^'■Scottish Gardener.''''
NEW PLANTS.
Tacsonia Van Volxemii. — This is undoubtedly one of the finest conserva-
tory climbers ever introduced, second only to the justly and universally ad-
mired Lapagcria rosea. The healthiness, vigor, and rapidity of its growth
combine to make it highly desirable for producing immediate effect in
conservatory decoration. The flowers, which are of a rich, rosy crimson-
color (fully five inches in diameter), are freely produced from the axil of
each leaf, and are gracefully suspended on long, slender foot-stalks a foot
in length, so peculiarly slender and thread-like, that the flowers hang, as it
were, clear and detached from the foliage, and have the appearance of
brilliantly-colored parachutes suspended in the air.
The foliage is also remarkably good, and free from that coarseness
which detracts much from other tacsonias.
" Our plant is growing in a mixture of rough peat, loam, and coarse
sand, with abundance of drainage, and plenty of pieces of broken brick-
New Plants. 1 21
bats, crocks, sandstone, and old lime rubble, mixed in with the soil.
As a proof of its comparative hardiness, a plant of it grew in England
luxuriantly on an eastern wall, out of doors, during the summer and autumn
of 1865."
This charming creeper is a native of New Grenada, where it is cultivated
in gardens under the name of Courouba. It found its way into Europe a
few years since through M. Van Volxem, a Belgian traveller, after whom it
has been named. — Florist.
Clematis rubella and Lanugifiosa Candida. — The former was raised by
Messrs. Jackman of Woking, to whom we also owe those fine varieties,
yackmanni and rubro-violacca, figured in a former volume, and which were
the forerunners of a new race of clematises. Rubella, one of the finest
of these, has been several times exhibited, and has received first-class
certificates both from the Royal Horticultural and Botanic Societies. Its
flowers are of a rich, velvety, reddish-violet, and are stated to be more con-
stant in having five or six petals than any of the other varieties. Lanugifiosa
Candida is white, slightly tinged with purple towards the edges of the petals,
and will prove useful for mixing with the richer-colored varieties. It is
believed to be of Continental origin. The mode of cultivation pursued by
Messrs. Jackman in the case of these and other varieties is thus stated by
Mr. George Jackman, jun. : " When we put our specimen clematises out,
we plant them permanently out of pots in the open ground. In pots they
will flower freely, but will not produce flowers in equal number or of so
fine a quality, because the clematis, having a fleshy root, cannot take up
sufficient moisture to develop its flowers so finely as in the open ground.
The soil they luxuriate mostly in is one composed of rich manured loam,
and, when possible, fine calcareous sand. They should be pruned back in
the spring, about February, leaving a quantity of good breaking-buds : but
there is this difference, — some kinds will only flower on the old, well-
ripened wood of last year's growth; therefore discretion must be used. C.
Standishii, Fortunei, and all the varieties of azurea grandijlora, are of this
character; while others, such as the hybrid seedlings of which C. JackmaJini
is the type, — rubro-violacea, rubella, Prince of Wales, and all the viticcllas,
— will grow and flower quite as well and as vigorously on the spring's
growth as the other varieties do on the older wood. After pruning, the
VOL. I. 16
122 Illinois State Horticultural Society.
surface should be stirred up, and some good rotten manure forked in round
the roots. By giving attention to these simple rules, any person may have
exuberant growth, large flowers, and brilliant colors." — Floral Magazine.
ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Champaign, III., Dec. 14, 1866.
This society held its eleventh annual meeting, commencing the nth instant,
and closing to-day.
The attendance was unusually large ; all parts of the State being represented.
The day preceding the meeting, the weather turned cold with that suddenness
characteristic of the West, sending the mercury to zero: hence the show of
fruit was small ; the largest collection coming from the south part of the State,
and numbering fifty varieties.
Of new fruits, or those not generally cultivated, were the Stanard, — a com-
paratively new apple of great promise, nearly as large and showy as the King of
Tompkins County. Tree hardy, and remarkably productive of nearly first-rate
quality. A large basket of the fruit was presented to the meeting, the members
of which became a tasting committee of the whole.
Ben Davis and Rome Beauty also attracted a large share of attention.
Among the older apples of high merit were Winesop and BrandyAvine, or better
known as Minkler. These four are rapidly becoming great favorites in this
State. A basket each of the two latter took the same direction as the Stanard.
Your Eastern readers will observe that the prairie orchards have a list of their
own, which it might be well for them to make trial of
The Stanard is said to be a seedling from Erie County, N.Y. It has been
drawn in colors by Dewey of Rochester, from a Western specimen.
The Ben Davis is supposed to be a seedling of Kentucky or Tennessee; the
Rome Beauty, of Ohio; and the Minkler, of Ohio or Pennsylvania. The
Winesop is an old fruit, that is very popular at the West.
No change was made in the apple list; but the attention of the society was
called to the great value of these four varieties.
Pears. — The pear list was not disturbed. Cultivators are falling into the
practice of our Eastern pear-cuUivators, by planting close, providing abundant
shelter, and shading from the direct rays of the sun. The pear-blight is the
great drawback in the culture of this fruit. Sulphur, iron, and scoria have been
tried with unsatisfactory results.
Peaches. — But little time was spent over this fruit. Its three enemies —
curculio, peach-grub, and frost — were disposed of; the first by the use of Dr.
Hall's inverted umbrella with daily jarrings, the second by the use of the knife,
tlie third by annual planting and shelter-belts in all that part of the State south
of lat. 41°.
Illinois State Horticultural Society. 123
Plums have been so nearly abandoned, that nothing was said in regard to
them.
Cherries. — This fruit was freely discussed, and the list corrected. The
fruit known as Early May, May Cherry, and Early Richmond, was decided to be
an American seedling, originating near Richmond, Va., and there known as the
Early May, and its name fixed accordingly. This is the great market-cherry of
the prairie country. Near this city is one orchard, of six hundred trees, that
commenced shipping fruit to Chicago the past summer. Another orchard, of
the same number, began to bear this season. Besides these, the trees are ready
to set one orchard of two thousand trees, and four others of one thousand each.
This shows the great popularity of this fruit. Added to this are several lots of
fifty to one hundred trees. Many suppose that this is only a cooking cherry;
but, though not the most delicious, it is a very good eating cherry, as is attested
by the fruit-stands of Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Chicago, where large amounts
are consumed daily.
The large English Morello, which is fully a month later, is the only other
cherry put on the list for market. At the request of a few, the May Duke and
Black Tartarian were added for family use.
Along the Mississippi, for a long distance, is a narrow strip of bluff-land
known by geologists as Loess, on which nearly all the sweet cherries appear to
do very well, but where the fruit is nearly all destroyed by the birds.
It was also decided that the Morello suckers, or seedlings, were much the
best, if not the only stock suitable on which to graft the two market-cherries
named.
For the past five or six years, the cherry question has been tending to this
result; and it may be considered settled for some time to come in this State.
While the mazzard and mahaleb may be suitable stocks in many sections, it is
certain, that, for the whole prairie region, they are of little value.
Grapes. — The new grapes have, with few exceptions, failed to give satisfac-
tion; and several grape-growers contended that the Clinton (for wine), Hartford
Prolific, and Concord were the only ones of value to us. It is certain that
Delaware, Adirondack, lona, and others, have made almost a total failure.
Frost and rot are the difliculties in the way. It is probable, that, as protection
increases, grapes will do better. Along the Mississippi, vineyards are rapidly
multiplying, mostly of Clinton, Catawba, and Concord.
Officers Elect. — President, Elmor Baldwin of Farm Ridge, Lasalle
County; Secretary, W. C. Flagg, of Alton; Treasurer, I. Huggins, Woodbum;
with a list of fourteen Vice-Presidents, — one from each Congressional district.
The next meeting is to be held at South Pass about the ist of October.
The society resolved to make a show of fruit at the meeting of the American
Pomological Society to be held at St. Louis, Mo., commencing Sept. 10.
The transactions are to be published at once, for members only. Any person
can become a member on the payment of two dollars.
3f. L. D.
124 OJiio Pomological Society. — New Horticultural Hall.
OHIO POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in September, 1847; and is the oldest State
society of the kind in the Union. Its meetings were held annually till after the
organization of the American Pomological Society; then changed to biennially,
alternating with the meetings of that society: but, in 1863, the rule was again
adopted of meeting annually. Since that time, the legislature has granted the
society a small annual appropriation, sufficient to pay its expenses of printing
reports, &c.; and its transactions are also published in the annual volume of
Transactions of the State Board of Agriculture; so that the society is, in fact,
doing the work of a State Horticultural Society. Besides its annual meetings,
the society has a committee ad interim, consisting of the officers and four
members, whose duty it is to hold meetings during the summer and fall, and
examine and report on such fruits as cannot well come before the annual meet-
ing. A. H. Ernst, Esq., of Cincinnati, was president of the society from its
organization till his decease in i860; since which time the place has been filled
by Dr. J. A. Warder, of that city. M. B. BattJham, of Painesville, has long
been its secretary and treasurer.
The fourteenth annual meeting of the society was held at Zanesville, Dec. 4
and 6, 1866. This Muskingum Valley is among the oldest settled portions of
Ohio, and was long famous for the production of fine apples, of which great
quantities were shipped down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans and
other Southern cities; but of late years this trade has greatly diminished. The
display of apples at the meeting was fine, embracing not less than four hundred
plates, and one hundred and fifty distinct varieties. Delegates were present
from Pennsylvania, New York, and Indiana. Discussion was had on apples,
pears, grapes, blackberries, and strawberries; also on blight in fruit-trees,
mildew and rot in grapes, &c. The place selected for the next annual meeting
is Sandusky. The following are the officers elected for 1867: —
President. — Dr. J. A. Warder, Cincinnati. Vice-President. — G. W.
Campbell, Delaware. Secretary and Treasurer. — M. B. Bateham, Paines-
ville. Committee. — William Heaver, Cincinnati; J.Austin Scott, Toledo; A.
B. Buttles, Columbus; N. L. Wood, Smithfield.
NEW HORTICULTURAL HALL.
The new Horticultural Hall now being built in Philadelphia by the Pennsyl-
vania Horticultural Society is the largest horticultural hall in this country, and
among the largest of its public halls of any description. The entire building is
seventy-five feet front by two hundred feet deep and sixty feet high, with a cut-
stone front composed of a pearl-gray stone with brown stone-dressings. The
ceiling of the main hall is fifty feet high ; and it comprises a stage, an auditorium,
committee-rooms, a " Foyer," and a balcony. The ground-floor comprises two
large rooms, lumber-rooms, and a large banqueting-hall. A narrow gallery will
Literary Notice. 1 25
extend around the sides of the main hall, which will enable visitors to look down
on the entire display of fruits, flowers, &c. The hall will be lighted with a triple
row of brackets, having three to five gas jets on each, and extending around the
sides of the hall. This will leave a clear space, in the middle of the hall, of
seventy feet wide, fifty feet high, and nearly two hundred feet long. This will
include the "Foyer," — a beautiful room of seventy by thirty feet, with thirty
feet ceiling (opening into the main hall), in which the monthly meetings of the
society will be held, and in which its valuable library will be placed. The annual
displays of the society will be held in the main hall. It is not yet decided when
the formal opening of the hall will take place, but probably in the spring of
1867. The ladies of the society intend to hold a grand bazaar, for the sale of
horticultural, floricultural, and fancy articles, on the 29th of May next ; at which
time the society will hold its spring, rose, and strawberry show and competition
together, forming a fine horticultural display. The proceeds of this enterprise
will be devoted to frescoing and otherwise decorating the hall.
LITERARY NOTICE.
The Book of Roses. By Francis Parkman. Boston : J. E. Tilton & Co.
1866. Pp. 225. A new edition.
As there are certain books that no gentleman's library should be without,
so there are certain flowers that his garden cannot dispense with ; and chief of
these, by common consent, is the rose.
Happily the office of a critic is here very simple indeed. We have only to
name the book, and point out a few of its excellences, and then leave our readers
to find the rest for thernselves, — as they are sure to do.
Mr. Parkman divides his book into two parts, — the first devoted to the laws,
methods, and operations of rose-culture proper ; the second to a classifica-
tion of roses, a list of the best varieties, and the novelties of 1866, — a most
judicious and sensible arrangement, and one which makes a pleasing contrast
to the condition of some horticultural books it has been our fate to read.
The first chapter treats of planting, pruning, preparation of the soil, novel
methods of growing fine plants, and of the enemies of the rose ; and all these
topics are discussed at length, and with much clearness and precision.
The second chapter is devoted to pot-culture, and to the somewhat neglected
art of raising specimen plants. The third chapter gives instruction in propaga-
tion in all known ways ; while various miscellaneous matters, including the pro-
duction of new varieties, hybridizing, and the improvement of climbing roses,
find space for ample consideration in chapter four.
" Raising seedhng roses is a recreation of so much interest," says Mr. Park-
man, "that few who once enter upon it ever abandon their pleasing task." We
who plant our grape and strawberry seeds every fall, and watch the seedlings
with undiminished interest from summer to summer, are very ready to believe
him, and trust that his explicit directions will enlist a host of experimenters.
126 Literary Notice.
He who plants a seed of a grape or a rose, a verbena or a pear, buys a ticket
in a lottery where single prizes are set off against myriads of blanks. Yet this
very uncertainty, added to the extreme brilliancy of the prizes, lures on one ama-
teur after another, until raising seedlings of some fruit or flower becomes, as at
present, the fashionable mania in the horticultural world. One gentleman in this
country is said to have thirty thousand seedling grape-vines under trial ; and
Mr. Parkman assures us that M. Laffay, an eminent French rose-cultivator,
raised in one year ten thnes that number of rose-seedlings. If twenty or thirty
good new roses resulted from this immense number of plants, the year's experi-
ment must have been considered very successful.
The new roses of 1866, named and described in the Appendix, 2iX^ fifty-six, if
we have counted right ; and must represent the product of nearly half a million
seedling plants. Although there are countless distinct and splendid roses, there
is yet room for more ; and the amateur who produces a good climbing moss-rose
will win for himself a most honorable name. Let every rose-grower raise a few
seedlings, and keep in mind the words of the veteran Rivers: "These light
gardening operations are not labor : they are a delightful amusement to a refined
mmd, and lead it to reflect on the wonderful infinities of Nature,"
The second part of the book — that devoted to an elaborate classification of
roses — sheds a flood of light upon what was once incomprehensible.
The author himself recognizes the formidable difficulties that stand in the
way of a strictly scientific classification ; but, in spite of these obstacles, — arising
from the interminable series of hybrids that have been artificially produced, —
he has given his readers a classification as far as possible removed from what he
calls the equivocal and shadowy character of many of the nominal distinctions.
He explains the habits, mode of growth, and general character, of the varieties
in each subdivision ; and is careful to specify what kinds will, in our climate,
repay the cultivator for his pains and care.
The remontant roses receive at the author's hands the attention they so well
deserve : and we are glad of this ; for we know many a garden that is never
made bright by a show of autumnal roses, although it has the old-fashioned
kinds in abundance.
The best of these ever-blooming kinds, however, are getting more common
every year; and in a little while these brilliant /arz/^««j-, as the author calls some
of them, will be known everywhere, and meet with the recognition they merit
It is not our purpose, nor indeed have we space, to go through Mr. Parkman's
book seriatim, taking up and discussing each chapter by itself. We are obliged
to speak of it in large and general terms. No foreign treatise, however excel-
lent at home, can be of much use here ; and the present work may be safely
said to be the only book on this subject that fully meets our wants. It bears
marks, of course, of elegant and refined scholarship, and is characterized through-
out by such thoroughness, accuracy, precision, and command of the subject
treated of, as fill us with renewed admiration of the varied accomplishments of
its learned author. Nobody should buy roses next spring, or plant those he has
bought this fall, without first making sure he is right by consulting Mr. Parkman.
Editor's Table.
127
In regard to the external appearance of the book, all we can say is, that the
publishers have done their very best to make the outside worthy of the contents.
Very few books intended for holiday gifts surpass this in luxuriousness of paper
and type, or in the dainty fitness of the illustrations. The pubHshers may well
regard it with pride ; and while all amateurs will, of course, buy and read it, peo-
ple who do not know a cabbage-rose from a cabbage can cheaply acquire a
floricultural reputation among their friends by embeUishing their parlor-tables
with a copy of " The Book of Roses."
If such books as this are called for, they will be produced by some one or
another ; and the increasing demand for horticultural works is one of the pleas-
antest signs of the times.
.The fact that somebody has time, in this busy land, to gratify his jesthetic
sentiment by the cultivation of flowers, shows that we are not all absorbed in
money-getting ; and no happier answer to the common charge, that all Yankees
are slaves of the almighty dollar, can be devised, than simply to hand to the
calumniator this book, or one of Mr. Rand's.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
In "Chronicles of a Town Garden," published last year in "The Florist and
Pomologist," I read an account of Roman hyacinths as being very early spring-
blooming bulbs, which forced finely, and produced elegant fragrant flowers.
Seeing the name in a Dutch catalogue, I procured some through a friend ; but
the bulb sent bore no resemblance to a common hyacinth. I have planted them,
and am giving the usual treatment of hyacinths in earth.
Can you tell me what they are, the botanical name, and whether I am growing
mine properly ? A new Subscriber.
We sent your letter to Mr. Rand ; who replies, The botanical name of the
bulb commonly called Roman hyacinth is Bellevalia Romana, or operctdata :
it is also sometimes called Scilla Roniana and Hyacinthus Roinamis. The
plants are distinguished from Muscari^ some species of which they much re-
semble, by having their perianth divided half-way down into six folded lobes,
expanding to form a prismatic bell. They differ from the true hyacinths by the
perianth having an angular and not a circular section.
The bulbs are about the size of an English walnut, roundish-oblong, smooth,
somewhat resembling those of the musk hyacinth : the flowers are blue, white,
or pink tinged with green. They are natives of Southern Europe and Western
Asia. B. Syriaca has orange and blue flowers. They would not prove hardy in
New England, and require pot-culture like tender scillas, which they much re-
semble in flower. While pretty, they are not very ornamental ; and I much doubt
their being very early flowering. The blue is the most common, and is figured
in Curtis's " Botanical Magazine," tab. 939. Your treatment is right ; but they
will scarcely bloom before March.
128 Editor's Table.
S. R. S. — The leaf sent is a clear case of red spider, which is one of the
worst of insect-pests. Moisture is sure death to them. Flour of sulphur dusted
over the leaves tends to prevent their increase. In the March number of the
Magazine, a long article will be devoted to this insect, and the best modes of
destroying it.
I. W. B. — Four best hardy rhododendrons, — red, Atrosajiguiiietanj pink,
Delicatissi»mm ; white, Caiawbiense albii7n j purplish, Everesfiaftzim.
Lawn Grass. — We propose to begin in a future number a series of articles
on lawn grasses, illustrated by figures drawn from Nature, and accompanied by
descriptions, together with directions for sowing, proper soil, and culture.
Mrs. R. B. E., E. Bridgewater. — Carnations and picotees are hardy if a
little care be taken. They should not be wintered in a wet place, or where they
will be exposed to alternate freezing and thawing. As soon as the ground freezes,
cover them loosely with dry leaves, and lay an evergreen bough upon them to
prevent the leaves from blowing away. With this protection, they will generally
survive. The best way, however, is to layer them in July ; and in November to
take up the layers, which will then be well rooted. Plant them in a frame made
of common boards, about an inch apart. As soon as freezing weather comes, fill
the frame with leaves, and put on a sash, covering it with a board. Let them thus
remain until the first of April, when the board, sash, and leaves may be removed.
The plants will be fresh and bright, will at once begin to grow, and may be
transplanted to beds or the border about the middle of May. Care must be
taken that mice do not make their winter-quarters in the frame.
Can standard pears budded last fall be transplanted the coming spring for the
purpose of thinning rows of nursery-trees ? Yes : though it will check their
growth somewhat. The land should be well prepared and highly manured, and
the trees transplanted early and with care, and they will do well. Should very
much prefer to leave them where they are, at least one year, unless very near
together.
Please answer which are the best twelve varieties of standard pears for culti-
vation in Massachusetts, for market, early and late.
Windsor, or Bell ; August ; poor in quality ; sells well ; bears moderately
young; tree hardy. Clapp's favorite ; September ; large ; handsome ; bears young.
Bartlett ; September ; bears young. Merriam ; great bearer ; bears young.
Doyenne Boussock ; great bearer ; large and fair fruit. Louise Bonne de Jersey;
bears young. Swan's Orange ; bears young ; fruit large ; acid. Seckel ; re-
quires considerable age before bearing. Sheldon ; fine quality ; bears rather
young. Urbaniste ; tree long time coming to maturity ; first-rate. Buerre
d'Anjou : there is no better variety, all things considered ; bears young ; Octo-
ber and November. Lawrence ; winter ; bears young ; good.
We have received many questions, to which we have not space to reply in
this number.
WHAT IS DIRT?
I HAVE lately made an address before an agricultural society, with the
above title. As it proved quite interesting to a large concourse of ladies
and gentlemen, I have thought that a little talk upon a similar subject
would interest the readers of your new magazine; particularly the younger
portion, who have not yet mastered the scientific fact, that dirt is — dirt.
What else it is, or appears to be, let us consider.
Here comes one of Flora's sweetest nymphs, holding in her hand one
of those "regulation bouquets," which more resembles a carved and painted
block than it does a collection of growing flowers.
But we will not stop to dispute the artist's taste, who prefers such an
unnatural thing to a much more artistic, because more natural, bunch of
flowers. Our present talk is upon another theme.
With what delight our little goddess Nymphalia exhibits to me her
prize! "So sweet, so pure, so beautiful!" she says. Yes, it is; and
thus should flowers always excite admiration. They do in all cultivated
minds. So, also, they should excite inquirj^ of whence they come.
" Flowers ? " I replied to the little lady's admiration, as she laid them
VOL. I.
«7
129
130 W/iat is Dirtl
down before me, — " flowers ? 'Tis nothing but a bunch of dirt. How can
you see in such stuff a ray of beauty ? "
" O grandpa ! how can you say this of my beautiful flowers ? Dirt,
indeed ! There was no dirt even where they grew. The conservatory was
as neat as this parlor. And this clean white and gilded paper — this you
would call dirt too, I suppose ? "
" Certainly : nothing else."
" Then I do wish that you would tell me what is dirt ! It was only ;
yesterday that you said of ma's nice white wheat-bread, 'Nothing but dirt.'
I never know when to think you in earnest, except when you read one of
those long lectures."
" I will give you a practical demonstration some day." And thus we
parted, — she to carry her treasure where it would be admired, and not
called dirt ; and I to writing my lecture of " What is Dirt ? "
In that, I asked some other young ladies, as well as their mothers, to
look at a sample of fine white flour which I had upon the table before me.
Here it is : flour to-day ; it was dirt yesterday, — at least last year, —
black, rank, foul, odorous dirt, such as you complained of just now as
having been brought into the house, from the cow-yard, upon the boots of
the "dirty men."
Yet that which was then offensive contains nearly all the elements
of this. What, then, is this white flour, or this fine loaf, but dirt ? If we
should grind this crystal goblet to an impalpable powder, and wet it with
this pure spring-water, and mix it with the flour, in that compound we
could grow wheat ; for then it would be dirt : now it is flour, water, and
crystal glass.
And what is glass? — sand and a little potash. Disintegi-ated quartz, —
the hardest flint-rock, — glass in its unmanufactured condition. It is the <
substance that stiffens the wheat-straw with its coating of silex, — a silicate
of potash.
Our supply of potash comes from the ashes of plants : they obtained
theirs from its natural source, — in the rocks, worn down, dissolved, ab-
sorbed, and stored up in all woody growth. When that decays, it is dirt,
— dirt that is convertible into food. It made this flour, this bread : it
can be reconverted from food to dirt, and food again, in one eternal round.
W/iat is Dirtf 131
Therefore let nothing be lost. Cast no crumb of bread into the gutter,
to be washed into the sea. That is not such casting of bread upon the
water as will return after many days. The days are too many ; more than
you will ever live to see.
But let us return to Nymphalia and her flowers, and see what a lesson
they may teach.
In three days they were faded, — already on the road to prove my
words, that they were nothing but dirt. I took them, with Nymphalia's
consent, and in her presence jammed them into the bottom of an earthen
vase, poured in a little water, covered the vase with a plate, and put it
aside in a warm room. I looked after and kept it moist for a few weeks ;
when my compost of clean white paper, with its golden border, and all it
held of straw, stems, leaves, petals, anthers, stamens, in many colors, and
sweet odors (sweet as the rose), were now a plastic mass, — all but a
little woody fibre : that I burned, and added the ashes ; and then, a few
days after, I carried the vase and its contents into our sitting-room, and
placed it where the bouquet had stood at first, upon Thalia's work-
table.
My library opens out of this room. The door is thin, and I can over-
hear conversation. Sometimes, when sitting as I am now, very still, quietly
writing at my desk, I overhear words not intended for my ears. I did that
day. Here are some of them. The queen who presides over this realm
has entered, and is looking about to see if any stray flies, or specks of dust,
are here, unbidden and unwelcome guests.
Strange how all neat housewives war with house-flies ! Do they know
where they come from, where they go, how they are propagated, how
long they live, how the seed is kept over until next year } But, more
than that, do they know they cannot do without them; that they are
Nature's scavengers? When the summer is hot, if there were no flies,
tliere would be sickness.
" Flies make dirt."
Yes, I know it. It is only dirt in the wrong place. So you must shut
the flies out with wire screens to windows and doors. That is the way I
do. The few that get in are driven out with paper fly-brushes, or killed.
But, after all, it is as well that we should know that the power of the fly
132 What is Dirt?
army to convert dirt — effete, malarious, fever -breeding matter — into
living organism is great beyond all conception.
The mistress, in making war upon the flies, smelt something unlike the
odor of flowers.
" That which we call a rose,
By any other name would sroell as sweet,"
Would it? Here is a vase of them. Do they smell sweet ? Nay; or
else why these words ? — "I do wonder what that girl has got in this vase
that smells so ! Rank as manure. Why, 'tis manure, I do believe ! What
in the world has she brought it into this room for ? 'Phalia, come here."
Enter Nymphalia ; takes a sniff, and turns up her pretty nose, and pouts
a rosy lip.
" My dear, what does it mean ? What experiment in horticulture are
you trying now ? What did you bring the dirty mess in here for ? "
" Oh ! it was not I. It must be one of grandpa's jokes. Is he in the
library .? Let us call him and see. Yes : here he is. Now, what have you
brought in this dirt for ? "
" Dirt .'' You surprise me. That is a most beautiful bouquet. Here in the
centre is a white camellia. It is surrounded by a circle of the most lovely
small roses. Here is a circle made up of a great variety of colors, —
crimson, pink, blue, yellow, red, purple, white. Outside is another circle
of roses. They and their odor predominate. This is the clean white
paper with a gilt border."
" O grandpa ! is that my bouquet ? And has it come to this ? — a mass
of fetid black dirt, which would soil every thing that it touched. Oh, what
a lesson I have learned ! I shall never forget it, I am sure."
" It is not yet finished. Plant in this dirt a hyacinth-bulb, and, before
spring, you will reconvert it into other flowers."
" But that would grow and bloom in nothing but water. The bulb
contains the nutriment."
" True, except what it gains from air and water. Well, then, plant in
this dirt — in this bunch of flowers — a little carrot-seed (the tops are
really pretty winter ornaments), and you will convert this odorous dirt into
wholesome food. Or you may plant some grains of buckwheat, and they
will grow, and give you white blossoms that will attract the bees the first
♦■
What is Dirt? 133
warm day in spring. A portion of this dirt will then become honey. There
is no end to the change, — no end to one of Nature's circles. Dirt is
food, and food is dirt. How true it is that all flesh is grass, even your
own fair face, — grass that perisheth, and becomes again dirt ! "
Then what is dirt? What but all you see, — even the most beautiful
flowers, the cleanest white paper, the gold that formed the yellow band,
the finest wheat-flour, the sweetest bread, the most luscious meat, fruit,
sugar, honey .? And thou — do not forget that " of dust thou art, and unto
dust thou shalt return."
" Waste not, want not," is one of the truest of the homely old proverbs
of ever)'-day use. Yet look abroad upon every hand at the waste, — waste
of dirt. We turn rivers into our cities, and through our houses, to wash
the dirt into the sea.
Surely we do not consider the command, " Gather up the fragments, that
nothing be lost."
AVe are continually losing, continually throwing away. We do not
consider that every rose a rose would bloom again; that every crumb
of bread that we cast so far out upon the waters of the great deep that it
cannot return to us in our day and generation is a grain of wheat wasted.
In the aggregate, the waste is fearful. It is no palliation of the wickedness
of waste to say, "It is nothing but dirt." What is dirt? It is this rose,
this leaf, this apple ; yonder growing wheat, now so green and beautiful ;
and it will be the waving, golden grain, flour, bread, flesh, human beings,
and homes for " the spirits of just men made perfect " in the knowledge of
"what is dirt."
Now let us walk out along this granite ledge, hard almost as adamant,
and " eternal as the hills." Yet it is not everlasting: for here the cryptogam
eats into this hard substance, and turns it into dirt ; and that will produce
— you have seen what.
Look at these patches of pale green, gray, and brown, looking as though
they had been party-colored paints spread upon the face of the rock.
Every one of these moss-plants is tearing away little infinitesimal particles
of this granite, and converting it into dirt, such as came of the decay of
your lovely flowers; only they were more advanced along the great highway
of progress from flinty rocks to flowers and food.
134 Shading Caladias and fine-foliaged Plants.
These cr}-ptogamic plants are the great " quartz-crushers " of God's
providence to man, grinding the rocks into dust for him to amalgamate in
Nature's laboratory, and out of it gather fine gold.
No matter what we call the rocks in their primitive form, — whether
granite, gneiss, trap, hornblende, quartz, felspar, argilaceous or calcareous,
— God's quartz-crushers will grind them down; and out of the dirt will
spring up trees, vines, shrubs, plants, flowers, grains, animals, and my
lovely little Nymphalia, who, with all her beauty and sweetness, never was
arrayed like one of these; yet out of them she grew, and back to earth
must go again. Let us reflect, then, " What is dirt ? "
It is the rose that blooms so sweet ;
It is the grass in emerald green ;
It is the fruit, the bread, the meat,
And e'en this paper white and clean.
The sweetest bunch of lovely flowers
That ever fragrance gave to air
Has been, in some preceding hours.
The dust of earth, which mortals share ;
To which they must again return.
And therefore dirt should not despise.
But what it is should try to learn,
And how from dirt the flowers arise.
Remember, then, that flesh is grass ;
And vnsdom should make us alert
To search the cause that brings to pass
That flowers and food are made of dirt.
Solon Robinson.
Shading Caladias and fine-foliaged Plants. — Caladias, and all
plants, whether requiring shade or not, are best grown near the glass,
but not nearer than from nine inches to one foot. On very bright days,
they require partial shade from nine, a.m., to four, p.m., as their beauty is thus
much prolonged ; but the more light a plant has, the more bright will be the
color of the foliage, of whatever shade that may be : and to some plants it
is absolutely necessary to bring out the color of the leaves ; as, for instance,
in the case of crotons, dracaenas, pandanas, and }niccas. Exposure to
the full sun is injurious in the case of other plants ; for instance, variegated-
leaved begonias and ferns. — " Country Getitleman.'"
Commenccvicnt and Progress of Orchid Culture.
135
COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS OF ORCHID CULTURE.
It had long been known from travellers that orchidaceous plants, espe-
pecially the epiphytal species, were remarkable for brilliancy of color,
extraordinary form, and exquisite fragrance ; but for many years they were
known only to the horticultural w^orld from dried specimens in herbaria,
where, of course, both color and perfume were lost, and often the flower
ONCIDIUM INSLEAYII.
itself pressed out of shape. In time, however, a few living plants found
their way to England : these were mostly of the hardier and more common
species, and, not receiving proper culture, soon perished. Plants imported
in good condition were with difficulty kept alive, and never flourished. As
they came from a hot climate, they were constantly forced in heat: no
136 Comineitccment and Progress of Orchid Culture.
season for rest and the formation of flower-buds was given. Such treatment
may be likened to keeping an animal perpetually awake, or keeping our
forced grapes or fruit-trees in perpetual growth : in either case, death by
exhaustion would be the result.
It may, however, be said, that, in their native countries, these plants enjoy
perpetual summer. This, as far as a high temperature is concerned, is
often the case ; but rest is afforded by a decrease of atmospheric moisture
during certain seasons of the year, and thus the force of the argument is
more apparent than real.
In fact, at the end of the last century, there were only about a dozen
poorly-grown plants of this family in the greenhouses at Kew. From 1800
to 1815, about ten more species were added to this little collection; and,
from 18 1 5 to 1830, fifty-three new species and varieties formed, with those
we have mentioned, all the living plants of this numerous family which we
either possessed or had knowledge of. Since 1830, constant additions
have been made, till to-day the number of orchids introduced to cultivation
is so great, that we may safely say there is no family of plants so rich in
species and varieties.
What, then, have been the reasons which have operated so unfavorably
for the introduction and cultivation of orchids ?
The first and most natural was, that they could not be made to live in
the climate of Europe. If any were imported in good condition, they were
doubtless cultivated like greenhouse plants. There being entire ignorance
of their requirements and habits, they received only the care ordinarily
given to plants under glass ; that is, they were potted and watered in the
ordinary way ; and the consequence was, that few survived the experiment.
Cultivators knew nothing of the moist-heat which is indispensable, or of
the care necessary to be taken for the preservation of the roots and pseudo-
bulbs : in a word, the plants perished from a total want of all the requisites
for successful cultivation, and none cared to repeat the experiment of their
culture.
About the year 1820, Mr. Cattley, to whom is dedicated the magnificent
genus Caitlcya, by a series of experiments arrived at the mode of success-
ful culture. His success was soon known ; and many amateurs, following
his example, sought to stock their hot-houses with these beautiful plants.
Commencement and Progress of Orchid Culture. 137
Many collectors were sent at great cost to the East and West Indies to
procure them, and the number of rare and valuable orchids received from
these sources was ver}' large.
The cultivation of orchids was soon attempted on the Continent. In
Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Russia, large houses, devoted exclu-
sively to the cultivation of these plants, were erected, and soon boasted
rich collections. France alone manifested little interest in their culture ;
the only large collection being in the Museum of Natural History in Paris.
This fact is the more remarkable, as the French have ever maintained the
highest place in all branches of horticulture.
About 1840, many species hitherto unknown were imported by French
amateurs, and their cultivation was attended with marked success. This led
to further importations, until, at the present time, the collections are as rich
as those of any country. From the year 1820, whence we must date the
progress of orchid culture, there has been a constant improvement. Diffi-
culties which seemed insurmountable have been gradually overcome, till,
at the present day, there is no bar to perfect success ; though, even now,
there are many disputed questions and differences among the most suc-
cessful growers as to the best methods of growing some species. As the
same species seem to grow equally well under opposite modes of treatment,
we can only conclude that the plants very easily adapt themselves to cul-
ture, and are by no means as capricious as has been supposed. In fact, in
the orchid-houses, these plants have acquired a beauty, and grow with a
luxuriance, wholly unknown to them in their native haunts.
Species which in the wild state yield only two or three curious blossoms,
have, in cultivation, been brought to produce from twenty to thirty ; and, in
fact, many plants of the order submit to domestication as readily as our
more common garden-flowers.
There seems to be no reason why orchid culture should not be far more
popular than at present. Already the number of species and varieties has
increased from the thirty known in 1820 to many hundred, and the future
opens a vast field for progress. The Island of Java alone produces over
three hundred species and varieties, from which it may be seen what im-
mense additions may yet be made to collections. This is the more proba-
VOL. I. 18
138 Commencement and Progress of Orchid Culture .
ble, as the orchid-growing countries have as yet been imperfectly explored ;
and, when in this connection we consider the peculiar local habits of most
orchids, we may reasonably look for large and rich additions to our orchid
flora.
It must not be supposed that all of these many species are equally
beautiful. While we have many, which for singularity of form, richness of
color, and exquisite fragrance, excel all productions of the floral kingdom,
there are hundreds which are attractive only to the botanist, and of which
the flowers are insignificant ; but all are curious and interesting.
We have said, that, in the general distribution of orchidaceous plants,
those of North America (excepting always Mexico and the Isihmus) are
wholly terrestrial. There is, however, one epiphyte met with in the ex-
treme Southern States, where a variety of Epidendrum {E. conopseujn) is
found upon the Magnolia glauca.
There is one cause which does much to retard orchid culture : the cost
of the plants is so great, and the expense of culture in our climate so con-
siderable, that it must always be confined to the rich. Indeed, at the pres-
ent time, there are very few choice collections in the United States. We
trust, however, to be able to show that the cost of culture may be much
reduced ; and every year the plants are becoming more plentiful, and con-
sequently cheaper.
Among those who have done much for orchid culture may be mentioned
Pescatore, whose hot-houses at St. Cloud contain one of the richest col-
lections in Europe, and whose magnificent plants have been illustrated by
the work on orchids (bearing his name), by Linden, which enriches some
of our horticultural and private libraries.
In England, the sale collections of Messrs. Low of Clapton, of Messrs.
Veitch of Exeter, and Rollinson of Tooting, are most extensive.
The orchids of Mexico, the Isthmus, of Colombia, and Brazil, have been
chiefly brought into cultivation by the French ; while we owe most of the
choice productions of the East Indies to the enterprise of English col-
lectors.
The horticultural world owes a debt of gratitude to the enterprise of
M. Pinel of Rio Janeiro, and of M. Porte of Bahia, through whom many
Commeticemejit and Progress of OrcJdd Culture. 139
of the finest Brazilian species have been brought into cultivation ; and to
M. Linden of Brussels, whose importations of Mexican orchids have
greatly enriched our hot houses.
GALBANDRA (eULOPHIa) DEVONIANA.
CLASSIFICATION.
The family of orchids owes its chief peculiarities to the following cir-
cumstances : —
Firstly, The consolidation of all the sexual organs into one common
mass, called the column.
Secondly, The suppression of all the anthers, except one, in the mass of
the order, or two in the tribe Cypripedece.
140 Commencement and Progress of Orchid Culture.
Thirdly, The peculiar condition of the pollen, and the anther which
contains it.
Fourthly, The very general development of one of the inner leaves of
the perianth, or petals, in an excessive degree, or in an unusual form.
Many botanists have devoted special attention to this family ; of whom we
may mention Bateman, Bfown, Hooker, and Paxton, in England ; Bron-
gniart and Richard, in France ; and Linden, in Belgium : but Dr. Lindley
has paid more attention to their nomenclature and arrangement ; and his
classification, which we follow, has been generally adopted.
These peculiarities of the order are in most cases very striking, and are
strongly manifested in the same flower. We also find the true nature of
each part indicated by special cases of structure occurring in different
parts of the order.
Thus, in Cypripediurn, not only are two lateral stamens furnished with
anthers, while the central stamen is antherless, but the stigma and style
separate from the filaments nearly to the base ; and the triple nature of the
former is distinctly shown, together with the relation of its lobes to the other
parts of the flower.
The pollen, which has so anomalous an appearance in its wax}' or sectile
state, presents the usual appearance of that substance in Goodyera and
many Neottece ; and the irregularity of the labellum disappears in such
genera as Paxtonia, Thelymitra, and some others, whose flowers are almost
as regular as those of a Sisyrinchitim.
In the classification of orchids, the most important characters seem to
reside in the pollen, which in many is consolidated into firm, waxy masses,
of a definite number in each species, and in others is either in its usual
loose, powdery condition, or is collected in granules or small wedges, the
number of which is far too great to be counted. Of those with waxy, pollen
masses, some {MalaxecB) are destitute of any visible organs or means by
which the masses are brought into contact with the stigma ; others {Epiden-
drece) have strap-shaped caudiculas, which are either bent down upon the
masses themselves, or serve to hold them together, without, however, forming
any organized union with the stigma ; while the remainder ( Vandea) have
a caudicula which adheres firmly to a gland found in the upper margin of
the stigma, and separating freely from that organ.
Covimcnccment and Progress of Orchid Culture. 141
The last form is much more distinct from the two first than they are
from each other; and it may be requisite to combine Malaxece with Epiden-
drece, or to exclude from the former not only Acanthophippium, Calogyne
and PhoUdota, but several other genera at present referred to them.
The genera with powder)^, granular, or sectile pollen, cannot be classified
so conveniently by modifications of thac part, but are readily divided into
three natural tribes by peculiarities in the anther.
In some {Ophrea) the anther is erect, not hinged to the column, but con-
tinuous with it, and stands above the stigma, the pollen masses having their
points directed to the base of the lobes of the anther.
In others {Arethusece) the anther is hinged to the column, upon the end
of which it is placed transversely like a lid.
And, finally, in others [JVeoticce) it is also hinged to the column, but is
placed at its back so as to be nearly parallel with the stigmatic surface.
If to these three we add the Cypripedece, which has two anthers, while
all the others have one only, we fine the order divided into seven tribes,
of which the following is a tabular view : —
A TABULAR VIEW OF THE TRIBES OF ORCHIDACEiE.
I. Anther, one only.
A. Pollen masses waxy.
a. No caudicula or separable stigmatic gland.
Tribe I. — Malaxe^e, or Malaxide^e.
b. A distinct caudicula, but no separable stigmatic gland.
Tribe II. — Epidendre^e.
c. A distinct caudicula, united to a deciduous stigmatic gland.
Tribe III. — Vande^.
B. Pollen powdery, granular, or sectile.
a. Anther terminal, erect.
Tribe IV. — Ophre^e, or OpHRVDEiE.
b. Anther terminal, opercular.
142 Commencemcjit and Progress of Orchid Culture,
Tribe V. — Arethuse^.
Anther dorsal.
II. Anthers two.
Tribe VI. — Neotte^e.
Tribe VII. — Cypripede^.
From this general view of the classification of Dr. Lindley, any cultivator
can easily ascertain to which of the tribes any orchid which may bloom in
his collection belongs.
Each of these tribes subdivides itself into a greater or less number
of species, the determination of each of which demands a special study
of individual peculiarities.
The geographical distribution of these different tribes is interesting as
illustrating the remarks in former chapters.
HUNTLEYA VIOLACEA.
By reference to the following table, we shall see that the greater propor-
tion of the tribes Vandecz and Epidendrece are found in the Indian Arclii-
Commencement and Progress of Orchid Culture.
H3
pelago and in Tropical America. It is in these two tribes, we must remem-
ber, that the epiphytal orchids mostly range themselves ; the European and
North- American species being confined to three in the former tribe, and to
two in the latter. On the other hand, the terrestrial species which are
mostly found in the tribes Ophrece, ArethusecB, and Neotiecs are sparsely rep-
resented in the Indian Archipelago and Tropical America (except Neottece,
which is plentifully distributed through both), and are abundant in Europe,
North America, and even have twenty-eight representatives from Ophrecs.
in Siberia ; which class also gives one hundred and thirty-five species to
South Africa. The tribe Arethusece is very largely represented in New Hol-
land, there being no less than one hundred and fifteen species.
It must, however, be stated, that this tabular view of Dr. Lindley is by
no means complete. The number of species has largely increased, espe-
cially in the three tribes Malaxece, Epidendrece, and VandecB. We give it as
the best that has yet been presented : —
s
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Malaxeas,
380
3
2
4
56
44
24
152
10
4
10
10
46
, .
26
9
. •
Epidendreas,
153
2
8
5
4
16
4
I
112
2
• •
Vandeas,
487
I
I
2
58
41
24
109
II
3
5
2
198
14
34
9
Ophreee,
449
85
28
42
48
17
9
7
3
2
2
33
6
135
31
6
23
Arethuseae,
218
5
I
8
5
3
9
3
115
26
31
••
I
Neotteas,
270
II
6
19
II
16
10
28
3
77
I
90
7
••
2
2
Cypripedeas,
23
2
4
9 3
• •
I
2
6
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Total,
1980 107
42
86189
126
71
322
31
15209
13
5"
44
149
96
24
25
Edward C. Herbert.
144
Popular Pears.
POPULAR PEARS.
Bedrre d'Anjou is another most admirable variety, and one that prom-
ises to become exceedingly popular, — as much so, perhaps, as the Bartlett.
Its large size, its productiveness, long-keeping, and other good qualities
Popular Pears. 145
will all tend to place it high in the estimation of pear-growers and pear-
consumers, when it shall have become better known. Col. Wilder did
much towards introducing this variety \ he having imported it some time
previous to 1847. Though so long here, it has not attracted the attention
of fruit-growers to any considerable extent until within a very few years.
The fruit is from medium to large size, of regular outline, obovate ; stalk
quite stout, generally nearly straight, set in a slight depression ; calyx small,
open, in a smooth basin ; skin rather thick ; color pale greenish-yellow,
slightly russet at stem-end, with an occasional red cheek on exposed speci-
mens ; flesh yellowish-white, buttery, fine-grained, with rich, pleasant sub-
acid flavor ; tree a good grower, with light-olive-colored, stout wood ;
foliage light green, rolled up, not abundant. The fruit keeps well ; never
rotting at the core, but decaying from the outside : does well on pear or
quince stock. It is perfectly safe for any one to plant this variety either
for home-use or market.
Dana's Hovev. — This comparatively new pear was raised by Francis
Dana of Roxbury, and named by him " The Hovey," in honor of Charles
M, Hovey, Esq., the well-known pomologist, who purchased the stock of
this and several other of Mr. Dana's new pears : and his name, as it well
deserves, will go down to posterity in connection with this most admirable
pear ; for it is destined to become very popular as an early winter-pear as
VOL. I. 19
146
Popular Pears.
it becomes better known. It is one of the richest of pears, equal if not
superior in quality to any other except the Seckel. The tree resembles
the Seckel in its growth, making stout, short wood. The leaves are large,
and beautifully glossy and camellia-like ; resisting blight, and remaining
on the tree better than in many other varieties. It is hardy, and free from
disease. It is also quite productive, often yielding large crops. The fruit
keeps remarkably well, never showing a tendency to rot at the core. Size
rather below medium, of a regular obovate form ; stem nearly an inch long,
rather slender, and set in a very slight depression ; calyx moderately large,
open, with reflex segments, in a shallow basin ; skin thin, smooth, dark
yellow, and nearly covered with russet ; the flesh is yellowish-white, very
fine, melting, rich, sweet, and juicy, with a delicious aroma; ripe first of
November, but will keep into December. Among all the pears of its sea-
son, none can be found to equal it ; and it is truly astonishing how Mr.
Dana could have produced this, and many other fine varieties, as he has,
without any special efibrt, beyond the sowing of the seeds of the best vari-
eties. We do not know from what seed the Dana's Hovey sprang ; but it
seems to bear great resemblance to the Seckel.
Lawrence. — This variety is one of the best of the winter-pears. It is
said to have originated on Long Island, and was introduced to the public
Propagating Cacti. 147
some twenty or twenty-five years ago. This is also an accidental seedling that
sprang up in the neighborhood of two old pear-trees, — one a St. Michael or
White Doyenne, and the other a St. Germain. The tree is a good grower,
quite symmetrical, with new shoots of a cl6ar dark yellow, and rather slender,
with a light-colored, pointed, and rather small leaf. It seems to prefer a
light, warm, loamy soil. The fruit is of medium size, a little irregular, with
one side often larger than the other ; form obovate ; color pale lemon when
ripe, with patches of gi-eenish-brown, and sometimes russet ; stem about an
inch in length, curved slightly, stout, being thick where it joins the tree,
and rather deeply sunk in a large cavit)^ ; calyx large, nearly closed, in a '
large, deep, plaited, irregular basin ; flesh nearly white, juicy, and melting,
but rather gritty at the core, sweet and rich. Time of ripening is from
November to February. The facility with which this variety may be
ripened (it requiring no more care than a barrel of apples), with its other
good qualities, all help to place it high in the estimation of the public. It
is especially sought for by all who admire a sweet pear. It may be con-
sidered nearly or quite first-rate, though it lacks the rich aroma of the
Hovey. It does not succeed well on the quince. If the reader has a pear-
orchard, and it lacks either of the six varieties named, it should receive an
addition, as soon as the weather will allow, of one or more of the kinds
specified. . James F. C. Hyde.
Propagating Cacti. — These are readily increased by cuttings ; the shoots
being cut below a joint or eye, and from four to six inches of the points
taken off. These, laid on a shelf for a few days until the cut is dried or
healed, may be inserted to one-third their depth in sharp sand, the base of
the cutting resting on the sand ; the pot, which should be well drained,
being filled to within two inches of the rim with equal parts of turfy loam
and pieces of brick, or crocks broken small. With the soil kept no more
than just moist, they strike root well on the shelf of a greenhouse in the full
sun. When the growth has attained its full size, and become plump, water
should be gradually withheld, and the plants put to rest ; never allowing the
soil to become so dry as to cause the shoots to shrivel.
" Cottage Gardener?*
148 The New Conifers,
THE NEW CONIFERS.
Having paid some attention to the cultivation and acclimatizing of
many of the new conifers, I am induced to offer you a few remarks, the
results of my observation, which I trust may be of service to those who
may contemplate ornamenting their grounds with this beautiful class of
trees, and possibly jDrove of interest to yovir readers generally. Mr. Sar-
gent, who had probably the most extensive collection of evergreens of any
amateur in this country, gave us, in his new edition of Downing's " Land-
scape Gardening," the benefit of his valuable experience up to that time ;
but seven or eight years have since elapsed, affording us the advantage of
so much more time for further observation as to the merits of the trees
then in cultivation, and to test, to some extent, several of the Japanese
plants more recently introduced into the country, a larger proportion of
which, I am glad to say, from present indications, are likely to prove adapted
to our severe climate.
Amongst the most prominent Spruces and Firs, I have had the opportu-
nity of veiy thoroughly testing the following : Picea nobilis, Nordmannianay
grandis,pic/ita, Cephalonka, nwd pinsapo ; and, with proper treatment, I can
recommend them with much confidence for general cultivation in this
vicinity, except, perhaps, in very exposed situations, or near the seashore.
Their progress for some time after transplanting is generally slow, and
somewhat discouraging, — the same as I have found to be the case with the
European Silver Fir ; but, when once well established, their growth is more
satisfactory, and quite vigorous with the No?'dma?itiiajm and gra/idis. These
six are all veiy distinct varieties ; magnificent trees, of great size in their
native soil, growing, in the case of the grandis, according to Gordon, to
the enormous height of two hundred and eighty-five feet ; are all worthy
companions of the stately Norway, so justly popular with all planters ; and,
one of these days, they will no doubt be considered indispensable in every
ornamental place of any pretension. The nohilis is a superb tree, growing
two hundred feet high, forming vast forests in Northern California, with regu-
lar horizontal branches, resembling, when of great age, it is thought by some,
the Cedar of Lebanon more than any other tree we can cultivate in this
TJie New Conifers. 149
country. There are several dwarf Spruces, such as Abies Clanbrasiliana,
compacta, eicgans, Grego/ii, pyg/na;a, pumiia, and pyramidaiis, all perfectly
hardy, quite interesting, and well adapted to places of limited extent.
Amongst the larger-sized trees, we have also Abies Orieniaiis, Abies Men-
siezii, and Ficea Fraserii, perfectly hardy, but not quite so distinct, which
would not, probably, be considered so desirable as the preceding. Unless
one should have a very sheltered location, and be disposed to pet and coax
a great deal, I would not advise their attempting to grow such trees as
Abies Sinithiana (the Indian Spruce), Ficca IVebbiana, Cunninghamia sinen-
sis, or the Cedar of Lebanon ; for they get more or less cut up every winter,
lose their leaders, and are any thing but satisfactory.
It is a matter of deep regret, that, of the trees of recent introduction, the
three greatest favorites for ornamental planting at the present time in Eng-
land and on the Continent, — the Araucaria imbricata, Cedrus Deodara, and
Wellingtonia {Sequoia) gigantea, — none will be found sufficiently hardy for
general cultivation in New England ; though it is by no means certain that
the two last named may not be successfully grown under unusually favorable
circumstances as to soil and location. The Deodar almost invariably loses
its leader every winter with more or less of its foliage, and, instead of be-
coming one of the most graceful and effective of trees, gradually degenerates
into a straggling shrub. The Wellingtonia appears to be the less tender
of the two ; and, though its foliage is apt to get a good deal browned, it
seems to gain vigor with age, and bids fair occasionally to triumph over
the difficulties of our severe climate.
Abies Douglassi. — I wish I could give a more satisfactory account of
this tree ; but, although I have several very fine specimens eight or ten feet
high, I fear it can hardly be classed with those sufficiently hardy for general
planting in the neighborhood of Boston. It succeeds perfectly in England,
where I saw trees of great size ; but here I have lost many after they were
three or four feet high : and it is so capricious, it can only be recommended
to those who are fond of experiment, and are willing to take the chance of
failure.
Cryptomeria jfaponica. — As is well known, this is a native of China, and
one of those trees in regard to which great expectations have been raised ;
but I am sorry to add, no very great reliance can be placed on it, and
150 TJie Nciv Conifers.
that, in its cultivation, we must be prepaied for occasional disappointment.
It has, to a very great extent, the bad habit of making a late growth ; so it
does not ripen its wood well : and, though I have two or three dozen trees
eight or ten feet high, many of them are disfigured by a loss of a portion
of their branches, and it is difficult to find a perfect specimen 3 indeed, I
saw but few in Europe.
Thiiiopsis borealis, the Nootka-sound Cypress. — Here we have a per-
fectly hardy tree, of large size, which cannot fail to give good satisfaction,
and must be considered a decided acquisition in any collection. A varie-
gated variety has lately been sent out, which will also, no doubt, be found
hardy.
Thuja gigantca. — It is gratifying to be able to state that this tree, which
had just been introduced when Mr. Sargent's book appeared, has been
found perfectly reliable on further trial. It is described as a noble ever-
green, with an umbrella-shaped top, from the Columbia River, growing to
the great height, for an Arborvitce, of one hundred and forty feet ; and it is
to be hoped our enterprising cultivators will lose no time in getting up a
stock, so that it can be freely distributed throughout the country.
Cephalotaxus Fortuni. — A fine evergreen-tree, of undoubted hardiness ;
growing forty to fifty feet high in the north of China ; resembling very
much the English Yew, which it is likely to replace where the latter does
not perfectly succeed. It is a very ornamental tree, and merits general
cultivation. There is another variety, called Cephalotaxus drupacea, which
I have had several years ; but it is of very slow growth, and has made very
little progress so far.
Pseudo-Larix, or Abies Kaempferi, the Golden Larch. — When Mr. Sar-
gent's book was published, small seedling plants of this tree had just been
received ; but their growth has been so slow, they are still quite small,
though hardy beyond any question. It resembles very much our common
Larch ; but, from some cause or other, the price continues too high in Eng-
land for any except very limited importations to this country.
Of trees of a medium size amongst the Arborvitczs and junipers, we have
a considerable number, all more or less desirable for general cultivation,
and indispensable where any complete collection is attempted. They con-
sist of lymja Lobbiana, variegata, glauca, Meldensis, Wareana., and Hoveyii,
The New Conifers. 151
jfujiiperus sabina, Hispanica, squamata, tamariscifolia, Suecica, Bedfordia7ia
Chinensis, and oblonga pendula. The latter will be found one of the most
lovely weeping-trees imaginable.
There is little to be said in regard to such Pines as excelsa, Lambertiana,
monticola, ponderosa, Bcnthatniana, laricio, Pyrenaica, and cembra, except
to confirm opinions heretofore expressed as to their extreme hardiness, and
to hope that in future they will be more freely introduced in all ornamental
plantations. The excelsa is an object of great beauty when its growth is
not too rank, and will probably continue to be the greatest favorite with
cultivators.
Thuiopsis dolabrata. — This is one of the new Japanese trees which I
have had out for two or three winters, and found perfectly hardy. It is
described as one of the most beautiful of all evergreen-trees, with a py-
ramidal-shaped head and vertical branches drooping towards the points.
There is also a variegated variety equally hardy.
Retinispora ericoides is a neat, heath-like, pyramidal bush from Japan,
quite hardy, though it changes its color somewhat in cold weather. It bears
the shears well ; and, by clipping, I have found it to make an extremely pretty
edging for gravel-walks. There are several other Retmisporas and Arbor-
vitces now under cultivation \ but there is so much confusion in regard to
them, that no reliable description can be given at present. We have a
variegated variety under the name of pisifera aurea, a wonderfully pretty
plant, of a light golden-colored foliage, than which nothing of the kind can
be more lovely. It is so delicate in its appearance, it might be taken
for a stove-plant; but I have had it out for two or three winters in exposed
situations, and have no question of its resisting our most severe weather.
It is not mentioned in Gordon's Pinetum, and it is more probably the
obtusa aurea variegata ; but, whatever may prove to be its name, it will
surely be found a perfect little gem in its way.
Sciadopitys verticellata, the Umbrella Tree. — This is described as a very
singular evergreen-tree, from Japan : but my plants, being quite small, are
out for the first time this winter ; so I can say nothing as to its hardiness
at present.
Cupressiis Lawsoniana. — I have purposely left for the close of this arti-
cle a notice of this beautiful Cypress, because I consider it an " evergreen-
152 The Neiv Conifers.
glor}-," to boiTOw one of Downing's expressions in speaking of the English
Holly ; and I think, upon the whole, it possesses so many good qualities, it
is likely to be brought into general cultivation more speedily than any other
of the new conifers. It comes from the mountains of Northern California,
where it grows a hundred feet high ; is easily cultivated and transplanted ;
of undoubted hardiness in our climate, and a most vigorous grower, ripening
its wood so well, that I have never noticed a branch in the least injured by
our most severe winters. It is nearly related to the Thuiopsis borealis, and,
according to Murray, was the handsomest tree seen by him in his whole
expedition. Gordon, speaking of it, says, " Its habit is most graceful, the
branches at first curved upwards like those of the common Spruce, and,
towards the ends, hanging down like an ostrich-feather, with the leading
shoots, when young, drooping like those of the Deodar cedar." This droop
of the leader here referred to is most marked and unique, hanging down,
in strong-growing plants, eighteen to twenty inches ; and some of my largest
trees, which are eight to ten feet high, fully come up to the description
given of their beauty. It is readily propagated by seeds ; and it also grows
freely from cuttings, which seem to make as strong-growing plants as those
raised from seeds : this must greatly facilitate its introduction, and I
doubt not it will soon become a great favorite with all who are desirous of
adding to the attractions of their country-places. It has but one single
fault, I believe, — an unfortunate trick, in some cases, of throwing out its
branches on one side only, leaving two or three feet of the trunk opposite
bare, thus marring somewhat the symmetry of the tree in its general ap-
pearance. It is difficult to account for this blemish, as it occurs on the '
north as well as on the south side of the tree ; but it is to be hoped it will
not continue as they arrive at a greater age. There are t^vo new varieties
lately sent out, called the gracilis and a?-gentea fol. var., which I shall
test this winter ; and with success, I trust, as the former particularly has
been much admired.
It is well known that the labor and expense attending the importation
and acclimatizing of these new evergreens have been heavy ; and the ques-
tion naturally arises. How far have the efforts of cultivators been rewarded
with success? That there have been many disappointments is true, though
no more than it was natural to expect under the circumstances ; and, upon
Dressing Asparagus-Beds. 153
the whole, I think it will be admitted we have great reason for congratula-
tion, upwards of fifty new evergreen-trees having been found adapted to our
climate. Such an accession to the meagre list of some half-dozen now
seen, consisting principally of the Norway, Hemlock, Balsam Fir, White and
Austrian Pines, Scotch Fir, with an occasional Silver Fir, cannot fail to have
a most happy influence in the advancement of public taste, and add mate-
rially to the resources of those, who, tired of the excitement of the city,
seek occupation and enjoyment in rural pursuits. By their great numbers
and beauty, they will be found invaluable to the skilful planter in his at-
tempts to give greater variety to his plantations, and in producing examples
of the highest order of merit in the beautiful art of landscape-gardening.
Though it cannot be denied that evergreens possess many great advan-
tages over deciduous trees for many purposes, it is occasionally urged
against them, that their perpetual verdure produces a dull and gloomy effect;
and, of course, it is possible that their introduction in too large proportions
may render them open to this objection in the minds of a few persons, as in
the case of the famous Elvaston Castle in England, where it is generally
considered the evergreen feature has been overdone, its enthusiastic pro-
prietor having confined his extensive plantations almost exclusively to
evergreen-trees. It is not probable, however, that any one in this country
will go to the same extent in that direction, as may be inferred from the
fact that I was told by a nurseryman that he furnished him on one occasion
with three thousand pounds' worth of a single shrub, the Golden Yew.
H. H. Hunnewell.
Dressing Asparagus-Beds. — When the stems become yellow, they should
be cut off close to the ground : the beds may then be covered with from
three to six inches of half-decayed manure, and the soil from the alleys
neatly dug out, and thrown on the beds. The only good that can result
from the stalks being spread over the beds before covering with manure
will arise from the berries being left on the beds, and young plants coming
up in the following year. Some pick off the berries, and scatter them
on the beds, covering with manure afterwards, and remove the stalks :
others remove the stalks and weeds, and then cover with manure. The
one plan is as good as the other.
" Journal of Horticulture.^
VOL. I. 20
154 -^ Novel Depredator of the Grape - Vine.
A NOVEL DEPREDATOR OF THE GRAPE-VINE.
The wonderful ingenuity with which the white ants of tropical countries
constnict for themselves habitations of great size and strength was first
made known in detail by Smeathman, who in 1781, in the Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society of London, gave full and accurate ac-
counts of several species. His statements and illustrations, with some
minor additions, whether of observation or fancy, have found their way
into all the encyclopeedias and text-books since published. Accounts have
also been given of other species of the genus Termes. In the fourth volume
of the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Dr.
T. S. Savage, a missionary of West Africa, gave some interesting observa-
tions on the dissection of nests of Termites, both confirming and criticising
Smeathman's account.
It is not generally known that white ants are found in this country. We
have, however, one species which has spread quite widely, and has become,
at times, very destructive. There is, indeed, no fear that the devastations
of these insects will equal those of their congeners of Africa and India ;
that our houses will be undermined, and our furniture crumble to dust at a
touch : for it is under ground, and in damp, moist localities, that they are
generally found ; although, in some instances, they have bee-n discovered at
work on perfectly dry material. A friend of mine noticed a colony, one
spring, in an old stump : the stump had been standing for years, too dry
to rot away, its roots scarcely buried in the gravelly soil of the hill-side.
According to Dr. Asa Fitch, in his third and fourth reports on the inju-
rious insects of New York, these ants are found in myriads in that State,
where they wholly consume the interior of posts and stakes, leaving the
outer surface entire ; and, at times, destroy a fence in the course of four
years. Their favorite abode seems to be in posts from which the bark has
not been removed. There, hidden from view, they consume the soft sap-
wood immediately under the bark, and afterwards extend their burrows into
the more solid heart-wood. Decaying stumps, wood lying on the ground,
and especially logs of the white pine, are everywhere occupied ; and where
pieces of the " second-growth," so much softer than those of the original or
A Novel Depredator of the Grape - Vine, 155
first growth, are cut down, their roots and trunks immediately become the
abode of colonies of white ants. They rapidly multiply into countless
hosts, and their operations are continued until the stumps are reduced to
mere shells.*
Their food, like that of other species of termites, is rotten and generally
moist wood : that they are not, however, limited to this, has been already
seen, and may be further proved by facts which I will now mention.
My particular attention was first called to these ants by winged speci-
mens sent me from Salem, in January, i860, by Mr. J. F. Allen, an exten-
sive cultivator of hot-house grapes. He asserted that his forcing-houses
were completely overrun with ants, of which these specimens were the
parents ; and that they were causing serious injury to his vines. I visited
the place shortly afterwards, and found that within and beneath every damp
piece of wood,, under boxes holding plants, and on the lower surface of
thresholds, and bottoms of door-posts, myriads of white ants were swarming;
while the sashes above were covered with remains of the winged males,
adhering to the glass by means of the moisture continually present. Mr.
Allen stated more fully, that, whenever he attempted to "layer" a vine, the
portion beyond the layering was sure to droop, and finally die ; and that an
examination of the part beneath ground revealed hosts of these ants
literally eating up the vine. Not only did they attack layered vines, but
three or four healthy, full-grown vines had been destroyed at the roots in
the same way. As he could not show me any examples of the kind, I was
unable to observe the insects at work, and, notwithstanding these repre-
sentations of a careful and interested observer, was inclined to attribute
the tme cause of the difficulty to some disease of the vine, supposing that
the ants simply carried away the rotten material. But Mr. Allen subse-
quently relieved my mind of all doubt upon the subject by sending me
the root of a vine destroyed in the way he had described. The whole root
had been excavated and chambered through and through : in some places,
a mere shell being left ; in others, the shell itself eaten away, and the exca-
vations carried unmistakably into the solid, living wood. Cavities and
• Dr. Fitch has also observed that the white ant lives in society vi'ith, and is nursed and protected by,
the common black and red aut {Farmola ru/<i) ; being sometimes found in these nests in greater numbers
than the builders and true owners of the hillock.
156
A Novel Depredator of the Grape - Vine.
burrows existed in the centre of tlie stem, more than two inches above
the point which liacl been at the level of the ground.* The sides and
ends of the cavities were of perfectly solid wood, with no indication of
rottenness.
I believe this is the first time that any species of white ant has been
described as attacking living plants so as to cause their destruction. Even
this case seems somewhat anomalous : for it is doubtful whether, under
natural circumstances, they would multiply here to so great an extent, as
we have seen them in this greenhouse ; and more than questionable, whether,
out of it, they would attack the vine at all. Smeathman, indeed, asserts
that they sometimes feed upon living plants ; but Dr. Savage states that
their nests are frequently built about the stems of trees and shrubs, which
are never injured thereby.
I retained a colony of these American white ants in my study for many
months, in a pot filled with moist earth and rotten wood, ^^'hen subse-
quently examined, the whole upper portion of the earth was completely
filled with minute passages, about large enough for two of these ants to
pass each other.
This same insect, described in this country by Mr. Haldeman under the
* The accompanying wood-cut shows the nature and extent of these chambers. It is taken from a
diagonal section of tlie stem, between one and two inches above ground.
New Sti'azvbcrries. 157
name of Tcrmes frontalis, has long been known about Vienna in Europe,
where, according to Kollar, it did injury to the plant-houses around the
imperial palace of Schonbrunn, and was supposed by him to have come
originally from Brazil. He described this species previously to Haldeman
under the name of Termes flavipes, by which it must be known. Burmeis-
ter states that there are specimens in the Berlin Museum which were taken
in Portugal.
It may be readily distinguished from our common ant, which it most
closely resembles, by its large head, its pale or whitish body, and by the
nearly uniform size of the joints of the antennae ; the true ants having the
basal-joint nearly half as long as all the rest of the antennae together.
Noticing their fondness for damp places, Mr. Allen tried the plan of
surrounding the layered portion of his vines with coal-ashes ; and, in these
cases, had experienced no trouble from the ants. The same experiment
might be tried on the roots of full-grown vines, displacing the earth, and
leaving a surrounding of ashes one or two inches in thickness. The dry-
ness of the ashes, and the superabundant moisture of the surrounding
earth, would probably prevent the ants from attacking the vine.
Samuel H. Scudder.
NEW STRAWBERRIES.
I PROPOSE giving here a brief account of my success in fruiting various
kinds of strawberries, new and old, in 1866 ; and, having nothing novel to
say in regard to methods of cultivation, I proceed to discuss the different
varieties in alphabetical order.
Agriculturist. — It is not necessary to describe minutely this famous
variet}^, as almost everybody has it under cultivation ; but I may say. a
word or two as to its merits. Although I have been severely criticised for
speaking so strongly in favor of the Agriculturist, I have very little to take
back. Its flavor is very good, — not first-rate, — and it is a most abun-
dant bearer. Various people who make a business of raising strawberries
for market visited my beds when the fruit was ripe, and expressed their
unqualified admiration of both vines and berries.
158 New Strawberries.
Bijou. — A new variety. An excellent grower, of dwarf habit. Leaves
wedge-obovate ; flowers large and handsome ; berry between round and
conical, bright crimson, sweet, and veiy good.
Exposition a Chalons. — The Exposition is a rather straggling grower,
with deeply serrate, dull-green leaves, and large, conical, tolerably good
fhiit, worth about as much for one's own eating as Triomphe de Gand.
Frogmore Late Pine. — I do not know which to put first in point of
excellence, — the Frogmore or the Lucas. The first is unquestionably
one of the very finest foreign berries added to our list of late years. The
fruit is monstrous, conical, brilliant crimson, and is easily hulled ; the
flesh is white, perfumed, and extremely juicy and refreshing. The plants
are tolerably productive, and every amateur should have one row of this kind.
La Delicieuse. — I fruited a strawberry this year which I bought by
this name ; but I am inclined to think it is not the true La Delicieuse,
although it is a very nice berry. Blossoms small, apparently pistillate,
different as possible in aspect from the flowers of the Frogmore or any
similar strawbeny. The berries are rather small, in clusters, deeply pitted,
very dark crimson, very sweet and delicious. The fruit is too small for
market, but most desirable for family use. The plants produce an infinity
of runners.
LuciDA Perfecta. — This is the latest variety with which I am ac-
quainted, and would be an immense acquisition if it were not so unpro-
ductive \ but, as it is, it is hardly worth raising except as a curiosity.
Leaves roundish, dark shining green, the old leaves looking as if they
were varnished ; berries large, bright crimson, white towards the neck,
conical or flattened ; flesh white as snow, with abundance of sweet, high-
flavored juice. A few berries remained on the vines up to the 27th of
July.
In raising a large number of seedlings from the Lucida Perfecta, two
things struck my attention veiy forcibly ; viz., the regularity with which the
seeds germinate, and the sti'ength of the resulting plants. I hope' some
one of them will exceed its parent in productiveness.
Lucas. — M. De Jonghe is said to have selected La Constante as his
best seedling; but it seems to me that he must have come to this decision
before a seedling of La Constante, the Lucas, fully displayed its merits.
New Strazu berries. 159
The vines are very handsome and vigorous, with leaves a shade lighter
than those of the parent plant. The fmit, which with me was ripe about
July 4, is immensely large, very decidedly conical in shape, rich, juicy, and
sweet, with a flavor very much like a raspberry. The seeds germinate very
poorly indeed ; not one in fifty coming up in a cold frame in August.
Orb. — A large, round, light-colored, sweet, and very delicious straw-
herr}', but having certain foults which will not allow it to be cultivated
largely. These are, first, its tenderness, of which I cannot speak from
experience, having carefully covered my plants ; and, second, its unpro-
ductiveness, there being but two or three berries to a plant. I have not
esteemed it highly enough to plant any of its seeds.
QuiNQUEFOLiA. — I Write the above name with some hesitation, as the
leaves of my plants are not five-parted ; but I cannot omit the plant from
my list, as it is a most admirable strawberry. The leaves are rounded,
crumpled, and of a medium green color ; the berries are monstrous, regu-
larly conical, light red, and of the very choicest flavor. I hardly set the
Frogmore and Lucas above this variety.
Haquin, La Negresse, and Madame Cologne, are varieties which
might as well be dropped at once. The first is utterly useless, and is re-
markable as showing how poor a strawberry can be ; the second is a
sweetish, dark-red, but by no means black, conical berry, of no particular
excellence ; and the third is a dry, sweet fruit, not likely to please a
refined taste, and the plants are very unproductive.
I have described Madame Cologne elsewhere as " not very juicy ; " but I
think I spoke too well of it, and that it will not be much grown. It is
distinguished from all other kinds I know by its extremely delicate
filiform roots.
My Agriculturists this year were inspected by my friends oftener than
any other variety, simply because they were new and much talked of; but
perhaps the finest display of berries I could show was on a splendid row of
Rivers' Eliza, whose handsome leaves, vigorous growth, and enormous
fruit, ought to keep it forever from the list of rejected kinds. I know that
the berry is soft, and will not bear much handling ; but still the Eliza ought
to be grown by all who like to surprise their friends with "something
large."
1 60 Prizes for ManiinotJi Squashes.
Lennig's White is of most exquisite flavor, but so poor a bearer, that
half an acre of plants would hardly suffice a hungry man through the
season. Mine grew last year in the shade, and were really white, with only
a faint blush on one side. It is strange that this exquisite berry should
be, as it is asserted to be, a seedling of Wilson's Albany; for the two kinds
have only the faintest resemblance.
If I were consulted by an amateur as to the kinds he should plant in
his garden for the use of his family, without regard to profit, I should ad-
vise him to set out some rows of Agriculturist, Lennig's White, and French's
Seedling, for American kinds ; and from the foreign varieties I should select
for him the Frogmore Late Pine, Lucas, and Quinquefolia, certainly ; and
then, if he wished to extend his list, he might plant a row or two of Bijou
and Orb. La Delicieuse might suit him if he were fond of our native straw-
berry, which it much resembles ; and, whatever kinds he might plant, I take
it for granted that he would cultivate his vines in hills, cut off every runner,
and mulch the plants well. y^ ^^ Merrick, Jun.
PRIZES FOR MAMMOTH SQUASHES.
In a state of civilization farther advanced than our own, and which it is
not over-presumptuous in us to look forward to reaching, small children will
obey their parents without a lump of sugar ; youths will strive for knowledge
without school-medals ; and cultivators of the soil will present the products
of their industry for the public inspection, and approval of their fellow-
laborers, without the incentive of prizes or diplomas. But, until that time
comes, it surely behooves us to see that the sugar, the medal, the prize,
and the diploma are judiciously awarded.
As we understand it, the giving of a prize is for the encouragement of
some good purpose or thing, some useful object, or something that will
benefit somebody ; and we contend that this should be strictly adhered to,
or the system of prizes is worthless, and exerts a bad influence where it
was intended only for good.
Pruning StcpJianotis Floribtuida. i6i
We beg leave to ask, in what manner, way, or shape, a mammoth squash,
weighing a hundred and fifty pounds, can possibly answer our idea of a
superior squash. It is simply a monstrosit}'^, a substantial nothing. The
nutriment it takes from the soil is just so much wasted. "Why cumbereth
it the ground ? " The gardener says, " Let it grow, and I will take it to the
exhibition and get a premium for it;" and the result is a display at our
exhibitions of a ton or two of the most worthless vegetables, as much like
the article of food of the same name as a sea-serpent is like a flounder ;
and it would be as practicable eating the one as the other.
But it is urged that these mannnoth squashes make a great show ; are, in
fact, a sight in themselves ; and are considered as much a part of the exhibi-
tion as the fat woman and giant at an agricultural fair. With a groan as
we think of this latter practice, we can only beseech the managers of horti-
cultural shows to remember that they are to educate the public taste, to
raise it to a higher standard, to an appreciation of the really useful and
truly beautiful, and not to cater to its ignorance, its foibles, or its eccen-
tricities ; that they are not to encourage a gaping crowd who exhaust
their brains by saying " Oh my ! " at any thing they never saw before, but
rather to satisfy the expectations of those who come to see for themselves
how a better cultivation of the soil produces better vegetables and fruits
and flowers, and how intelligent cultivation produces a more nutritious
squash, a pear of a better flavor, and a fairer-tinted rose.
Francis P. Denny.
Pruning Stephanotis Floribunda. — The long twining shoots ought
not to be stopped, but trained at their full length, and not too closely together,
so that the wood may have the full benefit of light. All pruning should
be confined to cutdng out the old weak shoots. The main point to be
attended to is to secure a good growth, and thorough exposure afterwards
to light and air, with a diminished supply of water at the root, and corre-
sponding dryness of the atmosphere.
" younial of Horticulture.^^
VOL. r.
l62
Fremontia Californica.
FRfiMONTIA CALIFORNICA.
This new shrub, lately introduced, will probably prove a great acquisi-
tion to the flower-garden and shrubbery. It was discovered during the
adventurous expedition of Col. Fremont to the Rocky Mountains, and
bears the name of this distinguished officer and eminent explorer. It
Fremont ia Calif ortiica. — New Plants. 163
was found growing near the source of the Sacramento River, in the north-
ern part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The flowers, which are pro-
duced in May, are very beautiful, surpassing in many respects theForsythia;
and the plant grows to the height of four or more feet, recalling by its gen-
eral aspect and foliage the Mespilus.
A woody shrub in its nature, attaining a height of ten feet, and tesem-
bling a fig-tree. Leaves growing at the extremity of the branches, petioled,
nearly circular (suborbicular), three inches in width; lobes entire or notched,
covered above by a shining pubescence, glaucous below, and of an irony
color when dried ; peduncles strong, one-flowered, as long as, or longer
than, the petioles ; flowers numerous, of a golden-yellow color, three-
bracted at base, and two or two and a half inches in diameter ; bracts
small ; calyx largely bell-shaped, five-lobed above the middle, petal-shaped,
light down on the outside, velvet within, with five indentations at the base ;
lobes oval, sharp-pointed; stamens short, divided into five spreading arms,
each terminating in two lobed anthers, reniform, parallel, dehiscent on the
outside ; germ conical, downy, five-eyed ; seeds numerous ; style filiform,
with spreading bristles ; stigma sharp.
This plant first flowered in the collection of Messrs. Veitch in 1866, and
is, as yet, very rare. The probabilities are, it will prove hardy with us ;
certainly south of Philadelphia. Its ornamental character must greatly
recommend it.
Adapted from ^^ U Illustration Horticole.^^
NEW PLANTS.
Helipterum Cotula. — A West- Australian everlasting, seeds of which were
sent from Swan River, by Mr. Drummond, to Mr. Thompson of Ipswich.
The plant grows from six inches to two feet high, and produces flower-
heads half an inch to an inch across, in one variety golden-yellow, and in
another white, with a golden-yellow eye. — L'' Illustratio?i Horticole.
Rose Mrs. jfohn Berners. — A new hybrid perpetual, with very compact,
rosy-pink flowers, bright and distinct in color. The name of the raiser is
not stated. — Floral Magazine.
1 64 Apple- Culture. — TJie Aphis.
APPLE-CULTURE. —THE APHIS.
The past few years have been discouraging to the fruit-culturist in New
England; and every one depending upon his apple-orchard as a considera-
ble means of support has been sorely disappointed. We formerly gathered
a supply of fruit every year, and a superabundance in alternate years.
We well remember when cider was a dollar a barrel, and good grafted
apples abundant at twenty-five cents per bushel ; and when cider was in
demand at five dollars per barrel, and apples at a dollar per bushel, we
pitied the purchaser, and felt some qualms of conscience in taking what
he was so ready to give. But we have gradually grown accustomed to
high prices; and the scarcity of fruit has been so great for tw^o years, that
we part with apples reluctantly at five dollars per barrel, and can hardly
afford to make cider at ten dollars. These prices indicate great changes;
but they do not necessarily show that fruit has diminished in the same rate
that the price has advanced. In 1834, the quantity of fruit in New
England was probably as small as in 1866 : but the demand was also
limited ; our population having more than doubled within that time, and
the consumption of fruit having increased faster than the increase of the
population. Is it not possible that the limited supply of the present day
is in part owing to the fact that the orchards which our fathers planted
have died from old age, and want of care, and new ones have not taken
their place in a ratio commensurate with the increase of population ? We
know that untimely frosts, blighting winds, greedy caterpillars, and vora-
cious borers, have produced sad havoc of late : but the frosts are no more
untimely, and the winds no more bligliting, than of yore; and though the
caterpillars, borers, aphides, and curculios have increased, our knowledge
of them also has increased, and the means for their extermination are, to a
good extent, within our power. We must expect, as our fruits become
more delicate in texture and flavor and our fruit-trees more highly culti-
vated, that their diseases and insect-enemies will increase. This should
not discourage us, but serve rather as a stimulant to increased exertion.
A good apple is too luscious, and too much a necessary, to be lightly
relinquished because an insignificant bark-louse has fastened itself on the
Apple-Culture. — TJic ApJiis. 165
apple-tree, and is sucking its vitals; or because a curculio punctures the
apple to make a nest for her egg, soon to hatch into an ugly worm. It is
man's prerogative to snatch the apple from the claim of these insects. It
is our purpose to show how this can be done, so far as the aphis mail, or
apple-tree aphis, is concerned. This insect is rightly named aphis, which
means an exhauster; for it sucks the life-blood from the tree. It began its
depredations in America about the close of the last century, and was
probably imported on young trees from Europe. Like all of the aphis
tribe, it is very prolific, as two broods at least are produced in the course
of a summer. If, in the latter part of May, we carefully raise the body of
the aphis, w-e can discover numerous eggs, destined in a few days to
produce thirty or forty lice, all eager for food and to reproduce their species
in the same ratio; so that a thousand-fold is a moderate calculation for the
increase each season. One who has not examined carefully will be sur-
prised to find how extensively our apple-trees are infested with these lice,
and how much they exhaust the vital energies of the trees. They can live
only on the fresh, juicy bark, and are, consequently, mainly found on the
trunks and branches of young trees, and the extremities of the branches of
the older ones. Within a few years, so great has been their increase, that
we have found them on the apples themselves, though the bark is evidently
their favorite home. Being nearly of the color of the bark, and only
about a tenth of an inch in length, a careless observer may pass them by
unheeded. If so, the diminished product of his trees, and the decaying
and dead limbs, must soon attract his notice. The sap, which should
support the foliage and fruit, sustains myriads of these lice. We have
seen the bodies and limbs of some apple-trees so thickly covered with
these insects, that myriads is no exaggerated term in which to speak of
them as existing on one tree. The female, after laying her eggs, dies ; but
the outer skin remains as a protection to the eggs. When first hatched,
the young have some motion, and disperse themselves over the tree.
While in the larva state, the young lice grow rapidly, and must greatly
exhaust the trees by drawing from them the nourishment necessary for
their growth. In a few days, they pass into the pupa, or chrysalis state, and
the females become fixed, never changing their location after they have
once become stationary, and seem merely a rough excrescence on the
1 66 Apple-Culture. — TJie Aphis.
bark. In this state, they probably exhaust the tree less; but the functions
of life still go on till after the eggs are laid, and their bills are constantly
inserted in the bark to draw from it the little nourishment they may
require.
It is not merely by these exhausting bills that damage is done to the
tree. The bark serves much the same purpose to the tree that the skin
does to the animal. Through its minute pores, exhalations and inhalations
are constantly going on. Now, if the bark is thickly covered with these
scaly lice, these pores must be stopped, and the functions of the bark
cease in a manner, and the health of the tree be impaired. We have
dwelt somewhat minutely on the description of this aphis, that the atten-
tion of farmers may be called to it. The insect is so insignificant, its
onward march is so silent, and its aggressions so insidious, that we have
ti'eated the enemy with too much neglect ; and he has partial possession of
nearly all our orchards, and is a prominent cause of the premature decay
of our trees.
The remedy is simple, and is in the hands of every one. It is merely
to wash the trees with strong soap-suds; half soap and half water in the
case of old trees, and one-third soap and two-thirds water for the younger
trees. The best time to put this wash on is the latter part of May, or first
of June, when the young lice are in the larva state; and the most efficient
instrument is an old broom. Strong lye, or a strong solution of salt and
water, will also destroy the lice. Old mackerel-brine is one of the best ex-
terminators of tree-lice, as, besides the salt, it contains a penetrating and
destructive oil. But, of all the remedies, we recommend the soft-soap as
the most efficient. Besides its efficacy in destroying the lice, it is an excel-
lent fertilizer for the tree, rendering the bark smooth and healthy, so that
it may best perform its functions. Whatever soap is washed off from the
trunk and limbs of the tree is not lost, but serves as an excellent stimulus
for the roots. We have been in the practice of washing apple-trees with
soap once a year, and have no doubt of its efficacy upon the health of
the trees. We doubt not that two washings a year would be still better;
and, if a second wash is given, we would recommend the first part of
August as the time, as then the second brood of lice makes its appearance,
and may be seen sometimes on the apples. If the soap is rubbed thor-
Culture of the Grape hi Cities. 167
oughly around the crown of the roots, it is also a great preventive of the
louse. We have never been troubled with this pest of apple-trees, when
they have been thoroughly soaped. Keep the trees vigorous, and the
insects will be much less likely to attack them. Strong soap-suds act botli
as a preventive and a remedy. While they are death to the insect, they
give life to the tree. They are, therefore, the ounce of prevention and the
pound of cure.
Alexander Hyde.
CULTURE OF THE GRAPE IN CITIES.
When they whose lives are pent up within city-homes escape at rare
intervals to the country, and find their friends luxuriating in domains
whose area is told off by the acre, not the running foot, and amidst whose
almost unbounded amplitude
" Blossoms and fruits and flowers promiscuous rise,"
the unconscious sigh escapes from their laboring breast ; and " Oh that ! "
ushers in some specific desire expressive of their sad condition.
City-yards, no doubt, are small. One or two peach or half a dozen
dwarf-pear trees would exhaust their capacity. One of those straggling
vines in which the country rejoices would almost remand them to their
pristine wilderness-state. Nevertheless, experience has fully shown that
cities are the true place for the perfect development of the grape, and
that yards of very moderate size are amply large for the rearing of a goodly
assortment of the choicest kinds.
It has been demonstrated by actual culture during many years, both in
Europe and America, not only that a space, or section of trellis, ten feet
long and one and a half or two feet in height, is sufficient for the demands
of one vine, but that vines thus confined produce grapes of a finer flavor
than can be obtained by the old system.
Having tested the matter to his satisfaction, let the writer present the
subject in some detail, — not for the instruction of the experienced horti-
1 68 Culture of the Grape in Cities.
cultuvist, but rather for the benefit of any, who, having recently taken the
grape-fever, are earnest inquirers after elementary and practical knowledge.
Has the reader a small unoccupied space — say ten feet long and from two
to three feet wide — beside any fence of his lot where the sun shines for
six or eight hours per day? Then let him rejoice in the assurance that he
may have his four favorite vines, — an lona and a Delaware, for instance,
with an Israella, and a Diana or Allen. Does he ask how? In this
way : Procure the four vines from some reliable source, and plant them in
a row, at intervals of two and a half feet, leaving half that space between
the outer vines and the ends of the border. Train the vines perpen-
dicularly the first season ; cut them down within a few inches of the
ground in November. The second year, grow single canes from each
stem, until, by measurement, you find that each is just long enough to take
its place in the centre of the trellis in the course you have assigned it to,
and then pinch off the terminal bud. This will cause the highest lateral
buds to grow rapidly. Train both branches perpendicularly to the end of
the season, and cut them off at the distance of a foot from the point of
separation. In the spring, fasten the cane to the trellis at the selected spot,
and lay down these branches right and left, and secure them to the trellis
as the permanent arms of the vine. Each arm should be permitted, the
third season, to put up only two or three fruit-branches, yielding some
three bunches apiece; and, if thrifty, the arms should be lengthened a
foot or more every succeeding year, until they attain the full dimensions
of five feet and occupy the entire trellis.
When I speak of measuring the distance to the spot on the trellis to be
occupied by the centre or branching point of each vine, I mean this : A
trellis should be constructed of the exact length of the border, say ten
feet; stout cedar-posts, sunken two feet into the ground, and reaching to
a height of nine feet, should be placed near the ends of the border ; and
to these posts should be nailed four well-seasoned strips of scantling, three
inches wide and one thick; the first, one foot from the ground; the others
at three, five, and seven feet elevation : complete the trellis by fastening
two wires of stout galvanized iron above each of the four horizontal strips
or bars. In the centre of each bar drive a grape-hook or nail, leaving the
head slightly projecting. Select one of the two inner vines to occupy the
Culture of the Grape in Cities. 169
lowest bar, or course, as it is called; and the other to occupy the second:
allot the two outer vines to the third and fourth courses respectively.
Each vine should be grown, the second season from planting, with a single
cane or standard, until it has reached a height equal to the distance
obliquely from its roots to the grape-hook, by which it is to be fastened to
the trellis : at that point let it he pinched, and caused to produce two canes
for the arms, as above suggested.
The trellis should be placed eighteen inches from the fence, — thirty
inches space would be preferable, — so as to insure ample ventilation for
the vines in hot, moist weather, and prevent mildew of leaf and fruit. A
good coat of whitewash applied to the fence in March or April, before the
bursting of the buds, would add, by reflection of the solar rays, several
degrees of heat to the temperature through the season.
Perhaps I should fortify my position in respect to the close planting of
the vines. Pruned as the tops will be, the roots require less space than in
the old untrimmed state; and, though placed in such juxtaposition, they
may, and probably will, run nearly across the yard, and obtain all the
space they need. And if most of the yard be paved, so much the better.
A brick or stone pavement keeps the ground in a damp, warm condition,
admirably adapted to the requirements of the vine. But attention should
be given to the soil; and, if one desires to possess vines which shall
ripen abundant crops for many successive years, he should remove the
ground to the depth of two feet, and width of five or more, and substitute
a soil composed principally of fence-corner or old-field sods, with a little
thoroughly-rotted manure, some plaster and cellar-dirt, and a liberal
sprinkling of bone-dust, all well incorporated. After planting the vines
in this unfailing soil, the entire border, excepting a small space around each
vine, may very profitably be paved over, and used as if no roots were
beneath.
Another inquiry let me anticipate : " Will the vines consent to remain
within the restricted limit of two feet perpendicular space ? " At first
they will not, and the pinching-in process is requisite. When the young
fruiting-shoots have advanced three leaves, or joints, beyond the highest
bunch of grapes indicated upon them, their terminal buds should be
VOL. I. 23
I/O Culture of the Grape in Cities.
pinched off. In a week or ten days, the highest buds will start ; and, when
another leaf is formed on each, the buds must be again removed; and,
later still, the process must be repeated, each time an additional leaf being
left. As the effect of these pinchings, the formation of wood to a great
extent is arrested, and the energies of the vine are directed to the develop-
ment of the fruit. After the third pinching, it is best to let the main shoots
grow ; and, should they overpass the bar or course above them, push them
behind it, and leave them to expatiate in the plenteous sunshine. These
pinchings of the shoots also cause the older laterals to grow rapidly:
they, too, should be pinched in, a fresh leaf being left each time. And
the result of it all is the gathering of a clump of greatly enlarged and
healthy foliage around the cluster of fruit, protecting it from the intensity
of the sunshine, and elaborating its juices to a perfection not otherwise
attained.
Let us now glance at the fruit from your ten feet of fencing. At the
end of the third year, the four vines will yield about twenty bunches, giving
you a foretaste of what is in store, and amply rewarding your patient toil.
The next season, you will gather twice the quantity of larger and finer
grapes; and in the sixth year, when your vines will have reached their
maturity, you should find — let us see : eight arms, with ten shoots to each,
and the shoots severally garnished with three noble bunches ; yes, two
hundred and forty bunches of truly delicious fruit. Ye dwellers in city-
homes, be comforted.
But in many yards there are vacant spaces of far greater extent. Thirty,
fifty, a hundred feet of fence may be appropriated to the grape ; and the
plan above suggested may be applied to the several sections of the trellis.
For an extended line, however, there is a better mode of distributing the
vines over the trellis, by which the length of the standards is reduced, and
their obliquity greatly lessened. But to every mundane task there is an
appointed bound, and the end of this has come.
C. W. Ridgely.
Baltimore, Md.
The Cherry as a P7'ofitable Fruit for Market-Purposes. 171
THE CHERRY AS A PROFITABLE FRUIT FOR MARKET-
PURPOSES.
Without recuning to the records of profits and products realized from
individual cherry-trees, as so much tangible, incontrovertible evidence of
the money-profits to be derived from chemes, I will give attention rather
to a general assertion, covering a few plain truths known to all who have
given attention to the subject of fruit-growing. These are. First, that, as
a rule, the cherry in some of its varieties succeeds perfectly, when classed
as a tree for general cultivation, in nearly every section of our Northern,
Middle, and Western States.
Second, The trees grow rapidly ; are usually healthy ; can be easily
grown from seed, or varieties readily propagated by budding or grafting j
and arrive at profitable mature bearing age in from four to six years.
Third, It is not particular about soil, provided it be one in which water
never stands twenty-four hours at a depth nearer the surface than two feet,
although it delights in a rather light loam, resting on a gravel subsoil.
The product of the trees varies, according to their age and the variety,
at from one-fourth of a bushel to thirty bushels ; and the fruit always com-
mands ready sale at prices var}'ing from four to twelve dollars a bushel.
These are some of the generally acknowledged good points taken in
connection with the cherry when faiit-growers come to consider the policy
and probable profit of planting it as a market-crop ; and yet with all
these, and the fact, that, yearly, thousands of bushels of cherry-fruits are
grown and marketed, there are hundreds of our smaller cities and market-
towns where it is rare ever to find an eatable cherry offered for sale.
As a tree combining beauty of form, or delicacy in spray, glossy foliage,
and snowy bloom, for ornament, and a delicious healthy fruit for use, none
among the whole catalogue deserve or receive the same amount of favor
as the cherry. It is planted as shades in the village door-yards ; it adorns
the home-grounds of the farmer, whether of ten or a thousand acres ; it is
often planted by scores as shades decorative and cooling, bordering an
avenue or approach-road. Go where you will, the country over, and where
172 TJie Cherry as a Profitable Fruit for Market-Purposes.
do you find a cottage log-house, the remains of an abandoned home, or
' the fresh pahit of a new settler or naturalized foreigner, without finding
more or less cherry-trees growing ? True, some of them are what we call
sour or Kentish fruit ; but they are hardy and productive. Orchards by the
thousands of trees are growing and being planted in the Western States,
while orchards of trees numbering their hundreds are frequent in the
Middle and Northern States : but, with all these, our statement, that, in
many small cities and market-towns, cherries are never found for sale, holds
good ; while in the larger cities it is rare that the market is ever fully sup-
plied ; and hence many a person passes year after year without ever tasting
a cherry, much less enjoying them in abundance.
This ought not to be so ; and from among the crowd who are making,
and about to make, their fortunes out of grape, pear, or strawberry grow-
ing, let us hope to draw the attention of some to the fact that the people
love cherries, the people will buy cherries, the people will pay good re-
munerative prices for cherries. Cherries are good to eat fresh from the
tree, good to can, and as good or better than Zante currants when dried ;
and there is money — which is the grand point — in growing cherries for
market-purposes.
In years gone by, when fruit had to be transported twenty or more miles
by wagons, and canning was unknown, there was often much reason for
the fruit-grower confining himself to such varieties mainly as were not im-
mediately perishable, and that would bear the rough transportation of that
day to market ; but now, when railroads cross our country like the threads
of a spider's web, the man with land at one hundred miles from the con-
suming market can grow cherries as profitably as he who resides at a
distance of only five to seven miles.
I have said the trees can be easily grown from seed. It is only requisite
to gather them when ripe, and keep them until the next spring, never
letting them get dry, and planting as soon as the frost is out of the ground,
covering about as deep as for Indian corn.
A friend of mine pursues a ready way of supplying his wants from year
to year as follows : About the time the trees are in flower, he starts on a
rainy morning, with trowel, dibble, and basket, to some tree of a well-known
good kind, underneath which he finds from one to fifty young natural seed-
TJie CJicny as a Profitable Fruit for Market-Purposes. 173
lings from pits of the previous year's fallen fruits : these he takes up with
his trowel carefully, and transplants to his garden-nursery, where they grow
two to three years, and are again transplanted to the permanent orchard,
where they are fruited, and such as are proved unprofitable are budded, or
ingrafted with some known valuable kind. Where the sweet cherry is a
success on its own roots, and the owner has time and enthusiasm to meet
the delay, this is a good way ; but when the planter wants to realize as soon
as possible, or when the trees must be worked on morello-roots to insure
their success, it is better to purchase the first plantation of trees from a
nurseryman, and afterwards bud and graft as time and inclination serve.
I have said the cherry can be grown successfully nearly everywhere ; but,
while such is the fact, it is also true that the tree must be worked on the
roots of the morello to insure that success. I so said and wrote twenty-
six years ago; but as it was more difficult to work on morello than mahaleb,
as stocks were not as easily obtainable, and trees did not show as large
at one year old, the advice was not popular : but, at the recent meeting,
that most intelligent body of fruit-growers, the Illinois State Horticul-
tural Society, stated plainly that the morello is the only stock from
which to look for success in cherry-growing ; and I think the practice will
now be popular. Let any one, who has been unsuccessful in cherry-grow-
ing, work his varieties on seedling morello-stocks, and grow his trees mod-
erately, — not with extra stimulants, — and he will be able to gather plenty
of fruit in four years from the setting of the bud.
In connection with this assertion, that the cherry can be grown nearly
everywhere, the planter for market-purposes should remember, that, as with
every thing else, there is always a best side ; and that there is more certainty
of permanent, steady, profitable returns from an orchard well located as
regards altitude and soil, than from one not in the most favorable position.
Remember one thing more : which is, let the planter select varieties likely
to meet the tastes of the people whose appetites he expects to appease,
and whose money he intends to receive.
In some markets, the dark or black cherries command one-eighth to one-
sixth more price than the light colors ; in others, it is the reverse : but, in
all cases where the fruit has to be transported miles in reaching its con-
suming customers, black or dark fruit will be found best, because it can be
174 '^^^^ Magnoliacecs.
picked ere it is fully ripe, and will not show the injury of a bruise as
quickly or plainly as that of a light color. To this add that the very
earliest fruit and the very latest will command always one-quarter to one-
third more price than that of medium seasons, and I have written enough
for the present. F- R- ElliotU
Cleveland, O.
THE MAGNOLIACE^.
The hardy members of this order are embraced in the genera Magno-
lia and Liriodendron.
{a.) Magnolia. — An erroneous opinion prevails that the several
species and varieties of this genus can be successfully cultivated only in
more southern latitudes. Two are indigenous to northern sections of the
Union; and it is evident, that, with suitable management, all of them,
whether of American or Asiatic origin, will thrive here, the gra?idiflora and
one or two others excepted.
With the rapid advancement in ornamental gardening, no sufficient
reason can therefore be offered why, though at present the most rare, they
should not become common ornaments of our grounds. This view is
sustained by the experience of a few individuals in Boston, Flushing,
Newburg, Rochester, and Cleveland ; and that experience has also shown
the following kinds to be worthy of cultivation : —
I. M. Acuminata {Ciiciunber-tree). — In the original forests of Ohio, this
tree was common, but, with their destruction, is rapidly disappearing ; and,
as its reproduction from seed is now commonly interrupted, it may be
exterminated in the course of a few generations.
Its intrinsic merits as an ornamental tree, as w^ell as its great value as a
stock for extending the propagation of other kinds, may perhaps avert such
a result.
Employed for this latter purpose, it imparts vigor to the weak, hardiness
to the more tender, and, by its profuse supply of sap, forces them into
abnormal production of flowers, improved in size and perfection as well as
in numbers.
The Magitoliace(2. 175
\Vlien grown in open grounds, it assumes a regular-conical form. Its
lea.es are numerous, large, glabrous, and of a rich green color. In the
month of August, they contrast strikingly with the brilliant scarlet of the
carpels, or seed-vessels, numerously interspersed ; and, at the first approach
of autumn, suddenly change to a straw color, which pleasantly blends with
the more vivid and gaudy hues of the neighboring forests.
It annually produces an abundance of seeds, which are perfected about
the first of September. These, falling among leaves and rubbish, vege-
tate freely during the spring following, and, in such situations, make only a
few inches of growth in the course of the season. The small seedlings
can be readily detected in autumn by their large, acuminate, and yellow
leaves, conspicuous near the surface of the ground, among surrounding
herbage.
The cultivator should now secure a supply of them. Removed with a
ball of earth by aid of a gardener's trowel, they will suffer little from
transplanting ; and, if packed in moss, may be transported successfully to a
great distance. Unlimited numbers can be thus obtained in Ohio and
Western Pennsylvania,
If their removal be delayed till the ensuing spring, not a plant will then
be found. All in the inter\'ening time will have been gnawed to the
crown of their roots by rabbits ; and in this condition, and at this age, they
will not send up sprouts. Hence young trees of this species are not often
found, even in our most secluded forests.
The bark and young wood of all the magnolias are favorite food of the
rabbit ; and the trees are frequently attacked by them in gardens and lawns,
unless carefully protected.
A more common method of obtaining young cucumber-trees is by sow-
ing the seeds. It should be borne in mind, that, if the seeds of this or any
other species of this genus become dry, no subsequent management will
cause them to vegetate. As soon as they are mature, a point decided by
the opening of the valves of the carpels, they should be separated from
their attachment, and cleansed from their oily external coat by rubbing
with sand and water. This coat contains an acrid principle which is
thought to re-act on the seeds, and impair their vitality. They should be
either planted immediately, in the manner hereafter directed, or may be
176 The MapioliacecB.
packed in crocks, or boxes, with a liberal supply of slightly moistened sand.
It requires attention to preserve the requisite share of moisture till the
next spring, and guard against depredations of mice. Thus packed, they
can be conveyed to any desired distance. Contracts with our farmer-boys
would secure abundant supplies.
2. M. CoRDATA {Heart-shaped-leaved Magnolia). — The elder Michaux
found it in a few and limited localities in Georgia and South Carolina. It
was described by him as a new and distinct species. Doubts are enter-
tained whether it is other than the acuminata, which is now known to sport
in variety.
The leaves of the cordata are said to be '■'■ broad-ovate, sub-cordate." It
had never been introduced into this vicinity until Francis Parkman of Bos-
ton kindly sent me several seedlings a year since. Their leaves are oblong
and acuminate, hardly distinguishable from the acuminata of our forests.
At the same time, a seedling acu?ninata, under high cultivation in my
garden, exhibits leaves unusually large, and of an ovate and profoundly
cordate form. Flowers of the two kinds may present essential specific dif-
ferences. Loudon describes the color of the cordata as " white and purple ; "
Derby, as "yellow, streaked with red ;" while Meehan sa3's it is "yellow."
The colors of the acu?ninata are yellow and glaucous-green, with a slight
tinge of blue. Further observation must determine their relationship.
3. M. Glauca {Beaver-wood, Sweet-bay Tree). — A swamp in Gloucester,
on Cape Ann, in Massachusetts, is the most northern locality of this
species. From thence it is abundant in favorable localities near the sea-
shore far to the south. It is not a native of any of the North-western
States, though it succeeds well under cultivation as far north as Lake
Erie.
No species is more productive of seeds : every flower is sure to be fol-
lowed by a well-filled carpel. Seeds frequently sow themselves, and young
plants spring up spontaneously in adjacent grounds. These, with suitable
care and protection, will grow into good-sized shrubs. On its own roots,
this species will not, in this latitude, approximate any nearer to the magni-
tude of a tree. To develop satisfactorily its beauties, it must be propa-
gated on the acuminata stock ; and happily it is the most ready of all kinds
to succeed by the process of budding. By it, an important change and
The Magnoliace(Z. 177
improvement in its habits are effected. We can show some convincing ex-
amples.
A glauca standing in my grounds, started from a seed in 1842, is now
seven feet high. The trunk, eighteen inches above the ground, measures six
inches in circumference ; and its top extends into several lateral branches.
A dozen or two of inferior flowers are annually produced. Its aspect is
that of an old and decrepit shrub, unworthy of attention.
In beautiful contrast, and contiguous to it, may be seen another glauca,
with a large and spreading top, more than twenty-one feet high, with a
body thirty-seven inches in circumference at its largest expansion. Its
leaves and flowers surpass the others in size, numbers, and perfection.
During a period of about six weeks, in the months of June and July, it puts
forth daily a profusion of pure white blossoms, the neat and chaste ap-
pearance of which by day, and the agreeable odor at evening, excite admi-
ration. At the approach of night, the perfume, mingling with falling dews,
is disseminated a great distance along a thronged public thoroughfare, and
elicits many exclamations of wonder and surprise, uttered in as many
varied accents as were heard from the readers of the epitaph of " Poor
Yorick."
This tree is probably the largest specimen of the glauca in the Union,
certainly in the more Northern States ; and it illustrates both the feasibility
and the advantages of employing the acumijiata for the stock in propagat-
ing this species. It originated from a bud cut from the seedling glauca,
just described, when that was four years old. The bud was inserted into
a young cucumber-tree of a similar age in the summer of 1846.
Similar soil and cultivation have been afforded to each. The one is a
mere shrub, that has already passed its maturity ; the other a good-sized
tree, vigorous and healthy, annually extending as large a growth as in its
^"^^y y^"^^- Dr. Jared P. Kirtland.
Cleveland, O.
(To be continued.)
VOL I. 23
178
Otcr Squirrels.
OUR SQUIRRELS.
It does not appear, at the first glance, that our squirrels, in their yearly
labors, have any great influence on the interests of agriculture and horti-
culture : and we doubt, if the question were asked, if more than five
persons out of ten would have formed any opinion in the matter ; their
probable reply being, " Oh ! the squirrels are not of much importance
either way. They live principally on nuts, and do not trouble us much, with
the exception of the little striped ground-squirrel that pulls up our seed-
corn."
But these little animals are of more importance than people usually
believe them to be, and we will show this in a brief sketch of the habits
of each of our more f.^.miliar species.
The Common Gray Squirrel {Sciurus Carolinensis), Gmelin. — Tliis
■species is very generally distributed throughout the Atlantic States, and,
Our Squirrels. 179
with its congeners the fox-squirrel and black squirrel, is well known. Its
food, as most persons are well aware, consists almost entirely of nuts : and
it is to this fact that the multiplication of our forest-trees is very largely
indebted ; for its habit of buiying the different nuts as a provision against
the necessities of winter, covering them, to the depth of two inches or a
little more, in the rich forest-mould, secures for them the most certain
germination. This squirrel is a very liberal j^rovider for its future wants ;
and all who are conversant with its habits know how busy it is in burying
tliem, from the time of the early ripening of the nuts until the ground is
covered with snow.
Now, these nuts are not placed in one deposit, or two, or half a dozen :
for accident might destroy such caches ; or they might be placed by heavy
falls of snow or thick formations of ice beyond the reach of the depositor,
who would then be left without food through the most inclement season of
the year. No : by an exercise of the highest instinct, if not actual reason,
they are buried each by itself in every available spot in the woods, whether
on the hillside, or beneath a fallen and rotten trunk of a tree, or on the
edge of a swamp, — anywhere that it may be found when occasion calls for
it. And we all know how this little animal goes through the woods in the
heavy snow, digging down to its buried treasure with almost unerring
precision. We have said it is a liberal provider; and what is the proportion
of the nuts it eats of the whole number it deposits .-' Not one-fourth ; and
as it instinctively buries only those nuts that are perfectly sound, without
insect-stings, or germs of rot, of course all that are left buried sprout, and
spring from the ground, miniatures of the parent tree. It is well known
that only a very small proportion of those nuts that are left on the surface
of the ground, exposed to the action of the elements, ever mature and
sprout ; they rot and shrivel, or become the food and burrowing-place of
noxious insects : and it can very readily be seen that it is on the labors of the
arboreal squirrels that an extension of the growth of our forest-trees
depends. It is not alone in the confines of the woods that the nuts are
buried ; but all along their borders, sometimes rods away from them, in
the open fields and prairies, do these active animals make their deposits :
and people who live in the prairie countries, in which are belts of oaks
and chestnuts, often find the young of these trees growing at a considera-
i8o
Our Squirrels.
ble distance from the parent grove, and attribute their presence to the
action of high winds that had blown the nuts to that distance.
In many sections, this squirrel is destructive in the fields of Indian com,
especially when such fields are situated near its haunts ; but, generally
speaking, we have no hesitation in saying that it is far more valuable on
the farm than noxious.
The Little Red SQmRR^h{Sa'urtis Hudsonius), Pallas. — This is anotlier
of our little quadrupeds that is distributed almost entirely throughout our
continent. Like the gray squirrel, it makes its home in the woods ; and is,
in some localities, very abundant. In the pine and hemlock forests of the
Northern States, it is the most common of all the mammals ; every little
grove of these trees having one or more families. It feeds largely on
various nuts and seeds ; and in localities where the various pines abound,
together with the oaks and chestnuts, it is especially valuable in securing
a contuiuance of the latter, and even an introduction of them into the forests
Our Squirrels. l8l
of pines and hemlocks. For, preferring the dark shades of these evergreens
for its home, it naturally cats its food in them : and all who have paid
much attention to the different phenomena of Nature have doubtless
noticed, that, when a patch of pine-woods is cut off, a growth of oak,
hickory, and chestnut, almost invariably springs up ; that is, if such trees
are growing anywhere within the distance of half a mile from them. This
new groNVth is almost always to be attributed to the little red squirrel, who
had buried the nuts from wliich it grew for its winter food.
In sections where nothing but the various pines are growing, their seeds
furnish the principal food of this animal ; and I have often found, in my
wanderings in the North, large piles of the coverings of these seeds at
some favorite feeding-log of this little animal.
It is not in planting nuts that this squirrel is valuable alone ; for, as it is
not afraid to approach the gardens and orchards of its human neighbors,
the choice apples and pears and cherries which it seizes and carries off to
its forest-home, to be eaten in leisure there, often produce, from the seeds
tlie little robber drops, a fine new variety or seedling that is oftentimes
fully worth propagating. We have often found, in our woods, trees that
had been planted by these squirrels, that were bearing fruit as choice as
that growing on trees in the carefully-tended garden and orchard from
which they originally came.
Unfortunately for it, the taste of the red squirrel for ripe fruits is well
known ; and, in the neighborhood of orchards, its services in the forest are
often forgotten : but, in more retired localities, it is usually spared by the
farmer, who regards it as a funny, jovial fellow, full of good nature and
pleasant companionship.
The Little Striped Squirrel ( Ta7nias siriatus), Linn^us. — This is
probably one of the best known and least popular of all our squirrels, and
in most localities is really a nuisance. It prefers an open to a wooded
countr}^, and usually takes up its home in or beneath a stone wall, or pile
of rocks in a field or pasture.
Early in the spring, as soon as the rays of the sun have penetrated to
its subterranean home, it makes its appearance ; and, as soon as the first
corn is planted, it begins its depredations. It follows the rows of newly-
l82
Oiir Squirrels.
sprouted seed, and, digging with wonderful sagacity into each hill, finds the
grains, and, cutting out and eating the germs, leaves the remainder on the
earth, to become food for crows or other birds.
Later, when the strawberries and other small fruits are ripened, it takes
no small share of these delicacies ; and, when the grains are fit for harvest-
ing, the amount this little thief carries off is sometimes astonishing. In
addition to these articles of diet, the chipmonk, as it is often called, secures
great quantities of nuts ; and lazy people often watch the little gatherer,
and follow it to its home, where, digging into it with shovel and pick,
the stores that had been laid up for future needs are discovered.
In the winter, unlike the other species, this squirrel partially hibernates ;
sleeping most of the time in its burrow until warm weather comes. It
would be unbearably abundant in cultivated districts, for it is very prolific,
did it not have enemies in all the birds and beasts of prey and the various
snakes. Its pretty form, cheerful, active habits, and confiding dispo-
sition, insure its protection, or rather secure for it a sort of tolerance, in
Our Squirrels.
183
some localities ; while in most others it is regarded as a nuisance, and is
destroyed at every opportunity.
The Flying-Squirrel {Pteromys volucella), Pallas. — This pretty and
interesting little animal is not of sufficient importance to the rural econo-
mist to deserve more than a passing notice here. It feeds principally upon
various seeds and nuts ; but usually, instead of planting them in the ground
like the two preceding species, makes deposits or stores in hollow logs and
trees. It is nocturnal in its habits, and is rarely found away from its home
in the v/oods. Edward A. Samuels.
1 84
The Cherokee Rose.
THE CHEROKEE ROSE.
No engraving can do justice to this rose. Its great beauty consists in
the pure white of its broad petals, contrasted with the rich, shining green
of its foliage. Among single roses, it certainly has no peer. Unfortunately,
it is too tender to bear a Northern winter ; but in the South it makes a most
luxuriant growth, and is often used for hedges. These, when in full bloom,
The Cherokee Rose, &c. 185
are the most beautiful objects conceivable, the large flowers shining like
flakes of silver scattered thickly over the living wall of green.
I have had one of these roses, for several years, growing in the open
ground : but every winter kills it to the earth, and seems even to enfeeble
the root; for the summer growth is far from strong. Its proper place, in this
latitude, is the greenhouse or the cold grapery, where it will put forth its
beauties in perfection, and, being of a climbing habit, will soon cover the
rafters Though not to be classed as ever-blooming, it remains in flower
for a long time.
It might be inferred from its name that it is a native of the South; but,
in fact, it is only naturalized there, and its native place is China. It is the
Rosa Icevigata of botanists. ■
Francis Parkman.
Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Tritoma Uvaria and Burchelli. — They belong to the natural order
Liliacece and sub-order Aloece. The former was but little grown until during
the last few years ; yet it was introduced from the Cape of Good Hope in
1707. Good loam, enriched with one-third leaf-mould and v/ell-reduced
hotbed-manure, suits it. If the soil is wet and heavy, it would be improved
by the addition of one-fourth sharp sand. All it requires is a mulching of
leaf-mould or littery manure three parts reduced, placed round the crown in
autumn, after blooming. The dead foliage should not be cut off until
spring, as, if left, it forms a protection to the crown. If the weather prove
dry during the throwing-up of the spike and flowering, copious supplies of
liquid manure are beneficial. There is no difference as to treatment be-
tween T. uvaria and T. Burchelli ; but they are very distinct : the latter is
more dwarf and compact, and very bright in color.
It has proved hardy in the vicinity of Boston with a protection of leaves
and fine boughs, and never requires more than the protection of a cold
frame. A clump of either species is a marked feature in the garden ; and,
if the clumps ar? not divided, they soon become very large, and produce
numerous spises of bloom, which are very effective.
VOL. I. 24
1 86 Editor's Letter-Box,
EDITOR'S LETTER-BOX.
A Subscriber. — Fifteen vines for a cold grapery, — eight black Hamburg,
one white Chasselas, one rose Chasselas, one Wilmot's No. i6, one Wilmot's
black Hamburg, one Cliasselas musk, one flame-colored Tokay, one goldeu
Hamburg. We give a list comprising the greatest variety ; but, of all grapes, the
black Hamburg and its varieties succeed best, and give greatest satisfaction, in
a cold grapery.
A Subscriber. — In glazing a greenhouse-roof, shall I lap the glass, or but it ?
Our experience has shown that it is better to lap the glass : it makes a tighter
and stronger roof.
L. F., Pennfield, N.Y. — Hyacinths should be placed in the glasses about the
end of October, kept in the dark until the glass is half filled with roots, then
removed to a sunny window. The time when they will throw up the flower-stem
depends much upon the temperature of the room and of the water : they sel-
dom bloom before the loth of January, however. The room may be kept at the
ordinary temperature of a parlor, say 65° Fahrenheit. At night, the glasses should
be removed from the window, that the water may not be chilled. As the water
evaporates, the glass should be filled up ; but it is not necessary to change the
water, unless it becomes foul. A small piece of charcoal in the glass will keep
the water sweet. Hyacinths in water bloom weaker than when planted in earth,
and are not as satisfactory. Soft water only should be used for refilling, and it
should be of the temperature of the room.
R., Worcester. — The double hepaticas are as hardy as the wild varieties, but
are not very easy to procure in this country. You will find them in florists' cata-
logues ; but they rarely can supply them. The best way to get a stock would be
to import them. They cost in England about a shilling a root. As the plants are
impatient of removal when in growth, and seldom survive losing all the young
leaves, it is better to import them in the autumn than the spring ; as, if imported
in spring, the young leaves grow in the case, and damp off. If, however, you
send for them in September, they will reach you late in November. They will
usually be in small pots or with good balls as they have been turned out from
the propagating pot. Put them at once in pots of the same size, and give a
gentle watering to moisten the plant; then winter them in a cold-frame. In early
spring, uncover them, and set the plants in the border where they are to remain.
They are impatient of division, and look best in large clumps. The proper time
to divide for propagation is as soon as they have done blooming. The double-
red is the most common, and is a little gem of a flower ; the double-blue is
rather a larger growing plant, with flowers on longer footstalks ; the double-
white is very rare, if, indeed, it is not lost to cultivation. The single varieties
of our woods do well in the border. H. angtdosa is a very fine species, with
large blue starry flowers ; recently introduced. All the varieties are valuable,
and we know of no prettier plants for the spring garden.
Editor's Lctter-Box. 187
S. H., Boston. — The earliest polyanthus-narcissus is Gloriosa, if you except
the double- Roman, which blooms about Christmas. Gloriosa is white with
yellow cups, very fragrant, and continues long in bloom. It generally, with ordi-
nary culture of the parlor, blooms about the middle of January ; while other
varieties, such as Grand Monarque, Grand Primo, Gloria Mundi, and Soleil
d'Or, seldom flower before the last of February.
W. D., Andover. — The Lawrence pear is an American seedling, and one of
the best table-pears, ripening from the last of October to Christmas. It never
shrivels; but all, large and small, ripen well. The flesh is white, dehciously per-
fumed, juicy ; the skin smooth ; color, when ripe, light clear yellow. It does best
on its own root or pear-stock.
A Subscriber. — Sow Chinese primroses {Privncla svieitsis) in April in pans
in the greenhouse, or even in the parlor. As soon as the plants are large enough
to handle, pot them in small pots ; or, what is better, prick them out in rows in a
box or pan. Keep them in a shady place during the summer, but not under the
drip of trees, — a plant-house, or piazza, where they receive some sun is best, —
and repot as the plants grow. Pick oflf all flower-buds until November, when
they may be allowed to bloom. There is no better window-plant. The double
varieties are very fine, but do not succeed as well in the parlor as the single.
They are propagated by division. Old plants are increased by dividing in spring,
and treatins: durins: the summer as above.
A Subscriber, Auburn, N.Y. — The best plant for a yellow bed is Tagetes
signata piimila, plants of which may be obtained from nurserymen, and seeds
of any seedsman. Sow in a hot-bed in April, and transplant to position like
any marigold.
Constant Reader, Roxbury. — The plant you describe as seen by you at
the Horticultural Rooms last autumn was probably Dahlia imperialis, a recent
introduction. It grows twelve feet high, producing an abundance of large single
drooping white flowers. It is doubtful whether our season will prove long
enough for it ; but, planted out in a conservatory border, it would be very effec-
tive. We shall try a plant this next summer, and report its value in our latitude.
South of New York, it would probably do well.
A Well-Wisher, Cleveland, O. — You can probably procure seeds of
Tritoma iivaria, which, if sown this spring, would flower in about two years
and a half; but the best way is to buy plants, which any nurseryman will furnish
for three dollars a dozen. If well protected with leaves, the plant will stand the
winter. For a mass in a lawn, there is no more showy plant.
Annual, Albany, N.Y. — A very good dark-foliaged plant, and one that would
suit your purpose, is Perilla iXankinensis. It is an annual, and may be had
very early by sowing in a hot-bed, and transplanting : it will usually come up
the second season where it has once been planted. The flower is whitish and
inconspicuous. Other dark-foliaged plants are AmarantJius inelancholicus,
Iresine Hebestii, and Colcus Verschaffelti ; but the Perilla will best suit you.
Camellia, N.Y. — Six good camellias for bloom and hardness Tivt Alba plena j
1 88 Editor's Letter -Box.
Fiinbriata, white ; Intbricata,Feastii, variegated ; Lady Hume's Blush, creamy
white ; Henri Favre, rosy carmine. To these add Saccoi nova and Wilderii,
rose ; Sarah Frosty ruby red, occasionally striped ; Candidissijna, white ; Mrs.
Abby Wilder, creamy white, sometimes striped ; Landrethii, pale rose ; Jeffer-
soni, bright scarlet.
I. P. H., Greenfield, Mass. — Mr. Strong thus answers your question : —
Mr. Editor, — In answer to the inquiries of your correspondent in I'egaid
to my experience with the " horizontal mode of training the grape " during
the past season, I reply as follows : Owing to the pressure of spring work, the
principle was not applied to many varieties. The Hartford Prolific and Concord
varieties, being very luxuriant in growth, were thought to be good subjects for
experiment. In the spring of 1866, I selected two rows of Hartfords and two
rows of Concords, each row being about three hundred feet long, the vines of
which rows had been planted five years. Having been previously trained in an
upright position, I had noticed that the base buds, or those lower down, and nearest
the cane, were each year becoming weaker and less productive. I believed this
new position of the branches would remedy the evil, though a large crop could not
be expected for the first season. The trellises, which were previously six feet
high, were cut down to three feet. A horizontal trellis of three wires was then
stretched upon the top of the posts, as described in my book upon the grape,
page 132. The result has fully equalled my expectations. My crop was not
large, for the reason, as stated, that previous training had weakened the fruiting-
eyes ; but the vines appeared well, and the fruit matured well and in excellent
condition. During the past season, mildew has been prevalent in all the vine-
yards in this section; and my own vines were by no means exempt. In early
August, I thought the signs of mildew were more noticeable on the horizontal
treUises than on the upright, which were side by side, and of the same varieties
of grapes ; but a further and more careful observation convinced me that the
difference was only in appearance. Standing over and looking down upon and
along the horizontal trellis, all the new and tender growth is in plain sight. Of
course, any sign of disease would be much more conspicuous than upon an up-
right trellis. But, in September, there was no perceptible difference in the foliage
of the difterent trellises. It is a moderate statement to say that the fruit on the
horizontal trellis ripened equally as well as the other ; and I am quite certain that
the fruiting-eyes for next season are in much better condition than those on the
upright trellis. Vines which were trained in this arching way in 1865 have de-
veloped better fruit-buds and larger bunches, so far as I have been able to judge.
I may add, that several friends who have heretofore doubted this plan have ex-
pressed more or less confidence in its merits after witnessing these results. It
is due to the public, in this connection, to call attention to the instance of
horizontal training mentioned by Mr. Meehan as occurring in the interior of
Pennsylvania during the past season. The particulars, the exact mode, the
pruning, the variety, — none of these items are given. In a private letter, Mr.
Meehan informs me that the experiment was "a stupendous failure." I in-
cline to believe that neglect was a prominent cause ; and I think Mr. Meehan
Editor's Letter-Box. 189
would do us good service by a statement of all the facts in the case. If the
Delaware was the variety experimented with, the result was in harmony with
most other vineyards of this kind, in Pennsylvania, during the past season,
S. E., Illinois. — The Norway spruce is used as a hedge in the vicinity of
Boston, and some fine specimens can be seen. It makes a very dense and close
protection for nurseries, and will turn cattle. It seems especially adapted to
break the force of the wind, bears the shears well, and is ornamental.
Many inquiries have been received as to the locality of the writers in the
January and February numbers. They are as follows : —
Francis Parkman, Boston, Mass. ; J. M. Merrick, Jr., Walpole, Mass. ; John
L. Russell, Salem, Mass. ; E. S. Rand, Jr., Boston, Alass. ; William C. Strong,
Brighton, Mass.; 1. F. C. Hyde, Newton, Mass.; Jos. Breck, Brighton, Mass. ;
Ed. C. Herbert, Boston, Mass. ; Fearing Burr, Jr., Hingham, Mass. ; E. A,
Samuels, Boston, Mass.
The localities will be given in future.
F. H. — "Tazetta" is the name given to varieties of Polya7tthjis narcissus
from the Italian tazsa, "a cup," alluding to the form of the flower. In Dutch
catalogues, this name is of frequent occurrence.
Hollis. — The specimen sent is a leaf of some Begonia allied to B. rex.; but
there are so many seedlings raised yearly, many of them better than named varie-
ties, that we cannot undertake to distinguish them.
E. M. — The apple is Bottle Greening, a New- York variety not mentioned in
Downing. A friend who is familiar with the history is investigating the subject,
and will soon furnish an article for our pages.
R. — The English holly is not hardy in New England, and the variegated
varieties would probably prove more tender than others. As parlor-plants, or
for entries, they are very ornamental. The English holly is Ilex aquifoliuvi ; the
American, Ilex opaca.
The Editor is in constant receipt of letters in which the address of the writer
is very obscure or illegibly written. To answer such letters is of course impos-
sible. Correspondents are particularly requested to write the name and post-
office address in a clear, legible hand. We also request that correspondents will
not write personally to the contributors to the " Journal " on subjects connected
with the magazine or their articles published therein. All questions will be
answered in our columns.
190 Horticultural Doings,
HORTICULTURAL DOINGS.
The meeting of the Minnesota Fruit-growers' Association was held at St.
Paul, Jan. 10, 1867. A very interesting and valuable address on fruit-growing
at the extreme North, as practised in Russia and other cold climates, was read
by Col. Robertson, by whom it had been prepared at the request of the society.
It embodied many facts of great interest, and showed, that, with proper selection
of varieties, there is good reason to hope for substantial success in this interest-
ing pursuit. The address is of the first importance, and should be pubhshed
and circulated through the State.
At the conclusion of the address, an opportunity was offered, for those who
were willing, to state their experience in regard to fruit-growing, or any fact that
had come under their observation bearing upon the subject. Statements were
made by L. M. Ford, Messrs. Wheaton of Northfield, Smith of Freeborn, Mitch-
ell of Goodhue, Nichols of Olmstead, Gov. Marshall, and other gentlemen. The
subject is not only an important, but an exceedingly interesting one ; and we
are glad to see so much interest manifested.
A resolution was passed to hold a meeting every Thursday evening during
the session of the legislature ; also that the subject of conversation for the
next evening should be the winter protection of fruit-trees, grape-vines, and
plants.
Hancock County, Illinois. — It seems that the fruit-growers of this
grape-region of Illinois have been stimulated by their success to form a society
which has for some time been in active existence. The planting of grapes and
other fruits has for some years attracted much attention. About Nauvoo, there
are a good many vineyards ; but, at the meeting near the close of the year, it
appears, that, predicating upon statistics carefully made in one-half the county,
the secretary thinks he can safely estimate the number of grape-vines in cultiva-
tion at one million.
The Committee on Grapes came out very strongly in favor of the Concord, as
one of the most satisfactory and valuable varieties. They fully sustain the
verdict of the Greeley Prize Committee. The Catawba still holds the first rank
among the vineyards, and has borne well where sliglitly protected : they have
had little rot, and that on young vines equally with old ones. The Isabella was
declared unworthy ; the Clinton highly commended for the production of a red
wine, if allowed to hang until well ripened.
The committee believe that all varieties should have some kind of •nnnter
protection, and for this purpose advise pruning in the fall, and a light covering
of earth in the vineyard, or a wrapping of straw in the garden. Their account
does not include the newer varieties, because, they say, " of the hundreds or
thousands planted there within five or six years, the majority are now dead."
The statements as to the weight of the must, or the grape-juice, appear very
high, and must be taken as evidence of the thorough maturity of tlie fruit in
Horticultural Doings. 191
that region. Delaware was 100; Clinton, 96 ; Taylor, 90 ; Catawba, 86 ; Con-
cord, 83, &c.
At the annual election, the following gentlemen were chosen officers for the
current year : President, A. C. Hammond ; Vice-President, G. B. Worthen ;
Secretary and Treasurer, N. W. Bhss. — Contributed by John A. Warder.
Indiana Horticultural Society. — This very useful association held, in
January last, one of its very useful and interesting meetings. A large number
of members were in attendance, ^more than at previous meetings. The display
of fruits was magnificent : very many varieties were on exhibition, and the
quality and naming were beyond criticism. The display, taken as a whole, was
quite equal to that made at Zanesville, O., last month ; though the number of
varieties was not so great, nor the quantity so large. A very similar list of va-
rieties was shown in both States ; but there were some sorts peculiar to each
State.
The Business Committee reported programme for order of preceedings. The
election resulted in the selection of, — President, J. D. G. Nelson ; Vice-Presi-
dents, Allen Furnass, Calvin Fletcher, J. C. Shoemaker, E. C. Siler ; Corre-
sponding Secretary, ]os. GWhert; Recording Secretary, S. W. Pearson; Treas-
urer, J. S. Dunlop.
The committee reported some interesting matters ; when the subject of
small fruits was taken up, and a spirited discussion was had, and was partici-
pated in by all the members.
Wednesday Morning. — There was a good attendance of members, and a
spirited meeting. Some suggestions were made to amend the premium list of
the State Board of Agriculture, so as to insure an increase of exhibiters.
A paper was read from Dr. Matthews of Mason, III, recommending the Ben
Davis apple ; and those acquainted with the variety spoke very highly of it as a
market-fruit.
An amendment of the constitution was then proposed and adopted, providing
for a corresponding secretary ; whereupon Judge Gilbert of Terre Haute was
elected.
The revision of the fruit-list section was then taken up and carefully revised,
with excellent results.
The afternoon was devoted to a consideration of the same important subject.
In the evening, several papers were read and disposed of; and Dr. Warder
read a very feeling eulogy upon the late George M. Buler, former secretary of
the society ; when the session immediately adjourned for the day.
Thursday Morning. — The society re-assembled this, the third day of the
session, in goodly numbers. It is remarkable how deep an interest is taken in
this good work by members of the Society of Friends. Fully three-fourths of
the attendance was from that excellent class of citizens, and several of the offi-
cers and leading men are Quakers ; which gives a solid, substantial, and reliable
character to this body of fruit-growers.
The committees rendered their reports on the articles exhibited. The fruits
could not be too highly commended. The display was remarkably fine, and
192 Horticultural Doings.
eminently characteristic of the advance of this society, as evidenced by the ad-
mirable arrangement and by their correct terminology.
Resolutions were offered recommendatory of the new serial, "The Journal of
Horticulture," published by J. E. Tilton & Co., Boston ; and the members were
asked to lend it their hearty support.
The importance of the subject of entomology was urged, and the necessity
for farmers and horticulturists to become familiar with their insect enemies was
set forth. To meet this, members were directed to " The Practical Entomologist,"
printed in Philadelphia, as a means of communication with the scientists in this
department of natural history.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — A quarterly meeting of this
society was held in its library-room on Saturday, Jan. 5, 1867.
The retiring President, C. M. Hovey, Esq., delivered a parting address, setting
forth the prosperous condition of the society, and its means for future usefulness.
He stated that its income for 1866 would be about thirty thousand dollars. It
has given for prizes, in the last twenty years, fifty thousand dollars. The value
of the society's property is estimated at about two hundred and seventy-five
thousand dollars, on which there is a mortgage of about half that amount.
The President elect, J. F. C. Hyde, Esq., on taking the chair, made a short
introductory address. He expressed the idea that the society was in its infancy
for usefulness.
A very able and interesting report on the Depredations of the Robin was
presented by Prof Russell of Salem, in which he expressed his feehng for that
bird, and also the opinion, as the result of his investigations, that the robin
does more good in the destruction of noxious insects, worms, &c., than he does
harm in making his own selection from the choicest fruit.
He urged the protection of the smaller birds as useful to the cultivator of the
soil, and for this purpose recommended a tax on cats.
The Garden Committee made their annual report by W. C. Strong, Esq.,
chairman, giving an account of their official visit to the Pubhc Garden and to
Deer-Island Farm by invitation of the city authorities.
They speak of the bad arrangement and grouping of shrubs and plants in
the Public Garden, of the inferior quality of the lawn in comparison with that
around many private residences, and of the conservatory as not being what
the public expect of such an institution ; while they were evidently satisfied with
the condition of things on the city farm at Deer Island.
Some other business of less importance was transacted, when the society
adjourned for one week.
APRIL
CLASSIFICATION OF APPLES.
With the great increase of varieties that are cultivated in the nurseries
and planted in the orchards, and with the extended length of the fruit-lists
discussed at the pomological gatherings of our country, it is strange that
none of the savans and teachers of the art have yet attempted to give us a
philosophical classification. Some arrangement would appear absolutely
necessary ; and one American writer, J. J. Thomas, has essayed to group
the fruits he describes in a systematic way.
When attempting to analyze a list of some thousand names of varieties
of apples which had been collected from the writings of pomologists, the
catalogues of nurserymen, and from various other sources, the necessity
for a classification was most fully realized.
European authors were consulted to see what they had provided in the
way of a classification that might be adapted to our own country. Several
formulae were found ; but they were all too complex in their arrangements
to suit the simple tastes of an American.
After continued study of the different methods proposed, and of the dis-
tinctive characters that were observed to be most permanent, I have ven-
25
193
194 Classification of Apples.
tured to compose a classification upon the combined traits furnished by
shape, flavor, and color.
The general figure was found to be divisible into four well-marked
forms : —
ist, The FLAT, having the axial diameter decidedly shorter than the
transverse one.
2d, The CONIC, or tapering, in w'hich the apple is contracted decidedly
toward the blossom-end. In this form, the upper portion of the fruit is
much less than the lower, or stem-end. The diameters are about the same,
or nearly equal.
3d, The ROUND, or globular, in which there is a nearly equal develop-
ment of the two ends, and the diameters are about the same.
4th, The OBLONG, or apparently oblong and oval forms, in which the
axial diameter is longer than the transverse ; or, if only equal, the fruit
appears elongated in that direction, as it often does when this diameter is
really the shorter. This is particularly the case when the sides are nearly
parallel, and the ends are truncated, so that the fruit assumes a cylindrical
appearance.
Each of these classes is capable of subdivision into two orders, de-
pendent upon the regularity or irregularity of the contour of the fruit, as
shown by a transverse section across the core and axis, or by holding the
specimen with its blossom-end toward the eye of the observer. If the out-
line thus presented be a circle, the fruit is called regular ; but if flattened
on the sides, ribbed, or furrowed, it is angular, or irregular.
Each of the orders may be divided into two sections, according to the
flavor in its broad distinctions of S7vcet and sour ; though it must be con-
fessed that the difference between the two is not always ver}' well defined,
and that these flavors are often so nicely commingled, that it is difiicult to
distinguish between them, especially at the period of the perfect maturity
of the fruit.
Finally, these sections embrace three subsections, that are based upon
permanent and decided distinctions in coloration.
The FIRST subsection contains all those which are not striped : they
may be called the self-colored; and they are generally white, green, or yellow,
with or without bronzing and blushing on their exposed sides ; or die red
Classification of Apples. 195
tints may prevail over the whole surface, but they are never arrayed in
stripes or splashes.
The SECOND SUBSECTION includes all st7-iped apples. These stripes and
splashes, of various tints of red, are more or less developed. In some
specimens, there may be but an occasional short broken splash ; and, on the
other extreme, some varieties are so covered with the commingled stripes
as to appear wholly red : but a careful examination will demonstrate darker
streaks, and shaded specimens from the same tree will show the striping
very plainly. This character, though only one of coloration, which is
lightly esteemed by botanists, is found to be very reliable in pomology-.
The last subdivision of this classification is the third subsection,
which includes the apples that are russeted.
CONSPECTUS OF THE CLASSIFICATION.
Class I. — Flat apples.
Class II. — Conic, or tapering.
Class III. — Round, or globular.
Class IV. — Oblong, or oval.
Order I. — Regular apples.
Order II. — Irregular, or angular.
Section i. — Sweet.
Section 2. — Sour, or subacid.
SubsectioJi i. — Self-colored.
Subsection 2. — Striped.
Subsection 3. — Russeted.
This is the classification adopted in the volume of American Pomology
devoted to the consideration of the Apple, and which is soon to be pre-
sented to the public. The author bespeaks for it the kind consideration
of his friends, the readers of " The Journal of Horticulture," or as many of
them as may be interested in the study of pomology.
„ „ jfoJm A. Warder.
Cleves, O. -^
196
Camellia Polar Star.
CAMELLIA POLAR STAR.
This exquisite new variety is of Italian origin. The flower is bright, rosy-
carmine, each petal striped with rosy white, or rather divided equally into
two stripes of carmine and white, presenting the appearance of a star. The
whole stock is in possession of Verschaffelt, who has not yet put it upon
the market. — L 'Illustration Horticole.
The Lawn. 197
THE LAWN.
The general laying-out of a lawn, and the arrangement of trees and
shrubs so as to produce the most striking and pleasing effects, belong to
the province of landscape-gardening. They must always be governed very
much by local circumstances, and by individual taste in the application of
general principles : but the preparation of the land, and the selection of
grasses best calculated to. produce certain results, though modified some-
what by the character of the soil, will, in general, be the same ; and it is to
this branch of the subject, in which I have had some experience, and a
somewhat extended observation both in this and other countries, that the
reader's attention is just now invited.
The preparation of the soil for a lawn can hardly be too minute or elab-
orate. The object is to produce a fine, velvety, and elastic turf, of uniform
surface, free from all coarse herbage, permanent in its character, becoming
more and more beautiful, soft, and delicate with age. Good economy, there-
fore, dictates that the work should be properly done at the outset, if we would
save future expense and disappointment. There are few soils that are
well calculated for a lawn that will not be benefited by drainage ; we
might say, none : for though an open, porous, gravelly, or sandy soil, so
inclined as to carry off the water, or to allow it to pass down to a sufficient
depth below the surface, would not require this outlay, such soils are not
well adapted to lawns, though necessity may often compel their use ; and a
sufficient outlay of another character may overcome the obstacles which
they naturally present.
It is not our object to go into details as to the best modes of draining,
or to estimate the expense of this improvement, in this connection. It is a
subject of sufficient extent and importance to form a separate article in
this Journal, and we trust it will be developed as it certainly describes to
be. But we may say, in passing, that tile-drains, laid at sufficient depths,
not less than three feet, — and four would be better, — will be found in the
end most effective and most economical, even though the expense may
seem greater at the outset.
The next important step is that of trenching ; for though, in comparatively
198 The Lawn.
light soils, the subsoil-plough might be substituted, trenching would be
most effectual, and no doubt produce more satisfactory results. Before
commencing either of these operations, a liberal supply of manure should
be carted on, say from four to eight cords to the acre, of the best manure
from the yard, according to the quality and previous treatment of the soil.
This manure is to be spread only as it is dug in ; and we would add from
three to five hundred pounds of plaster of Paris at the time of the appli-
cation, so as to be trenched or ploughed in together. Begin now at one
side of the proposed lawn, and open a trench about two feet wide and
fifteen inches deep, throwing the earth taken out into carts or wheelbarrows,
to be removed to the opposite side of the lawn, and deposited alongside
the last trench to be dug. It will be needed to fill up that trench when it
is reached. Then open another trench alongside of the first, of the same
width and depth, throwing the earth into the first trench, and at the same
time mixing it well with manure and plaster ; and so continue through the
whole lawn. If there are stones of any considerable size, leave them upon
the surface to be removed. If there are coarse bits of earth, sods, corn-
stumps, or any similar substances, they may be covered in the trenches, so
that the six inches of surface-soil may be light, free, and open.
If the soil on which this operation is perforaied is heavy, the stable ma-
nure used may be coarse and undecayed. It will improve the mechanical
condition of the soil, and .serve to keep it light and open. If, on the other
hand, it is gravelly and free, we should prefer fine manure. The operation
of trenching, properly performed, has left the surface smooth and even ;
the coarse lumps of earth of every description having been buried deeply
in the trenchfes. Some manure is now wanted near the surface in order
to give the grass a rapid start, and to promote the growth of the tender
roots. We may take good Peruvian guano, spread on uniformly at the rate
of about two hundred pounds to the acre, or good superphosphate of lime
at the same rate, to be immediately harrowed in. Either of these articles
should be mixed with an equal amount of plaster of Paris. They may be
spread and worked in with the grass-seed if it is preferred ; but it is better,
perhaps, to work them in first. These operations may be performed, and
the manure applied, as early as the ground is fit to work in the spring.
The land is now ready for the seed ; and it is important to secure the
The Lawtt.
199
right sorts, such as will produce a fine-matted turf, such as will endure
close and repeated cropping without injury, and such as will produce the
desired result as soon as possible. If it were August or early in Septem-
ber when the seed were to be sown, there would be little need to provide
any protection ; but grass-seed sown in spring is more sure to succeed with
the protection afforded by some kind of grain or millet against an excessive
drought to which we are liable every year, and therefore we should con-
sider it safer to sow some seed along with the grasses. Barley is better
for this purpose than oats, and in some respects, perhaps, better than rye.
Three pecks of either may be used ; or, if you prefer it, fifteen quarts of
millet-seed to the acre. Bear in mind, also, that the grass-seed is to be
sown much thicker than would be required for an ordinary seeding-down.
The following mixture will produce a good sward : One bushel of red-
top {Agrostis vulgaris), half a bushel of sweet-scented vernal {Anthoxan-
thum odoraium), half a bushel of June grass or Kentucky blue grass I^Poa
pratensis), and six pounds of white clover iyTrifolium rcj>ens). These are
species that may be obtained fresh from almost any trustworthy seedsman.
But, as there is now amjDle time to procure other species by sending abroad
forthwith, we would recommend a still more complete list, as follows : Get
" fine top " {Agrostis vulgaris fcnuifolia), hard fescue {Festuca duriuscula),
crested dogstail {Cynosurus cristatus), sheep's fescue {Fesiuca ovina), yellow
oat-grass {Avena Jiavescens), red-top, June-grass, and white clover, as above,
and mix them in equal parts by weight as nearly as practicable ; when about
four or five bushels so mixed may be sown to the acre.
If you ask for fine-top here, it is taken from the red-top bin. Most, in-
deed all, the above-named grasses are found here, some of them very com-
monly; but there are no pains taken to save them, and so we rely upon
importation for the seed. Fine-top is a well-marked variety of red-top, due
as much to soil as to any thing. The fescue-grasses are especially adapted
to lawns where a fine, close, soft sward is essential ; and crested dog's-tail, a
grass very rarely if ever found in this country, is also admirable. We have
seen acres of it growing profusely, and forming a large part of a park-turf.
Its habit of growth is not very unlike the sweet-scented vernal, so common
with us ; and, if it is not easily obtained, the latter may be substituted for it.
20O The Lawn.
Having now the grass-seed ready, sow as evenly as possible, and rake in
with short-toothed iron rakes, or, if the lawn is of great extent, with the har-
row ; and roll carefully with a heavy roller if the land is light, avoiding the
treading of heavy animals if it is possible. Too much care cannot be taken
to get a firm and even surface, as very much of its beauty, for the first
season at least, will depend upon this operation.
The grain that is sown along with this grass-seed will be thin, of course,
and will not interfere with the young grass. It is designed merely to protect
it from the scorching rays of the sun during any dry weather that may
occur the first season. In three or four weeks, or when the grain or millet
is about a foot high, it should be cut with a scythe, but not very closely.
Three inches from the ground is better than less. It will then start again, and
grow rapidly ; and in three or four weeks it should be cut the second time,
and again in August or September. This mode of treatment will secure a
uniformly green and luxuriant plat even the first year, while the sward is
gradually forming ; during which time, it is not desirable to cut too close to
the ground.
After a close and well-matted sward is once formed, the lawn is to be
managed by top-dressing, rolling, and frequent cutting. Rolling is impor-
tant, and tends to render the grasses finer and softer; while frequent cutting
is essential to promote the same end. In selecting a top-dressing, great
care should be observed that no rapidly forcing or stimulating manures are
used, — nothing wliich will have the effect to create a rank growth, which will
inevitably incline to coarseness. The oldest and most finely-rotted manure,
composted with some loam and plaster, may be spread evenly, and raked
in with fine-toothed iron rakes, working the rakes back and forth so as to
get the fine manure down among the grass-roots. When this is done,
remove all the coarse parts of the manure, if any, from the surface imme-
diately. No manure should ever remain to be seen on a lawn. It will
make coarse and uneven patches, which are especially to be avoided. This
finely-rotted manure, worked in as indicated, will, the second or third year,
make the lawn as soft as velvet ; while a close shaving with a lawn-mower
once a fortnight or oftener, according to the growth of the grass, through
the season, will give it the appearance of being well kept. No expense
Field-Cidtiire of the Grape in Massachusetts. 201
laid out in buildings or statuary about a country-house can add so much to
give it an air of taste and refinement as a well-kept lawn.
We propose to speak of the grasses recommended in the above list at
greater length hereafter. Charles L. Flint.
Boston, Mass.
FIELD-CULTURE OF THE GRAPE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
But a few years since, our horticulturists would have pronounced the
cultivation of the grape in the vineyard to be impossible ; and we must
confess, that, with the grapes known to us at that time, the great body of
cultivators -would have concurred in that opinion ; but to-day, with one
hundred acres of vines growing in Massachusetts, many of them yielding
an annual income of one thousand dollars or more per acre, the question
may be considered settled, — the vineyard is possible in our rude North.
I propose to show, so far as I may in this brief paper, a few of the con-
ditions precedent to the successful cultivation of the grape in New England ;
some of which, though unnecessary in regions peculiarly suited to the cul-
ture of the grape, and therefore neglected in the popular treatises on that
subject, are yet so needful to a complete success, that we feel obliged to
present them frankly to the consideration of those who propose to plant
vineyards.
The best climate for the grape is undoubtedly much warmer than ours.
A long season, a fervid sunshine, and especially a dry and warm autumn,
prolonged into October, secure the ripening of the grape so completely,
that it reaches its best co^idition. In such climates, trenching the soil
deeply is a preventive of the effects of summer droughts ; and, as the heat
of the long summer warms the earth to a great depth, the deepest roots
get the necessary heat, and thrive and multiply. In such a climate, trench-
ing is therefore serviceable ; but at the North, if I can trust my own expe-
rience, it is not only unnecessary, but pernicious.
Here at the North, with the exception of very sheltered situations, well
exposed to- the sun, and having also a favorable sail for the absorption of
heat, the soil does not become properly heated for the wants of the grape
to a greater depth than one foot from the surface*
VOL. I. 26
202 Ficld-Ctclture of the Grape in Massachusetts.
Trenching (and the concomitant manuring) invites the roots into the
lower soil ; abundant moisture and manure force the vine into a rampant
growth ; the wood ripens badly, and the buds are imperfectly developed.
The fruit, though large and showy, will not be of so good quality as it
would be under more favorable circumstances ; and unripened wood with
immature buds, ripening the fruit later and later annually, constantly dis-
appoints the hopes of the cultivator.
It is in this way, perhaps, that such different opinions obtain among
cultivators in regard to quality of any given variety of grape ; the various
circumstances of soil, aspect, culture, being sufficient to justify the most
diverse opinions.
Now, the grape loves heat : it is a child of the sun, and should have
both light and heat in as large measure as the circumstances of the case
permit. Heat at the root is as necessary as it is in the surrounding air, —
I had almost said more so, — and to obtain this heat at the root is one of
the first needs of grape-growing. To this end, the soil should be light and
warm, and the vines should be planted in rows running north and south,
so that the sun will shine upon the ground in its whole length for the
greater part of the day.
Sheltered situations increase the heat, and prevent its being dissipated
by the prevailing winds. Screens of Norway spruce, or other evergreens,
are a good alternative where neither hills, buildings, or adjacent woods,
furnish the needful shelter ; but by all means secure heat if it be possible.
If the soil is not by nature warm and friable, it can, in most cases, be
drained, lightened, and warmed by methods so well known to cultivators,
that they need not be repeated here ; and, if the most vigorous and hardy
grapes be planted, the planter will not be disappointed in his crop.
Indeed, one of the most prolific vineyards that I know of in the State
had a heavy and wet soil before it was redeemed by deep, thorough drain-
age with drain-tiles, and such skilful culture as lightened and warmed the
soil. The warmest soils, however, should be preferred.
When our people plant grapes, they usually prepare the ground by heavy
dressings of manure. So constant is this practice, that I stop here to con-
sider it briefly, and to give my reasons for arriving at a different conclusion.
It is proper to state in advance, that slow-growing grapes require forcing.
Field-Culture of the Grape in Massachusetts. 203
llich soil and all resources of the gardener, may be, and often must be,
applied to such grapes. We leave them out of the argument, because they
can never be made profitable in the vineyard ; and proceed to those vigor-
ous and hardy grapes which are sure to succeed, the number of which, I
may add, will undoubtedly be increased by others equally hardy, and suited
to field-culture
I have already hinted at the fact that excessive growth is necessarily
immature, and the unripe wood unfit to carry a crop of grapes to perfection,
and that this is one of the results of high-feeding. Let me add to this the
fact, well understood in wine countries, that it impairs the quality of the
fruit for either wine or table ; a fact which has been verified in my own
experience.
I have a piece of land at the top of a steep slope, which was planted
with the Concord grape in 1857. At the time of planting, the soil was
manured with peat compost at the rate of forty loads (equal to ten cords)
to the acre, to promote the formation of roots in the young vines.
This ground has had no feeding since, — not even ashes. The fruit from
this vineyard is so superior to that grown on vines of the same kind, in rich
soil, about the house (planted in 1852), that it has been taken by experts
even for another and better grape. They are not so large in bunch or
berry ; but the quality of the fruit is so much better as to be full compensa-
tion for the less crop.
The "Chateau Margaux" — a vineyard which has made famous the
whole district now called by that name — is a case in point. According
to Haraszthy, the chemical composition of the soil of this celebrated
vineyard is as follows : —
Oxide of iron 3-341
Alumina i-590
Magnesia 0.263
Soluble silicates 0.380
Phosphoric acid 0.147
Potash 1. 291
Carbonate of lime 0.891
Organic matter 6.670
Insoluble residue 85.427
This analysis shows the large proportion of more than three and one-
204 SpJiacria Morbosa.
quarter per cent of oxide of iron, about one and one-half per cent of
clay, one and one-quarter per cent of potash, with phosphoric acid and
carbonate of lime in small quantities, and only six and one-half per cent
of organic matter ; the rest, 85.427 per cent, being insoluble remainder.
Not a very rich soil, one would say ; yet this vineyard produces the finest
grapes of the district. Add to this the well-known fact, that when it be-
comes absolutely necessary to manure a vineyard, as happens in some
isolated cases, the succeeding crop of wine is either sold to the distillers
to be made into brandy, or without its proper name, lest it impair the
reputation of the vineyard ; and we must, I think, conclude that it is bad
husbandry to use manure in the vineyard.
Mineral manures, phosphates and potashes, are indispensable to the
health and to the successful culture of the grape. Of these there is not
space to speak at this time. In another communication I shall have
something to say of them, and of some other essential preliminaries to
successful grape-growing. E. W. Bull.
Concord, Mass.
SPHAERIA MORBOSA.
How many of our readers know what a Sphacria morbosa is ? Most
horticulturists, however, know it only too well under its more common name
of BLACK WART, when their plum-trees have been covered with it. Familiar
as the sight of its ugly excrescences may be, we imagine that many who have
suffered from its invasions may be uninformed as to its place in the vege-
table system.
The Sphacria inorbosa is a fungus, belonging to a very extensive group,
which infests the bark of trees and shnibs. The different species are
found in myriads throughout the whole vegetable kingdom ; sometimes
preying upon living tissues, more frequently parasitic upon decaying mat-
ter. They vary in their mode of attack, or rather they occur in ditTerent
parts of the plants which support them. Some are superficial upon the
bark ; some are immersed in the sub-cuticular layer, bursting through the
cuticle, erumpent as they are termed ; others take possession of the inner
SpJiaena Morbosa. 205
bark, and so affect it as to occasion an unnatural and excessive develop-
ment, a corky, irregular, warty growth, which finally bursts the outer cuticle,
and covers the infested branches with unsightly excrescences. To this
latter group belongs the Sphaeria morbosa. The fleshy growth which it
induces in the plum-tree, or at least that portion which is immediately
occupied by it, is called its stroma. This is, at first, a homogeneous mass,
presenting no definite character. By and by, it takes on a reddish colora-
tion, which finally deepens into black ; the surface becomes carbonaceous in
texture, and is studded all over with minute papillae. A section of the
stroma will then exhibit a woody centre with a carbonaceous rind. In this
rind are innumerable little rounded cavities, the upper walls of which con-
stitute the before-mentioned papillse : these are pierced by a minute hole,
through which the spores, or germinating processes, escape ; the whole cavity
and its walls being called a perithecmm. The spores are infinitesimally
minute, oblong bodies, contained, generally eight in number, in diaphanous
sacs, or envelopes, called asci, which develop from the ends of filaments,
which line, in a dense mass, the whole bottom and sides of the cavities.
These are not carbonaceous like the walls, but are of a gelatinous con-
sistency. Imagine an egg-shell, from the inner walls of which grows a
dense mass of soft bristles half an inch long, on the ends of which are
little whitish, sausage-shaped sacs, containing oval bodies lying diagonally
in the sacs, one applied to the other, sidewise, the bodies being variously
lined, and you have a tolerable idea of an immensely-magnified perithecium,
with its filaments, asci, and spores.
That this structure we have just described should be a plant ; that this
hard, black, charcoal-like substance should be vegetable, — will seem strange
to those unfamiliar with the study of similar growths ; but it is vegetable,
and has so permanent a character as to constitute a species. It must be
allowed, however, that it is a matter of doubt, in mycology, how far the
same fungus may be affected by the plants upon which it fastens as to
change its habits and appearance. The older mycologists named the host
of parasitic fungi after the plants upon which they were found ; taking it
for granted that they were all distinct species if they had a different look.
Schweinitz, the great pioneer of the study in this country, has enumerated
a vast quantity of them in this way ; but, since later observations have
2o6 Sphacria Morbosa.
proved that many fungi take on different growths under varying circum-
stances, it has become a matter of considerable question how far the
autonomy of these obscure vegetable growths can be established.
The group to which this particular fungus belongs, is, however, tolerably
constant in character. The genus Sphaeria is well defined, if we include
the newer genera made out of the old genus by later writers, more for the
convenience of treating of so vast a number of species, it seems to us, than
on account of difference worthy of generic distinction. These carbonaceous
papillate fungi are so well defined in their peculiarities as to be readily
identified by those familiar with their forms. Yet even these vary ; and,
when closely proximate forms are found on different plants, a question
arises whether they are identical or not. The young growths of the wild-
cheriy {Cerasus serotmd) are often found covered with a fungus very similar
to the Sphaeria jnorbosa. Indeed, almost any woodland border will furnish
plenty of specimens. The perithecia are smaller, and are sometimes pro-
longed into a short beak. The cherry belongs to the same order as the
plum ; and it may be that the parasitic fungus infests both, but is swayed
by influences in both plants so as to develop differently. We have seen
branches of the cultivated cherry similarly affected. The size of the spores
is considered a good specific character, and yet these vary.
It has been thought by some that the peculiar growth of the bark which
bears this fungus is occasioned by the sting of a curculio ; but any one
familiar with the stroma of fungi will understand that this growth is char-
acteristic of a whole family, and arises, not from insect poisoning, but from
fungus influence. The insects, seduced by its soft, pulpy character in its
early stages, may deposit there their eggs, as it is not unlike the flesh of
unripe fruit in texture, at one period. Various methods have been devised
to stay the ravages of this fungus. Sulphur placed in holes made in the
trunk of the tree has been resorted to ; but we imagine that there are no
sure preventives. When we remember the excessively minute size of the
spores, we can understand that they may be absorbed with the nutriment
of the tree, or taken into the stomata of the leaves, and carried into its
tissues. Fungi infest wild plants as commonly as cultivated ones ; a proof
that their occurrence is not necessarily due to an unnatural or deteriorated
state of the plant they attack. Charles % Sprague.
Boston, February, 1867.
Garden Architecture, and Hints on Landscape Gardening. 207
GARDEN ARCHITECTURE, AND HINTS ON LANDSCAPE
GARDENING.
In treating of architectural gardening, it may be expected, that, at the
commencement, some allusion should be made to the general principles
of design.
The principles governing all design are unity, that is to say breadth^
and INTRICACY, that is to say variety^ including contrast. The former
governs the whole scope of the design : the latter supplies the details.
The influence of the one may be seen in works distinguished by their
GRANDEUR and REPOSE ; the charm of the latter, in the combinations which
produce picturesqueness and cheerfulness.
To know exactly how far to allow either breadth or variety to give
its especial character to a composition is the great secret of successful
design. There must be a proportion, and yet a preponderance ; enough
breadth to secure rejoose, enough variety to insure interest without creating
confusion. In short, breadth must be so produced as to allow the aid of
variety; while variety itself, to be pleasing, should be treated in a broad
manner.
A few diagrams will serve to show how the principle of breadth applies
to garden design, including the architectural features of terraces, which
are introduced, not as garden architecture, but simply for the purpose of
illustrating principles.
If any reader should have difficulty in understanding what, after all, is
really meant by breadth, let him look out of a closed French casement at
any object whatever, taking care to place himself opposite the centre of
the window : he will then see the view cut into halves ; or, in other words,
that all breadth is destroyed. He will not know on which half of the view
to fix his attention, and will instinctively change his position until he sees
without obstruction all he desires.
It may seem paradoxical, but it is none the less true, that, under certain
conditions, breadth may be destroyed by the very absence of a central
object.
2o8 Garden Ardiitcctiire, and Hints on Landscape Gardening.
The following diagrams, i to 12, will show the application of the prin-
ciple of unity, or breadth, to garden compositions : —
Fig. I.
In Fig. I, we have a fair expression of unity. The grass in centre is bor-
dered by trees or shrubs. But the grass-flat is the feature to which the walks
at the sides are entirely subordinate ; and whether this grass-flat be cut
into beds, or whether the flat is composed entirely of gravel and beds, is
immaterial.
fegi
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 expresses unit)', perhaps, more plainly than Fig. i. The centre
consists of a path bordered by turf, flowers, shrubs, or trees.
Fig. 3 will be seen, on examination, to be identical in principle with
Figs. I and 2 ; that is to say, the garden in Fig. 3 is not in two halves nor
in four quarters, but one central whole, bounded by an enclosing border
of flowers, shrubs, or trees.
Garden Architecture, and Hints on Landscape Gardening. 209
Fig. 4 represents a most objectionable feature ; namely, an object in the
centre of the view, cutting it into two equal parts.
tig- 4-
Fig. 5 is not so good as Fig. 3. It somewhat resembles Fig. 4 in having
the object, namely, the central grass-flat, in the centre of the view. If the
central grass-flat were treated differently from the rest by sinking a tolera-
t'g. s-
bly deep panel, or filling such a sunk panel with water, the effect would
be pleasing.
As balustrades with flights of steps, vases, &c., form the chief part of
the architectural decorations of a garden, this is the proper place to show
that breadth of treatment applies to them in the same manner as to the
main divisions of a garden or view. It will be seen, for instance, that the
objectionable feature represented in Fig. 4 is reproduced in an architectural
form in Fig. 7, — namely, the pier in the centre of the view; not important
enough to awake interest, but sufficiently obtrusive to produce confusion.
It may be safely taken as a rule, that a pier should never occupy the cen-
tre of any wall, space, or balustrade, but invariably an opening, or void.
We should either look at one object of sufficient importance, or between
two at a third more distant.
VOL. I. VJ
210 Garden Architecture, and Hints on Landscape Gardening.
Fig. 6 shows a balustrade properly divided, with a void in the centre.
r
"■^-Ti^^g^ssr
1 mum 1 1 umi'ii T i
1
1 1 1
I---, — L_-i — . — 1 . 1 1 ' ,
1 II 1! 1
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 shows the same improperly treated ; that is to say, with a pier in
the centre.
"gl¥i^rTm'Oiinsag5sai \mm
Fig. 7.
It is well known that the Greeks, while they never allowed a column in
the centre of the fronts of their temples, did not scruple to use an unequal
number of columns at the sides. It was supposed that the great difficulty
of counting them would prevent any one from finding out whether there
was an even or odd number. In balustrades, however, it is of vital im-
portance, no matter how long they may be. Recollect the garden-walks
m\ \miu\ nmm ii
Fig. 8.
inside, and consider the ill effect of a pier in the centre. — See Fig. 8.
Fig. 9 shows the balustrade treated properly, with a void opposite the
walk.
-S-
^IMMMIppMMpjUMMMf^
Fig. 9.
If a circular bay, as in Figs. lo and ii, be made, it is quite allowable to
Garden Architecture , and Hints on Landscape Gardening. 21 1
place in the centre an object superior in character to the ordinary vases or
-D=^
^^_-™_Q_
Fig. 10.
piers of the balustrade, though there is a still better treatment possible.
g"^^fcfef|
Fig. II.
Fig. 12 is merely the outside elevation of Fig. 9, supposing it were de-
sirable to continue the walk to the lower level by means of steps. It is, in
all respects, a satisfactory composition.
Fig. 12.
It is important, even in trifling details, such as individual balusters, to
treat them as piers, and consequently not place one in the centre, no mat-
ter how great the distance between the piers. If they are immediately
under the windows of the house, as they are most likely to be, they are
212 Our Fniit-Critics.
sure to be counted ; and, when the offending baluster is once discovered,
it becomes an eye-sore ever afterwards.
It may seem superfluous to allude to the importance of using half piers
and half-balusters. It is sometimes very convenient to dispense with the
half or quarter piers ; but it is a complete sacrifice of architectural pro-
priety, and, when detected, is as offensive as the central baluster.
Fig. 13.
Fig. 13 shows the application of a cylindrical or octagonal pier to por-
tions of a balustrade. The square form of the pier. A, would give much
confusion in lines, none of which are either parallel to or at right angles
with the building. Either B or C would be satisfactory.
Variety and contrast need no special illustrations, inasmuch as every
one knows what is meant by those terms. Variety scarcely admits of ex-
planation by means of diagrams : contrast is too simple to require them. —
Adapted from '■'•Garden Architecture and Landscape Gardening^'' by 'John
Arthur Hughes.
ON FRUIT-CRITICS.
There is a distinction between professional and popular judgment in
regard to fruits, which is a great puzzle to some people. Thus the Bartlett,
in popular estimation, is at the head of all the early autumn pears. In the
great markets, where you find one bushel of another sort, you will very
likely find ten bushels of Bartletts ; where you find one customer familiar
with other varieties, whether Tyson or Sheldon or Ilosteizer, you will find
ten who are familiar with the Bartlett. Yet I think the pomologists proper
are always disposed to speak rather apologetically of it : " A fair pear, to
On Fruit-Critics. 213
be sure; but lacking a certain " — well, something which belongs to the less-
known sorts. Nay, a very distinguished fruit-grower, into whose grounds
I chanced to stroll upon a delightful September day, thought it necessary
to excuse the appearance of a single Bartlett pear-tree in the midst of his
beautiful pyramids of other growth : " It was an inadvertence ; planted
by error : he should regraft it."
The Concord holds nearly the same relative position among the newer
grapes, in which I would include the Diana, Hartford Prolific, Delaware,
lona, Rogers's Hybrids, Israella, and Adirondac. The Concord does not,
indeed, maintain the same kingship in the larger markets which belongs to
the Bartlett among pears ; yet it is the accepted type of a good grape,
and a profitable one for the million.
The largest I'eason, perhaps, of this popular success, lies in the fact that
both the Bartlett pear and the Concord grape can be easily grown ; will
bear all exposures, harsh treatment ; and, without any thing more than the
hap-hazard attention which the majority of fruit-growers bestow, will bear
good crops, and come to full maturity. It would be idle to say that these
considerations should not and do not count largely in their favor. And
it is easily comprehensible how these same considerations should be made
of little account by those assiduous cultivators who make it a matter of
conscience to give extreme care and the nicest watchfulness to whatever
they take in hand, and who count it a sin to treat any vine or tree with
neglect. Ease of culture, however, and absolute hardiness, would not alto-
gether account for the popularity of the fruits we have named. The public
may be a buzzard, if you will, on the score of taste ; but even buzzards have
a taste. Pomologists must keep cool in their reckonings.
Professional and popular judgment vaiy in the matter of books as much
as in the matter of fruits. Some author whose wares sell by thousands and
tens of thousands this year and next, is, perhaps, the very one whom the
astute critics of the recognized organs of literary taste pounce upon with a
fury. The man of large and nice culture has no appetite for those grosser
flavors, however new or however curiously composite, which may lie sweetly
under the tongue of the multitude. All the world reads Mr. Trollope and
Miss Braddon, though all the critics cry ''Cave f" So, however much these
latter gentlemen may praise the delicate touch and the artist-like achieve-
214 0)1 Fruit-Critics.
ment which belong to such a story as Miss Evans's " Romola," the bulk of the
reading public is not won into either purchase or applause. The truth is,
that all the finer tastes, whether in art, letters, or pomology, demand a very
considerable culture for their establishment ; more cultivation and more
leisure for its attainment than the majority of either readers or fruit-lovers
possess. Education is, indeed, doing very much every year to supply this
culture ; but when popular education shall have done its best, whether as
regards books or fruits, there will remain a wide gap between the apprecia-
tive perceptions of those who devote themselves to special culture and
those of the multitude. You or I may enjoy a good glass of any sound
wine of Medoc, whereas the old connoisseur will smack his lips only over
Lafitte or Chateau Margaux ; yet it will never do for this latter to say that
we, therefore, have a corrupt or vitiated taste.
I, by no means, would declare against the good services of those po-
mologists who are the most difficult critics of flavor : they are indeed the
obstetricians and the monthly nurses of the vegetable world, — presiding
at the birth of new products, and tending them with rare care through a
helpless infancy, and (it must be said), like most officials of their class,
showing exaggerated favor always to the latest born. Let them not become
irascible if outsiders sometimes set aside their decisions, and cleave with
tenderness to some of the elder-born among vegetable triumphs.
I know it will be said by the advanced fruit-growers, that the taste of the
multitude must be educated up to their level, and that it is quite as easy
to grow a fine-flavored fruit as one badly flavored. With due respect,
however, I shall venture to except to both propositions.
The common taste cannot be educated up to the level of that which is
established by years of special study and culture. The bulk of people
have corn and axes to grind, and children to feed, and pleas to make, and
sermons to preach, which will not admit of this special culture. I am
not sure that a severely critical taste, either in fruit-flavor or intellectual
products, would be desirable, if it could be secured. Critics are most ex-
cellent people in their place ; but fill the world with them, and what a
contentious, backbiting world it would become !
I think we may bless God that there is, and ever must be, a large appe-
tite for common things ; a public maw, which says grace, and falls to
On Fruit-Critics. 215
upon humble food, with gratitude j which will make vigorous foray upon
a well -ripened cluster of even the Concord grape, without wiping the tongue
around critically in search of missing flavors. There is a wise saying of
an old Latinist, Nil sapiential odiosius acimwie nimio (which every for-
ward school-girl in tilting hoops can translate).
Again : I doubt very much if the finest flavored fruits can be grown as
easily as the grosser tasting ones. I am quite aware that this dictum may
start an angry buzz about my ears ; but a good angry buzz in the matter of
fruit discussion is often a very helpful thing.
Finest flavors seem to me to cost the finest labor, whether in fruit or
speeches or poems or lives. Good things are aptest to come only by great
care and task-work, no matter through whom or through what they come.
Take the Delaware grape, for instance, whose flavor is, I think, admitted
by all to be equal if not superior to that of any of our out-of-door grapes ;
yet only extreme care will give it fair size. Its buds are specially reluctant
to grow under any of the ordinary means of propagation ; it demands as-
siduous and delicate handling ; it invites the thrips and all manner of vine-
disorders, just as a delicate though promising child invites the whole
curriculum of child diseases. Again: take the lona, whose rare flavor and
signal beauty no one who has ever seen and tasted it can dispute ; yet the
ordinary hap-hazard cultivator will very likely fail with it. It has grown
up and developed under the best of nursing. It is offered to the public by
one who does not believe in poor culture, scarcely in moderately good cul-
ture, but only in the best \ and, with the best, it is a most admirable
grape. But what shall we do with our friends Seth and Nathan, who do
not know what first-class culture is ? Shall we commend to them what
will very likely perish under their hands ?
In the pear line, it is quite possible, that with great nicety of treatment,
both in garden-culture and in the ripening process (which last counts for
a great deal), a higher and finer flavor may be given to the Beurre Diel, or
the Flemish Beauty, or the Beurre d'Anjou, or even the Duchess, than be-
longs ordinarily to the Bartlett. But put the Bartlett in comparison with
either under fair average treatment, and upon ordinary garden lands, and
I think two luscious Bartletts will present themselves to one of either of
the other names. Now, it is quite possible that the man who does not
2i6 Atmospheric Changes.
practise the average hap-hazard culture should sneer at it, and refuse to
recognize hap-hazard culture as any culture at all ; but he must recognize
it. It will never do for him to ignore positive facts, — such as lack of
general nicety in culture, and lack of assiduous watchfulness. There are
a vast many men in the world who are not watchful and painstaking in
fruit-culture, who yet love fruits, and will grow them for themselves ; just
as there are a vast many men who are not critics or dilettanti, who will
read average poems, and buy average pictures.
And why do I write in this strain ? Is it to encourage mediocrity ? Is
it to disparage the efforts of advanced pomologists .-• Is it to make a plea
for popular taste, and against cultivated taste ? Not at all. It is simply to
make clear the proper distinction between the two, and to secure its appro-
priate recognition.
This recognition once made, and the advisory horticultural committees
could tell us more justly what is suited to common culture, and what to
special culture. I plead only for the infiltration of the learned societies'
reports with a little more of common sense, and an adaptation of their
advice to the masses. Donald G. Mitchell.
Edgewood.
ATMOSPHERIC CHANGES.
Every one knows that our climate must be ranked among those termed
excessive; i.e., subject to great diurnal fluctuations, and a wide annual range
of temperature. These unpleasant changes, characteristic of the whole area
excepting parts of the Pacific coast, are dependent on natural causes, and,
of course, entirely beyond our control. The wide extent of land in high
latitudes condemned by cold to perpetual desolation, and the absence of
lofty mountain-ranges running east and west, render us liable at all seasons
to violent and frigid winds from the north ; while, on the other hand, we
derive little benefit from the mitigating influences of the Gulf Stream, from
the fact that the polar current flows between it and our eastern coast, and
that the prevailing winds are from the west.
These points of climatology have been often discussed, and are well
Atmospheric Changes. 217
understood ; indeed, they are impressed upon us by monthly experience.
But there are other atmospheric changes of vastly more importance to the
horticulturist, as influencing more directly the results of his labors. We
refer to the rapid and often excessive fluctuations in the amount of aqueous
vapor contained in the atmosphere ; that change from dampness to dryness,
or vice versa, so perceptible to the feelings, and accurately indicated by the
wet-bulb thermometer. These fluctuations frequently occur during mid-
summer, and, with their concomitant phenomena, exert an injurious influ-
ence on vegetation ; checking growth, and rendering plants liable to the
attacks of disease. How these results are accomplished, we shall endeavor
to explain farther on.
There is in " The Report of the Department of Agriculture " for 1865,
quite recently published, a very instructive and important article headed
" Observations on Atmospheric Humidity," by J. S. Lippincott of Haddon-
field, N.J. Here we have these questions thoroughly discussed and scien-
tifically explained, and various means suggested for the partial protection
of growing plants from the results of sudden atmospheric changes. It is
a paper which should be read and pondered by all who feel an interest in
the fruits of the earth, whether they are the po-ssessors of extensive plan-
tations, or of only a few highly-prized trees and vines. It is princi-
pally in the hope of calling increased attention to this important subject,
and with the purpose of suggesting a careful perusal of Mr. Lippincott's
paper to the readers of this Magazine, that I have written these few notes.
From the narratives of travellers, and from meteorological observations,
it has long been known that certain regions are subject to great depressions
of temperature after sunset ; and that this refrigeration arrives at its maxi-
mum a little before sunrise, when the cold is often excessive (sufficient even
for the formation of ice), though at noon of the same day the heat may be
intense. This peculiarity of climate is especially developed in parts of the
Sahara, and of what is called the "Great American Desert." It was also
known, that, in all regions so characterized, a veiy dry atmosphere prevailed.
Although generally accepted as a foct, that, the dryer the air of any coun-
try, the coldei" were its nights, this phenomenon remained unexplained
until the laws gpverning it were discovered by John Tyndall, F.R.S., and
demonstrated in the clearest manner in his well-known work " On Heat
VOL. I. 28
2i8 Atmospheric Changes.
considered as a Mode of Motion." From long-continued and delicate
experiments, Prof. Tyndall arrives at the conclusion, that aqueous vapor is
opaque to the rays of heat of low intensity ; in other words, that the pres-
ence of a considerable amount of moisture in the air prevents the radiation
into space of heat from the soil and plants of that locality, and conse-
quently a low night-temperature : but if, by the action of drying winds or
otherwise, the proportion of aqueous vapor in the air be much reduced, the
barriers to radiation are removed, and considerable nocturnal refrigeration
follows. " The removal, for a single summer night, of the aqueous vapor
from the atmosphere that covers England, would be attended by the de-
struction of every plant which a freezing temperature would kill." In the
paper cited, Mr. Lippincott gives at considerable length the results of
personal observations made in Camden County, N.J., during 1864 and 1865,
in which there are many notable instances of a low degree of atmospheric
humidity followed by excessive cold, in accordance with the theory of Prof
Tyndall. " On the 22d of July, at two, p.m., the force of vapor, or pressure,
in inches on the barometer, was but .188; which is lower than we have ever
observed it during summer and autumn, and lower than is sometimes no-
ticed even at the freezing-point." On the morning of July 23, the tem-
perature was but " 46° at six feet above the soil ; a narrow escape from
frost."
It may now be asked in what manner these fluctuations in the humidity
of the atmosphere concern the horticulturist, and whether it is in his
power to protect his plants from the evils following in their train. These
questions are discussed at length in Mr. Lippincott's paper. He mentions
that the first appearance of mildew and rot in vines almost immediately fol-
lowed the low morning temperatures consequent on the diminution of the
quantity of aqueous vapor in the atmosphere of the locality.*
Why these sudden changes should cause mildew in the vine (and per-
haps many other plant-diseases), may, I think, be thus explained. In a
* This agrees entirely with my own observations, although my experience with mildew has been limited
to a few spots on odd leaves ; the close vicinity of sea-water in nearly all directions preventing those sud-
den changes so injurious to the vine. In the present season, 1866, my vines were entirely healthy during
the ver>' hot and rainy weather of July and the early part of August : but with the first low morning tem-
peratures, about Aug. 9, a few spots of mildew appeared ; and, before Aug. 17, it had largely increased,
and rot was discovered in a few clusters. Some of the worst cases were sulphured, and the disease
checked. The last three weeks of August were cold, damp, and unfavorable.
Atmospheric Changes. 219
plant growing under favorable conditions, both root and leaf action are well
balanced, and regulate one another. Change these conditions, and functional
disturbance is soon manifest. An instance of this is seen in the bad suc-
cess attending plant-culture in the rooms of dwelling-houses. The air is too
dr}', and exhalation from the leaves is not compensated by absorption at
the root. An e.xtra supply of water does not remedy the evil ; for the roots
are not capable of pumping up the amount required. In short, the equilib-
rium necessary to health has been disturbed, and the plant languishes. In
the case of our vines, we will suppose that a warm, moist atmosphere has
excited the plant to vigorous growth. Suddenly the amount of moisture in
the atmosphere is largely reduced ; excessive reduction of temperature fol-
lows, and the leaves of our vine find themselves surrounded by cold, dry
air : but, at the same time, the conditions at the roots remain unchanged ;
these are surrounded by moist earth at a temperature perhaps thirty degrees
higher than that of the air. The conditions of healthy growth have now
been reversed, the delicate tissues of the leaves and fruit become dis-
organized, and the floating spores of mildew find speedy opportunities
for their ravages.
As a remedy for these evils, the planting of belts of trees is suggested
as barriers to the sweep of drying winds, and as condensers and retainers
of moisture ; and also the use of a peculiar covered trellis, described and
figured by William Saunders, Superintendent of the Public Garden at Wash-
ington, in the Agricultural Report for 1861.*
With regard to tree-planting, we hope the subject will be agitated until
practical results follow. By the wholesale destruction of the forests, we, or
rather our ancestors, have changed essentially the climate of the country,
and for the worse. The disastrous effects of our improvidence are now very
apparent. Prolonged droughts, and an extreme range of temperature, are
not uncommon in all parts of the country. Many fruits, once easily pro-
duced, now fail, or are uncertain, with us. Many years ago, when the
country was thinly settled, the orange was a sure crop along the coast, in
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and other States ; and the trees attained
* Mr. Saunders has had this trellis in use for many years, and has always found it effectual. It is very
simple in construction, and well worthy of a trial ; and, moreover, we can now pretty well understand why
it should tend to preserve the health of tiie vines.
220 AtmospJicric Changes.
considerable size and age, as their decayed trunks testify. The extensive
forests then existing were sufficient to break the force of northers before
they reached the latitude of the Gulf States ; and, of course, the moist at-
mosphere maintained by these forests tended to equalize temperatures.
How great an influence these northers may exert on a southern climate,
even in the partially-wooded districts of the East, is plainly exhibited in
the devastation by frost at St. Augustine, Fla., on Feb. 9, 1835, '^vhen
orange-trees two feet in diameter, and a century old, fell victims. Now
this fruit is not considered sure above latitude 29°, though cultivated much
farther north in protected localities. The planting of forest-trees cannot be
too strongly advised: the subject is one of not merely local, but of na-
tional importance. It is, moreover, quite easy to prove it a profitable opera-
tion. But we Americans are at present very nomadic in our habits : we
occupy land for its immediate advantages, and are rarely inclined to com-
mence improvements that require half a century or more for their accom-
plishment.
With regard to vegetable nosology, we can only say that too little is known
of the nature of vegetable life for a svstematic and theoretical treatment
of the diseases to which plants are liable. It may be that they possess the
faint foreshadowings of a nervous system, and are liable to other than
mere mechanical injuries. The microscope gives us, I believe, no direct
indications that such is the fact : but the curious action of certain so-
called narcotic gases, which cannot injure the tissues, and the effects pro-
duced by vegetable poisons, are difficult of explanation without admitting
a degree of nervous excitability. However this may be, we should remem-
ber that most of the curatives recommended are the results of blind ex-
periment, and that much difference of opinion exists as to their value, and
mode of application ; and, finally, that the old adage, " Prevention is
better than cure," is worth as much now as it ever was ; and that we shall
do well to protect our plants in every manner possible from all injurious
influences that may generate or develop disease. Z>. M. Balch.
.Salem, Mass.
The Western Prairies. 221
THE WESTERN PRAIRIES : THEIR COMPOSITION, CLIMATE,
PRODUCTS, AND PROSPECTIVE CONDITION.
In considering the capacity of the prairie-soil for the growth of arbores-
cent and horticultural products, we must first learn its constituent elements,
and ascertain wherein it differs from other soil-formations. The conflicting
opinions must be made to harmonize, or we shall fail in presenting any
thing like a uniform rule for its general culture.
We talk of prairie-drift, of the glacial epoch, of submersions and up-
heavals ; of treeless plains fringed with forest-belts, where the rivers, like
great dead furrows, drain the land ; of island-groves that stand like gems
in the great sea of prairie-verdure ; of jutting points of arborescent growth
that break the monotony of the prairie, that, swell after swell, stretches
beyond the range of vision.
Is this prairie-formation of one uniform texture, a homogeneous mass
laid down by the waves of the old silurian seas 1 or have some of them been
formed at different epochs and of various material ? The answer to this
question will tend to throw light upon the subject, and to account for what
some people please to call vagaries of the prairie-soil.
At the East, we have a general classification of soil, with its system of
culture ; but here on the prairie we have a general idea that the prairie-forma-
tion is due to one cause, and that it must be of a pretty general character.
People begin to admit that there are peculiarities in regard to it that need
further investigation, and are less disposed to trust to luck for a crop than
formerly.
The first step in the way of the successful culture of horticultural prod-
ucts is to classify the soils, and study their relative value for pailicular
products. Of course, climate will have more or less to do with this when
we take in the whole range of the State, which is varied from semi-tropical
products to those of the north temperate zone.
The lead-region of Galena contains no drift ; its highest peaks being
capped with Niagara limestone, and the valleys cut and carved into their
present shape by the erosion of ocean and river currents.
Northern Illinois is covered with a thick band of blue clay, resting in some
222 The Western Prairies.
cases on the lower and in others on the upper silurian strata, over which
is spread the drift of the glacial epoch, with its beds of gravel, and boul-
ders of granite, from the copper-regions of Lake Superior. As we proceed
south over the coal-fields, this band of blue clay thins out, and the drift
becomes a friable clay-loam of considerable depth, interspersed in places
with thin sheets of sand, in which is found an abundant supply of water,
at a depth of ten to thirty feet. In other places, the drift is homogeneous,
and wells must be sunk to a great depth. In fact, so variable are these
prairies, that each location must be carefully examined before we can de-
termine its relative value.
At one time, this drift may have been of a uniform character ; but by
erosion from ocean-currents, and the refilling of these ocean-grooves at a
later period, many account for the marked variation in the character of the
present surface within short distances.
We have, along the rivers, alluvium, loess, and drift ; while the great
inland prairies are composed of drift from fifty to one hundred and fifty
feet in depth. The timber-lands of the small streams are of the same
general character. The underlying rock, therefore, has nothing to do
with the surface-soil, otherwise than in its deep subterranean drainage.
The emigrant from the East has little idea of the difiiculties that he
must encounter, and looks upon this formation as he would upon the allu-
vium of his native rivers, that is composed of the debris of rich rock-soil
washed from the hillsides and cultivated fields of the adjacent country.
In the distribution of rain, different parts of the prairie receive unequal
quantities ; and this, too, must be taken into consideration. Add to this,
currents of air from the north-west, sweeping down from the polar plains
without warning, and the almost steady presence of the damp air-currents
coming up from the Gulf of Mexico, which cause new complications that
must be taken into account.
This is the skeleton or framework, the vascular system, upon w^hich we
have to build.
The surface-soil, composed of the remains of plants and insects, is from
one to four feet in depth, and almost practically inexhaustible when under
very indifferent management.
While the timber-lands of the East have had their climate changed by
The Wcstcrti Prairies. 223
stripping the hills of their forest-growth, and exposing the country to
sudden changes of temperature and to long-continued droughts, we of the
prairies have begun at the bottom round of the ladder, and must perforce
ascend. We have forests to build up, not to cut down. Every tree we
grow, every shelter-belt which we plant to shelter our stock, our crops, or
our orchards, has its influence in modifying the climate, and in giving us a
more generous supply and equable distribution of rain. We find the loess
soil of the large rivers eminently adapted to the grape, the pear, the peach,
and certain varieties of the apple ; while the peach, the pear, a few varieties
of the early apples, the strawberry, the raspberry, and the blackberry, flourish
on the hills of the grand chain, in the south part of the State, by the side of
cotton and other semi-tropical plants, fruits, and nuts. Central Illinois is
the great plateau or corn zone of the West, and also well adapted to the
culture of the whole range of small fruits, apples, pears, with fair crops of
the peach, say, in three out of four years. Vegetables do very well in most
parts of this section, but, on the whole, are not as sure a crop as in the soils
of the north part of the State.
In variety of products in soil and in climate, this State can challenge any
State in the Union.
The immense water-power in the north part of the State, the extensive
coal measures of the centre and south, the belt of navigable rivers that
girt her round and penetrate the interior, the lines of railroad that radiate
from her great centre, all point to the fact, that, at no distant day, she will
have to supply a dense population engaged in manufactures, in commerce,
and in mining ; that all points to the north will demand at her hands
early fruits, early vegetables, and the long-keeping apples. These demands
will and are already stimulating her industry in the productions of the
garden and the orchard, and will give her a commanding position in the
higher departments of rural pursuits. M. L. Dunlap.
Cha.mpaign, III., Jan. 20, 1867.
224 Tiie Mas'iioliacccz.
Vb'
THE MAGNOLIACE^.
(Continued.)
As the production of new and improved varieties of fruits and flowers
has become a systematized art, capable of unlimited extension, it is probable
that the time is not distant when the Afagnoliacecs will be submitted to its
operations. The certainty with which the glauca matures every seed of the
germs adapts it as a pistillate parent for that purpose. An application of
the pollen of the purpurea might develop a progeny with red or variegated
flowers. Increased size of flowers and foliage might be secured by the
pollen of the macrophylla, as has already been effected by a cross with the
tripetala, resulting in the production of the Thompsoniana. Interesting re-
sults might follow the fertilization of the glauca by the acuminata, and the
latter by the macrophylla.
While pursuing this subject, it would be well to test by experiment the
effect of crossing the tender grandijlora with both the glauca and acumi-
tiata. The progeny between the tender rhododendrons of the Himalaya
Mountains and the hardy American species are in some instances sufficient-
ly hardy to bear the climate of Cleveland. One of them has stood fifteen
years on the north side of my residence, overlooking Lake Erie, and has
never received any protection during winter. It not only survives, but is
thrifty and healthy. May we not expect some of the progeny from the
crosses above suggested to be endowed with an equal degree of hardiness
with those hybrid rhododendrons ?
4. M. LoNGiFOLiA. — This is a mere variety, resulting from breaking the
natural habit of the glauca, its parent. It originated in Belgium, and was
supposed to be an accidental cross between the glxuca and tripetala. None
of the features of the latter are exhibited in its habit ; and it differs from
the former only by its larger flowers and leaves, — differences capable of
perpetuation by seed, which it produces in equal abundance with its parent.
It is also improved by propagation on the stock of the acuminata.
5. M. Thompsoniana. — A doubt can hardly be entertained that this is
a true hybrid between the glauca and tripetala : though Loudon considers
it a variety only of the glauca, " the aboriginal species enlarged in all its
The MagnoliacecB. 225
parts ; " a conclusion more applicable to the longifolia. A specimen im-
ported from France, and now in my ground, was ingrafted on the stock of
the purpurea. It forms a neat and healthy shrub of a dwarfish habit, and
yields many fine flowers. Another, on a stock of the acuminata, is rapidly
expanding into a tree, and furnishing blossoms in numbers proportioned to
its size. Neither specimen has ever matured a seed ; a defect arising, per-
haps, from its hybrid character.
6. M. Tripetala (^Umbrella-tree). — This species is distinguished for the
size of its leaves and flowers. In this latitude, it is not inclined to send up
one main trunk like the acuminata, but usually rises from the roots in sev-
eral spreading branches. This habit can, however, be corrected by careful
training and pruning. Two trees thus managed stood in the grounds of
the late Dr. Hildreth, in Marietta, O., twenty years since. They were
straight-bodied, and symmetrical in form. When young, they were removed
from their native locality in Western Virginia.
Another tendency is manifested by this species. The more central shoot
is prone to perish by the laterals robbing it of nutrition ; and they, in turn,
will attempt to supply its place as leading shoots. This tendency would
doubtless be corrected by propagation on the acuminata stock, and short-
ening from time to time all laterals assuming too rapid growth.
The odor of its flowers is never pleasant, and is repulsive when much
concentrated.
It requires a tenacious clay-soil, thoroughly underdrained, and enriched
with decayed vegetable matter. The cold of our severest winters it resists
with impunit)', but soon perishes under the impression of the sun in summer,
unless partially shaded, and unless the roots are preserved in a uniformly
moist condition. Careful attention to the latter precaution has, in some
instances, enabled it to flourish in open grounds.
Seeds are occasionally matured, from which young plants can be raised.
It was formerly found native near Grave Creek, in Western Virginia ;
which was probably its most northern locality. Michaux indicated the
" Western District " of New York as such ; but no other botanist has ever
found it in that region.
In November, 1824, while travelling the Ridge Road, a few miles east of
Lewiston, on the Niagara frontier, several clumps of the M. acuminata and
VOL. I. 39
226 The Magiioliace(2.
'i3'
of the papaw-bush {Asimina) were observed. Not expecting to meet with
either so far north, they became subjects of attention and remark among
my companions. The leaves having fallen, the bushy habit of the former,
caused probably by climate, gave it the appearance rather of the tripetala
than the stately acuminata of Ohio. This appearance doubtless involved
Michaux in error.
7. M. Macrophylla {Large-leaved Magnolia). — The flora of the North
can furnish no rival to this magnificent species. Its leaves and flowers are
larger than those of any other magnolia ; which, with its habit of growth,
give it a tropical appearance. On its own roots it makes a rapid growth for
a few years, and until it attains to the size of a small tree ; but three or four
years are previously required for seedlings to develop the roots. During
that period, it is expedient to protect the young plants against cold and
rabbits. It is as hardy when well established as the acuminata, provided
it receive the requisite attention, but soon dwindles and dies under neg-
lect. Old trees require as good cultivation as young plants, and thereby
their existence can be preserved for a long time.
It produces a limited supply of seed in this vicinity, and seedlings can
be reared by a due share of skill and patience. Loudon observes that
" neither this species nor the tripetala can be readily ingrafted or inarched
on each other, or on any other species, so far as experience has gone in
Great Britain." Such authority is not to be disregarded ; but it is equally
true that half a dozen buds of this species, inserted into acuminata stocks
in my garden early in the month,* took without one failure, and now look
plump and promising. What the ultimate result will be, another season
will determine. This experiment demonstrated that a rapid adhesion will
form between the bark and wood of an inoculate cut from the macro-
phylla and the sap-wood of the acuminata stock. Whether the chit or
centre of the bud will survive the operation, is the only undecided point.
Perhaps British cultivators have not discovered the necessit)^ of forcing an
extra-luxuriant growth of the stock, by means of high cultivation, before
attempting the budding and ingrafting of the magnolias.
8. M. AURICULATA {Ear-leaved Magnolia). — From some unexplained
cause, this is, perhaps, the least cultivated and most rare of all the species.
If plates and .descriptions are reliable, it is entitled to more attention. It
» July.
TJie MagnoliacecB. 227
has long been known. As early as 1786, it was sent to Great Britain by
Bartram, who discovered it in Georgia ; and it was also found by him on
the mountains of North Carolina. It has never been introduced into
Northern Ohio. For more than twenty years, I have repeatedly sent orders
for it whenever I have seen it included in nurserymen's catalogues in
France and this country. In response, I have either received nothing, or
more likely some kind already in my possession. Meehan states that " the
best Bartram specimen is seventy feet high, and five and a half feet in di-
ameter." Other specimens are said to be growing in the lawn of a gentle-
man near Boston, and also on the banks of the Hudson River. Whether
in either of these localities it matures seed, I am not informed ; but, with
the ready communication now open with the southern sections of the Union,
cultivators might obtain supplies of seed, and stock their grounds with this
species.
9. M. CoNSPiCUA ( Yulan-tree, Ckatidelier Magnolia). — A native of China,
which proves hardy on the shore of Lake Erie. In warm exposures, it
suddenly puts forth its blossoms before the approach of spring is hardly
anticipated. A few crocuses and hepaticas are appearing ; but the decidu-
ous trees and shrubs are leafless. For a day or two, a southerly wind,
with a warm sun, has cleared the blue waters of the lake from ice, when
suddenly the naked limbs of the yulan-tree become shrouded with an
investiture of flowers. Each floret is of the size, form, and color of the
common white. At this juncture, they present an imposing contrast with
several large evergreen trees in the immediate vicinity.
It would be a useless attempt to count the flowers on each of my large
trees. They are estimated at thousands. Their odor is slightly fragrant
and aromatic ; and the anthers abound with pollen, which is collected in
large quantities for bee-bread by the honey-bees. As it is the first supply
furnished at this season, it is collected with great avidit}^ In this locality,
the cool weather seems to blast the gerins ; and no seed has been known to
mature, though, according to Meehan, it occasionally ripens at Philadelphia.
It is reported on good authority that the pollen of the lily has been
preserved in dry papers for a long time, and afterwards employed success-
fully in fecundating other species. If in that instance it was practicable,
the same plan would probably succeed with magnolias.
228 Glyptostrohis Pendiilns.
The conspicua is a promising kind to cross with the purpurea, glanca, and
acuminata. By resorting to this method, the pollen might be preserved till
these later blooming kinds are fitted for its reception.
For the same purpose, and in the same manner, the pollen of the grandi-
flora might be collected at the South, and conveyed to the North.
Who among our ingenious young people will test these suggestions?
lo. M. SoULANGEANA. — This is a very distinct variety, raised, it is said,
by Loudon, from a seed of a conspicua which stood near a piupiirea ; but,
according to Meehan, it is a cross between the purpurea and acujninata.
If either be correct, the fact is established that Nature has produced one
hybrid in the vegetable kingdom ; and it may be received as an assurance
by the phytologist, that, by the appliances of art and science, he may pro-
duce others in unlimited numbers.
The leaves and flowers of this variety appear coincidently about ten
days after the conspicua ceases its bloom ; and, in favorable seasons, a suc-
cession of smaller and less perfect flowers are put forth even as late as the
month of September.
Seeds in small quantities are produced, especially by trees exposed in
open grounds. Several seedlings have been raised in this vicinity. They
vary slightly from their parent and from each other.
Loudon says that the Soulangeana " can hardly rank as a tree, though of
much stronger growth than Xho. purpurea." Had he seen the sturdy speci-
mens of both the Soulangeana and conspicua growing in my grounds, he
would have considered them entitled to the appellation of trees. They are
on acuminata stocks. Dr. Jared P. Kirtland.
Cleveland, O.
(To be continued.)
Glyptostrobus pendulus. — A plant cultivated at Kew, side by side with
Taxodium distichum. Was considered to be merely a variety of that species,
to which it is strikingly similar ; but Professor Oliver, having examined the
flowers last year, observed some points of difference, by which he has
succeeded in referring it to the Chinese Glyptostrobus pendulus. It forms
an elegant, straight-stemmed, slender tree, forty feet high, with horizontal
or slightly pendulous branches, which are deciduous in autumn. — Botani-
cal Magazine.
Select Varieties of Peas. 229
SELECT VARIETIES OF PEAS.
We find in seedsmen's catalogues for the present season nearly one hun-
dred varieties of peas. Of this numerous list, some are described as being
the earliest known ; others are recommended for their great productive-
ness ; some are said to be of superior quality for the table ; and, again,
others are represented as being particularly valuable for the length of time
the plants continue in bearing. Now, as four or five sorts are all that will
be generally required for a home-garden, which shall we select ?
In the first place, many of the kinds exist only in name ; and, with many
of the others, the marks of variation are trifling and unimportant. Of two
hundred and thirty-five reputed sorts, carefully tested a few years since in
the gardens of the London Horticultural Society, only twenty-seven proved
to be well marked and truly useful ; and this reduction, — great as it seems
to be, — it was thought at the time, might safely have been brought down to
scarcely more than half a dozen.
It would be difficult, and perhaps impossible, to prepare from our cata-
logue of a hundred kinds a list proportionally small and select ; and we
shall not attempt to do so. We only propose to give the names of a few,
which, in our experience, have proved distinct and valuable.
As "first early," or " extra early," the Dan 0''Rourke, and Carter's First
Crop, are desirable varieties. The former has been the longer known, and
is, we think, the better pea. Dil/istone's Early, originally sent out as being
a week earlier than the Dan O ^Rourke, has no merit over other early sorts,
and is being dropped from catalogues.
Tom Thumb is a genuine dwarf If the variety is true, the plants will
not average more than ten inches high. By some it is considered as early
as the Dan O'Rourke, though our experience proves it a few days later.
The pods should be plucked while quite young, as the peas harden quickly,
and soon become unfit for the table. Beck's Gem is another of the class
termed " dwarfs," and has been grown to some extent as a substitute for
the Tom Thumb, not, it should be stated, because of its superiority, but
on account of the limited supply, and consequent high price, of the seeds
of the latter variety. McLean's Little Gem is one of the most promising
230 Select Varieties of Peas.
ot all the dwarfs. It is about twelve inches high, yields abundantly, is of
fine quality, and appears to be highly prized wherever it has been culti-
vated. Most of the seed of Beck's Gem and McLean's Little Gem has been
obtained by seedsmen from abroad ; while that of Tom Thiwib has been
principally of American growth.
AIcLea7i's Advancer is another fine new pea. It belongs to the class
known as " Wrinkled Marrows," and possesses the excellent qualities for
which those peas are so justly prized. Of the large peas it has proved to
be decidedly one of the earliest and best, and is recommended for culti-
vation.
Few peas have been more widely disseminated, and few are more es-
teemed, than the Champion of England. As an intermediate variety, or for
the general crop, it has few if any superiors. Anodier fine pea, less gen-
erally known or cultivated, is the Paradise Marrow, sometimes known as
the Champion of Paris. It is very prolific ; long-continued in its yield ; and
the peas harden so slowly, that its season of use is prolonged much be-
yond the average. To this we would add the British Qiieeti and the Eugenie,
both of which, in a trial-growth, proved hardy and prolific, and were nearly
as tender and sugary as the Champion of Ejigland.
Drew's New Dwarf is another intermediate variety worthy of trial ; but,
to secure its greatest jDcrfection, the sowing should be made quite early in
the season, and the seeds dropped singly, nine or ten inches apart, in rows
two feet asunder. The plant makes a bushy growth, and is quite dwarf,
attaining a height of twelve or fifteen inches.
One of the best of the very late peas is the Competitor. It is of large
size, sweet and tender, and remarkable for the length of time the plants
continue in bearing. In an experimental growth of this variety, pods were
first plucked July 20 ; and from this time the plants continued to yield
abundantly till the last of August, or for a period of more than five weeks.
These varieties will give a good succession for the season, and we think
will not disappoint the cultivator, either with regard to quality or produc-
tiveness.
It may be proper to add, that, as most of our new peas are received from
abroad, the descriptions found upon our catalogues must at first, necessa-
rily, be based on foreign representations. Now, as the pea rarely, if ever.
Beurr6 Fronientel. 231
ill our climate, reaches that degree of perfection it attains in many parts of
Europe, each newly-introduced variety may be expected to fall somewhat
below the foreign standard. Extravagant statements with regard to earli-
ness, productiveness, or quality, should, therefore, be received with some
caution. There maybe varieties seven days earlier than Carter' s First Crop
or the Dan CRoiirke ; and there maybe those that yield from thirty to forty
pods to a plant, or that will produce pods containing on the average from
ten to twelve peas each : but, if any such exist, we are obliged to confess
they have not as yet come under our notice. Fearing Burr, yun.
HiNGHAM, Mass.
BEURRfi FROMENTEL.
This pear was produced some years ago from a seedling by M. Fontaine
de Ghelin, near Mons, Belgium; to whom, also, we are indebted for many
new varieties. It is the general opinion of those who have tasted it, that
it is the most delicious of pears.
The fruit is large, exactly pyriform ; the stem short; the calyx slightly
depressed; the skin is glossy, very delicate, of a beautiful yellow at
maturity, and almost entirely free from spots ; the pulp is whitish, mellow,
and of a fine flavor; the juice abundant, and very sweet. It ripens from
the end of October to the middle of November.
In regard to thriftiness and fruitfulness, this tree leaves nothing to be
desired.
It has been asked why the name Biciter has been applied to this pear.
If any one will consider the color and the nature of the pulp, an answer
to this question will be found.
It would be almost impossible to give a complete catalogue of the
numberless varieties of pears, so many new ones are constantly making
their appearance, some excellent, others mediocre or entirely worthless.
A pear which may be excellent under favorable conditions of growth,
under other circumstances deteriorates rapidly. Whoever wishes to raise
good pears must plant those varieties only which will retain their qualities
2T,2 Elais Guuieensis.
in the climate and soil in which they are to grow. Time and experience
are the only safe guides for the fruit-grower.
We might fill a volume were we to indicate the precise varieties of pears
adapted to such and such a soil, situation, &c. ; but that is not our present
object. The experimenter in pear-growing must decide these points for
himself; and it is not necessary that one should have any great amount of
experience to understand that a pear which would be delicious grown in
the south, or even centre, of France, for instance, would lose greatly in
flavor, if not become entirely worthless, in the north, or in Belgium ; and
vice versa. And this is true in every country, in pear-culture.
On the subject of names, we will say only this, that we have seen a
committee of horticulturists, very skilful on other subjects, unable to agree
on the correct name of some variety of pear, although many specimens
had been submitted to them for examination. We would say, then, to the
amateur fruit-grower, trust not to names, but select those varieties only
(having been careful to taste the fruit before buying) which grew in a soil
and climate similar to that in which your own garden is situated.
L^ Illustration Horticok.
fLlais Guineeftsis. — The oil palm of Western Africa, an ornamental
species, which has been known for considerably more than a centur)\ It
is the tree from the fruit of which is obtained the palm-oil of commerce,
annually imported into this country to the value of about ^1,750,000. The
tree grows from twenty to thirty feet high, and has a stem from twelve to
sixteen inches in diameter, and naked for one-third or two-thirds of its
height, though deeply marked with the scars resulting from the old leaf-
stalks dropping off; and above this point it bristles with their remains, termi-
nating in a crown of pinnate leaves, from twelve to twenty in number, and
varying from ten to fifteen feet in length. The species also occurs in
Tropical America, whither it is supposed to have been introduced, but at
what date isuncertain. — Ibid.
Red Spider. 233
RED SPIDER.
Red spider is, perhaps, the most destructive of all the insects which
the horticulturist has to combat. Being small, and confining its first
attacks to the under side of the leaves, it is not easy of recognition in
its early stages of development : but, in a very short time, foliage attacked
by it assumes a sickly, yellowish appearance on the upper surface, and the
parts immediately over the spots where the insect is at work become
dotted with a number of minute whitish specks if the leaves are those of
the peach or fig tree ; but, if they are those of the vine, the specks are of a
yellowish hue. These specks or dots increase in size until the whole leaf
acquires a yellow and mature appearance ; and, its powers of exhalation
and inhalation being destroyed, it falls off. The small specks or dots on
the upper surface of the leaves are the best evidence of the presence of red
spider ; and, if the under side of such leaves be examined, there will be
observed between the principal nerves a number of minute specks or dots.
These, on being touched with the point of a pin, will be seen to move
about at a rapid rate ; and, if observed with the aid of a lens, they will be
found to be in constant motion, busy on that part of the leaf, which they
have, for greater security, enveloped in a network of the finest threads
conceivable. If measures be not taken to check the spread of the insect
on its first appearance, it will rapidly wrap the leaf in a fine network, and
will not cease its work of destruction until the juices of the leaf have been
so completely exhausted, that it becomes totally incapable of performing
any of its functions, and falls off.
It is well to remember that the leaf of a vine or other plant may have
every appearance of being attacked by red spider, and yet that the insect
may not be present ; for the upper surface of a pardy-scorched leaf has
much the same aspect as one suffering from red spider ; but, instead of
specks or dots, scorched leaves usually exhibit blotches : besides, in addi- ■
tion to the dots on the upper surface, there are others corresponding to
them on the under surface ; and when there are both, and those on the
under side move when touched, it is certain that the leaves are not
scorched, but infested with red spider.
VOL. 1. 30
234 Red Spider.
Though the insect is termed the red spider, scarcely one upon a leaf
will be found of that color ; most of them being of a gray, inclining to a
reddish-brown, and having whitish heads and legs. The color and size of
the insects vary in the case of different plants ; for on some they are much
brighter in color and larger than on others.
The red spider attacks a great variety of plants, but chiefly those which
have large glossy leaves, and require a large supply of water ; and yet it
does not exclusively confine itself to the smooth-leaved plants, but is as
partial to the egg-plant as to the violet or strawberry. It appears to be
constant in nothing but in showing the same tokens of its presence ; and in
this respect it varies but slightly, if at all. Not being an entomologist, I
must leave a full description of the insect to those more qualified for the
task. And here I may observe, that a text-book on insects injurious to
garden-crops, published at a moderate price, would be a boon to many,
who, like myself, are willing to learn, and yet cannot obtain a work on the
subject, except at a cost totally disproportionate to their means.
Of red spider I am only acquainted with two kinds or species. First,
The small and very active one that attacks vines, melons, and most culti-
vated plants grown under glass or in warm situations out doors. Second,
A comparatively large one, which I have found only on the gooseberry and
ivy. I have known the latter attack gooseberry-bushes with such severity
as to make them look as if they had been scorched. This is xtxy com-
monly the case on light, gravelly soils.
Red spider destroys the vitality of the leaves, checks growth, and, when
its attacks are severe, altogether arrests it. It prevents the flowers
expanding, or attaining their perfection, as well as the swelling and matura-
tion of the fruit ; and impairs the well-doing of the plant. It likewise, by
stopping growth, limits the action of the roots, converting a vigorous plant
into one which is sickly.
Predisposing causes innumerable have been assigned for its attacks ; but
the principal appear to be a dry atmosphere and a high temperature, with
too litde air at night. Some entertain the opinion, that no plant would be
attacked by insects if it were healthy ; but I have not yet seen a plant,
however healthy to all appearance, that did not become infested with some
insect. The green aphis is equally partial to a strong shoot of the rose as
Red Spider. 235
to a weak, drawn shoot of the pelargonium ; and it is the same with most
insects : come they do, and whatever they attack is checked in growth,
and more or less reduced in health, vigor, and fertility. In whatever state
a plant may be attacked, whether weak or strong, the effects are the same :
it becomes impaiied in strength and vigor; and, when freed from insects, it
regains both. Surely this does not show that constitutional ill health and
impaired vigor are essentials to insect attacks I believe that they are not
induced so much by any peculiar condition of the plant as by the atmos-
phere being favorable to the development and increase of the insects.
Make a plant as unhealthy as we may, it will not be attacked by the insect
peculiar to it until we also produce an atmosphere favorable to that insect.
Tliat the red spider delights in and is encouraged by a dry atmosphere,
none having experience of it will doubt ; and it is most abundant where the
heat in houses is artificially derived from flues or hot-water pipes. I can
also affirm, from many years' daily observations, that where there is a
plentiful supply of atmospheric moisture, a temperature from fire or natural
heat no more than the plant requires, and thorough ventilation, that the
attacks of red spider are not grievous. Any one having experience in
forcing vines, melons, &c., knows how much more liable to the attacks of
red spider are the crops obtained by employing great artificial heat than
those to which less artificial heat and more air are given ; nor can those
who wash or syringe their peach-trees have failed to find how free of red
spider such trees are, while others not syringed are literally eaten up if dry
weather prevail. A dry atmosphere, too high a temperature, especially at
night, and insufficient ventilation, are the conditions under which red
spider presents itself; but there are cases in which it will appear when
none of the conditions favorable to its existence are present. Still the fact
of the insect's existing may be taken as evidence that the air is too dr)',
too hot, or imperfectly ventilated.
(To be continued)
236
A Plan of a Cowitry House.
A COUNTRY HOUSE.
The present design is for a one-and-a-half story wooden cottage ; and, even at present prices, can proba-
bly be built for #1,000.
It should face the east, that the living-room may receive the sun from the south in winter.
The arrangement of the grounds may be varied as desired. The barn may be very plain and unexpensive.
For convenience of communication between the different rooms of the house, this plan will be most
desinble.
East Jaffrey, N.H. • L. L. Pierce.
HlOHWAT.
Plan. — The upright part is 22 x 24 ; Kitchen L, 16 x 18 ; Wood-shed, 14 x 16 ; A, Living-room ; B,
Parlor and Sitting-room ; C, C, Bed-rooms ; H, H, Chimneys ; F, Sink ; E, Pantry ; D, Wood-shed ;
Bam, 28 X 34 ; W, Water-closet.
Scale 1-16 inch to the foot.
Notes and Gleanings. 237
NOTES AND GLEANINGS.
Cattleya Dowiana. — The genus Cattleya contains some of the most
beautiful orchids, many being unsurpassed in color and size. All are, however,
excelled in both respects by the subject of our notice, which is one of the most
magnificent of recent acquisitions. It was originally discovered in Costa Rica
by Warszewicz ; but the plants forwarded to England were in bad condition, and
were lost. It was rediscovered in 1864 by M. Arce, a zealous naturalist, who
was collecting specimens of natural history in Costa Rica. The plants sent
home by him were purchased by Messrs. Veitch & Son, and flowered in
1865.
The flowers resemble in shape C. Mossice j but the nankeen and purple colors
are utterly unlike any known cattleya. They are about seven inches in diameter,
and produce five or six on a stem. They are nankeen-colored, except the lip,
which is dark velvet-purple, uniformly streaked with golden threads, radiating
from the centre, where they meet three other golden lines, passing longitudinally.
It is named for Capt. J. M. Dow, of the American packet service, and is figured
in Curtis's "Botanical Magazine," tab. 5,618.
Aquilegia Pyreniaca. — This pretty little dwarf columbine does not exceed
nine inches in height. It is by no means a new plant, but has for years met
with unmerited neglect. The foliage is small ; but the pale lavender flowers are
large, and freely produced. It delights in a warm, sheltered situation, and grows
in the sandy detritus of the rocks ; facts which must be studied in the cultiva-
tion of the plant. Its hardiness in New England must be proved by experience.
Besides this species, Aquilegia alpina, with large purplish-blue flowers with
white centre, growing about fifteen inches high; A.glaftdiclosa, described and
figured in our February number; A.fragrans, with pale lemon-colored flowers;
and A. Vervcenana, with variegated foliage, — are well worthy of cultivation.
The subject of our notice is figured in " Floral Magazine," plate 322.
Raising Currants from Cuttings. — In raising from cuttings, the first
object to be attained is a clear stem about six or eight inches high, and free from
suckers. The cuttings are procured from the growth of the previous year ; and
for them the strongest, straightest, and best-ripened shoots should be chosen.
All the buds on the portion to be inserted in the ground should be carefully
picked out, leaving three or four of the terminal ones, and reducing the cutting
to about a foot in length by taking off the unripened points. By removing the
buds, or eyes, the trees are prevented from throwing up suckers, which are inju-
rious, besides being unsightly, and troublesome to displace. The cuttings may
be planted in a shady situation, in rows about eighteen inches apart, and about
nine or ten inches asunder in the row. They will generally, in the first season,
produce about three shoots each ; all of which may be allowed to grow durino-
the summer, in order to assist in the production of roots. If it is intended that
238 Notes and Gleanings.
the trees shall be grown in the open quarters, in the usual bush form, — open in the
centre, — then, when the leaves have fallen in the autumn, two out of the three
may be cut away, leaving the third, the most upright, for the future stem, and
shortening it down to about three buds. The lowest bud below the cut must be
about eight inches above the ground. Three shoots will usually be produced
in the following year ; and, in the autumn, the trees will be ready for their final
planting. — Cottage Gardener.
Mathiola Bicornis. — "An evening-scented stock of unrivalled fragrance,
from the mountains of Greece. No annual in cultivation, even including migno-
nette, surpasses or perhaps equals this in the powerful and yet delicate per-
fume of its flowers. At a hundred yards' distance, the scent of a bed of this
annual, on a summer's evening, is often so strong as to arrest special attention.
The plant grows one foot or more in height ; the upper half or two-thirds being
a branching spike of pink and lilac blossoms, partially closed during the daytime
(when the scent is feeble), but expanding fully towards evening, and remaining
so during the night and early morning. Unlike some ' night-scented ' flowers,
this is pleasing in color, and, especially when grown in a mass, forms quite a
pretty effect. The perfume resembles that of the stock and sweet-scented clem-
atis combined. It must be treated as a common hardy annual."
Stocks for Camellias. — Propagating Azaleas. — The best kind of
stock is the single-flowering camellia. The stocks are raised by sowing the
seed, or from cuttings ; but the latter are not nearly so free-growing. The begin-
ning- of April is a good time to graft camellias. The varieties oi Azalea indica
are propagated by cuttings taken from the shoots of the current year when about
half ripe. Inserted in very sandy peat and silver sand under a bell-glass on a
gentle heat, they root freely.
Conservatory Glazing. — Those of our readers who have rooms and con-
servatories with a north aspect, or which are overshadowed by other buildings,
will be aided by the following note of a suggestion by Sir David Brewster : " If,
in a very narrow street or lane, we look out of a window, with the eye in the
same plane as the outer face of the wall in which the wmdow is placed, we shall
see the whole of the sky by which the apartment can be illuminated. If we
now withdraw the eye inwards, we shall gradually lose sight of the sky till it
wholly disappears, which may take place when the eye is only six or eight inches
from its first position. In such a case, the apartment is illuminated only by
the light reflected from the opposite wall, or the sides of the stones which form
the window ; because, if the glass of the window is six or eight inches from the
wall, as it generally is, not a ray of light can fall upon it. If we now remove
our window, and substitute another in which all the panes of glass are roughly
o-round on the outside, and flush with the outer wall, the light from the whole
of the visible sky, and from the remotest parts of the opposite wall, will be in-
troduced into the apartment, reflected from the innumerable faces, or facets,
which the rough grinding of the glass has produced. The whole window will
Notes and Gleanings. 239
appear as if the sky were beyond it; and, from every point of this luminous sur-
face, light will radiate into all parts of the room."
Primula-Seed Sowing. — To have good primulas, seed from good flowers
must be sown ; and, to secure this, the purchaser must give rather a high price.
Good primula-seed is dear. Our plan is this : The seed is sown in the first week
in March, in pans one-third filled with broken pots, an inch of moss, cocoa-nut
fibre, or the siftings of the compost, being placed thereon ; and the pans are
filled to the rim with turfy loam, sandy peat, leaf-mould, and silver sand, in equal
parts, passed through a half-inch sieve. The surface is made smooth, the seeds
scattered thinly over it, and just covered with the same compost. A gentle
watering is then given, and the pan is placed in gentle heat, such as that of a
cucumber-frame. Care is taken to keep the soil moist, but by no means wet ; and,
when the plants appear, the pan is brought near the glass, so that they may have
abundance of air and all the light possible. Here they remain until they are
of sufficient size to pot off. They are gradually hardened off, and removed to a
vinery or other house, and in June, or early in July, transferred to a cold-frame,
where they are shifted as occasion may require.
Use of India-Rubber Bands for grafting Roses. — First, the Manetti
stocks were taken out of the ground previously to being grafted, their roots
trimmed, and their heads cut back. I also gave them a good washing before
taking them in doors, in order to keep all clean and tidy. The Indian-rubber
bands used were such as are commonly sold for the purpose of holding papers
together, and may be had at any stationer's. The length and breadth depend
altogether on the size of the stocks. Those I grafted being small, I found
a ring a little over two and a half inches in diameter, and not quite half an
inch broad in the band, sufficient for two. The operation is performed in
this way : Take the stock in your left hand, and place the thumb, with one
end of the band under it, on the lower end of the scion, when you have
it properly fitted, pressing it firmly to keep it in its place ; then, with the
band considerably stretched, bind upwards to half an inch or so on the graft,
and return ; taking care, in binding backwards, to close every opening in
order to prevent the admission of air, which, on account of the elastic nature of
the material employed, can be done most effectually. At the bottom, — that is, a
little below the junction, — fasten the end with a piece of soft thread or bast, to
prevent it springing back. This finishes the operation.
In planting out, it is not necessary to slacken or remove the binding. The
bast or thread, being under the surface of the soil, will soon rot, and set the In-
dian-rubber free, which will unwind itself or expand as the stock increases ifl
size. — L. N, iti Cottage Gardener.
LiLiUM AuRATUM. — This new and beautiful species seems to grow to an
immense size under good culture. We clip the following description from an
English journal : The bulb is now in a fifteen-inch pot, with three stems. The
largest two are each nine feet six inches high from the surface of the soil, — one
240 Notes and Gleanings.
with fourteen flowers, the other with thirteen. The smallest stem is two feet high,
with one flower, making a total of twenty-eight. The largest of the flowers are
about one foot in diameter ; not so large, in proportion to the strength of the
plant, as in previous years : but perhaps this may be accounted for by the fact
that I was anxious to bring the plant into flower, and subjected it to the tem-
perature of the East-Indian house (orchid-house) from the time the buds were
half matured until several of them were expanded. In this way, I had it in
flower in less than half the time I should in an ordinary greenhouse. The girth
of the largest stem near the bottom is three and three-eighths, that of the other
three and one-quarter, inches.
The Theory of Silver Sand. — Silver sand, when mixed with the soil in
potting, acts a little chemically on other constituents of the soil ; but, to a great
extent, the action is mechanical. In using it for striking cuttings, it is chiefly
valued for its purity, its freedom from iron and other minerals, and clay, earth,
and calcareous matters, which are often the accompaniments of other pit and
river sands. The nearest to silver sand in usefulness is that collected on public
roads after heavy rains ; which sand, when well washed, is about as pure silex as
silver sand. What in practice makes it such a good covering for pots of cuttings
is its freedom from other substances ; its porosity, which allows the water freely
to pass without lodging about and rotting the cuttings ; and, notwithstanding
this porosity, the closeness with which it clings round the cuttings, preventing
the access of air to their base, which, if permitted to any extent, would rob
them of their juices and vitality.
A Blue Bedding Geranium. — We have been asked as to the probabihties
of success in fertilizing bedding geraniums or pelargoniums with our wild species.
We know of the experiment having been tried without success, and find in an
exchange the following record of failure by an English gardener : —
" In the years 1857 and 1858, 1 endeavored to fertilize pelargoniums — Boulede
Neige, Queen, Kingsbury Pet, and Prince of Orange — with the pollen oi Geranium
pratense. I repeated the experiment several times and under different circum-
stances, but succeeded only in obtaining two or three seeds, which produced
plants bearing no resemblance whatever to pratense. These seeds were doubt-
less the result of pollen from some of the bedding varieties having accidentally
gained access to the flowers experimented on. I also tried to cross-fertilize the
flowers of a potted plant of G. pratense with some of the bedding pelargoniums,
but did not succeed in obtaining a single seed. I made similar futile attempts
with the spotted (show) varieties. I do not recollect ever having tried Gerani-
um sylvaticum; but I endeavored on one occasion to intercross both the bedding
and spotted pelargoniums with Geranium Robertianumj and the results, I regret
to say, only added to my long list of failures.
" I tried these experiments eight or nine years ago ; but further experience
and consideration satisfy me that it will be utterly useless to expect a cross be-
tween these varieties, or, as I ought perhaps rather to say, a hybrid between
tlie bedding and show varieties of pelargoniums and the indigenous geraniums."
Notes and Gleanings. 24 t
Hop-Plant Propagating. — Tlie hop is propagated by division, or parting
the roots in autumn or spring ; the latter being the better time. The divisions,
which should have some eyes at the crown, and a portion of root, may be plant-
ed a foot apart. The hop may also be increased by cuttings of the shoots of the
previous year, taking them off at the crown, with a heel ; and this is best done
in May. Plant them in the same way as the divisions, in rich, deep, loamy soil.
Bohemian Black Bigarreau. — This is " one of the largest and finest of
our black-heart class of cherries. It is a variety that was introduced by Mr.
Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, under the name oi Bigarreau Radowcsnilzcr, — a
name, the correct prounciation of which must in no small degree prove a stum-
bling-block to gardeners ; and we have therefore rendered it into English
by calling it Bohemian Black Bigarreau, in allusion to the country whence
it is said to have its origin. Whether we regard this variety as to its size, flavor,
or earliness, it is equally valuable. It ripens early in July, and is of the largest
size, of a roundish heart-shape, very even and regular in its outline ; skin shin-
ing, and jet black. The characteristically short stalk is very stout, and dark
green. Flesh quite black, firm, but not so firm and crackling as Bigarreaux
generally are, but juicy, richly flavored, and delicious. We would recommend
this to be grown in every collection." — Florist and Pomologist.
Propagating Gloxinias from Leaves. — The gloxinea propagates freely
from the leaves. The easiest way is to cut off a leaf with a good piece of the
leaf-stalk, and plant the latter in pots just as you would cuttings. The leaf, if
thus kept in a shady, moist place, will soon form a tuber at the base of the stalk.
Another plan is to take the leaf, notch it at the back where all the smaller ner-
vures meet the midrib, fix the leaf by small pins flat on a damp surface, and
small tubers will form at all the notched parts. Another simple plan is to take
a leaf, split it up at the midrib, and then cut outwards to the outside in strips,
say one-quarter of an inch wide : plant these thickly in a pot, the part with the
midrib being lowest ; and almost every one of these slips of leaves will form a
tuber at the base. It is thus easy to multiply any kind of gloxinia, or of fine-
leaved begonia, which may be propagated in the same way. By these modes,
you do not obtain so large a tuber as when you use a leaf for a single tuber
instead of a score or more. A moist, warm, shady place is necessary for suc-
cess when the leaves are thus cut up into shreds.
Cynosurus Cristatus {Crested Dog's-tail Grass). — This grass, which is
very valuable for lawns, is thus described : " The roots are tufted, with long, un-
branched fibres. Stems several, varying in height from twelve to eighteen inches,
unbranched, very stifi", hard, round, smooth, with three or four joints, most leafy
in the lower part, remaining brown, withered, and wiry, with their dry, empty
spikes through the latter part of the summer ; leaves bright green, short, nar-
row, flat, smooth on both sides, edge scarcely rough, with long, smooth, streaked
sheaths ; abrupt or ragged-ended and rather short stipules ; the head, or
spike of flowers, about two inches long, erect, stiff, straight and narrow, green ;
VOL. I. 31
242 Notes and Gleanings.
florets all turning to one side, sometimes purple,\vith a wavy rough stalk {rachis) ;
floral leaves divided deeply into awl-shaped segments ; husks, or glumes, usual-
ly containing three florets ; smaller valve of the blossom ending in two points,
larger valve ending in a short awn ; anthers prominent, pendulous, purple ;
stigmas white, feathered ; seed longish, oval, pointed, reddish yellow, covered
with the valves of the corolla."
The crested dog's-tail grass is a perennial, and succeeds well on dry gravelly
soils and in hilly situations. It is valuable for parks and lawns on ticcount of
its dwarf, slender growth : and is likewise admirably adapted for croquet-grounds ;
for it bears treading well, and is not liable to become brown in summer. It is
one of the best of all grasses for resisting dry weather.
Gesnera Zebrina and Splendidissima. — The dry parched atmosphere of
dwelling-rooms is very injurious to plants, particularly during the autumn and
winter months when strong fires are kept up. Valuable plants that would suffer
by being kept a few days in such an atmosphere should on no account be used
for this purpose. Plants that do not suiTer by this treatment should be as much
as possible employed for in-door decoration. There are numerous plants well
adapted for this purpose. I find these gesneras very useful. The roots are all
fresh potted in April, and then placed in one of the vineries at work. I put one
root into a small pot, three into larger pots, five into larger still, and as many as
a dozen roots into very large pots. By this plan, I have plants of all sizes. I
have the pots well drained ; and I use a compost of nearly equal portions of
loam, peat, and leaf-mould, mixed up with plenty of coarse river-sand.
The plants soon begin to grow when put into heat. As soon as they are a
few inches high, they should be tied up neatly to stakes, and kept tied up from
time to time as they advance in growth. I never shift them after they are
potted. Gesnera splendidissima comes soonest into flower, generally in Septem-
ber, and lasts till December. G. zebrina begins to flower in October, and lasts
till January. They both withstand the dry atmosphere of rooms for weeks ;
and, as the roots are generally full grown by the time they are in flower, they
can be dried off when they are out of bloom on any shelf in the coolest part of
the stove, and can remain there until the time for potting in April comes round
again. — M. Saul, in '■'Florist.''''
Trop.'EOLUMS. — These constitute a most useful tribe of bedding plants : I al-
lude to the dwarf varieties. Their growth is close and compact ; they bloom very
freely, and are easily propagated and preserved. King of Tom Thumbs has
proved a great acquisition to this useful class, as the flowers are freely produced,
and of an intense dark scarlet : the foliage also, being of a very dark green, is a
pleasing contrast to the brihiancy of the flowers. Elegans is so well known as
to need no description. It has gained a wide notoriety from being so largely
employed at the Crystal Palace. The habit is very dwarf, and it is a free and
continuous bloomer. Eclipse is of the same habit as Elegans, but is of an in-
tense scarlet color, and has a telling effect in a mass, having a vividness not
possessed by its more sober .colleague Elegans. Garibaldi is also a good bedder :
Notes and Glcajiings. 243
it is of a dark orange-scarlet color, and blooms very freely. Meteor produces
a profusion of rich dark-crimson flowers, and is of good habit. The old Cat-
tell's Crimson, Cattell's Scarlet, Scarlet Tom Thumb, and the Yellow Tom
Thumb, are also very useful indeed ; but the last will never make a good, much
less a sufficient, substitute for the Yellow Calceolaria.
Of varieties for basket and trellis work, I may instance Brilliant, a strong-
growing, deep scarlet ; Atrococcineum, known also as Splendens, very free-
blooming, and having plenty of small, deep scarlet flowers ; and Ball of Fire,
very bright scarlet, a free bloomer, and a good climber. — Florist.
Those who, in consequence of the article in our February number translated
from " LTllustration Horticole," are disposed to give the Jerusalem artichoke
a place in their gardens, ought fairly to know that it may not be so- easy to
get rid of it when it has once taken possession of the soil. By the way, could
we not, while we keep the thing as a garden vegetable (for which it is not to be
despised), contrive to get rid of its unfortunate }iame by calling it artichoke-root?
The plant, as is well known, is a species of sunflower ; and Jerusalem artichoke
is merely sutiflower artichoke, an English corruption of the French girasol,
the li3\\:in girasola, changed in England, through a linguistic process in which
an unmeaning word is made to mean something, into Jerusalem.
While, from this name, some have imagined the plant to have come from
Palestine, we are bound to add that neither is it "indigenous to Brazil " nor
" to Chili." Although it is nowhere known as an indigenous plant, the whole
evidence on the subject points to the Valley of the Mississippi as its birthplace,
and to a wild sunflower of that region, with usually slender tubers, as its parent.
While we write, we recall an experience related to us by a benevolent officer of
our army, who, when stationed in New Mexico some dozen years ago, and not-
ing that the Indians of the district were at times on the verge of famine, pro-
posed to his superiors in the War Department to introduce and naturalize this
prolific tuber in the valleys and bottoms, where it could hardly fail to thrive,
He sent, accordingly, a requisition for a sufficient quantity of artichokes. This
was allowed, and the order duly filled ; but when at length, with much expense
and long transportation, the precious supply reached the distant post, the arti-
chokes were found to h^ pickled.
Grape-Culture ix Minnesota. — The assertion that grapes may be suc-
cessfully cultivated in the high northern latitude of Minnesota will seem incredi-
ble to many. From a residence of sixteen years in Minnesota, and an experience
of some twelve years with vines, I am decidedly of the opinion that grapes can be
more successfully produced here than in the States farther south or at the East.
This we know is claiming much for our State ; yet the facts seem to bear us out
in the assertion.
Grapes have been grown, to some extent, for about fifteen years ; and, thus far,
we have not heard of either vine or fruit having been injured by disease to an
extent that would be considered worthy of notice. Mildew and rot, which cause
244 Notes and Gleanings.
such destructio7i in other parts of the country, are almost unknown here. This,
all will admit, is a matter of no small importance, and especially those who
talked of giving up the business. There is something about our invigorating
atmosphere that seems to suit the fastidious vine, as well as the lungs of the
consumptive who flees to our State for health. Our autumns are proverbially
dry, with an abundance of sunny days to mature the fruit.
We have the most natural sites for the vine, extending along our noble Mis-
sissippi and its tributaries for hundreds of miles. A large proportion of the
lakes for which our State is so much celebrated affords sites for vineyards, even
more desirable than any to be found on the rivers, from the fact that the late
and early frosts are quite unknown. Our Minnetonka, we venture to predict,
will some day outdo your famous Crooked lake of New York. In these favored
localities, the uncertain Catawba seldom fails ; while the Concord, Delaware,
Hartford, and other popular sorts, ripen usually some time before hard frosts.
As a matter of course, it is necessary to cover the vines in the fall, which is
now generally recommended in States south and east. L. M. Ford.
St. Paul, Januarj-, 1S67.
A correspondent in Southern Illinois writes that Scot's early peach promises
to be one of the best for that locality.
The yellow bell-flower apple is also mentioned as a most desirable variety.
Instead of being an autumn apple, as is generally supposed, it will, with proper
care, keep till March. While young, the trees are not great bearers ; but, with
age, they produce an abundance of fine fruit.
As a market-apple, it is unsurpassed; its handsome appearance always making
it sell well.
In Curtis's " Botanical Magazine " for February, we find the following stove-
plants figured : —
Tapeitiotes Carolina:. — A native of Brazil, discovered in i860, and flowered in
England in 1866. A succulent, low shrub ; leaves glaucous-green above, bright
red-purple below ; flowers white, with curved, inflated tube.
Angrcecum citratum. — An orchid from Madagascar, with a long spike of pale-
yellow, scentless flowers.
Lnpaticns latifolia. — Another of the vast family of Indian perennial balsams,
of which only two or three are in cultivation, though all are very ornamental. A
succulent shrub, with pale-jDurple flowers about an inch and a lialf in diameter.
Claviga fulgens. — A small stove-tree ; leaves long, dark-green, coriaceous ;
flowers deep orange-red, in long, erect racemes. Of easy culture, free-flowering,
and a very ornamental plant.
Mcsospinideicm sangiiineum. — A South- American orchid, introduced in 1866
from Ecuador. Flowers rosy-pink, in long, branching spikes. The genus is
nearly allied to Odontoglossutn, and the plant requires similar treatment.
Barleria Gibsoni. — A small Indian winter-blooming shrub, with lilac, white-
centred flowers in terminal spike.
Notes and Gleanings. 245
Gladiolus. — A writer in " The Florist," speaking of the planting gladio-
lus, says, " If you drive them, that is, grow them in very rich soil, you obtain
grand spikes of bloom, some deaths, a fair increase of bulbs, and few or no
young bulblets. If you adopt the opposite system, and use light, rich, sandy
soil, you obtain moderate blooms, no deaths, and an immense progeny of
juveniles."
Of new varieties, Eurydice and Shakspeare are especially recommended as
fine flowers and vigorous growers. Madame Furtado is fine as a light flower ;
IMayerbeer is very rich as a dark-shaded red ; Madame de Sevigne is decidedly
superior to La Poussin ; Fulton is a splendid shaded scarlet, but thin in petal.
The Roman Hyacinth. — I want to say a word in favor of a little bulb
which I do not think meets with the attention that it ought, — I mean the pretty
little Roman hyacinth, — believing that, in another season, some of your readers
who are situated as I am will be very glad to make further acquaintance with it.
I have no means of forcing plants ; my object being, as far as greenhouse
plants are concerned, to keep them safe from frost. Those who can force, will,
therefore, probably think little of a hyacinth like this, which is much inferior
in size and beauty to the Dutch varieties ; but to me it is a matter of
no little pleasure to be able to have at Christmas a pot of hyacinths in
full bloom, distributing their fragrance through the room, and that without any
e.xtra trouble. By forcing, they can be had, I know, in November ; but I think
they are not nearly so pretty when forced as when grown naturally. It is a
mistake, too, to plant them too thinly : they should be placed with the bulbs
almost touching one another. I put six into a 32-sized pot, and have had them
now for some weeks in bloom in my sitting-room ; their little snowy bells standing
well up above the dwarf, stiff, glaucous foHage, and diffusing a pleasant but not
overpowering odor throughout the room. Doubtless, if they came in in March
and April along with the other bulbs, we should not think a great deal of them :
it is the fact of their blooming when they do that really gives them their value ;
and it is because of this I recommend them to those, who, like myself, are
obliged to study what is economical as well as pretty. — D., Deal.
[We are well pleased that our correspondent has noticed this fragrant little
flower. It is a very old tenant of our gardens, being introduced in 1596. For-
merly it was called Hyacinthus Ro7tianus ; but Le Peyrouse has founded on it a
new genus, and it is named Bellevalia operculata.'\ — Cottage Gardener.
Propagating Camellias. — Camellias may be propagated from cuttings,
and indeed are largely propagated in that manner ; but it is only the single red
for stocks. The double kinds grow very indifferently from cuttings : hence they
are grafted on stocks of the single red, which is the only eligible mode of propa-
gation to secure a free-growing plant.
Nomenclature of Roses. — It is quite reasonable that the raiser of any
new variety of flower should assign to it such a distinctive name as his fancy or
interest inclines. Generally, the appellatives given to English flowers are well
246 Notes and Gleanings.
selected and short ; for, undoubtedly, short names are the best, and easiest to be
remembered. When we turn to the nomenclature of French roses, we often find
the opposite of brevity ; in some instances, no less than six words being used
to designate a single variety. We cannot complain of the grand array of princes,
dukes, duchesses, marshals, generals, and other high and mighty personages,
when they represent known and distinguished individuals : but we do stumble
over such appellations as Souvenir de la Reine d'Angleterre, Triomphe de la
Terre des Roses, Souvenir de Bernardin de St. PieiTe, La Baronne Pelletan de
Kinkelin, and which, when uttered by those unacquainted witli the French lan-
guage, have a very odd and even ludicrous effect ; still more so, the contractions
very often and naturally applied to those lengthy designations for which our
French neighbors appear to have an especial aptitude. I know of an instance
which afforded me much amusement when it occurred. An honest, hard-work-
ing, but somewhat illiterate gardener in this neighborhood, whose ideas of
orthography are rather misty when any departure from the strictly phonetic prin-
ciple is observed, labels his roses for his own and others' recognition. When
the name is copied from a catalogue, all goes on rightly enough ; but, a catalogue
not being always at hand, our friend is left to the resources of his own memory.
Some very curious derangements are the consequence. The instance that
amused me was the well-known General Jacqueminot, which was marked General
Jack-me-not, the syllables being distinctly separated. It is very usual to recog-
nize that rose about here as " General Jack," Charles Lefebvre as " Charley," and
Jules Margottin as " Old Jewels." Mr. Radclyfife knows similar cases, I beheve.
What Xavier Olibo will become it is not easy to guess, unless " Holybones."
These cases are simply absurd, but not altogether unnatural nor inexcusable.
Much more deserving of notice, in my opinion, is the abuse of a term that has
now been many years applied ; I mean the term "perpetual," as used to desig-
nate what is now the most important section of roses as distinguished from
Bourbons, Noisettes, and other hybrids. It has been more than once correctly
remarked that this term is an abused one : then why perpetuate it 1 The w'ord
"perpetual" not only does not express what the rose is, but also it is not the equiv-
alent for the word the French use ; viz., re/nontant. Now, the word ?-e/nontant
does express, as nearly as it is possible to find any word, the idea intended to be
conveyed ; but, as we have no equivalent English expression for it, it is worse
than ridiculous to make a floundering attempt at translating a word which admits
of no translation. The usual procedure in such cases is to adopt it. There can
be, therefore, no more impropriety in designating this particular section of roses
remottta}it hybrids than in calling a fiddle a violin. The French themselves
make no attempt to translate such words as "jockey," "wagon," "milord," &c.,
although these words contain letters and sounds the very opposite of their
adopted orthography and pronunciation. In the same way, we accept such
phrases as sang-froid, aide-de-camp, beati-monde, &c., in their original significa-
tion, without essaying to render them into English.
Upon the ground of common usage, then, I venture to suggest that the term
"remontant hybrids" should be substituted for the incorrect "hybrid perpetuals."
— English Journal of Horticulture.
Notes and Gleanings. 247
TyD/EA and Achimenes. — All the species of each genus are so closely
allied, and so very much alike, that they are separated on account of differences
which only a botanist would detect. The most noticeable differences are, Achi-
menes has a two-lobed stigma, the ovary bordered by a ring-formed glandular
disk. Tydasa has a stigma two- cleft, and the ring- formed disk composed of five
distinct glands.
Labels for Fruit-Trees. — The most enduring labels are those formed
of lead, with the names of the kinds of fruit-trees impressed or indented with an
iron stamp about half-way through the lead. The labels should be three inches
long, one and a half wide, and have a hole through a shoulder left in the middle
or one side of the label. The label should be fastened to the tree with stout,
flexible lead wire, allowing room for the tree to grow. You will require punch
letters of the alphabet, and the figures corresponding to that of the year in
which the trees were planted, if you care to date their planting. Labels of this
kind only perish with the lead. These are the most durable labels we know.
Zinc labels are also good, and last a long time, if the names of the trees be written
on them with proper ink, which may be made of one drachm each of verdigris
and sal-ammoniac powder, half a drachm of lampblack, mixed with ten drachms
of water. The labels should be made bright by rubbing them with sand-paper;
then write the names upon them immediately in a clear, bold hand, with a quill pen.
Begonia Pearcei. — This very beautiful species is botanically allied to B.
cinnabarina, and it was introduced from La Paz by Mr. Pearce. It possesses the
double quality of having both beautiful leaves, and large, showy flowers : the plant
has also a very desirable habit. The foliage is very pretty, the upper surface
being of a dark velvety green, traversed by pale straw-colored veins, and the
under side of a dull red color. The flowers are large, bright yellow, and borne
on slender stalks in clusters of two or three. Sometimes only one flower is
borne on a peduncle. When this is the case, the flower is much larger : some
which I have seen were as large as a five-shilling piece.
I have no doubt that this beautiful begonia may be had in bloom all the year
round, if care be taken in propagating and resting the plants at the proper time ;
and as the flower-trusses are produced in large numbers, and the color of the
flowers is rich, it will be found invaluable both for summer and winter decora-
tion. The plant thrives well in a mixture of peat, leaf-soil, loam, and silver-sand,
and is easily propagated by cuttings or leaves.
To have it in bloom throughout the year, it will be necessary to propagate
plants every two months. The young plants should be grown in a brisk tem-
perature, and as near a glass as possible. As soon as they have become well
established in their pots, a little weak manure-water will assist them very much
if given once or twice a week. A well-grown plant in a 4S-sized pot will afford
a constant succession of bloom for three months. After the plants have done
flowering, water should be withheld for a period of three or four weeks ; when
they may be gradually started into growth again, so that, after two or three
248 Notes and Gleanings.
dozen plants have been propagated, there may be a constant succession of beau-
tiful flowering specimens.
For drawing-room decoration, I know of no more useful plant, as the flowers
do not fade very soon ; and, if small examples are used for this purpose, they will
be found invaluable. I have great pleasure in recommending this beautiful plant
for all purposes. — I. Wills, in " Cottage Gardener.^''
Red Spider on Wall-Trees. — I have long used a wash with soft-soap in
it to paint the trees ; and it answers admirably, though it does not prevent red
spider. Can I not, by mixing with the lime and soot for washing the wall some
small proportion of coal-tar, or, if that be injurious, say of some other stuff as
disagreeable to insects, form a poisonous wash, which would deter even red
spider from laying eggs on the wall, and at the same time be innocuous to the
trees 1 — H. H.
[It will not do to mix even the smallest portion of coal-tar in your wash for
the walls. It would be injurious until so thoroughly dried that it would give off
no deleterious fumes ; and, when it came to that condition, it would not deter red
spider and other insects from depositing their eggs. We know of no material,
poisonous or otherwise, that will keep insects from doing so ; as the substances
which would deter insects, would, we fear, also hurt vegetation. You rightly
judge that red spider is deterred by sulphur ; but that is chiefly by the fumes
sent off by heat, as the red spider will be as merry as possible, will make its
webs, and deposit its eggs, amongst nodules of pure sulphur. If a strong heat
played on the sulphur, the insects would then be rendered uncomfortable ; but
even then we have found them seemingly enjoying themselves on it about three
feet from the glass. When a wall is plastered with sulphur, and a strong sun
plays on it, the fumes then given off are disagreeable to them.] — English Jour-
nal of Horticulture.
The Griffinia. — One species of this plant, G. hyacinthina, is an old and
well-known inhabitant of our greenhouses, albeit somewhat difhcult to flower,
and more apt to grow smaller than larger year by year.
The flowers are very beautiful, of a delicate blue and white, and delightfully
fragrant.
Another species, G.parvijlora, much resembles the last in habit and flower,
but is smaller. It probably is only a variety.
G. i7itermedia has pale lilac-blue flowers, and differs botanically from the two
last. G. Liboniana seems to be a garden variety, and has variegated leaves.
In addition to these, G. Bhwtenavia has lately been introduced from St.
Catharine, with flowers of a delicate rosy flesh-color very freely produced.
All these are natives of Brazil, and should be grown in pots in sandy loam,
with the usual culture of amaryllis. — Adapted from Revue Horticole.
Thunbergia Fragrans. — A lovely plant, quite distinct from the other
thunbergias, and invaluable as a pot-plant, or for covering pillars or trellis-work ;
being of free growth, with ample dark-green foliage of great substance. It con-
Editors Lctter-Box. 249
tinues flowering throughout the year ; but its principal period is during the winter
months, a time when white flowers are scarce. Even when grown in a warm
stove, it has never shown signs of red spider, to the attacks of which the family
are so subject.
The flower is pure white, with yellow eye ; and is a most desirable acquisi-
tion. — Floral Magazine.
PROTECTING SEEDLING STRAWBERRIES.
To those amateur growers of seedling strawberries, who, having planted seed
as soon as it is ripe, by the end of October, get only weak, unthrifty plants, it
may be said, that such weak vines can easily be made to live over winter, and
thus the loss of a year in experimenting may be avoided. It is only necessary
to put a frame over them in November, fill it with leaves at least four inches in
depth, lay on a piece of old carpet or a mat, and put the sash on over all. On
taking off the glass and leaves in April, the smallest plants, with only a rough
leaf or two, will be found fresh and healthy.
Plants which would be suffered to perish on account of their insignificant
size, by nine beginners out of ten, may thus be saved, and ultimately made to
fruit. J. M. M., Jun.
EDITORS' LETTER-BOX.
The Editors would extend a cordial greeting to all interested in the dissemina-
tion of horticultural knowledge, and invite practical contributions from such upon
general horticulture, or in the special departments of pomology, floriculture,
landscape-gardening, and architecture, the culture of the grape and small fruits,
and the raising and forcing of vegetables.
Every communication received is carefully read by those conversant with the
subject treated.
While, as to the time of the appearance of any accepted article, the Editors must
reserve the right of decision, their policy will be to publish communications as
soon as possible. Short articles coming directly to the point, telling just what
to do in a practical manner, are what they prefer to present. Of flowery, verbose
communications, in which ten lines are consumed in saying what could be well
said in one, we have a large supply ; and such, if used at all, must be pruned
and condensed by us into readable, instructive matter. Experiments, and the
results of experiments, are particularly valuable. Our pages are open to all :
they will not be used to further private ends, or as a means of advertisement ;
but it will ever be our object to show what is the best and how to do the best
thing in the best way.
VOL. I. 32
250 Editors Letter -Box.
G. H., South Weymouth, Mass. — Silver sand is the purest sand known, and
may be obtained at any glass-works. An article on the subject will soon appear
in our columns.
The reception which has attended the issue of the first three numbers of "The
American Journal of Horticulture " has been such as to insure its complete suc-
cess. Letters pour in upon us from every section of the country, congratulating
us on our success in making an American Magazine free from localism or
sectionalism. We are daily flattered by congi'atulations at the increasing excel-
lence of each number we issue ; although in this respect we can only say, that
we but fulfil tlie promise made by us in our prospectus, — that each number should
prove superior to the last. Of our intention to thus continue, we ask no fur-
ther proof than an inspection of the March number and that of the present
month.
We trust that our attempts to make our magazine a companion for the parlor,
the greenhouse, and the garden, thus far so successful, may be more than realized
in the future, until " The American Journal of Horticulture " shall become an in-
dispensable requisite for both amateurs and gardeners. So, with the balmy
breezes of spring, we again say welcome to our readers, as we lead them beneath
the budding spray onward towards the flowery fields and exuberant life of May,
and still onward to the roses of June and the luscious fruitage of summer.
R. B. Werden. — The question as to how much cold the rhododendron will
stand is somewhat too general. There are many species and varieties of rho-
dodendron, some of which will stand a Canadian winter ; others are strictly green-
house plants. Those indigenous to India, or their hybrids, are by far the finest,
but will not stand the winter in our country, and but few are perfectly hardy in
England. This class are usually known as Sikkim rhododendrons, from the
range of the Himalaya Mountains, where they are indigenous.
The varieties oi RJwdodcndro7i Ponticuni are not hardy in New England, but
stand the winter on the Hudson and in the Middle States.
R. Catawbiense and j/iaximum are hardy, and will stand about fifty degrees of
frost without injury. Many of the hybrids and seedlings from these species are
hardy, and some are very beautiful. In general, the plants suffer more from
the winter's sii?t than from the cold.
The best winter protection is to stick evergreen boughs around the plants
about the middle of November, removing them about the loth of April.
They do well in pots ; but the outside of the pot should not be exposed to the
heat of the sun. Like all plants of the family, the roots should be always damp,
but never very wet or dry.
The best soil is turfy-peat, leaf-mould, and sharp sand, in equal projDortions.
The bed should be so deep as never to dry in summer.
Everestiaman, Brayamim, Barclayanuin, Chancellor^ Roseian elegans, and
pictum, Delicatissimum, Album grandifiorinn, are fine hardy varieties. Write to
Waterer & Godfrey, Knap-hill Nursery, near Woking, Surrey, England, for
catalogues.
Editors Letter-Box. 251
We owe an apology to some of our readers who failed to receive the March
number as early as usual. The full number of copies was printed ; but, owing to
increased demands, our supply fell short, and we were at once obhged to put an
extra edition to press. This, however, will not occur again, as we have largely
increased our edition, and we trust to supply promptly every demand.
Japan Lilies. — The best soil is rich loam with leaf-mould and sharp sand :
they bear higher culture than most lilies. They do not degenerate, but increase
rapidly, with good culture. They are hardy, and require no winter protection, but
are benefited by a covering of manure in the fall, to be forked into the bed in the
spring. Grown in pots, they are very ornamental, and can be successfully forced.
E. I. F. — A correspondent in Painesville, O., informs us that he cultivates
the trailing arbutus {EpigcEa repens) successfully. As a spring flowering-plant
for earliness, beauty, and fragrance, it has no rival. Other early spring-flowers
of that region of Northern Ohio are Spring Beauty (Claytonia Virginica), Har-
binger of Spring {Erigenia bulbosa), Corydalis aurea, Moss Pink {Phlox
sttbulata).
At a meeting of the Warsaw Horticultural Society (Hancock County, 111.),
President A. C. Hammond exhibited six varieties of apples, on which he took a
premium as the best six varieties of winter apples, every thing considered. At
the request of Mr. Gregg, he numbered them from one to sLx, in the order they
come, in his judgment, as to profit, and time of ripening.
Profit. Ripening. Bears.
Ben Davis No. i 5 early, regular, abundant.
Wine Sap
Rawles Janet . . . .
Hubbardston Noneauch
Rome Beauty . . . .
Peck's Pleasant . . .
2 c '*
3 4 " alternate years.
41 " regular "
S 3 " well.
62" " abundant.
Mr. Hammond said there were no other winter apples that would class with
the above six varieties for general good qualities.
The society was much exercised upon the question of birds vcrsiis fruit ; and,
in spite of many eloquent pleas made for the birds, the general opinion seemed
to be, that some kinds of birds were especially destructive to the fruit crop, and
that their destruction was a necessity. While protection to all birds indis-
criminately is unwise legislation, those species which are really beneficial
should be encouraged, and protected by the most stringent laws. While wrens,
sparrows, linnets, and most small birds, are eminently useful, we imagine few
fruit-growers are enthusiastically favorable to robins and cat-birds.
We again call the attention of our readers to our offer to answer any questions
through our columns upon subjects connected with our province. Our facilities
for this are very large, as our editorial staiT comprises gentlemen fully conver-
sant with horticultural operations in all the various branches. Our wish is to
communicate information ; and for this we shall ever endeavor to offer every
facility.
252 Editors' Letter-Box.
Among the many catalogues received by the Editors, many of which are well
arranged, and show great variety of trees and plants, we have been particularly
pleased with the arrangement of that of Samuel Moulson of Rochester, N.Y.,
where just the stock on hand, the size of each kind, and the number for sale,
are each carefully stated, the prices varying according to age and size. This
feature is, we believe, peculiar to this catalogue ; but from the many advantages
it possesses, both as to the convenience of the buyer and seller, it cannot be
long before it is universally adopted.
Parlor Plant. — The flower sent is Azalea amcrna ; a very pretty and easily-
grown plant, especially suited for parlor-culture. The flower is purplish-red, in
what the Enghsh gardeners call " hose-in-hose " style ; that is, one flower inside
another. The foHage is small, glossy, and hairy. The plant blooms from Jan-
uary to March, and always flowers freely. It is easily propagated by cuttings
of the young shoots like any azalea. With a slight protection of evergreen
boughs, the plant is hardy enough to stand a New-England winter, and blooms in
the open air in the latter part of May.
A Subscriber. — We cannot undertake in our columns to recommend one
nurseryman or seedsman above another. Our advertising columns are open to
all ; but we insert advertisements from those only whom we believe to be per-
fectiy trustworthy. If, however, it is in our power to tell where some rare plant
or particularly fine specimens of any tree may be found, we will cheerfully do so.
Seeds of the double zinnias for which you inquire can be obtained of any seeds-
man (Bliss, Break, Vick, Thorburn. Washburn, &c.) ; or any florist will have
young plants for sale in May.
Advertisements of gardeners wanting places will be inserted in our advertising
columns free of charge.
While we wish to become a medium of communication between the gardener
and the employer, we cannot be at all responsible for any advertisements of this
nature.
In addition to the many letters which we received last month complimenting
us upon the March issue, we have received quite a number from friends offering
suggestions, for which the writers have our thanks. Many of the ideas are new
and good, and will be acted upon as early as practicable. We will say in this
connection, that, as our aim is to make " The American Journal of Horticulture "
of interest and value in every part of the country, such hints and suggestions will
always be thankfully received.
A Subscriber, Plymouth, Mass. — "The golden russets in this town are badly
affected, as you will see by the specimens sent. Can you inform me, through the
Journal, what is the cause of the disease ? — if insects, what are their names and
habits ? "
I have carefully examined the apples. One is sound, bearing no marks of
having been attacked, excepting on the surface, where it may have been nibbled
Notes on the March Number. 253
by ants. The others are filled with the traces of past borings by a dipterous
larva ; two specimens, dead and decayed, being found in situ. Enough is left of
them, however, to convince me of their identity with specimens received from
various parts of Eastern Massachusetts within the past two years. Never hav-
ing seen the insect in its imago stage, I cannot, of course, pronounce upon its
place, even generically. Dr. A. Fitch, of New York, describes, on page 252 of
his Second Report, an insect of similar habits, under the name oi Molobrus mali,
the apple-midge. The length of the fly is about .15 inch ; wings dull hyaline,
tinged with smoky color ; body and legs black ; abdomen ringed with yellow.
If you find any small flie^ in the barrels or upon the windows of the room in
which the fruit is kept, and will preserve them for me in a dry vial, I can per-
haps discover the author of the ravages.
Experiments will be necessary to discover the best means of prevention.
F. G. S., for Editors.
NOTES ON THE MARCH NUMBER.
Mr. Huxnewell's notes upon "The New Conifers " is a very valuable contri-
bution, for which every lover of evergreens will feel grateful. I imported several
of the species he names, in 1862 ; and my experience with two of them has
been somewhat different from his. These are Retitiospora ericoides and Cu-
pressus Lavjsoniana. He says of the first, " It changes its color somewhat in
winter." With me, both of these species have every winter changed their color
so completely, that it is difficult to believe they are not entirely dead : yet they
have invariably recovered, and grown well the following season ; so that I now
regard them as perfectly hardy. I have now about two dozen Cupressus Lawso-
niana, averaging five feet in height ; and I agree entirely with all that Mr. Hun-
newell says of their beauty.
Mr. Ridgely's remarks upon " The Culture of Grape-vines in Cities " reminds
me of a vine I used often to see in Philadelphia many years ago, which illus-
trates a mode in which the citizen may secure a crop of this delicious fruit even
under less favorable circumstances than Mr. Ridgely supposes. This vine grew
in a very small yard all paved with brick, and entirely hidden from sunlight ex-
cept for an hour or two in the morning. It had been trained up in tlie angle
between the house and the L, like a lightning-rod, a distance of sixty feet, with-
out a branch, and then covered an arbor built on top of the house, where, re-
mote from dust or thieves, it annually ripened a luxurious crop of fruit.
Finally, touching squirrels. I have quite a number of red squirrels about
my premises, and have always protected them so far as lay in my power, as their
graceful movements and apparent exuberance of life are always attractive. An
incident which occurred a year or two since, however, revealed to me an unex-
pected trait in their character, which tended to impair my confidence in the
innocence of their habits. I saw one run across a road and up an apple-tree
within a few rods of me, and the next moment was startled by the fearful cries
254 Vineyard Culture on the South Shore of Lake Erie.
and frantic evolutions of a robin in tlie same tree ; and, on running up, I saw Mr.
Squirrel coming down the tree with a half-fledged young robin in his mouth, the
old bird darting at and about him in an agony of distress. On seeing me, he
dropped his game, and made off; and on picking up the young bird, which seemed
to be uninjured, and replacing it in the nest, I found it was the only one left :
which fact, joined with the readiness with which he had made his way to the
nest, afforded strong circumstantial evidence that he had called upon the same
family before. It was found necessary, several years since, to banish the gray
squirrels from the squares of Philadelphia, on account of their destroying the
birds ; but I did not know till the above evidence was given me that the red
squirrel was chargeable with the same habit. H. W. S. C.
Dan VERS, Mass.
VINEYARD CULTURE ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE ERIE.
THE LAKE-SHORE GRAPE-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.
Much has been said within a few years past of the success of grape cultiva-
tion on Kelley's Island and a few points adjacent, owing to the favorable influ-
ence of the lake atmosphere on the climate ; but few people are aware of the
extent and rapid progress of vineyard-planting along nearly the entire range of
the South Shore of Lake Erie.
The grape district may be regarded as commencing at Dunkirk and Fredonia,
near the eastern end of the lake, and extending westward to Port Clinton, in-
cluding the peninsula and the islands off Sandusky Bay, — a belt of territory,
say, two hundred miles in length, and about five in width. In this district, grape-
planting has been going on for the past five or six years, at the rate of one
thousand to twelve hundred acres per year, till there are now found to be not less
than eight thousand acres planted. Of this, about one-half may be counted of
bearing age. The oldest vineyards are mostly on Kelley's Island ; but a few are
found at different points along the shore in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Much of this planting has been done by persons who had no previous knowl-
edge of grape-culture ; and many mistakes were made in the selection of soils
and localities, as well as in cultivation, so that some failures have occurred : still
the general results have been so satisfactory, that it is the general belief we have
seen but the beginning of grape-planting in this region, especially when we take
into account the benefits likely to result from the more general diffusion of in-
telligence, and the adoption of superior varieties of grapes like the Delaware
and the lona, which seem to be quite at home here, and are being planted ex-
tensively.
The Lake-shore Grape-growers' Association has been organized only two
years. It numbers over two hundred members, most of whom are directly en-
gaged in grape-growing ; and many, having been formerly engaged in professional
or mercantile life, have minds trained to the calculations affecting profit and loss,
Vineyard Culture on ike South Shore of Lake Erie. 255
and are willing to wait a few years for the reward of their labor. The meetings
and exhibitions of the association have been quite spirited and instructive.
They have also had very pleasant summer excursions among the islands, and
points of interest, inspecting vineyards and discussing summer-pruning, &c.
These have been participated in by many visitors of horticultural distinction,
who have expressed much gratification.
The annual meeting of the association was held at Cleveland, Feb. 21 and 22,
1S67; and, although the past season was quite unfavorable for the grape-crops,
the attendance was large, and the confidence expressed in the business was as
great as ever. It was determined to repeat the summer excursion, the coming
season, on a grander scale than before ; chartering a large steamboat, if possi-
ble, for the occasion, so as to accommodate the families or friends of the mem-
bers, two or three hundred in all, with hotel conveniences on board for four or
five days ; starting, perhaps, from Dunkirk or Erie, and stopping at Cleveland,
Sandusk)-, and any other points desirable ; then inspecting the grape-islands,
and having a grand picnic in the beautiful grove at Put-in-Bay ; and afterwards
taking a pleasure trip to Detroit, and back to Sandusky or Cleveland, as the
company may desire.
President. — Dr. J. W. Dunham, Collamer, O. Vice-President. — Capt. John
Brown, jun., Put-in-Bay. Secretary. — M. B. Bateham, Painesville, O. Treas-
urer. — Rev. R. H. Leonard, Cleveland.
Directors. — L. D. Griswold, Elyria ; S. B. Marshall, Cleveland ; J. E. Mot-
tier, North East, Penn. ; J.H.Tryon,\Villoughby; G. E. Ryckman, Brocton, N.Y.;
M. H. Lewis, Sandusky; Addison Kelley, Kelley's Island.
The ditching-machine recently patented by Moon & Doan of Wilmington, O.,
was exhibited by a working model in the hall, and excited much interest, and
a general expression in its favor. The patentees will soon be prepared to intro-
duce the machine in the Lake-shore region, where it is expected to prove of
much advantage to grape-planters.
Discussion was had on a variety of topics designated at a former meeting.
The first was, " Soils, and their Preparation for Vineyards." Quite a variety of
opinions was expressed on the question, Wliat kind of soil is tJie best for grapes ?
most of the speakers being influenced by their own individual experience. Some
were in favor of stiff clay, others clayey loam, and some gravelly and sandy loam,
and a few had done well on real sandy soil ; but the majority expressed a de-
cided preference for clayey or strong soils over sandy or light ones, though
gravelly and shaly soils, if not too sandy, were not objectionable. It had been
found that the Catawba grape, especially, produced finer fruit and ripened better
on clay than other soils.
Thorough drainage of clayey soils, and others too if not based on porous
subsoil, was deemed quite essential. Neglect of this had been the cause of
much loss to beginners the past season.
Enriching the soil has not been found advantageous to vineyards in this
region ; but Dr. Spalding of Missouri said it was practised in that State with
advantage after the vines have been in bearing for twelve or fifteen years, repeat-
256 Vineyard Culture on the South Sliore of Lake Erie.
ing the manuring every three or four years. Dr. Kirtland thinks -our clay soils
contain sufficient potash to keep up their fertlHty ; but sandy soils may require
an occasional dressing of ashes or plaster.
Trenching the soil by hand, as formerly practised, is not now deemed neces-
sary, but simply deep ploughing, followed with the subsoil plough, mellowing
the whole to the depth of eighteen or twenty inches.
Depth of planting wzs a point considerably discussed, as heavy losses of
young vines had occurred the previous winter, owing to shallow planting. Set-
ting the crown of the roots from six to eight inches below the surface was the
rule urged by the majority.
The style of plants preferred by most present was "No. i, single eye," as
grown by Messrs. Griffith, Dr. Grant, and others ; but these should have the
stem left on, of sufficient length for the upper bud to be even with the surface
of the ground when planted.
Pruning and training were discussed at much length, especially summer
pruning. This was advocated and explained lucidly by Dr. J. A. Warder ; but
some doubted the propriety of the practice, except in a very modified and
limited way.
Stakes and trellises had each their advocates ; but the preponderance of
opinion was in favor of the post-and-wire trellis as generally used on the islands,
consisting of three wires of " No. 9 " size, supported by strong posts about
twenty-four feet apart. Dr. Dunham, Mr. Griffith, and several others, thought
simple stakes cheaper and as good.
Quality of grape-must for wine was the subject of much interesting dis-
cussion, together with a report of tests of a variety of samples of grapes the
past fall by a committee appointed for the purpose. This will have to be the
text for a subsequent article in this Journal.
On the differe7it varieties of grapes very little was said directly, as the sub-
ject had been so fully discussed at the meeting in October and previously : but,
in connection with the report on nmst, it was claimed that grapes of the highest
excellence for the table will be found to have the highest grade of must by the
scale ; and for making good wine, as well as for eating, it was indispensable that
grapes should h^ fully ripe. The samples of Catawba grapes tested \v\\tn fully
ripe (in November) gave must ranging from ninety-three to ninety-nine degrees,
and Delawares (in October) about the same. In regard to the mtist of the lona,
Mr. Griffith and Dr. Grant stated that they had tested it repeatedly by the scale,
and found its weight (in October) from ninety-three to ninety-four. Some tes-
timony was given respecting the must of Concord and Ives grapes which was
not deemed very flattering to their reputation for wine-making.
The tariff on imported wines was considered, and a memorial to Congress
adopted, asking for an increase of duty, suggesting a uniform rate of one dollar
per gallon. M. B. Bateham.
Painesville, O.
CITY GARDExNS.
In a previous article, we have given some directions for the laying-out
and planting of city gardens: in the present number, we propose to continue
the subject.
Where the gardens face the south, there is great opportunity for display;
but, where there is only a northern exposure, there are few plants that will
thrive.
In many places, owing to constant dampness, and want of sun, it is
almost impossible to keep even grass alive; and the bare ground is not
ornamental. There are, however, some plants that will thrive in these
northern exposures, and which, though they produce few flowers, will
render the front-yard attractive.
First the common periwinkle, — often called, though erroneously, myrtle,
botanically Vmca ttiajor and minor, — in its many varieties of single and
double, blue and white, and with dark-green and variegated leaves. Of
all these, however, the common variety, with dark-green evergreen leaves
and blue flowers, is the best for our purpose; all the others being of rather
delicate growth, and the variegated kinds a little tender in New England.
VOL. I. 33 257
25 S City Gardens.
Any nurser3'man can furnish large clumps of this plant, which, being set
out two feet apart every way, will soon cover the ground, and always
present a carpet of green leaves, studded in spring with light-blue blossoms.
Dutch bulbs, such as crocus and tulips, will often make a rich spring
show; but, without sun, they soon dwindle, and have to be annually replanted.
Lily of the valley {Convallaria majalis) will cover the ground with pretty
foliage, and occasionally produce a few flowers. The clumps should be set
about a foot apart, and they will soon run together.
Many of the ferns will thrive in such an exposure. Of these we may
especially mention Dicksonia pumtilobula, a common but very delicate and
pretty fern. The root-stalks are slender and creeping; and, once planted,
it will soon cover the ground. It is easily obtained, being very common in
moist, shady places.
If not too moist, the common Polypodium vtdgare will thrive. As,
however, it does best on rocks, a mixture of stones in the soil would con-
duce to the success of the experiment. Some other ferns, natives of cold,
damp situations, might succeed; and the experiment is recommended to
those interested.
Of shrubs there are many that will live, but few that will bloom.
Some of the hardier species of rhododendrons, such as Catawbimse
hybrids, Dauricum atrovirens, hirsutiim, and ferrugincuni, would give a mass
of foliage and occasional blooms. The same may be said of the varieties
of mountain laurel {Kal/nia latifoUa) and of Andromeda floribunda. Box, in
its varieties, does well; and, farther south, Aciiba jtaponica, and Ski?nmia
yaponica and ob/afa, are very valuable, but not hardy with us in New
England. Themahonia (J/, aqiiifolia), or holly-leaved barberr}-, does well
if it can have a little sun, and is ornamental in foliage, flower, and fruit.
Evergreens (conifers) are not to be recommended for such a situation,
as they soon grow ragged.
The only climber which does well in a northern exposure is the common
woodbine, or Virginia creeper {Ampdopsis Virginkd). This plant will soon
cover a trellis; but, without sun, fails to so ripen its leaves as to exhibit the
gorgeous autumnal coloring.
If the yard is to be used for flowers, care must be taken in winter not
to make it a receptacle for superfluous snow, and to keep shrubs from
City Gardens.
259
HOUSE.
X
Outside measure, i6 by 20.
Inside measure, 12 by 18.
X. Trellis for vine.
being broken by avalanches from the houses : only the snow naturally
falling should be allowed to remain, or enough to protect the roots of the
plants.
We would also add, that occasionally a few annuals may be planted.
Tropaeolums often do well, and give abundance of bloom.
Where there is sun a portion
of the day, Dioscorca batatas, the
Chinese yam, and a fine morn-
ing-glory {Co7ivolviilus pandura-
tus), will succeed. These are
herbaceous climbers, with fleshy,
perennial roots ; perfectly hardy.
The flowers of the former, though
small, have a delicious cinnamon
fragrance ; and the latter gives
a profusion of white flowers in
July and August. Both are orna-
mental in foliage, and like a rich,
sandy loam.
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Grass Border.
STREET.
A. 12 Crocus, large yellow. L.
B. 12 Crocus, Queen Victoria (white). M.
C. 12 Crocus, David Rizzio (purple). N.
D. 12 Crocus, La Majesteuse (striped). O.
E. 12 Crocus, Scotch (white and purple). P.
F. 12 Crocus, Cloth-of-Gold (yellow). Q.
G. 12 Crocus, Queen Victoria (white). R.
H. 12 Crocus, Prince Albert (blue). S.
I. 12 Crocus, Caroline Chisholm (white). T.
J. 24 Snowdrops. U.
K. 2 Crown Imperials, silver and golden striped V.
on the outside, and red and yellow in W.
middle clumps.
6 Hyacinth, Norma (red).
12 Narcissus, pseudo-narcissus (daffodil).
Hyacinth, Grand Vainquer (white).
Hyacinth, Charles Dickens (blue).
Hyacinth, Elfrida (creamy-blush).
12 Large Jonquils.
6 Tulip, Canary Bird.
5 Tulip, Pottebakker (white).
Tulips, Due Van Thol (yellow, red, and rose).
Fritillaria meleagris (guinea-hen flower).
Hyacinth, Groot Voorst (double pink).
Hyacinth, Bouquet Tendre (double red).
The above arrangement is very effective for a southern front exposure
for early bloom. We will suppose the bed to be sixteen feet by twenty,
26o
City Gardens.
and a grass border (two feet wide) to run round the outside. This size
can easily be modified as the bed to be planted may be larger or smaller.
The plants represented by letters are bulbs; the figures denoting peren-
nial herbaceous plants. Both classes may be allowed to remain many
years without being disturbed.
All the plants flower during April and May.
This bed of bulbs will make a very gay appearance from April to the
middle of May.
As the flowers of the bulbs fade, there will be a time when the bed will
be rather bare unless a few herbaceous plants are interspersed.
These should be, generally, low growers, and such as will be out of
bloom before the bedding-plants and annuals come into flower, — which
will be by the middle of June.
This same garden may, about the middle of May, be planted with
annuals, &c., as directed in our last.
The following spring-blooming herbaceous plants are ver}' ornamental.
They should, generally, be planted about a foot every way from each
other : —
1. Hepatica triloba flore pleno rubra et coerulea 4. Trollius Europ:eus (globe-flower).
(double blue and red hepatica). 5. Phlox divaricata.
2. Sanguinaria Canadensis (bloodroot). 6. Caltha palustris flore pleno (double marsh-mari-
3. Trillium grandiflorum. gold).
The following arrangement is pretty for a narrow border under a south
window ; and, where the underpinning of the house is of stone, the snow-
di"ops will often be in bloom in February.
The border is represented three feet wide by eighteen feet long, — each
square representing one foot by two feet : —
HOUSE.
A
B
A
B
C
B
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A.
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Snowdrops. I.
Crocus, Scotch (striped). J.
Crocus, Cloth-of-Gold. K.
Crocus, Queen Victoria (white). L.
Crocus, David Rizzio (purple). M.
Hyacinth, Mad. Van de Hoop (whiteX N.
Hyacinth, Waterloo (red). O.
Hyacinth, Argus (blue).
Tulip, Due Van Thol.
Tulip, Canary Bird.
Tulip, Jagt Van Delft (white).
Iris Persica.
Jonquil, Single.
Erythronium Dens Canis (dog-tooth violet).
Scilla Siberica (blue).
City Gardens. 261
These arrangements are equally effective from the house and the street.
If only a general mass of color is wanted, after the bulbs have bloomed,
the beds may be sown with portulaca early in the spring. The plants
will begin to bloom in early summer, will soon cover the bed, and, until
November, give a brilliant carpet of rose, red, yellow, orange, scarlet, and
white, with an infinity of shades.
The roots do not strike deep enough to injure the bulbs; and, when the
plants are killed by frost, the bed will be ready for a top-dressing of
manure, to insure fine bloom upon the bulbs the next spring.
No further sowing of portulaca will be required, as it will come up
freely every year.
For climbers for the trellis against the window, we have few plants well
adapted.
The object must be to find a plant with fine foliage, which is also
ornamental in flower and fruit. The common Virginia creeper, or wood-
bine {Atupclopsis Virgi?iica), answers well our purpose, and is very showy
when autumn changes the foliage.
The Dutchman's pipe {Aristolochia sipho) has broad, light-green leaves,
and curious flowers, and, when once established, is a rampant grower.
The Chinese wistaria ( JK j///t7zj-/i-) is always pretty; and the drooping
spikes of papilionaceous flowers are very ornamental.
The trumpet-flower {Bignonia raJkans and grandiflora) is showy, and
climbs to a great height.
Canadian moonseed {Menispermum Canadense) is very pretty, and pro-
fuse in foliage. Where both male and female plants are obtained, the
berry is ornamental.
For low climbers, we cannot too highly recommend various species of
clematis, of which C. fiainmiila, tnontana, Virgmica, and azu?-ca grandiJJoi-a,
are the best. Should the new English varieties so recently obtained prove
hardy in our latitude, they will give a variety of color and habit very rarely
found in one family,
Roses and honeysuckles are too ragged, and last too short a time in
perfection, to find room where there is so little space as in a city garden.
The Japanese evergreen twining honeysuckle is, perhaps, an exception to
this remark.
262 TJie Pawpaw.
Ivy is generally not hardy in New England. Where it will stand the
winter, it is a beautiful climber.
In a future number, wp propose to treat of the improvement of the back-
yard.
Edward Sprague Rand, Jim.
Glen Ridge, 1866.
THE PAWPAW.
We propose a brief discussion of a subject which has never had full
justice, — characteristic American fruits. Think not to pass in review a
horticultural catalogue. The apple, alas ! grew in the Garden of Eden.
The peach betrays its origin in its specific designation, " Persica." The
Romans named for us the cherry and the plum. Our most luscious straw-
berry is the " Triumph of Ghent." A well-grown Antwerp raspberry fears no
comparisons. No grapery of ordinary pretension is without the Black Ham-
burg and the Muscat ; while of pears, alas ! foreign varieties are the finest.
But these, and the thousand others which they represent, however kindly
they grow on American soil, are in no proper sense American fruits. Their
names unmistakably declare their lineage. They have been gathered from
the East and the West, from the North and the South. Certain fruits there
are, however, which deserve the name "American," our right to which there
is none to dispute ; and, as is eminently fit, they are known only by native
American names. Pawpaws and persimmons make no suggestions of
Europe or Asia. Their quaint and homely designations are thoroughly
in keeping with their history. Indeed, the pawpaw hints in its redupli-
cated form at the paucity of words in a barbarous dialect.
Of this fruit, the pawpaw, we wish to speak. We do not remember to
have seen, in book, pamphlet, or newspaper, the mention of its name, ex-
cept in technical botanical treatises, where, as for instance in Gray's, it
receives but a very cursory and ungracious notice ; and yet we deliberately
set it down as the most delicious fruit that ever touched our palate. We
know very well, both in Latin and the vernacular, the motto about tastes ;
and we are willing to confess that we speak with the zeal of a neophjte,
TJie Pawpaw. 263
and that, to many, this fruit is exceedingly distasteful : but still there are
enough on every hand, in the region where the pawpaw perfects itself, to
sanction our own most extravagant estimates.
The pawpaw comes of a good lineage. It is the only North-American
representative of the A?to?iacece, the famous custard-apple family of the
tropics. How this solitary genus should have been so widely parted from
its allies, we leave the Darwinians to explain. We have heard the emi-
nent professor of botany in Harvard descant upon the luscious richness
of the tropical custard-apple ; and, when we found our own pawpaw worthy
of all his praise, we felt almost indignant over this curt description (Gray's
" Manual," page 17), — " yellowish, sweet, and edible in autumn :" but our in-
dignation was turned into compassion when we concluded, from the dimen-
sions of the fruit that accompany this description, that he knew no other
specimens than those which had struggled through a dying life in the
Cambridge Botanic Garden. It would be but little farther from justice to
characterize the orange from specimens ripened in the bay-window of a
New-England farm-house.
Follow the thirty-eighth parallel of latitude, from the Alleghanies to the
Mississippi, and you will traverse the home of the pawpaw. Within a
degree or two on each side, almost all its chosen haunts will be found.
There are outlying groves east of the mountains (a post-office in Michi-
gan rejoices in its euphonious name) ; but in the southern portions of
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, it
occurs in the greatest abundance and perfection.
The tree itself is very attractive. Its clean, well-kept bark, its wealth of
foliage, its soldierly bearing, all conspire to make it in itself a most desira-
ble addition to the horticulturist's resources. But, of the fruit, what worthy
account can be given ? At the last Ohio State Fair, a painting in oil, of a
bunch of pawpaws, was exhibited, admirable alike for fidelity and execu-
tion. With the aid of engravings drawn from such or more direct sources,
a description might have some chance of success ; but we must venture
without any such extraneous assistance.
From one to seven fruits in a cluster, each measuring four, five, six, or even
seven inches in length, and from two to three inches in diameter, and very
like to a banana in shape, depending (in their ripened state) from a leaf-
264 Flowers of May.
less branch, so small that its burden surprises you ; of the most delicate
imaginable shade of green, with a bloom as sensitive as that upon a white
grape or a plum ; as yellow within as the richest of cream, and softer than
the ripest of peaches ; with a fruity odor that leads you as true if not as
far as a blossoming orange-tree ; with a flavor, which, if it were not all its
own, you would liken to nectar, to ambrosia, to your highest ideal in the
realm of tastes, — this is the pawpaw. " I have eaten the lotus, and don't
want to go back," wrote a collega president who was transported from
Massachusetts to Southern Ohio. Like the cardinal-bird and the scarlet
tanager, which gleam and burn amid its branches, it reminds us of the
tropics. Indeed, in its own character, as well as in its botanical relations,
it is the most genuine representative of the fruits which a vertical sun can
ripen, that this corner of the world produces. As such, it will be sure,
with the increase of horticultural zeal and knowledge, to come to a wider
recognition and welcome. Had Thoreau wandered West instead of North,
and found an Ohio pawpaw-grove in some calm October day, our gardens
and our literature would certainly have been the I'icher.
Yellow Springs, O.
FLOWERS OF MAY.
(Concluded.)
As May advances, flowers succeed each other in such profusion, that to
describe them all would be an endless task. As brevity above all other
virtues is indispensable in magazine articles, nothing remains for us but to
choose a few of the most conspicuous from among the floral array, and, foi
the time, leave the rest in a neglect which very many of them are far from
deserving. But first we must observe, that, from the middle of May to the
middle of June, a judicious choice and arrangement of hardy perennials
alone will enliven the garden with colors as rich and as various as those
of the bedding-plants at the middle and end of summer. No color will
be wanting. For masses of blue, we have veronicas, lupines, dwarf iris,
and, a little later, Delphinium sinense in its varieties ; for yellow, trollius,
Doroniaim Caucasium, Achillea tomentosa, and Alyssum saxatile ; for red.
Flowers of ]\Iay. 265
the early dwarf phloxes, many species and varieties of lychnis, dicentra
for those who like it, and several early varieties of dianthus ; for white,
the iberis, and, above all, the cerastiums. Many other plants might be
named as suited for early massing. As soon as their bloom begins to fade,
they may be taken up, divided, and planted out of sight in a reserve-garden.
Annuals or bulbs, grown in pots, may then be turned out into their place ;
and thus, with no great trouble, a bed may be kept in constant bloom from
April to the end of October. The perennials planted in the reserve-garden
will be benefited by the removal ; and in the autumn they may be replanted
in their old place, in order to bloom again in the following spring.
Among the names mentioned above, we forgot to include an extremely
prett}^ native plant, akin to the cowslip and the primrose ; both of which,
by the way, are excellently adapted for spring-bedding. The plant we
mean is Dodecatheon Meadia, or the American cowslip, which grows wild in
the Middle and South-western States, and, when transplanted to the garden,
takes to its new position very kindly. The flowers, at first sight, resemble
those of the Persian cyclamen ; for the petals are thrown back in the same
manner, but the yellow anthers protrude from them in the form of a long
pointed cone, or beak ; and, as the flowers grow together in a cluster at the
top of the stem, they suggest the idea of a flock of birds on the wing.
The flower-stems are rarely more than a foot high, rising from a tuft of
smooth green leaves close to the ground. The petals are generally of a
bright purple, sometimes white ; and the flower is one of the prettiest and
most interesting of our natives.
The dodecatheon is perfectly hardy ; but, as the leaves always die imme-
diately after the flowering, those unacquainted with it often suppose that
the plant itself is dead. The root, however, remains in full life, and, after
lying dormant in the earth for about ten months, grows and blossoms vigor-
ously again in the next spring.
The best way to raise a bed of dodecatheons is from the seed. This
should be sown in boxes of light, peaty soil, immediately after it ripens.
It comes up the following spring, makes two small seed-leaves, and then
apparently dies. In the succeeding spring it shows life again, and makes
a vigorous tuft of leaves, though it rarely blossoms till the third spring. The
seedlings vary a good deal in size and color ; and the varieties sold under
VOL. I. 34
266 Flowers of May.
the high-sounding names of Dodecatheon elegans, Dodecatheon gigantea, and
so forth, are merely seedling varieties of our native species.
The dodecatheon is not so well fitted to produce a mass of color as many
other spring-flowers ; and, when it is used for this purpose, the plants should
be set not more than four or five inches apart. Its more appropriate posi-
tion is that of a simple border-flower.
The family of the lychnis supplies some of the brightest decorations of
the garden in spring and early summer. Lyclmis fulgcfts, and the new
hybrid from it called L. Haageana, will make, when planted closely in beds,
a mass of color as vivid as that of the scarlet geranium. In some locali-
ties, they have not proved perfectly hardy in New England ; but, where the
ground is light and well drained, they may be safely trusted. There is a
white species known as Lychnis Sieboldii ; and L. Haageana is said to be a
hybrid between this and L.fidgens. They are all raised very easily from the
seed, which, if planted early, produces blossoms the first year. L. Haageana
sports into a great number of varieties, differing greatly both in size and
color, and exhibiting every shade from the most vivid scarlet to light pink.
Another lychnis of the same type has lately been introduced from Japan.
It is called Lychnis Smno. As we have only tried it one season, we cannot
speak of it with confidence, but are disposed to think it less hardy, and
more liable to disease, than L. LLaageana. It is sometimes of a vivid red,
and sometimes very prettily striped with red and white. All the above-
mentioned species of lychnis bloom in large clusters when well grown, and
bear flowers from one to two inches in diameter. They also have the
virtue of remaining a long time in bloom.
Lychnis Viscaria is a native of Britain, of very little beauty in its single
state ; but there is a double variety, which may justly be called one of the
most splendid of perennials. It bears dense spikes of flowers of a deep
red, rising about eighteen inches from the ground, and, when the plants are
properly arranged, forming a mass of vivid color. Nothing is easier than
the cultivation of this species. It is perfectly hardy, and very readily mul-
tiplied by pulling the plant to pieces when the bloom is over, and planting
out the separated parts in a light border. By shading them for a few days,
they will not fail to grow, whether they had roots at the time of planting or
not. The foliag2 is .a tuft of bright-green leaves, somewhat like those of
the pink in form. This lychnis has lately been christened the " Ragged
Flowers of May.
267
Robin;" but the plant to which that name rightfully belongs is Lychnis flos-
cucttli, a species inferior in beauty.
Most of those familiar with New-England woods know the Cypripedium,
or lady's-slipper. Some varieties of it are perfectly manageable in the
garden. Among these, one of the prettiest, and certainly the easiest of
cultivation, is Cypripediimi parviflorum. Its color is bright yellow. It is
hardy, may be increased rapidly enough by dividing the roots, and grows
in a good garden loam, though it much prefers a soil of peat or well-rotted
leaves mixed with loam. It will be prudent to put a covering of leaves, or,
what is better, short pieces of boards, over it in winter. The most beauti-
ful of the genus Cypripcdium spedabile bears large white flowers tinged
with reddish purple. Its appropriate place is in a deep moist bed of peat,
and it is impatient of any other soil.
Two species of Cerastium have lately been introduced, which, for sup-
plying masses of w^hite early in the season, will scarcely find their equals.
268
Flowers of May.
CerastiuJK tomentosiim grows about six inches high, and, in the course of one
or two seasons, spreads into a broad circular bed or cushion, which, towards
the end of May, seems transformed into a patch of snow by its thousands
of white blossoms. It is hardy, easy of culture in common garden-soil,
and readily increased by dividing the roots. Ccrastium Biebersteini has
been more recently introduced, and is remarkable for the silvery tint of its
foliage. The flowers are said to be larger than those of C. tomejitosum,
equally numerous, and of the purest white. It has stood two winters here
without protection, and will no doubt blossom next month, when we shall
be able to report with more assurance of its quality.
AnemoTie narcissiflora, a native of the Alps, is pretty enough to de-
serve a place in every herbaceous garden. Paradoxical as it may appear,
many plants which are of an uncertain hardiness in our climate would bear
the winter better if it were more severe ; that is, if there were more snow.
Many herbaceous plants which bear the climate of Canada uninjured are
Flowers of May.
269
apt to perish in our less rigorous but more capricious winters. A deep
covering of snow, without a January thaw, is an excellent protection against
the frosts, the wind, and the sun, which, by their alternate action, often
prove so deadly. Alpine plants, as a rule, need this protection. Anetnone
narcissiflora,\iO^QSQ.x, usually escapes uninjured; though, in one or two
cases, we have known it to succumb.
The veronicas form a very numerous family, of which some of the mem-
bers are among the best of hardy flowering-plants. Among them all, there
is no one more to our liking than the dwarf species Veronica pulchella,
which, after a year or two of culture, will form a mass of bloom half-spheri-
cal in form, and of the deepest sky-blue color. Its utmost height does not
exceed eighteen inches. It is easily increased by seed or division, and we
never knew it to suffer in the hardest winter.
■r sy^
Verbascum Phxniceiim, Lupinus polyp/iyllus, Dianthus cruaittis, Ranunculus
aconitifolius, and countless other flowering perennials, make this season gay
with a brilliant and varied bloom. We must pass them all over in silence;
270
Flowers of May.
for our limits are already exceeded. We are tempted, nevertheless, to pause
a moment more, to notice a fine hardy plant introduced within a few
years. This is a variety of mule-pink, known in France as CEillet Hon,
from the name of its originator, and set down in English catalogues under
the barbarous name of Dianthus hybridus multiflorus. It blooms in large
clusters of brilliant rosy red ; and a large well-grown plant is a splendid
object in early June. It is increased by cuttings, or layers, and blossoms
on the growth formed in the preceding year. A cutting struck in spring,
and planted out, will make a large plant before the season is over, and
bloom superbly in the following spring, and for several successive seasons.
It is excellent, too, for forcing in the greenhouse. There is a striped
variety, and also a white one.
CERCIS CANADENSIS.
Here you have an outline, and nothing more, of what may be done to-
wards filling the dreary gap between the crocuses and hyacinths of spring
and the annuals and bedding-plants of July and August. May and June
Cestnim Attrantiacitm. 27 1
are the months when the appetite for floral beauty is apt to be most active.
If we should set forth in full the means by which it may be gratified, we
should be compelled to convert our article into a descriptive list, so numer-
ous, though so little known, are the plants available to this end. We
allude now to perennials.
A large number of flowering shrubs, better known to the general culti-
vator, should also be included, — tree paeonies, halesias, viburnums, cytisus,
hardy rhododendrons and azaleas, hawthorns, Wistarias, Philadelphus,
lilacs, and many more ; not forgetting the beautiful Ccrcis Canadensis, blush-
ing with its innumerable rosy blossoms. Francis Parkman.
Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Cestrum Aurantiacum. — This plant will flower most freely if it be
planted in a compost of turfy loam two-thirds, leaf-mould one-third, and
sharp sand one-sixth, either in a greenhouse border or in a pot. It may
be trained to a pillar, roof, or wall, its shoots being thinned so as to have
plenty of air and light ; and no creepers or other plants should shade it. If
thus treated, it will flower freely in autumn and winter. It is one of the sweet-
est and handsomest plants for the pillars of greenhouses or conservatories ;
but it will not flower without plenty of air and light, and its roots being
rather cramped or confined. Do not stop the shoots ; for it blooms from
their points : keep it well supplied with water ; and afford occasional appli-
cations of manure-water at intervals, especially if the root-room be small,
not only when it is growing, but flowering. After blooming, ke6p the plant
dry for a month or six weeks ; then prune it rather closely ; and, when the new
shoots appear, thin out the weakest ; top-dressing with rich soil if in a border,
or repotting if it is in a pot. Afterwards keep rather close and moist, also
shaded for a few days, until the roots are working in the fresh soil. Keep it
well supplied wath water, and encourage growth by frequent syringing ; then
lessen the supply of water, but not so as to cause the leaves to turn yellow,
and fall ; expose fully to air and light, and you will find the shoots thicken at
their points. When the shoots commence to show bloom, water freely, and
afford a supply of liquid manure once a week. — Cottage Gardena\
272 Siinimer-Pnming of the Grape.
SUMMER-PRUNING OF THE GRAPE.
At the winter-meeting of the Lake-shore Grape-growers' Association, at
Cleveland, O., there were present some of the most intelligent men of the
country who are engaged in this interesting branch of cultivation. The
discussions were directed to the practical questions which are constantly
arising in a new line of business ; and were of value to those present, as
will appear in the report of the society, soon to be published.
Among the topics discussed, one of the most important was that of
summer-pruning. Many of the members were loud in their denunciations
of the practice as it is often pursued in the vineyards, particularly where
these are managed by European vine-dressers. Some went so far as to
say that they preferred to let their vines go without any pruning at all,
rather than to have them subjected to such a terrible " summer slaughtering "
as was occasionally to be seen. They pleaded for the leaves, claiming that
they were necessary to elaborate the sap, to perfect the crop of fruit, and
to ripen the wood and the roots for the future healthiness of the plant.
After a full expression of similar views by these tender-hearted vine-
dressers, who adopted the motto, "Laissez faire" in regard to summer treat-
ment, a member, who has long had extensive opportunities for practice and
observation in the vineyard, stated that he should advise a middle course,
consisting of judicious and systematic, but perhaps some would think
severe summerpruning, as the best method of directing the sap into the
proper channels, and of increasing the production of large leaves, good
fruit, and of healthy, vigorous shoots, where they were needed for the re-
newal of the vine. These results he preferred to the extremes that had
been alluded to, — the sacrificing of the growth and foliage on the one hand,
such as had been styled " summer slaughtering ; " or, on the other extreme,
allowing an indiscriminate and profuse production of shoots and leaves,
that must interfere with the perfect development of the vine and the proper
ripening of the fruit.
He claimed, that, by a proper performance of the different operations
which make up the summer-pruning of the vine, in our attempts to furnish
Slimmer-Pruning of the Grape. 273
a renewal of wood suitable to produce the next crop, these several objects
should be kept clearly in view : —
First, That we should prune in such a way as to avoid that very common
evil, the over-production of fruit.
Second, That we should prune so as to provide for the largest development
of the foliage, and for a renewal of the leaves upon the fruit-bearing branches.
Third, That we should so direct the growth of the vine as to insure
the production of vigorous, healthy canes to bear the next year's crop.
And, lastly. That we might, under certain circumstances, find it necessary
to prune or to train in such a way as to check the growth by extension,
and endeavor to develop the buds on the lower part of the canes that are
to be appropriated to the production of the next crop. These topics were
considered seriatim.
The first operation of summer-pruning is, therefore, a process for thin-
ning the fruit as well as for diminishing the number of shoots : but it does
not follow that there will be any less wood produced ; on the contrary, it
will be found, at the end of the season, that there is more available and
useful wood upon a vine that has had this important operation well carried
out than upon one which had been so neglected that all its shoots had been
allowed to remain and contend with one another to their mutual injury.
This first process consists in what is called ntbbing-out. It should be
performed early in the season of growth, — very early, — so soon as the
young shoots have made their appearance, and have developed themselves
sufficiently to show their little bunches of embryo fruit : this will be when
the largest have grown five or six inches long. It is evident, that, if delayed
longer, there must be a greater loss to the vine.
The vine-dresser removes the weaker shoots by rubbing them off with
his thumb. When there are twins, he should take away the weaker. Where
the joints of the old wood are short, if the buds all break, the branches
will be too close : in this case, alternate shoots must be removed, or even
more than this, so as to leave the fruit-branches not nearer than six inches;
in many vines, ten inches would be still better. If this work be well done,
the after-labors of summer-pruning will be ver}' much lightened.
This process of rubbing-out is very useful for correcting the evils of in-
sufficient winter-pruning ; as the surplus buds may be removed, and the
VOL. I. 35
274 Sunimcr-P niniug of the Grape.
amount of growth reduced to what the phrnt is capable of sustaining to
advantage. A vine which may have been wholly neglected in the winter
can still be thoroughly pruned for all the practical purposes of pruning by
thus removing the surplus shoots, rubbing them out as they appear.
Some vine-dressers depend upon this plan of reducing their crop, instead
of severe winter-pruning, which is the more direct method usually adopted.
Sometimes, indeed, it may be advisable to trim the canes long, when there
is apprehension that a portion of the buds have been winter-killed . Now,
if they still break regularly, the excess can thus be reduced to the proper
standard. In some vineyards the whole summer-pruning is done at once
by the systematic and severe removal of a large portion of the shoots by
rubbing them out, so as to thin the crop, which is afterward left to take
care of itself.
Certain insects are busily at work at the time of this rubbing-out, doing
a similar work by eating a portion of the buds ; but we cannot depend upon
their judgment in the matter, and should kill the beautiful Haltica chalybea
while we are disbudding our vines.
The second division of the subject, or pruning to efiFect the greatest de-
velopment of the foliage, and to produce new leaves during the season
upon the fruit-bearing branches, is accomplished by systematic, judicious,
and early pinching-in of the ends of the shoots. This operation should be
done as soon as it is seen which are the best and strongest, and before
the blossoming of the vine ; so soon, indeed, as the bunches can be seen :
it is often practised at the same time as the rubbing-out, at least on the
strongest shoots. This pinching is a very simple matter : it is done with the
thumb-nail and the fore-finger. The point only should be removed. Some-
times one leaf, sometimes two, or even three, are left beyond the outer clus-
ter of grape-buds ; but, to produce the best effect, the former point is advised.
It has been observed that an early and close pinching is always followed
by a remarkable development of the thrift and size of the foliage. The
leaves attain double the size of those on an unpinched shoot, and the
aggregate of the evaporating surface presented by them will be greater
than that of all the leaves that would have been produced by the shoot if
left alone. But this is not all : at the base or axil of each of these en-
larged leaves the new buds will become very prominent, and will soon
burst, and produce laterals. These are again pinched at one or two leaves,
Sitinmer-Pnuivig of the Grape. 275
and with the same effect, — that of enlarging the foliage. We thus have a
new crop of these valuable evaporating organs, or lungs as they have been
fancifully called, and at a season when it may be very desirable to the
health of the plant that a supply of fresh foliage should be on hand ; for
the older leaves are often injured by storms, by insects, or by accident, and
their renewal in this manner will be very opportune.
This treatment is very different from the practice of many of the Euro-
pean vine-dressers, who attempt to manage the free American vine by sub-
jecting it to extremely harsh measures. They break off the ends of the
shoots at the last bunch after they have made a considerable growth, and
thus sacrifice a portion of the energy of the vine. They often defer this
trimming until after the blossoming season, because of a prejudice that
prevents any work being done among the vines during that delightfully
fragrant period when it is a joy to be in the vineyard, almost equal to
that experienced at the time of the vintage. Not satisfied with this sacrifice
of growth, these tardy but now energetic pruriers tear out all the laterals
that may appear; and thus, when provident arrangements have been made
for renewing the foliage, they deprive the vine and its fruit of these valua-
ble resources ; and it is no wonder, that, with all their efforts to expose their
fruit to the burning rays of the sun, they often miserably fail in the desired
result of well-ripened fruit.
This pinching cannot all be done at once. As already observed, its best
effects can only be obtained by commencing very early, when only a por-
tion of the shoots will be sufficiently developed : these should be pinched.
The backward shoots will rapidly advance, and in a few days these must be
subjected to the same treatment ; and very soon the laterals on the first
will require pinching. In the course of the summer, other laterals will
form, which will need shortening for the same purpose of developing the
foliage ; but, toward the close of the season, they may be let alone.
Thus it will be seen that the vine-pincher has no sinecure office, but that
his attentions will be pretty constantly required during the season of growth.
Cleves, o. yoJm A. Warder.
(To be continued.)
2/6 RasfbcrriiS for tJic NortJi-ivcst.
RASPBERRIES FOR THE NORTH-WEST.
Ix the more favored regions, there are various candidates for public favor
amongst the raspberry family ; and lately some have been added to the list
that are deemed quite an acquisition. But with the severe climate of the
North-west, taking it as far north as extreme Northern Illinois, it is doubt-
ful whether they will ever be cultivated to any extent. For this reason, the
first requisite is hardiness : and, in this respect, the Philadelphia raspberry
and Lawton blackberr}-, although standard varieties East, are lacking in
hardiness, and consequently not valued. Perhaps it is not well to pass
judgment on the Philadelphia, as it has not been very thoroughly tested
yet ; but the Lawton, with most in this locality, is considered nothing more
or less than a weed, the roots hard to kill out, but the tops too tender to
bear without winter protection, and too stiff and strong to be bent down
for winter covering.
The American black-cap raspberry grows wild here, is perfectly hardy,
and bears well. Any one who will take the trouble to transplant it from
the woods, mulch with coarse manure, and cut back the canes to about two
feet in height, need have no lack of a really good raspberry- for home use
or market. The better way to trim is to pinch back the growing canes
when they are about two feet high, allowing only from four to six canes to
grow to a hill. This will cause side-branches to be thrown out, which
should be cut back in the winter or spring to one foot in length. The
novice will be apt to be anxious for all the fruit possible, and will allow the
canes to grow full length. These will blossom quite full, set well with
fruit, and the proprietor will count on a full harvest until about the time
he goes to gather his crop, when he will find, instead of juicy berries, noth-
ing but the dried seeds, dead on the bushes just before ripening. If the
pinching back of the canes is neglected during the growing season, do not
fail to cut back in the winter or spring to two feet or thirty inches in
height.
Doolittles improved black-cap is much the same as the wild black -cap, and
of larger size ; and, in most cases, it will be found cheaper to buy it than to
transplant the wild plants from the woods. As the canes bend over and
The Lawn. 277
take root at the end, they are easily propagated, and can be bought at
reasonable rates.
Another variety is the golden-cap, similar in its habits to the black-cap ;
but the canes are of a yellowish color, as are the berries. To the taste of
some, they are better than the black-cap ; but the majority prefer the latter.
Last year being a wet season, about the time of ripening they were so
much like the black-cap, that, if a handful were eaten without being seen,
they could not be told from the black-cap. For a market berry they are
considered most profitable, being very abundant bearers, and bearing han-
dling well. One point decidedly in their favor is the fact that the birds will
not touch them, probably owing to their color ; for, whilst the black-caps
growing beside them are stripped from the bushes, they are left unharmed.
Perhaps the birds are waiting until they show they are ripe by their dark
color.
The purple-cane, a red or purplish raspberry, is excellent for family use,
or for market where. they need not be shipped long distances, as they will
not bear handling so well as the cap varieties. They are propagated, by
some, by division of the roots, and said not to root at the tips. This is a
mistake, however, as the tips do root.
Although the raspberry will not bring so many dollars per acre as the
strawberry, it is less expense, less trouble, and a surer crop.
C. C. Miller.
Marengo, III.
THE LAWN.
In the excellent article on " The Lawn," by Charles L. Flint, Esq., which
appeared in your last number, it is recommended to sow some grain with the
grass-seed, to protect it fronj the sun during dry weather, the first season.
According to my observation and experience, this is too much like setting
a lion to protect a lamb. The grain, being the stronger grower, robs the
grass, and works positive injury to the young lawn.
If the grass is sown at the earliest moment the condition of the ground
will admit, — that is, when it is dry enough to be finely pulverized with har-
row and roller, — it will have made sufficient growth, before the dry season
2/8 New Plants.
comes, to endure any ordinary drought : indeed, a good lawn may be had
in the month of June. As to the kind of grass, I find that pure clean red-
top is good enough. White clover added, in about the proportion of one
bushel to four, makes a good mixture, of which four bushels to the acre is
not too much. P. Barry.
Rochester, April, 1867.
Musschia Wollastoni. — A Campanulaceous plant, introduced to Kew ten
or twelve years ago, from Madeira. It forms a large-leaved undershrub,
from two to six feet high, with oblong lanceolate leaves from one to two feet
in length, often purplish in color ; and has erect panicles, two feet in length,
of large yellowish-green flowers. It requires a cool greenhouse. — V Illus-
tration Horticole.
Dipladenia amabilis. — A gorgeous stove-climber, raised by Mr. Henry
Tuke, gardener to R. NichoUs, Esq., of Bramley near Leeds, and the
result of a cross between D. crassinoda and D. splendens. The plant
partakes somewhat of the habit of D. crassinoda; but it is of stronger
growth, with larger foliage. The blossoms open of a pale-bluish pink,
and gradually change to rose, until they finally attain to a richer and
deeper hue than that of D. crassinoda. The lobes of the corolla are more
rounded in form than in that plant ; and the flowers are not only of larger
size, but of a very showy character : they are, moreover, very freely
produced. — Floral Magazine.
Ivy-leaved Pelargonium Silver Gem. — The leaves of this variety are
bright green, heavily edged with white, and, while young, are prettily zoned
with pink. The flowers are larger than in the common form, and of a
lilac-rose, blotched in the upper petals with purplish-crimson. Its chief
recommendation, however, is its foliage, which renders it peculiarly well
adapted for the edgings of beds and for baskets. — Ibid.
Camellia Mrs. Domhrain. — Flowers large, with very small petals, closely
and regularly imbricated, of a delicate rose-color, becoming paler towards
the edges, and finely veined with a somewhat deeper rose. The leaves
are divided by the midrib in two unequal parts. — LPllustration Hortieole.
A Sjnall Cheap Pi'opagating-House.
279
A SMALL CHEAP PROPAGATING-HOUSE.
• A PROPAGATING-HOUSE, or pit, is One of the chief necessities of a country
phice. By its aid the garden can always be well supplied with bedding-
plants in the summer, and the parlor may be made gay with flowers during
the inclement winter months. It is also valuable as a place for preserving
bulbs and tubers during the winter, and the ease and small expense of heat-
ing it render it attainable to all. The following plans show a cheap and
pretty design which any carpenter and mason can construct : —
The propagating-bed is of brick, single width, and nine courses high ;
size, three feet by ten. Common slate is laid on the top, supported by brick,
laid up for the purpose from the top of the flue. A space of half an inch
may be left between the slates. On the side, a few openings should be left
for ventilation, so arranged as to be closed at pleasure.
Make a frame the size of the top of the bed, of plank, ten inches wide
by one and a quarter thick : set this on the top of the bed, and run an iron
through the centre to prevent the sides from spreading. In tlfis frame, and
on top of the slates, place three inches of pebbles about the size of hickor)--
nuts ; then one inch of fine gravel ; then, filling the bed with fine sand, it is
ready for use.
280
New Plants.
Charcoal may be substituted for pebbles. The house should front south
or south-east. The front glazing should be lower than the back, and may be
within eighteen inches of the ground. An evaporator or large pan of zinc
or boiler-iron should be placed upon the flue to render the air moist. Hang- ♦
8
«i
8-
1^
W ^' ^
#
^or^- "^'^J? \S^
®
r^^^
1. Door to shed.
2. Ash-pit and funiace-door.
3- Fumace.
4. Door to house.
5. Water-tank.
6. Propagating-bed.
7. Walks.
8. Staging for plants.
9. Open ground for planting out.
10. Border for climbers.
ing-shelves may be introduced if needed : they are veiy convenient for
bringing your plants near the glass.
A. C. If.
Detroit, Mich.
Orchis maculata superba. — A fine variety of the well-known spider orchis
found in Ayrshire, and which this year received a first-class certificate from
the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Societ}' when exhibited
by Messrs. Osborn of the Fulham Nurseries. — L ' Illustratmi Horticole.
jfacaranda digitaliflora albiflora. — A variety sent to M. Verschaffelt from
Rio de Janeiro, and having white flowers with a yellow throat. — Ihid.
lona and Delaware. 281
lONA AND DELAAVARE.
These varieties of our native grape may be compared and classed with
those grapes of Europe, such as the Pinot, sometimes called the Burgundy
grape, and of which their most excellent Burgundy wines are made ; the
Riessling, or Klanier, known also under many other local names, of which
the fine German wines of the Hock class are made ; including Steinburg
and Johannisberg, the most precious and costly wines of Europe. That the
lona and Delaware do compare favorably with those named, no one who
has tasted the wine made from them, side by side with the best brands of
the celebrated wines named, can doubt. The Delaware loses nothing in
comparison, while the lona gains ; for it undoubtedly has qualities superior
to all, which are brought out and clearly proved to the mind of the most
inexperienced wine-taster by this comparison.
It is difficult for one of us to believe, that, while yet grape-culture is in
its infancy, we have already a grape fully equal, and in some respects
superior, to the best known in the Old World, — the must of lona made
from grapes fairly ripe weighing 120 ; while that from fruit more perfectly
rijDened, slightly shrivelled, but yet taken directly from the vine to the
press, weighed 140. Compare this must with that made from the most
thoroughly ripened fruit of Catawba, Clinton, or Concord, and remember
the lona has no excess of acid, and also remembering the exquisite flavor
of the grape, and who can doubt its making a wine equal to the best
in the world ? I have a bunch of lona grapes now before me : it was put
away last fall for the purpose of saving the seeds in best condition for
planting this coming spring. Looking it up to-day, I found it as perfect
a cluster of raisins as I have ever seen. It has been, since taken
from the vine, in a cold, dark, damp room in which there has been no fire.
I did not think it possible for any grape to dry into a raisin under such cir-
cumstances. A bunch each of several varieties was with it ; but all had
decayed, except the lona.
Concord and Clinton may be classed with that European family of
grapes known as Gamai. This class of grapes is distinguished for its early
and abundant productiveness, but of great inferiority of quality ; so that its
VOL. I. 36
282 lona and Delaware.
produce is unfit for commerce. It is sold ver}' cheaply, and is emphat-
ically a poor man's wine. It is produced mostly by those who rent their
land for a term of years. Its early produce and wonderful productiveness,
often yielding two thousand gallons to the acre, make it more desirable to
them than the better kinds, which do not come into bearing before the sev-
enth year ; and then the produce is small, comparatively, — never more than
two or three hundred gallons per acre. There is no such reason for mak-
ing the planting of poor grapes desirable here in America. Any one able
to plant a vineyard at all can be the owner of the land : besides, there is no
such disparity between the early and abundant productiveness of our best
kinds and those far inferior. With the care and attention given to the
vineyards in other countries, we can get early, abundant, and regular crops
from such varieties as lona and Delaware ; and in locations where it is not
subject to disease, and the season is long enough to ripen its fruit, the
Catawba.
A well-ripened Catawba is indeed a good grape ; yet in my own location
on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, where it always ripens, and only
once in fifteen years has the crop been injured by rot or mildew or any
other disease, even now many are planting Concord, because, though of
poor quality, its produce is abundant, and it is believed to require less care
in its cultivation.
Though, with good cultivation and management, the Catawba produces
as large a crop as could be desired, and is even more certain than is a
good crop of corn, yet it is thrown aside by many that they may plant
varieties infinitely inferior, simply because they require, or are supposed to
require, less care. It seems to be a constant study with some how they
are to grow grapes with the least work and attention ; caring nothing for
quality, so that the vines produce grapes.
It is well known that those who own vineyards in France and Germany,
whose wines have a world-wide reputation, make it the business of their
lives to produce the best in quality, knowing well that the extra price will
repay them tenfold for any loss in quantity. And thus must our vine-growers
do before they meet with great success.
The introduction of the Catawba grape gave to grape-culture in America
the first glimpse of success. Mr. Longworth proved that it would make a
Lilipntian Enemies. 283
real wine. This excited the masses among vine-growers that something
yet better might be produced. Many varieties have been produced since
then. The Iviana was the first that excelled the Catawba in quality, and
earliness of ripening its fruit ; and it is surprising that this grape, which has
so many good qualities both for table and for wine, has not been more
extensively planted. C. jf. May.
Warsaw, Hancock Countv, III.
( To be continued.)
LILIPUTIAN ENEMIES.
Some of the most astonishing phenomena of Nature are the results of
an aggregation of minute forces. So insignificant are these when examined
singly, that it is scarcely credible, that, when indefinitely multiplied, they
could become a beneficence or a terror. A single snow-flake floating in
the air might be taken as an emblem of fragility and evanescence ; yet
myriads of them unite to stay the rush of a rolling engine as abruptly as a
granite hill, and to build up a towering berg which crushes an oak-ribbed
ship like an egg-shell. An atom of oxygen is scarcely appreciated in the
chemist's nice scales \ yet the immense numbers that mingle in the atmos-
phere give life to all breathing creatures, and feed the conflagration of cities.
Should the farmer, when viewing some of his treasures through a powerful
lens, discover an infinitesimally minute round body, so small as even un-
der that magnifying influence to be scarcely apparent, he would hardly
credit the fact, that in that little pellucid ball, so small that his unassisted
eye would utterly fail to perceive it, lay the cause of his crop's failure and
his own ruin. Yet such is the origin of the many pests which infest the
farms and gardens of the world.
The various species of fungi which are grouped together under the gen-
eral names of rust, smut, bunt, and mildew, belong to the lowest and sim-
plest of all. Rust is the familiar term given to the yellow, brown, or reddish
powdery masses which are found on the leaves or stems of a great variety of
plants. Although mere coatings of adherent dust in appearance, they ex-
hibit, under the microscope, a regular structure ; and many of them are
beautiful objects to behold. The genus Uredo infests the leaves of hosts
2?4 Liliputian Enemies.
of plants, but is less destructive than some of its congeners. The old
genus included the black-spored species, which have since been separated
under distinct names. As now limited, Uredo includes the yellow-spored
forms, more or less circumscribed in spots or blotches. On the under side
of the leaves, generally, of many plants, may be seen these yellow spots,
sometimes scattered irregularly, and sometimes confluent over the whole
leaf. They germinate within its tissues, the fungus being then merely
branching threads, termed mycelium, which, at a certain stage of growth,
give off from their ends little globules, which are individual cells, that
fall away at maturity, and constitute the reproductive germs. They burst
through the epidermis, and appear on the surface ; and, as the threads
of the mycelium continue to give off these terminal cells, they soon cover
the leaf with a dense mass which looks like dust. Under a high power
of the microscope, they appear as little pellucid globules- Their germi-
nation consists in a protrusion of their inner membrane from different
points of the surface, which grows into similar branching threads to those
which first gave them birth. This is the whole plant, a branching thread,
and a terminal cell for a germ. If any one will hunt among the leaves of
the low wild blackberry, he will find the under surface covered with a splen-
did orange-colored felt. This is the mass of spores of Uredo nitens. The
winter-green {Fyrola rotundifolia) is infested with another species, Uredo
PyrolcB, which appears in round spots. Another species is found on
grasses and corn : in fact, these yellow rusts occur on a vast number of
plants of all families.
Nearly identical with Uredo is the genus ^cidiii/n, differing in having
a surrounding membrane, distinct from the epidermis of the plant it infests,
which breaks at the apex, and shows itself in a little lacerated margin which
radiates irregularly around the mass of spores in the centre. It occurs on
a great variety of plants. The common barberry will furnish specimens
every summer. The leaves are spotted with a blistery pustule ; which
will be found, on close examination, to be dotted with little yellow
points made up of a mass of yellow spores, contained in a membranous
pocket, irregularly jagged at the edges. This is yEeidium Berberidis.
Gooseberries are attacked by A. Grossularice. An allied genus, Roestclia,
is found on pomaceous plants. We have seen a young quince completely
Lilipiitimt Enemies. 285
covered with R. lacerata, its surrounding membrane prolonged into deli-
cate lacerate teeth, which studded the whole fruit with soft white points,
while the felty skin was timed orange gold with its constantly dropping
spores. Another closely-related genus is Cystopus, which has white spores.
It appears in oblong or linear white blotches on the leaves, and attacks
cruciferous plants ; among them, cabbages. The Polygona are some-
times almost covered with C. candidus.
But the above-mentioned genera, though close allies, are far less injuri-
ous than the black-spored forms. These latter have been, for centuries, the
pests of farmers. They are similar to Uredo in their general mode of
growth \ but their ravages are more extensive and fatal. The bunt of wheat
( Tilletia caries) takes possession of the whole grain, turning it into a mass
of black dust. It does not, like Uredo, simply grow beneath the epidermis
in a superficial manner : it permeates the whole substance of the grain, pro-
ducing its powdery spores with immense rapidity and profusion. Ustilago
Segetiim, the smut of all the cereals, infests the stems, leaves, rachis, and
grain. It grows within the tissues of the plant ; its spores finally bursting
forth in such vast quantities as to cover it with their jet-black powder,
which is simply an immense mass of black globules. The rapidity of
growth which will allow of the production from the apices of minute fila-
ments of this dense volume of cells is certainly amazing. The number
of them contained in an ear of smutty corn is simply inconceivable. They
utterly vitiate the plant they infest, turning it into a dust, which, when
moistened, becomes a disgusting inky mass. U. Mayidis, a kindred
species, infests Indian corn.
Another genus, containing some of the most beautiful objects under the
microscope, but ugly enough in the farmer's eye, is Puccinea. Many of its
species attack plants of all orders, appearing in little dark, rounded spots
on their leaves. But tlie dreaded species is the wheat-mildew, Pucc'mea
graminis. This infests all cereals, attacking their culms and leaves. The
spores of this genus are larger than those of the other genera : they can
be almost individualized by the naked eye. They are borne on slender,
diaphanous, elongated cells, and are variously ornamented by surface
corrugations. They burst, like the others, from beneath the epidermis of
286 Liliputiau Enemies.
the plants, in close masses, which become confluent lines in the grasses.
The spores are double on the ends of the filaments, one above the other,
looking like a single, oval spore, somewhat pointed at the top, which, by
constriction and septation, had become resolved into two.
All of these fungi we have enumerated are of the simplest structure.
Though the individual plants are so infinitesimally small, they reproduce
with such wonderful rapidity, and in such amazing profusion, as to destroy
whole crops by their ravages. Their mycelium penetrates the soft tissues
of their prey, and, on reaching the surface, breaks forth in an eruption which
allows of no cure. A piece of glass, on which lie spread thousands of their
spores, would exhibit to the eye a faint mist ; and yet this mist will in-
crease into a black cloud which envelops and destroys a field of nodding
grain.
Experiments of all sorts have been resorted to to prevent the attack of
these omnipresent parasites. But their occurrence is mainly due to atmos-
pheric influences. Their spores are everywhere, and can be called into
germination by circumstances favorable to their growth, either moisture or
drought. All fungi are more or less meteoric in occurrence. Season upon
season may pass without a sign of them ; and then, owing to favorable in-
fluence, often beyond our recognition, they spring broadcast into life and
luxuriance. Dr. Berkeley says, " The surest remedy is to steep the seed-
grain in some solution which at once washes off a portion of the spores, and
poisons the rest. Many remedies have been proposed ; as simple water,
salt, lime, sulphate of copper, corrosive sublimate, arsenic. The best, per-
haps, is sulphate of copper in solution (Glauber's salts), dried off with quick-
lime." These various parasites affect different localities with varying in-
tensity. They are more or less common all over the world, and ravage
the crops of England and Europe sometimes to a disastrous extent. The
dry air of New England is not favorable to their propagation to an alarm-
ing degree. Chas. J. Sprague.
Boston, March, 1867.
Hepatica Angnlosa.
187
HEPATICA ANGULOSA.
Hepatica angulosa is supposed to be a native of Hungary. It was intro-
duced to cultivation in England by Messrs. Backhouse & Son of York, and
is thus described in the Royal Horticultural Society's proceedings : —
" The leaves and flowers are about twice the size of the common Hepatica
triloba ; the former three inches broad, three-lobed ; the lobes commonly
288 New Plants.
crenated, and again obscurely lobed ; the latter numerous, each upwards
of an inch and a half across, consisting of nine or ten (the numbers seven
and eight being also found) oblong sepals of a pale blue-lilac color, pret-
tily relieved by the central tufts of yellow styles. One of the finest hardy
plants of recent introduction, and of a sturdy, vigorous habit."
Rose Mrs. Ward. — A hybrid perpetual obtained by Mr. Ward of Ipswich,
the raiser of John Hopper, from Jules Margottin crossed with Comtesse de
Chabrillant, and described as partaking of the qualities of both parents.
" The outer petals have that brilliant rosy-pink color which the Countess
possesses; while the centre of the flower has the color of Jules Margottin:
the petals are of great substance, thicker almost than those of any rose
with which we are acquainted. In shape, also, it is midway between the
two; and we believe no better model for a rose exists. The wood is stout
and thorny, the foliage large and ample; and the plant has the merit of
being a good autumnal bloomer." — Florist.
Rhododendron Archiduc Etienne. — A hardy hybrid variety raised by M.
A. Verschaffelt. The trusses, as well as the individual flowers, are large;
the latter are white, densely covered in the upper petals with a multitude
of small, dark, chestnut-brown spots, which at a little distance appear as
if forming one large blotch ; intersected lengthwise through the middle by
a white vein. The spots do not extend so far as the margin of the petals ;
and, as they approach it, they are set farther apart : they also exist at the
base of the lower petals. — L 'Illustration Horticole.
Urceoima pefidula. — Described many years ago by Dean Herbert, and
figured in " The Botanical Magazine " for 1864. The plant from which the
plate is taken was found by Messrs. Veitch's collector, Mr. Pearce, in the
woods of the Andes of Peru. It bears large umbels of drooping golden-
yellow flowers, likened in shape to an inverted pitcher, and having the limb
green, edged with white. — Ibid.
Orchard-Sites in the North- West. 289
ORCHARD-SITES IN THE NORTH-WEST.
The belief that fruit cannot be raised on the prairie regions of the
West is, happily, fast disappearing. Looking from the window at which
I write, over an orchard of forty acres already in profitable bearing, located
in the extreme northern part of Illinois, it is no difficult thing to say, that
fruit-growing may be set down as a success in this region.
The many orchards that can be seen as one passes over the country, in
which three-fourths of the trees are already dead, and the majority of the
remainder in a dying condition, have done much to deter later settlers
from planting as largely as they otherwise would ; but each year gives
greater evidence, in the success of other orchards, that these failures were
the result of the ignorance and mistakes of the planters.
A few hints are here given with regard to orchard-sites, in the hope that
they may be found useful. Scattered over our prairies are groves of tim-
ber of greater or less extent. These groves are generally found to be on
higher ground than the surrounding prairie, and on that account are, to
some extent, exempt from the frosts that are so destructive on the lower
grounds. The soil, also, differs from the surrounding prairie; being much
poorer in quality as a usual thing. The original growth of timber, when
cleared away, leaves a mass of decaying roots in the ground, which serve
for years as a natural under-drain. These reasons make these timbered
spots eminently desirable for orchard-sites. Other things being equal, the
higher the ground, the better. In an orchard planted by E. H. Skinner,
one of the pioneer fruit-growers of Northern Illinois, which is two hundred
feet above the level of the prairie, corn was not killed last fall until three
or four weeks after it was killed on the prairie; and the late spring frosts
are much lighter on this high ground. The poorer quality of soil is favor-
able, in that the wood is not stimulated to make a late fall growth, and is
thus well ripened, and prepared to endure the rigors of a severe winter.
" Oak openings," as they are called, being sparsely covered with trees,
make good sites for orchards.
On the open prairie, the high or "rolling" ground is considered best;
but with proper cultivation before planting, and judicious cultivation after,
VOL. L 37
290 Orchard- Sites in the North-West.
no one need do without fruit, even on the lowest prairie. If no other
alternative is presented but to plant on low prairie, or not at all, prepare
the ground by throwing up into ridges for the tree-rows; then, with proper
selection of sorts, and wisdom to know when to cultivate and when not to
cultivate, you need not despair of raising fruit, particularly if you protect
your orchard with belts of evergreen or other trees. This protection by
surrounding timber is one reason of success in the timbered portions, as
the forest-trees left standing serve to protect the orchard from the force of
the winds.
The exposure of the land is of importance in selecting a site. That
which lies to the north is regarded as most favorable. Southern exposures
are objectionable, as they are more readily affected by the rays of the sun,
causing the blossoms to open earlier in spring, and thus to suffer more
. from spring frosts. When the blossom-buds are frozen, those which lie
directly to the sun, as in a southern or eastern exposure, are suddenly
thawed and killed; whilst those on the north side of a hill thaw gradually,
and remain uninjured.
The frequent thawing of the bark of the bodies and limbs of trees
during winter and early spring is a prolific source of injury; and, in this
respect, ground which lies to the south, or a little west of south, is the
worst, and north best.
To any who purpose settling in the North-west, or, having done so
already, are postponing indefinitely the planting of an orchard, we would
say. Plant at once; plant for the health and enjoyment of your family;
plant for market. Do not plant Eastern favorites; but inquire of your
neighbors what kinds have succeeded well in your locality; post yourself
up as to planting and cultivation; and you will find your money and labor
very soon making handsome returns. If you want to raise fruit as a busi-
ness, there are, in this region, hundreds of acres — which can be bought at
a nominal price — of good orchard-lands. A very small capital, with a
moderate allowance of labor and brains, will make a pleasant and comfort-
able living. - C. C. Miller.
Marengo, III.
Native Fruits. 291
NATIVE FRUITS.
Are not horticulturists to blame, that, while Nature has spread out over
our wide extent of territory such a variety of fruits in their wild state, they
have not devoted more attention to their improvement and cultivation ?
The fruits of our forest open a wide field, asking their attention. Is the
native crab less likely to produce a new race of apples than the foreign
wild crab, from which it is said all our luscious apples have sprung ? I
have seen accidental sports from it that were four times as large as they
grow ordinarily, and vastly improved in flavor. The peach is said to have
been improved from the bitter almond, which is not only bitter and unpal-
atable, but is poisonous. Is it not possible that the black walnut ( Juglans
nigra) may yet produce a fruit superior in size and equal in flavor to the
peach ? The butternut {J. cinerea) and hickory-nut {Carya alba) may also
be the parents of similar fruits.
As Utopian as this seems, it is not inconsistent with the theory of Van
Mons, who devoted a long life to the amelioration of fruits. His theory,
as stated by Downing, is, that " all fine fruits are artificial products ; the
aim of Nature, in a wild state, being only a healthy, vigorous state of the
tree, 2LX\d perfect seeds for continuing the species. It is the object of culture,
therefore, to subdue or enfeeble this excess of vegetation, to lessen the
coarseness of the tree, to diminish the size of the seeds, and to refine the
quality and increase the size of the flesh or pulp."
There is scarcely any variety of wild fruit but what sports, or varies, from
its natural state. It is only necessary, according to Van Mons, to take
advantage of that state of variation to attain our object. He paid no at-
tention to the quality of the fruit, so that it was in a state of variation ; for
" seeds taken from recent variations of bad fruit, and reproduced uninter-
ruptedly for several generations, will certainly produce good fruit."
It is not my object now to give minutely the whole of his theory, but
only to throw out such hints as may induce our horticulturists to take some
steps towards domesticating our wild fruits, which will also lead them to
investigate and study this theory.
292 Native Fruits.
The foreign plum has ahnost ceased to be planted, on account of disease,
and the ravages of the curculio. The foreign or cultivated cherry is un-
suited to our climate or soil ; while we have the wild plum sporting in nearly
every shape, size, and color, and the wild cherry doing the same thing,
as if calling to us to rescue them from their savage state, and make civilized
fruits of them. The foreign raspberry is tender and uncertain, while the
native is hardy and prolific. The cultivated gooseberiy is also a foreigner,
unsuited to the United States in its finest varieties ; while our native species
is entirely neglected. The strawberry is an exception, and at the same
time an example of what may be done with our native fruits. The most
popular varieties are improvements on our native species.
There are other fruits besides these to which we should turn our atten-
tion,— the persimmon, the red haw, the black haw, cranberry, whortleberry',
and a number of others, which, if taken in charge by our horticulturists,
there is no doubt might each be made something of.
The blackberry, in spite of all this neglect, has forced itself into notice.
The Lawton, Dorchester, Kittatinny, and Wilson's Early, have compelled
us to take them up, but owe none of their fine qualities to our care or in-
dustry. I have also a variety, an accidental seedling, which I think an im-
provement on all of them. I herewith send you a drawing of a bunch of
the fruit. It is nearly as large as the Lawton, a week or ten days earlier,
and the most beautiful fruit I ever saw. It is first green, then white, then
a light clear pink, then a beautiful glossy translucent claret color when it
is fully ripe. If left on the bush until it is over-ripe, it assumes a glossy
purple color, which fades out as the berry dries up, and becomes a dead
yellow or brownish hue, like dried apples. It is delicious in flavor, per-
fectly sweet, with no trace of acidity. The juice is nearly as transparent
and limpid as water, and, with one-half the sugar required for other black-
berries, makes a sweet wine, better than nine-tenths of the grape-wine. It
is very productive. The bushes grow erect, stout, and stocky, branch
well, and are of a light-green color.
It originated here, and I have had it in cultivation about seven years.
If accident accomplishes such results, what may we not expect, when, by
careful cultivation and reproduction, we reach perfection ?
Native Fruits.
293
I have not room, without making this article longer than I intended or
you may desire, to say all I wish ; but, with your permission, I will finish at
another time.
Hawesvillk, Ky., January, 1867.
D. L. Adair.
adair's claret blackberry.
294 Culture of the Grape m Cities.
CULTURE OF THE GRAPE IN CITIES.
(Concluded.)
Having in the March number shown some of the advantages possessed
by city lots in the cultivation of the grape, and sketched out a mode by
which a few vines may be grown upon a trellis of very small dimensions,
it was suggested that the plan, with some modification of detail, was ap-
plicable to spaces of greater extent.
The writer now proceeds to develop this branch of the subject, and to
show how a dozen vines may be planted in a border thirty feet long, and
from two to five feet wide, and trained to cover a trellis of equal length.
Having put the ground in complete order, as previously suggested, and
procured a supply of first-class vines, beginning at, say, the left-hand end,
measure off two and a half feet, and plant a vine ; and so proceed with
the twelve, preserving an equal distance from vine to vine. These vines,
arranged in four courses, are in due season to occupy portions of the trellis
ten feet in length by two feet in height. The first and second seasons, their
progress will be leisurely ; and not until the third year can they take posses-
sion, even in part, of their destined spaces on the trellis, or give an earnest
of the good things in store ; nor, with all due regard to the anxious expec-
tancy of the owner, can they under five years be judiciously permitted to
assume their full proportions. But all these points, as well as the prepara-
tion of the border and the culture of the vines, have been discussed in the
previous article, and need not be treated again.
The vines having been planted as directed, let us now turn to the illus-
tration, and see how they are to be trained.
Vines numbered two, six, and ten, it will be seen, occupy the lowest
course on the trellis. They grow perpendicularly from the ground, and
divide, at the height of a foot, into what are sometimes inaccurately called
bearing-arms, as these arms bear only the young canes on which the fruit
is grown, and which are to be cut back every winter. About ten buds are
the due allowance for each arm when fully developed ; and these buds
should severally expand into sturdy canes, attaining, unless pinched in, a
height of five or ten feet, and yielding about three bunches of fruit each.
Culture of the Grape in Cities.
295
When trimmed back in the fall, what is left of these canes are called spurs ;
and they may be left with one fruit-bud on them, or more, so as to pro-
duce, on each, two bearing canes, or one and two alternately, or only one
on each : and the variety thus afforded by intelligent trimming adds to the
gracefulness and beauty of the vines. Till the vine has acquired its full
size and vigor, it were better, however, to trim for one cane only ; but the
spurs must be left by two or three buds longer than above directed until
the winter has passed, or the ends may be killed back by the intensity of
the weather, and the buds destroyed.
Midway between the three vines of the first course, two others grow,
numbered four and eight. These are carried perpendicularly to the second
course, and occupy twenty feet of that, leaving five faet at each end un-
covered. These five lower vines have the advantage of those designed for
the upper courses, in being trained perpendicularly to the points where they
part into the permanent arms ; as, by this arrangement, the sap flows with
equal facility into each of the arms, and neither obtains an undue share of
the vitalizing fluid to the detriment of the other.
It is necessary, for several reasons, that the vines on the upper half of
the trellis should be placed immediately over those on the lower ; and we
296 Culture of the Grape in Cities.
effect this arrangement by training the standards obliquely to a point about
a foot below the places which they are to assume, as is seen in the case of
numbers three, seven, eleven, five, and nine. If the standards are so se-
cured to the wires as to rise perpendicularly the last foot of their course,
this will suffice ; but, if the obliquity be continued quite to the point of
separation, the sap, unless retarded as suggested below, will enter one arm
so much more freely than the other, as almost, of necessity, to involve a
serious inequality of the size and strength of the arms, and ultimately the
absorption of the entire vigor of the vine by the favored one.
Looking now at these vines as presented in the illustration, v/e see, that,
while the first and third courses of the trellis have been fully occupied by
the vines assigned to them, spaces of five feet remain uncovered at the
extremities of the second and fourth courses. A special provision is
requisite for these. Vine number one is made to extend one of its arms
along the vacant space at the left of the second course ; while its other
arm is sent four feet higher, to occupy the corresponding position in the
fourth course ; and, at the other end of the row, number tv.'elve performs a
similar service. It is true that tliis arrangement ignores a law of the grape
which causes a tendency of the sap to the higher portions of the vine ;
and consequently the lower arms would, after a while, be robbed for the
aggrandizement of the upper. This result will ultimately be reached, but
may a long time be delayed. In the spring, we may attach the lower arms
of numbers one and twelve to the trellis, and leave the upper ones hang-
ing down until the buds on the lower have burst, and made a growth of
four or five inches : the start thus gained will be maintained a good por-
tion of the season ; and when the upper arms, in course of time, have be-
come unduly developed, we can cut off the vines below the top of the
: standards, and in the second season thereafter have new arms burdened
with fruit.
With plenty of space, the trellis may be continued indefinite!}^, in sec-
tions of ten feet or five ; all the interior vines extending their arms hori-
zontally as above described (each being in fact a duplicate of the fourth
vine preceding it), and the two vines at the extremities assuming the appear-
ance of numbers one and twelve. But enough has been said on training,
and I must hasten to a close.
Culture of the Grape in Cities. 297
Were I asked for a list of vines most appropriate for city culture, I should
be governed in my selection principally by the quality of the fruit ; and
while procuring specimens of certain varieties because of their prominency
before the public, and the pending discussion respecting their merits, I
should be careful to secure an abundant supply of such as met the require-
ments of my own taste, and were sure of gaining the favor of my friends.
As, in my judgment, the most delicious of all hardy grapes, and above the
criticism of the fastidious, the beautiful lona should enta- largely into the
collection. I would have the sweet and vinous Delaware, Israella, Diana,
Allen's Hybrid, and Rebecca. The Adirondack must worthily occupy a
place. Some of Rogers's Hybrids, fifteen, nineteen, and thirty-three, should
be procured ; and Salem, pronounced by Mr. Rogers to be the best of the
family. One vigorous Concord should grace the collection, charming the
eye amid a thousand vines by its rare beauty both of foliage and fruit, — a
grape possessing every excellence /^/// one; and I suppose that elsewhere
k must be a palatable grape, and foxy only in Maryland, or how could it
have been installed in the post of honor by so many gentlemen of taste
and standing ? And the Herbemont must not be forgotten : when all other
vines have paid their grateful tribute, and composed themselves for their
yearly sleep, it presents its tardy offering, a solid mass of the purest flavor,
with a vinous, refreshing energy that is, wonderful.
Among many vines of excellence, I have selected a few of my favorites.
Some of them, in the country, may be classed as tender, or Uable to disease.
But a city yard is a favored spot : here they are sheltered from the cold, blight-
ing dews of August ; and here, amid the destructive droughts of summer, by
means of hose and hydrant, we invoke for them an impromptu shower, health-
ful alike to leaf and root; and, when tales of mildew and rot are multiplied
in the land, here every leaf is healthy, and every berry mature in its season.
While cultivating and enjoying in leisure hours these luscious fruits
which a bounteous Providence has set before us, let us seek, ourselves, to
become well-trained and fruitful branches of the Living and True Vine,
whose clusters are hung so near the toiling children of earth, that all who
need may gather, and whose fruit is so replete with vital energy, that he
who eats thereof shall live forever. Chas. W. Ridgely.
Baltimore, Md.
VOL. I. 38
298 Red Spider,
RED SPIDER.
The great agent in the destruction of red spider is water, which may not
inaptly be termed its natural enemy. Water forcibly driven against foliage
infested with red spider will free it of the pest ; and that is the best means
^o adopt in the case of plants which will not be injured by its application :
syringing with soft water is the best remedy, as well as preventive, which I
have tried. Whenever a plant shows unmistakable signs of the presence
of red spider, it is well to syringe it forcibly, directing the water against
the under side of the leaves : and this is best done in the evening, at the
time of shutting up the house ; or if the house is not closed, or the plants
are exposed, after the sun has declined in power. Bear in mind, that
syringing once or twice is not of any great avail ; but it must be persisted
in until the trees are cleared. The only cases in which the use of water
for the destruction of red spider cannot be recommended are when the
trees or plants are in flower; for then a dry atmosphere may be desirable
for the setting of the fruit : and when a tree is ripening its fruit or wood,
then a free use of the syringe may not be advisable. When syringing can
be adopted, it will be found the very best means for the prevention and
destruction of insect enemies. It is conducive to health and vigor, frees
the leaves of dust, and lessens the evils of an artificial or diy atmosphere.
It is objected to syringing, that it is not natural, and cannot be otherwise
than injurious; it being sufficient if the atmosphere be kept moist by sprin-
kling the floors, walls, &c., and by the evaporation of water from troughs
upon the hot-water pipes. Such may be the case ; but I have failed to
experience it, having seen the foliage of the vine brown, and ready to fall
off, by the time the fruit was ripe, and peaches shedding their leaves before
the wood was mature.
When the syringe cannot be used, then we must look elsewhere for the
means of destroying the red spider. And here I would discriminate bet^veen
plants which can, and others which cannot, bear an application destructive
to the insect. I may instance the vine and melon as plants to which a
solution of soft soap, at the rate of two ounces to the gallon, cannot be
safely applied ; and yet soft-soap water of this strength is effectual, and
not injurious to the foliage of most trees and plants, when applied with a
Red Spider. 299
syringe, so as to thoroughly wet every leaf on both sides. Three applica-
tions, on alternate evenings, will be sufficient to destroy a whole generation
of red spider. The vine, melon, and cucumber are the only plants which
I have found injured by it ; for it stains the fruit of the first, and disfigures
the foliage of the other two.
Should it not be desirable to syringe, or if plants are attacked to which
the soap-solution would be injurious, a good remedy is to make the floors,
walls, &c., wet by syringing them without wetting the foliage of the plants
or trees, — this should be done on shutting up the house, — half filling
pots that will hold a peck and a half with fresh unslacked lime, and
then filling up with water, and scattering on this one ounce of sulphur
vivum. Two pots will be sufficient for a house thirty feet long, eighteen
feet wide, and of an average height ; but, if high, three will be necessary.
The heat of the lime will cause rapid evaporation, and the fumes of the
sulphur are carried along with the water ; and, unless sulphur be volatil-
ized, it is worse than useless as a destroyer of red spider. The plants
should be syringed in the morning ; but in the case of grapes coloring,
fruit ripening, or plants being in flower, doing so would prove disastrous.
An application of this kind should be made once a week, or twice if the
attack is severe. This remedy, it should be remembered, must not be used
until the leaves have attained their full size, and become somewhat firm ;
otherwise they will be disfigured. It is more effectual when a good
syringing follows, as the insects, if not stifled, are so sick as to be easily
washed off".
Another method in which it is not absolutely necessary to syringe the
plants consists in making the hot-water pipes so hot, that the hand, when
placed on them, cannot bear the heat more than a minute, and, after
closing the house, to coat them with sulphur brought to the consistency
of paint, with water in which soft-soap has been dissolved at the rate of
four ounces to the gallon. The paint thus formed should be applied from
end to end of the pipes or flues, and be lightly syringed until the house is
full of steam ; and, unless the fumes of the sulphur are strong enough to
drive the operator out of the house, they will not destroy red spider. This
remedy, like the preceding, must not be employed unless the foliage is
somewhat mature, as in the case of the fruit approaching maturity, or
becoming ripe. Two applications will, in most cases, prove effectual.
300 Red Spider.
The last remedy which I have to note is sprinkhng the floors, walls, &c.,
morning and evening, with four ounces of Peruvian guano dissolved in a
gallon of water, and especially at the time of shutting up the house. The
atmosphere is thus largely impregnated with ammonia, and in such red
spider cannot live.
Prevention is, in all cases, better than cure ; and to this' end a dressing
applied in winter to trees that are liable to be attacked will be found
effectual, coating not only the stems and branches, but the walls. This
dressing may be made of soft-soap, at the rate of four ounces to ever}'
gallon of water, with enough of this to equal parts of flowers of sulphur and
fresh lime to bring them to the consistency of paint for the trees, and of
whitewash for the walls. The application should be repeated on the walls
and heated surface when the leaves attain their full size, and again when
the fruit commences to ripen. Its action depends on the fumes of the
sulphur being generated by artificial or sun heat ; and the soft-soap causes
the mixture to adhere : the lime, too, is a powerful remedy against spider,
and its more formidable rival, mildew. By thus dressing the stems and
branches, the eggs are destroyed.
Lastly, daily sprinkling the floors and every available surface, from the
time that growth commences, with soot-water, — made by placing in a cask
a peck of dry soot, and pouring over it thirty gallons of water, — will
produce an atmosphere in which red spider will rarely appear. Soot-water,
with the addition of a peck of sheep's dung to thirty gallons of water,
is excellent for filling evaporation-troughs ; and so, too, is guano, at the
rate of four ounces to the gallon of water. For syringing, the soot-water
should be clear, and it will not injure the most delicate foliage ; but guano-
water for syringing should not only be clear, but strained, and not stronger
than one ounce to the gallon. Dressing, with soot, borders in which are
trees or plants liable to be attacked, is a very good preventive ; also
watering overhead with guano-water in the evening : but the best of all
preventives and remedies is to keep the plants moist, to give plent}' of
air, and to maintain as cool an atmosphere as is consistent with their
healthy development.
G. Abbey, m " Cottage Gardener?''
Notes and Gleanings. oqi
NOTES AND GLEANINGS.
Beurre Clairgeau Pear. — Take it for all in all, the Beurre Clairgeau,
though not first-class in all respects, is a pear which ought to have a place in
every garden which io not of the most limited extent. It combines in itself so
many of the qualifications that go to make a good fruit, that, wherever there is
room, it ought to find a place. Its size is of the largest, and its color the bright-
est ; its form is most graceful ; and its quality, in certain situations, is excellent.
For the dessert it has few rivals ; and, as its season extends from the beginning
of November till January, it is invaluable for keeping up a supply. The tree is
of remarkable fertility, and of moderate size. It does not produce a very vigorous
growth, and is, consequently, well adapted either for bush-culture or for pyramids.
To have the fruit in the finest possible condition, it ought to be grown in one of
these forms. We have seen dwarf bushes laden with fruit of immense size,
where proper attention has been paid to thinning, and exposure to the sun's rays,
and particularly so when it was so near the soil as to benefit from the radiation.
On espaliers, or against an east or west wall, we have also seen it produced in
high condition. When grown upon quince, the tree succeeds better if double
worked.
This beautiful pear originated at Nantes, about the year 1838, in the garden of
Pierre Clairgeau, a gardener in the Rue de la Bastille of that city. It first fruited
in 1848 ; and that same year he exhibited it, on the 22d of October, at the Horti-
cultural Society of Loire-Inferieur. It is believed to have been produced from
a cross between the Brown Buerre and Duchesse d'Angouleme. The original
tree was purchased by M. De Jonghe of Brussels, and formed part of his col-
lection at St. Gilles in the suburbs of that city. — Adapted from the Florist.
Labels for Trees. — At a recent meeting of the Institute of Technology,
held in Boston, Hon. M. P. Wilder made a statement relative to a new method
of labelHng trees, accidentally discovered by him. In the use of zinc labels,
which were the most durable in character, an indelible ink was used ; but, not
having the ink at hand on one occasion, he wrote upon the zinc with a lead pen-
cil. This writing, although it could be rubbed off when first made, grew more
distinct and durable with age, and, after several years, could not be erased, except
by scraping.
Cypripedium Insigxe. — It is scarcely possible to overestimate the merits
of this old winter-blooming orchid for decorative purposes. In December, I in-
troduced into my sitting-room, which is not one of the warmest, a plant just on
the point of expanding its chaste slipper-like flowers ; and it has far exceeded my
expectations regarding its suitability as a decorative plant for such purposes.
The blossoms are scentless, and this is the only drawback to the plant ; for, in
every other respect, it is all that can be desired.
302 Notes and Gleanings.
The cultivation of Cypripediiim insigne is extremely simple, and propagation
is readily eifected by small offsets at almost any Sc;ason ; but February and March
are, on the whole, the most suitable months. My plants are growing in common
loam, leaf-mould, silver sand, and broken potsherds, and are well drained. Even
in this common and generally-attainable compost, they thrive remarkably well.
During the early part of the season, this Cypripediiim requires plenty of heat
and moisture, and shade from excessively bright sunshine : it grows well under
the shade of vines, — as well as, if not better than, in an orchid-house. About the
middle of October, the plants may be introduced into a warmer atmosphere, that
of a warm sitting-room for instance ; and, by the first or second week in Decem-
ber, they will reward the cultivator with the sight of their exquisitely-shaped
blooms. ,
For the decoration of rooms I would not recommend too large plants to be
grown, but rather to divide them more frequently. Large plants are not, in gen-
eral, so suitable for the purpose as those of smaller size. — J. L., in Florist.
Old Plants versus New. — " Have you any thing new?'''' is the question
most frequently asked of florists, and always answered in the affirmative, though
frequently the plants are new only in name. New plants in thumb-pots are
as plenty as the stars of heaven, and every spring brings fresh discoveries.
Florists are not to blame for this inundation of new plants ; they only cater
to the public taste, and strive to meet the demand : and so each year we have
new carnations, new verbenas, up to the costly screw-pines {Pandanus) and
rare stove-plants, which one year excite attention, only to be forgotten the
next.
Old plants should not be neglected for new, — indeed, in many cases, should
have the preference ; as we value an old friend who has never failed us more
than an untried fresh acquaintance. A good rule is, to always have an eye to
novelty, but never to prefer it to quality. Were this adopted, how much dis-
appointment would be saved with vaunted novelties which experience proves
worthless !
True, there are good new plants in the classes of stove, greenhouse, bedding,
and garden : but we probably have more good old ones ; so old, indeed, that
most persons consider them new.
Can we prove this better than by mentioning Daphne cneorum ? — a verj* old
plant, yet just coming into notice ; possessing every requisite, — perfectly hardy,
evergreen, free-flowering, brilliant in color, exceedingly fragrant, and of easy
culture. Iberis sempervirens, Sedum Siebodii, Spirea, or Hottya Japonica, are
all of the same class, yet were introduced twenty-five years ago ; and the list
might be increased tenfold.
The well-known fraxinella {Dictaninus albiis, ox D.fraxinelld) is one of the
best hardy perennials, of fine habit, brilliant and fragrant, and keeping in good
foliage long after its season of bloom is past. A dwarf evergreen Alpine plant,
which we seldom see, is Saxifraga Pyramidalis, or S. cotyledon, suitable for edg-
Notes and Gleanings. 303
ing, and bearing handsome pyramidal spikes of white flowers from eighteen
inches to two feet and a half in height.
What can be prettier than our native butterfly-weed {Asclepias ttiberosa), called
also pleurisy-root, and the large lady's-slipper {Cyfiripedium spectabile\ both
easily grown, and two of the handsomest plants of the Northern States, yet
rarely seen in cultivation ?
In the greenhouse, what new plant can compare with Arbutus andrachne, in-
troduced to cultivation a century and a half ago ?
It is one of the best winter-blooming plants we have, coming into flower
about Christmas, and lasting till March. All the acacias, of which the oldest are
better than the newest, flower in winter, but can be retarded, if desired, until
spring.
Of Ixoras, of which many species have been latterly introduced, there is noth-
ing better than the old Ixora coccinea, which is one of the most brilliant and
showy of hot-house plants. It bears large heads of phlox-like flowers of a
brilliant orange-scarlet, which last several weeks in perfection ; and the plant is
of good habit, bushy, with large camellia-like leaves.
Contrast with this the well-known laurustinus {Viburnum tinjts), with, bunches
of pure white flowers. This is, however, a hardier plant, and will bear twenty
to twenty-five degrees of frost without injury. If well cared for, it may always
be depended upon for flowers, and can be forced or retarded at pleasure. Though
perhaps not so easy to grow as some of the new eupatoriums or stevias, in point
of beauty it is inferior to no plant new or old.
Now, will some enthusiast for new plants show me any better plants in their
class than those above mentioned ? I am ever a learner, but cannot sacrifice
quality to novelty, real excellence to uncertain worth. Anthrophilus.
Troy, N.Y.
Pruning Conifers. — The pines require little or no pruning. When a
specimen loses its lead, some attention is necessary to secure a fresh one with-
out spoiling the form of the tree. All loose rambling branches should be kept
within bounds by timely stopping.
The spruce-firs also require little or no pruning, save stopping straggling
shoots, and attending to the leads. The hemlock-spruce, however, requires con-
siderable attention in pruning to secure handsome specimens.
Some of the silver-firs require a good deal of pruning, especially /"/V^a Cepha-
lonica and piiisapo. The young growth oi P. Cepkalonica, like that oi P. IVeb-
biana and some others, owing to its early budding forth in spring, is sometimes
killed by the late frosts ; and the plants, in consequence, have a stunted appear-
ance. One of our best specimens had all its young growth killed by a late frost
ten years ago, except the leading bud, which escaped uninjured. That same
season, all the energies of the plant being thrown into this single bud, it made
a wonderful shoot ; and the tree has ever since continued to flourish in a re-
markable degree, not a single bud having been the least injured since. Since
that time, I have freely used the knife on other plants of this kind. P. pinsapo
304 Notes and Gleanings.
does not bud so early in spring as P. Cephalonica. The young growth is seldom
or never injured by late spring frosts : but the trees, nevertheless, often grow
very stunted and bushy, especially when young ; and, when left untouched or un-
pruned, they often remain so many years. There are several promising youiig
specimens here, all now growing away freely ; but, when we got them, they were
bushy, stunted plants, and for some years after they made little progress upwards,
the growth of the leading shoots rarely exceeding a few inches in lengtli, and in
many cases not more than one or two inches. By a liberal use of the knife in
well thinning the branches, and directing the energies of the plants into the lead-
ing shoots. I have now got the greater part of them into a free-growing state.
This, of all conifers, requires the most liberal use of the knife ; for, unless the
branches are kept well thinned out, the leading growth is poor, and the plants
get a stunted, bushy growth.
There are many kinds of conifers that require little or no pruning with the
knife. When properly attended to from a young state, stopping and pinching
will effect all that is required.
I would advise all who have charge of extensive and valuable collections of
conifers to examine every specimen as often as they can find time to do so : tliey
will then see any little matter that needs attending to, such as the loss of lead-
ing bud or shoot from accident or otherwise, — a loss which by timely attention is
soon repaired Avithout any detriment to the specimen, but which, if overlooked
for some time, may not be so easily rectified. — J/. Saul, in Florist.
Grafting Rhododendrons. — The best time to graft rhododendrons is
towards the end of August, or early in September, when the shoots have ripened.
The shoots of stock and scion should be of equal thickness, or as nearly so as
possible. It is best performed by what is known as side-grafting, — putting in the
grafts near the soil. The head of the stock should be cut oft six inches above
the union, leaving some leaves on it. To this the graft may be tied. After
grafting, place and keep in a close cold frame imtil the union is complete, which
will be the case in six or eight weeks. Then give air, and harden off. In spring,
the part of the stock above the graft may be cut off neatly immediately above
the point of union. The grafting may be done in spring just at the time growth
commences, but success is not so certain in spring as late in summer.
Raphanus caudatus. — The following note on the culture of this new vege-
table may not be uninteresting : —
Its treatment does not differ from that of the common radish ; only the pods,
and not the root, is the part used. The seed may be sown in pots in good light
soil about the middle of April, and placed in a gentle heat. When the young
plants are large enough to handle, they may be potted off singly in small pots ;
but a better plan is to sow the seeds singly in small pots, and, when a few inches
high, to harden off, and plant out one foot apart every way, in a sunny, open ex-
posure, the soil being in good heart. This radish prefers a lightish loam. Water
will be necessary during hot weather. The seed may be sown in the open
Notes and Gleanings. 305
ground in May, or plants may.be grown in pots in the greenhouse : for a single
plant, a nine-inch pot answers well. The height is dependent on the treatment.
— English Joicrnal of Horticulture.
Gloxinia, Gesnera, and Achimenes Culture. — All thrive well in a
compost of turfy loam, peat, and leaf-mould, in equal parts ; adding sand if the
soil require it. It should be sandy. The size of pot for the gloxinias will de-
pend upon the size of the tubers. Those two, three, or more years old, should,
in the first instance, have pots twice their diameter ; and when they have grown
a few inches high, and filled the pot with roots, shift into pots three inches more
in diameter. The gesneras, if of the tuberous-rooted kinds, as G. pu7'purea
viacrant/ia, require the same sized pots as gloxinias ; but if of the scaly-rooted
kinds, as G. zebritia spleiidcns, they should have pots in proportion to the num-
ber of roots put into each. A seven-inch pot may have five tubers, and a twelve-
inch pot twelve roots. For achimenes, pots are not so good as pans eight inches
deep, and one foot to one foot six inches wide. The tubers may be placed in
these at an inch apart. All require the temperature of a stove, — from 60° to 65°
by night, and from -joP to 85^ by day ; or they may be started in a hotbed, and,
when a few inches high, removed to a vinery at work.
Propagating Cupressus Lawsoniana from Cuttings. — The best time
to put in cuttings is towards the end of summer, or when the growths are com-
plete. The young shoots of the current year should be selected, taking them
off quite close to the old wood. They should be inserted in pots or pans in
silver sand ; the base of the cutting resting about half an inch above a layer of
loam at the bottom, over the drainage. The pots should be placed in a warm
greenhouse or propagating-house, or set in a frame with a mild bottom-heat ;
and should be covered with a bell or hand glass. The sand must be kept moist.
Though plants will grow from cuttings, they are not equal to those raised from
seed.
This method may also be successfully employed for propagating Sequoia gi-
gantea and many other evergreens.
Pleroma sarmentosa. — This very beautiful species was discovered by
Humboldt and Bonpland in the cool valleys of Peru. It appears to be not un-
common, having since been repeatedly found ; and is known to the natives as
Flore de Gallinaso. The plant is well adapted to greenhouse culture, and is
one of our most valuable recent introductions. The flowers are very large, freely
produced, of a royal-purple color ; leaves ovate-oblong, dark green.
Figured in Curtis's " Botanical Magazine," tab. 5,629.
Sarcanthus erinaceus. — A lovely but very rare orchid, native of Moul-
meyne. The leaves are a dark glaucous-green ; the flowers delicate rosy-white,
with pink lip, in long, pendant spikes, from rough, shaggy stems. It is of very
slow growth, but flowers freely during the summer, requiring the usual treatment
of Indian orchids.
Figured in Curtis's " Botanical Magazine," tab. 5,630.
VOL. I. 3,
306 Notes and Gleanings.
Dessert-Orange Culture.* — In the diary of that "fine old English gentle-
man," John Evelyn, may be found an intimation to the effect that he had eaten
as good " China oranges " plucked from his own trees as he ever wished to eat.
In those days, dessert-oranges were, it seems, called " China oranges." Although
oranges were cultivated in France long before Evelyn's time, yet they were con-
sidered merely ornamental appendages to palaces and mansions. No thought
seems to have been turned to them, so as to consider them fruit-trees : and even
Evelyn, with his remarkable horticultural sagacity, does not mention that he
had ranked orange-trees among fruit-trees ; for in his " Kalendarium Hortense,"
when he mentions, for every month, " fruits in prime, and yet lasting," no men-
tion is made of oranges. It would seem, therefore, that his gathering of oranges
fit to eat was an accidental occurrence ; and we are led to suppose, from the
silence of gardeners for nearly two hundred years as to their culture, that the
orange-eating world has felt perfectly satisfied with imported oranges, brought
quickly by fast-sailing vessels. Still the difference between oranges freshly
gathered from the trees, and the very finest imported, is most remarkable. There
is a crispness and fine aroma in oranges freshly gathered, difficult to realize, un-
less they are promptly compared with imported fruit : they are indeed a luxury,
and, as such, will be cultivated ere long in every good garden.
The houses best adapted for their cultivation are the large span-roofed, twen-
ty-four feet wide, six feet high at each side, and fifteen feet high in the centre.
A house of this size will require eight four-inch hot-water pipes, four on each
side ; as artificial heat is required all the year to ripen oranges in one season
perfectly.
A smaller span-roofed house, five and a half feet high at each side, and twelve
feet high in the centre, heated by four four-inch hot- water pipes, two on each side,
is almost as eligible for orange-culture as one even of the larger size. A house
of these dimensions, with a central path, and a border on each side planted with
orange-trees, would form a pleasant and productive- orange-garden ; but to form
an orange-grove, so as to have trees of fine growth and to give abundant crops,
the larger house must be resorted to.
From the experience I have gained, I firmly believe that no conservatory, no
orchid-house, no greenhouse, is half so beautiful or interesting as an orange-
house constructed on the principles I now advocate, and provided with fixed
roofs, rafters twenty-four inches apart, glazed with large pieces of glass, and ad-
mitting abundance of light ; so that in December, when the trees are covered
with their golden fruit, and many of them showing their snowy-white, perfumed
flowers, the scene is indeed enchanting, and is enhanced by the agreeable tem-
perature, which need not be higher than from 50° to 60° Fahr. (10° to 15° Cent.)
in cloudy weather. It is not fierce heat in winter that ripening oranges require,
but an even, agreeable temperature, such as is experienced in the Azores during
that season of the year.
The houses above mentioned should have side ventilation, as in orchard-houses :
viz., an opening in each side of the large house, two feet wide ; for the smaller
* From the Report of Proceedings of the International Horticultural Exhibition and Botanical Con-
gress of London, 1866 ; a very interesting record of that great horticultural gathering, just issued.
Notes ajid Gleanings. 307
houses, one foot wide. These openings should be in the centre of each side, and
shutters of wood or sashes employed to close them ; the latter, of course, being
the most agreeable.
In houses thus treated, orange-trees may be cultivated in pots or tubs, or
planted in the borders. There is no doubt that more rapid growth would take
place if such borders were heated by having hot-water pipes placed two feet un-
der the surface : but, from recent experience, I am inclined to think this is not
absolutely necessary ; for, if the borders are raised eighteen inches above the
surface, they would have sufficient heat from the atmosphere of the house, and
their temperature would be quite equal to sustain the trees in health.
The cultivation of dessert-orange-trees in pots or tubs is very simple. The
compost they require consists of equal parts of peat, loam, and manure thor-
oughly decomposed. The two former should not be sifted, but chopped up with
the pieces of turf and roots so as to form a rough compost. The trees will grow
in this freely, and bear abundantly ; but they should have gentle, constant root
heat : this is best given by enclosing hot-water pipes in a shallow chamber
of bricks, and placing the pots on a flooring of slates or tiles forming the roof of
the chamber.
The compost for the borders in which orange-trees are to be planted should
consist of turfy loam two parts, and equal parts of thoroughly decomposed ma-
nure and leaf-mould. After planting, the borders should be trodden down tirmly,
as orange-trees seem to flourish best in firm loamy soils. In the orange-gardens
of Nervi, where orange-trees are, or used to be, so largely grown for exporta-
tion, and imported by the London dealers in oil, &c., the soil is a tenacious yel-
low loam.
The best form of tree for an orange-garden under glass is the round-headed, —
a form which it seems to take naturally ; for if it is endeavored to be cultivated
as a pyramid, which would seem desirable, its lower branches soon become
weakly and unhealthy. If trees with stems two or three feet in height are
planted, the lower branches may be gradually removed till a clear stem of five
feet in height is formed ; and this height will be found sufficient. They may be
planted from five to six or seven feet apart, according to the size of the house,
and the room which can be afforded for each tree. It must not be forgotten, that,
in small houses, the heads of the trees may be kept in a compact state by sum-
mer pinching, and in large houses be allowed a greater freedom of growth, so
that the owner of an orange-garden in England may sit under the shade of his
orange-trees.
There are but few kinds yet known of really fine dessert-oranges. The ama-
teur who wishes to plant an orange-garden to supply his dessert must not think
of planting the numerous varieties of the genus Citrus, grown by Italian and
French cultivators : they are mostly what are called fancy sorts, and are more
prized for their foliage and flowers than for their fruit.
One of the most charming and prolific of dessert-oranges is the Tangierine.
The tree has small leaves, and seldom attains a height of more than seven feet,
even in North Africa. Its most valuable quality is its early ripening ; so that in
October, just as the late peaches and other soft fruits are over, this luscious lit-
308 Notes and Gleanings.
tie fruit is ready for the dessert : and, when freshly gathered, no fruit can be more
gratifying or delightful, as its aroma is so delicious, and its juice so abundant ; in
this respect, offering a pleasing contrast to those imported from Lisbon in No-
vember and December, the flesh of which is generally shrunk from the rind,
instead of being ready to burst, as is the case with those plucked from the tree.
They should, in common with all home-grown oranges, be placed on the table
with some leaves adhering to their stalks ; thus showing that they have not made
a voyage.
Among full-sized oranges, the Maltese Blood takes the first rank. When quite
fresh from the tree, it differs much from those imported ; although the voyage as
now made by steamers is of short duration. I was not so fully aware of this
till early in January, 1866, when I was able to compare some fine imported fruit
with some gathered from my trees. , 1 found the former, although rich and juicy,
yet flat in flavor compared with those freshly gathered : they lacked the crisp-
ness and aroma which were most agreeable in the latter. The great advantage
in planting this sort is its tendency to bear fine fruit while the trees are young :
they are indeed so prolific, that trees of only two feet in height have here borne
nice crops of fruit.
Some varieties, quite equal to the foregoing in quality, but without the red
flesh so peculiar to these " blood-oranges," have been imported from the Azores,
the paradise of orange-trees. One of the most desirable sorts is called simply
the St. Michael's orange. This kind has a thin rind, is very juicy, and bears
abundantly, even while the trees are young. In the orange-house, these will ripen
towards the end of December, and throughout January and February, in common
with the Maltese blood-oranges.
No one but an amateur of gardening can imagine the pure, quiet pleasure of
taking a morning walk in the orange-house during the above-mentioned dreary
months, and plucking from the trees oranges fully ripe. I have had much expe-
rience in the culture, and, I may add, in the eating of fruit ; but I can say with a
firm conviction, that I have never enjoyed any kind of fruit so much as I have
oranges of my own plucking in winter.
In addition to the three leading varieties I have mentioned, there are several
kinds which will doubtless prove interesting and valuable. It is not to be ex-
pected that so much variation in flavor, as in the pear for instance, can be met
with in oranges. I beheve, however, that, when our orange palates are educated,
we shall find many delicate distinctions in the flavor of oranges. As far as I have
gone, I have found the Mandarin orange larger and more flat in shape than the
Tangierine, and not so good as that sort. The Embiguo, the egg, the silver
orange, the Botelha, the white orange, and some others, all varieties from the
Azores, are of various degrees of excellence, and are all worthy of a place in an
English orange-garden.
There are many various forms of the genus Citrus, which, in a large orange-
garden, may be cultivated, and prove of interest to the cultivator ; but I have
thought it proper to confine myself, in conformity with the heading of this paper,
to the kinds of oranges proper for our desserts. It may, however, be not thought
out of place if I mention that the lemon, more particularly the imperial lemon,
Notes and Gleajtings. 309
is well worthy of a place in the orange-garden ; as is also the small lime, which
is a concentration of acidity.
In these few remarks, I hope to be excused any lack of full and proper direc-
tions to carry out my conceptions. It is at all times difficult to tell people how
to cultivate even a cabbage ; for, unless full directions are given as to which end
should go into the ground, it is just possible that a tyro in gardening would
plant it head downwards. So it is in the higher branches of horticulture : it is
only an outline that can be given in print ; the picture must be filled in by ob-
servation and study. Ten minutes' showing will do more than ten hours' read-
ing : still, without the preparation of reading, the mind will not take in what is
shown. Thomas Rivers.
Sawbridgeworth.
Symphocampylus Humboldtianus. — A new and elegant species from
Peru, far superior to the well-known S. bicolorj the flowers being produced at
the end of the branches, instead of straggling all along the stalk : the flowers
are also bright scarlet, and freely produced.
This species succeeds in a greenhouse ; and, being easily propagated, like the
rest of the family, will probably soon become common. The genus Syinphocaju-
pylus is nearly allied to Lobelia, and abounds in showy flowering plants.
Figured in Curtis's "Botanical Magazine," tab. 5,631, and also in "Floral
Magazine," tab. 313, under the name oi S. fulgens.
Peperomia arifolia, var. argyreia. — An elegant foliaged plant, collected
in Southern Brazil, by Mr. Weir, for the Royal Horticultural Society.
The flowers are comparatively inconspicuous, as is the case in many foliaged
plants ; but the leaves are very beautiful, being of a dark glossy green, elegantly
marbled with white above, and glaucous-white on the under side. The leaf-stalks
are long, deep red. All the plants of this genus are well adapted for ornament,
as the foliage remains long in good condition, and is seldom infested with insects.
The plants are readily propagated, and of the easiest culture.
Figured in Curtis's " Botanical Magazine," tab. 5,634,
" The Floral Magazine " for March figures the following plants : —
SoPHRONiTis GRANDIFLORA, VAR. — A variety of this well-known free-bloom-
ing orchid, with larger leaves, and flowers of the brightest scarlet. The species is
one of the most valuable orchids, and should be extensively cultivated.
Camellia Mrs. DoMBRAiN. —A new variety, introduced by Verschafielt.
Petals pink, margined with white ; flowers very double, and regular.
In this connection we may remark that Hon. Marshall P. Wilder has in his
possession several new seedling camellias which have not yet been disseminat-
ed, and of which we propose to give figures and descriptions in the course of the
next year.
Pompon chrysanthemums. — St. Michael; a large flower, bright golden-
yellow. Countess ; small flower, blush tinted with lilac. Madge Wildfire j vivid
red, with large golden tips.
310 Notes and Gleanings.
ZoNALE Geranium Miss Martix. — A very fine variety; foliage lively
green, with dark stripe ; flower soft, rosy peach, very round, of immense size,
the petals overlapping.
If the plate does not exaggerate, this is one of the finest varieties yet pro-
duced.
We copy from " The Cottage Gardener " the following list of the newer chry-
santhemums which have proved good : —
Of the flowers of 1866, the following are those most deserving of cultivation :
Amabilis, delicate blush, incurved ; Compactum, an excellent conservatory flower,
blooming early, and of admirable habit ; Countess of Granville, fine white, a
reflexed flower of great beauty ; Crimson Velvet, beautiful velvety crimson, the
darkest and brightest of all the high-colored chrysanthemums ; Gloria Mundi,
a splendid brilliant yellow, a seedling from the Jardin des Plantes, and superior to
that fine flower ; Golden Beverly, a fine canary-colored flower, a sport from that fine
deep flower Beverly ; Hereward, large, purple, with a silvery back to the florets,
very compact ; Iris, medium-sized, very double, and compact ; John Salter, red-
dish crimson, shaded with orange ; Josiah Wedgevvood, rosy carmine, close and
compact ; Miss Eyre, blush, late-flowering anemone, of medium size, and dwarf
habit ; Mr. Gladstone, dark-reddish chestnut, incurved ; Sylvia, rosy lilac, with
silvery back.
Of the Pompones of 1866, there are Fairy Nymph, fine pure white, with
round florets ; Little Beauty, white, bordered with delicate rosy pink ; Marie
Stuart, lilac blush, with sulphur centre ; Prince Victor, dark-red maroon ; Rose
d' Amour, clear rose, very full and free ; and Torfrida, bright golden amber.
The following list may be useful to those proposing to plant summer-beds of
variegated plants : —
Half-hardy plants with ornamental foliage (annuals, or perennials proving
effective in the first season), —
Per ilia iVankinensis, purple foliage, a foot and a half to two feet. Amaran-
thus ?nelancholiCHs ruber, blood-red foliage, a foot and a half to two feet. Oxalis
tropceoloides {O. cornicidata rtibra), dark bronzy foliage, a half foot. Salvia
argentea, silvery foliage, two feet. Marvel of Peru, gold-striped, two feet.
Cineraria inaritima, silvery foliage, a foot and a half. Canna indica atirea
vittata, golden flowers, four feet. C. superba, scarlet, three feet. C. IVarsccwicsii,
striped, four feet. C. Sellowii, scarlet, four feet. C. bicolor, red and yellow, two
feet. C. F'intelmanni, yellow, three feet. C. Nepalensis, yellow, three feet.
C. gigantea, red and yellow, seven feet. Ricinus Borbonensis, large foliage, six
feet. R. liviclns, green fruit, red stems, six feet. R. macrocarptis, whitish foli-
age, six feet. R. roseiis siiperbus, rose-colored fruit, six feet. R. sanguineus,
red foliage, five feet. R. viridis spinosus, green spiny fruit, three feet. Zea
yaponica, striped leaves, six feet.
To these add Iresinc Hebestii and Coleus Verschafeltii, — the latter doing better
in a somewhat shady situation, and the former in full sunlight, — and we have a
very good selection, which may, however, be indefinitely increased by the addi-
Notes and Gleanings. 3 1 1
tion of such plants as Wigandla, Calocasia esculenta, and the different varieties
of tobacco.
Canna Discolor. — This variety, which has been distributed under the
name of viridijlora (? irldijlora), is by far the finest plant we have for ornamental
planting.
Nothing can exceed the brilliancy and delicate contrasts of the leaf-markings,
or the majesty and vigor of its growth. The foliage is deep green, beautifully
marbled and banded with dark-reddish purple ; the single leaves measuring
three to four feet in length, and more than twelve inches across. The leaf-stalks
are very deep red, contrasting well with the greenish under surface of the leaves.
A plant set out from a thumb-pot in the latter part of May, measured, when
tiiken up Oct. i, nine feet in height, and twelve feet in circumference : it had
then shown no disposition to flower. — E. S. R., Jun.
Ornamental Grasses. — Mr. Abbey, in "The English Journal of Horticul-
ture," gives the following list of ornamental grasses : —
Pe/misetu/n longislylum, Eleusiiie caput-Mediisce, Broinus Schraderi, Briza
maxima^ Agrostis nebulosa, Tricholcena rosea, Lagnrus ovatus, Hordeumjubatum,
Brizopyncin siciiliini, A vena sterilis, Sitarix macrochceta, Paspaliiin elegans.
George U. Skinner. — Every one interested in the culture of orchids will
especially regret to hear of the death of Mr. George Ure Skinner. Although
occupied by commercial pursuits, being one of the firm of Klee, Skinner, & Co.,
of Guatemala, yet he found time to pursue his favorite researches in natural
history. His residence in Central America probably led him to the particular
study of orchids, with which the forests of the district abound ; and with them
his name is now thoroughly associated. For about thirty years, we have known
him engaged in their collection ; and some one of their genera should do honor
to his name. Cattleya Skinneri is a minor remembrance of him. One genus,
worthy of him, records two of his names ; but it belongs to the natural order
Scrophnlariacece . We refer to Uroskinneria spectabilis, thus mentioned by the
late Dr. Lindley : " For this beautiful plant our gardens are indebted to G. U.
Skinner, Esq., the most generous of merchants, the most eager of collectors, to
whom or to whose assistance the botany of Western Mexico and Guatemala
owes more than to all the travellers who have visited those regions. Nothing
more worthy of his name could well be found ; for the plant is very rare, very
showy, and now secured to our gardens : we therefore trust that verbal pedants
will not quarrel with the manner we have contrived to escape from the difficulty
of there being already a Skiiineria in the botanical field, but agree with us that
Ure Skinner may be fairly blended into a name which shall unmistakably record
the labors of one who has so signally benefited the science of florticulture."
He died of yellow-fever on the 9th of January at Aspinwall, Isthmus of Panama,
at the age of sixty-two ; and it adds painfully to the feeling for his loss to know
that he was journeying to Guatemala to complete arrangements for retiring from
the firm, preparatory to taking up his residence in England permanently.
312 Notes and Gleanings.
He was a native of Scotland ; and his father, the Very Rev. John Skinner, was
Dean of Dunkeld and Dunblane, who died at Forfar in 1841, and who was son
of Bishop Skinner, Primus of the Episcopal Church of Scotland. The bishop,
we believe, wrote the well-known " Reel of Tullochgorum."
Mr. Skinner, whose death we now record, was not only a Fellow of the Lin-
naean and other kindred societies, but was ever ready by his counsel and his
purse to aid others who were pursuing the sciences those societies fostered. He
advised with Hartweg as to the latter's researches in Mexico ; and he supplied
Warscewicz with money at the time of his extreme need, when he had been
abandoned by the Belgian Association, which had sent him to South America to
collect plants.
LiLIUM TENUIFOLIUM, L. AURATUM, AND TRITO.MA UVARIA, SeED-SOWING.
— The seed should be sown early in May in pots or pans, well drained, in a
compost of turfy loam, peat, and leaf-mould, with the addition of one-sixth of
silver sand. The seeds should be covered with fine soil to a depth equal to the
diameter of the seed. The pots should be gently watered, and placed in a hot-
bed with a temperature of 70°. When the plants appear, admit air, and harden
them off", or remove them to a vinery at work, where they should be placed in
a light, airy situation. If there is not a vinery at command, remove them to a
greenhouse. Keep them well supplied with water, and in September gradually
withhold, discontinuing the supply after October, all but a little now and then
to keep the soil moist, but not wet. The iiliums should have the seeds placed
so far apart, that they can grow in the pots or pans as sown (an inch will suffice) ;
but the tritoma-plants should, when large enough to handle, be potted off" singly
in small pots, and the soil in these should be kept moister in winter than for the
Iiliums. The Iiliums also should be potted in November, singly, in four-and-a-
half inch pots, or three may be planted in a seven-inch pot. They should be
kept in a cool greenhouse. — Cottage Gardener.
Hyacinths done blooming. — After blooming, they should be hardened off,
or kept beyond the reach of frost, in an airy, light situation. When all danger
of frost is past, they may be planted in the open ground, covering the crowns of
the bulbs with two to three inches of soil. Those grown in water are of little
or no value after blooming, and those forced in pots are not worth forcing a
second time.
Culture of Roses in Pots in Greenhouses. — The best roses for green-
house culture are the finer varieties of the China and tea-scented ; the latter es-
pecially, on account of their peculiar and delightful fragrance ; but the Bourbons
and hybrid perpetuals must be included. The following varieties I have found
good : —
China. — Madame Breon, Mrs. Bosanquet, Triomphe de Gand, Prince Charles.
Henri Cinq, La Seduisante, Infidelites de Lisette, Louis Philippe, Napoleon,
Clara Sylvain (generally classed with the Tea-scented), and Fabvier.
Editors^ Letter- Box. 313
EDITORS' LETTER-BOX.
The Editors much regret being obliged to delay the conclusion of Dr. Kirt-
l.md's able and valuable article upon the magnolia until next month. The
favors of our correspondents have been so numerous, and the interest felt in the
success of "The American Journal of Horticulture" so great, that we are scarce-
ly able to reply to the many communications, and to express our thanks for
the kindly greetings we receive. Articles on cypripedia and Wardian cases,
prairie-flowers, orchids, the vegetable-garden, lawn-grasses, new apples, hardy
clematis, strawberry-culture, wild-flowers, and lilies, are on hand, and will appear
during the summer.
I. L. R., Taunton. — Please name some of the best currants. — Red and white,
Dutch, La Versaillaise, Dana's transparent.
E. B., Providence, R. L — Does the Concord grape keep well after it is
plucked from the vine ? — No : it soon loses its flavor. Then, as its skin is thin,
many berries crack in handling, and soon decay.
Pyrus, Norwich, Conn. — Would you advise severe trimming or pruning of
pear-trees ? and at what season of the year should you prefer to prune ? — I would
not prune severely. Take out all branches that cross or interfere with each
other, and head in the leading shoots where they have made excessive growth ;
thus keeping the tree compact and symmetricak Would much prefer to prune
in June ; but would do it any time until October. Some do it in March ; but we
do not regard it as a favorable time.
Young Gardener, Marion, Mass. — Does it injure grape-vines to bleed .'' — It
is generally supposed to be injurious to trim grape-vines so late as to cause them
to bleed ; but we have known vines to meet with accidents by which they bled
profusely, and we could not perceive that they suffered in any degree in conse-
quence.
B. B. M., Bellows Falls, Vt. — How deep should grape-vines be planted at the
North ? — Not more than three or four inches deep. If planted very deep, the
lower roots decay. The roots of grape-vines run near the surface ; and they
should be so planted, especially in the Northern States, that they may get the
full benefit of the heat of the sun.
A Friend, Newton, Mass. — How shall I keep my cherry-trees in a healthy
condition ? They now burst the bark, causing the gum to exude. — Manure less,
and grow them slower. If the land is very rich, sow it down to grass, and check
the growth of the trees. Many cherry-trees have been lost by forcing them.
The cherry-tree will not bear high manuring.
VOL. I. 40
314 Editors Letter- Box.
A. C. C, Dedham, Mass. — I have a Fulton pear-tree that was grafted on a
very thrifty stock, that grew well, and gave fruit a year or two, but now seems to
be dying ; the extremities of the branches turning black. Is this a common
thing with this variety? — The Fulton pear is a poor grower, especially after it
begins to fruit. In your case, probably, the tree received too great a check ; the
stock being a vigorous free grower, and the scion a slow or poor grower. Some
varieties are almost sure to kill the stock on which they are grafted. The Cross
and Collins pears are among those that work in that way.
M. B. W., Newburyport. — What are some of the most profitable grapes to
grow for market in Massachusetts .'' — Concord, because it is large and hand-
some, of fair quality, and generally ripens ; Hartford ProHfic, on account of its
earliness, though there is a serious objection to it because the fruit drops from
the stem ; Delaware, as it always commands a ready sale at high prices.
Is it necessary to trench the land for a vineyard 1 — No : plough deep, and
manure well with thoroughly decomposed manure, and set your vines. If your
land is good enough for corn, you will get satisfactory results.
A Subscriber, Worcester, Mass. — Can peach-trees be grown in pots or tubs .'
and how should they be treated ? — Yes ; and give very good results. They may
be set in twelve, fourteen, or sixteen inch earthen pots, or in tubs of about the
same size, well shortened in when set, and should be well pruned all the
time. Use good soil, and pack close in the pot. They should be well watered
in summer, occasionally with manure-water. If the pots are plunged in the
earth, they will be less trouble. Keep them in the cellar in winter for protection.
Will give fruit the second year after being set. Try it.
Small Garden, Boston. — What are some of the best winter pears } — Law-
rence, Winter Nelis, Hovey, Caen de France, Beurre d'Aremberg, Glout Mor-
ceau, and Vicar of Winkfield.
Fruit-Grower. — Should strawberry-plantations be made in spring, or
autumn? — Spring is preferred by all market-gardeners North. When only a
few are to be set, it may be done in August ; but they require more care if
planted then.
ViTis, Marblehead. — How deep would you plant dwarf pear-trees ? — So that
the quince-stock should be at least an inch below the surface of the ground. Is
it profitable to graft grape-vines extensively? — We think not. It will do where
you wish to bring forward rapidly new and rare sorts. It is cheaper and better
to root up and plant anew than to try and graft a large number of old vines.
Scotchman. — The broom is not perfectly hardy in Massachusetts, but lives
and blooms well with a slight winter protection of boughs. The white variety
is more tender than the yellow, and probably would be winter-killed. The furze,
or gorse, is not hardy enough to bear our climate.
Editors Letter- Box. 315
R. D., Cambridge. — What is the best protection against the ravages of the
canker-worm ? — The simplest is tar put on with a brush round the tree on a
strip of tarred paper. Printers' ink answers an excellent purpose used in the
same way. There are iron and wooden troughs, so prepared and put round the
trees, and filled with oil, that they prevent many of the grubs from ascending.
Persica, Williamstown, Mass. — Would you advise the planting of peach-
trees in the New-England States, where (he crop is so uncertain ? — Yes : plant a
few trees each year : you will get a crop occasionally, — as often as one year in
three ; and this will pay in satisfaction, if not in money. It is too good a fruit to
give up. Peach-trees seem to be improving. There is fair promise of a good
crop this year.
Reuben, Springfield. — What do you consider the best three varieties of straw-
berries for market-purposes in Massachusetts 1 — Hovey's seedling, Jenny Lind,
and Brighton Pine.
&*
July, Portland, Me. — Is the Allen Hybrid hardy enough for vineyard cul-
ture ? — It is not safe to leave it up through the winter. It requires protection.
It is not hardy enough for ordinary vineyard-culture.
A. L. S., Rockville P. O., Utah. — The best time to trim grapes is in the
autumn, after the frost has killed the foliage. If the growth is judiciously
pinched during the summer, the labor of pruning will be materially lessened.
W. B. C, Boston. — Seeds of Mathiola bicornis can be obtained of Bliss or
Washburn, and probably of any importing seedsman. The price is at present
rather high, as the plant is comparatively rare. Packages cost twenty-five
cents ; but there is no reason why seed should not be plenty another year.
Mrs. E. L., Brighton P. O., Montgomery County, Md. — We shall publish in
the July and August numbers a treatise on Wardian cases by a correspondent
who has given much attention to the subject, and whose management has been
most successful.
The subject is one to which we shall particularly direct attention, as no pret-
tier decoration for the parlor can be desired ; and the treatment is so simple,
that one can hardly make a mistake in the management.
A New Subscriber. — Your double-flowering almonds have been allowed to
STOW too laro:e. Our mode of treatment is to cut the bush down to the ground
as soon as it has done flowering. Numerous slender stems will shoot up, which
will, during the summer, grow about two feet high : these will be well set with
flower-buds, and will bloom well the next spring. As soon as the bloom has
faded, cut down the stalks. The plant is hardy, and needs no winter protection:
its being winter-killed is exceptional.
3i6 Editors Letter- Box.
St. Augustine, Fla., Wednesday, March 13, 1867.
Messrs. Tilton & Co., — I promised you a letter from this "land of flowers "
for the readers of your new Horticultural Magazine. I fulfil the promise ; but
how little there is of horticultural interest you cannot easily imagine. Instead
of a land of flowers, this is a land of desolation rather than cultivation.
This town is a grand old ruin. It once was — the Lord knows what! It is
hard to say what it is now, except a queer place, as compared with a Massachu-
setts village of two thousand people ; which is the numerical strength of this
" city," counting the garrison, visitors, and residents. These are composed of
about thirty heads of Northern families, in which is embodied all there is here
of active life and energy ; and the balance is an admixture of the old Minorcan
race, imported by the English during the twenty years they held possession
(1761-1781), with a small number of old Spanish, a few "natives of the South,"
a few, very few, foreigners, and about the usual proportion of negroes, who can
muster about a hundred and forty votes, — which shows that something like a
third of the inhabitants are colored.
It is said, that in all the house-yards and gardens, and also outside the walls
(for this was a walled city), the land was thickly planted with orange-trees ; and,
previous to the destructive frost of 1835, oranges were exported by the miUion.
Perhaps that is true ; indeed, I hope it is : for, unless that is the fact, I doubt
whether a million orange values ever were exported from the place — that is, of
the products of the earth — since it was first discovered in 1512 by old Ponce de
Leon.
I am also morally certain that the native population, if it remains in its present
condition of inertia, never will grow aught that can be exported. Indeed, from
the very foundation, the city has been a military dependant, a very parasite, and,
whenever left to its own resources, has sunk, as it is now, into poverty, and a mis-
erable mode of existence, approximating to beggary.
About one-third of the houses in the town are so decayed as to be uninhabit-
able, or only tenantable under the discomfort of leaky roofs. From many, the
roofs are entirely gone, and from many places where handsome mansions once
stood the materials have been carried away to build other houses.
The walls of all the old buildings, including the curious old castle, or fort,
the sea-wall, and many garden-walls, were built of " coquina rock," — an ag-
glomeration of small shells. The quarry is on Anastasia Island, in front of the
town, and is inexhaustible.
The town is upon a narrow peninsula, its shape a parallelogram, about a mile
long, and fourth of a mile wide ; the fort at the north-east angle on the sea front,
and the barracks at the south-east. This is an imposing structure, built in the
Indian war of '35, and afterwards suftered to become much dilapidated, but
now being completely repaired, and rendered capable of accommodating a thou-
sand men.
The streets are all narrow, without sidewalks, and none of them hardly wide
enough for two teams to pass. Of course there is no room for shade-trees, ex-
cept on the Plaza ; and not many are seen there.
Editors Letter-Box. 317
In some of the yards, orange, lemon, guava, citron, limes, figs, peach. Cape-
jasmin, myrtle, &c., are seen ; and in several places the date-palm waves its beau-
tiful plumes. The sour orange is common.
On the outskirts of the town, toward the St. Sebastian, the widow of Dr.
Anderson (Massachusetts stock) has an orangery of about twenty acres,
part large bearing trees, and part just planted. This is the largest anywhere in
this vicinity. Buckingham Smith has quite a number of bearing trees : so has an
old Frenchman named Dumas ; but his place looks like a wilderness. George W.
Atwood is at work vigorously to make an orangery. He has some bearing trees,
both orange and lemon. From the latter I picked average fruit weighing over a
pound each. In his garden I saw a rose-bush in full bloom, which Mrs. Atwood
said had not been destitute of roses at any time during two years. They have
also guavas, bananas, and date-palms. Peas are now in full bearing. A shipment
of large cabbage-heads has just been made. Lettuce, beets, turnips, are abun-
dant and good. Corn and potatoes, tomatoes, lima-beans, onions, &c., are
growing as large and good as with us at New York in June.
The soil of all this country is sand, — one vast field of sand ; yet it is productive
wherever properly manured. That is all that is wanted. But how that is to be
accomplished where grass is never cultivated, where we never see a green lawn
or meadow, where all the cattle run in a semi-wild state in the pine-woods, — that
is the question. It is one that never has been and never will be solved by
the native population : but it will be by the incoming one ; for it is one that
will make this land produce more than the people consume. That is something
it never yet has done. If it does not grow food, it should grow an abundance of
stuff to export to pay for its imports, and leave a large surplus of profit.
If there was a line of steamers direct to New York from this coast, it could
furnish excellent potatoes almost as early as Bermuda, and at a less price, or
else great profit to the grower. Sweet-potatoes could be delivered in New- York
market earlier than from any other convenient locality. They can be wintered
in the ground .where they grow, and dug, and sent to market in spring in better
condition than from any place where they must be stored to prevent freezing.
Probably the most profitable crop would be watermelons, if there was steam
communication with New York. I am told they often attain a weight of fifty or
sixty pounds.
As peaches grow here (and, in speaking of here, I mean all this region) most
luxuriantly, I do not see why they could not be made a profitable crop by pre-
serving the fruit in cans.
It is also a pity there is not some way to utilize the fruit of the wild orange,
which grows luxuriantly everywhere it is given an opportunity. It is grown
for shade and ornament, and as screen-hedges for gardens and orchards ; and
there are numerous groves in the woods from which people get trees, and plant
for budding with the sweet variety. These trees have shed their beautiful fra-
grant blossoms within a few days, and are now dropping slowly their rich golden
fruit. In some of the groves, the trees and ground are literally covered with
oranges, beautiful to the eye, but sour to the lip. A pleasant cordial, called sour-
orange-wine, is made of the juice ; and sometimes the fruit is used for sweetmeats.
&
3i8 Editors Letter- Box.
I am told that quinces grow well ; and but few other fruits do that are common
at the North. Pears, apples, cherries, plums, currants, raspberries, blackberries,
strawberries, gooseberries, fail ; and I do not see much hope that any of the
grapes that succeed with us will do so here. There is a sort called the St.
Augustine grape, and the Scuppernong, that thrive. I saw in Mr. Dumas' gar-
den a pecan-tree, ten years from the seed, as big as my body, which has borne
one crop. If one grows so, why not grow an orchard, and make a profitable
crop .'' In the same garden was a thrifty Madeira-nut-tree ; also a variety of
oranges grown from the seed, and producing fruit at ten years of age. Those
grafted produced in five or six years. The scale-insect, which was so destruc-
tive fifteen or twenty years ago, has disappeared.
Peaches do not appear to be affected by any disease. There are some exceed-
ingly thrifty orchards in the interior of the State, the fruit of which is largely fed
to the pigs. Some of it is dried, and some distilled ; but much is wasted as
valueless.
One of the pests of grape-growers, and the enemy of all small berries when
they do happen to succeed, is the flocks of mocking-birds. The skin of the
Scuppernong is so tough, that it withstands their attacks.
There is a fruit here, now ripe, called the Japan plum, which produces well,
and is eatable, not excellent.
Of wild fruits, the running-blackberry is the most common. It is ripe in April,
and quite abundant. Of wild flowers, the yellow jasmin is most common in
spring, making the woods fragrant. In this vicinity, their season is past. There
is a red jasmin, not so fragrant, but extremely handsome. The yellow jasmin is
medicinal. The mere handling of the blossom, and smelling the odor, by some
persons, produces a sort of paralysis, or stupor.
There is one of the azalea family, quite common, and very showy at this sea-
son, in low, rich places. The blossoms of the dogwood {Cor?ius Florida) have
already disappeared. These, it is said, blossom in the shad season everywhere.
Their season has been here since February commenced ; and so has the season
of garden-planting. Field-corn, in some places, is now up, so as to show the rows.
By the by, do you know the fashion here is to plant the corn, and plough the land
after the corn is up ? That is, two furrows of a little one-mule plough are turned
together, and the seed planted upon this little ridge of fresh earth, and left to grow,
while " the middles " remain green strips of grass or weeds until the owner finds
time to plough them out. A crop of ten bushels per acre is considered a good
one. Of course it cannot be grown for profit, when a crop of tw'o or three hun-
dred bushels of sweet-potatoes can be grown upon similar land.
The great want of Florida at this time is capital in the hands of Northern men,
who would make as great a change here in this wilderness as they have in all the
Western States, and probably with a much more certain and immediate profit.
I am certain that a great field is open to enterprise. It is a disgrace to this age
that it has remained so long untilled. The time has come for a change ; so it
has to close this letter.
Solon Robinson.
Editors Letter- Box. 319
L. T., Baltimore, IMd. — The best geraniums for winter blooming in the house
are the different varieties of the Zonale or Horse-shoe family. These are free
growers, adapt themselves well to the atmosphere of the parlor, and are seldom
out of bloom. To flower well, they should be potted on through the summer, artd
well pinched to make them of good shape. The colors are white, pink, orange,
red, scarlet, and crimson, in many different shades. If bedded out in the summer,
they will grow very strong ; and may be potted before tlie frost, and will soon
bloom. The varieties with golden and silver foliage are not as well adapted for
parlor culture as the plain-leafed kinds, but do well in a green-house. All the
varieties are good ; but, for the parlor, those of dwarf habit are preferable. The
rose, nutmeg, ivy, apple, and oak geraniums also do well in the parlor, but are
desirable rather for foliage than flower.
G. E. B., Auburn, N. Y. — Your communication has been privately answered.
The Editors cannot undertake to recommend the works of one publisher above
another. In all works on a given subject, much of interest and valuable informa-
tion may be found. Our advertising columns may always be depended upon, as
we only insert advertisements of parties we believe to be fully responsible.
A New Subscriber. — New-England May-flower, trailing arbutus, and ground-
laurel, are all popular names of the same plant, — Epigea rcpens. It is ex-
tensively distributed and very abundant in some localities. In cultivation it
seldom succeeds, but will thrive in a rhododendron-bed. We have but one spe-
cies, of which, however, the flowers vary much in color, from deep rose to white ;
and the foliage in size, according to situation. In England, seedling varieties
have been produced, and may be found in catalogues ; but we doubt much whether
they vary more than the wild plants of different localities. In England, the plant
receives the usual treatment given to "Alpine plants." Plants maybe removed
to the garden in early spring before growth begins, or in August after the sea-
son's orrowth is finished.
&■
I. C. — A decided case of red spider. Syringe well, sprinkle on the flue flour
of sulphur (but not so it will burn), and, during summer, thoroughly paint the
staging of your green-house. Any plant as badly affected as the leaves sent had
better be thrown away at once : one such plant would stock a green-house in six
weeks. — See article on the subject in the April number, concluded this month.
S. P. S., Brookline. — Lilacs, .syringa {PhiladelpJius)^ deutzias, and Pyrus
{Cydonid) Japonica, or Japan quince, are hardy ornamental shrubs, which will
take care of themselves, and bear any amount of ill treatment. The Persian
lilacs are very free flowering, and much more delicate than the more common
varieties. Of syringa, the large flowered are most showy, but are not fra-
grant. Dcutzia scabra is very handsome, and the hardiest ; D. crenata, fl. pi.,
is a new variety which may prove valuable. Of Cydonia Japonica, the red is the
more showy ; but the pink is far more beautiful. The double and many new
seedling varieties lately introduced are valuable only as varieties.
320 Editors Letter-Box.
A Subscriber. — The articles on City Gardens, of which the second appears
in the present number, will answer your questions.
George, Andover. — Your plant is Daphne cneonnn, an old inhabitant of gar-
dens, but recently brought prominently to notice. It is hardy certainly as far
north as Boston, and thrives in good garden-soil. The foliage is evergreen.
There is a variety with variegated leaves.
I. D. — The "native heath" is a variety of heather {Calhma vjilgaris).
For the history of the discovery and the controversy, see " Silliman's Journal,"
and "The Journal of Boston Society of Natural History," passim ; also Transac-
tions of Massachusetts Horticultural Society for 1861. There is a heath, hardy
in New England, Erica herbacea, and the variety carnea, blooming in May, and
thrivintr in a rhododendron-bed.
o
A. C. R., Gambier, O. — Plants seldom thrive outside a sunny window in sum-
mer if planted in pots ; for the heat of the sun upon the pot is so great, that the
roots become dried. The best plan is to put a box outside the window, and plant
bedding-plants or seeds early in May : these will make a good growth before
mid-summer, and generally bloom well. Climbers trained upon strings to the top
of the window make a pretty show. For bedding-plants, we recommend he-
liotropes, gazanias, verbenas, and scarlet geraniums ; of climbers, canary-bird
flower {Tropaoluin peregriiuun), cypress-vine {Ipomca qita/noclit), iMan?-andia
Barclay ana, and the varieties of nasturtium {Tropa;olu)n 7niiiiis') ; of annuals,
mignonette, sweet allyssum, or any other free-blooming, low-growing plants ; of
bulbs, Jacobean lily {Amaryllis formosissimus), tiger-flowers {Tigridia pavonia
and concliiflora), and perhaps some of the more dwarf varieties of gladiolus.
The one thing to be avoided is crowding : that requiring most care is watering.
1. G., Dorchester. — The new violets of which you have heard are of English
origin, and are probably seedling varieties. They are the Czar, large, dark pur-
ple, fragrant, — a Russian violet ; queen of violets, very large, double white ;
giant, somewhat resembling czar ; king of violets, very large, double, blue.
Some of these may be obtained of florists in this country ; though of course, like
other new introductions, they are of high cost.
JUM:
WESTERN ORCHARDS.
In presenting to your notice the condition of the orchards in the West-
ern country, it is necessary that you bear in mind the vast extent of territor}-
embraced in the area of our great interior valley. You must also consider
the varying soils that are spread over its wide surface, and at the same
time take note of the different conditions of climate which must exist over
an extent of eight degrees of latitude and twenty of longitude, modified
as they are, too, by their altitude above the level of the sea, by inequalities
of surface, by elevations and depressions, by great bodies of timber-lands,
wide areas of open steppes, and by broad sheets of water.
All these conditions are so totally different from those that exist in the
limited area of New England, and the eastern slopes of the Alleghanies,
near the sea-board, that we should hardly expect to find the fruits of one
region succeeding in the other. And yet these circumstances have been
overlooked by those who have planted orchards since the first settlement
of the country. W^ithin the great extent of territory above alluded to,
there are local differences, requiring especial selections for each ; but there
are also certain general conditions that apply alike to all.
4» 32X
VOL. I.
322 Western Orchards.
Sources of our Fruits. — By a well-established law of population, now
generally acknowledged by statists, though pointed out many years ago
by our own Mansfield,* emigration moves very nearly along the parallels
of latitude. With the immigration of men, there came, of course, the mi-
gration of fruits ; for the settler would very naturally desire to bring along
with him as many of the home-comforts of his former residence as possible.
This fact and its results are so well understood by intelligent pomologists,
that the origin of the population of a county or township is not unfrequently
predicated upon the observation of certain leading varieties of fruits in
their orchards.
As with the lines of migration of men, however, there are often observed
some marked deflexions from the parallels of latitude, so also do w'e find
departures from these in the western progress of fruits ; and thus, as we
pass toward the great Father of Waters, we often see these lines converging,
and sometimes even crossing each other.
Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina,
have furnished the most reliable and satisfactory varieties of our orchard-
fruits ; and we are now seeking to extend our lists by fresh importations
from the Southern States, encouraged by the happy results that have fol-
lowed previous introductions. It need not be expected that these will all
prove satisfactoiy : the lists must be sifted again and again. On the
other hand, some of our extremely hardy kinds of apples are from the North
of Europe and from Canada ; while beside them some Southern varieties
continue to brave successfully the hyperborean winters of Northern Illinois,
Iowa and Wisconsin.
Besides the little collections of fruit trees brought by the early settlers,
there very soon arose in every neighborhood some provident individual
who was engaged in the useful occupation of multiplying the best varieties
of fruits, and producing trees for others to plant. He was the primitive
nursery-man. Another individual soon followed him, and too often eclipsed
him, and drove him from the field by the grander display and more voluble
eloquence with which he approached his credulous customers : this was
the tree-peddler; and to this class of adventurers the Western farmers owe a
grudge for the evils they have committed. Long after the home-nurser}^-
• E. D. Mansfield, Commissioner of Statistics for Ohio.
Western Orchards. 323
man had discovered by observation what fmits were adapted to his neigh-
borhood, and what were unworthy of culture, these strangers continued to
flood the country with untried sorts from Eastern nurseries, and with those
that had already been tried and found wanting, but which, they assured
the credulous, were all the very best kinds for them to plant.
The unfortunate evils that necessarily followed this cause, eventually
worked their own cure, but not until orchard-planting had come to be
considered a very precarious business in many parts of the countr}', nor
until many planters had lost their orchards from the inability of the varie-
ties to withstand the vicissitudes of the climate. At length, the fruit-grow-
ers of the countiy began to assemble, and consult together upon topics of
the greatest importance to their future success. From these meetings grew
the North-western Association; and from it have legitimately descended our
several State and local societies, which have done so great a work for the
country.
One of the earliest conclusions of value that was arrived at by the dis-
cussions of these fruit-societies was, that many of the noted and highly-
praised Eastern varieties were wholly unfitted for the new conditions to
which they were exposed. Next it appeared that the Northern origin of a
variety was no guaranty of its hardiness in its new Western home, and that
some of these varieties had so much vigor while young as to make a late
autumnal growth in our fertile soils, and they suffered a mortal blow on
the access of the first frost. On the contrary, some of the Southern varie-
ties were found to be able to withstand the severity of the Northern winters
better than many of New-England origin.
Requirements. — A valuable result of these consultations was, that our
fruit-growers came to an understanding with one another as to the require-
ments of a successful variety of fruit. First of these, by common consent,
was, that the tree should be perfectly healthy and hardy. Too great a loss
had been sustained all over the country to allow these men to reach any
other conclusion. No matter how much the adoption of this principle
might cut down the lists, an honest nursery-man could no longer recom-
mend to his customers those varieties that were known to be tender, and
which were liable to be winter-killed.
The second requisition was, that the tree should be productive in the or-
324 Western Orchards.
chard ; for it was soon discovered that certain varieties were very unsatis-
factory in the money-returns of their fruitage. Whether this arose from
an inherent defect of their organization, from the effect of late-spring frosts,
or from a superabundance of wood-growth, which for a long term of years
kept the tree unfruitful, all such varieties were tabooed by these men, and
in some instances to their own loss, as in the case last cited ; for these trees,
though a long time in coming into profit, are often exceedingly productive
at last, and every way satisfactory. Besides, there are well-known means
of accelerating the fruitage of these slow kinds, some of which have been
successfully and extensively practised.
The next desideratum, and a quality that is imperatively demanded in a
new country, is early bearing. Our first orchardists, having no fruit of the
apple kind but the acerb native crab, were impatient for the results of
their planting. They could not think of waiting twelve or fifteen years for
the fruiting of the Northern Spy, Newtown Pippin, Rhode-Island Greening,
or the Yellow Bellflower, especially as they found on the mucky soil of the
prairies that many of their trees were killed outright or sadly crippled by
the winters before half that period had elapsed. Hence the preference
that was very early shown for the Baldwin, Red June, Keswick Codling,
Smith's Cider, Ben Davis, Fallawater, Gilpin, Buckingham, White Pippin,
and others that gave prompt returns, even though some of them were
deficient in hardiness.
Excellence of quality, though highly appreciated by Western pomologists,
was, and continues to be, a recommendation of the least value, if unaccom-
panied by the other requisitions. To men whose experience had led them
to rejoice at the attainment of abundant fruit after frequent disappoint-
ments, the quality of the product was of secondary importance to its at-
tainment. To the great world of purchasers called the market, it is a
matter of very little consequence whether the fruit be good or very good, if
it only be smooth, good-looking, and plentiful ; and our Western orchard-
ists soon learned to cater to the taste of the market as they found it. I
am aware that my critical readers, especially those that are mere amateurs
in fruit-growing, will exclaim against this decision : but I also know, that,
in a business view of the operation, the orchardists are right ; and I believe,
that, outside of the circle of accomplished pomologists, the world, both East
Western Orchards. 325
and West, will agree with my Western friends. But, as we did not set out
to discuss the term market-fruits, let it be laid aside for the present, lest
the limits of this paper be transcended.
Influence of Soil and Climate. — Having thus set forth in brief terms the
history of AVestern orchards, the sources whence they were derived,
some of the mishaps which befell them, and the conclusions reached by
the intelligent fruit-growers of the country, let us now inquire what may be
some of the causes, which, after an average of twenty years' trial and ob-
servation, have forced them to these conclusions.
First let us consider the entirely different soils in which our orchards
are planted. Upon the granite rocks, covered with a drift formation result-
ing from the glacial action of a former era upon the primary metamorphic
and schistose rocks of the mountain region, there originated varieties of
fruits which proved themselves adapted to that soil. These varieties have
been removed to soils which rest upon the fertile diluvial drift formation
of the West, which covers the horizontal strata of limestones and coal
measures. They have been planted also in the rich alluvial deposits of
lakes and rivers that have left their traces so manifestly upon our Western
plateaux, long after the glacial action had ceased.
Next we must not overlook the influence of our seasons, nor forget that
the climate of an elevated interior basin is necessarily very different
from that of a mountain country with its narrow valleys that communicate
directly with the ocean, itself calculated to exert a marked influence upon
the atmosphere. Our weather may be too variable, with violent and sudden
changes of temperature ; the atmosphere may be at times too wet, at other
times too dry. South of latitude forty degrees, it is quite probable, that,
for many of the Northern varieties of fruits, our season is too long, causing
the premature development and maturity of the seeds, and the consequent
early decay of the pulpy fruit.
The result of twenty years' trial with the New-England varieties over a
wide extent of Western orchards, and with an experience which has
reached more than eighty years in some parts of the Ohio Valley, has shown
us that most of the winter varieties of apples become autumn sorts, and
are thus of greatly diminished value in the commercial orchard, because
they do not keep well into the winter. Of twenty-three kinds introduced
326 Western Orchards.
into the Ohio Purchase from Connecticut by the Marietta settlers, most
have fiiUen into disrepute, and have long since disappeared from the
nursery-lists, while very few remain in cultivation.
In closing this hasty sketch of the condition of Western orchards, we
are forced to the conclusion, that the West has a work of its own to per-
form. All intelligent pomologists willingly acknowledge a heavy indebted-
ness to their Eastern friends and brethren, and freely accord to them the
meed of praise, and of thanks for their valuable contributions of informa-
tion ; but, in the West, there are many important problems which must be
solved by her own sons upon her own soils. Though we have ever been
accustomed to look hopefully to the East for bright rays to illumine our
pathway, and to aid us in solving the difficulties and in removing the ob-
structions that beset us, we can here expect but little assistance from that
quarter. We must experiment, observe, and study, and endeavor to sur-
mount these obstacles, for ourselves.
We are happy in feeling that many of these difficulties have already
been nearly overcome. The introduction of shelter-belts of deciduous
and evergreen forest-trees, of hedges, the closer planting of orchards, the
low-headed trees, the use of root-pruning, and well-selected fruit-lists
adapted to the several localities, and of hardy and productive varieties,
have enabled us to demonstrate what was formerly believed to be an im-
possibility,— the production of fruitful orchards on the prairies, now known
to be afi accomplished fact.
Our Eastern friends must not hastily conclude from these remarks that
we are willing to sunder our relations with them. No : the approaching
meeting of the American Pomological Society in St. Louis has been
hailed with universal joy by almost ever}' horticultural association in the
West, and a larger attendance is anticipated than has ever been seen at
the assembling of that body. A feeling approaching to veneration is en-
tertained for the veteran leader of that society, and his worthy coadjutors
in the Eastern States, many of whom we hope to see among us in Septem-
ber. . To their words of wisdom we shall lend attentive ears.
^ohn A. Warder.
Cleves, O.
Cypripedia.
327
CYPRIPEDIA.
Flowers are valued by me very much as my pictures are. I have no
picture-gallery, and I have no conservatory ; but I have pictures and flowers
to furnish my house, and to give an atmosphere which upholsterers and
cabinet-makers cannot compass. They are companions to me as much as
books are. I enjoy their peaceful society. They are a refined and con-
stant resource. I have a sympathetic interest in books, pictures, and
flowers : I love them very much as I love my wife and my children. In the
room where I now indite these reflections, I am surrounded by their agree-
able influence. I look up from my paper, and behold upon the shelves of
CVPRIPEUIUM SPECTABILE.
bookcases the works of Ruskin, Washington Irving, and Shakspeare ; and,
on the walls beside them, exquisite paintings in water-colors by Birket
Foster and Mrs. Murray ; while just at my left are the blooms of exotic
orchids, Cypripedia, Dendrobia, and Phalmiopsis, gracefully intermingled
with ferns and variegated foliage. The satisfaction arising from these asso-
ciations is, in a large degree, aesthetic. I know something of flowers and
their scientific relations ; but my botanical researches are only to inform
and enlighten my judgment, that my aesthetic appreciation may be more
critical and comprehensive. I have cultivated myself to understand some-
328 Cypripedia.
what the best books in the different departments of literature, the chief
merits of the different schools of art, and the rareness and peculiarities of
the different classes of plants. I am just amateur enough in these things
to enjoy understandingly the best. The profit of this innocent pleasure is
not, generally, correctly estimated. To study for the purpose of becoming
an author, a botanist, or a painter, is accounted worth the doing ; but to
inform one's self for the mere pleasure of appreciation is hardly deemed
meritorious, certainly not profitable. The great moral advantage is not
perceived. The intellectual and spiritual profit is not inculcated in ordi-
nary arithmetics, especially as to the acquirement of knowledge and taste
respecting pictures and flowers. I hold, however, that all knowledge is
profit ; that taste is the result of knowledge, or at least dependent upon it.
But to demonstrate the profit derived from the study of pictures and flow-
ers would lead me into a discussion of the philosophy of life, and the
nature and meaning of profit, which had better not be indulged in at the
present time. Civilization is cultivation, and the highest civilization
reaches into and is distinguished by exalted education in art. Horticulture
is art, and high art too, as decidedly as literature, music, painting, and
sculpture. At the Botanical Congress in London last summer, the impor-
tance of horticulture to botany and agriculture was fully explained, as also
its general beneficial influence upon the moral and material interests of
mankind, in the discussions evoked, and especially in the able and exhaus-
tive essay of the president, M. de Candolle of Geneva. Its usefulness is
recognized by scientific minds throughout the world, and is being devel-
oped, in a practical sense, by every year's added experiments. The profit,
in a scientific way, is readily understood. The trouble is to see its value
in the moral scale, and to admit the importance of its influence upon man's
moral nature and upon the moral interests of society. The romantic asso-
ciations of flowers, their poetic status, the most unappreciative will not
deny ; but picturesqueness, they contend, is not virtue, and aesthetics are
not a safe code of morals. Yet, as we are surrounded by objects which
appeal directly through our senses, it certainly seems wise that we should
cultivate our senses to appreciate what is best and purest and most refined.
The study of the beautiful is ennobling in directing our thoughts to the
contemplation of whatever is symmetrical and graceful and pure and true.
CypHpcdia. 329
There is enough ah-eady said about the education of tlie intellect, but
hardly a word about the education of senses, when it is known that char-
acter depends upon a n)an's sentiments and tastes rather than upon intel-
lectual achievements. A man's pleasures — those things which occupy and
amuse his leisure — mould and influence his moral character vastly more
than his work. To educate the senses to apprehend and enjoy the noble
and the beautiful is to elevate and exalt human nature. We must be
taught what is beautiful and symmetrical and pure and true, and educated
to find pleasure in the contemplation of excellence, if we expect to enjoy
the highest sentiments, and to keep above the degradation to which the
senses, unaided, might lead us.
There is so much contributed through the senses to make up the man,
that we should analyze profoundly the capabilities and range of sensational
pleasure. Sensational gratifications may be lofty or low ; and they are so
mysteriously mixed up with the subtlest elements of our being, that it is
almost impossible to define their limits. I know the word " sensational " is,
with the public, by no means a synonyme for spiritual or intellectual ; and
the very reason of its occupying so low a status is, because we allow the
senses, in a great degree, to select their own avenues of pleasure, and to
expatiate in the lower ranges of animal gratification.
The following sentiments of the great German poet (Goethe) express so
appropriately the necessity of cultivating and keeping alive the sesthetic
faculty by disciplining the senses to apprehend and enjoy the consummate
and the excellent, that I am resolved to quote them here : —
" Men are so inclined to content themselves with what is commonest, so
easily do the spirit and sense grow dead to the impression of the beautiful
and the perfect, that every person should strive to nourish in his mind the
faculty of feeling these things by every thing in his power ; for no man can
bear to be wholly deprived of such enjoyment. It is only because they are
not used to tasts of what is excellent that the generality of people take
delight in silly and insipid things, provided they be new. For this reason,
every day one ought to see a fine picture, read a good book, and, if it were
possible, to speak a few reasonable words."
These philosophical ideas, however, may not be considered apropos in a
horticultural journal ; and I may incur the penalty of being called to order
VOL. I. 42
330 Cypripedia.
for too great latitude of discussion, if I continue. So I will adopt a more
practical line.
I am invited to contribute an article upon the Cyprepedium, a vege-
table family of extensive relations, upon which I have bestowed considerable
attention. The interests of this family being just now paramount in my
mind, I prefer to review its claims and generic peculiarities.
The Cypripediu7n is a terrestrial orchid, and constitutes Dr. Lindley's
seventh tribe of orchids, comprising but this one genus, which differs from
all other orchids far more than any other two do from each other. It is
claimed that an enormous amount of extinction must have swept away a
multitude of intermediate forms, and left this single genus, now widely dis-
seminated, as a record of a more simple state of the great Orchidean order.
Darwin describes the organic peculiarities of the Cypripedmm as fol-
lows : —
" Cypripedium possesses no rostellum ; all three stigmas being fully de-
veloped, but confluent. That anther which is present in all other orchids
is here rudimentary, and is represented by. a single shield-like projecting
body, deeply notched or hollowed out on its lower margin. There are two
fertile anthers which belong to an inner whorl, represented in ordinar}-
orchids by various rudiments. The pollen-grains do not consist of three
or four united granules, as in all other genera excepting the degraded
Cephalanthera. The grains are not united into waxy masses, nor tied to-
gether by elastic threads, nor furnished with a caudicle. The labellum is
of large size, and is, as in all other orchids, a compounded organ."
The curious slipper-like shape of the labellum is necessary for the fer-
tilization of the plant, in leading insects to insert their probosces by the
lateral passages close to the anthers, by which means the glutinous pollen
is conveyed to the stigma. The Cypripedium, like many other orchids, is
incapable of producing ripe seed by virtue of its own powers ; and the
structure is said by Darwin to be actually opposed to it. The aid of in-
sects is absolutely required ; and, without their visits, the plants would be
sterile. Darwin styles the moths their " marriage-priests." This is one
of the most curious phenomena connected with plant-life, and shows the
reciprocal importance of the different created things to each other. Vegeta-
ble growth not only furnishes food for insects and other creatures, but the
Cypripedia. 331
instinctive visits of insects to certain plants in search of this food, are, by a
mysterious economy, made absolutely necessary to the fructification of the
plants ; the insects, accidentally as it were, being the agents for uniting
the pollen with the stigmas : for though all the organs are represented with
requisite reproductive power in the same individual plant, yet they are so
related structurally, that union is impossible without artificial assistance.
Among the many interesting features of the vegetable kingdom, the con-
trivances for fertilization which prevail among orchids are chief, and, to-
gether with the singular and exquisite forms which they present, are an
attraction which arrests not only the observation of the student of natural
history, but the admiration of every lover of the beautiful who finds any
thing in Nature picturesque enough to inspire him with a sentiment of
beauty. Exalted ideas of plant-existence proceed from study of the admi-
rable processes and marvellous methods which abound in Nature as they
are developed by investigation. The Cypripedium alone has interesting
chapters enough to reward the researches of the most exacting ; and the fre-
quent discoveries of new species are yearly adding to the accumulation of
attractions which already cluster around this remarkable genus.
Of the Cypripsdiiim, there are six species indigenous to the United States,
and all found, in more or less abundance, in different localities in the
Northern States. They are as follow : C. pubescens, larger yellow ; C. parvi-
florum, smaller yellow ; C. speciabile, purple and white ; C. acaule, pink ;
C. ca7ididum, white ; C. arieiimim, red and white.
Five of these species I have growing in my garden, and have no trouble
in keeping them. I plant them in the shade in leaf-mould. C. acaule,
which is not rare, I have frequently planted in large numbers, but have
never had it bloom a second season.
Mr. Rand, in a recent correspondence respecting our indigenous Cypripe-
dia, wrote me of this species as follows : " As to C. acaiile, my woods are full
of it. I remember, one day last summer, my little boy brought in more
than a hundred blossoms. I have often transplanted them with complete
success : they seed freely. Plant it in dry, sandy loam, and shade from the
sun ; never set the roots more than an inch deep, spreading them, and
mulch with pine-needles."
On the other hand, a correspondent in New Jersey, devoted to native bot-
332 Cypripedia.
any, and who cultivates more native plants, I think, than any one else in the
United States, agrees with my experience. I copy from his letter as follows : —
" I have met with C. acaule in damp woods and in dry woods ; in the
sandy pine-barrens of New Jersey, sometimes in nearly pure sand, with
very little mixture ; and in one instance I have met with it in tolerable
abundance growing in a wet sphagneous swamp, where grew Sarracenia
purpurea and Pogonia ophioglossoides. It did not grow quite so much in
the water as the two last-named plants : but there would be no difficulty in
reaching C. acaule With, one hand; and with the other, Sarracenia purpurea.
But, up to this time, it has resisted or rejected all my endeavors to retain
it. It will come up one 3^ear after bringing it in ; and after two, sometimes ;
but is sure to be gone by the third."
One of the peculiarities of C. acaule is, that it seems never to throw up
two stems or scapes from one plant ; and another, that it never increases
at the root as the other native species do, but always by seed. This is
the experience of a friend who is a close observer.
C. ca?ididiim is a dwarf lovely species, and challenges my admiration as
much as any of them. It is pure China-white, about the size of a robin's
egg. It is very rare indeed, although a lady wrote me last summer it was
abundant in swamps about ten miles from Madison, Wis. My plants came
from Western New York, where it is occasionally seen.
All these species have the characteristic shoe-shaped lip, from which the
plant derives its name, Venus's-slipper; more commonly, lady's-slipper ; or,
in the United States, moccason-flower. Some Englishman has remarked,
in view of its classic name, that he hoped Venus did not, slattern-like,
wear her slipper down at the heel, but that all the species of Cypripedium
he had seen indicated that she did.
C. spectabile is larger and more showy, and generally esteemed the hand-
somest of the native species. One clump of roots of this species in my
garden, last July, produced twenty-six superb flowers, two on each stem ;
the stems about two feet high, and the flowers uncommonly large.
C. arietinum is a small species, with a wild look, but is quite interesting,
and the exact shape of a ram's head, as its name indicates. This diminu-
tive species is very pretty when examined, the red and white lip curiously
drawing to a point at its lower extremity. I counted fifty-two flowers in
Cypripedia.
333
my garden last June upon my plants, which came from Canada. As to
stations for collecting it, I can only remark, it is a first-rate thing to himt
after. It is the most uncertain, irregular, vagrant plant in all our flora.
It seems enchanted, and to have the gift of disappearing at will when
wanted.
CYPRIPEDIUM AKIETINUM.
In some stations, amid cold swamps, it is reported to be both plenty
and permanent. I have heard it is somewhat abundant in Bergen Swamp,
Genesee County, N.Y. Referring to its transitory character, is not one
reason for its disappearance from accustomed habitats, that sphagnum is
always growing, and in course of time overtops all the little hillocks in the
334 Cypripedia.
swamps upon which it prefers to grow, thereby destroying its roots ? Ex-
cessive moisture is fatal to it in cultivation, I know from experience.
A gentleman wrote me from Canada, that he found it growing with
Liliiim Philadelphiaun, and other plants that require a dry, warm soil, but
where a cedar or tamarack swamp had formerly been ; and, as that was
the only swamp-plant remaining, he inferred, that, like C. pubescens, it could
exist without much moisture.
These little hillocks in the swamps are the favorite haunts of C. acaide
as well as of C. arietinum ; and a theory is drawn from this fact to account
for their blooming in May. These knolls get heated through long before
the ice is out of the swamps ; and I am informed it is not a rare occur-
rence to find them in flower with ice in their immediate vicinity.
C. parviflorum and C. pubescens are both yellow, and very showy. They
vary much in intensity of color ; soms baing quite dull, and others lively
and brilliant. The brightest I have had came from Canada. C. pubescens,
in size, is from two to four times as large as C. parviflorum.
These two species are abundantly distinct, though in some localities
difficult to determine. C. parviflorum is much the rarer of the two, though
not generally so considered : it is also fragrant, shorter, and flowers earlier;
has a deeper brown-purple perianth ; does not change much in form, though
some in size. C. pubescens is generally paler in color, much larger, and is
quite changeable in all its parts.
C. pai viflorum is entitled strictly to but one flower to the stem ; yet Mr.
Rand informs me he had a plant of this species under open-air culture, in
his garden, which produces three flowers on a single stem. This accidental
development occurs in those East-India species which ordinarily have but
one flower to the stem also ; for I have this winter seen a large plant of
C. insigne, in Mr. Rathbone's greenhouse in Albany, with two or three of
its many stems bearing two flowers each.
Flowers of C. spcctabile are frequently met with of pure white ; and in
Otsego County, in this State, blossoms of C. acaule have been found
entirely white.
A specimen of C. parviflorum has been gathered in Schenectady County,
in this State, having all the parts of the flower single except the lip, which
is double.
Cypripedia. 335
These hardy species may be transplanted in the spring before they begin
to grow, or in the fall after they have ceased growing. Removed at
these seasons, the roots may be entirely separated from the soil with safety,
and transported by mail or express to almost any distance. But I have
received roots taken up while the plants were in flower, which, with care,
have succeeded well. In this case, some of the native soil or turf should be
taken up with the roots. The great danger in their cultivation lies in their
getting dry during the season after they have bloomed. If a good growth
is not made during the summer, they will not have gathered strength enough
to flower the following spring, and perhaps not constitution enough to
keep alive a second season. They should, therefore, be grown in the shade,
and carefully watered through the summer after flowering, and perhaps
mulched with moss. Mine, however, do well without mulching. C. acaiile
is an exception to this treatment, as it regularly fails with me. It evidently
requires a dryer and sandier soil than the others ; yet it is found in its
native state both in dry and wet situations. C. parviflorum is less particu-
lar as to soil and moisture than any of the species. They are all, however,
impatient of being disturbed, and can only be domesticated by being left
alone when once transplanted. It is well (not necessary) to protect them
in winter with a thin covering of leaves or light litter.
The strips of ground on the north side of house-walls, generally so
desolate, where the sun's rays do not reach, and wliere even grass will not
thrive, may be converted into the most picturesque and attractive portions
of the garden by the introduction of hardy Cypfipedia and ferns.
All of the native species may be successfully grown in pots in a cold
plant-house : but I have had no experience in this mode of culture. Mr.
L. Menand of Albany, a professional florist, grows them in this way, and
seldom fails to flower them in the early spring.
There is a very rare and beautiful little native orchid. Calypso borealis, that
resembles the Cypripcdium in the sac-shape of its lip. I received a num-
ber of its tiny bulbs in full flower, last spring, from Canada. It has a
single leaf, with a scape three or four inches high, bearing a large, varie-
gated purple and yellow flower, the lip of which is three-fourths of an inch
long. George B. Warren, yun.
Troy, N.Y., February, 1867.
(To be continued.)
336
Forget-me-Nots.
FORGET-ME-NOTS.
The little blue flower, commonly known as Forget-me-not, divides with
the pansy, heart's-ease, or lady's-delight, a multitude of tender recollections.
Botanically, the plant is known as Myosotis ; and the true forget-me-not
of poetry and popular love is M. palustris, a native of England, and now
everywhere naturalized.
r
The flowers are blue, with yellow eye, and in most places are produced
all summer, and ripen abundance of seed.
Besides this, there are many other species, both annual and perennial,
some tender, others very hardy : the annual are increased by seed ; the
The Concord Grape. 337
perennials, both by seed and division. AT. Alpestris is the well-known spe-
cies of the Alps, with pretty dark-blue flowers. M. Azorica is a fine, tall,
showy perennial from the Azores, as its name signifies. M. ccespefosa
(tufted) intermedia, and na?ia, are natives of England ; and M. rupicola is a
Scottish species, thriving, as its name implies, in the clefts of the rocks, and
blooming very early in the season. All the above are perennials, except
M. palustris. Of annuals we may mention M. arvensis alba, with white
flowers ; M. collina and M. pedunadaris, both with blue flowers ; and M.
commutata, also with blue flowers, which is a biennial.
The variety which we figure is a seedling, recently obtained in Prussia
by hybridizing between M. Alpestris and M. Azorica, and has been called
Myosotis Imperatrice Elizabeth, or SemperJJorens hybrida. It seems to
have the fine, erect habit of the latter, combined with the compactness of
the former ; and in beauty, and abundance of flowers, leaves nothing to be
desired. The flowers are deep, rich azure-blue, with dark-yellow eye. It
flowers most abundantly during the whole season, from early spring until
the severe frosts of autumn ; a quality which must give it preference over
many other varieties the period of whose flowering is very short.
It is hardy in Europe, and would probably stand our winters, certainly
if protected with a cold-frame.
For forcing it is admirably adapted, and makes a charming pot-plant.
The plant is for sale in Europe, and will probably be obtainable of
florists in this country the present summer. E.
THE CONCORD GRAPE.
The decision of the committee recently appointed to award the Greeley
Prize to the best grape for general cultivation has the indication of merit,
— that it has been thoroughly abused. At the first announcement that the
Concord grape had been selected, every amateur was seized with a parox-
ysm ; and even at the meeting of practical fruit-growers held in Rochester,
N. Y., this award was so severely traversed, that a member of the committee
who chanced to be present, perhaps fearing expulsion from the meeting,
VOL. I. 43
338 The Concord Grape.
hastened humbly to disavow all responsibility for the decision, on the plea
that he was " one of six."
Public attention thus awakened naturally inquires why it is (if this award
has not some weighty reasons to back it) that the opinion of six gentlemen
on a meagre exhibition of grapes should set the horticultural world into a
ferment. Nursery-men would very naturally eye with disfavor any thing
which would tend to make a twenty-five-cent grape-vine more popular than
one which brings a dollar ; but it is noticeable that this award has its
worst enemies among the devotees of the science, who aim to foster fruit-
culture among their countrymen as an ennobling pursuit, and who view
such questions disinterestedly.
There is no class of amateurs to whom America is more indebted than
the amateur pomologists. To them we owe some of our choicest treasures,
both of cultural knowledge and of varieties of fruit. But we submit,
that, in such questions, the public occupies a different position from the
amateur.
What is an amateur ? He is a man whose cultivated taste demands per-
fection, without regard to cost. He is an epicurean in science or art.
What does the public demand in grape-culture ? It demands, as cardi-
nal points, certainty and cheapness of production. Quality, time of ripen-
ing, duration, are all secondar}^ It would actually prefer to raise with
certainty a bunch of Concords for a penny, than to risk a doubtful chance
■of producing a bunch of Delawares or Rebeccas for a shilling.
" What taste ! " cries an amateur. But can he or any one deny that
these are essentials, without which no grape ought to be confidently recom-
mended for general cultivation ? Can he deny that the Concord grape is
known to be hardy and prolific over as large a variety of soils and climates
as any grape of as good a quality ?
The amateur may enjoy his Dyer and Early Joe apples, his delicious
Hooker strawberries, and his Dorchester blackberries ; he may rest under
the shade of his Delaware vine (if he can induce it to grow high enough),
and commiserate at his leisure a public whose embiyo tastes are satisfied
with the Baldwin apple, the Wilson strawbeny, or the Lawton blackbeny :
yet even he, scornful as he is, will not venture to gainsay the adaptability
of these to general cultivation. Why should he be so opposed to placing
lona and Delaware. 339
the Concord grape in the same category of unassailables ? Is the Concord
grape a whit more inferior as a grape than the Wilson is as a strawberry,
or than the Baldwin is as an apple ?
We would ask whether there is a surer way of adding to the number of
intelligent grape-growers, and raising the general standard of taste, than by
introducing to public notice some grape, albeit not of first quality, which
will not disappoint either by mildew, lack of vigor, or paucity of fruit.
Will not every one who plants a Concord vine, and gathers his rich reward,
be encouraged not only to plant more vines, but of choicer varieties ?
Macedon, n.y. Pro Bono Publico.
lONA AND DELAWARE.
(Concluded.)
The introduction of the Delaware gave us our first grape that could
compare favorably with the best kinds of Europe. It is a grape of the
highest excellence ; hardy and productive ; free from disease in almost all
locations. In the extreme hot summer of 1865, in my own vineyard, one
hundred Delaware vines loaded with fruit showed not a sign of disease ;
while on the Catawba vines, in rows eight feet from the Delaware on either
side, the fruit rotted badly. In other vineyards, the Delaware did equally as
well. I have yet to see the first sign of rot, or of mildew to any extent, on my
Delawares, of which I have over one thousand strong-bearing vines, and
planted, last spring, six thousand young plants, of which I did not lose one.*
The introduction of the lona grape was another step in advance. On
sending it out, its originator (Dr. Grant) claimed for it many good quali-
ties ; so many, in fact, that it was at once marked as a humbug by some
of our oldest vine-growers. They could not believe that such a grape
had so soon been produced in America ; and it at once became a mark for
many pens (many honest ones, I have no doubt) to write at ; and this has
continued, to some extent, up to the present time. This was and is
most unjust; first, because the half had not nor ever has been said in re-
* The writer's location is specially favored ; the great obstacles to the general cultivation of both the
lona and Delaware are the tendency to mildew, the weak nature of the vine, and the long season required
for the former variety.
340 lona a>id Delaware.
gard to the superior excellence of the lona grape for table or for wine.
No one can by words be made to realize the true value of this grape : only
by eating the fruit in sufficient quantity to become acquainted with it, and
by testing its wine by the side of the best wines of Europe, can a full
knowledge of its surpassing excellence be gained. Secondly, it was unjust,
because Dr. Grant had done more than any other man to introduce the
Delaware into all parts of our country ; thus giving grape-culture in
America a helping hand, which it particularly needed at that time. This
should have gained for him more consideration from those interested in
vine-growing. The true value of the lona is fast becoming known to our
best vineyardists. Already such veteran grape-growers as Mr. John E.
Mattier of Cincinnati, and Mr. William Griffith, late President of the I^ake-
shore Wine Company, are planting lona vines by tens of thousands. Hun-
dreds of men in all parts of our country are planting it alone, believing it
to be our very best grape, as all must believe who give it a thorough trial. In
five years, the wine from this grape will not only be known as the best we
have in this country, but the best in the world.*
I have grown the lona from the first season it was offered for sale (1864).
The vines that I then procured have given me two crops of fruit. The
second season after planting, they were suffered to bear from four to six
clusters each. The fruit even on these young vines ripened perfectly and
in good time ; and although this was the season when the Catawba crop
was so much injured by rot, and the Concord dropped its fruit badly, yet
the lona showed no sign of rot or mildew, nor did it drop its fmit. These
vines passed safely through the following winter which killed so many
young vines of other varieties, and in the spring set a large quantity of
fruit, some of which was removed. The remainder (about two pounds to
the vine) was ripe at the same time as the fruit on Delaware vines one year
older : if any difference, it was in favor of lona. I made my first ship-
ment of Delawares to the Chicago market Aug. 24. I have planted many
hundred lona vines since, some of which I expect to bear fruit this coming
season ; and can safely say that I have had no more trouble in growing
lona or Delaware than Clinton or Concord, and have never lost a vine of
either, except under the same circumstances as destroyed all other kinds.
* Our correspondent is enthusiastic, as his success may well cause him to be. We only hope the future
may prove the truth of his prophecy. — Eds.
lona and Delaware. 341
It is true that many young vines were lost in the winter of 1865 !^"d ^td;
but in equal proportion were small vines of all other varieties lost : even
apple, pear, and cherry trees, that had come safely through the extreme
cold of the winter of 1863 and '64, were killed. Is it, under such circum-
stances, just or reasonable to say, that, because vines of lona and Delaware
were killed this winter, they are not hardy ; that they have not proved
a success in Illinois, or in the West generally? There is yet another thing
which has done much to bring about this belief that the lona and Delaware
are not hardy in the West. This is the extremely poor plants that have,
in too many instances, been bought and planted. Thousands upon thou-
sands of the most worthless plants have been and will continue to be sent
out until people learn that extreme cheapness of vines for a vineyard is,
like buying many other things because they are cheap, very bad economy
in the end. This has done more than any other one thing to injure the
reputation of these varieties ; and it will continue until planters learn that
ten good vines are better, and will bring in more money, than one hundred
poor ones. Undoubtedly, in particular locations and situations, they will
require peculiar treatment : for instance, a man planting a vineyard in the
rich soil of the West would make a great mistake should he manure his
ground as highly as is required in some parts of the Eastern States. In
the West, all vines grow too rapidly : they do not make as solid wood,
neither is it as perfectly ripened, as in localities where the growth is slow ;
and, of course, cannot withstand the same degree of cold. Knowing this,
as all Western vine-growers do, it becomes necessary to prevent this rapid
growth as much as possible by choosing ground for the vineyard not so
rich as is the greater part of our land ; and, to cause the canes to ripen,
their ends are pinched off in August. This exceedingly rapid growth of
the lona and Delaware vines is confined to the first two or three years
after planting.
A situation for a vineyard should be chosen where the vines will not be
too much exposed to high winds, yet where there will be a free circulation
of air through them. The surface of the ground should incline, so as to
quickly run off all surface-water ; for, when this water is retained, then the
roots will surely freeze out in winter, even though they be of Concord or
Clinton. The ground should be thoroughly underdrained ; the soil
342 lona and Delaware.
broken up by spade or subsoiler at least twenty inches deep (two feet will
be better) : but, if the subsoil is thrown to the surface, good soil must be
brought from elsewhere to place around the roots of the newly-planted
vines. The vines should be trained low, the arms not more than one foot
from the ground : four feet is high enough for the trellis. So trained, the
fruit has the benefit of heat thrown back from the fjround in cool nights,
and is thus kept at a more even temperature night and day. I have a
vineyard of several thousand vines, all trained with arms and spurs. These
vines have produced large and regular crops, year after year ; and I know
of no better method of training. If there are any perfect buds or perfectly
ripe wood on the vine, it is that remaining after pruning.
The vines should not be suffered to ripen more than two or three clus-
ters of fruit the second season after planting ; and, unless very large, should
not bear till the third year. The distance I would recommend for Dela-
ware and lona is four feet in the row, the rows six feet apart. The lona
may be planted six by six ; but the Delaware, if planted at this distance,
will set more fruit than it should ripen. I am satisfied, that, as a general
thing, we plant all vines too far apart, and injure them by heavy bearing.
All vines must be covered with earth in winter. This is decidedly neces-
sary. Even in warm winters, this covering will insure one-third more fruit,
and the clusters will be much more perfect : a crop of fruit is thus made
certain. This covering is very little trouble if the vines are trained with either
double or single arms : but the arms should be taken directly from the ground;
that is, started as low down as is possible, and not, as is shown in most
books on grape-culture, taken from the two upper buds of a cane cut at one
foot from the ground, started from near the surface. They should be
trained at an angle until the lower bar or wire is reached, and then directly
along it. When trained this way, they almost drop to the ground when un-
tied from the trellis. The spurs being short, all are easily covered by plough
or spade. In building trellis, use three wires, — the first, one foot from the
ground ; the second, fifteen inches from that ; and the third, within an inch
of the top of posts, which are four feet above the ground. I first built my
trellis with upright wires, but soon had them removed.
Warsaw, Hanxock County, III. ^- If- -^-i^y-
Garden Architecture ; Hints on Landscape Gardening. 343
GARDEN ARCHITECTURE, AND HINTS ON LANDSCAPE
GARDENING.
ENTRANCE-ROAD.
The entrance-road, with its wing-walls, in most cases the first unmistaka-
ble indication- of proprietorship which strikes the visitor, demands much
care in its treatment.
Fig. 14.
For entrance-sweeps of a plain character, the subjoined sketch shows
a method of coping which may be practised with very good effect. It is a
rude sort of crenellation, by no means lacking picturesqueness in execution,
though not very effective as a sketch.
The two annexed cuts. Figs. 15 and 16, show two nearly similar methods
Fig. IS-
of treating an entrance-sweep wall. In the former, the curves are simple
quadrants in the Roman manner, which can never give grace in combina-
tion, as may be seen in the cyma recta or cymatium of any Roman example.
The Greeks, on the contrary, used invariably curves drawn by hand, of such
extreme delicacy, that they cannot be imitated by any mathematical formula
of projection. The Italian form of cymatium, which is of extreme grace,
is also drawn by hand.
Fig. 16 shows the sweep treated in the Italian method, drawn, for con-
venience, by two portions of circles of unequal radius. The curve is easy,
and what is termed " flowing."
344
Garden Architecture,
Some prefer a hollow curve for the entrance-sweep ; but it seems more
natural that the walls or fence should conform to the track which either
Fig. 1 6.
wheeled vehicles or pedestrians would take on turning from the highway
into private grounds. Besides, any thing that tends to increase the quantity
of gravel which requires weeding \% an objection. If on a very large scale,
the portions of the road over which the traffic never passes might be turfed,
and indeed planted, enclosed by a fence, or posts and chain ; but it may
be questioned whether there is strict propriety in supplementing the sweep-
wall, which is the real fence, by another outside it. This difficulty is greatly
lessened if the entrance recess is angular, as there will then be at least a
fair place to start the supplementary fence from ; namely, a corner pier.
The first thing required of an approach-road is that it should be easy,
and reasonably direct. People who are hurrying to catch a train have lit-
tle leisure to admire the road for any thing but its suitability for purposes
of locomotion. The curves should be fair and continuous, easy to be kept
by the horses, and screening the house. The following example shows a
very short approach ; but, short as it is, it admits of being done badly.
TU RNP 1 K E
Fig. 17.
Fig. 18.
In Fig. 17, the curve is continuous, and the house is screened. In Fig. 18,
the wheels would certainly follow the straighter course shown by the straight
and Hints on Landscape Gar'dening.
345
lines ; and the recesses or bays, a a, would grow up in weeds, or require con-
stant care ; the projections would be shaved by the carriages, and continu-
ally encroached upon. Fig. 18 is, however, by no means as bad as evil
ingenuity could make it; but it is wrong in principle, and no landscape-
gardener would lay it out so.
A practice which should decidedly never be allowed is for two bays or
two projections on the same side to be seen at once : it is the worst possi-
ble fault a road can have. Use curves, as many as may be desired, but
no serpent-like twistings. The following figures will explain more clearly.
Fig. 19.
In Fig. 19, we have an easy curve ; and, by looking at the dotted lines,
it will be seen that the view is confined to one bay and one projection. In
Fig. 20, on the contrary, two indentations and two projections are visible,
Fig. 20.
the effect of which would be very bad. A horse would draw a carriage so
as to shave the projections, and avoid the indentations ; and the track of
the wheels would soon show the faults of the design.
Most landscape-gardeners insist that the road should be carried on the
natural surface of the land. Unless, however, the ground be very easy in
its slopes, there seems no valid objection to a moderate amount of cutting
and filling. The main thing to avoid is the formality of a railroad ; but,
VOL. I. 44
346 Gardeji Architecture,
as a road is manifestly an artificial work, why should it not be as perfect as
skill can make it ? The first object of a road is to carry wheeled vehicles ;
and any thing in reason which facilitates this object would seem to be
allowable.
The difficulty of making a satisfactory cutting is greatest in compara-
tively level ground which happens to be repeatedly crossed by hillocks, re-
calling in miniature to the traveller the rolling prairie of the West.
Fig. 2 1 is, of course, an exaggeration ; but it will serve to illustrate the
bad effects of the concealment of any low portion of the road by any high
^^A., if
Fig. 21.
portion without a bend in the road. The spectator at a sees the carriage
C in a proper position ; but when c retires down the slope, and is partially
lost at B, the effect will be rather grotesque, and will not be improved by
the gradual emerging of c towards the crest of hill.
Where there are means of laying out the road on curves, the inequalities
of the ground can be got over with comparative ease, and a cutting may
also be much bolder.
As to the width of roads, every thing depends on the size of the place :
but, as no entrance-road need be wider than enough to let two carriages
pass, fourteen feet is sufficient for the largest place ; and, as the width of
the road pre-eminently gives scale, it should never be made in a small
place more than nine, or at most ten feet, — enough for one carriage to drive
handsomely. It is thus kept in order by the traffic, and the weeds kept
down ; which will not be the case where the road is double the width of the
travel. If two carriages meet, it is easy enough to take the grass with one
wheel for a few yards ; and, even if the turf should be injured, it is cheaper
to repair it now and then than to keep down the weeds in a fourteen-feet
road permanently. The refuse lime from gas-works is excellent for killing
w^eeds ; but it must be used with care, as it will kill any thing it comes near,
and it spreads its influence laterally farther than is generally supposed.
and Hints oti Landscape Gardening.
347
If the place is old and well wooded, the road may pass through a piece
of wood. An entrance, however, should be as cheerful as possible, which
a long grove can never be ; though, by passing through trees occasionally,
great variety is given, and the pleasure of the drive increased. Of course,
there is no objection to an avenue of any kind, because that supposes the
trees to be at a good distance apart, and not too close to the road. Be-
sides, an avenue consisting of two or more rows of trees is by no means a
track cut through a forest. What should be avoided is a road running into
a wood composed of thick foliage, where a sufficient number of trees are
not removed to allow the sky to be seen in almost all parts. A pair of
trees here and there, with the road going between them, will be very good ;
even three or five trees can be thus managed with advantage : but there
should not be enough to make the road dark.
A growing custom is to make avenues by clumps of several trees, some-
times as many as seven or nine, disposed in groups at about seventy yards
apart. Of course, in time, most of the trees must be thinned out, that is
to say, entirely removed, to allow those remaining to expand into their
proper proportions.
When trees become large, and touch each other, they exercise a most
prejudicial effect by cutting the branches of their neighbors when swaying
with the wind. This is reciprocal, and two trees are injured in every such case.
Avenues should not be designed to bear towards a dip in the land, un-
less there is an elevation beyond capable of bearing an object or forming
a vista. — Adapted from " Garden Architecture and Landscape Gardening''''
by yohn Arthur LLughes.
348 The Magnoliaceos.
THE MAGNOLIACE^.
(Concluded.)
11. M. Purpurea {Purple-flowering Magnolia). — Japan is the native
country of this unique and dwarf species. When first introduced here, it
was considered and treated as a half-hardy shrub. Experience has shown
it capable of standing the coldest of our winters. My first successful at-
tempt at growing it on the cucumber-tree was made last season. It took
both by side-grafting and budding early in May. If it can be grown into
a tree as large as the glauca by this plan, it will form a splendid ornament.
Time only seems wanting to develop it.
The period of blooming continues through summer, and even into au-
tumn, when suitable rains are furnished. A few seeds are matured every
season. As this is the only species with red or purple flowers, it will
doubtless be employed to impart colors in crossing and hybridizing.
That given points can be reached in breeding fruits and flowers, the
experiments of Mr. Knight and certain other pomologists and florists have
decided. The principles governing the results are known. The art of
manipulating in the best manner is not, in all instances, as well understood.
Mystery is, perhaps, intentionally thrown around it by experts. That it is
successfully and extensively practised, is evident from the number of new
and improved varieties of fruits and flowers annually introduced to the
public. A few may be the result of accident or empirical effort. The
larger numbers are the products of well-regulated art.
An editor of a horticultural journal could confer no greater benefit on
his patrons than to instruct them in the details of that art ; and our intel-
ligent young people could engage in no more interesting and healthful
amusement than in carrying those details into practice.
12. M. Gracilis. — Slight differences distinguish this variety from its
parent, the purpurea, but sufficient, perhaps, to entitle it to cultivation.
Of the twelve species and varieties described, all, the auriculata ex-
cepted, are now growing near the lake shore, and fully exposed to the
lake influences, five miles west of the city of Cleveland, O. Their
The MagiioliacecB. 349
flourishing condition bears evidence, that, under suitable management, they
are capable of resisting the vicissitudes of this northern climate.
A few other kinds are named in the catalogues of nursery-men, and
their merits remain to be tested. An intelligent native of Burmah, a stu-
dent of medicine and divinity, now here, informs me that a small and
handsome species of magnolia grows in his country. It perhaps is the
piu-purea.
{b.) LlRIODENDRON.
I. L. TuLiPiFERA {Poplar, White-wood, Tulip-tree). — This is the only
species included in the genus, and is familiarly known as one of the most
stately and magnificent trees in the Western forests. The frequency with
which it is here met prevents its merits for ornamental purposes being
duly estimated.
Its habit is much improved by cultivation, when young, in open grounds.
In such situations, it is an object of great beauty, especially while covered
with its large yellow and glaucous-green flowers in the month of June. At
this time, the nectaries of these flowers abound with honey of a superior
qualit}^, which entices the honey-bee to resort to them in great numbers, in
preference to the many other flowers expanded at the same period.
Its large, rich green, and uniquely formed leaves are objects of special
admiration. Each leaf has two lateral lobes near the base, and two at the
apex, the latter abruptly truncate. The original tree, standing, of course,
in the Garden of Eden, produced leaves, with the two latter designated
lobes united into one, and terminating in an elongated spear-form point,
till, on a time, Damsel Flora, in a sportive mood, plucked a leaf, folded
together its sides upon the mid-rib, and then with her scissors abruptly cut
off the spear-form leaf at its middle. Since that day, the impression of
the mutilation has been entailed on all succeeding generations of its leaves.
Such is tradition.
Seedlings frequently spring up in the forests and neglected fields, and
they are more tolerant of removal than cucumber-trees of similar size. No
tendency has been discovered in them to deviate in the least from the
normal habits of the species ; yet in Europe, where it has been under culti-
vation for near two hundred years, several varieties have been produced.
Its close botanical affinities to the magnolia leads to the suggestions.
3 so The MagnoliacecE.
whether hybrids between the two may not be originated ; and also whether
it may not be substituted as a stock, in place of the cucumber-tree, for the
propagation of the several species of magnolia.
Several experiments, testing the feasibility of the latter suggestion,
resulted in effecting an adhesion between the bark of the magnolia
buds, and alburnum of the tulip-tree ; yet, in every instance, the chit of the
bud perished. These experiments, though falling short of perfect success,
served rather to strengthen the affirmative side of the query.
Propagation,
By Seeds. — A cold frame is required. It should be constructed in a
situation protected from cold winds, shaded from noonday sun, and not
under drippings of either buildings or trees. The soil should consist of
wood-mould, well-digested peat-earth, and sandy loam, in equal proportions,
intimately mixed and riddled.
The seeds, prepared as directed under the head of M. acuminata, should
be planted one inch deep ; and the surface of the bed should be covered
with a layer of leaves during winter, and until the seeds begin to sprout
about the middle of May, when the covering should be removed. Constant
attention to the condition of the surface will be required till the plants are
well established. An excess of sun, dryness, or moisture, is equally fatal
to them. From time to time, until September, seedlings will often con-
tinue to appear. The most luxuriant usually make only a few inches of
growth by the close of the first season : that is, however, the best period
for their removal either to nursery-rows or their permanent localities. At
this age they suffer little from the operation ; and, besides, it induces them
to throw out fibres from the main roots, which prepares them for subse-
quent removals should it be desirable.
By this method, a supply of choice seedlings as well as stocks can be
secured.
By Layering. — Two seasons are required to complete the process with
the magnolias. For directions, see practical works on horticulture.
By Budding. — The method is familiar to every nursery-man, and differs
little from that required in propagating the peach. Two periods each sea-
son are, however, afforded. First, When the bark of the stock will peel
The Magtioliacece. 351
freely, — about the loth of May in this vicinity. The wood of the stock may
be from one to three years old. Buds may be selected from scions cut in
February and carefully preserved, or may be taken directly from the tree.
If from the latter, employ those the least swollen ; and even those which
are small and semi-abortive are to be preferred to those which have burst.
Cut them with a long base, and dip slightly into the wood ; but never
attempt to remove the slice of wood taken off with the bud.
When inserted, tie them in with narrow strips of waxed cloth ; and com-
plete the process by stopping every crevice about the bud with melted
grafting-wax, so as to exclude air and water. Neither woollen-yarn nor
bass-matting can be substituted for these cloth ligatures.
Second, From the middle of June to the middle of July, a period is fur-
nished for summer-budding. At this time, well-matured buds of the present
season's growth are to be selected. The operation, in every particular, is
the same as in spring-budding. It is, however, more difficult to fix upon the
exact moment for doing it. The buds must be well ripened, while at
the same time the deposit of young sap-wood in the stock must not be too
mature. The present year's growth only is now used for the stocks. Buds
set in the spring are expected to make a free growth before autumn, while
those set later will remain dormant till the next spring. They form their
adhesion with the stock very slowly, and a premature removal of the liga-
tures will destroy them. Such removal should not be attempted till the
stocks are slightly strictured.
By Ingrafting. — Inarchin'^r can sometimes be resorted to ; but I have
found other methods more convenient.
Side-grafting, or double-tonguing the scion upon the side of the stock,
often succeeds. It is preferable to leave on the graft a shank five or six
inches long, projecting below the junction with the stock. By placing this
shank in a suspended bottle of water, the graft will be prevented from
dr^'ing till it forms a union with the stock.
If the stock be small, the scion may be tongued on the side of the stock,
just above the crown of the roots ; and the shank may, in that case, be in-
serted in the earth.
No mode of grafting these spongy-wooded magnolias will succeed that
requires amputation of the stock. The top is required to keep the sap in
circulation.
352 The MagnoliacecE.
By Graft-Budding. — This is similar in all respects to budding ; only a
scion is employed in lieu of a bud. One side of its base is sloped for two
inches, so as to leave its end, drawn to a narrow edge or point. When it is
inserted in the T incision in the back of the stock, it must be confined
there by means of the wax-cloth ligatures ; and it is important to close the
incisions carefully with melted wax, as previously directed.
The loth of May, in this latitude, is the suitable time for operating.
After a few days, the larger and expanded buds of the scion may perish ; but
soon those at the base, and sometimes small ones at the side of those which
have perished, will be forced into a growth. To these insignificant buds we
often look for success, and should choose scions on which they abound.
After buds or grafts have taken, skill is required to divert into them the
main flow of sap without impairing the health of the stock. The top,
hitherto left, must be gradually shortened, at intervals of a week or two,
during the season ; and, in some instances, the process must be carried into
the second season. If attempted too abruptly, both stock and bud or
scion may be destroyed.
Soil and Management. — The health, vigor, and durability of the mem-
bers of this order of plants depend in a great measure upon their roots
being continuously in a condition similar to that which existed in their
native localities. The soil must be deep and rich in the requisite elements.
An excavation at least two feet deep, and four in diameter, should be
formed for the reception of each tree, however small. This should be filled
with a soil similar to that recommended for the cold-frame, omitting the
labor of riddling ; and time should be allowed for it to settle before the
tree is planted. If it be of any considerable size, it should be removed
with a ball of earth investing the roots. If a selection can be obtained in
a nursery, secure such as have been repeatedly removed.
When the transplanting has been completed, the next step is to preserve
a uniform moisture about the roots, akin to that which is uniformly sus-
tained about the roots of trees in a thick and shaded forest. There the
surface of the earth is constantly strewed with a covering of decaying
leaves, which preserve a constant moisture. Applied artificially about the
roots of a magnolia in a lawn, the same effects follow. To preserve this
mulching in place, and aid in forming a shade, a well-adjusted circle of
boards should be placed upon the leaves.
Summer -Pi'iming of the Grape. 353
The leaves should be turned under the soil every spring ; and I have found
it beneficial to add to them a liberal quantity of saw-dust, small chips, and
fragments of bark collected in a wood-yard. A new layer of leaves should
then be applied, and the boards replaced for another year. While thus
protected, they appear to suffer neither from the sun of summer, nor the
frosts of winter.
These protecting materials may appear unsightly in a neatly-kept lawn.
An ingenious cultivator can contrive means to conceal them. Vines and
trailing plants may be trained over them during summer. In winter, they
strike the eye no more unfavorably than the furs upon a well-dressed
person.
Lime, ashes, and animal matter, in any considerable quantities, are
injurious to plants of this order. Vegetable mould is their requisite food.
In conclusion, it may be recapitulated that success in their cultivation
depends, —
ist. On furnishing them with a deep soil, rich with decayed-vegetable
matter.
2d, On sustaining that richness by annual supplies.
3d, On preserving the ground extensively about their roots in a moist
condition, similar to that existing in their native forests.
4th, On protecting the roots from the impression of frost during winter.
5th, On propagating the shrubby, weaker, and less hardy kinds on the
stock of the acuminata. Jared P. Kirtland.
Cleveland, O., Jan. 9, 1867.
SUMMER-PRUNING OF THE GRAPE.
(Concluded.)
Third, Trimming to direct the growth of the canes. Pinchitig off the
ends of some of the shoots is a very important part of summer-pruning ;
but it is one which has been very much abused in practice, and still more
so in the criticisms of those who theoretically condemn the practice. Be-
fore proceeding any faither, it is well for us to consider, that, in all pruning
VOL. I. 43
354 Summer- P nuiiiig of the Gi'ape.
of vines, we must remember the necessity of keeping the plant in due
shape as to its wood, and that we desire to have this properly distributed.
We want the new growth, which goes to form the canes for the next year's
fruitage, formed low down on the stock, and not at the ends or higher parts
of the vine, which would soon give us high, naked stocks, and bare, empty
trellises, such as may ever}^where be seen, — striking witnesses of the igno-
rance of Nature's laws as illustrated in the vine.
No intelligent cultivator need be told, that when a vine is tied up to a
stake, or trained vertically upon a trellis, the terminal or upper buds will
break the most vigorously ; and if let alone, and allowed to grow upward,
they will maintain their ascendency throughout the season. This is often
at the expense of those starting from a lower point, which were expected
and desired to be the stronger, so as to produce the wood for the annual
renewal of the vine. The same thing is true of vines trained upon the
bow system, especially if the binding have been done too early in the sea-
son : the object of the bow being to distribute the nourishment equally to
the different parts of the vine. The binding should not be done till the
sap has started towards the upper buds, and they have received an im-
pulse. If they are then brought down to a lower position, they are subordi-
nated ; and other buds at the upper bend become the highest, and thus
produce the stronger shoots. In the mean time, those springing from the
spur for renewal-canes can get the desired start ; and the pinching now to
be described is intended to favor their growth. In trellis-training, for
the same reason, the canes should be allowed to hang loose until after the
starting of the sap, so that advantage may be taken of the condition of the
leading buds, and we can subordinate those that are likely to receive too
much nourishment.
Do what we may, however, whether our vines be trained in one method
or another, and despite all our forethought and care and management, the
higher shoots will often become leaders at the expense of those we are
endeavoring to produce from the spur, upon the principle of renewing by
canes from below, and thus keeping the vine in good shape. Here, then,
the pinching becomes an agency of the greatest, value to the vine-pmner ;
for, by the removal of the tips of these strong shoots, he may succeed in
so directing the flow of sap as to develop the growth of those he desires to
produce for the future crop, and which are suitably placed upon the vine.
Sununcr- Pruning of the Grape. 355
It may be objected, and we are all tired of hearing the objection, that
we are contending against the natural efiforts of the plant, which was only
following its own instincts ; and that, therefore, our attempts thus to thwart
Nature were unwise and unphilosophical, and consequently wrong. But we
may answer all such objections by telling them that we are treating the
civilized vine in a civilized manner, and for the purposes of civilized man.
The conditions of the problem are changed. One thing, however, remains
the same in the wild and in the cultivated vine : in both cases, the fruit-
branches spring from healthy and well-matured shoots of last year's growth.
In the native forest, the vines clamber over shrubs, and even upon the
highest trees, where they can have free exposure to the air and light, and
where God's creatures, called the inferior animals, — for whom, in the bounty
of his providence, they were produced, — can enjoy the fruits of the vine so
lavishly furnished. Intelligent man, not wishing to rival these animals in
climbing, and unable to fly with the birds to gather the clusters, cultivates
and improves the fruit for his own use, and trains the vines so that he may
reach their luscious bunches. Of course, his treatment of the plants is not
exactly according to Nature ; and yet the important facts and principles
of the natural habits of the vine are ever borne in mind by the successful
cultivator, who will take very good care not to set himself in opposition to
them.
We now come to the last subdivision of the subject, — that of summer
pruning and training in order to check the too great extension or the too
late growth of the vine, and for the sake of developing the lower buds
along that part of the cane which will be called upon to produce the fruit-
bearing branches. It may be that those who advocate this kind of short-
ening-in are right. Let us listen to the arguments. advanced in its favor.
The success of the renewal system as it is generally practised, whether the
vine be trained upon stakes or trellises, always depends upon the suitable
development of the renewal-canes, or shoots that are provided for bearing the
next crop. To this end, these shoots are encouraged in their growth : they
are carefully tied up as they grow ; and they are maintained in a vertical
position, that they may continue to develop themselves. All laterals are
removed as soon as they appear ; and the tendrils are pinched off, at least
so far as the cane is to be retained on the vine at the winter-pruning. At
the same time, aspiring shoots in other parts of the vine are subordinated
356 Siunmcr-P riming of the Grape.
by pinching, as already indicated ; or they are checked by their dependent
position, caused by the weight of their fruit.
With proper care, these canes will reach the top of the stakes or trellis ;
and, if strong, they will continue to grow, often for several feet, or even
yards. What is now to be done with them ? The Europeans we have
among us advise to cut them off at this point. Intelligent American vine-
dressers prefer to leave them, and carefully train them from stake to stake,
or along the top of the trellis, and at last allow them to hang downward :
they also let them produce as many laterals as their vigor may push out.
These modes of treatment are diametrically opposite ; and yet there may
be good reasons for both. The American, knowing the great vigor of most
of the vines he has to deal with, allows them to develop themselves, feel-
ing confident that he would commit an injury by attempts to curb their
rambling nature too abruptly. He has observed, that where cut off, or
broken by a storm at the top of the stakes, the buds, which contain the
promise of the next year's vintage would be forced to break, and to pro-
duce very strong laterals that blossomed out of season : this he apprehends
will be injurious to the next crop. On these strong canes, he has observed
no difficulty arising from the want of development of the lower buds, upon
which he confidently relies for his fruit the next year. On the contrary,
the European, who has often come from the northern limit of grape-culture
in his own country, has been taught that in such a situation the plants of
the sunny South will continue to grow too late in the season, and that, as
a consequence, the buds may not be well developed, nor the wood thorough-
ly ripened, unless he artificially checks this late growth by heading off the
shoots at a certain height. Under such circumstances, the practice is sound
and philosophical ; and it only needs judgment to indicate the proper pe-
riod for performing the operation. It may be well for us to obser^^e among
our grapes whether some varieties may not be benefited by a similar treat-
ment, though it is evident that most kinds are seriously injured by it.
In conclusion, upon this point it may be said, that, with our vigorous
American vines, the canes should be cleared of laterals when quite young,
and trained to the top of the support ; then trained horizontally for a cer-
tain distance, and allowed to hang downwards. Beyond the top of the
stake or trellis, all the laterals should be allowed to grow unrestrained.
Cleves, o. yo/m A. Warder.
Bottle- Grcenitig,
357
BOTTLE-GREENING.
This delicious apple, possessing every desirable qualification, is but little
known. Its origin is involved in obscurity. As far, however, as can be as-
certained, it is a chance seedling, which sprang up on a farm on the dividing-
line of New York and Vermont. The original tree was living a few years
since. The name, which is peculiar, has no reference to the shape of the
apple, but is derived from the fact that the workmen in the field where
the original tree stood were accustomed to place the " bottle " in the hollow
of the tree.
/
'^%1'| A
The apple became well known in the neighborhood by this name, there
being no other ; and was propagated under this name. A nursery-man in
New York, becoming acquainted with the merits of the fruit, grafted it ex-
tensively, and sold many of the trees. A large lot were sent to Dedham,
Mass., to Eben Wight, a well-known pomologist, by whom the variety was
still further disseminated. The oldest trees in this part of the country are
now growing in Dedham. As we have said, the apple possesses every good
quality. It is of medium form, and of fair size ; one great peculiarity being,
that all over the tree the apples are of an average size, none being very large,
158
Bottle- Gree7iiiig.
and none small. The color is yellowish-green, with a red cheek, covered
witli a rich purplish bloom as deep as on a plum. When this bloom is
rubbed ofif, the fruit shines as if had been waxed. When fully ripe, the
fruit is golden-yellow, with red cheek.
Our cuts are taken from a fair specimen grown in Dedham. The skin is
always fair, never specked or blotched ; and this quality recommends it for a
dessert-apple. The tree is of vigorous growth, rather spreading than erect,
and comes into bearing young. It bears every year, blooming profusely,
the blossoms being very pink ; and, for bloom alone, the tree would be wor-
thy a place in the garden. The old wood is dark gray, inclining to yellow-
ish ; the young shoots are reddish-yellow.
The flesh is sub-acid, almost melting ; core small. In season from Octo-
ber to February. R.
The Pyramids of Egypt. 359
THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT.
It is claimed that in the same year that William Penn, of peaceful mem-
ory, founded the Quaker city of Philadelphia, the first settlements of the
French were also made in the Mississippi Valley by the establishment of
the missions and villages of Notre Dajnc de Cascasquias and Sainte Familie
de Kasquias (as Pittman calls them). Both of these now unimportant and
somewhat dilapidated hamlets are situated in that part of Illinois, which,
either from the Nile-like fertility of its river-banks, or a former scarcity of
spelling-books among its inhabitants, has long been known as " Egypt,"
and even at this day has its Cairo, Thebes, and I know not what other
namesakes of its African original.
The French settlers, coming, in part at least, from orchard-bearing Nor-
mandy, had a proper appreciation of pomological products, and, if we
may trust tradition, planted orchards or fruit-gardens, probably with seed-
lings grown by themselves, some remains of which endure even to this day
in some stately pear-trees known among pruning pomologists as the Pyra-
mids of Egypt.
While year by year we plant our modern dwarfs and standards, and early
mourn over blighted hopes, these pioneers of generations ago still stand
strong like hale old patriarchs among an effete and degenerate race of
descendants.
All the old French settlements in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and, I
presume, other States, have their old pear-trees ; but I have seen and heard
of the most of these in the old French settlements of the Upper Missis-
sippi.
These trees are all found on the " American Bottom," a strip of alluvial
or lacustrine deposit lying on the banks of the Mississippi, opposite St.
Louis, and extending from Alton to Chester, a length of perhaps seventy-
five miles, with a width of from four to eight. It is interspersed with nu-
merous ponds and marshes, that in former, and even in later years, render
it a breeding-place of chills and fever, mud-turtles and frogs ; but its more
elevated portions have a soil of unsurpassed depth, warmth, and fertility.
There is no limit, practically, to the downward extension of the deep-rooted
36o
The Pyramids of Egypt.
pear, and this in combination with a very fertile soil propitious to the
strong growth of trees.
Two of these undated pear-trees stand upon the farm of Samuel Squires,
near Nameoki Station, on the Terre Haute, Alton, and St. Louis Railway, in
Madison County. They have been known by their present owner for fifty-
six years ; and he estimates their age at between seventy and eighty years.
Calvin Knider, another old settler, states that he saw them in 1825, and
that they then seemed about forty years of age ; thus varying little from
Mr. Squires's estimate. This carries the date of their planting back to
about the year 1785, or about fifteen years before the first American pio-
neers settled in the country. They are, therefore, probably of French origin.
The fruit of one tree is small and worthless : that of the other resembles
the Bartlett in outline and color, ripens in August, is only good in quality,
and quite productive. I enclose an outline taken from a ripe specimen on
the 2 2d of August. The trees stand in an open field, and, though showing
The Pyramids of Egypt. 361
signs of heavy bearing, seem hale and hearty as ever, and stand a perpet-
ual encouragement to discouraged pear-growers.
At the ancient village of Cahokia, just below and opposite St. Louis, are
pear-trees of much greater age. Mr. Knider estimated them as forty years
older than the trees of Mr. Squires, or about a hundred and twenty years
of age. George C. Eisenmeyer, in a letter to the Alton Horticultural So-
ciety, states that he was informed in 1865 by a Mr. Aubry, who has resided
in the " French Bottom," near Cahokia, for the last thirty years, that an
old man upwards of a hundred years of age told him that seventy years
ago there were large old pear-orchards in the neighborhood of Cahokia, of
which five trees now living are the survivors. This would put the time
of their planting prior to the year 1750, or about the time the " Company
of the West " were endeavoring to settle and improve Upper Louisiana.
These trees are said now to be forty or fifty feet high, with trunks three
feet in diameter. They produce from fifteen to twenty bushels each of a
pear which is said to rival the Seckel ; but this I think must be an exag-
gerated estimate of their flavor. It has, however, been sufficiently esteemed
to be propagated, by a nursery-man of the county, under the name of the
" Cahokia Seedling."
In 1844, the year of the great flood on the Mississippi, the fruit was
gathered, and conveyed to market in skiffs. The trees were not injured by
the freshet ; whilst smaller trees, whose foliage was submerged, perished.
There are other old pear-trees at Prairie du Rocher, but of a much less
age ; although, among the American settlers, they would be reckoned patri-
archs of the orchard.
The Cahokia pear-trees are the oldest, to my knowledge, in the Valley
of the Mississippi ; and though they will not compare with the Endicott or
the Stuyvesant pear-trees in their age, nor with that of Vincennes in their
size, they are very big and ancient trees, and suggestive of the best condi-
tions of pear growth and hygiene. IV. C. Flagg.
Alto.m, April 24, 1867.
VOL. I. 46
362 Culture of Herbaceous Calceolarias.
CULTURE OF HERBACEOUS CALCEOLARIAS.
In the first place, every endeavor should be made to secure a packet of
first-class seed fi-om a well-proven source, as the bad sorts require just the
same space and attention as the good : besides, the pleasure, in the end, of
having a superior to an inferior quality of flowers, will infinitely outbalance
the extra trouble and expense.
About the beginning of July, the seeds ought to be sown in pans well
drained, on the following compost, after being thoroughly incorporated :
two-fourths rich fibry loam, one-fourth leaf-mould and old mushroom-bed
dung, one-fourth silver or river sand ; the whole put through a fine riddle.
Fill the pans about half up with crocks, putting a thin layer of the fibry
portions of the riddlings over the crocks ; the remaining half fill with the
soil, when slightly press and smooth the surface ; then scatter over the
seeds, and finish with sifting a little soil over, and give a sprinkling of water
through a fine rose.
The pans may be placed in a shaded part of a pit or frame, near the
glass, where they can get a little bottom-heat ; or, better, on the back shelf
of a vinery, near the ventilators, where they may have the advantage of
both heat and air. If the vine-rods are insufficient to shade the pans with
their leaves, pieces of glass, whitewashed above, will be found necessary
to cover them until the plants have made some progress, and can stand
exposure.
Remove daily the drops that will gather on the under surface of the glass,
so that they do not fall among the young plants ; and never permit the
plants or soil to get dry or crusted, but keep both slightly moist with
water.
When the seedlings have made sufficient strength to be handled, prick
them in lines into boxes, and give a good shower through a fine rose, that
will lay the earth to their roots ; and return them to their old quarters,
shading as before until they are on their feet again, when they may be
removed to a cold frame or pit. Place them near the glass, shading in
strong sunshine, and giving sufficient air to harden them off" by degrees to
the full exposure of air and light.
Culture of Herbaceous Calceolarias. 363
Continue to keep their foliage damp, and never allow them to flag for
want of water at the root, or with the sun, throughout any stage of their
growth ; and in a short time they will be prepared for a shift into pots three
inches in diameter. Cut out their balls carefully into squares, and place
them individually into the pots, using soil the same as recommended for
the pans, only more rough. The plants will not appear to suffer from the
shift, but will continue growing ; which growth ought not to have a check
up to the time the flowers make their appearance.
If green fly pay them a visit, take advantage of them, when the foliage
is dry, by giving a smart smoking with tobacco-paper, and administer a
good lashing with the syringe after the smoke has passed away.
In a short time, if all prospers, the roots will be through the soil, when
a larger shift will be requisite, which, on no consideration, ought to be neg-
lected or put off till to-morrow. Procrastination, or any other cause of
prevention, will be found ruinous, as nothing can be worse than allowing
them to get pot-bound ; in which case the consequence will surely be stunted
plants, that will send up flower-stalks weak and premature ; whereas a
regular succession of shiftings up to ten-inch pots will produce really good
plants. About the beginning of November, prepare a place in the green-
house as near as possible to the glass, without endangering them to frost.
Place them there for the winter, after carefully washing and clearing the
pots of weeds, being careful not to break the leaves in the operation ; and
continue to treat, as regards watering, syringing overhead, and potting,
when needful, as the winter passes. As soon as the plants are established
in their last shift, give a good soaking of liquid manure, at the rate of forty
gallons of rain-water to one pound guano once a week, up to the time the
flowers begin to expand ; when it may be discontinued. Turn the plants
every time you have occasion to water, that they may be well balanced with
the foliage ; and, as soon as the flower-stalks are of sufficient length, stake
out, and finally stage to flower.
A. Kerr, in '■'■Scottish Gardener ^
364 Vegetables.
VEGETABLES.
Keyes's Early Prolific Tomato. — This new and very distinct variety
originated with Mr. Charles A. Keyes of Worcester, Mass. The fruit
is of medium size, uniformly smooth, solid, and of excellent flavor.
It is very early. Grown with the Tilden and other leading varieties
the past season in the grounds of Mr. Keyes, it ripened thirty days
earlier than any other sort. The fruit is produced in clusters, from
six to twenty in a cluster, and from seven to fifteen clusters on a vine,
with the fruit not more than eighteen inches from the root of the plant.
The foliage is large, — entirely distinct in this particular from any other
variety ; some of the leaves often measuring eight inches in length
by si.x in breadth. Being naturally of a dwarf, compact habit, it can be
planted as thickly as potatoes ; and may, on this account, prove a valuable
variety for forcing. We consider it worthy of trial, and shall grow it exten-
sively the coming season for an early crop.
Black Pekin Egg-Plant, introduced the past season by Messrs.
Hovey & Co., is a native of China, as its name indicates. It is very dis-
tinct in its character. Fruit very large, round, and vv'eighing from five to
seven pounds each ; plant erect, vigorous, without spines ; leaves oblong.,
and of a dark bluish-black color, quite ornamental. Fruit of this new vari-
ety was exhibited at the Annual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society, and attracted considerable attention. Seeds of this new
variety can probably be procured of seedsmen the coming sprin^
ig-
SiMONs's Extra Early Beet, introduced last season, fully maintains
its reputation for earliness ; and is an improvement on the Bassano, being
quite as early. Uniformly smooth, of a blood-red color, and turnip-shaped.
Valuable as an early variety for the market-gardener.
C. N. Bracken.
Notes and Gleanings. 365
NOTES AND GLEANINGS.
Hints on hybridizing Fruits. —The following notes, published a few
years since by Mr. John Standish, the well-known nursery-man and florist, in the
Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, may be of interest at a time when
hybridization is exciting so much attention. Though the experiments were con-
fined to greenhouse grapes and fruits, there is no reason to doubt their general
application; the experience of hybridists generally confirming the principle there
laid down, that no constancy can be expected in seedlings.
The rules of variance, however, are by no means understood ; the raising of
seedlings being one of the strongest arguments for the doctrine of chance. The
whole field is one offering every inducement to both the gardener and amateur ;
and, with the interest already awakened, the next few years cannot fail to show
great advance.
" Having been occupied for many years in hybridizing plants, and being very
fond of it, I at length turned my attention to fruits. I commenced with grapes.
" My object was to make the Muscat easier to cultivate, and increase the size
of the Frontignan ; also to make the large coarse kinds of a better flavor, and
to improve the early ones.
" I began, in the first instance, with the Muscat of Alexandria, one of the
most difficult grapes to cultivate ; and the Troveren Muscat, a remarkably free
grower, but a long time in coming to maturity. It is a most delicious grape,
though not so highly musked as the former. I expected to obtain grapes less
difficult to cultivate, and was partly right ; but I was rather astonished at the
final results. It should be premised that the Troveren is a round grape, the
Muscat of Alexandria an oval one. The latter I made the female parent ; and,
out of thirty seedlings, no two were alike. The first three that fruited were
black, one being a large early grape, in shape an oval, with a fruit-stalk like a
piece of wire : it was of a very fine flavor, with the slightest possible taste of
Muscat, and hung well. This was a great success, and well worth all my trouble.
The other two were late ones, with large round berries, but nothing else remark-
able about them. In the following year, I fruited ten or twelve more from the
same lot. One of these was of a beautiful white or golden color, and ripened
quite as soon as the Hamburg : its fine vinous flavor was exquisite, mingled as
it was with a Muscat taste about half as strong as that of its parents. This
also had very stiff fruit-stalks, and kept a very long time. Another, and this
astonished me more than any thing else, was a perfect miniature of the Muscat
of Alexandria, perfectly oval, and with the strongest Muscat flavor that I ever
tasted ; but it was no larger than a red currant ! I have not as yet discovered
any thing very remarkable amongthe others. The next experiment I tried was
with General Marmora (no doubt a white seedling variety of the Hamburg),
crossed by Burchardt's Amber Cluster (early white Malvasia). My object was
to obtain a very early grape ; and in this I succeeded beyond my expectations,
as I got a very fine white transparent grape like the Amber Cluster, but as
566 Notes and Glcauins:s.
t5'
large as the Hamburg, and fully five weeks earlier than that kind. This, of
course, i^ a great gain, and what has been much wanted, as the sweetwater
grapes are very bad setters, and the Muscadine is too small for table use.
The next crosses were between Blanc de Saumur and Chasselas Musque, and
Chasselas Musque and the Citronelle. From these two crosses I have obtained
the most delicious kinds that ever came under my notice, — more so even than
the old Frontignan and Chasselas Musque. Two of them are sweet-scented ;
smelling, when the sun shines on them, like orange-blossoms. Nothing I have
ever seen can compare with them in flavor and productiveness : their size, too,
is very large, some of them being as large again as the Frontignan.
" Two other most remarkable crosses are Chasselas Musque, fertilized by the
Long Noir Durant, a large oval* black grape, on a very large bunch, but of an
inferior flavor. This cross produced grapes of various colors, black, pink, and
grizzly, but all quite round. The next time, I made Long Noir Durant the female
parent ; and, curiously enough, the result was almost identical with the former,
there not being an oval berry obtained. A very slight Muscat taste is observa-
ble in a few ; but, in the greater number, it is not observable at all.
" These are the results from about five hundred seedlings that I have raised,
and four hundred sorts that I have fruited. I have some more yet to fruit, such
as the Canon Hall crossed by the Japanese one.
" As the result of my experience, I am convinced that no one can tell, in rais-
ing a lot of seedling grapes, what they will be likely to get, they vary so much.
" I next directed my attention to peaches.
" My object was to obtain peaches with Nectarine flavor ; and I am glad to
say I have succeeded. The Nectarines I made the female plants were the Vio-
lette Hative, Pitmaston Orange, and the Stanwick, crossed with the Noblesse
and Harrington peaches. Although the Violette Hative Nectarine had a small
flower, still, when crossed with the large-flowering peaches, eight out of twelve
were large-flowered ; and, out of fifteen kinds fruited this summer, only one was
a Nectarine : the others were all peaches, most of them with the Nectarine flavor.
Two of them were especially delicious, having a beautiful Nectarine flavor, melt-
ing like a peach, but full-colored like the former fruit. The stones that pro-
duced the seedlings were sown in the beginning of February, 1863 : the greater
part of them flowered in February, 1864 ; but the fruit fell off. I now have one
planted out in my peach-house that will have next June ten or twelve dozen
peaches on it. It is ten feet high, about the same width, and covered with fine
blooming; wood."
*&
Pampas Grass {Gyneriuni argcnteiiDi). — The tall-growing male plant is less
suitable than the smaller-growing female plant for gardens. The former has a
coarse, rigid look : the latter is less liable to injury from high winds, and is far
more graceful in its habit. The flowers are ditTerent ; but the female is the pret-
tier of the two.
Mushroom Culture. — As mushrooms are a delicacy most people are fond
of, although not so universally grown, I think, as they would be were their cul-
Notes and Gleanings. 367
ture known to be so simple tliat any one possessing the convenience of an out-
house or cellar, with a temperature of from 48° to 55°, and a little short clung,
may grow them, I beg to ofter a few remarks, to those who may not yet have
attempted their culture, as to the way they may be produced in abundance with
a very little care.
In the first place, if short dung fresh from the stables is to be had, so much
the better ; but I have grown abundance on beds made of short dung three
months old. However, let it be which it may, procure as much as will make
a bed sixteen inches deep and any required size ; throw the same together for a
few days to heat and dispel the greater part of the moisture ; then throw it down
for a day or two to cool and dry ; after which again throw it up together for a few
days, — generally about five or six will be found sufficient. It will then be fit
to make the bed with ; which, let the size be what it may, should be about sixteen
inches deep. In making the bed, take care to tread or beat it firm. As soon as
the bed shall have risen and declined to 75°, it is ready to spawn. Half a bushel
will spawn a bed ten feet square. This, broken in pieces the size of small apples,
placed just in the dung, and covered two inches deep, in any garden-soil well
beaten down, will produce abundance of mushrooms in six or seven weeks, in a
temperature of from 50° to 55°.
No further care is required, except an occasional watering when dry. Mush-
room-spawn may be procured of any seedsman. W. Young.
The Oldest Tree, the age of which is historically determined, is the sacred
fig-tree of Anarajapoura, in Ceylon. It was planted by Divinipiatissa, in the
year 288 B.C. ; and its history from that date is preserved by a mass of docu-
mentary and traditional evidence. It was described by the Chinese traveller.
Fa Hiam, in the year 414, and by the earliest Europeans who visited it. It
still flourishes, and is an object of worship to the Buddhists.
Pruning Old Black Currants. — The proper way of pruning all old black
currant-bushes, and bushes of black currants of all ages, is to get rid of as much
old wood as can be replaced with young wood ; and to cut but the very top parts
from the strongest young shoots, unless it be on purpose to furnish young wood
for the next season.
Champion of Paris Pea. — This is a rather strong-growing variety, five to
six feet high, having generally a single stem ; which is, however, occasionally
branched, and produces from eight to ten pods. The pods are for the most part
single, but sometimes in pairs, about four inches long, nearly three-quarters of
an inch wide, and remarkably well filled with from seven to nine large peas.
Ripe seed, white, medium-sized, somewhat flattened and pitted.
This pea is also known by the names of Excelsior, Knight's Excelsior, Stu-
art's Paradise, and Paradise Marrow.
The ripe seed is white, large, smooth, uneven, compressed, irregular, or egg-
shaped ; skin thick ; foliage blotched.
As a table pea, it is excellent, an abundant cropper, and one of the earliest of
368 Notes and Gleanings.
the marrows. It is highly recommended by Mr. Burr, in his very valuable arti-
cle on Peas, in " The Journal of Horticulture " for April.
Iresine Herbstii aurea reticulata. — There is no plant of recent intro-
duction about which such different opinions have been entertained as the well-
known Iresine Herbstii^ so called in England and in this country, but known in
France and on the Continent as A^scyranthus Vcrschaffeltii, and which we re-
gret has no more pronounceable English name. It is a well-known bedding-
plant, and is, in some situations, unequalled for producing a fine mass of red
foliage. This difference of opinion has arisen from the fact (which was also
ascertained in regard to Coleus Verschaffeltii^ another foliaged-plant of the same
character) that the plants thrive well in a warm, dry soil, and in a sheltered situ-
ation ; while in retentive soils, and low, damp situations, they generally fail. The
foliage of the species is dark purplish-red, marked with midribs and veins of
bright red.
The present variety differs in the marking of the leaves, which are dark green,
with pinkish-white blotches and red veins. As a greenhouse plant, it may do
well in contrast with the species ; but we much doubt its being able to stand our
summer suns, and its value as a bedding-plant. Figured in " Floral Magazine,"
tab. -^^^T,.
Australian Spinach. — The new spinach of Australia, Chenopodiurn auri-
cojnuin, is a tall annual plant, growing nearly six feet high ; the stem being erect,
branched from the base, channelled, and streaked with violet-red in the solid
parts ; and the leaves long-stalked, alternate, oblong-triangular, irregularly lobate-
dentate, and, when young, bearing a silvery pulverulence, which disappears on
the adult parts. The leaves, if put at first in boiling water, and afterwards treat-
ed as an ordinary plate of spinach, form a vegetable agreeable to the taste. Its
culture is quite easy. The seeds are sown in April, in a well-manured bed ; for
the plant is a strong feeder, and requires to be watered freely. The leaves are
gathered when the plants are a foot and a half high : they push on again ; and, in
a few days after, another gathering is ready; and so on throughout the season. —
Les Mondes.
Wash for Red Spider. — To clear plants in pots of red spider, take two
pounds of soft soap ; place it in eight gallons of water (mix, of course) heated to
140° ; dip the plants infested into it for half a minute ; let them stand until dry ;
then dip again in the water at a temperature of 120° for one minute, and the
spiders' days are numbered. If the plants are infested with brown scale, rub
the infested parts with the hand, dipping a time or two more than for red spider.
By these means, we get rid of the brown scale and mealy bug also. Geraniums
and plants having similar foliage should not be treated as above directed, as the
plants would be injured.
French Botanical Congress. — The Botanical Society of France intends
to organize an International Botanical Congress during the time of the Great
Notes and Gleanings. 369
Exhibition in Paris, to which botanists of all nations shall be invited. The Con-
gress will open on the 26th of July next, and will last for a month. Meetings
will be held every Friday evening at the society's rooms, 84, Rue Crenelle St.
Germain. On other days during the period, visits will be made to the Exhibi-
tion, to the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes, and to private collections ; and
excursions will be made in the neighborhood of Paris.
Ground between Strawberry-Plants. — The ground between the plants,
made hard by treading, may be pointed over with a fork to the depth of a couple
of inches, but not more : for strawberries like a tirm soil ; and hoeinj: or dissins:
the surface deeply is to be avoided, as it injures the roots.
This should be done as soon as the fruit is off, that the runners may root
more readily.
Liquid Manures. — Urine diluted with five or six waters, or house-sewage,
Avhich is better, as including the drainage from sinks and water-closets, is excel-
lent for flower-beds, and especially for roses, and may be applied all the period
of growth from early spring to late autumn. Soot, properly diluted, may be simi-
larly applied. Guano is as good for the purpose as house-sewage, but not bet-
ter. Bone-dust is good, pointed into the surface of the soil. Sheeps' dung
makes good liquid manure, but is not so powerful as either house-sewage or
guano. If the sinks and water-closets all communicate with the liquid manure
well, it will need no diluting ; at least, we never mix with it any water. In con-
clusion, we will add the expression of our conviction, that, for the generality of
soils and crops, there is no liquid manure equal to house-sewage. For potted
plants, especially if soft-wooded, we use it much weakened with water, and not
oftener than once a week. A knowledge of the soil, and of the plant and its
health, is needed before any one can say what manure will probably be the most
suitable.
LiLiUM GIGANTEUM. — A friend in Newark, N.J., writes under date Novem-
ber, 1866, "I had a plant of Lilium gigantetim in flower beautifully last sum-
mer, that had been out in the open ground the two previous winters. I have
not heard of one flowering in the open ground before. It is well shaded, the
sun only reaching it the very first thing in the morning. It had fifteen flowers,
and was eleven feet hiirh."
&
Salt for Asparagus-Beds. — Salt should be applied twice a year : that is,
when the beds are dressed in spring, give them a dressing of a pound and a half
of salt per square yard, or twenty-four pounds to a bed thirty feet by five feet,
and repeat the application at the end of the cutting, or about the middle of June :
one pound per yard will be ample. Weeds will easily be kept under by this
means, as few of our most noxious weeds thrive in a salt soil.
Celtis occidentalis {Sugarberry, or Hackberry). — Can any nursery-man
furnish trees of this beautiful species ? It is one of our finest native trees, in
VOL. 1. 47
370 Azotes and Gleanings.
appearance resembling the elm ; and may be familiarly described as an elm bear-
ing clierries. We have found it in but one catalogue ; and, alas! it was only there,
— not in the nursery.
Its relation, Celt is crassifolia, is no less beautiful, and is equally neglected.
The former is properly known as the nettle-tree ; the latter, as the hackberry.
Will no one propagate a stock of these beautiful hardy trees, and disseminate
them among our citizens ? We spend hundreds of dollars in acclimating
foreign trees, and neglect those of far more beauty which grow in our own
woods.
Fruit ix Ground-Vineries. — I find the best method of cultivating fruits
under ground-vineries is as follows : At one end of the vinery, a hole two feet
square, and of about the same depth, is dug out, and filled with a compost of
good loam, rotten dung, and a little road sand : these should be well incorpo-
rated together, previously throwing in about a peck and a half of bones, merely
bruised, to afford drainage to the mass ; also to feed the vines during hot weather,
or when the heat is so great as to rob the plant of its natural moisture. The
bones will likewise absorb the fluids passing down to them more readily by
-being bruised. All being thus prepared, the vine is turned out about the middle
of April, providing the weather is open and mild ; the cane being introduced, and
pegged down. Air should be admitted at ten o'clock, a.m.. by raising slightly
the hghts : this, with the additional air from the bottom of the frames, will serve
to check the vines from making too quick and premature a growth before the
season is sufficiently advanced to assist the formation of the young parts. The
cases should be closed again about two, p.m., if possible securing a little atmos-
pheric warmth ; and the vines should at this period be slightly syringed : the
moisture will aid the expansion of the bark and the bursting of the young buds
and leaves. This treatment should be continued until the flowers are expanded,
when syringing must be entirely suspended, and air admitted upon every oppor-
tunity. As soon as the flowers are set, I find moisture applied in the form of
vapor highly beneficial : this can be obtained by pouring tepid water upon the
slates. Atmospheric warmth is secured throughout the day, and causes the
moisture to evaporate ; thus charging the internal air with an agent highly bene-
ficial. As soon as the grapes have attained the size of sweet-peas, the bunches
should be thinned ; taking out all ill-shaped and detbrmed berries, also all those
which are in immediate contact with others : taking care not to remove all the
interior berries, or the bunches will be loose and ill-shapen. At this period
the structure should be kept close, and as much warmth secured as possible ; as
the critical time of stoning will have arrived, and a check would prove highly
injurious. As soon as coloring commences, as much air should be admitted as
is consistent with safety from chilling ; and tiie vinery should be closed sufficiently
early to secure, as before stated, as much natural warmth as possible. If this
course be pursued, I feel confident every success will attend the operator, and
will well repav him for the pains he may bestow : the weight and quality of the
fruit will equal if not e.xceed that which is grown in extensive vine-houses. —
R. Broome, at Meeting of Central Horticultural Society.
Notes and Gleanings. 371
Asphalt- Walks. — The following is the mode of forming them : Take two
parts of very dry lime-rubbish, and one part coal-ashes, also very dry, and both
sifted fine. In a dry place, on a dry day, mix them ; and leave a hole in the mid-
dle of the heap, as bricklayers do when making mortar. Into this pour boiling-
hot coal-tar; mix ; and, when as stiff as mortar, put it three inches thick where
the walk is to be. The ground should be dry, and beaten smooth. Sprinkle
over it coarse sand : when cold, pass a light roller over it, and in a few days the
walk will be solid and water-proof.
These walks do very well during the greater part of the year : they are, how-
ever, liable, if tlie subsoil is not well drained, to be unsettled by frost ; and some-
times in summer the heat of the sun so softens the asphaltum as to make them
undesirable for a promenade.
Quince Stock for Pears. — With regard to the quince as a stock for the
pear, — ist. The disposition of its roots is more shallow: hence it is better
adapted for thin soils ; also for planting where the subsoil is of an unfavorable
character, such as a wet, undrained, stiff clay impregnated with iron. On shal-
low soils, the quince, having its roots near the surface, can be fed by rich top-
dressings ; and, as its roots do not descend into the subsoil, the trees do not die
of canker as when the pear stock is employed where the subsoil is calculated to
produce that evil. In thin soils, however, the pear on the quince should be
planted on a raised mound, which secures roots near the surface ; and any loss
of moisture and coolness can be counterbalanced by rich surface-dressings,
copious supplies of water, and liquid manure occasionally in dry weather. Fur-
ther, the shallow disposition of the quince-roots is in its favor where the situa-
tion and soil are low and wet, because pear-trees in such soil root deeply, and
abundance of wood is produced; but the prospect of a crop is small, and, if
canker do not commence, the trunk and brandies of the tree are plentifully cov-
ered with moss. The quince on such soils is quite at home, requiring only to
be planted on a mound or hillock twice as high as where the soil is shallow ;
that is, in a wet soil, the tree should be planted on a mound twice the height of
the roots, measuring from the uppermost fibres to the ba.<;e ; which distance, on
an average, I find to be nine inches : hence the mound should be from a foot to
fifteen inches above the ground-level ; whilst, on shallow soils, the trees may be
placed on the ground, and the roots covered with soil.
2d, The tree is more dwarf in growth. This is an incalculable advantage.
An amateur with but a few square yards of open ground can have his pear-trees.
They do not grow so vigorously as to smother every thing else ; and though
small, and occupying but litde space, he has not to wait years for the fruit :
whilst, if he were to plant trees on the pear stock, he would probably have no
more than room for one tree, growing well, no doubt ; but years must elapse be-
fore it can furnish an abundance of fruit, and that coming in all at one time.
On the quince, the trees fruit in a year or two at most ; and, as they occupy less
space, several varieties may be grown, so as to afford a successional supply.
3d, The quince will grow and thrive where the pear will not. In a cold, wet
situation, pears on the quince will ripen fruit when those on the pear stock will
3/2 Notes and Gleajiings.
scarcely ever do so. This result arises from the roots of the quince-tree being
nearer the surface, and consequently in a warmer medium : moreover, the quince
is of earlier growth than the pear. There is no soil in which the quince will not
thrive with careful culture. Heavy clays, it is true, are not congenial to it any
more than to the pear. On dry, sandy soil, it soon cankers the trees upon it,
unless liberal top-dressings and j^lentiful supplies of water and liquid manure
are afforded ; but it flourishes in a rich, rather light soil with a wet bottom, in
which the pear cannot be profitably grown.
4th, Trees upon the quince come into bearing sooner than those on the pear
stock, and the fruit is larger, and better ripened. Upon the quince, pear-trees
come into bearing in the first or second year after planting, and produce as many
fruit annually, in proportion to their size, as a full-sized tree, and they are capa-
ble of bearing one to two pecks of fruit by the time trees on the pear stock come
into bearing : besides, the fruit is seldom if ever so fine from trees on the pear
stock as from those on the quince in the open ground. The increase in the size
and color of fruit grown on the quince is due to the returning sap receiving a
check when it reaches the quince : indeed, the effect of the latter is similar to
that of ringing. — G. Abbey, in Cottage Gardener.
Plants propagated from Leaves. — We have long been in the habit of
propagating Begojiias, Gesnerias, Gloxineas, and plants of kindred nature, by
leaves planted in damp silver sand, but were somewhat surprised a few dajs
since to find some leaves of Campylobotryes discolor, which we had carelessly
thrust into the sand, well-rooted plants. This mode of propagation is yet in its
infancy, and we confidently look for the time when most of our thick-leaved
plants will be increased by this simple method. Not only will each leaf make
a plant, but every bit of a leaf can be made to throw out roots, and form a sepa-
rate plant : this is particularly the case with begonias and kindred plants.
Forcing Lilies of the Valley. — The best way is to take up those roots
that have large, plump crowns, and such only, potting them in a compost of rich
turfy loam, and placing them in a house with a temperature of 40° to 45° for a
fortnight, and afterwards, until they bloom, in a temperature of 50° to 55°, and
not exceeding 60° at night, affording them a position near the glass, and plenty
of water. They never fail to have a plentiful supply of bloom ; but none other
than the flowering roots should be potted, which is different from taking up
patches from the borders, more than half of which are by far too small and weak
to flower, and, indeed, have no flower-bud formed. Pot none but the large
crowns, and put them in pots or pans at about an inch apart.
This may done in the autumn ; indeed, as late as the ground remains open ;
and, by introducing the plants to heat at different times, the flowers may be had
from Christmas to May Day.
Apples on Paradise Stock. — Apples on the crab are only suitable for
orchards, and for walls or espaliers where long shoots are desirable or required ;
whilst for dwarfs, pryamids, espaliers, and walls, where long branches are not
Notes and Gleanings. 373
wanted, trees worked on the paradise stock are better, for they fruit earher,
thrive where the crab is unhealthy, produce finer fruit, and can be grown in less
space. The paradise stock is raised from layers ; and its growth is not so
free as that of the crab, which is raised from seed. The paradise stock has
its roots near the surface ; and these do not descend so quickly in bad soil as
those of the crab, which, from its very nature as a seedling, roots deeply ; and
in the case of hot, light, shallow soils, the crab stock causes canker in the trees
worked upon it, whole branches continually dying oflf. On the crab, the trees
are not more healthy' than on the paradise stock : for what suits one suits the
other ; with this difference, tliat the paradise lives where the crab will not. For
instance, I have some pyramids on the paradise stock, also on the crab, about
ten years planted : those on the crab are cankered, and produce fruit as much
" pitted " as the branches are spotted with canker ; whilst those on the paradise
stock bear their half-bushel of fruit without speck or crack. The soil is a shal-
low loam over gravel. There is no difference in the culture, and yet there is a
great difference in the results. A good top-dressing of manure is quickly con-
sumed by the trees on the paradise ; but the roots of those on the crab have gone
too far down. These trees are seven feet high, and five feet through. —
English Journal of Horticulture.
Sowing and Culture of Cyclamens. — Who does not love and admire
cyclamens ? And they deserve to be admired, not only for their beauty, but
because they are as easy to grow from seed as the commonest of annuals.
Having a few old plants in good bloom in March, and wishing to increase my
stock, I placed them on a shelf near the glass in an airy greenhouse, keeping
them dry rather than wet ; and by August 1 had plenty of pods full of good seeds,
ripening at different times. I visited the plants every afternoon, taking care not
to gather the pods before each had partially burst ; and they were then carefully
packed, and put away until the time of sowing, — an operation which I perform
according to the following directions : Early in March, prepare six-inch pots by
three-parts filling them with drainage : over this place a good layer of moss, and
above the moss half an inch of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand passed through
a sieve, using the roughest for the bottom. Make the surface firm ; place the
seeds, which should previously be soaked for twenty-four hours, in milk-warm
water, about a quarter of an inch from each other, and cover them very lightly
with silver sand ; water gently through a very fine rose, always using warm
water, or that from which tlie chill has been taken off; place a piece of slate or
glass over the pots, and set them in a warm, close cucumber or cutting frame.
In a month, the seeds will vegetate ; and, when this takes place, the seedlings
must not be allowed to become dry.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them in small thumb-pots
in turfy loam, chopped moss, and a little silver sand, using plenty of drainage ;
return them to the frame for a week or two, keeping them near the glass, and
watering them very carefully. At the end of that time they will want more air,
and a little shading will be necessary in very bright days. The plants must not
be placed out of doors, but should be encouraged in the greeniiousc ; and, when
374 Notes and Gleanings.
they liave filled tlic thumb-pot with roots, shift into two-and-a-half-inch pots,
using the same compost as before. By the following March, there will be enough
of them in bloom to amply reward the grower for his trouble. Dozens of my
seedlings sown last March were beautifully in bloom in ten months after sowing,
and have been so ever since. Many of the corms or bulbs are as large as a two-
shilling-piece. The varieties are Persicum rubnim and those of the cown and
Atkinsii race. — H. C, in Florist.
Asparagus-Bed Making and Planting. — Choose an open situation, and
mark a space twice the width of the bed, or eight feet ; and, the soil being good
to a depth of two feet six inches or three feet, trench it that depth, working in a
dressing of manure six inches thick. If heavy, add a similar quantity of sand.
Should the subsoil be bad, and the soil thin, it would be well to take out a trench
at one end, and, working backwards, remove the bad soil, and replace it with
fresh : that is, taking out a trench, lay the good soil on both sides, and, when
you come to the bottom or bad soil, remove it, and place at the bottom of the
trench a quantity of fresh soil equal to that removed. The fresh compost may
consist of equal parts of rotten manure, leaf-mould, sand, and turfy loam. Com-
mencing another trench, throw the good soil on the fresh soil, leaving that on
the sides to finish at the end, or fill up the trench. After moving the good soil
of the second trench to finish the first trench, remove the bad soil from the bot-
tom, replacing it with fresh ; and in this manner proceed until the whole is fin-
ished. You may then spread a dressing of manure three or four inches thick,
and fork it in, adding a like quantity of sand if the soil be heavy. Mark out a
bed four feet wide, allowing two-feet alleys on both sides, and putting in a peg
at each corner of the bad. You may early in April take out a trench in the cen-
tre of the bed, stretching a line along it for that purpose, and wide enough to
allow of the roots being spread out at full length, the plants being placed at the
back of the trench, against the line, with the crowns about an inch from the sur-
face. Fill in the trench after the plants have been placed a foot apart, covering
the crowns about an inch deep. A row on both sides of the bed, nine inches
from the sides, and a foot between the plants, will fill the bed. Some of the soil
from the alleys may be thrown on the bed to level it, and be neatly raked. The
plants should be two, and not more than three, years old. The giant is the kind
we recommend for planting. A few of the finest may be cut in the second spring
after planting.
Verbena Culture. — After the cuttings are struck, say, at the end of
March, a frame about eighteen inches high at the back, and a foot high in front,
is chosen : one that you can shut up perfectly close is the best. Inside the
frame place nine inches of good light soil, and in this plant the verbenas from
the cutting-pots, watering them well with tepid water to settle the soil. When
tlie sun shines, every morning give about half an inch of air, no more, until ten
o'clock, when the plants should be watered overhead, and shut up closely for
the day. The thermometer will possibly rise above ioo° ; but you will see, if
you try the system, what a black strong growth the plants will make in conse-
Notes and Gleanings. 375
quence. When you see a warm i^enial shower coming in April or May, pull off
your lights, and expose the plants to it, shutting them up as soon as it is over, if
it is after the time named above : keep them well stopped, and harden them off a
fortniL,dit before planting out.
Amaranthus and perilla also do very well in this way ; and so will colcus, I be-
lieve, although I have not tried it. The plan described saves much of the water-
ing that would otherwise be necessary, and is the easiest I have fallen in with. —
Cottazc Gardener.
■v>'
Moss ON Lawns. — The chief causes of mossy lawns are a poor soil, and its
being undrained. Give a dressing of rich soil or very rotten manure, first
scratching the lawn with an iron rake, and then applying salt at the rate of half
a pound per square yard ; finally dress with compost of loam and well-rotted
manure, not covering deeper than a quarter of an incli. The first heavy rain will
wash it in. When the ground is dry, roll well ; sowing, previous to rolling,
twenty-four pounds per acre of lawn-grass seeds.
Ferxs losing their Fronds. — A house is moist enough for the growth
of ferns when there are evaporation-troughs, and the walls and every available
surface are sprinkled with water twice daily. Syringing overhead is destructive
to the beauty of many kinds, and also to the young fronds. Sprinkle the walls
and paths with water twice daily: do not syringe the plants overhead, but afford
enough water at the roof, and yet not so much as to saturate the soil ; giving also
a fair but not an excessive amount of air, and slight shade from bright sun. We
have no doubt that the plants would thrive. A temperature of from 50° to 55° is
sufficient for the stove kinds, and one of from 45° to 50° for the greenhouse sorts,
increasing the temperature in spring ; when, after a season of rest of not less
than three months, they will start into growth with increased vigor. Remove
the pots from the pans of water at once, and place in the coolest and most shady
part of the house. If they require potting, the best time to perform that opera-
tion is just as they are starting into growth.
Annuals for late Blooming. — Centranthus macrosiphon ; Alyssum mari-
timum; Erysimum Peroffskianum ; * Dianthus Chinensis (Chinese pink); Gilia
achilleaefolia ; Hibiscus Africanus ; Gypsophila elegans ; Godetia rosea alba ;
Double Clarkia integripetela ; C. pulchcrrima ; * Prince's Feather ; * Love-lies-
bleeding ; White Rocket and Crimson Candytuft ; Centaurea cyanus minor ; Bar-
tonia aurea ; * Calliopsis cardaminifolia ; * C. alrosanguinea ; * C. Burridgi ; Cam-
panula pentagonia ; Convolvulus minor (Dwarf Morning-glory) ; * Saponaria
calabrica (Soapwort), and its white variety ; Eschscholtzia crocea and E. tenui-
folia; Godetia Lindleyana ; Obeliscaria pulcherrima ; * GEnothera Lamarckiana
(Evening Primrose) ; * Nasturtium Tom Thumb, scarlet, * crimson, * spotted,
and *yellowvarieties ; Virginian Stock ; * Tagetes signata pumila (Dwarf Mari-
gold) ; * Senecio elegans in variety. Those marked with an asterisk (*) should be
sown in May, and the others not until the end of May, or early in June. Migno-
nette should not be omitted. There are no flowers that are to be depended on.
for blooming after October, except chrysanthemums.
'^'j^ Notes and Gleatimgs.
Weeds on Walks. — If walks have become dirty at the surface, which is
a prolific source of grass and moss, they should be picked up and turned, giving
them a sprinkling of fresh gravel. They will then, if well rolled, last until half
the summer is over ; and, by the time weeds are troublesome, one dressing of
salt will serve the whole season. Three pounds per square yard are required to
destroy weeds on gravel-walks effectually ; and that quantity makes the surface
so damp, that it is objected to by many. Salt causes the gravel to wear much
more quickly, and so encourages the growth of weeds : hence the prevailing
opinion, that weeds on walks come thicker after salting. The time to salt walks
is when there are weeds ; and its application will be necessary in April or May,
and again in July or August, putting it on during dry weather, dependent, of
course, on the season.
Grapes rusted. — Grapes are apt to have a brownish skin round them if
subjected to a sudden check from a great change of temperature, or if sulphur
has been used freely on a heating medium when the berries are young and ten-
der. Under such circumstances, it is best to apply the sulphur during the day,
when there is a considerable amount of air on, so that the strength of the fumes
may pass off before the house is shut up. Perhaps Hamburgs are most easily
thus injured.
Cannabis gigantea. — This is a large form of the common hemp, and grows
six feet or more high, with a beautifully pinnated leaf, clustered in a sort of fan-
like form at the top of every branchlet, which are pretty numerous, but not crowd-
ed. The whole aspect of the plant is Oriental, reminding one of the palms we
are in the habit of associating with Eastern scenery. As a plant, nothing is more
easily grown. Seed sown in March, with other annuals, in a gentle heat, and
afterwards planted out in May, quickly shows the neatly-furrowed character of
the leaflets and the general outline of the plants. I believe there are some
other varieties ; and possibly some one will be presenting us with one, by and by,
having the rich claret-colored foliage of the purple spicant with its own inimita-
ble graceful form. That such may be, I have no doubt : only let public taste
intimate its wants, and caterers for it will accomplish much at one time thought
impossible.
Specimen Caladiums and Achirienes. — For good specimens of caladiums
proceed thus : Keep the rhizomes free from cold in winter, shake them out, and
repot as soon as they begin to move, potting them singly in small pots, to be
afterwards placed singly in larger pots, or three or four plants at once in a large
pot. Drain well ; use turfy loam and peat in equal portions, with about one-sixth
of old rotten cow-dung and silver sand ; and give bottom-heat until the leaves
come to their best. To grow good specimens of achimenes, select the tubers,
place them singly in well-drained pans or pots, using light rich soil, and set
them in a temperature of from about 60° to 65°. When the plants are up, and
from an inch to an inch and a half in height, plant them in soil similar to that
recommended for caladiums, in their flowering-pots (the small kinds at an inch
Notes and Gleanings. 377
apart, the larger kinds at from two to three inches apart), and plunge in a gentle
bottom-heat of about 75° or 80°, and a top-heat of from 60° to 65°, with a rise
from sunshine. No sun must touch the leaves, or those of the caladiums cither,
when damp. Air should be given early ; for if there is confined moist air in the
place, and the sun strikes on the plants, the leaves will be spotted to a certainty.
When hardened off for conservatory, they will not be so easily afiected. Achi-
menes for late work may be grown well in a cold pit after the end of May.
Culture of Roses in Pots im Greenhouses. — The best roses for
greenhouse culture are tlic fmcr varieties of the China and tea-scented ; the
latter especially, on account of their peculiar and delightful fragrance; but the
Bourbons and hybrid perpetuals must be included. The following varieties I
have found good : —
China. — Madame Breon, Mrs. Bosanquet, Triomphe de Gand, Prince
Charles, Henri Cinq, La Scduisante, Infidelites de Lisette, Louis Philippe, Na-
poleon, Clara Sylvian (generally classed with the Tea-scented), and Fabvier.
Tca-sccnted. — Goubault, Homere, Devoniensis, Abricotc, Buret, Adam, Baril-
Iet-D2schamp3, Comte de Paris, filise Sauvage, Caroline, Le Cameleon, Lays,
Madame Bravy, Madame Maurin, Madame J. Halphen, Safrano, Victoire, Sou-
venir d'un Ami, Niphetos, Madame William, Marechal Niel, and the finest
scented of all teas, the original of this family, Rosa indica odorata.
Bourbons. — Souvenir de Malmaison, Baron Gonella, Acidalie, Queen of the
Bourbons, Emotion, Marquis de Balbiano, Reveil, Vorace, Souchet, Rev. H.
Dombrain, Louise Margottin, and Catherine Guillot. ,
The hybrid psrpetuals, not to be overlooked, are Lord Macaulay, Lord Clyde,
John Hopper, Lord Palmerston, Due de Cazes, Due de Rohan, Francois La-
charme, Gloire de Santenay, Charles Lefebvre, Caroline de Sansal, Madame
Furtado, Duchesse de Morny, Madame Alfred de Rougemont, Madame Boutin,
Louise Magnan, Louis XIV., Senateur Vaisse, Pierre Notting, Monte Christo,
Virginale, William Griffiths, Comte de Nanteuil, Marechal Vaillant, Madame W-
dot, Baronne Pelletan de Kinkelih, Alfred de Rougemont, and Prince Leon.
All the above are good roses, and, for greenhouse culture, should be on their
own roots. Most, if not all, of the kinds named, are kept in stock by our prin-
cipal nursery-men in twenty four or six inch pots, of a size fit for this mode of
culture ; the cultivator being thereby saved a year in the preparation of the plants.
Those, however, who wish to prepare their own plants, should procure them in
spring, not later than May ; and if in small pots, as they usually are, they may
be at once placed in pots six inches in diameter, in a compost of loam and leaf-
mould, in equal parts, with a free admixture of sharp sand, amounting to about
one-sixth of the whole. The pots should be drained to one-third their depth
with crocks ; and, in potting, the ball should be gently pressed to loosen it, which
is desirable.
After potting, the plants should have a good watering, and be set on slates, or
a hard bottom, in an open, warm, sunny situation. The intervals between the
pots should be filled with ashes ; in other words, the pots should be plunged to
the rim. The i:)lants should be frequently syringed, especially in the evenings
VOL. I. 48
378 Notes and Gleanings.
of hot days, and well watered at the root ; taking care not to saturate the soil, or
make it sour through repeated waterings when it is already wet ; and dryness
must be equally guarded against, extremes of either being injurious. All flower-
buds as they show are to be pinched off between the nails of the finger and
thumb, and any strong shoot stopped at the eighth leaf The pots should be
occasionally lifted to see that the roots are not coming through ; and, if they are,
rub them off before they make any great progress.
Towards November, the pots should be lifted, and plunged in coal-ashes in a
cold pit or frame. The watering, being discontinued after September, is not to be
renewed on the removal of the plants to the pit ; but they are to be kept dry, and
to have air whenever the external atmosphere is mild, also protection from rain
and iVost.
Early in February, the plants may be taken into the greenhouse, the pots
having been previously washed clean, and the drainage made good if defective,
as no plant will thrive in a badly-drained soil. The surface of the soil in the
pots should also be stirred, and, if green, replaced with fresh. The plants may
then be pruned. The pruning of the Chin^. and tea-scented kinds should con-
sist in moderately cutting out the very weak shoots, and doing little more than
shortening those of moderate growth, so as to form a compact bush. The Bour-
bons and perpetuals should be cut in, — the very strong shoots to four, the strong
to three, and the moderately strong to two eyes ; and the weak cut clean out,
unless a shoot be wanted in a particular place, when a weak shoot may be cut
back to one eye. If tall plants are wanted, any of the tea-scented or China
varieties that have made good growths may have a neat stick, or stake, placed in
the centre of the pot, and the strongest of the shoots tied to it, the others being
shortened to different heights ; that tied to the stake to have merely its end taken
off. The plants must be placed as near the glass as their growth allows, and
between it and them no creepers or other plants must be tolerated. They can-
not have too much light; it is easy to shade them when in bloom ; and the posi-
tion should be airy. The temperature need not be altered to suit them, as that
of a greenhouse is admirably adapted to their requirements. Due regard must
be paid to watering them, avoiding extremes either way ; and yet it is as well to
let the soil become rather dry, and then afford a good supply, and not driblets,
which, if the soil is dry, do not reach the bottom of the pot, or, if it is wet, only
serve to saturate it the more. At first, moderate supplies of water will sufllice ;
but, when the foliage has become developed, it will be required in abundance.
Syringing should be practised morning and evening, except in cold and dull
weather, when once a day, and in the morning, will suffice ; and it should be
continued until the flower-buds show color.
After blooming, which will be in June, the plants should be removed from the
greenhouse, and must be carried to the potting-bench, and repotted forthwith.
If the cultivator does not wish for large plants, he will merely cut back the roots
a little, so that the pot will hold a little fresh soil, the old pot being clean-washed,
and again used. Varieties of compact growth will, of course, be selected for
this purpose, — small plants that do not take up much room ; and the best are
the small-growing tea and China roses. The others may have pots nine inches
Notes and Gleanings. 379
in diameter, which are large enough, and not too large, for holding sufficient soil
for a good and yet not ungainly specimen. The pots should be well drained by
placing a good-sized crock over the hole, and about half a dozen of less size
above it ; then one-third fill the pot (including the space occupied by the crocks
at bottom) with pieces of charcoal the size of a hazel-nut, the small dust being
sifted out, which may be mixed with the soil, and turf cut thin, and chopped into
pieces from half an inch to an inch square. A drainage of this kind seldom
clogs, and supplies food to the roots. — English yoiirnal of Horticitltitre.
Spiral-Training and Summer-Pruning of Grapes. — There is great
difterence of opinion among good grape-growers as to the best mode of training
the grape. Much has been written to prove this system or that to be the best.
It is not claimed that the spiral system is better than all others, but that it
works well, and that it is a cheap mode of training the grape. Some, perhaps,
do not understand what is meant by the term, and may not have seen this style
of training practised. It is really the spur system, for the fall-pruning of the
vine is on that principle ; and then the \-ine is trained around a single stake or
post, just as a hop or bean vine runs around a pole. Some of the advantages to
be derived from this method are, that the vine is nearly self-supporting when so
trained, needing only a good strong rope-yarn tied about it near the top to secure
it to the post ; that the ground is easily kept free of weeds, and in good con-
dition, by running the cultivator both ways, or four ways, between the vines,
which cannot be done when a trellis is used ; it is less work to tie up, to trim,
and to gather the fruit, while, at the same time, the plant gets more sun and
air.
If the plants are set to stakes six feet apart each way (which is rather near),
or six feet by ten (which latter distance will allow of the driving of a cart or wagon
through the rows to take the fruit or to carry in the manure), it will be
seen that there will be no difficulty in doing most of the work in the vineyard
by horse-power ; which is an important item in these days of high prices for labor.
It has been urged by one writer, of late, that the vine should be so trained that
its branches will droop, as they do from the top of a tree when they are allowed
to run wild. Now, if this be desirable, the object is certainly gained by this
spiral method of training ; for after the vine has reached the top of the stake, say
seven feet high, the branches then spread like an umbrella, drooping like the
branches of a weeping-willow.
The summer-pruning of vines so planted is very easily accomplished. After
the laterals have made a growth of two or three feet, and the young fruit is about
setting, or has set, then pinch in the ends of the laterals, or branches, one or two
joints beyond the outermost bunch of fruit. If they start again, as they will be
likely to, especially if they are strong-growing sorts, pinch in again at the next
joint; and so on.
The most rampant growers, such as Rogers's No. 15, will not bear such close
pruning, and, when so treated, fail to give the best results ; while, on the other
hand, the slow-growing Delaware seems to do very well under such treatment,
and even the long-jointed Concord succeeds very well. There is one objection
iSo Notes and Gleanins:s.
'£>'
to this mode of training to single stakes or posts which should be mentioned ;
and that is, when the young succulent laterals have pushed out a foot or more
in length, and before they have much substance, the wind is quite likely to blow
some of them off, causing a loss of the fruit from that branch for the season. The
same difficulty is experienced, to some extent, on a wire or wooden trellis, unless
they are kept tied up, which is hardly possible in a large vineyard. From some
years of experience with different methods of training, we are strongly inclined,
for the reasons given, to prefer the spiral system ; and can safely recommend
it to others.
The Iona Grape. — This new grape, which has been so highly praised by
its friends, and especially by its originator, fruited in different parts of the coun-
try last year, and gave the public opportunity to judge of its merits. There can
be no question that it is a grape of very high quality ; in fact, we regard it as
the best hardy grape yet introduced : but there is still some doubt as to its
proving early enough for a large portion of our country.
The vine is a good grower, with good foliage, that remained free of mildew in
the same vineyard where the Delaware was nearly a failure on account of the
mildew of the fohage ; gives good-sized bunches and berries which failed to
ripen. It is true that last season was an unfavorable one all over the country
for the ripening of the grape-crop ; yet the Concord and Creveling ripened,
and a large crop was sold from the same vineyard in which the Iona failed.
Now, the Concord is full late enough for the North ; and any variety that will
prove considerably later than that will be of little value, however good its quali-
ty. It is fully as late as the Rebecca and Allen's Hybrid, which did not ripen
with us last year.
It is fair to presume that the Iona is destined to rank very highly in the West,
and we doubt not it will prove the best wine-grape yet known ; but there can
be little hope of ever producing wine from it in the Eastern States, surely, when
it will not ripen sufificiently to be palatable. We hope better results in more
favorable seasons, and when the vines become older and more fully established.
Those who admire the Catawba will admire the Iona still more ; for it has all
the good flavor of that old and favorite sort, intensified, but still delicate and
refined.
The Adirondack Grape. — This new variety has fruited in many collections,
and has been tested, to some extent, in various parts of the country. We ex-
pected from its origin, or birthplace, if we may use such an expression, that it
would prove quite hardy. It was claimed, by those most interested, to be very
early. Of its size and quality, many of us had an opportunity to judge before we
were permitted to purchase the vines. We are often asked the question, " What
do you think of the Adirondack now ? " We answer, that it strongly resem-
bles the Isabella in foliage and habit, and very likely is a seedling from it, and
is not very hardy. It should receive protection in the North, certainly ; for there
is danger in leaving it upon the stakes or trellises entirely unprotected through
the winter. For hardiness, we class it with Rebecca and Allen's Hybrid ; though
0
Notes and Gleanings. 381
possibly, when the fohage does not mildew, it will stand the succeeding winter
a little better than the last-named variety. The young vines mildew quite as
badly as the Delaware, and rather more so than tlie Isabella. It is not a very
strong grower, but perhaps sufficiently so ; though the wood does not harden up
well, and in this respect is open to the same objection as the Isabella ; and hence
its need of protection. The fruit begins to color very early ; and it really ripens
by the middle or last of September, and in this particular fulfils the promises
made respecting it. When we tasted the fruit purporting to be from the original
vine, we set it down as nearly or quite first-rate ; but we have seen no fruit of
this variety raised elsewhere that has ever equalled that. The fact that this
fruit, of inferior quality, was raised on young vines, and that it was grown last
year, which was not a favorable one for the most perfect development of the
good qualities of a grape, are perhaps sufficient reasons to account for its failure
to meet the public expectation. Enough certainly is known in its favor to jus-
tify planting it in every city or village garden when it can be sure of protection,
and in the country when it can have a favorable location, and be covered in the
winter. It is really a great acquisition if it shall give us good crops under such
circumstances ; and the gentleman who introduced it deserves and will receive
the hearty thanks of all lovers of fruits.
The Benefits of Protection. — Since our forests have been stripped off,
allowing the cold winds of winter and spring to sweep over the country so
fiercely, some of our finer fruits fail. Time was when the peach-crop of
New England was about as sure as the apple-crop ; but latterly it has failed two-
thirds of the time. The pear often fails for a similar reason, — want of protec-
tion. This was fully proved to my mind, two or three years ago, by seeing in
a garden, protected on the north and east by a fence some twelve feet in height,
a large crop of the best varieties of pears, as fair and handsome as ever, grown
during the season when there was a short crop of this fruit generally ; and it
was a noticeable fact, that, the farther one went from the fence to where tlie trees
were in some degree exposed, the less the crop.
It is true that want of protection is not the sole cause of the failure of the
peach ; but it would, without doubt, prove a much surer crop if it received pro-
tection as of old.
Not only does this apply particularly to the spring and fall months ; but shel-
ter is a great advantage all through the year in the protection from winds, by
which much fruit will be saved from being blown down.
Most emphatically would this be true of the open prairie country of the West.
Protection is absolutely demanded, and positively necessary to successful fruit-
jrrowinij.
For this purpose, many things have been recommended ; but evergreens are
doubtless the best. Norway spruce, white pine, American spruce, red cedar, or
hemlock (though the latter is of rather slow growth), or most any other good
evergreen, will answer the purpose. If a deciduous tree and a rapid grower is
required, use the silver-maple, or locust at the West, if it can be grown free
382 Editors' Letter- Box.
from borers. In short, any decent tree that will come up quickly, and form some
protection, will answer.
Few persons are aware of the beneficial results arising from such hedges or
screens, unless they have tried the experiment. We have planted, on two sides
of our pear-orchard and vineyard, the arborvitae, white spruce, and white pine,
for this purpose, — not the very best, but the cheapest to us, because we had a
surplus of those trees. It is not yet too late to plant evergreens ; and, if your
orchard is in an exposed location, try the effects of protection.
EDITORS' LETTER-BOX.
The Editors of " The American Journal of Horticulture " cordially invite all
interested in horticulture and pomology, in its various branches, to send questions
upon any subject upon which information may be desired. Our corps of corre-
spondents is very large, and among them may be found those fully competent to
reply to any ordinary subject in the practice of horticulture. Any questions
which may be more difficult to answer will be duly noticed, and the respective
subjects fully investigated. Our aim is to give the most trustworthy informa-
tion on all subjects which can be of interest to horticulturists.
We would especially invite our friends to communicate any little items of
experience for our " Notes and Gleanings," and also the results of experiments
Such items are always readable, and of general interest.
We must, however, request that no one will write to the contributors to our
columns upon subjects communicated to the Magazine.
Any queries of this nature will be promptly answered in our columns.
Anonymous communications cannot be noticed : we require the name and
address of our correspondents as pledges of good faith.
Rejected communications will be returned when accompanied by the requisite
number of stamps.
W. H. — The daffodil is a narcissus. Yours is probably the common kind,
botanically known as iV. psciido narcissics^ but annually imported from Holland,
and sold at auction in great quantities under the name of iV. orange pha'utx. A
popular name is butter and eggs, from the lemon and orange colored petals. There
are, however, many varieties, differing in the color of the flowers, and both single
and double. All are hardy, and need only be planted in a deep garden soil to
flower well year after year.
The jonquil is a narcissus, botanically A'', jonquilla, a native of Spain, but
perfectly hardy.
J. W. T., Natick. — Buerre d'Anjou, Lawrence, Seckel, will satisfy you in
every respect. There are no better pears, and we much doubt if there ever will
be.
Editors Letter- Box. 383
C. L. M., Vineland, N.J. — The yellow thread-like masses which you enclose,
as found in an old garden, seem to" be some form of Usnea : the only thing which
would conflict with this is their being subterranean. That they are not roots,
you can readily see by breaking them. All roots have some woody tissue, which
these have not, being homogeneous in substance. They are evidently of lichenose
growth. Investigate further if you please, and report whether they are found in
masses, or threading the soil. They cannot be beneficial ; and, though we can-
not certainly pronounce them injurious, we should prefer not to have them in a
garden.
We are in receipt of reports of the meetings of the Alton (III; Horticultural
Society, which show the progress yearly making in floriculture and pomology.
The reports have the ring of true metal about them, and show that the members
are active, wide-awake, and earnest, zealous in experiment, and ready to commu-
nicate for the information of others.
With such elements, success is certain ; and that the future may amply fulfil
the bright promise of the present, is our earnest wish. Many Eastern societies
would improve in usefulness, if, like the Alton Horticultural Society, they would
hold regular meetings for discussion, and the reading of essays, in which every
member is expected to take a part.
B. T. writes us as follows : " I made a little experiment last year with peas,
planting some two or three inches, and otJiers five incites deep : the result was
in favor of the latter, which yielded threefold more than the others, and con-
tinued in bearing twice as long."
Experience will generally confirm the truth of this. The general mistake is,
that peas are not planted deep enough. They may, however, be planted about
three inches, and hilled up as they grow. Sweet-peas, planted and treated thus,
give ten times more bloom than when grown as they ordinarily are.
Dr. Benjamin F. Ling, in an essay read before the Alton Horticultural Soci-
ety, writes as follows (and truer words were never written) : —
" One point only will I make on this branch of horticulture ; viz., that the
time of day for cultivating gardens is important : the reasons why may be left to
science. All of the vegetables of the garden may be cultivated at any hour of
the twenty-four forming the day, except beans ; and generally for their benefit.
If beans are cultivated when there is moisture upon their leaves, the earth ad-
heres to them, and they rust ; or they are killed in part or outright, according to
the amount of dirt upon their surface. Not so with other plants. If you wish
to succeed, and have the garden pay a rich reward for all of your labor, in dry
seasons as well as wet, trench deep ; manure moderately every year to the point
just alluded to ; work the ground while the dew is upon it, witli the exception
above noticed. I know of no plant that we depend on among those of the gar-
den that is not made much better in quality, and more productive, by working the
ground when it is moist with dew. When you have thinning of plants to do, be
up early in the morning, as soon as you can see, and go at it ; and, as far as you thin
384 Editors Letter- Box.
out, hoe between the rows, and protect those plants which have been disturbed.
If there is no thinning to be done, still I would say. Out early in the morning, as
soon as you can distinguish the plants from the weeds, or the rows of plants
where there are no weeds, and ply the hoe, sometimes shallow, and others deep ;
and, my word for it, you will not regret the pains you have taken."
In the proceedings at the Warsaw (111.) Horticultural Society, we find the
following apples recommended by a committee appointed for the purpose : —
Beginning with the winter class, they unhesitatingly unite in recommending
the Ben Davis, Winesap, and Rawles's Jannet, as the three that must take pre-
cedence. They place the Ben Davis first, because they find, that for hardiness,
growth of tree, bearing qualities, and ready sale in the market, it does stand pre-
eminently in the front rank. The Winesap they place second, and the Rawles's
Jannet third, though believing them to be about equal in point of value, and both
superior to the first in point of quality alone.
In regard to the other three winter apples, they are not quite so decided. The
Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Peck's Pleasant, Hubbardston Nonesuch, Pryor's Red,
Westfield Seek-no-farther, and White Bellefleur, are all good apples, — quite as
good as the three named, — and have all been more or less tested in this vicinity,
and prove to be generally hardy and good bearers.
Of fall apples, they name Fall Wine, Rambo, Maiden's-blush, Snow or Fa-
meuse, and Red Bellefleur. The Snow has not been tested, that they can learn,
in this region, but has a fine reputation in other parts of the State. The Red
Bellefleur is perhaps a local name for a fine and handsome red apple, grown by
several persons in this locality. The tree is hardy, and an early and a constant
bearer ; the fruit good, and very salable.
Of summer apples, they freely unite in placing the Carolina, Red June, and
Early Harvest in the front rank. After these come the Red Astrachan and
Keswick Codlin.
A fair supply of sweet apples should not be forgotten, as no list is complete
without them. They name three, — for summer. Sweet June ; fall, Jersey Sweet-
ing ; winter. Ladies' Sweeting.
Cherries. — Of cherries, they can only recommend the planting of the Early
Richmond and English Morello ; though the Governor Wood, May Duke, Yellow
Spanish, and a few others of the finer sorts, sometimes give partial crops.
The present number of " The Journal of Horticulture " contains six-
teen pages more than any number previously issued. The publishers thus
more than fulfil the promises made at the beginning of the year, that each num-
ber should improve upon the preceding in value and interest.
No magazine issued in the country has in so short a space of time presented
so much valuable matter of horticultural interest, embracing so vast a field, and
upon such a variety of subjects. Both publishers and editors aim to make the
Journal American. Undue prominence will not be given to any section of
our common country ; but we work for the interests of all, and to advance the
cause of horticulture.
Editors^ Letter- Box.
0^53
With the July number, the second volume of the Magazine begins ; and, from
the articles already in type, we can promise that there shall be no falling-oflf in
interest ; but our aim will ever be to improve.
We publish with great pleasure the following extracts from a letter from an
esteemed correspondent. The evil is widespread, and calls for correction.
Not only in catalogues are names misspelled ; but, at the exhibitions of our
leading horticultural societies, plants, flowers, and fruit are often incorrectly
marked.
" Messrs. Editors, — I write to solicit your aid in correcting a grievance.
Incorrect spelling is offensive wherever it occurs. Why, then, should publica-
tions connected with the culture of flowers be allowed, without a protest, to
misspell the names of plants ?
" I lately received a catalogue of greenhouse and bedding plants, and a very
creditable catalogue too, for the number and character of the varieties, but which
was marred by more than three hundred words incorrectly spelled. The com-
mon specific name '■ Corymbosum'' was '■ Coromboysium j'' '■ Shoenbrzcnn'' was
*■ SJioembranunj'' ^ Farfughan grande^ \v?is ^ Farfiigian Gra7tdee,'' and ^ Dte-
lytra' was ^ Dyaletria,^ ' Dielyiria'' and ^ Dyalctra? I am sure, if nursery-
men and florists understood the unfavorable impression which is produced by
these errors, they would strive to be correct.
" There is another usage, not so offensive as incorrect spelling, but still one
which needs correction, — the quite common error of commencing the specific
names of plants with capital letters.
" Generic names should commence with capitals : specific names should not,
unless derived from some proper name ; thus, Ageratum coeruleum, Ageratum
Mexicanmn.
" Then again, when Latin systematic names are \\\q specific names, they should
always agree m gender with \.\\t generic name. It is common to see Ageratum
Mexicana for Mexicanxm, Alyssum co?npactA. for compact\3U.
" Will it be said these matters are of small consequence ? I cannot think so.
These errors, so easily avoided by care, give bad impressions. Catalogues of
beautiful plants and flowers should not offend good taste ; and I cannot but
think, that, when they do offend, the interest of the proprietor suffers.
" Will you direct, in your own good time, attention to this matter, and aid in
its correction ? "
W. H. P. — We cannot understand the cause of your failure. An egg-
plant treated like a tomato, to which indeed it is own cousin, seldom fails to do
well. The trouble must be in the seed : the best are the large purple and black
Pekin. Get seeds, or, better, plants, of the latter ; give them rich soil, a warm,
sunny place, and do not let them suffer from drought ; and you cannot fail to
have fruit. If you require any quantity, however, you must have plenty of plants.
Each plant can mature but one or two fruit ; and, when these are well set, it is
better to pinch in the plant, and throw the whole strength of the plant into the
fruit.
VOL. I. 45
386 Editors Lctter-Box.
A Subscriber. — I have a tree that has been injured on one side of the
trunk by being run against, and there is a large wound in consequence. Will
you tell me how to treat it ? — Cover the wound with a composition of clay and
horse-dung, and bind a cloth over all. If the wound is a small one, wax will
answer a similar purpose. The same remedy will answer when trees are injured
by the winter, or are scorched by the hot sun of summer, producing a wound.
A healthy young bark will soon be formed over such scars by using the compo-
sition spoken of.
I. O. U., Portland, Me. — Will pear-trees bear severe pruning and shortening
in ? and is it a profitable course to pursue ? — Yes, they will bear it, and give good
results, but would not be profitable, except possibly in small gardens, where it is
important to get a good many varieties on a small space. The trees may be
trimmed in several forms, — wine-glass, cone, and column.
Two Opinions. — Is the Wilson's Albany strawberry worth growing ? — Not
for home use : it is too poor and acid. It is uncertain. Under favorable cir-
cumstances, it pays very well ; none better. Some would plant the Wilson
for market in preference to nine-tenths of the strawberries now cultivated.
Small Fruit, West Cambridge. — Should strawberries be sent to market
with, or without, the hulls 1 in baskets, or boxes ? — They bear transportation
better if sent to market without being hulled ; and this mode is becoming
more popular every year. Boston style is hulled, and in boxes. Our friends
in Jersey send in small baskets. We think the former preferable for New
En^fland.
A Well-Wisher. — In transplanting large fruit-trees, would it be best to
shorten in ? How about mulching and staking trees, or placing stones about
them .'' — It is well to shorten in trees of some species when transplanted. Should
not do it with cherry-trees ; should never transplant a large peach-tree ; but,
with pear and apple trees, we have no doubt of its utility : should prefer to mulch.
Staking may be resorted to sometimes when the top of the tree is large, and
holds a good deal of wind. Stones placed about the tree answer a similar pur-
pose. We have an article on staking trees, in press.
A Beginner, out West. — In the summer-cultivation of the grape, would
you plough among the vines 1 — It is better to avoid the plough near the roots ;
for there is great danger, that, by its use, many roots would be destroyed. Use
the cultivator mostly.
Marcus, Bellows Falls, Vt. — How late in the season will it do to plant
strawberries ? — The last of April, or first of May, is the best time of the year ;
but if the weather is favorable, and care is taken, they may be planted as late as
July, and give fair results the following year. Fall-planting is not profitable at
the North.
Editors Ldtcr-Box. l^J
A. L. B., Lowell, Mass. — You will find the pawpaw advertised by Parsons &
Co., or Prince of Flushing, L.I. ; or it may probably be obtained of any nursery-
man in the Middle States, — price about fifty cents. It is neither 7y pear nor an
apple, nor has it the most distant relationship to either. The fruit with you
would not be worth much, as our autumn suns are not warm enough to bring it
to maturity ; but the foliage is fine : it makes a very handsome ornamental
shrub, and the flower is pretty.
A friend writes from Ohio, " One of the wild sunflowers of Ohio has tuber-
ous roots similar in appearance and in flavor to the roots of the Jerusalem arti-
choke, — the Helianthus doronicoides of Gray's Manual, which is probably the
original of the artichoke."
C. L. M. — The "best green for bouquets " is not a very definite expression,
as diflferent plants best serve the purpose at different seasons, and diff"erent styles
of bouquets require different "green." That in most common use in the vicini-
ty of Boston is the Lycopodiiim of the woods, and the ink-berry {Prinosgtaber).
Kalmia latifolia, or mountain-laurel, is somewhat used, as is also box and
other evergreen shrubs.
For hanging green, smilax and maurandia are most used ; but any weeping
or trailing plant may be employed.
For delicate green, sprigs of diosma, myrtle, and melalauca, are generally em-
ployed.
C. L. M. — Cucumbers and musk-melons, if planted near together, will mix :
this will not, however, affect the fruit, but only render the seed worthless.
W. P. H., Harrisville, Penn. — In your ill success with ranunculus and anem-
ones, you are not alone. Our climate is not suitable for them, and you are
far more likely to fail than to succeed. In the first place, they usually rot in the
ground if planted in the autumn in the garden ; and any that survive are gener-
ally killed by the hot sun. Your failure, however, was probably owing to too
close a soil. In England, the preparation of the soil for ranunculus is a work
of years.
The soil for both should be good and light ; tliough the ranunculus likes a
stiffer soil than the anemone. The bed must be well drained ; and, during growth,
the plants must not be allowed to suffer from drought, and should be shaded
from scorching sun.
Your trouble with those planted in pots came from their damping-off, as the
roots were too cold, and the tops too warm.
They are frequently grown in the greenhouse, but are never so fine as when
wintered in a cold frame. Roots of anemone kept till spring will probably be
worthless. The ranunculus possess greater vitality ; and if they have not been
kept in too dry a place, or moulded from too much moisture, will probably grow.
You will find full instructions as to soil and management in " Bulbs," pub-
lished at this office.
^SS Alton (III-) Horticultural Society.
The Editors have valuable articles on hand upon prairie-flowers, Wardian
cases, lily-ponds, cross-bred strawberries, staking trees, evergreens, and many
other interesting subjects : these will, we trust, in a great measure, appear in
the July number ; but for all delays we must ask the indulgence of our corre-
spondents, assuring them we are not unmindful of their many favors, and
thanking them for many kindnesses received.
A subscriber, under date of New York, May i, writes to the publishers, com-
plaining of the want of articles on the treatment of fruit-trees in our Journal.
Such articles will appear from time to time, and our endeavor will be to neglect
no interest.
If subscriber will, over his own name, communicate any suggestions to the
publishers, they will be thankfully received ; but anonymous communications
merit no notice.
Ignoramus, Buffalo, N.Y. — Is it an advantage to mulch strawberries ? If
so, what would you use for that purpose .'* — There are benefits to be derived
from mulching the strawberry : it prevents the fruit from getting down into the
dirt ; it protects, to some extent, from drought ; and it prevents the weeds from
growing. Some use spent tan to mulch ; others, chopped hay or straw. Should
prefer the latter. Pass meadow-hay through the hay-cutter, and it can then be
worked in among the plants nicely.
Seedling. — How soon will grape-vines raised from the seed give fruit ? —
About the fourth year, if they are well treated.
Fruitist, Newburyport. — Will you please name some of the best summer
and fall apples for market ? — WiUiaras's, Sweet Bough, Dutch Codlin (for cook-
ing), Red Astrachan, Washington, and Gravenstein.
ALTON (ILL.) HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society met at the residence of John M. Pearson, Monticello, on Thurs-
day, Jan. 3, 1867 ; W. C. Flagg in the chair. The election of officers being in
order, John M. Pearson was elected Presidcfit. A committee to nominate the
remaining officers was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Hull, Long, J. E. Starr,
Huggins, and M'Pike ; who presented the following report, which was adopted
by a unanimous vote : —
Vice-Presidents, D. E. Brown, H. G. M'Pike. Secretary, J. E. Starr. Treas-
urer, B. F. Long. Executive Board, E. S. Hull, H. G. M'Pike, W. C. Flagg,
J. Burton. Chairmen of Standing Committees, — Orchards, — W. C. Flagg.
Vineyards, — D. Stewart. Fruits, — E. S. Hull. Flowers, — Mrs. J. M. Pear-
Alton (III.) Horticultural Society. 389
son. Vegetables, — E. A. Riehl. Entomology, — J. Huggins. Botany, — Mrs.
E. S. Hull. Ornithology, - \V. E. Smith.
Dr. Hull reported on the vineyard of J. E. Starr. This vineyard contains by
far the largest collection of grapes yet planted in this region ; but, not being
within convenient distance of our regular Vineyard Committee, it has received
but casual observation from them. I have, therefore, consented to give the
impressions of two days spent in it during the time of ripening, gratifying
the pleasure of sight and taste. The most prominent varieties cultivated are the
following : —
Rogers's Hybrids, No. i. — A late grape ; the leaves much injured by the shade
of trees. The maturity of these grapes doubtless was retarded by the proximity
of forest-trees. These consume the gases in the atmosphere, and thus starve
the vines.
No. 2. — Vines healthy. In bunches, berries, and color, it resembles the
Concord. The grapes, with the exception of a few scattering berries, were hardly
ripe ; skin thick ; a highly spirited grape, of good quality.
No. 3. — Strong grower ; foliage coarse ; bunches loose, about the size of Ca-
tawba ; berries one-third larger, of a dark amber ; quality nearly or quite equal to
the Delaware.
No. 4. — Should this grape continue to prove nearly as productive as the
Concord, its abilities to resist disease, its great productiveness, and the superior
quality of its fruit, combined, will make it one of the most desirable dessert
grapes. To our thinking, it has just the right blending of sugar and acid to suit
the majority of tastes. Bunches of medium size ; berries large, purple ; ripening
evenly.
No. 5. — Vines vigorous ; bunches of medium size; berries large; Catawba
flavor.
No. 9. — Canes of medium strength ; foliage thick ; healthy ; a good bearer ;
bunches rather above the medium size ; berries loose ; color of Catawba. From
the thickness of its skin, it ought to keep well, and bear distant transportation.
Quality very good.
No. 1 3. — Strong grower ; bunches small and loose ; berries medium to large ;
slightly foxy ; tough ; seeds large ; hardly as good as Concord.
No. 15. — Mr. Rogers, I believe, considers this his best number yet sent out.
In canes and fruit, it is about as vigorous and productive as the majority of the
Rogers's. Hybrids quality best. To our taste, it would be preferred to either
of the others but for a slight unpleasant flavor about the skin ; pulp a little hard.
The slight roughness about the skin, and firmness of pulp, were, we think, due to
the overcropping of the vines, as we found specimens free from both.
No. 38. — A high vinous, spirited grape, with excess of acid ; bunches small,
compact ; berries medium to large ; color purple, covered with a thick bloom.
This and others of Rogers's seedlings, in foliage, are closely allied to the Con-
cord. The leaves, though not quite so large, are as thick, and seem to resist
the attacks of thrips as well as that celebrated sort.
Rebecca. — Here as elsewhere in this region, under vineyard culture, it is
worthless. Mildew and thrips defoliate the canes.
390 Literary Notices.
LITERARY NOTICES.
The American Dictionary of the English Language. By Noah
Webster, LL.D. Revised, enlarged, and improved, Sec. Spring-
field, Mass. : C. & G. Merriam, State Street, 1867. Pp. 1765.
Webster's Dictionary is received as authority wherever the English lan-
guage is spoken. Even in the old form, it left little to be desired ; but this new
and revised edition surely leaves nothing for us to ask in elegance and accuracy.
What would have been said a few years since to an illustrated dictionary ?
Our present purpose is, however, not to review a work which is well known to
all our readers, but simply to call attention to the beauty and accuracy of the
illustrations relating to agriculture and liorticulture.
Botanical terms are often hard to be understood, and a definition is but a
roundabout way of coming to the true meaning ; while an illustration, appealing to
the eye at once, conveys the true meaning, and satisfies the understanding.
The illustrations in the present edition of the dictionary are generally all
that we could wish, not only those explxining botanical terms, but the figures
of different plants and those illustrating modes of growth.
We congratulate the publishers on the production of a work of such general
usefulness, and which must be so popular.
American Pomology : Apples. By Dr. John A. Warder. New York :
Orange Judd. With 290 illustrations. 744 pages.
This book is particularly written for the great North-west, — that part of the
country where the author resides. He says, in his preface, that he was called
upon to furnish a work on fruits peculiarly adapted to that region ; though he
claims, and jusdy v/e think, to have furnished a book that meets the wants of the
"orchardists of all portions of our country." He has most successfully accom-
plished his task, and given us a treatise on the apple, beginning with its early
history, and following it down to our own day; giving practical directions for the
propagation of the trees by seeds, budding, grafting, layering, (Sic, with very
minute and careful directions for the successful performance of all operations
connected with the same. Then follows the dwarfing of the apple ; a practice, by
the way, that is growing in favor with our liorticulturists, as it furnishes, like the
dwarf-pear, a greater number of varieties on the same space than can be obtained
on standards. Other subjects are considered, — such as the diseases of trees, and
their treatment ; the site for an orchard ; preparation of soil ; selection of vari-
eties ; planting the same ; the philosophy of pruning, thinning, ripening, and
preserving fruits ; with some statements concerning Prof. Nyce's new method
of preserving fruit ; the insects injurious to trees and fruits ; followed by several
hundred outline engravings of apples, with a minute and particular description
Lita-ary Notices. 391
of eacli variety. Select lists of varieties adapted to the several portions of the
country are given ; closing with the addition of a table, with varieties alphabeti-
cally arranged, giving size, origin, class, season, and quality, and a general index.
While we recognize most of the old and well-known sorts, we notice the names
of many varieties entirely new to us in New England, but none the less valua-
ble on that account for those portions of our widely-extended country where
they seem to flourish.
We regxrd this book as a valuable addition to the list of works on American
pomology, and cheerfully accord to our friend Warder a place in the front rank
of American writers on the fruits of America. With this book before him, the
novice may perform every operation connected with fruit-growing, from the plant-
ing of the seed to the successful harvesting of a remunerative crop of the very
best varieties. It is well gotten up on good paper, and well printed in clear
type, and is a credit to its publisher. It deserves to find a place in the happy
homes of thousands of our farmers on the hillsides of New England, in the rich
and pleasant valleys and along the rivers of the Middle States, on the broad
and fertile prairies of the West, and onward over the Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific slope. Everywhere, from the rising sun of the east to the setting sun
of the west, let all such books be received with welcome.
The American Gardener's Assistant : In Three Parts, &;c., &:c. By
Thomas Bridgeman. New edition, revised, enlarged, and illustrated,
by S. Edwards Todd. New York : William Wood & Co. 1867.
I vol. Pp. 152, 211, 166.
Many a time in our younger days we have left work in the garden, and wan-
dered into the house to consult our old copy of Bridgeman, in order to see
whether we were going on right or not ; and we are consequently very ready to
welcome an old friend in a new and handsome dress.
This edition divides the book, as before, into three parts, which treat of the
kitchen, fruit, and flower garden respectively ; and each division is replete with
useful and trustworthy information. The beginner can find here directions
about almost all operations connected with the cultivation of fruits, vegetables,
and flowers, written in a pleasant and attractive style. Specialists- — people
who are looking for exhaustive treatises upon particular varieties of fruit — will,
of course, understand that this book has not been written for them ; but, as a
general vade-vicaun for the ordinary affairs of the garden and orchard, this
manual answers every purpose. It is practical in its tendency, and every thing
laid down in it appears to be derived from the author's actual experience. He
neither brings forward nor originates many theories : and on this account we are
the more disposed to speak well of it ; for, though we can make no true progress
without theories, beginners and amateurs, who consult text-books to know just
what they must do in a given case, do not want to be befogged by endless and
unprofitable discussions, based often on very doubtful premises.
Theorizing to excess is, we think, the fault of too many modern works on
392 Literary Notices.
horticulture, where the writers devote page after page to elaborating some favor-
ite notion, — important in their estimation it may be, but of no interest to
their readers, who want information and guidance.
Never liaving served an apprenticeship under a scientific gardener, we know
little of the high mysteries of the art ; but, for nine people out of ten, we believe
the book named above will be a safe and satisfactory guide. In some futuFc
edition, we hope to see a fuller list of strawberries and grapes ; but these multi-
ply so fast, that any manual soon gets antiquated. Lindley's " Outlines of Hor-
ticulture " makes a valuable appendix to the book ; which makes us forget for the
time the backwardness of the season, and see in imagination rows of peas push-
ing their way to light, beans sprouting, and the ten thousand signs that show
summer at hand and the gardener busy.
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